Pakkleaf 67 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) Posted along the streets of most major cities, a paper with bold writing hangs for all to read. "The Kingdom of Norland has proven on countless occasions they think not with their heads but with their greed and bloodlust. Now that I have your attention, my name is Inui R'ikarth. I wouldn't call myself anyone of grand importance, but I also wouldn't call myself a nobody, if only because of my participation in multiple kingdoms across the land. When I speak of my 'participation', I speak heavily of Norland, the place I started and for a while, the place I loved." "I'm an odd little Ker, No lineage to call my own except a single human man who I grew to consider my brother. Eugeo de Astrea. And its on his behalf that I write all this in the first place, as he and Elysium are suffering further abuse from their dictators in Varhelm. They've asked me to speak out on my story. He is the current lord of Elysium, my first home when I chose to finally leave a life in the woods. I found a family there, and even now I love and visit them. But it was not long that I got to spend with this family that Norland thrust us all into a needless war." "Young and naive at the time, I'll admit I was rather foolish, I probably still am. But I had good heart. Knowing nothing of the world, I was not so eager to believe Norlands lies that Oren was made up of monsters, that we had every right to wipe them out. Hearing that peace communications had gone unheard in Oren, I did a military's greatest nightmare, and ran off to Oren on my own volition hoping to achieve something for the peace effort, even if it wasn't my place." "I'll cut out some filler and spare you some details, but in my time there, I managed to achieve an audience with the Emperor, and to my pleasant surprise, he and his people were all kind and eager to help me find a peaceful path to ending the war. I hadn't yet realized it was my own kingdom at fault. With the Emperor's wishes for peace in hand, I returned to tell the news to the King. The King denied the chance I was giving him, and spoke only of desiring to see his axe in their heads. A perfect chance for peace, denied. I was forbidden by him to return or speak to the Orenians. But on top of being foolish, I was also stubborn. After many weeks of research and fact searching, I came to realize Norland's only goal with this war was to satiate their greed at the cost of not only Oren's people but Norland's as well. Despite Varhelm being so willing to go to war, they did little to nothing to aid their abused front line, my home, Elysium. My family was suffering such loss and pain over a war that never needed to happen in the first place, with no aid from those who brought all this pain over them. So despite being forbidden, I returned to Oren. I did so not to negotiate the end of the war, but to negotiate a way to save Elysium from Norland." "Unfortunately, before such a goal could be achieved, I was found out for going behind Norland's back after my participation in resolving an Orenian raid, and saving hostages was mentioned by name in an article." Copies of the Article are attatched "I was quickly summoned to the Palace to speak with the King's right hand, for what I assumed would be a harsh punishment. Despite that I still went, and to my confusion, what I found was seemingly the opposite. I was told that I was being inducted, not willingly mind you, into a new elite group that served the king, called the Red Hand. They said I was to be their diplomat, having seen my work. For a moment, I thought this was a good thing, that Norland was taking an opportunity to take a better path in the war. I was dreadfully wrong. In that same conversation, I was told my first assignment would be to abandon any efforts in Oren. I had a sick feeling, and realized quickly the only reason I was in the Red Hand, was to be managed. Or at least I thought, but it was so much worse. I asked them what I thought was an obvious question, as a diplomat, a representative of peace, I wouldn't be required to fight right? Wrong. Very wrong. They told me, and I quote," "The only peace left for you to find, is blood upon your blade." "They told me I would be required to fight, and that it would be at the front lines as well. A sense of dread filled me when I recalled, my summons had been written by the King, King Sven. He was man I called my friend, and I confided in him many times my frustrations because of my inability to fight, even after being taught. He knew this, and he's the one who summoned me to speak with his right hand. Knowing I had no skill to fight or defend myself, I was being ordered to the front lines of the war. This was just their way to kill me quietly." "I acted quickly, taking my things and fleeing from Norland all together. At the time, many of my family in Elysium were upset with me for the events of the article previously mentioned. Knowing their anger at me, I told no one except Eugeo that I left, and it broke my heart. I fled to the only other place I knew anything about in this realm, Oren. They gave me a heroes welcome, and worked with me to cover up the fact I had fled, making up the story they had instead arrested me as a spy for my sake. For my efforts, I was granted the position of diplomat for Oren, and for a while enjoyed a peaceful life there. So the war waged on. Despite it, I snuck into Elysium to visit Eugeo what rare times I could, and eventually I was spotted and found out." "Norland was expectedly upset. And many times tried to attack me, even while I was pregnant and unarmed. My visits to Elysium were cut down tremendously due to Varhelms hostility towards me. But eventually, the war was over. Once it was over, I was eager to see my friends again and went to pay them a visit. My