Post by Sire Halfblack on May 22, 2011 15:25:11 GMT
Head: Earl Troy Majius, aka King Troy The Faceless
Power Base: Political
Heraldry: An ornate black M on a silver background with a dragon entwined around it (traditionally the dragon is a black dragon but in recent years younger house members have preferred other colours).
Halls Affiliation: Hall of Scrolls
“Personally I've never had a problem with Troy and I suspect he may be misunderstood, having said that he didnt send me a wedding present. Mind you he does have Anath as an Advisor which is suspicious all by itself"
History
The House of Majius has existed in one form or another for many, many years. Its history, though mostly destroyed in written form at Emperor Amora’s' request as part of the Night of Levity, still remains in part in the lore of their council. House Legend has it that the first Majius was a mage of darkness a thousand years ago who led a host of wizards in repelling an ancient evil that threatened the borders of Primus. He was granted the hand in marriage of the then Emperor’s second daughter, and the Majius line was forged in royal blood.
They were always a small house in the grand scheme of things, preferring the life of Deci’s streets to the royal court. Only under Dalron's brief tenure at head of the council did they rise to prominence as the most powerful noble house of the Empire. Many of the family and their loyal stalwarts are servants of the dark queen, including several companies of troops made purely of loyal dark Elves and Drowe. Many others, however, reflect the rest of the populace in following and belief, including a thriving community of Shaehan priests administering to the poor and needy, several goodly churches on the lands (built at Dalron's behest!), and thousands of peons, farmers, and the like who benefit from the Houses' patronage.
However the House suffered by Dalron’s decision that the Empire and Primus was threatened by having an all but dead man upon the Throne of Glass. He claimed that the Emperor’s slowly decaying body, due to its link with the Nagrech was sending sympathetic ripples of decay outwards across Primus and to the Exostance beyond. Approaching the Throne, as was his right as then Chancellor or the Empire, he took matters into his own hand and attacked the Emperor as he sat helpless on the throne finishing what Baron Roxbridge had failed in with his own attempt just prior to the High Final Dawn.
Whilst there were several who shared Dalron’s concerns, not least the Lord Inquisitor at the time and certain high ranking members of the Inquisition, all were shocked at Dalron’s unilateral decision and action that threw the Empire into confusion. Dalron was declared Wolfshead but vanished and to this day has not been caught. House Stoneheart and House De’Ville swore that they would have vengeance on House Majius for this and that they would crush them. However Dalron had planned well and made sure that his House could not be implicated in his personal action. The Convocation of Nobility accepted this, no doubt a result of some intervention by the strangely influential amassed Deci Houses of Nobility and House Majius escaped being disbanded or declared outlaw.
Earl Majius
It is at this juncture, with such a near catastrophic loss of prestige and a similar gain in infamy, that Troy Majius came to power as Lord of House in IM 2002. In Orgrus IM 1003 he took over from Count Fade Raban as Mennihaft of Deci, having fulfilled the traditional apprenticeship for membership of the Deci Council of a year on the streets of Cheapside as a Watch Sergeant. As Mennihaft he worked quietly and subtly in a post that was somewhat neglected in all the other cities of the Empire bar Eartholme in this early part of the first decade of the Third Age. It is often overlooked at quite how effective Earl Majius was in these efforts. He was able to greatly expand the influence of Deci’s Nobility throughout the Empire and even persuaded the Lords of several Houses to once more take up their interests in Deci.
Another oft forgotten fact is that during the events of The Choice, he like many other Nobles of the Blood, answered the call of House Stoneheart and lent his strength to the Empress as she re-wove Primus anew.
At the Final Dawn of IM 1006 Earl Majius was wed to Lady Berina Hadensford, whilst unsurprisingly an astute political marriage scandalous rumour has suggested that it is also one of love.
