Zanthuz

Character: Viktor Kortrevich Works: My favorite studies I have written: The studies I wrote and have kept updated for over two years (some use to exist on other accounts): The newspaper I co-wrote and published from 1759 to 1822:

Ve Edlervik The Haeseni People 18th of Tov and Yermey, 408 E.S. KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Written by: Viktor Kortrevich & Maxim Attenlund Published by: B&K Publishing TABLE OF CONTENTS: I. Introduction II. Historical Eras III. Ethnicities & Subcultures IV. Way of Life V. Religion VI. Language & Dialects VII. Monarchs of Haense VIII. Notable Individuals A. Addendum- A Message to the Haeseni People 4 min read I. Introduction Note to Reader This document has been released following its discovery after the passing of the author, Sir Viktor Kortrevich in 393 E.S. After the sudden discovery, the associates of Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing found that the majority of this document had been completed. Although there were sections that remained incomplete hence why it hadn’t been published while he was alive. As a result of such, Valwyck scholar Maxim Attenlund is credited in authoring the remaining sections. Following its swift completion, the associates of Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing have published this document posthumously on behalf and in memoriam of Valtakossar Sir Vitkor Kortrevich’s distinguished life as an esteemed statesman and a renowned Haeseni scholar. Preface The Haeseni people are the national subjects and ethnic natives of the dual monarchy that is the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska (commonly referred to as; Haense). They have remained as one of the most highly populated highlander kingdoms in all of existence. The ancestry of modern day Haeseni individuals can be traced back to the Schism War of the 1400s, wherein it is understood that the Haeseni (previously referred to as; ‘Hansetians’) were subjugated to Raevir descended governors who ruled as absolute monarchs. In addition to such historic heritage, the national ethnonym that is ‘Haeseni’ and simplified version of Hanseti-Ruska, ‘Haense’ is believed to be derived directly from the ancient canonical city of Hanseh, the capital city of Saint Joren’s realm and its successor states. Many historians the likes of Otto the Tarcharman, Georg Stanimar and myself Viktor Kortrevich hold the staunch understanding that the time in where the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska began, was commenced by the enthronement of the first Koeng, King Petyr Barbanov in the summer of 1578, which fused the crowns of Hanseti and Ruska underneath one crown by divine right-way of succession. Directly following the coronation of King Petyr I, the ancient dialect of Botch would slowly phase out entirely and be replaced by Flexio (also known as; High Imperial) and Naumariav (also known as; New Marian), which began to be adopted and learned in a variety of Haeseni provinces from the upper reaches of Ayr to the lower plains of Carnatia. Along with said adaptations made by the Haeseni people, the adolescent Kingdom expanded, its people, specifically the upper class of nobility (Dukes & Counts) began to adopt more modern Haeseni customs and legal systems. This was especially the case for the Haeseni after the upheaval that was the Dukes’ War of the 1500s. They began to associate themselves as natives rather than Raevir settlers. Famously noted by John Macdonough in 1566, ‘. . . when you enter the halls of the crow lords, it is almost baffling to gaze at Sigismund and King Mark sharing motifs, and how no man would ever admit to having more Rusk[an] than Marian in their blood.’ Throughout the early years of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s founding, its military body was primarily made up of Raevir descendants, who were well adapted to archaic traditions and formalities. During the earliest iterations of the Haeseni Royal Army, the army was composed of unique cavalry units who bore helmets donning ‘golden wings’, which later transcended to form the military Order of the Golden Crow and later the knightly Order of the Golden Gryphon, directly resulting in a heavy presence of Karovic levies rallied by the ancient Houses of Kovachev and Colborn. Etymology Over the past two hundred years, many Haeseni historians have used various terminology to describe ‘the subject of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’ (Haense), early on many scholars would keep record of the Kingdom with the usage of terminology like; Haesenic, Hansetian and Haenseman. One of the earliest attempts to solve this endless confusion was when linguistic intellects translated ‘Haeseni People’ to ‘Edlervik’ in New Marian, hence the title of this document. Though such attempts were to no avail as other demonyms like ‘Hanso-Raevir’ grew significantly more popular after being used in many of the writings of famed scholar Stanimar van Rytsborg throughout the 1500s. Such confusions would later be solved after King Robert I set absolute precedent in referring to his subjects as ‘Haeseni’ as opposed to the many alternatives that were used previously. The aforementioned precedent stood the test of time as successors the likes of; Marius II, Andrik III, Andrik IV and Sigismund II continued to mainstream the proper terminology in the Kingdom’s academic sectors (namely; the Royal Academy of Saint Catherine & Saint Charles). Guide to Haense “This guide should serve as a ‘how-to’ for new players who just joined the server, or older players looking to try out a new experience. In this guide, you can learn the basics of what Haense is all about, what you can do there, and point you to some other useful resources. Bear in mind, if you’d rather learn from experience, then you absolutely don’t need to read this to roleplay in Haense.” 23 min read II. Historical Eras Ducal Era [1491-1578] Most historians consider the foundation of Haense at the first settlement of Raevir in Hanseti- namely in Ayr, Hiebenhall, and Drakenborg- during the waning years of the Schism War in the 1490s, when the Kingdom of Aesterwald began to crumble and kossak bands took control of a vast majority of the country-side. Vanderfell itself, the capital of Aesterwald, would fall in 1492 to officially end the Schism War, and in its remnants a puppet state was formed under a Hansetian governor known as Otto Heinzreich. However, the nobility was almost completely replaced by newly arrived Raevir lords, such as the Barbanovs and the Kovachevs, and eventually Otto Heinzreich would be later succeeded by a Raev himself, Karl Barbanov. Karl reorganized the state, forming a true ducal realm, and it was decided to be called ‘Haense’, after ‘Hanseh’, from the biblical name of Joren’s capital city during his conquests of the northmen. Karl therefore became the first ‘Duke of Haense’, a title which has sat upon the Barbanov familial holdings for generations. In these early years, the focus was the Third Human-Dwarf War, the Duchy of Haense became a warzone. Scattered throughout the former Waldenian realm lay numerous dwarven outposts, and control of the mining and lumber industries became vital to both side’s war efforts. Famous battles include the Siege of Drakenborg and Karl’s capture of Hiebenhall, which marked the end of dwarven occupation in the highlander realm. Hiebenhall was reconstructed into Siegrad, the first de jure capital of a Haeseni realm, and it prospered to trade on the rivers. Shortly after the war ended, Karl launched new attacks upon the pagans deep in the hinterlands, pushing many out of the region (including future pagan settlers on the isle of Avar). Karl died in the Great Worm Attack of 1518, and the duchy continued into a regency led by the Hansetian Tarcell Othaman. The War of the Ducal Coalition went into full swing following the Wett Massacre, and regent Tarcell declared for Duke Hugo Sarkozic in his bid for kingship. For the majority of the war Tarcell remained near Haense, defending against numerous attempts at an invasion. Karl’s son Siguine reached of age near the middle of the war, and when Hugo died mere months after his fourteenth nameday, he was elected the Duke of Adria and Lord Paramount of the Coalition. Many Haeseni soldiers followed Siguine south to Brelus, where Siguine suffered defeats both at the Blackwald then Barrowyk. Brelus soon after was sacked and destroyed by royalist forces, and the Ducal Coalition admitted surrender the following day. Despite this, Tarcell remained stubborn in rebellion and continued to be defiant till his untimely death a year after in 1522. The Haeseni soldiers, now without a leader, fell quickly to an Orenian company led by the northman Jan Kovachev, who later was granted a fair majority of Haense’s ducal lands. This status quo did not remain long, however, and the Horen Restoration in 1526 saw Haense once again reorganized into the rump state of Carnatia, given to the Sarkozic-claimant Otto Sarkozic. The imperial reformation founded a sense of calmness in the land, but soon it once again came to disorder. Throughout previous empires, there has been at least one form of autonomous highlander state, and many looked who it would be led by. The hinterlands during this were split three-way- Carnatia, the heartlander-controlled Courland, and the Horen principality of Alamar. The Duke of Carnatia and Viscount of Alamar came to an agreement known as the Sigismund’s Day Compromise, to form an autonomous realm with the Emperor as King. However, they did not include the Duke of Courland, and the proposed government never came to be. The Eighteen Years’ War stretched a good majority of this time, which gained the mixed Raevir-Hansetian Carnatians a military tradition. Two of the war’s most famous commanders, Jan Kovachev and Josef Vladov, came from their ilk. The Capture of Avar under Josef Vladov was also a celebrated success in Carnatia, and the company known as the Carnatian Hussars gained rapid fame throughout the imperial army. What became now known as ‘the Northern Question’ ripped apart relations between the two power-houses of the hinterlands, Haense and Courland. The return of the Barbanov-claimant Petyr to Carnatia and the Duke of Courland’s illegal seizure of Kraken’s Watch (a fief owned by the House Vanir) sparked the bloody Riga War. Command was given to Petyr Barbanov, supported by talented commanders such as Jan Kovachev, Fiske Vanir, and the later Lord Palatine Rickard Barrow. The war ended in a Haeseni victory at the Sacking of Riga in 1564. Petyr was given the position of Lord Governor of the North by the imperial government, and he helped lead the pacification of the Krajian Rebellion from 1565 to 1576. Haense’s most famous victories during the entirety of the Anarchy include the Sacking of Riga, which ended the Riga War, the Battle of Krajia in 1570, raiding and looting the de facto capital of the hetmans, and the Standoff at Eroch River, where Rickard Barrow bravely saved the imperial crown prince. Only two years after the submission of the hetmans, Petyr was granted the crowns of both Hanseti and Ruska, to which he called after his ducal seat: ‘Haense’. Historians consider this the founding moments of what is to be the ‘Haeseni people’, a culture that is not wholly Raevir or Hansetian. Petrovic Era [1578-1603] With now total legal control over most of the hinterlands, Haense expanded immensely. New fortifications, villages, cities, and estates sprang up overnight. New Marian was adopted as the official tongue of the nation (though Raev Iliyric was still used in rare occasions). St. Karlsburg was constructed as a planned city under the direction of Rickard Barrow, designated to be a true Haeseni royal capital. He also designed the Castle of Ottosgrad, the first home of the royal family. Petyr only ruled for four years, and though it was a large blow to the nation, his popular son Andrik II took to the throne. Haense continued to blossom and thrive, its population boomed, and its culture thrived. In 1585, Andrik II was supposedly disrespected by the reigning emperor at the time, John IV. In rage, he killed the Emperor, then fled north to commence the short-lived Deep Cold Uprising. It ended quickly in 1586 by a pro-Imperialist faction led by Sergey Kovachev, the Duke of Carnatia, who forced Andrik II to abdicate to his infant son Marius. Andrik was later captured by the veterans of the Carnatian Hussars, and he was boiled in milk by the insane Emperor Philip I. Andrik’s brother and Marius’ uncle Karl Sigmar took power as Lord Regent, and unlike his father and elder brother, he could not rally the nobility behind him. His centralization efforts with the military was an intense struggle, and numerous lords were placed in power due to personal relations with the monarchy rather than true talent. By Marius’ ascension as King in 1598, the nobility forced him out of court. The nobility of the time was controlled by two main factions- the Sergeyists [Libertarian] and the Andrists [Absolutes], who quarreled for control. A small royalist faction under Stefan Bihar and later Lukas Vanir existed, though it struggled to keep the peace maintained between both sides. Throughout all the political turmoil, Haeseni culture continued into its golden age, producing countless works and the creation of the first proper Haeseni language, known as New Marian. Marius attempted nationalization of his country, and he reached some success, and continued the vast effort of colonizing the Haeseni hinterlands. He founded countless villages, roads, and forts, though the majority soon after left abandoned following the coming war. A few short rebellions, such as the Brawn Rebellion in 1600 (also referred to as; the Brawm Uprising), would disturb stability but the nation resumed a tenuous peace. To the south, the Empire had fallen to the Coalition Wars, and was divided amongst the ruling warlords. Due to the multiple diplomatic blunders, which include the Haeseni councilor Diedrik Barrow’s murder of one of their princes. This would ultimately force Haense into the Great Northern War of the 1600s. The military of Haense at this time was disorganized and weak, the blunder of Branimar Vanir’s command taking its toll. Both at the battles of Elba and Vasiland, Haense experienced bloody defeat, and soon the monarchy of Marius left in exile to an allied court. Greyspine Rebellion and Restoration [1603-1624] The loss of the nation is perhaps one of the greatest forces which bonded the now divided Haeseni people, when occupied by Heartlander warlords. Much of the nobility fled to the southern city of Mardon, where Marius made his court-in-exile. The lower nobility and minor landowners stayed, however, and there grew a great friction between the highlander natives and now newly-arriving heartlander colonists. Following the massacre of much of the Ruthern household within the halls of their Liege’s Palace, the King of Courland, its surviving remnants rose in rebellion, beginning the Greyspine Rebellion. Haeseni unity became forefront, as the rebellion subsequently combined forces with the House of Baruch, another vassalized realm in the north. With this newfound union, short incursions began, which soon spread wildfire throughout the former Haeseni realm as many defected from Courland. The exiled government soon took interest, and now in leadership of Stefan Barbanov, they met at the climax of the Second Battle of the Rothswood, where the occupier’s army was annihilated, chased by the soldiers of Harren van Metterden. The first true Karovic Duma began as the Karovic houses convened to choose a new king. The Rutherns, a primary combatant in the war, wanted their own as king, yet the royalist faction wished for a return of the Barbanovs, with a third party led by the House of Vyronov threatening the outcome. Following some negotiations, the Ruthern party voted in favor of the Barbanovs, and in a landslide victory, Stefan won and was elected king, later appointing numerous famous officials such as Henrik Bihar and Alessa Grendok. In the beginning, raids by the western pagans were common, though after the brief Battles of Rostig and Alban, they halted further incursions. Lord Palatine Henrik Bihar oversaw the construction of the new capital of Alban (the former Karlsburg was destroyed following the war) and vast reforms spread throughout the state. Despite imperial losses to the south, the Haense state militarily rebounded dramatically, and due to the Pruvian Inheritance the economy began to thrive. Ottovic Era [1624-1655] Alban thrived under Stefan I and his two successors, Otto I and Otto II, and Haense continued to maintain themselves as one of the dominant powers in the human realms. Barbanov grew to become a wealthy family not only in terms of their own realm and came to exhibit strong influence. Otherwise in the brief conflicts on the Vasiland coast during the War of the Beards and the Siege of Kraken’s Watch in 1635, Haense remained relatively peaceful, while the south was rocked by scandals such as the Adelburg Coup. King Otto II joined the Third Crusade, helping remove the pagan threats to the west, and constructed the new capital upon Atlas, known as Markev. When his son Otto III took the throne, he expanded both Markev and his new palace of Krepost. However, the cultural golden age was running on fumes, and as tensions increased between the heartlander states and Haense, war came to everyone’s mind. For a decade, no conflict happened, though intense diplomatic meetings did not help the situation. However, further to the south, an unfortunate expedition of Haeseni soldiers had awoken a great danger during their excavation of Lasthope, a formidable fortress guarding the continent from the frozen wastelands - the ancient Vaeyl Order, first bannermen of the Exalted Horen, had been stirred from slumber, and would cause great ruin in the decades to come. In 1653, conflict broke out with the Kingdom of Renatus-Marna, seeing to Haense’s entry into the Czena Confederation, and while initial successes were had, the Curon front was decimated by their opponents. Belvitz, one of the main trading partners with Markev and the main breadbasket of humanity, was cut off by embargo from the Horen crown. By 1654, the capital of Markev experienced famine and later the Great Plague of 1654, which decimated the populace. Both Otto III and his heir (though on mysterious circumstances) died due to this plague, which left the realm to his second son Karl II. [1655-1720] Haense experienced multiple losses to their heartlander enemies, though Karl II, joined by his cousin and Palatine, Franz Bihar, were able to maintain the defense of the River Czena. Karl II attempted to fix the lack of food by establishing more farms, expanding the wheat production of Haense tenfold. Though with heavy embargo upon Haense’s goods, the economy continued to suffer, and trade was little to be had in Markev. Liberals under a constitutional radical message attempted to overthrow the government late in 1560, though Karl II and his forces were able to beat them off. When Karl himself died in 1666, an intense succession crisis occurred. Nobility expected a duma to be called, but Jakob Bihar, the former Palatine, seized control as king shortly after. However, he was captured mere days since becoming king, and executed by forces of the Renatian Kingdom to the south. Now in a state of emergency, Franz’s nephew, Sigmar Lothar, was quickly rushed to the throne to ease tensions. Under Sigmar, he convinced the embargo to be lifted and trade flooded back in, with Markev receiving a short boost in population and wealth. He loosened control on his vassals and pursued policies of weak central authority, which angered his family’s more centralized focus. Sigmar was unable to reverse the military blunders of the past, however, and his army was crushed at the Battle of Karl’s Hill in the beginning of his reign. Soon after, he looked to appeasement with his aggressors, and swore under their monarch Aurelius, forming a new imperial state. Sigmar passed away from the flu, leaving the throne to his son Robert. Though now constrained by imperial rule, Haense began to rebuild itself from the blunders it had subjected to in the past decades, with Robert I pushing forth his own sweeping reforms, tackling issues within governance and Markev specifically - which underwent a period of modernization relevant to its contemporary era, with the southern district of the city being reconstructed to better satisfy the growing demands of a burgeoning population. However, with peace always short-lived throughout humanity’s long existence, Haense found itself once more embroiled in short conflict, as the War of the Third Coalition erupted across Atlas in 1689, arraying a collection of hostile nations against the Empire. Despite initial concerns the conflict became a footnote in our history, as the continued martial prowess of the Renatian Legions, accentuated by Haeseni levies saw the Coalition crushed and the lands of Ayr returned to the Kingdom three years after declaration. With the turbulence of the world settled, Haense resumed its prosperity as it saw the advancement of reasonable and effective governance under the protection of a united humanity. It was during this peace that the War against the Vaeyl Order commenced in full, ultimately seeing the end of Atlas as the allied armies of the descendant nations marched southward upon the Vaeyl stronghold, Lasthope - routing them back behind the great ice wall that separated the continent, to the lands of Serrimor. Unbroken and unbowed, the Vael unleashed the great Yatl blizzard, which swept the lands of Atlas in eternal snow. A final battle between the Descendants and the Vaeyl saw victory to the former, but ultimately led to their exodus from Atlas. The Kingdom had lost its territory upon Atlas, but in the process, had learned of a new continent further south; Arcas, to which the Haeseni would further their history upon. With these new lands settled, the Haeseni spent much of their time at peace, spreading their kind throughout the northern reaches of Arcas. The year 1707 would see the passing of Robert I, and the coming of Marius II, who would become one of the Kingdom’s most consequential King. Under his reign, Haense would see the formal return of the Duma, the national assembly of politicians, return, along with the formation of the Kingsguard, the Knightly Marian Retinue, as well as some choice political decisions. The Duchy of Adria, one of the powers in the binded realms of humanity, also saw its unification with Haense, inherited by Marius II following a gathering of Karovic Nobility within the City of Ves who elected the King as their Duke. However, such endeavors were short lived, as the Renatian forces, fearing a plot of high treason, marched on Ves just a few years later and razed the City to the ground as Marius II stood to the side, forced to allow his vassal to be decimated. With the Duchy dismantled, Haense lost its influence in the eastern realms of the Empire, along with the complete disintegration of cordial relations with the imperial government. So when the imperial claimant, Joseph Marna, declared the Nenzing Proclamation, the Kingdom of Haense found itself in a state of rebellion - commencing the War of Two Emperors. Following initial success and the besiegement of the Renatian capital, the forces of Emperor Joseph were poised for victory, but in an astounding twist of fate, the Josephite army was routed from the depths of Helena by a Renatian last stand, commencing the string of failures that would ultimately lead to the dismantling of the Marnantine Empire. During these waning years, the final blow would be struck to Haense, as a Renatian assassin, Hektor Barrow, would take the life of Marius II, leaving the young Andrik III to succeed the throne. Andrean Era [1720-1776] With the war decidedly lost, the terms of