HappyShackles

Bishop Iosif is happy the elven city is saved, and promises to himself he shall pay a visit soon. edit: **** this ain't an rp thread omg that was a close one!

In the years since I have returned, the translation of my ancestral land's literature has been laborious indeed. Yet here is my favorite among what I have completed, please enjoy the tale of Alexios the Pilgrim. Only God May Pull the Tide I. The Moon, God's Eye 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 ~ By Gabrihel tau Vrachos, An Ancient Scribe ~ Modern Translation by Iosif tau Roiye, Bishop of Kaedrin

The young priest, Iosif tau Roiye, grows ecstatic with news of the festival. "What a brilliant idea! We shall use this event as an escape from the sorrow which have plagued us as of late, what with both Dunamis' attacks and the ashen cloud. Oo! Perhaps I shall bring my lute!"

Iosif tau Roiye votes.

The Sultanate of Rum The Sultan, Giyath, paces the grounds of his palace quietly in thought. He nods to himself, looking as Ghanem, one of his closest advisors, approaches him with labored steps. Ghanem stands before the Sultan a moment in silence, before opening his mouth just slightly. The Sultan raises his hand to silence the man. "I know what must be done," he mutters. " Send spies into the cities of Anatolia they hold, seek for weaknesses or movements of their soldiery, and anything else of interest. If they find opportunity, sow dissent as best they can. Send an emissary unto Jerusalem, as well as Mosul. Seek to establish trade agreements with the nations, so that we may pour the wealth of the Far East into Europe, and reap the rewards. If Jerusalem deflects our offers, make it known to them that our muslim brothers are prepared to descend on them, and we shall assist in culling their advances diplomatically if they agree. Inform our emissarries to Mosul and Abbasid of this plan. Ghanem nods, rushing off to do the Sultan's bidding, only for the Sultan's other advisor, Suleiman to approach him from the other side. (Mod needed for trade agreements with NPC nations/Spy success) "Sultan, the ambassadors from Almohad and the Caliphate have agreed to our trade proposals, though Almohad is far and we can not expect it to be easy to trade with them till we have ports on the mediterranean." The Sultan nods, and responds with his command. "Begin to rally the levies here in Konya. Send word 'cross Rum, we will take Cicillia." (Mod approval) "Additionally, begin trade with the Genoan outposts 'cross the Black Sea post-haste, and with the trade ships send an emissary to establish a trade agreement. Additionally, in exchange for defending the Genoans from the hordes they trade with should they grow malcontent, request that they focus any of their piracy upon the Byzantines, lest the Empire seek to claim Anatolia wholly for their own."

Adelran has died in the nether! (PK!)

Ser Adelran flees!

Holy **** it won't let me edit. No, I didn't read the rules.

Forum Name: HappyShackles Skype Name: happyshackles Realm/Holding: The Sultanate of Rum Interesting Fact about your Realm: The Sultanate had two legitimate capitals over time; first Iznik then Konya. Eventually Kayseri and Sivas were also used as temporary capitals, since the court was actually very mobile! Dynasty: Seljik Did you read the rules: Yes Brief Rp paragraph to get a feel for how well you can rp said nation: Giyath stands quietly, arms crossed as he observes the map that his generals had had forged for him; and it was a delectable site. The threat of the Byzantines was evident as ever, but they were not his primary concern, and any attempt by the Basileios to rob the Sultanate of it's holdings would result in a prolonged and disastrous conflict for both sides. The Armenian states to the south, however, which blocked the Sultanate's way to the Mediterranean... These were ripe for the taking. Such ports would open a grandiose world of trade to the Sultanate, and undoubtedly the riches would fuel even further inevitable conquests. The sultan traces his finger over the map to the small Armenian state that blocked his way to the newest site he had chosen for glorious conquest, and smiled.

Father Iosif nods in approval. "The creature that burns plunged his blade into Clergyman's flesh, my own. I commend the Stauntons for capturing the creature and sending him to his doom. To strike a Clergyman is beyond heresy, and to burn the assailant, while cruel, is the method of execution for heretics. Especially those who dare spill the blood of GOD's Ministry, who are naught but peaceful and poor servants."

