Ferum Family
Visiting the old monastery you stumble upon an old tome in the far corner of the library. Its leather volume is worn, and the title is barely readable. Still you manage to determine that this old book was once the record of the Ferum family, a house of nobles that origins from the western continents...
Family Ancestry
While many pages seem to be torn, or simply turned to dust, you can find no historical records longer than a few generations past. Although there is often a reference to the past, it is mostly out of context, and of no use without the full chronicle. What you do find, however, is the families origin. Apparently the first noticeable Ferum founded his house in the depths of the Western Continents, making a name for himself defending the first colonies. How exactly he ranked into the nobility is yet unknown. Heroic deeds and loyalty perhaps? It would be no surprise if those were the reasons, seeing as how many of young generation follow a honourable creed. But those are just speculations.
A few generations later the clan moved to the newfound realm of Ordenstaat, under the guide of Jareth Ferum, son of Gareth Ferum, and started the construction of their first family estate on the lands now known as Maeotis. Located almost on the border to Rettlewood, the clan took on the habits of the typical woodsmen that have settled there. Alongside the habits came the local folklore. A lack of official religion has forced the clan into paganism. The move of the clan is discribed as 'great opportunity', and 'unshackling', what is meant exactly you cannot see.
While it is known that the western continents are all in all a dangerous place to be, the area to the west of the mediterranean was even more so than any place else, and the cornerstone for a long line of warriors and strategists has been set. A few generations later, the house Ferum still stands, and the ordeal of frequent raids on their lands, both the estate, and Ordenstaat, has turned young men into proud warriors. There are a few exceptions as you can see, but the information is very vague, and as you flip through some of the pages you only find readings of the most recent noble, Balt Ferum, who refused to pick up the sword and bow.
Apart from all that, you also find profile and portrait of the most recent nobles of the house Ferum.
Family Members
Further into the tome you find a few pages specific for certain members of the house Ferum. Those whose pages were still intact though.
Family Creed
It would appear that over the years this tome has seen, many entries have been made into this section of the book. The handwriting varies from phrase to phrase as this collage assembles itself to a whole structure of text and wisdom. You read the following:
Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. Know yourself, and you know what others know of you. It will give you insight of what they expect, and what you can expect from them.
Say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. If your words strike true, and the intentions are pure you will succeed in your task ahead.
Learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak. Only a fool speaks out of place and character. Words have the power to bend whole kingdoms without martial means.
If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase.
Finally, make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens. If your mind is distracted with what could happen beyond your grip, you will fall victim to those you oppose.
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
Short is the joy that guilty pleasure brings. Heed these words and consider your action accordingly.
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. See the wisdom of both sides, see the picture as whole.
The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are truly a wise man.
Time will explain it all. He is a talker, and needs no questioning before he speaks.
What lies past this point is illegible.
