Noble Families of Ciello

The island of Ciello is home to a significant number of noble families. Listed here are the most famous, infamous, and important of these, past and present.

House Belaroth

Titles: Current: Duchy of Ciello, Barony of Calimno, Guardian of Reddingfield and Keeper of the Keys. Former: Duchy of Cunaris (superseeded by current ducal title).

History: The Belaroths are an ancient house. Perhaps even the oldest noble extant family on the island. They decend from the Mage-Lords of the Imperium, and can trace their ancestry back to the 6th Century BIC. During the Imperial invasion of what is today

The "Free Cities" the Belaroths were stationed on Ciello as its governors. Since then the family has experienced many ups and downs in its fortunes. When the Imperium fell the Belaroths were swept from power and nearly wiped out. They held on to a few mountain holdfasts in the turbulent centuries following the fall. The house's fortunes improved after the rebellion against Amellianus Fabii "Rex" when they regained their family sword and assumed control of Cunaris.

Since then the dukes of Cunaris (later Ciello) have attempted to strenghten their hold on Ciello. In modern times they are the hegemons of Ciello. Their power is especially firm in the south of the island. Elsewhere it is maintained by the family's control of the Barrier Fortress.

The family are patrons of the Knights of Redemption.

The symbol of the House is a quartered shield. One quarter bears the image of the Fury of Belaroth, the family sword, held aloft by a blue hand. One the Imperial seal. One the High Tower of Cunaris. The last square bears the image of a Key, signifying the family's control of Ciello's fortresses.

House Aldershall

Titles: Current: County of Aldershall, Barony of Reddingfield (not to be confused with the Free City of

Reddingfield ) . Former: Kingdom of Ciello (contested title used 488 - 490)

History: House Aldershall was born in the fires of the rebellion against elven occupation (412 - 488). The early history of the family is contested. Scholars at the Cunaris Ducal Archives claims the Aldershalls decend from a family of executioners from Aldershall. According to them the father of the first Count was a man named Florentine who offered his services to the elven invaders, and gained their favour. Eventually becoming their strongman in Aldershall, then a fairly small settlement. When the revolt against the elves began to grow in strenght Florentine's son Antonio poisoned his father and threw in with the rebels, eventually becoming the leader of the rebellion.

The "History of House Aldershall", published by Dorentina de Ziean, a client of the Aldershall family puts a different spin on the story. According to her Florentine was in fact a decendant of King Nebi who had wandered the Free Cities as an adventurer. He settled in Aldershall, where he soon became a local leader, protecting the people from the tyranny of the local elven nobleman. Eventually Florentine was poisoned by the elf. This prompted Antonio to raise the north in revolt against the elves.

Whatever the truth by 488 Antonio was the de-facto leader of the successful revolt against

Amellianus Fabii "Rex". When the elven king died Antonio wasted little time in attempting to assume his position. However, many opposed him. Antonio left the Belaroth family in charge of Cunaris and moved north to secure Reddingfield which has turned against his cause. This proved a mistake. The Belaroths sided with Antonio's enemies, claiming that as an ancient noble family they were not held to oaths sworn to a commoner.

Antonio was eventually defeated at Reddingfield. He realized that he would not be able to subdue Ciello and instead moved to secure the rural north for himself. In 490 he was proclaimed "Count of Aldershall" in the newly built temple of Sol in his capital.

In the following centuries the counts of Aldershall have fought to expand their holdings, and protect them from raiders and monsters. The rulers of Perano have often faced the counts of Aldershall on the battlefield. Reddingfield has remained the desire of many an Aldershall. The city was besieged in 488 - 490, 552, 558, 711 - 713, 733 - 735, and 890. All these sieges ended with defeat for the Aldershalls.

The Aldershalls have often allied with the Vendra of Lavello. The two families often intermarry.

The symbol of the house is an elf falling from a tall tower, signifying Aldershall's role in the death of

Amellianus Fabii.

House Vendra

Titles: Current: County of Lavello. Former: Duchy of Lavello (Until 735 revolt against Duke of Ciello).

History: House Vendra arose out of the turbulent times following the rebellion against the elves. They decend from the leader of the Merry Company, a group of mercenaries who usurped power in Lavello in 518. They fought frequently with the dukes of Cunaris in the 6th and 7th centuries. Eventually they swore vassalage to the Belaroths in 640. In 733 they revolted, but were defeated by 735 and reduced to the rank of count.

The Vendra are infamous for their ruthlessness. As lords of a demense on the edge of civilized lands near the Botaan plains they are frequently subject to raids by underdark creatures and other monsters. Their "Red Riders" are the only permanent standing force on Ciello besides the ducal garrisons.

House Madruzzo

Titles: Current: Marquess of Merata, Barony of Alba

History:

House Varano

Titles: Current: Marquess of Perano

History: