Wolfshaunt

Wolfshaunt

Founded	early SA
Size	Major Kingdom
Ruler	Grandfather Josiah

The Wolfshaunt is smallest nation-state in the Realm.

Located in a high mountain valley surrounded by impassable peaks, the Wolfshaunt is a land filled with shadows, terror, and legend. The inhabitants of the Wolfshaunt live under the harshest of conditions. Constant rains and mists allow for rudimentary farming in the rocky soil found in the valleys of this land. Few valuable natural resources in the area and a remote location kept the Wolfshaunt relatively unpopulated during the First and Second Ages.

In 902 TA during a Crown-sponsored exploration of the Forbidden Library in Sandal, thirteen werewolves from the Wolfshaunt were released including Wycliffe, the Nephew of Grandfather Josiah. The following year, in 903 TA, a group of adventurers ventured into the Wolfshaunt opening a cryptex that had long bound the inhabitants to their mountain prison. In 906 TA, a large purple tendril appeared coming over the Wolfshaunt Mountains into the Reaches. Since that time, the number of wolves and strange gothic folk has increased dramatically in the Eastern Reaches.

Legend: The Hunger

When men first crawled out of the caves they had been hiding in at the dawn of the Second Age, those with the Hunger were already among them. Their numbers were small, but their survival depended on being unseen - hidden within the community - trusted by all - their secret safe.

And so, the Bonding began. It started with the forging of the Grandfathers Rings - for that was the term that was used for the oldest and wisest among those with the Hunger. The goal was simple - to control the youngest and most impetuous until they could learn the wisdom of walking unnoticed among the men of the Realm. At that time, they would be released from the Bond. They, too, could become Grandfathers in time.

The powers of the rings were crafted so that a wearer was immune to all except the wearer of another Grandfathers Ring. A balance in the power of immortality and control. Twin rings were always crafted with one capable of being broken down for distribution among the Bonded.

But for some control became, in itself, an obsession. The Grandfathers did not want to give up their power. And so a new set of rings were made - the Uncles rings. Like their predecessors, these rings were made of intertwined bands of silver. Identical bands were given to those who were to be Bonded. No power in the Realm could break the Bond. And while some were released, many others became slaves.

And so it was for hundreds of years, the Grandfathers amassing greater and greater numbers of Bonded. Uncles bonded Nephews. And great family trees were created. And yet, the reason was lost. Grandfathers no longer hid amongst the people - rather they became Barons and Counts and their practices of the Hunger became known.

It was then, in 821 SA, that the men and women of the Reaches drove those with Hunger out into the depths of the Wolfshaunt Mountains. They were not killed - for many are immortal. But they were trapped. Sealed by a magical barrier that allowed only those guardians with special tokens passage through the Long Tunnel between the Eastern Reaches and the Wolfshaunt. In addition, a magical cryptex was created to limit the power of those with the Hunger outside of the Wolfshaunt. In those confined valleys, however, the Grandfathers continued to amass their families - waiting for the day of release back into the Reaches.

Settling the Wolfshaunt in the Third Age

The original Third Age settlers to this area were displaced from the Eastern Reaches by the arrival of civilization after the end of the Third Orcish War. Pushed out by the introduction of law and order, this collection of thieves, criminals and outcasts gained access to Wolfhaunt by use of tokens whose purpose had long been forgotten. At first, the settlers found the Wolfshaunt uninhabited.

However, the new arrivals soon realized that an ancient population lived among the high peaks and dark recesses of the land. Traveling by night, the villages of the Wolfshaunt were visited by a handful of strange gothic men and women travelers. Dressed in the noble finery of the Second Age, these gaunt pale folk brought gold to the pubs, a steady demand for merchant services to businesses, and wealth to a people not accustomed to such luxury. In addition, the villages of the Wolfshaunt found protection in form of large dire wolves which protected the people from outside influence.

Lured by their new-found lifestyle, the people of the Wolfshaunt never questioned whether the wolves were there to keep intruders out or themselves in. Whatever the case, the people of the Wolfshaunt have pledged their loyalty to the Grandfathers, as the gothic folk have come to be called. Travelers to the area tell of strange sightings in the twilight hours, and woe to the wanderer still on the road when the sun sets. Some say the folk of the Wolfshaunt are bewitched, unable to recognize even when their own kind disappear. The castles of the Grandfathers are another mystery, as few have ever traveled the winding mountain passes to their cold, black walls. Tales of guardian bats and legions of ghouls keep these strongholds remote and shrouded in secrecy.

The Organization of the Wolfshaunt

The Council of Five

In the dim history of the Wolfshaunt, the Council of Five was formed by the leaders of the most powerful houses (Grandfather Josiah, Grandfather Bela, Lycurgus, Talbot, and Master Whitlock of the Storm Lords). The council was needed to establish basic borders and insure adequate food supplies in the Wolfshaunt.

