Rath Family
Per Varios Casus
Rath Family Origins
The Rath family is originally from Wayburg, on the continent of Atamara. The family rose to nobility from the merchant class. Family history states that their ancient ancestor, Faraelilantius Rathmantolraran, was a master craftsman that, later in his life, became prolific in Wayburg society. Faraelilantius's works were so popular with the nobility of the day that he eventually gained recognition from the, then, monarch and was rewarded with a rural duchy and raised to nobility. Through the course of time, the duchy was eventually lost in a series of wars that swept the land, yet the family's claim to hereditary nobility has remained firm.
Family Niche
Despite the family's origins in crafting, Faraelilantius was the last to pursue that occupation. It was beneath their noble status to toil as the commoners do, and so the family turned to the military culture. This was, in part, because of the possibility of upward mobility that could be gained by military exploits. The family history records more than one high-ranking Marshal within the family, but in contemporary times the family has not been so prolific as in previous generations.
Naming Conventions
As shorter names became more fashionable the family's surname was abbreviated to Rathmant, and eventually Rath. Male children born with the Rath name are invariably given a name beginning with the letter F. Most names are adaptations of that of Faraelilantius or one of his ancestors. Common male names within the Rath family are: Farelantus, Farael, Fearil, Fraelan, and Fyril (each tracable to a half dozen ancestors through the past few hundred years). Female ancestors follow no particular naming traditions. Most are usually named in accordance with popular names of the region and the times.
Contemporary History
In comparison to their previous successes, the Rath family has fallen on difficult times. The family had shrunk in size from several branches to only a few. Throughout the past three or four generations the number of male heirs has been dwarfed by a tendency for Rath women to bear female children. As a result, there are only a handful of men left to carry on the Rath name. The impact of there being fewer people of the Rath family line has resulted in a tendency for the men of the family to take greater risks in order to improve the family name. Most young men of the name leave Atamara to make their way as they can in hopes of claiming military fame and achieving the family goal of laying claim to a duchy in reward for their service.
Current Adventuring Heirs
Presently, brothers Fearil Rath and Fyril Rath, sons of Farael of Wayburg, are abroad in search of glory and honour.