Letters to History: An Interview with Ledicort de Senna

[Malins Welcome 1519]

This interview with Arch-chancellor Ledicort de Senna was conducted by the Northern Geographical Society
across two sessions in 2066 and 2067, for the purpose of historical record.

The interviewers are James Vursur (JV), Dr. Tanith Vursur (TV) and Emelia Drakkon (ED)

 

JV: “First, would you like to introduce yourself?” 

“Ledicort de Senna, First Magrave Mount Santa Lorina. Emeritus, now, the title's defunct. Née Ledicort Alexander Vuiller.” 

“Born 'pon this very saint's day eighty-four years ago, in the Duchy of Aquilae on the shores of Balian. Must've been… nineteen-eighty-two. My father was Marcel Elio, the Duke of Aquilae, my mother a commoner.” 

JV: “What was your father's role in Balian?” 

“He was one of King… Citizen Alexander's most favored advisors, his foreign affairs minister. They called the position Legate, and served as its final appointee before the Kingdom's dissolution.” 

JV: “Did you intend to follow in his footsteps?” 

“They were best friends, as they liked to pomp about all the time,” he purses his lips to the query, “At that point, yes. I sought to serve my nation. I was once loyal to that state and its institutions, and to my father as a defender of them.” 

TV: “What was your relationship to your father like? And your mother as well, if you please, sir. Both parents tend to have an influence on the child, I think.” 

“Mm. Indeed,” - “Strained, as regards my father. A mutual resentment. He despised the Temple, and was never one to express his emotions with vigor. Always held them tight to his heart, to himself, except critiques.” 

“All of my siblings suffered from this. I was an easy sacrificial lamb, for I was Owynist, and he opposed the sect.” 

“My mother died in childbirth. I was five, or six.” 

TV: “You mentioned she was a commoner, sir. How did your father come to meet her?” 

“He had loved another woman first. Some… Temesch? I forget her name. Though she was wed away to a Ravenmirian, so he settled for a common-woman. I believe one in the Duchy's employ.” 

TV: “And what of your childhood, sir? Your siblings?” 

“I never met her nor heard of her aside from her name, Isador. I was the thirdborn son of the old Duke, of six. My elder brothers Harald and Duncan, and younger sisters Laurelie and Johanna. As well as Beanyx, though I never met him either. He was sent away. Boarding school in Rhen, I think.” 

“I'll admit, shamefully and regrettably, that I was a rowdy young man. I resented my brother Harald for his inheritance, and my father garnered a highly competitive dynamic among his children.” 

“It was the primary drive behind most of my work, at the beginning. Proving something. To my father and Harald both. It is not always easy on the mind to be a spare's spare. That very ambition.” 

JV: “How did you come to be Owynist?” 

“I must provide some context, I believe, first. You lived through much of this, James.” 

“You recall the excommunication of John Casimir and Alexander the Humiliated. I was too young to see it myself, but I grey up in my teenage years through the regency of Cardinal Ivan over the kingdom after the sedevacante. I first ran for the senate at sixteen, got in at seventeen. My work there caught the attention of Ivan. Ivan Cardinal Lotharia, that is. He took me along to meetings of the Curia as a sort of ward.” 

“I became Callahan's pupil at roughly eighteen thereafter. I joined almost all of his pilgrimages at the time, and took care of his sheep on the Hill. Along with Sir Prize and the other herders. Under the Pontiff's education, I converted.” 

JV: “Can you explain the circumstances of the excommunication, for the record?” 

“Phoo. All of the context could make your head spin, but I'll tl;dr it,” - “After Deunoro's death, Callahan's election into the Pontifical seat was highly controversial amongst Danielans and Jorenics.” 

“They sought to oust him, to schism. Alexander was one of the primary conspirators, along with the bureaucrats of Haense.” 

“One of Alexander's children, my brother in law Hadrian Novellen, now Ser Nathannenel- that's Nathan-Nenel, ousted the conspiracy before Númendil and the Church.” 

“John Casimir, Alexander's heir, participated in the manipulations. They were called to trial at the Apostolic City and excommunicated.” 

“The compromise to avoid open war with Balian at the time was Cardinal Ivan's regency,” a bob of his head. He returned to the seat, tired of pacing. 

TV: “Beg your pardon, Your Excellency, and please forgive me. I left the continent during the early part of Almaris and I have only returned recently.” 

TV: “So I haven't much context for, well… anything at all that you mentioned. I shouldn't ask you to expound on it.” 

“No issue at all, of course. Make as many queries as you'd like.” 

TV: “I would ask you how it affected you personally and how you felt about it. It sounds like a dramatic series of events, and ones you witnessed personally, yet you described it in a rather objective and distanced manner.” 

“It was before I was sentient, in earnest. I was a toddler when the trial happened properly.” 

