Prelude: A History
This prelude sets-up the world I created as well as give an insight into the history, motivations, and drives of the characters as they interact. Check back for a refresher as new characters/POVs are introduced. This story is AU and the time period and setting is similar to "Game of Thrones" (i.e., Middle Ages with swords & horses; a touch of fantasy-science but no gun technology).
The Kingdom of Genosha
The Kingdom of Genosha was founded two thousand years ago at the end of the First Great Genoshan War. Before this time, humans ruled the vast island, holding the mutant minority in bondage. After generations of servitude and abuse, mutants unified under the great and charismatic leader En Sabah Nur and rebelled against their human overlords. In a series of bloody battles lasting nearly twenty years, the mutants defeated the humans and drove them from Genosha to the lands across the sea. En Sabah Nur then appointed his most trusted allies as the heads of what later became the Great Houses of Genosha: Cassidy, Grey, Lensherr, Shaw, Summers, Wagner, and Xavier. Other notable members of the rebellion formed the Minor Houses, who served the Great Houses and maintained mutant control across the land.
One thousand years later, the Second Great Genoshan War erupted when the last living member of House Nur perished without an heir, propelling the Great Houses into fierce battles as each fought to control the Genoshan throne. The remaining human minority took advantage of the chaos and rose up, attempting to defeat the mutants and retake the island for humankind. This second war lasted many years, ending only when Kurtus Xavier (known as Xavier the Great) united the Great and Minor Houses and finally established a lasting truce between mutants and humans, which ushered in an era of great prosperity. Still, several Great Houses refused to make peace and continued to fight their mutant brethren. These Houses were ultimately defeated by the joint military forces of House Xavier and House Summers, and banished forever from the kingdom.
Over the last century, Genosha is experiencing a severe population decrease. The low number of mutant births is placing strain on the Great Houses, leading to an increase in mutant-human marriages. While still somewhat controversial, these "mixed" marriages are acceptable between male mutants and female humans (who are most likely to bear mutant children). Among the Great Houses, marriages are arranged by the male head of each House to ensure that the House name, lands, and titles are inherited through the father's line. Only in rare cases - and only by royal decree - are family lands and titles inherited through the mother's line.
Because of the mutant birth rate decline, same-sex relationships are outlawed and considered scandalous. If caught, such relationships are punishable by banishment from the kingdom and the seizure of land and titles of those accused. As a result, these forbidden liaisons are kept secret, although such affairs are more accepted in the Free Lands.
The Free Lands
Across the sea from Genosha are the "Free Lands," a loose confederation of countries and republics ruled by humans, where mutants are still an outcast minority. Mutants in the Free Lands are anything but; many are born into bonded servitude to the very people descended from the original human inhabitants of Genosha. Those mutants who do find passage to Genosha are often taken in by Minor Houses as laborers or paid servants. Those who cannot escape simply hide their mutations as best they can and try to pass as human. Although mutants are generally despised in the Free Lands, trade with the Kingdom of Genosha remains important to Free Land economies. Mutants who are members of the Great Houses are treated with begrudging respect by the human lords and ladies and allowed to visit certain Free Land ports without needing to mask their identities. It takes roughly two weeks' time to sail to the Free Lands from Genosha, and the main sailing ports are in Eastern Genosha under the watch of House Lensherr.
The Ruling & Great Houses of Genosha
The Rulers of Genosha
Queen Emma Frost-Shaw (the White Queen) currently rules the Kingdom of Genosha. She was the consort of the late King Sebastian Shaw (the Black King), who perished in the Battle of the Burning Seas, the skirmish that officially defeated House Summers and brought them back under the crown's rule.
During his short reign, King Sebastian was considered cruel, draconian ruler, one who sought to break the thousand-year harmony between mutants and humans. Believing mutants to be far superior, he caused great controversy when he outlawed mutant-human marriages, and inspired hate and fear throughout Genosha. Sides were chosen as both Great and Minor mutant houses fought one another in support or defiance of King Sebastian's beliefs. His successor Queen Emma is an equally ambitious and ruthless. Her claim to the Genoshan throne is hotly contested, as she hails from a Minor House and many never considered her a suitable match as a royal mate. It is rumored by many that Queen Emma used her powerful telepathy to trick King Sebastian into legitimatizing her as his successor; there are also whispers that it was Emma who caused him to fall during battle, seeking to be the sole ruler of Genosha. Despite her contested claim, many equally ambitious Genoshans cast support for her rule; because Queen Emma bore no children to the King Sebastian, she must marry into or name her successor from one of the Great Houses to secure her line.
