Skyhammer Clan#
Overview#
The Skyhammer Clan is Red’s (Thurnok Skyhammer’s) ancestral Goliath community, survivors of an Imperial massacre who have rebuilt their civilization with advanced technology in a mountain stronghold atop Grimvar’s Spine.
Leadership#
Elder Ragar#
- Role: Clan leader and elder
- Age: Ancient, even by Goliath standards
- Responsibilities: Overseeing the starship construction project and clan governance
- Knowledge: Keeper of clan history and the secrets of bloodline-powered technology
- Personality: Wise but burdened by the knowledge that their cosmic rebellion depends on Red’s untested abilities
Settlement Description#
Location#
- Mountain: Summit of Grimvar’s Spine
- Elevation: High altitude requiring specialized equipment and clothing
- Defenses: Natural mountain barriers plus technological security systems
- Accessibility: Difficult mountain climbing required to reach the settlement
Technology Level#
The Skyhammer settlement represents a unique fusion of advanced technology and environmental harmony:
Power Systems#
- Solar Panels: Extensive solar energy collection arrays
- Crystal Technology: White crystal-powered equipment distinct from Eldoran violaceous crystals
- Electric Infrastructure: Full electrical lighting and power distribution
Construction Materials#
- Aluminum and Steel: Advanced metallurgy and construction techniques
- Solarpunk Aesthetic: Technology integrated harmoniously with mountain environment
- Sustainable Design: Environmentally conscious building practices
Military Equipment#
- Railguns: Advanced projectile weapons for clan defense
- Crystal-Embedded Weapons: Energy-enhanced armaments
- Defensive Installations: Strategic placement of technological defenses
The Starship Project#
The clan’s most ambitious undertaking is constructing a spacecraft capable of reaching and potentially destroying Eldora’s artificial moon:
Current Status#
- Partially Constructed: The rocket platform dominates the village center
- Massive Scale: Large enough to accommodate significant crew and equipment
- Advanced Design: Incorporates the clan’s most sophisticated technology
The Bloodline Problem#
- Power Source: Only someone of the main Skyhammer bloodline can power the spacecraft
- Lost Knowledge: The specific method was known only to Red’s birth parents
- The Trials: Red must undergo the Worms Tunnel trials to unlock this ability or die in the attempt
Historical Background#
The Massacre#
When Red was an infant, Eldoran Knights attacked the Skyhammer village:
- Warrior Losses: Most of the clan’s fighters were killed
- Intellectual Theft: Scientists and technological knowledge were captured and taken
- Royal Escape: Red’s parents managed to hide him with the Cross family before being killed
- Survivor Rebuilding: The remaining clan members rebuilt in their current mountain location
The Skyhammer Program#
Following the massacre, the survivors developed their cosmic resistance plan:
- Technological Development: Advanced their capabilities to space-faring levels
- Strategic Planning: Identified Eldora’s artificial moon as a critical target
- Bloodline Research: Discovered the hereditary power requirements for their technology
- Long-term Mission: Preparing for eventual cosmic warfare against the Empire
Culture and Society#
Technology Integration#
The Skyhammer clan has developed a unique culture that balances:
- Goliath Traditions: Maintaining their ancestral customs and social structures
- Technological Advancement: Embracing sophisticated engineering and scientific methods
- Environmental Harmony: Sustainable practices despite advanced technology
- Military Preparedness: Constant readiness for Imperial retaliation
Religious Practices#
- Ancestral Reverence: Honoring those lost in the massacre
- Royal Traditions: Specific ceremonies and trials for the bloodline
- Cosmic Awareness: Understanding their role in the broader celestial conflict
Current Capabilities#
Defensive Strength#
- Mountain Fortress: Nearly impregnable natural position
- Advanced Weapons: Superior to typical medieval-level technology
- Coordination: Well-organized military structure
- Intelligence: Knowledge of Imperial movements and capabilities
Scientific Achievement#
- Spacecraft Construction: Demonstrating engineering capabilities beyond their era
- Crystal Technology: Independent development of energy systems
- Metallurgy: Advanced materials science and manufacturing
- Sustainable Systems: Self-sufficient energy and resource management
The Worms Tunnel Trials#
Purpose#
- Bloodline Verification: Proving Red’s legitimate royal heritage
- Power Awakening: Unlocking the hereditary abilities needed to power the starship
- Knowledge Recovery: Potentially recovering the lost understanding of bloodline technology
- Survival Test: Only true Skyhammer royalty can survive the trials
The Stakes#
- Success: Red gains the ability to power their cosmic rebellion against Eldora
- Failure: Red dies, and the clan loses their only hope of operating the starship
- Urgency: Imperial knowledge of Red’s survival makes time critical
Relationships with the Party#
Trust and Alliance#
- Compensation: Ragar has promised rewards for returning their lost prince
- Mission Alignment: The clan’s goals align with the party’s opposition to Imperial expansion
- Resource Sharing: Potential access to advanced technology and mountain fortress
- Strategic Partnership: Mutual benefit in cosmic-scale conflict
Concerns#
- Red’s Inexperience: Uncertainty about his ability to survive the trials
- Outside Influence: Concern about non-Goliath party members’ motivations
- Imperial Threats: Fear that Red’s location may be compromised
- Timeline Pressure: Urgency to complete trials before Imperial retaliation
Campaign Significance#
The Skyhammer clan represents both Red’s personal destiny and the broader resistance against Eldoran cosmic dominance. Their advanced technology and strategic position make them crucial allies in the escalating conflict, while Red’s trials will determine whether the resistance gains the capability to challenge the Empire’s space-based supremacy.
Future Implications#
- Cosmic Warfare: Potential for space-based battles against Eldoran forces
- Technology Sharing: Advanced clan knowledge could benefit the broader resistance
- Royal Destiny: Red’s acceptance or rejection of his heritage will shape his character arc
- Strategic Alliance: The clan could become a major base of operations for anti-Imperial activities