yopplwasupxxx

Cordal Winter von Herendul (Naumarian: Cordal Vinter) was a Hansetian-born monk, theologian, and pontiff who served on the Holy Throne twice (once as Thomas I between 13-24ES/1460-1471AH and a second time as Daniel II between 71-78ES/1518-1525AH). He was a renowned writer of the time, during a period of chaotic dynasty shifting between the Horens, Chivays, and Carrions, and typically took no part in politics. However, because of his high birth and relation to other prominent lords of the time, he was used as a symbolic High Priest after the abolishment of the pontifical throne by Peter I, and later, despite his old age, elected as Daniel II after the assassination of Sixtus III in 1518 in the wake of the Dukes’ War. Throughout it all, he wrote countless thesises and topics on faith and politics, including his most famous work, ‘Cordal’s Paradise’, which dictates his metaphysical journey through the Seven Skies. (OOC: Full credit to @Watyll who made these, posting this here because people should read it. Link to his original below: ) --- CORDAL’S PARADISE WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF CORDAL WINTER VON HERENDUL AKA HIGH PRIEST THOMAS I | HIGH PONTIFF DANIEL II PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- Cordal Winter was in a coma for many days. When he awoke, he had an amazing story to tell. You see, while his body remained in the mortal plane, his soul wandered the heavens. This is the story of his journey, written with the grace of God. CORDAL’S PARADISE I felt myself ascending suddenly. I no longer felt the blow to my head. I no longer felt anything at all. I looked down and saw my quivering, mortal form upon the floor of the basement, pooled with crimson. Strangely I felt no unhappiness or discomfort. No- rather I felt a feeling of elation and happiness. I floated further and further upward, into the sky. Past the sky, as the churches and apartments and shining palaces of Kaldonia disappeared underneath me. The light slowly faded from my vision, and it was as if I was a child, floating within a vast womb. Darkness was everywhere. All of a sudden a white, pure light winked into existence, calling me. I floated towards it, drawn to its irresistible clarion call. As I was about to enter, Two pairs of hands grabbed me, stopping me from entering. I fought against the hands, but they gentled me, and I turned to see two aenguls. They had one pair of wings each, so they were minor, not yet having earned more pairs of wings. One was blond of the purest honey, the other’s hair like polished silver. It was the only difference between the two. The blonde spoke first. “Halt your struggle, Cordal Winter. It is not your time yet. You have is a different purpose.” Of course, I was greatly confused. The silver haired one then spoke in an equally melodious voice. “Our Creator has set to you a task- you must gaze upon the glories of the Seven Skies, and bring His message to the mortals He so cares for.” My mind whirled. “Why has He chosen me, a lowly priest, for this great task? Why could not the good Bishop Henry, or his eminence have been chosen?” The aenguls boomed in anger. “It is not yours to question your Creator! Do as His Blessed command states!” If I were not stricken with panic, I surely would have whimpered. The golden haired aengul spoke. “Ah mortal… You are so young, and uncomprehending. I am Beatus, and this is the esteemed Armis. We will guide you through the Seven Skies, and return you to your mortal vessel when finished.” I could only nod as they bore me through the holy, sweet light. I felt euphoria as I went in, but this changed as I looked upon the First Sky. Aloft they held me by each arm as I looked across the blasted, twisted landscape. Everywhere there were souls in torment. No torment in our mortal realm can compare to some of the things I have seen in the First Sky. I howled in terror. “Why have you brought me to this place!” I shrieked. “Art thou aenguls unholy demons, taking me to the Nether!” The aenguls, perturbed, shook their heads. “This is the First Sky. All souls go to this place, for a certain amount of time. Their sins are washed clean in torment and pain. Only the pure can ascend onward.” I passed a long line of what looked to be men of the Raev. They were being repeatedly dipped in boiling lead. I shuddered and inquired Armis about them. The silver haired aengul happily answered my question. “These are the traitors to the High Pontiff, who fought the Lucienists. They will be here longer than most… But not forever. Though they committed unholy treason, all of them were good and loyal men to their liege lord. Soon they will ascend, likely to the Fourth Sky.” I nodded, pleased that these men would not be in torment forever. The Aenguls took me higher and higher, until the landscape of the First Sky dwindled to nothing. We were in a sea of white light, it grew brighter and brighter until suddenly the aenguls shot upwards into the Second Sky. The Second Sky was far different from the first. It was a land of rolling green plains, but no trees. It was also slightly gloomy, not well lit, as if from a rainy sky. There weren’t many people around. It was far less populous than the First Sky. “What is the nature of this Sky, O Beatus and Armis?” I asked. They set me down on the ground, which was as firm as that of the mortal world. I began to stride about as they alighted, walking behind me. “This is the plane for virtuous heathens,” said Beatus, “Those who did not follow the True Faith, but still did courageous feats.” I began to walk, heading first for a muscular looking dwarf. He had a tough, mean look about him. “Hello.” I said, interested. The dwarf grunted. “What is your name?” I asked. “Urir Ireheart.” he said. “This wasn’t what oi feckin expected when oi died. Where tae feck is Dungrimm’s halls?” I was taken aback. Urir Ireheart, the dwarf who plunged the Axe of Krug into the Nether and so saved Aegis. He refused to speak to me any further, so I moved on. There I saw a tall, proud, southern looking man. He was surrounded by a few others that looked like him, and was clothed in leather, with some gold jewelry. He smiled at me as I approached. “A visitawr! Welcawm to thar Secawnd Sky!” he said. It was quite a different reaction from before. “What is your name?” I asked. The man smiled. “Khagan Sauros, awf thar Subudai. How fare my people?” I frowned slightly. Sauros? The Khagan that tormented Oren in its early days? Still, he seemed amiable, so I told him. “The House Nicator has the blood of the Subudai in them, but your people are scattered or dead.” Sauros sighed. “Sertorious told me as much, I had hoped they were refawrged.” he gestured to another man who looked much like him. I sighed and looked to the aenguls. They once again gently grabbed me by each arm, and their great wings flexed upwards. The grassy plains of the Second Sky shrank beneath us as we went upwards into the Third Sky. When we suddenly appeared, I was rather intrigued to see a sprawling city, with a cloudy blue sky overhead. “What is this city?” I asked. It was Armis who responded. “This is the eternal city of Vetus, in the Third Sky.” In the streets of the city I saw many mortal activities. People wandered through the streets, talking and laughing. It looked a bit like Kaldonia, and Arethor. Very… normal. I inquired as to why it seemed so earthly. “Vetus is a city for those who did nothing impious nor pious, good nor bad, in their lives. They were content with just living, and this is their reward.” said Beatus. We moved on quickly from this plane. There was certainly nobody of note here, and it was not very interesting. When we ascended into the Fourth Sky, I was completely overwhelmed by what I saw. This was the Seven Skies of prophecy. I had never before seen something like it. The entire place was a vast rolling grassland, not unlike the Second Sky. However, the earth was rich and smelled of fine new soil. Trees sprouted majestically every so often. Tables sprawled over the landscape, lit with many candles, for the entire place was bathed in the glow of the evening. Food, a grand feast, was laid out over all the tables, and peasant looking fellows feasted, drank, and laughed. As they ate and drank, the food and beverages reappeared. On a throne sat a man, surrounded by pigeons. They chattered when they saw us approaching. Next to him sat a man covered in coal dust. “What is this place?” I asked the aenguls. “This is the Fourth Sky, home of those who were loyal to their masters, and those who worked hard to accomplish many great things. The Fourth Sky is inhabited by the hardworking peasants of Raevir blood, Auvergnian blood, even a few Easterners can be found here.” “Why is it the evening here?” “Because,” said Armis, “The evening is when the peasant man truly shows himself. It is when he is happiest. The working day is over and he casts off his cloak and boots and makes merry with friends and family.” “And the man on the throne?” I inquired. “That is Saint Theodosius. He was offered a place in the Sixth Sky, but turned it down to join his people here. Next to him is Saint Wilfriche.” I was delighted to learn this, and spent many an hour drinking and making merry with the many peasants. I know a bit of Raev, and have a complete knowledge of Auvergnian, and was able to have a grand time. At one point in my feasting, I was pulled aside by Saint Theodosius. I immediately bowed before him in piety, as was my duty. His son, Vladislavistan, beamed at me. I was surprised to see him. “Good Vladislav, why are you not in the First Sky with the rest of your brothers?” I asked. Vladislav chuckled. “Because our time is of up!” I watched in amazement as the Raev men suddenly ascended into the Fourth Sky, popping up from holes in the ground. They seemed untouched by the horrible treatment they had received in the First Sky, joking and laughing with their friends in good humor. I was truly amazed by the Creator’s infinite mercy. The two aenguls laughed, a tinkling, joyous sound that I will remember forever. I feasted a while longer in the Fourth Sky, speaking with its hardworking inhabitants, before I turned to the aenguls and told them I was ready to depart. They gave a nod and grabbed me once more, taking me up into the Fifth Sky. The Fifth Sky was more of what I had expected of the Seven Skies. It was an endless ivory palace, with majestic red carpets and flowing tapestries telling the deeds of its inhabitants. The greatest heroes who had ever followed the True Faith gathered in the great hall and chatted with each other, reminiscing about times long past. I saw the High Pontiffs. Lucienists mingled with Oren guard. Most prevalent was the banner of the White Rose. So many men had fought and died under that banner as to make almost any man who was once a member of that hallowed brotherhood worthy of the Fifth Sky. I first sought out the company of one who was wearing the High Pontiff’s miter. I introduced myself as Father Cordal Winter, and he laughed. “So, one of the Winters is a priest? Never thought I’d see the day. I am High Pontiff Lucien. The first one, used to be called Velwyn Ashford. Har! I’m glad to see my brothers here with me.” at this the hallowed man gestured to the many White Roses strewn about the room. “I’ve been watching the church from here, my son.” “You can see all that?” I asked in surprise. Lucien laughed. “Indeed! We on the Fifth Sky can watch the mortal realm, unlike those in the Fourth Sky and below. It’s a part of our reward.” I knelt and kissed the Pontiff’s ring in submission and farewell, and he bid me to continue. On my way traversing the court I accidentally bumped into a particular white rose member. “Yeesh! Watch where yer goin!” he said. I nodded, making an apology. He looked me over, then bowed. “Sorry, fathah. Didn’t know you were a man of the cloth.”The White Rose member himself was a rather scarred individual with a large… mohawk, I believe the word was. He stuck out his callused hand. “I’m Arthal Lowedge. Good to meet you Fathah…” “Cordal Winter, Father Cordal Winter, good Ser.” Arthal chuckled, then I went on my way. The aenguls awaited me. I felt a knot of apprehension in my stomach as we flew away from the ivory palace of the Fifth Sky. We were heading to the Sixth Sky. What would lie in the Seventh? I was almost done with my journey. We shot into the Sixth Sky, and I was immediately enveloped in a feeling of euphoria. Golden light shone everywhere. A choir of aenguls and daemons sang, lifting their voices. Armis and Beatus joined in, and my head felt as if it were to split from happiness. Flowing rivers of milk and fine wine poured in an unending torrent. Gemstones and rich pearls dotted the riverbanks. Ripe fruit hang from magnificent trees. We touched down on a cloud. It was solid, but soft, like the wool of a sheep. I could jump very high here, and I bounced from cloud to cloud as a child would bounce from one bed to another. A large cloud held a good number of folk, so I went there. They seemed ready to greet me. At the front stood an elderly man with a majestic crown, and white flowing beard and hair. “Welcome to the Sixth Sky, Cordal Winter.” he said gravely. My knees immediately bent. I was unable to think as I was confronted with Saint Godfrey, the First Emperor, the Uniter of Mankind. He smiled slightly at me as another being strode forward, a white glowing stag. It’s presence made me feel as comforted and healed as Saint Godfrey’s. I assumed this to be Tahariae. The stag bent its head to me in greeting, but did not speak. Another man joined Godfrey at his right hand. He also wore the crown of the emperor. “Ej, Winter.” he said. “Never of expected to see Herendulman here.” My humility grew by the second in the presence of Saint Siegmund. Another man stepped forward, at Godfrey’s left. He wore the White Rose tabard proudly. “Be nice to our guest, Siegmund,” said Saint Thomas Chivay, “We don’t get many guests here. Get on up, Winter.” I could only nod dumbly as I stood. Saint Thomas laughed. “You look like a man who just **** himself.” I closed my mouth as my cheeks turned red. Saint Godfrey gave a slight shake of the head to Thomas. “Cordal Winter. Are you prepared to meet your Creator?” I shuddered in fear involuntarily. “So… that is what is on the Seventh Sky?” I asked. Saint Godfrey nodded. I shook with nervousness, but clenched my fists and returned his nod. He smiled. “The aenguls will be unable to accompany you there. It is only for you, and the Creator.” The Saints and Aenguls all backed away as I felt myself being lifted up into the air, their faces fast dwindling. The chorus of aenguls reached a crescendo, and suddenly there was silence. The Seventh Sky. White. Enveloping, soothing white. I could not see any part of me. Did I even exist? Who could have stood before the crushing, yet merciful embrace I felt all around me? The love of the Creator cushioned me from all my memories, all the harshness of life. I could see nothing, I could sense nothing but that love. Visions suddenly appeared before me. I saw Beatus and Armis in the Sixth Sky, gaining a second pair of wings as their reward. Beatus would now have the status of the Aengul of Writers, and Armis the Aengul of Swordsmen and Knights. I saw the Fifth Sky, where heroes continued to feast and chat. The Fourth Sky, boisterous and loud. The Third Sky, with those individuals who just floated through life. The Second Sky, with the virtuous heathens, who possessed such bravery without any True Faith, and the horrors of the First Sky. I saw the life of a man named Cordal Winter, who had grown up in Herendul. I saw Kaldonia, and the entire world of Aegis. I saw the sun and the stars in all their glory. All these things I saw. Then the whiteness began to fade to grey, then black, as a voice as vast as the ocean, but as quiet as the dropping of a pin spoke. HOME I awoke.

