recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Gordon Blackthorne

*For Queen Talia I's son Gordon Blackthorne, see King Gordon I*

Arianne West (half-sister)

Joanna Blackthorne (sister)

Murtagh Blackthorne (brother)

Jaster Blackthorne (brother)

Talia Blackthorne (sister)

**Gordon Blackthorne** was the firstborn son of Arthur and Alyssa Blackthorne. As the eldest of his siblings he held the position of Heir to House Blackthorne until his death in 1007AE. Gordon was all Arthur could ask for in an heir--erudite, strong and effortlessly charismatic. He was as talented a scholar as he was a fighter. Gordon was also an idealist, who believed he could broker peace with even the bitterest of rivals. It was his idea to serve as a squire to Oswald Knox, hoping he could help close the breach that had existed between the families for centuries. Despite Arthur's reservations, he had faith in his son's abilities. It didn't work out the way Gordon hoped--Preston Knox, his new master's thirdborn son, strongly resented having this foreign figure within his walls, and though the Blackthorne heir was unfailingly charismatic and pleasant his rivalry with Preston soon took a dark turn. One day, the two squires went out on a hunt for some deer, and Gordon returned as a corpse. The Heir to the Thunderlands supposedly fell from his horse and was trampled under its hooves, though it was found afterwards that the injuries he sustained to his head were far too great to have been caused by such an accident, and it is strongly theorized that Preston murdered him. This caused a long conflict between House Blackthorne and House Knox that would eventually lead to the Knox-Blackthorne War. Gordon was greatly mourned by all the realm following his death, and an marble statue crafted in his likeness stands inside the gates of Blackthorne manor in memorial to what might have been. His memory is treasured by those who knew him; he is the only one of the children Arthur ever truly showed affection to, and his siblings see him as an infallible role model. In life he was patient, conciliatory, and intelligent, always willing to forgive his enemies and offer them a helping hand. He was affectionate with his siblings, having a particularly close bond with his youngest sister Talia. Coupled with his strength at arms, tutored by Valar Druun, Gordon would have made a fine lord, but sadly this was not to be.
Edric Blackthorne

Larton Blackthorne (brother)

Hawley Blackthorne (brother)

Guyard Blackthorne (son)

Morgyn Blackthorne (son)

Allister Blackthorne (grandson)

Sir **Edric Blackthorne** was the youngest son of Lord Lancelot Blackthorne; though never Lord himself, he was progenitor of the modern line of House Blackthorne also. Edric had an awkward position in the family throughout his life; his brother Gerold was to inherit leadership, his brother Larton was a great scholar and man of learning, and Hawley was a warrior so gifted that he was able to carve out an entire legacy for himself on his own merits. Edric had none of these talents but was never seen to resent this; an ideal "youngest brother" even from a infant age he was content to follow his elders around, wide-eyed, helping them and learning what he could seemingly without a hint of jealousy. As an adult he married a lesser Cogworth daughter for love, and they settled down together in the Blackthorne Manor of Everglow city where Ed was serving as a peace ambassador to the Senate. They had two sons, Guyard and Morgyn. Edric was fond of archery and hawking, and often went hunting. During one of these trips he was struck on the head by an unidenitified fellow hunter's rock-sling, and though initially seeming merely concussed, he collapsed hours later with a severe brain haemorrage; his younger son was only perhaps a month old at the time. Edric's death was treated as an accident but many were suspicious that it was an assassination by the Blackthorne's nemeses, the High Elves of Brecilidia.

Through his son Guyard Blackthorne, Edric had one grandson, Allister, who would later go on to inherit lordship of the House following the Council of 508AE. Allister named his son Edward in part in his grandfather's honor, who would go on to pass the nomenclature to his own sons Edgar and Edwin. The Dark Prince also owes his name in part to Edric.
A Business Proposal (Ludlow-Redoran)

## A Business Proposal

### Publisher

*Unknown*

**From: Mancel Ludlow, Ludlow Accord, Caybourne**

To: General A’Draak, House Redoran, Solstheim

Subject: A Business Proposal

Dear Sir A’Draak,

I, Lord Ludlow, am writing this letter to General A’Draak of House
Redoran to kindly ask for the consideration of an offer. My niece under
my care, Serenity Piers of the Heartstone side of my wife’s family, is
coming of age in only a few months. I believe it would be prudent and
advantageous to bind our two homes in the bonds of matrimony.

As you might know, the Ludlow Accord have been transporting Redoran
cargo for over thirty years – a small number in the honourable Drow’s
years, but half a lifetime for a human such as I. To cement this
relationship for the years to come, and the generations after us, I
ascertain a marriage would be the best option.

Forgive me if I have intruded, I must admit I do not know much about the
 Drow and their culture. I do not know if marriage is sacred to one’s
own race, or if purebloods are preferred.

Serenity Piers is a quiet girl but beautiful and quite intelligent. She
is of partial elven heritage on her father’s side and I have been told
she will age more slowly than the average human. She has a passion for
her books and stories and often spends her time writing in very fine
penmanship. On a more quirksome note, she seems to have taken a fancy to
 the sword. I have benefited from her companionship on business trips
where she noted suspicious activity or gathered information that I or my
 men did not notice. She has a very keen eye for detail and a nose for
trouble – and staying out of it.

