Duchy Grevandar

Duchy Grevandar (House Vogel)

"House Vogel? Proud, dangerous, and relentless. Like iron: strong, sharp, but brittle if tested the wrong way." — Sorek Redmarch

House Vogel rules over the powerful Duchy of Grevandar with an iron grip, rooted in legacy, military strength, and ruthless order. For eighty years, Duke Maletryx Vogel held power, forging the duchy into a bastion of tradition and dominance. His grandson, Duke Wilhelm Vogel, now rules from Direhold Keep—a figure as feared as he is obeyed.
The duchy enforces strict class boundaries, with serfdom still practiced across its farmlands. The Vogel mint produces brass coins—the only legal tender allowed within the duchy. Wealth flows through Countess Zara’s mines and Count Lavinio’s fields, and the people endure under rigid laws.
Despite their discipline and pride, most of Gorundia respects the Vogels’ results more than their methods. Their militarism is unmatched, despite the duchy being geographically shielded from invasion. The holy seats of Stern Alia and Pholtus reside within Vogel lands, and their clergy help maintain the duchy’s strict rule of law.

The Duke and His Wives

Duke Wilhelm Vogel is a skilled warrior—cunning, brave, and undeniably dangerous—but he remains a source of whispered scandal. The son and grandson of legendary war heroes, he carries the weight of their legacy, and some whisper that never having faced a true test of his own gnaws at him like a blade left sheathed too long.
Though class-conscious and calculating, he has repeatedly married beneath his station—each bride younger and from increasingly humble origins. Tragedy follows each union. His first wife perished alongside his mother, Zanara—widely rumored to be a witch from the Dominion hinterlands. Her dying curse, some say, doomed Wilhelm to a loveless, cursed legacy.

"Wilhelm Vogel would rather see a crown crushed beneath his heel than rest upon another's head. But ambition without wisdom is poison." — Duchess Kylesstra Ravenster

The Many Wives of Wilhelm
Despite investigations, none of these deaths have been proven suspicious—officially.

Counties of Grevandar

County Wyrmlea

Ruler: Countess Zara Vallytrex Seat: Wyrmwatch Tower
Countess Zara oversees Gorundia’s only dwarven enclave and controls the duchy's most profitable quarries and mines. Though the dwarves are largely self-governing, Zara manages their affairs with careful diplomacy, relying on the Galibano family as informal emissaries. Her wealth and influence make her a pillar of Vogel’s power.

"The dwarves mine wealth from beneath, and Zara mines loyalty from dwarves. Vogel might rule Grevandar, but Zara holds the purse." — Count Vorias Serrin

Baronies of Wyrmlea

Barony Sunhollow – Baron Valdrik Terevon & Baroness Elira Terevon (Sunhollow Keep)

Barony Southmere

Baron Cadaras Kendal & Baroness Isolde Kendal Seat: Southmere Hall
Barony Southmere is a vital node in Blackvale’s mercantile network—its wealth tied not to fields or forges, but to trade routes, storage houses, and grain brokerage. Baron Cadaras Kendal is a rarity among Vogel vassals: a man more at home in a ledger hall than on a battlefield, though none would call him soft.
A broad-shouldered, weather-worn noble with work-callused hands, Cadaras is famously pragmatic and deeply involved in his barony’s day-to-day operations. He’s been seen hauling grain sacks in a pinch and arguing price over salted fish at the docks.
Though he earned his spurs in his youth, fighting border skirmishes in the east, he’s since passed most martial matters to his loyal and capable Knight-Commander, Sir Aldos Verran, a veteran known for his firm discipline and dry humor.
His relationship with Countess Zara Vallytrex is warm and businesslike—the two share a practical outlook and a strong sense of duty. By contrast, his dealings with Duke Wilhelm Vogel are famously cool. The baron made quiet waves at court when he maneuvered to ensure his daughter, Katherine Kendal, was placed under the protection of Sir Beringer—away from the Duke’s notice and intentions.