Rudolf Wagner (Naumarian: Rudolf Vagnar) was a Haeseni priest and theologian who served as Archbishop of Jorenus and numerous clerical officehoods in his life. His crowning achievement was collection of prayers, called the ‘Hymnal and Prayers of the Canon’, which was published shortly before his resignation from his post and death by gout. (OOC: Full credit to @EmbryoGod who wrote all these, posting these here for easy access.) --- WAGNER’S HYMNAL, PARABLES, AND PRAYERS WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF RUDOLF WAGNER, ARCHBISHOP OF JORENUS PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- WAGNER’S HYMNAL Outlined herein, dear readers, is a compilation of common Hymns and prayers, in an effort to allow those recent converts, or those new to the Faith of the Canon, to follow along in Mass or various Sermons. This is by no means for beginners, however, and allows all of those wishing to further deepen their spiritual ties and roots to Canonism to do so easily. Consider it a reference manual, for new and old alike. The following are sung during special occasions, during specific sermons, or even in passing. I have listed the Flexio, that one might hear from their Father during mass, with translations in Waldenian and Common. The latter two are the most spoken within the Empire, so great care was taken to ensure that this is readable throughout the land of man. --- HYMN OF BLESSING This Hymn is predominantly sung for those who wish to receive blessings by the church. Whether it be through holy water or aurum, or the signing of the Lorraine. Pater sancte in nos benedicat tibi nomen est ovium greges ovium tuarum. Benignitate tua summa liberalitate et misericordia Dei misericordiam. Benedictus Deus in singulari est misericordia tua. Holy Father, in Your Name we bless this sheep of your flock. For your bounty is the greatest bounty, and your mercy is of the greatest mercy. Blessed be GOD for Your Mercy is unparalleled. Heiliger Vater, in deine Name preisen wir dieses Schaf deiner Herde. Denn deine Spende ist die größten, und deine Gnade ist am größten. Gepreist ist GOTT, denn Ihre Gnade ist beispiellos. --- HYMN OF PASSING This Hymn is used for the sole purpose of funeral rites, praising GOD and providing some comfort to the deceased’s family. Non solliciti, ut te Deus in anima sua capta est regnum, et factum est in occursum eorum fortis et praeclari ante eos. Et nolite solliciti esse, filii Dei, rebus suis salutem est maxime pacificis. Worry not, as GOD has taken thee to His Kingdom, to meet those brave and virtuous that came before them. And worry not, children of GOD, for His realm is the most peaceful. Mach keine Sorge, wie GOTT nahm sich zur Seine Reich, die mutig und tugendhaft vor ihm kam, um sie zu treffen. Und mach keine Sorge, kinder unserm GOTT, denn Seine Reich ist am friedlichsten. --- HYMN OF UNION The Hymn of Union is sung for Weddings, ceremonies considered an emulation of Horen and Julia. Sic enim Horen et Iulia, ita nobis quoque. Hanc unionem nos in omni loco oculi Domini solidatur, quia et nos ipsi propius adducere, ut ad sancta sanctorum collegiorum. So for Horen and Julia, so for us too. We solidify this union in the eyes of GOD, that we may bring ourselves closer to His holiest of unions. So für Horen und Julia, so auch für uns. Wir werden dieses Union fest, sodass vielleicht werden wir uns näher Seine am heiligsten von Unionen bringen. --- HYMN OF SOLACE This Hymn is used for times of strife and grief within social life. Whether it be an impending war, famine, or civil unrest. Gaudete, ecce enim voluntatis Dei salus nostra est. Lætati sunt: Deus enim pater noster: et ut nobis erit tutum. Gaude, quia amor Dei te incolumem custodiat nos. Rejoice, for GOD's will is our salvation. Rejoice, for GOD is our Father, and He will keep us safe. Rejoice, for GOD's love will keep us safe. Sei glücklich, denn die Wille von GOTT ist unsere Erlösung. Sei glücklich, denn GOTT ist unser Vater, und Er wird uns sicher machen. Sei glücklich, denn die Liebe von GOTT wird uns sicher machen. --- HYMN OF BAPTISM This Hymn is self explanatory, used for Baptisms. Joins alia hodie gregem item nostrum significat has coepi alio itinere ad horam in lumine Domini. Today another joins our flock, another has started their journey to bask in the light of GOD. Heute einen anderen unsere Herde beitritt, eine andere hat seine Reise begann, das licht GOTTes zu aalen. --- THE WAGNER PARABLES The basis for this work has been a trend that I’ve noticed within my diocese, and a growing trend overall of a decreased attendance in mass. I can understand this trepidation, and I will save another thesis on the subject for later. But what has been enclosed here is a general listing of Canonist doctrine for those who have seldom time due to other obligations, or for those of a differing faith who are fearful to announce such. --- THE PAGAN AND THE CANONIST On a warm day, a priest had decided to take a stroll around the square in the city of his parish. Thereupon he noticed a beggar, whose clothes were torn and ragged. She was well known to the priest as a pagan. As the priest approached her, he smiled. He asked of how she fared, and stated it was a good day indeed to be out on the street, as the cold had not yet seeped in and forced her to move somewhere warm. The Pagan looked up to the priest with a smile, and she said it was indeed a good day to beg. This was followed by a bow, and she brought her forehead down to the pavement in a humble way. She begged the priest for alms, as she was starving and had no way to pay for her own meals. Next to the Pagan was a Canonist in a similar situation. His clothes were slightly less worn, he had only recently been forced out onto the street due to debts unpaid. And he, too, looked to the priest for alms, though did not speak this feeling in his heart due to pride. The priest gazed upon the two with a frown, and explained that he only had one loaf of bread. He took it out of his pack, and handed it to the Pagan. The Canonist became enraged. He asked why the priest preferred the Pagan over himself, a proud canonist man. He vented his frustrations, causing the Pagan to noticeably jerk back due to his volume. The Pagan, who planned on eating the entirety of the loaf, instead ripped it in half, and gave one of the halves to the Canonist. The priest admonished both of them, and they were both granted entry to the Skies upon their deaths. --- THE ONE WHO ACTED, AND THE ONE WHO DID NOT The bitter cold had set in upon the proud city, leaving a farmer with no work to do. He was very skilled in his craft, though it brought him no money this time of year for his wife and two children. The Farmer did not take employment when offered to be a servant for the local noble. He was too proud of his craft. His wife, in this time of financial strife and struggle, sold herself to the local men in an effort to support their family. Upon hearing this, the Farmer dragged his wife to the church and demanded that the two talk with the priest. The priest heard their stories, and scolded the Farmer. He had treated his wife unwell, and did not support his family. Inaction is action, said the priest, and you had left your wife nothing to do. Her sins are your own. And so the Wife was forgiven, and atoned through penance. The Farmer’s sin stayed with him until his death. --- THE HONORABLE MAN AND THE DISHONORABLE MAN There lived a proud Knight and his brother, the brother being the heir to their family’s wealth. Though, the brother spent his days drinking and gambling their earnings away. The Knight, filled with honor, berated his brother for taking their deceased father’s money and spending it on dreary trifles, but the brother did not repent. And so the Knight hatched a plot to kill his brother. The Brother slept soundly in his bed, and the Knight snuck in and killed him. Now the honorable Knight was filled with pride, able to restore the good name of his family. Upon hearing this, the King of the land renounced the Knight’s titles and land, giving it instead to the woman of the family. --- THE FISHERMAN There was a fisherman who sat upon the dock, casting out his line and praying for those fish to come and nibble on the hook. He sat for hours and hours yet nothing bit, so he went home, defeated. He tried again the next day, but to no avail. This process repeated itself for months until the fisherman wished to give up and quit fishing. Only then did the fisherman realize he’d not been using bait, there was nothing to attract the fish. And so he got some bait, which attracted the fish. The fisherman realized that, much like the fish, those of another faith will not listen unless they see something with which to sustain themselves. --- THE CONVERT AND THE NOBLE There existed a Convert, who had died merely six days after their conversion. Alongside them, waiting for their judgement from GOD, was a Noble, who had existed their entire life in the faith. The Noble looked towards the Convert with a sneer, telling them about how surely that they, the Noble, would enter the Skies and not the Convert, for they had been Canonist for much longer. The Convert simply nodded along, agreeing with the Noble. When GOD approached them, the Convert bowed their head. The Noble looked GOD in His eyes, a smile on his face. My GOD I have done what you asked, and have lived in Your image my entire life! The Noble spake. But GOD shifted His gaze, looking towards the Convert with a smile. My child, said GOD, you have confessed your sins, attended mass as best you could, and gave your money to the poor on your deathbed. Walk with me. And so the Convert, finally looking GOD in the face, nodded with a bewildered look. The Noble, who had rarely attended mass, was left behind to stare at GOD’s back as He walked with the Convert into the Skies. --- THE RICH MAN AND A BEGGAR There existed a Beggar and a Rich Man, within a pagan city. The Beggar was a Canonist, and was barred from having a home within the city. So the Beggar sat, peddling and praying to GOD for comfort in these trying times of theirs. The Rich Man gave their money to the poor pagans of the city, but never the Beggar. They opened orphanages, gave money to schools, and was a prominent figure of the city. The Beggar could not attend mass, but prayed as best they could. Despite this, they could not give, only ever receive. This hurt the Beggar, as they knew that they must be charitable, humble, and virtuous if they wish to receive the blessing of the Skies. After months of being homeless, the Beggar finally died on the street. Their death was painful, caused from a sickness they had no money to resolve. The Beggar, a faithful servant to GOD, was granted access to the Skies. --- PRAYERS OF THE CANON The prayers listed herein are designed primarily for private use, or for special occasions. The clergy will typically develop their own prayers during sermons; however, this will serve as a good guideline for those faithful to the Canon that wish to incorporate prayer into their daily routine. As always, the original prayer will be listed in Flexio, but translated into Waldenian and Common. --- PRAYER FOR THE POOR This prayer was derived for the use of those who wish to pray for the poor, who may not have the opportunity to utter the prayer themselves. Sanctus Pater vester voluntatis est finalis voluntatis, et arbitrium nostrae sunt libidini obnoxius. Oro te sumus in dolore succurrendum pauperes, et orate ut eos mox ut indentured et liberavit in tua erat gubernata. In nomine Patris, amen. Holy Father, Your Will is the final will, and Your Whims are our whims. We pray that You alleviate the suffering of the poor, and we pray that those indentured may soon be liberated with Your guidance. In nomine Patris, amen. Heilige Vater, Ihre Wille ist die Endwille, und Ihre Grillen sind unsere Grillen. Wir beten dass Sie das Leid der Armen erleichtern. Und wir beten dass die, die verpflichtet sind, wird bald bei Ihre Beratung befreit sein. In nomine Patris, amen. --- PRAYER FOR GOOD BLESSINGS This prayer is typically left up to individuals in private, but a Father may give this as a final prayer to his congregation. Propalatam Deus, da nobis multa sunt beneficia ut non palpet proximorum expendas. Quia tu id etiam a misericordissimo et maxima benevolentia atque amantissima. In nomine Patris, amen. Holiest GOD, please bring us the many blessings that You are oft to bestow. For You are the most merciful, the most benevolent, and most loving. In nomine Patris, amen. Heiligsten GOTT, bitte bring uns die viele Einsegnungen, die Sie oft erweisen. Denn Sie sind die gnädigsten, gütigsten, und liebevollsten. In nomine Patris, amen. --- PRAYER FOR THE DECEASED This prayer may be given by a priest during funeral rites, or by members of their family. Amandi noster Pater noster, qui ut oremus damnato factum est tandem suum iter tuum terras. Petimusque ut videamus eos, dum transire temporis aeterni regni tui. In nomine Patris, amen. Our loving Father, we pray that our lost soul has finally made its way to Your lands. And we pray that we may see them again, when it is our time to pass into Your eternal realm. In nomine Patris, amen. Unser liebevoller Vater, wir beten dass unsere verlorene Seele hat sein weg zu Sie finden. Und wir beten, dass wir sie nochmal sehen, wenn’s unser Zeit ist, ewige Reich zu entschlafen. In nomine Patris, amen. --- PRAYER FOR PEACE This prayer is reserved for times of war, when people are dying and wish for a time of peace and tranquility in the world. Most omnipotens Deus: ut nos orare ut inveniret pacem in diebus nostris. Nam absque gubernante tuus non sit hic et nunc, et in verbum tuum non cessant exserere, quod sit bonum verbum donec tandem inveniamus ipsi pacem inter se et cum aliis. In nomine Patris, amen. Most powerful GOD, we pray that we may find peace in our time. For without Your guidance we would not be here now, and we will continue to exert Your Word, as it is the good word, until we finally find peace within ourselves and with each other. In nomine Patris, amen. Stärksten GOTT, wir beten dass vielleicht werden wir Frieden in unser Zeit finden. Denn ohne Ihre Führung, würden wir hier nicht sein., und werden wir immer Ihre Wort anwenden. Denn es ist das gute Wort, bis wir Frieden auf innen und miteinander finden. In nomine Patris, amen. --- PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION This prayer is for those who have sinned, or for those who are afraid of sinning. It acknowledges the difficulty in living to the scripture, but why it is important to do so. Pater noster Rex quaeso ne nos inducas in tentationem, et in aeternam salutem ducunt. Obsecramus ut nobis concedas in amplexus Dominus quidquid per certamina eundum esse. In nomine Patris, amen. Our Father, King of all, please lead us away from temptation, and lead us towards Your eternal salvation. We beg that You allow us into Your embracing arms Lord, regardless of the struggles we must go through to be there. In nomine Patris, amen. Unser Vater, König von alles, bitte führen uns weg von Versuchung, und nah zu Ihre ewige Erlösung. Wir bitten dass Sie uns in Ihre Umarmungen GOTT, egal die Kaempfe dass wir durchgehen müssen. In nomine Patris, amen. --- PRAYER FOR CELEBRATION This prayer can be used for meals or for any time of celebration. Mi Domine, gratias ago tibi, quia non est donum, quod nobis praestitit, multa dona et gratias ago vobis pro se et continue dare. In nomine Patris, amen. Dear Lord, thank You for this gift that You have granted to us, and thank You for the many gifts that You will continue to give. In nomine Patris, amen. GOTT, vielen dank fuer diese Geschenk dass Sie zu mir schenken hatten, und vielen dank fuer die viele Geschenke dass Sie werden immer noch schenken. In nomine Patris, amen.

The Book of Tales is a collection of stories and myths of the proto-Hansetian peoples (specifically, the Almannir) collected by the scholar and writer Novtorn Stonefire, with earlier work done by ancient historian and Almannir chief Isovar Kurben and later edits by Silus Horen. The stories were translated from the traditional language of the proto-Hansetians, and so some errors are present within the work. (OOC: Full credit to @Godwein Stafyr (Z3r05t4r) who wrote all of these, just posting them here for easier access. Links to his original below: ) --- THE BOOK OF TALES, CHAPTERS I-V WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF UNKNOWN TRANSLATED BY THE HANDS OF ISOVAR KURBEN NOVTORN STONEFIRE SILUS DE RENATUS PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- CHAPTER I Foreward: "Old blood runs deep and has long histories." - Isovar Kurben I, Novtorn Stonefire, have decided to begin releasing the chapters and stories of the "Book of Tales". What the book be, you may ask, so I shall answer. The "Book of Tales" is less of a book, but more of a compendium of past times, reaching back further and more extensive into Human history than any book I know of. It tells the tale of not only my family, but the tales of many a man who lived and walked the lands before our ancestors. Written in a tongue long lost to the common man. Translating it out of its original language is a difficult task, a task, on which three men before me have worked on and succeeded to various amounts. These first chapters were translated by Isovar Kurben, the son of Galtor I. Stafyr. He received the book originally from his grandfather Beorn Stafyr, who was an aged man at that time. Let his words speak for him. --- Grandfather had become open about his past in these past two years. He was nearing his eighty-sixth birthday, he was weak and tired. I suppose that he wished to ease his mind before heading on. For the stories he has told and things he had done I can understand. Yet again, it deems me that Grandfather intended to preserve something, thus he gave me this mysterious book, called "Book of Tales". In his dying breath he told me... no, us, not to forget our roots and to preserve tales of old. Uncle Hanethor was suspicious what it could mean, but he seemingly shrugged it off and turned his attention back to the progressing march of the undead. Father did not seem to care too much either, though he mourned remarkably. Aunt Sybilla wept lightly, but a kind smile was on her face... like she has forgiven him for something. I will try to maintain a constant series of entries as I progress with the book Grandfather gave me. Consider this the first. ... I have given it plenty of thoughts, though I assume it is best to start with talking about the past with the first who belongs to it. The stories Grandfather told me are a heavy burden on my mind, but blood and family are supposed to know some day. My Grandfather, Beorn Stafyr, committed theft and murder. For a quarrel with his father, Brimar, and being disowned by him, he had slain his very own mother, Alexandra, and stole the heirlooms of his family, leaving a mourning father with a younger brother, Gorn, behind. The heirlooms consist of following items: First and foremost, an old crown of copper with an emerald, to be worn by the head of Stafyr. Uncle Hanethor currently has it and wears it often enough. Secondly, our old falcon Thondor, grey feathered with a small green tabard. Father meant he had looked like that ever since he can think back, when he was but a child. He seems to be in service to Hanethor. Thirdly, a set of armor, which deems me of incredible value. A plate armor of gold and a chainmail of silver. Nobody wears it right now, but we keep it safe, as it is... precious. There has to be something about it. Also, two weapons so fine and sharp as if they were never used before, despite their high age. A foreign tongue is written on the hilts of the Longsword Hanethor and the Battleaxe (one-handed, I have to remark here) Galtor. Father and Uncle both wield their namesakes right now. The last heirloom Grandfather gave me was this very book. Book of Tales. Records of times past, records of events, people and items. I wonder what I may dig up... ... It was a dark day as we left our home two weeks ago. The undead are marching onward, nigh unstoppable. Uncle Hanethor led father and our men into a few battles, I took part with my bow. In terms of heirlooms, I was able to witness the twin blades in action for the first time. As if their weapons, armors and bodies were made of paper, Hanethor and Galtor cut through the dark and dead beings with ease. They were able to kill many a foe, but after losing a few men and the relentlessly assaulting undead seemed to take no end, we retreated. I can hear a horn sounding. Finishing this entry, battle calls. ... The Verge. Father is dead. ... We got split up. Uncle Hanethor's children are nowhere to be found. I only have Aunt Sybilla, Suldren, Sevren and his wife Aewves and Hunrad with me. Hunrad leads us, I do hope, to safety. ... The last entry was years ago. Many a thing happened, I am an aging man now. And the last one alive it seems. I have made the decision to work on this book now, as much as I can, to preserve what can be preserved. To translate what can be translated. --- Following was translated by Isovar Kurben from Old Rivachegian to the common tongue. It begins with the eldest entries. Thus it was in old times past, that the Almannir came to meet their fate. A foe strong enough to crush an entire people, such was the test of Machr, dr Gott (God?). Fyrschlund, dr Dracha (Dragon?), came to consume the lives of many of the Almannir. Heroes fell in battle, one after another. Nobody could stop the beast with its insatiable hunger. Even Großma, the last of the Galdr, fell to Fyrschlund after three days and nights of battle. As all hope seemed lost, the last chieftains of the Almannir came together and rallied their men to their side, a force numbering the thousands of thousands. Led by chieftain Rigfyr Stoafyer, chieftain Krashgar Rettersma, Altkö*** (King?) Zubr Altbom, chieftain Haralt Stoakachl and the female chieftain Juna Wiidafrou, the five armies drew a rainbow through the lands of the Almannir, green, yellow, light-brown, red and blue. Fyrschlund has been waiting and was prepared. As the bright colored army approached the wastelands of the Northern regions of Almannir, where Fyrschlund has eaten man and Tier (animal?), consumed the plants and very earth itself, he greeted the five last heroes with an army of his own. Reeking and pitch-black, the Totamännr (?) crawled out of the cold and snowy wasteland, thousands and thousands of them, consuming the very light that shone upon them by the sun. For a week the armies fought, dotting the white snow with tabards and armor of green, yellow, light-brown, red, blue and pitch-black. Fyrschlund himself became impatient at the unyielding Almannir and charged into battle himself, burning hundreds of the brave with his searing fire, smashing thousands with his claws and tails. And so it was time that the five chieftains of the Almannir came to fight Fyrschlund himself. Rettersma died first, but took the dragon's tail. Stoakachl took his wings before being stomped under Fyrschlunds claws. Altbom crippled his legs before vanishing in fire. Stoafyer took his breath before being crushed by his jaws. But Juna Wiidafrou was not able to slay the dragon, too deep her wounds were. The son of Rigfyr then approached, as the last Almannir standing amidst the field of colors and dead. Fyrschlund was enraged and tried to snap at him, to devour him, to destroy whatever he could from the people who have brought him to fall. Juna took her last will and power and blinded the one-eyed Fyrschlund with an arrow from one of his own Totamännr. Unseen, the son of Rigfyr, climbed on the furious, blind and maimed dragon and drove his lance deep into his skull, ending the nightmare. The Almannir saved their lands at the cost of their own lives. And thus the son of Rigfyr was the last of the Almannir, left alone in the endless wastelands covered in what have been such fertile and peaceful people. --- CHAPTER II Wealtfyr, the first of the Almannir. A crumbling pillar of stone and dirt, Machr, dr Gott, took the eternal fire of the sun, the soothing coolness of the deepest waters, the rushing winds of the storms and bound them into Wealtfyr, giving him life, letting him breathe, smell, taste and see, feel the world as it was. Machr told him to go forth and shape the world, to learn and live, to forget and die. In fear Wealtfyr was at first, as he knew nothing about what he was and where he came from, so he ran in panic, through forests and hills, swamps and mountains. Fleeing from Machr's presence. But the one and true Machr was always with him, no matter how far he ran, how deep he dived or how high he climbed. As Machr was part of the world itself and the world was part of Machr, such was impossible. As if a madness was consuming him, Wealtfyr began to climb Himmlsbruck (???), to meet an early end. Machr, dr Gott, was disappointed and intended to let this creation of his proceed and end itself, to vanish from the face of the world as fast as it came to meet it. Yet, just as Wealtfyr approached the ridge, two big palms held him back. Hands like his, but many times the size. So Wealtfyr met Rugr, a Galdr, a creation of Machr which has wandered the lands for long and forgotten times. Wealtfyr's madness subsided and he went with the Galdr to his home, Hangaldr, the city of the First. Machr was always keen watching over the small Wealtfyr amongst the old and mighty Galdr, who taught him their ways of life, faith and their tongue, Rivachegian. Soon enough, Wealtfyr went to Himmlsbruck again, using his new-found voice to speak to Machr, to bid him for forgiveness, to thank him for life and existence and to pray. Machr then proceeded to gift Wealtfyr with a companion, his future wife Adgalla. The unusual looks and shape of her waked interest but also suspicion amongst the Galdr, which have never seen a being such as Adgalla. Many years passed and the children of Wealtfyr and Adgalla were five: Stoafyer the Steadfast Rettersma the Helpful Altbom the Noble Stoakachl the Strong Wiidafrou the Gentle Machr was pleased with what his creations have become and gifted each of Wealtfyr's and Adgalla's children a companion themselves. A name given by the Galdr soon found its way to Wealtfyr and his family. Almannir. As the Almannir grew in number and size, Wealtfyr's family was soon so big, that the eldest five great grandchildren of his went ahead and founded the five Almannir clans. And yet again, as time went on, soon the Almannir outnumbered the Galdr, who could not have children and who began to perish from dark creatures appearing and pouring into the peaceful lands of Galdrland. Sparks lead to fire, and so the Almannir saw themselves forced to leave their long mentors and old friends. By keeping their ways and their tongue, the Almannir forged an ever-lasting bond with the dwindling Galdr, of whom Obrma their Altkönig (King?) said, that their time is coming to an end and a new chapter would begin for the Almannir, the small people. A first tale has been told of four siblings in a far away land, and that soon enough the Almannir would join the kin of the four siblings. --- CHAPTER III Silus‘ note: Following translated sections of this quite extensive compendium of history and knowledge in regards to Humans, more specifically to the old ancestry of the noble family of Stafyr, give a curious amount of insight onto the coming of the Stonefires, their “adventures” and encounters and how their heirlooms came to be. Though it has to be considered that going for other sections which are not translated entirely as of this moment that other bloodlines, yes, even the Hansetian people themselves might have Almannir ancestry flowing in them. Fact is, this book is old and the tales reach far back. And I have only come to understand so much of old Rivachegian. Isovar’s work ends here, most likely because he did not pick up the book or was indisposed or probably dead already. So I shall pick up. --- Stafyr, was his name. A son of Prifyr (S: This might be an indication that Prifyr had more children, hence this might indicate that Stafyr Stonefire actually had siblings. If those had children themselves, I cannot tell at this point.), who bested and has slain Fyrschlund, devourer of the Galdr and Almannir. Stonefire, he chose, for it was the name of the eldest of Wealtfyr, the first Almannir Machr has awoken and breathed his will and spirit into. To go with language and time, the name was renewed. Remembering the past in the name you give yourself, not to forget the peril his blood and people have gone through, and that he descends from the last of the Almannir and that he shall hold up the principles of old, the Galdr have taught. Lawfulness, to never speak wrong justice and uphold righteousness, Honor, to do good and retain your name, Loyalty, to never betray your friends and remain true to your kin and people, Family, for your blood is what flows in them as well as theirs flows in you, Truth, for you shall not speak lies as they have brought for the end of many a people, who were unwilling to see it. These five principles Stafyr held up high and induced them into his children as his father before him and his grandfather before him and all of his ancestry.For such the Almannir were given the ways of the Galdr, ancient but powerful ways. “Wenn mir nümma sen, denn sen ihr dia nöchschta um zum witrführa was dr Machr üs uferlet hot.” Those were the words of Obrma to Wealtfyr. A promise Wealtfyr has given to Obrma and which he promised his children would uphold from the first breath to the last of days and beyond. But not alone the name it was, for the promise to be remembered, for the promise to be carried on. Prifyr left Stafyr the very crown of all the Almannir, the simple crown of copper, embedded with one of the five gems of Himmlsbruck (S: still not sure, if this is a place), forged by the strong and gentle palms of Rugr, who saved Wealtfyr from his very demise at the same place. The crown is to be worn by every true Altkö***, to lead their people and their blood through times of light and dark. --- Silus’ note: The copper crown does actually exist from what I deem. I saw it upon Godwein’s head when I was a young boy and this aged, mushroom-covered gentleman was having a conversation with my uncle, the Emperor Godfrey. Curious, considering now that it is so old, perhaps it fields some kind of properties… magical perhaps. Curious, where the other four gems of the Galdr are. Ruby, Sapphire, Amethyst and Topaz. Saw that in some notes of Isovar. I best proceed with translating the upcoming chapters. It deems me that the other artifacts will get mentioned onwards. Tale of Thondor especially. I want to know how this falcon works.. --- CHAPTER IV So it was Halfyr who took the dangerous journey to a land far away and long forgotten, for it was consumed by the Terror his grandfather has slain. The very will inherited from his ancestors burned in him, a fire which could only be extingushed by satisfying the curiosity which drove him back to the lands of his forefathers. With his brother Dendrag and the true friends Malkar and Truon he aspired a journey which would take him beyond the mountains seen in the far, beyond the lands of snow, to the birthplace of the Almannir, their lands, to the place where Fyrschlund’s terror found its end. Always heading towards the path the Emerald of the Galdr shone upon in the moonlight, the four brave, two of Almannir blood, two of Hanseti, closed in to Schildmur (S: refers to Shieldwall most likely. Must have been a long wall-like mountain range). Unclimbable but for one passage old and forgotten, Schildmur splits the lands of the Almannir off from the rest of the realm. A passage only a true Almannir could find who would possess one of the gems of the Galdr. Led by the crown upon his head, Halfyr soon approached Alts Tor (S: Old Gate), sealed for long times already. As the gate did not open and the crown did not show on the path, the four brave settled down to rest in front of the gate. Little did they know, as they all slept, a rumbling being of stone hard and towering height stepped of its throne where it was watching the passage from afar. Dendrag woke first, seeing the manifestation approach. Waking his companions, they prepared themselves to fight the being, but it only wandered to the gate and shouted. “Wer will ins Land vo dr Almannir? Wer redat? Wer suacht Itritt?” As if it was a riddle, the four brave looked confused at first, when Dendrag stepped forth and shouted his answer. “Halfyr, Dendrag, Malkar and Truon. Men true of faith and men seeking the Galdr of times old.” “Dia kenn I net.” Answered the giant stone man, turned and left to his throne to sit and remain frozen for the rest of the night. With courage, the four brave remained to the next night. The stone giant approached again and asked again. “Wer will ins Land vo dr Almannir? Wer redat? Wer suacht Itritt?” This time Malkar, proud and strong as he was stepped forth and spoke. “Halfyr, Dendrag, Malkar and Truon. Men to seek the heroes of times old, men to seek the will they left behind.” “Dia kenn I net.” The giant stepped off again from the looming stone gate, sitting on his throne to rest for the night. On the third night it was the same again. “Wer will ins Land vo dr Almannir? Wer redat? Wer suacht Itritt?” This time Truon stepped forth, the gentle and humble amongst them. “Emerald of the Galdr, which wishes to return home.” “Denn kumm ham.” The stone giant rumbled and pushed open the gate, allowing the four to finally enter the lands of the Almannir after months of journey. As they stepped onwards through the big an empty halls, giant statues alike the stone giant of the gate, sitting on thrones staring down at them, watching their every step. Only by then they came to realize, these were mere replicas of the old Galdr themselves. At the very end of the hall of statues was another gate, a small pillar upon which shone the moonlight through a hole far up. Halfyr immediately knew what he had to do, so he settled down the crown on the dusty stone. As the light struck the Emerald of the Galdr, the reflected light touched the gate and it began to open, silent as if it was not there. Upon their eyes, in the dim moonlight they saw the features of a land far and untouched, left alone after the creator’s hand had touched it. Where the Galdr and Almannir lived and where the great terror Fyrschlund consumed all of them but one. Halfyr’s grandfather Prifyr. --- CHAPTER V, PART I So Halfyr and his brave companions went on, as the sun called for the new day, starting the second part of their journey at the very gate which let them into the lands of his ancestry. Calm and untouched the lands were, dense forests about, with the occasional meadow in between, where fallen trees, rocks and animals have kept the growth at bay. Sparkling, small, water meandered its way between their feet once in a while as they crossed little rivers, which there were in plenty, holding the valleys green and lush. It was not long when atop a free hill Dendrag shouted. “There in the distance, the clouds so gloomy and grey, looming above a huge field faint in colors, covered in white?” Malkar with his keen eyes stepped forward and spoke up. “Looming above it all, a huge shadow, shrouded in mist.” Truon said at last. “Be it, what I think it is? The shadow that endangered us all?” Halfyr, brave, led on, his three companions with him down the hill into an unapparent valley, dense with forest. As they went deeper, the light dimmed down, but it was barely past noon, so evening might not be calling. Soon the four realized that the trees grew thicker and darker by each step they took. Just as Malkar wanted to speak, they heard the rattling of bones and the clangs of steel. With care, they proceeded on, to approach a dimly lit opening in the thick of the forest, where the ground was covered in many a robe black and many a robe red. In the midst of it all stood four, the number of the travellers, two clad in dark armor, bones in their appearance, the cruelty and hate seeping out of them as black mist, the other two clad in chain of iron and silver, tabards red, but bodies almost ethereal, pride and bravery apparent on their faces, as they fought their black counterparts. Dendrag silently said at first. “These be remnants of old times, brother Halfyr.” Malkar followed up. “The beings in dark are Totamännr and very powerful ones indeed.” Truon added on. “Proud, strong and bearing red, the men of the old chieftain Harald Stoakachl were known to be resilient fighters.” For ages the two Totamännr battled against the two brave spirits, but as the four companions arrived at the place of their seemingly eternal battle, it was obvious that the two spirits were on the verge of suffering defeat. Even as Halfyr stepped into the yard, the combatants took no notice of him, nor of his companions. It was on a whim, when Halfyr drew his sword and charged at the one Totama who had one of the spirits on his knees. As he swung the sword and drove it into the dark beings shoulder, cracking the armor and bones deep, the Totama turned towards him. “What foul creature you are, to even exist and wander these planes. Begone!” As if it was laughing, the cold empty eyepits began to glow an infernal blue and cold began to emit all across Halfyr. It was manifested fear and darkness spilling out of the eyes of the being alone. Halfyr retreated to his companions with haste and surprise and soon the spirit was in combat with the Totama again, who at least regained his footing in the meantime. “It is not for us to slay these beasts.” As Halfyr looked around the area covered in old bodies, he spotted an old broken gate of stone in a hillside. The bodies were scattered in the direction of it. “We may help, but what the spirits require of us is, to find it in there, to assure them their fight was not in vain.” Without a further word, his brother Dendrag and good friend Malkar stepped forward through the darkness of the gate into the belly of the hill and mountain looming above them. Truon and Halfyr followed after. It would be the beginning of a journey long into the past, to where their ancestry lived and passed on their will. --- CHAPTER V, PART II The companions walked on, through sheer darkness and nothingness as it seemed. “You must not stray from the path!” Dendrag exclaimed. Malkar added upon. “Nothing aside the path but darkness. The only exit is ahead.” Truon was afraid and had trouble to proceed, but Halfyr’s presence aided her in going on. “What place this may be, consuming all light leaving none anywhere to shine upon the world?” As if it was an answer to her question, in a sudden, lightning struck, the skies roared and dousing rain fell upon the four. They were standing on a dark stone wall, out in the open, a darkened sky above. Down below they could see more walls and huge shadows between few torches wandering. Around many of those little shadows apparently danced. “A ritual?” “A dance?” “Spirits wandering?” All wrong they were, Truon, Dendrag and Malkar. Halfyr knew. “A battle.” Another strike of lightning revealed briefly what the happening was and what was more to it. Beneath the distant second wall with the shadows was an endless sea of dark creatures, every little inch covered in them. The towering tall shadows instead revealed to be clothed colorful, having a more human appearance to them. “These must be Galdr!” “But who do they fight?” “We have met them before. They were alike the foul beings Halfyr struck.” Halfyr remained silent and proceeded towards stairs leading down, leaving his surprised companions to follow him. They came closer to the fighting in the little light of the torches on the second wall, to observe. The giant Galdr had little trouble defeating their numerous foes it appeared, striking them down as they approached and cutting them apart as they crawled. Halfyr knew it would not last. “This is the past.” Malkar asked. “Are these not spirits?” Dendrag instead answered. “They are not.” Truon noted too. “There must be something we can do to aid these Galdr in their fight.” As more lightning struck, they were able to see, that the second wall was but a little part of a fortress, massive in stone, decorated with statues and inscriptions. Beneath the second wall, they were able to see three other walls that have fallen to the crawling shadows. The wall above, arrows whizzed down towards the black mass in hope to strike down at least a few of the endless tide of darkness. A roaring shout from a nearby Galdr followed. “Dr Galdr stoa, warum passiert do nüt!” Suddenly of, the giant men holding out, one fell. And then a second. “Haltan us! Es brucht num lang!” shouted another Galdr, charging into the dark beings, swinging his sword left and right, crushing the Totamännr very underneath his feet. “Halfyr, we must help!” Truon pleaded. “They will fall if this goes on.” Said Malkar. “A tide of darkness we must stop, before it consumes us all.” Agreed Dendrag. Halfyr’s eyes looked over the vast masses, over the numerous walls and stairs of stone. In the far distance, so he saw, a tall tower, with a dim red glow in a window at the top. He knew where they had to go. “We must reach the tower at all cost. If we do not, all is lost.” The four readied their blades, stood and headed on, across many walls in order to reach the tower to their far right. The Galdr seemed to pay them little heed, worried about fighting the Totamännr which continued on to assault them all. Soon they had to halt. A stair was blocked by Totamännr and Galdr fighting at their full strength. “We must fight now, help these Galdr defeat those evil beings, to proceed onwards.” Murmured a Malkar over the noises of battle. They readied and Dendrag led the charge. The Totamännr were taken from the side and fell as they were unprepared to meet the blades of the companions. The three Galdr took deep breaths, as if they were the first in their lives. They studied the four for a moment before one asked with rumbling voice. “Wer sen ihr, wo kon ihr her?“ Halfyr, at a lack of words, reached for his pocket and pulled out the green Galdr stone, the Emerald, which Rigfyr bore in the Almannir’s last battle against the dark tide of Fyrschlund. But it was not dim as expected, it shone through the air, giving light enough nearby to reveal the faces in a green hue. A shudder, so strong it was to hear and see, went through the Totamännr horde, which turned their gaze towards the green stone. All of a sudden they began to move towards where Halfyr and his companions stood, fighting more fierce than ever. Halfyr saw his mistake and the Galdr on the lower walls falling to a strengthened foe because of it. “Gang schnell.” Said the towering Galdr in front of him and gestured up the stairs. “Brings zum rota Galdr stoa. Schnell.” Without further word, the three towering Galdr crashed into an approaching group of Totamännr, taking as many out as they could. Dendrag and Malkar charged up the stairs first, swinging left and right, taking out three more of the dark terrors. “We must hurry up to the tower!” said Truon. “There must be a stone alike this!” shouted Dendrag over the clashes of weapons. “Only a brother can awake it!” added Malkar, as the cut through a Totama. They pushed on through an ever increasing number of foes, and just whenever it seemed they were unable to proceed, nearby Galdr abandoned their posts to help them out. The tower came close and the companion’s wounds soon were many. Passage would not be easy, Halfyr knew. As they approached the door at the bottom of the tower, a hulking huge shadow stepped out. A Galdr warrior, corrupted and dark as the Totamännr stood in front of them. A world-bursting scream leaved its deep and dark throat, forcing all of the companions but Malkar onto their feet. “I shall take this foe, you must proceed on.” Malkar shouted. As Malkar engaged into combat against the monsterous foe, little did Halfyr and the remaining companions know that this was to be the last they would see of him. A sacrifice for the good of all. Proceeding up the stairs, to encounter nobody but a few fallen Galdr sleeping their last, to a door at the very top. Of stone it was, sealed by ancient powers, but Halfyr knew what he had to do. With the green Galdr stone in his hands he pushed the door open, as if it was not there and entered the tall room with the wide window to the outside, where darkness and death reigned amongst the valiant Galdr. On a pedestal in the middle a red stone, a ruby rested, alike the one Halfyr held. He reached out to it, touching it with the green one in his palm. Light, red and pure flowed out, filling the room and soon spilling out of the window. As if it was a fire, the rays of light broke the skies and began to raze the Totamännr, tearing them apart to their very chaotic and evil essence, until they were no more. Halfyr, Dendrag and Truon were silent, as much death has nonetheless occurred. Shouts of victory beneath, they turned to step back through the door… …to appear back outside the hill they seemingly so long ago entered. As four went in, only three came out and Malkar was forever lost.”

