Sigismond, Count of Varoche

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Sigismond Pertinax Varoche "Chancellor Sigismond of Adria" c.1904. Regent of Adria Tenure: 1916-1916 Predecessor: Title Created Successor: Title Abolished Chancellor of Adria Tenure: 1903-1916 Predecessor: Henry de Sarkozy Successor: Unknown Count of Varoche Tenure: 1907-1916 Predecessor: Title Restored Successor: Davvid Amyas Varoche Born: 6th of Horen's Calling, 1873, Arkent, Aeldin Death: 23rd of Sigismund's End, 1916, Free City of Veletzia, Rebellious Territory of Adria First Spouse: Ipera de Falstaff (m. 1891-1901) Second Spouse: Anna, Princess of Aaun (m. 1910) House: House of Varoche Father: Stefan Leopold Varoche Mother: Septimia Amelia Bracchus

Sigismond Pertinax Varoche (6th of Horen's Calling, 1873 - 23rd of Sigismund's End, 1916) of the House of Varoche, was the eldest son of the family who had long resided in the lands of Aeldin having recused themselves from Arcas and Almaris after various unfortunate events and tragedies befell their house and the great Duchy of Adria. With time Sigismond brought the House of Varoche nearly to the forefront of Adrian politics, only second to the Ducal Household of Sarkozic itself before the anathema's untimely insurrection and eventual horrid murder of the good Count Varoche after the murder of his own son, Charles, in front of himself and the innumerable blood-thirsty Renatian brigands within the Free City of Veletzia.

Early Life & Adolescence

Little much is known of Sigismond's life before he arrived upon the shores of Almaris, however, it is known that his father Stefan sent him at the young age of ten to Almaris to make the name of Varoche once more known and it is likely he did this in the hopes that Sigismond could do what he could never help achieve; to aid in an eventual restoration of Adria.

The young Sigismond found himself within the Royal City of Karosgrad where he quickly found the distant family his father had told him of, they were distant relatives descended from a close ally of the Varoche of old, the Montelliani. He found a home with these Illatians, though his living conditions were quite cramped in the small room he shared his a cousin, they were pleasant for a number of years. In time Sigismond made a number of friends, and his two younger brothers Paul and Quintus were sent from their Aeldinic home to live with him.

It was also during this time that Sigismond met a girl his age, Ipera de Falstaff, whom he became fast friends with, and in time both became enamored with one another marrying soon after they both came of age. By the time of their marriage Sigismond had moved to the Principality of Sedan, having found the air of Karosgrad and that of the Kingdom of Haense truly disagreeable. For a number of years he called Joannesport home, and for much of it he was quite happy though in his heart of hearts, he always found that something was lacking; he never could quite put his finger upon what it was though later in life he knew precisely what was missing.

Later life and involvement within the Duchy of Adria

Sigismond's involvement in the restoration of Adria began even before the start of the restoration when it was barely just a thought that was held between himself and the future duke, Heinrik. It was during a fateful meeting between the two within the old Minitzian tavern that the early plans for the Duchy's return were spoken of and drafted in their minds, an admirable goal that united the two Adrians, descendants of once powerful houses of the Duchy. It was the belief of Sigismond that a Sarkozic like Heinrik should be the Duke of Adria, to restore the ducal coronet much like John 'the Good' Sarkozic had many centuries ago within the beloved City of Belvitzia. And so that is what he and Heinrik sought to do. The pair began with creating a divide in the House of Sarkozic itself, winning Heinrik the position of northern patriarch of Sarkozic by the tossing of a coin in the ruins of San Luciano, the ruins of the ancient Savoyard enemy of Adria.

With Heinrik's power over his family secured, the far more important task of winning a dumapalooza was at hand. To aid in this task land within the south of Aaun was acquired later known as the County of Veletzia, and a camp was given to the Adrians by His Royal Majesty, Charles I, King of Aaun. A man who became a great ally to both Adria and Heinrik, giving perhaps the greatest land to the duchy and many investments into it. It was in Camp Baltas on the border of Eastfleet that the third dumapalooza in all the history of Humanity was held. Many many electors came, Sarkozic and Varoche chief amongst them of course, with the Tuvyics, Barbanovs, Bracchi, Montelliani, Ivanovich, Rutherns, and many many more as was tradition. The dumapalooza was swift, and resulted in the election of Heinrik with 16 votes, though Sigismond did receive two himself.

It was with this election that Adria was first restored... however, the jealousy of foreign nations resulted in the Duchy once more going into abeyance with the treaty of split blood. It was a time of great depression for Heinrik, with Sigismond having to keep the duke-to-be afloat from total misery. With much convincing and a few years too many, the King of the Haenseti reluctantly held the Fourth Dumapalooza and quite handily Heinrik was once more elected, allowing for the true work to restore Adria's ancient dumacratic institutions to begin.

The restoration of the Ducal Duma was perhaps one of Sigismond's greatest achievements and joys. The Duchy enjoyed a nearly populist Duma, anyone could come and participate within Adria's great dumacracy, their voice could be heard and their ideas considered by all present at the meeting of the body. Many great ideas were implemented, chief among them was the government of the Free City of Veletzia which was formulated by Sigismond and closely monitored by himself to ensure its proper functioning.

