House Wilthorne of Ebonmoor

"The Black Thorne Strikes Deep."

House Wilthorne is a lineage entwined with the very roots of Ebonmoor, its history steeped in superstition, ambition, and an unshakable will to endure. Unlike the martial bloodlines of Valkenmar, who built their name upon conquest, the Wilthornes have always thrived in subtlety, patience, and control. Their motto, "The Black Thorn Strikes Deep," is more than mere words—it is a philosophy of quiet power and unseen influence.

Proud and historically loyal house of Faulmoor, once stood as a pillar of stability and cooperation with House Valkenmar. Lord Eadric Wilthorne, a man of sharp intellect and firm but measured leadership, worked closely with the Baron to ensure the security and prosperity of the region. Before the outbreak of the Rotmire Blight, House Wilthorne played a vital role in maintaining order, fostering trade, and reinforcing the Baron’s rule. Ebonmoor, with its natural defenses and strategic location, was a crucial asset to the region, and Eadric ensured that his house’s strength was dedicated to the greater cause of unity. He and the Baron shared a mutual respect, and while Valkenmar carried the weight of rulership, Wilthorne provided unwavering support, reinforcing the Baron’s decisions and aiding in Faulmoor’s governance. Together, they strengthened the region’s standing in Norvostra, ensuring that Faulmoor remained a force to be reckoned with in the kingdom.

But as the Blight spread, so too did Eadric’s doubts. The Baron, once a calculating and disciplined ruler, had become obsessed with containment and control at all costs. His increasingly erratic decrees, the ruthless quarantines, and the rumors of horrifying experiments in the name of finding a cure painted a picture of a desperate man grasping at power rather than leading with strength. Where once Eadric had seen a leader worth following, he now saw a man who had lost control—weak, unpredictable, and blinded by grief. To Eadric, the Baron’s paranoia had made him unfit to rule, and while House Wilthorne still outwardly pledged loyalty, the truth was far different. Eadric had begun securing his own future, strengthening Ebonmoor’s position while slowly and carefully undermining the Baron’s authority.

Trade restrictions, once enforced for the good of Faulmoor, now served Eadric’s purposes. He quietly redirected supplies, skimmed off wealth, and ensured that Ebonmoor remained well-fortified while the Baron’s lands fell into disarray. Smuggling, once a crime, had become a necessity—one that Eadric took full advantage of. The bridge connecting Vexenford to Rimewatch Keep, the only land route to Ebonmoor, was now his most valuable tool. While it remained open under the guise of keeping Faulmoor supplied, Eadric used it to discreetly move goods, control access to his lands, and tighten his grip on the flow of resources. His goal was no longer to simply support Faulmoor, but to reshape it. The Baron’s reign was crumbling, and when the time came, House Wilthorne would stand ready—not as loyal vassals, but as the future rulers of a stronger, more independent Ebonmoor.

Lord Eadric Wilthorne (46 years)

At the head of House Wilthorne stands Lord Eadric Wilthorne, a man of calculated ambition whose presence alone commands a room. Gaunt, pale, and sharp-eyed, he is not a warrior in the traditional sense but a tactician, a man who wields influence as others wield steel.

Before the Rotmire Blight, Eadric was a steadfast supporter of House Valkenmar, serving as a trusted vassal to the Baron. However, as the Blight spread and the Baron’s once-unyielding rule fractured beneath paranoia, Eadric’s once-genuine loyalty gave way to doubt and opportunity. While he keeps the pretense of allegiance, he maneuvers in the shadows, siphoning wealth and influence where the Baron’s grip falters.

It is whispered in the halls of Ebonmere that Eadric’s true power does not lie in steel or coin, but in knowledge and secrets. Some say he keeps council with those long dead, that he consults books best left forgotten. Whether these rumors are truth or fiction, none can deny the weight of his presence or the fear he inspires in those who would cross him. Eadric's connection to House Valkenmar extends beyond mere politics. He grew up alongside Ivor Valkenmar, the Baron’s younger brother, forming a bond that has endured despite the shifting tides of power. Their friendship was built on shared experiences, ambitions, and a mutual respect that has withstood the trials of time. Even as Eadric’s view of the Baron has soured, his relationship with Ivor remains one of genuine camaraderie. Some believe that Ivor may be the only man in Faulmoor whom Eadric truly trusts—or, at the very least, the only one whose loyalty he does not question.

While his friendship with Ivor Valkenmar remains strong, his view of the Baron has soured. Once, he saw Valkenmar as a necessary force of order, but now, he believes the Baron has lost control. The chaos of Faulmoor is no longer containable under a failing ruler, and Eadric is willing to make the difficult choices the Baron refuses to acknowledge.

Lady Elspeth Wilthorne (42 years)

Eadric’s wife, Lady Elspeth Wilthorne, is an enigma in her own right. Born into House Valehurst, a minor noble house known for its scholarly traditions, she is a woman of razor intellect and unwavering poise. While Eadric commands the political sphere, Elspeth is said to govern the mystical and historical. Many suspect she is the keeper of her husband’s rumored occult knowledge, her presence in Blackthorn Keep’s forgotten libraries a subject of much speculation.

Elspeth is known to rarely speak, but when she does, her words are deliberate, often carrying multiple meanings. There are those who say her influence rivals her husband’s—that she is not merely his consort but his co-conspirator. Some even claim that the whispers in Blackthorn Keep’s halls answer to her voice alone.

The Heirs of Wilthorne

Eadric Wilthorne II (23 years)

The firstborn son of Eadric and Elspeth, Edric Wilthorne II, has been raised in the shadow of his father’s calculated rule. A brilliant but distant figure, he is often seen but rarely heard, his cold demeanor mirroring his father’s silent authority.

Unlike his younger siblings, Edric has shown little interest in battle or diplomacy. Instead, he spends much of his time studying the lands of Faulmoor, its politics, and its histories. Some claim that he has already taken his mother’s place as the librarian of Ebonmere's forbidden texts. Others fear that his ambition may outgrow his father’s and that his patience is far less than Eadric’s own.

Seraphine Wilthorne (22 years)

Where her older brother is reserved and calculating, Seraphine Wilthorne is a master of deception, charm, and veiled threats. The second-born child of Eadric and Elspeth, Seraphine thrives in courtly intrigue, her words as sharp as any dagger.

She has cultivated a network of informants, spies, and favored allies across Faulmoor, her influence extending beyond the halls of Blackthorn Keep. To the nobility of Faulmoor, she is a vision of grace and allure, but to those who cross her, she is something else entirely.

Rumors claim that Seraphine has been tasked with monitoring the Baron’s court, ensuring that House Wilthorne always remains a step ahead. Some even say that she has Valkenmar’s inner circle in her grasp—though none can prove it.