House Schneeplestein (Novel: House Varras)

Official Insignia

Approximate region under this house's authority

House Schneeplestein (Novel: House Varras) is one of the five Noble Houses of Duilintinn, spanning the Costageal Plains, Beinnfaire Ridge, and Iolla Cliffs. The Noble House is led by Lord Henrick von Schneeplestein and is primarily known for its emphasis on knowledge and learning, particularly in the medical, academic, and record-keeping fields.

## History

### Pre-Duilintinn

During the Feadhainn Era, much of the region was significantly forested thanks to a layer of fertile loam over the limestone below the surface. However, the Waldren Occupation caused significant deforestation and topsoil erosion as the trees were cut down and limestone exposed for the sake of Waldren’s building projects in the eastern half of the Feadhainn Valley. The true effects of this deforestation were not evident until after Waldren’s power in Tirónar began to wane in the early 1300s, which may have contributed to Waldren’s decision to leave the Feadhainn Valley to its own devices in the 1330s. To this day, only stubby grasses and herbs are able to thrive in the chalky clay soil that remains, discouraging most attempts at cultivating the land for agriculture.

The Costageal Plains was one of the most heavily occupied regions of the Feadhainn Valley during the Waldren Occupation, and the influence of Waldren’s mercantilist priorities and culture featured heavily in the region long after the trade company’s departure. Rich, affluent merchant families of Waldren descent continued to be the primary ruling body of the region during the Interim Years, thriving on trade deals with other lands in Tirónar and the various warring factions vying for control of the Feadhainn Valley in Waldren’s absence. Much like Waldren before them, these rich merchant dynasties would skillfully manipulate the conflicts of their neighbors to earn them the most profit, sabotaging any factions that might win in order for the fighting (and their own war profiteering) to continue for as long as possible.

However, not everyone in the merchant class agreed with these methods. Much of the younger generation grew frustrated with the obsession with money and lack of change on the horizon. Some of the bravest of these souls began to organize, coming up with ideas of what they’d like to change for the better once they were in charge.

During the Quest for Duilintinn, the future king and his group of adventurers found themselves caught up in this scheme while attempting to recruit the people of the plains to their cause. After realizing they’d become pawns in the tug-of-war between the merchant class and three warring factions in the east, It was at this time that they encountered the group of young diseddents in the merchant class, many of whom were now young adults who had realized their parents and grandparents had no intention of relinquishing their authority until their dying days. Together, these groups worked to expose the schemes of the merchant class to the “trade partners” they often sabotaged in the name of profit. Without the support of local or international allies, the authorities along the coast were forced to surrender their power to the next generation, who quickly pledged their support to the Quest for Duilintinn.

### Founding

The decision to title Lord Schneeplestein was made in November 1588, riding off of the success of Lord Jackie’s Titling and Lord Marvin’s Titling the previous years. As always, the decision was made without the future lord present, with King Sean informing Doctor Schneeplestein of the offer in person afterward.

Henrik was initially extremely surprised to be offered the third title; he’d only returned to court life in Cordoire a few months prior, following the breakdown of his family life. Like many, he’d expected Mage Antonius to receive the next title. However, King Sean reassured Henrik that he’s got a natural mind for caretaking and leadership, something Antonius did not. Encouraged by the king’s trust, Henrik accepts the offer and preparations begin.

However, in March 1589, less than a month before the ceremony, a raven arrived in Cordoire from Chase Brody and Stacy Journer with news of the approaching birth of their second child. Chase was a good friend to the king and other former members of the quest, and Henrik had helped deliver his first child some years prior. With King Sean’s permission, Henrik left Cordoire to continue the preparations without him and rode to Aghaboy to help with the birth. A few weeks later, William Journer-Brody was born, and Henrik returned to Cordoire.

In April 1589, another grand ceremony was held to title Lord Schneeplestein as the third Noble Lord of Duilintinn. His Noble House was given authority over the coastal lands east of the Beinnfaire Ridge and south of Cordoire, with Fionport as its provincial capital.

House Schneeplestein was founded in the name of searching for knowledge and solutions to the problems faced by the young kingdom. This began with medical and academic advancements, as Lord Schneeplestein immediately began improving upon Duilintinn’s existing health and education system, but this jurisdiction also extended to the logistical nightmare that is international trade, especially since Fionport is Duilintinn’s only major port city out into the Eastern Sea.

The Enemy is now furious. This is the third time he’s been snubbed in favor of people who, in his mind, contributed less than he did to the success of Duilintinn’s founding in the first place. Not only does his anger at King Sean grow, but The Enemy’s ire also falls upon Lord Schneeplestein, who he never really got along with and always seemed to argue against his plans during the quest. The Enemy resolves to wait impatiently for the following year, but at this point, his path to betrayal is already fairly certain.

