House Cannith

# The History Of House Cannith

## Humble Beginnings

Before *The Damnation*, House Cannith was a modest family of little renown. They were caretakers of Lakshor, a small fishing village in Northern Duskhallow, far removed from the grandeur of the noble class. The Canniths were humble, eschewing displays of wealth and devotion, and instead practiced compassion and benevolence towards their community and the land that fell under their care.

When *The Damnation* struck, destroying many towns and cities and displacing countless individuals, House Cannith opened their doors to the refugees in need. They offered them sanctuary, sustenance, and employment, aiding them in their time of crisis. These refugees brought with them an influx of people, and over time, transformed Lakshor into a bustling metropolis. In turn, House Cannith's reputation swelled with the city's growth and its nobility was assured.

## The Warforged Of Cannith

As Lakshor continued its expansion, the city's growing demands put increasing pressure on House Cannith, propelling them into the complex world of politics throughout Duskhallow. In an effort to secure allies for the rising house in the wake of The Damnation, Merrick, one of House Cannith's sons, was sent to Scalecrag, the eastern Dwarven city, as a ward. He resided there for most of his life, studying and acquiring knowledge of craft and artificing. Upon his return to the transformed city of Lakshor, Merrick brought with him a deep understanding of these skills, which would ultimately lead to House Cannith's greatest contribution to Duskhallow: *The Warforged*.

The Warforged, imbued with magic and brought to life through machinery, served as the Blade of House Cannith and the shield of Lakshor. Their arrival brought about prosperity and security to the city, while also generating distrust in the free cities of Duskhallow. The Warforged fiercely battled the beast tribes from the north and plowed through hordes of undead to help expand Lakshor and advance House Cannith's interests. The Warforged's remarkable capabilities were regarded as House Cannith's most impressive achievement, ultimately elevating the house to the top of the food chain in the tumultuous western region of Duskhallow.

## The Decline

As time passed, House Cannith faced mounting challenges from both the beast tribes of the North and the Free Peoples of the South. They were forced to fight on two fronts, one with swords and shields in the north, and another with political maneuvering and scheming against the rising power of The Glade to the south. House Cannith's authority in Lakshor forged new alliances between previously warring factions of Trolls and Beasts in The Northern Glade, while weakening their alliances in the south. As Merrick grew older, the production of Warforged diminished, leaving House Cannith at odds with many and vulnerable to attack.

As the age passed and tensions continued to escalate, a growing number of House Cannith members lost their appetite and enthusiasm for the power that was largely fueled by Merrick's inventions. House Cannith began to unravel gradually, with its members scattering throughout Duskhallow and gradually integrating into its communities. The number of Warforged dwindled, and the bloodline of House Cannith began to slowly fade.

## The Culling Of Lakshor

House Cannith was dealt a severe blow with the fall of Lakshor. Over time, the city had managed to sustain itself in a remote area far from The Glade despite its dwindling numbers and weakened defenses. However, one fateful evening, a massive horde of undead surged into Lakshor, unleashing a sudden wave of death that overcame the city. The Warforged of House Cannith fought valiantly to defend themselves and push back the onslaught, but they were vastly outnumbered. Within an hour, the city was overwhelmed, and its once-rich history wiped out. To this day, The Culling Of Lakshor stands as a stark reminder to those who survived it that no matter what schemes and plans humans devise, the land of Duskhallow can never truly be considered safe.

## Refugees

Those who escaped The Culling Of Lakshor became displaced refugees, searching for a new place to call home. Many members of House Cannith settled among The Glade and attempted to utilize the remnants of Merrick's creation to carve out a new path for themselves, forming the guild called "The Blackened Hand." However, this endeavor was short-lived, and the once-great house and its nobility slowly faded into obscurity.

In the aftermath of The Culling, the Warforged of House Cannith were liberated from their servitude and left to navigate a world that was largely against them. Rumors circulated of a Warforged seeking to unite the scattered descendants of Merrick, but only time would reveal the truth of these whispers.