edelos

Discord: u have it Skin/s and bid/s (List separately if multiple): skin Generic Nobleman #1 bid 3000 i got this money selling bread in helena for half a mina each

Had William heard of this, he would note that he’s the same bastard as before, just legitimized now.

william writes an unnecessarily lengthy response.

The Benevolence of a Bastard: In Defense of Reality or; Response of HH William of Aanen to Marnan Insubordination [[ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/185224-the-benevolence-of-an-empress-in-defense-of-lorraine/ ]] A multitude of letters bearing William of Aanen’s personal seal would be sent out all throughout the Holy Orenian Empire, each of them reading: I, William of the House of Alstion, the uncle of the Emperor that wishes to dismantle the Duchy of Lorraine, hereby publicly pledge my undying support to the denizens of the Empire. It is to the fair peoples that populate our glorious realm that I must now address this letter, for the deceptions of the enemy have once more glissaded into our ranks. The pretenses so well-known as Marnan idiosyncracies have made themselves known to me, as they have likely made themselves known to you, and just as I acted in the War of the Two Emperors against their lies I shall act now. It has always been the way of the members of the House of Alstion to take a stand against cruel misconstructions and unbridled vacancy; just as I helped to defeat our lesser cousins in the House of Marna upon Joseph the Fiddler’s insurrection not a quarter-century ago, so too shall I stand against the foolhardy, daydreaming courtesans that now seek to undermine my dear nephew’s reign and court. Let me now observe in detail the aforementioned document spread by a certain woman of the Marnan cadets. The Title By the definition of all those documents that make nobility a legal standing within the Empire, an Empress is described as the sitting ruler of an Empire, or the wife of said ruler. In the case of an Empress’ husband dying, she would then be titled an Empress-Dowager. What, then, makes Cesarina an Empress? My dear brother (HG Alexander Frederick, Duke of Furnestock), married first to one Lady Analiese of the House of Barbanov, and more recently to Cesarina Louise, was not an Emperor at any point in time. By his own admission he was never made even the Prince of Alstion; that honor passed from our father (HIH Charles Elliot, Prince of Alstion) to my half-sister (HIH Amelia Philippa, Princess of Alstion), then to Alexander Frederick’s first son (HIH John Alexander, Prince of Alstion), and, by Imperial Order, to my grand-nephew (HH Charles Edward, Prince of Alstion). Alexander Frederick’s highest personal title was Duke of Furnestock; this, too, was not a true title in either landed or titular sense, but was instead a traditional Imperial Dukedom bestowed upon Johannian blood (and, technically, incorrectly). What, then, does this make Cesarina Louise in the annals of written Imperial history? An impostor to a position of High Nobility, where in reality she would be considered a Madam Duchess at best (though, as previously stated, as the consort of a courtesy title), or by way of her Marnan relatives in Kaedrin would be addressed as “Her Ladyship”. Before I have even reached the crux of her argument, I cannot help but to point out that this important distinction has been mysteriously left out of her declaration in which she assumes the powers of an Empress; the only Empress of Humanity that I have known in my time was my niece, and greatest friend, Adeline Margaret, GOD bless her soul. That a Marnan viper enchanted my ailing brother into a marriage was already a poor display towards the House of Alstion’s prestige; that she then claimed herself an Empress was, in my eyes, a calamity. For my nephew’s sake I silenced myself, but now that she has opened herself to the public eye on such matters, declaring it her title before the greater citizenry of the Empire, this must be corrected. To the Lady Cesarina Louise, Duchess-Consort of Furnestock; to my sister-in-law that I have put up with for far too long, I make clear my first declaration; that you, who so claim the Emperor’s privy council is filled with “rapacious, warmongering snakes”, must look within yourself; for there is no greater offending party in this conflict than yourself. The Arguments Would that you had cared to inspect for but a moment our nation’s legal codices, the recognition of certain facts would have been expedient indeed. The first is that a trial is held before a jury of peers, that he might refute the charges made against him – within the call to trial a set of allegations is made, for it is not in and of itself the verdict. Within, they speak of treason; is it not treasonous to feud with the Archchancellor whilst he holds regency over the Holy Orenian Empire? Is it not too a subversion of Imperial Authority to do so? In an Empire of intelligent men and women, the soldiery is trained to be diligent and orderly. That a vassal’s troops flaunted the Regency, whether intentional or not, is by law a case of high treason, and by law the liege of said soldiers is to be held accountable, for in the Emperor’s absence it is indeed the regency that wields his power. To ignore the will of the Archchancellor at such a time was to ignore the will of the Imperial Crown, for such is the age-old way in which regencies have functioned. You are not mocked for throwing in jail those that do not know you, dear “Empress-Mother”, for even you seem to realize you wield not the authority to do so. No, you are mocked for calling yourself that which you are not, for sending a magniloquent letter that flies in the face of the regime of your son’s Empire, and for the pretenses to which you claim. You appear to have forgotten that the “righteous” Joseph the Fiddler lost the War of the Two Emperors, and that the Emperor, your son, is a Johannian – all of whom, including myself, supported the Pertinaxi in the war, for such a rebellion was started upon false pretenses by Khalestinian Marnans. That you judge a king’s demeanor in the public eye to be a measure as to his well-being is either a lie or a personal misconstruction of your own, for it is at all times that a king must conduct himself with the proper majesty of such a figure. This is a common logical fallacy, written in High Imperial “Post hoc ergo propter hoc”, wherein you believe that because you saw the King of Kaedrin in what seemed to be good condition, nothing must have happened to him. That he was able to pick up a quill and sign documents, and able as well to converse with the Archchancellor and a vassal’s relative (that being you, of course), bears little connection to whether an attempt to browbeat him had occurred. The charge was added to the reasons to the call to trial specifically for such a reason; the Imperial Crown must learn the truth of the matter, and, as the King of Kaedrin himself sits upon the reviewing board, it would most certainly come to light at such a time. Your defense of their inciting of violence was that the Adrians did so as well. My father once asked me a question – “If your wife were to throw herself from a rocky cliff-face, would you?” The answer, of course, was no. If an Adrian is committing violent acts upon Lorrainian personages, it is the Lorrainian’s right to bring such a matter before the Imperial Justicar to be judged fairly by the peerage of the realm; it is not their right, nor has it ever been their right, to take it upon themselves to capture and harrass Adrian peasants and nobility (the stories of which I have heard many a time, though cloistered within my nephew’s palace, the hearsay you have been exposed to might indeed be different). The citizenry of the Duchy of Adria found fit, however, to bring such a matter to the correct authorities, and so said matter will be looked into. Your arguments in defense of Lorraine are less so in their defense and moreso attacking the character of Adrians. The most particularly confounding declaration in your letter, however, is that of your undying loyalty to the nascent duchy. Have you confirmed such loyalties to your son, or to the Empire as a whole? Have you confirmed them to the citizenry of the realm? If you take so fondly to the term of “Empress-Mother”, known nowhere as an actual title, you might try to act the part rather than rely on your son’s waning filial piety. Rather than waste away in the courts of Lorraine (though it should now be more accurately stated as a guest of the courts at Guise), you could make yourself as useful a Marnan as any by working towards the benefit as the “mother to the very emperor” that rules Oren. Fare thee as well as I, Penned most humbly within the Rubrummagnus upon the Day of our Lord GOD, the Fifteenth of Sigismund’s End, 1729 by William of Aanen, or in long form HIS HIGHNESS William of the House of Alstion, Prince of Aanen, Duke of Frederica, Count of Alamar, Frederica, and Thelen, Hero of Renatus to one Cesarina of Khalestine, or in long form LADY Cesarina Louise of the House of Marna, Duchess-Consort of Furnestock

Lavrat-es The Axis of Heaven | Fate with Form The absence of the Axis of Heaven directly after the birth of her creations had not hindered their growth; the Northern Continent, essentially inaccessible from the promised lands of the Yi Kieran, was bounded constantly by turmoil and conflict, but that had not reached her own lands. The Axial Protectorate found peace and prosperity at an acceptable cost, and had not yet forgotten her – but who could, when a tower of opal that reached to the sky was marked with transcendent language denoting it as hers? It was this centerpiece, the Sanctum of Lavrat-es that was the oldest of the World-Sphere’s Avatars, that first marked the Axis of Heaven’s awakening. In that same voice beyond language, those Yi Kieran inhabiting the Axial Protectorate are transmitted from the Sanctum mighty skills meant to further their powers. The Book of Heaven’s Might, less a book and more a god-empowered engraving onto the cores of the Yi Kieran, would bestow upon them individual martial might far beyond that of their prior imaginations, enough to truly destroy those swarms of vile dwellers of the Underpath, or to slay fantastical beasts. Their abilities empowered, it was perhaps her hope that they would in turn take upon themselves the challenges of her Looking Glass. With sufficient satisfaction that her people would rejoice at her awakening, Lavrat-es returns her gaze to the World Throne. [2] – Command Avatar – Bestow Martial Skill

William of Aanen is handed the notice the moment he returns to Orenian soil. “Wasn’t Lorraine just a bunch of farms? And who’s Peter?”

