Spensworth
The house of Spensworth was founded in 1674 by Ava Spensworth. The name Ava from the latin word Avis meaning “bird” or “birdlike” was bestowed upon the newborn due to her keen hearing abilities. As a baby Ava was always seen to be alert and focused as though she was listening to the conversations around her. As she grew older her parents realised that her acute hearing was not being squandered on the day to day banalities that swirled through their household but was in fact being used to tune into sounds further afield. This manifested itself even further as Ava, from a young age, would pick up a sound and disappear for hours sometimes days seemingly following wherever her ears would take her. Upon her return she would always be quizzed as to where she had been but would never divulge what had piqued her interest. Always choosing to either disappear alone or spend her time quietly reading Ava was viewed to be a solitary child and many feared lonely despite the fact that she was seemingly content with being on her own. One day Ava returned to her family home with another child. The young boy who looked to be of a similar age to Ava said nothing to the rest of her family and chose to follow her around like a shadow. Despite the Spensworth family's effort to cajole the boy into speaking he remained mute and watchful of them, leading the family to name him Greer, meaning “watchful” or “guardian” as they viewed him as Ava’s attentive protector. One day he would become Greer Gallaward. Naturally the children’s closeness lead to romance as teens. However as Ava’s obvious intelligence led her to become less introverted and transformed itself into a natural ability to teach those around her Greer became more adventurous and began to stray further and further afield. It soon became known that Greer had been untrue to Ava. This humiliation led to Ava removing herself from her community in the efforts to once again seek solitude however this time those that she had taught followed her and thus organically the house of Spensworth was formed. The houses of Gallaward and Spensworth forevermore felt a raw magnetism towards each other, but be warned this gravitational pull can be both a blessing and a curse.
Campbell
The house of Campbell was founded by Alzena Campbell in 1902. Alzena, meaning “imaginative” or “creative” was a fitting name for someone who showed their creativity visually through their clothing and aesthetic. With a keen eye for fashion and a natural flamboyance Alzena Campbells stand out look was revered by others and made her a natural leader. Her followers desired to replicate her style leading to her creating fashionable looks for them in her signature green colours. Alzena was the youngest of all the founders when she established the Campbell House, her reputation and creativity grew as did her celebrity at a young age. She became a consultant for some of the most noteworthy people of her time. Alzena was a firm believer that a strong look was emblematic of a strong leader and advised as much to those that sought her wisdom. Finding fame to be a superficial world Alzena chose for her house to become very tight-knit and becoming a member increasingly difficult. Despite the difficulty to become a Campbell they formed a strong bond with the Enco Household who shared their artistic flair. Seen as dandies, the Campbell household were often not taken seriously by the other already established houses. Underestimating the Campbells for their seeming frivolity is to ignore their strengths. Living the high life eventually took its toll on Alzena who after only 13 years as its head Although Alzena’s reign was short lived her legacy was not and the Campbell name and reputation only grew from strength to strength.
Chaplin
The house of Chaplin was founded by Kumo Chaplin in 1807 following his duplicitous departure from the Brooga house. Kumo, a name of Japanese origin meaning spider, was bestowed upon him as a child due to his agility when ascending the surrounding forest and mountains. These skills enabled him to become an accomplished hunter which led to his success within the Brooga house. His natural aptitude for hunting led Kumo to strive to become the best hunter, a passion always spurred on by his ulterior motive of hopeful eventual succession. This hunger led him to devour every bit of knowledge about hunting that he could find. Coincidentally this led him to discovering more than just how to be a successful hunter. Although 1807 is the official date of the house of Chaplin, Kumo always maintains that its birth came with his spiritual awakening 5 years prior. Once he had learnt of the intricacies of the wildlife that surrounded him he could no longer bring himself to hunt with the same vigour. He began to drift off into the forest and mountains that enveloped the village in order to study and better understand nature. Kumo quickly learnt that through the symphony of sounds that emanated around him he could control nature in a way that hunting could never muster. In the five years that followed Kumo began to instruct others from the Brooga house on how to use nature to their advantage. Finding Kumo to be a more enigmatic leader, his new cult following grew inconspicuously within the village. The decision to break off and form their own house, The Chaplin House, was cemented when on a trip he stumbled upon a primitive settlement of Brooga outcasts who had found the survival ritual barbaric and wished not to hunt. Their disorganisation and lack of leader paved the way for Kumo to swoop in and recruit them into his cult-like house. Now feeling strength in numbers Kumo persuaded the outcasts to join him. The Chaplin house settled in locations surrounded by nature, their teachings focused on spirituality and music. This dependance and love of sound intertwines the descendants of the Chaplin House and The Spensworth house despite their differences in its uses. The Chaplin treason runs deep in the memories of the Broogas.
