dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42 
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Dec 5, 2015 2:21:12 GMT
One of the things that I've been really enjoying in Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire is how well fleshed out their nobility and heraldry are. Beyond the central kingdoms and houses (Stark and Tully and Baratheon etc.), there are dozens if not hundreds of lesser lords, each with their own history, role and heraldry. In my current campaign, I'm running a variation of the Kingmaker adventure path published by Paizo. I'd like to have numerous rival kingdoms to fill out my world. So I thought that it would be a fun exercise to open that job up to everyone in the forum- let's make Knowledge: Nobility a truly interesting skill! Here's the format I was imagining:
-The House's name
-Their current ruler
-Their disposition (proud, poor, noble, haughty, worthless)
-A fact about their history
-A secret of their house
-A strength, be it a powerful item, strong keep or pile of gold
-Heraldry!
(Note to the Mods- if this thread would have a better home elsewhere, please feel free to move it)
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dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Dec 5, 2015 2:31:24 GMT
An example would be:
House Tirfen
Olof Tirfen
Proud and cunning
Their line is so old that it reaches back beyond a time any can remember.
The length of their line, however, is due vampirism- a cabal of four vampires have been taking turns ruling the house for over a thousand years, so that no one catches onto them. Their rule is not really evil, but it is devious and detached from mortal morality.
Their lands are ruled from a castle occupying a popular pass between other, larger lords. The money brought in by taxing this pass has left the Tirfens very wealthy.
Their banner is a golden castle between two grey triangles representing the mountain pass.
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Post by cowboycentaur on Dec 7, 2015 13:09:18 GMT
Don't have another house to add, but the movie dark shadows definitely comes to mind.
I suppose the show too, but I've never seen that part of the franchise, lol. Only the depp film.
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Post by joatmoniac on Dec 7, 2015 19:36:34 GMT
House Bettidimar
Waldulf Bettidimar
Powerful but complacent
Only recently taken power after an advance in technology that set them apart
The inventor is dead and a successor was not trained
The log books and notes of the inventor are kept under constant lock and key, so no one can potentially decipher the secrets in the mad scribblings
The banner is white with an image of the technology in silver prominently displayed
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lorenzo
Commoner
DM/Player
Posts: 2
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Post by lorenzo on Dec 7, 2015 20:10:09 GMT
Hello I'm doing sort of the same thing for my campaign. I'm making a lot of house for my world so here's one of them. Maybe we can bounce some ideas of each other! My players are starting as a mid class family that just gained renown to make there house.
House Sunwolf
Alexander Sunwolf
Powerful Warlords
They were once the defenders of a magical forest but now the forest is long gone.
One of the old leaders of the house made a pact/deal with the fairy king that his house will come to the call of the fairy king in need in the future for lost magic knowledge about powerful animals. (the fairy king has yet to collect in the favour)
They have the best animal trainers/beastmasters, they ride on dire wolfs.
The banner is green with a golden wolf head.
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Samuel Wise
Demigod
Ready to Help...
Posts: 989
Favorite D&D Class: Warlock
Favorite D&D Race: Mousefolk
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Post by Samuel Wise on Dec 8, 2015 6:36:35 GMT
I suppose the show too, but I've never seen that part of the franchise, lol. Only the depp film. Then you have only seen the bad one  . House Name: House Gerald Current Ruler: Gerald A. Pinkerton V Disposition: Arrogant, Haughty. A fact about their house: Gerald Pinkerton Sr. was an insanely arrogant man and, after he became rich and rose to prominance, named his house after his first name... Not his last. The Pinkerton family began calling the heirs to the house "Gerald" just so they could inherit it. Secret: If I told you... it wouldn't be a secret. Strength: They are rich, which is considered amazing since the family 1. Isn't smart 2. Isn't sociable or 3. Aren't very good liars. Heraldry: N/A |
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Post by DM_Starhelm on Dec 9, 2015 7:18:20 GMT
Name - House Taravino
Ruler - Duke Aram Taravino, an elderly but fit human male, excellent swordsman and sailor, has two sons and one daughter, as well as two younger twin brothers who advise him and command the army and navy respectively.
House traits - Wealthy, Benevolent
History - House Taravino has been the dynastic rulers of a group of tropical islands for many generations.Technically they are subordinate to a king on the mainland, but in actuality they pay minimal taxes and protect the king's naval interests, and in exchange operate with a high level of autonomy. Port Taravino is the base of their power and a huge center of sea trade, exporting mostly spices, a special alcohol known as Ghostblood Rum (which is distilled from a rare type of sugarcane grown locally in inherently magical soil), and beautiful works of art and craftsmanship from the city's artisans. The Duke is a benevolent ruler who devotes much time and resources to caring for the poor of his city, who subsequently have a relatively good life compared to the poor in other large cities. He's been waging a war on both the criminal organizations in his city and the pirates who menace the surrounding seas.
Secret - the Duke's beloved daughter Rosari mysteriously went missing over a year ago, and while there is a reward posted for her safe return, what nobody but his Special Forces knows is that she's actually become a ruthlessly successful pirate captain.
Strength - the military forces of the Taravino family are extremely formidable, especially their navy. They are highly disciplined and extraordinarily loyal. Also,they are obscenely wealthy thanks to their firm control over the sea trade of the kingdom.
Heraldry- Crimson Dragon Turtle and deep blue waves over an emerald background
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