Many Clans, 3 Tribes, 1 King

 

King Fruges Saxo 

The Minotaur Kingdom is made up of various clans surrounding the great Karisimbi Volcano with each clan belonging to one of three tribes. The tribes through their leaders select a king to rule; The king's advisors being the leaders of the three tribes.  

The Tribes

Zenith Tribe: The clans that are members of the Zenith Tribe trace their lineage back to a time prior to the volcano's eruption and consider themselves noble because of it. The clans that make up this tribe are the Burning Sky, Stormcloud, Rainsong, and Birthfire Clans. King Fruges Saxo was originally a member of the Stormcloud Clan and therefore a member of this Tribe.  The newest leader of a Tribe is Zunnarak Keenstep of Clan Birthfire, who took over after the tragic death of Aevum's mother.

Zunnarak Keenstep

Tableland Tribe: The clans that are members of the Tableland Tribe are the most public face of the Minotaur Kingdom, due to their nomadic tendencies on the plateau's and plains in the miles around Karisimbi.  The clans that make up this tribe are The Ravens, Howlers, Landbaron, and Resolute Clans. Tableland is led by Garlak Greatskull of the Landbaron Clan.  He is also the General of all the kingdom's troops, his only superior in this regard being King Saxo.

Garlak Greatskull

Vega Tribe: The clans that are members of the Vega Tribe reside in The Rift, the major valley created at the eruption of Karisimbi. It is believed that the clans that reside in the valley were survivors that were warned of the volcanic eruption by departing Cloud Giants that ruled the peaks of the great mountain. The clans that make up this tribe are Luna, Rock Island, Black Tar, and Duskhearth. Iaska Brightbody is the Vega Tribe leader. 

The Clans

1.Luna Clan: Were creatures ruled by Talbot of the wolf clan, this clan is a collection of shapeshifters made up of several smaller clans. They are by far the most difficult clan to rule and frequently find themselves embroiled in controversies. Their primary rivals are the Rock Island and Burning Sky Clans. The Luna Clan is also a primary irritant to any dragon that tries to lair in The Rift. 

Talbot

The Elemental Races

2. Rock Island Clan is made up of Earth and Water Genie races. Eabrossi hails from Rock Island, his family a long line of treasure hunters. Rhaddor Rhoj an Earth Siraati Jinnborn leads this clan.

3. Burning Sky Clan is made up of  Fire and Air Genie races.  Members of this clan frequently chafe at being part of a "minotaur kingdom" rather than the inheritors of the previous kingdom of Giants.  Several members of this clan have taken part in rebellions against previous minotaur rulers. Kamun, a warlike Ifrit, rules this clan. Tena is a member of the Burning Sky Clan

4. Black Tar Minotaur Clan: Whoever is the ruler, this clan vote is always cast with the current king.  Its been over 100 years since a Black Tar Minotaur attended a King’s Council. This clan more than any other matches the world at large's general perception of Minotaurs. The Black Tar clan is lead by Pyrestrider Nungoct. 

Pyrestrider Nungoct

5. Stormcloud Minotaur Clan traces its roots back prior to Karisimbi's eruption when Cloud Giants ruled from the great castles at Karisimbi's peaks. Until recently, the Stormcloud clan was lead by Aevum's mother Sanguine Saxo, who had served in that capacity since her husbands ascension to the throne ten years ago.  Since her untimely death, the clan's leadership has fallen to Quovig Elderhorn. 

Quovig Elderhorn

6. Rainsong Minotaur Clan is perhaps the most misunderstood clan in the kingdom, with many of its citizens becoming battle chanters, entertainers, and storymasters (historians). The Rainsong clan is also the primary educator for the kingdom, teaching feats, geography, languages, mathematics, music and musical instruments. The Rainsong Clan is always lead by their most senior educator, currently Jusca Kibruu a bard of some renown, sometimes referred to as mother. She is not believed to actually have children of her own, but considers all performers her children.  

Jusca Kibruu

7. Birthfire Minotaur Clan: This clan is known for producing a large number of albino minotaurs and an even larger number of arcane casters, usually sorcerous.  Albinism is considered a weakness, a fault in the gene pool by the majority of minotaurs, their frequent arcane talents a further proof of their less than normal status.  Many albinos from this clan leave the kingdom or seek to serve the kingdom in a land outside their borders.  Zunnarak Keenstep mentioned above leads this clan.

8. Raven Clan (Tengu) The Raven clan enjoys a unique status in the kingdom due to the uncanny fact that Minotaurs, almost universally, ADORE Tengu. There are myths surrounding them that they are nearly as adept at solving a maze as a minotaur is but for whatever reason, Tengu of the kingdom enjoy an almost "pet" like existence.  Many a foreigner has made the unfortunate mistake of abusing a Tengu in a minotaur's presence and paying the ultimate price. The Raven Clan makes their primary service to the kingdom as diplomats and spies, as they seem to be one of the few races that understands humans. Raven clan is lead by Chiru Duppol, famous for his trips to Egypt. 

