de Causte
House de Causte traces it origins to the middle of the 13th century, when Sanguifleur mercenary, pirate and cutthroat, Montclair of Causterlin took over Illas Llwyd from High-Lord Ser Wynn o Ynyr with the support of the residents of the islands. Proclaiming the creation of House de Causte, his bloodline has ruled the Gray Isles ever since, though not without periods of brutal conflict and succession crises.
In the mid 15th century, it is believed that the unfaithfulness of Melmore de Causte caused the bloodline to be cursed, dooming all trueborn heirs and ensuring only bastards would carry the name forward, earning the House the enduring epithet: The House of Bastards.
Historia de Causte
Épique Sanguifleur
The history of House de Causte is not one of glamour or chivalry, rather opportunism and rise through the means of power. Montclair and Guy of Causterlin were twins from Sanguifleur, captains of their band of mercenaries, seeking their fortune during Charles IV „the Conqueror”’s expansive campaigns into the west. The twins amassed a great wealth through undesirable means, sacking of villages and towns, leaving nought but ruin in their wake. But their fortune turned swiftly, after the Battle of Jargeau their service was dismissed, even despite valiantly fighting as per their contract, as they quickly found the ire of many local nobles, whom the pillaged lands were given as fiefs.
Fleeing with their loot and men, the twins took to the sea, becoming freebooters along the western shores of the continent. For almost a decade, they carved a bloody path through coastal holds and ports, growing into scourges of the sea, ’The Spawns of Sanguifleur’ as they were dubbed. But over the years, the Montclair and Guy grew apart; the latter found this life of raiding and pillaging satisfactory, whilst the former was twarfed with ambition, dreamt of land and legacy. This divide boiled over with blood, after a disagreement between the two ended with fratricide, Montclair claiming his brother’s life.
House de Causte
The death of Guy splintered the fleet, turning most against Montclair and the few who remained loyal to him. Forced to flee once again, they sought refuge in the fog shroud of the Mist Isles, making landfall in an eastern corner of Illas Llwyd, the Gray Islands- a rough basalt archipelago, surrounded by shallow waters and dangerous reefs. Reefs, upon which their pursuers soon met their end, as many of them sank, dragging the riches of the last decade to a watery grave. Resolved to retrieve this treasure, Montclair and his men erected a settlement, Glanfaclair- Clair’s Landing, and over the years, the reclaimed treasure was gradually returned to the town, hastening its growth and prosperity. This eventually drew the attention of the High-Lord of the Illas Llwyd, Ser Wynn o Ynyr. The emergence of a prospering settlement that remained outside the governance of the lordship would’ve posed a problem, if not for the tact and efforts of Montclair; by swaying and bribing Ser Wynn, they came to an agreement. Bending the knee to the lordship allowed him to retain the land, thus becoming a governor of his own.
Governance proved no reward. Ser Wynn’s levies and taxes increasingly exhausted Montclair’s fortunes, his life’s work, as year-after-year gold hard-won would line the coffers of someone, who in his eyes had done nought for it. He felt robbed. His discontent outgrew him, extending to his people, the people of Illas Llwyd, outlaws, freedmen, shipwrecked exiles, peasants and landowners. The flashpoint came when Ser Wynn issued the disposition of Montclair, sparking a rebellion as the Gray Islands rose behind him. Leading the revolt, it took only a single season to drive Ser Wynn’s forces off and take full control of the islands. Tearing down the old banners of House o Ynyr, in their place new ones were hoisted, those of House de Causte.
Curse of Bastards
Melmore de Causte, son of Langlade, grandson to Montclair, reigned over Illas Llwyd in the late 14th, early 15th century. The past hundred years was one of prosperity for the islanders, the increased commerce and exploitation of the iron deposits in the main island, Illa Veunyth, allowed for the nurturing of skilled craftsmen and quality goods. Melmore sought to continue his father’s and grandfather’s legacy, however his foothold in the history of the house; whilst was of great importance, brought misfortune. As the fama states- Melmore was wed to Saelle of Moen, a woman thought to be a powerful witch, and from their union born Gil and Roche, twin sons.
