House Milldore
House Milldore is the wealthiest and most influential noble family on the Farmers Coast, ruling from their stronghold, Ruby Bridge Keep, and controlling the prosperous city of HarvestPort. Descended from Millie Royce, they have built their legacy on political cunning, strategic alliances, and a mastery of trade, using their control over the RoyceFlow River and the Ruby Road to amass great wealth. Known for their elegant lifestyle and emphasis on education, they blend their Hedgian heritage with a refined sense of power, making them both respected and feared. Despite facing rivalry from neighboring houses, House Milldore has remained dominant through their ability to outmaneuver adversaries and maintain a strong network of vassals. They stand as a testament to how intelligence, ambition, and control of resources can secure a family's place at the top of the empire's nobility.
Culture
House Milldore has a culture defined by elegance, ambition, and a deep sense of political cunning, reflecting their status as the wealthiest and most influential house on the Farmers Coast. Known for their appreciation of fine arts, literature, and scholarly pursuits, they place great emphasis on education, believing that knowledge and intelligence are the keys to power. Members of House Milldore are often trained from a young age in the art of diplomacy, strategy, and courtly manners, making them skilled negotiators and shrewd politicians who value intellect over brute force. They take great pride in their Hedgian heritage, maintaining traditional customs such as elaborate feasts, harvest celebrations, and rituals honoring the Triad, but they adapt these traditions to fit their more refined lifestyle. Despite their cultured demeanor, House Milldore is not above using underhanded tactics to maintain their dominance, and they are known for their ability to outmaneuver rivals through clever schemes, making them both respected and feared throughout the empire.
Assets
House Milldore possesses numerous valuable assets that cement their position as one of the most powerful families on the Farmers Coast. Their seat, Ruby Bridge Keep, serves as a critical hub of trade and defense, being the only bridge that crosses the RoyceFlow River, allowing them to levy tolls on all who travel through their lands. This strategic control over the region's main highway, known as the Ruby Road, ensures a constant flow of wealth into their coffers. House Milldore also commands the prosperous city of HarvestPort, the seventh most populous city in the Stormclaw Empire, which acts as a major center for trade, agriculture, and commerce, further boosting their economic strength. In addition to these, their lands are some of the most fertile in the empire, producing vast quantities of grain, vegetables, and livestock, making them the primary suppliers of food to neighboring regions. Their extensive network of influential vassals and skilled knights ensures that they have both the political and military strength needed to maintain their dominance over the Farmers Coast.
History
House Milldore traces its origins back to Millie Royce, the eldest daughter of the last Royce king, who ruled over the Farmers Coast before the Stormclaw conquest. When the Royce kingdom fell, Millie secured her claim to a vast stretch of fertile land along the RoyceFlow River and built Ruby Bridge Keep, establishing a toll system that quickly amassed wealth for her new house. Through strategic marriages and alliances, House Milldore grew in power, using their riches to maintain control over the region, even as rival houses vied for dominance. During the centuries-long conflict with House Qynt and House Gullister, House Milldore proved themselves adept at outmaneuvering their enemies, using their wealth to hire mercenaries and buy political favor, which allowed them to retain control over the lucrative city of HarvestPort. Today, they remain the most powerful house on the Farmers Coast, continuing to expand their influence and wealth through a combination of political cunning, military strength, and control over vital trade routes.
"Pay the toll"
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Family Leader
Founders
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments