So, last week we looked at the clan and character creation aspects, using the clan questionnaire and the RQ:G character history tables. The first thing I want to include is the complete account of the family that was devised from those rolls.

The Family

Erina Kingsblade earned her name the hard way. She died for it. The young Sword of Humakt died at the age of 27 defending King Torkalor from the depredations of the Lunar swine in the battle of Grizzly Peak. What she couldn’t have known, however, was that despite her valiant actions in fighting off five Lunar soldiers who had broken through the lines, King Torkalor was not long for this world. The King perished less than an hour later after she herself did. While her death was ultimately in vain, it was not meaningless, and many of the survivors of that day returned to the Blackrock Clan and told of her valor, ferocity, and grim determination.

The Blackrock Clan was part of the Malani Tribe and had honored Death in its many forms since the earliest days, taking up the sword so that their brethren could remain free. Their ancestors were there when Orlanth threw down the Sun. Their ancestors were there when Orlanth slew the first dragon. Their ancestors were there to defy Arkat when he betrayed them and threatened the order of the World. Their ancestors believed in sacrifice and service, and they still perform the Sacrifice Dance each year during Sacred Time. So to the clan, Erina was a great hero, and this is how her three young children knew her, even though the youngest was only two when she died.

The three children grew up with the legends of the clan, the tribe, and the kingdom in their ears, but in many ways it was the stories of their mother that inspired them. The eldest, a spry hunter by the name of Kalorin Fairhair, took after his father, Andrin Swiftbow, and was initiated into the cult of Foundchild, drawn as his ancestors were to a simple life of balance close to the earth. The middle child, a wise and beautiful daughter named Ernala, initiated into the mysteries of Ernalda, for her people always held great love for the earth and the ways of diplomacy. The youngest daughter, Eridani, however, was like her mother in both countenance and temperament, and she vowed that she would not rest until she had visited vengeance upon the Lunars for their mother’s death. Following ancient traditions within the clan, she became an initiate to Babeester Gor, fulfilling their oath that one in every one hundred young women from the clan would be dedicated to the Goddess of Vengeance as thanks for her help in dealing with treachery which came from unfaithful friends.

The three siblings were always close, but Ernala and Eridani were practically inseparable. When the three of them found themselves in the Holy Country in 1597 they were thrust into the conflict. While Kalorin fought elsewhere, the sisters tried to fend off an assassination on a high ranking member of the Sartar Royal House. They ultimately failed, leaving Eridani gravely wounded from the ordeal. Disheartened, the three returned home to recover and reconnect with their family and grow stronger in their respective cults.

Ernala’s family was the first to sprout, as she settled down with the local Heler God-Talker. They welcomed their first child, Harala, in 1600, but the happiness was not to last. Soon the Lunars invaded again, this time making their way all the way to Boldhome. The three siblings were once again among the first to respond from their clan, with all three of them being gravely wounded during the fighting. While she did not yet know it, Ernala was pregnant with her second child during the battle and it was only through her own rune magic that she managed to save the pregnancy, with Garmast born slightly prematurely during Sacred Time. This auspicious birth marked him with the ancestor spirits, and many called him Crow-Shadow because of his peculiar ways.

In the aftermath Eridani found companionship with a Sword of Humakt, and while their time together was short, she soon delivered a child, her daughter Orani, in 1603. As was the common practice, the child was to be given to the care of the temple, and so Orani was tucked away in safety to learn the ways of the Earth while her mother was called to serve.

After a few weeks of recovery she was back with Ernala on an important journey to the Red Cow Clan. They never made it, however, as their small group of companions were ambushed by a Telmori raiding party. Ernala and Eridani died as they had lived, back to back against insurmountable odds. Kalorin was devastated by the news, feeling that he could have changed their fate if only he had gone with them instead. Plagued by survivor’s guilt, he eventually took his leave of the clan and traveled to far off Pavis to try and find some measure of peace.

