Minor Houses Throughout the Core

[Deadbeat]

House Cynewald



-Healdnes singala ac ðone as dêor-
"Watch Always for the Beast"

Little is thought and less said of House Cynewald. Standing as one of the most recently established houses in the lands of Richemulot, not even a generation has passed since the oddity of a family was elevated into the ranks of the petty nobility of Pont-a-Museau from a most unusual locale; the dismal woodlands of Verbrek.

Savages, upstarts, and oddities are the titles bestowed upon them by more distinguished dynasties when they can be bothered to mention them at all; for few are those who can stomach the thought of such savages being counted amongst the gentry. Wild barbarians, wrenched from the wilds and granted sanctuary and laughable titles within the city for some paltry service provided to their betters, or so the tale is told.

What little information that is shared of House Cynewald is happenstance and rumors, spread mockingly after an eve filled with more wine than sense. Insular men and brutish women, clad in nearly as many pelts as they are in fine silks and adopting an anachronistic symbol more befitting hut-dwelling heathens than reputable gentryfolk. Boorish and unrefined, unlearned and unsublte, the more prestigious nobles of the land say.

For their part the members of House Cynewald do little to allay the apprehension of their fellow houses. Isolated, either by choice or happenstance, few are the sightings of the family's patriarch, Herveig Cynewald, in public. Seeming to cower within the aged, crumbling estate inhabited by the family, few but the occaisonal merchant and envoy seeking to negotiate trade for the pelts and timber of Verbrek that the House peddles bother to venture within their manse.

Recently though, the usual hushed whispers and murmurs that surround the House have grown into feverish rumors. Talk spreads of an exodus within the dynasty, that those males of viable age have been scattered to the winds and sent to the far corners of the Core for reasons unknown. Whatever the cause may be, some credence was paid to these growing rumblings as youngest of the House's sons, Teryn, has come to be spotted in the distant Republic of Dementlieu, serving within Port-a-Lucine in the garb of the Gendarme. Whether there is room in a city so refined for a beast of such savage lineage has yet to be determined.

As the Ides of March draw close in the 777th year of the Core, a scion of House Cynewald has surfaced in a most unexpected locale. Godwyna, youngest daughter of the pack, has appeared on a self-proclaimed sabbatical in the grey city of Vallaki. She wastes her days hunting game, savoring wines alongside the more refined travelers of the Blue Water Inn, and people watching.

[Freydaelyn]

House Gatteux

Aucun rêve trop élevé

With their estate in Ste. Ronges Richemulot, the Gatteux family is headed by Baron Philippe Gatteux (born 705 BC). Due to his skilled work as a courtier and humanitarian the Gattaux family was able to climb to a level of minor nobility. Phillberte, the oldest Daughter, took on the role of family matriarch after her mother's, Blanche, death shortly after the birth of her youngest sibling Heloise; the seventh child in 758 BC. The oldest of the seven children is Rogier Gatteux the next in line to his father's title. The house as a whole has interest in affairs within Richemulot as well as abroad as they continue their work as courtiers as well as other interests of the seven children. Given the cuthroat nature of Richemuloise politics there are plenty of rumors for how such a house maintains let alone came to it's title.

The female members of the house have recently taken to Dementlieu as of 775. The eldest daughter Phillberte disowning her claim to the family title in early 776. The current state of the title is currently up in the air with the untimely passing of both Philippe and Rogier.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

House Levkin

"Every Son, a Lord."

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Brief History

The fiercely martial House Levkin, situated in the wealthy eastern district of Karina, stand amongst Malocchio’s oldest and most ardent supporters. Never a family particularly gifted in mercantile endeavors, House Levkin has kept itself established through generation after generation of sons and nephews serving as enterprising, if callous and brutal, mercenary-adventurers within the familial White Company, their sellsword band. Under the light hand of the Witch, Gabrielle Aderre, House Levkin managed to eke out an existence that, while far above the lot of the common peasant folk, was considered almost laughable amongst the more distinguished nobles houses of Karina. It was not until the ascension of Malocchio when the patriarch of the family Filip, in a desperate bid to strengthen his position in the land, declared his family’s allegiance to the burgeoning tyrant in the year 746 BC, that the House truly rose to prominence. For their early pledge of loyalty, as well as the contribution and sacrifice of their most vaunted, and skilled offspring in the admittedly disastrous campaign against the rebellious Gundarakites under the witch and the ill-fated incursion into Sithicus, the Levkin’s have been justly rewarded. Their estate, while modest, stands proudly and recently renovated with their newfound wealth and the Levkin men serve with distinction amongst Malocchio’s rapidly growing mercenary military, each striving to outdo his brothers another in martial competitions and accolades to establish himself as the grandest of their flock.

Spoiler: show

((DM Brimstone approved!))

[Pav]

House Joubert
[Effectively defunct]



"Par tout moyen nécessaire."
By any means necessary.


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Brief History

During the Borderlands Wars between Richemulot and Falkovnia, a much talked-about figure came to light for alleged deeds of heroism, leading only a small cadre of men and women through Richemulot's forests to combat the Hawk menace. This figure was called Gérard Joubert, until then only known by the moniker of "Ravenfeather". A heavily militaristic and dutiful man, he was awarded the rank of Lord-Knight by the Grande Dame, and for the rest of his life became a social recluse; none have heard much from him, and the House was kept in the backlines of Richemuloise politics, until the Lord's son, born to his wife by fixed marriage with an already prominent noble house (another reward from the Grande Dame), Marin, took the House over with his father's demise at the fresh age of seventeen. The current ruler of the House has proven to be a shrewd and cunning player of the Great Game, launching his family's name to the forefront of the textile industry and general trade in Richemulot in but a decade - though fruitful, this time did not bear with it only good news for the House. Marin's wife had birthed him only daughters, and some say that in a fit of rage and lust, he bedded one of the house maids at his service. The child that came consequently was publicly said to be a bastard by Marin's enemies, though the claims have been denied fervently.

In Contemporary Times

Some twenty five years after the scandal, the House seems to thrive and remain in a comfortable place in Pont-a-Museau's upper class scene. Marin Joubert's daughters bar one have been married off to cement alliances to other houses, and remain active socialites and known figures in the city's many balls. Colette, the youngest daughter has been enlisted in the local academy and became a noticeably proficient wielder of the arcane arts. His only son, Valerian, was known to be a soft-hearted, naive and reckless youth, until an incident rendered him bedridden for half a year. When he recovered, his father sent him away, the family's heirloom sword in hand, to find his fortune elsewhere - with the young man's formerly consistently high and energetic spirits at a shattered, all-time low.

His fate remains a mystery to most in the city, and even to some members of his family.

Reposted from here.

[Kinga]

House Peregrinus:

Atrox melior dulcissima veritas mendaciis.

Bitter truth is better than the sweetest lies.

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History:

Spoiler: show

Moulded from humble beginnings as Wine sellers, Peregrinus' were initially simple merchants in the Wine industry, having little to their name aside from a sweet, yet clear vintage of Wine that came from vineyards close by the city of Karg. The founder of the house, Secundus Valerian Peregrinus was the son of a simple merchant who, due to his exceptional skill with book-keeping, caught the eye of an affluent Baron in Ualle, one of many stops for the caravan his family operated. Through his skills, the Baron of house Vociferor became wealthier by the day. Upon Azalin's disappearance, Baron Vociferor grew proud and more dangerously, ambitious, starting a feud with a neighbouring baron in hopes of taking their lands and increasing his own holdings.

The bitter feud went on for five long years where many from each hamlet died at the behest of their lords. Upon Azalins return, seeing the damage the two nobles had wrought, he got rid of the two nobles. To the rival neighbouring land, the barons son took over the house, in the case of House Vociferor, the war he had with his neighbour had not been kind to him and he had lost his sons. Azalin instead noted that despite the destruction, the Vineyards, run in Baron Vociferors stead by Secundus had not only continued their sales, but nigh doubled them. In recognition of his efforts, and his affiliation with the previous house non withstanding, Azalin appointed Secundus as Baron of Ualle and it's holdings, tasked to continue the work he had already wrought. Seeking to establish himself and seeing potential in the youngest daughter of the late Baron Vociferor, Secundus had his layabout son, Pelagious marry , cementing both houses in marriage and later, children.

House Peregrinus Emblem:

Spoiler: show

A black Falcon clutching an equally black rose upon a escutcheon of wine-red. The Falcon symbolises the Peregrinus name, the black-rose a symbol once belonging to the Vociferor family, now clearly held by the Peregrinus House. The wine-red escutcheon points to the families vineyard roots.

Reposted!

[Chaoshawk]

House Norville

Cadet branch of House de Boistribrue

"Ours to Preserve"

House Norville's beginning starts in 722 when Wymar Norville began to rule over the hamlet of Upwich and its surroundings within the greater realm of the Forêt des Anciens headed by the Marquises of the oldest House in Mordent the de Boistribrue. Although the extinction of the ancient de Boistribrue would therefore allow the Norville family to rule as Marquis, notably they never pursued this. Those in Upwich speculate no one has ever claimed the de Boistribrue estate because of its ancient curse of which the Norville family has long conducted archaic, pagan rituals to placate and keep at bay the curse that led to the bloody end of their progenitors or being consumed by it. The Norville family in Hope's End is viewed as enigmatic and suspect. A persistent rumor speculates the current patriarch Orson Norville has a lycanthropic affliction and his son Creighton's abrupt departure a topic of gossip.

Creighton Norville has surfaced in Dementlieu as a student at the University after 4 years in Barovia. As a naturalist, this scion of the ancient de Boistribrue has found service among the houses of Artois, Marceaux, and Vaillant. Most recently the pro-government paper L'Observateur is being edited by a man who writes publicly on self-reliance with an agenda of discouraging reliance on foreign foodstuffs. He was recently knighted on May 776 as Sieur Creighton Norville, Chevalier de Moussiet with a charge of land on the barony of Moussiet formerly owned by the attainted former baron Jacinth d'Esperance.

[Freydaelyn]

House Morisway

"Man's greatest blade is knowledge"

The Morisway family is an old family dating back to around the time of Bloody Jack’s first murder spree. They rose to prominence as shipbuilders and traders, and continue to be so to this day. Despite their prominence in the trade of Paridon, the family traditionally viewed itself above most political squabbles of the city, often siding with general populist views. The current head of the household is Duke Humphrey Morisway; though at his advanced age of 80 the duties of the house fall to his eldest son Burgess Morisway, a man who studied abroad in Dementlieu in the Faculty of Arcane Sciences. Burgess has five children, the eldest being two twin boys: Ignatious and Ramsay. The family also includes eldest daughter Clementine, younger son Maximilian, and the youngest daughter Joslyn.

Rumors around the city have been swirling that at least one of the daughters is planning on leaving the country on excursion in the coming weeks.

[Kinga]

Clan Ikegami


Duty knows no family.
義務は家族を知らない。

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The dour Osaki Castle has been a part of Beikoku’s landscape for as long as its oldest inhabitants can remember, yet its current owners came into power only a few generations ago. The Ikegami clan, composed of the daimyo Taishiro, his wife Chiyo-hime, and their numerous daughters, are withdrawn from the local community and mainly concerned with their duties to the prince Yagami Shinpi.

In recent years daimyo Taishiro made several lucrative deals with foregin merchants, not only acquiring significant wealth, but also - to the shock and consternation of the community - adapting some of their customs and technology.

However, not everything is as it seems - the aloof aristocrats were always surrounded by rumors, fueled by their mysterious ways, curious lack of male progeny and the speed with which they came into power. The departure of the clan’s youngest daughter sent the tongues wagging once again, prompting many to wonder if “receiving a proper education abroad” was the sole reason for her leaving Beikoku.

[Mona]

House de Chauret

"TRUTH & TRIUMPH EVERMORE"

After fleeing from Dementlieu some 30 years ago on accusations of dabbling with necromancy, the House de Chauret has established itself in neighboring Richemulot as somewhat profitable landowners; they own the Barony of Roquefeuil, of which its primary exports are hardwood and iron, located in the southernmost part of the Richemuloise countryside. Notable landmarks of the Barony include the village, of course, and the crumbling tower beside the Manoir de Chauret, guarded just as well as the home itself. They are headed by Marciel de Chauret, Baron de Roquefeuil and his wife Lemoura de Chauret, Baronne de Roquefeuil, who is just as involved in the Barony’s rule as her husband. In the summer of 776, Celaire de Chauret surfaced briefly in Dementlieu - the first of House de Chauret to set foot in their old country since they fled. Rumors followed that she had promised herself to the young rake of House Sallembier, though doubts linger that the union will ever be.

Celaire's younger cousin, Camélia de Chauret, entered Dementlieuse society in the autumn of 777. The sullen, quiet woman promptly picked up a position within the Gendarmerie, whilst similtaniously beginning her studies in the medical sciences.

[Lexica]

House Venenum



"The Venom is in the Tail"

The Venenum Family was old, old money in Darkon, and a dark reputation accompanies the name. Their estate in Il Aluk  was brooding, tall, and cloaked in opulence, perched like an ominous gargoyle to overlook the city. The common family trait was silver hair, verging on stark white for some members of the family. The rumour was that the family maintained their position and expanded their wealth by getting rid of their rivals through arcane means, and were known to host extravagant parties in their estate to show off their vast wealth and rare treasures.

Whatever the truth of the dark rumours or the heights of their grandeur, it was all swept away by the Requiem, as Il Aluk was covered by the Shroud. The vast majority of the family perished then and there, and those that were outside Il Aluk soon found themselves running into 'accidents' as their enemies sensed weakness and no longer feared the family's power. Though several family members remain unaccounted for, the sole known survivor was Octavia Venenum, a young woman of the main line of the family who happened to be on a trip to Martira Bay. Incredibly beautiful, she caught the attention of a wealthy merchant named Augustus, who fancied both her, and the idea of tying himself to the Venenum name.

The union has only had one child, a daughter named Somnia Venenum, and rumours swirl of Octavia's passing from illness- Or foul play, as some whisper. The last scion of the Venenum family, Somnia, has recently left her schooling with the University of Il Aluk in Exile, and begun to travel abroad...

[Mentalos Za'am]

House Za’am of Ramulai

The House Crest is a black manticore upon a red field with a five pointed crown over head which is signifying its royal linage.

False History:
The lineage of House Za’am claims descendent from Zaamas Molüh, the illegitimate half-brother of the last Warrowdine King in 661BC.

House Za’am was established and enjoyed the privilege of aristocracy as would any ethnic mulan family. Their wealth was based on slavery and agriculture, specifically viticulture. The once respected plantation and vineyards of Sly-var produced cotton, wheat, grapes and wine for Hazlani consumption and foreign export. Unfortunately proceeding generations of poor management and decadent life style has squandered this family’s wealth and reputation.

Seminal In Game Event:

IC knowledge;
Tragedy in Sly’var, In the summer of 766BC Mentalos’ father (Martek Za'am) and uncle (Mentholo Za'am) along with a dozen house servants where slain within the family’s estate by a crimson tentacled beast “Warchilde”. Curiously no charges were ever issued for this heinous crime.

Now as the lone survivor of the family and default rishad, Mentalos sold the remaining property to pay off his father’s debts then moved his residence to Ramulai to rebuild his name and reputation as an instructor at the Red Academy. This was supervised by DM Bastellus in 2017.

A brutal murder is uncovered in one of the noble estates. Rashemi enforcers clear the household and its lands swiftly, and a dozen thin-bodied men and women are strung up and burned along the Iron Road, their black skulls covered with hessian sacks. A familiar warning to all, of the penalties of disloyal servitude. Whisper places some sort of red-tentacled beast at the center of the massacre, and the hanging dead tell a hint of some servant's failure - failure by surviving unscathed, apparently.

The memory of the shrewd intellect of Martek Za'am is honoured by the Lawgiver church, and his serfs tremble with fear at the announcement of their new owner, the cruel man's son, Mentalos. Those human chattel cringe and huddle at night, for better the devil known, after all...

Current Status:
Now thankfully to the skill and wizardly academic contributions of the current rishad, House Za’am has once again established itself as an up and coming family and has relocated to the Red Academy of Ramulai. They have earned an academic reputation leaning more towards necromancy and the finer arts of vivisection and necrotic organ transplant.

Many of the prominent members have been elevated the status of instructor. Whispers and rumors might be heard hinting to the adoption of no less than three foreigners into the family who parade about the school copying mulan fashion and culture.

House Za'am has recently made prominent donations to a series of festivals and support to the Church of the Lawgiver in Nordenvall Fane.

[herkles]

House Périgord

Vigilance and Fidelity

House Périgord is a noble house that hails from the swampy land of Souragne. Most of the time they spend socializing in Port d’Elhour. The family owns a shipping business where they help to ship various crops grown by other richer houses. They ship these profits to the Core to make a tidy profit and use that profit to buy clothing from Dementlieu or gadgets from Lamordia.

It is a custom for the children of House Périgord to go on a Grand Tour of the Western Core to get a better education. In doing so they visit the lands of Darkon, Dementlieu, Lamordia, and Mordent. Particularly cultural education in the arts are part of the Grand Tour. Furthermore, it is customary for all firstborn sons to be named Louis.

The current Seigneur, Louis the 8th, known as the Pious, a stubborn old man who is known for his devotion to the Loa and the support of the Voodan. His son, also named Louis, is the man who handles the day to day affairs of the house and is known for his interest in gadgets and modern inventions that come from the core that could be used to benefit the house.

[Meduegna]

Clan Katayama

"IN ANCESTRAL FOOTSTEPS WE TREAD"

Clan Katayama is a bushi-caste noble house of Rokushima Taiyoo’s North-East Island ruled by Shujin Yake Shinpi. The family serves beneath Daimyo Miyazato as a Samurai clan. The family is deeply rooted in tradition; however they also see the merit of Dementlieuese and Darkonese travelers. Additionally, it is known that all of the Shujin are interested in black powder weaponry and the secrets that they hold. Katayama Mutsohito; the father and head of the family has taken a particular interest in the matter of developing an understanding of the foreigners and possibly procuring black powder weapons. While establishing a steady trade with the Dementlieuese is not a reliable endeavor; the collection of the strange weapons and potential aid of visiting foreigners will not only earn the approval of the Daimyo but perhaps the Shujin as well. In a bold and nuanced attempt at training, Mutsohito has chosen to send one of his younger sons Yasutsugi to Dementlieu to learn about the lands alien to Rokushima and the acquisition of a sizable shipment of firearms. The Katayama clan owns no land but has an agreement with the Daimyo to manage his mines and it’s workers for pay in addition to their military service. This endeavor while risky and nuanced could very well accelerate the visions of power the Katayama family has always wanted.

"Recent History"

Spoiler: show

Yasutsugi's Quest Completed ~ On December 16th in the year 777 Yasutsugi Katayama returned home to Rokushima-Taiyoo alongside his siblings: Katayama Momoko, Kozuke Haru, and Takishima Misaki. When they arrived they were astounded to find their family at odds with itself. Mutsohito Katayama had taken a new concubine at his side casting his wife Katayama Tatsuki with the other women he kept in concubinage. Mutsohito claimed that bandits were threatening his mine and had requested Yasutsugi to deal with them and their leader who was supposedly a ronin. However Tatsuki spoke out about the evil Mutsohito had committed claiming they had built a new mine and in the process desecrated a shrine. Further more, their brother Gonshiro was slain in the mine and they had not given Gonshiro a true and proper burial. Infuriated by this, Mutsohito tried to ennact Kiri Sute Gomen against his own wife only to be stopped by the returning Yasutsugi.

Yasutsugi confronted the 'bandits' with his family only to find out that those 'bandits' were actually peasants and workers who feared the mine and the great evil cast upon it claiming it was haunted. The group investigated to find the ghastly image of an Oryu whose identity was revealed as Katayama Gonshiro. Filled with rage, Yasutsugi marched towards his ancestral home the Katayama Castle to confront his father. On the path he was confronted by his older brother Tadatsuke who had bullied his younger siblings his entire life. Yasutsugi and Tadatsuke would enter honorable combat but only Yasutsugi would walk away alive. Katayama Yunosuke would also challenge Yasutsugi but he found himself disarmed and defeated. When Yasutsugi confronted Mutsohito the room filled with an icy air as the two entered into honorable combat. It was quite the match to see but finally after much effort, Mutsohito was defeated by his son. Yasutsugi with-held the final blow and gave Mutsohito the option to end his own life through harakiri. Mutsohito killed himself and his newest concubine revealed herself to be an Oni. Yasutsugi and his siblings slew the oni and told his family what had transpired.

