[!] Far and near the horses of the Konchak and Karaman riders see couriers deliver the final invitations to the widely advertised Adrian occasion, the Dumapalooza. From them, many would receive this missive, or find one second hand reading thusly… [!]

Belvitzi folks partaking in Duma in the Balt, Date 12th Sun Smile 1697

“In Swathes and swathes they came, those merry Adrian Folk; dislocated from Ves and from Belvitz, by turmoil and upheaval of the simple life they knew. But one thing was certain; when Ratibor ‘the Red’ called upon them, these jovial dandies and jostling drinkers would surely come hither and listen. For the Adrian there is one thing they hold sacrosanct above all else: Duma.”  - Boris Ratiborovich, 1732

Privej good men and women, of both the hordes or towns. Finally, may the open ears hear this - the Dumapalooza has a camp to base out of, and many electors at the ready!

Wanderers near and far of Adrian descent, come by the old camp St. Michael between Rubern and Helena (X: -270 Z: -1340) and behold the host there! Expect the following revelry and good times:

Performances by the old Hibou Plongeant! Elector Timothee de Fontaine and his merry band shall play fair and fun tunes and the like for those about!

Drinks by the renowned Mr. Roger! Drunkeness to prepare for, and celebrate the Dumapalooza will be encouraged as it always has by the electors of the Duma!

Our election itself - the be all, end all, for deciding our Duke! This should be self explanatory, as it should explain what the vote is for, yes!

The Duma itself - we shall vote on the direction of the Duchy hereafter, via a great Duma itself!

Ratispora, @Publius
Sarkozic, @Hunwald
Rutledge, @Language
Basarab, @bungo
Roscoe the Dragon, @ARCHITECUS
Vladov, @erik0821
Bracchus, @Boruto
Watanabe, @Moo_bot
Majordomo of Auvergne, @YPJgamer1999
Dayne, @Pancakehz
Valic, @Kid Mackin
Denhardt, @Zyhaveus
Ault, Scratch that!
Rogers, @Dodders
Barbanov, @AndrewTech
Ostroborovich, @VonAulus
d’Montelliano, @Despacito
Myre, @lev
Varoche, @Enlightenment
De Ruyter, @Capace
Nicephore, @Cinnamonrolluwu
Wheezer, @muldoon
And of course the Rt. Honourable Lady Lithren @Gallic Timothee de Fontaine @tgrt
Chubb and his Greenthumb @Tidgemo
Leader of the Ruskan diaspora, @skuke101
Alfius the Mage, @Alpheus
Eastern Turkin vote, @ThriceGreatest
Western Turkin vote, @Draeris

All international observers are welcome to partake in the festivities, but may do so as only guests; any good Adrian man or woman knows that a flask ought to be accompanied by a sword on their belt!

Godan, please allow the Sun’s Smile to be bright upon our affairs, and may he bless all of you!

Signed,
Ratibor Alexander Stephen Chekov Andrik Lev ‘Dima’ Ratispora

(Sunday 6PM EST)
 

*A letter addressed to an Evan Komnenos*

Dear Evan, 

I had high hopes for you since you were an infant. I raised you the best I could and I encouraged you to strive in life. I did not know how dark you would fall. Assaulting your sister, friends and people you proclaim as “Women of the Night”, none of it is acceptable. I gave upon you my last name, my father's name and his fathers before that. This name, Komnenos, has existed since the Empire of Man and it personally pains me to see how great it has fallen since your birth. It is for the reason I, Alexios Komnenos, chose to disown you. No longer shall you, or any of your children, bear the right to hold the Komnenos name or any names akin. I wish you good fortune in the years to come, Evan. 

Signed, Patriarch of the Komnenos Family, Alexios Komnenos

Ooc: posted on behalf of MailC3p 

Discord: 𝓜𝓪𝓲𝓵#2767

COMING SOON.

❄ THE WHITE KNIGHT ❄

1709. Based within the Republic of Ves - a young girl Nora - celebrates the Joma holiday Tuvmas. Filled with sparkling adventure and joyous promises the youthful girl finds herself on a journey when her beloved doll; The Snow Princess; vanishes. With this evoked challenge the young heroine finds herself in this fantastical realm of lands of both snow and candy to find her beloved Princess with the aid of The White Knight. 
❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄
Nora [TAKEN] : Must be a young girl around the age of 8-14. 
Richard [NEED] : Must be a young boy around the age of 5-10.
St. Emma [NEED] : Must be a young woman who is fit and taller than most. Around the age of 20-30.
St. Joren [NEED] : Must be rugged gentleman. Around the age of 20-30. Preferred to have facial hair.
St. Robert [NEED] : Must be an older man (does not need to dance). Needs to be heavier and obese if even. 30-40
White Knight [Need] : Must be a younger man who MUST know how to dance. 20-25
Dark Knight [Need] : Must be a younger man who MUST know how to dance. 20-25
Snow Princess [Need] : Must be a younger women who MUST know how to dance. 18-23
Candyland Dancers/Backup Dancers [NEED] : Need a variety of. Still has a chance to have solos / spotlight time. 5-25
❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄
FORMAT:
Character name:
Age:
Username:
Discord:
Part you want:
❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄
JOIN OUR BALLET! Held by the RETS company.

of

THE VAROCHE AFFAIR

A study done by HRM Viktoria Sofiya of Metterden, Queen-Mother of Hanseti-Ruska

A painting of the Imperial Princess, Alexandria of Man, Duchess-Consort of Adria c. 1690

In regards to the most infamous scandal known as the Varoche Affair, through research and meticulous studies, I must begin this missive in stating the truth. The Imperial Princess, Alexandria Horen, did not commit the heinous and incestuous crimes claimed against her. Paul II of Adria and his twin sister, Valera of Adria, were both of Carrion lineage as per their true parents Ratibor, Duke of Adria, and the Duchess Alexandria. The acts of those within the Empire of Man do not resemble the Holy Orenian Empire today, and Empress Anne I.

Sincerely,

 Viktoria Barbanov

Table of Contents

I. SUMMARY OF THE ALLEGED AFFAIR

II. ALEXANDRIA HOREN, THE DUCHESS OF ADRIA

III. THE EMPRESS OF MAN, HELEN HOREN

IV. OF FATHERS AND SONS 

V. ANALYZATION ON PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

VI. CONCLUSION

SUMMARY OF THE ALLEGED AFFAIR

On the 5th of Owyn’s Flame, 1706, it was declared by HIM, Emperor Augustus, that the twins Paul and Valera were not of House Carrion, but instead of House Jrent as per an incestuous affair between himself and his sister, the Duchess consort of Adria, Alexandria Horen. In the same missive, Of Fathers and Sons, Emperor Augustus abdicated the throne to his son, HIH Antonius Horen, and died shortly after the release of the will. Paul remained as the Duke of Adria, but did not contest the allegations against him. Valera died before the publication and release of the allegations.

ALEXANDRIA HOREN, THE DUCHESS OF ADRIA

HIH Alexandria of Man was born in the year 1656 as the daughter of Prince Antonius Horen and Princess Maria Ivanovich, and a triplet to both Augustus and Ophelia Horen. When she was arranged to marry Ratibor, Duke of Adria, she was sent to Belvitz, Adria, and was only seen in public at duma once where Ratibor presented his betrothed. After the duma, on accounts of servants of the Belvitz keep, Alexandria was locked in her room without availability to ever see her children after giving birth. She died in 1702 from an unknown illness. 

Furthermore, it is impossible for the children Valera and Paul to be of incestuous parentage between Alexandria and Augustus as she was not seen at imperial court once in Adria, and her brother did not visit her on any account while she was locked away in the tower of her husband’s keep in Belvitz. Augustus was instead already of incestuous relation with his sister Helen, as there were reports of them together, specifically one by Ser Beelzbub Basarab, as early as Alexandria’s betrothal to Duke Ratibor. 

THE EMPRESS OF MAN, HELEN HOREN

HIM Helen of Man was born in the year 1665 as the daughter of Prince Antonius Horen and Princess Maria Ivanovich, and the youngest child of the pair. She later became the Empress consort of Man upon her marriage to her brother Augustus, which had not been revealed until after her tenure as empress and disappearance. She was considered to be a cousin of her husband originally to cover the scandal. 

