HappyShackles

Thank you Fire. +1

Marcellus raps his fingers on his desk. "I know many Peters." He chuckles, jesting. His excitement for his brother's old friend's reign is evidently building.

Marcellus grins. "Honor among the Rutherns, perhaps the Decterum are not devoid of sense after all. I will visit them and make peace; it is clear that this lad is not the one who murdered my brother." He laughs, adjusting his Cataphract mask slightly.

Marcellus broods, staring at his Cataphract mask hung on his wall. A grin spreads across his face. "Yes, Hogartth for Grand King."

Marcellus mutters as he receives word of this. "Lorethos spoke highly of this Peter, yet here he comes demanding us to bend the knee after decades of absence? Nai; he must prove himself to me before I will sere him."

An Invitation It is well known that recent events in Oren have caused a great deal of division and separation among both the nobility and the peasantry. As a result, it is here Lord Damien Basileus calls those descendants of the Rhenyar still living in the countryside to his side, as well as those whom desire to serve House Basileus, to rebuild the fabled culture of the People of the Moon in service to whomsoever is crowned King by the righteous High Pontiff of the True Faith, Regulus I. Those who have interest, please send a letter in response (post below.) A Short Introduction to Rhenyar Culture Those serving House Basileus will be expected to adopt certain aspects of Rhenyar culture. Rhenyar are an extremely astute people, even among their peasantry. Proud to be Rhenyar, and proud to serve their mighty Archons. A Rhenyar who embodies the values of Rhen perfectly would embody the following; Sense - Rhenyar are very practical when dealing with conflicts; their primary goal is survival. Honor - Rhenyar are expected to uphold the honor of their family, lovers, lords, and friends to the best of their ability. Loyalty - Rhenyar are expected to be extremely loyal to their liege or assigned commanders. Betrayal and treason are unacceptable. Ambition - Rhenyar are expected to do their absolute best to advance the name of their family in both power, influence and legacy. Patience - Rhenyar are expected to have saint-like patience. They prefer diplomacy to the blade, and are difficult to enrage for the most part. There are certain phrases and titles to be used when in the presence of others loyal to the Rhenyar people and the Rhenyar’s patron, House Basileus. Certain phrases include the following; Theos megalus - God is Great Theos thelei - God wills it. Yai - Yes Nai - No Geia - Hail Deia - Goodbye Archon - Lord/Liege Kardia - Spouse/lover/love Adelo/Adela - Brother/sister Mitera/Pitero - Mother/father Thanatos - Generic curseword OOC The leaders of House Basileus have decided to attempt to further propagate the lore-accepted origin race of House Basileus, the Rhenyar. In short, the Rhenyar are a greek culture. Before coming to Oren, they worshiped the Crescent Moon, believing it's power to pull the tide warranting it a God. Centures ago, however, the island nation of Rhen was stricken by a plague that drove them to Oren, where the leader of the Rhenyar, Balthazar Basileus I, swore fealty to the King of Oren. We are not only seeking members, but writers. Rhenyar culture is not completely fleshed out and I'm sure there are those out there willing to give us a hand in it's creation. Those who desire a more in-depth explanation of the Rhenyar, feel free to message me on skype at 'happyshackles'.

There are rules saying no advertisement, if that's what you're asking.

