Hush

PEAKKKK!!! HOLY PEAK! THIS IS INSANE!!!

The deceptively fair folk in question looked down at the missive, which she read from the safety of her home, frowning at the contents as she rested a hand on her hip. "Oh, Lorandil... what have you done?" Celia'dant asked the empty space, still not having fully finished damning him after the first letter he had sent her. Her eyes trailed over the bounty list, going to her cousin's name many, many times before finally deciding to return to her desk and draft some letters and call upon some old friends.

One of my biggest issues after returning from a long hiatus was that literally nothing changed in terms of the bullying aspect and how too-seriously people take things during war times. A lot of times I visit Human cities and for a while I played a figurehead in the South to which many people thought that gave them permission to attack me in the middle of human cities when I was just going around shopping or roleplaying. I'm especially upset that the server makes it so daunting for new players when it comes to making any sort of mark on the city and also makes it so hard for people to get settlements back. I've been part of the Haelun'or community for a while now and we had one of the best builds in the server as our home be stripped from us twice, and the process of getting back even a settlement has been hell. I'm hoping that things aren't necessarily made so easy that there's suddenly a million new settlements, but I do hope that perhaps some action is taken to make things just a little easier.

[[IGN:]] Orchaedia_ Your name: Celia'dant Ana'halrae Would you be willing to financially contribute to such a cause?: Yes Please, write some ideas you have surrounding such an idea: I'd love to just help with city planning or what else I can. Not building but helping to host events Your Signature: ORCHAEDIA

