Esterlen

HE IMMOLATED THEM

The evening had been long and restless. Within a dour, carved stone office sat two men, opposite each other, a thick desk adorned with leaflets of parchment and old scrolls parting them just barely. The man behind the desk, noticeably recognizable as the Lord Chancellor of Kaedrin, Hadrien de Sarkozy, removed his small round spectacles from his face methodically, placing them on the table, his hands steady and calm. The man sitting in the seat in front of it, a pale and grey figure possessing of a steely gaze and stony, one-eyed visage, observed him in silence as he spoke in soft and hushed tones. Standing up from his seat and clasping his gloved left hand around a particular writ bearing his wax seal, H.d.S, he walked around the desk as the other man rose to his feet. Hadrien extended his right hand for the pale man to shake, the gesture being reciprocated quickly. His right hand gripping onto the visitor’s, he extended the writ for him to take. Swiftly, almost eagerly, the grey man took the parchment as Hadrien quickly leaned in closer in a kind of emotionless half-embrace, whispering something to him. They both gave nods of affirmation and the Lord Chancellor stepped back, beginning to move towards the door to his office as the intruder followed. Hadrien waved ever so slightly as the stranger left his office and Ard Kerrack. Lingering in the doorway for a few moments, staring into space, Hadrien remembered. He did not remember his childhood, nor his marriages, nor the birth of his children. That was all too cliché. He remembered those he would come to call friend - Velwyn, Thomas, Bran, Siegmund, Adeon, Jullius, Toveah, Bradislav, O'd'or. He remembered his nephew, Arjen, who had been as good a son to him as any. He privately hoped that the boy would mature to be a just, noble man. He had begun as little more than an adolescent of seventeen seeking employment in a foreign land, Asulon. Back home he had little opportunity and even less respect - for nobody could respect the authority of a cuckold. He who could not govern his wife had gone as far as he could ever go in government, they would say. Hadrien was determined to prove them wrong, and Velwyn Ashford proved to be his saviour, inducting him into the Order of the White Rose as a political advisor and theorist. There he met his lord and dearest friend, Thomas Chivay, who oft required his counsel on affairs of state. Back when he was young, he was a good shot with a crossbow, and would seldom go a day without going on an adventure with Adeon the half-caste. Both Velwyn and Thomas seemed to listen to him, to heed his honeyed words and act on them. That was a feeling Hadrien liked, and he wanted more of it. He recalled when he had been made a noble, a simple baron under House Chivay. The day the Emperor sent out his approval of Hadrien’s rise to the peerage was a moment he was so very proud of, and one of the scarce incidents in which a genuine smile adorned his usually solemn or smug visage. His rise to power did not come without hindrances, no. Those who saw him as a snake and a liar were always prevalent, watching him and waiting for the moment of his weakness so they might strike him down from the side of his lord. But his innate competence as a statesman was well-documented and so the Emperor made him his Lord Privy Seal. He had even formed his own doctrines adhered to by an entire kingdom. His failures had been many. A poor liege, a poor husband and an even worse father. But he had not failed Kaedrin, he thought to himself. He had always given his all for his country whether through diplomacy or dossiers, and the fatherland was all that he had cared for despite the fact of its perceived irredeemability. He wanted to save Kaedrin from the darkness. The dreams that the Creator had given him every night were not just a message but a prophecy. This apocalypse could no doubt be averted with his guidance, given that the correct changes were made. But he could not change it. No matter what he did, he could not change it. His eyes seemingly glazed over with despair at the mere thought, and he swiftly broke out into a sweat. Hadrien de Sarkozy snapped out his trance, looking downwards to the wall where a gilded golden shortsword of middling size was leaning, hilted on the wall. A gift from Adeon - a ceremonial blade predominantly used for show. He fell to his knees slowly. Tracing the sign of the lorraine cross on his burgundy doublet, he began to pray aloud in the doorway, his voice quiet and solemn but calm. “Lord, I have not been as pious nor as faithful to You as I should have been throughout my life. I have often been about my business, serving great and noble men whether it be honorably or dishonorably. I shall not ask for forgiveness, for I know that for all that I have done, I deserve none. I have neglected my family and my people. I have sinned and betrayed You for the sake of my own profits, and for those of the realm. I have twisted Your holy words to serve my own causes, but worst of all I have failed Your command. But I know that I am not an evil man. Evil men pray louder so as to attract Your attention and that of their peers. Evil men seek penance and do nothing but sin again, claiming that they are holier than I am. I know myself for what I am, Lord, and I throw my soul into Your arms of salvation in the full knowledge that I am not worthy of it.” Rising to his feet ever so slowly, his left arm shaking in anticipation, Hadrien glanced to the sword for another moment, grimacing at the sight of a small amount of the gold blade lying naked, protruding from the sheath. The grimace quickly became a sardonic smirk as he began to speak, his tone disdainful and cold. “That sword...is for monsters.” Hadrien de Sarkozy, Lord Chancellor of Kaedrin, Lord Norfolk, Baron of Aldersberg, grabbed his office door’s barred handle and pulled, the heavy door swinging shut.

