INTRODUCTION
House Brightborn is an ancient house in Vathrian history, led today by Abellon Brightborn, King of Sovereign Shores and father of the Champion Arthur Brightborn. The House is respected across the land and is credited as the family of leaders that united the entire continent of Vathria. Historically Brightborn's have always been ready to fight when Vathria was in danger, as the House can trace its lineage all the way back to Aldren the great Champion who repelled the First Demon Invasion on the continent. In the current age Arthur Brightborn embarks on a righteous quest throughout the land to re-forge the Holy Sword, famed sword of Aldren, and prevent evil from consuming Vathria once again.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Gem of Light
A gift from Oriani to the world of Vathria, House Brightborn has held onto the Gem of Light as a symbol of its power and legitimacy over the throne of the Sovereign Shores. Four gems of great power were place into the Holy Sword, the great weapon used by Aldren to seal off the Demon gate during the Age of Invasion. Following his death and the shattering of the sword, the gems were separated and trusted under the care of certain groups or individuals should they ever ben needed again. The Gem of Light was entrusted to House Brightborn because of Aldren's actions and the Brightborn's used this gift to ascend to the throne of the then named Prosperous Shores.
Within it lies great energy and is considered a promise from House Brightborn to the people that they will always be protected. Stories surrounding House Brightborn suggest that the Gem of Light can bring immense strength to the sword should it one day be remade, should it one day be needed again.
HISTORY
Age of Invasion
During the Demon Invasion the Archmages and Dwarves worked together to design a weapon of great power that would have the ability to drive back the horde and close the portal for good. Their result was The Holy Sword and their champion to wield it was Aldren Brightborn. Aldren had gathered a reputation during the conflict and was shown to be a shrewd tactician as well as fighter, He pushed back the Dark Elves and fought hard against the Orcs. The Archmages chose him as Vathria's best chance of survival. The Dwarves felt the sword could be improved still and so they attached the powerful Gems, gifts of the Gods long dead, which would give hope to a dying land. The Sword was enchanted and Aldren became almighty, wielding the weapon, a force of good and righteousness. The Demons learned fear in the wake of such strength and the forces of light began to push forward, with Aldren paving the way.
The Demonic portal was a violent tear of reality into another realm. Few items of the world could withstand its malice and poison. The Vathrians had succeeded before just barely, this time the champions of light shredded everything in their way. Aldren cut deep into the portal and it screamed. The tear of reality convulsed and exploded shattering the sword and killing Aldren in the process. His death however was not in vain for the sun would rise on a grateful world that could finally be at peace.
The remains of the sword were hidden and the gems separated. The House of Brightborn, Aldren's kin were gifted the Gem of Light in honor of his sacrifice. It was there that the son of Aldren was given the gem and decreed his child would receive it from him. A proud tradition was born of the Brightborn's holding onto and protecting the light of the world. The Humans of the Prosperous Shores could be at ease knowing that he who held the Gem of Light, would be there for them in their time of need. A champion to defend all the peoples of Vathria.
Age of New Kingdoms
House Brightborn had ruled the lands of the Prosperous Shores for generations, turning once small assortments of towns and villages into great cities and ports. In the middle of what historians call the Age of New Kingdoms, Queen Larissa Brightborn was made aware of a technological marvel, a ship that had run aground following a particularly terrible storm. The vessel was goblin made and some of the crew had survived. It piqued the Queens interest and she ordered the Goblins to be nursed back to health and given anything they may want. A deal was struck, accommodation and food was provided to the Goblins as well as the supplies they would need to repair their ship, while the people of the Prosperous Shores would be allowed to watch and learn. The House of Brightborn quickly turned the nation into a serious naval super power with the capabilities to dominate the other nations at sea warfare.
Time would pass and new Brightborn's would ascend the throne and pass of old age. Since the time of Queen Larissa, the Prosperous Shores had gained power and control of most of the other nations. The lands were becoming united under one monarch though not every nation wanted a Brightborn as their ruler. Thellen Brightborn, King of the land used his nation's superior technologies to unite the entire continent, declaring war on the realm of Nastiabach and marching against the lands that refused to unify. One by one, each would fall to Thellen and his Sentinel armies. He united the continent under him vowing to bring a golden age across all Vathria. He later renamed his homeland to the Sovereign Shores in celebration of his great accomplishment uniting an entire land under one grand ruling House. House Brightborn.
