THE DARCHEVIEDE CODEX

[Seva 624]

THE DARCHEVIEDE CODEX

PENNED ON THE 19TH OF GODFREY’S TRIUMPH, 1868

 

Once penned in 1852 by the 3rd Baron of the Darkwood family, Quinn Darkwood, the pages of this codex described the values, traditions, and outlooks of the family, as well as recording their history. This more recent revision unveils the secret pasts that were lost as the family settled into its role in Orenian society. Long lost traditions and values once questioned have been laid bare. Under their new title, House Darcheviede of Old Kaedrin, has been loosely restructured to better give honor to their Ancestors.

 

 

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CONTENTS OF THE CODEX;

 

I. HISTORY OF THE HOUSE

 

II. VALUES AND TRADITIONS OF THE HOUSE

 

III. ARTIFACTS OF THE HOUSE

 

IV. OATHS OF THE HOUSE

 

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I. HISTORY OF THE HOUSE

 

The Darcheviedes originated in ancient Kaedrin, as one of the many ancient peoples that served the Fatherland. Though they lived as only simple hunters and marksmen, their loyalty was bound to the leaders of the lands wherein they dwelt. Through steel, arrow, and flesh was their measure tested, and though the land of Kaedrin would fall, their legacy survived through the fallout. 

 

They became the members of the Agreni, nomadic peoples of ancient lands who now roamed to find their true calling. The ancient disciplines of the Darcheviedes stayed strong during this time. Fletchings long since held as tradition were embraced as the wandering caravans took greater use from the meat that could be gathered on the wayside. A supple bow was preferred to a cumbersome blade. During the Agreni marches, the Darcheviede family formed two great heirlooms, both imbibed in value and worth as they were passed down by parent to child.

 

The first of these artifacts, a Bow of inherent value on the trails, was used to ward off harsh winters, as the family members who carried it almost always returned with fresh kills. The second, a Broadsword of unique Kaedreni design, had a much more recent history. In the wars of men it was carried by the Patriarch of the family, to ward off the evils that may challenge them in battle. The two were lost during the marches, and yet as they have been recovered, so too has this ancient history. That the Darcheviedes may never forget who they once were. Their legacy, that which was lost upon the bottleneck they endured when they arrived in the great Empire of Oren.

 

The Darcheviedes first arrived in the Empire when it stood tall in the land of Arcas, during times of great strife and war. A great conflict with their enemies within the Old Haenseti. Only one member of the Darcheviede family had survived to this time. Upon arriving in Oren, much of what was lost had taken its toll on the family. With one survivor, and a missing legacy, he fell victim to the ease of circumstance. Velhrun Darcheviede joined the Orenian armies during the end of the war as a fresh faced recruit. In historical papers he is referred to as William Darkwood, for that is the name he would be given upon attaining peerage.

 

In these years he attended the combat academy stationed in the Capitol, before eventually joining the 3rd Brigade. As he diligently served under their guidance, his combat prowess and general efficiency were of great use to the Empire, and his efforts were rewarded as he ascended their ranks. He became the Captain of the 3rd Brigade, and eventually through his own hard work he attained the rank of General during the Empire’s time in Almaris. During his time in the military, the Darkwood House was granted a non-hereditary peerage in the year of 1808, by the grace of the Emperor who saw talent in the man’s capabilities on the battlefield. This title would later become hereditary after his exemplary service during the 10th Nordling war.

 

A few years after the war, William Darkwood was granted a position as Magistrate of Dobrov due to his military prowess upon retiring from the Imperial State Army, yet his lands did naught more than endure, seemingly due to his aging body and mind. The title was then passed down to George Darkwood, who had previously served as the Deputy Solicitor General, and a Supreme Court Judge. Sadly he passed away after only a few years of holding the Title.

 

Due to George Darkwood holding no heirs, the Title was passed to his brother’s line, and eventually fell upon Quinn Darkwood, due to the other members of the Family choosing to attend to other affairs. During Quinn’s holding of the Family Title, a new Cultural hold was established, this being a mix of Grenzi and other local cultures due to the location of their Estate.

 

After continued confusion regarding who holds the title, it eventually found its way into the hands of Drako Darkwood. Due to the continued stress that the current Family had endured, the Crown saw fit to demote the House into a simple Barony. Though their new standing had left them addled. Returning from a grand journey to the Northern Lands, Orelia Irina Darkwood, Cousin to the Baron, returned from her disappearance at a young age. Driven back to her homeland, and hidden away in Mardon as she decided her next move, she returned to her Cousin bearing news of their Ancestry.

 

Her tidings arrived too late however. Though she spoke briefly with her Cousin about their grand reformation, the fates would not allow their reunion. Oren was dealt a great blow, and the Empire was shaken to its core, falling from grace to become a simple Kingdom. Upon this revelation, the inheritor to the Crown was besotted by claimants aplenty. One of which, the previous Baron sword fealty to. Yet Orelia, bearing the true word of her ancestors, chose not to follow in his footsteps. With a heavy heart, she returned her gaze to the Crown, and those that she trusted.

