DUMA TRANSCRIPT 543 E.S.

[Office of the Lord Speaker 747]

 

 

TRANSCRIPT FROM 543 E.S.

XLVII SESSION OF THE KING’S DUMA

FROM  THE OFFICE OF LORD SPEAKER

DUMA OF 8 TOV and YERMEY, 543 E.S

RECORDED AND ANNOTATED BY S. Ludovar

 

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IN ATTENDANCE:

VIDAUS, Her Grace Tatiyana Ruthern, Lady Speaker

KVASZ, His Lordship Sigmund Ludovar representing, Lord Handler
AYR, The Right Honorable,  Rosie Baruch representing
MALKOVYA, His Lordship Joakim Colborn representing

NOVKURSAIN, His Lordship Marus Weiss representing

ZVEZLUND, The Honorable Nerida Amador

KORAVIA, The Honorable Emma Kortrevich

VERSKAYA, Her Ladyship Gavrila Godunov 

KOVGRAD, Her Ladyship Rezalisa  Kovachev 

 

THE GRAND MAER, Rickard  Kortrevich

 

ALDERMAN JOHN OF NAU VALDEV

ALDERMAN STANISLAV VAR RUTHERN

ALDERMAN HADEON VALKONEN

ABSENT:

 KATABANYA, His Lordship Alekszej Korvacz, Royal Inquisitor

 

ALDERWOMAN ADELINA VAN LEUVEN

 

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T. Ruthern: “We will get onto the bill presented by Boyar Weiss. If vy will, Herzen.”

 

M. Weiss: “Ea am here to present the bill which would give mercy to those who have been cursed or deformed to look like devils. Currently, by law, all creatures of an infernal origin are considered Abominations. Often is it the case that these people are then attacked, harmed or discriminated against freely.” - “However, we are a powerful kongzem, with strong people and good morals. It is not an uncommon sentiment that those attacked or afflicted by the Shadow are victims: People who have little say in their state, and suffer for it.  Ea believe this to be the case with cursed peoples.” - “Some may not give this a second thought when they look to these people who appear so much different than us - but it should not go unnoticed that far too many have had no control.  They are treated as if they are beasts to be hunted for sport and valour, as repulsive for their very existence, and as if they are slaves to the curse which has harmed them. Many of these people are simply born this way through no fault of their own,  but face a life of suffering and condemnation nonetheless. Ea find this to be a tragedy.”- “However, we can now change this starting with this bill: The first step to recognizing our likenesses, ag niet our differences.” He concluded, grimacing for a moment at the horse, which gave him pause, “Ea… ea would like to request that we politely take turns given the topic at hand. This… concludes ea speech. Any questions?”

 

S. Ruthern: “I have a question, Good Weiss,”

 

T. Ruthern:  “A moderated debate will be had, da. All Boyars raise vyr hands if vy wish to speak. . .Stanis may go first, da. 

 

T. Ruthern: Kovgrad second and so on. . .

 

S. Ruthern: “You say the cursed children have no choice regarding their deformity - but what of the anamorphic druids we allow in?” -  “I have seen one deformed with bird's feets, claws, and wings for arms… And I have heard of one with spider legs shooting out from their back.”

 

S. Ruthern: “Are these cursed children more harmful than these monstrous druii we permit to walk our city? Or, how do they compare?”

 

M. Weiss: “The cursed are a little different to the druids we allow in. They are all different in appearance only, and are free to choose their own paths as any one of us are. Of course, the druids choose how they appear, ag we still allow them entrance. Yet, the cursed do niet.” - “Ea see little reason to allow the druids greater freedoms when they have the choice over those that do niet.”

 

S. Ruthern: “That's… very strange, da.” - “I did not realize the druid chose to warp themselves so, against God's image.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Kovgrad.” - “And then Kortrevich.”

 

S. Ruthern: “Spasiba for the clarification,”

 

R. Kovachev: “. . I would like to add further comment to this Bill, and speak on why I've signed on to support it,” - “I've been raised on the values of The White Comet, and studied well on the struggle between the Light and the Dark; the true dangers that seek to invade our world.” - “Those who are cursed against their will are truly victims; tainted by the Shadow - and left at risk to be consumed wholly by it. The Shadows wish for us to act in fear, to cling to hatred; to ask no questions - and see us harming each other. For it is in this chaos and confusion that they thrive, and leech off of our communities like parasites.” - “The Patriarch of Jorenus; Villorik has fought against the Dark tirelessly. So much so, that assassins are sent to silence his efforts in rooting out the true evil. He's taken on the aid of those who are Cursed, and goes against the wishes of the Dark. Defies their plans. I would see him comment on this - to prove that there is no sin in treating these victims with mercy.”

 

T. Ruthern: “We will move on to Krusev followed by Verskaya. . .Vy may speak now, Herzen.”

 

R. Kovachev: “. . Will the Patriarch not be permitted a word, Lady Speaker?”

 

T. Ruthern: “When we finish our turn order he may.”

 

N. Kortrevich: “Ea have a statement te read on behalf of Lady Emma Kortrevich, in favour of the changes.” - “'The cursed children are often misunderstood and feared, as we all know. Let it be known, however, that they bear a burden that is not of their own making. Their curse was imposed upon them by forces beyond their control. These children are innocent of any wrongdoing and should niet be condemned for a condition they did neit choose. Instead of punishment or scorn, they deserve our compassion and understanding.”

 

N. Kortrevich: “They struggle daily with the consequences of a curse that they neither sought nor desired. Their plight is a reminder that curses do niet define character, and their true nature is found in how they endure and rise above their affliction.'” - “That is all.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Verskaya and then Malkovya.”

 

G. Godunov: “I have also signed on in support of this change, and I would wish to add further comment as to why…” - “. . . As a lady of a darker complexion, I have had the word ”foreigner“, and other terms not as kind, slung at me countless times. I will admit, it fills one with anger, and hurt, undirected as it be, to be told that you do not belong in your own home. This is but a minimized experience to that of the cursed children- called beasts, abominations, and far worse. Hunter for sport- can you imagine?” - “Those cursed are stained by an infernal plight, by the Shadow, as the Baroness Kovachev puts it. They struggle daily against the hatred the world levies upon them, for no reason but for why, the choices- the sins, that those before them made? It is unjust. Children are born pure- untainted. It is the darkness of the world that shapes them. Hate only begets more hate, and without a guiding hand of good, this hurt embroils into anger, into darkness, and evil. The true blight is the hatred that brews.” - “We are a powerful Kongzem. We have strong people, and strong morals, and we are proud.” - “We have a power, here, to extend a branch of compassion to those who are less fortunate. We have a power to quench hate at the root. The cursed children struggle to rise above their plight, and with compassion shown, we give them that extra pull they need.” - “That is all.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Spasibo, mea lady - we will move on to Malkovya and then Ayr.” - “If ea missed vyr hand, please inform mea once more.”

 

J. Colborn: “Amaya cared for one of these cursed children. We all know what followed. I, and my kin of Colborn, are the first to say the actions of the parents is nej a fault on the child. That is a standard we have upheld since our founding. But I ask you-” -  “What will you do to ensure the past actions of cursed born does nej happen again?”

 

S. Ludovar: “I had my hand raised.”

 

R. Kortrevich: “Can ea ask that if anyone shares the same sentiment as the one's we've already had that we move on to differing points of view. If there are any.”

 

M. Weiss: “As is ea stance, as many share here, the choices of the cursed born are there own. Why should we judge them as a whole for the actions of a few?” - “Would vy have it that we behead all people of a club foot, if a group of club-footed peoples murdered a man? Would vy banish elves if they murdered another? Ag what of orcs - a constant trouble - yet we still allow them through our gates.” - “We canniet foolproof the future of all crime.” - “But we can take the time to teach ag guide ag niet reject these people from such a young age that they become damaged.”

 

S. Ruthern: “Huh- the orcs, that's true….” He murmured, unable to find an argument there.

 

J. Colborn: “To ensure bandits do nej get in, we man the gates and walls. To ensure our treasury flourishes, we have dedicated scribes to navigate the files. But if a cursedborn comes to the city, how do we prevent them from causing harm again? Do we nej allow them jobs inside the palace? Or prevent them from taking arms?”

 

T. Ruthern: “The Grand Maer makes a point.” -  “All those who share differing views keep vyr hands raised, the others ea will have lower theirs.”

 

J. Colborn: “I have fought many darkspawn. As the young duchess has, as Villorik has. They are sneaky, and will do anything they can to drop your guard and stab you from behind. I am nej a fan of them slipping into places those of the past should never have been allowed. My point stands with His and Her Majesty's point on them. Discrimination is nej in the book of Colborn, but safety of our sworn brodirs of Barbanov is.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “I shall speak my differing view at the end, Speaker,” 

 

M. Weiss: “Ea believe vy have avoided the point. Ea would be opposed to means which cause harm ag rejection though if it is necessary to bar such things, perhaps we should.”  - “However, ea would draw vyr attention to our current koeng, ag his snow orc. These creatures are niet known for their kindness, ag yet he guards the koeng well. He is good ag beloved - but we still reject the cursed?” - “Niet all are as those who have visited us before, Lord Colborn. There will be good ones, too.”

