House Seat: Oxenfurd House Culture: Heartland Ceardian House Sigil: A Bloodcast Knight House Colors: Red, Magenta, Gold House Values: Loyalty, Courage, Strength House Trade: Taxes, Theatre Company, Castley Brandy Earl Kengar “The Mason” (? BC - 3 AC) The origin of Kengar is unknown. Legend has it he first landed on the shoreline near Oxenfurd before the Cataclysm, having served time as a slave to the Allorn Empire. Followed by fellow Ceardian ex-slaves, he began construction of the town of Oxenfurd, choosing to build his own home on a cliffside overlooking the town. Kengar constructed a massive central dome for the keep, which he’d call ‘Castaerndom’. This would remain the name of the fortress, eventually shifting with vowel usage to ‘The Castendome’, in reference to its dome-like shape. This fortress would be the operative and ceremonial base of the Castley family for centuries, and would undergo expensive repair projects to keep it up to tier with rival citadels. Kengar and his warband were quick to assert dominance over the region, raiding and harassing local villages which refused to submit to Kengar’s rule. Eventually, he submitted himself to the Regalian Kingdom, giving his Earldom more legitimacy. King Greystin “The Bold” (3 AC - 48 AC) At the start of his Earlship, Greystin took on the name ‘of Castaerndom’ to show his family’s affiliation of the great dome-keep his father had built. Greystin continued construction of The Castendome citadel. Throughout his tenure, his surname would evolve from ‘of Caestaerndom’, to ‘of Castleigh’, eventually morphing into merely the word ‘Castley’. In Spring of 5 AC, Greystin declared Drixenhal independent from the Regalian Kingdom, forming the Kingdom of Drixenhal. During the Kingdom of Drixenhal, King Greystin chartered the Drixenhal Order, an assembly of royal banner knights in service to the Crown. This would come to be renamed the Greystinian Order by its second Grandmaster after Greystin’s death. He also established the Royal Guard of Castaerndom, which would serve the family as its household guard for centuries to come. The kingdom only lasted a couple months as Drixenhal forces met the van Sherburne army on the banks of the Schonn River. Vastly outnumbered, Greystin chooses to bend the knee to Lord van Sherburne and join him in his rebellion against the Regalian King. Castley and van Sherburne forces overthrow the Regalian King in a coup d’etat alongside Great Houses Kade, Ivrae, Vermeer, and Cadar. For his service, Greystin is made Duke of Steerland, one of the first Dragenthal Dukes. As duke, Greystin assisted in many of the Empire’s military campaigns before his death. Duke Lennard I “The White” (48 AC - 76 AC) Lennard became the first Castley duke to convert to Unionism, joining the Sancella of Union. Lennard was a radical reformer, forcing Unionism upon his vassals and executing any who protested. However, he was also a handsome donor of the Divine College, and funded the establishment of schools across the Steerland, marrying the ideals of faith and state. Lennard vehemently opposed the Skagger hordes during the Skagger Wars, leading Castley forces in Opper Calem in the name of Unionism and the Empire. Lennard I would found Oxenfurd University in 68 AC, after six long years of construction. Revain Henrick “The Conqueror” (76 AC - 110 AC) With Lennard having taken a vow of celibacy, Henrick inherits the Duchy as his younger brother. Henrick began the construction of a massive Castley fleet based in Oxenfurd and Narlas. In 81 AC, he’d gather his banners and invade the neighboring counties in Ceardenland and Southwynd. The conquest would take decades to solidify, costing House Castley a large toll on both their wealth and human lives. With this exponential growth of Castley territory, Emperor Leomar I recognized Henrick as Revain of Drixenhal, separating House Castley from van Sherburne influence. Yet, to maintain healthy relations with their overlord, Henrick marries a van Sherburne, and reaffirms an alliance. While Henrick’s rapid September Conquest of 81 AC was ultimately a long-drawn out success, his rule would not end peacefully. In the summer of 110 AC, Henrick’s eldest daughter, Marianne, declared a rebellion against her father when he announced Victor, her incompetent and loathesome younger brother as heir to the Revainate. Revainess Marianne “The Cruel” (110 AC - 115 AC) Marianne’s rule was initially marked by the execution of her father, Henrick the Conqueror. Backed by much of Ceardenland and Southwynd, the lead banner houses to support Marianne’s rebellion were Glubber, Friarton, Koyce, and Tallwood. Lord Victor, the Ravainess’ younger brother, was supported by the Steerland houses of Wheelburn, Ayre, and Mansfold. Marking the beginning of what would be known as the Castley Civil War, the Drixenhal Civil War, or the Drixenhal Joust, would be one of the bloodiest moments of Castley history. One of Marianne’s first actions as Revainess was to change Drixenhal succession law to cognatic primogeniture inheritance, mandating the firstborn regardless of gender, to inherit. The Castley Civil War went on widely without foreign intervention beyond that of trade