Nierite wrote:
Well, also remember that the val'Borda are the rulers (or, senior nobles) of the Coryani province of Annonica which is home to major Legionnaire training facilities.
That was my thought too, but when I looked it up, I was mistaken. The reference to rulership of Annonica is in the original Codex: Arcanis. It lists Lord Flaminius val'Dellenov as the Governor. Under power centers it notes: Governor, Trade Chancellor, lesser Provosts and Guilds, Churches of Saluwe' and Yarris (Codex: Arcanis, p.32). Looking at the Plexus IK Domain document it notes that Plexus was seriously damaged when Emperor Quaron val'Dellenov decided to eradicate the Twilight Warriors and much of Plexus with it, from which the val'Borda have seemingly not recovered.
Nierite wrote:
They also exert influence on both sides of the Sea of Coryan, butting heads with the val'Baucisz, the Kio, and the Seremasi. It was a val'Borda who lead the failed invasion of Entaris, and they have served in many prominent positions (didn't at least one serve as Defender of the Empire) within the Empire. In terms of the val'Borda, it seems far more in keeping with Cadicians to WANT to stay in the shadows and the limelight. After all, if you don't paint a huge target on yourselves like the val'Assante', nobody is going to notice when you stick the dagger in your back.
Any reference for the failed invasion of Entaris being led by a val'Borda or their influence in the West? I've just looked at Eldest Sons and there's no note of a leader in there. You are correct about there being a former Defender of the Empire who was a val'Borda. I can appreciate a style that keeps a low profile, though it seems odd not to have some good press somewhere to hang a hat on to offset the whispers. And it's certainly possible they are just minor players in history.
Nierite wrote:
As for the val'Ishi, they are the rulers of Valentia which is the industrial heart of the Coryani Empire, making them rich beyond their kin in other provinces. However, like Cadicians Beltinians seem to focus on 'support' roles in politics. The family honours healers, priests, and those who help others as opposed to the val'Virdans or Assante' or Dellenov who seek their own personal honour. We also know that the Ishi have been involved in major events themselves with their politics involving the val'Emman and the val'Tensen. Also remember: The val'Ishi show asian features, which means that they have some Khitani heritage that has yet to be expanded upon. We know that the Khitani Ul's are so named because the Vals were deemed unworthy by the Sleeping Emperor/Dreaming of Larissa, and all the Ul's seem to be of a specific ethnic group. . . except the val'Ishi's.
True and interesting. There was the ghostly legion in Enpebyn as well. I think it was the Doom of Chendo, but I may be misremembering.
Happy to hear other bits if people come up with them.
With a sweep of his hat,
Paul