by Flower of Berhof.

Some family histories have legends of dragons, deities and the supernatural running through them, others have legends of great human achievements or suffering. Some include them all.

Notable Family Members

• Princess Alicia Shay, ruler of Porters Bar – in her thirties and has ruled for about eight years.
• Jade Shay - sorcerer (Currently in Croston, Finaroka)

The House of Shay are The House of Destiny, destined to face adversity, but to overcome it through strength of arm, character and faith, and their unique heritage. They trace their ancestry back to the union of a water spirt and a dragon and claim that their family founders still protect their family today. While the founding legend (Note 1) has mythological elements, we know that the founders of Porters Bar came from the Sinon region. However, the later history of Porters Bar, under the leadership of the Shay, is better documented. We know that early settlers had to fight for their land, then faced a civil insurrection led by Lord Roger Banfor, followed a spate of pirate attacks, all under the leadership of House Shay. During this time, the House of Shay took to Ancestor Worship, building a shrine to their family’s founders - and drew on power from their ancestors to hold their town. To this day, the royal family is demarked by training as a priest of the Royal Ancestors – those who attain priestly levels become recognised as ‘royal’ member of members of the household. However, only sorcerers, with either the dragon or aquatic bloodlines, as well as priestly skills are eligible as heirs to the throne.

The Founding of Porters Bar

DM Notes (Sorcerors and divine casters (followers of their ancestors) are common in House Shay, although skill based classes, such as Aristocrat, Bard and even Rogue (with the right archetype) are favoured. Melee classes are rarer)

Jade Shay, (F, 1/2Elf) is a sorceror, who lives in Croston, Finaroka. She is a member of Goldendawn (the original Venture Company who established Croston) and a (distant) cousin to The Governor. She owns property in Croston, and makes her living by enchanting weapons and armour, and making minor wondrous items. She is not considered to be a 'Royal' member of House Shay. (Sorceror-6)

Notable Family Members

• Prince Augustus Briganda is Head of House and an Imperial Prince. He is recognised for his rulership and business acumen.
• Scun Kenyr, a 1/2 orc ranger, descended through the female line.

House Briganda have a long, and chequered, history, and are The Great Survivors, descended from one of the clan that ruled these lands in ancient times. They still use the clan emblem, the Howling Wolf, shown against a full moon, as their Family Symbol. Their lands were dominated by The Wangate Empire, then they were driven from their lands by humanoid tribes and embraced necromancy and lycanthropy in their attempts to drive them out. Then, as the leaders fought amongst themselves, Angasa was taken by Pirates. However the Briganda have survived, first retaking Angasa, now actively trying to reclaim Galinia from the fallen werewolves, necromancers and others of their ilk. The Briganda claim descent from the Wolf Lord, King of the Mountain and Forest but can also claim Jack Butterfly, the great land spirit of Galinia, was once a member of their clan. Prince Augustus Briganda now rules Angasa, once inhabited by the clan, and is a member of The Hann Council.

DM Notes (House Briganda are renowned as battlers and fighters, and many of their members turn to military careers of one sort or another. With the reclamation of Galinia underway and the expansion in Finaroka, many members can be found helping out, either as soldiers or adventurers. However, in recent generations, they have turned their minds to trade, management and administration. Anyone setting up a secure holding, or business, in either place will certainly gain Kudos and status within the clan. While members are primarily human (or half-human) some of them retain shape/skin changing abilities - although this is rarely general knowledge)

Scun, a 1/2 Orc, grew up on Angasa, but never felt like he fitted in, as soon as he was able, he moved across to Galinia, and became a trusted scout in Lady Portia's forces. When the time was right, he volunteered for service in Finaroka, and signed up as a member of the New Dawn Venture Company. He helped establish Croston (Finaroka) owns property there and controls a village on the edge of the island. (Ranger 5)

They have ruled The Strongholds, in an unbroken line of succession, for centuries and are known as The First House, as they were established before any of the others. They descended from an adventurer, named Frederick, who died and was reincarnated as an ogre mage, and there is still a tradition for heirs to the throne to be given the name Frederick after him. After his reincarnation, Frederick continued adventuring as the leader of a small group, before settling down to found The Strongholds, along with some of the other members of his party. House Complex, also of the strongholds, has an equally impressive history, while the rulership of Melange, now passes down through the Prince-Bishops of Melange.

