Eckhardt Family

A noble family that spans multiple countries, the Eckhardt Family is incredibly rich and influential, through a variety of smart trade deals and some shady business practices. Due to the size of the family, many members have conflicting opinions with each other and although they may share a family name, the family itself is largely divided.
== History ==
A long standing noble family, the Eckhardt Family originally rose to prominence from The Free Cities, where they ruled over a few cities throughout the centuries. They didn’t achieve wide renown until Cassius Eckhardt became a war hero, fighting during the second and third Pantano Wars. During his time at war, his brother Leopold managed their estates and had a family, marrying a noble from the Free Cities, Elsebeth.
After the second Pantano War, Cassius moved the family to Asturia, as he was rewarded with great swathes of land in the new country as thanks for his efforts in the war. A majority of this land was in Castella, though much of the family decided to establish residency in Estella, a rising city close to the border of the old kingdom.
After the fall of Estella, Cassius forfeit his role as patriarch of the family to his brother, Leopold, in order to help the country and later fight in aid of the Verdant Vigilantes against Sulara.
By this point, Leopold had already established himself within the trade operations of Illmôtier and thus the central estate of the family was moved there as they continued their business.
This fortuity wouldn’t last, as on the 7th of Titanus, 1478 AV, Leopold and Elsebeth were murdered during their daughter, Franka Eckhardt’s debut.