A letter, expertly penned by a trained calligraphist and sealed with the Lorraine Cross is delivered to all Lords of the realm, as well as His Majesty the King. Along with the letter comes a small wooden Lorraine Cross, to each recipient. To Those Lords, And the King, Whom Rule the Realm of Man; It has become increasingly apparent to myself, in the past few Saint Days since my return from Aeldin, that the people of Oren have grown lax in their practice of the Faith in some aspects, including yourselves. While such unfortunate and surely unintentional neglect is understandable when rebounding from such a devastating civil war, I believe that even beforehand the practice of offering Confession was and is almost wholly forgotten by the massive majority of GOD's Faithful, including even it's Lords and King. Confession, one of the Seven Sacraments of the Faith, is an imperative part of one's relationship to GOD. To offer Confession is to seat oneself before GOD in judgement and admit his sins, so that GOD may properly absolve the remorseful through the Ministry of the Church. Without this absolution, one's ascension to the Skies where GOD reigns shall be weighed down by those very sins. I urge you, Lords of the Realm, and His Majesty the King, to not only take Confession and do so soon and regularly, but to urge your small-folk to do the same; for it is only through GOD and the Ministry of the Church that we may prepare for the Skies where He reigns. If you find any difficulty whatsoever in finding a Priest to whom to offer your confession, please send me a letter post-haste and I shall be there. GOD bless you. Theos megalus, theos thelei. Father Iosif tau Roiye

A Short Thesis on the Ashen Urns, and the Black Sepulchre by Father Iosif tou Roiye I have wandered the world for nearly two decades alongside the Holy Ser, Adelran Coulthard, in our pilgrimages. Now, after so long away, I find myself with a home to call my own. Yet these years with the old Holy Ser have taught me many things about the drive and devotion that can be inspired through GOD, and how GOD inspires that devotion. Few men have ever held the title 'Knight of the Black Sepulchre.' It is one mired in mystery and exclusivity. But it is not the Knight itself we are here to study, it is the Urn they carry. So for the sake of those who know so little, I will teach what I can, as well as studying the purpose behind the famed Knights' ashen urns. I met a man who had lived in the time of Godfrey. He told me that he was named 'the Devoted' by Godfrey himself, and that through this he was certain that he was blessed by GOD for his service to Him. However, Godfrey in this instance was acting merely on his own intention, to reward a man for his devotion. However brilliant it may be, it is not a blessing from GOD. That is the duty of GOD's Vicar, the High Pontiff, and it is through the High Pontiff and the ministry of the Church that we establish Saints and the Blessed. As for the Holy Sers themselves... To these Knights of the Black Sepulchre, each is given an ashen urn no larger than a large man's fist. Within these urns lay the ashes of men who have been Beatified by the Church's ministry, the medium by which GOD's word reaches us all. No title granted by any man can be greater than a title granted by GOD himself, but it is not the title Holy Ser that drives these valiant warriors on their pious journeys. It is the urn itself. In this case, there is certainty in the divinity of the gift. To hold in one's hand the ashes of he who is among the most Blessed of GOD's children, and to be charged with it's protection. This is to know one is truly blessed by GOD, for it is He, through the ministry of the Church, that has recieved a task that GOD himself has entrusted to him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjAE5A-aiO8 An arrow in his shoulder. A gash across his forehead. The frost of the far north of Anthos crusted the very earth beneath his feet. His breathing was heavy and labored. His vision blurred by crimson, he wipes his gauntlet across his head to move the blood from his eyes, only for it to bleed back into his eye seconds later. He grunts, biting the dirt between his teeth and tightening his grip on his longsword. His back against the snowy hillside as shadows danced just above, fear overwhelmed him. The voice of those shadows, piercing through the snow, "Come out, little Knight!" A jolt in the carriage lurched Adelran into consciousness. He his hands felt rougher than they had in his sleep. There was a rigid strength to his movements. He pushed himself up slowly, his face one born of fatigue. "Are you well, Adelran?" Adelran's tired eyes shifted to the man holding the reigns of the carriage. "Have we reached the Outremer?" Between the Knight and the Priest, the Priest was the younger by a dozen years, and it was exemplified in his energetic eyes and gleaming smile. The Priest simply shook his head and pursued further. "Did you dream of Kiljaerys?" Adelran scowled and huffed, clearly made uncomfortable by the subject. He muttered some quiet prayer before sliding his hand to rope at his feet, from which hung the Blessed Ashes of Ser Fredek Royce. His fingers drift across the surface of the urn as his gaze turns empty and he becomes lost in thought once again. "Come out, little Knight!" Fine. A flurry of snow and screams. The young Knight could feel and see nothing, driven by will alone. His charge through the snow ushered the dark wizard into action, his shadows dancing yet still. One lurched for the Knight, but to no avail, his blade sung through the rigid air and beat back the first, just as his shield moved to deflect the second. Yet the impact of both strikes halted his momentum, offering the wizard an opportunity. In moments the wizard was inches from the Knight, clearly capable of agility on par with any warrior. And then the creature's face became known to Adelran. Flesh; torn and rotten, eyes made of nothing but a light red as the blood that blinded his own eye. His skull's flesh had deteriorated too far to conceal the skeletal grin beneath. But too slowly, for the Knight was no fool. With the creature close, he slammed his shield forward, bashing the wizard with impeccable timing to the ground, the creature crying out in a wicked scream to accompany the brutal crunch of Adelran's boot on the creature's shoulder plate, disarming it. "Glory be to God," And his sword sung again.

I made a mistake in assuming that your leadership extended to the GM team, I apologize. However, in the instance of a specific ban report handled by Cappy evidence was completely overlooked. Out of ignorance or purposefully, I am not sure. I mentioned that in my personal letter to you. This conversation has, at the fault of myself, gone off topic. In short, I dissapprove of the promotion, but understand it's reasoning.

I do know that you and your staff work very hard, and I appreciate the work (even if I am currently banned). I do not think Cappy will necessarily do a terrible job as an Admin, but there is absolutely no reason to offer him a position of practically absolute authority. That is what the players are scared of; now when Cappy bans people, it will be even more impossible to repeal. Additionally, your leadership has seen by far the most blatant GM abuse I have ever seen. This is not your fault, but it is a resounding notion from countless members of the community, many of whom have sent you messages regarding it, and who are aghast with the lack of action taken as of yet. I can only justify this to them by saying you are busy and will get to it, but now even I am growing skeptical with Cappy's recent promotion, as Cappy was involved directly (to my knowledge) in the assistance of concealing the alleged abuse. If it is so good that Cappy is under your leadership and not Kai's, and you believe we should trust you with keeping Cappy on something of a leash, then we need proof. If you do not deal with the issues at hand with your current staff members, this whole thing is full of air.

It is not you who decides who contributes nothing but negativity. To believe that you have the ability to objectively evaluate everyone and say 'This person is bad for the server and therefore must be banned,' is nonsense. There are those who believe you fall under that category. Do you propose that you know better than all of them in the cases where you proclaim others 'toxic' you are right, but in the cases that we claim you to be 'toxic,' we are wrong? Many people do not like eachother on Lord of the Craft, and that is how it will always be so long as it is factionally based. To ban people for disagreeing with eachother or for being 'toxic' is, as I said, absolutely subjective and a perfect example of an inability to approach a situation with a level head and without bias. Not to mention it is a breach of the doctrine which I have heard many whom posted here praise you for; banning people based on their violation of the rules. Roleplaying poorly is not something to be banned for, it is something to be corrected. Being "toxic" is, as I said numerous times here, absolutely subjective. By banning certain people, you may relieve certain members of the community of their mutual dislike, but you also ruin the fun for those who enjoy the company of the members whom you claim are "toxic."

Unfortunately, -1 When pinpointing what is wrong with the GM team previously, Cappy has been an excellent example. His knowledge or skill with whatever commands he has access to, and his dedication in time and effort, are excellent reasons to have him on the staff. Frankly, though, Cappy has shown that he is incapable or unwilling to propagate enjoyment of the other players of the server. It is not "bluntness," it is blatant and ludicrous unhelpfulness. No one wants Cappy to answer their modreq because they all know it will take 15 minutes to explain to him what they need done and why they should be allowed to get it done. He is a hassle to the players, and furthermore seems to make a habit out of banning people. Certain people certainly deserve the bans they recieved from Cappy, but on numerous accounts they did not, and on many more they deserved a much more lenient punishment than they recieved. The key word for some of Cappy's less-than-worthy bans being 'Toxicity.' An ambiguous word which can be twisted in any which way to suit the needs of the moderator. That being said, perhaps in an administrative position Cappy will instead crack down hard on the moderators as opposed to the players (something I believe has been needed for quite some time), and be distanced from the day-to-day on LotC; Cappy's involvement in which being dreaded by a large number of players on the server. And no, not just Oren. PS. I do not doubt Cappy is a great guy once you get to know him, I know many people dislike me until they actually get to know me. It is not his character I am judging, but his methods.

The facilitator of the discussion furrows his brow at the mindless and unproductive banter.