TV: “Ah, well, even if you were a child, you must have had your perspective? Children can be perceptive too. And how did it affect your youth?” 

“They are not the happiest memories. Our people bled from its irreverent, unqualified leadership. The House of Novellen-d'Atrus had fallen into much disrepair, and lost its honor.” 

“We struggled to get a foothold. I remember playing outside, in empty streets. Some moved away, the rest remained as hermits. Ivan was no good as a regent, but I had the chance to springboard into the Temple thanks to him.” 

TV: “Was it observing that dismal situation that made you aspire to politics?” 

“Isolation was common for most Balianese youngsters during those times. Perhaps it was… opportunism, but I believe in my heart that it was a genuine belief to do good, that then motivated me toward the John-Casimir fiasco.” 

“Yes! Stole the words from my mouth.” 

TV: “Ehehe, you seem like that type.” 

“The Senate was good practice, but change was slow. They still treaded the micro-rump state like a Petrine administration, overbloated and understaffed. But the biggest issue yet was the regency.” 

“My first big break was doing the impossible. I was bolder, in my time. Better at keeping my mind on the goal of politick. I sought my big break in returning the crown to John Casimir. Cardinal Ivan, useless as he unfortunately was, failed at every bump to convince Callahan to yield. And the Pontiff would not yield, he though John wicked and never intended to return the crown to him.” 

“I agree with him now, in retrospect. Though I was naive, and given the vacancies, I was made Auditor of the Tribunal at just nineteen.” 

“Of the Church's tribunal, that is.” 

TV: “Nineteen, sir? That is astoundingly young for such a position.” 

TV: “Did you feel prepared for it?” 

“No, in the slightest. I was afraid. But I was a close confidante to the Curia, and could prove my loyalty. I don't know what made the administration at the time heed my words of advice, but I had a voice among them.” 

TV: “There must have been something about you that compelled them, even at so young an age.” 

“Speech has always allowed me to get into places you wouldn't expect me to be in,” he rolled his shoulders, “The crown's return to John was seen as impossible, even by those who believed in him. The House of Lords of Balian had made an extraordinary vote demanding he be King, which angered the Pontiff.” 

“He was not asked for his permission. A very dangerous act, against a man such as Callahan.” 

“I'm unsure if you ever met him, Lady Tanith. Many unexpected folk have.” 

TV: “No, sir. I have been away from the continent for a significant number of centuries. My expertise lies in the early Empire, the age of Godfrey.” 

“Albeit, he has lived his fair share of centuries himself,”

JV: “Could you describe him?” 

“Not accurately, nor in any way that'd do him justice. But I could try.” 

“Wise beyond all years, old beyond all wisdom. He carried the burden of a whole Tribe. Of a great many Tribes, for a great many reasons, and for this he suffered. He was alike to Saint Caius. A man of laughter. Though vengeful, very much so, and at times wrathful.” 

“He was more of a father to me than my own. I know the world because of him.” 

JV: “How did your efforts to return the Crown to John proceed?” 

“The particularities behind it are private. Temple matters, you see, but it took much work. Haggling, negotiating, and some begging.” 

“I believe it was resilience that eventually won it. I kept at the matter until there was nothing more to give. Ivan tried to claim all the glory of it, but if it had been for him, the Crown would've never returned to Balian at all.” 

TV: “Well, perhaps we can talk about the results? This was your big break. What happened after, and what ramifications did it have for your career, and your life as a whole?” 

“Balian didn't… thrive, but it got some revival. The streets weren't as empty. The people needed their King, and all the other claimants were lame ducks or overseas. I tried to get the second born daughter, Helena Casimira, denounced from the line of succession to up John's odds. Bookmark that particular tidbit, it'll be important later.” 

“She was overseas at the time. In Rhen, also, ironically.” 

JV: “Denounced by whom? The senate?” 

“It earned me some respect in Balian, though they are a thankless people, Lady Tanith. No matter how much good you do for them, they shall never thank you earnestly. They expect you to give them the world selflessly, and receive nothing.” 

“The House of Lords. They had some control over the succession given the nation was leaderless. They entertained, though never followed through, with the idea. Most were opposed to it. Alas, I digress.” 

TV: “It sounds very much like the Petrine era in that regard.” 

“It makes sense. Balian was a successor state to the Petrine Holy OE.” 

“About the time the Crown was returned, I married my first wife, Emilija Sofija Whitewood; with her I had five children, four girls and one boy.” 

TV: “I loved the Petrine very much, but… it too had a habit of extracting the best out of its people and leaving them empty.” 

“That progressed into Balian, trust me. The very same manner of thinking.” 

TV: “Oh, do tell us about your family.” 

“Since Emilija was the only - at the time - living heir to Whitewood, we agreed to split our surnames. Half our children would get Vuiller, the other half Whitewood.” 

