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. The current monarch is Emperor Sammich the Magnificent. Since its establishment, the dynasty is estimated to have yielded 1,235 various Emperors, Empresses, Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords, Ladies, Princes, Princesses, Counts, Countesses, Knights, and other assorted nobles. The family's coat of arms is a two-headed falcon being strangled by a snake, clutching a dead hare in its talons.

History

While the actual first monarch of the Ich Dynasty has been lost to history, Sammichian lore tells of the political situation of Ceriumuse around 2,050 PRY; the current Emperor, Flummox III, of the Fornax line, was a neglectful and passive ruler, instead choosing to focus his attention on festivals and feasts for the city's nobility. The rest of Ceriumuse was falling apart, as disease infested the city streets and criminals terrorized the population. Emperor Flummox was notorious for boasting about his son, Gemedes, and encouraged him to assert his dominance over lower-born servants and attendants of the Imperial Family. He was accused of beating, abusing, and raping servants, but no action was ever taken since he was heir to the Empire and his father believed he knew his rightful place over others.

According to the legend, the whole Empire was preparing for a costly and sumptuous celebration being thrown by Emperor Flummox in honor of his son. Gemedes was to be dressed in robes of ermine and purple, studded with diamonds and sapphires. Before the feast, an attendant was sent to help the young prince into his outfit. A young woman named Venera assisted him, but not soon after, he approached her a