House von Draco
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The von Draco lineage descends from an ancient and prestigious warrior house dating back five hundred years. The founding member of the family being Leitseig Bartham, son of Warren Bartham, who descended from Darius Bartham, one of the three brothers who founded the House of Romstun. During the past century of factious years within the Heartlands, the house started to gain recognition again as its members involved themselves in most conflicts and delivered excellent results.
History ☩
Axios
Leitseig von Draco was knighted as the first Dragon Knight of Renatus, which became an order of the strongest martial warriors and law keepers of Aurelius’ new Empire. He played a major part in the Coup of Adelburg, helping Aurelius take the throne and disposing of John VI. Leitseig served as a captain of various bands in minor conflicts before being knighted and became the leading figure in the Third Crusade, uniting the kingdoms of Renatus, Marna and Haense where he personally led the armies of the crusade as General. After the successful crusade came to an end, he returned to the service of his liege lord, Aurelius Horen and obtained the office of Grand Marshal. Not much is known about the rest of his life, other than that he disappeared into the northern mountains of Atlas. A corpse was discovered in the snowy tundra twenty years later, which was identified as his and he was confirmed dead by the Emperor. The second most notable member of the house was the grandson of Leitseig, Edvard von Draco, whose father was Wulfgar von Draco. Edvard led a small stint in the military as a junior officer, but otherwise had a largely uneventful military career. The culmination of his life included his fanatical loyalty to the Emperor and undying fervor for the old ways. He established the Priorist Party with Hans Rovin and gained the popular vote in the newly created Imperial Parliament. The two frequently brawled with their political opponents and often raided their meetings. After taking a break from politics, five years later he tried to regain the leadership of the Priorist Party, which failed, so he took his loyalists and went off to form a new political party known as the Aurelian Party. Edvard once again regained the popular vote and went mad after he had believed the opposition to be performing a coup d’ etat against the Emperor. He launched several raids on the Parliament with his private militia and killed his political opponents in the street. He was arrested and the Aurelian Party was disbanded after they had a confrontation with the Legion, who dispersed them in the streets and shut down their headquarters.
Almaris
Desolation took over the name for years to come until the family line was traced back, revealing Argus Romstun to be a descendant of Leitseig von Draco. The house fought alongside the Empire until its dissolution. Unhappy with the Brother's War results, the von Dracos started to revolt from within the newly formed Kingdom of Oren. Regardless, they continued to go under the Romstun name for some time following the warrant issued for the von Dracos by the Royal Inquisition for their crimes against the Kingdom. The family's distaste grew quickly as Frederick I did not hide his own hatred for them. With little to no options, Argus took his family to Haense and started to look for ways to hurt the petty King in return. Soon the short Almaris Coalition War took place where the family led continuous raids on Oren with outstanding results, often taking the Kingdoms peers as prisoners and eliminating the Petran soldiers with ease. Noticing Sir Gustaf had become agitated with the Kings actions, Argus befriended the valiant farmer and agreed to assist with the Acre Rebellion. During the battle of Vienne, Argus and Dzmitry Barrow without hesitation charged fourth towards Frederick I, effortlessly overpowering the petty King. Onlookers of the court say that the brutal strikes most likely led to the King's untimely death. Instantly after the fighting stopped and the Lord-Protector of Oren announced their defeat, which led to the dissolution of the Kingdom and Oren entirely.
Without other conflicts taking place for multiple years, the house was awarded high nobility and vast lands within Haense by Karl III for their accomplishments. This stagnation lasted for over twenty years. The family and their warriors used the time to train and continue improving while eagerly awaiting action. When word was spread that Leonid Vilac alongside Blackvale settled around the lands of new Adria, Reinolt quickly travelled to meet the men of the legendary families. While lingering in those lands a rebellion suddenly was unleashed, with their final goal to get rid of the three families. The Duke stood strongly alongside Vilac, van Aert and von Draco. To show their gratitude, the three with a collective of Adrians, launched multiple attacks upon Kingdom of Aaun, returning with great songs of victory each time. News of the triumphs spread quickly and most Canonist Princes took arms against the Adrian collective, even sending unmerited raiding parties, which were always crushed with haste. Reinolt was granted many titles and lands, later assigned to oversee the newly obtained lands as the Duke of Upper Petra.
Aevos
The house arrived shattered on the new continent, its remaining members scattered throughout the human realms, while the excommunicated heads of the family remained in the Adrian successor state of Veletz. After swearing fealty to the Captain-general, the house was landed once again, but under different titles. Reinolt gathered the remaining bannermen and set off to harass the lowly lords of other realms for wealth, just like on the prior continent. Since the house reunification, it has involved itself in every battle and conflict on behalf of Veletz, but with mixed outcomes. The house aided Stassion with the assassination of King Edmund II of Aaun and heroically fought alongside Veletz when the Covenant invaded the country, where battle after battle the families numbers drastically plummeted. Nowadays, only a handful roam the realm.
Wars ☩
Both male and female born von Dracos typically become great fighters since its in their blood to raise a blade for what they believe is right. Larger part of the family fought alongside Blackvale Vrijkorps as they recognized the van Aert patriarch to be of Pertinaxi descent. Most conflicts with von Draco involvement were victorious and each time proving the houses force in battle. Some of the more recent victories include:
- Urguani-Orenian War ⚔ (53 S.A.)
- Brothers' War ⚔ (72 S.A.)
- Almaris Coalition War ⚔ (82 S.A.)
- Acre Rebellion ⚔ (86 S.A.)
- Rozanian-Sedanian War ⚔ (110 S.A.)
- Petran Civil War ⚔ (112 S.A.)
- Adrian Rebellion ⚔ (120 S.A.)
Notable Members ☩
† Argus von Draco - Descendant of Leitseig, First Lord of Crestwatch and Blade of the Empire, assisted in leading the Acre rebellion, disposing of Frederick II and dismantled Kingdom of Oren.
Sofya von Draco - Princess of Sedan and wife of Argus, an esteemed warrior since youth, led countless raids throughout the realm with stunning results.
† Donnchadh von Draco - Knight of Haense, Commander of the Greyguard, with a handful of soldiers forced Elysium to surrender during Second Coalition war, which quickly led to the nations collapse.
Cassius von Draco - Renowned Haenseni artisan and the richest person in the realm of Almaris.
† Loran von Draco - Established Mardale and funded the Adrian rebellion, led the house to great heights.
† Brankhyn Doomforged - Loyal bannerman of the house.
† Reinolt von Draco - Knight of Veletz, led the Adrian rebellion to victory alongside Leonid.
Caelan von Draco - Marshal of Adria, trained the Adrian military and made it one of the best in the realm.
Frederick II of Sedan - Loyal subordinate, fought alongside the house in Petran civil war and earned his spot.
† Edward - Legendary warrior of the house.
Azlihesaan and Renzaar - Loyal bannermen, got the house excommunicated twice.
