Alaricus Clan

Alaricus Clan Symbol

"We have overcame extinction, if their is a hardship greater than that. We will adapt and overcome even that."

The Alaricus clan is one of the Great Clans of the Lightning Country, being at odds with the Sanosuke and more so on the same side of the Hojo. A clan that originally wasn't native to the Lightning Country after the Hon Migration forced them to move north. They are known to be great adapters overcoming most situations thrown at them. Also know for their aggression in the past, with tactics that made Nomads steer clear of their borders and brought many clans crumbling into dust. A more militant clan by appearance, they do have the few trading partners in which they trade for the things they do not have. Yet they are also know to support the Lightning Daiymo with unwavering loyalty. They also have Lions.

## Traits

Police state: Only Police personnel are allowed to carry weapons within the cities that dwell in Alaricus’s land. Special permission is granted only by contacting the leader of Alaricus and getting forms to show any officer that attempts to confiscate your weapons. Otherwise none are allowed to carry weapons within the city. Other special means of having weapons within the city, is for display around the house. Forms will be required however to get said weapon in the first place.

Lion Tamers: Having conquered various Nomads, they have learned how to be one with some animals. One they have learned to bond with is the mighty Lions. A true test of the main branch is to tame a Lion for themselves. This is very risky however and isn't needed to prove yourself. However if you are capable of making a mighty hunter like a Lion listen to you, your reputation will surely be spoken of for centuries in Alaricus. However to stop any poaching of the Lions. A ban has been set for civilians to hunt Lions within their borders.

Adapters: Having been forced from their land and into a new one, has forced the Alaricus to adapt to their new environment. Yet they didn’t only adapt to new land, they have also been known to adapt to situations present. As such their hasn't been a situation for long that they haven't been able to adapt to.

Dark hair- Most original members of this clan had dark hair like black or dark brown, yet that isn't to say they don't have light colored hair like blonde.

Lightning Nature- Those that can utilize chakra in this clan have been known to be able to use the properties of the lightning nature. While a close second is water nature.

## History

### The Horde of the North | 389-386BDS

The Alaricus clan was one that seemed rather naive to the world around them. They seemed like a normal clan living out their days in peace and comfort with each other. Their home which is located in what is called the present day Frami Province was quite a peaceful one, it had been a home to knew them for as long as they could remember. Yet without warning one day in the year 389 BDS, ruin was upon them in such numbers, in such ruthlessness that thousands of the Alaricus clan was slaughtered in a single night. Fires illuminated the sky, as people ran from their homes to anywhere that could be classified as safe from the monsters known as, Hons. The war to survive for the Alaricus had begun.

Messages were sent out for the survivors to meet up north at their one city Narbo, being the most suitable for being able to defend against the huge Hon force. While a good bit of the population had managed to get to Narbo, a lot was lost in the retreat to the city. The clan leader Gaius had sent messages ahead of time to prepare the defenses for the inevitable attack. While not as big of a force they had gathered awaited the Hons at Narbo, they held some confidence that with careful planning and patience, that maybe they could outlast this threat and reclaim what the savages had burnt to the ground. This confidence did not last for long, as the reports of them approaching came and in the morning they saw the numbers for their own eyes. The horde had covered the landscape like weeds. The first day of the siege was such a bloody one. It felt like every archer had used three quivers and not made a single dent, the threat just kept trying new ways to break their defenses. As if they were toying with the Alaricus, they could have easily just waited them out. Let them starve, Narbo wasn’t fit for holding the numbers it was. This was like a game for the Hons, how would they kill the Alaricus?

It wouldn’t take long to find out, within two months the Hons must have grown bored waiting and unleashed a full out charge. They scaled the walls within a couple hours slaughtering all on the walls, then opening the gates for the rest of the force to storm the city. Narbo was in flames before noon had hit. Gaius had tried his best to keep the morale up but it was no use. He wasn’t experienced enough to deal with such a threat, something he cursed his youth for lacking. It was then he ordered everyone to retreat further north. This land was no longer theirs. While Narbo should have been his resting place along with his wife, others deemed his life to be needed for any chance the clan may live. Putting themselves on the line so his family could make it out, all while the Hons taunted him for being a coward in a kill or be killed world.

