House Fairfax

**House Fairfax**

**Of the Daggerfall Covenant**

# **Overview**

House Fairfax is a Noble Household of the Daggerfall Covenant. Situated in South Glenumbra, the highest title of Nobility within the Household’s Court is Count. This is held by the head of the house who presides over the lands known as Fairfax County.

Situated out of a large keep, Known locally as the Manor. House Fairfax is recognised for its line of leadership, all of whom have earned nobility through service to the Covenant in military capacity.

House Fairfax’s county has developed over the many years and become something of a small city. Self sustaining through local resources, The county boasts a good rate of trade at a regional level. Due to it’s easily accessible Exterior & interior markets which are coupled with a port for overseas trade. Operated and managed directly by House Fairfax.

With a Military consisting of over 400 troops in total. A large portion being well trained & equipped Knights. They boast one of the best military forces amongst the Breton Counties. Additionally they are well experienced and trained. Also notable is their County Watch / Guards. Also a large garrison of over 50 guards with acceptable equipment and training.

# **Location**

The Manor which is the personal abode & place of official affairs for the Household is located in the Main Square. The Main square has a number of Cottages along the street with a few small merchant stalls for essential trade. All of the residents here are lesser nobles / Senior household officials. The square is behind a steadfast wall & gate with a Watch tower which serves as a guard post. Adjacent to the walls of Square would be a barracks which houses Fairfax Military personnel.

The main lands of the County are built up residential areas with a large number of cottages / small huts for the population. Places of Note are the small Chapel to Dibella, the ‘Blue Lion Tavern’, the market in the center of the county, The exterior tradepoint by the Main entrance to the county & the port to the South. The County is entirely walled off by large wooden palisades, entry would be through the Main entry gate / the Port.

Just outside of the main entry gate is the Exterior trade point & a Guard post, further beyond this are the county lands which quickly become lightly wooded areas before opening up to the main path leading to Daggerfall.

# **Structure**

House Fairfax’s Coat of Arms is underpinned by the Crest of the Daggerfall Covenant. Denoting their loyalty & allegiance. Beneath these representations are firstly, House Leadership. The Count being the most senior title of Nobility afforded to the house by the Covenant. Followed by Viscounts, Barons, Lords and then Finally, the Steward of the house. Personnel are divided into three branches; The Household Military, Soldiers sworn to the Count. The staff office - Personnel employed to various roles and positions, from Cooks & Maids to Laborers and Artisans. Lore & Magika Office - Household officials dealing with managing the County, Diplomatic affairs & other special interests / practices.

**Ranks of the Military Office:**

Marshal - Serves as head of the Military, also responsible for Stables & Household cavalry.

Captain - Charged with Overseeing the routine training & Managing of their forces.

Knight Commander - Senior ranking Knight, Oversees the management of the Knights. (Is a Captain Rank)

Constable - Essentially a household official who attained appointment through Military Service. Handles criminal & Civil Matters within the County. Issues Warrants & summonses, authorizes arrests & writes legislation / military policy.

Knights - Position can be attained through promotion & appointment however is usually the default position for a lesser noble wishing to serve in the military. ( Is a Sergeant Rank)

Esquire - Assistants & students appointed to a single Knight, Their shield bearer & often an aspiring Knight. (Is a Corporal Rank)

Lieutenant - Officer rank, Leads multiple teams through their Sergeants.

Sergeant - Leads a team of Soldiers

Corporal - Leads a small team of Soldiers

Soldier - The bulk of the household forces. Swordsman & bowman sword to serve the Household.

Recruit - Newly recruited soldiers, not yet completed their initial training.

**Ranks of the Staff Office:**

Chamberlain - In essence the treasurer, Superintends the arrangements of domestic affairs. Responsible for paying in and withdrawing gold from the coffers for payments & expenses.

Head of Staff - Responsible for their individual department. Departments such as catering, Maintenance, hospitality.

Staff - Those employed to certain civilian roles, Cooks, maids, crafters etc…

Apprentice - Students employed to study their craft and work alongside the skilled members of staff.

The Lore & Magika Office:

No longer an official rank structure due to the ever changing and unique roles which are filled / disbanded based on current affairs around the Household & county.

**Fairfax County Watch:**

Civilian Employees contracted to enforce the law of the lands, keep the peace, preserve life and prevent damage. They are not sworn soldiers and their tasks can range from patrols & guard duty to searching for missing persons, investigation of crime & arresting criminals across county lands. They also will make efforts to extinguish fires, help protect against floods & any other threat to the lands and its people such as natural disasters. - Often equipped with simple cotton uniforms and a leather padded vest with a Short spear & a helmet.

All County Watch Guards will carry a scroll, signed by the Count of Fairfax and marked with the official Wax Sigil to denote authority to the person mentioned in the scroll. (Proof of identification & rank.

**Order of the blue:**

The Order Of The Blue are an elite knightly order, composed mostly of Bretons who serve House Fairfax and are already substantive and respected Knights amongst the House / Court. House Fairfax will often make use of the order when needed to protect assets of diplomatic and political interests or escorting persons of interest but members will mostly be found around House Fairfax’s estate carrying out Close Protection duties.

Other Notable Characters:

Baroness, Lady Leiria D’Aveir