The
Unknown Lands
Cordaire
| Dalton | Monadh-Frith
| Nuall | Solange
| Telford
The
Unknown Land surrounding Cordaire are controlled by five ruling
houses. Each house builds its wealth from their major resource,
trading to areas which are lacking. Apart they are weak and
vulnerable, but together they form a formidable force.
One hundred and eighty years past, the five houses banded
together to overthrow their King and place one their number
upon the throne. Trade stopped as the lands fell into war.
Hunger and disease became rampant and all progress ceased.
It was the House Siosal of Telford who turned against the
cause and aided the King in ending the insurrection.
With
supplies of iron cut off and diverted to Cordaire, the remaining
houses turned on Telford, allowing the King to muster his
forces attack from the rear. The battle was long and bloody,
lasting several years, but in the end King Morven was victorious.
The
leaders of each house were taken hostage and forced to again
swear fidelity to the Throne. They were returned to their
lands, but were now bound by the Jurandum of Obsidis. Forevermore
they were to send their first born to Cordaire as ransom to
ensure that never again they raised arms against their ruling
state. The five children would be raised by the royal family,
but never would they be permitted to return to their home
until death elevated them to their ruling seat.
To
this day, Jurandum of Obsidis is still practiced, though somewhat
more lax. The children are permitted to travel, though always
they must reside within Cor Cathair, and always they must
serve the King and his family, but there has been rumour that
two of the houses have once again turned their eyes upon Cordaire’s
throne.
Of
the five ruling houses Dalton is the oldest. Those who first
came to Cordaire found the lands to the south rich and fertile.
Five families were the first to settle, establishing a colony
that quickly spread to the outlying lands.
Innis
Ennes was the first to establish a seat among the five families,
and it was Innis who sent representative from each forth to
seek the ends of the land. They were told to cultivate the
lands they found and establish four more seats.
Owen
Mochrie set out north with Baine Siosal and together they
established House Mochrie and House Siosal in Nuall and Telford.
Ardal Losce and Aine Athol set out northwest and established
House Losce and House Athol in Monadh-Frith and Solange. Trade
was strong between the five lands and over the years they
grew apart and each developed their own culture.
Cordaire
Cordaire
is the ruling power over the five ruling houses. It was established
by each of the Unknown Lands as a governing body to help maintain
peace.
Dalton
– House Ennes
The
oldest of the lands, the Dalnese people are a mixture of all
races, with brown hair and brown eyes being most predominant
with the features of the other four houses apparent. Here
the lands low and the climate mild, so the people are often
dark in complexion. The people are sturdy and hale from working
the soil. The low flat lands allow for grain to be their main
staple, though they also grow all varieties of produce.
The
people are botanists, and there is little they don’t
know about the various forms of plant life that grow across
Cordaire. They are lovers of life and all things that grow.
It is rumoured that they have even created new genera of plants,
and that they are carefully guarded for their healing and
mystical properties.
Established
by Innis Ennes, House Ennes holds the seat of power for Dalton.
They are known for their level-headedness and reason, and
are often turned to for their support in settling disputes
between the other houses. House Ennes has strong ties with
each of the four houses as well as the royal family in Cor
Cathair.
Nuall
– House Mochrie
The
Nuae also live on low, climate lands though they have cultivated
their skills in the area of raising all manner of livestock.
Their horses are sought after far and wide, having bred them
for speed, strength and intelligence.
The
Nuae are known for their fiery red hair, green eyes and peppering
of freckles. They have been called layabouts by the other
houses and are seen as being indolent and lazy. They are lovers
of music and art and indulge in all things beautiful. They
are a peaceful people who rely on the neighbouring lands for
protection. They are followers, not leaders.
Because
of their beauty and love of art, many bards come from Nuall.
Their voices are second to none, so they are sought after
by the wealthy to entertain. As a result, can be very manipulative
and hoard the secrets they gather. Nuae make excellent spies
and assassins.
Established
by Owen Mochrie, House Mochrie holds the seat of power for
Nuall and has strong ties with House Siosal.
Monadh-Frith
– House Losce
The
Frithi provide lumber for all of Cordaire, especially to Telford
and Solange whose harsh environment allows for little growth.
They are a small people, not reaching much past five feet
in height. They are willowy and thin with fine hair and light
coloured eyes. They have built entire cities within the trees’
canopy using a series of ropes walkways to join them together.
The
Frithi are rarely seen out of their lands and indeed are rarely
seen even in their lands, often remaining within the treetops
and shunning strangers. They have been called cowardly in
battle for they prefer to attack and flee instead of making
direct attacks. They use mainly bows and slings. It is rumoured
that they possess strong earth magic and are able to communicate
with the trees.
Established
by Ardal Losce, House Losce holds the seat of power for Monadh-Frith
and has strong ties with House Athol.
Solange
– House Athol
Gold
and gems are the livelihood of the Solnese people. They love
all things that glitter and have been known to hoard their
wealth. It is said they are able to see in the dark and speak
to the stones themselves. To offset the dreary life they live
in the mountains, they dress in bright, merry colours. Solnese
enjoy celebrations and have a holiday for every event. They
can drink most people under the table with little effort.
They are of average build with black hair and jewel-like eyes.
Like Telfordines, they are extremely pale as they rarely dwell
outside their mountain home.
Established
by Aine Athol, House Athol has strong ties with both House
Siosal and House Losce.
Telford
– House Siosal
Telford
is the wealthiest of the five houses, for iron is the true
commodity of Cordaire. Their men are strong and heavily built,
while their women are said to be delicate and frail. They
are fair-haired and blue-eyed despite the difficult climate,
and have pale complexions due to living within their mountain
homes.
It
is said that they have built cities that extend far into the
mountains, though no outsider has been permitted to see these
cities. The majority of their steddings are build at the base
of the mountains with smaller way-stations set along the mountain
paths to aid travellers in their journey. Guides are provided,
for the mountain paths are harsh and difficult with snow and
wind that can quickly disorientate a traveller from his path.
Though
it is common to see the men, the woman are kept out of sight
and protected fiercely. Their beauty is said to be second
to none, though rarely are they seen and even then their faces
are concealed.
Established
by Baine Siosal, House Siosal has strong ties with both House
Mochrie and House Athol.
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