ibiou

Alyona watched from her position on the dividers as Fabian was attended to by Amaya Colborn for his 'ouchies'. She jested, she mused, but a little thought rummaged through the back of her head. To use his own weapon, the pen, against him - what a terrible thing. The young baroness grimaced when the Kortrevich let out his groans of pain. Surely, maybe, things will be alright... she hoped.

"Perhaps Ea ought to buy rat poison for ve keep..." Alyona contemplated as she looked upon the report, clearly concerned that Adrian-sized rodents would infest the very land she lived on. "Da, Ea think Ea should..."

Little Winifred Adalia took merriment in bossing around her mother's servantry to find her something to wear for the occasion. "Haeun." She spoke in Noufeille Petran, pointing to a particular aquamarine dress. "This one. Look at mo necklace." A little finger jabbed towards the handmade sea glass necklace falling apart around her neck, inclining the hurrying folk to stop and gawk at it. "Haeun." Pleased was she that she found something all by herself to match her creations! Though, hopefully she could make a matching bracelet in time to go with it...

From her Petran bakery, Anne heard from a nearby customer of the news. "Well, they can try for excommunication, but you cannot change actions that go against the good Lord. Murders will remain murders like that poor Sarkozic girl, and undergoing penance will not clean bloody hands." She said idly. "Always demanding, without ever a spine he is. I've never seen a monarch like it in my lifetime."

Baroness Alyona of Verskaya prepped herself for the tavern's drinking contest with a few nights of heavy drinking (and awful hangovers the next day) beforehand. Ready was she going to be, wanting to take home the prize.

A certain Baroness of Haense would certainly put it on her to-do list to check out the social club whenever it fitted her schedule.

Preparing her mother a little snack for her journey ahead, Anne de Vilain once more found herself muttering prayers from her kitchen. "I shall join you soon, mother. Wolfgang is a childhood friend of the Viscount, and I am sure that united together we can truly be stronger in our times of strife. I shall send word to dear brother Adrian about all of this."

thanks boyfriend @Greehn. ur cool (i guess).

Loss wasn't a foreign concept to young Alyona. She had known Elizaveta when they were both younger, more bright about the prospects of Hoonse, yet ultimately ended up serving as her regent during her times of sickness. There were no more tears to shed for the young Godunov, already sucked dry by the loss of her own father a few years prior. Instead, a small candle flickered in the window of the Baronial chambers, a flame brighter than ever. Perhaps tomorrow she would write to her good friend Viktor, now cursed with her own same fate of shackled responsibilities. But for now, she let the flame rage on all throughout the night until it dwindled. For Elizaveta.

Anne, who had been in the room present and was bound by ruffians, stared blankly at the declaration from her good friend and Archduchess. Despite her caution, she was in her bakery. "I'm glad I got to spread the word to all of our allied nations when I had the chance, though, too late it seems..." The Chamberlain said to herself solemnly, unable to even pick up her good wooden spoon. "May their souls be at rest, for GOD will reassuringly see to the rebel demise. They only prove that their intentions are not of liberation, but of conquering."

A CELEBRATION OF BEGINNINGS Issued on the 9th of Harren's Folley, 1916 In the month of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1916, Archduchess Renilde I and Prince Marius Audemar welcomed their two children to the world after a successful term and labour - a boy and a girl respectively. After a few days of deliberation, the Archducal couple have bestowed names upon them: Paul Alexander and Winifred Adalia. To celebrate their birth, the Commonwealth of Petra will undergo festivities for three consecutive months filled with hope, joy and promise. Many events will be in place for peaceful citizens of the realm to come together and forget the weariness of ongoing conflicts. ONE (23RD OF MARCH, 5PM EST) Baptism Starting off the celebrations, the religious sacrament of baptism shall be performed in the Chapel of St. Emma on the Archducal children. The Passing of the Lambs A newfound practice to the Commonwealth, the passing of the lambs is heavily symbolic of new life and prosperity to all in Petra. Two lambs bred from the best stock shall be selected and dyed red & black before being presented before the Archducal house. Like a sheep later on in its life providing wool, milk and eventually meat, the twins shall go on to support the nation with their skills and best assets as the newer generation. Market Venturing Market stalls shall be in place for people to buy Petran goods - florists, merchants, bakers. The tavern, The Two Cats Tavern & Inn, will be open for all to take a drink! ______ TWO (24TH OF MARCH, 5PM EST) Drunken Brawl Hosted by Sir Wolfgang ‘The Tenacious’ de Vilain, allied citizens across the realm shall be brawling it out until the last man standing. Each contestant will be asked to drink beforehand until they are tipsy or fully drunk, before stepping into the pit. Knights shall be on standby should there be a disruption/disturbance. The prize of this drunken brawl is a hefty 200 mina and a coveted title of the 'Petran Iron Warrior'. Cheese Roll A tradition founded by Acreans many years ago, a cheese roll will start from the heights of Mount Garmont and tumble down to the bottom of the square. Participants shall roll the wheel down until the winner crosses the finish line. The infamous ‘Cheesebeast’ shall be made in honour of the Harvest Confederacy long ago for the occasion. The prize for the winner of the cheese roll will win an unlimited supply of free treats from Little Acre bakery, as well as the Cheesebeast itself. ______ THREE (25TH OF MARCH, 3PM EST) Feast As the finale approaches to the three-month long festival celebrations, a feast is to commence in Castle Estenpromé. Food shall be locally sourced by the infamous Little Acre bakery, with the Archduchess' favourite buttermilk cake as the centrepiece to the dinner. Lantern Ceremony Lake Providence will be the home to the end of the festival, where boats will be provided if one wishes to sail out in the middle. Available for purchase will be lanterns that will be set off into the sky - symbolising the coming light and hope from the twins' birth. INVITATIONS King Georg I and the citizens of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska… King Charlie I and the citizens of the United Kingdom of Aaun... King Agnor Grandaxe and the citizens of the Kingdom of Urguan... The Silver Lubba Mika Anarion and the citizens of the Most Serene State of Lurin... Princess Valyris and the citizens of the Principality of Celia'nor... King Cyris I and the citizens of the Shiredom of Bywater... Petra, Flowing Water! Ave! Ave! O SAINTE RÈGNE PETRÉRE, Her Grace, Renilde I, By the Grace of God, Archduchess of the Commonwealth of the Petra, Countess of Temesch et Moere, Marchiness of the East March, Hero of the Petra His Highness, Prince Marius Audemar, Prince of Hanseti-Ruska, Archduke-consort of the Commonwealth of the Petra, Duke of Markev, Count-consort of Temesch et Moere, Governor of the Silver Isle, Hero of the Petra Her Excellency, Dame Anne 'The Benevolent' de Vilain, Chamberlain of the River Court, Baroness-consort of Acre, Co-owner of Little Acre bakery

"Yam ashamed of mea Raevir roots when the 'leader' of our culture acts shamelessly in ve eyes of Godan..." Muttered the young Baroness, Alyona, as she pulled along a couch with Malcolm's helping hand. She was currently renovating some of the rooms in Verskaya, making it emulate her likeness more. "Ea will 'ave to pen a letter to Raudraik in Aeldin about this, for he frequents there often." @Greehn

Anne de Vilain applauded her husband's great diplomatic skills, and for their new prosperous trade agreement with Lurin!

The Chamberlain of Petra's River Court, Anne, was to bring her food to the Round Table meeting per her own demands. Scurrying around from her homestead to the bakery with sacks of ingredients, she made sure that not a grain was to be wasted - a feast for the summons, for a well-fed individual equally makes a well-thought council.

"Ea 'ave always been told Ea look like mea papej." A younger Alyona had shown a friend around Verskaya one morning. They had come across Sviatoslav's bust in the main hall, his expression one of familiarity to the younger Godunov - a cold, deadpan glare etched in stone. She didn't come here as often as she liked, but she was one of the only ones who did. There had always been complaints that the barony was too far out from the capital, and that the carriage through hills and valleys and mountains always made one sick after. Alyona liked it here though, for it was tucked away from the world, a place where she and her father could talk. It was him who had told her what her legacy was, and that she was destined for a path of political greatness. The missives, Hoonse leadership - it was all from his motivation. The day that her father had given her the Godunov heirlooms, she had been so remarkably proud of where she came from. Older now, yet not old enough, Alyona sat on the chair by her father's bedside. Her eyes, solemn and tired, glanced to the empty sheets. The bob she used to sport, the one that made her the spitting image of her father, had grown into a wild and untameable mane of curls. Sviatoslav was gone, and she knew that, but truth be told that she could hardly see him in herself anymore; that is what scared her the most.

A PATRIARCH GONE 6th of Joma Ag Ugmund, 467 | 6th of Sigismund's End, 1914 It is with a heavy heart that the baronial house of Godunov announces the death of Baron of Verskaya and former Lord Marshal, Sviatoslav Jaroslavich Godunov. Passing away peacefully in his bed in the early hours of the 3rd of Joma Ag Ugmund in the year 467, Sviatoslav was surrounded by his family in his final moments. It was well known around the realm that the baron had succumbed to long term illness in the last decade and kept on bed rest until he no longer could leave the Verskayan vicinity. Sviatoslav was a father, husband, friend and comrade to many in the kingdom and his loss shall carry its weight to those closest to him. After becoming Lord Marshal of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and furthermore granted a peerage under King Karl III, his legacy shall forever be one to look up to in terms of milestone achievement and loyalty to the Crown. In remembrance of their late patriarch, House Godunov shall undergo an extended period of mourning where all flags shall be lowered to half-mast at the barony’s keep. Those who wish to mourn the death of Baron Sviatoslav are invited to visit Verskaya (with a letter in advance to Lady Alyona), where a memorial statue shall be made in his honour. Candles will be provided if one wishes to pay their respects. IV JOVEO MAAN, Her Ladyship, Manon Yvaine Godunov of Guise Baroness-dowager of Verskaya, Court Alchemist of the Petra, The Star Lord, the Ghost of Guise, the Starling Stag Her Ladyship, Alyona Rhetta Sviatovna Godunov of Verskaya Heir-apparent to the Barony of Verskaya

The face of the listed Godunov, Alyona, grew grim with her name being put alongside 'baroness'. Remembering her conversation with her closest friend only hours before she received word of the wedding from one of her father's couriers, she could not help but feel the slow yet imminent fate she faced. Perhaps the wedding may be the day to assert herself, with the baron's terminally ill state.

IGN: ibiou IC NAME: Alyona Rhetta Godunov AGE: Currently 10 years of age (Young teen division) SUPERVISOR: N/A

"We shall see what is truly put in practice." Replied Anne, pulling out her tray of cookies from her bakery oven as Renilde and her spoke. "Words and missives are naught without actions."

