THE GRAND OLD

LORE: HOUSE OSTRICIA

House Ostricia, once the epitome of imperial power, now lies fractured between three competing siblings, each embodying different facets of their imperial heritage. The legacy of Emperor Garios IX, the last emperor before the Great Collapse, is a heavy burden for his descendants, all of whom have carved their own kingdoms from the ruins of the Valerian Empire. Each child is driven by their interpretation of what Valeria was, and what it should become.

House Ostricia can trace its lineage back to the early days of the Valerian Empire, when it was merely a collection of squabbling city-states. Emperor Garios I unified these territories into the Grand Valerian Empire, and his descendants would go on to rule over an empire that stretched across much of the known world for generations. House Ostricia was known for its strategic marriages, military prowess, and ironclad control over its vassals. But beneath this façade of unity, there was always a simmering tension between the imperial family and the Senate, as well as the powerful noble houses that saw themselves as equal to the imperial family.

Farengar of Winterhaven Western Valerian Imperium
Farengar, the youngest of the three, is a ruthless and authoritarian leader. Raised in the cold, unforgiving tundras of Winterhaven, his worldview has been shaped by hardship, ambition, and survival. His time among the harsh conditions of the West has made him a cold, calculating ruler who sees compassion as a weakness. Farengar believes the collapse of the Empire was due to a lack of strong leadership and thus seeks to restore the autocratic rule that once characterized Valeria, with him as its sole emperor.

The old legates and officers who supported his rise view him as a return to traditional values, but his cruelty has alienated the common people. Under his reign, poverty has soared, and banditry has become rampant, as the Western Valerian Imperial Legion (WVIL) struggles to control the vast, lawless territories. Despite the chaos, Farengar's supporters remain loyal, believing that only through iron-fisted rule can the West be rebuilt.

Farengar symbolizes the harsh, militaristic side of House Ostricia, invoking the martial legacy of past emperors, even if it means oppressing his own people.

Lady Lava of Uxhal Eastern Valerian Empire
In stark contrast to Farengar, Lady Lava is a ruler known for her kindness and gentleness. After the collapse of the empire, she was hidden away by loyal servants and eventually rescued by a former officer of her father. Brought to Veluca, she was installed as Empress of the Eastern Valerian Empire with little opposition. However, her rule is mostly symbolic, as the Imperial Senate in the East has taken control of most decision-making. Lady Lava's reluctance to use military force and her soft-hearted approach have allowed the Senate to manipulate her, turning her into a figurehead while they pursue their own agendas.

Despite her weakness in governance, Lady Lava is beloved by the people, who refer to her as "Empress Lava, the Merciful." Her reign is seen as a period of peace and mercy, though many worry that her gentle nature will be her undoing, leaving the Eastern Valerian Empire vulnerable to internal strife and external threats.

Lava represents the compassionate side of House Ostricia, a ruler who embodies the ideals of mercy and diplomacy, yet lacks the strength to command the respect and authority needed to truly rule.

Theodorus of the Southern Valerian Kingdom
Theodorus, the eldest sibling, walks a middle path between his two younger siblings. He is pragmatic, balancing the autocratic traditions of his forefathers with the necessity of involving the Senate in governance. Initially seen as a buffer state between the warring factions of East and West, Theodorus' Southern Valerian Kingdom has prospered thanks to an influx of merchants fleeing the lawlessness of the West and the heavy taxation of the East.

Under Theodorus' rule, Southern Valeria has become a center of trade and commerce, accidentally transforming into the wealthiest of the three factions. His reign is stable, but he is constantly aware that both Farengar and Lava have ambitions to reunite the empire under their rule. While Theodorus is more moderate than his siblings, he is no less ambitious. He seeks to maintain his kingdom's prosperity while subtly preparing for the inevitable conflict with his brother and sister.

Theodorus represents the balance of power within House Ostricia, embodying both strength and diplomacy, as well as the shrewdness needed to keep his kingdom thriving amid the tension between his siblings.

Despite their individual strengths, the division of House Ostricia has led to its gradual decline. Once the ruling family of an empire that spanned continents, it is now reduced to three competing factions, each struggling to claim the imperial mantle. The ideals that once united the family-strength, compassion, and diplomacy-have now fractured it. Each sibling represents a different facet of imperial rule, but none of them have been able to bring the others to heel.

The fate of House Ostricia is uncertain. Theodorus' wealth and prosperity make him a prime target for both Farengar's military ambitions and Lava's Senate-backed manipulations. As tensions rise between the East, West, and South, the legacy of House Ostricia hangs in the balance. Will one of the siblings reunite the empire, or will the family name be lost to history, torn apart by ambition, manipulation, and rivalry?

The fractured remnants of Valeria seem destined for war, but there are whispers of other powers rising as well-external factions waiting for the Valerian siblings to weaken each other. Farengar's Western Valeria remains unstable, vulnerable to internal collapse. Lava's Eastern Valeria is fragile, teetering on the edge of civil war as the Senate tightens its grip. Theodorus' Southern Valeria enjoys its golden age, but it is also in the crosshairs of both siblings. The fate of House Ostricia may well determine the future of Valeria as a whole.

Whether through military conquest, political intrigue, or economic dominance, one thing is certain the struggle for Valeria is far from over.