Terry

ON THE STATUS OF THE HESIR AND IT’S FUTURE WITHIN THE KAROSLUND ISSUED BY THE REGENT OF THE KAROSLUND ⸙ ON THIS 2ND OF MITZVA AG DARGUND, 597 E.S. VA VE EDLERVIK, Times have changed, yet violence endures. The war with the Mountain continues to wage to it's inevitable end, conflicts of Faith between the Owynists and those of our fellow brethren in Sigismund’s flock arise in the Empire, and our old home of Valdev lays to further waste than it had under the control of the Mountain itself. However, a new Era dawns upon the Karoslund now, as the Crows of our people in the Barbanovs, the House of our old Koengs and Koenas, exit to fly their own path. A path for what they deem is right, a path mutually agreed upon and discussed at length. Let none speak ill of their decision, and may their future remain bright. HOWEVER, EVEN NOW, HOPE CONTINUES TO FLOURISH. A new dawn of our Karoslund begins now. The people, more so than ever before, now wield executive power to choose who shall guide our path next, not have that decision made for them. No inheritance, no absolute monarchy, but a vote, granted to each citizen of the Karoslund, for them to grant of their own accord. Therefore do I, Ser Sigmar var Ruthern, Regent of the Karoslund and Overseer of this Election, proclaim the beginning of this election for Hesir of the Karoslund: All those who desire to run for election for the position of Hesir of the Karoslund, or vote in this election, must abide by the following requirements; i. Must be a citizen of the Karoslund. ii. Must be of 18 years of age or older. iii. Of moral character and in good standing with the Karoslund and Norland as a whole. iv. A faithful follower of Canonism or the Red Faith. v. Does not hold a title nor any immediate inheritance to one. All those who plan to run must make themselves known to me, though I hold the ultimate right to veto any potential nominee OR vote, albeit such will be used sparringly, if at all. The Election for Hesir of the Karoslund shall begin a few days after this missive’s publication [Wednesday, September 3rd], and go for one year’s time exact, ending on [Wednesday, September 10th]. The voting station shall be located at the tavern, “The Crow’s Perch’, next to it’s main entrance and located just behind the aviary, where free paper may be collected for use with voting. The voting ballot should be clearly written as follows; So long as the Candidate’s full name is written cohesively, and the signature is deemed authentic, your vote shall be counted. You will be sent a letter, in the off chance it is not, with the reason why if need be. I understand full well the uncertainty and surprise such an announcement will have on you all, but understand that like all else, we shall continue to persist despite this. There are those whose futures no longer align with our Karoslund, but we shall remain, those of you who deem it so. Know that whoever shall win this election, shall have my full and unequivocal support, and that I will strive to work with them to update our laws and ways as needed, as we pivot away from Monarchical rule, and to this new age of Democracy. And as always, my fellow peoples of the Karoslund; EA BYK ZWE ZANYOTSKER ZWEER EA TER PETRAVEZKER, SER SIGMAR RHYS VAR RUTHERN, Regent of the Karoslund Knight of Valdev

"John's sacrifice, gone by the whims of quivers and ink." The old Ruthern would say in reference solely to the surrender of Cloudbreaker. "Peace reigns, at any cost."

