House Royce is the most moderate of the Sundered Houses of Aramán,[3] closely associated with the fey and their magic, one of the reasons why their power started to wane after the doors of Tír Cruthú were closed ten years before the start of Campaign Four.[4]
History[]
The Royce family was known for its strong links to the fey, being blessed by them.[5] They maintained a castle in the Golden Orchard[2] which once acted as a liminal place between Aramán and Faerie.[6] After the death of the Shapers in the Shapers' War (during which House Royce sided with the mortal rebels[7] and lost some of their lands in the Obridimian Empire)[8] this connection remained intact for many years[9] until the doors of Tír Cruthú closed ten years before the start of Campaign Four.[4]
Lady Aranessa Royce was born the granddaughter of the then-current Lord Royce around three decades after the end of the Shapers' War. She grew up as a friend to Julien Davinos, the heir of House Davinos, vassal to House Royce.[10] When she was a young adult she met and married Thjazi Fang, an orc who had become a hero during the War of Axe and Vine. Two years later, however, Thjazi rose in rebellion, and Aranessa's grandfather chose to align with House Halovar and House Tachonis, standing against the rebels and causing the couple to spend many years separated.[11] Eventually, Julien defeated and captured Thjazi, and Aranessa refused Thjazi's plea for her to run away with him.[12] When it was announced that Thjazi would be hanged, Aranessa worked with Halandil Fang (Thjazi's half-brother) to approach both House Halovar[13] and House Tachonis[14] unsuccessfully trying to save him.
Shortly thereafter, the Palazzo Davinos was attacked by a force of undead led by Primus Tachonis and his son Ethrand in a plan to slaughter both House Davinos and House Royce.[15] Both Lady Aranessa and Sir Julien survived the attack, although Raimond Davinos, the leader of House Davinos, was killed, as was Occtis Tachonis, a visiting member of the Tachonis family.[16] After Aranessa's allies miraculously brought Occtis back to life later that night, she decided she would remain with him for a time, seeking answers about the plans of her enemies and about the current status of her own family, while their friends in Dol-Makjar looked for ways to weaken the other Sundered Houses.[17]
Known members[]
- Unnamed Lord Royce, who chose to become an ally of House Halovar and House Tachonis in the Chamber of Lords-Advisory[18]
- Lady Aranessa Royce, Lord Royce's granddaughter and the current liege, known for her marriage to Thjazi Fang
Vassal houses[]
House Davinos is a vassal house to House Royce. Their own influence has been waning recently, possibly because Lord Raimond opted to support Thjazi Fang, husband of his liege lady, in the Falconer's Rebellion.
- Lord Raimond Davinos, a general whom his son Julien saw as bringing the house into the "mud" by being loyal to Thjazi Fang.[19][20]
- Sir Julien Davinos, Raimond's eldest son and heir, who has earned a reputation as a warrior and mentor of soldiers, and as the one who defeated Thjazi Fang in the Battle of the Maharlian Falls.[21] He is a close friend and bodyguard of Lady Aranessa Royce.[10]
Estates[]
- Castle Royce, in Dol-Makjar[1]
- A castle in the Golden Orchard[2]
Quotations[]
- Aranessa Royce: Tonight, the House of Davinos, and the House of Royce have fallen.[22]
Trivia[]
- House Royce's surname could derive from the Middle English term for rose, or from the Anglo-Norman roy (king).[23]
- They share their name with a powerful noble family from A Song of Ice and Fire, written by George R. R. Martin.
- Their favored color is green.[24]
- It is believed by members of House Royce that when one of them die, if they so desire, a golden ferry takes their soul across a luminous river, bringing it to Faerie.[25]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 See "Broken Wing" (4x02) at 1:00:57.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:43:26.
- ↑ See "Broken Wing" (4x02) at 1:21:44.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:43:10.
- ↑ See "Branching Paths" (4x05) at 1:12:47.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 2:26:08. See also "The Snipping of Shears" (4x03) at 0:28:03.
- ↑ See "Branching Paths" (4x05) at 1:18:13.
- ↑
CR Cooldown C4 E007 at 4:29 (subscription required) (Transcript).
- ↑ See "Broken Wing" (4x02) at 1:02:09. As of the marriage between Thjazi Fang and Aranessa Royce, the tradition of gifting a fairy to one's betrothed was still maintained.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:16:47.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) from 3:23:25 through 3:25:22.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:43:35.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:36:33.
- ↑ See "The Snipping of Shears" (4x03) at 4:47:05.
- ↑ See "Stone-Faced" (4x04) at 0:45:44. See also at 0:59:56.
- ↑ See "Stone-Faced" (4x04) from 0:26:55 through 0:55:06.
- ↑ See "Branching Paths" (4x05) at 1:17:35.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:23:46.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 4:02:53.
- ↑ See "Broken Wing" (4x02) at 3:07:36.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:20:22.
- ↑ See "Stone-Faced" (4x04) at 5:06:51.
- ↑ See the Wiktionary for royce and roy.
- ↑ See "The Fall of Thjazi Fang" (4x01) at 3:32:43.
- ↑ See "Fanged Revenge" (4x08).[citation needed]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Lady Aranessa wielding fey magic, by elisipkl (source). Used with permission.