Esterlen

17th of the Sun's Smile, 1622 The citadel of Bastion. There were no last words for Robert of Marna, no will or great prophetic curse as he died. The bullet had torn through his torso, rupturing through his diaphragm, liver, and finally coming to rest in the base of his spinal column, where its force had paralyzed him from the waist down and sent him crumpling into a heap. He knew that he had lost this final contest. He had abandoned his country once before, when his very combatant's grand-sire had murdered his brother and liege in cold blood. The crown was due to him, by law and succession, but instead of taking it and keeping together the realm as was his lawful duty, Robert of Marna fled. He abandoned his studies in the seminary and became a soldier of fortune, travelling extensively around Aeldin in the hopes that he might leave his old life and identity behind. When he heard his other brother laid ruin to the great metropolis of Johannesburg, ending the greatest empire the world had ever known or would know, the guilt broke him. Could Robert of Marna have prevented it had he not been playing the role of a petty commander? He was a second-rate general whose real military interest was nothing more than a 'corporal's mania', a dissonant, boyish passion for uniforms, pipe-clay, buttons, the tricks of parade and the froth of ironclad Imperial discipline. When the same men who had hailed his nephew Lackland as their savior not a few years past began to speak of murdering him, seizing government and destroying the country, Robert of Marna thrust himself into the fray for the hopes of redeeming himself in the eyes of the country he had deserted. He would seize government, yes, but John V would be put under a temporary house arrest, with Robert as a civilian Lord Protector, a regent who would provide the leadership necessary to end the crisis. Murder was never on the agenda! But when Lackland died in the Battle of Trier and Robert of Marna was named Lord Protector, whispers abounded as to who dealt the killing blow nonetheless. The prince had so many plans, plans of centralization, industrialization and colonization in the fashion of the Horosid lands in which he had cut his teeth. They never saw fruition. The meddling northern lords had cut his endeavors prematurely short, Stephen of Haense conspiring with the great vampire-count of Pruvia to force his resignation, and if he refused, his murder. And like he had in the Year of the Four Emperors, Robert of Marna resigned his responsibilities and ran. The old soldier had fought and negotiated with countless foes in his fifty-two years, and their visages flashed through his mind with every passing moment. The madman Andrew of Haense, laughing bitterly at his forthcoming offer of pardon in the castle of Metterden. The Santiegan horse-lords in the juz of Abdes Bey, scimitars brandished as they trampled over their own yurts. Gror Ireheart and his thick fingers adorned with massive, jeweled rings, stroking ponderously upon a beard that fell to his knees... Would that Robert been shot dead by one of them, he'd have seen it as an unbecoming end. But to meet his demise by the personal hand of his nemesis, Stephen of Haense? That, he thought, would be legendary.

Carvalon of Maeyr strides atop the podium, robes speckled with white and silver adorning his person. He extends a stiff hand outwards in the traditional posture of the saneyir, the stance customary to the schools of 'aheral rhetoric in which he had cut his teeth many decades ago. Disposing with the flowery language and detached prose of the erstwhile Sohaerate, he makes his announcement, his intonation carrying all the passionate fire of the trying days to come. "I, Carvalon Maeyr'onn, do hence decree my intent to seek appointment to the office of Okarir'tir."

Fleetwood Goldhand, kept abreast of the latest news and laws from his prison cell in Alban, screeches aggressively. He grabs a hold of the iron bars to his cell, shaking them with the vigor of a merchant who lost every last penny. "Let them go mad chasing spider-man! They won't be the first, or the last!" he roars.

Diane Fossey frantically records the happenings of the battle in his diary, adding to his research notes.

"Never forget - never yield," -Christopher de Rosaen, c. 1431

Always Tarus

Jeez sure wish I was allowed to participate in this one hey bud

@Lunar Gone but not forgotten He lives on in my heart

The ban was totally unjust in the first place. Honestly, what did he do that rendered him worthy of being banned this long at all? And no, being a high-up member of a faction that might have opposed yours in role-play is not the answer.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE EMPIRE, 13th of the Sun's Smile, 1619 It is today that I write to you informing you that I am hereby resigning from my position as Lord Protector in accordance with the Instrument of Government, on account of the completion of my duties as interrex. Full and executive control of the Crown of the Holy Orenian Empire is due to the rightful heir to the late Emperor John, Prince Peter, the Duke of Marna, who shall serve the realm as Peter II, Holy Orenian Emperor, to be crowned in said position forthwith. This is my last correspondence. Signed respectfully, HIS HIGHNESS, by the Grace of God and Empire, Prince Robert of the House of Horen, Lord Protector of the Holy Orenian Empire, President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Legion

