A Maze of Grain+Group 3+Non Player Characters
The House of the Navy and Trade.
Twenty years ago this ancient House was on the verge of collapse. Crushed by scandals and looming debts, many members considered exile before Didem the Elder convinced them to try one last desperate gamble. With the help of Xu Quon, he discovered the northern passages had been opened by Wryllen's Fourth Blooming, and established a thriving trade through the now open waters. Together, they built Ohma's first sailing fleet, restoring the wealth of House Doriavo, but not its honor. A bloody Purge was conducted to regain the trust of their fellow citizens, reducing the family to only its untarnished members. For this (and bringing great spoils to the city), Didem was awarded the titles of Consul and then Dictator, and used them to defend the scattered descentants of the Ohmani in other lands. These actions brought the Grasvaran into the fold and many others before his untimely death in battle. Today his son Marko Doriavo is Consul, Grandmaster of the Navy, and Master of the House.
Consul of his people, Grandmaster of their Navy, and the Master of His House. The son of a fisherman, Marko was never seriously considered for leadership until his father, Didem the Elder, revitalized the family business and survived the purge as a compromise candidate. When he died in battle and Marko's twin brother Didem the Younger became the final victim of the purge, he simultaneously became the least likely master of the high houses and the most eligible bachelor. To this day he is unmarried, but beloved by residents and citizens alike.
The heir of House Doriavo, son of Didem the Younger, and nephew of Marko. A former Master of Arms, he's currently held hostage in the Castle of the Riverfolk while he recovers from a paralyzing poison. He exacted his revenge by naming Džej as his one kill. Many consider him to be a worthy successor to Marko, if not as noble, and well groomed to meet the new challenges of the House.
The Matron of House Doriavo and aunt to Marko. Divya survived the purge by way of her relative obscurity. With no named kill, no surviving children, and no high title her name is not often spoken outside of a few circles of gossiping friends. She runs the house orphanage and mentors Lazhkùrva along with the other midwives.
A Senator, Patron, and uncle. Istvan is seen as the last suviving connection to the old ways of House Doriavo, and no one can agree whether that's a good or bad thing. With more experience and training than any of its other citizens, he's often looked to in times of crisis for advice and stern counsel. He killed his cousin in the purge, and survived only by abdicating any claim to the high titles of the house.
The Master Builder and Master of Residents for House Doriavo. Originally from the Draqin Empire, Xu Quon entered a partnership with Didem the Elder to build a fleet of ships to trade in the Wryllenic lands. As time went on, other entanglements forced Xu from his native homeland and to reside in Ohma. Now he's considered by many to be the wealthiest resident in the city, and each time a chance at citizenship is offered, he respectfully declines.
The industrious son of Xu Quon. Lo spends most of his time in the house workshop tweaking new inventions or pitching designs to Marko. With neither the ambition nor business savy of his father, Lo's future doesn't look as bright, unless his engineering skills pull through or he finds a path to citizenship.
The Princess of the Riverfolk. Gwyllion's technically a hostage of House Doriavo, but essentially she's an ambassador of her people sent to learn more about Ohmani culture. So far she's expressed the most interest in Wryllen and her teachings, and she can often be seen visiting the Wryllenic Shrine in House Vushorjo with her personal bodyguard Robert.
The retiring resident medium of House Doriavo. An eccentric socialite, she spends her time training Illha, teaching with Divya in the orphanage, and developing remedies for the midwives. Also considered one of the most experienced alchemists of the house, Papin is sometimes spoken of as a successor to Xu for Master of Residents.
A resident medium in training for House Doriavo. Illha shows promising arcane potential in a house where such skills are exceptionally uncommon. Some say she walked into the wastelands as a child and survived with the help of her ethereal friends.
The resident blacksmith for House Doriavo. Sandharo was trained before the cataclysm in a time when technological sophistication was at its height. He knows far more about complex devices than his age would indicate, but constantly complains about the quality of tools and materials available to him.
A resident midwife for House Doriavo, and Divya's personal assistant. Lazhkùrva's beauty contrasts with her detached and cold demeanour. She's originally from the Wryllenic lands.
