Theme
War
15 entries
CultureAshduarThe Ashduar survived slavery, the Reclamation, and the cold by binding themselves to the Oath, the Forlorn, and Ar. Those choices still keep Pyre alive inside Grungred, but the Burrowers’ power costs lives, becoming Forlorn takes pieces of emotion and personality, and Ish remains close. The Oath still points them toward revenge against humanity.SettlementAuburn, the Red CityPoorer than the rest of the city, open to all, with limited housing kept mostly for trade and little crime.CharacterClyden von MortborgClyden once came close to death in an incident unrelated to the loss of Mortborg. He survived with amnesia and now fights from the front of his company with spear and shield.SettlementColdwharfMarket:CharacterEdmund the BlessedEdmund's people recognize property only within the tribe, so he treats outsiders' goods as fair targets in war, outlaw raids, and shops, leaving the company to pay compensation. His fervent devotion and a chaplain's successful defense before the Ring earned him his epithet, though some soldiers suspect his faith shields him from punishment.CharacterJorrik von MirellasonJorrik is a young megalomaniac who despises archers because he fears them. Everyone in the company knows this, although mentioning it provokes him.CharacterKing JorgenBefore Jorgen, House Hunding was an old but obscure line. He changed that. Raised young to the throne of Algeron by the Nine, who "thought he could be easily manipulated, because he was young", he spent his life proving them fools. He became "a towering figure in the dynasty, a great warrior who established a small kingdom amidst hostile factions" (the re-unification of Algeron when it was breaking, which he came later to hold together), and is remembered for leading a major muster of the Ripped Banners, a widespread mercenary tradition whose independent companies have kept close ties with the Realm since. His rule was dark and feared. "Despite his great authority, his later years were marked by stress-induced reclusiveness and lunacy." He died of heart failure at 69.CharacterOtthein BieswagOtthein was shooting from a bridge while stepping backwards. A simple misstep sent him into the melee below, where he lost an arm. His infantry pay ended when he could no longer serve, and the company had no common support fund, forcing him to beg.SettlementPyrePyre descends through Grungred rather than spreading across one level. Its coldest approaches lie far from Ar. The passages grow warmer toward the inhabited core, then dangerously hot around the lava pool and the deepest forges.ReligionReligion of the DepthThese holy places stand within Pyre.FactionRipped BannersTheir companies exist to fight for pay. Shared law and custom let them remuster under the same tradition whenever employment appears.CharacterSander JorgSander's jaw was broken in several separate battles and healed badly each time. Speaking and eating remain difficult.ReligionThe AwakenThe Awaken believe dreams shape the world. Each person has a destiny to follow, though not everyone fulfills it.FactionThe DividersThe Dividers fight for a living and spread the Awaken faith.CharacterTheudobald "Bloods"Theudobald has mild hemophilia, which makes his bleeding harder to stop. His wounds otherwise heal normally.