House of Verion

The House of Verion is a noble and Imperial house that originated in Northern Elwynn. The Line of Verion was established in the early 15th century in southern Illumination, shortly before the establishment of the Duchy of Elwynn. The House of Verion is in origin Elfinshi but has merged with other ethnic groups over the years, most notably Cimmerian, Norse, Babkhi and Elw. The House of Verion has brought forth heads of state of several countries on Micras, such as Shireroth, Elwynn, the Verionist Republic and the Verionian Empire, as well as the Lordship of Blackstone.

History

The early members of the House have served as rulers of the Elfinshi people west of the Phoenix Forest, so it should not be surprising that members of the house have held some positions of importance in both Elwynn and Shireroth.

The House of Verion intermarried with members of esteemed houses of Elwynn: several relatives of the ruling class of Elwynn, such as the Ayreon family, and a member of the Lyon's; powerful foreigners such as Balian Mounford and most notably, the Norse line of Lewis, thereby making the current head of the family, Ludovic Alixion-Verion, a descendant of the royal Einhornsson family of Normark.

Imperial Dynasty

The House of Verion rose to national prominence after the appointment of Jacob Darylion-Verion as steward of the Imperial Republic. Jacob was a good friend and confidant of Kaiser Ayreon III, which enabled the Verion family to establish useful alliances and marriages. Jacob subsequently served as Kaiser Verion I and the Verion family became the Imperial house. Members of the Verion family have since held various important positions other than steward and Kaiser, such as Minister of Military Affairs, Count of Illumination and Cimmeria, Count of Crowsilver, Count of Yardistan, Chancellor of Goldshire and Keeper of Fieldburg. Until the second half of Kaiser Hjalmar's reign, a member of the family has always sat on the Imperial Advisory Council.

After the dead of Kaiser Verion, his son, the Count of Cimmeria, Alex Verion became openly critical of the rule of King Harald of Elwynn. When he was installed as Kaiser Hjalmar, the differences became even clearer. In the later part of Hjalmar's reign, Alix moved from the city of Wolfraven to the Natopian demesne of Alrodey, where the Verion family held the position of Lord Regent. Hjalmar's son, Hjalmar Redquill, used this to exile the Verion from Shireroth, barring entry to Alix' son, Ludovic Verion. Subsequently, the Verion's moved to the Lordship of Blackstone. Minister of Military Affairs, Thorgils Tarjeisson, a member of the House of Verion through his mother, ascended to the Mango Throne as Kaiser Dominus.

Elu Verion

The title of Elu Verion, named after the mythican founder of the dynasty, is bestowed upon the Head of the family. Although the position of Elu has historically been inherited in a direct line with male preference, the last century has seen a slight shift in that tradition, due to the unfortunate circumstances in which some Elu's had found themselves.

List of Elu Verion

No.	Portrait	Name	Birth	Reign	Notes
1		Elu Verion	500 AN	1000 AN - 1440 AN	Founder of the House of Verion, most likely mythical. Led the fight of the Elfinshi of the Phoenix Forrest against the Elwynnese.
2		Jacen Elurion Verion	1419 AN	1440 AN - 1460 AN
3		Fenir Jacenion Verion	1447 AN	1460 AN - 1501 AN
4		Elu II Fenirion Verion	1487 AN	1501 AN - 1530 AN
5		Mikel Elurion Verion	1507 AN	1530 AN - 1550 AN
6		Daniel Mikelion Verion	1545 AN	1550 AN - 1602 AN	Became Elu Verion at age 5, was greatly aided by Ragnar Lewis, who became a trusted advisor to Daniel Verion.
7		Daryl Danielion Verion	1571 AN	1602 AN - 1614 AN
8		Jacob Darylion Verion	1590 AN	1614 AN - 1632 AN	Ruled the Imperial Republic of Shireroth as Kaiser Verion I
9		Alix Jacobion Verion	1606 AN	1632 AN - 1639 AN	Count of Cimmeria, caused the spread of Northern Verionism. Died at an early age due to the effects of Temporal Haemorrhaging.
10		Miqah Jacobion Verion	1607 AN	1639 AN - 1641 AN	First tenure as Elu Verion
11		Ludovic Alixion Verion	1624 AN	1641 AN - 1644 AN	As his wealth and influence increased, Ludovic forced his uncle into stepping down as head of the family when he was just 17 years old.
12		Layla Nefeteri Maliana Verion	1607 AN	1644 AN - 1656 AN	First Female Elu. Khanum of Cabbagefall. Current location unknown, removed as Elu after having been missing for a year.
13		Eki Aholibamah Verion	1625 AN	1656 AN - 1664 AN	Served as Princess of Elwynn and Queen of the Northern Realm. Heavily involved with Northern schismatics and religious cult. Was replaced by her cousin Regina after her de-nobilitisation. Currently in House arrest on Cimmeria.
14		Regina Dolores Verion	1634 AN	1664 AN - 1675 AN	Viceroy of the Verionist Republic, replaced by her uncle following the Great Disaster
15		Miqah Jacobion Verion	1607 AN	1675 AN - current	Second tenure, Elu of Gran Verionia.