Edward Winter von Herendul (Naumarian: Edward Vintor) was a Hansetian-born nobleman, courtier, and scholar of the Chivay-Carrion era, serving in multiple high-ranking positions including Chancellor of Oren. He was installed early in his life as a puppet-ruler for the lands of Hanseti under Prophet-Emperor Sigismund and later his heir, Heinrik van Roy, and was an important instrument in the early rise to power of the Carrion Vochna. However, later in his life he maintained feet in both sides of the political camp during the tense nature of Heinrik and Franz-Josef’s war-ruled reign, including support for schismatics to his rule and his vocal support for the Franciscan Massacre. During his life, he wrote numerous treatises on the task of governance, the nature of nobility, and ruler etiquette, which remain the backbone of all noble culture within humanity. (OOC: Full credit to @Aetosion who wrote these, posting them here for easier access. Links to his originals below: ) --- ON THE NATURE OF NOBILITY AND THE SUCCESS OF NATIONS, VOL I-IV WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF EDWARD WINTER PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- VOLUME I or, On the Nature of Nobility, Part One Nobility is by nature an honor granted to the meritocratic few. Those with much to offer are given the land by which to realize their loyalty to the Crown, and the status to recognize them among the glorious peer group that is the nobility. This is the basis upon which nobility is created. There have been inglorious moments, when those thought to be honorable and the great showed themselves as lustful and slothful. This is not the nature of nobility. Nobility is to be a pure state, by which the great of the country serve those who need serving. The nobles are not but lords above the inferior, but have an innate feudalistic duty to protect and further the interests of their vassals, noble and ignoble. The true noble of Oren is to be virtuous, honorable, racially pure, devout to the Church, and loyal to his liege and crown. The true noble aims to amass prestige, not power. To make a name for one's noble house as a truly noble one is to glorify one's ancestors and arrange a future for one's progeny. The honorable lord or lady, or those of their kin, should endeavor to embody the following tenets of nobility: •Proper etiquette in the home and in the public eye. •Serving promptly and amply the just needs of their liege and Crown. •Acting always in a manner befitting of one's noble status. •Just and kindly treatment of one's vassals, noble or ignoble. •Just and kindly treatment of all which one meets, noble or ignoble. •Diplomatic attitude towards one's peers and neighbors, friend and foe alike. •Knowledge of happenings within the kingdom, present and past. •Devout and worshipful observance of the Creator and his Church. •Honesty and oath-worthiness in all instances. •Good Management of one's estate and demesne, physical and moral. •A hunger for power, but instead for honor. To make a name for one's noble house as a dwelling of sin is to dishonor one's family. To besmirch one's family name is a personal dishonor second to none in a noble's life. The honorable lord or lady, or the kin of those, should endeavor to avoid the following: •Wasteful consumption or gluttony which drains the coffers. •Speech or action unfitting of a noble in the public eye. •Sodomy or scandal which paints a stain upon one's name. •Mistreatment of one's vassals, noble or ignoble. •Lust for power, which causes discord and shows one unfavorably. •Maligning of others, noble or ignoble, without just cause. •Failure to amply serve the just needs one's liege and Crown. •Irreverence to the Church which marks one as heretical. •Mismanagement of one's own demesne which proves ineptitude. •Breaking of one's oaths which marks one as dishonest. The following of this counsel will render one an honorable and noble lord or lady befitting of his title or his family's status. The observing of this document is sure to generate great prestige for one's house as a family deserving of its status, titles, and holdings, and similar counsel should be given to those children born to a noble house. To rid Oren of sinful and improper nobles, there must be an effort to create virtuous and honorable nobles. This must be an effort not by the state to enforce honor among nobles, but by nobles to encourage honor among one's kin and peers. --- VOLUME II or, On the Nature of Nobility, Part Two I. Speech: Nobility is not simply a title and station. Nobility implies membership to the premier social class. While the last volume covered mandates for the proper life of a Lord or Lady, this volume will cover the necessary cultural practices a person of the nobility must adhere to to remain comme il faut. The punctilious noble lord or lady should observe certain linguistic patterns, best used to preserve the refinement of one’s speech or writing. Below is copied a simple guide to proper speech and address composed in the Old Empire by the Imperial Scribe Cecil Virosi, with certain one small update made to class structure to best fit the present era: While the discerning young scholar would note that these guidelines come to us from the late 1300s, one should also appreciate the timeliness of their counsel. New High Imperial speech and writing varies little from the Old High Imperial customs, barring a relaxing in form and style. Certain Kaedreni customs are observed by the imperial and select families of the gentry and nobility, but traditional rules of society and manners still apply as ever. --- I-A A Guide to the Common Speech: Section I Ranks The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of speech forms used between members of each class. In order to simplify this otherwise complex system for the understanding of the foreigner, we will divide the Empire into seven primary class groups. The Peasantry All untitled and unskilled subjects of the Empire. The Burghers All untitled subjects of the Empire engaged in business or skilled in artisanal trades The Gentry All subjects with non-hereditary, non-religious titles. The Landed Gentry All subjects with hereditary, non-religious titles, lacking a writ of nobility The Nobility All subjects with hereditary, non-religious titles, and a writ of nobility. The Clergy All subjects with non-hereditary, religious titles. The Royal Families The ruling families of each Kingdom of the Empire. The Imperial Family The ruling family of the Empire. In the case of members of groups not outlined here, it is best to err on the side of caution and address members of those groups as if they were members of the noble class. --- Section II Greetings The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of greetings used between members of each class. The most important rule to remember is verbal greetings should never be initiated by an inferior; a peasant who wishes to acknowledge a noble or knight who has yet to acknowledge the peasant should bow or curtsy to make their presence known. This section will list greetings, when they should be used, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner. --- Section III Farewells The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of farewells used between members of each class. The most important rule to remember is verbal farewells should never be initiated by an inferior; a peasant who wishes to leave the presence of a noble or knight should wait to be dismissed. This section will list farewells, when they should be used, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner. --- Section IV Names In Oren, names are only used between friends or other close intimates. Titles or other epithets should be used when addressing others, especially in formal settings. This section will outline words you can use to address people, when to use them, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner. --- Section V General Synonyms Oren has a diverse range of words unique to its culture. This section will outline each word, translation into the foreign parlance, an example of the use of the word, and a translation of said example into the foreign parlance. --- Section VI Verb Forms, Pronouns, and Abbreviations Oren has multiple unique pronouns and verb forms to reflect formal and informal speech. “You” is respectful, whereas “Thee/Thou” is not. Anyone who would be addressed as “Sir” or “M’lady” or other formalities should never be addressed as Thee/Thou. This section outlines general speech in the Holy Empire. Word Order Alter the order of words in a sentence so that “Do not be afraid.” becomes “Be not afraid.” and “Do not go there.” becomes “Go there not.” Alter Verb Conjugation Add -st to singular second person verbs and “-th/-eth” to singular third person verbs. For example “How are you doing?” becomes “How dost the?” and “How is he doing” becomes “How doth he?” Use Shall Shall expresses obligation in the first person. When used with Thee/Thou “will” becomes “wilt” and “shall” becomes “shalt”. Abbreviate “It” Abbreviate “it” in sentences so “it was” becomes “‘Twas” and “Do it” becomes “Do’t”. Thee/Thou Thee/Thou are informal, and should only be used when addressing equals or inferiors; superiors will take great offense to being addressed this way. Thee is used when the person being addressed is the object of the sentence, as in “I shall tell theea secret.” or “He kicked thee in the bottom.” Thou is used when the person being addressed is the subject of the sentence, as in “What hastthou done?” or “Thou art beautiful.” If you have trouble, try replacing the word in question with “him/her” and see if it still fits. For example “He kicked him in the bottom” makes sense, but “What hast him done?” does not. If “him/her” would be acceptable in the same place, then use Thee. If “he/she” would be acceptable, use Thou. Thy/Thine Thy is the 3rd person possessive pronoun used for words beginning with consonants. For example “Thy dog is fat as hell” Thine is the 3rd person pronoun used for words beginning with vowels. For example “Thine eggs are too broken to count.” You Used for people you don’t know well or want to be respectful to. Used the same as in foreign parlance. Ye This is “You” in plural. If you are speaking to a crowd, you would say “Ye fools must flee!” Also used as an informal contraction for “You”, as in “Ye are me best friend, Darius”. --- Section VII Examples “Forsooth, methinks I shalt but walk down to the market where upon I shalt but make a purchase which doth consist of a bucket of milk.” “She hath the inclination to engage in some illicit activities, certes.” “Thou art the apple of my eye” “Dost thou have the time, mistress?” “I shalt be in the privy, Father Culpepper” “As you will, sir.” “Zounds! Such a tosspot hath never before been seen in fair Arethor!” “Verily I should like to see thee stabbed!” “Come hither, little sirrah, the master is calling for thee and eventide is rising.” “We shalt be carousing ere long, fellows!” “As you wish, M’lady.” “Perchance I shall see thee here oft, most comely maiden?” “Fie on thee, cutpurse!” --- Section VIII Final Word When speaking in the Holy Empire, the best rule of thumb to follow is this; Where you can use one word, use two. --- I-B A Guide to the Common Titles and Styles Section I A Primer on the Terms utilized within this Text Before this text could hope to instruct the unacquainted in the noble art of formal address, it must first explain the terminology used. Take the time to learn and memorize these terms, and they will help you greatly in understanding that respected art. Title- An appellation prefixed to the name of the holder, denoting office and social status. Style- An honorific prefixed to the title of the holder, denoting formality and special honor. Salutation- A greeting used at the beginning of a letter to a titleholder. Valediction- A farewell used at the end of a letter to a titleholder. Oral Address (Formal)- An appellation used when addressing a titleholder directly for the first time or continuously in an especially formal setting. Oral Address (Semi-Formal)- An appellation used when addressing titleholder directly after the first time. Titleholder- One who possesses legal right to use a title. Styleholder- One who possesses legal right to use a style. --- Section II On Those who Shall be Accorded a Titles, Styles, and other Forms of Formal Address In order to properly use one’s knowledge of formal address, one must know whom to address formally. This section will outline who shall be accorded the honor of formal address and the title they shall be accorded.. Reigning or Sovereign shall be used to denote the spouse who holds the title by virtue of birth or appointment rather than marriage. For those eligible for multiple titles, the highest ranking title shall be used. Reigning Emperor or Empress- The Imperial Title appropriate to their Gender. Spouse of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The Imperial Title appropriate to their Gender. Children of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Brothers or Sisters of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Spouses of Imperial Princes or Princesses- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Children of Imperial Princes or Princesses- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. This does not extend to Children of the Siblings of the Emperor. Reigning King or Queen- The Royal Title appropriate to their Gender Spouse of Reigning King or Queen- The Royal Title appropriate to their Gender Children of Reigning King or Queen- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their gender. Brothers or Sisters of Reigning King or Queen- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Spouses of Princes or Princesses- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Children of Princes or Princesses- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Does not extend to Children of the Siblings of the King or Queen Prince Archbishop- Shall be of the male gender. Archbishop- Shall be of the male gender. Bishop- Shall be of the male gender. Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Ducal Title appropriate to their Gender. Spouse of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Ducal Title appropriate to their Gender. Eldest Child of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Viscomital Title appropriate to their Gender. Younger Children of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender. Sovereign Count or Countess- The Comital Title appropriate to their Gender. Spouse of Sovereign Count or Countess- The Comital Title appropriate to their Gender. Eldest Child of Sovereign Count or Countess- The title Lord or Lady, as appropriate to their Gender. Younger Children of Sovereign Count or Countess- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender. Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The Baronial Title appropriate to their Gender. Spouse of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The Baronial Title appropriate to their Gender. Eldest Child of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The title Lord or Lady, as appropriate to their Gender. Younger Children of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender. Knight- Shall be of the male gender. Baronet or Baronetess- The Baronetial Title appropriate to their Gender. Squire- The Title shall be used for both the Male and Female Gender --- Section III On the Styles accorded to their Associated Titles All Titles have Associated Styles which shall be used during formal proclamations, introductions, or descriptions. The abbreviation {Name} shall be used to denote the name of the titleholder and the abbreviation {Location} shall be used to denote the fief the titleholder administers. Styles separated by commas indicate multiple acceptable uses. All styles are prefixed to the title of the styleholder. In the case of a titleholder eligible for several titles, the styles should be listed in order from least to most precedence. Emperor or Empress- His/Her Imperial Majesty Imperial Prince or Princess- His/Her Imperial Highness the Prince/Princess King or Queen- His/Her Majesty Prince or Princess- His/Her Royal Highness the Prince/Princess Prince Archbishop- The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Excellency Archbishop {Name} of {Location} Archbishop- The Most Reverend and Right Honorable His Eminence the Archbishop of {Location} Bishop- The Right Reverend Lord Bishop of {Location} Duke or Duchess- His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess of {Location} Landed Viscount or Viscountess- The Right Honorable Viscount/Viscountess of {Location} Count or Countess- The Right Honorable Count/Countess of {Location} Unlanded Viscount or Viscountess- The Right Honorable Viscount/Viscountess Baron or Baroness- The Baron/Baroness, The Lord/Lady Knight - Ser {Name} Baronet or Baronetess- Sir/Madame {Name}, The Baronet/Baronetess Squire- Squire --- Section IV On the Manner of Oral Address When addressing a titleholder directly in a formal setting, it is appropriate to utilize Oral Address. There are two types of Oral Address; formal and semi-formal. Formal is utilized the first time one is addressing a titleholder in this setting, while semi-formal is used continuously after the first time. Formal may also be used continuously in especially formal situations; ceremonies, proclamations, and petitions to the sovereign titleholder are all appropriately formal to warrant continued use of Formal Oral Address. Emperor or Empress- Formal- Your Imperial Majesty Semi-Formal- Sire or Madam, as appropriate to gender Imperial Prince/Princess- Formal- Your Imperial Highness Semi-Formal- Sir or Ma'am, as appropriate to their gender King or Queen- Formal- Your Majesty Semi-Formal- Sire or Madam, as appropriate to gender Prince/Princess- Formal- Your Highness Semi-Formal- Sir or Ma'am, as appropriate to gender Prince Archbishop- Formal- Your Excellency or Your Grace Semi-Formal- Father, Sir, or Prince Archbishop Archbishop- Formal- Your Eminence Semi-Formal- Father, Sir, or Archbishop Bishop- Formal- My Lord Bishop Semi-Formal- My Lord, or Bishop Duke or Duchess- Formal- Your Grace Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am, Your Grace, or Duke/Duchess Viscount or Viscountess- Formal- Your Right Honor Semi-Formal- Sir,/Ma'am, or Viscount/Viscountess Count or Countess- Formal- Your Right Honor Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am or Count/Countess Baron or Baroness- Formal- My Lord Baron Semi-Formal- My Lord/Lady, or Baron/Baroness Knight- Formal- Honored Ser Semi-Formal- Ser Baronet or Baronetess- Formal- Sir/Ma'am Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am Squire- Formal- N/A Semi-Formal- N/A --- Section V On the Manner of Salutation and Valediction Formality is not confined to verbal communication. When communicating in writing to a titleholder, one should use the appropriate Salutation in the beginning of the letter, and the matched Valediction at the end of the letter. The abbreviation {Full Name} is used here to denote the writer’s full style, title, and name. The abbreviation {Name} is used here to denote the receiver’s name. The “Vassal Valediction” is used only by those residing in the realm and under the jurisdiction of the receiving titleholder. If there is no Vassal Valediction provided, one should always use the provided Valediction. In the case of a superior writing to an inferior, the rules are not so stringent, and are primarily at the discretion of the writer. Emperor or Empress- Salutation- Your Imperial Majesty, Valediction- Your Most Humble and Loyal Servant, {Full Name} Imperial Prince/Princess- Salutation- Your Imperial Highness, Valediction- Your Humble Servant, {Full Name} King or Queen- Salutation- Your Royal Majesty, Valediction- Your Most Humble Subject, {Full Name} Prince/Princess- Salutation- Your Royal Highness Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name} Prince Archbishop- Salutation- Dear Prince Archbishop Valediction- Your Faithful Parishioner, {Full Name} Archbishop- Salutation- Dear Archbishop Valediction- Your Faithful Parishioner, {Full Name} Bishop- Salutation- Dear Bishop Valediction- Your Parishioner, {Full Name} Duke or Duchess- Salutation- My Lord/Lady Duke/Duchess Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name} Vassal Valediction- Your Most Humble Subject, {Full Name} Landed Viscount or Viscountess- Salutation- My Lord/Lady Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name} Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name} Count or Countess- Salutation- My Lord/Lady Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name} Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name} Unlanded Viscount or Viscountess- Salutation- My Lord/Lady Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name} Baron or Baroness- Salutation- My Lord/Lady Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name} Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name} Knight- Salutation- Dear Ser Valediction- Ser Baronet or Baronetess- Salutation- Dear Sir Valediction- Sir Squire- Salutation- Dear {Name} Valediction- Regards, {Full Name} --- II. Dress: While right speech serves to clothe your thoughts in silk, it does little for your body. Certain fabrics, articles of clothing, and styles should be observed to be considered a fitting member of the aristocracy. --- II-A Noblemen The attire of a proper nobleman, when not fitted for battle, should consist of trousers, covered with long over-tunics belted at the waist, with a tabard or surcoat over top. These clothes should be covered with full length cloaks in winter, to protect from cold, or when traveling, to protect the fabrics from the rigours of the road. Cloaks may be trimmed with a quality fur, such as ermine, and pinned at the shoulder by a broach to hold them in a comfortable position without use of the foolish and restrictive neck-fasteners many of the common folk employ. Footwear is often designed for castle wear, and should be made of made of silk, velvet, cloth or leather and fastened with a buckle. Leather boots should be worn when traveling outdoors, to protect one’s lower legs from mud and other splattering hazards encountered in transit. Headwear is also common, consisting of a cap befitted to one’s station. A comital coronet could be worn by a Count, a flattened and adorned hat for ranked courtiers to the imperial household, or a simple cap to shade one’s eyes in travel. Quality and cut of material is utmost when dressing one’s self, but proper colours should also be observed. Gaudy and eye-disturbing shades should be avoided, and one should only variate from dull navies, greys, and blacks, when incorporating the colours of one’s own household, or that of a liege house, knightly order, or the imperial state. Fashion is best served when one accurately depicts his station with the trappings of his own status , rank, order, or duties. --- II-B Noblewomen Women should dress themselves in many layers, so as to protect their delicate skin from the ravages of the weather. A noblewoman’s underclothes should consist of breeches, chemise, and hose, covered by an underskirt of yellow or white linen or silk. The underskirt should then be covered with a long, trailing gown, or dress, with wide sleeves. Gowns are most oft made of velvets, furs, silks, lace, cottons, and taffeta. The hem and the neck of the dress and sleeves are often decorated with gems and lace. These articles may then be covered by a full mantel when the weather requires. Mantels are trimmed with a quality fur, like ermine, and pinned at the shoulder with a broach for those reasons discussed above. The footwear of a noble lady is more often designed purely for castle wear, composed of slippers of various quality fabrics or leather, and sturdy boots for foot travel in the outdoors. A lady’s hair should be worn long and plaited, and bound and covered by a piece of silk or linen draped and pinned over the hair and tucked into the neckline of her gown. Headwear, if desired for travel, should be covered in quality materials, and wide so as to shield her fair features from the harsh sunlight. Colours can be more vibrant than men’s clothing, but should still refrain from the gaudy or eye-disturbing flourescent pinks and blues, else she marks herself of the lower aristocracy unaccustomed to such attire. --- II-C Regional attire While the above fashions are well fitted to the life of a palatial courtier or greater noble, some lords and ladies of the most rural demesnes, like those of the Raev, choose to fit themselves in more drab colours, less opulent fabrics, and fewer adornments of ermine or gem in the same manner as their ‘messy medieval’ structures. Some of the capital speculate that this is because of lack of means, but it may also be attributed to a desire not to invoke the ire of their more impoverished subjects. While a rural Lord or Lady’s attire across the feudatories is more relaxed, proper dress should always be maintained in the capital or upon the occasion of official visits or the hosting of guests. Other regional styles can also be observed. Certain Northern houses, like those of old Hanseti proper, incorporate more furs and thicker fabrics into their dress by necessity of their native climate. Houses of Kaedreni heritage often maintain military dress, even at peacetime, in an homage to their culture which espouses armed service. While these variations too are acceptable, one should always endeavor to ensure that one wears proper attire in formal meetings and those occasions noted above. --- VOLUME III or, the Ideals of the Success of Nations The success of righteous human nations can be traced back to a single unifying principle: national pride. This can usually be identified in an environment in which it arises in response to a common enemy, and in which culture is encouraged. In the dawn of a new era, it is important to remember what has come before. Why is the First Empire remembered so fondly? It united humanity in pursuit of high imperial culture, channeled intraimperial disputes into tame political rivalries that did not cause rifts at the imperial level (in large part because the crown avoided involvement in vassal disputes, considering itself equally bound to those it governed, instead implementing a casus belli system to allow resolution of conflict), and revived the Owynist movement for human supremacy and the reclamation of God-given land from the inferior races. The First Empire only fell when the Creator gave Horen V divine inspiration to bless a new continent with the message of our Lord. On that new continent of Aeldin, a similar national pride thrived and humanity prospered, but in the wake of his departure the remaining ruling class was divided in the face of the dwarven menace, and so the empire fell. Why were the Second Empire and the reign of Heinrik remembered so fondly by some and less so by others? The emperor Siegmund united the majority of humanity, but did so in the face of other human rebels, not foreigners (though in his defense, the rebels allied themselves with foreigners). Thus there were factions which, after being subdued, festered with discontent (Adunian discontent became Lucienist, Horen rebel factions became Traditionalist/Darfeyist, disenfranchised old-imperial factions became the Tarus invaders, etc.). The majority, however, benefited from military and cultural unity in the face of threats, and political opportunities for nobles were suppressed outside of the ruling house and her cadets in favor of meritocratic martial prestige. The fall of the Vochna was at the hands of growing division in faith, culture, and politics that grew from the militant early days of the empire that purged much of the old nobles and waged war on Adunians (an ally of the Orenian kingdom at the time). Why was the Third Empire remembered quite fondly by some and not so by others? It united humanity in the revival of high imperial culture and glories, launched military campaigns against a common enemy, and gave opportunities for meritocratic advancement for the common people through martial prowess. The faults of the Third Empire were in part before its formation (in which a significant minority were suppressed through violent means) and in part through political missteps that divided faith and culture. These wounds, bound but not cleaned and mended, festered, and their danger to the state was realized in the late empire when dissatisfaction with the emperor combined with the ire of the suppressed minority. It can thus be concluded that, for a successful nation of united humanity, a leader must direct his people in the traditional manner of the prophet kings Owyn, Godfrey, and Sigismund, while incorporating the effective methods of their governance and avoiding their pitfalls: -Unite humanity against a common enemy and create high martial culture. -Unite humanity in faith. -Create high court culture towards which the bourgeoisie and nobility can strive and entertain themselves. -Create safe outlets for intranational disputes. -Approach legitimate division diplomatically and minimize significant intranational factions and grudges. -Allow the common people social mobility for advancement. -Affirm the authoritative but judicious crown to maintain respect of vassals. -Create cohesive national pride. --- VOLUME IV or, the Archetypes of the Success of Nations In my experience in politics and leadership, there are five effective personality archetypes that define the responsibilities an individual in regional or privy leadership is best suited for. It is rare that a man be purely defined by an archetype, but every man should have his primary attributes and skills which fall within the scope of one. It is also my theory that, were a nation or feudatory to be organized in a manner that gave each man the responsibilities he was best suited for, it would be most successful. I have also deigned to provide an example of a late monarch who can be seen as being representative of each category for ease of understanding. To be brief, the archetypes are as follows: The Kinghead, who is well respected by his peers and by his underlings, and is chiefly gifted with a charisma that provides onlookers with confidence in their leader. In council, he is receptive to advice and not overly stubborn nor embroiled in the petty politics that could chance the decay of his state should he lay his focus upon them instead of the welfare of the spirit of his people. Exempli gratia: Emperor Peter I The Chancellor, who is most gifted at the trades of politic and administration, and best operates behind the scenes as an orchestrator of ambitions. It is he who keeps the nation out of political muck and mire, is diplomat to his liege, and manager of those within the realm who are too ambitious or decadent. It is best that he not be lord, for the Chancellor is not the best man to inspire confidence in the people, as he is a cerebral man more suited to council rooms than court or the field. Exempli gratia: Prophet-Emperor Sigismund The Steward, who is a man most well liked by the common man, and talented at enriching the towns and spirits of the citizens towards greater activity and prosperity. Found at the head of active and successful townships, the Steward is a valuable addition to any establishment royal or otherwise. While gifted at charming the common folk towards work and sustained progress, the steward often falters with the crown in matters of politic or propaganda, where he may be deprived of contact with his people and confined to council rooms and made the uncomfortable actor on the stage. Exempli gratia: Emperor Tobias I The Marshal, whose gifts are chiefly militant in nature, and who presents himself a talented organizer and motivator of men towards victory. A drill-master extraordinaire and a skilled tactician and manager, the Marshal is an asset to any organization. Able to keep a military active and well-trained, he is most often also a skilled commander on the field. With a crown, however, the Marshal is often reluctant to listen to his advisors in matters of politic, and prone to being overly bullish on the field and neglectful of the domestic front. An excellent leader at war-time, but not as much so during peace. Exempli gratia: King Andrik of Oren The Seal, who is both a talented writer and political theorist. Best suited for the council or library, the seal of a council is a cerebral mind much like the Chancellor for whom he is often mistaken, but is more suited for theoretical rather than applied pursuits. Shying from the responsibilities and expectations of the other archetypes, but excelling at presenting the message of the other archetypes and innovating towards progress, the Seal or Scribe is an invaluable addition to any council. Exempli gratia: King Franz-Josef By assessing your loyal men and assigning appropriate responsibilities to those who would most befit particular roles along the archetype model, the efficiency and stability of a government can be best assured. By setting aside crown-lust and instead focusing on best executing his talents, a man will find himself winning the respect of his peers and of history. By setting aside petty cronyism and preconceptions about the value of each council seat and instead choosing for roles those individuals of matching archetypes, a government will find itself healthy, stable, and forward-functioning.

