Evening The Odds

[Mirtok 2853]

*As you walk around the Capitol City you see the familiar golden borders of one of the Hochmeisters "Letter to the People" posted on the main message board. Further along in your walk you notice more letters posted on several posts and buildings. With the cold wind picking up and the temperature dropping you decide to return to your home seeking warmth from your fireplace. As you reach you door step you nearly kick a envelope while trying to get inside. Bending down to pick it up you read your own name written on one side in black ink with a black cross water marked on one corner. After shuffling inside and bunching up by the fire you open the envelope and read . . .

My dear Hanseti,

This world is plagued by the tragedy of a world war, as you know. I would like you all to believe that the nations from each end of the lands have engaged themselves in the fight against evil, but that is not entirely true. In fact, only recently have I fully seen the true intent behind this war.

From its early conception, I have tried to enforce the policy of no harm to the populace. I have made it clear that this isn't a war for land or money and therefore none of the aggressing nations should receive any of such at the war's conclusion. This was a war to end the reign of Dawn and bring an end to corruption every where by sending a message to the future evils of Asulon to beware. Unfortunately, this was an idea only held by Hanseti and not most of the others. I have seen and heard their true intent for this war, I have discovered what will become of Salvus and its peoples and I must say to you all that it is wrong. They only fight for greed, blood, and power while stopping at nothing to achieve all three. I have come to realize that no person is safe under the threat of this "coalition". What Dawn and her Ordinators did was indeed wrong and must be ended for good, but I know for a fact that there are still good people in Salvus, good people who do not deserve what the "coalition" brings. As a result, I have removed our nation's forces from the attackers to the defenders. The people of Salvus need someone to stand up to the soon to be oppression of the "coalition", someone to make a stand for the innocent and the good. People of Hanseti, that is us, we will stand up for those people and do our damnedest to stave off the looming darkness that is the "coalition".

Hanseti and the Teutonic Order especially have had a strong relationship with the Orcs, one that has carried us both to great lengths on the field of battle. But no longer are the Orcs a friendly force and no longer are they our friends. Since the end of Mogroka's leadership the Orcs have become severely unstable to be fit allies. The rapid changing of hands for the throne only presents conflict and problems, alliances and relationships will be strained with each new Rex. The Orcish military force has begun to reflect the behavior of the current Rex, Pok, violent beyond any reasoning, immature in serious matters, and sloppy. When this war began the Orcs seemed to be fighting the good fight for good of the world, but that image was quickly shattered from my mind after many instances of analysis. These Orcs fight just to fight, just to kill and just to destroy. They will stop at nothing to completely exterminate anyone whom has lived or served for the nation of Salvus. They do not care for the many innocent lives, the hard work and well being of anything crafted from Salvus and look at the capitol of Solace as a proper receptacle for TnT and fire.

From early on in the formation of the Teutonic Order, Alras and the Order have conducted business on many occasions. Alras has even provided military support in a number of battles that Hanseti was fighting. The Alrasians have always been friendly towards The Order and Hanseti for years, but just like the Orcs, that has come to an end. The Alrasian king claimed to be fighting this war for betterment of the lands but in truth, they fight for the same reasons as the others. Power, land, money and resources; greed is their driving force, not the people. I have thought back to the many instances where we felt the Alrasain support on the field and I have too realized that it was nothing more than a grab for more power. They attached themselves to the might of the Orcs as to ensure their gain at the conclusion of each war. They act only when it is profitable and not because it is right. Their concerns are only for mina and land, not the people's lives. What they seek in this war is a direct opposite of what we do.

As for the majority of the rest of the fighting force against Salvus, their primary concern is for the acquisition of land. After Dawn's death the rebel movement focused attention of the Ordinators, but even after Salvus had submitted to their demands, they still wanted more. They too follow the same reasoning as Alras and the Orcs.

Not too long ago a Saraint and close friend of mine, Dain, came to me about this war. He asked me why we fight on the side that we do and I told him exactly what I have told you. To which he simply stated, "What would Gaius do?" . . . What would Gaius do? Gaius would stand up for what was right in the ugly face of evil. Gaius wouldn't allow such atrocities as these of the coalition to happen. Gaius would fight to his last breath, sword in hand, until the true "evil" was vanquished. I will not lie to you Hanseti, The Order burnt out its purpose a long time ago. But now we have regained our purpose. We have sent a message to the coalition that we will not stand idly by and allow them to monopolize our world. I promise you all that I will dedicate everything to the destruction of the "coalition" and the safety of our fellow men and women. Our odds are grim, but the field is leveling. Please understand Hanseti, if we fall there will be no one to speak against this massive force. If we fall they will not be halted, and they run our world. And if we fall, please know that we stood for good, we stood for what is right, we stood against the bully band of nations and we kicked some ass on the way down.

