Cracker

A public missive circulates the realm in addendum to the Auditor-Tribunal’s rhetoric. The Basrid ministry stands behind the sentiment espoused in these articles – open miscegenation between pureblooded Descendants is an affront to Oren’s status as ‘land of the prophets’ and threatens the moral fabric of the state.

The known mystic Simon applauded this initiative among his personal company, and writes a missive from the distant Orzo mountains to receive their Grandmaster aside the Cardinal Helena in Novellen Palace in the coming months. ((DM))

Simon’s outbursts in the court of Helena at Duke Godric’s missives had long become a source of caricature within the empire. Younger officials had even begun to emulate and parody his critiques, both in respect and in jest at the aging Archchancellor’s rhetoric. That said, there was no ire heard from the fiery Rhenyari in reading the most recent missive – as he took time aside the Duke of Helena, the only words he had of the account soon sifted among court and country. “If our Nordling has given up on man, then he is truly lost.”

I love to see this kind of energy on the craft, +1 Julius, thanks for showing some love to the community and I hope you receive it back in spades.

Simon the Archchancellor reviewed the notice and had a courier send an open missive to the Sohaer’s office in response. “It does disappoint us to see your office slumber for a year at the blood of your people’s children but boil in outrage over natural warfare between bands of soldiers. All the same, we grieve for the “terrible instability” your realm faces in light of the victory of the 2nd Regiment. The high elves are too a cultured people in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment, and this war is beneath us both. We still yet invite the Sohaer and the Tripartite to a clean peace so that we may move on from a decade long war over a piast royaume you too saw unfit for life.”

Simon Basrid shook his head at sight of the pamphlet and unleashed a torrent of fury in the court of Helena. “How many times can one write the same letter – the same notes for eleven years. Mewling bureaucrats, humbled emperor...imperialism. Yet the Chief himself hides in his damp study, alone, scrawling out more of worthless kindling, as he wrestles some ill-made chimera of a realm into existence without tradition, mandate, or anything beyond a host of scavengers. Any invasion built on the back of elven and piast swords is worth no more than the branches and mud they build their homes with. The moment that Godric took the late princess’ head as a plaything and his Lotharingian knights butchered children like cattle in so-called Morsgradi Trial should have long forfeited any mandate of righteousness. And this all over some Piastdom of Auvergne that his own allies sent to the grave. What tripe. I pray he chokes on his lies and we can all be done with this wretched affair.”

I enjoy a mystical and reclusive Cloud Temple – one that feels more as a crypt or ruin to reflect in before embarking on a journey. Beyond the utility of getting players out into the world at large quickly, it connects to what the space symbolizes of death and rebirth and that ominous process. I’d love to see it be one-way into multiple spawn points and find ways to inject CT item stalls into the economy or nations directly.

Simon’s pride was plain on his face as he bore witness to his once patron’s ascent to white. He was not a zealous man, but he was well-read to know in that moment, the legend of Eidr Harraqa could not be forgotten – the Rassidi emigres who rose to be named Vicar of God.

Simon grimaced at the news. “Kidnapping mothers, lynching tax clerks. These are low actions beneath civilized peoples – who could celebrate these foul acts?”

