skin, bone, and arrogance
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
SOCIAL INFORMATION
MEMBERS
George Vitalis
Reima Vitalis
[member="Decima Fortan"] - Illegitimate (Recognized)
[member="Thaddeus Vitalis"] - By Marriage (Legal Guardian of George & Reima)
[member="Petra Vitalis"] - By Marriage
Natasi Fortan (Deceased)
[member="Pierce Fortan III"] (Deceased)
Talbot Vitalis (Deceased) - By Marriage
Hyacinth Oxford Fortan (Deceased) - By Marriage
Imogen Fortan (Deceased)
Frejrik Fortan (Deceased)
Mathes Fortan (Deceased)
Reima Fortan (Deceased)
Maximilian Jens (Missing) - Distant Relation
Fiolette Raaf - Legally Disowned
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Fortan family was enshrined in its noble status during the Plague Years, for extraordinary services to the Galidraani Crown. The family was given extensive lands in observance of military, social, and other services to Galidraan's royal family and its people. Since then, the title Earl of Herevan and attendant lands and privileges have been passed down, father to son, for generations. The Fortan family faced financial ruin more than once, but at no time were circumstances more dire than during the earldom of Frejrik Fortan. A disastrous crop and a series of financial missteps put the family on the edge of financial ruin, facing the very real possibility that he might have to sell part or all of the estate simply to keep things running. He found salvation in the form of a Bakuran namata heiress, Reima Esperell. Her fortune and a substantial dowry were settled upon Frejrik when Reima became Countess of Herevan.
The difficulties did not stop there, although financially the house made a strong recovery and the estate and surrounding county continued its centuries-long tradition of being a significant part of Galidraan's breadbasket. Unfortunately, a series of tragedies struck the family, starting with the death of Reima and her son with Frejrik during childbirth. An older son, Mathes, died in his early twenties, leaving Herevan without an heir. An extensive search was conducted, and only one suitable heir whose blood could be linked to the Fortan family -- Maximilian Jens -- was located. The exclusion of girls from the inheritance, an ancient and obsolete but nonetheless legally binding restriction, thwarted Natasi Fortan's claim to the estate and title. Frejrik died shortly after the establishment of the First Order, leaving Jens as Earl of Herevan, although he went missing shortly thereafter, leaving Natasi in command of the house and the family fortune, even without the title. She gained the title early in her marriage when her husband, the influential Duke of Foxfield, arranged for the entail to be broken in the absence of Jens or other acceptable heirs.
The title passed to George Vitalis when Natasi died during the sack of Dosuun, but the name of Fortan as synonymous with an aristocratic family died with Natasi Fortan, the last Fortan Countess of Herevan.
- Intent: To codify and protect the Fortan family name and legacy
- Image Credit: Family Tree image (below) made on Family Echo
- Canon: N/A
- Links: Natasi Fortan, Decima Fortan, Pierce Fortan III, Hyacinth Fortan, Imogen Fortan, Maximilian Jens, Talbot Vitalis, Thaddeus Vitalis
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Organization Name: The Fortan Family
- Classification: Aristocratic family/lineage
- Affiliation: The First Order, Galidraan
- Organization Symbol: A heraldic symbol which, at present, joins the gold and blue coat of arms of the Vitalis family with the black and silver of the Fortan family. The family crest changes depending upon who is the present Earl of Herevan, by combining the arms of his parents.
- Description: Technically existing to provide county leadership and employment in their holdings of Herevan and lately the neighboring duchy of Foxfield, thanks to the current Earl of Herevan, George Vitalis, being heir to both his mother (Natasi, Countess of Herevan) and his father (Talbot, Duke of Foxfield). However, George is still a child and does not administer his holdings, which were left in the care of his mother and his uncle, Thaddeus Vitalis, until his mother's recent death. Thaddeus Vitalis now serves as legal guardian, chief administrator, and protector of his young nephew's lands, titles, and finances.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
- Headquarters: The County of Herevan on Galidraan has been the family's traditional seat. However, George currently resides on Csilla and Thaddeus splits his time between Galidraan, Csilla, and other places. The family remains in control of Herevan and Foxfield through a system of loyal lieutenants.
- Domain: The County of Herevan (including Herevan Hold), The Duchy of Foxfield (including the city of Southport and Foxfield Park). The family was long involved in Galidraani politics, though that trend did not continue extensively into the administration of Natasi Fortan, who had obligations in First Order space and did not wish to cause political friction by involving herself in affairs within the Sith Empire. She, along with then-Governor Thaddeus Vitalis, was instrumental in negotiating a privileged position for Galidraan's entry into the Sith Empire and she remained generally enthusiastic about its membership, feeling that an Imperial government suited Galidraan more than a Jedi, Republic, or pure democratic government would. Natasi did continue to remain active in the administration of the county by listening to petitions from citizens, dispensing funds, ruling on matters related to the estate, and employing over a hundred people in and around the village. Thaddeus Vitalis plans to continue to act in this way in accordance with Natasi's philosophy -- for her son's sake more than hers. The Fortan name is generally well-liked in Herevan -- less so in Foxfield, thanks to a feud between the two houses that preceded the marriage of Talbot to Natasi -- though the name does command new respect once the circumstances of Fortan's death arose. There is great sympathy among the populaces of Herevan and Foxfield about the orphaned Vitalis children.