Although it is only of assumption, I believe through my research that the affair was partly a plot to cover the own scandal of his wife and sister, Helen, and to protect his love for her. 

Helen of Man, Empress consort of Man, c. 1694

OF FATHERS AND SONS

The missive and will of the Emperor Augustus, commonly referred to as Of Fathers and Sons is where the original allegations were issued and confirmed by the Emperor. It is there where he admits his believed ‘wrongs’. To quote directly;

“Let it be known that His Grace, the Duke of Adria, Paul Franz and his sister Velara are not the children of Ratibor Carrion. They are of my blood, they are my children, created out of wedlock between myself and Alexandria Horen- my sister.”

It is clear, from the will of Augustus, that he hardly knew of Valera Carrion as he misspelled her name to ‘Velara’. Instead, he lists the proper full name of Paul and makes it clear that it is an attack on his person and claim as a male of direct Carrion blood, with Valera dragged into it as collateral damage. Otherwise, if she were not his twin, it is extremely likely her name would not be mentioned at all. The error of her name is later corrected, only to be overshadowed by the amount he speaks of Paul Franz. 

ANALYZATION ON PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Emperor Augustus was of Horen blood and lineage. It is known that almost –if not all– of House Horen have light grey eyes, including Augustus and Alexandria. Furthermore, Augustus has been described as having a medium shade of brown hair as it is seen in his most popular and well-known portrait.

Augustus I, Emperor of Man, c. 1694

Both Paul II and Valera had none of these physical traits, neither brown hair or grey eyes. The twins both had black hair and blue eyes, and greatly resembled their true father Ratibor Carrion. All five of the children under Duke Ratibor shared these traits of black hair and blue eyes; Paul, Valera, Boris, Mariya and Fyodor.

Valera of Adria, Grand Princess consort of Kusoraev, c. 1703

CONCLUSION

The tale of Valera and Paul Carrion and the Varoche Affair are stories that most all of the empire and beyond have heard. It brought a great interest to me, to hear the different controversies regarding the scandal. However, if anyone were to take a closer inspection of the situation itself without turning a blind eye, the truth is plain and obvious to all. 

Paul Franz and Valera Alexandria were of House Carrion, not of House Jrent. 

The affair was a scheme against Paul Franz, as being the eldest son of House Carrion and ambitious unlike his other brothers, Boris and Fyodor. It is also a result of the tensions between Adria and the Emperor Augustus. 

Valera was Paul’s twin, and pulled into the plot as collateral damage to plots and schemes. It kept him from any claim to the imperial throne, and allowed him to live out his life; but not with the same pride as before, as was considered by many –if not all– to be the bastard son of a brother and sister’s affair. For years, House Carrion was thought to have ended with the Princess Lorina Carrion. The tragedy of Lorina and how she was hunted down for many years, because of her blood, is no uncommon tale. Even when she became a nun, many still attempted to kidnap and assassinate her. To many, Carrions can easily be considered as a threat. 

The return of the old and powerful house, with an imperial claim, was a shock to many and frightened even more. The scandal covered the incestuous marriage between the siblings Helen and Augustus Horen, when a majority of those accused had died before they could defend themselves (i.e. Alexandria Horen, Valera Carrion, Ratibor Carrion). 

I conclude, through my research of the scandal, that the Varoche Affair was nothing more than a plot of demise against Paul Franz, House Carrion, and to hide the true incestuous affair of Helen and Augustus that was happening directly before the people’s eyes. 

A note is slotted into the loose bark of a tree beside Silas’ tent in New Esbec. It isn’t nailed, as to not harm the tree, but instead loosely flapping it’s corner in the wind.

It is sealed with a silver wax stamp, depicting a falcon upon a branch. Upon opening, in cherry-red ink and Silas’ flourished, ornate handwriting, it reads:

"Hunters. Friends. Family. I come to you in some of the most troubling hours of my life. You see, in the face of false authority and undue peerage from sources not our own, I have decided to resign my post as Leutnant and Alderman of Esbec. I wish not to defame those involved, so I will refrain from targeting. The position of Leutnant will likely be taken on by one of you, so I have only one thing to ask. Rise where I couldn’t. Best me, and write your own legacy. Don’t let others define that for you. This is what every Jager has taught me, and I will defend it to my dying end. Begin your legacy; I will be venturing upon mine up North. My arms remain open for all who seek me; I’m but a falcon away. I will visit often, I can assure you. As always, 

May your hunts be bountiful, and your blades strike true."

Forever here, Silas Astasel

Hunters, Friends, Family. You all know me best as the barkeep, the tavernkeep, the tired man behind the counter. However I have always wanted to be more. I never wanted my name to be confined to the calls of drunkards. Instead, the calls of glory and valor seek me, and I intend to answer. And so, to meet these calls, I am going to step down as Alderman and Leutnant, and relinquish my position to whomever the council may deem fit, effective the moment this letter is laid eyes on. I am doing so because I wish to build a notable reputation for myself and the Astasel name that extends far beyond serving drinks. And now, in this new world, Esbec is finally at a place where the aforementioned is possible. Esbec is no longer an empty swamp town, but a bustling community full of life. I am sure now that I leave my work and position within Esbec in capable hands, and I feel I am no longer needed for the success of the town. Now this does not mean that I cannot return or visit from time to time of course! I will be checking in to see how the town is going here and there, and to make sure the new tavernkeep is not making a mess of my name! I will be taking my brews with me, all but the Esbec Jasmine Tea which will remain. And I do intend to continue brewing, as I do enjoy it so, perhaps in a new tavern wherever I may find myself. But alas, the time has come for my departure from this no-longer-humble town of which I have come to love. So I bid my goodbyes to all of those who are close, and I pray that good fortune will bless those who are deserving. We will all meet again, but until that day comes to pass, farewell my friends and godspeed.

May your hunts be bountiful, and your blades strike true. 

Your Barkeep, Avalor Astasel

A Young Araminta d’Emyth with her favorite pet 

[CIRCA 1799]

The young child of only ten winters frolicked around the d’Emyth estate in Providence, excited as any child could be about their new surroundings. Whilst her siblings were with their Tudor, Araminta Elouise stayed outside playing and dancing around the luxurious gardens and scenery with her loyal companion that was her pet cat Molly. She tossed a ball towards her pet, watching with pure joy as the feline leaped up repeatedly, again and again.  Squeak! The ball dropped towards the cool grass as the cat immediately flicked up her ears, quickly pouncing after a small bunny that ran across the lawn, and outwards to the city streets.  “Molly- wait!” the girl shouts,  moving off of the neatly cut grass, running towards her precious feline as quick as a child of her stature could.

The girl stops for a moment, cursing under her breath as she watches Molly chase the rabbit out of Providence. She had been repeatedly warned about the dangers of the roads by her family, of how the dangerous bandits had already claimed a deadly steak on the roads. Her older sister and role model, Vespira had told her about the horrors that they had done to children. “They will cook you into stew, Araminta!” she warned one night. Araminta suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, taking a step out of the gates, toward the road.  Nobody will know, Araminta She thought to herself as she sprinted to hereocially save her cat. “Yes, it’ll be all okay,” she reassured herself , however quickly getting lost in the vast greenery that was Amaris. 

Eventually, the girl decided to trek back to her home, her pale face streaked in dirt ,  grime and tears. Araminta sniffled as she sauntered on the dirt roads, having failed in her mission, hanging her head low and unaware.  “Well, well well.” A voice boomed maliciously from behind, laughing as the girl freezes up in paralyzing fear. She silently prayed to GOD, slowly turning around to face her doom. She was never seen again.

    RIP 

   Araminta Elouise d’Emyth

      1786-1796

A Thesis on Fatherhood in Five Acts

Published 1791

Penned by Bianca La Fleur

Play I of III in the Rosebud Trilogy

Inspired by the life and works of St. Tobias.*

Dedicated to my dear friend Lauritz,

Who raised six children by himself – all of whom became upstanding men and women of character.

You’ve been a darling companion and may our friendship last for many years more.

Yours,

B. La Fleur

This play is a work of fiction meant for entertainment only. Changes have been made for the purposes of simplifying the story for the stage. It is not to be treated as a historically accurate text for purposes of education.

