MasonMcBadbat

To Redress the Slights

A Declaration of War

Issued Thirteenth of the First Seed, Twenty Second Year of the Second Age

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,

   Since our settlement of this new continent just two decades past, the nations of the world have remained in a blessed yet fragile peace. It has not been without its turbulent moments, certainly, however peace it has been. But, peace can continue no longer. Despite our Kingdom’s multiple efforts to seek peaceful recompense and apology for the wrongs done against our nation and our people, the Orenian State has chosen to ignore our grievances. Despite their promises of diplomats and discussion, they have delivered neither, and have refused entirely to treat with us. And then, the proverbial final straw came within the past Elven Day, when a troop of men calling themselves the Sons of Horen planned a raid on the city of Varhelm by the order of the Pontiff and the King of Oren. These valiant men, of course, backed down following the discovery of their party in the Rimeveld, yet their flight availed them little; even still they were tracked, captured, and put down. Yet, this list is hardly exhaustive. Put simply, we have been given little recourse, and the Clans of Norland have made their desires known. 

   Enumerated below are the most recent wrongs perpetrated by the Orenian State against the Kingdom and people of Norland:

     I. The unjust assault of a blind man of Norland at the hands of the Orenian Ministry of Justice, the sullying of his honor, and subsequent spreading of untruths about his actions and affiliations.

     II. The violation of Norlandic Sovereignty, and therefore the Treaty of Owynsburg, by way of planning and attempting to conduct multiple arrests and investigations on Norlandic soil without first negotiating an agreement of extradition.

     III. The violation of Norlandic Sovereignty, and therefore the Treaty of Owynsburg, by way of the conducting of espionage within Norlandic borders and attempting to bribe both Norlandic citizens and officials of the Norlandic military in exchange for information on the activities of the Norlandic Crown. 

     IV. The failure and refusal to negotiate or even engage with the Kingdom of Norland in its attempts to mend tensions.

   When first these rifts between nations began to open, our King Halvar Edvardsson personally made overtures to mend the situation, asking a pittance for the man whose honor had been besmirched and a simple apology. He was refused and was met with insults from the room, the loudest among them being accusations of terrorism and the assertion that our people lack both laws and principles. Shortly after, the attempts at espionage and extrajudicial arrests began. Again, we sought reconciliation with the Orenian State, even as the Clans clamored for conflict. This time, our advances were ignored outright. It is clear that the Orenian state assumes it can ignore its own misbehaviors in the vain belief that their fabricated narrative of moral superiority will place them on the right side of history at the end of days. Unfortunately, for every wrong that is committed, there must always be a redressing of the balance. If it was truly peace they sought, perhaps they should have come to the table whilst they had the chance.

   The Clans have cast their votes, and their decision will be rendered; The Kingdom of Norland hereby declares an official state of war. If they will not pay for their wrongs in the currency of gold, then they will pay in the price of blood.

Penned by,

Arthas II Edvardsson-Ruric, Prince of Norland, Chamberlain of the Kingdom of Norland

In the Name of,

Sven II, King of Norland, Duke of Varhelm, Chieftain of Clan Edvardsson, Protector of Highlanders