LOYALTY DIES AND I AM DEATH

[Werew0lf 24180]

 

Issued and averred by the office of the

IMPERIAL CROWN

 

 

✠ TO THE DESERTERS;

 

In my youth, it was my hope to walk down a warrior’s path – much like my father, Tiberias, who had conquered the world with a ruthless fist, I aspired to raise my sword in heroics. Unfortunately, GOD laid before me a solitary path: to work in the offices, to conduct administration, and to be inept at the blade. 

 

Yet as my brothers could protect themselves, I grew fond of the knights; they were my shields, and would eventually become my own. I treated them as my own kin; if any issue was brought to me, I would stand to protect them. Whereas some of my peerage lounge fruitlessly in their castles, I took counsel from those who partitioned their life to serve me everyday. 

 

Sir Redgar and Sir Khaleed were no exception. I recall Redgar being a simple, humble man, even through his amorous affairs with the demon-ilk; he seemed loyal to a fault. As he was captured by the urukim, I had my Empire sally out in full to aid in his rescue. The price of this? To desert. 

 

Khaleed joined alongside those other brothers of the Imam al-Rashidun – faced by hefty discrimination and scrutiny from others, their loyalty proved unmatched. It was only as of recently that I had – and still plan on after this missive – to send out a new edict officializing the freedom of their faith, and the protection of their tribes after long discussions with their people. The price of this? To desert.

 

Men who were raised from no status, brought under my banners, raised to greatness, provided every honor and gesture of kindness – your response, to turn your back on me. You could have asked for anything–I spoke to you as my own people, and if you had woes to speak, it could have been made clear and evident.

 

Hear this well. I will hunt you down ruthlessly. I will claim every prize that was offered, and every single moment of joy that brought you grace. It is my earnest request that you hide amongst the urukim, for if I find anyone harboring you, I shall show no mercy. 

 

However, if you come before me, speak your apologies, and explain the reasons for your departure, I will grant you mercy. If you fear that your attendance will lead to death, know that your death is inevitable should you fail to arrive. This is your opportunity to live. You have watched over me since my youth, over forty years of service, so there is no other kindness I can offer outside of this.

 

Run, or stand before me.

 

“If loyalty dies, then I am death.”

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Hadrian I of the House Horen

 

AVE IMPERIUM!

 

 

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

“Für Gott und Kaiser,”

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Hadrian I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

Emperor of Man, Holy Imperator, King of Seventis, Salvus, Renatus & Oren, 

Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt and Reutov, Baron of Pestilles,

Protector of Grense, Protector of the Heartlanders, Patriarch of House Horen & the Tiberian Dynasty, 

Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith.

 

ALEA IACTA EST

@Chrisoulis777 @Guacamou

 

Spoiler

FYI there is no OOC drama!!! i love these guys OOCly and this is all RP! i hope theyre enjoying the drama...

 

[Midnight_Runner1 48]

Frederick would read over the passed out massive in the a public square before commenting on it " Hmm I would be surprised if he could chase them with all that coughing he's been doing "  he would get a good chuckle out of this

[Lortime 1153]

"Desertion like this speaks more to the deserted than the deserters," Parzival mumbled to himself as he scribbled tirelessly at the ledgers of Alba. 

[KBR 2046]

The Count of Metz polished the ebony plate of his armor, his gaze settling across the round table upon his brother, Hughes. 
"Sir Kildrakken was a fine warrior." Lothar spoke at last "It is a bitter thing that his mettle was tested against descendant rather than beast." The Dragon-Knight rose and paced the table's edge, resting a hand upon the shoulder of the Knight-Errant. "You may grieve that your master chose wrongly. That is natural. But do not allow his failing to darken your judgement." he straightened, his words carried great conviction "All that we are, all that we are permitted to stand upon is bound in oath. We do not choose when it is convenient to believe. We are afforded our place because we endure. The Emperor sees father than any one man, he has not erred." 

[0mnip0tent 338]

Within the upper stories of an Alban home, Roswyn Aldor read over the missive with a growing pit in her stomach. The most she could hope was for I'tidal and Imani to be kept safe, and far from harm's way whilst Khaleed figured out what he might do in such a situation.

