House Whitmore

Banner of House Whitmore created by @partbearpartnot

House Whitmore, located in The Western Marks, is a major Noble House in Merion. As the home and seat of power of one of The Twelvescore Enobled it is a major geo-political force in Merion, and an important contributor to the events prior to The Cataclysm and the resulting Merionese Succession Crisis.

## Geography and Climate

*"The Bog always wins, the Bog always wins. It's where life ends, it's where life begins. The Bog always wins..."* - Knight Morn Whitmore

Whitmore lands are especially grim, comprised of a thick and capricious swampland, sloping ever eastward into the waters of the Goodgrief Gulf. In such a labyrinthine place there is little in the way of dry ground, with the Marquis River frequently breaking its banks, and the grasping mud of the mire consuming whole buildings in tireless gluttony. The air is humid and suffocating, and the insects are rampant for all not protected by smoke and incense.

Whitmore is a young house, and so it still remains perched atop the rotting carcass of the House that preceded them. Regal estates lay quiet and abandoned in remote reaches, shipwrecks of once fine vessels lie dormant and fetid, and once beautiful sigil flags are now left as a feast for moths. Indeed, the swamp is brimming with signs of former life, of a proud family made extinct. Now there is only the bones, and the myth, and the laughter of Witches drifting on the wind.

### Natural Landmarks

* **The** **Suckling Bog** The swamp where it's said Marla 'Big Misery' Whitmore committed suicide by drowning. Marla's story was later changed to a Kraken being stuck in some mud, in an attempt to make a cautionary tale for children.
* **Crow Beach** The only beach of sand in House Whitmore territory, often the site of many Whitmore marriages and rituals.
* **The Sallow Grave** The Source of the Marquis River, which flows out through most of the Western Marks. It was a place of special significance for "The House that came before." Yet to Whitmore means very little.
* **The Duchess Mire** A zone of swampland that lies under constant surveillance from House Whitmore. Within the zone is a pleasant and wholesome village, where the residents seem to constantly die in horrific, and oftentimes gory circumstances. The region has been subject to intensive study over the years, yet the only conclusion drawn is that the Duchess Mire is a place in which luck simply does not exist.

## History

*"We are not true practitioners of magic, I've simply taken the idea of the Witch and made it our own, and the association will last through history. It is how I will make Whitmore immortal." -*Lady Cecilia, founder of House Whitmore

Twenty two years ago, the Scarecrows of House Wing put out a call. They required assistance in dealing with brigands who had stolen quite a large amount of treasure from the Throne. Among the first to answer was Cecilia Whitmore, at that time a simple commoner. Claiming she was directed there by a roll of the dice, she promised to deal with the difficult situation, and return the wayward treasure to the fold.

She succeeded, but at the cost of her leg, which had to be amputated just below the knee.

Once all was said and done, and the treasure returned, they were appreciative of Cecilia's work. Once the dust had finally settled a year later, it was decided that House Nevin's holdings would be passed on to Cecilia. And so House Whitmore was born, placed directly over the grave of a House that had failed the Candlebrooks.

## Leadership and Government

*"Your past does not matter here, all that matters is you follow the law of the Coven. Respect us, fear us, do as we say, and you will always be free."* - Lady Cecilia Whitmore

The Lady of House Whitmore, often referred to as the Head Witch, is seen as somewhat eccentric and paranoid, though it's uncertain how much of it is feigned or genuine. Every action ever taken by the Head Witch is believed to have been influenced by the "Grand Design" of House Whitmore, originally put forth by Old Gran. Though in recent years the Grand Design is used more as a source of inspiration then as political dogma.

While there can only be one Head Witch, and she rules absolutely over the House of Whitmore, she cannot be everywhere at once. As she travels the lands, she leaves local rule to lesser ranking Witches, who are often distant relatives or even commoners who have served the House well. Any woman can be nominated for Witch status by the local population they will come to rule over, but the Head Witch always has final say. While there is a casual approach to what the Witch can do while in charge, breaking the few laws that do exist is understood to be met with cruel and unusual punishment.

### The Grand Design

Old Gran's ultimate plan for House Whitmore, meant to be dutifully carried out by its Head Witches. If followed to the letter, it was said to be able to elevate House Whitmore's status beyond even the Candlebrooks, just within the relatively short span of five hundred years.

However, advancing age soon turned Old Gran senile, causing the Grand Design to lose its elegance and brilliance. It gradually transformed into a vast web of conspiracy theories, and lost any legitimacy it had left in the eyes of her children. Most recent and glaring of its many inaccuracies, was its utter failure to predict several significant events and political decisions, and so future Lady Cecilia would come to see Old Grans work as "little more than a mummer's farce." and cast it aside in favour of her own methods of governance.

Some parts of the Grand Design are still adhered to, possibly out of sentimentality, or their demonstrated effectiveness. Most notable of course is the Witch persona, originally meant as a backup plan of immortalising the House through folklore should the five hundred year plan fail.

## Personality and Atmosphere

*"Our people are good people. Good and kind. They live their lives according to the six sides, that way they don't have to roll the dice with us. Because our say is final."* -Lady Cecilia Whitmore

On House Whitmore land, a man is often entitled to do as he pleases, the swamp is not one to pass judgement. This has attracted a wide variety of peoples who would usually face persecution in Merion. Elsewhere a man could be jailed for failing to pay his tithe, while House Whitmore may not know or even care. The people lead a comfortable life, and are fiercely loyal to the Whitmore Witches out of equal parts fear and respect. Respect for the various freedoms they enjoy, and fear for the sheer power and rage displayed by House Whitmore when scorned.

