House of Dowhon

The crest and motto of House Dowhon.

> ***"Terrible men aboard terrible ships. They came when little light was burning in my town. But when they left, laughing and covered in the blood of my kin, they made sure that the Heavens were a witness. The entire town aflames, as a torch in the obsidian night."** - A quotation from Sama Soetsu's work, 'One Hundred Axes and Torches. The Destruction of Imazoto.'*
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The house of Dowhon, located in the northern part of the clan lands of the Hons. It is much like Ecla in a highland area, where the soil isn't too fertile, but there is enough wildlife and other resources for the Hons of Dowhon to thrive. While being as fierce in battle and not that much different from the other Hons, the people of Dowhon have been more focused on themselves than the other houses and Hons. This has likely to do with the fact that they have held various conflicts with the likes of the samurai of old of the Iron country and people of the Hotspring province. The unique feature of Dowhon that separates it from the other Hons is that they tattoo their leaders, from mere hirdmen to the jarl of the house. For a long time it was considered to inspire dread and fear into the enemy of the House of Dowhon, but the tradition has been to mark out who is what. Complicated for an outsider, the markings and tattoos reveal the person's occupation and some feats that they accomplished in life.

There are some rumours that the descendants of the Tryggve lineage can turn into large bears or gain a fit of rage that allow them more strength to fight their foes.

## History

Not a lot is known about the people that inhabited the lands which the Dowhon now dominate.  All that the scribes, historians and scholars are sure of are three options. Either the previous natives got assimilated or butchered. Else the natives probably fled the region before either two prior options could occur. Ever since the Dowhon claimed the territory, it has been a most inhospitable area for most people. For the Dowhon did and still do believe in the diplomatic fashion of yore; that strength provides. Battering, whinging in an elegant style for hours, have gained nothing in the past when dealing with the Dowhon. Nor will it these days, other than provoking violence or mocking laughter.

Establishing power bases, the Dowhon were one of the first of the Ylfling/Hon to unite. The reasons for this rapid unification is masked in mystery, but some sources note that the Dowhon had to cooperate to survive the harsh land they claimed as home. Rapidly the cooperation started to throw off its fruits as the Dowhon could amassing resources and warriors to prepare for their expeditions. These expeditions were done in the ways of old; warriors boarding their longships. Navigating over the rivers, the Dowhon managed to find their way to the Northern waters. Swiftly these Dowhon warbands became an actual menace for most - as the Dowhon's idealogy of strength providing didn't allow for many peaceful resolutions. Overland, the Dowhon attempted to raid and attack their neighbours - probing their defences and taking wealth as resources back to their homes. These raids resulted in a near burning hatred from their northern and western Taika neighbours, who the Dowhon considered docile and frightened - perfect for practice and weeding out the weak.

The Dowhon did butt heads with their Eclan neighbours in the south, and the rivalry with the Eclan Hons/Ylflings never erupted in a full-scale conflict. Still, bitter disdain grew between the two as the attacks among the two rival Houses continued. Even in the present, the Dowhon view the people of House Ecla with distrust and worst.

The Dowhon were one of the most prominent to venture forth and become a trouble for the Hyuzu. Where many before failed, the Hyuzu managed to engage the Dowhon in a series of diplomatic exchanges. Impressing the Dowhon with their strength, a tradition was born between the two people. Still to this day, ambitious and eager Dowhon tend to form a Warband and venture to the Hyuzu clan - to sell their martial prowess in exchange for wealth for a time - only to bring this wealth back to the clan to obtain glory and admiration.

As the Hon clan became unified, the Dowhon seemed most apathetic towards their kindred Hons/Ylflings. Instead, the Dowhon continued with their meddling in the Northern seas as bothering their Taika neighbours with constant raiding - laughing at the notion of peace treaties. These raids would eventually come to a begrudging halt upon the forming of the Fire country. Not an awful lot changed for the Dowhon upon the formation of the Fire country. The Dowhon claim that they never knelt for any Taika and thus never got reigned over by one. Some obscure notions and literature sources describe barbaric attacks on isolated or remote villages and towns. Comparing these occasions together with the Dowhons own literature - describing when a certain warband took off and travelling back with sudden wealth - seems to point out that the Dowhon started again with their raids and attacks.

The proper halt to Dowhon attacks on their fellow countrymen came with the dawn of the Akinian Empire. Able to accept another Ylfling as their ruler, the Dowhon respected the Empress wishes for peace. Instead, the Dowhon started to focus more on the Northern seas.