THE BASRID MINISTRY “I am Owyn Son of Godwin, servant of the Lord, called to prophetic vocation in His service.” - Epistle to the Magi, Spirit. Ode to the Colonel Basrid, 1736 By Jasper of Erhan As dictated in Alexander II’s 1730 Articles of Restructure, the council-of-state is a conciliary body comprising those holding the rank of Minister of the Crown, led by the Archchancellor, who serves as Lord President of the Council and right-hand of the crown. The Archchancellor is responsible for assembling a government on behalf of the monarch to execute their will and vision. The standing Basrid ministry was raised in 1739 upon the resignation of Cardinal Helena in his post of Archchancellor. Emperor Peter III thus has raised his lifelong personal friend Sir Simon Basrid KCS into the role of Archchancellor, presiding over the third ministry of the Holy Orenian Empire after the Selm ministry, led by Sir John de Balain, the Baron Selm, and the Helena ministry, led by Peter of Kaedrin, Cardinal Helena. BIOGRAPHY OF THE ARCHCHANCELLOR A Rhenyari exile of the storied city of Ba’as, the young Simon Basrid found gainful employment in the Pontifical Household of Daniel VI at the tender age of 20 after the deposition of his elder brother, Prince Caspian III. The disgraced noble secured his patronage through the various Farfolk merchant circles that were empowered with the ascent of Prince Matthias Rutledge and Prince Ide Haraccus of Ves - they proved notable allies in advocating on his talent and education to the Holy Father. While the second son’s initial intent was to utilize that office to rebuild his fortunes and aid his elder brother in retaking the Simughri Throne of Ba’as, time in Oren, land of the prophets, made Simon realize the value in serving the new country he called home. Upon the ascent of Alexander II by the political machinations of Daniel VI, Simon was thus thrust into imperial politics as his station was elevated to that of Imperial Chamberlain to maintain the de Joannes Household. In that office, he met the young Duke Adrian de Sarkozy, who soon became his personal friend due to a shared sentiment of disdain for inherited privilege, despotism, and the old feudal elites. When Alexander perished to a summer sickness with no true successor, it was that alliance which served the springboard for Simon to ascend to the post of Vice-Chancellor for a year under the Helena ministry, by which he, alongside the standing Secretary of War, Leonard de Ruyter, envisioned the Imperial State Army and advocated for the soldier’s flag of red and white among the Senate of 1738. He resigned shortly from his station in government to commit to the fledgling institution of the military, assuming a seven-year commission as a Colonel of the Helena Regulars as a siege commander before the demise of the Lord Protector from wounds sustained in the Second War of Orcish Submission. His successor named in the 1737 Instrument of Succession, the young claimant Antonius Sigismund of Helene, had been a lifelong personal friend of Simon due to their shared time in Ves - the young one-eyed Pertinaxi zealot crowned could think of no one better to charge the organization of his government. Some of the great Orenian statesmen the Archchancellor seeks to emulate in his service include St. Adrian of Kaedrin, Tobias of Rosemoor of the 2nd Empire, and Adrian of Leone of the 5th Empire. He is a known mystic, mage and practitioner of the four hermetic teachings, with hobbies in couture, sailing, riding, hawking, scholarship, and the connoisseurship of all matters tobacco. POLITICAL AGENDA OF THE BASRID MINISTRY A Modern Imagining of Paradisus, 1741 By Rupert Vesnic, Count of Susa The Basrid ministry recognizes the turmoil inflicted by the ongoing Troubles, a period born by the cataclysmic 1710 Burning of Ves. The Orenian people have seen since then over eight claimants to the imperial title, the sacking of their capital city, significant internal conflicts, and what may seem an unrelenting deluge of endless inconclusive war against nonhuman polities. These threats to stability and succession are dictated to be the driving wedge of what bars Imperial society from advancement, and as a result, the Basrid ministry’s primary political agenda rests in ending this era of turmoil and ushering in an age of peace and prosperity through reforms of civil service and military to challenge old feudal orders and revitalize the country. Having been the victim of the excesses of absolutism in both his place of birth and throughout human polities of Arcas, the Archchancellor sees fit to institute reforms that empower the Senate and burgeoning gentry class to ensure meritocratic administration, whilst still recognizing the role of lettered nobility in inspiring the country into action. Much of his thought rests from his early time as an emigres in Republican Ves and Rubern - the former where he famously spoke at the age of 22 against the standing noble republic, only for the country to fall into atrophy until its royal prerogative was signed to the Governor de Reden. Alongside incidents of the excesses of the lettered elite in the reign of Alexander II and the NAFTA pact, the Basrid ministry maintains forward-thinking