While the clan had once been large, was brought low within such a small time period. The further north they moved proved nothing as they kept being chased. Their numbers growing smaller and smaller every month. In 386 the chasing would finally stop, yet only after they had traveled so far away from home. It seemed the Hons had no desire to go that far north, which seemed like a blessing for the Alaricus. Yet in unfamiliar land now presented a new challenge, survival. Which took a year to be able to sustain themselves but just barely.

Residing in the city they called Altinum living life as normally as they could, a shimmer of hope would present itself. A worker one day had come across a large ore deposit, ore that could be very useful in making weapons and armor. While the idea ran by Gaius to build up their arsenal to lay siege to the Hons who forced them from their homes. A better idea came to him, using this source of hope to take what should be theirs by force. It was an idea he never would have considered before, yet the words the one Hon shouted at him rang through his head over and over. It’s Kill or be Killed. So for several years the Alaricus would build up their numbers and Arsenal and strike out.

### War against the Nomads BDS

With their number increased as well as their weapons, Alaricus would start expanding to the east of Altinum. Which was when they came across a group of people. This group couldn’t have been bigger than two hundred people. They had livestock and hardly any weapons. Gaius an old man by now knew killing them would be easy, so he took it one step further. He had his army surround the small group and forced them to surrender. Yet while they were willing to hand over all they had to the Alaricus, Gaius made it know they were taking the stuff plus them as well. Confused at what this meant he would make it clear that the nomads were now citizens of Alaricus and that meant working for them. Who better to care for the livestock and crops than natives familiar with the land. This demand was meet with bitter words, yet begrudgingly they had no choice. This process would happen several more times, subjugating the nomads through intimidation, increasing the numbers yet putting all the workload on the Nomads who didn’t want this new solitary lifestyle.

Having more numbers now and a bit away from Altinum. Gaius had started the building process for what would be Eryx. Having a majority of the Nomads start building the foundation with help from the army. Was going well until some fights began breaking out. With all the nomads they forced into a new lifestyle, it was no longer a small one hundred men, but now around one thousand. While the army took care of the situation pretty quickly, it did hinder progress if a fight broke out. Only until one day a small riot happen killing some soldiers before the rioters were captured, Yet not Gaius but Tiberius made the tough call. Having lined up the rioters, and had the other Nomads watching with armed men all around. One by one he had the rioters executed until all fifty were dead. This was done as an example, to show that living under them was what was saving them from death and to not take it for granted. His brother Aulus didn’t approve of this option and told him bluntly that making them live in fear was no way to live life. In fact it’s how they lived when the Hons took what they had.

The two brothers never shared the same mindset and thus never agreed, yet Tiberius told his brother if he could keep the people from rioting, then he had no reason to kill anymore of them. So to keep their spirits up Aulus put himself right next to them and worked right alongside them, doing his best to keep their spirits up. Seeing the son of the main family working along them did help them keep calm ever so slightly. Add in the fact his mom and sister would stop by in the night to talk and help ease them, brought some hope for them that this new lifestyle might not be that bad. Several years later Eryx was coming along quite nicely, houses were built, crops were being produced, livestock was giving them their produce. Things were still rather tough on the Nomads yet things weren’t horrible. It was around this time that Gaius had passed away and left Tiberius in charge of the clan, feeling it was his duty to further them while it was Aulus to do his best to try and keep the peace. This saw a split in their views towards each other as Aulus wanted better conditions for the Nomads, while Tiberius wanted the clan to ascend even further no matter the cost. Nothing really came from this brotherly dispute, or who was truly right in the end. Tiberius would end up marrying a female who had been born into the clan, while Aulus married a Nomad female both truly opting for different ways. As the years went by and Eryx grew, a dark day would come when Aulus would pass away from a disease. This worried the Nomads as their protector in Aulus could no longer stop any judgement that Tiberius may unleash on them. They were right to fear as some more years went by and Tiberius was becoming an old man with his own children grown, he wanted to expand more and decided to send his first born son Aesis with some soldiers to expand to the east.