CAST
(In Order of Appearance)

Tuvya Rosebud - A bastard produced by the illicit relationship between Siegmund Carrion and Lorin Chivay. Black hair, blue eyes, stout and hardy. Tuvya’s Chivay blood makes him jovial and merry, but his Carrion heritage lends him a shrewd wit and keen perception.

Siegmund Carrion - The Exalted Prophet. Black hair, green eyes. A melancholy warlord forever haunted by what he cannot have, yet spurred ever onward by his holy destiny. Cold and reserved, too focused on achieving his goals to express love for his family.

Ostromir “Otto” Carrion - Tuvya’s younger half-brother. The legitimate offspring of Siegmund and his wife Helaine. Black hair, green eyes. Quite like his father, Otto is grumpy and slow to warm. His temper is fierce and his pride strong.

Silus Horen - The cousin of William I. Brown hair, blue eyes. A saboteur in William I’s court. A mild tempered man who seeks not power for himself, but rather for the good of Oren.

William Horen - The King of Renatus. Brown hair, blue eyes. Called ‘the Weak’, William is pallid and sickly, often confined to his bed. William is all too aware of his fractured empire and ineffectual leadership, just as he’s aware that he was his father’s least loved and least wanted son.

Guard(s) - King William’s defenders.

ACT ONE

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE

SCENE TWO

ACT THREE

SCENE ONE

SCENE TWO

ACT FOUR

SCENE ONE

SCENE TWO

ACT FIVE

Two very happy Consensual Slaves of Farmer Fred in their luxurious room!

Farmer Fred's Frog and Toad Emporium Inc. Needs you!

Farmer Fred will be holding open auditions to be the next Consensual Indentured Servant of his company. With all of the benefits of being a slave, why miss out! The requirements are as follows

* Must be above the Age of 5

* Must not be a narc or snitch

* Must be willing to sign away all there legal rights away in contract

* Must be illiterate

* Preferred if farfolk

Farmer Fred and Friends hope to see you soon in his factory working hard to feed and arm the halflings and other minorities of the realms!

Send him a letter or coordinate a meeting at the Farmer Fred's Frog and Toad Emporium Inc. HQ located in Providence to be interviewed

Remember. We care for consent. And all employees must give CONSENT to be enslaved. Making it very legal and not worthy of being arrested or evicted from home. 

(OOC application

IGN

RP name 

Age

Why you want to be a slave

Is Farmer Fred the most beautiful human alive? Yes/Yes

A Compendium of Studies by the Northern Geographical Society

The Great Crest of the Northern Geographical Society

 Est. 1762

✵ FOREWORD ✵

By Celestine E. Herbert

President of the NGS

For well over thirty years, the Northern Geographical Society and its membership have boldly sought to dispel the fog of ignorance by drafting ethnographies, taxidermies, field guides, histories, and biographies for the public to read and enjoy.

One of the definition goals of our organization is to better educate the Descendant peoples not only as to their own heritages, but as to those of their neighbors as well. While the NGS does indeed indulge in a fair bit of… Unconventional adventures on occasion, this has always been our primary purpose. 

This Anthology of academic works is meant to serve as a continually updated compendium, able to be viewed by the public in order to easily access all that we have written as a professional body of scholars and explorers. 

It is my sincere hope that in publishing this compendium of NGS studies, the peoples of Almaris might be able to learn something new about their own culture and their neighbors that had otherwise passed them by when they were originally released.

✵ International Ethnographies ✵

DISCLAIMER: Celestine Herbert’s ethnographies of the Kingdom of Haense and the Commonwealth of Kaedrin were commissioned by the Imperial Ministry of Civil Affairs during the 1760s, thus predating the formation of the NGS. 

However, we have included them in this compendium as we consider these pieces to be key parts of the NGS’s legacy, as the academic acclaim afforded from the publication of these studies would eventually lead to Herbert’s founding of the Northern Geographical Society in 1762.

Celestine Herbert, 1760: @AndrewTech

Celestine Herbert, 1761: @AndrewTech

HRH Alexandria Barbanov, 1772: @UnBaed

Celestine Herbert, 1777: @AndrewTech

Celestine Herbert, 1778: @AndrewTech

Caspia Veronin, 1784: @Zaerie

Edward Napier, 1784: @Hanrahan

Tanith Vursur, 1786: @Urara

✵ Expeditionary Studies ✵
 

Celestine Herbert, 1764: @AndrewTech

Celestine Herbert, 1769: @AndrewTech

Juan de Lyons, 1772: @King of Cartography

Celestine Herbert & Tanith Vursur, 1785: @AndrewTech @Urara

✵ Studies on Imperial History & Culture ✵
 

Celestine Herbert, 1761: @AndrewTech

Celestine Herbert, 1778: @AndrewTech

Tanith Vursur, 1778: @Urara

Tanith Vursur, 1778: @Urara

Tanith Vursur, 1778: @Urara

Tanith Vursur, Irena vas Ruthern, & Henrietta Marna, 1778: @Urara @Eryane @MunaZaldrizoti

Yuliya Styrne, 1792: @Urara

(In Partnership with J.D. Chapel & Associates)

✵ Studies on Haeseni History & Culture ✵
 

Celestine Herbert, 1760: @AndrewTech

HRH Alexandria Barbanov, 1772: @UnBaed 

Irena vas Ruthern, 1784: @Eryane 

Irena vas Ruthern, 1784: @Eryane 

The Most Hon. Viktor Kortrevich, 1785: @Zanthuz 

(In Partnership with B&K Publishing)

The Most Hon. Viktor Kortrevich, 1786: @Zanthuz 

(In Partnership with B&K Publishing)

Irena vas Ruthern, 1790: @Eryane 

(In Partnership with Maric var Ruthern)

Dannika Wittenbach, 1793: @LATTE 

✵ Studies on Women ✵

Tanith Vursur, Irena vas Ruthern, & Henrietta Marna, 1778: @Urara @Eryane @MunaZaldrizoti 

Irena vas Ruthern, 1784: @Eryane 

Irena vas Ruthern, 1784: @Eryane 

Yuliya Styrne, 1792: @Urara 

(In Partnership with J.D. Chapel & Associates)

✵ Studies on Naturalism, Botany, & Herbology ✵

HRH Alexandria Barbanov, 1769: @UnBaed 

Edward Napier, 1777: @Hanrahan 

(DISCLAIMER: Dr. Napier’s conjectures on the age of the world are entirely his own. They are in no way reflective of the greater NGS’s views on the matter as an organization.)

Beryl Carrington, 1813: @BenjiBot_

✵ Maps & Charts ✵

Abram Stalistena, 1770: @Stalistena 

C. O. Grapher, 1796: @AmK 

✵ Miscellaneous Studies ✵

Juan de Lyons, 1772: @King of Cartography 

Edward Napier, 1784: @Hanrahan

Ever since I was a child, I dreamt of the sea and of adventure. My tutors would yell at me endlessly as I drew pictures of the imaginary lands I wished to travel to. To all those likeminded, come and find me. While we stay in the Archipelago I will often be found near the MS Mariana, her captain has been kind enough to let me use it as a meeting point in my searches. You may also send a messenger or bird to me for my whereabouts as well. Safe travels to all and I hope to meet a lot of you.

 Signed,

 Leopold

Luciana “The Harlot” Maria Napoliza

Per stato é gloria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LASz6HAL7E

My beloved family and friends,

If you are reading this, it means that I have decided to end my journey on Arcas, and begin a new one to the seven skies, to at last find my freedom. My long journey, whom many of you loyally followed has come to an end. In my long lifetime, I have learned much about the world, and that life comes with many sacrifices. As I am still but a humble servant to my family and former subjects. My journey as a crow, my journey from a Vilac to a Napoliza and my journey from sovereign to citizen hopefully has left a mark on you all. As most know, I was born as a horridly spoiled lady, whom always fought for what she wanted. In this letter,  I shall tell you, my dearest family and friends my story, one with many secrets and of course my will. 

As most know, I was born as a horridly spoiled lady by my mother, the former princess of Vilachia. Though I certainly did not learn many life lessons from it, I did learn to always fight for what I want which I continued to do until my last breath. Even going as far as stabbing myself in the tavern of Helena at only seventeen years old to accuse a former enemy of mine so that she would be imprisoned. At eighteen years old, I married my late husband the Count of Pestilles. The count of a religious county, who fought with the alliance of independent states against the Holy Orenian Empire in the Ruberni war. Back then, I was loyal to the Holy Orenian Empire and promptly left my son and husband to return to the glorious metropolis of Helena. 

