[center][h1][b]House Cragmore[/b][/h1] [img]http://i.imgur.com/FDmIhuI.png[/img] [b]House Specialty[/b] House Cragmore gained their wealth, which in turn gained them their rule of Erayis, by [i]breeding goats[/i]. The Black Herd is a specialized cavalry of House Cragmore’s infamous Diregoats -- Although not as swift or agile as horses, the Diregoats bred by House Cragmore are capable of ramming through shield walls and barricades, as well as traversing hills and mountains without breaking much stride. The Black Herd is also used as a tool of psychological warfare, as historically, the infamous [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbP6AnGWQDE]Dread Horns[/url] are sounded shortly before the cavalry’s deployment. [b]Ancestral Weapon[/b] House Cragmore does not pass down a sword, but a shield known as Tempest. The ancestral shield of the Cragmores is small enough to wield with a sword or axe rather than a pike, and large enough to cover most of a man's torso. A circular shield, Tempest is made of mythrite, with gilded diregoat bones framing the edges. It was used in The Rebellion of Gullytown, wielded by Percival Cargmore, where he used it to infamously bludgeon Prince Kenten Gahnt to death. [b]Important Members[/b] [hider=Igor "Bastard-King" Cragmore] [img]http://i.imgur.com/RXCAlZj.jpg[/img] Simply put, King Igor is the reason most put "The Once-Great" as a prefix to House Cragmore. Born the bastard son of King Fenric Cragmore and a barmaid [b]52[/b] years ago, King Igor began life as "Igor Black", being sired at Stormhall with the rest of the Cragmore family. He grew up mean-spirited, unruly, and jealous of the family he never truly belonged to. This, along with his propensity for violence and large frame, made him an obvious suspect in the death of his half-brother Conrad, heir to the throne, who was found dead. Winning his trial by combat by naming [i]himself[/i] as his champion, his aging father Fenric had no choice but to legitimize him, now too old to sire more children. Since then, Igor is famous for his wanton cruelty, with taxes highest in Erayis's history, entire generations being born and dying in the salt mines, and peasant revolts becoming more and more frequent. [u][b]Traits[/b][/u]: Torturer, Ruthless, Lustful, Legitimized Bastard, Cruel, and Strong. [u][b]Flaws[/b][/u]: Drunkard, Clubfooted, Slow, Slothful[/hider] [hider=Duncan Cragmore] [img]http://i.imgur.com/hKRW9wu.jpg[/img] Duncan, a man of [b]25[/b] and heir to the throne, has little worries in life. He is as well liked as he can be, being the son of The Bastard-King, for his skill in tourneys. Finding his ancestral diregoats to be too finicky and hard to train, he is known for his immense skill on the direram, which is seen in Erayis as "The Common Man's Steed", as diregoats are only bred by the Cragmores. He is a jouster who has only been bested twice, inheriting his large size and strength from his father. Although he has great martial skill, he has little interest in ruling Erayis, anticipating he will likely put all responsibilities on his small council. [u][b]Traits[/b][/u]: Strong, Drunkard, Hedonist, Skilled Direram Jouster [u][b]Flaws[/b][/u]: Slow, Trusting, Slothful[/hider] [hider=Benjamin Cragmore] [img]http://i.imgur.com/VWSNX7d.jpg[/img] If Benjamin has learned anything from his father, it is only their house words, "We Will Withstand". Although he would be slow to admit it, he shares some traits with his father, as he has little problem bending rules, is utterly stubborn, and has great pride for his house. However, unlike his father, he is quick-witted, personable, and able to hide his anger. At a young man of [b]23[/b] is somewhat skilled with combat, although not nearly as good as his sister Reliwen, and is the only Cragmore to form a bond with a diregoat. He shares an unusual bond with his brother Henry, which most assume is from pity on Benjamin's part. He is fairly popular and well-liked by his subjects, but he is not without flaw -- When he was a boy, he slew his bastard half-brother Maddock "Mad Dog" Black in self-defence. Although justified, some believe Maddock was killed as he was a candidate for legitimization, and thus a possible heir. [u][b]Traits[/b][/u]: Skilled Diregoat Rider, Fighter, Charismatic [u][b]Flaws[/b][/u]: Deceitful, Proud, Kinslayer[/hider] [hider=Reliwen Cragmore] [img]http://i.imgur.com/RG4wUzG.jpg[/img] Often called the "Second Cragmore Prince" in whispered japes, Reliwen has spent the [b]22[/b] years of her life honing her martial ability. She knows she is not especially good-looking, nor is she especially clever, but she is definitely [i]skilled[/i]. Reliwen's inherited strength makes her better-suited at using a two handed sword than most her age, let alone most girls her age. Forsaking the normal life of a princess, she has refused to learn to knit, sing, or even read, devoting her life to swordplay instead. She anticipates she will one day serve as sentinel for her older brother Duncan, which she has no qualms with -- She abhors the idea of marriage. [u][b]Traits[/b][/u]: Skilled Swordsman, Just, Strong, Truthful [u][b]Flaws[/b][/u]: Ugly, Illiterate, Cynical[/hider] [hider=Henry "Halfwit" Cragmore] [img]http://i.imgur.com/i7SC22S.jpg[/img] Henry is [b]17[/b], but has been seen as a child for most of his life. Believed to be stricken dumb and lame after being thrown from his horse at thirteen, beliefs of his injuries were only half correct -- Henry's left leg was badly damaged, requiring him to use a cane, but his mind remained unscathed. Instead, he has spent the last four years feigning stupidity, believing it will save him from any ill fate should his house ever be attacked, which he believes is extremely likely with his father's reputation. The only person to know of his secret is Benjamin, who he helps gather secrets for. [u][b]Traits[/b][/u]: Lame, Smart, Schemer, Feigned Stupidity [u][b]Flaws[/b][/u]: Dishonest, Paranoid[/hider] [hider=Sofia Cragmore] [img]http://i.imgur.com/IpO1Df1.jpg[/img] Sofia Cragmore is the youngest of Igor's children, at [b]16[/b] years of age. While not especially beautiful, and not especially clever, she expects that her singing voice is what will grant her a good husband, and rarely raises her voice because of it. Second to her singing is her skill as a harpist, which she is equally proud of. She is closest to her brother Duncan, seeing Reliwen as too manly and unpleasant, and Benjamin as too serious and prideful of their meager ancestry -- She dislikes her family history as a whole, feeling that an ancestry centered around goats is unladylike and that her father has ruined what remained of the Cragmore name. She hopes to get married soon, if only to distance herself from her house. [u][b]Skills[/b][/u]: Singer, Harpist, Honest [u][b]Flaws[/b][/u]: Naive, Proud[/hider] [b]Courtiers & Retainers[/b] Chancellor George Kentham High Priest Toki Marshal Cedric Warwick Sage Ramsay Graves Sentinel Solomon "The Orphaner" Black Spymaster Theodore Webb Steward Thomas Espen [b]Vassals and Holdings[/b] House Kentham of Stormgully [sub]House Kentham supplies House Cragmore with the majority of their shepherds, servants, cooks, and guards. They are the only house but Cragmore to have access to diregoats, and many are their breeders and keepers. Their sigil is a brown lamb on a white field, and their words are "Dutiful and True".[/sub] House Blackburn of Fairpool [sub]House Blackburn, formerly known for their skill in stonesmithing and architecture, has been in charge of King Igor's salt mines for two decades for their proximity to the mountains. Although one of the oldest and richest houses, they have very little respect for their king as their duties have been shifted from building and mining, to acting as glorified wardens. Their words are "Above All, Create" and their sigil is a black hammer on a yellow field.[/sub] House Graves of Marshtown [sub]Aptly named, House Graves has supplied soldiers to Erayis for generations. While not necessarily more skilled than other soldiers, they are known for their unwavering loyalty to their ruling house, and their bravery. Although somewhat poor, they are the largest house in Erayis, with 46 members, All children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Ferris "The Fruitful" Graves. Their words are "Let Them Come", and their sigil is a red falcon on a dark blue field.