Aesis was given full control of this project and how it was done, while Tiberius and his other children governed Altinum and Eryx. Heading east with the small army, would set in motion an event not even Tiberius could predict what would happen. The nomads that were situated to the east of Eryx, weren’t even attempted to be subjugated into the clan and instead Aesis chose a much more violent option and attacked them on sight. Yet he always let some of them live and run away. He did this for two years and his father couldn’t understand what his plan was, until one day he figured it out. Aulus, before he passed had a son which he didn’t know that Aesis had taken with him on this expansion to the east. Aulus was accepted among the Nomads and thus so were his children, yet everytime he attacked the Nomads and let them run he was letting them notify the other nomads of the threat. So when the threat became obvious, he slipped Aulus’s son into the retreating ranks as he had nomad heritage and could pass for one that fled from Aesis. So that he had a spy for whenever they decided to band together to attack Aesis… So when Aesis was building the foundation for the new city and received word from Aulus’s son, he would be prepared to already have a counter. The cities foundation, Aesis was luring the rest of the Nomads into one spot and effectively enslaving all of them in one shot. The maddened child had this all planned since the very start. So when the attack did happen, Aesis was ready and let them encircle the city and with his army broke through one of the rank as the rest of the Nomads entered the city. Aesis was already at the leader’s position which was given to him by his spy. Aesis would capture him and then encircle the city on himself. Only his numbers were better and way better geared. They would lay their weapons down and surrender, so when all the weapons were confiscated. Aesis would bring the leader forward and had two men hold him still, with a knife he would carve a smile on the man’s face and proceed to give them a chilling quote. “If you are going to die, die with a smile on your face.” Then in a brutal slow fashion Aesis would proceed to beat the man to death with his fists. Fully intimidating the Nomads into what could be their fate if they don’t serve Alaricus. Fearing for their lives they obeyed and would refer to this monster as the God of Nightmares, thus Aesis brought the Nomad conflict to an end, but brought up a new one in the process. The enslavement of the Nomads. With this victory Aesis would name the city Aenus,  also to make matters worse for the Nomads. Tiberius the last living child of the late Gaius and Attia would pass away, leaving control in Aesis hands.

Aesis wasted no time in enforcing very strict conditions on the Nomads, he also was not going to tolerate any riots or infighting. As such he established the Rektyx, who were given permission to use their own judgement to handle any situation as they saw fit. Rektyx did as they were told and used their own judgement, sometimes they were fair and then sometimes to make a point some Nomads were killed. The reign of Aesis was one that the Nomads lived in fear of, knowing they couldn’t do anything. Not with the tight rules that Aesis enforced. Yet on one day even they had to give him credit for doing something not even the best animal tamers could do. As Aesis and a group of his men went out hunting one day, they came across a Lion to which they were known to roam the Prowling Forest as it would become known as. Yet while they were warned to not engage them Aesis didn’t fear them and instead approached the Lion. The Lion would roar at him as a warning, yet with no hesitation Aesis continued to approach. The entire time keeping his eyes locked with the beast, sending the message that if the Lion attacked him. It would just end up in the Lion’s death, this eye contact saw the Lion backing down from Aesis who would place his palm on the Lion’s mane and  stroke it. Aesis never even had to speak to it, just looking into each others eyes was words enough. Aesis had tamed the Lion through sheer intimidation, so when they strolled back to Aenus, the sight of Aesis with Ynnir the name he bestowed on the Lion gave the Nomads even more reason to fear this mad man.

As the years went by and Aesis like any normal man would pass from the world, the treatment of the Nomads would slowly get better over time. To the point where they had the same responsibility as anyone else did, they were even allowed to leave. Yet after hundred of years of this being their new life, the old way their ancestors knew of was lost upon the newer and newer generation. Inciting that they had no reason to leave anymore and opted to stay in the Alaricus’s rule. The cities would continued to be improved to house the ever growing power of the Alaricus rule.

