House of DuFonte

[TankM1A2 840]

 

 

A document drafted by a Norlandic scribe to be added to the Norland Volumes of Lore and History, detailing the House of DuFonte, its history, achievements, and artifacts.

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House of DuFonte

“Without a Stain”

The arms of House DuFonte, three swans upon a blue field, followed by the official motto.

 

Overview

House DuFonte is a relatively new house emergent from the realms of man. It first gained recognition as a gentry house, during Chilfroy DuFonte’s exploits whilst serving under the Dreadlands, though more specifically, the Ashguard. Though perceived by some Norlanders as “not a true Norlandic house”, the men and women have fought by the side of House Ruric ever since the dying years of Vailor. While the Norlandic peoples are undoubtedly Highlander, DuFonte remains staunchly Heartlander in their values and traditions.

 

History - The Grindhall

Born of Savoyard origins, Chilfroy DuFonte began his early life as an ambitious swordsman, seeking to make his mark upon the realm. Initially, he settled for mercenary work, in which he’d finally end up at the Principality of the Dreadlands. He found employment under an organization known as the Grindhall. The Grindhall was a small band of individuals, who dwelled within the mountains of the Southern Continent on the ruins of Old Fenn. The Grindhallers were renowned for crafting fine Dwarven-quality arms and armors and operated discreetly from their mountainside hideout. However, due to infighting, the group would find itself disbanded, its members going about their separate ways.

 

History - The Bonefort

However, shortly soon after, it was rumored than the infamous Ser Hakon Ruric had made a full recovery from his illness and had returned to enact his vengeance upon the Empire. Chilfroy, with no employment and always curious, decided to seek out this man for himself, to see first-hand the controversy behind the name. He’d arrived to the Bonefort of House Ruric, a large fortress situated upon the Riverlands on the Southern Continent. Not long after, he encountered Ser Hakon Ruric, and instantly it seemed he had made an impression upon the young swordsman. Chilfroy, always willing to seek out honor and glory in battle, joined under Ser Hakon’s banner, officially beginning his career as a member of the Ashguard. To his surprise, they had a high amount of faith in the new recruit. He was taken on many of the raids carried out against Orenian lands, pillaging and plundering as they went. Often times, the marauders would have much success against the defenders, other times not and being forced to withdraw to the Bonefort. Despite being largely outnumbered, Chilfroy and the Ashguard continued with their resistance to Orenian imperialism up until the Exodus, forcing all the inhabitants of Vailor to flee, in search of a new home.

 

History - The Dreadlands

The Dreadlandic settlers, comprised of Dreadlanders, Riverlanders, Vilachians, and the new addition of Warhawkes, came through the portal to Axios and set up anchor upon the continent of Asul. There they operated, far from the grasp of Orenian clutches. Whilst the Warhawkes set up their own encampment across the plains, the Rurics and their followers constructed a fortress which came to be known as Fort Dunamis, in honor of the previous company of famed mercenaries, the Horde of Dunamis. There, for the beginning years of Axios, the Dreadlands and its people prospered. Ser Hakon continued the tradition of launching incursions into Orenian lands, and won a series of decisive victories during the opening skirmishes. For his efforts and extreme prowess, Ser Hakon saw it fit to bestow Chilfroy with a knighthood, earning him the title, Ser Chilfroy the Dauntless. Chilfroy by this time would be a veteran of many conflicts, having many battles under his belt. He’d fought everywhere from the Asulian Coast to the plains of the Heartlands, all underneath the Ruric banner. Chilfroy and his companions often patrolled the roads leading up to Johannesburg, preying upon the unsuspecting guardsman or Orenian noble. In time, people began avoiding the main road all together and sought out alternative routes, away from the areas stalked by Dreadlanders, who often robbed passersby of everything they owned..

