[Discussion] Duchy of Hel

[Mimesis]

This is an initial write-up, as far as I know the Duchy has never been rp'd, and honestly I have no clue who came up with them in the first place. Anyway, it's all subject to modification, and I'd be curious to know what people think about developing the traditional nobility of Arconis more and what it's role in Arconis is.

Now that the Duke of Serra-Kane is dead, there is a power vacuum up at the top of the city. What is going to fill it?

~~Duchy of Hel~~

The Duchy are the ones who own the land in the Khardran mountains on which the mines are built, but they allow others (the Serra-Kanes and now the city) to actually operate the mines, while receiving royalties for use of the land.

They are a vain bunch, mostly interested in high society and the latest fashion, and have over the course of the last few generations let their finances get into deep disorder. The former Duke, Warren Jerome, liked cards and horses; it is a widely acknowledged fact that if his favorite stallion Constantinius hadn't killed him, one of his creditors surely would have.

The head of the family is the youngish Duke Guy Steven Vashal of Hel (late twenties) and his slightly older wife, Duchess Maybelle Ophelia Bulfur, sister of Lord Bulfur . They have a young four year old son, Jerome Thomas, the heir apparent. Duke Guy has inherited his father's love of horses, to which he has added, instead of the gaming table, the ever-lasting appeal of a well-stocked kennel.

Duke Guy also has two younger siblings, a sister and a brother. His sister, Raine Yvette, married her cousin, Sir Robert of Arctyl. His brother, Rolphe Toulouse, married Maria bar Vestra, the daughter of a prominent artist family in the employ of the Duchy but has since fallen on hard times along with all the members of the old Ducal household.

Location thread - I'm thinking of an estate, something on the model of Serra-Kane fields.

[Kaelon]

Yes, just as a context, the "Duchies" of Enamoria were invented by Caerydd, but never actually role played. The role played Duchies that survived the collapse of the Second Empire include the House of Maeve (a Royal House of Daltina, located mostly in the countryside outside of Daltina proper), and the House of Med, the once-ruling house of Medonia, which had its clan assimilated into House Lylles.

[Leopold bar Vestra]

One thing is that maybe the Dukes of Hel's were more of the italian houses were they were known for supporting artist and such. Maybe more so then other house, and so with the increase debt they were able to sponcer less and less of the artist.

[Leopold bar Vestra]

How about something like this for the Estate?

The Estate of the Hel family was postioned at the foothills of the mountians that produced much of Arconis wealth and the wealth of Hel house. It was an ancient estate, and vast amounts of wealth had been spent on home to show that they were greater then the other duchies of Enamoria provinces, especially their rivals the Serra-Kane family. Taking the eastern road out of Acronis a road branches off at a large stone archway, with the coat of arms of the duchy of Hel.

The road was well maintained, but showed signs of being well traveled. After only about a mile up the road there is a little valley between the hills, and on the opposite side one the top of a foot hill there is a castle lime manor rising above the grounds. In the valley though is a small collection of buildings. Built of wood and painted in bright colors was a stable with the coral around it. Horses were being lead around the coral in an effort to get them exerices for the brightening. A smithy was situated outside the stables and already had a line of horses in need of shoeing. A few other buildings were scattered around the square to supply the house on the hill.

The Estate itself was a large building. Three floors tall with massively steeped roof. When first build it had been a shining beacon, but had aged with its family, and now showed power, but there was a gloom hanging over the place. Its windows were all curtianed and its stone and wood walls were dime with age.

The front of the doors were large and like the house was massive, as if the builder had tried to turn the house into a castle with out the moat. A butler opened the door and looked at the guest. He was dressed in a grey coat and briches, with a white crevat. "How may I help you?"

[Mimesis]

k, back to work! I like the idea of them supporting artists. just the right thing for arconis. I'm really liking where the house is going too - on the model of old English or Italian houses, I'd suggest that maybe the Hel estate could also be a kind of private museum for old works of art - that would give it a double punch in realmcrafting terms.

Leopold, would you mind if I snagged your suggested location about and expanded it into a thread? Or would you like to realmcraft it? whichever.

[Leopold bar Vestra]

I don't mind Realms crafting it if you like. Unless of course you REALLY want to do it yourself.

Just shoot your ideas over and I will work on it.

[Mimesis]

nope nope, I'd love for you to do it, I just don't want to be sticking you with extra work when I'm sure you've got plenty of your own.

I'll send you a pm.

[Dimnersti]

Noble houses of Alleria draft 2

though its since disapeared from the compendium, that was about it in terms of actualy development for the enamorian houses outside maeve.

a little out of date, but hey, people are defined by their relations with others so it could offer some help.