| House Dufort of Castle Navire | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coat of arms | A blue ship on waves between a blue sun and a blue crescent moon above three stars, within a blue tressure on an orange field |
| Seats |
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| Head | Unknown |
| Region | Systres Archipelago |
| Titles |
|
| Overlord | King of Wayrest (presumably) |
| Founder | Justin Dufort |
| Founded | 2E 70 (approximately) |
House Dufort is a Bretonic noble House from the Systres Archipelago in High Rock, and are the last known rulers of the islands. The House was originally a vassal to House Mornard, who ruled as the Dukes of the Systres for some time before having most of their titles stripped at the end of Ranser's War in 2E 566 and granted to the Duforts. House Dufort has a long history of mercantilism, continuing the legacy of the Mornards, and ensuring a steady flow of wealth for the archipelago, particularly High Isle.
The House's sigil is a blue ship on waves between a blue sun and a blue crescent moon above three stars, within a blue tressure on an orange field. Their words are unknown.
Little is known of the Duforts following the events of the Second Era, although they are presumably still ruling as the Dukes of the Systres.
History[]
Early History[]
House Dufort traces its lineage back to Justin Dufort around 2E 70, who began his life as a humble farmer of Camlorn that showed great skill in martial matters. Justin's family scraped together enough gold to convince a knightly order to take him in as a squire. With time, Justin earned a knighthood and became a hedge knight, performing feats of valour and bravery.
At some point after earning his knighthood, the daughter of the then Duke of Camlorn was abducted by a group of bandits who planned to hold her for an extortionate ransom. Justin valiantly slew the bandits and rescued the duke's daughter, earning him much glory, gold, and the duke's personal favour for saving his beloved daughter. From that point onwards the family's influence grew, carefully tended by Justin and his descendants.
Relocation & Rise to Prominence[]
The House steadily grew in prominence and wealth since the days of Justin, becoming known as a prosperous merchant family. In 2E 125 the then head of the House, Ylbore Dufort, decided to travel to the Systres Archipelago, seeking to turn the family's fortune in a new direction. This was a fortuitous move by Ylbore, as at around that time trade between the Systres and the rest of Tamriel began to grow. Ylbore amassed enough wealth to bring the rest of his House to High Isle, and in short order the family became a premier shipbuilder, refurbishing facilities that had fallen into disuse after the creation of the All Flags Navy in 1E 2241.
House Dufort worked closely alongside the other prominent family of the archipelago, House Mornard, to turn High Isle into a thriving land of opportunity and wealth. Mornard trade flourished in part due to Dufont ships, with the Mornards establishing operations in every significant Tamrielic port from Northpoint to Falinesti, including the ever-isolationist Summerset Isles. As House Mornard's network and influence grew, so too did the prominence of the Systres themselves. This in turn prompted their leige, House Gardner of Wayrest, to grant the Mornards a title befitting their influence, naming them the Dukes of the Systres. The Duforts were granted the title of baron and made vassals of the Mornards.
Sometime after being granted their title of baron, the Duforts began construction of Caslte Navire. It is suspected that the Duforts had a settlement in the area prior to the construction of the castle itself – the nearby Port Navire is likely older than the castle.
Rivalry With the Mornards[]
With both Houses made landed nobles, their prosperity increased markedly, and thus so too did that of the Systres. House Mornard's wealth rose substantially with the opening of new mines on the island of Amenos, allowing for new trade routes between the archipelago and mainland Tamriel. On the other hand, House Dufort provided the fast ships the Mornards required to get their goods to market, even securing multiple contracts with kingdoms of High Rock to build them warships. The symbiotic relationship between the two Houses kept them on friendly terms, but this eventually gave way to a bitter rivalry as the two settled into their places within the feudal hierarchy.
As House Dufort's liege, the Mornards would often exert influence over them, taking advantage of their ducal position to skew business relations increasingly in favour of their House. It is claimed by some that the rivalry was the fault of Baron Densil Dufort, known as the "Mad Baron", although no historical evidence exists to prove he was the cause of the generations-long rivalry. Over the generations their rivalry grew, spreading from exploitative business practices to social slights against each other, and much more. The Duforts delighted in finding ways to undermine their liege lords, and the Mornards engaged in the same behaviours.
No deaths outside of tourneys have ever been attributed to the rivalry, suggesting that the ongoing feud was not yet at the point of open violence, or at least when it did extend to violence it was kept covert.
Ranser's War[]
In 2E 566, King Ranser Branquette of Shornhelm waged war against King Emeric I Cumberland of Wayrest, furious about Emeric spurning his daughter's hand in marriage in favour of Princess Maraya Phyllocid of Sentinel. All the Houses of Rivenspire joined Ranser in his war against Emeric, and his cause even attracted the sympathy of House Mornard of the Systres, a vassal to King Emeric. It is unknown if House Mornard believed Ranser's cause was genuinely righteous, or if they saw opportunity in overthrowing the new Cumberland dynasty from Wayrest's throne. House Dufont remained largely neutral during the conflict, providing only token support to their liege lords, the Mornards.
The war was initially favourable for Ranser, as he succeeded in quickly invading Wayrest's lands and even sacking the city itself. His fortunes waned in less than a year, however, as Emeric's allies from the Kingdoms of Camlorn, Evermore, and Daggerfall arrived, including armies from Sentinel thanks to his recent marriage, as well as orc warriors from across the Illiac Bay after Emeric promised to help Kurog gro-Bagrakh restore Orsinium. Ranser was eventually defeated in the winter of 2E 566, and House Mornard was punished for betraying their liege lord.
King Emeric seized most of House Mornard's lands and stripped Duke Averippe Mornard of his ducal title, granting those same lands and titles instead to House Dufort. Baroness Elea Dufort was named the Duchess of the Systres, and the Duforts have ruled the archipelago ever since. The Mornards were in turn reduced to mere counts, ruling over only the city of Vastyr on the island of Galen, as well as overseeing the prison-island of Amenos.
House Dufort Since the Interregnum[]
Little is known of House Dufort's history since the Interregnum of the mid-Second Era. It is widely speculated that they bent the knee to Tiber Septim during his conquest when their liege lords in Wayrest did so between 2E 854–864. Beyond the Tiber Wars, it is speculated that the Duforts maintain their rule over the Systres even into the Fourth Era, solidified by the high-quality trading ships for which they are famed, as well as the mercantile trade the archipelago is known for.
Sworn Houses[]
House Mornard of Vastyr
Quotes[]
How does a family rise from meagre beginnings to become a powerful noble house among the Bretons? In this rare case, it was through loyalty, shrewd practices, and above all, patience.
—writings of Kaera Metrick
Now, under the watchful eyes of Duchess Elea, the Systres Archipelago experiences an era of wealth, safety, and prosperity unseen since the time of the All Flags Navy.
—writings of Kaera Metrick
I tried to end the sour relations between the Mornards and the Duforts a number of times, but to no avail. It's a shame the only thing we can ever agree on are the unsavory dealings of my house. Anything with a possibility to do good? Not a chance.
—Stefan Mornard about his House's rivalry with the Duforts
Family Tree[]
Notes[]
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