Death of the Engine | Dissolution of a Duchy The finding of such a thing within the city had been a shock. With being the ruler came the keys to passages and hidden rooms, secret caves under the roads, abandoned ruins beneath the city, hidden secrets in the former churches, and access to a massive engine deep inside the walls of the guard room. The giant thing, whatever it was, hummed as if it were alive with energy, magic flowing through it like it was thinking and making memories and plans. It was a monolith of creation, pipes and wires running in and out of the engine’s body, connecting to who knows where to do who knows what purpose. The axe was gripped heavily in their hand, made of wood more ancient than themselves, with a blade that had killed much greater things than this machine. With one single swing, the axe was raised before being brought down and silencing the humming roaring thing, a massive flash of light bursting forward as if it had been the lifeblood before the echo of gates falling and securing to the ground echoed throughout the city, barring it forever from those that would seek it dirtied. The duchess walked through the palace of Anatis as the moon remained in the sky, the walls once echoing with laughter and the mumbles of human business now dormant and silent as they housed the city's final citizen. Gone were the children who once ran through the streets, the guards that would patrol the city, the nobles that once filled the royal court, and the many individuals that made up the city with so many names. Anatis had been lively once. Full of joy and life and happiness. But the betrayal changed much, and scared too many for them to continue to thrive. Celia'dant made her way through the endless hallways before finally stopping to look at the window, the moon beaming down and filling the space she occupied briefly as if it were a sacred space, the border of light keeping her safe from whatever awaited her. She allowed a deep exhale to escape her as she thought of all the work she had not been able to finish. Of all the homes not furnished, of all the festivals not held, all the jousts not celebrated, and the markets left empty. But she knew this was for the best. Betrayal had scarred the land badly. Caused those within to leave or flee to other lands. She should have done the same; she knew so, and yet part of her had almost succeeded in bringing about a new age. The same part of her that she would be leaving behind in the city, so it could rest with its ghosts. "Haelun!" A voice came, the last child of the city, the daughter of the duchess, ran down the hall towards her mother, her sack of belongings in one hand, while the other grabbed her mother's and tugged. "Maln said Uncle is here to help." The girl said as she pulled her mother's hand, her eyes focused on her mother's, a woman who had done so much to make her happy despite the decline of constance in her life in the past few years. And yet Mira'lean knew it was not out of Malice. The two loved each other. And even after everything, they would stand firm. "Is he now?" Celia'dant asked, managing a smile as she looked at her daughter with light golden eyes that saw through the unlit darkness with ease. "Let's go see him then..." They walked together, then, hand in hand, their spares carrying, in one, books kept from old silver libraries and the other fiddling with small golden earrings her people looked down upon. They finally made it to the court, the duchess giving her throne of 6 years a gentle caress across the armrest where she had sat all but once to knight one of her old citizens, a human whom she still considered her greatest friend. The pair walked down the steps and through the grand hall, passing giant portraits of humans, both men and women, who had ruled before her. The gardens were quiet and still asleep, frogs and songbirds hidden away in their mud and nests without fear of being destroyed. All was quiet, all was calm. “And she graces us with her presence, joy! I am unworthy!" Lorandil opened his arms in approach, then lifting his wife and swinging her in a circle, eliciting a laugh from his Mayilun. They had married in this city, a far cry from the silver halls and grand ballroom they had originally planned to join in. "Should you not be displayed amongst your kin? A fallen star, blessed to my sight, but so far from home…" He smiled, unable to hide his mirth as Celia'dant pressed her lips to his cheek for a gentle kiss. "Hush now, none of that." The woman said as she went into the house and to some large crates still being filled. Many of these were stocked full with books, a fine joy of both man and woman. Some held carefully wrapped paintings and others held artifacts and tchotchkes from Celia'dant's life, starting from when she was a newborn babe to now at her full one-hundred-and-three years. "Have Ignotus and Hymnal finished packing yet?" She called only for a loud thud to sound in one of the many floors below, a grunt of pain signaling her that her cousin had likely tripped. "Clearly not." "I'm okay!" A strained voice came as yet another High Elf appeared from the lift to the basement, holding far too many weapons for the pair of men that lived in the lower floors. "Ignotus is working on grabbing his herbs." Celia'dant smiled and moved forward through the house, checking to see what else needed to be packed. In the bathroom she wrapped towels around bottles of perfume and containers of soap while curtains were folded neatly and placed in smaller boxes. In Mira's room, now empty aside from the layout of the room, Celia'dant walked to the back where a second child's bed was. Here, Celia'dant had meticulously planned a room for her second child. Soft yellow blankets and little toys. All for a boy she had planned to have until the war had become too much. Mira walked in and grabbed the last of her books, a knowing look in her eyes as she watched her mother before leaving her to her silence. Upstairs, in the bedroom, Lorandil was busy with packing as well, wrapping up small personal items and storing his jeweler tools in his bag when he heard the creak of the lift and turned to his wife. “I have nearly finished. I left your things be." He said, receiving but a nod as his gorgeous Mayilun walked around and to her side of the bed, picking up her spear, carved from a dark blue wood with a crescent-shaped swefle making up the end like the moon. A short silence followed, betraying that he’d halted in his stride. A glance would have noticed his sunken posture, head bowed to the lift. “I am sorry. What for, I do not know, but I know it is my fault.” No other words were shared. They both knew of her sadness. The grief of failure, the knowledge that future endeavors would not be as forgiving or as in their favor as things once were, it all weighed so heavily she should have been crushed. Long had they suffered, their silver lineage void after the catalyst that was the Silver Massacre in Idunia. Yet they were stronger now, learned and ready for whatever else they may face. Their family would rise however many times it took ‘til peace was theirs at last. As they all finally left, the family of high elves to their new home, the newly risen sun stretched just above the walls of the now empty city. The rays of light stretched through the streets and paths and any windows left open. As the family walked down the road, a single ray seemed to focus on Celia'dant as she took up the back of the small pale caravan, warming her blonde and white curls and the tips of her long ears. It was not harsh, but it was not gentle either, like a guiding hand pushing her forward as if to say her work was over now. When the group was about to round the corner of the road, Celia'dant had stopped, standing still and looking back at the tall orange and white towers with their blue tops, the sun now illuminating her front, light bouncing off as if she were a reflective sheen. She felt a presence behind her and turned to see her cousin standing so near, his expression somber and tired, usually off-white hands slightly pink from the stress of carrying heavy boxes. They shared the silence and waited longer till the sun was above the city. It looked beautiful, reminding her of when she had first arrived in the city, leaving Cerulia to be with her family that always seemed to be one city ahead of her. "You were wonderful, lari’maronn." Hymnal said, smiling as the city almost seemed to glow, remembering the massive tree grown into the foundation of her home there. "They couldn't have asked for better." She had given everything to lead the city. Risked her alliances, lost friends, being threatened and sword point and much more simply because of where she lived and the crimes she had never committed. "I suppose it's best this way." She said, finally turning to walk towards where her husband and daughter were waiting as Hymnal nodded and, in a rare moment of connection, placed his hand on her shoulder. "Rest now, Celia'dant. You've done well.” It is on this day, 11th of Malin's Welcome of 276 that I, Celia’dant Ana’halrae, Duchess of Anatis, officially write into record the dissolution of Anatis in its entirety for the sake of the protection of the citizens. I order all homes to be evacuated, all shops emptied and closed, and all remaining villagers to leave their farms and the vassal in its entirety. Go with grace and be safe, wherever you may end up, in this era of conflict and new experiences. And know that I am thankful to have been the one to wish you well. Respectfully penned, Celia'dant Ana'halrae, Duchess of Anatis, The Pale Lady, White Star of the South, The Last Ruler of the Anatis

