Kastran

House Kastran
House Kastran is an ancient house, having their blood line stretch back to the founding of the Empire. The offspring of Kastran generally have black hair and pale ice blue eyes. The Kastrans laid claim to the mountain range north of the Empire's capital, Avalon, and built their castle and home, Déorroth, upon the peak of grand mountain that provides both a vantage point on the mountain pass below, and the far bank of the shore. Kastran's head bear the title of Déorroth's protector.

Kastran's flag bears several colors but the people view their primary colors to be black and red. Their motto being "The dead hold no secrets."

The founding
The founding of house Kastran is a tale as old as the Empire. Upon the conclusion of the banishment of the Elves and the founding of the Empire. Clan Kastran, not yet nobles, fervently supported Eagen Vareylen great-grandson Alvion Vareylen and his expansion efforts, devoting all they could to spread his cause, several of their clansmen managing to claim positions of authority, and leading Imperial forces to countless victories. When the empire began to push northward, Kastran's forces were right there at the front lines, fighting against the Northern Raiders, but their forces were forced to dig in, and hold out for reinforcements. With the victory that followed the Griffon's successful quelling of the Northern Raiders, the clansmen of old were granted stretches of land as a reward for their support. Thanks to the fervent support, the Kastrans were granted a plot of land in the mountain range close to the Empire's capital, in which they settled and built their home and fortress Déorroth.

The Golden age
As the "Golden age" of the empire stretched on, the Kastrans remained vigilant, their forces constantly trained for war, despite their subjects disgruntled complaints from the shadows. Half their hold spending every other year in the military service, and the other half attending to civil tasks needed to be done. Their coffers suffered, but when the "Golden age" came to an abrupt end, they were ready.

The War of the Orc
When the Orc horde laid siege upon the lands of the Empire, the Katran's were quick to act. Their forces were able to defend their own lands, more or less, but nothing could prepare them for the sheer brute force the Orcs had thrown at them. They were forced into a defensive war, fighting to prevent the Orcs from destroying all they had worked and bleed for. Finally, the Kastran's broke free from the Orc's attack and marched for Avalon, upon their march they discovered GreenWall was under siege by the Orcs much like they were, deciding quickly the Kastran army moved in and supported their brothers, quickly breaking the Orc siege between the two forces. This support however, came at a price, they were unable to make it to Avalon in time for the final battle. When the final siege hit Avalon, only twenty three Kastran soldiers were there to stand at her walls. This failure at being there to protect their capital burned the Kastrans to the core, forever changing their house.

Aftermath
Following The War of the Orc the Kastrans changed, their mood darkened, and they started delving into an art many consider inhumane, this art is named torture. The Kastrans quickly adopted this art to their life style. They turned the cavern they dug out beneath their castle into a torture chamber. Torturing those they felt threatened the integrity of the empire. They felt nothing to be to far when it came to torturing, they found ways to draw the pain out as long as possible before letting the victim expire.

Current Events
The Kastrans quickly found out that there is such thing as to far when it comes to their favorite art. A man that Kastran soldiers caught snooping around their lands was tortured to death, the soldiers thinking him but a nameless spy. News spread of the emperor's missing son, news spread of Kastran soldiers dragging a man that matches the Emperor's son's description into the castle and with in a fortnight the Crown's forces were marching into Déorroth and demanding that Zorander Kastran submit to Imperial law and release the emperor's son, having been caught off guard by this demand, Zorander walked the captain into his castle's prison and was shocked to find the Emperor's son's body being prepared for cremation, the captain ordered Zorander to submit and be taken back to Avalon for the torturing and death of the Emperor's son. Zorander submitted without incident upon this discovery. The trial was swift, and the Zorander's pleas falling on deaf ears as the magistrates sentenced him to public execution. The magistrates however had no idea the impact their decision would have, for no sooner did the headsman's axe sever Zorander's head, did the noble houses of the Empire roar in outrage. Several houses breaking from Imperial law, and House Kastran was loudest of all the voices. Openly declaring war on the Empire.

Economy
The Kastran house has some of the deepest pockets in the Empire. Thanks to the careful planning and luck their founders had.

Precious Gems
Chief among the Kastran's exports are precious gemstones. Having their castle built upon a large deposit of diamonds, has greatly increased the wealth gained from their trade. Furthermore several smaller deposits of Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby exist throughout their lands.

Steel
Their second most abundant commodity is steel, their lands possessing several decent sized deposits of iron ore, and their smiths knowing a jealously guarded secret technique to increased their production of steel. The Kastran's dive the steel they produce, exporting only a fourth of their total production, allowing them to keep a majority of their steel and better equip their soldiers.

Tolls
Before their rebellion, the Kastran's had managed to levy a rather substantial tax on all incoming and outgoing merchants. The merchants happily paying the tax than risk the treacherous canyon pass on the East bank.

Military Strength
Due to their closeness to the Empire's capital, and the strict military codes laid down by their founders, the Kastran military force has been able to maintain one of the largest noble forces. Their current standing forces are around two hundred and sixy eight men, all of which are tasked with watching, and defending the borders of Kastran lands.

The standard Kastran soldier is equipped with a standard steel barbute, schynbald, poleyn, and a two piece cuirass, and their weapon varies by personal preference, generally made of steel, unless the weapon is a large blunt instrument, in which case it is iron.

Military organization
The Kastran military is divided into four separate branches each with their own commander. All four commanders hold the same amount of power, but can not directly interfere with any of the other branches, all four commanders however answer to Déorroth's protector, and are often used as advisers. Thanks to the careful management of the Kastran ancestor's, the military is a well oiled machine, the quartermaster having authority over all four commanders if the situation requires it.

Rangers
The rangers are responsible for scouting and range combat. The rangers are trained in the mountains surrounding Déorroth. They spend a majority of their time in the mountains, hunting down threats to the castle, and the travelers of the road. They're rightly feared for their ability to strike from a distance and vanish before a counter-attack and be committed. Their commander is given the title of "Déorroth's Reach"

Agents
While technically not part of the military forces, the agents of Kastran are trained alongside the Rangers, their role however requires them to focus more on stealth, espionage, and in rare cases, assassination. The agents are the shadows of the Kastran forces, making sure the generals are well informed and aware of the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. Their commander is give the title of "Déorroth's Shadow"

The Watch
The Watch is a reserve force of the Kastran forces, focusing on policing their lands and ensuring the citizens are protected. The Watch is responsible for keeping the armed forces clear headed, and knowing that their homes are safe while they're away. Their commander is given the title of "Déorroth's Vigilance"

The Army
The Army is the true military force of the Kastran, focusing on facing the threats to their homes head on, and beating them into submission. The army holds many diverse specializations within it's organization, allowing them to be an extremely adaptive force, with soldiers specially trained for most situations. "Déorroth's Rage"

~Avalon University Scribe, Serial Number 8624