Ich Dynasty

The Ich Dynasty is and was the ruling family of the Old Sammichian Empire, the Kingdom of Fulfwotz, and the New Sammichian Empire. While the establishment of the dynasty has been lost to history, Sammichian legends associated with the family describe a coup that was carried out in Ceriumuse at some point around 2,000 PRY. Ever since then, the Ich Dynasty has continued as the Imperial Family of any associated dominion. It is currently the oldest, longest-ruling, and largest dynasty in the Shire.

History

While history at that time wasn't as fully documented as it is now, many historians believe that the first Ich monarch rose around the year 5,850 PRY, in the ancient city of Ceriumuse, established in 6,041 PRY. For the 191 years in between the establishment and when the Ich family came into power, the city was ruled by the Impe Family, the greatest house in Ceriumuse and a sworn enemy of the Ich Family. Under Impe rule, the Ichs were disgraced and humiliated, and were taxed heavier than half the city combined. They soon became the most hated Sammichian family at the time, even though most of the beautiful masonry and statues and gardens in Ceriumuse were paid for with taxes collected from the family alone.

Finally, in 5,880, the Impe Family had gone too far. During Homage Week, when Sammichians travel to the ancestral home of their gods, Quartzium, the Impe Family sent only a minor envoy instead of traveling themselves. Yet, the entire Ich Family had left the city. With their mansion uninhabited, the Impe Family ignited the decaying home, the scorched remains greeting the Ichs when they returned. Outraged, the Ich Family demanded retribution from Highlord Ceriam Impe, who merely laughed and beheaded the Ich Lord and Lady. He made the mistake of letting their daughter, Melia Ich, leave unharmed. Later in her life, still venomous and seeking revenge, she posed as the beautiful daughter of a different family and seduced the handsome Prince Valiam, Ceriam's favorite son and heir. She lured him into the woods, where she murdered Valiam and chopped his body up into hundreds of pieces.

On the night of December 10th, 5,849, Melia and a large group of men and women loyal to the Ich Family snuck into the Citadel, where they murdered Highlady Nemera Impe and showered the Highlord in his diced-up son. They proceeded to force-feed Valiam to his sobbing father, and released him where he died a slow and painful death from the raw and rotten meat of his son. Melia's coup was finished once she sat on the throne, the new ruler of Ceriumuse, and the first Ich monarch. It is a commonly-used example of the Sammichians' inherent lust for vengeance and power, and has been adapted into numerous frightening folktales.

Great Regicide of 1455

In 1455, the Kingdom of Fulfwotz, still under Ich rule, was plagued by a large number of social and economic issues. Crime was at an all-time high, and King Kodax II and Queen Umeria showed no interest in the welfare of their people. Fulfwotzians soon grew outraged at the King's nonchalance, and a small underground group of people organized themselves into the Wottwum Gang (still a feared gang in the streets of Fulfton). At the Founding Day Parade in Mainland, the Fulfwotz Royal Family watched from their special box, when the Wottwum Gang broke in and slit the throats of the King, Queen, two Princes, and 3 Princesses. Many believed that the Queen, an Ich by blood, had no siblings or living Ich relatives, so it was accepted that the Ich line had been extinguished. However, it was soon discovered that the queen was 9 months pregnant, and the baby was able to be saved, thanks to technology discovered by King Cephluss. The baby grew up to be King Carmex, who managed to become one of the most obscure Sammichian monarchs even after the nature of his birth.