Faction Preview - the Noble Houses of Crywren
The people of Crywren typically spend day to day life farming, raising livestock and mastering many different crafts including woodwork and blacksmithy.
It is no secret that the kingdom faces the toughest challenges because of its chilly climate and close proximity to the Blighted Mountains. Its people have also suffered the most in past wars, centuries ago; they witnessed the fall and defeat of two of its greatest nations in the Blight Wars. The scars and ruins of such downfalls are still standing today, giving its people the constant reminder to the cost of weakness and defeat. Because of this, Crywrenians are a very tough people where everyone is trained in warfare and expected to do their part in society.
All of their people are socialised into detesting magic. The Guardians of Light were founded in Crywren and are based in the city of Lighthold. Over the centuries, the Guardians’ zealous beliefs that magic is the source of all of Noraedor’s problems have passed into the rest of the kingdom’s lands, prompting Crywren into having very frosty relations with the Kel’Mor Mages in Ren Sáron.
To die in battle and with a weapon or shield in one’s hand is the absolute best way to die - to go quietly in one’s sleep or in old age, or to be executed is a great shame on a Crywrenian. Most Crywrenian funerals are done by ship or pyre, with the bodies set alight and sent on their ways.
House Saethor
Crywren is currently ruled by House Saethor and its High Lord, King Varik. The Saethor family have been ruling over the kingdom since 3A. 1799, and have generally enjoyed a secure and respected reign. They have always been strong supporters of the Guardians of Light, and given their people stern but just laws. Because of this, they are very popular amongst the common folk and the other Noble Houses who support their rule. They are renowned for being traditional in their customs and beliefs; especially in their attitudes towards magic, the Blight Wars, and the Kel’Mor Mages. Saethors believe that in order to make sure another tragedy like the Blight Wars doesn’t affect Crywren again, that their people need to be strong, ruthless and independent. In recent years, Crywren has flourished underneath House Saethor’s rule, as they have been demanding and unwavering in securing better trade deals with the other kingdoms. Crywren is no longer there to just be a shield; it’s a strong and fearless kingdom that deserves respect and payment from all.
The Saethor Castle is built within a day’s ride or two of the capital, Fydlinn, in Crywren’s famous hills and Highlands. It was built during the early decades of the Age, and is one of the oldest stone castles in the entire continent. However, the main members moved to the royal courts in the capital when they were elected to rule, but they often visit their birthhome to retreat from political pressures.
Their House colours are grey and black. Their symbol is of three mountain peaks, in silver, against a field of black.
Their family name, ‘Saethor’, literally means the Silver Mountain. The Qua’Ren word for silver is saelin and the word for mountin is thorrun. It’s an ancient name in honour of Crywren’s high, rocky peaks.
Playable Members:
Varik Saethor - King of Crywren, High Lord of House Saethor
Lissandra Saethor - Princess of Crywren, Lady of House Saethor
Suggested Roles for Original Characters:
The Queen of Crywren, High Lady of House Saethor
House Moranábeth
The Moranábeth family were last elected as the Crywren monarchy between 3A. 1450 – 1610. They enjoyed a reasonably long rule and established themselves as a capable, future-thinking House. They are the descendents of the royal family from the ancient kingdom of Moran, which perished in the Blight Wars. In recent years, they have developed strong relationships with other Noble Houses in Farron and Mylran, providing their family’s estates with significant trade, influence and wealth. Other Crywrenian families, such as Saethor, Anorvel and Helme, are more traditional in their customs, and criticize House Moranábeth for being influenced by other cultures. It’s no secret that House Moranábeth is more lenient towards magic and the Kel’Mor Mages than their brother and sister Houses. Lord Seanus, the House’s skilled and respected heir, has been a vocal critic of the Guardians of Light, and does not believe the current threats of the Corruption and the Fiends are to be blamed on the Mages. House Moranábeth believes that it is time for Crywren to let go of their dark, brutal past, like their own family had to do about their old, defeated kingdom, and move on to forge stronger alliances, to survive the coming darkness.
The Moranábeth Castle is built within a days ride of Thorvir, close to the Blighted Border, and the ruins of Rhyádell - Moranábeth’s ancient home when they ruled as Moran’s monarchy centuries ago.
Their House colours are dark blue, blue and white. Their symbol is a circle of nine white stars against a field of dark blue.
Their family name ‘Moranábeth’ means child(ren) of Moran, the ancient kingdom which they used to rule over. Moran is also derived from the Qua’Ren word for morannos, which is roughly translated into affluence, wealth or richness.