surrender, the Renatian-Haense Peace Accords, were finally concluded in the year 1721, which saw to the reaffirmation of fealty, reparations, and other concessions, the County of Leuven most notably. Thus began the new Pax Orenia Era, in which the Renatian Empire reformed into the Holy Orenian Empire and became the dominant force in Arcas. Tenuous peace would be had throughout all of humanity, as the iron-grip of the Renatian descendants and their Legions would ensure their control - though it would allow Haense to rebuild from the devastations incurred by the war. It was under Andrik III that Haense rediscovered its confidence, organizing a near total reconstruction of the kingdom, from its military, to law, and the embracing of its modern cultural identity. The famines brought upon by the devastations of the War of Two Emperors were effectively quelled, as despite the loss of the Leuvenian fields, the agricultural output of the kingdom was expanded two-fold in the remaining Rezan Crownlands. The reformed military of Haense would also go on to prove itself in the various subsequent conflicts, such as the Lorrainian Revolt and ‘the Troubles’, establishing the basis and continuation of the Kingdom’s stability for the time. With such cataclysmic wars no longer looming over the realm, much of the following decades were dedicated to the normalization of relations between Haense and the Imperial Capital, though, the two political forces would keep engaging in contests of influence. The Empire of Oren, seeking to further coalesce their vassals under one identity, pushed for aggressive reforms of centralization, however, the Haeseni, being a mostly homogenous and unified people themselves foremost, resisted these imperial implementations fiercely, significantly straining the relationship between the Empire and its foremost vassal-state. In 1740, deserters from the Haeseni Royal Army attempted to form their own nation: the Royaume of Auvergne. The Kingdom's initial attempts to capture the deserters were unsuccessful, and Duke Godric of Morsgrad soon formed a coalition and declared war in defense of the Royaume, seeing an opportunity to destroy Haense and be recognized as the leader of all Highlanders. The Rubern War, though long lasting, came to a standstill without much bloodshed after the Haeseni victory at the Siege of New Reza, when the AIS coalition failed to take the city - leading to a war where neither side took initiative, resolving to petty indecisive highway raids. Andrik III died in 1746 amidst a hunting accident, leaving the Kingdom to his young son Andrik IV. The new King, once of age, began a campaign of national unity, promoting Haeseni nationalism in the face of war. He died soon after in 1753, followed by his son Sigismund II and his regent Prince Otto Sigmar. With the Haeseni capture of Rubern, the war ends in victory for the Kingdom and Empire - with the remainder of the Coalition retracting their efforts and signing peace. After the end of the war, Otto was faced with the Valwyck Pact, a political faction that had formed in protest to what they saw as Otto's nepotistic appointment as Regent. Following a series of meetings and private debates, the Pact was dispatched and recognized Otto's authority as Regent in the Valwyck Compromise. As Regent, Otto continued his predecessor's policies of opposing Imperial centralization, and focused on internal growth. With the Orenian Peace solidified, the Haeseni Royal Army grew in strength as did the economy, largely from the work of the Haeseni Fur Trading Co. and its chairman, Royal Treasurer Rennard Amador. When Sigismund came of age, he continued to fight against centralist policies, though more aggressively than his ancestors. The resulting tension from these debates would once again influence Imperial-Haeseni relations for decades to come, though Haense remained a vassal of the Empire and did not rebel. Unforeseen to the Haeseni at the time, their endeavors in the Athera Expedition would stir malevolent forces against their realm - having played part in the propagation of the Crowslayer’s Oath. Stemming from this, the Kingdom was invaded by a barbarian force from Athera known as the Scyflings in 1768. Numbering in the hundreds of thousands, these Scyflings posed an existential threat to the Kingdom. Sigismund immediately began a mobilization of the army and a conscription of any eligible fighting men and women, hoping these would be enough to halt the invasion. The war was bloody, and many died as a result, nobles and commoners alike, as more than half of the Kingdom’s territories were lost to the advancing Atheran tribes. While Sigismund fought the Scyfling invasion, Emperor Peter declared war against the Trade Kingdom of Sutica, a war that was heavily opposed by many in Haense, including the King. Internal disagreements forced Prince Nikolas, Sigismund's brother, to subvert Sigismund and issue a mobilization of the army. This betrayal from his brother caused Sigismund to commit suicide in 1776, making him a martyr for Haeseni autonomy and leaving the Kingdom to his young son Josef. The war was inconclusive, with no battles or sieges fought during it, and ended in a stalemate. Modern Era [1776-Present] Josef's regency was tense; Sigismund's suicide caused people to call for rebellion from the Empire or for greater autonomy. The Scyfling Invasion quickly ended in a climactic conclusion within the Royal Palace, and the army continued to grow. When he came of age and took the throne, the tensions that started with his father continued, culminating in many debates on taxes, Haeseni representation in the Imperial Diet, Haense's role in the Empire, and centralization efforts. These debates were inconclusive, with neither side willing to give ground on their positions. The Haeseni people no longer desired to be part of the Empire, and their King's suicide had only cemented that opinion. As a result, the Empire issued the Edict of Separation, releasing Haense as a vassal of the Empire and granting it its independence. The 11th of the Amber Cold, 1786, had become one of the most pivotal days in Haeseni history, lauded by many for the years to come, cemented in historical records till the end of time. The independence of Haense had allowed for its culture, military, and politicking to flourish unregulated, sending it to the foremost heights of international power throughout the continents of Arcas and Almaris - second only to Oren in Humanity. The Haeseni Renaissance that had commenced following the end of the War of Two Emperors under Andrik III had now grown irrefutably into a Golden Age for the Kingdom, unchecked by the Imperial Regulations of old. In accordance with the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s arrival into a new era of change and growth and with the separation from the Holy Orenian Empire, King Josef saw cause to adapt much of the realm’s legalities and political offices to better meet the needs of the Haeseni people from a new perspective as an autonomous government. In pursuit of such endeavor, the Haeseni law codex, dubbed the Book of Honor (New Marian: Haurul Caezk) was signed into law on the 22nd of Wzuvar and Byvca of 340E.S., after being loosely inspired by the former Haeseni law codex dubbed The Laws, Rights, and Decrees of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska (New Marian: Lawonzkya Ag Dekretz Vor Kongzem Edaeleo Ag Kusoraev) which was penned during the reign of King Andrew III. Furthermore, the Aulic Edict of 341 E.S. was also signed into law, which further amended the ‘Jura i Zem’ of the Haurul Caezk to greatly expand the Aulic Offices of the Palatine, the Lord Speaker, High Seneschal, the Royal Treasurer, the High Justiciar, the Royal Curator and the Aulic Envoy.’ The Haurul Caezk has become the penultimate legal authority of the Kingdom ever since. Following a plethora of even more reforms, such as the Josefian Reforms of 343, and the signing of the Iron Accord, an international defensive pact, King Josef would arrive at his final days of life - struck down by an infirmity of the heart. His son, Henrik, already of age for rule, took up the mantle of the monarch in 1806. Haense continued on the momentum it had achieved under Josef, propelling the Kingdom’s new renaissance ever further. Under Henrik, the Haeseni saw a greater application of their influence on the continental scale, seeing to the disposal of High Pontiff Owyn III along with the killing of many of his subordinate clergy in the infamous ‘Red Diet of Karosgrad’, as well as the mediation of the Norland-Oren War. The Attenlund Edict of 364 saw the inclusion of new frontiers, expanding the realm to twice its size, at the cost of disturbing the Trolls of the Rimveld, who came down in great numbers to lay waste to Haense. Though famine ensued during this chaos, the great immigration of many halflings to Haense, as well as a newfound direct connection to the seas, meant that the Kingdom quickly replenished its stores, and ultimately defeated the troll horde at the Battle of Karosgrad, their ranks shattered upon the red walls of the royal capital. So, with the addition of the Attenlund, along with the immigration of a great many numbers of foreign expertise, the Kingdom continued to flourish in wealth to a greater height - allowing for the reformations of the realm into a modernized state of the 1800s. 6 min read III. Ethnicities & Subcultures Low Marian [Karovian] “Low Marians, or Karovians, are the descendents of the Raev and Hansetian settlers of the Huns-Waldor basin, stretching from the lowlands of Lahy, the Mejeni steppes, the forests of Carnatia and the Wickswald, and the coastal areas of Galahar. They are the most numerous of all of Haense’s Marian ethnicities, contributing nearly half of the total population, and are what mainstream scholars and writers consider the ‘mainstream’ Haeseni. Typical traits include darker hair, ranging from black to brown, shorter builds between 5’4 and 6’2, and narrower faces. Most Karovians live in the urbanized southern portions of Haense, either in the city or in rural suburbs surrounding it, and culturally have embraced more elaborate and nuanced dress and fashion comparable to the Helenese, Renatians, and Savoyards of the southern estates. The name ‘Karovian’ derives from traditional land of Karovia, a polity created in the late 1st century ES by Emperor St Tuvya for his son and later successor Emperor Aleksandr I, with which it became the base of operations of Aleksandr’s descendents of Barbanov in unifying the northern hinterlands into the Kingdom of Haense. There exist three main sub-groups of the Low Marians (Karovians), though differences exist only in sparse genetics and almost negligible cultural marks, which include, I. Kusokarovians (or New Carnatians) - Settled in the valley and forests of Carnatia during the migration of Haeseni post-Schismatic War, the Kusokarovians are genetically identical to Karovians with trace amounts of Old Carnatian admixture. In comparison to their Karovian counterparts, most Kusokarovians have taken the trade of pastoralism or ranching. Traditionally, nearly all of Haense’s famous cavalry (the Carnatian kossars) have been pulled from Kusokarovian stock. The name ‘Kusokarovian’ comes from the last-name of ancient Carnatian warchief Ivan Kusoraev (Old Carnatian: Yivaenis Kuzoraenais) who united the Raev in its first rudimentary monarchy. II. Piskrokarovians (or Galaharians) - Settled in the Haeseni coastline and the island chain of Galahar, the Piskrokarovians are genetically identical to Karovians though bear more Hansetian admixture. Unlike the more rural and agricultural focus of the rest of Haense, Piskrokarovians are known for their feats in seafaring and focus on the ocean for sustenance and their way of life. Traditionally, the paltry Haeseni navy has been dominated almost entirely by Piskrokarovians, with them being one of the nation’s only sources of maritime resources. The name ‘Piskrokarovians’ comes from the Haeseni word ‘Piskro’ meaning ‘seafarer, sailor’, which itself derives from the ancient Dulonian goddess Pisktro, the deity of the sea. III. Mejeni (or Hussarians) - Settled in the Mejeni steppes of the kossaks, the Mejeni are the most separated compared to their peers, with most descending from purely Raevir stock with little Hansetian admixture. Mejeni are few in number, with most having migrated or assimilated into the larger Karovian culture. The ones who are still extant, however, have continuously followed the ancient kossak ways of their forebears, preferring the pseudo-hunter and gatherer society over the agricultural basis of Haense. Though Naumarian has become the linga orenia of the Mejeni people, some have continued to use the ancient Raev Botch in familial settings. The name ‘Mejeni’ comes from the area where they are most concentrated in, known as the Mejeni steppes.” -Otto the Tarcharman, ‘Ethnicities and Subcultures of Haense’ High Marian [Alimanians] “High Marians, or Alimanians, are the descendents of the Raev and Hansetian settlers of northern Hanseti, including Almaanland, Slesvik, and the regions bounded north of the Greyspine Mountains. They are the second largest population that resides within Haense, though unlike their southern Low Marian peers are more spread-out in rural villages and sporadic settlements found in the hinterland frontier. Commonly considered more ‘rugged’, High Marians are staple cases of the Biharian Dream as written and taught by St Henry of Bihar, living out their days in relative peace and harmony among the untamed wilderness beyond the Greyspine. This does not mean, however, that High Marians are lacking in political merit, and with the rise of settlement and expansion by the Haeseni Crown to the north, more and more families of Alimanian descent have risen to great prominence and sizable towns have begun to form. Typical traits include lighter hair, ranging from light brown to blonde, larger builds between 5’6 and 6’5, and broader faces. The name ‘Alimanian’ comes from the proto-Hansetian tribe known as the Alimannir, one of the more significant people with whom many place-names and locations have their etymological roots. There exist two main sub-groups of the High Marians (Alimanians), though differences exist only in sparse genetics and almost negligible cultural marks, which include, I. Vezucheti (or Haenso-Waldenian) - Descendents of the Waldenian ‘Vanders’ who did not migrate from Haense following the collapse of Aesterwald, the Vezucheti are the settlers of the wild, untamed spruce forests of Waldenia, remaining in sparse villages mostly separated from the rest of Haense. They are famed as laborers, commonly enlisted as lumberjacks, miners, and whalers throughout Haense, as well as soldiery, from which many of Haense’s greatest warriors have come from their stock. The name ‘Vezucheti’ comes from the Naumarian word ‘Vezuchet’ roughly meaning ‘native’, a term used to describe the Waldenians by the first Haeseni settlers of the region. II. Slesvicians - Descendents of the Gorundish tribes which settled in the far north, Slesvicians are some of the last remaining tribal peoples remaining in Haense. Most brutalistic of all the Marians, preferring to live in the traditional clan lifestyle passed down to them for generations and were only recently canonized by the efforts of St Otto and St Karl. They remain mostly aloof from the rest of Haeseni society, with very few Slesvicians trekking any farther south than the Greyspine. The name ‘Slesvician’ comes from the region of Slesvik, which remains as one of their last remnant areas of notable population.” -Otto the Tarcharman, ‘Ethnicities & Subcultures of Haense’ III. “Ayrians (or Valwyckan, Valwyckian) - are natives of the highest mountains and peaks of Hanseti-Ruska, usually situated near large bodies of water such as seas and lakes. Years of a stationary, self-sustaining agrarian lifestyle led to the distinct culture within Hanseti-Ruska, with true natives of these mountain’s culture intertwining with that of the typical Hanso-Raev and Waldenian.” -Matyas Baruch, ‘The People of Ayr & Valwyck IV. “Reinmaren - ((Work in Progress!)) Southern Marian [Leuvians] “Southern Marians, or Leuvians, are the descendents of southern peoples (including Renatians, Kaedreni, Savoyards) who have settled in Haense. They are the most recent and most diverse of Haense’s three main cultural groups, deriving from three main groups: the Ulgo-Savoyards, who live on the border of the Haense/heartlands near the swamps and plains of Savoy, the Furentaliz (lit. ‘refugees’), descendents of imperial and heartland refugees who fled the south following the collapse of the Fifth Empire (also included are the minority of heartlanders who settled in Haense following its brief occupation before the emancipation of the Greyspine Rebellion), and Haeseni Adrians (sometimes called Sarkozians), or the mixed Auvergnian and Raev settlers of the few remaining Adrian estates still maintained by the crown. It should be noted, as an aside, that due to the diverse nature of this group, the term Southern Marian is used more as a scholastic category than it denoting a true, separate people. Attempting to find equal traits or attributes among them is also impossible. The name ‘Leuvian’ derives from the town of Leuven, one of Haense’s more prominent regions which retains a strong, southern identity.” -Otto the Tarcharman, ‘Ethnicities & Subcultures of Haense’ 16 min read IV. Way of Life Arranged in Alphabetical Order Biharism - The Agrarian Dream Since the dawn of the Kingdom’s existence, it has maintained its structure as a central government holding absolute authority over its loyal sub-states. That notion remains true even as the Kingdom embarks on the newest century. A society deep rooted in the foundation of agrarian life is one with a deep understanding of the social concept of land ownership and the delegation of such resourceful lands. From the Ottovic Era, through the Bihar Era and into the Modern Era, Haense has always understood the pleasurities that are bound to be received from plentiful bounties of the realm. Through every trial and tribulation that has posed as an obstacle to the Kingdom, it has and will continue to remain as a cornerstone of the Haeseni political thought of Biharism, “. . .which is that every freeman of Haeseni stock to their own farms, provide for their own families, and raise that proper family to follow in the same tradition.” Despite such longevity that is the ‘Agrarian Dream’, the modern iteration of Haense has loosely escaped from the vision and has fallen to the flawed political understandings that are the Centralist and Feudalist way of thinking; which in return has caused conflict between the central state and its sub-states. Biharism - Jeremic Liberities From the beginning of Karl’s first warrior bands in the fledgling Duchy of Haense, the military followed a pseudo-cossack code. Not following many of the traditions, they still maintained the famous concept of the ‘Jeremic Liberties’, which are the freedoms given to each freeman within the realm. These, of course, have been adapted heavily in more Hansetian tradition, though the base meaning remains the same. The liberties are as followed: O To each freeman is his own life, to take it is to be a thief, O To each freeman his own time, to take it is to be a slaver, O To each freeman his own sword, to take it is to blind him, O To each freeman his own wife, to take it is to injure him, O And to each freeman his own farm, to take is to make him no man. These five principles are the core freedoms of each free Haeseni man- rights which, culturally, cannot be taken away. Biharism - Haeseni Destiny Whether as an subjugated state under an Imperial State or as an independent under the rule of the Haeseni crown, the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska continues to believe in ‘Haeseni Destiny’, which simply is the belief one believes is a requirement to colonize nearby unmarked lands. The hope of course is to expand the Kingdom’s borders to guarantee future growth and prosperity. This traditional policy is one that bridges across all political understandings of governance which has allowed the highland Kingdom to stand the test of time since the late 16th century. --- Breaking the Bread It is the commonly-held belief of a naturally enforced peace amongst those eating under the same roof, a common and old highlander custom. Feasts and dinner gatherings are seen as times of house bonding but also a rare instance of vulnerability. And so, it is very common for rivals and enemy parties to ‘break bread’ before a diplomatic meeting, to make the gathering a ‘feast’. Violence of any kind is strictly prohibited, and it is very taboo if it is allowed to go unpunished. In the case of political and diplomatic meetings, it is common to dip the bread afterwards into Carrion Black, and shortly thereafter to eat it. --- Coronation of the King - Golden Bulava The first item given to the king during his coronation is the Golden Bulava - the symbol of authority over the army. In the early days of the Duchy of Haense, the military was heavily dominated by the Raevir elite, and in their traditional fashion used the bulava as the sample of hetmanic authority. Eventually, the bulava has been adapted in Haeseni tradition and used as a symbol of power for the commandants in service to the royal crown. Coronation of the King - Marian Sword The second item given to the king during his coronation is the Marian Sword - symbol of the people. During the original settlement of the Duchy of Haense, the clear majority of the peasant population remained Hansetian, and so at the opposite of military life rested in the left hand the sword of the people. The sword is reputed to be the sword Gaius Marius, first monarch of Hanseti, and even in battle is worn by the king, in order to always carry the will of the Haeseni people with him. Coronation of the King - Crown of Blessed Francis the Martyr The Crown of Haense is known officially as the Crown of Blessed Francis the Martyr, and since the coronation of Petyr I, has been the symbol of the Haeseni monarchy. The eleven jewels on the coronet (six blue and five red) each to signify a martyr of the Franciscan Massacre. --- Cremation of the Dead and the Ashern In highlander tradition, cremation has always played a part in paying respects to the dead, and it continues strong in the Kingdom of Haense. Kinsmen are burned by their family members in great pyres, and their ashes collected in urns called Ashern. Everyone is typically given their own ashern to house their ashes. However, in the higher nobility, it is common for patriarchs and extraordinary individuals to have their ashes collected in the Haucashern, a large urn which is home to the ashes of previous patriarchs of the family. The size of a family’s Haucashern is a symbol of status, and the oldest of families typically have the largest of haucasherns. Both kinds of urns are usually ornately decorated, and the more prestigious a house the better quality of life. This practice resurged after the War of the Ducal Coalition, where it became a trend to carry ashes of the burned dead of Brelus in urns, typically used by knights as a sign of respect and honoring the dead. In the heartlands the fad faded quickly, though the tradition remained strong in Haense. Many veterans and lords of the war requested to be cremated as an honor, and it soon evolved into the norm for last rites. --- Curse of Franz The ‘Curse of Franz’ is the popular belief that misfortune will fall upon lords and kings named Franz. This superstition has begun after three kings with the similar name Franz meeting horrid fates: Franz the Martyr was killed in his own court, Franz the Faultless was executed for his brother’s war, and the Franz the Unfortunate’s murder before even receiving the crown. It is therefore taboo to name heirs Franz, else fall