The Ruling House: House Shaw
House Signal: Five-Pointed Black Crown Atop a White Diamond on a Black Field
House Colors: Black & White
King Sebastian Shaw – aka, the Black King (deceased)
Queen Emma Frost-Show – aka, the White Queen
Just before his death, King Sebastian successfully ended the rebellion of House Summers. In the year that followed, Queen Emma raised all her royal banners and subdue most of the rebelling Houses through vicious, bloody fighting. At the start of this tale, only one powerful family stands in her way of total control: House Xavier.
The Great Houses
All Great Houses are comprised of mutants who can trace their names back to the founding of the kingdom. When the First Great War ended, En Sabah Nur appointed his four most trusted generals to manage the realm in the name of the crown. Through battles and vies for power, these families have shifted over the generations, but at present, the Four Great Guardians of Genosha are: House Xavier in the West, House Lensherr in the East, House Summers in the South, and House Grey in the North. These houses are responsible for protecting the Minor Houses, mutants, and humans living on their lands, who in turn provide the Great Houses with taxes, tribute, and goods (which in turn all Great Houses share with the Ruling House). Each Great House is associated with a trait that benefits all Genoshans: education (House Xavier/West), shipping and trade (House Lensherr/East), military training (House Summers/South), and medicine (House Grey/North).
House Xavier: Guardian of the West
House Signal: Two Crossed Golden Pine Branches Forming an "X" on a Blue Field
House Colors: Gold & Blue
Known for: Education
Lord Charles Xavier (Mutant) – Heir & Head of House Xavier
Lady Moira Xavier, née MacTaggert (Human) – Charles's wife
Lady Raven Darkholme-Xavier (Mutant) – Charles's half-sister from their father's affair
House Xavier is one of the oldest and most prestigious of the Genoshan families, and they are known for educating the children of the Great Houses. Charles is the heir to all House Xavier titles. He caused much controversy when he openly defied King Sebastian by marrying Moira, a human, through a union Charles arranged, although he and Moira do not yet have a child to carry on the Xavier name. Raven is renowned as a great beauty but also a known tomboy, and she manages the Xavier lands alongside her older half-brother, with whom she is very close. Because stigma still exists in Genosha against physical mutations, Raven keeps her true blue skin hidden (few have seen it, although there are rumors regarding her looks). At the start of the tale, House Xavier is the last Great House in open rebellion against the crown.
House Lensherr: Guardian of the East
House Signal: Three Red Slashes Forming an "M" on a Purple Field
House Colors: Purple & Red
Known for: Shipping & Trade with Genosha and the Free Lands
Lord Erik Lensherr (Mutant) – Heir & Head of House Lensherr
Lady Magda Lensherr, née Maximoff (Human) – Erik's wife
Pietro Lensherr (Mutant) – Erik's young son by Magda
Lady Lorna Dane-Lensherr (Mutant) – Erik's sister from his father's second marriage
Situated on the rocky Eastern shores, House Lensherr oversees the main trade ports from Genosha to the Free Lands. It is said that no vessel leaves or enters the kingdom without the Lensherr family knowing everything about it. Historically, House Lensherr has allied with House Shaw, and now by default, they have an uneasy alliance with Queen Emma. Erik also has a human wife, but unlike Charles, Erik's marriage was arranged by his and Magda's parents and approved by the Ruling House, much to Erik and Magda's mutual displeasure. Erik and Magda have a mutant son together, who is heir to House Lensherr. Lorna is considered to be a great beauty, but unlike Raven, she is also seen as a proper court lady.
House Summers: Guardian of the South
House Signal: Two Golden Beams of Fire Forming a Cross on a Red Field
House Colors: Gold & Red
Known for: Military Training & Weaponry
Lord Christopher Summers (Mutant) – Head of House Summers
Lord Alexander Summers (Mutant) – Heir to House Summers
Sir Scott Summers (Mutant) – Younger brother and secondary heir
House Summers currently trains the young lords in swordsmanship, archery, and riding, teaching them how to lead the bannermen (soldiers) of their lands. The Summers are renowned for their skill in battle and horsemanship. Two years before this tale begins, House Summers rebelled against the crown, propelling the whole of Genosha into a series of long, brutal battles. It was only during the Battle of the Burning Seas – the first battle Queen Emma fought in and the battle that claimed the life of King Sebastian – that House Summers was defeated and forced to recognize Queen Emma's rule. Alex Summers is the heir to this noble house, and it is no secret that he is against Queen Emma's claim to the throne. His younger brother Scott is more idealistic, and is more apt to use diplomacy alongside his swords.
