MadOne 4945 Popular Post Share Posted April 11, 2023 Artist’s Depiction of Herzog Leon Five years ago from this day, the Duke sat on his throne, his heart heavy with grief and uncertainty. His father, the previous Duke, had passed away, leaving him the daunting task of ruling the lands that had been entrusted to their family for generations. The weight of his new responsibilities was crushing him, and he found himself longing for his father's guidance and safety. As the hours wore on, the Duke felt his anxiety grow stronger, his mind racing with doubts and fears. Desperate for solace, he made his way down to the crypts beneath the palace, where the spirits of his ancestors lay in eternal rest. The darkness and silence of the crypts were eerie, and the Duke felt a sense of foreboding wash over him as he walked through the dimly-lit corridors, his torch casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. Finally, he arrived at the tomb of his father, a magnificent rectangular structure made of cold, unfeeling stone. The Duke stood before it, his torchlight casting a soft glow over the surface of the tomb, revealing the stern visage of his father's statue within. The Duke reached out and ran his hand over the stone statue, feeling the chill of the rock against his skin. "Oh father, where are you?" he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I need you now more than ever before. I am lost and alone, without your guidance and wisdom to light my way." He could feel tears stinging his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He couldn't afford to show weakness, not when so much was at stake. But the weight of his grief was overwhelming, and he felt as if he were drowning in a sea of sorrow. "Why did you have to leave me, father?" he asked, his voice trembling with pain. "How can I go on without you? You were my hero, my mentor, my rock. Without you, I am nothing." He held the Crown upon his hands. "This weighs me heavily, father. Without you, who am I? For years, I have lived under your shadow, and basked in your glory. And now, you have left me and I am thrust into a world of the unknown. Even now, your old friends look upon me, with the memory of you in their minds. How will I ever live up to you?" His words were tinged with desperation and despair, as if he were pleading for an answer that he knew would never come. The Duke fell to his knees, his torch clattering to the ground as he buried his face in his hands. His heart ached with a sense of loss and longing that he could barely put into words. He wished he could turn back time, go back to the days when his father was still alive and everything seemed so much simpler. The statue remained motionless, silent as the grave it represented. And Brandt was alone, only with his thoughts, standing under the shadow that the statue of his father cast. The Duke felt a sense of emptiness and sadness wash over him like a wave crashing upon the shore. He knew he had to be strong, for his people, for his father's memory, but in that moment, all he could feel was the weight of the crown upon his brow and the crushing burden. Years passed, many moons came and went, the sun rose and descended down the Minitzian plains and forests. The Duke now sat on his desk. Many years of war had passed, many struggles had the people of Minitz gone through, all without their first, beloved Herzog. In Leon’s stead now remained Brandt, a battle-hardened fighter, a leader wise and strong, respectful and respected. Much shame he felt upon him, for many years his father had spent without proper burial. “Forgive me, father mine.” he called “I have fought and I have bled for the realm which you bestowed me. Am I worthy now? Have I led as you would have led?” he asked upwards to the skies, though found no answer “Time has come, father mine, for your final farewell. A belated farewell you shall receive, but one worthy of heroes” EIN VERSPÄTETER ABSCHIED A BELATED FAREWELL Issued by the Herzog of Minitz in the year of our Lord 1919 SÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON MINITZ, It is with regret that I now, in such belated time, delayed by the struggles of war and conflict, do call all Reinmaren tribesmen, throughout all lands overseen by our lady Reinmaria. My august father, Leon Barclay, the previous and first Duke of Minitz, five years ago was taken from us in a senseless and cowardly act of violence during a brigand raid the East of Arentania. My father gave his life, to save that of Prince Henry's, marking his last dying act as one of heroism. My father was a man loved by all the tribesmen of Minitz. My tribesmen, who among you has my father not sheltered? Who among you has he not fed and kept virtuous? He was the one who gave many of you a home, a hearth, and a place to call your own. He imprinted his glory and honour to Minitz, and he is the reason why we stand here today. His legacy will live on through each and every one of us, for he has shown us what it means to be a true tribesman of our folk. But my friends, my father would not want us to mourn his loss, be it five years ago or today. He was not the kind of man to be swept away by emotions or to dwell in sorrow. Instead, he would want us to celebrate one another through his memory. He dedicated his life to Minitz, to every one of us. Let us remember the words of my father: "Aren't I and the next Tribesman the same? Are we not one and the same as our people? And if we die, you and I, and Brandt, the people will live on. They will continue to clash with the enemy, and they will win. White hair now covers my head, and many young warriors may claim me weak, that my hands can no longer yield the spear. Yet, our people will live through the eons, they will be there to sing my songs. They will speak of my name as their ancestor, they will say that my horse hurdles the mountains and the hills. In my land they will