Jasper151627237
Legend
Endure and Overcome
House Brus currently consists of few members, for most either fell or got removed after what legends describe as the fight that defined House Brus.
The few that remain, however, hold onto the honor, ideals and customs customary for House Brus.
The current leader of House Brus, Fania Brus, is trying her best to continue the legacy of House Brus, while also rebuilding the House and attempting to forge new alliances.
History:
House Brus has been around for a while, it has seen many things and it has endured it all.
It was founded a long while ago, more and more stories piling up through the years.
One story, a legend of sorts, describes one of the most important members of the House; it describes the deeds of William Brus.
William Brus is an ancestor of the Brus’ of today that, according to these legends, is the one responsible for the way House Brus is currently looked at.
It tells us about a time when House Brus was at it’s strongest, it had many members and followers and it had joined a Kingdom in order to rise in prestige and power. But this decision proved to be a fatal one. As the Kingdom gained enemy after enemy, so did House Brus.
When the Kingdom fought battles, so did House Brus.
The tale describes what happened one fatal night in the hills; how William Brus readied his troops behind a hill to rush to the aid of the allied Kingdom. They rode to battle and surprised their opponent, crushing part of their army in an instant. The gathering of Brus and allied men started celebrating their coming victory. Lord, generals and soldiers alike. They didn’t realise that the opposing forces barely tried to retreat, nor begged for mercy.
The generals were too focussed on winning the war that they realised what was wrong only when it was already far too late.
One single horn could be heard in the distance...then another…
Before they could effectively react, the rest of the opposing armies marched on them from over some of the many hills.
A seemingly easy victory turned into the bloodiest of battles as friend and foe fell alike.
As soon as they could catch even the tiniest of breaks, most other lords had started to retreat. They started leaving the battlefield behind and most of their troops ran for their lives.
William, however, refused to go down like that. Few men looked at him as he and his group moved towards the enemy, giving their “allies” time to retreat.
William and those that remained tried their best at fighting off the enemies, but their number was too great. Nearing the end of battle, allies, those from the other Houses as well as those from House Brus alike, charged one last time towards their opponents.
After a bloody fight, the remainder of the allies and House Brus either fell or retreated.
William fell near the end with his weapon in hand, his determination and loyalty had never, not even once, faltered.
The time after this was a time for mourning for House Brus.
They ceremonially burned the bodies of Willam, some generals and other high-ranking members of House Brus.
Those of House Brus that retreated, only those without any serious wounds,were removed from the House. House Brus had no space and time for those that’d ultimately abandon and betray their own kin like that.
The following years House Brus did their best to rebuild, but their numbers remained few. The Lady of House Brus title eventually moved to Fania Brus.
The position of heir to the leadership over House Brus therefore fell upon the closest relative, Hayley Brus. Fania Brus is the former heir, and now the Lady, of House Brus.
She and the two generations before her agreed about how to rebuild their House: spread to other lands, settle there and find support among other Houses and perhaps even join an Empire or Kingdom.
Fania requested that Hayley traveled around the Northern Kingdoms to find support and allies for them and their House. Happy to help rebuilding House Brus, Hayley immediately set out into the vast lands of the Northern Kingdoms.
Culture:
House Brus is a House that quickly got accustomed to the art of warfare and other military actions. Therefore they prefer fortified manors, forts and castles over the usual manor or house. This, however, does not mean they are any less hospitable or honourable. Quite the contrary, actually. Even though it is true that House Brus punishes those that retreat, and doesn’t believe in showing mercy on the battlefield, they are honourable. They do not go back on their word to later drive their blades through you.
For hospitality they have a series of customs, one of which is “Bread and Salt”.
“Bread and Salt” is a custom of House Brus where they place a fine, circular, bread on an embroidered and decorated piece of cloth. In the center of this piece of bread there has been placed a container of salt. Upon arrival, the host(s) will display the bread and salt.
The visitor will then step forward, take a piece of bread, dip it in the salt and then they eat it.
This custom shows House Brus’ respect towards other Houses, lords and Kingdoms, and towards those they like or generally respect.
The bread and salt also signify that House Brus will not, unless defending themselves from an attack from the guest, let any harm come upon the guests.
Those that break this custom by engaging in an aggressive manner, whether the host engages on the visitor or the other way around, are regarded with the least respect possible, for they are as low as to attack someone after a sign of respect and are punished accordingly.
House Brus does not see bastards as filth or stray dogs, they actually 'accept' them.
Bastards are highly uncommon within House Brus but are mostly accepted as a part of the House. The reason that bastards are uncommon within House Brus is that honour and honesty are two of the most important traits for House Brus. Therefore it is common that bastards are produced because one of the two lovers is unable to bear a child, so that the bloodline proceeds to live on. The bastards that are produced to remedy the problem of either the husband or the wife being unable to produce heirs will often be legalized immediately.
Physical traits:
House Brus consists of a rather large family, it is therefore difficult to determine what is 'pure' and what is not. The bloodline of the current Lady of House Brus, Fania Brus, however is prone to have blue eyes and red hair.
Holds/seats:
Iossey.
Members:
Fania Brus - Lady of House Brus
Ronn McBryde - Sergeant
Victor Roichstead - Chosen
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