House Alessandria

House of Hope The Hope Families Coat of Arms Founder: Finn Hope I Current Head: VACANT Heir Apparent(s): VACANT Titles: Prince of Caritas Lord of Caritas Duchess of Corinthia Baroness of Durtara Fire Lord of Curonia Ethnicities: Human, Highlander, Heartlander Languages: Common, New Marian Religions: Fire Church, Canonism House Mottos: "When there is hope, there is a way." Countries: Hanseti-Ruska (Originally) Holy Orenian Empire (1801-1868) Parent House: House of Bojo Sibling Branch: House of Venlic Cadet Families: House of Beckett House of Amadeus

The Hope Family is a well-known Orenian commoner family known for being in local politics, national politics and the Imperial State Army, as well for owning a family run bistro in the Imperial Capital of Providence. The family was founded in Reza, Haense by Finn Hope I in the year 1720, shortly after the loss of his parents. Thus the Hope family was formed with House Bojo as the parent House and House Venlic, a sibling branch being established shortly afterwards. The Hope families identity is built on loyalty and trust in one another and so family members typically remain close ties with each other as well as the other family branches. Over the families lifetime, they have had several heads, with the current one being the fourth. The families presiding Head is 1st Matriarch, Edith Hope. In 1850 following the riots, looting and ransacking of the Capital of Providence Edith decided to move the family back to Haense in the city of Karosgrad. This was done after during a large family gathering several ruffians broke into the family estate and started robbing them. After the Aster Revolution the family returned quickly and Edith Hope was elected as Lord Mayor of Providence and served a single term opting to run for the Imperial Diet rather than re-election.

History

Arcas

The Hope Family has existed for many years, finding its origins in Reza, Haense when Finn Hope I arrived after his parents were brutally murdered. Over time, Finn grew to love the people in the Royal Capital and would start his career in the army. Slowly but surely, he worked his way up the ranks to Armiger. The man also established himself as a Chef, working many years until becoming the Royal Sous-Chef, serving as the second in command below the Royal Chef, Hogo Bojo I. Finn also worked as a port time Doctor in the clinic. All of these varies assortments of activities spread the Hope name throughout the Capital and the surrounding area, establishing itself as a Haeseni commoner house. During his life, he alongside many members of his family also helped in the establishment of the Fire Church. Due to Finn's help in the formation of the religion, he was bestowed the hereditary title, 'Fire Lord of Curonia'. This was thought to be a prestigious title by members of the faith and put him in-charge of the religious affairs in the Kingdom of Curon as well as of those of Curonic descent. During the expedition trip to Athera from Arcas, Finn perished in the water. He would be succeeded by Tom Hope I after hearing the news of his fathers passing. Tom Hope was devastated after hearing of his Fathers passing and turned to religion to cope with his loss. Using the title inherited by his Father, the Fire Lord of Curonia, he worked hard and eventually convinced his fellow Lords to ascend him to Interim Leader of the Fire Church. He served as the Leader for a brief few year, during which he conducted several rituals and focused heavily on the spiritualistic and sacrificial parts of the religion. He would also bare several illegitimate children during this time, boosting the houses numbers but causing scrutiny from his peers.

Almaris

After many years of leading the family, Tom passed away and was succeeded by Silvius I. Silvius wanted to reform the families image and so he moved to Providence, the Imperial Capital of the Holy Orenian Empire. There he met the love of his life, Edith Garnet, they quickly fell in love and married, having twin children only two years later. Silvius had a strong sense of family and duty and would spend lots of time with them. He was so dedicated to them that he considered giving up his titles in the Fire Church and switching his religion as it was tearing his family apart. After a few short years as the 3rd Patriarch of the house, he decided to abdicate as Head of his family to his spouse as he believed that she would be a better leader then him since he was constantly conflicted in his decisions and was unstable. So Edith took over as the first Matriarch of the family. A few years after this, Silvius disappeared one day mysteriously and was later declared dead. Edith brought many changes, making the family less reliant on war and hoping to bring it to Canonism along with becoming a business family. This lead to her opening a small Bistro on Helvets Street in Providence which has been open for more than two decades now. In the wake of the loss of many members of the Hope Family she has taken it on herself to renew her family by finding lost members of it to bring them back home to Providence. Several years into the families life in New Providence, they would have their start in politics, with Edith serving as Royal Alderman, and Lady Mayor for many years before eventually becoming an Imperial Senator.

