House of Rourke

[Jameson_h 334]

 

1st of Harren’s Folly, 1929

Sadron 5, the White City of Numenost

 

 

 

 

 

The legacy of House O’Rourke has echoed through the annals of history since the family's climb from obscurity. Spanning the vast territories of the descendants, O’Rourke scions, identifiable by their bright emerald colored eyes, have graced every echelon of society. Their legacy boasts of formidable mobsters like Padraig Pious, valiant soldiers such as Anastasia Cassia, vicious Statesmen like Patrick Adrian, soulful poets such as Michael Genevius, adventurous sailors like Oisin Seamus, or simply spirited young nobles like Iduna Anne. Their bloodline is infused within the foundational stones of the Empire of Oren.

 

This lineage, both diverse and prolific, is bound by a single tenet: “Our Blood Over All.” This motto has been etched on the sun-kissed arms of both field workers and aristocrats, and most poignantly on the pristine crosses that commemorate their honored dead. While the exact origins of the family remain shrouded, perplexing even the most learned imperial historians, House O’Rourke boasts of a dual heritage: tracing their lineage to the Adunian Kings of old and the Carrion Dukes of Adria.

 

“Our Blood Over All.” This guiding principle, instilled fervently in every O’Rourke, resonates differently across generations. To the naive, its gravity might be overlooked, but tales of zealous ancestors serve as powerful reminders. They show the great lengths the predecessors took, not merely for dominance but often for simple survival. From clandestine undertakings for kin's safety to full-fledged wars waged over O'Rourke's honor, the family has done whatever was necessary to prosper. How these acts and their architects are remembered—whether in admiration or admonition—is subjective, left to individual interpretation.

Today, though the O’Rourkes may seem dispersed and diminished, their indomitable spirit endures. The era of Imperial Nobility may have come to pass, but the family is actively weaving its narrative into the lands of Aevos. Emerging from the shadows, eminent O’Rourkes are once again rising, this time establishing roots in the Exilic Kingdom of Númendil. No longer serving an Imperial Emperor, but for the first time, an Adunian Liege, the family stands at a pivotal point in time. Emigliana O’Rourke, with relentless dedication, work to found the first Duchy of the O’Rourke name, shaping the dynasty's destiny with each strategic move. Pious O’Rourke, channeling the legacy of Patrick Adrian, is driven by newfound faith since arriving in Numendil. His fierce determination and the quintessential O’Rourke tenacity are palpable. As more kin converge, the horizon promises a tapestry of tales, each thread as intriguing as the last.

 

 

The House of O’Rourke, despite its past occasional brushes with controversy, is anchored by an unwavering confidence among its members. This deep rooted loyalty to kin has made internal conflict a rarity. The family's helm, occupied by the Head, carries an authority that is never to be questioned, once a decision is made despite any cries to the contrary it is final. Although, this immense power has often been exercised judiciously. Traditional O’Rourke leaders, valuing collective wisdom, have often sought the counsel of family. This Council, integral to the O’Rourke Court, typically comprises five distinguished members.

 

Consigliere of the O’Rourkes

 

A title gifted from the Illatian Falcone branch of the O’Rourkes the Consigliere of the O’Rourkes is simply a right hand to the Head of the family serving in an advisory position and acting as a leader instead of the family head, should there be a need for it. This individual also takes on the unique tasks of seeing to the safety and well-being of the Heir Apparent of the family and taking on the role of Reagent in the case of a crisis leaving a young heir to receive the titles or an event leaving the Head incapable or incapacitated. This special task is due to the underlying distrustful nature of O’Rourkes. In addition to all standard duties the undertaking of all tasks necessary for the survival of the O’Rourkes which the Head is unable or unwilling to do falls upon the shoulders of the Consigliere.

 

Lady or Lord Consort O’Rourke

 

While a position of circumstance it is one of great importance as well, While the hand may take on tasks too menial or unbefitting the Lord or Lady of the House the Consort takes a similar role in all matters of court, assisting in maintaining a household as well as ensuring appearances are kept in regards to foreign and local courts. Also acting as the Lord or Ladys firstmost protection regardless of gender it is expected of them to be as proficient in combat if not more so while also adept at the detection of plots and the sourcing of information

 

Master of Arms

 

The linchpin for equipping the O’Rourkes and instructing them in the art of warfare, this individual is also entrusted with rallying the family's bannermen. Collaborating with the Liege lords' commanders and ensuring law enforcement within the family precincts further fall within their purview.

 

Master of Commerce

 

This family member shoulders the responsibility of overseeing O’Rourke business interests. They ensure the judicious allocation, collection, and distribution of the family's wealth, including timely tax payments and maintaining stockpiles. Maintaining the financial ledgers also falls under their domain.

