The Great Noble Houses of Estragales.

An article presented by Professor Francis de Tabirin, Professor of History at the University of Torres Vedros and acknowledged expert in the field of Estragalian geneaology.

An Introduction.
Estragales has a long history of nobility and aristocracy and traditionally it has been divided into houses. Each house is very rarely a single bloodline, they are now more commonly a dynasty or an alliance of what once were smaller houses. However below these great shakers and movers of the nation are the minor nobility, significant power brokers in their own right but in the national scale small change. Each of these houses of course has a full and detailed history but for the purposes of this reference document I shall endeavour to detail only the broadest concepts.

Traditionally each house has been associated with one of Estragales Great cities - as each house has prospered so has the city and in turn as they have waned so their lands have suffered. For your personal perusal I have enclosed such a list so that you may know whose territories you trespass on when you travel to each place and what kind of greeting you may expect.

Cities and their associated houses.
Grotham - House Herrera
La Coruna - House Luna
Sanctuary - House Flores
Bajourne - House de Dreux
New Yeltum - House Malatesta
Gotia Village - House Vasquez
Uiga - House Gouffier
Torres Vedros - House Pena
Traun - House de Bourbon
Castille - House de Avalos
Madjazz - House Sforza
Siera Guadanarra - House Baglioni
Pinars - House de Foix
Setubai - House Daga
Badajoz - House Domecq
Luren - House Marisco

Silver Oak - Elven
Halls of the Mountain King - Dwarven

The detail of each of those regarded as major houses.
I have served the houses in alphabetical order for you so I give no bias to or against what you read and I also do not give any greater precedence to any one house - to do so would offend many others and it is not in my nature to require a number of armed men to beat down my door for some small literary mistake in a document that few except those so who need to will read..

I have taken care to provide key pieces of information about each including their coat of arms and the various poignant informations I have to hand, so on with the first then and you'll soon work out what have I done and how intended to present it.
 

	House de Avalos	Meaning: Wise Colours: Yellow, Black and White Symbols: Fish Traditional Home: Castille Motto: "Listen and Learn"
	The Avalos have always stood back and observed; they are the watchers amongst the houses. Where others have engaged in the bloody battles of politics and warfare the Avalos have always maintained a steady distance. For this reason Castille has often served as the Royal city in the past. House de Avalos is famed for their library and often serve as a point of reference to the other houses, especially on matters of legal precedence.
	House Baglioni	Meaning: Strength Colours: Green and white Symbols: Castle Traditional Home: Sierra Guadanarra Motto: "Without Fear"
	Another ancient house is House Baglioni, famed for it's phenomenal understanding of fortifications and siege warfare. Baglioni has defended the South East of Estragales from wave after wave of invasion maintaining a chain of castles, walls and other fortifications that holds the barbarianism at bay. This has always meant that Baglioni has a defensive attitude and stance - in fact many of the Houses find them close minded and difficult to communicate with. But they are utterly solid, dependable and reliable.
	House de Bourbon	Meaning: Wealth Colours: Blue, Red and Black Symbols: Three Coins Traditional Home: Traun Motto: "Healthy and Wealthy"
	De Bourbon's motto is a deliberate jibe against those who resisted their meteoric rise two hundred and forty years ago, roughly speaking. Having been a very successful merchant family many of the older houses still feel that they let themselves down by allowing the de Bourbon to join the exclusive club, so to speak, when they allowed the de Bourbon's to purchase their patents of nobility. Never afraid to show their wealth, the House has been careful not to flaunt it too, knowing that money can buy many things, but not true nobility. They are however noted for the extensive alms they grant and for the provision of welfare to their poorest peoples through a system of workhouses, noted by some as an advance that all the nobility should make.
	House Daga	Meaning: Dagger Colours: Black, Red and White Symbol: Dagger/sword Traditional Home: Setubai Motto: "By the Sword"
	Until recently House Daga was pre-eminent amongst those at the court. They drip eloquence, manners, diplomacy and hospitality but these are merely the tools they manipulate others with. Information is the key to their game. Honour is less important that winning and a win must be done in style. There is no skill in beating an opponent unless he knows who beat him and how badly he was beaten. It was contest between House Domecq and House Daga that led to the infamous duel of 54 years ago and House Daga considered itself a winner of that debacle. However since then there has been little challenge in the game and the house has begun to turn upon itself. Where once there was charm there is now more smarm; whether the new shape of court returns them to the height of their game again remains to be seen. It should be noted that House Daga have been said to secretly worship a form of the Hunter as well as the Goddess though there is some concern in certain quarters as to how their worship is practiced and whether they may in fact be heretical. Despite a number of investigations though nothing has ever been proven against them.
	House Domecq	Meaning: Light Colours: Blue and Yellow Symbol: Sun Traditional Home: Badajoz/The Sacred Valley Motto: "Bathed in Glory"
	It seems strange that fifty-four years ago what had been one of the greatest of the houses of Estragales withdrew itself entirely from society, not just from court, but back within their "sacred valley". The infamous duel involving the then Dauphin and a near fatal poisoning seems forgotten by most, though no doubt it is still buried in the backs of certain memories, but they have returned. I am unsure as to the reason behind that but they are back and seem to have engaged with the command of the Algaia in a way that most of the existing families have not. Historically the Domecq where a religiously driven military family, proud, passionate but honourable. It is also believed they had some of the stranger ritual practices among the Nobles of our fair land and they certainly showed themselves obsessed with their special grove when they retreated there. How the last half-century and their new leadership have rendered them I have yet to see but given their previous clashes with at least one of the houses I await the results with some interest.
	House de Dreux	Meaning: Noble Colours: Red and white, Gold Symbols: Crown Traditional Home: Bajourne Motto: "In Grace we are born and so we must die"
	The De Dreux is another of the very oldest set of houses and it is they who truly teach the others what it is to be a noble. Where as the Flores understand chivalry it is at the heart of the De Dreux to comprehend Noblesse Oblige. For centuries de Dreux has been responsible for the education of the Dauphin in such matters and they have taken this task most seriously. In fact the house has attempted to document every detail of philosophy about the state of Nobility. It has tended to reduce the practical nature of the De Dreux and some have noted they have become tired and out of touch with the truth of Estragales.
	House Flores	Meaning: Flower Colours: Blue and Red Symbols: Rose Traditional Home: Sanctuary Motto: "In honour and chivalry"
	House Flores have long exemplified the prefect knight, the chivalrous warrior of poem and of legend. Even when others have fallen to excess and decadence it is the Flores who have strived to maintain the epitomy of the noble born, of largesse, of genorousity, or valour, of all the knightly virtues. It is within the enfolds of this house that song and story have been kept alive too; the very tales that make Estragales are clung to as aspirations by this house, not dreams you note but very real goals. It is this dream they hold to that means they are well loved by the people; no house has such a good reputation amongst the common folk.
	House de Foix	Meaning: Pride Colours: Green and Yellow/Gold Symbols: Lion Traditional Home: Pinars Motto: "In courage"
	Known on occasion for being a little proud the de Foix have a strong tradition of courage, a strong arm and a real composure in how they deport themselves. They try to live up to their emblem, the proud lion, and their ferocity in battle is as famed as their elegant ability to lounge in any space you care to mention. It is said that the former Duke de Foix kept a managarie of many animals including a number of Lions just to better understand the beasts for which his house was famed. I think there are Lions who could learn a thing or two from some of young De Foix I have met.
	House Gouffier	Meaning: Tireless Colours: Red and Black and White Symbols: A sleeping Lion Traditional Home: Uiga Motto: "Patience is a virtue"
	House Gouffier has always struck me as a strange one amongst what many consider a strange collection. There is a patience to this house that I have never understood; where others have strived and struggled for power they have always taken a relaxed pose and allowed all around them to bustle and hurry while they stood and waited. It is almost as though they expect great glory and wealth to land upon them at some point rather than they should have to earn it. And yet they maintain their dignity while they do it. When they do strike it is not lazy or tired in anyway, their full force is brought upon their enemy with no regard for anyone else who may be in the line of loose.