Somewhere, refusing to die, sat that old Grand King, Ulfric Frostbeard. Time had yet to dull his senses, nor render him unable, and as he broke the seal on the letter that lay within his grasps, from a friend of yore, did his eyes move to a copy of that accompanying and ever-updating Chronicle. Ulfric's eyes scanned each page, glanced upon every paragraph, and read every word. Such events were, obviously, almost two centuries ago now, but the dwarf could remember what he needed to, and what he could not remember wholly, could be refreshed from what he read. So as the dwarf read he'd give his occasional nods, slight furrows and then on, but ultimately it was spot on. The old Frostbeard was surprised, but that surprise was eclipsed by the gratification he felt, for whoever took the time to put it to paper. That whoever took the time to study and write all of what was written so far, knew what they were doing. Of course, there were other internal and smaller things at the time that never made it to light, but he no longer cared. What happened in the past was the past, and this was not a chronicle focused on the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, but the whole of Mankind itself during that time. So as Ulfric finished his read he'd close the Chronicle, awaiting the next Volume, whether it involved him or not. And as he crawled into the bed, for yet another full night's rest in what was a long and enduring life, he'd take a few moments to stare to the ceiling in thought. Ulfric wished he could change a lot of what happened then, as any old ruler might do, for he obviously knew better now than he did all those years ago, but in the end they were correct. He was not the Grand King the Tripartite needed then, but in the end they all won regardless. And to him, that was what mattered. He still despised the Holy Orenian Empire, though. That was a grudge that could never be stricken out.

"Norland did niet sign that document, the Governor did. Levy the punishment on him, niet the entire landed area that did niet seek to be under the Empire in the first place." Commented the aged Ruthern, Ser Sigmar.

"Well, coalitions have been toppled before." Commented the old Ruthern, noting the very war which led them to Norland in the first place.

"Godani Jest Wielki, but this Church... nie more. Exalted Sigismund will endure regardless, as will the Haeseni, long after this decree is long forgotten ov." Muttered the old Sigmar, shaking his head. He may not live to see what the future holds beyond Aevos, but even then... he didn't quite care.

Sigmar's two year absence navigating the Mountain alone was a brutal one. Constant whipping winds, sheer chill and the snow were enough to kill any man who made the climb, and almost did to him, were it not for his abilities as a Palmreader to shield him ever-so-slightly. Even so, that expedition paled in brutality compared to the news he received upon his eventual return. The siege of Norland, the Empire's betrayal, the deaths tallied that night... Asmund, Haakon, Kazimir. To say the news broke the grizzled old veteran would be an understatement, to hear of the death of a man so younger than he, whom once warded beneath him as Lord Speaker, who stood beside him in countless battles, as a man he placed his total trust into, a rare thing for the man to give in present times. A man he had hoped to succeed him once as Lord Speaker, then as Hezyrans, second to the Karoslund people. Their people. Later on that night, did Sigmar awaken in a cold sweat. An often occurring theme as of late, though the reason for this one far different. It was here where Sigmar would take in the full breadth of what had occurred, remembering all the loss, all the pain. By the day, those younger than he continued to perish, those he knew deserved a long life such as his, who deserved it far more than he did. Now, awake physically, and battered emotionally, did the graying man don his armor once more, to set out on yet another day. A day stolen from those such as Kazimir. As much as he wish he could cherish them, the thought of that family of his only brought his mood down further, and so he continued on. Full of nothing but survivor's guilt, for that is all that remained, these days.

"Ea byk zwe zanyotsker zweer Ea ter petravezker..." Spoke the aged Ser Sigmar, then, as that meeting concluded. "Ea would have perished, had Ea niet persisted."

Ser Sigmar took a breath, and a deep one at that, as he gazed out over the Karoslund from his home. It had not been an announcement he was completely unprepared for, but all the same had he not expected it to come so soon. He recalled when he first met his niece, Nadya, all those years ago in the capital of Neu Valdev. It involved her and a few others, all grouped up beneath the bridge leading to the Kastell Lesanov. The specifics were lost to the old timer at this point, but he knew that one person had said something mean to another, and he had to step in some to mediate as an adult. It was one of the first times Nadya had used words instead of fists to resolve a situation, and so the thought had made him chuckle. How different she were today, having lead the Karoslund by pure example, with children of her own now. It made Sigmar once more realize just how old he were, and how he figured he'd be long gone by now. Nevertheless, she invested her trust in him to lead until her eldest came of age, and he had little desire to fail her now. That night, would the elder Ruthern move to sleep on all that had happened that night. He'd go to rest as the second, and rise in the morning as the first. "How peculiar," thought the Palmreader, before the fact set in that this was the first morning he'd not arise to receive a good morning from his Hesir.

