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VO
06-23-2006, 07:57 AM
I thought the other thread was getting quite messy, so this thread is for house profiles. Please ONLY post a SHORT description of the house and it's primary leaders in here; anyone who needs more indepth detail about the houses, geneology, or landscape, or how things work, can read the other thread. Also, any questions to be asked can go to the other thread - this one should be kept clean.


HOUSE BELDAIN

House Beldain are the principal house on the shores of the Great Bay, and control the urban centre of The Land. Several hundred houses are sworn to them, including Tordain, Sandain, Highwater, Sky, Inchmote, Rhysling, Castle, Caperra, Sollond, Rumm and Waverly. Their seat is Dainmount, and their banner is a purple field with three gold coins and two gold cogs, above the golden dagger of House Dain. The House words are "we pay our debts". Beldain claim descent from Aneos Dain, the founding father of the Empire until his House was succeeded by Roland Cassone two hundred years in the past. Beldain, an offshoot of House Dain changed sides in the civil war, and were granted the ancestral heartland of their line, including the administrative, fiscal, and religious centre of the continent. Truebred Dains tend to be tall, with pale skin and sharp features. They have green eyes and dark hair – usually black, dark brown, or a very dark red. This sets them apart from the majority of the common citizenry, who, like in any urban area, are a hodge-podge of immigrants from across The Land

Beldain see the rulership of the Empire as their right, as it was they who were usurped by House Cassone. As such, they have had machinations in place for hundreds of years in their plan to regain control of The Land; plans that are suddenly forced into motion with the death of the entire Cassone family. Beldain’s army is primarily land based, consisting of regular troops recruited from the cities and supplemented by a mago-technological melding of their urban, academic, and theological base. In particular, Beldane will bring ‘remade’ soldiers and condemned criminals hoping for redemption by arms to the field, along with ‘screws’, experimental flying machines. There are also hushed plans to utilise large-scale blood magic to further their aims. The house relies on imported food from other regions to feed it’s large, dense population, although it pays for much of this with interest from the loans that most other houses owe the moneylenders of Beldain.

Leadership:

Prima Beldain is the wife and twenty years the junior of Mikel Beldain, the Lord of the House, although he is bedridden so many of the leadership duties fall to her. She is a tall, elegant woman in her mid forties who’s Dainese good looks are accentuated by greying hair and the crow’s feet around her eyes. It is widely known that Prima pays for the very best physicians and medicines from around the world to attend her husband’s bedside.

She has seven sons by Mikel who are all also heavily involved in the running of the realm – Yeter, Floren, Damus, Ramus, Eduard, Marco, and Septus. Yeter is the heir to Beldain, while Floren is the Vice-Fleetmaster of Beldain. Damus and Ramus are twins. All share similar good looks, although it is Floren who is widely regarded as the most beautiful and the most skilled.

Floren Beldain is the second son of Mikel Beldain, twenty five years of age and the vice-fleetlord under Barryn Sky. He studied at Port Staple in Westfreiss and was destined for a naval career since birth. Despite this natural advantage, he has shown a solid head for strategy and a talent for leadership, no doubt aided by his stunning good looks. Floren eagerly awaits his trial by fire in the inevitable naval engagements in the upcoming conflict, although his superiors note his temper and recklessness may become a problem. He is currently engaged with a fifth of the Beldain fleet hunting corsairs on the Pirate Coast.

Genna Tordain is Mikel Beldain’s neice and abeautiful widow who is the current Lady of the Red Tor.She is thus an eager candidate for suitors from across the land, despite her intentions never to marry again.

Rebekka Beldain is the sister of Genna Beldain,. She is the Beldain’s Master of Spies, although this is not public knowledge; a disguise known as Bekon Beldain is used for this . Rebekka is known to be a twin; there are those who whisper that she uses the magical advantages of this in her role.

