The three families share a core set of values mostly revolving around servitude to their home nation of Lorendale. They pride themselves on loyalty and courage, especially on the battlefield. They are dedicated to serving Lorandale and its royal family without question. Members are expected to serve without seeking any personal gain and unless physically crippled they're to serve in the military one way or another. They follow a strict and notionally selfless moral code. Whilst the Kane family traditionally lived a spartan and frugal existence in their southern lands, that has been diluted somewhat since merging with the Zaks through the Zane line.

Reputation: All families value their reputation. They are proud of their heritage and history and do their utmost to be worthy and maintain it. Those who stray from what is considered acceptable within their ranks will be swiftly and firmly brought back in line or, in extreme cases, find themselves cast out and ostracized. 

Devotion: As servants of Lorendale come, you'll struggle to find many more loyal than those belonging to these three houses. Their devotion to the crown borders on the fanatical and has, at times in the past, even threatened to bring them to their knees. Much of their existence revolves one way or another around serving the nation and its rulers. Typically, family members view themselves as servants of Lorendale and will strive to do whatever they can to protect their home.

Family: Family is key, as it is the future and will ensure that the household name and its values continue. Family comes to one another's aid without question and is an always open door in the case of trouble. They will form as unified front as possible. Internal feuds are not tolerated within any of the households, at least not for long. Anyone who is seen to not be fulfilling their duties or who is being difficult is sure to find themselves swiftly brought back in line by some of the household elders. Typical duties would include helping with children, answering calls to arms, financial support for certain members, helping manage the estate, etc. Cruelty or abuse of any sort towards any members isn't tolerated. Although some who might be deemed to be "cowards" can and will be snubbed, especially within the Kane household.



Being a relatively small family when compared with the likes of the Allemeades and Eldouir, there isn't necessarily a named "head of the family". Helena Kane and Trinidad Zak, prior to the latter's death served as unofficial matriarchs.



Childhood in both households is strictly traditional but varies between Zaks and Kanes.

Kanes will tend to specialize themselves almost exclusively in the art of combat and especially horsemanship. On account of their lesser wealth, there are fewer private tutors than in most other noble families, especially of their rank. Instead, parents, older siblings and other relatives take a more hands on approach when it comes to readying the next generation. Subjects such as art, music and literature are viewed as less important than combat, strategy and military history. Horses also play a large role in Kane life. The family has a coming-of-age ceremony at 8 years old whereby a child will pick their first war horse. By the age of 14, most Kanes can hold a sword and joust. At 16, assuming there's conflict to be found, they will have experienced some fighting.

Whilst the Zaks also don't skimp on the combat training, they tend to be more rounded and with a better understanding of the importance of other aspects of life which don't revolve around caving another man's head in. Children benefit from some of the finest tutors in the land and are subject to a well-rounded and varied number of teachings. They will learn about history, geography, art, literature and social etiquette. Most of the Zaks will be encouraged to take an interest in politics and in management so as to ready them for the day that they end up running the estate. Pursuing ones own hobbies and interests, within reason, is also encouraged and there is a good deal more tolerance within the household for those who might want to make their home somewhere other than the battlefield.

As warrior families, raising the children tends to be more of a question of "who's still alive?". Usually, parents will raise their children albeit with a solid family framework around them for support. On account of the frequent wars and conflicts however, its far from uncommon for children to find themselves orphaned. In which case, guardianship will be handed over towards their nearest adult relative such as a grandparent, uncle, aunt or even in some cases older siblings.




Maturity, as with the bulk of Lorendale's population is considered to be 16 years old.

On account of their strict upbringings, mambers of the families typically come out of the blocks running being already fully prepared for their future lives. Members will be pressured into marrying roughly from the age of 18 onwards. Having children is considered an essential duty so as to ensure that the family name lives on.



One of the main differences between the Kane and Zak households is their stance on marriage. Whilst the Zaks will traditionally marry within their own social circle, that is to say other marquis or a strata above or below. The suitor must be from a reputable family and with no known reasons to object to the union.

The Kanes have a different and somewhat unconventional stance however and marriage was done based more upon valor and courage in combat than it was rank or status viewing marriage in the same way as they approach raising war horses. It isn't uncommon for the marquis or marchioness to marry beneath them, even to someone as low as a knight. New family members must have proven their worth on the battlefield at least once and ideally be from fighting stock themselves. Another particularity is that Kanes do not intermarry as many of the other noble families do. Wedding one's cousin is seen as distasteful and will weaken the bloodline and is strictly forbidden.

In both cases, the suitor will have to be presented to the family elders (at the very least their match's parents/guardians). Presenting a marriage as a fait accompli is not acceptable. Assuming that there is no objection, the new spouse will be expected to take up the family name and abandon their own. The only exceptions being the hypothetical situation of marrying a duke/duchess or the case of the Felicity and Tybalt who on account of both their families' histories combined their names.

There are some limits however as the family reputation must be maintained; ne'er-do-wells, cowards or troublemakers are not welcome within any of the family ranks. Marrying a gifted would also, in the current climate be controversial. Potential suitors must be presented to and accepted by the family elders.




There are few actual given roles within the ranks of any of the families.

All family members are expected to help one another out and assist each other. Given their militaristic occupation, fighting is expected and this means leading from the front lines. Even injured or elderly members should be seen on the battlefield planning and strategizing. They are also expected to assist relatives with things such as raising children and governing the estates.

