Ishida Family

House Ishida

Origins

The origins of the Ishida are lost to the mists of time, but historians have suggested that the Ishida were a loosely affiliated clan of aristocrats from the prehistory of the Far East. For reasons unknown, the Ishida never rose to prominence on the Far East.

Present Day

The family as it is known today is a branch of the Ishida lineage that settled on Atamara a century ago.

Under the leadership of Mizuhiro Ishida the family managed to elevate itself into the ranks of Atamaran nobility. Given that the original home of the Ishida on Atamara was the mountainous region of Sauvia, the family has largely been aligned with the Cagilan Empire.

During the Great Atamaran War, Mizuhiro saw fit to relocate the family home and heirlooms to Craigmore. They have maintained an active presence in Atamara ever since.

Heraldry

Ishida heraldic device on round shield

The heraldic emblem of House Ishida is a stylised raven with outstretched wings. It is often featured as an argent charge upon a sable field. Individual nobles may include their personal heraldry or initials. The primary colour of House Ishida is sable, as found on the surcoats of Ishida troops and nobles.

Residence

House Ishida's seat is the Ravenholme, an imposing tower built of smooth black rock. Exceedingly lofty in comparison to the structures around it, the Ravenholme is both a fortification and a home. Guards prowl the highest floor of the tower, keeping watch on the day-to-days within Craigmore. Barrack spaces and living quarters have been hewn into the walls of the lower levels, ready to house the Ishida's Raven Guard companies as well as provide guest facilities for visiting nobles.

The Ishida themselves occupy the upper floors, commanding a spectacular view of Craigmore's plains. Compared to the homes of many noble families, the Ravenholme's interiors tend to convey a dark, brooding ambience.

Perhaps the Ishida acknowledge the Ravenholme's use as a place of war should Craigmore ever be invaded.

The Raven Guard

A captain of the Raven Guard

House Ishida maintains a standing force known as the Raven Guard. Companies of the Guard are assigned to Ishida nobles when they begin their career, and it becomes the noble's responsibility to see that his or her company is maintained and trained for the inevitabilities of service to realm and family.

The 1st Company

The 1st Company of the Raven Guard is led by the Head of the House and represents the best that the Raven Guard have to offer. The 1st Company is nominally equipped as cavalry. Clad in mail hauberks and the signature sable cloaks of the Ishida, they are trained to bring the fight to the enemy with lance and sword. Befitting a cavalry unit, the 1st Company will usually be deployed in the wedge formation to maximise the weight of their charge.

It is a point of pride for the Ishida that the Head of the House will often lead the 1st Company from the front, riding the charge alongside the company captain and banner bearer.

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Companies

The battle companies of the Raven Guard are trained to fight as heavy infantry. Each man is given a kite shield from the House, fulfilling the Ishida's duty to provide for those in its employ. It is then up to the individual troop commanders to outfit their companies as they see fit.

Given that the battle companies are trained to fight in close, defensive formations, most commanders will choose to equip their troops for the role. As a result the men of the battle companies will usually be found wearing leather or mail armour and equipped with the broadsword or gladius.

The battle companies of the Raven Guard are well known for two things; an innate stubbornness and a fondness for digging in. They will always prefer to fight in the box formation, and will always fortify their camp, even if they intend to remain in the region for merely a half-day.

Notable Members

Mizuhiro Ishida

"The Head of the House, Lance of the Ishida.

I am Mizuhiro, Viscount of Craigmore in the Cagilan Empire. At the forefront of the Empire's armies I ride, bringing the sable of House Ishida onto many fields, whether in peace or war. My honour lies in open battle and in military matters, bringing glory to the House through valour and tactical acumen. With the thunder of the Ishida cavalry, the enemy will learn to fear the Raven Lord."

Tetsuko Ishida

"The Silent Sister, the Eye of House Ishida.

I am Tetsuko, Viscountess of Tarree in the realm of Strombran. Steadfast I march, whether into the clamour of battle or into the deeps of bureaucracy. I am no stranger both pen and sword. I will pick either up as times require in the interests of realm and House. For myself and for those under my employ there is no battlecry; there is only the silence of determination and the sable of the Raven."

Himeko Ishida

"The Cold Mistress, the Raven Lady of Winter.

I am Himeko, Knight of Gor Ault and Praetrix of Melhed. Resolute I stand with my comrades, ruthless and unforgiving am I to my enemies. I will not shy from battle. Far from my ancestral heritage, I shall punish those who would dare stand against my realm, bringing the name of House Ishida into distant lands. I am the Raven Lady, frigid and unyielding as the tundra I call home."