The Great Houses of Albion

In Albion, the great houses rule the many petty kingdoms in the land. These are the Six Great Houses that have ruled the lands for decades.

The Great Houses

Ebenwald - Brymoor

House of Ebenwald by Worldspinner

House Motto: “Our reach goes beyond our gauntlet.”

The House of Ebenwald is one of the most cutthroat houses of Albion, with its head, Harold Ebenwald, being the current King of Brymoor.

The Ebenwalds rose to power within the city of Brymoor when the old petty king of the city, King Harold Brymoor, was challenged by his peasants in the year 4050. Harold Brymoor's closest advisor, Cuthbert Ebenwald, manipulated the events of the rebellion and managed to usurp the crown of Brymoor for himself. Thus Cuthbert became the King of the Brymoorians, and so did his children. They were challenged by the Kingdom of Anfeld, their neighbor, and battled for centuries for further power in the region. These feuds, though no longer in battle, remain tense.
Thus established a long line of kings that has relied on subterfuge to get what they need done. It was done through the grandfather of Harold, Geralt Ebenwald, who managed to secure his bastard daughter, Ieasbreda, the Kingdom of Halfia for a period of 50 years. Though the region of Gotha is no longer in their control, the Ebenwalds desire further power within the region of Albion.

Beadomece - Anfeld

Beadomece by Worldspinner

House Motto: “Where wisdom and valor fail, all that remains is faith.”

The House of Beadomece has the distinction of honor within the lands of Albion. It’s current head is King Oswulf II of Anfeld.

Their founder, Oswulf “The Longsword” protected the lands of Kirk and Ellis from an invasion by the northern Dwarves. Oswulf the Longsword was then elected High King by the other kings of Albion, and he reigned justly.
Thus, the House of Beadomece (literally, in the Lysanrician tongue, means “battlesword”) is expected to be chivalrous and courageous in their members. The name of Beadomece is one of war, but a warrior does not always use his sword for slaying his foes; sometimes his weapon is his tongue. Many paladins, bards, and knights come from this house, and they take honor as their primary goal.

Rufusender - Ellis

Rufusender by Worldspinner

House Motto: “Our heads of red shall inherit the crowns of Talamh.”

The House of Rufusender is one of magic and the law. The current head of the house is Aethelred the Red of Feller’s Rock. (Often members of this house go by “the Red” for their last names.)

Strangely, all current members of this house are red-haired. It is said that long ago, an angel blessed the warrior-founder, Percen the Red, with his locks of red hair to distinguish his status as a divine warrior. Since then, all his sons and daughters have had red hair.
Around 10 years ago, before his death, High King Percen the Wise placed the Sword of the High King within the Stone of Fell. Ever since then, there has been no high king, and it has led many members of the House of Rufusender to be criticized for their former head’s actions in causing instability. Not only this, but Aethelred the Red seems to be a weak king.
Otherwise, Rufusender has long practiced magic, the art of the sword, and studied law in all these things. Many of their members become eldritch knights and bards for this reason. Now if only they could restore their name…

Swansong - Mywick

Swansong by Worldspinner

House Motto: “Fairness even until the end of our days.”

The House of Swansong is one that admires beauty, love, and family. They have a pension for fairness in their ruling. Their current head is Queen Edith Swansong of Mywick.

It is believed that long ago their first mother was merely a swan, but her songs were beautiful and enticed a man named Oisin who came by the Silver River on a daily basis. Long did Oisin wish for the swan to be a woman. He prayed to Cardia, who cherished his love, took the swan and granted his wish. She became a fair woman, and long did their love last, until the end of their days. Now the descendants of their love are known as “Swansong.”
Members of the House of Swansong tend to follow the path of their ancestors and cherish what is beautiful: being those who love the arts and song, and treating their neighbors kindly and justly. Some of their members become great bards or wizards to amplify this aspect.

Kirk - Kirkwall

House Motto: “May creation flourish where we tread.”

The House of Kirk is one that seeks to protect and nurture the forests where they came from. Their current head is the Druid-King Cydric. Many in Albion know not to cross him.

The Kirks have a mysterious past. When the first Lysanriks settled in Albion after coming down from Keller’s Coast, the Kirks were already there, creating great stone structures. They were called the “kirks” because they were the religious leaders for the first Lysanriks making their cities. However, the Lysanriks have developed religion from the Gothans, and now the Kirks guard the forests they have always dwelled in,
Many of the House of Kirk become druids, being part of a large druid dynasty that in myth has already lasted a thousand years. However, nobody truly knows how long they have been there. The House of Kirk also welcomes their members to become rangers, nature clerics, and paladins of the ancients.

Abrecson - Weawich

Abrecson by Worldspinner

House Motto: “The Storm will never Settle.”

The House of Abrecson is a magical house, one with sorcerers and warlocks that control the seas around the coastal town of Weawich. They are a family of Half-Elves. Their current head is the Sorcerer Queen Abreka, who uses her magic to affect the storms around the city.

Their ancestor was a great Sea-Elf Sorcerer named Abrec, who married a Lysanrician woman when he took over the city of Weawich. The people there paid fealty to his power, for he threatened them with storms. Though the name of Abrec and his sons carry fear, they have ruled justly in their kingdom.
This is a family of Storm Sorcerers, though some of their members do not have said magic and either become Tempest Clerics or start to make deals with sea-faring entities to gain power over the waves as Warlocks.

Status of the High Kingdom of Albion

Though the Kings of Albion of these six great houses squabble, they now have no high king. They often elected one in the town of Feller's Rock. However, an election of this king has not happened in more than a decade. Many wonder if the High King will even come from these Great Houses, or if it will be a new challenger to the throne. The only way of knowing is whether someone can pull out the sword Excalibur from the Stone of Fell.
Which of the six houses will succeed in becoming the next High King? Or will a new hero arise to take the throne?