House Ruthern

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKMTu1GDi_w

 

Savoyard cavalry cut down routing Courlanders at the Second Battle of the Rothswood.

C. 1612, Jakub MacDonough

 

7th of the Grand Harvest, 1612

 

Out on the snowy banks of Metterden, an army had gathered. Their camp was meager, with only a few tents sparsely inhabiting the frigid encampment.  Boots of assembled freemen trampled the snow as the forces assembled by the gates. Such a diverse force had surely not been seen since the fall of the Empire; the Church forces, the Knights of the Black Sepulchre, Lotharingian and Haensetian freemen, Courlandic defectors - chief among them the Errmark levy - and the Bastard’s cavalry; the steel of their blades wrought alight in the sun.

 

They could see the campfires of the “Great Coalition” in the distance, and they knew from the reports of their scouts that they were greatly outnumbered. But they did not fear, for the true GOD - the God of their forefathers - stood with them with a summoned fury greater than any storm of swords. The horns of war sounded through the camp as the men began to march. They advanced, firm and confident in their strength, onto the snowy bluffs outside the Rothswood. The rebels halted, and drew their line. A few men had been wary about marching to war, many remembering the losses of the Great Northern War and the Coalition War. However, as the Coalition pressed onwards and caught sight of the Courlandic forces, everyone was united for one purpose. Victory.

 

The silence of the day was broken swiftly as arrows cut through the air, turned aside by the sturdy shields of Rothswood, wielded defiantly by rebel men. As abruptly as the first volley, a second was fired, but not from the bows of the Coalition. The rebels fought back, steel showers being exchanged across the black sky of night. The Courlandic cavalry, impatient and restless, rode forward to lay more accurate fire and were staved off by the bravery of the shield wall. Rearing their horses and turning to run the cavalry were suddenly cut off; a single, brave soldier - Gareth Errmark - drove two suddenly from their saddles with his pike while all the men onlooked.

 

As the Courlandic cavalry fell from their saddles, hired Romstun mercenaries charged on the rebel left, aiming to assist the incapacitated cavalry. The Horde of Dunamis charged on the left to counter the Romstuns, successfully driving back and slaughtering the Courlandic incursion. As the Courlanders sought refuge within the Tosali manor, the rebel line wrapped around the left, charging straight into the mass of Courlanders. The tactic worked; hundreds of Courlandic men-at-arms and sergeants lay dead on the battlefield, with even little Matyas Vanir striking his axe into the head of the false queen Ericka Yar; Courlandic blood stained the dead grass of the Rothswood. Among them was Trevor the Orc, a notorious thief known for his heist of multiple carbarum plate armors, who had been slain by Ser Rodrigo Cortez.

 

As the snow and dust cleared from the havoc in the forest, an eerie silence filled the air. Men lay dead all throughout the woods, the Tosali manor alight with alchemist’s fire, the great war camp of the Coalition plundered and salvaged; on this day, the rebels had defied all odds and beaten the Staunton menace. Harren of Metterden, the valiant commander of the rebel forces threw up his axe, shouting into the air:

 

“Curonia Delenda Est!

COURLAND MUST BE DESTROYED!”

House Ruthern pledges all of its levies towards this just and noble cause, despite their ongoing conflict with the Kingdom of Courland. The Undead cannot be allowed to grow and expand in power, and therefore it is the duty of House Ruthern, as well as all other good people of Axios, to retake Bastion from these threats.

 

17th of Malin’s Welcome, 1612

 

House Ruthern did not want a war. The Kingdom of Lorraine did not want a war. The Church of the Canon did not want a war. The Houses Barcuh, Stafyr, Pasquier, Amador, Blackwood, Vyronov, Kovachev, and Tosali did not want a war; nor did the Courlandish houses Stafford and Emmark, both loyal to the Stauntons until the acts of evil and aggression became too much to bear.

 

Would that we could, we would gladly lower our swords at once and never raise them again in the name of peace. Tragically, Count Joren’s memory serves as proof that the Kingdom of Courland cannot be reasoned with diplomatically.

 

But as unlikely as it is to work given the Courlandic history of violently attacking anyone and anyone who comes to negotiate (see: Boris Ruthern, the Pontiff Owyn II, Adelwen and Joren, etc.), we still must make an attempt to avoid as much bloodshed as possible.