Once returned, I fought for my families glory and petitioned to the holy orenian emperor, peter the third for a colony in the Korvassa in 1761. Albeit my efforts, most of you know that this was not received well, and I was forced to leave the name of Vilac, as well as my mothers maidens name Varoche. The two once mighty houses where stripped of their nobility, and we had to pay fifty thousand mina’s to the lord treasurer as a fine.  

Not long after that, I was kidnapped by some Azdrazi, whom used me for a ritual to summon Azdromoth. Albeit being one of the very few to personally speak to Azdromoth, I was not kind and was punished by a sigil on my head of two dragons forming the shape of a crown, with in the middle a place for a gem. The sigil prevented me from ever speaking out of term again, and shaped me as the woman that I am today. Though I never figured out what the gem would do, it did change my entire life.

I left the empire alongside my family to the Korvassa, where I changed our name to the princely house of Napoliza, and I founded the principality of Vitenna near it’s coastal line. The sovereign state would go on to function as a home for illatians, as well as a home where it’s primary ideals were freedom, cohesion and pride. and even though destroyed by the inferi, it has been my life’s work. One that I am still very proud of. 

I have had the pleasure as sovereign of this state, to rule and govern over magnificent subjects. And we modernized Arcas through our ideals. One of my late friends is a great example of this, Jago Brownfolk. The bishop of Korvassa, and at that, a halfling whom changed the way me and my family think about religion and race. I also had the pleasure of being great and loyal friends to the sultanate of Al-Faiz and its inhabitants. Their culture, though very different of ours, should be something that the rest of human-kind should strive towards. This very Sultanate, that has granted my subjects a place to live within their grand city as Vitenna grew unlivable due to Inferi attacks.

Vitenna was the center of art, knowledge and freedom. During my reign, I have also made many mistakes. One of which was the support of a rebel group in Courland. Furthermore, I have also allowed for public intercourse within the palace of Vileux, and for my many love affairs to be public which gave me the reputation of Luciana the Harlot princess. 

At a certain point, my daughter Julienna Maria Napoliza whom I shall miss dearly, told me that we needed to move to the Sultanate, as the living conditions of Vitenna grew worse. Perhaps the thing I regret the most in life, is not fighting more for my great state and subjects. As we evacuated Vitenna, I moved my family back to Helena. Where I left a quiet live in the shadows, and where I taught my family the strong ideals that I hold, and that my former state held. As I write you all right now, my wish is for all my dynasts to pass on these ideals and care for our illatian kin. 

Now, to move on to my will and wishes, I wish to be buried in the fallen principality of Vitenna and for my stone to be made of illatian marble. 

-To my mother, I leave you all my jewelry.

-To my sister, Johanna Maria Napoliza. I regret marrying you off to the high prince of Vanmark, and I shall leave you my manor in Helena, so that you may escape your misery and find peace.

-To my grand-daughter Anabela Corina, I leave to you my titles which are recognized by the sultanate of Korvassa as well as full control over the family. Please give the house the proper status that it deserves.

-To his holiness, James II. I leave to you my request, to make Jago brownfolk, the bishop of Korvassa a saint. A saint who sacrificed his life to protect several other canonists. and who devoted his entire life to our great religion.

-To the former king of Norland, I leave my great sword and my regrets of never marrying him.

 -Sultan Al-Nabeel, I leave you my consent for your marriage with my previous daughter-in-law Sapphira. Something that I always have refused to give.

-And to my former subjects, I give you the promise of freedom once death becomes you. 

Now, as I always have during my reign. I shall close my letter by the words Per stato e gloria. and do not forget, through struggle I persevered, and at last, I found my freedom and success. 

-Per stato é gloria,

Luciana Maria Napoliza

How do you make a person... disappear?

You might answers "with magic." You could conjure up an spell that served to obscure the form, making it look as though someone evaporated into thin air. Or, if you're an entertainer like me, you might answer "stagecraft." Perhaps you would rig a system of sheets and trap doors to create the illusion of a disappearance. Perhaps you'd use mirrors, smoke, pulleys, levers - all sorts of bits, bobs, and complicated machinery or arcane power.

But the process is actually much simpler than that.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that some people in this world are worth more than others. Some people are more visible than others. Strong people are worth more than weak people. Beautiful people are worth more than ugly people. Young people are worth more than old people. Healthy people are worth more than sick people. Able-bodied people are worth more than disabled people. 

So what happens when you are ugly, old, sickly, disabled? You disappear.

Not literally, obviously. I'm all four of those things. Yet if I stood in front of you, you would see me plain as day. What do I mean when I say 'disappear'? Rather than evanescing into morning mist, I mean that my needs are often forgotten. As a disabled woman, I do not have the same physical capacity as other people. I need a cane to get around. Without my cane, I am nigh immobile. I spent the majority of my youth - ages thirteen to eighteen - limited to bed. My uncle - a physician and a priest - developed a series of gentle, therapeutic exercises that eventually restored my ability to sit up, stand, and walk slowly. However, my body is still severely limited in terms of strength and dexterity. Strenuous physical activity is out of the question for me. I tire quickly and easily. My skin is fragile and papery, tearing and bruising with any rough treatment. I can climb stairs, but only with assistance and great effort on my part. Even the act of standing up and sitting down is difficult.

Arcas was not made with people like me in mind. If you look around New Reza, what do you see? Stairs upon stairs upon stairs. The city is (or... was, rather) split across multiple terraces connected by long, steep staircases. Helena isn't exempt from this oversight either. Every building in Helena has multiple floors - usually connected by narrow staircases without adequate handrails. Good luck finding any homes or apartments on the ground floor. It's painfully evident that the architects and city designers of Arcas never gave a single thought to the elderly, the infirm, the disabled. Our needs are forgotten and unacknowledged. Instead, we're forced to struggle through life without help.

For example - recently, Helena came under Inferi assault and all its people were evacuated to the Eye of Man. Not only was this journey extremely difficult and painful for me, it was also humiliating. Upon arriving at the Eye of Man, I discovered that the only way to reach the upper floors of the citadel was by ladder. The refugee barracks were located on the upper floors, out of my reach. Due to my limited range of motion and weak grip strength, I cannot climb ladders. If not for the help of a passing ISA private, I would have remained stuck at the bottom of that ladder for hours.  He had to haul me up the ladder like a load of bricks at a construction site. It was embarrassing and not befitting a lady of my station. This situation could have been avoided if the fortress featured a lift instead of a ladder.

It seems another mass exodus is upon us. The Inferi have laid waste to our cities and driven us out of our homes. Any historian worth their salt knows that these types of events occur about once a century. Our options are to retake our cities or travel abroad to find new ones. Either way, we find ourselves with a novel opportunity.  We can rebuild our cities to suit the needs of everyone - whether they are strong or weak, young or old, healthy or infirm, abled or disabled. Humanity is only as strong as its weakest link. If we don't care for the most fragile members of our society, we can hardly be called a civilized society at all. The true mark of civilization is having the capacity to care for and accommodate everyone. 

I look forward to seeing an abundance of lifts, handrails, and gentle ramps featured in our new city plans.

Signed,

Your obedient servant,

Dear Bianca: A Life Advice Column

Issue No. 2 - "Dear Bianca, I Feel Like A Ghost."

Dear Bianca,

At my late 70s, I am growing old in my years on this mortal coil and my relationship with my wife is not as it used to be. Gone are the days that we would walk the cobbles of New Reza in the morning and be in each others’ arms by the evening. Instead we're both silent and asleep by 8 o'clock sharp. Is there some arcane spell to re-discover our young love... and will my wife notice if I gave some to the young divorcee next door?

Sincerely,

A Sleepless Septuagenarian

Dear Sleepless Septuagenarian,

Let's put one thing on the table first and foremost - I will never, never, never advise infidelity. I consider myself a devout Canonist and infidelity is a violation against the sacrament of marriage. Now, I don't know what faith you profess. However, you swore before whatever version of GOD you worship that you would remain loving, loyal, and faithful to your wife. Put any thoughts of that young divorcee out of your head at once. If you want to save your marriage, you can't be lusting after other women. 

