A Crown Set Aside

[Dogged 2879]

Spoiler

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Marius jolted awake, drenched in sweat. His stomach twisted with hunger—he hadn’t eaten in days. Across the dimly lit room, Torugr, the towering snow orc with dark blue skin and a thick coat of white fur, stirred at the sudden movement.

“Ugr, king-man eat meat,” Torugr rumbled, his deep voice like a roll of distant thunder as he rose to his feet, looming over the bed.

Marius weakly shook his head, raising a trembling hand to gesture toward the window. “Open it…” he barked.

Torugr grunted, lumbering to the window. With a heavy push, he unlatched it, letting a sharp, icy breeze sweep into the chamber. Snowflakes drifted in, swirling around the room as if to cleanse the stifling air.

Returning to his corner, Torugr settled amidst a grim collection of bones and stripped carcasses, the remnants of his meals. The orc swayed gently, his piercing eyes never leaving Marius.

Every few hours, Torugr would rise and approach, offering slabs of raw meat in his massive hands. Yet each time, Marius refused with a faint shake of his head, his strength waning. Torugr would sigh, retreating once more to his corner, the cycle repeating like the tick of an agonizingly slow clock.

Marius closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek as he gazed at the empty space beside him. His thoughts wandered to Juliya, to the warmth of their shared memories. But those moments were lost now, fading like a distant dream. He sighed before his body finally surrendered to sleep.

 

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In the quiet darkness, he found himself slipping into a lucid dream.

“Where am I?” he asked aloud, his voice echoing softly in the strange void.

A deep, chilling voice responded. “You’re dying…”

A towering figure materialized before him, draped in a flowing black cloak that seemed to absorb the very light around them. The figure’s face was hidden, but its purpose was clear.

Marius, still clad in the garb of his royal stature, straightened as best as he could. “I cannot be… I have more to do.”

The figure tilted its head slightly, the void seeming to deepen with its silent gaze. “All things come to an end, King. Even you.”

Death, with a flick of his hand, conjured an image of Juliya, her figure bathed in an ethereal glow. She stood in a peaceful, serene place, her soft smile calling out to him. With a delicate motion, she beckoned him, her fingers curling and inviting him to join her.

Marius extended his trembling arm, yearning to cross the distance between them. He felt the pull of her warmth, of the memories they had shared.

But Death’s voice cut through the air, deep and amused, as the figure stepped closer, a smile slowly manifesting beneath the dark hood. “I thought you had more to do, majesty…” the voice was almost mocking.

Marius’ heart skipped a beat, a knot of fear tightening in his chest.

“You have had enough time here in your Earthly world,” Death continued, his voice carrying a weight of inevitability, as if the very air around them grew colder. “It is time you let go. Say your goodbyes, and leave the Crown to another head. Let another take your throne.”

But Death wasn’t finished.

“I will give you a few more hours,” Death said, his tone almost sympathetic, though the mocking edge still lingered. “You are more important than the others. I offer you that much.”

 

 

---

 

Marius spent his final hours surrounded by his children . Torugr sat nearby, silent. As dawn approached, Marius passed peacefully in his sleep.

Marius III Nikolas Barbanov-Bihar

521-557 E.S.

 

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Spoiler

I want to take a moment to thank Indiana105 and Kaylacita for entrusting me to lead Haense and be their heir. It has been one of the most fun and fulfilling experiences I’ve had on the server. I also want to extend my gratitude to everyone I don’t mention—you’ve all left an impact. Here’s a few personal shoutouts:

Annabanana1014 – Thank you for being my queen. The road was bumpy, but I’m glad you were there for most of the ride.

CheekyNolan – I have high hopes for your reign and knw you will do great things. If you ever need anything, just DM me and I will be glad to help. Best of luck, o7.

Hogobojo – Thanks for being my treasurer and always finding money when I needed it.

Blake0205 – Thanks for giving Hogo the money, when I needed it, so he could keep his job! You’ve done so much for Haense and for me. You’ve been a great friend, and I wish you the best in whatever’s next for you.

Madyyy – Thanks for being my speaker and always picking up when I needed to rant. (Also, thanks for rating my Spotify playlists!)

Belle – Thank you for coming back and putting so much effort into Haense. Your dedication is unmatched.

Erictafoya – My palatine! Thanks for standing by me through the highs and lows. It’s been a privilege to have you at my side.

Muna (Joel) – It took me a while to get used to your new name, but I’m so glad you were part of my council and served as my palatine. You made my job so much easier. It’s amazing to see things come full circle (Ludovar → Barbanov).

