| All information listed here is common knowledge that everyone has access to, but we encourage players to dig deeper. Ask around, do research, or even pay a visit. There's a whole world out there to explore.
|
| Old Iron
|
| "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." - Sam Ewing
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
History: Old Iron Freehold was founded in 1855 when the railroad first came to Allentown, bringing with it a surge in population, trade, and industry. It affected the Freehold strongly. As trade in the city grew, the Gentry turned their sights on taking advantage of the downtrodden factory/coal/mill workers, finding some of them easily captured. The Fae stole those who they valued for their skills. Much of the Freehold came from these same captives who later escaped and returned or those who simply wished to take up the cause. It created a culture that values hard work, but also camaraderie.
Crowns:
- Spring: Astoria Bradley (she/her, Elemental Bright One) - Astoria is sprightly and cheerful, bringing life to any party she attends. Over the last few years, she's mellowed with age, less likely to gossip openly and more likely to give grace to those near her. She loves old cars and motorcycles, and has dedicated her mortal life to customizing the most awesome rides. She is both stereotypically feminine and never turns down the chance to get her hands dirty inside an engine. If she breaks a nail, that's just an excuse for another manicure.
- Summer: Enyo Stygia (they/them, Wizened Helldiver) - Enyo is a hothead who ended up with the Crown two years ago after Red-Handed Nick was Taken by an apparent Huntsman during an attack on Old Iron. Enyo was once a member of Shackamaxon, and didn't have a very good reputation, largely because they butted heads with Devon more than was useful for anyone. They apparently get along better in Old Iron: most at least respect them, either despite or because of their fiery attitude.
- Autumn: Marie Temple (she/her, Ogre Muse) - Imagine Sofia from Golden Girls, but less cruel and more practical when she says what's on her mind. She can be very kind, even maternal, but only to those she's taken under her wing. She owns Bethlehem Old Farms, a farm-to-table restaurant frequented by many of Old Iron's members. Many Freehold events happen there.
- Winter: Smokestack Stan (he/his, Darkling Artist) - Stan is the oldest Monarch, having worn the crown since the 80s (and a part of the Freehold for even longer). He’s the grandpa of the Freehold, the one that the vast majority feel safe and guided by. Has substantial ties to local industry and unions.
Other Known Members:
- Frey (Spring)
- Tide (Summer)
Dead/Lost Members:
Old Iron patrols & controls the far end of the Stable Trod that passes through Philidelphia and ends down at Cape May. The portion between Cape May and Philadelphia is considered to be part of Shackamaxon's responsibility. The part of the Stable Trod which is between the Freehold Hollows and the Lehigh Valley is shared responsibility between Old Iron and Shackamaxon.
|
| Patriarch Tree
|
| "If you know where you are from, it is harder for people to stop you where you are going." - Matshona Dhliwayo
Location: Dover, Delaware
History: The Freehold was first formed at the Underground Railroad's height. Many Lost joined the cause, helping once-enslaved persons reach freedom, putting their lives and their own freedom on the line. In their minds, safe travel is the cornerstone of freedom. Over the years Patriarch Tree's members devoted themselves to creating numerous Stable Trods connecting locations across the region and the world. They actively foster connections to mortal transportation businesses and basically run Dover Air Force Base. The Freehold's members maintain contacts all over the world, mortal and Lost, thanks to their international ties.
Crowns:
- Spring: Moss Eisley (any, Ogre Chimera) - Moss is surprisingly martial for a Spring Crown. She spent many years as a Claviger before eventually claiming the Crown when the previous Spring leadership stepped aside, and it shows. They are fiercely protective of the honor and reputation of the Freehold and very good at defending it. He works closely with the Summer court to assure the Freehold’s resources are secure and is always pushing others to expand their influence further.
- Summer: Jacob Fireheart (he/him, Darkling Truebalm) - An Air Force veteran before the Fae took him, Jacob knows the military life and took to the Summer court well. Now he works on Dover AFB as a counselor/psychiatrist, helping the Freehold keep control of the base itself while also keeping a finger on the pulse of the Court's mental well-being. He’s a damn good leader, reputedly inspiring and kind. Jacob believes that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. It's a common joke that Moss is more Summer than he is, but he laughs it off. Jacob's Token limb is a new masterwork, created by the Truebalm in concert with Alice Dickinson.
