_Stigwig

BENEATH NORTHERN PINES The battle against marauding Hansetic forces on the banks of the Silversea had been quite unlikely the desperate defence of Helena; a merciless rout as opposed to an agonised and hard-won defence. There had been almost no losses amongst the armies which had amassed under the Renatian banner - no reason to turn back and pause. Despite the poor quality of the forces which had opposed them - the army had been reduced to nothing but peasant conscripts in their rear ranks - there could be no rest. The Renatians would honour the most grievous loss of the war yet, the death of their honoured Siegemaster and the son of Aurelius Tiberius Horen, through redoubling their efforts. As sunlight broke through the trees which arched over the small, rutted paths along which siege weaponry trundled and painted the grass in a beautiful orange they mourned his name. They were one step closer to Reza. Even if the enemy forced deigned to give battle again, rather than ceding the field and retreating to their walls, they would be defeated and forced backwards once more. There would be a new King of Hanseti, and an end to the Marian regime which had enabled the Nenzing Proclamation. Now, with the false and rotting edifice of ‘Oren’ ripped away, the loyal soldiers of Godfrey III would be able to strike down the true adder which had plotted against them all this time. WARCLAIM Type of War & CBs (if applicable) Rebellion, Claimant, Rivalry, Demands, Border Friction (Renatus>Haense), Aiding an Enemy (Fenn), Denouncement, Attack on Leadership (Defy+Gusano+Ajax+Capace) with a Conquest War Goal Attackers Imperium Renatus & Allies Defenders Haense & Allies Wargoals: Restoration of the Empire, Control over the rebelling territory of Haense Location & Proposed Time Saturday 3PM EST / 8PM GMT - 15th of June Within this area, to be discussed in warchat Contact Information vegetarianism#8288 / Gus#6475

THE BATTLE OF THE SILVERSEA The men of Renatus had been ready for this battle for over a year, now. Even after the pathetic attempts of Joey the Pretender and his former Marian hosts to avoid the repercussions of rebellion by lying about their service to a pretender, the men of the Empire stayed firm. They had marched for long hours, the assorted soldiers of the alliance camped outside the Elven city which lay close to the coast. As the burning sun rose over the horizon, a glimmer of dawn brushing over the pine forest which hid the approaching troop’s advance. Opposite them stood a far smaller, quivering force. The assorted bandits who had allied themselves with the Hanseti rebels and the final remnants of the Kingdom stood opposite them - a number barely a third of their size. At first sight of the Haensetic soldiers Tiberius Horen spun his left hand on his wheel and raised his sword with vigour. He rode down the hill letting out a great war cry before crashing into the water. The famed Renatian Siegemaster’s wheelchair accelerated with such great speed that it zoomed across the water before crashing into many Haensetic boats. All that remains of Tiberius ‘Siegmaster’ Horen As the Renatian legions watched the awe-inspiring sight of their former siegemaster speed on into the waiting enemy forces, cutting through a swathe of unwashed peasants, they let out an enormous cheer. Screaming out the name of Tiberius Horen they charged, cutting through the enemies which remained with terrifying ease. As the desperate remnants of the enemy soldiery attempted to flee into the nearby seas they faltered, boats failing to move and coming apart under the pressure of the thousands of soldiers pursuing them. Some men were dragged down by their armour, others picked out by the eagle-eyed archers which Field Marshal Hannibal Horen had positioned further back. Some - it was whispered about after the battle - were dragged down by the swimming Tiberius Horen… As the battle finished and the brave soldiers of the Empire took pause for a moment to lick their wounds and regroup back upon the shore they were assaulted from behind by a terrifying sight. Held in reserve poured out more unarmoured peasantry, streaming forwards from the rearguard. The mass group of unwashed conscripts poured on and on, seemingly devoid of fear, to die upon the blades of the waiting soldiers. With victory finally achieved and the carrion crows picking apart the corpses which made a new forest floor by the shores of the Silversea, the soldiers of Renatus soldiered onwards. Reza would fall and the false-King would be defeated, much as his soldiers had been wiped out with ease. A painting of the battle, Reiver bandits being butchered in the water by Renatian soldiers The late Tiberius Horen as he prepared for battle.

THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE IMPERIUM RENATUM The Privy Council of the Imperium Renatum serves first and foremost to aid and advise the Emperor on all issues, sitting to offer him aid on any issues he requires to consult them on. Beyond this the Council serves as a body with power in its each right; each member holds their own set of administrative powers and duties with which they aim to aid the Crown in furthering the governance of the Imperium. The matter of who sits upon the Privy Council is the decision of the Emperor himself, as is the definition of the exact powers of each individual role. The Privy Council also possesses, beyond the individual powers of each role, a collective responsibility and set of duties which it may sometimes have to exercise without the presence of the Emperor. In the case of the death of an Emperor without a clear line of succession it is the role of the Privy Council to oversee a smooth inheritance, while the Council also has power in times of uncertainty surrounding the Monarch’s status to govern the Realm. THE EMPEROR-IN-COUNCIL The Emperor-in-Council has ultimate control over the Privy Council in determining both its nature, powers, and occupants. Taking the role of Emperor-in-Council to lead the Council when he attends its sessions, he also possesses the power to act beyond its confines whenever he deems it necessary. The current Emperor is His Imperial Majesty, Godfrey III of the House of Horen, Emperor of the Imperium Renatum, King of Renatus, Marna, Mardon, Salvus, Seventis, Savoy, Courland and Santegia, Duke of the Crownlands, Avar, and Frederica, Count of Helena, Alamar, Frederica, Thesmer, Thelen, Lorath, and Cantal, Baron of Darkwood, Gravelhold, Fidei Defensor, Protector of the Heartlanders, Highlanders, Farfolk, etcetera. THE CROWN PRINCE The Crown Prince is the chosen heir of the Emperor, sitting in concert with His Imperial Majesty to serve the Realm. Although not endowed with any particular duties or responsibilities he may be assigned certain duties by the Emperor. By sitting with the Council the Crown Prince aims to gain valuable administrative experience and is able to assist any other member if they require aid. The current Crown Prince is His Imperial Highness, Achilius of the House of Horen. THE ARCHCHANCELLOR The Imperial Archchancellor is marked by the Signet of St. Wilfriche. They hold penultimate authority within the Privy Council and, in lieu of the presence of the Emperor, are empowered to oversee sessions of the Council. He is charged to preserve the Crown by any means and serves as chief amongst ministers, empowered to undertake diplomacy on behalf of the Imperium. The current Archchancellor is His Majesty, Edvard Edvarsson II of the House of Ruric, King of Norland, Archchancellor of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, High Chieftain of the Rurikid, Duke of Redmark, Landgrave of Nordengrad, Burgrave of Dunharrow, Chieftain of the Freyssons, Bulwark of the Hearth on Earth. THE GRAND KNIGHT The Grand Knight is marked with the Signet of St. Lothar. They are charged with overseeing the Order of the Red Dragon and the Imperial Knights, with arranging the protection of the Imperial Family and organizing the knighting ceremonies of the realm. The current Grand Knight is His Imperial Excellency, Ser Rodrik of the House of Kortrevich, Grand Knight of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, Ordermaster of the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon, Baron of Koravia and Hero of Renatus. THE GRAND MARSHAL The Grand Marshal is marked by the Signet of St. Edmond. He is charged with overseeing the Imperial army and its fortifications, with levying and otherwise drafting the peasantry of the realm in times of war, with ensuring the ample stocking of the Imperial armories, and with the training of new officers within the Imperium. The current Grand Marshal is Her Imperial Excellency, Illythia Rose of the House of Arator-Elverhilin, Grand Marshal of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, Countess of Whitepeak, Matriarch of Clan Arator and Draughtswoman of Renatus. THE IMPERIAL VICEROY The Imperial Viceroy is marked by the Signet of Saint Lucien. He is charged with overseeing and ensuring the fealty of the Imperial provinces and overseas territories of the realm and with conducting general matters of trade and other diplomacy with allies and neutral states. The current Imperial Viceroy is His Imperial Excellency, Julius of the House of Staunton, Imperial Viceroy of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, Prince of Courland. THE LORD JUSTICIAR The Lord Justiciar is marked by the Signet of Saint Daniel. He is charged to update and codify Imperial law and oversee Imperial courts, delivering just judgement to those convicted of capital offences, to bring those of both noble and common birth to trial for their crimes, and to establish the necessary institutions as to promote the continued well-being of the Crownlands. The current Lord Justiciar is His Imperial Excellency, William Jrent, Lord Justiciar of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, Hero of Renatus. THE LORD PRIVY SEAL The Lord Privy Seal is marked by the Signet of St. Adrian. He is charged to keep the monarch’s wax seal and draft his legislation, and to maintain the traditions and culture of the Imperium through the publishing and keeping of both Imperial documentation and cultural materials. The current Lord Privy Seal is His Imperial Highness, John Alexander of the House of Horen, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Alba and Furnestock, Lord Privy Seal of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum. THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR The Minister of the Interior is marked by the Signet of St. Godwein. He is charged to act as chief herald and keeper of the Crownlands, managing the palace and Imperial Household. He has furthermore the ability to staff the Imperial Household as he sees fit, to uphold etiquette within the Imperial courts, to hold hunts, festivals, tourneys, and other events throughout the Crownlands, the management of civil and construction projects of the Crownlands and to act as its Seneschal, and to manage the budget and books of the Imperial Crown. The current Minister of the Interior is His Imperial Excellency, Charles-Edmond Talraen, Minister of the Interior of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, Baron and Lord Protector of Rennes. THE MINISTER OF TRUTH The Minister of Truth is marked by the Signet of St. Theodosius. He is charged to act as keeper of the history, reputation and prestige of the Imperium, managing the imperial history book and keeping the imperial relics. He also has the ability to censure, sanction, punish and arrest whoever insults, defames or slanders the Imperium and its institutions, to supervise the content of the events and press of the Imperium, and to appoint Imperial Inspectors as he sees fit. The current Minister of Truth is His Imperial Excellency, Alexander II of the House of Merentel, Minister of Truth of the Imperial Crown of Exalted Godfrey and the Imperium Renatum, Count of Vintas and Baron of Hallowfell.

