![[DALL·E 2025-02-22 16.19.05 - A noble heraldic crest for House Surtova, the ruling family of Brevoy, featuring a black ship sailing through frozen waters, symbolizing their dominan.webp]] ### **House Surtova** - **Motto/Sigil:** *“The Ice Shall Rule”* / A **black ship sailing through frozen waters**, set against a **silver and blue field**. - **Region & Holdings:** House Surtova rules from **Port Ice**, a major port city on the **Lake of Mists and Veils**. They also **occupy the Ruby Fortress in New Stetven**, the former seat of House Rogarvia. - **House Colors:** **Black, silver, and deep blue.** - **Societal Standing:** **The most powerful and controversial house in Brevoy.** - **Primary Industry:** **Naval trade, espionage, and political manipulation.** They dominate **lake trade routes** and **control Brevoy’s monarchy through influence and subterfuge**. --- ### **House Structure & Leadership** - **Current Head of House:** **King-Regent [[Noleski Surtova]]** – The ruler of Brevoy, **cunning and ruthless**, seeking to **solidify his family's control over the kingdom**. - **Heirs & Family Members:** - **[[Natala Surtova]]** – Noleski’s sister, a **shrewd political manipulator**, rumored to be **the true power behind the throne**. - **Lord [[Marius Surtova 1]]** – A military commander, tasked with **quelling dissent and maintaining order**. - **Loyal Retainers & Advisors:** - **Duke [[Orvin Malthis]]** – A **corrupt noble** who ensures Surtova’s dominance over Brevoy’s courts. - **Lady [[Ilyana Daryov]]** – A **master spy**, overseeing a **network of informants** and assassins. - **Notable Ancestral Figures:** - **King Stavian Surtova** – The first **Surtovan ruler**, who **seized power after the Vanishing**. - **Admiral Valis Surtova** – Expanded Brevoy’s **naval dominance**, crushing rival traders. --- ### **Politics & Influence** - **Alliances & Rivals:** - **Rules Brevoy, but has few true allies**—most houses obey out of **fear or necessity**. - **Despises House Orlovsky** for their refusal to acknowledge Surtova’s rule. - **Undermines House Lebeda**, seeing them as a **mercantile threat**. - **Political Ideals:** **Pragmatic, authoritarian, and ruthless.** They prioritize **power, stability, and control**, using **fear and diplomacy as weapons**. - **Reputation:** **Feared, distrusted, and respected.** They are seen as **cold-hearted rulers, playing the long game with Brevoy’s fate**. - **Enemies & Feuds:** - **House Rogarvia’s return would threaten their rule**, making them **seek out and eliminate any supposed heirs**. - **Many Brevoyan nobles quietly despise them**, but fear their reach. - **Military Power:** - Controls **Brevoy’s largest navy**, securing dominance over **the Lake of Mists and Veils**. - **Employs mercenaries and spies**, preferring indirect warfare and **political maneuvering**. - **Magical Affinity:** - **Relies on illusionists, diviners, and enchanters** to manipulate and control. - **Secretly funds necromantic research**, rumored to have experimented with **forbidden magic**. --- ### **House History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** - House Surtova was once a **merchant-lord family**, rising to power through **naval trade and political marriages**. - **Betrayed House Rogarvia**, seizing the Ruby Fortress and claiming the throne after the Vanishing. - **Greatest Triumphs:** - **Manipulated Brevoy’s politics to maintain power**, outmaneuvering rivals. - **Survived multiple assassination attempts and rebellions**, proving their **cunning and resilience**. - **Darkest Secrets:** - **Some suspect they had a hand in the Vanishing**, ensuring House Rogarvia’s demise. - **They may be in league with foreign powers**, preparing for **an eventual war to secure their rule permanently**. - **Current Struggles:** - **Growing unrest among Brevoy’s nobles**—House Orlovsky and Lebeda resist their rule. - **Rumors of a lost Rogarvian heir could spark a civil war**, threatening their claim to the throne. --- ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Customs:** - **Power must be maintained at all costs.** - **Family loyalty is absolute**—betrayal is punishable by death. - **Preferred Fighting Style:** - **Naval warfare, political assassinations, and psychological manipulation.** - **They avoid direct military conflict**, preferring **to weaken enemies from within**. - **Religious Affiliations:** - **Abadar, god of law and wealth**, is publicly honored. - **Some whisper that dark cults operate within their ranks**, serving unknown entities. - **Symbols of Power:** - **The Ruby Fortress** – The **stolen seat of power**, now occupied by the Surtovas. - **The Black Ledger** – A book said to contain **every secret, betrayal, and debt owed to the family**. --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Inspiration & Vibe:** - **Venetian Doges meets Game of Thrones’ Lannisters**—a **ruthless, power-hungry family that plays the long game.** - **Potential Story Hooks:** - House Surtova may **seek to crush Rivermarch**, seeing it as a **threat to their rule**. - **A Surtovan agent could be embedded in Rivermarch**, working to **undermine its leadership**. - **They may offer Rivermarch a deal**—one that seems beneficial, but comes with **deadly strings attached**.