House Vardyn

House Vardyn is the most powerful family on Arvinder, having ruled the Empire of Andvar for over six centuries, with their two founding figures, Kryxus Vardyn and his son, Darius the Conqueror having ushered in the end of the Heroic Era and the beginning of the Common Era. The Vardyns can claim to be descended from a canonized saint of the Holy Communion in the form of their ancestor Saint Kryxus the Dragonbane, and hold within their realm the seat of that religion. Through Kryxus's mother, Morgana O Laughlyn, as well as several marriages throughout their centuries of rule, they claim kinship to House Laughlyn, who have been principle allies of theirs throughout their reign. They also are kin to House Del Lumo, through several marriages which began with Kryxus and Arianna Del Lumo, which led to the birth of Darius Vardyn, the first Emperor of Andvar. Furthermore, their ancestor Kryxus also contributed the creation of their most potent weapons, being their ancestral sword, Wyrmslayer, which is one of the legendary Exalted Blades, as well the wyverns, which Kryxus himself created as mounts for himself and his son Darius in their campaign against the dragons.

## History

### Origins and Great Dragon Purge

House Vardyn began with Kryxus, the half-dragon son of the ancient erukiin, Vermithor, and Morgana O Laughlyn, conceived for the purpose of wielding the Exalted Blade, Wyrmslayer. After growing to manhood and mastering the weapon, Kryxus turned the weapon on his father, killing him, and using his treasure hoard to assist in raising an army, along with aid from his grandfather, Duncan O Laughlyn. With that done, he began the Great Dragon Purge.

## Historical Members

### Age of the Dragonbane

* **Lord Kryxus "The Dragonbane" Vardyn [HE 4,877 - HE 4,999] (HE 4,646 - HE 4,999),** Lord of the Heartlands of Arvinder, founder of House Vardyn. Married to Lady Arianna Del Lumo.
	+ Sir Darius "The Elder" Vardyn (HE 4,710- CE 9), sole son of Lord Kryxus and his wife, Lady Arianna Del Lumo. Darius has been married twice, first to Lady Melissa Laffente, daughter of Marquis Lucien Laffente. His second wife, Fierna O Karrovil is the daughter of Dagda Fion O Karrovil.
		- Sylus "The Bookwyrm" Vardyn , eldest son of Sir Darius Vardyn by his first wife, Melissa Broise. Married to Lady Alyssandra Del Lumo, his cousin.
		- Sir Darius "The Younger" Vardyn (HE 4,984 - CE 18), Sir Darius's second son, and eldest child by his second wife, Fierna O Karrovil.
		- Dyanna Vardyn (HE 4,984 - , Sir Darius's eldest daughter, and second child by his second wife, Fierna O Karrovil.
		- Sir Gaius Vardyn (HE 4,995 - CE 25), Sir Darius's third son, and youngest child by his second wife, Fierna O Karrovil (HE 4,995- CE 18).

### Descendants of the Conqueror

* **Emperor Darius I "The Conqueror" Vardyn (HE 4,710- CE 9) [CE 0- CE 9]**, the first mperor of Andvar, and son of Saint Kryxus the Dragonbane.
	+ **Emperor Sylus I "The Scholar" Vardyn** (HE 4,911 - CE 14) [CE 9-CE 14], the second Emperor of Andvar, eldest son and successor of Emperor Darius by his first wife, Melissa Broise. Sylus has married twice, first to his cousin, Alyssandra Del Lumo, and secondly to Katrina Von Erring, though he remained childless.
	+ **Emperor Darius II "The Ironhand" Vardyn (HE 4,984 - CE 18) [CE 14-CE 18]**, The third Vardyn Emperor, and successor to his elder half-brother, Sylus I. Second son of Emperor Darius, his eldest child by his second wife, Empress Fierna O Karrovil. He is married to his sister, Princess Dyanna Vardyn (HE 4,985 - ?).
		- Princess Amara Vardyn (CE 2 - ?), eldest daughter of Prince Darius and his sister-wife, Princess Dyanna. Twin to Princess Layna.
		- Princess Layna Vardyn (CE 2 - ?), second daughter of Prince Darius and his sister-wife, Princess Dyanna. Twin to Princess Amara.
		- Princess Helyn Vardyn (CE 5 - 25), third daughter of Prince Darius and his sister-wife, Princess Dyanna.
		- Princess Fierna Vardyn (CE 8 -?), fourth daughter of Prince Darius and his sister-wife, Princess Dyanna.
		- Princess Morgana Vardyn (CE 10 - ?) fifth daughter of Prince Darius and his sister-wife, Princess Dyanna.
		- Princess Marissa Vardyn (CE 11 - CE 75) sixth daughter of Prince Darius and his sister-wife, Princess Dyanna.
		- Prince Lucian Vardyn (CE 14 - CE 69), eldest son and heir of Emperor Darius and his wife, Empress Dyanna.
	+ Prince Gaius Vardyn (HE 4,995 - CE 25), youngest child of Emperor Darius by his second wife, Empress Fierna O Karrovil.

#### The Royal Dragons

* Irrinos, Mount of Emperor Darius.
* Gorrax, Mount of Prince Darius "The Younger".
* Mydas, Mount of Prince Gaius.

### The Black Brides of Wicked Gaius

* **Emperor Gaius I "The Vile" Vardyn (HE 4,995 - CE 25) [CE 18-CE 25]**, the fourth Vardyn Emperor, and successor of his brother Darius II, who he usurped.
* Empress Rayna "The Red", wife of Emperor Gaius, one of his Black Brides.
	+ Prince Marius Vardyn (CE 25 - CE 25) son of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
* Empress Dyanna "the Resolute" Vardyn (HE 4,984 - ?), sister and wife to Emperor Gaius, one of his Black Brides.
	+ Prince Marcellus Vardyn (CE 21 - CE 25), son of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
* Empress Amara "The Mourning Queen" Vardyn (CE 2 - ?), niece and wife to to Emperor Gaius, one of his Black Brides.
	+ Princess Alyssa Vardyn, (CE 18 - CE 25), daughter of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
	+ Princess Lyra Vardyn, CE 23 - CE 25), daughter of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
* Empress Layna "The Avenger" Vardyn (CE 2 - ?), niece and wife to to Emperor Gaius, one of his Black Brides.
	+ Prince Caius Vardyn (CE 20 - CE 25), son and heir to Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
* Empress Helyn "The Fierce" Vardyn (CE 5 - ?), niece and wife to to Emperor Gaius, one of his Black Brides.
	+ Princess Lysandra Vardyn (CE 18 - CE 25) daughter of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
	+ Prince Lucius Vardyn (CE 19 - CE 25), son of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
	+ Princess Sayanna Vardyn (CE 21 - CE 25) daughter of Emperor Gaius, sacrificed to R'zator.
	+ Prince Tristan Vardyn (CE 25 - CE 69) son of Emperor Gaius.

### The Era of the Unifier

* Princess Fierna Vardyn (CE 8 -?), sister to Emperor Lucian, married to Count Anton Laffente.
* Princess Morgana Vardyn (CE 10 - ?), sister to Emperor Lucian, married to Duke Niklaus Von Erring.
* **Emperor Lucian I "The Great" Vardyn (CE 14 - CE 69) [CE 25-CE 69]**, the fifth Vardyn Emperor, wed to the youngest of his elder sisters, Empress Merissa "The Fair" (CE 11 - CE 75).
	+ Prince "Mighty" Marcus Vardyn (CE 30 - CE 69), wed to Lady Miranda Fierent.
		- Emperor Brandyn I "The Bold" Vardyn (CE 47 - CE 93) **[CE 69 - CE 93],** the sixth Vardyn Emperor**.** Married polygamously, first to Lady Guinevere Laughlyn, and later to his twin sister, Princess Alyssa Vardyn, after his ascension as Emperor.
		- Princess Alyssa Vardyn (CE 47 - CE?), twin sister to Prince Brandyn and later his second, polygamous wife. Brandyn is Alyssa's second husband, following her marriage to the aged Count Jerome Orgent.
		- Prince Tristan Vardyn (CE 51 - CE ?).
		- Princess Kyra Vardyn (CE 57 - CE ?), married to her nephew, Prince Justyn "The Bastard" Vardyn."
	+ Prince Darius "The Gentle" Vardyn (CE 32 - CE ?), wed to Duchess Miranda Tempyston.
		- Duke Robert Tempyston (CE 49 - CE?), sole child of Prince Darius Vardyn and his wife, Duchess Miranda Tempyston. Wed to his cousin, Princess Carmilla Vardyn.
	+ Prince Titus "Bitterblade" Vardyn (CE 35 - CE 92), wed to Lady Ceryse Dunhail.
		- Princess Melissa "Missy" Vardyn (CE 52 - CE ?), triplet to Princess Lenore and Princess Carmilla.
		- Princess Carmilla "Milly" Vardyn (CE 52 - CE ?), triplet to Princess Melissa and Princess Lenore. Wed to her cousin, Duke Robert Tempyston.
		- Princess Lenore Vardyn (CE 52 - CE ?), triplet to Princess Melissa and Princess Lenore.

#### The Royal Court

* Duke Emmanuel Fierent, Duke of Racshire and Emperor's Hand.
* Prince Tristan Vardyn, solve surviving son of Emperor Gaius I, Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard.

