Kondei

Warriors of the Empire or The Seekers of the Ale

House Kondei is a Noble family rich with tradition. One of the first ranked of the Noble houses, Kondei is the most powerful House with the loudest voice in the SunJin’s (and therefore the Emperor/ess’s) ear. Their service of the Empire is considered the most noble, as they require no stipend from the Empire’s coffers. Their funds are made in the sale of weaponry and armor, and on taxes from the sale of such items by any and all merchants. Even the weapons sold by merchant's named Zun-Toh are subject to taxes for the House Kondei, but to the common man, the tax amount is minimal. With the sale of weapons and armor and the taxes, House Kondei has become exceedingly wealthy. With their wealth, they maintain their estates as well as hiring, training, and housing the militia.

Note: Those who play as a member of House Kondei are expected to live up to an amazingly high standard of role-play. You must live by the documentation at all times unless something has been previously discussed with the Immortal staff.

“Service to our Goddess, Defense of the Empire, and Lady Empress or Lord Emperor”

Before Kondei, there was no nobility.

The salute and greeting consists of a taking one another by the elbow, a lower ranked person will extend their arm, palm up, to a higher ranked person, and they grasp one another at the elbow.  If of the same rank, they will take one another the same way, only from the side to show equality.  In Kondei, even if they are not in the military, a salute is expected in honor of the family.

The Family Hierarchy
 

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Head of House/Unta: The Head of House Kondei is an extremely respected member of society. Technically the Head of Kondei has been a skilled warrior, but there have been instances of skilled weapons crafters being given that task. The Head of House is chosen by the Council of the family Kondei, who may take away this title at any time. The Council is made up of the eldest of the family’s elders and has five members. The Head of House makes all major decisions regarding the House and it’s actions in all matters. This of course, must please the Council.

Head Advisor: Generally the most trusted of all family members, the Head advisor is the closest aide to the Head of House. They are selected by the Head of House, and are granted more privilege and afforded more respect by other members of the House. They generally are ordered to carry out the wishes of the Head of House. Once appointed, they may be expected to grow and change in the direction that their Head of House sees fit. The Head of House may order them to study a variety of things to better fit the mold of what that person sees as necessary in their Head Advisor.

Head of Sales: This position requires both a shrewd businessperson and one with an eye and perhaps the skill of a master crafter. Appointed by the Head of House, all large sales of weapons and armor are handled by this person, as well as requests for specially made items.

Master Crafter: The person in this position is in charge of the crafting and delegation of crafting of all weapons and armor created by the House. Extremely special items are usually done by this person, for example, the weapons made for the SunJin, or those of the Head of House Kondei. Generally suggested by the Head of Sales, this person must be approved by the Head of House.

Head of Relations: The diplomatic arm of the House. This individual maintains a capable, trained staff from the family who visit with outlying villages and tribes, and assist the Head of House in the social obligations afforded to the House, gathering details and information about the other social figures who may prove beneficial or harmful to the House.

All other members of House Kondei respect these people and their positions, and all are generally admired and seen as role-models for the children of the House.

Currently Serving:
Head of House: Lady Lucianne Kondei
Head Advisor: Lady Iseta Kondei
Head of Sales: Lord Duchai Kondei
Master Crafter: Lord Tsenakai Kondei

Traditions
House Kondei is rich in tradition. The House prides itself on following not only the tradition of the Empire, but the traditions set by Heads of House past.

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Coming of Age
The coming of age ceremony held when a Kondei family member becomes an adult is of course, the same as the traditional ceremony held in the city with a minor adjustment. The child must present his or her first crafted weapon to the Head of House. That weapon is much of the basis for consideration for adulthood. The weapon is carefully inspected, often even tested by the Head of House. Then, if the weapon is satisfactory the rest of the usual ceremony is held and if all is acceptable, the child is granted adulthood.

Ascension in Rank
When a family member ascends within the ranks, it is considered a great honor both to the ascender, and to the parents of that person. Kondei, in order to raise within the ranks of the family hierarchy, must first join the militia and rise within their ranks. Often, this is easily completed by a young age, not only because Kondei are raised to believe that nothing is more important than this rise to power, but because they are usually physically predisposed to such vigorous training and lifestyle (it runs in the family!). When an ascension to ranked family member occurs, the parents of the ascender are blessed with finer rooms in the estate as well as new clothing, weapons and armors, fitting of such esteem. The giving of these gifts is done in ceremony as many of the family members accompany the blessed to their new quarters, and are present when the clothing, weapons and armor are presented. A mug of ale is consumed at each gift, creating a rather festive feel over the whole House.

Mating a Commoner
Only a ranked family member has the option of mating a commoner, and this option only exists if the Head of House approves. The newly inducted family member must pass a series of tests set by the Head of House before the marriage ceremony can be conducted. These tests (usually three) could be anything from finding a rare item to nabbing the finest crafter in the land for the House. Once the tests are completed to the satisfaction of the Head of House, the marriage ceremony will be preformed.

Death
Honorable deaths are met with the usual city traditions, save for the disposal of the body. The body, after viewing is completed is burned in a flame set to a prepared wooden base that the body is placed on. The family is present to say goodbyes, and to speak a word in honor of the fallen hero.
Ritual suicide is common amongst the Kondei family. In a family where honor is everything, a fall from grace is considered worthy of death. When a family member takes their own life, the only honor that can be regained in the eyes of the House is when the job is done cleanly, smoothly and with a show of great strength. And of course, the House must be able to cover up any evidence of that suicide so that it may save face within the community.

Births
The birth of a child is looked on with such reverence and fierce celebration that often the child must be left with a nanny for several days. Before the child is cleaned he/she is bathed in a tub of the finest ale (brewed by the House for such occasions). This is said to grant the child strength of spirit. He/She is then cleaned and swaddled in blankets that have been embroidered with the family’s name and the map of the family’s lineage, to grant the child introduction to the strong family line. And the child is fed a mixture of breast milk and ale for his first meal, thought to grant him/her a strong body.