The Adrian Insurrection

The Adrian Insurrection began rather abruptly but in many ways, it was due to the actions of Sigismond Varoche that it began. For a number of years preceding it Sigismond and a few other councillors within the ducal government had noticed concerning tendencies, Heinrik had begun to consort with Azdrazi and there was clear evidence of adultery from him, staining the name of his consort, Austina of Aldersberg, whom had been a great asset to the duchy. And in more recent times Heinrik imported old enemies of Adria within the duchy itself, Renatians who followed the Godfreyist heresy, descendants of those who burned the Duchy of Adria and the city of the world's desires, Ves, to the ground.

With this mounting evidence, it was more than clear to Sigismond that he had to act otherwise his conscious would not be able to forgive itself. He conferred with the pontiff and the King of Aaun and both were in agreement that Heinrik had gone too far in his corruption by clear servants of Iblees. The King granted the warrant for the Duke's arrest and the Pontiff had drafted pontifical letters of excommunication and anathemization against Heinrik, Sigismond had written a document titled 'Heinrik's Folly' but as fate would have it the document which only he himself had a copy of was somehow relayed to Heinrik, surely through acts of devilry and magic by the anathema's evil cronies.

With this unfortunate leak of information, Heinrik raised his heretical Renatian Legions and azdrazi followers and seized control of the entire duchy, ceasing the functions of Dumacracy and becoming a military dictator alongside the Petran immigrant turned Adrian marshal Joseph Helvets of Vasile. In this time many Adrians left the duchy, a number stayed their loyalty to the Duke blinding them from his evil acts, some simply wished to protect their homes from looters.

The insurrection was a bloody affair, with the Renatians at the beck and call of the Duke of Adria many within Aaun were murdered; falling victim to the martial prowess of the heretical threat. Fort Felder was burnt to the ground, little casualties were reported. But the conflict was one that Aaun nor Adria could truly afford and so in 1918 an armistice was signed, ending the fighting for the time being.

Murder at the hands of the Anathema

The many canonist nations of Almaris had banded together, both the Kingdom of Balian and the Kingdom of Haense had sworn the destruction of the Anathema and his armies should he manage to conquer Aaun. The Archduchy of the Petra had yet to take an official stance on the conflict, and had sent letters to the now Regent of Adria, Sigismond, to meet with him to discuss the matter. After a short carriage ride to the Archduchy, both Sigismond and his eldest son Charles arrived at the capital of Valfleur.

Sigismond found the air most pleasant in the Petra, the many Petran guards lulled him and his son into a false sense of security as they climbed the many flights of stairs to the council chamber. When they sat many pleasantries were exchanged between the roaches and the Archduchess Renilde and her chancellor Laurens Halcourt. This peaceful atmosphere however would be shattered as the anathema and his Renatian brigands broke into the chamber, harassing the Archduchess and quickly subduing the two Varochi, binding them and rendering them unconscious before they dragged them off to Veletzia.

The pair were brought to the stage of Veletzia, having been paraded about the city by the heretics and heathens the Anathema now called his friends. Having been brought up to face their deaths, the Anathema first beheaded Sigismond's own son right in front of him, not even being allowed to give Charles a final goodbye as he was gagged to silence his voice.

Titles and Styles

• 1873 - 1903 Mister, Sigismond Varoche

• 1896 - 1903 His Excellency, Sigismond Varoche, the Chancellor of Veletzia

• 1903 - 1916 His Excellency, Sigismond Varoche, the Chancellor of Adria, and Lover of Dumacracy

• 1907 - 1916 His Excellency, Sigismond Varoche, the Chancellor of Adria, Count of Varoche, and Lover of Dumacracy

• 1916 - 1916 His Excellency, Sigismond Varoche, the Regent of Adria, Chancellor of Adria, Count of Varoche, and Lover of Dumacracy

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage	Notes
By Ipera of Leuven
Nicoletta Septimia Varoche	1891	Living	Kasimir Amadeus Sarkozic	Firstborn child to Sigismond and Ipera. Twin to Julietta.
Julietta Andrea Varoche	1891	1932	Ludolf Barclay	Secondborn child to Sigismond and Ipera. Twin to Nicoletta.
Amelia Paulina	1892	Living	Fernand Auguste de Lewes	Thirdborn child to Sigismond and Ipera.
Charles Stefan Varoche	1893	1916	Unwed	Fourthborn child to Sigismond and Ipera. Executed in front of his father Sigismond by the anathema, Heinrik Sarkozic.
David Amyas Varoche	1895	Living	Unwed	Fifthborn child to Sigismond and Ipera.
Lorina Anastasia	1899	Living	Unwed	Sixthborn child to Sigismond and Ipera. Born an albino and eventually aging into complete blindness.
John Laertes Varoche	1901	Living	Unwed	Seventhborn child to Sigismond and Ipera. Named for the friendship held between John 'the Roach' Varoche and Laertes de Falstaff.
By Anna of Alstion
Isabella Fiorel Varoche	1912	Living	Louis-Olivier-Etienne, Marquis of Haute-Epine	Firstborn child to Sigismond and Anna. Thought to be an exceptionally complicated birth.
Emilio Sigismondo Varoche	1916	Living	Unwed	Secondborn child to Sigismond and Anna. Born during the Adrian rebellion after Sigismond's death and thus named in his honour.