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DeVillars

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The DeVillars family was among the most prominent noble houses of Ravens Bluff in the Vast. Their family motto was "Let love be our guide".[1]

Activities[]

Political influence and the DeVillars family went hand in hand, and its members often served in important civic positions within Ravens Bluff. Alongside twelve other families, the DeVillars held a hereditary seat on the city's Council of Lords.[3] One example of the family's influence was how Lauren DeVillars personally supplied the Ravens Bluff Army with uniforms, ensuring the city's armed forces all carried her uniform design. The city found it unwise to refuse her gift.[4] In a more direct example, Drake DeVillars eventually came to serve as the city's Lord Mayor.[5]

Much of the family's wealth came from its ownership of the Tempest Rose Merchant House. The DeVillars did not publicly make their ownership known, but it was considered something of an open secret. This vastly successful trading company was the best-connected, wealthiest, and by far the largest merchant house in Ravens Bluff. Far beyond mere trading, the Tempest Rose primarily functioned as a bank, even minting its own currency.[6]

Base of Operations[]

DeVillars Manor was indisputably the grandest residence in all of Ravens Bluff, as well as Laurentowers, a more discreet (yet still palatial) residence. The DeVillars also owned three estates in the area surrounding the city: Chanserdun House, an enormous garden estate; Mriteleigh, a large farm estate; and Campopegasus Hall, a "modest" walled country mansion. Collectively, these properties could muster over 530 soldiers when necessary.[1]

Relationships[]

The DeVillars family were, for the most part, ardent followers of Waukeen.[7] They were also known as friends to the Harpers.[8]

As the foremost noble house of Ravens Bluff in the 14th century DR, few other families could rival the DeVillars for wealth and influence.[1] The DeSheers family came close in both wealth and influence, but their fortunes dwindled after the war against Myrkyssa.[9] The Hawktalons were nearly as rich as the DeVillars, but commanded far less influence.[10] The Ampner family were chief competitors of the DeVillars in the wine trading business. Additionally, the Cathones considered the DeVillars to be their chief rivals.[11]

History[]

Alongside the Moorland and Therogeon families, the DeVillars (then Daefihlars) were the first settlers of the site that would eventually come to be known as Ravens Bluff. They arrived in the spring of the Year of the Horn, 1222 DR, bringing with them armed companies to help fend off the many dangers in this untamed region of the Vast. The nascent settlement survived, albeit in a somewhat beleaguered state, and soon other families were drawn to the area. In the Year of the Black Buck, 1226 DR, more than a dozen more families joined the DeVillars (and the Moorlands and Therogeons). Over time, the settlement became known as Ravens Bluff.[2]

The early history of Ravens Bluff, as it rapidly expanded into a bustling city, was fraught with odds-defying success, but also discord and instability. Orc and hobgoblin raids were common, and the city was essentially ruled by feuding noble families who directly controlled the city government.[12] In the mid-13th century DR, James DeVillars, the city's Chief Alderman, personally appointed Ravens Bluff's first Regent of the Harbor to establish law and order for seaborne vessels.[13] Another prominent early DeVillars was Kartha Daefihlars, who served as Lord Treasurer circa the Year of the Grimoire, 1324 DR.[14]

It was during this early period of instability, in the Year of Thunder, 1306 DR, that Lauren DeVillars—future matriarch of the DeVillars family—was born to Malamin and Salinay DeVillars.[15] In the Year of the Wanderer, 1338 DR, Lady Lauren was named high priestess of Waukeen in Ravens Bluff.[16]

In the Year of the Gate, 1341 DR, Lauren DeVillars, by then considered one of the wealthiest and most civic-minded lords of the city, convinced her fellow nobles into hosting the Champions Games, a martial contest whose winner would be granted the position of Lord Mayor.[12] The hope was that a strong central leadership would unite the fractious city into a cohesive, lawful whole. If the contest also happened to claim the lives of a few ambitious pirates and unscrupulous nobles, the DeVillars saw this as an added bonus.[17] The hosting of the Games was seen as a desperate gamble by most citizens, with many concerned that Ravens Bluff would become the domain of a ruthless pirate or adventurer. Yet Lauren DeVillars's plan worked out splendidly: the winner, Charles Oliver O'Kane, turned out to be an exceptionally able and fair leader for the city.[12] He was, of course, given ample advice and guidance from Lady Lauren. Through decades of their combined leadership, Ravens Bluff grew safer and vastly more prosperous.[18] With Lady Lauren as matriarch, the DeVillars family became known not just for its incredible wealth and influence, but also its commitment to philanthropy and the city's well-being. With that said, most citizens of Ravens Bluff were devoted to Lady Lauren herself—not necessarily her extended family.[1]

Lady Lauren married Lord Daimler, and they had four children together before his passing: Drake, Bethany, Chantel, and Ramsey.[16] Bethany and Chantel both became priestesses of Waukeen in Procampur, having been subtly encouraged by their mother to move away from Ravens Bluff to become more independent.[7] Eventually, Lady Lauren called them back to the city and began involving them in the family business and political schemes[19]—Bethany more so than Chantel.[20] Lauren's eldest son, Drake, chose to follow the path of a knight and served the city as a member of several knightly orders, winning great acclaim during the war against Myrkyssa Jelan.[20] Ramsey DeVillars fell in with the Consortium of the Bloody Fang and became a vampire, only to be slain on the eve of his wedding to Revelmistress Rachel Arren[20] after kidnapping his own bride.[21]

When mayoral elections were held in the Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, following the war against the warlord Myrkyssa Jelan, the defeat of the DeVillars-backed Charles O'Kane in favor of newcomer Amber Lynn Thoden was seen as an indication, by some, that the influence of the DeVillars on city politics was waning.[1]

