House of Ruthern
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The House of Ruthern (Common: Ruthern; Raevir: Ruthovic; High Imperial: Rutenes) is the current ruling family of the Duchy of Vidaus and vassal of the Kingdom of Haense. Originating as a bastard cadet branch of the senior line of the House of Carrion, Ruthern originally gained prominence under Exalted Sigismund and his succeeding Carrion monarchs: King Henry I and King Francis I.
Contents
House Loyalty
House Ruthern has had a very long tradition of betraying and murdering their liege lords, but in their modern incarnation have always proven themselves loyal and trustworthy vassals. They are sworn to the of Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and House Barbanov, and are direct vassals of the Crown. In recent times, House Ruthern has split into two branches with the senior line migrating to the Holy Orenian Empire where Erik I, the proclaimed head of the Orenian Ruthern branch was given the title of Count of Kositz.
Ancient History
Anthos-Fringe
The House Ruthern is a lesser House branched off the Princely House Carrion, descending from the line of Ruther, a bastard “Barrow” of House Carrion. As typical, the name Barrow was given to Carrion bastard born out of wedlock with a lowborn; however, Ruther was born in a stone castle amongst servant girls and castellans. His mother was a courtier of the court, who managed to take a bastard with the Lord of House Carrion 3 generations prior, Lord Borislav. The boy Ruther was ill-tempered and cruel; he had always been spiteful of those around him and took pleasure in torture and pain. Ruther had an intense phobia of blood, however, and would revel in forms of blunt trauma and torture to satiate his bloodlust, taking a hammer for training and preferring naval warfare of cold blue seas blotting out the blood of war. He would deface his enemies with wrathful impunity by ripping their teeth, spines, and bones, sporting them as war-trophies and forbidding all of his men to sport gold jewelry and instead bones of fallen foes, a brutal tactic which follows the House to this day.
When time had erupted for war, the courtiers in service had pleaded with Lord Borislav to send his boy off to die in foreign soils, so the ill-mannered bastard would be rid of in a fashion clean of kinslaying. Ruther was given sixteen longships and a levy mixed with convicts and conscripts. Despite all odds, the raiding party had infiltrated the rival Kosanov stronghold and decimated the populace, a crucial turning point of the Raevir civil conflict. However, when the Carrion envoy arrived to claim the hold, Ruther garrisoned it and demanded legitimization for his valor in war. Borislav and Ruther compromised with the handover of a noble estate, for no vassal around Borislav would have wanted the wicked Ruther a legitimate Carrion to potentially inherit his lands, yet the stronghold was necessary in concluding the campaign, and an amphibious assault was out of the question. Ruther was granted a barren beach line for his warband out of appeasement to the rival lords of Raev, yet found himself little time to scheme further and advance himself with the abandoning of Crowsmarch. Ruther was forced to abandon his lands. In a fit of mixed fury and insanity, he navigated his ships away from the Raevir fleet, taking off to harry various island civilizations between Asulon and Anthos. He took thralls and wives under his own blade, and was succeeded by only one trueborn son.
Ruther’s son Boris was the next of line. He took the sigil of the hammerhead shark for the creature’s savagery, hammer-head, and affinity for water, and had the bones of Ruther along with those he pillaged forged among steel to forge the ancestral hammer of the House. Boris continued his father's legacy of establishing violent campaigns against various trade archipelagos, and bore two sons, Ivan, named after the famed father of the Raevir race, and Ailred.
Boris, however, did not have the unrelenting tenacity and violence as his father. He faltered and had his second son, Ailred, kidnapped at a young age by rival slavers. Ailred was lost to the family, being raised as a Dreadfort child soldier after being sold to Augustus Blackmont in Anthos. Boris eventually contracted scurvy, dying and sending the “Fleet of Bones” scattered throughout the wild seas.
Ivan had witnessed his father’s slow health decline, and took what little strelesy conscripts and thralls to head for Anthos. He had figured the continent settled and ripe for war, despite his weakened fleet. Upon arriving to the Crimson Isles, he reunited with his brother, Flay bannermen Ailred, who was soon nicknamed “Red Ruth” for his flayish brutality.
Ailred eventually consolidated his bannermen into the Decturem, a fearsome military order renowned for strength and ruthlessness. Unfortunately, John of Darfey manipulated Ailred into turning against his Carrion kin, promising him the crown of Oren. His rebellion was short-lived, culminating in the legendary Siege of Mount Augustus. His son, Vsevolod, took the remaining bannermen loyal to House Ruthern and fled to the seas. The few surviving Rutherns lived in exile, thought to be extinct, until the days of Vailor.
Notable Events in Ruthern History
Ancient History
(1250)
- Ruther Barrow is born out of wedlock between Boris I Carrion and courtier.