[Kardika 1057]

"hmmm, Morale is low I see" a Salvian Ranger briefly commented.

[Cryptic 549]

Gundahar von Berkhoven knew of Sir Khaleed. To go down this path was unexpected. Either way, the Imperial Guardsman saluted the words of the Emperor. He sought out those within the Order of the Dragon Knights and offered not just his arms and service, but also his loyalty to the cause. "Ave Imperium" He said as he returned to his post, halberd in hand, overlooking the capital gates.

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Maddock Tam read this and saw fit to write his own countermissive as Archchancellor of Beleth and promptly sent it out to be secretly pinned up by whoever dissented secretly inside the Empire, primarily those who had been violently betrayed by the Empire already. 

 

"To the Emperor of Oath-breaking and Hypocrisy,
 

I write only this: It is telling that these men who once served you loyally and without question all these years leave after you committed a slaughter of the very people whom you swore to protect when they joined your Empire.
 

You claim ineptitude at wielding a sword, yet see it fit to arbitrarily sentence innocent elves and dwarves to die on a whim. It is no wonder these men left, for they have more honor than you ever will, and someone cannot serve an oath to someone who has already broken his own oaths.

 

Shame upon you, and may GOD shine down his light and wisdom upon you to help you understand your sins and repent for them. Otherwise, you will join the other tyrants in the wastebin of history. Remembered as a nightmare for children to learn what evil men are driven by.

 

To everyone reading this with honor and dignity, the Horde of Many Tribes does not break its oaths so easily, which is the very reason this war is being fought. The Beleth Federation commands loyalty and respect from its citizens and soldiers without baseless cruelty and betrayal of those very same people.

 

We are not fighting a war to destroy the Empire; the Empire is fighting a war to destroy us. This is because we represent the simple, terrifying idea that there can be justice, security, and safety for mankind without resorting to tyranny and genocide.

 

It is worth pointing out that for all of his propaganda, your powerful, unassailable Emperor, hasn't taken a single fort or piece of land from the Horde. His casualties continue to outweigh ours, and his kills continue to be mostly civilians, often children, because he cannot defeat us nor break us fighting honorably.

 

This is the highest demonstration of weakness of character and ability that any man can exemplify, and he has made clear that while he seemingly decrys betrayal towards himself, he himself will kill you and your family on a whim if he so feels like it. He does not care, for in his eyes, you are beneath him in all but use as a tool.

I reach out to you in the hopes that you will accept this offering: That you do not accept death and betrayal by the very man who is supposed to protect you as inevitable. His war has not been won, and he has shown that he cannot win it through honorable combat.

 

The Horde's laws are clear: if you defect and if you come to us in good faith, you will be welcomed and protected. Because, unlike your Emperor, we care. Even the Rex, whose daughter was beaten and almost killed after a kidnapping by your Emperor's forces, refuses to let his anger be levied at those who are also suffering under the weight of the dragon that is your Emperor, hoarding his wealth and power like a vulture at a feast, knives out, beak bloody. 

I pray for your safety, and hope you heed this offering. If you choose not to, I understand, and pray that you and your family are not next to be killed by your Emperor, and that your Emperor comes to his senses and ends this senseless violence, and that there be peace once again on Azuras between the descendants of the four brothers. GOD bless you all. Merry Krugmas."

Sincerely,
Lord Maddock Tam, Knight of Beleth, Archchancellor of Beleth, and Head of House Tam

Edited December 24, 2025 by Ryfin Chany
Making it easier to read

[Rennart 60]

** As the sun sank beyond the horizon, a small fox descended deep beneath the earth, darting through the winding corridors of a seemingly inhabited crypt where red candles burned low and slow. The brave little creature padded between rows of coffins, some sealed, others left ajar, until it reached the end of the passage, where a single coffin of purplish wood awaited. Scratching and striking at its base, the goupil sought to rouse its mistress. At last, the lid creaked open, and Anne Aliénor de Beaumont emerged, her solitary red eye piercing through the curtain of her black hair as she knelt to retrieve the message from her companion’s maw. **
 

"Brave Goupile, merci… what is it you bring to me?"
 