They were not done however as the specter of Gonshiro still needed to be laid to rest and the shrine needed to be restored. The family restored the shrine and then entered the mine to find Gonshiro's abandoned corpse. The ghost lead them down the mine until the reached a cavern that contained not just the body of Katayama Gonshiro but also a ghostly fish struggling to survive within a puddle in the cavern. Misaki saw the creatures struggle and knelt into the puddle providing the creature some comfort. Misaki realized that this was a kami, and what had become of her late brother Gonshiro. Misaki informed her siblings that in order to set the soul to rest would be to flood the mine. Misaki however wished to stay behind. The family said their goodbyes to Misaki and flooded the cavern and their sister who would join the kami; finally bringing peace and purity back to Clan Katayama.

Yasutsugi was seen as the natural next in line to hold the seat of family head but would pass on these responsibilities to his younger sister Katayama Momoko. Yasutsugi for the completion of his great quest was granted thet itle of Samurai, Nozomi once a retainer of Clan Katayama was adopted into the family and is now a Katayama by honor. Yasutsugi would return to Port-a-lucine to continue his work on bridging the gap between Port-a-Lucine and Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo. Although, Yasutsugi Katayama would not be the only Katayama to travel abroad to Port-a-Lucine. Inspired by the exploits of his adventure many of Clan Katayama would find their way over to Port-a-lucine from Rokushima-Taiyoo in search of their ambitions, their glory, honor, treasure and more...

Katayama Enterprises Founded ~ On March 23rd 778 a year after Katayama Yasutsugi's arrival to Port-a-lucine; Katayama Enterprises a great Zaibatsu was formed and has become a business titan in the Port-a-lucine area...

Nobility Recognized ~ On April 22nd 778 the foreign nobility of Katayama Yasutsugi has become recognized by the state of Dementlieu giving family hopes and aspirations of their very own...

Lineage of Katayama Mutsohito

Spoiler: show

Brief Description

The Mutsohito lineage is the primary lineage and serves as both the diplomatic and most militaristic branch of the family. They take pride in their great ancestry of Samurai warriors and hold the highest rank in Clan Katayama currently. Members of the Mutsohito lineage believe very firmly in tradition, and bushido. This lineage recently suffered a great loss by the hands of one of its sons Yasutsugi who not only slew one of his brothers in honorable combat but also the family's father Mutsohito. The clan is now being led under the supervision of his younger sister Momoko Katayama. The lure of an seemingly 'easy' take over only deterred by the presence of the Mutsohito's son Yasutsugi who is understood currently to be the family's greatest warrior.

Recommended Classes:
Male: Fighter, Ranger, Paladin
Female: Sorcerer, Wizard, Warmage

Name: Katayama Yoshiaki (NPC)
Status: Deceased; Death by Harakiri(?)
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Yoshiaki was the past head of house hold in Clan Katayama prior to Mutsohito. A successful Samurai who had survived many a campaign; he had plenty of children but his eldest son Mutsohito would be the one to inherit the family affairs. Yoshiaki died under mysterious circumstances. The body of Yoshiaki was never recovered but according to Mutsohito who was with him at his final battle; he committed harakiri during a failed defense of a castle.

Name: Katayama Shiori (NPC)
Status: Deceased; Died of Natural Causes
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): The wife of Katayama Yoshiaki; the death of Yoshiaki was a difficult pill for Shiori to swallow. Some say that women suffer the most from Rokushima Taiyoo's civil war as they must continue their lives without their husbands and sons. Mutsohito saw her cared for but did very little himself assigning various servants to keep her busy. Shiori was an artist of great skill and enjoyed crafting tranquil pieces that contrasted the brutality of the civil war. Shiori would pass on her knowledge to her daughter in law Tatsuki and she died peacefully of natural causes.

Name: Katayama Mutsohito (NPC)
Status: Deceased; Death by Harakiri after losing a duel to Katayama Yasutsugi
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Mutsohito is the current head of Clan Katayama. Unlike most other folk of Rokushima Taiyoo, Mutsohito never had enough and always wanted move. Ambitions and a sense of self entitlement would drive Mutoshito towards less than honorable places. Mutsohito was known for his drink, his women, and his swordsman ship. Despite all things, Mutsohito was an excellent swordsman and soldier; having not lost a single duel in his life... yet. When Yoshiaki had perished it was Mutsohito that gave the news to the family. When it did happen many questions arises which included: 'Where is his body?', 'Why didn't Mutsohito join his father in harakiri?', 'How did Mutsohito survive if Yoshiaki a more experienced samurai saw inevitable defeat?'. No one knows, and few are brave enough to bring up the nerve to ask such questions. For Mutsohito everything was a pawn in his grand game of chess. When Yoshiaki did perish though, Mutsohito took no time to mourn. An action that would be seen as dishonorable towards not only elder but his own parent. Instead Mutsohito was enthusiastic and delighted to be operating the day to day needs of his new title as head of household. In addition to his warfare, Mutsohito would despite himself show to be a capable manager. While Clan Katayama owns no land, Mutsohito manages and trades iron mined from one of the daimyo's many mines. With the job given to him by the Daimyo and his role as samurai; Mutsohito seeks elevation and he will make any sacrifice necessary to do so. Mutsohito's reign was put to an end on December sixteenth in the year 777. Since his death he has been replaced by Momoko Katayama.

Name: Katayama Tatsuki (NPC)
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Hate. Hate was not a good enough word to describe how much she loathed Katayama Mutsohito. Tatsuki was married off to Katayama Mutsohito as a means of creating an alliance between hers and his clan. These sorts of arranged marriages though do not always work out, and this one was incredibly tough on Tatsuki. Mutsohito was in his private life a drunk, a womanizer, and a cruel man with casual disregard for the life of others. Tatsuki has and would endure for the sake of her family both her original clan and her children. Perhaps the only good thing that Mutsohito gave Tatsuki was her vast amount of children. As any good mother would; she loved them despite hating their father. This love kept her going and drove her well, but when Shotaro their eldest son perished in battle; it struck a huge blow to Tatsuki. The reality of the civil war sank in and it frightened Tatsuki. One day while out to market Tatsuki noticed some men speaking to some oddly dressed foreigners. These sailing foreigners had stopped by after getting lost on the sea. This inspired Tatsuki to speak to Mutsohito about the manner suggesting that the foreigners have interesting weapons and unusual ways that could be utilized to work against the Shujins enemies. Tatsuki suggested that they send some of their family abroad to learn of these foreign lands and possible bring back a cache of equipment so that he could perhaps become elevated. Much to Tatsuki's surprise, Mutsohito  agreed and would enact her plan; though he would not send all of their children off. It was a bitter but welcomed sigh of relief that her younger children would be sent abroad. Today, Tatsuki continue to keep a brave face and watch in horror as her other children head off into gruesome warfare. All of this would change when Mutsohito would fall at the hands of Yasutsugi Katayama. No longer in a marriage filled with loathing and her children now able to choose to travel abroad if they so choose. Tatsuki will find herself at content but with the cost of her two of her sons.

Name: Katayama Shotaro (NPC)
Status: Deceased; slain in battle
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Shotaro was the first son of Tatsuki and Mutsohito. Shotaro was said to have been a man with a very good heart; despite who his father was. Honored by other clans, and even some foes would respect his skill on the battlefield. It really seemed that Shotaro would be the paragon of the Katayama family. Many often saw their family as less of a family but more as a institution; but for Shotaro his family was his family there was love in how he treated everyone in it. Shotaro's death was a devastating blow to the family that all but Mutsohito never really seemed to recover from.

Name: Katayama Gonshiro (NPC)
Status: Deceased; Murdered in the year 777
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Gonshiro is the second eldest in the Katayama family and currently the next in line to inherit the family in the event of Mutsohito's death. Gonshiro was always a quiet and curious child. When it was time for him to take the mantle of samurai and undergo the training necessary he did what he had to. Though battle and warfare would not interest him. Instead Gonshiro was most interested in the natural world around him and had interests to study it. Often times Gonshiro can be found in the family gardens very curiously observing plant life. When Mutsohito decided to send the younger children abroad he was very disappointed he was not selected for such an interesting and educational venture. Gonshiro Katayama was killed and improperly buried in the year 777. Gonshiro's spirit returned as an Oryu and haunted the shrine he was improperly buried underneath. It was thanks to the efforts of his sister Takashima Misaki that Gonshiro was finally laid to rest.

Name: Katayama Tadatsuke (NPC)
Status: Deceased; slain by Katayama Yasutsugi in honorable combat 12/16/777
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Unlike his brother Gonshiro, Tadatsuke lived and loved battle. When his father first had him hold a sword, he felt for the first time in his life truly alive. Known for his swift brutality and quick willingness to enact Kiri Sute Gomen on any of lower class than him. It was to the fear of onlookers that even if Mutsohito fell there would still be a little Mutsohito running about. It's been (quietly) said that Tadatsuke would perhaps be even worse than Mutsohito. Tadatsuke was neither interested in art, or sciences and instead his interest would be in war. Towards his younger siblings he was strict and condescending. Constantly pushing them his sense of superiority; wanting them to do better not for their benefit but to his own. With the ongoing civil war, perhaps it was lucky for Tadatsuke to be born during this gruesome conflict. There is only one issue: Gonshiro is the next in line for the seat of 'head of household' and Tadatsuke very firmly believes Gonshiro is too weak to lead, and that his father a 'drunken animal' is already very ill fit to lead.

