Granthel

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GranthelWallBaseSmallMoonVer.png

Overview[edit | edit source]

Granthelians hail from the continent of Granthel, a land surrounded by dangerous waters filled with creatures said to take down sailing ships on a whim. Most Granthelians live within the city of Granthelia, located close to the north of the continent. Due to the city being heavily fortified against the swaths of dark creatures and undead surrounding the city, many Granthelians share various physical and cultural similarities:

Most modern Granthelians are unaware of the dangers outside the walls. They mostly learn tales from the occasional a trader or traveler. This underexposure from danger has made most Granthelians weak, but the same can not be said for the prisoners trapped in the twisted walls. Granthelians are stereotypically said to be short, beautiful, very nimble, and smart, making most of their people prefer the arcane or roguish lifestyle.

Geography[edit | edit source]

The Walls[edit | edit source]

Granthelia is surrounded by them, an elegant and tough wall with an occasional arcane tower, a tower in which guards are able to turn to fire arcane projectiles from.

Commonport[edit | edit source]

A place of arrival and exit for most of Granthel, Commonport is a coastal part of the city that houses most of the trade and traveling. Citizens in Commonport are middle-class, most are not too rich and not too poor.

Bulwarks[edit | edit source]

What makes most of Granthelia, a part of the city in which houses many tenements and and spiraling streets. Crime is apparent and many citizens ranging from middle-class to very poor live here.

Cadaver[edit | edit source]

An overgrown abandoned part of Granthelia where there is no law. Where murder and occasionally undead is commonplace. It is very low populated and it is mostly closed off, but there is a large tavern run by citizens called "The Rut", a home to thieves and desperate adventurers.

"The City of Cells"[edit | edit source]

The most infamous part of Granthelia. A part of the city that is closed off to house criminals, who must do their own trades and work amongst fellow murderers and unlucky peasants. Guards patrol around, doing weapon checks every so often and enforcing many harsh laws to keep the criminals in their place. Citizens are allowed to partake in the arena, which connects to Commonport.

Highborn Gardens[edit | edit source]

A section of the city suited for nobles, surrounding the main castle. It is the best looking place in Granthel, with many touches of green and beautiful buildings are presented. There is next to no crime, but pickpockets sometimes come around for their chances of gold.

Arcane Society/University[edit | edit source]

Home to aspiring mages, the Arcane Society is a section of the city that houses Granthelia's Arcane University.

Government[edit | edit source]

- The Majesty: The ruling position of Granthel, or the "First Pillar" is the Majesty, which rules the king with the advise of an adviser, who helps plan the wars and strategies of the kingdom. The queen, who gives speeches to her people and attends important events held in the kingdom, and a Grand Sage, who helps deal with magical matters, research, and the training of the heir of the throne. The current ruling family of Granthel is the Wrennes, a family which has been specially bred to assure every heir has the magic gift. In Granthelian culture, those gifted with the art as said to be wise and far superior, though not every single Wrenne has been given it due to the limits of who it is given to.

- - The Council: The "second pillar" of Granthelian government is the council, a group of thirty anonymous individuals who know the arcane arts. The council review problems presented by nobles and debate if it is essential to the well-being and advancement of Granthel. If the presented suggestion is passed, the council may implement it unless denied by the Majesty himself.

- - - The Nobles Families: The "third pillar" is the nobles of Granthel, who are given extravagant homes in the Highborn Gardens, which surrounds the castle of Granthelia. They are given the ability to present issues to the council, and are given privilege to more prestigious jobs and position in the Granthelian workforce and government. A majority of nobles are not mages, but there is a surprising sum of them around in a world where they are rare.

Scholars[edit | edit source]

- Grand Sage: Not only a hand of the king, but also runs the official Granthelian Academy. When a student proves his superior intellect above his other students, he might become his apprentice until he becomes the new Grand Sage.

- - The Scholars: Students of the Grand Sage.

- - - The Pupils: Students of the academy.

Military[edit | edit source]

- Adviser: The adviser acts as highest military officer, and rules the army if the King is unable or wishes for him to.

- - Knights: Granthelian knights are heavily cladded, wearing armor that heavily slow them to make up for their small, frail structures. Most soldiers wield spears to drive back dark creatures, especially withers, without getting in contact with them. When they earn their title as Knight, they are granted a home in the Highborn Gardens. The Granthelian military is extremely defense based, with their cladded armors and long range weapons holding back forces while mages clear targets from a safe distance.

