ibiou

"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.

The missive was splodged in tears, fresh from crying... Y A M l e a v i n g . G O O D B Y E H O O N S E , I am RESIGNING from my position as Lady Regent and Lady Palatine of Hoonseti-Rooska. I was involved in an assassination attempt this evening where a man pulled out a dagger on myself, Nico and Raudraik as we tried to run away. We were chased by a man with a dagger. This has made me think. Think a lot. A lot. Before this, I got into an argument with a well-known enemy of Hoose: G-U-Y DE SAVOIE. Kid theorists say that he plotted this attack after we left and let the man try to attack us with his weapon. I think this is true. This comes as no surprise that he tried to get us killed because he: - Attacked Via, the Knight Paramount. - Stole 1 mina “for a jest”. - Refuses trial. - Raudraik is a peasant, so he decided to be insulting towards his clothes. - Now tries to get an adult to assassinate me and my friends. I fear for my own safety, which is why I am stepping down from my job. The Koengzem of Hoonseti-Rooska is not safe and I believe that G-U-Y will do whatever it takes in order to get his own way. This is why in my last hours, I decree: G-U-Y DE SAVOIE AND ANYONE WHO AFFILIATES WITH HIM IS FOREVER BANISHED FROM THE KOENGZEM OF HOONSETI-ROOSKA! THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND ANY PARTIES OR HANGOUTS RAN BY ANY CHILD IN THE KOENGZEM. FAILURE TO FOLLOW WILL HAVE YOU KICKED OUT TOO. Julietta will be taking my roles as both Lady Regent and Lady Palatine, whilst my brother Anatoliy shall become the Baron of Vooskaya. Please do not miss me as I am still alive, but please keep me in your prayers. I am hurting. Good luck Hoonse. S I G N E D , Her Excellency, ALYONA RHETTA GODUNOV Lady Regent and Lady Palatine of Hoonseti-Rooska, Baroness of Vooskaya, The Sparrow

T H E C R O P S s h a l l r i s e o n c e M O R E The Return of House de Vilain T O T H O S E I N V I T E D , It has been many-a year since House de Vilain took themselves into the shadows to dwell in the quietude of life. However, since the uprising of the Petran civil war and the Archduchess’ triumphs, Wolfgang and his wife Anne have returned once more to the heartlands with their children. Fundamental for their offspring to learn of their heartlander history and gain cultural experience, they have purchased a home in the Commonwealth of Petra - a long-time ally of the Barony of Acre and its leading house - and opened up Little Acre bakery. In order to commemorate their move, the de Vilain’s are to host a private house-warming party for close friends and family as well as the citizens of Petra who wish to welcome the family into the community. A W O R T H Y F E A S T Food prepared by Anne shall be served buffet-style in the de Vilain’s new home. Starters, main courses, and desserts shall be served on little platters upon the dinner table for guests to dine on at their leisure. Fish caught from the Petran riverside as well as an extravagant two-tiered cake are on the list as possible food in-store. Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, shall be available on request. A C H I L D ‘ S B A N D The second youngest child of Wolfgang and Anne, Elvira, shall perform a one-man band for the guests to enjoy. Dame Elvira is the youngest knight in Petran history and ward under Her Grace, Renilde I. With plenty of skills, the de Vilain will show off her newfound pleasures of instrument-playing. P R I V A T E I N V I T A T I O N S Archduchess Renilde I of Petra and Prince Marius Audemar of Haense… @tilly @Mio Margrave Loran von Draco and a guest of his choice… @ItemVendor Sir Laurens Henri Halcourt and a guest of his choice… @Chorale__ Lady Katerina Angelika Sarkozic and a guest of her choice… @annanicole__ Lord Adrian John Sarkozic-Huntshill and a guest of his choice… @CanadaMatt Lady Ophelie Eleanora de Falstaff and a guest of her choice… @liz Lady Manon Yvaine Godunov and a guest of her choice… @esotericas Lord Audo Weiss and a guest of his choice… @Frostdrop1 Mister Gamagoro Hajime and a guest of his choice… @ronin_champloo Mister Vyllaenen and a guest of his choice… @Orlanth *Any Petran residents who are not invited can show up to the house party, though this may be Petran residents only. Anyone who does not hold residence in the area and is not on the invite list will be removed. S I G N E D , WOLFGANG DE VILAIN, Baron of Acre ANNE VICTORIA DE VILAIN, Baroness-consort of Acre, Owner of Little Acre Bakery

The young Alyona Godunov had been walking around Karosgrad for weeks with an enlarged sparrow mask to cover her rounded face, hiding her from disease and people alike. She had already heard tales of the Ragman brewing within her miniature court, the name itself bringing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand. "Yam gonna get vy, Raggersman..." She muttered ominously under the feathers, "Just vy wait and see..."

