House Haillenarte
House Haillenarte is one of the four High Houses of Ishgard, the four most powerful houses in the city-state. The house was built by Driancoin de Haillenarte, one of the knights twelve of King Thordan. The house has a long history of forging arms and armor for the military, and is the head of the Skysteel Manufactory, flying their banner of a red rose on a black field overhead.
History
While proud of their forge, the Count of the House wishes nothing more than his children to earn respect on the battlefield as knights and carry on his legacy. However, only one of his four sons has done so, however he met his end on the field where he distinguished himself. His daughter, Laniatte, currently commands the Rose Knights out at Camp Cloudtop. The house has fallen on hard times after the Seventh Umbral Calamity, having lost both the Stone Vigil and Steel Vigil. However, the Skysteel Manufactory has recently begun developing alternative weapons to traditional swords and spears.
Notable Members
- Count Baurendouin de Haillenarte: in his youth, he was considered a knight without peer with several tournament wins to his name. However, he did not often get to face the Dravanian Horde in battle, until Nidhogg awoke and commanded his children to attack Ishgard. Surprising many, he chose to issue commands instead of standing on the front lines. His shirking away from the battlefield and the death of his son were seen as blows to the legacy of House Haillenarte.
- Laniaitte de Haillenarte: The leader of the Rose Knights, she helps protect Ishgardian interests out in the field. When her brother Francel is accused of heresy, she turns to the Warrior of Light for help, and teaches them about the Vanu Vanu and the position of Camp Cloudtop in the Dragonsong War.
- Stephanivien de Haillenarte: Stephanivien works at the Skysteel Manufactory as a smith, under his father. He held a vision of one day creating technology to combat the Dravanian threat, soldiers called Machinists using firearms and Magitek drones. With his inventions, anyone could join the fight to protect their home, not just nobility. However, his father wishes he would simply find honor on the battlefield with a spear. But through trial and tribulation, he and his Machinists proved their worth not just to his father, but to Ishgard as a whole.
- Joacin Charlemend Francel de Haillenarte: Fourth son of House Haillenarte, Francel is a man of no particular talent, despite his twenty and two years under the tutelage of some of the best instructors old money can buy. Nonetheless, the Elezen's gentle benevolence has won him not merely the love of his servants, but also the friendship of Haurchefant—a man best described as both honorable and complex. It is Francel's secret wish to one day establish an orchestra so that the streets of Ishgard might ring out in song.