It does, on this day of the 8th of the Grand Harvest, in year of 1619, please the Council of State to appoint our Leal servant, Prince Philip Owyn of the House of Horen, to the post of Seneschal of the Crown until such time as his resignation or termination. IN NOMINE DEI, HIS HIGHNESS, by the Grace of God and Empire, Prince Robert of the House of Horen, Lord Protector of the Holy Orenian Empire, President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Legion

EDICT OF THE SENESCHAL OF THE CROWN Issued and Confirmed by His Highness the Lord Protector Robert of Marna At the will of His Highness the Lord Protector Robert of Marna, the office of Seneschal of the Crown is hereby instituted, and its powers enumerated herein. Section I Powers and Obligations of the Seneschal of the Crown The office of Seneschal of the Crown accords its holder certain powers and obligations, as declared in trust to His Imperial Majesty. They are as follows: The Duty to ensure the welfare of the capital and crownlands of the Holy Empire of Oren, and its continued prosperity. The Power to establish regulations and taxes within the borders of his jurisdiction, concordant with the Emperor’s will. The Duty to preserve and expand the infrastructure of the capital and crownlands, and encourage its use as a market and residence. The Power to order the construction of buildings, roads, and marketplaces as should please the Emperor, with funds disbursed by the Lord State Treasurer. The Duty to ensure that the residents of the capital should maintain their homes and promote commerce. The Power to designate residences and evict tenants of homes in the capital, and to appoint such subsidiary officers with delegated powers as should befit his duties. Section II The Closed Council The Holder of the title of Seneschal of the Crown shall have the right to participate in meetings of the Closed Council, and shall be considered a Closed Councilor of the Holy Empire. In addition, the Holder of said title shall advise the Holy Emperor and his designated subordinates in all matters which concern his duties and any further council he may provide. IN NOMINE DEI, HIS HIGHNESS, by the Grace of God and Empire, Prince Robert of the House of Horen, Lord Protector of the Holy Orenian Empire, President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Legion

It does, on this day of the 8th of the Grand Harvest, in year of 1619, please the Council of State to appoint our Leal servant, Aeternius of Metterden, to the post of Imperial Archchancellor until such time as his resignation or termination. IN NOMINE DEI, HIS HIGHNESS, by the Grace of God and Empire, Prince Robert of the House of Horen, Lord Protector of the Holy Orenian Empire, President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Legion

EDICT OF THE IMPERIAL ARCHCHANCELLOR Issued and Confirmed by His Highness the Lord Protector Robert of Marna At the will of His Highness the Lord Protector Robert of Marna, the office of Imperial Archchancellor is hereby instituted, and its powers enumerated herein. Section I Powers and Obligations of the Imperial Archchancellor The office of Imperial Archchancellor accords its holder certain powers and obligations, as declared in trust to His Imperial Majesty. They are as follows: The Duty to ensure the continuing good relations of the Holy Emperor and Empire with the foreign nations of the world. The Power to organize meetings with foreign dignitaries, and to periodically travel to foreign lands in the Holy Emperor’s name, acting as his favored ambassador and negotiator. The Duty to provide a concise quarterly report on the relationships which the Empire maintains with the nations of the world. The Power to negotiate and establish treaties on behalf of the Holy Empire, as the Emperor’s Peace may demand. The Duty to provide for the welfare of Orenian subjects who should travel abroad, negotiating peacefully with foreign states for their continued safety, and making such incidents known the the Privy Council as should be known. The Duty and Power to administer the Imperial Embassy Service, appointing such subsidiary officers has may please him, and delegating such limited powers as they should require. The Power to assume the duties of the Holy Emperor in his absence or incapacitation, meting out the Emperor’s justice in a manner consistent with the Emperor’s peace. The Duty to maintain the orderly structure of the Holy Empire of Oren, never innovating on policy but following the example of the Holy Emperor to the best of his ability. The Power to assume control of the Imperial Household when the Holy Emperor and his chosen proxies are not available. Section II The Closed Council The Holder of the title of Imperial Archchancellor of Oren shall have the right to participate in meetings of the Closed Council, and shall be considered a Closed Councilor of the Holy Empire. In addition, the Holder of said title shall advise the Holy Emperor and his designated subordinates in all matters which concern his duties and any further council he may provide. IN NOMINE DEI, HIS HIGHNESS, by the Grace of God and Empire, Prince Robert of the House of Horen, Lord Protector of the Holy Orenian Empire, President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Legion

INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT Issued and Confirmed by His Highness the Lord Protector Robert of Marna 8th of the Grand Harvest, 1619 At the will of His Highness the Lord Protector Robert of Marna, the Instrument of Government of the Holy Orenian Empire is hereby instituted, and its contents enumerated herein. Section I The Establishment of the Office of Lord Protector The office of Lord Protector accords its holder certain powers and obligations, as declared in trust to His Imperial Majesty. They are as follows: I. Powers To enforce imperial primacy as supreme and singular autocrat of the realm. To maintain the greatest affairs of the empire through ultimate executive, judicial and legislative authority. To marshal the armies of Oren against incendiaries and lawless libertines, using all force necessary to utterly undo their efforts. To be granted dominion over the imperial capital and all of its underlying holdings to establish a seat of power. To be granted the authority as Fidei Defensor over all creeds of man. To abolish any and all ignorant and lackluster ministries, households, and institutions within the empire as he see fit, or inversely, establish new ones to better administrate the empire. II. Duties To uphold the tradition of empire against slavish innovations that have deprived the state of her rightful glory and welfare. To recover both law and liberties which have been lost by way of atrophy and indolence. To defend and maintain the human peoples which have faced violent opposition by forces of base character and nature. To rescue and salvage the station of Emperor from its state of dishonor and unjust prerogatives. To instill vigor among those lukewarm subjects of the realm who have lost common cause with imperial sentiment. To retire, with position abolished upon the completion of all necessary works, and return all due powers to His Imperial Majesty. Section II The Establishment of the Council of State In order to better facilitate the instruments of government bequeathed to the Lord Protector, We have seen fit to declare a Council of State as afforded in statute I-6, comprised of the country’s most able statesmen to aid, serve and counsel His Highness in the matters of good governance as the chief-most executive body within the Empire. His Highness the Lord Protector, Robert of Marna, President of the Council of State His Excellency the Archchancellor, Aeternius of Metterden His Majesty the King of Haense, Stephen of Alban His Grace the Archduke of Lorraine, Leufroy of Metz His Grace the Duke of Mardon, Peter of Cantal IN NOMINE DEI, SIGNED RESPECTFULLY, HIS HIGHNESS, by the Grace of God and Empire, Prince Robert of the House of Horen, Lord Protector of the Holy Orenian Empire, President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Legion HIS EXCELLENCY, Aeternius of Metterden, Archchancellor of the Holy Orenian Empire HIS MAJESTY, Stephen of House Barbonov, King of Haense and Ruska Grand Prince of the Raev, Duke of Akovia, Krajia, Greymarsh and Alban, Margrave of Vanderfell and Adria, Count of Siegrad, Werdenburg, Kavat, Karovia, Torun, Owynswood and Kaunas, Baron of Vsenk and Wyrmwood, Defender of the Faith, Lord of St. Karlsburg, Protector of the Highlanders HIS GRACE, Leufroy Augustus of House d’Amaury, Archduke of Lorraine and of Kaedrin, Prince of Savoy and Metz, Count of Amaury, Lord of the Goldfields, Defender of the Heartlanders and Warden of the South HIS GRACE, Peter Sigismund of House Horen, Forever August, Duke of Mardon, and Marna, Count of Lorath, Cantal, Baron of Darkwood, Gravel Hold, and Darkwood

does anybody genuinely want them

Revised as of the 16th of Malin's Welcome, 1593, accounting for the birth of Prince Philip Owyn, his creation to the title of Duke of Corazon, the creation of Prince Peter, Duke of Marna as Duke of Mardon and the death of Arthur Vimmark.

Revised as of the 13th of the Sun's Smile, 1592, accounting for the birth of Prince Peter Sigismund and his subsequent creation to the title of Duke of Marna.