My first piece of advice is, have you talked to your wife about why your marriage has grown so cold and loveless? Honest communication is the foundation of any healthy, lasting relationship. There are myriad reasons why your wife might be distant. I don't have enough information to divine the source of her unhappiness from your letter alone, so you need to do some investigation. Raise your concerns with your wife. Don't be angry or confrontational - just say "I'm worried you and I are growing apart. Is there anything I can do to make you happier as a husband?" 

If your wife is unwilling to talk, speak with her friends and see if you can gain their insight. They might know things about her that you don't. Women often confide things in their friends that they would not tell their spouses. Once you understand why exactly your wife is cold and distant, you'll be able to work on a way to fix it. 

In terms of just general advice, I would encourage you to be attentive to her. Ask her about her day. Talk to her. Solicit her opinions. Take an active interest in her hobbies. Go out on the town and do things you enjoy together. (Call me biased, but it's always good fun to see a theater show. Or better yet, audition for one together!) Give her gifts. They don't have to be extravagant or expensive - just little trinkets to let her know you're thinking of her. Write love poems and letters. Remind her of how pretty and desirable she is. Cook for her. Travel together, if you still have the ability. Reminisce together about happy times in the past. If you put effort into showing you care, she'll respond to you.

They don't tell you this in the plays and romance novels, but love - real love - takes effort. It's a conscious decision you make every single day. You must choose whether or not to be loving. Love isn't simply a thing that happens. Love takes time and work. If no one's willing to do the work, love dies. However... the work must be split equally between both parties. If you're the only one doing the work, then the relationship is already over. As it stands, it seems like neither of you are contributing. So put in a little elbow grease and see if your wife responds.

Signed,
Bianca La Fleur

Bianca,

I really just feel like people look right through me. I don't know what to do, I just feel so... transparent.

A Ghost

Dear Ghost,

We live in a world of great mystery and magic. Which means that you may, in fact, be a literal ghost writing to me today. For the purposes of this letter, I am going to assume you are using the term 'ghost' metaphorically rather than literally.

If you are truly a person and not a specter risen from beyond the grave, then your feelings of transparency might stem from a number of causes. Perhaps you're suffering from shyness. Maybe there's a lack of meaningful connections in your life. Perhaps you perceive your talents are unappreciated and your efforts unacknowledged. Maybe you feel alienated from your community. Maybe all of the above. These maladies are often comorbid with one another.

The sad fact of life is that other people do not owe us their love, their friendship, their respect, their acknowledgement. As much as we desire companionship and esteem, we are not at liberty to demand those things. Other people have no obligation to care for us. In order to be worthy of acknowledgement, caring, friendship, love... we must put forth effort. In other words, if you want people to acknowledge and care for you, you must subject yourself to the oft humiliating ordeal of being known. People will not come to you. Instead, you must go to them.

If you're a shy person like me, the thought of putting yourself out there is - in a word - torturous. After all, what if people don't like you? What if you're rejected? What if people make fun of you? These are all real, painful possibilities. However... while rejection is painful, it won't kill you unless you let it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained - if you'd allow me to use a cliché. The reward, if you're successful, is far greater than any punishment suffered for failure.

My advice is to find a community you'd like to join. A group or a cause. Military service, guild membership, political activism, even commitment to the church. Anything that brings you in regular contact with a group of people. Engage with the other members of your group as much as possible. Ask them questions. People love answering questions, especially about themselves. Make plans to meet with them outside of your group. Court them. Show interest. You must be proactive. The worst that anyone can do is tell you 'no.' Don't let fear of rejection hold you hostage. Once you overcome your fear of 'no', the world is your oyster.

It helps to remember that, while cruel people exist and you will unfortunately run into them from time to time, most people are not cruel. Have faith in the goodness of others. If you show interest and enthusiasm for others, they will oftentimes return your efforts with vigor.

Good luck and Godspeed, my dear Ghost. May you someday happily return to life.

Signed,

Bianca La Fleur

Dear Bianca La Fleur,

My family is quite wealthy, but my sister married poor. We all supported the union, and I even lent my new brother-in-law several thousand mina to fund a business venture that would have allowed him to support his new family. But now I have not heard from him since I handed off the money and neither he or my sister are anywhere to be found. I hadn't bothered with a written contract, so I have no legal recourse to recover the funds even if I were sure it were the right thing to do. It has been four saints' weeks since I have seen either of them. How do I handle the situation?

Signed,

Been Had in Haense

Dear Been Had In Haense,

I must preface this letter by saying I am not a lawyer. But! I did go to the library and dig up a copy of the Haurul Caezk. Under Haensi law, a contract is defined as a legally binding agreement between two people. Interestingly, a contract need not be written to be consider valid. We can infer from the phrasing of the law that a verbal agreement can indeed function as a contract. 

I don't know the full details of your situation, but it seems to me that your agreement with your brother-in-law fulfills all the legal requirements of a contract. You bestowed the money to him conditionally - with the condition being that he use it to open a business and support your sister. He didn't do that. Instead, he took the minas and ran. That means you are within your rights to sue him for breach of contact.

My advice would be to get a lawyer on retainer as soon as possible. Lucky for you, Haense is home to some of the best and brightest legal minds humanity has ever known. Your lawyer should be able to provide you with answers on how to recover your lost funds. The first step, I think, would be to issue a Summons to the Aulic Court. From there, your lawyer should be able to help you navigate the intricacies of your case. With luck, you'll see the matter settled.

Signed, 

Bianca La Fleur

Dear Bianca La Fleur,

I want to give my wife an extravagant gift to celebrate our upcoming anniversary, but the only ideas I have seem either tacky or cliched, or both. Do you have any ideas?

Thanks,
Gift-Giving Groom

Dear Gift-Giving Groom,

Ah, that most troublesome of romantic tribulations... gift-shopping. I simply despise gift-shopping. Nothing makes me more anxious. What if I buy the wrong thing? What if they don't like it? What if they already own something better? Sometimes, you just want to hand your loved ones a wad of minas and tell them to buy their own damn gift. Luckily, I've devised a few simple suggestions to help you navigate these treacherous waters.

Suggestion One - Search for items that tell a story.

History can add a spark of life and prestige to otherwise unremarkable gifts. Search the market for antique clothes, jewelry, and furniture from a bygone era. Familiarize yourself with its pedigree so that you can share it with your wife. I'm sure she'll feel very proud and beautiful knowing her new necklace once sat upon the throat of an empress. 

Alternately, find a unique item made by a craftsman of skill and repute. Talk with the artisan in detail about how it's made, what makes it special and different. Or commission something custom for your wife. Base the design on symbols and colors that have meaning to you as a couple (ex. a pendant featuring your wife's favorite stone with floral details chosen according to her favorite flower). One-of-a-kind items have an inherent specialness to them, even more so if they reflect your bride's specific interests and preferences. 

Suggestion Two - Don't underestimate the power of service.

Acts of service can be just as valuable as any material gift. Perhaps there's a chore that your wife dreads. She would be overjoyed to find out that you took care of it while she was enjoying a spa day, perhaps. Hire someone to give the house a thorough cleaning. Or cook her favorite dish to be enjoyed by candlelight. Do the grocery shopping for her. Watch the children so that she can go out on the town and enjoy time with friends. Find some way to lift her burdens and responsibilities - even if only temporarily. 

Suggestion Three - Time spent together is always more valuable than any material good.

Clothing and jewelry fall out of fashion over time. Furniture can get broken. Items lost or stolen. The only things that stay with a person throughout their life - barring any unfortunate head injuries or diagnoses of dementia - are memories. Spend your money on experiences and events rather than physical items. Go on a trip and visit some exotic locale. Stay there for a month or two and drink in the local color. Take her out on the town. Go to a ball together. Go sailing. Go hunting. Go exploring. Camp out under the stars - just the two of you. Meet new people. Learn about a new culture together. You'll make memories worth sharing around the dinner table when you're old and grey. There's nothing more magical than the words 'Remember when we...?'

Suggestion Four - Take your wife gift-shopping with you.

If all else fails, you can simply... ask her what she wants most. Invite her to come shopping with you. I know that, at first blush, this sounds horribly unromantic. However, done right, it's anything but. Not only will she find a gift that she's sure to love, you'll get the memory of shopping together. Make a day of it. Next time there's a trade fair in Helena, you can take her to the fair. Enjoy the festival atmosphere, get some delicious fair food, and pick out the perfect gift that you both will love. 

I guarantee that if you take my advice into consideration, you'll have a very happy wife. 

Signed, 

Bianca La Fleur

Dear Bianca is a production of J.D. Chapel & Associates. All opinions expressed in this periodical are the opinions of Ms. Yuliya Styrne a.k.a Bianca La Fleur. We do not accept legal responsibility for the outcome of any advice offered. Please enact Ms. La Fleur's suggestions at your own risk.

Letters are edited for clarity, spelling, and succinctness with any and all identifying information removed for the security of the writers.

If you have a query for Bianca La Fleur, you may reach her at the Ruthern Estate in the county of Metterden.

Jeanne's Entourage, 1793.

An oncoming coach splashed mud out from under its rimmed wheels. The heavy cab was hauled by four gleaming white stallions decorated in red leather reins, which were tugged nearly every second. Two coachmen, drowned in thick layers of red silk and blanketed in gabardine drill, sat miserably up on the driver’s box in the downpour of the Kaedreni rain. The entourage was an odd one, the elaborately painted carriage was certainly a display of opulence and excess, but the passengers inside were certainly dissidents. 

Madame Jeanne O’Rourke, and her latest product of illegitimacy, Adalene, sat across from each other in the silk lined interior, each garbed in rich purple cloaks, each staying to themselves. 

The painted Madame O’Rourke gleamed as she looked beyond the dripping window out into the rolling hills of the countryside. It was unknown what her thoughts were. But the solemn look expressed on her face told it all. 

It was up on Mont Catherine that the immense game of trickery was about to begin. Passing by the dilapidated O’Rourke House, Jeanne only stared at what was her epicenter of happiness. She raised her children there; she had her grand wedding reception in its great hall. The crumbling brownstone walls only expressed scorn at its wavering owner fleeting by. However, as the rickety coach began to swoon itself up on the muddy slopes of the mountain, a cardboard luggage case would abruptly snap from the leather straps and burst open on the ground. 

The rain suddenly stopped. 

Expressing herself in a nonchalant way, Jeanne motioned to a tassel hanging from the coach ceiling, pulling it. The wheels of the carriage seemed to freeze instantaneously. Adalene sat, hands clasped together in her lap, her pale gray eyes which lay on her pale face only darted forwards towards her mother’s Manhattan boots. The whiplash only made the poor girl shunt herself back against the wall of the cab. 

Jeanne plopped open the door with a drag of her finger against it, and thrust herself into the misty air. She jumped right into the mud, shoes soiled. 

“Zis. Is. Disgusting…” She’d say, in her thick Auverginian accent. Inside, Adalene suppressed a laugh with her white gloved hand. 

“Mother- it is only a few stockings in that trunk, we can merely leave it for some peasants!” Adalene squealed. 

Jeanne’s face darted back to her bastard. “Oui… but there is a small token I need from this.” 

Confused, Adalene averted her eyes to some other direction. 

The painted lady picked up her feet towards the open suitcase, the weight of the sticky mud assimilating with cinder blocks. Sifting through the dirtied silken remains, she found what she was looking for, a small turquoise leather box that contained a picture of a gray man with a sunken face. Quickly, she stuffed the box into a swag of her skirt and re-entered the coach. 

The sky turned darker. The fog rolled over the hills. The carriage was encompassed. 

Reins were yanked again, and the coach sped up the mountain once again. 

“Help! Help!” Somebody cried from up the road. It was a man, a very lanky pale man, dressed in burlap. 

The carriage sloshed on, until it got to the man, where it stopped suddenly with no motion from Jeanne. “Hello! Hel-” He was cut off. The mud splashing out from under the carriage consumed the man. 

“Lo..”  He tried to continue under the thick brown mask. 

Jeanne merely poked her painted face out from the drapery of her hood, a scowl formed when she saw a person of extreme filth. 

“What- are you?” She’d observe.

“I need aid, please, do you have a mark or two to-” He’d begin to speak such, being cut off by Jeanne.

“Non merci, monsieur. We are not in the mood for giving welfare.” She’d state, blankly, throwing a piece of slimy, half eaten chicken out at the man from her picnic basket. 

“Auverginians…” The lanky man began with a wave of his skeletal hand. “Little chien.” 

“Oh!” Jeanne responded, bending her hand, resting her two digits on her left hand over her exposed chest. “At least I am not covered in mud.” She motioned her other hand, now clasping a fan, and smacked it against the ceiling of the coach. “Move on!” 

A snap of the red reins could be heard, and the coach slid out of sight into the fog, engulfed.

“Mother..” Adalene muttered. “You can’t just be mea-.” 

“Oh hush up!” The painted one exclaimed, smacking her daughter dead across the cheek.

Sitting back down, Jeanne would snap open the fan, and gracefully fanned herself while overlooking the sea. 

Adalene, clearly used to this treatment, simply hushed herself and reverted to her silent composure.

The coach rocked on over the mountain to the docks. The air began to sink, the sky turning to a thick black atmosphere. 

UPDATE

PEDRO GONZALEZ WAS CAUGHT.

Thank you to all involved in this operation

6th of The First Seed, 1795

Humility is the seventh and last of the virtues that are listed in the Scroll of Virtue, which Exalted Horen received at the throne of GOD in the Seventh Sky. 

We need to remind ourselves that we mustn’t stand above anyone else; we must learn to set aside our pride for it makes us oblivious to our own capability of wrong-doing. And how can we follow our great virtues, if the sense of right and wrong is obscured and clouded? If we do not humble ourselves before GOD, how can we have compassion for one another? If we see ourselves above GOD, how can we find confraternity with our fellow men? Our pride cannot get in the way of compassion, nor in the way of fellowship. Our pride cannot obscure our faith, for faith is a necessity - without it, the world as we know it shall crumble and we shan’t reach the Seven Skies upon our death. 

A way of thinking has swept in over the Capital of The Holy Orenian Empire, Helena. This way of thinking clashes with the morals that The Scrolls, and GOD, teaches us, as this way of thinking advocates a secularism that is anti-canonist. Such would have no place in Orenian politics, hadn’t pride and a lack of faith clouded the human mind. Those with such a way of thinking do not fear GOD, our Lord and Creator, thus their sense becomes clouded and they are led astray by their pride. They see themselves as equal or above GOD - but GOD knows no peer. With humility and faith they could be guided back to the righteous path, the path that our Lord wishes for us to take in order to reach the Seven Skies and achieve complete harmony. 

Written by

Brother Ademar

- The Father

A Revamped Card Game for All

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[!] This is a Variant of another games, called "Mina or Die" created by a Kaedreni Man, and this is a New Rulebook for those who like a Variant, It was also made on Nyrheim, the First Island Explored in the Expedition to the Land of Titans [!]

(OOC Note: If you dont like your Persona's Name in here I can Change it)

1) Players

This Revamped Card game can be played by 2 or More People; though the original created preferences that it be played in large gatherings, such as Taverns, Festivals, Family Gatherings, Dining Events, Council Meetings, or Lounges.

2) Time

The Game is usually stated to take One Saint Minute, though can take up to Five Saint Minutes, though that all depends on the amount of Players, and the rules they all agree upon.

3) Cards

The Deck would hold quite a lot of cards, though the game would only all Twenty of Cards which hold the images of Random People of each nation, with a Single Reiver Card, displaying Dark Leather Armor, a Blue Bandana, and it would hold a sword, the race unable to be seen: like in the original game, upon pulling it one would lose the game, and spilt what they lost amongst the fellow Gamblers.