Not long after arriving and introducing himself to the Foundchild cultists there, Kalorin found the first measure of comfort in the company of Ivarne, another Foundchild devotee and refugee from Sartar, hailing from the Culbrea Tribe. Their son Andivarth was born in 1605 while he was off fighting in the Feint to the Sea, his warrior heritage not so easily quelled. He fought in a few other battles, but found more and more of his time was dedicated to his increasing responsibilities to Foundchild. He reconnected to his family through his cousin Jarang, a devotee of Issaries who would often visit while trading.

Tragically, Kalorin died in 1608 during the First Invasion of Prax, leaving Andivarth and Ivarne alone in the big city. Jarang was unable to visit again until 1612, but when he did he finally coaxed Ivarne to return with him to the Blackrock. There Andivarth met his cousins Orani, Harala, and Garmast for the first time. While they were all very different in outlook and mentality, they all shared that passion and adventurous spirit of their grandmother Erina, and they took to playing together on a regular basis. It was not long before Jarang and Ivarne were married, and life continued on.

In 1620 Harala, then 20, and Orani, 17, rejected the Malani Tribe’s neutral stance and struck out on their own to fight in the Heortland Campaign. It wasn’t until they were days away from their village that they found that Andivarth, only 15 at the time, had been following them secretly. Already having fallen in with one of the warbands headed south, they could neither take him back to the village nor persuade him to go back on his own, and so the three of them traveled on together. They fought several hard battles, and returned home more experienced and closer than ever. While they had defied the tribal leaders, the clan ring was proud of their service and they were greeted with pride.

While they had been away, however, Garmast, now 18 and an apprentice shaman, had fallen gravely ill after an attempted exorcism went horribly wrong, leaving his patient dead and himself afflicted with soul waste. In an unfortunate turn of events, Garmast’s teacher had been called away on another matter, and he was left to try to tend himself the best he could. His constitution had always been weaker than the other kids, and he struggled with his affliction for nearly two whole seasons before he was finally able to shake the disease. While the ordeal nearly killed him, it also opened his mind more fully to the spirit realm, and the lessons he learned there prepared him for the final ordeal of becoming a full shaman. When his cousins returned they found him in a new role, having awakened his fetch and taken his place administering to the clan.

The next year, Orani set off again to the south to take part in the Fall of Whitewall, bravely defending King Broyan and barely managing to fight their way free. In the north the first year of the Great Winter had set in, and her cousins were struggling to survive. Harala pushed themselves so hard in administering to the clan than they nearly worked themselves to death. Word of Orani’s plight in the south soon reached them, however, and the three cousins vowed to come to her aide early in 1622.

They had no more than reached the borders of Esrolia before they were separated by a skirmish, with Garmast and Andivarth reaching the battle of Auroch Hills just in time to take part alongside Orani, who managed to help King Broyan in awakening Orlanth. That battle over, the three cousins found themselves wrapped up in the events of the Esrolian Civil War where they reunited with Harala. The cousins fought hard during the war and Orani once again found herself standing between the royal couple and death as she protected Queen Samastina from an attempt on her life.

Tired of war and fighting, Garmast and Andivarth made their way back home during 1623 while Orani and Harala continued on with King Broyan and Queen Samastina to the Siege of Nochet. They both earned accolades from the royals and Harala even gained Queen Samastina’s blessing. The fighting in the south was far from over, however, as the duo went on to fight in the Battle of Pennel Field before eventually taking part in the Sacking of the City of Wonders. While there, Harala was beset by guardian spirits and was nearly slain, only being saved by Orani’s timely intercession. Disgusted at what she had seen during the sacking and concerned for her cousin’s well-being, Orani bade King Broyan and Queen Samastina farewell before returning home.

While they were away, there had been an outbreak of fighting in the north, as the Lunars had used their agents in Sartar to whip up internal strife between the clans in an effort to weaken their resolve. When an opportunity came to avenge the deaths of his aunts, Andivarth took part in a raid on the Telmori. Garmast tried to dissuade him, seeing through the Lunar’s plans, but Andivarth would not have it, having heard his father’s tirades against the wolfmen many times during his childhood. Unfortunately, he should have listened, as he was nearly killed during the battle.

