House Mariposa

"Shine Anew" - Motto of House Mariposa

House Mariposa is a disgraced noble house that used to be under the vassalage of High King Emeric. Before their fall, they ruled a barony called Sierra Mariposa in the Wrothgar region. Now, the House is landless and has only one surviving member, Benessa Mariposa.

## History

### Rise

House Mariposa was officially founded in 2E 431, after the Second Sacking of Orsinium, after Dame Vanessa Mariposa was given lands in the now conquered Wrothgar region due to the great skill, valor, and determination she showcased in the campaign.

Before getting landed, House Mariposa was simply a semi-successful merchant family, looking for ways to advance their position. Dame Vanessa served as a knight under Wayrest precisely for this reason, hoping to get lands of her own.

The Second Sack of Orsinium provided the perfect means for her goal. With the Orcs driven out of Wrothgar, and the Bretons' desire to colonize the province, there was ample land to be given to aspiring knights and nobles.

One such piece of land was given to Vanessa for her distinguished service during the invasion, a mountain range connecting the Wrothgarian and Druadach mountains. Although the Orcish name of the range is lost to history, it was named "Sierra Mariposa" by Lady Vanessa. It is unclear whether the mountain range got its name from the House, or if the House got its name from the range after their official founding. Some rumors even go as far to claim that the butterfly imagery and name of House Mariposa comes from their alleged worship of Sheogorath, who has a connection to butterflies, though there is no evidence for these claims.

According to the chronicles, the butterfly of House Mariposa symbolizes perseverance, determination, rebirth, and the present. Their motto, "Shine Anew", comes from an old saying popular among the family: "Through Hardship; Glow Brighter. Through Adversity; Shine Anew."

Up in the peaks of the Mariposa mountain range, stood a semi-completed Imperial fort, its construction abandoned, possibly after the death of the Potentates. The fort, which was, as Lady Vanessa put it, "not quite a moth yet", was named Castle Chrysalis by her after she ordered the continuing of its construction. It would serve as the home of House Mariposa, through which they would rule the barony.

The peaks of Sierra Mariposa had an abundance of gemstone geodes, and a mine, named "Lustre Peaks", was quickly started by the Lady Mariposa. Furthermore, the mountain range was home to the so called "Patina Mines", which mined out the rich orichalcum and corundum found within its peaks.

With an influx of miners, soldiers, and some farmers, the mountain range was soon home to a village called "Flutterville", which would grow into a small town after a while.

### Fall

After the end of Ranser's War in 2E 567, High King Emeric gave Wrothgar to the Orcs for their aid in the war. All noble families holding lands in Wrothgar were ordered to cede their holdings and evacuate the region. Most conceded. Some, however, like House Mariposa, was enraged by this, as they put it, betrayal. They refused to give up their lands or leave, and instead, chose to entrench themselves in an effort to fight back against the arrival of the Orcs. Going against their direct liege's order, House Mariposa was branded as traitors, their name struck from all records, and forbidden to trade with the Daggerfall Covenant.

Sierra Mariposa, a landlocked barony, and one that did not have large farms, quickly started to suffer as their food stocks ran low. Furthermore, they had to deal with Orcs breathing down their necks, fighting off skirmishers and more ambitious conquerors who wanted the barony for themselves. Although they tried to trade with other regions, such as Western Skyrim, their caravans were almost always ambushed by Orcs or Covenant soldiers. To survive, Lord Benedict Mariposa, the then head of the the house, resorted to using his soldiers to sack Orcish caravans and supply wagons to feed his family and people. These events furthered the rising tension and hatred between Sierra Mariposa and the Orcs.

This rivalry ended a few years later, when a large Orc regiment, keen on taking this land that they feel they were owed once and for all, started besieging Castle Chrysalis. After a long siege, the Orcs managed to breach inside, butchering the entirety of House Mariposa - except for one survivor, Benessa Mariposa.

With its members gone, and Sierra Mariposa now part of Orcish Wrothgar, House Mariposa was effectively destroyed. Although the young Lady Benessa survived the siege, she disappeared shortly after, and with their name struck from all records, it appears House Mariposa will never recover or be known again.

## House Heads

### Vanessa Mariposa 2E 431 - 2E 490

Vanessa Mariposa, born 2E 405, was a woman of athletic build, slightly taller than average for a Breton. She had long, wavy brown hair, and bright blue eyes which would become a defining feature of House Mariposa later on.

Being the founder of House Mariposa, Vanessa Mariposa's origins, although only being more than a mere hundred years ago, are somewhat shrouded in mystery. From tamer claims such as being born a scion of a wealthy trading family, to exaggerated ones such as sprouting from the very grounds of the Isle of Balfiera, Vanessa Mariposa only truly reached notability in the early years of her adulthood. At a young age, she is known to have travelled the world as an adventurer and a mercenary, earning gold, glory, and fighting experience during her journeys. She eventually swore fealty as a personal knight to House Gardner, most likely in a bid to rise in station using her martial prowess.