raise their children. My hands begin to wither, yet, there will always be tribesmen who will say that my sword split mountains in two.” - Leon Barclay, Herzog of Minitz It is by my decree, that a state funeral will be held for my father, one of merriment and cheer, a celebration for the great man that has led us in tribulation and prosperity, in war and peace, and all the four seasons. Those among you, who still to this day bear the same love that I did for my father, come and volunteer to be members of Leon's honour guard, and carry his casket for our Herzog's last journey to the Seven Skies. Afterwards, we will hold the funeral ceremony, with friends and tribesmen coming together to celebrate what my father always had been; a hero for the Reinmaren. We will tell stories of his courage, his honour, and his leadership. We will celebrate his life and all that he has done for us, and drain our cups in the great man's name. Let us not mourn his loss but celebrate all that he has accomplished, and make our Herzog smile down upon us from the Seven Skies. Let us carry on his legacy and continue to make Minitz a place that he would be proud of. Thus, in the name of his spirit, I, invested by the authority onto me as your Herzog, named Duke Leon "The Father" of Minitz. INVITATIONS His Holiness, High Pontiff Pontian IV @Balthasar The Noble Bloodlines of the Minitzian Tribes: His Thegnship, Robert Cervidae von Stroheim, Chieftain of Stroheim, and his noble tribe @TheShadowMatrix His Thegnship, Karl Theonus von Theonid, Chieftain of Theonid, and his noble tribe @Aubade His Thegnship, Ludrik Katzak von Katzanik, Chieftain of Katzanik, and his noble tribe @GoodGuyMatt The Peerages of Aaun and Allies: His Royal Majesty, Charles I, Sovereign of Aaun, and his royal pedigree @seannie His Royal Majesty, Georg I, King of Hanseti-Ruska, and his royal pedigree @gusano His Royal Majesty, Aleksander I, King of Balian, and his royal pedigree @Shmeepicus His Royal Majesty, Tar-Uriel, King of Barrowlands, and his royal pedigree @MalchediaelVult His Highness, Wilheim II Barclay von Reinmar, Prince of Sutica, and his noble pedigree @Fionn__TWG His Highness, Ottomar von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, and his noble pedigree @Ramon His Highness, Robert II de Joannes, Prince of Sedan, and his noble pedigree @yopplwasupxxx Her Serene Grace, Renilde I, Archduchess of Petra, and her royal pedigree @tilly The Right Honourable, Louis II de Rosius, Margrave of Haute-Epine, and his noble pedigree @rep2k The Right Honourable, Phillipa von Reuss, Margravine of Velen, and her noble pedigree @ncarr The Right Honourable, Jan Jazloviecki, Count of Warsovia, and his noble pedigree @Olox_ The Right Honourable, Jan Ivanovich, Count of Vaska, and his noble pedigree @Optimus420 The Right Honourable, Emir Rosius-d’Abbassia, Count of Pacidia, and his noble pedigree @exoo The Honourable, Cosima von Augusten, Viscountess of Hohengarten, and her noble pedigree @Frank_Dog The Honourable, Fernand de Lewes, Baron of Virdain, and his noble pedigree @Matheaww The Honourable, Helwig von Bardenwig-Alstreim, Baron of Arentania, and his noble pedigree @Zqppy Kith of Herzog Leon: Kato Oijin @Reckless Banzai Screamer Enrique Pinieda @tasty_cheesecake Tobias @𐰑𐰆𐰺𐰆 OOC: Place: Minitz Time: Sunday the 16th at 5pm EST GOTT MIT UNS, His Grace, Brandt Wilheim Barclay Herzog von Minitz GMSTSR Duke of Minitz, Margrave of Vanderfell, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Boriënwald and Brandthof, Lord of Durres, Harvest Lord, Protector of the Aaunic Heartlands, Chief of the Minitzian Reinmaren, Lord Vandalore 36 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandhi 3225 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Sir Ludolf Barclay signed the cross for his former liege. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarven 2619 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Sir Yvian Galken traced the lorraine over his breastplate, for he owed much to the now since passed Herzog. His duties and loyal fervor long since re-affirmed and solidified for Sir Brandt, once a squire of his order, now the liege lord and Grossmeister. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reckless Banzai Screamer 15456 Share Posted April 11, 2023 The Black Swordsman, being stuck under occupation on the Iron River Bank, looks across the stretch of water that separated the occupied zone and Waldenia and frowns gravely the invitation never reaches him. :Doom: 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodGuyMatt 7113 Share Posted April 12, 2023 17 hours ago, Reckless Banzai Screamer said: The Black Swordsman, being stuck under occupation on the Iron River Bank, looks across the stretch of water that separated the occupied zone and Waldenia and frowns gravely the invitation never reaches him. :Doom: The ghost of Leon Barclay hunts his sun until he adds the most honourable Kato Oijin, Master of Steel in the invitations. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zemzy_Oakheart 347 Share Posted April 14, 2023 From across the river did a set of eyes find the news posted along the road, the woman's brow furrowed in a bit of irony at such a sight posted. "Tch," The woman's heavy boot steps resounded amongst the fields of wheat she tended to across the land for Aaun, "Sounds like m'lady's plights bu' in th' ci'y i'self.... Wonder why they don' ever did i' fer Petsch & th' Herrlichkeit fam'ly?" The brunette's long, braided locks draped over her shoulder as her Scottish accent went unanswered within the golden fields; the scythe whisked away the wheat, bundling it under her arms as she continued on, repairing the irrigation of the land that had been neglected for years. "Yuh'd think they be takin' care of their own kind wit' tha' kind uh irony...." No one would answer the brunette as she worked away in silence after that, minding her own business