Mal'aj Zo Clan

The Mal'aj Zo clan are largely peaceful druids, nature clerics, or sorcerers who were for the most part unconcerned with the larger scale of Tsu'noe outside of the animals and plants that inhabit it. Over time though, the Zo clan has become an essential part of the Concordant Alliance as magical fighters, magic users who could use scrying magics, and as a large source of food being the third largest source of the Alliances food out of all the clans allied under the Concord.

> "I would say the kami are above war, however, that is gravely untrue and so I say this; Zo are above war. We have witnessed the carnage brought on by the wars of long past and have chosen to absolve ourselves unless absolutely necessary." - Nanako Zo, 3rd leader of the Zo clan
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## Basic Information

### Common Symbol

A pair of tusks crossed and engraved in druidic runes, wrapped in draping vines with four blooming blue iris flowers

### Associated Color(s)

* Grey
* Green

## Relationships

### Allegiances

* Kokkili: The Wildmother
* Concordant Alliance

## Uniform

The Zo clan pride themselves on their simple but elegant uniform which is a short dark green robe ending just below the knees with long bell style sleeves decorated with pastel pink flowers on the edges of them, it is tied by a threaded robe just under the belly button. Beneath the dark green robe is a lighter and more breathable pastel pink robe which matches the floral patterning on the sleeves. People of both genders where many piercings in their large ears or trunks with women preferring darker richer colors like greens and blues while men prefer lighter fainter colors like pale green or blue. Beads are woven into the sleeves edge which dangle down 2 inches, this is more commonly worn by the druids of the clan though.

## Practices

* Zo preach confrontation in a non-violent way and as such many of their citizens will refuse to take up arms against others.
* Children found to be gifted with druidic arts are often taken to the Emerald waters to train as warriors of the clan.
* Zo are taught to stand their ground from a young age and as such many of them are extremely stubborn.
* Beads are thought to contain immense spiritual energy by Zo.
* Punishment for breaking the rules of the clan typically result in the affected being locked in one of the many Spirit rooms around the clans territory where they will stay for a number of days equal to the the rule they infringed upon receiving no food and little water.
* Since Emerald Waters and the whole of the Zo clan territory surrounds the Mu-Lang Bay Zo clan members are notoriously good swimmers who do not tire easily.
* Disciples often are sent to one of the various Zo groves to work for at least a few months.

## Magical Items and Techniques

### Weapons

* Staff of the Forest Druid
* Staff of the Farm Druid
* Staff of the Tempest
* Staff of the Druid

### Items

* The Wild's Protector (shield ring)
* Mantle of the Seasons (clothing)
* Circlet of Beasts
* Circlet of Plants

### Instruments

* Double Reed Pipes
* Dhol
* Damau
* Taiko
* Zill

### Techniques

* Sleep (spell)
* Forget (spell)
* Blank (spell)
* Purai-han (martial arts)

## **Society**

The Zo are extremely spiritual and kind, they are one of the few races that can fully connect with their kami and the spirits of the forest to achieve a higher intellect, because of this the Zo hate conflict and are unwilling to engage in war even if they are called upon by the Concordant Alliance. Many Zo live in the small towns sprinkled around the territory of the kingdom with a lesser number living in the capital of Mal’aj.

### **Politics**

The clan leader, Nakano Zo, is the sole leader of the clan with her council merely being advisers, she controls everything within the kingdom down to the smallest blade of grass. She is able to do this because of an ancient ritual only known to the Zo which allows her to share her body with Kokkili, the elephant spirit. As such clan leader Nakano is basically a demi-god.

#### **Current Druidic Council Members**

* Endo Shige Zo
* Seki Yasuhara Zo
* Nagai Shuichi Zo
* Tamaasa Hirokumi Zo
* Ikehara Kiyotaka Zo

### **Laws**

As judged by the eyes of the local lawmaster [lawmasters are the judges of any particular area with each clan having 1 per 2000 citizens or so], any criminals convicted of crimes throughout the Alliance are subject to punishment befitting the crime. All punishments against a military member are doubled and crimes against nobles are tripled, crimes against the Emperor often result in execution.

* **Theft:** The removal of one finger, typically the index or thumb.
* **Worship of Oni:** Execution.
* **Trespassing:** 2 weeks of incarceration and manual labor.
* **Tax Evasion:** Execution.
* **Damage to Private Property:** 2 weeks incarceration and manual labor.
* **Damage to Noble Property:** 1 month incarceration and manual labor.
* **Kidnapping:** 1 week in the stocks and 2 weeks of manual labor.
* **Assault with Intent to Injure:** 1 month incarceration and manual labor.
* **Assault with Intent to Injure Nobility:** 2 weeks in the stocks, 30 lashes, 2 months incarceration, and manual labor.
* **Assault with intent to Kill:** 2 weeks in the stocks, 1 month of incarceration, and manual labor.
* **Assault with intent to Kill Nobility:** 2 weeks in the stocks, 50 lashes, 3 months incarceration, and manual labor.
* **Murder:** 1 week in the stocks, 2 months incarceration, and manual labor.
* **Murder of Nobility:** Execution.
* **Treason:** Execution.

#### Clan Rules

* Protect the innocence of nature to the best of your abilities.
* Nurture and learn from the natural world which embodies us.
* Exemplify peace and charity wherever you may go.
* To directly harm nature, be it accident or not, is deserving of the highest punishment.
* Trickery and deceit should not be tolerated, by yourself most of all.
* Cunning can be used for the good of your clan and the world, but to use it wrong is to disgrace it all.
* Aid the creatures and plants harmed by mortal means.
* Use every part of an animal you kill, never kill for sport.