Noble Houses
The history of the house of Brynn is not a happy one for the most part, for it is a family held together primarily by the memories of those long fallen, for Quessa is a dead duchy. While prosperous in the past, it was the house of Brynn which fell first during the murderous days of the Goblin Wars.
The duchy of Quessa is situated west of the free city of Stonegate, and borders briefly with the barony of Riverdale to the south and the duchy of Gelathia to the east. The primary town in the holding is that of Quessa, a small but prosperous town which is found due west of Stonegate on the banks of the Siriath River. The hold of Brynn was once one of the strongest Keeps in all of Kirganthis, but in the span of one single night, one of the first of the war, the hold fell and the entire family and staff of the keep perished.
The house of Brynn has one oddity to seperate it from other duchies, there was a long history of Duchesses but only an occasional Duke born into the family, and those who married into the house were accorded the rank of Viscount, not of Duke. The last head of Brynn was suprisingly a Duke, Marton Brynn, who came into power when his two eldest sisters and elder brother were killed in a fire while visiting Stonegate. He was married and had two daughters when the family was slain in the wars.
The sole survivor of the household staff was the chancellor, Roderick Croix, who oddly disappeared not a week after the slaughter of the Keep. Little is known as to why the Keep fell as quickly as it did, rumors abound that there was treachery involved, but no proof was ever established. Rumours abound as well that there were children fathered by Marton of elven blood while he was a student in the city of Kisah, but this also has never been proven.
While the colors of the duchy are no longer official, there are many places in Quessa where the banner of Brynn can be seen flying, light blue bordered in white with a wingspread eagle centered in the middle.
For the last six centuries the fertile lands east of Stonegate have been part of the Duchy of Gelathia. Gelath is one of the oldest noble houses along with the royal house of Lyonsbane, and the barony of Reiger. Situated closer than any other noble holding to the free city of Stonegate, most of the citizens are very familiar with the sometimes garish-looking purple and yellow livery of the Gelaths. Unlike other noble houses, the Gelaths did not obtain their holdings through noble service to royalty, or through military prowess on the field of battle. Their family is descended from druids which have lived in the area for as long as history has been recorded, since Ancients openly walked the lands and were worshiped as gods. While no longer a family composed mainly of druids, there are still very strong ties to the land and creatures which live in the woods, fields, and streams near their holdings. The keep of the Gelath family is not the standard massive stone affair, but instead partially underground and not an overly imposing building. This does not mean that it is a weak structure, or one easily conquered, for it has not been breached or held by an opposing force during it's incredibly long history.
During the wars, the forces of Gelathia were composed mainly of the sturdy folk who live in that territory, farmers, woodsmen, and craftsmen, and they served their banner, and that of the royal family, with pride. Together with militia from the house of Meliak, several key victories were won against the goblins, pushing them back from the human-held provinces.
The bright colors of the Duchy are visible on their crest as well, a yellow field with a bright purple boar's head in the center, crested by the symbol of the noble rank accorded to the head of the family, the ducal crown. The patron totem of the house is the forest boar, an animal accorded with due respect when found in the wild, due to it's stubborness and brute power when necessary.
Leader: Duke Alistair Elian Gelath, 35th Duke of Gelathia
Freeman Aquatius Bullheart
Freeman Hanto
Freeman Knucks Skaarj
Freewoman Kieva
Freewoman Rhianna
Freeman Showdrar
Freewoman Silvae
Freeman Xion Strife
Freeman Xylon
Merrik
Sedge
With few exceptions, there is rarely a word spoken in Kirganthis that has the power to enrage more people than that of "Tirome". The Duchy of Tirome was at one time one of the most powerful, if not the most on the continent. Vast land holdings, trade, and taxes brought great wealth to those of the family, and those who served under them. Unfortunately those who benefited from this wealth and power used it for ill will.
Tirome sent many forces to the wars under her banner, and they fared better than every unit sent to battle. Very few casualties befell their forces. In the times after the wars, men who fought in the ranks of Tirome began to talk, as all soldiers do, and a horrible secret was eventually let out. The son of the Duke, Stephan Tirome, was an advisor to the hordes which his father sent forces against, and this was done under his father's orders.