"You forget to include that he declared Maric in acting of treason, an offense punishable by death and attempted to act on such. I believe it was truly only because he knew killing Maric then and there would not work out that he allowed him to go then. He had no right to act as 'the law' and attempt to enact his personal justice. The Emperor is controlled by the same laws as peasants are." He did not attempt to act on such. He released Maric from Petrus willingly, as a show of good faith, instead of pursuing more drastic punishment. Then, at the Fort he was declared an open traitor, but not beforehand. The study of what a 'declaration' is should be something you make yourself fully aware of before discussing matters of law. "Incorrect. There were no letters sent out, we gathered to discuss what had happened and our confusion. They came with no provocation and weapons drawn." I did not claim to know what level of organization your men are capable of. And, Tuvya's men came to expel Meric from a fort that no longer belonged to him, as his titles had been stripped. That is not 'no provocation.' "Truly, such is debatable." No, it is not. Meric's right to legally hold the Fort was stripped with his title, and any man who says otherwise is reading the wrong nation's laws. "That is like saying a murderer should not be punished for their crimes, but put to doing exactly what they enjoy. Making a sadist kill for your cause is not just. They are not punished. They are rewarded with better arms and the law on their side for being murderers." No "Flays" serve Tuvya. Some of his guardsmen are indeed descendents of some Flay bannermen, but nothing more. They do not practice banditry or murder, and they are not rewarded for murder, but for loyal service to the Empire. "You say this, but as a historian I'm well-aware that Aesterwald was part of the Imperium Tertius which was the Chivay Empire. The third Empire is essentially no more, because its now the Holy Oren Empire, so by their logic Aesterwald was never part of de-jure Holy Oren Empire because it could only be part of de-jure Imperium Tertius." I should here denounce you as a liar for stating that you are a historian, for you favor fiction of fact. Instead, however, I will simply correct you. The Imperium Tertius, the Third Empire, and the Holy Oren Empire are simply the same entity under a different name, associated with alterations in their governance and systems of succession. "It's quite obvious, actually, that his intent is to force the Raevir culture upon all. He has opposed all that sought another culture and to not be apart of Oren due to the unwanted life-style of The Carrions." In the same way Ser Maric seeks to propagate Heartlander ideals, the Lords of Carrion seek to propagate Raevir ideals. However, never has Tuvya sought to eradicate, dismantle, or expel those whose cultures conflict with that of Raev. He has accepted elves, dwarves, Heartlanders and Waldenians as friends. Such can be exemplified through the marriage by the Rovins to Aleksandr Carrion. "As mentioned, he literally did try to go to war with them. The only reason it was stopped was the rise of The Undead." It would appear the threat Undead was capable of motivating Emperor Tuvya to seek a peaceful solution against an insurrectionist movement spurred by the anti-Carrion sentiments that have been and still are being propagated in the Konigreich. He would have been within his right to crush the rebellion entirely. However, with the Undead threat so prevelant, Ser Maric has sought fit to force war upon Emperor Tuvya by declaring himself King and stealing a piece of the Empire's unifying crown. This opposes your own argument. They could not have done so legally because in a display of illegal power hunger, Maric and his followers were declared as traitors and acting in treason when they tried to legally change how the electorate vote was handled." Consider this the last word you will hear regarding this specific subject, because frankly my fellow scholars and I are tired of answering this question for those not fully educated on traditional feudal law. To dismantle the Empire is inherently illegal and treacherous, no matter who does it. There is no legal precedent by which to accomplish this. That is enough of that. "Actually, such was promise to commoners and Edmund Horen was put to his position for this exact reason." If such a thing was 'promised' for the sake of your radical Horen patriarch, then it was redacted; if it was ever truly promised as you claim. The House of Magnates is established, and that is far more of an extremely radical democratic shift than offering the common man fair trial. To do both at the same time would mean I myself would condemn it as a breach of law and tradition. "This sounds like a threat to me. So, as usual, this is what The Carrion's resort to." I am not a Carrion. Just a foolish boy. You gave your word to Tuvya you would be a force for unity. And now you fight because you 'have nothing to lose?' You can not call yourself a man of the people, not any longer. You have grown mad with rage like the late Jack Rovin and seek to do nothing other than to dismantle the Carrion Vochna for no reason other than for feigned revenge. And at the cost of your nation, and your people. Creator have mercy on you.

The young scholar taps his dry quill on a blank parchment as the dissident responses come to him. "Hm... I had thought there would be many dissenters, but never did I think none of them would produce a healthy or respectful challenge to my statements, or at least propogate a logical debate. This only confirms my suspicions regarding their ineligibility as statesmen, surely, unless a few come forward with a more tame mentality. How can the Waldenians or Renatians hope to rule independent nations, if they are so quick to enrage and so rash in their response to a challenge of the precedents by which they act?"

