Chaqery

((Reserved))

A newly published book, and many copies of it, are distributed throughout the Imperium Tertius and beyond. It's content is as follows: Auvernge: Les Peuple Noble par Jacques Lerain Translated into common by Marcel de Bretagne Preface by the translator: As the son of a sworn agent of the Emperor Godfrey I, the flight of Horen V, The Order of the White Rose, and much of the Imperial Privy council (and the subsequent deterioration of Imperial stature at the time) in what is now generally referred to as "The Exodus" meant that my family spent most of it's time locked and hidden away into the less publicly known locations of the realm. It was in one of these locations, the library wing of an old underground fortress, that I stumbled upon the following book. With wonder, I learned the inner workings of a culture that, being born into it, I presumed in my arrogance to fully understand. It was in the spirit of my own discovery that I set about to translate this work into common, that the Empire and indeed the rest of the world might know more of the Auvergnian people. Furthermore, I hope that the spread of this knowledges might debase the rather absurd notion as of late that a certain noble house is the rightful leader of the Auvergnian people. Not only is this a self-centered and arrogant mindset, it would also imply that the existence of House Pascal, Brunswick, my own de Bretagne, or even the Bedevere family's existence means nothing. I believe we're all just as important... and likely more. May the translated pages ahead remind not only the Empire, but the rest of the realm what the Auvergnian people are truly made of. Signed, Marcel de Bretagne Chapter I: Myths and Legends Before I begin detailing the finer details and nuances of Auvergnian culture, I must take the time to explain briefly the core set of myths and legends inherent to the Auvergnian people. It is from these stories that much of their cultural inspiration is drawn, consciously or not. I. Le Chanson de Baldwin II. La Chute de Dana Chapter II: Values and Traits I. Etiquette and its Implications A functional knowledge of the Auvergnian people cannot possibly be achieved without understanding the very real weight that their concept of etiquette contributes. In the briefest terms possible, Auvergnian etiquette demands that every social interaction be polite and hospitable. Intentional giving of offense and generally crude mannerisms are highly frowned upon. Hosts are expected to be generous, guests to be respectful, and those of lower social status are to be treated with the attention and respect an equal might receive. Negative emotions like anger and sadness are reserved for the confines of privacy, while positive emotions like love, happiness, and humor are openly expressed. In essence, Auvergnians are always cordial. II. Nobless Oblige Literally meaning "Nobility Obliges", Nobless Oblige is a core belief structure to all Auvergnians, nobility especially. It is a system built around what is considered the sacred relationship between liege and vassal. Lords are expected to provide their vassals with protection, fair and just leadership, and ample opportunity to better their own reputation and prestige. In turn, vassals are expected to be unquestioningly loyal, to represent their liege well in affairs of the realm, and to provide ample soldiers to the realm's causes. The fulfillment of these responsibilities from both liege and vassal are considered only proper to Auvergnians, anything less is unacceptable. Furthermore, Nobless Oblige serves as an idea that nobility or gentry of any status must strive to behave in a manner becoming of their station. Qualities like intelligence, courage, charity and at the forefront honor are valued, where qualities like belligerence, cowardice, greed, and cruelty are enough to discredit the worthiness of a noble. In essence, nobility are expected to act exactly that - noble. III. General Traits - Magic Tolerance: Contrary to the general sentiment of fear of hostility towards the magics, most Auvergnians hold no ill will. Magic is not innately evil, else God would not have allowed it to exist. Magic users who use their abilities to positively contribute to society are welcomed with open arms. Dark Magics, and immoral magic users are met with the same hostility that they could expect elsewhere. - Romanticism: Love, being a positive emotion, is openly expressed in Auvergnian culture. Auvergnians are known as fervent suitors, lovers, and spouses. A fire burns in their hearts. - Passion: The aforementioned fire of passion that burns in Auvergnian hearts blazes for far more than just lovers. Their passion can just as easily lead them to be fiery warrior, zealous believers, or ambitious courtiers. It was in an effort to control at least the outward expression of these passions that the strict codes of Etiquette were adopted. - Family Orientation: Auvergnians place special value upon family and the relationships therein. Parents raise their children in a loving, mentorship role. Children grow up to realize themselves and their action representations of their family and parents. Siblings share a close bond. Betrayal of a family member is second only to the betrayal of a liege lord in term of putting a black stain upon an individual's honor. - Honorable: The very foundation upon which Auvergnian society is built is honor. Your word is your best and only credit, and through living up to your oaths and promises you can further your reputation. Decency of character and know what's right are musts. Auvergnians pride themselves on being honorable. A loss of honor is enough to ruin an individual's life, and insulting someone's honor is a very quick way to make very fiery Auvergnian enemies. - Cultural Affinity: Auvergnians, due to their relatively small population, are generally inclined to like one another. Their shared culture and heritage, not to mention the politeness exchanged when both parties are accustomed to etiquette, typically leads to fantastic relations between Auvergnians, and between Auvergnians and those of similar cultures. - L'Esprit Gardac: Named after the mythical ancestors of the Auvergnians, the "Gardac Spirit" is the term used to describe the very uniquely Auvergnian sense of humor. High-brow satire, playful mockery, and oftentimes hinting at crude or lewd behavior combine to create what can only be described as "L'Esprit Gardac" - Horse Culture: While Auvergnians are by no means Nomadic people, horses do play a crucial role in defining who they are. In war, Auvegnian heavy cavalry is renowned throughout the Empire as a symbol of Auvergnian power. Auvergnian horses are bred for strength over speed or maneuverability, so that they can both pull heavy plows or bear heavily armored men into battle. Auvergnian children are told that thunder is the hoof beats of God unleashing the heroes of Auvergne upon his enemies, and that lightning is the spark of metal as their lances make contact with Iblees' front lines. IV. Cuisine While the typical notion of Auvergnian cuisine brings to mind oddities like snails or the like, the truth is rather different. Auvergnian foods are taken from whatever is at hand locally and prepared in manners that bring out rich flavors. Hearty breads, meats of all kind, and whatever vegetables grow best locally blend to create meals that are tasteful and filling. It is only in ceremonial occasions that the exotic and odd cuisine makes an appearance. ((WIP))

ACCEPTED. Aengoth's is ACCEPTED as well. Welcome aboard.

(( I'm not sure whether to be proud of the fact that my men are heroes for this.... ... or worried that these kinda events /actually/ happen late at night.))

((Yes, in fact it does. Uniform added. Many thanks for the fantastic skins to Urara.))

I think my heart just melted from the nostalgia. Rest in Peace White Rose. You were the heroes Asulon and Anthos needed, but not the ones they deserved.

[[There's a lot that can be done with this. More than you'd think really. I can't give away secrets because that ruins the purpose of trying to promote this as my own. Suffice to say it relies more on, yes, clever tactics than the traditional method of "let's charge them". But it's very much possible.]]

Les Gendarmes d’Auvergne "Nec pluribus impar" Upon the formation of House de Bretagne in the Imperium Tertius, Marcel II de Bretagne saw fit to establish a personal retinue of gendarmes (Auvergnian for Men-at-arms) both as a means of protecting his interests and to represent House de Bretagne in Orenian war efforts. Additionally, Marcel felt that the creation of such a unit would assist in this aspirations to bring about a renaissance of Auvergnian culture under the banner of the powerful House de Bretagne. Motto The motto des Gendarmes d'Auvergne is "Nec Pluribus Impar", meaning “Not unequal to many”. It is an old Auvergnian motto passed down through generations, and though it’s meaning has never been made explicitly clear, it is generally taken to suggest that the actions and abilities of these few warriors are not unequal to the actions and abilities of many times their numbers. Purpose Les Gendarmes d'Auvergne exist in a dual function: 1.) A personal defense force for House de Bretagne, trumpeting a sense of return of Auvergnian culture to the Empire at large. Due to House Bretagne’s role in the Imperial Court, Gensdarmes will serve as a peacekeeping force within the realm in times of peace, capable of rapidly deploying to maintain the Emperor’s Peace. They will never be used to forcefully advance the interests of House de Bretagne. 2.) A well-trained and effective heavy cavalry squadron for the Exercitus Imperium. All Gensdarmes are soldiers of the Empire first, and men of House de Bretagne second, if they so choose. The achievement of these two objectives is paramount to House de Bretagne, who are aware of the small population that the Auvergnian people contribute to the empire, but still desire to make a lasting impact on the Orenian war effort. Uniform Equipment: Plate Armor Gensdarmes are equipped with the heaviest armor available, offering the greatest protection possible when plunging into enemy formations. Unlike heavy infantry, who are often forced to wear plate mail in order to retain maneuverability, fighting from a saddle allows for the employment of full plate. Lance This iconic weapon for mounted warriors earned it’s reputation through sheer lethality. In the hands of a trained cavalryman, it can spell disaster for an footsoldier. Though it takes rigorous training to master, the advantages are well worth it. Broadsword After a lance charge, these blades are drawn to enter the melée. Forged with the capability to both slash and stab with equal lethality, broadswords are a cavalryman’s best friend. Their hilts typically incorporate a hand guard in the hilt to further protect the wielder. Auvergnian Charger The tales of the ancient Auvergnian heroes of old always make mention to their equally as noble steeds. It's from this mentality that the Auvergnian people take pride in the calibre of their horses. Perhaps not as quick and maneuverable as other breeds, they are strong enough to be laden with armor and heraldry themselves while carrying a fully armored gendarme into the thick of battle with deadly force and still look graceful. Solid animals of war that don't bolt when the din of combat grows to a roar, and furthermore a symbol of Auvergnian military prowess. Ranking Structure The ranks of the Gensdarmes remains relatively unaltered, though addition have been made to reflect Imperial desire to reinstate knights as true heroes of the Empire. Under the supervision of the Commandant of Cavalry, knights and the sons of noblemen are turned into capable soldiers, leaders, and gentlemen of Oren. Officers Capitaine La Capitaine des Gendarmes is the commanding officer of the House de Bretagne forces below the House Patron. Typically of gentry or lesser noble birth, he is responsible for ensuring the perpetual combat readiness of the scara. The Captain is meant to be a capable leader (preferably through example and not fear) and totally loyal to the House, and it is for these reasons that even a commoner may achieve this rank (though typically with an elevation to gentry as well) should they prove to be aptly worthy. Garde du Corps Les Gardes du Corps are the elite few of the Gendarmes deemed veteran enough to personally guard the de Bretagne famille. In a less civic role, they assist in mentoring the newest members of the squadron and in leading charges on the battlefield. Their battlefield experience makes them renown warriors and respected mentors/military advisors. They typically develop a very close relationship to the family members of the House and are often even considered as uncles or godparents to the children. There is no restriction on their birth status in order to become a Garde du Corps. Knights Paladin (Paladin (Name)) The most experience and capable knights in the realm are given the title “Paladin”. These men are martial experts, veterans of many battles from the seat of their charger or leading units of Imperial soldiers. Though technically junior officers of the Exercitus Imperium, Paladins have the greatest potential to be promoted to positions of senior command, or even the very rare chance to ascend to nobility all thanks to their proven loyalty, combat prowess, and leadership capability. Knight-Brother (Brother (Name)) Through display of combat effectiveness and developed leadership, Brother-Knights are made. Though still on their quest to glory, these men are capable of being entrusted with leadership responsibilities within the Gensdarmes, Exercitus Imperium, and Imperial lands as a whole. Knight (Ser (Name)) The backbone of the knightly ranks, these men were either born gentry or nobility or knighted by the Imperial Court for their proven dedication to the Empire. Leadership potential has also been displayed in their actions. Gendarme The standard rank of the squadron, these horsemen have passed through their training process and fully qualified to serve House de Bretagne and the Imperium Tertius alike. Deadly mounted shock troopers with noteworthy discipline, they seek to test their metal against enemies of the realm or threats to the family. Escuier Escuiers, the