House Grunfeld
House Grunfeld is the royal house of the Kingdom of Columba. The Grunfelds have been a powerful house in the region since even before the Jakonian conquest of Columba. They maintained their rule by negotiations and service to the emperors, but have always taken all opportunities to buck at imperial rule. The Grunfelds are well known as warriors and soldiers, and for their skill and tactics in battle.
Public Agenda
House Grunfeld stands for the continued independence and might of the Kingdom of Columba. They stand against the oppressive policies of the Jakonian Emperors, believing that the time of the empire is done. They have loudly advocated for the permanent toppling of the empire and the dissolution of the lands that remain into independent city-states and provinces. Internally, House Grunfeld has been divided, but they allow also for the independence of the Adalsrat and Volksrat in determining the domestic affairs of the nation.
Assets
House Grunfeld possesses ownership of the Emerald Lordship, the most densely populated lordship within the Kingdom of Columba. It rests upon the border with the Kingdom of Orrland, and they possess close ties with the Orrlanders. The trade from across the border and the flush farmlands and resources within the Lordship have provided substantial coffers to House Grunfeld, and they have also frequently drilled their house guards and patrols to be some of the most elite in the kingdom. The Grunfeld regiments are the best trained and equipped within the Kingdom of Columba, which is another key factor in the House's abilities to maintain order within their realm.
History
The origins of House Grunfeld come from a coup in the ranks of one of the settlements that emerged in the wake of the Final War that brought low the Nameless Empire. The town of Leesburg had managed to survive the war relatively unscathed, with only minimal rioting and unrest. The Grunfelds came to the town shortly after the war had ended, and using superior training, likely received from within the armies of the old empire, and toppled the civilian government. They took charge and began rebuilding a nation in their own image. They were soon one of the most powerful of Columban states, but they frequently squandered their position with innumerable border wars and conflicts with surrounding Columban leaders. The Jakonians exploited these divisions and the Grunfelds were some of the first to fall to imperial invasion.
After the Jakonian takeover, the Grunfelds sullenly were forced into a position of peace, but they constantly retained animosity towards the emperors and their efforts in Columba. Many leaders of the Grunfelds were made example of throughout the centuries of Jakonian rule, due to attempts at rebellion and unrest that were easily detected and destroyed by Jakonian security forces. The Grunfelds never gave up, and never surrendered fully to Jakonian rule, although some of their leaders would occasionally compromise or succumb for at least a few decades. The Battle of Conecuh Lake was a blessing that changed everything.
The Grunfelds were mysteriously late to the battle, and thus were able to reorganize what remained of the Jakonian armies and prevent any further disaster. This won them some popularity, which they were able to exploit, becoming heroes to the Jakonians and others of the empire. The Grunfelds rose in the estimates of the emperors, and they managed to build a powerful internal force, preparing themselves for the inevitable push for independence. The Great Northern Rebellion was their achievement more than any other house, a culmination of their efforts against the Jakonians.
The Grunfelds were unanimously put forward as the royal house of the new kingdom. Since then, they have retained their popularity by providing benign neglect to most of the aristocracy and communities in the nation. The Adalsrat continues to be the main legislative force, and the Grunfelds a rubber stamp.
Borne Upon the Sword
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
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