The Noble Houses of Olaran

## Overview

There are many noble families in Olaran, but some rise above the others to lead the kingdom and protect its people. Each family has their own identities and unique history that adds to the flavor of the game without directly affecting it.

\*\*\*Players can play characters that are nobles, but they would be of smaller houses and not the ones listed below.\*\*\*

## The Houses

### O’Reyne - The Royal House

#### Origin

The Royal House of O'Reyne has stood the test of time since the inception of the Kingdom of Olaran. The name was taken up by King Alirion the Unifier upon his coronation after his conquest of eight of The Nine Regions. He was married to Laeritia of Lannock, who was also known as the Staghunter. There daughter Jaswyn would grow to marry a knight without title, so together they decided to honor Laeritia and take the surname Staghunter before moving south to become the Duke and Duchess of Lannock.

#### Notable Members

King Alirion the Unifier, Queen Vasylia the Bold, Queen Daithine the Good, King Osiric the Wise, and King Randar.

### Staghunter - The House of Warriors

#### Origin

Direct descendants of King Alirion and Queen Laeritia, the House of Staghunter has a long and bloody history. Some of the greatest heroes of Olaran have come from their ranks, and they have defended the southern border of Olaran from the Golthan's for centuries. They also live up to their surname as some of the greatest hunters in the land, and more than one Ranger Commander has been a Staghunter. Recently the patriarch of the the family, Duke Killian the Red, formed an elite unit of shock troops that have gained notoriety as the most dangerous warriors in Olaran. Currently, however the Staghunter name is in question as Killian has been ousted as Duke and is paying penance as part of The Order of Luminos.

#### Notable Members

Duchess Jaswyn Staghunter, Sir Eldreth "The Bastion" Staghunter, Far-Eye Sten Staghunter, Duke Killian "the Red" Staghunter.

### Galduron - The Great Northern Bears

#### Origin

The Galduron Clan existed before the Kingdom of Olaran by many years. There are some legends that say the Galdurons were the first humans to exist in Adrasil, and that their intense and brutish nature comes from being half beast. Chief Brumdis Galduron fought against Alirion during the latter's campaign to unify Olaran. If it was not for some clever diplomacy on the young man's part his troops may have never entered Grimhold and instead have been frozen to death at its gates. Once they joined Alirion's cause, they become known as the Great Northern Bears, as they were built like the ferocious creatures and twice as dangerous.

Over the years the Galduron family has lessened in size as they intermarried with people from other regions, but they are still feared by many across the realm and Adrasil.

#### Notable Members

Chief Brumdis Galduron, Gladys the Unstoppable, Garthon the Serpent Slayer, Blorge

### Saelithend - The Sea Lords of Throi

#### Origins

The Saelithend line can be traced back to before the Sea Lords, then raiders from Themsia, were conscripted to be the naval forces of Olaran. A proud and noble family, it is said their less filled with blood than they are sea water. It was not until recently that this branch of the family became prominent due to a variety of changes to the Earldom's line of succession but Alandros Saelithend II eventually took power after another branch of the family died out. He has been succeeded by his eldest son, Commodore Torvin Saelithend, while Alandros' daughter Kaiþera (pronounced “Kie-thee-rah”) has earned a name for herself whilst adventuring on her ship *Atalanta*.

#### Notable Members

Kalustriaus the Star-Holder, Indriosa the Unsinkable, Earl Alandros Saelithend II, Commodore Torvin Saelithend, Captain Kaiþera Farsailor.

### Bartron - The Providers

#### Origins

The Bartron family started out as small time farmers in the fertile lands of the Highlands. Most generations were content to spend their lives farming, expanding a little but with little aspirations or dreams. That is, until William "Billy Boy" Bartron came into the picture. A man of charisma and cunning in equal parts, his life's work was to gain power for his family in the region, an opus that would lead the their ascension to nobility. A specific advantage the Bartron's have is the only over land route between the port city of Old Shire and the capital itself, thereby providing ample taxes on goods taken through their lands. Additionally almost a third of Olaran's food is sourced from the Highlands, giving them great influence in the politics of the kingdom. There are rumors the current head of the family, Melchett, is using the tax coffers as a personal bank, but evidence has yet to arise that would prove any crimes.

#### Notable Members

William "Billy Boy" Bartron, Gweniffer "Sky-Reacher" Bartron, Melchett Bartron

### Eo - The House that Always Wins

#### Origins

The Eo family, like the Galduron Clan, pre dates the Unification by several centuries. However that is where the similarities end. Shi Eo, the matriarch of the family at the time of Alirion's efforts to create a single kingdom, saw an opportunity to gain much for her family if she allied herself with the young champion. One of the first to swear fealty to the soon to be king, Shi's efforts paid off as they were gifted the regency of Raven. The following millennia has seen the growth and development of a region designed to host and participate in political and religious ceremonies and celebrations. Their economy is entirely based around nobles coming and spending time in their hunting lodges or summer homes, and the serve them all with wide smiles and *very* open ears.

#### Notable Members

Shi Eo, Tristian "Whisper" Eo, Specter, Idelliana Eo

### Aldur - The Next Generation

#### Origins

The Aldur family came to rule the region of Greyton after the knight, Lady Triss Aldur, unknowingly rescued King Osiric when he was nearly slain by orcs seeking revenge for the soon to extinction of their race. His gratitude to the knight was immense, and he celebrated her rescue with a great feast at the Royal Winery. He then gifted her with the lands around them, and the newest noble house was born. Rumor had it that the King and the knight had an affair and the product of their indiscretion was a bastard who was quickly whisked away for his own protection. Regardless, Lady Aldur still governs the region and has invested heavily in the wine and tobacco crops that thrive in the area.

### Thornwood - The Thornwood

#### Origins

Probably the most unique of the noble houses, The House of Thornwood is a collective of several houses who joined together through marriage and treaties, and they separate the region itself into smaller parts to better control their lands. They can rally troops for defense at a moments notice, and are said to have more coin then they say publicly. Self sufficiency is a key element of the Thornwood and, despite the Old Ways being frowned upon by the more judgmental folks, many still worship the various elemental spirits or try and learn magic that has long since died out in the world of Adrasil.

#### Notable Members

Tessa Thornwood, Elaina Thornwood, Ayn Thornwood, Lady Magdalena Thornwood

### The Kelroya - The Children of Fire

#### Origins

Second only to the Borderlands in the harshness of its lifestyle, Murnock has been under the rule of The Kelroya for a thousand years. The title is passed not through bloodline but through the ability to lead regardless of their background. If chosen they would take the mantle of The Kelroya until they grew to old. This has led to much confusion to most people and they assume The Kelroya is a family and therefore they were granted ennoblement by one of the monarchs during a time of dissatisfaction of the miners, hoping it would help appease the growing tension. A confused Kelroya accepted the title, and the ennoblement then began to pass down with The Kelroya name.

#### Notable Members

The Kelroya, The Kelroya, The Kelroya, and The Kelroya.