Duskwald Clanholds

Description

In the northern part of The Broken Plains, past rolling hills, below the earth, in sprawling caverns, lie the Duskwald Clanholds. The clan originated from the lands that are now called Middenland, with Isidorus Duskwald at its head. Soon after the Catastrophe they moved towards the north however, while many others fled south. Where others saw disaster, the Duskwald clan saw opportunity. Here they could practice their necromantic arts in peace, and there were plenty of bodies to experiment on to boot.

Politics

The desolate northern lands suit the Duskwald clan just fine, as they have always preferred to shy away from civilization. Far away from small-minded people who do not understand the noble purpose of their research, they can experiment to their unbeating heart's content. They are interested in all forms of magic, as well as many of the natural sciences such as philosophy, alchemy, engineering and more. Among Vampires they are also uniquely interested in other undead as replacements for the living, which they view as flawed creations of the Gods. What they are most interested in however, is to find a cure for the eternal downside of their gift: their need for blood. They aim to use powerful necromantic magic to lessen the need for blood, and they have had some success already. Such powerful transformational magics also tend to have strong side effects however, and the challenge thus lies in not only successfully replacing their need for blood, but in doing so without irreversibly harming themselves.
While the clan's members have each sworn fealty to the clan, this loyalty is not unshakeable. This became especially noticeable when Isidorus disappeared, because shortly afterward the clan started to fracture in different factions. These factions still work together to some extent as sharing knowledge is beneficial in the short-term, but such cooperation cannot last forever if you want to be the one to find the secret yourselves. It is also natural for apprentices to seek to surpass their masters, even if this requires unfair methods such as theft. Although unfair may be an incorrect term, depending on your viewpoint. After all, more recently transformed vampires could be decades or even centuries of research behind, so taking previously done research is only leveling the playing field, isn't it?
The major exception to this are those of the First Spawning. All of these were once Isidorus's own disciples and he turned each of them personally. All of them were carefully chosen and they each share in Isidorus's dreams with fierce loyalty. Being the eldest and most learned, they are naturally some of the most powerful members of the clan and the glue that keeps the clan together. Outwardly they pretend to have their own focuses and to be independent as they watch over and rule the different factions of the later Spawnings. But they convene in secret and share all important findings with each other and with Isidorus, who is still around unbeknownst to the rest of the clan.

Military

The vampires are each responsible for their own troops. These consist of resurrected undead as well as undead horrors created using necromantic magic. Each vampire also has his own living apprentices that are capable of magic as well. These could function as commanders for their undead legions if needed, although they lack any kind of military training. Regardless, military affairs are of little importance to them anyway. The vampires of the Duskwald clan have little interest in conquest and short-term empire building. As such they tend to only keep enough troops to guard their homes without drawing attention.

Type

Geopolitical, Magocracy

Location

Broken Plains