The Ryder Skulk

The Ryder skulk is the family of Kitsune that reside in Naha. This family is the "ruling family" of Naha, but not because they are kings or nobles, but because grandma Lopi and grandpa Kyan were the ones to start the town over 500 years ago.

#### The Past

These two were both lovers and Warriors of Inari 700 years ago, marauding northern Mortrimar in the name of Inari, the Kitsune goddess. approximately 600 years ago, there was a sort of click in the two Kitsune's minds that they both realized that being at constant war is not the best way to go through life. the two considered the way of knowledge to be more powerful to be more powerful than the way of brute force. at the time, Kitsune villages were unheard of, as they generally lived alone, or in pairs like Lopi and Kyan. but these two decided that was time for a change. these two and these two alone built two buildings, the longhouse, which is where these two, and any members of their family-to-be would live. And the Convectionarium, a massive building constructed as a place to share their knowledge with others.

Sure enough, the old mantra of "build it and they shall come" proved true. although starting small, people of many walks of life found their way to this town and have created a functioning town. it took a while, and while Kyan wasn't quite so patient, Lopi kept him busy with daily tasks like hunting, woodcutting, and tending the farm, so he wasn't worried about the town's growth.

Approximately 300 years ago, the town had grown enough to be self-sufficient, a port had been constructed, and many people were living in harmony. Lopi and Kyan decided it was there turn and had two Kits, Gela and Bero, a sister-brother pair separated by only a few years. only a mere 50 years later however, disaster struck.

A band of poachers had found the town, not by chance, but specifically looking for the supposed gathering of magical foxes with incredibly soft and gorgeous pelts with multiple tails. they sought to skin them and sell the pelts for lots of money. Many buildings burned, and Gela had fled far south. Unknown to Gela, the town had survived, Lopi and Kyan had called upon their ancient power to overpower the poachers and rebuild the city. As many kitsune had been killed in the skirmish, the skulk had assumed that Gela was one of them.

In the following 250 years up to current time, the town continued to grow, as did the Ryder skulk. A set of three kitsune brothers, Goji, Lira, and Daru, were practically adopted by Lopi and Kyan when they were young, although not officially. these three resided in the longhouse with Lopi, Kyan, and Bero until they each found what profession they wished to follow and moved out to be closer to their workspaces.

#### The Present

Goji is one of the 3 smiths in town, focused primarily on blades, producing gorgeous swords with intricate inlay, while also remaining sharp as a razor after a culling of surrounding forest game.

Lira is one of the general teachers at the Convectionarium, he teaches primarily secondary school courses, but also has a Sunday elementary school class for small children that don't want to go to church.

Daru is one of the only 2 professor's at the bard's college in the Convectionarium. he focuses in the college of valor while his wife, Joym, focuses on the college of Lore. he also is the owner and tavern keeper at the platinum swan inn in the evenings, after classes are over.

Bero is an instructor at the military school. teaching children, teenagers, and adults proper discipline to be proper guards in towns. while some use his teachings to be proper guards across Lieterra, many are sent to his school as a punishment for delinquent children. even if people are sent to him as a punishment, Bero still tries to instill good morals into the recruits.

Hidi is a kitsune that found the skulk on her own, she had apparently been raised solely by her father on the outskirts of a town far to the east. not much is known about her past, but she has taken such a liking to Bero, that she bore his child, Gela.

Gela was named in grief for Bero's MIA sister, although merely 10 years after Gela's birth, the first Gela was found. She went off with the pirate crew of Urokris and his company to find Fang at Baia Fortuna. she currently is still on the seas with them as she enjoys her life as cabin girl. This Gela, daughter of Bero and Hidi is referred to as Gela Minor whenever the other Gela is around.

Gela, after being found by Vier, had the kit named Fang, lied to about Fang's death by Vier, Found by Molvayas Dendar, and then brought back to Naha, went back to her old job as the Convectionarium's primary elementary school teacher. she also found herself smitten with the smith, Goji. and while they share a last name, they do not see each other as brother and sister. This Gela, Lopi and Kyan's daughter and the mother of Fang is referred to as Gela Major whenever the other Gela is around.

The most recent member of the Ryder Skulk is Mana, she is the daughter of Gela and Goji, making her the half-sister of fang and is still a baby. Soon to be a toddler, this kitsune has no profession and simply spends her day attached to one of her parents.

Lopi and Kyan, while now being over 800 years old, still reside in Naha. They hold the position of village elders and are treated with much respect. while the citizens do not require their permission for building, marriage, trade routes, etc. They certainly seek their blessing and/or guidance.