- Autumn: Kait Greenrot (they/them, Fairest Leechfinger) - Kait is the social powerhouse of Patriarch Tree, always with a sly grin on their face. They work their ass off to make sure travel through the Stable Trods runs smoothly. They’re constantly meeting with hob leaders, mortal allies, and ambassadors from other Freeholds to forge new connections and make new deals. And, rumor has it, they’re very good at making problems disappear.
- Winter: Alice Dickinson (she/her, Wizened Antiquarian) - Alice is a crime thriller writer in her mortal life under the pen name "Sarah Tremblay". (Fame 2) She uses the proceeds to fund a lot of Patriarch Tree's mortal resources. She’s very reclusive and introverted, preferring to communicate through letters and texts than talk in person. Don't ever force her to talk on the phone. When forced to have face to face meetings she tends to be very blunt, trying to get meetings over with.
Other Known Members:
|
|
| Red Rose
|
| "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family." - Kofi Annan
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
History: The oldest western-style Freehold in the region other than Shackamaxon, Red Rose's roots date all the way back to the late 1600s. A Freehold of scholars and historians, they claim to own the region's most expansive library. While once the jewel of the region, over the past century their power and prestige waned. Most Lost migrate to larger cities rather than stay in Lancaster, so their numbers dwindle. Most remaining members are either bitter, insular, and believe themselves entitled to far greater, or locals who simply love living in the country. Red Rose's bitter members see the other Freeholds as ungrateful and spoiled. After all, Red Rose protected and fostered them during their fledgling days. (They don't like being reminded that Shackamaxon is older than them.) Red Rose is especially hostile towards Shackamaxon and History’s Cradle, especially the latter.
Crowns:
- Spring: Heidi Hamilton (they/them, Darkling Mirrorskin) - Heidi is obsessed with history. They get a kick out of Mirrorskinning to resemble various historical figures, from the founding fathers to 70s pop stars. They love collecting all manner of historical objects and leap from obsession to obsession on a weekly basis. They run a small local theatre company dedicated to historical plays and reenactments. History should be fun and interactive as well as educational!
- Summer: Mateo Alvarez (he/him, Beast Playmate) - In a Freehold of scholars, it's no surprise that Mateo isn't the most aggressive of Summer monarchs. He'd rather fight with words and has honed his abilities over the years he's been Crown & Regent. He cuts people down without ever lifting his claws or baring his teeth. He’d much rather bring people together, when possible, than cut them down. Maybe you can write a poem about your feelings?
- Autumn: Eleanor Whitaker (she/her, Fairest Notary) - Eleanor personifies every nightmare principal or school teacher still haunting the minds of adults. Intimidating, strict, and dangerously intelligent, she’s the Dean of Franklin and Marshall College and expects only the best from her students. She oversees the care of Red Rose's prized library, rumored to be full of strange artifacts and rare tomes.
- Winter: Captcha (he/him, Wizened Bright One) - Captcha tries. Boy does he try. He always comes off kind of awkward, frequently stumbling over himself. Or maybe the flustered nerd act just hides his competence and intelligence: he did become Winter Monarch, after all. He’s trying to bring the Freehold into modern times, backing up their libraries and records into digital files. Captcha uses his skills as a hacker and researcher to try to keep the Freehold one step ahead in the information game.
Other Known Members:
- Cassie Rohrer (she/her, ?? ??): A member of Blue Rock Fire Rescue in Millersville, Cassie is tall and slender.
|
| History's Cradle
|
| "There is no limit to how good you can get in pursuit of perfection." - Sachin Kumar Puli
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
History: History’s Cradle was founded in 1814, after the Battle of Baltimore. Rumor has it a previous Freehold died - or was destroyed - during the Revolutionary War, and the Lost soldiers and revolutionaries who fought in the Battle of Baltimore decided to build a new home, focused on revolutionary ideals. The members of History’s Cradle take pride in their freehold's involvement in in many important moments in American history. However, ideals of revolution slowly turned to ones of power and competition over the past century as the Freehold’s population expanded. Baltimore has a lot of influence over mortal society and thus History's Cradle often draws ambitious Lost, those seeking to make something of themselves. With so many fighting to get ahead, it creates a very cut-throat atmosphere.
