DogWithABanana

Estmund found himself frozen before a wall of KRETZENFEST posters. Panting, He falls to his knees and starts ripping off his shirt piece by piece with a white-knuckle grip. He holds the rags up towards the sky, crying out... with joy. "I LOVE KRETZEN FEEEEEESSSST!"

Alone in the gardens, Estmund sat upon a table amongst the palace roses. He nursed a glass of wine when he heard the sound of footsteps. Frederica's golden hair gleamed off the day's sun, her faint smile cresting her presence. Her grace and poise kept her an upright beacon. Her eyes made people feel worthy. Her voice was soothing and welcoming, and one of family she spoke a warm greeting. Estmund needed only to blink again, and Frederica was gone. The bells rang high in the distance over the city of Kretzen, and Estmund took a swig of his cup. Alone in the gardens.

The winter air breezed. The cold bite of night nipped at Estmund's fingertips as he held a letter that had arrived to him late into the evening. His wife and children were sleeping soundly in the rooms behind him as he stood at the precipice of the manor's balcony overlooking the entire city of Kretzen. He rubs his bruised shoulders and neck as he is briefly brought back with a flash to the battle just days before. Through the bustle, Estmund only caught a glimpse of Isolde's body being taken away. He only stood there, sword lowered, and muttered prayers non-stop. He opens the letter and finds it to be Isolde's will. Teardrops wet the parchment as his trembling hands hit the stony surface of the balcony's railing. Tears streamed between his fingers as he clutched his face twisted with grief. It had felt like all accumulated had suddenly fallen upon his shoulders, a delayed reaction. His face burned and the cold nipped at his nose and cheeks. Sobbing into the night.

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DAS AUSLIEFERUNG EDIKT | THE EXTRADITION EDICT In the year of our Lord 2006 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, IN INTEREST OF DIPLOMACY, the Landtag must enact procedures and definitions for existing extradition agreements. Definition of Fugitive An individual who commits a crime of wrongdoing against Reinmar and her people as defined by the Kanun and adjudicated by the final word of the Lawspeaker who has left the boundaries of Reinmaren territory. Definition of Jurisdiction A land where a body of law like the Kanun or other stands. This includes the land of the tribe of Reinmar or other tribes or kingdoms. Definition of Authorized Officials The Fürsten, the Lawspeaker of Reinmar, the Bailiff of Reinmar, and their delegates are granted the authority to discuss extradition transfers with foreigners if a known foreign fugitive is in custody. Sharing Information Authorized tribesmen will be sent to other realms that have extradition agreements and they are to share updated lists of fugitives in Reinmar and receive updated lists of fugitives from the realm in question. Proper delegates of the other realm must share this information and host these transfers, otherwise anyone not of the proper position shall not be recognized. Receiving Fugitives When a foreign delegation arrives with a known fugitive to hand over, an authorized official must be notified of said fugitive and of the name of the delegation leader. The fugitive will then be held in custody until the Lawspeaker makes a decision proceeding the matter. Transferring Fugitives The fugitive of another realm must be held in custody if identified and confirmed. Once held, the concerned realm’s officers will be notified to schedule a transfer or to defer further action. If there is no reply in the next two Saint’s weeks the fugitive must be released if not already a criminal of Reinmar. Dispute Resolution Fugitives wanted in two or more realms shall be held in custody until delegations from the realms arrive to concur in a meeting. If only one jurisdiction replies within the span of two Saint’s weeks, the fugitive will be transferred to the sole communicator and the issue considered settled. This meeting will include the Fürsten, and the Lawspeaker, with the delegates, to discuss the severity of the crimes. With circumstances of political and diplomatic weight factoring into the final decision of the Fürsten as a diplomatic matter. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER of REINMAR, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, GEEHRTE OF REINMAR

