[Imperium Galactica] On House Nazdi, of the Northern Marches (Factbook)

[MacSalterson]

House Nazdi
(pronounced [nɑʑ.ɟi] or "nazh-dyi")​

Motto: In Darkness, Faith. In Death, Duty. | O-Ekeltu-nan, Kinutu. O-Eśartu-nan, Maśærtu.
Anthem: TBD

Introduction​

The mysterious and reclusive House Nazdi reign over the combined territories of Saardil in the west (both the world itself and the sectors surrounding it) and Qannu-Itu in the east. The house rose to the status of Margraviate in the first half of the 16th century and the aftermath of Arradesh Morghanos' civil war, as they were granted Saardil and its territories in reward for their support of Arradesh in the war. By the turn of the 19th century they had acquired the territories of Qannu-Itu, thus forming the bulk of the modern territory controlled by the House and March, with a small handful of sectors being absorbed throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Since Arradesh's civil war, House Nazdi has remained steadfastly loyal to the throne in Taer Atlos and vigilant in their watch over the fringes of the galaxy for any threats, internal or external, to the Imperium.

However, despite this loyalty, whispered rumors abound of secret conflict and covert heresy in the Marches of House Nazdi. It is known that House Nazdi's relationship with the Piathan Orthodox Church has not always been the friendliest, and that the endorsed gospel is often supplemented with less orthodox scripture, but little evidence beyond that has surfaced of any heretical actions. Nevertheless, talk of mysterious cults worshiping a god or goddess of decay and blasphemous writings on the nature of the Piathans sits on the tongues of any who discuss the House and those far northern territories, and the veracity of these claims is known only the most senior members of the House.

Region's Full Name: The Northwestern Marches of Saardil and Qannu-Itu
Region's Short Name: Saardil and Qannu-Itu
Capital World: Saardil and its satellite Aamun
Demonym: Saardilite, Qannite, Nazdian
Sectors: 52
Imperial Rank: Margraviate
Ruling House: House Nazdi
House Leader: Margrave Ayyal Baas-Karazur O-Nazdi-śunu*

Table of Contents:

• Map of Territories Under House Nazdi Control

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*Simply means "Of Nazdi". When referring to the Margrave, either Baas-Karazur or Nazdi are omitted (Ayyal Nazdi, Ayyal Baas-Karazur).

 

[MacSalterson]

A Map of House Nazdi's Territory

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[MacSalterson]

On Their Lordship The Margrave Ayyal Baas-Karazur O-Nazdi-śunu
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True to the Great House they lead, Margrave Ayyal is a reclusive and mysterious figure. Rarely sighted outside their temple complex on the moon of Aamun, Ayyal is an exemplar of House Nazdi's penchant for obscurity to the Imperium. Though their appearance is well known - which is to be expected, The Margrave's iconic robes and crackling respirator makes them stand out even among the rest of their fellow Lords and Ladies - very little about the Margrave is known to the Imperium beyond the absolute basics. Their age is not known beyond being somewhat young, but they ascended to the leadership of House Nazdi roughly 10 years ago following the death of their father. They are also understood to be neither man nor woman - falling somewhere in between or perhaps outside that dynamic. Those familiar with the cultures of Saardil and Qannu-Itu would understand that Ayyal is referred to as "Ursalyya", a gender that has renounced their former name and previous gender after some form of revelation, and who usually become holy figures in some capacity. The specifics of these Ursalyya is, of course, discussion for a later time.

Since their ascent to House leadership, Ayyal has demonstrated a natural diplomatic and military acumen to the Galactic Community as well as their subjects. Unruly solar barons calmed, rebellions finding themselves suddenly leaderless and powerless, alien threats vanquished before a single ship of theirs enters House Nazdi space, and most recently their admirable role in the command and defense of the throneworld of Taer Atlos against the Archtraitor Alecto Rian's rebellion. Not all rumors surrounding the young Margrave are benign, however. The circumstances of their father's death are claimed, despite the official cause being a cancer of the lungs, to be suspect and that Ayyal was a complete unknown before suddenly coming into power, furthering suspicion of the Margrave. This is perhaps in part due to Ayyal having gone by a different name, which was legally and ritually struck from memory according to Saardilic culture prior to the death of their father, but is most attributable to their reserved, to say the least, nature. Individuals who spread this rumor in House Nazdi space are typically thrown in jail for slander against the Margrave, but these actions do little to dissuade the rumors.

Additionally, it is claimed that Ayyal knows much more than is let on about the mysterious 'Cult of Decay' - a possibly fake and poorly known religion native to House Nazdi space with nebulous motives and a supposed hatred of the Piathans. Accounts vary on whether or not they lead the cult personally, or simply know about it and refuse to act on this knowledge for a myriad of reasons. Detractors will claim that Ayyal's love for ancient writings on non-Piathan religions is evidence enough of their heresy, but the Margrave has never demonstrated anything but complete, if quiet and unassuming, devotion to the Church.


[MORE STUFF INCL PHYSICAL DESCRIPTOR GOES HERE ONCE LESS TIRED]​