Earlier this year, the four cousins once more sprung into action, called to arms by Kallyr Starbrow. They fought bravely during the Liberation of Sartar and, when it was all said and done, they found themselves in attendance as Kallyr was proclaimed Prince of Sartar after her victory. Now, not long after the Battle of Dangerford, the four have traveled to Jonstown to answer a summons by none other than Sarostip Prince-killer…

The Clan Ring

In addition to the family, I also decided to create the clan’s ring. I knew that I wanted some of the characters close to the players to have prominent roles, so I decided to create a profile of the ring’s make-up that I could then take to UNE to roll up more details.

I knew from their clan history that they were closely aligned with both Death and Earth, had a penchant for ancestor worship, and, as part of the Malani tribe, were likely to have a Humakti as their chief instead of the traditional Orlanth-led ring. I also knew that their feud with false friends led to a pact with Babeester Gor thanks to Orani’s player. Taking all that into account I decided that the Blackrock clan had a seven member ring consisting of a Humakti chieftan, as well as representatives of Orlanth/Vinga, Ernalda, Barntar or Heler, Foundchild or Odayla, Daka Fal, and Babeester Gor.

Then I went to The Universal NPC Emulator (affiliate link) and generated seven personalities. I then paired those personalities with the different positions on the ring to come up with the following:

Dorestros Knife’s-edge (Male, 55)

• Humakti Chieftain
• UNE Result: Idealistic Chieftain, Understand Moderation

Dorestros remembers the better times, back when Sartar was strong and the Lunars kept at bay. He fought at Grizzly Peak and was one of the few who managed to survive, mostly by being lucky enough to be knocked unconscious and mistaken for dead. His hatred of the Lunars runs deep, and he has chaffed under the Malani neutrality for years. He has not been idle, however, and he has led his people as best he could to prepare for when they would finally be unleashed, sending the young people of the clan in small groups to fight and learn the brutal truths of the battlefield. He knows well that knowing how to fight and actually doing it are two separate things, and he does not want his clan’s martial history to be lost during these desperate times.

Now that Sartar is liberated again, hopefully for good, he has been much more vocal in his support of Leika Blackspear. He knows that the battle in not over, however, but he and his clan will stand ready to hold the line against the Lunars through whatever comes their way.

Esroleth Tempestborn (Female, 43)

• Vingan Tactician
• UNE Result: Solemn Expert, Compose Progress

Esroleth was once a great warrior, who stood out among her generation as destined for greatness. Few could match her in either wits or strength of arms, and she was a trusted spokesperson for the clan. Then tragedy struck. She was part of a small group of emissaries traveling to the meet with the Red Cow to take part in important discussions regarding an alliance. They never made it. The only survivor of that pitched battle against a Telmori ambush, she would never be the same again as she lost her right leg below the knee as well as her left eye. This didn’t deter her, however.

Instead, she found new ways to help her clan and serve her goddess, replacing the brash spirit of her youth with new, more nuanced ideas about the battlefield. It is not uncommon to see her hunched over a map of the area, planning ambush spots or considering tactical advantages. She doesn’t speak much, but she will share her accumulated knowledge with any who ask.

Ivarne Silentstep (Female, 41)

• Foundchild Smuggler [Andravirth’s Mom]
• UNE Result: Dependable Explorer, Join Contraband

None know the area of the Gejay Hills as Ivarne does, as if every deerpath and ridgeline were imprinted directly into her brain. She can get anywhere from anywhere and stay hidden while doing it, which made her exceptionally good at smuggling contraband into and out of Sartar during the occupation. This primarily consisted of weapons and messages to far-off allies, but she helped more than a few folks disappear when the Lunars declared them wanted enemies of the state.

Ivarne has a history of personal loss that would break most folk, having lost everyone she cared for not once but twice. Her family was lost when Boldhome was taken and then her second family was lost when Pavis fell a few years later. She is not sullen, but she is also not one to talk much about the past. She lives exclusively in the now, reserved but not sullen, serious but not grim, ready to do whatever it takes not to experience the same tragedy a third time.