Norlandic Peoples:

Donovan Freysson

Alisa Camian

Halvar Edvarsson

Orcish Peoples:

Drekur Ungri

Murdok'Lak

Korthuul'Ram

Druidic Peoples:

Nividil

Harold

Dwyn

Haense' Peoples:

Mio Mackensen

Ser Barclay

Andrik III of Haense

Orenian Peoples:

Lieutenant Viktoriya DeNurem

Antonyus Horen

Leo

Halfling Peoples:

Anne Sunbrook

The Great One, Knox

Filibert Applefoot

Haelun'or Peoples (Elves):

Jalsi

Nuala Uradir

Alfer Elibar'acal

Monks of Cloud Temple:

Monk Dalin

Monk Fleur

Monk Damien

Qalasheen Peoples:

Farmer Fred

Esmae Al-Nabeel

Saeed Ibn Hamzah

Suticans' Peoples:

Duncan

Mika Uialben

Farmer Fred (Filler Card)

Urguans' People:

Beorn Cottonwood

Balek Irongut

Dhaen Grandaxe

4) The Game

1. The Oldest goes first, and draws a Card

2. They pull from a shuffled deck of Mina or Die

2a. Should one pull the Reiver Card Immediately? They must pay his payout to everyone else

2b. Does another Player pull the Reiver Card? They must pay his payout to everyone else

3. Nobody Pulls the Reiver? Do this on repeat till someone does, for how the stake increase, read the area below

5) Betting & Mina System

Mina System: You start with 25 Mina, after a Round if no one loses, double your stakes to 50 Mina, and so on. At the end if you lose you must split your stakes amongst the People

Nyrheim Betting System: You would Bet Foods for the First Two Rounds, after the First two Rounds, you start betting more "Higher" price items such as, Weapons, Armor, Medical Supplies, Herbs, etc. After each round, you would add one item to your bet.

Nyrheim Betting System (Variant): You would start with betting "Higher" price items such as, Weapons, Armor, Medical Supplies, Herbs, etc. and after each round you would increase your bet by one.

(OOC Mechanics)

1. The First Player rolls 100 (or if using an Extended Deck [/roll 200])

2. If the First Player rolls 74 out of 100 (136 out of 200) The Next player would roll out of the Number the previous player got

3. The Second Player rolls 36 out of 74 (63 out of 136) The Next player would roll out of the Number the previous player got

4. The Third Player rolls 5 out of 36 (12 out of 63) The Next player would roll out of the Number the previous player got

5. The Fourth Player rolls 1 out of 5 (1 out of 12) Upon drawing this Card, the Player would lose paying each player an equal amount of his Stakes.

5a. If none of the Player roll a 1 the game repeats, and in the Mina System the Stakes Double (In the Betting System you Add one Item to your Bet)

My fondest greetings to you, Holy Father. We have not had the pleasure of meeting in person, so please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Yuliya Styrne, though I sometimes write under the moniker Bianca La Fleur. Early Imperial history is a favorite subject of mine and I consider myself a scholar - much like you, Your Holiness. Might I take a moment to extend my compliments on "EPOCHS OF THE EMPIRE: VOLUME I"? I have a copy on my shelf and I often use for it reference in my work. It's masterful piece of writing and historical research. Thank you most sincerely for publishing it.

But -- I hate to waste Your Holiness's time. I'll proceed to the point of this letter.

Has Your Holiness ever come across the name 'Lorina Carrion' in your research? She was the daughter of St. Tobias and the granddaughter of Exalted Prophet Sigismund. I recently published a biography exploring the details of her life. I'll include a copy for Your Holiness's perusal. She served the Church as a nun  in the early 16th century. Her life unfortunately ended in controversy when she violated her vows and eloped abroad with her lover, one Duke Jason Evan Bracchus. 

She is also my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother. 

For this reason, I feel compelled to try and rehabilitate my ancestor's image. After extensively researching her life, I don't believe that she is the awful monster that scholars and historians often paint her to be. If you have a moment, Holy Father, I would like to argue the case for my distant ancestor. If you find your opinion changed by the reasoning I present in this letter, I ask that you consider extending the Church's forgiveness and exculpating my ancestor of her crimes.

Without further ado, allow me to elaborate. In my estimation, there are three major faults that my ancestor committed. The first being, of course, that she had a secret affair. The second being that she acted as an authority on faith while holding the lesser role of a female monastic. The third and final that she committed heresy by subscribing to religious beliefs not necessarily endorsed by the church.

I.) Lorina Carrion violated her vow of chastity by indulging in a secret love affair, but she would have married if the laws of the time allowed.

The fact that Lorina Carrion violated her vows is indisputable. She eloped with her lover to Urugan, where they were subsequently captured by Church Inquisitor Miguel Cortes (also known as St. Michael of Cordoba). The couple produced two children as a result of their love affair, so there is little doubt that they were physically intimate. It was by no means a chaste relationship. If they hadn't lain together, I wouldn't be writing you this letter - for I wouldn't exist.

However - I would argue that Lorina's indiscretions are perhaps not as bad as they first appear. 

In her diaries, Lorina states that she fully intended to marry Jason. In volume four, entry 1, she writes: "I truly believed that [Jason] and I would be married." Unfortunately for Lorina, she was forced to end her engagement prematurely. Her cousin and mentor, High Pontiff Daniel I, died suddenly in her arms. It was Daniel I's last request that Lorina join the clergy as a nun. One could argue that Lorina joined the clergy against her will, under duress. To deny the High Pontiff's last request would have made her a social pariah. Because Lorina joined the clergy against her will, compelled by her elder cousin's wish, the vows she made should not be considered binding.

Lorina and her lover Jason were also faithfully and monogamously partnered for fifteen years from 1512 to 1529. Jason never married, which indicates to historians he had no romantic connections aside from Lorina. Their relationship was a flagrant violation of Lorina's vows, yes. That much is undeniable. However, functionally, it was no different from a standard monogamous, heterosexual marriage. I might even go so far as to say their 15-year partnership - while not sanctioned by the Church - was still more loving and faithful than many modern unions.

Holy Father, you also abolished the requirement for clerical celibacy. If Jason and Lorina lived today, I imagine they could have legally married without violating church law. As you have written before, the Exalted Prophets and Saints did not take vows of celibacy. Modern nuns freely engage in romantic relationships and marry. I've spoken with a few Canonist nuns who've expressed to me their desire and intention to find partners and wed.

With these fact sin mind, I see no reason why Lorina Carrion should be eternally punished for monogamously and faithfully loving a man.  Had the law of the time allowed, I am certain they would have engaged in a sanctified union.

II.) Lorina Carrion overstepped her bounds by acting as the sole authority on matters of faith within the Duchy of Vanaheim, but she was acting in the Duchy's best interest.

It's true that nuns and priests hold unequal roles within the church hierarchy. Nuns do not have the same authority as priests. In Lorina's day, they were forbidden from performing any of the Church's sacraments. Nuns in Lorina's time were intended to act as assistants to ordained ministers. While living in the Duchy of Vanaheim, Lorina overstepped her bound by serving as the primary religious touchpoint for the entire duchy. Lorina lead mass in the duchy, educated the people on the Holy Scrolls, and heard confession from the populace. She was the main religious advisor for the local nobles. Several of these nobles even requested that Lorina officiate their weddings. She wrote several letters to High Pontiff Sixtus III asking his permission to perform sacraments (which he denied). 

While it could be said that Lorina far exceeded her boundaries as a nun, I would argue that her actions were necessary. Vanaheim was an isolated duchy in the far north of Oren.  In her diaries, Lorina wrote that she was "the only clergyperson for hundreds of miles." High Pontiff Sixtus III assigned Father Jarlath to minister to the duchy, but Father Jarlath only visited Vanaheim twice according to Lorina's records. Twice, in 15 years. Because of Father Jarlath's neglect, the handling of day-to-day religious matters fell entirely to Lorina. She had no choice but to fill the role of rector for the community. The Church of the Canon seems to have completely overlooked Lorina's existence. High Pontiff Daniel II was surprised to discover her maintaining the church when he visited the duchy. Lorina quotes him as saying - "Truth be told, Sister, I did not expect to find anyone here. Are there many nuns like you?" By acting as she did, Lorina ensured that the duchy did not fall into apostasy during wartime.

III.) Lorina Carrion was not a heretic.

The Catechism of the Canonist Church defines a heretic as one who believes in and worships the God of the Holy Scrolls, but accepts false doctrines regarding His nature or the nature of His faith. In her diaries, Lorina expressed some doubts and misgivings about the teachings of the church. Her dissatisfaction with Canonism primarily stemmed from the Church's willingness to indulge in violence, execution, and war. Lorina committed herself to a philosophy of peace, love, and strict nonviolence. She was an outspoken critic of the Dukes' War and condemned both sides for what she believed was kinslaying writ large.