He replaced Jander as Governor of Deci in Novea IM 1004 which he remained until removed from the post by Chancellor White in Aiprus IM 1007 although over the Final Dawn of IM 1006 he had become King of Deci and the title of Governor was but a mere Imperial affectation in the eyes of the people of Deci, being little more than a ceremonial role beneath The King. The mystic nature of how he became King is still unclear but good money could be placed on the manipulation of others, prime suspects therefore being Master Halfblack but more likely Ulis Tamary.
It was upon the very day in Juon IM 1007 that Duke Stoneheart entered the city with a held of Senatorial guard and marked the start of his two month tenure as Governor of Deci that the Werewolves of Deci attacked the city. It was soon revealed that this attack was aimed specifically at the Deci Nobility and the wolves succeeded in killing the House Lords of Claugh, Gelmanslew, Hail and Rath. Interestingly one consequence of this tragedy was that Troy’s position as leader of the Deci Nobility was strengthened for with the deaths of the last few Lords who might regard themselves as older, wiser and his betters there remained none amongst the Deci Nobility who would now gainsay his word or challenge his authority as King.
Deci
Even now, for those who do not dwell in nor have day to day dealings with the common people, the rule of King Troy The Faceless is often beyond comprehension. He is beloved, hated and feared by his people in equal measure and they are loyal to him and him alone. The Great Noble Houses of Deci are now little more than his personal vassals and none would dare to go against his word. The sovereignty and rule of House Majius is uncontested and for those who would even think such there is of course The Lord Sleek…
Talath, The Lord Sleek, The Baron Throttle
Talath, the King’s younger brother, is a power to be feared of his own. Head of the Deci Hunt and Lord of The Sleek, those who enforce the will of the Deci council it is said that nothing happens in Deci of import without The Sleek hearing.
Other Notables of House Majius
House Majius is vast, perhaps though hardly surprising as for whatever reason vitae has always been very strong in Deci. It is only with the birth of the Third Age that Deci has begun to lose ground as being the birthplace of the largest share of the Mercenary Caste and House Majius is no less blessed, or cursed, depending on your viewpoint, with a great many vitae rich Blood members. It is perhaps only House De’Ville that can boast similar numbers. The House is a very political one and boasts a number of notable scions across the Empire, however, with the possible exception of his brother Talath, all of these have worked hard to distance themselves from the house of origin both geographically and metaphorically, with many declining to use their house name but tending to go by title. Even in Deci, Talath is often thought of as Talath Sleek rather than Talath Majius. Some of the more prominent members of the House are:
Talath, The Lord Sleek, The Baron Throttle
As mentioned previously Talath, the King’s younger brother, is a power to be feared of his own. He is, somewhat interestingly, quite possibly held with greater respect than his infamous brother in The Convocation of Nobility in Halgar.
Count Isaac, The Baron of Scathe
Isaac is Mennihaft of The Rest and excels in Noble Politics. He has carved out quite a strong political position for himself in Halgar and of all the notables of House Majius is without doubt the most diplomatic and one of the most politically astute.
Lord Jeremiah, Baron of Weldon~on~Wretch
Jeremiah is Mennihaft of Scarlene and whilst not a very assuming Noble he is a good man of the people and well respected amongst the Mercenary Community, a marshall Priest of Light and he leads his people in defence of his lands at the southern tip of Scarlene.
Lord Loxley
Loxley is Mennihaft of Eartholme and Is something of a rake, fop and a joke amongst both House Majius and Mercenaries.
Adolomin, Marquis of Ivescardale
Like Lord Loxley, has lands in Eartholme and bears the most unusual title of Marquis, somewhat ironically given his lineage the duty of the Marquis is to defend Eartholme against attack and encroachment by its larger and darker neighbour of Deci.
The Majius Estates
Like all the Deci Houses House Majius makes colossal sums of money from their mines and with these resources has fuelled rapid expansion throughout the Empire. Whilst the ancestral estate of the Majius is in Deci, the House has extensive holdings that sweep great tracts across the Empire and the Earl never appears to be short of landed titles to be able to hand out as rewards to those of his extended family who earn his favour. He is, in actual fact, unusual with his generosity as a House Lord in freely bestowing his titles when most Nobles jealously hoard those titles they acquire only begrudgingly bestowing such to their kin.