But Melmore strayed. Betraying the trust and vow of his other half, fathering a child to handmaid, nameless to history. And even despite his efforts to bury his unfaithfulness, Saelle wasn’t blind. In her grief and wrath, she cursed the blood of the de Causte, not as vengeance, but as a final judgment. Legend says, she walked into the ocean, and was never seen again, leaving only her final words „Only the Ash shall crown- the bloodline shall reign through fracture.”
In the coming years Melmore was claimed by the ocean, the seas harbouring anger towards him, bringing in the reign of the twins once they came of age. Their rule, however, was short-lived, as the forgotten bastard returned, Gaillard the Red. Raised away in Valkia, his life echoed that of Montclair and Guy, serving his men as bannerman and mercenary captain. He didn’t return in secret, rather sailed against the reefs of Illas Llwyd, making landfall against the twins. Gil fell in battle, cut down by Gaillard personally, whilst Roche tried to flee, but never made it off the island. Drawing their blood, and burning their body, Gaillard erected his seat of rule upon the cliffs where the twins' bodies were burnt, using their ash and blood in the foundation and walls, creating the ancestral home of House de Causte, Gar Langoumor- The Mourning Keep.
The Enduring Reign
Since then, House de Causte, by the virtues of fate, always came under the rule of a bastard of the last true line. Death, disgrace, or be it by disappearance, trueborns never held their title long enough to deem the curse nothing but rumours. This drew in wariness. Bastards were often hunted, and distrust among heirs lingered, but even then, fate remained the one to dictate the unfolding history of the bloodline.
Feuda de Causte
Illas Llwyd – The Gray Islands
Located in the eastern corner of the Mist Isles, the Gray Isles is a collection of basalt islands, forming a shallow archipelago with dangerous reefs surrounding them, making any navigational attempts challenging to anyone outside the islanders. The islands are predominantly made of high basalt cliffs rising above the dark waters, forming plateaus, with narrow fjords drawn into them.
Illa Carregddu – Blackstone Isle
The second largest island of the archipelago, the ’Gloomy Rock’ often called, due to the steep incline formed by the basalt cliff all around the island. Surrounded by small islets all around, mile-long shallow reefs complicating navigation, and the lack of any and all lighthouses (as per demanded by the decree of the house), the Blackstone Isle is one of the most dangerous parts of the archipelago.
Glanfaclair – Clair’s Landing
The original town of Montclair, and only real settlement of the island, acting as the official port of it too. Located high on the isle's plateau, residents primarily practice sheep and goat herding, fueling the town’s cheese and wool production, which became a staple of House de Causte’s trade.
Gar Langoumor – The Mourning Keep
The seat of House de Causte. Built in the corner of Illa Carregddu, it is connected to the island over a pair of bridges between islets. The keep itself, whilst modest in size, is rather defensible due to the reefs and rocks stretching out around the island.
Illa Veunyth – Isle of Veins
The largest island of the Gray Isles, it is located in the southwestern corner of the archipelago. The northern part of the isle sits lower, gradually ascending into jagged peaks towards the south before dropping off into the ocean. The island’s name comes from the large concentration of iron and magnesia veins located within the peaks. Due to the humidity, frequent rains in the area and purity of the magnesia, mining was prohibited for a long time due to accidents, but efforts have been made to exploit the resources in recent memory.
Carwyn – Old Keep
A decaying fort which was once the home of House o Ynyr, repurposed into a mining outpost, leased to the guilds of the island by the de Causte. It also acts as a transportation hub, with many roads converging here from settlements around the island.
Iarannort – Ironport
The largest settlement on the island and coastal trade hub, built along the shores of a fjord that runs deep into the land. As the name suggests, the settlement is filled to the brim with forges and smithies, processing the riches of the mines.
Illa Pardda – Isle of Soot
North of Illa Carregddu, Illa Pardda is a solemn, uninhabited island that serves as the funerary ground of House de Causte. Each family member, trueborn or bastard is laid to rest upon their basalt carved altar and burnt by pyre until nought but ash and soot remains.
Five Principles of de Causte
House de Casute is built on a set of five principles, established in writing by Langlade de Causte, later etched into the basalt stones of Gar Languomor by Gaillard’s successor, Montiel of the North. These guiding principles are the core of the house’s teachings, each presenting values and views to live and act by.
- No Task Is Too Great. || Hardship is no excuse, one should carry themselves with resolve, dedication and perseverance, even in the darkest of times.
- Judge Not by Blood. || Neither the glories, nor sins of the blood make the child. Their weight to them is meaningless, only their own deeds shall matter.
