By Myranda Kalis (nagaina@yahoo.com)
Refer to the Old Clan Tzimisce: The Oradea League.
Of all the Houses of the Old Clan, few have suffered as many and as terrible a loss as the Polish House of Brankovan-Waivadi. Decimated by internal rebellion, nearly annihilated by a long-running bloodfeud with the Ventrue of Germany, forced into exile, the House struggles on the brink of utter extinction and triumphant resurgence.
One of the oldest of all the Houses, very possibly the oldest House, the origin of the Brankovan-Waivadi line is lost in the mists of history, even to the geneologists of House Tzildaris, even to the members of the House. Legend speaks of a time when Brankovan and Waivadi were two separate lines, warring in antiquity for the same homeland, a war that ended when Smerande, Voivode of the Brankovan, and Ferencz, Voivode of the Waivadi, met each other face-to-face for the first time, and thereafter could not be separated from each other, peacefully ending in love a conflict that could have extirpated both their families. Regarded as the King and Queen of the North by Clan Tzimisce, their rule was unfortunately marked by frequent conflicts, both internal to the Clan and against others, particularly the Ventrue of Germany, eager to strike through the Brankovan-Waivadi heartland at targets within the Russias, and by marauding packs of Gangrel and even more exotic breeds of Kindred from the East. It was the Ventrue and Lasombra backing of the various Crusades -- including the Baltic Crusade, in which Ventrue unwisely trespassed in the Lithuanian holdings of the House -- led House Brankovan-Waivadi to pursue an aggressive policy against such invaders, a policy which cost them dearly as the years and battles progressed. Ferencz Waivadi, the Voivode who led the military forces of House Brankovan-Waivadi and executed the policy that his wife instituted, was slain in battle with the Ventrue in Lithuania, with no clear successor of similar ability immediately available, his childe Gregoriska being too young by Brankovan-Waivadi custom to assume the authority of his late sire. Smerande, griefstricken over the final death of her husband of nearly two thousand years, faltered in her leadership, a lapse that was taken full and complete advantage of by the House's assailants. Nearly half the House fell beneath the blades of the victorious Ventrue and Lasombra invaders before Gregoriska came into his inheritance, followed closely by his broodmate, Kostaki, Smerande's own childe.
There was immediate friction between the two brothers on the leadership front, though they were wise enough to lay aside their differences until they had successfully beaten back the invaders enough to gain some "breathing" space. Gregoriska, despite the military bent in his life, was also an intellectual and a scholar, noted as being both blindingly intelligent and self-assured, a natural ruler in all respects. Kostaki was no less intelligent and no less given to command, a warrior who held together a band of Kindred minions by sheer force of personality, tempestuous and passionate, rough around the edges, where his brother was refined, obviously intellectual, and as polished as a set diamond. They grated on each others' nerves almost continuously, for they were too much alike, and too much unalike, for any real meeting of minds between them. Minor conflicts between them quickly escalated into open, armed battle, each venting his frustration with the other in blood, though generally not their own.
Then the Anarch Revolt struck.
It was probably inevitable from that point that the two brothers would land on opposite sides of the Revolt, Gregoriska remaining solidly in support of the ingrained Tzimisce aristocracy, Kostaki taking the part of the lesser Tzimisce nobles and footsoldiers whom he had frequently championed before the Revolt actually began, Smerande in the thankless position of attempting to mediate between the son of her husband and the son of her own blood, as well as holding together the tattered remnants of her once-great House. Further heightening the intensity of the conflict were the Ventrue, who took advantage of the weakened Brankovan-Waivadis to once again attempt an invasion of their homeland. The conflict was so wide in scope that it spilled over into Kine politics as well, forcing dozens of humans and vampires alike into exile. One such was the Polish noblewoman, Haedwig, who, en route to sanctuary at the Monastery of Sahastru in the shadow of Mount Pion, ran headlong into a running battle between the forces of the two brothers. Haedwig's bodyguard was slaughtered by Kostaki's marauders, but before the lady and the last of her defenders could fall, Gregoriska arrived on the scene and managed to put a stop to the fight. Unfortunately for all concerned, both brothers fell madly and hopelessly in love with Haedwig, a development that further complicated and degraded matters. Gregoriska and Kostaki both pressed their suit for Haedwig, who herself fell in love with Gregoriska despite the urgings of Smerande to give herself to Kostaki and possibly end the madness engulfing House Brankovan-Waivadi, the brothers finally butchering one another in the name of love, throwing the House into a downward spiral from which it never recovered. Haedwig, embraced by Kostaki, stayed with Smerande, whom she came to love as a mother, the two prepared to face the end together. Intervention from a neutral third party, however, in this case, House Tzildaris, saved the royal women of House Brankovan-Waivadi even as bloodthirsty Anarchs were beating down the doors of the House's fortress in the Polish uplands, whisking Smerande and Haedwig away to safety (and exile) in Romania.