[/sub] House Espen of Espen's Port [sub]House Espen is known for their naval skills, being situated in Erayis's largest port, and within close proximity to the Stormbroken. They supply Erayis with the majority of the country's seafood, as well as seasalt and croaker meat. They are by no means a house of naval warriors or raiders, but generations of sailing have made them some exceptionally swift. In the rare skirmishes they do have, they are known for their hit-and-run tactics, spearing their enemies hulls and making quick escapes. Their words are "Brine And Blood", and their sigil is a golden fish on a dark blue field.[/sub] House Miller of Millden [sub]A simple farming house, House Miller is known for little but their bread and humility. They supply a great deal of grain to their country, and are fairly wealthy as a result. Although a small and unassuming house, it is a well-guarded secret that their lord, Daniel Miller II, is only seen with his wife for coronations and appearances, and with Ser Omar Artejo, his bodyguard, all other times.[/sub] House Powell of Felarof [sub]House Powell has an unexceptional history, but noteworthy members. Leroy Powell is their lord, who stands a head higher than most men and wields a heavy staff made of steel. He has taken to the Kaardic faith, and has made it his duty to preach and spread temples in his own land. He does not prosthelytize outside of his own lands on the orders of King Igor, but is eager to convert as many in his own duchy as he can. As a show of faith, he has given his three sons traditional northern names – Ulfrik, Uri, and Utir. Their sigil is a purple sun on a red field, and their words are “None So Mighty”.[/sub] House Webb of The Webwood [sub]House Webb is, unsurprisingly, synonymous with spiders. They keep the largest nest of spiders in the world, an immense subterranean labyrinth larger than their own keep, housing millions of spiders of varying breeds and sizes. They are notoriously strange, quiet, and all-around unsettling. They are a very rich house, continuing to make large profits selling spider silk, venom, and spider eggs, which are used in potions. Their sigil is a white web on a grey field, and their words are “Spinning Always”.[/sub] House Abner of The Green Valley [sub]By every definition of the word, House Abner is a simple house. They are shepherds and farmers, with a small keep and few riches. If anything, they are known by their subjects for being charitable and just. It is rumored that their crippled lord, Gregory Abner, uses his bastard sons as spies. Their words are “All Is Right” and their sigil a brown ram on a grey-green field.[/sub] House Croft of Galetown [sub]House Croft the smallest duchy, but one of the grandest castles. Known for their hospitality to guests, their castle, Croftkeep, has been the site of many weddings, as well as hosting Erayis’s army when they are passing through Croft’s land. Their sigil is a grey tower on a green field, and their words are “Ale, Fire, Feast”.[/sub] House Southton of Brinepier [sub]House Southton is the house of traders. Although founded by a smuggler, they are in charge of the shipment and oversight of nearly all trade in Erayis, known for their skillful business practice. When sheep are in abundance they sell wool, and when crops are failing, they sell seeds. Their words are “His Breath, His Word” in reference to their loyalty to their king. Their sigil is a blue bird on a yellow field.[/sub] House Warwick of Trenchton [sub]“All Things Burn” are the words of House Warwick. Their sigil is a black hand, reaching from flames, on a black field. One of the more grim houses alongside Blackburn, Webb, and Graves, House Warwick is known only for their skill at waging war. In The Great Rebellion, it was Derric Warwick who led the siege on House Gahnt’s ancestral castle, and Derric Warwick who stomped their infants to death. They are trained to be immoral and vicious from a young age, which is reflected in a strange family tradition of giving their eldest son grim second names. Their current lord is Angus Ripred Warwick.