Elu Verion

Elu Verion was the founder and head of the House of Verion, as well as an Elfinshi leader and general. He was allegedly born around 500 AN in the Elfinshi Forest and lived for almost a thousand years before his self-chosen death in 1440.

There is some debate among scholars about whether the Elu Verion was the title, whether earned or inherited, amongst the Elfinshi accorded to their foremost war-leader in the struggles against the Cimmerians and latterly against the Shirerithians.

The attestation that the House of Verion descends from the last of these Elu Verion is generally accepted by historians.

The ashes of Elu are buried underneath a bronze statue of the Patriarch outside Verion Hall, on the isle of Blackstone. The main sports stadium of the island, the Elu Verion Arena, was named in honour of Elu.

Jacob Verion

Jacob Darylion-Verion, Ruled as Kaiser of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth from 5719 to 5768 ASC under the regnal name Verion I. Aside from his Kaisership, he served his entire adult life as an Elwynnese politician who occupied several offices in the Imperial Government, most notably as ruling Steward and as Minister of Military Affairs.

Jacob was born in 590 AN in Azshara, in the County of Illumination in the independent Principality of Elwynn. He did not attend university, but entered public life working as a clerk for the office of the County of Illumination. Following the Icebear Rebellion, Jacob, being the head of the noble Elfinshi House of Verion, was named Count of Cimmeria in order to stabilise the region. During the reign of Prince Jonathan Ayreon-Kalirion. Jacob proposed a new system for the subdivision of Elwynn. He was named first Lord of Kiladôr. The Lordship of Kiladôr is still in the possession of the Verion family, albeit only being a ceremonial title.

Jacob was named Steward of the Imperial Republic by Kaiser Ayreon III. Much of the fireworks in Ayreon's reign came from him who issued decrees that made growing a beard compulsory, banned several people from the Imperial Republic, and enforced the Charter to relieve the impoverished and inactive province of Neridia of its Imperial Statehood, which was extremely controversial and the source of much debate.

As Kaiser of Shireroth, Jacob took the regnal name of Verion I, during his reign as Kaiser of Shireroth. He ascended to the Imperial throne in 1623. Verion ruled during a time of inactivity and turmoil but nonetheless managed to make an impact upon the Imperial Republic. He ruled according to the principles of what was later called Verionism in his honour, and tried to unify the nation, whilst limiting the Imperial Government. His appointment as Kaiser in 1623 did not come as a suprise, since he had made a name for himself as a strong and efficient ruler

Kaiser Verion I ruled according to the principles of his own political philosophy, later called Verionism, which sought to streamline and centralise government, whilst on the other hand limiting interference in the lives of the peopls. As an example of this, Verion took away the government's right to tax its citizens, something later Kaisers quickly reversed. As a former MoMA, Verion also showed keen interest in Shireroth's military, dramatically expanding a shady secret intelligence called S.W.O.R.D. (Shireroth's Warriors for Observation, Retribution and Deterrence), which he founded during his time as minister. Verion abdicated in 1624 without naming an heir, allowing the Landsraad to elect his successor.