- - Provoker: Mage soldiers selected from the academy who are discovered to have the gift. Used for when they are needed.

- - Wallmen: Soldiers that patrol the wall and occasionally venture out to scout its surroundings.

- - - The Watch: Basic guards that also do checks for dark mages and werewolf at various entrances to other districts. Commonly known to be corrupt, taking bribes from criminals and ensuring their own survival among the crime filled streets.

Religion[edit | edit source]

Granthelians believe that they have progressed the furthest in society through the arcane. They mostly look down upon the religious and their previous conflicts with it have resulted in the foundation of Granthel.

History[edit | edit source]

Skins[edit | edit source]

Characters & Families[edit | edit source]

Characters[edit | edit source]

Families[edit | edit source]

Winthrop

Patriarch: Gregor Winthrop

Special: Civil Engineering/Architecture

Other Notes: Widely distrusted by the royalty as saboteurs and cultists due to their work beneath the Highborn Gardens.

Rumors: It is said by surreptitious circles that the Winthrops have an ulterior motive within the depths of the Highborn Gardens, beyond merely repair and maintenance. So it is assumed that these family members and retainers who do descend are knowledgeable of the various superstitions that captivate the general populace. Whatever the Winthrops actually do down there is far from the minds of speculators. Yet it is a truth that one versed in creation is also adept in destruction.

Ayre

Patriarch: Caelan Ayre

Special: Heavy ties to the Arcane Society/Miscellaneous other things. Most Ayre members incline to the Arcane but do not wholly dominate/specialize in it. Misfortune. Eccentric natures.

Other Notes: Attributed to being an “older” family, though up to dispute. Their claims come from apparent records within the Arcane University itself. It is currently suffering from a slow decline from grace. Tragedies and scandals have surrounded the house in recent years, which aid in this gradual fall.

Rumors: In much more recent history, the talented head of house has been involved with a series of terrible events. The sudden deaths of both of his wives have been speculated to being foul play, but otherwise gone unproven after investigations. Caelan is more withdrawn in the recent years, guests invited privately to his manor and mostly tied with his contacts in the University. The disappearance of his youngest daughter is well-known, but not much progress has been made in relocating her.

Ayre is commonly known for having unusual family members, much to the chagrin of themselves. Caelan is not exempt from this. Though, despite the eccentric natures that crop up, the house spawns a strange form of genius on occasions. The men are known to be astute, the women highly ambitious.

There have been several “matriarchs” of the house in the past, in the Ayre family. These were unusual cases of aggressive women taking charge. One such case is Vivian Ayre, who refused to take her husband’s name after her father begat no sons, and presided as head until her eventual passing. Assuredly, she had a male heir, but many houses may see this as unorthodox at best.

The servant staff of the main house is old, their families being in servitude to the house for several generations.

Sinclair

Patriarch: Lucius Sinclair

Special: Banking/Investment

Rumors:

  • Despised by the peasants, as they treat them like dirt.
  • Generally, the other houses respect them - despite their general unpleasantness, due to the fact that they control a large amount of money.
  • They’re commonly referred to as pretentious, stuck up, snobby, and the like.

Other Notes: Widely acknowledged to be one of venerable families to first grace the Highborn Gardens on Granthelia’s founding.

Wrenne

Patriarch: Aloth Wrenne

Special: Diplomacy/Spying

Prastirt

Patriarch: Calcifer Prastirt

Special: Maritime Trade/Affairs

Other Notes: Has recently run into legal troubles with the minor nobility from houses Torling and Ristanthrat.

Hargrave

Patriarch: Mortimer Hargrave

Specialty: Inter-house Relations

Rumors:

  • Peasants generally hold the Hargraves in high regards, owing many of their public works to them.
  • Other noble families see them as ‘peasant-lovers’ and dirty, in addition to low and cheap for gaining power through relationships and not honest work.
  • Many of the members of the house are seen as naive and childish, and the Patriarch is hated by many.
  • Commonly referred to as ‘dirty peasant lovers’ and ‘weeds’.

Other Notes: Viewed as lesser by many houses due to their fickle use of bloodlines to engage in inter-house politics. An old family that only recently came into prominence - they’re growing faster and faster, much to the distaste of other families.

Cromwell

Patriarch: Gareth Jordan Cromwell XII

Specialty: Research/Knowledge

Rumors: It’s said that the Cromwells aren’t as honest as they’d like people to believe. Many don’t take easy to the idea that they’ve actually made half the discoveries they put their name to, and are often branded as liars and thieves because of it, despite no evidence being put forward.

