State Portrait of Stalcast Bijäl, Coronation portrait in 2574. Midjourney v6.

b 2538, Sakna Hurthin, Thrace; d 2590, Dawmoon, Asfengustrisa, Aurician Agogia. Thracian vice-royal governor of Aurice 2574 to 2576 ~2 years, reigned 2576 to 2590, reign ~14 years, lifespan ~52 years. Oldest legitimate son of Kalikán Buspa Bralcast Bijäl and Zandina of House Gattaniva, Stalcast Bijäl of House Bijäl of the Arveskupa Clan. The illustrious ruler of Aurice, Stalcast Bijäl exercised influence in the dismantling of the Thracian Empire and moderated the treatment of the royal family of Thrace, won prestige and power for Aurice with victory in the Fifth Geddamin War, oversaw the transition of Aurice into the modern age of Titancraft, and established the foundations of Aurician imperial power. Thracian-born, Stalcast was a capable warrior, participating in the Battle of Pytharnia on the Thracian side. He led the Grand Army of Aurice to victory against the Gorcorumbese in the Thyrian Peninsula. His legacy in modern Aurice remains strong despite the abolishing of the Grand Duchy. A small body of legends have arisen about the Grand Duke and his family, including the 'Curse of House Bijäl.'

Bijäl established the Duchy of Aurice. When he later declared independence, he became Grand Duke. Bijäl helped the Thracians near the end of the Great Sky War, 2568 to 2575, and was entrusted to rule Aurice as a subject Viceroyal Duchy of the Thracian Empire. When the fortunes of the Thracian Empire and monarchy waned, he changed his allegiance, and established the Grand Duchy of Aurice. His betrayal was said to bring the Curse of House of Bijäl and ensure its own future overthrow. He began as duke of liberated Aurice and subsequently became Grand Duke, given the title by the Senate in acknowledgement of Aurice's sovereignty in 2576. Vice-royal Duke Stalcast Bijäl, subsequently Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl, is regarded by most scholars as the greatest ducal ruler of Aurice. He was nicknamed the 'Red Griffin of Aurice.'

Banner of Viceroyal House Bijäl before it was changed in 2576 to the Golden Phœnice

Early Life

Stalcast Bijäl was born 2538 in Sakna Hurthin, a large town in the foothills of the Jaggudorns, southwest of the Thracian capital, Dzan Kahisa.

Family Life

Bijäl married a Thracian aristocrat in 2558 and later had two legally recognized concubines as was not uncommon for high aristocrats during the late Thracian Empire. Children: by Mekarna of House Ullingama, Wife: [b 2559] Ersersa, daughter, [b 2561] Vast son, [b 2563] Ullana daughter, [b 2565] Rhungast son, [b 2567] Bethamena daughter, by Sulormingue 1st Concubine, [b 2580] Meglos son, [b 2581] Jemahlia daughter, [b 2583] Orsada daughter, [b 2584] Breckard son, by Chanda the Fair 2nd Concubine [b 2581] Stranclad son, [b 2583] Vallardun son, [b 2584] Chandallana daughter, [b 2585] Glafe son.

Office of Lukkha Sampushá of Aurice

Cult of the Golden Phœnice

Main article: Aurician Cult of the Golden Phœnice

He introduced the worship of the Golden Phœnice from the high Jaggudorns as the state religion of Aurice. The priestess of the dwarven cult of the dragon-phœnix was brought from the Jaggudorns and ordained Mekarna, wife to Stalcast, in 2576 to be the first High Phœnissa of Aurice. She then organized the first priestesses of the same in 2576, choosing principally from her daughters and the daughters of Stalcast's two concubines. He accordingly changed the device of his House from the Red Griffin to the Golden Phœnix. He ordered the construction of the Temple of the Golden Phœnice (Aurice) in 2576. Cult observances were, consequently, held in the Temple of Aurice or in one of the other temples of Aurice in the mean time. The temple was not finished until 2638, requiring about sixty two years to construct.

Politics

He cunningly used threat of execution to persuade the Emperor of the Kalikán to cede Cisalpine Agogia to Aurice as part of the Treaty of Tauhad (2576). Stalcast did not actually threaten the king-emperor's life. However, the coalition who were occupying Thrace had privately considered the execution of the Emperor and Stalcast leaked this to the Emperor.

2576: Duke Stalcast Bijäl declares his independence and changes Duchy to Grand Duchy of Aurice. Later that year, he issues the Decree of Universal Emancipation throughout the Grand Duchy of Aurice (2576). For this reason and the subsequent Decree concerning Corundy, Stalcast Bijäl is called 'The Liberator.' After this, the Grand Duke used conscription to draft the newly emancipated subjects into the Aurician Grand Army to help him fight the Fourth and Fifth Geddamin Wars.

2576: Grand Duke sends agents to Skaligdæ to "secure the Thracian colony by whatever means expedient."

2578: founds Aurician Metropolitans Merchant College

The Shadevan War, 2589 to 2591, saw the Annexation of the Shadevan in 2589 AI. Stalcast died in Aurician Agogia before the conclusion of the war.

He commissioned Diomaive Triadeimot to design Palace Bijäl in 2581 which is today the Gubernatorial Palace, based upon traditional Hunting Lodge Architecture of Thrace.

Bijäl orders Duke Midrethgourn Dio to lead colonization of southern Orrhymby in 2582 AI.

He reorganized the ducal military of Aurice.

He was leader of Aurice during the Fifth Geddamin War (2582 to 2586) in which Aurice displayed marvelous military strategy and obtained secrets of Titancraft Vessel construction from the Gorcorumbese Geddamin who lost the war.

He established an academy for the study and development of titancraft for military purposes.

Stalcast's father, Bralcast died in Thrace in 2590 AI (aged 75 years). Grand Duke Stalcast returned to Thrace despite warnings of plots, to observe his father's funeral and to honor the holy shrine of the Golden Phœnice which stands in the high Jaggudorns. After the funeral and religious devotions, Stalcast died, aged 51, in a hunting accident in the Jaggudorns of Aurician Agogia. There is much conjecture about his death. His body was returned to Aurice and under magical preservation lay in state for nearly a year, until his wife asked the Noble Senate to have it interred in Aurice. His remains were subsequently removed to beneath the Palace of House Bijäl which is today the Gubernatorial Palace of Aurice.

Stemmata of House Bijäl

Death

Stalcast Bijäl died from trauma to the head as a consequence of a fall during a hunting expedition. In In the month of Dawmoon, Bijäl returned to Thrace to observe the funeral of his father, Bralcast Bijäl, who had just died. Subsequently, Bijäl, close friends, and retainers had flown by skycraft to the higher elevation of the northern Shadmaus, but still within the tree line and the weirs of the wyverns, for the purpose of hunting jadder. According to the official account, his hunting rifle mischarged, stunning and blinding him. A jadder pounced upon the Grand Duke and his fellows ran to deliver him. In the scuffle, the Grand Duke, blinded as he was, mis-stepped, fell down a short ravine and suffered a blow to his head. He was given first aid and then rushed to the skycraft to be taken to a mage healer. During the flight, he died. Much speculation has since arisen that his death was arranged by his political enemies in Thrace who saw him as a traitor to the monarchy.

Successor

Coronation of Vast Bijäl, 2590, Aurice. Midjourney v6.

Vast Bijäl was approved by the Noble Senate to ascend to the throne of the Grand Duchy of Aurice shortly after his father's death in 2590. He was robed and crowned amid much fanfare in Aurice with broad and ecstatic adulation of the public.

Legacy

The word 'Bijälian' in Aurician History refers to the roughly fifty year period of the Rule of House Bijäl, 2574 to 2626. It can also mean triumphantly victorious. When used by Aurician Republicans, it can mean proud and machiavellian.

Chronology of Events in the Life of Stalcast Bijäl

born 2538, Sakna Hurthin, Kingdom of Thrace, Son of Kalikán Buspa Bralcast Bijäl and Zandina of House Gattaniva, Stalcast Bijäl of House Bijäl of the Arveskupa Clan

2558: 2558: Bijäl marries Mekarna of House Ullingama

2559: 2559: birth of first child, daughter, Ersersea, by Mekarna

2560

2561: 2561: birth of son, Vast by Mekarna

2562

2563: 2563: birth of daughter Ullana by Mekarna

2564

2565: 2565: birth of son, Rhungast by Mekarna

2566

2567: 2567: Birth of daughter Bethamena, by Sulormingue 1st Concubine

2568: 2568: Outbreak of Fourth Geddamin War

2569

2570: 2570: Establishment of the Kalikán-Ephysgæes Pact

2571: 2571 Kadvast Jafferund Agdaisak, appointed viceroy of Aurice to replace rebellious Baimund Kaligär but never assumed office, slain in Battle of Pytharnia, 2573

2572

2573: 2573 Mistmoon Battle of Pytharnia; 2573 Stalcast Bijäl fights in the Battle of Pytharnia on the side of the Thracian Empire; 2573 Mistmoon, Kadvast Jafferund Agdaisak slain in Battle of Pytharnia; 2573 Mistmoon, Baimund Kaligär slain shortly after Battle of Pytharnia; 2573 Magdymoon King Emperor Ädaz Vädukund of Thrace dies, aged 66. His son, Ondaz Ädazund, becomes King Emperor of Thrace the same month.

