Volantos, A Factbook

[Volantos]

The Kingdom of Volantos

A Medieval Fantasy Factbook

1. Overview
A. History/Description

2. Clans

3. Locations

4. Military

5. Government

6. Miscellaneous

[Volantos]

The Kingdom of Volantos

Name of Realm: The Kingdom of Volantos
Demonym: Volanti, Volantish
Race: Humans
Languages: Volantish, Common Tongue
Religion:
Leader: King Boric Thornheart
Seat of Power: Volantia
Population: 300,000
Currency: Vol
Motto: “The World Upon Us”
Colors: Green, Gold, and Black

History

From the river comes life. Those are the words every Volanti have heard since the Volantish clans began to settle along the Ranarth River, a mantra that has held true ever since. The strong waters contained abundant catch, and the surrounding lands were rich in nutrients, resources, and game. It was to this fertile oasis that the Volantish tribes flocked in their migrations, eventually choosing to tie their fates to the currents of the river. The river and her many tributaries became the blood that flowed through their veins, the fields became their flesh and the surrounding forest became their ossein, providing the shelter and resources that the Ranarth could not.

As the Volanti became more settled, so too did the loyalties forming among the people, and soon the clans were born. It was not long after, that the clans and their lords fell into dispute, and swiftly the power shifted. Smaller clans were conquered or absorbed into the larger clans, while territories were carved out of the blood and bone of their countrymen and land. And so that was the custom. It was during that time that the Volanti began to find themselves. They learned how to design and construct small boats and canoes deftly capable of traversing the Ranarth and her tributaries faster than anyone could wish to travel on foot and further than those on horseback. While those further from the riverland and wetlands became masters of the forest they dwelt in. Waterways became their second roads as trade began to develop between the untrusting and feuding clans. However, snow melts and rivers flood, and when the blood of the land spills across the surface, it is said the blood of its people must soon follow, for what is the river but life and death?

From the river comes life, and as the clans soon discovered, so too does death. Borik Thornheart, Lord of the Thornheart Clan, rode the spring floods to his crown. The Thornhearts had gained a reputation for being expert river navigators, but the clans were not prepared for how proficient they had become. Using the the swift flowing flood waters to quickly strike unprepared clans, and with the heightened flood waters, the Thornhearts gained the ability to row their vessels across the land, striking areas that normally were deemed safe from the common river raids performed by the Volanti. It was soon realized that Borik was not simply interested in raiding; Borik Thornheart was building a kingdom. Lords quickly swore fealty or were conquered, unable to combat both the flooding Ranarth and the swift, vast host Borik has raised.

Now, the clans find themselves sworn to a single King, but are by no means united. Their loyalty may be bound to the apex, but laterally many rivalries and feuds still exist, and the Volanti have long memories. After all, how can one simply forget what is owed to him in blood?

[Volantos]

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[Volantos]

Major Clans

Thornheart
Leader: Borik Thornheart
Seat of Power: Ascorth

The clan to have grown most powerful in all of Volantos, the Thornhearts, are known for their expert river navigation and prowess in river raiding. The clan utilized both of these skills in earnest to forge the Volantish clans into a kingdom.

Notable Members: Borik Thornheart, Orik Thornheart (son), Galek Steerfast

Mond-Herzen
Leader: Rhods Mond-Herzen (The Doberman)
Seat of Power: Bruckstone

Clan Mond-Herzen has maintained itself as the second largest clan in Volantos for generations. In that time the Mond-Herzens have gained the reputation of fielding some of the most honorable and loyal members of Volantish society. Despite heavily opposing the Thornhearts in their rise to power, the Mond-Herzens have become one of the most loyal clans to the Thornhearts since swearing fealty.

Notable Members: Rhods Mond-Herzen, Rhaks Mond-Herzen (son), Rhars Mond-Herzen (son)

Riverblood
Leader: Eltric Riverblood
Seat of Power: Riverwide

The Riverbloods are the only clan that can boast of perhaps matching the Thornhearts skills in river navigation and river raiding. Despite being perhaps the best suited clan to oppose the Thornheart offensive, the Riverbloods quickly declared themselves to the Thornhearts seeing the opportunity that presented itself with the two greatest river powers allying together. In doing so, the clan was able to accumulate an abundance of wealth and resources through their raiding throughout the war between the clans.