policies that seek to integrate and empower the country towards St. Peter’s Maxim of One God, One Law, One Country while maintaining the imperial honors espoused in Brother Polycarp’s Exordium. THE CHANCELLERY The Chancellery is the body of administration that make up all personal assistants and advisors to the Archchancellor. Aspirants in government are encouraged to reach out to the Archchancellor or Vice-Chancellor about positions as scribes, couriers, escorts, and attaches to facilitate communication and ensure timely action and assistance with the various departments of the council of state. It is headed by the Vice-Chancellor, the penultimate minister of government. The standing Vice-Chancellor is Joachim B. Haas. Son to notable imperial statesman and senator John Haas and Leuven heiress Joanna de Falstaff, Joachim began imperial service as a 1st Regiment attaché and Ensign to the Colonel Basrid, before pursuing the role of ambassador in the Helena Ministry. THE COUNCIL OF STATE Duke Ratibor Before The New Model Council, 1690 By Red of Belvitz The Council of State is handpicked by the Archchancellor to execute the vision of the imperial government. It consists of seven positions, each with their own attributed office by which rising civil servants interested in a particular facet of government can elect to join as an understudy. The many burdens of state require fresh hands to tend to, and as a result, the Basrid ministry encourages any and all who see tasks that they may contribute towards reach out towards the respective secretary, who is expected to maintain a formal office with a hierarchy by which civil servants can ascend. The council-of-state is as follows: SECRETARY OF WAR His Excellency, Leonard de Ruyter, Count of Harlingen / @Naj, who maintains… The War Office POLICY DIRECTIVE The War Office faces great hurdles in both the ongoing conflict with the aggressing Alliance of Independence States aside with executing the vision of an Imperial State Army charted with the beginning of the Lord Protectorate. The Secretary of War has a standing tasklist of establishing a robust crownland garrison, maintaining and upgrading relevant imperial fortifications, ensuring the seven traditions of the ISA are maintained, and fleshing out the officer and enlisted corps of the nascent army. SECRETARY OF INTERIOR / SECRETARY OF TREASURY Offices Vacant The Home Office [WIP] POLICY DIRECTIVE With war-time measures in place, the Interior and Treasury Secretaries had been maintained by one minister of state, the Vessian Joseph Nicephore, until his untimely demise. His successor is charged with rebuilding the city government and maintaining the revenues of all crown estates to fund the government as a whole. The Basrid ministry intends to divide these roles a-two once peace time commerce can be attained. SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS His Excellency, Jahan Basrid / @Dyl, who maintains… The Foreign Office POLICY DIRECTIVE The Empire is without allies at this time - the Secretary of Foreign Affairs has the standing objective of ensuring a lasting peace by which the country can heal from The Troubles, as well as establishing embassies and cultural events by which the Empire and the world at large can interact. SECRETARY OF CIVIL AFFAIRS His Eminence, Jasper Cardinal Renzfeld / @xboxersz, who maintains… The Civil Affairs Office [WIP] POLICY DIRECTIVE The Secretary of Civil Affairs is charged with organizing the imperial curriculum and educating the population on matters regarding history, culture, civics, and tradition. A standing item to aid in that endeavor is to charter the ten most precious texts of the realm to begin formalizing a test for all imperial civil service and officers of the realm to undertake, alongside chronicling imperial works by category for the betterment of posterity. Furthermore, the Civil Affairs Office must expand its class of scribes in order to better publish the ongoing affairs of the court, crown, and realm. SOLICITOR-GENERAL His Excellency, Veikko Harjalainen / @frill, who maintains… The Judicial Office [WIP] POLICY DIRECTIVE While maintaining the imperial set of law and monitor the fledgling courts of the realm, the Solicitor-General is also obliged to declare and investigate formal inquiries of any and all suspicious or illicit affairs of the realm. His role in maintaining the Judicial Office involves keeping at hand the emperor’s finest barristers and lawyers to serve the realm in trials civil and criminal. SECRETARY OF INTELLIGENCE His Excellency, Governor-General Richard de Reden / @Zhulik, who maintains… The Intelligence Office [WIP] POLICY DIRECTIVE The Intelligence Office’s official directives are often classified given the nature of the work and the ongoing conflicts the Empire faces. However, those interested in espionage, subterfuge, intrigue, and the assistance in establishing imperial propaganda and war-time publications should reach out to the ministry on these endeavors. GREAT WORKS OF THE MINISTRY The First Generalissmo An account on the first six-star general in Orenian history, St. Thomas of Gaekrin. CHRONICLE OF PAST MINISTRIES The Selm Ministry 1730-1734 [WIP] The Helena Ministry 1734-1739 [WIP]