Please accept my apologies if this was unsolicited. I hope to hear back
from you soon and set up a date to send Serenity to you. I have enclosed
 a small portrait with this letter so you might know what she looks
like.

Yours most graciously,

Mancel Ludlow, Lord of Caybourne
House Kyn

House Kyn is the newest noble house in Aradia, former in 1014 by Fang the Elder Tamer, a former Hand to Divankul Dul-Sansiska and also a former labor cat slave. The House stands as an unrecognized entrant into Aradian politics with some grand goals, the abolishing of all slavery forever, the destruction of the Vipers and the destabilization of the black market, and the recognition of High Felines as a first class race among Humans and Elves.

The house at current is very gold poor, as Fang has made many large purchases and begun the process of building a standing army and arming them with respectable equipment. He's bought many minor mills, livestock, farms and other minor assets within the southern midlands. As well as taking a formerly held stronghold for his own and setting to having its aging walls and defenses brought back to modern day standards. That stronghold is Castle Morakai once built by dwarves but now left to fester with bandits, that is until Fang and some of his supporters cleared it out in late 1014AE.

Outside of this Fang has absorbed the noble house of Victross, and their assets in the northern region.
Antigone

Gawain Blackthorne (son)

Lady **Antigone Blackthorne** was the first wife of the legendary Jason Blackthorne. She was the only daughter of Dirhael III, the last king of the northern realm of Cinderfell, and as part of a political match she and her people were sent West on her sire's deathbed to marry the Heir to the Storm Crown.

Though she was well over a century old and Jason was barely two decades old, they gained a genuine affection for one another that soon turned to love. She supported him ardently as he campaigned in the demon wars, ably managing his lands in her stead. She had a reserved nature, but a kind heart, and great skill with magic. Records of the time describe the regular sight of Lady Blackthorne walking barefoot through the forests, singing to the flowers as they blossomed to life around her. Under her watch, harvests in the Thunderlands became bountiful for the first time in decades and soon the people were prospering.

When the war was done Jason returned to spend time with his beloved, and she gave him his first son, Gawain. But this period of happiness was not to last. The royal line of CInderfell was cursed to extinction, and the withering that claimed Antigone's parents soon came for her. She died in the Long Winter of 291AE. Jason was devastated by her loss, and while the Aradian political system soon forced him to remarry, he never forgot his true love.
Kavin Falmar

Valoria Falmar (sister)

Annabelle Falmar (sister)

Gereon Falmar (first cousin)

Lord **Kavin Falmar** is the Lord of House Falmar of Fallowfield, a farming island in the West Thunderlands. He is the lone bannerman of House Rookwood and, by extension, a banner of House Blackthorne. He is the only son of Lord Osbert Falmar and his wife, Lenora Holloway. He has two elder sisters--Valoria, married to Jaegar Warthorne with three daughters, and Annabelle, married to Arthur Mannister. As a child Kavin shared a close friendship with Talia Blackthorne and her twin brother Jaster. His father died in 1013AE and he ascended to Lordship of the House; Kavin currently represents Rookwood interests in Everglow City while his mother handles the administration of Fallowfield itself. It is implied that he may have feelings for Talia, which may be mutual.
Lucas Blackthorne

Malcolm Blackthorne (cousin)

Lancelot Blackthorne (cousin)

**Lucas Blackthorne** was the only son of Gyles Blackthorne and his wife Anja Rookwood. In 420AE, he murdered his cousin Malcolm in order to claim his seat as the Fifth Lord of House Blackthorne, a feat for which he is remembered as the "Usurper Griffin." In his youth Lucas was a formidable warrior, in contrast to his father's bookishness. He was knighted at the age of 15 and competed often in tourney archery championships; he was considered to be the finest shot in the Realm. His skill made him restive and thrillseeking. He began to perform increasingly greater feats of power; defeating tourney champions, climbing mountains, sailing to uncharted territories, even destroying the race of Lycans that plagued the West. Upon his meeting of the witch Amirai, this aspect of him was twisted and turned against his relatives. He seized power in 420AE and ruled until the return of Malcolm's son Lancelot from Brecilidian exile in 436AE.

As Lord, Lucas was a tyrant. Many courtiers claimed he was manipulated in all actions by his sorceress lover Amirai. Lucas' cruel treatment of his subjects, his poor political leadership and lack of friends led to multiple rebellions against him. The third of these in 436AE caused the man to finally snap; he took Redwing and murdered Amirai, before impaling himself on the blade. He was speerated from his first wife and had no children by Amirai, and thus the Usurper Griffin's legacy was ended.
House Lotus

They own an academy for training civil servants, bankers, and other administrative works the drow require, they'll train anyone and everyone who wishes to learn and even export their civil servants, accountants, bankers, administrators, scribes and the like all over the world as needed. House Lotus is so renowned that it is seen as a status symbol among the lesser nobility and new aristocrats to have at least a few of the graduates of the academy on staff. They bring in large sums of money because their practices in bureaucracy are so long lived, due to the fact they have remained in some degree since the fall of the Empire of Dusk, this makes them a very refined point by which all drow society functions off the back of, and due to the opening of borders-this practice has been bleeding out int he the greater realm.

