Ishida Family

House Ishida

Origins

The origins of House Ishida are lost to time, but the Ishida maintain a tradition that they are descended from a line of Far Eastern nobles who fled from their homeland generations ago.

Present Day

Under the leadership of Mizuhiro the Ishida managed to elevate themselves into the ranks of the Atamaran nobility. Originally from Sauvia, during the Great Atamaran War Mizuhiro saw fit to relocate the family home and its 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.

The Raven is seen as a creature of cunning and intellect, both qualities prized by the Ishida. The Raven is also a common sight on the battlefield, a reminder to Ishida nobles that one should not fear battle, for there is much opportunity in war.

The primary colour of House Ishida is a hue that falls between midnight blue and sable, as found most commonly on the cloaks donned by those in the House's employ.

Many Ishida nobles adopt the phrase "In midnight clad" while signing off in letters as a means of showing their loyalty to the House and the Guard.

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 residence. Raven Guard prowl the highest floor of the tower, keeping watch on the day-to-days within Craigmore, bows ready to shoot at suspicious characters. Barrack spaces and living quarters have been hewn into the walls of the lower levels, ready to house the 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. Wall-mounted candles provide a measure of light, as many of the hallways and rooms have little more than arrow-slits for windows. Furs are a common item, both as decoration and for warmth.

The Raven Guard

A Centurion of the Raven Guard

House Ishida maintains a standing force known as the Raven Guard. The Raven Guard is structured into companies known as Wings. A Wing is assigned to an Ishida noble when they begin their career, and it becomes the noble's responsibility to see that their Wing is maintained and trained for service to realm and family.

Raven Guard Hierarchy

As each Wing is seconded to an Ishida noble, Raven Guard commanders are always members of the House.

Below the nobles are the Centurions, the equivalent of a Captain. Centurions are hand picked by the Ishida to lead their Wing into battle. While the Wing looks towards its Noble commander for strategy, it is often the Centurion's courage and leadership that decides his Wing's actual performance in battle.

In times of peace Centurions are given the privilege of being schooled in tactics and philosophy. Such education is costly and difficult to obtain outside of the nobility, and so the post of Centurion is one that is afforded much respect by the common troops.

Each Wing is further broken into smaller groupings known as Talons. A Talon is a squad of 8 to 10 men lead by a Decurion, usually the most senior man in the Talon. The Decurion's role is to promote camaraderie between the members of his Talon, as well as to lead them in battle.

When a Wing encamps afield, it will divide the fortified camp into sectors. The maintenance and defence of each sector then falls upon the Talon assigned to sleep and eat there. New recruits soon learn that successes are the result of group efforts; you either live and work with your Talon, or you die alone and without one.

First Wing

The Horsemen of the First

The First Wing forms the elite of the Raven Guard and is always designated to the current leader or heir of the House.

Compared to the rest of the Guard, the composition of the First is extremely flexible and subject to the noble commander's preferences. They will, however, always be better equipped and trained than the other three Wings.

The First are currently deployed as unorthodox cavalry. Helms and masks bearing elements of the stylised raven hide their faces from view. Composite armour of scale and plate, dyed as black as night, provide adequate mobility without sacrificing protection. A hooded cloak of sable completes the outfit, secured with a clasp bearing the insignia of the Raven Guard.

In battle the First Wing rides the charge on barded black destriers. Wielding a matched pair of swords, each man is taught to use both blades to ample effect even on horseback. Fighting in utter silence and using only hand gestures to communicate, the black Horsemen of the First are an unnerving sight, for they show no mercy and take no prisoners.

Second, Third and Fourth Wing

These Wings are trained to fight as tactical infantry.

Raven Guard infantry doctrine revolves around the use of large, heavy shields. The men are taught to fight in close, defensive formations, locking shields to present a stout barrier of wood and steel against any foe. Wild swings of the blade are discouraged; each warrior is trained to make quick stabs using his gladius while keeping the rest of his body behind his shield.

Some commanders may choose to equip their men with missile weapons, such as short bows or light javelins. Other commanders may shun ranged armament in favour of heavier armour for their infantry. Regardless of preference, the Raven Guard core precepts of discipline and cohesion in the battle line always take precedence.

Equipped with such tactics and clad in scale or mail hauberks, it is a small wonder that the Raven Guard infantry are known for an innate stubbornness. They will always prefer to fight in the box formation when possible, and will almost always fortify their camp.

Notable Members

- Mizuhiro Ishida, Atamara, Cagilan Empire

- Tetsuko Ishida, Atamara, Talerium

- Himeko Ishida, Dwilight, Corsanctum