![[DALL·E 2025-02-22 16.18.18 - A noble heraldic crest for House Whitewood, featuring a majestic silver tree with deep roots, symbolizing strength and legacy. The tree is centered on.webp]] ### **House Whitewood** - **Motto/Sigil:** *“Strength, Honor, Legacy”* / A **silver tree with deep roots**, set against a **black and white field**. - **Region & Holdings:** House Whitewood holds **land in northern Brevoy**, near **the Golushkin Mountains**, overseeing **fortified estates, lumber-rich forests, and key mountain passes**. - **House Colors:** **Silver and deep forest green**, representing **endurance and resilience**. - **Societal Standing:** **A respected but militaristic noble house**, known for its **warriors, defensive fortifications, and unyielding honor.** - **Primary Industry:** **Military service, strategic fortifications, and high-quality timber exports.** They supply **Brevoy’s best siege engineers and tactical commanders**. --- ### **House Structure & Leadership** - **Current Head of House:** **Lord [[Aldric Whitewood]]** – A **masterful diplomat and strategist**, ensuring **House Whitewood's influence in Brevoy remains intact.** - **Heirs & Family Members:** - **Sir [[Brinnard Whitewood]]** – A **legendary warlord, now retired**, but still shaping the **military strength of Rivermarch**. - **[[Brinn Whitewood]]** – The **youngest son of Aldric, now the Lord Regent of Rivermarch**, forging **his own legacy outside Brevoy’s noble circles**. - **Lady [[Evelyne Marwin-Whitewood]]** – **Aldric’s wife and a keen political operator**, with **strong ties to Brevoy’s merchant houses**. - **Loyal Retainers & Advisors:** - **Captain [[Cedric Vayne]]** – A **veteran knight**, overseeing **House Whitewood’s military forces in Brevoy**. - **[[Marissa Tovald]]** – A **diplomatic agent**, ensuring **Brevoy’s courts remain favorable to House Whitewood’s interests**. - **Notable Ancestral Figures:** - **Duke Roderic Whitewood** – Expanded **House Whitewood’s military reputation**, securing **key fortifications along the Golushkin foothills**. - **Lady Yseult Whitewood** – A **notorious warrior-diplomat**, who **secured Whitewood’s status through strategic marriages and battlefield victories**. --- ### **Politics & Influence** - **Alliances & Rivals:** - **Maintains strong military ties with House Garess**, as both houses value **defense, strategy, and fortification.** - **Respected by House Orlovsky**, sharing **a commitment to Brevoy’s stability and sovereignty**. - **Viewed warily by House Surtova**, who see them as **a potential obstacle to their absolute rule.** - **Political Ideals:** **Honor, duty, and strength above all.** They value **strategic patience, measured diplomacy, and decisive action**. - **Reputation:** **Reliable, disciplined, and unyielding.** House Whitewood is **admired for its military expertise**, though some **see them as rigid traditionalists.** - **Enemies & Feuds:** - **House Surtova remains cautious of Whitewood**, knowing they **favor stability over Surtovan manipulation.** - **Merchant houses sometimes clash with them**, as Whitewood **prefers economic conservatism over risky ventures**. - **Military Power:** - **Well-trained soldiers, elite fortifications, and skilled tacticians.** - **Strongholds in the Golushkin Mountains** make their lands **nearly impregnable**. - **Magical Affinity:** - **Low reliance on magic**, favoring **martial prowess and engineering.** - Some **clerics of Iomedae serve as advisors**, focusing on **strategy, discipline, and divine protection**. --- ### **House History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** - House Whitewood began as a **military command, not a noble house**, earning **its rank through battle and loyalty to Brevoy.** - They became **trusted protectors of Brevoy’s northern frontiers**, securing key **defensive passes against invaders.** - **Greatest Triumphs:** - **Defended Brevoy during multiple conflicts**, particularly in securing **the Golushkin border.** - **Produced some of Brevoy’s finest generals**, including **Sir Brinnard Whitewood, who became a legend in his own time.** - **Darkest Secrets:** - Some **whisper that House Whitewood could challenge Brevoy’s current rule**, should it ever seek full sovereignty. - **Their loyalty to Brevoy is absolute—but only as long as Brevoy itself does not betray its people.** - **Current Struggles:** - **Balancing their presence in Brevoy with Brinn’s leadership in Rivermarch**, ensuring that **House Whitewood remains strong on both fronts.** - **Navigating Brevoyan politics carefully**, ensuring **House Surtova does not view them as a threat—yet.** --- ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Customs:** - **Strength is proven, not inherited.** Every heir **must train, serve, and prove their worth.** - **War is not sought, but always prepared for.** They believe **peace is maintained through readiness.** - **Preferred Fighting Style:** - **Heavy infantry, shield formations, and siege tactics.** - **Masters of fortification, defense, and war logistics.** - **Religious Affiliations:** - **Iomedae, goddess of honor and rulership, is widely worshiped.** - Some revere **Torag**, respecting **the dwarven ideals of endurance and craftsmanship.** - **Symbols of Power:** - **The Whitewood Warblade** – A **legendary sword**, wielded by **each generation’s strongest commander**. - **The Iron Vanguard** – A **select company of Whitewood’s finest warriors**, known for **unbreakable discipline**. --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Inspiration & Vibe:** - **Norman Knights meets Roman Legion Commanders**—a house **built on discipline, legacy, and the art of war.** - **Potential Story Hooks:** - **Brinn Whitewood’s rule in Rivermarch is testing House Whitewood’s influence.** Will they **fully support him, or is his independence a risk?** - **House Surtova may seek to undermine Whitewood’s standing**, knowing they **stand as a bastion of military might in Brevoy.** - **A Brevoyan war could force Whitewood to choose between Brevoy’s throne and their own sovereignty.**