Name: House Montmier
Leader of the House: Duke Charles Montmier
Heir: Wolfgang Montmier
Liege: House Rivers
Founding: First Bellringer Crusade by Hector Valen
Banner Houses = House Bennet & House Upperton
Minor Houses = House Tsalan, House Nyirborg, House Bouvy, House Arstarcsalia, & House Braiserbruck
Cities of the Domain
- Mullrose
- Waregem
- Valhurst
- Wickham
¶ History:
¶ Origins
The origins of House Montimer remain veiled in mystery beyond the borders of their noble domain. The progenitor of this esteemed house, Sir Hector Valen, emerged as a figure of righteousness and virtue in the annals of Tortuevo, a town nestled within the Holy State of Fygor. As a second son of a noble lineage, Sir Valen dedicated his entire life to championing the causes aligned with the heavenly stars.
The pivotal moment in the history of House Montimer unfolded with the exile of the Bellringers, a community to which Sir Valen felt an unbreakable kinship. His fervent belief that every star is an integral part of the cosmic whole led him to vocalize his dissent in local taverns, posing thought-provoking questions such as "a hand is always part of an arm, how can one star be exiled from the sky?" Driven by a deep sense of justice and compassion, Sir Valen began rallying support and recruiting like-minded individuals to advocate for the return of the Bellringers.
The rising tide of public support eventually led Sir Valen to the council, where he anticipated a debate to present his case. However, to his dismay, the council had different plans. Instead of a fair discussion, Sir Valen found himself subjected to a brutal execution. Dragged to the summit of a mountain, he was burned at the stake in his noble armor, a sacrificial offering for his unwavering ideals.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, Sir Valen's squire, Kenith, seized the charred helm as a poignant relic. Adopting the name Montimer in honor of their fallen leader and taking the charred helmet as their emblem, Kenith and the supporters of Sir Valen feared a civil war with the council. Opting for a different path, they set sail across the vast ocean, seeking the exiled Bellringers. However, a hurricane altered their course, guiding them to the southern reaches of the Mikado.
Constantly in search of safe land, the followers of Sir Valen eventually landed in Puszeg. Their quest for a new home led them to mount an audacious assault on a local Esten city. After a successful occupation, they christened their newfound capital in homage to their revered founder. Thus, Valherst, a city founded on the ideals of justice and equality, became the enduring legacy of House Montimer.
¶ The Bellringer Crusade
The clashes with the Esten Kings were marked by a distinct honor and respect that set them apart from the brutal conflicts in the west. Unlike the ambushes and massacres prevalent in other regions, the southeastern battles were noble affairs, featuring large groups of mounted knights engaging in epic confrontations on sprawling battlefields. Sometimes, the fate of a contested domain hung on the outcome of a single, grandiose duel between champions.
This era of dignified warfare, however, couldn't withstand the tide of change. As the armies of Ethan Sedi advanced, pushing the Esten Kings from vast territories, the nature of warfare shifted dramatically. The once-chivalrous clashes gave way to a more insidious form of combat, marked by assassins and water magics that put House Montimer on the defensive.
Amidst this upheaval, a pivotal moment unfolded when Ethan Sedi and the Bellringer host arrived at Vallherst. Long-lost brothers, separated by conflict and divergent allegiances, found themselves at a crossroads. As priests intermingled and discussions unfolded, Ethan pitched a compelling proposition—House Montimer was urged to lend its support to the Bellringer armies in the final push against the remaining Esten King strongholds.
Debates reverberated within the halls of House Montimer, echoing the internal struggle between tradition and the yearning for reunification with their faith. Despite the deliberations, the prevailing sentiment among the people of House Montimer was one of excitement and anticipation. The prospect of standing alongside those who shared their religious convictions was a beacon of hope and unity. In the fervor of the moment, House Montimer chose to bend the knee and align their forces with the Bellringer armies, paving the way for a new chapter in their history.
¶ A Drop of Ink and a Schism Unveiled
With the ascension of the Ashen Order of Knights, House Montimer anticipated substantial land grants. Their support had been pivotal in securing Ethan Sedi's Imperial Crown, and the expectation of recompense was only natural. However, the intricate web of politics and manipulations thwarted their hopes. Despite their pivotal role, House Montimer found themselves denied the anticipated rewards, a bitter pill to swallow after their unwavering allegiance.
