The Death of a Beard, 1850

[Imperium 3495]

Midnight Ride into the Grand King’s Realm;
The Death of a Beard.

“Promise me now to not seek human allies. This war is to be kept between Oren and Urguan… alone,” said Emperor Philip III.
 

“O'I mus' decline yer offeh. T'ank yeh t'ough, ef o'I weren't about teh die, o'I'd keep yer mercy in moind. Keep et quick lad.” Grand King Ulfric Frostbeard in reply to his Imperial Majesty’s offer.

 

 

---

 

20th of Owyn’s Flame, 1850.

It was late in the night when twelve brave souls set out under the guidance of the General of the ISA, Erik var Ruthern, riding across the countryside on horseback with a brigade of men at his back. The night was cold with a bitter wind, yet those who rode together continued without relent on their journey towards Urguan - not a word was spoken amongst them. They were upon the foreign lands of the Grand King of Urguan within the Saint’s hour. An impasse was amongst the men, as they argued where the roads would take them. Sergeant Julian Ein Stark and Private First Class Ivan var Ruthern argued that they should take their party to the Capital of Urguan, praying upon the fact that a key figure would be present. 

 

The city was empty as the twelve collectively made their way through it in search of any half-men. They searched every corner until their last destination; the throne room. As they gathered together and exchanged hushed words, one pointed to a window above. There, the Grand King of Urguan Ulfric Frostbeard and the Dowager-Duchess of Adria, Charlotte Augusta, sat with one another, within the Grand King's private chambers. The soldiers started forth without another thought and made their way to the stairs. Several volunteered to stay behind to keep watch for any others. Door by door, the other group gained further access into the unknown private confines. 

 

“Search all the rooms,” demanded the General. Each door they encountered the soldiers made their way through and found no one. Again, they searched the rooms until Amelia Hughes called loudly to the group and pointed out the door. Ivan var Ruthern stepped forth with an axe and bashed it in, and there behind the door were the two. The majority of the men moved downstairs, preparing for a fight while the Grand King was bound and captured by Aesar Melphaestus and Private Ruthern. Within minutes of the capture, the soldiers were engaged in a fight in the square of the city led at the command of Varon Draskovic and General Erik var Ruthern. 

 

A long and hard fought battle ensued, consisting of the best soldiers from both sides. Skirmishes took place across the center of the Dwarven city, with both sides clashing into each other numerous times with no fatal injuries taken from either side. The conflict continued, with a valiant charge being led by Varon Draskovic across the center of the city, another bloody melee ensuing. At this point, the battle was close though it was swaying in the Imperial State Armies favour, and they successfully routed the Dwarves within their own Capital.

The Great City of Kal'Darakaan, Capital of Urguan had been captured. Their defenders killed or hiding, and the gates shut on their own warriors.

Following this ordeal, an attempt at finding escape was done, with Amelia Hughes, Leopold Draskovic and Ezkaton finding an escape through the rail-lines of the Grand Kingdom. Ivan var Ruthern, Ezkaton and Aesar retreated from the Grand City, the Dwarven King mounted upon their back.. they made it home with the Grand King upon the steed, glad that their most bold endeavour was successful.

 

The Dwarven King was then escorted to the throne room of the Imperial palace and taken before Emperor Philip III and Empress Anastasia. A crowd gathered there, with people pouring in to witness what the criers had called for: the captured king. Ulfric was knelt before the monarchs. Philip III greeted the Grand King as he looked down upon him, “Promise me now to not seek human allies. This war is to be kept between Oren and Urguan… alone.” The dwarven king retorted, “O'I mus' decline yer offeh. T'ank yeh t'ough, ef o'I weren't about teh die, o'I'd keep yer mercy in moind. Keep et quick lad.”

 

At the order of the Emperor, the beard of King Ulfric was removed at the hand of Ivan var Ruthern. Then a branding was called for, and Duncan Vuiller approached the dais to do the task. The name ‘DUNCAN’ was branded into his left cheek. “Ask for Duncan and so shall you receive.” Few more words were exchanged until, at the order of the Emperor, the Dwarven King was released by a crowd of Orenian citizens at the front gate of New Providence. 

 

 

 

Oren aut Mortem.

One God, One Empire, One Emperor, One Empress.

Long live Emperor Philip III and Empress Anastasya of Kositz. Long may they reign. 

 

 

---

Below are the names of the brave Orenians who risked their lives and everything they hold dear to serve GOD and the Empire. Long may the names be remembered for their heroic actions. 

