Vollachian History

## Early History

The large island is located off the Coast of Martyrs, on the Eastern shores of Vollachia. Ireland is mountainous and forbidding with rough and treacherous currents around the isle. Sailing is hazardous, especially during the winter storms when the cold can freeze ropes and sails. The nearby waters have rich fishing grounds, which is the main form of sustenance for the Island.

They are an isolated people descended from the first settlers of the Island thousands of years ago, with little interruption up until the *Vollachian Inquisition* in the year 984 DR. Because of their size and smell, some clerics believe the native Irishmen have a strong admixture of Bugbear blood, whereas others suggest they may be partially descended from Giants. The native Irishmen are said to live in caves or mountain fastnesses.

Up until the *Vollachian Inquisition*, the island was in theory a part of the Empire, however in practice they were autonomous and governed by tribal hierarchies. Following the events of the *Vollachian inquisition*, the Island broke off from the Kingdoms influence and has since been isolated and cut off from the mainland entirely.

Following this period, the people of Ireland, which now included multiple races of people, became generally despised by the populace of the Vollachian mainland, who derisively call them "Irish". They regard the ‘’Irish’’ as little more than tribes of raiders and savages, not dissimilar to Goblins and Orcs. They are considered a backward folk, rumoured to still perform human sacrifices (a practice banned in Vollachia), lure passing ships to destruction with false lights, and engage in cannibalism during winter. When they trade with outsiders, the Irish men offer pelts, rare metals and arrowheads.

## Vollachian Inquisition:

Beginning on the 2nd month of the year 984 DR, the Vollachian Inquisition was the systemic genocide of multiple races across the Empire.

Having believed himself to have received divine inspiration, the Crazed King, Karion III, ordered the extermination of multiple races deemed to be of tainted blood. This included the mass genocide of Bugbear’s, Firbolgs, Kenku’s, Goblins, Orc’s, Changeling’s and many more (along with any practisers of arts and beliefs deemed twisted and evil; such as Blood hunters).

Spanning 4 years, the genocide saw the mass exodus of peoples with many taking on the wager of crossing the Dust Bowel to seek refuge; albeit, most perishing to it’s harsh traverses. A notable number of races also took refuge to the Island of Ireland, where they were welcomed and quickly assimilated into the Island’s customs whilst bringing their own vast traditions and knowledge to the natives.

An insurrection soon arose in Ireland against Vollachia, with the Island soon becoming the face of the resistance against the mainland, and was the first time that a force was able to mobilise to strike back. The Island successfully operated various guerrilla tactics and raiding missions of supply lines across the entire eastern coast.

Aggravated by the rebellion of Ireland, the Crazed King assembled his forces to prepare a large-scale naval invasion of the Island. However, before the Crazed King was able to execute his orders, a civil war broke out in the empire, referred to as the *12-day wa*r.

A branch family of the Vallachian nobility, led by Lord Longress Valent, sieged the capital for 12 days with the support of the private armies of the allied noblemen and mercenary forces ( believed to have been paid with the support of the Elves of the Primordial Forest).

The Capital, Vollachia, finally fell on the 12-day of the siege after the garrison’s surrender and opening of the Royal Keep. The Crazed King was stabbed by a member of each of the Noble houses, a part of the faction led by Valent, so that the blood of the deceased King would serve to forge closer ties between them and the reward be equally shared.

Valent sent the head of the Crazed King to Ireland, asking for the displaced refugees to return to home and that Ireland end its insurrection. The reply received simply stated ‘’This is our home now.’’.

Valent and the court of noblemen later decided that the regency should come to an end and that a King, from the royal household of Vollachia, once again sit the throne. 7 sons of the deceased King had each been taken as a ward of the triumphing Noble families, with one to be selected as King. Following the dark exploits of the former King, it was decided that the right of succession would no longer be left to traditional means and that only the one worthy to rule would hold the title. This led to the formation of the *Royal Election Ceremony*, where the claimants to the throne would prove their worth and right to succession. [*This later became lost in translation and understood as the one who could prove themselves to be the strongest, resulting in a battle royal until one claimant remained*].

Vangeance Vollachia, ward of Lord Valent, was selected to become the next King of Vollachia; with his line continuing for hundreds of years, all observing the selection ceremony rites. Similarly, the Island of Ireland remained independent and in isolation from the mainland for hundreds of years, despite the attempt to annex the island during the *Vollachian-Irish war* of 1374 DR.

## Sigil of House Vollachia

The Sigil of the rulers of Vollachia has changed throughout history, notably before and after the *Vollachian Inquisition*.

Up until 984 DR, House Vollachia were the undisputed ruling power in the region, claiming the title of King. Their house, named after the land itself, was one of the ancient house’s that first settled in the region following the Dalesfolk Reckoning. The sigil of House Vollachia consisted of a Golden Lion with a bloodred base.

The sigil was formed in patronage of the House’s founder, Kalahad Vollachia, who successfully defeated all the other clans and tribes into submission; famously riding into battle with a Golden Lion. The Red background represents the battleground soaked in the blood of his enemies.

Following the Vollachian Inquisition of 984 DR, and execution of the Crazed King, the Noble faction led by House Valent established the temporary *Regency State of Vollachia*. Longress Valent was selected as the Lord Regent of the Empire and a new Sigil was established to reflect the shift in power. The sigil of House Valent, a red Lion under a golden background, was subsequently incorporated into the Vollachian Sigil.

House Valent was a branch family of house Vollachia, sharing lineage to the first King of Vollachia; Kalahad Vollachia. The Lion represents this deep connection, however with it’s colours reversed to highlight it’s divergence from the royal line.

Following the 10-year regency period and conclusion of the Royal Selection ceremony, the Sigil of the Royal House was changed once more. Vangeance Vollachia was the ward of House Valent during the regency and upon his ascension to the throne was wed to the eldest daughter of House Valent to solidify his power and influence.

This union with House Valent was further formalised through the creation of the new Royal sigil of House Vollachia. This included a Red Lion, coated in a Golden Aura with a horizontal split of a blood red and golden background. The sigil depicts the birth of the new Lion out of a pool of blood, wearing its Royal coat, and reaching out it’s claws into the golden dawn; representing peace & prosperity.

The house words of House Vollachia are ‘’*Ours is the choice*’’.