Noble Houses of Astalore
Astalore has 7 Major houses, each with a plethora of minor noble families in their service. Most of these noble families maintain a constant interest in mercenaries, from which they often screen appointments for positions of lordship.
House Alban
The Alban family is an old noble house, dating back to the very origin of the Kingdom. It has strong holdings including the fortified port city of Halsworthy, and mines across the Shivering Spine. They have a fortune built on iron, and textiles. They claim the fealty of House Tarrus, House Richmond and House Mayhold.
House Alban is currently led by Duke Henry Alban, Patriarch of the Alban family and current Marshall of Astalore. Duke Henry Alban has been appointed by King Godwin II to lead the nations military for a time. Henry Alban is most noted for his fierce devotion to duty and the King. Henry Alban is expected to be succeeded by his eldest son Castile Alban.
The sigil of House Alban is a pair of hunting hounds on a field red and blue, their motto is "Bravery, Faith, Service."
House Mulgrave
The house of Mulgrave comprises much of the military backbone of Astalore, contributing thousands of bannermen to King Godwin’s armies. House Mulgrave is currently led by Duke Victor Mulgrave. Patriarch of the Mulgrave family, Duke Victor Mulgrave uses his family’s vast resources first and foremost to expand its own face and prestige. Slow to pick a side, he’s earned a reputation for being pragmatic, but not always reliable.
The sigil of House Mulgrave is a stag.
House Baymont
House Baymont breeds great herds of steeds for the men at arms of Astalore. The fields of House Baymont also provide much of the grain needed to feed the armies of Astalore. The reputation of House Baymont was tarnished for attempting to play both sides during Prince Roderick’s effort to usurp the throne. Though it’s patriarch was executed, House Baymont was spared and permitted to keep it’s ancestral holdings, but the family sigil was to be altered in shame. The argent stallion of House Baymont will now forever rear as a sign of it’s disobedience.
House Baymont is currently led by Count Richard Baymont. Count Baymont is a pragmatic man much more concerned with his business ventures then managing his holdings. He is married to Claudia Baymont, who often commands the families bannermen in Richard’s stead.
House Baymont commands the loyalty of House Folton. House Baymont's colors are brown and red, and it's motto is "Swift, Strong, and Proud."
House Lyndmere:
House Lyndmere is known for its ruthless devotion to the King Godwin II, not only turning down an enormous bribe to defect to Roderick's side, but dispatching riders to raid the caravan which carried it. House Lyndmere then turned over the considerable fortune to the crown and renewed its vows. For its loyalty, it now holds claim of Castle Grenwald. House Lyndmere has no great enterprise of its own, but will often be the first on campaign with the King calls, leading profitable raids deep in enemy territory.
Despite its considerable respect, House Lyndmere is not the largest or most influential house, and claims the loyalty of no notable families. In contrast to its usual hardline, traditional policies, House Lyndmere has named a female heir over a first born male son.
House Lyndmere is currently led by Count Bertram Lyndmere. Lord of Castle Grenwald, Count Lyndmere defends a critical strategic holding on behalf of the Kingdom. Count Lyndmere is a hard and humorless man, dedicated to weeding out weakness in Astalore wherever he can find it. He is known recently for disinheriting his son James Lyndmere for perceived softness.
Count Lyndmere is to be succeeded by Baroness Catherine Lyndmere, known for her considerable ferocity and strength. Catherine is slow to acquire titles in a male dominated aristocracy, but determined to advance her’s and her family’s station, and to further the interests of Astalore. Her brother - James Lyndmere was disinherited and stripped of all titles, he now spends his days in a stupor, drinking away what little money he has left.
The sigil of House Lyndmere is a noose. It's colors are purple and yellow ("gold") and it's motto is "Justice begets faith."
House Hayward
The Hayward family dominates much of the shipping industry around Astalore, owning nearly as many seafaring vessels as the King’s navy. They are liege lords to House Markshire, who they’ve help arrange vast, mutually beneficial holdings.
House Hayward is currently led by Count Chandler Hayward. Count Hayward is an eccentric known to keep the company of wet nurses. Horrified and appalled by this behavior, King Godwin II moved to strip Hayward of his titles and banish him from the realm. Count Hayward responded by rescuing the King’s sister, then a hostage of Entador, from captivity. King Godwin relented and permitted Baymont to remain in service so long as he dismissed the wet nurses from his company. Hayward instead went on campaign, capturing a series of fortifications and holdings in Godwin's name, each time requesting the King judge him only by his service to the realm. The King again relented, exhausted by the affair, on the condition Hayward avoid bringing these attendants to any formal gathering of the realm.
The sigil of House Hayward is a bear, and it's colors are blue and green. It's motto is "Sacrifice and Strength."
House Silverspring
As their name would suggest, House Silverspring has a fortune built from it’s silver mines. House Silverspring is large and divided, with branching side families. Their ancestral home is Whitewall. House Silverspring is led by Count Arlin Silverspring, who is expected to be succeeded by his son Armin Silverspring. The Silverspring sigil is an inordinately large suit of armor imposed over a wearer half its size. It's colors are Silver and Blue.
House Markshire
House Markshire holds stretches of river extending from Halsworthy to the Shivering Spine, which they’ve dotted with numerous outposts and tollways. They are allies and vassals to House Hayward, with whom they’ve grown wealthy, jointly dominating the Astalorian shipping industry.