The Quadroon

[Old Man Boiendl 1454]

(Another play I wrote during the summer while I had nothing to do. Nothing ever became of it.)

 

The Quadroon  

By Mister  Edmond JB. Manston

 

About: The coup of the Chivay Empire and subsequent fall

 

Robert Chivay- The lead of the play and subsequent tragic hero. He is a man of noble stature. There is an outstanding greatness to him. But, he is too trusting of those close to him and he detests his mixed blood.

 

Vibius de Sola- the commander of the Imperial Army. Cold. Militant. Secretly detests Robert Chivay for an impure blood. The antagonist. His greed has clouded him and he seeks to form a new de Sola Empire.

 

---

 

Boris- Decedent of the Carrion Emperors, Boris envisions a united Carrion front once again.

 

Edmond de Savoie- A former trusted advisor to Robert. He handled the investigation of Vittoria Harlot and due to an argument over Robert’s arbitrary nature of imperial law, Edmond resigned from the position in fury and left court.

 

Olivier- The Imperial Viceroy of the Imperium Tertius. A quiet and calculating man, his motives for betraying Robert are unknown, and although he was not directly involved, he had full knowledge of the plot and chose to hold the information.

 

Henry Horen- Third son of Emperor Godfrey. Bishop of Petrus. Loyal to Robert.

 

Castor Sparrow- Bastard of Peter Chivay, Commander in Roberts army

 

Author's Notes:

 

The Chivay Empire was the Third Empire of Man. Starting in 1458 it ended 23 years later in 1481. It extended from the time in the Fringe, to the Thales and finally Continent of Athera.

 

The rise of the Chivay’s as a house can be attributed to the military leadership of both Thomas and Peter Chivay during the First Empire. In said Empire, they formed the Order of the White Rose which set out in defending both humanity and wiping out races deemed impure.

 

The initial success of the Third Empire can be accredited to the Rose. By instilling the ideas of historical nobility, militarism and nationalism in Oren, the Empire found great success.

 

Both Emperor Peter and Emperor Robert Chivay became the champions of Caesoropapism. After freeing the Church from John of Darfey, they made a directed effort to quell Church vs State Politics.

 

Under the reign of Robert Chivay, the Vizima Act and Laws of Imperial Deviancy were instated. These laws defined what it means to be a pure human and greatly restricted non-human rights.

 

The Empire eventually fell to Lord Justicar Boris Carrion and Vibius de Sola. Boris believed the Chivay’s rule to be illegitimate because they had usurped King Franz in an effort to gain the throne. Vibius had great dislike for mixed-blood and impure humans. He was also very war-oriented. The Treaty of Thales, 1475, which ended the Dwarf-Oren war was the final straw for him.

 

ACT I

SCENE I- The Imperial City

 

The City of Petrus, home to the Emperor, Jewel of the Chivay Empire. Its large gray walls easily intimidate those who have the fortune of entering the city. A great shadow is cast over the city as the Imperial Palace, which sits high above the city, blots out the sun. Enter now to this Palace. The grand halls and a fountain that marks the entrance to the Throne Room. In the Throne room Emperor Robert Chivay sits on his throne with Vibius, Boris, and Olivier flanking his sides

 

Robert would raise his hand, motioning the men to step before him

 

Robert:

“Ye are my advisors. Near an’ dear to my ‘eart. Wiff yer aid oi ‘ave continued on the legacy of my uncle, Peter. An’ wiff yer ‘elp the Imperium Tertius shall reign fer a thousand years.”

 

The men all dip their heads in acknowledgement, Vibius would step forward

 

Vibius: “Your Imperial Majesty, I have had the honor of calling you my friend. And I, who lead your men into battle will do my duty to push  aside all  personal ambition. The Chivay Empire will prevail, Ave Imperium.”

 

Robert looks to the other men.  He waves his hand  in dismissal

 

Robert: “Go now, men of my council. The Elven and Dwarven menace nears our borders. The Empire must be upheld.”

 

Vibius, Boris, Olivier and Edmond all depart, leaving only Robert

 

Robert: “Cursed Elves an’ damned Dorfs. Oi share their tainted blood yet oi am Emperor of a pure people. My great self-loathin’ is unbearable, an’ those who seek my word know that oi cannot give them it wiffout an’ inklin’ of self-doubt.”

 

Enter Henry Horen

 

Henry: “Robert, my dear Emperor, I have heard terrible rumours. The men of the Empire seek to betray you. I, Henry Horen, Son of Godfrey stand at your side.”

 

Robert looks to Henry, he waves his hand dismissively

 

Robert:  “Worry not, ‘enry, oi am a Chivay. The name itself stroikes fear into the ‘earts of Man. No man now seeks my downfall an’ no man shall evah.”

