Tundrak Bloodline
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The members of the Tundrak Bloodline are the ruling dynasty of the Princedom of Fenn and Grand Princes of the Mali'fenn, producing all legitimate rulers over the centuries. Since the reign of Aelthos I Tundrak the titles and land have exclusively been lead by his progeniture. All descendants of Aelthos I Tundrak inheret his divine right to rule granted by the auspices of the Aengul Wyrvun.
Contents
History
The foundation of the Tundrak Bloodline as they are known today starts with a dissident High Elven group and their leader, Aelthos, whose insanity was healed by the Lord of the Deep Cold, Wyrvun, after passing through the World Altar. The blood of Aelthos and his peers was altered, which lead to his people becoming the Mali'fenn. These Mali'fenn took up residence in the lands of always-winter in the frozen North as the stewards of their new diety's Realm; lead by Aelthos I Tundrak, the first Grand Prince of the Mali'fenn.
The history of the Tundrak Bloodline is, in essence, the story of the Princedom itself. Serving as the royal bloodline of the Snow Elves, the Tundrak Bloodline has ruled over the Princedom of Fenn since the inception of the Mali’fenn in the ancient days of Aegis. Their rule is cemented by their martial prowess and, more importantly, the divine right they claim under the auspices of the Aengul Wyrvun.
The reign of Aelthos I was long, peaceful, and uneventful. It is not until the reign of his son, Aelthos II, that the Princedom opened to the outside world. As Wyrvun fell to corruption, the terror of his tainted form known as Ondnarch drove the Snow Elves out of their isolation during the years of Anthos, forcing them to regather their kin and reform their society. It would not be the last such occurrence, even after Wyrvun was restored to his purified form. The years of the Fringe saw the Princedom collapse under the weight of foreign invasions, scattering the Snow Elven people and taking the life of a great many Tundraks, including Grand Prince Aelthos II. This era of strife and genocide at the hands of humans, dwarves, and their very elven kin shaped much of the bitterness often found within the Tundrak Bloodline.
Athera saw the few remaining Tundraks serve as mercenaries in the employment of foreign armies, hoping to scrounge up enough funds to regather their people. It is said that these decades of mercenary work formulated the militarism within the Tundrak Bloodline that it eventually spread to the Snow Elven people as a whole.
It would be upon the continent of Vailor that these Tundraks set about their work. Led by the heir of Aelthos II, Aelthir I, the bloodline founded the city of Tar’sil and set to work rebuilding Fenn. This era would, however, be short-lived. Soon, the Orcs of Krugmar marched upon Fenn, later joined by the Empire of Oren and the realms of the Elves. The battle was bloody, but the attackers emerged victorious. Aelthir I was felled alongside most of the remaining Tundraks and a substantial portion of the Mali’fenn population. Several Tundraks managed to escape, along with the rest of the Snow Elves, who would remain scattered for years.
Finally, within the realm of Axios, the long-awaited heir emerged. Aelthir II, son of Aelthir I, began the process of rallying his bloodline and kin. Despite his youthful age, he too had taken to mercenary work in the interim since the fall of Tar’sil. Gathering his kin upon the Isle of Ceru, the young Tundrak and his people only managed to construct a fortress before the armies of the Empire of Oren and Elven realms arrived. In a fierce battle, the Tundraks proved their martial prowess, before being overwhelmed by the sheer number of attackers. Aelthir II managed to survive, although several other Tundraks were felled, including the commander of the Ivae’fenn siege weaponry that had outperformed the siege engines of the attackers - a cousin of Aelthir II’s.
Despite the tragedy, in typical fashion, the Snow Elves had no choice but to carry on. Aelthir II departed for the lands of Urguan, followed by what little remained of the Tundrak Bloodline, and the rest of the Mali’fenn. It was here that the Tundraks would finally reap the fruits of their labor. As Oren and the Elves warred upon Urguan and the Orcs, the Snow Elves quickly came to form the frontline of the loose allies’ defense. Soon, the Axiosan Coalition formed between the Snow Elves, Urguan, Orcs, Warhawkes, and the House of Staunton. The heavy infantry model promoted by the Tundraks proved effective, allowing for the use of the Snow Elves as shock troops within the combined army of the Coalition. It was through the toils of this war that Aelthir II formed a strong personal friendship with Grand King Bastion Ireheart of Urguan and King Tobias Staunton of Courland, laying the foundations for a three-way alliance that would last for much of Axios.
After a series of hard fought battles, the Coalition emerged victorious, and Aelthir II led his bloodline and people back to Ceru, founding the Citadel of Acael and city of Velaris. Upon coming of age, and having regathered most of the Mali’fenn, Aelthir II was finally crowned as Grand Prince of the reformed Princedom of Fenn, and quickly set to work rebuilding the foundations of the ancient state.
