Society - There has been little change to the social structure of House d'Roux since their time as a clan, and what change there has been was largely reversed with the merging of Clan Aodghan. The d'Roux make little of the distinction between noble and commoner on their own lands, allowing a degree of familiarity that other noble houses might see as beneath their station. To this end, they also believe that they must rule well; and to the d'Roux, good rule is synonymous with strength as a leader in battle.
Faith - The d'Roux have long been followers of the One Faith, having embraced the religion under the proselytizing efforts of a missionary shortly before swearing fealty to d'Cordova. Worship of the Many amongst the common folk had been virtually stamped out before the influx of Many-worshipping Caltu refugees of Clan Aodghan. While the leaders of the Clan have all publically professed conversion to the One Faith, and all of them are required to attend services at the local chapel, syncretism has taken root, and many of the Aodghan clansmen are suspected to still privately hold to the old beliefs. The local clergy try to maintain a balance between inciting the wrath of the Caltu and inviting the wrath of the Inquisition.
Fellowship - The d'Roux commonfolk and their newfound Caltu brethren share a boisterous sense of community. Any cause for celebration will tend to bring commoner and noble alike together to the communal hall for music, drink, food and dance.
Warfare - A Caltu clan is a warrior clan, and the people of the d'Roux barony have not lost this tradition. Even before the joining of the Aodghan, every commoner owned and practiced a weapon, regardless of profession. The main force of the d'Roux are warrior-hunters, whose skills are used both to feed and clothe the barony and to protect them from outside threats using ambush tactics. The tradition of wearing woad paint to battle is still strong in the d'Roux barony.
Knighthood - Perhaps the greatest proof of House d'Roux's backwards and uncouth nature is their apparent failure to produce or enlist knights in the past two centuries. Neither their traditions, their tactics nor their territory place much value on heavy cavalry or knighthood, and thus the concept goes largely ignored. This makes them highly anomalous amongst their peers in Aequor.
Fashion - The people of House d'Roux tend to prefer practical clothing. Wool is most common, with leather for hunters and warriors. Fur is prized, and usually worn by the most successful hunters and the nobility. Colours tend to be natural, with the exception of d'Roux and Aodghan tartan. Kilts are common amongst the d'Roux personal guard.
The d'Roux barony consists primarily of a hill fort village and keep on the shores of Lake Divinity amidst the Ergonian mountains in eastern Aequor, along with the surrounding woodlands. The area is heavily wooded and treacherous for unwary travelers. While warmer and greener than some of the more northern lands of Aequor, the high altitude and proximity to the lake makes for brisk harvest seasons and cold winters.
Clan Aodghan of the Caltu have sworn fealty to House d'Roux.
Commanders:
D'Roux does not employ knights thus far. However, those amongst the community who show both skill in battle and wisdom in leadership are appointed as commanders and given positions on the Baron's council, serving as warchiefs and fulfilling many of the roles of knights in the army.
The Warriors of House d'Roux (professionals): 500 + 100 (from the absorbed Aodghan Caltu)
150 Peltasts/Heavy Skirmishers (Elite)
150 Men-at-Arms
100 Skirmish Archers
200 Pikemen
D'Roux's professional soldiers are highly trained in ambush and shock tactics. Archers and skirmishers double as hunters, which keeps their edge in stealth honed, while the heavier troops (typically equipped with axes) serve as woodsmen and guards to the House. By this point, there is little distinction between the d'Roux warriors and those of Clan Aodghan who joined them five years ago.
In past times, d'Roux did not employ pikemen, as their large and unwieldy weapons seemed counterintuitive to traditional d'Roux warfare, which relies on skirmishing and mobility. However, having personally witnessed the effectiveness of pikes against charges during the Thirty Years War, Bearach d'Roux hired an al'Mordran military expert to train a contingent of pikemen. They have proven their worth against some of the more ambitious goblin invaders. They are lightly armored, but practiced in deployment in wooded terrain and relatively mobile for their infantry class.
Militia: 250
120 Peltasts (regular)
120 Archers
10 Scouts
The militia serve as patrols for the d'Roux settlement. The archers of the militia focus more on bowmanship than stealth and skirmishing and wield longbows.