In 903 TA, Grandfather Josiah called a Conclave of the of Council. The Storm Lords did not attend. An attack during the Conclave forced Grandfather Bela and Lycurgus to flee. Benedict Blackwolf (emissary for House Talbot) was killed. This is a major setback for the Council and the alliance of Wolfshaunt Houses.

The Midnight Conspiracy

In 904 TA, Grandfather Josiah formed an uneasy alliance with Lycurgus, leader of the Baneback. After failing to open the cyptex, he created the Book of Secrets and the taunt of King Ernie in order to get the Crown to open the binding cryptex. Josiah gave Lycurgus a substantial part of his cache of tokens in order to free the first of the pack. In exchange, they will help each other when the gate is opened. They want to make the Eastern Reaches into a new nation called Midnight. This conspiracy was defeated in late 904 TA by the Crown.

House Josiah Grandfather Josiah A striking man with silver grey hair, chiseled features and straight, white teeth. Middle-aged man - thin with grey short beard and close-cropped grey hair dressed in a black cloak and red-lined cape. He has no weapon, but has ten twisted rings on his fingers. Father Joseph Killed 903 TA Dark-haired man who looks strikingly like the Grandfather - they are blood kin. Killed/sacrificed in Hodor's prision. Uncle Jonah Killed 904 TA Dress in robes, a large cowl pulled up over the back of his head. A braid of long, black hair snakes down his chest. His hands are thin, alabaster, and adorned with a large silver knotted ring and a single silver band. Killed at Conclave. Nephew Wycliffe With 12 brothers in Reaches Broad, toothy smile. Encountered at Forbidden Library (902 TA) masquerading as Booth and released. (bond broken) Nephew Mikhail Killed 904 TA Imprisoned, released and killed in Tween. Hermit Killed 904 TA First met and released in 903 TA. Killed giving out lightning rods in 904 TA. Marcus Darkmane Killed 904 TA Wolf and scryer. Killed with the Hermit. Loomis Killed 903 TA Cult of the Shattered Moon - tried to open Forbidden Library (902 TA) - killed at Grandfather's Castle. Lucian Dragonsbane Killed 904 TA Killed at Moon Hollow. Blue, black dragon armor. Winston Emissary 905 TA A wiry, thin man with alabaster skin. House Bela Grandfather Bela Fled the Conclave (904 TA) A frail looking man dressed in red robes. His grey hair has mostly fallen out. He leans heavily of a black staff made of a shiny wood. His hands are festooned with rings - 10 to be exact. House Baneback Lycurgus Freed during the Mustering (905 TA) A large man, clearly a werewolf from his shaggy appearance. On his back is a wicked serrated sword which glows with a dull reddish light. He is dressed in leather armor. Fled from Conclave in 904 TA Liam Swarmslayer Leader of the pack in Tween. House Blackwolf Talbot Freed during the Mustering (905 TA) A burly, hairy man - clearly a werewolf. He wears a simple ironmonger's apron. In his hand, he carries a massive blacksmith's hammer which flickers with a blue-black lightning. Benedict Blackwolf Killed at Conclave (904 TA) A fighter - dressed in shining plate mail with a helm adorned with large wings. His tabard is green with a great black wolf on it. He is very large and extremely powerful looking. Despite his ornamental trapping, his weapons look well tended and sharp. His hawk nose and beady eyes make him look like a predator. The Storm Lords Edmund Blackwolf In Reaches Commander of the Storm Lords (902 TA); Led the attack on the Library (903 TA) in conjunction with the Grandfather. Armor with Black wolf on Grey Background. Barton Blackwolf Killed 902 TA Son of Edmund. Killed on the plains of the Wolfshaunt. Sturm (originally Fenneman) Killed 903 TA Emissary to the Ithaqua - engineer struck by lightning - killed by party at the Needle. Leggerman Rain Emissary 905 TA A formidable knight who will ask for help on Master Whitlock's behalf. Unaligned Shades of Dumbarton Visited 904 TA Wolfshaunt Seers Udolf Free in Reaches Originally guardian of the Crypt Gate Duncan Blackwolf Exchange Attacks party to regain the Heart. Radu In Cave Radu is a pale, thin young man with a small black pointed beard and long willowy fingers. His smile is disarming. He wears a single ruby ring. His dress is a night shirt over which he has thrown a red velvet smoking jacket. Mr. Black Killed in attack on Everblack Bank (905 TA) Impossibly fat and quiet. Rumored to be the younger brother of Radu. Banker for the Wolfshaunt. Mr. Sly Encountered in 905 and 906 TA Rail thin and is the face of the organization. Rumored to be the younger brother of Radu. Banker for the Wolfshaunt.

Places of Interest Nearby

Everblack

The ancient city of Everblack lies in the tangles of several rivers that twist through the fertile hills in the center of the valley. At the intersection of four roads, the city's decrepitude shows its best days are behind it. While the foundation of the city shows that thousands might have once lived and worked here, the current town of several hundred are centered around a large hill near the geographical center of the ancient city.