House de Normandie
House de Normandie, often referred to as the "Founding House," "House of the Lion," "House of Courage," and the "First House," stands as one of the three great houses of Outremer, and is the most iconic and influential of them all. This noble house traces its lineage back to Norman "The Lionheart" de Normandie, the legendary hero of the Great War of Undeath and the founder of Outremer. Over 5,800 years after its establishment, House de Normandie continues to thrive, shaping the destiny of Outremer, with Grandmaster Langris de Normandie currently at its helm.
The house takes its name from the village of Normandie, Norman's birthplace, although the village itself was destroyed during the War of Hell (9666-9686 AC), an apocalyptic conflict against Demonic forces. Despite its destruction, the name lives on, forever linked to Norman’s legacy.
At present, under the leadership of Grandmaster Langris de Normandie, the house continues to wield immense power. Langris himself is a direct descendant of Norman the Lionheart and currently oversees the Holy Order of Outremer, carrying both the legacy and authority of his ancestors. With dozens of members of the house positioned in key roles across Outremer, from military leadership to ecclesiastical positions, the House de Normandie remains at the center of Outremer’s political and military life.
Origins and Legacy
House de Normandie’s legacy is rooted in the Great War of Undeath, during which Norman the Lionheart earned his legendary title for his unwavering courage and valor in the face of the undead scourge. It was Norman's fearless leadership that played a key role in the salvation of the world and the eventual founding of Outremer. His descendants continue to carry this trait, as fearlessness is said to run in the very blood of the Normandie line. From birth, members of this house are said to embody the courage of their founding ancestor, making them natural leaders and warriors.The house takes its name from the village of Normandie, Norman's birthplace, although the village itself was destroyed during the War of Hell (9666-9686 AC), an apocalyptic conflict against Demonic forces. Despite its destruction, the name lives on, forever linked to Norman’s legacy.
The House of the Lion
The Lion has long been the symbol of House de Normandie, representing their fearlessness and strength of will. Norman’s legendary courage in the Great War earned him the title of the Lionheart, and this trait has been passed down through generations. Each member of the house is believed to possess the same indomitable spirit, and fear is seen as a foreign concept within their bloodline. The lion’s heart symbolizes not only their personal bravery but also their right to rule over Outremer, as the founding family and the bloodline most closely tied to its creation.Rule and Influence
Historically, House de Normandie has held continuous power over Outremer, with members of the family serving as Saint Emperors, Cardinals, and heroes of the realm. The house maintained an unbroken rule over the nation until the rise of House Robertine , marking the first significant challenge to their dominance. However, despite the emergence of other powerful houses, House de Normandie has remained the most revered and influential family in Outremer's history.At present, under the leadership of Grandmaster Langris de Normandie, the house continues to wield immense power. Langris himself is a direct descendant of Norman the Lionheart and currently oversees the Holy Order of Outremer, carrying both the legacy and authority of his ancestors. With dozens of members of the house positioned in key roles across Outremer, from military leadership to ecclesiastical positions, the House de Normandie remains at the center of Outremer’s political and military life.
Legacy of Fearlessness
One of the most unique traits of House de Normandie is the innate fearlessness attributed to its members. This courage is seen as a birthright, passed down through the bloodline from Norman himself. Legend states that not even newborns of House de Normandie show fear, an extraordinary quality that is both a blessing and a burden, as it places heavy expectations on each generation to live up to the legendary courage of their forebears.Power and Wealth
House de Normandie is also known for its vast influence, power, and wealth. With numerous estates, strongholds, and assets scattered across Outremer, the house has not only maintained its position through martial prowess but also through political acumen and wealth. Their strategic marriages, alliances, and the strength of their bloodline ensure their continued dominance in the kingdom.Seat of Power
The current seat of power for the house is the city of Vermandois, the nation's capital. The family controls the North-West of Outremer, with the major cities of Eu, Rouen, Caen, Cherbourg, Mortain, Vernon, and Sées under their control.Past Notable Members
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Norman "The Lionheart" de Normandie | Founder of Outremer and of the House. Legendary hero of the Great War of Undeath. |
| William "the Red" | Legendary Hero of the Vampire Wars, being bathed in soo much blood, his hair eventually turned blood red. |
| Lelouch "Dragon Slayer" | Legendary Crusader of the Great Crusade, he vanquished Dragons, Demons, Vampires and thousands of other evil creatures. |
| Philippe "Golden Eye" | Born with a golden eye that could see the future, he was a legendary crusader during the Great Crusade that won the crusaders countless battles. |
| Charles the Bald | Also known as the lucky, he was a legendary crusader during the second crusade. He was soo lucky that when enemies tried to cut his head off, they instead would shave him bald. Charles never suffered a wound in his entire life. |
| Henry the Great | The great Saint Emperor of both Outremer and The Empire of Man. He is praised for his many great reforms and victories in battle. |
| Henri the Massive | Standing at 14ft tall, Henri was a legendary crusader during the Third Crusade. He was soo strong that he split a mountain in two with a single strike. |