## Geographical Information

The Dowhon reside in what many only know and describe as harsh conditions. The mountainous region, however, harbours many valleys where the Dowhon people tend to agricultural activities. Various significant mining operations are being conducted by the supervision of Dowhon families - only selling to trusted outsiders or having a contract with the Imperial crown. Different woodland areas provide a source of valuable timber used for plenty of necessities.

With severe winters and wet summers, there is still a surplus of wildlife to be found - which support the Dowhon hunting activities as fur production. From herds of porfótr to packs of dire wolves, this region isn't for the faint-hearted. Many unprepared travellers and traders seeking contact with the Dowhon tend to fall prey to weather conditions or predators. Despite these dangers and Dowhon attitude towards outsiders, there are still individuals who seek out to make the journey.

## Lineages

A few of the most important lineages in the House of Dowhon:

### Tryggve Lineage

*-(Means "Trustworthy".)-*

The lineage of Tryggve is considered one of the oldest known lineages in the Hon clan. Its origin is shrouded in more mysteries and shadows than many other ancient lineages of the Hon clan. It is said that it predates the Chonobi migration and following invasion. Furthermore, it is believed and assumed that the members of the Tryggve lineage possess old and dark knowledge on how to gain strength and constitution in battle and some even turning into bears, wreaking havoc and death among their enemies.

What they are also known for is their fierce loyalty towards their own traditions that seem to differ slightly from the rest of the Hon clan. They might not consider themselves different from other Hons but do carry a certain pride in their own traditions. One of them is the various tattoos that they apply to their people. Tattoos that seem ominous, intimidating and speaking of dark secrets, reinforcing the dreadful image that the Downhon have with many others. But they are there to present various achievements, occupations and offices once held by the person and other messages. For many, the tattoos are a source of pride and often shown in public.

* **Ulfr Hon**

Current Jarl of House Dowhon. A large man that has earned his many scars and tattoos. He is known as a stern and rather a harsh leader but one that has gained the devotion of his people. Ulfr came to power after his uncle died in the Great War. When coming to power Ulf consolidated his power and managed to assemble an armed force to aid the battle at Magnhild where he won more renown by battering down many enemies while leading his own troops into the thick of battle.

* **Gunnvor Hon**

The third oldest son of Ulfr. While born and raised in Dowhon, Gunnvor eventually moved with a hird of his own towards the Blackroot Vale. There, after some interaction with the Blackroots, he was allowed to start building his own hold. The reasons for this small migration have their roots with the bad relationship that Katsuro Hon had with various people in the House of Dowhon. Leading a portion of Blackroots and his own kin in Gunnvor's Hold, he has earned himself the nick 'Packmaster' from the Blackroot as he managed to tame various large dire wolves and other creatures of the wild.

* **Hallbjörn Hon**

A nephew of Ulfr. Hallbjörn is one of the known Bear Hunters that originate from the region of Dowhon. He has gained a fierce reputation among his own kin and some of the Hon clan for hunting dangerous creatures and fighting, as killing, deadly adversaries. His reputation and skill even saw to it that he was invited into the Wolf Guard but he declined, becoming a sword for hire instead. Already he has worked for various prominent Chonobi nobles and is now in the service of the Tamiyo dynasty in Hanaguro. He is a large, bald and muscled warrior with many tattoos on his scalp that detail his many achievements.

## Important Locations

Various places are being ruled over by thegns and hersirs in the name of the House of Dowhon and its leader. Most of these thegns and hersirs earned the approval of ruling over these sites from the jarl of Ecla as they can't just inherit the land and claim it as their birthright. Once approval has been earned, the thegn or hersir has a responsibility to the people who live on the land he or she needs to govern, in the name of their jarls.

*A few important and notable locations within the holding of the Dowhon are;*

### Hrondarburgh / Dowhon

The largest 'city' within the boundaries of the Dowhon territory, Hrondarburgh, is the political centre of their people. From here, the Dowhon leaders reign with a rigid rule over their subjects. Despite the excellent location with the nearby river, few dare to venture to the city's port. Many who come feel restricted by the harsh rules imposed on them - for not many are allowed past the perimeter, let alone the first ring of defences. However, for many natives, the location has a near-religious meaning. It is from Hrondarburgh that the Dowhon project their might and influence. And it is from Hrondarburgh where they will continue onwards or make a final, heroic stand against all that dare to come at them.

### **Hvidhus**

North of Dowhon, to the borders of the Hon House and Framí, lies Hvidhus. It is a city that is held in high regard by the Hons who live under the jarl of Dowhon. While the city isn't in a large sense a centre of commerce, it hosts the oldest and one of the largest Lorehouses found in the Hon clan lands. Some say that the Lorehouse of Hvidhus harbors old knowledge that is from where the Chonobi came from.  The city is ruled by a thegn, that goes by the name Grjotgard Hon of the Gudmund lineage.

