Eddywilson2

How is you such a beast

Hakon Ireheart chuckled heartedly at the missive as he made modifications to the Ireheart Clan Hall to enhance their smithing abilities. The Hall boomed with song as the Dwarves sung in a low tone. “Diggie Diggie Hole…”

Hakon Ireheart readies his blade for the melee, travelling from the depths of Urguan with his clansmen to participate.

"Kor'garr is an hono'able uruk." Hakon says as he reads over the missive, a proud bandana on his forehead.

The Fate of the Second Sons 11th Sigismund’s End, 1909 ~The Sons and Daughters setting up camp for the exiles of Petra~ The raspy hack of coughs and moans of the dying rang through the camp between the claps of thunder. The sharp cry of a babe pierced the camp as the Sons and Daughters of Petra cursed between scoops of mud. Holes, holes for their waste, holes for their dead, holes in their hearts for the loss of their homeland. "How did we get here?” Constanz said to his longtime friend Sir Louis d’Azor. “How did this happen?” His comrade had no response. He was deep in thought. All of the Petrans were. While they had brought all they could carry, it was not enough to fill the void that their lost loved ones and their land had once filled. "Im not going anywhere Constanz. I will follow you wherever you take us.” Sir Emir d’Abbassia said to a room full of Petrans. The Round Table had called a town hall to discuss their current situation. "I'm with Emir! We will forge a new future. As long as we have each other!” said the Mayor Eryane Rhodon de Rosius. The woman had gone from a relative stranger to a great friend since her successful election. She had done wonders for the people of Petra and gave hope when there was little to be found. It was all any leader could ask for as Constanz smiled sadly as his companions. However, their words of hope would not solve their predicament. “They’ll hunt us while I draw breath. It would not matter how far we go. We would never be safe.” "Then we’ll kill them all!” said the brave Sir Wings von Hahn “We will have each other’s backs, just as we always have!” "This is no longer your fight, my fellow countrymen. Use this to create a new start, a future for our people. This is our chance to create a life for our children and our children’s children.” responded the disgraced Archduke. "B-B-But Papa! Th-Th-Th-They’ll kill you!” said his eldest son Albert. The young boy had the markings of a leader, if he could overcome his challenges. Constanz smiled at the boy, but there was a deep sadness behind his eyes. He would never be able to witness his son grow to be a man. Later that dark night, a rider galloped away from the camp with a letter in hand. "To Marius Audemar, You owe me a debt. In a single stroke of carelessness, you tore apart both a family and a nation with your adolescent decisions. For the past year, I have been waging a war of survival against the likes of you and your rogues. You have turned my wife paranoid not just against me, but against the people of Petra as a whole. On that fateful day when Renilde learned of my knowledge of your unholy deeds, she fled to you instead of to her countrymen to which you waged war. A war sanctioned on women and children, on innocent diplomats, and on all Petrans alike. On the day that I learned that Renilde preferred the company of other men than the company of her people, I was shocked that she would stain the legacy of Petra and risk its security by trading whispered words with another nation’s royalty. That same nation that now occupies our homes. But never, never, did I plot to seize her crown. I made no move in any sort of fashion, not as much of a thought of it, instead finding that she had attempted to seize the people’s funds with force through a fit of paranoia. She then fled to Haense where I became apprised that she was raising men to seize the city with Haeseni and Ferrymen forces. I have seen firsthand what sort of wanton destruction the Ferrymen can cause, and many honorable Petrans such as Sir Arthur de Lyons, Sir Brandt Berhal, and Dame Livia d’Anpalais, died at the hands of their blades or worse, at the hands of darkspawn from within your ranks. I rallied the people of Petra to the keep for safety, and yet they still came. Only by the Grace of GOD did we survive that day. But I know my people will find no justice at the hands of your governments, and I know you will keep hunting them for crimes they did not commit so I leave my fate to GOD. I, Constantine Antonius Novellen, challenge you to a duel to the death.”

The Sons of Petra laugh heartedly. The worst Marshal in the Son's history could not even betray correctly.

“The slaughter of diplomats is a heinous act.”

As Constanz looked around at the ashen bodies laying around the keep, his lone eye turned towards Sir Arthur. A ferocious warrior and an honorable man, the knight had been the first to try to stem the breach of Ferrymen and Azdrazi. His actions bought time for some to escape, and a tear fell from the man's eye onto the floor. "Sir Arthur..." he says, closing his eye and dipping his head.

The Knighthood of Petra was highly regarded amongst the realms of Man, and in their annals of history, Sir Brandt Berhal will be known. An honorable advisor and confidant of Constanz, the men had been close since the day they met in Petra. The war had taken a toll on Constanz, but the news of the death of his friend stung the man to his core, filling him with rage. Looking towards the flaming vessel carrying his comrade's body along the River Petra, Constanz made a vow to his friend. He would see his home returned.

Constanz looks over the ashen bodies, the socket of his eye dripping blood onto the Petran ground. They had called upon the Archduchess, and the Ferrymen had come in her place. The cries of the Petrans over the fallen rang in his ears. A dismal affair.

"This paper has become much more friendly towards me since its first edition. Perhaps, a free press is possible..." mutters a delirious Archduke.

"The Commonwealth is founded upon a Knightly Republic, and so it shall return. I remove myself from the judicial body due to my involvement with the situation and trust the Knights of Petra to make a sound decision on these proceedings." says a red-eyed Archduke.

"NOT AGAIN!" sobs the Archduke as another allegation comes to light.

"In dark times, one must consider their actions. I pray for our Commonwealth, and I pray GOD's Will be done." The Archduke states from within the chapel.

