Major Houses of Rove

The Kingdom of Rove

Rove was formally established roughly 200 years ago by House Rothwell with assistance from House Balam. The territory consisted of open lands, forests, and abandoned elven ruins available for settlement and development.

Major Houses of Rove

House Rothwell

The dominant Major House rose to prominence through military strength, siege weaponry, mercenary forces, and alliances with Dwarven powers. The capital, Maraud, operates continuously with scholars, soldiers, and citizens despite ongoing warfare.

Key Characteristics:

• Operates a prestigious academy teaching magic, diplomacy, weaponry, and crafting
• Led by King Phobus Rothwell, known for ruthlessness and an alleged supernatural presence
• Royal bloodline split into two branches: the ruling Rothwell Family and the Sidero Family (focused on arcane knowledge)

Historical Context: After defeating the elves, Rothwell expanded rapidly across the region for over a century. Their dominance faced a challenge when House Axelma declared war, triggering the ongoing Rovian War that has fractured their previously unshakable authority.

Current Status: Following the war's conclusion, King Rothwell faces weakened authority, protests, and internal rebellion while attempting to maintain control of Crestfall.

House O'Pal

Once a Minor House, O'Pal rose to prominence through control of fertile plains and coastal trade routes, becoming "the nation's foremost traders." Their knights earned renown for oath-keeping, combat skill, and dueling prowess.

Key Characteristics:

• Formal and disciplined in conduct
• Legacy marred by slavery practices
• Led by Lord Huxley, celebrated strategist and duelist
• Supported by Executioner Maud (elite knight commander) and Teller Fredrick (treasurer)

Historical Development: A mysterious death fifty years ago triggered a trade conflict with Axelma, weakening the house for decades. Recovery came through alliance with House Valdis, allowing O'Pal to regain Major House status under Huxley's leadership.

Current Status: Following the O'Pal Commencement, Axelma declared war on the Matriarchy while Balam, along with Lady Aabida and Councilman Ankir's rebels, sided with Axelma and Rothwell.

House Balam

Established through treaty with Rothwell, Balam represents a foreign-born house "rooted in deep tradition, from festivals and exotic culture to unique methods of education." Known for magical expertise and enchanted spear-wielding cavalry.

Governance Structure: Led by a council of veterans, scholars, and nobles rather than a single ruler. Notable figures include Councilman Ankir (border protector) and Lady Aabida (mysterious healer and prophet).

Strategic Role: Originally served as the frontier army, replacing Rothwell in that capacity in exchange for territory. During the Rovian War, they cautiously maintained neutrality while conducting trade with Axelma and contributing cavalry support.

House Valdis

A Minor House founded just twenty years ago by Lord Alastor Valdis, established from resistance fighters and Axelma defectors. The house prioritizes protection over wealth, offering sanctuary to refugees.

Organization: Settlements defended by beasts and loyal followers serve dual purposes as shields and strategic distractions. Leadership includes Captain Dolores Tvora (former Tempest Knight turned scout leader) and Lorekeep Juliza Eryl (half-elven scholar and researcher).

Unique Purpose: Lord Valdis, a first-generation Tempest Knight, founded this house following the betrayal of Gwydion, the previous staff wielder.

House Axelma

Founded nearly ninety years ago by Lady Zinta Axelma, "it was built from wanderers, exiles, and the lost, united under her guidance and the mystical Tempest Staff." The house centers on compassion and protection through the Tempest Knights.

Key Leadership:

• Lady Zinta: Brilliant mage with reality-bending illusions
• Lord Gwydion: Knightly mage who expanded the Tempest Knights before sacrificial death
• Current leader "Tempest" (Ingrad Axelma): Third-generation staff wielder

Holdings: Primary settlement is Tower Village within a fog-shrouded forest. Controls Goldenleaf (formerly Fedele), originally established millennia ago by the Guide of Currents (Nura).

Organizational Structure:

• Sisters of Knowledge: Historians and trainers maintaining generational balance; ranks include Mavens and Quills
• Brothers in Arms: Front-line defenders; ranks include Protectors and Spearheads

Recent History: After initial military success, Axelma faced defeat at the Battle of Cadel when Rothwell and O'Pal united against them. Currently recovered and engaged in conflict with O'Pal's Matriarchy.

House Holt

WIP/No Info yet

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The Guides of Unity

Mythical beings appearing to the lost and wandering, identifiable by "flowing streaks of blue hair like a river." They cannot be sought; they choose whom to aid.

Known Guides:

• The Guide of Unity: The oldest recorded Guide, perceived as a protective figure. Believed to rule Tahiil (Rove's largest home tree) while "Clad in armor and an eye mask—said to hide her divine charm."
• The Guide of Spring: A radiant, optimistic figure whose presence is "said to leave fluttering leaves in their wake"
• The Guide of Resolution: A logical figure appearing to those facing seemingly impossible challenges
• The Guide of Silence: Rarely mentioned, described as a "quiet, glowing presence" offering wordless comfort
• Nura (The Guide of the Currents): A young Guide who rescued and raised a child named Hyria. Sacrificed herself to protect the people.
• Kalrhonda (The Guide of Purpose / The Infant): A mysterious nymph with glowing blue hair. Currently placed within the Tempest Staff by King Rothwell, in forced sleep due to runes surrounding Rove.

Spiritual Entities

ESHA (Spirit of Desire)

"A legendary figure revered across Rove as a chaotic, impartial force said to protect and fulfill true desire." Maintains neutrality in conflicts, granting miracles unpredictably.

Traditions:

• Deliberately altered statues preserve her anonymity
• The Flames of Esha ritual involves casting offerings into fire
• The Eyes of Esha describes feeling her awareness of one's desires

Opposition: House Balam openly rejects Esha as her ideals conflict with their teachings.

SHIVA (Spirit of Passage)

Balam's central deity representing "order and unity," granting resurrection miracles to the faithful and destruction to foes. Communicates through trusted bloodlines rather than direct worship.

Historical Role: Once as widely revered as Esha, guided humanity by defining morality and offering peaceful afterlife promises.

Current Status: Shiva's communication through bloodlines is rumored to be fading.

Tempest Knight Generations

First Generation (25 years): Led by Zinta Axelma, who "sacrificed much to make sure that the world stayed pure wherever they wandered."

Second Generation (30 years): Led by Gwydion, who discovered the Tempest Staff and Village. Ultimately fell protecting the staff.

Third Generation (Currently in 3rd year): Led by the unnamed wielder "Tempest" (Ingrad Axelma). The mentality of "We are Tempest" solidified as he became attached to the staff's mission.

The Tempest Staff

The staff contains Kalrhonda, a Guide placed there by King Rothwell. Currently in forced sleep due to Rothwell's post-Calamity runes.

Axelma Territories

Goldenleaf (Formerly Fedele)

Originally established millennia ago by Nura as a utopian settlement. Attacked by King Rothwell, forced underground. Renamed Goldenleaf by Tempest Knights. Recently liberated after intense siege warfare with Aether and Archmages' assistance.

Discoveries & Research

The Lost Paths

Ancient stone pathways wrapped around tree trunks creating ruined routes marked by large silver gateways. Only accessible to those connected with the land. Decorated with blue glowing butterflies, rune-marked with riddles and hymns. Destroys those attempting to abuse the passages. Guardian: The Guide of Spring.

Geodes

• Breathstone Geode: Found on Forbidden Shores beaches, regulate ambient magic but fracture if overcharged
• Desire-Seam Geode: Layered quartz from Fedele's ruins, store impressions of magical/emotional events
• Emberheart Geode: From deep mantle caverns, generate continuous heat without fuel

Crystals

• Aurivellum (Clear-Gold Crystal): Pre-imperial crystals that amplify intent rather than spell structure
• Lament Glass: Black mirror-smooth crystals that dampen sound and magic, induce melancholy

Ores

• Rothsteel Ore: Dark iron from Rothwell heartlands, exceptional receptivity to imperial sigils
• Whisper-Slate: Dark stone from underdeep fault zones, enhances mental communication

Recent Events

The Death of the Iblis

Midday quakes and a massive explosion around northeast Rove as King Rothwell led forces against the corruption.

Outcomes:

• House Rothwell celebrated the king's victory
• Lord Huxley returned to O'Pal with the Iblis head
• Lady Aabida returned to Balam promising rebellion against the Acliziarchy
• Lord Valdis retreated to the Underdark for Bastien elf settlement
• Axelma's Lord returned to healing pools to recover

O'Pal Commencement Aftermath

Current Conflict: Axelma declared war on O'Pal's Matriarchy while Balam, along with rebel factions, sided with Axelma and Rothwell.