[/sub] [b]Realm[/b] Kingdom of Erayis, The Highlands of Orlandis [b]Primary Holding[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/fVvcH4R.jpg[/img] Stormhall is the ancient seat of House Cragmore. Atop Mount Stonereach, Stormhall boasts a near impenetrable design. On the clearest days it is said one can see from Stormhall to the edge of Erayis, and on the cloudiest days, one can see the trees nearest to them. Aside from being at the peak of a mountain, it is also protected by Erayis's natural stormy weather, and the craggy terrain -- Horses have great difficulty climbing Stonereach, aptly named for its steep, narrow path. Diregoats, however, can quickly climb the mountain with no difficulty. This leaves those who wish to lay siege to Stormhall with little options other than travelling up the mountain on foot, which is a daunting task in its own right. Below Stormhall and Mount Stonereach is the capitol city of Erayis -- Fogfield. Although a large city, it resembles an oversized village more than anything. A city of thatched roofs and cobblestone roads, Fairfield is comprised mostly of merchants, the miners they sell to, and the farmers they are fed by. They are a quiet people, although it is uncertain whether it is out of contentment in their prosperous town, or fear of their Bastard-King, who watches with his city patrol from his mountain abode. [b]Influence & Relations[/b] Voltaani - Cragmore and Antar have always had a healthy trade relationship, with Voltaani receiving cheese, lumber, stone, and grain, in exchange for Erayis receiving wine, spice, and tea. Very recently, this trade agreement has been altered -- Erayis now receives a surplus of weapons and armor, in exchange for nearly all of Erayis's salt. They have had little interaction save for recent events, wherein King Aquilino proposed a betrothal of his daughter Princess Josefa to Prince Benjamin Cragmore, which was accepted. Gradiar - As part of a longstanding trade agreement, Erayis receives wine, raisins, apricots, pickled fruits and jams, as well as squid and fish.. In exchange, Gradiar receives ram and goat's milk, cheese, meat, as well as wheat and occasional diregoat pelts. Gradiar also receives steel and some salt. Skavia - A wintry land, Skavia receives essentials from Erayis. Pelts, cheese, meat, milk, grain, and salt, as well as neutered diregoats and female diregoats to use as beasts of burden. In exchange, they send Erayis large bounties of gemstones. The two houses, despite their close proximity, have had little interaction. Roughly 30 years ago, Skavia suffered a peasant uprising, wherein Igor's father, King Ferric, sent him to fight with Skavia to help house relations. The young Crach and Igor fought side by side, the battle was won, and Igor swiftly returned home. [b]Exports & Imports[/b] Diregoat Products - Cragmore's diregoats yield milk, meat, cheese, and pelts. Considered a luxury due to their connotation with House Cragmore, pelts are more expensive than most, and usually given as gifts to neighboring houses. Neutered diregoats and female diregoats are sometimes sold as beasts of burden, being slower but stronger than any horse. It is worth noting that no house in Orlandic history has ever been given a non-castrated male goat, as House Cragmore is [i]very[/i] intent on keeping their monopoly on the ownership of these beasts. During "The Great Quelling" in the second age, Lester Cragmore drove all wild diregoats to extinction. Dairy - Aside from the Cragmore diregoats, Erayis has an abundance of rams, sheep, and goats of regular size. They have the same uses, but at lower prices and greater quantities. Wool - The abundance of sheep has given Erayis an abundance of wool, and therefore, a marketable product. Silk - House Webb's greatest export is their spider silk, harvested from their colony. It is an expensive luxury, used as a sign of status by many. Stone & Lumber - The Highlands, like many parts of Orlandis, is ripe with forests and quarries, which are logged and mined to sell mostly to southerners. Salt - Thanks to Igor Cragmore, the past two decades have seen a 300% increase in salt mining, as most crimes are now punishable by a stay in the salt mines. Most of the salt that is traded goes to Voltaani, although there is still quite a bit that is traded to other areas. [b]Recent History[/b] Text [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1L6GAcqAVE]Theme Song[/url][/center]