Theme Music "No..." Lorethos burst into the Keep, cries from within calling him from the streets. He stops in the back of the throne room to behold the most grotesque sight that had ever dared show itself to him. His longsword shimmered in the torchlight as he saw the Decterum, the King's own men under the Lord Marshal Ailred Ruthern, striking down the Lord Chancellor, Wilfriche Buron. Lorethos, confused as to what was going on, ran forward to the throne, Luciens beginning to flood into the Keep from behind. On the throne sat the Lord Marshal, and Ser Jack Rovin, Grandmaster of the Order of Saint Lucien. On the ground, his throat slashed and crown torn from his head, King Franz-Josef Carrion I. The rightful heir. His cousin, his friend. His King. The mistakes he had made were true, his naming of a High Pontiff was uncalled for, as Lorethos had warned him of; yet he had renounced that High Pontiff and offered to accept Regulus once again, marking it a misunderstanding, even after the Order of Saint Lucien had attacked the King during his premature coronation, screaming to 'purge the heretic'. High King Syrio had come to speak peace, and asked that he be alone with King Franz with no other people present in the room. The King had agreed, remarking 'I'm sure the High King has no intent of slashing my throat.' Lorethos had left then, speaking outside, till he heard the cries... And now here he stood. He turned his weapon in his hand, his pupil dilating viciously. His King, slain by these traitors. "Damn you all..." He muttered, raising his blade, charging. Those he loves flash before him in a flurry, his final thoughts filling with their memory. His last words. Damien. Damien, my son, how I hope for a grander end for you than this. The House is yours, my son. Your uncle will help you make it great once again, listen to him. You are your own man, not solely my heir anymore. Give yourself to your family, Lord Damien, of the Ivory Crescent. Aria. How can I ever tell you of the sorrows that fill my heart knowing you are lost to me. Listen to Damien, he will lead you all to a grander future than I ever could. My pumpkin, Aria; my daughter. I will not be there to give you to Leonidas, but I know you will give me the most beautiful grandchildren I could hope for. Balthazar. You share the name of the first Basileus to pledge his loyalty to Oren. You will not be the last. Remember, Deus Vult, Deus Magnus. Never forget. Keep to your oaths, and rise. You may have been the second son, Balthazar, but Damien is not your superior; you are two halves to a whole. Vivian. Your fortitude and strength have always impressed me. I am sorry I will not be there to see you grow, but I need not be worried. You will wed the grandest of Lords, I am sure, and your children will be my beautiful grandchildren. Listen to your siblings, they know better than you. Desi. Desi, I am so sorry. About Roderick. About this. I leave now for the Seven Skies, I leave you a both a son and a husband less. Stay strong, please. Support Damien, he will need you. Without me, he can not support the entire family without your help. I love you so much, since the day I met you, and if there were ever a truer thing I only wish I had died in your arms. Mordyn. Mordyn, you do not deserve the things I have done to you. Scolded you over the most foolish of things. I am sorry. Give yourself to the House, in my honor, Mordyn. Please. Damien can not do this without his friends, and you are one of the closest. Mason. You will be a Knight one day, the Knight of the Onyx Crescent. This is your vow to me, though I know you can not hear it. You are a soldier, the most loyal man I have ever met. I would be proud to call you my son. Give yourself to the House, Mason, and it will give itself to you. Lucas. Never have I had a true, closer friend than you. Decades of our friendship, while tainted by shadows, will never be forgotten as I walk the Seven Skies. Please watch over my family and my son. Keep them safe. Keep me with you. Maren. I will never be able to help you understand why I have done what I have done. I only hope you some day find it in your heart to forgive me. And then there was the bite of steel, and the blood, and the moon knew a more red shade than it ever should have. (I made the decision that Lorethos' death in the throne room was his permadeath. Consider any official actions thereafter the actions of Damien Basileus as the new patriarch of the House. Also, if anyone wants, I can add a final thought for them if they feel they deserve one, just PM me.)

House Basileus hereby swears fealty to whomsoever is crowned King of the Holy Kingdom of Oren by the rightful High Pontiff, Regulus I. The House recognizes the illegitimacy and heresy of King Franz-Josef I and recognizes it's own fault in supporting the heretic who would dare name his own anti-Pontiff as he did. Lord Lorethos Basileus requests opportunity to repent before the High Pontiff. Deus magnus. The king is dead, long live the king.

"This offer is directly to the High Pontiff, I thought that was understood, I will clarify."

Joshua is Renounced by the Crown, White Peace is Offered to High Pontiff Regulus I King Franz Josef recognizes the hasty mistake he made when naming an anti-Pontiff. After much discussion, he has decided that the primary misunderstanding that this conflict with the Luciens has sprung from to be unworthy of such reaction. Therefore, the so-called false Pontiff will no longer be supported by the Crown of Oren, and instead Regulus I will henceforth once again be recognized as the leader of the True Faith by the Holy Kingdom of Oren. Along with this decision, the King offers the Luciens a white peace regardless of past transgressions or bloodshed. He will accept them back into the fold of Oren with no repercussion for them or their actions. He offers an apology for the misunderstandings as well, and hopes to continue to attempt to foster a healthy and strong relationship both with the Order of Saint Lucien and the High Pontiff. He offers an apology for the misunderstandings as well. This offer is directly to the High Pontiff, as we recognize him as sovereign of the Church and the Order of Saint Lucien. ~ Stamped by King Franz I of Oren ~

Lorethos grins as Temp mumbles nonsense, a tumbleweed rolling through Justern.