Historians are divided on the contribution of Kaiser Verion to the Imperial Republic. During his reign, the Kaiser was perceived as a stabilising force in the nation. After several large schisms in the Imperial Government, and the resignation of several prominent Shirithians, Verion appeared to bring back the peace. Due to his previous actions as Minister and as Steward, however, the Kaiser was not able to reach all his former enemies. After his reign, however, the new administration, lead by Kaiser Daniel III found that there was more to Verion's reign than what was visible on the surface. The Kaiser had set up an elaborate scheme to drain the Imperial Treasury and to use the money to fund the S.W.O.R.D. agency, then headed by himself. The money financed several covet operations and functioned as a shadow agency without any control of the Landsraad or the Imperial Ministers. Several missions, many of which remain classified until this day, were rumoured to have had significant geopolitical results. After his reign, Kaiser Verion did everything in his power to prevent an audit by the new government, and instead settled with an undisclosed sum of Erb, paid back to the Imperial Treasury. The Kaiser continued to serve as director of the secret service.

Important changes decreed by Verion I were:

• The adaptation of the new Charter
• The establishment of S.W.O.R.D. as Shireroth's main intelligence service
• The Decree on Government Restructuring
• The Verion Economic Reforms

Verionsput, in Shirekeep, was named in honour of the Kaiser.

Alix Verion

Alix Tiberius Jacobion-Verion was the Count of Illumination and Cimmeria and heir to the Imperial line of Verion. He lived out his subsequent exile from Elwynn as Lord Regent of Alrodey in Natopia before passing on his inheritance to his son Ludovic Verion who went on to found the Iron Company.

Alix Verion was born the oldest son of Kaiser Verion I and Athiël Elessar, and as such was largely of Elfinshi ancestry, even though the characterisic earshape was not found in Alix. As oldest son of the Kaiser, Alix inherited the Countship of Illumination and Cimmeria. At the age of 4, Alix entered an arranged betrothal with Alissa Al-Osman which was arranged by his father and Tokaray al-Osman in order to bring the northern counties closer to the Elwynnese state following the disruptions of the Icebear Rebellion. However, Alix and Alissa didn't meet each other until ten years after. Alix joined the Cimmerian Militia in 1621, against the wishes of his father.

As the son of a Kaiser, a great future was ahead for Alix. He rose to prominence in politicial life, serving as Minister of Military Affairs and as an advisor to the Prince of Elwynn.

As a young man, Alix moved to Cimmeria where he became deeply committed to the Cimmerian nationalist movement, reviving ancient symbols and embracing the Barbarian lifestyle. The traditional Cimmerian attire Alix now had chosen a a daily dress was frowned upon by other members of the Shirithian nobility.

Tragically for Alix, as he left Shireroth behind, and transitioned from the ASC back to the AN chronology he became unstuck in time and aged rapidly whilst serving as Lord Regent of Alrodey before going to an early grave through the effects of Temporal Haemorrhaging.

Miqah Verion

For the full article, see Miqah Verion

His Grace, Elu Miqah Jacobion Verion, born Michael Jacobion Verion, was a Shirithian-born Verionian political figure and military commander. Following a distinguished career in Shireroth, Miqah Verion left for East Keltia where he settled in what would become the Verionian Empire. He was responsible for laying the foundations of the Empire and serves as the Elu, or emperor. He retained the position of Elu following the Union of 1682 that established Gran Verionia, which transformed in that of Supreme Director in 1682. In addition, he was the head of the House of Verion. He passed away following a stroke in IV.1682 and was buried in the crypt of the Black Temple.

Miqah Verion known in Shireroth as the Viscount Cherokee, spend the majority of his life in Goldshire. His adult life was spend as a military figure, who currently serves as Magister Militum of the Imperial Order of Technomaezji, later known as the Ordo Imperiale Decimae, as special branch of the Imperial Forces. Verion was Director of S.W.O.R.D. from 1628 to 1643. As longest serving Director of the agency, Verion is credited with developing S.W.O.R.D. into a ruthless and effective shadow unit of the Imperial Army. In 1652, Verion was appointed as Minister of the Interior.

Miqah Verion was born as Michael Jacobion Verion, the second son of Kaiser Verion I. When his brother, Alix Verion|Alix. entered their father's footsteps into a political career, Miqah chose a life in the Armed Forces. He served as an informer for the Imperial Government in Cimmeria to track the followers of the Holy Church of the Divine Icebear. The Verion name enabled him to move in the inner circles of the Church. After his true objective was disclosed after a hack in the computer system of the Imperial Forces, he had to flee Cimmeria in a hurry. From this day on, he and his brother Alix were sworn enemies.

