The Final Story

[Dyl 2088]

If this letter has received you, let it be known I have passed. I’ve lived a full life, one I am very grateful to have lived. Not many can say they arrived in Oren as an immigrant and ended as an advisor to the Emperor. Enclosed are short biographies on several important Rhenyari individuals, myself included. For years we fought to protect the Empire from her enemies, and as I grew older, I fear many would fade into nothing. I wrote these so that the future Rhenyari will know of their predecessors, and what we did to ensure their future, but also so they will have heroes to emulate and even succeed.

 

---

Sir Darius “The Colonel” Sabari

 

 

Sir Darius Sabari, or as we called him, The Colonel, was a man of great renown. He was one of the many Rhenyari that fled Ba’as during the coup against my Uncle Caspian. Uncle Simon has told me that during the days of their youth, The Colonel was not the soldier we knew today. During their childhood, Darius Sabari was often enthralled in the history of our ancestors. As a child he held quite the big collection of Rhenyari tales and stories. His fascination with these stories and the history of our people led him to desire to be a scholar. He wanted to research ancient history, connect the dots which had been lost overtime, but as many will tell you, life is not a straight path, there may be twists and turns all throughout and oftentimes the end goal is not what was originally planned.

 

Colonel Sabari fled Ba’as with my family, he was one of our closest friends and supporters, so it made for a target on his back. We eventually found our home in Helena, the old capital of Oren, and it was here that Colonel Sabari, and many of Rhenyars would make a name for themselves. The Oren we found was different than the Oren we know today, it was a dark time, our military was scarce, and a war loomed on our horizon. Colonel Sabari and many other Rhenyars would enlist in the Imperial State Army, where we would form the 2nd Brigade, or more commonly known as The Gunners. At one point, I dare say the Gunners stood as Helena’s only line of defense, and Colonel Sabari stood as one of our leaders. He embraced the ISA, staying in it as many of us left and took on other roles. He stayed, and continued to build it up. Eventually The Colonel found himself as Peter III’s Secretary of War, but unlike the other Secretaries, Colonel Sabari chose not to go by His Excellency, or even take the role of General in the ISA, he stuck with ‘The Colonel.’ I’ve often wondered why he did not elevate himself to General or go by Secretary, I can only assume that he thought it sounded cooler.

 

The Colonel was more than an officer of the army, under his watch, the ISA also became heavily involved with the infrastructure of Oren. They would help with roadwork, help farm, and even gather materials for the numerous renovations in Helena. There exists a painting of the Colonel sitting on scaffolding as he looks over the city. I laugh upon recalling this memory, but I cannot seem to find the painting anywhere. Darius Sabari was a huge part of the architectural revolution that took place in Helena, commissioning many young architects to design the homes and shops of the once bloodied city. No matter how one looks at it, the contributions Darius Sabari made for Oren were monumental. It was under him that the ISA truly began to resemble an army and it was he who often had to face off against bandits and the many states which sought Oren’s destruction time and time again. The Colonel’s story would end in Sutica, it was his retirement home and where he wished to spend his last days.

 

---

Sir Simon Basrid

 

My Uncle Simon, even now he stands as a hero to me. When we first fled Ba’as, it was Simon who led the way. He was the one who warned Caspian of the coup and found us refuge in Oren. He was the first Basrid to come to Oren, making his home in the City of Ves. There he found himself in the company of High Pontiff Daniel VI, and from then he would have a good relation with the Church, and this relation with the Church helped him establish himself in Oren. Having found himself in a good position, he returned to Ba’as, this time bringing the rest of his family with him. It is because of Simon that I was able to grow up here, and it was because of his thinking that the House of Basrid survived the coup against it.

