House Paddletonn
House Paddleton is an enigmatic and ancient Grung family that rules over the Deep Swamps of the Ook with a strong connection to the land's secrets and dangers. Their seat, Lilytree, is hidden within the marshlands, making them nearly inaccessible and giving them a mysterious reputation. Unlike many other noble houses, they have little interest in wealth or politics, focusing instead on their traditions and survival in the swamp's treacherous environment. While they lack an army and subservient lords, their knowledge of rare herbs, poisons, and the swamp's hidden paths makes them a valuable, if misunderstood, part of the empire. House Paddleton's loyalty to House Hogan stems more from fear than respect, but they remain a resilient and unique force, embodying the ancient and untamed spirit of the Ook Swamps.
Culture
House Paddleton has a culture that is shrouded in mystery and deeply connected to the ancient and murky traditions of the Ook Swamps. As a house of Grung (frogfolk), they embrace their unique heritage, valuing secrecy, loyalty, and survival above all else. Their rituals and customs are unlike any other house, with their lives revolving around the swamp’s natural rhythms, often incorporating elements of water magic, herbal medicine, and amphibious practices that seem strange or even unsettling to outsiders. Unlike other noble families, House Paddleton has little interest in the wealth or politics of the empire, focusing instead on maintaining their ties to the swamp and the spirits they believe inhabit it. Their rare public gatherings, such as the occasional wedding held at Lilytree, are seen as mysterious and otherworldly events, further adding to their enigmatic reputation within the empire.
Assets
House Paddleton possesses assets that are unique to their swampy domain, most notably their control over the Deep Swamps—an area so treacherous and unexplored that even the most skilled adventurers avoid it. Their castle, Lilytree, is a fortified structure hidden among dense marshlands, with walls covered in vines and moss, making it almost indistinguishable from the surrounding swamp. This natural camouflage, combined with the hazardous terrain of quicksand, deep water, and venomous wildlife, provides House Paddleton with a nearly impenetrable defense. While they do not have an army or subservient lords, they possess an extensive knowledge of the swamp's flora and fauna, allowing them to harvest rare herbs, medicinal plants, and poisons that are highly sought after in the empire. These natural resources, along with their ability to navigate the Deep Swamps with ease, make House Paddleton a valuable, if mysterious, house within the empire, despite their lack of conventional wealth or military power.
History
House Paddleton traces its origins back to the ancient days when the Grung, a race of frogfolk, were the first inhabitants of the Ook Swamps. Unlike the hobbit houses that arrived later, the Paddletons have always been deeply connected to the swamp, understanding its secrets and dangers better than any other. When the Stormclaw Empire conquered the region, the Grung were granted lordship over the Deep Swamps in recognition of their knowledge and loyalty, while most of the hobbit houses were given control of the more civilized lands. Over time, House Paddleton became fiercely loyal to their liege lords, House Hogan, but this loyalty stemmed more from fear than genuine respect, as they understood the power dynamics at play. Despite their relative isolation and lack of conventional power, House Paddleton has endured, using their deep knowledge of the swamp to survive and protect their lands from those who would attempt to exploit or conquer them.
"Hopping to it"
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Family Leader
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments