House Montagaard of Gaekraan
"When union is broken, steel is strengthened."
"When union is broken, steel is strengthened."
House Montagaard originated in the Anglian heartland as a relatively modest family of minor nobility, which had been made prominent over the years from its indirect service to the Kades. They are known for their pragmatic outlook and militaristic nature, along with their striking black and white attire. They respect the traditional hierarchy of society, being both devout unionists and staunch conservatives. For some time now, they have been established in the Archduchy of Gaekraan, located in southern Anglia, which was recently inherited by the House's current patriarch Charles Montagaard.
While House Montagaard shall be considering new members, there will be a great deal of deliberation involved. The following is a list of rules for playing a Montagaard:
- It is of paramount importance that anyone who joins is willing to devote their full time on the server playing this character, meaning no alts.
- You must be willing to accept that the appearance of the character is predefined in regards to familial traits, primarily being hair and eye color.
- Magic will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
- Loyalty to the House is expected. Don't expect to be accepted into the family if you have any plans to actively work against us, or choose to neglect the authority of the patriarch (Valentinian).
Origins and General Information
The House of Montagaard is of humble origin, their progenitor being a mere farmer who had resided in the town of Oenkerk within the Anglian backcountry. The Montagaard rose high when, in the second generation, they were elevated because of the diligence of Menno Montagaard, a man with greater ambitions than tending to the land, who proved himself a competent administrator and quickly became a court favorite to the local Count. It was only until Joachim Montagaard that the family moved itself to its newly granted county, taking Gaekraan as their home and the city of Wett as their capital.
Gaekraan is a relatively large Archduchy with an impressive and imposing city as its centerpiece, struck on the southern border of Anglia. The city of Wett, a bustling center of commerce and military activity, is encircled with a wall that is a hundred feet tall and twenty-five feet thick. It has three gates, the most prominent of which opening to the main road, and ten distinct bastions. In its center is the grand palace, which is typically where most affairs of state occur and where the Montagaard family holds their court.
In order to finance their expansive infrastructure and military strength, Gaekraan relies primarily upon tax revenue. This high income has allowed the funding of a well-trained, centralized, and standing fighting force, and established the job of a professional soldier as both firm and stable. Despite their dominance on the field, they lack any significant fleet of war or trading vessels.
The house colors of the Montagaard are black and white, their symbol being a black bastion. In regards to their appearance, a typical member of the family has dark black hair and blue eyes, making them quite standard Anglians.
House Members
First Generation
Johan Montagaard – The progenitor of the Common House Montagaard of Gaekraan. Born with black hair and blue eyes. He lived in the village of Oenkerk for the entirety of his life, with a small property on the fringe. Johan made a living as a farmer and married a commoner of no particular distinction, and had four children. He died of old age at 73.
His Children
Maarten Montagaard – The firstborn son of Johan. Born with black hair and blue eyes. He inherited little from his father and set out to expand his assets by marrying into a family of moderate wealth (relative to the village, that is). He, much like his father, was raised and lived as a farmer for the entirety of his life. He had only one child named Menno and died of old age at 81.
Adelheid Montagaard – The only daughter of Johan. Born with dark brown hair and blue eyes. She was married off at the age of 18 in return for a sizeable dowry, allowing the Montagaard family expansion of their farmlands. She was known for her compassion and honesty. Despite her virtue, she died at the age of 53 after suffering from an unknown illness.
Stefan Montagaard – The secondborn son of Johan. Born with black hair and blue eyes. He was recruited into the town levy on behalf of his family. At the age of 26, Stefan and his regiment disappeared after being sent off into the wilderness on patrol. The cause of this was unclear and their bodies were never found.
Allard Montagaard – The thirdborn son of Johan. Born with black hair and blue eyes. He served his family quite dutifully until the age of 18, at which point he joined with a band of mercenaries. He proved himself a capable soldier throughout the years, settling down and marrying after his service was complete. He had one son, Albrecht. He died at the age of 73, though his legacy would serve to endure through the generations.
Second Generation
Menno Montagaard – The firstborn and only son of Maarten. Born with black hair and blue eyes. Born a simple peasant in the town of Oenkerk, he rose high in the court of a nearby Anglian Count after earning the attention of one of his councilors. Despite his humble origins, he showed great ability in running the affairs of state, leading to a number of new reforms in administrative practices and institutions. He is perceived by his posterity as one of their greatest patriarchs, his accomplishments leading to a general increase of Montagaard influence. He died of old age at 78.
His Children
Andries Montagaard – The firstborn son of Menno and an Anglian woman of minor noble birth. Born with black hair and blue eyes. His tenure as patriarch oversaw the establishment of the purchase of a noble estate and the departure of the Montagaard from their hometown, Oenkerk. Whereas his father distinguished himself in the court, Andries was known as 'the Pious'. After abdicating the patriarchy to his son, Joachim, he retired to the monastery of Susteren at the age of 47 where he lived alone for the remainder of his life. He died of natural causes at 64.