ON THE STATUS OF THE ROYAL DUMA AND IT’S FUTURE ISSUED BY THE HESIR’S HAND ⸙ ON THIS 10TH OF TOV AG YERMEY, 586 E.S. VA VE EDLERVIK, Many years now has it been since our founding of the KAROSLUND, within the realm of our fellow Highlanders in Norland. Since then, have we merely limped along as a fallen government, the KIRALG I KALOS filling the most crucial aspects of our governance. NO LONGER. Following the release of this Edict, shall the great Royal Duma return in the form of our Village Duma, simplified and refined for our smaller village. Based off the framework provided by my late sister, Tatiyana vas Ruthern, once more shall the entirety of our peoples have their voices heard, and our future determined as ONE. Therefore do I, Ser Sigmar var Ruthern, proclaim the following: The Village Duma shall be granted the following powers, to enact in faith to the people and the leadership of the Karoslund; I. The Duma may legislate freely unless otherwise restricted. i. The Duma may not legislate on family inheritance or titles, on the military and its structure, or on the dynastic laws of the ruling House. ii. The Duma may not legislate on any part of the Karoslund’s relationship with Norland, or on any aspect regarding Norland or her laws and faith. II. To call a vote of no-confidence for any position upon the Kirolg I Karos or domestic policy of the Karoslund. Whilst mostly a gesture to show lack of support, should the chamber achieve a two-thirds absolute majority vote the recommendation is sent to the Hesir or Hesir’s Hand for final decision. III. To Charter Karoslundic Guilds and local Companies. IV. To regulate village laws and domestic policies of the Karoslund village. i. Village laws may not supercede or otherwise violate the Laws of Norland or that of it’s Red Faith. ii. Domestic policies may be overridden by the Norlandic government at will, if the need should arise. V. To enact and vote on proposals to welcome newcomers as full villagers, and all the rights such citizenship garners. VI. To nominate and recommend any individual worthy for honors or local recognition. I. The Duma shall consist of one single body, though able to form committees at will. II. Laws or bills must be passed by a simple majority. The majority will be determined by the amount of Boyars present after roll call. III. The appointment of one new position within the Village Duma shall become a public vote for the villagers to elect. This position will be the Village Scribe, and they are responsible for the following; To record and transcript the dialogue of all Duma sessions, to be posted publically To ensure submitted bills for voting are formatted correctly, and are legible IV. Alongside the Village Scribe, two further positions will be granted for the public to vote on, those being the Village Aldermen. Village Aldermen shall have all the same responsibilities as normal Boyars of the Duma, with the exception of term limits and being unable to appoint a representative, temporary or permanent, to fill their spot in the Duma. V. A term length of four sessions will be imposed upon elected officials. I. Membership of the Duma shall consist of the loyal and surviving Houses from Hanseti-Ruska and three elected individuals not holding any title nor immediate inheritance to one. i. These Houses shall consist of the following; Barbanov Ruthern Kortrevich Amador Korvacz Kovachev Leuven Weiss ii. At any point may a House petition for a vote to be held to allow them to sit upon the Duma once more, although this decision is ultimately up to the Hesir or Hesir’s Hand. II. Members of the Duma shall be called Boyars of the Duma. III. A Boyar of the Duma may appoint a representative to chair their seat in the Duma on a temporary or permanent basis, so long as the Hesir or Hesir’s Hand are advised before any upcoming session. Elected Boyars may not appoint a representative. IV. If a Boyar of the Duma or a representative appointed on a permanent basis cannot attend a meeting of session, they may appoint a representative to temporarily stand in their stead for that meeting. V. If either the Hesir, the Hesir’s Hand or the Village Scribe cannot attend a meeting of session and appoint a temporary representative, the representative shall not assume the rights and responsibilities of these offices during their absence. VI. Representatives appointed on a temporary basis may not stand for election for Duma offices, new or old. VII. The representative of a Boyar of the Duma shall assume all rights and responsibilities of membership in the Duma during their tenure of appointment. VIII. A potential representative must be, i. Of 16 years of age or older. ii. A resident of the Karoslund, with proof. iii. Of moral character and in good standing with the village and Norland as a whole. IX. A representative may vote and stand for election for Duma offices. X. A Peer of the Duma may recall a representative from sitting on the Duma. XI. If a representative is recalled, they lose all voting privileges and offices held within the Duma. XII. If a Peer of the Duma selects a representative to assume the rights and responsibilities of membership in the Duma, then the Peer of the Duma shall not exercise such rights and responsibilities until the representative is recalled. XIII. All appointments of representatives must be reported to the Hesir or the Hesir’s Hand.

