House Anton, Foresters, Paper Makers, & Publishers

The Forest Our Heritage, Knowledge Our Legacy

House Anton has stood as a pillar of the realm for centuries, its legacy intertwined with the very essence of the Katarina forest. From its ancient roots as skilled foresters, House Anton has nurtured a deep reverence for the natural world, understanding that the forest provides sustenance and the raw materials for civilization.

Generations of Antons have honed their craft, mastering the art of transforming towering trees into fine paper, each sheet a testament to their dedication and skill. This expertise extended beyond mere production as they became renowned publishers, disseminating knowledge and fostering a love of learning throughout the land.

The Anton motto, "The Forest Our Heritage, Knowledge Our Legacy," reflects this profound connection. They recognize that the forest is their birthright, a precious resource to be cherished and protected for future generations. But they also understand that true legacy lies in sharing the wisdom gleaned from the natural world, enriching the lives of others through the power of the written word.

House Anton is currently led by Sir Dmytro Anton, publisher of the Katarina Chronicle.

House Anton remains a prominent force in the realm, their influence felt in the rustling leaves of the forest, the delicate whisper of turning pages, and the enduring power of knowledge.

House Bodashka, Winemakers & Philanthropists

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Lady Sofia Bodashka was a renowned noblewoman with a passion for the arts. Killed in the explosion of Khoroshim, she was a talented painter and a patron of various artistic endeavors, known for her extravagant soirees and cultural gatherings primarily held at the Serenity Center. She dedicated much of her life to promoting local artists and cultural enrichment on the island of Katarina.  Lady Bodashka was one of the wealthiest nobles in Katarina, possessing a vast estate, including a grand manor and Frostbloom, the only vineyard on the island. With her wealth estimated to be in excess of 10,000 gold crowns, Lady Bodashka had established several scholarships for talented up-and-coming young artists. She was also a prominent advocate for women's participation and education in the arts.

Upon her death, her son, Sir Kyrilo Bodashka, took control of House Bodashka.

House Nazar, Entertainers

Elegance. Entertainment. Excellence

House Nazar is a prominent noble house in Katarina, renowned for its wealth, influence, and patronage of the arts. Their legacy is deeply intertwined with the kingdom's cultural and social life, particularly in entertainment.

The family's fortune was initially amassed through shrewd investments in trade and commerce. However, Lord Serhiy Nazar, a man of discerning taste and a passionate patron of the arts, truly cemented the family's reputation. He acquired the Starlight Theater, a once-grand venue that had fallen into disrepair, and restored it to its former glory. Under his stewardship, the Starlight became a beacon of culture, attracting renowned performers from across the kingdom.

Lord Nazar, a charismatic and influential figure, cultivated close ties with the royal court in Sezja and the nobility in Katarina, ensuring the theater's success and solidifying the Nazar family's position as cultural arbiters. He also expanded his family's entertainment ventures, establishing a renowned opera company, commissioning acclaimed playwrights, and supporting talented musicians and artists.

Successive generations of the Nazar family have continued to uphold their ancestor's legacy. They have nurtured the Starlight Theater, ensuring its continued success and introducing innovative theatrical productions. The Nazar name is synonymous with elegance, sophistication, and a deep appreciation for the arts, making them one of the kingdom's most respected and influential families. Lord Taras Nazar currently heads House Nazar.

House Sidorov, Horse Breeders & Land Owners

Breeding legends, riding destiny

House Sidorov is renowned for its expertise in breeding horses. A large owner of farms, pastures, and fields, the Sidorov family has been established on Katarina for generations. House Sidorov acquired its letter of nobility with Ivan Sidorov, a visionary horse breeder and astute trader in the bustling markets of Sezja. Known for his expertise in both equestrian pursuits and commerce, Sidorov laid the family's foundation by selectively breeding horses of exceptional strength and agility. His keen business acumen allowed the family to amass wealth through trade, laying the groundwork for generations of prosperity.

Building upon his father's success, Oleksandr Sidorov expanded the family's horse breeding enterprise, introducing innovative breeding techniques. He purchased several tracks of land in Katarina to breed a hardy fighting steed. Under his guidance, the Sidorov horses became prized not only for their physical prowess but also for their distinct and captivating beauty. His strategic partnerships in trade solidified the Sidorov name as synonymous with both equine excellence and economic influence.

