The Kusoraev Investiture
by
Amleth van der Grendok (@yopplwasupxxx) & Branimar Kvazyev (@Dogged)
To the Reader,
I have had many individuals in recent years inquire to me upon the etymology and meaning behind the name ‘Kusoraev’, particularly spurned by the impromptu princely investiture ceremony of our current King Georg. And in truth, the event enticed my own curiosity; while ritually leaking in the residues of heartland influence, I pondered and searched for any historical basis for a highlander monarch to anoint his heir. This work is part of my research in this untrodden field.
Where does the name Kusoraev originate? In short, ‘Kusoraev’ (alt. ‘Kuzoraev’) was the title given to the Carnatian warlord Yivaenis Tchāmandaliya upon his successful conquest of the Raev basin and its city-states. The word roughly translates to ‘of All Raev’ or ‘encompassing the Raev’. Upon the ascension of Yivaenis as King of Raev, he adopted the Raev cognate of his Carnatian name: Ivan.
Ivan’s clan, the Tchāmandaliya, descend paternally from its founder Audhard/Audroyîs, a destitute scion of the Jorenite line whose inheritance was stolen by greedy uncles and cousins. Forced to an early mercenary lifestyle, Audhard developed a fierce reputation as a sellsword and warlord. During his travels he came under the employ of the Carnatian tribal confederation, where he gained such respect and fortune that the people elected him as their ‘Kynaz’ (or Duke). His descendants continued a long string of elected Dukes, which included Yivaenis/Ivan.
The successors of Ivan were the Nzechovics, the descendants of his firstborn Nzech (alt. Nestor). Over the next century, the Nzechovics grew tremendously due to the enforcement of gavelkind law in the classical realm, and soon emerged rival claimants and conspirators for the throne: most notably, the rule of terror orchestrated by the necromancer Valdirus and his homunculus clone, as well as the insurgency of Vsevolod Kassaky and the Seventy Burgundians. At the tail end of Nzechovic rule under Nestor IV, a series of civil wars between two branches erupted, known in contemporary times as the Elk Wars. Karl Ruswalda, founder of the Karovic dynasty and descendant of Ivan’s youngest son Woyzë Temiru, claimed the headship of the senior Nzechovic claim through his wife Lauryka Kassaky, and successfully took the throne in the Fourth Elk War.
The seven sons of Ivan and their dynastical descendants effectively Raevized but retained some forms of Carnatian practices, including those traditions associated with the designation of rulers. These traditions remained in place until the reforms of Boris II (Karovic), an Orenophile who married the heartlander highborn Alicia Therving. Boris reorganized many of the traditional Raevir institutions to fall more in line with the ascendent Kingdom of Oren, including the coronation ritual.
Boris’ son Nikolas was a staunch traditionalist and attempted to strip back his father’s reforms. Nikolas eventually came into conflict with a pro-reform faction, headed by a Nzechovic cadet branch. A civil war ensues and triggers the Culling of the Crows, a major loss of highborn and lowborn life alike. Most of the Karovic dynasty was slaughtered in the conflict. Nikolas’ young heir, Siegmund, survived the devastation, including a small number of cousins and bastards. Siegmund and his descendants became known under the name “Carrion”, in reference to the massacre of his family in the Culling.
When the Carrion-descended nobleman Petyr Barbanov was granted the crowns of Hanseti and Ruska by Emperor John III, the title of ‘Kusoraev’ was chosen as a designation for the new ruler’s heir. Ever since, all firstborn heirs of the Monarchs of Haense have borne the title ‘Grand Prince of Kusoraev’. Unlike customary titles in heir designates in other nations (i.e. Prince of Alstion in Johannian Oren), Kusoraev does not correlate to a geographical region or place.
Much of the traditional practices of the classical era of the highlands have been lost, either because of the mass loss of life in the Aegisian Undead Invasions, the collapse of the classical highlander realms (Raev and Hanseti), or a desire for Orenization in order to fall more in-line with the heartland customs. The investiture of the crown prince should harken back to the traditions of the Kusoraev era and its dynasty, both giving it a sense of historical grounding in national history as well as making the ceremony unique and memorable.