Galloward
The house of Galloward was founded by Greer in 1674. The name Greer, of Greek origin, was given to him by the Spensworth family due to his watchful and protective nature towards their daughter, and future founder of the Spensworth House, Ava. The Spensworth and Galloward houses share their founding date due to the turbulent end of their romance when it came to light that Greer had been untrue. Their mutual devotion to one another was cast aside carelessly by Galloward who retrospectively showed no regret for his actions. This led to a pattern of behaviour which threw the Galloward’s moral compass into question. Little is known of Greers origins, his life seemed to only have started once he came into Ava’s life. This incertitude surrounding his childhood and upbringing is often seen a reason for the unscrupulous attitude of the House. Following his split from the Spensworths, Greer along with others of questionable moral integrity, formed a clique on the fringes of their former home. Their lifestyle becoming more and more attractive to others showed their numbers swell over time until they eventually grew tired of living on the edges of their abandoned society which led them to seek greener pastures. Opting for a nomadic lifestyle the Gallowards' thirst for adventure and insatiable quest for pleasure spurred them on to travel wherever took their fancy. The incessant travel of the Gallowards had a side effect of introducing them to different cultures and houses where they found a kindred spirit in the Enco household.
Langan
The House of Langan was founded in 1450 by Kai Langan. The name Kai has varied origins and meanings. This shape-shifting quality was favoured by Kai’s parents as the child manifested early-on signs of being two-spirited. One of the meanings of the name Kai is “warrior”, something that their parents strongly believed them to be, a warrior of those that were Two-spirited. Two-spirited people were revered within the community as benefiting from both female and male inclinations as well as fulfilling a third ceremonial and social role, making them wiser and more spiritually awakened. From an early age Kai’s engaging personality made them popular amongst their peers. Kai enlightened those around them to the benefits of the fluidity of not complying with gender specifics. As Kai grew they were sought out for advice and guidance making them a central figure within their community and thus the house of Langan was born. Through their teachings their house grew to become a peaceful community with more and more people identifying as two-spirited. This harmony allowed for the community to live in close quarters and to live in a more communal way. The Langan House is known for being sociable and independent. Once you realise that you have found your home within the Langans you will no longer feel the need to seek solace elsewhere. The spirituality of the Langan House is mirrored in that of the Chaplins, however despite their shared awakening their uses are varied. The Langan house choose to use their awakening to better understand themselves whereas the Chaplins use it to control nature. These opposed views are similarly manifested in the Buckphery house who also share a naturalistic awareness, that unlike the Chaplins, they use to better understand their habitat.
Buckphrey
The House of Buckphrey was founded in 1530 by Senda Buckphrey. Senda, who’s name originated from the Inuit Goddess who was “the mother of the sea” lived with her community on the icy shores of the north. The community’s dependence on the sea to live was primitive and uneducated, their lack of knowledge stunted their growth. From an early age Senda saw that their relationship with nature needed to be developed and wishing for her community to strive, she occupied herself with understanding the land they called home. Senda chose to immerse herself in nature, she would spend her time studying the wildlife and vegetation in order to better understand their cycles and ways. A keen swimmer, Senda often took to the ocean engulfing herself in the maritime landscape. Through time Senda’s understanding of the habitat that they shared with various species became second nature to her. Her nurturing personality enabled her to bestow her findings on her peers and to help her community to thrive. As it grew in strength and numbers it was as natural for Senda to take the lead as it was for her to swim and so the House of Buckphrey was born. It is believed that the Buckphrey teachings and learned respect for nature were part of the inspiration for such houses as Chaplin and Gallaward. However The Buckphrey descendants despise Broogas for their complete lack of respect for nature and their systematic destruction of all living creatures. The House of Buckphrey’s awareness for not only their surroundings but also the impact that they have upon it and their brethren as they navigate through life gives them common footing with the Langan house as well as their shared indigenous mythology.
Enco
The house of Enco was founded by Gravadain Enco in 1915. Gradavain, meaning someone who is creative and loves to explore, was an apt namesake. From a young age Gravadain could focus on nothing other than art and culture. Spending house feasting on any information he could find about different cultures and artists. Having always seen the Campbell house as his natural home, Gravadain, confident in his creativity, attempted to join the Campbell house, only to be rebuffed. Despite his disappointment Gravadain saw this rejection as an opportunity to further enhance his mind and imagination, spurring him on to strive to be even better than before. When in 1915 Alzena Campbell died, Enco saw his opportunity to create a house that could rival that of the Campbells in culture, art and creativity. Seeing the other house as frenemies Gravadain took inspiration from their connections in high places and used these to enable him to travel all the while recruiting new members into The Enco house. Contrary to the more regimented and structured house of Campbell, The Enco house chose a more bohemian approach. Their thirst for knowledge led them to discovering new cultures and curating from each their own style of House. Differing from the Campbell house, Gravadain chose for the Enco house to express their creativity through art. Soon Enco pieces became collectable. As well as creating artwork Gravadain also taught, and with his school created a sanctuary for anyone who possessed an artistic inclination. The Enco school transformed into a space of discovery and invention, always striving to create something new and interesting. This shared passion with the Spoulding house cements their friendship, enabling both houses to learn from each other. The bohemian lifestyle favoured by the Enco House stops them from being a high political power amongst the other houses. However Enco’s do not see this as a disadvantage but rather a blessing that they do not waste their energy on trivial matters of power and greed. Choosing instead to harness their power through knowledge and culture the Enco house see friendship and sharing as the best way to curry favour with the other houses.