Playable Members:
Seanus Moranábeth - Lord of House Moranábeth
Martyn Moranábeth - Lord Captain and Paladin of the Guardians of Light
Suggested Roles for Original Characters:
High Lord or Lady of House Moranábeth
House Anorvel
Like their brothers and sisters in House Moranábeth, Anorvel are also descendents from an ancient kingdom that fell during the Blight Wars. Anorhan was a great and noble country, but it was destroyed when Darksworn and Fiends invaded Noraedor. Whilst the Moranábeth family have learnt to deal with the painful lessons of the past, Anorvel is still incredibly bitter and are fiercely proud of their royal roots. House Anorvel was last elected between 3A. 1348 – 1449, but they were replaced by House Moranábeth after they managed to sway the people and the Noble Houses with a more level-headed vision. The Anorvels were judged for being too passionate and criticizing of other kingdoms, making Crywren suffer in trade relations. However, since then, the Anorvel family have been happy to support their good friends in House Saethor who share the same anti-magic views as they do. They also dedicate a lot of their funding to the Guardians of Light and dream of a day when the Kel’Mor Mages are not the most politically powerful faction in the Central Kingdoms.
The Anorvel Keep is located in the heart of Anorbeth City; a city that was once the capital of fallen and ancient Anorhan kingdom.
Their House colours are red and white. Their symbol is a red hand against a field of red. Some nobles give them the nickname of ‘Redhands’ because of their vivid emblem.
Their family name ‘Anorvel’ derives from the Qua’Ren words anorros (victory) and lyvel (spirit/soul), and is also named in honour of their lost kingdom Anorhan.
Suggested Roles for Original Characters:
High Lord or High Lady of House Anorvel
Any Lord or Lady of House Anorvel
House Orásell
Despite being one of the oldest Houses in the entire Central Kingdoms, House Orásell is a small and modest family, and are surprisingly neutral in political matters. Crywren is renowned for being zealous in their views against magic and the Kel’Mor Mages, but the Orásell family have always been strategically quiet about such thoughts. Although it meant that they lacked the full support and respect of their neighbours as a result of their neutrality, it also meant that House Orásell has survived for two thousand years with few tragedies or disasters to hinder them. In fact, they have been elected three times to the rank of monarchy, which is more than any other Crywrenian House, and this is largely due to the fact that in times of uncertainty and chaos, many look to Orásell’s for a stable and consant rule. The family dedicate the majority of their funding and income to the legendary Borderguards. House Orásell remembers that their is a greater war in the Blighted Mountains than the political Game of Houses most nobles play with eachother. It has earned them the lifelong respect from the gryphon masters in Sentinel’s Watch.
House Orásell are also famous because during the Blight Wars, one of their descendents called Oráthen managed to tame and ride a huge, black dragon into battle against the Fiends.
Although House Orásell are originally from Fydlinn, they moved to the city of Thorvir in the last century to promote trade and lawfulness there. Their new grounds are based in the city’s old but sturdy fortress.
Their symbol is a black dragon head on a field of white and purple. Their House colours are black, white and purple.
Their family name ‘Orásell’ derives from the ancient Qua’Ren language. Orá is the word for sky, and sell derives from the word for dance which is elsellos.
Suggested Roles for Original Characters:
High Lord or High Lady of House Orásell
Any Lord or Lady of House Orásell
House Elosdar
The Elosdar family were the first Noble House to be elected as monarchy in Crywren. They helped guide the people in a time of hurt and suffering, when the world was still recovering from the Final Battle’s aftershocks. Much of their influence can still be seen in how the Crywrenians are a strong and hardy folk, where the nobility are not scared to rub shoulders with their farmers and commoners. However, they have not been elected since, which is an almost two thousand years gap. House Elosdar prefer to support others to the throne and reap the rewards of being a monarchy’s main support when they are victorious in landing the claim to the throne. Elosdar members are noted for being the best at playing the Game of Houses in Crywren. Their neighbours both respect and fear this talent, as they are not sure whether House Elosdar members can be fully trusted if they are playing multiple games and plots at the same time. Still, as the first monarchy, Elosdar are honoured with the largest and grandest grounds outside the capital Fydlinn - excepting the royal courts, of course. Their castle would not be great in a time of war but it is grand and wonderful to look at, with enchanting gardens and hills surrounding it.
Their symbol is a rearing white bear against a field of orange. Their House colours are orange, green and white.
Their family name ‘Elosdar’ derives from Qua’Ren, like many Crywrenian Noble Houses do. Elos derives from the word for blizzard, which is elosdorn. And the word dar means first. In Qua’Ren, their family name would roughly mean the First Blizzard or the First Ice Storm.
