House Ildrafn (Ill-draf-in)
Also known as The Sixth House, House Ildrafn has finally emerged as a Great House in the Banteavan political landscape after centuries of existence.
Assets
- Strong ties to the Antari people through years of intermarriage.
- The well-built ships of the Ildrafn Navy, captained by Tahir Ildrafn.
- Prosperity Initiatives, begun after the Tambar Rebellion, to help rebuild and repair the Houses' ties with the commonfolk.
- Loyal Militias, well-paid and equipped, keeping the peace among House Ildrafn's settlements. Considered mostly fair by the commonfolk.
- Detailed Historical Archives, held within the stone walls of Rhythavn Castle, from which the lessons of the past can be used to improve the future.
History
Below are notable events from the founding of the House to present day;
- -- At the Precipice
- -- The Aftermath
- -- The Tambar Rebellion and The Axes of McCloughhaven
- -- The Arrival of Luneste
- -- The Sage of Risevar
- -- A Bitter Defeat
- -- The Tragic Deception of King Robern
- -- The Bounty of the Seas
- -- The End of Heawick
- -- The Bridling of the Fossian
- -- Painted Glass and Ancient Stone
- -- The Founding of House Ildrafn
Demography and Population
Thanks to years of intermarriage, House Ildrafn is a hybrid of Antari Highlander and Banteavan Culture .
Military
The Ildrafans boast a substantial fleet of ships and strong naval traditions, hailing back to the Years of the Long Drought.
Religion
While ostensibly devout followers of the Church, House Ildrafn is notable for the proportion of its members that offer prayers to The Red Sisters behind closed doors.
Agriculture & Industry
House Ildrafn's revenues stem from it's holdings in Rhythavn , Ninevalon , Catena and McCloughhaven's Reach .
- Rhythavn boats a thriving fishing fleet, as well as many homesteads where the farmers grow hardy tubers and other root vegetables. The unforgiving climate of the Highlands makes sustained agriculture difficult, but not impossible. Saltworks are also present along the coastline, and salted and smoked fish is regularly exported from their holding to the rest of the Highlands and beyond.
- The primary export from Ninevalon stems from its vast orchards; peaches, plums, apples and pears all grow with abundance among the rolling hills north of the Fossian river. Ninevalers also engage in brisk trade with Ninetaver to the south, and many offer their services as boatmen, carters and river wardens.
- Catena is primarily focused on trade and catering to the needs of those traders; a crossroads community boasting many fine inns, coachhouses, stables and taverns. Subsistence farms and small ranches also dot the surrounding countryside.
- McCloughhaven's Reach boasts a small forestry operation, as well as services to assist diplomats travelling to and staying at The Treaty Hall.
Guided Towards Glory
Founding Date
995
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Capital
Alternative Names
The Sixth House
Demonym
Ildrafans
Family Leader
Gazetteer
House Ildrafn controls Rhyver Bay, as well as the Barony of Rhythavn, the Barony of Catena and the Barony of Ninevalon . The head of the household also holds the title of Duke of Whitecliff .
Within the depths of the Warblewise Forest, House Ildrafn also tentatively holds McCloughhaven's Reach through their vassal, House McCloughhaven.
Major Exports
Fish, salt, fruits, root vegetables, lumber
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Liege Lord and Vassal
House McCloughhaven is sworn to the service of House Ildrafn, and provides them with levies and taxes each year in exchange for protection.
Friendly
Years of political marriages between their Houses have solidified good relations between them, despite their cultural differences.
Friendly
Longstanding neighbours separated by the Fossian river, Oake and Ildrafn are joined by the famed bridges connecting their two holdings and years of cooperation on either side of the river.
Neutral
The Red Sisters and her Druids look upon Ildrafn with mixed feelings. While they appreciate the quiet rites and rituals conducted by House members in honour of Spinner, Weaver and Shear, they would prefer if the House practiced openly and declare themselves freed from the yoke of the Church.
Peace
While House Dillestone has had little in the way of issues with House Ildrafn over the years (and even benefitted from their underhanded ways during The Bloody Harvest that lead to the downfall of House Sandoreale), they still are wise to hold House Ildrafn at a distance. Their quiet devotion to the Red Sisters irks Dillestone's staunch allies in the Church, and one can never be sure just how much to trust an Ildrafn.
Wary
While House Ildrafn is ostensibly a pious member of the Church of the Six Saints, their alleged worship of the Red Sisters irks the Church greatly, as they are one of the few Houses in the Highlands that should ostensibly represent their interests.
Peace
House Antyre is upset over the recent seizing of The Reach by Iseabail McCloughhaven in House Ildrafn's name. They seek to have the holding returned to the Barony of Farran's rightful jurisdiction. Early negotiations between both parties have yielded little, and some fear the matter may be settled with swords on the field of battle if cooler heads do not prevail.
Antagonistic
House Sandoreale has never forgiven House Ildrafn for the role they played in The Bloody Harvest, which was key to the downfall of King Robern.
