The Druscan Answer

[Vikenz 1162]

 

 

 

“The Ashford sun will reign supreme. None shall escape it. Our people will bask in its warmth; our enemies will be burnt by its rays; and those of our dynasty will be forever illuminated by its glowing luminescence.”

 

The final words of Olivier de Savoie, the Drowned King.

 

When our Holy Mother Church was under siege, and the wicked rose to topple God's order, He uplifted a chosen instrument in Andrik Vydra to strike down the unjust and immoral. So do the Druscan men don his cross now, for our charge much resembles his own. Lesser men of lesser callings cannot comprehend this, to take upon a charge so holy and sacred; so do they mock us, seeking to tear down that which they cannot understand. 

 

We are a people who have never strayed from God’s ordained path, for our legacy is wrought from Saint Lucien of Ulmsbottom, from Olivier de Savoie, and from the war-veterans of Oren and Veletz, who fought against all odds beset against them. If this coalition headed by the headless Calias insists upon bloodying the realms of Man, then theirs will be the same fate met by all those who stood against our august forebearers: humiliation and defeat. We will repel these Signatories, crush them under the might of the Ashford sun, and record them as yet another footnote in another long list of evil attempts to oppose the Eshænveurd people.

 

“For our courage is not in the multitude of our army, but strength cometh from Heaven. We will fight for our lives and our laws, and as for the enemy, we shall fear them not.

We will trust Him.”

 

Savoyard Prayer of Edgar de Saltpans.

 

A number of petty grievances has been presented to mask this unrighteous cause. So too shall I return one of my own make:

 

• To the House van Aert, today you have broken the pact you have made to me under sacred oath. This is the most grievous wound to my heart, you have betrayed me. The next heir to Blackvale will be sent to Drusco upon his birth to ward, until he is of age to inherit.

 

• To the Norland Governor, Karoslund will be granted independence from your heathenous realm, and vassalized directly under the Empire.

 

• To the Kingdom of Numendil, the Archduchy of Petra and House Leomonte will be granted independence and the charter and vassalized directly under the Empire.

 

• To Myrine, Calias ‘the Spanked’ will become a monk of  the Church, stripped of all title and power. 

 

• To the True Faith. By sponsoring this war, it is clear you wish to see further division of Man, and bloodshed. You divide the successors of Godfrey, and for this, Callahan and Anorhil will resign from office, and the election of the Pontificate will be handled by all members of the priesthood. 

 

• To Garenbrig, your first and last mistake was signing that missive. For this, we will burn your keep, and your heir will ward under Drusco.

 

You advised my missive to be curt and so shall this be its end.

 

The Druscan Answer will be delivered upon the battlefield, writ in the blood of men of Myrine, of Numendil, of Blackvale, and whatever other petty brigands you can muster to your feeble cause.

 

I’ll consider your terms agreeable should you consider our own the same. I await the Emperor’s approval.

 

 

NO WORDS, BUT DEEDS.

 

Roger of Bourdon, Archduke of Drusco.

 

[MRCHENN 4741]

Father Drusco knelt before the chapel of Waldemer.

 

"O' Lord, my Majesty, proffer unto me the same guidance you have shown St. Adrian and St. Lucien, so that we may champion the cause of our Faith, in Your image."

[Radzig 747]

The dawn spilled its red across the horizon, a color not unlike the memory of blood upon the field. In that moment Geoffrey did not speak, only watched, as if the young heir might find an answer in the rising light cast upon a waning continent. 

[The King Of The Moon 7016]

Spoiler

"
     GOD sent St. Lucien, to train the faithful.
     GOD sent St Humbert, to spread the Word.
     GOD sent Prince Gereon de Savoie, to be Archangel Michael's first champion.
 

Now GOD has sent us Roger de Rouen, to reunify our people beneath the scarlet sun.

 

Then raise the scarlet standard high.  
Within its shade we'll live and die,  
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,  
We'll keep the red flag flying here.  
                                                                                                                                                       "

 

Leopold de Anjou hoisted the banners over Cleves.
The Baron made ready for war.

 

[poki 389]

Hannibal read over the missive with a tense edge before setting to sharpen his blade, handing it off to Leofric once finished. "Ready our men." He only sounds, declaratively.

 

@woke

[terms 255]

Andre read upon the declaration, a smile growing upon his stern face. "It is finally time for justice it seems. They have already tasted our might yet they beg for more, we shall oblige." He said to his brothers-in-arms that sat beside him in their training grounds, unshaken.

[Javert 9615]

"Blood for Ashford." Spoke Ser Meili Altwegg as he began to muster the forces of Avistra "Prince Roger earned my respect and has given such to me long ago, now let us show him what his respect has earned. To the death!"

[mojanghunter 566]

Within the Castle Waldemer, Charles de Montmercy whetted his steel, making ready for the slaughter to come.

[Frymark 3100]

"God and Sigismund ..." Uttered the young Johannian from his encampment below the Druscan keep.

[sanriu 734]

Adelaide Emmeline hummed as the missive was received, a smile of pride embracing her lips. "The Church shan't find frightened lambs within Castle Waldemer.." She lifts her chin, drawing a slow breath. "The Ashford shall stand together as blood, and kin not as those reborn but as those who were chosen to walk in Saint Luciens' light." She then looked to her two children who laid in bassinets gently swiping a curl from her daughters visage. "You my darlings, shall live in a new era where the Church is of solid mind."

 

[subatomic 1497]

"I once took up my sword for you as a mere bastard" - "And as your own blood cousin, I shall do no less now." Hughes spoke.

[gavyn 1362]

A proud Wickman and newly born Vander finds himself reading the Druscan answer as he returned to Numenost from the latest battle against the Mountain. He squints as he mumbles what seemed nonsense. "The salamander devours it's tail." The man repeated over and over, clutching his Rhodesian cross tightly as he began humming an overly zealous prayer.

[molly molly molly 1329]

Spoiler

 

 

Zilvira Nightblood wore many grins these days, each more murderous, unhinged than the last whilst she stalked around Shadowstone-- a murderer, preparing for war. "I'll teach them terror. I'll make artistry with their viscera-- their white walls will be red when I'm done with them. I'll drink their fear like wine, and relish their screams of terrible agony; like a horrific symphony, all dedicated to my beautiful violence."

 

 

The Umbral Company rides north, to join the combined forces of Drusco and Avistra. 

 

 

 

 

 

.. yet, during her ride, a softer side Zilvira always hid caused her pause. To find worry, longing even-- for her friend Ardirnien. Not that she'd ever show it.

 

 

 

[North 995]

Marton armed himself for the fight to come.

[MonteGiant 891]

 

Apu Kay Kusikancha, Don of Viru, Panaka Mall’ku, Leomonte would look upon the Druscan Answer with a strange expression within their eyes of coal tincture. Fully encased by years within the continent of Aevos, knowing well what all these letters mean. He knows that war has come again to his doorstep, and he knows that his people are not as bellicose as he. The warrior would sharpen his axe and polish his golden scale armor, craning his neck for battle as he expects to fight alone. "Hasta La Victoria Siempre."

 

Tancredi Altavilla would hold his famed schiavona wrought of blightsteel in his hand and smirk like the sun, akin to his Savoyard lords. War has come, and now he may show his Druscan Pride. He hoists his blade within the air along his Arcaduca’s Ruggeru’s Warband, “SANGUI PI DRUSCO! GLORIA A RUGGERU!”