King of the Riverfolk. Owain seems to be both a shrewd and stubborn leader.
Queen of the Riverfolk. Catrin is experienced in matters of courtly intrigue, and tends to lead her people from there, leaving the true battles to her husband.
The fallen Prince of the Riverfolk. With his death, Gwyllion is the presumptive heir.
Captain of the Royal Guard of the Riverfolk. "Bob" was sent as Gwyllion's personal guard to Ohma.
Marko's old first mate, and the former Captain of the Immanence. He was destroyed by Džej.
A Ward of House Doriavo. During the Wryllenic Wars, House Bashaldo went so far as to block the entry of the navy escorts for the Grasvaran refugees. This led to a few skirmishes and eventually a settlement whereby May, Lavuto's niece, was surrendered to House Doriavo. They raised her as best they can, but she maintains the outspoken and daring streak that marks her familial line.
The last Dictator of Ohma, Didem led his people through the turmoil surrounding Wryllen's 4th Blooming. Partnering with Xu Quon, they discovered the newly opened northern passages, initiated trade with other new arrivals to the Wryllenic lands, and later fought wars to protect their people and holdings. Though he died in battle, his legacy lives on through his son Marko.
Marko's twin brother and Didem's first born son. He was expected to lead his family until his unexpected death at the end of the purge. Edyto, his son, is the presumptive heir. Like his father, Didem chose not to be reanimated as a denizen.
The House of Horses and Iron.
The newest family to grace the Ledge, the Grasvarans are a simple people that represent many things to the Ohmani. Tenacity, compassion, but most of all: tradition. Despite being separated by nearly a thousand years, the Grasvarans have never forgotten their heritage or core values. The Ohmani believe that it is their mission to reclaim their long lost brothers and sisters who fled during the cataclysm, and the return of House Grasvara is the greatest confirmation of that belief so far. As relative newcomers, they have yet to embrace necromancy or the politics of noble courts, but their hard work in the fields and smithy are greatly appreciated nonetheless.
Patron and Master of Residents. Joska was born in the elven lands of the North, but critically sided with Didem the Elder during the Wryllenic Wars. For his loyalty and bravery on the field, he and his people were granted refuge in Ohma. They brought with them many ancient traditions that were lost to the Ohmani, but also reignited old tensions. In the political turmoil, Joska's children were granted citizenship, but he was not, since he had simply fathered too many. Today he is treated as a citizen and master of his house in all but name.
Master of House Grasvara. The eldest of Joska's children, Lajos is simultaneously the first citizen of his house and the official master of it. He has yet to engage in politics, feeling more at home working in the fields or the forges alongside fellow refugees. His only decree was the rejection of necromatic impressment in favor of democratic enforcement. And so the Grasvaran Police Force now handles domestic affairs between residents. He is unmarried, but maintains a friendship with Baxtalo.
The House of the Army and Low Necromancy.
The peace-keepers of the Ohmani, and their first line of defense against the wild hordes of undead. House Kshatriyo has long been known for their battle prowess, and long reviled for conscripting newly deceased residents to fill out their ranks. It is, however, the law, and so they enjoy the respect of many citizens throughout the other houses. Some say the leadership of the family lies with its denizens, but what is certain is that Aravind, a Consul, rules his territories with an iron grip.
Consul of Ohma, Grandmaster of its Army, and the Master of his House. Aravind is an expert tactician, avid hunter, and determined commander. He rules his people with an iron grip, enforcing the residential and denizen laws sternly, but fairly. The life-long fighter takes great pride in the fact that he has never asked a member of his house to do anything that he himself would not, and so he leads his people from the front lines of their many conflicts. As a younger man, he used his one kill to defend his family's honor in a duel. Nyari has been his loyal wife for many years, and Hristo is his son and heir.
Matron of House Kshatriyo. Nyari manages all domestic issues facing her house while her husband Aravind and son Hristo are abroad. She has a reputation for decadence and cruelty, although this may stem more from rumors surrounding tax and denizen collection more than anything else. She has yet to use her one kill, and is considered an expert political maneuverer.
