Scions of Heaven/Caradeen

Village of Caradeen

This village sits amongst farmland, forest, and a mountain. Its a quaint village, with a fountain at the center with a statue of an impressive woman

The Defenses of Caradeen

First Line

The Shadow Forest- The unlikely defense is the one that lets no one through it. As far as anyone knows only the Matron Scarlet Ruby and the single Caravan that visits twice year comes through this forest unharmed. Anyone else that attempts to cross the forest are attacked by the denizens of the forest, no mortal can certainly survive it, and thus far none of the Ebon Empress's forces have either. It is said that maddened forest spirits reside here, maddened by the power of the Ebon Empress.

Second Line

The Great Farmer Families- There are 5 Farmer families who are also the Second line of Defense for the Village, they do not work with the village and seem only to answer to the Matron. This is not to say that they ignore the village, when a threat strikes they do their best to protect the Village and assist the Guard if something breaks through their lines. The Five families are these:

• Mighty Bull and his family are the closest to the Forest at the West end of the valley, his sons are good farmers and even better warriors. This family is a brave spartan family, always the first donate their required amount of food to the Village of Caradeen. Mighty Bull is a gruff man, who has seen much in his life, sometimes one can see the sorrow in his gray eyes. His family is friendly even if they share their Head's gruff nature. Mighty Bull's wife, Seramin, is a slight woman who has made a name for herself in the ways of cooking. Its rare for her not to win the yearly cooking contest. Their children, the Children of their brothers and sisters are fine warriors, their skill with sword and spear matched only by Raging Blizzard's Warriors.

• Silent Rivers and her Family lie to the North pressed against mountains, it is said they are Dragonblooded Sorcerers and warriors. Silver Rivers is a silent, secretive woman, her husband was taken from her by what she calls the Great Purge. She rarely talks with the villagers, but occasionally talks with the village Council. The family itself keeps to itself though rarely do they drive away visitors from the Village, especially the Orphans from the Hill. No one truly knows the skill that Silent Rivers and her family have, only the Martial Prowess that protects the village from the Forest has been seen, but it is rumored that they are able to manipulate elemental forces.

• Raging Blizzard and his family is to the south pressed against the southern mountains. Raging Blizzard is a strong pale man, with scars that hint at a violet past. His family like him are bulky muscular men with skills in powerful martial arts, that had not been seen since the old Wyld Hunts. They are however a peaceful group, calm at all times and never harsh towards anyone else. Soft spoken Raging Blizzard himself visits the village regularly and always is available for a story or two of glorious battles. There is a rivalry between him and Mighty Bull however, and it always comes to the fore every year during the Calibration Festival.

• Whispered Dance and her family is one of two families that hold the center farms, she boards all of the farms, but only Illumin's family holds the farm before the Village Gates. Still there is no finer archers and bowmakers, friendly and very good with parties they are the only family next to Illumin that mingles with the village and the other families. Once could say they are the more sociable family. Their skill with the bow is matched by Illumin's in range, but not in accuracy.

• Illumin and his family are proud hunters and archers. Like Whispered Dance and her family Illumin's family are archers, but they are also hunters, and they brave the forest from time to time to bring back some exotic materials for meals. The board the Village Gates though and take the defense of it quite seriously. In fact Illumin makes it a point yearly to remind Tempest, the Captain of the Village Guard to strengthen the wall and skills of his men. Tempest does take Illumin and all of the Families seriously but he especially listens to Illumin, his wife, and their brothers and sisters. His family's children are the youngest about the same age as the Orphans. Recently Illumin has been constructing siege and anti-siege equipment saying that sooner or later the Ebon Empress will breach the barriers that hide the Village from her. Once could say Illumin and his family are a bit paranoid, not that the village finds this problematic, in fact they feel safer with his many worries.

Third Line

The Village Guard- The guard is made of the Citizens of the Village's men. Not a single man, young or not takes part in the defense of the village, however they especially have made it clear the Orphans are not to be a part of the village's defense. Truly no reason has been give but the Matron Scarlet Ruby supports this. Tempest commands the Village Guard, and he makes sure that three days of each week is dedicated to honing one's skill with their weapons. The Village Guard however is the Final Line, no adult in the Village desires the Hill to be breached, much less expected to fight. This may not make sense the children or the Orphans but the Adults of Caradeen understand this well.

Final Line

The Hill-