-At age sixteen, Ruther is sent on a suicide mission to conquer Fortress Kasonov, he accomplishes this goal and is rewarded with land and is legitimized, forming the Cadet Branch, House Ruthern.
-Abandonment of the Crowsmarch, reason unclear. Ruther Ruthern is forced to flee with his warband, taking to sea and becoming an amphibious-based pillager.
-Twins, Boris and Yaroslav are born.
-Ruther contracts scurvy and consequently passes away, his fleet fractures at the loss of its leader. The twins Boris and Yaroslav are kept safe by loyal bannermen.
-At eighteen, Boris is given reign of the remaining Ruthern fleet, he continues his father’s legacy of pillaging coastal settlements in the nearby oceans of Asulon.
(1350)
- Yaroslav begins his work on the Book of Rutherns.
- Ivan is born of Boris.
-Ailred is born of Boris.
-Ailred Ruthern is captured during an attack orchestrated by rival raiders, he is sold into slavery.
-Yaroslav passes away due to health complications and aging, his work on the Book is passed onto Ivan.
-Boris passes away due to scurvy, his old age and feeble body accelerating the process. The sudden death of Boris causes the fleet to violently shatter into splintering rebellions as each Captains of different longships begun to engage each other in bid to claim the position of being the Fleet’s Commander. The conflict is dubbed ‘The Night of Broken Ships’.
-Ivan finally consolidates his own forces after a year of combatting rogue Captains. During the conflict he gains knowledge of Anthos and makes it his destination.
(1398)
- It takes years for Ivan and his ships to reach Anthos, but upon arrival they come into contact with soldiers of House Blackmont. Upon meeting Lord Augustus, Ivan came to harbour a deep respect for the awe-inspiring bandit Lord. The remaining Ruthern forces integrate into House Blackmont as a result.
(1399)
- Ivan finds his long lost brother, Ailred, serving as a bannerman to the very House he had just sworn loyalty to. Ailred explains how he was bought by House Blackmont to be a slave-soldier, but came to advance in rank, earning his freedom and securing his position as a bannerman.
-The ‘Crimson Banquet’ occurs. After Augustus’ death, his inept and incompetent son, Tiberius, takes rule of House Blackmont. During a feast, Tiberius is poisoned which results in fighting as accusations are made widely. The fighting is so fierce that by the time it ends, the Dreadfort is reduced to rubble. Ivan and Ailred survive the fighting and relocate along with the surviving Blackmont bannermen and family members.
-With the death of Horen V, the Dynasty of Horen falls without a proper heir and the Empire of Oren crumbles under civil unrest, the Great Exodus occurs, where most of Humanity departs from Anthos to the fabled continent of Aeldin.
(1404)
- Ivan and Ailred opt to stay behind and govern the lands of House Blackmont.
(1410)
-The Kingdom of Ruska begins to rise as a dominating force of post-exodus humanity.
-Ivan is contacted by his distant relative, Siegmund Carrion, the King of Ruska. Siegmund states his wish to reunite humanity under one banner and wishes Ivan to join his fold. The terms are accepted and the lands held by Rutherns fall under Siegmund’s Kingdom.
-The Kingdom of Ruska unites Humanity, House Ruthern is elevated in position. The sole Nation of Mankind is named traditionally, the Oren Imperium.
-The Decturem Order is formed, Ailred acting as its Marshal.
-Ivan passes due to health complication regarding old age.
-Anthos is destroyed due to unnatural continental floods, inhabitants flee into a portal that led to ‘The Fringe’.
-The Fransiscan Massacre occurs, Ailred Ruthern commits regicide by slaying Franz Josef Carrion, betraying his family in the process. A legitimized bastard of House Ruthern commits to a suicide charge to save the corpse of Franz, he is killed alongside his comrades and is later blessed for his actions by the Church of Cannon.
(1432)
- House Ruthern falls into obscurity due to Ailred’s actions.
Modern History
(1541)
- Twins, Maric and Alric Ruthern are born to Dmitry and Emma Klein-Ruthern.
(1559)
- Lopkaea Marbrand and Alric Ruthern are wed.
(1560)
- Maric Ruthern and Isabel Stafyr are wed.
-Alric and Lopkaea Ruthern have a son, Josef Ivan.
(1561)
- Twins, Dmitri Ruthern and Marjorie Ruthern are born to Count Maric and Isabel Stafyr.
(1562)
- Godric Ruthern is born to Maric Ruthern and Isabel Ruthern.
(1565)
- House Ruthern is officially recognised and reinstated as Orenian nobility, risen to the station of Count and given the rights to Metterden. Their stain of regicide wiped clean.
- Alric Ruthern disowns his son, Josef, and leaves his wife, Lopkaea. Vanishes without a trace, last seeing heading into the woods outside of Felsen.