Marc Castle, brother of Raymer Castle of Rainbow Step, is a renowned strategist and a general of Beldain’s armies. Marc is a massive man, who once beat every soldier willing to wrestle him during the Fardain Rebellion. He is heir to Rainbow Step, until his brother produces a son.

Bruno Highwater is the protector of the faith and Lord of Llentium. He is also a renowned general, who is approaching the later years of his life with vigour and fortitude. Bruno is known as the Fighting Chicken due to his huge jowls.

Andus Beldain is the son of Mikel Beldain’s aunt and an important figure in the realm, acting as Prima’s administrative second in command. He holds a position known as the Iron Keys, which grants him jurisdiction over the legal system of Beldain in Prima’s absence, a generalship, and the management of the treasury and mint. It is known that he harbours ambitions to lead Beldain, although he is such a capable man that it is more profitable for Prima to keep him at her side than remove him from power.


***



House Cassone

House Cassone are the principal house in The Land and the Emperor has been drawn from their ranks for the last two centuries. All houses are sworn to them, although in their home territories their bannermen include Farallway, Lonnman, Vask, Oldpeter, Pardain, Moondark, and Sandcloth. Their seat, and the capital of the Empire is Newkeep, and their banner is a golden lion astride a green field, with a spear in one hand and a scythe in the other. House Cassone have been part of the Empire since it’s founding with houses Dain and Forester, although they rose up against Emperor Dain in the time of troubles and secured the throne for themselves. Cassones tend to be short, powerfully built, and blonde.

House Cassone are the current rulers of the Empire, and Yeter Cassone sits on the High Throne. They control the mostly agricultural heartland of the continent, from Beldain in the north to the rebel province of Selenia in the south. Their power is secured by force of arms, and all houses pay tribute to Cassone, in particular Kojiro who provide the royal guard since they were indicted into the empire twenty years ago when Yeter took a Kojiran for his wife.
Since the disaster, Cassone military power is shattered and it’s leadership dead. It will not be long before the Empire unravels, as pretenders seize power.

Leadership:

All the Cassones are dead. Yeter Cassone was an old man and the last emperor, who summoned all his kinsmen to Newkeep to choose his successor. It was then when the incident struck. Eyewitnesses called it a light in the sky, and across the Land mages felt the vibrations of the sudden death of a city. Now all that is left of Newkeep is a smouldering crater cut deep into the ground, no ruins or artefacts left there to claim. House Cassone is gone, and The Land is wide open for claiming.

Statalyzer
06-23-2006, 01:59 PM
KNIGHTS OF CONLAR

The Knights of Conlar are an ancient order, officially gained by merit rather than descent. Nowhere in the early stages of the empire could be found a more dedicated, honorable, dutiful band than among the Conlaren, a body never more than 800 in number over the entire Empire. They were the keepers of order and defenders of justice, much like having benevolent secret police. However, in more recent times, the order became less selective and expanded to several thousand, and many in the leadership were corrupt.

Eventually the corruption among the leading Conlaren became such that many high ranking Knights to plot to overthrow their own leadership. The resulting chaos prompted the Emperor Ramonte Cassone, grandfather Yeter Cassone, to disband the order. But the Knights refused, instead retreating to the plain of House Corezin and House Marn, the only Houses who remained fully supportive of the Knights. Always two of the weakest Houses, Corezin and Marn have since all but vanished, leaving the Knights in control of the territory.

The teritory is inhabited mostly by peasents in small to medium sized cities who formerly were serfs of Corezin and Marn, along with scattered farmers. They live a simple, peaceful existence. The Knighthood has since grown, and instead of a tight, elite group to advance justice and honor, they now exist to defend their terrority against the expected civil wars. So the Knights who control the area are also their own army, about 20,000 strong. But they still take the old concepts of the Knighthood seriously, training vigorously in horse-riding, archery, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat, and enforcing high standards of behavior.

The majority of the Knight of Conlar are horse riders. Swift yet tough, their main assets are mobility and surprise. The horsemen typically carry a quiver of arrows, a 4-edged sword (somewhat resembling a 4-pointed star if you looked straight at the point), and a pair of small knives to hurl at an enemy before he is in swordrange.