Heinrik Karovic van Roy, also known as Heinrik Carrion (Naumarian: Henrik Karovic), was the nephew of Emperor-Prophet Sigismund, and following his death, his chosen heir. Heinrik denied the crown, through claimed respect of the imperial institution, and instead took up the lesser title King of Oren. He fought in numerous wars throughout his time, combating countless claimants and invasions of his realm, being a brilliant commander and war-time leader. Despite such, he maintained a personal autobiography of his life, recounting his expoilts and tribulations through his owns. Due to his war-like habits, would be fall in combat to coalition forces of dwarves, orks, and human rebels, leaving the throne to his cousin Franz-Josef and sparking the Franciscan Massacre. (OOC: Full credit to Knox who wrote all of this, posting these here for easier access. Links to his original links below: ) --- THE CHRONICLES OF HEINRIK VAN ROY AKA KING HENRY I OF OREN WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF HEINRIK VAN ROY AKA KING HENRY I OF OREN PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- PART I or, the Beginning of Heinrik van Roy Where to begin… By the time you have read this, I am already dead, and my Kingdom has prospered for better or worse, you know? In moments like these I remember almost everything about my childhood, and that is what I want to share with you, to whomever may be reading this, an enemy, a friend, a commoner or peasant, know that I am merely a man, not a hero, not a tyrant, a man. A man who sought to make the world a better place. So, where to begin? At the beginning, of course. I remember the day that my parents were hung, the way I was kept prisoner by rebellious raevir strelt, the way my uncle Siegmund, Saint Bogdanistan and many other loyal raevir strelt stormed the tower to save my life, being kept in a cold dark tower for a majority of your youth isn’t that splendid to tell you the truth. They say that a Carrion lives half a life of a normal person before they reach middle-age, I remember my first journey through the lands of Kaedrin to the march of Raev, back then our house was barely known, we were merely barons serving the emperor. I remember how Ostromir would constantly look down on me, claiming my life had no worth, and how I would never inherit title or land, how we would chuck rocks at teutonic soldiers as they passed through our town, the sound of crucified dark elves screaming for help or mercy during the long times, my first friend Lorik Edain, Lark Steelwall restoring my father's sword to its original state. Those were the days when there wasn't a care in the world, when life was simple, there was no scourge at that point, just men killing men, after the Teutonic order lost the battle of the dreadfort, things changed, the world looked as if it was turning on us, rumors of foul beasts marching on the Northern wall, no problem there, we had a wall, dwarves marching from the south? No problem there, we had the White Roses, I spent a lot of time with the peasantry as a young man, I preferred their jokes and humor to that of those high lords in the castle of Valois, all those lords used to do was bicker and conspire, when Siegmund departed on a great journey across the world, everything changed, it seemed as if all life within the world was absorbed, first the drowners of the canal arose, Orliks fault, dumped all the dead prisoners in there, they were relatively easy to take care of, either way, I could feel that something was manifesting within the North, during the evenings I would stand at the highest part of the Krelmstad, looking over into the north as the cold breeze brushed against my face. As the white roses, Godfrey and numerous other lords left our lands, Blackmonts moving from Savoie behind the capital of Abresi after the fall of Salvus, the world didn’t feel safe anymore, it was during that night, I saw the castle of Greywwn fall, and what came out of its ruins, shortly after, a drake of the north flying across the realm of men, with the remaining army of Oren chasing after it, as I watched the strelt within the city gear up to assist the heartlanders, I remember seeing the treetops move rather quickly, originally I thought it may have been Sariants retreating, until I saw, well. I’m not entirely what I saw, I climbed down from the tower, grabbing my fathers sword and charged down into the city, our enemy was undefeatable, I recall taking the head off of one of the demon-creatures necks, only to have the head look at me look at me and smile, I think our enemy knew the people of Raevir were somewhat powerful, since the Drake came swooping down setting our settlement ablaze, the remaining forces of Oren, lead by Heinrich were able to repel the drake, and the remaining strelt mob as well as myself charged at our enemy head on, our enemy charged back, but then, something happened, I recall being grabbed by what must of been the enemies commander, I disappeared from the earth and ended up in a completely different place, a place many people claim is the “first sky”, I wasn't a pious man, I wasn't a dead man? What was I doing there? There I saw members of House Blackmont, members of the White Rose, dwarves, elves, members of every race, as I looked to them in horror they came towards me, I will admit, I was terrified, but I knew I had to fight, and fight I did, as my feet were grabbed I began to descend into the dirt, up until a light beamed from above, a hand reached down and grabbed hold of me, pulling me out of the ground and back into the real world, as I fell back onto the ground, I looked to my side, seeing my cousin Heinrich had fallen, there was nothing I could do, there was countless dead, as I was dragged out by Raevir men, all I could hear were the claims that I had completely vanished from this world, Saint Bogdanistan believed there to be a demon within my body, but there was nothing, this is a story that many have forgotten, nobody knew me back then, so why does it matter? Many people out there know me as an honest man, so whether you choose to believe what I say is entirely up to you. My name is Heinrik Carrion, and that was the beginning. --- PART II or, Heinrik’s Rise to Power Following the events against the black scourge, I was pronounced the Warden of Augustine, shortly after the Adunian war, seceding from the Empire forming the Kingdom of Savoie, I was proclaimed Grand Strannik, who would have thought? The young noble-boy disgusted and hated by many of the nobles would rise to such a position? I figured after Heinrichs death, they needed somebody to fill his boots, I often thought of how I would better the Kingdom of Savoie defensively, the black scourge in the north, filthy adunian scum in the east, the empire watching our movements from the west… my cousin Ostromir took the throne of Savoie, and gave Diedrik the barrowmarches, suitable place for a bastard, but.. it was still on the boarders of the North, Herendul lacked the man power to protect the north, little to no defenses around the marches, it seemed like the ideal place for the enemy to strike, with manpower and resources stretched thin, I approached Diedrik and Ostromir, Diedrik was obviously counselling him as he always did, so I took advantage of the situation, and demanded a barony, and of course, the title warden of the marches, after a long lengthy discussion with my half-uncle and cousin, my wishes were granted, and my levy numbers increased, though. That still wasn’t enough, I had to send a bird to the Krawfords, a commoner house at that, but lethal with a weapon, I regularly had them patrolling the Northern lands, reporting back to me the advancements of the Northern threat. I recall walking through the forests of the barrowmarches one day with Hektor and Houndor, Thomas Denims approached me with a sealed letter, upon opening it, it explained that my cousin Ostromir intends to take the crown of Oren, and dispose of its useless lords, it also demanded my presence and levies. I remember walking into the palace with my men, ugly place, as we entered the palace the gates slammed shut, and my cousin approached Silius, who gave him the crown of Renatus upon his request, relatively simple, up until a bunch of those knights in shiny armor approached and demanded entrance, something about protecting the King, I recall Kais having to behead one of his associates or something, that is when the Knights got a bit rowdy and upset, they were soon taken care of. I had a deep hate for a majority of these knights, all talk, lack the experience of a real soldier. We took Kais prisoner and marched him to his home, where he was expected to commit suduku, or something along those lines, it was quite funny, when we got there and locked him in his wooden-house thing, his household guard tried to gain entry, guy was too persistent about entering, so I killed him. Sheeze that fellow was annoying. After what felt like days of waiting for Kais to commit suduku, one of my levy men got bored and decided to push him off the cliff, then some blackmont fellow shot a bolt through his throat, I don’t think the Sariants liked that all too much, since they decided to bombard the Easterners settlement, we decided we’d pay them a visit, they didn’t seem too happy, and decided to fire arrows at us, after a few hours of fighting, we came out victorious, and the Hochmeister bent the knee. Then of course, the Princedom of Malinor declared war on us, not entirely sure what the reasoning was again, I just remember the constant battling inside of their city walls, quite foolish of them to even try remove the righteous Empire Ostromir, Tuvya was put in charge of leading the Vanguard, he did an exceptional job for the most part, our enemy cried tears which eventually formed a river, I found that beautiful. up until Urasept the Miner mysteriously gave Titania an entire wagon of iron, even then Iron was somewhat sacred, but thanks to him, we were able to seize those goods and put them to give use. Soon after the disappearance of Ostromir, House Silverblade and Tarus returned, King Ostromir II of Renatus and the Empire of Oren was coronated, banditing marauders began to target Abresi, House Tarus and Silverblade got somewhat upset, and decided the best course of action would be to rebel against their Emperor, rather than fight with him. Siegmund approached me, told me in these dark times he’d prefer me overseeing the Empire of Orens levies and defenses, “Lord Marshal of Oren” Ostromir II said, and willingly, I took the job. Ostromir II’s reign was short, though that is understandable a young child such as him should have never have carried such a burden, Siegmund volunteered to step up once more, and united many of the unconvinced lords that House Carrion could make Oren a much better place once more. As for House Tarus and Silverblade? I had Buubztik help me out with that, probably one of the only Orcs I had really got along with, he’d regularly assist in arresting the rebel supporters of the Tarus, Silverblade claim. The Marauding bandits gave up eventually, and took my side instead of Tarus and Silverblade, stating that “We only attacked Abresi to be rid of their filfth”, House Tarus and Silverblade had hardly any support, and we had William Horen psying on them for us, a useful spy and a good friend, considering the fellow was usurped, he seemed somewhat cooperative, providing me with the enemies rosters and the enemies movements, thats when they turned their attention to the lands of Stafyr, backed by the midgets of the south. I always hated midgets, their grubby beards, fat faces. Bloody ankle biters, everybody was over confident that House Tarus would win and usurp the throne, but, they had no idea what I was capable of. A close victory, we were outnumbered, but on that very day we lost Siegmund who stated my true family name and my inheritance, The Empire of Oren. Not something I really wanted, but the privy council saw it best that I took the throne over Siegmunds children, and as did Siegmund. Dissolving the Empire was one of Siegmunds wishes, many of the lords and kings looked quite annoyed at such an action, all I could think of at that point was fulfilling a dead mans wish, so I did it. I dissolved the crumbling Empire and formed it into a Kingdom, besides, Emperor Heinrik Carrion I, it didn’t sound fitting, King Heinrik Carrion on the other hands? That was much more appealing, after being coronated by the sudden reappearance of the church,Edward was a stubborn fellow, wasn’t convinced I was good enough for the throne I believe, I received word that House Vekon and Othaman were planning to overthrow the Winters of the North, but I didn’t want such a thing to occur. so I married Katherine Winter, gave Edward Winter an archduke title and reunified the Human Kingdoms into one. And then shortly after that, I brought peace between the Princedom of Malinor and Oren. After consulting with the privy council, three of the four opted against marching on the south, Walter Stafyr and I knew a message had to be sent, a strong message. After sending our birds to our lords and allies, we assembled in force and marched on the south. I may have hated those midgets, but their arrogance, warmongering and aiding the rebellious people of Tarus and Silverblade left me with no choice, I had to send a message. A message that Oren was a force to be reckoned with. --- PART III or, King Heinrik’s Great March South In the year of 1449, when our forces reached full force, we marched from Renatus to Kaldonia, over the Chivay bridge and into the remains of Salvus, past Salvus and into the lands of Valles, there we met our Uruk allies, before the battle commenced, dark clouds headed from the south and into the north, along with it an unnatural thunder, the undead servants of Setherin arose and the cheers of Urguan were heard in the distance, little shits condemn themselves further, I commanded that Tiberius and our uruk allies head to flank our opponent, whilst I distracted their main force, as we fired our trebuchets they fired theirs back. As the men of the Decterum and Uruks charged the walls, the Order of St.Lucien flanked from behind. Our enemy had no idea what was truly happening, it was perfect. As our main force charged the front gate the enemy lost all hope and resorted to falling back into this piece of **** they called a “fortress”, shortly after, High Prince Eleron, Titania and Prince Ebs and a bunch of elves arrived on the field, cravens, the bunch of them. Arriving to a battle just to see the ending, there were rumours the bunch of them were working for Setherin, not to mention, their plot to side the the dwarven legion, I hope the outcome of the battle put their minds to unrest. After we cleared the bodies on the battlefield, tossed the dead dwarven soldiers bodies into the river, we began constructing a fortress, a fortress which would later be known as Fort Raddousch, a pile of rubble turned into a fortress, a fortress which would prove to be one of the most vital assets in our war. With Ard Kerrack restored and handed over to the UAC, I turned my attention to the Princedom of Malin, they acted as if they owned the fortress. I started giving my men orders, I looked to another potential leader for their race, an elvern man named Kalameet. Strange name for a man, but the man had honest intentions for the people of Malin, I convinced him to initiate war, cause a rebellion, and little did the Princedom know, I was really siding with him. In fact, I don’t think many people knew until the day the battle occurred, myself and my vassals marched in there and demanded their surrender, High Prince Eleron wasn't found there, he left the night before, the dishonorable, cravenous rat. With the Princedom abolished, and the conclave instated, I could safely say I had the people of Malin in my pocket, a puppet nation, doing what I say, when I say. With the dwarven legion annexed, cut off from the Northern lands, I pressed onward, took the fight to their people, their lands, and they hated me for it. Just goes to show them the consequences of marching on the lands of Oren. After divine intervention, two and a half years of fighting in the south, fighting in the ground and the dirt, we signed an unstable peace with the nation of Urguan. We marched back to our homes with our heads held high, a majority of people believed this to be the end of all war and conflict, and that peace would finally be upheld within the world of Anthos, peace? There will never be peace, since there will always be somebody to fight, the Drake of the North and his manipulated servants, the Harbringers, the black Scourge, they were the next target, they attacked a young boy fourteen years ago, and that man became a King, and that took the fight to them. --- PART IV or, the Protectors of Oren On our long march north, we met a group of halflings, fleeing from the northern lands in attempt to escape the upcoming scourge threat, they had already taken their lands, and they had no intention to reclaim them, offering them a small slice of Salvus to live in, they safely lived near the coast, where they could escape any upcoming threat by boarding a ship and leaving this lands. We marched to Lenfarthing, and rained hell upon the scourge there who had absolutely no idea we were coming, the battle lasted less than a minute, our allies? They showed up unaware that the battle was even concluded, a record win for Oren. The scourge, and Setherin himself must have been somewhat annoyed, since they raised their servants of the dead to take up arms against my people, from the city of Abresi, to the plains of Kaedrin we fought them back. Some days we lost no one, on others we lost a lot. The scourge were planning something relatively big, I assumed they’d attack the march of Raev, my home. Konrad was sent to investigate the matter, and gather intelligence regarding the Northern advances along with Rick Felder and Bajko, with many of my resources and men being stretched thin on trying to rid Anthos of the Northern threat, it was some what difficult to determine where they would hit next, they soon revealed where they would hit next though, the cloud temple in Valles, upon its corruption Baron Corbett van Cleef sent me word, upon receiving word, I sent our birds out to our allies, stating how we lay claim to those lands by right of conquest, willingly, they decided to join. Marching east we attempted to liberate the people of Lenniel, after being pushed back we abandoned that hope, as a majority of the populace had left, and marched onwards to the cloud temple whilst Darius de Nurem attempted to liberate the people of Lenniel instead. Upon reaching the cloud temple, the enemy had set up some rather strange structures, in which Konrad stated they would explode should we fire at it, with knowledge obtained we learnt that by shooting the chains holding the structure, it would float off, to distract our enemy. I had the Lucienists fire at the chains of the structure whilst barraging the area to conceal our motives, with the lucienists on that task I ordered the Red Army to assault the main gate, with numbers gradually decreasing, reinforcements from the Orcish clans, Urguan and many other free folk arrived, turning the tide on the field of battle, the battle was won, but it was a very close battle. One for us to remember. Upon winning the battle, an idea formed in my mind. The enemy advances heavily upon us, takes our lands, kills our people. Yet nobody had actually attempted to take the fight to their lands, I returned to the Krelmstad for a while with my vassals and nobles, in which we discussed whether or not assaulting the far north was a good idea. Ailred Ruthern, our Lord Marshal opted against it, claiming killing undead men was no fun, and that we should be killing real people. Disgraced at his comment, I ordered him away, Leonidas Bedevere, Farley Stafyr, Corbett van Cleef, and many other nobles looked towards each other before nodding in agreement in marching North, I recall hearing Kord Steelwall asking his father why we must march north, and why my nobles and vassals would follow me after all the continuous fighting, Lark responded to his son that it is purely out of faith and trust. Maybe he was right? I guess I’ll never truly know. With our dwindled army from years of fighting, the day of reckoning was upon the Scourge, a day they would remember as the day Anthos took the Northern entrance. For a duration the fights had seized, the scourge had realized that the forces of Anthos united as one were not a force to be reckoned with, and they hid inside of their lands, regaining their power and strength, but at that point, the golden lances appeared. Peace was had at long last, and the scourge weren’t seen for some time. Thousands of men, woman and children were killed in those years, the years that will forever be known as “The cold years”. A few more battles occurred after that, including the ending of peace between Oren and the conclave after a raiding party attacked the lands of Stafyr, demanding justice and retribution from the Conclave, none was given. Jack, a member of the Golden Lances approached me, being an old friend of mine I asked him why he had needed me, he demanded I cease all hostilities between the conclave, and rather work with them, in retrieving some keys, keys which would lead us into a new world. So we did, during the defense of the Cloud Temple, all keys were placed in position, and a portal opened. The fringe began a world war against Oren, due to a border dispute in which the forces of Uruguan claimed our land was theirs, and that we had provoked them into war, four years of peace had come to an end,thus beginning the war over the fringe. Tomorrow will be a day of reckoning, a day in which I shall no longer lead, nor live. Radomir Franz Carrion shall lead our people tomorrow, towards a better Oren. I will not be remembered as the savior of humanity, I will most likely not be sainted, but remember this. I turned a crumbling nation into something great.

