THE HISTORY OF MY FOREBEARS

[ItsMisterPip 409]

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS, the House of Weiss has been sworn to the royal family of Barbanov-Bihar and the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska as a noble house. As the Weiss heir, I have spent many days studying, learning, training, and preparing to become a leader for my family, comrades, and nation. To better understand the role I will be stepping into, I took a step back to look to the past - to those who stood before me as leaders of our honorable house. It made me realize that knowing these individuals' history, whether good or bad, is an obligation that anyone in a similar position should aim to uphold, not only for oneself, but for those who will look to you for guidance in the future and as a leader.

 

 

 

Felix Weiss, born as a commoner of Otto Weiss and Olga Weiss, was a humble farmer in the Rimeveld on the continent of Almaris. After the death of his parents, Felix moved to the Royal City of Karosgrad late in his teens to find work and new opportunities. Following his arrival, King Karl III recruited him into the Brotherhood of Saint Karl, and Lieutenant Euleriphus Melphestaus inducted him into the Royal Hussars sometime after his induction.

 

Felix’s political career in the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska was extensive. His official start was as Lord Handler of the Duma, with the backing of Her Excellency Johanna Barclay’s nomination. At some point in his career, Felix was also inducted as a palatial guard, surprisingly earned over a game of Ur, where he bested the Lady Palatine. After a successful career as Lord Handler, Felix was later elected as the Lord Speaker for the Duma due to his continuous and honorable work.

 

During the Second Inferi War, Felix’s service in the conflict was prominent, being the leading soldier in cavalry charges against the inferi and the conductor of multiple raids. During this time, Felix was made Lord Marshal of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and became the commander of the Royal Hussars, the Velky Hussar, and would continue to battle the inferi, capturing high-value targets, scouting for information to relay to the main forces, and reinforcing the eastern front with ferocity. Sometime during the war's climax, he led a foray with the Royal Hussars during the Siege of Karosgrad, intending to destroy the infernal siege engines besieging the northern side of the Royal City of Karosgrad. A tome in our archives, authored by Ser Audo Weiss, recalled that Felix prepared him for battle against the inferi. Felix’s words echoed: "There will be no civilians on this day.” He left Audo geared up and ready to battle upon the eastern front while charging out ahead with the hussars. This foray he led with the hussars cost one of his arms, but even then, he would later go on to assist in evacuating the city’s people.

 

Felix lived an intense military career, combined with feats of battling the inferi, fighting brigands and Adrians, in which he also led a desperate relief force in defense of Minitz during the opening parts of the Adrian Rebellion, helping during the Mori’quessir threat and even battling a dragon. In the lands of Almaris, when the undead dragon, Cloudbreaker, attacked, he led a demolition team alongside his son, Audo Weiss, and Prince Marius Audemar. I could not discern if the demolition was successful from the texts I read, but the effort of many men and women from different nations eventually felled the dragon during this battle. It is no doubt that Felix and Audo were present at this end.

 

Later in his life, Felix suffered a heart attack, which rendered him in a wheelchair for many years. By the time he recovered, the Mori’quessir had begun to emerge, and he proceeded to assist in dealing with this threat. Not long into fighting with the Mori, Felix met his end. During the Siege of Fenn, Felix took a blade to the heart at the hand of the Mori to protect one of his men.

 

Felix’s legacy is memorialized in the coat of arms we bear today. The White Lion, Felix Weiss, stands upon our coat of arms, a symbol of courage. The red claws signify the combat Weiss has and will endure and our willingness to slay our enemies. The yellow sun signifies majesty and righteousness, which our leaders strive to uphold. The blue represents loyalty, duty, and military service, all founding pillars of our success under Felix and his successors.

 

The life of Felix Weiss is one my family has recollected for many years. He is the beginning of who and what we are, the foundation of my generation and those before me. Felix granted our family a Barony under King Karl III and a Viscounty under King Georg I due to his success in multiple careers, dependability among peers and friends, leadership and guidance as a commander of forces, and prowess as a trustworthy and honorable warrior. Great deeds may be done if anyone aspires to have even a hint of this man's perseverance, humility, and courage. If it were not for Felix, Weiss would not exist. In his honor, we thrive. Va ve Maan.

