Quick overview:
Out of character:
As a pledged Count with a 2x title I will be hosting a Barony in the world of Elyria. At the head of this Barony stands House Latos, the family I created along with a few core members. Our goal is to hosts a family and Barony that holds a strong military presence in our County of Tynwael. This County is located in the Duchy of Terenia inside the Demalion Empire. We invite people who are interested in our concept to join our Barony, and perhaps even the Latos Family. Our target audience are mature RP'ers who wish to recreate a more historically acurate medieval society with fantasy influences sprinkeled all over it. Hopefully we can get together a fun group of players to engage in RP and other aspects the game has to offer! In the thread below you will find an overview of the Barony of Marscheck, its ruling family House Latos, and additional information surrounding the two.
Table of Content:
Barony of Marscheck
The Crag that taunts The Rock
Sir Zandyl Latos' Armorial Achievement
"When the darkest hour shrouds the land, when the wolf howls in the night. This is not the time for fear, nor for unbecoming fright. Take your sword and raise it high to catch the first light of sun. Chase off the shadows fulfill your plight, for night will always flee the dawn"
-- Vykon Latos, founder of House Latos.
Marscheck:
Marscheck is a Barony, and hosts the capital, in the County of Tynwael. At its heart lays a walled town, which shares the same name of Marscheck, that sits at the foot of Verdacragg castle, the ancestral seat of House Latos. The Town itself is built at the fresh flowing water of the river Stehr. With green plains and hills to the East, lush pine forests to the West and a looming mountain range further down to the South, Marscheck has a rather bountiful surrounding. The elevated rock formation on which Verdacragg castle is built offers a natural protection that makes the castle one of the best protected strongholds while also sheltering Marscheck from the Northern side. In the South the river forms a natural boundry that, when crossed, leads to strong walls standing on its bedding. Being one of the Southern most strongholds in Tynwael, the Barony of Marscheck enjoys a slightly warmer and tempered climate compared to much of the County. Warm summer days make way for crispy spring rains that lead into mild winter nights until autumn once more heralds a pleasant southern breeze.
The climate and rural sights surrounding Marscheck combined with a bustling urban center inside the walls make Marscheck a true gem in the landscape. Dull days are rarely found and most of the Barony bathes in a comfortable level of prosperity. Its people are not as stern as many norther neighbours in other Counties, something that can not always be said about its ruling lords however. Walking through the gates of Marscheck one will find busy streets and a lively market. With a plethora of smells swarming the senses. From scraped steel to strong spices. However, Marscheck's main focus sits with the military aspect of life. Having a long tradition in military operations, Marscheck's economy revolves around the sword. The Barony is the largest military stronghold in the County. In a not so distant past, Marscheck was part of the County of Rahlmont, ruled by House Layne from Watcher's Rock. Only after a bloody war that engulfed the land did the lords of Marscheck break free and form their own County of Tynwael. It is for this reason people often refer to Marscheck as the Rock's bastard brother, or 'The Rock' and 'The Crag'. Yet as history has proven, brothers do not always see eye to eye. Even in harsher times, Marscheck has a relative feel of security, no less thanks to the Verdacragg castle watching over the rest of Marscheck like a vigilant guardian. There are little to no places from where one can not see the seat of House Latos looming above them.
Just like its brother, Watcher's Rock, Marscheck is known for bringing forth some of the finest men at arms and knights in the region. Their prowess on the battlefield proven many a times over in distant and recent history alike. The sound of clashing swords on the training grounds is almost as much part of the landscape as the river Stehr itself.
History:
There are many stories about the true origins of Marscheck. Speculations range from decades before the Zygethian Kingdom, to even further back in an age of myth and legend. But those are stories passed around with a flagon of ale or a skin full of wine. Scholars place the birth of Marscheck just past the advent of the Zygethian Kingdom. Back then House Latos was no house yet at all, simply a more wealthy family of the unlanded Gentry in the County of Rahlmont that could afford to dress themselves with better armor than the poorer man. During the invasion of the Zygethians, House Latos fought on their behalf in the short series of wars that conquered the land. As reward for their loyalty they were granted land to rule and a title to go with it. From here on forth, House Latos entered the realms of landed Gentry. The first head of House Latos, Vykon Latos, was knighted for valor in battle. A title that was made hereditary, and thus became a Baronet, for his sons and theirs sons after them.
Left with nothing less than a few enemies from the recent war, Vykon decided to build a castle and solidify his rule over the lands granted to him. Next to the river Stehr, on top of an elevated rock formation, Vykon built the ancestral castle of House Latos. A staunch construct that was to withstand the test of time. Heavy stone on natural rock foundations made the castle blend in with the enviroment almost seemlessly, The green mossy stones of the land flowing into grey of the castle walls. Natural plants found their way up and adorned the walls in a vain attempt of nature to reclaim its territory. It was for this reason that Vykon Latos named the castle "Verdacragg" a bastardation of the words "Green" and "Crag". As is often the case, people from surrounding land found their way to the protection of the castle over time. The first houses sprouted up from the ground at the bedding of the river that lay below the castle, the seeds for a great city were planted.
It wasn't long before a few huts and houses grew into a promising little town. Merchants and butchers, smiths and tanners, bakers and carpenters. Slowly but surely the streets of the town filled with shops and artisans. From his seat in Verdacragg, Vykon Latos oversaw the growth of the small community.
Yet he did not forget his roots, and would not allow them to be forgotten for generations to come. They were forged from battle, through it, they had become who they were now. Vykon ordered the training of men-at-arms, archers and knights. Since the Zygethian conquest, rule of the County of Rahlmont had fallen to House Layne, who had taken their seat in Watcher's Rock up North. Vykon had sworn a vow of fealty to the Layne's, and was to protect the lands he was granted as well as supply men when his liege lord called on them.
The economy of the town was further boosted by the creation of an armed force within its boundries. From wide and far, Vykon gathered men and boys to pick up arms. They were trained, and put into service of the Latos forces. It wasn't long before their numbers grew considerably, not in the least because it offered good pay. A single silver for an archer or guard, two silvers for a man-at-arms, and eight silvers for a knight.
As the years passed, the lands of House Latos grew to one of the biggest fiefdoms with a major castles in the region along with a bustling urban center. Vykon had built a legacy that was to last centuries. His kin continued to rule Verdacragg after his passing away. In the coming generations, House Latos was raised once again, this time from the Landed Gentry to the nobility. For their loyal service, and as a recognition to their vast influence, they were made Barons. With the Zygethians there was stability, prosprity, and many more things that a kingdom could want. Yet it also brought stagnation and solidification of the nobles. But all of that was about to change with the rise of the Romarians.
Nearly a century had passed since the Zygethians had arrived and House Latos was granted the lands on which they built Verdacragg. Now a prominent Barony loyal to House Layne of Watcher's Rock. But as time passed, the Zygethian kingdom grew beyond its borders until it could no longer sustain itself. The higher circles fell apart and the kingdom fell in disaray. Not only from within, but also from without the Zygethian kingdom faced a large threat. Reaching down into the land, the Romarian Empire started to prey on Zygethian borders. Bit by bit stealing away land and claiming it for their own. Peace and prosperity brought stability. But chaos and war brought opportunity. And House Latos was nothing if not ambitious. Eversince their elevation to Barons, they had been stuck with just that, unable to break through the solidified positions of the nobility, that was about to change.
After conquering the capital of the Duchy, Romarian forces marched down into Rahlmont. The host consisted of thousands of men who drank the rivers dry and ate the fields barren. Settlement after settlement fell to the overwhelming force, with only a few offering some resistance. Word had reached Verdacragg that a Romarian force was laying siege to Watcher's Rock, and Lord Layne called on his banners to come and aid him. Zykas Latos, the ruling lord of Verdacragg at the time, read the parchment bearing the seal of house Layne, and burned it in the hearth of his chamber.
In the coming days the Romarians had sent riders to Verdacragg to ask for its surrender. House Latos offered more than that, they offered their support. Laying siege to Watcher's Rock was foolish, Zykas had told the Romarians as much. The fortress was protected by natural defences that almost formed a castle of their own. Passing them was a daunting task. The walls of the fortress were thick and had stood for hundreds of years. Zykas was certain that if he wanted to, he could keep the Romarians at bay in Verdacragg for well over a year if need be, Watcher's Rock would not perform any worse. There was a reason that Verdacragg was know as The Rock's brother. But the Romarians were stubborn and ignored his advice. They continued their siege and commanded Zykas to offer his support if he were truly a friend of the Romarians. Zykas would not sent his men to starve under the stone walls of that castle, nor would he let them be rained down by Layne's archers. But he could offer support in another way...
Zykas knew that the Stone Owl of Watcher's Rock would wait out the siege, relying on the fact that the Romarians would starve themself before they managed to breach the walls. And so Zykas sent wagons with supplies up to the encampement of the Romarians. Wheat, barley, water, ale, boar and pig. The Romarian forces would not starve out so soon.
