Vasa

The House of Zor-Mako-Vasa-Nassau House of Vasa
The coat of arms of the dynasty, with the arms of New Sarovia.
Founder:	Tristam I
Creation:	2016
Current Sovereign:	Constantine IX Vasa

The Imperial and Royal House of Vasa, also known as the Vasa Dynasty (officially as: Zor-Mako-Vasa) is the reigning house of the New Sarovian Empire and Her Colonies, Dominions and Commonwealth Realms. The House of Vasa is one of the most prestigious and powerful families in the history of the Graal Military Community. Furthermore, the House of Vasa has a strong relationship with the history of the Graalian people as well as the rise of Stefanism on the Graalian continents. This can be confirmed as the lineage of the House of Vasa goes back to Tristam I the Caesaropope (also known as "The First King of the Graal". Today, this title can be popularly known as "The Holy Graalian Emperor"). The House of Vasa is a cadet branch of the illustrious Zor-Mako family, which makes the official family name technically Zor-Mako-Vasa-Nassau. The family has held many high offices and positions in the Graal Military Community, some of which are: Holy Graalian Emperor, King of the Sarovians and Emperor of the Sarovian Commonwealth, Grand King of the State, King of Reuss, of Nassau, of Philippia, of Metternau, of Carolusburg and Aurea, King of the Oxerians, among other titles.

Branches

Zor (Zoar) Family

The House of Zor (also referred to as Zoar) traces its roots back to the sons of Caesaropope Tristan, the first Graalian King and unifier of peoples. The big difference between Zor and Zoar arose from Carolus I Zor and Carolus II Zoar, who had a naming dispute early in their reigns. Thus, they split as the Legitimist Zoar Branch and the Separatist Zor Branch, splitting the Dynasty. Although the current ruling house of Zor-Mako-Vasa-Nassau must technically be Zoar, the name was shortened to add legitimacy by Aros I Zor-Mako. The Family held the titles of Kings of Roisa (also referred to as Reuss) and Emperor of Imperial York before unifying with the Mako Family.

The coat of arms of Mako-Zor.

Zor-Mako

The Zor-Mako Branch began when Princess Johanna, eldest daughter of Carolus VII Zoar, married the Comes of Lochland Michael Mako (the title of Comes was the ancient form of address for a current Viscount). From this, he agreed to form a new branch of the Zoar family, emerging the Zor-Mako Dynasty. The Dynasty would become influential throughout Estos as they became the first kings and emperors of Sarovia, and later of New Sarovia. Furthermore, it was the Zor-Mako Dynasty that led the May 21st Revolution against Malum, and most importantly, that gave the name of Constantine to Sarovia. The Mako family gave rise to the symbol of the dynasty, which would be the "Mako Bear", which was widely used in art advertisements at that time. The Mako Bear still plays a prominent, albeit diminished, role in Sarovian art. However, it is possible to notice the Mako Bear in the Coat of Arms of the Dominion of Carolusburg.

The Coat of Arms of Vasa, without reference to Zor-Mako.

Zor-Mako-Vasa

The Zor-Mako-Vasa Branch began when Princess Sophia of Vasa, a small kingdom on another continent, married the King of the Sarovians, Constantine IV Zor-Mako. The Marriage was highly political and not very loving, but it allowed their son, the future Constantine V, to adopt the name to gain legitimacy and claims outside the Continent of Estos. The name was shortened, though never officially changed, to just Vasa by Carolus XII Vasa, who disliked pomp, circumstance, elaborate names and titles. The name continued until Constantine VI, who led the New Sarovian Empire into its golden age. Furthermore, the Coat of Arms of the Dynasty was changed under Carolus XII to the Coat of Arms of Vasa, more precisely, a mixture of other ducal coats of arms.

