Zhu'Shpazh

Type

Noble Bloodline, Political, Secretive

Leader

Shpou'Shra-Zmutwe Reldyn Zhu'Shpazh

LAZ

ZSHPAZH-SH
ZSHPAZH-VYA
What is a Laz?

Those of the main line will have the -SH. Everyone else will be lacking it except those married into, bought, or sold into the family. They will have the -VYA signifier.

Mark

Animal

This is a reflection of an earlier time period when the royal families were represented by not only colors, but their Marks and animal symbols.

Raven

Founding Date

0001

Shpazh’s claim is that they are the original noble bloodline. The first to form a settlement, the first to create law and order, the first to structure the vnou as a people. The current dating system is based off of the Shpazh claim of when their structured time started.

Colors

Territory

On paper and in record, Shpazh own the Sakilatian Empire and oversee much of the Protectorate of Senbach, who is theirs by proxy. In reality, Shpazh territory and influence span the planet.

Motto

Other vnou are props on our stage.

When bells of shame have faded
And I remain reviled
Let vengeance roar for blood and war
Behind a scornful smile

Let it all burn down around us
Let the cruel consume the just
Let the sin we swim in drown us
Let the world shatter
Into dust
Nothing else matters
Only us

There’s some devil in heaven and some angels in hell
So promise me child, when they pull your card
You’ll know which one you are
If you can’t do good, better do bad well
I don’t believe in miracles
Flickers in the night
I know that something is worth it
I know how to fight
They never seen the story
Only wrong from right
It’s just like you told me

Appearance

Shpazh customarily have dark hair and dark eyes, though their eyes might tend toward ember or something close to gold. The family almost always decorates themselves in the family colors of red, white, black, and gold – especially gold jewelry. Their homes are large castles on the outskirts of cities – sites of often historical note that have been in the family for generation upon generation. These places hold many members of the family and are generally open to any with the Shpazh name – or a Fa of the family.

Fine fabrics, gold jewelry, black feathers, and intricate detail are the calling of Shpazh. Any other precious metals are almost taboo, as are the colors blue, green, and gray. They make a very big distinction, especially when appearing in any sort of social or public function, to dress in the style and colors of their family.

About

They’re known as the Blood family in less than polite company given their violent history while holding the throne before the vnou caved to a Council. The Shpazh will say that it was their family’s idea and that it was not a series of wars and subterfuge that led to the more peaceful political system that rules the planet now. What is closer to the truth is that many of the more powerful families were bullied and pushed into the current system – some went quicker than others in an attempt to establish themselves.

Shpazh retain the crown as part of their Mark for the obvious declaration that they were the rulers – that their lineage is royal even if that isn’t something that is recognized anymore. They are the wealthiest family who controls the Sakilatian Empire through a series of smaller councils, most with some manner of family leading, and subsidiary Fa families. Their network is vast and though no one would ever accuse Shpazh of being a quiet wallflower, the family is observant and always seems several moves ahead of everyone else without drawing much attention to themselves.

It’s their show, everyone else is just watching.

It would be more accurate to say the family operates more like a hydra – many different powerful people moving pieces around so that their family remains on top and their wealth is always secured. Everything always seems above board, their books tight. Everything that could be attached to them or traced to the family in some form or fashion is always clean. Appearing above petty rivalries while they are in the thick of it, keeping everyone in whatever place they think they should be. Certainly below them.

The family’s interpersonal relationships vary largely depending on who is interacting with whom. The ‘heads of the hydra’ tend to conspire against one another though it is usually to embarrass one another at family gatherings, knocking one another down social pegs while doing nothing that would destabilize the family as a whole. Members who disgrace the family or call too much negative attention to themselves usually end up being sold off or go missing. The family almost always tries to sell them off first, usually to a Fa family. The cast off loses all ties and claim to the Shpazh name once the deal is done and any misdeeds they might’ve committed are quickly forgotten. It’d take something really crazy for someone to warrant being permanently removed. It’s far too much paperwork to cover up a murder and a waste of good blood.

Public Relations

To the common vnou, the Shpazh name is associated with reality TV and celebrities. It’s drama and gossip, the sort of thing that fills unimportant conversations or off-color blogsites that claim to catch candid shots of the rich and famous in their private life. Their name is historic, associated with wealth, but no one would ever think that Shpazh has anything to do with anything regarding politics. Which is the point.

Shpazh works heavily with Sid’Vyouz to maintain a public image of ignorance to the world at large. They have specific actors who play faces and roles for the family, who will stir up planned and programmed drama to draw attention away from anything the family might actually want out of sight or out of mind. It is far easier to manipulate and control the populace on a large scale via media and propaganda than it is to have to mind-wipe and alter them individually. The vnou population is at a point that, while a Zmutwe’s power is still very impressive, it pales in comparison to sheer numbers.

Fa Family

Shpazh has an extensive Fa bigger than their already large family. They’re nearly as cunning and crafty as the Shpazh themselves, fully aware of their supportive role in the family and see themselves as second to the emperors of the vnou. If Shpazh is the best, then obviously they’re just a half step behind since many Shpazh marry into their families and vice versa. The Fa is almost obsessively concerned about keeping their unconnected away from anyone that could possibly be from Sid’Thovaych, Pra’Stazrach, and Pra’Myoiw. It is far more important to them that they connect to a nobody or commoner than they connect to one of the higher opposing families. Not only would it be difficult on their public image and relations, but it also could turn into a political nightmare.