### Warring Clan Era

When the Warring Clan Era started, Alaricus was no stranger to use it for their own gain. Having the man power and gear to fully utilize, they would start by plundering nearby small villages belonging to some minor clans. Most of these minor clans opted to surrender their land instead of facing annihilation at the hands of Alaricus’s overwhelming numbers. Gaining more man power and resources, they would march on to a minor clan called the Tuno only to find out that another clan was raiding them. These raiders were known as the Sanosuke and so Alaricus decided to take two birds out with one stone and pushed in. The Sanosuke retreated back to some ship, causing the Alaricus to split their force. One to finish the Tuno and the other to chase the Sanosuke on ship. Having caught up the attack would begin which shocked the Alaricus to find the Sanosuke were rather good at naval warfare. After a few losses compared to the Sanosuke, a retreat was issued before any more lives were lost. Thus allowing the Sanosuke to get away with a majority of the supplies they raided. The sea force would regroup with their other force who had finished capturing the rest of the Tuno clan, and would subjugate them into their fold. Yet had a feeling that this wouldn’t be the last time they fought the Sanosuke.

In the year 230 the Alaricus would muster their force and march north of Aenus towards their neighbors the Chugzi Clan. In terms of powers that were close to them, they were the second strongest with the Hojo being the one that could pose the biggest problem should it come to war. Yet due to some spies, they were able to find out that the Hojo were busy with their own conflict with the Sanosuke. The powerhouse of the North. So while the Hojo were busy the Alaricus army marched upon the Chugzi lands. Not quite expecting the sudden assault, they ended up losing one of their cities early on in the war. Which the Alaricus looted dry of supplies before marching onto the next city. They were able to capture this city as well, looting it of its supplies before they finally came face to face with the Chugzi’s force. It was strong enough to rival their own, which came down to who had the better gear, and tactics. The first few days were small skirmishes to test the waters. Then came the true bloodshed on the tenth day. A small skirmish force of the Irdum snuck behind the Chugzi force while in combat. A small group of two hundred yet with the element of surprise and the fact they had the Lion Behelm with them managed to flank them. They tore through the  flank enough to send panic through the rank, not knowing which side to deal with more. The Irdum group would manage to get out before any big casualties on their end, while the front pushed them back.

After that day, during the night something unexpected happened even from the Alaricus perspective. An assassin from their clan had snuck into their ranks, claiming the heads of their leading officers. Then snuck off in the night tying the heads to sticks and planting them in the middle of the blood soaked battlefield. When morning came and the Chugzi saw their generals all dead with their heads mounted on sticks. Any morale they had was shattered, and once they engaged the Alaricus it was clear the front wouldn’t hold and broke easily. The enemy would rout back to their cities yet. With their clan leader dead and all generals gone, they had no proper leader and the cities fell easily enough. Thus when the final city fell, the Chugzi clan was no more.

In the year 300 with the south firmly within their grasp, they turned their sights to the islands to their south. Now they had no doubt they would win yet they didn’t want to risk an invasion so close to their capital from behind. So they boarded their ship and sailed towards the island where a small army was gathering, less than two thousand men. Something about the courage to face such a big threat filled them with a bit of respect for the clan. So once landed, the force would engage the enemy under the orders to take it slow. They didn’t have the gear they did and thus could easily be overtaken. This was a plan to see if they were smart enough to let live, so after a few days of the enemy hardly making a dent and them realizing that Alaricus wasn’t even taking it seriously. They would surrender to them, in which they were given full citizens rights and allowed their cities to stay standing. Although they would be improved to be able to house more people.

With the South under their control and no other clan big enough to match them besides the Hojo. Alaricus would start fortifying even further, building their cities even more. Improving their military, their gear, the cities defenses. They attempted a few times to expand north, yet every time they tried a force from the Sanosuke would come to stop them. A battle would unfold with no side ever being the winner. A general was lost here and there on both side, and the Sanosuke even managed to slay Behelm. The arguably strongest Lion the Alaricus ever had on their side. Of course anytime the Sanosuke tried expanding south the Alaricus would stop them as well. In the end either side managed to expand and simply furthered their hold on what they currently had. With time the wars came to an end with the establishment of the formal countries. With having to give up some freedom yet not who they were, they pledged themselves to the first Lightning Daimyo. Now with war no longer in effect, they had time to build themselves even stronger than before. To not just be the powerhouse of the south but of the Lightning country itself! They could master any situation thrown at them, war, politics, diplomacy. This was kill or be killed, they would adapt to any situation.

