Lord Vangelys Harkin on House Harkin and their rivals On House Warrik: Dependable, quiet men when left alone, but fearsome when roused to anger. House Warrik holds insults to heart and when they have sworn to kill a man, they almost never fail to do so or die trying. If they can be set on our foes, much the better. Otherwise, it it best to build up the old wall and seal them away in the Northlands to starve. On House Harkin: Our House ruled the realms with an iron first while the Serenols and Earlons were still mucking out horse stalls. When you act, keep in mind that in your veins flows the blood of the true Kings of Tyberis. I doubt I will live to see our rights restored, and I care but little. When history records me, I shall be remembered as the father of Kings, or the grandfather. Our family line will persevere until we take back what the Serenols and others conspired to seize from us, and punish any who stand in our way. On House Zale: Our primary enemy. Even if they are of use to you, even if you can fool them into directly or indirectly serving our goals, tt would be wise to eliminate them when the chance presents itself. They have a reputation as good and true men, but we know better. Nameless sins stain their past, sins only we care to remember and avenge. On House Davenhal: No House in Tyberis can be fully trusted, but let this go double for House Davenhal. Too often have they raided our lands. And yet, they are just as likely to be the bane of our enemies as of ourselves. Sometimes the best you can do is ignore them and hope they do the same for you. If they swear to you, however, they can often be dependable if somewhat demanding allies. Oh, and do mind their big boiled meal if you dine with them, I think the meat they use tends to be a few days too old. On House Tyval: The Tyvals are a cadet branch of House Harkin whom we aided in seizing power over the Glen. They owe us both fealty and gratitude for everything they have and to some extent or another they usually give it. However, they cannot be relied on. Our House must never forget their betrayal when we were on the verge of exterminating House Zale once and for all. On House Borros: Dangle something shiny in front of them and theyll come right along with you. These dullards rule the Shining Coast because wiser men than them pay their taxes and create the abundant wealth that props up the bloated corpse of this slowly dying House. And yet, is it not better to have someone so easily manipulated, and yet slightly more entertaining than the Warriks? On House Garland: The Garlands are the best hope to back our right to the throne, they enjoy a chance to thumb their noses at the wealthy Zales, and they know nothing bothers them more than to see our House succeed. Seek an alliance with them if you can. But let me take this moment to give you one piece of advice to follow: All men serve their own masters, wealth, women, drink, glory, gods they invent... It matters not. Take the measure of a man, and try to work with him as you see fit, my generalizations should not hinder you in making your own decision. On House Earlon: One of the wiser Houses in Tyberis, when they can be bothered to settle down and discuss things that is. They hardly seem to remember anymore that my great grandfather killed their House Patriarch during the Bleeding. Or perhaps theyve shrugged it off as just another dark chapter of Tyberis history. In any event, their advice is generally reliable, and if they will raise their voices in support of us, all the better. The problem is it can be quite hard to figure out what they want in return for doing so, or if they want anything at all. A hard House to read. On House Serenol: These pompous windbags ruled the land for hundreds of years with our somewhat grudging assistance. And then, when we defeated old Isach Earlon, and when Lord Victaris had laid down his very life to defeat the Borros pretender, what did Aegis Serenol do? He threw the damned crown into the ocean. I suppose he was sickened by all the bloodshed. My little sister was tougher than that. Kings who shudder at what must be done to rule are not Kings, they are fools playing with crowns.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 07:54:40 +0000