The Major Families

This gives a brief description of the seventeen major families of Otkorion.

Family Au Fragraa

10,900 members

A Farmer Family, their power base is in the inner towns, fields and villages as opposed to the cities. The Au Fragraa family has monopolised the agricultural control of Otkorion, having long since destroyed the two Families that opposed it over 150 years ago through assassination, urban warfare and aggressive trading techniques. The only other Family to pose any challenge to their control is the Penhalagon family. The Family is responsible for well over half of the food crops produced in Otkorion, and are so vital they could blackmail anyone in Otkorion - fortunately they are in such a comfortable position this prospect seems unlikely. Instead it wishes to consolidate its power base. If the Family was to falter, fail or fall all Otkorion would suffer.

Family Bemurok

4,400 members

Family Birògel

22,400 members

This is the Stickpicker Family, a term once used as an insult but which now carries no venom for the successful Birògel family.

They moved to Otkorion during the Reclaimation and brought with them their great tutelary spirit Thoyrarthralia, how was - and still is - the source of their power. Thoyrarthralia is a fertility spirit, the Wombinder, who can bring new life to the infertile, many children to any mother, the strength of dragons to any male child and the womb of a daughter of fertility herself to any female.

At first they were not too notable. They settled well, but trolls and broo plagued them. Their high birth rate helped, but they barely managed to subsist in the harsh highland environment. In 1332 ST Brian Birògel took over the Family. He was a fine King and wielded a blade of steel taken from his dead father's grasp. Brian and his Iron Ring travelled to the Realm of the Gods, and returned with three spirits, shackled in iron. One was an Earth spirit who could give life to the land, another was a Shadow spirit who could make the winter chill go away, and the last was a Sun spirit who could shine life into the fields.

With the power to give birth to a great many children, and the food with which to feed them, the Birògel became increasingly larger. They were also, generally, very strong and these combined factors meant that many became Stickpickers. Such a large number of people meant there was little other option than to be relegated to this occupation. But, no workman was better than a Birògel workman.

Nowadays they maintain power for two reasons. Firstly, they still have access to their spirits so all Birògel eat well and have many children, meaning their size alone gives them power. When war is waged the sheer size of Birògel forces can easily be overwhelming. Secondly, they maintain a strong workforce, many people such as minor families and the Church rely upon the Birògel family to supply workhands. The family is also known to sell secrets, seemingly gathered by the stickpickers from overheard conversations.

Currently the Birògel family are petitioning Surantyr to invade Lalia so they can gain control of more land to expand into.

Family Bov Rua

10,500 members

The Bov Rua were as minor Family line until 1546 ST when Abhar Delinn received their aid and had King Leoban II grant them power and prestige in southern Otkorion. They were given land grants to land owned by foreigners, and had to fight to claim it. After a war with the county of Belstos they made many settlements with the Duke of the county. The new Family Head agreed to sell back the lands at the price of one sheep's foot. The Duke of Belstos was happy at receiving his land, and the Bov Rua had avoided further losses and retained their honour. They have since had healthy relations with the county. They became known for their wisdom.

The Family became a major family when the Henotheistic Church was formed. They earned Surantyr's support by subjugating those who tried to go against the formation of the new Church. The Family values its connections to the county of Belstos and it is rumoured that they are connected to the Boristi Register. They are most well known for attending to the day-to-day running of Tempest Halls.

Family Brodie

10,200 members

The Family Brodie are mainly a southern Otkorioni family, renowned for breeding good warriors. The Brodie alone sponsor two mercenary groups, and were partly responsible for the building of Umathil and Humakt fort on the borders of Tinaros. The Brodie Family often make raids into Lankst, and sometimes further afield into Naskorion. No Brodie warrior is a true Brodie until they have participated in such a raid.

The Brodie Family are necessary for the survival of the Church Militant, they are responsible both for funding, the running and a large portion of the army recruits. Their Family Hero Cult is also very important to the Family.

