Mio

Valkskej i Esrova THE PEACE OF ESROVA AGREED on this 10th of Jula ag Piov of 501 E.S. by KING ALEKSANDR II of HAENSE and VICEROY CESAR II of HYSPIA VA VE EDLERVIK HAENZI I HYZPIA Pursuant to the Jaguar Decree, wherein the oaths of the House var Pelear to the Crown of Haense were dissolved by royal decree, the terms affirmed herein - agreed in accordance with the Valkskej Rite - shall govern the means of the Hyspian exudation from the Kongzem of Haense. Thus, before GODAN and MAN it is declared: I. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the House var Pelear assume the role as Protector of the Hyspians, II. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the House var Pelear retain cultural and titular recognition of the traditional Hyspian titles duly enunciated in the Enfeoffment Edict of 442 E.S., III. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the Hyspian diaspora form the autonomous state of Hyspia, and that this state shall be a Protectorate of the Kongzem of Haense, IV. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the Protectorate of Hyspia be sponsored for the settlement of the Hyspian diaspora to the south of the Kongzem of Haense, V. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the Protectorate of Hyspia enjoy the rights and freedoms of self-determination, subject only to the limitations imposed herein, and that the Kongzem of Haense shall guarantee to vindicate and protect these freedoms through strength of arms, VI. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the Protectorate of Hyspia support the Kongzem of Haense in all matters of warfare, unless this obligation is so duly waived by the Crown of Haense, VII. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the Protectorate of Hyspia undertake to never enter into political or military pacts adverse to the interests of the Kongzem of Haense, and that this shall be so affected by way of consultation with the Haeseni Office of the Envoy prior to the ratification of any given pact, VIII. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the Protectorate of Hyspia otherwise enjoy the complete freedoms of administration, governance, military, legislation, industry, trade, and all other matters of national policy, and, IX. THAT HENCEFORTH SHALL the provisions of this agreement shall hold binding and true for a period no shorter than twenty-six years. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera. EN EL NOMBRE DIOS, HIS HIGHNESS, Cesar II de Pelear, Viceroy of Hyspia, Duke of Pacazu, Baron of Arenisca and Del’mar, Lord of La Dorada, Lord of Niseep, Gereon's Hold, and Ciudad de Plata, Protector of the Hyspian People, Patriarch of House de Pelear

Ve Jurasz Jagiar THE JAGUAR DECREE KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the CROWN On this 9th of Jula ag Piov of 501 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, Fifty-nine years have passed since my royal grandfather - King Karl the Lion - accepted the oath of fealty of Cesar var Pelear, binding the Hyspian diaspora as vassals to the Kongzem of Haense and thereby enfeoffing him as Viceroy of Hyspia. In the near six-decades that have followed, the Kongzem has enjoyed the leal service of the Hyspian scions of Cesar I and, in turn, guaranteed the protection and freedoms so as to enable the nurturing of the Farfolk population. For generations has the Kongzem stood as the bastion and protector of the Highland peoples, and it was by requested vassalage alone that this protection was extended to the Farfolks of Hyspia in order to secure their protection and the settlement of Karinah’siol following the Silver War. The Crown does now see fit to recognise that there no longer exists a need for the renewal of Hyspian fealty as a traditional vassal. Therefore, I do henceforth dissolve the oaths of fealty of the House var Pelear sworn before King Karl the Lion, and exudate the Hyspian peoples from the Kongzem of Haense, and that this exudation shall be duly governed by the terms of the Peace of Esrova. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

"me too." said aleksandr ii, of haense, king of haense, to the Nephilim

Cold winds swept through the King's chambers, there; Aleksandr II sat. It was a frigid night that the news of Ser Gawyn's passing reached the ears of the King, a heavy silence falling over the usually bustling halls of the royal palace as all were sent out from its walls. Aleksandr sat in his study, lonesome as his calls for Amaya went unanswered, now, his only company a single flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls - he was lost in memories that spanned across decades. The King was sent back to a long passed time, a time of his Princehood where he met a young, spirited Gawyn Tiber, a fellow seeker of honor and camaraderie who had found himself within the Kingdom of Haense; completely alone. Prince Aleksandr, accompanied by Amaya Colborn took the boy under their watch, a hefty task for the pair who were still children themselves. Yet the trio of friends -- Aleksandr, Amaya, and Gawyn -- grew inseparable, their laughter some nights echoing through the castle corridors of Karosgrad from that secluded library where they met. In those days, Gawyn was more than a friend; he was a brother of the heart, a companion in what Aleksandr would've one day hoped be battles and revelry alike. However, the passage of time had a way of changing people, and King Aleksandr, momentarily awakening from his trance, couldn't shake the memory of the day Gawyn had chose a different path. Ser Gawyn had shown himself for the first time again in a diplomatic meeting, bearing the weight, loyalty, and oath of knighthood from foreign lands, Aleksandr felt the once void filled in his heart . . . empty. It was an odd mixture of pride and betrayal, but to admit it or even speak to the Knight one-to-one was a task unbearable. The chasm between their loyalties had widened, but beneath it all, the old bond still lingered, flickering like a near dying ember. King Aleksandr bore a contemplating smile at the recalled memory as he rose from his desk, aching with pain at his side from a healing wound. The King limped over to the candle and placed it away for the night, as then a voice called for him: "Aleks." The soft voice of Queen Amaya broke the silence, pulling Aleksandr back from the nostalgia of his memories. Her eyes, usually warm, were clouded with sorrow, mirroring his own. "Your bandage, it must be changed," she said gently, evidently still upset, though concern still etched across her face. Without protest, Aleksandr complied, the unspoken and lingering grief temporarily mending quarrels from the night priors trouble. As she carefully tended to his wound, Aleksandr's mind drifted back to the eve prior: his final encounter with Ser Gawyn. The memory was a thorn, or more accurately was sword in his side; sharp and piercing. In the cold hush of their duel, beneath the canopy of high-standing ceilings of the throne room, King stared down the blade of Knight, and Knight the same. Aleksandr was witness to the conflict in Gawyn's eyes -- a conflict similar in his soul. It was that night where honour clashed with friendship, oaths with emotions, and in the end, concluding with a promise staying the Ser's blade. Amaya's touch brought Aleks back to the present, grounding him in the reality of the moment. The pain in his side was naught compared to grief's bearing. With a heavy sigh, Aleksandr met eyes with the Queen. "He was more than a friend," Aleks murmured, his voice carrying through the silent chamber. "He was a brother in every way that matters. Nie matter the distance, nie matter the difference." Amaya nodded, her fingers gentle as she worked. "This is easy for neither of us, but he chose his path, Aleks." "I know." He replied, his voice a mere whisper. "But it doesn't make it any less difficult to bear."

THE MORTESKHOLV EDICT OF 498 ES KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by THE CROWN On this 4th day of Wzuvar ag Byvca of 498 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, Our Kingdom in these years past and until the foreseeable future endures a disaster like none other – named by many as Ve Bej Nikirala or: The Long Winter. Sickness and flu run rampant throughout the Kingdom, buildings by the day become obstructed and encumbered by what seems to be an unending descent of snow; and the air has become so cold not even the heftiest of furs have been able to prevent frostbite. The Haeseni People are accustomed to the likes of harsh weathers and unforgiving climate for it has always been our way of life, yet this storm which we face is one far too great to idle further. The Crown thus orders the following become of top priority for the years to come: I. The Brotherhood of Saint Karl shall lead an initiative to deconstruct the Valdev Tournament grounds, salvaging what materials and wood they can so that numerous pyres for warmth may be constructed within the Royal City of Valdev. II. Additionally, with it in mind that the duration of this storm is unknown to us, we must plan ahead for the long cold. The Brotherhood of Saint Karl shall venture into the fertile soil east of the Royal Capital and plant a dozen trees for every soldier; may the fires of Haense burn on for as long as this storm lasts. III. The Order of the Crow shall begin immediate investigation into the cause of the storm which plagues our Kingdom – and justly put an end to what or who is behind it. i. Should any who were witness to the event(s) and have newfound information on their cause, the Crown incentivizes sharing with the Knightly Order for mina or equal reward. IV. The Order of the Crow shall also embark eastward into the Kingdom of Aaun, our Canonist brethren, there they shall offer their aid and support to those of Lemon Hill who have faced a similar peril. i. If permitted, they shall work in accordance with the Crown of Aaun to investigate further into the cause of the storm and find correlations between the two. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

WRIT OF AULIC APPOINTMENT KNIGHT PARAMOUNT OF THE REALM KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the CROWN On this 3rd day of Wzuvar ag Byvca of 498 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, The term of the Knight Paramount, Ser Konstanz Barclay, has concluded. A man renowned throughout the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska for his most booming and jovial voice, when travelling upon the roads to Valdev one would have often overheard the songs from the Duchy of Reinmar. Ser Konstanz served dutifully, and most notably avenged his namesake in the defeat of a Crowdrake. Ser Konstanz has chosen to retire to pick up a fishing career in catching particularly cold or ‘cool’ cods. He also aims to visit the great cities of rock in the foreign Kingdom of Nottingshire. The Crown can only extend and wish the best for this most leal Knight of the Order. The Knights of Hanseti-Ruska however now stand leaderless, and one must be appointed. After careful consideration, His Majesty, Aleksandr II, has chosen to appoint Ser Audo Weiss (@Frostdrop1). A pillar of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and the Knights table to take up this mantle. Ser Audo has served dutifully through the Mori Wars and during the battle of Balian against Cloudbreaker – it is deemed he the most fitting for the role. The Crown hopes that appointing Ser Audo will allow the Knightly Orders to flourish under his guiding hand so that the Knights may continue their dutiful service to the Kingdom and its denizens alike. May he serve long and serve well, for the Crown wishes him success in his newfound position. Ser Audo shall undergo The Drowning of the Blades within the year, to which all of the Realm shall be invited. IV JOVEO MAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksandr II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

THE PRINCE in question, Marius Audemar, sat back against a palm tree in the Southern part of Aevos where his adventures now lead him. He recalled fondly the day, the memories, and too the cause in which he fought for. Murmuring a prayer for all those who had fallen, both for and against him. He fell asleep against that palm tree. Dreaming peacefully a recollection of the events. As if he was there once again . . .

King Aleksandr II of Haense would sit by a fire idly and drink Carrion Black.

THE EDICT OF KORAVIA KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by THE CROWN On this 16th day of Msitza ag Dargund of 491 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, It is with both solemnity and a sense of duty that the Crown conveys this news regarding the House Kortrevich. After much deliberation and consideration, We have come to determine that House Kortrevich shall be demoted from its current status as a County to that of a Barony to better reflect the Houses past and present. Thus, the Crown decrees that the following shall occur: - The House Kortrevich shall be relegated to Baronial Status. - The titles held by the House Kortrevich: the Viscounty of Krusev and the County of Jerovitz, will be returned to the Crown. - Lady Illeana Stefaniya Kortrevich shall now hold the sole title Baroness of Koravia, to be inherited by her rightful Heirs and held by the House of Kortrevich from now and until all days forward. IV JOVEO MAAN, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, Aleksandr II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Slesvik, Solvesborg, and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia, and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald, and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Siegrad, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Astfield, Buck, Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, and Thurant, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

TO THE LADY KORTREVICH, Your keen eyes in spotting the clerical error upon our most recent issuance is most impressive. I have already addressed that an error was made; however, the contents of such remain awaiting in a letter left in your aviary before this missive was made. Those pesky letters do not come with a warning so I shall not hold it against you! It is my hope this letter reaches you instead, and that you may check your aviary further. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

To Brother Odo, "His men raid and pillage the realms of this continent. I surely needn't remind you innocent men continue to die at his inaction. I shall niet have men who allow similar atrocities as those who captured the Father Stanislaw be apart of his rescue - not until they atone. I signed Prince Henry's Peace. Now this is mine." Yours, King Aleksandr II of Haense Then, The King of Haense smoked an Osvald Cigarette in the throne room, awaiting the several parties arrivals.

"His men raid and pillage the realms of this continent. I surely needn't remind you innocent men continue to die at his inaction." The King of Haense smoked an Osvald Cigarette in the throne room, awaiting the several parties arrivals. "I shall niet have men who allow similar atrocities as those who captured the Father Stanislaw be apart of his rescue - not until they atone." "I signed Prince Henry's Peace." "Now this is mine."

A RIGHTEOUS RECKONING KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by KING ALEKSANDR II On this 9th day of Vzmey ag Hyff of 491 E.S. VA BIRODEO AEVOSZ, I shall begin this missive with stating that the ink upon these pages bears witness to a darkness that has reared its blasphemous head, a malevolence that seeks to rend the very fabric of our One True Faith and in itself stands as an affront to GOD. A vile and loathsome missive has spread its wings across the realm. An innocent and devout servant of the Faith, Father Stanislaw of House Weiss, has been ensnared by the wicked claws of heresy, suffering torment and mutilation at the hands of these malefactors. I see this as no challenge to any House, nor challenge to any sole Kingdom, but a direct challenge to the faithful flock of GOD and a stain upon the peace we hold dear. It is hereby that I, Aleksandr II of House Barbanov-Bihar, King of Hanseti and Ruska, by the steel of my sword and the ironclad spirit of my people declare that such a vile act shall not stand unanswered. The halls of my Kingdom tremble with the righteous fury for revenge, and the very land beneath our feet thirsts for the blood of retribution. I invite those who hold the light of virtue in their hearts and the fire of justice in their souls to attend a summons where steps forward may be discussed as a collective. Already I have seen the devotion of forces such as the banners of Stassion willing to be swift to this cause, in this vast realm I’m sure they are far from alone. The following are invited to meet within the halls of Hanseti-Ruska to discuss steps forth. United may we be, with our hearts aflame with purpose, and our swords poised to strike down the heresy that dare challenge GOD’s might. His Holiness, High Pontiff Sixtus V Inquisitor Ailred of Druzstra and the Holy Inquisition His Majesty, King Edmund I, and the Devoted Commanders of the United Kingdom of Aaun His Majesty, King Adrian I, and the Devoted Commanders of the Kingdom of Balian His Majesty, Tar-Númenatâr, and the Devoted Commanders of the Kingdom of Numendil Her Majesty, Queen Renilde I, and the Devoted Commanders of the Kingdom of Petra Ser Gawyn of the United Kingdom of Aaun Frederick Aurelian of the County of Stasson Domestically, the King of Haense similarly requests the presence of his own forces, The Lord Marshal of the Realm, Ser Arthur, and the Officer Core of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl The Knight Paramount of the Realm, Ser Vlad, and the Order of the Crow The Marian Retinue of the Realm Father Stanislaw will be brought home. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera. His Lordship, Walter Weiss, Heir to the Viscounty of Novkursain and the Barony of Zvaervauld.