There are 14 Legions of Horse Cavalry and 4 of Camel Cavalry, each with around 1,000 men. About 200 in each Legion are Lancemen instead of swordsmen/archers. There are also 3 Brigades of 400 men in gorin-pulled chariots. The gorin is a shaggy mammal with hooved feet, powerful but short legs, and a furry yet boney head with a shield at the back of the head resembling that of a triceratops. All the Legions operate in reletive autonomy.

The Knights also have secretkt built a fleet of fast ships in the hills opposite Breaktooth Bay. They are mainly for rapidly transporting beasts and men should the need arise. The fleet has some minor fighting capacity but would stand no chance against a true battle fleet. Currently the ships sit in the tiny fjordlike inlets in the rocky, moderately-treed hills, where they can avoid detection. No Conlaren ships exist in Breaktooth Bay itself or in the Shallow Sea, for fear of the fleet of House Westfreiss.

Wesforce
06-23-2006, 03:57 PM
House Westfreiss

Situated in the loose collection of islands known collectively as the Westfreissian Islands, House Westfreiss has traditionally seen itself as the master of the seas, with its large merchant and fishing fleets - The largest in the known world. Indeed there are whole communities of Westfreissians who have never set foot on land.

Although their holdings include some settlements on and a strip of the mainland, the house has often held the view of distance from the rest of the houses. So much so that they plan to seperate and become a sovereign nation in this time of instability. Fear that the mainlanders may try and end their institution of slavery of both humans and mer-men, held by the Westfreissian elders to tbe the linchpin of the economy, and the fear of being sucked into a costly land-war are what prompted this move.

The Westfreissians
The Westfreissians were once an insular people. With hair varying shades of blue (but only blue), skin heavily tanned, and eyes ranging from violet to blue, they are instantly recognisable almost anywhere. Their manner normally ranges from civil to forward amongst eachother, but where they deem people to be lesser than themselves, they'll let their attitudes be known.

The vast majority of Westfreissians have no problem with their society relying on slave-labour - But the anti-slavery movement is there, and growing.

Westfreissian Leadership
The Westfreissians are governed by Triána Estarkson, the Monarch's aide, destined to become the new nation's first Prime Minister.

Directly below her are the heads of the largest noble houses on the Blue Isle, and alongside - but not equal - The governors of Midwinter Isle, North Coralen, and the other territories.

She rules in the name of the house ruler Tøren Westfreiss, a woman said to be in her early 40's (although her true age isn't publicised). Tøren is a lean, willowy woman with blue hair and a much paler complexion than is normal for the Westfreissian aristocracy. Her accession after the death of her brother Dön-Tørex 5 years ago was an awkward one, and the enigmatic ruler is only now said to be stepping into the role, amid allegations of a difficult and agitated nature.

She has three children to her husband Vilød Islander-Westfreiss, who, as the commander of the Westfreissian fleets, bears the honourable title of OceanLord.

Sandrine Azuresky-Westfreiss is the oldest child at 19, a scholar at Westreach's Westfreissian Institute of Theorems.

Coralen-Döv Shöalen-Westfreiss is the male child, and is said to be a bitter and angry child-cadet at Port Staple sea academy. Aged 18, he has reached the training rank of WaveCadet by dint of hard-headness, and not royal priviledge (denied him, as a male chid)

Siréene Westfreiss is a troubled 16-year-old child. As it happens, and unknown to the public, she once traveled in the vicinity of Stark's isle while being carried by her Mother. Her birth was a closely-guarded secret - She has white hair, and is reportedly the only child born to Westfreissians (not including Midwintrians) to exhibit magical potential in 300 years. It is rumoured that the royal family considerd infanticide.
The girl currently resides in the tallest tower in Midnight Vale, leading a lonely existence.

