House Suttbray
Head of House: Alistair Suttbray
House Specialty: The land held by House Suttbray is extremely fertile, and is perfect for the cultivation of a wide variety of foodstuffs and cash crops. Residents of the South are almost never lacking in food, and the export of cash crops unique to the South, such as coffee beans, sugarcane, and tobacco, have made House Suttbray and its vassals some of the most affluent families in Elyden. Castles are never lacking in their stores, and large cities can be supported easily with the abundant food surplus that the region consistently experiences each harvest. The smallfolk are well-fed and generally quite content as a result, with peasant rebellions being nearly unheard of in the South. When looking at the demographics of Everfield and Wilharne, one will also quickly discover that the excess food in the region has allowed it to support the largest population in Elyden with ease.
Mostly due to the revenue gained from the taxing of farmland and trade, along with profits from its own personal plantations, the coffers of House Suttbray almost never run dry, and on the contrary are usually full to the brim. The Suttbrays have historically spent much of their excess money on public works, transport infrastructure, and advanced irrigation systems. This fact becomes plainly known when one first lays their eyes upon Confluence, the seat of the Suttbrays, where the roads are well-maintained, the buildings are elaborately adorned, and one cannot walk a block or two without seeing a massive stone public bath-house, structures which are usually paid for out of the pocket of the Suttbrays themselves. In addition to spending the money on public works, Suttbray lords have used their considerable revenue in the past to hire mercenaries, though they haven't needed to do so in centuries due to the stability of the realm and House Suttbray's tendency to stay out of feuds.
House Ancestral Weapon: Lamentation-
Lamentation is the sword which was originally granted to Faustus Suttbray by Marakash the Star Maiden. The sword is of a relatively standard make, being 28 inches long from pommel to point, with a straight blade which is possessed of a shallow taper, until it nears the blade, where it tapers much more dramatically to form a point. The hilt of the blade is designed for one-handed use, though theoretically one can wield it with both hands. The crossguard is styled in the likeness of a pair of wings which stretch towards the point of the blade, while the pommel is a thick disc with a brilliantly engraved sunburst worked into it. The entire length of the sword- blade, hilt, and all- is made of Makitherin, and gleams brilliantly in the sunlight. Despite being a relatively sizable sword made entirely of metal, Lamentation is simultaneously lightweight and perfectly balanced, as befits a sword from the gods.
As far as magical attributes go, Lamentation is said to break the wills of men, beasts, and wyrms alike when unsheathed. When it's steel is bared, the sword gives off a sound which is unique to each person who hears it, though it has largely the same effect on all enemies, and quite another on men friendly towards the sword's wielder. Men who have faced the blade have written that it makes a different sound to each of them, though whatever the sound is it puts fear in the hearts and pain in the heads. Meanwhile, men fighting alongside the sword and its wielded have remarked that it makes the sweetest sound that they have every heard, and that they felt more at ease with it at their side. Despite its considerable ability on the battlefield though, Lamentation has not been unsheathed for battle for many generations, though Suttbray Kings have been known to wear it at their hip as a symbol of their office and authority.
Important members:
Alistair Suttbray, King of Everfield and Wilharne (34)- Alistair is the head of House Suttbray, and holds the twin kingdoms of Everfield and Wilharne. Once a much beloved Prince and a famous tourney knight to boot, Alistair suffered a major chest injury during a tilt in his early 20's and has since been unable to partake in the physical activities which he was previously famous for. After the injury, he fell out of the spotlight for a time before his father died of natural causes and Alistair took his seat on the Twin Throne at the young age of 29. Since his ascension to kinghood, he has proven himself to be largely similar to the Suttbray kings before him, charitable, pleasant, overtly gallant, and distanced a great deal from his people. As far as his own personality goes, the man is an unflappably cheerful individual who is obsessed with maintaining a favorable public opinion. His people generally view him in a neutral light, acknowledging his charity and gallantry but pointing out that so far he has done nothing of significance in terms of actually improving the condition of the South.