 

Erik var Ruthern

Varon Draskovic 

Amelia Hughes

Cato Perea

Peter August Kaphro

Ezkaton

Ivan var Ruthern 

Peter d’Arkent

Leopold Draskovic 

Julian Ein Stark

Sir Arthur Komnenos 

Aesar Melphestaus

Spoiler

 

 

OOC: Thank you @Terry for the roleplay and keeping things civil. You were a pleasure to have this experience with and we really do thank you for keeping everything in character as well as admirable. Hat’s off to you!

 

Spoiler

 

[Shmeepicus 4216]

Ivan var Ruthern was disgruntled, he had promised the Grand King respect, and he did not give it to him with the cutting of his beard. Regardless, he was glad the ISA had achieved such a victory within the depths of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, he hoped the war would see an end sometime soon.

[Da_Emperors 1987]

Peter August Kaphro would return to the city with the Dwarf King. He would smile as he would bring him alongside the other brave Orenians to the throne room as he whispered lightly to himself – “Father, I hope I have made you proud.”


Prince of Providence, Peter Augustus would look at his father delivering a verdict towards the King as he remained still. He would take in the actions as a lesson for him to learn from.


Ledicort d’Azor would smile from the Seven Skies. He would rest easy knowing the Empire was prepared for whatever was to come.

[Taketheshot 3834]

The Count of Azor raises a brow hearing of the Duchess of Adria meeting the Grand King within his private chambers. "How very odd....very odd Indeed, I suppose she seeks new close friends."  The man shrugged tucking the missive in his pocket as he remembered the freshly shaved dwed. 

[MailC3p 2411]

Baron Arthur Komnenos enters the imperial palace while the trial of the high king was ongoing, on his right arm strapped an Ireheart clan shield he took from the body of an Ireheart in the battle to capture the high king 

 

“That was…. Surprisingly easy”

[Guest]

Cato Perea remembers his daydream where he said hello to the kind Dwarven King and his human mistress Charlotte Augusta. After the stress of a night long fight, he had a profound nose bleed. He dozed off in his bed happily.

[Nectorist 12870]

Philip III congratulates the men of both Oren and Savoy for a pair of well-fought victories on the eve!

[Eryane 3698]

Empress Anastasya stood from atop the dais as she looked down upon the Grand King Ulfric Frostbeard that had been brought before them. To each of the twelve that had partaken in the brave endeavor, she had never felt such a deeper sense of respect and pride for their efforts. To her son, Prince Peter, she lowered her voice to say, "The world is watching - and here we stand, stronger than ever."

 

 

[HIGH_FIRE 5490]

Duncan reads the missive and thinks to himself about the moment he branded the king “Well, the beardless fool started a war over me” he would chuckle and walk over to his personal armour and pick up a Daemonsteel axe “Perhaps I carry on this branding…”

[Malta 2811]

Julian paused as the missive floated across his desk, the seasoned soldier leaning back in his chair as his eyes scrutinized every line of text. Satisfied, he grasped at the bottle placed across his lap, uncorking it before gesturing its now opened top toward nobody in particular.

"Blessed be my comrades, and damned be those gates."

A hearty chuckle then filled the room, and Julian set to drinking the night away.

[Minuvas 3193]

The Archchancellor would cradle his fingers at the business in the court, watching from a distance. 

 

He had been pacing all night in the Orenian war room, watching as couriers delivered news of the operation and had been glad to see his stress relieved. 

 

The Dwed had been rightfully humiliated, the impenetrable realm of the Dwarves had been shown to be an illusion. 

 

But that he would rather lose his beard than not allow human allies? It showed his fear, and most certainly, it showed Minuvas...he must look North....who were you protecting, King beneath the mountain?

 

What of this business with the Duchess, he pondered. 

 

He would ruminate, as always, on these affairs - while the realm would celebrate. 

[Werew0lf 24181]

Mohammad Hussan flaunts his manlier facial hair. "Wallahi."

 

@Nectorist@EXCITED

[Franczhiz 4437]

"I hate dweds." The young Joseph Clement de Sarkozy remarked.

[XOCO 502]

Captain Ezekiel Moores grins upon hearing the news, grabbing his brigadiers and dragging them all down to the pub. 

 

"A toast for Duncan! Long live the Sheep-Slayer!" He roars, thrusting his tankard into the air. @Duncan the Fearsome

 

[JoshBright 3016]

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