Name: Katayama Tetsuyuki (NPC)
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Tetsuyuki was perhaps the most pathetic of the old siblings. Bearing no great artisan skills, or even fighting prowess. It would seem that Tetsuyuki would inherit all the worst traits of his father Mutsohito. Often seen drinking and womanizing; and on the battle field he was a pathetic mess. Rumors would suggest that he used peasant ashigaru units as human shields, or that he would spend most of his time running and hiding while his brothers did all the heavy lifting. There is one thing Tetsuyuki was good at however and that was talking. The man's outgoing socialite behavior would lend itself to his diplomatic skills; making it much to the family's surprise that he is actually their best diplomat. Of the three remaining older siblings, Tadatsuke bullies Tetsuyuki the most. This bullying however had slowly developed into a working relationship between Tetsuyuki and Tadatsuke. The two of them have always been known to scheme and plot together. Now that Tadatsuke has perished Tesuyuki is fearful for his own well being as those he had bullied in the past may come back to do him harm as Yasutsugi had done to Tadatsuke.

Name: Katayama Yasutsugi (PC Forum Messaging | Discord: Meduegna#0794)
Status: Alive & Active
PC Location: Port-a-lucine; Dementlieu
Describe the PC (less than 100 words): Katayama Yasutsugi was the beginning of Clan Katayama's foray into the Core. Yasutsugi was sent on a great quest to acquire a treasure trove of gunpowder and firearms to assist in Rokushima-Taiyoo's ongoing civil war. During his time abroad, Yasutsugi had become an accomplished swordsman, a master smith, and a successful businessman. When he returned to Rokushima to complete his quest he found his family in shambles. Alongside his siblings he set things right but there was much bloodshed. Now Yasutsugi has returned to Port-a-lucine in order to further the goals of Clan Katayama.

Name: Katayama Momoko (NPC; Previously PC)
Status: Alive Character Closure
NPC Location: Eikoku; Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the PC (less than 100 words): Katayama Momoko is the young daughter of Mutsohito Katayama. Momoko accompanied her brother Yasutsugi to lands abroad and assisted him in his quest. A sweet and good hearted woman skillful with a thread and needle. It would be unwise however to underestimate Momoko's enchanting and precious nature for weakness as she wields great magical power as a shugenja of skill. After the events of December sixteenth 777; Momoko Katayama has been installed as Clan Katayama's family head making the important decisions her father once made.

Lineage of Katayama Tokimasa

Spoiler: show

Brief Description

The Tokimasa lineage is one of shame and disappointment. The patriarch of the lineage: Katayama Tokimasa is a samurai who dishonored himself when he insulted another Samurai's wife and lost in a duel. While Tokimasa did not die, he became crippled, fat, and lazy. As a father Tokimasa was neglectful especially of his daughters and for his sons he gave them special attention only when he saw promise. With these sons he would lie to them and tell them wild and outrageous exploits that he never truly accomplished or were greatly exaggerated. Some of Tokimasa's sons have seen through this however and have made it their mission to undo the dishonor that has been bestowed upon their house looking to emerge from the reputation of their father and stand on their own merits. Yet some of Tokimasa's sons have taken Tokimasa's wildest stories as truth and believe themselves as descendants of a great legacy. Of course this is far from the truth, and some of his sons are not even his own progeny.

Recommended Classes:
Male: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue
Female: Beguiler, Bard, Warmage

Name: Katayama Tokimasa (NPC)
Status: Alive
Location: Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Tokimasa is the second of Yoshiaki's sons. Tokimasa was always small even by Rokuman standards but despite this he was a fierce samurai warrior who enjoyed confronting opponents larger than himself. Tokimasa's stubby legs however would prove to be his down fall. It is said that Tokimasa had made dishonorable and crass remarks about the wife of a fellow samurai from a different clan. This samurai challenged Tokimasa to a duel and humiliated him, but he was not entirely dishonored for this loss. Tokimasa was crippled terribly in his leg effectively ending his career as a Samurai. This event 'ruined' Tokimasa as he began to enjoy a life of leisure no longer being required to fight. Tokimasa gained an tremendous amount of weight and required a cane to move about. Despite many finding him repulsive he was fortunate enough that Clan Tanji had hit financial woes and many of it's sons had fallen. In exchange for some financial aid, Clan Tanji had offered their exceptionally beautiful daughter Tanji Chiho to be married to Tokimasa. Chiho finds Tokimasa to be absolutely repulsive but nevertheless has birthed several sons for the fat little samurai. In Addition to Chiho, Tokimasa has taken on a few concubines desperate for a means out of poverty. Tokimasa enjoys educating his sons on the art of warfare that he can no longer engage in while stuffing his mouth with food all throughout the day.

Name: Katayama Chiho
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): The tragedy of Katayama Chiho begins with her once very prestigious family. The Tanji had been around for a very long time; but were always stagnant. Chiho had three brothers, and her father fell in battle when she was a girl. Under their grandfather's guidance they attempted to make a gambit in battle against the south eastern island. This attempt to establish a foothold in one of the islands villages under the veil of night ended gruesomely in the death of her brothers: Yasotaro, Masutaro, and Yugoro. This blunder would not only leave the Tanji family deprived of sons but their coffers have been througly emptied as well. In a desparate bid to maintain livlihood of the elderly father in law; Tanji Chiho was married off to Katayama Tokimasa. Chiho was known throughout Eikoku as one of the most if not the most beautiful woman in the entire great village of Eikoku. Chiho never handled the fall from grace well; the most beautiful woman perhaps in the whole of Rokushima-Taiyoo was now betrothed to a man who may be considered the most repulsive of all Eikoku. Chiho would unfortunately provide Tokimasa with several children; however some of the children are not Tokimasa's. From time to time Chiho would 'escape' into romances with servants and peasants who caught her eye. For a moment she would escape Tokimasa; but she would be left with her lover's children. A cruel reminder of a life she could have had. No one in the Katayama family is aware that some of Tokimasa's children are illegitimate.

Name: Katayama Yunosuke
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Katayama Yunosuke grew up the first child between Tokimasa and Chiho. Cherished and spoiled by his father; Yunosuke grew up hearing countless tales of his father Tokimasa's exploits in warfare (Most if not all of these stories are lies, Mutsohito's exploits, or have some less than flattering details removed). The young boy grew up entitled, and under the false belief his father was a great and noble Samurai. This entitlement had been seen since Yunosuke was a small boy and was often dismissed as 'cute' or 'being a little prince'. What manifested from this spoiled rotten upbringing was one of the most ignorant and commanding Samurai to have walked the islands. Even as a grown man he is babied by his father and is prone to dramatic out bursts. Servants fear working for him because they know he has a pension to enact Kiri Sute Gomen at a moments notice and for the most trivial of offenses. Yunosuke is naturally quietly despised by his mother and by those around her. It is said that many wish to plot against him but are also too afraid to act. When Yasutsugi returned to face Mutoshito for his dishonorable ways; Yunosuke was one of two Katayama Samurai to confront Yasutsugi. Yunosuke would find himself lucky to have survived the encounter; his weapon disarmed from hand. Yasutsugi offered Yunosuke a means of earning his honor back through the Silent Fields Campaign that took place in Richemulot in February of 778. Yunosuke served in battle alongside Yasutsugi in the conflict but would find himself once again dishonored more permanently. An Acid Fog spell from an ally took Yunosuke's hand and burned part of his flesh. Despite all this, Yunosuke regained his honor through this noble sacrifice.

Name: Katayama Daigoro (PC)
Status: Alive & Active
PC Location: Port-a-lucine Dementlieu
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): (PENDING)

Name: Katayama Taira
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Taira is the second child of Tokimasa and Chiho. Neglected by her father, and mostly disregarded by her mother. Taira was treated as little more than an object and burden for the Katayama family on Tokimasa's side. Taira become quiet and reserved, becoming an observer rather than a participant. Taira is a small and beautiful girl but has no really interest in her appearance as her vain mother does. The melodramatic nature of her spoiled brother had made her feel even smaller than she already did. Fearful he would harm her, and generally feeling helpless. Taira found difficulty in expressing herself through spoken word and would take to writing poetry. At first she kept her works hidden not wanting her family to know how she really felt. Chiho would try and teach her how to be a 'lady' though it mostly disinterested her. Taira wishes to be free, to escape the dreadful world that she was born into that feels more like a prison than anything else; her father the warden and her brother the rabid hound preventing her from being who she wants to be. Despite the grimness of it all she remains hopeful that she will be married away one day and never have to see her parents again.

Comfort my prison
Trapped by Dragon and Devil
Freedom slays the beasts
~ Katayama Taira; Secret Haiku Collection

Lineage of Katayama Keiko

Spoiler: show

Brief Description

The lineage of Katayama Keiko is one of heroism and tragedy. It is said that Katayama Keiko was Yoshiaki's favorite daughter and that her beauty was astounding. Samurai all over the island wished to take her hand in marriage. Suitors lined up aggressively to make their bid to marry Katayama Keiko; but Keiko would approve of none of them. There was one man who had fallen in love with the woman deeply: a servant of Clan Katayama named Hiruma Keisuke. Keisuke's heart however filled with despair knowing he could never have Keiko due to his less than noble status. Keisuke however would watch each suitor enter to try and take her hand and he saw them what they are: filthy perverted brutes ill fit to wear samurai armor. It filled him with rage, but he knew this rage to be dishonorable. Keisuke travelled into the woods to seek wisdom from monks but instead came across a Yama-uba who offered him a deal of great power in exchange for his soul. Keisuke saw this as an opportunity to achieve great honor and earn Keiko's hand in marriage. With his new found powers Keisuke challenged Keiko's suitors to duel and defeated them all. This impressed Yoshiaki greatly; and through Keisuke's merit alone he was allowed to marry Keiko under the condition that he took her family name. Keisuke agreed and the two had a happy marriage with many children. Keisuke however would keep his dealings with dark powers a secret from all his family. Keisuke would perish in combat one day and was laid to rest a hero, and Keiko had started military training so she could prepare her sons to become Samurai. As children from the Katayama Keiko lineage grow however, they begin to show signs of their fathers dark deeds through inherited magical powers. These powers are horrifying and are kept secret knowing that their nature can get them killed...