 

Master of Books

 

Devoted to curating the family's library and literary treasures, this member ensures the holistic education of the O’Rourke youth. They are also tasked with staying informed about potential adversaries, relaying foreign court news, and staying up caught up on contemporary affairs.

 

As a hard and fast rule O’Rourke Families are all seen as equal and thus all members share the ability to voice their concerns and support, officially speaking the Five mentioned members of the Court are the only which inherently hold any authority over any other members and no O’Rourke besides that of the head holds the ability to unilaterally make choices which affect the family.

 

Inheritance

House O’Rourke has always taken a unique approach to inheritance. Unlike most families of their time who followed the tradition of passing on titles and assets to the eldest male, the O’Rourkes chose a system where the eldest child, be it son or daughter, would inherit. This approach allowed formidable women like Azariah Cassia, Iduna Anne, and Thedorea Illeana to rise to prominence during the Imperial Era. However, after the fall of the 8th Empire and the 4th Kingdom of Oren, the rules changed. Now, the current leader of the house, whether a Patriarch or Matriarch, can choose their successor from their children. While usually the eldest child is still the first choice, there have been times, such as with Sadie Cristonia, where a younger child's deeds have earned them the honor.
 

 

 

As direct descendants of the esteemed Elendil line, the O'Rourkes are among some of the purest of Adunians. Their fair peachy skin and distinctive emerald eyes are characteristic of this heritage. However, their hair color has diverged from traditional Adunian shades due to disruption from marriages to foreigners. One of the most prevalent hair colors among the O'Rourkes is blonde, a trait that first appeared with Padraig Pious and was subsequently passed down to Calahan Antonious and Theodosia Illeana. This hair color has become dominant among the mainline O'Rourkes. In addition to their blonde features, many O'Rourkes, particularly those descended from the lineage of Patrick Adrian, display traditional darker hair colors, reminiscent of their early ancestors.

 

Displays of Ancestral Appearances
From Left to Right, Emigliana Maeya, Azariah Cassia, Patrick Adrian

The O'Rourkes, despite various shifts in culture, locale, and people over the dynasty's ages, have always held unwavering reverence for their ancestors. Naming a child is an endeavor undertaken with immense gravity, often necessitating input from several family members to ensure the name pays due homage to O’Rourke forebears. This tradition, however, has led to particularly long and occasionally unwieldy names.

 

While some of the ancient O’Rourkes' complete names have faded from memory due to fires, thefts, or mere absence of records, a jest within the family claims that their ancestors had names so extensive, they "exhausted inkwells”, ensuring few letters came their way from scribes or tax officials."

 

O’Rourke Naming Convention

 

Given Name - Adunic Name* - Name of the Father - Name of the Head of House - Artorus - Personal Saint (If ones taken) - Venerated Elders - Additional names and honors* - O’Rourke

 

Ex: Pious Aerthor Donovan Emigliana Artorus Lucien Padraig O’Rourke

Names marked with an asterisk are typically chosen by the individual before reaching 20. However, any O’Rourke in good standing has the liberty to augment their own or their progeny's name as they see fit. Those ostracized or expelled from the family fold usually retain only their given name followed by O’Rourke, as lineage cannot be erased or denied.

 

Naming Convention of Old 

 

Given Name -  Name of the Father - Name of the Current Count or Countess - Family Saint - Personal Saint - Any Additional Names or Titles - O'Rourke

Ex: Patrick ‘Ricky’ Richard Padraig John Lucien Charles Jonah O’Rourke”

 

In reference to all those preceding Emigliana O’Rourke.

 

Bastard Names

 

Due to the historically unloyal and fast nature of many O’Rourke men, illegitimate children are prevalent in the O’Rourke clan. These children are given the last name of Erinsehn simply due to the nature of a bastard childs unknown and difficult to track heritage. There is no shame in being a bastard in the O’Rourke family and the path to legitimization is the same as it is for all other O’Rourkes. Prove to be a man or woman who can stand tall and accomplished alongside your family. Do that and on your 20th year your granted your true name of O’Rourke

 

 

Ancestry, next to blood and name is most important to the O’Rourke Clan. No child does not suffer the same lectures of their ancestors names lest they be forgotten, many of the old names have stories and lessons attached. Whether it's lesson of what to do or what to avoid often vary from parent to parent however all have the common value of respect for those who came before.

Padrick Erin ✝ (@Mandoleader)
Lord Mayor and Alderman of Belvitz, Adria.

Oisin Seamus ✝ (@Areontrade)

First Count of Halstaig, Founder, and Commodore of the Imperial State Navy, Secretary of Defense for Kaedrin, Member of the House of Commons, Founder of the O’Rourke Printing Press.

Padraig Pious ✝ (@Mandoleader)

Second Count of Halstaig, Minister of the Interior of Oren, Secretary of Wealth for Kaedrin, Member of the House of Commons, Lord Mayor of Owynsburg.