ISSUED BY THE HESIR’S HAND ⸙ ISSUED ON 10th of Gronna and Droba, 584 E.S. VA VE EDLERVIK, KINGDOM OR NO KINGDOM, CITY OR VILLAGE, THERE SHALL ALWAYS SIT A FRAMEWORK OF LAW. To guide us, to protect us, lest we become ungovernable and in that, unrecognizable as to who we once were and proceed to be now. THEREFORE SHALL IT BE KNOWN, THAT THE JEREMIC LIBERTIES SHALL CONTINUE TO GUIDE OUR PEOPLES. The founding principle of Haeseni life shall now become the founding principle of Karoslundic life, for however long it shall last, and then some; Ch. I. “Regarding the Freeman” I.I. The Jeremic Liberties shall be granted and apply only to those freemen of Karoslundic birth or origin. I.II. A freeman who infringes on the Jeremic Liberties of another freeman shall forfeit the first, and may be struck down by the offended. I.III. A foreigner who infringes on the Jeremic Liberties of a freeman shall face summary execution. I.III.I. A foreigner is a citizen not of Norland or the Karoslund. Ch. II. “The Jeremic Liberties” II.I. To each freeman is his own life, to take it is to be a thief, II.II. To each freeman his own time, to take it is to be a slaver, II.III. To each freeman his own sword, to take it is to blind him, II.IV. To each freeman his own family, to take them is to injure him, II.V. And to each freeman his own farm, to take is to make him no man. EA BYK ZWE ZANYOTSKER ZWEER EA TER PETRAVEZKER, Ser Sigmar var Ruthern, Knight of Valdev, Hesir’s Hand of the Karoslund

TO COME TOGETHER, PLAN, AND MOVE FORWARD AS ONE ISSUED BY THE HESIR’S HAND ⸙ ON THIS 12TH OF TOV AND YERMEY, 583 E.S. VA VE EDLERVIK, SOON SHALL THE GREAT HOUSES AND PEOPLE OF THE KAROSLUND COME TOGETHER, AS DECREED BY THE HESIR’S HAND. The main phase of our relocation has been completed, and we are now at peace within our new village of the Karoslund. However, we mustn’t rest on our laurels, as time waits for no man and there is much to do before we may again asail to even a fraction of what we used to be. AND SO IT SHALL BE, THAT THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND DISCUSS THE NEXT STEPS OF OUR HUMBLE VILLAGE. As one entity, moving forward upon one path, it is therefore encouraged that any enthusiastic Karoslunder whom plans to attend come prepared to partake with ideas and desires of their own, for the direction our Karoslund shall take, but it is not required. Your attendance will be more than welcome enough.

The Kossin i ve Karoshird, Ser Sigmar, gazed to the missive with a shake of his head. A glance was spared to his Marian armor, then back to the missive, fingers gripping the paper as he read the names of his daughter, son-in-law, niece and last but not least, his Exilic Koeng. "More useless energy wasted, telling us that which we have heard many a time already and willingly choose to deny. If it is an assault they wish to release upon the Karoslund, let them come. We will be ready." And so, for what may be the last time the Kossin suits up, does he, moving out of his abode to patrol the village for any that may wish harm upon his fellow denizens.

