[center][h1]House Casares[/h1] [h3]"Always strike quickest"[/h3] [img]http://i.imgur.com/56Mpx0Z.png[/img][/center] [b]House Specialty:[/b] Woestian Chargers - An elite type of infantry that fights with a spear in one hand and a large shield in the other. Chargers are rigorously trained and are amongst the finest warriors in the kingdom. Typically lead the charge in battle (hence the name). [b]Ancestral Weapon:[/b] Ezladéku - A storied and ancient war spear passed down to and from each king. The weapon itself is made of high grade steel, a small gold chain at one side just before the blade. The names of every king are etched into the handle of the weapon. [b]Important Members:[/b] [hider=King Joren Casares II] [b]King Joren Casares II[/b] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/08/fb/64/08fb641617e57a21c9e1a65be5926f8e.jpg[/img] [b]Age[/b] 45 [b]Appearance[/b] The King is a tall, attractive man with lightly tanned skin. He stands a confident 6'4, his body in shape from constant training event at his current age. His eyes are a piercing green, his hair has slowly began to turn asenior gray color, it was formerly a chestnut brown shade but his age in combination with his occupation has caused his hair to gray. [b]Personality[/b] Joren is an intelligent, well spoken man, his vocabulary strong and well versed. He is welcoming of all that show his kingdom, its people and himself respect, though he does not allow his trust to be earned easily. The king has earned the respect of his people over the years as a fair ruler who always puts his kingdom over everything else. He has a warrior's spirit and will back down from no one. He is often confrontational to those he does not like or respect and can be quite the intimidating presence. Joren has a strong sense of honor and justice. He is fiercely defensive of his kingdom, not really paying much attention the affairs of other kingdoms unless they come in contact with his own. [b]Talents[/b] Joren is one of, if not the top swordsman in his kingdom, he is an extremely talented duelist capable with sword or spear. He is also a shrewd negotiator and a charismatic leader. Above all he is a fierce leader, one that inspires greatness in his soldiers. If there is ever a battle then he makes it a priority to spur his men on as an acting general in the battle. [b]Friends & Rivals[/b] Daan Pomeroy - Joren's closet friend since childhood, the two trained together and were schooled together. One of the few men that the king would trust his life with. Daan naturally serves as the Chancellor on the royal council of the kingdom. Arbitio Casares - His younger cousin, also the marshal of the kingdom. A very skilled swordsman, commander and tactician. Also the only man that Joren has admitted could best him in combat. Various nobles - Joren is well respected by the nobles of the kingdom, his influence is great and his word carries power amongst them. He treats them with respect and genuinely listens to what they have to say. [b]Background[/b] Joren was the second and last child of King Joren Casares I and Queen Madelien Brochard. His other sibling was a brother four years older than him by the name of Cyril Casares. Tragically, the Queen died three years after Joren's birth from a disease of the heart. The King was greatly saddened by her death and did not take another wife until his death may years later. Young Joren had a prodigious childhood that others could only dream of thanks to his family's wealth and status. He was taught a variety of subjects that one would need for their royal status. Around his preteen years he took a great interest in combat which he led him to beg is father to let him train in. His father allowed it, letting Joren and his brother receive training in swordsmanship and combat from some of the best teachers across the land who he paid to come to the capital. Another tragedy hit the family as Cyril suddenly died in a tragic accident at sea in which he was pulled underwater and drowned. The boy was only nineteen, and the tragedy impacted both his father and now his only son. From that point Joren II was groomed for kingship. Years later the king died, leaving his son to take over the crown, which he did reluctantly, unsure of how well he could rule compared to his father's legacy. [b]Other Information[/b] N/A [/hider] [hider=Queen Rose De Guignes] [b]Queen Rose De Guignes[/b] [img]http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/55/r169_457x256_10425__Message_2d_fantasy_hawk_falcon_girl_jewellery_princess_renaissance_portrait_picture_image_digi.jpg[/img] [b]Age[/b] 35 [b]Appearance[/b] Queen Rose is a strikingly beautiful woman, one always clad in the finest clothing. Her crown which seemingly always is on her head is made of solid gold with jewels embedded along it. [b]Personality[/b] She is a woman who enjoys the luxuries of life which have come with her status as Queen. Rose loves gold, the fancy clothing and the celebrity status that comes with being Queen. She has no real interest in ruling though, leaving that to her husband. Despite this she is not a stupid woman, she was highly schooled in her younger years. [b]Talents[/b] Rose is a very charismatic woman, one that truly fits the celebrity of being queen. While she has no experience in battle, she knows the