Herod

The Lord Palatine Baruch mulled in his seat at the King’s office, opposite him sat the Aulic Envoy and the Lord Marshal with the report between them. After an eerie minute of silence, he shakily pushed a document to Feodor. “Davai…” After the meeting had concluded, he remained shaking, the recounts of the horrors of the Voidal Tear haunted him and he did not sleep that night. @Sander@Frymark

Kaustantin lets out a lengthy sigh, despite his deep hatred for the Bride, he pat his cousin's shoulder after hearing of the announcement, flashing him a small grin. "Enjoy vyr last days of freedom, vy wrote a wonderful essay."

"Finally, an heir." Rejoices the tired Lord Palatine in his office, before making his way to the Royal Residence, while making his way, his thoughts drift to the latter twin, murmuring a prayer for the boy whom he knew would live in the shadow of his brother.

UNION OF BARUCH AND RUTHERN A painting of the happy couple Msizta ag Dargund 398 E.S. On this Month of Msizta and Dargund, His excellency, Kaustantin Baruch, Lord Palatine of the Kingdom will be joined in matrimony with the Lady Mathea vas Ruthern. Their nuptials are to take place in the grand cathedral of Karosgrad. The engaged couple would like to announce that anyone from the kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska is allowed to attend the wedding. Formal Invitations are sent to the Haeseni Noblity: His Royal Majesty, SIGISMUND III, King of Hanseti and Ruska and his royal pedigree @Xarkly His Grace, Eirik Matyas Baruch, Duke of Valwyck and his noble pedigree @Gusano His Grace, Ailred var Ruthern, Duke of Vidaus and his noble pedigree. @biggestdon The Right Honourable, Tatiana Kortrevich, Countess-Dowager of Jerovitz and her noble pedigree @Juli The Right Honourable, Johann Barclay, Dual Count of Reinmar-Kretzen and his noble pedigree @Frymark The Honourable, Isaak Amador, Viscount of Aurveldt and their noble pedigree @Pureimp10 His Royal Highness, Otto Morovar, Baron of Ghaestenwald and his noble pedigree @Mio The Honourable, Robert Ludovar, Baron of Otistadt and his noble pedigree @erictafoya Her Serene Highness, Petra Mondblume, Baroness-Dowager of Richtenburg and her noble pedigree @sarahbarah Special Invitations have been sent out to the following people… Lady Josephine Wick @Amayonnaise Her Highness, Klara Elizaveta @crazedpudding Signed, His Excellency, Kaustantin Baruch, Lord Palatine of Hanseti Ruska Her Ladyship, Mathea Yekaterina vas Ruthern

[!] The Lord Palatine writes a letter bearing his seal, he brings it to an underpaid Ayr Servant that delivers the letter to the Lord Speaker. "As Representative of the Crown, I shall stay neutral during this vote and therefore, I abstain."

Loud screeches of joy are heard from the Lord Palatine’s office that night, he was jovial that the Sohaer finally did his part by handing the Urguani money over, after he had been missing in action for years.

"Do vy really enjoy it, that bleak feeling of nothingness?" Snapped the younger Kaustantin at Marjorie as they sat opposite each other in his office. "I do enjoy the loneliness Kaustantin. I really do." Marjorie replied calmly and nodded. A sigh escaped his lips as he recalled that memory, he shook his head. The man was stuck in thought, should he have pressed Marjorie to stop that habit? He did not prepare for the worst and the consequences were severe. He continued lamenting in his office, fasting for three days in the memory of his dear Aunt.

Public Guide ELECTIONS IN HANSETI RUSKA KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the CROWN On this 17th day of Joma and Umund of 397ES VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK By decree of his Majesty, King Sigismund III, the office of the Lord Speaker has changed it’s way to electorally tally votes. Whereas before a document was sent to every citizen of the Kingdom to fill and send back to the Aulic Office, now exists a new system. The voting day shall begin at the Royal Avenue Square, where a platform shall be built for the candidates to show bills they wish to introduce should they be elected for office, and for Grand Maer candidates, they shall propose their social events and probable edicts. After that is done, the ballots will be open for two saint’s days with the first vote belonging to the King ceremoniously. Voting booths will be protected by BSK men to ensure anonymity and the persons manning the booths will be selected by both the Lord Speaker and the Electoral Commissioner. After the voting period is over, results will be publicly announced at the same platform candidates spoke. IV JOVEO MAAN His Royal Majesty SIGISMUND III by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik 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, Torun, and Toruv, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Thurant, Venzia and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector of the Highlanders, etcetera. His Excellency, Kaustantin Baruch, Lord Palatine of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. His Excellency, Rhys var Ruthern, Lord Speaker of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska.

Kaustantin felt a sharp sting in his heart, he had known Ruslan to be a father after his own went off to the outer world after being disowned of his birthright and his mother fleeing their household. “Ea promised vy ea’ll do good as Palatine.” He stared at the statue of the late 11th Lord Speaker, his uncle. Tears rolled down the man’s cheeks yet a stoic expression lingered on his face. The man brought a handkerchief up to wipe those tears off ”Ea promised vy.” He gripped the Golden Bulava tightly in his hands as he turned around and walked outside the Duma chamber with tearful eyes. ”Ea will niet fail vy.”