REINMAREN MOOT, 2004 DER WAHL DER GESETZMANN | THE ELECTION FOR LAWMEN Issued by the Lawspeaker of Reinmar In the year of our Lord 2004 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, WITH A DIFFERENT LAWSPEAKER, comes new terms for the Lawmen of the moot. Lawman Estmund von Ehrenwald having been elected to the higher office of Lawspeaker in respect to the late Princess Adalfriede’s wishes, and the other Lawman, Hauptmann Isolde von Kanunsberg reaching the natural end of their term. Thus, an election for new and fresh Lawmen is called to take their place and bring Reinmar forward. We first thank Hauptmann Isolde von Kanunsberg for their service as a Lawman and pray for them proper recompense for their efforts in duty. In the Landtag Assembly of 2004, for the first act as Lawspeaker, Estmund called for an election for the new Lawmen and two names were put forth for nomination as candidates: Unterlandser Adalwin von Kretzen, Geehrte of Reinmar Unterlandser Johann von Reinhurst, Geehrte of Reinmar Both nominees were voted in with no voiced objections or concerns and were thus ratified as Lawmen with their due authority and responsibilities. May Gott help them. After the elections, the floor of the moot was left open to those seated to put forth their proposals. Adelmar von Kanunsberg spoke up with two: First, an act to enforce by law traditional clothing to be worn in moots thereafter with omission being punished by Weregild. Within the act, the establishment of the position of Warder: To steward the moot hall and those seated with drinks and food To record attendance by maintenance and brandishing of a cedar stick To record votes on an act by usage of a carving pillar Enforce the traditions of etiquette and fashion amongst the seated with the aforementioned cedar stick Refusing entry to those without the privilege of entering the moot hall with the aforementioned cedar stick The Warder is to be unilaterally appointed by the Lawspeaker. Second, an act to enforce by law upon the families of Reinmar to uphold and enact the rites for those who have died among them. By law, it would be disrespectful to leave a body unburied and not given its proper rites. Disrespect of the body and failure to uphold the reverence of the rites of the dead are punishable with a weregild. Specific punishments are by the discretion of the Lawspeaker and so too are the duties of enforcing these punishments through or without the Bailiff of Reinmar. Both proposals were set to a vote and both edicts were passed unanimously despite rancorous debate. Both edicts have passed into law by mandate of the Landtag. Thus the Kanun be amended accordingly. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER of REINMAR, LOREMASTER of the HEATHER COURT, GEEHRTE of REINMAR

PROPOSED BY ADELMAR Issued by Estmund, Lawspeaker of Reinmar In the year of our Lord, 2004 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, Let it be known, that Adelmar the skald and farmer brings before the tribe a law to be added to the Kanun into Chapter III, Book One of the Grand Kanun: Wrongdoings. XI. ON DISHONOURING OF THE DEAD It is said among the Reinmaren: “The earth knows no peace where bones are cast without prayer, and the hills wail when the dead are forgotten.” Let this be the Kanun’s judgment: that to abandon one’s kin to an unmarked grave is to strike the very soul of the tribe and draw the ire of Gott, who holds dominion over the living and the dead alike. The dead cry out for remembrance, and it is the duty of the living to answer. Let none among the Reinmaren leave their fallen untended, lest they bring shame upon their house and sorrow upon their line. XI.II. THE FAMILY’S BURDEN Let the family of the deceased undertake the rites with diligence and reverence, as the first keepers of their memory. They shall cleanse the body, offer prayers to Gott, and recount the deeds of the departed so that their name endures among the tribe. If the family fails in this, be it through folly, strife, or willful dishonor, the Kanun declares that their negligence shall not stand. The princely household shall assume the rites, preserving the honor of the departed and the tribe alike. XI.III. ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISHONOR It is said: “The ground that holds an unhonored dead burns cold, and the tribe that buries shame shall reap ruin.” Should a family refuse their sacred duty out of spite or dishonor, they shall be named accursed by the Kanun. The head of such a family shall render a payment of silver to the princely household, and their name shall be inscribed among the annals of shame, to remain until they perform penance and seek the absolution of Gott and their kin. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER OF REINMAR, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, AND GEEHRTE OF REINMAR