prey to the curse. --- Holiday - Sigismund’s Day 7th of Tov and Yermey Sigismund’s Day is the national holiday in celebration of Sigismund, one of the patrons of Haense. This is typically a private family affair, and usually involves house and clan unions. During this day, it is tradition for all members of the Karovic household to feast in the halls of the current Karovic Patriarch. Common foods during this meal include veal, iskov (blend of potatoes and vegetables), and restineol (salted horse brain). Holiday - Barovifest 2nd of Msitza and Dargund Barovifest originally was the celebration of Barbov the Black’s victory over the Nzechs at the Battle of the Elks, although in time it has transformed to the largest harvest festival within Haense. It is tradition, after sunset, to burn five large hay crows, with the typical locale playing music and other assortment of activities, such as apple bobbing and squash hurling. Many during this event wear hand-carved wooden masks, called Maskoe, which are either in the shape of animals or famous individuals (including mockeries of disliked politicians). Throughout the festivities, the staple drink is yopil, a mixture of Carrion Black and fruit (berries and apples). Holiday - Feast of Saint Tobias the Pure 15th of Wzuvar and Byvca The Feast of Saint Tobias is the celebration of the winter solstice, and typically includes a large feast and play in the village center. Traditionally, the holiday was a very solemn affair, although in recent years it has been combined with the similar traditions of the heartlander Saint Tobias’ Day, which includes traditions of gift-giving and selfless acts. Holiday - Feast of Saint Julia and the Fifty Virgins of Paradisus | Juliyeafest 21st Vzmey and Hyff Juliyeafest is considered the ‘festival of love’ within the Kingdom of Haense, and it is considered a Canonist fertility festival. Marriages on Juliyeafest are very, very common, and it is considered romantic for a male to give their female companion and crown of lilies, known as a Liliekongis. --- Military - Cavalry Tradition Since the ridings of Jan Kovachev and the warrior-general Alessa Grendock, Haense and the Haeseni people have always maintained a strong cavalry force and tradition. Numerous Haeseni have made names for themselves as horsemen during the countless wars, and it is considered an honor to be allowed to ride in one of Haense’s many horse divisions. Majority of these companies maintain a traditional dress of colorful robes and fur hats, typically accented with feathers. --- Permission for Courting Although the courting process itself remains similar to the heartlander traditions, Haense maintains a very strict protocol in the asking of permission for a lord or sir to court a lord’s daughter or female kinsman. The man must gather exactly two sheep, a goat, and four chickens, and give them as an offering to the family patriarch. The gifts are taken by the patriarch, and the man in question is invited to a feast in the patriarch’s house. At the end of the dinner, the man is given one of two dishes - the lok (goat intestine filled with pork) or the erkindelir (boiled pig heart). If the man is served lok, then the patriarch has given his permission for the man to court the respective female of his clan. If the man is served erkindelir, however, he is refused permission. If the erkindelir is covered in a spicy sauce known as uli (milk and cream mixed with spices), then the denial is extreme, to a point where the man is forbidden to see his desired female companion again. --- Perissem ne Perissem - Persistence At the core of Haeseni lies the chiefest of virtues - persistence. Persistence in the hardships of life. Persistence in the hardship faced by the Haeseni people time and time again. Unlike other realms, Haense boasts a continuous history, filled with peaks and troughs, and through it all, despite all violence against it, the Kingdom of Haense and its people remain. This is commonly shown in the famous Haeseni proverb: “I would have perished had I not persisted.” Time and time again, Haense has been brought to a low position, yet every time it resurfaces and returns to the days of glory and its manifest destiny. Only through persistence and dedication can the Haeseni people live on. Perissem ne Perissem - Self Reliance Throughout history, Haense has found itself either surrounded with allies or swimming in enemies, and the Haeseni people have attempted to maintain a staunch belief in self-reliance. No matter the political affairs of neighboring states and the outside world, Haense must focus on relying upon its own to rebuild itself up from any destruction. Many in the world will promise help, and while some will actually give, to depend your entirety on the whims of foreigners never bodes well. Perissem ne Perissem - Self Assurance With their concept of self-reliance comes their belief in self-assurance, that no matter what path Haense takes, the people are ready and will stand together to face any threat. Haense must not look at the total outside for their evaluation, but look within, and see together as a united Haeseni people. This is embodied in the Haeseni saying, “Lest my shield turn to ash, but I shall not falter.” --- Royal Family - Karovic’s Hand The Karovic’s Hand is the traditional advisor to the Patriarch of Carrion- a tradition which has survived in Haense under the Royal House of Barbanov. For many years, the Karovic’s hand followed the young Bihar line while the patriarchy followed the senior Andrivian line. The Karovic’s Hand maintains the household of the royal family and the integrity of the family in full- in the Karovic’s Hand who monitors and keeps the peace amongst the Karovic household. This, of course, includes not only those of the direct royal line but any family within the borders of Haense which draws male-line descent from the House of Carrion, which includes a plethora of cadet houses and bastard lineages. In times of strife, it is the Karovic’s Hand who calls the Royal Duma in place and organizes what is required, typically the selection of a king. Example of this can be seen when the National Duma was called after the Second Battle of the Rothswald, as the meeting officially proclaimed by the standing Karovic’s Hand at the time, Henrik Bihar. Typically, the Karovic’s Hand would appoint a Palatine in place, though in recent years the Palatine and Karovic’s Hand have been one in the same. Anyone of the Karovic household can technically be Karovic’s Hand- however, traditionally it has been a cousin or of a specific line which receives the position. Royal Family - Karovic National Duma In times of crisis and the lack of a central figure, the Karovic’s Hand may call the Karovic Duma to meet. The Karovic Duma is a body of elders within the Karovic household- the total sum of those claiming male-line descent from Carrion within the borders of Haense. By a vote of majority, the elders of each branch of the Karovic household select who shall be considered the Velkipadreil, or Karovic Patriarch, and assume the title of king. Even in the extremely Hansetian-influenced Haense, the concept of Karovic blood is still maintained strongly amongst the elder nobility- which is almost entirely dominated by Carrion-descended houses. Kingship is, culturally, tied with the concept of being the Karovic Patriarch, and so whoever is the reigning monarch is technically the Lord of Carrion. The voters are typically the recognized patriarchs of respective houses which claim Karovic descent- examples, Kovachev, Ruthern, Sarkozic. Those considered ‘patriarch’ are only so if they are by complete majority recognized by the current standing electors. In some cases, a house that does not have patrilinear Carrion descent can join the electorate in the Duma. This is called a Matedervik Karoveo, or ‘Crow by the Mother’, and is typically restricted to those who have had a line of marriages with the Karovic household. Example of this is Vanir. However, a ‘Crow by the Mother’ cannot wear the Haucvogir feather in their cap during court or during a duma and may not display any Karovic heraldry upon their arms. Royal Family - Haucvogir Pieren 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). --- Sign of Fealty - Kissing the Knee In swearing the oath of fealty to a monarch or lord, it is common practice to ‘Kiss the Knee’, which is the literal pecking of the liege’s right knee. This is typically done following the reciting of an oath, such as an Othamanic Oath, and must be done with both knees on the ground. Before kissing, the words ‘Belei doe [name of liege]’ must be recited. Sign of Fealty - Kissing the Ring In swearing the oath of fealty to a monarch or lord, it is common practice to ‘Kiss the Ring’, which is the literal pecking of the liege’s ring typically worn on their left ring finger. This is typically done following the reciting of an oath, such as an Othamanic Oath, and must be done with both knees on the ground. Before kissing, the words ‘Belei doe [name of liege]’ must be recited. --- The Last Drink of Death Following the funeral ceremony and the cremation of the dead’s body, a solemn feast begins in memory of the fallen kinsman and comrade. At the beginning of the feast, a toast is given to the fallen, called the ‘Last Drink of Death’, to which each pours half the contents of their glass upon the floor. After which, everyone must finish the drink. A prayer is given shortly after, and the feast commences. --- Trials of Ulric Tiberan Published late in the sixteenth century, the Trials of Ulric Tiberan is a collection of children's stories all featuring the title character as protagonist. The stories are commonly used by Haeseni parents and teachers in schooling young children. They commonly feature virtues of loyalty, dedication, and humility. Numerous stock characters are used in the tales, such as the twin crowns ‘Alvin and Darren’, the greedy Sir de Viri, and his squire Enoch. He commonly uses ‘Soulstrung’, a bow and his signature weapon. His most famous story is the ‘Trial of the Dragon’, where he slays the frost wyrm Toruug. Trials of Nikolaus and Rodrik Kortrevich Published late in the eighteenth century, the Trials of Nikolaus and Rodrik Kortrevich is a collection of memoirs written during the squire trials of the youthful Kortrevich cousins. The telling stories delve into great detail about the hardships the pair suffered on their path to Haeseni knighthood. Today they serve as an example of great fortitude the two faced together on their commonly shared path. A total of ten memoirs are written; five from Nikolaus, five from Rodrik. At the end, it is revealed they’ve reached the end of their squire trials and are knighted by King Robert I of Haense. Nikolaus given the moniker, ‘The Strong’ and Rodrik given the moniker, ‘The Loyal’. Later in life, both would ultimately assume the position of Knight Paramount, though the pair would unfortunately take vastly different paths in life. 1 min read V. Religion Canonism The Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and the Haeseni people are devout followers of the Church of the Canon. More information on the Church and the faith of Canonism can be found at St. Henrik’s Basilica, located in the Royal City of Karosgrad. Haeseni Saints Arranged in Alphabetical Order -St. Amyas of Yore -St. Andrik Vyrdra -St. Carolus of Carrenhall -St. Daniel I of Abresi -St. Emma of Woldzmir -St. Godwein of Huntsmill -St. Godwin of Paradisus -St. Henry of Alban -St. James II of Reza -St. Joren of Paradisus -St. Julia of Paradisus -St. Karl of Petrus -St. Kristoff of Hanseti -St. Otto II of Markev -St. Otto of Vanderfell -St. Rudolph of Markev -St. Sixtus IV of Krinford -St. Tara of Paradisus -St. Theodosius of Istiam -St. Tobias of Rosemoor -St. Tobias of Sarkoz -St. Tylos of Kalden -St. Wilfriche of Hanseti Haeseni Pontiffs Arranged in Alphabetical Order -Bl. High Pontiff Everard IV – Josef van Alban -Bl. High Pontiff Owyn II – Jan Othaman van Karlsburg -Bl. High Pontiff Pontian II – Theodoric de Ruyter van Markev -Bl. High Pontiff Siegmund I – Yurii Radovic van Markev -High Pontiff Adrian I – Lothar Sarkoz van Carnatiya -High Pontiff Clement III – Jan Amador van Mondstadt -High Pontiff Everard III – Bernard Baruek van Ayr -High Pontiff Everard V – Tomasz Wick van Markev -High Pontiff Everard VI – Yaromir Nikuldov van Mondstadt -High Pontiff Lucien IV – Jan van Luka -High Pontiff Theodosius I – Gregor Nikovic van Kvasz -High Pontiff Tylos I – Alfred Barclay van Reinmar -St. High Pontiff James II – Godric Virosi van Reza -St. High Pontiff Sixtus IV – Berengar Gotthold van Krinford https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/forum/1431-the-church-of-the-canon/ 4 min read VI. Language & Dialects New Marian [Naumariav] “New Marian first was conjured by the minds of Haeseni scholars amidst the early reign of King Marius I of Haense, sometime between the 1580s to the mid 1590s of the First Era. Haense was in its golden age with countless works produced (ranging across all scholarly and artistic avenues), and with such brought about the majority agreement for a new national language. New Marian was yet to be declared such, however. During the First Regime (c. 1570s), Marian (now considered Old Marian) was the language of the nation as per the decree of King Petyr I, though rarely used and derived heavily from Raev Iliyric. The language itself derived from a variety of linguistics used, particularly Raev Botch and the broken Old Marian. In the late 1500s, the language was in no further stage than the beginnings of grammar and a few phrases. It was not until the reign of King Stefan I that New Marian started to further develop from a broken language. He officially declared it as the national language of the kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska as soon as he say its advancement. A majority of the Haeseni people preferred the use of Raev Botch up until his reforms, which were notably influential in record-keeping and official documentation throughout his successors, from the early 1610s to the mid 1620s. Stephen I was, in his attempt to better the language, assisted by Lord Colborn and Prince Henrik Bihar (later sainted as Saint Henrik). The progression of the New Marian language into daily life trickled into the culture during the reign of Robert I. This did not occur until the height of his reign towards the end, between the 1680s to the beginning years of the 1700s (with his reign ending upon his death in 1707). The language remained stagnant in its role, save for monuments and other locations of import in the city of Old Reza being named with the Haeseni language (e.g. Prikaz = Old Reza’s royal palace). Robert’s long and peaceful reign (besides the Third Atlas Coalition War) allowed for Haeseni scholars and artists to flourish. Although the language had not been a great influence on the common people, New Marian was significantly expanded upon to become a full fleshed-out language by Robert I. The language did not grow further under the war-torn reign of Marius II, or at the beginnings of Andrik III’s years as king as the War of Two Emperors (1715-1721) still havoced the land. The Sigmundic Calendar was introduced at the start of Marius’s kingship, with a slow implementation of it. However, the imperial and common calendars were still favored. Little heed was paid in the direction of the scholars, with money fueling the armies and Haense being in a state of recovery. As Andrik III and the people of Haense arose from a kingdom in shambles, soon came another prosperous time in which the arts and sciences could flourish. His wife, the Carrion consort Queen Milena of Adria implemented New Marian into court-life alongside her Lady Chamberlain, Princess Sofiya Theodosiya, and expanded the language with the renown Haeseni scholar, Otto ‘the Tarcharman’. Words regarding each position in the peerage and government were drafted and published in etiquette documents for the public. The trio that headed all palatial affairs (that being Queen Milena of Adria, and the Princess Sofiya Theodosiya and Princess Mariya Angelika) influenced the usage of ‘Prevja’ and ‘Dravi’ in daily life, and other basic Naumariav terms for those who hadn’t spoke the language fluently during the mid 1720s to the early 1730s. Between those years, translation of the language to New Marian and the common language was taught to a numerous number of scholars and students at the behest of Lord Juliyus Kortrevich. Under the reign of King Andrik IV, public documentation of the Naumariav language was released for people to decipher and study the language itself. His wife, Queen Maya of Muldav, collected studies of the language and worked alongside Otto ‘the Tarcharman’ to release what had been seen little beforehand. Although the entirety of Andrik IV’s short reign was in the continuous and elongated Rubern War, he and his wife’s approach to the arts and education allowed it growth even in the time of war. The language remained utterly prominent in the reign of Sigismund II, with a majority of his royal decrees titled in Naumariav and translated to such. The language’s highest prominence has thus far been in the current day with continuous expansions to its dictionary.” -Irene Sarkozy, ‘A Guide to New Marian’ 30 min read VII. Monarchs Koeng Petyr I - House Barbanov @Eddywilson2 Petyr var Sigmar Barbanov Peter of Siguine Barbanov r. 1578 A.H. - 1582 A.H. | r. 131 E.S. - 135 E.S. (4 years) “The Butcher of Riga, the Founder, the Bold, the Strong Crow” Petyr Barbanov, the founder of the modern State of Haense and its first king, is by far one the most legendary Haeseni figures in its history. Born during the late end of the War of the Ducal Coalition, Petyr was raised in exile following he and kinsmen’s banishment after the Sacking of Brelus. He did not remain outside the Orenian and Haeseni lands for long, however, and in the deal made between Otto Sarkoz and the emperor, Petyr could return. He lived in the rump state of the Duchy of Carnatia, comprising of a sizable chunk of Petyr’s family former holding of the Duchy of Haense. The first mention of him in his own right comes from the Eighteen Years War, where the young Petyr served as cadet under Josef Vladov and later Jan Kovachev, fighting in the famous brigade known as the Carnatian Hussars. After the Peace of Avar, Petyr returned to Carnatia, where partook in the regional politics, known at the time as the tense Northern Question. He was one of the first supporters of Britanus Vanir following his disposition by the rival heartlander Duke of Courland, where he and famous commanders Fiske Vanir, Jan Kovachev, and Rickard Barrow formed the Carnatian League, kickstarting the Riga War. Petyr successfully commanded numerous battles, including the Siege of Kraken’s Watch and the decisive Battle of Curonswald, though he is mostly remembered for his successful Sack of Riga, which formally ended the Riga War and left him in control of most of the highlander hinterlands. Petyr further showed his talent in the later Krajian Rebellion, successfully subduing rebel hetmans under the pretender Sveneld Ivanov by 1576, later being named Lord High Governor of Hanseti and Ruska. In 1578, under intense pressure by himself and his supporters, Petyr was bestowed the titles of King of Hanseti and Ruska, to which he became crowned as later that year. In reference to his family’s traditional title, the realm at first was vernacularly called ‘Haense’. Under his rule, countless cities and forts were created, and the population in Haense soared. His military continued to serve under the larger imperial army, and his forces led multiple victories during the concluding dunlander revolts. Petyr’s technical reign as king only lasted four years, though, and he fell to old age by 1582. By the end of his reign, his kingdom and standing army had reached quadruple the size of their formers, and the first true city- Karlsburg- had been founded. --- Koeng Andrik II - House Barbanov @seannie Andrik Otto var Petyr Barbanov Andrew Otho of Peter Barbanov r. 1582 A.H. - 1586 A.H. | r. 135 E.S. - 139 E.S. (4 years) “The Winter King, the Rash, the Black” As son and later crown prince to his father, Andrik was extremely popular by the Haeseni military and nobility alike. He was known for his charismatic nature yet was prone to rash thinking, and in the fledgling kingdom he was cherished as another titan to succeed his father. In 1582, he was crowned to much fanfare, and the groundwork laid by his father and Palatine Rickard Barrow left Andrik a bountiful realm. Andrik was originally remembered fondly for his work in settling new villages and forts throughout his kingdom, as well as the first highway between hinterlands and the heartlands. He joined the imperial conquest of the orcish peoples, where Andrik as monarch led the vanguard in the famous Siege of San Uruk. Andrik led multiple forced-expulsions of pagans outside his realm, even from his time as crown prince. He commanded multiple army incursions against native territories deep inland and performed numerous successful raids against them and their third-party Avarite supporters. His bold and almost arrogant nature made his movements near impossible to be predicted by his enemies, and he won many conflicts against larger numbers. However, Andrik is most infamously known for his role in the unsuccessful and chaotic Deep Cold Uprising, where he slew the emperor John IV in his court and declared open rebellion. This move was very unpopular with some of his followers, and while half of his lords swore to him (under the leadership of Branimar Vanir), the other half declared Andrik insane. The powerful noble Sergey Kovachev, a staunch imperialist, captured the royal capital of Karlsborg and forced Andrik to abdicate. --- Koeng Marus I - House Barbanov @Piov Marus var Andrik Barbanov Marius of Andrew Barbanov r. 1586 A.H. - 1611 A.H. | r. 139 E.S. - 164 E.S. (25 years) “The Good, the Beautiful, the Exiled, the Young, Defender of the Faith, the Loyal Dog of the Empire” Marius first succeeded to the throne as a babe, following his father’s abdication during the nation-wide scandal of the Deep Cold Uprising. His government was led by his uncle Karl Sigmar, who acted as Palatine and regent, and left the ultimate raising of the infant sovereign to his aunt Juliya. His uncle was unpopular with the restless nobility, and by Marius’ fourteenth nameday, and was quickly crowned king. As monarch, Marius suffered from a divided cabinet, split between the Sergeyists and the Andrivists, and Marius had a difficult to reach bipartisan compromise between the two. Royalist powers were undermined by both factions at the time, and his officials were most of the time picked for nepotistic and political reasons rather than true talent. During this time, Marius did find success in pacifying rebellions following his father’s mess, including the Brawm Rebellion of 1600 and nativist revolts in the extreme northern regions of the kingdom. His policies of land reform struck well with the commoners, however left his nation in economic strain and unable to fully maintain the standing army of his predecessors. Marius was also a patron of the arts and culture, and sponsored numerous artists, including the young Jakob Madonvik. He opened the first theater, the Gilded Duke, and held the first Edmond Manston play outside of the imperial capital. His patronship included many, such as the author Blakton Alvitz, poet Alistair Wailer, and his famous painter aunts, princesses Juliya and Natalia. Karlsborg became a haven of Dumatic and proto-Biharist thinkers, encompassing the larger Sanoist movement sweeping the heartlands at the time. In the heartlands, the Coalition Wars destroyed imperial authority, and thanks to multiple diplomatic blunders, a southern coalition of forces declared war upon the State of Haense. The army under Stefan Bihar attempted to strike first, however, yet most fell at the disastrous Battle of Elba, where in only a few years Marius soon fled to exile and left to the realm in occupation. Marius lived out the rest of his life in exile, continuing to style himself as the King of Hanseti and Ruska. --- Koeng Petyr II - House Barbanov @Pureimp10 Petyr Marc var Marus Barbanov Peter Mark of Marius Barbanov r. 1611 A.H. | r. 164 E.S. (5 months) “Prince of Nothing, the Poxed” Petyr II only ever ruled in exile, succeeding his father Marius for only a short time. Before his death, however, the Greyspine Rebellion had begun, and Petyr was prepared to return and become figurehead of the revolt. He died of the pox, however, only three months after his accession, leaving the throne to his brother. --- Koeng Stefan I - House Barbanov @yopplwasupxxx Stefan Karl var Marus Barbanov Stephen Charles of Marius Barbanov r. 1611 A.H. - 1624 A.H. | r. 164 E.S. - 177 E.S. (13 years) “A Foe to All Humanity, the Green, the Duelist” Unlike his elder brother Petyr, Stefan was not raised to be ruled by his father nor the court, and traditionally was expected to enter the church as his counterpart took the throne in Haense. His brother’s death to the pox thrusted Stefan to kingship, to which he was elected in heated debate during the Duma of 1610. His candidacy was supported mainly by the established nobility, who wished for a weaker monarch to maintain noble autonomy. First few years of his reign was left mainly to the nobility, and Stefan remained mostly in the heartlands in the fortress of Hochspitze. Through a deal with the Prince of Pruvia, he secured the Pruvian Inheritance, which included not only a large sum but control of many of the famous ‘Pruvian Banks’. This and the shrewd work of his advisor and later Palatine Henrik Bihar, a new army was established in direct control of the crown, which made the nobility more prone to compromise. Karlsburg was destroyed in the First Northern War, and without a capital, the royalist war camp during the Greyspine Rebellion soon evolved into the royal city of Alban- the de facto Haeseni capital. Veterans flocked to the restored state, and despite imperial losses in the Santegian Rebellion of 1617, the Haeseni army gained numerous victories, including the Battle of Asaili. In the spring of 1616, his army under command of Alessa Grendock and uncle Prince Otto Henrik beat back several attempts at raids by natives and Avarite mercenaries, fully pacifying them by 1620. Stefan meddled greatly in heartlander affairs, in contrast to the isolationist views of his predecessors, and was the focal point of many conspiracies and plots. He was first revealed in the Mardon Letter of his plans for a coup d’état of the emperor John V, and later his successful uproar in removing the imperial regent Robert of Marna. There were numerous assassination attempts against his life and he fought numerous duels against political opponents, including against the former heartlander archduke Odo d’Amaury, and his most famous showdown against his rival Robert of Marna, who he fatally wounded and killed. Stefan died a young death in 1624 due to genetic Hodgkin’s disease on his mother’s side, passing the throne to his uncle as he died without trueborn heirs. His reign marked the beginning of an era of regrowth for Haense following the disastrous Coalition Wars, which continued well into the reign of Otto III. His seemingly arbitrary political moves left Stefan a vile reputation in the heartland states, to which he gained his famous moniker by Prince Philip, ‘A foe to all Humanity’. --- Koeng Otto I - House Barbanov @Jaigalar Otto Henrik var Andrik Barbanov Otho Henry of Andrew Barbanov r. 1624 A.H. | r. 177 E.S. (1 month) “Hero of Alsaili, the Equestrian, the Elder” Most of Otto’s life was in service to the crown as prince and commandant, fighting in nearly every war since his brother Marius took the throne. The failures of the First Northern War sent Otto reeling, and through most of the period he remained as an outlaw soldier, raiding the occupier’s settlements and supply trains. During the decisive Second Battle of the Rothswald, he commanded the left flank and fought with valor on the field. He and Alessa Grendock commanded the Haeseni cavalry during the numerous imperial wars, such as the Santegian Rebellion, and retained Haeseni forces despite imperial losses. He took the throne after the death of his nephew and ruled a paltry three years. Haense continued its flourish under Stefan and Otto maintained the peace following the transition. His eldest son, also named Otto, would succeed him as monarch. --- Koeng Otto II - House Barbanov @Pureimp10 Otto Georg var Otto Barbanov Otho George of Otho Barbanov r. 1624 A.H. - 1644 A.H. | r. 177 E.S. - 197 E.S. (20 years) “The Prudent, the Quiet Crow, the Younger” Before his rule, Otto George served as a courtier in the restored Haeseni court and worked as a diplomat under the Palatine Henrik Bihar. He was known for his humility and strict adherence to moral doctrine, which clashed greatly with his cousin’s more extravagant court. Otto maintained a close circle of advisors and friends, mostly of ordained clergy, which included the future pontiff Everard IV. In his father’s three years, Otto served as crown prince with dour respect, creating the record-long sixteen-hour hymn for his elevation as heir. Otto ascended to the throne in 1627, and his reign saw Haense continue its economic and cultural boom. He, as a committed Canonist, created many royal hospitals and institutions of faith within Haense, as well as the first irrigation system stretching across the Rothswald and Wickswald. Lavish donations were bestowed upon canonist charities and orders within Haense, and Otto encouraged a theological revival in Haeseni sciences. To pay for much of this, Otto II cut down spending on the armed forces and military. Haense maintained relatively peaceful throughout his reign, except the brief of Vasiland by dwarven forces in 1635, where the army faced a considerable loss when allied with a coalition of fellow imperial vassals and dwed loyalists. In the beginning, Otto’s management of the army led to few blunders, such as the controversial dismissal of commandant Cullen Valrein, though by the end of his promotion of talented military minds such as Berengar Helvetz and Geralt Rauen led to sizable martial influence. Otto also joined the Third Crusade in coalition with the heartlander states, successfully besieging and capturing the pagan capital in the process. Towards his final years, he finally unveiled and started construction upon the planned city of Markev- a new royal capital to replace the cramped and poor-looking Alban. This took considerable fortune, though his strategic placement upon the River Czena allowed for better trade through river travel. He died in nthe city he created and was succeeded by his son Otto Stefan. --- Koeng Otto III - House Barbanov @Jaigalar Otto Stefan var Otto [II] Barbanov Otho Stephen of Otho [II] Barbanov r. 1644 A.H. - 1655 A.H. | r. 197 E.S. - 208 E.S. (10 years) “The Haughty, the Defender, the Builder, of the Czena” With a newly-constructed capital from the previous rule of his father, Otto Stefan’s blooming years as monarch were fruitful. Markev prospered under the diligent administration of the newly-appointed Lord Ruslan Amador, with trade along the River Baltas-Czena, especially with the river-port of Belvitz, making the city one of the wealthiest in humanity. His newly-wed wife Ingrid Sarkoz was popular with the commoners, and since the turmolous beginnings of the Ale Riots in the 1600s, the realm was finally in a state of peace. He reversed funding cuts to royal forces done by his father in a military build-up between themselves and Renatus, putting strain upon the royal treasury. Otto favored the arts and commissioned many public works. He and his Palatine Robert Bihar attempted to modernize the Haeseni nation and reconstruct many of the haphazard sites made following the Greyspine Rebellion. He created the first royal parks and named the black-coat crow the national animal. Universities also continue to flourish, and under Otto especially who gave massive sums to benefit their studies. Arcane arts especially became popular, and under him the first schools of magic were formed. Diplomacy soured between Otto’s government and the heartlander states, such as Renatus and Marna, and in response Haense attempted to form its own coalition under the Czena Confederation. Conflict first broke out in 1653, and in the beginning Haense experienced some success. Under the leadership of commandants Geralt Rauen and Jan Wick, they won strategic victories at both the First and Second Battles of Stallion’s Hill and the Battle of the Dam. Lack of a central leadership within the coalition, however, stopped any progression. Assaults upon Curon, one of the member states, became more frequent, and the ineffective allied troops did little to stop enemy successes. Belvitz, one of Haense’s main export locations and its main importer of grain, was under enemy influence, and soon all trade from the city stopped. The large population of Haense and its lack of consistent farming effort did nothing to help, and by 1654 the city and country were in a national-wide famine. In 1655, the Great Plague broke out, devastating the nation. Otto caught this sickness and died in 1655, along with his heir Otto Josef, leaving the throne to his second son Karl Marus. The final years of Otto’s reign marked the beginning of a string of military defeats by Haense, and its diminished influence in the next few decades. --- Koeng Karl II - House Barbanov @cruzazul Karl Marus var Otto [III] Barbanov Charles Marius of Otho [III] Barbanov r. 1655 A.H. - 1666 A.H. | r. 208 E.S. - 219 E.S. (10 years) “The Stubborn, the Unyielding, the Excommunicated” Karl, unlike his father before him, was handed a nation dying of famine and exhausted from war, with a restless nobility. By 1656, the Czena Confederation officially became defunct, as numerous states either left or were conquered, as in the case of the Principality of Curon in late 1655. Haense and the remaining states reformed into an alliance, which began to include non-human and pagan states, much to the ire of Karl’s nobility. He was unable to reverse the military losses from before, and the allied coalition suffered numerous defeats, most importantly the Storming of Cyrilsborg and Siege of Ruriksgrad in 1662. Karl was able to keep the enemies from fully crossing the Czena River and entering Haense proper, creating many dug-out forts along the river in defense. He commanded much of the military works personally and left control of the city in the hands of his Palatine Franz Bihar. By 1665 the war had reached a stalemate, and Karl remained on the defensive. The city did little recovery, and Franz Bihar maintained his work in suppressing liberal radicals popping throughout the city. Briefly in early 1666, the palace was stormed by peasantry, though beaten off by soldiers under command of Franz. Karl in 1666 died childless, as he never took a wife, and the state entered a succession crisis. --- Koeng Franz II - House Barbanov-Bihar @Birdman Franz Jakob var Henrik Bihar Francis Jacob of Henry Bihar r. 1666 A.H. | r. 219 E.S. (2 months) “The Unfortunate, the Unready” Franz seized control of the government shortly following the death of his cousin, and shortly proclaimed him regent. Only after one month, he fully couped the state and proclaimed himself king before the duma could be called. Franz’s history in the capital and the loyalty of the military stationed there allowed him intense sway over the lords, who begrudgingly agreed to his accession. During his coronation, however, the city was surprise-attacked by a sizable blitzing force, and Franz was captured in the defense. Stating his refusal to bend the knee, he was executed by his captors, and the throne passed to his nephew. --- Koeng Sigmar I - House Barbanov-Bihar @Ark Sigmar Lothar var Robert Bihar Siguine Luther of Robert Bihar r. 1666 A.H. - 1682 A.H. | r. 219 E.S. - 235 E.S. (16 years) “The Short, the Shrewd” Sigmar took the throne following the death of his uncle, to which the duma did not contest. He attempted a policy of appeasement with the heartlanders, and through diplomatic work, lifted the embargo on Haense and allowed grain shipment back into Markev. The city recovered from its recession and the economy went positive once again. With the famine relieved, the population slowly began to recover within the urban cities. His attempts at military conquest, despite his success in diplomacy, was not as graceful. Sigmar received a damaging blow at the Battle of Karl’s Hill, and put ravaging repercussions upon the country. He swore under the Renatus state in 1678 and reformed an imperial state, formally ending all hostilities between the two countries. He allowed a freer reign for the nobility, and much of the land was granted or fell under control of powerful barons. Royal power suffered, and the nobility gained massive influence over the affairs on the government. Sigmar would die in 1681 of a disease for the throne to pass to his son, Robert. --- Koeng Robert I - House Barbanov-Bihar @JuliusAakerlund Robert Lothar var Sigmar Bihar Robert Luther of Siguine Bihar r. 1682 A.H. - 1707 A.H. | r. 235 E.S. - 260 E.S. (25 years) “The Kind, the Passionate, the Peaceful” Robert Lothar Barbanov-Bihar (born 1666) was the son of Sigmar I Bihar and Sophia Chivay. Robert would marry Elizaveta Ruthern who would become his Queen-Consort. Robert’s long reign was mainly defined by the revival of Markev and the reclamation of Crown Authority by the central government. Robert removed the old councilors of his father and made a new council handpicked by him, which returned power to the king from the nobles. He would return the ducal title of Carnatia to the re-emerging House Kovachev and Henrik Kovachev who served in his government. Robert participated in the Third Atlas Coalition War alongside Emperor Aurelius. This war saw the reclamation of the County of Ayr from the Arberrang pagans. Robert returned the lands to Marius Baruch in good faith. The rest of Robert’s reign was quiet and quite peaceful. Robert spent his time hosting feasts and festivals for his people getting to know them, both common and noble alike. For these jovial acts, he received the Moniker “The Kind”. --- Koeng Marus II - House Barbanov-Bihar @Imperium Marus Demitriyus var Robert [I] Bihar Marius Demitrius of Robert [I] Bihar r. 1707 A.H. - 1719 A.H. | r. 260 E.S. - 272 E.S. (12 years) “The Brash, the Weak” Marus Demetrius Barbanov (born 1683) was the son of Robert I Bihar and Elizaveta Ruthern. Marus would marry Klaudia Vanir who would become his Queen-Consort. Marus began his reign in Arcus with a conflict against the Kingdom of Curon. Dimwitted Curonian Vassals could not tell where their land ended and where Haense’s began, which caused them to settle on Haeseni land North of the Haeseni Capital of Reza. King Marus requested a Parley with King Wilhelm, but the dolt ignored his request. King Wilhelm then accused Marus of planning to wage war on Curon using the mercenary group called the Reivers, and thus the matter was then taken up by the Imperial Government and Emperor Antonius. This culminated with the Warwick Resolution which ended the conflict between the pair who were on the brink of war. During Marus’ reign, he also reinstated the Royal Duma as a legislative and Advisory body for the nobility to have an active role in governance and formed the Marian Retinue, the Royal Kingsguard which is still used today. The next issue Marus would encounter was the Adrian Conflict. In 1708, the Duma of Adria nominated King Marus as the new Duke after the abdication of Paul II. Marus now had to look over the city of Ves and the people of Adria, whilst his own people in Reza. Emperor Antonious and the Imperial State hated the people of Adria, and would send their men to harass them daily because they were thought to be harboring criminals and bandits. In 1710, 2 years after becoming the Duke of Adria, Marus was informed of an attack on the Adria and city of Ves by the Imperial Prince Yury and his men. Marus would send a letter to Emperor Atonious demanding a trial for the rogue Prince, which was eventually held in the Imperial Capital of Helena. As the trial came to an end, clearly a kangaroo court and facade put on by the Emperor and his men, the Adrians who were attacked were called up before the Emperor and sentenced to death. Marus, shocked by the display of madness and disregard of law by the Emperor, attempted to intervene which led to a skirmish in the palace. Many were killed and injured, including Marus who took a blow. Marus would then send for peace with the Emperor in hopes of avoiding a civil war, this was accepted by the Emperor, but Adria did not have as much luck. The City of Ves was sacked by the Imperial army led by Prince Yury who set the city ablaze. This is remembered as Marus’ biggest folly, allowing his people to be attacked by a merciless oppressor. For several years after the Yury trial, a period of peace would set on the land. After numerous acts of tyranny conducted by the Emperor and the Empire of Man, an Aeldenic ship would arrive on the coast, harboring Josef of Horen-Marna. He would confront Marus in his throne room, talking of rebellion and a plot to make Josef the new Emperor take hold. This culminated, after many meetings in Nenzing, with the Nenzing Proclamation. Emperor Antonious would dissolve the Empire of Man and two Emperors would be crowned, resulting in the War of Two Emperors. The Marnan forces along with Haense saw a few decisive victories in the beginning, but their luck would run dry at the Siege of Helena. This was the turning point in the War where the Marna forces began to collapse on themselves. Soon, the only foe left standing to the young Emperor Godfrey II was the Kingdom of Haense and King Marus. In 1719 still in the midst of war, the tired King Marus, who was stressed from war, was assassinated by a disgruntled Hekor Barrow in the Prikaz Palace. The assassin would later be killed by Prince Otto And Godfric Alimar. While Tumultuous, King Marus’ reign can be looked back on fondly. During this time, the people of Haense were united in their pride for their nation, and united against the Tyranny of the Empire and their allies. While Ves and Curon turned their backs on the cause like the cowards they were, Marus and the people of Haense fought back against all odds. --- Koeng Andrik III - House Barbanov-Bihar @Emenzi Andrik Lothar var Marius [II] Bihar Andrew Luther of Marius [II] Bihar r. 1719 A.H. - 1746 A.H. | r. 272 E.S. - 299 E.S. (27 years) “The Unyielding, The Resolute” Andrik Lothar Barbanov-Bihar (born 1710) was the son of Marus II Bihar and Klaudia Vanir. Andrik would go on to Marry Milena Carrion who would become his Queen-Consort. Andrik’s reign was marked by unending wars and the collapses of human institutions around Haense. Andrik inherited the War of Two Emperors from his father, and after a few years of hard war he would make a deal with Emperor Godfrey II to vassalize under his newly formed Holy Orenian Empire, and in return he preserved his kingdom. However, peace would not last as the Three Months War, the Lorraine Revolt, and the Rubern War would soon follow. This time is referred to as The Troubles, during which Andrik would originally back Adrian Sarkozic after the fall of the Empire and the disappearance of Godfrey II and his successor. This backing did not last however, as soon he would turn his support to Alexander de Joannes who subsequently would become Alexander II, Emperor of the Holy Orenian Empire. Andrik gained his moniker “The Unyielding” for his staunch resistance to unstable imperial influence in the Haeseni affair. Andrik III is the longest reigning King in Haeseni History, and oversaw the most prosperous time, the Golden Age of Haense. Andrik was beloved by his people, common and noble alike, for his resistance to imperial centralization and his jovial attitude. He promoted the noble class and gave them responsibility within the government, while also lifting up the peasantry and offering them a better life through service to the Crown. This was, in a sense, a Renaissance time in internal Haense, as many statesmen, authors, and playwrights came out to reinvigorate Haeseni culture. As the world crumbled around the Kingdom, Haense had a sense of security and peace. Even through the Wars, Andrik gave the people a secure stable Government and Leadership to look up to. In 1746, Andrik would be wounded in a hunting accident. He would die in the days to come. --- Koeng Andrik IV - House Barbanov-Bihar @AndrewTech Andrik Petyr var Andrik [III] Bihar Andrew Peter of Andrew [III] Bihar r. 1746 A.H. - 1753 A.H. | r. 299 E.S. - 306 E.S. (7 years) “The Preserver” Andrik Petyr Barbanov-Bihar (born 1729) was the son of Andrik III Bihar and Milena Carrion. He would later go on to marry his cousin Maya Barbanov-Alimar who would become his Queen-Consort. Andrik’s reign was rather short compared to his fathers, and spent most of his time focusing on the Rubern War and the internal toil between the Feudalists and Centralists. The Rubern War was in gridlock, as neither the morsgradi coalition or the Empire could get the upper hand. During this time, Lord Palatine Markus Kortrevich stoked the embers of infighting, apparently attempting to silence the Feudalist Ideas by using the Rubern War to halt Duma entirely, unbeknownst to the Lord Speaker Sigmar Baruch. Andrik tried to mend the bridges burnt by his Palatine by elevating Sigmar Baruch to a Duchy and Erwin Barclay to a County, while also elevating Markus Kortrevich to a Margrave. Andrik also oversaw great success in the military through his reforms. In 1753, Andrik IV would die after being wounded fatally during a rescue mission to save his wife, Queen Maya, from a group of ruffians. --- Koeng Sigismund II - House Barbanov-Bihar @seannie Otto Sigismund var Andrik [IV] Bihar Otho Sigmund of Andrew [IV] Bihar r. 1753 A.H. - 1776 A.H. | r. 306 E.S. - 329 E.S. (23 years) “The Soldier” Otto Sigismund Barbanov-Bihar (born 1748) was the son of Andrik IV Bihar and Maya Alimar. He would go on to marry Viktoria Ruthern who would later become his Queen-Consort. Sigismund spent half of his reign under the Regency of Tiberius Barrow until his death, then Prince Otto Sigmar Alimar. During the later half of his Regency under Prince Otto, the Feudalist nobility made a coalition, called the Valwyck Pact, to check the power and remind the heavily centralist Prince Otto that he was only the Head of State until Sigismund came of age. Prince Otto and the leader of the Valwyck Pact, Duke Petyr Baruch, came to an agreement called the Valwyck Compromise that alleviated fears from both sides as it ensured the rights of nobility and promised not to strip nobility without proper cause, and in turn the nobility would support the regent completely. Sigismund spent most of his reign fending off the Scyfling Invasion under Bralt the Boar, though he would ultimately die before ending the invasion. During his reign, Sigismund and his now Lord Palatine Petyr Baruch would see the end of the Rubern war, gaining back the old Alimar territories, but readmitting this land became an issue as the Imperial and Haeseni authorities argued over who had the jurisdiction of the regained land. Tensions were constantly high, and rising, with the Imperial Government as Sigismund, Petyr Baruch, and the Lord Lieutenant Nikolas Barbanov worked to find compromises with the aggressively centralized Imperial Government. Concessions were made to improve stability, including agreeing to a single peerage system which would be a main issue in the years to come. This issue greatly outraged the boisterous Sigismund, who often would make inflammatory statements that were borderline seditious about the Imperial Government. After the outbreak of the Sutican War, where Sigismund was not informed prior by the Imperial government and Emperor Peter III, Sigismund wished to remain neutral, while rumors circulated of rebellion against the tyranny of the terrible Emperor. However, his council refused to allow this to happen, seeing the needs of Haense over personal grudges, unlike Sigismund, which caused Sigismund to eventually end his life. While his love for his people was great and blinding, his brashness and irrationality compared to that of Marus II and, without his counsel, may have bogged down Haense in a futile war for decades to come. --- Koeng Josef I - House Barbanov-Bihar @CaptainHaense Josef Sigismund var Sigismund [II] Bihar Joseph Sigmund of Sigmund [II] Bihar r. 1776 A.H. - 1806 A.H. | r. 329 E.S. - 359 E.S. (30 years) “The Temperate, the Liberator” Josef Sigismund Barbanov-Bihar (born 1769) is the son of Sigismund II Bihar and Viktoria Ruthern. Josef is married to Isabel Baruch who is now his Queen-Consort. Josef is the second child king in a row, ascending to the throne at age 7. Josef’s Regent was appointed by Petyr Baruch, Konstantin Wick served as his Regent and Lord Palatine after the stepping down of Petyr Baruch from the position. After his father’s death, there was a sense of division among the people. Some wished to fight against the Empire, others wished to stay for the greater good. Josef’s first task was to amend the division between the people, which was done after the Pontiff James II demanded Emperor Peter III end the war against Sutica. The next task Josef and his government would face was against the Scyfings. During the first years of his Kingship he would beat the Scyfling horde and end the Scyfling War. Peace did not last long however, as now the Inferi waged war across Arcas. Josef would take up the sword and shield of his father, and the father’s before him as he led the resistance against the Imperial Government’s fight for centralization and strippng of Autonomy from Haense. On the 11th of Amber Cold, 1786, Empress Anne I granted Haense it’s freedom after a brief meeting in the Novellen with King Josef, expelling them from the Empire. For months after, celebrations ran rampant through the streets and praise was given to Josef and his Government for gaining independence from the Empire. Josef then quickly and efficiently set up a self-sustaining government for an independent Haense. --- Koeng Henrik II - House Barbanov-Bihar @Rudi Henrik Karl var Josef [I] Bihar Henry Charles of Joseph [I] Bihar r. 1806 A.H. - 1837 A.H. | r. 359 E.S. - 390 E.S. (31 years) “The Austere, the Undaunting” Biography in Progress. --- Koeng Sigmund III - House Barbanov-Bihar @Xarkly Sigmund Karl var Henrik [II] Bihar Sigismund Charles of Henry [II] Bihar r. 1837 A.H. - Present | r. 390 E.S. - Present (Incumbent) Current Incumbent. 