“My daughters Lenora, Aurelia and Eirene were Vuillers. Arowyn and Leif were Whitewoods.” 

“I had a comfortable marriage with Emilija, until her death. She passed away in my late twenties.” 

TV: “I am deeply sorry for your loss, Your Excellency.” 

“Sixty years ago, now. I've grieved enough. It was a grave illness, some sort of infection.” 

“Between then, I helped the Temple in all its doings. Especially in the Pontifical States, which I helped administer along with James and Enrique.” 

TV: “Brought about by childbirth or something else? Forgive me for prying, sir.” 

“I was also in my mid-twenties. Albeit, I ran the Churchly courts, so I was mostly in matters of law.” 

“Something else. Self inflicted wounds is what I was told.” 

TV: “Oh, I see.” 

“It may be inaccurate. She never had a tendency to hurt herself in the slightest.” 

“In any case, my reputation increased in the Church well into my thirties, when I was made Callahan's Chancellor of the Curia.” 

Tanith nods and does not press more on that particular line of questioning…. 

JV: “Would you like to outline how the Pontifical States came about?” 

“Of course. I love telling the story.” 

“Another name: Pontiff Deunoro, Callahan's predecessor, had refused to involve himself in an ongoing petty feud between the then state of Ravenmire and the Kingdom of Aaun. It lead to a crisis, where a large coalition supported Tiberias van Aert and the Blackvale levy against the Aaunish, given that Aaun had a bad reputation from the end of the Heartlander Confederation.” 

“The Pontiff caught an illness and died, leaving the Church in Cardinal Rhosyn's trust. She's now Saint Rhosyn of the Petra.” 

“The resolution to the matter left Aaun in a regency after their previous monarch, Charles the Second, conspired to schism against the Church as well and was held accountable.” 

“The Church became the stewards of Aaun. When the little heir never came about, the former state of Aaun was left permanently within the Church's complete administration. It became the Pontifical States thereafter.” 

TV: “And where were you during this time, sir?” 

“The former part was before I was born, and its formation was in my infancy. I got involved some time into its existence.” 

“I handled the courts until they failed to prove their worth, moving to more direct Churchly administration while James and Enrique toiled at the temporal.” 

“I helped in writing Callahan's bulls, oversaw appointments, the typical for a Chancellor. I was ordained shortly before the war.” 

TV: “I must admit this is of some personal interest to me, since I really have no clue what my son has been up to in my absence.” 

“He has done quite a lot!” 

TV: “Ehehe. I was shocked to see he'd become a holy man. And that he had a beard.” 

TV: “But yes, please tell me more about how the Pontifical States operated?” 

TV: “Were they quite controversial?” 

“It was a loose confederation of states, in truth. Not controversial but heavily disliked by Callahan's typical enemies, Raevs and the like.” 

TV: “I imagine some protested against the Church taking authority over a kingdom like that….” 

“Many did. It was this reason why Alexander and John had tried to schism, aside from their hatred of the Pontiff.” 

“Rumor has it Haense was behind the entire affair. Though don't quote me on that.” 

“Anyhow. Ivörians, Ravenmirians, Albans and Enswerpians, and all those who didn't particularly fit anywhere else came about to make home in the Heartlands.” 

“Callahan was a very forgiving Lord, and they were given high autonomy.” 

TV: “Was there a certain political motivation for that?” 

“Somewhat. In truth, the state existed mostly to slowly rally banners. It worked quite well, the Pontifical Army was disconnected but huge.” 

“Tiberias was made Captain-General of it, before his initial disappearance. He was gone for a few decades. It was his return that sparked the whole mess thereafter. The Blackvale folk had moved down from Ravenmire and settled in Grense, just under Lemon Hill.” 

TV: “And were there whisperings about the reformation of an Empire?” 

“Not quite. Some assumed, but most thought the Pontifical States would only be a warmongering nation.” 

“And that war was mongered, indeed. Quite dramatically.” 

JV: “I want to circle back briefly on something, you said the courts failed to show their worth, how was that?” 

“They oversaw a few cases. The ones we did, we handled them with care and with law. It was a very sophisticated system. Perhaps… a little too sophisticated.” 

“The Pontifical States demanded faster justice. Sometimes valued the deliverance of it over what was necessary right. Alas, it fell to disrepair and neglect and was eventually disbanded as I was promoted.” 

JV: “What led up to the war?” 

“Vinovia. The Pontifical States and Haense were stuck in a sort of political war beforehand, a… passive war, so to speak.” 

“That entire period was mostly diplomatic isolation from one another while trying to gain as many third party allies as possible. Folks called it the possibility of Hyperwar, the war to end all wars, you understand.” 

TV: “Hyperwar, I've heard that term used before a few times. And what were your own, personal thoughts on it?” 

“This escalated slowly but steadily, until it exploded with a bang. Haense had hired a mercenary group dubbed the Vinovians, who acted as proxy operatives for Haense.” 