- Hochmeister Mirtok

[HappyShackles 886]

((I am absolutely proud of you for this. Hanseti switching sides and Seventis backing out were probably the best things that could have happened for this war. Leveling the fields like this and creating a fighting chance, risking your character and his nation in the process.))

((This, my friends, is a true roleplayer.))

[Aislin 4354]

((Surprising as hell when we show up and see a bunch of Crosses there.))

[Sawses 58]

((Gotta say, Mirtok. That's an amazing stunt you pulled. It's doubling this RP and turning it into a legitimate world war, not just a game of crush-the-corrupt-land. This is really going to be amazing, I think. You definitely earn some points for making RP.))

((EDIT: Here's Keya's response on a visit to Hanseti.))

Upon reading the letter, she pulled her fur cloak closer, eyes widening. How could this happen? This is so much worse than just Salvus... What will happen? I need to tell the Guild... She then began to contemplate her various friends on all sides of the conflict. What will happen to them? Will they be all right? Standing tiredly, she realized that she wasn't safe in the city either, due to various members of the Twilight Army having spotted her in Lorethos' company, as well as a few Sarients. If any of them saw her...

As she walked out of the inn and into the bitter cold, she began to contemplate a third thing. Will the Mages Guild do anything? She doubted it, and that bothered her. They were meant to keep the balance, but they will stand by and let it happen, just like Salvus. As a Sarient walked by, she tucked her head further into her coat, as if hiding from the harsh wind of Hanseti. She really wished that she had remembered to dye her hair before coming here. For all she knew, that man could be another of Cataris' puppets.

[Niedster 17]

*Lohrim straightens up and clears his throat acting apon sudden inspiration*

To all nations and people, great and small.

Wherever the weak are abused, we will be there.

Wherever injustice reigns, we will be there.

Wherever trechery rules, we will be there.

Wherever cowards dwell, we will be there.

Wherever evil hides, we will be there.

We make a firm stand before the powerful forces of the Nether.

We make it our duty to smite the wicked.

We challenge all corrupt tyrants and all who usher in chaos.

We are the courageous, the just, the strong, and the good.

We are the bringers of Justice.

We are the Knights of Hanseti.

We are the Teutonic Order.

Expect us.

[everblue2er101 906]

Sitting at his desk in the small office, Josef is enjoying a moment of solitude when suddenly a courier bursts through the door, speaking loudly and incoherently. Trying to calm the lad down, Josef asks him what is going on. With a flourish, the courier presents him with parchment. As Josef reads it, his face grows steadily more ashen. When he reaches the bottom he stops, not believing it. The courier waits, his face shining with anticipation. Josef mumbles thanks and offers him some gold coins. The courier is only too happy to take them and leave, probably going to squander the minas on ale in a tavern. Josef sits and thinks...

What... a surprising turn of events. So... Hanseti has not truly changed their ways then. What a fool I was for thinking so! I thought they had the best interests of the Humans- no, the whole world at heart. Apparently not... Clearly, this is just another display of the treachery of Hanseti... Well, what did you expect, Josef, from the same men who marched on Al'Khazar, Galahar, who made a deal with the Undead, who harassed us and marched on our lands, who convinced the whole world we needed destruction...

His mind races, thinking up every complaint he has against Hanseti, making up more as he goes. Foolish us... thinking that we could trust them.

Never again.

And with that, he dips his quill in the inkwell and begins to write.

((Well, this makes things significantly more interesting. I wonder how the coalition will fare now.))

[Religious_Pie 127]

*Sherlock paces amongst the streets he helped his Father build, with his head stroking the exteriors, against every splinter, every nail and every air-bubble from the plaster, his mind stood strong to the thought of the war, and what had become of Alras, or what had just began to show from Alras. The Doors of his manor swung slightly open in the winds, as small hurricanes of snow dust into the corridor of his home. With a final quick stroke among his neighbours house, he entered his own, with a smile.

After paying attention to various battle-matters, most notably the tending to his gear, he picked up the envelope at his door, with a quick slice from his gilded letter opener, he read the letter. Memories of true honesty, of true honour of battle's past skimmed the mind of Sherlock, back to when he saw his Father Horus, hold back plagues of Sorovitz...He took the note, made sure to firmly close the door, and sat next to the fire-place, as he imagined many others were doing the same right now.

