Valois

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Valois
Alias(es)	Kingdom of Valois; Republic of Valois; Valois Empire
Government	Monarchy, later republic, and eventually an empire
Capital	Valuana
Status	Active; later ruled as the Valois Empire 677
First Appearance	Chapter 30

Background / History

Valois was initially a kingdom centered on its royal capital, Valuana. The Tower of Stars and Mage Guild were deeply integrated into the city’s commerce, education, research, and industry; guild-affiliated companies enjoyed tax reductions, accelerated research, and a highly educated workforce. 30 172

Before the revolution, Valois suffered political and financial strain. King Charles XVI faced debt, grain-production problems, and criticism over taxation, while powerful commercial interests—including the Shaleanna Mining Company—competed for influence. 42 118

The kingdom’s war against Bavaria and the Empire began with a disastrous early campaign. The Valois Second Army withdrew in disorder after its commander, Dillon, ordered a retreat; his soldiers later executed him amid accusations of betrayal. 356 357

Revolution and Republic

Political unrest escalated during the war. The Mountain Faction, led by Maxim, advocated emergency mobilization, harsh measures against internal enemies, and the formation of a National Guard. Pascal publicly backed the faction and inspired other mages to enlist. 402

The National Guard’s defensive victory at the Valuana border shifted domestic politics. Royalists sought to restore the monarchy, while the Mountain Faction answered with evidence of King Charles XVI’s collusion; public anger culminated in the storming of the Royal Palace. 418

Valois formally became a republic after the Empire’s first major defeat in the war. 434

Wartime Mobilization

The Republic integrated spellcasters into its military for the first time. Some mages concealed their identities among ordinary troops, while others served openly as honored guests, conducting aerial reconnaissance and providing battlefield support. 413 415

Valois employed a massive alchemical Construct as a decoy to force the Empire to activate its anti-magic weapons. Once magic was suppressed, the National Guard launched its charge under the slogan: “Long live the nation! Long live Valois! Behind us lies Valuana!” 415

Its artillery remained a major military advantage. During the border battle, Valois artillery repelled an Imperial cavalry flanking maneuver, while Paul demonstrated exceptional tactical judgment directing fire against the enemy reserve. 415

The Republic also developed increasingly advanced military technology:

• Artillery and radio communications — Artillery battalions used radios protected by an Anti-Divination Cipher, though battery failures and incomplete manuals complicated operations. 427
• Goliath Machines — Large combat Constructs used to assault fortifications; their Magic Weavers could be neutralized by Imperial anti-magic devices. 529
• Airship attacks — Valoisian airships loaded with High-Explosive Light Phlogiston were used as aerial bombs against Imperial vessels. 537
• Psychological warfare — The National Guard distributed leaflets urging Imperial soldiers to surrender and resist the Empire. 576

Internal Conflict and Foreign Policy

Despite its military successes, Valois remained politically unstable. Maxim withdrew from the center of power after factional struggles turned him into a symbol of terror; he had been pressured into signing the death warrant of former War Commissioner George Jacques. 533

Under George Jacques, Valois promoted the Sister Republic Plan, which proposed supporting revolutions in neighboring states and the Empire to create allied republics under Valoisian influence. A parallel Natural Territory Theory advocated annexing disputed lands up to major natural borders. 467

Maxim later negotiated a secret accord with Bavaria through Rorschach. Bavaria would manage production in occupied territories, provide Valois with 20% of mineral output, and avoid damaging facilities; in return, Valois was required to resist the Empire until December and achieve major Western Front victories. 533

Government and Politics

Period	Government	Notable Developments
Kingdom of Valois	Monarchy under King Charles XVI	Financial crisis, grain shortages, debt, and conflict between royal authority and political factions. 42
Republic of Valois	National Assembly and Committee for National Salvation	Mobilized citizens, formed the National Guard, and abolished the monarchy following revolutionary upheaval. 402 418 434
Valois Empire	Empire ruled by Emperor Paul	Possessed the Maxim Starship and pursued inter-planar technology through the Channel Pioneer machine. 677

Major Political Factions

• Mountain Faction — A hardline revolutionary bloc associated with Maxim; promoted mass mobilization, internal security measures, and the abolition of monarchy. 402 418
• Royalists — Favored restoring the monarchy after the National Guard’s early military success. 418
• Committee for National Salvation — A central revolutionary governing body whose internal infighting contributed to Maxim’s withdrawal. 533
• Save-the-Nation Alliance — An Imperial noble reform movement influenced by Valois’ transformation; later helped establish a provisional government in Bohemia. 552 577 581

Military

National Guard

The National Guard became the Republic’s principal revolutionary military force. Its ranks included commoners, former prisoners, conventional soldiers, artillery units, and mages. 368 413 415

• Strengths

  • High morale and mass mobilization around national defense. 415
  • Powerful artillery positions, especially when holding high ground. 415
  • Flexible use of mages, alchemy, Constructs, airships, and propaganda. 415 529 537 576

• Weaknesses

  • Mages often lacked formal military education and coordination with regular troops. 430
  • Many Valois spellcasters relied on audible incantations, leaving them vulnerable to Imperial mages trained in silent casting. 430
  • Political panic in Valuana led to vigilante trials and executions outside normal legal procedure. 413

Spellcasters

Valoisian mages were associated primarily with the Tower of Stars. Compared with Imperial battle mages, their spell lists were broader and more unconventional, using effects such as Silver Stars and materialized Runes to disrupt opponents. 430

Mages also performed reconnaissance, operated alongside artillery formations, created battlefield breaches, and supported the National Guard’s deployment of alchemical weapons. 415 430

Economy and Industry

Valois possessed an active commercial economy in which Mage Guild-affiliated firms dominated many handicraft industries through superior organization, research access, tax advantages, and educated employees. 172

The country maintained important mining operations, including the Shaleanna Mining Company’s gold extraction project. 118

Later wartime industry relied increasingly on magical engineering and alchemical production, including Goliath Machines, Magic Weavers, airship weapons, and radio systems. 427 529 537

Relationships

• Bavaria — A neighboring state whose transformation and industrial development were linked to Valois through Rorschach’s diplomacy, revolutionary pamphlets, and a secret wartime accord. 467 533
• Empire — Valois’ principal military opponent during the revolutionary wars; the conflict drove its mass mobilization, technological development, and political radicalization. 355 415 434
• Tower of Stars — A major mage institution based in Valuana that influenced Valoisian education, industry, military spellcasting, and later negotiations with Bavaria. 172 413 466
• Southern nations and the Order Church — Opponents on Valois’ southern front, later confronted by Rorschach’s Dionysian ritual and the Republic’s military response. 529 543 544
• Istarani Republic and Royal Exiles — Unexpected allies who intervened against an Istarani Ironclad during the assault on the Fortress of the Blazing Sun. 529

Trivia

• Valois’ capital, Valuana, was home to the Tower of Stars and served as a major center of magical research and commerce. 30 172
• The revolutionary battle cry “Behind us lies Valuana” became a defining National Guard slogan during the defense against the Empire. 415
• The Republic’s revolutionary success influenced political movements beyond its borders, especially Bavaria and Bohemia. 467 552 581