The Families

The Families

Because of the widespread Haruspicy practiced in Penwick Gorge, there are only three family names in the village, though each one encompasses a vast, tangled web of relations and relationships. While villagers may be relatively comfortable changing around distant aunts and cousins, they tend to be less keen to change family entirely; surnames often tend to be more of a political affiliation than anything to do with birth or marriage.

In no particular order, the three families of the village are:

The Griffiths family, known for having more children than sense and a love for the outdoors. They generally make up the majority of those tending the plants, keeping the Poisons, and babysitting the younger children. Due to the vast (and rapidly growing) size of their family, their matriarch, Granny Ash, decided that to avoid confusion with names, they’d simply begin taking them from the dictionary; if you meet someone named Post, Shell or Archery, they’re very likely a Griffiths.

The Griffiths are also renowned for their comparatively cohesive family structure; they bicker as much as any other, but unlike the Joneses or Scotts, a Griffiths is likely to take the side of another Griffiths against anyone else.

Aesthetic examples: bright colours and outdoor clothes, with torn (and patched) parts in some cases; boots, gardening gloves and overalls; dungarees and muddy running shoes.

The Jones family, known for practicality, solid brick houses and good insulation, as well as the most permissive approach to Haruspicy of the three families. It’s not uncommon for a Jones to walk into another Jones’s house, ask to be taught maths, and stay there as a relative for the next two years; it’s also not uncommon for Joneses to turn up, introduce themselves as an uncle, and proceed to tell bad jokes for the next week before going on their way. Joneses avoid the Griffiths issue of running out of names in two ways: first, by having generally fewer children, and second, by introducing themselves not just as Jess or Tom, but as cousin Jess or auntie Jess, depending on their preference.

The Joneses also made up the majority of the people doing the fishing - so they’re some of the ones most concerned about the recent drop in fish stocks. Grandfather Clarence Jones was the elder pushing most strongly for solutions, and it was, rumour has it, his idea to begin trying to cross the bridge.

Aesthetic examples: Sensible shoes, thick trousers and a shirt; waterproof coats and overtrousers; simple waistcoats and ties; sensible hats.

The Scott family, known for sneakery, infighting, and a recklessly enthusiastic approach to Rites. Living almost entirely in Scott Manor, the huge, crumbling house on the northernmost hill of the village, the Scotts are generally found experimenting, scheming, or - most worrying of all - doing something seemingly innocent, in full view of everyone else. The Scotts are the most fractious of all the families, with those in the East Wing of the house often at odds with those in the West Wing, and vice versa; it’s not uncommon to see colourful smoke rising from the roof of the manor, though the building itself has never needed serious repairs. As a result of this fractious atmosphere, Scotts tend towards unusual names - after all, it wouldn't do to call yourself the same thing as one of the other type of Scott, now would it?

The Scotts are also unique in that their most senior member hasn’t been seen for decades at least; the Great-Grand-Scott is known to hold rooms in the heart of the South Wing of the manor, but nobody has been seen going in or out. Still, if any Scott goes too far astray, the Great-Grand-Scott invariably makes their feelings on the matter known.

Aesthetic examples: Accessories, both eye-catching and subtle; goggles, cloaks, scorch marks and tattoos; scarves and flowing garments; dress shoes, or socks with sandals.