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"From Shadows We Grow; Strong as Oak; Reaching for the Stars"
A view of the family's ancestral home of Oakclyff from below.
Past
A view of the family's ancestral home of Oakclyff from below.
Past
An ancient Daendroque clan, the family can trace its roots to that of the oaken tree that graces their sigil. They had arrived upon one of the finest ships of the age to the south western tip of Montania, across from the small island of Avull, in 181 AC. It was there they were directed south by a dead tree, and so they followed, until landing on the northern peninsula of Pays Sud. Here they founded their dynasty under the shadow of an oak tree atop the highest cliff on the shore, under which a cavern had formed from ancient waves and House Ombre would be born.
The keep would soon be called Oakclyff for the ancient tree that had guided the original founders. The original oak tree was the only survivor of its grove, the others being used to build and birth the familial business: sea trade. The Ombre's had always been excellent seamen and used this ability to found their House. So why not use it to further better the house?
By 210 AC a golden age could said to have befallen the Ombre clan. Coin traveled into the bustling port town of Oakclyff allowing for the mighty House to expand further into the main land. More and more taxes were gathered, more men recruited into the guardsmen and fleets, and more attention focused on the maturing clan.
It did not take long for the signature ambition of the House to be taken a step too far. Their small folk resulted, other lords declared war, and the Empire demanded payment around 250 AC. Soon the once glorious House that expanded the peninsula was nothing more than a small dot on the map, occupying a cave on the coast. This failure would haunt the Ombre to the present day.
Their business of sea trade continued, albeit slower than before, and the feeble family slowly got back on its feet. The 260s brought forth a new wave of hope for the House. They began to rekindle relationships with their small folk and spark new trade agreements with other lands. It was around this time that Joaquin de Oakclyff and Sebastián de Oakclyff were born.
Present
One of the tourneys of old that were once held during the prime of the Ombre family.
With the onset of the Chrysant War the two brothers hoped to bring fame and fortune to the family by offering their skills to the Empire. The oldest brother, Sebastián was deemed too frail to join the military and was instead left to care for Oakclyff. All the while Joaquin enlisted in the navy and brought glory upon their fallen house through his sailing genius.
By the war's time the two brothers had already been married, each with their own family. Sebastián had married a minor lord's daughter to keep the family's banner men happy and Joaquin married an Ithanian socialite. Despite the usual laws of inheritance, and perhaps because of his inability to fight, Sebastián was skipped over as heir to the Ombre House.
This final wish of their father brought strife between the two brothers, as Joaquin was officially made the patriarch of the family while his older brother was left to wallow in self pity and hatred. In spite of this, Joaquin allowed his brother to act as Lord of Oakclyff in his stead, as the young patriarch had recently acquired tea plantations in the far east and hoped to establish another revenue of regals for the family.
The family was finally prospering in the shadow of the great war... For a time at least.
Future
A view of the morning fog that crawls into the bay from the sea out of a window of Oakclyff.
Following this minor resurgence tragedy struck the family with the death of the patriarch, Joaquin, with the turn of the century in 300 AC. In his will, at the behest of his wife, their firstborn daughter was named heiress to the head of the house. A wish that would not be fulfilled. As her greedy uncle refused to be surpassed another time, much less by a woman, and claimed the title as his own.
Olivia did not falter, however, and instead used the wealth of her father and in laws to find a way off the Isles of her home to Regalia, in order to get assistance from the Empire. Her quest was useless, as she soon learned how apathetic the royal family could be to those they deemed unworthy. So her goal changed, as she needed to have her name known for her house to receive any kind of aide.
She doubled her efforts to socialize with the nobility, and feeling as if that was not getting the effect she wanted, the young Ithanian took matters into her own hands. A coup d'état was set into place to reclaim her land... And so it was, her alchemic knowledge giving her own men the boost they needed. This acquisition of power proved to be enough for someone to notice her, and nobility dressed her shoulders.
The most basic info for those that want a quick understanding of House Ombre.
- House: Ombre
- Sigil: Silver oak tree against navy blue background
- Motto: "From Shadows We Grow; Strong as Oak; Reaching for the Stars"
- Colors: Silver, navy blue, brown
- Culture: Champagnard - Dressolini - Ch'ien-Ji
- Religion: Unionism & Dragon Worship
- Politics: Leftist
- Trade: Tea & Seatrade
Family Traits
Most members of the house have the following traits:
- Brown hair, usually lighter in tone but can be darker depending on outside blood. Blue eyes are also the standard of the family.
- Ambition. The defining trait of the House. From the long deceased members to the modern ones, almost all Ombre have a burning passion with in them.
- The family is Dressolini in origin, but with Olivia's mother Ithanian members are permitted. Ch'ien may also find a way into the family because of Olivia's past marriage.
Oakclyff – Hidden beneath the mighty oak tree that once guided the Ombre, the keep is built into a cliff/cove overlooking the coast of Pays Sud.
Lee Sin Tea Plantations – Tea plantations, some acquired by Joaquin while others were inherited by Olivia from her in-laws, provide precious tea leaves from the Yang-Tzu Isles for the family to trade.
SS Seasalt – An ancient ship that has been in the family for generations, it has received many upgrades, remodeling, and reconstruction over the years but the telltale blue and silver sails show everyone who it belongs to.
Avull Island – Recently claimed by Olivia, the small island is tactically situated in the middle of the straight between Montania and Vultaro. The Ombre matriarch has many plans for the island but for now leaves the residents to do as they please.
A map showing the land under Ombre control.
Madame la Ombre, Olivia Désirée Ombre.
Protecteur de Avull Island, Olivia Désirée Ombre.
Dame de Oakclyff, Olivia Désirée Ombre.
Countess de Imperial Court, Olivia Désirée Ombre.
Swan de Ithanian Court, Olivia Désirée Ombre.
Protectress de Ithania, Olivia Désirée Ombre.
Application
Anyone is allowed to apply as long as they fill out the following application (and tag @Posidem ):
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Once accepted, we will work together to find a role for you in the family.
- The original motto of the family was "From Shadows we Grow", in reference to Oakclyff which is under the shadow of the mighty oak as well as the shadow of the cove.
- The second part of the motto "As Strong as Oak" was added by Joaquin to signify the strength of the family during the Chrysant War.
- The final part of the motto "Reaching for the Stars" was added by Olivia to note the family's ambition as well as pay tribute to the Ch'ien who raised her and were important to her life.
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