RICHARD'S END | 1944 [PK]

[DuhPuhWuh 1282]

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It was a commonality that the Baron von Edendorf should climb the Langkette Mountains, he was charged with the construction of Hohengarten afterall. He would often survey the land, measure and envision, adjusting his plans to match his new discoveries. The wilds of the mountainous region were perilous however, and with the threat of barbarous Franks always looming over the unwary traveller, it was considered unwise to even think about travelling to the peak of the slopes. The irony, of course, was that The Baron did warn others of the danger, but would wander up those very slopes himself nonetheless.

 

It was a cold and wet evening, Richard had sent his children to bed and ensured his youngest son, still a baby, was quietly tucked away and sleeping without a sound. He would give his beloved wife Xenia a quick goodbye: “Ich vill return in an hour or so, Ich am just going up zhe mountain zhen Ich vill return”. Xenia was always wary of the von Leopold patriarch leaving the house, his long ago capture and torture had always lingered in the back of her mind, she never wanted to be without him, not knowing when he might return or if he would ever return. But, despite her objections Richard did leave, scrolls of blueprints tucked under his arm and his usual grin upon his face. He did so enjoy his architectural mission, he dreamed of the place Hohengarten might become, he would sometimes scribble all night so enthralled by his plans he would fall asleep on them despite his bed being a few steps away from his desk. So full of energy he’d begin his ascent of the peaks, his mission was to reach the Hohengarten Plateau and to continue his survey of the area.

 

The journey was quite difficult for the inexperienced, but for a Highlander it was no trouble. He passed the hanging tree, he always covered his nose as he passed the wretched stench of charred darkspawn carcass also made his stomach turn, even the thought of the smell made his stomach turn. But always in hand was the handkerchief Xenia had made him all those years ago, when they were young and had just met, what days those were.

 

Memories would often flood Richard’s thoughts, he would think of the past and dream of the future. He was always teased by others for his belief in prophecy and fortune telling but he was by nature a dreamer, someone enticed by the prospect of fulfilling a life’s mission. At this time he was content, all he could have hoped for in this life had come true, and now as a man of middling age all he had to do was watch it all prosper and grow. His children were soon to enter their teen years and he felt comfortable with his position in The United Kingdom of Aaun. All in his life was good, God had blessed him.

 

He would continue up the path, up and up, higher into the wilds of the mountains. He was whistling away, a rhythmic skip in his step as he ascended higher, a dead giveaway to any nearby Frankish tribesmen. Richard could be stupid and hard headed sometimes, he had often been warned to be more careful, but it never sank in. As he would continue his jovial march up into the mountains he would soon be spotted by some Frankish scouts, the beginning of his end. 

 

Soon after being spotted, a large number of Franks came clattering down from higher up the mountains. As Richard had read in several accounts of The Franks, the barbarians would run at him flinging their arms like wild men, screeching and yelling in some foreign tongue. A language that sounded demonic to him. The Legionnaire of twenty one years was shocked, nothing had brought so much fear into him as those wailing Franks. He was so stunned he could not move, simply staring at the approaching men with his eye wide open and mouth open ajar. Alone and helpless, even if he tried to fight he was bound to lose and so accepted defeat and allowed himself to be captured.

 

The Frankish band bound his hands and led him to their camp. Imprisoned like a prize hunting catch Richard pondered on his position, was there a chance of escape? What were they planning to do to him? Eat him? Well at least Richard hoped not. For now all he could do was pray, as he was dragged to his doom he would think of his children offering them his prayers. Recalling his first child Franziska, may she always be happy and find solace in her passions, he prayed. And his eldest son Lorand, may he continue to prosper and become the great fighter has always wanted to be. Miklos, Nikolaus, be safe and may you grow up knowing you are cherished and loved.

 

Who knows what happened to Richard von Leopold in that Frankish encampment? But it was clear that they did not take kindly to his intrusion on their territory. He was most likely gravely tortured and murdered, maybe even gutted like a fish and sacrificed to their devilish gods? It is besides the point.

