Summary
The esteemed histories of House Opiioris are numerous, as are the House’s idiosyncrasies. A strong tradition of industry fills the veins of House Opiioris. Charged by the Empire with extracting the minerals and metals needed to produce cryptonics, House Opiioris has grown the largest coffers in all the Nucleus and Spiral Arms. For nigh on five thousand Etes, the House Opiioris has reigned righteously over their domain, The Crystaleon. This star system, 49 satellites rich, has born the rise of the Cryptonic Revolution, by providing Empire with the crypton. Hailed be the Crystaleon, our Mother’s richest bounty and hailed as well the Mother’s graceful House Opiioris.
House Opiioris has long held a peculiar and unique tradition. From the very first Bannerlord of this House, Opiioris I, every following Bannerlord has diminished his or her given name. As such, the House’s chroniclers counted heirs with Burgher numerals. This tradition carried on until the venerable Lord Opiioris CLIX, who abolished the practice. In the same period, Houses Fremont, Tiller and Masht, who each used numerals also, abandoned the practice as well. Notably, the Bannerlord Gramme Bohiam Opiioris was an exception to this tradition.
The House Opiioris, owing to its immense age and historical record, is today more commonly known by its moniker, as the Great and Ancient House.
The Bountiful Empire saw House Opiioris ascend to become Imperial Head. Such as the Sisters willed, they reigned for almost 1000 Etes during this time. Too many Emperors to be rendered here were born into the House Opiioris, however the most notable leaders of this dynasty were Emperor Opiioris (101) and his son, Emperor Opiioris (102). Father and son ruled side-by-side for almost 39 Etes, ushering the tightening of Discipline Law now called the Deep Cut Policy in response to growing heresy and lawlessness in the Empire’s rim. Emperor Opiioris (112)‘s execution for heresy marked the beginning of both the era of the Troubled Empire, and also the ascension of House Joster-Callum to Head. Many Opiioris did not survive the following Reign of Violence.
After 50 Etes of hard prosecution, House Opiioris once again gained allyship with the Empire when Opiioris (114) rallied troops from Lord Obrecht and Lady Mikaela of House Nottenburgh, then the arbiters of the Imperial Legionnaire Corps’ predecessor, the Imperial Navy Ground Force, to take back the Crystaleon from Kershtwyle Brennan Joster-Callum. While first incensed, Empire quickly saw the Mother’s favor when Opiioris (114) increased the Crystaleon’s output to never-before seen heights. Enabled by borrowed wealth, the system quickly recovered from its stagnated production capacity, then superseded its best Etes with a new record each Ete. With its newly recovered wealth, the House Opiioris paid their benefactors handsomely and guaranteed the marriage of young Lord Victor Opiioris to Obrecht’s son, Lord Timmon. Recovery of the Crystaleon is the oft-cited primary reason for the Empire’s ascent out of the era of the Troubled Empire.
During the Crisis of Pteleomach, the House Opiioris funded the Great Hunt and played a not insignificant role in the victory over the void’s horrors. After the Hunt, the House’s renewed popularity and splendor allowed a second ascent to Imperial Head. The second Opiioris dynasty lasted only 93 Etes and spanned the life of one Emperor, the revered Opiioris (135), called The Ancient. The Emperor reigned over an Empire of renewed strength and vitality, blessed Mother always above, and he died an old man of 141 Etes, giving way for the dynasty of House Procter.
For the past 40 Etes, House Opiioris has also been granted a March Authority ressort over the Greater Taurus Expanse, after it was stripped from House Joster-Callum by the Lord Seneschal Pieter Moltiess in the wake of Lord Beltron Beltris’ severe crimes against the Discipline and Majora’s Children.