DM Note House Stilan follow Pelor as a deity, although most of their members are Military or Aristocrats. Some younger children might go into the church, although most (and certainly hiers) are discouraged.)

Tyr is one of the younger sons of Richard Corlain, Lord Bayn (Stilan, strongholds) and a distant relative to the King of Stilan. He served his time in the Stilan Military before moving to Finaroka as the Leader of the New Dawn Venture Company. He is now Mayor of Croston, Finaroka. (Ftr-7)

Notable Family Members

• Imperial Lady Portia Briganda-Shay. Sovereign Lady of Galinia.
• Lady Tara Briganda-Shay, Governor of Finaroka.

House Briganda-Shay is new, barely a couple of generations old, but believe that they are the equal of any royal house. Their blood combines that of The House of Destiny (Shay) with that of The Great Survivors (Briganda), and they are already making waves in the world. So far, they have been loyal to both parent houses, and the three houses, together, are becoming a significant force in Imperial Politics. The Briganda-Shay uses a Howling Wolf, set in the traditional Shay (arched) cartouche with a blue background, as their family symbol. History has driven them to try and reclaim Galinia, as the family homeland, the project is developing well, and Lady Portia has managed to claim Imperial Lady status in the Hann Council. So far, they have been loyal to both parent houses, and the three houses, together, are becoming a significant force in Imperial Politics. Recently, the three families have brought a controlling interest The Finaroka Company, with a view to developing the colony.

DM Note (House Briganda-Shay are fast becoming a house of many skills and no one character class (or group of classes) dominate the house. Those with talent get the training that suits them best - and there is plenty of opportunity to practice those skills in Galinia and Finaroka. Through the Briganda bloodline, some members retain some sort of Shape/Skin changing abilities, although this is often minor and not well advertised)

Imperial Lady Portia Briganda-Shay – is recognised a member of both Royal Houses, and is the senior member of the Briganda-Shay family. She was brought up in Angasa and Galinia, before spending time in Porter’s Bar solidifying her position within the Shay family. She studied magic at the University at Twabeck in Stilan, before completing her studies with shorter visits to the universities in The Tannery League and Bime. Moving back to Galinia, at the age of 24, she took control of the reconquest. Twenty-five years later, she is finally seeing some results (Cleric1/Wizard 10). In the earliest days, she fought and explored alongside her guards and scouts – and she gained the respect of all who met her. Now she fights politically for the rights of her burgeoning state.

Lady Tara Briganda-Shay, is Lady Portia’s niece (although they call themselves Cousins) and is seen as heir to the throne of Galinia, and like her cousin, she is recognised as a member of the Royal Houses of Shay and Briganda. However, her bloodline is, perhaps, even more impressive, as her mother is a distant relative of the King of Stilan. Not close enough to be considered royal, but certainly part of that heritage. Lady Tara grew up in Angasa, and visited Porter’s Bar to meet the Shay side of her family, before travelling widely. Her travels included a year studying at the Jekleal College of Performing Arts (where she met Lord Ramsin) before helping with the ‘clearances’ in Galinia. Lady Tara is in her late twenties but has been appointed as Governor of Finaroka. While that may seem young for the post, she has a knack of talking people round and making small compromises, when she needs to get things done. (Bard 4, Adept 1)

Before The Empire, before Wangate, before modern history - the northern coasts of the Hann sea were populated by a simple nature loving people, known as The Hann. They organised themselves into family groups, as these got larger sub-groups formed, going their own way, claiming their own land - but still part of the greater Hann family. The Clan system was born. Most clans faded and were subsumed into modern nations and states, although five have survived, into this modern age, and some are still recognised by the Hann Council. There are five recognised Clans, a hangover from earlier times, all of whom claim Ancient Nature Spirits as ancestors. However, most scholars believe this comes from an ancient ceremony where Clan Leaders were inaugurated by a symbolic marriage to the land. Three of them, The Marisi, Treverii and Pagini have a clan seat on the Hann Council, the other two are represented in different ways. Most of the time, these Ancient Lords follow the lead on House Briganda.