 

Days later his corpse was found on the edges of The Crown Lands, his remains quickly gathered by Augusten servants and is now respectfully contained within a coffin. His body is not for viewing but rumours swirl about the state he was found in. Some say he was skewered on a pyke with his head severed from his torso, others try to imagine a more gruesome end. The families von Leopold, Korvacz and Augusten will surely seek vengeance on the Frankish tribes, a renewed offensive perhaps? But the time for vengeance will come, for now Richard’s family mourns.

 

Sadly, now Richard’s story comes to an abrupt end.  The loss will be felt all across Aaun, Richard was a man involved in many facets of Aaunish life, a member of The Privy Council, Receiver-General, in service of his King. The Baron of Edendorf, he had reunited his family’s lost heritage and made the von Leopold name known throughout the kingdom. A Legionnaire, he had served since he was sixteen, recruited by the late, great Prince Henry, he always felt honoured to fight for Aaun. He will be missed but will be watching all those he loved from the afterlife. May everyone pray for his immortal soul, may Richard rest in peace at the side of Almighty God, and all those who have passed before him.

 

 

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𝕽 𝖎 𝖈 𝖍 𝖆 𝖗 𝖉 ' 𝖘   𝕰 𝖓 𝖉

Last Will and Testament of

𝕽 𝖎 𝖈 𝖍 𝖆 𝖗 𝖉   𝖛 𝖔 𝖓   𝕷 𝖊 𝖔 𝖕 𝖔 𝖑 𝖉 ,   𝕭 𝖆 𝖗 𝖔 𝖓   𝖔 𝖋   𝕰 𝖉 𝖊 𝖓 𝖉 𝖔 𝖗 𝖋

Issued by His Lordship, 

𝕻 𝖊 𝖙 𝖊 𝖗   𝖛 𝖔 𝖓   𝕷 𝖊 𝖔 𝖕 𝖔 𝖑 𝖉  ,   𝕽 𝖊 𝖌 𝖊 𝖓 𝖙   𝖔 𝖋   𝕰 𝖉 𝖊 𝖓 𝖉 𝖔 𝖗 𝖋

the Year of our Lord, 1944.

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

❀         ❀

 

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Since our terrible capture and subsequent liberation, in battles to defend Portoregne, it has come to me that though still young death is always near. Though we all dream for a long, fruitful life with a peaceful and painless death it is not our place to decide when or how we should pass onto the next life. This is why I write this document to secure the succession of Edendorf, House von Leopold, and most importantly ensure that, if I was to pass before my time, my children are well cared for.

 

On that note, should I be faced with my untimely end, let it be known that my heir shall be 𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔷𝔦𝔰𝔨𝔞 𝔐𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔨𝔞 𝔳𝔬𝔫 𝔏𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔬𝔩𝔡. She shall inherit all of my lands and titles. She shall be known as Baroness of Edendorf.  If she is too young, under the age of adulthood, she is to have a regent to act in her place until she is of age. This regent shall be my brother 𝔓𝔢𝔱𝔢𝔯 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔢𝔰 𝔳𝔬𝔫 𝔏𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔬𝔩𝔡. He shall be charged with leadership of House von Leopold, until Franziska is old enough to take the helm of her inheritance, and lead our family.

 

Heirlooms of House von Leopold are to be put under the protection of 𝔓𝔢𝔱𝔢𝔯 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔢𝔰 𝔳𝔬𝔫 𝔏𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔬𝔩𝔡 and distributed at his discretion, I wished for the items to be distributed amongst all of my kinder. I advise that he acts wisely and tries his best to be fair and distribute all objects at appropriate times. I trust my brother to act in my interest and the interest of our family.

 

The remainder of my wealth is to be distributed equally between 𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔷𝔦𝔰𝔨𝔞 𝔐𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔨𝔞 𝔳𝔬𝔫 𝔏𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔬𝔩𝔡, 𝔏𝔬𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℜ𝔦𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔡 𝔎𝔬𝔯𝔳𝔞𝔠𝔷 and any other of my children. Let it be known that I loved you all dearly, you were my heart, soul and mind. With this will I have left letters for each of you, they are to be distributed at your Uncle Peter’s behest.

