CATHALON RISING (or How Helton Hadrian Brought Down the Republic)

[Fishy 2710]

CATHALON RISING (or How Helton Hadrian Brought Down the Republic)

 

 

12th of Owyn’s Light, 1724

 

Twas the 9th of Owyn’s Light when the Seventeenth Assembly was called. Delegates from around Ves attended within the Great Hall of the Prince’s Palace, and to many, it would have simply been another normal assembly meeting. However, this would not be the case, for it would be a monumental day in the history of the assembly.

 

Helton Hadrian arose, calling forth a quorum amongst the delegates only to realize that four seats had been left vacant from departures to the demon-hive that was Llyria. And so, like the assemblies before it, a raffle was conducted. Only six came forth, offering their honorably-acquired gains to purchase tickets. The raffle was conducted, and so four new assemblymen rose to take the place of those who abandoned the Republic. GOD bless Caleb Crider, Jayce Lancefeld, Caius Rhodes, and Robert Rovin.

 

Only one issue was brought forth to the assembly that day, a petition - a plea - issued by the Prince Regent Helton Hadrian Helvets. He sought order.

 

“There have been tea ceremonies in Ba'as more able in government than this worthless pit of gossip.” Simon of Bass remarking on the state of the Serene Republic of Ves, 1724.

 

“Within the past year alone, our Republic has fallen victim to all manner of vice and debauchery. The Beets began their insurrection, decimating the defenses of our Golden City. Were that not enough, our most Serene Prince, Ide Haraccus has abandoned his post, fleeing to Llyria whilst our people were stricken with the ratman menace!”

 

The assembly frowned - not because of the honorable Prince Regent - but instead due to the feeling of betrayal. The rowdy assemblymen who had dedicated their lives to Ves’s Military boo’d, cursing the name and the deeds of corruption. In the crowd, one could hear Assemblyman Rovin shout “Drain the Swamp!” Helton, ultimately, continued.

 

“I ask you, of the assembly, is this what our people deserve? In the past few years he was the second Prince to abandon Ves. Are we to hold ourselves as servants to this craven and that, over and over again?” He paused for some time, allowing the assembly to digest what was being said.

 

“I will tell you all of where I, as Prince-Procurate, have been since Ide abandoned the Republic! I was in the streets, fighting alongside the Caer Bann as the Beets sought to usurp our Republic! I fought and bled alongside the people of Ves as the ratmen besieged us from within our very walls!”

 

Those who were patriotic boomed at this, for they knew that the Prince did not simply talk the talk but instead walked the walk. The Regent had bled for his people, more than could be said for the previous heads of state. “Praise Helvets!” could be heard from the plethora of assemblymen, with claps and unruly cheers echoing throughout the hall.

 

“And I will tell you, my assembly, that we have won! The Beets have fled the realm, the ratmen lay broken and defeated! All while our supposed Prince has hid himself away in Llyria.”

“Helvets, Helvets, Helvets!” repeated those with patriotic fervor, becoming inspired by the speech.

 

“What I ask you now is the gravest of all favors. The PRINCE has FAILED. The REPUBLIC has FAILED. I ask you, the ASSEMBLY, to JOIN with me and reorganize Ves into THE FIRST DUCHY OF CATHALON!” Helvets exclaimed. His voice rang through the room, being heard by all. A pause was evident, for not even a rat’s squeak could be heard in the dead silence of the chamber. Helvets inhaled, concluding “For a safe and secure society…”

 

Those present knew; as did the populace, that Helvets was correct. There was need for change, and so, the hall was called to a vote. An overwhelming majority was reached, Seven patriotic men voted in Favor of the Duchy, No one dared object, and only Three Abstained. Thus, with a Two-Thirds Majority, the motion was passed, and so, the Republic was reorganized into the Grand Duchy of Cathalon. “CATHALON INVICTA!”

 

“I love Democracy...” said Helvets with a beautiful, elegant smile. And all bar those who slithered in grass knew from this day forward Ves would be on the incline, rather than the decline.

 

 

[Enlightenment 2300]

John frowned, but alas nodded, “The death of democracy was necessary, I see this now, Ave Cathalon, Ave Helton.”

[Reckless Banzai Screamer 15456]

Father Odus lost faith in democracy long ago when he was wrongfully imprisoned! 

 

“Good job, nephew. Not a single shed of blood. GOD BLESS!”

[1_Language_1 1671]

Matthias was not aware of these occurrences until he was summoned from his house. He paced back and forth in his mind, wondering how things could have been so skewed. The southeron rubbed his chin, deep in what was very conflicting and complex thought.

 

Upon his return to his home, he found his spaghetti sauce burnt.

”Well heck.” ((My curse word got censored.))

Matthias smiled softly before he began the process again.

 

 

 

 

 

((Ave the Duchy of Catheter))

[Abeam 511]

Caleb Crider sips at his sweet tea as he reads the paper, his boots kicked back onto the coffee table, “Glad somebodehs’ doin’ somethin’ round Ves fer’ once, them democrats ain’t fit t’run no country!”

[Taketheshot 3834]

Ser Henry curled his lips into a smile as those corrupted by vice and degeneracy fled the hall almost immediately after before quipping

“Two species of rats we have routed in recent days.” 

[HurferDurfer1 2979]

oldian celebrates in the streets with dance

[monkeypoacher 8055]

Joseph Nicéphore took a step out onto his balcony, the cold sea air kissing his face. The setting sun painted the sky above the water in fading hues of pink and orange, and he watched. The last sliver of the sun, shimmering on the water, snuffed out and dimmed the sky a deep purple.

 

A strange elation came over him. He’d lost almost everything but his sword and the clothes on his back. But it was done, he was free. Let the cards fall where they may, Joey Nicéphore made it out in one piece.

 

A woman screamed, off in some distant corner of the city he couldn’t see. As he looked up and breathed in, the smell of brine and sweat and piss filled his nose. Now, he thought, there was only the task of leaving this awful place.

[ApplePieKathy 561]

Vesna the Older cries from the seven skies 

[pokantu 48]

“Ich knev zhis vould happen!”A waldenian man muttered as he read the daily newspaper. “It ist gut tho, complete pover to zhe monarchy...”He grined as he put the daily paper down, attending his shop in the bazaar.

[frill 2277]

With the news of Helton’s shaky grip of democratic process finally falling loose being couriered to the farthest reaches of the world, a Rassidun political snake-charmer who had fled the city foreseeing the vipers beginning to nip at the hand that fed them soon began to work studious quill to vellum. The man’s brow furrowed as he tries to remember some endearing Illatian phrases of supplication as he jots down the scrawled Renatian address from the cover sheet of the stacked reeves of a years-old property-lawsuit. Pausing mid-word, he rises to his feet with a sudden exhale, making foot to ground as he begins to trek back to civilisation.

 

“-and Ave Adria, then.”

[DahStalker 3692]

Lucrecia the Aged weeps joyously for her son.