PROPOSED BY ADELMAR Issued by Estmund, Lawspeaker of Reinmar In the year of our Lord, 2004 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, Let it be known, that Adelmar the skald and farmer brings before the tribe a law to be added to the Kanun. I. ON THE WEARING OF ATTIRE “A man who forsakes the garb of his tribe is like a bird without feathers; he is neither beast nor sky-bound.” So says the Kanun: the Reinmaren must clothe themselves in the symbols of their blood and station, for attire speaks not only of the man but of the unity of the tribe. To neglect this duty is to invite disorder into the Moot and dishonor upon one’s house. Let it be known: Every tribesman must don a green cloak, signifying their bond to the Reinmaren kin. Every tribesman must wear a linen cap bearing the colors of their household, declaring the house to which they belong. Every warrior must bear a fur arming cap, marking their readiness to defend the tribe. Every geehrtes must adorn a felt-and-fur cap, honoring their station among the esteemed. Every chieftain must crown themselves with a coronet of silk, reflecting their charge over their kin. The Princess shall bear the weight of her crown, symbol of her sacred duty to the tribes. Let the Moot be a place of reverence, where all attire shines with the dignity of our forebears. II. ON THE CREATION OF THE WARDER OF THE MOOT “When the hall is without order, the hearth burns cold.” So commands the Kanun: let there be one among the tribe, entrusted with the dignity of the Moot, who shall bear the title of Warder of the Moot. His charge shall be to ensure that the customs of the tribes are upheld, and that none enter the Moot in disregard of their station. III. DUTIES OF THE WARDER The Warder of the Moot shall stand before the door of the Moot Hall, barring the way with a stick of cedar, carved with the mark order and unity. None may pass until the Warder has examined their attire and declared them in accordance with the Kanun. At the gathering of the Moot, the Warder shall ensure that all tribesmen are seated according to their rank, their garb reflecting their station. When the Lawspeaker enters, the Warder shall strike the cedar stick upon the ground and command the Moot to rise, saying: “Stand for the Kanun!” The Warder shall oversee the Moot Hall’s upkeep, ensuring its banners are clean, its hearth lit, and its sanctity preserved. The Warder shall make record of those who defy the Kanun’s attire, and they shall be brought to justice before the Lawspeaker at the next Moot. Let the Warder also be known as the host of that Moot. And as a host is bound onto his guest, let the Warder be responsible for the treatment of the tribesmen of the Moot as hallowed guests. So says the Kanun: The Warder must provide for every Moot twenty two alehorns of beer, and of meat to feast. IV. PUNISHMENT FOR DISREGARDING ATTIRE “A man who enters the Moot in defiance of his station is like a wolf in sheep’s wool, gnawing at the tribe’s harmony.” Let it be known: any who appear at the Moot without the attire prescribed by the Kanun shall be fined one ox’s worth in silver and shall be denied voice in the Moot until they comply. Should they persist, their name shall be marked in the annals of shame, and their kin shall bear the stain of their dishonor. Thus speaks the Kanun: the Warder of the Moot shall guard the dignity of the hall and the unity of the tribe, as ordained by Gott and our forebears. Let none take their station lightly, for the tribe stands strongest when its people stand in honor. V. ON MARKING “Whence a man of the tribe visits a neighbor, he lets out a call. Whence he visits the woods, he marks upon the tree where his feet had touched the soil.” So says the Kanun, when a tribesman attends the Moot, he shall stand in kindred spirit with his tribesmen, and make his presence known. Let who steps forth into the Moot make a mark upon the cedar stick of the Warder of the Moot a rune with his seax, and let all sessions of the Moot have the corresponding cedar be stored for future to tell tale of attendance. Let those runes listed be the runes to be inscribed upon the cedar of the Warder; 𐌱𐌿 - The Princes of Reinmar 𐌿𐌽 - House Kanunsberg 𐌱𐍂 - House Brandthof 𐍃𐍂 - House Stroheim 𐍃𐍅 - House Sturmweber 𐌺𐍂 - Tribesmen of Kretzen Let the tribesmen also, make a mark upon a pillar within the moothall constructed of cedar wood, corresponding to each matter voted upon, and make tally of their votes, that the pillars may be elevated in the Ferdenwald to count the votes of past matters. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER OF REINMAR, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, AND GEEHRTE OF REINMAR

Frozen, Estmund could only slowly close the door in the face of the messenger. As he turned around with shock-open eyes. His lips were left ajar, then trembling. He clutches his mouth to muffle his sobs as he crumples against the door. He soon had to tell Rosalyn the news himself.