 

 

 

Audo Weiss, born as a commoner of Lord Felix Weiss and Katarina Weiss, was born in the Royal City of Karosgrad, quickly involving himself in the courts as the cupbearer of King Karl III in his youth, also undertaking pagehood by age ten. Audo became a competent combatant and the only child on the eastern frontlines during the Infernal Siege of Karosgrad in the Second Inferi War. He continued on his knightly path with the guidance of Ser Vladimir “Hothand” and warded under King Georg I.

 

With his mentorship, Audo learned the value of a genial code of honor in knighthood and the importance of teamwork and comradery. Living on the continent of Almaris, turbulent times warranted his early knighthood due to his perseverance, dedication, and loyalty in wartime against the infernal, the Mori’quessir, and men alike. Even with his achievements, being knighted by King Georg I while holding the status of Viscount of Novkursain left his knighthood controversial. With this, Audo was the final peer to hold knighthood in the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s Order of the Crow.

 

Audo stood as a commander defending against the Mori’quessir in Karosgrad on that same eastern front, even felling one of their horrid centipedal beasts. He sailed across the ocean in search and recovery of the Flagship of Hanseti-Ruska, The Marian, ensuring its return with the aid of a foreign Brotherhood. Upon moving to the continent of Aevos, he undertook work and renovations on the barracks and accompanying knightly tower in Hanseti-Ruska’s capital, Valdev. With his management of the library and reverence of the Knight Paramounts before him, he brought a return to order within the Crow Knights. He eventually earned the title of Knight Paramount in the absence of the prior, starting the Age of Lions.

 

Audo’s persistence and loyalty to his kingdom and his king were profound, driving him to aid in organizing the war against the Veletzian threat in the Aestmarch. Throughout this time, he worked to maintain the order’s code of honor and tradition of working in tandem with other knights. I discovered that one of his last known focuses, from documents within our family archives, was an investigation he involved himself with, listed as ‘Ve Bej Nikirala.’ In these documents, he described the uncovering of the cause of Valdev’s persistent winter, a grand voidal terror of immense power. With the help of his squired knight and confidant, Ser Fredrick Ludovar, planning and construction of anti-magical ballista resulted in the eventual felling of the beast, which never made it to the capital's walls.

 

Audo eventually retired from the seat of Knight Paramount. Under his wing, Ser Fredrick became the following Knight Paramount, and Ser Leonid the Lord Marshal of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl. In his retirement, Audo embarked on a journey searching for his lost son and ward, vowing never to return without them. However, in this endeavor, Audo was felled by the arrow of a Mori’quessir during the rise of Azdromoth, and his body was returned to Valdev.

 

 Audo accomplished numerous feats as a knight, but he accomplished many things beyond his knightly duties. He was responsible for reconstructing Staalgrav, the Weiss keep within the lands of Novkursain on Aevos. He authored the Weiss Maxims of Pride, which remains a foundational basis for our family. He was responsible for breeding and raising the Weiss White Comet breed of horses and lost historical breeds. He also started our traditional lilac field-growing and began keeping bees, which spurred our love for honey and beekeeping.

 

Learning about Ser Audo Weiss made me wonder what type of man he was to those dear to him. His search for his son indirectly caused his death. He was strong, a warrior to his core, and a stalwart knight. If there is one thing I aspire to have in his regard, it is his dedication and persistence, for indeed, he would not have been as successful in his lifetime if he hadn’t persisted. In death, he remains alive, through history and in our blood. Va ve Maan.

 

 

 

Walter León Weiss, born of Ser Audo Weiss and Her Highness Veronica Weiss, was born in the Royal Hospital of Karosgrad as a twin to his brother, Stanislaw Julian Weiss, and were both baptized by High Pontiff Pontian IV. With the heightened conflict between the Mori’quessir and the nations on Almaris, the Weiss family was forced to flee the continent, among many others. His formative years were spent on Faelor, where he would learn to care for horses and train as a young child. Moving from Faelor to the continent of Aevos, the Weiss family resettled in Valdev, the capital of Hanseti-Ruska.

 

While participating in an Oath Hunt for the Brotherhood of Saint Karl with his brother, Viktor Weiss, they managed to slay a highland manticore, which warranted their promotions to Footman of the BSK. Later in his teen years, out of divine circumstances, a sword of grand make fell from the sky and was embedded into a stone. After failed attempts to pull the sword from the stone, it was discovered only those of Weiss descent could wield it. Ser Audo removed the blade from the stone in the presence of King Aleksandr II, charging Walter with its protection and keeping.