John remained beside the pyre as the flames slowly died down, ceasing to lick at the fallen elf’s plate-clad corpse. The execution had troubled him, caused more by the ominous signs that accompanied Khaine’s passing than brief heartache he felt at the killing of a man. He would carry a sliver of fear with him for a long time. The death of an honourable opponent made him all the more melancholic as he trudged away from the scene, even if the Prince could not bring himself to regret his decision.

Cousin, I receive, and appreciate, your missive. I much prefer this form of conflict - of legalese and written word - to the harsh twilight of battle. It seems, sadly, that in these dark times it is the latter which often emerges triumphant as the best resolution to the quarrels which occupy men. Let me first dispel the impression which hangs behind the entirety of your response - that I am somehow “bribed” by Renatus and a foreign agent whose will has been somehow subverted. This idea of Renatus as a foreign, oppressive and unknown agent lies behind the myths which sustain this entire conspiracy and rebellion. I serve the same Empire which my father and grandfather served nobly. I serve the same Empire which you, and your King, served for over thirty loyal years; a service which should be applauded for its devotion and strength. Renatus is no foreign imperial state but merely a renamed Empire of Man - a state which you owed ancient oaths to; oaths now broken. I see, regretfully, that despite your apparent willingness to engage with me as a man of character in peaceful, measured written words you have totally ignored the central tract of my essay. You turn to the erroneous ‘A Return to Dust’, published by Antonius, to justify the treasonous actions of the royals of Hanseti-Ruska. Yet the legitimacy of this document I have already discussed, and found seriously lacking. Let me repeat this simply and clearly in the perhaps forlorn hope that no more shall men be deceived as to the true nature of the events surrounding the Marnanite rebellion: No oaths were dissolved by Antonius - for he was not Emperor when he penned his missive. In response to his person being missing, presumed fallen, he was replaced by the common assent of the Privy Council and the peoples of Renatus by Godfrey III, the chosen heir - the Empire follows lateral succession after all. Following the ascension of Godfrey III to Emperor, when Antonius was stripped of power, he published his decree. This was a decree with no legal power, serving simply as a screen to excuse the oath-breaking of those varied signatories of the Nenzing Proclamation. The vassals of the Empire of Man owed loyalty and fealty to Godfrey III, therefore. Even when this Empire was renamed to the Imperium Renatum they still owed oaths, for no state had been dissolved and no ancient oaths allowed to fall - it was merely a change in name, designed to reflect the shattered state of Humanity. It was these ancient oaths, which you yourself acknowledge the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska swore by in 1678, which were shattered in a treasonous fashion by the proclamation of open rebellion against the Imperial Crown. I respect your openness and willing desire to engage in constructive dialogue. I welcome this from any of my people, and will meet safely with any who wish to speak face-to-face, yet I will always dispel false rumours designed to disguise treasonous activity which disrespects the Creator Himself. You are my cousin, and blood must always be treated with respect. I stand here, accused of avarice and raw ambition - lambasted for supposed lies. Yet it is I who stands true to ancient oaths, who stands by promises made in the presence of the Lord. It is the false Marius and his acolytes who attempt to obscure the truth and pretend that their treasonous activity is somehow justified, openly lying about the status of the late Antonius. I would rather face open traitors than the weasels who attempt to deceive Highlanders into believing that their open warfare is justified rather than an affront to their oaths and GOD given promises. John Alexander, Prince of Alstion

John receives his father’s missive whilst overseeing work to repair the streets of Helena, offering a grim smile.

This happened to me and Jungle_Asian last Friday.