Celia'dant would curse as she read the missive, setting it aside before heading to the city's aviary to begin preparation for taking the city's mantle. There was much to do now, and what felt like so little time to do it. "Spirits willing, right when we need a steady hand..."

Celia'dant would read the words of the paper with a frown, sad to see such a grand and impressive Rex stepping down. This would not stop her though, she planned to help her city even without Torosh’Mak's presence. "Live long and joyous, old chief. You've done well."

Good tidings to the Citizenry of the Horde! To celebrate the beginning of the war times, I propose a tournament of strength and speed in Anatis, consisting of Jousting, sword fighting, and hand to hand combat, all of which will be rewarded with grand prizes! Anatis is up and coming in terms of providing merriment to the Horde and also wishes to use this opportunity to invite others to find themselves citizens of the beautiful bastion of peace. The tournament, held just outside of the city, will consist of three events, all of which will end with one victor receiving a grand prize. First will be the joust which will require a horse and a jousting lance, the winner receiving a full set of Deamonsteel Plate. Next will be a sword fighting competition which can be fought with any blade, the winner receiving a brand new Deamonsteel Longsword. And finally will be the hand to hand combat event, the winner receiving some smaller prizes of which includes resources and some unique roleplay items. This event is open to both Urguan and the Horde and any other allies of the Four Brothers. We hope to see you all there to celebrate a new era of victory. Rules : 1. All participants must pay a small fee of 5 mina to join any of the events. All participants can be in all events but a single player is not allowed to win all three events. 2. Jousting and Sword Fighting competitors must bring and supply their own equipment. Horses will be available to be bought but they are limited. 3. Bets are allowed but if you lose money you are expected to pay up. Bets will not be monitored by event planners. We hope to see you there, may your lances seek true and your swords land heavy, Respectfully penned, - Celia'dant Ana'halrae

Such a shame to see you go. It's been an honor getting to work with and roleplay with you and you've been one of the better server members I've seen in a while. Wherever you end up take care and be safe, love you Lomiei