“They were trying to get the war going. Haense wanted its Empire as well, but the biggest roadblock was always Callahan and the Church.” 

“Mine? Unfortunate. Perhaps not strictly necessary, but not without reason. An inevitable tragedy.” 

TV: “So you felt there was no way to avert it?” 

“Not with the Haensers actively trying to spark it, no.” 

“That brings back the Vinovians, as they had been heightening tensions by attacking our borders. It was until one day they attempted to raid the Holy See and assassinate the Pontiff that it boiled over.” 

“He was thankfully not home at the time, nor was I. We had a meeting just before and could've very well lost our lives that day. Thankfully, the Vinovians were late.” 

TV: “A stroke of luck indeed!” 

“Perhaps, perhaps. That, of course, was intolerable. There were rumors of Haense's involvement with Vinovia, their very public dealings with them, so forth.” 

“There were some attempts at detente, at alternative deals, but none fell through. Karl the Impious, the then King of Haense, went to sea and died of some illness. Scurvy, I think.” 

“His brother Joren took over after that. He was a meeker man, never meant to be King. Karl had left no issue, you see.” 

“The tensions rose so much they ended up in an ultimatum. Either Joren abdicate and hand over regency of Haense to the Church, as had happened with Aaun, or all-out war.” 

“Callahan wasn't available that day so I had to lead the gathering where he gave his response. When he said no, I excommunicated him before the gathering. War was declared a few days after.” 

TV: “My goodness, and how did you feel on that day? What was going through your head?” 

“Hope that he'd say yes. Fear that he'd say no. Resentment when he did.” 

TV: “Did the prospect of war frighten you at all?” 

“It did. Not because I didn't think we'd win, but because of what the cost would be.” 

“My whole family was in Balian, after all. They would forsake me. They did.” 

TV: “Would you elaborate on that, sir?” 

“Many of the canonist nations yielded to him. Petra, Aaun, Hyspia, Balian as I said, and other sellouts who preferred Haense's cushy Pax over the Temple and Faith. Only Númendil and the Pontifical States stood by Callahan, as well as the myriads of other allies we had.” 

“John Casimir and I had a difficult, personal relationship. I had helped him greatly, after all, and we were indebted to one another. I had him swore an oath before me, to never transgress the Temple.” 

“This is related, don't be afraid…-”

Here a short interruption occured

 

“Ah, yes. John. We'd gotten into a sort of… rivalry. He hated my guts as much as I did his, and as per, he was motivated to join with Haense and make me the scapegoat. He blamed me for the war and had me banished from the realm. My father, the loyal dog that he is, followed along by disinheriting me and denouncing me from the Vuillers.” 

“It split my family. Half my children remained in Balian, the other half joined me in the Pontifical States.” 

TV: “My God! How awful!” 

“It was the choice I had to make. To keep true to my Temple, or to submit to my nation. It's obvious which one I went with.” 

JV: “Were here… difference with Balian similar to your own?” 

“How so?” 

JV: “Was she also also siding with the Temple over her nation, or was there a different conflict going on?” 

“Ah! Helena's- she had some issues with her family. Private, for the most part. She chose a better life for her and her child.” 

“The war raged on. She fought in some battles, as did I. Nothing too dramatic however. She captured Kathryn of Rhen, John's consort, some… two or three times?” 

JV: “Very impressive.” 

“Burgundy was founded about that time as well, and the States dissolved, as you remember.” 

“The Kingdom. Once Balian was conquered and John died, the Empire was founded.” 

“Helena and I married and went on to have some… eleven children? I forget.” 

JV: “I do. Before that, how did the war go?” 

“The war went as all wars go. Death, destruction, incredibly annoying opposition. The beginning was uncertain, but after our first few victories, it was pretty much decided.” 

“They tried raiding the Holy See a few times, once with my children about. Could've hurt them. Thankfully they didn't do it again.” 

JV: “It must have been hard on your family life.” 

“Yes… though some of my children who remained in Balian came along to join me in the States, especially after the Whitewoods settled Silasia.” 

“Once it was won, the Empire was founded, and due to a friendship with Tiberias I was made his Archchancellor.” 

“Then came the Druscan fiasco.” 

JV: “Hold on, how did the Empire come about?” 

“Humanity was, for the most part, completely united. The natural state of a united humanity is an Empire. Therefore, it was pronounced shortly after.” 

 

Here, a more serious interruption occurred, causing the rest of the interview to be postponed to a later date 

 

“Well, where were we?” 

JV: “We had just gotten to the rise of the Empire. A good point to have recessed at. I'd like you to tell how exactly it came about. This will be a period of great interest, I think.” 

“I believe I gave some of the context in our last session, would you like me to go about all of it again?” 

JV: “I think that would be good.” 

