Jack was born into what he would never fully recognize as a cult. A side-branch of the larger Nightengale clan, the Fentons were a strict, isolated group dedicated to hunting ghosts, witches, and beasts.
By the Fenton's standard, only those who eschewed all luxury, obeyed all rules, and hunted using the correct, traditional methods passed down by their ancestors were truly worthy in the eyes of God.
Jack would spend most of his childhood trying his best to be all these things.
He would obey his family's rules, but couldn't stop questioning anything he couldn't make sense of, often bungling over unspoken lines and social expectations when he did.
He would fight against dark creatures using traditional methods, but proved weak in the arts from a young age, and was never given the time or space he needed to catch up. Jack would prove to be terrible at incantations, sigil-writing, and bindings as a whole.
He would never learn Greek, Latin, or Enochian the way his family wanted him to, either, somehow managing to flub even the most basic English based rites every time he tried.
He would eschew all luxury, but would always count in an unseemly number of things as"necessities", such as warm blankets, working lights, and of whatever bits and pieces of things he might find useful, either now or later.
He would show quite the talent for artifacts, able to figure out their purpose with surprising speed, which would have been very well and good, had it not been for his tendency to take said artifacts apart in an effort to understand how they worked.
Jack would be banned from touching any of the clan's tools of power after he was found to have dismantled no less than four ghost-warding necklaces, victims of his effort to "Figure them out", and "make one for Everybody!"
His only skill with holy water, blessed bullets, and other traditional weaponry lay in his ability to hit just about anything but the monster. His access to such items, was, needless to say, forbidden.
Inept in the art of fighting, unscholarly, and endowed with an embarressingly earnest, eager-to-please personality, A teenage Jack would soon find himself isolated from his family and his peers.
Of those who did pay him any mind, it was the old women who gave him the most. Where others saw Jack as a bumbling source of shame, they saw a well intended child with too much energy, but generally sweet.
It was from these women that he would learn embroidery and cross-stitch. The Fenton clan, having very strict ideas about what was appropriate for young boys to learn, considered this secondary interest in arts and crafts as yet another mark against him.
Despite being somewhat dense when it came to the thoughts and feelings of others, Jack was aware that he was a black sheep among his clan. On one hand, he wanted to do better, on the other, every attempt he made seemed to put him in a worse position than he was before.
No matter how horrible he was at it, however, he felt giving up would do nothing but make him an even worse son than he already was.
There was nothing else he could really do.
When his parents showed up with the clan patriarch to tell him they felt Jack would be better suited to a life outside the clan, he knew his time had come.
It would hurt, to take the stipend issued to him and pack his bags, but he told himself he would find a way to make it as a hunter outside the clan, perhaps even becoming so good at it, someday, they'd want him back.
Vlad was born in the local trailer park at the edge of town. The son of two Russian elites, forced to flee their homeland after a political gambit gone awry, their survival came at the cost of almost everything they had.
It was a loss niether of them would ever be able to recoup, and a source of strife within the famliy as Vlad grew up.
Vlad's father would go through what little he did earn in a matter of days, spending it at the gambling table or dirty scams in one hopeless gambit after another to regain his wealth.
His mother, meanwhile, was always quick to lay claim to whatever managed to survive her husband's "re-investments", making mass purchases on jewelery and clothes in an effort to feel like the rich socialite she would never be again.
Vlad, born not long after his parent's arrival in the United States, would grow up defined by his parents endless squabling. Their trailer trash ways pressuring him just as much as the absurd standards to which they expected him to perform.
It was practically the only thing they could agree on: That if they could not succeed, Then Vladimir Masters, sole heir of their line, would. Driven by pride and ego, the expectations on him were sky high.
All A's or A-minuses, a crisp and proper dress, good vocabulary in both Russian and English, and, of course, the natural sense of superiority to which an inherently better person is entitled, worn as armor at all times.
