We Gladly Feast Upon Those Who Would Subdue Us Part 2 -The Translyvanian Army
In case you haven't guessed, the title ' We Gladly Feast Upon Those Who Would Subdue Us', is a marvellously defiant family motto of the Addams Family. How marvellous also that it is the motto of the province of Transylvania. It originated from the heroic defence of that country from a Fezian invasion. Count Vampira, in the fifteenth century, led a spirited defence, ruthless in its use of psychological warfare; mass impalements, including of a selection of his own disposable criminals and others, were sufficient to deter the Fezian invaders who did not wish to face such a maniac. (Despite the identical spelling this Transylvania is not to be confused with the other Translyvania defended by a certain Drakula in another world which became part of modern Rumania).
The Vampira family continued to rule the country and from 1889 has been ruled by the brooding Count Ivan and his alluring, beautiful wife, Countess Alexi. Strangely, neither seems to age and even stranger rumours abound about the rulers wandering the land in the dead of night. Both also appear to have a hereditary skin condition with similarities to the albino. However, the lack of skin colour does not extend to the hair which is jet black in both cases.
The Countess has a level of independence unusual in Translyvanian culture. Although she is a frequent horse rider she never rides side saddle, as would be-fit a woman. She has her own personal hussar regiment, The Wolf Riders, sometimes also known as the Grey Wolves. Alexi even led the regiment into battle against a rebellion of serfs and she was not reluctant to bathe her sword in peasant blood. Her good nature and sense of humour was made apparent when she later indulged her men by letting them arrange the insurgents heads in decorative patterns on the roadside signs.
The Countess is so impetuous that she will embark on perilous foreign diplomatic missions such as the recent one to Bobistan. In one instance enemy cavalry were threatening to over-run the position.
Before the recent hostilities with Redia (also known as Bretonnia) Countess Alexi was interviewed by the Redian journalist and sometimes soldier, Winston Churchwood. An account of this meeting was published in the Redian Times.
Although Transylvania was jealous of its independence full sovereignty eluded it; in order to resist the ever present Fezian threat Transylvania accepted federation with other Balkan states under the rule of King Slobodan of Snookum Ookum. It is an uneasy federation, including Borduria and Syldavia, who are always threatening to attack each other rather than non Balkan enemies.
In addition, close ties are maintained with Crussia (also known as Rustoff, sometimes mistranslated as Rustock). This colossal neighbour has intervened in the past to squash Fezian incursions.
The Vampira family continued to rule the country and from 1889 has been ruled by the brooding Count Ivan and his alluring, beautiful wife, Countess Alexi. Strangely, neither seems to age and even stranger rumours abound about the rulers wandering the land in the dead of night. Both also appear to have a hereditary skin condition with similarities to the albino. However, the lack of skin colour does not extend to the hair which is jet black in both cases.
The Countess has a level of independence unusual in Translyvanian culture. Although she is a frequent horse rider she never rides side saddle, as would be-fit a woman. She has her own personal hussar regiment, The Wolf Riders, sometimes also known as the Grey Wolves. Alexi even led the regiment into battle against a rebellion of serfs and she was not reluctant to bathe her sword in peasant blood. Her good nature and sense of humour was made apparent when she later indulged her men by letting them arrange the insurgents heads in decorative patterns on the roadside signs.
The Countess is so impetuous that she will embark on perilous foreign diplomatic missions such as the recent one to Bobistan. In one instance enemy cavalry were threatening to over-run the position.
Before the recent hostilities with Redia (also known as Bretonnia) Countess Alexi was interviewed by the Redian journalist and sometimes soldier, Winston Churchwood. An account of this meeting was published in the Redian Times.
Although Transylvania was jealous of its independence full sovereignty eluded it; in order to resist the ever present Fezian threat Transylvania accepted federation with other Balkan states under the rule of King Slobodan of Snookum Ookum. It is an uneasy federation, including Borduria and Syldavia, who are always threatening to attack each other rather than non Balkan enemies.
In addition, close ties are maintained with Crussia (also known as Rustoff, sometimes mistranslated as Rustock). This colossal neighbour has intervened in the past to squash Fezian incursions.
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