Actual family members are split between high ranking political and service positions in Surial society, they become bank managers, educators in the academy, and even operate as tutors in the greater isles, helping to rear new generations of bureaucrats. While its not glamorous or very much appreciated due to them being the taxmen, the accountants, and the people that make life less fun-they're also one of the major underpinnings of how the new modern lifestyle can be accomplished. House Lotus is in such high demand that their classes remain booked out every semester, they can't get enough tutors out to everywhere they're needed, and their education texts have had to be mass printed and distributed like never before just to keep up with the industrializing juggernauts of society.
Chimaera

**Chimaera** is an umbrella term for a group of magical creatures created by the ancient Stormborn of the Thunderlands, made from a hybrid of conventional naturally-occuring animals. This was made possible through the gift of Terramancy which allowed them to manipulate nature and gave them biokinetic control over fauna. Almost all chimaeras were created as tools of war, used by the Western military to help colonize their homelands and fight in battle against their enemies, the High Elves and Orcs.

After the Storm Kings died off circa 350AE, the surviving Chimaera species were no longer able to be controlled by terrestrials and they became wild and hostile. Many species were hunted to extinction out of necessity as their unnaturalness proved disastrous for local ecosystems, with many presenting a highly dangerous threat to civilization. As of 1086AE their numbers have dwindled greatly, though a few select types have managed to thrive, especially in the Thunderlands.

As creatures of magic, chimaeras display a demon-like resistance to conventional weaponry. It was commonly said that a Griffin could fly through an entire volley of enemy arrows seemingly without taking a single scratch. However, they are able to be damaged by magic, anti-magic, and some such as the Lycanthrope have specific weaknesses to certain materials. They are usually very long-lived and display high levels of intellect.

A number of Chimaera species are listed below;
The Barbed Quills

The Barbed Quills is a political activist group created in 1053 by Zara Moon. By the closure of The Pirate War, she came to realize just how little the nobility actually cared for the commonfolk. The group aids the commoners of Aradia via covert operations: heists, prison breaks, nobility shakedowns, and occasional banditry. They have even been known to take part in petty theft.

### Values and Mission

Although The Barbed Quills might be viewed as nothing better than a band of outlaws, Zara holds her people to high standards. She keeps them mission-orientated and demands excellence of them. There is a general understanding among the group that the Quills are good people who do some bad things, but for the right reasons.

The main focus of such a group is to establish the path towards democracy for the commonfolk. The group itself has no interest in filling leadership roles over the commoners, but they do believe in their freedom from feudalistic lords and kings. To this end, they will often fund or otherwise assist other organizations who have the same goal. They have also been known to harbor fugitives at times, though the reasoning behind doing so sometimes doesn't add up.

One such fugitive ended up getting the group in the papers in 1079, much to Zara's chagrin.

### Members

* Zara Moon (leader & founder) - Planning, logistics, operations
* Cynthia Silvers (a founding member) - Operations, undercover work
* Drakken Mugflayer (a founding member) - Crafting, material sourcing, trading
* Magnolia Holdenhome - Quartermaster, operations, undercover work
* Beatrice Knox (aka Triss East) - Operations, undercover work
* Zephora Knox (aka Saffire East) - Operations, undercover work, handling
* Yvenna Holdenhome - Operations, undercover work, disguise
* Reef - Cook, drug connections
* Lark - Informant, pickpocket, chores
* Renato - Book-keeper, treasurer
* Dominic the Viper - Operations, hunter, alchemist, poison connections
* Sophia Rookwood - Healer
* Deadbolt - Informant, mage
* Sebastien Rodin II - Operations, noble connections
* Gwenavere Blackthorne - Mage, operations
* Iris Storm - Informant, chores
* Agnes Klossner (honorary member)
* Jakov Klossner (honorary member)
* Jennifer Klossner (honorary member)

### Hideout

Along the seaside road between Bastion City and Homefast, there is an inn called The Honeysuckle. Agnes Klossner, her only son (Jakov Klossner), and youngest daughter (Jennifer Klossner) run the inn and adjoining farm. A barrel in the basement is the hidden entrance to the caves below the inn. The caves also have an exit tunnel which winds out to the ocean. These caves are where The Barbed Quills' hideout is located.

WIP
Yelena

**Yelena** of the Silkwood was a highly unusual individual, possessed of High Elf ancestry on her father's side and Woof Elf on her mother's, She is often said to be the closest that the Silkwood ever came to having a lady, for though she killed spiders as a Silk Strider, she also took part in aristocratic gatherings to represent her people. Her beauty and dark complexion won her the interest of Gawain Blackthorne, and they were married for a time before his death. She had a son with him, the ill-fated Agravain, and though she stood by his side until he was an adult she withdrew from Blackthorne matters before the beginning of their First Civil War. The death of the man she had loved and the son she'd given him left a mark on her, and she never remarried. However, she also avoided the numerous assassination attempts on her by Jarvis Blackthorne, much to his frustration. Yelena eventually met her apparent end centuries later when she was taken by a spider queen while on an expedition.
Gauge Heartstone-Rodin †

Yimi Jun (lover)

Keyair Heartstone (son)

Amayl Heartstone-Rodin (daughter)

Gauge was born 928AE and died in 972AE. He was the illegitimate son of Sebastien Rodin and Sylvie Heartstone. He was the lover of Yimi Jun who bore him twins, Keyair Heartstone and Amayl Heartstone-Rodin, but she died in childbirth.