55 min read VIII. Notable Individuals (( Do you think your character should be on this list? If so, go fill out this quick form! )) https://forms.gle/ndbA7RhQy9xXP7tL6 (( Is there something you want changed? Message me on Discord at Dale#4231, I'll sort things out for you!)) Arranged in Alphabetical Order JOSEF VAN ALBAN Josef Baldemar - H.P. Everard IV | Piov | @Piov Josef began his career as a peasant parishioner in the poor Alban diocese, and eventually rose to the seat as Vicar of God. Through his extensive charity work and preaching in the wooden capital of Alban, Josef created a powerful network of allies and contacts within the secular world and the papal court. When he eventually rose the seat of the pontificate, he brought peace following the Adelburg Coup, and re-established a position of clerical authority throughout the land. Following his death, he was canonized in the Church of the Canon as High Pontiff Saint Everardus Quartus. --- SWITHUN VAN ALDOR Swithun Aldor | NovumChase | @NovumChase Swithun the Scribe, a moniker bestowed to him after becoming recognized as one of the finest writers in humanity during his lifetime. A humble man who bore no surname, though later assumed Aldor for official affairs. He began his life within the military, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Later though, he served as a regency councilor for King Sigmar I. Despite how beloved he was, he was banished from Markev for a short period of time by Queen Elizaveta of Vidaus. Throughout the entirety of his life, he served the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska for fifty-two years, thirty-six of those years as the second High Justiciar of Haense. He lived well into his nineties, and is regarded as one of the finest writers humanity has ever seen. --- GEORG VAR EDVARD ALIMAR Georg Stanimar Alimar | Piov | @Piov Born as one of the well known Alimar triplets, son of Margrave Edward and Margravine Irena. At an early age, he was brought into the limelight as he served as the second Lord Speaker of Haense. Under his speakership, the power of the Royal Duma was solidified as a central institution in the royal government. Following his eight-year stint as Speaker, he found himself elevated to the second-highest position within the Royal government, Palatine. Through his efforts, his government led the Kingdom in the disastrous final stages of the War of Two Emperors. Unfortunately, before the war’s end, he and his brother were captured and executed by Renatian dragon knights. Regarded as one of the many titans of state during this era of Haense, died at age thirty-seven. --- JOSEF VAR EDVARD ALIMAR Josef Eimar Alimar | Julius55 | @JuliusAakerlund Josef Eimar was the first Grand Prince of Muldav who co-founded the first Barbanov cadet branch, Alimar. He and his wife Aleksandra led the house through its nascence. The co-founder of the Barbanov cadet branch was a simple man who simply served as an aulic advisor to King Marius II. Other than that, his life was one of little controversy. He would die of unknown heart complications before his thirty-ninth birthday. As a result, the House was inherited by his eldest, Kazimar. --- OTTO VAR EDVARD ALIMAR Otto Sigmar Alimar | Pureimp10 | @Pureimp10 Following the death of his nephew Kazimar, he was named as the third Grand Prince of Muldav. As the war concluded, he served as Solicitor-General of Oren before resigning in 1731. Upon his return, Baron Otto Kortrevich resigned as Lord Marshal, which found himself in a position to fill the vacancy. Quickly, the Brotherhood’s soldiery grew under the reforms finished by Otto Alimar. He would be succeeded by Baron Wilheim Barclay. With the death of King Andrik IV, Otto was summoned as Lord Regent which prompted much controversy; notably the Valwyck Pact which protested the appointment as nepotistic. Despite such tribulations, Otto kept the Kingdom in safe hands for King Sigmund II to inherit. Following Sigmund II’s ascent to the royal throne, Otto served as Palatine for a measly two years. Upon reaching his seventies, his deteriorating health became more apparent and in 1764 he would pass at age seventy-four. He is remembered as a vocal proponent of Haeseni autonomy, a position which earned him the moniker, ‘the Muldav Menace’. A term often used by opponents of Imperial centralization. --- WINNIFRED VAR GODFRIC ALIMAR Winnifred Alimar-Kortrevich | TheIchorDruid | @TheIchorDruid Winnifred, legitimized daughter of Godfric Alimar. She would later in life marry Palatine Markus Kortrevich and be knighted as a Dame of the Order of the Crow. It is known that she fell terminally ill at a young age. She was survived by her two sons, Valtakossar Sir Viktor Kortrevich and linguist Juliyus Kortrevich. --- PETYR VAN ALRICZAN Petyr Barrow | _Gridlock | @Gridlock Another veteran of the Black Company, Petyr served under Palatine Henrik as a personal guard, where he performed numerous acts in service of the crown. He is most famous for being the suspected assassin of the unpopular consort Elizabeth of Courland, as well as being participant and leader of the Three Hand Plot, a conspiracy to assassinate King Stefan. --- BLAKTON VAR GREGOR ALVITZ Blaxton Alwyn | MarquisAlex | @MarquisAlex Blaxton emerged as a knight under the Amador family, operating as a successful bureaucrat and diplomat in their court. He owned multiple companies in the lands of Haense, Mardon, and Pruvia, and began a tradition of warm relations between Pruvia and his home. His works of Memoirs of Alwyn Blaxton has made him of critical historical importance, chronicling a period of lessened literary creation. --- JACK VAR JOREN AMADOR Jack Amador | jackmonkey76 | @jackbren Jack Amador, was a natural born leader among merchants. He is known for his extensive knowledge in trading and the establishments of guilds. Jack and his band of bannerman established themselves as successful merchants and it was because of this House Amador was bestowed the County title of Mondstadt. Through his life, the once nascent house of Amador, rose through the noble peerage to a Duchy as they integrated with the common-born house of Soulblade. --- JAN VAR ODRIN AMADOR Jack Amador - H.P. Clement III | bromadan | @bromadan Successor to Everard IV and of Haeseni stock, Jack was known for his humility and piety, yet clear bias towards the Kingdom of Haense. He wrote numerous papers upon different Haeseni saints, collected in the book ‘Yekilonsant’. --- RUSLAN VAR MYLANDER AMADOR Rusland I Amador | moosehunter123 | @moosehunter123 Born as the eldest son of Mylander Amador. The first Baron of Mondstadt was a prominent figurehead underneath Duke Petyr I. Ruslan was remarked as one of the most capable field commanders during the Riga War; his prowess would combat similarly to the likes of Fiske Vanir, Jan Kovachev and Rickard Barrow. While proving himself as a successful commander, historians regard him as one of the many Haeseni loyalists who helped assist with the formation of the new kingdom. --- RUSLAN VAR ODRIN AMADOR Rusland Amador | Xarkly | @Xarkly Descended from the Amador banking clan, Ruslan continued the family tradition and maintained once again the Royal Amador Bank- the chief banking authority within the Kingdom of Haense. Ruslan was elevated to Steward and Auditor during the reign of Otto III, where he oversaw the construction of the planned capital of Markev. He maintained his grip upon the national reserves for all his life, serving till the death of Karl II. For his risky yet successful business choices, his peers called him ‘Ruslan the Ready’. --- JAKOB VAR STEFAN BARBANOV Jakob Ludovar | Doggedwasupxxx | @Dogged Jakob Ludovar, was the illegitimate son of King Stefan I. Though was later legitimized by his father and granted the Principality title of Markev to create the first cadex branch of House Barbanov with the name Ludovar. He is often remembered for his work in stewardship within the city of Alban and later Markev. --- JULIYA VAS PETYR BARBANOV Julia Barbanov | frankdh | @frankdh If there was one-person King Marius always listened to, it was his aunt Julia, who maintained a strong influence over his life. She, along with her good sister Reza, maintained the royal court during the regency and continued to do so well into the reign of her nephew. Julia also painted numerous canvas[es] and scenes, which are displayed in the Royal Haeseni Guild of Art. --- KARL VAR ALEKSANDER BARBANOV Karl Barbanov | arkantos1279 | @Ark Born to the Rovin-scion Princess Annabelle and the Carrion Emperor Alexander, his early life moved him across Oren during the infamous Schism Wars. His mother abducted Karl and his sister when the war began, and during transit was stopped by Otto Heinzreich, who took the children for himself. He raised and named Karl, choosing him to succeed as the Grand Duke of Vanderfell- and later, the Duke of Haense. He also spent much of his childhood with the High Pontiff Daniel I and Emma Vladov, the warrior-female, and garnered huge support from Duchies of Adria and Akovia, both led by former loyalists to his father. Karl led multiple raids against dwed fortifications during the Third Human-Dwarf War, capturing fortifications such as Polaris and Hiebenhall, the latter of which he made his capital and renamed as Siegrad. His accession to the ducal coronet came with much fanfare, and he tightened his grip upon the Hansetian hinterlands, as well as forcing mass conversion upon the native tribes. When he died following the Great Worm Assault upon Siegrad, Haense had become one of the leading powers in Oren at the time. Following his death, he was canonized in the Church of the Canon as Saint Carolus of Haense. --- KARL VAR PETYR BARBANOV Karl Sigmar Barbanov | birdnerdy | @Birdman Karl Sigmar became his eldest brother’s Palatine following the latter’s coronation, and he continued his predecessor Rickard’s policies of colonial expansion and centralization. However, when King Andrik II rebelled shortly from Oren and later was forcefully abdicated, Karl was placed as regent for the babe King Marius. In the shambles Karl attempted to rebuild, though the now restless nobility splintered, and Karl became vilified. The nobility pushed hard against his attempts at a centralized army, and when Marius finally came of age, Karl Sigmar left his office in shame. Despite the unpopularity of his attempted policies, they would be continued by his successors in the string of Bihar Palatines, and his ideological thought became the basis for his son’s Biharism during the reign of King Stefan and the Ottovars. --- SIGMAR VAR KARL BARBANOV Siguine Barbanov | arkantos1279 | @Ark At the age of fourteen, Siguine was elected as Duke of Adria amid the War of the Ducal Coalition, succeeding Hugo the Headless following his assassination. Though chosen by the lords, he held little authority, and when he left to fight the Savoyards at the Blackwald his army was disorganized and unruly. He was defeated badly in the marshes and retreated to the fortress of Woldzimir where he attempted to push back Oren by a siege defense. He failed, however, and he fled following Woldzimir’s fall. --- SIGMAR VAR OTTO BARBANOV Siguine Otto Barbanov | Rudical | @Rudi The second son of Otto II, Siegmar studied in the burgeoning arcane arts, under the tutelage of the master magi Coltaine the Elder. He wrote numerous papers on his studies, mostly over the art of golemancy, and perfected the method of creation known as ‘Sigmarization’. Siegmar also had a penchant for painting, and created numerous portraits of the royal family and the Karovic household, now maintained by the Royal Haeseni Guild of Art. --- STEFAN VAR KARL BARBANOV-BIHAR Stefan Aleksandr Bihar | cruzazul | @cruzazul Stefan came ahead as the leader of the Royalists following the pseudo-exile of his father, effectively leading a coalition with the Sergeyists. He was the greatest advocate for first action against Courland, and maintained a heated rivalry with Lord Branimar, serving [as] Grand Commandant at the time. Stefan was killed at the Battle of Elba, creating an unavoidable power vacuum in the royal court. --- TATIANA VAS PETYR BARBANOV-BIHAR Tatiana Barbanov | Starryywoo | @Stump Tatiana had married Branimar, one of her brother’s chiefest supporter[s], and it was to her which kept the remnants of the Andrivist party in line with the crown. Later in life, she remarried to the elder Lord Viktor, sparking [a] short controversy. She was known for her stitching and drawings, with many of her works displayed in the Royal Haeseni Guild of Art. --- ERWIN VAR WILHEIM BARCLAY Erwin Barclay | StillAMiniguy | @Miniguy15736 The first Duke of Reinmar and fourteenth Lord Marshal of Haense was a staple military figure during the Rubern War and the Scyfling Invasion. As the successor to his father, he served as Lord Commander of the Haeseni Crown for an astonishing thirty-one years. Throughout his tenure, he established the third Order of the Haeseni Royal Army, significantly grew the Haeseni soldiery thricefold from his predecessor and spearheaded the development of military training toward a national cultural standard for Haeseni militarism and Biharism. Erwin led during one of the deadliest conflicts in Haeseni history, in 1769, he was inducted into the Order of Queen Maya and the Lily as a Hauchkossar for his services to his country by King Sigmund II. The second Barclay patriarch is recognized as one of the most consequential figures on the life of Haeseni military and culture. His moniker being the ‘Northern Fox’. --- MANFRED VAR ERWIN BARCLAY Manfred Barclay | coolcod77 | @Coolcod77 The second Duke of Reinmar and fifteenth Lord Marshal of Haense was a capable Haeseni commander as his tenure as Marshal marked Haense’s breach into independence and into the Inferi Invasion. Throughout his long life, Manfred would be distinguished by the honor of being inducted into the Order of Queen Maya and the Lily to the ranking of Valtakossar. --- WILHEIM VAR LUDWIG BARCLAY Wilheim Barclay | MadOne2k | @MadOne Wilheim Barclay, the founder of House Barclay was the thirteenth Lord Marshal of Haense under the reign of King Andrik III. He served during the institution of the second iteration of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl. His tenure as Lord Commander of the Crown was marked as an important continuation of the Haeseni martial sector throughout both The Three-Month War and The Troubles. Later in his career, he engaged in frequent clashes with the Aulic Government. Lord Barclay grew unfavorably with the Crown, and after disagreeing toward military reforms promulgated by Lord Markus Kortrevich’s Palatinial Government --- ISABEL VAS PETYR BARUCH Isabel Baruch | 101juliana101 | @Juli The fourteenth Queen-Consort of Haense, and the first hailing from House Baruch, Isabel of Valwyck remains the foundation for a modern Queen of the Kingdom, unlike her predecessor, her time was devoted to expanding and developing the Queen’s Council, something which she continued to do after the death of her husband. Throughout her time as Queen-Consort, Isabel was known for her loyalty to her husband, defending his honor at every turn. She carried herself with immense brazen dignity, blatantly addressing commoners, courtiers, and nobility alike for their wrongdoings and faults. Nevertheless, she is fondly remembered by most, if not all, and her frequent hosting of merriments such as banquets, balls, masquerades, and the like, earned her the nickname “the Dancing Queen.” --- MATYAS VAR PETYR BARUCH Matyas Baruch | importanthippo | @hippo Matyas Baruch, the fourth Duke of Valwyck and eighth High Justiciar of Haense, presents an unlikely rise to power. He was presumed dead at the age of four, after being captured by Scyfling’s during the Siege of Valwyck, and was first reunited with his family once he reached the age of twelve. His father’s second son, he ascended to become Duke of Valwyck when his elder brother was forced to abdicate by the family, as his early reign had been marked by shortcomings and failures. During his reign, he put great effort into publishing works on the Ayrian culture. His tenure as High Justiciar was marked by the ‘war on drugs’ as usage of illegal substances had reached a peak. Unable to cope with the tragedy of his youth, Matyas always had a barbaric streak to him, and as time passed began to suffer from streaks of madness, and he was ultimately assassinated by feared terrorist known only as “Matthew.” Even after his death, his upbringing by Scyflings haunts him still, and he is monikered “the Scyfling.” --- OTTO VAR EIRIK BARUCH Otto Marius Baruch | KIIWIKILLA | @KIIWIKILLA Baruch in the Kingdom of Haense up to the Coalition Wars was of middling influence, owning poor estates scattered upon the Shattered Coast. Following Haense’s defeat, Baruch remained from the exodus of higher nobility, and retained their fortresses following occupation. It was thanks to Otto Marius, the Count of Ayr, who first brought together many of the minor Haeseni lordlings into rebellion, leading by example during the Standoff at Ayr. --- PETYR VAR SIGMAR BARUCH Petyr Baruch | CaptainHaense | @CaptainHaense The second Duke of Valwyck and the twenty-sixth Lord Palatine of Haense, Petyr is often remembered for his controversial and troubled family relations, despite his efforts for both Duchy and Kingdom, seeing the peak of the Scyfling War during his time. He rose to prominence with the Valwyck Pact, a pact that encompassed most of the Haeseni nobility in opposition to the alleged tyranny of Otto Sigmar’s regency. The pact eventually led to the Valwyck Compromise between the two sides, and Petyr was appointed as Palatine-Aspirant. He reformed great parts of the Aulic Council, changing it into a much more bureaucratic system than what it had been previously. He was also granted the Coronet of St. Otto by King Sigismund II, which the King had retrieved from Athera. Due to fits of madness, he abdicated shortly before his death, where he was accidentally killed in retaliation by his son. Depending on who you ask, he is either monikered “the Great” or “the Beater.” --- RUSLAN VAR MATYAS BARUCH Ruslan Baruch | Sarmadon | @Sarmadonn The unlikely successor to his father, Ruslan Baruch was the fifth Duke of Valwyck and eleventh Lord Speaker of Haense. A prodigal warrior, Ruslan seemed destined for a career within the military, but upon inheriting the Duchy from his father, he shifted his efforts to politics. He was elected Lord Handler of the Duma for three consecutives terms, and so it only made sense that upon the assassintion of his predecessor, that he would succeed him to the position. His tenure as Lord Speaker was marked by the work of the Voron Committee, particularly the Voron Edict, which brought many reforms to the Royal Duma. Ruslan would develop lung cancer towards the end of his reign, eventually causing his death after some years. He is monikered “the Sword of God”, for having defeated a man possessed by Iblees, though others refer to him as “the Unlikely,” as he was the third son of a second son. --- SIGMAR VAR JAN BARUCH Sigmar Baruch | DrewDOOD | @Drew2_dude Initially the Count of Ayr, Sigmar Baruch would go on to be awarded the Duchy of Valwyck by Andrik IV, as well as serving as the fifth Lord Speaker of Haense. His father was a traitor during the War of the Two Emperors, and he became Count at a young age. His life thereafter was marked by service to the Crown in an array of positions. He was one of the pioneers of the Feudalist manifesto, a father of the feudalist ideology that was created to counter the centralism of his period. He was then appointed Lord Speaker of the Royal Duma, a tenure which lasted twenty years, the longest yet. It was also during this period that he was awarded the Duchy of Valwyck, originally called Relavia, though changed upon his request. He would abdicate his titles upon his retirement as Lord Speaker, though went on to become one of the founders of the Aulic Court, becoming the first Jovenaar in Haeseni history, co-writing the Canons of Conduct, and publishing his legal philosophy of originalism. Remember for his variety of service to the Crown, and being a man of duty above all, he is monikered “the Dutiful.” --- HENRIK VAR KARL BIHAR Heinrik Otto Bihar | Flooptroop | @floop Following Haense’s restoration, Heinrik became the new leader of the Royalist faction and took up the mantle as Palatine like his kin before him. Through clever tactics and pacification of a now weakened nobility, Henrik accomplished what his father failed. Henrik’s policies and ideology became known as the chief thought of Biharism- doctrine agrarianism with strong crown authority. He worked efficiently as both a diplomat and a steward and reinvigorated a stagnating Haeseni bureaucracy. Through his tireless work, Alban rebuilt itself from a war camp to a capital, and his plans and designs for Alban were later carried on by the later authorities constructing the later capital of Markev. In his career he stopped many decadent procedures in the Haeseni court, and so he [was] commonly referred to as ‘Henrik the Humble’. Following