The accusations of Godric disagreed with the Archchancellor, who was reported to have commented on the widespread missive with particular disgust to his contemporaries. “The thieves den of Rubern is ill-made to administrate a wheelwright’s workshop, let alone the Ruby of Man... What a worthless coalition, spurned by a culture rigid and unmoving for two centuries. The words of Godric are identical to that of Rat Tom Ruric, to that of even his predecessors, the nameless Polaris chiefs. Each could be substituted for another without a shift in tone, vision, or meaning. In those two centuries since the emergence of the Nordling tribes, Oren has added to the tapestry of man through the chivalric legends of the Schism War and the Dukes’ War, the legendary administration of Johannian absolutism, and the unmatched brilliance of Pertinaxi warfare. The Nordlings, in contrast, have only sought to scatter that fabric for personal vainglory and a low, ill-bred envy. Whatever the fate of the battlefield – the war of civilization was won long ago, and will continue to endure. No assortment of Piasts can change that hard truth.”

From afar, a nameless Imperial scholar reflects on the legendary Prince Mylas Amant’s description in the Sutican chronicle juxtaposed to his own histories, which dictated the half-elf prince essential in brokering peace and long-lasting friendship between John II and the Trade Princess. The Imperial subject and Sutican Prince-consort was one of the most colorful characters of the era, and he is glad to see his contributions noted!

I can unequivocally respect the spirit of this ruling on the basis that it is executed with the intent of improving community standards. At the moment, new players that join, between our IG OOC, discord, and forums, are barraged with a litany of toxicity that stem from wholly irrelevant discussions on politics, race, religion, culture, etc. – do we expect them to wade through that sewage to find roleplay? If we want this community to grow, we need to hold it a higher standard and prove it is a hospitable place for communal story-telling. I can recognize concerns that this may be used to target players, but in truth, if you are using LotC mediums as your personal soapbox to push controversial political beliefs, you might not be playing for the right reasons.

It was in Varoche Hall where Simon Basrid mused to his young cupbearer, Henrietta of Alstion, the truth in the Kaedreni farmer’s words. “Men will study Armas and lament he was not born but a century earlier.”

Having heard of the Lord Palatinate’s decisive act from Novellen Palace, the Archchancellor Simon Basrid bore a quiet sense of pride for his one-off pupil. What once was a frazzled youth attempting to document the pandemonium of one of the Lord Protector’s council meetings had now blossomed to a man who could cut through the chaos of government to deliver a bloody verdict.

+1 nice dev diary ddrgrool!

THE FIRST GENERALISSIMO St. Thomas of Gaekrin, Prince of Kaedrin, Duke of Korath, Marquis of Ardban, Baron of Rivia, Grand Marshal of the First Empire, Master and Commander of the Order of the White Rose, and Great Knight of the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon. The War Office posthumuously bestows the rank of Generalissimo, or six-star general, to the legendary fifteenth century commander and soldier, St. Thomas of Gaekrin. One of the mythic Chivay brothers and Grand Marshal to both the Exalted Godfrey and Emperor Horen ‘the Black’, St. Thomas’ primary contributions to mankind revolve around his genesis of modern military structure through his command of the largest army of his time, the Order of the White Rose. The martial legacy of the White Rose is incalculable, with countless military orders and noble lines inspired by its innovations in hierarchy, command, tradition, and martial culture. No other general since has been able to craft a military institution as his that yielded such provision to the fledgling imperial state and culture. Furthermore, on a greater level, St. Thomas presided over one of the great apexes of Orenian military might. He was both the first general to execute a subjugation on a descendent race with his conquests of Malinor and the first general to defeat a multiracial coalition designated to destroy the institutions of the empire through his triumph during The Battle of the Crossing. When coupled with his victories over both the Blackmonts and Teutonic Order, vassal armies led by five-star commanders that in any other century would have stood paramount on their own, it should come to little surprise that the greatest general of the fifteenth century would be the pious son of Kaedrin and Duke of Death. Below is St. Thomas of Kaedrin’s official war record, for all services in command rendered to the Holy Orenian Empire. The Cleansing of Crestfall, 1389 The White Rose and Inquisition of the First Empire cleansed the city of Crestfall from a horde of heretics and mages intent on corrupting the Empire. This was St. Thomas’ first combat command and he excelled by encircling the city with the Order’s cavalry detachments. The Coalition Agreement, 1393 St. Thomas helps to broker a coalition between the White Rose, Orcish tribes, and Dwarven clans to combat the Teutonic-Syndicat pact on Elysium. A series of battles were fought that ended in success for the Coalition, obscurity for the Syndicat and the waning power of the Teutonic Order. A chronicle depicting one of the legendary skirmishes between Flay and White Rose, in the Generalissmo’s favor. The Tarus Insurrection, 1394 In St. Thomas’ first test as Grand Marshal, the combined armies of the First Empire descend on the Tarus rebels in Elysium and force their surrender without a fight. St. Thomas then orders the sacking of the city and the seizure of all military goods. The Elysium War, 1395-1397 St. Thomas leads Imperial forces alongside their Dwarven allies against the new Orc Rex in a conflict that would consume the remainder of the First Races time on Elysium. Several large skirmishes and battles were recorded before the final Siege of Fort Rex ended in Imperial victory. Westerlands-Malinor War, 1407 The White Rose declares an independent war against the Princedom of Malinor. St. Thomas leads several long range raids into Elven territory and scorches the countryside surrounding the capital city. St. Thomas would implement several outposts along the Yarra river to monitor the Elves as the conflict escalated into the First Malinor War. The First Malinor War, 1408 St. Thomas leads the first forces across the Yarra once again to finally subjugate the Princedom of Malinor. The Malinorian capital is sacked and the Princedom becomes a protectorate under the First Empire, with all land south of the Yarra river ceded to the Empire and forming the Kingdom of Kaedrin. The Blackmont War Against Hansetian Tyranny, 1410-1415 House Blackmont, Chivay, and Carrion combat House Denurem, Hightower, Green and the Grand King of Urguan’s personal warband in a vassal feud that would last several years and ultimately end in the disbandment of the Teutonic Order and House Blackmont becoming a direct Imperial vassal. Notable engagements where St. Thomas was a primary commander are: Battle of Crowfield, 1410 Battle of the Black Forest, 1411 Siege of the Dreadfort, 1412 The Blue Stripes Raid, 1414 A chronicle depicting the Siege of the Dreadfort, the greatest siege in the history of Anthos. The Blood Pact War, 1418-1420 The Dwarven Kingdom of Urguan declares war on the First Empire and the conflict develops rapidly, encompassing nearly every race and nation on either side. St. Thomas commanded the overall forces of the First Empire during the Battle of the Crossing which resulted in complete Imperial victory and a rout of Dwarven forces. The Great Exodus called St. Thomas away to Aeldin, forcing him to depart from the war in service to his Emperor’s command.