- Notable Assets: Herevan Village, Herevan Hold, Breakriver, Foxfield Park, Southport, The Fortan Philanthropic Foundation
SOCIAL INFORMATION
- Hierarchy: At one time the Fortan family was a large and thriving aristocratic clan, but those days have long past. The name is now almost entirely extinct, with the death of Natasi Fortan (Countess of Herevan) and Pierce Fortan II (Baron Chiltenham). The only remaining, legally recognized member bearing the name Fortan is Decima, though even her claim is not terribly strong, given that she was a bastard child of Frejrik Fortan, albeit acknowledged. The current head of the family, George, is a small child and though he is head of the family, he has no members to command save an infant sister, Reima. Time will tell whether he will be able to continue the dynasty, though if he does it will be under the Vitalis name, not Fortan.
- Membership: Fortans are born into the family, occasionally married into it, and even more rarely expelled from it. Once an extremely conservative family, those who colored outside the lines of stoic aristocratic upbringing were expelled, and only the purest and most pristine of bloodlines were allowed to marry in. With George, Reima, and Decima being the last of the line -- and none of them being able to truly carry on the name of Fortan -- it is unlikely that there will be future members. Following the death of Frejrik Fortan some eighteen years ago, an extensive search for legal relations was conducted, and only Maximilian Jens, a distant relation, was found to be eligible, but now even he has disappeared. Those wishing to create a family relation to the Fortans should speak with [member='Natasi Fortan].
- Climate: Slightly frosty but generally good-natured aristocratic family.
- Reputation: The Fortan Family is generally well-regarded on Galidraan and in former First Order space. They are probably reviled by rebels and republicans.
- Curios: N/A
- Rules: N/A - the family is more or less extinct, so any rules or social conventions that were previously in effect are no longer enforced.
- Goals: When he grows up, George will likely seek to keep the memory of his Fortan bloodline alive, to continue the tradition of charitable work and public service that his parents were known for. Until such a time that George is old enough, his uncle Thaddeus Vitalis safeguards his holdings, lands, titles, and finances on his behlf.
MEMBERS
George Vitalis
Reima Vitalis
[member="Decima Fortan"] - Illegitimate (Recognized)
[member="Thaddeus Vitalis"] - By Marriage (Legal Guardian of George & Reima)
[member="Petra Vitalis"] - By Marriage
Natasi Fortan (Deceased)
[member="Pierce Fortan III"] (Deceased)
Talbot Vitalis (Deceased) - By Marriage
Hyacinth Oxford Fortan (Deceased) - By Marriage
Imogen Fortan (Deceased)
Frejrik Fortan (Deceased)
Mathes Fortan (Deceased)
Reima Fortan (Deceased)
Maximilian Jens (Missing) - Distant Relation
Fiolette Raaf - Legally Disowned
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Fortan family was enshrined in its noble status during the Plague Years, for extraordinary services to the Galidraani Crown. The family was given extensive lands in observance of military, social, and other services to Galidraan's royal family and its people. Since then, the title Earl of Herevan and attendant lands and privileges have been passed down, father to son, for generations. The Fortan family faced financial ruin more than once, but at no time were circumstances more dire than during the earldom of Frejrik Fortan. A disastrous crop and a series of financial missteps put the family on the edge of financial ruin, facing the very real possibility that he might have to sell part or all of the estate simply to keep things running. He found salvation in the form of a Bakuran namata heiress, Reima Esperell. Her fortune and a substantial dowry were settled upon Frejrik when Reima became Countess of Herevan.
The difficulties did not stop there, although financially the house made a strong recovery and the estate and surrounding county continued its centuries-long tradition of being a significant part of Galidraan's breadbasket. Unfortunately, a series of tragedies struck the family, starting with the death of Reima and her son with Frejrik during childbirth. An older son, Mathes, died in his early twenties, leaving Herevan without an heir. An extensive search was conducted, and only one suitable heir whose blood could be linked to the Fortan family -- Maximilian Jens -- was located. The exclusion of girls from the inheritance, an ancient and obsolete but nonetheless legally binding restriction, thwarted Natasi Fortan's claim to the estate and title. Frejrik died shortly after the establishment of the First Order, leaving Jens as Earl of Herevan, although he went missing shortly thereafter, leaving Natasi in command of the house and the family fortune, even without the title. She gained the title early in her marriage when her husband, the influential Duke of Foxfield, arranged for the entail to be broken in the absence of Jens or other acceptable heirs.
The title passed to George Vitalis when Natasi died during the sack of Dosuun, but the name of Fortan as synonymous with an aristocratic family died with Natasi Fortan, the last Fortan Countess of Herevan.