_yink_

"He is ontae something," Petyr idly muttered as he skimmed through the missive. Sure, he had proofread it. But still.

The news of his grandmother's death fell at first upon deaf ears. Petyr had known of the siege, yet his own recent injuries had kept him from attending as he healed. Surely, it could not be true. He turned to the flames, drawing in that courage from within, willing her image into being. "Granny?" he called softly, reluctantly doubtful. "Granny, Ea need vy tae answer…" It came out nearly as a plea, but the flames offered nothing in return, their light flickering for no one at all.

"Niet tae have been ve most effective?" Petyr's eyes rolled as he moved to cast that missive into a nearby flame. "Maybe, just maybe if they had a single brain-cell between anyone down South this wouldn't have happened." He sighed and turned to continue on with his day. "What a disappointment Cesia has become."

“Actually shut ve fok up,” spat a rather spiteful man, a father figure to the once Duke himself.

"Another letter from Nikolaus?" Florian mused as the envelope was passed into his flour dusted hands, hands that rarely seemed clean these days. His warm, chubby cheeked grin broadened as he wiped one hand on his apron and reached for a knife to carefully slit it open. "Spasiba, son," he said with a nod, dismissing the young blond who had delivered the letter with an almost identical smile to his own. "Now then, let’s have a look... Niet Nikolaus," he murmured, his mustache twitching as he curled his lips while reading. His blue eyes skimmed row by row, the faint furrow of his brow deepening as confusion began to creep in. "Trust eam, Yvaine. Ea am living fully. For that desire of mine has yet to die, and never will." Florian responded aloud. With a heavy sigh, Florian leaned his hip against the counter, folding the letter neatly before setting it aside with the countless others he’d gathered over the years, each one with a signature from those still back home.

[!] A Public Missive Is Penned For The Sake of Novellen-Tuvia To My Beloved Nephew and the Nation, For years, I have anticipated the arrival of this inevitable moment, and truth be told, it is long overdue. Though one might assume such matters should remain private, you have chosen to air your struggles for power and grip upon your nobility. So let us make this public, as you so desire. Our once-proud name has been tarnished, dragged through the mud until it can no longer be spoken with the dignity it once commanded. I have not truly been your Princess Royal since the moment our nation was shrouded in the sins of my brother, Alexandros. His arrogance and lack of foresight left our people floundering in chaos, casting their trust upon a poor boy crippled by his father’s unchecked ambition and blindness to the world around him. In those turbulent times, knowingly or unknowingly, you alienated those loyal to our nation. And what has become of us now? A hollow shell of what we might have been. What we should have been. We endured war, the threat of darkspawn, and the ridicule of others, all while preserving the illusion of unity and strength. That illusion shattered the day my nephew, Ser Nathannenel Eruedraith, courageously exposed the treachery Alexandros sought to bring upon us. Once, we stood on the cliff of greatness. But we have fallen. And for that, I can no longer remain. Your threats to my title do not inspire dread. If anything, they bring me a sense of profound relief. Allow me to spare you the trouble. I, Ariadne Casimira Novellen-Tuvia, hereby relinquish my titles and return them to the Crown of Balian. My role as Princess Royal shall pass to another. One who, I hope, will bear the title with wisdom, grace, and an unyielding spirit. With this, I take my leave. Yours sincerely, Ariadne Casimira Novellen-Tuvia

"Torrevelier?" The Dame's voice was hoarse as she reread the line, disbelief etched across her face. "Forty-one years as a cavalier, fifty in the military... and this is what does it?" A breathless laugh escaped her, and she pressed a gauntleted hand to her forehead. In that moment, all the weight of her years and everything she had done, everything she had endured came crashing down. The voices around her faded, and the world fell into the flood of memories that surged through her mind. Only the call of her name forced her from her daze, lashes fluttering in shock. "Huh? Aye! Yam coming! Hold on." Another minute passes as Gwenyth gathers herself, a faint smile pulling at her scarred lips. She lifts her gaze to the sky, her eyes pooling with wonder. "Ea hope Ea did Vilac proud, Uncle Cas." With that, she set off. Contentment washing over her.

Ariadne looked upon the missive with a smile, "Enjoy your retirement, Sir Tristan. I hope this time in your life treats you well."

