The House of Brandthof

[alienescence 1415]

 

HOUSE OF BRANDTHOF

LIONS OF BRANDTHOF

DAS HAUS BRANDTHOF | THE HOUSE BRANDTHOF

Penned by Ludolf von Brandthof

In the year of our Lord 2027

 

 

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KIN AND TRIBE OF MINE, 

 

As I will one day succeed my father as the Baron of Brandthof, I am committed to being prepared and understanding what I must live up to. 

 

Every family carries a story that is built over generations, which is shaped by their resilience. In writing this, I remember my roots. As I put pen to paper, I delve deep into the foundations that anchor my identity, the paths forged by those who came before me. The struggles they faced and the lives they lived shape my understanding of a time I was not born to experience. Honoring the lives of my ancestors allows others to understand their stories as I have come to do.

 

 

EARLY YEARS

The House of Brandthof has a lineage that traces back to its ancestors in Freimark, when it was originally known as Barclay. They were often called Tylosian Barclays, as they were the closest descendants of Saint Tylos of Kalden.

 

 

Tylosian Barclays served as descendants of Count Ernst and Count Karl of Freimark. After their service in Freimark, they sought to reside with their relatives within the borders of the Duchy of Reinmar, in the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. This familial bond later led them to the Duchy of Minitz, in the United Kingdom of Aaun on the continent of Almaris. Within the Duchy of Minitz, Sir Ludolf Barclay, who also served as the Lord Bailiff, revived his lineage through his union with Julietta Varoche, resulting in two sons, Leutwin and Matthias Barclay. Leutwin Barclay had a childhood interest in knighthood, inspired by his father. He would later be knighted under the newly established knightly Order of Saint Godwin within the capital of the United Kingdom of Aaun. As an adult, he would be knighted under the Order of Saint Tylos, within the Grand Principality of Minitz, a vassal of Aaun—where he would provide his upmost service. In contrast, Matthias became an acolyte, hoping later to become a priest of the Holy Mother Church. He eventually became a Cardinal and the Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Mother Church under the reign of High Pontiff Sixtus VI. Sir Leutwin preserved his lineage by marrying a little-known Halcourt woman, with whom he had three children, the most notable being Anselm Barclay. Thus, the lineage of the Tylosian Barclay persisted, shaped by martial and spiritual paths.
 

 

THE FORMATION OF HOUSE BRANDTHOF

After Brandt, the Grand Prince of Minitz, abdicated, his only daughter, Alice Barclay, was given the honor of holding the title of Barony of Brandthof. Despite this, she chose not to adopt the surname ‘von Brandthof’. In her life, Alice had maintained a mostly private existence, especially after her marriage to Corwin Ulrich von Alstreim, with whom she had one daughter.

 

With the establishment of the Principality of Reinmar by Princes Alfred I and Leon II, they conferred the Barony of Brandthof upon Anselm, the son of the deceased Sir Leutwin Barclay. This decision marked the beginning of a new cadet branch of the House of Barclay.

 

 

THE FAMILY SCHWUR

A schwur is a powerful and binding oath; breaking it carries significant consequences. The family schwur is an important ritual marked by a shallow cut across the palm, followed by a handshake that connects the participants' blood and seals their commitment. This ritual is marked by the use of a blood dagger, which is passed among those involved. It typically takes place at a tree, which holds symbolic significance in the ceremony. 

 

BREWING

Alcohol has been made by the hands of Brandthof for years. The harvest begins when grains are selected from the crops. These grains are then milled into a coarse flour, mixed with water, and left to ferment in large barrels for several days. As fermentation occurs, the mixture is then distilled. The heat is maintained to keep the rich flavor, followed by a robust taste that improves as it ages. After the distillation, the ale is left to rest, allowing for more flavor. When completed, the flavor would be hearty and slightly sweet from the grain.

 

THE RITE OF THE BLADE

Each child of Brandthof will be honored with The Rite of the Blade during their tenth or eleventh winter, marking a significant and transformative milestone in their life. This ancestral ceremony is not only a tradition but also a vital step into personal responsibility. As part of the ritual, each child is given a dagger to assume their readiness and responsibility within the family.

 

The presentation of the dagger is typically conducted by an elder, such as a parent, grandparent, or the Patriarch. This elder usually delivers a short speech to the youth, sharing information about their lineage, the importance of the dagger, and the responsibilities that come with wielding it. 

 

 

BLADE OF FREIMARK

 

The hands of Ser Anselm von Brandthof, the great-great-grandson of Count Karl of Freimark, forged the Blade of Freimark. The blade itself bears the engravings, “Honour the family, Honour God, Honour Reinmar,” conveying the values of House Brandthof. It is a straightforward longsword, yet it still possesses a unique and humble characteristic. The sword itself is not typically used, but rather stored in the Brandthof archives.

 

LEUTWIN’S WARBOW

This relic, crafted by Leutwin Barclay and his elder brother Matthias during their childhood years, dates back to approximately 1923. The artifact itself is a smaller-sized bow, indicative of a child's craftsmanship. It features both brothers' initials, L.B. and M.B., carefully carved into the fine wood, adding a personal touch that stands as a testament to their bond as siblings over a century ago.

 

Leutwin and Matthias Barclay were often seen as inseparable during their childhood. As they grew older, they recognized that they had been each other's only friends for a time. Their brotherly bond exemplifies the core principles of the Tylosian Barclays, particularly the importance of loyalty.

 

REINMAREN SEAX

 

 

The Reinmaren have wielded a traditional weapon for centuries, characterized by a graceful single-edged blade crafted from exquisite steel and elegantly framed by fine, dark wood. Running along the central fuller is a sophisticated design that adds an artistic touch to its utilitarian purpose. The hilt is fashioned from gleaming bronze, making it not only a tool of battle but also a symbol of the Reinmaren's rich heritage. 
 

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WER RASTET DER ROSTET

 

HIS LORDSHIP, LAMBERT, Baron of Brandthof

HIS LORDSHIP, LUDOLF, Heir to Brandthof

 

[PolarLoLs 995]

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