Members[]

  • Kartha Daefihlars, Lord Treasurer of Ravens Bluff circa 1324 DR.[14]
  • James DeVillars, Chief Alderman of Ravens Bluff, who personally appointed the city's first Regent of the Harbor to curb lawlessness in the harbor.[13]
  • Malamin and Salinay DeVillars, parents of Lauren.[15]
  • Lauren DeVillars, matriarch of the family and a beloved civic and religious leader of Ravens Bluff. She was so closely associated with the city's prosperity that some whispered that once she died, Ravens Bluff would fall with her.[1]
  • Daimler DeVillars, husband of Lauren who passed away relatively early in their marriage.[16]
  • Drake DeVillars, son of Lauren and Daimler, known as the city's "Black Knight". Over the years he served in the Knights of the Golden Rooster, as leader of the Knights of the Raven,[20] and then finally as Lord Mayor of Ravens Bluff.[5]
  • Bethany DeVillars, daughter of Lauren and Daimler and a priestess of Waukeen in Procampur.[19]
  • Chantel DeVillars, daughter of Lauren and Daimler and also a priestess of Waukeen in Procampur.[19]
  • Ramsey DeVillars, who secretly lived as a vampire for years until he was exposed and killed on the eve of his wedding to Rachel Arren.[20]
  • Marilene DeVillars, second cousin of Lauren and a powerful illusionist. She served, for a time, as the city's Minister of Illusions in the Ministry of Art.[1]
  • Norval DeVillars, the priest of Waukeen under whom, the Temple of Waukeen was robbed in the mid 14th century DR.[22]
  • Suram DeVillars, cousin of Lauren and a paladin of Tyr. He was uncomfortable with the luxurious lifestyle of the main DeVillars line and so tended to avoid Lady Lauren as much as possible.[1]
  • Raraerdo Moonspring, Lady Lauren's nephew who chiefly concerned himself with the pursuit of hedonistic pleasures. Although he was fond of his aunt, he eschewed responsibility and was not considered a "true DeVillars".[1]
  • Sabrina DeVillars, a socialite who lived a secret life as a serial killing wererat.[23] A distant cousin of Lauren DeVillars.[24]
  • Banta Jillion DeVillars, grand niece of Lauren DeVillars.[25]
  • Tomas DeVillars, a major in the Ravens Bluff Army and a nephew of Lauren DeVillars.[26]

Legacy[]

Several natural features, roads, and structures in the Vast were named for the DeVillars family:

  • Fort DeVillars, a fortification built during the war against Myrkyssa and subsequently bought by Lord Knight Rashaverak Dandelion.[27]
  • DeVillars Creek, a river that ran through Ravens Bluff to connect Lake Christina with Clearwater Harbor. It was named for Lady Lauren's grandfather.[28]
  • DeVillars Park, a grand park donated to the city by Lady Lauren.[29]
  • DeVillars Ride, a main thoroughfare in the Temple District.[30]

Family Tree[]

Malamin
   
   
Salinay
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Unknown
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
UnknownLauren
   
   
DaimlerSuramMarilene
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
DrakeBethanyChantelRamsey
Raraerdo Moonspring

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 3. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  3. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  4. ↑ Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 45. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1  (April 2003). The Trumpeter 7, no. 1. (OrganizedPlay).
  6. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Richard Rydberg, et al. (August 1989). Gateway to Ravens Bluff, the Living City. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, Ed Sollers. (TSR, Inc.), p. 23.
  8. ↑ Gail Reese (November 1998). Eyes of the Raven. Living City (RPGA), p. 5.
  9. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  10. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 53. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  11. ↑ Rebecca Ward, William Ward (May 2001). Family Matters. Edited by Thomas M. Reid. Living City (RPGA), p. 27.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 54. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 C.E. Caldwell (April 2001). Swan Song. Living City (RPGA), p. 14.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 The RPGA Staff (July 2001). “Pillars of Ravens Bluff”. In Erik Mona ed. Polyhedron #147 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 The RPGA Staff (July 2001). “Pillars of Ravens Bluff”. In Erik Mona ed. Polyhedron #147 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20.
  17. ↑ The RPGA Staff (July 2001). “Pillars of Ravens Bluff”. In Erik Mona ed. Polyhedron #147 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16.
  18. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 51. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Scott J. Magner (August 2002). 240. Living City (OrganizedPlay), p. 17.
  21. ↑ Gail Reese (November 1998). Eyes of the Raven. Living City (RPGA), p. 2.
  22. ↑ Template:Cite organized play/LC/Day of the Raven
  23. ↑ Michael Watts (September 1996). Beauty and the Beholder. Living City (RPGA), p. 10.
  24. ↑ Michael Watts (September 1996). Beauty and the Beholder. Living City (RPGA), p. 2.
  25. ↑ Frank Timar (November 1996). Tears of Selûne. Living City (RPGA), p. 9.
  26. ↑ Daniel S. Donnelly (April 1997). Dawn's Early Light. Living City (RPGA), p. 4.
  27. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  28. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 127. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  29. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 116. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  30. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 111. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.

Connections[]

Noble families of Ravens Bluff
Ampner • Balathorp • Blacktree • Boldtalon • Cathone • Daradusk • DeSheers • DeVillars • Eldermore • Emmerdin • Flermeer • Fleetwood • Gultoss • Hawkdragon • Hawkynfleur • Indemmer • Leorduin • Liontower • Longbottle • MacIntyre • Minstrelwish • Moonbrace • Moonglow • Moorland • Norwood • Paerindon • Palraedinor • Quelemter • Raphiel • Skyhawk • Sinaran • Taldavar • Therogeon • Thoden • Velgath • Yarvandar • Zorden
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