The house of High Necromany.
Originally outcasts from Al'Maqadim, they were first to advise that undead can only be defeated by more undead, and thus they are often credited with saving the entirety of Ohmani civilization. The family is not well liked among residents, but it is held in high regard by citizens and especially so by denizens. Shandor Mulkalo is the Grandmaster of Phylacteries - a position which demands the respect of all denizens. Breaking with tradition, his wife Darane Svato Mulkalo serves as the Matron and Master of the House while Khlyari commands as Master of Denizens.
The Master of House Mulkalo. Born to House Svato, Darane lived a relatively inconspicuous life until Kintala, as a young avatar, restored her youth. Seeking to correct the mistakes of her previous life, Darane is now considered one of the most powerful women in Ohma as the master of her House and the wife of Shandor Mulkalo. She's also a renown Grandmaster Ledge Player.
Heir of House Mulkalo. Borne from the most strategic political union of a generation, Poavthem's life was all but planned out for him. With his magical talents, he's expected to succeed his father as the Grandmaster of Phylacteries, although he has yet to undergo the training required of all Masters of Phylacteries. Thus far, Poavthem's greatest passion has been cartography, and were it up to him he would pursue such a mundane carreer for the rest of his life. He is unmarried and has yet to use his one kill.
Grandmaster of Phylacteries. A talented necromancer and spymaster, Shandor is well acquainted with the shadowy underworld of Ohma. His rise to power was difficult, requiring the murder of his father, marriage to a bitter rival, and a narrow election against House Kshatriyo. Through it all, he has remained a stoic advocate for the central tenets of Ohmani rule: only when citizens follow the one law, denizens lead the fight against the wild dead, and residents support the revitalization of the land can the glory of the old times be restored. Lately his judgement has come under fire for a series of executions of high-level denizens, but as the Grandmaster, it is his right to do what is necessary for the secuirty of Ohma without question or accountability (besides the One Law).
The former Master of Residents for House Mulkalo. Trained as a doctor in Ravenoir, Armand sought to learn more about his craft by studying ill-gotten cadavers. When he was discovered, he fled to Ohma, where he started several successful businesses.
The House of Cleansing and Chronomancy.
Considered by many to be the oldest house, the Svato family are survivors. Kintàla, the Avatar of the Ohmani, serves as a raw check on the power of the city's denizens. Baxtalo is the young Master of the House, and the heir apparent to his aunt's powers. Both have lived a cloistured, ascetic life for their own protection as much as for everyone else's. They are attended to by a cadre of chronomancers and immortal advisors. The House's official business while religious in origin is now administrative in nature. They oversee matters of ritual purity and pollution, as well as seasonal observances and timekeeping throughout the city.
Avatar of Time, Wisdom, and the Ohmani people. Kintàla was born with extraordinary powers that allow her to manipulate the age of people and objects. Famously, as a child, she returned Darane to a child-like state just so the young avatar could have a playmate, and since then she has controversially used her powers to bring Emperor Bizian back to his prime. Because the avataric powers are hereditary (and they can only otherwise be passed through nefarious means), Kintàla is expected to use her powers for the good of the state, serving as a raw check on denizens and prominent citizens. She has not used her one kill, married, or borne children. Due in part to her unpredictable personality and devastating potential, she remains separated from Ohmani society, with her young nephew Baxtalo serving as the Master of the House and the heir to her powers.
The Elhannai consider the return of the avataric bloodline to their people a precondition for peacemaking talks with the Ohmani.
Master of House Svato. When his parents were wrongly killed for treason, Baxtalo, still a boy, was officially chosen to lead over his aunt Kintàla. Now a teenager, he's the youngest Master of the House in Ohma, although he maintains a friendship with another young house leader, Lajos. He has a reputation for caution, as he tends to follow the advise of his immortal councillors closely. He has not used his one kill, married, or fathered any children.
The House of the Arts
Lavuto enjoys a recent marriage with House Prikazo, but she can only hope to survive their revelry. Having taken up a new artform of "Beauty in Death", this family seeks to use their One Lawful Kill as artfully (and brutually) as possible.
