A CYCLE UNENDING

[MRCHENN 4741]

Spoiler

 

 

 

Issued on the 10th of Owyn's Flame, 1880

 

Defender of the Faith,

 

Humanity yet again stands on the precipice of war between two Canonist states. Despite the honorable and amicable intention of His Holiness, the High Pontiff Tylos III, you prepare to send your armies into the dreadful unknown, against their fellow children of Horen who dwell within the Kingdom of Oren. We have offered resolution, which has been responded with null.

 

My king often speaks of the dying wish of your later father, a bearing that Frederick swore to him that he must preserve the peace for which so many laid their lives on the field of battle. You seek to attack a protectorate of the Kingdom of Oren, lands that merely hold the notions of mali’thill culture, not what you seek. 

 

You and your dwarven allies have sought a “holy” campaign – a campaign that no longer retains purpose nor need since our ordinance with Krugmar. Through diplomatic negotiation, not self-fulfilling massacre, we have made it clear that Krugmar's realm will prosper against the indulging of their false promises of salvation.

The natives of Fil’Halen detest Azdrazi in all forms – Heralds, Wyrms, or otherwise. They have never existed on these lands, never to be so long as they remain a protectorate of the Orenian realm. 

 

Since time immemorial, the days in which Horen’s tribes first roamed the plains of ancient Aegis, there has been warfare. But every war worth fighting for must have behind it a just cause. Pray tell, what is the cause which you seek to truly fight for? The natives of Fi’Halen have done no wrong, and His Holiness has withdrawn his blessing for the invasion that you had so desperately sought.

 

In the diplomatic arm of my King, we have negotiated the expulsion of Azdromoth’s servants from Krugmar, akin to the clemency of the Holy Mother Church when Balian once hosted them. Similar to our Owynist tenets, we must have first offered clemency before the absolution of darkness, and it is this clemency that you have avowed for all to see.

 

If you will not be honest with your subjects, let us be. Is it our lands you seek, the territorial expansion of your realm? Do you seek the deaths of good Canonist blood -- your soldiers, men, women, even children -- for your hopes at expanding your grain and coin? Any invasion of Fi’Halen would carry with it the loss of thousands of lives. Innocent lives, which have done no wrong.

 

We have already completed the mission of what you have campaigned for, and more. Any further action can only be regarded as an intent to murder Canonists.

 

Look inward. You know that this war you seek is unjust. You know that your father, whom my King so loved, would not have wanted this.

 

Despite the troubled history between Oren and Haense, King Frederick has offered his hand to the north in benign friendship many times before. But you have ignored every brotherly advance he has made. We have all grown weary of this endless cycle, an unending feud between the realms of humanity.

 

We now stand at a crossroads. Our King offers you the chance to turn back, to break this ghoulish cycle. Once again, he has offered you his hand in this pursuit. We can do so together, as God’s followers, as Sons of Horen, as men. But he will only offer you one such chance. 

 

Turn away his hand, and dread it as we may, we will have no other choice. We will be forced instead to meet you with steel, and from the clashing of steel we shall not shy.

 

God be with you,

 

His Excellency the Baron of Guise, Lord Chancellor to the Kingdom of Oren

[Guest]

 

Exalted Derfey's proclivities for the evening include shaving, before he contemplates the ethics of slitting Haeseni throats with his razor blade. A man of God, he flagellates himself, for the Haeseni are no different than himself - waylaid humans, stripped of freedom by calls to war. He grabs a sign and begins to protest outside the Vienne Capitol Building.

"No more! So says Derfey."

"War is bad! So says Derfey."

"True Canonists will not attack us! The Haeseni will not attack us!"

 

"So preaches Derfey..."

[kuerbis 3802]

Luisa of Rivia continues to prepare herself and her loved ones for the war. She polished her husband's plate, made sure to instruct the children on when and where to hide and continued counting coins for the evergrowing funds of the treasury. Oren Aut Mortem - this would be her fate.

[valecu 2128]

Mathilda Christina wonders around Corwinsburg calmly as she foresees the Orenian victory.

[MadOne 4945]

Dietrich Barclay, alongside his comrades from the Warband looked Northward towards the horizon from forth his tower in Acre. He held a long blade upon his gloved hand, and a sharpening stone on the other. The stone produced some sparks while he worked to bring the bevel to a top quality, yet his thoughts weren't on his craft but King Karl's response. He sighed, and wished the men of Reinmar respite from this war.

[amyselia 2962]

Upon awakening, Mathilde de Falstaff answers to the hustle and bustle of the Castle Guise with erratic fright - the only appeasement being the figure of her Lord Father donning the purple of Oren 'bound his chest, and a sword within his hand. He helped the girl up, passing the blade into her manicured fingers. With this, she would fear no longer.

[ibiou 2397]

The young Margravine-consort of Grodno sucked in her breath. She had never wanted war, her inclination towards the betterment of people through diplomatic means was always the card she dealt with. Yet, Ottilie could not help but succumb to the idea that maybe, maybe this was for the best. "Haense has had this coming to them for years." She retorted, looking out of her chamber window to the sight of Urguan in the far distance. 

[Cepheid 4304]

The Countess of Azor tucked her favorite doll into bed, the youth then going off to prepare the coffers for war....

[argonian 14254]

"Why the **** would any Canonist invade Canonist land? Are they stupid?" Stanimar wonders to himself, bemused.

[M1919 2298]

Gustaf farms. 

 

[ not reserved, this is the emote. ]

[sprtn 3340]

"I shall serve my nation proudly, and pray to be able to see the end of this." Wolfgang uttered.

[Sixbyte 356]

Ebereth Iomharach would mutter to himself from horseback upon hearing of the missive, speaking out "Deh Uruk, hailed az warmongering beasts by those of Humankind... however, it seems suchs words are unfounded wit' deh true intentions of deh Dwarvekin an Haensemen alike comin' teh light" before he called for a Levymen to bring his heavily plated armor  "Ave Orenia.."

[GoodGuyMatt 7113]

Leon Barclay von Oren sharpens his sword within the Theoderican Watchtower in Acre, his eyes red, though it was unclear whether it from his bloodlust or from the Reinmar kush. "The raevs haben too much pride to back down. Wonder if I'll have to ask myself how the Fidei Defensor would allow this later."

[LPT 771]

Father James sighs as he bows his head in prayer to a small group of Canonist faithful within Vienne. “Most omnipotens Deus: ut nos orare ut inveniret pacem in diebus nostris. Nam absque gubernante tuus non sit hic et nunc, et in verbum tuum non cessant exserere, quod sit bonum verbum donec tandem inveniamus ipsi pacem inter se et cum aliis. In nomine Patris, amen”

 

”We know as canonists there are good people on either side. Please continue to pray for peace so there is no need to spill Canonist blood.”

 

 

[sergisala 3451]

Upon reading a copy of this missive, the Chamberlain of Rivia offered the Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom of Oren a thumbs up before retiring to his chambers to continue sleeping.