House Crogan

• County of Crogan
• Sworn to the Dutchy of Kilane
• Crest: The Crest of House Crogan is a Hermit Crab on a brown circle on a field of blue. 
• Motto of House Mindolin: “Claim your Chance.”

House Crogan has its seat alongside the seat of the Dutchy in Shellton, along the Bay of Crabs.  Shellton was so named because the beach there is so covered with sea-shells of every size and description that they have become as numerous as the grains of sand on any other beach.  Crabs also frequent the bay in incredible numbers, causing Crab shells to join the other shells of the beach, as the creatures regularly molt and shed their shells as they grow.  Hermit Crabs also abound on the beach, so it is not uncommon to see a sea shell crawl about from place to place as the crab which lives within scutters about.  

The predominance of shells has impregnated every aspect of imagery within House Crogan.  Shells have become their favorite decoration and House motif.  

House Crogan has the unusual distinction of deploying one of the most formidable navies in the realm.  They took over this role from House Salain, who lost their fleet and docks and shipyards in the Burning of the Salt Fleet.  House Crogan manages the transfer of goods to new ships at the Bay of Crabs, as only a Galley can safely navigate the Deepwater Rush and the Chasm.  Sailors will often either sell their wares at Shellton, or transfer their goods to or from a Galley in Shellton’s port.  

Culture of House House Crogan

The fierce pursuit of opportunity is the hallmark of House Crogan.  They enjoy the Hermit Crab, which seeks out shells to occupy and then defends it with a fierce giant claw.  They interpret their philosophy this way, seeking ‘shells of opportunity’ in life and then vigorously defending these opportunities until better ones are found.  Shrewdness and clever dealing is considered laudable behavior in House Crogan.  Merchants and Traders are the most honorable of the civilian classes, and even Nobles are encouraged to engage in such endeavors.

Martial Traditions

Shell-decorated round shields and axes are the favored arms of the House, with their axes often having a top spike so they can also engage in stabbings.  The House has weak cavalry traditions, although their Knights do at least learn how to mount and ride horses, and do participate in Tourneys.  Their most unique tradition is the use of trained domesticated attack-crabs in warfare.  The size of large dogs, the Crogan Crab weighs about a hundred pounds, skitters at 8 miles-per-hour on land or 2 miles per hour in water, and it can break bones through flexible armor with its formidable claws.  These crabs can operate on land indefinitely if they are regularly moistened by their owners, or up to 24 hours without a moistening otherwise.

Dark Secrets of House Crogan

Members of House Crogan participated in orchestrating the dragon-egg raid that enraged the Dragons and resulted in the Burning of the Salt Fleet.  They did this under orders from the King, on the premise that they would likely inherit the responsibility and prestige of fielding the Dutchy’s navy.