![[DALL·E 2025-02-22 16.26.20 - A noble heraldic crest for House Medvyed, one of Brevoy’s great noble houses, featuring a proud stag standing beneath ancient oaks on a deep green shi.webp]] ### **House Medvyed** - **Motto/Sigil:** *“Steadfast as the Forest”* / A **majestic elk standing beneath ancient oaks** on a deep green field. - **Region & Holdings:** House Medvyed rules the **eastern highlands of Brevoy**, near the **Gronzi Forest**. Their lands are **rugged, forested, and sparsely populated**, home to **hunters, druids, and rangers**. - **House Colors:** **Dark green and brown**, reflecting their deep connection to nature. - **Societal Standing:** **Respected but politically isolated.** Medvyed is known for its **traditional ways, rural lifestyle, and loyalty to the land**. - **Primary Industry:** **Forestry, hunting, herbalism, and animal husbandry.** Medvyed exports **fine lumber, furs, and trained hunting animals**. --- ### **House Structure & Leadership** - **Current Head of House:** **Lord [[Gurev Medvyed]]** – A wise and patient ruler, known for his **kindness, diplomacy, and deep respect for nature**. - **Heirs & Family Members:** - **[[Tamar Medvyed]]** – His eldest son, an outspoken **traditionalist and defender of druidic ways**. - **Lady [[Yelena Medvyed]]** – A scholar with **ties to the Church of Erastil**, advocating for Medvyed’s role in Brevoyan politics. - **Loyal Retainers & Advisors:** - **Druid-Keeper [[Vasilya Thorne]]** – A **high-ranking druid and spiritual guide**, ensuring the house maintains harmony with nature. - **Huntsmaster [[Borik Valchin]]** – The **head ranger**, responsible for overseeing Medvyed’s hunting operations. - **Notable Ancestral Figures:** - **Velkan Medvyed the Green** – The founder of House Medvyed, who **swore an oath to protect the Gronzi Forest and its creatures**. - **Seraphina Medvyed** – A legendary **elven-blooded huntress**, known for taming the first dire elk to serve the house. --- ### **Politics & Influence** - **Alliances & Rivals:** - **Allied with House Orlovsky**, as both houses value tradition and neutrality. - **Respected by House Garess**, due to their shared **hardy, self-sufficient ways**. - **Distrusts House Surtova**, viewing them as **greedy and dishonorable**. - **Political Ideals:** **Conservationist, traditionalist, and regionalist.** They advocate for **self-rule and respect for the land**, often opposing Brevoy’s more aggressive expansion. - **Reputation:** **Honest, humble, and unyielding.** Medvyed is **less concerned with wealth and power**, prioritizing **nature, honor, and self-sufficiency**. - **Enemies & Feuds:** - **House Surtova sees them as backwards and weak**, dismissing their traditions as outdated. - **Brevoy’s expansionist factions** clash with Medvyed over **deforestation and land encroachment**. - **Military Power:** - **Elite rangers and woodland warriors**, capable of **guerilla tactics and ambushes**. - **War-trained dire elk cavalry**, used for scouting and hit-and-run strikes. - **Magical Affinity:** - Strong ties to **druidic magic**, **nature spirits**, and **divine casters of Erastil**. - Some Medvyeds are **gifted beast-tamers**, forming **unusual animal bonds**. --- ### **House History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** - House Medvyed was founded as a **protectorate of the Gronzi Forest**, sworn to **balance civilization with the wild**. - Their **deep-rooted traditions** and **druidic pacts** have guided them for centuries. - **Greatest Triumphs:** - **Defended the Gronzi Forest** from Surtovan-backed logging companies, preserving their ancestral lands. - Established **one of the most skilled hunting and tracking traditions in Brevoy**. - **Darkest Secrets:** - Some say Medvyed **harbors hidden elven or fey bloodlines**, passed down in secrecy. - There are rumors of an **ancient pact with the First World**, binding their family to the forest’s spirits. - **Current Struggles:** - **Pressured by House Surtova** to give up more land for resource exploitation. - **Struggling with internal divisions**, as younger members push for **more political involvement**. --- ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Customs:** - **The land is sacred**—Medvyeds do not take from it without giving back. - **Coming of Age Rituals** involve **hunting trials and spirit blessings**. - **Preferred Fighting Style:** - **Archery, mounted combat, and ambush tactics.** - **Beast companions are common** among Medvyed warriors. - **Religious Affiliations:** - **Erastil, god of community and the wild**, is the house’s primary deity. - Some also **revere Old Gods of the land and fey spirits**. - **Symbols of Power:** - **The Medvyed Stag Crown** – A carved antler crown passed down through generations. - **The Green Pact Oathstone** – A sacred stone where each Medvyed lord swears their vow to protect the land. --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Inspiration & Vibe:** - **Celtic Druids meets Slavic Rangers**—a noble house deeply tied to the wild. - **Potential Story Hooks:** - House Medvyed may **ally with Rivermarch**, but only if its **forests and lands are respected**. - **Surtova-backed forces might be encroaching**, forcing Medvyed to seek outside help. - **A forgotten fey bargain** could resurface, forcing Medvyed to **choose between honor and survival**.