Recommended Classes:
Male: Warlock, Hexblade, Fighter, Ranger
Female: Warlock, Hexblade, Sorcerer, Bard

Name: Katayama Keiko
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Katayama Keiko was Yoshiaki's favorite daughter. It was said in her youth she was an astounding beauty with a voice like silk and warm demeanor. Keiko loved life and life seemed to love Keiko; but even love can become so twisted and corrupted by passion and desire. Daughters were typically bargaining chips used by their fathers to forge alliances with other houses. Keiko however stood out from other women of the bushi caste. Suitors had lined up to aggressively make their bid to marry Keiko. Many samurai were eager to win her hand, but most eager of all was no Samurai but a servant. Hiruma Keisuke had worked with under Yoshiaki for many years. Day in and day out he saw all sorts of lewd, and brutish Samurai try to take the hands of gentle and angelic Keiko. It was true, he loved her and he would do anything to have her. It is said that Keisuke starved himself and saved up money to find a blade so that he may challenge all of her suitors and earn Yoshiaki's blessing. Much to the surprise of all, Keisuke challenged these men to duels only to meet them with decisive victories. Yoshiaki saw Keisuke's skill and in a very rare turn of events he allowed the servant to wed his daughter; provided she approved of such a thing. Keiko had, as she too was smitten with the workers valiant efforts. Keisuke was allowed to hold the name 'Katayama' and marry Keiko. They lived happily for a couple of years and had many children together. This happiness would not last too long though as Keisuke fell in battle alongside Mutsohito's son Shotaru. This shook Keiko but also drove her as she took up the role of an Onna-musha to train her sons for combat as she would not see them denied the role of Samurai. Keiko would become both beautiful princess and warrior; though she will never understand what made Keisuke such a great warrior.

Name: Katayama 'Hiruma' Keisuke
Status: Deceased
NPC Location: Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Keisuke grew up in an impoverished and abusive family. An uncaring mother, and drunk father; it would seem that Keisuke had drawn the shortest of straws in life and that nothing would ever get better. Keisuke never gave up so easily though and instead saw that he could rise above his meager and pitiful roots. As a man Keisuke would be accepted for a job working as a servant for Clan Katayama. A luxurious position that kept him well fed and in better condition than the other serfs. The best part of the job though? Keisuke was able to see her. Keisuke fell madly in love with Katayama Keiko the moment he saw her. It absolutely tormented and devastated Keisuke at his core to understand that he could not have her. Despite this Keisuke was content with the distance he was cursed with; and was more than willing to simply serve Keiko in all of her needs. That was until the hordes of suitors came in droves; whispering lewd thoughts of Keiko and the mouthwatering lure of Clan Katayama wealth. This infuriated Keisuke which lead him to seeking out the advice of wise elders whom he was told lived in hermitage just behind a great forest. Keisuke travelled into the forest only to become lost. The serf found himself in a dark and twisted part of the wood that howled with the ghastly sounds of lamenting specters. So much wandering lead him to a quiet that was broken by the singing of a beautiful maiden. When he found the source it turned out to be a horrible wretched monster, a twisted aberrant parody of a woman who wielded terrible power. The creature asked Keisuke what he was doing and he told the Yama-uba everything. The monster saw this as an opportunity offering him great power to win his love in exchange for his soul. Keisuke struck the deal enthusiastically; shortly after the world around him would spin before he very suddenly passed out. Keisuke would awaken back at the village of Eikoku and wasted no time fighting for his love. Secretly using dark powers to make himself stronger while unseen Keisuke devastated the competition and eventually slew all of Keiko's suitors one by one in honorable single combat. Yoshiaki was astounded at this and allowed him to not only be granted the Katayama name but also to marry his daughter Keiko if she so chose. Fortunately for Keisuke, Keiko had felt the same for the once serf. Keisuke had many children with Keiko and they were happy for a brief amount of time; but because Keisuke cheated his way through life he never gained the skills necessary to truly survive. Keisuke fell in battle when his powers would not aid him. A grand funereal was held for him and he died with the legacy of a great warrior but only he ever knew the truth. Now his soul is the plaything of a wicked creature with terrible designs.

Name: Katayama Yusuke
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Yusuke is the eldest son of Keiko and Keisuke. Yusuke remembers his father well and has been eager to to follow in his foot steps the loss of his father however hurt him greatly. When his mother started taking over training for him Yusuke began noticing he was able to wield foul mahou. Terrified by his own innate powers he has kept this black magic to himself and has refused to use it. As a result he refuses to mention these powers to his own mother. Since the discovery of his innate dark powers he has not ever used them.

Name: Katayama Heikichi
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Heikichi is the second son of Katayama Keiko and is known for his eager and optimistic nature. As of now he has currently seem to have inherited no powers and very happily praises his fathers great legacy. Unlike his father he is a truly talented warrior known for his expertise with a katana. Heikichi and Yunosuke are very close brothers practically attached at the hip.

Name: Katayama Ryoko (PC | Discord: Bobotz#9572 )
Status: Alive & Active
PC Location: Port-a-lucine Dementlieu
Describe the PC (less than 100 words):  Daughter of Keiko and Keisuke, she inherited a good portion of her mother's beauty, and her father's stubbornness. Her father died (and she suffered greatly for this) when she was still very young, so she was raised having mostly her mother Keiko as an example: a fierce Onna-Musha and not a simple devoted wife to her father Keisuke. Growing up, she stubbornly refused to be simply given in marriage to one of her Samurai suitors, and every time she found a way to repell each of them, worring greatly her beloved mother.

Unlike her mother, Ryoko lacked any form of martial skill, however, she discovered to have other certain innate powers, even if their origin were completely unknown to her. Ryoko was very frightened by the dark powers she manifested and tried to hide and reject them at first...however in time she began to think that, if she could manage to control them, they can provide her the means to become indipendent and fierce just like her mother. She keeps these powers a secret, known only to herself, since she is still deeply frightened by them and by the consequences they may bring if discovered.

Following the success of her Cousin, Yasutsugi, she asked  for permit to travel to Port a Lucine to aid and learn from him. Keiko accepted reluctantly, to send her abroad for some time, secretly hoping that Yasutsugi may soften her temper, and send her back ready to accept to be married.

Lineage of Katayama Yoshinori

Spoiler: show

Brief Description

The sons and daughters of Katayama Yoshinori are pressured into a spiritual sort of discipline. Yoshinori was one of Yoshiaki's youngest sons whom while out in the field of battle witnessed a miracle that prevented his own death. Yoshinori remembered  the day he witnessed this divine intervention; he had spent a long time in prayer at the family shrine as it was his first day in battle. Believing it was the Kami who saved him out of appreciation for his faith; Yoshinori had decided that he would devote his life to the study of faith and history in addition to Bushido. Yoshinori would quickly earn the affections of a shrine maiden and would enter marriage before bringing many children into the world. These children have spent their entire lives not only around blades of war as their ancestors before them but also the shrines that have kept them pious.

Recommended Classes:
Male: Paladin, Favored Soul, Monk
Female: Cleric, Favored Soul, Monk
Both: Weapon Master

Name: Katayama Yoshinori (NPC)
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): The youngest of Katayama Yoshiaki's sons. On his first day of battle Yoshinori felt himself overcome with nerves as his first campaign approached. The young Samurai spent hours praying at a shrine only to be ridiculed by his brothers Mutsohito, and Tokimasa. When the day came the battle was fierce and Yoshinori found his spirit and discipline broken. Scared out of his mind he tripped and fell before him charged an enemy Samurai; a katana in both hands raised up high. Yoshinori saw this was the end but he embraced it; knowing it would be honorable death. Then it happened. An arrow from the enemy threatened to strike Yoshinori in the face at the same time the charging Samurai wished to cleave his skull; the arrow instead imbedded itself in the charging Samurai's hands causing excruciating pain; he dropped his katana. Seeing the opportunity Yoshinori picked up his sword and slew the Samurai in front of him. The Yumi bowman however would have time to knock another arrow. Seeing the Yumi bowman he told himself 'this is it, this is the final death...' despite knowing he was doomed, he charged the bowman but as he did so the clouds would part and the sun would catch the only clean part of the katana; reflecting it back at the bowmans eyes. Blinded by light, the bowman missed his shot and he was cut down. Regained his confidence, Yoshinori would go on to make a valuable contribution at the battle; resulting in a victory for the Daimyo. Unable to explain any of what happened except by an act of the Kami, Yoshinori had taken the battle as a lesson of divinity. Yoshinori would visit shrines daily for many hours at a time. Praying to Hachiman he eventually found himself a bride with a shrine maiden. As a father, Yoshinori was strict, and disciplined but he was also kind of heart. Children were expected to spend time at shrines and revere the Kami, and devote time to military pursuits.

Name: Katayama Yoko (NPC)
Status: Alive
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): The wife of Katayama Yoshinori; she was a shrine maiden who in particular saw Hachiman as her patron. Yoko is no stranger to tools of war as she practiced with a sword of her own, wanting to walk the path of the kensei. When she met Yoshinori, she was enthralled by his spirituality and militaristic might. Yoko found herself at a fork in the road when it came to Yoshinori. Accept his offer of marriage, or marry the sword and become the Kensei she so dreamed of. In the end Yoko saw dreams of her own children each a sword in their hand. 'Why master one sword when you can mother several?' she thought. Yoko would go on to become a very supportive but strict mother who would impress her dreams of the Kensei upon her most talented of children.

Name: Katayama Aoiyama
Status: Alive (NPC)
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): The towering first son of Yoshinori and Yoko; Aoiyama was named such upon his birth. At first the village was concerned he might have been a caliban but such idiotic rumors were quickly shut down when they found no deformities. This concern came however from his rather unusual size. The largest child in the Katayama family; his name quite literally means 'Green Mountain'. Aoiyama would grow to become a very gentle giant however and this began in his youth. When he accidentally harmed a small cat as a boy he was overrun with guilt. Aoiyama realized he is much larger, and that he needed to be mindful of his strength. This led the boy to become gentle and passive. Scarred by the accidental slaying of the small cat, Aoiyama vowed to be gentle in all things and promised to only use his might when it was necessary. Aoiyama felt a special connection to the Kami through his love of life. Aoiyama continued this as a man and Samurai looking to treat every life no matter how small or 'insignificant' with a  degree of respect and love.

Name: Katayama Michiko
Status: Alive (NPC)
NPC Location: Village of Eikoku Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Michiko is the second child and first daughter of Yoshinori and Yoko Katayama. Michiko Took the path of a shrine maiden very quickly. Michiko's keen interest in the Kami captivated her ever since she was young. Michiko however always had a very soft nature and it disturbed her every time she saw her brothers and cousins in Samurai training. Michiko would devote her self to the kami but found O-Kuni-Nushi to be her best patron. Vowing only to heal, and do no harm. The civil war in Rokushia-Taiyoo troubles her and she sees it as the 'greatest wound'; the one that simply won't heal.