alliances and mercenary bands. After four years of fighting, Oxenfurd is laid to siege by Marianne’s loyalists. The siege lasts weeks before Victor is announced to have been poisoned. Wrought of leadership, Oxenfurd’s nobility fight among themselves on who will take on the mantle of the Victorian cause, and their damaged morale allows for a swift takeover by the Mariannists. The Revainess violently punishes the Oxenfurd nobility who opposed her, subjecting them to gruesome, torturous deaths undeserving of baronets. Marianne’s manorial support tanks, and in 115 she’s captured by Lord Wheelburn and his mercenaries. The Revainess is promptly beheaded, ending her reign as the first and only sole Castley matriarch. Revain Lennard II “The Bloodcast” (115 AC-150 AC), Wheelburn Regency (115 AC -124 AC) Lord Maximillian Wheelburn assumed stewardship of Marianne’s children, using this as leverage to unite the rest of the banners under his grip. He declared himself regent with the endorsement of the Celacy, given young Lennard II was a mere 6 years old upon his mother’s death. Maximilian Wheelburn had little intention of surrendering the revainate, believing it more secure under Wheelburn control. He kept a close eye on the Castley youth, overseeing their every move. When the Viridian Coup attempt occurred in 122 AC, followed by the formation of the Bloodcast Order, Lord Wheelburn quickly involved himself, seeing a fruitful path for the aspiring order. He sent Lennard II to be one of the first Bloodcast knights to be trained, likely one of the largest blunders Lord Wheelburn made. The contribution to the order was widely appreciated by the Bloodcast higher-ups, and they poured their knowledge and expertise into Lennard II. In 124 AC, Lord Wheelburn fell gravely ill and eventually passed away. Though, some speculate his death was not by natural cause, rather the mischievous work of Lennard II’s uncle, Gregory of Mildenshire. Lennard II was unable to leave Blucherwald Castle on the Regalian Isle to claim the revainate, and he nominated Gregory to step in as regent. A few years later, Lennard II graduates as a Bloodcast Knight and returns to Oxenfurd. Gregory submits the revainate to him and receives a council position for his diligence. Lennard II continues funding the Bloodcast Order, encouraging Heartlanders to enlist their second sons at Blucherwald. This greatly propelled the influence of the Bloodcast Order across Dragenthal. Inspired by the camaraderie and brotherhood taught by the Bloodcast Knights, and in accordance with the customs of the Heartland people, Lennard II created the Castendome Society in 136 AC for all Castley males, with himself and Gregory being some of its first members. Lennard II also made the Bloodcast Knight the new Castley sigil, replacing the Oxenfurd Lancer. Revain Galwin I ‘The Old’ (150 AC - 189 AC) The 7th Castley patriarch and 4th Revain of Drixenhal, Galwin I is one of the least notable Castley patriarchs. His reign marked the beginning of House Castley’s stable period, as Galwin I preferred maintaining the status quo and enacting isolationist policies. The Castley fleet grew stagnant, being surpassed by neighboring Heartland counties. Revain Galwin II “Swordfish-Slayer” (189 AC - 214 AC) Galwin II succeeded his father with newfound ambitions, looking to put House Castley at the forefront of the Regalian Empire’s military. Acquiring the nickname “Swordfish-Slayer” by his crew, Galwin II was a skilled seafarer and competent admiral, with a surreal hate for swordfish. He continued the development of the Castley navy, committing himself to the advancement of the Empire via maritime dominance. He would be slain during the Regalian Empire’s conquest of the Arvost Republic. Revain Montgomery I “The Sly” (214 AC - 244 AC) Montgomery I’s rule would be known as controversial to some, but infamous to many. An underhanded statesman and known schemer, Montgomery I was one of House Castley’s least Imperially devout patriarchs. Montgomery extorted the Divine College, threatening lay-priests and celates into doing his bidding. He established his cousins as powerful priests within local celacies, progressing them up the celerial ladder. During the Regalian Empire’s annexation of Daendroque, Montgomery sold state secrets to the Daendroquin forces and ferried them weapons with hopes of establishing trade ports after the war was won. During his tenure, Montgomery sowed anti-Imperial sentiment among the Castendome Society’s membership, entrenching the fraternity in conspiracy. While Montgomery I had maintained close relations with House van Sherburne, his relationship with the Ivrae Crown was pitiful. Eventually, an advisor within Montgomery’s court made Emperor Handorien V aware of Montgomery’s treachery, and the Imperial Guard was sent to arrest him. Montgomery did not put up a fight, instead opting to flee The Castendome for Essalonia. Alas, his efforts were short lived and he was intercepted and promptly executed for treason. Count Marvelon “The Just” (244 AC - 271 AC) The late Montgomery’s lack of loyalty to the Crown resulted in wide mistrust of the Castley family, and the Crown stripped House Castley of