Posters are hung up all about the Empire. People of Orenia On this day, I, a foolish boy under the tutelage of great men, address you on behalf of yourselves, and for the sake of righteousness and truth. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First, I offer you a summary of the events which transpired on the fateful day that this Storm Rebellion began, in shorthand and in order. - Maric Varodyr and his companion approached Aleksandr Carrion in his Keep in Karovia. - Maric imparted his wish to, in the future, dissolve the Empire of Oren, and offered Aleksandr the title King of one-third of the Empire. (The other two being Renatus and Aesterwald). - Aleksandr informed his father of then Ser Maric's intentions towards the Empire. - Emperor Tuvya called Ser Maric to Petrus, where he and others arrived. - Ser Maric was stripped of his title of commander of the Red Dragon and his Privy Council position. - Ser Maric and his loyal Knights left with Tuvya's permission. - Tuvya, upon hearing that Maric had garrison'd Fort Angren, approa ched the Fort with armed men. - Tuvya requested that Maric vacate the castle immidiately, as it is an Imperial holding designated under the peerage, and Maric's right to hold it was stripped along with his titles. - Maric refused, and after some arguing, Ser Ocran utilized the ballista to fire at the bridge, blowing out part of it. - Afterwards, Lucas Black used shamanistic powers to call lightning down on Tuvya's party. - Tuvya declared Ser Maric a traitor after offering him his last chance to vacate Fort Angren. - Tuvya's party departed. These are the true and absolute facts, agreed upon by both King Maric and Emperor Tuvya and which can be confirmed by countless eye-witnesses. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- However, the series of events listed above are not what proves whom has a righteous hand in the conflict, not to the subjective eye. So instead, we shall observe this objectively, beginning with the rights by which the Storm Lord, King Maric, and his subjects, believe the Kingdom of Renatus should be formed and be independent of the Empire of Oren, and that others should rally to his cause. Rebuttles to each statement, compiled from different constituents of True Orenia loyal to Emperor Tuvya, are listed below each and in bold. - Tuvya is tyrrannical. Tuvya has not once declared war on any besides the Undead and on those whom he views as a traitors. He has been eternally generous to his people and to even Ser Maric himself, prior to the rebellion. Furthermore, the notion of his tyrranny has only surfaced with the recent rebellion and never before that; evidence that the declarations of tyranny are a petty attempt at turning the smallfolk against their benevolent monarch. Waldenian Comment; Secession is an inherently treacherous act, no man would dispute this. Therefore, the supplied rebuttle stands. - The Empire is an instrument of oppression and is abused by the Carrion Vochna to subjugate their fellow man and maintain at the forefront of Orenian politics. The Electorate was formed under the Carrion Vochna. Any Electorate system is inherently dangerous to the ruling House, as removal of them through legal means becomes possible. Therefore, to assume that the Carrions seek to maintain the Empire for the sake of oppressing others can not be true, for it was they who made it possible for themselves to be easily removed. - The designation of Maric Varodyr as a traitor was for the sake of the elimination of political rivals to the Carrion Vochna, as the Carrions seek to see Aleksandr Carrion ascend to the Imperial Throne, and Maric proclaimed he would not support Aleksandr. Maric Varodyr held no Electorate votes personally. The only existing Electors at the time of the events were de Savoie, Carrion, and Rovin, with the High Pontiff capable of breaking ties. De Savoie has remained loyal to the Empire since the Storm Lord's rebellion, confirming that they would not support Maric's cause nor answer to him with how they use their vote. Therefore, Ser Maric simply had no legal precedent to be a political opponent to the Carrion Vochna, as he held no direct sway over enough Diet votes. - Tuvya Carrion and his loyal men are Flays, renowned for banditry and the forsaking of peace and law. Tuvya's allegiance to the Flays is known, but it is the Flays whom were instrumental in the initial expansion of the Empire in the days of Godfrey. Augustus Flay's ascension to the status of Saint by Bishop John of Darfey is but one example of the Godly necessity of the ruthless and skilled combatants. Regardless, Tuvya does not associate with any Flays. The only relationship he holds to them any longer is that some of his guardsmen are descendents of Flay bannermen, but even then, not Flays themselves. - House Carrion claims to strive for the unity of all men, yet supports the secession of the Kingdom of Norland from the Konigreich of Aesterwald. The Kingdom of Norland does not belong, de jure, to the Empire of Oren; whereas Vanderfell does. Norland's desire to secede was not feuled by Orenia, merely supported by it in an attempt to weaken the Waldenian resolve and strip them of their vassal's levy. - Tuvya is heathenous, for he supports the creation of a pagan Kingdom. Tuvya is not intolerant, nor does he support the idea of racial or religious subjugation or genocide like Orenian rulers of the past. Regardless, the Kingdom itself is not ruled by a pagan doctrine, only has those within who hold to pagan beliefs. Additionally, it should be noted that the Waldenian King's personal guard was directly comprised of Clan Ovar's soldiery at a time; a pagan group. Below, several quotes from Renatian propagandists are listed, with rebuttles. "Now the reason I would rebuke their whole Unity argument would be the fact they granted the Northerners Independence, an act of desperation to win their support but it also means they do not fight for humans to be Unite, they simply fight to try and keep the majority of them under their boot." - Edmund Horen The Norlanders declared independence after the Waldenians began to aid the Renatians in the field of battle. Tuvya is no warmonger, as shown by his repetative avoidance of war with Aesterwald in the past. He will not simply go to war with those outside of his de jure Empire because they are human and should serve him. He will, however, defeat those who seek to split apart the Empire, for they seek to break apart the Empire and that is a direct threat to the thus far established unity. "We the rebels do not believe human unity is achieved through an Empire, ever since the departure of Horen V any Empire after his own has been on shaky ground. We believe that human unity is agreed through the cultures and peoples of humanity ruling themselves and being in coalition with one another to work for the betterment of the world itself." - Edmund Horen In the Age of Five Kings, unity was not prominent. In the time before Godfrey, unity was not prominent. Only under an Empire was humanity ever truly united. If the Empire is split, the blood will be fresh on the field from this war, and leave the door open to countless other petty wars between the divided human nations. The rebels could have achieved unity legally, by attempting to legally maneuver themselves to take power and representation, but instead conspired seditiously. "The Carrions like to say he broke oaths but Maric is a Knight and his oaths to Chivalry outweigh that of fealty, the Carrions would have him suppress an angry population through force which would directly break his vows to the code of chivalry. Is it better to follow a tyrant for an oath of fealty? Or better to follow a pious code that follows all the best values humanity has to offer." - Edmund Horen The Knight's Code of Chivalry clearly states that a Knight must valoursly serve his liege. To break this Code is to break his vows of Chivalry. Lord Edmund should study law more closely before fancying himself ready for Bailiff again! "Was it not Emperor Tuvya, the peoples Emperor, that had only recently stated that the citizens of Oren didn't deserve trial?" - Unknown? (Kalameet) Actually, they do not. Legally speaking, common men may be convicted without a trial. To say otherwise is simply an attempt to appease the masses and offer societally seditious sentiment. The statesmen under King Meric once again find themselves lacking. This has been the way since Godfrey I's rule; never has legislation been passed offering the common man right to due process. In Ser Edward of Ayr's document, he proclaims blatant lies regarding the events of the beginning of the Storm Rebellion, and here he shall be condemned as a despicible traitor to truth and justice; and therefore not quoted, for his word is as worthless as the wind. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now that the Renatian sentiments and Orenian rebuttles have been listed, perhaps it would be prudent for the reader to examine the statistics regarding the war. Below are estimations of the force, and shall be updated with the changing of allies or forces. If any feel they have been misrepresented, or not included, please inform me and it shall be edited. Imperial Levy; 4,000 Karovian Levy; 2,000 Orcish Sect; 2,000 Norlandish Levy; 2,000 Mercenaries; 2,000 Total; 12,000 (120) --------------------------- Renatian Levy; 2,000 Waldenian Levy; 2,000 Total; 4,000 (40) Now consider Tuvya's expansive wealth. He will be capable of supplying his levies with the absolute best equipment available, and hire as many more mercenaries as he pleases. I believe that is all the information the populace needs to make the decision about whom they should support.

The lad twirls his quill at the response, biting his lip before writing a reply to his rival scribe; "The Code of Chivalry does not state in specific that certain aspects of their oath can override others; that would devalue the entire thing as a rag with which to wrap my fish. For, if one piece of the Code can override another, who's to say one's commitment in the Code to valorously serve your liege lord does not override the aspect of the Code that declares they must respect authority but fight for the good of all? No... It would appear, that unless one can pick and choose the aspects of the Code which are more important for their individual purposes, then to violate any declaration marked in the Code would be to violate the Code."

A young scribe seems to notice something odd about this document, and makes note of it.