Houses of Troll's Bridge

The Council of Houses is the long standing government of Troll's Bridge, founded by the survivors of the cataclysm that destroyed The City-State of Walton late in the year 122 PC.

Origins

The original town council of Troll's Bridge was composed of adventurers and prominent survivors from Walton. The adventurers included the Walton hand-and-a-halfer, Aleric Gorkan; the great-great-grandson of Ran MCXI and wizard, Benzibin Random; the sorceress, Elán; and the cleric of Zodyu, Moritalus Lesh. Prominent survivors included Guild Master Alagard Roston and Master Smith Charlie Anvil. Also included among the council members was the elderly herbalist who aided in the care of the survivors named Ingrid Illman.

The surviving noble of Walton, Horatio Donamal, who founded Troll's Bridge, recognized these heroes for their service to the survivors by taking their counsel throughout the early years of the town's existence.

During the year 129 PC, Aleric Gorkan was replaced on the town council by the paladin, Elgin Tarcik, when the paladin challenged the cruel swordsman for his seat in the tradition of the mayors of Walton, combat to the death. For a tumultuous few months, Elgin was absent having actually fallen for grace as a paladin. The future Queen of the Elven Monarchy and Elgin's cousin by adoption, Senafar Illamaesa, assisted him in his redemption and return to Troll's Bridge. Aleric was subsequently raised from the dead by Moritalus Lesh, but honored Elgin's victory.

Ascent

On Dodecitina 18, 129 PC, the seventh anniversary of the fall of Walton, Elgin Tarcik triumphantly returned to Troll's Bridge to take up his seat on the town council. Baron Horatio Donamal was holding his open forum for the town in Schloss Tanglewood Zuooririmystos.

Once Elgin was welcomed to his seat before the citizens, a turbulent session before the mayor began with the exposure of a troll again living below the bridge in the center of Troll's Bridge. This caused an unfavorable reaction amongst the gathered townsfolk, but the mayor masterfully discredited the account until an elven visitor approached. The elf revealed herself to be Senafar Illamaesa, who had become formidable during her journeys in the redemption of Elgin Tarcik and was responsible for the return of trolls under the bridge. She exposed Horatio's illegal seizure of her ship, Ironhaul, which he had once owned and used for piracy along The Almebezbik River.

The proof of the baron's malfeasance was incontrovertible and the town council immediately removed Horatio Donamal as mayor of Troll's Bridge and assumed control of the town.

Formation

Over the course of the next five weeks there was a maelstrom of political activity to insure the government of Troll's Bridge was in place and stable before the onset of winter. The empire granted noble titles to several of the original council members and the composition of the council changed on a daily basis. The concept of Houses was established and these Houses were announced at the festival celebrating the founding of Troll's Bridge on Methyltina 26, 130 PC. The Houses where announced as such and would not again change for over a century:

• • Artural (Magnus)

    • Ambassadorial House from Marshe's Edge.

    • Insisted upon by The Almebezbikian Empire.

  • Donamal (Horatio)

    • As Baron Tanglewood Zuooririmystos.

    • Pardoned by The Almebezbikian Empire for previous service to Troll's Bridge.

  • Elán (Methyl)

    • Insured by her magical manipulation of the original council.

    • Expected by citizenry, but not welcome.

  • Gorkan (Aleric)

    • Lobbied for by Elgin Tarcik.

    • Granted because of original affiliation with the town council.

  • Illman (Ingrid)

    • Ingrid succumb to old age shortly after. Her half-elven nephew, Aris, arrived in Troll's Bridge to assume control of the House.

    • Backed and fortified by the elven Illamaesa family of Nieanil.

  • Lesh (Moritalus)

    • Also the Grotesque of the church of Zodyu.

    • Gained by popular consensus among citizens of Troll's Bridge.

  • Quaid (Derringer VII)

    • Other noble family surviving fall of Walton.

    • Brought experience to bear to insure council's formation.

  • Random (Benzibin)

    • Emperor Ran MCXI's direct link to Troll's Bridge.

    • Supplied imperial military forces to protection of Troll's Bridge, inside and outside.

  • Tarcik (Elgin)

    • Insisted upon by Empress Visaria.

    • Gained by popular consensus among citizens of Troll's Bridge.

Variation

• • 250 PC - House Lesh resigns from the Council of Houses.

    • Imperial law changes, banning religious noble houses from governing councils.

    • Prompted by incidents involving undead within Troll's Bridge brought about by members of House Lesh.

  • 251 PC - Houses Gorkan and Tarcik combine into House Tarcigorkan

    • Contracts the Council of Houses to facilitate tie-breaking votes after the departure of House Lesh a year earlier.

    • Houses decimated by the machinations of House Lesh and House Elán.

    • Strengthening alliance to oppose remaining House Elán.

  • 487 PC - The noble family Morisle nominally admitted to the Council of Houses.

    • Long overdue.

    • Vote eliminated in case of ties.

  • 602 PC - House Beauregard admitted to Council of Houses.

    • House Morisle fully instated.

    • Beauregards awarded nobility for leading forces against vethObulus Kobold assault on timber resources northeast of Troll's Bridge.

  • 827 PC - House Chicdell admitted to the Council of Houses.

    • Powerful guild master relinquishes title to become a noble house.

    • Tie elimination never necessary before another House is admitted.

  • 869 PC - House Groves admitted to the Council of Houses.

    • Major supplier of food for Troll's Bridge.

    • Pushed by House Chicdell.

Usurpation

Ever since Angelo Chicdell began the rise of his clan in the 4th-century PC, there has been a goal to become the supreme rulers of Troll's Bridge. After first becoming rich and powerful merchants, then leading the Imperial Merchants' Guild and finally accepting nobility, House Chicdell immediately became a force in governing Troll's Bridge. Over the course of seven generations and the meticulous political skills of their latest patriarch, Hardun, Angelo's wish has come to pass. On Undecitina 24, 999 PC, Hardun masterfully maneuvered his way into becoming Troll's Bridge's first mayor since Horatio Donamal.

Dissolution

Having competed his coup over the other Houses and taking an iron grip on the operations of Troll's Bridge, Hardun Chicdell dissolved the Council of Houses. In fitting irony, he signed the order on Dodecitina 18, 999 PC, the 877th anniversary of the fall of Walton.

Resistance

Even before Hardun maneuvered into the position of mayor, several houses began trying to oppose Hardun's plots. They have, to this point, been utterly ineffective. The opposition Houses (Artural, Beauregard, Illman, Morisle and Random) have found some measure of hope in the return of power to the Council of Houses. Through the grandson of Hardun Chicdell, OliverynChicdell-Witson, who has been operating out of Redemption using his inherited skills and the counsel of several other adventurers, a plot the overthrow of Hardun and return the Council of Houses to power has been put in motion.