the Revainate of Drixenhal, lowering them to Counts of Oxenfurd. When Montgomery’s eldest son, Marvelon, inherited the throne after his father’s execution, he still held vast influence among the Castley cadet branches in Mildenhal and Wyndwald, and the support of their respective vassal families. House Castley had long governed the buffer state between van Sherburne’s seat in Drachenwald and the Kade and Ivrae lands beyond van Sherburne’s reach. Marvelon was determined to keep close relations with the van Sherburne family, keeping Oxenfurd and post-Drixenhal territories in support of their overlord. However, Marvelon was an advocate for the common man, much to the dismay of his late father. When Olgorr van Sherburne fronted the ‘Death Tax’, Marvelon’s values were compromised. At first, he did nothing, waiting out the effects of the Baron’s Rebellion and readying his banners for the defense of western Dragenthal. Marvelon never accepted Olgorr’s call to arms, choosing to stay out of the fight entirely. This was only until the 14th of December, 271 AC, when Marvelon and his brother Charles went to Norrenburg to participate in the hearings of the pardoning agreement. However, Olgorr took Marvelon’s refusal to aid his cause as a lack of loyalty, and had both Castleys slaughtered alongside the barons. Count Burtram “The Ox” (271 AC-284 AC) A large, sturdy man, Burtram was revered for his skill with a mace. At the age of 51, he was a close advocate of his father. Upon hearing of his death, Burtram was made Count of Oxenfurd and quickly took a more radical approach to the van Sherburne tyranny. Burtram marched with his most loyal banners against House va Sherburne, using the Castley fleet to transport his men across the Schonn. Houses Wheelburn, Ayre, Gamden, Glubber, and Tallwood all marching in tow. The Castley forces engaged in numerous minor skirmishes with the Sherburne host, before joining with the famed Aldrich von Leberecht to amass forces with the Baron’s Coalition. On the 2nd of January, 272 AC, the Baron’s Coalition clashed with the joint forces of an Imperial army, notably led by Chancellor Norn Kade, Revain Richarr Ravenstad, and High Lord Olgorr van Sherburne at the Battle of Lausitze. The battle turned out to be an awe-striking victory for the Baron’s Coalition as Chancellor Norn Kade was slain and many of the nobility with him were captured. This eventually led to the death of both Richarr Ravenstad and Olgorr van Sherburne. The efforts of House Castley and the Baron’s Coalition resulted in the creation of the Regalian Senate. Count Richard “The Merchant” (284 AC - 309 AC) Inheriting the County of Oxenfurd at a time of uncertainty and devious attitudes among the Dragenthal nobility, Richard had to play his cards carefully as to not upset his own manors. House Castley would not remain independent of a Dragenthal overlord for long as House Black soon came to power. Richard strengthened the Castley fleet, lending its assistance to House Black for political favor. Richard invested countless resources into the Castendome Society which formally surged a clandestine network of trade relations across Aloria, bringing the city of Oxenfurd further wealth and luxuries. Richard married Lauranne Kreiburg, an influential Cantonal family from Genevaud, and trade relations as well as Genevaud mercenary support soon followed. Richard reclaimed manorial lands in Feidh and Stowmarket, crushing opposition with the help of mercenaries and hedge knights. Richard participated in the Chyrsant War, enlisting Castley troops and vessels for the cause. When Black fell out of favor and western Dragenthal was ruled by House Reinard, a Castley kinship family, House Castley continued to support their liege. Both in the Rourke Barons War and the Reinard-Harhold War of 308 AC, Richard assisted in the fight against House Harhold. During the Reinard-Harhold War of 308 AC, House Kreiburg, led by Richard’s son Theopold, invaded the Harhold held Veer. The push of Harhold’s border westward allowed House Castley to reclaim old lands in Ceardenland, reunifying Mildenhal. After the fall of House Reinard, Richard was elevated to ducal status and reincorporated old banner families to his demesne until his death. Duke Theopold (309 AC - Present) Seen as the dual-ruler, Theopold has both bore the surname Kreiburg and Castley. Theopold’s rule in Genevaud was widely unsuccessful given the insurgence of the Wardens of Purity. While Theopold is known as a skilled general who’s won a fair share of wars for his time, he’s ill-reputed in the Imperial Court, and has been accused of treason three times to date. Yet, under Theopold the Castleys have reclaimed nearly all of their former holdings. Within family loyalists, this is seen as a dawning new age of Castley dominance, given the family is finally independent of another house, being the sole protector of Drixenhal. The Castendome WIP If you are interested in joining House Castley, we are currently recruiting family members, house guards, and house staff member. If there's something you want to do with your character, I'm sure we can find a way to accomodate for it. Reach out to me on discord - Nathan#3645