as the missive was dismissed from her thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, within the south sat a lumberjack growing into her much older years. She'd kept up on what news she could of lands she'd been in decent standings with in the least over the years & was mainly staying at home recently to relax from the hard days of toiling away in the woods. Seeing such news as she'd taken the opportunity to check in made her furrow her brow a bit in confusion. "Huh, so they give a scheisse about a dead duke, but not for the men who helped structure their laws?" Zemzy Oakheart would question herself as she sat by the fireplace, a boar of considerable size at this point had grown over the years as it lay beside her feet in content. "Looks like another iler takin advantage of their power again, I hope they haven't lost their one brain cell the last time I visited so long ago.... What do yew think, Borealis?" The woman asked her companion beside her feet, its tusks much longer now as it looked up to her with a yawn. "....Fair, they're.. doing what they can to survive at this point.... Hope things don't burn down like the 'aherals did recently.... I pray they don't come knockin on our doors next...." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodGuyMatt 7113 Share Posted April 14, 2023 43 minutes ago, Zemzy_Oakheart said: From across the river did a set of eyes find the news posted along the road, the woman's brow furrowed in a bit of irony at such a sight posted. "Tch," The woman's heavy boot steps resounded amongst the fields of wheat she tended to across the land for Aaun, "Sounds like m'lady's plights bu' in th' ci'y i'self.... Wonder why they don' ever did i' fer Petsch & th' Herrlichkeit fam'ly?" The brunette's long, braided locks draped over her shoulder as her Scottish accent went unanswered within the golden fields; the scythe whisked away the wheat, bundling it under her arms as she continued on, repairing the irrigation of the land that had been neglected for years. "Yuh'd think they be takin' care of their own kind wit' tha' kind uh irony...." No one would answer the brunette as she worked away in silence after that, minding her own business as the missive was dismissed from her thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, within the south sat a lumberjack growing into her much older years. She'd kept up on what news she could of lands she'd been in decent standings with in the least over the years & was mainly staying at home recently to relax from the hard days of toiling away in the woods. Seeing such news as she'd taken the opportunity to check in made her furrow her brow a bit in confusion. "Huh, so they give a scheisse about a dead duke, but not for the men who helped structure their laws?" Zemzy Oakheart would question herself as she sat by the fireplace, a boar of considerable size at this point had grown over the years as it lay beside her feet in content. "Looks like another iler takin advantage of their power again, I hope they haven't lost their one brain cell the last time I visited so long ago.... What do yew think, Borealis?" The woman asked her companion beside her feet, its tusks much longer now as it looked up to her with a yawn. "....Fair, they're.. doing what they can to survive at this point.... Hope things don't burn down like the 'aherals did recently.... I pray they don't come knockin on our doors next...." "Rent free" cackled one Ludrik Katzak after seeing his beloved Duke give the stalker something Spoiler 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandhi 3225 Share Posted April 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Zemzy_Oakheart said: From across the river did a set of eyes find the news posted along the road, the woman's brow furrowed in a bit of irony at such a sight posted. "Tch," The woman's heavy boot steps resounded amongst the fields of wheat she tended to across the land for Aaun, "Sounds like m'lady's plights bu' in th' ci'y i'self.... Wonder why they don' ever did i' fer Petsch & th' Herrlichkeit fam'ly?" The brunette's long, braided locks draped over her shoulder as her Scottish accent went unanswered within the golden fields; the scythe whisked away the wheat, bundling it under her arms as she continued on, repairing the irrigation of the land that had been neglected for years. "Yuh'd think they be takin' care of their own kind wit' tha' kind uh irony...." No one would answer the brunette as she worked away in silence after that, minding her own business as the missive was dismissed from her thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, within the south sat a lumberjack growing into her much older years. She'd kept up on what news she could of lands she'd been in decent standings with in the least over the years & was mainly staying at home recently to relax from the hard days of toiling away in the woods. Seeing such news as she'd taken the opportunity to check in made her furrow her brow a bit in confusion. "Huh, so they give a scheisse about a dead duke, but not for the men who helped structure their laws?" Zemzy Oakheart would question herself as she sat by the fireplace, a boar of considerable size at this point had grown over the years as it lay beside her feet in content. "Looks like another iler takin advantage of their power again, I hope they haven't lost their one brain cell the last time I visited so long ago.... What do yew think, Borealis?" The woman asked her companion beside her feet, its tusks much longer now as it looked up to her with a yawn. "....Fair, they're.. doing what they can to survive at this point.... Hope things don't burn down like the 'aherals did recently.... I pray they don't come knockin on our doors next...." Sir Ludolf Barclay tries to survive in a dying Duchy! Spoiler 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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