Power Base: Political
Heraldry: An ornate black M on a silver background with a dragon entwined around it (traditionally the dragon is a black dragon but in recent years younger house members have preferred other colours).
Halls Affiliation: Hall of Scrolls
“Personally I've never had a problem with Troy and I suspect he may be misunderstood, having said that he didnt send me a wedding present. Mind you he does have Anath as an Advisor which is suspicious all by itself"
Count Drago, Governor of Keys
History
The House of Majius has existed in one form or another for many, many years. Its history, though mostly destroyed in written form at Emperor Amora’s' request as part of the Night of Levity, still remains in part in the lore of their council. House Legend has it that the first Majius was a mage of darkness a thousand years ago who led a host of wizards in repelling an ancient evil that threatened the borders of Primus. He was granted the hand in marriage of the then Emperor’s second daughter, and the Majius line was forged in royal blood.
They were always a small house in the grand scheme of things, preferring the life of Deci’s streets to the royal court. Only under Dalron's brief tenure at head of the council did they rise to prominence as the most powerful noble house of the Empire. Many of the family and their loyal stalwarts are servants of the dark queen, including several companies of troops made purely of loyal dark Elves and Drowe. Many others, however, reflect the rest of the populace in following and belief, including a thriving community of Shaehan priests administering to the poor and needy, several goodly churches on the lands (built at Dalron's behest!), and thousands of peons, farmers, and the like who benefit from the Houses' patronage.
However the House suffered by Dalron’s decision that the Empire and Primus was threatened by having an all but dead man upon the Throne of Glass. He claimed that the Emperor’s slowly decaying body, due to its link with the Nagrech was sending sympathetic ripples of decay outwards across Primus and to the Exostance beyond. Approaching the Throne, as was his right as then Chancellor or the Empire, he took matters into his own hand and attacked the Emperor as he sat helpless on the throne finishing what Baron Roxbridge had failed in with his own attempt just prior to the High Final Dawn.
Whilst there were several who shared Dalron’s concerns, not least the Lord Inquisitor at the time and certain high ranking members of the Inquisition, all were shocked at Dalron’s unilateral decision and action that threw the Empire into confusion. Dalron was declared Wolfshead but vanished and to this day has not been caught. House Stoneheart and House De’Ville swore that they would have vengeance on House Majius for this and that they would crush them. However Dalron had planned well and made sure that his House could not be implicated in his personal action. The Convocation of Nobility accepted this, no doubt a result of some intervention by the strangely influential amassed Deci Houses of Nobility and House Majius escaped being disbanded or declared outlaw.
Earl Majius
It is at this juncture, with such a near catastrophic loss of prestige and a similar gain in infamy, that Troy Majius came to power as Lord of House in IM 2002. In Orgrus IM 1003 he took over from Count Fade Raban as Mennihaft of Deci, having fulfilled the traditional apprenticeship for membership of the Deci Council of a year on the streets of Cheapside as a Watch Sergeant. As Mennihaft he worked quietly and subtly in a post that was somewhat neglected in all the other cities of the Empire bar Eartholme in this early part of the first decade of the Third Age. It is often overlooked at quite how effective Earl Majius was in these efforts. He was able to greatly expand the influence of Deci’s Nobility throughout the Empire and even persuaded the Lords of several Houses to once more take up their interests in Deci.
Another oft forgotten fact is that during the events of The Choice, he like many other Nobles of the Blood, answered the call of House Stoneheart and lent his strength to the Empress as she re-wove Primus anew.
At the Final Dawn of IM 1006 Earl Majius was wed to Lady Berina Hadensford, whilst unsurprisingly an astute political marriage scandalous rumour has suggested that it is also one of love.
He replaced Jander as Governor of Deci in Novea IM 1004 which he remained until removed from the post by Chancellor White in Aiprus IM 1007 although over the Final Dawn of IM 1006 he had become King of Deci and the title of Governor was but a mere Imperial affectation in the eyes of the people of Deci, being little more than a ceremonial role beneath The King. The mystic nature of how he became King is still unclear but good money could be placed on the manipulation of others, prime suspects therefore being Master Halfblack but more likely Ulis Tamary.