Both families have very different specialties. The Zak's specialise in stealth warfare. Whilst the Kane cavalry are some of the most ferocious in Terra Nova.

Helena Kane is the current, unofficial matriarch of the Kane family. Whereas Felicity Zane deals with most of the event planning and important events within  the Zane household.

With the Kane lands being a solid 2-3 days away from the capital by horseback, managing the estate is left to Athena and Hannibal Kane (current NPCs).




War is first and foremost the family business. Members are expected to dedicate themselves one way or another to the military, be it through leading their own forces on the battlefield, serving the nation by training new recruits or as a part of the Royal Guard. A member who wanted to go against family tradition would have to explain themselves and provide a pretty good explanation for fear of being labeled a potential coward.

Zaks are afforded more freedom than Kanes when it comes to occupation. So long as they make themselves available to the family in times of war, they are, within reason allowed to pursue other interests and activities so long as they are deemed respectable. Being court jester or a farm hand for instance would be seen as demeaning and not be permitted.




Zanes, Zaks and Kanes are all born marquis or marchioness. As they do not renounce their family names upon marrying, anyone who married into the family would therefore inherit both titles and name.




Of the two households, it's the Zak family is the wealthiest. Their domain is Birkhall a vast and luxurious estate surrounded by fertile lands about two hours' ride from Loren. The key to the family's fortune however are the nearby tin mines which have supplied the nation for centuries. This asset as well as the family's firm grasp on their finances and good management, as well as some good weddings have ensured that the Zaks are among the wealthiest houses within the nation. There is little that they can't afford.

The Kanes spent much of their income maintaining their army. Their lands, located in the far south of Lorenale sit on the border between Lorendale, Coheed and Dresmond. It's a fairly arid and dry part of the country which is famed for its citrus fruit and horses, Akhal Tekes but provides little income in the scheme of things. 

Since Felicity Zane and Tybalt Zane 's wedding, many of the Kanes have settled there also due to its closer proximity to the capital. Most of the former Kane lands are located south, on the Dresmond/Coheed border around Kane Manor. The lands there are relatively dry and home to both citrus fruit and Akhal Teke horses for which the family was famed.



Both the Zak and the Kane families are two of the oldest within Lorendale, and can trace their lineages right back to the birth of the nation. 

The names Zak, and Kane are synonymous throughout all of Lorendale with valor, loyalty and courage. Throughout history, they have stood by in support of the country, fighting in countless wars, and battles. Acting as advisors, protectors and ferocious allies to the Rainecourt family for generations. They have produced some of the country's greatest, and most legendary heroes. It is on the battlefield that both houses have made their name, commanding two of the most powerful armies in all of Lorendale, and never failing to answer the call. It has cost both families dearly. The number of tombstones, and memorials in both estates is a testament to their sacrifice, and dedication to the nation.

By the 810s, both families had found their numbers whittled down, mostly by war.

Only two branches of the now impoverished Kane family survive: the descendants of Thaddius, and Helena Kane , and those of his brother Tiberius. Four out of Thaddius' five children, including the elder Kane himself would be slain in battle. This left only seven known Kanes still alive. They all remain ferociously loyal to the crown. The Zak house did somewhat better for itself, managing to maintain a sizeable army, and a considerable amount of wealth. They currently number in the dozen or so individuals.

In 819, the two matriarchs of both families, Trinidad Zak & Helena Kane, decided to unite their houses by marriage and encouraged a union between Felicity Zane , and Tybalt Zane . After a long, and sometimes painful courtship, marked by ups and downs, the two were finally wed in 820. The two fused their names together to create the Zane family. Following the battle in the north, which saw Tybalt struck down, and resurrected by mysterious magic from a gifted. The marquis, and his wife were imbued with some of Coheed's strengths and enhanced senses. Their three children: Tobias "Tobey" (820), Trinity (821), and Thaddius II (825) also inherited these traits.

They are warriors and marshals born and bred with a staunch loyalty to Lorendale and its values. The families' members were trained to fight and lead their armies from the youngest of ages. Such a lifestyle, whilst it bought both glory and recognition has cost both families dearly with many a grave to be found on their lands. Traditionalists to the point of being almost fanatical, both families support the monarch, commanding some of the most fearsome troops in Lorendale.

Recently, following the death of her mother fighting Coheed and Cambria, Felicity Zane and Tybalt Zane were married. Their union brought together the two families who fused their names together to become the Zanes.

• The "Zane" family groups together the Zanes, Zaks and Kanes and their relatives.
  
  
• Due to their military history both the Zaks and Kanes have relatives lost to war and are as a result, some of the smaller noble families in Lorendale.
  
  
• Only the Zane family: Felicity, Tybalt, and their descendants have Coheed increased abilities (strength or speed, and sight or hearing respectively), following a mysterious incident during the battle of the north. As of 828, this remains a closely guarded secret which isn't known outside of those concerned.
• The Zane family combines two of Lorendale's more powerful armies. The Zak troops form one of the largest and most powerful forces in the land, formerly under the command of the legendary Trinidad Zak hailed for her courage and valor in battle. Now they answer to Felicity Zane  raised to the rank of Lady Marshal. The men and women of the Kane lands are all experienced horsemen famed for their lightning fast and hot tempered horses (Akhal Tekes). In battle, they form a powerful cataphract force known as the Kane cavalry.

If interested in one of the positions or family members or have ideas for another which could be incorporated into the lore should contact either Eloell or Nova for details.