 

J. Colborn: “We can nej trust them to nej be spies of their inferi parents. They have been attempting everything to bring down our walls.”

 

R. Kovachev: “Not many years ago, folk were motion to ban all orcs from the capital . .”

 

M. Weiss: “Ag yet perhaps they could aid us too, in the same regard.”

 

T. Ruthern: “We will move on. . .Ayr if vy have a differing opinion from the Lord Weiss - if niet, then Kvasz.”

 

R. Baruch: “We've been kind to these cursed beings before. We've shown them mercy, and welcomed them,” she recounts, stern gaze sliding across the room. “And what have we lost for it? A beloved Queen- and the Countess of Ayr, my sister, savagely burned on the burned on the very hand she offered out, to name but a few.” - “Perhaps some of them are innocent- but all of our children are innocent, and should be kept from the very chance of harm. Are we to prioritize strangers- infernal strangers, fundamentally tainted - over our own families? Are we not to take these losses as lessons?”

 

M. Weiss: “Ag yet, we have lost many people to many things. We did niet cast aside those of wars we have fought, nor those who have acted in delusions of the mind - we grant them mercy, too. Ea see this as little different.” - “Moreover, vy make an assumption that our own will never be harmed by this curse.”

 

J. Colborn: “You make the assumption the cursedborn will nej hurt our own as they have in the past.”

 

R. Kovachev: “As long as this law stands as is, the Shadows may easily turn us against one another by targeting our own and cursing us. Would a child of Light be condemned as wicked, after being struck by Shadow?”

 

M. Weiss: “… Since when did ea say that?” - “It is strength to be able to still show mercy in the face of hardship. This is why we accept the trials God tests us with, is it niet?”

 

J. Colborn: “You assume they are innocent, ja? Then that is to assume. I simply point out that you accuse the young Baruch of assumption that you, yourself do as well.”

 

M. Weiss: “Niet. Ea said they choose their own paths. - But a child - all children are innocent.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Spasibo Lady Baruch - we move on to Kvasz.”

 

S. Ludovar: “Spasiba. Many here speak of these cursed children as victims. Victims they may be, but they are still cursed. Darkness runs through their veins, and we cannot afford to be blinded by sympathy. We cannot afford to show pity for something that can  threaten the safety of Kongzem.” - “So my question is simple, what does the High Pontiff say of this bill? Not Villorik, not the White Comet, what does the Church think of this bill?”

 

M. Weiss: “Ea would like to remind those in attendance we are all cursed.” He spoke them, gravely. “Just because the curses of the deceiver are niet visible upon our face does niet make it different.”

 

S. Ruthern: “Oh *bleep*-” 

 

T. Ruthern: “The bard may niet.” - “This is a session of his Majesties Duma, niet a tavern bar.”

 

J. Colborn: “The curse of Iblees does nej outweigh the Blessings of GOD to sit with our ancestors in the Seven Skies.”

 

M. Weiss: “So why should the blessing of God mean less to a Cursed person?” - “Who are we to determine that?”

 

T. Ruthern: “Cease-!” - “The next person to speak out of turn will be removed from the hall.”

 

S. Ludovar: “Isn't our curse simply a lifespan?” - “A curse of dark magic that can cause actual harm is a true dark curse. And I shall not be for a bill that can threaten the safety of our people.” -  “But vy did niet answer my question I believe. What does the High Pontiff of the Holy Church of Canon think of such a bill like this?”

 

T. Ruthern: “Ea will allow the Patriarch to weigh in followed by the Prinzenas Milena. After that ea will put the bill to vote - we are speaking in circles at this rate.” -  “The opinion of the Church. . .If the Pontiff has offered his opinion on the matter prior or lately?”

 

Villorik: “A general comment on the matter?” - “'Tis not a question easily answered.” - “My late lord Caius - Skies keep his soul - bid them banned from all Canondom, after the demons known as Laelia and Sermi murdered Blessed Amaya.”- “We knew little of the Curseborn back then.” - “Their nature, their origins.” -  “My lord Caius' decree was born as a defensive protocol, until we had gleaned this truth.” -  “ … Marus,” he called, then, visor sliding. “Is it your bond with Leoni that has born this motion?”