:(

Renewal of the Promotional System Since the Reformation of the Regiment of St Lothar as the standing military of Balian, there has been a guideline upon how to proceed through the ranks of the Regiment. It is the objective of the Marshall and this documentation to provide a new and more fitting explanation on how to gain rightful promotions. For any non-officer rank such guidelines will be specific, however all officer ranks shall have both specifics and vague suggestions to allow for the Marshall to select who they believe best. Standard Ranks Aspirant: - Enlisting as part of the Regiment Militant: - Two year of active service minimum within the Regiment - Active duty and undertaking of workloads - Attend three different trainings including the compulsory combat training and formations and commands training. - Completion of Oath Hunt Man at Arms: - Four years of active service minimum within the Regiment - Two years at prior rank - Joining of a Section and working within such Banneret: - Six years of active service minimum within the Regiment - Two years at prior rank - Section leader stating active and impressive work in Section Sergeant: - Eight years of active service minimum within the Regiment - Two years at prior rank - Showing Promise as a leader be it in martial matters or organisation Lieutenant: - Ten years of active service minimum within the Regiment - Three years at prior rank - Leadership of a Section or Specialised unit - Hosting at least eight trainings or excursions for the Regiment - Proven to be a combat leader through taking initiative in such times. - Successful training as an Officer cadet or Marshall’s approval Captain: - Fifteen years of active service minimum within the Regiment - Four years at prior rank - Continued leadership of a Section or Specialised unit - Hosting at least twelve trainings or excursions for the Regiment - Continuously successful as a combat and organisational leader - Able to take initiative without requesting aid from others. - Approval from the Marshall as a leader Marshall: - Appointment by the Crown after the death of their predecessor. Subsidiary Ranks Officer Cadet: - Signs of good leadership and talent in terms of martial matters - Approval of an existing Officer who wishes to mentor the possible Cadet - Must be a Banneret or Sergeant Signed, Her Royal Excellency, Dame Gwenyth “The Unyielding” Callista Vilac Vuiller, Constable of The Royal Balianese Duana, Marshal of The Regiment of Saint Lothar, Captain of The Guianian Company, Cavalier of The Order of Saint Michael

Formation of a Company System The former Job Listing system used by the Regiment of St Lothar has been reformed into a true Company system for ease of use and to improve the working relationships between those in the Regiment. A Company shall be headed by a singular Captain, whose role it is to oversee the running of the three Sections under them and to lead the Company. To begin there shall be two Companies formed, The Sybilline Company and Giuanian Company, named for Queen Sybille the Stubborn and King John the Founder. Each Section shall be led by a Leftenant whose job it is to focus on the leading of the Section and completion of the core tasks and jobs of such. All Militants and above shall join a Section and be directed by their Leftenant on the matters of their duties to the Section and Regiment. The following are the Companies and their sections. The Sybilline Company The Sybilline Company is focused on matters of direct warfare and preparing for such. This includes the Recruitment, Instruction and Siegemastery Sections. This shall be formed as the First Company of the Regiment as it is the primary function of the Regiment. It is currently run by Baldric Vourkehardt. Recruitment: - Ran by the Chief Recruiter, the Recruitment Section holds the most important role within the Regiment. Given the job of finding and recruiting new Levymen into the ranks of the Regiment. They are also tasked with ensuring that all Levymen are properly set up with whatever they will need to do their jobs.. Those working below the Chief Recruiter are called Recruiters. - Recruiters are limited to five at any given time. - The Chief Recruiter is tasked with overseeing all Recruiters and ensuring the steady flow of new Levymen into the Regiment. They also have a master set of keys to the Regiment to situate all Levymen.. - The current Chief Recruiter is Achillius d’Arkent. Instruction: - Ran by the Master at Arms, the Instructors are tasked with the overseeing of all training, hunts and other activities within the Regiment, predominantly for Levymen. While all above the rank of Man at Arms are expected to host such, it is the duty of Instructors to ensure such is the case. Those working below the Master at Arms are called Instructors. - Instructors are limited to six at any given time. - The Master at Arms themself is expected to arrange all trainings into a yearly schedule to be posted to all within the regiment. They are also expected to ensure a good variety and frequency of such. - The current Master at Arms is Baldric Vourkehardt Siegemastery: - Ran by the Garrison Commander, the Siegemastery Section has the crucial job of maintaining all forts held by the Regiment of St Lothar so that they are prepared to be besieged by an enemy force at any time. They are given access to all forts in the nation for such. In addition, they test and prepare any siege camps that the Regiment could use against enemy fortifications and plan siege warfare and train for such. Those working below the Garrison Commanders are called Siegemasters. - Siegemasters are limited to four at any given time. - The Garrison Commander is tasked with training all new Siegemasters and leading any lectures or training on Siege warfare. In addition they are considered the Janitor of all Forts. - The Current Garrison Commander is Dame Hilda Brawn. The Guianian Company The Guianian Company is focused on matters of logistics and combat not directly related to Wartimes. This includes the Quartermastery, Medicine and Special Threats Sections. This shall be formed as the Second Company of the Regiment as it is a secondary function of the Regiment, symbiotic with that of the primary function. It is currently run by Dame Gwenyth Vilac Vuiller. Quartermastery: - Ran by the Quartermaster, Quartermastery focuses on the gathering and organising of materials and subsequent creation of weaponry, armour and siege engines. This is an extremely integral part of the Regiment as it ensures that the soldiers are always equipped for any situation. Those working below the Quartermaster are called Pennymasters. - Pennymasters are limited to two at any given time. - The Quartermaster themself is expected to be on top of the stocks and instructing the Pennymasters and soldiers on what is needed to ensure everything is in optimum condition. - The current Quartermaster is Atriana Rorin. Medicine: - Ran by the Chief Medic, the Medicine Section is tasked with learning all they can about medicine and surgery so that they can aid and heal any soldiers within the Regiment that could succumb to injury. They are also required to ensure the Bastilles medic bay is in good condition. Those working below the Chief Medic are called Medics. - Medics are limited to 1 per five soldiers at any given time. - The Chief Medic is required to ensure all Medics are properly trained and able to ensure that all that are within the Regiment have a basic understanding of First Aid. - The current Chief Medic is Vacant. Special Threats: - Ran by the Chief Strategists, the Special Threats Section holds the role as the creators of alchemical items and training the soldiers in matters of special threats such as darkspawn and dark mages. Strategists are expected to also ensure the continuous gathering of herbs to ensure the flow of such items are not slowed. Those working below the Chief Strategist are called Strategists. - Strategists are limited to five at any given time. - The Chief Strategist is required to train new Strategists in the art of Alchemy and ensure that the correct potions are made for each engagement they are. They are also expected to form new strategies for ‘special threats’. - The current Chief Strategist is Wernher Vourkehardt Signed, Her Royal Excellency, Dame Gwenyth “The Unyielding” Callista Vilac Vuiller, Constable of The Royal Balianese Duana, Marshal of The Regiment of Saint Lothar, Captain of The Guianian Company, Cavalier of The Order of Saint Michael