Zor-Mako-Vasa-Oxeria

The Zor-Mako-Vasa-Oxeria Dynasty, often shortened to just Vasa-Oxeria, occurred during the union between New Sarovia and the Oxerian Empire from the marriage of William I of Sarovia, and, Emily I of Oxeria, thus, giving rise to the Saro-Oxeria union. The branch and its name were given to all heirs and successors - including Empress Brianna. However, after the dissolution of the marriage, the Sarovian monarchs renounced the Oxerian ethnicity and vice versa. In addition, the coat of arms was never altered by order of William I. Currently, what remains of Oxeria is the title of King of the Oxerians which was granted to Constantine IX by Leila I, the last Oxerian Empress.

Zor-Mako-Vasa-Nassau

The Coat of Arms of the Zor-Mako-Vasa Dynasty with references to Zor-Mako.

The Zor-Mako-Vasa-Nassau Dynasty was created from the marriage between Empress Brianna of Vasa, and Emperor Jacob of Nassau. The two agreed to combine their names to form the Zor-Mako-Vasa-Nassau dynasty, which is often referred to simply as Vasa-Nassau. The Dynasty gave the New Sarovian Empire monarchs such as George I, Francis I, Edward II. Under most of its monarchs, the Dynasty's Coat of Arms remained the same until Constantine IX Vasa, who would change the coat of arms to lend to his Zor-Mako ethnicity. However, after the end of the Jacobite Rebellion, the coat of arms would receive a new change and maintaining the official surname only for Vasa. Also, the name "Nassau" is no longer included in the present day, making it just Zor-Mako-Vasa, although by law, the name "Nassau" is present in the title of "Patriarch of Zors, Makos, Vasas and Nassaus".

The Crown's properties

The House of Vasa maintains an elaborate and luxurious court wherever its patriarch, Constantine, goes. While palaces like Borhaus and Tre Kronor are public properties, owned by the Government of the New Sarovian Empire (and by extension the Crown), other properties are owned specifically by the House of Vasa and its patriarch.

Continent of Estos

• The Stenhammer Imperial Palace (also referred to simply as Stenhammer Palace) is the favorite palace of His Imperial Majesty, Constantine IX. Its construction process was very expensive, reaching the value of 22,000 Saros, due to the fact that the Palace has several expensive decorations, as well as its structure made of first-rate equipment.

• The Borhaus Palace is located next to the Leda Palace which is located in the center of Sarholm. Furthermore, the Borhaus Palace is the seat of the Assembly of Peers and where its meetings are held. It is also worth mentioning that His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, uses Borhaus Palace for the openings of Parliament and for Speeches from the Throne.

• The Leda Palace is located in the center of Sarholm, which is the official residence of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. The Leda Palace is the private property of His Imperial Majesty where Cabinet Minister meetings and negotiations are held. The Leda Palace became well known during the end of the Second Saro-Aurean War, when, the former Aurean Emperor Kevlar V Vaughn together with his former Dauphin Arnold, signed the famous Treaty of Leda, thus recognizing the New Sarovian Empire as the winner of the Second Saro-Aurean War.

Continent of Orios

• The Rosendal Palace is the official home of the King of Philippia, currently Constantine IX. The palace was constructed with private finances (37,000 Saros) in May 2021 and is guarded 24/7 by members of the Blue Guard. The palace holds many official Philippian functions, and consists of a library, a lounge, a meeting room for the Privy Council, multiple offices and bedrooms and the Philippian Throne room.
• Kejsarehall (English: Caesar’s Hall) is a small property in the heart of Rachaelsburg. Where Rosendal Palace allows for state functions, this property purchased for 16,000 Saros is purely private – allowing His Imperial Majesty the Emperor to work in peace and attend prayer at the nearby Stefanic church.

Continent of Boreas

• The Woodchester Lodge and its surrounding crownlands are property owned by the Imperial House of Vasa nearby the towns of Constantia, Silvestre Landing, and Granby. The territory was purchased for a meager 2000 Saros by the Sarovian government in honour of Emperor Constantine IX’s Diamond Jubilee. There is currently construction underway of a cottage to host the family on hunts.
• The Silvestre Park is built on the island colony of Silvestre Landing in Boreas. It is the summer home of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, and it well equipped with multiple studies, banquet halls, private rooms and entertainment lounges. It gives a commanding view of the entire island and is built in the early Constantian style for 19,000 Saros.