Frostcask Family
The Frostcask family is a prestigious and traditional brewing dynasty in Golden Cliff, renowned for their signature Frosted Ale. With deep roots in the city’s history, they have mastered the art of brewing over centuries, maintaining a focus on quality and consistency. The family controls vast grain farms, operates the renowned Frost Brewery, and owns merchant ships to distribute their ale across the kingdom. Known for their conservative values, they are highly respected for upholding Golden Cliff’s cultural heritage, while also being fiercely protective of their brewing secrets and market dominance.
Culture
The Frostcask family is rooted in tradition and pride. They believe that quality craftsmanship and consistency are the foundations of success, and this philosophy is embedded in everything they do. Family values are central, and each generation is carefully groomed to uphold the Frostcask name, focusing on discipline, loyalty, and perfection in brewing. Respect for the craft is paramount, and they view brewing as an art form rather than a simple trade. While many in Golden Cliff are innovators, the Frostcasks are traditionalists, adhering to tried-and-true methods that have been passed down for generations.
At family gatherings, there are elaborate toasts and ceremonies honoring their ancestors and the land that provides their raw ingredients. The family is also fiercely protective of their brewing methods, which are treated as sacred and shared only among blood relatives. Their strict hierarchical structure ensures that the family’s secrets and techniques are preserved, making the passing of the family’s leadership a solemn and carefully planned event. The Frostcasks are known for being conservative in their interactions with others, preferring to maintain an aura of respectability and control in all their dealings.
Public Agenda
The Frostcask family’s public agenda is centered around maintaining their position as the premier brewers of Frosted Ale and expanding their influence in the brewing industry of Golden Cliff. They emphasize quality and tradition in their public messaging, portraying themselves as the guardians of the city's brewing heritage. They frequently sponsor city festivals and events that celebrate Golden Cliff’s history, positioning themselves as a family that cares deeply about the city’s culture and future.
They also push for policies that protect local businesses from outside competition, aligning themselves with traditionalist factions within the city. Publicly, they promise to support local grain farmers and merchants, ensuring that Golden Cliff remains self-sufficient in its brewing industry.
Assets
Frostcask Keep: A sprawling estate just outside the city, surrounded by fields of barley and wheat used exclusively for their brewing. The estate houses the family and their main brewery, which is outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment.
Frost Brewery: The largest and most prestigious brewery in Golden Cliff, responsible for producing Frosted Ale. It has multiple storage facilities and distribution centers throughout the city.
Grain Farms: The Frostcask family owns vast stretches of farmland where they grow the grains essential to their ale. This gives them full control over the production process from start to finish.
Ships: Several merchant ships that are used to transport their products across the Giant Tears River and to nearby kingdoms.
Exclusive Contracts: The Frostcasks have secured contracts with various inns, taverns, and royal events to exclusively serve Frosted Ale. These contracts are highly lucrative and make them a staple in the city’s social and political circles.
History
The Frostcask family has been brewing in Golden Cliff for over three centuries, dating back to the city’s early days. Originally, the family was involved in farming, but when the founder, Aldor Frostcask, discovered a unique brewing method while experimenting with grains, the family shifted their focus to brewing. The success of their first brew led to the construction of the original Frostcask Brewery, which has since expanded into a major enterprise.
Over the years, the Frostcasks have weathered numerous challenges, including a fire that nearly destroyed their estate and competition from newer, more experimental brewers. Despite these setbacks, they have maintained their dominance by staying true to their traditions. Their most notable achievement was securing the exclusive contract to supply Cliffborn Ale to the royal palace during King Aldric Ironhelm’s coronation—a deal that solidified their place among the city’s elite.
Trade & Transport
The Frostcasks are masters of logistics, moving vast quantities of Frosted Ale throughout Golden Cliff and beyond. Using their own fleet of merchant ships, they transport their products along the Giant Tears River, distributing to taverns, inns, and even royal courts across the region. Their beer is transported in large, sealed barrels marked with the family’s crest—a snowflake with a barley stalk—ensuring that the product is immediately recognizable.
Within the city, the Frostcasks rely on a network of distribution centers to store and ship their ale. These centers are connected by well-guarded wagons, ensuring that their product reaches every corner of Golden Cliff quickly and efficiently.
Type
Family
Major Exports
Frosted Ale: Their primary export, Frosted Ale is shipped to other towns in Shatterbleak as well as towns in Nunca. It is a symbol of Golden Cliff’s tradition and quality.
Specialty Brews: In addition to Frosted Ale, the Frostcasks produce limited-edition ales for festivals and holidays, which are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.
Barley: Since they produce more grain than they need, they sell surplus barley to other brewers in the city, though always keeping the best for their own use.
Major Imports
While the Frostcasks pride themselves on local production, they do import several key ingredients to enhance their brewing process.
Emberthorn Spice Blend: A blend of fiery spices from the volcanic plains of Emberfall, known for its warm, smoky aroma and subtle heat. It is used to give special seasonal brews a unique kick, enhancing the flavor of Frosted Ale with a signature spice.
Wraithwood Oak: A rare, dark oak native to the eerie forests of Wraithwind Barrens. This wood is prized for barrel-aging due to its ability to impart rich, deep flavors with hints of char and ghostly sweetness. Only a limited amount is harvested each year, making it extremely valuable.
Zephyrian Gold Hops: While they grow some locally, they import special varieties from the southern continent of Nandral. It is a delicate, golden hop that thrives in the windy highlands of Zephyr. Known for its bright citrus notes and floral aroma, Zephyrian Gold hops give the Frosted Ale a refreshing finish, balancing the malt's richness with a subtle bitterness.
Controlled Territories