Anne pulled a tray of cookies from her oven at Little Acre as the bounty was read to her. "Isn't that 'rightful' Archduke dead...? Hrm. Nothing treasonous about sticking up for a rightful, proclaimed sovereign of GOD on Baron Halcourt's behalf..."

Anne, the wife in mention, had recently moved in Vafleur's bakery. The little birch sign that read 'Little Acre' swung in the Petran winds as the smell of sourdough bread trailed by. "He's got some nerve, that's for sure..." The redhead muttered.

There were sat in the Bear Claw Pub when the missive was wrote, Alyona and Lorena. The little Godunov threw up a thumbs up of approval as the Gant showed off her letter she had scribbled only moments before, smiling with all of her teeth on display. "Yam so proud of vy, Rena... sticking up for vyrself against ve adults..."

An addition well-needed to provide a proper roleplay experience in my opinion, as it should of already been RP'd going through the transitional change from descendent to this cut-throat, cannibalistic monster of a siliti CA. Now, there is no grey areas of time and instead clearly outlined. Love to see Zarsies and Mordu giving the CA some love. +1

"Ea will cause terror upon ve adults in mea new job." Smugly proclaimed Lady Palatine of Hoonseti-Rooska, Alyona Godunov. "They will niet escape eam clutches. Yam comin' for them." The little sparrow then skipped off to get ready for her own meeting the following saint's day, happy as one could be...

Anne choked on her morning oats when she received the news, her spoon clanking on the wooden table as it fell. "Goodness me... I feel faint..." She couldn't quite believe it. "How could this be? Our daughter, a dame?"

When she had gotten home from her adventures playing child politics, Alyona had her governess waiting on the steps of Verskaya's keep. She looked weary, the lines on her forehead more prominent than ever. "Lady Alyona, vyr father..." The rest was white noise to her. She had already sulked off to her bedroom and banged the door closed, her little cries unheard of in the halls. Was all that she was doing for the children of Haense worth it if her own father could not see it? She had craved his attention for so long, for him to raise her and show her everything he could, yet the heaviness on her chest felt suffocating. She laid herself on her bed and curled up into a foetal position, crinkling her dress, yet she did not care. It was there where she spent all night long in that position, not moving, not answering the calls of the maids. Instead, she prayed for her father's health - that he could see all that she was doing for him.

Alyona made sure her triplet siblings were given special privileges upon the meeting.

A little Godunov’s candle was seen flickering in the crevice of her window late one eve. Her governess had wished her goodnight already, her parents a peck each on the cheek - yet her mind was restless. Tonight was a night of fruitful thought. Tonight was a night for plotting. Alyona’s mind had been rampant for weeks on end, and it was only until now she took the pleasure in letting herself express her wishes. Her wax crayons, black and yellow and brown and red, scribbled on letter-writing parchment she had stolen from her father’s room. Only then would she send it out by sneaking off early morn for Karosgrad, posting her elaborate missive to the notice board… A Y O U N G s p a r r o w s t r i k e s A G A I N ! [!] A depiction of the eldest Godunov doing her own Duma with 'other children', no matter how monstrous they were drawn 2 F E C H I L L Y D R E N O V H A N S , Wee shall not bee SEALENSED! Wen I went 2 fe DUMA, Layday Judgey Loo-dow-far was a NAYSTAY wooman and sayd vat fe aduwlts ov Hans shuld NOT lissen 2 ve voyses ov keeds and vat mya MISSY LETHER was mayd wiv crayons in a BAD way... how MEAYN! Ven, Baroyn Bissssop COYLLED OWT MY AYGE wen I tryd 2 vowte as mya papej's reypreesentaytif! Just beeycuz his fameeliy was beeing showwted at! How dayre HE! Mya vowte was NOT cowunted in fe eynd and vat mayde me fery SAD. I huffed and puffed. HUFF. PUFF. Huw carys if yam 6? Mya vowte matters! Instayd, vey ar mayking me SAD biy not letting me bee a parrrrrrt ov vem. Wee ar fe fewturre! As a chiyuld in Hans, I DEEMAND vat wee riyus 2gever and and stop fe adultees from steeyling ower vowtes. If U carye abowt ower fewture and fe adultees and mamejs and papejs ruwin in it, ven meat me at AETERNITY ANCHORAGE (I copeed vis from fe siyn) in fe capitol in 2 saynt days. Adultees ar so MEAN and vey just SQUAWSH allll fe FUN owt of LYFE. Piyck whiysly. Colmb and joiwn me. Do not bee a stinkee cri babee. S I G N E D, ALYONA GODUNOV The Sparrow

