House of Arden

House of Arden Our Swords, Always Sharp Country: Norland, Nevaria, Nordengrad Parent House: House of Staunton Titles: Duke of Nevaria Count of Ashwood Count of Jornburg Baron of Ashton Baron of Ardenhall Founder: Richard Arden Current Head: Stefan Arden Ethnicity: Highlander House Motto: Our swords, always sharp Cadet Branches: House of Arden-Leydon House of Errmark-Arden

The House of Arden (Common: Arden;) is a human royal family from the parent House of Staunton, founded by the bastard son of Alexander II. The Ardens currently situate themselves in the Ruric capital of Nordengrad, taking up most of the positions in the Ashen Council, such as Marshal, High Keeper, and Steward.

History

Atlas

The family's roots are relatively new; Richard took up the name of Ardenin the early years of Atlas. Having served King Jory Ruric during the Silversteed Rebellion, By infiltrating the Silversteed ranks and breaking them from the inside, He proved himself incredibly loyal, and started House Arden on the Path of Nobility. A few weeks after the duel of kings, Richard went missing for some time. Years after Richard eventually returned as Lord of the House, beginning a large recruitment of Arden men. Upon marshaling a sizable force, he marched into Jornburg, declaring himself Count, and leaving House Arden to be known as a Noble House within Atlas. A few weeks after settling into the fort, Richard reached out to other lords and counts of the idea of vassalization under him. Thus he managed to convince the Baron of Ashwood, the agreement being that they will see each other as equals and friends, as well as the Baron of Driftwood. Finally after many diplomatic talks, Richard formed the Duchy of Nevaria. Richard, who in comparison to these new vassals lacked a sufficient military might, deemed it fit to begin a formation of the first House Arden military order, for which his house could finally have direct soldiers rather than vassals taking up a majority of his military. However, during the duration of the military reformation, Richard heard news that the Stauntons were rising up against the Horens with a hope of destroying them like they did back in Axios. Richard quickly joined the cause, seemingly holding some hope in the cause, Although a few days before the Siege of Whitepeak, the Arden men were held back by small groups of bandits attacking the roads just above Ashwood, preventing them from assisting their Courlandic allies. Directly after hearing the news of the Courlandic defeat, and how all their allies bailed out after the defeat, Richard quickly abadoned Jornburg, and marched his men to the mighty fortress of Ashwood.This would be the beginning of the end of Richard and House Arden, resulting in the blood bath known as the Siege of Ashwood, Richard fought valiantly, but eventually fell to the hand of an unknown Renatian soldier. Leaving the house bent and broken, the remnants of the household fled into the wind, remaining outcasted from the outside world for many years, until a young Arden rose up and began a long hard ride to the newly founded Earldom of Nordengrad, the boys name was Kjartan, he quickly joined the military order known as the Red Brothers, where he quickly rose up the ranks, becoming marshal after only a few years of service. He would then adopt a young man named Rae as an offical family member.

Notable Members

• Richard Arden - Grew the house to nobility status, having marched into a small pallisade fort called Jornburg. He eventually fell during the Siege of Ashwood.

• Kjartan Arden - Reformed the House of Arden under the banners of the Rurikid, growing them to be the most influential family in Nordengrad, having numerous council positions, a successful wine vineyard, and regrowing his house to nobility status.