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History
Formerly the Dukes of Seaguard with the motto of 'Power and Pride' the Farrants were all but wiped out by their Duchess Belladona Farrant of House l'Saigner at the start of the Thirty Years War and their lands passed to the Greycens. Some years later through the good graces of their kinswomen the Duchess of Normont they were granted a lordship in the north and changed their words to 'Yet We Stand'. The Farrants supported the Thorns in the Thorn Uprising and a number of their scions were killed or dispossessed as a result leaving the succession uncertain.
Overview
Province: Blackstone
Settlements: The walled township of Blackstone sits beneath House Farrant's castle. Largely undamaged in the defeat of Alphard Haldis and it's subsequent occupation it is still a thriving town and a source of much needed income to the house. Beyond the town the Province of Blackstone plays host to [mining camps? farming villages?]
Fortifications: Blackstone Castle is a relatively new castle built with the funds of House Farrant after it's near destruction in the Thirty Years War. The castle is larger than would be normal for a lordship and true to its name is made from stone of a blackish hue.
Terrain:
House Farrant had a number of knights in their service but they have either died fighting for Alphard Haldis or have gone into hiding after his defeat.
The military of House Farrant is severely depleted by the house's support of Alphard Haldis and stands at around 20% of it's full strength.
Troop Strength
10 Crossbowmen
10 Men-at-arms
20 Infantry
Currently Played Members
Eduard Farrant - Born 1841, noble bastard sired by Fernan Farrant (later found murdered in Normont 1841) and Patience Rosendal (nee Carling). Currently closest child to the mainline not disinherited by Trevor and Melissa’s treason.
Available Members
Hollis Farrant – Born 1824, first cousin of Lord Trevor Farrant. Married to Tamara Farrant (nee Godwin) and is currently under suspicion of taking part in the family’s treason as his wife’s family, the Godwins were also rebels in the Thorn Uprising.
The children of Hollis Farrant and Tamara Godwin – Two children born in 1847 and 1849 respectively.
Historical Members (not available for application)
Queen Taelyn Tracano (nee Farrant) – Queen of King Lucas Tracano, died by her own hand after the death of her children.
Duke Julian Farrant – 1788-1818. The Last Farrant Duke and husband of Belladona Farrant (nee l’Saigner) died in the poisoning perpetrated by his wife.
Duchess Belladona Farrant (nee l’Saigner) – 1791-1818. The duchess who poisoned most of the Farrant family (including herself) at the start of the Thirty Years War and caused the family’s fall from grace.
Peter Durante (nee Farrant) – 1795-1851 Former Royal Spymaster under Lucas Tracano. Died in 1851 in a faegate accident.
Duchess Rosamund Gerrell (nee Farrant)– 1796-1842. Former Duchess of Normont, grandmother of the Duke Symon. Was instrumental in getting the Farrants settled in Blackstone after their fall as Dukes of Seaguard.
Melinda Farrant – 1822-1852?. Captain of the Just Retribution lost in the Pirate Isles while seeking the Farrant family sword Seaspray. Aunt of Eduard Farrant
Aemer and Ricarda Abara/ - Bastards of Martston Farrant (d. 1818) and members of the Abara Syndicate family. Aemer died trying to kill Duke Arnaud l'Saigner in revenge for Belladona's poisoning of the Farrants. Ricarda survived and sired a number of children including the current head of House Abara.
Arman Farrant 1763- m. Alexandra Farrant (nee Voranta) 1766-1796, died in childbirth
- their children:
- Julian Farrant 1788-1818, died of poison m. Belladona Farrant (nee l’Saigner) 1791-1818, died poisoning the household
- Allard Farrant1893-1845, survived the poisoning, made first lord of Blackstone m. Aenor Farrant (nee Rosendal) 1896-1818, died of poison
- m. Aranna Farrant (nee Howlett) 1800-1828, died in childbirth
- their children:
- Trevor Farrant 1822-1865, killed attempting to kill Lucius Callidus in Venderos m. Melissa Farrant (nee Toraz) 1824, a fugitive from justice
- Adriana Gerrell (nee Farrant) 1825 m. Torman Gerrell (nee Farrant) 1823
- Marel Quilven (nee Farrant) 1827-1866, executed for treason after the Battle of Sunsreach. m. Lyra Quilven 1824-1855, dead of an illness
- Jorin Farrant 1828-1828, died shortly after birth
- Rosumund Gerrell (nee Farrant) 1796-1842, m. Tarman Gerrell 1795-1843, grandfather of the current Duke of Normont
m. Alloria Farrant (nee Greycen) 1778-1818, died of poison
- their children:
- Taelyn Tracano (nee Farrant) 1800-1850, Queen of Rivana from 1837-1850, died by suicide m. Lucas Tracano 1799-1853, King of Rivana from 1837-1853
- Warwick Tracano (nee Farrant) 1802-1840, survived the poisoning, died in the Thirty Years War, m. Brianne Tracano 1803-1840, died by suicide
- Adrienne Farrant 1802-1852, twin of Warwick, died at sea with her niece Kellin Tracano m. Francis Farrant (nee Chavez) 1802-1854, died in slaughter of House Chavez.
