House of Komnenos
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General History
The House of Komnenos was founded many centuries ago, its first members hailing from distant lands, forgotten even by the best known historians. The exact date of the House’s formation remains unknown today, though it is speculated to be between 950-1000. Just like House Palaiologos, House Komnenos used to be a ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Akritos, many of its family members claiming the title Basileus for years to decades.
They were also engaged in multiple conflicts, including the Turkin War, which occurred during the time of Vailor, especially in the Battle of Nicopolis, which is also considered one of the biggest disaster of the time, though Ser Demetrios Palaiologos managed to escape battle, serving as one of the commanders, alongside a handful invaluable guards including Cataphracts.
After such great loss, the Capital of Akritos was quickly overrun by the Turkins, slaughtering women, children and men alike. This had stained the name of Komnenos for a set period of time. This also was a period where Akritos was considered under Turkin rule, becoming their overlords, after the ‘Eternal Peace’ treaty was signed. In reality, there was no power exercise over Akritians by Turkins.
Bastards of this family are referred to simply as ‘Komn’.
Figure 1: Ioustinianos in his late 50's leading the Akritian Themes.
Religion
Trab The first religion of House Komnenos was the very same one being widespread throughout Akritos, known as Orthodoxy, during the Dark Age. Though, with the unexpected arrival of an Orenian priest known as Petrus, the nation was brought into Canonism, changing all of its views regarding philosophy, stewardship and everyday life and Temples soon changed into Churches.
Due to this, the Akritians over time developed a new doctrine, known as neo-Orthodoxy, which included a re-copied dogma of the Canonist Church, to quell any incoming religious disputes, following it word by word. All of this was done by a bold man, known as Michael Diogenes, a fanatical man reigning with terror over those who dared following heretical views.
Nowadays, all of the members are devout followers of Canonism, some serving even the Church of the Canon.
Vailor
During some time, a man known as Ioustinianos “The Bastard” Komnenos, formerly Ioustinianos Doukas, was a Skoutatos-Guardsman under House Fournier of the Kingdom of Oren. Ioustinianos being born as a mere Bastard of a serf, Alexios Doukas, was highly admired by a man known as Basil Komnenos, who was a vassal under the Kingdom of Oren that time, Justinian was quickly adopted by Basil who educated and trained him, turning him into a formidable fighter who knew the way of the sword like no other.
It was this time, when Ioustinianos eventually took leadership after Basil’s passing, getting the opportunity to reform the Kingdom of Akritos, gaining independence. Over a span of time, the period of the Turkin War came, which led to Ioustinianos to form a Knighthood Order known as the Victorian Knights, to aid with the bloody battles to come. Eager men all over the Kingdom volunteered to protect what they held dear.
Generally considered a martial man, his unyielding doctrine assisted this man hold his position for a long period, managing to overcome even the hardest of situations. A man of pride and a devout follower of the Church of the Canon, viewing every other religion as heathen. Infact, he claimed Saint High Pontiff Theodosius I the Raevir as his patron Saint. Whenever an individual of noble birth interacted with him, if their education was seemingly limited, he’d often find himself in lasting disagreements, believing that they had dismissed every opportunity wasted, causing further clashes with other powerful people.
He passed away in 1570 due to complications related to heart failure.
Figure 2: Battle of Nicopolis
Atlas
Stephanos Palaiologos, shortly after his arrival, went to the Kingdom of Curonia, alongside a few last surviving members of his own House, seeking homage, though at the same time was no longer considered nobility. During this time, he raised Demetrios Komnenos as his own child, who was one of the only surviving members of Komnenos that time. Stephanos being his father figure, educated and tutored him throughout his life during their stay in Atlas, teaching him the Akritian language and other important aspects of the culture, making sure it won’t die within the coming years.
Arcas
In this period, Komnenos’s presence was most prevalent when Stephanos Palaiologos and his family took part in the War of Two Emperors, shortly after the Empire of Man fell, in 1715, being on the Empire of Renatus’s side. This is also the time where Stephanos strived to reclaim his right for the Duchy of Mystras, a title he claimed since Axios. This is the time where Demetrios Komnenos, at the age of 30, held the title Strategos of Mystras, meaning Marshal of Mystras. He and Stephanos were given a base of operations in Helena, allowing them to recruit volunteers willing to serve as soldiers for the County of Mystras, which at that time, was only titular.
As soon as the War of Two Emperors broke out, Stephanos, Demetrios, and their men took part in many skirmishes and battles against the Holy Orenian Empire, under Joseph I of House of Marna, including the Siege of Helena. After Renatus triumphed, Emperor Godfrey III of House of Cascadia, formerly Horen, sent an Imperial Letter for the County of Mystras, allowing Stephanos to vassalize under Renatus, and shortly after, Oren.