 

Therefore, we will relinquish the two Queens of Courland who have been held captive by the Dunamis mercenaries, unharmed and uninjured, who have been treated as prisoners of war, in exchange for the following:

 

• The Kingdom of Courland recognizing that Frederick Staunton-Baden was the first to draw a weapon at the Curonberg Massacre, NOT the men of Ruthern as the Kingdom of Courland has dishonestly claimed

• The Kingdom of Courland recognizing that the SOLE reason for this war occurring is the Courlandic aggression against House Ruthern.

• The Kingdom of Courland recognizing that, due to the Kingdom of Courland being the sole aggressor in this war, any and all vassals of the Kingdom of Courland are NOT obligated by their alliances to fight with the Kingdom of Courland.

• The Kingdom of Courland disavowing all support in equipment, minae, or troops from nonhuman nations.

• The Kingdom of Courland recognizing that there is not and has never been any implication or evidence of Imperialist ambitions by House Ruthern and their allies during the course of this war.

• The Kingdom of Courland issuing an official apology to House Ruthern and allies for lying about nonexistent Imperial ambitions

• The Kingdom of Courland issuing an apology to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan for openly lying to Regend Oyvind Frostbeard and Ambassador Wulfgar Grandaxe regarding said nonexistent Imperial ambitions

 

Should these terms be fulfilled, the two Queens shall be returned to the Kingdom of Courland that war may commence without the Kingdom of Courland attempting to lie and slander our house in an attempt to pull outer allies into an aggressive and imperialistic conquest imposed on an innocent people.

 

Our demands are just, fair, and simple. We do not ask for monetary reparations, nor do we seek execution of any of your people. We do not ask for your land to be ceded or even for your surrender.

 

No, our generous terms only require that the Kingdom of Courland put an immediate halt to the lies they have spread during this war, and end the foreign aid they are receiving due to these lies. It would be greatly disappointing for the Queens of Courland to hear that their husband and son and his court value their pride and allies bought with lies more than their mothers and wives.

 

We will hear your response by the next Saint’s day at the latest. Courlanda Delanda Est.

 

The Massacre at Aleksandria

 

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12th of the Grand Harvest, 1611. A date that by all accounts was meant to be one of resolution and cooperation, has been defiled by a heinous act of treachery and villainy. A slaughter that sent the Count of Metterden, a tender boy of eight and the statesman Adelwen Ruthern to the Skies.

 

The act in question was an odious plot orchestrated by the vile Duke of Akovia, Franz ‘The False’ Kovachev. Irked by the good will displayed by his neighbors in Metterden in securing the succession of the Istrian province, the young Duke petitioned the Crown in desperation.

 

The Court defied the peace that the Rutherns offered, they returned back Istria, which they rescued from the clutches of a usurper, and withdrew their banners. The Rutherns, in good faith, left their usual war-like mentality and sought to make peace with the Crown and keep their safety from the vile Archduke of Akovia.   

 

For refusing to pay a mere seven thousand minas, House Ruthern were labelled traitors to the Courlander realm. The Ruthern family and their retinue that attempted to flee from the Mad King of Courland were cut down throughout the halls of Curonberg, their blood seeping into the stonework of the defiled Castle.

 

Therefore, in response to these actions,

 

We, the men of House Ruthern, hereby declare open war against the Kingdom of Courland and will only have peace once our terms are met. House Ruthern shall reclaim the cultural lands of the Highlanders, the North shall be cleansed of all corruption sucking the life out of it. House Ruthern will eviscerate any and all false, and so-called claims to Northern ancestry from the puppeteered dogs claiming to be of Northern blood.

 

We will march on Courland and we will burn it to the ground. We will destroy anyone and everyone who stands by the snakes of green and black until our homes are safe and our Count is avenged. Joren Ruthern was eight years old when he was murdered. By bones and barrows, we will avenge him.

 

CURONIA DELENDA EST

 

 

5th of Malin’s Welcome, 1611

We, the men of Ruthern, have received  with the utmost sorrow a letter from Franz-Joseph, Archduke of Akovia, in which we were compared to barbarians and threatened with violence.

