Political Condemnation of the Kingdom of Norland

[Minuvas 2878]

[!] The missive was sent to Academies, Colleges, Universities, Churches, and Embassies across Almaris. Should one choose to read it, it would say;

"Peace-makers,

We have failed our great leaders across the continent. We have allowed the current state of international affairs to degrade to an unacceptable and pitiful status. Yet we have an opportunity to seize the high ground once more and restore diplomacy to what it should be. Our nations have become unpredictable, using war as the first means of recourse to resolve offenses - real and imagined, whether slight or large rather than a last resort. You ask me how I can make such claims? You need only see the actions of the Kingdom of Norland as an example. There is a way forward to restore normalcy in our time, but it starts with accountability.

 

The need to Condemn the Kingdom of Norland

 Though it is a signature member to the Iron Accord, it knowingly aids and abets the Rimetrolls of the North in their conflict against one of Norland's principal allies, the Kingdom of Haense. This war has resulted in the mass starvation and riots of the lower class within Haense. This is not the partnership one expects from an 'ally'.

 Though it is a signature member to the Iron Accord, it has threatened the head of State of Haelun'or and the nation of the Silver State with violence should it not pay an unreasonable blood price. A method of negotiation that was never agreed to between both participants, and to which Nordland stated would occur 'despite' its treaty obligations.

The Kingdom of Norland expelled all agents of Orenia, to include its diplomats, then later used the absence of diplomats to support a justification of war against her only a few years after. While it gave the Silver State public notification through official documentation of its intent to declare violence against its ally unless demands were met, it made no similar attempt with the Holy Empire of Oren. 

The Kingdom of Norland has seized, without international consultation or warning that is expected amongst respectful nations, vast swaths of territory in an expansion of its borders. We in the international community would like to assume this seizure of territory was benign, though we must also question to what strategic advantage did they look to afford themselves - perhaps in aiding the Trolls in their conflict against Haense, or as a new overland route in which to wage their wars? We are left without answer.

The Kingdom of Norland does not wish to follow the norms, respect its allies by treaty, or engage in the normal measures of diplomacy. How can any nation be sure of how to avoid a Norlandic casus belli when it engages in such rogue behavior? Joining this conflict on their behalf further only justifies a future state of affairs that is erratic, unpredictable, and composed of nations that seek only their self interest - abiding by laws and treaties only so long as it benefits them.

They engage in this behavior against allies, who do not ask them to respect even a decent level of political modicum, why should we expect they treat those they view as enemies and 'Heretics' better?

The need for Extradition Laws

We must encourage our national leaders to develop laws of extradition, so that we may be clear with our allies and competitors when they can expect cooperation on returning criminals to their own States for prosecution. This would avoid a great deal of future conflict. This also means nations must discontinue the practice of sending agents across each others borders to seize wanted criminals.

 

 

The need to message hostility

We must encourage our national leaders to message their hostility in advance to foreign nations, and to allow an opportunity to resolve these issues. While the Grand Kingdom of Urguan's grudge is largely fabricated, it is at least an opportunity for them to message their intentions and for the Empire and other States to attempt to alleviate or negotiate these grievances prior to a declaration of war. These proclamations made in the advance of conflict should become international norm, and we commend the Grand Kingdom for this practice (Even if the restitutions are unreasonable). The sudden declaration by Norland has left little opportunity for true diplomacy as nationalism hardens under threat of violence.
 

The need for diplomatic exchange

There are Noble courts across the continent, yet the practice of exchanging wards and courtiers has diminished. This has resulted in great culture disparities and distrust amongst the continent. Nations have chosen to exclude the Empire of Oren from social events, likely at the pressure of Anti-Orenian sentiment of their allies, but there is no reason that the Noble and dignified courtiers of our Governments should not mingle. Exclusion should be a particularly damning event that is done with a purpose, especially when messaging hostility. That nations would expect the citizens of the largest nation on the continent, the Empire, to attend an event where their Emperor has been snubbed an invitation shows a sincere lack of understanding of Imperial Culture.

We must also arrest diplomacy from our Heads of State. Diplomacy should be returned to diplomats, and they should be given the free passage and authority to conduct their business to resolve conflict. Personal diplomacy between Kings, an Emperor, and other heads of State should be reserved as the last measure - lest the regular order of the day of international affairs absorb our leaders.

                                                                                                                   

 The need to denounce unreasonable claims & restitutions

Is there any doubt that the claim made by the Grand Kingdom that they own all of the mountains in Almaris, with no supporting evidence or documentation of this claim as dubious? Further, that they would show so little respect for Orenia that they would call their leader a King and demand the Emperor ask his subjects to perform what would amount to Heresy? Can any consider the mechanisms to resolve their grudge as reasonable? The answer to each of these questions is clear.

There was no arbitration, it was just arbitrary. The international community of scholars and diplomats, though we wield no blades, should not let such statements rest without challenge and condemnation. Appropriate diplomatic exchange could have prevented the cultural missteps that led to this grudge, that we now know the Grand King cannot back off from without losing considerable face and respect amongst his people.
 

 

 The End of Anti-Orenian Nationalism

The Empire of Oren has served as a popular domestic scapegoat for many nations to justify their ales and woes, yet this practice should come to a long respected end. The bogeyman is not the Empire, it is the cultural distrust sewn by circular communities that make no attempt to learn Imperial Culture, and no willingness to be invited to the table of friendship. The Empire demands no spiritual conversion, no fealty, or subjugation of its allies. The Empire has not looked beyond its borders for many decades, and naturally as the strongest entity on the continent it is looked at with distrust for its power, this fear can only be resolved by reducing the unknown. If you seek an enemy in Oren, you shall always find it.



The Scholarly community should have healthy debate on this subject, though we cannot exchange blades - we can exchange words. What we choose to tolerate, or not, during this conflict can help shape the outcome of peace and future conflict.

 

 

In Service,

Minuvas Melphestaus
Imperial Scholar

 

[VIROS 2709]

Josephine Augusta reads the missive favorably, presenting it to an aide “Ah? You see, he is the best hire I ever made. You should all be a little more like Mr. Melphestaus!”

[valecu 2017]

As Valent was almost done with the missives and letters piled, he'd notice particular one from his student. "Ah, Minuvas..." he'd pause as he opened it and read through. "Norland is nothing more than Kingdom of Clowns - united with the goal of destruction, they do not value pacts or treaties, for they are barbarian scum.. nothing else! OREN AUT MORTEM!"

[bugbytes21 790]

Garret Dakwood nods in approval "Oren Aut Mortem" He states