hippo

Matyas Baruch snaps at his son, Otto, to prepare a grandiose outfit for each day of the festivities. After the boy left, he'd murmur to himself, "25 years already? Huh." He paused his work for a moment in contemplation and recollection before carrying on.

Skin Name: Crusader from Crusader Kings II Skinner: spoon Bid: 150 minas

SUMMONS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE AULIC COURT KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM This Summons, issued on 12th of Gronna and Droba, 360 ES by the Crown and represented by High Justiciar Duke Matyas Baruch, Compels the Aulic Court to call upon Gustaven von Halsfield, as alleged leader of his Criminal Organization the Black Crow, and all members of the Black Crow, to appear before it and answer the following charges: 217.03: The recruitment for other military organizations, be they foreign or illegal domestic groups, shall constitute a crime without the consent of the Crown, to be punished at the discretion of the Aulic Court. 25:012: Being found to be the creator or leader of a Criminal Organization shall be a severe offence. 425.01: Membership of a group deemed to be a Criminal Organization by the Aulic Council and His Majesty the King will be illegal. Arisen from these circumstances: Gustaven von Halsfield took command of the Haense Adventuring Guild following the resignation of its former leader Alad. Evidence was uncovered of mister von Halsfield reaching out to many people, including Haeseni subjects, to have them join an anti-Orenian militant organization, with no consent of the Crown, and based in Haense (specifically under the guise of his Adventuring Guild, actually called 'the Black Crow'). Those members that swore fealty and apologized to His Majesty are deemed to be pardoned for their participation in the organization. I swear the contents of this Summons to be true and accurate to the best of my belief before Godan. Signed, Duke Matyas Baruch hippo#0985

SUMMONS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE AULIC COURT KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM This Summons, issued on 13th of Tov and Yermey, 358 ES by the Crown and represented by High Justiciar Duke Matyas Baruch, Compels the Aulic Court to call upon Bernard, Arvedth, and Renault to appear before it and answer the following charges: 408.01: An individual who attempts to exact tribute by threat of force shall be guilty of the severe offence of banditry. 406.021: An individual who intentionally steals the possessions of another, and where such possessions are of significant value, shall be guilty of the middling offence of grand theft. Arisen from these circumstances: The three accused, Bernard, Arvedth, and Renault, had pushed a cart of goods into the front gates of Karosgrad. After inspection of the incident, Armiger Cedric Barclay of the Royal Army found a parchment detailing the group’s crimes in Talon’s Grotto - stealing a valuable horse by ambush and ensnarement, with clear sketches of each of them. I swear the contents of this Summons to be true and accurate to the best of my belief before Godan. Signed, Lord Matyas Baruch hippo#0985

Duke Matyas nodded solemnly as the missive reached his desk, before ordering Andrik Jan to leave his office at once after he came in screaming and hollering @Drew2_dude

**The application was scribbled onto the parchment, certainly the work of Walter** Team Name: Doodz Team Members: Matyas Baruch @hippo Sigmar Baruch @Drew2_dude Walter @Zanthuz