Aevos

TBA

Culture

The House of Hope has a very unique and diverse culture that has developed and changed constantly throughout time. The family currently a mix of Haeseni, Curonic, and Imperial descent and thus some of their culture and traditions stems from that. However, the family over time has developed their own unique traditions, beliefs and culture.

Language

The House primarily speaks Common, the most used and widespread language in all of the continents. However, many members of the house mix in words from New Marian into their speech, hailing back to their beginning as a Haeseni family.

Traditions

• Religious Pilgrimage - Once a Hope reaches the age of fourteen, they are recognized as an adult within the family and are to set out on a religious pilgrimage to discover themselves and receive religious enlightenment.
• The Succession Feast - Upon the proclamation of a new family head, a time of celebration is declared. All members of the family and close friends are invited to the Hope families main estate to dine, bond, and congratulate the new Head on their ascension. The feast starts in the early morning and continues until dusk.

Religious Beliefs

The Fire Church

Since the houses founding, members of the house have typically been a strong believer in the Fire Church. The first three family Heads were extremely passionate about the faith and all held the title of 'Fire Lord of Curonia', signifying that they were in-charge of the religious affairs in the Kingdom of Curon and those of Curonic descent. Tom Hope I was a notable member of House Hope who once held the position of Interim Leader of the Fire Church. Although he lead the faith for a few short years, it was still a prestigious achievement which brought glory and praise to his house from other believers of the faith. Although many members of the faith openly believed in the faith, several did so in secret, pretending to be a believer in the Canonist faith to avoid persecution. Although the house were strong believers in the faith back then, not as many members follow it during present day.

Canonism

The Canonist faith is the most commonly followed present day religion for the family. However, in the past, it was typically used as a cover by family members who were believers in the Fire Church. This did this in order to avoid persecution. The current Matriarch, Edith I is a strong believer in the Canonist faith and was a large driving force to convert many members of the family. She ensured that her children were raised as good Canonists as well as trying to change the religious beliefs of other members.

Demographics

House Hope is a Human house, with few exception of primarily Haeseni descent, however Curonic and Imperial blood runs though many of the current day members. This is due to several members of the house having children with foreign human partners.

Succession

Historical Succession

House Hope originally followed the Agnatic-Cognatic Primogeniture succession type for many years. This succession type was put into place by Finn Hope I 'the Founder' who believed that by raising a Heir for the specific purpose of leading the house, the house would thrive with a superb leader. This succession type means that the eldest son inherits, with a daughter inheriting if there are eligible male sons. However, this succession law came to an abrupt end when the title of Head of House Hope was passed to the spouse of 3rd Patriarch, Silvius I through abdication. Thus the succession law was bypassed and the title was transferred to Edith Hope. After receiving the title, the succession law was changed a few years after to Absolute-Cognatic Designation and is the current succession law in place to this day.

Modern Succession

House Hope currently follows the Absolute-Cognatic Designation succession type. This means that an Heir is selected from amongst members of the dynasty with the last name "Hope". Those who change their surname have no succession rights. Men and women can both be selected, and have an equal chance of inheriting. Those with skill and achievements will stick out the most and are most likely to be chosen. This succession law was put into place by Edith Hope who was unsure that her son, Finn Hope II would do an adequate job as Patriarch when the time came for him to succeed her.

Regencies

Members of the Hope dynasty of the age of fourteen years or older are legally considered adults within the family. This belief stems from the families founding in Haense, where the age of adults is fourteen. Those who hold the title of this age or above may lead the house with no restrictions. Those who inherit the title below the age of fourteen will be subjected to a Regency. The Regent will either be designated ahead of time by a previous family head or will be nominated amongst the current family members in leadership. A temporary or permanent Regency can also be called if the Head is declared to be incapable to lead. This can occur due to: sickness, injury, insanity, etc...

Coat of Arms

The current coat of arms designed by Edith Hope in 1828, symbolizes three key parts from the Hope family:

The sun behind the flower represents that even when times may be grim, there is always hope and that is something that the family strongly believes in and lives by. The Sun will rise again, even if it's covered, even in your darkest hour, have hope. The un-withering flower represents that the families undying steadfast determination and loyalty.