The Current Age
Abellon Brightborn
Abellon Brightborn is the current King of Sovereign Shore and Vathria as a whole. Unlike the Brightborn's of the past his rule is fraught with contention and anger from the people of the various nations. Abellon suffered misfortune in his life which forced him into a path where he himself does not see the dangers before him. His wife the Queen Rose died while giving birth to their son Arthur. Despite a glorious celebration of the prince of the realm and heir to the throne, the nation and King Abellon were in grieving for a great and kind woman. As King, Abellon understood his duties to Vathria and Sovereign Shores, but in his heart he retreated into the depths of despair and anguish. Years passed and Abellon was encouraged by his court to marry again, though he protested. It was a Kings duty to sire more children and keep the House of Brightborn strong for future generations to come. It was only when The Countess Cassandra De Mon appeared in the Sovereign Shore that Abellon seemed to feel something for the first time in an incredibly long time. He requested her presence at the royal palace of Baycrest, inviting her to spend time with him. Cassandra made him smile, and for the first time in years she made the sad King laugh. Her reputation in the city was one of charity and kindness and she and Abellon would eventually grow closer. They married and she gave birth to a child, Prince Elian Brightborn. Life for Abellon seemed to be improving following the events that claimed his first Queen. His outlook improved and he felt happy, living a life where he knew not that his wife was secretly a Demon, masquerading as a human and manipulating him for her own personal gains. Cassandra was devious, and cruel in reality and she put together a plan to remove Arthur from the game board, which would lead to her claiming the throne of Vathria.
Arthur Brightborn
Arthur Brightborn is a Prince of the realm and heir to the thrones of Sovereign Shores and Vathria. His early years were spend learning his royal duties and training with the Sentinel armed forces in the country barracks. Arthur had never been to war, but even as a youth he showed great promise as a warrior and champion. Knowing that one day he would need to live up to the generations of Brightborn rulers who came before him, Arthur pushed hard to become a man Aldren and his great grandfather Thellen could be proud of. Deep to his core, Arthur believed in the tenets of defending the weak and maintaining order. This however all changed for him on the eve of his brother's coming of age ceremony. The young Prince Elian, excitedly welcomed his brother, who made his way from the Sentinel barracks to celebrate his family. Arthur took a goblet of wine, Elian's first taste of wine and drank with Arthur. It was not long before Elian fell to the floor rasping and choking as a pool of his own blood erupted from his mouth. The wine had been poisoned and Queen Cassandra labeled Arthur an assassin. Abellon was broken, his own son had tried to commit fratricide and with had little choice left to him Abellon called for Arthur's arrest. Arthur's entire life came crashing down around him and he felt lost. Elian survived, much to Arthur's relief however the Queens insistences were enough to somehow convince Abellon that his son truly committed the act. The guards spat at Arthur branding him a traitor, and spread gossip and talk of execution at the gallows for the first prince of the nation. Through what appeared to be divine intervention, Arthur's uncle, and brother to his late mother, Bernard Corwin betrayed his own duties to the King and had Arthur freed under the cover of darkness. Bernard implored Arthur to flee before the Queen convinced Abellon to execute his son. Arthur Brightborn in this moment ran. He left his duties as Prince and future King behind and the legacy of the Brightborn house. He fled from his home where people now saw him as an assassin.
However by leaving, he finally found his true purpose, Arthur learned he was more than his lessons and training taught him to be, he was destined for greatness and responsibility when his journey took him to Seren Pass and the Holy Sword.
The Ages yet to come
The histories of tomorrow are awaiting an author, one who would tell the stories of the heroes and events not yet known. House Brightborn has seen every challenge Vathria has faced since the Demon invasion and vows to be there for every challenge to come, however those stories for now are unwritten and their outcomes uncertain as the looming threat grows larger across Vathria. . .