MARGRAVE FISKE VANIR FISKE VAR BRYTANOV VANIR FERDINANDUS FILIUS BRITANNUS BASILEII [!] A portrait of Fiske Vanir painted by a Haeseni artisan, circa. 1574 @InfamousGerman PREFACE. “Since the establishment of the House of Vanir in the year 1576, there has been a great many notable Vanirs that have amassed insurmountable amounts of prestige for themselves, which evidently many have failed to be aptly recognized in Haeseni history. Lord Fiske I, Margrave of Vasiland is among the many members of the honorable house of Vanir that has failed to be mentioned as a notable Lord of Hanseti-Ruska. In this study, you’ll find the beginnings of Lord Fiske’s life, his family life, and his ultimate turn to become the first vassal lord of House Vanir in the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska ; which hosts a great many noteworthy achievements that have gone unmarked for far too long. With this study, I seek to dedicate it to the life of the second Lord of House Vanir, Margrave Fiske Vanir. May you read this and be enlightened on the enriched life of the Honorable, Fiske ‘The Bloody’.” Matyas Baruch. Valwyck, 356 E.S. CHILDHOOD. The young Vanir was born in Kraken’s Watch in the year 1524. Fiske was fathered by Lord Britannus Vanir and mothered by Emilia Vladov. His early youth matured around his younger siblings; brother Lukas Vanir and sister Emma Vanir. With his childhood taking place during a period directly succeeding the Duke’s Wars, his life with his family was spent in exile before his father’s eventually regained nobility as an Imperial vassal. While it is known that the future patriarch formed sturdy bonds between his two younger siblings; the relationship he shared with his brother Lukas would ultimately transcend well into his adult life. Before his grasp onto adulthood, Fiske warded underneath his father, Britannus which granted him extensive knowledge of diplomacy that eventually would see benefit as he turned towards elevating his family’s house to that of a Margraviate. ~ MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE. From the very day Fiske was born, his future as the heir to the House of Vanir wasn’t of great certainty after the defeat in the Duke’s War. Similarly it was uncertain for who he’d marry and build a family with. Family records reveal little to no knowledge about the inner workings of the marriage between Lady Halyna Barrow and Lord Fiske Vanir but, it is known that the sea faring House would carry on as the pair parented respectfully four children; Brandon Vanir, Katherine Vanir, Sigmund Vanir and Emilia Vanir. [!] A painting of Lady Halyna Barrow, circa. 1580 ~ LIFE. Margrave Fiske Vanir, the first Margrave of Vasiland and second Lord of the sea faring House of Vanir began his tenure as patriarch at the mature age of forty-eight as he bore the title Baron of Kraken’s Watch following his father’s death in 1572, which marked the beginning of an eleven year-long reign as the Vanir patriarch ultimately seeing the existence of the Northern Unification. During Fiske’s long life, he was revered by his compatriots as the true embodiment for what any Haeseni should aspire to be. As the son of Baron Britannus Vanir, the Lord Paramount of the Carnatian League had awfully large shoes to fill. Never wavering the Vanir lord proved doubters beyond reasonable belief and underneath his guidance and instruction, he led thousands of Haeseni troops during both the Riga War and the Krajian Rebellion, all throughout gaining a favorable reputation that continues to be admired by the Haeseni over two hundred years later. Regardless of the fact of being dubbed Fiske ‘The Bloody’, the staunch Haeseni loyalist’s fervor was never questioned after he led many battles, notably the victorious Siege of Kraken’s Watch, which resulted in the reclaimage of House Vanir’s castle of Kraken’s Watch and subsequently his House’s elevation to be part Haense’s higher nobility(Baruch, Kovachev); the Margraviate of Vasiland. From the time he was but a boy to the very day of his passing, Lord Fiske Vanir maintained a presence unlike any other, striking fear upon his foes and utilizing his diplomatic knowledge from his father to cleverly weave his way through a war-riddled life. Fiske later in life continued his service to the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska until later passing on the reins to his eldest son, Brandon Vanir. ~ DEATH. Later in his life, the elder Margrave of Vasiland would reach the senior age of sixty-six before passing peacefully by bedside by way of old age. Despite the little record recounted of the storied life of Margrave Fiske Vanir, it is known that he passed by bedside surrounded by his loved ones including the like of his brother, Palatine Lukas Vanir. Directly following his passing, his eldest son Brandon Vanir succeeded his father as the second Lord of Vanir underneath the vassalage of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and third Lord of Vanir since his Britannus’ elevation to Imperial nobility. Published by Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing Written by Matyas Baruch

Matyas Baruch would scoff upon seeing the missive, "Our Lady Speaker, who should be the beacon o' excellence for our Haeseni nobility, marryin' an' takin' the name of the Orenian archchancellor?" He'd toss the parchment without another thought, opting to take a drag of his cigar.

Letter to the Aulic Court, 353 E.S Issued By THE DUKE OF VALWYCK On the 14th of Tov & Yermey, 353 E.S. Va ve Jovenaar i Haense, A multitude of acts are rejected at the behest of the Duma vote, as has been seen in recent years. The Josefian reforms have also brought a period of great change to the procedure of the Duma. However, as the Duma cannot legislate on itself (see Aulic Court Review: Relationship Between the Royal Duma and the Aulic Government), this request for review must be issued. As a sitting member of the Duma, and peer of the realm, the Duke of Valwyck sees fit to defer to the Aulic Court for a legal opinion on the following: The Haurul Caezk states that a bill of the Royal Duma must be passed by majority vote and may become law with the confirmation of the Koeng following its majority vote, implicating that it is failed when said bill does not reach these requisites: 212.01: Members of the Duma may submit bills to the Royal Duma that must be passed by majority vote; 212.042: Once passed with a majority vote, a legislative bill shall require assent from the Crown to become binding law; The question that should be raised is whether or not a bill that has failed to reach these requisites after being introduced in the Duma should have the ability to be reintroduced, unaltered, in the Duma sessions following its failure, including the cohort contrary to the one it was first presented in. The Aulic Court is thus requested to publish a legal opinion on this matter of Duma procedure. His Grace, Matyas, Duke of Valwyck

“Somehow saltier than my grave,” says Henrik Vanir who is buried in the depths of the salty ocean

A History of the House Vanir As penned by the 10th Baron Vasiland, Henrik Vanir ”The Sea Bows to None.” TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Vasili II. Kraken III. Haense IV. Contemporary PART I. VASILI A group of early, sea-raiding Vanirs plundering the Autumn Sea. Long before the family was ennobled, had a multitude of titles, fought in decisive wars, or served the great nation of Haense, the Vanirs were nothing more than a group of fiercely independent commonfolk, consisting of pirates and sea raiders. They lived off of the lands of Fjordhem, Aeldin- looting and plundering, tilling and harvesting, lumbering and fishing; all enough to be sustainable. However, the Vanirs sought more from their hard work, despite their viable lifestyle. Under the wise scrutiny of the great Vasili Vanir, the family took their humble belongings and sailed off to an unknown destination. After a great deal of sailing, the group of Vanirs and their strong raiding men found land. It was none other than the now-ancient lands of Athera; a fertile valley, where, for a short time, they lived as they did in Aeldin; keeping to themselves, farming, and occasionally raiding. They formed a modest settlement, only preferring to leave it when necessary in order to forge for resources in the cold winters. It was soon after they had settled in when Prince Alexander of Ruska led an incursion onto the lands, demanding the Vanirs and those affiliated to bend the knee. Vasili, thinking for his people, opted to pledge fealty, so that such a major conflict could be avoided. For their peaceful resolution with the soon-to-be Emperor Alexander I, the Vanirs quickly found themselves vassals of the Empire and were given the town of Karovia to steward. Though the family now owed fealty to the Empire, they kept their culture somewhat intact. They still shared an undying love for the sea, hence their motto, “The Sea Bows to None,” and they could also be caught referring to themselves as “the Sons of the Sea”. These seafaring traditions would obviously carry onto the present day, with myself and my own issue having our own devotion to the crashing waves and strange elegance of the ocean. But as stewards of Karovia, the Vanirs now found themselves embroiled in Imperial politics. This is further exemplified following the events of the Renatus Rebellion, when the Empire split up into several different entities. One of them happened to have Karovia as their capital city. This was, of course, the Kingdom of Akovia. So, when the Schism War began shortly after the Empire fractured, the Vanirs were ennobled by Andrik Vydra and were named the Dukes of Akovia. The Schism War was a conflict between the Canonist League (the Kingdom of Akovia, the March of Adria and the Duchy of Savoy) and the Vanderfell Coalition (notably the Kingdom of Renatus and the Kingdom of Aesterwald). With the Vanir’s help, Andrik and the Canonist league eventually assumed military dominance and won. In the final peace negotiations, the reformed Kingdom of Oren would be established, further altering the once-simple lives of the Vanirs. A painting from the Schism War The Vanir aid in the victory over the schism that was the Vanderfel Coalition goes to prove the Canonist faith of the family, which still stands to this day. The military involvement in the war (the Vanirs were made heads of the 2nd Akovian Regiment) also preluded the military impact they would have in the coming years on Vailor... Athera would have to be evacuated, and the Reformed Kingdom of Oren fled to Vailor along with most of the inhabitants of the known realm. Of course, the Vanirs wished to settle on the northern coast, which they did- the region is now referred as one of the four major areas of the reformed Kingdom, the Duchy of Vanaheim. The Duchy of Vanaheim is simply the reformed version of the Duchy of Akovia, save its name. They continued to serve the Kingdom of Oren, levying a military force and answering all calls to war. However, as time went by in Vailor, political tensions began to build within the Kingdom, namely between the Duke Hugh Sarkozic of Adria and King Olivier de Savoie. The tension erupted into a major-scale conflict, the War of the Ducal Coalition against the Rule of King Olivier de Savoie, or, The Duke’s War. The Vanirs could not stay neutral for long when Britannus Vanir was captured and beaten by soldiers from the Duchy of Savoy, who were loyalists to King Olivier. After Duke Hugh’s assassination and the defeat at the Siege of Barrowyk, the rebellion was lost, and the Vanirs fled into exile to avoid capture, torture or execution. An old painting of the Siege of Barrowyk Many years passed, and Britannus Vanir would be the one to eventually return to the service of Oren when the Holy Orenian Empire was formed by John I. He served as a simple bannerman under Duke Stefan Sarkozic of Carnatia. PART II. KRAKEN A lonesome traveler in front of a peaceful Kraken’s Watch Duke Stefan’s death lead to a migration of Carnatian houses to the Province of Erochland. Britannus would follow, and earn the Barony of Lorentz for his continued service to the realm. However, Britannus’s true interest was to reclaim his family’s ancestral home – the Kraken’s Watch – from the House of Staunton, the ruling family of the Duchy of Courland. House Staunton had once lived under the Vanir dukes of Vanaheim, but upon their exile after their defeat in the Duke’s War, no longer did, and were given the title (Courlanders are not Raevo-Hansetian, and thus they called Vanaheim ‘Courland’). Duke Anden was the ruler of Courland at the time, and was dealing with a rebellion- his brother Alexander sought to take the duchy for his own. Wanting extra help, Anden offered the Kraken’s Watch to Britannus in exchange for military aid. Britannus accepted and the rebellion was put down. All was well, with the Vanirs now holding their ancestral title and thriving in the Empire. But, in an abrupt move, Anden’s father Richard supported Alexander’s claim to the Duchy. An ashamed Duke Anden killed himself, which naturally gave Alexander the Duchy of Courland. Enraged, Alexander’s first order of business was to reclaim Kraken’s Watch. He went about this by attempting to attack the aged Vasili Vanir, but the aggression was halted by men of the Gold Corps of Carnatia. Emperor John II then called for peace between the parties. Britannus accepted Alexander’s offer, and once again the Staunton issue settled down. However, in a ridiculous and brash move, Duke Alexander again attacked the Kraken’s Watch. This time, they crept in and slaughtered the drunk or sleeping garrison on St. Edmond’s Day. The Vanir family managed to escape, along with some of their men, owing much to