The House of Kohleschmied is one of the Noble Houses of Switzerland. It rules over the Duchy of Venice, a vast, populated, and fertile region of the Kingdom of the Swiss from their seat at the Palazzo Ducale. The House was founded, and is currently headed by Lord Jozef Kohleschmied, Duke of Zurich and Prime Minister of Switzerland. The House of Kohleschmied was vassal to only the royal House of Kroshbon.
The House sigil is a knights helmet atop a sheild flanked by two storks. Their words are "Prosperity through endeavor".
History
The House of Kohleschmied was founded in 1714 by Lord Jozef Kohleschmied, after the death of his father, and his forging of documents in order to join the Reicharmee of Habsburg Austria. On paper, the House of Kohleschmied was painted as a minor noble house from Winterthur, however in reality the sole member was Jozef. For nearly 25 years, the House would remain one largerly in name only, until in 1738, Jozef was named Duke of Zurich, elevating him to Lordship, and thus the House of Kohleschmied to Nobility. As Lord, Jozef presided over a complete modernization of the Kanton Zurich, transforming it into the leading economic power and financial center of the nation. His term as Prime Minister of Switzerland was characterized by the close coordination between he and the King, which turned Switzerland from a quiet confederation based on years of foreign rule and sleepy farm towns, into an economic powerhouse, that thrived under its neutrality during the numerous Anglo-Spanish wars, allowing Switzerland to trade with both sides of the conflict, and turning the microstate into one of the most prominent nations in Europe.
Relationships
Members
- Lord Jozef Kohleschmied, Duke of Zurich and four-time Prime Minister of Switzerland. One of the founding fathers of the current Swiss state and the longest serving Swiss official.
- {Sir Wilhelm Kohleschmied}, heir to the Duchy of Zurich and Count of Lucerne. Noted for his command of the Zurich army during the War of the Sardinian Succession. Disappeared in 1750.
- Sir Alexander Kohleschmied, second son of the Duke and Minister of Defense in the Cabinet of Lord Bailey Kroshbon.
- {Sir Wilhelm "Grunt" Kohleschmied}, Brother to the Duke, who died in 1748.
- Sir Dimarco Kohleschmied, eldest son of Sir Wilhelm.
- Sir Edward Kohleschmied, second son of Sir Wilhelm.
- Sir Harold Kohleschmied, Younger Brother to the Duke. Minister of Law in 1751.
- {Sir Jack Kohleschmied}, cousin to Lord Jozef
- Sir Chris Kohleschmied, eldest son of Sir Jack.
- Sir Will Kohleschmied, second son of Sir Jack and Director of Defense.
- Sir Gellert Kohleschmied, younger brother of Sir Jack, and cousin to Lord Jozef. Minister of Home in 1751.
Military strength
The House of Kohleschmied controlled Zurich, the second most populated Kanton of Switzerland. With nearly 1.4 million citizens, the House is able to raise 39,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and 900 artillery, roughly half of the House of Kroshbon's military strength. However, the feared Alpen Guard, a 1,000 member regiment of the most elite Swiss troops, are also garrissoned in Zurich, bolstering the House's military strength.