his death, he was canonized by the Church of the Canon as Saint Henricus of Haense. --- LAURITZ VAR KRISTIAN KALDEN Lauritz Christiansen | gusanoarentonio | @Gusano The seventh High Justiciar of Haense, recognised to be one of the most successful to hold the position, was originally an Orenian immigrant. His career started in the Empire, serving as the Imperial Senator of Helena, and succeeding Terrence May as President of the Senate. Additionally, he served twice as an Imperial Circuit Judge, and also worked as a private attorney, founding the firm Christiansen-Wick Solicitors with Konstantin Wick. At the off-set of the Scyfling War, he volunteered himself to fight alongside the military, and was present throughout much of the war, losing his left eye. After the war, he returned to Helena, retiring after eleven years. After his retirement, he had sought to live a quiet life, moving to the Haeseni countryside. However, he was immediately called upon by Josef I to serve as his High Justiciar. He penned the Haurul Caezk alongside Wilhelm Vyronov and Konstantin Wick. He also dedicated himself to teaching the lawyers of the future as a Dragus of Haense. Following twenty years as High Justiciar, he retired to a cabin in Valwyck. He had managed to halve crime rates, and his introduction of new institutions had secured the stability of law for the foreseeable future. --- ARIK VAR CARR COLBORN Eirik Colborn | julius55 | @JuliusAakerlund One of the successors to Carr’s fortune, Eirik Colborn continued his father’s legacy within the mercantile businesses. He founded the colony of Metterden in Erochland following the Peace of Avar and organized a rapid colonization of the Eroch River Valley. Eirik later served under Petyr Barbanov during the Riga War, helping rebuild much of the lost infrastructure after the Anarchy. For his wealth, he was known as ‘Eirik the Rich’. --- CARR VAR JULIYUS COLBORN Carr Colborn | julius55 | @JuliusAakerlund Carr entered the service of Karl early in his career and became one of Karl’s most loyal lieutenants. His claim to fame comes from his extensive work upon fledging Haense’ infrastructure and economy. He created numerous highways to cut through the hinterlands and expanded the weak mining industry to produce on par with their southern neighbors. The fortune he amassed became notorious throughout the realm, and he was one of the richest, and for a time the richest, peers of Oren, owning a fat monopoly upon Haeseni trade and goods. He was also a known amateur historian, and chronicled numerous novels covering his family’s history and the history of the highlander peoples. Following his death, he left much of his wealth to the state, and his funds later maintained Haense from total financial disaster during the end of the War of the Ducal Coalition. When a sum of his vault came missing, it created a craze throughout the hinterlands, with numerous treasure-seekers, or Geltisaar, settling throughout Carr’s former trading posts, hoping to find the hidden gold upon his former estates. --- KAZZIAN VAR CEDRICK COLBORN Cassian Colborn | Lukariatias | @Lukariatias Cassian was regarded as a close confidant of King Marus I which resulted in his designation to such position. For the four years that Kassian was High Seneschal, he penned the Royal City of St. Karlsburg’s first ever infrastructure ledger and penned the first ever documentation of the Kingdom’s lands and holdings. --- MATYAS VAR ELIAS COLBORN Matthew Colborn | Julius55 | @JuliusAakerlund Matyas Colborn was a Haeseni nobleman who served as Lord Palatine for ten years underneath King Sigmar I. Matyas’ tenure came to coincide with the end of the Czena Crisis and Haense’s capitulation to the heartlander estates after the disastrous Sigmar’s War and the Battle of Karl’s Hill. A bureaucrat and writer by education, Matyas restored much of the damage caused by the king’s expansionist wars and costly treaties, restoring much of the treasury drained by decades of border wars and skirmishes. Matyas’ greatest achievement and legacy, however, was his first inroads in diplomacy with non-human states, who at the time had very little to no interaction with the dominant human realm of Haense. He retired as a historian and author, though remained active somewhat in Duma life till his death. --- OSGOD VAR JESPER COLBORN Osgod Colborn | birdnerdy | @Birdman Osgod Colborn served Haense since the beginnings of the Riga War, and continued to serve well into the years of King Marius. He held commands during the Krajian Rebellion and was one of the Royalist most veteran soldiers at the time. --- SIEGMUND VAN CORBISH Siegmund Corbish | nathanbarnett36 | @Nathan_Barnett36 A man loved by few and hated by many. Corbish is among one of the most controversial figures in Haeseni history. Siegmund Corbish was a military man through and through, by historians he is remembered as a man who fought in more battles, skirmishes and conflicts than can even be counted. As he progressed through his life, he’d serve the Kingdom in a different way; as High Seneschal, twice. From 1690-1701 and 1713-1732, Corbish served as the seventh and tenth High Seneschal of Haense. Throughout his combined thirty-years as Seneschal, he successfully managed the Kingdom’s interior affairs by establishing libraries, affordable housing and retirement homes. Towards the end of his life, he’d be put on trial for treason and later executed. --- BROG VAN DHOON Brog Dhoon | SeussAlmighty | @Seuss Define someone who is loved by all. Brog Dhoon was the epitome of a man loved by all. From the day he stepped foot in Haense, he’d served his country in a variety of ways, which would distinguish himself as one of the most loyal subjects the Kingdom has ever seen. Beginning in the military, delving into the political sphere as Grand Maer, being appointed as High Seneschal and later serving as an Aulic advisor for King Robert I, Marus II and Andrik III. --- ITHILIAN VAN ENTHELOR Ithilian Enthelor| Juststan147 | @Juststan147 As loyal a subject as they come. Ithilian Enthelor first started out as an enlisted soldier within the Brotherhood of Saint Karl which was then under the command of Marshal Geralt Rauen. By historians, it is noted that he was a close confidant of King Robert I. Consequently, under King Robert I, he would be appointed as the first Aulic Envoy of Haense and helped maintain peace between Renatus, Norland and Krugmar. Many of his diplomatic works continue to be studied by aspiring Haeseni diplomatic scholars in the Royal Academy of Saint Charles. --- DIEDRIK VAN FLOTZAM Diedrik Barrow | Knox213 | @Knox A former burgher, he rose through the bureaucratic ranks of the royal state by sheer cunning, becoming one of the leading officials in Marius’ court. Diedrik maintained an underground smuggling syndicate during his tenure as Auditor, using his position to repossess noble land to return to crown control or his personal management. When his assassination of a heartlander prince came to light however, Diedrik was forced to resign and later executed. --- KRISTOFF VAR SALDEMAR STAFYR I GRAUSPIN Kristoff Stafyr | bickando | @bickando Kristoff was a minor lordling of middling estates of the ancient lineage of Stafyr, and served under the governments of Palatines Henrik Bihar and Josef van Alban in the position of ambassador and later emissary. He wrote numerous political treatises on diplomacy and state affairs, his most famous being Vayrkilar, detailing philosophically the concept of 'fair exchange' or 'geltostrin' and his controversial criticism of the imperial economy of the time. --- ALESSA VAS ELIZAVETA GRENDOK Alessa Grendock | Eagles Though history is not alien to warrior-women, Alessa emerged not only as a successful fight but also commander, leading successfully time and time again in the heat of battle. For her service, she was raised as a Baroness and Lady Peer, though continued her command of the Haeseni cavalry contingent for decades. The tallest mountain in the Yahtl Wastes, Mount Grendock, is named in her honor. --- DOMINIC VAR ELIAS GRIMM Dominic Grimm | Kanadensare | @Kanadensare Known as the third Knight Paramount of Haense and the patriarch of House Grimm. At the tender age of thirteen, he aided the war effort against the Vaeyl Order from 1669 to 1672. He was knighted by King Robert I of Haense at the age of twenty-two after squiring underneath Ser Hans de Ruyter and Lord Marshal, Rhys var Ruthern. Dominic was elevated to the position of Knight Paramount after his predecessor abandoned the Kingdom to join the ranks of Renatus. In the years following, Dominic killed his predecessor, Jan in an honor duel. Later in his life, he was intercepted on the roads to Leuven by a Renatian raiding party. He fended off the Pertanxi pretenders but ultimately was captured and beheaded by turncoat Ser Rodrik Kortrevich. At the age of fifty-nine was killed and his body was sent to Kaer Glythen, the Aeldinic seat of House Grimm for burial. --- REZA VAN GYNSBURG Reza Gynsburg | Piov | @Piov The second Jovenaar in the history of Haense, and the first female, was not only a leading figure in founding the Aulic Court, but also within movements of women’s rights within the Kingdom. She sat upon the Aulic Court until her death, passing after twenty-eight years in office. Upon the formation of the Aulic Court, she and Sigmar Baruch penned the Canons of Conduct, enshrining a legal and moral code for the Aulic Courts and the Jovenaar that would preside over it. Later on, she published Haurul Caezk: The Living Law, which along with Sigmar Baruch’s Haurul Caezk: The Originalist, became the first two pieces on Haeseni judicial philosophy. Her philosophy, which built upon principles of legal dynamism and understanding the law in the context of societal changes, held a stronghold in legal theory until the reforms of the Haurul Caezk under Sigismund III. A fervent supporter of women in government, upon her deathbed, Reza requested that “my replacement will not be appointed until a new Palatine is installed, whoever she may be.” --- MARIUS VAR OTTO HEINZREICH Marius Baruch | KIIWIKILLA | @KIIWIKILLA A son of St. Otto of Vanderfell, Marius Baruch is the founder of his House. Being from a period before the formation of the Kingdom of Haense proper, he was more widely involved in Imperial machinations of the time. He contributed to the foundation of Luciensburg, and assisted in the Horen Restoration, seeing the House of Horen restored to the throne under Emperor John I. --- OTTO VAR DIEDRIK HEINZREIK Otto Arius Heinzreich | yopplwasupxxx | @yopplwasupxxx Otto Arius, of the Rovin-Heinzreich clan, was a minor cousin in the Aesterwald royal family, until his defection from his home nation during the Schism Wars of the late fifteenth century. He became an important courtier in the papal court, and with backing from the High Pontiff and Count of Drusco, claimed a majority portion of former Vanderfell following the conclusion of the conflict. He founded numerous towns amidst the ruins, and though not as successfully as his successor, began a policy of unification from the balkanized Hansetian states. During the 1490s, he abducted the twins of his sister, children of the late Emperor Alexander, and kept them in his custody to raise him. When Otto ascended to the seat as Grand Duke of Vanderfell, he groomed Karl for heir, picking him over his own children with Lady Frederique of Savoy. With loss of support by the Count of Drusco, he was forced to abdication following pressure by his liege King Andrik and the blunder of the Petrus Scandal. Following his death in the late 1510s, he was canonized in the Church of the Canon as Saint Otis of Vanderfell. --- BERENGHAR VAR REINHOLT HELVETZ Berengar Helvets | Abeam1 | @Abeam Berengar ascended rapidly through the Haeseni military under Otto II and Otto III, achieving the prestigious rank of Grand Commandant by the end of his tenure. He was known for his quick wit and successes in the open field. After his service in the military, he retired to the colony of Otistadt, where he served as elder and maer till his death. --- MARKUS VAR OTTO KORTREVICH Markus Kortrevich | Zenfawn | @CaptainZenny Controversy was no stranger to the likes of the twenty-third Lord Palatine of Haense and first Margrave of Korstadt. Markus Kortrevich born as the sole son of Otto Kortrevich is among one of the most controversial figures in Haeseni history, often regarded as the initial perpetrator of the feud between the houses of Barclay and Kortrevich. Through his upbringing he was mentored by the likes of Terrence May and Konrad Stafyr. After beginning to represent his father in Duma at fourteen, he quickly took an apt interest in the world of politics unlike his father. Upon his ascension to the Palatial office, the stephanian-centralist was instrumental in the efforts to reform the defunct academic sector in the Kingdom (founded the St. Charles University of Reza). Along with such, Markus successfully aided in reforming the military through tireless negotiating efforts with strict tax codes. Despite such successes in his tenure, Markus suffered many faults. Notably, when Markus halted several government projects and institutions, including the Royal Duma during the midst of war. As a result of such, the feudalist majority called a vote of no confidence upon him. Even so he escaped removal from Andrik III and began to rebuild the Centralist majority for his latter years in office. In doing so, he survived an assasintation attempt and survived as a prisoner of war. Following Tiberius Barrow’s ascension as Lord Regent, Markus willingly resigned and served as Knight Paramount for six years until abdicating to his son Viktor. He is known for granting his House the Margraviate title of Korstadt. --- MARTYN VAR THEODORE KORTREVICH Martin Kortrevich | Distraction_ | @Distraction_ A career politician stretching over thirty years. Martin was an only child and was fostered by his cousins after his mother and father died at an early age. As young as sixteen, he enlisted into the Royal Army and reached the rank of Lieutenant before entering the sphere of politics. In 1704, he won by a landslide in his first of eight consecutive terms as Royal Alderman. While in elected office, he represented the common people by campaigning for lower taxes, fewer government regulations on small business and levied hard on increased wages for the Haeseni soldiery. While in elected office, he simulatonely served upon King Marus II and Andrik III’s aulic councils as Aulic Envoy for two decades. Notably, he played an important role in maintaining relations with Oren following the end of the War of Two Emperors. From a distinguished career in the military to an acclaimed career in public office, the humble Kortrevich in Martin is recognized as one of the most prominent political figures of his time. For his wise commentary within the Royal Duma, he was bestowed the moniker, Martin ‘the Wise’. --- NIKOLAUS VAR HENRIK KORTREVICH Nikolaus Kortrevich | Zanthuz | @Zanthuz A renowned Haeseni bannerman throughout the War of Two Emperors and the Rubern War. Nikolaus was a skilled swordsman and was revered by his countrymen in his tactics of field command. Starting his military career with the Royal Army, Nikolaus quickly rose through the ranks to the rank of Commandant before being elevated to the position of Knight Paramount. Nikolaus was knighted by King Marus II after squiring underneath King Robert I. A reserved man who uttered few words would play a founding role in the establishment of the Marian Retinue, the Order of the Crow and posthumously the Order of Queen Maya and the Lily. Singehandely reconstructed the Kingdom’s knightly structure from scratch. Suitably named, ‘the Nikolausian Reforms’ which brought about amended trials, revised tenets and doctrines and the arrival of the Knight’s Conference. While sitting upon the Aulic Council of four kings, he also was aptly named as Royal Champion and Royal Executioner, the latter of which found himself carrying out the execution of his cousin, Erik. As he neared his seventies, his life would see a punctual end as he came face to face with his treacherous cousin in Ser Rodrik. In an event dubbed, ‘the Kortrevichbowl’, both he and Rodrik died at each other's hands resulting in one of the most climactic endings in Haeseni history. For his iron-willed persona, he was monikered, ‘the Strong’. --- OTTO VAR LUKAZ KORTREVICH Otto Kortrevich | Quinn275 | @Quinn275 Otto Kortrevich, the founder of House Kortrevich and eleventh Lord Marshal of Haense was a military man through and through. From an early age, he enlisted into the military and followed the footsteps of his famed father, Lukas Kortrevich. Known as a close confidant of King Robert I, Otto first began as an aulic advisor to the Crown. In 1707, King Marus II enfeoffed the Barony of Koravia to Otto. Subsequently as such, he was selected to succeed Sergei Stafyr as Lord Marshal. Under Otto, the House of Kortrevich grew into a foreboding military house with a levy of twenty men. With the first Baron of Koravia at the helm of the Kingdom’s military, Otto was responsible for establishing the second iteration of the Haeseni Royal Army and leading the Kingdom through the War of Two Emperors. Following the suffering defeat to Renatus, the Kingdom’s military was severely weakened. As a result of such, Otto resigned and continued to serve as Commandant till retiring at age sixty-eight. Later in life, Otto remained as an aulic advisor, representing the district of Korstadt in Duma and worked on improving the language of Naumariav. He would be knighted as a Kossar in the Order of Queen Maya and the Lily and he would later die at the age of 101. --- PRIMROSE VAS NIKOLAUS KORTREVICH Primrose Kortrevich | MikoMonster | @MikoMonster The Venerable Dame Primrose Kortrevich is the epitome of a selfless nationalist. Being born as the eldest daughter to Nikolaus and Lotte Kortrevich, Primrose was born as a commoner who would blossom to become the ‘Rose of House Kortrevich’. Enlisting herself into the military was an ambition of hers as a young girl but she was often discouraged by her peers. Likewise, Knighthood was a feat that looked implausible with her being a woman but despite this she persevered and set out to become a Dame of the Marian Retinue. At age 24, she would be knighted by her father and King Andrik III as the first female Knight in modern Haeseni history. In life she wed twice; the first being Ser Ulric Vyronov, where she raised two boys, one becoming a Knight, the other becoming a Master-at-Arms. The second being Ser Roderick Daine, where she raised two knights and two academic scholars in law and medicine. As she neared her fifties, she traveled to the continent of Athera with the Haeseni host. Further along the expedition, she found herself sacrificing her life for her country as she selflessly saved the lives of the adolescent King Sigmund II and many lords and ladies amongst the Haeseni peerage. Years following her death at age 54, she was venerated by the Church of the Canon and is remembered by the Kingdom of Haense as an activist for female representation within the military and government as a whole. Her moniker being, ‘the Forbearing’ for her patience in achieving Knighthood despite the odds. --- VIKTOR VAR MARKUS KORTREVICH Viktor Kortrevich | Zanthuz | @Zanthuz Quite possibly among the most renowned Haeseni scholars to date. Viktor was tutored by the likes of Konrad Stafyr and Georg Alimar. Following his father’s abdication, he would go on to be the patriarch of House Kortrevich for forty-one years. He is known for granting the House the Viscounty title of Krusev. Similar to his father, he chose a career separate from the military. At age 17, he and Sir Sigmar Baruch co-established their newspaper that would publish twenty-two editions over sixty-three years. The newspaper would reach a wide-spanning audience stretching to the provinces of Oren, Kaedrin and Curon. While Haense was under Imperial subjugation, Viktor served as the third Lord Speaker of the House of Lords for ten years. Under which he negotiated for the Haeseni houses of Ludovar and Vyronov to be granted nobility. Following the Kingdom’s breach into independence, Viktor was selected to serve as the first Kastellan Scribe, for nearly forty-years he would properly manage the Royal Archives. As the Kingdom was granted independence, the Kingdom required an academic sector. So, King Josef I elevated him to become the fourth Royal Curator of Haense. Quickly, the Royal Academy of Saint Charles was founded and for nearly a decade the institution ran without flaw till his resignation in 1812. For the remainder of his life, Viktor continued to publish a variety of literary works, continued to manage the Royal Archives and served as an aulic advisor to the Crown. In 1840, at age 98, Viktor died in a fishing accident with his brother, Juliyus. Shortly after, Viktor was inducted as a Valtakossar in the Order of Queen Maya and the Lily for his vast contributions to the Kingdom. --- ANDRIK VAR SERGEY KOVACHEV Andrey Kovachev | 6xdestroyer | @6xdestroyer Following the disastrous Battle of Elba, Andrey was appointed command over the Haeseni military, and took position at Vasiland. He failed, however, in stopping the enemy advance, and the Siege of Vasiland was yet another defeat. He re-emerged a decade after and launched the unsuccessful Horseman's Revolt, which attempted to make Carnatia an independent estate. Andrey, along with his rebel kinsmen, were later killed by Qali mercenaries in the Battle of Carsaca. For his hot temperament, he was called ‘Andrey the Wroth’. --- JAN VAR VARON KOVACHEV Jan Kovachev | 6xdestroyer | @6xdestroyer Jan rose through the ranks of the Orenian army during the War of the Ducal Coalition, and when he was able to be captured Norvik in 1525, he was granted the castles and the estates he conquered. He supported John Horen during the Horen Restoration, and later became one of his most trusted commanders during the Eighteen Years’ War. Jan commanded the Carnatian Hussars, and with his fellow peer Josef, was the leader of the Haeseni contingent during the war. He served alongside Petyr Barbanov during the Riga War and the Krajian Rebellion, subduing fully the Hansetian hinterlands and helping unify what later became the Kingdom of Haense. His death left him as the Duke of Carnatia and his family to continue as one of the [principal] Karovic houses within humanity for centuries. His veteran cavalry became a staple of the Haeseni army, and his descendants would continue to dominate the Haeseni army for some decades. He lived well into his nineties, and for it he was called ‘Jan the Old’. --- REZA VAS SERGEY KOVACHEV Reza Elizaveta Kovachev | Marquesa_ | @Marquesa_ Daughter of the powerful lord Sergey and shortly queen to Andrik II, Reza spent most of her life as Queen-Mother to Marius. However, she set the role as consort and matriarch within the royal family, establishing numerous courtly customs which are followed to this today. To the female body, she became a role-model for the epitome Haeseni lady. --- SERGEY VAR JAN KOVACHEV Sergei Kovachev | NJBB | @Jaigalar During King Andrik II’s short rebellion of the Deep Cold Uprising, Sergey stood as the uncontested leader of the Imperial faction within Haense, and rallied loyalists to his cause. He single-handedly marched into Karlsborg during the chaos, forcing Andrik’s abdication and flight, before having his captured by the remnants of his father’s Carnatian Hussars. Even through this strong show of power, he resumed an alliance with the royalists under Palatine Lukas, forming [a] coalition against the squabbling Andrivists under Branimar Vanir. Sergey’s death upset the balance of the Haeseni court, and many attribute his early demise to one of the factors in Haeseni military defeats during the Coalition Wars. For his use of stealth and hit-and-run tactics in the Anarchy, he was referred