Darias Earthblade (Female, 40)

• Babeester Gor Berserker
• UNE Result: Foolish Professor, Secure Freedom

One of the ten daughters promised to Babeester Gor each generation, Darias has been trained from the age of 6 in the goddess’s ways. Always known for her seemingly reckless habit of practically flinging herself at her enemies, her mentors always said she’s be lucky to reach 20. Then it was 25. Then 30. Suffice to say she is either one of the luckiest warriors to ever live or the hands of her deity are quite literally upon her. Many say that the two are really the same thing. Hands down she is one of the greatest masters of the axe in all of Sartar, and she takes her role as the current head of the Babeester Gor cult quite seriously.

Even more than her devotion to her patron goddess of righteous fury, however, she is devoted to a free Sartar, like that of her youth. She has opposed the Lunars directly at every opportunity, causing more than her fair share of conflicts with the greater Malani Tribe as they sought neutrality for much of the occupation. Under her guidance many of the young warriors have gone forth to join up with the larger armies in rebellion, and the clan has a fairly large share of combat tested veterans given its size and ostensibly neutral stance.

Harmast Raincaller (Male, 44)

• Heler Initiate [Harala and Garmast’s Dad]
• UNE Result: Prying Polymath, Comprehend Distress

Harmast is the leader of a very small but dedicated cult to Heler, and he works hard to tend to the needs of the farming heart of this otherwise very warlike clan. He is exceptionally intelligent, sometimes to the point that he alienates those around him when he waxes philosophical. The folks around the village often joke behind his back that his missed his true calling as a Lhankor Mhy initiate, but the truth is Harmast is a beloved member of the community, even if he is occasionally out of sync with his friends and family.

One of the ways that he stands out from the typical Heler initiate is his interest in healing, both physical and emotional, and he spends much of his time tending to the emotional wellbeing of his fellow clan members. His opinion is that Heler acts as the intermediary between heaven and earth, male and female, and even life and death in some aspects. To be an intermediary, one must know both sides and seek to balance them, and that often means seeing to the fears and hatreds that seek to tear people apart. In many ways he is Chieftain Dorestos most important advisor.

Mirioth Brewmaster (Female, 38)

• Ernalda Initiate
• UNE Result: Compliant Expert, Chronicle Alcohol

Devoted to the Ernalda Bountious subcult, Mirioth is an expert in grains, not just of her own culture, but those from other lands as well. But more than her knowledge of sowing fields, she is especially known for her expertise in turning that grain into a variety of tasty beers and related beverages. For this reason, the Blackrock make a decent amount of coin selling her (and her apprentice’s) wares in the Jonstown market.

While she has a great deal of knowledge, she also has something of a reputation for being weak-willed when it comes to the more weighty decisions. She says, instead, that she is just “open minded” and “willing to listen to words of wisdom when offered,” but there is a growing push within the Ernalda temple to assign someone else to the ring in her stead.

Orvanalor Spirit-friend (Male, 51)

• Daka Fal Initiate [Garmast’s Mentor]
• UNE Result: Delightful Steward, Promote Spirits

Ancestor worship is a core tenet of the Blackrock since the God Time. Their warriors have taken part in many of the most important battles, and while they may not have been the great heroes that shifted the entire cosmology, they served bravely and honorably, and formed a backbone of martial prowess that has helped carry the field on numerous occasions. Orvanalor is the current steward of that tradition, leading his clan’s fellowship with the brave men and women who have gone before.

He takes this stewardship very seriously, but he is not, himself, an outwardly serious person, choosing to couch his insights and teachings within paradoxical stories and even bawdy parables. He seeks to break stereotypes and upend expectations in order to shock his pupils into deeper thought. The stars of these stories and parables are often the ancestors of the clan, but could also be local spirits or even other well known heroes from the Orlanthi culture.

In Conclusion

So, now the clan has been fleshed out, the characters made, and the adventures prepped. I also just wanted to give a feel for how tools like UNE can really help your prep. I took longer to write the little paragraphs about the different ring members than I did to create them all, and they are quite the cast of interesting folks. Next week we’ll be getting into the actual game as we dive into the Starter Set adventure “A Rough Landing.”

Other Parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4