After his cousin Ivan Verion pursued the cause of Socialism in Yardistan and was removed from office, Miqah took over the position of director of S.W.O.R.D. serving the agency for 15 years. For his services to the nation, Verion was elevated to the titled nobility in 1661 as Viscount Verion of Cherokee. Following an Ayreonist assassination attempt in the fifth month of 1664 Viscount Verion was placed on the inactive reserve and removed from day to day command of the Ordo Imperiale Decimae.

Following the participation of the House in Verion in several Northern rebellions, the political and military career of Miqah Verion had no future. In 1667, having spend three years in recovery from wounds sustained in the assassination attempt, he joined an Iron Company expedition to South East Keltia. Here he stayed for three years with the Umanyiah tribe, who roam the Roqq desert. Miqah underwent a significant spiritual transformation and changed his name to Miqah. Although impressed by the Umanyiah culture, Verion noticed the lack of leadership and unity in South Eastern Keltia, and set out to introduce Verionist principles to advance the people. By doing so, he laid the foundation for what would become a loose federation of tribes and cities, that eventually resulted in the formation of the Verionian Empire.

Following the Great Disaster in late 1675 and the disintegration of the Verionist state in Benacia, his cousin Regina Verion, accompanied by a number of ideological Verionists, close allies and merchants, joined the efforts of Miqah. In the same year, Miqah was crowned as Elu, or "Head" of the Empire.

The Union of 1682, which saw the states of the [[[Verionian]] Empire merge with Kasterburg and Los Liberados established the Confederation of Verionian States, commonly known as Gran Verionia. Miqah continued to serve as Elu, although the position has lost much of its power and currently mainly has a ceremonial status.

In III.1682, Miqah Verion suffered a stroke and was declared incapacitated. Following his incapacitation, a political crisis emerged. Since the office of Elu was tied to the House of Verion, the immediate successor would be Regina Verion, who also served as President of the Council of Government. The Grand Council of Verionian States, not willing to consolidate all power in the hands of one person, created the office of Supreme Director to replace the position of Elu. Miqah Verion remained the head of state of Gran Verionia, but three days later, Washar Godolphin Viqh was appointed as acting Supreme Director. He passed away on IV.1682 and was buried in the crypt of the Black Temple.

Ludovic Verion

Ludovic Alixion-Verion Ph.D. is a the former head of the House of Verion, Lord of Blackstone, Comes Sacrarum Largitionum and Chief Factor of the Imperial Republic, Inquisitor of Port Impregnable, Lord Regent of Alrodey, High Fishmonger of New Harbor, Lord of Kiladôr, Count hereditary of Cimmeria, and the Grand-Governor of the Iron Company. He also served in the Imperial Government as Minister of Military Affairs and Minister of the Interior.

Ludovic Verion was born in Elsenar, Golshire, during a visit of his father to the Imperial Land. His mother was Alissa Al-Osman, a member of the infamous Elwynnese noble house. Ludovic grew up in Wolfraven, Cimmeria, where he received military training was groomed for the position of Count. During this time, he attended Lewis College of the People's Academy of Elwynn in Minas Valhalla, where he obtained degrees in economy, politics and literature. At age 14, Ludovic, a precocious and gifted youth, published an essay critical of the Holy Church of the Divine Icebear and left Cimmeria soon after.

Ludovic moved to Goldshire, at first, he began studying for his doctoral exam at the Royal University of Chryste, but soon, he accepted an offer to serve as an apprentice to a private merchant, Joachim Brunswick, and acquired significant wealth under his guidance selling insurance to owners of goldmines. Developing this relationship into an equal partnership, he founded the Iron Company together with Joachim, as a successor of the JM Group and quickly became one of the more established names in the Goldshirithian private life. The vast wealth of the Verion family allowed Ludovic to gain a head-start in trading, and the Iron Company set up several trade missions to Alrodey and Calbion. Ludovic also was instrumental in setting up a private banking system under the flag of the Company. In 1640, he published his dissertation on the Inner Principles of the Insurance in International Shipping and Overseas Trade.