"That's mea borsa!" Florian Kortrevich cheered as the pamphlet was set in hand.

"Of all people tae go after, vy go after Emma and Erik? Someone needs a life," Florian Kortrevich muttered under his breath as he stared to the missive. "Why are they even watching?"

Heavily plate clattered through the palace halls as Dame Gwenyth slowly paced towards Queen's bedroom with Sybille in her arms. She was holding back tears, quietly mumbling to her friend as she forced the door open. Each step felt heavier than the last until Gwenyth reached the bed and slowly set her friend to rest, her eyes never leaving the late Queen's bloodied face. "Ea was supposed tae go first, vy fool," A broken laugh forced its way from her lips, and a hand quickly raised to cover her mouth as she fought back a sob. "Vy get vyr rest now, da? Ea've got vyr kids tae look after now," She leant down to pull Sybille's braid from beneath her head, carefully resting it over her shoulder. "Ea'll take mea time coming tae see vy again, Ea promise." "Nen, that isn't true. I told her to be safe," Ariadne stressed, jaw clenching as she looked to Hilda who held the unfortunate task of breaking the news to the Princess Royal of her own mother's passing. "My Imma has to be alright!" She cried out, sobs following soon after as she fell into what felt like an unending cycle of confusion and denial. For the next few days, Ariadne was rarely seen outside of Tuvia besides visiting her mother's body. The visit was short, though she was sure to say a final, "I love you, Imma."

To Those Effected In the year of our Lord, 8th of Peter’s Glory 112 B.A It has come to Balian's attention that attacks are being carried out across Aevos falsely in the name of our Queen and nation. These attackers are dressed in dark robes and silver helms, or, on other occasions, their faces are hidden by green and orange masks. During these attacks, they claim to be sent by Her Majesty, Sybille I, which is entirely untrue. To those who have been targeted and fallen victim to these unruly attacks, we sincerely apologize for the harm you have endured at the hands of these disturbed individuals. If you feel comfortable presenting yourselves before us, we would like to further investigate these issues and bring them to a permanent end. Additionally, if you are experiencing any lasting effects from injuries, we are more than willing to cover any medical care you may require. We would also like to issue a warning to those travelling the southern roads. Just last Saint’s Day, a citizen of Balian was attacked on the roads between Haelun’or and Balian by individuals clothed in dark robes and silver helms, matching the description of those claiming to be working on behalf of Her Majesty in previous text. In this incident, they did not claim to be from Balian but instead asserted that they had been sent by the High Pontiff himself to rid Canonist lands of any pagans or heretics. We would then like to acknowledge that we are fully aware these individuals and their actions do not reflect the High Pontiff or the Canonist Church. Should there be any further instances of these attacks being done in the name of Balian or Her Majesty, please send a bird to either Dame Gwenyth Vilac Vuiller or Kristoff var Ruthern. Signed, Her Royal Majesty, Sybille I, by the Grace of GOD, Queen of Balian, Princess of Providence, Duchess of Helena and Lorraine, Countess of Pompourelia, Viscountess of Renduzzo, Eflen and Anatis, Baroness of Renzfield, Brucca, Valens, Malenos and Ciavola, Lady of Portoregne, Atrus and Monterosa, Warden of La Costa Rubinissima, Protector of the Heartlanders and the South, etcetera. His Royal Excellency Kristoff var Ruthern, Amiratus of the Kingdom of Balian, Lord Seneschal of the Crown and Chief Minister of the Royal Duana Her Royal Excellency, Dame Gwenyth ‘The Unyielding’ Callista Vilac Vuiller, Constable of The Royal Balianese Duana, Marshal of the Regiment of Saint Lothar, Lady Sentinel of The Royal Sentinels, Garrison Commander of Fort Demetrio, Cavalier of The Order of Saint Michael