the bravery of their household knight Ser Asher Highwind. The family took refuge in Carnatia, and perhaps the most defining moment in Vanir history - the Riga War – began, when Emperor John II approved of the Staunton-Vanir feud. The Riga War shed light on the valor of the Vanirs. Along with Baron Britannus, Lord Paramount Fiske Vanir served crucial roles in the war. He was elected as Lord Paramount to take command of the League’s forces, and in the first large-scale battle of the war besides the injustice that was the Storming of Kraken’s Watch, he achieved his first major victory. Courlander enthusiasm diminished, with many leaders blaming the defeat on the Emperor, and quiet, anti-imperial sentiments began to creep through cities. The victors would continue their march to Kraken’s Watch. Lord Paramount Fiske Vanir The Carnatian League fast approached the Staunton-held Kraken’s Watch. A Courland scout rode to the keep with haste, urging Alexander to ready the battlements; for surely the Carnatian League was near. Sure enough, the League surrounded the keep and began a four-month long demanding siege. Unfortunately for the Courlanders, the Kraken’s Watch was not built as a defensive fort, and Ser Rickard used this to his advantage- bombarding several exposed areas, punching holes in the defense. The bombardment phase was so harsh for the defenders that many of them routed, and the few that remained in the keep were crushed by the invading infantry of the Gold Corps. The Kraken’s Watch was won, and the Vanirs reclaimed their title. The Siege of Kraken’s Watch The Stauntons were able to conjure a victory later on, though, with the assistance of Prince Danis of the Dreadlands. Emperor John II saw this as acting against Imperial authority, and named the House of Vanir the victors of the Riga War, and House Stauntan as rebels of the Empire. The Stauntons then crowned themselves as Kings of Courland. Hetmen Sveneld also declared himself as the King of Ruska, which birthed the Krajian Rebellion. Meanwhile, though, in the Courland capital of Riga, there were protests over the Emperor’s decision to end the war. Unbeknownst to them, the Carnatian League marched to their city and sacked it, effectively removing any and all resistance from Courland in the future. When the Krajian Rebellion was successfully pacified, and Petyr Barbanov gained the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, the Vanirs swore their fealty, and were given the Margraviate of Vasiland for their loyalty. They ruled over the March of Vasiland as noble vassals in the dual-monarchy. PART III. HAENSE Barbanov coat of arms Marquis Brandon would now preside over the Vanir family. The House continued their loyal service to this new Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. In the Year of the Four Emperors, Brandon played an integral role by helping King Andrew II assassinate Emperor John IV in the lead-up to a short, failed rebellion for Haeseni independence. Through Marquis Brandon, the Vanirs continued to support the King, unlike most other noble vassals. However, due to immense pressure from his family and his council, Brandon eventually withdrew his support. Brandon’s extended support of King Andrew II and his rebellion meant that he was to be brought before Emperor Philip I for punishment. Fortunately, the Marquis would only be punished slightly for such a role – he lost his right hand. King Andrew II of Haense The Coalition War would occur some time after this period, which was a conflict between the Holy Orenian Empire and most other nations, including the Vanirs old rival- the House of Staunton. It was upsetting to the family to see their old rivals return after they had them defeated seemingly not too long ago. The Coalition won the war, fracturing the fifth Holy Orenian Empire and once again reforming the Kingdom of Courland. Naturally, the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and the Kingdom of Courland were at odds. Both of them had newfound independence, but it was the grudged Stauntons who began the Northern Campaign, or the Great Northern War, declaring war on Haense. Unfortunately, it was the Stauntons who were the victors this time. After their victory at the Battle of Elba, they marched to the Vanir lands and instigated the Siege of Vasiland. Their victory against their ancestral rivals meant a capitulation of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. However, as they did when Britannus returned after the Dukes War, the Vanirs came out of exile along with the rest of Haeseni refugees, seeking to reinstall Haense. Thus, the Greyspine Rebellion began. The conflict was short. House Ruthern, Baruch and its allies, including the Vanirs, surrounded a Tosali manor where Courland forces were stationed. The Second Battle of the Rothswood began. Lord Palatine Lukas Vanir perished on that day, but for a reason: the battle was won and shortly after, the Great Reconciliation Act was passed and the Kingdom of Haense was once again formed along with the sixth Holy Orenian Empire. Lord Palatine Lukas Vanir could be seen; the Second Battle of the Rothswood The Vanir’s power and foothold in the realm was notably lacking after the reformation of Haense, though. They continued to serve Haense for generations, but not to the medium as they had been able to previously with men like Lukas Vanir. PART IV. CONTEMPORARY King Marius II of Haense The most recent Vanir patriarchs have been Lord Halden, Iver, and myself, Henrik, with my eldest son, Brandon II, the apparent heir. Lord Iver was able to orchestrate the arranged marriage between Klaudia Vanir and King Marius II, making Klaudia the first Vanir Queen in Haense. As stated before, the Vanir’s power would be diminished after the reestablishment of Haense. Well into the seventh Orenian Empire, the benevolent Empire we live under as of myself writing this, and Lord Iver’s rule, the Margraviate of Vasiland was lowered to that of Barony status by King Andrew III. Despite this, the family still strives to serve Haense by contributing all they can when called upon, fighting in any recent wars including the War of the Two Emperors and the concluding Rubern War. I, Henrik Vanir, have become the first Vanir Lord Speaker of the Royal Duma, and am working to strengthen and revitalize our ancient family once again as I continue my tenure as patriarch. VANIR LINEAGE Barony of Vasiland Britannus Vanir Fiske ‘the Bloody’ Vanir Branimar Vanir Petyr Vanir Matyas Vanir Fiske II Vanir Franz Vanir Halden Vanir Ivan Vanir Heinrik Vanir TITLES Baron of Vasiland Baron of Kraken’s Watch Baron of Lorentz (former) Duke of Akovia (former) Marquis of Vasiland

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