Yoppl – Thanks for always being there and for taking the time to roleplay as my giant snow orc companion. Those moments had me laughing so much!

sarahbarah – Thanks for taking up diplomacy and being awesome at it. You truly are the GOAT of Minecraft diplomacy.

iris1612 – Thank you for reigniting the passion and fun in roleplay. It’s easy to forget that’s why we do this—thank you for reminding me.

Julius – My big brother from another mother! Thanks for always being there to offer advice, whether IRL or in-game. You kept me grounded when I was all over the place.

Masouri – Having you in Haense has been amazing. Thanks for always being there when I needed advise.

Pureimp10 – You always gave me the truth, and I respect that. I could always rely on you, and I’m so grateful for it.

Sandman – Sorry we didn’t reconnect sooner (I was planning my PK—oops). Thanks for always doing your best for Haense. Your efforts meant a lot. o7

GMRO – Your dedication to Haense is inspiring. Thanks for being such a solid support, especially in these last few weeks.

Xarkly – Thank you for your support and for always offering balanced perspectives. Your video essay was fantastic, by the way—keep it up!

North – I wish your leadership journey hadn’t been cut short. I loved our conversations. Let’s chat again sometime!

Terry23 – One of the most dedicated people I know! I’m glad you joined Haense and wish you the best with your Duma plans.

Dramatude/PapiPollo – Thank you both for always being around and reviving Leuven. I hope it continues to grow strong.

Pomegrad – Thanks for taking up the courts. You’ve been crucial to Haense’s recent success, and I hope you achieve all your goals!

Frankdh – Thanks for holding me accountable. It made Haense better.

psychra_notte – Even though you recently stepped down, I’m so glad we worked together as deputy-palatine and peers. Wishing you all the best IRL. o7

Harald – I miss you, boss. Sorry things didn’t work out the way we hoped. I am happy to have worked with you during the time we had.

Wavey – THE GOAT OF REGENTS. Thanks for always reaching out and being a friend.

Chumpchump/John of New Valdev – Thanks for coming back, even for a short while. It was so fun to roleplay with you.

Raijen – Thank you for taking up Colborn. You’ve had such a positive impact on me over the past year. Thanks man.

Lego – Your ambition is refreshing! A lot of people aren’t as driven these days. Best of luck with Ludovar and the duchy—you’ve got big shoes to fill when Hogo PKs!

Seuss – Thanks for always hopping on and guarding me. I really enjoyed our roleplay, friend. Hopefully, we can keep in touch!

 

To everyone else who played a part in my journey: thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s been an incredible ride!

 

Spoiler

 

Huge shot out for these artistic depictions of Marius!

 

 

 

 

 

[HogoBojo 4725]

Hogmund Jakob would sit beside his dearly departed Father, hugging him as the young princeling attempted to shake his Father in hopes that he would wake. "P-papej." He'd call out, tears streaming down his face as he realised that his Father was truly gone. Hogmund now would be quite distraught, losing both parents at a relatively young age. After some time grieving with the rest of his family, he would seek out Ser Joakim Colborn, someone he believed to be like a second Father.

[CheekyNolan 5420]

"Father?" the boy stood at the edge of the King's bed whilst his siblings all tried to stir him awake. Karl backpedalled a few steps until he pressed his back to the wall. The chaos slipped away into a distant sounding murmur and his heart beat so hard it drummed all the way up his throat. He had not even claimed the crown and yet its weight was already crushing for the thirteen year old who would be King. 

 

You're not ready. You should not be King. You are wrong for the throne. God is dooming you to fail.

 

Karl clutched at his chest. The pounding on his ribs was too much, it threatened to burst through. He sucked in greedy breaths to no avail. His head throbbed at the temples until he snatched the circlet off and cast it aside whilst he sunk to his knees.

 

"Why now?" Karl managed with tears welling in his eyes, glancing up at the people who came to console him. "It's too soon. . ."

[erictafoya 3276]

In the high tower of Kastell Lesanov, a family weeps in the Royal Chambers...

 

For the last few days, Joren had spent countless nights restless, with his father's condition weighing heavily in his mind. The boy looked to the star filled night and prayed. Despite usually finding an answer within himself, this time he could not seem to find it. "This is strange" he thought.

A boy who tried everything but could do nothing sat on the ground...

The stars did not align quite well today, or perhaps it was just the lack of sleep. His mind was filled with countless thoughts. Slesvik, stars, and... other things. It was a lot of weight that he had to bear, but he could not stray from his path. Not for one second.