Lorina's fierce opposition to violence mostly stemmed from her traumatic childhood, in which she saw her entire family deposed and slaughtered in a coup. Though Lorina survived the coup, she faced repeated assassination attempts throughout her life. Lorina suffered immense grief and loss as a result of war, which engendered in her a fervent desire for peace and a hatred of violence in all its forms. Lorina asserted that any act of war ought to be judged as kinslaying.

The principles and catechism of the Church do not express a stance on war. Many of the tribes mentioned in the Scroll of Gospel engage in warfare and are not condemned for it. Murder and kinslaying are considered sins, but war is presented in a more neutral light. Clergy are not instructed to be pacifist, nor are they compelled to take a vow of nonviolence. In the Scroll of Virtue, it is written that God "created the struggles of the world" which presumably includes war. While the Church of Lorina's day did not share her strong pacifistic, anti-war, anti-violence stance, I would argue that her views and teachings on the subject were not outright heresy but rather heterodoxy. Lorina's views do not necessarily contradict the teachings of the Church. I can't imagine it would be considered wrong or immoral for a monastic to take a personal vow of nonviolence. 

Lorina ventures into some dangerous territory when she writes that she is "search[ing] for a God of Love instead of a God of Wrath." However, I don't think this was indicative of apostasy, nor a condemnation of the Creator worshipped by Canonism. Rather, she wanted to preach an interpretation of the Holy Scrolls that placed greater emphasis on God's love, acceptance, forgiveness, and peace. Her beliefs were heterodoxical and likely shouldn't have been preached from the pulpit - but I do not believe they were necessarily heretical.

The Church of the Canon in Lorina's time often participated in acts of violence. King Guy de Bar was overthrown by a coalition of Canonist clergymen and Horen sympathizers. Lucien III (Edmond of Montfort) supported the regicide of Guy de Bar and played a hand in the Polycarp Plot that unseated him. Lorina chose to renege on her vows partially because she was in love with Jason, but the catalyst for her decision was the Brother Polycarp plot. Considering Lorina's family was destroyed in a very similar coup, I do not think it was unreasonable for her to be extremely upset by the Church's active endorsement and participation in a regicide. Whether or not it was justified for her to renounce her vows, Holy Father, is up to you. I ask that you take her commitment to nonviolence and her traumatic childhood into account when you judge whether or not to forgive her for breaking with the Church. 

IV.) Lorina Carrion and Jason Evan Bracchus made several positive contributions to the Church and to society at large.

While Lorina undoubtedly made some real errors in judgment, we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater (if Your Holiness would allow me to use such a cliche). Lorina followed in the footsteps of her mentor, High Pontiff Daniel I, and served as an educator for the masses. She made it her mission to combat ignorance and democratize the information found within the Holy Scrolls. She held 'Scroll Study' sessions where she invited the populace to read and discuss content of the Scrolls. Lorina also built several churches in rural, backwater regions neglected by the Church of her time. She founded the Order of St. Julia, which was the first formalized and organized order of female monastics in Oren. Lorina also regularly distributed food to the hungry and reared several orphans. In my humble opinion, these accomplishments are worth considering when judging the value of her life. 

For his part, Duke Jason Evans Bracchus was a faithful Canonist. He shed his blood defending Canonism in the Schism War. His friends often described him as kindly, humble, and benevolent with an incredible goodness of spirit. He ruled his county, Vanholm, peacefully and benevolently. When war raised its ugly head, Jason committed himself to neutrality. He stalwartly refused to lift his sword against another Canonist. Instead, he pleaded with the warring parties to consider the plight of the peasants, who would undoubtedly suffer the most as a result of war. Because he spent most of the Dukes' War as a captive behind bars, he never harmed a single soldier and, for that reason, he was spared when most of the rebellious nobles were slaughtered.

Unfortunately, when Emperor John I rose to power, Jason heard rumors that the Emperor intended to remove him from power (possibly killing him in the process) and transfer his titles to Percival Staunton. Percival Staunton had participated in the Polycarp Plot and was due for a reward. The Staunton family had long envied Jason's title as Duke and wanted control of Vanaheim for themselves. Jason thus fled abroad as an act of self-preservation. He did not want to leave Lorina behind as she was the mother of his son, Andrik. He also, perhaps rightfully, feared that Lorina might face execution at the hands of the new regime. Her Imperial bloodline would have presented a threat to Emperor John I's claim on the throne, seeing as Lorina had many friends and supporters who wanted her to bring about a Carrion restoration.

His worst sin is that he knowingly and willfully engaged in an immoral sexual and romantic relationship with a nun. However, as stated above, the couple had every intention of marrying until Daniel I's death prevented their union. Their partnership was faithful, monogamous, and loving. Jason rejected every marriage offer he received in favor of remaining true to Lorina. I find it hard to condemn a man for the crime of loving one woman singularly and devotedly for his entire life.

In conclusion --

I believe that Lorina Carrion and Duke Jason Evans Bracchus both deserve the Church's forgiveness for their sins. While they made several errors in judgment, those mistakes should not condemn them to an eternity in the Void. I ask that the High Pontiff absolve my ancestors of their sins and affirm their places in the Seven Skies. 

I am not the descendant of a wh o re, a witch, or a she-demon. I am the descendant of a woman who, while flawed, attempted to live a virtuous life. She deviated from her assigned path and fell into error, but those errors ought to be forgivable in the eyes of the Church and the eyes of the Lord.

I might also go so far as to request that Lorina and Jason be married posthumously and their children legitimized.  Rather than being the scion of a sinful bastard line, I would like to think of myself as the product of two people who devotedly loved one another.

Thank you most sincerely, Your Holiness, for taking the time to read my letter. I hope that you consider granting my requests. 

Signed,
Your devout servant,
Yuliya Styrne

((OOC: @VIROS))

Hello, everyone!

My name is Tanith Vursur.

I know this is a strange request, but I'm seeking a pair of elf ears. The ears must come from a recently-deceased elf with a light-colored skintone. The paler, the better. Female ears are preferable, but male ears are acceptable too. I won't accept ears from unwilling donors, nor living donors. They must come from a deceased elf who consented to give up his or her body parts prior to death. 

Centuries ago, I carved off the pointed tips of my ears. For many years now, I've been searching for a way to restore them to their original state. I found a doctor willing to graft the tips back onto my ears. However, to successfully complete the surgery, I need a donor. The donated ears must be pale in complexion so we can color-match them to my skintone during surgery.

If you have a dying or recently deceased elven relative, please let me know. Thank you! 

Signed,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrgmdOz227I&ab_channel=TheBeatles-Topic

The 12th of the Sun's Smile, 1792

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing you this letter today. I am writing to officially quell the rumors and let you all know that I’m saying goodbye to Carrington & Co. The company has brought joy and grief to my family over the years. Abandoned by my fathers, my sisters, and now by me. Everything must come to an end. 

I bid farewell to everyone who has worked with the company (or even against), I thank you for everything you’ve done for the company and for me. To my close friends and family, your guidance and wisdom has helped make me the person I am today. I couldn’t have done it without any of you. 

I sit here today contemplating the direction of Carrington & Co but it only seems fit to close for good. We must make way for new businesses to thrive. We’ve had our moment in the spotlight but we’ve run our course. 

I myself will be taking a trip to find my fathers after I settle some things. I’m sure I’ll be back to visit from time to time, but do not seek me out. I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet all of you and I’ll miss you all dearly. Farewell for now.

Once again, thank you for everything.

Yours Truly,

- Alpha Carrington 

Cajsa Serene’s “Festival!”

Oh fair, you are so fair.

Oh fair, you sit out there.

Playing words - hearing out, wondering when.

The sun goes up, the sun goes down. I wander around.

Oh fair, when will you end?

Oh fair, Angel sent.

In the grass, we look out.

The dark dark skies. Her cloudy blue eyes. Lit up by “rockets” shot up in the air.

Oh fair, I ran away.

Oh fair, You color my eyes and stain my head.

It is once more, day.

I am tired, I will go to bed.

Until another festival lies.

-with my Makuahine

Faring well on that future.

Hoping