basics to using a sword, having been taught shortly after her marriage to Joren. [b]Friends & Rivals[/b] Juliette De Guignes - Her younger sister, probably her closest friend as well. Juliette herself is married to a wealthy man in the capital and the sisters are never far apart from each other. Vera Amator - Her top personal handmaiden, also one of her most trusted friends. The queen treats her well, sometimes giving her gifts and actually treats her with respect despite her status as a servent. [b]Background[/b] Rose is the oldest daughter of Pier De Guignes, the Duke of Klaasen. She and her other sister, her only other sibling were both raised from the time they could walk to be proper high class women. Both were given the best schooling money could afford. She met her future husband and future king, Joren when her family traveled to the kingdom many years ago, when Rose was fifteen. Rose was smitten with him the moment she laid her eyes on him, he did not initially return the feelings as she was ten years his junior. Then four years later Joren's father, King Joren I passed away unexpectedly, leaving his only surviving son as next in line for the crown. A king needed a queen and Rose's father who was close friends with Joren's father offered either of his daughters to the king. To Rose's delight he chose her. They were wed a short time after in a beautiful ceremony. She's been queen since then, supporting her husband and his decisions, raising their two children and gaining celebrity status within her kingdom. [b]Other Information[/b] N/A [/hider] [hider=Prince Julien Casares] [b]Prince Julien Casares[/b] [img]http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/Ben-Barnes-as-Prince-Caspian-in-Chronicles-of-Narnia.jpg[/img] [b]Age[/b] 16 [b]Appearance[/b] Julien is a tall, sturdy young man with green eyes and brown hair reminiscent of his father. Those that knew his father when he was younger often remark just how similar Julien is to his dad in looks. [b]Personality[/b] Julien is a quiet fellow, one that tends to keep to himself and does not create conversation very easily. He is shy and does not often smile, which is quite contrary to both of his parents and his younger sister. He also has no real desire to become king when his fathers passes away, as he is unsure of how well he could actually lead the kingdom. [b]Talents[/b] The prince is a talented poet, writer and musician, his favorite instrument being the guitar. He is also a capable swordsman, having been taught by his father personally, though he doesn't particularly want to actually fight anyone. [b]Friends & Rivals[/b] Arbitio Casares - Julien has a great respect for Arbitio, the marshal of the kingdom and his own relative. Arbitio is typically the second person that young Julien goes to for advice only behind his own father. Robbert Garrastazu - Julien's closest and only best friend, the two both have much in common being sons of famous and wealthy fathers as well as having the same schooling. Robbert's father is a cavalier. [b]Background[/b] Prince Julien was the first born son of the recently crowned king and queen of the Kingdom of Caelia. His birth was the thing that brought his parents together in raising him as before his birth they were quite distant despite their status as a couple. As was customary with children of royalty he had a lavished childhood where he was given whatever he wanted along with top teachers and entertainment. Despite this his father still tried to treat him like a normal child, making it a priority to not let his son become conceited and lazy. As soon as he could pickup a sword the boy was trained to use it by his father. He reflected some of his father's skill with a blade. Julien was much less interested in battle and combat than his father, instead gaining a large interest in music, literature and poetry. Whilst King Joren was quietly disappointed with his son not being more like him, he still loved the boy and provided for him a large library of books from across the land as well as some of the best music teachers in the land. [b]Other Information[/b] N/A [/hider] [hider=Princess Miren Casares] [b]Princess Miren Casares[/b] [img]http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130801010309/legend-start-up/images/1/13/Teenage-girl-hair-styles-2012-4.jpg[/img] [b]Age[/b] 14 [b]Appearance[/b] Like her father and brother, Miren is tall even for her age. Her mother makes it a priority to have her dressed almost like herself with fancy dresses and jewelry. [b]Personality[/b] Miren is pretty much the opposite of her brother in personality, she being loud and prone to bouts of laughter. She seems to always have a smile on her face and tends to crack jokes. She sometimes can be stubborn and has bouts of anger. [b]Talents[/b] Miren is actually a better swordsman than her brother, which she finds quite amusing. She like her brother was trained by her father in the art of battle. [b]Friends & Rivals[/b] Arlette Leideman and Cécilia Auguste - Her two best friends, the trio is often seen together around the capital. Both girls are daughters of wealthy nobles. Renske Crull - The youngest daughter of the Duke of Léger, Renske is the same age as Miren, though the two are not friends, they dislike each other immensely. Renske often calls