Chiru Duppol

9. Howlers (Gnoll) In ancient times when the Giants ruled these lands, they kept and trained legions of shock troops made up of barbarian gnolls, and well trained soldiers made up of Flind. When the giants left these lands their gift of governance was accompanied with the responsibility of providing a homeland for the Gnolls that had served so faithfully. The Howler clan serves the minotaur kingdom to this day in much the same capacity. They are currently lead by the Flind weapon master Iyalk Etur. 

Iyalk Etur

Iaska Brightbody

10.The Lost Clan: This Pseudo Clan is what those individuals without a clan belong to. Those vanquished, that are shown mercy, unfortunates without options, and unknown races are said to belong to the Lost Clan. Over the years, several trusted advisors, confidents, cohorts, and teachers have risen to prominence as members of the Lost Clan. This has caused the general perception of this clan to improve to such a point, that its somewhat a matter of civic pride, proof of their sophistication and embrace of the giants form of society and governance. Both Kron Longscar and Zaigan are members of this clan. Lost clan members live within all the clans and lack a land they call their own. 

11. Duskhearth Minotaur Clan: The mysterious Duskhearth clan spread themselves throughout The Rift, students of the land itself.  Their practices and beliefs are often ridiculed and are not understood by those outside the clan. The other clans occupying the Rift tolerate their eccentric behaviors because of how freely they provide healing, messages, and information. Their current leader is Iaska Brightbody who also serves as Vega tribal leader. 

Lasharae Slash

12. Landbaron Minotaur Clan: The Marshalls of the Plain, the Landbaron Clan enforce the kings edicts and laws upon all citizens, guests, and creatures. Since Garlak Greatskull assumed his position as General, his son Varrak Greatskull has become the leader of the Landbaron's and Attorney General for all Marshalls. 

Varrak Greatskull

13. The Resolute Minotaur Clan: The famed flying minotaurs, this clan is the tiefling of the minotaur world.  Their bloodline clearly tainted by some extra planar source, The Resolute Clan is the most mercenary of all the clans and many leave the kingdom for wealth and adventure in the lands abroad. There are several members of this clan that serve in the king's army or work with The Marshalls. The Resolute Clan is lead by Lasharae Slash a woman famed for her cruelty to men. 

Vampires of the Night Queen

Alyn Velaryon - The Tyrant

Fenley Ahlerton - The Collector

Pious Moll - The Corrupted

Desmore Vaith - The Digger

Charres Wells - The Defeated

Kegan - The Maester

Wight Walker

Defenders of High Hermitage

Dragen Redsand

 

Headmaster Ka'Heb

Orson

Dhulsa of Clan Fareyes

100 Monks of High Hermitage

Amber

Locket

Natari of the Speakers

Radco Sands

Relek of the Speakers

Samaya Qorgyle

Sosan of the Speakers

Alpha

Will Manderly

Nerayam Qorgyle

Gully Folk

Dumrock

The Origin of Jorie Darkdancer

The Eclipse of 149 AC

In 149 AC a solar eclipse plunged Westeros in an ephemeral shadow that thinned the elemental borders between our world and the shadow plane. 

In Dorne the event is remembered as the the 'Flare': the most recent kindling of the Lighthouse in Sandstone since the Long Night.

When the eclipse occurred the Lighthouse flared with brilliant fire, shining its illumination across the sands of Dorne. From the Red Mountains to as far east as Sunspear. For the entire 13 minutes, 13 seconds of the eclipse the Lighthouse cast out all shadows. Brim remembers this as the time his healing abilities manifested that could keep the dustblight disease at bay for his former master. 

In the North, the Eclipse of 149 AC and the events that unfolded then are referred to as the 'Incident': when the Wall suddenly grew 5 to 10 feet in height causing major damage, injury and death across its ponderous length. This event was also remembered as the time when Boren Stark first manifested his ability to channel Spirts and when both Willow and Lobo became awakened beings of Earth and Air. 

However north of the Wall, in the Lands of Always Winter, another event was occurring. Deep in the womb of an abandoned mountain cat temple, a beautiful dark woman named Jorie stepped lithely through the shadow that opened to our world. 

Jorie quickly acclimated to the north's cold, bleak and arduous environment- similar to her home plane. She established a home near an unwitting community of elder races and won their trust while she waited until the Night Queen called upon her. 