House Basileus We Who Pull the Tide Sigil and Colors Sigil A pale grey Crescent Moon on a navy blue and deep purple field. (WIP) Colors Royal Blue Pale Grey Royal Purple History The Coming of the Rhenyar Long ago, an ancient people known as the Rhenyar made their home east of the Aegean continent in a confederation of island nations known as Rhen. These island nations were each ruled by a patriarchal Clan, and while they had no single leader and no legal method by which the confederation was governed as a whole, the different Clans hardly quarrelled and maintained steady peace. However, in the year 457 a brutal plague struck the eastern isles of Rhen, and the result was absolute panic. The nations began to war with each other, attempting to keep the other’s infected victims from reaching their own land. In the end, each and every island of Rhen was infected to the point of being unsavable. Four of the nation’s patriarchs, called Archons, banded together and left Rhen in a mass exodus to the west. The Rhenyar landed in north-eastern Oren, only to find a Kingdom in disrepair. The northern lords of Oren warred with each other, laying waste to the countryside and undermining the King’s demand to cease the bloodshed. One of the Archons of Rhen, Balthazar I of the Basileus Clan, subdued the other three Archons and led the mass of Rhenyar into battle against the warring northerners, subduing Lord after Lord with his extremely well organized and disciplined army via a powerful blitz. Balthazar I then offered fealty to the King of Oren in exchange for land to thrive, and impressed with Balthazar’s skill in battle and grateful for his subjugation of the unruly northern lords, agreed on the condition that he convert to the One True Faith. Balthazar I agreed, but his fellow Archons disagreed, believing the Rhenyar’s worship of their moon-god imperative to their future survival. Balthazar called the northern lords banner’s and along with aid from the King of Oren, he defeated the other three Archons, solidifying the Rhenyar conversion to the True Faith. The Return of the House House Basileus dwindled in the last century of Aegis, nearly dying out save a few descendants who took little interest in maintaining their land or levies. However, Lorethos Basileus’ efforts reforged the House under King Godfrey of Oren after his efforts in conquering Salvus and Seventis in Oren’s name. However, just as House Basileus once again was growing and gaining a foothold in Orenian nobility, Lorethos Basileus found himself on the run from assassins. He departed from the realm in an attempt to escape them, and was chased for years, all the while Hadrien de Sarkozy proclaiming himself Archon of the House in order to keep it from dissipating into history once again. Lorethos finally managed to hunt down the leader of the assassin group, a man named Jack Glacieum, and kill him. Upon his death, Lorethos returned to Oren and married a woman of noble birth, Desiderata, and together they began procreating, finally the Basileus line once again continuing and ensuring it’s legacy. Culture Modern Basileus traditions and beliefs are directly derivative of ancient Rhenyar values. Honor, practicality, ambition, strength, patience, loyalty and obedience are valued above all else in both genders. As a patriarchal society women are viewed as servants to men, though not without capacity for complex love. A husband is expected to defend the honor of wife and women in general. A female’s expectation to be submissive is not to be mistaken for an expectation to accept mistreatment. Basileus’ who fail to embody any of these values are shunned thoroughly. Blood Members Lord Lorethos Basileus (HappyShackles) (Titles Upon Death) Archon of House Basileus, Consul to King Franz I, Knight of the Pale Crescent, Baron of Sabrinsky Ser Damien Basileus (LemonDropz) Knight of the Ivory Crescent, Archon of House Basileus Baron of Sabrinsky Marcellus Basileus Knight of the Iron Crescent Balthazar VII Basileus (_Pok_) Priest of the True Faith Aria Basileus (LolitaDoll) Vivian Basileus (MissPessimistic)

Lorethos sits in his study, his empty eye filled with brutal fury at the death of his King. It was all he could do to not weep. Not now he had a new King. Franz-Josef Carrion. It was he whom they would follow now, for victory or defeat. He stands, staring down at the war-map. This war was not worth it anymore. No, it couldn't be. Peace needed to come soon.

Lorethos scoffs. "The Order born of my good friend's memory has failed to prove to the Kingdom it's loyalty to the protection of the Faithful and it's desire to defeat the pagan Zionist aggressor. Their arrogance has given them no allies and made many enemies. I am not impressed."

A young lad with a scruffy, light brown beard scurries about purposefully through Vekaro, offering copies of an invitation to all those of noble blood as the soldiers drill and train about them. The Funeral of Roderick Basileus It is with deep sorrow that I inform you of the stillborn birth of the son of Lord Lorethos Basileus and Lady Desiderata Basileus, Roderick Basileus. These are trying times for the Holy Kingdom, and to lose a son amid all the bloodshed has been extremely trying on the Lord and Lady as well as the rest of the family. The funeral for the babe shall take place in several elven days (Monday, 4 PM PST, 7 PM EST), the procession beginning at the gates of Vekaro. Both nobles and commoners are encouraged to attend and offer their condolences in the form of words, gifts, or both. Wallace Lane, Scribe to Lord Basileus

Lorethos spits at the thought of heathen marriages.