| Louen Orc-Slayer | Also known as Saint Louen. He would defend Outremer from thousands of orc invasions during his lifetime. |
| Carloman the Just | He was a legendary crusader during the Sixth Crusade, in which he was soo just and holy that the enemies he spared would join his side. |
Present Notable Members
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Grandmaster Langris de Normandie | The current Grandmaster of Outremer. He holds great power over the nation, ruling with elegancy and intelligence. |
| Robert de Normandie | Younger brother of Langris, he is the Master of Outremer and is renowned as the "Sword of Solomon". He is leading the Narnen Crusade. |
| Bartolomeus de Normandie | Youngest brother of Langris and Robert, he is a Saint Paladin that is currently residing at the World Tree Taia in Ur. |
| Elesis de Normandie | First-born daughter of Langris. A "Golden Child". |
| Mile de Normandie | A Saint Lord of Outremer. |
| Perresson de Normandie | A powerful Saint Lord of Outremer. |
| William de Normandie | An Arch-Bishop of Outremer. |
History
The Normandie Crisis (9663-9666 AC) marked one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of Outremer, a crisis that nearly saw the extinction of its founding house. It occurred in the aftermath of the 6th Outremer-Gaelic War (9620-9631 AC), a brutal conflict between Outremer and the Kingdom of Gaelem that resulted in significant losses for both nations, including the deaths of prominent members of House de Normandie.
In this dark time, a new hero emerged: Robert the Strong, a brilliant warrior and leader who would later found House Robertine. His heroic efforts during the War of Hell helped turn the tide against the demonic invasion. Following the war, Robert’s reputation and influence grew, and with no true Normandie heir in sight, he was crowned Saint Emperor, establishing House Robertine as the new ruling house of Outremer.
When Joffrey was eventually found, he was no longer a child but a young man, a fact that had contributed to the difficulty of locating him. Scholars and loyalists to House de Normandie had searched far and wide, and finally, after years of searching, they had discovered the last true heir to Norman "The Lionheart" de Normandie.
The near collapse of House de Normandie during the time of War of Hell represents another critical event in the history of Outremer. This incident, threatened the very survival of the founding house of the nation and plunged Outremer into another bloody civil war.
However, Henry’s reign was tragically short-lived. His promising rule was cut down in its prime when he was captured by mercenaries and taken to distant lands. Despite his lofty status, Henry was unable to escape his captors, and he died in captivity. The loss of such a powerful figure so suddenly left the empire in disarray, especially since Henry's sole heir, his daughter, was also taken by mercenaries to an unknown fate. His daughter, would never marry or have children, leaving no clear successor to the throne.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, House Robertine, which had previously ruled Outremer, to show loyalty to Henry had renounced its claim to the throne for three generations in the lord's name. This left the nobility scrambling for control, with no strong contender to unify the factions. The war earned its name, as various noble houses sought to seize the throne purely out of ambition and greed, rather than any legitimate claim.
While House Ginemiéres’ rise to prominence is a key outcome of the crisis, it was not the only important development during this period. The scholars and loyalists of House de Normandie, much like they had done during the Normandie Crisis, worked tirelessly to find a legitimate heir to the Normandie bloodline, hoping to restore the house to its rightful place.
The Loss of House de Normandie
The crisis began with the deaths of three successive Saint Emperors from House de Normandie, who were all slain or mortally wounded by the legendary king, Gaelem XXIII. First, Saint Emperor André and then his brother Saint Emperor Laurent were killed during the war itself, while Saint Emperor Enzo, though not killed in battle, succumbed to wounds inflicted by Gaelem decades after the war’s end. Enzo’s death, which occurred without an heir, was a pivotal moment, as it signaled the apparent extinction of House de Normandie, the house that had founded and ruled Outremer for centuries.The Civil War and Pretenders
With the house’s extinction, Outremer plunged into civil war, as pretenders emerged from all corners of the realm, each claiming to be descended from the Normandie bloodline in order to seize the Saint Emperor's throne. These self-proclaimed heirs sowed chaos, each backed by different factions that sought to manipulate the situation for their own gain. Despite the chaos, however, the loyal servants of House de Normandie refused to believe that their founding house was truly dead. They diligently scoured the world, hoping to find a surviving descendant who could claim the mantle of leadership and restore the house.The War of Hell (9666-9686 AC) and the Rise of House Robertine
Amid the internal chaos of the Normandie Crisis, a far greater danger descended upon Outremer: the War of Hell (9666-9686 AC). This cataclysmic conflict saw the forces of Hell itself invade the mortal world, leading to one of the most destructive wars in recorded history. The invasion of Demons during this war forced the warring factions to fight not only each other but also this existential threat.In this dark time, a new hero emerged: Robert the Strong, a brilliant warrior and leader who would later found House Robertine. His heroic efforts during the War of Hell helped turn the tide against the demonic invasion. Following the war, Robert’s reputation and influence grew, and with no true Normandie heir in sight, he was crowned Saint Emperor, establishing House Robertine as the new ruling house of Outremer.