Supplies, armament, secrets, and money all had been supplied in secret to the goblins which were assaulting the nobles all across Kirganthis, all of them except Tirome, due to the plannnig of the Duke, Desmon Tirome. Desmon wasfound and captured soon after the information leaked to the rest of the nobles about his treachery. His trial was swift, and he was hung in the Commoners Square in Ulaid after having his title and lands stripped from him. His body was dismembered and a portion of it was sent to the various cities and towns of Kirganthis as a warning to all who would perform such acts in the future.
Stephan, at his father's behest, was exiled and not killed. He lived the rest of his life on the island of Shatiras, a life according to some of continued wealth and power. The duchy was taken over into the royal holdings due to the realtive closeness to Ulaid and the ducal banners of Tirome have not been seen displayed ever since. Locked away in various places are the family jewels of the house, and their emblems, decorated in the dark yellow and blue of Tirome, and the blazon of the eagle, the family patron totem.
Clarence Meliak was a lowly boatmaker, the son of a boatmaker before him for as many generations as he could count. He was popular among the local fisherman that made their living off the rich fishing at the mouth of the Siriath River. But Clarence was more then a just a good drinking fellow, neighbor, and craftsman, Clarence Meliak had a dream. Once as a child he had seen the massive armada of ships from the elven nation. Clarence Meliak would build the first Meliak Clipper, With a keel of solid oak and trim lines the like of which had never before been seen. Clarence named the ship Getaya after his wife, but he would never sail upon her decks, instead it was his son Robert who would traverse the mighty oceans and travel to strange and exotic lands. The goods he brought back from faraway brought fantastic prices in the Stonegate markets, and Robert soon found himself the owner of a vast fortune. He quickly put the fortune to work and bought up massive amounts of land around the mouth of the Siriath River, which he would leave to his son. It was his son, Marechal Meliak, a shrewd businessman and a master craftsman, like his grandfather, that would found the great port city of Riverdale and build a shipyard to launch the greatest merchant fleet ever assembled. Upon this floating foundation was built a Barony.
The modern family of Meliak, although traditionally cunning when it comes to finance and trade, doesn't resemble much their pioneering ancestors. Meliak has become known for supporting the fine arts, including music and dance. The House of Meliak is known for flaunting their wealth on lavish comfort and the latest fashions, making them the trendsetters of the nobility. They tend to remain neutral in most political affairs, unless it of course the families' finances are concerned. In the goblin wars, Meliak's forces were generally used to reinforce Gelathian troops, but are not accorded with any resounding military victories. Instead it was the supply of food, clothing and armament that the House of Meliak generously contributed to the war that was the price of their safety. Of course some might argue that it was a meager investment compared to the profits reaped after the war as the rebuilding began.
The House of Meliak's coat of arms is a black raven flying across an emerald banner. The house's patron totem is the raven, which is a notoriously intelligent and cunning bird, known for it's capacity for self-preservation.
Leader: Baron Vendric Meliak
Lady Kessal Tamalothi
Freeman Bastian Reign
Freeman Pengolod
Freewoman Sapphire Nomiki
Serf Sarion Hawk
Leifr
Raul
The Reiger family line is descended from one Alucard Reiger, who was knighted on the battlefield by Robert Andrew Lyonsbane II, during the Lyonsbane's attempt to secure the throne from their their long time rival the Duke of Gelath. Upon royal decree of Andrew Robert Lyonsbane II, the barony of Karathia was created in the northern, mountains, this barony included the castle of Karathos and all of the lands near the headwaters of the Siriath. This barony was given to Alucard Reiger, the former captain of his personal guard. Andrew feared that the castle of Karathos in the wrong hands could be used as a stronghold from which to strike out against not only the royal family, but any other noble holdings as well. The family of Reiger flourished and enjoyed a peaceful reign in their mountain stronghold on the Siriath River, that is until the goblins came. The army of Reiger held the pass and repelled the onslaught of the goblin hordes, but not without great loss. Thier strongest ally, the family of Lyonsbane, and many other noble families watched as their grand estates burned completely to the ground before the goblin executioners had been eradicated. Despite the murder of her family, one daughter of Lyonsbane lived on, hidden away safely inside the walls of Castle Karathos. Helping to reestablish the royal line was one of the greatest moments of the Reiger family.