Lorethos receives word of his the demise of his once good friend's wife with a heavy heart. Seated in his study, the map of the Fringe on the table before him, figurines marking army positions and the like, he sighs as he writes a letter offering his deepest condolences.

"No, no, my friend. It will be a very easy war for those of just mind and honorable heart; and I will gladly inform you the Dwarven Aggressors lack both." "That being said, I do not have any qualms fighting liars. It only means my collection of dwarf-tongues will grow exponentially."

praise pok

You appear to not have read my argument against this, as you haven't addressed it. I will permit you to remain misinformed.

To the People of Anthos and the Fringe From the Office of the Lord Privy Seal of Oren The Holy Kingdom of Oren's Declaration of Virtuous Cause The Teutonic Conspiracy, and the Fringe War It has come to the attention of many of the Lords of Oren that the Grand King Wulfgar, as well as his Alrasian counterpart, have seen fit to spread lies and blatant insults in the face of the Holy Kingdom which we so dearly love. We humbly ask that you permit us to present the series of events leading to the war from our perspective, as well as arguments against the misinformed propagandists. I. Regarding All Past Deeds of the Kingdom and Empire of Oren It is the belief of this Privy Council and this King that the crimes of decades past, while still fresh, do not reflect the current state of affairs of Oren. The inherent cultural disdain for other races may remain, and it may always remain, but any acts one may call ‘genocide’ are in no way the goal or intention of His Majesty or his Lords. II. Regarding the Intimidation of the Conclave The Grand King Wulfgar has stated that King Heinrik gathered forces to attempt to attack the Conclave, which was the spark that ignited the war. In this he is severely misinformed. Mirtok DeNurem, an enemy and traitor to the Kingdom of Oren, was discovered in the remains of an elven raiding party which attacked Schattenburg, an Orenian town. The only group of elves militant and numerous enough to be capable of forming a raiding party is the Conclave. Therefore, it can be drawn that Mirtok deNurem, upon his return, approached his half-brother and fellow former member of the Teutonic Order, Darius DeNurem, the Justiciar of the Conclave, and ascertained the forces for this raid from him. The Orenian response was to march the bulk of our army to the gates of the Conclave, demanding Mirtok be surrendered to us, as an enemy of the Kingdom. Attack was not our intention whatsoever. III. Regarding the Teutonic Conspiracy Mirtok deNurem was the Hochmeister of the Teutonic Order. GrandSariant Urik’Azog, OrdenMarschal Maur’Azog, and Darius deNurem, Prince of Hanseti, were all members of the Teutonic Order, and swore their blades to Mirtok. Such oaths are not taken lightly, not to mention the evident fraternity these conspirators have with each other. Mirtok deNurem was once again found in Orcish lands, defending it against an Orenian raid after many Orcish raids on Oren, and the Dwarven attack on Oren’s capital in the Fringe. Hochmeister Mirtok undoubtedly left the safety of the Conclave, knowing that those of Oren were aware he was hiding there, and escaped to his other sworn-sword’s nation, Urik’Azog’s. Yet not even there could he hide. He was found and defeated once again. IV. Regarding the Presumption of Alliance With the Scourge We shall be absolutely clear here. The Holy Kingdom of Oren has no affiliations, alliances, agreements, or shared interests with the unholy Black Scourge. We will fight the Dread Wyrm till he is finally defeated. Any accusation that we directly contacted and requested the aid of a Harbinger in battle is not only a presumptuous lie, but an insult to our Kingdom and our King. We have no desire to enter into trivial details regarding specific battles, but it is evident that the Scourge’s presence in battle has aided different sides on separate occasions. It is the belief of the Kingdom that this is either random, or that it is a direct attempt by the Scourge to continue the fighting and deteriorated already terribly destroyed relationships between nations. V. Regarding Oren’s Desire for Peace Oren did not start this war, but it is more than willing to finish it. We have defeated the combined forces of Zion in two crushing victories for Oren and have been victorious in many skirmishes, whereas Zion has won very few skirmishes and only one major battle. However, as we stem the tide of Zion and the Teutonic Conspiracy, we do not have a desire for further bloodshed. Zion declared war, Zion attacked. Oren defended, and now it is showing the world what it is truly capable of when fully united. A treaty can still be written and signed with favourable terms on all sides if the forces of Zion dissolve their pact and cease their hostilities. If they do not agree to peace within the elven day, there will be fire and brimstone, and a great deal of regret. We humbly ask for peace.

Lorethos laughs out loud when reading the document. "Their uniform was so ugly. Why would any proud Orener wear one now, the dead and disgraced Order they are. In fact, I think I will have one made just so I can **** in it and bury it with Mirtok."

Unfortunately for the above stated reasons, it is not entirely an IC problem.