William remembers the battles after the Siege of Helena, in which support and army size slowly dwindled due to a variety of factors. He remembers how the battles in Haense were considered a continuation of the War of the Two Emperors, and how after the war’s end, the Legion did indeed collapse with the ascension of Illythia Arator as Marshal. “When an army is not replenished after a battle, glorious as the siege was, it falls to its own hubris. If the legion had not indeed fallen once its penultimate Marshal, my friend Rozmeo, resigned, perhaps you would be right. But with few officers and fewer soldiers left after the war’s end, what else would I attribute it to but the soldiers lost not being replaced, and the Legion collapsing under the dark elf’s leadership?”

THE IMPERIAL HUSSARS Officially recognized as The First [Prince of Aanen’s Own] Imperial Regiment of Hussars =[+]= “Woe to ye who wakes the Dragon.” -Quote attributed to William of Aanen, founder of the Imperial Hussars, during the War of the Two Emperors. There is little to say on the need of the Crownlands of a protective regiment for the people. The conclusion of the War of the Two Emperors left the Empire with two facts painfully apparent; the victorious Legion had collapsed around itself, its ranks veritably decimated by destructive Marnan forces in the Siege of Helena. To make matters worse, the fragmented Crown had then all but shattered, with military commanders leaving or retiring daily. Left to the wolves, the lesser officers of the Legion stood in peacetime against those bandits and brigands that would threaten their home. The supplies of the once-proud military dwindled, its warriors’ skills grew rusty, and the air fell stagnant and heavy within the barracks. For years, the Crown of Exalted Godfrey and its associated lands changed constantly from hand to hand, yet still the past-legionnaires, now Armymen, stood loyal upon Helena’s walls. Ten reforms dead in the water, nine would-be kings or emperors, eight years of silence on the state of the soldiery. When the dust finally cleared, a boy sat upon the throne, reminiscent of the Holy Orenian Empire’s last true ruler in his Johannian blood. He had heard the tales of the bloodshed that had so destroyed the Pertinaxi rule, and had decided that the answer was to end the Army and leave in its place but a Constabulary. While his intentions were good and righteous, the guardians of Helena chafed under the rule of a peasant mayor that had decided to take personal command of the guard force. Without a proper, committed captain, the backing of a nobleman, or real funding or officer strata, the Constabulary fell apart within two years. So it was that the cosmopolitan nobility of Alexander’s reign, nearly all either Marnans during the war or newly arrived, would call upon a lesser commander of the Renatians to try to salvage a fighting force for the city, one that could adequately protect it. So it was that with William of Aanen’s appointment to the post, the First Imperial Hussars were formed. The Undertakings of the Imperial Hussars The Imperial Hussars on patrol in Helena Fields, 1728 By the command of the founding forces of the Imperial Hussars, let there be no mistake as to its duties. The Imperial Hussars protect the Imperial City and its surrounding regions, enforce the Emperor’s will, and ensure the laws of the Crownlands are not broken, or the perpetrators of crimes caught no matter the caves to which they flee. They have sole recruitment abilities within the City of Helena, as confirmed in the Recruitment Prohibition Act of 1728, and otherwise make certain that the City of Helena stays perpetually secured from bandits and brigands. Regimental Chain of Command The Imperial Hussars charge enemy forces. Colonel The commander of the Regiment, it is his duty to oversee the protection of the City of Helena and its surrounding regions. The role has sometimes been referred to as a Colonel-in-Chief, as its first holder, William of Aanen, held it in a somewhat ceremonial manner in the early years. General Staff The enlightened core of the regiment, those on the General Staff are not in technicality given such a rank, but are instead members of a unique military fraternity meant to plan out the defense and supply structure of the regiment through times of both war and peace. The role is therefore held external to the primary command structure, and while they are in charge of the regiment’s day-to-day operations do not always hold ranking officer positions. Quartermaster No military force can survive without supply, and it is for this reason the quartermaster holds such a pivotal role within the regiment. It is his duty to assist in the procurement of materials necessary to the regiment’s success, whether that be warfighting equipment or rations. This role is also held external to the primary command structure of the regiment. Lieutenant The long-proven officers of the regiment, these men have proven themselves pivotal to its continuing success. There can be no military nor policing force that functions to its fullest extent without such officers, and they are lauded for it. They are awarded a military commission for their services, and have often received multiple awards throughout the years. Sergeant The highest of the non-commissioned ranks within the regiment. Each sergeant is capable of commanding in battle to some extent, and their abilities have been tested and proven in a great many situations. Lance Sergeant The lance in Lance Sergeant is a reminder of the broken lance of the hussar tested in battle; the soldiers in this rank have been tested in situations much more varied than Kharajyr at the gates, and are awarded their rank based on continued meritorious deeds. Lance Sergeants are oft capable of leading squadrons of Hussars, whether that be in battle or on patrol. Hussar The backbone of the regiment, and its greatest pride. A hussar, unlike those of the Nauzica or Legion officership, is given their rank based on merit and action within the regiment rather than previous accolades or nobility of birth. Each is afforded a horse and a tax-free home within Helena. Man-at-arms The basic soldiery of the regiment. After basic training in martial maneuvers, this rank is given to those fit of mind and body that offer themselves to the Imperial City’s continued well-being. The dress uniform of the Imperial Hussars can first be worn at this rank. Initiate Though it is the veterancy that determines a military organization’s status, it is the newly inducted that determine the future. Initiates are offered bunks in the barracks, a basic gambeson, and training. Enlistment To enlist in person, go to the Helena Barracks located at III Godfrey Road in the Grand City of Helena. Upon entering the gates, walk past the main square, then take the first left and the Bastille will be at the far end on the left side of the street. Birds may be sent to the Helena Messenger Post for more information. [[PM bickando, chaosgamer_, marb121, Prince_Mark, OldTortoise, or Froschli ingame to enlist, or apply here on the forums with the application below.]] [[In Character]] Name: Race: Age: Origins: Past Affiliations: [[Out of Character]] MC Username: Discord ID:

William Alstion, Lord Privy Seal of the Holy Orenian Empire, frowns intensely.