Jasper Suttbray, Heir Apparent to the Kingdoms of Everfield and Wilharne (7)- Jasper Suttbray is a quiet and reserved child, preferring solitary play to socialization. While he is a rather young boy, he seems to be in good health, and shows the promise of a large, strong frame when he matures more. The boy is seen sporting a much-too-large tome just about everywhere, and is entirely engrossed in his newfound skill, the ability to read. So far, the boy has been sheltered from hardships, and has yet to face a difficult situation. Despite being a shy child, he is very well-spoken for his age, having gone through extensive tutoring on how to properly conduct himself in social situations. Alistair and Viktoria have shown him a great deal of affection, though they leave the task of actually caring for him to servants and tutors. In addition, the boy spends a considerable amount of time with his uncle, Augustus, who teaches him the arts of war and governance.
Augustus Suttbray, Grand Castellan of Everfield and Wilharne (29)- Augustus is a much more grim character than his older brother, and is usually seen sporting a look of boredom, rather than an omnipresent smile, like Alistair. When the two were young, Augustus had lived in his older brother's considerable shadow. After Alistair's injury though, when it was thought that the older brother would pass away, Augustus entered the spotlight, so to speak. However, the older brother never passed away, and Augustus has since been a bit bitter about the situation. Still, his considerable intelligence, realistic way of thinking, and prowess on the battlefield have kept him relevant in Southern politics. When Alistair took his father's seat on the Twin Throne, he even granted Augustus the position of Grand Castellan, despite his young age, in part to appease him and also because he was truly suitable for the job.
Adelaide Suttbray (13)- Adelaide is Alistair Suttbray's oldest child and only daughter, and as a result has been shown a great deal of affection since birth. The young teen has just begun to show signs of budding beauty, and will likely be fit to marry before too long. Despite her promise of an attractive body though, the young Suttbray has a rather empty head, and is lacking in intelligence and ingenuity alike. Still, she has a sweet personality and knows her manners well, and will likely make a good wife to whatever lord Alistair marries her off to.
Will Suttbray (25)- Will Suttbray is the youngest brother of Alistair Suttbray, and is very similar to his oldest brother in many ways. The young man is loved by the people of the South, and has won many feats of arms in his lifetime. Confident, cheerful, and easy to get along with, Will is the new celebrity of the Suttbray family, with Alistair and Augustus being beyond their years of fame, for the most part. The young man seems to be going places, despite his position as fourth in line for the throne, with no other titles having been awarded to him.
Josephine Suttbray (33)- Josephine Suttbray is undoubtedly Alistair's favourite sibling out of the bunch. The woman is as of yet unmarried, as Alistair has let her pick her own spouse, and she has chosen to not we'd yet. Within the family itself, Josephine is generally seen as the ruling figure, and manages the realm more than anyone would imagine. Alistair pays more heed to Josephine's council more than anyone else's, and prefers to keep her at hand to offer him advice and handle tasks which he needs assistance with. The woman is attractive enough, but her true value lies in her wit and experience with governance. As far as personality goes, Josephine is a calm character with a fair dose of confidence in her abilities. While she is usually relatively kind to most, she does not tolerate stupidity, and is willing to forgo manners in favor of progress.
Florence Suttbray (20)- The youngest of Alistair's siblings, Florence Suttbray is an oftentimes overlooked member of the prestigious Suttbray family. The young woman is not a particularly attractive individual, with an unpleasant face and flat, unremarkable body to boot. Still, the girl is rather intelligent, and oftentimes helps council either Alistair or Augustus if they need an opinion from a younger source. The woman is naturally sarcastic and pleasant enough to be around, though she worries about manners and niceties much less than the rest of her family. Alistair has started to look for a husband for his youngest sister, but so far has found no likely candidates.
