Brevoy nobility
The nation of Brevoy has seven major noble families. The most historically important are House Rogarvia, descendants of Choral the Conqueror, and House Surtova, descended from the old Issian pirate kings and family of the current ruler of Brevoy: King Noleski Surtova.
Noble families
The seven major Brevoy noble families are listed below.
Rogarvia
The former ruling house of Brevoy, House Rogarvia—informally, the Rogarvians —was founded by the descendants of Choral the Conqueror and Myrna Rogarvia, daughter of Nikos Surtova. Choral united Rostland and Issia into the kingdom of Brevoy after invading from Iobaria, accompanied by dragons.
Most members of the House, including King Urzen Rogarvia, disappeared mysteriously in 4699 AR, in an event called the “Vanishing”. Their loss is not greatly mourned by the Brevic people and loyalists are calling for an investigation instead of blind allegiance to Noleski Surtova, who declared himself king.
The Rogarvia family motto is “With Sword and Flame”
Garess
House Garess is based in the western part of Brevoy, in the foothills of the Golushkin Mountains. It is led by Lord Howlan Garess, who is a widower. His adoptive heir is Toval Golka, a dwarf and son of the clan-chief of the Golka dwarves’ holding. Howlan’s own son disappeared in the Vanishing along with all the Golka dwarves, deep inside dwarven hold of Golushkin within the Golushkin Mountains.
House Garess had a good relationship with the Golka dwarves until the dwarves vanished. Members of the house worked the metal that the dwarves mined.
The Garess family motto is “Strong as the Mountains”
Lebeda
See: House Lebeda
Lodovka
House Lodovka is a noble family of Brevoy with their headquarters on Acuben Isle on the Lake of Mists and Veils. They have traditionally been a power on the lake. Led by Lord Kozek Lodovka, both their fleet size and influence along the lake continue to increase. The fleet primarily catches fish and freshwater crabs
The Lodovka family motto is “The Waters, Our Fields”
Medvyed
House Medvyed is a noble house of Brevoy that holds authority over the eastern lands that border and contain the Icerime Peaks and Gronzi Forest. They have maintained the traditions of worshiping nature, the “Old Way”. Lord Gurev Medyed heads the Stoneclimb-based house.
The people of the area raise mountain goats and sheep. They hunt in the forest and farm what little good land is on the edges of their concerns. Religion in this area tends to be more centralized on Erastil, but rumors of hidden shrines to Lamashtu do exist.
The Medvyed family motto is “Endurance Overcomes All”
Orlovsky
House Orlovsky controls northeastern Brevoy from Eagle’s Watch on Mount Veshka. They try to rise above petty political maneuvers. As staunch allies of the now disappeared House Rogarvia, this has landed them in a prickly situation. If Lord Poul Orlovsky chooses to rebel against Noleski Surtova, they could potentially align with House Garess and House Medvyed. These three houses could disrupt supply and travel routes between House Surtova’s two power bases, Port Ice and New Stetven.
The Orlovsky family motto is “High Above”
Surtova
House Surtova is the current ruling family of Brevoy, and the oldest and most influential Brevic noble family.
Their original holdings are the environs of Port Ice in northern Issia on the shores of the Lake of Mists and Veils. Their claim to the throne is linked to Nikos Surtova giving the hand of his daughter, Myrna Surtova, to Choral the Conqueror in marriage. This marriage allowed the house to keep its power as a staunch ally of House Rogarvia. In 4699 AR, during the Vanishing, House Surtova was able to use its high position to immediately claim regency until the Rogarvia’s returned.
The Surtovans are known as careful and cunning diplomats. Before Choral the Conqueror invaded, the Surtovans were pirates and raiders, and the family still has many connections with the pirates and brigands of the region, many of whom are distant relations of the Surtova clan. One of the more active pirates of the Lake of Mists and Veils, Captain Vali Dobos, is rumoured to have a close connection with the Surtovas, although he keeps his lineage hidden.
The Surtova family motto is “Ours Is the Right”