Katerina Sidorov succeeded her father and relocated the family to Katarina. A woman of diplomatic grace and sharp intellect, Katerina fostered alliances with other noble families, including linking her family to that of House Svetozar through the marriage of her oldest daughter. Her keen eye for horseflesh and her strategic negotiations in trade agreements significantly contributed to the family's growing prominence. Katerina was awarded the title of Marquess, a title that remains in the Sidorov family.

Anatoliy Sidorov further expanded the Sidorov trade network, establishing the family as renowned horse breeders and shrewd merchants. He diversified the family's wealth by investing in various enterprises, turning the Sidorov name into a symbol of economic stability.

With access to a large fortune, Mariya Sidorov was a driving force behind the family's philanthropic endeavors. Her efforts to improve the lives of the residents of Katarina through education and infrastructure projects endeared the Sidorov family to the people, solidifying their place as benevolent leaders.

Her son, Viktor Sidorov, made several spurious business decisions, dilating much of the family fortune and losing his horse breeding business. Tragically, Viktor Sidorov died in a horse riding accident, and he was succeeded by his only daughter, Zoya, at the tender age of 14.

Zoya Sidorov is the current head of House Sidorov and its only remaining living member. In her late fifties, she was able to fructify what remained of the family fortune by investing in several industries. 

House Stal, Miners, Steel Producers, & Weapons Manufacturers

Forged in honor, tempered in duty

House Stal is renowned for its expertise in extracting and producing Katarina steel and creating exceptional weapons and armor. It has honed its craft for centuries and supplied the kingdom of Sezja with some of the finest arms and armor, amassing wealth and prestige in the process.

Once a prosperous family of blacksmiths, House Stal was ennobled by House Svetozar eight generations ago for their services in arming Katarina's soldiers during the Winter War. Over the years, House Stal branched out into steel mining, becoming the largest mining concern on Katarina. Using the pure iron pulled from their mine, House Stal then entered steel production, building the largest smelters on the island and becoming the biggest steel producer in Sezja. 

Despite their wealth, House Stal's ancestral forge in Low Town remains in existence, and continues to produce legendary weapons and exquisite armor. These hand crafted items are highly sought by knights and wealthy soldiers throughout Sezja and beyond. Facilities in Ksenyia produce larger quantities of weapons and armors destined to be shipped to the mainland.

The Stal family's legacy of craftsmanship, integrity, and martial expertise has not only made House Stal wealthy but also respected and admired throughout the kingdom. They have been called upon to craft ceremonial weapons for the royal family of Sezja.

Unlike the other noble families on Katarina, House Stal no longer resides on Katarina. The family relocated to the mainland five generations ago, with only the patriach remaining on Katarina to oversee the family businesses. The Stals do not socialize much with the other families, shrouding their family structure in shadows. House Stal's lush and isolated compound is called Verdant Estate. Currently, House Stal is led by Sir Paul Stal, and his heir is not known on Katarina.

House Svetozar, bankers and rulers of Katarina

The strength of steel and the prosperity of wisdom

House Svetozar was renowned for their

During the Winter War, Archduchess Irina defeated an attempt to overthrow her.

House Vasyl, miners and inventors

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Industry: Mining and Metals

• Notable Members: Lady Ekaterina Vasyl, his wife, and Mikhail Vasyl, his first son.

  • The Vasyls own several profitable mines and foundries.

Lord Petr Vasyl was a scholar, philosopher, and inventor. Killed in the explosion of Khoroshim, he was a brilliant mind known for his contributions to various fields of knowledge, but particularly for his designs in metallurgy processes, including his design for the Forge of Elemental Fusion, a masterpiece of metallurgical magic that consists of an intricate network of enchanted runes, complex machinery, and a central furnace powered by a bound fire elemental. Developed for the Stal Steel Concern, the forge is said to be able to meld different metals together with remarkable ease and precision. His library was renowned for its vast collection of rare texts and manuscripts. He was a prominent advocate for the spread of knowledge. Lord Vasyl’s family estate included an impressive library, observatory, and alchemical laboratory. His wealth was estimated at 8,000 gold crowns.

House Zhytomyr, shippers and traders

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• Notable Members: Sir  Oleksiy Zhytomyr (deceased), Lady Sofia Zhytomyr

  • They control a powerful fleet for overseas trade.

Sir Oleksiy Zhytomyr was a highly respected and enterprising noble known for his remarkable success in the shipping and trade industry. Killed in the explosion of Khoroshim, he hailed from a family with a long history of maritime expertise on Katarina, and he dedicated his life to expanding the family's business legacy. Sir Oleksiy Zhytomyr transformed SteelWave Maritime, the family company based on Katarina Island, into the largest and most prosperous maritime trading enterprise in the Kingdom of Sezja . Under his leadership, the company established trade routes to distant lands, importing exotic goods and fostering diplomatic relations with foreign nations. Sir Oleksiy Zhytomyr’s family estate included a palatial mansion overlooking the fjord, a fleet of opulent merchant vessels, and an extensive network of warehouses and trading posts in Sezja and Katarina. SteelWave Maritime is valued at seven million gold crowns on the Sezja Stock Exchange. Sir Oleksiy Zhytomyr’s philanthropic efforts also included funding the construction of a local orphanage, demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of the less fortunate.

Other Minor Noble Families

House Sirenko

Navigating the currents of Fortune

The Sirenko family, once a prominent name in Katarina's maritime trade, now navigates a more modest course. Their history is a tale of both triumph and adversity, a testament to the fickle nature of fortune.

The family's rise began centuries ago with a daring shipwright and navigator who ventured into uncharted waters, forging trade routes that brought untold wealth to the Sirenko name. Their ships, renowned for their seaworthiness, carried exotic goods from Sezja and distant lands, filling their coffers and solidifying their position among Katarina's elite.

However, the tide of fortune can turn as swiftly as the sea itself. A series of unfortunate events, including a devastating storm that claimed a significant portion of the Sirenko fleet and a string of ill-fated investments, led to a decline in the family's fortunes. The once-grand Sirenko estates fell into disrepair before being sold, and the whispers of their past glory faded into distant echoes.

Despite these setbacks, the Sirenko spirit remained unbroken. Lady Sirenko, the one remaining Sirenko, inherited not just the remnants of her ancestors' wealth but also their indomitable spirit and their unwavering determination. Through shrewd business decisions and a keen understanding of the shifting tides of commerce, she has salvaged what remained of the family's fortunes.

While the Sirenko ships no longer dominate the seas, Lady Sirenko's influence extends beyond the realm of trade. Her friendship with the Marquess of Sidorov, a bond forged in childhood, provides a valuable connection to the upper echelons of Katarinian society. Though diminished, her intelligence, charm, and unwavering resolve ensure that the Sirenko name will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.

House Tsaplin

Building a Legacy, One Masterpiece at a Time

House Tsaplin is a relatively new name in the annals of Katarina's nobility. Unlike the ancient lineages that trace their roots back centuries, the Tsaplin fortune was built on grit, ingenuity, and good timing.

The House's founder, the enigmatic Aleksei Tsaplin, was a merchant of humble origins. Aleksei amassed a considerable fortune through shrewd investments and a knack for identifying lucrative opportunities. His rise was meteoric, attracting the attention of the Archduke, who, recognizing his wealth and influence, granted him a noble title and a coat of arms.

Aleksei, however, was not content with merely accumulating wealth. He patronized the arts, recognizing the power of culture to shape society. He invested heavily in the arts, supporting artists, musicians, and playwrights. 

Upon Aleksei's passing his grandson, Sir Gregory Tsaplin, inherited the family fortune and the mantle of House Tsaplin. Like his father, Sir Gregory is a shrewd businessman and a patron of the arts. Through shrewd maneuvering, Sir Gregory acquired the Legendary, the island's most famous theater, and restored its greatness. Through the last few decades, he has continued to support the Legendary, ensuring its continued success and cementing House Tsaplin's reputation as a cultural force in Katarina.

While some older noble families may view House Tsaplin with suspicion, their wealth and influence are undeniable. With his keen business acumen and dedication to the arts, Sir Gregory is poised further to elevate the House's standing in Katarina society. The Tsaplin legacy is still being written, but one thing is certain: it is a story of ambition, innovation, and a commitment to enriching the cultural landscape of the kingdom.