Smerande and Haedwig remained in Romania as the guests of House Tzildaris for several hundred years thereafter, taking up residence at the House's enclave at Oradea, where they maintain a sizeable presence to this day. The exiled House became the keepers of the Oradea League's fortress in the mountains near that city, a position that allowed them both to keep a presence in the south as well as travel in relative safety back to Poland as the need required and also to harrass the invaders burrowing into their homeland, including House Venizelos, who took advantage of the collapse of House Brankovan-Waivadi to set up shop in certain areas there. Recent years have seen House Brankovan-Waivadi experiencing something of a renaissance, with the collapse of Soviet power in the East and the resurgance of Polish nationalism leading them to recapture vital areas in their old homeland and an aggressive recruiting policy creating enough progeny to hold them. Smerande yielded leadership of the House to Haedwig and remained in Oradea to oversee the fortress of the League; Haedwig moved the official Brankovan-Waivadi seat of power to her family's recently reconstructed fortress near Lublin, Poland, in the uplands near the Russian border. Haedwig and her eldest childe and lover, Dragan Kolessar, have been watching developments in the Russias with deep unease, knowing full well that their homeland lies on the time-honored overland invasion route from the Russias to Europe, and that if the Hag, Baba Yaga wishes to expand her domain, it is, in all likelihood, they who will meet her first if House Smtzkhe falls. They are praying to whatever gods still answer Tzimisce prayers that they will have the time to regain their strength before the real trial begins.
Brujah: I find it ironic that these petty strutting little creatures thought they could seize not only the lands of our mothers but the lands of the Hag as well. More fools they -- and good riddance.
Giovanni: Again, we have had little contact with these creatures, though they are certainly...disquieting.
Followers Of Set: Do not even allow one to drip honey from his forked tongue in your presence.
Gangrel: Our cousins are savage and noble, and are descended from a great woman as well. We have much in common, I think, though our meetings with them have been few and brief.
Lasombra: Vipers. Crush them like the snakes they are.
Malkavians: It is difficult to say whether we should pity or fear these cousins of ours. Though I would not myself wish for their gift, they are nevertheless wise and strangely insightful -- listen to their words and allow their perception to educate you.
Nosferatu: Their knowledge and learning are great, and their nobility in the face of the injustices heaped upon them is inspiring. Befriend them whenever you can.
Ravnos: Amusing.
Salubri: The most poorly used of all our Kindred cousins. If the opportunity comes to aid one of these gentle and noble creatures, do so.
Toreador: Useless.
Tremere: Let the von Klatkas deal with them -- the stench of innocent blood that surrounds them turns even my stomach.
Tzimisce: These betrayers of our Blood and our heritage must die -- they have forgotten who they are and in so doing have become worse than beasts. Savagery and horror need not be all we take from this unlife.
Ventrue: If we survive to see the night, we will enjoy watching these butchers receive their just deserts and the spirit of Ferencz Waivadi may at last go to the rest it deserves.
House Vardalek: Our Hungarian cousins are strange and otherworldly and their music cries out to the spirit of our land. Listen to their voices and be lifted up.
House Von Klatka: Our bogatyrs are fierce and noble in their righteous anger, though I fear for them if they ever achieve their goals. Such hatred can easily turn inward.
House Elenades: Healers and teachers, they are strange but virtuous and we have no quarrel with them.
House Ruthven: Pathetic. Though they have fallen far, that is no excuse for the depths of depravity in which they wallow. Let us hope that their young Voivode reverses their decline before there is nothing left to save.
House Smatzkhe: I pray nightly that our cousins still fight on, for I fear that they and what allies they might have are all that keeps the Hag from our doors.
House Bathory-Nadasdy: Disgusting creatures -- they debase themselves and the name Tzimisce with their obscene rites. One wonders why they have not yet been brought to heel like the curs that they are.
House Djilas: Poor Djilaj -- to see his House slaughtering itself...Something must be done to stop it.
House Frasheri: Mercenaries and sorceresses one and all -- fortunately they take payment in things other than blood.
House Venizelos: Remind them who truly rules here whenever possible.
House Tzildaris: Our friends and benefactors, they came to us in our darkest hour and asked for nothing in return for the blood they shed on our behalf. Repay them their kindness -- for I believe it was kindness that moved their hand, and mercy as well -- whenever possible, will they or no.