The King of Haense would be unable to attend, however, he has hopes that his uncle (Marius Audemar) will be present.

The King of Haense is convinced into patriotism after hearing the anthem.

VE ALLESSANDRIAN EDYKT THE ALLESSANDRIA EDICT KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the CROWN On this 13th day of Tov ag Yermey of 489 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, Vampyres have once more begun to infest the realms of man, embedding themselves into positions of power and preying upon the nobility and smallfolk alike. The Dual-Kingdom has not been spared from this plague. The execution of the former Lady Allessandra Amador remains fresh in our minds, and should serve as a cautionary tale to our people. They lurk among us, break bread at our tables, drink our Carrion, and take our names, yet by night they feed on the lifeblood of Haeseni. We must be vigilant. This threat must be countered, eradicated before it results in further bloodshed and brutality. It is with this edict that We shall provide protection to Our subjects, and bring order to our struggle against the dark. We do therefore proclaim the following: On Testing I. The Crown shall henceforth subject the following to vampyric testing: a. Members of the Royal House of Barbanov. b. Members of the Aulic Council. c. The Peerage and their immediate families. II. A public record containing the results of these tests shall be maintained by the Crown. On Anti-Vampyric Armament I. The Crown shall maintain a storefront in the square of Valdev to provide the smallfolk with the means to defend against darkspawn. At minimum, it shall offer the following: a. Aurum-bladed daggers. b. Purified salts. c. Aurum shackles. On Darkspawn I. All darkspawn shall be provided a cure. a. If the darkspawn is unable to be cured due to their condition, rejects the attempt, or has murdered another, then it shall be burnt at the pyre. II. A child sired by a darkspawn father, or born to a darkspawn mother, shall in all cases be tested for corruption. a. If the child is found to be corrupted, then an attempt shall be made to cure it. b. The child shall be named a bastard, stripped of all claims and titles, and surrendered to the Holy Mother Church regardless of their condition. i. If the child was born before either of their parents were a darkspawn, they shall be considered legitimate and shall not be surrendered to the Church. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, Thurant and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

The King of Haense ogles at the stars.

Aleksandr II mourned; yet he did not weep. It was certain that no amount of tears would bring the Aaunic Prince back, and so none were shed. Certainly, the now King knew that Henry wouldn't have wished for such. To mourn a death caused by ones own hand, it must've been liberating, the man thought. However, in the end, the path that a once Aleksandr Otto thought they would walk together upon -- he further embarked down alone. "Rest well, Prince."

