GRAND OLD FACTION SPOTLIGHT
THE HARSH NORTHERN PRINCIPALITY.
PRESENTED BY DEFLUX STUDIOS
Vaenordia's origins lie in the ashes of the Valerian Empire, forged out of necessity by two rival cultures with deep historical ties to the old world. The Valerians, descendants of imperial nobles and traders, had always viewed themselves as the cultural bearers of the Empire, their wealth and influence rooted in their ties to the ancient Valerian legions. The Novaskans, on the other hand, were fierce mountain and forest dwellers, proud of their independence and their warrior heritage. They were once a loose confederation of tribes who resisted imperial authority but eventually found themselves assimilated, first through trade and later by necessity, as the Empire expanded into their lands.
The Valerians brought with them remnants of the old imperial court, their language, art, and religion still reminiscent of the grandeur of the Valerian Empire. Their cities, though weathered by time and the harsh conditions of the north, still bore the architectural marks of a once-great civilization. Valerian nobles and generals, known as boyars, held vast estates in the warmer valleys and fertile plains of Vaenordia, managing large swathes of farmland worked by serfs. The boyars see themselves as the true guardians of order, always scheming to restore the empire to its former glory, with Radomir acting as their iron-fisted leader.
In stark contrast, the Novaskans were shaped by the wild, untamed forests and highland regions of the principality. Their society revolved around the strength of the chiefdoms, semi-nomadic tribes who once survived by hunting, raiding, and controlling the mountain passes. Though many Novaskans now live in more permanent settlements, their warrior culture persists, with personal honor and loyalty to their chiefs being paramount. Svyatoslav, the Novaskan prince, rules by playing into this tribal loyalty, while always walking the tightrope between alliance and autonomy. Though the Novaskans despise the old empire’s decadence, their isolation forced them to work with the Valerians for survival after the empire’s collapse.
The founding of Vaenordia came out of desperation as the empire fractured. A tenuous truce was struck between Radomir and Svyatoslav, who saw that neither could survive without the other. The Valerians needed the Novaskan warriors to protect their holdings, and the Novaskans needed Valerian trade and resources. The council chamber where their uneasy alliance was formed still stands, though now it feels more like a powder keg than a seat of government. Mistrust runs deep. The Valerians are suspicious of the Novaskans' savage independence, while the Novaskans resent what they see as Valerian arrogance and overreach.
Although the two princes share power, Vaenordia is far from unified. The boyars and chiefs meet in separate councils, with only a few matters of defense and foreign policy brought before the Grand Council, where both princes preside. Even within their own factions, Radomir and Svyatoslav have to deal with internal rivals. Among the boyars, there are factions that whisper of breaking the pact and seeking alliances with the western Valerians, while some Novaskan chiefs dream of reclaiming their old autonomy, free from both Valerian influence and Svyatoslav’s rule.
Look forward to more faction spotlights when we hit more milestones! Until next time! -C
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THE GRAND OLD
FantasiIn the twilight of the ancient continent of Valeria, an empire teeters on the brink of oblivion. Once a bastion of unity and power, it now stands fractured by civil war, its glory fading under the weight of betrayal and ambition. Blood spills across...
