![[DALL·E 2025-02-22 16.42.34 - A noble heraldic crest for House Garess, one of Brevoy’s great noble houses, featuring a black anvil on a field of gray, symbolizing their strength, r.webp]] ### **House Garess** - **Motto/Sigil:** *“Stone Endures”* / A black anvil on a field of gray, with a silver hammer above it. - **Region & Holdings:** Controls **Grayhaven**, a fortress city nestled in the **Golushkin Mountains**. Their lands are rugged and rich in **iron, stone, and precious minerals**. - **House Colors:** **Gray and black**. - **Societal Standing:** A **pragmatic and dependable noble house**, known for its **ties to the dwarven clans** and **unshakable loyalty** to those they trust. - **Primary Industry:** **Mining, metallurgy, and fortifications**. They supply **Brevoy’s best weapons and armor**, and their mountain strongholds are nearly impregnable. --- ### **House Structure & Leadership** - **Current Head of House:** **Lord [[Howlan Garess]]** – A no-nonsense ruler, more of a **general than a noble**, known for his practicality and **unwavering sense of duty**. - **Heirs & Family Members:** - **[[Jerrik Garess]]** – His eldest son, a respected **master blacksmith** and negotiator with the dwarves. - **Lady [[Myrna Garess]]** – His younger daughter, a skilled **military commander** who leads House Garess’s elite troops. - **Loyal Retainers & Advisors:** - **Master Forgewright [[Keldran]]** – A **dwarven armorer**, responsible for crafting the finest blades and siege weapons in Grayhaven. - **Sir [[Edric Tormayne]]** – A seasoned **strategist and war counselor**, loyal to Lord Howlan. - **Notable Ancestral Figures:** - **Baron Aldric Garess** – The founder of Grayhaven, known for **forging an alliance with the Golushkin dwarves** centuries ago. - **Dame Yvanna Garess** – A legendary **defender of the Golushkin Pass**, who held back an orc invasion with only a handful of soldiers. --- ### **Politics & Influence** - **Alliances & Rivals:** - **Strong ties with the Golushkin dwarves**, trading weapons and armor in exchange for security. - **Neutral toward Rivermarch**, but open to an alliance if it benefits their mining interests. - **Respectful of House Orlovsky**, as they share similar values of honor and tradition. - **Political Ideals:** **Practical, loyal, and tradition-bound**. They avoid unnecessary political games but value **security and self-sufficiency**. - **Reputation:** **Reliable, honorable, and tough.** House Garess is **not easily swayed** and only makes deals that **benefit their people**. - **Enemies & Feuds:** - **House Surtova views them as stubborn isolationists**, unwilling to play courtly politics. - **Military Power:** - A **disciplined standing army**, specializing in **siege warfare and defensive tactics**. - **Dwarven allies bolster their defenses**, making **Grayhaven nearly unassailable**. - **Magical Affinity:** - Low reliance on magic—**prefers steel and strategy over spells**. - Some **dwarven rune magic** is used in their smithing and fortifications. --- ### **House History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** - Founded by **Baron Aldric Garess**, who established Grayhaven as a **mountain stronghold** and secured an alliance with the **Golushkin dwarves**. - **Greatest Triumphs:** - **Repelled multiple invasions** over the centuries, including **orc warbands and rival Brevoyan houses**. - Forged **some of the strongest weapons and armor** in Brevoy, worn by the **elite forces of the Aldori Swordlords**. - **Darkest Secrets:** - **A hidden rift between the Garess family and the dwarves**—some say a **broken promise** threatens their alliance. - Rumors suggest that **Lord Howlan harbors distrust toward Brevoy’s ruling houses**, suspecting **House Surtova of scheming against them**. - **Current Struggles:** - **Declining influence in Brevoy**—other houses see them as **too insular**. - **Pressure from Surtova to provide more weapons**, despite Garess’s reluctance to be used as a pawn in political conflicts. --- ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Customs:** - **Loyalty and resilience**—House Garess does not betray its allies or break its word. - **Respect for craftsmanship**—smithing and stoneworking are seen as noble pursuits. - **Preferred Fighting Style:** - **Heavy infantry and siege warfare**, supported by **dwarven-crafted war machines**. - **Religious Affiliations:** - **Torag, god of the forge and protection**, is widely worshipped, especially among their dwarven allies. - **Symbols of Power:** - **The Anvil Throne** – The stone seat of House Garess, carved from a single massive rock. - **Dwarven-Forged Blades** – Each ruler of House Garess carries a **rune-etched sword**, gifted by the Golushkin dwarves. --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Inspiration & Vibe:** - **Scottish Highland Clans** meets **Dwarven Fortress Lords**. - **Potential Story Hooks:** - House Garess **might be willing to fortify Oleg’s Trading Post**, but only if they get access to **new iron deposits**. - **A secret schism among the dwarves** could weaken their alliance, creating an opportunity—or a threat. - **Rivermarch could negotiate for a supply of elite dwarven-crafted weapons**, but at a **political or military cost**.