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT KARL KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM “From bitter Elba to glorious Rothswald, to vanquished Vaeyl and slaughtered Scyflings, our history is drenched in ash and crimson! Every other army is lost to time and war, but so for Lady Haense -- for she has no army, but a Brotherhood!” I OVERVIEW ‘The Rothswald Host’ by Luzirov of Alban, c. 194 E.S. “I have an idea of where Morsgrad can stick their weregild … and I daresay you have an idea of where you can stick your sword, Tiberius.” - King Andrik the Unyielding, the Rubern War _____________________ The Kongzem of Haense stands as the oldest surviving realm of man. Lady Haense owes her longevity to the strength and endurance of her valiant armies. In the Kongzem’s infancy, when King Petyr the Founder first took the mantle of King, the Haeseni snowfields of Axios were guarded by the Gold Crow Corps and the levies of the Great Houses Kovachev, Ruthern, and Vanir. When the Great Northern War ravaged the realm in 155 E.S., it was King Marius the Good who reforged the decentralised levies into the first Haeseni Royal Army. For decades this centralised Royal Army bled and shed blood across the battles of the Tapestry of Man, from the glorious Greyspine Rebellion in 164 E.S. to the crushing defeats on the Czena Riverfens in 206 E.S. It was in the Red City of Markev in Atlas - mired in the endless conflicts of the Renatian Conquests and the Vaeyl Wars - that King Sigmar the Short and his marshal Duke Rhys var Ruthern rechristened the army as the Brotherhood of Saint Karl for the first time as they sought to cement patriotic militarism in the soul of their war-scarred country. Over one-hundred years later, after no small amount of change and turmoil, the Brotherhood of Saint Karl stands in Lady Haense’s defence once more after its rebirth by the decree of King Henrik the Stubborn and Duke Ailred Steelheart on the highland slopes of Almaris. As King Aleksandr II assumes his throne after his forefathers led the Brotherhood in successive campaigns on Almaris, he now sees fit to once again enshrine the Brotherhood as the armed forces of his realm, and refine its structure, tenets, and purpose for a new reign, and a new land. II RANKS & STRUCTURE ‘The Deep Cold Court’ by Floris van Loden, c. 150 E.S. “Lord Ailred - this silver city of the High Elves … how fast can you turn it red?” - King Henrik the Stern, outbreak of the Silver War _______________________ Since its inception, the Brotherhood has valued merit irrespective of blood. In contrast to the other staples of Haeseni society dominated by the noble caste, the ranks of the Brotherhood have been a stage and springboard for the common folk -- ironically, some fledgling Houses came to being as a result of their founders’ military service. Therefore, heritage is of no prejudice when it comes to the hierarchy of the Brotherhood, who awards medals and promotions in accordance with leal service and valour on the field of battle. COMMAND RANKS I GRAND HETMAN The Brotherhood serves the Kongzem, and it is the King who leads the Kongzem. The legitimacy of the Brotherhood as a national army derives solely from the King, and so there can exist no other authority than he who sits the throne of Haense -- therefore, the King is the ultimate authority as Grand Hetman, or commander-in-chief. For time immemorial, the King has delegated direct command of their armed forces - whether that be the Haeseni Royal Army or the Brotherhood of Saint Karl - to a chosen Marshal, but it is nonetheless not at all uncommon for Kings to have led their forces in battle, as King Karl III exemplified. II LORD MARSHAL The highest appointed military rank in the Kongzem is the Marshal. Charged with leading the Brotherhood of Saint Karl in defence of the Kongzem and its honour, the Marshal oversees all military operations, whether from the walls of Valdev or the field of battle. It is they who select the officers, who dictate strategy, who ensures the Brotherhood functions like oiled clockwork, who scours clean brigands and marauders from Haeseni roads, and who carries the Iron Bulava as the foremost soldier of the Kongzem. The Marshal occupies a seat on the Aulic Council, and is named only by the writ of the King. III CAPTAIN Second to the Marshal in appointed rank is the Captain. Serving at the pleasure of the Marshal, the Captain is second-in-command of the Brotherhood and trusted assistant of the Marshal in organising the army’s myriad of duties. It falls to the Captain to act as the Marshal’s representative and undertakes that their superior cannot attend to personally, namely leading units of soldiers, drilling new recruits, and overseeing the city’s garrison. The Captain’s duties are largely ad hoc, and the role and its capacity is subject to the priorities of the Marshal. IV SERGEANT The junior officers who comprise the majority of the command corps are the Sergeants. Alongside variously assisting the Marshal and Captain, the chief value of the Sergeants lie in their more intimate command of smaller squadrons of soldiers, whether in training, patrols, or minor operations. Soldiers who endeavour to commit themselves to advancing in the ranks of the Brotherhood and proving their worth as a competent commander begin their ascension in earnest at the rank of Sergeant, where they find themselves responsible for the lives of their subordinates. FOOT RANKS V ARMIGER Armigers are senior and seasoned veterans who serve as the penultimate rank of foot. Tempered through years of service, Armigers form the backbone of the Brotherhood’s rank-and-file thanks to their battle-experience accumulated through combating common bandits to all-out battles between nations. The seniority of an Armiger derives from their choice not to advance in the Command Corps, and consequently the rank is often held by established members of Haeseni society - both noble and commoner alike - who may hold other positions outside of the Brotherhood. VI ARMSMAN The standard rank of the Brotherhood is that of Armsman. This role is awarded to young soldiers who have proven themselves committed warriors of the Kongzem and exhibit great potential. Senior to the novice Footmen and junior to the veteran Armigers, Armsmen occupy a middling ground between green and experienced. Each warrior who attains this rank will be drilled in the basics of combat and warfare and tasked with duties such as peacekeeping in the Royal Capital, but may yet have experienced proper battle or developed a sense for strategy and tactics. VII FOOTMAN The rank of Footman is a junior one for soldiers fresh out of training. After completing their Oath Hunt as their final trial as Initiates, soldiers who kneel before the icon of Saint Karl to swear their Oath of Service rise as Footmen of the Brotherhood. Largely untested as they are and with no small amount of training required to forge them into true warriors, Footmen serve as supplemental forces on all sorts of operations, from escorting members of the King’s government abroad, or patrolling the roads to ward off and hunt bandits and other ne’er-do-wells. VIII INITIATES When one first enlists in the Brotherhood, they become an Initiate. Untrained and untested, Initiates act as a junior cadet role who are assessed for their general aptitude for combat and warfare over the course of a boot-camp period. Once an officer is satisfied with their potential, the Initiate - alongside their fellow recruits - is dispatched on the historic Oath Hunt, where they must prove their worth in truth by taking the head of a grown bear back to their commanding officer. Upon doing so, they were permitted to swear