### Modern Day

House Schneeplestein has been driven to the brink of cultural existentialism in the wake of The Enemy’s return. As the enemy’s power grows stronger, so does House Schneeplestein’s understanding of it diminish. Never before has this house faced a problem so difficult to solve, and their lord’s reputation for defying the enemy only pushes them harder to find the answers they seek. Where are the missing lords? What is the enemy planning? How can we attempt to stop him? All of the other houses are looking to House Schneeplestein for these answers and more. The longer they go unanswered, the less time The Watch will have to react, with potentially dire results. Potentially more serious is the cultural unrest that this failure to perform their duty to the kingdom has caused within House Schneeplestein. They never found a solution to the famine that plagued House Brody, nor can they find a cure for many of the poisons used by the enemy during his raids of the kingdom’s borders. It remains to be seen if this unrest and dissatisfaction will cause dramatic consequences for House Schneeplestein, The Watch, and the kingdom as a whole.

## Geography

House Schneeplestein encompasses the Iolla Cliffs and the Costageal Plains. To the north, the Guardian River marks the boundary between House Schneeplestein and House Brody. To the east, Loch Domhainn opens up into the endless ocean horizon of the Eastern Sea. To the south, the Iolla Cliffs and Southern Mountains stretch far out in the distance. To the west, the Beinnfaire Ridge rises into plains of House Jackie and the capital city of Cordoire.

The Costageal Plains is a lowland coastal plain that largely consists of sparse, flat grasslands and small, open chalk hills, known as “downlands” in geographic terms. Closer to the ocean, exposed pale limestone and chalk formations break up the thin grassy landscape with spots of pale white and grey.

The Iolla cliffs are made from gleaming white stone, with grasses and wildflowers blowing in the clear sea and mountain air. Rocky inlets are scattered along the coast against the cliffs, the most notable being Reaper Cove.

#### Major Geographic Landmarks

* Airceann River
* Guardian River
* Reaper Cove
* Loch Domhainn
* The Costageal Plains
* The Beinnfaire Ridge
* The Domhainn Peninsula
* The Iolla Cliffs

### Borders

The northern border of House Schneeplestein is demarcated by the Guardian River, while the southern border is found at the steep cliffs of the Southern Mountains reaching high above the southern edge of the Iolla Cliffs. To the west, the top of the Beinnfaire Ridge marks the divide between House Schneeplestein and House Jackie, while the Eastern Sea marks the border to the east.

### Flora and Fauna

House Schneeplestein's coastal plain is a ria/fjord coast made of chalky soil. Its flora and fauna mostly consist of whatever would live in this type of ecosystem irl. However, the deforestation from the Waldren Occupation and House Schneeplestein's booming urbanization (relative to other populations at the time) makes the flora and fauna less prosperous as they once might have been in the past. The topsoil, once full of nutrients and deposits from the region's underwater past, has mostly eroded away, leaving behind either the stubby grass you see in the Monaidh Plains or, occasionally, exposed pale limestone and chalk formations, especially as you get closer to the ocean.

Wild animals are still common despite the urbanization of the region. There’s still enough countryside between towns and cities for animals to thrive in their usual way. In addition, some animals have adapted to the high urbanization levels by trying to take advantage of the unique sort of food opportunities that come from a place where lots of people are.

### Climate

Along the coast, the climate is mild in the winter and hot in the summer. House Schneeplestein gets little precipitation during the summer and very harsh coastal winds and storms that stir up without warning during the winter, coating the region in layers of ice or snow. This period of harsh weather usually starts around late November and lasts until early March. The Iolla Cliffs share this harsh winter period, but generally experience more precipitation in the summer than the lowlands.

During the winter months, maritime travel in and out of Duilintinn is brought to a standstill due to extreme winds and stormy conditions off of the Eastern Sea. This period of harsh weather usually starts around late November and lasts until early March. You’ll be stranded if you’re visiting Duilintinn during this time of year and miss your ship home. Meanwhile, the weather can still be quite risky for sailors before and after the three most dangerous months. Those who wish to travel on the sea in October, November, March, and April would do well to consult a local weather expert (either a mage or experienced ship captain, take your pick). While high-speed winds are no longer constant during these months, small storms can still pop up with very little warning. You’ll have to pick your date of departure very carefully to avoid getting sent adrift by these unpredictable winds. By May, however, the weather has settled down, and the seas off the coast of Duilintinn will remain calm and bright until late September. Of course, there’s always the occasional summer storm, but what’s seafaring without a bit of risk? At this point, big ships full of people and goods will start pulling regularly into Fionport, bridging the aquatic gap between nations until the winter winds roll around once again.