It was upon the very day in Juon IM 1007 that Duke Stoneheart entered the city with a held of Senatorial guard and marked the start of his two month tenure as Governor of Deci that the Werewolves of Deci attacked the city. It was soon revealed that this attack was aimed specifically at the Deci Nobility and the wolves succeeded in killing the House Lords of Claugh, Gelmanslew, Hail and Rath. Interestingly one consequence of this tragedy was that Troy’s position as leader of the Deci Nobility was strengthened for with the deaths of the last few Lords who might regard themselves as older, wiser and his betters there remained none amongst the Deci Nobility who would now gainsay his word or challenge his authority as King.
Deci
Even now, for those who do not dwell in nor have day to day dealings with the common people, the rule of King Troy The Faceless is often beyond comprehension. He is beloved, hated and feared by his people in equal measure and they are loyal to him and him alone. The Great Noble Houses of Deci are now little more than his personal vassals and none would dare to go against his word. The sovereignty and rule of House Majius is uncontested and for those who would even think such there is of course The Lord Sleek…
Talath, The Lord Sleek, The Baron Throttle
Talath, the King’s younger brother, is a power to be feared of his own. Head of the Deci Hunt and Lord of The Sleek, those who enforce the will of the Deci council it is said that nothing happens in Deci of import without The Sleek hearing.
Other Notables of House Majius
House Majius is vast, perhaps though hardly surprising as for whatever reason vitae has always been very strong in Deci. It is only with the birth of the Third Age that Deci has begun to lose ground as being the birthplace of the largest share of the Mercenary Caste and House Majius is no less blessed, or cursed, depending on your viewpoint, with a great many vitae rich Blood members. It is perhaps only House De’Ville that can boast similar numbers. The House is a very political one and boasts a number of notable scions across the Empire, however, with the possible exception of his brother Talath, all of these have worked hard to distance themselves from the house of origin both geographically and metaphorically, with many declining to use their house name but tending to go by title. Even in Deci, Talath is often thought of as Talath Sleek rather than Talath Majius. Some of the more prominent members of the House are:
Talath, The Lord Sleek, The Baron Throttle
As mentioned previously Talath, the King’s younger brother, is a power to be feared of his own. He is, somewhat interestingly, quite possibly held with greater respect than his infamous brother in The Convocation of Nobility in Halgar.
Count Isaac, The Baron of Scathe
Isaac is Mennihaft of The Rest and excels in Noble Politics. He has carved out quite a strong political position for himself in Halgar and of all the notables of House Majius is without doubt the most diplomatic and one of the most politically astute.
Lord Jeremiah, Baron of Weldon~on~Wretch
Jeremiah is Mennihaft of Scarlene and whilst not a very assuming Noble he is a good man of the people and well respected amongst the Mercenary Community, a marshall Priest of Light and he leads his people in defence of his lands at the southern tip of Scarlene.
Lord Loxley
Loxley is Mennihaft of Eartholme and Is something of a rake, fop and a joke amongst both House Majius and Mercenaries.
Adolomin, Marquis of Ivescardale
Like Lord Loxley, has lands in Eartholme and bears the most unusual title of Marquis, somewhat ironically given his lineage the duty of the Marquis is to defend Eartholme against attack and encroachment by its larger and darker neighbour of Deci.
The Majius Estates
Like all the Deci Houses House Majius makes colossal sums of money from their mines and with these resources has fuelled rapid expansion throughout the Empire. Whilst the ancestral estate of the Majius is in Deci, the House has extensive holdings that sweep great tracts across the Empire and the Earl never appears to be short of landed titles to be able to hand out as rewards to those of his extended family who earn his favour. He is, in actual fact, unusual with his generosity as a House Lord in freely bestowing his titles when most Nobles jealously hoard those titles they acquire only begrudgingly bestowing such to their kin.