Wilhelm Montagaard – The secondborn son of Menno. Born with black hair and light green eyes. Wilhelm's imposing stature and loud-mouthed temper became defining aspects of his life. While his brother left Oenkerk, Wilhelm remained, serving as the Captain of the Garrison. Thereafter, he developed a reputation as a harsh but effective leader, on account of his severe use of punishment and intolerance for misbehavior. Despite his vigor and boisterous nature, he succumbed to old age at 76.
Albrecht Montagaard – First and only son of Allard. Born with black hair and blue eyes. He was one of the most renowned hunters of his time, leading expeditions to hunt the wildlife of Anglia and beyond. Later in his life, he authored a prominent novel called 'The Green Hills of Anglia'. He also taught his nephew Andries how to hunt and trap in the wilderness, something that was then passed down unto future generations. He died at the age of 56 when, during a foray north, his ship hit an iceberg and sunk.
Third Generation
Joachim Montagaard – The firstborn and only son of Andries. Born with black hair and blue eyes. At the age of eight, he was sent by his father to the court of the Duke of Lammekastel, where he was raised as a ward. Upon becoming patriarch of the house, Joachim was granted the County of Gaekraan, wherein he began the the construction of the current retaining walls of the city of Wett, in addition to a grand central palace. While it served to drain the Montagaard coffers, it was enough to dissuade the Baron's Army in the time of the Drachenwald Crisis. Joachim died at the age of 67 due to natural causes.
His Children
Jan Montagaard – The firstborn son of Joachim Montagaard. Born with black hair and blue eyes. His father had left him with capable advisors to guide his rule, a time which was largely filled with further developing his land in the Regalian archipelago. The basic infrastructure of Gaekraan was constructed during this period, as well as the appointment of several barons who would prove loyal to the Montagaard in the years to come. Prior to his death, Jan's father left extensive written instructions emphasizing patience and caution. These were progressively incorporated into Jan's life and were later integral to the education of his children, Charles, Karl, and Anne. His administration consisted first and foremost of the creation of the Montagaard's professional army. This was cut short, however, when the Drachenwald Crisis erupted. Jan, a staunch supporter of the Crown, immediately pledged his support and men. His duty proved his downfall when, in the midst of battle, he was captured. He was executed at the age of 49 by the Baron's Army after the Crown's refusal to negotiate.
Leopold Montagaard [Playable] – The secondborn son of Joachim Montagaard. Born with blonde hair and green eyes. He fought alongside his older brother in the Drachenwald Crisis. After Jan's death and the eventual resolution of the Drachenwald Crisis, Leopold took up the position of chief advisor to his brother's firstborn, Charles.
Rembrandt Montagaard - The firstborn son of Wilhelm. Born with black hair and light green eyes. Unlike much of his family, he was neither a particularly competent administrator or an outstanding soldier. Instead, Rembrandt devoted his life to writing, spending his time translating scrolls or writing pro-Imperial literature. More generally however, he was a knowledgeable and clear-sighted individual who was notable for his oration skills. He died of kidney failure at the age of 59.
Cilla Montagaard – The secondborn and daughter of Wilhelm. Born with black hair and blue eyes. Cilla was sent first to the court of the Duke of Axford, and then the Regalian Crown Isle in her early adulthood years. Upon her return to Gaekraan, she presented herself to Joachim and was welcomed into his court. She was soon arranged to marry a Baron of relatively unimportant significance from a neighboring province. She bore two children of the de Jonker dynasty – Henry and Cornelis – and died of natural causes at 75.
Fourth Generation -
Charles Montagaard [@Valentinian ] – The firstborn son of Jan. Born with black hair and blue eyes. His youth was filled with a great deal of study, forced upon him by his father. Until the age of about seven, he received training in manners and basic literacy by a Celestial of Mercy. Upon reaching the age of seven, Charles returned to his father's castle to begin service as a page. During this time, he delivered messages among nobles and reports between military officers, served meals, cleaned clothing and weapons, and begun to learn the foundations of combat. The master-at-arms taught him horse-riding, hunting, and hawking; meanwhile, his father taught him board games such as chess, reading, and writing. Charles begun to learn, slowly at first, the inner workings of Gaekraan and developed towards the persona of a courtier and politician. At fourteen, Charles moved away from the duties of a simple page and assumed the role of his father's administrative assistant. He aided in arranging meetings with nobles who wished to seek favor, helped in managing and tracking personal finances, and was permitted to observe council gatherings. At the age of eighteen, he transitioned from private tutoring into the Regalian Academy of Law, where he focused upon the path of a Justiciar. After his father's death in the Drachenwald Crisis, Charles inherited the titles of patriarch and Count of Gaekraan. Shortly after becoming thirty-one years of age, he departed for the Regalian Crown Isle to serve the Empire more directly. His chief accomplishments include his addition to the State Council, a subsequent appointment to Imperial Hoherichter, and lastly his rise to Undercrown of Regalia.