After only one year in the business sector, Ludovic moved to Crowsilver and accepted the position of Grand Squire at the court of his aunt, Layla Verion, where he learned much about governance. After his Aunt's disappearance from public life, Ludovic was responsible for introducint the Blackstone Florint to Crowsilver, where it was met with initial scepticism from the local population but later became rather popular among the more progressive members of the Crowsilverian society, with progressive being defined here as a disinclination to put the severed skulls of fallen enemies on proud public display as conversation pieces for guests.

After Kaiser Hjalmar-Redquill took power, the Verion family was exiled, and Ludovic moved to Alrodey, where his father was Lord Regent. After the passing of Alix Verion, Ludovic succeeded him as Lord Regent. Ludovic also was instrumental in moving the Verion family, together with loyal supporters, to Blackstone island. The Iron Company thenafter became a Chartered Company of Blackstone. Ludovic used his business position and his network to turn Blackstone into a hub of economic activity. He organised a governing system, that is often classified by politicologians as corporatist, and assured that Blackstone would be loyal to the House of Verion. The population of Blackstone has more than doubled after his reign had started.

After the ascension of his cousin, Thorgils Tarjeisson, as Kaiser of Shireroth, Ludovic returned to the Imperial Republic. He served as economic advisor to the Kaiser and was later named Comes Sacrarum Largitionum and Chief Factor. Ludovic used this influential position to further the influence of the Iron Company over the economic affairs of Shireroth, deliberately intertwining important duties of the office, such as tax collection and monetary transport.

However, Ludovic grew inreasingly more impatient with Kaiser Dominus. In his opinion, the Kaiser was far too lenient towards the Storish faction in the government, the sworn enemies of the Verion family. Ludovic joined a conspiracy, lead by Tokaray Al-Osman, that was aimed at overthrowing the Kaiser. Unbeknowst to the Kaiser, Ludovic schemed behind his back in order to gather support for the coup. His position as head of the office of Bounties and Factorage allowed Ludovic to bribe the Shirekeep City Guard, who pledged their loyalty to the conspirators. At the annual Oustfest festival, Kaiser Dominus organised a parade to mark the end of his extensive travels across Micras. Near the pavilion of the nobles at the Golden Gate of Raynor's Keep, the City Guard turned against the Kaiser and his sentinels, resulting in a bloody confrontation known as the Oustfest Massacre. Amidst the chaos, Ludovic captured the Kaiser, who had still no idea of Ludovic's shifting loyalties, in order to prevent his escape, and locked him in a room in the Golden Gate. From there, the Kaiser was transported by the Crypteian guard. Following the Coup, Ludovic became one of only two Imperial Ministers in the nation, being appointed as both Minister of Military Affairs and Minister of the Interior. This made Ludovic one of the most powerful men in the entire nation.

After Al-Osman's rule was overturned, the new Kaiseress Noor sought to prosecute those involved in the Oustfest massacre. Under the guise of "Captain Smith", Verion fled to the island of Evaria, where the Iron Company had established a small trading post. He is rumoured to live there until this day, having founded a small autonomous community on the island. Following the establishment of the Verionist Republic, Ludovic returned to Benacia where he was appointed Lord of Gold Island. He continues to reside in Chryste until this day.

As a member of an Imperial family, Ludovic lived an easy life until his 14th year, when his rebellious and innovative character first manifested itself. He is not married and has no children, but has been involved in a romantic relationship with the Goldshirithian violinist Natasia ab Fyodor for a while. However, the tabloids have speculated that Ludovic's first love is money, rather than women. Ludovic owns several large mansions in countries across Micras, among which are Verion Hall on Blackstone and Griffin Castle near Ashington, Alrodey. Recently Ludovic is rumoured to be romantically involved with a prominent member of the Ayreon line, but this has been denied by all parties so far.

Layla Verion

Layla Nefeteri Maliana Verion is the current Khanum of Cabbagefall and acting ruler of the Kingdom of Goldshire. Layla has previously served as Countess of Crowsilver and the first female Minister of Military Affairs. She is the only daughter of the late Kaiser Verion I and a direct descendant of the Imperial line. She is of mixed Elfinshi, Norse and Cimmerian race.

Layla came to Goldshire as a young girl to be educated at the courts of Lunaris and Suthergold. As the daughter of the Jacob Darylion-Verion, who was an Imperial Minister, Steward and later Kaiser of Shireroth, she enjoyed several privileges and her career advanced rapidly, with Layla being named Countess of Crowsilver after the disappearance of the previous count, Ryker the Short.

