House de Ruyter

[VL 298]

 

Huize de Ruyter

 

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In the wake of political turbulence, ever steadfast in her loyalty to the Empire, House de Ruyter restores its bonds to lines of old.  Abolishing its former Bracchus identity in accordance to the reformation of Oren, de Ruyter seeks to establish a precedent of progress and prosperity as a family, and as Orenians.  

 

The Fishing of Souls: Orenian society as caretaker for those drowning in barbarism and heresy.

 

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Foundation of the Bloodline

 

Together by marital union, both respective lines of Bracchus and de Ruyter came to be in the northern realm of Oren. What began as a humble sellsword offering his service to a dame in distress, became a tale of love with financial intent.

 

Although they were a couple of contrasts, the sellsword by the name of Idas Bracchus brought a physical necessity to Emilia de Ruyter’s ambitions of commerce. Her being a widow to a wealthy trader of the south, their potential and dreams lied dormant with the carcass of her first love. A reality that she refused to accept.

 

Emilia de Ruyter with her first husband, Rafael.

 

She payed Idas handsomely to escort her and various wares to the stores in Felsen and the Caliphate, but used the long walks of tranquil to charm the unknowing sellsword. Idas saw through her romantic facade, but understood the possibility of retiring with wealth and offspring.

 

It would become a scheme of a year, only to be confessed a decade later. While Emilia and Idas allocated a respective amount of wealth, their true fortune became their three children: Publius, Jace and Josip Bracchus. While they delivered the Bracchus name into the upper echelon, Idas and Emilia succumbed to the curse of old age.

 

Although the Bracchus name was tainted with the history of sellswords and fraud, it earned a significant amount of respect among Orenian society. But Diaries and Notations from Emilia and Rafael would later reveal a history and identity that was cast into the shadows, for the possibility of a marriage of two opportunists.

 

And so, when the three descendants discussed their share of their inheritance, a sense of fascination for this forgotten identity gained momentum. Only when Publius contributed to the reformation of Oren as Lord-Steward, it was decided to go with the times and reform the family with it.

 

Thus, de Ruyter name adopted among the Bracchus circles and with that, a new bloodline was founded.

 

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The ‘Lodenlander’ Culture

 

The term ‘Lodenlander’ originated from an old proverb describing the dissolution of a state due to its own failure:”De staat heeft het loodje gelegd”. Which was used to describe the wandering individuals that fled civil disorder and poverty, seeking new lands of wealth and commerce.

 

The Lodenlanders were primarily ancestors in the Ruyter bloodline, but also a collective of individuals with a similar search and incentive. Although the term was primarily used to be financial, the cultural traits developed throughout the turbulent times of wealth and wandering became associated with the name.

 

The Opportunists of Orange; de Ruyter’s golden days, dated 1492

 

de Ruyter brought a line of administrators and tradesmen into society, as such professions were the norm within the family. Although never achieving political nor military prestige, the inner circles of the Lodenlanders  adopted noble and aristocratic traits of ceremony and succession.

In the public scene however, these Lodenlanders presented themselves as pragmatic servants, Often trying to ascend the ranks for financial purposes. As they became trade-oriented, the many wars and regional  instability made Lodenlanders unable to properly settle.

 

de Ruyter Compagnie, the last generation of Lodenlanders.

 

Inevitably, the Lodenlanders either assimilated with the cultures of new settlements or passed away with no incentive to make offspring. As de Ruyter Compagnie saw the death of their last leader: Rafael Kaspers, the handful Lodenlanders dissolved the failing organisation and with that, abolished their identity.

 

The only line with concrete Lodenlander ties were Thorbecke and Bracchus, but both families were descending into extinction at the time. The symptoms were clear, the cultural identity was failing to survive.   

 

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The Rise of Bracchus; A New Horizon

 

As the Bracchus family succeeded de Ruyter line with a vague combination of Illatian, Auverginian and Loden aspects, it failed to culturally integrate within Oren. The lack of identity, but the increasing participation of the family in the political scene, revived the discussion whether the Bracchus identity was the right one to follow.

 

Jace Albert de Ruyter,  the Lodenlander architect.

 

When the Bracchus family ascended to the upper echelon, Jace was designated to be the Ducal representative of the north. In his short reign until the assassination of Guy de Bar, he involved the circles of the family into politics and finances. Although Jace was forced to flee due to the controversial circumstances surrounding the Ducal transition under the new regime, he is still honored for his humanity and leadership, that was unfortunately incompatible with the new political scene.

 

The discussion became more prominent as the family consolidated themselves under the new regime, they now had the proper foundation to restore a potential glory of the past.

 

But as Jace’s former henchman Josip became the de-facto patriarch of House Bracchus in the absence of his brother Publius. Tarnished by the dissolution of Jace’s Ducal ambition, he saw potential in the Loden approach to consolidate their presence again.

 

The Six Commissioners in black.