The Rediscovery of Joffrey de Normandie
Years after the War of Hell, as Outremer settled under Robertine rule, a remarkable discovery was made: Joffrey de Normandie, the true heir of House de Normandie, was found alive. Joffrey’s father had been banished from Outremer along with his family due to an incestuous relationship between Joffrey’s father and his sister, although Joffrey himself was not a product of this relationship. This scandal had resulted in the exile of the family, and Joffrey had been raised far from Outremer, on the distant continent of Ur, making it nearly impossible to trace his lineage during the crisis.When Joffrey was eventually found, he was no longer a child but a young man, a fact that had contributed to the difficulty of locating him. Scholars and loyalists to House de Normandie had searched far and wide, and finally, after years of searching, they had discovered the last true heir to Norman "The Lionheart" de Normandie.
The Restoration of House de Normandie
Joffrey’s return to Outremer was a monumental event. He came back as the true heir of the legendary Norman the Lionheart, and his bloodline restored House de Normandie from the ashes. With Joffrey’s return, the pretenders were discredited, and House de Normandie was re-established as a powerful and rightful force within Outremer. Though House Robertine continued to rule for a time, the legacy of House de Normandie was secured for future generations.The near collapse of House de Normandie during the time of War of Hell represents another critical event in the history of Outremer. This incident, threatened the very survival of the founding house of the nation and plunged Outremer into another bloody civil war.
The Dual Emperor: Henry the Great
Saint Emperor Henry the Great of House de Normandie is remembered in history as one of the most prominent figures in Outremer’s legacy. He is the only emperor in history to have ruled not just Outremer, but also The Empire of Man, a empire of immense power and influence. His reign was seen as a golden age for Outremer, as he wielded unprecedented authority over two of the greatest empires in the world, commanding respect and admiration from all quarters.However, Henry’s reign was tragically short-lived. His promising rule was cut down in its prime when he was captured by mercenaries and taken to distant lands. Despite his lofty status, Henry was unable to escape his captors, and he died in captivity. The loss of such a powerful figure so suddenly left the empire in disarray, especially since Henry's sole heir, his daughter, was also taken by mercenaries to an unknown fate. His daughter, would never marry or have children, leaving no clear successor to the throne.
The War of Greed and the Crisis of Heirlessness
The death of Saint Emperor Henry and the abduction of his daughter sparked another succession crisis in House de Normandie. Without a legitimate heir to assume the throne, the house was left vulnerable once again to civil war. This internal struggle for power, known as the War of Greed, saw various claimants from different noble families vying for control of Outremer. It became a brutal and chaotic period in the history of the empire, as the lack of a strong central figure invited widespread conflict and instability.Adding to the complexity of the situation, House Robertine, which had previously ruled Outremer, to show loyalty to Henry had renounced its claim to the throne for three generations in the lord's name. This left the nobility scrambling for control, with no strong contender to unify the factions. The war earned its name, as various noble houses sought to seize the throne purely out of ambition and greed, rather than any legitimate claim.
The Founding of House Ginemiéres
Amidst the chaos of the War of Greed, a new power would rise in Outremer: House Ginemiéres. This noble house was founded by Saint Louis the Pious and Elesis the Saint. They managed to end the war of greed and unify Outremer, they would be the first and only joint emperors of Outremer. They would go on to become one of the three great houses of the empire, alongside House de Normandie and House Robertine.While House Ginemiéres’ rise to prominence is a key outcome of the crisis, it was not the only important development during this period. The scholars and loyalists of House de Normandie, much like they had done during the Normandie Crisis, worked tirelessly to find a legitimate heir to the Normandie bloodline, hoping to restore the house to its rightful place.
The Rediscovery of Beowulf de Normandie
After years of searching, the scholars of House de Normandie finally discovered an heir: Beowulf de Normandie. Beowulf had been living far from Outremer, in the distant Yang Empire, where he had served as a court official. His lineage was traced back to the founding house, making him a true descendant of Norman the Lionheart. He was a distant uncle of Henry. Beowulf was brought back to Outremer, much like Joffrey de Normandie had been in the previous crisis, and was swiftly recognized as the rightful heir to House de Normandie. His return brought an end to the heirless house's crisis.
A Heart of a Lion, A Sword of Righteousness
Founding Date
9119
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Alternative Names
"Founding House," "House of the Lion," "House of Courage," "First House,"
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