House Igsum

House Igsum's coat of arms

## Brief History

In the annals of our medieval realm, the history of House Igsum unfolds as a tale of upheaval and transformation, marked by treacherous turns and audacious defiance. The saga begins with the illustrious reign of King Arslan the Uniter, a just, but questionable ruler who eventually divulged the realm into a state of chaos. Eventually, the kingdom's walls crumbled as the formidable alliance of Houses Stroheim, Barbander, and Bayernt, and Dresari seized power, marking the end of King Arslan I's rule. In the wake of his father's departure, Prince Sigebehrt found himself at a crossroads—torn between duty and rebellion.

Fueled by a fervent desire to reclaim the usurped throne, Prince Sigebehrt chose defiance. He forged a band of loyalists, becoming the leader of the notorious "Drakwald Gang." Under the cover of darkness, they struck at the heart of the occupying forces, sowing chaos and uncertainty, becoming a symbol of resistance.

As tales of their exploits spread, Prince Sigebehrt and the Drakwald Gang emerged as potent forces in the ongoing struggle for power. In a resounding victory on 9-26, Prince Sigebehrt vanquished Gustavus Stroheim in battle and hung him at Castle Drakwald. The return of the revered relic, the "King's Blade," marked a symbolic redemption of ancestral honor.

In the aftermath of defeating "The Usurper" Gustavus Stroheim on 9-26, House Igsum allied with historical rivals, House Dresari, to restore justice to the realm. The sacred oath between the houses ensured support for House Dresari's claim to the throne, with dire consequences for any breach.

The saga of House Igsum continues, marked by a turbulent history of rebellion, redemption, and an unyielding pursuit of justice. As the self declared Outlaw King navigates the currents of Vina, the legacy of House Igsum endures, an indomitable force in the ever-shifting landscape of medieval politics.

## Notable Events

### *Reign of King Arslan Igsum "The Uniter"*

King Arslan the Uniter's reign, once marked by wisdom and prosperity, unraveled in the face of mounting chaos within the realm. As the shadows of discord lengthened, a civil war erupted, tearing at the very fabric of the kingdom he sought to unite. Despite his earnest efforts to maintain peace, the alliance of Houses Stroheim, Barbander, Dresar, and Bayernt proved formidable, leading to a bitter conflict that ultimately saw King Arslan I lose his grip on the throne. The echoes of his reign lingered in the ruins of the kingdom, a poignant testament to the tumultuous chapter that unfolded under his rule.

King Arslan ruled until the 308th Day of the Second Year.

### ***House Igsum's Descent into Banditry***

In the aftermath of the kingdom's collapse, House Igsum, once noble and revered, found itself at a crossroads. Led by Prince Sigeberht, who refused to accept the usurpation of his family's legacy, the Drakwald Gang was born. Formed out of necessity and fueled by a burning desire for justice, the notorious gang became a symbol of defiance against the occupying forces. House Igsum, stripped of its throne, plunged into the shadows of banditry and mercenary work, the once-honorable name now associated with the audacious exploits of the Drakwald Gang. This marked a turbulent chapter in the house's history, as the Prince and his band of rebels sought redemption and the restoration of ancestral honor in the chaotic medieval landscape.

### ***The Usurper's Demise***

In a climactic showdown that would echo through the annals of Vina's history, Prince Sigeberht, leading the audacious Drakwald Gang, confronted the treacherous usurper Gustavus Stroheim. The battlefield outside Castle Drakwald bore witness to a fierce clash, where the Drakwald Gang's determination prevailed. In a resounding victory on 9-26-2023, Prince Sigeberht defeated Gustavus Stroheim in battle, delivering swift justice for the usurpation that had plunged the realm into turmoil. The noose, fashioned with the weight of Stroheim's treason, served as a chilling symbol of retribution within the solemn confines of Castle Drakwald. With the Usurper's demise, House Stroheim crumbled, marking the end of their tainted rule and leaving Vina in a state of tumultuous upheaval.