Lorina Tuvovna Carrion (Naumarian: Lorina vas Tuv) was an imperial princess, being the daughter of Emperor Tobias I and the sister of Emperors Boris I and Alexander I, and later nun of the Chivay-Carrion and Johannian eras. Throughout her life and at the start of a very young age, she maintained a diary, chronicling the social and political life around her, and because of her birth, records many important historical events through her unique opinion. Her diary is divided into three volumes, though the third (and longest) has been lost to time, starting from the age of seven till her death after an attempted elope with a Lord Bracchus. (OOC: Full credit to @Urara who both wrote and made these, posting these here for easier access. If anyone has copies of the third volume, as the images seem to have been taken done, message me@yopplwasupxxx. Links to her original posts below: ) --- THE DIARY OF LORINA CARRION, VOL I AND II AKA PRINCESS LORINA WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF LORINA TUVOVNA CARRION AKA PRINCESS LORINA PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- VOLUME ONE CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII CHAPTER XIV CHAPTER XV --- VOLUME TWO CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII CHAPTER XIV CHAPTER XV CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XVII CHATPER XVIII CHAPTER XIX CHAPTER XX

Petreyzbaliden (literally, Petyr’s Ballad) is a song commemorating King Petyr I and his actions at the Battle of Curon Forest. It was written a lengthy time after his death by the Haeseni Strannik (poet-knight) Sir Stanimar Vyronov in the early 150s ES, during the rising storm of the bloodiest moments in the Coalition Wars, and was particularly scathing to the Kingdom of Courland, one the belligerents of the war. This poem was also written shortly after the murder of Prince Meric of Aleksandria by the bastardborn Diedrik Barrow, which sparked a major political crisis culminating in the First Northern War and the exile of the royal court. --- PETREYZBAILDEN AKA PETYR’S BALLAD WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF STANIMAR VYRONOV TRANSLATED BY THE HAND OF HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- PETREYSBAILDEN (PETYR’S BALLAD) Who was the fiercest of the crows to fly in the land, And the noblest of lords in Sigmund’s clan? Twas Petyr, Petyr, redeemer of his father’s blood, Victorious in great numbers much to your rivals’ woe Honorable in action and word, chivalrous without flaw Stalwart defender of the Highlander’s call Petyr, Petyr, hear the people’s pleas For the treachery of the Curonese is plain to see, The serpent taken from his stone in the night, And now we will fight for what is our right! Petyr, Petyr, take upon the spurs of war, And restore the Kraken’s sons as the rightful lords! With the Griffin and Shark among your sons, Their armies you will surely repugn! Petyr, Peytr, the vanguard you command, With Rickard and Bloody Fiske as your hands, Hurry upon the road and hurry fast, Godan’s judgment upon the Staunt’ has come at last! Petyr, Petyr, take your sword high, As we meet upon the wooded hills nigh, The spurs of war in your hand clenched, As your spear comes blood of Courland drenched! Petyr, Petyr, sound your mighty ‘phent, And let your sons descend upon the glen, And they cry for for the gifts of mercy and life, But in dishonor you lived and in dishonor you will die! Petyr, Petyr, who charged cross the river fro’, Directly into the enemy’s speared fold, Yet hit not was he, for in Godan he rode, Like the heroes of the Vochna of yore! Petyr, Petyr, the son of sparrow’s mate, And the picture of Rosebud incarnate! Through your leadership you gave us home, And never in your kin were you alone! Petyr, Petyr, the first of our koengs, Forever his name will go down in our songs, Loyal to Godan and His Emperor Lord, Saving the Empire from the grips of total disorder! Petyr, Petyr, the greatest of ‘sanders stock! Never can his noble deed and action ever be mocked! Always the sword of Joren at your side, For in honor you lived and in honor you died! Petyr, Petyr, never a dead of such mourned! And the men and women cried to such a woe’d! Here must we hold our lord taken afar! Remembered always in Godan’s stars! Petyr, Petyr, your name will live on, And never will ever bring it wrong, As he was the fiercest of the crows to fly in the land, And the noblest of lords in Sigmund’s clan!

Aylwin Blaxton (Naumarian: Alvin Blakton) was a Haeseni courtier and diplomat serving the majority of the life under the service of the Amador family, as well as numerous ambassador positions. He is most notable for his ‘Memoirs of Aylwin Blaxton’, an autobiographical account of his life. His memoirs record a typically shunned part of history, revealing the complicated political scene of the Marian court and the struggles and exploits of the Haeseni émigrés during the Coalition Wars and brief occupation period. Later in his life, Aylwin settled in Pruvia and retained high positions in the principality and died shortly before the Pruvian Inheritance to King Stefan of Haense. (OOC: Full credit to @MarquisAlex who wrote all of this, posting this for easier access. Links to his originals below: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/157760-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-1/?tab=comments#comment-1492858 https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/157915-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-2/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/158112-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-3/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/158744-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-4/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/158822-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-5/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/159307-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-6/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/161235-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-7/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/157760-the-memoirs-of-aylwin-blaxton-book-8/ ) --- THE MEMOIRS OF AYLWIN BLAXTON WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF AYLWIN BLAXTON PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- BOOK I BOOK II BOOK III BOOK IV BOOK V BOOK VI BOOK VII BOOK VIII