As a bastard, Gauge should have been named Gauge Rivers but he never introduced himself as such.

He was the first member of the Heartstone family to begin their sea-faring merchant way of life.
Amadeus Rookwood

Aurora of the Deadlands (mother)

Sebastian Rookwood (uncle)

Sigmund Rookwood (son)

Siegfried Rookwood (son)

Ameline Rookwood (cousin)

Lord **Amadeus Rookwood** was the head of House Rookwood until his demise in 1014AE. He inherited control of the House after his uncle Johann (and Johann's only son Jason) died fighting the Orc warchief Bolzog alongside Pellinore Blackthorne. He was married to Dennis Mannister's secondborn daughter Barbrey, and with her he had twin sons, Sigmund and Siegfried. Amadeus was considered one of the more sinister servants of House Blackthorne, owing to his stern countenance and penchant for dark clothing; his ravenfeather cloak and aquiline nose led to the peasantry nicknaming him "The Crow." Amadeus witnessed the death of his elder son in the Everglow Tourney joust at the hands of Valus Thormund.

Amadeus died in the Fourth Battle for Nchurdamz in 1014AE. He was slain in single combat with Sir Barra Corcoran, who brought down 9 other knights as well before being defeated by Yven Monmoth and Jacques Blackthorne. Amadeus' bones were returned to the Shadowwatch, and he was succeeded as Lord by his secondborn son Siegfried.
Sylvie Isle

Sylvie Isle was named for Keyair Heartstone's grandmother (Sylvie Heartstone) who only got to enjoy the idyllic tropical paradise for two years before she passed away from old age. The island is host to the family crypts of the Ludlows and the Heartstones.

The Heartstone Estate - really a fortress - is on Sylvie Isle, often wreathed in clouds but enjoys brilliant views on a clear day. A tiny township named Lawoae lays below the winding road down from the fortress, mostly consisting of the estate staff's families. The nearest major city is Maria Vale, across the water.

Sylvie Isle produces almost nothing critical of its own, importing from the mainland. However, food stores in the fortress are sufficient to withstand a siege of three years. A couple of tradesmen and artists make a living in Lawoae.
The Advisor

Little is known about who this mysterious one is, they are presumed to be of Void-Descent as they are not terrestrial in format nor do they speak mortal languages. What is known is that when they appeared, Dorvan had a shift in personality and the power Aradia held over him had been shattered; where before he believed he was made to serve her undying and resolute, now he wishes to burn away all of her creation.

Speculations range from the entity being a High Demon in disguise on the mortal plane, a creator such as the Shadewalker, or perhaps a mortal who long ago abandoned their sanity for a promise of power. Regardless anyone who has spoken against the Advisor has been summarily executed for high treason at Dorvan's order. Whatever this thing is, Dorvan is wrapped around its finger.

It wears an odd sort of attire, bearing plain greyish-black garments that match its skin tone, eyes, and its hair remains a sheath of black. It wields gray gloves bearing crosses. Nobody has even seen the Adviser take up combat so it is unknown whether or not is has an sort of skills in this regard. What is known is that is a master of manipulation, having turned a powerful and willful Drow into a menacing force of hatred and destruction.

The Adviser is quite the odd variable...
Yven Monmoth

Lloyd Monmoth (brother)

Llewys Monmoth (son)

Yven Monmoth is the head of House Monmoth, and a principal and powerful bannerman to House Blackthorne. He has held the position of Lord since he was 9 years old, following the death of his father Daffyd, and within his lifelong stewardship of Crystanthium has overseen a turbulent and ever-changing political climate for his House. Following the demise of House Mac Tir, Yven elected to join his power to the Lords of the Thunderlands instead of pledging allegiance to the Sabres, who were the new masters of the Tropics. Through his sister Alyssa, he is uncle to the current lord-paramount of the West, Jaster Blackthorne. Ironically the same connection makes him Uncle to the wife of the Sabres' heir, Talia Blackthorne. An accomplished warrior in his own right, Yven mentored Jaster in becoming a knight and still remains the young man's most trusted political councilor. He is, at present, in a happy union with his second wife, the Lady Solora of Umbura Isle. Together they have a son, Llewys Monmoth, and are currently expecting a second child. Yven is of average height but is broad and strong; his hairline has receded almost completely and his blonde beard has turned grey. He has sapphire-blue eyes. Yven is a level-headed and calm man, with a good heart; he strives to be the voice of reason in any given situation, and is happy to offer sage council to those who seek it.

In 1014AE, Yven took part in the Everglow Tourney where he was unhorsed by Sir Barra Corcoran. He attended the weddings of his niece and nephew, and in the attack during the latter lost his brother Llord. During the ensuing Knox-Blackthorne War, Yven won a victory at the Battle of Nchurdamz. He has currently returned to Everglow to reunite with his son Llewys. His daughter, Gwyndolyn, was born at Crystanthium in early 1015AE.
Shael Voidseer

Shael was always fascinated with the source of magic and the location of her Goddess Aradia. Eventually, she found a way into the Void and went in search of her goddess. To her people, Shael was assumed lost to the Void, when in reality something much worse had happened.