Flag/Coat-of-Arms:

Giant Squid with tentacles surrounding a globe (assuming we have disproved flat-earth theory ) over crossed harpoons, on a field of blue-on-dark-blue, topped with the emblem of the Western Star.

SW Freak
06-23-2006, 04:34 PM
House Kojiro

The founding of house Kojiro in The Land was the result of the expansion of the empire under house Cassone. Once the empire began probing the borders of Iasukey, the continent to the south, it became apparent to both sides that war would be devastating and pointless. To that end, the powers of both continents met and came to an agreement. Cassone would draw back from Iasukey’s borders and Iasukey would pledge soldiers to house Cassone’s empire, provided they would pay no tithes to the emperor. The deal was sealed with the marriage of Lord Roan Cassone, the emperor’s cousin, to Lady Akata Kojiro, a noble girl of eight.

That was twenty years ago. Lord Roan has long since died, and Lady Akata still mourns his passing. While technically the leader of house Kojiro, Akata must defer all decisions to the council of twelve because, as a woman, she cannot be head of a household, in accordance of the old laws of Iasukey.

Kojiro's banner is a stylised red ancestor dragon on a golden background with the symbols denoting "Honour and duty," Kojiro's watchwords, painted on.

People

The people of Iasukey are used to large families. The lands of Kojiro are the most populated of the nations, and its people the most numerous. The number of people who swear allegiance to house Kojiro is close to one and a half million, though the number is changable, and the last census was five years ago. The majority of that number are simple peasants, doing the simple jobs that keep a nation running smoothly; tailoring, smithing, farming and the like. Kojiro, if it is cut off from all outer contact, is perfectly able to remain self sufficient. All members of house Kojiro follow a strict code of honour. They often contend that said honour of the lowest peasants is at least that of the highest nobleman any other house may offer. Kojiro-sworn nobles are often conceited, but polite and fiercely loyal, first to the imperial throne, then to house Kojiro, then to their lands.

Kojiro is possessed of the largest standing army in all of The Land. The imperial guard have fallen under their control once more, with no emperor to lead them. This means that Kojiro’s armed forces number approximately 160,000 troops, with a standing army of about 50,000, including the 10,000 imperial guard. The best decision made in their history, and one that often lends an advantage in battle, was the decision to bring a roost of ancestor dragons from Iasukey for use as mounts. These animals are mighty beings, and powerful psychics, most of them. The roost numbers fifty of these dragons. Kojiro's army is odd in that they use obsidian, not steel, for their weapons. The imperial guard and the 200 Steel Dragons, the elite of Kojiro's forces use folded steel weapons strong enough to shear lesser weapons in twain.

People of Importance

Please note that most of these people, while known by name to outsiders, would not be known by their features.

Lady Akata Kojiro: The head of house Kojiro, though she has little real power. At best she is a diplomat, though she has not left Kojiro lands in such a long time, for she still mourns the passing of her husband. She is quite probably the only person left in the land with a legitamit claim to the throne, through Kojiro law will not allow her to take it without a husband, and she does not wish to marry again.

Ikoma Matsu: A Steel Dragon, and a legend of his time. He is an expert warrior, having perfected the double sword technique, and one of the few psychics to master all three disciplines of the mind. Currently on border patrol, he has been called to Yakuro in light of the Catastrophe.

The council: Obviously not a single person. The Council is made up of Padi The Spider, Lords Yukimora Samada, Jin Yamabushi, Rotuga Shodan, Retzu Kaneda, Toru Kaneshiro, Kakita Masazumi, Hida Kuon, Fu Leng, Doji Tanitsu, Terao Ichiro and Ijiasu Moto, with Lady Akata sitting at their head. Padi the Spider is Kojiro's master of spies, and a close friend of Akata's, or as close as she has let anyone become in the past years. Lords Shodan and Kaneshiro are the two commanders of the Steel Dragons, and masters of the two forts that guard the entrance to Kojiro. The others are just lords of Kojiro. Lord Samada holds the most sway in the council; he is respected and listened to.

