ET GLORIA ORENIA

[Draeris 3124]

‘The crowning of progress’ - 1790

 

ET GLORIA ORENIA

 

One’s progress can be determined through a myriad of methods: one prominently being to observe the extent of which one obsesses, displays and bases its right to exist off history and previous state of affairs. It is from this that scholars at times state that it is better for some things to die an organic death: as they no longer establish something new of substance, but rather cling onto old and passed glory. 

 

Looking at the zeitgeist of our Empire: we have almost collectively forgotten how recent humanity’s dark age was. Days of absolutist Pertinax reign, an insanity-driven Lord-Protector and a democracy hijacked by Haeseni saboteurs: these affairs coloured the daily lives of humanity, and installed a regime of terror and an atmosphere of fear within all echelons of mankind. Every victory was stained by these poisonous status quos: each bright light dimmed by the reluctance and fatigue to deal with notions from a dark past, that stubbornly refused to die off. It is from this frustration that mankind embraced Providence: the ability to foresee the correct path that humanity must walk, if it is to avoid descending into a darkness it had barely survived. And it is with this Providentia, that Her Imperial Majesty unshackled herself from Hanseti-Ruska, and loosened the reins of our civil society. 

 

What has God and its flock given in return? 

 

 

THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF MANKIND can find its first seeds planted by His Imperial Majesty Peter III, when he consciously refrained from authoritarian rule in favour of granting breathing space to his young judicial and democratic institutions.  But alas, these seeds remained relatively unnoticed for the commonfolk: as most fought for Hanseti-Ruska’s and Oren’s survival against a menacing coalition of barbarians and piastdoms: who made up for their lack of serious statecraft with brutish force. 

 

It shouldn’t be a surprise therefore that the saplings from these seeds first became noticed upon the ascension of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Anne: who embraced the first beams of this enlightenment and institutionalized them through her new bureaucratic apparatus. This succeeded because of two developments: 

 

On one hand, her appointment of statesmen that embraced the virtues of providence, ensured that the executive layer of Orenian government sought to use its authority responsibly and in a civil fashion. Brute displays of power and deadly political feuds turned into collegial differences of opinion, as the distinctions of lineages and peerages slowly faded away. In a climate where being Orenian reigned supreme over regional identifications, who were often delusional and self-serving in nature, these men of the enlightenment could peacefully formulate government reforms without risking the destruction of the apparatus itself. 

 

On the other hand, the political appetite of the people turned in favour of egalitarian and progressive politics. The consecutive defeats of the Everardines, with exception of the separatist Muldav movement, proved that a consensus in the Empire existed.  Mankind wanted devolved rule instead of absolute ones, and wanted to bring the lesser privileged and non-humans into the fold. Racial supremacy and pride through power was replaced with pride in civility, and whoever contradicted that consensus was electorally and socially punished. Rightfully so, as only the sick and delusional would desire a return to that dark age willingly. 

 

Those two developments are perhaps the greatest feats of Empress Anne’s so far short reign, although they happened relatively quickly and consecutively. One might forget that the Imperial Crown could have resorted to the regnal styles of yore, and undermine if not entirely dissolve all democratic institutions we currently enjoy.  It is thanks to the dominant philosophy of Providence that even the most powerful human of the world submits herself to these virtues, in turn bestowing a seemingly never ending Golden Age for our beloved Empire. 

 

Its sheer superiority as a philosophy and model transcends racial boundaries and inspires even our Elven and Dwarven brethren, prompting them to seek a better and more profound life within the confines of our Imperial capital. Once there, the newfound egalitarian virtues allows them to move through our bureaucracy and society unrestrained: some aiding our government diligently, and some even convincing a human electorate that they properly represent them.

 

This is perhaps taken for granted by those that live amidst this era of progress. Yet, barely decades ago, such a notion would be laughed at. The awkward freshness of this status quo cannot be ignored when its fruits are emphasized: as the contrast between the Empire now, and some decades ago, seem to be from different dimensions.  