"There’s no shame in a man making honest coin with both hands—unless you’re standing in his way." — Baron Cadaras Kendal

Cadaras and Isolde have three young sons:

• Tomas Kendal (10): Studious, already showing aptitude for math and maps.
• Henrick Kendal (8): Boisterous and already training with wooden swords.
• Maren Kendal (5): Mischievous, quick-witted, and adored by the household.

Rumor at Southmere Hall suggests that Baroness Isolde is expecting again, and has quietly confessed her hope for a daughter “with a bit more grace than dear Katherine,” though with unmistakable pride in her firstborn's knightly path.

"The baroness may wish for lace and manners, but what she got was a warhorse in a braid. Good thing too." — Sir Aldos Verran, fondly speaking of Katherine Kendal

County Blackvale (House Bordella)

Seat: Blackvale Citadel Rulers: Count Lavinio Bordella & Countess Selara Bordella

"House Bordella? Rich lands, richer ambitions. Shame about the children." — Sorek Redmarch

County Blackvale is the agricultural heart of Gorundia, providing grain, livestock, and supplies to both court and army. With its fertile lands and peasant serfdom, it ensures economic power for House Vogel. Despite its bounty, the Bordellas are better known for scandal than serenity.

Lord Ponzio Bordella, Heir and Lord Mayor of Bard’s Gate

Ponzio is both heir to Blackvale and the newly appointed Lord Mayor of Bard’s Gate. Vain, cruel, and patient, he is a childhood friend and hunting companion of Crown Prince Porthos Ryomar. His political ascent is met with quiet dread—his ambition unchecked, his enemies discreetly silenced.

"The new mayor is a Bordella, after all—arrogance is their family trait. Cruelty, their favorite pastime." — Duke Wilhelm Vogel

Wife: Lady Ysabella Bordella (née Virello) A soft-spoken noblewoman from a lesser house, Ysabella maintains decorum and raises her sons with dignity—despite her husband’s cold neglect.
Children:

• Aldario Bordella (8): Quiet, observant, and often overlooked.
• Leontio Bordella (6): Energetic and willful, craves attention.
• Matteus Bordella (3): Sweet-natured, doted on by his mother.

"Ponzio Bordella is father to three fine boys. I wonder if he remembers their names?" — Baroness Isolde Kendal

Lady Cornelia Bordella – Scandal and Sacrifice

Once betrothed to Bertram Moffet, Cornelia’s engagement was abruptly overturned to pair her with Duke Wilhelm Vogel—sparking heartbreak and fury. A night of true love between her and Bertram led to ruin: Bertram lost his eye in a duel with Ponzio, was stripped of his good name, and Cornelia was sent away in shame to the Monastery of the Celestial Veil.

"Love? In House Bordella? Ask Cornelia how that went." — Countess Zara Vallytrex

Lord Allec Bordella – Bitter Reckoning

Allec, the youngest son, bears a bitter hatred for Bertram Moffet and was once sent to serve under Baron Orin Kharne as a form of punishment and education. Humbled and disgraced, he has since been released—seething, and newly dangerous.

"Allec Bordella? Too angry to learn, too proud to grow. He’ll either mature into a lion or perish as a dog." — Amadis the Younger

Baronies of Blackvale

• Barony Ironmere – Baron Ewan Moffet & Baroness Lyssandra Moffet (Ironmere Hold)
• Barony Thunderhold – Baron Lynwenden Cron & Baroness Nerys Cron (Thunderhold Fortress)

Culture and Reputation

While House Vogel commands respect, it does not command affection. Grevandar’s emphasis on obedience, class hierarchy, and rigid discipline creates a culture of order—but not peace. Few elves live here, and even fewer would choose to. The dwarves, while influential, keep to themselves.

"The Bordellas have wealth, power, and land, yet they chase scandal as if it were their true calling." — Duchess Maris Allaric

Royal Claim and Political Tension

With the king’s mother, Allynnora, being the daughter of Duke Maletryx, House Vogel has a powerful claim to the throne under Gorundian succession law—making many nobles wary of their every move.

"Vogel’s ambition could unify Gorundia—or set it ablaze. Pray he chooses wisely." — King Priam Ryomar