DancingZebra267

After the Battle of the Pines, Holy Ser Vincenzo stood amongst his fellow soldiers of GOD. He wiped the blood from his sword's edge with a torn scrap of cloth. As the crimson stain vanished, his eyes drifted to his armor, taking notice that it bore no scratch, no dent, nor mark. "hmmm not a scratch. . ."

Holy Ser Vincenzo would kneel before the altar in the Temple of Ard'Karden. Looking over to his sharpened sword, that had been used in the last war, that had taken many lives of the false Covenant. He exhaled slowly, his gaze returning onto the altar. Holy Ser Vincenzo bowed his head and closed his eyes. "LORD GOD, King of Flame, MOST Pious, MOST Merciful, guide the errant princes of the False Covenant back into Your MOST HOLY light. Stir in their hearts the wisdom to seek penance, the courage to cast aside pride, and the grace to end this war before Your justice must fall in full. Let not their souls be lost to darkness. Amen." Vincenzo rose from his kneeling posture. He traced the Rhodesian Cross across his chest. As Grimbol wandered the Vale in search of his lost gnome-friend, Yepos, he suddenly stopped mid-step. His ear twitched. His eyes squinted at the strange man sitting on the great oak tree. Without a word, Grimbol reached beneath his leafy cloak, pulling out a crumpled bit of paper and a hollow bamboo straw. He loaded the spitball, took aim, and–ptoo! fired! The tiny wad of paper flew through the air and splatted right on the man’s cheek. Grimbol would let out a high-pitched snicker. "Heh! Got ye!" Grimbol turned on his heel and darted off into a nearby bush.

Grimbol Grobol would wander the misty valley, his tiny mushroom hat barely peeking over the tall grass. He turned over pebbles, and peeked beneath every bush, his long white beard trailing behind him. "Yepooooossssss!?" he called. Without his glasses, the world was a blur of shapes and rustling sounds. "Yepoooooossssss!?" he called again, a little more hopeful, though silence was his only answer. Grimbol frowned, he'd then pulled out his banjo, and strummed a gentle tune. "Grimbol cannot find Yepos, Grimbol believes Yepos may be lost..." he murmured, voice soft and low. "But the wind remembers his name... so Grimbol will keep walking." With that, he continued his search.

An Unjust Taxation To the Grand Steward and newly appointed Iron Baron, Upon my return from a long and hard mining run to support our kingdom in this war, I was greeted with a most unwelcome sight. A tax-notice was left upon my door, stating that my taxes have been doubled under your new leadership as Iron Baron. This news comes as a tug to the beard after decades of hard work for the kingdom. I find it disgraceful that after all this time, after all the minas I've contributed, my home is now subject to such an unreasonable increase. I have lived in this house for many decades, long before the title of Iron Baron was thrust upon you. I have paid my taxes promptly, and in fact, I have always paid in advance, going beyond what was required of me. My hard-earned profits from mining have gone to this kingdom, and I have always believed in the promise that Elder Clan Frostbeard would be given the land we deserve. But where is that promise now? It has been delayed, ignored, and seemingly forgotten. Instead of receiving the land we were promised, I return to find my taxes unjustly raised by your greed. My property, my home, that was built by years of blood, sweat, and tears! I will not allow ANY Iron Baron, to ROB ME of what is rightfully mine, especially when this sudden increase is fueled by nothing more than a thirst for more minas. If this house is indeed to be classified as part of the inn, then fine, I shall respect that. I will end my payments to the kingdom, and there for pay the inn a fair and reasonable amount of 30 minas per stone week. But doubling my taxes to 60 MINAS? This is an insult, and I will not stand for it. I demand this be addressed immediately. If this situation is not corrected and the greed of your office continues unchecked, I will have no choice but to take further action. ᚱᚺᛟᚱᚷᚹᚨᚱ◈ᛞᚹᛖᚾᚷᛟᛏᛋᛋᛟᚾ◈ᚠᚱᛟᛋᛏᛒᛖᚨᚱᛞ

Holy Ser Vincenzo stood solemnly before the altar in the Temple of Ard'Karden. In his hand, he held the missive. As he finished reading, his grip tightened on the parchment, and he slowly folded it pressing the note to his chest. "So... Thorin is gone," he muttered quietly to himself. He lowered to one knee before the altar, tracing the Rhodesian cross over his chest. "LORD, Most Merciful, receive the soul of my friend Thorin, Prince of Ravenmire, a man of honor, of will, and of devotion to his blood and people. He fought bravely, even when surrounded, even when death was certain. Let not his death be in vain. AMEN." He rose from his kneeling position, turning to face the gathered brothers of the Grail. "Thorin was no coward. Thorin was a man who bled for his people. It is not for vengeance that I speak this day, but for remembrance. His second-born son, Allerick Rostova, stands among us as a Brother of the Grail, and so we too carry a part of Thorin's legacy. The Haeseni may have taken his life, but they will not take his purpose. His death is not the end, it is a call. A call to us all to bring this war to its end. For Thorin, for the fallen, and for the living who still believe in justice."

MC Name: Zbruh267 Discord: DancingZebra267 Image: Description of Image: Portrait of His Holiness, Harrenzedek Dimensions: 2x2

Holy Ser Vincenzo emerged from the battlefield, his once-white tabard now soaked in the crimson of the enemies of GOD. With fire in his eyes and blood still fresh upon his blade, he turned to face his brothers.. Lifting his sword high into the air, he called out. "Deus Magnus! GOD watches as we vanquish His enemies! Let the righteous stand tall, for the wicked have fallen beneath His justice!" He then strode toward the shattered remnants of the enemy’s hold. The stone and ash beneath his boots. He drew the banner of the Order of the Grail, and planted it firmly atop the rubble, the wind catching its fabric as it unfurled in triumph. "This ground has been reclaimed in the name of GOD!"

"AMEN!" Holy Ser Vincenzo shouted in agreement.

Holy Ser Vincenzo stood in quiet observation as the Reinmaren-Frankish man entered the Holy See, his expression shifting to one of subtle shock. He had seen many warriors come and go, but now, it seemed only a few true Vanders remained. His gaze followed the young man as he boldly challenged the elf. After hearing that the Challenge did not go as he planned. Vincenzo stepped toward the altar. Slowly, he lowered himself to one knee, his hand tracing the Rhodesian Cross over his chest. Though the man fought for the wrong side, Vincenzo still whispered a prayer on his behalf. "GOD, Most Just and Most Merciful, another soul stands before You now. Though he fought on the wrong side, he was a man of courage, a man of honor. Judge him not for the folly of his allegiance, but for the strength of his spirit. If there was any light of faith within him, let it not be extinguished. May he find clarity in Your presence, where all truths are revealed. May You grant him the justice he deserves, and the mercy he did not seek. Amen."

Vincenzo smirked, nodding as he read along. Once done he'd look to his brothers. "This war was not the Church’s doing. Haense bled first, harbored heretics, and refused penance. Now they reap what they sow."

Vincenzo lowered the missive, a rare smile forming as he gave a firm nod of approval. His gaze swept over the gathered brothers before him, "I wonder which of my initiates was blessed to witness such miracles… a rare honor indeed." He then traced the Rhodesian Cross over his chest "We are many, yet we are one. And by GOD’s grace, we shall lead all who seek the Light."

Vincenzo’s grip on the missive tightened as he read. When he reached the final lines, Vincenzo shook his head before tearing the parchment apart, then looking to his Brothers. "This is not a war of ambition. This is a war for the soul of Canondom. For too long, sin has been allowed to fester, heresy tolerated, apostates welcomed, blasphemy ignored. The enemies of GOD have grown bold, thinking the faithful weak, thinking we would kneel. They were wrong. And now, when they see the reckoning upon them, they scramble to mask their fear with false virtue." A brief pause. "GOD has already seen the outcome of this war, and thus the answer will be revealed on the battlefield."