It would have been an immense amount of pressure for a child with a functional home life, and Vlad, who had no such thing, was not even twelve before his personality began to bend out of its intended shape.
He would keep up with his grades, almost religiously so, but would become increasingly nasty towards his peers. His secret envy of their carefree lives mixing with his frustration towards his own living situation. The love for his parents having grown increasingly bitter as he realized they saw him more as a vessel for their own ambition than a child to be loved.
Said peers, meanwhile, wanted nothing to do with the stuck-up immigrant's son, and shunned him accordingly.
Poorly socialized as he was, he would fail to recognize he was, in fact, lonely.
The course of Vlad's life would change with his discovery of alternate science, then, through that, the paranormal as a whole.
He was first introduced to the subject thanks to the local flea market, which happened to have a few fringe publications in stock. Finding those old battered magazines gave him access to an entirely different world, one with all the wonders of magic, yet all the grounded realism of science. It was something that could take him far away from his grubby, day-to-day existence without making him feel childish for the escape.
It was also something he knew his parents would despise.
With the low flames of teenage rebellion beginning to smolder within his soul, he found that pleased him very much.
At first, Vlad's main focus would lie in cryptozoology and aliens, not ghosts. Only after becoming friends with Jack would undeath turn into a primary interest of his, and becoming friends with Jack would only happen after a long effort of doing his best to make himself into his very worst enemy.
Jack would end up enrolled in the same highschool as Vlad sometime in the middle of their sophomore year. Upon his introduction, he would immediately out himself as an unconscionably strange young man, describing himself as an "apprentice protector of all mankind" to the entire class, whose goal in life was to become "best buddies with everyone and the coolest guy on the block."
Persistent rumors that Jack was a member of the creepy cult living in the woods on the edge of town did nothing to particularly help this rather awkward first impression.
Vlad would Initially dismiss him as an idiot unworthy of note. This attitude would change, however, when Jack, who had spent his first week failing every written exam he took, ended up scoring at the very top of the charts on his practicals.
The rest of the class would waste no time getting on Vlad's case for this, teasing him that there was either a new genius in town, or Vlad must not be so smart after all, if he really could loose out to someone like Jack.
Incensed, Vlad would tell them, and then himself, that Jack only won because he must have been cheating.
Jack wasn't cheating. The very idea had never even crossed his mind. Despite struggling to understand the content of his workbooks, he was so enamoured with how many people were willing to talk to him now, little things like grades seemed unimportant.
However, Upsetting Vlad distressed him. Still fresh from years of shunning, the idea of being hated was almost unbearable. If Vlad was upset that he was doing well in class, then making him feel better was of the utmost priority, starting with an earnest apology, and a forthright offer to do his very best to let Vlad win from here on out.
Had this offer been made in private, Vlad likely would have said yes. But what Jack did instead was suggest it publicly, in front of their entire homeroom, all of whom were watching.
Still sore from his loss, and now battling rumors that his top spot on the grading scale was the result of cheating rather than his own native brilliance, Vlad could only come to one possible conclusion: He and Jack Fenton were rivals. Worst enemies forever and for life.
Thus, Jack and Vlad's relationship as a one-sided rivalry began, with Vlad determined to prove that Jack was an idiot and a cheater, while Jack rather desperately tried to appease Vlad while simultaniously grieviously misinterpreting the excess of attention the other teen had begun to pay him.
Incidents between them would include:
It would be this last event between them that would mark a turning point in their relationship. While Vlad would come away angry and mortified, Jack would find himself hopeful.
He had finally found someone outside his clan who believed in the supernatural, too
For his part, Vlad found his reputation pushed even further into the gutter. Now he was not only the standoffish, angry prick, but the standoffish angry prick who believed in fake monsters while spreading lies about perfectly nice kids like Jack Fenton.
Even worse, Vlad's new hobby of trying to ruin his competition was having a tangible impact on his grades. Enough for his parents to notice, fight over it, and lock him in his bedroom, freshly stripped of all distractions, for a full weekends worth of time.