Despite House Latos not answering Layne's call to arms, many smaller settlements did. A rider had approached in the night telling Zykas of an approaching host marching to liberate Watcher's Rock and lift the siege. If that were to happen, all Zykas had worked towards would fall in ruin. He raised his army and readied Verdacragg's defences. When the approaching host reached Verdacragg, Zykas showed his true colors and engaged in battle, breaking the marching host in what would forever be known as 'The battle of the red Stehr', after the red color of the river Stehr for all the blood that was spilled in it. In that battle Zykas destroyed the host loyal to House Layne. No prisoners were taken, no ransoms made, no men spared. After the battle, Zykas sent a group of Knights to raid the lands from which the host came, setting the farms and smaller settlements aflame.
The war would last a while longer, as the Romarians refused to assault Watcher's Rock. Again Zykas pleaded with the Romarians, advising them to take the castle by force. But once more his words fell on deaf man's ears. The Romarians decided to starve out the Laynes. They did not count on the harsh winters in the North of Rahlmont however, and the Romarian host was broken. However, without anymore support in the County, and with the lands loyal to the Layne's set aflame by Zykas Latos among others, the Layne's were forced to surrender, and the age of the Romarians arrived.
For their support and prowess in battle, the Romarians awarded House Latos and elevated Zykas to Count, with some additional land carved out from Rahlmont and surrounding Counties that opposed the Romarians, a title to bear for him and his sons and grandsons after them. The County was aptly named 'Tynwael', and the Barony renamed 'Marscheck'. After the battle of the bloody Stehr where House Latos had stopped the marching host, or rather.. checked the marching host in their tracks. Hence, March's Check... Marscheck. With House Latos now ruling over the County, tenants-in-chief to the Romarian king.
A hundred years of Romarian rule passed before another war was on the horizon. A new man proclaimed himself King, Demiqas Liacan. And with him fought the old ruling House of Rahlmont, House Layne. A bloody civil war broke out, later dubbed The rebirth of Terenia. Marscheck was still ruled by House Latos, yet unlike Zykas and Vykon in previous times, the head of House Latos now was a different kind of man. Ambition had made way for loyalty, and without second thought House Latos sided with the Romarian rulers they had served for near a hundred years. The Civil war ended in a Romarian defeat, and the head of House Latos as well as his eldest son were slain in 'The battle for Terenath". Rule of House Latos, the County, and the Barony of Marscheck thus befell to the youngest son, Sir Zandyl Latos. A knight, as many second noble sons were. Custom demands that the second born son of the lord of House Latos be trained to knighthood in the 'Order of the Dawn'. This is a knightly Order founded by Zykas Latos to serve as an elite force tied to only House Latos. Traditionally, the second born son of the Lord of the House leads the Order after achieving knighthood. Zandyl is man well known for his prowess in battle and skill with the sword, but untrained in the affairs of governing. The new king of Terenia pardoned House Latos for their part in the war, and let them keep their lands and titles. Their only condition was that the County of Tynwael swore fealty to king Demiqas.
After Demiqas Liacan claimed victory, another threat arose. The Demalion Empire they called it. Rumours said their armies stretched a thousand leagues. No river or mountain could stop them. Luckily it never came to war with this Empire. Demiqas bent the knee was was named Duke to rule over Teneria. In the aftermath of it all, House Layne was restored to its title of Counts of Rahlmont, ruling once more of their ancestral lands. However, they found their lands lacking the significant Barony of Marscheck, its lands, and various other smaller settlements that had now long been part of the County of Tynwael.
Today House Latos still rules Tynwael as its Counts, and holds its seat of power in the Barony of Marscheck. With the return of House Layne of Rahlmont, The Rock and The Crag are once more brothers, Though history is not easily forgotten, nor forgiven. Zandyl Latos has the fortune of having his uncle by his side to aid him in governing the County while also strengthening bonds between the Houses of Latos and Layne once more, however strenuous their current relations may be.
The Duchy is still submerged in a civil war between the Terenian forces and Romarian loyalists. While House Latos has sworn fealty to Demiqas, words are wind. In practice the County of Tynwael has taken a neutral stance in this conflict, supporting neither side of this civil war. From their seat in Marscheck, House Latos waits and sees as both sides ask for their allegiance which might well be the decisive factor in a conflict that has been raging far too long.
Contact:
If you are interested in joining the Barony of Marscheck, or have any questions, feel free to get in touch!
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