House Neculai

Argent, flaunches sable, three carnations gules in pale

Once a relatively minor noble house, the Neculai have risen sharply in prominence in the last two decades as one of its daughters, Magdalena, became the Ivory Queen. Their Aparator is Remus IV Neculai, the Queen's brother and Pârcălab of Basras.

Personalities

Remus IV Neculai Pârcălab of Basras, the Exalted Protector of Dracia, Minister of War, Aparator of House Neculai, Fourth of His Name Remus Neculai Original article: Remus Neculai Charismatic brother of the Ivory Queen, Remus IV became Aparator of House Neculai upon the death of his father in 1353 IC and was chosen by his sister to serve as Minister of War. As such, he is rarely in residence in the Neculai family home in Zomatz, though his loyal twin brother Dimitrij, usually oversees the day-to-day affairs of the Comitat of Basras. Remus' father, Remus III, was legendary for his cunning and political acumen and the younger Remus is constantly in his shadow. Despite this, he is well liked by most of his peers and the soldiers under his command. Remus has even been known to befriend nobles considered out of favor with the Queen, particularly those who have been reduced in favor of one of her common-born Vrăjitors. As such, Remus has a growing reputation for his generosity (typically a negative trait among Dracian nobility), though his generosity is usually targeted perfectly to ensure loyalty to his sister the Queen or to him personally. More than a few nobles in Dracia consider themselves in debt to him, an enviable position for a noble in any nation.

Ljubomir of Mulciber Bishop of the Diocese of the Forgemaster in Western Dracia Ljubomir of Mulciber Original article: Ljubomir Neculai Ljubomir of House Neculai was born the bastard child of Markéta, sister to the current Bȃn of Belavnik, Radomir. At a young age went the way of many young Dracian nobles who did not stand to inherit and apprenticed to become a smith, specializing in crafting arms and armor. At the age of fourteen, it was discovered that Ljubomir not only had no small talent with Enchanting, but was also capable of channeling Divine Magic. At the direction of his family, he became an Acolyte of the Church of Mulciber the Forgemaster, god of smithing and proved not only to be a talented craftsman, but was quick to make personal and political alliances as he rose through the ranks of the priesthood. Initially a clericus of the Church of the Forgemaster, Ljubomir entered work for the Dracian Royal Army at the age of 28 and served for two decades, eventually becoming Engineer Prefect for the White Eagles, the Kings's personal military regiment, in 1330 IC. He continued to serve in the same capacity when Queen Magdalena reformed the White Eagles as the Ivory Guard in 1346 IC. Five years ago, in 1349 IC, Ljubomir retired from military life and made the transition to Flamen within the Church. He was made Bishop of the Diocese of the Forgemaster in Western Dracia and has served ably in that position ever since. Ljubomir is known to be almost obsessively clean, an unusual trait in a faith filled with craftsmen, and a hard bargainer (his mercantile opponents would call him a 'cheat'). He is known to be deeply loyal to his family and the Queen personally, though since his retirement from the Ivory Guard, he has proven himself truly faithful to the precepts of Mulciber. He is active in encouraging industry in the Dracia west of the Temesh River and often serves as a mediator between craft guilds when they find themselves in dispute. Despite his noble upbringing and reputation as a hard negotiator, Ljubomir himself is something of an aesthetic and cares little for material possessions, a trait many of his fellow Dracians find bewildering.

Magdalena Vtalasav Her Majesty the Sovereign Queen of Dracia, First of Her Name The Ivory Queen "The Ivory Queen" Original article: Magdalena Vtalasav Nicknamed 'The Ivory Queen', Magdalena is the eldest daughter of the wily Remus of House Neculai. Some twenty years ago, she captured the heart of the aging King of Dracia, Otto VI. After some serious negotiations, at the conclusion of which Remus was made Pârcălab of Basras, the two wed. The young Queen was known for being bookish and was considered by most to be relatively meek, if quite beautiful. Otto doted on her, of course, as did most of his Court. As Otto's health began to fail, Magdalena personally tended to him and began assuming more and more of the responsibilities of state in his name. She had never given him an heir, though two months prior to his death, he named Magdalena his heir and Queen in her own right. When the old King finally passed in 1344 IC, Magdalena moved quickly to consolidate her power over Dracia. Those nobles who rallied to her, either through loyalty to old King Otto or because they had become smitten with the Queen herself were rewarded for their loyalty while those nobles who opposed her rule suddenly found themselves lacking support and divided amongst themselves. In the ten years since becoming sovereign, her reign has only strengthened. Rumor suggests that she is secretly involved with the Cult of Lucasa, who believe that the Heretic Emperor did not die in the final battle of the Mage War, but instead ascended to godhood. That she has been slowly replacing nobles she disapproves of with wizards loyal to her only serves to strengthen those claims.