The Brattenard Estate
“A house built on discipline does not crumble.”
Overview
The Brattenward Estate is the ancestral home of the Brattenward family, a minor noble house in Dragsan known for its rigid adherence to duty, discipline, and law. Though not as opulent as the holdings of greater noble families, the estate is a symbol of stability and endurance, standing firm against the shifting tides of politics and power struggles. More fortress than manor, it serves as both a home and a command center for the family’s affairs.
Location and Structure
Situated on the outskirts of Dragsan, the estate overlooks the cold, misty hills that border the main trade roads. Unlike the sprawling palace-like structures of wealthier nobles, the Brattenward Estate is fortified, functional, and imposing.
- Main Keep: A central stone keep serves as the heart of the estate, housing the Brattenward family, their closest advisors, and records of their lineage.
- Barracks and Training Grounds: A remnant of the family’s longstanding ties to the Order, these areas house a modest but well-trained force of guards.
- Judicial Hall: A chamber where disputes are settled and law is enforced under the Brattenward name.
- Chapel of Order: A small but well-kept shrine dedicated to the principles of law, discipline, and duty.
Notable Features
- The Silent Court: A secluded courtyard within the keep, where Brattenward rulers contemplate major decisions. It is said that Lady Dyana spends long hours here in private meditation.
- The Armory Vault: A secure chamber storing heirloom weapons and relics of past generations, symbolizing the family’s legacy as enforcers of order.
- The Western Wing: A part of the estate once intended for Silas Brattenward but left largely unused after his departure to the Order.
Daily Life and Governance
Life within the Brattenward Estate is marked by order, routine, and efficiency. Servants and guards operate under strict schedules, and wastefulness is not tolerated. Lady Dyana oversees affairs with an ironclad discipline, ensuring that everything runs with military-like precision.
- Council Meetings: Every morning, a select group of advisors and officers meet to discuss estate affairs, legal rulings, and military reports.
- Drill Sessions: Guards train regularly in the barracks, maintaining readiness in case of civil unrest or external threats.
- Public Audiences: Petitioners and vassals may seek Lady Dyana’s ruling on disputes, though only the most pressing cases are granted attention.
Rumors and Intrigue
- The Empty West Wing: Some say that Lady Dyana still maintains Silas’ quarters, though she never speaks of it. Others believe it remains empty as a sign of disappointment.
- The Locked Chamber: A door in the lower levels of the estate has remained sealed for decades. Only the Brattenward matriarch knows what lies beyond.
- Hidden Alliances: It is rumored that Kyria Brattenward seeks alliances beyond Dragsan’s rigid nobility, raising speculation about her true intentions for the estate’s future.
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