Santiana Jose ✝ (@Radzig)

Captain of the Cock o' the Rock, Coxswain of the Imperial State Navy

Donovan Tyrone (@Bogs_Binny)

Kaedrini Imperial Boxing Association Host, Founder of the O’Rourke Equine Business Consigliere of the O’Rourkes

Azariah Cassia ✝ (@Asutto)

Third Countess of Halstaig, Magistrate of Providence, Alderwoman of Helena & Providence, Head City Clerk of Providence, Lieutenant Grenademaster of the Imperial State Army.

Patrick Adrian ✝ (@jameson_h)

Minister of the Home Office, Proprietor of Redenford, Seneschal of Cassia Hall, Chairman of the National Party, Member of the House of Commons, Warden of the Rangers of Eastwood, Alderman of Providence. Consigliere of the O’Rourkes

Iduna Anne ✝ (@Itz_Cookie123)

Fourth Countess of Halstaig, Mistress of Arts & Culture for the Augustine Palace, Augustine Palace Court Educator, Apprentice Vodial Mage.

Auden Thein ✝ (@bloomtiara)

Radiant Templar of Malcheadiael,  Seneschal of Erin Hall, Creator of the Halstaig Library.

Desmond Woodes ✝ (@Scorce1799)

Owner of Paddy’s Pint Tavern in Providence, Paddy’s Pub Tavern in Redenford, and the Docks Grog Tavern in Sutica.

Cillian Edward ✝ (@Setsuko)

Radiant Templar of Malcheadiael, Surgeon-General of Oren, Four-Term Speaker of the Assembly of Providence, Head Clerk in Redenford, Lieutenant in the Imperial State Army, Captain of the Orenian Naval Fleet & Dockmaster in Redenford.

Owyn Donovan ✝ (@jmeatball)

Central Circuit Court Judge of Oren, Alderman of Providence.
Calahan Antonius (@__Pyrite)

Radiant Templar of Malcheadiael, Architect of Erin Hall, Lieutenant of the Westguard, Bosun of the H.I.M.S. Ark of Peril, and the H.I.M.S. Grace of Freedom. Consigliere of the O’Rourkes

Theodosia Illeana ✝ (@rainedropf)

Fifth Countess of Halstaig, Inquisitor-General of Oren, Lady Vicar of Arentania & Oltermont, Captain of the Westguard.

Sadie Cristonia ✝ (@Moenah)

Sixth Countess of Halstaig, First Baroness of Al'Ildic.
Emigliana Maeya (@CallyI)

Heir to Halstaig, Court Musician of Numendil

Pious Donovan(@Jameson_h)

High Confessor Of Numendil, Consigliere of the O’Rourkes, Acolyte of the Church of Canon

 

Liar’s Bane;

Dating back to Lachlan Mor’s, Kingdom of Adunia, Liar’s Bane, an ancient sword forged from by the blacksmiths of Ildon, was given as a gift from the King to his Hand who was widely believed to be a direct ancestor of Erin I. Liar’s Bane stands at a healthy 108 centimeters in length from pommel to point. Its blade is created out of a material, foreign to any descendant realm. Due to its strange nature, it possessed the ability to be enchanted.

Unlike the ancestral weapons of other houses, Liar’s Bane commonly finds itself used in combat. During the historical Siege of Helena, Pious Padrick wielded it against the Renatians. His ancestors Azariah Cassia and Calahan Antonious followed suit, using it in their own infamous battles; the Battle of Outer Arentania and the Battle of Lower Petra, respectively.

Crow’s Heart;

Despite not having a life span as long as Liar’s Bane, Crow’s Heart was a notable O’Rourke relic in the form of a black diamond monkey paw that fell into the possession of Padraig Pious during the Sutican War. It was said that during a raid upon the Duchy of Lorraine by Padriag’s “fixers”, they ripped the jewel out of the hands of the Duchess and took it as a trophy. Padraig was able to control the effects of the Heart and commonly used it during social gatherings to intimidate his political rivals.

After Padraig’s untimely death, Crow’s Heart was willed off to Dimitri Orlov, a cousin of the O’Rourke Family. However, during the transition from Arcas to Almaris, Dimitri lost the relic during the descendant's brief stay in the Daeperician Archipelago.

 

Spoiler

The following is a rewriting of the O'Rourke Culture document and should serve as a guide to anyone playing an O'Rourke Player but not scripture, the ways that O'Rourkes are described here are the norm but by no means does a player need to follow it

Credit for this goes to the many many lovely people who have in the past and currently do play O'Rourkes, namely though @Asuttodid equal if not more work on this then me and has been involved in the O'Rourkes for longer than me. To anyone reading this and deciding to reach out we have Asutto to thank for a lot of this awesomeness
 

This is an open invitation by the way, if you have, want to or do play an O'Rourke please reach out to me here or on discord: Jameson_h