House Aarden

**Head of House**
 **Heir**
 **Seat**
 **Lands**
 **Overlords**
 **Vassals**
 **Founder**

**House Aarden** is a Lordaeronian vassal house that rules over the Aarden Estate in the Kingdom of Lordaeron and it is the most notable vassal house under House Hillegas. Currently, it is headed by Frederick Aarden.

## History

### Founding

House Aarden was founded not long after the House Hillegas itself, however it was never as famous and always in the shadow of it's newfound ruler. The early Aardens, however, considered themselves honorable and took to the agreement of vassalization readily, serving faithfully and dutifully under Sigismund Hillegas.

### Scourging of Lordaeron

During the Fall of Lordaeron, House Aarden's survivors followed the survivors from the Barony of Zollern south to friendlier lands still under the control of members of the Grand Alliance, and vowed just as members of House Hillegas did to avenge their homeland and once more rule the Aarden Estate.

### Present Day

House Aarden recently lost their civil war against their longtime overlords, House Hillegas, and their family members have been put under house arrest within their very own estate. The youngest son of House Aarden, Frederick, has been instated as the new ruler over the veteran and former head of house, Maximillian. Frederick has proclaimed loyalty to House Hillegas and openly defies his family's will, while the now-scorned Maximillian has taken to the House words - 'Never Forget, Never Forgive.'

## Notable Members

### Olav Aarden

Olav founded House Aarden after being granted the Aarden Estate inside of the Barony of Zollern ages ago. Although spiteful he never got more land, Olav remained a loyal subject and grew his political power to making his House to most powerful vassal to House Hillegas.

### Maximillian Aarden

Maximillian lived alongside Burchard Hillegas in the Kingdom of Stormwind and taught the young boy until he was an adult in ways of diplomacy, strategy and combat. He shared the same dream as many other Lordaeronians and sought to one day reclaim his ancestral lands. Unbeknownst to all except those loyal to House Aarden, Maximillian dreamed of ruling the Duchy of Zollern, feeling that his family was held down too long by House Hillegas, and even blamed them for their people's defeat in Zollern during the Scourging of Lordaeron. After accompanying and participating in the Campaign for Zollern, Maximillian rallied the beleaguered soldiers to his cause, rebelled against Burchard and his loyalists, and retook their Estate in rebellion. This was short lived and now Maximillian has been put under house arrest, but he has not forgotten his dreams.

### Frederick Aarden

Frederick Aarden, unlike the others who supported House Aarden's rebellion, remained close to Burchard's loyalists and supported his side during the Barony of Zollern's Civil War. Once hired mercenaries joined the loyalist ranks, Burchard and Frederick reclaimed the Aarden Estate and Frederick was proclaimed the new head of his family. He faithfully rules his vassal house under House Hillegas' purview, much to his family's chagrin.

## Lands and Vassals

### The Aarden Estate

House Aarden owns the Aarden Estate, and tracts of land surrounding it - including Heldrecht. Although meagre in size, their real power comes from political maneuvering within the scope of the Barony of Zollern.