A Rebel's Folly

[Zezimus 1523]

A Rebel’s Folly

 

 

A printed letter is spread to the residents of the Holy Empire of Oren, some making their way as far as the towns and cities that lie beyond its borders.

 

“To the good people of Oren and the lands that lie beyond,

 

My name is Viktor Ostrovic Sarkozic of House Carrion. I have recently taken notice of the fact that a rebellious few have taken to circulating various pieces of propaganda in order of furthering their cause, in turn an act of disparaging the name of our good Emperor, Tuvya. In order to dispel any such lies or rumours they have created, I shall detail here the full and only truth of Maric Varodyr's rebellion.

 

The fact of the matter is that this insurrection is not one of justice, nor virtue. No, for only a mad man crazed with power would act as Maric has done in such circumstances. In ascertaining the truth of events these days past, I shall start where it all began, in the town of Karovia. Here within this Saintly week, it was learned by my own cousin, the Imperial Prince and Duke of Karovia, Aleksandr Carrion that the Grand Knight, Ser Maric intended to take power of the Empire upon Tuvya’s death, despite lacking any true ties of blood to the current electors, Houses Carrion, de Savoie and Rovin. When further questioned upon this matter, the Grand Knight openly admitted his intent to knowingly and deliberately splinter apart the Empire into various independent entities. In his very own words, he warned Aleksandr that ‘A storm was coming.’

 

To suggest that a splintered humanity, divided into separate states would act for the overall betterment of this nation as a whole is no more than a falsehood. From the earliest days of this nation’s inception, starting first during the era of the Phoenix Rebellion, it is true that never have two Kingdoms lived alongside in a true and lasting peace. What the Empire ensured therefore, was the rule of peace and order in the prevention of warring and conflict among its inhabitants. However, House Carrion’s intent was never to condemn Oren’s people to a rule they did not wish for. Instead, the decision was taken to form an electorate of the Empire’s most notable Houses at the time. Thereafter, in a fair and unanimous vote of Houses Chivay, de Bar, Carrion, and de Savoie, it was determined that Tuvya would take the throne.

 

Tuvya Sigismundovic Carrion, a man born to a humble life, and who since being elected Emperor has treated each and every Orenian, whether Heartlander, Highlander of Farfolk with the same courtesy and respect they deserve. A man who has built Petrus anew and looked after his people, serving them food and shelter without question. A man who has strived tirelessly to restore Oren’s infrastructure, in order to sustain a working and growing economy. And lastly, a man who in his entire reign, has never once had a thought pass his mind of invading the lands of dwarves, orcs and elves. Ask yourself truly, are these the actions of a tyrant?

 

Due to Emperor Tuvya’s own efforts for many years to ensure humanity would remain united and at peace, Aleksandr opted to inform his father of what Maric had told him. Within his full and legal right, the Emperor thus believing he could no longer trust Maric with his title of Grand Knight, chose to dismiss him from the Privy Council. In doing so, the Emperor requested that Maric return the fortress of Angren to Imperial rule, which not long prior had been granted as a headquarters from which the Order of the Red Dragon was permitted to operate. After allowing Maric to depart from Petrus peacefully, it was rightfully assumed that the matter was settled.

 

Alas, our hopes were dashed when it later emerged that Maric had no intent to leave Angren, and indeed had chosen instead to barricade himself behind its walls. When Tuvya arrived outside the fortress accompanied by a group of Oreni soldiers, not only did the former Grand Knight then proceed to lie of his intent to hand over the fortress, but then a vicious thunder storm was set upon the men through a means of which we are not aware, causing the bridge of Angren to collapse from beneath their feat. Forced to take cover from the attack, Emperor Tuvya returned to Petrus and again within his full right, declared Maric a traitor to the Empire. Only shortly after did Maric then proceed to declare Angren’s independence and without recognition from the Church or the faith, claimed himself, King of Renatus.

 

Shortly after did the rulers of Aesterwald then choose to join Maric's rebellion, despite their past signing of an agreement to the contrary. The very same agreement that we had formally hoped would be the last act of unification we would have to pursue. Alas, the Waldenians betrayed our trust, forcing the northmen who recognised their dishonour to rise against them. As only Vanderfall itself lies within the regions that Oren laid claim to when arriving in Athera, Emperor Tuvya then offered these men the freedom to inhabit the lands north of the duchy as they desire.

 

Since the date of which I refer, it has been at every step we have taken, that the rebels have refused peace and unity at all costs, all in the name of driving forward their wanton cause of malice and greed. Innocent civilians who once found safety when walking along the roads of Oren, must now face the possibility of being cut down by bands of orcish raiders who have chosen to affiliate themselves with the rebel's cause. For it is true that a man who claims himself honourable and just has stooped so low as to not only break his Knightly oaths but call upon foreign aggressors to aid in his cause against humanity. I ask of those who have chosen to follow in this rebellion, are these truly the acts of a man you be would be willing to call your King?

 

Rather than attempt to spread Heartlander influence through the restoration and broadening of its culture, utilising means of peace and accord, Maric Varodyr has chosen to dishonour the very code he swore to. A code that bound him to serve beneath his liege with undying loyalty, yet a code he has so willingly left in tatters. In his own recklessness, this man has chosen to plunge humanity ever deeper into a bloody and unnecessary war, while all the while, our true enemies in the undead plot and scheme our demise. Calling upon outsiders to invade our lands and slaughter our people, Maric has forsaken everything he as a Knight, once stood for.

 

Therefore, I ask only one thing of you, true sons of Horen. See through this veil of lies and deceit, and fight for what is truly right and just. Fight because you will not allow this nation’s history to be dictated by the hand of a foreign aggressor. Fight because a humanity divided by one man’s lust for power and control is not a world in which you would ever wish to see yourself a part of.”

[Galendar 631]

"It's very easy to pin blame on either side, but deep down, someone lies."

Alexander grunts after reading both of the recent propaganda posters, tossing both into the flame.

"I do what's best for humanity as a whole, and that's removing the Vochna and other associated parties from the Empire. When they've ruled, only toxicity followed. Maric offers a time of change and that's why I fight."

[Aelu / Rel (Combustionary) 1540]

"I suppose this bodes well for the rebels. So many wars past have been filled with the mindless boasting of the Valah, which has shifted to written arguments. Perhaps they've given up on winning this war on the battlefield and instead opt to flail about in the eyes of scholars."

[CosmicWhaleShark 2488]

 

As Phaedrus reads the letter at his desk, that has made its way to his own borders, his lips purse beneath his beard. He mutters quietly after releasing a short sigh,

 

"At least Viktor's story seems to match up with Aleksandr's... I did not consider Marik to be a mad man, though. His story, too, seemed more logical..."

 

Setting the letter down, he leans back in his chair, crossing his arms afterward while squinting at the parchment with disdain. His gaze drifts to the candlelight after a few moments. As he weighs the words of each man, moments turn into minutes. Finally he releases another sigh, lowering his head down to look at the parchment once more. 

 

"Who to believe... These are rather clever Men."

 

 

[Porko 397]

Evios sighs, stating "The Carrions keep on adressin' their people as true sons of Horen. Are they daft, or do they still deny tha' the Horen line supports King Maric? The Carrions call him a rebel for tryin' to overthrow House Carrion, but tha' only reason they're in power is 'cause they overthrew the Chivays. "

[Temp 2006]

"House Carrion’s intent was never to condemn Oren’s people to a rule they did not wish for? If this logic is maintained, wouldn't this be nothing more than a man exercising the granted privlidge?

If those under the 'Rebels' wish to break off from the Empire, be they members of the puppet electorials or those free of strings, would they not simply be allowed to do so? And what is this piss of honor? A subjective remnant of tainted waste if I've ever been forced to hear one. The current Seat is occupied by people that abandoned their honor and took action against the last, thus bringing this shite cycle back to it's origin, a cycle that has been in place since the Original Exodus and a cycle that will continue until Oren's name is but dust. Why even bother with this piss? If you'd like to simply kill the rebels and reinstate forced peace, do so without attempting to sway the views of external parties, there's nothing impressive about these displays to the damned people partaking in the conflict and their views are already set in stone. Besides! Truth was lost the moment the conflict began. In your words and theirs."

[Zezimus 1523]

"House Carrion’s intent was never to condemn Oren’s people to a rule they did not wish for? If this logic is maintained, wouldn't this be nothing more than a man exercising the granted privlidge?

If those under the 'Rebels' wish to break off from the Empire, be they members of the puppet electorials or those free of strings, would they not simply be allowed to do so? And what is this piss of honor? A subjective remnant of tainted waste if I've ever been forced to hear one. The current Seat is occupied by people that abandoned their honor and took action against the last, thus bringing this shite cycle back to it's origin, a cycle that has been in place since the Original Exodus and a cycle that will continue until Oren's name is but dust. Why even bother with this piss? If you'd like to simply kill the rebels and reinstate forced peace, do so without attempting to sway the views of external parties, there's nothing impressive about these displays to the damned people partaking in the conflict and their views are already set in stone. Besides! Truth was lost the moment the conflict began. In your words and theirs."

 

Viktor turns around towards the man in the street as he talks after him.

 

"House of Carrion took power, as was rightly theirs before foul Lucienists chose to murder Franz-Joseph in his own throne room. Yet when took power again, formed first electorate of the houses in Oren's history. Since being elected, Tuvya has led peaceful rule, leading great capital of ours to prosper. Rebels make filthy lies that he is somehow tyrant, when was Maric who attacked him! Da, I made these letters, not to sway views of those set in stone but to counter wretched lies spewed by rebels who have seen fit to twist every fact to gain of theirs."

[Temp 2006]

Viktor turns around towards the man in the street as he talks after him.

 

"House of Carrion took power, as was rightly theirs before foul Lucienists chose to murder Franz-Joseph in his own throne room. Yet when took power again, formed first electorate of the houses in Oren's history. Since being elected, Tuvya has led peaceful rule, leading great capital of ours to prosper. Rebels make filthy lies that he is somehow tyrant, when was Maric who attacked him! Da, I made these letters, not to sway views of those set in stone but to counter wretched lies spewed by rebels who have set fit to twist every fact to gain of theirs."

 

"You ignore and dodge questions whilst pointing fingers and declaring men liars. Good of you and may you maintain this beneficial image!"

[Zezimus 1523]

"You ignore and dodge questions whilst pointing fingers and declaring men liars. Good of you and may you maintain this beneficial image!"

 

Viktor turns back once more and begins to speak.

 

"Da, very well then, shall answer specifically questions of yours good fellow. Firstly, what is rubbish you make speak of puppet electorials? As one elector was House Chivay, same who Boris took power from and other was House Rovin, am not understanding words of yours. If rebels had wished to leave peacefully, da would have been allowed. But did not, simply refused to give up keep of Angren granted to Red Dragon and declared rebellion, attacking Tuvya's men when asked they to leave. Your other questions, have already answered."

[Temp 2006]

Viktor turns back once more and begins to speak.

 

"Da, very well then, shall answer specifically questions of yours good fellow. Firstly, what is rubbish you make speak of puppet electorials? As one elector was House Chivay, same who Boris took power from and other was House Rovin, am not understanding words of yours. If rebels had wished to leave peacefully, da would have been allowed. But did not, simply refused to give up keep of Angren granted to Red Dragon and declared rebellion, attacking Tuvya's men when asked they to leave. Your other questions, have already answered."

 

"I don't speak of the Chivay and I don't speak of the old Electorial party. I speak of the current ring of inward power. 3 Houses with a clear bias, whilst maintaining a single minority to obscure the view of the less intelligible? Is this a joke? It's a blatant grasp at guaranteed power with a fail-safe in the church. You've rung the church into your greed-ridden power struggle, Creator's Mercy, you take steps at damnation and think yourself without sin?

You've begun war with 'rebels' because they'd taken to questioning the course of action, should Tuvya pass. A man declared himself fit for leadership and as a damned electorial permits, there was disagreement. And from this petty disagreement, men were declared rebels and we've a stretch of rancid idiocy before us. That in mind, would you simply surrender your only grasp at survival? Give up your only method of defence whilst the aggressing party, with it's history of violence, presses you? Only a damned fool would willingly hop unto the noose. There was never a potential peace for the 'rebels' just as there was never a true option for peace with those of the North.

To sugar coat these things is literally spitting in the ears of your audience."

[Zezimus 1523]

Viktor shakes his head once more as he answers again.