new (and typically) young members of the squadron are taken under the wing of a veteran in the Garde du Corps in order to learn a comfortable proficiency with the use/upkeep of heavy armor, mounted warfare, and typical Auvergnian traditions and way of life (unless of course they are of Auvergnian descent). They are not provided with their own horse yet, however, merely given the ability to practice with horses owned by the scara. When their mentor feels they are ready, they are presented with their own set of plate armor and horse, the staple of any Gendarme. Code d'Éthique An ethical code is not only paramount to Auvergnian society, it is critical of any successful military effort. La Code d’Éthique des Gendarme d’Auvergne is as follows: Fear God and maintain His Church As soldiers of the faith through service to both the Empire and House de Bretagne, Gendarmes are expected to believe in the Creator and protect the Church, including men of the faith like priests and onwards. Serve House de Bretagne and the Imperium Tertius in valour and faith Auvergnian blood has been spilt building the Empires of the past. As the military face of Auvergne in the Empire, Gendarmes are expected to be loyal and brave servants of House de Bretagne and the Imperium Tertius To protect the weak and defenceless Without honor, Auvergnian’s are nothing. It is likely one of the most critical pieces of their culture. Defending the weak, innocent, and defenseless is a staple of any honorable sort of action. To refrain from the wanton giving of offence In a realm where politics abound, one does wisely to think before speaking or acting. It is further an Auvergnian mannerism to be very sensitive to offending others. To live by honour and for glory A relatively self-explanatory staple of the ethical code of the Gendarmes, this is easily the most important. Auvergnians are honorable gentleman and ladies. This translates into every aspect of their lives, even though they do not hesitate to do what is necessary in the fury of battle. To fight for the welfare of all The blood of Auvergnians is one that flows with pride, honor, and the knowledge that one kingdom of men is not God’s will, but rather the unification of mankind into one glorious Empire. To obey those placed in authority There is a time and place to question the decisions of those in power. That is never in public or in front of others. Peace and stability is kept through trying times by maintaining the allusion of control always. To guard the honour of fellow Gendarmes In service to House de Bretagne and the Imperium Tertius, we are brothers all. Protect your brothers. To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit Quality of character is just as important as quality of arms in Auvergnian culture. Despised are the unduly wicked or cruel. To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun It is a point of honor to do what you say you will. To respect the honour of women While Auvergnian men are certainly not foreign to the female anatomy, it is in no way condoned to treat any lady with anything but respect. Never to refuse a challenge from an equal As men of the sword, it is only fitting that you potentially die by it to. Never to turn the back upon a foe Auvergnians do not run. They do not surrender ((Unlike their futuristic predecessors)), and they will fight for what they believe until death. Applications Posters and flyers are placed up all over the Empire, telling of this newly founded scara for the Imperial military as well as service to House de Bretagne. Applicants are encouraged to contact The August Marcel de Bretagne (mcname: Chaqery) and seek an audience, as well as submitting the following in a letter (forum post): OOC MCName: Skype: RP Name: Are you of Auvergnian heritage: Experience: ((That’s right, a heavy cavalry unit. It’s relatively new ground to cover, I know. If you feel up to the challenge, and are interested in immersing yourself into Auvergnian culture, feel free to submit an application. Non-Auvergnian members are more than welcome to apply as well.))

(( Edited quite a few things: 1.) CHANGED House Coat of Arms. 2.) ACCEPTED MrGreene as Gilles de Bretagne and MrGoldd as Sabine de Bretagne. Congratulations to you both! Other applicants look for me to contact you via skype. 3.)REMOVED Manon de Bretagne. Marcel is now an eligible bachelor due to interest conflicts. 4.)ADDED Pierre and Aimeé de Bretagne as cousins for the family. They may now be applied for. My apologies for taking so long to make any decisions. I am not in the habit of easily accepting people, certainly not in a noble family that I am responsible for. In an effort to assure quality over quantity, applicants may expect a heavy amount of questioning prior to a decision being made.))