“Very well! Well, the only history prior to the war of two emperors is only relevant as in the line of Augustus, the second of the Emperors of Man of the first Pertinaxi dynasty.” 

“Augustus had a child. Quite a few, in fact, but one of them was a boy who would go on to create the house of Vilacz.” 

“Vilacz became Vilac which became van Aert.” 

“The Burgundians had direct agnatic ancestry straight to Aurelius Canonius. Tiberias, son of Gaspard II - who was Captain-General of Veletz - knew this.” 

“Tiberias and his host, a large levy of soldiers of Blackvale and Burgundy, marched with him out of the Middle-lands and up into Ravenmire.” 

“When James was first made bishop, Ravenmire was his diocese. He himself can speak on how brutally cold and isolated that place was. Almost fell to Aurelianist heresies, if it weren't for the good shepherding of the Church.” 

“A man named Charles Alstion was crowned Charles the Second down in Aaun, after the death of his father John of Aaun. Charles cannibalized the union-state of Aaun and Petra and caused the dissolution of the Heartlander Confederation.” 

“He was a terrible, horrible man.” 

“So much so that he murdered his own brother, whose name escapes me. Something James? I believe?” 

“The death was related to some claimant issues. Aaun was a rump-state of the eighth empire which maintained legitimacy only through its Alstionite roots.” 

“Though more importantly, the kinslaying was discovered. The royals of Aaun weren't very bright and decided to discard of the body inside of… I think a cistern, or a basin of holy water in the chapel. After a raid to the Hand of Horen, which was a massive tower the Alstions inhabited as a palace, Tiberias' host found the dead body of that Prince.” 

“That's when Tiberias made his first and very important move. He revealed the death and declared an ultimatum against Aaun, backed by Ravenmire and a miscellaneous gang of orcs and dwed.” 

“Aaun was highly unpopular, though. The general canonist community hated them with a passion, especially Númendil and Petra.” 

“Though, they hated Tiberias more.” 

“Haense had just defeated Tiberias' father, Gaspard, in the Veletz war. They saw the return of the Blackvale host as a dangerous resurgence of Veletzian ideology, especially from what was at the time a radical. Tiberias was much more Burgundian than his republican forefathers.” 

JV: “What does burgundian mean in this context?” 

“Of Burgundy, which was the main military backbone of Veletz Somewhat derived from Pertinaxi. Certainly Pertinaxi in nature, at least.” 

“Veletz as a whole was less so, and focused on Dumacratic ideals of elective autocracy. Semi-republican. In any case, Haense saw this as a threat to their order. The Church maintained a neutral stance, not openly backing neither Tiberias who sought against Aaun, nor Haense who sought to defend it.” 

“Many believed it'd be all-out war.” 

“Though it wasn't. An important summit took place at Numenost, the capital of Númendil, where basically all world leaders met with their hosts, including Tiberias. There, Saint Rhosyn of the Petra and then-Cardinal Callahan, who were acting in the old Pontiff's stead while he was dying, managed to broker an important deal.” 

TV (to ED): “Were you there, llir?” 

ED: “It is as he said, it was a very… passionate meeting, as I recall.” 

TV: “Passionate? Indeed? How so? Do tell.” 

“Incredibly so. I read the transcripts, believe it or not, the Church kept extensive records.” 

“There was… a lot of shouting. King Alexander of Balian was a complicated man who hated Tiberias.” 

ED: “Complicated man is a simple way to describe Alex.” 

“But Saint Rhosyn, through expert and dare I say God-given negotiation skills, managed some impressive maneuvers and maintained peace. Charles the Second had been excommunicated prior, so Aaun was under further crisis.” 

“He was excommunicated on grounds of kinslaying, by the way.” 

ED: “But to merely be present in the room was an almost deafening experience.” 

“His son, whose name I don't remember… Godwin? I think? Was just nine, or ten.” 

“So, the brokered deal saw the release of the Treaty of Minas Aranath, which gave the Church essentially complete ownership of Aaun as stewards and regents while ensuring no invasion from Tiberias' forces.” 

“Then came quite troublesome days….” 

“The aforementioned King Alexander hated Owynism as well. With a passion, more than he did Tiberias.” 

“And the face of Owynism at the time was Callahan, who was elected as the next Pontiff after the death of the previous.” 

“So you can assume that an openly Owynist Pontiff wasn't all too appealing to King Alexander or King Marius of Haense.” 

“They plotted to schism, though the Haensers didn't commit. They were clever and had the Balianoids as scapegoats, deliberating with some old Aaunic authorities; the Chancellor and other such folks, and conspiring with them to openly schism.” 

“However, this ploy was revealed by the second son of Alexander, Hadrian the Hero Novellen. My brother in law. Ironically, my wife's twin, Hadrian, who attended the meeting, fled to Numendil where he told the Church of the ploy.” 

