De Foy

The De Foy family was one of the oldest Royal dynasties on Harmony, being descendants of the warlords that conquered what would become Gallica. The De Foy were relatively moderate, but were very strongly opposed to economic and social reforms after 67.90. Perhaps their refusal to advance their nation is what led them to their untimely demise, but many beleive that it was a matter of time before someone challenged the De Foy family.

The earliest mention of the De Foy family describes a "wealthy clan of stoneworkers". The De Foy were not masons, rather the "stoneworker" title was given to anyone who had a permenant dwelling made from hard materials by the nomadic peoples of the time. Eventually wonderers settled upon the land the De Foys owned, leading to the formation of the earliest Feudal state in Auciel. While ahead of their time, the region stagnated until they headstart was non-existant. It was around this time that the term "De Foy" emerged. It began with the river naming the city, and eventually the city named its rulers.

As several small wars broke out, the De Foys invested in heavy armors that they extracted from their man mines. While Albossian greatbowmen were still capable of penetrating their armor at close range, the De Foy forces were as good as invincible when they invaded the eastern shores of Albossia.

After their conflicts simmered down, the city of Foy switched towards trade rather than conquest. Especially as they no longer had a use for their massive surplus of ores and metals. This continued for several decades, causing the Roalty of De Foy lose their edge in warfare and technology. When the War of a Thousand Gods began, the De Foy were quick to recreate the armored infantry columns that they were known for. But while they were nearly untouchable in the day, the Rostemic forces were already prepared to destroy the heavy armor of the Oric kingdoms; using pots of burning pitch and small ballistas to penetrate the aetheric plate of the Gallic forces.

The war saw to he modification of the Gallic doctrine. Their large swords were replaced with shorter weapons, which became secondary to their heavy crossbows. This new formation was known as the "Foymen", and would be used until the first rifle appeared on the battlefield to nullify their advantage.

While being one of the more dominant powers, the Gallic nation avoided confrontation until the tradewar; due to the growth-focused governing of Jaques de Foy. The trade war was seen as a test for the De Foy's newest breed of soldier: the frontmen, armed with heavy armor and a breachloaded musket. While the Frontmen dominated the field of battle, the Gallic ironclad steamers destroyed enemy fleets with ease. Yet these advantages were lost in the Battle of Kirk, where the Frontmen were cornered and blasted with cannons, and the ironclads were surrounded and bombarded until their hulls cracked and their crews shredded. Among the few survivors was one Anthony Hecht, who allegedly lost his faith in the one sided battle.