Levies: 1000 + 250 (from the absorbed Aodghan Caltu)
400 Slingers
300 Skirmishers
200 Caltu Axemen
300 Light Spearmen
The levies are drawn from those amongst the d'Roux common folk and Aodghan who do not identify themselves as warriors by trade. They are typically equipped with axes, javelins, spears and slings.
The economy of the d'Roux barony is focused primarily on their own subsistence and survival. Food is provided mostly by hunting in the nearby woods and fishing Lake Divinity, supplemented with the herding of mountain sheep and goats, with some grains grown for food and locally-produced alcohol. Clothing is produced with sheep's wool, fur, and animal skins from the hunters and shepherds. Timber from the local woods is of good quality and used for tools, furniture, houses and the hill fort's outer walls.
Trade along Lake Divinity was strong at one point, but encroachment from foreign invaders have made it too risky to be very profitable. The barony's main exports are animal furs and timber.
House d'Roux are considered to be lax in their taxation of the commonfolk, as taxation was not part of their culture before they joined the Kingdom. The average commoner in d'Roux is much more willing to heed the call to arms than the call to pay taxes - except to the Church. The local clergy may not be wealthy, but they have never lacked for the necessities.
Folktales about the Sidhe and mysterious beings in the woods are common amongst the d'Roux people, largely inherited from their Caltu roots. Despite the predominance of the One Faith, they remain a superstitious lot. Of course, goblins are no longer merely a thing of myth, but an ever-present reality for the d'Roux.
There are also rumours that there is something living in the depths of Lake Divinity. Some claim to have seen some sort of sea dragon, and fishermen say that they've nearly been pulled in by an enormous fish.
House d'Roux are viewed as barbarians by most other noble Houses in Aequor. They are aware of this, and they don't seem to care. They do have all the trappings of barbarian tribes; they dress like barbarians, they fight like barbarians, they speak like barbarians, they drink like barbarians, and according to rumour engage in several other activities like barbarians as well. Their heiress is even married to a barbarian.
They are not, however, pagans. House d'Roux have been devotees of the One Faith for over two centuries. They do not bathe in or drink the blood of their enemies. They do not pillage. They do not kill each other at the faintest slight. Yet, rumours in the Aequorian court would suggest that all of these are true.
Leader: Baron Bearach d'Roux
Spouse: Baroness Elva d'Roux nee Liadaj
Heir: Lady Aislinn d'Roux
Other: Various uncles, cousins, children and siblings of Bearach. (appable)
Assumed Quirks
Uncouth - House d'Roux are viewed as a house of barely-civilized barbarians by most other Aequorian nobles. They drink, eat, and dress like barbarians. They speak plainly and openly. They are aware of what others think of their ways, and they hold no shame about it. Their apparent ignorance of proper noble culture and etiquette often leads to them being underestimated at court as simple-minded.
Gregarious - House d'Roux are communal by nature, friends to their kin and commonfolk alike. Not many inclined to visit the d'Roux lands, but those who come as peaceful guests are treated well.
Noble Savage - The d'Roux have had to fight for their survival for two hundred years. They are raised to lead their people in battle. They are not, however, bloodthirsty, nor do they believe in taking what is not theirs. They may quarrel and brawl with each other, but they do not spill the blood of their kin or their guests, regardless of insult. The Faith of the One has informed the culture of the d'Roux.
Justified Quirks
Ambush Warrior - House d'Roux favours the Caltu tradition of warfare, emphasizing ambush tactics that involve blending into the local terrain before emerging with a storm of axes and arrows. The House motto, 'Thunder from Shadows,' comes from pride in their mastery of the tactic. (Skill Quirk: Stealth)
Fearsome Mien - Members of House d'Roux tend to be unkempt at the best of times. Some of them, though, appear downright savage, with wild hair, great beards, scars and battle paint. This aesthetic lends to a natural air of intimidation. (Skill Quirk: Intimidation)
Gifted Axeman - Like the Caltu, House d'Roux favour axes above other melee weapons for their ability to cleave through shields and armor. Those in the house who favour melee combat tend to be great axe fighters. (Skill Quirk: Blunt)
Caltu Affinity - While not every member of House d'Roux has readily embraced the Caltu refugees, many have formed close bonds with Clan Aodghan in the past five years. House d'Roux were once a Caltu clan themselves, after all, and the goblins have given them a common enemy. They tend to understand the Caltu better than most of the more civilized houses.
Hostilities with Caltu neighbours have been replaced with hostilities with goblin neighbours.