- Maric Ruthern ascends to be Count of Metterden, Lord Regent of Erochland, Protector of the South, Commander of the Southern Gold Corps, Lord of Averheim, Bailiff of Destati.
(1571)
- Vailor is lost to a plague, House Ruthern flees with its liege, House Barbanov and establishes itself in Axios.
(1572)
- The New County of Metterden is recognised within Haense.
(1574)
- Boris I Ruthern dies from an infected wound.
(1572)
- The Alriczan Castle is built, under the supervision of Godric var Ruthern and Dmitri var Ruthern.
(1577)
- Maric Ruthern abdicates to his eldest true-born son, Dmitri Viktor II Ruthern and he becomes the Third Count of Metterden.
(1582)
- Ruthern loyal bannermen, the House of Marbrand, receives the land of Rostig within the Kingdom of Haense.
- House Marbrand officially joins the County of Metterden.
- House Amador officially joins the County of Metterden.
(1583)
- House Amador officially departs the County of Metterden, vassalising beneath the royal crown of Barbanov.
-Boris Nikolas II Ruthern is born to Sofia and Dmitri Ruthern.
(1591)
- Boris Nikolas is kidnapped by High Elven and Dwarven insurgents.
(1594)
- Demetrius II Viktor Ruthern passes, (1561 - 1594).
- Boris II Nikolas Ruthern becomes the Fifth Count of Metterden.
(1596)
- Following a succession crisis, Count Boris seizes the lands of the Barony of Rostig and takes direct control of it.
(1599)
- A marriage is held between Lady Adelheid Ruthern and the King of Haense, Marius of House Barbanov.
(1601)
- Arik ‘the Black’ Ruthern arrives at Metterden and makes a deal with Count Boris to inherit the County
- Boris Nikolas Ruthern is murdered by Courlanders, (1583 - 1601).
(1602)
- Viktor Alric Ruthern and his uncle, Adelwen, rebel against the Haensetic crown, and swear fealty to Courland. A schism is driven into the House.
- Joren Ruthern is born to Viktor and Cecily Ruthern.
(1604)
- The Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska surrenders to the Courlandic crown.
- Viktor Alric Ruthern marches north, and ascends to become the Seventh Count of Metterden.
- The Ruthern Restoration Act of 1604 is published, disowning and renouncing Arik the Black’s claim on the Ruthern noble name - including lands, holdings and titles.
(1605)
- Ser Maric the Crowshield Ruthern dies from an infected wound, (1541 - 1605).
(1607)
- Viktor Alric Ruthern dies from these lines are blotted out with heavy ink, (1585 - 1607).
- Joren Ruthern ascends to become the Eighth Count of Metterden.
(1609)
- Count Joren repeals the Ruthern Restoration Act and appoints Vladrick Ruthern as his Regent.
(1611)
- Count Joren is killed during a meeting with the King of Courland. The Greyspine rebellion starts following Jorens death.
- Uhtred Ruthern ascends to become the ninth Count of Metterden.
(1612)
- The second battle of the Rothswood takes place resulting in a Ruthern victory, restoring the Kingdom of Haense.
(1616)
- Uhtred Ruthern disappears, the male Bloodline of Ivan Ruthern ends leaving Vladrick Ruthern of Ailred’s blood to become the tenth Count of Metterdn.
(1643)
- During the voyage to Atlas Vladrick is lost at sea, with his fate unknown his only Son Rhys Ruthern becomes the eleventh Count of Metterden.
(1656)
- Rhys takes his family and flees Haense during the interregnum.
(1657)
- House Ruthern returns to Haense under Rhys, and pledges itself under Charles II of Haense.
(1658)
- Count Rhys signs the Greyguard pact with House Baruch
(1661)
- The Castle of Helmholtz is built, it stands as the seat for House Ruthern
(1665)
- Ailred Ruthern has his first son Demetrius with Katherine Baruch
- Dorian the "Bastard" attempts to kill his father Rhys, however is caught and hung
Patriarchs of the Rutherns of Metterden
House Ruthern is led solely by its Patriarch, usually the oldest capable, competent male. It is common for the Patriarch to give his brother(s) the ability to exercise some will over the authority, yet they should be in direct obedience to their older brother. House Ruthern was always ruled by the strong, and patrilineal descent meant little compared to power and above all, the preservation of the family.
Ailred ‘the Turncloak’ Ruthern ✝
County of Cavan, Lord Marshal of Oren, of the Decturem
Ivan ‘The Seafaring’ Ruthern ✝
Baron of Hammerspoint and Saltridge
Blessed Dmitry of the Dreadfort ✝
Staunch supporter of House Carrion, blessed for his actions to enact vengeance for his Liege Lord’s death at the hand of Ailred Ruthern. Died in a charge to save the corpse of his liege, Franz Josef Carrion.
