House Antiana

House Antiana, based in Simulami, is a noble house founded by Saint Virusian Antiana I and currently governs the Great Port City of Myrkira and its holdings, which include Eulen Sonne, Earlreach and Jellhem. House Antiana's current head is Virusian Antiana II. It is a vassal house of House Sov.

History
House Antiana was founded by Saint Virusian Antiana I long before the colonisation of Eldham, though an exact number on how long ago is not known. The House was founded after Virusian Antiana I and his Knightly Order of the Dawn defended the fishing village of Myrkira from a roving raiding band of orcs. Since then, over the many generations, House Antiana has been the ruling family of the Great Port City of Myrkira, as well as its other holdings of Eulen Sonne, Earlreach and Jellhem.

During the colonisation of Eldham, House Antiana cooperated with the new settlers and merged with the city of Isperiön, which later was destroyed in a devastating earthquake, which was then rebuilt, creating the city of Jellhem. During this earthquake the manor of House Antiana was destroyed, killing almost all of the family members of House Antiana. This left a lone old widow as the last of the Antianas, who was too old to have children and thus was looking to adopt someone to continue House Antiana's legacy.

A colonist from the Simulami Empire, now known as Virusian Antiana II, was adopted by House Antiana. This was because he was part of the race of Nauticals, that of which gave him the ability to not die of old age and because he also showed care for the city and its traditions. This gave the last member of House Antiana hope that House Antiana's legacy will live on if she adopted him as their son. During the ceremony in making Virusian Antiana II an official member of House Antiana, the spirit of Saint Virusian Antiana I appeared and gave his blessings towards the soon to be last of House Antiana. The last true bloodline of Virusian Antiana I then lived on for a few more years before finally succumbing to old age and leaving Virusian Antiana II as the last son of House Antiana. After this, the city slowly fell to ruin, in part because of the end of House Antiana's bloodline but mainly because Virusian Antiana II was unable to manage the large city. This later caused Virusian Antiana II to change his last name of Antiana to his first, as he felt he had failed House Antiana and was unfit for the name Virusian but still wanted to honour their legacy. This was done unofficially and so he is still called Virusian Antiana II in modern records. Many years later, Virusian Antiana II married Berit Eldwin Yel-Voal and became immersed into the lore and history of Myrkira, due to the passing of a good friend, who had a large collection of books and records.

There are many versions of the tales surrounding Saint Virusian Antiana I, but all of them share one thing in common. During the raid of the fishing village of Myrkira, Saint Virusian Antiana I led a mounted charge with his Knightly Order of the Dawn. Before the charge he shouted to the heavens and all those who could hear, "May our swords lead the Dawn and our shields protect all with devotion!" after this it is said that the clouds parted and the dawn came, bathing Saint Virusian Antiana I and his knights in rays of gold as they charged forth upon the orc horde. This part of the tale was then passed down many generations of House Antiana, which then caused them to use the saying "May our swords lead the Dawn".

Traditions
House Antiana's virtue of honour is derived from their ancestor Saint Virusian Antiana I saving the fishing village of Myrkira long ago, this influenced many members to be honourable in both battle and everyday life which was a contributing factor to their favoured rule over the Great Port City of Myrkira. Members of House Antiana are known to accept duels from anyone and devotedly protect the citizens of the Simulami Empire.

House Antiana has a value of loyalty, as they believe that loyalty is more important than any amount of silver or gold. It is a common virtue found in members of House Antiana as they are known to be loyal to whoever they serve even if there are better options for them.

House Antiana always encourages ambition and almost all members of House Antiana seek to expand the wealth, power or influence of House Antiana. This was a large factor into why the Great Port City of Myrkira became a port city, as it could spread the influence and power of House Antiana across the seas and allow wealth from foreign countries to come to its shores.

The family has lasted for many generations and this caused some traditions to form over time. When members of House Antiana reach the age of 18 years, they have to perform a coming of age ceremony in which they lift the legendary sword of Saint Virusian Antiana I in front of Myrkira's population to reaffirm their heritage and garner support for when they rule. They are also known to drink inhumanely large amounts of alcohol during the yearly Festival of Golden Rays, which is that day Saint Virusian Antiana I saved the fishing village of Myrkira, and lightly vandalise important buildings such as their family manor, Myrkiran court, Architect's guild and especially the feasting hall. This leaves them a long clean up and repayment over the following week, which is referred by them as the week of hangovers and empty coffers.