## **Biography**

### **After the Void**

Dusk Elves are a species conceived within the Void, their pregnant mother spat back out onto Terros in what is now Westgate. Shael Voidseer was a Dawn Elf obsessed with exploring the Void in search of the goddess Aradia. But instead, she was discovered by a demon, The Lilin, which called itself Lilinthvroka at the time. Entranced by this powerful demon, she was raped - both physically and spiritually, as The Lilin stole her memories and absorbed her experiences. In their place, The Lilin seeded Shael's mind and body with a burning desire to worship the demon and forget the Goddess Aradia.
Shael found herself on a high-cliffed rocky island when she was abruptly returned to the mortal plain of Aradia. She gave birth to quadruplets in the plains, and quickly set about making a home on that inhospitable island. The children were two males and two females, all pale as the moon's face with hair darker than night. Their eyes glowed with the light of distant stars, colors of the cosmos.

Shael and her children thrived in the caves and winding tunnels beneath the plains, and she told them of their sire, a powerful god - the Lilinthvroka. Before long, the children began having visions whenever they touched the waters of the Sorrows. These visions were from the Lilin, their faith in such a powerful deity giving it power to reach them. The Lilin made it clear to them that their mother could not receive these visions as she was no virgin - there was a weakness the Lilin could not shake. It could only speak through the Sorrows to the unsullied, the pure - and those of its blood. This drawback was confirmed when two of the children abruptly stopped receiving visions - one of the pair was pregnant by the other. Through the other two children, the Lilin made certain they knew this was no punishment. But the Lilin would need them to find a way around this.

Over the years, only the last male child remained a virgin and kept receiving these visions. But all four children, and soon their children, kept searching for a way to bring the Lilin's voice into the world of Aradia. In their experiments, their own mother was an unfortunate victim. Finally, the last male child gave in to his desires and was left without visions. Of course Shael's grandchildren received the visions, but they were unfathomably 'fuzzy' and almost nonsensical. Shael finally died as her children experimented with hemomancy, a magic they had been taught by their sire long ago. But as the years passed and their community grew, these Dusk Elves finally stumbled across a way to communicate with The Lilin.
Roger Holdenhome

From a house of beekeepers.

* 950 AE - (Age 0) Born to
* 972 AE - (Age 22) Married Morgause Warthorne
* 976 AE - (Age 26) Ann was born to Roger and Morgause
* 990 AE - (Age 40) Richard was born to Roger and Morgause
* 993 AE - (Age 43) Ann Holdenhome married Ealthe Rodin against her parents' wishes
* 994 AE - (Age 44) Carndas Rodin was born to Ann and Ealthe
* 998 AE - (Age 48) Ann Rodin died to an illness, age 22
* 999 AE - (Age 49) Roger died to anaphylaxis due to a bee-sting
Ogden

**Ogden**, called "Ogden the Mad," is a Dwarven warrior and mercenary who associates with the Wild Huntsmen corps. Sharing a close friendship with Arianne West and J'Zara, Ogden is the oldest member of that group, having served as a mercenary for almost 30 years. Supposedly he was once quite wise and venerable, a good conversationalist with a decent wit to match. He was (and continues to be) mostly renowned his incredible physical strength. After becoming a high-ranking member of his Corps, the dwarf was crippled when hit over the head by a Red Orc's mace during a battle. Though the exterior scars have since healed, he is severely brain damaged and is thus incapable of coherent speech, communicating only through nonsensical outbursts and actions. Though irrational and slow-witted, his fearsome combat prowess remains undiminished. He is known to wield an iron warhammer in battle to great effect.
Royal Palace

The **Bastion Royal Palace** was the seat of the Blackthorne Royal Family from 1015AE until 1077AE. Following the 1077 Revolution, and the overthrowing of the monarchy, the Palace was partially reconstructed and is now called the **House of Parliament**. Before 1015AE it was referred to as the Senate Building. For most of the realm's existence, this area has served as the main seat of governance for the Isles of Aradia.

The Royal Palace was first planned by King Dominic I who reconstructed it from the Everglow Senate Building. It was partially demolished before it could finish construction, during the Battle for Everglow City. However, when ? took the throne, the original plans were obtained and used as the core around which a new settlement was built--Everglow became Bastion City, a new settlement for a new age.
Sebastien Rodin †

Sebastien had a son with his commoner childhood sweetheart Sylvie Heartstone, Gauge Heartstone-Rodin, before running off and marrying Petra Rodin of a more noble line and having a son with her: Greyson Rodin.

Sebastien is the furthest back documented member of the modern Rodin family. He is looked upon with disdain following the bloodline of his son Gauge. He met Gauge once, shortly before his death in a boating accident.
The Tome Shelf

The Tome Shelf was formerly the estate of Elmer Twicefreed until 1010 AE when he had it renovated into an inn and library. It is located near Maria Vale, on the eastern outskirts of the city.

A full-time tutor stays on there ready to teach anyone willing to pay for drinks, food, or a bed. The library is set up into two sections - one for advanced learning, the other for new readers still trying to get their heads around words.

Elmer runs the business side of the inn. There is an innkeeper, a tutor, and a couple of serving girls and maids to keep the place clean. The tutor also acts as a librarian.