Alric I Myakovsky Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Commander of the Southern Gold Corps, Lord of Averheim, Lord Regent of Erochland, & Protector of the South.
Maric I Dmitry Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Captain of the Southern Gold Corps, Lord of Averheim, Lord Regent of Erochland, & Protector of the South.
Demetrius I Viktor Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Lord Protector of The Spine, Grand Meyster of the Order of The Golden Gryphon, Baron of Rostig, and Lord of Alriczan.
Boris II Nikolas Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Grand Marshal of the Order of the Edelweiss, Protector of the Pass, Baron of Rostig, and Lord of Alriczan.
Victor Alric Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the Pass, and Lord of Alriczan.
Count Joren Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the Pass, and Lord of Alriczan.
Vladrick var Ruthern ✝
Duke of Metterden (Title Abolished), Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the Pass, and Lord of Alriczan.
Rhys I var Ruthern ✝
Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the South, and Lord of Helmholtz.
Demetrius II Tuvya var Ruthern ✝
Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
Konstantin I Demetrius var Ruthern
Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
Viktor Sigismund var Ruthern ✝
Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
Sigmar Otto var Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
Konstantin II var Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
Viktoria I Bihar vas Ruthern ✝
Queen-consort of Hanseti-Ruska, Countess of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baroness of Rostig, Lady of Ivanhall, and Lady of Helmholtz
Alexander I var Ruthern ✝
Count of Metterden, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
Maric I (II) var Ruthern
Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Viscount of Greyspine, Protector of the South, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Ivanhall, and Lord of Helmholtz
House Culture and Traditions
The Rutherns descend from Raevir branches, and thus, their influence still stand to this day. Although, over centuries of the Raevs being oppressed, the Rutherns have come to reject many of the traditions associated with Raevir; most notably the botch method of speech. Nonetheless, traces of Raevir ancestry are still present in modern-day Rutherns, primarily in the naming of their children.
Madness is the first word to come to mind when describing the House, for indeed they have always held a reputation for being violent, unpredictable, and downright bizarre. The Rutherns hold an ancient record of military accomplishments, once upon a time, the Rutherns led the Orenian Empire’s largest militant Order. It stills continue to this day, Ruthernian bannermen are seen in nearly every conflict that involves mankind. As a result of such a rich history of military, Rutherns are more acclimatized and have an affinity for warfare and the various troubles conflict brings.
Legally, House Ruthern are agnatic-primogeniture, meaning that the oldest male of the current ruler will always inherit. Although it is not surprising for Rutherns to just simply usurp one another if they are deemed too weak to rule.
House Relics
Members of House Ruthern hold many objects that they have an emotional attachment to, but there are some truly renowned artifacts that have been passed down through generations that hold true value to the entirety of the House; for these items hold much history to their names.
The Book of Rutherns
The book was authored by a literate member of House Ruthern ancestor, Yaroslav, son of Ruther Barrow, founding-father of House Ruthern. Instead of taking up the sword as expected, Yaroslav chose the life of a scholar, a very unlikely position to find an ancient Ruthern in. This book contains written details on the origins of House Ruthern. It was passed on to his son, and his son passed it on, they continued to fill the book in, either by themselves or using writers. This book is mostly used to prove House Ruthern legitimacy and other deeds done by members of Ruthern. The book was discovered once more in the libraries of Averheim by Maric Ruthern, and he continued it with his own hand, his sons carrying it on after him.
Ivan’s Cross
A simple Hussarian cross made of polished dark oak. Upon Ivan Rutherns reunion with his brother Ailred, he had his ships burned to the ground to signify the end of his days of piracy. The night before the ships were to be burned, he claimed to have had a dream in which GOD instructed him to carve a cross out of the mast, for if he did, he would hold divine favor. He did so before the burning, and carried it with him always. Ivan never suffered serious injury or illness with the cross in his possession, despite being a veteran of several wars and having fought many battles. When he did pass away, it was only after he had bequeathed the cross to his son Ivan. Ivan’s Cross is also featured on the coat of arms of House Ruthern.
Ruther’s Hammer
This is the hammer that was used by Ruther Barrow to massacre all who opposed him in the first days of House Ruthern. It was made for him by Lord Borislav of House Carrion when he was sent on a suicide mission to attack the rival Fortress of Kosanov. It is said that over five hundred men have fallen to this hammer. It was passed from Ruther to Boris, then from Boris to Ailred, where it was thought to be lost. Ailred, however, gave it to his son Vsevolod, and it was passed down his family until it reached the hands of Arik the Black. It was lost during the voyage to Atlas, only to be founded in a shipwreck by Rhys Ruthern.
