House Calastar
Head of House: Bryce Calastar
How did the family rise to nobility?
The family was born on the land of existing nobility; House Calastar having existed since almost the founding of the kingdoms. The documents are safely sealed away though still exist to this very day, having been copied from states of decay time and time again onto newer sheets, with new signatures from kings through out time. Acts of heroism, loyalty to Stormwind and humanity and later on the Alliance.
Over the years the house has proven itself to be worthy of the title and has carried it with honor, having continued to expand and adapt to new rulings, offering advice and support where needed. Back when House Calastar was still small, Bryce's ancestors were visionaries. They saw the opportunities and possibilities and even though the land was small, consisting of several farms and a dozen of households, they gained the position of spokesperson for the town. To relay the problems but also the opportunities back towards the noble house. During their many visits, William (one of Bryce's ancestors) grew close to house Calastar and the town thrived. It expanded beyond original intentions, increasing the power of the house and monetary wealth and the noble that ran the house at the time was quick to reward Bryce's forefather with the position of adviser.
Over the years, that position developed into a further friendship and went beyond the bounds of employee when Williams son came of age; And while he was not of nobility, he was adviced to marry one of House Calastar's daughters. The wedding records date back some two hundred years; Making them arguably a just established noble family. Their generation has just taken over.
Bryce's parents died of "old" age (At the age of 60) , leaving him as successor of the house.
How does the family sustain its wealth? How does the family not fall to ruins with over-spending, what is their source of income?
In earlier times, the family sustained their wealth through their farms and orchards though over the years, this has changed. The several smaller farms have been merged into bigger ones, supplying wheat and fruits towards themselves, lessening the export of it in recent times. A rough seventy years back the ruler of House Calastar (Bryce's father) had a love for horses and lo behold, the lands began to breed horses as per his command. Bryce's father claimed the horse was the most noble of animals, swift as could be and majestueus in its method of transportion, an animal fit for kings and queens.
They have been breeding and selling horses ever since, alongside the three bigger farms to provide for wheat and fruits. (Down from six smaller farms.) Over the eighty years this has given their horses a reputation as one of the more finer steeds in the lands, which of course, adds to the price. They are wanted and by all accounts, appear to uphold the reputation of finely bred animals.
Alongside the horses, the house actively hunts in late-summer and early-autumn during which they acquire pelts, hides and fresh meat of which the excess is sold. The pelts and hides are tanned into leathers, to be crafted into quality leather armors, quivers and goods.
To summarize:
Exporting: Pelts, hides, leathers, meats, horses, leather armors, quivers and other leather goods, small bit of excess wheat. Importing: Refined metals to be directly used into forging of further equipment.
What sort of assets does the family have? How big are the lands? What sort of structures are on said land? Do they have a guard force? Personal army? Fleet of ships? If an asset is not listed, it cannot be claimed, however a PD can be posted later asking if a new asset can be added.
House Calastar Assets:
- Two large wheat farms on which several families work, one large orchard providing various fruits. - Three rebuild wheat farms to act as stables, training grounds and grazing grounds for the horses. - Large foresty areas around, largely untouched though used by the house as hunting grounds. Temporary camps get set up to deal with an overflow of animals when neccesary which in turn supplies the house with fresh meats, pelts and hides. - They employ several tanners and leatherworkers alike to further refine the above goods. Flethers can also be found on the land who provide a steady supply of arrows and bows towards the house. - The house employs a guard-force mainly consisting of cavalry and ranged units; They actively train people to become archers (people who voluntarily sign up for it) and offer the same training to the civilians on the land, encouraging people to be able to at least defend themselves. (No strings attached, someone may learn it to go back to their normal occupation afterwards.) – They strive to keep a guard force large enough to protect themselves, the inhabitants of the land and the lord with, but some trained archers or horse(wo)men seek more and leave for the Stormwind/Alliance military with full blessing of the house. - A small portion of servants keep the usually unlived estate clean, as Bryce loves to travel too much. He has a trusted advisor, who he almost considers to be a brother of him to hear the petitions out and record anything that happens on the lands. Any issue he can't or isn't allowed to solve, is send to Bryce with trusted couriers, sometimes rendering Bryce's travels short. - The house employs members of all races. Notably a couple of Wildhammer farmers, Ironforge metalworkers, Gnome alchemists and High Elves in various roles. (Sorcerers, scouts and a High Elf ranger who's taken up the role of Guard-Captain and as Adviser within house Calastar.)
What is the family known for? Is the family a group of cruel tax collectors that works their servants like dogs? Are they a military family the produces fine soldiers who rise in rank quickly? Magic users? What makes them known?
Their quality line of horses as only the finest get sold to people of wealth, their breeds are too expensive for the common man as they are not only trained to be mounted, but also to withstand stress, loud noises and so forth. Military horses, if you will; Though sometimes purchased for recreation use.
Taxes are slightly below average than what one would expect, making living on the lands more appealing as the house seeks to grow and expand still; On the other side of the coin, fines are higher then usual, wishing to scare off brigands and troublemakers. The fines for hunting outside of the established seasons by the house are especially large, and when caught results in a monetary fine, confiscation of all goods plus the weapons which were used to hunt to begin with.
All in all, the reputation of the house is that of a friendly one, who is open to residents and hears petitions out frequently; They steer the lands to the best of their ability and knowledge, their guards are fair and just. The average citizen would like it there!
How old is the family? How long has the family been nobility?
House Calastar is around 800 years; The family has been wed into nobility around 200 years ago.
What can be obtained by creating a new family over joining one already in existence? Simply put, what does this family bring that isn't provided by others? Activity is not an acceptable response. Note: Noble Families already approved do not need to answer this question.
House Calastar brings a typical good-guy noble house, one which fights its battles where appropriate; Be it in the room of politics or outside, active in the war going on in the world. While they do not supply many direct troops to these front lines, the character intended to run the house is meant to be a ranger and traveller at heart. He is meant to travel around, explore places people do not frequently find humans at and as a firm believer of the Alliance, he is meant to stir up and try to overcome cultural conflicts that end up on his path.
As such, the house seeks to overcome racial differences and cultural differences within the Alliance; Employ members of all races and let them fill positions suitable as craftsmen and woman, advisors, rangers, friends and allies alike. I would have joined one but I do not know of any in which this character would fit in, and with past experiences of noble houses; I fear that the character will be abandoned after a few weeks due to the inactivity of the house I join. Scarlett Braxton is my other noble who is part of house Braxton and as much as I love the RP; She feels restrained to Stormwind and the direct lands. This character is meant to travel all around the world and possibly allow for people to become knights and nobles themselves through IC interactions and adventures.
Is the family open for members to join? If so, let them know how to contact you here as well as what you're looking for.
It will be, though not directly upon acceptance of the character. I wish to RP a few times beforehand, fully get into the character and meet interesting people, to base the “What I am looking for” idea on that. Recruitment may possibly only happen in-game, during adventures the characters share together; though I am not against the idea of other relatives, bodyguards, craftsman or citizens being rolled for it. (I much prefer established toons however, so that these toons have a purpose that goes beyond just the house.)
Do you agree, accept and will abide by the above: If yes, simply say yes. If no, explain why. A no answer can be held against the character and profile. Note that the above code section does not need to be in the application, only this question!
Naturally, though saying this, I am assuming the High Elves that date from before the Blood Elf departure are politically acceptable. (Though may stir up returning discussions. It is no secret.)