The Family Brodie was a Family in trouble a few decades ago. The troubles they faced were dually a lack of employment and a pogrom started by the Deltaeth to cleanse the Brodie of Thanatari Heretics. As the Inquisition supported the purge, the Brodie were forced to support and even help in the decimation of their own family members. Because of their declining power base, the Brodie were forced to ally themselves with the Penhalagon Family who were suffering their own problems of Mallian uprisings and Uz raids. In return for monetary and economical aid, the Brodie aided the Penhalagon Family with military support.

Family Cearbhaill

12,300 members

This small family lived near Valantia when the God Learners and Uz made the Valantians flee north. Many remained to aid the Humathi, but by the time their Family returned during the Great Plague Rush, they had dissolved their blood ties.

The Cearbhaill settled far more south than other Families did, closer to their previous home. They fell into an uneasy alliance with the Galvosti, but as the Orlanthi reclaimed more of Otkorion the Cearbhaill became more ambitious and spearheaded numerous offensives against the Galvosti and Rokari. Foreigners hated the Cearbhaill more so than other Otkorioni for this act of betrayal. They led the Sack of Valantia, and through this earned many rights to territory in and around Valantia. They have, on occasion, tried to claim power from the Finnshad Family, to no avail.

The Cearbhaill maintain their power by owning lots of land, selling stolen Galvosti secrets and their knowledge of many tactics and magical abilities that can be used against Galvosti and Rokari. Their Iron Ring is secretive and has acquired so many enemies that they must meet in private conferences.

Family Deltaeth

11,000 members

The Deltaeth came to Otkorion during the Great Plague Rush, alongside the Rawson and Deokirk Families. They, like so many others, eeked out an existence around Fiesive. They settled in the western portions of the Scanthil Forest, and honoured the Earth gods for protection from the powers that hid within.

With the ever growing popularity of sorcery, and the introduction of new philosophies and religions by the Stygian Church of Josrtland, many of the Deltaeth took to the worship of Arkat. The Deltaeth took control of an ancient Arkati holy site, left by the Arkati Monks of Fiesive (whom the Deltaeth notably did not get on well with). This location is known as Arkamalathan, and is centre of activity for the Deltaeth family although it is also very secretive. It was in 1407 ST, when their previous tula was sacked by angry Mostali, that the Deltaeth made Arkamalathan the base of their Family Lands. To this day, only Deltaeth who have proven their loyalty to the Family may travel here. All other meetings and such are carried out on the tula in Fiesive.

It is known that the Deltaeth do have some form of Arkati cult that is very secretive and open only to handpicked Deltaeth family members. Such members openly display the sign of the cult, a symbol of Arkat atop a giant raven. By the by, you would never know such a person had Arkati inclinations, they neither preach, nor display fanaticism towards a particular cause. However, those that watch the Deltaeth closely know they conduct bizarre rituals and ensure a family presence in places where none is warranted.

The Deltaeth have a grip on the political life of both cities, and long forged connections between themselves and other families, giving them a hoard of boons to call upon, has probably given them this status. They have a lot of collateral collected over the years, and their business dealings are consistently successful, attributed to inside sources around the Felster Lake. With the rise of Henotheism, the Deltaeth managed to ensure that it is their family who collected tithes and taxes from the people, of which they get a fair share.

They supported the introduction of St. Urox into Otkorion, Secretly, they knew that the Jalmari would come as well. The Deltaeth seek to destroy the Arkalemsyre without showing that they know of their existence. Bringing the Jalmari into the land ensured the Deltaeth that the Arkalemsyre would have a foe to face.

Family Deokirk

14,300 members

Along with the Rawson and Deltaeth Families, the Deokirk Family were the first to move into Otkorion en masse. They have been in a prominent position ever since, and are a power behind the Fiesive and Valantia throne much as the Rawson and Deokirk are.

