Duchy of Arden
House Notable Qualities: Rigid and Formal, Horse Lords, Adamantly suspicious of magic and Eletech.
Structure
There are four banner houses under the Duchy of Arden, each led by a Count and holding three large sections of the Duchy, with a fourth being the Ducal lands.
Duke Gregory Wren holds the lands in the center of the Duchy. He is in later years and already has several children grown. His eldest son and heir is Ser Frederick Wren. He is currently on his second marriage, to Duchess Ameile Wren, and although they have no children together (so far) he does have a stepson by her from her first marriage. Duchess Amelie’s previous husband was one of Duke Wren’s knights, and he died tragically at a young age in a training accident. She is much younger than Duke Wren, but as she had remained unmarried for 10 years prior before making the match it is thought that there is genuine affection between the two. Lord Declan Schafer von Arden, does not get along well with his stepfather, but that might be in part because his mother married the Duke while he was yet a teenager and he is only just 20 now.
Count Patrik Westermann's lands are in the far west, holding the border with Montaigne. Count Patrik is a no-nonsense old grump of a man, who nevertheless cares deeply about those in his charge. A fact that his husband, Count Litril Westermann, delights in reminding him. The grumpier Count Patrik gets, the more Count Litril teases him. They have several adopted children, and now grandchildren, but of note is their adopted son General Jonn von Arden who is one of the most renowned Knights of the Realm.
Count Hermann von Bek holds lands in the north, nearest Novandia. His eldest child and heir is Ser Kiara von Bek. Ser Kiara was Count Hermann’s only child for many years, and he raised her in all of the knightly and military pursuits. Although House Arden is conservative and he now has two young sons, he has always been a staunch proponent of her right to inherit (now supported by Eisen law).
Countess Alexandrine Kallenbach holds lands in the south along the border with the Duchy of Elysia. She is a forthright, almost headstrong woman who brooks no commentary on her decisions. She does as she wants within the boundaries of her loyalties to House Arden. She has an informal on-and-off again relationship with one of her barons, Baron Ivan Berengar. Baron Ivan is the sire of Countess Alexandrine’s heir, Lord Artur Kallenbach.
Countex Noachi Vogel holds the lands in the east of the duchy, along the shores of Brightcrown Lake. They hold the county in their own right, and although they have a clutch of 4 mates they do not share their titles with any of them. Ser Ekdu Vogel and Ser Akali Vogel are their right and left hands when it comes to the defense of the county whereas Lord Kip Vogel’s skills are more administrative. Larux Sokaa Vogel considers themselves the multi tool of the clutch. Although the clutch has hatched and raised many eggs together, of special note is Lady Ukere Vogel, who is the clutch’s chosen successor should the Countex perish. The clutch has also adopted Ser Lance Vogel, whom they found abandoned as a child and raised from a young age.
Notable Members of House Arden
(Click to expand)Culture
House Arden is located on the western plains of Eisen. Castle Arden, often simply referred to as “The Citadel”, stands at the centermost point of the plains. While there is no particular town here, villages dot the area and a small village of support staff has grown up around the outer gates of the Citadel.
Public Agenda
Each of the three Counties often vie for power, but there is an adamant, if unspoken, agreement that it is a game of politics only and, further, that it is completely put on the back burner against any outsider.
The Dukes of Rosebrier and Bremen, being both geographically close and politically opposed to the Duke of Arden
There is an “alliance of understanding” between the Duke and the three Counts where the political jockeying ends the moment any kind of emergency begins.
The Duke of Osterland is this house’s main ally.
House Arden pushes for a return to the traditional days before the Elemental Revolution, having lost some measure of power and influence with the advent of the steam rails and airships. The house is conservative leaning, agricultural focused, anti-reform
House Arden advocates for the traditional structure and heritage of Eisen and is decidedly anti-cosmopolitan. Perhaps interestingly, House Arden does not argue for a return to dwarven rule or the age of the wizard kings, but simply an Eisen as it existed before the Elemental Revolution.
Politically, House Arden rallies what few conservative voices remain and stands as an example of “Old Money” and power.
Socially, House Arden fosters many of their lesser nobles into service for the country, either as Knights, Cavaliers, or as Generals.
Assets
House Arden is most known for being the Horse Lords of Eisen, maintaining a variety of stables and breeding lines, as well as training some of the finest cavaliers in the world.
Arden destriers are some of the most well trained mounts in the country.
House Arden strictly controls the breeding programs of its horses and makes significant financial gain by selling the horses themselves, but also grooms, breeders, and other services related to animal husbandry.
This house focuses most of its power on military ends - it is not uncommon to find Arden nobles placed at all ranks of the military.
The Arden Ducal Guard is one of the best cavalier units in the country, and possibly in all of Europa.
Military influence is often leveraged into political influence and it is likely not uncommon to see “retired” knights and generals of House Arden at all levels of government and politics.
History
The house was founded in 1525 by Ser Alfred, Duke Arden, who led his cavalry in many of the early border disputes as the country was originally founded.
In early Eisen history, House Arden was more or less known as ‘the’ House to train the Knighthood of the former Empire
When the country moved to the Ducal Court, House Arden was adamantly against the change and wished to remain under a monarchical rule, however later Arden Dukes would adamantly resist the return having found that the power of the Ducal Court brought more power into their hands.
Sir Ulrich Geller, Duke Arden, was a Chancellor of Eisen over 100 years ago. His reign was marked by strict adherence to the law and was stable, if perhaps uninspired.
Unbridled by Fear (Ungezügelt von Angst)
Founding Date
1525
Type
Political, Family
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Location