 

Orelia, finding herself the youngest Matriarch in Darcheviede history, swore fealty to the Crown. To the King of Oren. Though many of her family was lost to another claimant, she had chosen the path that Oren brought her, and though she was yet unsure of the choice itself, she forged ahead into the new tomorrow as the new Family Head for the Orenian branch of the Darcheviedes. 

 

 As she settled into her new position, Orelia commissioned a reformation of the Family Codex, and to its annals of History was their heritage added. Now, House Darcheviede stands tall, and its legacy is built upon firmer stone foundation than ever before. That their history may grow longer until the very sun dies, the pages of this Codex forever lay unbound. That their ancestors and their ancestors after may commit their own histories to its pages. Let this paragraph mark the resurgence of House Darcheviede.

 

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Indeed the Codex lies unbound. Metal hoops formed with a simple locking mechanism that one may add yet more pages. This very spot in particular holds a small gap, allowing for easy additions following the House’s following histories.

II. VALUES AND TRADITIONS OF THE HOUSE

 

The name Darcheviede is not a particular word of Old Kaedrin. Indeed it was not used as a common term by common folk. But those who belonged to its House established their own meaning for the term. To them, it roughly translated to many things. Directness. Forwardness. Truth. Potentness. The most common definition, passed down through the family, is thus: “To stand upon a path, and to know that it is the right one, no matter where it leads”. Where other families value strength, political intrigue, magic, the Darcheviede House is born of the trails. Of Nomads. Their destination unknown, they marched across plains and forests, and in every step they not once turned back on their duty. On their choices. This value is the oldest and greatest for any Darcheviede. That they place themselves on their path, and they do not balk from it, come hell or high water.

 

The Darcheviede family is stalwart in its beliefs. Though individuals may differ, each member holds strong in their own truths. Whether this be an Oath to the State, a strong friendship, or some other agreement they have made. A Darcheviede discovers what path is best for them, and follows it to the end, till they find that another path proves more true. Not ignorant, but stubborn. They will pursue righteousness until proven otherwise.

 

The Darcheviede family has always had many goals, but the goals of the House are ultimately to serve the best interest of the whole. The Darcheviede family has sworn to endure as long as possible. To survive against the odds no matter where they may find themselves. To become everlasting in times of change. The Darcheviede family strives for greatness in their endeavors. They push to bring the best they can from their circumstances, as they did in the marches of Agren, as they do in the Kingdom of Oren. The Darcheviede family swears to ascend to the highest station. To ever reach higher in the hopes that one day we grow tall enough to touch the heavens. To be higher powers among men.

 

The Darcheviede family holds sacred its ancestors. Not in a religious aspect, but in respect. Though in the time of the Empire they embodied this through a family crypt, the tradition goes longer. Deeper. The Darcheviedes hold vigil over their dead. A full day, once the deceased has laid in their coffin. On the long trails they would bury their dead at the feet of trees and other tall plants, so that even in death they may yet touch the sky. As this knowledge has been recovered, efforts to bury the dead near such forested sites have been noted by the Head of House.

 

Traditionally, the Darcheviede family would give the Artifacts of the House to the next Head of House, though several have been lost. All that remains to the current branch of the Family is “Vertrauen”, the family bow. As on the trails long ago, it serves even now, in the hands of the current Head of House it is used on ceremonial hunts to feed the family through Winter.

 

As noted before, the Darcheviede family name is to endure. To push past these humble beginnings. To become synonymous with prosperity and longevity.

 

III. ARTIFACTS OF THE HOUSE

 

VERTRAUEN

 

Spoiler

 

Vertrauen is a supple Hunting Bow made long ago by the family. Though it has had nearly every piece replaced over the years, the sentiment and value is the same. Ever maintained so it is ready for use, the bow is made of fine wood taken from the Northern forests, and the string is weaved from the finest thread that could be found. Despite its appearance it is fully functional, and is said to fly ever true when in the hands of the Head of House, despite its mundane nature.

 

IV. OATHS OF THE HOUSE

 

Despite recent events, the Darcheviede House holds a single oath. It does not swear this oath lightly, and will forever strive to do as is best under the leadership of the Kingdom of Oren. The Oath reads as follows:

“House Darcheviede swears fealty and loyalty to the Crown of the Kingdom of Oren, and to the current rightful King of Oren, King Frederick I.”

 

 

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As with the previous sections, there is room for more pages to be replaced and added at the end of the Codex. Should it require further oaths or sections, or revisions to the current sections.

 

 

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[Hephaestus 1326]

Spoiler

A satisfying rebrand of what I took for only a goon house, at first. Very nice work.