-Hamlet of the Grendochus Mountains and Brandon Cevasian
Procedure of the Kusoraev Investiture
I. Procession
II. Anointment of the Prince
III. Investiture of the Culcha
IV. The Kivikana
V. Fat Feodor’s Feast
Addendum: The Grand Feather
——
Procession of the Carnatian Cavalry
Ivan Kusoraev and the Karnat horsemen upon the plains of Raev Basin
Ancient Karnats were known for their mastery of horsemanship and husbandry: a legacy of their Harrenite roots as descendants of the Karnedain clan (the Harrenites are credited historically as the first descendant civilization to tame and breed horses). This historical tradition existed up until the early days of Haense under the early regiment known as the ‘Carnatian Hussars’- formerly led by the Duke of Carnatia, they were in effect an elite corps of horsemen used by the first Haeseni monarchs. They reached their zenith under King Stefan the Duelist, where they acted as de facto royal guards and were selected as the ruler’s regiment of choice during his march into the heartlands in order to depose both Emperor John V and Lord Protector Robert of Marna. Years later, King Karl the Stubborn commanded the hussars personally during his guerilla defense of the kingdom against the would-be invaders of Renatus. By the time of King Robert the Reader, the Carnatian Hussars had been subsumed fully into the centralized military apparatus of the BSK and had all but vanished.
Throughout its long history, Haense has maintained a strong and influential equestrian tradition, unparalleled to the rest of humanity. While military fortunes have waxed and waned throughout the years, the kingdom’s cavalry has always retained a fierce reputation for valor and bravery. Traditionally, heirs are expected to be proficient horse riders by the time they reach majority age, trained in the arts of archery and lancing. King Andrik the Hangman, one of Haense’s most renown warrior-kings, was reputed to have won his first joust at the age of 10 and led his first cavalry charge at the age of 14. Other monarchs such as King Petyr the Butcher of Courland, King Andrik the Winter King, King Stefan the Duelist, St. King Otto the Crusader, King Karl the Stubborn, King Marius Barrowlord, and King Sigmund the Silent are well-known for their preference for cavalry combat in warfare.
For the start of the Kusoraev Investiture, the crown prince is escorted into the capital by a cohort of horsemen: typically, these would be Crow Knights, nobles, high-level soldiers of the kingdom, and other assortment of freeriders. This band would ride throughout the kingdom before reaching the capital, gathering the hosts of horsemen from the different fiefs and villages which dot the hinterlands.
The procession serves a few purposes…
A princely tour- the prince would travel to the main holdings outside the capital, calling the nobility, gentry, and soldiery to ride with him as he passed each one.
A sign of military prowess- as the prince reaches the capital, he will be surrounded by numerous warriors. To the onlookers of the capital (whether natives or foreigners), they would see a prince with a strong, martial backing.
Respecting the prince’s authority- for the prince to gather the banners of the kingdom and march beside him, it becomes an important marker of how the prince is perceived by the realm. If the prince gathers with him a rather large host, his authority is seen as secure and respected.
——
Anointment of the Prince
Upon reaching the capital, the cavalry host of the prince would dismount and head into the capital’s cathedral. A short mass is held by a high-ranking prelate of the Church of the Canon (either the Patriarch of Jorenus or the High Pontiff), whereupon thereafter the prince is anointed with holy oil on their forehead.
Canon Reading: Gsp. 5:1-13
“Lo, in the name of the Lord GOD the Most Merciful, Singular, and Omnipotent, listen and attend with pious heed to this inspired text.
Upon the flight of the mixed lords, it occurred that the evil of men persisted, and a millennium of the Lord’s Silence settled upon the world.
Owyn obeyed the command of GOD and anointed the brothers Evaristus and Clement, who jostled in the same womb, as joint bearers of the laurel of Horen.
He entrusted to them the Word of GOD, which were the Virtue and the Spirit, and charged them to instruct their brethren in the path of holiness.
At Owyn’s command, the brothers set shepherds over the flock of men, and so created a priesthood for their instruction, in anticipation of the second son of spirit.
It came that Joren Horenson was freed from the keep of Harren, and Owyn rejoiced for the return of his godfather.
But the kingdom of Joren, his Edel, remained the domain of pagans and corrupters who practiced such immoralities upon each other that they grew more numerous each day.
Owyn swore fealty to his uncle, and further committed himself to the redemption of Edel. But Joren forbade it.
He said to Owyn “My nephew, whom I have instructed faithfully in virtuous rule, none shall ever take the north without the favor of GOD, which has been withdrawn. Your people are scattered, and cry out to be ruled.
Take the virtuous subjects of Idunia, and reclaim your inheritance. Sustain what the Lord has given you, and strike not your armies into Edel. For me, I shall return to my home.”
Anointment Oath
The Dragon Horn is presented. The prince kneels before the priest.
Priest: “Proclaim your name”
Prince: “[Your FULL name; i.e. Karl Sigmar var Sigmund Karl Barbanov van Bihar]”
Priest: “[First and middle name of prince], you stand before the grotto of Gamesh. Do you willingly choose to drink from its waters?”
Prine: “I do.”
Priest: “Godan granted all His blessings and His gifts, to be used by the pious and denied to the impious. May these fruits of the Garden of Abundance grow evermore.”
The priest anoints the prince’s head with oil from the Dragon Horn.
Priest: “O Godan, protect this one as Your own.”
Prince: “O Godan, protect me.”
——
Investiture of the Culcha
Prince Otto-Stefan as Prince of Kusoraev and heir to St. King Otto II of Haense. His headgear is known as a culcha and is considered the regalia of the crown prince.
The culcha is the traditional headgear of the nomadic, horse-based societies of the north, including the Carnatian tribes. Once restricted to the highest echelons of society, it is now worn by all classes of contemporary Haeseni society. Despite this, the culcha remains an important symbol of the office of the Prince of Kusoraev.
Made of ermine fur, the Kusoraev culcha boasts an ebony gem, traditionally said to be a fragment of St. Tuv’s comet, and three colored crow feathers (see below). Culchas can only be worn by those who have reached the age of reason (16). The heir receiving his or her Kusoraev culcha is an important initiatory coming-of-age ritual. Historically, culchas were reserved for men, but by the 100s ES it became socially acceptable for women to wear them.
After the anointing of the prince, the coronet of the crown prince is presented by the current reigning Monarch of Haense- the culcha. After a series of oaths made by the prince, the king would then “crown” (aka place upon his head) the prince with the culcha. For the remainder of the prince’s tenure as Prince of Kusoraev, the culcha signifies his status as rightful heir.
Note: The Haeseni beret (called an ulpa) is a derivative of the classical culcha. These berets overtook the culcha in popularity by the time of the Ottonians.
Note 2: King Karl the Cunning, father of our current King Georg, orchestrated an investiture ceremony for the young prince of Kusoraev. A cornet was created for the event which now forms the rim basis of the Kusoraev culcha.
Investiture
The king’s champion presents the Kusoraev culcha. The prince remains kneeling to the king.
King: “My [son/grandson/whatever], shall you remember your days of tutelage and good birth, and shall you remember your priestcrafts and prayers, so that they are not forgotten?”
Prince: “I will remember.”
King: “My [relation], shall you uphold the laws of Providence and nature, and shall you uphold the laws of good folk who dwell on these lands?”
Prince: “I will uphold.”
King: “My [relation], shall you fight in the mires against the forces of the wicked and ill-repute, and shall you fight to reclaim our blood from the bowels of despair?”
Prince: “I will fight.”
The king places the culcha on the prince’s head. The prince rises and the lords are ordered to gather before the altar.
——
Kivikana (the Concessions)
The ancient Carnatian people selected their successors primarily through the strength and power of its elite- the paramount of its chiefs and warriors is typically chosen, whether due to their wealth, martial prowess, or shrewd intrigue. Primarily however, the chief was chosen as the ablest in providing for his people, which includes plentiful food, bountiful loot, and protection against enemies.
Coronations or investitures of lordly titles were times to prove the up-and-coming his proficiency in giving the tribe its desired needs. In order to show themselves as rich and successful, a custom of gift-giving from the would-be chief to his bannermen formed. This ceremony, known as the “Kivikana” (an ancient Carnatian word roughly translating to “concessions”), is unique in that it is the prince who gives gifts to the nobility, not the other way around.