 

SCENE II- The Conspirators Congregate

 

Through a dense forest, not far from the Imperial City lies the Imperial Army Headquarters. The walls are manned with soldiers. Past the walls that are lined with the colors of Imperium and into the keep sits Five men. The room is dimly lit, only a light in the corner of the dark room gently caresses the faces of the men.

 

Vibius bangs on the table, he looks to the men around him

 

Vibius: “And here gathers the trusted council of  Emperor Robert Chivay. In the heart of what props him up, the Imperial Army. For too long both Robert and Peter Chivay have misused us. All of us. It is time that we rise up.”

 

Boris: “Eja, Vibius, it was my ancestors who once ruled a united humanity.  And it will be my descendants who do so once again. It was the Chivay’s who robbed me of a rightful Kingdom. They led the removal of Franz!”

 

Edmond de Savoie nods in approval, he raises his hand in anger to Robert

 

Edmond: “The Empire stands for Order,  a united humanity. Yet it is Robert who does not follow the Imperial Law, his whim outweighs his mind.  The laws are meant to give Order to society. Robert spits on this and thus spits on the Empire.

 

Vibius: “Let us not forget the peace brokered between the Dwarves. Robert has shown that the Empire is weak when he signed the Treaty of Thales. It is his mixed blood, he sympathizes with the dwarves.  

 

“I have the solution. The end of Robert shall be at the hands of his most treasured possession, the army. Yes, the army shall dethrone him.”

 

The men around the table all nod their heads in approval of the plan, save for Olivier

 

Boris: “Olivier, you have said nothing so far and do not seem to approve of our plan. What is it you think?”

 

Olivier would say nothing, he would look at each of the men and simply drum his fingers  on the table

 

ACT II

It has been several months since the conspirators met. Final preparations are being made. It is the Snow Maiden of 1480 , an unusually cold winter.

 

SCENE I- The Imperial Rally

 

The snow has turned the walls of Kaer Angren white. The soldiers who man it are wrapped in heavy wool as they continue their watch. Within the walls, soldiers are lined up. Each man one behind another, twenty rows across with thirty men deep. Vibius stands on a ledge that extends from the keep and overlooks the rows of soldiers. The Co-Conspirators flank his sides.

 

Vibius: “Soldiers! Heed my word! Your Emperor has betrayed you! Robert Chivay has spouted lies and slander! Men of the Imperium, the Empire has suffered from the disastrous Treaty of Thales.”

 

“Robert Chivay did not make peace because we were losing, far from it! We would have marched on Urugan and wiped out the scourge of dwarves. Instead, he has made peace because he himself is kin to both dwarves and elves!”

 

The soldiers would begin to roar, they stomp their feet. Each stomp shaking the walls of Kaer Angren and physically moving the conspirators.

 

Vibius: “What I tell you is the truth! Do not let your loyalties continue to lie with this Quadroon! He is not a man, he is not your kin! Come spring we shall cross  across the river Nocibur and into Petrus! We shall seize the throne and create a true human empire! We shall save this Empire and save Humanity!”

 

“AVE IMPERIUM!”

 

The soldiers thrust out their arms, fists closed they slightly incline their arm. in unison they shout

 

“AVE IMPERIUM”

 

The soldiers would break their formation and begin to make their final preparations. Sharpening swords, putting supply wagons together and readying their horses.

 

Vibius would turn to Boris

 

Vibius: “The Empire shall no longer feel the pain of a mixed-blood regime. We shall make this Empire anew, the de Sola-Carrion Empire shall rise.

 

Boris: “Time fast approaches Vibius, we must act before spies reach Robert and tell him that we have mobilized.”

 

Vibius: “Give it time, in Spring we shall move.”

 

SCENE II- Robert’s Plea

 

The Imperial City is capped with snow. Robert looks out over the city from the palace. The smoke rising from  chimneys would give the illusion that Petrus was ablaze. Robert descends down the steps of the Palace and into the Petrus Square. The snow would lightly brush his hair and at times land on Robert’s maimed ears. Reminding him of his impurity.

 

Robert finally comes to a halt. Standing next to a now frozen fountain he rallies both soldier and commoner. They stand around him, encircling him.

 

Robert:

“Loyal men of the Empire. Oi ‘ave ‘eard grave news. Despoite my goodwill an’ friendliness wiff my counselors, they ‘ave raised up their arms in open rebellion!”

 

“At the ‘elm of this rebellion is Vibius de Sola, a bloodfirsty man more in touch wiff ‘is own desires an’ ambition than ‘e is wiff the people ‘e wishes to govern. ‘E ‘as stolen from me wot oi once thought was a loyal army! They ‘ave been lied to an’ tricked into seekin’ my downfall!

 

“As we speak, Vibius an’ ‘is conspirators mobilize an army to lay waste to our country, so we will rally those that remain loyal to the TRUE Empire an’ meet them in the field.”

 

“ ‘umanity demands loyalty at all costs. It is one of the only fings that ‘olds the realm together. Curse these wicked rebels, for their only goal will be the destruction of the empire. Curse all rebels, for it is them that destroy loyalty and our imperial prestige!”

 

“Ave Imperium!”

 

The crowd that’s gathered around Robert shout in unison

 

“AVE IMPERIUM”

 

ACT III

Spring has set in, the year is 1481. Flowers are budding, the snow has melted. Both Vibius and Robert are setting out to march.

 

SCENE I-Springtime in Petrus

Robert’s personal levy, the Caerngard are lined at the gates of Petrus. The citizens are waving them off as they make their march through the gates. At the head of the army is Castor Sparrow, one of Robert’s most loyal commanders. Robert is in the Palace, talking solemnly with Henry.

 

Robert- “ ‘enry, the army marchest west. These next few days shall decoide the fate of the empire. It will decoide ‘ow I am to be remembered. Tell me, ‘enry, wot would Godfrey say about me? ‘Ow would ‘e ‘ave ‘andled this?”

 

Henry- “My father would have commended your resolve Robert. But, he would have scolded you for being too trusting. You’re biggest downfall was that you put too much faith into the running of your Empire through your advisors. They seized the opportunity.

 

“When Emperor, you will always be surrounded by rogues and those who wish to better themselves. And it is  best to assume that of everyone.”

 

Robert-

“An’ wot of you, ‘enry, should oi fink that of you, too?”

 

Henry- “Your Imperial Majesty, I have sworn myself to the Church and thus sworn myself to humanity.”

 

Robert moves to the window, he watches as his army marches onward. The banners of his family flapping in the wind.

 

Robert: “Loyalty is truly all we ‘ave left in this world.”

 

Scene II- Crossing the Nocibur

The army of Vibius and Boris stands on the before the River of Nocibur. Opposite of them, Petrus. The Imperial City’s walls are poorly manned. The Emperor can be seen pacing them. Vibius and Boris sally out to get in range of Robert, so they may exchange final words.

 

Vibius: “Robert, surrender the city! Your army has marched off in the wrong direction, you have been outmaneuvered.”

 

Boris: “This mix-blooded Empire is over, Robert. It is time you pass the torch to the bearers of humanity.”

 

Robert looks out towards Vibius and Boris, he spits in their direction

 

Robert: “This is the bulwark of ‘umanity, oi stand in the defense of Oren! You ‘ave pushed Oren into chaos, blood will be spilt.”

 

Vibius: “So be it.”

 

Vibius and Boris return to their lines. They instruct Edmond de Savoie to tell the commanders to march. The army moves forward. With every step the water ripples and the walls of Petrus vibrate.

 

Robert: “Man the gates! We shall defend ‘umanity! Ave Imperium!”

 

It does not take long for Vibius and Boris to push through the gates and into Petrus.

 

Scene III- The Taking of Petrus

Flames began to rise from Petrus. The gates of the Imperial City have been smashed through and the men of Vibius and Boris rush through. In the chaos of the attack, Henry Horen attempts to safeguard loyalist women and children in the cathedral

 

The men of Vibius’ army march towards the cathedral. Henry stands outside of it,  in front of the door.

 

Henry: “By GOD’s name, you come and sack more than Petrus, you have sacked humanity!”

 

Vibius: “Move aside Henry, you may be son of Godfrey, but you are no prophet like he is. Do not think I won’t cut you down.”

 

Henry: “You sentence me to death yet my only crime is loyalty.”

 

Vibius would lunge at Henry, the sword pierces him and he keels over. Vibius’ army streams into the  cathedral, they round up and then execute the loyalists

Vibius, Boris and Edmond march towards the Palace. Swords in hand, slaying all those who oppose them.

 

Inside the palace they find Emperor Robert Chivay sitting on the throne. He looks at them and lets out a sigh.

 

Robert: “This time last year, we all stood ‘ere. But on the same side. Oi ‘ad trusted you, all of you. Especially you, Vibius, my august Marshal.”

 

Vibius: “You are too trusting Robert and you are too impure to rule this Empire. Descend from the throne, give me the crown that sits above your maimed ears.”

 

Robert would rise, taking off his crown, he would touch his years. A shiver would run through his body. Would slowly walk  towards  Vibius. He then drops the crown at Vibius feet.

 

Robert: “Take it then, shackle me and frow me in a ploughin’ towah!”

 

Robert is taken prisoner and tossed in the tower

 

ACT IV

SCENE I- Roberts Imprisonment

Robert Chivay is thrown into a tower high above Petrus. His cell is small, dank and dark. There is a small window where he can look out over his Imperial City. The door to enter the cell is iron and sturdy. It is midnight.

 

Robert:

“Wot ‘ave oi done to deserve this? Curse those ‘ightowahs an’ their political machinations, it was they who beset these wicked ears on me.”

 

Robert would grip the bars of the window, he leans his head on the edge

 

Robert:

“An’ ‘enry, where are you? Surely you ‘ave been slain… the last of Godfrey’s children now dead. A testament to the fall of ‘umanity…”

 

“An’ wot of young Castor? Will ‘e return to Petrus an’ plague its people wiff yet anotha siege?

 

...No. Oi will not ‘ave that. ‘Umanity shall bleed no longer. Not on my account.”

 

Robert would glance around the cell, a shiny object would stand out in the hay. On further inspection it’s a dagger.

 

Robert takes the dagger and presses it to his heart. His ragged shirt rips under the pressure and his skin punctures. A line of blood would  dribble from the mark.He lets go of the knife and stumbles backwards.

 

Robert: “No, this is not wot GOD intended…”

 

The lights would  fade

 

SCENE II- Robert’s Escape

Two weeks have passed since Roberts imprisonment. His hair has grown out extensively. He has lost weight from the poor food he'd been given. It is early in the morning. A knock is heard on the cell door.

 

The door opens to reveal a soldier

 

Soldier: “Your Imperial Highness, it is time. You must escape before Vibius executes you!”

 

Robert would stagger to his feet. He stumbles towards the soldier. He embraces him.

 

Robert: “GOD protects those who remain loyal, my fair soldier…”

 

The guard would quickly give Robert a hooded disguise. He leads him to the Petrus stables where a horse is given to Robert. Robert mounts it and rides off through the gates of Petrus.

Robert would ride to the River Ebunad. He pauses at it, looking across it.

 

Robert: “When an Emperor must flee because those who ‘e fought(thought) were in ‘is service rise up against ‘im, is it the failing of the Emperor or those who served ‘im?”

 

He would ford the river and cross into Aesterwald

 

Scene III- Aesterwald

 

Robert crosses into Aesterwald. The dense forest is unusual for him. It seems to be a land trapped in winter. The trees are capped with snow and  his horse has to trudge through snowbanks. Robert finally makes it to the Aesterwaldian keep where he meets their king and reunites with Castor. They stand together, looking out over the dense forests of Aesterwald.

 

Robert: “Castor, oi fought(thought) you would be dead, either taken by your own men or killed by Vibius! What a blessing it is to see ye.”

 

Castor: “And to you, Uncle. News carried fast regarding the capture of Petrus. I rallied the army and made haste to Aesterwald. Anticipating you would go there.”

 

“Now is the time for us to strike back, Uncle. Vibius thinks he’s won, but we have grown in strength. All those across the Ebunad rally to your cause. Aesterwald stands with you. We must take Petrus back and put those Vibian conspirators to the gallows.”

 

Robert steps to the edge of the walls, gazing over the Ebunad.

 

Robert: “...No. This is not the way. Enuff blood ‘as been shed in this coup. Oi will not be the one that runs both the ebunad an’ the nocibur red wiff the blood of soldiers an’ commonfolk aloike. You may cross an’ fight, an’ you may very well win, but it will not be fer my cause. Oi cannot support this, Castor.

 

When Man fights Man, the whole world burns...”

 

The scene fades...

 

FIN

[Tirenas 677]

The Vice-Chancellor, His Eminence Sigismund of Couentre, publicizes his review of the play.

"An astounding piece of work by Mister Manston, perfectly embodying the history of the overthrow of the Chivay dynasty. I look forward to future pieces!'

[Peter Chivay 2494]

"Bravo!" Says a random man in the crowd. 

[Reckless Banzai Screamer 15456]

2 hours ago, Old Man Boiendl said:

 

 

[Old Man Boiendl 1454]

55 minutes ago, Princess Shady said:

 

Really makes you think...

[KaiserJacobII 1456]

William wonders if this Petrus is really..

[Heff 2460]

A young, eccentric scholar eyes the piece with a criticizing gaze. He continues to pour through a crate of Lucien III's writings, for the rumored masterpiece: Aversatrix. 

[Dohvi 622]

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