IT ENDS WHERE IT BEGAN Sun rose on a ruined, devastated city. In the middle of a cratered out throneroom, covered in sweat and blood, a man wrenched his sword out of the final fallen Orenian. The smell of blood and rotting flesh wafted up. Many men lay injured, some pulled back. Many more had fallen and died. Four men stood remaining, armed. Their names shall remain in history, forever, as the Heroes of Renatus: Donald Dabber. Lyonel of Dunharrow. Wren Istaf. Lubok’Lak. We shall also remember the men who fell beside them in the throne-room. Let this battle run out as a reminder to our enemies. This war with unloyal men started in this very throne room, when the men of Renatus butchered the plotting Adrians. This war ends here, in the throne room, where the treacherous Marnanites die choking on their own blood. Ave Renatus. Let THIS be the 100TH GRIEVANCE. @yopplwasupxxx @Arteh

“There is no way our enemies will attain victory when they refuse to even sally forth to meet us any more!” Exclaims the Prince of Alstion.

I’m the Prince of Alstion and heir to the line of John, you insufferable *****!

THREE MORE GRIEVANCES It was just past dawn in Helena when the messenger-boy arrived, a scrawny lad who wove his way amongst the crowd to reach the centre of the city. Pressing forwards to the nearest soldier he could see - a tall, dark-haired man who stood conversing with the indomitable Ser Carlovac - he thrust the message into the Prince’s hands. With hard, grey eyes turned downwards John quickly skimmed over the proclamation before passing it over to the Knight, spitting out a glob of phlegm in disgust. “Copy up the signatories, boy.” John ordered, lips pursed and hands pressed together as he turned back to the messenger. “We have already executed the first, the false Count Conrad. Have the Legion know the other names, for they have openly pinned their names to rebellion.” Two days had passed before the crowd gathered once more at the guillotine, ushered to their places by the mournful tolling of bells. Two men were brought forth from the crowd: one, a tall and proud man shackled and forced forwards, the second an old patrician recognised by many in the crowd. With the slow clanking of irons and jeers of the crowd, the pair slowly ascended the platform. “Arthur de Falstaff, Marshall of the false-King. Edward Morris, Patrician of Ves and agent of the false-King. You stand accused of treason, having taken up arms against the Emperor Godfrey.” The older man was pushed forwards first, once-noble cape falling and catching upon the muddy floor. A moment’s pause - the high, gentle whistle of falling steel - and his head dropped forwards, bright red blood dribbling down onto the floor beneath. Arthur took his fate more manfully, features upturned in angry resistance. He stepped forwards, pride wrought upon every feature of the young soldier’s face, yet still suffered in turn. Another moment, and the life eeked out of his now-resting corpse, Ser Darius turning away from the fallen man. With a soft sigh John Alexander turned to the crowd. “Another signatory of the false Nenzing Proclamation lies dead, joining Conrad. The Marshal of these traitors lies dead. Our troops have slain Alfred, along with Charles Morris.” “Let these be the 87th, 88th, and 89th Grievances.”

THE DRAGON AND THE FOREST Woe to the victim of the Dragon’s breath, whose eastern forests are profoundly susceptible to the blaze of a roaring fire. As was prophesied in the days of the now-forsaken ruler, Kairn, the betrayal of the dragon would bring only anguish and destruction to its malefactors. As foreseen, the people of the forest have not heeded the words echoed to them in days of past, and the consequences of such shall be enacted. Our eyes have not been blinded or averted elsewhere: Our Empire still observes the dealings within the virescent realm that the Elvenesse claims for their own. Once a place of prosperity, peace, and piety has now descended into a pit of corruption and leeches who wish to turn their back on their oldest ally -- Our peoples have persevered through the thick of war and arrived pushed to victory unscathed, together. Yet, it seems this means nothing to the overly-ambitious Elves who wish to perpetuate the downfall of the Imperium. Yet, it is not just Our Empire that you turn your back against; Whence you arrived, you did not greet the High Elves of Haelun’or with the honeyed words which you greeted your newly-found allies with, but rather with spiteful remarks. You have forsaken former alliances for ones of fresher stock and publicly sided with those who sought nothing but your complete assimilation in the days of yore. Our Empire trusts that the forest realm remains encompassed with good-willed Elven folk that shall not condone the policies that are soon to be enacted by the administration who seemingly acquired the sovereignty of Alderyn. These people shall be given several opportunities to abandon the walls of Alderyn, where they will be accepted into Helena with courtesy. Nevertheless, the true face of Alderyn has revealed itself and no mercy shall be given to those siding with these worthless snakes. The Dragon and the Forest will be the title of this prose to come, Our Knights have already waltzed upon the forest and have returned to their abodes with bags rimmed with Elven heads, your new ‘Prince’ decorates the blades of Our Knights. Your Prince, Your Council, they lay dead. Disband your pitiful alliance or more of your ‘kin will follow the same fate and the Dragon shall meet the Forest, once more.

Theobald prepares his master’s horse and hounds, whooping with joy at the prospect.