 

We, the men of Ruthern, are disgusted by the lies and slanderous rumors that are spread about the matter, most of which bear no hold in reality. Edward Roswell was not murdered, he was exiled and sent away on a carriage from Istria with orders not to return, after he surrendered to us and wrote the Act of Annexation of his own free will. His belongings also returned to his own person before departing. We do not know of his whereabouts but we assure the people of Axios that he was not executed.

 

We, the men of Ruthern, are completely baffled by the Royal Response to our Act. The Crown has compelled us to “cease hostilities against the Duchy of Akovia, and by extent, the Crown.” We are unsure of how to go about obeying the wish of our liege considering we have committed no aggressions against either the Archduchy or the Crown.

 

Any act of transgression were not done willingly, and our actions we rescind for. The Crown Law of Courland does not state that any of the actions taken were illegal, nor do any other precedents or books of law followed by the Kingdom of Courland.

 

We, the men of Ruthern, restate that our actions were not illegal in any way and request that the Crown expand on what compelled them to write so. The document was freely signed by the Count Edward, without duress.

 

     House Ruthern will relinquish all claims and holdings of the County of Istria, and call the Ruthern banners back to Metterden. The County of Istria, it’s holdings and people are for the judgement of the Crown to pass onto.

 

We hope to remind the Kingdom of Courland that we are it’s loyal vassal ever since we involved ourselves in the destruction of the Orenian Empire underneath Courland’s banners.

 

Signed,

His Right Honourable, Joren Ruthern, Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the Pass and Lord of Alrizcan

 

 

 

 

16th of Snow's Maiden, 1611

 

It is on the behalf of Count Conrad of Istria and the Kingdom of Courland, our and his rightful liege lords, that we, the House of Ruthern, have seized and and annexed the lands of Istria, to keep them away from the most vile usurper, Edward of Istria.

 

Edward of Istria was to rule in Count Conrad’s place with a Council of Regents until Count Conrad’s return. Instead of this, he usurped the lands for himself and declared himself to be Count. This vile action did not go unnoticed by the House of Ruthern, as it is both an attack and betrayal of the County of Istria and of the Kingdom of Courland.

 

With all of this in mind and the blessing of Count Conrad of Istria, we of House Ruthern, under the command of the young Count Joren of Metterden, travelled to Istria to meet with the usurper Count.

Upon meeting him, we demanded that he relinquish his usurped titles and surrender himself as a traitor to the Kingdom of Courland. He refused to do so, instead cursing us and the Kingdom of Courland, drawing weapons and attempting to take our lives.

 

We bested the usurper Count, and when he did surrender to us, he agreed to the following terms:

 

• Edward Roswell immediately forfeits any and all claims to the County of Istria, and the title “Count of Istria,” forevermore.

• House Ruthern shall act as the Counts of Istria until a successor for Count Conrad, or Count Conrad himself, returns.

• During this interrum period, martial law shall be enacted on the County of Istria. In the name of keeping the peace and stopping rebel factions possibly supported by Edward the Usurper, Joren’s Host shall have free reign to act as the ultimate authority of the County until the interrum period is over.

 

Signed,

Joren Ruthern, Count of Metterden and Istria, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the Pass, and Lord of Alriczan

 

Edward Roswell

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrbaPi5J0Eg

[!] Generic flyers are found at random throughout the lands of Mankind, the parchment looks presentable, but truly nothing else stands out.

 

“Your kind spread disease, defeatism, and desertion.”

-A Ruthern Bannerman to a Marked Man as he holds the passageway into the North.

Joren’s Host is the temporary military force of House Ruthern whilst it reforms itself and asserts its influence in the North once more.

Situated within the County of Metterden, high above the clouds on the mountains of the Greyspine range, these bannermen of the young Count Joren Ruthern are expected to serve with the utmost zeal and diligence. They are to be capable to understand orders and follow them precisely.

All Ruthern troops are expected to follow the basic chain of command and to be wearing their uniform while on duty which shall be distributed to upon swearing the oath and enlisting.

 

There is only one tenant of the Host: to obey every word given by their commanders. All sexes, religions, races, and ages are accepted in the Host--the only thing that matters is devotion and ability. Competency shall be beaten into recruits if they lack it.

Officers are expected to be actively leading their troops and giving them tasks, if your superior is failing to attend to his duty, report your complaint to the highest command.

 

Pay is one-hundred minas every last day of the week, failure to attend pay distribution will result in not receiving your salary.