Other Notes: Held in high esteem by most of the nobility for their contributions in education and research.

Corell

Patriarch: Reynard Corell

Specialty: Trade/Vassalage

Rumors: The Patriarch has not taken the deaths of his wife and brother, which happened within the timespan of just a few years, well. Word has it that Reynard has delegated many tasks to his children and nephew as of late, as well as to the heads of families under House Corell.  

Other Notes: A relatively young noble house compared to some others, though recent events have made them more well-regarded in the eyes of other nobility.

Cottingham

Patriarch: Maximilian Cottingham

Specialty: Mapping/Archaeology

Rumors:

  • Although the house is publicly lead by a man, it is said his wife calls all the shots.
  • The only reason for their position in power is their ancient relationship with the Wrennes.
  • They are often seen leaving Granthelia to set off for their own adventures. The Garden Gatekeepers must be irritated.

Other Notes: An old family that has been around for a very long time. No one really knows why they have their place in the Highborn, but nobody really cares to find out.

Bellamy

Patriarch: Roger Bellamy

Speciality: Sellswords

Rumors:

Eastbow

Patriarch: Everett Eastbow

Speciality: Applied Sciences/Naval Engineering

Rumors: The family has been in turmoil ever since the death of Patriarch Ennis Eastbow, who was held in high regard in both scientific and political circles. His son Everett has shown significantly less competence guiding the house, leading to the Eastbows currently being seen as one of the weaker noble houses. Truly, the only thing keeping them afloat is the constant demand for their services, something few others can match.

Lancaster

Matriarch: Lorelei Annette Lancaster

Specialty: Unknown

Quirks[edit | edit source]

Overview[edit | edit source]

- Summarize what's below this point here.

Appearance[edit | edit source]

Granthelians are often short, due to the fact that they were mostly breed with the belief that the shorter you are, the more intelligent you are.

Naming Conventions[edit | edit source]

An example of naming conventions for Granthelians can be found here :[1]

Practices[edit | edit source]

Clothing[edit | edit source]

Granthelians wear Victorian inspired clothing, though it also has inspiration from 20th century america. Newsboy caps are seen as a fashion to the common man, along with suspenders. To Highborn, clothing is more along the lines of dresses and extravagant suits.

Food[edit | edit source]

Tea is seen as a commodity to Granthelians. It's often used to smooth meetings and pass the time.

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Marriage is an extravagant version of a typical marriage. During the ritual they must both drink from a chalice, which is said to tie them together in the Astral Planes through arcane essence. The ceremony goes as the following:

"We take this time to recognize the sacred bond between two wandering souls bound to Aevonhold, to forever leave their mark on this world.We also recognize the symbol and tradition of the Ceremonial Chalice, binding these two souls to the worlds essence. As you both drink down the ceremonial magefire, the world accepts your passing through the very essence of the world.Your time in this realm is eternal as you ensure your name be scribed into the very halls of existence, may the generations that succeed you be blessed with the gift.

(Bride/Groom) do you take(Groom/Bride), to be your (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

(They say, "I do." Repeat to both Bride and Groom)

(The groom prepares the ring)

Groom: "I (name) give you (name) this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."

Drink from this chalice, the mark of your newly wedded days.

*They drink the chalice*

(Final speech of choosing by the chaplain)

I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now share your first kiss as a married couple."

Homosexuality is considered strange to Granthelians, but the marriage is not prevented as it is seen as a human luxury to sleep with whom you wish. Homosexual marriage is allowed, but due to the nature of it families often encourage making a bastard whom they may legitimize later on.

Slavery[edit | edit source]

Slavery is illegal in Granthel, but it is also a complicated subject, as the Highborn often hold servants who are unpaid and often are threatened if they wish to leave. Mostly, it is given the blind eye, but if they are met with proof and are given no choice, slavers are met with the death penalty. However, the slums hold many slaves, but due to the mass population and the lack of care for the ones so far our in the city, it's often ignored.

Education[edit | edit source]

Education is only officially granted to wealthy families or those found with the gift. After one of those two conditions are met, they may attend a the official academy. Some other private academies are held, but none are viewed as prestigious.

Magic[edit | edit source]

- How different types of magic are viewed.

Funerals[edit | edit source]

- How is death viewed? What is done with bodies? How do people react to it?

Roleplay Guideline[edit | edit source]

  • Lighter hair colors
  • Weaker constitution
  • 4'10 - 5'6
  • Live to 60 - 70 years