With another smirk form his face, he placed the note from the Hochmeister on the table and wished the simple words.*

"Hanseti is the place for me..."

[cometking123 236]

*sighs as he sees the note, dashing it alongside the wall of his tavern.*

Blithering Sariants.... never knew they can be good at smooth talking and politics when it best suits them.

This will be a problem....I suppose the Deep Cold's harvest is over....but do we have the supplies to go against the orcs, let alone Alras?

*sighs as he takes out a sketch of what seems to be a circular shaped object, apparently a food by the way it was drawn, it's color burnt orange*

Shame I cannot finish my search....the world seems to sneer st my progress......

The world is plunged into war...let us only hope it ends quickly.

[Trouvo 205]

((Excellent and well written RP, sounds like what i said about Hanseti last month when defending Renatus lol, this should make things very interesting indeed, as we have seen the same, but have no rp reason to state such here))

[Aelu / Rel (Combustionary) 1540]

*Relgard sighs at news, then chuckles slightly*

Oh well, thank you for the armor, Hanseti.

[Phenge 2]

Passing through Hanseti, Payon la Trobe stops to read the posted notices to see if there are any new jobs posted. Rubbing a long scar on his cheek he skims the "Letter to the People" before reading it again properly. After he finishes the letter he looks over the other notices, not taking much in as he struggles to come to terms with what this means for him.

Okay. So Hanseti's at war with the orcs...fair enough. I mean, they'd turn on you sooner or later. It's just, sort of their nature.

Payon begins picking at an angular scar stretching up above his eye, and pushes his leather cap askew.

But this thing with Alras... I just don't know...

I've got a job there.

A good job.

...At least, once I get my first payment...

I mean, when I told them of my experience, they even gave me a free axe.

And it was a heck of an axe. Almost worth a week's pay itself.

Twitches a brow at an annoying sensation above his eye before noticing the blood under his nails. With an angry growl he wipes his forehead with a scrap of soft paper and moves on to his home in Timbermaw, wondering what Dawn did to deserve whatever happened to her.

[Dukester 120]

*Nods with a grin as he reads*

Good. A nation who has seen the lighter side of this war. With out a doubt it shall be a great help with Hanseti and the Teutonic Order on our side but The Alrasian Military are strong...

[Braxis 813]

*Hadrian walks to the Hanseti gates to see the notice*

"So those were the fancy armor lads! A good lot of fighters those lads were!"

*Looks at one of the lines*

"As for the majority of the rest of the fighting force against Salvus, their primary concern is for the acquisition of land. After Dawn's death the rebel movement focused attention of the Ordinators, but even after Salvus had submitted to their demands, they still wanted more. They too follow the same reasoning as Alras and the Orcs."

"Same Reason House Silverblade is backing down from this unholy slaughter on people who have changed in order to keep the paece. Only to have the Twilight want more, they said they wanted dawn dead, the lass died, they wanted the corrupted ordinators dead, they are daed well one of the buggers is alive I think.. And now they say they want the capitol of Salvus? I will enjoy killing more twilight with me claymore!"

[Aandie 51]

*Upon hearing the news Aleksis storms to his room in the manor for his family and friends. Storming his room, throwing his axes around on the walls causing immense damage to show the rage within him that was caused by the news that just arrived to his ears and his thoughts. Two news that overwhelm him by far. Aleksis mumbles only few words when his two brothers hear him out, no one else.. "Gud thing they finalleh see th rite path wiv this bludah slaughter. Alrasians takin th orc way.. So be it.. Their own problem..".

Aleksis sheds a tear as he sets his mind back to pondering the recent death of one of his brothers.

[Acornlad 206]

*Nroca finishes reading the message board and scowls*

Ha, Mirtok, you think you knew Gaius? You think you knew what he would do? Gaius would usurp you of your throne. Gaius was a strong leader, you are weak. Gaius knew how to create a powerful military, you only weakened it. Orcs would probably still be allies with Hanseti if you were not the leader. Good soldiers would not have died if you had not decided to join this war. Gaius would have stepped back from the fight and have seen it take place. You made a stupid decision and there is no way you can avoid the blame. A stupid "speech" will do nothing. Face it Mirtok, you may not believe it, but you failed. You failed your military, you failed your people, you failed your nation.