to by the soldier[s] as the ‘Ghost of Turov’. --- ANTON VAR EKKARD KYNGSTON Anton Kyngston | QuackerCracker | @Quackers Along with his brother, Anton joined the royal court in Alban and served first as a courtier, then later enlisting [in] the armed forces, where he reached [the] position of commandant later in his life. He also served as maer for the capital numerous times, helping violently suppress the turmoil of the Ale Riots of the 1620s. --- FORDSEN VAR EKKARD KYNGSTON Fordson Kyngston | devland99 | @Devland99 Fordsen joined the court with his brother, being appointed [to] numerous governorships throughout the kingdom and eventually receiving the position of Palatine for a brief few years. He was the main architect for [the] palace of Esenstadt, as well as numerous manors and estates for the nobility, and his style, known as Kyngstonian Architecture, has become a point of study for aspiring royal engineers, and much of his work can be seen today. --- MARKUS VAR HEKTOR LOTHSTON Markus Lothston | LegoUrguan10 | @Legoboy7984 Markus Lothston, though kinsman to the Brawms, fought for the Kingdom of Haense during the Hounden’s Rebellion, acting as one of King Marius’ commanders on the field. After the short and bloody conflict, Markus served as King Marius’ personal champion. He followed his king into exile and continued to serve the court-in-exile faithfully. He was known far and wide for his skill at the sword, and he was known in life as ‘Markus the Mutt’. --- EMMA VAS OTTO LUDOVAR Emma Sofiya Ludovar | MunaZaldrizoti | @MunaZaldrizoti Work in Progress! --- HENRIK VAR JAKOB LUDOVAR Henrik Otto Ludovar | LegoHaesner | @Legoboy7984 Ser Henrik Ludovar was the third Duke of Kvasz and fifth patriarch of House Ludovar. He was knighted by King Robert I into the Knightly Order of Bihar. It is also to be noted that he is among the first men that were knighted as Marian Knights of the Marian Retinue following the dissolution of the Knightly Order of Bihar in 1707. Along with his distinguished service within the Brotherhood and Knighthood, he also served as the fifth patriarch of the then-Ducal House of Ludovar. The fifth Ludovar patriarch is recognized as one of the most devoted knights and someone capable of taking responsibility when presented to him. His moniker is known by many as ‘the Able’ and to some as ‘the Old Crow’. --- MIO VAN MACKENSEN Mio Mackensen | mkMio | @Mio A renowned Haeseni bannerman under the reigns of King Sigmund II and King Josef I. The loyal subject in Mackesen served his Kingdom in more ways than none. Following the resignation of Sensechal Amador in 1776, the former field commander of the Brotherhood found himself elevated to manage the Kingdom’s interior affairs. Throughout the long tenure of Seneschal Mackensen, the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska saw the increased construction of roads from the capital city to the vassals of Haense, massive taxation relief, emphasis on zoning districts and the introduction of methods to predict the purchases of infrastructure in the Royal cities of New Reza and Karosgrad. He lived a long fulfilled life, distinguishing himself on the battlefield and amongst the Haeseni government. --- JAKOB VAR JAN MADONVIK Jakob Macdonough | Doggedwasupxxx | @Dogged Many have seen the works of Jakob Macdonough, and for his time he was one of the most prolific painters in both Haense and Oren. He has created numerous works, such as ‘The Spanking of Staunton’ and ‘Joys to the Boys of the Rothswald’. Jakob later served politically following his uncle’s selection as Palatine of the Duma, where he succeeded him for three weeks. --- TERRENCE VAR MAY Terrence May | Piov | @Piov Born to Heartlander refugees that had migrated far north, he gained a formal education in Reza, and began a life of political ascent, which totals a combined forty years of work within the Haeseni and Orenian governments. At first, he was appointed as the Duma Representative of House Baruch. He frequently butted heads with the centralists during this time, and he was appointed as Leader of the Opposition by Speaker Konrad Stafyr. He became Lord Palatine upon the death of his predecessor, Lerald Vyronov, yet served a short term. It was marked by fervent centralist opposition to his policies, and culminated when he brought to the Duma an infrastructure plan for the construction of a canal. He spent thirty-three years in Imperial politics, serving as both President of the Senate and President of the House of Commons. While his work within the Haeseni government is mainly remembered for his failures, he is often thought to be redeemed through his representation of the Kingdom in the Empire. --- HARREN VAN METTERDEN Harren of Metterden | seannie | @seannie A veteran soldier under the Metterden garrison, the regency of the Count of Metterden left him de facto in control of the affairs of the estate. Along with the Count of Ayr and numerous families, he led the successful Greyspine Uprising, returning the King of Haense to the throne and the land returned to royal control. Harren, however, favored the Count of Metterden as the potential sovereign, and the election of Stefan made him leave the realm. He served in the Imperial Court later in his life and eventually rose to the prestigious position of Archchancellor, where he held a staunch rivalry with King Stefan. For his reputed strength, he is commonly referred to as ‘Harren the Hardy’. --- EDVARD VAR JAN MORRIS Edward Morris | Boiendl | @Old Man Boiendl Perhaps among the most prominent statesmen of his time. Morris was born within the borders of Adria and grew up to become a rather successful statesman within the Duchy. Following the establishment of the Royal Duma in 1707, King Marus II found fit to appoint Sir Edward to the position of Lord Speaker. His speakership was dominated by the tensions that rose between the Golden City of Ves and the Imperial estates. He saw the passage of the Royal Scholarship Act of 1710 that promoted the arts and education for Haeseni commoners. He resigned in protest after the Sacking of Ves was condoned by King Marus II. --- GREGOR VAR NIKOLAS NIKOVIC Georgiy Nikovic - H.P. Theodosius I | Morghuul | @StokedOff Georgiy was one of the first in a string in Haeseni pontiffs, first serving as the Bishop of Carnatia then being appointed High Pontiff in 1562. His greatest deed was the removal of the Revelation Doctrine which was created by his predecessor Daniel III, and attempted a failed revival of reformed Raevir Iliryic as the Haeseni holy tongue. He would appoint his successor Berengar Gotthold to his previous position of bishop, and maintained close relations with the hinterland lords. --- RORY VAR THORMUND OTHAMAN Rory Othaman – H.P. Owyn II | eddywilson2 | @Eddywilson2 Othaman, a clergyman, rose to the position of Archbishop of Jorenus then to the throne of the Vicar of God, where he attempted to mend the schism plaguing the church. On a diplomatic mission, however, he was killed by fanatical schismists, becoming a martyr of the faith. --- TARCELL VAR JAN OTHAMAN Tarcell Othaman | eddywilson2 | @Eddywilson2 Though Tarcell was of Hansetian-blood, he was one of the first to bend to Karl following his accession as Duke of Haense and became commandant of his forces. He spearheaded assaults on numerous dwarven fortifications in the hinterlands during the Third Human-Dwarf War and was a general during the War of the Ducal Coalition. He expanded the military of the duchy greatly, issuing levies upon newly-conquered land on the hinterlands to bolster their numbers. Following Karl’s death, it was Tarcell who became regent, and it was he who commanded the war effort against the Savoyard-led Oren. He won skirmishes on the northern border during a short attempt at invasion in the north, though when Brelus fell at the end of the war he was forced to a defensive position at the Haeseni fortress of Norvik. Throughout the war he raised and helped the young Siguine, who after Hugo’s assassination was elected Duke of Adria alongside being Duke of Haense. Siguine’s disappearance, or to him, his death, left Tarcell distraught and bitter, and remained defiant against [the] crown. His untimely death in 1525 though left his remaining troops in chaos and Norvik eventually fell to a contingent led by Jan Kovachev in the late summer. Tarcell’s military organization would become the basis of the Haeseni royal military. --- FREDRIK VAR ODRIN PRUSEN Frederick Augustus Preussen | GloriaPreussens | @GloriaPreussens During both the short reign of Petyr II and the accession of King Stefan, the Prince of Pruvia held vast influence over the king, as well as naming him heir to the large sum known as the Pruvian Inheritance. This, and his willingness to grant trading privileges to the Haeseni trading clans of Amador and Alwyn, Haense experienced an economic boom following its restoration. --- GERALD VAR LERALD RAUEN Geralt Rauen | Pureimp10 | @Pureimp10 A career soldier of Haeseni military, Geralt is well-known for several numerous victories on the field during the later reign [of] Otto III, successfully commanding both the Second Battle of Stallion’s Hill and the Battle of the Dam. However, following setbacks as the conflict progressed and his main patron and liege Otto III dead, Geralt resigned. After the army, he settled deep into the hinterlands and Yahl, where he founded numerous trading posts and villages, including Geraltikev, Maristadt, and Tovikev. --- ARIK VAR HOGMUND RUTHERN Arik Ruthern | birdnerdy | @Birdman The Greyspine Uprising attracted many mercenaries to each side, and the Ruthern clansman dared not pass up a moment such as it. Arik led the band known as the Black Company, which operated in great success in the Rothswald against the occupiers. In its aftermath, he struck a deal with the royal-candidate Stefan Barbanov for support in exchange for the County of Metterden, to which he upset the Ruthern political clique by his vocal support during the duma. --- KONSTANTIN VAR KONSTANTIN RUTHERN Konstantin II Ruthern | FireCrimson | @FireCrimson Work in Progress! --- MARIC VAR ALEKSANDER RUTHERN Maric Ruthern | GMRO | @GMRO The fifth Duke of Vidaus and twenty-ninth Lord Palatine of Haense was an active figure during the tumultuous reign of King Heinrik II, serving for the majority of the king’s most active years. Throughout his years, he achieved the promotion of House Ruthern to both a Margraviate, and then a Duchy. Throughout his tenure, he aimed to curtail some of the controversial designs of the king whilst pushing an agenda of settlement in the Attenlund. He furthermore oversaw and assisted Duke Friedrich Barclay in the Rimeveld Troll Conflict. Early in his career he saw a walk-out after being appointed temporary Lord-Speaker over his view of disrespect. After the Duma, he challenged two peers consecutively, Vanir and Vyronov, winning both. His moniker being ‘The Duelist.’ --- RHYS VAR VLADRIK RUTHERN Rhys I Ruthern | Ave_Imperium | @Imperium Work in Progress! --- NIKOLAS VAR PETYR RYKOV Nikolai Rykov | maxgemini | @max. Nikolai Rykov was Arik’s right-hand man and helped pacify both Metterden and dissenters during Arik’s accession. Following the settlement of Alban, Nikolas took the cloth and was quickly raised to the position of Archbishop of Jorenus. --- WULFREY VAR WULFREY SKARPEFANGER Wulffrey Skarpefanger | Wulfrey | @Wulfery A settler of Gorundyr descent, Wulffrey Skarpefanger was an officer-favorite during his service in the Haeseni military during Otto III and recruited heavily to maintain manpower during conflicts on the River Czena. Later in his life, he led a colonization effort deeper into the River Czena valley, forming the trading post of Aberrang. Wulffrey was the most adamant in the conflicts in the inner hinterlands, most importantly against a body known as the Vaeyl- a group of supernatural entities, which squabble upon rightful Haeseni clay. --- GERARD VAR HEIMER STAFYR Gerard Stafyr | dandan1350 | @dandan1350 The third High Justiciar of Haense was as feared of a man as they come. Gerard was born as an only child and grew up with both his mother and father dying early in his youth. As a young boy, he was naturally gifted in wielding a sword and as he got older, his peers began to fear him. He would later be knighted by Ser Nikolaus Kortrevich into the Marian Retinue and quickly distinguished himself as a competent commander during the War of the Two Emperors. After the Kingdom returned to stability after the war, King Andrik III appointed Gerard, a close confidant to the position of High Justiciar, a position he served faithfully for twenty-three years. Most notably he penned into law the Kingdom’s first formal law codex which saw usage for sixty-six years. He would die at the age of fifty-seven by the side of King Andrik III wherein he was killed in a hunting incident. --- KONRAD VAR CEDRIC STAFYR Konrad Stafyr | AndrewTech | @AndrewTech Work in Progress! --- LEOPOLD VAR SERGEY STAFYR Leopold Stafyr | Emenzi | @Emenzi Work in Progress! --- RICKARD VAN STEINKACHEL Richard Steinkachel | Z3r05t4r | @Z3r05t4r Common born servant to the House of Stafyr, Richard Steinkachel would later in life be elevated to the position of Royal Treasurer. Steinkachel was regarded as a close confidant of King Andrik III. Steinkachel was instrumental in strengthening the Kingdom’s economy following the War of the Two Emperors and throughout the Ruberni conflict. Throughout Steinkachel’s tenure as Royal Treasurer, he slashed the Kingdom’s national debt in half prior to the emergence into the Rubern War, establishment of trade routes along with the penning of proper record-keeping of the Kingdom’s royal treasury. --- ULRIK VAR ULRIK TIBERAN Ulric Tiberan | giambro | @giambro No child in Haense has not heard at least one of the tales of Ulric Tiberan, one of Haense’s most famous knights. Known for his acts of bravery and his slaying of the Dragon Toruug, he has become a local legend to the poorer classes. In his life, he served under the Carnatian Hussars, seeing battle from White Mountain to the Siege of Dunland. His stories are collected in the novels known as the ‘Trials of Ulric’, though there is some variation. He is commonly pictured with two talking crows, named ‘Alvin’ and ‘Darren’, who guide him (and sometimes hinder him) to his next goal. --- IYNGRID VAS ADRIAN SARKOZ I ULGAARD Ingrid Sarkozic-Ulgaard | Tarrebear | @TarreBear Perhaps the most beloved queen of the commoners, Queen Ingrid did her duties diligently as consort to Otto III. Following the example of her former peer Reza, she reinstated many traditional Haeseni customs back into court life, in addition to proficient diplomatic work with neighboring powers. The commoners referred to her as ‘Ingrid the Good’. --- CULLEN VAR CULLEN VALREIN Cullen Valerin | Reichster | @blago During the strike of the Metterden veterans, many lowborns rose quickly in the lack of a true officer core, including Cullen. He came quickly into the light of the royal court following his successful command against pagan raiders to the east, and he eventually rose to primacy as Commandant. During Otto II’s military reforms, however, Cullen was dismissed, and he retired to the countryside. For his stoic ways, he was known as ‘Cullen the Stern’. --- BRANIMAR VAR FISKE VANIR Brandon Vanir | Assassinofawsome | @Assassinofawsome The good-brother then good-uncle to the King of Haense, the Margrave of Vasiland rose rapidly through the court. He eventually reached the rank of Grand Commandant of the armed force[s], though because he was picked more from nepotism than true skill, his inefficient leadership weakened the army. By the time of the First Northern War, the Haeseni military was ill-prepared to face the coming battles. After the war, he was captured, where he died in captivity in the court of Aleksandria. --- LUKAS VAR BRITANUS VANIR Lukas Vanir | Pureimp10 | @Pureimp10 Serving as Palatine during the later years of King Marius, he performed numerous capital and law reforms, though was cut short following the Coalition Wars. Forced into exile along with the rest of the royal court, Lukas worked as an author in philosophy, specifically the school of Political Lukasism, and the concept of the ‘Greater Man’. His status left him as a cultural symbol for the occupied nation, and many of his works were smuggled in secret to the native Haeseni population. For his erudite nature, he is commonly referred to as ‘Lukas the Learned’. --- BRITANUS VAR BIGORN VANIR Britannus Vanir | Pureimp10 | @Pureimp10 The War of the Ducal Coalition left the Vanir family in shambles, and reduced to their fortress of Kraken’s Watch, though Britanus dreamed of one day returning his family’s fortune. He acted as one of the crucibles for the Riga War, which although at first left [him] homeless, later regained a large portion of his family’s former estates. In his spare time, Britannus worked as a mathematician, and together with Edmond Manston, discovered the ‘Manston-Vanir Constant’, which is used by modern day architects in constructing arches and domes. --- EMMA VAS BRITANUS VANIR Emma Vanir | 101juliana101 | @Juli Emma was married to an imperial cousin following the attempted peace of the Second Diet of Saltstone, and while at first it kept the peace, it soon fell through. She carried an extramarital affair with one of the rebel hetmans of the Krajian Rebellion and a Savoyard princeling, called the Ancelcourt Scandal, which continued the Anarchy for another decade. --- FISKE VAR BRITANUS VANIR Fiske Vanir | InfamousGerman | @InfamousGerman Fiske the Bloody, a title earned as one of the survivors of the Siege of Seahelm, is one of Haense’s most effective company leaders, having been known for his brutality. He led the vanguard during the Riga War and Krajian Rebellion, as well as throughout the Anarchy of Oren, where he gained a reputation of combat prowess. Following his death, he left his family at its peak as Margraves of Vasiland, as well as one of the only non-Karovic families to be invited to duma. As mentioned, he was called ‘Fiske the Bloody’ for his valor at the Seahelm in the Avarite theater. --- HENRIK VAR IVER VANIR Henrik Vanir | importanthippo | @hippo Work in Progress! --- JOSEF VAR FRANZ VLADOV Josef Vladov | Burkester | @Burkester Along with Jan Kovachev, Josef Vladov was one of the two leaders of the Haeseni contingent during the Eighteen Years’ War, commanding multiple battles as imperial generals. Josef’s crowning achievement is the Battle of Cape Bronson and later the Capture of Avar. His family diminished in influence within Haense following death, though he remains as one of Haense’s and Oren’s more proficient commanders. --- LERALD VAR LUKAS VYRONOV Lerald II Vyronov | Flapman | @Flapman Work in Progress! --- LERALD VAR TEODOR VYRONOV Lerald Vyronov | Flapman | @Flapman Commander of the Carnatian Hussars under Jan Kovachev, Lerald worked his way from his position as serf to a peer of the realm, serving loyally to his realm and gaining the fief of Rytsborg. He fought throughout the Eighteen Years’ War and the Anarchy, later retiring following the coronation of Petyr Barbanov. --- ALISTAR VAR HEKTOR WAILER Alistair Wailer | FloopTroop | @floop Alistair led the contingent garrisoning Ottostadt for a short duration, before and after serving as knight in the royal court and proficient swordsman. He also created poetry, publishing numerous works under the alias ‘Chad the Mad’. His greatest work, Ehr Nau, became adapted to the Haeseni royal anthem in the early 1600’s. Alistair’s skill in verse earned him the moniker ‘Alistair the Poet’. --- JAN VAR KOLTAIN WICK John Wick | FlyingHalfMast | @EmbryoGod Though the son of the famed Magi Coltaine, John pursued a career in the army. He is most famous for his brutal suppression of the numerous Ale Riots of the 1620s and became infamous for his vicious treatment of dissenters against the crown. He, along with his father, was assassinated and replaced by a supernatural entity, where he was swiftly destroyed by Haeseni magic. John was also remembered for his work in exploring the deepest part of the hinterlands called the Yahtl Wastes. For his womanizing ways and his charming looks, the court referred to him as ‘John the Handsome’ or ‘John the Pretty’. --- KOLTAIN VAR PIPI WICK Coltaine Wick | Hurferdurfer | @HurferDurfer1 Coltaine belonged to the mysterious Wick clan, which rose sharply to prominence following the accession of King Stefan. He established the first Magi Circle within Haense, constructing universities to teach theology and the arcane arts. However, in the peak of his power, he was assassinated and replaced by a supernatural entity, which was quickly destroyed by the very magi he created. During his life, he published numerous journals over his extensive studies on the arcane, including the famous Dialectics, which has become an important collection in arcane education. For his mastery of the arcane arts, he was known in life as ‘Coltaine the Elder’. --- RICKARD VAN WOLDIZMIR Rickard Barrow | arkantos1279 | @Ark A bastard of lowly origin, though it did not stop him in becoming of the most influential Haeseni politicians. He served as first Palatine to King Petyr, and he laid the foundations of [the] Haeseni administration which continue[s] to [the] present day. He followed a strict policy of land colonization, coining the term ‘Haseni Destiny’, standing for the ideology of full highlander colonization of the hinterlands in its entirety. He oversaw the first royal capital of Karlsborg and the palace of Ottostadt, which became the seat of the royal family. Rickard was also well known in his martial talent, and saw intensive action during the Riga War, and became one of the fiercest proponents for total annexation of the former Duchy of Courland. A Posthumous Message to the Haeseni People Sir Viktor Kortrevich It is my greatest hope that this document be utilized as an effective tool to learn about our Kingdom’s illustrious history that is filled with details about our unique culture, distinct way of life and noteworthy individuals. I have spent several months sourcing through the royal libraries of the Nikirala Palace and the Royal Academy of Saint Charles, and as I, the author of this publishing believe to have compiled a comprehensive account of our dual monarchy dating back from the Northern Question, through the Dukes’ War, delving in and out of rebellions and uprisings, through prolonged coalition wars and into the present day. While it was a clear and concise decision of mine to conduct a great amount of research on our Kingdom’s history since its nascence, it was also a conscious decision of mine to understand the ever-changing Haeseni way of life, national dialect, varying subcultures and ethnicities and lastly our resolute devotion to our faith. By maintaining this brief message to you, I express once more that it is my most strenuate desire to educate my fellow Haeseni on our most distinguished history and memorialize the men and women who have served our country honorably through a variety of meritorious deeds. From the ancient houses of Kovachev and Colborn to the relatively nascent houses of Kortrevich and Barclay and without forgetting the mention of the houses who fall in between, It is my continued hope that generations that beckon after me remember our country and its subjects in the most deserving of ways as we as a people move forward towards a more enlightened future with the crowning of King Sigmund III as our next Koeng. penned. 1838

“I’m glad we never had the likes of this yammering excuse of a man amongst our kin when we were alive.” reflected Ser Nikolaus Kortrevich to the founder of the once prominent military house. @Quinn275

The deceased Haeseni scholar Sir Viktor Kortrevich stamps a Piovian seal of approval on his copy of the study. From the seven skies, he'd somehow send some sort of signal to his nephew, Hieromar to add this study to the Directory of Haeseni Works publication.