A Call to my Fellow Citizens To the many wonderful citizens of Perduan, now known as Anatis, I write you all from my home in our dear city as the sun rises. I see my fellow candidates and realize it is best that I too write to you all so you may better know me and understand my hopes and plans as a future mayor. I shall begin by saying that I am originally not from these streets and tall towers. Born in the Silver State of Haelun'or before moving here about 6 years ago to be with my husband and daughter, both of which have found themselves, just like I, in love with this city and its citizens. I made many friends and allies in the city, gotten married to my husband Lorandil Sindarin, and even found myself sponsored by Ser Adrian Greye to become a council member, of which I serve happily and with honor. During my time in the seat, I have worked on small events, helped others find housing, and become close to many of you who live in the city as well. And yet I hope that with becoming the mayor I can help this city bloom and find ourselves surrounded by new friends and other citizens who hope, like I, to push Anatis into a new era. Anatis is a city recently plagued by an unjust murder of one Ser Aedric Alaric Grisblood, a recently made, and recently lost friend of mine, as well as a vital individual who was loved by all in the city. His death has impacted the city beyond words, striking grief and mourning into us all, it caused be to look back and realize our city is in dire need of reforms and a proper leader who would not dare to murder such a man in cold blood. I was one of the individuals who witnessed his death, the one to rescue and preserve Aedric's head so the family could reunite it with the body for burial, and among one of the first to comfort and speak to Ser Adrian, who, along with his family, left the city after the injustice. And as council woman, I shall ensure no injustice such as this will ever happen again within the city. My contributions as mayor comes in several parts, but my immediate plan is to create a justice system for the city to ensure that murder and execution of any kind is simply committed without just cause. No parent, partner, or child should have to hear that their loved one was cast from this world as if they had no place in it. A system of Justice is important for any city to thrive, and ensuring that all crimes are treated equally until the accused is proven guilty is vital to keeping citizens feeling safe and happy. As such, punishments for those that kill needlessly will be enacted as well. I next plan to bring order to the housing of the city. A tax reform and new housing developments shall be enacted to ensure our city is filled with a bustle of citizens and that we are not just an empty city of large houses with barely anybody inside of them. Taxes shall be restructured and changed, new homes shall be provided and furnished for those soon to join and live among Anatis, and I shall provide incentives and reasons to join us including the installation of a proper market district and a new town square. Houses that are empty and unused shall go back onto the market for families to move in, city facilities shall be open, and the library space within the palace shall become a dedicated school for all to come and learn. I seek to give others jobs so they may earn a living and provide for themselves and those they love, just as I have been given a job to provide for my family. A reform of the guard shall be implemented as well, with the end goal being to make Anatis the highest seat of knight training throughout Azuras. I promise to do all that I can to turn bright, strong, and courageous men and women into hardened, fearless, and valiant knights with the goal of protecting the lands from criminals, ne'er-do-wells, and all other who seek to cause destruction and chaos and hurt the lives of others. Finally, my most ambitious project is to turn Anatis in a center for all to journey to seeking a rich culture and a thriving city. Events shall be made more often, the market economy shall thrive, and more shall be done with the citizens in mind and not the jurisdiction of the Imperials or any others seeking war in place of peace. While my hopes and dreams may be perhaps far too much for a single individual to handle, I am honored to know that if chosen then I shall be part of a team of some of Anatis's best, all of which I plan to work close with to ensure this city thrives, blooms, and shines as a beacon for all. Anatis, or whatever other name this city shall receive until the end of the realm, is a city I consider of the highest quality among the others. It grants safety, a thriving community, and a wonderful view of Ipanema and the coast. Were I to not be elected, I shall still trust in those that are. For like me they wish nothing but the best for this incredible city. Best of luck to the other candidates, and my most sincere thanks to Ser Duncan and Ser Adrian, and Simon Peter, for their support during my candidacy, Respectfully penned, Celia'dant Ana'halrae

Name: Celia'dant Ana'halrae Address: Lorraine Lane II Seats Desired: Govenor of Anatis, City Mayor

Celia'dant sat in the clinic, having been shoved and accosted a rib thanks to the deviant man in question. Her daughter kept her company in the clinic, and her cousin Celia sat nearby as well, writing the very missive.

Celia'dant would find the missive being sent to her, allowing her bird to land before taking the paper and walking outside to the salty air and bright sun to better read it. "Hm, and so we prevail after all." The elfess said to herself, already planning for one hell of a welcome back party. "Maehr'sae Hiylyn'ehya."

Celia'dant would inspect the announcement with great interest, studying it curiously before heading upstairs to inspect her wardrobe. "Another ball! And an auction? How exciting!" The elfess says before starting to try on dresses.