Ser Sigmar clenched the letter in one hand, the other used to support his head as he sat upon his bed. The man, once young when he had met Cosima, shook his head when the news were delivered to him, sighing as a tear or two dropped from his face, to hit the floor of his confines. In truth, he had not thought to reach out to Cosima in years, since they last caught up in Balian. From being knighted to meeting his own wife and joining the Aulic Government, his life had jumped from one busy adventure to the next, but he too regretted it deeply, never more so now than at that very moment of the news of her passing. It was yet another death, another loss to face. Another friend he would have to do without, another reminder that his time too were coming. He hoped she would not be disappointed in him, to learn he had found none of what she wished upon him. At least as of late. He'd roll himself to his feet, then, as he passed the letter to his wife. Mahaut (@pomegrad) may not have known Cosima if at all, but what Sigmar said as he passed it to her would make sense in that moment. "Vyr right, retirement has never sounded better." He'd speak, hurt, before disappearing to throw on his armor and continue his day as he'd done everyday since the war.

TO LAY A WITHERED ROSE TO REST ISSUED BY THE KOSSIN I VE KAROSHIRD ⸙ ON THIS 4TH OF WZUVAR AND BYVCA, 582 E.S. VA VE EDLERVIK, TODAY MARKS A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY FOR ALL ETERNITY, AS TODAY, THE HAESENI HAVE LOST THE MOST REMARKABLE ROSE. Primrose Kortrevich, known to many as the Rose of Kortrevich, has died. She passed away only a few days ago due to illness, found by her sister and Matriarch Dima within the gardens of their home in the Karoslund. The entirety of the Karoslund now enters a state of mourning for the loss of one of our own, and a pinnacle of the Haeseni people. TO BOTH HONOR PRIMROSE’S SCHOLARLY AND GENERAL WORK AND ENSURE SHE IS GIVEN A PROPER SEND OFF AS PER THE WISHES OF HER FAMILY AND HOUSE, A FUNERAL PYRE IS PLANNED FOR THE ROSE OF KORTREVICH. Any and all who knew the young woman or were touched by her work are welcome to attend to send off the Rose to her final resting place in the Seven Skies, in the village of the Karoslund within Norland. Invitations are granted to any and all who come in good faith, to pay their respects to Primrose Kortrevich.

Back at the Karoslund, would Ser Sigmar receive the news of John II's passing. It would further crush his already diminished spirit. Death upon death, loss after loss. The elder Knight gazed up to the sky, pondering. Was this truly the life he deserved, and did any of it serve meaning? He'd ask this for hours, praying that Godan would answer him. He remembered fighting off darkspawn alongside the Balianese up north, in Camp Tatiyana, beside the King and Queen. This fight, for once making Sigmar believe that what he were doing was worth it. Now here they lay, many winters later. The Haeseni, displaced and the Balianese now too, without their Good King. What good was Godan if those who claimed to serve him did nothing but displace and murder his most holy followers? He'd push himself to a sitting position, rubbing at his eyes. He hadn't slept for days, now facing the harsh reality that is this new world. Full of enemies and self-indulgent 'Holy' men, to scrape the surface. He'd begin to wonder what part he even had left to play, if any. He'd look off then, towards the Karoslund. And then, even a part of him began to wish he'd died fighting alongside them.