Devil Hanzo: Head of the Origatsu assassin clan. He answers directly to Akata or, failing that, Padi.

VO
06-24-2006, 07:23 AM
House Tidesmaster

House Tidesmaster were once the principal house in the west, and controlled a large amount of shipping along the coasts. Houses sworn to them include Shrimp, Pasley, Redpool, Wayn, Lordsman, and Flotsam. Their seat is Wakehall, and their banner is a red crab on blue. Their house words are "All shall sink". Tidesmaster were absorbed by conquest soon after the founding of the Empire, but rose up with Fardain and Forrester in the Fardain rebellion fifteen years ago. Tidesmaster had been in decline for many years, but during this their fleet was finally burned by a joint force of the Westfreiss and Beldain navies. Tidesmaster was allowed to remain in control of their lands, save that which was ceded to Westfreiss for their part in the war, while Forrester and Fardain were taken into House Cassone's administration. Further disaster struck when Saltbite Fever struck along the shores of the Bay of Beldain, further depopulating Tidesmaster. Following the war, Westfreiss took over many of it's trading partners, a fact that left the housemilitaristic and inward looking, with only small remenant fishing fleets on the oceans. Tidemaster now concentrates on the produce of it's plain such as Mammoths, as well as the trade it recieves from it's massive mining complex, Iron Dell. Men from the salt flats tend to be thickset and large, with bristling mustaches and blue eyes.

Leadership

Ervik Tidesmaster is the Lord of Wakehall. He was granted the house after Arvik Tidesmaster was killed by Bruno Highwater during the Fardain Rebellion, and quickly negotiated a surrender. He is a greying man with a lame leg and a thick scar across one cheek.

Magnus Shrimp is the Seamaster of the house, although he has no fleet so this is a purely ceremonial position.

Beor Redpool maintains the House's only surviving merchant ships, sailing from the Bloody Bay. Recently his small fleet has come under increasing pressure from Westfreissan raiders.

Nyerguds
07-01-2006, 08:30 AM
House Serniac (Coat of arms) (http://cnc2sw.planetcnc.gamespy.com/stuff/Serniac_coatofarms_400.jpg)

House Serniac only recently came to power. Before taking over all of Selenia, they were a noble house of dukes ruling over the area now known as the Duchy of Cindertrin.
About a year ago, they kicked out the Lenrick family after it had been gravely overexercising its rights in the Serniac duchy. With the help of their new experimental steam machines, the The Serniac family took House Lenrick completely by surprise and managed to conquer Crimson City in one strike.

With the death of the Emperor, they no longer need to fend off constant attacks from his army. However, the army of the Serniac clan isn't any less alert now, since no one is sure what could happen in these times of turmoil.
The Serniac army has some steam machines, usually used for knocking down fortified gates.

Leadership
The Serniac clan has a feudal structure, with each of the children of the Lord and Lady having their own duchy.
The official Imperial title of the Serniac family was Duke. However, after the revolution, Mackrain Serniac appointed himself Grand Duke, and made the people call him "Lord".

Serniac leaders:
Grand Duke ('Lord') Mackrain Serniac
Grand Duchess ('Lady') Leivasa Serniac
- Rulers of the grand duchy of Crimson City

Serniac children:
(order of age - oldest first)
Duchess Kereva ('Ker'): ruler of the duchy of Neiss
Dutchess Theilis ('Thei'): ruler of the duchy of Bornic
Duke Thorpin ('Thorp'): ruler of the duchy of Serinvale
Duke Wenoran ('Wenor'): ruler of the duchy of Cindertrin
Gwyneira ('Gwynn') (never made it to the title of Duchess, since she got herself killed in a steam machine explosion during the revolution)
Duke Kelbert ('Kel'): ruler of the duchy of Pinntown

Theilis and Thorpin are twins.

So far, only Duke Kelbert, the youngest of the lot, is married. His dutchess, Mia, is a daughter of the wealthy farmer Dobrin in Kelbert's duchy.