Post by Admin on Jul 26, 2014 16:35:07 GMT -5
The story of the magnificent Montefiore family stretches back several centuries, before even their arrival to what is today Archades. In truth, the family had very little noble blood in their homeland, being little more than wealthy merchant-barons in the eye of their fastidious monarch. The family’s passion could hardly suffer being so constrained with the court, finding their once lucrative trades drying up and what little influence they held in court waning. Thus, after forming a pact with the Sandoval family, they boldly struck out west with their small fleet in hopes of finding land, glory and gold.
What they found instead, initially, was disaster. A storm whipped them far off course and forced to an unknown land. Certainly, unknown land was exactly what they hoped to find, but with little chance of bringing back any newfound riches to the homeland, their goals had changed from glory to survival. Working alongside the Sandovals, the two families established a colony town which eventually grew. Families formed from the crew eventually established themselves and eventually they ventured out to settle into other parts of what they called Seravino.
Life was good for the colonists. Metals had been found and good land for their horses allowed the herds to flourish. The land was lush and the times were peaceful… until the cataclysm. The volcanic eruption to the southwest forced the families to flee north, unable to tolerate the now ash covered lands of Seravino. To make matters worse, as they ventured north into what they thought was clean territory, they learned they were not alone.
Even as they established a new one, constant clashes with the tribes of Vasile were draining. It was only after several bloody years that the Sandovals and Montefiores learned they could return home. Along the way, an argument grew between two brothers: Antonin and Lorenzo. Antonin was of the firm opinion that the family needed to expand further south, see if those lands were unclaimed. Lorenzo disagreed just as strongly, stating that they need to reaffirm their position in Seravino and allow the colony to flourish once again. Even then, the two argued bitterly on how to accomplish such. The arguments grew worse and eventually devolved into physical conflict. Lorenzo swore off his brother, and the Sandovals intervened before the conflict began shedding blood. It was agreed. Lorenzo and his family would remain in Seravino while Antonin’s family ventured south to what would eventually become Calandria. Both agreed to defer to the cooler heads of the Sandovals for leadership.
Once the family split, Lorenzo Montefiore focused on rebuilding Seravino. The ground quakes from the volcano had collapsed some of the metal mines, but through hard work and determination, they were reopened. Much to the family’s surprise, however, it was not long after that the first evidence of gems were discovered. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds were found over the years and in ample supply, providing the Montefiores a source of much needed wealth to fund their recovery. The volcanic ash eventually proved fruitful, and the plains upon which they raised their horses flourished.
Over the following years, the Montefiores and their vassals ventured east toward the desert to found a port city. While the Kingdom of Archades was being founded, the Montefiores were maintaining a very uneasy truce with the tribes found within the Rohari desert. In the end, both sides agreed to leave each other be.
As for their relationship with the Deliambres, the two of them had been involved in a deep feud, often exchanging harsh words and fierce blows. When the Sandovals were removed from power, the Montefiores were absolutely convinced that the Deliambres played some role in it. In that, the family vowed to help the Sandovals return to power and make the Deliambres pay for their treachery. Despite the Deveraux’s establishment of a zone of peace between the two lands, the Montefiores believe in the Sandovals' return to power and to make the Deliambre finally learn their lesson…
In general, the Montefiores are a hardy but varied people. Those and their vassals that live in the east of the region are darker in color, though more slender and adapted to the harsh heat of the desert. Those that live in the mountains and along the rivers are taller, better built and lighter in skin tone. All members of the Montefiore family have dark hair and dark eyes, though a few have surprisingly light colored eyes. Another consistent trait is the passion burning in their blood. A Montefiore is a one who is passionate, charismatic and determined to boot!