 

Simon was the first to join the ISA out of any Rhenyar. Working his way up to Colonel before Darius Sabari would make his name, it was largely left to Simon to begin rebuilding Oren’s army. He was very important to forming the Gunners. Truth be told, Simon left the steps for Darius Sabari to walk up, not to say that Simon is the reason why Darius Sabari was able to build so effectively, but he sure played a part in it. Simon Basrid is not known for his work in the ISA however, he’s most known for his role as Archchancellor. Before Peter III had become emperor, he lived as Antony Sigismundic in Ves. The two would become good friends, and when Peter III became emperor, he chose Simon Basrid to be the Vice-Chancellor, then eventually his Archchancellor. He and Peter III worked in sync, he was the calm to the Emperor’s storm. In Oren’s history, we’ve never seen farfolks rise as fast as we’ve seen them in recent years. Simon was one of the men leading this wave. He was Oren’s first farfolk Archchancellor, now making it possible for farfolk or possibly even other races to rise in the government.

 

Simon Basrid was also a mage. Magic is rare in Oren, but back in Ba’as, magic is more common. Simon’s love of magic helped establish magic within modern Oren. Throughout much of Oren’s history, mages and the practice of magic were largely seen as taboo. Under Simon’s careful eye, the practice of outcasting mages soon ended. The short lived Order of Providence was created, and while it did not succeed, the very notion of a mage order meant new opportunities for them. No longer would they be forced to hide or run, they could practice magic within Oren. A man of many talents, that’s what Simon Basrid was. From magic to bureaucracy, he did it all.

 

 

 

---

Jasper Carrington

 

 

Jasper Carrington was like a brother to me. It was him who encouraged me to join the ISA and he was seen as the leader of the Gunners. He was also one of the many Rhenyars who fled from Ba’as. Jasper was, to put it mildly, a controversial person. Nevertheless, he was one of my closest friends and someone I knew always had my back. Jasper’s story, like many of us, began as an immigrant in Ba’as. I cannot remember what Jasper did during his childhood. I hear he had a knack for causing trouble however, and it would almost always be bailed out by my uncles. Jasper’s mother was a cousin of my family, she was from a different branch of our family, but Jasper was raised with my father and uncles. 

 

Jasper’s rise in Orenian society started the same way that it did for many of us, as a member of the Gunners. In fact, Jasper was seen as one of our leaders aside from Prince Rupert. Jasper’s life from here on would change. Was it for the better? Even I cannot say, for after his time in the Gunners, Jasper would continuously find himself in some sort of controversy. Probably one of the biggest controversies Jasper found himself in was his marriage to an elf. When we emigrated to Helena, it was almost deserted. We came and we quickly found ourselves making up a good portion of Helena’s population. Jasper, being a young man at the time, wanted to find a woman to marry, and because of Helena’s lack of people, he could not find one. He opted for the next solution, to marry an elf. Around this time, the Adrians were resurging and in one of their Dumas, Jasper wed an elf. The Church was outraged, but they lacked the moral support to enforce Church law. After a few years, Jasper and his wife would have a son- Peridot, whom I personally looked after when Jasper died and saw as a nephew.

 

Jasper’s elf controversy pales in comparison to the next one. As I said earlier, the Church at the time did not have the best standing during the period. The pontiff at the time did not help the warm relations either. Pontian III was the standing pontiff at the time and he and the Carringtons did not get along. It did not help that the Carringtons’ believed Pontian III to be scheming. The sour relations between the two parties led to Pontian III’s untimely assassination. In the trial dubbed “The Trial of the Century,” Jasper Carrington was accused of orchestrating the assassination of the Pontiff. Against all odds, he was found innocent due to a lack of evidence. After such a life, one would think he would have been ostracized from society right? No, Jasper Carrington would go back to serving the Empire. He first served under the then Duke of Helena, now Emperor Joseph II, then he would go on to become the Secretary of Interior himself. Jasper, after all his controversy, after everything that happened, was always a patriot at heart.

 

 

 

---

Cyrus Basrid

 

My father, Cyrus Basrid was the life of Helena. Everyone knew him and loved him, I cannot name a single person who hated my father. He was always there when someone needed him, even watching over two orphans. Those two orphans would come to look upon Cyrus like a father as well, so I guess in a way they were siblings to me. My father will tell you he was foolish as a child, he married young to an older woman- my mother. I never met her, for she died of illness right after my birth, leaving a young Cyrus to raise me on his own, but I must give it to my father. For being so young himself, he managed to find the time to raise me. Of course, he always had my uncles to give him advice, but Cyrus was a good father. One of his most iconic features was his laugh. I remember telling my father how he was to become a grandfather and the look on his face was priceless. He was a man who could make any person feel at home.

 

A Gunner like myself, the Imperial State Army was not where he’d make his mark. Cyrus Basrid was one in the first class of legislators in the Empire. In the earlier half of the Eighteenth Century, Oren created a senate to handle legislating and relieve the Emperor of one of his duties. Cyrus would go on to serve five terms. He was a favorite in Helena. About fifteen years later, he decided to re-enter politics and run again. Cyrus would have won too, were it not for many of his votes being ruled invalid. 

 

After being in Oren for a while, Cyrus was approached by Anna Maria, the Princess of Pruvia at the time and was given a preposition. She wanted to take him as a husband. I was not fond of the marriage, for one, I was serving as Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the time and Anna Maria was my Undersecretary. It would have been weird for her to be my underling, yet be my stepmother. But this was not the main reason I opposed the marriage, Cyrus was going to marry matrilineally, meaning that he was to join the House of Pruvia. While I held nothing against them, I held extreme pride for the House of Basrid and my Rhenyari roots. I was not fond of my future siblings not sharing my last name at first. As I grew older, I learned to let it slide, although I would still prefer them to use their Rhenyari heritage more. Cyrus, like many of us Rhenyars, lived a life full of change. He would die a few years after learning of the separation of Haense and Oren, it being too much for my old man to take. 

 

---

Sir Jahan Basrid

 

And finally we reach the last Rhenyari hero, myself. It might be a bit presumptuous to give myself that title, but I will leave that up to the future. I am mainly known for my work as Governor of the Palace or as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, but truth be told, I wanted neither. I had originally wanted to serve in the ISA with my father and brothers of the Gunners. I did not serve long, but it was long enough to see warfare. I was only thirteen when we sieged the orcs, and I was surprised a boy my age was allowed to fight. Maybe it was because at the time, the Empire did not have as big of an army as we do now, but nevertheless, I do not regret it. I would have continued my service were it not for a summon by Peter III. The Emperor summoned me because he wanted me to serve as his Secretary of Foreign Affairs. I was shocked, I had just turned fourteen! I did not want to become a Secretary, at the time all I thought about was becoming a soldier of the Empire and fighting in the upcoming wars. Little did I know I would fight, but not in the same sense as the ISA.

 

I accepted His Imperial Majesty’s request, becoming the youngest person to ever join the Cabinet at the age of fourteen. My Uncle had them falsify my records, for while there was no law preventing it, it did not look right to have a boy serving among men. A fourteen year old boy was now one of the top officials of the empire, and he had his work cut out for him. This was during the time of the Rubern War, meaning the world was practically against us, so I had to get to work. Unlike many of my successors, I chose to handle many things myself, for during these times it was dangerous to be a diplomat, much more dangerous if you were Orenian. Many of our citizens would be captured, ransomed, or outright murdered. I could not in good conscious send out fellow citizens to potentially meet this fate. Sadly, I must say my time as Secretary of Foreign Affairs was uneventful. Many of the polities I spoke with were unwavering in their views, either citing that Oren has transgressed too far for them to stop or that they could not break oaths to their allies. This left me very disheartened and unmotivated, what good is a foreign ambassador who cannot get diplomats to speak to him? I decided I wanted to focus on my work as Governor of the Palace, so I retired at the age of thirty-four after two decades of service.