DER THE LOREMASTER’S CIRCLE DER LEHRMEISTER-KREIS | THE LOREMASTER’S CIRCLE Issued by Loremaster of the Heather Court In the year of our Lord 1995 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, SINCE THE HEATHER COURT’S CONCEPTION, the royal prerogative of the preservation of Reinmaren culture remains strong. The court stands as a beacon of our civilization by its austere practices of long-held tradition from the times of yore, reaching back to the times of Theodric and Gelimar. The court has upheld with persistent duty the health and prevalence of the Reinmaren way of life since its formation. These efforts are most significant for the role of the Loremaster and their circle by the direction of the Fürstin and their Seneschal. The role of Loremaster was once called the Governor/Governess. The Loremaster’s circle appreciates and records happenings of history through song and stone. The crafts of a skald and shqiptar consolidate to become an ever-evolving medium of art iconic of Reinmar. With the vision of a surviving culture and tradition beyond the years of today and beyond, the Circle carries the mission dutifully so that all people willing may hear, heed, and learn. HISTORY “For when our voices die, let the stones sing for us.” Faded Runestone, (Unknown Date; Approximately over 200 years) A skald provides wisdom through an ancient story of battle to his Chieftain Since and before the times of the tribes of Theodric and Gelimar, oral storytelling was a tool of survival and unity. Showcasing virtues that promote family and camaraderie, whilst also soothing grieving hearts after battle or winter. Stories of great achievements of warriors increased the prestige of who is titular in the song, and Chieftains promoted themselves by appointing skalds to sing their praises. Skalds were chosen among the common men in these times, as most men, as hale as they were to be expected, were also expected to be orators in the gathering halls, able to sing an encouraging ditty. Men who could do so were most often adorned with the respect of their fellow warriors. The wives and women of the tribes played an enriching and solidifying role in the tradition, singing songs of their own, playing and teaching instruments to the youngs of the tribe who would grow up in the environment. In times of war, though some women were also warriors and shieldmaidens, others would also be the last line of defense as they stayed home to care for their maternal duties, and carry on the souls and memories of their fallen through stories retold. To their own children, or to the children of their captors. Popularly believed, women may have also begun the tradition of runecarving. A man’s voice was seen to be the more powerful and austere carrier of stories. Though when away for raids or wars, there would be less or none left to speak. Together as a tribe then, as an act of unity, young and old, women would call the tribe together for a runestone to be erected and carve stories for their warriors to come back to and be welcomed by. Wars and conflicts were fought over stories, claiming the victors would have their stories be grander, or truer. Or to eradicate slander or to promote their stories and claim their tribes the greater and thus demand submission. Men would also often sing and play ballads, though it must be only before his desired woman in private, to gain their affections. Promises of glory shared to her and their future children. And a woman is expected– Nay, obligated to then return their affections or scorn them with rejection, causing this event to be a rarer occurrence. In times of peace, Skalds would compete before their Chieftains and earn the honor and privilege of carving their story immortal upon a stone’s face. When all else failed, wrestling matches would ensue. And so the tradition of storytelling carried on, as winters grew shorter and peacetimes grew longer. Skalds lay in wait with their lyre and chisel, awaiting the next great battle and song. Skalds were points and carriers of pride for themselves, their tribes, their chieftains, and their way of life. Pride was everything and it may still be for some to this day. MODERN ITERATIONS A seneschal briefs her fellow court officers at a meeting With our comparatively evolved civilization and introduction of Canonism into the way of Reinmaren life, the tradition of storytelling through song and stone has found a new incarnation and place in the Heather Court. Though the process has been refined and formalized over the generations, its soul has miraculously been preserved in the core of court proceedings. With Canonistic values and virtues outlining what’s to be more emphasized in nowadays’ stories. A skald was realized as a full position in place of a Chieftain’s household and an apprentice was needed to carry on the talents and skills. Sometimes hereditary but oftentimes not, generations would carry the ways of storytelling and rune carving worth generations already. Enhanced with the technology of parchment, techniques were better recorded and maintained for teaching. Qualities and understandings of the talent became more commonplace and thus standards were raised. Chieftains expected only the best skalds lest their stories be prone to ridicule or loss of credibility. INCUMBENCIES 1968 - 1993 Gertrude Barclay Este Lehrmeisterin | First Loremaster 1993 - Present Estmund von Ehrenwald Zweite Lehrmeister | Second Loremaster Heidehof-Offizier THE CIRCLE: IN-DEPTH To keep the Reinmaren cultural tradition of teaching alive, two apprentices of a Chieftain’s Skald would be undertaken. Both apprentices