## Culture

Members of House Schneeplestein are often extremely detail-oriented, self-critical, and laser-focused. They will find a local answer to every complicated and cryptic situation or die trying. Members of House Schneeplestein hate jumping to conclusions and problems with no right or wrong answer, which is a trait they share with House Jackie. In addition, members of House Schneeplestein are constantly seeking to improve the world around them, including themselves. This results in a tendency to be slightly blunt, but rarely with cruel intent. Despite their confidence in their ability to connect the dots and solve the problem, members of House Schneeplestein are rarely satisfied with the results. This can lead to them self-sabotaging their efforts through overthinking, self-criticism, or a refusal to leave a finished task alone.

House Schneeplestein has a culture of education, research, and thorough observation. Details are rarely overlooked in their culture, whether that be in fashion, architecture, city planning, celebrations, and almost everything else possible. The phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is almost unheard of within House Schneeplestein, because everything has flaws that can be improved, including the people themselves. While some might consider the culture of House Schneeplestein to be overly perfectionistic, harsh, or obsessive (a stereotype which likely finds some of its source in the personality of Lord Schneeplestein himself), the true hallmark of House Schneeplestein’s culture is its desire for complete understanding of the world and its inhabitants, both friendly and otherwise. One cannot solve a problem without truly understanding the situation, so House Schneeplestein constantly strives to seek out and line up the true causes and effects of anything and everything around them.

In addition, House Schneeplestein has a tricky relationship with House Marvin. On one hand, the discoveries from House Marvin are studied and taught with gusto in House Schneeplestein. One could argue that many of House Schneeplestein’s most famous medical and scholarly accomplishments would not be possible without the discoveries made in House Marvin. On the other hand, House Marvin’s tendency to recklessly disregard schools of thought or to pursue pointless leads often grates on members of House Schneeplestein. A culture of organization and knowledge, House Schneeplestein fares poorly in times where information is scarce and there are few answers to be found. Just as House Jackie seeks order by actively solving problems, House Schneeplestein seeks order by using logic to find a solution to the problem. In the past, this logic and expertise has served House Schneeplestein well. However, as the enemy’s magic becomes stronger and more difficult to comprehend, logic and reason can sometimes only lead so far.

## Settlements

**Fionport:** The capital of House Schneeplestein, perched on the banks of Loch Domhainn. Featuring heavy influences from Waldren Occupation architecture, this city is home to House Schneeplestein's government and the political hubs of House Schneeplestein's major guilds.

**Domhainn Outlook Outpost:** An outpost of The Watch, located on the northern banks of Loch Domhainn. Known for its lighthouse, sailing patrols, and Watcher-only port, this outpost is one end of the route to and from Iolla Beacon Outpost and Reaper Cove.

**Iolla Beacon Outpost**: An outpost of The Watch, located in the Iolla Cliffs. Fulfills a similar role to Domhainn Outlook, but with far more secrecy.

**Iolla Sanitariums**: Multiple facilities for people with chronic or terminal illnesses can seek long-term care in the healthy air of the Iolla Cliffs.

**Airceann Bridge**: A bustling town that's sprung up around the titular bridge, taking advantage of the traffic in and out of the Iolla Cliffs.

**Cnocrann**: Small village sitting on a hill jutting out from the Beinnfaire Ridge.

**Loburn**: Booming town on the road from Fionport to Iolla Cliffs, a well-respected place for doctors to study and patients to get checked up on their way to and from the Iolla Sanitariums.

**Begdor**: Booming town at the intersection of half a dozen roads traveling to Cordoire, Fionport, Fort Stiofán, and other major settlements in Duilintinn.

Fadáite Sólas: A town just north of the Airceann Bridge, built to house the secondary hub of the Lifeworker Institute and to manage the comings and goings between the Iolla Sanitariums and the outside world.

Roabeál: A bustling town built on the road between Fionport and Cordoire, one of the many examples of House Schneeplestein’s more urbanized settlements.

## Economy

House Schneeplestein is most well-known economically for its doctors, scholars, researchers, and significant role in Duilintinn’s foreign trade and maritime travel.

House Schneeplestein is the local center of educational and scholarly culture, boasting the best schools, doctors, and libraries in the kingdom. The majority of doctors in other houses spent time studying under House Schneeplestein’s finest professionals, or else are members of House Schneeplestein themselves living in another region of the kingdom. Members of House Marvin send their magical discoveries and inventions to House Schneeplestein for further research and study, while administrators of other houses will often send messengers to House Schneeplestein when facing difficult economic, social, or policy dilemmas. While other lands might send those seeking answers on a pilgrimage to an oracle or deity, citizens of Duilintinn will commonly make plans to visit the lands of House Schneeplestein when facing a difficult decision (this also includes members of House Schneeplestein themselves, who will rarely draw any sort of conclusion without conferring with their peers).