THE SIGMUNDIC CALENDAR The Sigmundic Calendar derives from the historic calendar and time-keeping of the ancient Highlander tribes, used in variation by the Raevir, Hansetian, and fellow peoples (though under different names). The Common and Imperial Calendars came to supersede it in usage by northern statesmen and scholars, and while the Sigmundic Calendar is rarely used in everyday use, it is still maintained in traditional, liturgical, and some scholastic functions. The year-dating by the ascension of the Prophet Sigmund, known as Ehr Sigmunda, is a more contemporary invention and is commonly used in place of the Anno Oreniae of imperial calendars. A single year is split into fourteen equal months, and those months are categorized into four seasons, known as fasts. The fasts (Gomesvey, Skepyr, Lejz, and Wilfulle) are dictated by the migration of the birds, and so are split themselves into ‘quick’ fasts (Skepyr and Wilfulle) and ‘slow’ fasts (Gomesvey and Lejz), where the ‘quick’ fasts are when birds are moving the most, while the ‘slow’ fasts are when they move the least. Each month is assigned a patron bird, used commonly as a good-luck symbol by those born to them. Month Conversion Snow’s Maiden - Wzuvar and Byvca Horen’s Welcome - Jula and Piov First Seed - Vzmey and Hyff Grand Harvest - Gronna and Droba Sun’s Smile - Tov and Yermey Amber Cold - Msitza and Dargund Deep Cold - Joma and Umund Months of the Canonical Year Wzuvar - Mejeni Redpoll Byvca - Bogdan’s Warbler Jula - Dove Piov - Hummingbird Vzmey - Atheran Kestrel Hyff - Pine Robin Gronna - Northern Bluebird Droba - Purple Finch Tov - Golden-caped Crow Yermey - Waldenian Sparrow Msitza - Five-feathered Magpie Dargund - Northern Swallow Joma - Blackbird Umund - Yatl Tern Fasts of the Canonical Year Gomesvey - Wzuvar, Byvca, and Jula Skepyr - Piov, Vzmey, Hyff, and Gronna Lejz - Droba, Tov, and Yermey Wilfulle - Msitza, Dargund, Joma, and Umund --- SIGMUNDIC YEAR SYSTEM In the modern Sigmundic Calendar, the year count is based on the date of the Final Revelation of the Prophet Sigmund (Year 1447 in imperial calendars). Years after that date are marked ‘Year of Sigmund’ or ‘Ehr Sigmunda’ (abbreviated as ES), while years before marked ‘Before the Year of Sigmund’ or ‘Aestehr Sigmunda’ (abbreviated as AES). Year 336 = 336 - 1447 = 1111 AES Year 1447 = 1447 - 1447 = 0 ES (Revelation of Sigismund) Year 1693 = 1693 - 1447 = 246 ES Year 1707 = 260 ES --- THE HAESENI ZODIAC The Haeseni Zodiac is a collection of six constellations (plus the Moon) assigned to two months of the calendar, and is commonly used to predict the temperament and behavior of children born in its time-frame. Each sign is symbolized by a mythological creature or founder, and aside from the moon, carries a set of relationships with its peers. THE MOON | Wzuvar and Byvca [Snow’s Maiden] Nikul, the Silver Moon The son of the solar rays, who taught the Highlanders the ways of the harvest and the hunt, and how to construct the first fires. However, when he father saw this, he cursed the Highlanders with burnt skin when faced under his gaze for too long, and forced Nikul to appear for only half the day. Those born under his sign are known for their jovial and overall content nature, aiming to please those around them, but are hard think for themselves and easily manipulated. Ally - None Rival - None --- THE QUEEN | Jula and Piov [Horen’s Welcome] Morrighein, Lady of the Moon Morrighein, the mythical queen of the hinterlands, who waged a fifty-year war against the vile Mali’Dun and led another fifty-year golden age. When her son was captured in battle by her elven enemies, she offered herself in sacrifice for his life. Those born under her sign are traditionally held as leaders, altruistic and selfless to an extreme, and rarely carrying the same regard to their own health and wellbeing. Ally - The Giant Rival - The Wopperklaw --- THE CROW | Vzmey and Hyff [First Seed] Gorm, the Three-Eyed Crow When the mighty glaciers melted at the Great Torrent, the Three-Eyed Crow guided the Highlanders into the newly-formed valley. Yet when they looked to the specifics where to settle for their tribes, Gorm could not answer, and the people divided and fought over the new land. Those born under his sign are known for their sageness, wisdom, and capability for abstract thinking, yet inaction, procrastination, and their own self-questioning rules their mind and heart. Ally - The Wopperklaw Rival - The Wyrm --- THE WYRM | Gronna and Droba [Grand Harvest] Garundonrech, the Worm Lord The great Worm Lord ruled the under-earth for centuries, his ambition knowing no bounds as he conquered relentlessly with his great armies of mice-men. However, in his madness, he aimed to rule the volcanoes, and died when trying to enter its magma core. Those born under his sign are known for their ambition and spontatunity, bold in their beliefs, yet their stubbornness and lack of forethought to many make them dangerous and unpredictable. Ally - The Drake Rival - The Crow --- THE GIANT | Tov and Yermey [Sun’s Smile] Osbjor, Champion of the Giants The chief of the legendary Gauntr, who taught the Highlanders the way of honored battle, considered the patron of Highlander ‘chivalry’. His great rivalry with Frysklund is recited in countless ballads, ending in the fantastical Dual of the Delung which culminated in both their deaths. Those born under his sign are traditionally known for their honor and loyalty, though are unable to look past their idealistic and cherried views of the world. Ally - The Queen Rival - The Drake --- THE WOPPERKLAW | Msitza and Dargund [Amber Cold] Koltin, the Cursed Magus The court-magus of the legendary king Joren, whose knowledge helped construct the first great Highlander cities. Yet when he saw to learn beyond the mortal world, he was tricked by the demons of the Void and turned in the twisted wopperklaw. Those born under his sign are known for their curiosity and tolerance in the unknown around them, though lacking in loyalty and deviant in social norms. Ally - The Crow Rival - The Queen --- THE DRAKE | Joma and Umund [Deep Cold] Frysklund, the Northern Drake While it was the giants who taught the Highlanders the ways of combat, it was the fierce and cunning Northern Drake who bestowed them the knowledge of strategy. For centuries he ruled the land from the mountains, but fell in the Dual of the Delung when betrayed by his son for five golden thistles. Those born under his sign are known for their cunning and wise-planning, though are mostly feared and disliked for their perceived cutthroat and treacherous nature. Ally - The Wyrm Rival - The Giant

Alister Wailer (Naumarian: Alistar Vailer) was a Haeseni courtier, poet, and knight in the service of Kings Petyr I, Andrik II, and Marus I, and one of the most famous of the Haeseni Stranniks (poet-knights) of the Johannian Era. Much of his works, many unpublished in his notes, were lost following the Fall of Karlsburg in the First Northern War (including his lost epic poem, the Mariad), though the collection that survive have remained a cornerstone of Haeseni literary and poetic tradition. Alister died following the Battle of Elba due to an infected arrow-wound, and was one of the few ignoble individuals of the age given a royal funeral by the state. (Ooc: Full credit to @floop who wrote all these, posting so they aren’t lost in the jungle of google docs) --- THE SELECTED WORKS OF ALISTER WAILER WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF ALISTER WAILDER PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- SOLDIER’S SONNET When I look out to the North what I see It brings joyous tears to mine wide eyes I will pray the creator hears my plea I will fight and shout to the very skies Creator protect this beautiful land With its Illustrious pines, and frosty air Wise one I beg thee please guide my hand So that I may truly protect its heir From Karlsburg’s stone walls high they stand with might To the wild unkempt untamed Northmarch of freedom The great white expanse will shine gloriously bright Each man with the liberty GOD guaranteed him Loyal golden crows of the north heed my word Loyal golden crows of the north march for’rd --- LIMERICK NO. 1 There was a man from Haense In his **** he did feel pains So he cut it off And now all the ladies scoff It seems they don't want his brains --- A VILLANELLE ON SACRIFICE What truly is Sacrifice? Is it a personal burden each man must carry? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? A punishment for our greed, and avarice? Is it with the grain or contrary? What truly is Sacrifice? A response to every human vice? Is there only one thing to give or does it vary? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? Is it esoteric or precise? The focus of life or ancillary? What truly is Sacrifice? Oh creator what is the price? Simply a way to keep us wary? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? How does one open the doors to paradise? On this I shall wonder till my body they bury. What truly is Sacrifice? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? --- THE STORY OF WILLIAM BRANDYNUCK I once knew a gambler named William Brandybuck Now Billy Brandynuck had a lot of luck Until one day in the stables a mare did buck I yelled “duck” He yelled “****” And that was the end of Billy Brandybuck --- A POEM FOR THE HIGHLANDS When the sun sets in the west it can warm the coldest heart you see And The heartlanders have their fields and flowers so beautiful, and gay But when I look out at those misty pines I know there is nowhere I’d rather be For the North is my land, and it is so much more than clay The beauty of other regions is ephemeral, oh sadly so But not the glory of Haense, oh no I have felt the North’s pure snow on my shoulder I have been in Haense and felt the frost nip the air With its unparalleled beauty there is nowhere I’d rather grow older Oh yes I have seen Haense and I know I must be there From its misty mountains strong and high To the clear blue northern sky Let the bells of Haense’s freedom ring --- HAIKUS FOR A LOST FRIEND Fur as white as snow A Smile as bright as the sun Gone too soon my friend When my Kingdom comes I will see you there for me On the other side friend The clock of time ticks Oh Until we meet again Reunited my friend --- KING PETYR’S POEM What is the meaning of this loss? Is it a source of sorrow, of inspiration? A bridge together we must cross? A silent shout that echos through our nation? ‘Tis the loss of a father ‘Tis the pain of a daughter ‘Twill bring us farther ‘Twill make us stronger Perhaps it just is That everybody dies But we shall carry the legacy of his Legends live in highlander, hearts, minds, and eyes. --- SONETTA NO. 5 [SONETTA FOR THE SEASONS] Were I to Compare thine beauty to that of a new Spring It would simply be unkind to do the season such a disservice For I have seen you when the flowers bloom, I have seen the luster you bring Oh yes I have seen your stride in the springtime and how you leave the men nervous Shall I compare thine eloquence to the winds of winter? Of course not, for your charisma can not be questioned Oh, your words, the coldest hearts they splinter Clear as ice, pure as snow, for legend they are destined If I were to compare thine wit to the nip of fall It would not be fair, for your mind is sharper than the storms of autumn Tis’ now that I see why you leave them befuddled at every ball Oh When they hear you speak, no man will be able to forget what you taught ‘em Shall I compare thine voice to the tender sunshine of summer? It would not be fair to the season, for in your heart you have the song of the birds My lady I have heard thee sing, and they melody can be matched by no bard, or drummer You have left me awestruck, for in your voice is all is beautiful from poems, to idle words Nay My lady I Shan’t Compare thee to a season, for ephemeral their beauties are Oh yes thine qualities are not so fleeting, truly you are a shining star

Sir Tiberan and the Woman Dun, or simply called Sir Tiberan, is an old Highlander folk song from the early 1000s AH, where a knight is proposed to by an Adunian enchantress but ultimately refuses her because of her blood and beliefs. She offers him numerous gifts (reflecting the wishes of the Four Brothers to Iblees), though none entice him to abandon his faith. The main character is Sir Ulric Tiberan, a Haeseni folk-hero, though other versions can name different individuals (namely the old Raevir heroes Ljudimir ve Soivetsk or Bionn Lendus). --- SIR TIBERAN AND THE WOMAN DUN WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF STANIMAR VYRONOV TRANSLATED BY THE HAND OF HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE PUBLISHED BY HIEROMAR LUDOVAR THE ELDER, SSE --- SIR TIBERAN AND THE WOMAN DUN [Narrator:] In the mountains and forests of Dun and man Where the spirits magick remained strong Sarai’s ilk saw upon the handsome caravan And wanted him in time lifelong In the dead of night she appeared to him Clad in dress and hair aflowered Her voice so sweet in ancient hymn And she spoke in words softly-heard [Enchantress:] Sir Tiberan, Sir Tiberan, will thou make your wife? For that, I offer thee love for life You may only answer ai or nie, If thou wish to or nie To you I wish to give children of longevity Who live and never feel the wail of age And they will fill the great halls and cities With any pain of theirs assuaged Sir Tiberan, Sir Tiberan, will thou make your wife? For that, I offer thee love for life You may only answer ai or nie, If thou wish to or nie To you I wish to give the treasures of the world That rival even the mines of any dwed And great silks and rugs unfurled Enshrined by gold and silver-laded Sir Tiberan, Sir Tiberan, will thou make your wife? For that, I offer thee love for life You may only answer ai or nie, If thou wish to or nie To you I wish to give armor uncracked Able to hold even the ork’s mighty axe To stand stalwart from every attack And in courage you will not lack Sir Tiberan, Sir Tiberan, will thou make your wife? For that, I offer thee love for life You may only answer ai or nie, If thou wish to or nie To you I wish to give life unending From the spirits they shall fill you with life’s kiss So you may hear your children sing And in our years our love eternally reminisced Sir Tiberan, Sir Tiberan, will thou make your wife? For that, I offer thee love for life You may only answer ai or nie, If thou wish to or nie [Sir Tiberan:] Foul witch, thee think me a fool! Perhaps if thou was not of Dun blood But I see through the thin veil, ghoul For you are nothing more than pauper’s rudd Cunning troll, thee think me Harren! But Godan is held deep in my heart I will not be dragged to your sinful fen And never taken from His love so far! [Narrator:] And Sarai’s daughter fled in the night Crying and sobbing for her love spurned Taking the sword to end her plight She threw herself upon it in passion yearned

Updated

CROWN PROHIBITION ACT Issued and Confirmed by the Office of the Auditor, 13 M.W. 1696 Va birodeo herzanav e Edlervik, By order of the Exchequer of the Crown, the following decrees are put in immediate within the Realm of Haense… The use of the following pieces of apparel are banned within the borders of the Crown of Haense unless of proper rank, Crowns, Circlets, Coronets, And Tiaras, The ranks which are allowed to wear such are as followed, The Ruling Monarch of Haense, The Consort of Haense, Ruling Princes and Princesses of Haense, And foreign nobility and royalty outside the jurisdiction of the Crown of Haense (such as the Imperial Family, Duke of Adria, Duke of Curon, etc.), And the punishment of disobeying such legislation is immediate execution by the Royal Executioner, unless deemed otherwise by the Office of the Exchequer or the Crown of Haense. There protocols are to remain effect till otherwise deemed necessary by the Office of the Exchequer or by change from respective legislature. All questions and concerns may be asked to the Office of the Exchequer, located in Markev, Haense. Iv Joveo maan, His Excellency the Exchequer of the Crown, Lord Otto-Hieromar Ludovar Iv Joveo ehr, 1696

