House Kovachev

[Andustar 4143]

Spoiler

 

 

   

HOUSE OF KOVACHEV

‘By Right of Flame’

            

 

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House Standing

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The House Kovachev is a masterly House of the Highlands, claiming their descent and lineage as a cadet branch of the Great House of Carrion and a scion of the Raevir peoples. Originally founded by Kovac Carrion, Lord of Kovachgrad, literally ‘Kovac’s Hold’ in the tongue of ancient Raev. Once ruling as Kings in their own right; now standing as Ducal lords of Carnatia and loyal vassals to the Kingdom of Haense; faithful bannermen to their Karovic cousins in the Royal House of Barbanov, rightful Heirs to the Black Barbov and Protectors of the Highlands.

 

Having evolved from their hardy roots, the House of Kovachev is renowned as the second greatest House of the Highlands, a step below their liege lords in House Barbanov. More so than other Houses of the Highlands, they are often heavily involved in internal affairs and when it suits them external. As a result of their status, the House is often well considered for marriage arrangements between itself and the likes of the Royal family.

 

As is tradition, the House follows a Patriarchal lord, decided by legitimacy and direct descent of the main line, often found in the first born. In the case that no male heir exists, the female line is presented with said titles, and should the main line be all but extinct, the closest relatives are bestowed the right to such a claim. However, this can be overwritten should the ruling liege lord declare a legitimate and documented will, in which the titles can be passed to one with no affiliation to blood ties.

 

 

-:Standing Patriarch:-

His Grace; Stefan Viktor of House Kovachev, the first of his name;

Duke of Carnatia, Count of Kovachgrad, Turov and Kvaz;

Lord of the Stones.

 

-:Standing Heir:-

(Vacant)

         

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Ancient History

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During the time of old Raev, the Carrion Vochna had firmly cemented its rule over the surrounding provinces and all of the area inhabited by the Raevir people from their newfound capital of Khazav. However over the generations there had been a single, unrelenting thorn in the side of House Carrion - that was to say House Nzech, who Barbov the Black had originally rebelled against and deposed, claiming Raev for himself, his sons and grandsons until the end of time. The present line of House Nzech was in fact descended from a lesser first cousin of the monarch who Barbov had deposed, who had bent the knee to the rebel forces in return for his head and his family’s castle, Ralich, and all its attendant lands.

   

Barbov did reluctantly spare his line, however as a consequence of this, after generations had passed and Barbov had become a cold corpse in the ground, House Nzech began to speak once more about their ‘ancient rights’ to Raev and their supposed superior claim to the realm. This talk eventually took root in the courts of a number of feudal lords and slowly gained leverage in the realm until it culminated in a rebellion from House Nzech, whose lord proclaimed himself the Stone King from the mountainous border territories surrounding Ralich.

   

This was not the first instance of House Nzech’s defiance, and would, as any learned Raevir historian knows, sadly not be the last. King Timov I, himself the great-grandsire of the ‘Old Crow’ Emperor Siegmund, sent his young and brazen nephew Kovac to raise a cohort from across the realm and put down the Stone King’s rebellion. The young lord did just that and marched through the mountain passes to the stronghold of Ralich, laying siege to the fortress. Ralich was reputed as being unconquerable and highly defensible, and the Stone King’s forces merely hid behind their walls avoiding all combat, endeavouring to sap their assailants reinforcements. Unfortunately Kovac had a similar idea, and while his own forces could be consistently replenished and supplied by King Timov’s host, the Stone King had no such luxury and was to be starved out of his castle.

   

The lengthy siege lasted for ten and a half months after which the Stone King, trapped in his castle, decided he would sally forth and see what damage he could do to his besiegers. His cohort was utterly destroyed by Kovac’s forces and he himself was slain by Kovac in single combat, who was said to have cut him in twain with a single arc of his bardiche. His sole child and heir, Lyudmila, crowned herself from within the halls of Ralich the Stone Queen. The Stone Queen’s servants, incited by her castellan, were less than loyal to her and understood from past example what became of those who continued to oppose the dynasty of the Crow. They yielded the fortress and delivered her to Kovac trussed and hooded.

