Duchy of Valkyr

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Valkyr. Home of the last dragon, home to the last vestiges of Diregon.

*“Where once the dragon rose, has now come to rest for the last time. In a feast of crows, we bury the dragon remembering the best of times. Though brief we basked in its glow, we remember the times. Virmoy Diregon, for I the last dragon will uphold the legacy of my forefathers.”*

Quote by Seved z Červenliška, the 6th lord of Valkyr.

Valkyr, a proud fort that has withstood the test of time. Located near the bank of the maddrak river. Many have come to call it the ‘floating castle’, due to the artificial lakes that surround the castle’s flank. Founded by Evan Korzak z Červenliška in roughly 30 TE. Now stands on the brink. Gone are the days of Valkyr's glory, gone are the days when people clamored to request residence in the once crowded city. Now the city stood a shadow of it's former glory.

## **Evan Korzak z Červenliška, the White Crow.**

Little is known about Evan's past, but one thing. The man was not truly a man but a full blooded Sumari, though he unlike many of his Sumari brethren maintained human form at all times. Whether he was born in Mosir or not is up to speculation. The records of the time describe him as a man with pure white hair and striking purple eyes. Scholars seem to agree that he was born roughly around the start of winter on 1 TE. Though it is hard to tell with Sumari, for he may have been much much older than the records state he was.

Nothing is known of Evan's childhood as many records simply assume he used to be a noble born in Mosir, fled Mosir due to disagreements and then lived out his early adulthood as a gallivanting bandit. Few records of his deeds remain, one called the 'The Noble Bandit' Where the author described Evan and his band as "seemingly heroic as they swooped in to clash with any foes that threatened the peace." The other record is from the National Archives of Swardia as they describe the man as foolhardy and cocky.

Later in life roughly when Evan turned 20 he began to appear in recordings saying he frequented Maddrak and how he fought for any side that would give him coin. The Banner he carried to battle, kept upheld on his dark steed was said to reflect the light. Hence the name 'Sunburst Flare'. No surviving images or portraits remain of Evan and any records that mentioned were miniscule compared to his imposing presence as a military figure.

Though by the time he turned 30, no records of banditry, mercenary work or fighting has been recorded since. Many speculate that this was around when he settled down in the Valkyr Peninsula and where he met his Wife Valkyria or Vaskyria (depending on the source of the record). Many mention that Valkyr early on looked nothing like a city and more like a military camp. Many mention that Evan struggled to get any progress made in the region due to the state of Phoenia that ruled over them, and had attempted to chase him out on many occasions.

Eventually had succeeded to push out Evan out of the plains and onto the mountainous region on the peninsula. Though for a time that eased the conflict between him and the rulers of the region, and eventually led to an agreement of truce between the two parties.

Later in the mid summer of 33 TE, Evan's first son was born. Which he named Braham after his wife's brother. The boy was said to be the first half blood Sumari to be born in the region. Amongst the guests that came to celebrate his son's birth was Poriis Petrausk, leader of a large town within phoenia. The man was well respected and everyone in phoenia knew who Poriis was despite rising tensions between him and his overlord.

Evan eventually struck an agreement with Poriis, where he was promised the land in the Peninsula, if he was to fight one more conflict against the Phoenians.

Details of Evan's involvement in the phoenix crisis remain vague at best, for it seems he tried to merely keep his family safe and raid trade caravans coming to Dulguldur. One record mentions him naming the peninsula after his wife, since her blood was spilled in one of his failed raids.

In late autumn of 38 TE, Evan's last recorded appearance was in Swamp where he celebrated their victory, but little did he know that the wine that was drunk during the feast was poisoned by Phoenian Sympathizers, from which he succumbed to a few hours later.

Poriis despite making an agreement with Evan, held up his agreement with Evan's son Braham and daughter Karina. Allowing the young man to develop the province under the crown of Swardia once the dust of war settled.

## Braham Evan z **Červenliška.**

**Braham's Campaigns in Rathnir.**

As column of smoke rose to starry night. Another town was set ablaze. Since his father’s death, peace has become a namesake. Something that people wished for but could not see.

As he told his men to survey the wreckage for survivors, Braham pulled out his scope to survey the wider region. Who would strike such a remote village in the middle of nowhere? He knew the war was going badly, but this was worse than expected. Best to be prepared for the worst outcome. Sailing to Rathnir for riches was a mistake.

After surveying the area for some time, he could see no one in the woods or near the village. Strange, he’d at least expect to see bodies littering the ground, but there were so few it made it seem like the village simply vanished.

Yet, upon a closer look at the village. He noticed his troops holding onto a young boy. Coming closer to the thrashing boy, Braham lowered himself to eye level before speaking softly. “Calm yourself kid. We’re not here to harm you.” Noticing the kid being completely terrified he turned to his men. “Let him go.”

“Can you speak?” Braham asked the young child. Seeing how shaken he was, he simply patted the kid on the shoulder. There wasn’t much they could do here, and staying near the battlegrounds was not a good idea.

“Do you know where the other villagers are?” He asked. Perhaps this time, the kid could point him in a direction.” Thankfully, the kid raised a shaky hand to point towards the forest.

“Soldiers. Survey the area but make sure to raise white and not draw your weapons. Are we clear?” After a loud confirmation, Braham nodded to himself as he looked at the soot covered child. “Do you know where your family could be?” Regretting it as soon as he asked. The kid’s eyes flooded with tears as he pointed towards the burning husk of a home. With his sharp eyes, he could tell it was covered in blood and ash.

“Come with me. We’ll help you rejoin the other villagers. Perhaps they would be able to be of aid.” Giving a hand to the child, as much as his old back could allow him. Braham assisted him to sit on the pommel of the saddle.

\* \* \*

After a few hours of searching, a group of soldiers began to emerge out of the forest tailed by a small ragtag group of villagers. They were in an awful state and needed tending to. “Bring bandages, boiled water, some vinegar, alcohol, wood ash and mint! We’ll need a lot of it to help the wounded. On the double!”

The men quickly ran to prepare the items. Soon, he and his men began to help the wounded along with many requiring more than a few stitches. “Who did this to you?” Braham asked to one of the less severely wounded men.

“Bandits swarmed the area have been plaguing us for months! We couldn’t go to the nearby town without being robbed or killed. It got so bad we simply had to build walls around our little village, to our lord’s displeasure and thus left us on our own. We quickly were massacred by one of the larger bandit groups in the area and run off with some of ours and killed most of the rest. The gods have truly forsaken us on that day.”

Closing his eyes briefly as he processed the information. Too many have died fighting this pointless conflict, it was time they returned home and focused on other things. “You may travel with us to the nearest port town. Our group of soldiers should offer you enough protection to get you there safely.”

The man chuckled briefly before speaking. “You have a good heart… Shame you decided to fight on the wrong side of the conflict.”

He could no longer hear what the man said afterwards, for Braham worked in silence as his head was flooded with things to say. Things he couldn’t put into words. Wanting to offer them words of comfort would be too callous of him considering the situation, so he worked automatically while perturbed with his feelings.

As the sun was beginning to set, they managed to patch up the villagers for the road. Offering the unable to rest in the wagons was the best he could do for now as they marched on towards their destination. Onwards they marched as Braham shared his horse with the little child.

Braham couldn’t get a name out of him, and he barely has spoken a word since. And yet, the child clung to Braham and wouldn’t leave his side for the rest of their journey.

\* \* \*

The seagulls were loud as always, and the ruckus of the port was audible from even a mile away. Braham could only feel happiness upon reaching the undamaged port town. Ten days of travelling had caused their supplies to dwindle faster than anticipated and exhaustion was setting in harshly.

Upon reaching an agreement with the first ship to his home in Eldham. Braham turned to their companions and tossed them a large bag of coin.

The older man rushed to Braham in shock. “We couldn’t accept this! This is yours!”

“I don’t want coin earned in blood, so I offer it to you who have most suffered from this conflict.”

The old man cried along with some of the others as they thanked him for this.

Shaking his head. Braham didn’t want to be thanked. He didn’t deserve to be thanked, not after seeing the brutality of this war and the ravaged countryside. It was best they leave before he did anything stupid, best to help those who seek to leave.

“Sir?” Braham turned to look at the little guy observing him. “Can I become a great hero like you?”

“Become a doctor instead. Mercenaries like us are no better than bandits. Doctors deserve the title of heroes. For I am a charlatan.” Braham didn’t know if the child understood what he meant, but that was the most he could offer the little one. And as the ship departed the country’s port, Braham felt grim for the rest of the journey home but couldn’t explain why.

He could only hope that the child becomes a better hero than he ever would be.