House Arlais of Aveaux, Rulers of Valais
Nation NameValais -- Valleyland (in commontongue).
Ethnic PeoplesThe Valais, or the People of the Valley.
A common slur is the
lowpeople.
Ethnic DescriptionThe Valais are a fair people, though nondescript. Known for an exotic accent uncommon in the rest of the land, their exterior is a combination of those neighboring lands, and through mixtures of these genes come anomalous different physical looks. The Valais, thus, are a boring people, of plain complexion.
CultureThis should be your biggest section. The cultural customs, imports, exports, styles of dress, favored foods, art, music, and other facets of your nation. Include everything from the customs (Raising hands instead of shaking them) to the reasons behind them (Originally to prevent disease, now simply customary.) If any districts of your culture are particularly different from the others, include that in indents, as well as any particular stereotypes or common views of your people. The more detail, the better.
HistoryThe history of your nation -- Roots, involvement in The Great Uprising, the great house's founding, and so on. The seven kingdoms were originally divided up by Ardall's seven generals, though since then many have been usurped by a lesser house, so go with either backstory.
House NameHouse Arlais.
House MembersThe house members we’ll see. Don’t worry about listing any quadruple-removed half-cousins.
House Words"
For Love and Laughs"
The Valais are a culturally hedonistic people--preferring the taste of grapes over the work of crushing wine and the luxuries of reading great works as opposed to fighting over their mean. While not all who live in the Valleyland are of House Arlais, the house words have always uttered true. The world has many meanings but few purposes. "While we're here," a lowperson might say," "might as well have fun." Among these are love--the romantic connection, the penultimate chase and laughs--the cheerful seconds where all is right, at least for a little while.
House SigilHouse SeatThe Great Chambers is where House Arlais resides, built into the city of Jardin. They are a warm, cozy establishment that serves as both the military garrison of the city as well as it's political headquarters. Rumor is that it has a myriad of secret passages built into the mountain as well.
House Heirloom"Les Jardins d'Arlais" are an encased arrangement of vividly red roses. They reside in the Great Chamber at Jardin themselves, and they are unique in that they wither and bloom seasonally without any external aid. "So long as the flowers bloom," the tales say, "House Arlais will bloom as well." They are enraptured within an embellished glass jar and have not moved in many years.
House Themes-- Roses
-- Wine glasses
-- Shades of red (preferred garment colors)
-- Books/Writing
Capital CityThe capital city of Jardin is a nebulous cityscape surrounded on three sides by mountains. Often considered "L'etat de Jardin," it exists almost separate from Varlais as it is so isolated--linked by a single mountain road that goes up into the mountain crest.
Jardin is built into the mountain, where the Great Chambers reside. Some even suggest it goes all the through to the coast, but this is mere legend. Trading outposts and military barracks, housing and bathstations alike are all built right into the stone of the mountain.
Banner HousesHouse Loreaux: Lorded by the Count de Loreaux, House Loreaux is the militant arm of Valais, and Varlais is one of the few lands where the majority of its bannermen hail from Loreaux and not Valais. House Loreaux is also along the Estfront, where the lands are most endangered by other ambitious house.
House Recey:
A small house that has cultured ties to Varlais, Recey is championed by the Hanged Man, Le Petit Roi Albert de Recey (the Small King Albert of Recey), who maintains the honorary title that his forefather once held in an uprising against Varlais. House Recey owns the Barren Keep, which is one of the primary defensive postures in the march to Varlais' hinterlands.
House Vieussan: House Vieussan is the longest reigning house in Varlais, usurped when the great wars ended and Vieussan emerged on the 'wrong' side. With their original lineage executed, House Vieussan is a loyal pledge, but many believe they are ambitiously waiting for their time to strike and retake what they consider was rightfully theirs. House Vieussan is a bull on a great yellow field and their motto is "Stronger Alone."