"Hasn't bloodshed already occurred when your men 'allegedly' killed the Chamberlain of Petra, Bianka Jazloviecki?" A woman commented off the side. Her eyes, solemn and sunken, had been fixating on the missives for quite a while. She didn't dare rest after hearing the news from Father Blackwater's missive yet she couldn't bring herself to shed a tear. Oh, back to the reclusiveness she goes.

"A shepherd will lead his flock of sheep on mountainous journeys, yet in the end he shall slaughter them all for his supper." Spoke Anne in her hushed tone to Wolfgang (@Greehn) beside her in their kitchen - one of them cleaning the pots and pans, the other folding linen. "I do not doubt he is leading them now, but what are they but an expense he can easily dispose of once this Balianite prince gets what he wants?" The de Vilain shook her head.

A goofy, yet lazy smile fell upon Alyona Godunov's face. "Finally, papej will come home!" Sviatoslav's eldest jabbered.

Alyona glanced up to her mother in disbelief: "Ea did it...?" She queried with her usual look of bulging-wide eyes. "Mamej... EA DID IT!" The little Godunov couldn't quite believe it. At first, she had half-joked to her friends about writing a letter to King Georg I - wanting to gain some form of justice for the wronging of the system, for her friend Raudraik. Yet, she never expected an actual response (even if she had been looking for His Majesty everywhere). It was from this moment onwards that Alyona Rhetta Sviatovna Godunov wanted to help others as best as she could - even if it meant threatening to cut off the fish supply of Karosgrad. A bad situation can certainly inspire a young girl, or even a collection of young minds.

"THEY EVEN KICKED OUT MEA FRIEND RAUDRAIK V'HEDGEHOG FOR BEING A PEASANT!" Cried Alyona after publishing her missive on the issue of the court. Replacing her flower after a certain Ayrian had ate to 'become much more speedy', she sought out her two comrades in crime. @Greehn @Herod

V E R Y I M P O R T A N T d e m a n d s F O R T H E K I N G [!] Raudraik, Alyona and Malcolm are UPSET, ANGRY and HURT Drawing by Malcolm. D E E R V E K I N G OV H A N S, I am mad. NO. I am fery mad. YOR fiyters do not allow ve edumications ov CHILDREN. Vis is BAD! Me an me frends went to see 1 ov those arguyin fings and they sayd we haf to GET OUT. Rawdrake Hejhog is a pesant and I fink vat vey ar treeted BAD. Vey did not tell me or Malcomb to go so why HIM? Do vey not leek his SPEYD? As a Hans person I DEEMAND vat ve KING is involved. DO YEW NOT HAF A HART? I DO NOT THINK VAT HANS SHUD BE BAD 2 PESANTS. Yor fiyters haf to keeyp overs SAFE. I do not feeyl SAFE not wen VEY ar hirtin overs feeylins. Not onlee vat, but we can NOT lurn and get ve edumications we neeyd if we can NOT seey ve arguyin. Wat if we wanu arguy wen we ar ollder? We DEEMAND ve King tells ve fiyters to say sorreh or eylse we wil cri. Rawdrake Hejhog’s papej gets fish and he wil KIL ve supperly of Hans fish. Yew haf not long to replai. S I G N E D, ALYONA GODUNOV The Upset Sparrow MALCOLM GANT The Angry Cow RAUDRAIK LOUDAIN The Speedy AND Hurt Hedgehog

With awe, Alyona Godunov looked through the poetry collections of Borris Iver Kortrevich. Having only recently learnt to read and write in the last year, she felt the need to educate herself on the literary arts to further help her understand the world better. A dull candle's flame burned in the midst of the night. She flicked a page over in the nook of her reading corner, inspired.