Miren spoiled and childish when she herself is the daughter of a very wealthy duke. [b]Background[/b] Miren is the second child and daughter of the king and queen, she was born two years after her brother Julien. She was always a loud and sometimes fiesty child, something that King Joren once commented reminded him of his brother Cyril while growing up. Miren is currently going through schooling, and unknown to her mother, occasional sword training with her father. [b]Other Information[/b] N/A [/hider] [b]Courtiers & Retainers:[/b] Chancellor Daan Pomeroy High Priest Cédric Caine Marshal Arbitio Casares Sage Edgar Arculf Sentinel Arjen Zwentibold Spymaster Aubin Sens Steward Robin Leufroy [b]Vassals:[/b] (1) House Renger, Duchy of Grandjean (2) House Boudet, Duchy of Ybarra (3) House Abaroa, Duchy of Voskus (4) House Brochard, Duchy of Ochoa (5) House Hullen, Duchy of Breider (6) House Moreau, Duchy of Duval (7) House Crull, Duchy of Léger (8) House Kasper, Duchy of Clair (9) House De Guignes, Duchy of Klaasen (10) House Ola, Duchy of Tabois [b]Realm:[/b] Kingdom of Caelia, Realm of the Expanse. [b]Primary Holding:[/b] Caedeux is the capital of the kingdom, large stone walls surround the city which sits on the desert shoreline peninsula below the Expanse. It is well known for its large and prosperous harbor which is filled with many fishermen each day. Another feature is the marketplace which sits near the main entrance to Caedeux, tents set up by merchants are a very common site here. The great capital has a lower population than many of the other kingdom's capitals due to its location right in the desert, despite this it is a populated place, most of the travelers to it being merchants or sellswords aligned to the kingdom. Castle Caedeland sits imposingly in the back of the capital, near the harbor. The castle is heavily guarded all hours of the day by a rotating shift of guards. The throne room is large and almost awe inspiring, paintings sit on the walls, just behind the throne is a large window which gives a breathtaking view of the sea. [b]Vassal Holdings:[/b] Feel free to be as brief or descriptive as possible with your vassal holding(s), though to reasonable form. [b]Influence & Relations:[/b] Voltaani - The Kingdom of Caelia has a long history with their neighbors, now a longtime ally. Recently relations have been tense between the two. King Joren and his council have been keeping an eye on their neighbors in recent time, due in large part to the crowning of King Mateo. Still trade continues between the two kingdoms and the last thing Caelia would want is a war. The Ivory Hand - Caelia and the sellsword company have had a strong relationship for years, this relationship has tensed with the death of Ordono Qaizos and the ascension of his second in command as the new leader. Troubling reports have reached the King and he is concerned. [b]Imports & Exports:[/b] Fish - a very common export, particularly from the kingdom which sits right by the ocean. All types of sea life are harvested and exported away. Gold - A common and well traded resource, gold makes the kingdom a large amount of money in exports. Rings, necklaces, even weapon hilts and more are just some of the things that are made from this valuable resource. Gems - While not as common as gold or fish, gems are a valuable trade item to the kingdom. They are often times combined with gold in order to create flashy, but expensive jewelry. Mercenaries - While the kingdom has soldiers of its own they still use foreign mercenaries alongside their own. King Joren sees it as a priority to establish good relations with the mercenary groups. [b]Recent History:[/b] King Joren Casares II's reign began at the age of 29 when his father, King Casares I died one fateful night. Foul play was not believed to be the cause, and the historians jot it up to a sickness. Nevertheless a new king had risen in the Kingdom of Caelia. Joren knew that the day was coming and had begun to prepare himself right after news of his father's passing broke. From the start of his rule Joren tried to rule in similar fashion to his father who was well liked and respected across the kingdom, though the man was not nearly the warrior his son was. Quickly after his ascension he was matched with Rose De Guignes, the daughter of a duke of Caelia and someone who was said to be the most beautiful woman in the land. He was hesitant to marry a woman ten years his junior and someone that he had not seen in years, but went through with it after some talks with his supporting council. Shortly after the consummation of their marriage Rose became pregnant with child. Months later Joren's first child was born, a green eyed infant boy who was named Julien after Rose's grandfather, a noble and respected man. The new king made it a priority to strengthen the military despite the fact that his kingdom had smaller populations than the others. He spent some of the Kingdom's coin on increased training, research of tactics and better weapons and armor. Though thanks to their location beside the dangerous Expanse Caelia had rarely come under attack in the past, it was better to be prepared for anything. [b]Other Information:[/b] Theme Song: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN4B6bGm0Ao]Mastodon - Ember City[/url] (WIP)