Revision 7

Overview

House Alfonso is a baronial house of Hernand. The family is renowned as a prestigious lineage of spearmasters who have preserved and refined their combat techniques across multiple generations. They maintain a family manual said to compile the spearfighting methods developed by successive heads of the house, making it both a martial tradition and a treasured heirloom.

In response to increasing violence across the Hernand region, House Alfonso has become more active in recent times. They have stepped up their efforts to organize martial tournaments and recruit skilled fighters, using their expertise in spear combat to contribute to the duchy's defense.

Details

History and Lore

House Alfonso's history is inseparable from the spear. Each successive head of the household has contributed techniques to the family's martial manual, creating a living document that grows more comprehensive with every generation. This manual is not just a training guide; it represents the accumulated combat wisdom of the Alfonso lineage and is treated as one of the family's most prized possessions.

Unlike the wealthier houses that derive power from commerce or administration, House Alfonso has always built its reputation on martial skill. Their expertise with the spear has earned them respect across Hernand's military circles, even if their baronial rank places them below the count and marquis houses in the formal hierarchy.

The growing instability across Hernand, driven by the spread of bandit groups, the encroachment of the Black Bears, and other threats, has pushed House Alfonso to take a more active role. They have begun organizing martial tournaments to identify talented fighters and have increased their recruiting efforts. The Alfonso estate, centered on Lion Crest Manor, has become a hub for martial training and military preparation.

Controlled Locations

House Alfonso's territory reflects their martial focus, with multiple fortifications and military production facilities.

Quests

House Alfonso provides two faction quests tied to the family's martial heritage and the Bleed Bandits' seizure of Fort Warspike.

The Weight of Legacy and Piercing Spear

These connected faction quests task the player with recovering parts of the Alfonso family's combat manual and liberating Fort Warspike from the Bleed Bandits. The quest chain ties directly into House Alfonso's identity as a spearmaster family: the manual parts represent the accumulated martial knowledge of generations, and Fort Warspike is one of their most strategically important holdings.

Completing these quests rewards the player with the Alfonso Spear, a two-handed weapon with 13 Attack and a Critical Rate bonus. The spear can also be crafted separately at a blacksmith using Iron Ore and Copper Ore after reading the crafting manual "Two Handed Weapons of the World Vol. 1."

Walter Lanford at Fort Warspike

Fort Warspike, nominally under House Alfonso's control, has been taken over by Walter Lanford and his Bleed Bandits. Walter is the adopted son of Marquis Stefan Lanford of House Lanford who left the house due to insecurities about his origins. He fights as a boss using a double-barreled gun, relying on evasion and ranged attacks rather than blocking. His moveset includes scattershot bursts, blinding smoke grenades, and rapid repositioning. Walter has only a single HP bar, but his agility makes him a difficult target.

Relationship with Other Houses

As the only baronial house among Hernand's nobility, House Alfonso holds the lowest formal rank in the hierarchy. Above them sit the count's houses (House Roberts, House Felix, House Grace), the marquis houses (House Serkis and House Lanford), and the ducal House Celeste which governs the entire duchy.

Their military expertise, however, gives them practical value that exceeds their political station. The family's spearfighting tradition is respected by the other houses, particularly those with military concerns. Their martial tournaments and recruiting efforts serve the entire duchy's security, which has helped maintain their position within Hernand's political structure despite their lower rank.

Tips

• The Warspike Spearmaker is a useful workshop for players who favor spear-based combat builds.

• Fort Warspike contains the Walter Lanford boss fight. He has only one HP bar but moves quickly. Use a hit-and-run strategy and dash forward when he uses his smoke grenade.

• House Alfonso's territory around the Warspike area is heavily fortified with three gates, making it a good location to practice siege-style combat against the Bleed Bandits.

• Complete "The Weight of Legacy" to earn the Alfonso Spear, a solid early-game two-handed weapon. Alternatively, craft it at a blacksmith after finding the crafting manual.

• Their martial tournaments can be a source of combat challenges and rewards as the game progresses.

Related Pages

• Factions

• Hernand

• Fort Warspike

• Walter Lanford

• Bleed Bandits

• House Celeste

• House Serkis

• House Lanford

• Faction Quests

• Alfonso Spear

• Warspike Spear