 

It’s your loss if you don't enlist, we’ve got it all, active commanders, pay, stupidity,  gear distribution, and housing, all for the price of serving House Ruthern, what else could you need?

 

Map pointing the way to Castle Alriczan:

x: 396 z: -1655

Located on the Isle of Tahn.

Castle Alriczan in all its glory.

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“Come join Joren’s Host my dear boy! We’ll give you purpose in this tumultuous world.”

-A Ruthern Sergeant persuading the naive into enlisting into the Ruthern Armed Forces.

 

Commanders:

Count Joren of Metterden

Vladrick Ruthern

Nikolai Rykov

Adelwen Petrovic

Application:

 

OOC

MC Name:

Skype[Group Chat Notifications, if you're already added, good]:

Do you have Teamspeak?[microphone not required] (y/n):

 

RP

Name:

Race:

Age:

Religion:

How much are Ruthern Bannermen payed a week?:

I, _______ do hereby swear that my life is pledged to those of House Ruthern, till my oath released, or death taketh me, I shall serve the Lords and Ladies of House Ruthern with my utmost capabilities. I will hold true and steadfast amongst my comrades, to protect the honor of my Liege and myself, I pledge. God Save my soul if I break my oath.

If the applicant is found to have written themselves a fake identity in the application, they shall be barred from House Ruthern.

 

(Contact either of the following to meet up in-game for roleplay initiation into House Ruthern forces or about anything else regarding Joren's Host: Isbadguy, Tibertastic, Seannie, Ruthern. We hope to have you around.)

Reserved

 

 

 

House Ruthern

 

 

House Ruthern is an ancient Raevir noble House, tracing its line back to the days of the Crowsmarch, when it was established by Ruther Barrow. In the modern day, the House lives in the isolated mountains of the Greyspine. Little is known of what goes on in the snowy peaks of Metterden, but the area is known to be rife with danger, from bandits, snowstorms, and even more sinister forces. The County has a reputation for unsavory characters, war refugees, mercenaries, bandits, and assassins, as well as mysterious rumors of twisting passageways dug into the mountains, inhabited by strange beings.

 

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 Kingdom of Courland and House Staunton, and are direct vassals of the Crown.

 

House Holdings:

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County of Metterden: The area consisting of the mountain pass through the Greyspine, connecting the the Heartlands of Tahn with the snowy north, is the modern seat of House Ruthern and is the primary defense of the North. It encompasses the entirety of the mountain ridge, consisting of several erected towers and crude fortifications.

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Barony of Rostig: The township and heart of the county of Metterden, it was built up by Ruthern kinsman, Josef Marbrand, and later recognised as a noble fiefdom. After a succession crisis concerning the deceased daughter of Baron Josef, the Barony was annexed by House Ruthern and placed under direct control. The town was torn down, and now it’s now nothing more than empty land.

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Alriczan Castle: Alriczan Castle is the seat of the Count of Metterden, and the only major landmark of the County. It is widely regarded as one of the most secure castles in the realm, and lies directly on top of the Greyspine mountains. The castle features a smaller fort along the mountain pass between Tahn proper and the North, it is the bastion that guards the North and the source in which many trade passes through.

 

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[Former]Kingdom of Galahar (Crimson Isles), Anthos: A result of the collapse of the Orenian Empire, it was a briefly lived nation led firstly by the remnants of House Blackmont after the Exodus of most of Humanities leaders during the Anthos Era. Control of the island-state was given to Ivan Ruthern after short period, but after coming in contact with Siegmund Carrion, a distant relative of his, a pact was forged and the lands fell under the Kingdom of Ruska. Titles abolished and lost during the Flight of Anthos.

 

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[Former]The Dreadfort, Anthos: The famed Castle of House Blackmont, untold amount of tragedies occurred within the halls of this distinguished structure; From the defense against the Teutonic Order, the attempted coup d'etat resulting in a massacre, and the restoration of the Castle after Undead forces occupied it. It was passed on to Ivan Ruthern for maintenance after his Liege Lord took most of his retinue and departed from the shores of Anthos. Titles abolished and lost during the Flight of Anthos.

 

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[Former]County of Cavan, Anthos: A plot of land gifted to Ailred Ruthern by Heinrik Carrion on the outskirts of Abresi. It served to House the Noble Order of the Decturem for decades under Ailred’s meticulous rule. Titles abolished and lost during the Flight of Anthos.

