House Shahrizai
From Wiki
Contents |
History
House Shahrizai is one of the oldest and bluest of blood of all the noble families of Terre D'Ange. They trace their line directly Kushiel the Punisher, and are well known for their tendency to marry within the bloodline in order to preserve it, with most members of the House making matches with cousins rather than thin the line. The House has a tangled past, famous for the members constant political plotting and entanglements, which led under the Courcel reign to much fostered mistrust. A history of struggle with House de Morhban also marked the Shahrizai, causing much political intrigue over the years as members vyed for power with one another.Much of that looks to change under the de Morhban throne, with trust built between the head of House Shahrizai and the young King. As such, they find themselves the ruling House of the Duchy of Kusheth, rather than forced to operate on its fringes. In addition to politics, the Shahrizai (and indeed most Kushelines) are well known for a love of wine and horses, both specialties of the province. The symbol of House Shahrizai is three interlocking keys upon a bed of black, meant to invoke imagery of Kushiel the Punisher, who was said to have held in his keeping the keys to the Gates of Hell.
Quotes
"House Shahrizai was the oldest family in Kusheth; one of the oldest indeed, in Terre d'Ange. Their holdings were extensive, lying on both coasts of the province. For all that, theirs is not the soeverign duchy in Kusheth--That falls to de Morhban, who holds the Pointe d'Ouest...I suspect it has long served the Crown's interest to keep House Shahrizai in check. They were powerful and numerous enough to be a threat, if they chose. But it was true that they were a strange and insular clan in their own way. Cousins often wed within the family and they held their own traditions. Other than the ruling Duc de Shahrizai, they did not use landtitles among themselves--only the Shahrizai name, as though it superseded any holdings. And they were fearsomly loyal to one another." From Kushiel's Scion, page 107
"I watched her deft fingers fly, the miniature braids taking shape beneath them. Baptiste had his eyes half closed, lucuriating under her touch..."Why do you do that?" I asked. "Why only to the men?"..."It teaches patience, cousin. It is a lesson all men need to learn...and for us it teaches dexterity...we may learn from the game. And who knows who will reap the benefit of it? Such is the purpose of such games...We Shahrizai are adepts after our own fashion...Surely, no one would deny we pay Naamah her due and honor her to the fullest." From Kushiel's Scion, page 109.
"It is whispered that Kushiel's lineage carries its own dark gift, the ability to perceive the flaws and fault-lines in another's mortal soul. To discern those forms of cruelty that are kindnesses unto themselves, to administer an untender mercy. And like all gifts, it can be used for unworthy ends." -from Kushiel's Scion by Jacqueline Carey, page 7.
Family
| Picture | Actor | Character | Age | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeremy Northam | Donatien Shahrizai | 42 | Duc Of Kusheth |
 | Natalie Dormer | Anne Shahrizai | 18 | Marquise |
 | Kate Beckinsale | Cherame Shahrizai | 31 | Bahttp://shahrizai.tribalpages.com/roness |
 | Cameron Bright | Marc Shahrizai | 9 | Peer |
