WAS IT ENOUGH? [PK]

[JakubJerboa 261]

 

[ Was it enough? ]

 

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

“Zygmunt”

 

I cannot tell who whispered it.

The days blur as I stand upon a precipice, those grey pines around me like basalt pillars, stretching infinitely upwards.
 

I’ve been here before.

 

I see her again.

“Zygmunt”
 

That golden hair and gentle face, a brotherly smile

“Frederick”

His name brings a smile to my face.

He was always there, I remember.

“I’m so tired… Frederick, so very tired”

“I can't say I'm surprised. You've given your life to Adria.” He'd hum, quietly. “…The others are a bit too young to remember when we were both young adults. You never really… took time for yourself, did you? It was always work.”

 

Was he right?

I look upon my calloused hands, those which held the hammer that raised Belgrade from nothing upon the banks of the Glassbrook, made a home for a shattered people.
Now pale and thin.

Everything I have done, I have done for Adria

Who if not me? I pondered, this was my purpose, I believed, my only duty. And yet I ask myself:

“Was it enough?”

The rest of Frederick’s words fade from my memory.

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

“Your Grace?”

My eyes clear, the air in the room feels heavy, the mixed smells of perfumed nobles and sweaty peasants straight from the fields mixes in my nostrils, I turn my head with great effort to the Knight besides me, but his face remains blurred to me, I turn to another voice, and a figure, as clear as day.

“Zygmunt”
 

That incessant shadow. Following me in the corner of my eye, mocking my every move.

I grasp the pendant upon my neck, that blackened turtle of cursed stone from a broken land, and I see her recoil, only every so slightly.

 

“Of all those around me… you have followed me the longest”

 

 Her expression is a blur to me, but I see her clearly, standing in the centre of the hall where none other stands, standing expectantly, waiting.

And I sit there, watching her, long have I awaited to shake the hand of fate, like the dusk awaiting dawn, without a thought I rise, the pendant slipping through my fingers as I approached, the figure is no longer there, but my path is clear.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

I barely feel the cold mud beneath me, sitting in the shade of the birch boughs, and she’s there again.

 

“I’ve waited”

 

“As have I”

 

I admit.

Before her cold hand reaches into my heart and my soul leaves my body, I wonder if I had done enough.

 

Spoiler

Hello all, I will preface by saying I do not do PK posts or leaving messages, in fact this was my first time leading a community of this size and first time writing a PK post, so bear with me. (rip all the bears btw wtf was that about).

 

Adria was the first lotc community I joined mid-late Arcas when myself and Gaja were told of this server by Laeonathan and invited to join as Eulers, then a minor peasant family. Though at the time Adria was led by, erm, that guy, it was overall an enjoyable experience, though I am acutely aware I look upon that time with rose-tinted glasses because of the novelty and excitement surrounding playing something new. But since then I have always felt strongly about Adria, its culture and history of continuous ups and downs. Despite periodically vanishing from existence Adria has managed to live on in a state relatively unchanged from the old Adria from eons ago.

 

This is the part where the random oldheads croaking from the shadows go "Well erm, it's not the REAL adria because it's not the same people yada yada-!" yeah numpty no community is the same as it was 10 years ago, the point is the 'Duchy of Adria' remains, Dumacracy (as much as I hate that word) remains, the open rural town vibe remains. I cannot perfectly emulate the Adria that existed 10 years ago, because I wasn't there, but I can foster a community based on its culture and traditions to the best of my ability, while allowing for organic growth and natural changes, which is exactly what I tried to do over the past few months.

 

But I digress. I've played the server on and off since joining and only really began playing actively again end of Almaris when Beamon messaged me asking if I'd  like to come back and play an Euler again in a new revived Adria, which I naturally accepted, and dragged Gaja back in with me. (A package deal). Since then we have been playing in Adria/Veletz until the end of the coalition war when noobli secured a spot for Adria under Numendil.

 

At this point Adria had once again fallen into one of its infamous slumps, the active Adrian playerbase dropped to something like 3 people, we had rare and small spikes of activity in Beznov, but for the most part Adria had once again vanished. Despite not having done much community leading before this, I felt I had the duty continue what was started, and at the very least, try to ensure beamon and noobli's hard work didn't go to waste, and little by little we slowly rebuilt somewhat of a community.

 

it's now been almost half a year since the start of this map, and I sit here with the highest vassal activity in Idunia, so many old and new faces and I can't help but feel that perhaps I've achieved something.

 

Naturally, I would be delusional to consider this entirely, or even majorly my own achievement, as I am all too aware of survivorship bias and how much luck plays into this. I am very grateful for the people who have been around helping run adria, offering support and advice and simply those who chose Adria to play in. Gaja (Stellaris flaker) has been with me virtually since we joined the server and has helped in everything, I am very grateful for Maiyun and Misha who have been great in creating events, administrating and just creating the right roleplay environment for a community to grow and prosper. Nooblius and Laeo who have constantly offered support and advice as older players that just know more than me. All the eulers such as monster duck, Woot, Karim, who were some of the earliest members of this Adria and have contributed plenty, as well as Rat who has done so much recent work on Adrian culture.

