Gust of Opportunity 1: The Families of the Serra Damata

“Who are they, and why should I care?”

Ricardo i Riqueza attempted to remain calm and to not shake the obstinate briar across the

table from him by her shoulders. Deep breath.

“Alright then, from the top. These are the families who are pressing claims on Kurhaz Keep,

and it's our job as hakima to sort them out and decide whose claim is strongest.”

“Sounds complicated, should we just pick one now at random?”

“No, the contract clearly says-”

“What contract? I didn't sign anything!”

“But our predecessors did, when the pacts were made. As the Hakima of Blood and Bough

it's your responsibility, along with the rest of us, to ensure the place is properly ruled.”

Dulranna i Erigo dramatically buried her face in her hands.

“Nooooo I forgot I agreed to do that when Rufus died. He swore it was just ceremonial!”

Ricardo shook his head. Some hakima just didn't take their roles seriously enough.

“It's going to be fine. I know some people who can help us. Pack your bag, and let's go.”

Overview

There are three major families in the Serra Damata who have a claim on Kurhaz Keep. They have been circling the castle for years now, and when Feroz was re-taken and the last of the Kurhaz were not found each family sprang for the opportunity to make it theirs.

While the Dhomiro of the Cinnabar Hills has a role in settling the quarrels between the families of Kahraman, in this case that role has been superseded slightly. It has emerged that a clause in an old contract signed by Feliciano i Kurhaz i Erigo, last Castellan of Kurhaz Keep, that five hakima of the Serra Damata are tasked with finding the rightful owner, considering all claims and finally ruling who will control the Keep into the future. The five hakima are named by their title, and many of them are not the same person who signed that document so long ago.

The hakima have invited the three families with claims, as well as a whole host of othersfrom across the Empire, and declared a festival to help them to decide, as the Freeborn will find any excuse for a celebration. With attitudes varying from enthusiasm to extreme reluctance, the families have agreed to participate, arriving at Kurhaz Keep after the Autumn Equinox to persuade the hakima and their guests that their claim is the most valid.

Spisa Family, the Corsairs

“A keep is a tool of war, and must be used as such. Give it to us, my friends, and when the

Jotun come again we shall be ready.”

- Durango i Spisa i Guerra, Dhomiro of the Spisa

The Spisa are corsairs. They are a proud military family, with a long history of service in the Red Wind Corsairs, and outside of that have made their riches privateering in the Bay of Catazar. Their ancient home is in Kahraman, and they have always kept a home here even when voyaging on the high seas. They have a no nonsense, pragmatic approach to Spisa. Keep. They will increase its garrison, and fortify it further. They will employ warriors and kohan to keep the area safe. They will root out bandits in times of peace, and provide a place of refuge in times of war. They welcome the other families. They know that they alone cannot bring life to this area, and they need someone to pay their tolls, of course. But the keep must be held by those who can use it for war.

Rastaban Family, the Sutannirs

“The Kurhaz are but one family on a long list. Obviously, people need riches. People need

steel. But what Kahraman needs right now, in its soul, is pride! People must feel the joy in

their hearts and the song on their lips.”

- Adalina i Rastaban i Riqueza, Dhomiro of the Rastaban

The Rastaban are artists and storytellers by trade. The Rastaban paradors are known far and wide for their lively atmosphere. Deeply religious and committed to pride, many sutannirs are among their number. They have an ambitious approach to Rastaban Keep. Why not use it as a beacon of what it means to be freeborn, and to be Kahramanian? They want to, in essence, build it up as a centre of Kahraman culture. They will not neglect the defences of course, but those mean nothing if people are not here to be defended. They want to make this region a wonderful, proud place to live.

Hamal Family, the Hawkers

“A tragedy! A tragedy! A heart without a beat, a stream without a flow, a hearth without a

flame. And the other families do not even see! What is the Coast without commerce, eh?

What are the Freeborn without coin? You can talk all you like about whatever you like, this

land cries out for those who can manage it better!”

- Yazmin i Hamal i Erigo, Dhomiro of the Hamal

The Hamal know that at the end of the day, what is important is money. They are hawkers through and through, focused on achieving a profitable outcome no matter how dire the circumstances. Until recently the Hamal family was prominent among the Ample Harvest Cartel with the Gonzala and Lopo families, however rumour has it they recently went their separate ways. The Hamals know this area needs cold hard cash and they intend to provide, while making a substantial return themselves, of course. Hamal Keep will be the heart of a great market bazaar. Many trods criss-cross the Serra Damata, and the Keep is close to the nexus of several of them. The Hamal will provide a place for travellers to sell their wares, building the keep into a thriving node for local businesses.

Other claimants

Of course it's not just Freeborn families who have a claim on the Keep, but this is the Brass Coast and those with families have the power. Nevertheless there are at least two other groups in the Serra Damata with an eye on the future of the Keep.

• The Smiling Sword - A cohort of kohan who were once in service to Feliciano i Kurhaz i Erigo. They have been keeping a somewhat lax guard on the area in the last few years, some would say practically recumbent. They have resurfaced lately and have been more vigilant in their role as de facto militia, and some of the locals reckon they have an interest in Kurhaz Keep for themselves.

• The Red Rovers - A trailblazer group have hiked up here from Anduzjasse, and are eager to make Kurhaz Keep their base camp for all sorts of adventures. Rumour has it they are on the trail of the legendary Inacia’s Trove, a massive fortune hidden somewhere in the Serra Damata.

There are individuals too, though they are less renowned, and even some Imperials of other nations who are interested. Of course the contract signed by the former owners dictates that whoever takes Kurhaz Keep will need to be Freeborn or find a Brass Coast egregore to become Freeborn.

The Festival of Finding

The five hakima tasked with finding a new custodian for Kurhaz Keep have announced a Festival of Finding, a celebration of Freeborn and Kahraman culture. The five hakima are also deeply involved in the lives of the other Freeborn in the Serra Damata, and it's rare that something happens in the region without their knowledge.

The hakima all have differing priorities when it comes to Freeborn national traditions and customs, and will be bestowing festival tokens on the attendees at their Festival who please them with their prowess, creativity, knowledge, cunning, and virtue. Attendees can then use these tokens to support a candidate for the ownership of Kurhaz Keep.

OOC Note: The Castle, Voting and Players

Play games, win prizes! The hakima will be handing out special tokens over the weekend, which can be used to vote at any time for a favoured candidate. There will be jars set up for each candidate, whether it's a family or group or individual. It will be up to the players whether to cast their votes as soon as they get them, or to hold back until the end to do a surprise surge of support!

We are open to the possibility of a player character becoming the eventual custodian of Kurhaz Keep! We will have more information on this option before the event when we will hopefully receive plot sanction from PD, but these are our baseline assumptions:

• Taking over the Keep will be a time-consuming role, and may mean your characterneeds to retire to devote their time to it fully. The hakima of the area will need to be satisfied that your character is virtuous enough to take up the role, and may set tests to determine this.

• The contract dictates that the owner of the Keep must be a Freeborn, or become a Freeborn, so if your character is not already from the Brass Coast they would need to change nation.

• The Keep will not count as a fortification or any sort of Imperial edifice, and owning it will not be an Imperial title.

• Unless we run another event based around the area, you can probably expect to never hear of your character again. But you'll know they're having a great time running the castle!