 

M. Weiss: “… If ea am to be honest, Dame Leoni is where ea first learned of the plight of the cursedborn. Her capture of Sermi painted a very grey picture of justice. However, ea must also state that since her ea have met many more peoples of that are Cursed, ag ea have grown a heart for their plight all too large.”

 

Villorik: “Do you know what has become of Leoni?”

 

M. Weiss: “…Ai, ea know.”

 

Villorik: “ … I have met six Curseborn throughout my time on this earth.” - “Four of them, the White Comet hunted as servants of the Shadow.” - “ … Even so,” - “I do not think them evil by nature - only that the circumstances of their birth estrange them from the Light, and we who walk within it.”

 

T. Ruthern:  “So vyr opinion differs from the Pontiff's?”

 

Villorik: “Hmph. The current? You would have to ask him. I know not.” - “As for my lord Caius, by whose writ this ban was wrought … I spoke as to its nature.”

 

T. Ruthern:  “Prior Pontifical decree, then. It has niet changed since?”

 

Villorik: “It was a defensive mandate, back when their brood first became known to us.” - “It has not.”

 

T. Ruthern:  “That answers vyr inquirey, da Lord Ludovar?”

 

Villorik: “Even so, I would lend my support to this bill. Alas, it is with caution their ilk must be treated. Not discrimination, but caution.” - “Only through compassion can one be weened from the Shadow.”

 

T. Ruthern:  “Spasibo, aedypapej. . .” - “And we will finish off the discussion with the Prinzenas Milena.”

 

S. Ludovar: “In a way.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “To begin…I do infact agree with the words of the Patriarch. I do niet believe these cursed folk inherently evil. However, we speak of children as if they do niet eventually grow into adulthood. And these curseborn will forever have one foot concealed in the shadows that their demonic maker's hide within.” - “I announce to vy all today--that Nataya Rykov was murdered in cold blood, brought to our city gates by one of those infernal lords.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “A woman vy all have known--in friendship or passing.”

 

S. Ruthern: “What?!”

 

Milena Anastasya: “Her own child, equally innocent--taken.”

 

Villorik: “ … How … do you know this?”

 

Milena Anastasya: “I put this question to vyr minds--shall we risk the chance brought on by emotions of the heart, to welcome uncertainty? We do niet need, perhaps, deem these accursed folk guilty. But the law aught, at the very least, still be made so we might be wisely wary.”

 

Villorik: “ … Then … it may be time.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “Children grow into adults, my lords and ladies of the Duma. And it is a long road between then and now, where they might be influenced.” -  “As for how I know….” - “I am Lady Emissar of the kongzem. And it is my duty to remain informed, for the safety of all in this room, and in this realm.”

 

Villorik: “ … Then perhaps I ought to inform you of something in turn, Lady Emissar.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “If the Lady Speaker will allow,”

 

T. Ruthern:  “We will move to a vote. . .Though ea wish for a prayer for the Firress Nataya to be spoken first. Vy both may share vyr information after the session ends.”

 

R. Kovachev: “Lady Speaker- please. The Cardinal may have vital information.” Rezalisa was tense, her eyes desperate upon the helmed man.

 

N. Amador: “Ea must agree with the Lady Kovachev, mea Lady Speaker.”

 

M. Weiss: “Will we refuse them the chance to speak when more is there to be said?”

 

Erik Otto Kortrevich: “The Patriarch will have his response, Lady Speaker.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Make it quick.”

 

Villorik: “There is an Infernal Lord in Haense.”

 

J. Colborn: “Is it related to the life pit we closed?”

 

T. Ruthern: “Do niet drag it out, Patriarch. Speak it.”

 

Villorik: “ … Hmph. I say this, spoken here and now, as a vow alone.” -  “I have known of this Demon for some time, and he has gone unslain … for he will return for death. It is for this reason I have sought out the Sword of Jophiael, but the House Weiss remains clueless as to its whereabouts.” - “Alas, I can wait no longer. I believe he is responsible for the curses that sweep this land, and may well have had a hand in Nataya's death.” - “More than that … Amaya was killed on his orders.”

 

J. Colborn: “Lot of word-playing here, Villorik.”

 

Villorik: “I intend to hunt him on this night, Lady Speaker. Alas, I cannot speak his name until the deed is done.” - “ … He has a hostage.”

 

N. Amador:  “Who is he?!” 

 

Erik Otto Kortrevich: “Okay I regret that - go to a vote please.”

 

T. Ruthern: “. . .And this pertains to the bill, how?”

 

R. Kortrevich: “This session got wild.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “Then, Lady Speaker, I would ask before we vote--that we instead determine to await this bill's consideration until the conclusion of the Patriarch's investigation.”

 

Villorik: “If you do not know how an Infernal Lord in our realm relates to a bill on those who may serve the Infernal, then I bid you join me for meditation on the matter.”

 

E. Kortrevich: “There are children in question,” - “Children that can be swayed from this path, no?”

 

M. Weiss: “We should niet wait.”

 

R. Kovachev: “This Infernal Lord seeks to corrupt us, and twist those we shut out to his whims!” - “Those who are harmed and left behind to fester by the Light, and are only taken by the Dark!”

 

E. Kortrevich: “We cannot wait, lest they fall into his grip,” she says, tipping her chin towards Reza in agreeance.

 

J. Colborn: “Why are you now sharing this information?”

 

R. Kortrevich: “Ea now feel less qualified to vote da or nie than ea did before we started.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “These children are already touched by this Infernal Lord, Lady Kortrevich.”

 

S. Ludovar: “With an Infernal Lord being said to reside in Haense. It is clear that this ban on cursed children should remain.”

 

Milena Anastasya: “They will niet be harmed--but I would niet welcome them into our city until this lord is vanquished.”

 

M. Weiss: “Are vy niet in understanding? With an infernal Lord in our realm, his victims here have grown.”

 

J. Colborn: “Motion to vote.”

 

T. Ruthern: “We will go to a vote.” - “Say da or nie when vyr title is called.”

 

E. Kortrevich: “Where are they to go, if not into the light? Is it not up to us to guide them to righteousness?” - “We ought to have some compassion!”

 

T. Ruthern: “SHUT UP AND LET US VOTE!”

 

S. Ludovar: “And as Lady Milena said, these cursed children will grow up. They will not stay children forever. And they will eventually, could eventually, cause harm to our people.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Vidaus votes niet-.” - “Kvasz?”

 

S. Ludovar: “Niet.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Malkovya?”

 

J. Colborn: “Nej.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Ayr?”

 

R. Baruch: “Nie.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Novkursain?”

 

M. Weiss: “Ai.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Zvezlund?”

 

N. Amador: “Da.”

 

R. Kortrevich: “Can we legally do this if the Pontiff has outlawed them and it's niet been overturned?”

 

T. Ruthern: “Krusev?”

 

E. Kortrevich: “House Kortrevich votes da.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Kovgrad?”

 

R. Kovachev: “Aye.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Verskaya?”

 

G. Godunov: “Da.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Grand Maer?”

 

R. Kortrevich: “Ea abstain. If it's a mandate of the church that they niet be allowed, we follow canon law. Vy would be better petitioning His Holiness and the Curia.”

 

T. Ruthern: “Alderman Ruthern?”

 

S. Ruthern: “The Patriarch had the right of it- approach with caution, not with hatred. I vote yes,”

 

T. Ruthern: “Alderman Valkonen?”

 

H. Valkonen: “Da..”

 

T. Ruthern: “Ordak-!” - “The bill. . .Passes! It will now be sent to his Majesty. Session dismissed.”

 

Session adjourned.

 

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[Borin 7645]

Brother Franz squints "Why is the K*rt the one with sense"

[xo31 3979]

Arthur grimaced upon seeing that he was mistaken for an 'Infernal Lord'.

[satin 7600]

Phillipe van Leuven quietly seethes.

[Frostdrop1 1843]

Marus Weiss awoke the next day in a bed that was not his, in a place that was not his own. Bewilderment fell over him, having failed to realise he had fallen asleep from exhaution int he square. Raising his hands to rub his face, he merely laid back down and took a deep, shuddered inhale. Thoughts whirred and drowned his mind, vague recollections of what had happened the day before clawing to the surface. All had been overwhelming. Then, quietly, he thanked GOD that compassion still laid in the hearts of men.

They had done it.

The people had spoken.

[Karina 1882]

A once-living Devil found some small amusement in the turned tides. Some sort of scratchy thing ate at the back of her throat, gurgling into something like a guffaw. Little else needed to be said.

They were fools, the draugar thought, all of them. So blind to the true dangers. They never cared when it was Sermi, alone, hunting the infernal. Far easier was it, to let one dig their own grave and later make a martyr out of them. How things could have been different...

They'll learn, she thought.