The Lord Chancellor, once often seen about his business within the long halls of Ard Kerrack, was reputed now amongst the men of Kaedrin to so seldom leave his office that he had a man deliver him a meal in the evening and slept in a small cell adjacent to his working quarters. This self-induced seclusion was excepting, of course, his numerous visits to the Lord Steward. Every second day at three past noon he would travel to the gout-ridden man’s bedside with his papers and tomes and convene with him, either alone or sometimes in the presence of other privy councillors. There was no doubting it to all who knew of these dealings that though his loyalties were to Kaedrin, politically, Hadrien de Sarkozy was the Lord Steward’s creature through and through. The Duke of Korath had always been particularly rough with the Lord Chancellor, but the latter knew the sacrifices that must be made in order to serve great men. Now, with his affliction, it worsened progressively, though Sarkozy outwardly changed very little. The duke had called him a villain, a knave, struck him around the head and thrust him from the chamber in a rage. And yet when he had been well struck about the pate and shaken up as was hardly befitting a statesman as much as a misbehaving dog, he would straighten his coat, fix his hair and exit these meetings with a merry countenance as if he ought to bear joy for his castigations. The Chancellor did not protest, he did not complain to any, and he did not drown his sorrows in liquor as some other men did. His loyalties stayed with Thomas, and with Kaedrin. He had been on the receiving, hostile end of Thomas’ staff more than once, and partook in his duties with naught but jubilance and ardor. There was no doubting that Hadrien was many things; a draconian man, a murderer, an elitist, a cruel master, a tyrant and a liar. But to Thomas Chivay, Hadrien was a staunch friend.

((I was preparing the white menorah for the memorial service, you made me get it out for nothing, my God.))

