Le Drake Family

The Le Drake Philosophy

Gules, an Antelope Rampant Ermine

A small, unknown noble family out of Thysan. Hidden among dense woods and rippling streams, they take their name and their philosophy from the great Draco River. Every generation of Le Drakes has had to take to heart the words, "Patientia. Diligentia. Contego." They point to the quiet streams that feed into the Draco River as proof that standing together can accomplish something greater than acting individually. A Drake does not act rashly but quietly grows its strength, and does not raise its hand in offense except in the name of duty or in defense of a friend. They do not take their decisions lightly and act only when they are certain of their goals.

The Le Drakes do not follow any major religion, preferring their own counsel and philosophies to those of the land. They are wary of causing offense but are honest when approached directly. Recently, the youngest generation of Le Drakes has started to take a more active role in the world beyond the forests of Thysan.

Heraldry

A [monstrous antelope] with serrated horns, huge tusks and the tail of a unicorn adorns their banners. It is often depicted emaciated with a barrel chest, representing the family's self-discipline and pride. Its fierce disposition belies an unwillingness to act rashly, as it would prefer to stand its ground than risk harming another wrongfully. In early lore it was regarded as a ferocious beast on a level with tigers and wolves, as written by Edmund Spenser in [The Faerie Queen]. Knights of the family have also depicted the Antelope surrounded by caltrops on their shields, a subtle warning that engaging them in combat comes with a heavy price.

The Faerie Queen, Book 1, Canticle VI

And for to make his powre approued more,
Wyld beasts in yron yokes he would compell;
The spotted Panther, and the tusked Bore,
The Pardale swift, and the Tigre cruell;
The Antelope, and Wolfe both fierce and fell;
And them constraine in equall teme to draw.
Such ioy he had, their stubborne harts to quell,
And sturdie courage tame with dreadfull aw,
That his beheast they feared, as tyrans law,

The Antelope is also associated with musical talent, political shrewdness, fleetness, peace, and sacrifice.

Family Members

Melot le Drake

The eldest of the (legitimate) Le Drake children, Melot grew tired of the sluggish pace of life in Thysan and opted to set out for a life of adventure. He'd already boarded a ship to Tara before his family discovered his absence. Although their mother sent letters imploring his return, their father took a harsher stance on what he perceived as a betrayal. Melot's funds were cut off, leaving him stranded in a foreign land with no allies and a minimum of experience as an adventurer. He learned the adventurer's trade quickly, staying true to the family's principles of honor and protection of the weak. As his journey takes him further and further from home, Melot finds himself more and more intent on establishing a life for himself as more than the dishonored son of a small noble family.

By chance, one of the first battles Melot ever won was against a terrifying beast wielding a magic sword awash with flame. Although he took to calling it Drake's Fire, the sword didn't feel right in his hand, and he sold it to the cousin of his liege lord. Half a world away his sister Jocelin was rewarded for her brother's generosity by another member of the of Arescod family.

Jocelin le Drake

Her brother's absence put her into the unusual position of heir to the family title. Raised alongside Melot in all things martial, she took his departure the hardest, but was ready to step up and do her duty to her family. Determined at first to make a name for herself, her first taste of combat outside of training ended in disaster. She and her personal guard of archers were accosted on the road between Thysan and Rettleville by a horde of monsters. Although everyone in her unit perished, Jocelin managed to escape with minimal injuries. The experience put the fear of death in her heart, and as a result she now takes her family's motto as more than just stale words recited to please father. She lost faith in archers and hired a well-equipped infantry unit to replace them.

As a result of her brother's trade for the Sword of Flame, Sander of Arescod offered her the Doomed Breastplate of the Zuma. She accepted the gracious offer and now wears it into battle alongside her men.

Rue le Drake

The youngest of the three Le Drake children, Rue is the result of an adulterous relationship between Lord Le Drake and a bewitching songstress who visited Thysan with her performing troupe. Despite Lady Le Drake being found barren after the birth of Melot (a finding proven false with the birth of Jocelin many years later), her father had shown no interest in other women until Rue's mother came along. She came to perform at the family estate and in a single night had stolen the heart of the old lord with her musical talent and fair looks. Their flirtations were nothing short of scandalous, and no attempts were made to hide the budding relationship. Hurt by her husband's betrayal, Lady Le Drake demanded the troupe be forced to move on; her husband grudgingly agreed. For more than a year they thought they had escaped the scandal unscathed... until a little girl was brought to the estate with a letter of love written from Lord Le Drake to the singer. There was no doubt of the child's heritage: she has the unusual amber eyes of the Le Drake line. Taking responsibility for his actions, the old lord adopted the child into his household (much to the displeasure of his wife). She received the name Rue out of spite from her adoptive mother.

Rue bears the Le Drake name only because she had no name of her own when brought to their estate. She knows this because she was reminded of the circumstances of her existence every time she spoke to a member of the household. Regarded as an embarrassment to the family, she followed her brother's example and left to explore the wider world beyond the woods of Thysan. She didn't get far before hearing of the attack her sister had suffered at the hands of a horde of monsters. Fearful of the worst she hurried home, and has since set herself up as a protector of sorts over the forests of her home. Of the Le Drake offspring she is the least handy with a sword, taking after her birth mother in the arts of music and intrigue.