 

For the next twenty years, I dedicated myself to raising my family and to my work as Governor of the Palace. Through this opportunity I managed to form good relations with many in the Imperial Family, including Peter III and his two daughters. It was around this time I lost my wife, may she rest in peace. I found solace in spending time with my children and the young Novellens. It was around this time my eldest son would take a liking to Princess Elizabeth, the firstborn of the then Princess Imperial, Anne I. For the next couple years, I spent my time teaching the young children of the palace and presiding over court. Even though I was retired, I would still sit in on Cabinet Meetings as an advisor. In my elderly years, I spent much time going back and forth between Oren and Ba’as. Even though I now reside in Ba’as, Oren is where my heart is. I never forgot my time with the Gunners, soon I will be joining them. Soon we will be reunited.

 

---

Attached would be several letters:

 

 

To my children, 

Spoiler

I am so proud to have been your father. You each have made marks in your own right and have written your own stories. I always stressed that it was my job to make sure you could go off on your own and do better than I, and I am proud of the people you have become. Darius, you worked and managed to become Solicitor-General and while you did not have the best tenure, I am still proud of you. Do not let that discourage you from your future endeavors. Basil, I did not hear much of your work in the government until you followed your brother and became Solicitor-General. I am amazed at how hard you worked to get what you wanted. You forged your own image and your own family name, do not let anyone ever take those away from you. The achievements you have managed to achieve, especially without any help are admirable, and I am unsure if even I could have pulled those off. To Safiye, life did not have a happy ending for you, I wish I could have done more to help you. I am sorry for that. It is always sad when a child dies before their parents, but I am joining you now. I can tell you stories like I used to in your youth, I look forward to it Safiye. And to Iskander, my heir, your time is now. It is your turn to lead the Rhenyari in Oren, do what you must my son. I know you will do fine, Princess Eliza is by your side to help you keep your head straight. I am proud of the warrior you’ve become, the warrior I always wanted to be. To all my children, Baba loves you.

 

To John,

Spoiler

You were my fourth son, I hope the shield I gave you is still in good shape. It was from my time as a Gunner and might be one of the last of its kind. I’ve watched you grow up over the years and I’m proud of you as well. I wish I could be there when your time comes, but fate works in mysterious ways. My family will be there for when you need them. You will do great, your time is coming.

 

To Eliza,

Spoiler

How was my story-telling? There are still many stories left untold and I am glad you have picked up writing. Part of me hopes that I played a part in driving towards that skill. Please make sure my son doesn’t lose his head, he will need your guidance in the future.

 

To all my grandchildren,

Spoiler

There are too many of you to count, and to all the ones I have not met, I am sorry you did not get to meet your Baba. Move forward, and make sure you keep in contact with your cousins and siblings. We are all Rhenyari, and we should stick together. We are family, I will be watching over you all.

 

[BobBox 3798]

A young Basrid descendent of Jahan sat at his desk, furiously reading over some papers of work that had piled up. Turning over one paper only to read the next, his brows quickly furrowed. "No, this paper is wrong." He concluded as he set it aside to be reread later. 

 

Sitting alone in his room later that night, he remembered the earlier paper and began to read it once more. Showing a rare spark of sadness, the young scholar wiped at his eyes. "Papu... There was still so much to learn from you." He said, setting the paper aside as another tear rolled down his cheek. "I will carry on the Rhenyari flame, the teachings of the stars, the language. I swear it." 

 

The Basrid would not be seen for many days after reading the paper, and while most could assume it was due to his work, a few close friends knew of his mourning alone in his room, his longing gaze looking up to the stars and zodiacs that his Papu had once told him about.

 

 

[Nectorist 12869]

Franz pours out a drink for Jahan, but accidentally drops the glass, which shatters on the floor and sends whiskey flying everywhere. 

 

"He never told me if he knew who Parodies was..."  He mutters, sparing a thought for the man.