The treaty negotiations, necessary to appease the Saltblood fleets and secure the domains of House Talmart, left House Montimer with meager gains. It became evident that the intricate dance of politics had favored other houses—newly minted House Almern and House Talmart—over the stalwart Montimer. However, House Montimer, being staunch Bellringers, remained resolute. The Empire recognized that, unlike the potential turncoats, House Montimer would stand firm.
In adherence to their oaths and honor, House Montimer maintained a stoic silence during the Treaty at Handfasted. Yet, this seemingly passive act became the catalyst for a schism that would fracture the house into divergent paths. Returning to their castles, the lords and ladies of House Montimer scrutinized the treaty repeatedly. In a moment of profound symbolism, Ethan Sedi, the architect of the Bellringer Empire, had written the treaty in red ink made from rusted iron.
As the treaty outlined the gains allotted to each house, a notable pause occurred before House Montimer's section. In that pregnant silence, a drop of red ink fell from the quill, leaving a conspicuous spot on the document. This unintended stain became emblematic of House Montimer's neglected honor and denied recompense. It was a moment of realization—their loyalty had been overlooked, their sacrifices dismissed.
Fueled by a profound sense of betrayal, House Montimer vowed that such oversight would never recur. They swore never to enter into pacts with unknown forces, never to accept vague promises. The red spot on the treaty became a lasting symbol of their defiance and a solemn reminder of the consequences of misplaced trust. From that moment, House Montimer embarked on a divergent path, torn between the loyalty to their faith and the quest for autonomy and recognition. The schism, born from a single drop of ink, would shape the destiny of House Montimer for generations to come.
¶ The Red Spot's Ascendance: A Web of Deceit and Dynasty
As the "Red Spot" solidified into an organization, it seamlessly integrated itself into the corridors of power within House Montimer. Assuming roles as advisors and seneschals at various echelons of authority, they undertook the clandestine tasks that the Ashen Order, steeped in tradition and honor, could not execute. Sacrificing their own honor for the greater good of the state, the members of the Red Spot became the unseen architects of House Montimer's political landscape.
Far from hypocrites, the Red Spot's influence yielded rewards commensurate with their actions. Many minor houses owed their rise to the machinations and guidance of the Red Spot, eclipsing the traditional knightly orders that had once dominated before the Bellringer Crusades. This symbiotic relationship thrived for nearly four centuries, with the Red Spot's shadowy influence becoming an integral part of Montimer's governance.
However, the equilibrium was disrupted with the current Duke Charles of Montimer and his wife, Sara Rhienhart-Montimer, facing the cruel irony of infertility. As years passed without an heir, the schemers of the realm eyed the power vacuum created by the lack of a direct successor. Sensing the imminent threat, the Red Spot stepped into the fray, leveraging their intelligence network to ensure the continuation of their influence.
Count Emmerich of House Bennet, a high-ranking member of the Red Spot, orchestrated a cunning move. He placed his niece, Lucy, at court, strategically positioning her to captivate Duke Charles. Exploiting the vulnerabilities in the Duke's personal life, the Red Spot aimed to secure their foothold on power. Sara, perceptive to the looming threat, confronted Charles. The Duke, under the orchestrated influence of the Red Spot, handed her a divorce decree on the spot.
Exiled to the northern realms, Sara's departure paved the way for Charles and Lucy to wed swiftly. In due course, they bore three children. What began with the pause of a quill had culminated in the rewriting of Montimer's destiny. The Red Spot, with its intricate web of manipulation and influence, had maneuvered to wield total power within the domain, a testament to the enduring impact of a single drop of red ink on a historic treaty.
- Motto =''Iron Knives, Iron Will''
- Military Units =
- 14th Hussars (Cavalry/Veteran)
- Silver Bells (Personal Guard/Elite)
- Diplomats
- Lion Möller (Almirn)
- Alexander Dietrich (Bellkind)
- Josh Meier (Covinggard)
- Eugen Wolf (Graisti)
- Taunya Bennet (Pearstone)
- Jasper Becker (Rivers)
- Rhys Bennet (Silverridge)
- Felix Meier (Talmert)
- Christopher Möller (Whitestar)
- Defense =
- Influence= 35
- Lands= 39
- Law= 21
- Population= 21
- Power= 53
- Red Spot (Spy Network)
- Wealth= 35