Clan family members are generally human or half-human.

The Raven Herald of Hann, Oliver Green-Barrell, a long-lived Arch-Druid, is a descendent of the Barrelli family from Western Hann. Records show that Lord Oliver has been in-post for at least two centuries, however, the rest of the clan had disappeared as a political unit. The Barrelli claim the Crow as their family spirit, it is associated with battlefields and seen as an omen of change.

Grew to become a sovereign House, under the modern system, and is documented earlier. Prince Augustus Briganda of Angasa, Lady Portia Briganda-Shay and Lady Tara Briganda-Shay are prominent members. They use the Howling Wolf as their House symbol and claim descent from the Wolf Lord, King of the Mountain and Forest. Many people mutter about werewolves, skin walkers and bugbears - but they are still seen as the leaders of the Ancient Families.

DM Note (While clan members are basically human (or half human) there are still skin changers, of one sort or another, within the clan. Like most other Ancient Families they train their children well, with a majority getting some sort of Melee skills (Warrior, Fighter etc) however, they are more broad-minded and try to find classes and skills that suit the individual - so just about any class (PC or NPC) is possible.)

Were always a coastal people, who turned their attention to the sea and established themselves as a Merchant House, when the clans fell. Their main offices and docks are in Angasa, although they trade all along the west coast of The Hann Sea. They claim descent from a sea spirit and use a Dolphin to represent both their clan and their trade house.

DM Note (The Marisi tend to look after each other, and children are always trained well, as such there are few commoners and almost every clan member will have ranks in Prof:Sailor. Maritime related traits and feats are common, and clan members have a good chance of progressing to PC classes - although generally with some maritime related archetype)

Still occupy most of their original holdings, Lower Smokey, which is now a province of Sybarite. They use the Hawk, a messenger of the old gods, as their Clan Symbol, Nowadays, they seem content to stay at home and aren’t particularly interested in world politics.

The Mountain Badgers, are renowned for their determination and endurance, and their love of the mountains. They don’t have a homeland or business empire, but they maintain tenuous lines of contact between the small groups of Treverii that can be found in mountainous villages across the Hann Empire, and beyond. They often serve as guards, scouts, hunters, guides, Sherpas and other similar, mountain related, roles, and get on particularly well with Dwarves.

DM Notes (Most members of the clan have Mountain related Traits or feats, such as Mountain Guide or Mountaineer. Most groups will be led by a ranger and may well have a rogue (scout) among their members, more are warriors or experts with hunting, survival and stealth skills. Shortbows and light crossbows are favoured weapons, often accompanied by light one-handed weapons. There are few commoners, as skills are passed down from Parent to child)

Some families have claimed their place in society, without becoming involved in Imperial Politics. They may have legends of powerful ancestors in their family history, but these are often played down, and rather than claiming ownership of land, they have content themselves with their family’s core skills.

Most people have heard of House Caratan, The House of Wizards. While there are other wizards, and other wizarding houses, none have the reputation and heritage enjoyed by House Caratan. Generations of mages have spread across the empire, supplying magical services to leaders and magical devices to those who can afford them, and securing their place in the world. Many leaders in Hann, have a member of House Caratan somewhere in their council or administration.

DM Note (This family has a strong affinity with learned arcane magic, and there are many Wizards and Magi among their members. Even family members with other classes might have a minor arcane talent, while others will be scribes, librarians, administrators and librarians)