 

[KBR 2046]

reserved

[ErikAzog 3575]

The aged General would frown greatly, reading through the missive that informed them of Jahan's death, sighing, he would lament, "You were a great friend, Jahan. I still recall that day in the Carrington Estate where you, Peridot and I escaped to a hidden bar away from all the troubles and noise of the party. You shall be missed." would frown as one of the Helena OGs having passed away.

[Ivoreyy 2303]

The Princess Imperial was delivered the letter as she tended to her newly planted Night's Glow flowers within Rosemoor. She sat quietly for some time, mulling over the words of her former mentor, and now Father-in-Law. 

 

"It is unfortunate... so very unfortunate" She spoke to her jackalope, Atticus. "These figures watch us grow, aid us in our educations. We learn the world from them, and they pass on such valuable knowledge to us. Yet, for all the lessons we learn, the time comes where we must watch them pass on. 'Tis a scary thought, at times - that it is fast approaching the days where our generation will properly take upon the mantle of our forefathers."

 

"May GOD guide you to the Sevens, Sir Jahan. I shall surely keep his head straight - as requested"

 

She rose to her feet then, moving swiftly inside to seek out her husband.

 

[MCVDK 2830]

Reserved

[Viggen92 326]

Casper Jahan Baelius shed a singular tear for his grandfather, the man he shared a name with. "It is a shame that we didn't get to spend more time together, Papu, but I hope you will find your eternal peace in the Seven Skies"

[Benjikhei 698]

Beryl Carrington, the child of Peridot Carrington and grandson of Jasper Carrington would be one of the few the gain knowledge of the letter, The Carrington staring blankly at the letter he'd clutch in his hands that pronounced a great mentor and distant relative of his moving on to the Seven Skies, he'd then screech down the hall to the courier who'd delivered the mail to his desk in presumed outrage at the letter "How recent was this letter?" he'd shout as he continued to contemplate the letter. 

 

"Why- how much more of my family and friends have to die before Theós is satisfied.." The Carrington states before placing the letter down, and gazing up from his desk into the warm crackling hearth that sat across the room from him "Adio, Sir Jahan Basrid- may you be remembered fondly forevermore for navas generations to come.." Beryl states, slipping into his most traditional Rhenyari tongue which he rarely used unless familiar.

 

The Carrington shot a cold look to his courier as he reached for his coat and putting it on as he stalked out of his office, saying idly to the courier before he left "See to it...that all letters such as that, arrive to me on time from now on, ai?" Beryl said as he left, offering also a fleeting thought to his grandfather Jasper Carrington, also mentioned in the letter and sighing.

[rep2k 3192]

Preparations for the upcoming wedding were still in progress, during which Caspian Baelius only wished to sit down for a while, to rest with a cigar. From the balcony of the house he looked at the nearby streets full of people, the windows in the immediate vicinity through which the joy of various families and family members could be seen. All of this, at first glance, was beautiful to Caspian, and warm around the heart.

However, something came to him that he did not expect to come. Looking at other families, he wondered where his family was.. He had not seen many members, he himself did not remember how long ago, and he had not even heard of a few of them. Yet he was connected to Jahan Basrid in.. a rather different way, which if you asked Caspian what it is about, he would not know how to explain.

 

At one point, his father, Basil, enters the door of his house. Probably with the intention of wishing him luck for the upcoming wedding, or something like that... but alas, Caspian was wrong. The second story revolved in Basil's head.

"Mm, Baba, aloha." the young Rhenyari greets his father with a faint smile, letting the cigar lay in the ashtray, eyeing him as if waiting for his respond. "Caspian..take this." Basil responds with one nod of his head, giving his son a letter before leaving the house with a haste. "But Baba, why did you-" he stops, shaking his head as he lets out a scoff at his father, proceeding to read the letter, but after a few sentences, Caspian's eyes took on a reddish color, one tear dropping down his cheek. The young man crumples the letter, tossing it behind him before slowly glancing up to look at the happy people around him, the death of his Grandfather marking a disastrous moment in his life. "Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.. Rest in peace, Papu.." Caspian lowers his head onto his knees, saying enormous amount of prayers for the late Sir Jahan Basrid, before finally standing up, his eyes teary just like a waterfall. The wedding must be set up..

