The Sons of Masguard Companion Guide
Vivienne Mathews
Copyright 2013 by Vivienne Mathews
A compendium of:
Copyright © 2013 by Vivienne Mathews
First Edition, 2013
Disclaimer:
Some sections may contain spoilers. To avoid them entirely, it is recommended that you read The Sons of Masguard and the Mosque Hill Fortune before proceeding.
Table of Contents
The World
The Lore
The Society
The People: Main Characters
The People: Secondary Characters
The Ships
Exclusive Concept Sketches
Glossary
The World: Welcome to Secora
Secora is an island nation with a prosperous history and an idealistic outlook. Having stood for thousands of years as a symbol of success, the kingdom relies heavily on sea commerce, with many trade connections and peaceful affiliations throughout the world. The capitol city is Secora Tor, which overlooks the Bannered Shore, so named for the many miles of enormous banners lining its coast. Among its notable harbors are the distant towns of Vernos and Port Sundry.
The chief adversary to the Secoran Kingdom is the Kathkan Empire, a cold, barren nation where the primary source of income is the buying and selling of immigrants, captured soldiers, and the kidnapped citizens of rival kingdoms. Like their landscape, the people of Kathka are hard and tough, often having a very practical (if not selfish) view of morality. Though rumors of war have been circulating for many decades, the Empire has not dared to move against the might of the Secoran Armada. Yet.
The Lore: Fate Keep You
Secorans adhere to the idea that Fate rules all. A more fantastical version of “everything happens for a reason,” their beliefs are simply that all positive actions are led by some manner of destiny, be it direct or subtle. Having somewhat nebulous convictions, those who enter into the Cleric do so with only a single purpose in mind: to ease the suffering of everyone they encounter with comforting words and gentle actions.
Occasionally, Fate will intervene in the physical world by sending a Voice of Fate to alter the course of events. Little is known about the nature of the Voice beyond that it should always be heeded.
Secorans are also known to have a reverence for their ancestral society, the Ancients, and refer to their writings as often as possible for guidance. It is said that the Ancients were privy to magical knowings that have since been lost. The few surviving relics and building sites from their time are believed to be imbued with such mystical properties.
The Society: Born to a Path
Life in all parts of the Secoran kingdom is divided by an overarching caste system. Nearly all citizens are members of one of Secora’s innumerable Guilds – organizations that serve as social, educational, and vocational communities. Most Guilds constitute a trade apprenticeship, offering a clearly defined career path for all of their members. Others serve little purpose beyond highlighting a person’s status as wealthy or noble-born. There is a distinction between official and unofficial Guilds, with unofficial being closer to hobby clubs (when legal), or crime circles (when illegal). An example of a legal, unofficial Guild would be the Gossip Guild, while an example of an illegal, unofficial Guild would be the Thieves Guild, a widespread and underground league previously run by the ostentatious Kota Brothers.
Entry in an official Guild can be very expensive, with dues ranging from menial (like those required by the lower trade Guilds – i.e. the Farmers Guild) to extreme (like those required by the higher educational and societal Guilds – i.e. the Scholars Guild and the Nobles Circle). As such, most citizens are only able to afford entry in a single Guild, to which they generally devote their entire lives. With the wealth left behind by his father, aided by his uncanny aptitude for rapid learning, Captain Marshall was able to join multiple Guilds, excelling in a wide variety of studies and earning a reputation as the “Prodigy of Secora.”
Those who never enter into a Guild are referred to as “guildless,” and are commonly frowned upon as citizens who do nothing to contribute to the kingdom – the only exception being those who opt to devote themselves to the military, which is seen as a parallel path to Guild membership. In general, pirates and gypsies are considered guildless, though both have strong bonds to those in their particular clan or crew.
The People: Main Characters
Masguard the Explorer
“I didn’t see this for what it was until it was too late.”
Collector of Ancient relics, father, explorer, and dear friend to Queen Constance, Masguard did more throughout his life to expand Secora’s understanding of history than any adventurer before or since. For this reason, he is celebrated as the pinnacle of citizenship, his fame bordering on that of any king or queen. Though it has been more than two decades since his disappearance, the mere mention of his name still carries weight.
Captain Marshall
“Sometimes hope and courage are one and the same.”
Raised by Elder Abner Frum and known throughout the kingdom as the “Prodigy of Secora,” this otter is best described as learned, stoic, and dedicated. He captains the Albatross, the flagship of the Secoran Armada. Marshall is regarded as the finest the Royal Navy has to offer and is revered by both countrymen and crew for his innate leadership skills. In addition to being wildly intelligent, the captain is an accomplished warrior, adept with blade and bow alike. His only weakness thus far has been his inability to prevent the infamous Marauder from plundering and pillaging at will.
McKinley the Marauder
“I do so hate being predictable.”
The “most notorious pirate ever to sail the Secoran seas,” McKinley has spent the last few years running circles around the dutiful Captain Marshall, pouncing upon countless merchant ships and disappearing without a trace. Aided by an eclectic crew, he commands the pirate frigate Negvar with cunning and sarcasm, keeping his true motivations as close to his vest as possible. Though most often referred to as “The Marauder,” this otter’s antics have earned him another nickname: “Mad Dog.” Using this moniker in his presence, however, is most unwise.
Commander Gray Calum
“I only took this job so I could knock things down.”
This affable ringtail cat comes from a large family of healers and cleric members. Serving onboard the Albatross alongside his aunt, the ship’s surgeon, Commander Calum is Captain Marshall’s right hand and perhaps his only friend.
Father Deagan Faiz
“I am no one.”
A clairvoyant fox with a questionable past, Father Faiz lives among the crew of the Negvar, choosing to act as counselor to pirates and thieves rather than consigning himself to the comfort of a priory. He shows a strange aptitude for weaponry and a muscle strength that cannot be accounted for in his line of work, but his quiet and humble nature offer no explanation for this duality.
First Lieutenant Ròs Ryder
“For better or worse, we are at your back. Always.”
This gypsy songstress (turned mercenary, turned soldier) serves aboard the Albatross as Captain Marshall’s third-in-command. Unabashedly loyal, she is a collie of many talents – namely, those pertaining to intimidation – but also in areas of combat, counsel, and music. She expresses a strong empathy for her crew, seeming to regard them as more of a family than a collection of workfellows.
Lady Sira
“Even tiny teeth are lethal, when the bite is well placed.”
A long-time slaver from the Kathkan Empire, Lady Sira is a pragmatic coyote
with more scars than compunctions about violence. An accomplished fighter with considerable sway among the Empire’s many sailors, her only real allegiance is to her ship, the Havoc, which she dotes on as though it were a living thing. She allies herself with Baron Von Ulric under the belief that he will make Secora a more slaver-friendly place.
Baron Von Ulric
“Ours is an expendable world.”
Terrifying in every sense of the word, this enormous wolf is cousin to the queen and contender for the crown. Using money and fear, he is able to wield incredible influence in both the mercantile and the military world to support his political machinations. Often described as “ambitious,” he seeks the throne at any cost. He holds warmth for nothing and no one, and anyone who stands in his way is either very brave or tragically foolish.
The People: Secondary Characters
Queen Victorie Prideaux
“As highly as my cousin may think of himself, he is