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| The Roe�s are the newest of the Noble Households in Brighton Below, and some say it is through no good deeds of their own. The Roes have a tarnished reputation in the Underside though they, and some others, state that their maligning of their name is somewhat unjust
The History of the Roe Family The story starts many years ago. The Roes were the fifth largest family in Brighton Below, behind the Kemp, Preston, Palmeira and Dial families. Shortly before the death of King Alfred, Lord and Lady Dial were murdered by an unknown assassin for reasons also unknown. The apparent lack of motive was somewhat explained when Alfred passed away and handed over the control of Brighton Below to the 4 most powerful families. As the Dials had been removed from the picture, and their seven children had all gone their separate ways, this put the Roe Household as the fourth most powerful family. Many down the years have pointed the finger at the Roe�s for the death of the Dial family, though they deny any knowledge or involvement to this very day Their most notable feature is their affliction by the Sewerblight. This disease is something of a misnomer in that its is of no natural origin but rather is a curse placed on the family by Lord Preston as a punishment for an action taken against his family about 50 years ago. Lord Roe was developing a good deal of territory in the North East of the city. Many in his lands were being forced to swear loyalty to him instead of Lord Preston who controlled the majority of land in the north. The Sewerblight Lord Roe�s desire for acquisition became his downfall. In secret and with his chief advisor Davigdor, he plotted the death of Lord Preston and the exile of his family from Brighton Below. He would then move in and claim all Preston land for his own. This would make him by far the most powerful of the three remaining households, and from there would pave the way for him to reclaim the title of King of Brighton Below. The plot however was uncovered, and Lord Preston was told of Lord Roe�s dark plans. He called upon some of the most powerful mystics in the Underside and cast a curse upon Lord Roe and all those in his household. They were to be afflicted by a loathsome disease which caused their skin to rupture into weeping sore and boils. Skin would peel off, flesh would be desiccate and flake away, but they would not die. The Roe�s would be forever cursed with a most disfiguring illness, in constant discomfort and suffering Lord Preston�s curse was kept secret from the Roes and the rest of Brighton Below, and the results were far greater than the curse itself. The Roe�s not aware that their affliction was the result of Lord Preston�s curse believed that they had contracted some form of leprosy. They researched a number of cures, but none had any success. The rest of Brighton Below began to shun these zombie like figures stumbling and oozing their way around Brighton Below. Each of the three other Households stated that the members of the Roe Household were not permitted in their lands, for fear of contamination. The Roes were effectively trapped Their quarantine lasted for 4 years in which time their numbers and power dwindled. They holed themselves up in a small area of their territory, which became known as the Rotting Dean. There they stayed for 4 years, unable to attend the Floating Market when it was held in other territories, and having few traders at those held in Roe lands. They starved, or succumbed to real disease until there were only a few left. At the point where all of the members of the Roe Household were at the brink of political extinction, Lord Preston made his �confession� declaring that he was the true source of the disease (which had since been named Sewerblight) and that he would lift their curse on the condition at Lord Roe would bow down before him and beg his forgiveness. Lord Roe naturally refused. The Roe Family The Roe�s are lead by Lord Severinus Roe, who is believed to be the oldest of the Household. He no longer has a wife, after she killed herself a number of years ago during their quarantine in the Rotting Dean. His three sons are all that are left in the male line of the Roe Family, though Lord Roe apparently keeps a number of consorts and companions, and one of his sons is believed to be capable of reproduction (the Sewerblight affects the entire body). His daughters are all thought to be fertile so its possible that the line may pass to the oldest of them in order to allow the lineage to continue They are somewhat tragic figures, as though who see their true faces are naturally revolted and repulsed. Relationships are almost solely between members of the Household (as only they can bear to see the sight of each others true visages). Lord Roe apparently does have a Concubine who is not of his Household though it is said that she has been blind from birth Their story is something of a tragic one, and it is the decades of suffering inflicted on them by Preston that drives them. Whilst they are not inherently evilly aligned they are all aware of the origins of their suffering. Whilst they would all dearly loved to be rid of the Sewerblight, all are united in their decision that their punishment has been more than adequate and that they will not stood further to beg for forgivness The Roe Household The Roe Household is fairly small, as the curse affects all those who swear fealty to Lord Roe. The Nobles of the Household are the most badly afflicted though, those who spend a long time in the service of Lord Roe will be equally disfigured. Lord Roe is quite often seen with Davigdor, his lieutenant. Davidgor is a man of imposing height who deals little with others. He is rumoured to be the most knowledgeable of all the mystics in Brighton Below. The Roe Dress / Masks The true face of the Roe Nobles is so hideous that those who see it are often paralysed with fear, or so overcome that they flee in sheer horror. This obviously makes things somewhat impractical when dealing with others. The Roes opted sometimes ago that they should cover their faces so that none can see their true faces. Furthermore they often cover their bodies head to toe in order to hide their affliction from those too easily disgusted by their cadaverous forms In order to be able identify each other, they each create for themselves an elaborate mask. These are often styled on elaborate Venetian Carnival masks, the Roes feeling that they must find a new beautiful exterior for themselves. The higher the ranks, the more elaborate the mask. Whilst the lower members of the Household will merely have a simply decorated mask, the Nobles of the Household will often try and outdo each other in their fanciful designs. They will however wear the same mask for their entire lives. This is their new face, now that Lord Preston has taken away their real ones |
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| The Noble Household of Lord Severinus Roe |
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| Two members of the Roe Household |