Adoptive Family, Concubines, and Retainers

Spoiler: show

Name: Kôzuke Maru (NPC)
Status: Alive
Occupation: Former concubine of Katayama Mutsohito
NPC Location: Rokushima Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Kôzuke Maru or as she prefer to be called 'Lady Maru' is a woman who is perhaps as horrible as Mutsohito himself. It is rare that men choose their wives but their concubines are almost always chosen. Maru was Mutsohito's first love, and she shares his ambitious desires for greater power and wealth. It has been rumored that Maru is not just the concubine of Mutsohito but also a shibobi or yakuza. These accusations have in the past earned the ire of Mutsohito himself and often result in his very liberal practice of Kiri Sute Gomen. Very few dare speak out about Lady Maru and her very suspicious nature. The family despises Maru the most out of Mutsohito's three concubines. With the death of Mutsohito and the circumstances that lead to his death; Lady Maru continues her work for the family as a retainer and mother to her children. Using her extended network of contacts to keep a careful eye on the family and it's new leader: Momoko Katayama.

Name: Takashima Madoka (NPC)
Status: Alive
Occupation: Former concubine of Katayama Mutsohito
NPC Location: Rokushima Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): From Courtesan to concubine, Madoka was a highly successful Geisha as well before meeting Katayama Mutsohito. It is said that her performance art was something to be greatly admired. Not only does she take on the role of concubine in the family, but Madoka has utilized her skills as a professional hostess. Managing the family's social engagements and parties. Despite Madoka's great artistic skill, and ability to host events she is ultimately unremarkable and content to serve her purpose to the family. Life has changed very little for Takshima Madoka after the death of Mutsohito. Madoka continues to serve the family as best she can as a retainer and mother to her children as well as serving as an aid to Clan Leader Momoko.

Name: Nishizaka Mamiko (NPC)
Status: Alive
Occupation: Former concubine of Katayama Tokimasa
NPC Location: Eikoku Rokushima Taiyoo
Describe the NPC (less than 100 words): Mamiko is one of the unfortunate women who serve as Tokimasa's  concubines. Mamiko comes from a horribly destroyed home who found herself at the whims of the Yakuza. Through debt and less than honorable work Mamiko would do as the Yakuza demanded. Mamiko of course is not helpless, in order to escape her life of poverty she sought to become one of the local nobles concubines. Few would hear here plight however; except for Katayama Tokimasa. Mamiko spun a tale about her extra abusive pimp within the Yakuza and the horrible debt and threats made against her. In his lust, Tokimasa issued forth none of his own Samurai but rather a team of desperate conscripted ashigaru. Katayama Tokimasa told the ashigaru that the Yakuza threatened their family and it was their honorable duty to fight. This of course was a lie. Knowing the ashigaru would die horrifically but also whittled down their numbers; Tokimasa sent them into the Yakuza stronghold with little concern for the conscripts safety. After the initial fighting Tokimasa would emerge to finish the wounded and exhausted Yakuza with minimal effort. Since that night Mamiko has served as concubine to Tokimasa though she has little plans of simply being 'one of his girls'. Nishizaka is opportunistic and is constantly looking for greater powers where she can, and she is unafraid to make her children an extension of her will.

Name: Katayama Nozomi ((Adoptive) PC Forum Messaging | Discord: )
Status: Alive & Active
PC Location: Port-a-lucine Dementlieu and Barovia
Describe the PC (less than 100 words):

Name: Takashima Misaki (PC)
Status: Deceased (Click for Character Closure)
PC Location: Rokushima-Taiyoo
Describe the PC (less than 100 words): The bored daughter of an artistic mother, Takashima Misaki was born to a family where she did not wish to continue in the steps of her mother. From childhood she was prone to escape her mother's parties, and in the family's garden she found whatever peace she could. Her bond to the others was always thin, she was known to be compassionate, but calm, reserved and distant. Her wish was to become a Miko, a maiden to a shrine of the Kami she felt so connected to, a protector of the spirits residing within. But instead she was sent off to Dementlieu alongside her half-brother Katayama Yasutsugi. There, Misaki couldn't endure long. The stone buildings and metal fences always surrounding them, felt like a cage. No one cared about the Kami, or the traditions that need be upheld. She noted how her brother was drifting away from the Kami, and this deeply disturbed her. Seeing how she couldn't make her family listen, Misaki slipped away from Dementlieu to the wilds of the Core. There she served the Kami, in silent pursuit and wandered the natural beauties of these lands. Until her brother sent her a letter, and she returned to Dementlieu. There they had their trip back to their home, with her brother's faith in Ezra rather than the Kami, but in the end Misaki managed to get their faith restored to the rightful place. She couldn't be a Miko when they returned with powder and shot to the Isle. But the family shrine was desecrated, and the spirit within was dying. Misaki gave her life to the Kami, or became one with them and effectively disappeared to her family, her body never to be found and buried.  In the end, in some way, she got what she wanted.

Name: Kôzuke Haru  (PC Forum Messaging | Discord: )
Status: Alive & Active
PC Location: Port-a-lucine Dementlieu
Describe the PC (less than 100 words): (WIP)

Updated 4/23/23 - Recent History Updated

[NacreCicatrix]

House Holmwood



"Grene ure felden, gylden ure heorten."
Green our fields, golden our hearts.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A BRIEF HISTORY

Founded in the country of Mordent, the Holmwood family's noble blood runs back some eight generations. The present incarnation is not particularly wealthy, nor are they prominent figures in Mordentish society. They are, however, known for owning large tracts of fertile land east of Waterford.
Due to poor business sense and inherent fondness for the bottle, the family tree is riddled with members both impoverished, feeble-minded, and otherwise disgraced. Only the main line manages to eke out a living in the trade of wool and textiles.
The current patriarch is Earl Galien Holmwood, a tender lad of twenty-two, who inherited after his father was killed in a hunting accident.

BRANCHES

Some thirty years ago, Martin Holmwood, the favourite great-nephew of the then-patriarch, was granted a large meadow plot when he came of age. He began to cultivate native flowers on his land and constructed a distillery. Possessing a keen olfactory sense, as well as thrift, Martin sealed his reputation as an accomplished perfumer during the next decade.
Martin emigrated to Chateaufaux for access to clientele with heavier purses and a stronger taste for luxury goods. For a time, his daughter, Eleanor, was his only child; in Avril of 773, however, he welcomed a son. It is said that Eleanor married a commoner.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

In early 776 BC, Earl Galien's eccentric uncle, Wymond Holmwood, returned to Mordent from a three-decade-long research expedition in Sri Raji. His arrival coincided with the rumors of Kali's army swarming the verdant land. Much to his family's surprise, he brought with him a Rajian wife and a half-caste son.
In 777, Wymond traveled to Port-a-Lucine to give lectures at the university as a guest. He specialises in entomology and botany. His son has accompanied him.
Not much is known of the young man. Reclusive, and notably absent from most social affairs (complemented by a laundry list of excuses), several rumors have risen regarding his condition. Some speculate that he is disfigured; others have suggested that he is a leper, or even a caliban with eight arms. Amusing gossip, to be certain, but what could the truth be...?

______________________________________________________________________________________________

If you wish to play a character from this house, please reach out to me. It's very flexible. Themes are mainly to do with nature. Animal husbandry, farming, botany, natural sciences, etc.

[Meduegna]

House Khorzavi

"TRO OG KUNDSKAB"

House Khorzavi is one of the ancient houses with a legacy sprawling from the earliest records of the false histories. However despite its age and seniority it has been on a fierce decline. The family was once led by the great grandfather: Raz'dul Khorzavi. In the many skirmishes renowned in the history of Hazlan, the Khorzavi patriarch stood strong with his mastery of the arcane. Those who called Raz'dul enemy refused to challenge the prodigy in open combat and instead turned to more duplicitous means. These schemes would never come to fruition as the emergence of the Red Wizard brought the family bloody to heel. The decree against magic claimed not only the patriarch but his most promising heirs. The enemies of the family no longer needed to act and instead were able to step back and watch as the family fell to its own greed from within. Infighting within the family took place the sons of Raz'dul turned to less than honorable methods: subterfuge, murder, and arson. When the dust settled Raz'dul's ended up killing each other and most of the family. From the wreckage of the family rose Haurvatat Khorzavi, the youngest Haurvatat daughter of Raz'dul.
 
Haurvatat became the matriarch of House Khorzavi and vowed to wield it with a strong hand and refused to fall to the greedy bickering of her brothers. Haurvatat was clever woman whom during the fighting and banishment of magic had various arcane scrolls and artifacts hidden away at the time so as to not lose her grandfather’s arts. When the ban against magic was lifted what was once old keepsakes became an absolute gold mine allowing the family to elevate their wealth and status to a shade of their former glory. With this new found wealth, Haurvatat has worked tirelessly to sculpt the family to bring them elevation. Children were either raised into arcane studies with intent to join the Red Academy or were indoctrinated into the Church of the Lawgiver. Through these two great powers of Hazlan elevation for House Khorzavi is almost assured. While the Matriarch is an aging woman still vibrant with ambition, it is now the era for the youth of the family to prove their mettle. Loyalty to not only the family but the Hazlani cause has been instilled into each of the children to varied successes. Regardless of what each individual might believe, the Matriarch is fearful and vigilant for any signs of disloyalty lest the Red Wizard again sunders the family.

The Khorzavi family was positioned primarily in Western Hazlan near Syl-Var and areas of the surrounding countryside. At their height, they held several investment properties towards agriculture and trade which brought in a comfortable revenue to support earlier investments in the arcane. These properties have been cannibalized over the years to support the family during the era of hardship. The properties that remain in their keeping are well-maintained with much of their attention dedicated towards their upkeep. There is a business in Syl-Var that operates as an opium den and house of luxury, there is the family home, and there are a small number of farms to harvest poppy along the Ensommark that provide present day revenue. Their proximity to the border of Nova Vaasa was advantageous to the family when the Iron Faith spread as they were in position to broker early support which greatly improved their prospects after the loss of their patriarch with the emergence of Lord Hazlik.