Demetrios Komnenos married Katya Volskaya, the couple having a son afterwards, namely Sir Alexios Komnenos, their only child, and they eventually divorced. Alexios was raised in Helena till 16 years old, after being left alone by both of his parents, then Anastasia Baden of House Baden raised Alexios and most of the Komnenos family during that time, essentially becoming a mother figure. He’d eventually enlist in the Imperial Renatian Legion of the Empire of Renatus, which was replaced soon by ‘The Gunners’. He also served as a steward under Renatus and rose to the rank of Sergeant & Quartermaster of ‘The Gunners’.
At the beginning of the Rubern War, he enlisted in the Imperial State Army when the previous forces were dissolved. His outstanding loyal service was eventually recognized by the Emperor Peter III of House of Horen, who in return named him Sir Alexander Komnenos, Knight of the Order of the Lion.
After long service, he retired and became the third mayor of Owynsburg in 1774, after winning the elections. He ran again for re-election in 1778 but lost this time. Shortly after this mayoral loss, he opened a jewelry store in Helena and retained the position of Minister of Labour.
Sir Alexios Komnenos also wed three different women, Theodosia Baden of House Baden, Genevieve Merentel of House Merentel and Julia Webster.
Samuel Komnenos and Azoriah "Wolfsbane" Komnenos (formerly Komn) were two bastard-born children of Sir Alexios Komnenos, who legitimized them when they were twelve. They're the first members of the family to have lived in Haense, as well as joining up with the various Haenseni military forces. Samuel joined The Hounds of Saint John & Azoria joined The Haense Royal Army. When The Hounds were dissolved due to lack of leadership, Samuel enlisted in the HRA. Only a few months after Samuel joined, the twins were sent in a small group of raiders to attack & kill a Scyfling Shaman. The task was proven to be harder than expected when Azoria was killed & Samuel was fatally wounded. He passed a few weeks after the skirmish & was buried by a creek alongside his twin sister.
During this period, Orenian influence on the Komnenos family is clearly visible, while some members are willing to preserve Akritian and Santegian values.
Figure 3: Demetrios I Komnenos and Mystran Bucellarii patrolling roads during the War of Two Emperors
Almaris
All living members of the House have made it to the new continent, notably, Sir Alexios Komnenos who resides in Providence, as well as Carter II Komnenos who resides with Anastasia O'Rourke. It's also the time where Holy Ser Theophilos has been legitimized, hereby allowing him to use the full name. He currently resides in Haense with his partner Holy Dame Avtria. Holy Ser Theophilos has been promoted to Grandmaster of the Palatine Guard Order of All-Saints, placing him as 2nd in command of the ranking ladder. With High Pontiff James II passing and the new Pontiff Owyn III arising, the Palatine Guard Order of All-Saints would quickly rebrand into the Supreme Order of Ex. Owyn, having complete changes on the leadership, as the Knight-Regent, Johan Vuiller Cardinal Aquila, has been removed from his position, new uniforms as well as new doctrines. With this, Holy Ser Theophilos would've retain his rank, which is phased out, with the new name being Captain-Commander of the Chapter of Haense. This is also during the time of the Halcourt Schism, with great tensions happening between the supporters of High Pontiff Owyn III and their enemies, Cardinal Cyril Halcourt of Borealis and associates. Such Schism also had great effects, as large scale protests erupted in both Providence and Karosgrad, while many wished for peaceful ways of protesting, others have resorted into violence, attempting even to assassinate Owyn III, who was quickly escorted to Reinmar by the Haeseni Royal Army to keep him safe from all this ordeal.
Patriarchs of Komnenos
House Komnenos follows an agnatic-cognatic primogeniture succession system, meaning that the eldest son of the family head takes over upon their death unless there are no eligible males - in which case a female may inherit.
| Name | Portrait | Birth Parentage |
Marriage(s) Issue |
Death | Coat of Arms | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil Komnenos | N/A | 1430~ | Unknown | 1510~ | 
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Baron of Trabzon, Knight of Akritos |
| Ioustinianos Komnenos, King of Akritos |
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1508 | Unknown | 1570 |
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King of Akritos, Duke of Trebizond, Count of Trabzon, Baron of Trabzon, Grandmaster of the Victorian Knights, Grandmaster of the Cataphracts, Commander of the Varangian Guard |
| Demetrios I Komnenos | 
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1686 | Katya Volskaya 1 Child |
1742 |
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Marshal of Mystras |
| Sir Alexios Komnenos | 
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1612 Helena, Renatus Son of Demetrios I Komnenos & Katya Volskaya |
Theodosia Maria Baden, 5 Children Alice Valenor, 2 Children Genevieve Merental, Duchess of Eastmark, 1 Child Julia Webster, 1 Child |
Alive |
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Knight of The Order of The Lion |
| Anastasia Rhoslyn Komnenos | 
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1767 Talon's Grotto Daughter of Demetrios II Komnenos & Clementine von Santen |
Henrik Larson 3 Children |
Alive | 
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N/A |