 

 

THE ERA OF GREAT EQUALIZATION is barely decades old. Put that in perspective of the previous era lasting entire centuries: and you realize how unique this accomplishment is. Only because the right circumstances appeared at the right time, and the right people were at the helm, could a fragile sliver of hope be institutionalized and cemented into the undeniable reality of mankind. Had any person within a long chain of command thought differently, our current fate might’ve been radically worse. 

 

Such is the benevolent care of our Creator: facilitating temporal developments so that his will manifests itself through his flock. A reality where all his creations enjoy the rights and privileges necessary for a proper life, one where the descendant of a king now lives amongst the commoners in an apartment. God’s desire for his benevolence to be exercised on our mortal plane eradicates the often arbitrary and cruel distinctions that once dominated our discourse. Being a descendant of a high peer, having an ancestor that once led wars, no longer protects you from the consequences of the law and the society that it protects. A King’s descendant must pay tax as any citizen, and a commoner of no particular lineage can compete against him in fair elections. 

 

External forces may frown and laugh at this notion, but only because these selective few wield the scepter of might. That hundreds beneath them suffer, are stripped from opportunity or find their personal growth undermined: is irrelevant to them. A silent majority hibernates as their soldiers patrol the streets and behead and persecute at a single man’s whim. A hated man is sufficiently protected in Oren to cultivate his path to redemption: a hated man elsewhere is found dead on the pavement.

 

This too is God’s benevolence: who finds all of his creations redeemable. The sheer fact that the primitive instincts and dangerous passions of man can no longer translate into harmful acts of barbarism against another, despite that being the case for nearly all of our existence, represents a simple fact: that through Providence, we have achieved the epitome of civility.

 

That we have done so without weakening the integrity of God’s mandate bestowed upon Her Imperial Majesty, His Holiness the High Pontiff or the practical might of our sword and pen: is the testament of our superior statecraft that cannot be replicated elsewhere. For it is irrelevant what Monarch, Piast or Warlord ascends into power outside of Oren’s bastion of civility: everything they create and represent is antiquated in comparison to our ways of life and governance. 

 

And so they laugh at our expansive bureaucracy, rooted progressivism and civil society: but once a single arbitrary decision by their liege means the end of their entire lineage, livelihood or existence: every free citizen of Oren would not laugh back: for he would only pity his fellow human that is shackled to the darkness of yore. 

 

If only the era of great equalization was equally applied among all of mankind. Perhaps if Hanseti-Ruska was a more mature society and government, perhaps if its people saw what enlightenment would mean for their own lives and kinfolk: would they have stayed around long enough to enjoy the fruits of this golden age. But as their calendar counts backwards, with the sun there slowly going under the horizon: it is Oren that shall shine bright in the distance, as there the sun has only started to come up. 

 

And that is the glory of Oren: that we have conquered the final plane before Providence. Namely, our own temptations and primitive nature. An unmatched self restraint and degree of civilization that is the envy of the world, even if the world reluctantly chooses to deny that. But for as long as Oren will shine: a window of opportunity will exist for our brethren outside of it. They too can embrace the virtues of Providence, and come into our fold as equals under God and our law. They too can lead a life of meaning: all they need to do, is to reach out towards it. 

 

 

Authored by:

Adrian Othodoric Helvets

 

[Nectorist 12869]

“Your maturation, at least in matters involving the pen, is finally beginning to show,” Franz tells Adrian over tea as he eats another spoonful of Albarosan powder. ”I do enjoy seeing fellow authors finally join the fray.”

[CrownedLime747 162]

“An excellent piece by the Leader of Her Imperial Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition, his penmanship is truly magnificent. Ave Orenia!” Says Lajos as he puffs from his Rochefort cigar.

[Lhindir_ 3691]

“A fine paper.” Commented Ostromir, handing such off.