TREATY OF KADARSI WE, the Esteemed Peer of the Realm, MURAD KHARADEEN do solemnly declare these words honest and true, before Allah and Men; I. WE, the Esteemed Peer of the Realm, MURAD KHARADEEN do solemnly proclaim Alexander II, Holy Orenian Emperor as the true ruler of humanity and holder of the Crown of Godfrey. II. WE, the Esteemed Peer of the Realm, MURAD KHARADEEN do solemnly proclaim loyalty to the House de Joannes and the unification of mankind in a singular state. III. WE, the Esteemed Peer of the Realm, MURAD KHARADEEN do solemnly proclaim to uphold the peace and law of the realm and the Emperor’s Peace, and all calls or banner by the Imperial State. WE, the Imperial Crown, ALEXANDER II do solemnly declare these words honest and true, before God and Men; I. WE, the Imperial Crown, ALEXANDER II do solemnly proclaim that a bond of protection is to be established between the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Caliphate of Kadarsi, and that their currently claimed territories are hereby confirmed in law by Our writ. II. WE, the Imperial Crown, ALEXANDER II do solemnly proclaim that so long as Our legal codices are recognized and abided by within the Caliphate of Kadarsi, We shall use the full might of our armed forces to secure the peace and stability of their provinces, and the local courts and laws of the Caliphate shall remain unobstructed. III. WE, the Imperial Crown, ALEXANDER II do solemnly proclaim our recognition of the local practices and traditions of those living within the Caliphate, and authorize the continuation of said practices and traditions in addition to the faith of the Qalasheen. We furthermore authorize the continued rights of the Caliphate to raise its own vassals and field its own levies and standing armies. With the aforementioned declarations held true, we the Imperial Crown do establish the Caliphate of Kadarsi as a protectorate of the Holy Orenian Empire. This we proclaim for the furtherance of Our Commonwealth, Upon the day of our Lord GOD, 3rd OWYN’S LIGHT 1726 HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Alexander II, Holy Orenian Emperor, Prince of Helena HIS MAJESTY, Caliph Murad Kharadeen, Caliph of Kadarsi, Negus of Ghanyah, Imperial Sultan of Aethermore, Barrowhaven, Farfolkia, Tyravik, Springs Grove, Mt. Sophia, Hibat Allah, M'Baku, Yeondar, Sultan of Latakia, Al-Damashq, Sword of Allah, Defender and Follower of Al'liman Rashidun, Returner of Homelands, Descendant of Al-Mahdi, High Commander of ‘Asada Al Mu’minin, the Returner of Justice, Supreme Leader of the Qalasheen, Protector of the Farfolks

THE HOLY ORENIAN EMPIRE “We were born from the very ashes of the Old Kingdom of Oren. We are the heirs to Horen and have continued Him by this Empire.” CONTENTS I. GOVERNMENT II. LISTS OF NOBILITY AND GENTRY III. STYLES AND TITLE USAGE IV. THE MEMOIR I. GOVERNMENT The government of Oren is an absolute autocratic monarchy with the monarch acting as the head of state and wielding ultimate authority. Consequently, the laws of succession are those of agnatic primogeniture - the throne passes to the eldest male. REIGNING EMPEROR HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY Alexander II Stephen of the House de Joannes, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Marna, Mardon, Renatus, Seventis, Salvus, Savoy, Aesterwald, and the Westerlands, Defender of the Faith, Prince of Helena, Duke of the Crownlands, Avar, and Kingston, Count of Pruvia, Felsen, and Johannesburg, Fidei Defensor, Sovereign of Humanity, etcetera. (1725 - ) THE IMPERIAL PRIVY COUNCIL The Imperial Privy Council advises and aids the monarch in his just rule. IMPERIAL ARCHCHANCELLOR John of Nowhere [TangoisPointless, @BenevolentManacles, or TangoIsPointless#3486] The Imperial Archchancellor is marked by the Signet of St. Wilfriche. He wields penultimate authority in the Empire and is charged to preserve the crown and monarchy by all means possible, including in matters of succession. IMPERIAL VICEROY Hugo Wright [KosherZombie, @KosherZombie, or Kosher#5125] The Imperial Viceroy is marked by the Signet of St. Thomas. He is charged to oversee and ensure the fealty of the Imperial provinces and overseas territories, and acts as the Archchancellor’s deputy. IMPERIAL EXECUTOR OF THE CROWN Laertes de Falstaff [potent_rage, @lev, or josh#4247] The Imperial Executor is marked with the Signet of St. Michael. He is charged to oversee and execute the Emperor’s domestic affairs and advise upon matters of state. IMPERIAL FIELDMARSHAL Adrian of Temesche [Icarnus, @Icarnus, or icarnus#7244] The Imperial Fieldmarshal is marked with the Signet of St. Emma. He is charged to oversee the Imperial Retinue and marshal Imperial forces in times of war. LORD STATE TREASURER Saint-John Cardinal Helena [_Bueno_, @NordLord, or Zed#4474] The Lord State Treasurer is marked by the Signet of St. Tobias. He is charged as master of coin and coffer, responsible for managing the crown’s finances. LORD JUSTICAR Jan Haas [pbuh, @bungo, or bungo#2190] The Lord Justicar is marked by the Signet of St. Lucien. He is charged to update and codify Imperial law and oversee Imperial courts, delivering just judgement to those convicted of capital offences. LORD PRIVY SEAL William of Aanen [bickando, @edelos, or bickando [edelos]#5883] The Lord Privy Seal is marked by the Signet of St. Adrian. He is charged to keep the monarch’s wax seal and draft his legislation. HIGH CHAMBERLAIN Simon Basrid [donchomirzakhan, @Cracker, or dib bin olu dara#3625] The High Chamberlain is marked by the Signet of St. Godwein. He is charged to act as chief herald and keeper of the King’s court and household, managing the palace as well as its audiences. GRAND KNIGHT Bruno the Bold [Gwynon, @reformed_gamer, or fuckshit#9915] The Grand Knight is marked with the Signet of St. Lothar. He is charged to oversee the chivalric Orders within the realm, and to ensure their proper maintenance and morality. HIGH ADMIRAL Pierce of Avalain [BlanchCRP, @Sporan, or Blancharizard#6969] The High Admiral is marked by the Signet of St. Edmond. He is charged to oversee the Imperial navy and its naval operations. LORD HIGH SENESCHAL Charles Edward of Alstion [LithiumSedai, @LithiumSedai, or LithiumSedai#2394] The Lord High Seneschal is marked by the Signet of St. Catherine. He is charged to oversee the construction of public works within the Empire, and to act as the clerk of the Imperial demesne. PAPAL LEGATE Siguard Cardinal Reza [Ave_Imperium, @Imperium, or Ave_imperium#4314] Prescribed by His Holiness, the High Pontiff of the Church of Canon, the Papal Legate sits in council advising the Emperor on theological matters. And, in an Honorary Capacity, the Junior Council; Imperial Housekeeper: Imperial Archiater: Confessor of the Palace: Daniel VI [Hunwald] Wolfcatcher Royal: Simon Basrid [donchomirzakhan] Captain of the Nauzica Brigade: Thomas Raleigh [GodisaGopnik] Grand Equerry and Master of Horse: Grand Master of the Artillery: Adrian I Helvets [u000893] Master of the Arbalest: Master of the Hunt: Francis de Joannes [cruzazul] Imperial Executioner: Hammer of the Empire: Master of Heraldry: Corvac Aldin [julius55] Keeper of the Swans: Antony Sigismundic [Architecus] First Architect to the Empire: Rupert [VonAulus] High Steward: Groom of the Stool: Court Dwarf: Court Wizard: Court Mouselmann: II. LISTS OF NOBILITY AND GENTRY The nobility and gentry of the realm serve the Emperor in ministering his provinces and peoples. In turn for their able service to the Empire, they are recognized with great honors and titles. All nobility of the realm attain their titles solely by imperial assent. IMPERIAL ROYALTY The imperial family is the crux of the Empire as it provides monarchs of righteous birth. The Imperial Line of de Joannes, descended from the lineage of the Johannians of the Fifth and Sixth Empires, acts as the Imperial House of the Empire. His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor Alexander II Stephen. His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Francis Theodore, Prince of Ponce. His Imperial Highness the Prince Robert Louis. ROYALTY The royalty consists of those who reign over an entire kingdom, vassal only to the Emperor himself. His Majesty, the King of Hanseti-Ruska, Andrik III of the House of Barbanov. His Majesty, the King of Curon, Pierce I of the House of Devereux. His Majesty, the King of Kaedrin, Adrian I of the House of Helvets. PRINCELY NOBILITY The princely nobility consists of those who lord over sovereign principalities; an honor held by the direct line of Charles Elliot Horen {now in the form of the House of Alstion}, and to the line of William of Aanen for his relinquishing of the kingdom granted to him by the Pertinaxi. His Serene Highness, the Prince of Alstion, Charles Edward I of the House of Alstion. His Highness, the Prince of Aanen, William I of the House of Alstion. DUKES AND DUCHESSES The ducal nobility make up the great lords of the realms. They lord over vast swaths of land rife with lesser nobles sworn to their banner. The family of a duke is known as a great house. His Grace, the 1st Duke of Temesch, Adrian of the House of Sarkozic. His Grace, the 1st Duke of Westmarch, Stannis of the House of Staunton. His Highness, the 1st Archduke of Suffonia, Edward of the House of Suffolk. Her Grace, the 1st Duchess of Cresonia, Asria of the House of Nasrid. His Grace, the 1st Duke of Vintas, Sergius of the House of Merentel. KNIGHTS Soldiers of capability and chivalry can be annointed as landed knights and gentry in the Empire. Their positions are not hereditary and their