Throughout the Empire, letters are delivered to nobility and persons in positions of leadership. In addition to these, copies are tacked to the message boards in every major human settlement. Mesdames et Messieurs, Esteemed Nobility of this Imperium Tertius, and those of every class below, It is with a warm smile, proud heart, and feverish hands that I humbly submit to you this missive. Let it serve as the opening pages to the next, and greatest chapter that Humanity has ever witnessed. Before I get much further though, I would introduce myself. I am Marcel II de Bretagne, Imperial Coercitor and Patron of House de Bretagne. It is with abundant honor and respect that I find myself risen up to nobility, and further still that I may wholeheartedly serve the Emperor and Imperial Court like my father before me. As per my ambitions, for I am sure the more driven of you are curious, I seek merely two achievements: Peace throughout the entirety of the realm, and a renaissance of the Auvergnian people and culture. To touch on the first, as per my responsibility as Imperial Coercitor I am honorbound to enforce the Emperor's Peace through any means nessecary. Through the exercise of my legal authority to resolve disputes between noble houses alongside the ability of my enforcers to take matters of lower justice immediately into their hands, I will endeavor to make our glorious Empire a safer, more peaceful place. That will inevitably not be enough though, as we are a people forged from a history of war and interior turmoil. Therefore it is with an immense respect for the past that I call upon all people of the Empire to aid in bringing about my dream, not just because the Emperor asks it of you, but because it is imperative for the success and ascension of Humanity to power and glory never before witnessed. This places responsibility heavily upon the shoulders of Orenian leadership, be they esteemed members of the nobility or any other sort. I would remind you specifically that leadership is of the greatest gifts that the Creator may bestow upon us, and so we must use it as effectively as possible. I emplore you to seek my council prior to taking any sort of hostile action against your fellow men in retaliation to some offense given. Secondly, I touch upon my ambition to see a renaissance of the Auvergnian people and culture. For too long has the future of our heritage rested upon the shoulders of a few that leave much to be desired. I make no attempt to disguise the fact that I endeavor to advance House de Bretagne's esteem within the realm so that I might better sponsor a restoration and nurturing of the Auvergne that my father told me stories of. I therefore call upon whatever may remain of the Auvergnian people within the realm and ask that they rally behind House de Bretagne and its cause for I believe us to be the greatest hope for our people. Let not the Empire forget the Auvergnian blood flowing through it's veins. Let that information about me not detract from the truer aim of this missive, however. It is to serve as a welcome to the new age of men. This Imperium Tertius will not only restore the glory of the Second Empire under His Imperial Majesty Godfrey I Horen and then His Imperial Majesty Horen IV, but greatly surpass it. Greatness is only achieved through great sacrifice, and of course we shall all be called upon to sacrifice at one point or another. Celebrate such an opportunity! Heroes of old like St. Thomas, St. Siegmund, Uthor Silverblade or even the less publicly appreciated Mirtok DeNurem or August Blackmont were renowned as such because of their sacrifice to the Empire, and for their people. Take such adversity head on! Let us prove to any naysayers that Humanity is strong, Humanity is proud, and Humanity's Empire will be the greatest to ever exist. Let us take for example, the recent victory against the dark menace that has plagued all races for too long. Thanks to soldiers and commanders from the Empire over, and our glorious Prince Robert Chivay, the Imperium Tertius conquered insurmountable odds. We will never forget this battle as we plunge ever onwards together, a unified humanity. Let it serve as a motto, uttered throughout the Empire. Remember always Hadrian's Wall! We cannot be defeated! Make no mistake: there is a dark and dangerous road yet before us all. But with the Emperor as the moon and Oren's fearless leaders in every role as torchbearers, we shall all make it through to the glorious morning of the golden age of the Holy Orenian Empire.L'avenir n'est pas un long passé. Signé, The August, Imperial Coercitor, Marcel de Bretagne ((Apologies for not making it look prettier. Had to write on my phone.))

Applications Mc Name: Skype Name: Timezone: Character you wish to play: Are you willing to make this character your main character: Note: Really only looking for people to adopt these characters as their main. It will be sufficiently time consuming, I assure you.

