The Carrington Statement

[EddyTheBrave 643]

 

Jasper Carrington in exile.

 

---

 

I WRITE THIS TO YOU WITH a heavy heart. It is troubling to see the series of events that have unfolded within the jewel of the empire. For understandable reasons, it is even more troubling to see it attributed to me yet again. It is said that when a rock is turned in Helena, the first to blame is a Carrington. Firstly, despite the violent allegations, I give my due to the late pontiff - may he rest in peace. 

 

The only crime committed was my foolishness in believing this all would be properly dealt, but as you all could witness, it has declined to absolute chaos. I have since kept silence and assured others to do the same, thinking a lack of response to melodramatic claims would eventually subdue it. But a fervent bull cannot be easily subdued. I give my following narrative to dispel the harmful lies not only to my name, but to the city of Helena and the crown’s empire. 

 

I am writing this as a public statement, because there is a substantial chance my words will be distorted upon the trial’s day. Allow this to be definitive evidence that these are my words, and will stand true in the coming trial. Within the events of the pontiff’s demise, I have been nothing but transparent and cooperative as anyone reading can attest. 

 

The truth to what occurred: 

 

To provide some contextual information, a branch of the Carrington company was publicly hired by the Pontiff and his associates for construction, installing an extension next to the church a saint’s week prior to his death. I should note, we were paid the full amount without any issue, the transaction was smooth and amicable. I say this, to disway any notion that the transaction didn’t go well and dispelling any fabrication that this gave motive to harming the Pontiff. I have the signed contract of the construction project, and I suggest searching the church’s records and mine for when the full promised payment was given - which was far before his death. 

 

As I told everyone including witnessing investigators, I did have a meeting with the pontiff prior to his death. Mind you it was not ‘ten saint minutes’ as the clergy claims, it was about half a saint’s hour prior. I was concluding the finishing touches of the construction project and leaving it permanently exiting the church, and in the same moment the Pontiff passed by its entrance. With him was Cardinal Arthur and the priest Boniface. Seeing the opportunity, I said publicly outside with all of the Helena traffic to hear, that I asked to see if the Pontiff wanted the garden’s floral decor to be added or not. Mind you, we have made several exchanges about the construction project, discussing the trivial details and additions. This was no exception, as Pontian and I have grown to become informal and friendly, sharing similar dispositions and interests and sharing many conversations. From there, he exclaimed that he wanted to see for himself. It was from there that we walked inside towards the garden, though Arthur and Boniface were idly walking with us. We have discussed our mutual satisfaction with the construction project, and his thoughts of the floral decor not being a necessity. I recall seeing Arthur and Boniface walking around the garden’s peripherals, though did not make a questioning note of it for obvious reasons. After this very brief exchange, I subsequently left thinking of the rest of my day’s agenda, with the clergymen still lingering in the church. 

 

When I heard the news about thirty minutes later, I was sitting comfortably in my office at the Carrington Shop in Helena, surrounded by two of my secretaries. One who has informed me only mere moments after the assassination was uncovered, to which we exchanged thoughtful words about him, and where I even had the secretary purchase a red and white boquet from Mary’s floral shop, which I’m sure the shopkeeper can attest. Hours prior to this, all of the employees can also witness I was at the shop’s office since the morning, long before the pontiff’s unfortunate demise. The only time I left was to finalize the construction project aforementioned

 

It was shortly after my discussion with the secretaries that an ISA investigator, Rylan Swint, calmly asked me to follow him to the church to answer questions. I arrived at the church, to where I was bombarded with verbal attacks from clergymen, already throwing accusations that I was behind this incident. Rylan Swint led by through the church, asking me if I was the one who destroyed the entrance apparently used to break into the extension. I responded with ‘No, that was long destroyed by what I remembered to be church members, at the inception of the construction project.’ I assumed it was to allow the construction workers accessibility to the site. Rylan Swint, satisfied with the answer, left. From there, the clergymen halted me within the church and demanded answers. There was a guard there, to my recollection it was Sir Alexander Pruvia who witnessed it. The clergymen aggressively interrogated me, cutting me off several times and attempting to manipulate my answers and what I stated above. Despite this, I remained a calm demeanor, answering cooperatively despite the insulting connotation, for I was sympathetic that their anger was warranted considering their very Pontiff died - I would feel just as enraged in their position.

 

The dubious arrest:

 

On the same day, as evening engulfed the city of Helena, I was still in my office. Already answering the church’s and ISA aforementioned questioning, I resumed through my secretaries’ provided agenda. At this time I was meeting with a Hou-zi and a blonde man about employment opportunities regarding the Carrington tavern’s new section. Attending the meeting was the company lawyer Friedrich Stafyr, along with the secretary Alpha. 

 

Amidst this, we were abruptly interrupted by a reckless Solicitor-General, Joseph Adler. With him was guardsman Dane and Aplex. The trio disgustingly barged in, harassing my secretary with demanding entry, forcefully pushing past their way within the meeting. Here was where Mr. Adler wrothfully charged me with the murder of the High Pontiff. From there, I was viciously apprehended and cuffed despite my cooperation, being dragged out. During this, Joseph Adler roughly attacked the witnessing secretary, ripping one of our many agendas in attempt of arresting her. It should be a disclaimer that this one secretary is a 13 year old urchin, confused as to why she was being violently harassed. It was then that Dane savagely attacked my face, grinding it against the office wall for verbally protesting this act against the little girl. Dazed, I was then taken into custody and violently thrown into the cell. Then they subsequently left, to arrest the secretary and lawyer. 

 

The justified evasion:

 

During this chaotic and overly brutal arrest, I was wondering why such a small force of ISA men were being so disturbingly violent. There was a connotation that this arrest was questionably rushed, and seemingly discrete. Why was it so exceptionally violent, considering the ISA’s famous professionality and discipline? Why was it enacted so rushed, considering such a charge would normally be treated with meticulous caution? These questions would soon be answered, as I momentarily sat in the cell.

 

Mere moments after they left to arrest those in the office room, my cell door was unlocked by an unrecognizable guard. As the door creaked open, he stood in his uniform and face on the other side.

 

“Mr. Carrington, you must leave - now.” the shadow figure hushed.

 

Shaking my head, I responded that I refuse to leave. I knew I was in the right, considering I was innocent and with no evidence correlating me with the accused crime. I had absolute confidence and faith the judiciary system would see to it that this is properly handed, as has every incident involving an accused Carrington.

“This is different, Jasper. They do not want a trial, they will kill you in these cells.” the same figure now exclaimed.

 

Processing this immediate threat to my life, he came in and rushed me out while occasionally looking over his shoulder. Cautiously, the unknown figure discretely smuggled me out of the prison, all the way to Helena’s outside entrance. Without saying any additional words, he left me stranded and still cuffed. From there, I evaded the manhunt and made it to one of the many foreign safehouses. 

 

Who framed Jasper?

 

As I sit here writing this, I have had plenty of time to think despite the overwhelming paranoia and constant evasion of amateur bounty hunters. I can confirm that there is a larger conspiracy here, pinning me as a scapegoat. Weaponizing my position, several people seek my death, along with the pontiff. I will not act like the clergymen and be rash by accusing every member of Oren as stated in ‘The Carrington Report’. There was accused the entire military, every politician, and all figures of society as assailants in this heinous crime. This absurd accusation has even dubbed it the Rhenyari Conspiracy, giving the connotation that this is even attributed to an entire race of Oreners. The only agreement I can make is that there is a mysterious conspiracy at hand. One that I admittingly cannot unravel myself. I will not pretend to know why or what is occuring, and why I am being framed for this act. There is a lingering wickedness in Oren, a sinister plot that is surfacing that has strung the common men into believing this facade with a narrative. I ask citizens to heed to their own conclusions, and question all parties amongst them. 

 

Who is Jasper?

 

Firstly, I want the passionate citizens of Helena to consider all that is at hand here. Realize what is being disturbingly told to you about an honorable man. As every citizen can attest, I have done nothing but work my entire life to better the empire. Immigrating from isles of the east, I swiftly joined the fledgling ISA and led a group of the now few Gunners in the war. Our brigade led the siege against the orcs, our high caliber decimating the enemies with our ability to wield artillery. Additionally, honored for this merit, I have since led the ISA 1st brigade for four saint’s months during the following war against the AIS. With the aid of the amazing members of our military, we have prevailed and crushed our enemies. Any veteran, any participants of this gruesome war, can remember my contributions along with my fellow men in prevailing this war and the horrifying atrocities within it. 

 

Afterwards, forming the Carrington Company with the senior executives, we have made tremendous strides. Aiding a declining Helena, we have revived and restored the capital of humanity. Introducing a bustling economy, we have facilitated the immigration of an uncountable amount of refugees into Helena. We have funded every ambitious merchant despite their lack of experience, into having their own shop and dreams fulfilled. A fine example of this is Jason and his bakery, along with Nadya’s smithy, and so on. We have constructed and paid for several amenities never before seen in Helena. A public barn, a public farm, a public mine, and welcoming free houses. We have supplied the majority of the military’s recruits equipment, supplied the majority of the construction of the city’s restoration with workers and material, and have filled the city/crown’s vault tremendously. And this is all only in Helena, excluding the success in other cities. Our contribution, despite the countless perils and hurdles thrown at us, is unimaginable. 

I only say of my feats to explain what is at stake here. With this said, I am sure several enemies and dark forces want this all to end. Should the Carringtons be chased from the city, it is hard to comprehend how much of the empire’s success will be irreversibly damaged. I have done nothing but try to better my fellow man, as all who know me or a Carrington can confirm. This is why I am devastated at what has happened. 

 

What is to happen:

 

I cannot sit in seclusion while this chaos escalates. While I fear for my safety, I will be returning to Helena’s imprisonment despite these false charges and possibility of my imminent death. Peace is what I strive for, and I know very well I am guilty of nothing except a justified escape. Should I be killed upon my return whether by rogue agents in a cell or by a dubious and questionable trial, let it be known that I walk into this willingly. I hope that the arbiters of justice will objectively bring a just trial, one without influence from subjective and emotional outside claims. I ask they question why I would kill and burn the pontiff after such a mutually successful project, and why I would do it in broad daylight with several witnesses and public knowledge of this meeting. I ask they try to empathize with the rationale of my escape from the prison. I ask they seriously consider not adhering to the dramatic lies proclaimed, and to consider all those that would have motive for the pontff’s assassination - recognizing that I would be the last to have any. 

 

With this, I thank the reader for taking the time to read the candid truth. Should I die for a crime I did not commit, I want those to remember not defamation and lies, but to remember the contribution we have all collectively made and are still making in building what is before us - and how hysteria makes scapegoats of good men. Nothing above the empire. 

 

Signed by Jasper Carrington

[ARCHITECUS 4788]

“An innocent man wouldn’t flee from justice.” Corporal Hinweiser declares as he closes in on the outlaw Jasper.

[CraftTilt 19]

Aye, tis be a sad time when Jasper be in exile... Our city has gone a bit crazy since

[DISCOLIQUID 2701]

Grouch gasps at this missive too!

[1_Language_1 1671]

8 minutes ago, ARCHITECUS said:

“An innocent man wouldn’t flee from justice.” Corporal Hinweiser declares as he closes in on the outlaw Jasper.

A bystander on the road watches Corporal Hinweiser pass by and close in. ”An innocent man would flee from justice, if said justice was not truly fair. It’s not justice if it’s corrupted.” He comments, as he sips his Earl Grey tea from the Cleo Tea Shop.

 

[ReveredOwl 5639]

“Nothing mentioned about the disappearance of Boudewijin Haas... interesting.” said Boniface. “One would find it very confusing why you would organise a meeting with the Pontiff to discuss planting a few seeds which you were already being paid to do..”

[CraftTilt 19]

1 minute ago, ReveredOwl said:

“Nothing mentioned about the disappearance of Boudewijin Haas... interesting.” said Boniface. “One would find it very confusing why you would organise a meeting with the Pontiff to discuss planting a few seeds which you were already being paid to do..”

 

“Unless he be getting more information on the project” exclaimed Euric angrily, “Maybe he wanted to know how much he had to do!”

[ReveredOwl 5639]

4 minutes ago, TheeRottenPotato said:

 

“Unless he be getting more information on the project” exclaimed Euric angrily, “Maybe he wanted to know how much he had to do!”

“But he already said the project was complete and all that remained was plants..” replied Boniface.

[Capace 559]

“Don’t care, didn’t ask, plus you’re a criminal.” Daniel states while sipping yet another FINE wine.

[Ivoreyy 2303]

Mary furrows her brows, checking her shop ledger. It would appear to her that the bouquet was indeed sold at the time Jasper claimed.

 

She frowned, now unsure.

[Aplex 115]

Aplex doesn’t remember barging in on the meeting but never the less, he worries for the fate of his old captain.

[Yaldabaoth 746]

A local vagrant raises his brows as he reads the missive