### ***Reclamation of the Realm***

Following the demise of the Usurper Gustavus Stroheim, Vina lay shattered, its future hanging in the balance. In an unexpected turn, House Igsum, historically at odds with House Dresari, chose unity over rivalry. Led by Sir Sigeberht, House Igsum pledged its support to House Dresari's claim to the throne. The once bitter adversaries forged an alliance rooted in the shared goal of restoring justice to the beleaguered kingdom. As House Dresari faced internal strife and rebellious forces, the unlikeliest of alliances emerged, reshaping the political landscape of Vina in the aftermath of the Usurper's death.

### ***Rogue Monarch***

In the aftermath of the hard-fought civil war, House Dresari emerged victorious, securing the throne of Vina. However, amidst the shifting tides, Sir Sigeberht Igsum, leader of the Drakwald Gang, seized a bold opportunity. Declaring himself the Outlaw King, he laid claim to the untamed wilderness and rugged mountains. With the audacious Drakwald Gang at his side, Sir Sigeberht announced dominion over the lawless expanse, marking a chapter in Vina's history where the untamed lands answered to the rule of the Outlaw King.

### ***Second and Third Siege of Drakwald***

In a perplexing turn of events, House Dresari, blinded by delusions of eradicating the Igsum menace, orchestrated the ill-fated second siege of Castle Drakwald. Despite breaching the castle's front gate and infiltrating the courtyard, the invading forces were met with fierce resistance, inflicting staggering casualties and compelling a retreat to Sunspear. Notably, the valiant Sir Huxley of the Underbrush, known both for his notoriety as a robber knight and his innate goodness, fell victim to enemy forces, struck down by Lord Damon Brightroar before the ***"Golden Lion"*** was fatally wounded and captured, but had unfortunately escaped closely with his life, aided by his son and brother, Veran Brightroar and Daron Brightroar.

As House Igsum regrouped, unaware of impending reinforcement, the beleaguered enemy rallied with additional crown troops from the city garrison. In the ensuing battle outside Sunspear, Sir Huxley's absence cast a somber shadow over the field. Despite his fame as a notorious figure, the fallen knight was remembered for his underlying goodness, a rare trait in the realm of robber knights. His tragic demise, orchestrated by the very Lord Damon Brightroar he faced in honorable combat, added a poignant layer to the unfolding tragedy.

Despite the setback, House Dresari, bolstered by its deceptive "victory," initiated yet another siege on Drakwald. This time, Igsum's preparedness proved insurmountable. Strategically utilizing halberds and javelins, the defenders thwarted the siege, leaving Dresari demoralized and defeated, retreating to Sunspear in the face of Igsum resilience.

## Notable Characters

### ***Outlaw King Sigeberht Igsum***

The Outlaw King Sigeberht Igsum, a once-mysterious and formidable figure, emerged from the shadows of a fractured kingdom as a symbol of relentless defiance. Born into the once-proud House Igsum, Sigeberht witnessed the usurpation of his father, King Arslan, leading him down the path of rebellion and banditry. With audacious tactics and a retinue of battle-hardened followers known as the Drakwald Gang, Sigeberht reclaimed the King's Blade, a cherished family relic, and orchestrated the downfall of the usurper Gustavus Stroheim. Now, as the sovereign of the untamed wilderness, the Outlaw King stands poised to rewrite the fate of Vina, using his cunning, ancestral honor, and unyielding resolve to navigate the tumultuous currents of political strife and restore House Igsum's legacy to its former glory.

### **Sir Huxley of the Underbrush**

Sir Huxley of the Underbrush, a once-notorious robber knight, carved an indelible mark upon the tumultuous annals of Vina's history. His journey alongside Crown Prince Sigeberht, from their shared exploits to the outlawed rebellion, showcased a transformation from a renowned brigand to a respected knight. Knighted in recognition of his valor, Sir Huxley, though infamous for his deeds, carried a reputation for sparing serfs, a rare gesture of nobility amid the chaos. His noble death in the second siege of Drakwald, struck down by Lord Damon Brightroar, marked the end of a chapter for the famed highwayman. Yet, his legacy lives on in tales that echo through the mountains, a testament to a man who defied expectations, leaving an enduring imprint on the realm he once roamed as an outlaw.

1. ↑ Sigeberht Igsum
2. ↑ Huxley of the Underbrush