- their children:
- Fernan Farrant 1820-1841, found murdered in Normont
- his bastard by Patience Rosendal (nee Carling)
- Eduard Farrant 1841 - Raised to head of house following the Battle of Sunsreach.
- Melinda Farrant 1822-18??, vanished while seeking the sword Seaspray in the Pirate Isles
Leona Farrant 1765-1822 m. Jarmon Farrant (nee Durante) 1771-1832
- their children:
- Daven t’Corbeau (nee Farrant) 1793-?? m. Myra t’Corbeau 1785-??
- Alys l’Faust (nee Farrant) 1796-1849 m. Reinhardt l’Faust 1787-1833
- Myles Farrant 1799-1863, died of an illness m. Elise Farrant (nee Santori) 1800-1818, died by poison
- m. Gisella Farrant(nee Harwich) 1804-1863, died of an illness
- their children:
- Hollis Farrant 1824, currently tainted by his wife’s treason m. Tamara Farrant (nee Godwin) 1828, joined the Thorn Uprising, missing since 1866
- their children:
- Unnamed Farrant 1850
- Unnamed Farrant 1853
- Unnamed Farrant 1857
- Unnamed Farrant 1860
- Zephram Farrant 1828-1863, one of Anton's Lancers, died defending Anton.
- Darla Brega (nee Farrant) 1833 m. Almard Brega 1834
- Michael Marwyn (nee Farrant) 1803-1853 m. Margaret Marwyn 1803-1853
Marston Farrant 1770-1818, died by poison
- bastards by Rosita Abara
- Aemer Abara 1893-1820, died in an attempt on the life of Arnaud l’Saigner
- Ricarda Abara 1797-1862, many common born children, died of old age
m. Alara Farrant (nee Reuel) 1772-1824
- their children :
- Peter Durante (nee Farrant) 1795-1851, former royal spymaster, vanished in a faegate accident m. Moira Durante 1802
- Rosalin Carling (nee Farrant) 1798-1860 m. Kristof Carling 1800-1856, died in a fall from a horse
Personality Quirks:
Skill Quirks:
Social Quirks:
Culture
Religion: More open minded in the past since coming to Normont the Farrant have become nominally devoted to the One Faith. Though they have yet to adopt the same stringent belief system as their neighbors.
Nobles: The surviving members of House Farrant is such a small group there is not so much a house culture as there are just simply members and their personalities. This has been exacerbated by the fact that those who have survived have grown up separately. However by in large the remaining members of House Farrant still hold to southern attitudes about women, religion, art and fashion and still hold on to the memory of their house's former greatness. As such knighthood is common in their house and men and women are in general raised to be able to inherit.
Inheritance: Succession in House Farrant passes to the eldest son out of respect for the customs of Normont. However that limit has less weight now that the house's succession is so uncertain.
Commoners: The commoners of Blackstone have more or less gotten used to their 'foreign lords' and their strange ideas though for the most part they hold to the conservative values of the rest of Normont. What they are less understanding about is the treachery that brought the Thorn Insurgency to their doorstep.
Former Rebels: The former head of House Farrant and several of his kinsmen were secret Thorns who rebelled against the Queen and were defeated. Now the house is watched closely by the Queen as well as their Duke for signs they may rebel again.
1815
- House Garlan of Black Hills dies out through a combination of illness and ill-fortune.
1818
- Janvier - The Beginning of the Thirty Years War between Rivana and Couviere. The houses of Normont enter a war footing and begin securing the passes between the two kingdoms. Jonathan Gerrell is killed in one of these battles in 1834.
- Marse - Duchess Belladonna Farrant (nee l'Saiger) poisons her house at the outset of the war in what is called the "Battle Without Blades." Many critical members die and house is reduced from Ducal status.
