The Nouzen Clan (ノウゼン家, Nouzen-ke?) is a noble clan hailing from the Giadian Empire. They are the considered to be the leader of the Onyx faction of noble families with a long history of martial might.
Overview[]
The Nouzen Clan has a long history traced back to the dawn of the Empire. As the family was entrusted to be the sword and shield of the Adel-Adler Dynasty, they earned reverence from those who spoke their name. They were the Empire's cursed sword, the black generals, having been said to descend from one of the greatest and most destructive the Imperial army had ever known.[1][2]
Following the Empire's collapse and the Federacy's establishment, the Nouzens relinquished their noble status and took a backseat in Federacy politics, at least on the surface. They also made peace with the Maika clan and generally are detached from the Onyx and Pyrope rivalry. Nevertheless, the Nouzens still maintain vast influence over the Federacy's military, economy, and politics.[3]They own numerous lands, private properties, businesses, mines, research institutes, and schools. They are also expected to lead the Onyx faction in its opposition against the Brantolote Archduchess's ambition to reestablish the Empire.[2]
Abilities[]
The Nouzen Clan has been famous for producing capable warriors, even before the age of the Feldreẞ. In addition to their enhanced physical abilities and senses, Its members possess a natural talent for warfare, allowing them to quickly master various forms of combat. Their martial prowess is also applied to piloting, where the Nouzen warriors are capable of employing Feldreẞ in extraordinary ways, Such as acrobatic moves with the 1400 tons Morpho, dodging incoming shells, and engaging an opponent with high-frequency blades at close range.
Similar to how different Pyrope clans have various forms of psychometry, the ability to move silently is unique to the Nouzen bloodline amongst Onyx, as demonstrated by Shinei, Shourei, Reisha, and Yatrai and presumably possessed by Seiei.[3]
Names[]
The Nouzen family tradition dictates names ending with the sound "i" to be of great importance, demonstrating high status or legitimacy within the extended clan.[4] The "i" ending is exclusive to male children. Despite omitting the "i", feminine forms of these names are still considered to be held in high regard.[5] Examples of these important names are:
- Seiei
- Shourei
- Shinei
- Yatrai
- Ryurai
To be named without the "i" ending can mean one of two things. A. The member is lowly ranked within the extended clan (e.g. Kiriya)[6], or B. The member is so highly ranked that the "i" ending is seen as pointless (e.g. Reisha).[7] The names of the men in the main branch and main cadet branch reflected the order of succession at the time.
- Reisha was the heir according to patriarchal primogeniture. His name is intentionally not given an "i" to signify he is above the system.
- Neither Mitz nor Totsuka are given an "i" ending because they were not close enough to be immediate successors, as all of Seiei's sons were still available.
- Yatrai is given an "i" ending because he was born after the order of succession had thinned. He is currently second-in-line behind Mitz.[8]
- Despite naming both of his sons with an "i" ending, Reisha was unaware of the tradition's significance to the clan as a whole, simply naming them Shourei and Shinei to honor respected ancestors.[9]
Known Family Tree[]
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Trivia[]
- The knights of the Nouzen clan do not use the staple Feldreß, M4A3 Vánagandr. Instead, they pilot unique models of Feldreß that are customized to suit their individual specifications.[10]
- One such model was the limitedly mass-produced Azhi Dahāka.[11]
- The crest of the Nouzen clan is a headless skeletal knight.[12][13]
- The Nouzen Clan has so many branch families that it is not unusual for two members to not know each other. Typically, only high-ranking branches or members, who hold key positions, are well-known.[3]