Post by Admin on Aug 5, 2014 19:11:37 GMT -5
Originally derived from a smallholder family north of Nacimiento, the Blackthornes have the dubious honor of being Archades's shadiest family. Their slow but inexorable rise to the nobility was not simply luck, nor was it the gods' favor shining down on them. Thanks to fertile lands and an understanding of how to manipulate the soil to produce not only some of the finest textiles in Archades but some rather exotic fruits and herbs, the family made its mark early on. With good yields came money, prudently and discreetly invested. Some of those investments proved of high yield, allowing the Blackthornes to amass considerable wealth. A tightly-knit and notoriously circumspect family, they informed no one of their increased affluence until the time was nigh.
Striking when the proverbial iron was hot, the family not only obtained their noble status from the former Royal family through purchase but established the first bank in Archades. A century later, the Blackthornes sit firmly entrenched in Oria, a family that will not be ignored. The power granted them by the bank is considerable, yet they maintain a curious kind of loyalty to the Sandovals. Their scheming is saved for those of lesser importance, but their reputation is nothing short of towering. Many a proud man has come to seek their aid, only to prove humbled by their refusals.
However, despite the relative growth and expanding influence of the bank under their control, the family maintains their strong agricultural roots. Continuing to grow some of the finest flax, straw, and cotton, they enjoy the fruits of trade within Archades but do not restrict themselves solely to within the Kingdom, maintaining ties to the north and to the east.
To the Blackthorne family, money and power are a game they intend to win.
Striking when the proverbial iron was hot, the family not only obtained their noble status from the former Royal family through purchase but established the first bank in Archades. A century later, the Blackthornes sit firmly entrenched in Oria, a family that will not be ignored. The power granted them by the bank is considerable, yet they maintain a curious kind of loyalty to the Sandovals. Their scheming is saved for those of lesser importance, but their reputation is nothing short of towering. Many a proud man has come to seek their aid, only to prove humbled by their refusals.
However, despite the relative growth and expanding influence of the bank under their control, the family maintains their strong agricultural roots. Continuing to grow some of the finest flax, straw, and cotton, they enjoy the fruits of trade within Archades but do not restrict themselves solely to within the Kingdom, maintaining ties to the north and to the east.
To the Blackthorne family, money and power are a game they intend to win.