THE LEVY OF THE KAROSLUND ISSUED BY THE KOSSIN I VE KAROSHIRD ⸙ ON THIS 8TH OF MSITZA AG DARGUND, 580 E.S. VA VE EDLERVIK, wITH A NEW HOME, COMES A NEED FOR A NEW LEVY TO DEFEND IT. The Karoshird, otherwise known as the Crow’s Hird, is that levy. Built from prior Lieutenants of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and the last Knights of the Marian Retinue, the Karoshird combines the best of what was Hanseti-Ruska’s defense and downsizes it to fit to exactly what the village requires, for the Haeseni people have always been warriors and will forever remain such. Those chosen for their merit, their experience and their capabilities, now shouldered with the lives of their brothers and sisters beneath and beside them. THE HESIR The Karoshird serves the village first, and it is the Hesir - the ruling individual or individuals of the Karoslund and it’s Council - that leads it. That said, the Hesir wields total control over the Karoshird, able to dictate planning, structure and the Levy’s mission should it have or need one. Because of this, the legitimacy of the Levy as the village’s sole force of defense lies completely with them, though typically the Hesir leaves control of the Levy entirely in the hands of their Captain, along with their trust. THE CAPTAIN Second only to the Hesir in their appointed command is the Captain (Naumariv: Kossin), who the Hesir entrusts with the greatest of responsibility to lead the Karoshird in defence of the village and it’s peoples within. The Captain, therefore, oversees the entirety of the Karoshird. It’s the Captain who selects their Lieutenants, the Captain who leads those below and beside them, and the Captain who ensures the complete and total defense of the Karoslund and ensures the Levy is up to the task. THE LIEUTENANTS Handpicked by the Captain, Lieutenants of the Karoshird are the Captain’s right-hand. They may be tasked with a variety of missions, or made to oversee a specific aspect of the Levy, such as training or inductions into the Levy. Since they are handpicked individuals, Lieutenants are entrusted to assist the Captain with their task of overseeing village defense and capabilities of the Karoshird. The main force of the Karoshird; the protectors of the Karoslund; and the backbone of the Haeseni peoples. LEVYMAN The Levymen are the main body of the Karoshird, tasked with no superior responsibility or motive beyond defending their fellow villager and the village as a whole. They are responsible for maintaining their equipment and ensuring a level of professionalism is maintained in their interactions with others, as they represent the Karoslund both domestically and abroad. INITIATE Those that wish to join the Karoshird come as Initiates, who have yet to be trained or be tested in their trials of competency, or are deemed far too young to be a Levyman. Initiates are given no formal responsibilities, and instead are tasked with training beneath Levymen or Lieutenants until they triumph in their trials to become an official Levyman. SPECIAL RANKS Ranks within the body of the Levy that Levymen may request, for those with a particular skillset. QUARTERMASTER This individual - usually a Levyman, but on rare occasions could be a citizen of the village - is responsible for maintaining and procuring whatever the Karoshird may need for any given fight. Be it food, weapons and armor, arrows, etc, the Quartermaster is responsible for all of it, alongside special equipment, such as raid ladders, lockpicks and anything else that may be needed. STANDARD-BEARER A rank of incredible importance and morale, usually given as a reward to a levyman for distinguishable and loyal service to the village This Standard-Bearer, who can be of any rank within the Karoshird, carries the flag of the Levy and what remains of Hanseti-Ruska into battle, maintaining an important boost of morale for their brothers and sisters in the fight. FIELD MEDICS Field Medics are those trained specifically to carry out emergency surgery or aid during the heat of combat, much unlike their non-combative medics located in the Hospital of Saint Amyas. While Field Medics take to the field alongside their fellow brothers and sisters, their task is mainly one of defense, devoted entirely to any injured individual, villager or fighter that may go down in the field of battle. EVEN WITH THE LOSS OF OUR HOME, WE WILL NEVER FORGET WHO WE ARE. This much will forever remain apparent, as parts of Haeseni culture will forever show within the Karoshird. TRIALS OF COMPETENCY Much like it were in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl where one had to complete their Oath Hunt to be considered a fully fledged member of the military, the Karoshird operates much in the same capacity. To be considered a true Levyman of the village, one must pass their trials of competency. These trials consist of showing that they grasp the basic survival skills needed to survive in the new land of the Karoslund, whilst too showing satisfactory work with a blade and a further weapon of their choice. These trials of competency are to be at the discretion of each individual member of the Karoshird Command, until further notice. PRESENCE To be a part of the Karoshird is to be an active and showing force within both the village and Norland as a whole. To be there to defend our people on a moment’s notice or move to reinforce our fellow Highlanders within the nation. Much like it were in the Marian Retinue, willingly choosing to rest and rust is idleness, and it will take all hands to ensure we remain who we want to be, not who the world is trying to force us to become. COOPERATION Disagreements are a common place in military organizations. From strategy, decisionmaking and even the most simple of reasoning, they can be had between any member, of any rank. However, it is important beyond a shadow of a doubt that these disagreements, arguments or whatever else not be left to fester and rot the core of our Levy, for it opens the risk for it to collapse the Levy in its entirety, upon the field of battle. That said, levymen have the right to be heard both by their peers and by their Command, for the more input given, the more wise the Levy shall become, though it is merely a right to be heard, not to be acknowledged.