Karl Montagaard [Playable] – The secondborn son of Jan. Born with black hair and blue eyes. At the age of eighteen, Karl attended the School of Leadership and then studied the Discipline of Battle Command for ten years. He currently is in the process of attending his first year at Marshal's Academy, with the hopes of becoming a Field General after all is said and done. Karl is twenty-eight years of age.
Anne Montagaard [Playable] – The thirdborn and only daughter of Jan. Born with black hair and grey-blue eyes. She is elegant in appearance and eloquent in her speech. Anne, like her older brother, was also tutored in stewardship, and took a great interest in the management of money. So it was convenient that, upon Charles' departure to the Regalian Crown Isle, that she remained to tend to matters within Gaekraan in his absence. She is currently twenty-six years of age.
The Bastards and Illegitimate Children of House Montagaard of Gaekraan
Though the bastards of House Montagaard are excluded from all matters of succession, they capable of being seen as equals to other members of the family should they prove their merit. Through devotion and loyalty, they are able to earn their keep and perhaps even find themselves legitimized. By custom, they adopt the surname of 'Montagaard-Onecht' so as to hold them apart from the main house.
Edward Montagaard-Onecht – The baseborn son of Stefan. Born with black hair and brown eyes.
Edmond Montagaard-Onecht – The baseborn son of Albrecht. Born with black hair and green eyes.
Godfrey Montagaard-Onecht – The baseborn son of Rembrandt. Born with black hair and brown eyes.
Robert Montagaard-Onecht [Playable] – The baseborn son of Leopold. Born with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Line of Succession to the House of Montagaard
House Montagaard follows agnatic primogeniture succession, where the firstborn son of the reigning patriarch is first to inherit, followed by the offspring of the firstborn son and their offspring. Should none exist, it then passes to the patriarch's secondborn son and his offspring, and so on. If none exist, the title then passes to the patriarch's brother, then the sons of the brother, and so on and so forth. This continues until there are no more males of the main line left, in which case it goes to the sons of females of the patriarch's line and so on. If there are no daughters with legitimate male sons, it passes to uncles, great-uncles, etc. Legitimized bastard children, despite being placed back into the line of succession, come after all trueborn children regardless of gender. The moment a patriarch dies or abdicates, the heir first in line of succession is considered to be the legal head of family. Though this prevents the leadership from ever being considered unfilled, it is sacred tradition for Johan's Seal, the symbol of the house patriarch, to be passed onwards.
INCUMBENT PATRIARCH: Charles Montagaard, Count of Gaekraan, firstborn son of Jan Montagaard.
- Karl Montagaard, secondborn son of Jan Montagaard.
- Leopold Montagaard, secondborn son of Joachim Montagaard.
- Henry de Jonker, firstborn son of Cilla Montagaard.
- Cornelis de Jonker, secondborn son of Cilla Montagaard.
- N/A.
Heirlooms
Johan's Seal – A signet ring whose origins derive from the first Montagaard, Johan. It has since been passed down the main line of the family as indication of the head of household. It is currently held by the reigning patriarch Charles Montagaard.
Tattered Banner – A remnant from the days of Wilhelm's service in the military. It is blood-stained and torn, only serving to add to its splendor, with the black bastion of House Montagaard at its center.
Jan's Scabbard – A brightly gilded and ornate scabbard crafted during the reign of Jan Montagaard. Though the blade accompanying it has since been lost, the scabbard has served as a reminder of their father to Charles, Karl, and Anne. It's located within the palace of Wett.
Culture and Values
The Montagaard are marked by their administrative diligence, temperate nature, and an unmistakable militarism. They are steadfast unionists, though generally not to the extent of zealotry, and thus hold the Emperor in very high regard. Consequently, all members of the family receive a robust education in the teachings of the Sancella. Unlike many other nobles, they utterly reject the notion of using levy forces, instead preferring disciplined and on-hand professional soldiers. Since the time of Jan, the Montagaard have garnered a reputation as one of the most prominent holders of a professional army in the archipelago. Politically, they are a predominantly conservative family which repudiates the moral bankruptcy of ideologies such as progressivism and secularism.
Titles and Holdings
The Archduke of Gaekraan, His Excellency Charles of House Montagaard.
Family Application
Applications are no longer being considered. Instead, family members will be sought out by myself personally and when necessary.
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