Over the last 300 years, The lords of Reiger have reigned over the SiriathValley. Their stronghold, the Castle of Karathos has become a safe haven and a bastion of strength for all who live near their protective walls and militia. The Reigers, always loyal to the royal family, one day hope to reunite all of humankind under one banner.
The Reiger crest is white heron on an ardent field. A single red rose is held in the beak of the heron, symbolizing Reiger's ties to the former royal family. The circlet of a baronet with a single ruby gem set in the middle tops their crest, representing their noble place and landholdings.
The Reiger family's patron totem is the heron, a bird of beauty and grace, known in legend as symbolizing truth, justice, and freedom.
Leader: Baron Jahron Reiger
Baroness Kylara Reiger
Lord Aesolo
Lord Roland
Freeman Werden Gerome
Serf Ajia Kinshalla
Serf Corbio Farkield
Serf Sydney
Archea
Dianora
Sercina Farkield
Syeth
Orders
Unlike other noble houses, the House of Lunarou is not a hereditary family title. Formed in the last brutal years of the war against the goblins, the knightly order of Lunarou helped turn the tide to the side of the Alliance. Composed of those who belong not to another house, or those who leave their house of birth by their own free will, the lifestyle is not exactly one of nobility, but a martial one instead. The leader of the knights is normally an elected post, with all members, no matter experience or age, getting an equal voice. Similar to other knightly orders, those who wear the colors of the Lunarou follow a highly honorable chivalric code of conduct.
The hold of the knights is known simply as 'The Rock', most likely due to the fact that it is located in the mountains, and appears to grow straight from the crags of stone which surround it. Living as closely as they do to the dwarven lands, it is not uncommon to find many of that folk inside the walls, or even residing nearby, trading with the knights, or serving as craftsworkers within the keep, and in some cases even serving as knights themselves.
During the years following the war the Order has not become stale and still has a purpose. While at first a simple military organization, the members of the Lunarou are now also a political force as well. Accepted in the ranks with the other noble houses, most are not able to forget the power held by these knights clad in grey and black and do little to try to anger their ranks.
Most people refer to the Order of Lunarou as the 'Wolf Knights', due to their crest of a grey wolf's head on a black field with a baronet's circlet above it, symbolizing their noble standing, not to mention their tendency to have helmets bearing the visage of wolves, and grey enamelled armor.
The totem of the Knights is openly known as the wolf, a symbol of their swift and quiet ability to move when needed.
Leader: Baronet Terrace Kanem
Lady Caylen
Freeman Laul Nomiki
Serf Anddrew Kiasero
Serf Oni
Serf Percivale
Serf Valek
Serf Vivinus
Serf Zarcrax
Briska
Keisha
Malkius
Sheldon
Vishne
Originally formed as the Royal Scouts of Kisah, the group now known only by a part of their motto, "The only thing heard when we pass is the sound of a falling leaf." The Order of the Falling Leaf holds no noble standing, and it is not even known how many are in their ranks for they hide in the woods and surroundings which they call home. Serving as guardians of the wilds which they feel are being overtaken by civilization, it is these elves, and sometimes half-breed elves, that lurk in the branches and underbrush of the wildlands which still exist on Kirganthis.
The Falling Leaf did serve in a capactiy during the Goblin Wars, mainly as a silent band of guerillas operating at night, striking quietly at targets and disappearing back into the woods unseen. They recieved little notoriety for their actions, partially due to not wanting any, and partially because their actions were not tracked or known to but a select few.