Matron of House Bashaldo and Prikazo. Lavuto scandalously married Odjinn Prikazo for love, and since then the two have made public displays of affection a full contact sport. But don't let that fool you into thinking she's not politically savvy. Lavuto and Odjinn have more citizens willing to kill for them than any other house, and so far that's been enough to protect their investments. She's Maylicit's aunt, Gichisvara's mother, and no one's killer... yet.
The House of Ill Omen
There was once a time when the astrologers of House Prikazo were sought to help avert disaster. Now that their family has wrought disaster on so many others with their "Beauty in Death", opinions have changed and many seek to put an end to the madness. The House is still wealthy, however, and few dare to strike against those who are said to be able to forsee their own demise.
The Master of Houses Prikazo and Bashaldo. Odjinn has perhaps the best or worst reputation of all citizens in Ohma, depending on who you ask. He throws the best parties, sponsors the best works of art and music, and humiliates anyone that gets in his way. He started the "Beauty in Death" movement, and promises to bring the most fitting end to his enemies. For now he seems content to spend his nights in the splendor of his opulent palace.
The Master of Celebrations and nominal heir to both House Prikazo and House Bashaldo. Gichisvàra is considered a spoiled brat who will tell you a thousand ways he might kill you without ever acting out one. Most people avoid him out of fear that he or his family might actually follow through on their threats. He is unmarried, but still considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the city due to his family's wealth.
The House of Farmers and Doctors
Formerly the ancient Guild of Farmers, this up and coming House seeks a debt long due. Vàla, the deaf-mute Matron of the House, still grieves for her lost husband Jeim. Considered by many to be the city's most eligible bachlorette, she's constantly dismissing suitors after her beauty and wealth. House Vushorjo also maintains a large garden complete with a Wryllenic Shrine - the only one in the city. Thus, the grounds are often filled with a mix of devout worshippers and greedy addicts.
The Deaf-Mute Matron of the House. Vàla married Jeim Dukkaro a few years ago and has been the hardest hit by his involvement in the gambling scandal. Since his disappearance, she's entered a traditional period of mourning which may last a few years. With her brother locked in a hopeless campaign defending the Keep of the Canal, and few worthy candidates for remarriage within House Dukkaro, the task of maintaining the wealth and reputation of her House has been left to her. She has no children, and has not used her one kill.
The House of Good Omens
Even the House of Good Omens occasionally makes a bad bet. Allegedly Jeim, the former Patron of the House, gambled away his family's fortune and then went into self-imposed exile. Since then, his brother Hokkani has sought to right those wrongs and restore the people's trust in their noble family. The consensus of citizens is that together with the help of his wife Drabarni, he has done so spectacularly. Though largely impoverished, Hokkani is considered a leading contender for future office.
Master of House Dukkaro. Like his brother, Jeim, Hokkani is a trained seer and oracle. Unlike his Jeim, Hokkani does not believe that the future of Ohma is necessarily bright. Seeking to change that, the new Master of House Dukkaro has begun a concerted effort to fight the systematic problems of Ohmani society. But first, he must get his own house in order to pay the debts passed down to him by his lost brother.
Matron of House Dukkaro. Intensely loyal to her husband Hokkani and their children, Drabarni hopes to one day open her own restaraunt. She supports her husband's poltical ambitions but prefers to stay out of such matters whenever possible.
The House of Diplomacy
Also known as the House of the Scorpion, they now live in exile. Descended from the infamous Scorpion Clan, the members of House Yalakráno initially specialized in hunting and defeating intelligent undead. Later, they adapted their skills for the assassination of living prey. In Ohma, such practices were legal when used by Citizens, but eventually the house succumbed to corruption by allowing Denizens and Residents in on the practice. When they refused to purge themselves forty years ago, their Citizens were cast out from the city (into the Draqin Empire, where they often served as ambassadors), but many Denizens managed to escape a final death by hunting down their own phylacteries. Today, the tale of wild assassins hidden in broad daylight has taken on a near-mythic quality.