The Valwyck Pact

[MadOne 4945]

The Valwyck Pact

13th of Tov and Yermey, 308 ES | 13th of Sun's Smile, 1755

“To protect our own”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFLnx9m4cgU

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It was in the misty and wintery morning, that hooves thunered across the landscape that surrounded the Duchy of Valwyck, with riders from all over the Haeseni landscape approaching as the Baruch household hurried to the windows to spot the expected newcomers. Kegs of Carrion Black stood ready, with the fresh boar roasted on the spit. The servantry had been waiting at the Lord Baruch’s discretion, ready to serve the newcomers. It was then the nature of the visit had been clear; This was a meeting. First came the Rutherns, riding atop their warlike horses, with Lord Justiciar Konstantin Ruthern leading the party. The Vanir party would arrive as custom, through boats and their seafaringcapabilities, with Lord Speaker Henrik at the helm. Following them, Lord Marshal Erwin Konrad Barclay would arrive in a steady trot. 

 

The Arrival of the Vanir party.

The vast bloodlines of these great Houses had gathered to discuss a common goal, at the behest of their Patriarchs; Unity and prosperity.

 

 These talks would happen in the Valwyck keep, with a mixture of relatives and courtiers joining the formal moot. The conversation went from the latest legislative measures in building to far more controversial topics, such as the social makeup of the Duma, the future of Haense, the quality of the army, and the relationships between different Houses. While the Patriarchs, and their dynasties were conversing, the difference between them has shown a stark contrast, with Ancient Karovic Houses such as Ruthern, sitting on the same table along with their newfound Barclay counterparts. These differences in origin were compensated by the similarities of thought.

 

With every sentence that was spoken, the lords have reached in a consensus about their visions, expressing a future of prosperity for their relationships, along with their newfound friends. As the Houses decided to put their newfound friendship onto parchment, The Valwyck Pact was established.

 

 

 

 

A depiction of the feast.

 

 

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Terms

 

 

This pact hereby lays out the principles to an accord agreed upon by the signatories, to be adhered to by their respective Houses. Violation of this pact shall be considered oath breaking.

 

 

 

Section I - On defining the Signatories

“Let the die be cast.” 

-Osvald Anton Barclay

 

The signatories entailed in this pact are as follows for the time being;

 

I.  The House of Baruch

II. The House of Gant

III. The House of Ruthern

IV. The House of Ruthern-Batavus

V. The House of Vanir

VI. The House of Barclay

VII. The Line of Barbanov-Gant

 

 

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Section II - ON MATTERS OF GRIVEANCES

“There is a reason that the Koeng is chosen by Godan himself, and that is because he was born to rule! Any other man should not be ruling alone, else the authority will go to his head!”

-Fiske Petyr Vanir

-The current Regency  intends on disenfranchising multiple noble cadet branches, without holding that same sentiment to his own line, also a cadet branch.

-The refusal to afford multiple noble families their deserved land as mandated by noble right and privilege. 

-The attempted forcing of the nobility to maintain a singular and uniform culture and architecture, restricting the individuality of each noble house

-The over-reaching influence of the regent and his authority into matters of nobility

-The practice of nepotism in the central royal government pertaining to the Regency, including the House of Alimar as an extension of the Royal family.

 

 

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Section III - ON MATTERS OF DEFENSE AND TRADE

“It is true indeed, for niet house was ever considered to be regent, besides House Alimar.” -Petyr Siegmund Baruch

 

In terms of mutual defense, all signatories herein;

-Agree to respect each other’s territorial boundaries.

-Pledge themselves to defend one another, the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, and it’s crown when assaulted, both militarily and diplomatically.

-Commit to a mutual agreement of free-trade between each other, in which all commerce shall flow freely.

-Agree to not commit to a future feud until the pact expires.

 

 

 

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Section IV - ON MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE

“We take this risk, but we all take it together.” -Siguine var Ruthern

 

The Signatories herein pledge;

-To-ensure the morals and principles of the Kingdom of Haense are upheld

-To uphold the crown that lies on the head of House Barbanov.

-To not allow the rights of the nobility to be infringed upon.

-To defend the  right to own land, to titles, to hold retinues in times of war.

-To uphold the liberties and rights of the common citizen of Haenseti-Ruska.

 

All signatories reaffirm their oaths to House Barbanov and the King

 

 

 

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IV JOVEO MAAN AG KOENG,

 

HIS GRACE,  Lord Petyr Siegmund of the House of Baruch, Duke of Valwyck, Count of Ayr, Baron of Laval, Voron, and Riveryn, Lord of Valstadt Castle, and Guardian of the Haeseni Coast

 

 

HIS EXCELLENCY,  Lord Henrik of the House of Vanir, Baron of Vasiland, and Kraken’s Watch, and Lord Speaker of the Kingdom of Haense

 

 

HIS EXCELLENCY,  Lord Konstantin Joren of the House of Ruthern, Count of Mettereden, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Helmhotz and Ivanhall, and Lord Justicar of the Kingdom of Haense

 

 

HIS EXCELLENCY,  Lord Erwin Konrad of the House of Barclay, Count of Reinmar, Baron of Freising, Sigrad and Lord Marshal of the Kingdom of Haense

 

 

THE HONORABLE,  Lord Ivan of House Batavus, Viscount of Batavia

 

 

HIS LORDSHIP,  Lord Emerich Leopold of the House of Gant, Baron of Gant

 

 

HER HIGHNESS, Princess Frida Emelie of House Barbanov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CaptainHaense 1154]

Petyr Baruch looks around at the gathered lords, raising a glass of Carrion Black from his dais “Today, we take a great stride forward. The future of our glorious Dual-Monarchy will only benefit from our mutual declaration of friendship and cooperation. AVE HAENSE! AVE BARBANOV!” The man would shout with great vigor and enthusiasm, a look of determination plastered across his face.

[MadOne 4945]

Osvald Anton Barclay lifts his glass of Carrion Black, as the Patriarchs sign the pact, ensuring friendship to stay stalwart between the houses. 

[Imperium 3495]

Siguine var Ruthern takes a deep breath, “Now we wait.” He rides home beside his uncle, his thoughts drifting toward the future.

[hippo 626]

Henrik Vanir would raise a tankard of Carrion to all of those around him. “For the betterment of this great Kingdom and her people – the Valwyck Pact.” He’d then sail home, locking himself and his sons in their chambers for the night.

[Twandhi 384]

Ivan Ruthern-Batavus would raise his glass with the others, feeling happy to br amongst his best allies.

[seannie 7443]

The King of Haense in his youthfulness sticks a finger up his nose while no one is looking.

[MikoMonster 1396]

Annaliese Baruch nods as she reads over the terms after watching the lords sign the document. ”Alright... alright. I doubted it, but you’ve proved your wits again, brother.” She chuckles as she raises her gaze to Petyr’s, giving a nod of satisfaction. ”Ave Haense, Ave Barbanov.”

[Drew2_dude 2636]

Sigmar watches as his son quickly makes a name for himself in his new position.
 

Emerich Smiles excitedly as he drinks Carrion Black with his fellow Lords, “and so we blaze a path that none have traveled before. May Godan guide us. Ave Barbanov!”

 

 

[HurferDurfer1 2978]

Mr Wick frowns at such a divisive announcement, seeing it as the many nobles and petty houses seeking to  take power into their own hands.

[rukio 8924]

Lily claps for the announcement. ”Very nice. Now where is my tea...” She’d look around, retrieving her favorite tea, sipping it. 

[InactiveAccount.PNG 54]

Ander Beck hears news of this pact, a grin appearing on his face as once more he looks to his satchel where the now dusty ledger of commissions lie. Upon taking a deep breathe, he gently lifts the ledger, sweeping the dust  from its leather cover. Almost in a sense of pride he unlocks it, going through each of the unfinished commissions with a smile, “Well... It seems my work isn’t finished yet? It is?” He questioned, peering down to the now adult fox that followed him around. “Well... back to work we go.” And with those words, Ander kindled the lamps, settling himself down upon his work bench. Throughout the night the Architect worked tirelessly, as if driven by some fiery passion, an urge within. 

[EnderMaiashiro 664]

Marcella Avern-Barclay picks her head up from where she was grooming a large black dog, the well weathered former baroness offering a smile as a young boy ran into the courtyard with the news. “Things are looking up- a good thing has begun. Let us hope it remains well as mein liebe intended, as he formed our sanctuary amongst a world of men.” With that she lowered her gaze once more to finish pulling out the last of the snarls with a brush. Giving the dog a treat as it trotted off, her hand gripped onto her father’s staff as she slowly pulled herself to her feet with a chuckle. The greyed highlander shuffling her way back into the keep once more to prepare the night’s dinner with the help of the other women of the household.

[Jaigalar 541]

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[Burnsider 4566]

Liesl sipped at her glass of port, reading over the pact that her husband had brought home. Her daughter lay on the bench, her head in Liesl's lap, sleeping soundly. The light of the fire brought enough light to read the words etched on the parchment, and her lips smiled with pride as she saw what her husband's House (and many others) had accomplished this day. 

 

She sipped again at her port, admiring how the document was put together. As written, and as devised, it left no conflict within her. She was loyal to a fault to her cousin by marriage, but she was also the Grand Lady of the Royal Courts of Hanseti-Ruska. Even so, she knew that this pact would strengthen three things: the noble houses, the house Barbanov, and the dual kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska itself.

 

She finished her port and set the glass in the table. The crystal meeting the oak echoed around the quiet room, intruding upon the crackle of the fire. Liesl closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Ave Haense. Ave Barbanov. Well done, my love."