House Floddir
As more people began using the "Golden Road" that meanders its way across Melamar from east coast to west, and into the Plains of Karna, places like Parowent began to be built by enterprising individuals seeking to establish their own holdings. Such was the case of House Floddir, who founded both Nefyn and Parowent, and then went on to be officially recognized by the Emperor as a Barony and Minor House of Gath, worthy of its place in the Emperor's Court in Ennesberg.
House Floddir was founded some time in 2086, against the wishes of several other houses, both Major and Minor, which was viewed as a "peasant house" by many, since the ruling bloodline came from "peasant stock." Even so, House Floddir flourish during the time it existed, and made a noticeable impact on Gathian society, introducing new ideas in how a Lord or Lady could effectively administer land.
Growing Economic Power House
House Floddir had a history of allowing those they ruled over a great deal of freedom and lattitude, and their taxes were typically far below that of other ruling nobles. While many others scoffed at this practice, it proved to be a brilliant move. Not only did many choose to settle on House Floddir land, swearing fealty to House Floddir, but Nefyn quickly grew to become a hub for mercantile activity. Every merchant caravan carrying goods from the Golden Valley to the West to the Plains of Karna made it a point to stop and rest at Nefyn for some time before continuing on, often engaging in trade while there. Further, merchant caravans from the West stopped at Nefyn, and then transported their wares east on the lucent river. Nefyn, as a result, had a thriving shipyards creating flat-bottomed riverboats with shallow drafts.
Growing Military
As a result of a quickly growing economic power base, House Floddir was able to form the beginnings of a standing army, providing for the security for Nefyn, and along the Golden Road. By 2099 Swancott was looking for a suitable building site for the a keep in Nefyn, which began construction that same year, and was completed by 2101.
By 2102, Spring Lord Swancott Floddir was looking for a suitable place to begin building another town, and a second military keep, this one intended to be the home for the Floddir family, set away from prying eyes and constant attentions of those they ruled. They eventually chose a site that was about three days travel from Nefyn, a site which would eventually become Parowent, and Castle Floddir.
Parowent & Castle Floddir
Swancott Floddir was no longer young, though he had instilled the same values and work ethic into his son as he had exhibited all his life, and those values dictated that it was important both to be self sufficient, and to establish a variety of different incomes in the event that one or two experienced difficult economic times. As a result, Parowent was built as a farming community. It also served as another waypoint at which Merchants stopped on their way to the Plains of Karna, which gave way to a small industry farriers and wagon repair. Though House Floddir has attempted to grow this into a burgeoning industry of blacksmiths, harness makers, and wagonworks, it never grew.
Though Parowent was founded in 2103, construction on Castle Floddir did not begin until the 2104. It took that long to procure the personnel and materials needed. Stone from the nearby mountains were obtained through Krag Daruh, a nearby mine owned by the Iron Dwarves, and several of them were hired as builders for the castle, including its chief architect and engineer, @Sivread Torunn. Castle Floddir finally finished construction in 2107, but not before Lord Swancott passed away at the age of 71.
The Decline of House Floddir
There is no indication as to why House Floddir declined so sharply, though there are many stories. It was rumored that their bloodline was cursed by the clandestine work of a rival Minor House, while other stories say that it was many houses working together. Some say Anuret cursed their bloodline by simply choosing to withhold her blessing, denying them children. Darker rumors speak of mad ambition giving way to insanity and, eventually, death. Whatever the case, the last of the Floddir line passed on 2179, 15 Winter when Brython Floddir became infected with a virulent plague that had swept through the area. With no successor, and no one else appointed by the Emperor to continue the rulership and administration of these lands.
Current state: 2230, Spring
It has been over fifty years since House Floddir existed. With no heir, the Barony has fallen dormant, their manors and castles gathering dust, and falling into ruin. The former lands of House Floddir and has not seen a tax collector from the Empire of Gath since 2179. In theory, House Floddir's former lands are ripe for the taking…
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Parent Organization