Currently their political aims appear to subjugate the Lalian tribes as slaves - as such they have more thralls than any other Family, mainly taken from the primitive Lalian tribes. They are also heavily involved in legal legislation, having more Lawspeakers than any other Family, and everyone knows that a Deokirk Lawspeaker is the best you can find. They monopolise the import and export of silk and other textiles throughout Otkorion. Over the years they have made many attempts on both the Rolymer and Finnshad for control over the cities. They have settled such feuds, with the Family Finnshad at any rate, and heartily support the Valantian royalty.

The Deokirk Family sponsor the annual Deokirk Tournament held at the private retreat of the Family Head. This weekend of jolly happiness makes the family seem quite amiable to others in Otkorion.

Family Finnshad

9,500 members

A strain of the now defunct Kastel Family of East Ralios, long since interbred with Safelstran stock. They became popular with the locals for they had useful fishing magics. They managed to earn the favour of the Humakti of Valantia when their champion Liam Finnshad was consistently successful in arena fighting. In the contest of the control of Valantia the locals used HeroQuesting support to ensure the Family won. The Family Finnshad have ever since consolidated their power base, and although attempts have been made upon it, they retain it still.

Family Halifar

12,500 members

The most recent addition to the ranks of the Seventeen. Raised to power through the intercession of the Red Circle of Fiesive, on the urging of the archmagi Noron Halifar, they have no become a powerful force. Their influence over the Wizard Caste, mainly through coercion, is immense. Over the last twenty years the Halifar Family now occupies many important ecclesiastical positions. The Halifar The Halifar imports a large amount of texts and books into Otkorion, and have filled Fiesives library. They have also started to make a monopoly on the St. Lhankor Mhy cartography trade. One member, Soloth Halifar, has made a partial map of the Heroplane.

Family Kirwan

12,100 members

The Family Kirwan traces it's lineage back to the Silver Age Sons of St. Orlanth. For centuries after its wane of power, when the Bright Empire demolished the Family during the Gbaji wars, it managed to gain support by using this heritage to gain favours. With the fall of the Jorstlandi Kingdom the Kirwan Family risked itself by midnight raiding upon Jorstlandi outposts. They gained several powerful artifacts that now remain in the Kirwan treasury in the hometown of Kirnath. Balifies the Hammer, realising that Orlanthi tenacity may make it difficult for him to reclaim the items (intact, at any rate) paid the Family for their use against Guhani Uz. The money they earned during this time allowed them to regain their lost power, and they are now an important Otkorioni power bloc. They appear in both city courts and have no well known enemies. Because they have so much liquid cash, the Kirwan Goldentongue moneylenders often make a tidy profit lending money to minor families.

Family Mac Erc

12,400 members

One of the northern Otkorion power blocs. Mac Erc maintains its importance through trade with Lankst, and its importance to the Church as a source of missionaries. Stability serves Mac Erc needs.

Mac Erc is well liked by the Lanksti, allowing easy bartering and trade, and the people are more hospitable to Mac Erc missionaries. The reason for this is that the Mac Erc family still maintains numerous old traditions, and - much to the Church's general dismay - is the source of the most Involvists (worshippers of Goriant who can walk the Razor Dance and jointly worship both the Invisible God and the pagan gods). The Archbishop seems not to mind too much, however, and has many Hedkoranthi and Elmali bodyguards from the Mac Erc Family.

Mac Erc migrated from Lankst alongside the Brankist Family whose lands they lived in. They have retained their pagan relations, and are well known to have supported the creation of the Raped Whores and support the move to make Elmal a Saint. Worshippers of Bemurok and Hippoi are well known in the Farmer Caste of Mac Erc, and the Mac Erc family can breed the best horses in the land because of some of the pagan links. The Family Mac Erc also retain the ancient rituals to give them Hero Powers. About two thousand Mac Erc participate in ceremonies at Lofak's Point to gain special horse powers.

Family Marrghan

4,000 members

The Family Marrghan are one of the more mysterious, mystical and secretive families within Otkorion. According to their own sources they were a proud family who valiantly resisted the Vampire Kings of Tanisor during the First Age. They were all cursed by a Vivamorti Hero, a curse that has remained ever since. All members are pale skinned, abhor daylight (extended exposure gives them stabbing headaches) and are fully carnivorous - unable to eat anything but uncooked meat. There have, many times, been purges against them , but they have managed to survive.

Today they are secretive and not often seen. Most of their Family live in southern mid-Otkorion in Balmoar, a walled town only open to family members and esteemed guests. It supports about 1,500 inhabitants, although the Family Head - Kenwin Marrghan - lives on the small tula in Fiesive with a few hundred others.

Because of the Families aversion to light, the Family has no Farmer Caste, but supports a healthy Wizard Caste. Their Warriors are dedicated vampire-killers, but are rarely seen. Because of their weaknesses, their Family Guard is made up of members of other Families! The Lords of the Family are known to engage in dealings with the Church to support them mystically in rituals and ceremonies. The details are, however, unknown. The Rawson and Rolymer Family have their connections with the Marrghan, and have long since protected the Family from the persecution it has suffered through the Ages.

Family Penhalagon

12,300 members

Generally regarded as the only Family that can compete against the Au Fragraa as an agricultural power. The Penhalagon Family were long ago asked to move into mid-Otkorion by the Rawson and Rolymer Families to take control and cultivate the land there. It also served the purpose of assimilating the Valantian populace and river towns into their way of life.

The Family was successful, at first, but soon war broke out against the Au Fragraa Family. They suffered at the hands of the Au Fragraa, and it was only the recent intercession of the Henotheistic Church that saved them. Beyond that, however, they have suffered the further misfortunes of Mallians, Telmori raids and Uz attacks. They have had more than their fair share of misfortune, and it was only an alliance with the Family Brodie that is keeping them in power.

Family Phraman

11,000 members

The Family Phraman are famed weaponsmiths. Of course, mere craftsmanship does not make a Family powerful or influential, it was through political manoeuvrings in the early part of the Third Age that made the Phraman strong. They made weapons and freely distributed them during the Reclaimation, making many powerful allies in the first years of the migration from Lankst to Otkorion. The Jorstlandi had them make over a tenth of all of their weapons, and recompensed them well for their work.

In 1523 ST the Family Omar, who owned bronze mines and dealing rights with the Mostali, were brutally massacred by troll attacks. After some minor skirmishes with trolls, the Phraman moved in and took over the mines, and ever since have controlled their own natural resources.

Nowadays, the Phraman continue to make, sell and export their well-crafted weapons. Whilst this makes them famous, most of their revenue comes from mining natural ore and dealing goods with the Mostali. Ancient alliances from the time of the Reclaimation mean the Phraman can always expect strong support from the Families Cearbhaill, Deokirk and Deltaeth. Other families rely on the Phraman for their metal, which gives the Phraman a lot of power. When disputes arise, the Phraman can make prices rise sharply and place embargoes on their exports to ensure they get their own way. This, however, has not made them amiable to other Families.

Family Rawson

10,300 members

One of the earliest families to move into Otkorion was the Rawson Family. They have many famous names in their lineage including the Hero Abhar Delinn. They were one of the first families to turn to using sorcery, and their friendship with the Rolymer family has meant sweet-tasting success for the Rawson Family in northern Otkorion.

The Rawson Family, like the Deokirk and Deltaeth, stay in power because they breed cunning politicians. They eagerly supported Surantyr and the Conference of Henotheism, and helped build the Stormwalk and Tempest Halls, pulling the strings so that Rawson Family members control a large number of temples along the Stormwalk. The Rawson Family owns a lot of land, more than they can use, aggressively defending it and renting it out to other families on long term loans.

Family Rolymer

13,100 members

They inherited power from the Brankist Family in the Turral Wars. With simple political manoeuvring in the wake of the war, they became rulers of Fiesive and have since defended it to the hilt. They are the power bloc of Fiesive, and are currently indisputably the rulers of northern Otkorion. Everyone except the Families Rawson, Mac Erc and Marrghan have something to gain by Rolymer losses.