[venclair 713]

· ꕥ · THE RACONTEUR.

The spring days were spent in the garden, Jahan and Victoria. He told his diverting tales whilst the bright sun shone, blue skies sung of the summer to come; there were the days of cloud-filtered rays, the ones that made the world so cozy for such an artless child. There were the days that began to rain, and the dancing flames illuminated on the elder Rhenyari and his young scion. Echoes of his theatrical voice rang from the room as the child gawked at him with her large, verdant eyes. A large, toothy grin beset on her baby face.

 

Loss comes unexpectedly, and grief comes as a road of shards. The dawn arose, a light brave enough to cascade over the horizon. A cold palm trailed along the window, overlooking the courtyard of Trissingham. Her night gown skittered along as she descended to the main hall, a befuddled look on her face as she met eyes with a tousled courier. The man appeared hasty, a gloved hand promptly proffering the letter to her. It was the early forenoon, yet she obliged to grasp the parchment sluggishly. With the courier’s eyes heavy on her, a frown settled on his face as she watched her read. The Kaphro’s residence remained eerily silent from its usual bustling of shuffling feet.

There was a sorrow present now at the realization. It was for the grandfather she loved. A man she revered, one who taught her when her negligent mother seemingly vanished. He was the few she shared a comfort with. Yet, no tears flowed from her eyes. Instead, tristful reminiscing from she — memories of her adolescence swept through her mind. Days where he’d tell her of his stories, lessons taught by the aging man, and brief words of wisdom for the lady. Voiceless now, the courier decides to depart, leaving the eldest child of the household alone. Victoria continued alone on a window nook now, seated in her lonesome.

Now, she sought for the comforting embrace of her sire who she presumed remained in slumber. Her gown glided across the staircase once more, faced with the looming door of his bedchamber. 

The fire. It exudes the odor of burning juniper, the sweetest fragrance on the face of the world. We remember its firelit glow, of a great hearth’s gleam and glare.

 

[devvy 1348]

Reina DeNurem taps her chin as an investigator delivers news of the Basrid’s passing, “Well that old thing finally kicked the bucket? Hah! Ive won.” The retired daughter of former-Colonel Darius Sabari reclined back at her desk, topping off her drink. 

[zuziee 4004]

Safiye welcomed her baba happily. Glad to see he can finally be a rest as she is. 

[KosherZombie 1772]

When he received the letter, again, John was alone. A courier walked in, carrying a yellow envelope. John knew it was not good news. Whenever the couriers trudged in, silent and cold, it was not good news. He simply took the paper, and sat down. He unfolded it, and read the first paragraph. He read the note directed to him. The man had no reaction, not at first, at least. He simply stood up, and started walking. Courtiers would see him pacing around the Novellen Gardens. He was oblivious to their greetings. Oblivious to their calls. Some smiled, and tipped their hats or curtsied. Others knew what had happened, and expressed their condolences. Neither heard a reaction. He paced through the gardens, head bowed. Eventually, he found himself by the royal orchids. He stopped there, eyes fixed on the stems and dead flower blossoms at their feet. He stood there a long time. He didn't know how long. Minutes or hours didn't matter to him. Another fallen comrade. Another pulsing stem between his heart and his mind withered. "How much more will I endure?" He finally spoke. How many friends, comrades, teachers, parents, must I lose. He thought back to a sunny day in Novellen. He remembered Jahan's wrinkled smile. He remembered the Knight's mouth moving, another story. Another moral lesson. If only he'd listened. He saw his grandfather's face. He saw his mother's face. He saw Peter Amadeus, and Henry Marshal. His mouth tasted like blood. There was blood. He spit, red dousing the fallen flowers. He touched his lip. He'd bitten through the flesh. 

He walked home. That night, wails echoed through Trissingham.