 

"Maric was declared rebel, not because he made clear intent to run in electorate, though was despite holding niet ties to current electors, but because he maliciously attacked his own people. How is such matter not clear to you? Do not attempt to twist words of mine. If Maric yet wishes peace, is perfectly free to offer it, yet suspect will almost certainly not for power has gotten to head of he, while his hatred of Raevirs only overcomes him.

 

You insist electorate consists of puppets despite mine noting of two houses who have every reason to oppose we. Other two, de Bar and de Savioie simply held most power at time when electorate was created. Is not some attempt to rig system in Carrion's favour but simply was who owning Duchies at time was created. High Pontiff of now so happens to be Carrion, though he too was declared such by neutral Churchmen, not by Emperor Tuvya. Keep believing in ruse of Maric's all you like fellow, but know that words he spews are falsities." 

[Temp 2006]

Dragging his palm down his face, he continues,

"Who the hell are the De Bar folks? Never seen them, don't really hear of their contributions openly and I can't help but feel that they were given power due to their personal ties to the throne. The same could be said of the Savoie. They're a farming town with no militant presence and all instances of combat that I've observed, they've contributed precious little to the cause. And what is this of attacking one's own people? Are you not verbally doing this now? If you were truly as grand, as you make the effort to appear, you would have said precious little of the slanderous attemps, allowing the reputation of your name to uphold itself over this childish display.

Now, I don't speak of any damned ruse and I've yet to support either side! The current throne is lookin' a bit dingy with this conversation and after hearing of the Carrion's ideals, it's obvious why people are supporting the 'rebels.' Hell! At least we're not being told outright lies to sway one's perspectives!

Ah! Nearly forgot! You've pressed your frontline to assault Angren and consider yourselves the larger, more veteran group, yes? Would it not benefit the more fatherly of the two to act, well, fatherly? Perhaps if dropped your arrogance a solution would come to surface? Peace cannot be spoken of whilst a knife is pressed against their throat.

Damned, forgot a bit. Playing angles within the churh is a VERY simple matter. You see, the church is horribly inactive and tends to stagnate, as, well, everyone has seen. To take slight action would easily put any man in any position desired. Simply a matter of who you know, yes?"

[Zezimus 1523]

Viktor sighs, clasping his hands behind his back before going on to answer the man's question.

 

"Lies? Do inform I of lies have told you, for have not made up single word of what have said. Am not believing you are man undecided in current conflict for quite clearly have reason of bias against House Carrion in your argument. Sovoie and de Bar are simply houses who owned lands worthy of Duchies at time electorate was created, and therefore deemed fit as Electors. However, de Bar later was removed as had never sworn oaths to Empire. Savoie is Heartlander, the same Maric claims to represent.

 

Am honestly believing have not attempted peace with they? Niet, High Pontiff himself went to visit Maric in Angren, alongside good holy men and was then assaulted by magical blade of so called Storm King. Venture close to Angren and they will fire arrows upon you without warning. If Maric wishes peace truly, is quite welcome to deliver letter to Petrus explaining the reasons and cause of his actions."

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

Viktor sighs, clasping his hands behind his back before going on to answer the man's question.

 

"Lies? Do inform I of lies have told you, for have not made up single word of what have said. Am not believing you are man undecided in current conflict for quite clearly have reason of bias against House Carrion in your argument. Sovoie and de Bar are simply houses who owned lands worthy of Duchies at time electorate was created, and therefore deemed fit as Electors. However, de Bar later was removed as had never sworn oaths to Empire. Savoie is Heartlander, the same Maric claims to represent.

 

Am honestly believing have not attempted peace with they? Niet, High Pontiff himself went to visit Maric in Angren, alongside good holy men and was then assaulted by magical blade of so called Storm King. Venture close to Angren and they will fire arrows upon you without warning. If Maric wishes peace truly, is quite welcome to deliver letter to Petrus explaining the reasons and cause of his actions."

"Funny the only men who can attest to being assaulted by Maric happen to be the High Pontiff and his followers, the High Pontiff who is conveniently related to the Carrions by blood......"

[Temp 2006]

"Funny the only men who can attest to being assaulted by Maric happen to be the High Pontiff and his followers, the High Pontiff who is conveniently related to the Carrions by blood......"

 

It is quite odd that a man of the Creator would be attempting diplomatic matters for an Empire, when he shouldn't be dipping his fingers outside of his profession. One's faith and one's political alignment don't directly interact. Oddities, that.