“Alexander II, Queen Lavanya his wife, and John Casimir his heir were all excommunicated… as well as the Aaunite chancellor and other officials.” 

“They were all sent to THE ISLAND: Also known as, the Citizen's Island, where some of them remain to this day.” 

TV: “The island?” 

“Yes. THE ISLAND.” 

TV: “Would you elaborate on that, please?” 

TV: “THE ISLAND, ti. Begging your pardon.” 

“It was a little Island just south of Almaris where the Church sent all of its enemies it had excommunicated.” 

“Charles II, Alexander II, their wives, their heirs.” 

TV: “Was it a very fearsome place? A prison?” 

“No, just a monastery. They were forced to become monastics.” 

“A monastery and a nunnery on opposite sides of the island, if I recall correctly.” 

Tanith nods. “Ahernan, I was just curious. You made it sound rather terrifying, pronouncing it that way. THE ISLAND. Quite foreboding.” 

“THE ISLAND.” 

TV: “THE ISLAND. It's a little fun to say, actually.” 

“Yes. It was foreboding, two nations essentially ceased to exist thanks to it.” 

“Balian was also entrusted to the Church, what we discussed our last session, with the whole deal of Cardinal Ivan and my struggle for John's crown.” 

“That heir to Aaun, little… Godwin, I think, yes, he failed to show up. He didn't meet by his end of the deal, so Aaun was dissolved. That line of Alstion ceased to exist there. And in its stead were founded the Pontifical States, headed by the Church as its only sovereign. Tiberias was made Captain-General, the head of its armies, as per his covenant with Callahan. Though he disappeared. He went away for many years.” 

“And so commenced a very long, very tense cold period. The one I grew up in. The Pontifical States and Idunia on one side as one superpower, Haense and its lackeys- Petra, Hyspia and Reinmar on the other. None daring to war one another, but both hoping to eventually.” 

JV: “You had moved to the Pontifical States by this point.” 

“I had.” 

“I got work in the Church so I worked where the Church was. I lived at Lemon Hill and was one of its few permanent residents.” 

“After Lemon Hill ceased to be Sir Morgan's little plot and instead became the Church's headquarters, as the Holy See.” 

“Then that waiting period, yadda-yadda, nothing very interesting happened until the Schism war.” 

“I believe I spoke on it last time, did I?” 

JV: “Yes, I believe so, briefly." 

“I may elaborate, if you wish.” 

TV: “Please do. The Schism War I am personally familiar with is… uh… much older.” 

“Yes… this newer one is typically referred to as the war of Crown and Crozier.” 

“Awful name, if you ask me.” 

“That's why us who lived through it refer to it as the Second Schism War, or the Vinovian War.” 

JV: “I always called it the Vinovian War.” 

“Yes. It was a huge, bloody affair.” 

“Started with the Vinovians, who appeared out of nowhere as mercenaries. They were hired by Haense on the down-low, but not down enough, to conduct partisan operations against the Church.” 

“One day they went too far. They raided Lemon Hill in hopes of assassinating the Pontiff, but instead gravely injured Tar-Anorhil and murdered innocent priests and monastics.” 

“This initiated the Vinovian Crisis. The Church's coalition fought against them while Haense observed as a proxy.” 

“Then the Vinovians went quiet, and at almost the same time, Tiberias returned.” 

“The connections between Haense and Vinovia were made apparent, and a large meeting - also at Númendil ironically, gave way to an ultimatum made before the Haeseni. Either have their monarch Karl the Impious abdicate and cede regency to the Church, or face war.” 

“A bunch of other demands were made at the same time. They were ordained by the Angel Saint Raguel, you know, who I had the blessing to meet and converse with a few times. The actual, real Angel who came down from the Skies. Such prophetic times, they were.” 

TV: “I imagine that went over well with the Haenseni?” 

“- Hah, not at all, Lady Tanith. Not at all indeed.” 

“I was the one to give the terms. I had to face down King Joren, as King Karl the Impious had died. Joren was his younger brother, by the by. He was a meeker and more reasonable man. But not reasonable enough, unfortunately.” 

“So I provided unto him the demands, and he denied me, so I excommunicated him. And that was how the war began.” 

TV: “What was that like, having to deliver those terms at the meeting's conclusion?” 

“The terms were at a secondary meeting. The first one was at Numendil, the second that actually started the war was at Lemon Hill.” 

“Haense had been summoned. The room was quite packed.” 

“After the excommunication, the war started proper. The Pontifical States, Númendil, orcs, dwarves, and Caurost against Haense, Hyspia, Petra, Reinmar, and Balian. A true world war, everyone duking it out.” 

“It ensued for… quite little, surprisingly. Haense gave up after the third, fourth battle?” 

“Their land got annexed and they fled to become a Norlandic vassal rump-state called Karoslund. Which is now, itself, gone.” 