### Descendants of Brandyn the Bold

* Brandyn's children by his first wife, Empress Guinevere Laughlyn
	+ Prince Damon Vardyn (CE 69 - CE 75). Eldest son of Emperor Brandyn and Empress Guinevere. Died after being kicked in the head by a horse.
	+ **Emperor Gaius II "The Dauntless" Vardyn (CE 72- CE 96) [CE 93 - CE 96]**, the seventh Vardyn Emperor, eldest son of Emperor Brandyn Vardyn by his first wife. Married to his elder sister, Empress Amara Vardyn (CE 67 - CE ?).
		- Prince Emeric Vardyn (CE 87 - CE ?), eldest son and heir of Emperor Gaius. Twin to Prince Cedric.
		- Prince Cedric Vardyn (CE 87 -?), twin to Prince Emeric.
		- Prince Darius (CE 88 - CE 123), youngest child of Gaius II. Later reigned as Emperor Darius III.
	+ Prince Aengus Vardyn (CE 75 - CE 96).
	+ Prince Lyonel Vardyn (CE 76 - CE ?)
* Brandyn's children by his second wife, Empress Alyssa Vardyn
	+ Prince Justyn "the Bastard" Vardyn (CE 63 - CE 96), the illegitimate son of Brandyn Vardyn and Alyssa Vardyn, born while Alyssa was married to Count Jerome Orgent, and legitimized following Brandyn's ascension as Emperor. Married to his aunt, Princess Kyra Vardyn.
		- Prince Lucius Vardyn (CE 77 - CE 95)
		- Princess Eleyna Vardyn (CE 80 - CE ?)
		- Empress Shayra Vardyn ( CE 84 - CE ?), later reigning as Empress alongside her cousin, Darius III.
		- Princess Rayna Vardyn (CE 89 - CE ?)
		- Prince Larius Vardyn (CE 90 - CE 94)
	+ Prince Sylus Vardyn (CE 70 - CE ?)
	+ Prince Antonius Vardyn ( CE 71 - CE ?)
	+ Prince Lucian Vardyn (CE 72 - CE ?)
	+ Prince Darian Vardyn (CE 74 - CE ?)

#### The Royal Dragons

* Irrinos, mount of Emperor Gaius.
* Mydas, mount of Prince Justyn.

### After the Sons Burned

* **Emperor Darius III "The Humble" Vardyn (CE 88 - CE 123) [CE 96 - CE 123]**, the eighth Vardyn Emperor, youngest child of Gaius II. Married to his cousin, Empress Shayra Vardyn.
	+ Crown Prince Darian Vardyn
	+ Emperor Lucian II Vardyn
	+ Princess Rayna Vardyn
	+ Princess Philippa Vardyn
	+ Princess Talia Vardyn

### The Golden Reign

**Emperor Justyn I "The Good" Vardyn (CE 179 - CE 237) [CE 204-CE 237]**

## Current Members

* The children of the deceased Crown Prince Justyn Vardyn, and his sister wife Princess Jocelyn, also deceased:
	+ Empress Alyssa Vardyn, elder sister and wife of Emperor Darius.
	+ **Emperor Darius IX Vardyn [CE 604-?]**, current Emperor of Andvar and head of House Vardyn and son of the late Crown Prince Justyn by his sister wife, Princess Jocelyn Vardyn.
		- Crown Prince Marcus Vardyn, eldest son and heir of Emperor Darius and his wife, Empress Alyssa.
		- Princess Elenor Vardyn, daughter of Emperor Darius.
	+ Prince Tristan Vardyn, younger brother of Emperor Darius.
	+ Prince Lucian Vardyn, younger brother of Emperor Darius.
	+ Prince Julius Vardyn, youngest brother of Emperor Darius, twin to Princess Julia.
	+ Princess Julia Vardyn, youngest sister of Emperor Darius, twin to Prince Julius.
* Prince Marcus Vardyn, uncle to Emperor Darius and Emperor's Hand.
	+ Princess Cassandra Vardyn, cousin to Emperor Darius daughter of Prince Marcus by his late wife, Lady Rosaline Orgent.
	+ Prince Justyn Vardyn, cousin to Emperor Darius and son of Prince Marcus by his late wife, Lady Rosaline Orgent.
	+ Prince Anton Vardyn, cousin to Emperor Darius and son of Prince Marcus by his late wife, Lady Rosaline Orgent.

## Ancestral Items

### Crowns

#### The Wyrmcrown

Forged at the command of Emperor Darius V, the Wyrmcrown was a red-gold circlet, large and heavy, with each of its points being shaped like dragon heads with rubies for eyes. The crown is enchanted, and when used by an attuned wielder, the dragon heads on the crown are capable of spewing flame.