He would never manage to recover any of the books his parents threw away.
The next Monday, Vlad would find Jack, press him into a corner, and begin to talk.
He would tell him that no one really loved him, that he was a cheat, an idiot, and a liar. He told him all his friends were fake, no one would ever hang out with him, and that he was going to die alone.
But like most things involving Jack Fenton, Vlad would find his plans didn't turn out the way he expected. Rather than cry, or yell, or being in any way hurt at all, Jack would choose to show concern, instead.
It was terrible, the way Vlad was selling himself short. Enough so that Jack was really worried about his self-esteem
Maybe Jack's other friends were like that, but Vlad was a true companion. After all, didn't they walk home to school together everyday? They shared such similar interests, and Vlad even went out of his way to check Jack's locker for him, just to make sure everything in there was okay. Jack might not be a cool guy with a big brain like he was, but as long as he had Vlad, Jack knew for a fact that he would never truly be alone.
Vlad would be left with a pat on the back and an invitation to join Jack on the walk home from school anytime. But if he was still feeling shy and wanted to hide while doing it, that was okay too!
Over the course of the next few weeks, Jack and Vlad began hanging out on a more social basis.
Jack was happy to have the company, while Vlad was happy there was at least one person in town who thought he was cool. Enough so that he was willing to overlook how Jack managed to beat him in every practical exam, despite continuing to fail every written one.
It was this absurd dichotomy of skill that leads to Vlad's offer to tutor Jack, granting him his first occasion to visit him at his home.
It's during these sessions that the two begin really bonding over their shared interest in the supernatural, using the relative freedom of Jacks home as a safe space to discuss their hobby.
While Vlad's initial interest had lain in aliens, Jack was able to convince him that ghosts are just as scientifically feasible, if not more so, than bigfoot and the like.
Not long after, Jack and Vlad would encounter their first haunting.
they would find it thanks to one of their classmates, who came into the after-school club the two had set up in an attempt to legitimize their hobby.
There was a shadow in his house, this classmate would tell them, one that lived in his windows, and watched him in the dark.
More importantly, if they managed to get rid of it, he'd pay them.
One one-thousand watt flashlight and three broken windows later, Jack and Vlad would claim their first earnings in what would become Fenton-Masters Ghost Hunting and Handyman Services (INC, LTD, LLC, and co.)
With Vlad handling the financials and customer interaction, and Jack providing the inventive genius, the two were able to build something very much like a real business across their highschool years. Jack was able to help people, while Vlad got the appreciation and respect he felt he deserved.
When graduation finally came, it was the natural thing for them to apply together, having agreed they would both go to the same schools.
Jack went dreaming of new friends, knowledge, and things to build.
Vlad went with dreams of social power, admiration, and wealth.
Despite their differences, it never crossed their mind that anything might drive them apart.
Not until Maddie.
Not until the portal.
Frost:
Foremost house of the Far Frozen, which has been led by a member of the Frosts since time immemorial, They are the generals, high officials, and political heads of state and town. Lead by Lord Frostbite of Winter’s Fist. Their clan colors are deep blue with light blue accents.
Hoar
The intelligentsia of the Far Frozen, they are heavily involved in the study, research, and management of artifacts, objects of power that exists beyond Yeti societies current levels of technology and understanding. Led by Hoarwhistle Mealy-mouthed, they oppose the house of Ice and are trouble makers on the political scene with the house of Frost
Cold
Merchant clan, the house of cold is the primary reason forign markets haven’t taken the combat focused society of the far frozen by the balls. Yetis favor self-sufficiency, and will usually try to build what they cannot create, and conquer for themselves what others won’t give them. The House of Cold is an exception to this, mostly dealing in the import of raw materials, and, of late, fine goods from other nations. They favor a blunt, straightforward bartering style, and view haggling as an insult to the worth of their goods. Lead by Coldclammer Widewit.