“Reinmar is now an Imperial vassal, Petra under Idunia, Hyspia became Viru, and Balian………….” 

“Balian lasted longer. The only one who didn't capitulate. They fought until we sieged their capital. Honorable, but foolish.” 

“I hated them, I'll admit. Hated my father, my brother in law, that halfwit John Casimir, after so many olive branches I gave him he still refused.” 

“But, in the end the line of Novellen was abolished there, to never return.” 

“Balian was dissolved, and I even got to marry John Casimir's sister!” 

“Your rival marrying your sister. Eheh.” 

TV: “I bet that made the wedding a little awkward.” 

“Oh, he wasn't invited. Though we did marry in Balian, secretly.” 

TV: “What are your feelings on your brother in law now?” 

“I'm glad he's dead. That's about it. To say anything else would mean he's still got a smidge of power over my life, which he thankfully doesn't.” 

TV: “Ah, that's a very healthy attitude to have.” 

“Anyhow, Balian became Lotharia under the orcs, similarly to how Beleth is now.” 

“Prior to Balian's capitulation, I crowned Tiberias as King of Burgundy. I wasn't given a script and dare-I-say I did VERY well. It was quite the spectacle.” 

JV: “How did he go from King to Emperor?” 

“When Callahan couldn't or didn't want to make it to a coronation, he'd make me do them. I crowned the Prince of Reinmar, the King of Petra, the Queen of Hyspia….” 

“Thus why I said prior to Balian; when Balian fell, humanity was (for the most part) united.” 

“Everyone under the Imperial banner.” 

“So, Callahan crowned him Emperor on the basis of that agnatic succession I mentioned earlier.” 

“Through Aert through Vilac through Vilacz to the Pertinaxi.” 

JV: “There was no Imperial Banner before there was an Emperor.” 

“The proto-Imperial banner. Technically the Burgundian banner. Which was also technically the Pontifical States, given the States later became Burgundy which later became the Empire.” 

JV: “I don't recall the States becoming Burgundy.” 

“I know it's a touchy subject for you, James, but in broad strokes that was what it was. All Pontifical vassals swore to Tiberias that day, under Callahan's instruction.” 

JV: “Did you automatically join the Imperial Government?” 

“No. I was Lord Chancellor of Burgundy prior to that, I'd become friends with Tiberias and my work as the Church's Chancellor impressed him. I helped him found the Imperial state when the time came, and have been Archchancellor ever since.” 

JV: “There must have been much work to do.” 

“An excruciating amount. Vassal negotiations, forming the first government and the state as a whole. If it weren't for my wife, my sweet Helena, I wouldn't be here today. She gave me the courage to continue, and helped me much in legal work.” 

“Though she was made to step down after a controversy. One that was grossly overblown, may I add.” 

JV: “Would you like to elaborate on that?” 

“She was the first Lady Justiciar, and set the foundations for current Imperial legal procedure. Though some rumors were spread of her involvement in the death of some noble-lady or other. She had to step down to avoid further controversy on the Crown. Alas.” 

JV: “How did you go about forming a brand new government?” 

“I studied older Imperial forms of governance. We maintained a more Pertinaxi flavor while keeping the general Imperial cabinet shape.” 

JV: “What's a Pertnaxi flavor?” 

“Think old Empire of Man, expressing titles and ranks in a similar way to that of the first Pertinax.” 

“Given the historical differences with the Helane-Novellen side, it's natural not much was taken from the eighth empire's form of council.” 

“That is a short and somewhat convoluted history of the Empire's creation, Lady Tanith.” 

TV: “It's very strange and funny to hear your speak thus, Your Excellency. The last time I was in Oren was under the reign of Joseph II and I departed shortly after his passing. Back then, our understanding of the Pertinaxi was that they were horrific tyrants and their example should be shunned.” 

TV: “To hear you say you emulated them purposefully is very strange to my ears. But - I will admit my understanding of the Pertinaxi was likely colored due to the political propaganda of the time….” 

TV: “I heard many diverging opinions on them.” 

“Why, of course. And the old Empire of Man was quite brutal indeed, though we must respect the culture of our forefathers.” 

“The Petrines hated the Pertinaxi because they won against them in Two-emps.” 

TV: “Naturally. History is written by the victors, as they say.” 

“Not always! Sometimes it's written by independent third parties, like yourselves.” 

“And I find those histories to be much more interesting to read.” 

“Have you any further questions?” 

JV: “What do you see as the major events under your Archchancellory?” 

“Phoo… too many. The Margrave's war between Ivoria and Drusco, then the Druscan war between Drusco and Numendil, the integrations of Norland, Caurost, and Iryalen, and now this war. I think they're calling it the Badlands War?” 

TV: “Oh my, I didn't know it had a name. Everyone I've spoken to has merely called it 'the war'.” 

“That's what they'll continue to call it until it ends, I reckon. Which shouldn't be long at all.” 