THE RIVER COURT Reformed under Her Grace, Archduchess Renilde I and Her Excellency, Dame Anne de Vilain The River Court, whilst never officially documented as an entity under the Commonwealth of the Petra, is an establishment of true Petran values whilst maintaining its cultural, social and educational integrity. After the Petran Civil War following the defeat of the faux-Archduke Constanz Novellen and the unfortunate death of the late Chamberlain Dame Bianka Jazloviecki, the core of the court was left ruptured and in much need of dire attention. It was only when Dame Anne de Vilain, a newly prominent figure in the commonwealth, brought up the lack of development in the courts did it begin to grow. Henceforth, the River Court shall undergo new and exciting change to bring forth a greater Petra. PURPOSE In an age where court life has become tiresome, the Commonwealth of Petra aims to end the stagnation and reform its current system to something more thought-provoking and intriguing. The River Court, instead of being a hub of balls and festivals, instead is to be made into a fountain of wisdom - a resource for knowledge, culture, and etiquette. A citizen of Petra is considered a courtier, even if they have never attended an official court of Her Grace or shown interest in the River Court to promote inclusivity. It is important that the Petrine community educates their residents, giving back to what they have contributed, and therefore further enriching their livelihoods. Much like a school, the court can offer lessons for people to progress. Out are the days of flexing nobles with their robes, and in are the mentally rich. THE RIVER COUNCIL Someone who holds a position in the River Court has an obligation to teach and preserve both the Petrine culture and their own specialised crafts. This includes hosting events, engaging with the people on a day-to-day basis and being spontaneous. More positions shall be created in the future if any interest is shown. If you wish to fill one of these positions, pen the Chamberlain a bird. Court Chamberlain [@ibiou] The highest role in the court apart from the Archduchess and her consort, the Court Chamberlain overviews the day-to-day runnings of the River Court and ensures that its proper practices are being performed correctly. She is the custodian of Montreux, the home to all wards, whilst being the sign-off for events curated in the courts. Court Chamberlain’s words are final. Court Alchemist [@esotericas] The position of the Court Alchemist is to provide Petra with their alchemy via potion making, as well as teach willing students their beloved craft. Teaching can be from the alchemy itself, or where to pick particular herbs and their properties. Court Huntsman [Available] The Court Huntsman is to host regular yearly hunts in the forests surrounding the commonwealth, as well as teach the citizens to hunt correctly and safely. This includes the use of hunting knives and spears, what to do if you end up lost in the forest, and more. This role can work alongside the knightly order to promote the sensible handling of weapons whilst also keeping the art of hunting alive and fun-spirited. Noble houses can work alongside the huntsman/huntswoman for their own hunts. Court Artisan/Musician [@charm and @DemonWarrior44] A Court Artist and/or Musician can utilise their passion and pass their skills onto others. Usually someone with a creative mind, this court position can unlock newfound hobbies for the citizens of Petra whilst upholding Petrine culture of sonnets, artwork and more. Their job is a simple one - sharing the love of what they do. The court artisan and/or musician can collaborate with other artistic/musical movements around the continent in order to show expression of self. Whilst still educating on the particular nation’s cultural history and practices, it is important that the person in this role also promotes artistic/musical forms. Poet Laureate [Available] Talented in the literary world, the Poet Laureate is the most established in their expertise. Besides writing poetry for the Archducal house and the courts, the job of the laureate is to ensure all residents in the commonwealth know basic reading & writing skills. They should be knowledgeable in the literary movements/books, and be able to provide their insight on creating well-established and moving stories, poems, songs and more. Court Historian [Available] The bearer of the history of humankind and in particular, the Commonwealth of Petra, the Court Historian bears the task of informing people on our predecessors. Not only that, they have to also document Petrine history and maintain it. The historian may wish to collaborate with the poet laureate and/or the court artisan and musician to create timeless and cherished pieces that display integral parts of history. WARDSHIPS Wardships, usual to court life, are fundamental to the River Court’s vitality. The pursuit and nurturement of knowledge is rooted in a person’s earlier years, where retaining lessons comes with ease. Though not entirely closed off to only the young, a wardship