## Military

Being able to use the mines scattered through their land, they are able to produce high quality weapons and armor for times of war, or other practical uses. Favoring some better protection in battle. Most soldiers of thiers wear some chainmail, followed by some plating to protect their vital areas. However they have different units for different jobs.

Their skirmish unit tend to favour just using chainmail, and forgoing plating to opt for speed and maneuverability.

The light unit wear the chainmail and some light plating. Giving them protection in vital areas from say some arrow fire, and some swings from an enemy up close. Yet still keeping them light enough to keep up the pace with everyone.

A heavy unit while more heavily armored, keeps the joint areas more loose so they aren't useless in battle. Top it off with good quality gear and what most would think to be a slow mess, are shockingly surprised to see a terrifying killing unit.

A regular cavalry unit has usually a skirmish unit riding them or a light unit riding them to have both range for hit and runs, and up close ones as well. Yet if you want to do some damage then their Heavy armored Cavalry unit can usually do the job. Give the horse some battle armor to protect it from enemy fire and some melee hits and even though they may be slower, one probably wouldn’t want these armored horses ramming into you.

### Irdum

A special group of highly trained men, to be able to enter their ranks you must show great promise and skill. Not only in combat prowess but in being a capable leader itself. Yet just because you are able to enter their ranks doesn’t mean you are the best of the best. You are put to the test every day with training to keep you in tip top shape. To say these men and women never get a day off is putting it lightly. They are up early in the morning to begin their training to keep in perfect shape. Only times they take a break is on a holiday in the clan, if they are given a duty to perform, or in case a war breaks out.

A fun fact is these warriors tend to pray to the god Tiberius for his strength to do what is necessary.

A special fact is the commander of the Irdum is the only one besides the Main family to be able to tame a Lion, if they are allowed.

### Ynera

The stealth division for the Alaricus, while this division has no rules on who can apply. Most that enter the ranks are females, that's not to say that there aren't males within the ranks. Just that most of the men that try to enter don’t end up passing the test to. Rumor has it that the training to enter Ynera is even harsher than the Irdum, putting you through several test to make sure you could never be broken if interrogated. As such the division is smaller than Irdum, but those that are part of it, have a iron will. While it’s not know who they choose to pray to, rumor has it they pray to Etona.

### Rektyx

The division above the police, this was a division created to keep the nomads in check at all times. They were given permission to use force to keep the Nomads in line, should they think they are trying to rebel. In today's times, they still keep people in line, but they aren't allowed to go out of control like they have in the past. They are also used against everyone and not just Nomads now.

## Cities & Locations

### Eryx

The capital of Alaricus, situated near the edge onlooking the islands where Teika and Tsjui reside. Its where the most of their people reside, as well it is their largest city. With large stone walls to protect it and a natural cliff side, attacking it on one side is rather difficult with the defenses it offers. It does have a large harbor for their ships to come and go, this was done by carving at the cliff side carefully. In the middle of this large city is where the main family resides, with their own stone walls around this area as well. Being quite large, they have their own areas for crops and livestock. As well as markets and residential area. A majority of their army is stationed here as well as trained here. Being the most well protected city they have.

**Altinum ===**
A fun fact is this city while the first place they built since their Forced Migration, is not the Capital but the place that helped them create what they have today. A smaller city compared to Eryx, it does however have ample supplies of mines with good quality ore for weapons, armor, tools, etc. Some crops and livestock are grown and raised here as well due to some good rivers close by. It is still a good mine source to this day as well, as it’s been harvested for years and yet still has ample supply of ore inside.

**Aenus ===**
A city that is known as the location Aesis used to bait the Nomads into attacking only for him to not be inside and instead surround the Nomads with his own force. Forcing them to surrender or die. It’s mainly a residential city with the typical city jobs. Its main attraction is The Pit. Where people brawl it out using only their fist, feet and whatever cheap trick they want. A idea Aesis implemented to entertain people. It has several different groups, one for teenagers from 13-16, one group for adult males, one for females, and a mixed group for adult males and females.