Spaulding
The house of Spoulding was founded in 1886 by Eli Spoulding. Its origins were that of a scholastic group who would convene to discuss new ideas and technical advances as well as hashing out ancient theories and texts. Eli, who’s name was of Hebrew origin meaning high or elevated, manifested these traits throughout his life in his continual quest to strengthen his mind and seek a higher truth. Referred to, by his peers, as brilliant or a genius, his early scientific and technological advances have filtered down to many modern day inventions. Although the group started off in a relatively casual way, the sheer intelligence of Eli shone through and despite Eli not being a natural leader those around him could not help but hang on his every word. The Spoulding House welcomes all those who wish to broaden their minds and show a true thirst for knowledge. This hunger for information often leads The House of Spoulding to be introverted in their ways. Unlike the Langans, they do not seek large crowds but prefer to group in smaller numbers to better enhance their debates. The Spoulding and the Spensworth house often find common ground in their love for reading and solitude, often swapping ideas and discoveries; this cross pollination allows both houses to further develop their intellect. Similarly this thirst for reinvention and unearthing of the next big thing also paves the way for a friendship with the Enco house.
Vargan
The House of Vargan was founded in 1094 by Malou Vargan. “Malou” of french origin means “renowned warrior”. Originating from a warrior tribe, Malou killed her predecessor cousin at the age of 17 claiming the clan for herself. At a clan feast Malou approached her cousin as if intending to toast him, at the last minute brandishing her weapon and slitting his throat. The brutal and unscrupulous killing of not only a family member but also the leader in front of the rest of the tribe made Malou a feared warrior and head of clan not only for her own people but all those they came into contact with. As the oldest and most established clan, hailing from an age where in order to win politically bloodshed was needed, the Vargan House have held and maintained a reputation as a delinquent and cunning group. The Vargan’s unprincipled ways have at times shown parallels with the Brooga and Gallaward Houses, however despite shared mantras, the Vargans see no other house as a friend but only as a foe or competitor, and have at one time of another had or attempted conflict with each of the Houses. During Malous' reign she actively grew the clan's numbers and territories through cunning battle plans and devious attacks. Although she was praised and admired for her feats, unrest bubbled within the Vargan House as many others saw her position as unstable and ready for the taking. Although many tried in vain to dethrone her it was only her nephew who succeeded. Taking inspiration from Malous own ascension he chose to kill her in the same way she killed the previous leader. Having chosen to never have a partner or children as her focus lay only in battle, the killing of Malou was swift and sneaky. Despite Malous departure the new leader chose to keep the name Vargan as its reputation had become so feared and notorious.
Brooga
The house of Brooga was founded in 1782 by Bodgan Brooga. His name sake, Bodgan, of Slavic origin meaning “Given by God” was found, by his followers, to be truly apt due to his “godly” hunting abilities. His small group of loyal followers who stuck by him for protection from the surrounding wildlife would spread tales of his seemingly impossible feats on their nomadic travels to faraway villages. His notoriety grew after he successively hunted 20 grizzly bears in 3 days that had been terrorising a quiet hamlet in the mountains. The locals were so enamoured by this feat that they gifted him their hamlet which doubled once he and his followers settled there, thus cementing his house. The Brooga house were so in awe of their prolific leader that they strived to replicate his athleticism and confidence within themselves. Classing these traits as the most important in a person, they would force their young at the age of 11 years old to survive in the mountains on their own for a month, armed with nothing but a hunting knife. Those that survived were welcomed home and provided with their own dwellings within the ever growing village. Those that came home with a bear's head automatically joined Bodgans inner circle and were granted a seat within the Houses council. Those that didn’t make it back were never spoken of again and their families shamed. After 25 years of quiet and steady life the now complacent Bodgan suffered treachery within his ranks when a young council member conspired against him, and taking a large chunk of his followers left the house to create their own now known as the Chaplin House. Although their agility had been favourable for hunting they spiritually decided they could no longer live with people who viewed hunting innocent animals as not only a sport but something to be praised. The Brooga house has never forgiven the Chaplin House for the treachery.