is there to mentor in one or more areas until they are either eighteen years old or shown to have succeeded. There is no eligibility to becoming a ward besides one’s eagerness and commitment to tasks at hand. Whether of noble or common-status, all are welcome to a wardship. In order to become a ward, seek out either a member of the Round Table, a knight/dame, or someone who holds a court position. The main mentor, usually someone of the Archducal house or Round Table, is there to help build character and self of self. They are usually the final-say in a ward’s journey and overview the process. A figure of guidance, the mentor nurtures them to become their best selves. They may choose to only have one ward, or have numerous - they may choose whether they are the only one to help them on their wardship or have others in the court to help. Whatever the decision may be, a ward should feel fulfilled upon their time under the River Court. Each ward shall be given tasks/quests depending on their mentor figure or their interests. This may include acts of service, or event-hosting, or little adventures. However, a ward must follow the Pledge of Seven Mercies: Besides the tasks/quests, a ward will undergo lessons from those who hold a court position. Both of these combined shall determine whether a ward shall successfully fulfil their wardship. If they do, a ceremony on their graduation shall commence. A ward may choose to either go back to their nation of origin or progress onwards to one of the court positions or even higher, a knight/dame of the realm. Squiredom A ward that is wishing to fulfil in future leadership of the commonwealth or seeks to be under a knightly order can be squired under a knight/dame from the Sovereign Order of the Petrine Laurel. The squires and the wards overlap, though both aren’t the same. Montreux Formerly Summerhall, Montreux is the hub of all wardships. Located next to the River Petra, the manor aids a ward in whatever they need. A small, yet useful garden house sits outside for gardening use, whilst the hall is a great place for the wards to take to their events and use the space for whatever their imagination can muster. Instruments, bookshelves, easels and paints, swords - all is available for them to improve themselves. Current wards Miss Antonella Layla de Rivera @TheHeftyDonut Ward to Arduchess Renilde I A descendent of Her Highness Layla de Rivera y de Savin of Hyspia, Antonella is a woman of grace and class. Born to be a lady of the courts, Antonella took a ship from an island afar, where she learned basic etiquette and such from her grandmother, to learn from the Archduchess, to eventually be of great value to the society of Petra. ______ Dame Elvira Sybille de Vilain @scarahpot Ward to Arduchess Renilde I A dame at only aged five for her efforts in the war, Elvira truly started off life with a fiery kick. A soldier at heart, she was not long sought out by the Archduchess to guide the de Vilain through her damehood under the Circle of Saint Emma. ______ Lady Lorena Josefina Gant @liz Ward to Arduchess Renilde I Lorena is an energetic and fiery Haeseni hailing from the Duchy of Valwyck whose forthcoming nature brought her into Her Grace’s life during an early trip to the Haeseni capital of Karosgrad. She is passionate to a fault. ______ Lady Pauline Matilda Montalt @GrowingIvy Ward to Arduchess Renilde I The child of Ser Paul Montalt, who seeks to be like her father and aid Petra, under the tutelage of the Archduchess. Her father's legacy remains a strong crux for this young girl, and hopefully with her love of fashion and energetic attitude she can prosper during her wardship. ______ Lady Emigliana Maeya O’Rourke @Cally Ward to Arduchess Renilde I She has a rather constant flow of creativity and song, this little bard started off life taking a stand to some of the Archduchess' and her son's initial grown bullies. Responsible for heretically shouting to distract the late, traitorous Archduke during his duel with Prince Marius. Petra, Flowing Water! Ave! Ave! O SAINTE RÈGNE PETRÉRE, HER GRACE, Renilde I, By the Grace of GOD, Archduchess of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere HER EXCELLENCY, Dame Anne de Vilain, Chamberlain of the River Court, Baroness-consort of Acre, Owner of Little Acre Bakery https://discord.gg/kn2fRz6rT5

Somewhere in Petra, Alyona had not taken the missive lightly. "And they called eam crazy! Ea was attacked!" She shook her head and crumpled up the missive before taking a seat by the window; the rain pitter-pattered on the glass. "Ve audacity to go against mea words and unbanish someone who makes people feel unsafe... Yam glad Ea left to focus on ve real world and niet ve incompetence of these kids. Should of never 'ave trusted them to do mea job right."

Anne had been preparing for this moment for months! After many hours into the night of endless cake-flavour tastings, she had finally found the perfect one for the pair's wedding cake. Truly, the de Vilain's joy over catering for the event was unwavering - and she needed all the help from her children.