TV: “Well, I suppose, what's next for you, Your Excellency? Where do you see yourself in five years?” 

“A series of reforms, mostly to the legislative and judicial processes.” 

“And then, well… death.” 

TV: “…That's rather grim, Your Excellency.” 

“Oh, not at all. I lived a good life, Lady Tanith. A human is made to return to His Lord eventually.” 

TV: “I would think a more cheerful answer is… retirement to someplace tropical.” 

“And in my old age, and with these old bones, I can only aspire to make good on that covenant and make way home. That's the blessing of Man. Mortality gives perspective. I did all I needed to do to provide to the Tapestry.” 

“I loved and was loved, I worked for and was worked for.” 

TV: “Well… I should hope you will get to enjoy retirement for a few years before the Lord calls you home. You've been an awfully busy man. It's important to rest too.” 

“Alas! My contract doesn't end until my passing.” 

“I'm to serve in office until I keel over.” 

TV: “Oh dear… well, let us hope your final years in office won't be so hectic. A swift conclusion to the war and then peace in the realm.” 

“Hah! They ended in a regency and a war, quite hectic indeed, though I love the work I do.” 

JV: “Wrapping up, how would you characterize the situation of the Empire, and what would you say are the greatest challenges ahead of it?” 

“The Empire will soon be everything. There won't be a thing on this continent that doesn't happen within its borders.” 

“… In a way, paradoxically, the Empire's challenges will be every challenge at once. From every corner of the realm. From every vassal, every thinking mind, every creature. It will have to survive. Kick and fight and gnaw, like an animal. It'll have to overcome everything, all the time, all at once.” 

TV: “You… don't sound optimistic.” 

“I am optimistic. I never said it wouldn't triumph. I worry for the sanity of Marcus and his little heir, I do. But if they labor, then there'll be peace. Long lasting peace.”

JV: “And Hadrian?” 

“The Emperor will prove his own strength with his war. It'll be his magnum opus. He will have been the conqueror of everything that crawls and walks. That is legacy enough, I believe.” 

JV: “Any closing words to history?” 

“I was of service. To love, to Empire, and to God. I pray my wife Helena is as remembered as I am. If I am to be remembered at all.” 

JV: “Very good. Before we go, I'd like to give you an opportunity to put something on the record to be released only at a much later date.” 

“Mmm… only that my hope for my successor was my son Ezra, and I'm sure he'd do splendidly. I'd ask that… most of my opinions and takes be left off of an biographical material. I'd like to be known for the things I did less than for the things I thought, you understand.” 

JV: “I don't plan to do much editing of the transcript, my friend.” 

“Ahah! Oh well. I said nothing I regret, anyhow.” 

[cometking123 236]

Spoiler

Thanks to all for transcribing and conducting a most fascinating view of history! Not many books on the Pontifical States and this time period in the libraries browsed, and church RP looked so crunchy from back then....

 

Robert Caro volumes of history in certain characters.

 

Edited May 15 by cometking123

[FireAGN 1207]

The aforementioned favored heir, Ezra, read his father's interview carefully. It was a surprise- he didn't know it was ever conducted, nor had he ever heard the firsthand account of Ledicort's life. Ezra and Ledicort had a more distant relationship than the son would have liked, but reading over the transcript's quotes- his father's direct words- made him feel all the more close to the late Archchancellor.

 

He brought the missive forth to all who would listen to him; his children and wards, most notably, instructing them to read it with much care.

 

And yet, a single quote lay present in the new Archchancellor's mind for quite some time,

"They expect you to give them the world selflessly and receive nothing."

"Ai, father," Ezra thought to himself, donning a slow nod, "Such is the way it is."

[TaraJess 2848]

Spoiler

Format later I'm on mobile

 

Down in some southern vassal among the Tawantinsuyin tribe, Aurelian sat out in the sun. That fiance of hers paced back and forth awaiting a letter, and they shared idle chatter about the future, about the life that lays ahead of them, about their future children. 

 

He promised her that he would not allow those children to be ignorant to their mother's blood, though upon taking the time to read over that interview of the late Archchancellor, she pondered if she had fallen ignorant. 

 

That particular missive was added to her notebook, one which housed many a loose missive that she favored, that spoke to her. Upon her next trip back home to Edrica, she decided she'd make the effort to speak with her grandfather who lived and fought through that war that birthed the Empire and the very reality she currently lived in. 

 

How quick things changed, she thought. How many lifetimes had she already lived? And still she was not yet thirty. Her grandfather sat close to 100... how many lifetimes had he lived? How many times did he have to start over, and would she live similarly? It seemed the pattern of those who lived so long, starting over and over, the destruction of one, the creation of another, and endless circle to go on and on through all of eternity. 

 

Aurelian prayed her little view of eternity was quieter than the one she was born into.