Clan Rossthorne

## The Rossthorne Clan

The Rossthorne crest.

**The Rossthorne Clan** is a Hallengardian clan that presides over the city of Dunedeigh. The Rossthorne clan originally began as a cadet branch of the Ross clan, sprouting from the marriage of Séamas Ross to Caitriona de Thorne in 31 BCE. The Rossthornes would come to eclipse the Rosses during the War of Daggers and would later gain the Duchy of Dunedeigh after the Findlaigh dynasty was declared extinct.

## History

### Rosses and de Thornes

The Rosses controlled a county that stretched from the southern border of Dunedeigh to the northern bank of the Hainne River. The de Thornes controlled a viscounty on a peninsula to the Rosses’ west, and were consistently clashing with one another along their border. The Rosses eventually won out, resulting in Caitriona, the daughter and heiress of the late Montgomery de Thorne, being wed to Teague Ross’s son Séamas.

The resulting marriage created the cadet branch of Rossthorne, which inherited the de Thorne viscounty. Séamas would build rapports between himself and his other western companions, remaining generally loyal to the Rosses. However, border conflicts and other disagreements between the Findlaighs and the Rossthornes would result in the Rossthorne clan being alienated from both of its overlords.

### Cormac Rossthorne

Caitriona would give birth to a son, Cormac, but would die due to complications after childbirth. Séamas was a stern but good-natured father to Cormac, and left the viscounty to Cormac after his death during the crises that plagued the Hallenic Empire in its later days. Cormac would be swayed to join the Sutherlands’ bid for the throne with the promise of territorial gains, and the clan would be instrumental in besieging the Rosses’ territory and capturing the Findlaigh holding of Dunedeigh.

Cormac and his retinue would tear through Ross territory in a short-lived campaign, capturing members of their family and guard alike. In the end, Fionola Ross, the clan’s matriarch, would capitulate and surrender. However, the siege of Dunedeigh by an Aedwinian army led by George McCullough drew the campaign to a close, resulting in negotiations dragging on. The Ross clan’s territory would be annexed into the Duchy of Dunedeigh at the end of the War of Daggers.

### The Duchy of Dunedeigh

By the time Cormac had arrived at Dunedeigh with his army, the city was already in flames. A dispute ensued between Rossthorne, who argued that the city was in rebellion against their enemies and was therefore an ally, and McCullough, who believed the defenders to be falsely rebelling to protect the Findlaigh holding. The dispute went unfinished however, as the self-proclaimed governor Desmond Whitaker surrendered and was taken prisoner by the Aedwinians. Soon after, McCullough was summoned by the southern king and promptly departed, leaving the city in ruin and without a militia to defend it.

Cormac occupied the city and called a referendum of western nobles to decide who would govern the city until the end of the war. The majority of votes were for the Rossthornes, though capitulated loyalists voted predominantly for the Rosses. After winning the election, efforts to rebuild the city and expand the mining operations to include coal and iron were undertaken. At the end of the war, the Duchy of Dunedeigh was awarded to the Rossthornes by Tynan Sutherland.

## Appearance

The Rossthornes are all tall, with Malcom the tallest at 6’4”, and typically sport short, dark hair. Green and white are their heraldic colors, and as such predominantly make up their wardrobe. Their wealth gained from holding Dunedeigh is proudly put on display with their clothing, being made of high quality materials and expensive dyes.

## Traits and Traditions

Cormac has been the predominant cause of the clan’s reputation as being ruthless and uncompromising. While this reputation is not applicable to every member of the clan, what is widely considered true is their showmanship; the Rossthornes commonly put on extravagant displays of wealth, whether through their clothing or other grand events.

## Notable Members

* **Séamus Ross and Caitriona de Thorne**: The founding members of the Rossthorne branch. Séamus would govern the clans peninsular viscounty for twenty years before his death, whereas Caitriona died after giving birth to Cormac.
* **Cormac Rossthorne**: Child of Séamus and Caitriona and current Duke of Dunedeigh. Served in the War of Daggers on the Sutherlands’ side. Has a reputation in the west as being stern and unforgiving.
* **Malcom Rossthorne**: Firstborn son of Cormac and heir to the Duchy of Dunedeigh. Serves as a knight and captain of the cityguard for Dunedeigh.
* **Declan Rossthorne**: Second son of Cormac and lord-exchequer of Hallengard. Formerly served as treasurer for Dunedeigh, before being dispatched to the capital after the coronation of Vasilica Sutherland.