House Hillegas

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

**House Hillegas** is a Lordaeronian noble house that rules over the Duchy of Zollern in the Kingdom of Lordaeron. It is famous in their home kingdom for breeding tall and strong warriors that are, usually, honorable and just rulers. Currently, it is headed by Burchard Hillegas. In contrast to standard Lordaeron colors, House Hillegas uses a color scheme of Green-and-White, rather than Blue-and-White.

## History

### Founding

House Hillegas was founded not long after the Kingdom of Lordaeron itself was created, though it was never able to prosper since they were surrounded by tall mountains. It's founder was Sigismund Hillegas, who was said to stand at least seven feet tall, and was a just and fair ruler. Sigismund's patrilineal bloodline has managed to survive over two-thousand years, directly to his ancestral successor of Burchard Hillegas.

### Scourging of Lordaeron

During the Fall of Lordaeron, House Hillegas was cut off from the main Lordaeronian forces, and was left to defend itself against the tide of Undead. Easily, they were overwhelmed and annhilated. Many members of the House stood their ground at the capital port, Sigismund's Landing, along with Burchard Hillegas' father, and perished. Their sacrifice was not in vain, for the surviving members of House Hillegas were able to sail south, and escape to safety.

### Present Day

House Hillegas is at risk, with it's ancestral lands having been restored after years of formerly being occupied by enemy forces. The House is headed by one of the last descendents of Sigismund, Burchard Hillegas. There is no direct heir below Burchard Hillegas, and no known members of House Hillegas have stepped forth to make themselves known. In political maneuvering to create interest for his House, Baron Hillegas has taken strides to update his House and his land's crests, changing the paint scheme a little and making it simple yet modern.

## Notable Members

### Sigismund Hillegas

Sigismund founded House Hillegas after being granted the Duchy of Zollern inside of the Kingdom of Lordaeron ages ago. He was rather tall, known as a noble fighter, and was said to be a just ruler over his simple domain.

### Burchard Hillegas

Burchard Hillegas became the head of House Hillegas after his uncle passed away in solitude, sometime after the Fourth War. He is the ruler of their ancestral duchy, having been the first successful Hillegas to retake and hold onto the land. Burchard Hillegas has been careful to maintain healthy and strong alliances with several allies.

## Lands and Vassals

### Zollern

House Hillegas rules Zollern. It is a duchy in the former Kingdom of Lordaeron. It has large, treacherous mountains bordering on all sides of the duchy, and it's eastern border is that of the Darrowmere River. As such, it was largely isolated from the political affairs of Lordaeron, instead proving their loyalty by always answering the call of war and giving tithing to House Menethil. Zollern's economy is largely based around ore and lumber export, as well as military aid. There is an unusually large population of bears native to the land, sparking it's own religious movement.

### Vassals

The ruling house of Hillegas has had varied vassals come and go, though the politicking in Zollern has always been unique. For the County of Farburgh, House Hillegas was amicable to allowing a group of rich traders known as the Council of Merchant-Burghers rule, whilst allowing the individual tribes of the Mountain Clansmen remain independent and isolated, so long as they heeded the call for war when asked upon. Other vassal houses remained out of the spotlight, but it is said that both Sigismund and Burchard Hillegas could rattle off the list of vassals personally, indicating at least some level of respect and generosity to their subjects.

### House Willow

House Willow may well be the most powerful vassal house within the Duchy of Zollern. They are strong enough to control their own religious authority that has spread to all five counties of the Duchy of Zollern to some extent or another, and control an Inquisition of their own. The original matriarch, Maeve Willow, was an astute and brilliant mind for politicking, managing to weave a strong friendship with House Hillegas original patriarch, Sigismund Hillegas, and establishing their religious supreme. Now, the current matriarch of House Willow, Brienne, has been restored as countess of Densewood Thicket and sworn fealty to Burchard.

### House Aarden

One of these vassals in the Duchy of Zollern that proclaims loyalty to House Hillegas does stick out, and that is House Aarden. They have existed inside the Barony of Zollern for as long as House Hillegas has ruled the land, and they are as old as House Hillegas themselves. These retainers fight on the battlefield alongside House Hillegas, pay an adequate tithe to the ruling House, and give clear friendship to all in the land. Unbeknownst to all though, House Aarden schemes in the shadows. They are spiteful, and resent the successes of House Hillegas. They are tired of losing their sons in conflicts for barely any recognition. They secretly seek to upsurp the Duchy of Zollern from House Hillegas and have put forth machinations to see this through now that Burchard Hillegas himself has no proclaimed heir. During the campaign to reclaim the Barony of Zollern, House Aarden rebelled and retreated back to the Aarden Estate, but after an intense stand-off lasting a couple of months, mercenary-backed loyalist forces reclaimed the Aarden Estate and imprisoned all members of House Aarden, but not before setting up the youngest son as it's new head of house, loyal to Duke Hillegas.

## Coat of Arms

**Helm:**
Closed Helmet

**Torse Colors:**
Lordaeronian Blue and White

**Supporters:**
Flower Plumes

**Description of Shield:**
A white horse in the center of a field of dark blue. The base of the shield is dark green with black borders. It is meant to symbolize the valiant "white knights" on a battlefield, underneath the daytime sky riding atop a green field.

**Motto:**
The Steady Hand to Victory.

**Provincial Compartment:**
Lordaeron

## Gallery

The old, original Hillegas Coat of Arms.The newly updated Coat of Arms. (SquallrunnerArts.)A charcoal sketching of Duke Burchard, 634 K.Y. (nikicalma)