   

As a reward for his exceptional service in the Siege of Ralich, King Timov granted his nephew Ralich and its surrounding territories which became known as Kovachgrad or Kovac’s Hold. Taking up a role as warden of the mountain passes, Kovac firmly entrenched himself within the Stone King’s old fortress, marrying Lyudmila the Stone Queen and subsequently creating House Kovachev, a cadet branch of House Carrion, taking for his sigil a feral red griffin on a black field, one of the many hardy beasts that resided in the mountains surrounding Ralich. House Nzech may have been dispossessed and pronounced extinct, but while the Stone King’s line was absorbed into House Kovachev when its patriarch wed the Stone Queen, many more and lesser lines of the house existed. Like a weed, House Nzech is known for being very difficult to eradicate, as while treasonous their roots ran deep. Descendants of the Nzechonovic dynasty are rumoured to still exist to this day.

   

From their position in the ore-rich mountains, House Kovachev had become a house of industrious repute with famed metalwork and jewellery, their smiths and furnaces producing fine artisan works. Despite this, however, the house remained poor due to the almost complete lack of arable land in the mountains, preventing Kovachgrad from growing its own food with the exception of a few sparse berries in the boreal forests. As a result of this, fire had become a more integral part than usual in the life of the communities ruled over by Kovachev, allowing their livelihood of metals and weaponry to be produced and providing them with warmth and the hearthfire that sustained them.

   

            

   

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House Holding

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An Artist's interpretation of the landscape of the Duchy of Carnatia;

Vailor. Circa. 1559

 

The Duchy of Carnatia stands as one of the largest vassal states within the Kingdom of Haense, second only to the Principality of Akovia. In times of old, Carnatia was geographically dominant upon the northern map the realm, ruled by Houses such as Rovin, Barbanov and Sarkozic. Finally, the right and title rests with the House of Kovachev, granted at first by John I of House Horen and later reinstated by the House of Barbanov.

 

In the modern era, Carnatia is mostly absorbed within the crownlands of Haense itself, with no true dominant or distinct territory of its own. Rather, the title is used in forms of presentation within court and a courteous display of status amongst the other nobles of the realm. However, in difficult times and when called upon, Carnatia may yet still rally men loyal to its cause.

   

House Titles

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King of Akovia (Formerly)

Duke of Carnatia

Count of Kovachgrad

Count of Karovia (Formerly)

Count of Turov

Count of Kvaz

Count of Ayr (Formerly)

Baron of Valwyk

Lords of the Stones

       

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House Relics

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Spoiler

The Bardiche of Kovac Karovic- A large Ruskan styled war-axe, almost reaching the size of a halberd and demanding a great deal of strength to carry into battle. The weapon was once wielded by Kovac himself, said to have been used to cut the Stone King in twain with a single arc. Often times the patriarch of House Kovachev is seen carrying this weapon into battle, hence the blade has often been in need of repair and has been reforged many times so that it may remain in a usable condition.

   

   

Spoiler

The Crown of Ralich- Fashioned within Ralich by the House of Nzech as a symbol of their false Royalty, the Crown was seized by Kovac Carrion following the capture of Ralich and extinction of House Nzech. Since then the rusted iron crown has been kept as a trophy by the House of Kovachev for many ages, a reminder of their past and a testimony of strength to all other Houses, friend or foe.

       

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Culture

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Carnatian outriders, battling the Courlandic and Kraijian scourge upon the outskirts of Riga;

Circa. 1563.

 

Ethnically, the House of Kovachev are Highlanders, established in ancient times as Raevir by their Karovic roots. Though despite this, over time they have differentiated greatly in traditions and mindsets.

They are often considered a hybrid predominantly with the native Northerners of old, and very much differentiate themselves from the typical Raevir otherwise, with exceptions being in their name and prideful history. If ever inquired upon, a modern Kovac would declare themselves being that of Haensetic or Northern culture.

