The Laniidae Clan

Light fallen dethroned
Darkened wings skyward fly high
Feel heavens tremble

In the wake of The Shattering the mixing of light and death magics have sent a great many portents across the interstice. With the light of the lands shattered, days have grown shorter, seasons colder and even the heavens above seem dimmer. So many changes happening at once, it is no wonder that people have picked up these changes as omens of despairing events to come. Many fear what fate has in store for this strange isolated realm; perhaps destruction and death is nigh. But one group welcome the omens, seeing something of greatness to be witnessed.
The Laniidae trace their ancestry back to the Umbralands of Ulgu and it was rumoured that they were part of the machinations that imprisoned the prince of pleasure. Their clan is rarely remembered for valourous deeds though, as their reputation for espionage and assassination far precedes their name. Most notoriously is their tradition of impaling assassination targets for all to see, a grim warning to those that would seek to oppose them or their path. Superstitious in all facets of life, they read the entrails and clouded pupils of their victims, hoping to attain glimmers of the future.
During a great migration of their clan within the realm of shadow, they were swallowed up in a shade storm and in the confusing winds of shadow, they were transported to the Interstice so many years ago. With the ensuing chaos of The Shattering, they have found signs of the great gatherer pointing them towards a glorious ascension, their clan leader at the forefront of this momentous event.
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Tatsumaki Grand High Priestess and Shadow Piercer of the Lanidae Clan, The Cleanser, The Scryer of Shadows, The Lancer of the Mountains, The Seer of the Penumbral Gate, The First Talon and The Oath Bearer of the Great Gatherer. She stands as the leader of the clan though her position is seen to be precarious by some. Tradition would see that her elder sister, Hibana, would hold the title of clan leader, but on the day of Tatsumaki's birth a great prophesy was revealed which elevated her to the esteemed position, much to the dismay of her sister as they grew older. By personality, Tatsumaki was the meeker of the two. Where Hibana was more ruthless and cruel, Tatsumaki was calmer and calculating. In a clan as notorious as the Laniidae though, many saw this as a sign of weakness and questioned the reasoning for her leadership role.
Over the years though, as her training continued, Tatsumaki grew colder. Understanding the role that she played and the duties she held, she cast aside her feelings and upheld her rightful place as clan leader. With utter focus, she honed her strength and killing prowess, becoming masterful in their arts of stealthy and precision strikes. Like a diving shrike, there is simply a blur before the kill.
While Hibana and her followers have occasionally disputed the role of Shadow Piercer, Tatsumaki has always proven herself to be the one true leader of the clan. With the advent of The Shattering, her claim as leadership has only solidified tenfold, as the omens that were given so long ago on the date of her birth have finally begun to write her path in the stars.
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The prophesy foretells of a great gathering of power which will give rise to a winged creature of fearsome strength. Most believe that Tatsumaki will fulfill this prophesy and the recent omens are a sign that the time is near. To wield the power of the realms will unlock a great boon to manifest her destiny and thus the search begins for her and her clan.

Notable Members

• Hibana - Shadow Piercer, High Priestess
• Tatsumaki - Shadow Piercer, Grand High Priestess

Related Plots

• Ascension on Darkened Wings