House Grey: Guardian of the North
House Signal: A Flaming Silver Bird on a Red Field
House Colors: Silver & Red
Known for: Medicinal Arts
Lord Jonathan Grey (Human) – Head of House Grey
Lord Elaine Grey (Human) – Jonathan's wife
Lady Jean Grey (Mutant) – Jonathan's daughter and heiress to House Grey
House Grey is a rare house headed by humans who gave birth to a mutant child. Jean is one of the most powerful mutants ever born in Genosha; because of this, she is currently "collared." A collar is a thin mechanical device worn at the neck that suppresses a mutant's powers and can only be removed only by a special key. Before the Kingdom of Genosha was founded, collars were weaponized and removal of one by force would kill the mutant wearing it. Although still used as severe punishment, Jean independently chose to be collared with a non-weaponized collar, as her powers are extremely volatile and difficult for the young woman to keep in check. For the last year, Jean has worked closely with Charles, learning to control her mutation. She is the only child and heiress of House Grey, the house that trains the kingdom's apocarathies (doctors).
The Minor Houses
The Minor Houses are comprised of both mutants and humans who live under the protection of the Great Houses. The Minor Houses support the Great Houses by providing bannermen (soldiers) and resources during times of war, and food and raw materials during times of peace. In exchange, the Great Houses protect their Minor Houses, solve legal and land disputes, and generally enforce the crown's law. It is considered an honor for Minor Houses members to serve in the Great Houses as ladies-in-waiting or as knights. Minor Houses make-up the merchants, apothecaries (doctors), and elite soldiers of the land. The Minor Houses are identified by the Great Houses they serve.
Serves: House Shaw
Azazel of House Wagner (Banished)
Sir Janos of House Quested
Serves: House Xavier
Sir Warren Worthington III of House Worthington
Apothecarist Henry (Hank) of House McCoy
Serves: House Lensherr
Sean of House Cassidy (Banished)
Lady Elizabeth of House Braddock
Serves: House Summers
Sir Armando of House Muñoz
Serves: House Grey
Sir Logan of House Howlett (Banished)
The Banished
The Banished are mutants who once belonged to Great or Minor Houses in Genosha but were exiled for severely breaking Genoshan law or taking up arms against the crown.
House Cassidy: Former Guardians of the East
House Signal: Five-Stringed Golden Harp on a Green Field
House Colors: Gold & Green
Known for: Arts & Music
Sean Cassidy (Mutant) – Heir & last living member of House Cassidy
House Cassidy was banished to the Free Lands after the Second Great Genoshan War when House Lensherr defeated them in a bit for power over the East. The current head of House Cassidy is Sean, who was born in the Free Lands and hides both his mutant and noble identity. Sean makes a living as a bard (singer), frequenting taverns for income and entertainment. Unlike many Banished, Sean generally doesn't care about restoring his family name in Genosha, and he is happy with the freedom and easy life the Free Lands offers.
House Wagner: Former Guardians of the South
House Signal: A Red Serpent Curled Around a Sword on a Black Field
House Colors: Red & Black
Known for: Military Strength & Strategy
Azazel Wagner (Mutant) – Heir & last living member of House Wagner
Members of House Wagner are proudly descended from the Neyapham, an ancient clan of mutants identified by their strong physical mutations. The Wagner family was very nearly wiped out by humans during The First Great Genoshan War. Due to their unique appearances, they continued to be mercilessly persecuted, and refused to make peace with humans even after the Second Great War. House Xavier and House Summers eventually defeated House Wagner and banished them to the Free Lands. While generations of inter-marriage with Free Land peoples have diluted the Neyapham bloodline, Azazel was born with very visible mutations – bright red skin and a spaded tail – and despite these handicaps, he made a name for himself as prized mercenary and military tactician in the Free Lands. At the start of this tale, the Wagner family name was restored by King Sebastian's royal decree, and Azazel was appointed as Lord Commander of the Royal Army, a title historically held by members of House Summers.
A/N: Side-note for continuity (and because someone asked): individuals from the Great Houses are referred to as Lord "First Name" or Lady "First Name" in conversation (for example: Lord Charles and Lady Raven). Unmarried women are always referred to by Lady "First Name" (Lady Lorna, Lady Raven, etc); once married, women are referred to as Lady "Last Name" (for example, Moira is Lady Xavier and Magda is Lady Lensherr). Men are referred to by first name until they take over their Great House. For example, Lord Charles can be called Lord Xavier since he is the head of House Xavier, while Lord Alex isn't yet Lord Summers because his father is still alive and the head of House Summers (and thus Christoper is Lord Summers). Among friends and in people's thoughts and observations there will be more casual name use (i.e., Erik will think 'Raven' and not 'Lady Raven'), but in conversation, titles are often observed unless they are family, good friends, or lovers.