 

Thus, with his appointment as Diplomat and administrator of the new Duke, and his brother’s succession as the Archchancellor,  a Commission was established to properly register and unify the remaining Lodenlanders and their respective culture. The Commission found, with thanks to the diaries of Emilia that were in pristine condition, the many traits and ventures from their Loden ancestry.

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Philosophy & Expression

 

The Lodenlanders functioned on the belief that ‘Blytschap en Vreugt’, (Happiness and Joy) could only be achieved with a strong liberty to undertake and gain. Because the gain, is the main reason for one to undertake in his or her life.

 

A strong belief in hierarchy, but also the ability to ascend in it, drives the individual to contribute to a society that provides such a climate of opportunity. Without this political and cultural space, the Lodenlander belief would not function, which is why they sought places that could provide such a healthy society.

 

Within the culture, a strong sense of racial pride and xenophobia would be prominent in the private lives. While practicing their profession or simply forming a part of society however, there is no differentiation between races and cultures. Business is business, and those that can provide the most should be handled with the most. This belief presents the Lodenlanders as the highly tolerant and indifferent, but in closed circles it is the very opposite.

 

This constant exposure to cultural or racial groups that are not perceived well within Lodenlander circles are the prime reason why they create so many exclusive organisations and festivities. A healthy balance between life and business must be maintained, and must be kept apart in most circumstances. However, the highest offense one could do is to be intrusive to these exclusive circles and organisations. A perhaps harsh concept that is accompanied with this is “Apartheid”.

 

Apartheid is a concept that was mostly prominent during the wandering years of the Lodenlanders. It was intended to counter potential assimilation to other cultural groups, and always keep a barrier to preserve their identity. With most Lodenlanders assimilated, only those that followed a hardline belief in Apartheid remained to continue the culture. Thus, Apartheid became more prominent in Loden society.

 

Loden art is mostly recognisable by its realistic take on extravagant items, often accompanied with rather melancholic shades of colour. Art was an effective way to continue a sense of understanding about the culture and its traditions, but were also a source of income for some.

 

 

Most art expressed a sense of desire, desire to obtain the many luxuries the paintings portrayed. Loden society, when consisting out of a large population, would be very unequal and opportunity-based. Everyone could fail and rise equally, and nobody would consider them a responsibility of their own. This made society compete, innovate and adapt, it made a society based on success.

 

 

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Prominent Lodenlanders and Organisations

An index is established that gives oversight on who contributes to the slow revival of the culture the most, and what organisations represent the culture throughout the realm.

 

Organisations:

- Huize de Ruyter (House de Ruyter)

- De Oranje Garde (The Orange Coats)

- De Noord-Oost Compagnie.

 

 

Prominent Lodenlanders:

 

Publius Markus de Ruyter, Archchancellor, dated 1527

(( Previously played by, Imperator_JHF ))

Josip Cornelius de Ruyter, Stadtholder & Ambassador to the Caliphate, dated 1526.

(( Previously played by, Draeris ))

 

 

_{Johannes Vos de Ruyter, Archbishop of Cistercia, Monsignor of the Curia, and Cardinal of the Synod, dated 1541.}

_{(( Viceroy ))}

 

 

_{Other Known Members:}

_{- Caspar de Ruyter (( KusherZombie ))}

_{- Leonard de Ruyter (( _Sug ))}

_{- Maurits de Ruyter (( Draeris ))}

_{- Willem de Ruyter (( _DeusVult_ ))}

_{-Jasper de Ruyter (( Zoprak ))}

 

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Family Pedigree

 

 

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OOC:

 

tl;dr House Bracchus is being reformed into its more prominent bloodline, House de Ruyter for a role-play revival. This plan was originally Publius' idea and I have taken the family reins and posted this thread with his explicit permission. 

 

The family itself has no holdings, currently, but is situated in Courland. Our goal is to work our way up and make the Lodelander culture more prominent. If you wish to join, simply send me a PM. The only requirement is GOOD ROLE-PLAY! 

 

This post was written by Draeris.

 

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[KUSHerZombie 222]

((Very well written. I approve!))

Caspar nods in approval, now officially going by Caspar de Ruyter 

[_Sug 2809]

Leonard  de Ruyter nods

[frankdh 2418]

((This was super well done! I love all the paintings incorporated into it, too! Good job :D )) 

[Draeris 3124]

{{I never actually left de Ruyter's, I am simply too preoccupied with school at this moment.} 

[perses 158]

(I like it. Very nice! +1)

 

Thorburn  is seen practicing on some wooden dummies his archery when he is informed of the De Ruyter family. He nods in approval "Good news." he simply says in a toneless voice and shoots a target on the head.

[VL 298]

7 hours ago, Draeris said:

{{I never actually left de Ruyter's, I am simply too preoccupied with school at this moment.} 

 

[ I never said you did! You are welcome at any time! We need a family head anyway, since I am in the clergy. ]

[Gridlock 1033]

[ Well written AND dutch +1]

[Zoprak 8]

Very well done, I look forward to seeing your family bring quality RP to the server!

[garentoft 9265]

Very well written.