Post by Josh on Oct 5, 2014 12:14:36 GMT -5
There was a time that the Ibarra knew nothing more than the fish from the lake, fruits from their fields and sheep upon their shallow hills. Indeed, they did not even call themselves the Ibarra clan, but rather the Clans of the Water, or simply the Watermen. Along with other clans, they were a quiet, peace-loving people that simply went about their daily lives along the southern shore of the Sea of Acasa. That all changed when the cataclysm to the south struck. Ash spread through the majority of Archades, forcing new peoples to the area. As the Sandovals eventually laid claim to the land that would become Estersea, the Watermen vowed to stay out of any conflict that arose between the foreigners and the Vasile clan. To that end, the Watermen quietly swore fealty to the Sandovals. The peaceful life resumed.
As the centuries rolled on, the Sandovals impressed upon the strategic importance of the region, especially since it served as a link between the western and eastern halves of the newly formed Kingdom of Archades. To that end, the cultural integration of the Watermen into the kingdom was gradual, but purposeful process. The Watermen became educated, skilled in the ways of the courts and a member of Kingdom society. In addition, the Deveraux clans to the west exerted their influence upon the region. It was no secret that the Deverauxs were ambitious, feeling that they should be true rulers of the kingdom.
The Watermen were caught between two very influential cultures. Marriages were made, marriages were broken, people came and went, the village grew sporadically, the economy shifted and, indeed, the very culture of the Watermen changed. What eventually came of these dual influences was the establishment of the Ibarra family, raised to barons and then counts at the blessing of the Sandovals and the praise of the Deverauxs.
As counts of Gilboa, the town continued to grow. The fishing industry lent itself naturally to a small shipbuilding guild, specializing in fishing and merchant vessels. The ships and river barges of the Ibarra became known for their swiftness on the water and depths of their cargo holds. It was no surprise to anyone that the Ibarra eventually became masters of the shipping industry, specializing in imports and exports. Never did the Ibarra family forget, however, their ancient roots, clinging to the ideals of family loyalty, unity and strength.
The winds of power shifted. The Deveraux influence over the throne of Archades was impossible to ignore. When the western power plucked the throne from the Sandoval hands, the Ibarra family found themselves as a crossroads: raise their banners in honor of the Sandovals or swear fealty to the new lords of the land. The influence of the Deverauxs won out, threatening with bloodshed but giving promises of monetary reward to keep the peace in Estersea.
As the most wealthy and influential family in Estersea, the Deverauxs tasked the Ibarra family to keep the Sandovals to their exiled home of Nacimiento and to keep the rest of the vassal houses in the region firmly in line. As a reward, not only were they elevated the noble rank of marquess but styled as Wardens of Estersea. With the new titles, the wealthy of Gilboa grew almost twofold. The gains were spent to improve the military capability of the region and to strengthen their industry. Relations between their compatriots, the Romanovs, were a slight different matter. The two families were, in essence, trapped between two lions. As such, the Ibarras and Romanovs maintain civil, even friendly, relations and work to bolster their mutual economies through trade deals.
In recent times, tragedy has struck the Ibarra family. Within the city, arguments and debates rose aplenty about just which royal family the Ibarra should truly support. The conflict has resulted in assassinations, mysterious illnesses and other bizarre deaths of family members. Despite it all, however, the Ibarra family continues to hold true to their ideal: they are the Wardens of Estersea and they will do what they must to maintain the peace.
As the centuries rolled on, the Sandovals impressed upon the strategic importance of the region, especially since it served as a link between the western and eastern halves of the newly formed Kingdom of Archades. To that end, the cultural integration of the Watermen into the kingdom was gradual, but purposeful process. The Watermen became educated, skilled in the ways of the courts and a member of Kingdom society. In addition, the Deveraux clans to the west exerted their influence upon the region. It was no secret that the Deverauxs were ambitious, feeling that they should be true rulers of the kingdom.
The Watermen were caught between two very influential cultures. Marriages were made, marriages were broken, people came and went, the village grew sporadically, the economy shifted and, indeed, the very culture of the Watermen changed. What eventually came of these dual influences was the establishment of the Ibarra family, raised to barons and then counts at the blessing of the Sandovals and the praise of the Deverauxs.
As counts of Gilboa, the town continued to grow. The fishing industry lent itself naturally to a small shipbuilding guild, specializing in fishing and merchant vessels. The ships and river barges of the Ibarra became known for their swiftness on the water and depths of their cargo holds. It was no surprise to anyone that the Ibarra eventually became masters of the shipping industry, specializing in imports and exports. Never did the Ibarra family forget, however, their ancient roots, clinging to the ideals of family loyalty, unity and strength.
The winds of power shifted. The Deveraux influence over the throne of Archades was impossible to ignore. When the western power plucked the throne from the Sandoval hands, the Ibarra family found themselves as a crossroads: raise their banners in honor of the Sandovals or swear fealty to the new lords of the land. The influence of the Deverauxs won out, threatening with bloodshed but giving promises of monetary reward to keep the peace in Estersea.
As the most wealthy and influential family in Estersea, the Deverauxs tasked the Ibarra family to keep the Sandovals to their exiled home of Nacimiento and to keep the rest of the vassal houses in the region firmly in line. As a reward, not only were they elevated the noble rank of marquess but styled as Wardens of Estersea. With the new titles, the wealthy of Gilboa grew almost twofold. The gains were spent to improve the military capability of the region and to strengthen their industry. Relations between their compatriots, the Romanovs, were a slight different matter. The two families were, in essence, trapped between two lions. As such, the Ibarras and Romanovs maintain civil, even friendly, relations and work to bolster their mutual economies through trade deals.
In recent times, tragedy has struck the Ibarra family. Within the city, arguments and debates rose aplenty about just which royal family the Ibarra should truly support. The conflict has resulted in assassinations, mysterious illnesses and other bizarre deaths of family members. Despite it all, however, the Ibarra family continues to hold true to their ideal: they are the Wardens of Estersea and they will do what they must to maintain the peace.