House de Bretagne “L'Avenir est un Long Passé” Foundation The grand history of the Holy Orenian Empire is largely documented within the scrolls of libraries across the known realms. The reunification of the Empire under His Divinity Emperor Godfrey I Horen, the birth of the undefeated Order of the White Rose and the subsequent years of Imperial Glory are so well ingrained into common knowledge that they are often told as bedtime stories to children. Like any good story though, there are two sides: the reality and the remembered. Obscured by the darkness of history’s often gritty truth is the story of House de Bretagne. Marcel I (le première) de Bretagne, born to the impoverished knight Ser Jean-Jaques and quickly shipwrecked in a far distant land, was returned to his native land of Oren by the Count Baldir Toov (nicknamed “The Zealot” by the Knightly Order of the Red Dragon), one of the four founders and active Confanonier of the Order of the White Rose, upon his own pilgrimage far outside the borders of Kaedrin. Having developed such a close personal relationship with Lord Toov brought Marcel into the fold of a much darker organization than the Rose: The Imperial Inquisition. Under the close guidance and moulding of Lord Inquisitor Aegis, Marcel I was wrought into a deadly weapon of the Emperor. Tested by the bloodbath of the Inquisitorial Purge of Kingston in Anthos (the Holy Order’s most notable and public operation) at the order of Lord Inquisitor Aegis and His Divinity Horen V, de Bretagne emerged from the other side as an efficient and loyal member of the Inquisition that would serve the Emperor up until the mass departure of much of the Imperial Court and Order of the White Rose. Retiring to the network of safe houses and hidden operational bases established by the Inquisition, Marcel I and his wife, Mireille de Bretagne begot the oldest of their four children, Marcel II (le deuxième), followed by Gilles and Lucas, his two younger brothers and lastly their daughter, Sabine. Upon the return of Emperor Peter I Chivay, Marcel II (as the eldest living member of his family) sought immediately to offer his services to the Empire in honor of his family legacy and was granted the title of nobility alongside a position upon the Imperial Privy council as the Imperial Coercitor. Members Heirlooms/Relic The Inquisitorial Uniform and mask of Inquisitor Aur, or Marcel I de Bretagne is a cherished bit of family history to the fledgling House de Bretagne. It serves as a symbol of the family’s past dedication to the empire and a reminder of one of the key principles that their father, Marcel I, instilled into each of his children: The greatest service is not always the one that earns the most public recognition. Todesfall, the necklace given to the family by Lord Baldir Toov, is a priceless heirloom as well. It is made of a jet black metal and bears the golden inlay of the crest of House Toov. As a renown defender of the innocent, not to mention the real name of Lord Inquisitor Aegis, the necklace stands as a reminder of the close relationship the de Bretagne family once shared with House Toov, as well as powerful reinforcement of the de Bretagne belief that it is through bonds to those around us that we grow stronger. Culture and Beliefs As a House born from the heart of an Auvergnian upbringing, all members of the fledgling House de Bretagne speak and act in ways customary of the Auvergnian culture. That is to say that the smooth language of their ancestors fills their typical dialogue, and that as newly elevated nobility they ascribe wholeheartedly to the very sacred Auvergnian belief of Noblesse oblige, a phrase literally meaning "nobility obliges". It is the concept that nobility extends beyond mere entitlements and requires the person with such status to fulfill social responsibilities, particularly in leadership roles. In essence, in order to have full claim to the title of noble one must truly act noble. This extends into the relationship between lord and vassal, where Auvergnians believe that a vassal is to serve his master loyally and efficiently, whereas a lord has not just a responsibility, but a moral obligation to treat his vassals with a gentle but firm hand of guidance, only seeking the best for both parties. In practical use, this accounts for the air of uprightness that surrounds all members of House de Bretagne. As vassals to the Emperor they are wholeheartedly loyal and unfalteringly willing to serve in the realm’s best interests. As nobles of the Empire, they are morally bound to seek positions of leadership or otherwise contribute to the overall welfare of the realm in a positive