Upon the deaths of Bastion Ireheart and Tobias Staunton, Grand Prince Aelthir Tundrak II returned the Princedom and its people to their ancient isolation - one that has lasted through the transition to the continent of Atlas and founding of the city of Talar’ikur, and is still maintained to this day. As an ever constant reminder of the Snow Elves’ centuries of strife, however, the Tundrak Bloodline remains the smallest of the organized Snow Elven bloodlines.
Characteristics
The physical characteristics of the Tundrak Bloodline are fairly standard among Mali’fenn. Their height can best be described as average to a little below average, commonly around 5’10”. They are typically of a slightly more muscular build than most Snow Elves, largely due to their history of heavy infantry that predates the Princedom’s transition to heavy infantry. The typical hair color of a Tundrak is a light shade of blonde, though those with white hair are not unheard of. The average lifespan of a Tundrak is shorter even when compared to that of the average Snow Elf, as they have proven to be common targets for hostile armies and assassins both on and off the battlefield.
The typical disposition of Tundraks is, simply summed, cold. The Tundraks are known to be rather stoic, and are overall distant - particularly to outsiders. Despite this serious demeanor, they are usually warmer around close friends and family. The tragedy of their bloodline has left the older remaining Tundraks somber and quiet, which has, in turn, bled into the demeanors of the younger generation. Tundraks are known to be firm, but their compassion for their Snow Elven kin is undeniable, as they reign in a protective, almost paternal manner. It is only when such sentiments are invoked that Tundraks might be apt to lose their temper and display a rare, uncharacteristic rage.
Professions & Specialties
In addition to the strong proficiency in soldiering that the Tundraks share with the other Snow Elven bloodlines, the Tundraks are known to specialize in diplomacy and politics. If a Tundrak is not within the Ivae’fenn, they are likely to be found within a government post. Those that join the Bilok’thuln tend to do so as Orrar’sairan, or hunters. Additionally, it is not uncommon to find a Tundrak occupying a religious role, aiding to guide the populace in the worship of Wyrvun.
Style of Combat
The Tundrak Bloodline was the first bloodline to adapt the fighting style of heavy infantry, and has since introduced it to be the main fighting style of the Ivae’fenn, and a staple of all bloodlines. The Tundraks have inherited the rough fighting style of many mercenaries as a result of their time in that profession; although over the years it has become much more formalized and conventional, it is not uncommon for a Tundrak to throw in the occasional dirty attack.
Their favored weapons tend to be spears, spears, and swords, although several Tundraks have opted for warhammers. Another staple of the Ivae’fenn introduced by the Tundraks is the variability in arms and role training. Tundraks are known to have trained to adequacy in many different arms and combat roles. However, since their introduction of varied arms to the Ivae’fenn, the Tundraks have been known to neglect ranged weapons and lighter roles, most commonly opting for heavy infantry or heavy cavalry.
Politics
Under Aelthos I, the Tundraks essentially founded the conservative stance of Snow Elven politics, and introduced it as the primary ideology of the nation. Emphases were placed upon isolation and religion. However, Aelthos II reversed these trends to take a more liberal stance, along with his successor Aelthir I. In modern times, the Tundraks have overall shifted to a moderate role within Snow Elven politics. Oftentimes, they see it as their duty to serve as naught but mediators within the halls of the Grand Council, and thus are rarely known to take sides on political issues. They will often play devil’s advocate within debate for the sake of ensuring that all lines of thought and action are considered, and additionally take it upon themselves to represent the viewpoints of those without representation upon the Grand Council, including Snow Elves of organized bloodlines and those that do not belong to an organized bloodline. Ultimately, so long as the Grand Council and Mali’fenn as a whole tend to be aligned upon a certain stance, the Tundraks tend to not infringe upon the ideas of the majority.
Notable Members
Aelthos Tundrak I - The founder of the Tundrak Bloodline and of the Princedom of Fenn. Aelthos Tundrak I was the first Snow Elf, being the first to pass through the World Altar. He served as the first Grand Prince of Fenn.
Aelthos Tundrak II - The second Grand Prince of Fenn. It was under the reign of Aelthos II that the Snow Elves opened up to the outside world, and soon collapsed.
Aelthir Tundrak I - The third Grand Prince of Fenn. Although Aelthir I managed to re-establish the Princedom, his efforts proved to be brief, as it collapsed under the weight of invasion soon thereafter.
Aelthos Tundrak III - The fourth Grand Prince of Fenn. Aelthir II re-established the Princedom of Fenn, and it was under his reign that the Snow Elves joined the Axiosan Coalition and defeated the Empire of Oren and Dominion of Malin, before he returned Fenn to its ancient isolation.
Lydienne Tundrak I - Princess of Tahu'lareh; served as a Grand Councillor during the final years of Aelthos III's rule. Took upon the mantle of bloodline head after the fall of Fenn.