Thaddeus Field (16)- While not an official member of House Suttbray, rumor has it that Thaddeus Field, a new member of House Suttbray's household guard, is the illegitimate bastard of Alistair Suttbray. The teenager sticks out in House Suttbray's household guard, being smaller, younger, and less skilled than the rest. Still though, while the boy has is not particularly skilled, he oftentimes accompanies Alistair as one of his personal guards, and runs sensitive messages for him on a regular basis. The boy is a quiet individual, and keeps his head down most of the time. When he speaks though, he does so eloquently, and it should be noted that his silence does not translate into a lack of caring.
Nation/Realms Name: The land owned by House Suttbray is usually called 'The South' in casual conversation. In official terms though, the South is composed of two ancient Kingdoms which are currently in personal union beneath House Suttbray. The eastern Kingdom is called Everfield, while the western Kingdom is called Wilharne.
Sigil: http://rs1368.pbsrc.com/albums/ag190/Bricker98/SuttbrayCoatofArms_zpsea402a39.png~320x480?t=1410983975
House Motto: Quiet and Cunning
Region/color on map: http://rs1368.pbsrc.com/albums/ag190/Bricker98/7a780d69-0292-449f-8476-b88ff5bb73f2_zps83e33b61.jpg~320x480
Race name: Just as House Suttbray rules over two distinct Kingdoms, it also rules over two very different human races, each of them with very their own separate culture and appearance. In the eastern Kingdom of Everfield, the Suthi make up the majority, while in Wilharne the Wilharnese do the same.
Racial appearance:
Suthi- The age-old farmer-folk of Everfield, the Suthi have toiled in their fields beneath the sun for ages, an act which has shaped their very bodies. Their skin is naturally golden in it's tone, and receives sunlight well enough, allowing for long hours of exposure without skin damage. Their robust frames, featuring long limbs, broad shoulders, and a naturally muscular build allow them to hew the earth, reap their fields, and haul bags of seed and equipment alike with ease. While exceptions do exist, the Suthi usually stand at an unremarkable five foot eight, making them relatively average among the races of man. Thick lashes and slightly protruding brows work together to keep the sun out of their eyes, and strong, long-digited hands allow for a firm grip of both tools and weapons. Their hair is usually an earthen brown color, though a dark honey tone is commonly sported by the aristocracy and some fortunate smallfolk. Suthi eyes are usually a distinctive golden-brown, with dark blue being less common but still present among the populace. These aforementioned eyes are set within almond-shaped sockets sockets, and are usually accompanied by high eyebrows and pronounced cheekbones.
Wilharnese- Unlike the Suthi, who work their fields for a living, the Wilharnese have spent their entire existence plying the seas and exploiting their bounty. They have noticeably darker skin than their eastern brethren, with its coloring being closer to that of a coffee bean than anything else. They stand taller than most, usually at about six feet, and have extremely lithe bodies, consisting of a narrow build covered in cords of tight muscles. Their hair is more often than not a solid black color, and is traditionally worn long and beaded by both men and women. Their eyes are more rounded than the Suthi's though they still hold a vaguely almond-like shape, and the coloring of them is usually very dark. Their occupations as fishermen and sailors has permeated into their society and imbued the Wilharnese with a specific, swaggering way of movement which is adopted by those who spend too much time on a wobbling deck. Like the Suthi, the Wilharnese have naturally long limbs, and nimble fingers at the ends of their arms allow for the creation of intricate knot patterns and other work which requires a delicate touch.
Racial traits:
Suthi- The Suthi are generally known as an honest, down-to-earth farmer-folk who take pride in their agricultural prowess. The Suthi have reaped the lands of Everfield for hundreds upon hundreds of generations, and have developed advanced agricultural and irrigation techniques in the process. Their timing of planting and harvest is impeccable, and the efficiency that they employ while doing both is unmatched. Age-old techniques have been passed on from generation to generation ever since the world was young, and by now they have been tried, test, and improved upon hundreds of times. While their are a peaceful folk, they have also been known to make formidable pikemen and cavalry, though they rarely take up arms at all, preferring a more calm, collected, and level-headed approach to volatile situations.