MC Name: Zbruh267 Discord: DancingZebra267 Image: Description of Image: A portrait of His Holiness Harrenzedek taking care of his Sheep Dimensions: 2x1

Holy Ser Vincenzo nodded along the missive as he read. "Well spoken."

Holy Ser Vincenzo began handing out swords, bows, and quivers to the holy men of the Order of the Grail of Saint Lucien in preparation.

"So let me understand this correctly" Holy Ser Vincenzo began, his tone laced with bemusement. "They call the Order of Saint Jude brigands and accuse them of harassing Petra? And yet, who led this so-called band of brigands? Grandmaster Lug Macskaul, Cardinal Ivan, and Late Patriarch Villorik - all their allies. The very men they now claim as just and righteous. So tell me, which is it? Were they corrupt leaders of an Order of brigands, or were they holy men beyond reproach? Because you cannot have it both ways." Holy Ser Vincenzo would simply shake his head, laughing to himself at the hypocritical missive.

Holy Ser Vincenzo stood tall in the keep of Reinmar, as he placed Robert Ludovar in chains. With a sharp breath, he raised his sword high into the air. "DEUS MAGNUS! Glory to GOD, glory to His Most Righteous Warriors of True Faith!" His cry echoed through the halls, a resounding call of triumph, as his brothers of the Order of the Grail stood behind him, swords lifted in unison.

Holy Ser Vincenzo gripped the missive tightly, his expression hardening before he tore it apart, crumpling the pieces in his gauntleted hand. Without a word, he turned on his heel, making his way back toward the Temple of Ard'Karden. Upon reaching the altar, Vincenzo drew his blade, stained with the blood of the Haenseti Raevir, and with care, he wiped it clean, as if purging it of their sin. He then sheathed it falling to one knee before the altar. Holy Ser Vincenzo traced the Rhodesian Cross firmly across his chest, and began to pray aloud. "We come before You, LORD, Most Righteous and Almighty, and we give thanks for Your blessing in this Holy War. The scourge of the Haenseti Raev, who have defied You, shall soon be swept away, and the path of the righteous will rise once more. Let Your justice be done, and let the light of Your truth shine upon the these lands. Amen."

Grimbol would pluck at his Banjo, it was a sad tune.

Upon hearing the grim tidings of war, Holy Ser Vincenzo knelt before the altar in the Temple of Ard'Karden, his head bowed in heavy prayer. He traced the Rhodesian Cross firmly over his chest, then whispered. "Saint Lucien of Ulmsbottom, pray for us. Fill our hearts with unwavering faith and grant us the strength to cast down the wicked, that GOD’s will may be fulfilled upon this earth. Let our blades strike with holy purpose against the heretics and the Raevir, who for too long have turned from His law. As our forefathers rode forth with steadfast hearts against the Raevirs, so too do we ride now, bearing His light. Let us not falter, though the road be long and the enemy many. Let His justice flow like a river, and may His truth shine through us as a beacon to all. Amen." And now, once more, the LUCIENISTS ride, as they did in ages past against their ancient enemies.

Grimbol Grobol would release his newest song as of yet;

Vincenzo was glad to see a return of the Grensevolk.

Vincenzo saw Estevot from a distance, his gaze narrowing as he watched the man. His thoughts were sharp, lingering behind a calm exterior. "Perhaps your allergies are GOD's way of reminding you that when a man spends too much time in the company of heretics, heathens, and devil-spawn, even the air around him grows foul. You speak kindly of those who stand against the Church, Estevot - Vortice, Darkspawn, and all manner of filth. It does not surprise me to see you sneer at those who still walk the path of righteousness. But know this: I would rather be despised by you than praised by a man who kneels beside monsters and calls them friends." Vincenzo traced the Rhodesian cross over his chest. "So pray for strength, Estevot. You will need it when GOD calls you to account for the company you keep."