 

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[Former]Barony of Hammerspoint, Anthos: Serving as the title for all land surrounding the Dreadfort alongside the sea, the Barony was found eastward of the Imperial Capital of Abresi. It was a major point of trade between the Crimson Isles and further inland settlements of the Orenian Empire. Titles abolished and lost during the Flight of Anthos.

 

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[Former]Barony of Saltridge, Anthos: A small island near the Barony of Hammerspoint, Saltridge was a military watchtower rather than a trading hub. It was barren and rocky, but an ideal place to watch for approaching ships and guard the commerce of Hammerspoint. Titles abolished and lost during the Flight of Anthos.

 

 

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[Former]Regency of the Province Erochland, Vailor: House Ruthern acted as the rulers of Erochland temporarily, they serve as Regents for House Barbanov, enacting their law and order upon the land. The swamp region would eventually be lost to the plague that took the Isles of Vailor, causing inhabitants to flee to Axios. Lost within Vailor. Titles Abolished.

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A Ruthern settlement during the age of the Carrions of Crowsmarch.

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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 Mayakovsky 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 II 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.

 

[Incumbent]Count Joren Ruthern

Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Protector of the Pass, and Lord of Alriczan.

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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 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.

 

Ruthern soldiers marching through the thick woodlands of Erochland, heading south toward the Dreadlands.

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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.

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Modern History:

Vailor-Present

In Vailor, the return of the House occurred due mostly to Alric Ruthern, a staunch supporter of Lord Petyr Barbanov. He enlisted in the Gold Corp, quickly rising to the position of Commander of the Southern Gold Corp, and even becoming the Regent of Erochland, a Province of the Imperium Tertius, ruled by House Barbanov. The House’s revival is often credited to him, though he focused his efforts on serving House Barbanov rather than bringing his own family back to relevancy. When Alric died, his will dictated that his brother, Maric, was to be inheriting the lands and titles accumulated to the Ruthern name.

 

Maric was a kind, but weak-willed and incapable leader. He lacked drive and strength, and House Ruthern remained in obscurity. Upon the destruction of Vailor and the arrival at Axios, Maric was given a suitable plot of land by King Petyr of Haense, to build the new homeland of the House on the Greyspine Mountains, the border between the Crownlands and the North. He gave birth to two sons, Dimitri and Godric Ruthern, as well as a bastard, Brandon. When Dmitri was fifteen, Maric abdicated to him.

 

Dmitri’s leadership was somewhat improved on Maric’s. With the aid of his brother, a mercantile mastermind, he acquired vast sums of money in his youth, and paid to rebuild the the mountain keep out of his own pockets. However, the sudden suicide of his wife sent him into a deep depression, and he neglected his duties and children, gambling his money away until he eventually committed suicide. His eldest son, Boris Ruthern, was the de facto patriarch at the time, despite only being a child. Boris was deeply mentally disturbed, growing up attended to only by servants, never knowing the love of his parents or family.

 

Boris was a vicious child, who enjoyed torturing animals and showed no affection towards anyone besides his siblings. He was twisted, and very ambitious. When he was 11 years old, he was abducted by a High Elf, taken prisoner by the Dwed in the Coalition War. He escaped with the aid of a Dwarven sympathizer, but this event forever shaped him as a person. He was even more mistrustful than before, never so much as venturing outside without at least one armed guard. He was incredibly hateful towards High Elves, and prone to violent fits of rage and madness.

 

Despite these faults, it was Count Boris who begun the true restoration of the house. During his reign of only a short few years, the levy numbers more than doubled, forming a small but skilled core of fighters. He was level-headed despite his occasional madness, and showed both tactical and diplomatic skills. His reign was marred by multiple incidents, due to his madness. He never took a wife, having fallen madly in love with a peasant woman named Annebelle Farsight, with whom he remained all his life. This caused a rift between him and the other noblemen, as did other acts of unnoble conduct.

 

He also had a small feud with a neighbor lord, Baron (and later Count) Owyn Amador. This was caused by the Baron’s distaste for his relationship with his wife, and ended when the Count tried (and failed) to have Lord Amador arrested and executed for treason.