Jorie was a dangerous spirit shard user and gloom chemist who could manipulate the dispositions of others allowing her to make allies. She could alchemically combine different species into horrific creatures and had the ability to speak to reptiles and spiders. 

Jorie Darkdancer's secret arboreal dwelling: ceremonial room to the Night Queen, common room, sanctum, study, shared bedrooms (3), gloom garden, kitchen, secret alchemical lab, underground passage, and escape route.

Found throughout the dwelling: 

5 Potions of Exceptional Ability

5 Potions of Endure Elements

2 Potions of Aid

Potion of Barkskin +3

2 Potion of Resist Fire 10

2 Potion of Resist Acid 20

2 Potion of Remove Blindness/Deafness. 

Elixir of Doze

Dream Speaking Elixir

Transport Via Dreams (Morpheus) Elixir

Phantasos Elixir

Dream Learning Elixir

Dreamland Guardians Elixir 

Eixir of Unbroken Night. 

Jorie's Little Helper- see below

A list of names of individuals living in Whitetree and a chest of 100 random items (a hat, a drinking horn, a gardening tool, spoon, stitched doll or bit of hair or fur) belonging to the 100 named Whitetree residents.

1,000 gp in raw alchemical components including 2 air element shards, 4 earth element shards, 4 fire element shards, 4 spirit element shards, and 2 water element shards. 

Numerous empty potion vials and bottles valued at 250 gp. 

Jorie's Little Helper

A raven cage hung over the alchemy lab contains a strange and tiny creature:

Jorie's Little Helper. A alchemical fusion of fungus and reptile into a unique and useful organism. It's primary function is to aid an alchemist in gathering and preparing herbs. 

*Gathering herbs is similar to foraging and can be accomplished while you are traveling or as your sole activity during an 8-hour period. If you gather herbs while traveling, your overland speed is halved. Spending 8 hours doing nothing but gathering herbs from the area grants 1 additional yield of each herb you’re gathering. 

Most herbs must be prepared to unlock their potency. If this is the case for an herb, its stat block describes the method required to process it, the Craft (alchemy) DC to accomplish this task, and the amount of time needed to do so. 

Jorie's Little Helper halves the time it takes to gather and prepare herbs. 

The Winterfell Crypts, the Shadow Touchstone

The Maester’s Turret in Winterfell is actually a functional weapon turret located along the inner wall and is 120’ tall. It was once part of the original keep and one of the oldest structures in Winterfell. It opens to the courtyard facing the library and rookery while its little used ‘back door’ opens to a small but long stone walk next to the inner moat. Inside the tower are five levels that used to be used as an armory and barracks until given over to the resident Maester hundreds of years ago.

Rooms: Alchemy Lab, Armory, Book Repository, Small Brewery, (4) Student Bunks, (4) Classrooms, (5) Common Rooms, Dojo, Escape Route, Small Forge room, Green House (Rooftop), Infirmary, Kitchen, Magical Repository, Observatory, Office, Sanctum, Scriptorium, Secret Room, Crypt Access, Storage Rooms, War Room, (4) Work Stations. 

The crypt of Winterfell is located below Winterfell and contains the tombs of the members of House Stark.

The crypt's ironwood door, which is located in the oldest section of Winterfell near the First Keep and the lichyard, is old and heavy. The cold dark crypt is accessible by narrow and winding spiral stone steps which lead to multiple lower levels. One floor contains a long line of granite pillars, two by two, between which are entombed the dead of House Stark. 

While all family members can have tombs in the crypts, statues are traditionally only made for Kings in the North and Lords of Winterfell. The likenesses of these high lords are carved into the stone, some shaggy, some clean shaven. Large stone dire wolves curl at their feet. According to tradition, the sword the deceased or a iron longsword would lie across each lord's lap to keep vengeful spirits within the crypt.

The cavernous vaulted crypts is believed to be larger than Winterfell itself, with older Starks buried in deeper and darker levels. The lowest level is said to be partly collapsed. The most recent tombs within the crypts are those of Lord Rickard Stark.

The Winter Guard

Dark Stalkers: are tall, gangly and intense dark folk who commonly wear dark tattered formal suits complete with unusual black ties. They are the most feared among their kind. The stalkers posing as Winter Guards can create illusionary duplicates of themselves for a time, deal cold damage with their sneak attacks, can see in darkness like all dark folk, and wield two short swords to deadly effectiveness. They have an ashen circlet of bone on their brow and black paint across their eyes.

The Gorgon, Shadow Touchstone Guardian

Blackpool, The North

Blackpool

Blackpool is the seat of House Slate in the county of Greystone. Greystone, so named for the short rocky range that dominates the area where the short fork of the White Knife originates. Blackpool is a frontier town populated with a little over one thousand hardy humans and dwarves. Blackpool is named after an adjacent deep water basin- a 'black pool' that sustains the community and serves as the midpoint between Winterfell and White Harbor for overland travelers. Blackpool is a common overnight stop for frontiersman and overland ice sailors. 