After serving for several years in House Gardner's employ, she would find a great opportunity right after the death of the last Potentate, and the fall of the Second Empire. Now no longer protected by the Empire, Orsinium was once again targeted by Bretons and Redguards alike. Dame Vanessa would join these combined forces under the employ of House Gardner, and would earn a reputation as a fierce combatant and inspiring leader. She earned many names during the siege of Orsinium, with "Pig-Butcher" being her favorite. She was said to have a warhammer named "Mauloch's Bane", with a red ribbon wraped around its handle as a mockery of Orcish shrines.

When the walls of Orsinium was breached, it is said that Dame Vanessa was among those in the vanguard that were the first ones through the breach. Rumors range from her performing adequately inside the walls, to lining half the streets of Orsinium with corpses and blood. Whatever the case, it is clear that Vanessa had accomplished a more than respectable job in the sack, enough to earn her share of the lands gained from conquering Wrothgar.

She was given the lands that would become Sierra Mariposa by House Gardner, becoming a vassal under Wayrest. She quickly capitalized on the rich gemstone mines in the mountains, and restarted the construction of an old, unfinished Imperial fort, giving it the name "Castle Chrysalis" and setting it up her court inside of it. Some of the men under her command from her knight days were given to her as the starting point for the Sierran army, and the miners and their families who journeyed to the Barony in hopes of riches soon founded the village of Flutterville as well.

Lady Vanessa was accused numerous times of being a Daedric worshipper, specifically, Sheogorath. "Evidence" of these claims ranged from pointing out her sometimes seemingly erratic behavior, to claiming that butterflies had a connection to Sheogorath, and thus, so did House Mariposa. No *actual* evidence was found of Lady Vanessa being a Sheogorath worshipper, but these accusations would follow House Mariposa for years to come.

Lady Vanessa would eventually marry Sir Victor Warwick, and old comrade-in-arms of hers. During their marriage however, numerous scandals surrounding Lady Vanessa's illicit affairs with her mistresses became the talk of the court. Lady Vanessa would give birth to a daughter, naming her "Benjamina", which would start the tradition of naming all future firstborns with names that started with "Ben". A tale tells, that when questioned why she named her daughter such an unique name, Lady Vanessa answered "She feels like a Benjamina, you know?"

Lady Vanessa, at the age of 85, passed away on her bed, surrounded by family. After her death, the leadership of House Mariposa passed to her heiress and only child, Benjamina Mariposa.

### Benjamina Mariposa 2E 490 - 2E 537

Benjamina Mariposa, born 2E 460, was said to be an androgynous looking woman. She had short brown hair, and bright blue eyes. She was lean and tall, and often wore spectacles.

Lady Benjamina was a strict and serious ruler. She had a great interest in efficiency, and ruled her Barony more like a business than a noble holding. During her reign, she sought to maximize the profits from the Barony's gemstone and Patina mines, establish more trading routes to improve food security and mercantile opportunities, and expand the orchards and farms to hopefully reach self-sufficiency.

There were numerous rumors about Lady Benjamina due to her androgynous looks and the just as androgynous way she presented herself. While her demeanor and choice of men's clothing were often gossiped about, none dared speak about it in her presence, partly out of fear, and partly because she was loved as a just, capable ruler. She was even affectionately called "Old Benji" by many, and numerous feasts and celebrations were thrown in her name during her lifetime.

Lady Benjamina was also focused on the infrastructure of the Barony. From roads, to walls, to sewage, she improved on many parts of the Sierra that were neglected before. Most roads in the Barony are named after her, with the most popular being the long paved road between Flutterville and Lustre Peaks mines, called "Benji's Way".

Lady Benjamina married Lord Glenn Mournoth, securing a trade agreement and alliance with his house. The marriage seemed to have been one made purely out of pragmatism, and rumors claim the two even slept in separate beds. Whatever the case, Lady Benjamina did indeed have a son eventually, naming him "Benedict".

Lady Benjamina's prosperous reign came to an end at 2E 537, dying at the at the age of 77. The rule of House Mariposa passed to her young heir and only child Benedict Mariposa.

### Benedict Mariposa 2E 537 - 2E 573

Benedict Mariposa, born 2E 519, was a man of strong yet refined build. He had short black hair, and bright blue eyes.

With the Barony passing to him in his young age, many expected Lord Benedict to be an unfit leader. With Durcorach conquering Cyrodiil, and breathing down the neck of High Rock, tensions were high, and people were afraid that Wrothgar's proximity to the Reach would endanger the Barony. His efforts in leading Sierra Mariposa in their first true conflict, however, would earn him the respect of his people.

Fortunately for the Sierra, Durcorach opted to enter High Rock from the direction of Bangkorai, and not Wrothgar. This sprared the Barony from the death and destruction of the Black Drake, but Lord Benedict still gathered his men and rode to battle, to join his liege-lord's call to arms to defend Wayrest. It is said that Lord Benedict not only participated in the Defense of Wayrest, but was also present in the Battle of Daggerfall, where Durcorach the Black Drake fell at the hands of the future High King, Emeric. Lord Benedict returned home hailed as a hero and a warrior.