It was from a small canoe in the Ruber river that Simon Basrid truly begin to appreciate the restoration of Gauloise. The forest clearing now began to hum with the livelihood of regulars marching to and fro, beginning to cut their teeth at their billets assigned and tending to the land in such a way that would stir even the spirit of St. Godwin in naturalist joy. But deep down, it itched at the freshly minted colonel that he ministered a land that was soaked with the blood of the Lorraines, and he began to wonder what fate befall their remnants... (Very excited)

It would not take long for Simon Basrid to consume the account entirely. Enchanted by the tales of old Aegis, he would go to the Holy Father and request a deeper investigation of these documents. @Hunwald

There was no shame in a failed cantrip, the mage recanted to himself. And yet as the life of a sickly flame hissed into oblivion, Simon Basrid could only curse himself. The man had been humbled before, countless times, but only at the undoing of others. Magic was a hard lesson to the proud scion of Rhen who suffered failure with as much grace as a fat squire. “Your papers, m’lord!” The Rhenyari’s serving boy, a flaxen haired youth by the name of Adam who he could never quite scrub the slums from, barged into the quiet study with letters piled high over his head. Simon still could not decipher his true age. The Sutican street rat the fledgling sorcerer found in his travels had the frame of an eight year old boy, but proved able at all manners of minor errands with the finesse of a true squire. It never occurred to the Rhenyari to be thankful, though – one dose of praise and Simon feared that the boy find another patron, one ‘more worthy’ than a Farlander of Ba’as. Yet while the Chancellor of Rubern, Procurator of Kaedrin, Wolfcatcher Royal of the Empire and Monsignor of the Curia stumbled through the great tower of parchment in muddled reflection, he noticed the seal of that great drunk of Helena. ‘Another treaty?‘ he’d ponder. As he lifted and sifted through its contents, the cold brew of envy and empathy that defined his relationship with the merry d’Balain muted for a time. Simon was in better spirits as of late, and as he looked to the boy, he muttered behind the parchment. “Give the Archchancellor my regards. A bushel of figs, blood oranges, and pitaya from the gardens, a vial of black absinthe, and a pouch of winesalt. Red Chrysanthemum for his lady wife.” And so the young boy bowed once and rushed his way, and the Basridi kept to his study. The other letters Adam brought made fine fuel for a masquerade of shadows as the mage set work to his craft once more.

Urist Drumm drinks to the successful tourney.

“A clean justice. The good act of abdication does not wash out the bad – let us hope future Pontiffs show restraint after they witness the proceedings of this investigation.”

Theobalt Rolnik is blessed with the vigor of Holy Hunwald....he readies the Abresi stewards to defend the council.