Sciurus Family

House Sciurus hails from the city of Stoneville on the continent of Atamara. Though powerful and highly respected in ancient times, the family fell into poverty and obscurity in the modern era. The family was restored to some respect by Sir Marten Sciurus, now deceased, through a combination of iron discipline, hard campaigning and a knack for always being on the winning side of a war. Lord Macrinus, eldest son of Marten, now rules House Sciurus and works to reclaim his family's former glory.

Family History

Family tree of House Sciurus (abbreviated)

Older Generations

All living nobles of House Sciurus trace their lineage back to Paolo Sciurus, the family's sole survivor of the Great Southron Plague. Of the children of Paolo, the two most notable are his son Savio and daughter Illyn. Both served the realm of Abington with minor distinction and Illyn particularly was reputed to be a fearless and unpredictable warrior. Illyn's wild spirit led her to eventually marry a commoner against the wishes of her father and she was shunned by her family for the rest of her life. While her descendants are considered full members of House Sciurus, they are barred from inheriting the leadership of the family.

Sir Marten Sciurus

After his father Savio was killed in battle, Marten Sciurus became head of the House. Marten's fame quickly surpassed that of his father thanks to his discipline and solid military tactics. Though only a mediocre warrior himself, Marten drilled his troops relentlessly to form them into one cohesive and agile unit. In the chaos following the dissolution of Abington, Marten immediately pledged House Sciurus to King Magnus the Mighty and the nascent realm of Caergoth. His ability to preserve his small force almost completely intact even in the face of a strategic defeat put his unit at the front of several important attacks and counter-attacks. After the destruction of the Protectorate of Magnus by Caergoth, he was created Sir Marten and given a modest estate near Stoneville in reward for his service.

Children of Marten

Sir Marten went into semi-retirement at his estate in Stoneville leaving his eldest son Macrinus in charge of most family matters. Macrinus has worked hard to sustain his family's rise to glory and was created Viscount of Wynford only days before Sir Marten's death from a severe spring cough. Lord Macrinus has also made gestures to heal the breach between the two main branches of House Sciurus, giving his second cousin Vitor a grant of gold to establish him as a knight in the realm of Perdan on East Continent.

Sir Marten's second son, Alair, has grown up almost entirely in his elder brother's shadow. For refusing to stay at home while Macrinus rode to war, Alair was banished for a time to the continent of Dwilight and soon disappeared completely. After the death of his father, Macrinus revoked Alair's banishment and brought him home to Caergoth. However Alair's resentment of his brother and his impetuous nature quickly drove him to leave Atamara for Beluaterra. There Alair has begun to carve out a name for himself, becoming Viscount of Ardmore in the realm of Riombara.

Almost unknown is Galeo, a bastard son of Sir Marten from his days campaigning. While such bastards are not unusual among noble houses, Sir Marten kept a distant watch on his illegitimate son and provided a small sum of money for him to receive a rudimentary education. Galeo now lives as an adventurer in the Grand Duchy of Fissoa on Dwilight and has gained some prestige uncovering minor artifacts such as the Sacred Gem of Warding, the Emerald-Studded Arrow of Nuas and the Bloody Arrow of Unlife. Galeo's existence has been kept secret by Lord Macrinus, who watches his half-brother's career with some interest.

Notable Members

Living

• Lord Macrinus, Grand Marshal of Caergoth and Viscount of Wynford
• Lord Alair, Viscount of Ardmore
• Sir Vitor, Marshal of the Perdan Relief Army and Knight of Mulhouse
• Galeo, Adventurer in Grand Duchy of Fissoa