Ice
Artifact guard and border patrol, the House of Ice is a military based clan in close alliance with the house of Frost, serving as the royal guard and tasked with the protection of the Far Frozen’s most valuable resources. They are also responsible for the discovery and retrieval of new artifacts, the glory for which they often compete for with the house of Hoar. Lead by Icehaft the Grim.
Sleet
landholders and farmers, they are heavily involved in agriculture and the rural peasantry who work the land. A very large, but mostly poor house with a broad divide between haves and have nots, the house of sleet is noted for its anti-industrial, anti-city stance, which they view as a threat to their way of life and base of power. Strong believers in tradition and “the old ways.” Lead by Sleetclaw of the flourishing palm. They dislike the House of Skift.
Snow
artisans and architects, heavily involved in the creation and maintenance of public and private buildings, as well as the keepers of the only repository of floor layouts and plans for most major constructions, which they keep in a large library accessible only by select members of the House of Snow without direct permission. The members of the House of Snow are the ones largely responsible for temples, statuary and other public art projects. Led by Snowscatter Dream wright
Skift
industrialists, the Skifts are famous for their skill with heavy machinery and automated craftsmanship, and are well know to compete among themselves for the best and and most efficient designs. Once a minor clan known for leeching off the house of Hoar, they have of late gained status of their own, thanks to great leaps in technology and manufacturing, most of which are rumored to be not true innovations, but adapted from stolen knowledge of artifacts and their functions. Known for being secretive of their techniques, yet disdainful of tradition, particularly the clan system, which they say favors the stagnation of progress and fragmentation of knowledge. Rivals with the house of Sleet, their long alliance with the house of hoar has recently decayed, and they are currently in an unsteady partnership with the house of Firn, instead. Led by Skiftclaw Burntback
Firn
scientists and biologists, a clan dedicated to the catalogue and discovery of the natural world, and an exception to overall Yeti culture, which largely favors stoic acceptance and enforcement of tradition. The Firn are unusual in that they are very open with their discoveries and knowledge, in part as a way to parley favor with other clans, seeking broad acceptance in exchange for relative lack of favor and power with those in power, a long standing issue that has only recently changed with Lord Frostbite, whose lack of understanding when it comes to science does not stop him from enthusiastically supporting it. Their alliance with the house of Skift is a major one, but ultimately fraught due to ideological differences, mainly revovling around the Skift’s tendency for hypocrisy. led by Firnfirth EverReaching
Rime
police and law enforcement, where the house of Ice is largely responsible for guarding “things,” the house of Rime are mostly involved in the guarding of “people,” keeping order and enforcing law among the civilian and non-royal populouce. Are envious of the house of Ice’s exclusive hold on that of the royal guard, which is clearly the protection of “a person,” which they believe is their domain. Close alliance with the house of Cold.
Freeze
outcast clan, and the only House to form within surviving historical records, the result of a major dispute of succession between two halves of the Frost clan. Just as the fourth era (Empire) began to pick up steam and expand. One half of the clan wanted to ensure the safety of the Far Frozen by joining the Empire, while the other wanted to stay loyal to the third age, and maintain independence from the “usurpers.” This divide lead to a long civil war that nearly ruined the Far Frozen completely, though those who wanted to remain independent eventually won, casting out the opposers, who were left to form what is now the house of Freeze on the outskirts of society. The house of Freeze makes its living filling in the cracks of society, working low status jobs others avoid, participating in illigal or nefarious activities, and fraternizing with foreigners. They are widely disliked by all other clans not only for the nature of their formation, but for their decision to side with Pariah Dark during the 6th age (Kings), a number of their members directly involving themselves in the betrayal that caused the death of the last Lord frost and the severing of the current Lord’s right arm while in combat with Pariah. The house of Freeze is split between three leaders: Freezefall Rotbelly, Freezefang Burning Oath, and Freezestrike Ever-loyal.