The prince is tasked before the investiture to procure gifts for each of the noble lords of the kingdom, as well as any other important individuals deemed suitable. These gifts may in theory be anything, but it is encouraged for the gifts to be catered to the culture of the respective noble house and the temperament of the peer. For example, a lord from House Barclay would most likely receive something Waldenian in nature or pertaining to cavalry, while a lord from House Colborn may prefer something related to Scyfling culture or to their long legacy of stewardship. Ultimately, the gifts are up to the prince, but the goal is to be personal to the particularities of the bannerlord.
After each noble receives their gift, they swear an oath to the prince to be loyal and true for when they inevitably ascend to the throne.
The Kivikana serves a few purposes…
Forces the prince to learn about the culture and history of both Haense and its numerous houses and subcultures which preside within.
Encourages the prince to engage personally with the lords, forming both a relationship and understanding of temperaments of each of them.
Gives the diverse set of nobility a feeling of camaraderie and solidarity with the Crown.
Oath to the Prince
The lord kneels before the prince.
Lord: “By Godan, I swear the loyalty of my lands and my offspring to the Prince of Kusoraev, and to defend his body from all threats, lest I shall suffer death.”
——
Feast of Fat Feodor
After securing the loyalty of the king’s bannermen, the prince must now gain the love of the people. Exiting the cathedral, the prince hosts a feast for all members of Haeseni society to enjoy themselves in.
The banquet, commonly called the ‘Beggar’s Banquet’ or ‘Fat Feodor’s Feast’, derives itself from the reign of classical Raev monarch Feodor II the Fat. Despite his poor reputation with the militaristic nobility, he was well-loved by the common people for his charitable and jovial nature, hosting countless games, feasts, and festivals.
The food of the Beggar’s Banquet will differ depending on the time period and the preferences of the prince. However, there is one common factor- Carrion Black.
During this banquet, other activities may be held, such as horse races, tournaments, dances, games, etc. BE CREATIVE!
The Beggar’s Banquet serves a few purposes…
Gives the people something to do besides simply watching the ceremony. Activity is encouraged to continue for a lengthy time after the investiture is technically over.
Forces the prince to organize and manage a large-scale roleplay event. A prince who successfully pulls this off will show the Haeseni people that they are capable of holding fun and engaging events
——
Addendum: The Haucvogir Pieren (the Grand Feather)
“The Haucvogir Pieren, or the Grand Feather, is the symbol of Karovic lineage in the eyes of nobility. Those of the Karovic household- male-line descendants of Carrion- are granted the privilege of wearing a crow feather in their cap to signify their prestigious lineage. Those of the royal family wear golden crow feathers, while those not of the royal family wear black crow feathers. Each patriarch of the Karovic household can have two feathers, the second being a color of their choosing (typically a color of their house), as well as the Karovic’s Hand, whose second feather is white. The King of Haense, and therefore the Karovic Patriarch, is allowed to wear three feathers, in the colors of yellow, red, and black (original colors of Carrion).”
-O. Hieromar the Elder, Haeseni People
According to legend, the practice of the Haucvogir Pieren was begun by the Black Barbov, who wore three feathers atop his helmet to distinguish himself in the battle to his soldiers during the campaign against King Nestor V. Only the king and the crown prince may wear three feathers in their culcha. Karovic-blooded with peerages may wear two feathers; all other Karovic-blooded individuals have one feather. Eligibility in wearing a haucvogir pieren is determined by one’s paternal descent- one must have an unbroken male line traced up to Karl I Ruswalda, King of Raev.
The elderly Arik Ruthern, adorned in Johannian-era Haeseni knightly armor. Notice his culcha and the presence of a single black feather- a sign of his Karovic paternal parentage.
Sergey I Kovachev, Duke of Carnatia during the days of King Marius the Good. His culcha sports two feathers; a dignity given for his status as a peer and patriarch of a Karovic cadet branch (Kovachev clan).
Prince Andrik, known famously as the Winter King, dressed in hussar uniform. The culcha and three feathers signify his status as crown prince.