((As of 6/7/2023 House Khorzavi is under the supervision and responsibility of Onkel Bob if you are interested in making a character for this noble house, all inquiries will go to him. Thank you and happy gaming! ~ Meduegna ))

[Imperial]

House Barozzi

"Let justice be done, though the heavens fall."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

History

The Barozzi line can be traced back to one Ernesto Barozzi, who arrived in the village of Vor Ziyden not long after Camille Dilisnya brought about an end to Borca’s so-called “Vacancy of Power”. Over generations, the family became synonymous with the work of solicitors and canny knowledge of Borca’s legal system, though they were also sometimes the subject of unsettling talk in Borca’s wine country; the wives and daughters of the Barozzi family patriarchs always seemed to meet with a terrible fate, with the wives perishing not long after giving birth to their last child and the daughters seeming to always pass away before they reach adolescence.

This trend was broken with Ezio Barozzi, who sired no sons and only two daughters, Roxana and Rachelle. Their mother would pass away not long after Rochelle was born, and though Ezio would try to re-marry, the reputation of the Barozzi family kept parties that would be otherwise interested well away. In time, Ezio developed a different reputation - that of a spendthrift. A love for gambling and the finer things would lead to Ezio borrowing money from different sources, and then borrowing from others to cover the first loan. It would all catch up to him in the end, and he would spend his final days in a debtor’s prison; the debt was Roxana’s to inherit.

For this reason, she took to the life of a courtesan. She was intelligent and possessed the grace that many men (and some women) sought, and it would perhaps make her enough to see all the debts her father had bequeathed her paid in full. She would succeed in doing exactly that, though her recent dalliance with Cavaliere Arturo Vinator earned her the ire of his possessive wife; months later, both would be met with a bloody, violent end.

Rumors surround Roxana Barozzi’s time in Barovia, where it is said she once operated a house of assignation in the fishing town of Vallaki. Contact was made with the scions of other Borcan families of note, and through them, Roxana became acquainted with the Vicontessa di Marciniera and overtime, more and more involved in Borca’s interests in northern Richemulot and diplomatic efforts in Dementlieu; in time, she would leave Barovia behind and come to reside in Port-a-Lucine.

At the wake of the late Lord Michaleto Gharsavi, indentures were signed by Roxana Barozzi with the Sefeasa of Borca, Ivana Boritsi, ones that would see her given the lands of Falsonno and the title of Baroneasa, ostensibly as a reward for her outstanding efforts in diplomacy and advancing Borca’s interest. When the time came for Borca's condottieri to join the Dementlieuse in the pacification of the Silent Fields, the freshly-minted Baroneasa di Falsonno led Borca's native sons and daughters, accompanied by auxiliaries, into battle.

Her troops won costly victories, and yet they were victories all the same, and the Baroneasa di Falsonno's ranks would swell with each battle won. In the face of great adversity, the combined forces of Dementlieu and Borca clipped the wings of the Hawk and saw the mercenaries in their employ killed or routed. They had won, and yet the Baroneasa di Falsonno's triumph was short-lived, as the treacherous blackguard Valentin Voiculet impaled her on his sword.

She is survived by her sister, a woman whom the late Baroneasa saw designated as her heir in the event of any calamity befalling her, yet one who does not yet enjoy the Sefeasa's favor; Falsonno's fate yet remains uncertain, and yet in spite of that, the late Baroneasa di Falsonno's memory persists in the Order of the Porcelain Lady, with the newly-knighted Cavalieri de Marciniera, Romeo Lascaris and Raphael d'Argenti, its first inductees.

[Royale]

House Nardragil


The Nuitari Remembers...

House Nardragil is an ancient house of Sithicus, one with a remarkably long history rooted in further obscurities and the old, obfuscated draconic mythos. Though little documentation exists in support, what is believed is that the house prospered long before the Black Rose being cast into the tumultuous lands of mists along with the other elves of Sithicus.

The once-proud House Nardragil has many ties to the political courts, though more curiously, the religious castes that worshipped the god-wyrms. It is speculated that many of the former members of the religious caste melded and formed unions with House Nardragil as a desperate attempt to cling to relevance as they fell from favor of the Sithicus. Though the decline of Sithicus dwindled the influence of the elder house, these decisions contributed to a speedier collapse of the old house.

As one of the older houses, their decisions began to beg the question of their ability to lead among their rivals. Struggling for many long centuries to maintain relevance, they eventually lost any holdings and much of their political influence. The ruinous House Nardragil would go on to only keep their noble status to the current day as a mere honor of their legacy, managing what they have due only to secret alliances with the arcane caste and influences of the Order of High Sorcery.
 
The current Lady of House Nardragil, Nylatharia Nardragil, only recently came to lead their house after the recent passing of the late Lord Eldrin Nardragil. The widow of her husband of some two centuries, she fell into the leadership of the house through circumstance of luck, popular support in the house, and being one of the eldest daughters of the old lineage. Even for a Sithican, she shows a surprising amount of ambition and seems keen to pry back that which the eroded House Nardragil had lost. The late Lady of the House claims her house is “fated” to return their former legacy, saying the infamous house motto: “The Nuitari remembers.”

The current successor and heir to the head of family is a subject of inner turmoil and debate, the twin sons of Lady Nylatharia and the late Lord Eldrin, Melnaethor and Maemerun. Though the latter is considered the secondborn, the two carry a staunch rivalry and Maemerun has questioned the legitimacy of Melnaethor’s status as heir. Despite the debate and rivalry, Nylatharia has insinuated and all but given her word that Melnaethor is the heir. The bitter feud still exists and Maemerun still draws loose support amongst other lower ranking members in the house. Sometime following the death of Eldrin, Nylatharia remarried. Her current consort is a prestigious member of the aristocrat caste, a lower Lord named Sidheon, who married into House Nardragil and took their name. Between Nylatharia and Sidheon, they sired several children to continue their line.

In recent years, the many descendants and lines of House Nardragil have seen keen to make both ambitious and bold steps, with any hope guiding the house out of ruin and to due grandeur.

[Siobhan]

House Vaella
of Sithicus



Consumed, That Which We Know

Once proud custodians of a library of scrolls for requisition by the Courts, House Vaella's collection is all but spent. However, this noble lineage persists their relevance through rumours of potency and secrets, hidden away in the family's vault. Whether that is true or not, only the Patriarch of the family knows - Tsorzum Vaella. His sundry offspring over the last millennia are tasked with various expectations to maintain that aura of secrecy. Somewhere between spies and arcanists, there's the crushing pressure of expectation to perform acts of misinformation to rivals or to secure additions to the vault of scrolls. Over the centuries, Tsorzum has had four wives and has been widowed four times. An elderly man, he has a reputation for lecherously eyeing younger Sithicans women as potentials for his next wife.

In recent memory, one of his scions has begun circulating abroad: Thyrwen. Her mother was Tsorzum's third wife. She has 8 older sibblings and 13 younger ones, though many of them are missing and that she has never met. In terms of succession, some of her older sibblings have grandchildren of their own. She is far from the line of a title, but has the direct expectations of her father's interest, as he takes his children's deed (or failures) as personal reflections to his own legacy. Whether her efforts outside of the lightless night of the Nuitari will lead to praise or condemnation has yet to be determined.

[Iconoclast]

House Fezim of Sly-var, Hazlan

"Dyden Viser Vejen"
"Virtue Leads The Way"

[The family crest depicts a white manticore with a shaved human head, the body of a lion, wings of a dragon, and tail of a scorpion. In one hand the manticore holds an olive branch. In the other, a spear.]

A Weaving of False and True History:

Fezim family records date back roughly to the year 714 BC to the Years of Tattered Banners, after 53 long years of anarchy in Hazlan, which erupted with Mulan noble houses warring for control, after the death of Yome of the Weeping Eyes, the last of the Warrodine royal bloodline. House Fezim believes prior family records have been lost to the flames of wartime Hazlan. Despite this, they proudly see themselves as descendants of the First People of Torvendar, no less, which supports their ethnocentric and Lawgiver views. One of the many elaborate, large paintings on display within the prosperous house depicts Torvendar, with the Lawgiver up high within the clouds, ruling from His Iron Throne, with Forstregal, the First Ruler, ruling on earth, below. If one looks closely enough at those near Forstregal’s throne, they appear to be Mulan, their heads shaved, with the tattoo and house crest of the Fezim: a manticore, holding a spear in one lion’s hand, with an olive branch in the other. This version of the manticore, with its shaved human head, body of a lion, wings of a dragon, and tail of a scorpion, not only represents the family crest, but also conveys their moral philosophy that one must become a master of their lesser animal urges and desires, while at the same time, preferring to offer the olive branch in one hand to ones’ allies or adversaries, but also possessing the ability and willingness to strike with deadly precision with the spear and scorpion’s tail, if provoked.

House Fezim possesses a strong puritanical streak, believing that the body’s purity will contribute to a spiritual purity, culminating in a righteous, productive life both on earth as well guaranteed entrance into the Iron Paradise upon death. (A family secret is that Ossur’s mother died of an overdose and suicide, having become addicted to opium, having suffered severed depression much of her life. Some speculate that her addiction and untimely death was part of a scheme from a rival house.)

In contrast to this puritanical sobriety, a portion of the family business lies in the fermentation of a favored Rashemi alcoholic beverage, Boza. One of House Fezim’s most esteemed serfs (and he is rewarded lavishly) is a Rashemi master fermentor, and they have been known to experiment with the fermentation process to produce unusual alcoholic beverages sought out by collectors of alcohol across the Core. In addition to growing a variety of hops, they also grow cotton, a variety of tea or perfume leaf, and own a mine with both copper and iron.

House Fezim prides itself on its rather moderate views on how to keep its estate and plantations under control, believing those Mulan who take to extreme measures, often through their Rashemi enforcer, are more prone to ferment a rebellious spirit among the Rashemi masses. In other words, they believe in finesse, rather than brutality, but will not fail to use the scorpion’s tail when punishment is due. House Fezim believes that a more moderate, tempered approach, is prone to ferment serfs who take pride in serving the Fezim Household. That the Rashemi can often be heard singing together when working on the plantation or within the mines, or be heard and seen laughing and dancing from their humble whitewashed brick homes after sunset, is evidence that the Rashemi serfs are happy to be in service to the Fezim family, or so the Fezims like to believe.

