Human houses
House Crowell
Crest: A crowned porcupine Motto: I shall do as I will
House Crowell never submitted to the Empire, preferring to dwell in the destitution of the highlands rather than bend the knee. But when the Empire failed, there were few compelling reasons to avoid real civilization. So, occasionally, highlanders will fly the crowned porcupine and descend upon the City, determined to drain every drop of ale from the taverns. The folk of Crowell are bold, brash, and quick in both anger and friendship.
House Gryphes
Crest: A gold griffin rampant Motto: Thus always to tyrants!
House Gryphes just bleeds chivalry, and if you’re extremely good at jousting, you might get some on you. This three-part house was formed by the assassins who overthrew the Tyrant Emperor and destroyed the Empire. Previously, the griffin was thought to be a purely heraldic beast—a combination of the sigils of the three founding houses. Somehow, though, House Gryphes began breeding these hitherto imaginary creatures as mounts. Now, you’ll see the Griffin King and his circle of Griffin Knights flying above the City, smiling toothily down at the gravity-constrained commoners.
House Heartsbane
Crest: A black dragon below a sword impaling a heart Motto: Eat the weak
An ancient house, Heartsbane was known in the earliest ages for the gruesome practice of eating their fallen enemies. Though somewhat ignoble, their deeds in battle in recent years have earned them much fame. Their family's famous sword, which bears the same name as their house, was said to have felled many orcs—as well as Swart Arthi, a terrible black dragon.
Rumors persist that secret trap doors in their dungeon’s cells lead directly to the kitchen’s ovens, but House Heartsbane has proved to be a potent and powerful house despite such gossip.
House Ironpax
Crest: A crown weeping blood Motto: Peace through strength
Members of House Ironpax stretch the definition of “man-sized.” They are the biggest fuckers around, only a little shorter than trolls. It is said that in the first ages they bred with giants (but if that's true, the giants don't seem to remember any fair feelings for those of Ironpax, and will eat them just as happily as they eat everybody else).
If it matters, House Ironpax supported the Tyrant Emperor. This makes them somewhat unpopular these days, as the Last Emperor is not remembered kindly. They also have a tendency to mutter about fealty and traitors when they're in their cups. Most people don't bother to ask them to speak up, though. They really are quite large folk.
House Mourn
Crest: A white and black bend, with crow in white field and moon in black field Motto: For our sins
For the crime of witchcraft two centuries ago, House Mourn was exiled to the frozen north. It was that hard land (or the sorcery) that has given members of this house a sunken, pale, unwholesome look—as if something not quite dead.
Today, magic is thought of somewhat less dimly than in the days of the Empire (but only somewhat). The Wild of Mourn (which is how they style the lady of their house) guards the peaceful lands of the south from the rampaging orcish reavers by use of her sorcery. Occasionally, she’ll send one of her nephews or cousins down south to the City on some odd errand for the Tower of Penitence, wherein she dwells.
Arête
Humans gain arête by performing the following deeds:
Getting married
Fulfilling an oath
Defeating a member of a rival house in fair tournament or duel
When a human accomplishes all three arête triggers, they gain the following talent:
Human arête talent: Byname
You are given a byname, like “the Tall,” “the Corpsegrinder, “the Patron Saint of Pilgrims,” or “the Blackhearted.” When that byname would be relevant to a test of fate, similar to a motif, you test with favor.
Human role-playing concepts
Humans exhibit almost infinite variation.
Humans worship a confusing pantheon of gods (i.e., the major arcana of the tarot). They have a complicated theology to explain why they all worship the same god.
Humans are familial. They laud fidelity and filial piety as great virtues.
Humans are communal. They assemble themselves into great houses or clans. They internalize their community’s values.
Humans are individuals. They laud personal accomplishments and they shame personal failures.