The House of de Vere

[Grandmaster]

de Vere

Status:

Noble House of Demeria, Dukes of Shalefort

Duchy Seat:

Shalefort

Current Head of House:

Lady Carissa de Vere, Duchess of Shalefort

Primary Productions:

Hardwood Lumber
Iron, Tin Mines
Gemstone Mines
Marble

Vassal Houses:

Kendall
Peveril

Home:

Shaleth Fortress



Brief History of House:

The de Vere clan came into Demeria shortly after the formation of the Kingdom, finding themselves vassals to House Lancaster. The clan brought with them ambitions, but what was more valuable to the Lancasters was their ability to work with and mine stone. Within a few decades of their establishment, the de Veres had several quarries operating in peak efficiency. Their wealth and influence within the kingdom grew steadily.

Their ambitions, however, were not limited merely to mercantile matters; they also craved political power and influence. Initially, they were not all that successful in their ventures and they learned many important lessons regarding courtly politics. Rather than take the nobler route such as certain other houses, the de Vere turned to the darker path. The clan made deals under the table, met in shadowy places and were not above scheming a well-timed accident to get their way. Their reputation for being sly and clever soon became notorious.

Before they could bring their machinations to full bear on House Lancaster, the de Vere’s liege lords decided to grant them independence, imploring the King to grant them a duchy. The de Veres, naturally, were cautious of this turn of events but the price soon became clear. Since Lancaster so very obviously scratched their back, the de Veres were now in their pocket. Naturally, the newly formed Lords of Shalefort were most displeased but vowed to eventually get from underneath the Lancasters' shadow.

Their hold on their vassal, House Rose, came to an unexpected and rather unpleasant end. Rose had been a grand source of income for the family and their loss was felt keenly. While the Rose’s scheme for gaining their own duchy was, admittedly, brilliant, the de Veres still hold on to the bitter pill. Fortunately for them, they gained another vassal house to at least partially make up for the loss. Additionally, thanks to plenty of blackmail schemes, they managed to get one of their own as Steward of Demeria. However, there was no end in sight for the ambitions of the de Vere…

Geneaology:

Anton de Vere – Annemarie Kendall
Carissa de Vere
Gregor de Vere – Estella Carlisle of Meirin
Walter de Vere
Willard de Vere

Maxim de Vere – Emily Peveril
Marisa de Vere

Ursula de Vere – Hector Ormonde
Martin Ormonde
Edward Ormonde
Rosalie Ormonde
Vanessa Ormonde
Ingrid Ormonde

Rupert de Vere – Elise Carlisle of Meirin
Rupert de Vere II
Curtis de Vere
Hannah de Vere

[Grandmaster]

The Vassal Houses of de Vere:



Kendall

Status: Vassal House
Current Lord: Lord Kendall, Count of Kendale
Primary Productions: Clay, Pottery, Stoneware

Home:

Blanctour Castle



Brief History of the House:

The Kendalls arrived around the same time as clan de Vere. Hoping to escape persecution at the hands of the Empire of Arton, they hoped for a quiet and simple life on the other side of the mountains. Surely, such majestic and mammoth structures would provide such. Their reasoning, unfortunately, proved incorrect.

They were unable to support themselves and they quickly agreed to be vassals to clan de Vere, they themselves vassals to the Lancasters at the time. The Kendalls knew why the de Veres had agreed to take them on: they served as the perfect buffer against the Arton Empire should an invasion ever take place. Thus, the Kendalls used their newfound ‘support’ and helped the Kingdom erect the gates that guarded against the Empire.

Although Kendalls are not nearly wealthy or influential enough to break away from the de Veres, they would nonetheless hold on to their pride and self-reliability. Though the Kingdom’s Royal Guard stands watch over the gate, the Kendalls send their own men to do the same. This trait has been found in many descendants of the family giving rise to prideful, confident and, at times, quirky family members.

No one should dare tread on the gatekeepers, after all, no matter who they may be.

[Grandmaster]

The Vassal Houses of de Vere:



Peveril

Status: Vassal House
Current Lord: Lord Peveril, Baron of Cavelin
Primary Production: Steel, Mines, Construction Materials

Home:

Cavelin Edge



Brief History of the House:

One of the last families to trade their ties with Arton for the newly formed Demeria, the Peverils consider themselves equal parts of each realm. They are survivors, adapting to situations as they arise, but they are also realists. They know the true choice is coming, where they must either stand against Arton to defend Demeria, or take up arms in the hopes of surviving. Neither are particularly attractive prospects, but it is the reality the Peverils see.

As a consequence, the Peverils are a family divided - some are fierce in their loyalty to the Empire, feeling they should never have seceded their lands from the Imperial fold while others feel that to ally with the Empire is tantamount to suicide, that Demeria is their truest and best hope of thriving. The fight is a private matter, never leaving Cavelin Edge, yet there are forces at work that threaten to reveal the chasm between the sides.

The current Lord of the House has taken himself to court with his schemes and agendas, but there are those within his own House who hope to stop him before it is too late, and ruin befalls the Peveril name.