EN SENTVORIGEO EDLERVIK ON THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDER PEOPLE Written and compiled by BROTHER ALEXANDER OF THE FIVE LAKES, WHO, by the Grace of God, records these notes to chronicle the histories and myths of the Highlander People, to bestow upon future men the knowledge of their blood. May these texts be used for righteous intention, and any who pollute this message be cursed to eternal damnation, with their ashes grinded and discarded. ON THIS DATE 7 SE 1689 - Dedicated to Sofiya, my once love and now angel of the Skies, for which I don this habit and wield this quill. PROLOGUE Years -1000 to 0 TIME BEFORE TIME or The Four Brothers and the Curse of Iblees In a time before the Four Brothers and contemporary civilization, the world was shapeless and boundless, without form or purpose. Before there was man, elf, ork, dwed, there was His aenguls and daemons, who roamed the world freely and without constraint, and His First Beings, those who He had created yet had not granted True Life. The great cohorts of divine aenguls were said to have shaped the world in His Image, creating the mountains and the seas, while God Himself bestowed His Touch upon all corners. He did not stop till fish teamed every sea, till every valley filled with life, and till every mountain laid buried untold treasures. God left the aenguls and daemons to steward the realm as He created it, entrusting them to maintain what He had created. These angelic beings, however, held their own personal desires and ambitions, and while He loved all, these rotten aenguls quarreled unnecessarily. The greatest of rivalries emerged between His two greatest angels, Iblees and Dragur, who carried on year-spanning clashes in the clouds and enslaved mass armies of mortal creatures to attempt to overtake the other. These included the First Beings, man before sapience, who were nothing more than animals prone to crude and bestial desires, and knew not better the machinations of the aenguls. Specifically Iblees, the most vile of the pair, had forced great numbers to fight in slave armies, wantonly destroying all which He had created. This continued for some time till He Returned and saw the destruction wrought by his children. He saw the death of countless of His First Beings and the sin wrought by His celestial children, and so He punished them. Dragur, the more noble of the two, willingly accepted the punishment, but Iblees stubbornly relented, growing jealous of His Power and Majesty. To His First Beings, who ached from pain of countless deaths, He sought to never be pawns of such evil again, and bestowed upon them True Life as He did his angels. He created the First Man and the First Woman, and through them created the Four Perfect- Malianus. Crucus, Urganus, and the greatest of them, Horonius- to lead his nation known as Man. Each was given a fourth of the new people, where they founded the first great cities of the world. The sinful aenguls were instructed to work not above, but below Man, to teach them how to live and be faithful. The aenguls under Dragur taught Man the Flexio tongue, and worked as advisers and teachers. Dragur himself grew a great love for Horonius, who was the quickest of his brothers, and taught him many things, and Horonius would become even His favorite child. All four realms grew immensely, and the mortal beings all prayed and loved God, and paradise was founded upon the earth. Horonius founded the First City which God called Paradisius, and it became the Favorite of God’s People. All of the brothers took massive harems expect Horonius, who took a single wife Julia, the most pious of the women, and had three sons named Aeternus (Harren), Joraenus (Joren), and Gosvenus (Godwin). Iblees was furious to be subjugated to beings he once considered beneath him, and refused in rebellion. God, though His Love is great, could not be idle at the sinful nature of His son Iblees, and cast him out of the Seven Skies to the mortal plane to repent. In secret, Iblees conspired with his legions of unholy aenguls and daemons who were also defiant against Him, chiefest among them being Metizus and Aerial. Disguised as wanderers, the fallen children traveled to each of the four realms, intent on polluting their teachings with sin. To Malianus, who grew tired of each mate He created to sate his drive, they taught the sin of debauchery and sloth, bestowing upon him shameful lust. To Crucus, who grew bored of the mundane trials upon His world, they taught the sin of murder and blood-lust, bestowing upon him a drive of death. And to Urganus, who grew a hunger for power and and the mundane metals of the earth, he taught the sin of greed and envy, bestowing upon him to want nothing but the trivial treasures of the mortal realm. With each one falling prey to the demonic corruption, the realms quickly followed suit, and sin spread across the population like a plague. Iblees and his cohort were able to confront Horonius four times, each with a different coercion. First, they promised Malianus’ passion for the flesh, but Horonius had his wife Julia, and desired no other. Second, they promised Crucus’ passion for death, but Horonius had love for his people, and sought battle only for benefit. And third, they promised Urganus’ passion for wealth, but Horonius had his care for his realm, and desired only the fruitful bounty for his people. Iblees was wicked though clever, and the fourth time offered eternal life. Horonius at first laughed, for he was His creation, and would live eternally in God, yet Iblees continued, and offered it for his children, for he claimed the children were not of His creation but Horonius’, and that they would not be Loved. Horonius still refused, though he came to doubt God, and unknowingly was bestowed the sin of doubt and questioning the Power of God. In his doubt, he prayed, and God answered, sending Horonius to fast upon the Rock of Gamesh. Dragur and his party, including the beings Tersion and Micahelus, visited down from the Seven Skies, and after three days Horonius was given the heavenly laurels as a crown. God gazed upon His creation and saw the sins of Malianus, Crucus, and Urganus and wept, and so Horonius made covenant with God never to stray from His Love as his brothers had. Though in Horonius’ absence his realm came to be infested with unholy sin, and like its sibling tribes, soon became a haven of chaos. Through the guise of man, Iblees preached and taught the ways of wickedness to the pure tribe of Horonius. Julia, who kept the home in the absence, took the most faithful of men and protected the home of their family, and prayed to God for His son’s return. God heard the prayers of Julia and commanded Horonius to return with the aenguls to his decaying city of Paradisius, where he rallied those who had not fallen, including his faithful wife Julia, who eternally remained faith to God and her husband. Horonius gathered what forces were not under the taint of Iblees, and God granted him generalship of the armies upon the earth. For his position, the daemon Garumdus crafted the Great Axe and Sword of Horonius, embedded with divine power of the Skies. He and the faithful men of God cleared the streets of Paradisius of the wicked followers of Iblees, and restored the temple which laid burdened by heathenish false idols. By this time, Iblees had taken control of nearly half the world and wreaked havoc upon the earth below. His army consisted upon legions of fallen aenguls and daemons, who joined Iblees in horrid rebellion, as well as the corrupted tribes of the fallen three brothers.. The remaining aenguls under the cowardly Xanus, who cared not who won but how they would benefit, sat neutral in the conflict much to the displeasure of God. The war began first as daemons under the malicious Metizus attempted to storm the great doors to the Seventh Sky, only for himself to be cast down to the earth after a duel with the warrior-angel Micahelus. On the mortal plane, great battles were fought, and the world shook for months in great earthquakes and floods, as divine manifests clashed in crescendos of power. Entire cities were destroyed in flashes of light, and many people lost their lives in the ensuing fights of mortals and aenguls. Despite the bravery and valiant deeds of Horonius and his tribe, the corrupted forces of Iblees and the twisted clans of his brothers proved too much, and they made a last stand upon the gates of the Seven Skies. Horonius, who still loved his brothers, met them upon the field, and because of his love and wit, convinced the three to turn away from sin, repent, and follow the Way of God. This came a terrible blow to Iblees, and when Horonius began to chant the name of God, the gates of the Skies shuttered open. God Himself, who could not be seen by His sheer power else be blinded by his glorious light, shattered Iblees in a great deal, before grabbing hold of his unholy body and dragging him below. Before he left the earth, however, Iblees uttered a final curse to the people. To Malianus and his people, he cursed with infertility and for their hedonist desires to never be satisfied. To Crucus and the violent warriors, he burned to give them green skin and deformed teeth and an eternal lust for blood. To Urganus and the greedy miners of the mountains, he hammered each to be half-men and cursed with blinding avarice so no amount of gold would fill the void of their hearts. And finally, to the faithful Horonius and his people, he cursed with lives too short to experience the bounties of God, the greatest curse for the most pious of the brothers. These demented curses created the four modern races of man, elf, ork, and dwed. For five days, the world stood in complete twilight, for even the aenguls felt powerless without the presence of God, and the whole world wept in fear. He drug Iblees to the coldest depth, and instead of killing his son, for He Loved him despite such sin, he imprisoned for eternity in repentance. Many aenguls and daemons followed suit, locked in the void as prisoners, and those mortals who continued to follow Iblees despite all that occurred were forced to wander the void, becoming demonic spirits and unholy beasts. God’s Power radiate throughout the void during His five days, and it has remained in the void as pure energy, later to be utilized by magi in the form of magick. On the fifth day, God returned to the Seventh Sky, and the light returned to the world. The aenguls, daemons, and people rejoiced, and those faithful angels returned to the Skies in glorious triumph, where the heavenly halls lit in jovial celebrations. God allowed this for two days, giving us the seven day week, yet on the eighth day he stopped all and doled upon judgement. To the neutral aenguls of Xanus, he banished from the Seven Skies, to always walk the mortal realm or spend their days in the cold reaches of the void. To the three brothers who casted God aside, he did the same, though he bestowed upon them gifts of mortal longevity, as to enjoy the mortal realm till they suffer punishment in eternal solitude. To Horonius and his tribe, which he called Man, he favored as His Chosen People, and while He did not lift the curse of Iblees, instead allowed His Chosen People to walk the Seven Skies as He and His aenguls and daemons do. Horonius was honored, and God bestowed upon him leadership of the world, and the brothers were subservient to him. This grew a great jealousy between the brothers, for they were once equals, but for the coming decades peace was had. Horonius ruled as King of the World, advised by the aenguls Dragur and Tersion, and remained faithful to God. --- CHAPTER I Year 0 FALL OF PARADISIUS or Death of the First Prophet and the Calling of the Three Sons “And so Harren, Joren, and Godwin, the sons of the Chosen Himself, stood and watched the collapse of their home, by the hands of the once uncle of their kind. Harren cursed the Skies and above, the one of indulgence. Joren bellowed in rage, the one of wroth. And Godwin drank himself blind, the one of acedia. Soon Micahelus came down, the one which guided Horen years before. And he sayeth one phrase, before sending the children to each corner of the world; ‘So is the Darkness That Comes Before, and So is the Light That Comes After.’” -The Book of Saints, Unknown For twenty-five years, the world was at peace. Paradisius, the capital and home of Horonius, grew to immense sizes, with temples spanning to the sky, great halls stretching miles, and divine marvels unknown to our contempory world. Upon the Isthmus of Kramoroe, where Paradisius stood at its mouth, the city bustled, and Horonius’ tribe grew to great numbers and its members spread across the world from the barren north to the bitter south. Aeternus and Joraenus, the two eldest of Horonius’ children, were eventually granted tribes of their own, while the third-son Gosvenus remained steward under the eye of his father. The aenguls Tersion and Dragur remained at the court of the King of the World, advising its ruler and teaching the arts of science and law to Man. In the vastness of the Realm of the World, all paid homage to God, the King of All Kings, and in every corner His Touch reached all. However, Horonius’ brothers, the recently cursed Malianus, Crucus, and Urganus, despised the attention and favoritism given to him. They resented their weakness in falling to the false promises of Iblees, while Horonius prayed to God and remained true, and so many from the tribes of ork, elf, and dwed sought conflict with those of Man. Some even began to consort and pray to the fallen aenguls and spirits for help, who they called gods in mockery of Him. Malianus turned to the forest nymphs, who he took as wives and disrespected the sanctity of love. Crucus turned to the twisted followers of Iblees locked in the void, giving blood sacrifice in exchange for unholy power. And Urganus turned to the selfish aenguls who denied God’s call to war, delivering tribute of treasure in order to fill their meager coffers. But the humans of Horonius were pious and true, and they flourished with children spreading throughout the world. The siblings saw this and they resented the purity of their brother, and swore to correct what they perceived unjust. Crucus devised a devious plan, where under the guise of repentance, he would trick the noble Horonius and corrupt the holiness of Man. He wrote to Horonius about his great, feigned regret for the sins he committed, how he wished to turn back to God, and desired to unite both tribes in prayer and worship. Horonius believed in the goodness of his siblings, and accepted readily, for he wished nothing more than for all the races to live under the Love of God. Crucus promised no weapons, though Iblees cursed him with sinful cunning, and hid his tribal weapons in hay bales given to Horonius as tribute. He brought his son Gorcus, known for his weakness in spirit, to lead his vanguard when he reached the holy walls of Paradisius. Both of Horonius’ eldest sons were not within the city when Crucus and his tribe arrived, remaining in their own tribal lands, though the third-born Gosvenus remained. Julia grew wary of the size of Crucus’ party and warned her husband of her suspicion, feeling wicked intent in disguised piety. Horonius had great love for his brother, however, and denied every thought of believed treachery by a kinsman. Julia in her wisdom turned to the aengul Tersion, who agreed with her and went to the room of Horonius to convince him of the wisdom of Julia’s warnings. Again, since Horonius had great love for his brother, he denied the allegations of the aengul Tersion. Tersion, furious in righteous rage, turned only to the wisest of God’s servants, the Lord Dragur, who agreed on the risk of allowing Crucus such liberties. Dragur left for the room of Horonius, but again Horonius’ love was greater than the reason of the aengul, and he denied all. Julia grew upset, and under the advice of the wise-woman Philipia, she left in seclusion to the Cave of Ari with fifty virgins sworn to maidenhood in their love of God. Horonius held a grand celebration upon the arrival of his brother, where he led personally a great parade of the riches and splendor of Paradisius and the bounties of God. The parade lasted four days and four nights, where upon the fifth day Crucus and Horonius embraced upon the Rock of Gamesh. Horonius attempted to convince his brother soon after to fast with him for the coming four days, though Crucus denied vehemently. The love for his brother blinded Horonius, however, and he thought nothing of Crucus’ denial to prayer. Within the Great Temple of Paradisius, which expanded to the heavens, the brothers held a mass feast and union between the tribes. Man was weary of the green beasts, though they held loyalty to the King of the World, and took them with open arms as brothers. The feasting lasted for four days and four nights, with tables stretching to thousands of seats, headed by the fathers Horonius and Crucus and sons Gorcus and Gosvenus. During the feasts, sports and duels were had between both members of the tribe, and a great rivalry emerged between the weak Gorcus and the valiant Gosvenus. Looking to trickery rather than honor for victory, Gorcus turned to the magick of the twisted spirits, who bestowed upon him unholy strength. Gosvenus was pure and stooped to no ibleeic tricks, for he carried only his love of God, and trusted in Him. In the final bout between the two kinsmen, Gosvenus overcame Gorcus and forced him to submit, and though the dark powers clouded his mind, Gorcus saw the might and valour of Gosvenus, and swore upon him friendship. In a confusing rabble to Gosvenus, he claimed he could not stop what will occur, though his descendants would ‘forever look in companionship with his ilk’. These words troubled Gosvenus, who turned to his secluded mother Julia for guidance. Yet this occurred on midnight of the fourth day, and Crucus executed his diabolical planned attack upon the Tribe of Man. His orks gathered the hidden weapons while the drunken humans feasted within the halls of the Great Temple, and began butchering those who did not submit. Crucus stole the Great Axe crafted by Garumdus and used it to slay his brother as he slept. With the blood of Horonius staining the Great Axe, he called upon the twisted spirits and named the weapon falsely as the Axe of Crucus (Axe of Krug). His soldiers captured the gates of Paradisius, where upon they allowed great hordes of dwed and elves into the holy metropolis, all desiring to pollute the treasure with their sins. Gosvenus and Julia saw the destruction wrought by the three tribes and they wept in the seclusion of the Cave of Ari. Julia bestowed upon Gosvenus the Great Sword crafted by Garumdus, which she called the Sword of Horonius, and instructed to Gosvenus to lead the house of Man from the destruction of its brothers. The third son rallied the soldiers who had not fallen to the parties of orks, dwed, and elves, and left in great hurry to save the tribe from total destruction. Crucus himself led the sacking of the holy city, razing the great stone buildings and killing wantonly. He was assisted by Malianus, who captured men and women for his harems, and Urganus, who melted the great shrines to Him for statues in his own liking. They burned the holy books of the temple in a bonfire dedicated to the twisted spirits and fallen aengudaemons, sacrificing man, woman, and child in ceremonies to taint the holy power of God’s mortal city. Once he gathered the surviving people in the grand chaos, he returned to his mother, who he bade to join into retreating to the Valley of Aaun. Though Crucus had seen Gosvenus and his attempts and he gathered forces to hinder them from retreating. Julia claimed to her son that she must remain and guard the house of her husband, and sent him off. She was joined by the wise-woman Philipia and the other forty-nine virgins, and they prayed in the Cave of Ari. From his scouts, Crucus discovered the cave as the potential location of Gosvenus and the remaining humans and soon arrived, joined by his two brothers Malianus and Urganus. They laid short siege and took the cave with no fight, and rounded up Julia and the women. The three brothers demanded the location of her son and the Tribe of Man, but she refused, and no matter what words they gave, she stayed true to her vows. All three offered themselves as husbands to Julia and their tribe as suitors to the gathered virgins. Malianus offered passions and pleasures immeasurable, though Julia refused, for the only passion she desired was her husband’s. Crucus offered power and control over the lives of slaves and foes, though Julia declined, for the only power she desired was the peace of her people. And finally Urganus offered riches and splendor which rivaled that of the aengudaemons, though Julia refused, for the only wealth she desired was the bounty of humanity. All three brothers grew enraged by the piety of Julia, and offered the same to each woman of Julia’s company, who all stood by their matriarch. The sinful brothers butchered the women after their spurning, where Crucus beheaded Julia in the same fashion as he did to his brother Horonius. He ordered his son Gorcus to give chase to Gosvenus; however Gorcus had given oath to Gosvenus, and deliberately lost the trail of the fleeing men. Crucus claimed the spoils of the city of Paradisius for himself, which came to the anger of Urganus and Malianus, who both wanted the capital of the Realm of the World for themselves, and they soon quarreled. Both the dwed and the mali were cast out by the orks of Crucus, and for five years the three races fought for the spoils of their kinslayed brother Horonius. Tersion appeared to both Joraenus and Aeternus, who were ruling their own tribes in the north and south respectively, and told of what occurred. The three sons of Horonius eventually gathered in the Valley of Aaun, with Aeternus and Joraenus accompanied by their fiercest warriors, and Gosvenus with the remnants of the men and women of Paradisius. The warrior-aengul Micahelus appeared to the three in majestic splendor, and instructed them of the great struggle to come in reclaiming the City of the World. Aeternus, who carried great indulgence and pride, cursed the aengul and questioned why God did not stop the sinful takeover. Joraenus, who carried great anger and jealousy, demanded immediate retribution and march upon Paradisius at once. And Gosvenus, who carried great acedia, grew great sadness at his failure to protect his father and took to wine. However, when Micahelus blew the Holy Oliphant, the sons of Horonius listened, and when their immediate shock passed, planned for divine reclamation of their birthright. They would take five years to gather the armies of men from across the World, in plans of gathering the largest army since the great struggles of God and Iblees. Aeternus would be sent south, to rally the Desert Clans and the Clans of the Jungles under his banner, Joraenus to the north, to bring the Five Great Tribes of the Highlands, and Gosvenus would remain in the Valley of Aaun and call upon the Heartland Folk to gather in its confines. When the plans were made, the aengul Micahelus beckoned them off and gave upon them the graces of God. However, Aeternus, who despised the south and desired the bountiful north of his brother’s tribe, left northward as well, much to the anger of Joraenus, and would cause great conflict in the future. --- GLOSSARY Names, Terms, and Translations