In 714, when King Hazlik took the throne, restoring order to Hazlan’s feuding families, House Fezim once again began to prosper in Sly-var, with property along both the Saniset River and the Iron Road, with established trade relations in Nova Vaasa.

A devout family to the Lawgiver and His Church, when King Hazlik did an about-face turn with regards to the arcane, after it had been prohibited for many years, the Fezim household was slow to adapt and make peace with this. (Ironically, though forgotten in their living memory, they had been slow to let use of the arcane go when Hazlik seized control.) As a result, House Fezim has yet to advance itself in Hazlani society within the ranks of the Red Academy. Other notable noble houses of Sly-var, such as the Za’am House or the Khorzavi House, have both made inroads within King Hazlik’s arcane academy.

The rishad and satrap of House Fezim, Cinar Fezim, has at last come around to the acceptance of the arcane in Hazlan society, just as the Hazlani branch of the Church of the Lawgiver has. Even more so, with the belief that the arcane is somehow required for some unknown, impending catastrophic challenge facing Hazlan and the Church of the Lawgiver, Cinar Fezim believes it is now a moral obligation to make advancements into the Red Academy. Each of his children, nephews, and nieces are given a battery of tests to determine if they have the aptitude. Ossur Fezim, his second born, while showing some intellect, was more like his father, in being gifted with strength, constitution, and grace, the qualities befitting a noble warrior, from which the Fezims have a proud tradition of.

At last, eight or so years ago, one of Cinar’s children, his most cherished daughter, Thola Fezim, demonstrated both the aptitude and hunger for the arcane. Cinar charged his second son, Ossur, with escorting Thola to Ramulai, where she was to serve as an apprentice in Hazlik’s prized Red Academy. However, through no fault of their own, they never arrived. The mists of Myterri would interfere, as it is apt to do with the plans of mankind, with Ossur and Thola Fezim finding themselves in the domain of Count Strahd’s Barovia.

It was there that Ossur Fezim’s course in life would take a dramatic turn, for at the western outskirts of Vallaki, he came upon the missionary, Kontor Naatharak, of Nordenvall Fane, leading the Western Mission of the Church of the Lawgiver. In an event that would lead Ossur into the fold of Hazlan’s Church of the Lawgiver, Ossur could not stand idly by when forces of Myterri assaulted the Kontor one dark night. Having been inspired by the Kontor’s courage and zeal in the face of such chaos and evil, Ossur felt inspired and compelled into the Kontor’s service. This, while his sister Thola, insisted that they remain in Barovia, just a little longer, so that she could explore and gather arcane scrolls and artifacts, believing that this would give her an advantage over other rival apprentices when she would arrive at the esteemed gates of the Red Academy.

As fate would have it, Thola never reached those gates; she went missing. Ossur Fezim, duty bound to protect his sister and to fulfill his father’s charge to safely escort her, failed to do so. So too, it did seem, that Kontor Naatharak had gone unaccounted for after some time.

When word reached Cinar Fezim, in his grief and anger, he banished Ossur Fezim, forbidding him to return home without an account for Thola’s fate or whereabouts. For the next two years, Ossur searched high and low across Barovia, and eventually, across much of the Core. He lost hope after years of failing to find any trail of her whereabouts, and found himself reporting to the Gudkaede of Nordenvall Fane, where the Kontor Naatharak had hailed from, before his disappearance. It was there, after years of believing he had failed to protect the Kontor, that he was reunited with him upon the estate of Vraylok Kryillian. One of the two heavy burdens of failure that had weighed upon him was suddenly lifted, and his hope for Thola’s reemergence rekindled.

Things to Note:

Ossur and Thola are player characters, started eight or so years ago. Much of the background and history is a combination of backstory and in-game events.

Ossur Fezim remains cut off from his allowance to this day, and thus, circumstances forced him to become self-reliant, having taken up various crafts in the process: herbalism, alchemy, curing hides, smelting ore, forging metals.

These are all things that his father had forbidden him to pursue as a youth, arguing that such work was beneath the nobel stature of the Mulan, and should be reserved for the Rashemi craftsmen.  While Ossur, a faithful, dutiful son, does feel the punishment of being banished from his father’s sight until Thola’s whereabouts or herself is retrieved, Ossur has come to appreciate the freedom to pursue some of his passions and interests that he had previously been prohibited from, and the freedom to explore, as a missionary of the Church.

While serving under Kontor Naatharak, it also became his dream to establish a Fane, at last, somewhere in the lands of Barovia. In his travels, far and wide, he has made an effort to study each Fane and gather blueprints, in the hopes that one day the mission will succeed and a Fane be erected upon Barovian soil. This is one of the Church’s and his greatest aspirations, all in service to the Lawgiver and Hazlan.


Cinar, having learned that Ossur has become a Gudkaede, is even more upset as a result. Speaking from a place of fear and anger, for Thola was cherished, he had believed Ossur would succeed in returning with her, alive or dead, years ago. Cinar had not foreseen that Ossur would become a Gudkaede and missionary for Nordenvall Fane. He had imagined Ossur would return to his good graces in a relatively short time period, but instead it has stretched on far too long: 8 years to date.  Ossur had been 18 when departing, and is now a 26 year old man in his prime.

One crucial reason for Cinar being upset is that Ossur is not an ordained priest, capable of rising within the Church hierarchy. Ossur, as a Gudkaede, as a warrior and esteemed weapon master, has no room to advance in the Church hierarchy. As far as Cinar can see, there is little for the family to gain by Ossur serving as a mere Gudkaede within the Church. Cinar would rather see Ossur, despite his devotion to the Church, return to Sly-var, perhaps with an arranged marriage to another notable woman of a Mulan House. He is tempted to rescind his banishment of Ossur from Sly-var, even if Thola, alive or dead, is not returned to him.

Does Ossur Fezim still fall under the legal protections of his rishad? Likely so, though he hasn’t seen this tested. Truth be told, Ossur was Cinar’s favorite son, much as Thola his favored daughter. He would have charged Ossur’s older brother with escorting Thola, instead, were it not for the firstborn son being unreliable and a chronic disappointment.

Cinar’s firstborn and heir is a huge source of concern for House Fezim. The first son, despite the family’s puritanical upbringing, has become a reveler, taken to a life of debauchery and fornication. He polutes his body daily and is known to even lay with women or men who are not Mulan, potentially creating mongrels with the noble bloodline of the Fezim. This is a dilemma for Cinar and the family. At first, he believed the firstborn son would grow out of it, that it was just a phase for a young man to go through, but it has become apparent that the firstborn son is committed to a life of impurity and has also earned a reputation for cruelty among their serfs. Given the Lawgiver doctrine of inheritance, it is both moral and lawful that power always be handed down to the firstborn.  Another painting in the household depicts the sins and rebellion of the infamous 36 sons of Forstregal, who each fought to take the throne, having sacrificed Forstregal’s firstborn son to Myterri.

Ossur also fears for his family’s future and prays that his father lives for many years to come. But Ossur, taking the lesson of the 36 rebel sons to heart, is committed to honoring the law and would never scheme against his older brother, even though he realizes the health and future of his family would likely benefit from his elder brother’s passing, either by natural means or by murder. While Ossur, like most Mulan, believe in their ethnic superiority, he does also take the health and well-being of the Rashemi and other serfs under their House as an important responsibility for any rishad and satrap. He fears the worse for all of House Fezim, serfs included, should his father experience an untimely death and the power fall to that of his elder brother.


Note to players:

I think the more interconnected our characters are, the more interesting our characters and shared narrative become, and it can help to bring Hazlan to life. As you can see, Ossur is not the head, rishad or satrap, of some family faction. I might not always be in game either, week to week, month to month, as I balance family and work with Potm. But Ossur is a character whose story started over eight years ago, and if you are motivated to develop a character that is part of the Fezim household, by all means, reach out to me.

I also have kept other family members intentionally vague, as I believe this opens things up to shared creativity, inviting you to pitch an idea for a new character.  One thing that would make the npc Cinar happy is to find that another Fezim has an aptitude for the arcane. Interested in a Mulan Red Wizard?  Cinar would also like to see a Fezim as an acolyte at Nordenvall Fane, to rise above the rank of a mere Gudkaede, a rank his son Ossur is limited to due to not possessing divine powers. Interested in a Mulan Lawgiver priest?

It could also be that Cinar also worries that Ossur, who he sees more like himself than his older sibling, wants to ensure that Ossur survives, should anything happen to the current heir. This opens up the possibility for a Rashemi, gnome, or halfling being sent on a mission to serve and protect Ossur or any other Fezims in the area of Nordenvall Village or Ramulai. (Of course, a Rashemi could also be concealing a rebel agenda, but it would be more fun to experience this in character, and so if planning for a Rashemi, leave out anything about rebellion for the sake of role play fun if reaching out to me with a character concept.)

Cinar also intends to secure an arranged marriage for Ossur, if a suitable spouse among another noble family can be found.

If interested in any of this, you’re welcome to contact me via the forum here. Your character could be a sibling, a cousin, uncle or aunt, or a serf of some kind. As for the player of Thola, it is not known if they will return, and so Thola’s fate remains a mystery and unclosed story.

[Sinful Mystic]

House Elevashe

Hope Eternal

An ancient royal House whose legacy stretches back to the formation of Sithicus itself. The esteemed family has extensive holdings along the Musarde River which include their famed vineyard and much untouched woodlands. The origin of their ascension to power have long been lost to time, along with much of the ancient Sithican history.
Since the invasion of the Black Rose and the imposition of Azareal's reign house Elevashe have been heavily pressured. Lord Elevashe typically displayed moderation and adherence to the Invader's rule until the recent unexpected withdrawal from Council. The Elevashe family have traditionally played a part in the ruling council of Har-Thelen, the current patriarch - lord Elhan, having served for many years as a councilor. However, he is now retired from the council for reasons which are not yet clear. Lord Elhan and his wife - the lady Alira are known to have three children.
In recent years the House activity seems to have extended beyond the borders of Sithicus, members of the House have began reaching out and engaging in Trade and Diplomacy. The motives behind this uncharacteristic reaching out not yet known.