Foreign Relations

To the world at large, the vnou that claim the Shpazh name publicly are little more than reality TV stars. They’re old money who travel the world, surrounded by drama that is plastered all over various channels and blogs online. They’re at the top of the media social circles – starring in box office hits and models of the latest fashion. They’re common on red carpet events and in front of cameras, spewing ignorant opinions about the world at large. The fall from glory, it seems, has been far and Shpazh is little more than an inflated echo of the royalty they used to be.

In reality, Shpazh controls, has infiltrated, and influences more than half of the planet. According to the official documents filed at the Library of Archived Records, the Shpazh name owns the Sakilatian Empire – the largest empire on the planet – while presiding over the Protectorate of Senbach – the fifth largest in terms of population and square miles. It would take years to list all of the assets the family owns, never mind the branching Fa families. This has made them a thorn in the side of nearly every noble family. No matter how many might scorn the idea that they were the first, Shpazh is certainly the most influential and arguably the most powerful in terms of connections and expansion. The family hasn’t quit it’s Imperialistic ideals since the end of the Reconstruction and have worked to maintain the vice-like control they have over the world.

by Midjourney

Industry

by Midjourney

Shpazh own or control almost all of the gold mines and refineries across the planet. As gold has been the family’s namesake metal for as long as records have existed, their monopoly of it has been a point of pride for nearly as long. While there are other families, and technology, that use gold, all of the material flows through Shpazh controlled mines, overseen through family owned or overseen refineries, and most of the gold is shaped or handled in family owned shops. This has created a false sense of scarcity and inflated the worth of gold. Common vnou see it as an extreme symbol of wealth but it has not been advertised to them though not outright denied. Outrageous price tags do that on its own.

The notable exceptions in the noble lines are Pra’Viyk, Sid’Vyouz, Zhu'Drahinuaw, and Sid’Shrie. Pra’Viyk claimed the color and metal as part of their family color despite Shpazh previous claim to it. That particular family has always seen themselves as above and beyond the petty political matters of the others, so they didn’t care who had the monopoly on the factories – they pay Shpazh and use it. Since Pra’Viyk tend to focus their matters on public works for the common vnou, Shpazh saw no reason to contest the claim and, if anything, they use their control of gold to guide Pra’Vyik attention. Subtly, of course.

Sid’Vyouz gained access to it through their entertainment contract with Shpazh – one of the few benefits the family actually gained in their contractual relationship with Shpazh. Zhu’Drahinuaw showcased the benefits of gold in technology, so their factories were granted access in a very limited, restricted sense.

Sid’Shrie is another outlier like Pra’Viyk. It wasn’t that the family of trade and travel didn’t know that the metal belonged to the first family, it’s just that it doesn’t matter to them. Quite the opposite. Financiers decorate themselves in all manner of expensive jewelry, to include gold. Sometimes more than the Shpazh themselves, though the first family would say such excess is in poor taste or obscene. For Shrie, it’s all about putting their wealth on display. Since Shpazh has artificially created the sense of extreme wealth around gold, it was only natural that Shrie wear it. In present day, Shpazh behave like they allow Shrie to do so though they’ve no real way of stopping one of the wealthiest families on the planet.

Ethics & Intrigue

Everything is permissible when it comes to securing the future and prosperity of Shpazh. They are a monstrous family of many influential, powerful vnou across the planet – many of which most don’t even know are associated with the family. A lot of their power comes from their information network and infiltration into many of the larger governments. Not even Zhu’Drahinuaw could say just how many vnou actually comprise the entirety of the Shpazh family – they wouldn’t trust all the filed information at the Library of Records – and they’d be right in thinking so. Shpazh has everything filed that is required for them to hold on to the assets they want others to know they have. Anything at the Library with their name on it are things they want the other nobility to know they have.

The family’s records would reflect something else entirely. Shpazh is a vast network of information and subtle, behind the scenes movements. Powerful Shra who manipulate and move other vnou in the direction they want without any other aware it’s even happening. The Reconstruction was supposed to put an end to the tyrannical abuse powerful Shra had over their lesser – and it has. In the open. All the Reconstruction did for Shpazh was make them quieter, more careful, about their manipulations and use of others. Their philosophy and consideration for the common vnou hasn’t ever changed. The general populace is a volatile force to be managed. Belligerent low grade Shra necessary for the comfortable lives they live. A touchy resource to manage.

History

The history of Shpazh is almost a reflection of the history of the vnou. The rise of vnou from a tribal state into settlements, into colonizing parts of the planet, then fracturing off to start their own cities, states, and eventually nations is all writ through the lens of Shpazh. They like to think of themselves as the original vnou, though the other families have since been so separate and segregated to the extent they’ve muddied and diluted their blood that it’s no longer part of the Shpazh line.

The darker ages of vnou history that are no longer remembered or in any record are likewise a reflection of Shpazh. In a time of looser morals and less consideration for vnou life, Shpazh ruled entire portions of the planet with a tyrannical iron fist. The class disparity between those that had and those that didn’t was monumental. It would take hundreds of years and an industrial revolution, a boom in population and a revolt, before that would actually change. Shpazh might be numerous, but they could not out breed the planet. So they were forced to feign a surrender and split up their territories in what many of the common vnou see as entering the modern era and the end to tyrannical rule.

That doesn’t mean things have changed, at least, not below the neat and clean surface. There is no higher moral authority than Shpazh. No higher power than that of their Shra. Population has advanced so far since the Reconstruction that Shpazh can’t simply overpower everyone on the planet but that doesn’t stop them from seeing themselves as the custodians of the vnou – expecting to remain atop the rest for their service.

by Midjourney