### Guilds

Three specific guilds hold the most economic and political sway in House Schneeplestein: The Lifeworker Institute, Scholars' College, and the Keepers of Memory. However, all of Duilitintinn's guilds have at least a minor presence in every Noble House. In particular, the Merchants Guild plays a significant role in the region, especially in the capital city of Fionport, despite technically being centered in Cordoire.

### Transportation

Travel through House Schneeplestein is generally pretty safe. It's by far the most urbanized part of Duilintinn, especially on the roads between Fionport and major cities like Cordoire. As a result, the roads are well maintained, with lots of bustling towns along the road and/or within the range of a short detour, so you'll rarely be forced to camp instead of stay in an inn unless that's your preference. In addition, there are fewer wild animals along the roads thanks to the population density, and on the off chance you do get hurt, help is just a nearby town away.

### Agriculture and Natural Resources

There’s not a ton of agriculture in the region except for local gardens; the cities and suburbs of House Schneeplestein have been trading for food grown in House Brody since long before they were called that. However, some wild flora and fauna (especially magical ones, which are better adapted to the region overall) have adapted to the deforestation and have taken advantage of the open sky, allowing a lot of the same herbs that are domesticated in House Brody to grow in wild patches beyond the borders of the crowded towns. At times, it’s more convenient to go hunting for herbs here instead of waiting for official harvested batches to come in from the north, especially if you’re already en route to Fionport for other errands.

The chalky clay soil of this region is fantastic for brickmaking. White bricks made from the chalky clay soil of the plains were a popular and affordable substitute for the cut limestone used in classical Waldren Occupation architecture, used both by the original Waldren colonizers and by modern architects to this day.

## Government and Politics

### The Lord

Lord Schneeplestein’s whereabouts are the subject of heavily contested debate. Multiple independent sources verified by The Watch have claimed that Lord Schneeplestein returned to his hold in 1607, nearly eight years since the enemy used magic to take hold of his mind and body and attack King Sean. However, six years later, he has not been seen since. Many believe that, much like his house, Lord Schneeplestein has holed himself up in his study, frantically attempting to cure the king’s mysterious illness and solve the mysterious threats plaguing the kingdom. Others wonder if the enemy ever truly released his grip on the harrowed lord, despite (or because of) Lord Schneeplestein’s famed ability to defy death time and time again throughout the kingdom’s history.

### The Bureaucracy

Each Noble House has a bureaucratic system running the day-to-day administrative stuff in the background, and has had one since Duilintinn's founding. The Lords were there to run the whole show, pick what they wanted their lands to strive towards, that sort of thing. The lords were more like a symbolic "this is what we stand for" heads of state than someone with actual administrative power, which was left to the bureaucracies.

At first, this required a lot of oversight from each lord to make sure that the bureaucrats were actually doing what they asked of them, but since each house is now full of people with similar ideology and goals, that oversight is much less necessary. Most officials in the bureaucratic part of the government legitimately want the same goals that the Lord wanted (otherwise they would have probably chosen a different house). When the lords disappeared, very little about the actual functioning of the government changed. Instead, the bureaucracy strives to carry on the legacy and aims of their missing lord.

## Symbols

The House Animal of House Schneeplestein is a Phoenix.

## Meta IRL Theorist-Type

Every Noble House is based upon a certain type of JSE community member who engages with ego content in some way. House Jackie is based on those who get very heated over threatening Anti or defending their favorite ego; those who initiate community fires and community revivals.

House Schneeplestein is the house of those theorists who constantly try to take every hint that Sean has thrown at us and put it into a coherent pattern. If you wanted to cry and felt like you had to reconsider your entire existence when Sean posted, “Time is broken,” there’s a good chance that House Schneeplestein will resonate with you. These theorists don’t like to jump to conclusions, but rarely believe that any anomaly is innocent or an accident. Everything is connected, and these people believe that if they can connect those dots, everything will be made clear, even though everyone knows that solving every mystery of the JSE ego lore is a borderline hopeless cause. If you have a red-string conspiracy board, notebook full of every theory you can think of, or simply a constant desire to understand everything you can about the cryptic hints Sean has been giving us for the past two years, you probably belong in House Schneeplestein.

## Trivia

* The real-world equivalent of House Schneeplestein's geography is the South Downs of the United Kingdom, with its large escarpment between the coast and higher inland regions, white cliffs rising over the ocean, and chalk rivers.