- The Right of Fate and Choice. || People inherently own the right of choice and fate. The House doesn’t rule over people, rather through them, with trust and loyalty.
- Loyalty to One’s Cause and People. || Loyalty and oaths are sacred, but not given freely. Most often sworn with blood and carried until the very end, only released by the blessings of the sworn to.
- In the End, Only Ash Remains. || A reminder of mortality. There’s no point in fearing death, due to its inevitability. When it comes, welcome it with an open eye, but don’t court it foolishly.
The Bloodline
Despite the family’s mixed lineage, House de Causte retained a single notable trait throughout the generations, which remains one of their sole identifiers; Rich ember coloured hairs with dark roots. Descended from Montclair and Guy themselves, it remained the dominant trait in those who share their blood, a sign of a soul resolved to burn until there’s only ashes left. The nature of the shift in color is unknown, most understanding it as a play on the mind. Bastards would often keep their hair short, concealing their ember ends to protect themselves from the fear of trueborns.
Notable Members
Montclair de Causte
Founded the House after usurping Illas Llwyd from High-Lord Ser Wynn o Ynyr. Introduced many practices from the eastern continent to the islands, most notably metallurgy studies.
Melmor de Causte
The root of the Curse of Bastards, born of his unfaithfulness. Was notable for establishing multiple trade agreements between Valkia Princes and Korami Settlements, with the islands serving as the middleman.
Sael of Moen
Hailing from the Northern Kingdoms, it is believed Sael was a powerful sorceress that aided the de Causte family by taming the waters around Illas Llwyd. Following Melmor’s unfaithfulness, she cursed the bloodline before disappearing from the annals of history.
Gaillard the Red
The bastard son of Melmor de Causte, and first usurper of the islands following the curse. Creator of Gar Languomor. Despite his bloody ascension in the family, his rule was one of temperance and peace, ruling for over five decades in prosperity.
Montiel of the North
A bastard from the Northern Kingdoms, who gained the title of the family after the last trueborns of Gaillard succumbed to the Scarlet Plague. Established the five principles of the family. His rule was short-lived as the plague claimed his life too.
Emilie de Casute
One of the only trueborn heirs to head the family for a considerable time. Over a decade, she established the de Casute Archives in Gar Languomor, a personal collection of literature and writing from across the entire Realm. Furthermore she funded many adventurers who sought to explore the realm, which led to the creation of the de Causte Charter, a comprehensive map of the entire realm.
Current Members
Emrys de Causte
Firstborn of Moryn de Causte and current head of the family. A harsh but just ruler. Being a believer of the curse upon their bloodline, he spent the last decade hunting down stray bastards of the bloodline to secure his rule.
Ser Raymond de Causte
Second son of Moryn de Casute, twin of Emrys. After becoming a knight in the Northern Kingdoms, he renounced his claims, removing himself from the line of succession. Believed to have become a hedgeknight during the Valkian conquest in the north, he traveled to Ko’ram, where he is currently believed to be.
Ser Arlan de Causte
Third son of Moryn de Casute. Keeping with mistan traditions, he left Illas Llwyd upon coming of age, travelling to the east. He was knighted in Sanguifleur before moving to Sudvalkia where he served as a court cartographer and advisor to the Most-Serene of Castariva. He shortly disappeared after, never heard of again.
Robert de Causte
Firstborn of Emrys de Causte and current heir of the house. Under his late grandfather's and father's tutelage he grew up to be a shrewd diplomat, serving the family as diplomatic envoy and courtly representative in valkia, seeking to draw fortunes and alliances for the betterment of the House. He is most commonly regarded as a reserved, calculating and morally dignified individual, offering high hopes for the family.
Ser Énerin de Causte
Secondborn of Emrys de Causte and brother to Robert, as per tradition in the family, upon coming of age, he departed Isles for the east to experience the world and forge a reputation for himself. Knighted in the Midlands and having served in the northern wars, he only recently returned to Gar Langoumor, appointed at the Lord-Captain of the family's honour guard. Opposed to his brother, he is regarded to be more brash, outgoing and 'loud' person, all but a veil covering a deeply learned and skilled fighter and tactician.
Pauline the Kindled
Raymond’s daughter. Not much is known about her, outside of being part Ko’rami.
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