The circlet rattled as it hit the floor, akin to a cymbal's timbre...

 

"I should go speak to him today" he thought to himself upon rising from the observatories floor. It seemed like he was able to get some sleep today. As the Prince took the long journey down the spiral steps, he noticed his sister laying by his father's bedside. He'd never been inside before.

A son without a mother or father, no parents to be found...

The first impression did not meet his expectations. For a King who gorged himself on luxurious food and drink, the room he slumbered was large, yet empty. "Symbolic" he thought. Afterwards, a lot of words were said, a lot of emotions rang, and a lot of tears shed. Joren had very few to offer.

The Kingdom lost its King, and a son lost his father...

[iris1612 1780]

In the three years that had passed since her mother's funeral, Isabel Adryana had come to understand death. She knew, now, that Juliya would not return. So when Marius' eyes closed for the final time, the little princess buried her face into his neck and remained there, weeping until she ran out of tears, until his body grew cold- until the servants pried her away to prepare the body for burial.

[Cheese 8883]

The news of her royal cousin’s passing caught Esfir by surprise, and there was a pang in her heart as she was informed of the news. Family was difficult, she had learned, but it did not mean she had cared for Marius even less. That night, a candle was lit within Salia as she donned her mourning wear, praying for the soul of the late King, and her kin.

Spoiler

You were great man. Good luck with school!

 

[annabanana1014 2084]

Juliya would open her arms from the Seven Skies as her love finally joined her… such a warm smile rested on her visage. 

 

"Well done, my dear... You've done well, and now we shall rest together finally, hm? Come, I wish to show you peace..." 

[GMRO 6186]

Ser Rickard Tosali-Ruthern smashed his fist on his chest and poured some Carrion black into a fire. "The king is dead. Long live the king."

[Wavey 2568]

The Cardinal of Lotharia received the news whilst he returned south from another patrol at Camp Tatiyana.
 

He signed the Lorraine instinctively as he then murmured,

 

“Indeed to GOD we belong. And to HIM we return.”

 

A gentle sigh escaped Ivan’s lips as he climbed atop his steed. His gaze went towards the tree of light still standing before the fort and then to the sky as a somber smile formed upon his lips. 
 

“Pious, till the end. Marius, may you be rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

[JuliusAakerlund 2402]

"He'll be remembered. If I wasn't recovering from my injuries, then I would visit. Hopefully, I can be there for what comes after." Davyd let out a sigh as he remembered fondly his youth with the Koeng and then Prinzen.

[ContestedSnow 1435]

Aleksandr had barely the time to settle back into his homeland, after near two years upon that mountain, far from his people and from his family, when the news reached him. He let out a slow breath and fumbled to grasp his cross in hand; it had near-touched the sky, and been so near to God.

 

Surely if he prayed for his uncle Marius with it in hand, Godan would smile upon him.

 

His thoughts turned, then, to his cousins, bereft of both mother and now father. He would try his best to be there for his kin.

Then, to the Grand Prince Kusoraev. What would Karl do now?

[Frawlic 1602]

The young Kovachev was glad this was not a secret kept, nor one she would have to tell. As the murmurs of his passing reached the clinic, she remained silent. Finally, she prayed and tried to think of His Majesty's favorite color.

[Legoboy7984 3155]

In the mountains of Isaakev, inside the Heir's tower, Sigmund Ludovar sat idly in his office. It was a while until he heard the news of the King's death. "A sad day for the Kongzem, as it always is when a Koeng departs from this world. Yet, as we all know, when one Crow King falls, another is there to take up the mantle, ready to build upon the legacy left behind for them. So.." he'd state raising his goblet filled with carrion black towards the window as he looked out. "All hail Koeng Karl, fourth of his name."

[sarahbarah 7105]

Emma drew a weary sigh. She had never intended to be a politician, or even a diplomat, for that matter. 

 

But Marius was kin.

And so, she would serve him until his last breath. 

 

Spoiler

Thank you for allowing me to be your diplomat and your councilor, Jake. It's been a pleasure to work with you and I'm wishing you all the best!

 

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

The Lady Palatine loomed over that monarch's deathbed, a man she had known since childhood. Now, he was departed--a lifeless corpse. And the son she had raised in his stead stood to inherit his realm. It was a loss she felt...but perhaps a relief as well. Marius no longer suffered, and now Karl could come into his own.

 

Spoiler

Thank you for everything, and allowing me to be your Palatine. It has been a long, but great ride. Keep in touch and don't disappear! <3