House Hayles
House Hayles is one of the most powerful Houses in Jakonia, with dominion over much of the Nasite lands in the northeastern empire. They possess the unyielding support of the Fellowship of the Palm, and are considered to be one of the most devout Houses in the Empire. Lordships currently under the rule of House Hayles are Satsuma, Palm, and South Matanzas. Each of these lordships are ruled by a family member in House Hayles, and offer some of the most influential positions within the Imperial Congress.
Public Agenda
The foremost public policy of House Hayles is to support the Empire in quelling Nasite dissent and unrest. They firmly stand by the listed policy that the Nasite lands shall now and forever be part of the Jakonian Empire. They also believe in the primacy of the Church of the One Sun and the power of faith over secular concerns and agendas. They are well known as loyal allies of the Church within the Imperial Congress.
Assets
House Hayles has numerous assets available to it. The military levies of three Lordships are all readily provided to the Empire's needs, but they could answer Hayles' own calls. These forces have received considerable training and financial support, and are some of the most experienced. Much of this experience has been gathered in the frequent rebellions, riots, and uprisings launched by the Nasites throughout the territories. House Hayles' warriors have extensive experience in urban uprisings, sieges, and related battles, and they pass it on to all new recruits. They are accompanied by a small amount of corvettes on the high seas that House Hayles hires to protect the rivers and prevent smuggling
House Hayles also has fairly deep coffers, payoff from controlling the majority of overland trade with Kiralyno and Augustin. These two states have proven to be good trading partners, offerings sources of supply for resources that have become scarce within the rest of the empire, like iron ore and lumber. They have negotiated exclusivity contracts with the Free City of Augustin, allowing them to gain a monopoly on any lumber or construction materials brought into the Jakonian Empire from Augustin. Clever contracts like these have assisted the House in building up a considerable financial reserve.
The final resource available to the House Hayles is perhaps the most controversial. Jacob Hayles, one of the members of the family, has become the Abbot of the Fellowship of the Palm. Although technically it is against the laws of the Empire and Church for the Fellowship to be used in the pursuit of petty gains or House conflicts, rumors abound of misuse. Several prominent opponents and Nasite rebels have died or disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and quiet accusations have been made that the House Hayles has been exploiting the ties with the Church. They claim, however, that any information passed by House Hayles on to the Fellowship has related solely to heretics and rebels.
History
House Hayles have a fairly patchwork history intertwined with the History of the Jakonian Empire. According to the family's official history, the first Hayles was a stalwart ally of House Jakson, helping with the initial conquest of the peninsula. More accurate histories portray the family as actually being originally Nasites who had served under the previous kingdom in the land who were given the land they received for assisting in the betrayal of their old masters. Leaders of House Hayles have denied these claims, but they have only become prominent over the past few hundred years. The House has served loyally to the Empire during all of this time, and more often than not consider themselves to be more Jakonian than Nasite, refusing to adopt the ways of their believed inferiors.
Heavy Heart and Open Palms
Founding Date
655
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Family Leader
Parent Organization
Location
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments