County of Scale and Vine

Territory and Fealty Chain

The County of Scale and Vine covers much of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, with the Stronghold of Xenuhemach found within Hollywood, accessible via a Rath found in the backstage area of the Belasco Theatre. Previously governed, for the last ten years by Count Grayle ap Fiona, in the aftermath of the Thallain infiltration; leadership has been assumed by Count Hawthorne ap Ailil and his Commoner wife Winnifred.

Feal to Hawthorne, Baron Eamonn ap Balor holds Point Vincente Lighthouse, formerly held by Baroness Victoria nic Leanhaun, where he safeguards against threats from the sea; Dame Crow holds Rookery Keep in the Far Dreaming; the Court of Land's End in Santa Monica is held by Baron Thierry.

History

The seat of the County of the Shattered Scale is the Xenuhemach Stronghold, built on the edge of a jagged ravine which has for centuries kept whatever lurks below at bay. From deep within what the locals have long called Weshah’emat, there are echoes and howls into the night, some monstrosities lurking and even more unseen. At times, the earth quakes, rumbles, and ripples of chaotic energy come forth. During these times, the freehold is on high alert, and an attack is imminent.

When Count Grayle ap Fiona came to the area, the previous ruler, Countess Morrigaine ni Fiona, welcomed him with open arms. Grayle and his courtiers had only been in the County a few months before the rumors began swirling about the two Fiona given the sudden dissolution of the Countess’ marriage to her wife. Those rumors took a backseat however, when a tide of dark chimera spawned from within the chasm. It was easily the worst attack in the last decade, and on the cusp of victory, a massive undead dragon entered the fight. Despite Grayle’s attempt to save Countess Morrigaine, she sacrificed herself using her balefire as a lure to provide the opening to kill the beast, and Grayle was the one that finally brought the wicked creature down. Thus, he was accepted, named Count of the Shattered Scale, and his own personal balefire was placed at the core. Though more than a few mention (especially the commoners) with no small amount of pointed looks, that the thing was already more than half dead due to the efforts of one Daryl Smith, wolf pooka.

Courtiers of the Shattered Scale

• Sir Dolman ap Danaan
  • Piskey knight of House Danaan.

Would you like to join the County Court? We're happy to include you! Contact Eochaid or Hawthorne to discuss!

The Escheat

The Right of Demesne

• Per the Law:
  • A lord is the king of his domain; he is judge and jury of all crimes, rendering judgement to all under his purview. A noble expects obedience from his vassals and respect from all others. In return, the noble respects those superior to him.
• In the County of Scale and Vine
  • The Count is the ultimate arbiter of the law upon his lands. That said, he sees the need for wise counsel and balanced opinions in the search and application of justice.
• Among Nobles
  • A Privy Council of the landed nobility and their Senechals to discuss matters of law and justice for nobles under scrutiny.
• Among the Citizenry
  • The Count wishes to create a Council of Reeves. One for Kithain, One for Kinain, and One for Gallain. These positions are appointed, but the constituent bodies may petition for a chosen representative through their own elections.
• Other Nations
  • The Count recognizes there are other powers at work within the Dreaming. The Merfolk Kingdoms and the Nunnehi Nation may send representatives to add their voice on any matter on either the Privy Council or the Council of Reeves.
• Enforcement
  • To enforce his will, the Count wishes to rely upon a Winter Scourge and a Summer Scourge. That said, any barons, knights, or squires within the County may be called upon to serve.

The Right to Dream

• Per the Law:
  • Mortals have a right to dream unhindered by fae needs. The Dreaming will die if we steal directly from the font. No one is allowed to manipulate the creative process with Glamour. While the fae may inspire creativity, it is forbidden to instruct or infuse humans with Glamour.
• In the County of Scale and Vine
  • Ravaging is prohibited in the County. Violators will be severely penalized. Rhapsody will be met with worse.

The Right of Ignorance

• Per the Law:
  • Do not betray the Dreaming to Banality. A Fae must never reveal themselves to humanity because Humanity will hunt them for their wisdom and power, overwhelming the fae with Banality and destroying their sacred places. The more humanity knows the more forcefully it will seek the Fae, draining the world of Glamour and petrifying them with their Basilisk's gaze.
• In the County of Scale and Vine
  • The Rule of Gandalf. Keep it secret. Keep it safe. Those who endanger the Dreaming will find its justice.

The Right of Rescue

• Per the Law:
  • All Kithain have the right to expect rescue from the clutches of Banality. The fae are in danger together and must work together to survive. Never leave anyone behind. Kithain are required to rescue other faeries or other creatures of the Dreaming trapped by those who serve Banality.

The Right of Safe Haven

• Per the Law:
  • All places of the Dreaming are sacred. Kithain must not allow their faerie places to be endangered or threatened. All those who seek refuge in such a place must be admitted and these places must be kept free of Banality and worldly violence.

The Right of Life

• Per the Law:
  • No Kithain may spill the lifeblood of another Kithain. No Kithain shall bring salt tears upon the earth. No Kithain shall take from the Dreaming one of its own. Death is anathema.

Places of Note

The Dreaming

Below the stronghold of Xenuhemach is a semi-frozen river that runs through the ravine known as Weshah’emat. Though its cold is not of the banal variety, it does carry its own unique dangers, as those who fall into the waters are rapidly frozen solid and require intensive therapy to be healed. Naturally, despite the lack of banality, most see this as a reflection of the massive glacier that covers most of Downtown Los Angeles, named Welicshem. That the waters run more vigorously, rising up from where they were marked previously, well - that is just coincidence with the glacier melting… right?
Goswyn's Hollow - This small village has been carved out of a massive petrified tree and sports a quaint assortment of shops and cafes.

Autumn World

Wilacre Park: The Bestiary - once cultivated, now these wild chimera have interbred and run free into the wilderness of the park. All sorts of monstrosities are present and daring those to come to try to tame them!

Downtown: Welicshem Glacier - For centuries, the downtown area of LA was entirely cut off from the fae, buried under a glacier that surrounded it. The origins of the glacier are rumored to be a mad scientist (or brilliant, depending on who you speak to) Nocker who sought to save people from an unspeakable banal horror. The glacier isolated the banality within, keeping those of the Dreaming far away from it. When the Resurgence happened in 1969, something went wrong and what had been a stable (if inconvenient) prison began to expand, growing little by little every year, spreading a grim banality-infused cold. Fears began to spread that the Welicshem might expand to cover all of Los Angeles. It was a slow-growing problem, easily brushed aside by those who wanted to ignore it. There was plenty of time to deal with it another day. Then, the Evanescence happened and the glacier stopped growing. In fact, it began to melt. The water that flows from it is a chilled thing, not only in temperature but banal to the touch. The ice and water flow along the highways throughout all of Los Angeles, causing all sorts of mayhem for those that try to navigate the area by using the expressway.

• The 42 Pass - Started in the late 1980s, the main tunnel was the first area to be breached in the glacier, a pass carved into the ice which allows people within the downtown area. Completed by a motley of grumps determined to free up territory lost during the Resurgence, tried in vain to get assistance from the local nobility, who frankly, wasn’t helping. The sidhe wanted nothing to do with an area so thick with banality, so if those commoners wanted to venture into that frozen zone, more power to them. The group chipped away at the iceberg, reinforced the tunnels, and created the first pass. Several other passes have been made or created since the Evanescence, but changelings tend to just call them all ‘The 42.’

Theater Row, Hollywood - The Xenuhemach Stronghold, a massive freehold connected to the Autumn world via a rath within the Belasco Theatre. The County Seat, this stronghold is the main defensive position within the county, comprised of three concentric rings rising up from a cliff, the Freehold's internal security is tight enough for some to wonder if the Count is paranoid -- and if so... why?

Spirit Oak Ranch - The Valley of Persimmons The Nunnehi created a new glade for their own use within Los Angeles, in the heart of Griffith Park. The heart of the glade was incepted amidst a grove of Persimmon trees in a rocky, hilly area of the park away from public venues or hiking trails; subtly woven enchantments dissuade the rare traveler who gets off the trail, sending them veering off elsewhere rather than disturbing the grove.

Silver Lake - The Tinseltown Market is in an old abandoned metro station. The building itself can't be seen, as it's one of those buildings that mass urbanization sort of just builds around and forgets to really do anything with. So the market is entirely indoors, complete with a glass dome overtop. Accessed via one of the old parking decks buried in an alley on its block, the market is currently under new management. Daylen al-Khasaram has been elected the High Merchant in place of the old Baron Cecil Arden ap Gwydion, a universally despised tyrant who exploited anyone with the misfortune to live or work within his domain.

Pacific Palisades - Commoner held Freehold.

Penny's Dreadful

The Penny's Dreadful is a chimerical gossip newsletter that is mysteriously distributed through the area with a mysterious author, ala XoXo Gossip Girl or Bridgerton. What will you find here? Current happenings, potential plot seeds, and just some light fun.

Known Persons

The following characters are available as rosters to be applied for. These are great options for people who aren't familiar with the mechanics of the game are interested in trying it out. The characters are prebuilt with sheets, descs, and RP Hooks all set and waiting to be brought to life by players.