Elmer has a room reserved for him at the inn, just in case.
Ludlow Estate

### Inhabitants

Mancel Ludlow, Amarika Ludlow, Claire Ludlow, Jennifer Ludlow, Casim Ludlow, Aimee Ludlow, Eason Ludlow, Elmer Twicefreed

### **Estate Itself**

Floor Plan: http://i.imgur.com/P40E75p.png

### **Resources**

#### **Servants / Guards**

Mancel's Assistant: Elmer Twicefreed

Cooks x2

Maids x2

Courier

Horsemaster

Stablehands x2

General: Commodore Moxus - Only occasionally at the estate, usually to train his men.

Guards - Force of 7 men

Guard - Eason's personal guard

Tutor: ??? - Travels to the Heartstone Estate three days of the week
Zlatkov Kost

Zlatkov was born in 967AE to commoners in Westgate. He was the fifth of fourteen children and quickly had to scramble for work to help pay his way. It wasn't long before he was on the street fending for himself. At the age of ten (977AE), he became a squire for House Umbridge, a profession which thankfully paid well enough to support a few of his siblings with regular payments home.

Zlatkov was nine years the senior of the Umbridge heir, Arthur. The current lord, Harold Umbridge, wanted him to be the boy's bodyguard one day due to their 'near-enough' age and had him trained towards that goal. By the time he was fourteen, he was trailing five-year-old Arthur and his nannies all over Westgate.

Arthur was an impulsive charge and Zlatkov never liked the kid. But he took part in teaching Arthur to defend himself as he grew older. Zlatkov started liking his job a bit more once Arthur was old enough to frequent brothels. But once again Arthur's impulsive nature had to ruin it. Several times Zlatkov dragged Arthur out of those places with the blood of some girl across his jeweled knuckles.

So Arthur started having his vices brought to him. But the boy was obsessed with the idea of someone wanting to kill him, so forced Zlatkov to be present at all times. It became clear that Arthur got some perverse pleasure out of the audience - especially when he began to hurt some of the girls. Zlatkov was forced to watch as Arthur choked other women to death. He later was charged with disposing of the bodies.

Arthur's acts finally resulted in a pregnancy during 998AE. The poor girl jabbered all over Westgate about how she had been raped by Arthur. Quite abruptly after the child's birth, Arthur fell ill and died. In truth, when Harold Umbridge learned of his son's crimes gaining such velocity through Westgate's gossip circles, he had Zlatkov poison him. The girl, Gwynneth Fairbairn, and her child were brought into the Umbridge's care.

Harold took Zlatkov on as one of his own bodyguards. Zlatkov enjoyed serving Harold much more than Arthur and his loyalty grew stronger every day. In 1003 he became Harold's captain-of-the-guard.

Zlatkov is a powerful warrior and can be found in the slate greys of Westgate guard armor. He wields a hefty battleaxe but is proficient with any weapon he can get his hands on.
Phantasmagoria

Phantasmagoria is an obscenely powerful device, of a suitable tier to a weapon of mass destruction given enough mana, that forces a high level illusion spell on everyone within a certain range based on how much mana is put into the device. It makes all their senses detect what isn't real, and ignore the true dangers lurking behind the illusion. Only the wielder during the activation, automatons and those incapable of higher level discernment of thought, those with insane willpower, or those with anti-magic devices are immune from the activation of the effect. The effect will last as long as the core has mana to funnel into illusions and this will vary based on the range of the cast and the intensity of the deception.

This device was once stolen from the Empire and used by the cultists who at one point inhabited what is now known as Glory, there is became a worshiped treasure of Aradia despite being the brain child of one of Narn's Apprentices. As of 1086, the device is safely held by Divankul Dul-Sansiska within his laboratory in Volia's Grace.
Asgarth Rodin †

Asgarth was born in 79 BE to a human father named Rodin and a half-elf mother named Dilaena, both of common birth. He lived in Fairsmith where his father was a blacksmith. As he aged, his natural affinity for magic led to him becoming a battlemage for House Fairmane. With this station came wealth and power, and in time, Asgarth set his mind to founding his own House.

House Rodin was founded in 10AE, when Asgarth was 89 years old. He named the house for his late father who died in 59 BE, when Asgarth was 20 years old.

Asgarth did not marry or take any female lover during his long life before his 90s. It was rumored he had a long-term male lover, but this rumor was never confirmed.

When Asgarth reached his 90s, he noticed he was beginning to age at a faster rate. He finally married a human woman named Janka in 21AE. His son Hans Rodin was born in 23AE, when Asgarth was 102 years old.

Asgarth died of old age in 46 AE - his mother's elvish roots allowed him to live until the age of 125.
Offer of Marriage (Ludlow-Vennet)

**A Letter Addressed to Lord Freyr of House Vennet in Briochi**

Lord Vennet,

It is with the utmost respect and my deepest regrets that I should write
 to you in these trying times. We pray to Aradia that Lady Rivka Vennet
finds peace in the sacrifice Lord Jaster Blackthorne made for our Divine
 Lady.

And we take action to ensure this demon menace will not take another husband from your darling daughter.

We would like to remind you that we of the Ludlow Accord are strong on
Caybourne. We have a fine navy which can respond to Briochi within two
days. Our military is made of loyal men and High Felines, honourable all
 and ferocious fighters.

