Von Monocle Family

Von Monocle Family

The von Monocle family was a noble house whose members held the hereditary title of Baron (and, for a daughter of the line, Baronette). The family was widely recognized across Rislandia for a reputation of boldness and remarkable fortune, commonly spoken of as "the luck of the von Monocles" and "the von Monocle luck."

Overview

The von Monocles were distinguished both by their noble rank and by a family reputation that preceded them in the eyes of royalty, military figures, and common crew alike. The family name carried strong associations with daring conduct and seemingly improbable survival, traits attributed to an almost legendary hereditary luck. This reputation was acknowledged at the highest levels of Rislandian society; King Malaky XVI himself remarked that he should have expected bold action from a von Monocle, suggesting the family's character was well known to the crown.

The crew of The Liliana told stories about Baron Theodore von Monocle's past bold actions, indicating that the Baron's deeds had passed into the kind of oral tradition shared among those who served under him.

By the events of The Iron Wedding, the von Monocle name had become known beyond Rislandia's borders. Ivan, the Iron Emperor noted that the family was feared by the Wyranth people, and expressed hope that Zaira's name would come to be revered in the same measure it was feared.

The family was also associated with airship technology; in The Steam Knight, a political opponent referred disparagingly to "the von Monocles and their blasted airship," suggesting the family's connection to airships had become a point of public contention as well as pride.

Known Members

Baron Theodore von Monocle

Zaira von Monocle

Zaira was the daughter of Theodore von Monocle and carried the title of Baronette. In For Steam and Country, she was considered a living embodiment of the von Monocle family traits, with both her boldness and her survival of dangerous circumstances attributed to the family's legendary luck. By the events of The Fight for Rislandia, she held the rank of Captain. In The Iron Wedding, Zaira herself articulated what it meant to be a von Monocle, equating the family identity with standing strong in tough situations. Her signature style of dress included a red cape. In The Steam Knight, she was referred to by at least one character as "the von Monocle girl," indicating that her identity remained closely tied to the family name. See the Zaira von Monocle page for further detail.

Liliana von Monocle

Liliana von Monocle was Zaira's late mother. She died of a fever during a cholera epidemic. See the Liliana von Monocle page for further detail.

Lilly von Monocle

Lilly von Monocle was a younger member of the family. See the Lilly von Monocle page for further detail.

The Von Monocle Luck

A recurring concept associated with the family was the notion of hereditary luck, referred to explicitly as "the luck of the von Monocles" and "the von Monocle luck." In For Steam and Country, this trait was invoked on at least two occasions: once as a general affirmation that the family's fortune was present in a moment of need, and once in direct reference to Zaira's survival when bullets grazed her without causing fatal injury.

"the luck of the von Monocle blood is with us."

"the von Monocle luck stayed with you when those bullets grazed you"

In The Fight for Rislandia, the concept remained a recognized fixture of Rislandian consciousness. Many people were noted to comment on "the luck of the von Monocles," and Dr. Estrella du Clockhand invoked the phrase as though it were an established fact of life:

"Von Monocle luck," Dr. du Clockhand said, as if it were a fact of life.

By the events of The Iron Wedding, the family's reputation had spread beyond Rislandia, with Ivan, the Iron Emperor acknowledging that the von Monocle name was feared among the Wyranth people.

In The Steam Knight, Matthias du Gearsmith continued to invoke the family's luck as a reason for public confidence, stating:

"We've always said their luck is extraordinary, and it's worked for us so far."

The Von Monocle Way

Beyond luck, the family was associated with a recognizable personal philosophy. In The Fight for Rislandia, it was noted that entertaining negative thoughts was contrary to the von Monocle way, suggesting that positive thinking and forward resolve were considered defining traits of the family's character.

"It wasn't the von Monocle way, either"

In The Iron Wedding, the von Monocle way was further characterized as a shoot-first, ask-questions-later disposition, complementing the family's broader reputation for decisive and bold action. Zaira also expressed the view that standing strong in tough situations was central to what it meant to be a von Monocle:

"It's what it meant to be a von Monocle"

Spoiler: The Crystal ConspiracyClick to reveal

Symbolic Standing

In The Fight for Rislandia, Cid observed that it would make a good symbolic moment for a von Monocle to lead the charge, indicating that by this period the family name had taken on a significance beyond personal reputation and carried weight as a symbol of bold Rislandian action.

In The Iron Wedding, Ivan, the Iron Emperor acknowledged the family's fearsome reputation among the Wyranth people and expressed hope that Zaira's name would be revered in the same way it was feared, underscoring the family's growing cross-continental significance:

"I understand why your family is so feared by my people"

In The Steam Knight, the family's symbolic standing became a matter of political debate within Rislandia itself. A figure identified as Handley dismissed the von Monocles as doing little for the kingdom and characterized their association with airships as a liability, while Matthias du Gearsmith argued in their defense, urging the kingdom to trust in the von Monocles and their extraordinary luck. Handley also accused King Malaky XVI of protecting the von Monocles at the kingdom's expense. Additionally, Wyranth soldiers were noted to reference the von Monocle name, and one character named Gustaaf stated that he had heard enough about von Monocles to last a lifetime, while another character named Bram reported rumors that the von Monocles were demons—an indication of how far the family's fearsome reputation had spread and how it had been distorted in the telling.