Crowns:
- Spring: Eddie Crude (he/his, Elemental Chatelaine) - Eddie is sleazy. He can be charming and charismatic, but it’s always in an oily way. He claims he can’t help it, being what he is, and doesn’t seem to have any shame about it. He’s embedded in Baltimore’s nightlife, with fingers in arts and entertainment. You’ll usually meet him at a party, surrounded by all manner of indulgences. He also has ties to the city’s criminal spheres. If you need something, Eddie can get his greasy hands on it for you.
- Summer: Sulochana Nagin (she/her, Fairest Gristlegrinder) - Sulochana is every bit as terrifying in a boardroom as she is in a battlefield. She delights in tearing rich white men apart, and she does so often during her day job as a corporate takeover specialist. She finds people’s weaknesses, guts them, and makes them better—while profiting from their failures. She’s also quite fond of gutting people more literally, with her sword.
- Autumn: Chadwick Hirschorns (he/his, Fairest Draconic) - Chadwick is old money. He’s very proud of his good breeding, and never lets anyone forget it—and isn’t afraid to use his family’s name and power to get what he wants. He’s, honestly, an asshole. Most people don’t like him, and those who do (or pretend to) are just trying to claw their way up the social ladder. He’s carefully cultivated a lot of power among Baltimore’s rich elite and government, pulling strings and bribing officials left and right.
- Winter: Jane Doe (she/her, Darkling Snowskin) - Jane is an unknown, but rumors of her power-hungry nature abound. She comes off bitter and cold and has little patience for incompetence. She has a large web of fake IDs that no one has been able to fully uncover, and rumors claim she has extensive ties among local hobs and other supernatural communities. She has extremely high Wyrd.
Other Known Members:
|
| Stone Pony
|
"To reach a port we must set sail –
Sail, not tie at anchor
Sail, not drift."
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Location: Asbury Park, New Jersey
History: Cape May used to house an old, proud Freehold. On September 2, 1983, a massive Wyrdstorm rose up out of the Hedge ocean, swallowing the Freehold whole. Nothing of the old seaside Freehold Hollow remained and most personal Hollows and Trods washed away, along with those inside them. Some survivors fled to inland Freeholds. Others refused to be chased away from the sea. They traveled to higher ground, carving out a new Freehold in Asbury Park, NJ. It remains a very small Freehold of only a dozen or so Lost. Strong, stubborn, resourceful, and seemingly heedless of danger, they embrace their risky lifestyles. The Freehold tends to focus more on tending to the Hedge & Fae side of their lives than the mortal side, which only enhances the rumors of them being prone to Bedlam and instability. Members of Stone Pony receive second names when they do something noteworthy enough to earn it, a tradition which recognizes their legendary deeds.
Crowns:
- Spring: Blake, the Stormcaller (zie/zir, Elemental Nightsinger) - Blake is intense. Zie never does anything simply, every emotion felt as if it's zir last. Zie loves passionately, laughs with the boom of thunderclaps, hates violently, and celebrates exuberantly. A force of nature, zie uses zir booming siren-like voice to call up and command storms. Zie built zir legend around zir hedgespinning ability and high Wyrd. Breena’s twin.
- Summer: Breena, the Shipbreaker (she/her, Darkling Dryad) - Breena's paranoia and prickly nature makes her not as good with people as her twin, Blake. She comes off prickly and suspicious at the best of times, always looking over her shoulder, always looking for threats in every shadow. She pushes the other Summers (and the rest of the Freehold) to their limits at every opportunity, preparing everyone for the next battle. She owns several mundane sailing companies, spanning commercial and tourist fishing as well as shipping. She earned her name after a battle in which she and her crews destroyed a fleet of pirate privateers.
- Autumn: Joseph Bay/Serpent's Bane (he/him, Ogre Nymph) - Joseph thrives on fear. He constantly seeks that next adrenaline high, the next thrill, the next terrifying near-death adventure. Sometimes appearing ditzy and shallow, Joe often acts more like a laid back surfer bro than a Monarch, but he can be terrifying when occasion demands. He's the newest Monarch, still stretching out his fins. He got his name after racing a sea serpent, winning, and then apparently wrestling it into submission when it wouldn't admit defeat.
- Winter: Undertow (she/her, Darkling Hunterheart) - Undertow displaced the former Winter Queen, Riptide, under circumstances not revealed to the outer world, save that Riptide left after last year's Crowning, when the crown landed on Undertow's head. The soft-spoken mermaid deals much more evenly with other freeholds, so most outside the freehold welcome the change.
Other Known Members:
|
|