 

Quite frankly there are too many individuals to name that have meaningfully contributed to Adria in the past 6 months so i'm very sorry, and obviously I thank every Adrian player that has chosen to give this community a chance. I am sorry that I did not get the chance to properly rp with many if not most, and it remains one of my biggest regrets.

 

There are plenty of things I could have done better, plenty more that I wish I could have done at all, but I am happy and proud of how Adria has turned out and wish the best to the next elected Duke (or Duchess), and I hope to see you all soon on some new Adrian character probably.

 

[Gaja 1311]

Frederick Euler had been born only one year younger than his cousin Zygmunt, the man who would grow up to become the Duke of Adria. They grew up together, sharing in much of their studies and youthful worries. Though they were both sheltered until adulthood, they bore a bond much more akin to brothers than cousins.

 

Their paths had diverged long ago, with Zygmunt's focus settled squarely on pursuits of architecture and governance while Frederick sought to steel himself for battle, learning of battle tactics and strategies in preparation of leading a company of men.

 

Yet, as Frederick departed the confines of the Ivory Tower into where his life would lead, he would often look back to see Zygmunt forever in the same place. His cousin did not socialise, he did not make merry--all Zygmunt did was work.

 

Endlessly, Frederick watched Zygmunt toil away for the Duchy of Adria. The Duchy which their family had called home for hundreds of years, the Duchy which they loved as much as they loved one another. Slowly, Zygmunt's efforts bore fruit as more people gravitated to the faded title, finding a home there. It was not long until Zygmunt had restored the Duchy to a mighty state, worthy of respect.

 

And there Frederick saw that glimmer in Zygmunt's eyes. He was only truly happy when his family were near, and when the Duchy was prospering. He saw his cousin smile more and more, in his later years--but he also saw the vacant stares and fading features. Unlike all the other Eulers, Zygmunt seemed to be aging and quite quickly too.

 

Yet what could the Knight do, but support his cousin? The man felt no envy at Zygmunt's successes, only pride; and in total trust and confidence, he believed that Zygmunt could shoulder the burdens of Adria with the help of all those around him. Yet the burden he bore was far greater than any others could have realised.

 

One day before the fateful Duma, Frederick stopped a delirious Zygmunt in the hallway of their home. His hands settled on his cousin's shoulders as the blonde Euler spoke:
 

"I love you, cousin."

[Curry 115]

Isak Euler had arrived at the Duma, completely unaware of his cousin's weak health at the time. He watched him go to struggle with going through the different topics, and with that the slow realization began to creep up on Isak's mind, that something was terribly wrong.

He first tried to dismiss it as exhaustion. Zygmunt, but the longer he watched Zygmunt, the harder it became for Isak to lie to himself. Zygmunt's voice had started to grow much weary, and his pauses stretched for far too long.

Isak's hand hand braced onto the booths railing while focusing on his cousin, but as Zygmunt began making his way out he would follow alongside his family. It was then he saw Zygmunt lay infront of the tree at the square of Belgrade, still and pale in the face For a moment Isak could only stare, but his mind kept refusing to accept the sight before him.

"Zygmunt?" He called out weakly, though there came no answer back, Zygmunt had passed on.

He froze for a moment, and his vision began to blur while watching Zygmunt lay still beneath the tree. His eyes began to tear up, though while he was sad, Isak understood that his cousin's time was up. "Rest in peace, cousin. All that you've done for our family, and all that you've done for Adria shall never be forgotten." Isak whispered to himself as he signed the lorraine, then led his niece away and back into the duma hall.
 

Edited April 25 by Curry

[wootdahnoot 131]

This was an unfamiliar weight to bear, the feeling of true loss, of grief that settled deep and would not be shaken. To stand at his Duke’s side, his cousin’s side, and yet be unable to aid him, it sat heavy upon Baudemund’s heart. He had worried, for longer than he cared to admit, yet each time he voiced it, Zygmunt would wave it aside as nothing. 

And so he wondered where he had failed. 

He had seen the slow decline, had felt that something was amiss, so why had he not pressed harder? Why had he not insisted, not stood firmer, not done more while there was still time? Only now, when it was far too late, did all the answers come to him.
 

The Golden Turtle, steadfast and unyielding, found himself weeping within his gilded shell for the first time, for one of the bale had been lost.

[smiski 30]

 

Zora stood where the murmurs had begun to die, where grief no longer roared but lingered - quiet, suffocating. Her hands were clasped before her, though not in poise... She had been there. She had seen it. And now, she remained where others could not. "Zygmunt Euler..." A name in which she had spoken a thousand times in frustration, in defiance and never enough in softness.