 

Walter’s career in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl progressed, and he eventually reached the highest non-officer position, Armiger of the BSK. However, he voluntarily denied himself further promotions and positions of command within the military. Around this time, his career also expanded into politics, and he served as the diplomatic envoy of Vortice under the Office of the Emissar.

 

The first encounter of combat Walter faced was after a patrol where he had spotted a group of necromancers performing a ritual at the dried river bed of Queen’s Crossing. Reporting this occurrence back in Valdev, he led a cavalry charge where combat ensued under the bridge. The intense Battle of Queen’s Crossing cost Walter one of his eyes, but it was a definitive success. He would continue battling necromancers and bands of brigands in more minor conflicts until the beginning of the Veletzian War, which was later in his life. 

 

During ‘Ve Bej Nikirala,’ when a grand voidal horror encased Valdev in a harsh, persistent winter, he stood side-by-side with King Aleksandr II as the storm began. The king ordered all civilians and soldiers to retreat to the Esrova Prikaz. However, Walter stepped forth to plant a Haeseni flag on the bridge to stand defiantly as a symbol of hope and strength against the city's harrowing odds. Retreating with the king and wintering in the palace with the entire populace of the city within, Walter had insisted he would not leave the king’s side. He was told that if the banner he planted still stood, he would be oathed as a Marian Knight for the king’s retinue, and that it did. Walter knelt before the crowd gathered by the king and was oathed upon the city's bridge.

 

As the storm persisted, darkspawn activity surged, and wicked figures took advantage of the poor conditions of the city to prey upon civilians. The greatest among these threats was the warlord darkstalker, Jormunharr Ingmornesson, “The Ice King.” This darkstalker issued a challenge to Blessed Queen Amaya of Venzia, and Walter was called upon to stand as her champion. He accepted the challenge, meeting the darkstalker at the peak of the Barrowmount to carry out a duel. In accounts read, the terms stated they would continue until one had perished, only pausing to exchange weaponry. With the blade bestowed from the heavens, Walter battled Jormunharr for many hours, fighting from the peak to the base of the mountain. His health suffered from the duel greatly, but he struck the final blow against the darkstalker, beheading it.

 

As “Ve Bej Nikirala” ended with a battle and slaying of the culprit voidal horror, Walter continued his career as a king’s guard in the Marian Retinue, eventually becoming the Lord Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska. No sooner than his induction to this role did the coup against Aaun occur, kickstarting the Veletzian War after the Battle of Whitespire. Walter would serve in every battle during the war alongside King Aleksandr II, Ser Audo Weiss, and Sergeant Viktor Weiss. Veletz was eventually conquered, and peace was declared in the midlands. Strangely, after the war had ended and his career reached its zenith, he disappeared and was never seen again…

 

Learning about Walter was more complex than learning about my other forebears. He was a man of great courage and conviction, a deadly warrior, though mysterious. He accomplished many incredible feats, but I didn’t learn much about him in any personal matters. He had many children, but I wonder how his guidance affected them as their father and leader. Undoubtedly, I know that Walter's strength and might were admirable and something anyone would aspire to have. The might of Walter Weiss stands as a testament to the courage and history of his forebears and as a goal to strive toward for generations. Va ve Maan.

 

 

 

Ofeliya Fabienne Weiss, born of Lord Walter Weiss and Lady Marian Weiss, was born as the second daughter of Walter and Marian. Her older sister, Lady Felyska Weiss, was born as the original heiress of the Weiss family. However, in Felyska’s late teen years, her focus on swordsmanship and her martial career was the cause for the abdication of her heiress title, resulting in it being passed down to the next oldest sibling, Ofeliya.

 

At a young age, Ofeliya was quick to study Haeseni culture and missives penned by the Royal Courts of Hanseti-Ruska. She focused on learning the meanings of gemstones and traditional Haeseni clothing accessories. Though her passion for understanding the symbolism behind various Haeseni traditions, gemstones, flowers, clothing, and jewelry was admirable from a scholarly perspective, it later conflicted with our family’s history and sentiment toward significant traditions.

 

With the disappearance of Lord Walter Weiss, Ofeliya posted missives in the kingdom and throughout the realm detailing the challenge she had set forth against her father in aims to claim the title of Viscountess of Novkursain. The missive detailed the burning of our lilac fields, which are said to cause ill luck in certain cultures, and their subsequent replacement with marigolds. Two months had passed, and Walter made no return to contest the challenge, resulting in Ofeliya becoming the head of the Weiss family.

 

During Ofeliya’s reign as Viscountess, the upholding of the Five Maxims of Pride and familial ambition became lax, and family traditions were reforged in ways that would shape our family in a much different light compared to the way it was founded and prospered. Following this, there was a period of silence in our family’s footprint in the kingdom. Unfortunately, Ofeliya fell gravely ill, eventually passing away. After her death, her sister, Lady Reza Weiss, helped lead the family until my father, Lord Karl Weiss, was old enough to become the next Viscount.

 

Learning about Lady Ofeliya Weiss was eye-opening. It is unfortunate that she decided to stray from the way of life that the Weiss family has lived throughout history, mainly because of the rift she created between her children, especially my father. It was saddening to learn. Though, I believe there is a lesson in all things. The lesson from Lady Ofeliya’s reign is that ambition must be pursued with respect for the traditions and values of one’s family, for they are the foundation upon which true success is built. Someone’s drive to grow and help their family succeed must balance with respect for one's family’s heritage. Va ve Maan.

 

 

 

Karl Varon Weiss, born of Lord Christopher Weiss and Lady Ofeliya Weiss, was born in Staalgrav as a twin to his brother, Siegmund Weiss. Karl began training with Ser Joakim Colborn at a young age, starting his mastery of various weaponry and acclimating in the high altitudes of mountain peaks in Haeseni lands. By the time he was eight years old, he had joined and became oathed as a Footman in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl, slaying a bear among his comrades.

 

Besides preparing for peerage, Karl’s career in the Brotherhood became one of his primary focuses. With loyalty and hard work, he climbed through the ranks of the Brotherhood over the years, eventually being promoted to Sergeant of the BSK. His ability and tenure in combat aided him in his career and his administrative work as an officer, proving to be very useful in organizing the Brotherhood’s documents and logistical work. His combined efforts earned him the rank of Lieutenant of the BSK, and his tenure and hard work still proceed as I write.

 

Along with his military career, Karl faced the challenge of repairing a stagnant and damaged family, as the footprint of the Weiss had quieted during the long period of illness and inaction from his parent’s reign as leaders. Gardening became a common hobby of his, primarily to replant the fields of lilacs after their blazing. He took up metalsmithing so his children, me and my siblings, could forge weapons and work metal however we intended and share this craft with future generations. My father went on a journey of his own to learn what it meant to be a Weiss from the living elders in our family and those privy to our family’s history so he could teach us our family’s actual values. He wasn’t afforded much of this knowledge as he grew up, but his dedication to restoring the foundation and ambition our family was forged on has given the Weiss family renewal.

 

Though Karl has not battled a dragon until it was slayed, led forays into the midst of infernal armies, stricken down voidal horrors of grand power, or taken the head of undead challengers of kingdoms, he has accomplished a feat that is just as honorable. He, with the help of my mother, Lady Sabine Weiss, has given us a proper chance in life founded on the principles and maxims that were followed in times well before mine. I aspire to share my father's dedication and commitment to our family so that future generations may live and grow in true honor of our forebears and values. I strive to make my family proud, as those before me have. Va ve Maan

 

THE HONOURABLE, Lord Kazimir Weiss,

Heir to the Viscounty of Novkursain

 

[scarahpot 385]

Proudly did Olga gaze between the missive and Kazimir, "I know your forebearers would be delighted at the work you have put in." She softly hummed.

[critter 2812]

Sabine Weiss's pride knows no bounds. The work is copied, bound, and put in a place of pride in both the library - and in her travelling-pack.

[Frostdrop1 1843]

Reinhard bared a fanged grin at the missive. As estranged and distant as he often found himself, there was still part of him that held some familial pride from when he was but a hopeful child. While he would never know these people, never meet them, never be part of them truly, he could be glad to know their stories.

[House of Weiss 45]

A copy of this document is kept in the House of Weiss archive.