	House Herrera	Meaning: Blacksmiths Colours: Red and White Symbol: Crossed Axes Traditional Home: Grotham Motto: "Forged in battle"
	It was the steel provided by House Herrera that was forged into the blades and the armour of the Knights and soldiers of Charles the Great, first King of Estragles and since they have always held a high place based on the quality of their steel. It is said that they made a deal with the Goddess and with some very ancient fire and earth spirits to bind the very elements to the blades they make and certainly they are of significantly higher quality than almost any other weapons made in Estragales. In fact House Herrera preside over what is almost a business empire but they are careful to supply all the houses in a fair and equal manner; to them the protection of Estragales is still more important than profit, as so it should be.
	House Luna	Meaning: Moon Colours: Black and White Symbol: Crescent Moon Traditional Home: La Coruna Motto: "For her"
	The Goddess holds this house in complete sway and Luna take their sacred duty as the maintenance of her faith amongst the Nobility of Estragales. It is this house that has investigated rumours of heresy and evil practice and they do it in a terribly efficient manner. Part of the reason for this may be that it was only three hundred and seventy-two years ago that this House was exposed as a demon worshipping cult. One of their number Comte Jerad de Luna led a purge of this corruption from this house, defeating the existing command structure in a series of night raids, peasant rebellions and even on three occasions in open battle. Jerad was then careful to tie his colours to the Goddess directly in an attempt to ensure his house would never fall again. So far there has been no sign of it except for the occasional fringe lunatic.
	House Malatesta	Meaning: Explorer Colours: Blue and White Symbols: A Ship Traditional Home: New Yeltum Motto: "By sea and by sky"
	While others pride themselves on their history and their tradition this House takes a very different posture. Continually searching for new research, new horizons and new lands Malatesta stand at the edge of innovation within our nation. Where others, especially those inland, can be found in the older styles - bearing plate and chain and looking like knight of the past still, it is this house that wear the latest cuts and styles, from doublets to frock coats. Luckily ruffs went out of style two years ago for this house. No longswords here either, it is all rapiers these days. Their acumen at sailing is second to none as well and this has always held them in good stead - they have often served in the Admiralty.
	House Pena	Meaning: Rock Colours: Yellow and Black Symbol: Tower Traditional Home: Torres Vedros Motto: "Till death and beyond"
	House Pena , sometimes called the First House, has always been there. It is the Rock around which the court has stood so often. Dependable, reliable, faithful; all have been repeated for generations about this House and all have long been deserved. Even when all else have proven flighty, or cowardly, it is Pena that has remained steadfast. While not famed for eloquence or charm their determination, even in the face of insurmountable odds, has earned them a fearsome reputation of bravery and valour. All heirs to the throne have had a bodyguard from House Pena and this has often created a favoured status for the house with the monarch, though not one that any other house has seemed jealous of, given the sacrifices Pena have made to maintain it through history.
	House Sforza	Meaning: Excess Colours: Black and Purple Symbols: Bull Traditional Home: Madjazz Motto: "In style"
	If one was to look through the histories of our lands then no Noble house has conducted themselves in such manners of debaurchery, excess or lust as the House of Sforza. This group of Lushes have committed every sin you can consider possible in their ever greater attempts to reach new levels of depravity; nothing it would appear is off limits. They rule with an iron fist where they need to but spend most of their time active in less solubrius pursuits. Everything from gladiatorial arenas to orgies and drugdens can be found all over their properties and I have yet to see any noble not from theis house who can match them in their chosen skills. They terrify me. And keeping track of their bloodlines is less than simple as well, may I point out.
	House Vasquez	Meaning: Shepherd Colours: Green and White Symbol: Ram's Head Traditional Home: Gotia Village Motto: "In a field she came to us"
	A fine example of Nobility, people and land in harmony House Vasquez has been responsible for substantial amounts of the cultivation of the lands of Estragales and lead the way in the methodology of stewardship and animal husbandry. They have fed and clothed entire armies themselves and the quality of wools produced by Vasquez sheep is second to none. Some consider the nobility of this house to be backwards and countrified in a way that suggests they mean the word as a direct insult. I have only ever found the house to straight forward, honest, open and straight talking; something a number of the houses could do well to learn from.
I also include one more. Let this one serve as a warning to all who might fall.
	House Marisco Former ruling house of Luren	Meaning: Of the Sea Colours: Purple and black and white Symbols: Scallop Shell Traditional Home: Luren Motto: "Born to the wave"
	It used to be the case that House Marisco ruled over Luren in a fair and benevolent manner but that stopped a number of years ago. Strife within the house and a propensity for high living, in fact the same gluttony that earned them their coat of arms, drove the house away from it's roots. Historically the Marisco were noted for their sailing and were direct challengers to the reputation of House Malatesta, some would say Marisco were in fact better. However that was a number of years ago. The aspect of the family that has been fostered instead is that of vast overeating - the scallop shell thart serves as the House's emblem is there to remind all that the first Don of the House died due to overeating oysters; he infamously could not climb out of his bed for the last 6 months of his life as he literally ate himself to death. The most recent head of house was the Marquis Georgio de Marisco who it is believed was beheaded during the revolt of Luren; it is understood he had grown particularly unloved because of his passion for pigs, and his habit of feeding offenders against his sensibilities, to his farms of them. Unfortunately he did not leave an immediate heir and so the family has now split into three separate contenders for the seat of the house. Each has fairly equal backing but until the city is regained they are stuck with no real power.

The Minor Noble Houses of Estragales.
There are a huge number of minor houses all over our nation and even my work has never covered all of them. I have attempted to document a large number, at least by name, for the avid reader here, should they feel the need to investigate further. Suffice to say in these houses one can find any of the archetypes and stereotypes one may care to look for; from country gent to city fop, from Knight to merchant. All the gamut of life is here. And some even have some breeding.
 

The Great Noble Houses of Lyonesse
I note with significant interest that nothing useful or of value has ever come from Lyonesse.

Long may it remain that way.