While their surroundings are often bleak and stagnant, the people of Whitmore remain warm, simple, and friendly, though often times it can be to the point of seeming forced. Which some say it may be so.

## Traditions and Culture

The people of Whitmore are a melting pot of cultures, with many coming from distant lands seeking amnesty and seclusion. Much of their life is centered around the Witches of Whitmore, and the cult following they have established for themselves. To a peasant on Whitmore lands, a Witch holds near religious significance through enforced superstitions, and it is not unusual for a family to keep a shrine in their home dedicated to their local Witch.

### The Man Who Done Wrong

House Whitmore's scarecrow sigil supposedly originated as an homage to the Scarecrows of House Wing, but over time it has come to be known as "The Man Who Done Wrong." This is due to the rumour that the sigil is not truly a scarecrow, but is in fact meant to represent the crucified body of a brigand. While there isn't much evidence to support such a theory, several Witches have hinted in the past that it may be true.

### Witches' Brew

*"It's the foulest stuff in Merion, you have to hold your nose to even drink it, but it's cheap, and if you need to get drunk fast, there's nothing else like it."* - Anonymous

Witches Brew is an alcoholic beverage comprised of clear, unaged Whiskey, better known as Moonshine, and was invented by Knight of Earth Darla Whitmore in the year 1033. Since then it has gained significant notoriety among the drunkards, sailors, and ne'er-do-wells of the realm, who applaud its affordability, and its powerful effects.

#### Cackling Cauldron

Cauldron is the original flavour of Witches Brew, described as having a distinct metallic aftertaste. This was an intentional design choice on Darla's part, as she wanted the alcohol to embody her feelings after failing to graduate from the Academy of Fire.

#### Terrible Tub

After its debut in 1070, Tub was praised as a wholesale improvement of Witches Brew. Smooth and almost tasteless, it is designed to mirror Whitmore's growth as a House, and is a celebration of its place in the Twelvescore. Despite this, Tub has failed to pass Cauldron in sales, and is usually only preferred by peasants who wish to seem refined.

There has also been a fair amount of debate and controversy regarding Tub, with some arguing that it's an insult to Knight Darla's memory, and that Cauldron is the definitive version of Witches Brew.

### Notable Buildings and Monuments

* **The Pentagram Estates** Curiously enough, Whitmore movements and estates most often take the shape of a pentagram, tracing the sky, and following rolls of the dice. The estates are typically called Witch Huts, and are sporadically placed throughout their territory. While not quite so effective as castles, the Witch Huts remain a force to be reckoned with, sporting fairly formidable gates and walls, and often taking advantage of local terrain. The reason for the pentagram being the chosen shape, besides it being another facet of Old Gran's design, is that of the six paths, Grace is the one that cannot be mapped according to the Six-Sided Church. And so it is that the other five decide the movement and architecture of the Whitmores. Though it would often seem that Whitmore piety begins and ends with this tradition.

* **Old Gran's Grave** Somehow even more isolated than is usual for House Whitmore, the grave of their "wisest" member is a popular location for people to visit. Old Gran was seen in her time as spiritually enlightened, and almost as a religious figure, sometimes drawing the ire of the Six-sided Church. Whether her miracles were real, or just another facet of her Grand Design, remains to be seen.
* **The Witches' Bridge** Providing a gateway into the Starry Mark, and also housing a major Tavern, the Witches' Bridge is a crucial part of House Whitmore's trade with the outside world. It is not an especially popular or luxurious route, as it is downwind of House Golscat's fortress the Broom, which is often known to reek of rotting Kraken.

## Relationships and Diplomacy

*"The outside world will make no attempt to learn our ways, so you will not attempt to learn theirs. It matters not what they do or how they scheme, all that matters is you uphold the Grand Design."* - Old Gran

House Whitmore often prefers not to approach anyone or anything, instead keeping to itself, building a cult of personality for its leaders, and attempting to coddle its crooked yet dedicated peasantry. Their diplomatic relations have suffered because of this, yet more often than not Lady Cecilia has taken to believing they "don't need friends."

### Relationships with The Crown

Often only seen as a "marriage of convenience," Whitmore does not seem to value the Crown too greatly, with the Head Witch often being too busy with her own affairs to pay the current monarch the respect they deserve. Whitmore has also historically kept their distance out of fear the increase in attention would see them lose their position within the Twelvescore.

### Relationships with The Twelvescore Enobled

Whitmore has given its relations with other Twelvescore the same amount of attention it has given the Crown, which is to say, none. Though Whitmore has several neighbours, there's never been a real attempt at an allegiance or connection, this is largely attributed to House Whitmore's long lasting paranoia, and its maddened dedication to even the most obscure parts of the "Grand Design."

* **House Portico** The Closest thing to a friend House Whitmore has, they share either end of the Witches' Bridge, and it would seem their association begins and ends there.
* **House Golscat** With a major fortress right on Whitmore's doorstep, a cordial relation between the two Houses was somewhat inevitable, with Whitmore holding as much influence as can be expected by a reclusive local.
* **House Ambergate** Whitmore's Northern neighbour, one they've not bothered to know well.
* **House Silverdawn** Whitmore's Southern Neighbour, also no better than strangers.

## Trivia

House Whitmore is written and played by u/Lastal on Reddit and Ferriak on Discord.

* House Whitmore is originally based on Australian comedy group the Kransky Sisters.
* House Whitmore's player is Australian, and bases their House's behaviour and themes off of the unsettling atmosphere of rural Australia.
* Witches' Brew, House Whitmore's primary export, is based off of cheap and often upsetting alcohol brands.