House van Aert
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| Descendants of the esteemed Imperial House of Renatus and its cadet house, the line of Martius the Corsair Prince, and Yury the Black-Eyed. |
Contents
History ☩
The van Aert bloodline is notable for its strong male seed, a result of their direct descendance from the House of Horen. The history of the newly established house is new and inspiring with mystery to their unique origin. The lands which the Lodenlanders hail from can not be pin-pointed on a map but it is imagined that they descend partially from the middle mountains of Aeldin, hence their namesake. Although their famous ancestors can be traced back to as far as two hundred years it is noted that their divergence from Renatus proper and its Imperial culture can be as a direct result of Martius’ famed sea voyages. Martius, the Corsair Prince notoriously raided the northern coasts of Aeldin after his departure from Renatus and sired many bastard sons and daughters among the local populace. In particular, when his son Georgius joined his raids he too sired sons and daughters with the most notable being his son Avgust, who became an astute man of martial character and captained various mercenary companies in the foreign continent.
In his travels, Avgust met a woman from the lands where the Lodenlanders settled and he sired five sons and one daughter. His wife, known by no name other than that she was a woman of profound taste for exquisite items, was rumored to be the daughter of the local lord. In an unfortunate turn of events, the local lord was invaded by a rival and Avgust was obligated to defend his lands. The lord and his daughter were banished from the lands and the oldest son Casper, named Gaspard by his mother, fled with his siblings to a nearby port town. From there, they sailed to the lands of Almaris and established themselves as a small but decently competent band-for-hire. They were no strong company at arms but with experience and renown they grew to have a reliable reputation enough to the point where they eventually housed a company of two hundred men. Gaspard organized his family into a position of strength and courted the various powers of the Almaris continent. There, much like his father, he advertised his expertise and was eventually welcomed at the court of Emperor Philip II, the monarch of the Holy Orenian Empire. A treaty was signed that agreed upon favorable terms, providing provisions of military assistance in the aid of war in return for land which Gaspard could settle and establish political control. The land was surrounded by swamps, hills and curtained by a mountain that blocked any possible expansion. Eventually, to make matters worse, the land which he had settled was the site of a holy place of worship for the people of Yong Ping. The unfavorable land worth cultivating and the ensuing headache of foreign pilgrims saw Gaspard depart from the lands and instead travel to the lands of Urguan’s sons. He entered into a treaty similar to the one he had signed with Oren, which saw him bestowed a large fief in the mountain valley named the Blackvale.
Culture ☩
The men and women which owe allegiance to the van Aert family are simply known as Lodenlanders and form an odd culture much different from the settled peoples of Almaris. They share a very strong cultural similarity with the Imperials, but differ on naming conventions and a foreign tongue. Their accent, to the unknown ear, could be mistaken for a Santegian, but they stand out comparably when spoken side by side. They dress themselves in flamboyant garments with bright colors, most recognisably their flared pantaloons and their distinct appreciation for the color of burgundy which is adorned on the shield of the van Aert family. They are chiefly made up of stocky folk who practice warfare as their main source of income, but also take up various other crafts during times of peace and prosperity.
Blackvale Vrijkorps ☩
With the conclusion of the War of the Wigs and peace at hand, the men of Blackvale now return to their humble posts. From its wake, the Blackvale Vrijkorps re-emerges as a company-for-hire, delivering swift and assured victory to the highest bidder. Its ranks are comprised of veterans and the most elite of warriors, doubling as a guard force for the peaceful lands of Arichsdorf should the need arise. Versed in all manners of warfare, the Vrijkorps is proficient in combat both mounted and foot, as well as in the art of strategy and leadership. The Blackvale Vrijkorps have entertained many battles, of which their most prominent successes are denoted below.
Norlandic Skirmish - The inaugural fight for the men of Blackvale, then the County of Middelan. Seeking to test their mettle, the then Count Gaspard sought out the Norlanders, of which an equal fight ensued. The Vrijkorps flawlessly defeated their foe.