I tell you all this to warm you to this proposition: Lord Mancel
Ludlow’s eldest son and heir, Casim Ludlow, born 998 AE, is eligible for
 marriage. He is a fine swordsman, a brilliant scholar, and a handsome
young man. I enclose a portrait
 for your perusal. As you may know, his heritage can be traced back to
the great merchant king, Keyair Heartstone. Any concerns over his
bloodline can be discussed and proven in-person.

We understand these are trying times and that Lady Rivka may not be
prepared for a marriage so soon after the valiant death of her late
husband. But as a woman I understand the sacrifices we must make for our
 families. I believe Rivka would understand too.

Of course, we also understand that there was time to consummate the
marriage. Should a Blackthorne child be with Lady Rivka, we would also
welcome this new addition to the family like it were our own blood.

Aradia go with you,

Lady Amayl Heartstone-Rodin,
of the Ludlow Accord in Caybourne
Seamus Lennon

Seamus was born in 951 AE in Briochi as a commoner. He worked as a dockworker from the age of 10 until 966 AE when he was 15. He joined Keyair Heartstone's merchant fleet as a crewman.

When Keyair 'retired' his seafaring merchant days in the 970s, Seamus was offered a position as his stable master at the Heartstone Estate. At the time there were only a handful of horses, but Seamus agreed anyway as he wanted to settle down and marry. With the position, he was allowed to take a name of nobility. He chose Lennon, after his father.

In 976 AE, at the age of 25, he found a young commoner bride from Caybourne. Her name was Bernadette, and she was one hell of a battleaxe. He loved her deeply.

Over the next twenty-five years, they would churn out seventeen children. Seamus made the daily ride from Lawoae up to the Heartstone Estate until his wife died in 1010 AE. He took up servant quarters at the Estate and refuses to meet any of his children in their childhood home. Therefore there is a steady stream of visitors for the old man as his children and grandchildren drop in.
Serenity Piers

Serenity was born in Caybourne to parents Jacinta and Elrik Piers, 1000AE. At the tiny age of 3, her parents, grandmother and older sister all died from an illness. Although she got sick too, she managed to survive and is none the worse for wear.

Serenity was informally adopted by her great-aunt, Amayl Heartstone-Rodin and has a good relationship with the woman. She enjoys spending time with her aunt Rasheba Heartstone and is learning sword-fighting from her. She also had a good relationship with her grandfather Keyair Heartstone up until his death in 1012 and gained her love of stories from him.

She is not close with either of her living brothers, but they get along well enough and she looks forward to Darius' visits back home. Although she is on good terms with her Ludlow cousins, she rarely mingles with them, unlike her brother Lyron Piers. However, she can often be found at either family estate with a single guard.

Her uncle Mancel Ludlow is keeping an ear to the ground on finding a suitor for her. She has accompanied him on several of his business trips as he has recognized her ability to gather information subconsciously and inconspicuously.

**Personality**

Very quiet but curious. Speaks so rarely that anything she says makes the entire room tends to go silent - much to her embarrassment. She is socially awkward but likes to be around people to just listen. She comes across as very meek and subservient but secretly enjoys tales of adventure and exploration and stories of strong, capable women. It's one of the reasons she admires her great-aunt and aunt so much. Despite this, she respects men and has childish fantasies about meeting a nice husband and leading a life made for an adventure/romance novel.

She has some skill with her grandfather Keyair's katana. Her aunt Rasheba and her uncle's advisor Elmer have helped train her.
She-Griffins Three

The **She-Griffins Three** was the name given to the three daughters of Lord Lamorak Blackthorne who took charge of the war effort against Brecilidia, following the capture of their father and the death of their brother Galahad. Their mother was the Lady Morgwyna, formerly of House Monmoth.

Evaine Blackthorne (489-559AE) was the eldest of the three, and the hot-headed "warrior" of the group with the best sword arm and the best prediliction towards commanding men in battle. Known for wearing her dead brother's armor in combat to cause equal inspiration and fear. While informally the sisters' leader, she was also brash and impatient, needing her younger sibling's council to lead effectively. Pressed strongly to lead House Blackthorne upon her father's death but was passed over in favor of her cousin Allister. Lived the rest of her life as a wandering mercenary and questing-knight, evnetually pulled back into Blackthorne affairs by Allister's son Edward, and died in battle at Brecilidia.

Isolde Blackthorne (491-565AE) was the middle child of the group and considered their "brains" with the best mind for economics and numbers. Isolde was on several occasions accused of witchcraft, though none of the allegations stuck, and she never faced persecution for it. She had a quarrelsome relationship with Evaine. Following her split with her sisters, Isolde became the favored concubine of the Autarch of Volmark and lived the rest of her life in high luxury. Her descendants eventually married back in to House Monmoth, and thereafter again into House Blackthorne--Jaster and Talia Blackthorne are her modern descendants.