would start on separate sides of the practice. One would focus upon performances of stories, whilst the other would focus upon the writing of runic script upon stone and parchment. Over time, the roles of the apprentices evolved into their own formal positions, giving the best of both fields underneath a unitary role who would be an elder-adept in both. The Loremaster learns and heeds advice from their subordinate posts of Runesinger and Runekeeper, and in turn maintains a quality of lore for there to be written and sung about. LOREMASTER By direction of the Fürstin and Seneschal of the Heather Court, the Loremaster applies and adheres to law surrounding education within Reinmar. Their duty is to maintain a source and environment for learning that parents and elders may draw inspiration or knowledge from to disseminate to their children and wards. Various facets of Reinmaren life are touched upon and cataloged by the Loremaster including but not limited to: traditional history, etiquette, and cultural practices. Additionally, techniques of shqiptars on their crafts, and the philosophies of life, death, and struggle. In collaboration with the Court Chaplain: Reinmaren-Canonistic values are also promoted in everyday learnings. Though only members of the clergy may rightfully teach on matters of religion. According to law set by Das Bildungsedikt | The Education Edict, the tenets of learning, as in topics and their priorities are already set with History set at the very top. On that principle, it’s the Loremaster’s responsibility to see that historical accuracy must always be struck in the most truthful light and that deliberate twistings of history must be corrected valiantly. The Loremaster enforces other manners of the edict by their authority on knowledge and teaching. Seeing that wards underneath the court are taught properly by also hiring specialized tutors in their fields of expertise. Still, parents hold the foremost duty and precedence in the education of their children. Though there shall be no recognition of a curriculum as dictated by law, nor shall there be a dedicated schoolhouse, the Loremaster ensures the proper areas where education may take place. A runestone circle for learnings upon runic script, for example. RUNESINGER Historically, the original manifestation of the Loremaster. Tasked with utilizing their charisma and voice to spread knowledge through entertaining performances that hopefully stay within the viewers’ hearts with lasting morals derived from the story’s lessons. They have the prerogative to organize performances at the relevant runestone. And to keep the practice of stories alive and present with their performances. A runesinger's voice must be respected and left unobstructed as they speak of sacred history, then applauded when proper diligence is provided in the performance, moving the hearts and minds of the audience. When bodies are deemed to be moved, a runesinger dances, accompanied by supporting musicians or instruments played by the runesinger themselves including the drums for the beat and a mouth harp for its mystical sounds. Current Runesinger: 1994 - Present Adelmar von Kanunsberg RUNEKEEPER Revered with diligence and intelligence, the Runekeeper rather speaks with their chisel and quill instead of their voice. Creating inaudible music upon the face of stone with shapes and scripts achieved by an aesthetic honed by only the most refined of techniques. They learn all parts of runic script to teach to others, all whilst practically living in the runestone circle, expanding the numbers of runestones and maintaining the ancient ones with transcriptions and copies upon plaques to be stored away. The Runekeeper was the first apprentice to be undertaken, as it was believed that to perform a story so wholeheartedly, one must understand the script within and without fully. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, PRINCELY HERALD, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, LAWMAN & GEEHRTE OF REINMAR REFERENCES The Formation of the Heather Court, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald and HRH Frederica Barclay (1968) Officers of the Heather Court, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald and HRH Frederica Barclay (1968) The Education Edict, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald and HRH Frederica Barclay (1975) The Grand Kanun of Reinmar, HE Robert Stroheim (1988) The Reinmaren Woman, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald (1974)

"For Reinmar! For the Canondom!" Estmund stomps with the other members of the moot in their loud support. Later, town criers hired by Estmund would roam the streets spreading the news and copies of the missive.

After first seeing this at the moot, much later Estmund finds a copy to scrawl over in the City of Kretzen's Library, hunched over a desk by the lights of multiple candles. He prepares a notebook on the side, outlining and scrawling notes of pertinent details as he studied.

Estmund clapped for the performance, of which he thought was quite lovely.

"By God, he was that old?" Estmund read the missive before sighing and signing the Lorraine cross. "Rest in peace." He sets the missive aside and sips wine from his chalice.

Estmund received a letter post-haste. One side decorated with the large letterings of WHERE. He raises it in a better light to read its contents then finally smile at the stamped symbol. He appreciates it by eye before putting the letter down. "Cingedoz..." He says aloud then muses. "I should host an expedition." He grabs his coat and leaves for a cartography shoppe.