[Neus]

AZANBE

Sigil: Two golden-horned, black serpent heads facing each other.
The sigil of the royal family holds deep meaning behind it. The two serpent head represent the twins that are born to the Azanbe, while the golden, antler-like horns of gold are like a crown, signifying their status at the Tennou's family. The serpents depicted on the sigil are often seen as dragons, noting their similarity to the way Bai Kai is historically described as having great horns. However, they are horned serpents, not dragons, but it's easy to understand why anyone would make this mistake given the history of Gold and its infamous dragon hero.

Colors: Black, gold, grey.
The royal family often decorate themselves in the visually appealing combination of black and gold, once again owing the complimentary color to their homeland. The black seems to be from the sigil, first and foremost, or at least what is depicted on it. It is often said that black represents the mystery of the royal family, or the courage to 'not fear the night' as in old times, while some believe it is to represent that the royal family has 'conquered the night'.

Heirloom: Dragonshroud
A magnificent, stunningly beautiful adornment that is worn around the neck. Made of two of the Gold Dragon's unbroken scales, it covers the wearer's back and front until just above the waist (for average adult male height). This part cloak, part armor is the symbol of the Tennou, serving as his 'crown' as well as his protection. Being made of a dragon god's scales, it is impervious to all weapons without question.

However, it does not by any means make the wearer immortal, considering the dragon's scales only cover a percentage of the body, and it leaves them vulnerable to other methods of attack, such as magic or environmental hazards.

Size: Small
The Azanbe family works in a peculiar way, specifically its offspring. The male parent will only be able to father children once, and when he does, the mother will always give birth to twins; one male, one female. This male will become the next Tennou. The daughter stays with the royal family until they come of age. At that point, it is believed they are married off to other nations as a political marriage, to keep relations with Oniga positive, or that they step away from the public eye, performing roles in the royal palace to support the family. Regardless of which it is, they are never seen again.

Stronghold: Kinkousai
The royal family's palace and the castle of the Tennou. The Kinkousai is in the heart of Oniga atop a great, steep hill. The common folk are not allowed near the palace and the treacherous climb often means that when the Tennou is seen, it is outside of this palace. These qualities also give the castle a strong natural defense; even during Oniga's Revolution, it's said that not one man dared make the effort.

Values:
The Azanbe have always been admired for their wisdom and their rule has, with one major exception, bettered Gold as a whole, even if it hasn't always been kind or gentle. They teach to 'not fear the night', but to instead understand what lies within it. As the royal family they follow the guidance of steady and empathic rule, but intelligence over appearances. To outsiders, this can seem dissonant from decision to decision.

In any case, those loyal to the Dragonshroud know better, as it was the wisdom of the royal family that lead them to bend the knee... some with a bit more help than others.

History:
Originally the Azanbe clan served as advisers to Ryart, the first Tennou. However, instead of leaving the rule of Gold to his own clan, Yut, he chose the Azanbe, knowing they had better leadership qualities than his own clan members, and that the Yut clan was honorable enough to respect his decision without question.

As the royal family, they have kept Gold, a land originally brought together by conquest, into a stable and connected nation, to the point where many forget that origin altogether. They make up for the weakness of being such a small bloodline with the loyalty of the clans they rule, namely Yut, and have prevented any attempts to usurp that power through insight.

Important Members:
Ang Azanbe - Head & Tennou
Yuuza Azanbe - Sibling to Head
Tir Azanbe - Heir
Makako Azanbe - Sibling to Heir

Special Note:
Because of the unique way the Azanbe clan's children are born, you cannot play a member of this family that is blood related to the important members, even distantly.