Recluse Family

The Recluse family has only recently come to any notice in the world. [[image:]]

They originate from Matakonis in Abington, on Atamara. Purple Recluse was the first of their sons to take up a military career. Soon his older twin brothers, Gold and Black, saw the opportunity in his choice and left the family cobbling business as he had. Gold Recluse and Purple are often side by side in the defense of Abington, while Black migrated to The Colonies to join Giblot.

Black Recluse came to the notice of Sir Sera, Banker of Giblot, and eventually was rewarded with the Barony of Steepglades, A mountainous region on the Frontier opposing Outer Tilog . He had won the hearts of many peasants of his region, but soon lost his Barony to an overwhelming assault by the Tilogian dogs. This drove him nearly mad with thoughts of suicide and worse. After a few weeks of recovering from this horrid setback he has built his resolve back stronger than before, eager to win back his Barony and resume the care of those people he had grown so fond of. ((More on his personal page, linked below.))

The Recluse family has been in Matakonis for as long as can be determined. That would be five generations, stretching back more than one hundred five years. This is known from oral history related by the oldest family head, Gray Recluse XXIII. He tells stories he remembers from his grandfather, Gray Recluse XXII. There are stories about Recluse patriarchs and matriarchs from long ago which have to be considered legend. So here is what is known for sure, from Grandfather's stories:

Gray Recluse XXII was born 106 years ago, on this same farm that the family still runs. He raised chickens, fruit trees and grain, and sent his portion of harvest in as 'taxes'. He kept up a good supply of firewood, up to twenty cord, it is said. Thus he could sell a bit in winter to those who might have run out. In early March he often had a bit of silver from that enterprise, and was proud to be able to take his family on a trip to town, usually the Capital, Riverholm. Honesty, hard work and good husbandry were the virtues he taught his children. They guide the family still.

Brown Recluse XVII was born 85 years ago. He maintained the farm much as his father had. He believed that Industry would lead to wealth for the family, and so became the first Recluse to try Cobbling. His footwear was appreciated by the family, farmhands and neighbors, but not much further. He did gain some skill at tanning, however, earning enough to replace the very aged one-room hut with a sturdier three-room house. The family slept in the back room, while cooking was done in the front room. The third room did not enter into the first two. It was servant's quarters. Brown XVII also found a cave in a western stretch of Matakonis. He went to some trouble and expense to acquire title to that portion of land, ten acres that we still own although it lies fallow. He was convinced there was a 'treasure' or something of considerable value within the "Family Cave". Today we're not sure what it might be.

Gray Recluse XXIII is our current family elder, our grandfather. He has told us the above stories about his father and grandfather. He has focussed his attention on running the farm and family business. He still has a pair of shoes that his father made mounted on a plaque in the Cobbling Shed. He became very successful as a cobbler, making sturdy and comfortable footwear. His father had brought him to the legendary cave only a handful of times. They had to crawl on their bellies most of the way. There were two branches someways in, and two or three spots where they could rise up to a stooped sitting position.

/Purple /Gold /Black

/Purple /Gold /Black