sons must squire in order to stand to inherit their benefices. This listing does not include holy knights, who are granted their title solely by the High Pontiff. The family of a knight is known as gentry, however they are not regarded officially as nobility. III. STYLES AND TITLE USAGE Certain rules follow for each rank of nobility. These rules pertain to forms of address and proper use of titling, and make up the backbone of formalized court protocol. In the Holy Orenian Empire there are certain honorific prefixes that are added to the front of a person’s formal title. The current honorific prefixes that can be attained are as follows and ranked in order of importance and magnitude: His Imperial Majesty/Her Imperial Majesty (HIM) - The reigning Emperor/Empress and their respective consort. His Imperial Highness/Her Imperial Highness (HIH) - The immediate bloodline (Siblings, children and grandchildren) of the Emperor, who style themselves Imperial Princes/Princesses. The consort of an Imperial Prince is entitled to style themselves Imperial Princess by virtue of her husband, however the consort of an Imperial Princess is not entitled to style themselves Imperial Prince by virtue of his wife. His Grace/Her Grace (HG) - A reigning duke/duchess within the Holy Orenian Empire and their consort. The Right Honorable (The Rt. Hon) - A reigning count/countess within the Holy Orenian Empire. The Honorable (The Hon) - A reigning viscount/viscountess within the Holy Orenian Empire, however the eldest male child and heir of a duke/duchess or count/countess is also entitled to this prefix. His Lordship/Her Ladyship - A reigning baron or baroness, or any member of a noble house above the rank of baron. Specific rules for each rank are noted as follows: IMPERIAL FAMILY AND GOVERNMENT EMPERORS Style: His Imperial Majesty {For full title, see beginning of this manuscript} Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Majesty Oral Address: Your Imperial Majesty, and thereafter as Majesty or Sire. EMPRESSES Style: Her Imperial Majesty Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Majesty Oral Address: Your Imperial Majesty, and thereafter as Majesty or Ma’am IMPERIAL PRINCES {A brother, son or grandson of the Emperor} Style: His Imperial Highness, the Prince Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Sir IMPERIAL PRINCESSES {A sister, daughter or granddaughter of the Emperor and the consort of an Imperial Prince} Style: Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am IMPERIAL PRIVY COUNCILLOR {Precedes all other titles held} Style: His Imperial Excellency, the [Office] Letter Salutation: Your Excellency Oral Address: Your Excellency, and thereafter as My lord or Sir ROYALTY KING Style: His Majesty Letter Salutation: Your Majesty Oral Address: Your Majesty, and thereafter as Sire. QUEEN or QUEEN-CONSORT Style: Her Majesty Letter Salutation: Your Majesty Oral Address: Your Majesty, and thereafter as Ma’am. KING-CONSORT Style: His Highness Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Sire. PRINCELY PRINCE OF ALSTION Style: His Serene Highness, the Prince of [Principality] Letter Salutation: Your Serenity Oral Address: Your Serenity, and thereafter as My lord. PRINCESS OF ALSTION Style: Her Serene Highness, the Princess of [Principality] Letter Salutation: Your Serenity Oral Address: Your Serenity, and thereafter as Ma’am. PRINCE OF THE EMPIRE {Defined as the ruler of a principality granted by a sitting Emperor} Style: His Highness, the Prince of [Principality] Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord. PRINCESS OF THE EMPIRE {Defined as the ruler of a principality granted by a sitting Emperor, or as their spouse} Style: Her Highness, the Princess of [Principality] Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am. PRINCE Style: His Highness, the Prince Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord. PRINCESS Style: Her Highness, the Princess Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am. CLERGY CARDINAL Style: His Eminence, the Cardinal [Province] Letter Salutation: Your Eminence Oral Address: Your Eminence, and thereafter as Cardinal ARCHBISHOP/METROPOLITAN Style: The Most Reverend and Honorable, His Eminence, the Archbishop/Metropolitan of [Archbishopric/Metropolitanate] Letter Salutation: Your Eminence Oral Address: Your Eminence, and thereafter as My lord or Archbishop/Metropolitan BISHOP Style: The Most Reverend, His Grace, the Bishop of [Bishopric] Letter Salutation: Your Grace Oral Address: Your Grace, and thereafter as My lord or Bishop NOBILITY ARCHDUKE Style: His Highness, the Archduke of [Archduchy] Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord. ARCHDUCHESS Style: Her Highness, the Archduchess of [Archduchy] Letter Salutation: Your Highness Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am. GRAND DUKE Style: His Grace, the Grand Duke of [Grand Duchy] Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord. GRAND DUCHESS Style: Her Grace, the Grand Duchess [Grand Duchy] Letter Salutation: My Lady Duchess Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am. DUKE-PALATINE Style: His Grace, the Duke-Palatine of [Duchy Palatinate] Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord. DUCHESS-PALATINE Style: Her Grace, the Duchess-Palatine of [Duchy Palatinate] Letter Salutation: My Lady Duchess-Palatine Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am. DUKE Style: His Grace, the Duke of [Duchy] Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord. DUCHESS Style: Her Grace, the Duchess of [Duchy] Letter Salutation: Madam Duchess Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am. LANDGRAVE Style: The Right Honorable Landgrave of [Landgraviate] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral Address: My lord LANDGRAVINE Style: The Right Honorable Landgravine of [Landgraviate] Letter Salutation: Madam Oral Address: My lady MARGRAVE Style: The Right Honorable Margrave of [Margraviate] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral Address: My lord MARGRAVINE Style: The Right Honorable Margravine of [Margraviate] Letter Salutation: Madam Oral Address: My lady COUNT-PALATINE Style: The Right Honorable Count-Palatine of [County Palatinate] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral Address: My lord COUNTESS-PALATINE Style: The Right Honorable Countess-Palatine of [County Palatinate] Letter Salutation: Madam Oral Address: My lady COUNT Style: The Right Honorable Count of [Location] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral Address: My lord COUNTESS Style: The Right Honorable Countess of [Location] Letter Salutation: Madam Oral Address: My lady BURGRAVE Style: The Right Honorable Margrave of [Margraviate] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral Address: My lord BURGRAVINE Style: The Right Honorable Margravine of [Margraviate] Letter Salutation: Madam Oral Address: My lady VISCOUNT, IF NOBLE Style: The Honorable Viscount of [Location] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral Address: My lord VISCOUNTESS, IF NOBLE Style: The Honorable Viscountess of [Location] Letter Salutation: Madam Oral Address: My lady BARON Style: His Lordship the Baron of [Location] Letter Salutation: My lord Oral address: My lord BARONESS Style: Her Ladyship the Baroness of [Location] Letter Salutation: My lady Oral address: My lady KNIGHT Style: Ser [Full name] the Knight of [Location] Letter Salutation: Dear Ser Oral Address: Ser IV. THE MEMOIR The Memoir addresses past sovereigns who have had significant historical impact in the Empire or its predecessor states from the Phoenix Rebellion onwards. THE MONARCHS OF AEGIS The kings of Aegis are characterized by their disunity and nascent reigns, petty and primitive, teetering on tribalism. HIS MAJESTY, GAIUS OF HOUSE MARIUS, KING OF HANSETI AND ALL EDEL The mystic founder of the Teutonic Order, King Gaius fought against Iblees and human decadence, and his valor was so known that he was granted the crown of Oren by the decadent Sheffield dynasty. The local nobility of Oren, however, was outraged at a foreigner being granted the title, and Oren split three ways in the Pheonix Rebellion. He is a hero of Highlanders for his valor against the Undead and his restoration of Hansetian cultures. HIS MAJESTY, EZEKIEL OF HOUSE TARUS, KING OF RENATUS AND ALL AAUN A Harrenite lordling in the Sheffield Kingdom, Ezekiel was raised by the Orenian nobility to oppose Gaius’ claim as King of Oren. An inept Harrenite King, his blundering led to Renatus’ downfall and near-decimation by the forces of its enemies. HER MAJESTY, DAWN OF HOUSE PEREA, QUEEN OF SALVUS A witch queen and rumored Saulician, Dawn and the old Sheffield and Perea royals took to exile from the bickering of Renatus and Hanseti to establish the kingdom of Salvus. A coalition led by Blessed Lorethos Basileus 'the Mage' succeeded in overthrowing her regime and delivering Salvus to the Prophet Godfrey in the realm of Asulon. [+] THE MONARCHS OF ASULON AND ANTHOS, PRE-EXODUS It is by Godfrey’s hand that the realm was shaped into a righteous form of governance and where humanity began to establish itself as the dominant race among the descendents. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE PROPHET GODFREY OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The third Prophet of the Canon, Emperor Godfrey’s reign was characterized by the formation of the feudal state and resurrection of matters spiritual. He is universally regarded as Oren’s greatest Emperor for the splendor and prosperity associated with his reign. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, HOREN OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Godfrey’s firstborn, Horen was characterized by sociopathy and madness. A violent warrior-king whose most significant accomplishment was the annexation of the elven states, he lorded over humanity’s military apex but chose to abandon Oren to conquer the realm of Aeldin, leaving his thirdborn William to rule. HIS MAJESTY, MARK OF HOUSE DENUREM, KING OF HANSETI Whilst known by the heathen name of Mirtok by most, Canonist records have christened the vassal-king of Hanseti as Mark I. The last free king of Hanseti, Mark surrendered to Godfrey’s rule and became known as his primary military strategist. While a master of tactics, the Winter King was ill-suited for diplomacy with his noble peers, eventually entering a coalition war against House Flay, House Chivay, and House Carrion which spelled the demise of a legitimate Teutonic Order. He took to self-imposed exile in the midst of the war, ominously emerging multiple times to back pretenders and dissenters against the Oren throne. His last sighting was in 1477. HIS MAJESTY, JOHN OF HOUSE BLACK, KING OF HANSETI Mirtok’s successor, John ruled for a brief time after his King took to self-imposed exile. He suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of the Dreadfort against House Flay and House Chivay and later died to the Black Scourge onslaught which took the Hansetian seat in the continent of Anthos, Castle Greywynn. HIS MAJESTY, JAMES OF HOUSE HIGHTOWER, KING OF SALVUS A wild hedonist, James was afforded the Kingdom of Salvus after Dawn’s usurpation and ruled for over fifty years. His excesses are steeped in legend and disturbed much of the nobility; it was only after he wed and copulated with a dark elf that he was forced to abdicate to his firstborn, Garth. HIS MAJESTY, RENATI OF HOUSE VALLARK, KING OF SEVENTIS Leader of a band of pacifist Jorenites, the Kingdom of Seventis under Renati was born in the cradle of the Cloud Temple of Asulon. The fledgling kingdom, however, fell victim to Harrenite sicknesses - and it was in Seventis that the Great Plague, and Exalted Godfrey’s conquests, began. [+] THE MONARCHS OF ANTHOS, POST-EXODUS The Exodus, spearheaded by Emperor Horen, was a mass migration of Oren nobility eastward. The vast power vacuum led to absolute anarchy which split Oren five-ways; unity and restoration was only resolved by the hand of the prophet Sigismund. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, WILLIAM OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The thirdborn son of Horen V, William was thrust into his throne during the Exodus, a period of utter anarchy. Political missteps and the betrayal of critical councillors in the Count of New Ager and Duke of Furnestock cemented the end of the First Empire under his rule, and he would abdicate to take a monastic role for the next decade. He later served the Second Empire as Spymaster, Chancellor, and a Count. HIS MAJESTY, SILUS OF HOUSE HOREN, KING OF RENATUS William’s cousin once-removed, Silus Horen, inherited the throne after his kindred’s abdication. A known eccentric and dabbler in sorcery, he doled the crown to Ostromir Carrion, crowned Otto I, to continue his arcane pursuits. HIS MAJESTY, GARTH OF HOUSE HIGHTOWER, KING OF SALVUS The successor to James Hightower, Garth swore fealty to the Dwarven nation after the Exodus, causing all other human nations of the period to swear fealty as to avoid being isolated. He is known as an ill-ruler, managing his estates poorly to pursue carnal pleasures. He yielded his titles to Aron Hightower. HIS MAJESTY, ARON OF HOUSE BEDEVERE, KING OF SALVUS A Harrenite King of Salvus, Aron was the last to rule over its capital, Kingston, as a great Orcish horde sacked the city whilst the dwarves turned a blind eye. After the fall of his capital, Aron swore to the Second Empire and yielded his titles to Ostromir Carrion, crowned Otto I. HIS MAJESTY, LACHLAN OF HOUSE ELENDIL, KING OF KAEDRIN As part of William’s peace deal with the dwarven nation, the Emperor was forced to yield the Kingdom of Kaedrin to Urguan, where its Adunian vassals established a feudal state. This Harrenite polity was destroyed by the Prophet Sigismund and Lachlan forced into exile in Kal’Barbok, a dwarven hold. HIS MAJESTY, MARCELLUS OF HOUSE FLAY, KING OF GALAHAR A common thug and opportunist, Marcellus abused the chaos of the period to establish a bandit kingdom across the Crimson Isles. However, by the holy word and command of the prophet Sigismund, Marcellus stood down his banners without fight and surrendered his titles, taking to exile for his crimes against man. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE PROPHET SIGISMUND OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The progenitor of the Carrion Vochna and sage of faith, the Prophet Sigismund was characterized by his blunt statesmanship and grit, his liberation of the faith, his adaptation of the Canon scrolls, his unification of the kingdoms and his defense against dwarven incursion. HIS MAJESTY, OTTO I OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF RENATUS AND SALVUS The firstborn son of Sigismund, Otto was characterized by his cruelty and low cunning. Seizing titles by abusing William Horen and Aron Bedevere, the Prince managed to filch two crowns to his name, though would later be forced into hiding due to a multitude of assassins after him, unable to inherit his father’s imperial throne. HIS MAJESTY, OTTO II OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF RENATUS AND SALVUS A junior vassal-king to Sigismund, Otto was little more than a boy of ten when he inherited and thus was unable to cope with the difficulty in governance. But a taste of politics left him cynical and he took to the cloisters, abandoning his crown and forcing Sigismund to anoint his nephew as King. HIS MAJESTY, HENRY OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF OREN The prophet’s nephew, the warrior king Henry was characterized by his bold martial nature. A conqueror who challenged and broke the dwarven spirit with victory after victory, Henry was well-loved by the people for his bravado. Yet he was ill-trained for statecraft, leaving much of his administration to corrupt bureaucrats who abused the state for personal advantage and failed to address the religious unrest at hand. When he ignited a world war due to a rash military assault on an elven nation and died in combat, he left behind a decrepit state doomed to collapse from religious and civil turmoil. HIS MAJESTY, FRANCIS OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF OREN King Francis is the shortest ruling sovereign of Oren in the history of modern man, his reign a meager six months. A pontiff later laicized to serve the realm, Francis inherited after his cousin’s death, skipping over Henry’s boy heir given the war demanding a man to rule. However, he was soon caught in the wave of religious turmoil which plagued the nation and was assassinated by his own state retinue at the behest of the Order of St. Lucien and Bishop John of Darfey. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE THIRD EMPIRE After the death of King Francis, the House Chivay on the backs of Aeldinic soldiers returned to the western realms, claiming the throne as their own by right of conquest. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, PETER OF HOUSE CHIVAY, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR A baron who rose to King under Godfrey’s own reign, Peter Chivay was renowned for his intoxicating charisma and love for war. He accompanied Horen V in his Exodus but later turned back west at the age of eighty-nine to claim the now-vacant Oren throne. His reign was characterized by immense military victories and an uneasy peace; few would dare stir dissent against the ‘the Lion of Chivay.’ He passed too soon to consolidate the Chivay reign, however, leaving the throne to his nephew, Robert. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ROBERT OF HOUSE CHIVAY, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Peter’s quarter elf successor, Robert was well-learned but lacked his predecessor's other-worldly charisma. Far more diplomatic, his negotiations with Oren’s enemies angered his military elite whilst his elven nature and tolerance of pagans stirred dissent among the Raevirs and Carrion scions of his realm. A military coup launched by his own marshal, Vibius de Sola, took him out of power and put unto the throne Francis’ nephew, Boris Tuvic Carrion. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE FOURTH EMPIRE Whilst the Fourth Empire aimed to replicate the success of the Second, it was doomed to fail due to ugly politics that would not be resolved by a Carrion ruling as sovereign. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, BORIS OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The son of Tobias, Boris ruled for a year under a regency council due to a plague that incapacitated him. At the end of the year, however, his body was found missing from his sickbed and the lords were forced to find another king. They chose his father, Tuvya, crowned Tobias, as their Emperor. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, TOBIAS OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Elected by the Imperial Diet, Tobias was granted the crown in his seventies. Well-loved by the common people but disdained by the nobility, Tobias’ ended up making enemy of both of the recently subjugated Waldenians and his own knightly elite. He did not falter in face of them alongside the Undead threat, though, relieving the dwarven capital of Undead subjugation and besting his rebels in open skirmish. Yet when his youngest son, Yakov, turned corrupt and swore to Iblees, becoming a warlock, Tobias put aside his reign and sallied out with a band of his greatest warriors to slay the monster. He did not return his encounter with the Undead sorcerer until twenty years later under the reign of Olivier, leaving his son Aleksandr to inherit. HIS MAJESTY, VORON OF HOUSE ROVIN, KING OF AESTERWALD After the usurpation of Emperor Robert, many pagans, Adunians, and Lucienists took north and established a freehold known as Aesterwald. The polity rapidly grew until a rogue priest crowned it a kingdom and its leader, Voron, King. However, Tobias could not tolerate an independent Aesterwald and immediately demanded its fealty. Voron, after months of deliberation, decided to pay homage to the Emperor, but as soon as the Renatian Rebellion commenced, Voron renegaded on his oaths and rebelled against his Emperor. He passed mid-war, leaving his heir, Arn, to command. HIS MAJESTY, MARIC OF HOUSE VARODYR, KING OF RENATUS Grand Knight to the Emperor Tobias, Maric grew disenfranchised with his regime which focused more on populism rather than of the nobility and culture. He longed for the throne himself, and for his ambitions which bordered on treachery, he was fired from his post. When he was confronted with angry mobs who condemned his beliefs, the knight convened with noble peers and took to the Angren mountains, where they formed a rebel kingdom in homage to the Renatus of old. Whilst the fate of Renatus seemed precarious given Tobias’ military successes, the Emperor’s disappearance soon gave Maric soon the influence to break down the weak-willed Alexander Carrion and destroy the 4th Empire. His Kingdom, however, lacked the competent administration to manage statecraft, and thus was unable to cope and rally to defend itself from an Undead incursion on Angren. Maric was slain in the assault and his kingdom lost. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ALEXANDER OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The mild-mannered however craven heir to Emperor Tobias, Alexander was ill-fit to handle the intrigue that surrounded his court. Countless Carrion claimants and cadet branches coveted his throne and undermined his ability to rule. When his own lord marshal, Varon Kovachev, seized Alexander’s fief of Karovia and proclaimed his own petty kingdom, the young Emperor yielded to pressures internal and external and surrendered to Maric’s host, forced into exile. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE SCHISM AND SAVOY It was from the ruin of the Fourth Empire that humanity could unify once more, with common enemies and common objectives. After the schism, the banners of the Savoyards flew over the realms of Man. HIS MAJESTY, ARN OF HOUSE ROVIN, KING OF AESTERWALD Whilst Voron was characterized as a moderate despite his virulent disdain for the Fourth Empire, Arn was regarded as pathologically cruel and genocidal in his hate against the Raevir people, putting him at odds with the High Pontiff Daniel, a bastard of House Carrion. He declared a schism from the Canonist Church because of the Pontiff’s blood but the war that ensued rapidly turned against him as mankind united in faith to crush his kingdom. His forces depleted in the senseless war, he was swift prey against the Undead and his kingdom lost to their unholy armies. HIS MAJESTY, VARON OF HOUSE KOVACHEV, KING OF AKOVIA Known as ‘the Mad King’, Varon’s rule over Akovia was tumultuous at best. His populace had no love for the traitor, but they could not resist him in fear of a Waldenian incursion. They chafed under his rule as he appointed robbers and criminals to staff his councils until the stewards of Karovia, the Vanirs, organized a faction that deposed ‘Mad King Kovachev’. HIS MAJESTY, ANDREW OF HOUSE VYDRA, KING OF AKOVIA AND OREN The Akovian regents appointed Andrik Vydra to succeed the Mad King. A minor noble of little history, Andrik, crowned Andrew, miraculously united and marshaled the Canonist forces, destroying the armies of the Waldenians and their nonhuman allies. However, he was slain in a High Elven trap after attempting to enforce demands of subjugation upon them. HIS MAJESTY, OLIVIER OF HOUSE ASHFORD DE SAVOIE, KING OF OREN As Andrik left no issue, the lords of Oren gathered in a great council and chose among them Olivier Ashford de Savoie. A prominent Aeldinic nobleman and descendent of St. Lucien brought west by Emperor Peter, the mysterious figure rose through the chaos of the 4th Empire was poised to rule. He totally subjugated the elves and brought peace to Oren after Vydra’s long wars, ushering in a long age of relative domestic prosperity. However, nobles dissatisfied with his lax hand ignited the Duke’s War, a disastrous civil war for Oren. Whilst the crown claimed victory, it came at a heavy cost, leaving an Oren at a third of its military strength. The stress of war had also claimed the aged ruler’s life, leaving Oren without a secure successor. HIS MAJESTY, GUY OF HOUSE ASHFORD DE BAR, KING OF OREN By vote among the remaining lords of Oren, it was Guy de Bar who was to succeed the deceased King Olivier. A lord of low cunning however an immense sense of bravery, the consummate pride and hunger for glory that would define Guy’s reign found little support outside of his own soldiery, further narrowing his manpower. His reign was mostly characterized by gloom and apprehension, one achievement of note being the diplomatic annexation of the Kingdom of Salvus. Already a target of assassins due to the political enemies he made in his ascent to power, it was three years into his reign that he was slain by a mad bishop, rumored to be under the employ of Metropolitan Charles-Francis. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE FIFTH EMPIRE; THE JOHANNIANS OF AELDIN By all accounts the greatest height of mankind since the First Empire, the Johannian dynasts brought a robust sense of culture to governance unseen for centuries before or after their reign. They departed from Oren in the same fashion they entered - in aplomb. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN I FREDERICK OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The founder of the Johannian dynasty and Horen absolutism was the first foreign born Emperor over the Orenian peoples. Stubborn, shrewd, autocratic, and unloved, John’s reign was rife with internal dissent and foreign threats aplenty. Predators from both inside and outside the Empire had sought to see it dismantled in the precarious post-Dukes’ War period, however, despite facing calamity after calamity, John I’s twenty-one years of rule managed to create and preserve a carefully forged empire and annex sizeable assets from dwarven aggressors in the Eighteen Years’ War. He would be unable to see his ambitions through in establishing imperial absolutism and subjugating the dwarves, however, due to an untimely demise in the Siege of Dunland. Despite his rugged nature, John I is revered as the champion of the Horen restoration and the progenitor of the Johannian line which would go on to boast a host of successful and renowned emperors. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN II SIGISMUND OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Known as ‘the Quarreler’, John Sigismund suffered from notable mental ailments as a result of mistreatment of a summer sickness in his youth, namely in averse phobias and bouts of lunacy. Despite these setbacks, the eccentric Gardener John managed to settle the Eighteen Years’ War in victory and secure Avar from pagan and Dreadlander incursions in the Avar War. Under his reign, palatial and urban life blossomed as a myriad of capable caretakers and imperial bureaucrats were entrusted with the management of his household, and the Nauzica Brigade became renowned as the pinnacle of Imperial culture and chivalry. However, internal conflicts in the North spurned by Haensetic ambition led to the infamous Riga War - leading both Krajians and Courlanders to become enemies of the empire for some time. He abdicated his throne at the age of fifty-six under auspicious circumstances to the Prince of Alstion, John Owyn, and has been presumed dead since, his whereabouts unknown. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN III OWYN OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Under his reign, he would remarkably complete a majority of the conquests of his grandsire, bringing both the human rebels and orcs to heel in the War of Orcish Submission, and thereafter led a reign of relative peace. His untimely assassination by a plot orchestrated by his eldest son, however, would cause a great rift within the Empire and see all three of his sons upon the Imperial Throne in the Year of Four Emperors. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN IV AUGUSTUS OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR He briefly reigned as Holy Orenian Emperor during the Year of Four Emperors which saw him reigning for a short two months before his assassination by his own feudal vassal, King Andrew II of Hanseti-Ruska. For his short time holding the throne, he is known as the Young. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ROBERT II HENRY OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR He was the fifth Holy Orenian Emperor of the Fifth Empire, most notable for his attempted parlay with King Andrew II of Haense before his abdication as the third Emperor in the Year of Four Emperors. Originally brought up to take the vocation of the cloth, he is known as the Monk for surrendering the throne to his younger brother and retreating into the cloisters. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, PHILIP I FREDERICK OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Philip was the third born son of John III to his wife Julia of Furnestock, and came to the throne at the age of fourteen. He was the fourth and final emperor who came to the throne during the crisis known as the Year of Four Emperors, and would be known for his self-implosion at Johannesburg, destroying the city - and its inhabitants - with it. [+] THE MONARCHS AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF JOHANNESBURG The balkanization of mankind led to a gradual decline of culture and military strength within its realms. HIS MAJESTY, LEOPOLD I OF HOUSE HOREN, KING OF THE WESTERLANDS Leopold I, called Leopold of Marna before his ascension, dedicated his life to the protection of the realms of Man against the Sunless Sanctum. Upon the Empire’s imminent collapse, he was granted independence - and, through a landmark peace treaty, peace with the anti-Horenic rebels - and leave to continue his war against the undead hordes. His capital of Bastion was a grand fortress, built atop the collapsing ruins of Death’s End, and his rule was known to be just. It was, however, in the bleak backwaters of his permafrost-covered lands that the remaining Horenic supporters and population began to dwindle. HIS MAJESTY, CAIUS I OF HOUSE HOREN-MARNA, KING OF THE WESTERLANDS Caius’ reign too was just, and his cause similarly holy. The problems that began in the time of his father, however, persisted, and as the undead hordes pressed onwards the armies of the Westerlands continued to shrink. His death upon the fall of Bastion similarly signalled the end of the reign of Horens until the birth of the Sixth Empire. HIS MAJESTY, JOHN I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA Upon his rebellion from the Empire, John I would become the first king of Lotharingia. His unlikely ascension to the Archducal throne caused by his brothers’ death and abdication respectively, John I was known for being indecisive as compared to his father, the Iron Duke Augustus d’Amaury, though the large military formed by his predecessors tipped the war decidedly in the rebellions’ favor. HIS MAJESTY, LOTHAR I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA Lothar I inherited a strong nation, but one inhibited by internal strife. His youth kept him in regency for the beginning of his reign, and he ruled for but a stark few years before his assassination at the hands of the treacherous and unrelated Anna Sophia, who would attempt to illegitimately claim his throne - though would be assassinated within a year in retribution for Lothar. HIS MAJESTY, ODO I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA Following Lothar’s untimely death, and with the assassination of his heir-apparent Philip and disappearance of their youngest brother Hughes, the Lotharingian nobility was called upon by an emergency council, and Odo elected. His brief reign was remembered well, but upon his abdication to the newly-rediscovered Hughes, Odo would be murdered by his own son. HIS MAJESTY, HUGHES I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA Placed abruptly into power upon his reappearance, and in controversial circumstances, Hughes was remembered as a national hero within his own country for his administrative ability and the resurgence of Lotharingia during his reign. His alliance with Ruthern forces during the Greyspine Rebellion would enable the rise of Hanseti-Ruska, but his early death by flaying at the hands of the bandit family of Romstun would cut short his rule. HIS MAJESTY, TOBIAS I OF HOUSE STAUNTON, KING OF COURLAND The son of the Duke of Riga, evacuated upon his house’s escape to Urguan after their fall to the Carnatian League, would eventually return with a band of Staunton loyalists to claim the Lorraine castle of Ostwick, from which they would launch a war that would bring the Empire to its knees and result in the disastrous Devastation of Johannesburg. He would reign over his kingdom until his death. HIS MAJESTY, JOSEPH I OF HOUSE STAUNTON, KING OF COURLAND Joseph maintained for many years the position of the Kingdom of Courland, but would fail to recognize the rapidly-coalescing core Human states as they rebuilt into the Sixth Empire. He would abdicate following his poor display of diplomatic wit and loss of the Kingdom of Haense in the Greyspine Rebellion, creating the Principality of Evreux in its stead. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE SIXTH EMPIRE A shadow of the Fifth Empire, sewn together from many disparate and powerful vassals. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN V GODWIN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR The landless John Godwin’s self-declaration to the Imperial Throne would create a ramshackle shadow of his forefathers’ Empire, but would nonetheless survive through his reign. Facing dissent both domestically and abroad, he would lose his life upon the rise of the Axionite Coalition, during the Siege of Trier. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, PETER II SIGISMUND, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Able to keep the Empire somewhat intact, though with large losses in land and manpower, Peter II’s reign would last an unstable decade before he was forced to abdicate following a loss in a Dwarven war. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN VI MAXIMILLIAN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR John VI, while raised to be an Emperor, would be brutally murdered at the hands of the usurper-king Canonius, aided by a band of vile brigands, in his own courtroom. His death led to the full dissolution of the Sixth Empire, and the fall of the Johannian line for nearly a century. [+] THE MONARCHS OF ATLAS A time of tyranny, in which the Pertinaxi put to the blade any dissent among the ranks of mankind. HIS MAJESTY, FREDERICK I PIUS OF HOUSE MARNA, KING OF MARNA Upon the Coup of Adelburg, the vast majority of the Empire’s nobility did not recognize the Pertinaxi usurpers’ claim to the throne. The restless nobility put forward Frederick Pius, a distant relation by way of John I’s later sons, to lead them forward, and Marna under his reign would be remembered as both powerful and central among the politics of humanity. In a sudden and strange turn of events, however, Frederick would declare the usurper Canonius his heir and abdicate the throne to him. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, AURELIUS I OF HOUSE PERTINAX, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Aurelius I, born Canonius, spent his early years in complete obscurity among the bandit-family of Romstun, born and raised within their decrepit fort of a capital. His brutal slaying of the child-emperor John VI would bring about the collapse of the Sixth Empire, and for years his kingdom sat idly as Marna rose. Upon Frederick’s sudden abdication, however, Canonius would embark upon a series of conquests that would end in Orenian control over three quarters of the continent, and declare himself Holy Orenian Emperor. His control over the realms of the Descendants was therefore unrivalled in its era. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, AUGUSTUS I OF HOUSE PERTINAX, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Known for holding a centralized, strong Empire, Augustus’ reign is marked by relative peace. For a generation men travelled the Empire without worry, though its image has been forever marred by his declaration shortly before his abdication - that he had fornicated with his sister, wife of the last real Carrion scion, and that the new Duke of Adria was indeed his son. He is remembered therefore for hiding well the madness of his Pertinaxi line, the same that would more profoundly manifest itself in his successors. [+] THE MONARCHS OF ARCAS; UP TO THE WAR OF TWO EMPERORS A time of infighting ended only by Joseph of Khalestine’s loss at the Siege of Helena - and the complete collapse of the Empire as it was known at the time. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ANTONIUS I OF HOUSE PERTINAX, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Antonius, while initially regarded hopefully for his father’s long and prosperous reign, would instead cause irrevocable fractures within the Empire. His allowance of the imperial guard to run rampant, even going so far as to raid his own vassals, would cause dissent to grow in the ranks, culminating in their demand of the extradition of Prince Yury for a trial. It was then that Antonius gathered the Legion and began the Sacking of Ves, burning the city to the ground. His disappearance to a foreign continent in the middle of his reign caused the Empire to think him lost at sea, and the regency council declared a new Emperor in his nephew Remus. Mysteriously, he returned then, though only to attempt to dissolve the Empire and denounce his relatives. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, GODFREY II REMUS OF HOUSE CASCADIA, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Godfrey II, but a child upon his ascension, would gather the remaining Pertinaxi forces for the defense of the Empire against the Marnan pretenders in the Siege of Helena. Whilst he personally lacked ability, and was known for constant sickness and hallucinations, the legion created by his forefathers and his able and still-intact privy council would defend the Seventh Empire from the pretender Joseph I, resulting in his victory. His unannounced exit, however, would leave the rapidly-collapsing political landscape of his Empire in tatters. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOSEPH I LEOPOLD OF HOUSE MARNA, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR A Marnan whose life consisted mostly of living among the tribal people of the Khalestine, his attempt at the Imperial throne garnered large support by its dissidents, but his inability to adapt to his new circumstances would result in key instabilities within his faction. His loss at the Siege of Helena would lead to its complete dissolution, and he would go into hiding once more. [+] THE MONARCHS OF ARCAS; AFTER THE WAR OF TWO EMPERORS Few eras since the Exodus have seen the realms of humanity split as it was after the War of Two Emperors. A time of great fracturing, and of a variety of ambitious but weak lordlings. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN VII ACHILIUS OF HOUSE CASCADIA, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR Bearing the hallmark traits of the accursed Pertinaxi line, the child born Achilius would do little with his reign of three months. Known for advocating war whilst his internal affairs rapidly collapsed, he would end his reign with an attempt to parcel out the Empire to its various vassals - and enemies. HIS MAJESTY, PIERCE I OF HOUSE DEVEREUX, KING OF CURON A kind man by most accounts, Pierce’s reign during the collapse was known mostly for its long and tedious court sessions. Well-governing domestically, though little-known internationally, he acquiesced to the Treaty of Ves. HIS MAJESTY, MARIUS II OF HOUSE BARBANOV, KING OF HANSETI-RUSKA The second human monarch to be known as ‘the Weak’, Marius’ acquisition and immediate surrendering of Ves to the Pertinaxi tyrants, leading to the Sacking of Ves, permanently staining his reputation. He would live his life in fear, but ultimately be assassinated by his own courtier-turned-Renatian-agent nonetheless. HIS MAJESTY, ANDRIK III OF HOUSE BARBANOV, KING OF HANSETI-RUSKA Held in regency the majority of his reigning years, Andrik was nonetheless able to strike an incredible peace treaty with the Holy Orenian Empire upon his predecessor’s failed rebellion. Known for his bookish and peace-loving ways, the majority of the collapse was spent attempting to consolidate and rebuild his vast-but-emptied realm. HIS HIGHNESS, EDWARD OF HOUSE SUFFOLK, ARCHDUKE OF SUFFONIA The reclusive and idle Edward committed to few moves during the War of the Two Emperors and the resulting collapse. Was known for little except his loyalty to Curon, though has otherwise been recorded to marry well below his age. HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, MATTHIAS I OF THE RUTLEDGE FAMILY, PRINCE OF VES The duly elected Prince of Ves following Alfred Myre’s unexpected death, Matthias is known to have ruled ably, but dissidence in the ranks and rumors of plot caused his early resignation. HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, IDE I OF THE HARACCUS FAMILY, PRINCE OF VES The de facto leader of a group of farfolk that had risen to power and influence within Ves. A man with a sound legal mind, he was thought to be a new way forward and a strong testament to the preservation of the republic. After a failed coup against him orchestrated by Urrion Drumm, his mental fortitude shattered. He arbitrarily declared Helton Hadrian the Prince of Ves, discarding the systems of law which he once held so dearly. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE COLLAPSE In the year following the final collapse of the Seventh Empire, some would-be Emperors, Kings, or otherwise declared their rule over a variety of regions. Each would measure their claim through a variety of criterion, though none would be coronated as such before the formation of the Ninth Empire. HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, HELTON I HADRIAN OF HOUSE HELVETS, GRAND DUKE OF CATHALON Born of an ancient Rhoswenii house, Helton rose from relative obscurity to the forefront of Vesnian politics in a single year - and was raised to the throne of Ves soon after. He would declare it once more a hereditary duchy, though Ves’ position of power and size would afford it the title of Grand Duchy. Credited with helping to begin the process of the reconsolidation of the Empire, Helton was among the first to accept the terms of the Treaty of Ves. Following the signing, Helton would go on to be proclaimed the King of Kaedrin by the remainder of the Rhoswenii and take the regnal name Adrian I. HIS MAJESTY, WILLIAM I OF HOUSE ALSTION, KING IN AANEN Accredited with the Renatian defensive works in the War of the Two Emperors’ climax at the Siege of Helena, and with the administration of the Empire during the regency years of Godfrey II and John VII. Whilst his efforts slowed the final fall of the Seventh Empire, the compassionate but naive Johannian was outmaneuvered by the empire’s enemies and would not be able to prevent its complete collapse. He would be granted a titular kingdom for his efforts, another sign of the tumultuous era, but fall from grace as John VII’s mental condition deteriorated. William would live in relative seclusion between John VII’s coronation and the rise of Alexander II, and would give up his newly acquired kingdom to reintegrate as a prince within the Empire. HIS SERENE HIGHNESS CHARLES EDWARD OF HOUSE ALSTION, PRINCE OF ALSTION, PRETENDER TO THE EMPIRE Relinquishing his claim nearly as soon as he had arrived, little is known of Charles Edward other than by his esteemed bloodline. Little more than a child, and with an army little more than a small banner-force, his family attempted to place him on the throne against most vassals and allies’ wishes. He acquiesced to the Treaty of Ves, and was affirmed to keep his ancestral Principality of Alstion. HIS GRACE ADRIAN OF HOUSE SARKOZIC, DUKE OF TEMESCH, PRETENDER TO THE EMPIRE A Carrion-spawn nobleman with false claim to the Imperial throne, except for his popular mandate among the nobility and foreign powers, his primary motivation was cited as the prevention of democracy and preservation of the crown. A noble effort, though one ultimately doomed to fail, he would acquiesce to the Treaty of Ves, under the terms that he become the Duke of Temesch. TIBERIUS OF HOUSE TIBER, KING OF CASCADIA Granted the Kingdom of Cascadia in John VII’s final days as Emperor, and declaring independence briefly during the collapse, Tiberius’ reign as King would last but a fortnight before his deposition at the hands of Charles Edward. Known for his trademark Pertinaxi lunacy, his incompetence at personnel management, and his weak oratory abilities, but known too for his skill with the blade bordering that of a savant, he would leave the capital in a fiery rage upon the international acceptance of the Treaty of Ves. [+] THE MONARCHS OF THE NINTH EMPIRE; THE JOHANNIANS’ RETURN The era of the Ninth Empire is recognized to begin on the date of the signing of the Treaty of Ves. HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ALEXANDER II OF HOUSE DE JOANNES, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR

IMPERIAL LETTERS FOR THE DUCHY OF VINTAS, 1725 Issued and confirmed by His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of the Holy Orenian Empire, Alexander II of the House de Joannes,12th Sun’s Smile, 1725 TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS, It has pleased the Imperial Throne to reward the service of Our leal subject, Sergius of the House of Merentel, with a tenure in fealty to Our Imperial Crown. Accordingly, with this grace of God and the counsel of Our court, We do enfeoff Sergius of the House of Merentel to the Duchy of Vintas, a role they and their legitimate issue shall hold in trust to Our throne for the duration of their loyal service, and in doing so dissolve the County of Vintas entrusted to them in the year 1717. They are enjoined to maintain the law of Our realm, to abide peacefully by Our rule, and to rise to Our defense when necessary. In return, and as a sign of Our august graciousness, We do privilege their head to levy law and taxes upon their vassals. This we proclaim for the furtherance of Our Commonwealth, Upon the day of our Lord GOD, 12th SUN’S SMILE 1725 HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Alexander II, Holy Orenian Emperor, Prince of Helena

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Welcome to LotC! Upon your application being set to accepted you should be automatically whitelisted on the server. If there are any issues, definitely feel free to reach out to me and let me know! If you’d like assistance in-game, or guidance of any kind, feel free to reach out to me or any other Community Team member, and ask for a Wilven Monk – the unbiased healers of the Wilven Sanctuary and Cloud Temple – or otherwise ask for assistance from us in general! You’re encouraged to join the LotC New Player Discord to meet new players and charter and nation leadership, and to ask Community Team members any questions you might have. You’re also encouraged to read our New Player Guide, which provides in-depth information about LotC and roleplay itself. If you need help with anything and at any point in the future, feel free to reach out to me personally at edelos#5883 on discord, or to issue a /creq whilst ingame to open a Community Staff ticket. Thanks for applying, and I hope to see you around Arcas!

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