Those Who Can Bow No Lower

[Publius 4098]

"I remember whence I lent Lotharingian men to toil with the Ruskan snakes against Courland for trying to deal with their rebellion with half men. Woe to humanity, that the Emperor of Oren now boasts the title of Grand King-Consort for the same reason."

 

 

A missive would be sent across the lands, circulated by the agitated Lotharingian diaspora of the Flaetnamese war. Dated the 8th of Sun's Smile, it reads as follows:

 

Hail to Heartlands,

 

News has reached far and wide of the continuing follies this incarnation of the 'Empire of Man'. To the great disdain of those non-committal to hypocrisy, me and many Lotharingians recall our current Emperor and his most unparalleled ineptitude; the allowance of the Flaetnamese army to sack and secure the Western half of our once proud land out of simple weakness being the first and foremost among them. Never before has their been more opportunity for those less worthy, lest it was a conspiracy against another vassal of Oren - I digress.

 

My heart is burdened with guilt, my short reign followed by extreme hardship and torment again for those who looked not to the d'Amaurys, but the Horen's for salvation. I discarded a treaty with the once mighty Courland in the name of God and Canon, despite proving capable allies against the Mardonese mercenaries. Perhaps Peter Sigismund, for all his weakness, worried simply because he wed my sister as the late Staunton's wed my cousins, and so set upon fellow canonists in a craven act.

 

What shocks me most greatly though, is in an Empire where only Ruskans seem hold sway, that they so easily forget what had hardened the resolve of my men and many others against the Staunton rule - the intervention of Dwarves.

 

Responding to their involvement, and demanding they sit out and fight their civil war, I sought to liberate the north with honourable houses such as Ruthern after Courland flatly refused. Woe to them, for they faced the wrath of humanum for nothing more than signatures.

 

Knowing the inability to appeal to his fellow man though, I recognize why the failures of John V and Peter Sigismund. Because of course, why negotiate, whence you may murder all who oppose you and call it peace? Better yet, why not leave the killing of men in this Empire of Man to Dwarves?

 

Truly, I see nothing but folly across the Empire, as cuckolds and weaklings commit to whatever it takes to preserve their titles. Had any aside from lords, or the privy of the feeble Emperor be allowed to chose humanities course, perhaps honour would be restored to our race. I know for a fact the people want not war, as it seems every realm has let the blood flow freely since the North's secession.

 

Long gone are the days of Vydra, long gone are the days of cultured Savoyard and Johannian rule. Upon us instead, are days where men are nearly indistinguishable in legacy from that of disease in which a pond of scum or a rat may afford any and all humans foolish enough not to reject it. The Emperor is fortunate to be the patron of the weak and foolish, for only he and his subjects would strain so hard to bow so low. Never has an Empire of Man offered so little, and cost humanity so dearly.

 

In disdain,

Odo d'Amaury

 

 

 

[mmat 7460]

"One who speaks of cuckolds and weaklings ironically hides behind the safety of a pen. Perhaps this one might put action to serve as a buffer to his insults."

 

Khaine laughs heartily, speaking as he reads the note with a few of his Elven companions as he travels the empire.

 

"His words are worth nothing if he does nothing to attempt change in action."

[Publius 4098]

3 minutes ago, iMattyz said:

"One who speaks of cuckolds and weaklings ironically hides behind the safety of a pen. Perhaps this one might put action to serve as a buffer to his insults." Khaine laughs heartily, speaking as he reads the note with a few of his Elven companions as he travels the empire.

 

"His words are worth nothing if he does nothing to attempt change in action."

0

 

 

"Odd is it, that this Empire was formed through letters itself. Perhaps I am a fool to forsake it!" Odo would jest telekinetically to Khaine, also giving a telekinetic wink.

[Birdnerdy 1539]

A contented Salazaar smokes sasya leaf in Allan's bustling square, the bloated declaration serving him well as tinder. 

[Publius 4098]

7 minutes ago, Hero_ said:

"Someone doesn't want peace I guess. Terms aren't even that bad for either side." a knight says yawning

0

 

 

"Orenian terms of vassalage to Lotharingia was the skin of the signatory and half its land - truly, I wonder if the Emperor is more kind to rebels than his own subjects." The old king comments idly, a pain in his rear ceasing further elaboration.

[Man of Respect 5471]

"Zorry, wub am Oren?" Eath'Lur sends telepatic massages.

He also sends a telepatic massage to tell he means no insult

[Arteh 1837]

"Oren is my city"

 

Says a disgruntled Augustus d'Amaury from the heavens. 

[ski_king3 0]

Vidarr sighs as he reads over the piece, the tired man's gaze hanging upon it long after he'd finished. Finally, he shakes his head. "Nay, this is not an Empire for true men. We cower lowly in the shadows of our forebears. These are wise words, Odo, yet they will go unheeded."

[Nathan_Barnett36 1564]

"Suggesting you'd do a better job?" says Galahad

[L0rdLawyer 2272]

"There is a plot behind what you see you silly man. The puppets rule as the free men wander behind, unscene. Hidden councils occur everyday, issues caused to create tensions. For soon dwarves will fall to a frostbeard wave and the elves will fall to an urukish axe. Yet when the coalition dies and all is left is the war nation and the holy empire, a duel shall be redone. Krug and Horen shall fight again, to fight in a war for freedom and control. You speak of weakness, yet you are one to never dive into the shadows, but tell me young child, open your eyes and you shall see something beyond you, beyond me, beyond all of us." States Cedric.

[Archbishop 1784]

3 hours ago, I, Publius said:

I know for a fact the people want not war, as it seems every realm has let the blood flow freely since the North's secession.

"But there is peace." says Felix Fitch.

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

3 hours ago, I, Publius said:

I know for a fact the people want not war, as it seems every realm has let the blood flow freely since the North's secession.

 

 

 

15

 

"The North's secession? Only time the Kingdom of Haense ever seceded was during the fall of the last empire, to which Lorraine first seceded, betraying an oath not bonded by just a signed parchment, but by a sealed marriage. By Julia's ****, your inherent hypocrisy just shows how idiotic and lame you truly are. You throw blame upon others, pointing fingers for your failure at simple intrigue and stewardship, yet not realizing half the ills which ail you were caused through your own poorly thought-out actions.

 

You curse my realm, and for what? Regrowing a kingdom for barely anything to one of the most powerful factions within not just Oren, but the world? For, despite numerous assassination attempts, attempts to have my vassal revolt, attempts to divide my kingdom for pleasure, and attempts to mock myself and my ilk in court, my continued loyalty to the Crown of Oren? Or is it the fact I helped plot to remove an Emperor (with Lorraine's support and majority of the Imperial forces, mind you) which failed to contribute to any stewardship of his realm and place an Emperor who intends (and has) brought a semblance of peace to the world?

 

No, for I think the real reason is the fact that you lost. Your name will enter the annals of history as a failure, not only to the powers foreign, but to your own people. But enough of this rambling scribe tomfoolery- you wish to speak bad of myself? Come to me then, let us fight it by words of mouth and the steel of hands. However, I know you will not, for you are weak and craven and will leave for another few years till returning to make another essay in a botched attempt to make you feel right.

 

Do the world a favor and take your life so you may forever wander the Void, like the shrimp-boned cretin you are."

 

-H.R.M. Stephen of Haense

[floop 147]

"Ok" Comments Heinrik Otto as he reads the rant, promptly returning to his duties 

[Publius 4098]

3 hours ago, yopplwasupxxx said:

"The North's secession? Only time the Kingdom of Haense ever seceded was during the fall of the last empire, to which Lorraine first seceded, betraying an oath not bonded by just a signed parchment, but by a sealed marriage. By Julia's ****, your inherent hypocrisy just shows how idiotic and lame you truly are. You throw blame upon others, pointing fingers for your failure at simple intrigue and stewardship, yet not realizing half the ills which ail you were caused through your own poorly thought-out actions.

 

You curse my realm, and for what? Regrowing a kingdom for barely anything to one of the most powerful factions within not just Oren, but the world? For, despite numerous assassination attempts, attempts to have my vassal revolt, attempts to divide my kingdom for pleasure, and attempts to mock myself and my ilk in court, my continued loyalty to the Crown of Oren? Or is it the fact I helped plot to remove an Emperor (with Lorraine's support and majority of the Imperial forces, mind you) which failed to contribute to any stewardship of his realm and place an Emperor who intends (and has) brought a semblance of peace to the world?

 

No, for I think the real reason is the fact that you lost. Your name will enter the annals of history as a failure, not only to the powers foreign, but to your own people. But enough of this rambling scribe tomfoolery- you wish to speak bad of myself? Come to me then, let us fight it by words of mouth and the steel of hands. However, I know you will not, for you are weak and craven and will leave for another few years till returning to make another essay in a botched attempt to make you feel right.

 

Do the world a favor and take your life so you may forever wander the Void, like the shrimp-boned cretin you are."

 

-H.R.M. Stephen of Haense

24

 

 

The only thing you write of reason is itself a misinterpretation; I speak on seccession from the Kingdom of Courland.

 

You bid me to bandy words, but truly, you make it sound noble that your honour was absent in your rule so you could grow powerful. You were too fearful to even declare yourself an ally of my people after striking down those who bore over you.

 

Lastly, you speak nothing of the wrongs you and the Empire begot my people. My only failure was in overestimating Northern honour - a folly I may once again be victim of, for I will heed your call to duel. Perhaps another d'Amaurys corpse will be presented to another indifferent Emperor, but at least I will not be doing so as a King sworn to him.

 

Post a missive in Metz regarding the when and where, and I will arrive. For even in my old age, I will heed the call for steel.

 

The letter would be left unsigned and without greeting.

 

(pm me within a day or so if you're interested in actually duelling n I'll be sure to notice)

[seannie 7443]

"Stop bothering my colleagues with your ignorant rants. I would have actually bothered with creating mine own witty retort to this 'essay', but why should I, your arguments are riddled with lies and alternative facts. You are so out of touch with modern politics that you cant form a constructive paper, which is expected because you seem to live in the hinterlands with the sole purpose of drafting these sort of documents every couple of years or so, you old failure from a bygone era. Get to work instead of complaining, because that is what we Orenian officials are doing."

"Ask not what the Empire can do for you—ask what you can do for the Empire."

 

The letter is found on top of the others, stamped with the sigil of the Archchancellor and signed,

 

Aeternius(Harren) of House Ruthern, Archchancellor of the Holy Orenian Empire.