- Avril - Duchess Rosamund Gerrell (nee Farrant) convinces Duke Tarman to let the Farrant settle in Normont and take over the lands of the Garlan. The move is controversial and many resent the presence of the 'Goddless Southerners'. Despite this Lord Allard Farrant marries a woman of House Howlett to secure his family's place in Normont.
1818-1838
- Normont becomes the major staging area and fall-back point for troops entering Carsonne and several clashes are fought on the eastern border with Ostvor around Rickard's Hold. The Farrant are cautious though these early engagements as not to lose more men to the enemy.
1840
- Marse - Octobre - Bryars March: Archduke Bryar Haldis leads a chevauchée campaign through Ostvor and Murnord. The assault is launched from Rikart's Hold and supported by Normont infantry. The ducal heir Raldon Gerrell leads the Normont troops but is slain late in the campaign at the second battle of Hartswood. His death makes his younger sister Alyanna Gerrell the heir to Normont, she is withdrawn from her religious tutoring and brought home to Falconhome to be prepared for the role. Her father Tarman also withdraws from the fighting to ensure his own safety until he can be sure his daughter is ready to rule. House Farrant for their part supports the future duchess seeing no stigma in a woman ruling.
1841
- Patience Carling bears the bastard son of Fernan Farrant. The child is recognized by his father and given to the Farrant to care for while Patience is hastily married to a southern house. Shortly afterwards Fernan is found murdered and while culprits were caught the Farrants accuse the Carlings of the deed.
1842
- Alout - Tarman becomes ill and Alyanna is hastily wed to Ranulf Carling, a veteran of the campaigns in Carsonne and Bryar's March. With one of the Carlings now Duke, the Farrant drop their accusations against the house.
1843
- Janvier - Duke Tarman Gerrell dies and Alyanna becomes duchess of Normont.
1844
- Juliet - Carsonne is freed from Rivanan control and becomes the city-state of Pacitta. Normont loses it's captured territories but receives financial compensation for it however most feel slighted by the 'theft'.
1845
- Marse - Lord Allard Farrant dies in a border skirmish. His son Trevor takes over as lord.
1851
- End of the Thirty Years War. Trevor Farrant becomes embroiled in court politics and favors the faction built up around Lord Anton Tracano, the Lord Marshall of Rivana.
1853
- Julliet - The Succession War begins with Anton Tracano fighting Arturo Tracano for Rivana's throne. Normont closes its borders to both sides and declares its neutrality. They later form an alliance with the Durante of Sunsreach who have declared the capital neutral as well. The Duke and Duchess stop Lord Trevor for declaring himself for the Thorns and enforces their neutral stance.
1853-1863
The Succession War: Normont holds to its neutrality beating back raids from both sides of the war while at the same time strengthening their ties to Couviere through diplomacy. House Farrant toes the line publicly but privately supports the Thorn with supplies and information.
1864
Alyanna and Ranulf Gerrell change their stance and working through Trevor Farrant reaches out to the remaining Thorns to help them begin a second insurrection. They in turn put Trevor in touch with Cardinal Ramius who helps him formulate a plan to take control of the Syndicate.
1865
- Mai - Thorn Loyalist seize Vorhold in Normont. Trevor's wife, Melissa is implicated in the attack and is forced to go into hiding.
- Juliet - Lord Trevor attempts to kill Prince Lucius Callidus as part of the plan to take over the Syndicates. He is killed in the fighting. The Gerrells seize the lands of House Farrant and put their people in charge of the lordship. The members of the house either flee or are given shelter by the Gerrells.
- Juliet - Decembre - The Duke and Duchess allow Alphard Haldis and the Grey Company to use Black Hills as a staging point for Alphard's attacks on Eastfield.
1866
- Janvier - The Battle of Blackstone: The Loyalist forces under Jaren Cassomir, Thaddeus Greycen and Darren Haldis battle Alphard Haldis beneath the walls of the House Farrant's castle, Blackstone. The loyalist are victorious, but the battle does considerable damage to the lands around the castle.
- Fevrier - Duchess Alyanna and Duke Ranulf, who have seized Sunsreach are defeated and their eldest son Symon becomes Duke of Normont.
- Avril - Given the choice between Hollis Farrant, who's particpation in the Thorn plots is uncertain and Eduard Farrant a bastard, Symon selects Eduard as the next lord of Black Hills and petitions the Queen for his legitimization.