The Kossin i ve Karoshird would gaze upon the newly-released guide with a smile, a feeling of pride and optimism hitting him. There was much work to be done, admittedly, but the worst of their situation seemed to be over. He'd pin the guide on his wall, before donning his armor and heading out, a continuously moving effort, but a good one nevertheless.

"Pointless." That elder Knight would speak, reading over the missive with a shake of his head. "To speak or to hold our tongues, we will be dubbed fools either way by those that believe themselves superior. It is merely the cost ov war." He'd go to pin the missive to a wall within his home, before moving out to continue rebuilding their community.

The elder Ruthern would gaze to the missive published by his brother, a nod and an ache in his heart all the while. It had been many a year since Sigmar had last seen his brother, or even spoken to him, but he could not deny how proud he felt to see such a missive, even if his oath forsook him from joining his kin. He would explore options, however he could to assist if he could despite the fact he was no longer recognized by his last remaining sibling, but all the while, he'd nod. "Rutherns do niet give up easily. Krusae zwy Kongzem, borsa. Ea will see vy when Ea see vy, either with all our other kin, reunited at last, or on the field ov battle, together."

Ser Sigmar felt odd, to see more effort be put into a puff piece from those he's never heard of that disparage his King and Queen who inherited these so-called 'weaknesses', than to actually be seen around and help with the war effort when it began. Perhaps if the rule of those that preceded Joren cared more for their nation they wielded control over than they did for nepotism and corruption, the complacency and stagnation could have been combatted better, the elder Ruthern would think. But alas, the Marian Knight sighed. He would use this energy for a better use, to preserve and protect what remained of Hanseti-Ruska, and ensure a return to the Kingdom they left behind. If not today, than before his last breath left his body. A Marian never forsakes their oath, after all.

Ser Sigmar, ever the patriotic Haeseni, would view the new village with a hint of pride. His people had survived, perhaps not as whole as it once were, but he came to the realization that it was never whole to begin with. This war had only confirmed such to him, and he realized that any that saw this move otherwise had never placed their whole faith in Haense to begin with, and so he would treat them as such. A Marian never forsakes their oath, not whilst the Barbanovs still draw breath. He would ensure this continues up to and long after his death, for he had a part to play in the Karoslund, and this part was his alone. ”The Conquered do not bend to the Conqueror.” He’d be heard saying, more than once.

“Whether we win or we lose this war, there shall never again be unity under this temple, beneath our lord, GODAN…” Sighed an elder Ruthern, as his eyes scanned the missive. ”Unite, niet fracture. Hard to believe paranoia and a borsa’s misdeeds got us to this, an excommunication for every other Canonist Prince.” He then shook his head, placing the missive aside, his gaze then traveling to his set of armor.

Ser Sigmar would gaze upon the invitation with a smile. He was happy to have seen his niece return, happier so to see her marry after all that time away. "Vyr mamej would be happy for vy, Ipera. This Ea truly believe." He'd comment, that smile remaining even after he had folded the invite back up. He'd begin looking for an outfit.