2574: 2574: Stalcast Bijäl appointed Thracian Viceroyal Duke of Aurice by King Ondaz Ädazund of Thrace; 2574 Thracian Revolutionaries renounce the Kalikán-Ephysgæes Pact

2575: 2575: Conclusion of the Great Sky War

2576: 2576: Duke Stalcast Bijäl declares his independence and changes Duchy to Grand Duchy of Aurice.; 2576: Aurician Senate grants Bijäl the title 'Grand Duke.'; 2576: Treaty of Tauhad (2576) formalizes end of the Great Sky War; 2576: Later that year, he issues the Decree of Universal Emancipation throughout the Grand Duchy of Aurice (2576). For this reason and the subsequent Decree concerning Corundy, Stalcast Bijäl is called 'The Liberator.' After this, the Grand Duke used conscription to draft the newly emancipated subjects into the Aurician Grand Army to help him fight the Fourth and Fifth Geddamin Wars.; 2576: wife Mekarna is appointed first High Phœnissa of the Cult of the Golden Phœnice; 2576: Bijäl orders the construction of the Temple of the Golden Phœnice (Aurice); 2576: Grand Duke Bijäl sends agents to Skaligdæ to "secure the Thracian colony by whatever means expedient."

2577

2578: 2578: Bijäl founds Aurician Metropolitans Merchant College

2579

2580: 2580: Birth of son, Meglos by Sulormingue

2581: 2581: Truce ends the Fourth Geddamin War; 2581 Birth of grandson, Bralcast II by Vast and Heilasa; 2581: Birth of son, Stranclad, by second concubine, Chanda the Fair; 2581: Bijäl commissions Diomaive Triadeimot to design Palace Bijäl in 2581 which is today the Gubernatorial Palace, based upon traditional Hunting Lodge Architecture of Thrace.; 2581: Birth of daughter, Jemahlia, by Sulormingue

2582: 2582: Bijäl orders Duke Midrethgourn Dio to lead colonization of southern Orrhymby; 2582: Outbreak of the Fifth Geddamin War

2583: 2583: Birth of son, Vallardun, by Chanda the Fair; 2583: Birth of daughter, Orsada, by Sulormingue

2584: 2584: Birth of daughter, Breckard, by Sulormingue; 2584: Birth of daughter, Chandallana by Chanda the Fair; 2584: Decree of Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl Concerning Corundy (2584), Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl, 2584, Legal Decree that the mainland of Corundy is free from all Gorcorumbese Dominion. This decree becomes the impetus for the developing Aurician Doctrine of Corundian Autonomy.

2585: 2585: Birth of son, Glafe, by Chanda the Fair

2586: Battle of Qusharya, Threymoon (9m), Aurician Victory (Grand Duke Stalcast gives famous address); 2586: Treaty of Rhafyx (2586) formalizes the conclusion of the Fifth Geddamin War

2587: 2587: Treaty of Yophénthë (2587) formalizes end of the Skaligdæse War

2588

2589: 2589: Outbreak of The Shadevan War, (2589 to 2591) which saw the Annexation of the Shadevan in 2589 AI. Stalcast was to die in Aurician Agogia before the conclusion of the war.

2590: 2590: Father, Bralcast Bijäl, dies in Thrace. Bijäl and contingent voyage to Thrace for funeral observances.; 2590: Death, Dawmoon, Asfengustrisa, Aurician Agogia in hunting accident

Sources

Primary Sources

Collected Letters of Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl, 2638
Decree of Universal Emancipation throughout the Grand Duchy of Aurice (2576), Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl, Legal Decree that all serfs are free and that lords may no longer claim their servitude.
Decree of Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl Concerning Corundy (2584), Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl, 2584, Legal Decree that the mainland of Corundy is free from all Gorcorumbese Dominion
Grand Duke Bijäl's Address to the Grand Army before the Battle of Qusharya, 2586
Decree of the Annexation of the Shadevan Provinces (2589), Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl, 2589, Decree of the Annexation of Shadevan Delta

Secondary Sources

The Battle of Pytharnia One Hundred Years Later, Ontairgain dalg Mehailgean, 2674, Pivotal Battle of Pytharnia in GSW, Pytharnian Language, translated into Medibgóëse Language and Asbardian Language shortly after first publication.
Bijälian Imperial Strategy in the Shadevan, Jhatta ennekhá Danakh, 2682
Bijälian Legacy, Fastorn Arvondunve, 2685
Corundy and the Fifth Geddamin War, Rhionantis the Elder of Aurice, published 2611, Causes, Events, and interpretation of the Fifth Geddamin War, Lucacian Language
Curse of House Bijäl, Sorrega Tathaib, 2719; the work treats the last years of the life of Stalcast Bijäl, including his tragic death in a hunting accident, 3 Acts; libretto written in Tassan Language with some phrases in Thracian.
Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl: The Phœnix of Aurice, Vedaius Skain (2675 to 2746), 2713, comprehensive biography of Stalcast Bijäl from birth to death, Lucacian Language
Intrigues of the Late Bijälian Court, Perevath Chandomiddo, written 2700-2710, (covers 2574 to 2627, but focuses on 2590 to 2634, the reigns of Vast and Rhungast Bijäl and ends with the Battle of Kadraskan and the death of Rhoglos Bijäl)
Origins of the Bijälian Dynasty, Pernora Ippekum, 2613

Stalcast Bijäl

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