**Teika & Tsjui ===**
Like Aenus they are more resident focused cities although Teika is more so of a hot spot for income. As it’s known for its natural Mineral springs, people flocking to them for the great sensation they have. As such, Nobles and rich families tend to sometimes conduct business in Teika for the excuse to go to the Mineral Spring later on.

Prowling Forest ===
Not so much a city as it’s a location. North of Eryx is a large forest in which the very Lions the Main Family tames hunts in. The lions aren’t heavily populated, possibly due to other large wildlife killing some of them.

## Religion

They believe in several gods, all born into their clan. An ancestry kind of worship although they mostly believe in the Main Family, while some other descendants are spoken of more as demigods. Some do worship them though, just not as much as Gaius and Seia would be. Gaius the man that revitalized the clan, Attia the wife that could calm any rebellion, Tiberius the first born son whos harsh judgement saved thousands of lives, Aulus the second son who’s gentle attitude gave people hope, then Seia the daughter who had life brimming around her at all times.

Then some that became known as gods and goddess, such as Aesis the God of Nightmares are more so spoken in history aspects or tales to keep people entertained. They have several temples dedicated to one of the gods of the first family, hoping that if they pray to the specific individual, that they may bless them.

 **Temple of Gaius**

People who pray to the man who brought what many would call a dying clan back to thriving, often pray to him for wisdom in their everyday lives. Sometimes they even pray hoping to seek a sign for what they should do in the face of a certain problem.

 **Temple of Attia**

People pray to the wife of Gaius in hopes for peace of mind for themselves or maybe others they know, that are going through a rough time. Some even pray to her, to ask her to make ones last moments a peaceful one with no pain.

 **Temple of Tiberius**

People that pray to the first son of Gaius, pray to him for strength throughout the day. To have the strength to do what must be done even if the choice is a difficult one. Some also pray to him for luck in battle, this is the temple that the Irdum group tends to pray to the most.

 **Temple of Aulus**

Those who pray to Aulus tend to pray for peace and joy, sometimes criminals pray to Aulus for forgiveness for what they done, and to save them from Tiberius’s harsh judgement.

 **Temple of Seia**

A temple rather popular with couples wanting to start a family together. They pray to her for luck with having a child, and that the child will grow up big and strong. Some also pray to her for health and for sick family members to recover, be it from injury or sickness. Some even pray for the animals that they have come to rely on in the past.

 **Aesis**

One of the Gods that are more so used to scare young children, although more of the insane would like and favor this god. Aesis was the young man who carved a smile into a Nomad’s face cause he tried to kill him in the night but failed due to the plan being leaked. After carving the smile, he was then beaten to death with a “smile” on his face. Aesis would then intimidate the remaining Nomads to serving by showing them what would happen to them. The Nomads from that day called him the God of Nightmares.

Etona

Goddess of Death is what she became known as during one war against a clan. She was no general or even soldier but an assassin that would claim the lives of all the generals on the opposing side. Taking their heads and mounting them in the middle of the battlefield during the night. Five heads in total and with no general to lead them, the enemy quickly routed and scattered. Shortly later their cities becoming  under siege and soon destroyed. While their were survivors they clan no longer exists.

## Relations

### Hojo Clan- Rivalry

A clan that basically shares the same opinion on most matters would make one think they are close. Yet in this case they consider each other both a threat to each others dominion, thus preventing any form of friendly bond from forming between the two.

### Sanosuke Clan- Indifferent

Differing ideals and who they choose to support. Mixed in with the few battles they had in the past, has made sure the clan doesn’t play very well with each other. While the battles of the past are just that, there's something about them that Alaricus just doesn’t like.

### Jun Clan- Friendly terms

While the Jun Clan may not be widely known to the public, they are known the to those in the Alaricus clan. Who for reasons known only to them, have decided to be on friendly terms with the small clan.

### Nomads Clans- Bad terms

Having forced most Nomads in the past to change their ways and work for them, can come back to bite you later on. In this regard despite their policy changing on them, most Nomad clans stray away from the lands of Alaricus. Slightly fearful that they too may become like the many Nomads that were brought into their fold.