House: Filaidos

Motto: Steadfast in the face of danger

Kingdom: Empire of Valtheria

Active soldiers: 45,000

House age: 700 years

History: House Filaidos was founded by a warrior named Aldor and his wife Marisa. Originally vassals of the Kingdom of Valdoria and House Stally (owners of Valdoria), they became independent thanks to the War of the Selfish (I will explain this war in another post) and founded their own kingdom with 3,500 loyal soldiers in the southern plains, using violence and cruelty. One of their most famous wars was when they fought House Fujin in the southeastern rivers, which they won with only 10,000 soldiers against 30,000. This victory solidified their reputation as the House of Warriors and Heroes.

Ideology:

Strength is the only legitimate right. Only those who can defend what they possess deserve to possess it. Weakness is not a condition, it is a betrayal of the bloodline.

Danger is the crucible of courage. Avoiding combat is dishonorable; facing it head-on, even when outnumbered, is the highest expression of virtue.

Loyalty is paid for with blood, not words. Oaths are sacred, but they are renewed in every battle. An ally who does not fight by your side ceases to be one.

The past is not mourned, it is inherited as a weapon. Each generation must surpass the previous one or deserves to perish.

They do not believe in merciful gods. They worship only Aldor the Founder as a semi-divine ancestor and the Lady of Red Frost (a minor deity of war and survival), to whom they offer the first weapons of each generation.

Traditions:

The Trial of Ten Thousand

Every young person of the house (male or female) must, between the ages of 16 and 18, participate in a royal campaign or a great beast hunt. Only those who return with at least one battle scar receive the right to bear the full surname and the right to inherit lands.

The Oath of the Broken Sword

When a Filaidos dies in battle, his weapon is deliberately broken, and one half is buried with him. The other half is kept by the nearest heir. It is never repaired. It is a reminder that the house prefers to break rather than bend.

The March of the Plains

Every seven years, the lord of the house leads a military march of several thousand soldiers across the southern plains, with no specific objective other than to demonstrate strength. Neighboring houses must offer hospitality or be considered hostile.

The Feast of Cruelty

After a major victory, the officers dine in silence before the heads or standards of the defeated enemies. No songs or toasts are made until the lord of the house declares that “the danger has been tamed.”

Adoption by Blood

An exceptional warrior of humble origins can be formally adopted if they survive a personal test administered by the head of the household. From that moment on, they bear the surname Filaidos and are considered pure-blooded.

Rivalries:

1. Kingdom of Thalorim the High

A mountainous kingdom in the north, famous for its white stone fortresses and its mages of the Order of the Frostwind.

Origin of the hatred: During Filaidos' northward expansion, Thalorim denied passage to the armies of Aldor and attacked them from the rear with ice magic. Filaidos responded by laying waste to three border valleys.

Since then, they have considered each other barbarians: Thalorim sees the Filaidos as dishonorable butchers, and Filaidos sees Thalorim as cowards hiding behind spells.

2. Sultanate of Qaryn al-Nahir

A desert trading kingdom in the southeast, rich in spices, slaves, and light cavalry.

Origin of the animosity: The Qaryn attempted to buy the loyalty of several Filaidos captains during the war against House Fujin. When the attempt was discovered, Filaidos publicly executed the emissaries and sacked two border oases.

Today, they maintain a cool rivalry: sporadic trade, but any incident quickly escalates into cavalry skirmishes.

3. Principality of Veydrath

A small but powerful coastal kingdom in the west, ruled by the ancient House Stally (the former lords of Valdoria).

Origin of the animosity: The Stallys never forgave Filaidos for its independence after the War of the Selfish. They consider the house a dynasty of traitors and usurpers.

Although both are formally part of the Valtherian Empire, tensions are constant. Veydrath sometimes secretly finances enemies of Philaidos, and Philaidos responds with "accidents" on Veydrath's trade routes.

Valtheria Castle

Rodrigo Filaidos—the psychopath, age: 42

Rodrigo is known as "the psychopath" because of the atrocities he committed during the war of his northward expansion.

Valentine Filaidos, age: 41

Maria Filaidos, age: 21

Zoe Filaidos, age: 19

Elyndra Filaidos, age: 330

Elyndra in her dragon form. By the way, I made Elyndra your lover; if you don't like the idea, I can change it.

That’s the idea behind the Filaidos soldiers. The bot didn't place the image correctly on the shield, but you get the idea anyway, haha.

In this bot, you are the best soldier and general Rodrigo has; if you notice any errors, let me know.