### Svendholm

    Svendholm lies east of Dowhon, near the large river that goes up north. It is a centre of commerce for the Dowhon. Much of the old trade between the Hon clan and the Hyuzu clan is still conducted through this old route. In Svendholm, many goods like fur, wool and wood get stapled. From there the goods get loaded on large ships that will sail up on the river to exit in the Gaikotsu Bay. From the bay, the ships head westwards to the coast of the Hyuzu Clan lands. This trade brings back much wealth and valuable goods such as good steel and tools. Sometimes a longship leaves Svendholm for a prolonged time, filled with ambitious and young warriors that seek to hire their steel and skills to the Hyuzu clan. The city of Svendholm is governed by thegn Tyrfing Hon of the Gardar lineage.

### Holmshelle

Holsmhelle, one of the largest fortifications located at the border with the Hanta clan, west of Dowhon. Holmshelle is ruled by the thegnyja Hild Hon of the Thorhall Lineage. It has served for several conflicts as an outpost and defence against foreign attacks. During the Hanta-Hon conflict, it was one of the castles that the Hanta couldn't breach or infiltrate. During the Great War, the Earth Country wasn't able to do the same. And during the Shoji Occupation, no attack made the denizens of the fortress surrender. It serves as one of the recruitment centres for House Dowhon's military.

### Tama

Tama is a small village that has simple defences and not much to offer that will amaze many bypassers. It is, however, a village that frequently gets traders that know of the grim terrain and temperature that can surprise a newcomer to the region. Located in the more hospitable south of the region, Tama is ruled over by the hersir Thrand Hon of Asbrand Lineage. Tama is often the first stop that traders and travellers from the south make, before venturing further into Dowhon territory.

## Relations with others

Imaginable with their harsh stance towards most outsiders, the Dowhon don't tend to have many allies or harbour friendly relations with other clans. Even within the Hon clan, the Dowhon have their fair share of rivalries and near-hostile relations.

### Allied Clans and people

#### House of Magnhild

The Dowhon view the people of Magnhild as good allies. This alliance is likely maintained because the other can project their power - without yet hampering the Dowhon's own. While a few conflicts existed between them, the two Hon/Ylfling houses have continued their alliance and cooperation. Some people consider that this alliance and bond has only increased further with the Empress' origin back to Magnhild.

#### Hyuzu Clan

The Dowhon are considerably fond of the Hyuzu clan. Their feuding and fighting in the past have given way to incredible sagas and myths. The notion of an alliance is somewhat vague between the Hyuzu and Dowhon - yet can be considered a bond of cooperation. For still, the Dowhon honour and seek out the promise of yore; Hyuzu wealth in exchange for martial service.

### Friendly stance towards other clans and people

#### The Houses of Framí

The people of Framí have enjoyed some friendly aid and cooperation with the Dowhon. While no formal or informal alliance has ever existed between the Dowhon or any of the Framí clans, a particular natural friendly stance seems to exist between the two. Some scholars consider that the two people have a natural affinity due to similar traditions and doctrines.

#### Scylding Clan

The near-natural affinity of brotherhood and friendship between Hon/Ylfling and Scylding exists even in the Dowhon. Welcoming the Scylding's bravery and sense of loyalty, the Dowhon tend to view Scyldings as natural friends. The distance existing between the two people may prevent regular interactions but it is near impossible to imagine a homage of respect whenever a Dowhon crosses the path of a Scylding or vice versa.

### Neutral stance towards other clans and people

Most other clans and people tend to fit this category. Not many have obtained the respect or admiration of the Dowhon majority. A few did come close, but these days, the Dowhon still consider many outside their clan meek and undeserving of proper respect.

### Hostile stance towards other clans and people

#### House of Ecla

While kindred in many ways, the Dowhons regard the people of Ecla as reprehensible and treacherous. The constant feuding between the two Houses has certainly not improved the diplomatic stance between these two people. Most experts say that there hasn't been a full-scale conflict due to the two venerating the same gods and the strict rule of House Magnhild.

#### Unkei Clan

The Dowhon regarded the Hanta clan as weak and feeble-minded. However, the Dowhon have grown to be much more reserved and cautious with the Unkei. Aware of the Unkei's devotion to their sleeping and spineless deity, the Dowhon are most wary of any further developments. Many reigning thegns and hersirs have already forbidden any Unkei subject to cross the border - less they risk the grim consquences.