Chilfroy however, was unlike the others. While his comrades did not discriminate between who they killed and robbed, Chilfroy often felt sympathy for those they preyed upon on the roads. As the others chose to rough handle a woman or child, he would abstain, known to observe silently from the sidelines. His friends also noted that he was quite never satisfied with his life, as he was seen to seek out whores from the cities and villages the Rurics paid visits to. Surprisingly though, he never fathered any bastards. Eventually, he’d decide enough was enough and wanted to settle down and live a normal life. Although difficult it was, as he was a bandit in nature, he did end up finding love. Ser Chilfroy had fallen for a simple farmer woman, of the name Lacilia Faeth. While the two seemed polar opposites and often argued, when they didn’t, they loved each other greatly and eventually married in a Canonist Church.

 

History - Humble Life of Chilfroy

Soon after, it seemed evident that the Dreadlands would meet its inevitable end. Faced with internal strife and an Orenian invasion of the continent, the nation disbanded all together, with the inhabitants dispersing into the winds. Chilfroy and Lacilia went upon their own path and purchased a small farm house on the fertile farmlands of Southern Tahn. He decided to lay low, and tended the fields with his wife, who herself was no slouch. Upon the farm, they raised five children; Adhalard, Henri, Cassandra, Margot, and Philippe. For several years he tilled the fields, raising his children to do all the same, and take after him. During his retirement, he kept his armor and weapons out of sight, wanting his children to never take down the same path as he. Because for much of his life, he was an outlaw and a bandit. However, just when he thought his days of fighting were through, he’d received words from his old friends of the Ashguard that the Krag, the new home for the Norlandic peoples in their new kingdom, had come under siege by Dwarven invaders. Without delay, he donned his armor and saddled his horse, going to seek out Ser Hakon and join the relief force bound for the Krag. With the efforts of Ser Hakon’s host, the might of Dunamis, and the will of the Norlandic people, the defenders were able to repel the Dwarven assaults, forcing them off of Norlandic lands. After fighting side by side with his old-time friends, Ser Chilfroy decided he could stay separated from them no longer. Thus, he moved himself and his to the Kingdom of Norland, where they now settle as gentry of Norland.

 

[ ! ] The information would come to a halt here, several pages of blank parchment following afterwards, yearning to be updated and filled as time progresses.

 

 

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Predominant Features

Often reoccuring in members of the DuFonte family are features of pale blue or grey eyes and dark brown or brunette hair. They are modest and stature and known to be quick on their feet. Where others prefer sheer strength and brute forth, DuFontes typically utilize mobility and strategy when confronting a potential foe. They are apt to pair shield with sword, almost never wielding two-handed weapons if given the option. Over the years, their distinct accents have faded, however, they still cling on to parts of the Auvergnian tongue mixed in with common speech.

 

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Living Family Members

Ser Chilfroy DuFonte - Progenitor of House DuFonte, Knight of the Kingdom of Norland, Veteran of the Ashguard.

Lacilia DuFonte - Wife of Chilfroy.

Adhalard Louis DuFonte - 1st born son of Chilfroy. Employed as a mercenary.

Henri Bernard DuFonte - 2nd born son of Chilfroy. Faithfully serving the Kingdom of Norland.

Cassandra Blanche DuFonte - 1st born daughter of Chilfroy.

Margot Adelaide DuFonte - 2nd born daughter of Chilfroy.

Phillipe Auguste DuFonte - 3rd born son of Chilfroy.

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Artifacts and Relics

House DuFonte possesses a small amount of relics, most of them remaining with Ser Chilfroy and his sons.

 

- Madame Isabella, Ser Chilfroy’s Bastard Sword - Wielded be Ser Chilfroy during his service to the Ashguard. The sword gave him much flexibility in battle, switching between 1 hand and 2 handed wielding.

- Swan Knight’s Heater Shield - The shield depicts a white swan upon a blue field background, specially crafted for Ser Chilfroy.

- Blessed Grail of Bordeaux - Originally belonging to Chilfroy’s father, found within an abandoned cavern. Made out of high quality gold and encrusted with priceless gems. Passed down from father to firstborn son.

[Brawms 741]

On 5/31/2017 at 1:58 AM, TankM1A2 said:

History - The Grindhall

((Honestly Tank, off yourself?