The most recent member of the seven skies Sir Viktor Kortrevich welcomed his great-grandson to the seven skies with a warm embrace. "I guess you couldn't wait one more minute to meet your great-grandfather?" Nevertheless, Viktor smiled down to his granddaughter Emma, before sending some sort of signal to her to let her know her son was safe and surrounded by loved ones.

The Calm Before the Storm Kahaean Sea, Almaris Brothers Viktor and Juliyus Kortrevich fishing A calm day broke a fair night, with the morning sunrise casting light upon the eastern face of Jerovitz. The hooves of horses became increasingly audible as a dozen or so men of Ayrian descent arrived outside the staggering walls of the castle. Chatter of the entourage’s arrival could be heard from the bed chambers of Kortrevich’s eldest brothers, Viktor and Juliyus. Without question or doubt of who the entourage was, the brothers made their descent to the entrance. These horsemen were in fact fishermen hailing from the village of Lollybroch. Upon the opening of the gate, one Ayrian called out, “Are the two of you coming or not?” Viktor replied, “Yes, yes, let us grab our things.” which they did quickly, and began their journey towards the coast of the Kahaean Sea. The calm morning continued on into the evening as they made their travels to Henry’s Wharf, which was located just outside the Imperial City of Providence. When the group arrived at the beach, they began to prepare for the voyage ahead. With the help from two of the Ayrian fishermen, their small boat was carried to the beach, ready for them to climb aboard. However before boarding, the elder of the two helpful fishermen, who went by the name Ilya, commented, “You know folks, fishing sure is the best way to decolonize the mind!” With that comment, Viktor and Juliyus glanced at one another, both lifting a faint smirk. This had reminded them of an old friend, Terrence May. And so with little hassle at all, the two were ready to row out to sea to fish, as if they were in their youth once again. Before long, they had passed the crashing waves and were rowing out to sea. Once they had reached a spot far enough from the coast they prepared their lines and tackle. The sea was calm, so calm that had the two not been preoccupied, they might have grown concerned. As unbeknownst to the brothers, a storm quickly grew overhead, drifting them further and further away from the coast. They soon realized they had lost all sight of land, without raising any concern the two began to accept the inevitable. They began by packing away their fishing gear, before reciting a short prayer together; “Godan, guide us and strengthen our bodies and souls. O saints above, hark! Let not our petition go without divine attention. Render mercy on the defenseless and let the frail return home. Godan above, lessen the waves and turn away the winds. Defend us in turmoil, O saints above…” ...The storm began to ease, and the two took to the oars rowing back to shore. As they approached, the beach was entirely unrecognizable, with a lone figure stood waiting. Upon landing, it was Viktor who first recognized who it was that stood on the beach, it was none other than his least favorite student, Fenika Ruthern. This is where the two then realized what fate had become of them. And so they gazed out to the sea, coming to a happy peace with the lives they lived and the ones they had loved. This moment of remembrance was cut short by Fenika, who, in her typical fashion, promptly grabbed their hands and led them inland to have a long overdue reunion. There stood many bittersweet faces, but it was the wives of the two brothers, Annaliese and Katerina, who stood foremost waiting to embrace them once again. And so it was, the two brothers went out fishing for one last time… --- Henry’s Wharf, Oren Ayrian fishermen reeling in the boat’s remains Further south along the beach, the remains of a small fishing boat can be seen. …The storm began to clear out as the Ayrian fishermen quickly made their way up to the coastline to begin their attempt to find the missing noblemen. Soon enough, the fishermen began to reel in the boat’s remains. Ilya, the fisherman the brothers had one last moment with, traveled further south along the beach, soon discovering two familiar fishing rods washed upon shore, ultimately confirming the tragic fate of the nobles. And so it was, the two brothers went out fishing for one last time, marking the end of a generation… Viktor Kortrevich; aged 98 and Juliyus Kortrevich; aged 95.

Ser Nikolaus Kortrevich looked down fondly at the newest generation of House Kortrevich with his wife, former Surgeon General Lotte Kortrevich. "Ea'm pleased to see another Kortrevich follow in your footsteps, Lotte. She's reminds me of our youngest, Emaline." @Tigergiri

The ninety-year old Sir Viktor Kortrevich remains seated in his study as he continued penning a soon-to-be released study before his servant, Tuvya slid over an invitation of his youngest granddaughter’s debutante across his desk! He paid the slightest bit of attention to the missive, before he carried on working on his fifty-paged document that is hopefully to be released in the coming years.

The Knight Paramount underneath the reign of King Andrik III would remain very quiet as he recalled the numerous secretive interactions between the pair of monarchs. Ser Nikolaus Kortrevich’s face would grimace as he noticed the two prance off together in the seven skies. @Emenzi@Gusano

VIKTOR KORTREVICH TIME FOR COMMON SENSE! Viktor Kortrevich on the Campaign trail, 379 E.S. THE OLD LEADER, THE OLD WAY The former Margrave of Korstadt and Kastellan Scribe, Sir Viktor Kortrevich has been around for quite some time, watching the poor progress and moral deterioration of this Great Kingdom. As Hauchdragus of the Royal Academy of Saint Charles, Sir Viktor Kortrevich attempted to reverse the shocking deterioration of our fine society and succeeded for as long as he served as Headmaster, but alas the strenuous nature of the Academy has submerged to redundancy. As Kastellan Scribe, Sir Viktor has spent his time recording history and current events to ensure that the Royal Archives are carefully kept and maintained, he’s textually seen the progression of Haense and is unsatisfied with its current trajectory. As the Former Lord Speaker of the House of Lords when we were entangled in Orenian affairs, Sir Viktor Kortrevich served gracefully and properly throughout his two terms. He gained the respect of both Haeseni and Orenian lords alike with his honest and blunt manner that accelerated bureaucratic machinations, which oftentimes stalled and slowed down meaningful change and useful development, mainly the renobling of House Vyronov and House Ludovar to their respective Barony and County. Now all these years later, the co-founder of the renowned Golden Crow Chronicles, Sir Viktor sees this as his final chance to serve his Kingdom and his fellow Haeseni through running for Alderman of the Royal Duma. Haense is in dire need of an Old Leader that can return Haense to its better ways. A return to simpler government, a safer kingdom, and a better society. A RETURN TO GREATNESS Sir Viktor Kortrevich aims to return to the days of greatness, discourse, and debate that was carried out under Kings like Andrik III and Marius II, and to do this the Royal Duma needs great leaders and minds like Sir Viktor to get Haense back on the right track. Through his platform and ideas, Sir Viktor believes he can help the Haeseni society return to its former glory. TERM GOALS: I. Privatizing Medical Care. II. Simplifying complex government branches. III. Simplifying the Haurul Caezk. IV. Rolling back horrific progressive and sanoist policies. SIR VIKTOR KORTREVICH, KML “DON’T JUST HOPE FOR A BETTER LIFE, VOTE FOR ONE” -Brought to you by Barbanov & Baruch Consulting-

IGN: Zanthuz Character Name: Sir Viktor Kortrevich Age: 84 Place of Residence / Street Address: County of Jerovitz Position: Alderman

Sir Viktor Kortrevich sat by his brother Juliyus and grandson Anders as they celebrated their successful election and reelection campaigns to the Royal Duma. Viktor simply perused over the newly published edition of the Golden Crow Chronicles with a satisfied grin as he read over the election results in detail and the biography of the acclaimed Royal Alderman Martin Kortrevich.

VOL. 1 EDITION. 22 Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing Two Minas per Edition Available in Nauvmarian THE GOLDEN CROW CHRONICLES Karosgrad, Haense Gronna and Droba, 375 E.S. 8 pages Written by: Viktor Kortrevich & Aldrik Baruch Published by: B&K Publishing Pg. 1 HALFLINGS SETTLE IN HAENSE Village of Knoxville, Haense On the 5th of Juma and Umund, 374 E.S., the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and the Wee Folk of Knoxville signed the ‘Knoxville Agreement’, which has since allowed the village of Knoxville to be constructed under the heeded defense of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. Since then the Halfling migrants from Bramblebury have been hard at work in constructing their humble abodes (which is located just south of the Duchy of Valwyck and just north of the Viscounty of Aurveldt). We the writers at the Golden Crow Chronicles wish the wee folk of Knoxville the most welcome settlement in their newly constructed quaint village. We are incredibly eager for the populaces of Haense and Knoxville to both begin trading and hosting a great variety of festivals with one another! <link> Written by: Viktor Kortrevich Pg. 2 ADVERTISEMENT “WITTENBACH WANDS & WONDERS” Crown Avenue V, Karosgrad “After nearly 10 years of closure, we are proud to announce that Wittenbach Wands & Wonders will be reopening its doors for business! First established in 1802, our business renders magical services to those who require such, seeking to put a little spark of magic in the lives of everyday men and women everywhere. We believe in using the powers of the arcane to better lives and build a kinder, easier world. We offer a variety of goods and services for purchase to our patrons, including the following:” <link> * Paid for by the Office of the Grand Maer Pg. 3 WAR ON BANDITRY Amaethea, Elvenesse Ferrymen attack the Elven capital, looting and killing all they find. It was late at night, and all seemed to be peaceful in the Elvenesse capital of Amaethea. That’s when the sound of horns cut the silence, and those inside knew that this would not be a peaceful night. The Ferrymen, presumably to avenge their defeat after a raid on Haelun’or, snuck into the city and gathered all the elves they could find, civilians and soldiers alike. From what we can gather, these elves were then forced to hand all their belongings to the raiders. Only one elf resisted the order, opting to fight rather than cower, but was cut down all the same. The garrison commander and his soldiers seemingly fled, leaving the rest of the city defenseless. This crowd of civilians was taken to the throne room, where the elven throne was desecrated, and the civilians forced to crown one of the raiders as Prince in a mock ceremony. When that was finished, all remaining soldiers and civilians were slaughtered, including two children. In our last article, we inquired whether these recent raids by the Ferrymen were acts they were hired to perform, or if this was simply a return to the earlier days of the Ferrymen. It is clear to us now that the latter is true, and we urge all of our readers to stay safe in these trying times. Written by: Aldrik Baruch Pg. 4 ADVERTISEMENT “GET ELECTED BY BARUCH & BARBANOV” Franz Barbanov (left) and Andrik Baruch (right) If you're interested in running to make a difference in the Royal Duma or any other legislative body abroad, contact Andrik and Franz! They’ll advise you on running a proper campaign, creating campaign posters, writing a platform, and other general and necessary things you’ll need when running for office. <link> * Message Drew#7225 for more information! * Message garentoft#1980 for more information! * Paid for by B&B Consulting Pg. 5 SUTICA RISES ONCE MORE City of Sutica, Sutica Patriarch Yaromir coronates King Georg and Queen Johanna of Sutica Earlier this year, in what can only be described as an extraordinary victory for Canonism, the former royal family of the Free State of Sutica was restored to its throne. King Georg and Queen Johanna were crowned in the palace of Sutica City by our own Patriarch Yaromir, surrounded by hundreds of loyal supporters, vassals, and others. We can also report that the former Trade Princess has relinquished her title and recognized Georg and Johanna as the monarchs, significantly reducing the chances of civil war. The GCC congratulates the new monarchs on their coronation, and wishes them luck in their endeavor to rebuild the Kingdom. Thus far, we can confirm that Osanora, Trebzon, Sarissa, and Osser have all sworn fealty to the new monarchs. The only remaining holdout is the Rhein, and their reluctance to join their fellow vassals has greatly displeased the King. In a statement given to us by the King, he said “The disloyalty of the Rhein has upset our administration greatly. We have reached out to them multiple times throughout the beginning, the middle and the end of our righteous reclamation, and we have been turned down every time by Baron Redfist. They refuse to swear an oath of loyalty to the new administration, and as such, we plan to take action to invoke a discussion with the Baron. If they persist in their folly, a harder stance will be taken.” Written by: Aldrik Baruch Pg. 6 ADVERTISEMENT “BUY AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR A LOW LOW COST” Are you a business owner in Haense? ...and are you looking for more business in your small firm? If so, worry not as the Golden Crow Chronicles offers low low prices for an advertisement in our yearly publishing! Seek the authors at B&K Publishing for more information regarding our pricing plans! * Message Pureimp10#4596 over Discord for more information! * Message Dale#4231 over Discord for more information! * Paid for by B&K Publishing Pg. 7 GENERAL ELECTIONS OF KAROSGRAD Royal City of Karosgrad, Haense We at the Golden Crow Chronicles present to you the results for the General Elections of Karosgrad; 373E.S. - 374 E.S., we congratulate all those who have been elected and seek to recognize those who haven’t been elected and wish to acknowledge their hard fought campaigns. As always, elections for the Royal Duma take place every four years for Royal Alderman and Grand Maer, there is no time better like the present to run for elected office, for Haense is always looking for change! After a hard fought race for the seven Royal Alderman seats, the vote tallies have been counted and confirmed by the Offices of the Palatine and the Speaker which has ultimately confirmed the election of seven of the nine candidates! *Attached is the final results for Royal Alderman After a hard fought race for the contested Grand Maer seat, the vote tallies have been counted and confirmed by the Offices of the Palatine and the Speaker which has ultimately confirmed the election of one of our candidates! *Attached is the final results for Grand Maer Written by: Viktor Kortrevich Pg. 8 HISTORICAL FIGURE OF THE YEAR Lord Martin Kortrevich Alderman of Haense Commandant of the HRA Old Reza, Haense A portrait of Martin Kortrevich, c. 1728 Martin Kortrevich was a Haeseni noble, politician and military commander born to the House of Kortrevich in 1679. Throughout his early youth he lived amongst his mother and father as an only child. Typical to most common born children residing in the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska at the time, military life was a common expectation to fulfill. Growing into his adolescent years and into adulthood, he rekindled his relationships with his distant kin after moving to the Red City of Markev prior to his eighteenth name day. Quickly thereafter, Martin enlisted into the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and swiftly alongside his kin elevated himself through the ranks of the brotherhood, distinguishing himself as a prominent swordsman and military commander. As his family was elevated into Haeseni peerage and began to make a name for themselves through servitude to King and Kingdom, he alongside his kin continued their esteemed military service in addition to expanding their contributing efforts to the Kingdom. Similarly, Martin did the same but set out his career in politics by joining the Imperial Preservation Party, which was quickly followed by membership in the Blue Berets. Throughout his memberships in both parties, he was elected into the Royal Duma as a Royal Alderman three times consecutively before and during the War of the Two Emperors followed by an additional four terms directly preceding the War of the Two Emperors and into the Lorrainian Revolt. During his total seven terms spread out across a long tenure as a military Commandant, Martin brought about significant tax reform to the middle and lower classes of Hanseti, monumental change to the Kingdom’s legal codex, much desired military reforms aided by Lord Marshals Otto Kortrevich and Otto Sigmar and lastly continued shared thought of traditional Biharist ideologies. After succumbing to sudden health complications resulting from many years of tenured military service, Martin passed at the age of fifty-seven. Immediately following his passing, he was granted full military honors at a state funeral ordered by King Andrew III. During the entirety of Martin’s life in both politics and military, he is remembered for his lasting impact amongst many staple Haeseni political figures, his traditional Biharist views continue to be studied at the Royal Academy of Saint Charles to this day and practiced today by aspiring politicians in Haense post-independence. @Distraction_ Editor's Note: In the Next Edition. Interview with the Lord Speaker Update on the Halflings Haeseni Vassals Move East? This concludes Edition 22 of the The Golden Crow Chronicles, Edition 23 will be ready by the end of next year.

Martyn Gynsburg spent day after day with his wife who began to wilt away as time unforgivingly moved on. One evening, it was learned that the pioneer to the legal understanding of Haeseni Functionalism had finally presided over her last case, penned her last ruling and lastly, took her final breath of fresh air. In the coming days, Martyn would be overcome with heartbreak and as a result of such, collapsed to a state of insufferable duress. One evening, nearly a week following his wife's peaceful ascent, he too passed peacefully with naught but a broken heart. Nevertheless, he'd make his journey to rejoin his wife once more in the skies that flew overhead. A singular note which would appear to be the beginning of a memoir would be left by his bedside alongside a leather bound Haurul Caezk, the note would read; "No matter where we as subjects are on the political understanding of governance, the one thing that each of us feels deeply is we wish only to leave that institution in as well a shape as we discovered it, we do not wish to do anything to tarnish the court's reputation."