House Surtova

The most influential house in Brevoy, House Surtova, is also the oldest, established in Issia centuries before Choral’s arrival. The Surtovas were infamous pirates and raiders in those early days, and with the Conquerer’s coming were able to parley captured wealth into lands and titles. What started out as a defensible fortress became Port Ice, a settlement that has been the seat of Surtova power for generations. Nikos Surtova’s alliance with Choral secured House Surtova’s place at the right hand of the ruling house, and allowed them to move quickly into place after the Vanishing. The Survotas established a “regency” in the absence of Tsar Urzen, which has quickly become the de facto succession to the crown. They are known as careful and cunning diplomats.

King Noleski Surtova sits upon the Dragonscale Throne, while his sister Natala Surtova reigns as unofficial “queen,” as her brother is as yet unmarried. Rumors say Natala enjoys her role (and her influence over her brother) far too much to embrace the idea of a proper sister-in-law, and would even be willing to bear him an heir if it means cementing her future hold on power as Queen Mother. Still, there is considerable pressure for Noleski to choose a bride and produce heirs for his new dynasty.

The Surtova crest is a grey ship against a field of blue below and black above, the upper shield spangled with silver stars. Its motto is “Ours Is the Right.", which likely reflects their belief in a right to rulership of Brevoy since their family formerly ruled Issia as a group of crafty pirate-kings.