HOUSE OF URCHINS

Titles: Lords & Ladies (unlanded)

Coat of Arms: Argent, Sea-Urchin sable

Motto: What lays in depths

Colors: Black and Silver

Estate: Palace Coral in Sirensong

Affiliation: The Mist Isles

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HISTORY KNOWN

Urchins count among old Mistan noble families rising to prominence as warriors and raiders in the deep history of Mist Isles, often leading destructive raids on the shores of the Eastern Continent. Most famously, the Urchins captured the bell from the shrine of Lady of the Lake in Caz-On-Bord in a daring raid shortly before relations between The Isles and Valkia normalized.

Even after the privateering was redirected to other parts of the world, raids conducted by Mistan-based pirates and pirate barons continued, threatening the newly established balance. As proven warriors, the Urchins were amongst those tasked with addressing the troubles. The bloody campaign was a great success; eastern Mist Isles were swept with such brutal efficiency that, for a time, the pirate threat in the area appeared to be completely eradicated.

That changed when it was discovered, several years later, that many pirate leaders, thought to have been slain in battle, were in fact alive and well — and now operating under the protection and in service of the House of Urchins.

The Urchins were charged with charges of treason and piracy, stripped of their holdings and subjected to such severe fines that the house was driven into total obscurity, believed to be extinct for over three centuries.

In fact, however, Urchins never disappeared, just like their aquatic namesakes, never to be completely pushed out of the shallows. Those who became the predecessors of the current main line took to exile on high seas, turning to lives of pirates and mercenaries, bearing a name newer to be spoken aloud, if only to be passed down on dying bed. 

As memories of them faded out on The Isles, Urchins slowly returned under the guise of false identities.  Advisors to corrupt courtiers, planners for crime syndicates, officers of rebellious factions. High enough to be in the know, newer too close to the head to be cut off with it. Positions often requiring years of planning and building trust.  Fed with gold from overseas, rarely knowledgeable who their real masters were and their overarching goal.

In years after the fall of the old dynasty, young adventurers bearing the surname of Urchins began to trickle to courts of royalty and high nobility, seeking employment primarily within the diplomatic corps. They quickly gained a reputation for their efficient - though not always clean - methods. 

Questions were raised, regarding their origins, yet they were able to maintain a level of plausible deniability. Though scrutiny was rarely too deep, as these new Urchins were uncannily useful — they always seemed to know which petty noble planned the treachery, which official had bribes in their coffers, where elements threatening the unity of the Serene Monarchy were hiding. The information fed from networks secretly built over years. 

Those who suspected the young Urchins were related to the ancient traitors, were rarely inclined to speak against them as their influence and trust grew. Up until the year 1590, when hulking ship The Toll bearing the legendary bell of Caz-On-Bord on its board, sailed in the port of Sirensong — the house was established anew.

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PRESENT

Despite not having any known holdings to their name, Urchins always seem able to draw on a nearly unlimited trove of liquid funds and can afford to field a small force of warships, including a mighty flagship: The Toll.

Common folk would know little of the House other than it is known for acquiring failing businesses across the Mistan Isles and turning them around—though, as slander would have it, not all of those businesses were failing before the Urchins took an interest in them.

In the corridors of higher Mistan society, the Urchins are respected for their diplomatic achievements, but followed by gossip too. Rumors suggest those achievements were, more often than not, reached at the tip of a dagger concealed under a cloak. 

Those with proper insight know the Urchins are bad news, and wherever discord is sown, a cackling lackey of the Urchins is likely to be found at the end of a faint trail of intrigue. Networks of informants, sleeper cells of saboteurs and assassins were slowly built to prepare for the family’s return. Now, spanning across the Isles. Nominally the network was delegated to protection of the Mist Isles from hidden threats as Urchins deals in counter-espionage. Those who have been hidden for years are allowed to move in the shadows, a house already bearing a mark of dishonor is permitted to use any means necessary to hunt down the enemy - in exchange for the occasional turning of a blind eye to their own dealings.

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ASSETS

Palace Coral:

One of many noble palaces in Sirensong, built from sea-wind-bleached limestone, travertine, and white marble, it catches the eye of every visitor with its immaculate beauty. The Urchins acquired the palace cheaply in 1590 after the previous owners disappeared mysteriously at sea.

The palace is kept in perfect condition and those few who visited speak about it being filled to the brim with exquisite treasures  and pieces of art. Though it is seldom the seat of balls and  banquets, and most of its windows remain dark in the evenings. 

Gossip of people being led inside only to never emerge, and faint screams being heard during breezeless night, are well-known rumors and slanders around the House of Urchins and no longer surprise anyone.

The Toll:

Flag ship of the Urchins. Though hardly comparable with greatships of Grand Admiralty, with tons of burthen nearing a thousand still a force to be reckoned with. Its blackened superstructures are rising from the sea as twin castles upon the cliffs. Between its mighty masts a bell of Caz-On-Bord is strewn, gently tolling as the vessel makes its way through the stormy seas.

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IMPORTANT MEMBERS

Living:

Lord Sarrad of Urchins (third of his name)

The head of the house, he is a man of few words, yet possesses a solemn charm. Already widowed once, his life is marked by loss. He is known for his intelligence and competence in both business and diplomacy. And ruthlessness with his enemies.

Brieze (neé Martolod)  

The elusive second wife of Lord Sarrad, a woman of cold beauty but lowly birth. Rumor has it that sinister magic was used to ensnare the affections of the handsome lord. She is known as Lady Mourning - if she visits your home, consider it a bad omen.

Berneth of Urchins

The younger sister of Lord Sarrad—the last surviving of his siblings and the only person he tolerates in his presence while he sleeps. A cheery young lady, she stands in stark contrast to her brother's gloom. If there is a rare banquet in the Palace Coral, it is most likely her doing.

 Ser Gwarlion

Husband of Lady Berneth—a rare union of love in a world of arranged marriages. A renowned fighter, he is tasked with leading the forces of the Urchins. Known as Ser Gale-glaive.

Historical:

Orrodell Bark-of-pine

Anecdotal founder of the House Urchins. Though his historicity is highly doubtful, the founding legend of house Urchins is the only consistent story in many disparate house chronicles. 

In the time of the Collapse, the Nua Sidhe dispersed across the world. One of them—a warrior of great skill and renown—was Orrodell. He embarked on a ship across the Ocean with others, seeking battle, loot, and perhaps a home for their old age.

Instead, the ship sailed into a thick mist and tore its belly open on murderous cliffs. Orrodell found himself alone, perched on a tiny rock, besieged by sea urchins so thoroughly that he couldn’t step into the water to catch a fish. So he sat upon the rock until the sun and salty wind dried his skin like old jerky.

It was then that the prince—soon to become king of the Isles—happened to sail nearby with his retinue. The prince laughed at the dried-up man, treating his misfortune as a jest. Orrodell, proud as he was, stood on his perch and called to the prince, inviting him to come share his good mood—with Orrodel’s fist.

The prince, amused by the man’s boldness, asked if he wasn’t afraid the princely retinue would tear him apart. But Orrodell simply gestured to the urchins in the shallows and said he had an army of his own.

And so, they agreed to a duel. After the urchins were cleared away with pikes and hammers, Orrodell, always eager for a fight, charged the prince the moment his boots touched the sand. But after days without food or water,  he simply fell on his face at the prince’s feet, unable to move.

The prince, already fond of the man, sheathed his sword and said with a cheeky grin, “It’s not often that warriors proud like you prostrate themselves before me so quickly—but I accept your fealty, Lord of Urchins. I  have use for a fist, a blade, or even a needle, if it’s wielded by a hand like yours.”