the Oath of Service and advance to the rank of Footman as a proper soldier. SPECIAL RANKS - STANDARD-BEARER They who carry the Brotherhood’s Banner into battle is the Standard-Bearer. The Standard-Bearer can be of any rank within the Brotherhood - from Footman to Captain - but the honorific is often bestowed on young soldiers who display particular zeal and patriotism, and so they make a fitting choice to carry the Brotherhood’s flag into battle to stoke the morale of their comrades. That the standard never touches the ground or falls into enemy hands is a sacrosanct tenet for Standard-Bearers -- they must give their lives before ever allowing such dishonour. - QUARTERMASTER Without the Quartermaster, the Brotherhood would have no swords to swing. Although the songs and tales view the role of logisticians as less glamorous, a proficient Quartermaster is one of the most essential positions within the entire Brotherhood, and therefore usually assigned to a proven and trustworthy officer. The Quartermaster ensures that the Brotherhood’s armoury is well-stocked at all times, be it in the height of peace or the depths of war. - BROTHERHOOD CHAPLAIN The Brotherhood is a pious army of a Canonist realm, and therefore blessed by God. The Chaplain is an ordained member of the Clergy who is also an enlisted soldier of the Brotherhood, and therefore stokes the faith of Haense’s soldiery. From leading prayers on the eve of battle, to conducting funerals for those fallen, the Chaplain is a unique and spiritualistic role that steadies the soul and steel alike of their compatriots. - BATTLE-BARD The greatest trio to a soldier; steel, drink, and song. The Battle-Bard is a soldier who is also a musician or poet who is charged with commemorating the deeds and the fallen of the Brotherhood in song, verse, and art, so that they might never be forgotten. The Battle-Bard is usually the soldier to maintain the Black Banner. III THE THREE BANNERS ‘March on the Czena’ by Pyotr Reiseng, c. 208 E.S. “That castle looks like it’ll be a bit*ch to take. Then again, never met a bit*ch I couldn’t handle.” - Lord Marshal Ailred Steelheart, Siege of Soutbridge _____________________ Today, the Brotherhood is composed of the Three Banners. In past iterations, the Brotherhood operated as a singular force under the writ of the King or his Marshal which largely served as a garrison force of the Royal Capital and, in times of war, was supplemented by armed auxiliaries raised from the commonfolk and noble fiefdoms. While this formation yielded a large and effective force to repel raiders and invaders, commanders and tacticians in the Haeseni court have since recognised that this has left the Brotherhood bereft of specialist forces. Therefore, it is the will of King Aleksandr II that his Brotherhood consist of three companies, each of which serve a distinct purpose. _____________________ THE COMPANY OF THE GOLDEN CROW The Company of the Crow is the primary body of the Brotherhood. This Company fulfils the general duties of the Brotherhood, namely the garrisoning of the Royal Capital and enforcement of the King’s peace and laws. All soldiers who enlist in the Brotherhood serve in the Company of the Crow unless specially elected to serve in the Chapter of the Black Cross or the Marian Retinue, and the Brotherhood’s entire officer corps operate within this primary force. Indeed, the Company of the Crow can be regarded as the main body of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl - responsible for the day-to-day duties of a peacekeeping force within the King’s realm - and the Ebon Banner and Marian Retinue act as elite appendages. Asides from garrisoning and law-keeping, the Company of the Crow assumes responsibilities for logistics, supplies, patrols, recruitment, training, and large security details. In times of war, the Company of the Crow is the foremost combat force in battle. Soldiers in the Company of the Crow are subject to the normal rank structure and are charged with no specialist roles. _____________________ THE CHAPTER OF THE BLACK CROSS The Chapter of the Black Cross is the Kongzem’s deadly force of raiders and skirmishers in times of war. The Chapter of the Black Cross is a dormant force that is raised only by the writ of the King during times of war. When called upon, a Raidmaster is assigned from the upper echelons of the Company of the Crow or the Marian Retinue who selects warriors of particular skill and cunning for the purposes of raiding enemy strongholds, capturing and executing high-value targets, and skirmishing against enemy forces. An important distinction is that the soldiers of the Black Cross are not valued for skill-of-arms alone, but also for cunning and judgement for quick manoeuvres during operations. When the Chapter of the Black Cross has been raised, it operates as an ad hoc specialist unit subject to the whims of the Raidmaster, or any higher authority who deploys them. - FIELD MARSHAL In times of war, when the King raises the Black Cross under the command of the Raidmaster. Appointed by direct writ of the King from any senior soldier of the Brotherhood, the Raidmaster is tasked with commanding a corps of elite raiders and skirmishers who carry out hostile operations during conflict, from countering enemy raids to capturing high-value targets. The Raidmaster is a temporary rank, but the chosen soldier who holds it will be a fearsome warrior and cunning tactician in their own right. During their appointment, the Raidmaster holds command only over the Skirmishers they select to serve in the Black Cross. - SKIRMISHERS The quick-witted and skilled warriors of the Chapter of the Black Cross are the Skirmishers. When the King raises the Black Cross in times of war, the appointed Raidmaster will name hand-selected warriors from any rank of the Brotherhood based on their affinity for frontline combat and high-risk operations, the likes of which often pit them directly against elite enemy forces. While strength-of-arms is a key characteristic of Skirmishers, of even greater value is their quick-wits, judgement, and ability to adapt rapidly to situations in combat. Skirmisher is a temporary rank that serves only to denote soldiers chosen by the Raidmaster to partake in special war-time operations. _____________________ THE MARIAN RETINUE The Marian Retinue are the elite personal force of the King. Once a knightly order, King Aleksandr II has seen fit to reform the unit as a company under the Brotherhood. At the King’s behest, soldiers of rank, skill at arms, and - chiefly - loyalty are named to the rank of Marian Retainer, and are charged with protecting the King and the Royal House from harm. This usually takes the form of guarding the King during audiences both public and private, though they are often variously assigned to other members of the Royal House - such as the Queen - or Aulic Councillors. In battle, the Marian Retinue forms the final encirclement around the King’s position. Although the paramount and sacred duty of Marian Retainers is to guard the life of the King at the expense of their own, soldiers of the Retinue continue to support the operations of the central army when the safety of the King is not at issue, or where the King or Marshal otherwise commands it. By virtue of their loyalty and close relationship to the King, Marian Retainers often find themselves as personal companions of their sovereign. - MARIAN RETAINERS Once a knightly order, the Marian Retinue are the sworn guardians of the King. Unlike the cunning and judgement valued in the special operatives of the Black Cross, the Marian Retainers are charged with a single purpose: protect the King and the Royal House with their