Wilharnese- The Wilharnese have been plying the sea, Dencliff Lake, and their local rivers for centuries, and in the process have become as accustomed to wooden decks and the seas as they are to hard earth. They sail and navigate with considerable skill, and can travel to far-off locations with only the stars to guide them. In their great port cities, intricate trinkets and tokens and forged and weaved with nimble fingers and an eye for detail. Meanwhile, on the battlefield they fight with grace and deadly prowess, especially when armed with a sword.
Capital: Confluence
Capital Population: 143,000
Other Major Settlements: WIP, will add more description later.
Everspring-
Foxfield-
Lonehold-
Cyrene-
Witton-
Serne-
Palebank-
Southway-
Corde-
Sur-
Miln-
Rushbluff-
New Herrtene-
Population: 6,288,000
Culture: While there is a clear cultural divide in the South between the Wilharnese and the Suthi, Suthi culture has become the most iconic and commonplace of the two in Suttbray lands. Generally speaking, Southern culture is slow, calm, and laid-back. Good manners and hospitality are greatly valued, and even in the sprawling cities of the South people a calm and respectful. From generation to generation, the idea of growing to be a 'respectable man' has been passed on, a concept which has greatly affected Southern society for generations. Being a respectable man generally requires a certain sort of level-headed logic, and a strong work ethic in order to support one's family without depending on others. Most families in the South live an agricultural life, working the earth beneath them and not getting involved with the more complicated aspects of life, preferring a slow, comfortable life. The Suthi and Wilharnese are both a peaceful folk, and generally shy away from combat, preferring to keep their heads down.
Being polite and proper is seen as a necessary part of interaction in Southern culture, and people go to great lengths to maintain appearances. Unlike many others, the men who pledge allegiance to House Suttbray bathe obsessively (relative to the setting) and care greatly about personal hygiene and other appearances. A man knows that he has done well if he returns from the farm and is able to wash a day's worth of dirt and grime from his body, as it shows that he has accomplished something great, and is prepared to do so the next day. Clothing is usually practical and functional, and architecture follows suit (in rural regions, at least). The cities of Everfield are grand affairs erected out of white stone and green tile roofs, while those in Wilharne are vast, breezy affairs raised up with wood and thatch.
Type of Government: WIP
Influence and relations: WIP
Military: 31,440 (WIP, though the numbers are concrete)
Landscape: WIP
Wildlife: WIP
History: WIP
Strengths: House Suttbray produces a truly staggering amount of agricultural goods each harvest, and can without a doubt out-produce any other House when it comes to sheer volume of crops. Many exotic luxury agricultural are cultivated in Suttbray lands, and the House has an absolute monopoly on sugar, coffee, and tobacco, crops which are grown nowhere else. People simply don't go hungry in the South, and indeed House Suttbray is able to sell their surplus food to all corners of the realm. House Suttbray can out-produce any other House agriculturally, and sustains a large portion of the realm's population during midwinter more often than not. The great grain vaults (which house more than just grain, nowadays) of Southern cities can supply thousands for years with no other source of food, making sieges of Southern cities a matter of assaulting, rather than starving out, the defenders.
In addition, the Suthi have always been renowned for their use of the sarissa and lance in battle, on either foot or horseback, respectively, and the Wilharnese make very capable skirmishers with a sword and shield in hand. While House Suttbray does not own a particularly formidable fleet, instead relying on the Royal Navy for coastal defense, the South possess a rather large fleet of merchant vessels (which can also transport soldiers, if needed). This large merchant fleet allows House Suttbray and the merchants of the South to transport an impressive amount of goods all around the continent, giving them ready access to foreign goods and opening up markets in which Southern goods are considered more valuable.
Weaknesses: WIP
Exports: WIP
Imports: WIP