** The woman’s initial smile faltered, swiftly giving way to a deep frown as she read. **
 

"Redgar… mon love… I cannot believe it. How far has the Empire fallen, that even you have chosen to abandon them? When before, even mon love, could not sway you from the false light of God and from the loyalty to the Tyrants…"
 

** The vampire rose, her expression hardening. Donning her helm and taking up her mace, she strode from the crypt clad in blackened armor. Mounting her steed, she rode forth into the night in search of her ancient love, whether to save his life, or to claim it with her own hands, she herself did not yet know. **

[ferdaboy 3472]

A crazed squire frothed at the mouth as he nibbled on the remains of a street dog within the Empire’s capital, “MORE BLOOD!” He cried.

[woke 1157]

Sir Antonius lingered at the edge of the Capitol, helm tucked beneath his arm. "There is no walking away from an oath," he said to Sir Darius, extending the letter and granting his chancellor a moment to read. "Loyalty does not fade with fatigue, nor does it yield to fear. One serves until death claims its due."

[bickando 3967]

13 minutes ago, Ryfin Chany said:

Maddock Tam read this and saw fit to write his own countermissive as Archchancellor of Beleth and promptly sent it out to be secretly pinned up by whoever dissented secretly inside the Empire, primarily those who had been violently betrayed by the Empire already. 

 

"To the Emperor of Oath-breaking and Hypocrisy,
 

I write only this: It is telling that these men who once served you loyally and without question all these years leave after you committed a slaughter of the very people whom you swore to protect when they joined your Empire.
 

You claim ineptitude at wielding a sword, yet see it fit to arbitrarily sentence innocent elves and dwarves to die on a whim. It is no wonder these men left, for they have more honor than you ever will, and someone cannot serve an oath to someone who has already broken his own oaths.

 

Shame upon you, and may GOD shine down his light and wisdom upon you to help you understand your sins and repent for them. Otherwise, you will join the other tyrants in the wastebin of history. Remembered as a nightmare for children to learn what evil men are driven by.

 

To everyone reading this with honor and dignity, the Horde of Many Tribes does not break its oaths so easily, which is the very reason this war is being fought. The Beleth Federation commands loyalty and respect from its citizens and soldiers without baseless cruelty and betrayal of those very same people.

 

We are not fighting a war to destroy the Empire; the Empire is fighting a war to destroy us. This is because we represent the simple, terrifying idea that there can be justice, security, and safety for mankind without resorting to tyranny and genocide.

 

It is worth pointing out that for all of his propaganda, your powerful, unassailable Emperor, hasn't taken a single fort or piece of land from the Horde. His casualties continue to outweigh ours, and his kills continue to be mostly civilians, often children, because he cannot defeat us nor break us fighting honorably.

 

This is the highest demonstration of weakness of character and ability that any man can exemplify, and he has made clear that while he seemingly decrys betrayal towards himself, he himself will kill you and your family on a whim if he so feels like it. He does not care, for in his eyes, you are beneath him in all but use as a tool.

I reach out to you in the hopes that you will accept this offering: That you do not accept death and betrayal by the very man who is supposed to protect you as inevitable. His war has not been won, and he has shown that he cannot win it through honorable combat.

 

The Horde's laws are clear: if you defect and if you come to us in good faith, you will be welcomed and protected. Because, unlike your Emperor, we care. Even the Rex, whose daughter was beaten and almost killed after a kidnapping by your Emperor's forces, refuses to let his anger be levied at those who are also suffering under the weight of the dragon that is your Emperor, hoarding his wealth and power like a vulture at a feast, knives out, beak bloody. 

I pray for your safety, and hope you heed this offering. If you choose not to, I understand, and pray that you and your family are not next to be killed by your Emperor, and that your Emperor comes to his senses and ends this senseless violence, and that there be peace once again on Azuras between the descendants of the four brothers. GOD bless you all. Merry Krugmas."

Sincerely,
Lord Maddock Tam, Knight of Beleth, Archchancellor of Beleth, and Head of House Tam

 

The ancient dowager queen of Aaun, in her once-a-decade travel to the capital from her undisclosed cabin in the woods, sees the horrific wall of blue text on the city's beautiful notice board and rips it to shreds. In its place, a poem;

 

"Tim Tam Tom, Small-wick Maddock,

 

I slept with your mom, and you have a tiny prick.

