Post by Admin on May 3, 2015 18:33:59 GMT -5
One of the oldest families in Archades, they traveled west with the Montefiore from the homeland. Originally vintners, they brought their precious grapevines with them, intending to settle in the new land and establish a winery. For a time, they struggled with the soil, trying to transplant the grapes but swiftly adapted to other crops for subsistence. The family, citing tenacity as their main virtue, refused to surrender their battle, determined to succeed.
Help arrived in the most unexpected and unpredictable of ways - the volcanic eruption sent clouds of ash to the north and east, spreading over the separate regions. The Savareses fled to the north with their Montefiore cousins for safety, but were among the first to return to their home. Reluctant to take part in the feud that erupted every bit as violently, they turned their faces to the east of the river, crossing it to set up a new homestead in the greenest valley their eyes ever glimpsed.
In doing so, the Savarese family found the ideal place to plant their grapes. In the ash-enriched soil, the grapes not only grew but thrived, along with groves of olive and lemon trees. As was their habit, they planted roses to protect and shade the grapes’ delicate roots, producing some of the finest, most fragrant blossoms to be found in Archades. Within twenty years, the winery of which they’d dreamed was built and producing, the cellars filling each year with casks of wine. Some were kept to age longer into fine liqueurs worthy of gracing royal tables.
For nearly 1200 years, the family has lived in peace, remaining neutral in their valley, interfering with none as they served their lieges, the Montefiores. Naturally elevated to the rank of Count and deeded the city of Terre Verde, they were a prosperous family, one with a bright and promising future. Alas, the Fates do not look on too-happy mortals kindly, bringing House Savarese to the brink of extinction through the misfortune of two young people who fell in love. The heir to the house, Benicio Savarese, met the young heiress to House Sforza of Treveno, a match that neither house looked on favorably by virtue of their rivalry as winemakers.
However, the young lovers were not dissuaded from their affair, vowing to marry despite opposition. Before they could be united, both disappeared from their respective cities without a word or a trace. For weeks, tensions escalated between the Houses, each accusing the other of abducting the heir. When the pair were found together in a temple on the border between the regions, it was too late - Benicio and his Sforza bride, as it turned out, were dead by their own hands, refusing to be kept apart by their families.
The priests who waited for the families pleaded for the families to set aside their rivalry before more lives were lost, the letter left behind speaking of souls bound together in death as hands were denied in life. Alas, the pleas fell on deaf ears and what began as a rivalry escalated to a feud that has persisted to this day.
War broke out between the houses, a pitched battle ensuing on the border before the Warden of Estersea or the Duke of Seravino could arrive to prevent bloodshed. When they arrived, the damage was wrought - the field was littered with the bodies of Sforza and Savarese alike. Though neither House has met in battle since, forbidden or risk a loss of attainder and banishment. That does not mean the feud is over or inhibit further actions from being taken, unfortunately. Numerous murders have occurred in the Savarese family for which they squarely place the blame at the Sforzas’ hands.
Decimated by time, feud, and misfortune, House Savarese bravely soldiers on despite its gravely reduced numbers. The Count and his heir, his only remaining child, and several cousins are what remain, yet they are determined that the house will recover.
The members of House Savarese are unmistakably united in their appearances - they are of medium height and build, with dark brown or black hair and olive complexions. Though the majority possess dark eyes, occasionally a hazel-eyed child is born. They are fiercely loyal to each other, their House and their ancient legacy.
Help arrived in the most unexpected and unpredictable of ways - the volcanic eruption sent clouds of ash to the north and east, spreading over the separate regions. The Savareses fled to the north with their Montefiore cousins for safety, but were among the first to return to their home. Reluctant to take part in the feud that erupted every bit as violently, they turned their faces to the east of the river, crossing it to set up a new homestead in the greenest valley their eyes ever glimpsed.
In doing so, the Savarese family found the ideal place to plant their grapes. In the ash-enriched soil, the grapes not only grew but thrived, along with groves of olive and lemon trees. As was their habit, they planted roses to protect and shade the grapes’ delicate roots, producing some of the finest, most fragrant blossoms to be found in Archades. Within twenty years, the winery of which they’d dreamed was built and producing, the cellars filling each year with casks of wine. Some were kept to age longer into fine liqueurs worthy of gracing royal tables.
For nearly 1200 years, the family has lived in peace, remaining neutral in their valley, interfering with none as they served their lieges, the Montefiores. Naturally elevated to the rank of Count and deeded the city of Terre Verde, they were a prosperous family, one with a bright and promising future. Alas, the Fates do not look on too-happy mortals kindly, bringing House Savarese to the brink of extinction through the misfortune of two young people who fell in love. The heir to the house, Benicio Savarese, met the young heiress to House Sforza of Treveno, a match that neither house looked on favorably by virtue of their rivalry as winemakers.
However, the young lovers were not dissuaded from their affair, vowing to marry despite opposition. Before they could be united, both disappeared from their respective cities without a word or a trace. For weeks, tensions escalated between the Houses, each accusing the other of abducting the heir. When the pair were found together in a temple on the border between the regions, it was too late - Benicio and his Sforza bride, as it turned out, were dead by their own hands, refusing to be kept apart by their families.
The priests who waited for the families pleaded for the families to set aside their rivalry before more lives were lost, the letter left behind speaking of souls bound together in death as hands were denied in life. Alas, the pleas fell on deaf ears and what began as a rivalry escalated to a feud that has persisted to this day.
War broke out between the houses, a pitched battle ensuing on the border before the Warden of Estersea or the Duke of Seravino could arrive to prevent bloodshed. When they arrived, the damage was wrought - the field was littered with the bodies of Sforza and Savarese alike. Though neither House has met in battle since, forbidden or risk a loss of attainder and banishment. That does not mean the feud is over or inhibit further actions from being taken, unfortunately. Numerous murders have occurred in the Savarese family for which they squarely place the blame at the Sforzas’ hands.
Decimated by time, feud, and misfortune, House Savarese bravely soldiers on despite its gravely reduced numbers. The Count and his heir, his only remaining child, and several cousins are what remain, yet they are determined that the house will recover.
The members of House Savarese are unmistakably united in their appearances - they are of medium height and build, with dark brown or black hair and olive complexions. Though the majority possess dark eyes, occasionally a hazel-eyed child is born. They are fiercely loyal to each other, their House and their ancient legacy.