A River Diverges On the 16th of Horen's Calling, of the 113th year, a dark secret came to light. A revelation that brought not only heartbreak, but a sense of betrayal to those who trusted her most. Renilde, first of her name, Archduchess of the Commonwealth of Petra who commanded forces of thousands, and even more civilians was discovered to be unfaithful, in her union to the Archduke Constanz. Nearly ten letters were discovered in a home she kept hidden, missives sent between herself and the most unlikely paramore. “Prince Marius Audemar of Haense” Second Command to King Georg I By chance, or will of God, a single letter was intercepted by a long time knight of the Commonwealth, Sir Lucian. The contents of this writing were personal, salacious, and in kind, deeply concerning to a man of faith. In time, the hidden collective was brought to light, exposing an extensive affair dating back years. Gossip did as it always has, spread like an uncontrolled fire through a forest plagued by drought. Whispers became louder, louder until there were calls demanding answer. If she would lie to her husband, what more would she lie about? How long has this affair occurred? Are her children bastards? All things deserve to be accounted for within a Commonwealth. Petra has, since its inception, been a nation of voices. A state who holds her leaders to task, but what answer were they offered by their Archduchess? What response has she afforded those who have bled in her name? Soldiers marching, sell swords in the tens of hundreds. All these foreign faces overwhelmed the Petran streets with weapons drawn to assail the citizens that only wished for an answer. Was the Temesch line compromised? Had she no shame? Through the bitter silence, a response had come. Treachery, against the place she called home for - a man. Full copies of several letters were attached to the document, signatures too. The Archduke was left torn, even with all of this in mind. Simply said he is a man who loves his wife, but more than that, he must uphold the oath he made to the Commonwealth. When the Archduke learned of the news, he had sought a meeting with his lady wife and those involved to resolve it. However, he arrived to learn his wife was rallying the likes of the Ferrymen and Haense to attack. The residents of the Commonwealth began to rally for the Archduke as the rumors continued and evidence was rampant. All the true Petrans readied their plates of steel and their sharpened swords to defend their homeland. Chantings could be heard throughout the lands… "SNAKE SNAKE! FALSE DUCHESS! FALSE DUCHESS!” INTERNAL CONFLICT Archduke Constanz and his people VS Archduchess Renilde and her people Date and Time : TBA Where : nation_petra / capital of Petra

“This is absolutely acceptable, and necessary. The Church has been a friend in these trying times. Thank you, Father.” Constanz writes back.

Constanz retired to his chambers. For once, his bedside was not empty as his children swarmed together in somber silence.

Constanz sobs, holding a picture of his family from the betrayal.

“A splendid thesis. May our Church open it’s doors soon.” Says a pleased Archduke

Constanz grins at his wife’s impressive work. “A fantastic job!”

“I am sure Charlotte will make a splendid and perfect wife.” Said Constanz to himself in the mirror.

"I want a word with the Petrans Suns roster" muttered the Archduke, seething over their first round exit. The two time champions had been knocked out in the first around. What a disgrace.

In the Mountain, the River Forms Agreed upon by: THE COMMONWEALTH OF PETRA & THE GRAND KINGDOM OF URGUAN, On this 18th of Godfrey’s Triumph, in the Year of Lord 1908 | 18th of Malin’s Welcome, 112 SA ARTICLE I - MILITARY ALLIANCE The Commonwealth of Petra and the Grand Kingdom of Urguan hereby referred to as “the signatories,” sign a military alliance between the two nations. I. The signatories agree to a military alliance. II. The signatories agree that an attack by a third party against one of them is an attack against both of them. III. The signatories agree to settle any dispute between them or in which they may be involved through peaceful means in such a manner that this alliance and the laws of the signatories are not endangered. IV. The signatories agree to consult together whenever, in the opinion of either of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of the signatories is threatened. V. The signatories agree to keep the option available to expand this military alliance into a full offensive alliance whenever deemed favorable by both parties. ARTICLE II - TRADE AND CONTINUATION The signatories agree that a pact of free-trade shall begin between both parties. In addition, former agreements between the Commonwealth of Petra and the Grand Kingdom of Urguan shall remain valid during the duration of this treaty. I. That nation-affiliated merchants shall be allowed to trade in the other signatory’s nation without unnecessary tax or harassment. II. That each signatory shall receive one untaxed stall to sell whatever goods they see fit, so long as they do not break said nation’s laws. ARTICLE III - DURATION The signatories agree to be bound by the terms of this Treaty for a period of TWELVE years. The Treaty can be extended during or up until the last week of duration by both parties' approval. Signed, HER GRACE, Renilde I, By the Grace of GOD, Archduchess of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere HIS GRACE, Constanz-Anton, Archduke of the Petra, Prince of Balian Agnar Grandaxe, Grand King of Urguan, Clan Father of Grandaxe, Defender of Kal’Ordholm, Master of Punji-Sticks, Protector of the Dwarves

Constanz nods as he looks over the missive. "It is time to hold these ruffians accountable. They have no place in the clergy."

The Third Mayoral Election of Valfleur On the 7th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1907. . . By the UNITY OF MIND of the GOVERNMENT in PETRA, serving always CHIVALRY, LIBERTY and JUSTICE, the ARCHDUCHESS and ARCHDUKE do affirm this EDICT, delivered at MOUNT GARMONT CONCERNING the THIRD MAYORAL ELECTION of the CAPITAL of the COMMONWEALTH DECLARATIONS OF CANDIDACY On the 7th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1907, we will begin to accept the first declarations of candidacy for mayor. The declared candidates will be eligible for the ballot in five Saint’s Days. The voting process will then last for exactly two Saint’s Days thereafter. ELIGIBILITY The following prerequisites must be met by candidates in order to stand for office: Must have registered for the census here May be of any walk of life (Royal, Gentry, Commoner, etc) Must be over the age of 16 Must be acting in the interests of the State Applications for Candidacy OOC Disclaimer