Role in For Steam and Country

In For Steam and Country, the von Monocle family name served as a source of identity and expectation for Zaira as she navigated her responsibilities. King Malaky XVI's comment that he should have expected her bold action from a von Monocle underscored how the family's reputation shaped others' perceptions of her conduct. The crew of The Liliana kept the memory of Baron von Monocle's deeds alive through storytelling, grounding Zaira's actions within a larger family legacy.

Role in The Fight for Rislandia

In The Fight for Rislandia, the von Monocle name continued to carry symbolic and practical weight. Zaira served as Captain, while her father Theo held the rank of General. The family's reputation for luck was invoked by multiple characters, including Dr. Estrella du Clockhand, and Cid explicitly noted the symbolic value of a von Monocle leading a charge. The family's losses were also felt during this period; at least fifteen of Zaira's crew were dead or unaccounted for, underscoring the cost of the conflict alongside the family's continued prominence.

Role in The Iron Wedding

In The Iron Wedding, the von Monocle family's reputation extended into Wyranth territory. Ivan, the Iron Emperor told Zaira that her family was feared by his people, and expressed hope that her name would come to be revered as well as feared. Zaira herself reflected on the meaning of her family identity, equating being a von Monocle with standing strong in difficult circumstances. Theodore von Monocle was noted to still be active, going on adventures during this period.

Role in The Steam Knight

In The Steam Knight, the von Monocle family became a subject of open political controversy within Rislandia. Handley, a critic of the family, dismissed them as doing little for the kingdom and characterized their association with airships as a source of trouble rather than strength, stating that King Malaky XVI had prioritized protecting the von Monocles and their airship at the kingdom's expense:

"protect the von Monocles and their blasted airship"

Matthias du Gearsmith countered this view, arguing that the kingdom should trust in the von Monocles and their extraordinary luck, and that their luck had worked for Rislandia so far:

"We've always said their luck is extraordinary, and it's worked for us so far."

Beyond Rislandia's borders, the family's name continued to circulate among Wyranth soldiers, and Gustaaf expressed weariness at the frequency with which the von Monocle name was invoked:

"I've heard enough about von Monocles to last a lifetime"

Bram reported rumors among some that the von Monocles were demons, reflecting the degree to which the family's reputation had been mythologized in hostile territory. Zaira was referred to by at least one character as "the von Monocle girl," indicating that her identity remained inseparable from the family name in the eyes of both allies and adversaries.

In A History of Rislandia

According to A History of Rislandia, the von Monocle family has a documented origin that the novels do not address, tracing the name itself to an act of deliberate royal humiliation and the family's subsequent redemption through military service.

Origins: The Edict of Ridicule

According to A History of Rislandia, the von Monocle name was not the family's original surname but was imposed upon them by royal decree. The family's ancestor, identified only as Baron Wilhelm, was a conspirator against King Malaky VII. As part of the punishment recorded under the Edict of Ridicule in Year 241, the family was assigned the name "von Monocle"—a reference to a single eyeglass—as a mark of public mockery. Future generations were required to bear their ancestor's shame through this name.

The sourcebook lists the von Monocles among noble families given ridiculous names during King Malaky VII's era, characterizing the name as having been "given in mockery."

Redemption Through Service

According to A History of Rislandia, the family redeemed themselves through military distinction during what the sourcebook terms the Modern Era (Years 300–500). The pivotal figure in this redemption was Frederick von Monocle, who distinguished himself in the Wyranth War of Years 437-442. As a result, Frederick was elevated to Baron von Monocle with estates in Plainsroad Village in Year 445—an event the sourcebook records as Von Monocle Honor (Year 445).

The sourcebook quotes directly on this transformation:

"the family turned shame into pride—the von Monocles served with such distinction that the absurd name became synonymous with heroism."

"What had been a joke became a symbol of honor."

Theodore von Monocle is noted as carrying the name centuries after Frederick's elevation.

Associated Figures and Relationships

According to A History of Rislandia, Harkerpal is loyal to the von Monocle family, and Matthias du Gearsmith serves as their trusted legal advisor. The sourcebook also identifies Lilly von Monocle as symbolizing the future of the von Monocle line.

Classification

The sourcebook classifies the von Monocles as a minor noble family originating from Rislandia, a characterization that sits in some tension with the family's prominent symbolic standing as depicted in the novels, where they are treated as one of the most recognized names in the kingdom.

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