 

Boris knew that his own children would not be able to inherit the County, and he was mistrustful of his two brothers ability to rule. Fortunately for him, his rule heralded the arrival of Arik the Black. Arik was from the line of Ailred Ruthern, thought to be lost since the days of Vailor. He was a pirate in the ways of his forefathers, and had returned to gain power beyond petty piracy. He met with his kin in Metterden and struck a deal with Count Boris--he would inherit the County, in exchange for devout loyalty to Boris as long as he lived. So the pirates of Arik, most notably his son Vladrick, begun to integrate with the rest of the County.

 

These plans fell through when war broke out between the Kingdoms of Courland and Haense. The catalyst of said conflict was Boris himself; Being dispatched to the Capital of Courland by King Marius of Haense as a diplomat bringing terms of peace, he was assassinated by Courland radicals under the supervision of Courland’s very own Prince, Frederic Staunton. After leading a daring rescue missio , Arik was gravely wounded in a skirmish against Courlandic forces, and his son Vladrick was forced to take over his levies in his stead.

 

Boris’ brother Victor, who had been in Aeldin on travel, returned as soon as he heard the news of his brothers death. But instead of returning to aid his grieving siblings, he had returned to usurp the County and take it as his own, claiming that he descended from the rightful rulers of House Ruthern, and thus pushing his claim. Victor was outraged when he learned of Arik’s Counthood, and turned his back on his family, swearing oaths of loyalty to Courland, in a bid for Metterden. This worked in favour for Victor, as Haense surrendered, the land was given over to him as part of the terms.

 

Victor found no love and no support among his subjects, and was widely reviled due to his inefficiency to govern and interact with his subjects. His only act as Count was to rule Arik’s line illegitimate and attempt to disown them from House Ruthern. This was regarded as foolish and ineffective, because with this edict, he had gain the animosity of the majority of his vassals, with whom the charismatic Arik and Vladrick were popular. Victor was seen as distanced from his people and uncaring, whereas Arik and Vladrick had gained the favor of the commonfolk during their brief tenure.

 

After only a few years reigning, Victor was assas

These lines of the page have been blacked out with ink. Clearly someone did not want what was written here to be seen.

Victor died suddenly and tragically of a heart condition. His son, Joren, took the title of Count and accepted Arik’s son Vladrick, and with him Vladrick’s pirates, back into the County. He reaffirmed his oaths to the Kingdom of Courland, and took Vladrick as his Regent.

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~

Family Members(Alive/Active):

 

Count Joren of Metterden, of Ivan’s blood.

(Tibertastic)

            

Vladrick Ruthern. Regent of Metterden, of Ailred’s blood.

(isbadguy)

 

Arik ‘the Black’ Ruthern, of Ailred’s blood.

(birdnerdy)

 

Adelwen Ruthern, of Ivan’s blood.

(seannie)

 

Adelheid-Isabella Barbanov, Queen-Consort of Hanseti-Ruska (neé Ruthern)

(Itlit)

 

Aleksandra Kovachev (neé Ruthern), of Ivan’s blood.

(TarreBear)

 

Tuvya Ruthern, of Ivan’s blood.

(Eandyil)

 

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House Relics:

Members of House Ruthern hold many objects that they have 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

Held by Count Joren of Metterden

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.

 

Ruther’s Hammer

Held by Arik the Black

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, where it remains.

 

 

Ivan’s Cross

Held by Count Joren of Metterden

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.

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Notable Events in Ruthern History:

Due to the nature of history, some of these dates are incorrect. Sentences underlined are links to posts.

 

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.

(1350- 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.

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Out of Character Information:

 

Hello all, we thank you for taking a peek at this. This post was created in mind to serve as documentation on the forum and to be informative to those who know little of House Ruthern. If there appears to be any discrepancies or false information, notify either of the following; seannie, ruthern.

 

House Ruthern was created in 2013 during the third main world map of Lotc, Anthos, by users, seannie22, and havenok/crackerjack. House Ruthern was meant to become a seafaring Raevir House, which it did not end up being, instead following the more traditional quasi-european style Houses at the time, which still remains to this day.
 

House Ruthern at the moment is currently closed to players wishing to play and will be like such for an indefinite amount of time. Nonetheless, the players of House Ruthern are always open to interaction, just contact one of our members if you wish to roleplay within our demesnes.

 

 

 

 

ps please pin this

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