The Royal Chancery of Kaedrin The Royal Chancery of Kaedrin refers to the diplomatic and civil institution headed by the Lord Chancellor of the state. It effectively serves the purpose of a lower cabinet of administration within the country. The Chancery of Kaedrin consists of various middle-management positions directly subservient to the Lord Chancellor. These positions are below in terms of rank to the Privy Council however serve the Chancery by fulfilling the duties of their specific portfolios or profiles. The Lord Chancellor has absolute authority over all of these ministers and can appoint or remove them as he sees fit. It is his responsibility to provide them with duties and tasks, however the use of reasonable initiative is to be expected. Ministers are entitled to the honorary style of ‘Your Honour’ within Kaedrin. In addition to his position as the Lord Chancellor of the Privy Council, the Lord Chancellor also possesses the title ‘Prime Minister of Kaedrin’ to signify his primacy over the other ministers of the Chancery’s cabinet. The positions are as follows: The Minister of the Interior is the premier (Primus inter pares) minister of the cabinet who deals with matters of land administration, development, industry, construction and progress within the kingdom. In addition, he also supervises local governments and feudal landholders. He is unique in that he, as well as being subject to the Lord Chancellor, is also subject to the Lord Steward of the state and is expected to work with him to fulfil his charge. Incumbent: Vibius ad Sola The Minister of Public Enlightenment deals with matters of public opinion throughout the state of Kaedrin, responsible for controlling and regulating media, literature, visual arts and other such methods of information distribution. Managing propaganda and quelling potential dissidents are tasks which this minister must fulfill. Incumbent: Father Bradislav of Norfolk The Minister of Security oversees Kaedrin’s checkpoints, immigration, travel within Kaedrin, transport and border security. They work closely with the Order of the White Rose and its men in order to keep the country safe from external threats. They also may take part in subduing individuals that may be considered a threat to state security. Incumbent: Jason Clamedeus The Minister of Cultural Enrichment is in charge of cultural and ecclesiastical enrichment within the kingdom. He is charged with the standardisation, regulation and displaying of Kaedreni culture and fine arts. It is his task to foster a patriotic and proud people. In addition to this, he manages events, festivals, sermons and other such programs in order to keep the minds of the citizenry occupied and patriotic. Incumbent: Arjen de Sarkozy The Minister of Labour supervises Kaedrin’s raw goods production and peasant labour programs. Serving as effectively a minister of agricultural and food production, he is accordingly expected to familiarize himself with the administration of Kaedrin’s mining, agricultural and forestry regions. He oversees and regulates the flow of these products into Kaedrin’s treasury and assigns tasks to members of the working class. Incumbent: Vacant

Hadrien ponders the concept, speaking to the invisible audience behind the fourth wall. "It's quite simple, really. These elves do as we wish them to do when we wish them to do it or else we'll put them to the sword - man, woman and child. The whole idea of them 'finding a loophole' to leave this agreement is redundant as it implies that they could possibly resist us."

For, Carduin Maeyr'onn

After seeing the penned notice on one of his daily strolls throughout the city, Carduin Maeyr'onn hurries home to compile a lengthy response to what he has perceived as Silvos' erroneous words. An hour or so later, he returns to the noticeboard to put up his response. Brothers, sisters, There is no doubt that we all agree that it is ever unfortunate that we have only so recently been parted, albeit perhaps only temporarily, with our glorious Sohaer, Laurir Kalenz Uradir. Even amongst our superior bloodlines a grand leader deserving of such following seldom comes. However perhaps just as bothering and disconcerting as this separation is the utterly malign and self-serving attempts of a certain Silvos Sythaerin to unwisely undermine the authority and integrity of our government. It is obvious that I speak of the recently posted thesis by Mr. Sythaerin viciously attacking our good medi'ir, Laurir Delonna Aeyelesa. Within his repugnant writings, this Sythaerin sees it fit to 'bring light' to the supposed 'tyranny' of the medi'ir whilst only providing marginal and negligible evidence as to the aforementioned. Within any civilized society exists a static social structure or stratification of authority so as to allow for progress, prosperity and order. In the absence of this structure, solely anarchy exists. The writings of Mr. Sythaerin prove that not only does he have no respect for such a structure, he also actively seeks to remove and dismantle it and that he considers our government to have no power over and command no respect from its citizens. The sacrifice made by our officials in order to serve the city is worthy of respect and utter obeisance. I know as a fact that our medi'ir treats us as is only proper. Just as any sane mali'thill would oppose this awry worldview, I must argue against it. The supposed Haelun'or that Mr. Sythaerin speaks of is no Haelun'or that I wish to reside in - a land in which none wield authority or power over others is an ineffectual, primitive and complacent land that can only go by the name of an anarchy. He states that titles are not cause for respect, admiration and deference within our glorious enclave, an utterly fallacious claim which can easily be countered by making a point that the very fact the holders of these titles do in fact possess them as elected by the populace is cause enough for deference and obedience. This writing itself could easily construe that Mr. Sythaerin is a dissident and an anarchist opposed to the government of the Enclave of Haelun'or, a crime against his own brothers and sisters who live peacefully and prosperously within the city, guided and protected by our figures of authority. While I cannot fathom why Sythaerin sees the need to oppose the government that has done so much for both him and our people, I must say that from what is clearly visible merely by looking at our city, Laurir Delonna has done more for us than this demagogue and dissident. To those who take the side of this petty insurrectionist (Who might I add, took this action of his suspiciously soon after our leader's departure perhaps so as to ensure he would feel no repercussions) who would have us living as orderless beasts who seek only to further their own selfish profits - all I need say is inquire as to why you would even consider the opinion of a would-be murderer as legitimate in any form. Maehr'sae hiylun'ehya, Carduin Maeyr'onn