The absence of him felt louder than any voice at the Duma today. "I did not make things easy for you and I will forever regret the day I left Adria. We lost so much time together..." Her lips pressed together faintly, the smallest shake of her head was given. "I wish I told you that I loved you. I simply thought you knew but I should of said it anyway." - "I think you did too... and I knew that" 

The Euler slid down the tree where she would retire for the day and many to come, simply trying to understand how such a tragedy happened to her dear brother.

[TaraJess 2848]

 

Not too far away, the news of the Duke's passing reached one Aurelian Greye. A frown found her, it was just that morning she had shouted to get his attention over some stall or shop. Regret sank in, regret of not stopping to have an actual conversation with that Duke that had been so welcoming to her and her kin as neighbors. She'd keep an eye out for any funeral arrangements, keen to make sure those southern neighbors were present for such a good man.

[christman 3529]

Tomorrow Zygmunt Euler would sit in the awesome presence of his God, a station befit a Canonist Lord of noble pedigree, but tonight his name was a funeral chant. ɦɛʅʊռ-ʋɛʅʊʅαɛψα, the Primarch's ritual began, ʊðαᛪɛʅ αɛȶɦ αð'ᵲψα αӄ¤ɱʊռ ɮ¤ ʋɛʅʊʅ!

[198Os 48]

With shaking hands, the newly titled Baron heard the news. A troubled exhale marking his response. 

Zygmunt Euler, Duke of Adria had given his family a home, and that was a debt Castille would never be able to repay directly. It is often said, that a man is never truly gone until he is forgotten. Zygmunt would never truly be gone, his final act immortalizing him in the hearts of The Fontaines forever. 

 

The silence that enveloped Castille, seemed unable to penetrate his brain.

Zygmunt had treated them with generosity and kindness, without any need to. They were not kin, nor even people of that fine land, and yet, he had played a role in their prosperity. Zygmunt truly, as every great leader must, reflected the very heart of the people he served. 

Adria gives, and Zygmunt Euler did in turn.

"There is work to be done."

[The King Of The Moon 7016]

"A shara with the heart of a maehr."

 

Lamented Sathoro of the Des'Nox tribe. The drow climbed to the highest peak of maehrel-vaxu, releasing a bokolo feather to the wind in honour of Jook Yoo'lar of the Ad'rya tribe. He would be remembered. 

[DarkxWalker 249]

STEKVARK of Lochunskofk stood amidst the mourning silence. His gauntleted hand resting heavy upon the pommel of his blade, a particular amulet stood beneath him. An inconvenient spectre of aphorism inching him to grab a hold of it. Yet, he persisted. The dust of Zygmunt Euler's death started to settle, the crowd scurrying away as only he and a select few remained.

"Zygmunt Euler,"
 

A man that, however, Stekvark Lochunskofk was particularly not close to. Not once had he held a petition, nor once had he spoken to him in personal matters. A low exhale escaped him, half a sigh at the future of the Exilic Duchy. His voice was roughened by years of service for the Imperialists, the Adrians, the Crusaders, and so on and so forth. He turned then, shoulders squared, looking at his throne with a grim certainty of a man who had seen enough endings to know:
 

This one will be remembered.

Edited April 25 by DarkxWalker

[spaazmatism 1018]

Incense is burnt, in the name of the departed Euler.

No other shara bore such a heart; this was a most grave loss.

[Beamon4 1690]

Spoiler

What a ******* GOAT

 

[Random 1690]

Severin was too busy managing galaxy-spanning trade networks, hardly noticing the Duke's absence for it had been no different before...

Spoiler

COME BACK JAKUUUUB JERRY KARIM AND I ARE SO SAD PLAY STELLARIS WITH US AGAIN WAHHHHHHH

 

[ashystoobid 7]

Recard, through word of mouth, had news relayed to him of the Duke's death. He bit his tongue, and stepped outside of his new guild hall offered by Zygmunt only a few weeks prior. A question of leadership was left unsaid, but felt still in his bones...

For who was to lead them all now?

[Maiyun 362]

"Late," Ardirnien muttered with disdain, carrying with her a large stack of ultimately useless paperwork. Such was abandoned as she vaulted the velvet ropes to secure her recordbook. Oh, how foolish of her to think that would be the worst of her troubles this day.

Zygmunt Euler, a bald, boring man who made her job endlessly difficult by refusing to inform her as to any of his whims.

She wondered, often, irate, why he hired her in the first place if he was so damn intent on doing everything himself. Still, she remained, given she owed him a debt for the peace she had found in this rural, nowhere town.  Ardirnien looked around to the crowd of grieving townsfolk, a family in despair, and the beautiful, beautiful buildings that had been so carefully planned and constructed by the Euler; it hardly appeared to be that same dusty, empty square it once had been.

Atop her desk, a stack of half-finished papers in preparation for the election, one she had thought they would tackle together. Now, Ardirnien found herself muttering with growing alarm as she scanned the list of unfamiliar names and titles, some of which surely had been a joke. Surely. 
"How dare he leave me now, with all this work to do . ."