Notable Members: Eltric Riverblood, Iver Riverblood (son), Cratar Riverborn, Anto Riverborn

Stonerock
Leader: Perna Stonerock (The Lady of Stone/The Stone Lady)
Seat of Power: Brightforge

Nestled within the only current mountain holdings of Volantos, the Stonerocks earned their name by forging a life in those mountains, when few dared to do so. With taking that risk, they earned their way into a vital clan of the Volantish society, for it is from their mines and forges that nearly all metalworking is performed. Due to their smithing expertise, the Stonerocks have become notable traders looking to improve their craft, and to sell the works of their smiths throughout the world. Through the mutual interest of trade, the Stonerocks have been long time allies and friends with the Donar Clan.

Notable Members: Perna Stonerock, Edmar StoneArm,

Donar
Leader: Galatea Donar
Seat of Power: Hallowfalls Reach

The lands of the Donar Clan have always been located where the mouth of the Ranarth River flows into the Inner Sea, and with these lands came great wealth through the trade generated by their location. Mercantile prowess and skilled traders fill the ranks of the Donars, as well as being the best sailors of the open sea due to their trading traditions and closeness to the Inner Sea.

Notable Members: Galatea Donar, Nora Donar (daughter), Norith Donar (son), Yoret Seaborn

Raser
Leader: Delran Raser
Seat of Power: Eridge

The forest dwelling clan Raser is one of the smaller clans of Volantos. However, what they lack in population and influence, they make up for in their skills with bows and stealth. Clan Raser has long been known for their mastery of the forest, and they have embraced this skillset regardless of some of the other clans looking down upon the Rasers for living so far from the main rivers.

Notable Members: Delran Raser, Cean Raser (son), Ferinth Raser (son), Lalayla Raser (daughter), Acia Raser (daughter),

Hallgrimr
Leader: Horen Hallgrimr
Seat of Power: Helmesfield

No clan within Volantos is larger than the Hallgrimrs, but despite their large numbers, the Hallgrimrs were no match for the Thornhearts and their newfound allies. While the Hallgrimrs swore fealty to Borik Thornheart, the Hallgrimrs maintain grudges and hatred to those clans that allied themselves with Borik throughout the war. Feeling as if those that declared for the Thornhearts betrayed the very essence of the Volanti way of life, and seek to deal punishment to those that did. Fielding perhaps the best warriors in Volantos in open combat, the Hallgrimrs pride themselves in their ability to wield weapons and make war.

Notable Members: Horen Hallgrimr, Erek the Scarred (son), Oren Hallgrimr (son), Renser Ironfist

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Locations

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Military

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Government

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Miscellaneous Information

-StoneArm is the title given to the highest honored member of the Stonerock clan that is not a direct family member. The StoneArm is charged with protecting the leader and their immediate family, as well as serving as a trusted advisor. Their current StoneArm, Edmar, has served as StoneArm to the Stonerocks for two generations.

-Erek the Scarred received his name due to the jagged scar on the left side of his chin. The legend behind the scar is said that during a conflict between the Hallgrimrs and another clan, an enemy lodged a hatchet into Erek’s jaw. Erek slayed the man, but proceeded to leave the hatchet wedged in his chin for the remainder of the battle to drive fear into the hearts of his foes. Rumor has it that the hatchet that is always at his side or within reach is the same hatchet that mangled his face, but no man has asks the question in fear of invoking the anger of Erek the Scarred.

-While the beauty of Perna Stonerock is well-known throughout Volantos, she has earned the moniker of the Stone Lady, or the Lady of Stone, in regards to her stern and cold demeanor hidden behind her ladylike facade. Also, she possesses a calmness unbefitting of her age which lead people to say she has stone beneath her skin. Additionally, Perna Stonerock has gained somewhat of a reputation of being a warrior maiden, as she insists on traveling with her clansmen to battles, and has even been known to take part in skirmishes.