This would not be the end of Sierra Mariposa's conflicts with the Reachmen however, as during the rest of the Longhouse Emperors' reign, they would be plagued by Winterborn raids, who sought to control Wrothgar for themselves. While the mountains shielded them from the worst of the attacks, their supply lines and trade routes suffered by the Reachman raiders.

With the King of Wayrest signing the Daggerfall Covenant, Sierra Mariposa, a vassal of House Gardner, became a part of the Covenant as well. The interconnectivity of the Covenant was welcomed in the Sierra, as it benefitted greatly from increased trade.

Lord Benedict was known as a fair and brave ruler, and a proper and kind gentleman. While his skills in the more technical aspects of rulership were not as polished as his mother before him, he was still regarded as a competent leader, and an inspiring figure. It is said he was interested in ships, and would often go sailing if time allowed it.

Lord Benedict would marry Lady Cynthia Percival, who he would eventually have two kids with. While House Percival was an even smaller house than House Mariposa, Lord Benedict had began courting Lady Cynthia after a chance encounter at a ball. The two are said to have fallen in love quickly, inspiring many poems about the Lady's graceful golden locks and captivating half-elven features. They would name their first daughter "Benessa", while the second one "Sylvia".

The discovery of the largest orichalcum deposit ever found created tension in House Mariposa against House Cumberland, as it now meant their own orichalcum mines would be in less demand. While they still had their gemstone mines, this was the first step that led to the decline of the Barony.

While the Sierra was mostly unaffected by the Knahaten Plague, Wayrest was not as lucky, wiping out House Gardner. With their death, House Cumberland became the rulers of Wayrest, and with it, the liege of House Mariposa. It is rumored that Lord Benedict harbored some resentment over Emeric becoming his liege, especially after his orichalcum mines affected his Barony negatively. Some even say, when drunk, Lord Benedict would rant about how Emeric "stole his kill" during the Battle of Daggerfall.

During Ranser's War, Lord Benedict sent a small detachment of soldiers to aid his lord liege, out of obligation, but he did not attend any battles personally. It was quite a shock to him when he heard of how Orcs aided King Emeric defeat Ranser.

As compensation for their aid in Ranser's War, High King Emeric gifted the Orcs back Wrothgar, ordering his vassals to evacuate their lands and cede their territory to the Orcs. Lord Benedict, outraged at this treachery, refused his liege's orders, instead opting to prepare against the incoming Orcs. Due to his disobedience, House Mariposa was branded as traitors, their names struck from all records, with Sierra Mariposa being forbidden to trade with the Covenant.

Cut off from the Covenant, Lord Benedict quickly realized that food would become the first issue in a prolonged siege. He attempted to create trade routes with nearby territories such as Western Skyrim, but all attempts were intercepted by the Orcs. Out of options, Lord Benedict gave the order to his soldiers to raid Orcish caravans, outposts, and even nearby settlements for food and supplies. These actions created even a bigger hatred between the Sierrans and the Orcs, and back-and-forth raiding between these two peoples continued for years.

Perhaps ironically enough, the Reachmen Lord Benedict fought against all his life, became something of his saviors. A largely unused pass through the Druadach mountains were explored as a last ditch attempt to open up trade routes into the Sierra. To their surprise, the path led almost right next to Markarth. While Lord Benedict was cautious at first to trade with the Reachmen after all of his prior troubles with them, the traders of Markarth were glad to take the gemstones and ores of the Sierra in exchange for food and supplies. A somewhat shaky trade route was established through the mountain pass, one that the Orcs raiders would have trouble interfering with. The sight of Reachmen traders arriving with much needed food supplies created a warmer image of the Reachfolk in the Sierrans' minds, and some say, even in Lord Benedict's.

Eventually, an Orcish warband managed to march into the Barony, laying siege to Castle Chrysalis. The defenders held out for years, facing near non-stop barrage of siege weapons and skirmishes until the fated day where the Orcs managed to breach the castle's walls. It is said that Lord Benedict fought valiantly to the bitter end to defend his family. At the age of 54, Lord Benedict was struck down, along with the rest of his family, with Benessa Mariposa, his heir, being the only survivor.

### Benessa Mariposa 2E 573 -

Benessa Mariposa, born 2E 565, is a woman of petite build, with long black hair, and bright blue eyes.

Born two years before Wrothgar was given to the Orcs, Benessa barely had a chance to see the world outside of the Sierra. Most of her life was spent in the confines of Castle Chrysalis, growing up during a siege. It is said that Benessa was a well-behaved child, though with moments of occasional mischief. Lady Benessa is said to have been deeply interested in her studies, especially in courtly manners, and is said to have enjoyed dancing as well.

When Castle Chrysalis was breached, Lady Benessa was the only survivor of her family. At the age of 8, she disappeared into the Wrothgarian wilderness, and was never seen from again. With their names struck from all records, and its only surviving member presumed dead, it seems House Mariposa shall never shine again.