Rustler Skirmish - As the Vrijkorps continued in their training, they were sought out by the Rustler brigand group, who had challenged them to an equal fight in the same lands which the Norlanders had. The Vrijkorps flawlessly defeated their foe.
Savoyard Skirmish - The Ferrymen called upon Auguste van Aert to aid his band against the Savoyards in their skirmish. With a small detachment of about 80 soldiers, the men of Blackvale held the flank, and then pressed onwards to fight at the capital. The Vrijkorps flawlessly defeated their foe.
Battle of Stone Tower c. 1850 - With the Orenian Archchancellor captured, the Tripartite forces anticipated a counter on Stone Tower. The Vrijkorps positioned themselves in a secret flanking tunnel, waiting for the arrival of their enemy. As the Imperial host descended upon Stone Tower, the men of Blackvale surged out from their flank, wreaking havoc upon their adversary. The main Tripartite force then followed suit, and the Orenians were cut down as they ran. The Vrijkorps flawlessly defeated their foe.
Battle of New Providence Bridge c. 1851 - Together with the Ferrymen Band, the Vrijkorps set out to the Imperial Capital of New Providence. The force of 2000 was met by 4000 in their enemy. In spite of their odds, the men of the Vrijkorps were never startled, and fought with utmost vigour. Of the 2000 Imperials slain, the men of Blackvale were responsible for over half. A decisive victory for the Vrijkorps and the Tripartite
Siege of Southbridge c. 1854 - The concluding battle of the Dwarven offensive. The Imperial Garrison was torn apart by the Tripartite trebuchets, allowing for the Vrijkorp contingent to advance. Amongst the first to scale the walls, the men of Blackvale fought ruthlessly, clearing the fortress in its entirety. Their casualties in the siege were little to none and their kills were many. A decisive victory for the Vrijkorps and the Tripartite
Battle of Lower Petra c. 1859 - Perhaps one of the greatest feats accomplished by the Vrijkorps. The Imperial infantry, commanded by Generalissimo Hugo van Aert, held Jarad’s Tavern, letting loose barrages of arrows into the advancing Tripartite forces. As the enemy drew near, the infamous Arn’s Flank smashed into their force. This provided an opening for the van Aert commander to lead his troops into the fray. The battle was brutal and bloody but victory was earned. It is certain that without the combined strategy of the two van Aert cousins and the temerity of the Blackvale force, victory would not have been achieved.
Battle of Haverlock Fields c. 1860 - Upon receiving word of a Tripartite patrol, the Vrijkorps swiftly sallied out to meet them. It is said that, after hearing that Mihaly van Aert was present amongst the rally, the Tripartite fled to their holding in Haverlock. Their fears were warranted, for soon afterwards all but seventy of their men remained - The Vrijkorps flawlessly defeated their foe.
Siege of Haverlock c. 1861 - The deciding battle in the reconquest of Lower Petra. Rumour has it that the skygods had struck down the fearsome Mihaly, as well as Gaspard, fearing they would decimate the Tripartite. Nevertheless, under the command of Generalissimo Hugo van Aert and cavalry commander Arn van Aert, the city was sacked and its defenders vanquished.
Other successes include: Second Battle of Ephesius, Second Battle of Jarad’s Tavern, Second Battle of Stone Tower, Defense of Arichsdorf, Defense of New Providence, Capture of the Norlandic King, Capture of the False Emperor.