family in Elysium was rather angry at me, until I told them the story behind why I left. It was a blessing to reunite with them. As I was speaking with one friend in Varhelm, I wanted to ask him about something. In my time away, I had heard heard rumors that during the war time, Norland has called me a war criminal. I asked him if those rumors had been true or not." "The current Norlandic King, Vane Freysson, who was at the time on the kings council, took note of me and my conversation. Despite once again being peaceful and unnamed, he decided to take it upon himself, with the help of an insane dwarf, to attack me. I tried to reason with them, never once fighting back but they chose to chase me. They ran me well out of Norland's borders but despite that, still knocked me out and dragged me back Norland. There Vane officially banished me as a proper war criminal, by threat of execution should I ever return. They told me I could leave this once without issue. But his associates decided I was better off dead before I could even leave. They found an excuse to kill me through my atronach prosthetics. Some time ago, I unfortunately lost both my legs and one of my arms and now wear magical limbs to function. For the crime of wanting to have limbs to function at a basic level, they decreed I was a void monster, and that I had to die. It was only through the grace of the Elysium Rangers, my family, that I was able to flee from Norland." "And so we come to the present. Elysium now faces tyranny from Norland, partly so because of how they've defended me on multiple accounts. False accusations of breaking the law and not upholding it have been levied towards the Rangers. Elysium has been stripped of military rights and attempts have even been made to arrest them. I tell you this now, Elysium is the only reason Norland is still even standing. Elysium is a shining example of people who are just, kind, and strong. Norland repays that with tyranny, sabotage, and abuse." "I had no intentions on ever making this story public, but after seeing Elysium bleeding and hurting, I decided to do so, here it is. My personal account of the abuse I have faced from Norland, all for wanting peace and for valuing my life. I hope this could shed some light on the reality of what I now call the Bloodthirst Kingdom." P.S. - Guess what Norland? I sneak into Elysium. Banishment wont stop me from seeing my family. -Inui R'ikarth ~Ambassador of Stygian Hollow, Head of Clan R'ikarth, Stygian Hollow Council Member. Edited July 28, 2021 by Pakkleaf 46 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asuno 183 Share Posted July 28, 2021 "Me and my homies hate Norland!" said Gawain Nria 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuvas 2887 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Reads the missive, deciding to pen a letter to a certain Duke. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeawithFrisket 2636 Share Posted July 28, 2021 *reads in shock and rushes forth to the keep to show the others of this. Seemingly many emotions run through her brain as she wasn't expecting this* 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAlexa 3877 Share Posted July 28, 2021 “War is on the horizon,” a certain mercenary remarked from her bedridden state. “The Rustlers are prepared to defend the good men of Elysium,” she promptly affirmed, before suffering a coughing fit. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charbi 398 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Aylin de Astrea paced in the Skanarri cell she was being held in, trying to keep the warmth flowing through her body. No matter how many years the Badawi had spent in the north, the cold had never been her ally, so she walked in circles, like a caged predator. "Looks like trouble's brewin' back home, lass," the man tasked with guarding her chuckled darkly as he pushed a crumpled piece of paper through the bars and let it fall into the mud. "Aye, it looks like the southerners cannae even keep their own people from dissatisfaction, eh? D'ye see why the North belongs to us now?" Aylin, having practiced calm throughout her capture, held her head high as she walked over, picked up the now-sodden sheet and read Inui's letter. The guards looked back at the sharp intake of breath from behind them, hands on their weapons as she shook her head and turning to lean against the bars. Inui...what have you done...? "I need to speak with Chief Grejon," she said, glancing up at the guards that still watched her for any trouble, "immediately." 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javert 5573 Share Posted July 28, 2021 A certain chieftain of the Skanarri tribes began to slowly laugh as he was passed the letter by his warriors. His laughter boomed throughout the Skanarri outpost for quite some time before he was able to resolve himself and take a deep breath. No words were spoken from the man right away, but it was clear that this letter brought to light many new things that the chieftain sought to use. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstriaS 3710 Share Posted July 28, 2021 From a distant mountaintop, a solemn observer watched over both Elysium and the Norlandic capital. Holding a copy of the letter in one hand, the figure turned to her companions. "The men of these lands seek conflict," The woman told the scouts behind her, crumpling the letter in her hands. "It seems the villagefolk, like the tribal neighbors, wish for battle with the king's men." She explained, pointing with a gauntleted hand towards each township as she spoke of them. "This land is ripe for the harvest. The Lord will be most pleased." The warrior concluded as she turned to look once more over the lands of Norland, the large, pointed horns adorning her helmet casting a long shadow as the sun rose over the mountains' peaks. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sham404 464 Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) Edric rips down the poster and turns to address the people gathered nearby. "This Inui is a liar and a traitor, who undermined the efforts of Norland against the tyrannical Imperials in the war, pretending to be a citizen while in truth she was an Orenian spy and sabotuer. Those same Orenians who cut off her limbs, and she continued to serve like a faithful dog." He rips the portrait of Inui from the poster. "I shall use this for a wanted poster later." "Any who take a shred of notice of this bundle of lies, misinformation, and Orenian propaganda, do themselves a disservice. Allow me to dismember just a few of them." He clears his throat, and then begins to list off but a few of the fabrications within the 'denouncment'. "Peace efforts before the war were ignored and refused by the Imperials. The leaders and clans of Elysium were all in favour of the war bar one. Elysium was given overwhelming aid in the war by the Northguard and by the King's Council. All citizens of Norland are expected to fight in defence of the realm, Inui was not some special case. Pregnancy does not give immunity from punishment for crime, it only affects the severity - as a spy, Inui was to be arrested and removed from Norland, things only became troublesome when they resisted arrest. Banishment is not negotiable - by stepping foot into Norland, you are breaking your banishment and will be punished for doing so. Atronach limbs are voidal magic and are illegal in Norland along with all voidal magics, again Inui is not some special case for this. The Rangers have been stripped of their right to enforce the law because they have repeatedly not enforced the law and enabled others to break it. They have been offered the chance to swear oaths of loyalty to Norland in accordance with our new laws in order to retain their law enforcement rights." "I could go on about the lies, propaganda, and nonsense that comprise this droning attempt to discredit Norland, but I fear it will become verbose." Edric throws the remainder of the poster into the mud. "Though I do like this new title, 'The Bloodthirst Kingdom'. Intimidating." He notes, before returning to his duties. Edited July 28, 2021 by Sham404 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumie 125 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Aylin Vanari sighed deeply as she read over Inui's writing, recalling each event. A noise of frustration escaped her at the mention of banishment and astronach limbs. "Varhelm claims we should know everything when they don't even send out announcements of banishment or lists of banned items. What are we meant to do? Read their minds? I fear they simply claim whatever they wish and intend to use that against anyone they dislike." She pulls one of the posters, taking it to show the other Vanaris, knowing this would be used against them. "Hell, Inui is no longer an Orenian as they claimed her to be, they're going to start a war with their careless claims and statements." She grumbles under her breath, "How far will Norland fall before realizing their error? Perhaps I should just retire" She moves swiftly towards the estate, a cold look in her eye. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operator_Bugman 221 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Orin Velenest stared at the note, tearing it from the wall and shaking with anger. "I gave her the chance to leave yet now she hides in Elysium against the law... holding those limbs of voidal decent she has lost her chance of peace. He threw the letter to the ground marching towards the hearth temple to pen a letter of his own. No more shall I stand against this injustice to the faith, it is time to call a rally of the Purifiers and send a message she shall not soon forget." 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Askuzai 492 Share Posted July 28, 2021 55 minutes ago, Beelzemier said: -snip- Dramyr had seen the woman comment as he walked by the grouping, and on seeing her cold eyes, decided not to interact in person. A headache was not in his best interest at the moment, but on reading another poster down the road a headache is what he got. Later in the day, Dramyr laid down a copy of the Norlandic Code of Law outside of Aylins door with a note attached to it. There was a knock, and with that, he had left to finish some other errands. Spoiler The note read as follows: "The amount of banned items that make their way into Norland are so few there scarcely needs to be a large list and instead the law acts as a sweeping notion. Nothing is automatically accepted. In this law document, The one everyone has abided by for decades, it clearly states that anything arcane is illegal without explicit permission from Keepers for use. The only permissible variants of arcane arts are Chi, Paladanism, Druidism, Shamanism, and the reamended Housemagery. The High Keeper, Myself, must be made aware when it comes to the matter of objects and artifacts, whether it comes into the realm or if one wishes to hold ownership over such an object. If a list of those owning these objects were made public it could pose a threat to the owners of such items by those greedy, thus I have not made it public, but on this new situation perhaps I have to rethink my decision. Perhaps I will now distribute papers for individual use. As for banishment, I have yet to banish anyone and am myself was not made aware of Inuis banishment, as I leave for pilgrimage too often to catch wind of it. In her case I have little knowledge of her, spare being present during the parley and in her new brazen attempt to undermine Norland I personally despise her omission that the vote to go to war by the Chieftains of all of Norland and its vassals was Seven to One, only opposed by the Nria clan, and if I were a chieftain itd have been Six to Two, my word as but a mere Keeper at the time held too little sway to change minds in the last defining moments. The De Astreas were one such clan who voted in favor of the war. In any case, it was not some monarchal Tyranny that made the final decision to go to war, but the collective of Norland's vassals, the Capital, and their leaders. And, with these posters Inui has admitted to breaking laws several times and I can clearly see why such a banishment would have been put in place. A diplomat who doesn't read the law is a very strange thing and surely she must be aware by now that diplomatic immunity is not such a thing in Norland without prior invitation. I will see that a proper banishment list is made, lest it already be hidden in some corner, then it will be thrust back into the light. This fuss has already grown too large. If there is some other conflict do send me a letter. Allfather guide you." - High Keeper Dramyr Edvardsson 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypoacher 6993 Share Posted July 28, 2021 4 hours ago, AnonymousAlexa said: “War is on the horizon,” a certain mercenary remarked from her bedridden state. “The Rustler are prepared to defend the good men of Elysium,” she promptly affirmed, before suffering a coughing fit. "The men of Elysium will turn their last foot of arable land into walls, and then they will starve to death," moans a deliriant fellow patient at the Mother Juli'el Charity Hospital, tossing in his sickbed. "When the time comes, there will be no need for warfare." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumie 125 Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Knightie said: Later in the day, Dramyr laid down a copy of the Norlandic Code of Law outside of Aylins door with a note attached to it. There was a knock, and with that, he had left to finish some other errands. Reveal hidden contents The note read as follows: "The amount of banned items that make their way into Norland are so few there scarcely needs to be a large list and instead the law acts as a sweeping notion. Nothing is automatically accepted. In this law document, The one everyone has abided by for decades, it clearly states that anything arcane is illegal without explicit permission from Keepers for use. The only permissible variants of arcane arts are Chi, Paladanism, Druidism, Shamanism, and the reamended Housemagery. The High Keeper, Myself, must be made aware when it comes to the matter of objects and artifacts, whether it comes into the realm or if one wishes to hold ownership over such an object. If a list of those owning these objects were made public it could pose a threat to the owners of such items by those greedy, thus I have not made it public, but on this new situation perhaps I have to rethink my decision. Perhaps I will now distribute papers for individual use. As for banishment, I have yet to banish anyone and am myself was not made aware of Inuis banishment, as I leave for pilgrimage too often to catch wind of it. In her case I have little knowledge of her, spare being present during the parley and in her new brazen attempt to undermine Norland I personally despise her omission that the vote to go to war by the Chieftains of all of Norland and its vassals was Seven to One, only opposed by the Nria clan, and if I were a chieftain itd have been Six to Two, my word as but a mere Keeper at the time held too little sway to change minds in the last defining moments. The De Astreas were one such clan who voted in favor of the war. In any case, it was not some monarchal Tyranny that made the final decision to go to war, but the collective of Norland's vassals, the Capital, and their leaders. And, with these posters Inui has admitted to breaking laws several times and I can clearly see why such a banishment would have been put in place. A diplomat who doesn't read the law is a very strange thing and surely she must be aware by now that diplomatic immunity is not such a thing in Norland without prior invitation. I will see that a proper banishment list is made, lest it already be hidden in some corner, then it will be thrust back into the light. This fuss has already grown too large. If there is some other conflict do send me a letter. Allfather guide you." - High Keeper Dramyr Edvardsson Aylin Vanari opened the door, looking round before leaning do to pick up the note and tome. Moving inside to the privacy of her own roon, she then read over the note, absorbing the information. she chuckled wryly as she compared the note and the laws "Key point being that the guards should have access to the list of items." She sighs "At least someone high up takes notice of qualms, can't fault Dramyr for that" She places the note and tome of laws away in a safe spot for reference in the future before moving to continue her chores on the estate. Edited July 28, 2021 by Beelzemier 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulan 443 Share Posted July 28, 2021 "It seems you and I have different recollections of the events during the Norlandic War, miss Inui R'ikarth. The picture you paint of Oren as the 'benevolent' state is lost on me, when their soldiers brag about how they will murder innocent babes and mothers, aswell as directly threatening to harm my cousin, the Matriarch of the Indoren for having an address in Varhelm at the time of the war." Ruathar shook his head. "As a father myself I could not imagine a greater evil than that, and such the common soldier in the Orenian army should be held to a higher accountability, leading Oren toward the greatness that you claim it should be." 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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