Playable Characters:
Derrik Elosdar - Kel’Mor Mage of the Yellow Circle
Suggested Roles for Original Characters:
High Lord or High Lady of House Elosdar
Any Lord or Lady of House Elosdar
House Guathaen
The Guathaen family were last elected as monarchy in 3A. 923; they have not been elected since as they do not share the majority of their neighbour’s views against magic and the Kel’Mor Mages. This causes House Guathaen to be somewhat shunned and teased by the other Crywrenian nobles. However, the Guathaen family are not short on friends or allies. The Guathaen Castle is situated south west of Fydlinn and south of the Highlands, within viewing distance of the River Core. They are the closest House to the borders of the Mylran and Farron kingdom. Because of this, the Guathaen Castle and its people enjoy a lot of trade and wealth as they are happy to create solid relationships with the other kingdoms. Perhaps this is why the Guathaens are more free-thinking and open-minded than their faraway brothers and sisters. Still, with times growing more dangerous, the Guathaen family is a strong critic of House Saethor and believes that they are endangerous the entire world’s safety by ignoring the growing threat in the Blighted Mountains. Mages are not to blame, the Corruption is, and the Sentinel Borderguards needs Crywren’s united support or they will suffer under the pressure.
Their House symbol is a ram’s head and horns in black, against a field of bright yellow. Their House colours are black, yellow and gold.
Their family name ‘Guathaen’ derives from the Qua’Ren words for one, which is gua, and purpose, which is thaenos.
Suggested Roles for Original Characters
High Lord or High Lady of House Guaethaen
Any Lord or Lady of House Guathaen
House Tyávor
The Tyávor House is one of the newest Houses in the Central Kingdoms. After the Noraedor Wars created three centuries of civil wars, unrest and tragedy, it brought opportunity for some after it was dealt with. The Tyávor family had been a very wealthy and loyal merchant group during the Noraedor Wars, and they demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to the kingdom by assisting the Noble Houses with communication, trade and food. As a reward, they were raised to the status of Noble House, and were elected quickly in 3A. 1724 as the monarchy. However, they were quickly replaced as they proved that they still had a lot of maturing to do as a new Noble House, and some startling corruption claims were detected in their finances. House Saethor replaced them and since then, House Tyávor has been working hard on proving themselves to the main players in Crywren’s politics, and the High Council in general, that they are now a serious, strong and capable Noble House. Their main rival is House Helme, which were created several centuries ago and is considered a new House too.
Tyávor House is based in the city of Lighthold; the seat of the Guardians of Light’s power and some whisper that Tyávor is really a front for the Guardians having some political power. However, Tyávor has managed to gain more independence from the Guardians in the last few decades, and has made incredible progress in securing their own deals and strengths without having to rely on the Guardians all the time.
Their House symbol is a bow and arrow, in black, against a field of white, blue and red. Their House colours are also white, blue and red.
They adopted a Qua’Ren name, unlike their rivals in House Helme. Tyávor is derived from the word tyávorros which means brilliance or excellence.
Suggested Roles for Original Characters
High Lord or High Lady of House Tyávor
Any Lord or Lady of House Tyávor
House Helme
The Tyávor family were not the only group who were rewarded with noble status. House Helme was promoted to the ranks of Noble House after the Blight Wars, after the remnants of several broken, devestated families rallied together and formed one, united front. At the beginning, the majority of the first Guardians were of the Helme family, or were linked closely to them, and since then the friendship between the Guardians of Light and House Helme has only grown stronger. However, it can be argued that the Guardians are the true power behind the partnership, and often give advice to House Helme, which is actually a subtle way to influence the House to do the Guardians’ bidding and commands. In 3A. 1611, House Helme was elected to the monarchy after the Guardians brutally berated and bullied the other Houses to get their support. However, the rule was tragically short, and was the shortest reign for any Noble House in Crywren. Too many Noble Houses argued that the Guardians were influencing House Helme too much, and not even the Crywrenian King or Queen should be that far under the Guardians’ thumb. After their reign came to an end, Helme concentrated on their own finances. the Under the protection of the Guardians of Light, and in the affluent city of Lighthold, they flourished in wealth.
Their House symbol is a gold crescent moon against a field of green and red. Their House colours are gold, green and red.
Their name is not Qua’Ren, and is named after the founder of the Guardians of Light - Bartand Helme.
Suggested Roles for Original Characters
High Lord or High Lady of House Helme
Any Lord or Lady of House Helme