When seen out of the woods the members of the Falling Leaf do have several very distinguishing features about them. Regardless of heritage, their members are almost always makred with tribal elven tattoos in green and brown. Clothing and weaponry tend to be constructed and not purchased or manufactured. Even in what most consider to be a "modern" world, these bands of elves cling to the old ways of doing things, and do so happily.
The Falling Leaf have no official colors or symbols as do most other orders or houses which have been established, they are known only for their actions and tattoos, and their vigilance towards all things natural.
Leader: Lynkal Keltoi
Eliyan Quik'la
Rhodre D'thalia
Sian
Soar
Xanalor
Tempered and refined from the finest raw troops that the dwarven lands near Brulan has, similar to how the steel which their weapons are made from is refined and tempered, are the ranks of the Steelforge. Originally serving as an elite unit of the Thanish Guards of Brulan, those that serve under the banner of Steelforge are a hardy unit of fast, tough and sturdy dwarves and other small folk who go where they are needed to protect those who might be in need.
During the conflicts of the Goblin Wars, it was the Thanish Guards who held the gates and protected their homeland instead of leaving the caverns to fight on the plains at the side of the humans and elves. Since the day when the goblins were routed it has been the opposite, it is the Thanish Guards, epsecially the group following the banner of Steelforge who roam the countryside serving as guards to caravans, manning battlements of cities under seige, and serving as tactical advisors to nobles and militias.
Though small of stature, those who fill the ranks of the Steelforge are not to be overlook or thought lightly of. They have at their disposal the finest arms and armor that their homeland can produce.
No noble rank is accorded to those who are in Steelforge solely due to their membership, but there is occasion when a title is awarded to one of their ranks by some other noble lord or lady for their service to another house or city.
The bright colors of orange and a deep red, those of raw forged steel, can be seen ornamenting the gear and clothing of the Steelforge, along with the symbol of one of the many fighting birds which they use in battle and keep as pets. Their chosen totems vary, but the most common are that of the falcon, owl, and eagle, the very birds which they work with in battle.
Leader: Captain Marrak Rockchest
Dargus
Jow
Kye
Lexor
Padraig Dripstopper
Ragnor
Tempest
Others
Formed long after the wars which ravaged the central plains of Kirganthis, the Splitrock Clan is an oddity. While considered a family, and all who flock to their banner are treated as such, the membership consists of orcs, ogres, half-breeds, and the occasional troll. Even a sporadic goblin, shunned by most even now long after their actions in the wars. Many found in the ranks proudly display their heritage and list long-dead relatives who fought on the "other" side of the war, those who aren't talked about by the relatives of the humans, elves, and dwarves who fought on the battlements.
Legend has it that at the meeting, if you can call the fight which ensued from it a meeting, to choose the first leader of the family, upon the ascension of Greldak, an ogre with only one hand, to chieftan, the large outcropping of rock which loomed over the main camp split in two, giving the group it's moniker of "Splitrock".
For some unknown, and most likely long-dead reason, the Knights of the Lunarou despise those who fight for Splitrock. Many a skirmish has been fought over the most trivial matters, sometimes just to give a reason to fight. These two militant orders sometimes exist only to keep each other in the field and ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Due to their odd choices in their "family", most noble houses for the most part ignore the comings and goings of those in Splitrock, except of course of those who follow the ways of the Lunarou. No noble rank is accorded to any of the leaders of the clan, even if their particular leader gives himself or herself some title of some sort. The leadership is not a heirarchy and handed down by heritage, it is fought for, and once a leader has stepped down or fallen, there is little left for that person but death, usually at the hands of his or her very own "family".
The only color which seems to be primarily worn or openly shows any allegiance to the family is a very dark blue. No one single totem is followed by family members, but those according with the brute force used normally by Splitrock are preferred, such as the alligator, boar, bear, and ram. No member of the Splitrock however is allowed to openly follow the ways of the wolf.
Leader: Lufia
Aro
Desparin
Gerik Tae'harei
Herman
Syphon
Turgan Dagur
Raeder
Retic
Rozar
Last Updated on July 10th, 2001