lives. As a result, loyalty and strength of arms are paramount traits in Marian Retainers, and the Retinue is composed of talented combatants chosen directly by the King. Given this lofty role, Marian Retainers will typically be at least the rank of Armigers, and hold this rank concurrently with their role as the protector. In the past, the Marian Retinue were once chivalrous knights, but now serve as a specialist unit within the Brotherhood. IV INDUCTION ‘The Companions of Princess Nataliya’ by Alexandria Karina, c. 332 E.S. “Really, I can’t decide which I want more - the island of Haelun’or, or King Frederick’s head on a pike. Don’t make me choose just one.” - King Karl the Lion, the Successors’ War _____________________ Induction into the Brotherhood is steeped in tradition. Enlistment in the Brotherhood and training as an Initiate has long been considered a coming-of-age ritual in Haense for young and inexperienced natives, or an acceptance into Haeseni society for migrants settling in the Kongzem. Not only does Initiate training consist of equipping recruits with a basic sense for soldiering, but it also ensures that an Initiate is proficiently educated in the Brotherhood’s history and Haeseni customs. THE THREE BOOKS Upon enlistment, an Initiate is not only issued with a standard recruit uniform - consisting a gambeson, breeches, cloak, beret, and arming sword - but also three short books that serve as insights into the Brotherhood’s rich history, and guides to performing a soldier’s duties. The Book of Yore divulges, in brief, the history of the Kongzem. It regales Initiates with the tale of Saint Karl at his death at the hands of a Greatwyrm while defending hallowed Siegrad, the rise of Haense as a Kingdom by writ of Emperor John III, and its celebrated independence as an autonomous realm achieved centuries later during the reign of King Josef. The Book of Duty teaches young soldiers the role that they play as a warrior of the Brotherhood. From manning the gate, to arming oneself from the armoury, to fighting off raiders in battle, this Book is a key training instrument that guides green soldiers down the path to becoming veteran fighters and stalwart defenders of their home. The Book of Vows records the tenets of honourable conduct a soldier of the Brotherhood is sworn to uphold. Honour is a cornerstone of Haeseni culture, and, as the very defenders of Haense and what it stands for, the Brotherhood must never eschew these virtues. An initiate must prove their knowledge of the content within these books by seeking out any Officer of the Brotherhood and successfully undergoing a brief test of the information acquired. Only once an initiate has been successfully tested on the three books may they move onto the Oath Hunt. THE OATH HUNT In order for a newly-enlisted Initiate to become a fully-fledged Footmen of the Brotherhood, they must prove themselves worthy to swear the Oath of Service before the icon of Saint Karl, and to do so they embark upon the Oath Hunt. Together with a class of their fellow Initiates, an aspiring soldier is tasked with slaying a formidable beast in the wilderness, such as a bear, so that they must deploy cooperation and strategy as a military unit - as Brothers - in order to succeed. While an officer normally presides over the Oath Hunt, it is far from a safe affair -- Initiates who are ill-prepared or craven may well never return, but those that do are recognised as true soldiers, and true Haeseni. OATH OF SERVICE Upon prevailing in an Oath Hunt, an Initiate is permitted to take the Oath of Service and become a member of the Brotherhood proper. An Initiate kneels before an icon of Saint Karl, and a senior officer bids them to swear the sacred Oath of Service: “To my left I see my fellow Brothers; to my right I see the same For all in the world, we fight for the peace of this land Through Godan, we are stewards of this realm Through stewardship, we gain diligence and prudence Through diligence, we may conquer all without faith And should I falter in my duty, send me never to the Skies If I should succeed, bestow unto me His blessings forevermore For now I march into a valley through which there is no path And the stones cascade behind me to seal my retreat Though in this valley, I find my Brothers Now I am named Guardian of my Homeland Should I falter, my shield shall turn to ash But I shall not falter.” Once the Oath is complete and the Initiate is bid to rise, they stand not as an Initiate, but an Armsman of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and a recognised soldier in every right. THE RITE OF NAMING Those who migrate to Haense from abroad and undergo the Oath of Service are further graced with the Rite of Naming -- in recognition that they are a true citizen of Haense and no longer a foreigner, they are given a Haeseni name by the presiding officer at their Oath as a symbolic mark of naturalisation. No longer should any of their peers view them as an outsider, but instead a Brother. V RECORDS & HISTORIES ‘Ser Arthur Gant Hunts’ by Kzechin of Branhaven, c. 478 E.S. “If your Constanz so much as manages to muster a pyrrhic victory, I will destroy whatever rump state he builds within the hour.” - King Georg the Blue, the Petrine Incident _____________________ As an army that predates all others by many centuries, the Brotherhood’s history is a steeped one. From the endless defeats at the hands of the Renatian Imperium along the banks of the River Czena in Atlas, to the glorious triumph over the Holy Orenian Empire in the Sinners’ War on Almaris, there is no end to the historic events the soldiers of the Brotherhood have shaped and bore witness to, and no end to the stories that have come from each and every battle. In recognition of this, various Kings and Marshals have gone through great efforts to preserve this history as a lesson and mark of inspiration for generations to come. These preservations primarily take three forms. THE BLACK BANNER This sacred span of ebon silk is a banner of massive length stored within the Brotherhood’s longhall, on which every battle that the Kongzem of Haense has ever fought in is emblazoned with gold stitching. From its very first war in which Saint Karl carved out the name of Haense for the first time, to the Kongzem’s victory in the Successor’s War that secured its role as the strongest power in the land, every soldier of the Brotherhood can learn of the glories and sacrifices that precedes them dating back centuries. Transcribed copies of the Black Banner can be read here. THE BSK SPECIAL OPERATIONS ARCHIVE While the Brotherhood - and before it, the Haeseni Royal Army - has been an active fighting force for centuries, intelligence has only come to the forefront in its functioning in recent years. With a view to informing the Haeseni population of Brotherhood activities and demonstrating its military prowess, the BSK Operation Reports are published with certain redactions to protect military secrecy and efficiency. The current Operations Archive can be read here. THE SONG OF THE BLACK Long predating the Brotherhood and even the creation of Haense by hundreds of years, the Song of the Black tells the tale of King Barbov the Black - the ancestor of Saint Karl Barbanov - who ruled the realm of Ruska in ancient times. The Song records the tale of King Barbov’s fight against the Nzechovich dynasty to retake his father’s throne, a feat that would have been impossible with the fabled and chivalrous Bogatyrs of King Barbov, who endure as mythological knightly figures. The Song is still being transcribed from ancient Ruskan, but current translations can be read here. KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM

LET THERE BE NO DOUBT KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by KING ALEKSANDR II On this 15th day of Tov ag Yermey of 487 E.S. VA BIRODEO AEVOSZ, It is with a keen and intrigued eye that I bear witness to the unfolding conflict of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan and the Kingdom of Norland. As scions of honour my realm is content for these nations of warriors to settle their disputes on the battlefield. Alas, I do not remain ignorant to outside forces who seek to interfere in this war. The Crown of Haense forthwith offers a token of counsel: Do not. Should any external force join banners with the Kingdom of Norland against the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, I duly affirm that such action will trigger any and all military obligations owed by the Kongzem of Hanseti-Ruska to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. Let the Grand Kingdom of Urguan and Kingdom of Norland fight as singular honourable combatants, lest the shadow of the Golden Crow befall the battlefields of Man once more. IV JOVEO MAAN, His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, Thurant and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera.

“It almost makes me feel bad for what we’re about to do.” Says the King of Haense.

“This is so weak.” Says the King of Haense.

ALEKSANDR II WASTED NO TIME IN TRAINING HIS SON THE WAY OF THE SWORD. THE DAY AFTER HIS BIRTH, THE DUKE OF KREDEN WOULD TAKE UP STEEL TO PROVE HIMSELF A MAN UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF GODANISTAN ON HIGH.