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

𝔊 𝔒 𝔗 𝔗   𝔐 ℑ 𝔗   𝔘 𝔑 𝔖,

 

His Lordship, Richard von Leopold, Baron of Edendorf

His Lordship, Peter von Leopold, Executor of The Edendorf Estate

 

Spoiler

OOC Section:

 

Just wanted to write a little thank you to everyone who's made Richard special for me. Obviously I can't name everyone who has helped me with this character, but those who have been most vital I will always be at your service and will let you know how greatful I have been for you guiding me with this character. I want everyone to know that if you've had the pleasure of meeting Richard IC I would really like to thank you, even if it was only for a few moments, I have really had an excellent time with this character. Richard has been my first character on LOTC and I feel that he accomplished alot, and I am really satisfied with what he's achieved and am content with this ending. I won't delve much into why I have PKed Richard, mostly because it's very complex and there's a whole host of reason, but it's been dwelling in my mind for a while now. But I am satisfied and really happy with Richard. Here's to a new chapter! 😎

 

[Sebbysc 744]

The Barony of Napoliza provided solace for Ser Leopold during this stretch of time. There was much work to be done and not enough hours in the day to accomplish it all. There were threats left and right that the newly appointed Commander had to squish before they got out of hand. For a time, he had a friend he could rely on during these tribulations. It wasn't until one of the Varoche servants brought him lunch that he found out the gruesome fate of his first friend.

 

The two spent months together in a prison cell as they witnessed the horrific treatment provided by lowly bandits. Was this truly the end? The realization that he likely died alone hit Leopold the most. It was almost too painful to consider what his Officer could've been thinking in those last moments.

 

There was still too much to do, and the shift in Leopold's countenance surely revealed such. At least he could help his friend's family if he couldn't be there for Richard in his final moments.

[Me_llamo... 603]

Spoiler

Rip bozo 

 

[EmiliainWonderland 2311]

Richard's aunt had spent some time wasting away in her home with her children Araceli and Peter with another on the way. She was happy, despite everything that had happened to her family in the last several years. Marlena d'Arkent was reading over letters, missives, and the like she'd received and were spread around her respective nations of Balian and Aaun both of which she frequently visited and kept up to date with even if she wasn't in Aaun with her family as much as she used to be.

 

Upon seeing Richard's name, she had hoped the news would be good. Perhaps he'd had another child or the von Leopolds had been promoted but instead she was met with an instant wave of grief. Marlena hunched over the desk, reading the very last pieces of the notice that her nephew had passed. Richard, who had been beside Marlena all throughout her life and only a few years her senior had always felt more like a brother than a nephew. He was one of her closest family members and Marlena felt awful she hadn't seen him in so long. 

 

She had been taking a stance of indifference for so long, as if nothing about her family back in Aaun bothered her even a little bit. This time she could not pretend to be indifferent, Marlena was devestated.

 

"Nein, ich refuse to believe zhis ist true. Richard ist strong, he ist kind. He vould nicht be dead so soon, vhen he ist still so young. Vhen ve aren't even sixty yet." 

[Fawnytheturtle 865]

When Anne heard the news she was in complete shock "No, not him! Why!" she screamed out in her own home, though it scared her son she sighs, she lifted him up and kissed his head "Sorry Fedir, mommy is just upset" tears then started to roll on her cheeks, she then sat down and went silent as she held her son

 

 

Meanwhile Franziska didn't believe anyone on the news, anytime she ran out to see the body someone would stop her and bring her back to the house, she cried and cried, and finally locking herself in her room she didn't come out or speak to anyone.

[Frawlic 1602]

The naturally paranoid Korvacz woman had refused to sleep after her husband had left, after all, she was wary of him tending to things on his own. Perhaps she should have joined him, but at the end of the day one would assume it was better that she had not, at least her children still had a parent. Of course, not everything happened in a day and upon noting Richard’s lack of return, time was set aside in her days where she would look for him. Xenia was lucky she had not been the one to discover his corpse.

Raevir women are strong, and so that is precisely what she assumed herself to be. She had slayed a bear with her husband, tended to his once sickly form, and had even given birth to three children. She had known loss before, but she also knew she could bounce back from it, at least she thought she could.

The already distant woman had finally shrouded herself in their room, and even then her sobs and screams still pierced past doorways and lingered like smog that one could choke on. She would need time, but there would never be enough of it for her to recover from the loss of her love, her life. And then there were the children, she would have to make sure they were okay. In all truth, it appeared she would never recover, but she had the mentality to bury her grief, not because she wanted to, but because she had to.