Various posters, two in particular, are displayed around all of the significant human settlements around the Empire and its many immediacies. In the bottom left of these two posters, the seal of the Kingdom of Kaedrin is visible along with a tiny line of deftly-penned script. It reads 'The Royal Chancery of Kaedrin'. The latter poster, especially, is frequently placed in mines and other areas of labour within the country.

Carduin Maeyr'onn leans on his cane rather obliquely, his hands clasped together in a fashion ever so avaricious, hearing tell of Kalenz's mysterious disappearance along with the rest of the city's denizens. His mouth deepens into a concerned frown, his face bearing the visible signs of worry and malcontent. He releases a shallow whisper, barely audible. "Our great Sohaer...must return, lest we be obscured by darkness once again."

Jorji Costava sits dourly in his designated seat at the White Rose checkpoint administration area, the effigy of the Kaedreni sparrow looming over him threateningly. All of a sudden, he yells a single, succinct phrase in the midst of stamping passports. "Glory to Kaedrin!"

George 'Andreou' Chivay, a distant and generally irrelevant cousin of both Brenius and Peter hears the news of the former's death from a dispatched courier while sitting in his modest hunting lodge in the foothills of Endaen. Regrettably and most unwisely, many years ago George had been put in control of the family's treasuries which were at the time verging on bankruptcy. Upon the arrival of a new, standardised currency throughout the whole of Gaekrin, George promptly went out on a spending spree, driving the Central Endaenean branch of House Chivay into bankruptcy and irrecoverable debt. He recalls how his cousins Peter and Brenius made a plan to save his integrity, however he instead decided to put a referendum to all the workers and employees of House Chivay in the country at the time. Nonetheless, this plan was never implemented and George Chivay found himself exiled and disowned from his family on account of lhis gross ineptitude, unable to ever meet them again under penalty of death. Several times he had been evicted from restaurants around the country by the very same members of the proletariat whose pay he had docked as part of his austerity measures. George gives a sigh of relief when the courier is finished, stroking his moustache and adjusting his cravat. "Perhaps now I can return to my family!"

Count Hadrien de Sarkozy signs the petition, his nephew Arjen standing dubiously on his right donning the traditional head-wear of House de Sarkozy,

A pamphlet is distributed around Kaedrin, sent to all the landholders and other important men of the realm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id16jH2Mlas Changes to the Peerage Blessings upon you and your house! The honorable and most valiant knight Lord Admiral Edmond Brunswick, for his dire service and utter devotion to both the Order of the White Rose and Kaedrin, in accordance with the wishes of the king and the Privy Council, has been formally created first Count of Lachsin sworn to the Duke of Westerland and King of Kaedrin, Peter Chivay. In addition to this he has been added to the Peerage of the realm. Furthermore, the vassalage registries have been further updated to include the current, formally decreed noble landholders within the realm. All vassals and present landholders have been added to the updated registries. Glory to Kaedrin! The Privy Council of Kaedrin

Seeing this reappearance as a sign of the continued presence of some kind of intruder preaching against Haelun'or's government, Carduin unsheathes his sword and begins to patrol the city, eager to catch the marauder and bring them to justice.

Carduin promptly rips down all traces of the heretical message from around Haelun'or.

RP Name: Alija Fahrudin Al-Izet Bey MC Name: Iorwen/Vanhemar Timezone: GMT +10 Character race: Human Name of tribe and/or People you will draw your blood lineage from: Al'Zahir