LETTER TO THE ASHFORD

[Emery 958]

 

LETTER TO THE ASHFORD

 

 

---

 

The age of prosperous Savoyard people has long since faded into memory; in its place has come an era of pretenders and hollow men, where names carry no weight and titles are held by unworthy holders. The echoes of Olivier Renault's reign has faded, and with him perished the last true remnants of a united Savoy. The Rouennais are all that endures, a flicker of a dying sun. 

 

The Savoyard people are scattered and enfeebled, drifting like exiles in their land, yearning for a home, for a leader of true Ashford blood to guide them. In their desperation, they have taken up borrowed cloaks, wearing an identity not tailored to them, unfit for the legacy our ancestors once bore with pride. So let me speak plainly, for each breath these pretenders draw fuels our claim, and I shall not stay my hand in its pressing. 

 

Let it be known throughout the realms of men that I, Robert Lysander Ashford de Rouen, step forth to claim Patriach-Dynast of Ashford. Upon the thread of my mortal coil, I swear this oath: before GOD delivers my soul to the seven skies, I shall deliver the Savoyard people to a land they may once more call their own and see the fractured Ashford houses united beneath the banner of a red sun. My words are writ in iron and shant be broken. 

 

 

Spoiler

[!] A private letter sent directly to the head of House de Savoie

To my kin in name, hear my words: you drape yourself in stolen names and borrowed glories, claiming to be of my same silk. You’ve sullied the Ashford name, and if you persist with this charade, you will drown the legacy of our dynasty in shame. You cling to the tattered edges of a heritage bought with the blood of others–blood you have never spilled in its defense. Therefore, I offer you a choice: cast aside your name–cease your leeching upon its fading glory–and form a cadet branch. Bend the knee to House Ashford de Rouen, the only remaining pure Ashford line. 

 

 

Signed,
Robert of Ulmsbottom

Patriarch-Dynast of Ashford,

Captain of the Prince’s Army,

 

 

[Jihnyny 5233]

Louis Sébastien perks a brow to Owyn, holding out the missive.
"They want us to bend the knee? **** them, eh Cousin?"
@navigat0rr

[Navigator 4260]

A response was hastily sent, public as well;

 

"Dear Robert Lysander Ashford de Rouen,

 

Your claim is received, and now, I wholly understand why Alstions threatened my life for simply querying upon the fate of the titles of my family.  I do hope the Aaunic sponsorship you possess is enough to truly support your claim. Though I suppose the Owynist flock likely too sponsors this. . . attempt. Nevertheless, I do hope in your diplomatic heart, you shall, instead of laying empty threats upon myself and my kin, speak to us. Our blood is for Ashford as much as any branch of the House de Bar.

 

Owyn Hector Ashford de Savoie,

A boy who understands diplomacy."

 

After sending out his own missive, Owyn sighed lightly. "Does he even know a majority of the titles got defuncted, and that the Principality was destroyed? The same one he puts on his name?"

[Andustar 4143]

John II read the signature of the missive and frowned. "It appears I was lied to," he grumbled. "Prince Edward has much to explain."

[subatomic 1497]

From the port of Ulmsbottom, a ship unfurls its sails against the grey horizon, bearing a grim figurehead. Hughes's course is set westward, a shadow in the wake, prepared to lend his steel to Robert's claim.

[MRCHENN 4741]

 

 

Jon Ashford de Lewes pledges the support of his house, sending a missive to his former compatriots.

[nunlover 579]

Lucien de Savoie smiles and gives a thumbs up!

Edited March 3, 2025 by nunlover

[sondher 797]

Antoine Ashford de Lewes reads the missive with indifference, "Anything is better than the state of abeyance our people are currently in. We used to be good, honorable people. . . now. . . I do not know what we are," He casts the parchment to his desk, lost amongst the other documents he and his bloodline failed to complete.

[Xtessisold222 484]

"This is interesting..." The old Aaunite says

[OP bandamont 901]

Ratibor readys his sword for the true LORD of the Esheveurd.

[sanriu 734]

Antonia Ashford de Lewes stared at the missive not sure of what to think of such matters. She grabbed a parchment of paper and began to pen her elder brother with haste “What of this? How involved must we be…” The young Antonia shook her head off erring the penned missive to a servant “Deliver this to lands of Alba, make haste.” 

[brujera 1152]

Athénaïs Ashford de Savoie looks down from the Seven Skies to her kinsman. She'd grace him with the Sun's Smile, watching him intently and rather amused at Robert's mortal pursuits.

 

"Restore the House of Ashford and her progeny to the greatness built by those before you. Know within your body, mind, and soul that you shall be met with praise in the Seven Skies by all us whom look upon you with hope, for our family has nearly met its end. Take your sword and blessings unto you from above and cast away those whom feign patrimony. Heed my warning, for there are many whom hide behind masked facades. Our Lord GOD shall guide your path, but it is your charge to follow."

 

Spoiler

 

 

[valecu 2128]

Carolina the Kinslayed reminisces of Savoy and the sin that ended this state, she fails to remember the continuation of her father’s line. Yet, her mind glimpses of the mutual desire of the many Savoyards that de Savoie was to be no more.

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Estevot truly did not understand the entirety of family dispute going on. Instead, he cared about the signature on the missive, and the response from Owyn.

 

"...That piece of **** child mutilator, cutting the ears off a child isn't enough to quell your pathetic insecurities?"

 

Estevot would support the Savoyards in this dispute. For all this...'man' claimed to have more honour, the Savoyards he knew didn't maim orphans. 

[unlegiqDuck 324]

An old blackvale levy slowly scimmed through the missive, his mouth forming every word individually as he read along. When finally finished, he would fold the missive before sliding it into his pocket, leaving his current wherabout to meet with the true claimants to the title.