Stephen's Colloquy

[Birdnerdy 1539]

 

 

Good tidings to you, noble denizens of the realm

 

In times of such turmoil as these, many men find themselves at a familiar crossroads. Two paths present themselves: The first to be spotted is a mellow and padded road, tread by aimless pedestrians that keeps familiar lands and locations well in sight.  For the common man, this choice comes easily, his feet are lent quite willingly to the familiar and softer avenue. But there are those mavericks among us whose heart is not satisfied by the common path. For these, a steep, narrow trail lies just out of sight, while perilous, beckons with promises of adventure and glory.

 

I find myself at such a crossroads today. For half a century, my House has ruled over the highlander peoples, by Right of the ancient Crowns of Hanseti and Ruska, the foremost highlander Kingdoms of antiquity. Rightfully and well we did! The sprawling Kingdom of Haense was a true homeland for Joren’s sons, the majestic Greyspine Range and the spectral Rothswood Forest recalled the barren and untamed Aegesian north. Under King Peter’s dynasty, a host of elder highlander families settled the wild hinterlands, and the Dual Monarchy saw half a century of prosperity under the House of Barbanov

 

When tables turned against the Golden Crows, old enemies fell upon Marius’s Kingdom. Abandoned by their allies, my father and his soldiers fought with honor, but as evidenced by the noble Adrians, such a policy does not elicit victory. I do not address you today to reminisce over the war. I will not justify nor condemn my ancestor’s actions, for they were their own. Their mistakes are not mine, and I shall not let them bind me.

 

My House’s titles were substantiated through blood, but a Kingdom is not sustained by a family tree. Barbanov’s words were backed with their soldier’s steel and their bannermen’s vast estates. At the height of her power, a man would be hard pressed to find a realm that rivaled Haense’s military and civil achievements.

 

Such days are now behind us, and it leads me to wonder. The elder blood of Sigismund runs through my veins, and the Cap of Prince Branimir the Leper rests on my head, but am I a King of Ruska? My forefather was rightfully granted the Marian crown, but am I a King of Hanseti?  Herein lies my crossroads.

 

A King’s first duty is to his subjects. Fate has decided that I cannot safeguard the highlander people as dynasts of my House once did. I might cling to these titles and honors bestowed on my ancestors, hope for a page in a history book by virtue of my blood. An easy path lies before me, but my feet are not so soft. I am no common man, and such stagnant conservatism does not become me. If I am to become a great man, it will be on my own terms, and by my own merit.

 

Not but a Saint’s Day ago, our highlander kindred at the Krag won a heroic victory against the Urguani forces, who sought to quench the hearty flame of the Norlandic people. My cousins of Ruthern wage their own war of independence against the Courlander realm. I come not to restore the realm of my forebears, but to forge my own path through this turbulent world of blood and steel, to test my mettle in the fight against dwarven hegemony.

 

Here on this barren earth, I plant my flag, any and all who wish to fight beneath the banner of the Golden Crow once more are welcome in my camp. I relinquish all ties and oaths bound to the former Lords of Haense. Any who wish to swear their swords to me are welcome, but I ask nothing of those men who wish to go their own way. The sun has not set on House Barbanov, nae, a new day is dawning!

 

 

---

 

• To the illustrious Hochmeister Sergei and his Teutons, the House of Barbanov cedes the crown of Hanseti and all claims to the accordant Kingdom of Hanseti, to do with as they will.

 

• By the authority of the Boyar’s Cap, most ancient and sacred of Karovic reliquary, I, Stephen Barbanov, suspend the Kingdom of Ruska on this day, 12th of the Sun’s Smile, 1611. This is done with the sole condition that a recognized and legitimate Crowsmoot (an assembly of all of living Karovic scions) may choose a King of Ruska through a vote. Such a Crowsmoot will be convened by the bearer of the Boyar’s Cap in the event that the formation of a Ruskan Kingdom appears viable.

IV JOVEO MAAN,
 

STEPHEN BARBANOV

[JuliusAakerlund 2402]

"Well spoken Stephen, Petyr would be proud were he still alive." Eirik Colborn would say with a nod.

[Andustar 4143]

"An interesting proclaimation..." Viktor remarks "Perhaps it's time we come together once again."

[ACU20 567]

"A hundred men with a lot of parchment." Tristifier'd mutter after each of these proclimations

[JuliusAakerlund 2402]

7 minutes ago, ACU20 said:

"A hundred men with a lot of parchment." Tristifier'd mutter after each of these proclimations

"My friend it seems we're both here often, i'd say we've both better things to do with our time than to argue with the younger generation no?" Eirik Colborn would say to Tristifier as they read the writ of Stephen.

[ACU20 567]

Just now, juliusaakerlund said:

"My friend it seems we're both here often, i'd say we've both better things to do with our time than to argue with the younger generation no?" Eirik Colborn would say to Tristifier as they read the writ of Stephen.

0

 

 

"Damn kids with their damned parchment, back in my day we had to carve rocks, they pretentiously spread their words too easily these days!" The old man would huff and gruff as he waddled away

[Mj. 697]

Wem frowns "do not remake haense"

[InfamousGerman 1553]

1 minute ago, Mj. said:

Wem frowns "do not remake haense"

0

 

"did you even read it" says Lumo

[Mj. 697]

Just now, InfamousGerman said:

"did you even read it" says Lumo

0

 

"I can't read too well to be honest" replies Wem 

[DrakeHaze. 2524]

"Interesting.." mutters OrdenMarschall Tarkus, informing the Hochmeister of the paper.

[gandalfo 1452]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.