 

As an inner circle, the House of Kovachev uphold a strict sense of loyalty. Loyalty to one’s liege lord is commendable, but loyalty to your family is the greatest honour one could achieve. A Kovac who turns their back on their family is no Kovac at all. This sets them apart in contrast to other Houses of Haense, such as their Karovic cousins in House Ruthern.

 

From a religious standpoint, the House of Kovachev once declared themselves as followers of the Ruskan Orthodoxy, though now in the modern day they are staunch Canonists and believers in the faith. Yet despite this, religion does not dictate their livelihood, nor does it constraint them from criticism or a more open-minded outlook in situational circumstances.

 

Kovachev’s also have a deep interest in political exchanges or otherwise the battlefield. Traditionally the sons of Kovac have served in administrative positions, often times being one of military authority such as Marshal. Said positions have been held in the past by numerous notable figures; including Varon of Akovia and Jan of Carnatia. Kovachev’s educate themselves in battle-tactics and very few have little experience with a weapon of some form. Most Kovachev’s will experience battle at the sprouting age of twelve or thirteen; they start young.

 

Not only distinct in their words, fire is an integral part of House Kovachev and their history. It is from fire did they build their name and within fire they bind themselves. Fire is also an integral part of a Kovachev’s funeral. Rather than being buried, a pyre is believed to be the purest way a soul may move on; from which their the ashes are collected and stored. These jars are then in turn buried. For any Kovachev not to be cremated, it is treated as a grave injury to the House as a whole, regardless of whom that may be.

 

Physical attributes

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Typically the descendants of the Kovac-Karovic line are robust, tall and broad men, with most claiming light hair that ranges from flaxen to dirty blonde. Most are thick-bearded and the members of the noble line almost always possess the deep-green eyes of their Karovic forefathers or alternatively a shade of steel-blue eyes. Females typically share similar traits, often growing taller than an average woman, though they are less so robust and broad, emphasising a slimmer and composed build.

 

Traditionally, Kovachev’s are prone to wearing heavy furs and woven materials, suitable for the cold climate of the highlands. This includes the pelts of bears, otters, stags and wolves. Their clothing is often coloured red, black, orange and in some cases even green, usually in relation to their House colours or personalities. They're quite critical on presentation.

 

To battle, a Kovac is described to be seen carrying a battle axe and rounded shield. Encased in a suit of armour striked with a red gryphon and astride a mighty Carnatian warhorse. The Kovachev’s are lovers of melee and cavalry combat, often in the thick of battle and at other times acting as dragoons with compound mounted bows.

 

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(OOC Note: This is a rewrite to bring an up to date perspective of the House and its lore. Likewise it's preferable that personal aspects of the post itself are not metagamed or otherwise commented upon with no roleplay knowledge. Thank you.)

[bungo 3965]

"We must pray for the Carnatians." comments Barney Basarab.

[Pond 1069]

"They just keep coming back, first the Adrians, now the Kovachevs..." An old savoyard veteran from the Dukes war would mutter to himself.

[6xdestroyer 1610]

"Not only has your line defamed itself, but it has defamed the whole house Kovachev and all it stands for. You are not a Kovachev, your Ascended blood will be purged from the line by the righteous hand of GOD. Come to me and submit and perhaps we can discuss your survival." Andrei would comment from his small keep at Waterwood.

[Imperium 3495]

Kovachevs made Barbanovs Kings

[KIIWIKILLA 342]

 

7 hours ago, GildedDuke said:

House of Kovachev is renowned as the second greatest House of the Highlands

 

A man scoffs as his eyes drift across this sentence. "Tell his Majesty he will have to widen the doors to the Palace so that these Kovachevs can get their heads in!"

[Vanir 693]

"They're still around!" A young fisherman would exclaim, somewhat in disbelief, upon hearing of this ancient family. Tapping on the side of his mug with a heavily ringed finger, he stares wistfully into his mug as memories flood through him. 

[osumanduas 1442]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.