The Lord Palatine steals a cigar box from the King’s office, from Koeng Heinrik’s time. He lights one in celebration of the birth of Klara. ”Congratulations, my friend, now all we need a Grand Prinzen.” He writes in a letter to his Majesty prior to his return.

“And here I thought that Mathea made him swear not to remarry.” Uttered a stressed Kaustantin in his office. He grimaced and pushed the missive away, recalling Ailred in his childhood and teenage years; a bitter man.

“Hand me another cup of tea, Eirik.” Murmured the Lord Palatine in his office to his ward and cousin. His tired eyes gazed onto the Golden Bulava across the room, neatly placed below a state portrait of himself. He took a sharp breath and muttered something about the prophecy of Oracles. @Gusano

Letter to the Royal Duma: ON MATRIMONY KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the CROWN On this 10th day of Tov and Yermey of 395ES VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG ALDYLEVAR Matrimony is a practice that precedes history itself and for a Highlander it is one of the most important days in his life. After Joren wed his wives, his descendants created a variety of rich traditions such as the Juliyafest Courtings and Betrothal Feasts that make this monumental era in one’s life a part of shining culture. In recent history though, those traditions have fallen out of use and the only tradition that remains is the adherence to the Ruskan rite of marriage. No longer do other practices take place before a couple is wed before Godan’s watch. It has become apparent to the Crown that despite our identity as a devout Canonist nation, our connection to those ancient traditions has been severed. Therefore, it calls the Royal Duma to debate on the following: Is there a need to introduce the old marriage traditions into law?: In this age of cultural revival, should it be made mandatory for man and woman to carry out the process of courtship and marriage as our ancestors intended us to or should it be only in encouragement? By way of example, the Crown considers some of the following elements appropriate for incorporation into law - for nobility - and encouragement for the common class: Juliyafest Courtship: Following the Lifstala season, Juliyafest shall occur as a regular celebration of matrimony and courtship every four years, consisting of games designed to promote matches among the nobility. If a Haeseni bachelor seeks to court a maiden, he must make his intentions known, and she must respond in turn, during the festival. To do so outside of the Juliyafest season is to be considered vastly improper. Betrothal Dish: For two Haeseni of noble standing to become betrothed in the eyes of the law, a betrothal feast is to be held where the bride’s Head of House serves the male either lok; a goat intestine stuffed with pork to consent to the marriage or erkindelir; a boiled pig heart to deny his request to marry the female. The feast should be held somewhat publicly for witnesses’ sake, and the payment of dowry should also occur. IV JOVEO MAAN His Royal Majesty SIGISMUND III by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, and Toruv, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Thurant, Venzia and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector of the Highlanders, etcetera. His Excellency, Kaustantin Baruch, Lord Palatine of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska.

Joseph Alexander d’Arkent is terribly disappointed that his aunt is not a cool lizard like his Grandfather.

Kaustantin Baruch stared bleakly at the missive in his office. "By Godan..." He murmured before stepping out of the room, his head slowly turned in the direction of the King's Office. He felt obligated to knock and say something, yet hesitated. After a minute of thought, the Lord Palatine turned his head in defeat and made his way back into his office to lament.

The newly appointed Lord Palatine stared at the document for what seemed like hours now, numerous thoughts came to his mind. Is this too much of a burden? He looked back at a time he was a child, when Lord Speaker Igor tutored him along with the now King Sigismund. He could barely lift the Black Bulava with two hands at that time. His mind raced; could he metaphorically lift the Golden Bulava? He had no spouse to back his left shoulder, no children to hold his back and the Patriarch of his family had burden of his own.

Despite being extremely busy following his appointment as Lord Palatine, Kaustantin Baruch marked the date; he wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to see Prince Marus as a jester. “They grew up so fast… too fast..” He grumbled.

"Who knew treaties could be determined by chess games?" The Deputy Palatine mused with a smirk, he then began chuckling from the depiction Anastasya showed him.

"Kicking a hornet's nest the size of three nations was niet the wisest move by the Dragonkin." Remarked Kaustantin Baruch as he promptly headed out his office for the next Duma sitting.

[!] The Deputy Palatine arrived not only with the Lord Palatine's letter, but one of his own, sealed with the crest of House Baruch. "By the will of Duke Ruslan Eirik Baruch, the seat of Herzen Baruch votes to nominate Bossir Robert Ludovar to the Position of Lord Handler. IV JOVEO MAAN Signed, Kaustantin Baruch and Karl Grassley of Lallybroch."

IGN: Herodium Character Name: Kaustantin Baruch Age: 20 Place of Residence within Valwyck: Lichenstadt

"Finally, some good news." Remarked the tired Deputy Palatine in his office before he set about to mark the date. "Finally, adult men and women will no more act like children."

"Here we stand, Krusae zwy Kongzem!" Kaustantin shouts with a wide smile before playing his bagpipes in celebration for one saint's year of independence.

Racer Name: Kaustantin Baruch Sled Name: The Bagpipe Delivery Dogs' Names: Callum, Gregor, Lauchlan and Jeffrey

A pale and malnourished man sat in his office, he looked at the Edict of Abdication and emitted a sigh. "The mantle, the crown and the sceptre may be heavy, but do niet fall down like vyr namesake, mea friend."