fashion. That is what places them in a prime position for holding the office of Imperial Coercitor. Their fellow nobility should all seek to be as upright and loyal to the Empire, or risk the consequences of law. Furthermore, it accounts for the generally jovial and polite mannerisms adopted by members of House de Bretagne when dealing with those both above and below their own station. Manners and etiquette are facets of Auvergnian culture, and to unnecessarily offend a stranger is considered a stain upon the honor of any true Auvergnian. They are civilized people after all, not tribal savages. That isn’t to say, however, that there is a lack of humor in House de Bretagne. There is another Auvergnian term, “L’esprit gaulois” attributed to their culture’s very unique humor that is described as a mix of wit, humor, and mockery, but with the stipulation that while crude and suggestive, it may not be course or grossly offensive. L’esprit gaulois manifests itself almost exclusively verbal, in the form of light-hearted taunts or otherwise appropriate verbal banter. Another important facet to Auvergnian and particularly House de Bretagne culture is the family. In a world full of war, political intrigue and oftentimes betrayal from the closest of friends, the family is sacred. No matter what, an Auvergnian may count on their family to provide a place of stability. Betrayals within Auvergnian families are rarely heard of and seen as massive stains upon the honor of an individual’s name. Auvergnian women, while typically of intelligent nature (which is encouraged) and strong opinion, are also aware of their domestic responsibilities. Mother is the heart of the family, even if not the leader. Children are raised to respect their elders and set an example for those younger than them, while fathers are expected to provide for their family and bring greater honor and reputation to their name. Brothers are expected to love one another and seek always to support one another. It is the close relationship of an Auvergnian family that translates into the titles given to their acquaintances. While “mon ami” or “my friend” is acceptable use for even someone you barely know, “mon frere/ma soeur” or “my brother/sister” is reserved for true siblings, or friends worthy of immense trust or close relationships. Honor and reputation, if it wasn’t already fairly obvious, is also critical to the Auvergnian culture. When you say you are going to do something, you do it to the best of your abilities. It is taken as an immense honor if somebody else trusts you enough to vouch for you, for that means they are staking their own reputation and name upon your ability to deliver. In all actions one should seek to be honorable. Simple enough. Given the rather hefty information listed above, and the nearly non-existent Auvergnian culture still alive in Oren, House de Bretagne seeks to bring about a renaissance of the Auvergnian people. To do so, they feel it is their duty to lead by example and be the pillars of Auvergnian culture that Oren needs. Furthermore, the house motto is “L’Avenir est un Long Passé”, meaning “the future is a long past”. This can be described as the belief that the history dictates the future, and the wise must know how to use the lessons of history in their favor to master their future. House de Bretagne is fully aware of it’s history, and it intends to master the ability to shape their own future to further glory and prestige within the Imperium Tertius. Honeur. Famille. Noblesse. Maison de Bretagne.

The final prayer of the ceremony was over. As cheers and loud chanting filled the throne room, a small cluster of similarly dressed men shifted their gaze to the crowd. The excitement was palpable, thick in the air and riling to the blood nearly as the rush of battle. His Divinity the Emperor Peter Chivay was at last ascended to the throne. With the soft jingle of a medallion clinking against metal buttons, Marcel de Bretagne lifted his gaze from his polished leather boots to the crowd. He couldn’t help but smirk at the stark contrast between the cheering crowd of both higher and lower born citizens to the stern guard force stationed at strategic locations. With relative peace soon returning to the room, already the nobility were lining up to swear fealty. Time for the important work to be done. “Alors mes frères, faites attention. Regardez notre charge. Prenez note de ces âmes qui ne jurent fidélité à l'Empereur.” The softly worded order produced merely a subtle nod from the tightly gathered group of men about Marcel. Long live the Emperor. Long live the newly restored Empire. It would be a place of law and order yet.

