The Olive Branch Petition, 1586

[Thatpyrodude 2008]

THE OLIVE BRANCH PETITION, 1586

Issued and Confirmed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor Philip I Frederick, 12th of Snow’s Maiden, 1586
 

TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS,
 

As a result of recent events, it has come to the attention of the Crown that many of our beloved subjects, misled by a desperate conspiracy crafted by dangerous and ill-designing men, have appeared to have forgotten the allegiance that they have previously owed to the power that has protected and supported them since the reformation of the Fifth Empire.

 

The Fifth Empire was formed by the late Emperor John I, who led humanity towards unity following the devastating Dukes’ War. Under his wise and just rule, the Crown of the Johannians bridged the divide between Savoyard, Lotharingian, Northman and Courlander alike. Even the exiled House of Rovin bent the knee to this Emperor during the Eighteen Years’ War, resulting in the conclusion of decades-old hostilities between that of all human factions. Forging a new sense of a unified Imperial identity, the House of Horen is the bridge between all populaces, for its line traces back to humanity’s initial being, the personage of Horen himself. Since the Horen Reformation, the Empire has seen over a Saint’s Year of prosperity and growth to the point in which humanity once more has asserted its dominance over the bandit-races. Imperial Orenian men shed their blood together in many foreign wars which attempted to capitalize on humanity’s failures, only to overcome them, for we humans always have been bounded by our race and sense of civilisation. Needless to say, the first of the Johannians managed what no other Emperor had previously accomplished for years: peace amongst its internal vassals.

Yet, in a time of great conflict, the master of Haense has insisted on biting the hand which gifted to his family their own nobility, lands, honour and prestige. Not even two Saint’s Days since John III left the mortal realm for that of the Seven Skies, this bandit-ruler has decided to invoke war upon the Empire through the regicide of God’s appointed heir, without cause or pretended reason, a great and unforgivable betrayal.

However, in this assassination, something stood out to the powers that be. A man of Kovachev openly defended His Imperial Majesty and was harmed by his Northern compatriots as a result of such. Such an action has proved, to the rest of the Empire, that such a murder was not, in fact, coordinated by all of Haense. The North has fought alongside the South for decades, and to create but a single category with which to wound every Northman with our approbation would be a gross disservice to the liberty and justice of our Holy Orenian Empire.

 

Thus, the Holy Orenian Empire hereby extends an olive branch to all nobles and denizens of Haense who wish for peace and with it a restored Imperial union. This union established through just law and fair reasoning by our ancestors on both sides of the Greyspine Mountains, north and south, must be preserved for the good of all of humanity, and to suggest contrary is simple madness. Civil war is inevitable only should the remaining lords of Haense wish for it to continue.

 

However, the assassination of the late John IV, cannot be remained unpunished. John IV was chosen by God to rule through the legitimate and lawful succession and thus his regicide is the gravest of sins.

This Andrik is no honorable ruler, murdering the unarmed John IV in his own private chamber, while his guest. There is a sacred trust in such meetings, and this so-called monarch has broken every such code in pursuit of cloak-and-dagger intrigue.There is similarly a sacred trust between vassal and lord, which this Andrik has broken, along with his holy vow to uphold both the Crown and its legitimate line of succession. Andrik furthermore propagates the ideology which John III had pledged his life to destroying - that of wanton banditry with no respect for the legitimate authority.

 

Certainly, such dishonour and bandit-like behavior does not represent the once honourable and good Haense, nor does the Crown continue to believe the North’s entirety practices it. The Crown expects a great deal of resistance, however, to this document from those who would remain loyal to the disloyal, honorable in their allegiance to the inveterately dishonorable Andrik Barbonov, who has betrayed the sacred trust of a vassal and subject of the sacrosanct emperor, the embodiment of humanity. It is not surprising that this would be so, however, it is advised that all civilians of Haense observe this document in its full and formulate their own opinions.

 

---

 

THIS OLIVE BRANCH PETITION IS ENUMERATED AS FOLLOWS:

† Those who wish to denounce this mad king, preserve the great union of humanity and return to the Empire’s embrace may do so and be granted amnesty, without penalty.

 

† Lordly titles and holdings shall be maintained, if not expanded upon, as result of this show of loyalty.

 

† Civilians that desire to move southward as a result of this petition are offered refuge and acceptance with open arms from the Empire, for it is concerned more about the betterment of humanity than it does any regional conflict.

 

† Lords who wish to remain neutral in the coming conflict may do so upon the denunciation of Andrik as well as the permittance of troop movement through their lands. The Crown understands many Northern lords do not wish to engage in warfare with one another, and thus this proposal shall attempt to rectify those concerns.

 

† The Barbanov line shall maintain their status should they oust their deranged patriarch, Andrik.

 

† Those that do not wish to remain neutral nor remain within the Empire to which they owe their lawful allegiance shall be seen as appropriate targets of war, and thus, shall be dealt with accordingly.

 

---

 

 

IN NOMINE DEI,

 

His Imperial Majesty Philip I Frederick of the House of Horen, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Savoy, Kaedrin, Haense, Renatus and Salvus, Defender of the Faith, Duke of the Crownlands, Avar, Frederica, Krajia, and Cascadia, Margrave of Greater Kreden, Count of Johannesburg, Louvain, Beauclair, Sundholt, Estavar, and Wett. Sovereign of Humanity, Suzerain of the Elves and Protector of the Dominion of Malin, etcetera.

 

 

[Inkthorn 1434]

Sylvestre nods. "Very reasonable."

[Ambduscias 1028]

"Too reasonable." The et'Farethi shakes his head.

 

"only loyal raev is dead raev. dravo."

[AGP 3169]

"Denying it is madness!" says a madman.

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

Artimec monologues to himself in a secluded shrine. "Back to the old drill, hoping for peace, preparing for war. May the mother and father guide us."

[Taketheshot 3834]

Ser Walter thinks back on the conversation he had with Mattington a few years prior. He then leans over during the meeting and whispers to matt "Told ya they'd do it. Now hand over the twenty minas, I win..."

[Rammer 388]

 

Ian sighs upon hearing of the document being sent out.  "I do hope this will be solved with as little to no blood spilled."

[seannie 7443]

"The olive branch seems wilted." mumbles Andrik, reading the document.

[Guest]

"Blessed be." comments Andre Nicator.

[Andustar 4143]

Viktor would sigh as he read the document "I only pray my comrades agree... for the sake of the kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, the north and House Barbanov. Andrik dishonoured us all but I will not let him dishonour us further nor the Golden Crow I swore myself to long ago...." he'd touch the griffin head pommel, preparing for the worst of times.

[Malgonious 2758]

Belgor Ireheart would look at the turmoil. "Well that sucks."

[InfamousGerman 1553]

fiske is disappointed

[Imam Faiz Kharadeen 3167]

Faragram Irongrinder awakens in his long slumber within a damp, cold cave. He kisses a Richard Revlis idol in prayer before strapping on his armor and preparing for a fight! "Ah du love me' sum chaos!"

[Jentos 9425]

"Hmm, it seems that good Andrik has woken Oren, the sleeping dragon, and when the dragon is awoken, the heads will roll and the mountains will fall."

He'd say with a nod, emptying the rest of his mead from the wooden bowl next to him. A sigh escaping the old man as he slowly closes his eyes.

[flameslinger2002 49]

Talaohon looks at the document. "Very reasonable and I do hope King Andrik accepts so we can restore peace once again, and my Lord Lord Kovachev was wise choosing the Empires side."