House Bragollach

House Bragollach
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Lord	Imrakhor Bor Bragollach
Lands	Lamedon, Morthond, Orchallond, Belfalas, Penneth Galin
Patriarch	Battanuazor I
Controllers	Tith, Dinny

General Info

Origins

After the war against Sauron during the reign of Tar-Minastir, the King of Numenor granted one of his great champions -- Battanuazor I, kinsman of Veantur -- the fief of Hyarrostar to call his own, and the surname, Bragollach ("Sudden Flame") for his great temper and fiery wrath in battle. The descendants of Battanuazor were numbered among the King's Men, but Lord Indilkhor I repented during the reign of Tar-Palantir and aligned himself with the Faithful. Thus it was that some part of the kindred of Battanuazor endured the Downfall, and fled to Middle-earth on the ships of Elendil's son Isildur.

The Bragollach have long laboured to defend Gondor from its enemies, and through their history of considerable deeds both valorous and canny the kin of the Sudden Flame have grown prominent and respected, their influence stretching throughout most of the western fiefs of Gondor. In the year 2009 the loyalty of the Red Stone of Indilkhor was given to the Lords of Belfalas after Prince Galador rescued Lord Zimrakhor from the Corsairs of Umbar. Though known for their great pride and often poor temperaments, the Bragollach have remained among the mightiest of the Houses of Belfalas, and many renowned Swan-Knights have come from their ranks.

Since the days of Battanuazor III, who died in 2632 and was named the Reformer, many of the far-flung bloodlines of the Sudden Flame have been reunited beneath the loyalty of the Red Stone. The foremost of these are named the Five Trueborn Lines, and they are the Ethring Bragollach of Lamedon, the Erech Bragollach of Tarlang's Watch in Morthond, the Anfalas Bragollach of Orchallond, the Gelin Bragollach of Dol Drafn in the Green Hills, and the Line of the High Lords of Tirith Cobas in Belfalas.

Occupations

As one might guess from their storied past upon the battle field, the men of House Bragollach are given to careers of military service of varying lengths. Many seek admittance to the Order of the Swan-Knights of Dol Amroth, including those from the bloodlines outside of Belfalas, whose Lords often send their sons to serve the Prince as a way of affirming their loyalty to the Red Stone. Others of the Sudden Flame's menfolk and womenfolk are given over to callings of governance, stewardship, lorecraft, or less commonly, trade. The House has produced few craftsmen of great skill, however, for even the most patient Bragollach will often mar what they have made with some sudden stroke.

Personality

The wrath of House Bragollach, especially when unleashed in battle, is now famous throughout the realm of Gondor. Their fierce and fiery temper is apt to quickly rise with little provocation. Feuds between the various lines and branches of the family are far uncommon and the House's history is filled with internal politics, although its members are also known to quickly unite in the face out outside adversity. Most members of the House are also possessed of a great pride that seems nearly overbearing to outsiders. These qualities make for, at best, strained relationships with the other noble houses.

Values

Great importance is placed on the faithful service that has been rendered over the many long years to the Great Lords of Gondor, especially the Lords of Belfalas and House Imrazor. Equal to this is the importance of loyalty to the family and the duties of the blood. However, within this tradition of servitude both royal and familial, the Bragollach value free thought and forward action. Hesitation is for the weak and, as proven in times of conflict, the short-lived. Strength of will is also of the utmost importance, and even dull tasks must be followed through to the end. It is the combination of these strong values and the conflict between loyalty and hard-willed individual action that has led to many of the Bragollach's greatest feuds.

Branches

Gondhir Bragollach

The High House of the Sudden Flame from whose ranks spring the Lords of the Red Stone and House Bragollach as a whole. They are known commonly as just 'the Bragollach' and dwell in the grand keep of Tirith Cobas and the city of Dol Amroth, where they serve Prince Imrahil, the Lord of Belfalas and House Imrazor.

Gelin Bragollach

Said to be the most zealous and fervent of the Trueborn Lines. They dwell in the hewn keep of Dol Drafn in the Green Hills, where they serve Hirluin the Fair, Lord of Pinnath Gelin.

Erech Bragollach

The strangest and most fey of the Sudden Flame's kin, held in wariness even by the other Trueborn Lines. They serve Duinhir, the Lord of Morthond, and dwell in the keep of Tarlang's Watch that overlooks the pass to the shunned Hill of Erech

Anfalas Bragollach

The smallest of the Trueborn Lines and most removed from the Lords of the Red Stone by blood. They dwell in the seaside keep of Orchallond and serve Golasgil, the Lord of Anfalas.

Ethring Bragollach

The traditional guardians of the twin estates of Thamas Turin in Ethring, where they dwell in service to Angbor the Lord of Lamedon, and Thamas Daerlach in Minas Tirith, where they send many of their sons to serve the Steward of Gondor.

The Lesser Lines

Other ancient but lesser Houses who claim Bragollach descent from before the reign of Battanuazor III and have since sought to realign themselves with the Red Stone through marriage and service. These Houses include the Atanatar of Dol Amroth in Belfalas, the Palanllach of Dor Dirnen in Lebennin, and the Athanllach of Athan Sirith in Lossarnach.

Archtype

Occupations

Most Bragollachs serve in a military capacity or as high counsellors to the overlords of Gondor, or as rulers of their own sub-fiefs.

Personality

This of course varies from individual to individual, but Bragollachs tend to be haughty, fierce tempered, combative, confrontational, and sarcastic. On the positive side, they are incredibly brave and extremely loyal.

Values

Probably the value which Bragollachs cherish most is loyalty.

Relations

It might be said as a general rule, that the Bragollachs probably get along best with the Houses of Imrazor and Hurin since they consider them to be their liege lords. The other houses usually have strained relations, but it is also dependent on the individual. For example, many Bragollachs have ancestors who are from other Houses and in those cases, relations might be better.

See also

Family Tree Sites that Feature Mainly Bragollachs

• The Noble Houses of Gondor
• The Houses of Gondor