Ygraine Blackthorne (494-590AE) was the "baby" of the family and their compassionate heart, often the mediator between her two fiercer sisters--it was often said they would have been powerless to act without her decisive ruling. She spent the longest caring for their ailing mother upon the group's exile and eventually joined the Aradian priesthood upon Morwyna's death; doing charitable work among the smallfolk far from noble's intrigue, she lived to great old age, longer than many of her kin.
Penelope Blackthorne

Eustace Blackthorne (brother)

Bedivere Blackthorne (brother)

Geraint Blackthorne (brother)

Lady **Penelope Blackthorne** is the only daughter of Sir Roderic Blackthorne and Lady Briona Manford. Due to the wealth of her mother and the family name of her father, she is one of the most sought-after marital matches in Aradia--though her mother is famously protective of her daughter and it is doubted she will ever find a bachelor to her satisfaction. Affectionately nicknamed "Penny" by her friends and family, she is shy, but kind-hearted and is fascinated with learning about the world around her in a similar manner to her brother Bedivere.
Valus Thormund

Maegor Thormund (uncle)

Gaeus Thormund (cousin)

Rhaegar Thormund (cousin)

Daena Thormund (cousin)

Orys Waynrite (uncle)

Lord **Valus Thormund** is the reigning head of House Thormund, and one of the principal bannermen of House Blackthorne. He was nephew to the previous lord, Maegor Thormund, who raised Valus as his own son after the boy's father (Maegor's younger brother Maelus) died fighting Orcs alongside Pellinore Blackthorne--his mother had died while birthing him. Sir Valus had an established reputation as a man-at-arms long before his unexpected ascension to the Lordship; while a capable warrior with a hunger for prestige and glory, he was also regarded as cowardly by his detractors which earned him the nickname of "craven." He exacerbated the bad blood between his own family and the Rookwoods by accidentally killing their heir Sigmund in a joust. Valus inherited the leadership of the family in late 1014AE following the death of his predecessor and his former heir after the Ambush at Dimhollow Mire; ironically this achievement came shortly after he'd fled the field at the Massacre at the Riverford, proving his own cowardice. He currently resides at Everglow City where he attends the Bloodhawk's council meetings and is regarded as among the Lord's more avid supporters. Valus is physically strong but fat, with a protruding beer-gut and several chins. He is prone to going "red" when angered. His scalp is clean-shaved, but he has a scruffy neckbeard. In combat Valus wears a steel kettle helm and a stained red gyronny surcoat marked with his family's golden warhammer. He carries a spiked warhammer as his weapon of choice.
Wynmae Elassore †

Wynmae unofficially wed Ealthe Rodin after it was revealed she bore his child, Nimbe Elassore Rodin. When Ealthe died, she raised his son Carndas Rodin as her own along with his half-sister. She died while protecting the children from spiders in the Silkwood.

Wynmae was of the Shatterlight Coven, a sect of Wild Elf magic-users with a special code. They bred only within their own sub-race, and any sexual fraternization with an outsider resulted in exile. Having an affair with Ealthe resulted in Wynmae's expulsion from the coven.

The Shatterlight Coven lives in secret within the Wilds and is hardly known of. Their magical energies are easily lost in the confusion of such dangerous lands.
Void

The **Void** is a catch-all term used by Terrestrial Races to refer to the chaotic, formless & warping metaphysical realm that surrounds their homeworld of Terros. According to the mythologizing of the Order of the Seven Suns, there was a time long ago when there was nothing but the Void, an empty immatereum where the only thing in existence was a single shapeless consciousness. It was that consciousness that first created life, and physical matter, and eventually the world of Terros itself. The creator's terrestrial lifeforms eventually rebelled against it and cast if out from its paradise-world & back into the Void.

T he creation of Terros has damaged the fabric of the Void itself by partially forcing it to take material form; however, both life and matter itself are antihetical to the Void's being, as the accepted physical laws of reality cannot fully materialize there as normal. As a result the Void manifests as a strange, warped version of conventional reality, where landforms from Terros appear in twisted perverted versions of themselves; red skies, constant ash rain that falls upward from the ground instead of down from the sky, floating mountains that extrude from nothing, great formless deserts made of smooth glass, etc. It is possible to build locations within the Void, although navigating to those locations within its inifinite shifting span requires a mind that is far from sane. It is also possible to destroy a section of the Void as undertaken by Divankul Dul-Sansiska & Metheryl Arcaena; as it is infinite, methematically, you can subtract a value from inifinite space and still have infinite space. There is a barrier that seperates Terros from the Void; passing between the 2 realms is almost impossible, and life from either side can rarely exist on the opposite plain for long without the use of vast amounts of magic & blood.

The life that populates the Void are called Demons(Demon), offspring of the original creator Vermithrax who share in the warped matter of their home diemnsion and have characteristics that break with conventional laws. They can have impossible powers & physiology that make them far more powerful and dangerous than all terrestrial life. The downside of existence in the Void is that it causes its inhabitants constant mental anguish because the Void's lack of the physical laws of reality--it was never meant to sustain life. No existing mind is capable of maintaining sanity in the face of this, and it fills both the Demons and visting Terrestrials with a powerful and unceasing urge to escape, often leading to conflicts on Terros.

The Void is said by the Order to be the source of magic itself. Magic represents the ability to break the structure of conventional reality using one's own will; conjuring fireballs, reading minds, etc. It is posited that mages, when casting spells, are drawing upon the power of the Void--indeed, bringing a bit of the Void's illogic into the terrestrial world according to their will.