Random thoughts on the Vorloi Clan
by AllanPBaron Philip Vorloi is was a follower of Stefan Karameikos and joined him in the acquisition of the Traladara lands in AC 970; as a Baron he was granted an estate and has his main residence there. Additionally he maintains a townhouse in the Bricktop area of Specularum (not wanting to mix with the Radu and Tprenescu clans). Near the Vorloi town house is the house of Fortunato Vorloi, the Baron’s younger brother, a merchant in Specularum. Fortunato’s house is on “Rattlebone Lane” (see previous discussion on Rattlebone Lane from module B6 at this and ensuing posts.
In this posting, Ville has it that:
...the original Vorloi clan came from some part of Traladara, and fled to Thyatis for some reason (to be defined; this may be a religious issue -- back in 450 AC -- or a political issue -- maybe the early Vorloi were partisans of the Marilenev Dukes against the Radu?), in any case two to six centuries ago. The Vorloi settled in Thyatis, where the family survived as a minor merchant clan. Philip is clearly the first Vorloi to achieve a greater degree of success in a long time -- his brother is merely a merchant captain, while Philip is almost a merchant prince.
So, the modern Vorloi are fully Thyatian, the only traces of their Traladaran origins being their surname and some traditional first names. The decision of supporting Stefan and coming back to Traladara may just have been Philip's scheme to improve his status and wealth, or maybe related to some revanchist ideas running in the family (this is not too believable if the Vorloi went to Thyatis before 800 AC, IMO).
Joaquin Menchaca has a similar perspective on the Vorlois (from the Vaults):
Vorloi in GAZ1 and Kingdom of Karameikos, is noted as a Thyatian family, but they have obvious Traladaran-like names. I was going through B6: The Veiled Society, and nowhere does it mention that Vorloi is from Thyatis. It does mention indirectly and directly that they are new, and have supported the Duke, and used that influence to put themselves in power against the established Traladaran political mould.
I thought of a simple fix:
The Vorloi clan is indeed Traladaran. They were pushed out by presiding Traladaran nobility, and thus went to Thyatis to establish their trading business, which became quite successful. After many generations and during the time the Duke came to power, the Vorloi assisted the Duke and established themselves there.
Thus now they are Thyatian (thinking, education, culture) for all intents and purposes, but their lineage and history stem from Traladara. They have always used Traladaran names out of respect and pride for their heritage.
I see the Vorloi as some of the most tolerant Thyatians towards Traldarans and their customs, but they are definitely intolerant toward any established Traladaran nobility, as they see them as cogs in the gears for success and progress of the nation.
With Vorloi’s Traladaran roots, there is probably some ill-feeling from the Radus and Torenescus to the Vorloi clan, feeling that Vorloi “sold out”. Ville suggests the Vorloi departure is c. AC 450 after the Second Traladaran War. Philip’s Traladaran ancestry was part of the reason he decided to follow Stefan to the Grand Duchy.
The Vorloi town hopuse in Bricktop is not as large as the Specularum residences of Anton Radu and Alexander Torenescu, but it has its own presence, built in a Thyatian style. It is where the Baron and his wife, Anna, entertain guests while they are in the capital.