| Rank | Description |
|---|---|
| ☩ CAPTAIN | The Chief Commander of the Vrijkorps |
| ☩ FLEIVER | The most veteran and elite breed of soldier, excelling in all manners of war. It is not uncommon for one or even two to be deemed a captain’s second and third, to perform as lieutenants. |
| ☩ SERGEANT-AT-ARMS | Fine grizzled soldiers with loud barking voices and contempt for lazy soldiers, capable of organizing and leading those around him |
| ☩ DRAGONER | Awarded to Landsknechts who have seen many battles, and have proven to be reliable when the arrows fly |
| ☩ LANDSKNECHT | Soldiers who have proven their worth in batte and earned their beret, the Starfish |
| ☩ INITIATE | The newly recruited of the enlisted corps, fresh-faced and inexperienced |
Blackvale Relics ☩
| Burgvndiae Virtvs |
The rapier in question is a magnificent weapon, its blade slender and sharp like a needle, perfect for quick thrusts and parries. The overall length of the rapier is about 40 inches, with a blade length of approximately 35 inches. The hilt of the rapier is intricately crafted, with a quillon guard that provides additional protection for the wielder's hand. What truly sets this rapier apart, however, is the deep burgundy gemstone that is set into the pommel. The gemstone is flawlessly cut and polished, reflecting light with a deep, almost otherworldly radiance. It is said that the gemstone is imbued with a mystical power, granting the wielder an edge in battle. The rapier has been passed down through the generations of Gaspard I's family, with each subsequent owner adding their own unique mark to the weapon. It has seen its fair share of battles, including the Brother's War and the War of Wigs. In the hands of skilled fighters, the rapier has been used to cut through enemy lines, pierce armor, and strike down opponents with deadly accuracy. Despite its age, the rapier remains in excellent condition, a testament to the skill of the craftsmen who created it and the care of its owners. It is a symbol of the family's legacy, a reminder of their history and the sacrifices that were made to ensure their continued existence. To hold this rapier is to hold a piece of history, a weapon that has been wielded by some of the greatest fighters of its time.
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Wars ☩
- Urguani-Orenian War ⚔ (53 S.A.)
- Brothers' War ⚔ (72 S.A.)
- Malinor-Horde War ⚔ (78 S.A.)
- Almaris Coalition War ⚔ (82 S.A.)
- Acre Rebellion ⚔ (86 S.A.)
- Adrian Rebellion ⚔ (120 S.A.)
Patriarchs of van Aert ☩
| Name | Portrait | Birth Parentage |
Marriage(s) Issue |
Death | Coat of Arms | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaspard I Gaspard van Aert |
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21 S.A., Aeldin
Son of Avgvst Vilac |
Unknown
Willem van Aert, Alene van Aert |
65 S.A. ✝ | 
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Count of Blackvale Imperial Prince of Renatus Patriarch-Dynast of the Pertinaxi Baron of Pestilles |
| Willem I Willem van Aert |
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48 S.A., County of Blackvale
Son of Gaspard van Aert |
Heidi de Vilain
Valentin, Wilhelmina |
108 S.A. ✝ |
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Duke of Blackvale Baron of Pestilles |
| Valentin I Valentin van Aert |
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88 S.A., Barony of Acre
Son of Willem van Aert |
Emmalina Vasile
Johanes, Germanicus, Gaspard |
Alive |
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Duke of Blackvale Prince of Renatus Patriarch-Dynast of the Pertinaxi Baron of Pestilles |
| Captain-General of Veletz | ||||||
| Johanes I Johanes van Aert |
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106 S.A., Velec
Son of Valentin van Aert |
Klara Miray
Amelya, Esmee |
Alive |
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Captain-General of the League of Veletz, Duke of Middelan, Count of Veletzia, Count of Varoche, Defender of Dumacracy, First Citizen, Protector of the Midlands. |
| Germanicus I Germanicus van Aert |
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107 S.A., Velec
Son of Valentin van Aert |
none
none |
147 S.A., League of Veletz ✝ |
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Captain-General of the League of Veletz, Duke of Middelan, Protector of the Midlands. |
| Gaspard II Gaspard van Aert |
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119 S.A., Velec
Son of Valentin van Aert |
none
none |
Alive |
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Captain-General of the League of Veletz, Duke of Middelan, Bannerlord of Velec, Protector of the Midlands.
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