At a long interval after the flight of Daniyal Sikander Dravot and Liv Djupvik, reputedly after discovering that their lives had been cursed by the malevolent magics bound up in the blade of the Sword of Vengeance... or else to escape prosecution for a monumental tax avoidance fraud involving the ESB Group, Layla was appointed Khanum of Cabbagefall, a position of great power in the Kingdom. Only a few weeks after her appointment, Queen Noor of Goldshire was brutally assassinated by her own son, after which Layla assumed the government of the Kingdom.

Although Layla is already in her 70s, her Elfinshi blood makes her look not much older than 20 and she is considered one of the most beautiful women in the country. However, she has never married and refused all her suitors. She did give birth to two children, Eki and Lyanna, who were fathered by one of her Courtisans. She later officially acknowledged these daughters, to the great displeasure of het nephew Ludovic, after which they became members of the Verion family. Layla disappeared in the 1660s and her whereabouts remain unknown.

Eki Verion

For the full article, see Eki Verion

Eki Aholibamah Verion (known for government purposes 1664–1665 as Eki Aholibamah Esposito) is an Elwynnese noblewoman of Crowsilverian birth. She served as the current Princess of the Elwynnese Republic until its disintegration, and currently rules over the Northern Counties that are united in the Holy Realm of the Faithful Tribes of the Great North. Eki was considered the matriarch of the Imperial House of Verion until she was de-nobilitised in 1664 by Kaiser Ayreon IV following an open rebellion against the legitimacy of Shireroth's government. Restored to the nobility in 1665, when she was recognized as Queen in the North and head of the imperial state of The Holy Realm of the Faithful Tribes of the Great North.

Eki Verion was born the eldest daughter of Layla Verion. She is also Countess of Illumination and Cimmeria. She was born in 1625 while her mother was serving as the Countess of Crowsilver. Her mother chose not to reveal the identity of her father, which lead to a fraction in the Verion family when her cousin, Ludovic Verion, denounced the decision of his aunt. As a young girl, Eki showed courage by going on missions with the Crowsilverian forces to counter the evil forces that had emerged from outside the Wall of Aegir. During one of these missions, whe was attacked by a monster, who she managed to frighten by singing the Verion Hymn as loud as she could. However, she was injured and to this day has a large scar on the left side of her body.

After the Auspicious Occasion, Eki assumed the throne of Illumination and Cimmeria, as the niece of the deceased Alix Verion, former count of Cimmeria. Her first deeds as Countess were to erase all remnants of the Froyalanish government, which had removed all ancient Cimmerian and Verionist symbols from the County. She published a decree named "Woe Upon the Evildoers" which condemned all those who had supported the Froyalanish rule to death, and she ordered the local militias as well as the Imperial Marshals to execute this command. Eki earned the trust and the support of the local population of the North, most notably the Elfinshi population and the Icebearian cultists.

Eki Verion sided openly with Northern seperatists during the civil war in Elwynn. This lead to the establishment of the Holy Realm of the Faithful Tribes of the Great North under her supervision. However, it was not the intention of Eki to split Elwynn, but merely to ensure the survival of the unique cultures of Cimmeria and Illumination against the perceived threats of the Southern League and bland Ayreonism. Following a much desired truce in the Elwynnese Civil War, Eki was crowned Princess of Elwynn. She was deposed in 1664, after which she moved to Chryste.

Regina Verion

For the full article, see Regina Verion

Her Illustrious Majesty and Noble born Highness, her Excellency the President of the Council of Government Regina Dolores Verion, also known as Regina I, Princess of Valarion is an Elwynnese-born Verionian noblewoman. She is a member of the prominent Shirithian Imperial dynasty, the House of Verion. She is became the Princess of Valarion, capital territory of Gran Verionia in 1677. In 1682, she married Fernando del Asturia y Vallejo of the State of Valentia. The following year, their son Prince Juan Enrique was born.

Regina Verion was elected the President of the Council of Government in 1682, making her effectively the most influential politician in the nation. Previously, Regina Verion served as Viceroy of Verionist Benacia and held the titles of High Countess of the Skyla Isles, High Earl of Elsenar and Princess of the Republic. In addition, she served as Governor-Representative of the Iron Company in Chryste from 1660 to 1668.