Now, before I begin I'd like to make it clear that I agree that the attitude of the community at large towards combat RP is a detriment to the overall health of the server. With that said, I think that oftentimes people jump on the bandwagon with this argument without fully comprehending the value that combat RP has the potential to provide. Here, in a setting where the new player is sort of thrust out into the world on their own, combat provides a chance at upward mobility. It's much more difficult to rise to any sort of prominence through passive means, which is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, that makes sense given the time period. Upward mobility in society wasn't particularly prevalent in the medieval epoch. Consequently though, it reflects a very clique-based system present here on LotC... which I don't think anybody will deny. To severely limit combat aspects while taking no steps to dissolve the tight-knit and exclusive rp cliques on the server is to effectively cut off all but the brightest and most capable new roleplayers. Additionally, while I agree that the rampant droves of assassins and bandits are a tad rediculous, it's hard to deny that true combat is a driving force of change on the server. By true combat I mean more along the lines of military skirmishes or all out war. Passive, peaceful RP is great sometimes. As a magic user myself, I can easily admit that the most enjoyable aspects of using magic are for practical or aesthetic purposes as opposed to lighting people on fire. -But imagine if the server was almost always peaceful, all the time? Things would be so sedentary that eventually everyone would get bored... or far worse, cyber rates would skyrocket. Wars and larger conflict provide a crucible through which the entire world is changed. A prime example is the collapse of Oren. Would everybody have been happy had Oren remained as omnipotent and imposing upon the rest of Anthos forever? No. So there was a war, and things changed. That change was negative for some people's characters, and positive for others... but if you ask me, all change is good. It adds depth to both personal and national stories. It creates opportunities for new RP, and gives rise to new regimes that might serve major roles later on. It drives the story along on a larger scale far more effectively than anything short of a very combat-oriented antagonist does. The problem I see with the argument against combat magic is that to a large extent the lore behind most of the magic is violent in nature. While certain subtypes like illusion certainly lend themselves more to depth-of-roleplay augmentation, others... primarily the evocation subtypes and generally things like necromancy, lend themselves very pointedly towards combat. Don't get me wrong, as a T5 fire evocationist, I have more fun lighting fires, cooking food, melting snow or the like... but that's because I applied for my magic withe idea to use it in more practical and aesthetic uses in the first place. Because there is no wide-spread ban on magic however, most people see it as a means of putting themselves above the plethora of characters who are "masters of the sword" from the very moment that their player creates them... and honestly, can you blame them? Because of how powerful magic is allowed to be, and the very strict and quantified method of obtaining it, people in the higher tiers feel validated in defeating the server's army of master warriors. Now, I mentioned the wide-spread ban on magic because I felt that it can be very useful. Oren is a prime example of this... or at least used to be. I'm a bit out of the loop there now. In Oren, the practice of /any/ sort of magic outside of holy magics was considered a very serious Imperial crime, unless you had a license which was nearly impossible to obtain. That meant that you didn't have magic users running about flaunting their abilities using them only to contribute to the bandit, assassin, and otherwise... well, edgy for lack of a better term, combat-oriented roleplayers. Contrastingly, look at someplace like Malinor, where there is no such ban. A necromancer, who by the very nature of their magic should be secretive, is just as likely to flaunt their abilities on the street as a druid healer. Furthermore, when people of a more "good" orientation take offense by the presence of this practitioner of dark magic, they are met with fierce resistance by the multitude of allies this necromancer has. People who want to deliver such lines as "necromancy isn't evil"... well yes, it sort of is. The attitude is different. In the Orenian system where all magic is considered illegal, regardless of it's true alignment, you find that guard forces and the general state of peace are much stronger because anybody nearby capable of wielding a weapon will jump in to help you shut down the magic user. Magic users are less likely to show off their abilities in fear of being hunted by everybody else. It keeps the more chaotic ones in check. Human magic users this way are pushed more towards the Mages College, or other nation-neutral magical organizations, where experienced magic users (like you Blunderless) CAN (or could, ideally) actually instruct them in the more aesthetic and passive sides to their magic. In Malinor though... beyond the fact that the guard force is nearly non-existent, past attempts to revive them are often quelled by the ridiculous amount of magic users who would rather break the law or remain otherwise unchecked by society. The guards aren't capable of stopping them because not only do they not possess the numbers to, but also they cannot rely on the other citizens to help them keep peace. More often than not, the magic user (even a necromancer or shade or lich, as I'm sure many long-time Malinorians remember) is more likely to garner more assistance from the general populace than the guards are. My hat goes off to TwilightWolf and BaconTheif for enduring this long in such a system. It's enough to drive somebody mad. In conclusion, combat RP in and of itself is not the issue here. It is, as Blundermore has said, the attitude of the community towards combat RP. It's like rabies, practically. But I don't think that /all/ combat RP is inclusive in this issue. As I stated, true combat RP like organized wars or skirmishes drive the over-arching story line. Magic and it's unchecked rampancy add to the problem as well. Combat RP shouldn't... nor could it really (and expect to see the server survive) be drastically crippled. I would say that the more conscious members of the community should instead push to keep it within logical check. The nations banning the use of magic so rampantly, like Oren used to, is perhaps a first step to look towards. It's merely an example though. This is an issue that can be resolved by combating specifically the negative aspects of the rp.