Stories and folklore haunt the deep dark waters, most stories speak of mischievous fey as playful yet dangerous inhabitants. Stories are meant to caution children to stay away from its deep waters. Ice toads are the common threat, more so than the fanciful stories of waterborne fey. 

Approximately two hundred slate-grey stone buildings stand huddle together on the cold stone hill south of the Greystone mountain ridge. Other locations include a garden to the old gods, the Lord's Tower and the Longhouse- an open concept common house  that cater to travelers of all kinds outside the palisade. 

It should go without saying that the old rites and traditions are observed here. 

A new wooden palisade was erected after the Skagosi raids, not to ward off the frost folk, but to repel incursions from displaced threats including brigands from House Bolton and monsters from the cold reaches of the north. 

Another feature of curiosity is an ancient oak tree that sits outside but within sight of Blackpool town. The tree, enormous for its species, appears as two trees in an embrace. Nevertheless the oak tree has defied defoliation and all attempts to cut it down. Woodsmen describe waking up hours after the first axe swing with no progress made. Lately territorial yeti have been attracted to the tree, much to the displeasure of the Lord Slate. Also, there is an overabundance of rock hounds that seem to thrive in the Greystone mountains, they seem to come and go freely in Blackpool. 

House Slate is a dwarf clan who ruled with the First Men kings after the Long Night, but they eventually submitted to the Kings of Winter and became vassals of House Stark of Winterfell. House Slate also once held the Wolf's Den.

Family: House Slate of Blackpool

Coat of Arms: Pale grey, a double tressure white

Seat: Blackpool
Head of House: Lord Hjolman Slate
Heir: Jognurum Slate (rune caster)
Overlord: House Stark
Ethnicity: Dwarf
Founded: 8,000 years ago
Holdings: Blackpool, Greystone
Trade & Interests: Blacksmithing, trading, sled repair, fishing, wood. 
Noble Members: 15
Religion: Old gods (Lawful)

Family Weapon: Jarnbjorn (battleaxe)

Hjolman Slate

Hjolman Slate, Lord of Blackpool, is a well liked but distantly distraught dwarf who is commonly found dressed in a shirt of gleaming mail and warm furs. Stocky as most northern Westerosi dwarves but far more powerfully built. He carries a battleaxe thrust through his broad wyvern skin belt and his eyes, hair, brows and beard are slate grey in color, a common feature of House Slate. 

His House carries with it a strange and terrible burden. Once a year House Slate holds a moot whereby the Lord Slate entertains the grievances from folk that mayhap are too trivial for the Lords of Winter to consider. Farmers, hunters, trappers, to jolted house wives come to Blackpool in hopes the Lord Slate will intervene. 

If the complaint is great enough and the defendant is indeed guilty, once a year, the Lord Slate can bestow a curse upon the transgressor until the offense is corrected or the victim is made whole. The Lord Slate only requires a description of the individual, the name is not necessary nor is the presence of the transgressor. It is known that distance is not a factor against the bequeathing of this curse. 

It is a dire responsibility that House Slate and its Lords do not take lightly nor do they believe this burden has no weight upon their souls. 

Red Ruthy

Red Ruthy: Shaman of the old faith, ritualist, and weird woman of average human height with dark eyes, freckled complection and long red dreaded hair. 

Common word is that she is a wilding from beyond the Wall who was adopted into the community.

Known only as Red Ruthy, no one really knows how many years ago she arrived to Blackpool or how old she is. Nonetheless individuals come to her for her insights and the occasional endure elements spell when traveling in less than desirable weather conditions . 

Red Ruthy is a candle maker by trade and leads weekly ceremonies to the old gods as well as rituals that signify the changing of each season. She also has a knack of knowing when to expect guests which adds to her mysterious nature. 

Gwain Umber

Gwain Umber: Young dwarf grandson to Solomon 'Snowbeard' Umber. Until recently Gwain enjoyed living as a scout, woods guide and clandestine messenger who drove a trained sled team back and forth from Blackpool to Last Hearth, his ancestral home. The conflict in the North has kept him in Blackpool and now organizes a team of volunteer warriors and archers for Hosue Slate that keeps watch upon walls of the new wooden palisade. 

Gwain does not think the ancient oak tree seen from town is attracting monsters, because the yeti tracks that were recently found come and go from the tree. There are no signs that the yeti are lured or otherwise go to the old oak that he can tell. Gwain thinks the yeti are covering their tracks so the pair seem to originate from the tree- unless yeti can fly. 

The Longhouse