 

-Amelya of Middelan"

[Frisket 4538]

10 minutes ago, Ryfin Chany said:

Maddock Tam read this and saw fit to write his own countermissive as Archchancellor of Beleth and promptly sent it out to be secretly pinned up by whoever dissented secretly inside the Empire, primarily those who had been violently betrayed by the Empire already. 

 

"To the Emperor of Oath-breaking and Hypocrisy,
 

I write only this: It is telling that these men who once served you loyally and without question all these years leave after you committed a slaughter of the very people whom you swore to protect when they joined your Empire. You claim ineptitude at wielding a sword, yet see it fit to arbitrarily sentence innocent elves and dwarves to die on a whim. It is no wonder these men left, for they have more honor than you ever will, and someone cannot serve an oath to someone who has already broken his own oaths. Shame upon you, and may GOD shine down his light and wisdom upon you to help you understand your sins and repent for them. Otherwise, you will join the other tyrants in the wastebin of history. Remembered as a nightmare for children to learn what evil men are driven by.

 

To everyone reading this with honor and dignity, the Horde of Many Tribes does not break its oaths so easily, which is the very reason this war is being fought. The Beleth Federation commands loyalty and respect from its citizens and soldiers without baseless cruelty and betrayal of those very same people. We are not fighting a war to destroy the Empire; the Empire is fighting a war to destroy us. This is because we represent the simple, terrifying idea that there can be justice, security, and safety for mankind without resorting to tyranny and genocide. It is worth pointing out that for all of his propaganda, your powerful, unassailable Emperor, hasn't taken a single fort or piece of land from the Horde. His casualties continue to outweigh ours, and his kills continue to be mostly civilians, often children, because he cannot defeat us nor break us fighting honorably. This is the highest demonstration of weakness of character and ability that any man can exemplify, and he has made clear that while he seemingly decrys betrayal towards himself, he himself will kill you and your family on a whim if he so feels like it. He does not care, for in his eyes, you are beneath him in all but use as a tool.

I reach out to you in the hopes that you will accept this offering: That you do not accept death and betrayal by the very man who is supposed to protect you as inevitable. His war has not been won, and he has shown that he cannot win it through honorable combat. The Horde's laws are clear: if you defect and if you come to us in good faith, you will be welcomed and protected. Because, unlike your Emperor, we care. Even the Rex, whose daughter was beaten and almost killed after a kidnapping by your Emperor's forces, refuses to let his anger be levied at those who are also suffering under the weight of the dragon that is your Emperor, hoarding his wealth and power like a vulture at a feast, knives out, beak bloody. 

I pray for your safety, and hope you heed this offering. If you choose not to, I understand, and pray that you and your family are not next to be killed by your Emperor, and that your Emperor comes to his senses and ends this senseless violence, and that there be peace once again on Azuras between the descendants of the four brothers. GOD bless you all. Merry Krugmas."

Sincerely,
Lord Maddock Tam, Knight of Beleth, Archchancellor of Beleth, and Head of House Tam

“The Horde doesn’t break oaths”

 

Ember cackles heavily, Only to begin crying tears in laughter as she re read such sentence. Remarking the many oaths broken by past rexes. 

[Chrisoulis777 492]

The Badawi man after securing the safety of his wife and kids , he gave them a small nod before mounting his trusted horse, Khaleed gazed once more upon his family with a smile appearing on the man's face knowing he might not see them again, for he planned not to hide neither run as he knew the oath he gave and the price he must was to pay, and so he rode a journey back to the capital “Allah keep my family safe, for i am to join you soon… and forgive me for i have sinned far too long… welcome me in jannah” he simply said to himself while riding

[Animael 1500]

Ark read the missive, pursing her lips. She had not been the one to provide them with the method to escape. But she fervently wished for the safety of both of these men.- Khaleeds in particular surprised her. She felt that she had misjudged his character that he was willing to do something so brave as to not simply go along with the actions of the Empire. She added his name to the list of those she would assist, whether personally- or their bloodline at large.