House Montebray

Overview
House Montebray is the youngest of the Great Houses by far, having risen through the choking web of lesser house politics under the leadership of its’ revered patriarch and greatest leader, Archibold Montebray. Formerly an impoverished House mainly gaining influence through its ties to the fish industry of Ashmoor, Archibold decided to turn his houses fortunes around by plotting and undertaking a daring and almost fatal expedition to the Far East to forge a lasting overseas trading route between the two hemispheres. On his travels he encountered and made dealings with the exotic nations of the East, personally convincing the divine Dragon Emperor of the R’qi Dynasty to agree to his trade terms.

 

When he finally returned to Ashmoor, he brought with him culture, wealth and artifacts from the Eastern world, and the fate of House Montebray was changed forever. Today, the House sits as one of the Greater Houses in all of Ashmoor, maintain its monopoly over trade coming from the East. They are often looked down upon by the other houses due to its relatively new status, and the fact that many of its key members are rumored to practice the ancient rites and traditions transplanted from the East.The House is also peculiar as it permits a great deal of foreigners into its ranks as servants, partners and guests of honour; something that does not sit right with the more conservative elements of the ruling elite. House Montebray frequently hosts grand exhibitions of the creatures, people and substances from across its trading empire. In secret, however, they play host to elaborate rituals and ceremonies rooted in mysticism and cultic beliefs. In fact, the Montebray’s have been cultivating a cult in the shadows for decades, and with political tensions brewing...perhaps it is time to put their newfound influence to use…

House Montebray has its main political strongholds in the Montebray family residence, an opulent domed mansion that seems somewhat out of place next to the austere gothic buildings that surround it, owing this to its clear eastern influences. They also own and run the New Empire Teahouse, where many of their social ilk meet and discuss matters of state, or just light gossip. House Montebray retains a foothold in the docks district, owning several warehouses and shipping offices.

House Crest
The Crest of House Montebray is a double-headed gryphon, with one of the beast’s head being a serpentine creature resembling an eastern dragon. The Crest is set against a purple backdrop, with the House's personal motto embroidered in elaborate weavings. Everything about their heraldry is designed to flamboyantly flaunt their wealth.

House Roster
Patriarch:

Household:

Marriage Ties: