House Stuvorov

"Blades As Swift As Night"

House Stuvorov is an exiled Arvan house of Brumish descent sworn to House Gorrister. Their sigil is a black bat on a yellow field and their current seat is Ghostrock, ruling that city from Karchev Hall. Their motto reflects their long-standing tradition of swordsmanship

They were outsiders in the Southern Hills, not only being the only Melodist house but many consider their history and practices to be sinister and dishonorable. For most of their history they commanded a tiny bit of Gorrister territory that was barren and poor. After swindling the Karchevs out of Ghostrock through intrigue and religious backing, they have become that city's Barons and one of the richest houses in the Kingdom.

History
Ser Renly "The Black Bat" was a Brumish-Arvan Hedge Knight who lived around 80 years ago. Being both of mixed heritage and a Melodist, it was very surprising that he would join the service of Earl Mikael of House Gorrister. Many critics of House Stuvorov swear he was a agent planted by the Melodist Church.

Earl Mikael was on a ranging mission investigating allegations of a band of brigands assaulting villages. The brigands, however, were much better armed and far more numerous than the Earl ever expected. They swarmed the Earl, forcing him and his small force to take a defensive position atop of a hill. Ser Renly fought fiercely and slayed many of the ruffians. This talent for swordsmanship must have been hereditary for even the most harsh critics of House Stuvorov cannot claim they are not fantastic swordsmen. The battle was won and the Earl's men praised Renly for his bravery and several suggested he be gifted some land.

Earl Mikael did gift Ser Renly a piece of land but not as many would have expected. He was given the hill and the surrounding lands where the brigands were defeated. This land, however, was fairly barren and all previous mining attempts in the area turned up little. It is widely believed Earl Mikael did this to spite Renly, who was after all, a foreign Melodist. Ser Renly, however, did the best he could and built a decent castle atop the hill, Stuvorov Manor.

Taking Ghostrock
Fifteen years ago, 490AL, Joffrey Stuvorov arrived in the city of Ghostrock with several mercenaries and an Inquisitor from New Caelus. The Inquisitor accused the ruling Baron, Viktor of House Karchev, of heresy including adultery, incest, pedophilia, and sodomy. He was removed by the Inquisitor's men and when the Baron's son tried to defend his father, he was taken too. Both men demanded to know what Ser Joffrey was doing here and so his son, Isaac, stepped forward with a document that seemed to link the Karchevs and a Stuvorov cousin in an eloped marriage. The Karchev family was completely captured but most were able to escape into exile in Bravil. House Stuvorov then abandoned their tiny estate around Stuvorov Manor and claimed Ghostrock as their new seat of power.

Joffrey was made Baron until his death seven years ago. Since then, his son, Baron Isaac of House Stuvorov, has served Ghostrock as its Lord and has partially accepted his bastard son, Rickar.

Recent Events
During a feast in Saltpool, Baron Isaac was wounded by a stray, tournament arrow and lost his eye.

Baron Isaac took a major role in both parts of the December Uprisings. During the first, he was directly involved in the abduction of King Sebastian but claims he was only doing the bidding of his liege lord, Earl Xavier. When Ser Willem Dayne freed the King and Saltpool switched sides, Earl Xavier went into hiding with his loyal bannerman and Baron Isaac was left to the King's mercy. King Sebastian allowed the Baron to bend the knee but required Ghostrock provide the King's armies with armor and weapons for free. He also took Baron Isaac's bastard son, Rickar, as a highborn ward (well-cared for hostage).

Rickar, however, soon began plotting with his father, Ser Dayne, and the exiled bannerman of Earl Xavier, Ser Damiclius of House Ironforge. They wanted to reignite the rebellion that failed only days earlier. Ser Dayne, however, warned the king of this treachery but not before Ser Damiclius and a mercenary tried to hold the King hostage and rob the Royal Treasury. Eventually, Ser Damiclius was slain for murdering Ser Dayne and Rickar's mercenaries were captured. Rickar and his father both fled Ghostrock but Rickar was wounded and robbed by a Sisterman. King Sebastian, his Kingshield knights, and Ser Mordred of House Earthfury (knighted for killing Damiclius) found Rickar and the Sisterman along the road.

Rickar was executed but Baron Isaac remains in exile, his whereabouts unknown.