Venatores Family

The House of Venatores is one with a long history. It's founder, Gaius Antonius, was a general of a long lost realm. The moniker 'Venator' - meaning Hunter - was given to him because of his habit of chasing down every last enemy on the battlefield after victory, even if it meant sending his men on hunts for days on end. After retiring from military duty, Gaius Antonius Venator was granted governorship over the lands he conquered, and from there on, the Venatores have been expanding their wealth and power. Today, the descendants of Gaius Antonius have spread all over the world, in search of fame and glory for the House of Venatores. It's most noteable members are Furius Silva of Falasan, Marcus Maxentius of Minas Ithil, and Lucius Torquatus of the Antoza Commonwealth.

The Silvae

The Silvae are an adopted branch within the Venatores family. Patriarch Lucius Silva was adopted by Marsellus Antonius after saving his life in a battle with barbarian raiders. The Silvae are aristocrats, but with a strong understanding of how the world works. Unlike most Venatores, they do not look down on the plebs as second-class citizens, but rather as a strong base on which to build empires. As a result, they are somewhat ridiculed by more conservative Venatores, in particular the Torquati branch.

Furius Silva

Furius Silva currently fights in Atamara as a Knight of Tucha under Duke Fatih Kalkandelen of Falasan. He has seen his share of combat, as Falasan defends itself from Estonian armies bent on conquering Barad Falas.

The Maxentii

The Maxentii are true patricians, bent on massing gold as quickly and efficiently as possible. Over the years, they have become a family of true managers. It is said that a true Maxentius could squeeze gold from a rock. As such, they have been hired by the Venatores to take care of the financial aspect of the family. They live only for their wealth, and hardly show interest in the art of war.

Marcus Maxentius

Noteable exception is Marcus Maxentius. He is one of the few Maxentii who chose the sword and shield over the quill and coinpurse. His search for battle has brought him to four realms on three different continents. His career started in Nighthelm, but he quickly abandoned them in favour of the Antoza Commonwealth. After suffering a significant defeat in battle, Marcus set sail for Ikalak on the South-East, but quickly left for Atamara, and now fights as an Imperial Knight of Minas Ithil against the barbarian invaders of Norland.

The Torquati

The Torquati are full bred soldiers, loyal to the grave. Patriarch Oppius Torquatus served in Gaius Antonius' legions, first as legionary, but quickly working his way up to centurion, then primus pilus and finally military tribune. When he retired, Gaius Antonius offered to adopt Oppius as a son. The Torquatii branch are amongst the most arrogant and haughty of the Venatores. They see the plebs as objects instead of humans, and treat them accordingly. They go through slaves and servants as normal people go through clothes. They live for battle, nothing else.

Herius Torquatus

The worst of the Torquati was by far Herius of the Antoza Commonwealth. Herius loathed peasants and commoners from the bottom of his heart, and never missed a chance to show it. He could be seen beating foreign adventurers on a regular basis. After the treasonous defection of several Antozan Lords to Nighthelm, Herius vowed to see Nighthelm burn, or die trying. Unfortunatly, it was the latter... Herius was killed in a duel against Fetz, after the two got into a heated argument about Fetz' history as an infiltrator. Despite knowing that Fetz was by far the superior swordsman, Herius accepted the duel challenge. He managed to inflict several minor wounds upon his adversary, but in the end, he succumbed to the furious barrage of seordstrikes. With his last breath, he demanded that his younger brother Lucius avenge his death.

Lucius Torquatus

As younger brother of Herius Torquatus, the duty of avenging the death of his older brother fell onto Lucius Torquatus. After burying Herius, Lucius took his place as commander of the VIII Legio Lanciarii. Now he strives to fulfill his brother's dream of making Nighthelm pay for their treason. And when he is ready, he will face Fetz Faracan in honourable duel, and attempt to avenge Herius' death.

Outcasts and shunned members

Whenever a member of the house of Venatores brings shame or dishonour to the family he is shunned exiled. Few ever make it far, however, as the Venatores are not shy of sending assassins to neutralize those who may stain the family name. But sometimes, they escape. Not that it is a better fate, because there is only one place where they can stay out of the Venatores' sights... the monster-infested island of Beluaterra...

Kaeso Laevinus "Barbarus"

Kaeso Laevinus, or Kaeso Barbarus as he is now known, was once a succesful member of the family. He had won some renown by leading his men to victory, but lost it all when he killed his own father over a barbarian slave girl. Kaeso has secretly fallen in love with her, and after seeing his father beat her unconscious, murdered him in a fit of rage. Knowing what would happen if he stayed, he immediately took the slave girl and fled to the Beluaterra, where he now roams the lands collecting bounties for the killing of hellspawn, and gathering valuables off the land to pawn off.