Not anymore

HAESENI PEOPLE THE HANSO-RAEV CRUCIBLE VE EDLERVIK TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION II. HISTORY III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS IV. WAY OF LIFE V. RELIGION VI. LANGUAGE VII. MONARCHS OF HAENSE VIII. NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS I - INTRODUCTION A BRIEF SUMMARY The Haensic people (also known as Haeseni, Haensetians, or Edlervik in their native Naumariav) are the national and ethnic natives of the Kingdom of Haense, one of the only autonomous highlander states in existence. Their identity can be traced to the waning end of Schismatic Wars in the late 1400s, where the recently-conquered Hansetians were subjugated to Raevir governors and ruling elite. The ethnonym and national name ‘Haeseni’ and ‘Haense’ comes from the canonical city Hanseh, the capital of Saint Joren’s realm and its successor states. Historically, the considered ‘beginning date’ of the Haeseni is usually the coronation of Petyr Barbanov in 1579 to the thrones of Hanseti and Ruska, soon being shortened to Haense in vernacular lingo, though the process of cultural infusion of the lords and commoners started much earlier. Throughout the years prior, Botch was phased out in favor of languages either in Flexio or Marian, and to maintain order in the provinces, the upper class adopted Hansetian customs and legal systems, and especially following the disastrous War of the Ducal Confederation of the late 1510s, began to associate themselves as natives rather than Raevir settlers. As noted by John Macdonough in the 1560s, ‘... when you enter the halls of the crow lords, it is almost baffling to gaze at Sigismund and King Mark sharing motifs, and how no man would ever admit to having more Rusk than Marian in their blood.’ The military remained dominated by the Raevir, and it remained the most stubborn to hansetification, and the nation maintained the unique cavalry traditions and hierarchy, though in recent years the modernist reforms of the heartlands have trickled in. The upper class specifically also maintains a heavy precedence on Karovic lineage and Sigismundic decent, keeping many of the classical clan institutions of its ancestors, albeit more formalized and generally for ceremonial purposes. --- NOTE ON ETYMOLOGY The most common demonym in referring to the culture is ‘Haeseni’, especially popular vernacularly, and ‘Haensetian’. However, the latter has caused confusion among historians, with only a letter difference between ‘Hansetian’ and ‘Haensetian’. In most writings, it is common to see Haensetians referred to as “Haeseni” or “Haensic people”, in order to mitigate this confusion. “Edlervik” is used in Naumariav to refer to Haensetians, transliterating into ‘the Edel folk’. Other, rarer demonyms, include “Hanso-Raevir” (made popular by the writings of Stanimar van Rytsborg at the beginning of the sixteenth century), “Edelites” in reference to the canonical city of Edel, or “Haensian” which is more popular by southern writers and authors. --- PLAYING A HAESENI CHARACTER | OOC There are no special requirements in making a Haeseni and is especially encouraged when playing in the Haense player base. This guide will (hopefully) help you in making such a character and give more flair in roleplaying your character. However, every character is different! Nothing on here is set in stone, and you may act as you wish. This culture is not some ancient people deriving back thousands of years, but an organic population founded almost entirely through roleplayed events and history. Everything is subject to change and it is our belief everyone can add their own little bit to this evolving culture. II - HISTORY OVAREVED SENOEHR AND THE NORTHERN QUESTION [1491-1578] Most historians consider the foundation of Haense at the first settlement of Raevir in Hanseti- namely in Ayr, Hiebenhall, and Drakenborg- during the waning years of the Schism War in the 1490s, when the Kingdom of Aesterwald began to crumble and kossak bands took control of a vast majority of the country-side. Vanderfell itself, the capital of Aesterwald, would fall in 1492 to officially end the Schism War, and in its remnants a puppet state was formed under a Hansetian governor known as Otto Heinzreich. However, the nobility was almost completely replaced by newly arrived Raevir lords, such as the Barbanovs and the Kovachevs, and eventually Otto Heinzreich would be later succeeded by a raev himself, Karl Barbanov. Karl reorganized the state, forming a true ducal realm, and it was decided to be called ‘Haense’, after ‘Hanseh’, from the biblical name of the Joren’s first and capital city during his conquests of the northmen. Karl therefore became the first ‘Duke of Haense’, a title which has suck upon the Barbanov familial holdings for generations. In these early years, the focus was the Third Human-Dwarf War, and the Duchy of Haense became a warzone. Scattered throughout former Waldenian realm lied numerous dwarven outposts, and control of the mining and lumber industries became vital to both side’s war efforts. Famous battles include the Siege of Drakenborg and Karl’s Capture of Hiebenhall, which marked the end of dwarven occupation in the highlander realm. Hiebenhall was reconstructed into Siegrad, the first de jure capital of a Haeseni realm, and it prospered to trade on the rivers. Shortly after war ended, Karl launched new attacks upon the pagans deep in the hinterlands, pushing many out of the region (including future pagan settlers on the isle of Avar). Karl died in the Great Worm Attack of 1518, and the duchy continued into a regency led by the Hansetian Tarcell Othaman. The War of the Ducal Coalition went into full swing following the Wett Massacre, and regent Tarcell declared for Duke Hugo Sarkozic in his bid for kingship. For majority of the war Tarcell remained near Haense, defending against numerous attempts at an invasion. Karl’s son Siguine reached of age near the middle of the war, and when Hugo died mere months after his fourteenth nameday, he was elected the Duke of Adria and Lord Paramount of the Coalition. Many Haeseni soldiers followed Siguine south to Brelus, where Siguine suffered defeats both at the Blackwald then Barrowyk. Brelus soon after was sacked and destroyed by royalist forces, and the Ducal Coalition admitted surrender the following day. Despite this, Tarcell remained stubborn in rebellion and continued to be defiant till his untimely death a year after in 1522. The Haeseni soldiers, now without a leader, fell quickly to an Orenian company led by the northman Jan Kovachev, who later was granted a fair majority of Haense’s ducal lands. This status quo did not remain long, however, and the Horen Restoration in 1526 saw Haense once again reorganized into the rump state of Carnatia, given to the Sarkozic-claimant Otto Sarkozic. The imperial reformation founded a sense of calmness in the land, but soon it once again came to disorder. Throughout previous empires, there has been at least one form of autonomous highlander state, and many looked who it would be led by. The hinterlands during this were split three-way- Carnatia, the heartlander-controlled Courland, and the Horen principality of Alamar. The Duke of Carnatia and Viscount of Alamar came to an agreement known as the Sigismund’s Day Compromise, to form an autonomous realm with the emperor as king. However, they did not include the Duke of Courland, and the proposed government never came to be. The Eighteen Years’ War stretched a good majority of this time, which gained the mixed Raevir-Hansetian Carnatians a military tradition. Two of the war’s most famous commanders, Jan Kovachev and Josef Vladov, came from their ilk. The Capture of Avar under Josef Vladov was also a celebrated success in Carnatia, and the company known as the Carnatian Hussar gained rapid fame throughout the imperial army. What became now known as ‘the Northern Question’ ripped apart relations between the two power-houses of the hinterlands, Haense and Courland. The return of the Barbanov-claimant Petyr to Carnatia and the Duke of Courland’s illegal seizure of Kraken’s Watch (a fief owned by the Vanir family) sparked the bloody Riga War. Command was given to Petyr Barbanov, supported by talented commanders such as Jan Kovachev, Fiske Vanir, and the later Palatine Rickard Barrow. The war ended in a Haeseni victory at the Sacking of Riga in 1564. Petyr look the position of Lord Governor of the North by the imperial government, and he helped lead the pacification of the Krajian Rebellion from 1565 to 1576. Haense’s most famous victories during the entirety of the Anarchy include the Sacking of Riga, which ended the Riga War, the Battle of Krajia in 1570, raiding and looting the de facto capital of the hetmans, and the Standoff at Eroch River, where Rickard Barrow bravely saved the imperial crown prince. Only two years after the submission of the hetmans, Petyr was granted the crowns of both Hanseti and Ruska, to which he called after his ducal seat: ‘Haense’. Historians consider this the founding moments of what is to be the ‘Haeseni people’, a culture that is not wholly Raevir or Hansetian. --- THE FIRST REGIME [1578-1603] With now total legal control over most of the hinterlands, Haense expanded immensely. New fortifications, villages, cities, and estates sprang up overnight. Marian was adopted as the official tongue of the nation (though Raev Iliyric was still used in rare occasions). Karlsborg was constructed as a planned city under the direction of Rickard Barrow, designated to be a true Haeseni royal capital. He also designed the palace of Ottostadt, the first home of the royal family. Petyr only ruled for four years, and though it was a large blow to the nation, his popular son Andrik II took the throne. Haense continued to blossom and thrive, its population boomed, and its culture thrived. In 1585, Andrik II was supposedly disrespected by the reigning emperor at the time, John IV. In rage, he killed the emperor, then fled north to commence the short-lived Deep Cold Uprising. It ended quickly in 1586 by a pro-Imperialist faction led by Sergey Kovachev, the Duke of Carnatia, and he forced Andrik II to abdicate to his infant son Marius. Andrik was later captured by the veterans of the Carnatian Hussar, and he was boiled in milk by the insane emperor Philip. Andrik’s brother and Marius’ uncle Karl Sigmar took power as regent, and unlike his father and elder brother, he could not rally the nobility behind him. His centralization efforts with the military was an intense struggle, and numerous lords were placed in power due to personal relations with the monarchy rather than true talent. By Marius’ accession as king in 1598, the nobility forced him out of court. The nobility of the time was controlled by two main factions- the Sergeyists and the Andrivists, who quarreled for control. A small royalist faction under Stefan Bihar and later Lukas Vanir existed, though it struggled to keep the peace maintained between both sides. Throughout all the political turmoil, Haeseni culture continued into its golden age, producing countless works and the creation of the first proper Haeseni language, known as New Marian. Marius attempted nationalization of his country, and he reached some success, and continued the vast effort of colonizing the Haeseni hinterlands. He founded countless cities, roads, and forts, though majority soon after left abandoned following the coming war. A few short rebellions, such as the Brawn Rebellion in 1600, but the nation resumed a tenuous peace. To the south, the empire had fallen to the Coalition Wars, and was divided amongst the ruling warlords. Due to multiple diplomatic blunder, include the Haeseni councilor Diedrik Barrow’s murder of one of their princes entered Haense into the First Northern War. The military of Haense at this was disorganized and weak, the blunder of Branimar Vanir’s command taken its toll. Both at the battles of Elba and Vasiland, Haense experienced bloody defeat, and soon the monarchy of Marius left in exile to an allied court. --- GREYSPINE REBELLION AND THE RESTORATION [1603-1655] The loss of the nation is perhaps one of the greatest forces which bonded the now divided Haeseni people, when occupied by Heartlander warlords. Much of the nobility fled to the southern city of Mardon, where Marius made his court-in-exile. The lower nobility and minor landowners stayed, however, and there grew a great friction between the highlander natives and now newly-arriving heartlander colonists. In a pact led by the Count of Ayr, Eirik Baruch, and the Rutherns of Metterden, short incursions began, which soon spread wildfire throughout the former Haeseni realm. The exiled government soon took interested, and now in leadership of Stefan Barbanov, they met at the climax of the Second Battle of the Rothswood, where the occupier’s army was annihilated, chased by the soldiers of Harren van Metterden. The first true Karovic duma in years began, and the Karovic houses met to choose a new king. The Ruthern, a primary combatant in the war, wanted their own as king, yet the royalist faction wished for a return of the Barbanovs. In a landslide victory, Stefan won and was elected king, appointed numerous famous officials such as Henrik Bihar and Alessa Grendok. In the beginning, raids by the western pagans were common, though after the brief Battles of Rostig and Alban, they halted further incursions. Palatine Henrik Bihar oversaw the construction of the new capital of Alban (the former Karlsborg was destroyed following the war) and vast reforms spread throughout the state. Despite imperial losses to the south, the Haense state militarily rebounded dramatically, and due to the Pruvian Inheritance the economy boomed. Alban thrived under Stefan and his two successors, Otto I and Otto II, and Haense continued to maintain themselves as one of the dominant powers in the human realms. Barbanov grew to become a wealthy family not only in terms of their own realm and came to exhibit strong influence. Otherwise in the brief conflicts on the Vasiland Coast during the War of the Beards in the Siege of Kraken’s Watch in 1635, Haense remained relatively peaceful, while the south was rocked by scandals such as the Adelburg Coup. Otto II joined the Third Crusade, helping remove the pagan threats to the west, and constructed the new capital, known to the present day as Markev. When his son Otto III took the throne, he greatly expanded both Markev and his new palace of Krepost. However, the cultural golden age was running on fumes, and as tensions increased between the heartlander states and Haense, war came to everyone’s mind. For a decade, no conflict happened, though intense diplomatic meetings did not help the situation. In 1653, conflict broke, and while initial successes were had, the Curon front was decimated by their opponents. Belvitz, one of the main trading partners with Markev and the main breadbasket of humanity, was cut off by embargo from the Horen crown. By 1654, the capital of Markev experienced famine and later the Great Plague of 1654, which decimated the populace. Both Otto III and his heir (though on mysterious circumstances) died due to this plague, which left the realm to his second son Karl II. --- MODERN ERA [1655-Present] Haense experienced multiple losses to their heartlander enemies, though Karl II, joined by his cousin and Palatine Franz Bihar, were able to maintain their overs from crossing the River Czena. Karl II attempted to fix the lack of food by constructing more farms, expanding the wheat production of Haense tenfold. Though with heavy embargo upon Haense’s goods, the economy suffered, and trade was little to be had in Markev. Liberals under a constitutional radical message attempted to overthrow the government late in 1560, though Karl II and his forces were able to beat them off. When Karl himself died in 1666, an intense succession crisis occurred. Nobility expected a duma to be called, but Jakob Bihar, the former Palatine, seized control as king short after. However, he was captured mere days since becoming king, and executed. Now in a status of emergency, Franz’s nephew, Sigmar Lothar, was quickly rushed to the throne to ease tensions. Under Sigmar, he convinced the embargo to be lifted and trade flooded back in, with Markev receiving a short boost in population and wealth. He loosened control on his vassals and pursued policies of weak central authority, which angered his family’s more centralized focus. Sigmar was unable to reverse the military blunders of the past, however, and his army was crushed as the Battle of Karl’s Hill in the beginning of his reign. Soon after, he looked to appeasement with his aggressors, and swore under their monarch Aurelius, forming a new imperial state. Sigmar passed away to the flu, leaving the throne to his son Robert. III - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS PHENOTYPES In the decades of inbreeding between waves of migrations, settlers, and the natives, there are three basic phenotypes for the Haeseni people - the High Marians, the Low Marians, and the Vezuchet. The average height of a Haeseni man is around six feet, and for women around five foot eight. Vezuchets are the tallest, averaging around six foot one, with High Marians around six foot to six foot and a half. Low Marians are the shortest with an average at five foot eleven to five foot eleven and a half. --- HIGH MARIAN - THE ELDER NOBILITY The High Marians are the elder nobility - namely, the Karovic household. Traits of this phenotype is black or blonde hair, and green or blue eyes. The traditional green-eye with Crow-plume for hair is very common, though intermarriage with Hansetian lordlings put a high desire on the typical blonde-hair, blue-eyed highlander. High Marians remained tall along with their kin, though they are slenderer than the rugged peasants of the frontier, with larger heads compared with the average Haeseni. --- LOW MARIAN - THE LOW NOBILITY AND BURGHERS The middle class of Haense, they display a mix of Hansetian and Raevir features, though favor more towards the former. Brown and blonde hair is the most common, with blue or grey eyes. They are bulkier than the High Marians, though on average shorter, though still maintain a larger head compared to the poorer class of the Vezuchet. --- VEZUCHET - THE COMMONERS, FREEMEN, AND SERFS The Vezuchets are the largest, yet poorest class, and exhibit mostly features such as brown hair and grey to brown eyes. From surviving the hinterlands has made many of them larger than the average High or Low Marian, both taller and larger in size. Their heads are smaller, with longer torso compared to legs. IV - WAY OF LIFE CREMATION OF THE DEAD AND THE ASHERN In highlander tradition, cremation has always played a part in paying respects to the dead, and it continues strong in the Kingdom of Haense. Kinsmen are burned by their family members in great pyres, and their ashes collected in urns called Ashern. Everyone is typically given their own ashern to house their ashes. However, in the higher nobility, it is common for patriarchs and extraordinary individuals to have their ashes collected in the Haucashern, a large urn which is home to the ashes of previous patriarchs of the family. The size of a family’s Haucashern is a symbol of status, and the oldest of families typically have the largest of haucasherns. Both kinds of urns are usually ornately decorated, and the more prestigious a house the better quality of urn. This practice resurged namely after the War of the Ducal Coalition, where it became a trend to carry ashes of the burned dead of Brelus in urns, typically used by knights as a sign of respect and honoring the dead. In the heartlands the fad faded quickly, though the tradition remained strong in Haense. Many veterans and lords of the war requested to be cremated as an honor, and it soon evolved into the norm for last rites. --- THE LAST DRINK OF DEATH Following the funeral ceremony and the cremation of the dead’s body, a solemn feast begins in memory of the fallen kinsman and comrade. At the beginning of the feast, a toast is given to the fallen, called the ‘Last Drink of Death’, to which each pours half the contents of their glass upon the floor. After which, everyone must finish the drink. A prayer is given shortly after, and the feast commences. --- PERMISSION FOR COURTING Although the courting process itself remains similar to the heartlander traditions, Haense maintains a very strict protocol in the asking of permission for a lord or sir to court a lord’s daughter or female kinsman. The man must gather exactly two sheep, a goat, and four chickens, and give them as an offering to the family patriarch. The gifts are taken by the patriarch, and the man in question is invited to a feast in the patriarch’s house. At the end of the dinner, the man is given one of two dishes - the lok (goat intestine filled with pork) or the erkindelir (boiled pig heart). If the man is served lok, then the patriarch has given his permission for the man to court the respective female of his clan. If the man is served erkindelir, however, he is refused permission. If the erkindelir is covered in a spicy sauce known as uli (milk and cream mixed with spices), then the denial is extreme, to a point where the man is forbidden to see his desired female companion again. --- BREAKING THE BREAD It is the commonly-held belief of a naturally enforced peace amongst those eating under the same roof, a common and old highlander custom. Feasts and dinner gatherings are seen as times of house bonding but also a rare instance of vulnerability. And so, it is very common for rivals and enemy parties to ‘break bread’ before a diplomatic meeting, to make the gathering a ‘feast’. Violence of any kind is strictly prohibited, and it is very taboo if it is allowed to go unpunished. In the case of political and diplomatic meetings, it is common to dip the bread afterwards into Carrion Black, and shortly thereafter eaten. --- TRIALS OF ULRIC TIBERAN Published late in the sixteenth century, the Trials of Ulric Tiberan is a collection of children stories all featuring the title character as protagonist. The stories are commonly used by Haeseni parents and teachers in schooling young children. They commonly feature virtues of loyalty, dedication, and humility. Numerous stock characters are used in the tales, such as the twin crowns ‘Alvin and Darren’, the greedy Sir de Viri, and his squire Enoch. He commonly uses ‘Soulstrung’, a bow and his signature weapon. His most famous story is the ‘Trial of the Dragon’, where he slays the frost wyrm Toruug. --- PERISSEM NE PERISSEM - PERSISTENCE At the core of Haeseni lies the chiefest of virtues - persistence. Persistence in the hardships of life. Persistence in the hardship faced by the Haeseni people time and time again. Unlike other realms, Haense boasts a continuous history, filled with peaks and troughs, and through it all, despite all violence against it, the Kingdom of Haense and its people remain. This is commonly shown in the famous Haeseni proverb: “I would have perished had I not persisted.” Time and time again, Haense has been brought to a low position, yet every time it resurfaces and returns to the days of glory and its manifest destiny. Only through persistence and dedication can the Haeseni people live on. --- PERISSEM NE PERISSEM - SELF-RELIANCE Throughout history, Haense has found itself either surrounded with allies or swimming in enemies, and the Haeseni people have attempted to a staunch belief in self-reliance. No matter political affairs of neighboring states and outside world, Haense must focus in relying upon its own to rebuild itself up from any destruction. Many in the world will promise help, and while some will actually give, to depend your entirety on the whims on foreigners never bodes well. --- PERISSEM NE PERISSEM - SELF-ASSURANCE With their concept of self-reliance comes their belief in self-assurance, that no matter what path Haense takes, the people are ready and will stand together to face any threat. Haense must not look at the total outside for their evaluation, but look within, and seeing together as a united Haeseni people. This is embodied in the Haeseni saying, “Lest my shield turn to ash, but I shall not falter.” --- BIHARISM - THE AGRARIAN DREAM Haense has, and for the foreseeable future will be an agricultural society, and with it the social concept of land ownership. It is considered culturally the proper Haeseni way to law ownership to land and live from the bounties of the earth. It has been the cornerstone of the Haeseni political thought of Biharism which is that every freeman of Haeseni stock to own their own farms, provide for their own families, and raise that proper family to follow in the same tradition. --- BIHARISM - JEREMIC LIBERTIES From the beginning of Karl’s first warrior bands in the fledgling Duchy of Haense, the military followed a pseudo-cossack code. Not following many of the traditions, they still maintained the famous concept of the ‘Jeremic Liberties’, which are the freedoms given to each freeman within the realm. These, of course, have been adapted heavily in more Hansetian tradition, though the base meaning remains the same. The liberties are as followed: “To each freeman is his own life, to take it is to be a thief, To each freeman his own time, to take it is to be a slaver, To each freeman his own sword, to take it is to blind him, To each freeman his own wife, to take it is to injure him, And to each freeman his own farm, to take is to make him no man.” These five principles are the core freedoms of each free Haeseni man- rights which, culturally, cannot be taken away. --- BIHARISM - HAESENI DESTINY The Haeseni Destiny is the belief is required colonized of nearby lands, that the homeland of the highland peoples must be expanded to allow for future growth. This has been a common policy carried on by many administrations, and remains a common belief held by the Haeseni public. The hinterlands are wild and dangerous, and it is the Haeseni duty to colonize and bring order to the land which God had given us. --- CURSE OF FRANZ The ‘Curse of Franz’ is the popular belief that misfortune will fall upon lords and kings named Franz. This superstition has begun after three kings with the similar name Franz meeting horrid fates: Franz the Martyr was killed in his own court, Franz the Faultless was executed for his brother’s war, and the Franz the Unfortunate’s murder before even receiving the crown. It is therefore taboo to name heirs Franz, else fall prey to the curse. --- HOLIDAY - SIGISMUND’S DAY 7th of the Sun’s Smile Sigismund’s Day is the national holiday in celebration of Sigismund, one of the patrons of Haense. This is typically a private family affair, and usually involves house and clan unions. During this day, it is tradition for all members of the Karovic household to feast in the halls of the current Karovic Patriarch. Common foods during this meal include veal, iskov (blend of potatoes and vegetables), and restineol (salted horse brain). --- HOLIDAY - BAROVIFEST 2nd of the Amber Cold Barovifest originally was the celebration of Barbov the Black’s victory over the Nzechs at the Battle of the Elks, although in time it has transformed to the largest harvest festival within Haense. It is tradition, after sunset, to burn five large hay crows, with the typical locale playing music and other assortment of activities, such as apple bobbing and squash hurling. Many during this event wearing hand-carved wooden masks, called Maskoe, which are either in the shape of animals or famous individuals (including mockeries of disliked politicians). Throughout the festivities, the staple drink is yopil, a mixture of Carrion Black and fruit (berries and apples). --- HOLIDAY - FEAST OF SAINT TOBIAS THE PURE 15th of the Snow’s Maiden The Feast of Saint Tobias is the celebration of the winter solstice, and typically includes a large feast and play in the village center. Traditionally, the holiday was a very solemn affair, although in recent years it has been combining with the similar traditions of the heartlander Saint Tobias’ Day, which includes traditions of gift-giving and selfless acts. --- HOLIDAY - FEAST OF SAINT JULIA AND THE FIFTY VIRGINS OF PARADISIUS | JULIYEAFEST 21st of the First Seed Juliyeafest is considered the ‘festival of love’ within the Kingdom of Haense, and it is considered a Canonist fertility festival. Marriages on Juliyeafest are very, very common, and it is considered romantic for a male to give their female companion and crown of lilies, known as a Liliekongis. --- CORONATION OF THE KING - GOLDEN BULAVA The first item given to the king during his coronation is the Golden Bulava - the symbol of authority over the army. In the early days of the Duchy of Haense, the military was heavily dominated by the Raevir elite, and in their traditional fashion used the bulava as the sample of hetmanic authority. Eventually, the bulava has been adapted in Haeseni tradition and used as symbol of power for the commandants in service to the royal crown. --- CORONATION OF THE KING - MARIAN SWORD The second item given to the king during his coronation is the Marian Sword - symbol of the people. During the original settlement of the Duchy of Haense, the clear majority of the peasant population remained Hansetian, and so at the opposite of military life rests in the left hand the sword of the people. The sword is reputed to be the sword Gaius Marius, first monarch of Hanseti, and even in battle is worn by the king, in order to always carry the will of the Haeseni people with him. --- CORONATION OF THE KING - CROWN OF BL FRANCIS THE MARTYR The Crown of Haense is known officially as the Crown of Blessed Francis the Martyr, and since the coronation of Petyr I, has been the symbol of the Haeseni monarchy. The eleven jewels on the coronet (six blue and five red) each to signify a martyr of the Franciscan Massacre. --- SIGN OF FEALTY - KISSING THE KNEE In swearing the oath of fealty to a monarch or lord, it is common practice to ‘Kiss the Knee’, which is the literal pecking of the liege’s right knee. This is typically done following the reciting of an oath, such as an Othamanic Oath, and must be done with both knees on the ground. Before kissing, the words ‘Belei doe [name of liege]’ must be recited. --- MILITARY - CAVALRY TRADITION Since the ridings of Jan Kovachev and the warrior-general Alessa Grendock, Haense and the Haeseni people have always maintained a strong cavalry force and tradition. Numerous Haeseni have made names for themselves as horsemen during the countless wars, and it is considered an honor to be allowed to ride in one of Haense’s many horse divisions. Majority of these companies maintain a traditional dress of colorful robes and fur hats, typically accented with feathers. --- ROYAL FAMILY - KAROVIC’S HAND The Karovic’s Hand is the traditional advisor to the Patriarch of Carrion- a tradition which has survived in Haense under the Royal House of Barbanov. For many years, the Karovic’s hand followed the young Bihar line while the patriarchy followed the senior Andrivian line. The Karovic’s Hand maintains the household of the royal family and the integrity of the family in full- in the Karovic’s Hand who monitors and keeps the peace amongst the Karovic household. This, of course, includes not only those of the direct royal line but any family within the borders of Haense which draws male-line descent from the House of Carrion, which includes a plethora of cadet houses and bastard lineages. In times of strife, it is the Karovic’s Hand who calls the Royal Duma in place and organizes what is required, typically the selection of a king. Example of this can be seen when the National Duma was called after the Second Battle of the Rothswald, as the meeting officially proclaimed by the standing Karovic’s Hand at the time, Heinrik Bihar. Typically, the Karovic’s Hand would appoint a Palatine in place, though in recent years the Palatine and Karovic’s Hand have been one in the same. Anyone of the Karovic household can technically be Karovic’s Hand- however, traditionally it has been a cousin or of a specific line which receives the position. --- ROYAL FAMILY - KAROVIC NATIONAL DUMA In times of crisis and the lack of a central figure, the Karovic’s Hand may call the Karovic Duma to meet. The Karovic Duma is a body of elders within the Karovic household- the total sum of those claiming male-line descent from Carrion within the borders of Haense. By a vote of majority, the elders of each branch of the Karovic household select who shall be consider the Velkipadreil, or Karovic Patriarch, and assume the title of king. Even in the extremely Hansetian-influenced Haense, the concept of Karovic blood is still maintained strongly amongst the elder nobility- which almost entirely dominated by Carrion-descended houses. Kingship is, culturally, tied with the concept of being the Karovic Patriarch, and so whoever is the reigning monarch is technically the Lord of Carrion. The voters are typically the recognized patriarchs of respective houses which claim Karovic descent- examples, Kovachev, Ruthern, Sarkozic. Those considered ‘patriarch’ are only so if they are by complete majority recognized by the current standing electors. In some cases, a house that does not have patrilinear Carrion descent can join the electorate in the Duma. This is called a Matedervik Karoveo, or ‘Crow by the Mother’, and is typically restricted to those who have had a line of marriages with the Karovic household. Example of this is Vanir. However, a ‘Crow by the Mother’ cannot wear the Haucvogir feather in their cap during court or during a duma and may not display any Karovic heraldry upon their arms. --- ROYAL FAMILY - HAUCVOGIR PIEREN The Haucvogir Pieren, or the Grand Feather, is the symbol of Karovic lineage in the eyes of nobility. Those of the Karovic household- male-line descendants of Carrion- are granted the privilege of wearing a crow feather in their cap to signify their prestigious lineage. Those of the royal family wear golden crow feathers, while those not of the royal family wear black crow feathers. Each patriarch of the Karovic household can have two feathers, the second being a color of their choosing (typically a color of their house), as well as the Karovic’s Hand, whose second feather is white. The King of Haense, and therefore the Karovic Patriarch, is allowed to wear three feathers, in the colors of yellow, red, and black (original colors of Carrion). V - RELIGION CANONISM The Kingdom of Haense and the Haeseni People follow the Church of the Canon. More information on the Church and the faith of Canonism can be found in their respective subforum. --- SAINTS OF HAENSE Every culture which follows Canonism maintains a set of cherished saints and holy figures, patrons to their homeland and examples to follow by their people. Haense and the Haeseni people are no different, sporting a wide array of specific saints commonly referenced and revered. · Saint Joren of Paradisius · Blessed John Jeremus · Saint Julia of Paradisius · Exalted Sigismund · Saint Tobias the Pure · Saint Wilfriche of Hanseti · Blessed Francis the Martyr · Blessed Demetrius of the Dreadfort · Blessed Frederick of Royce · Blessed Andrew Vydra · Blessed High Pontiff Sixtus III · Blessed William of Herman · Blessed Stephen Himmel · Blessed Vytanis Andruikatis · Blessed Marius of Ayr · Saint Otto the Bald · Saint Emma of Adria · Saint Charles of Haense · Blessed High Pontiff Sixtus IV · Blessed High Pontiff Owyn II · Saint Henry of Haense · Saint John of Ruyter · Saint High Pontiff Everard IV --- PONTIFFS OF HAENSE Haense has also boasted a sizeable number of pontiffs from its own people, one of the largest numbers to sit upon the throne of the Vicar of God. · High Pontiff Theodosius I – Gregor Nikovic van Kvasz · High Pontiff Sixtus IV – Berengar Gotthold van Krinford · High Pontiff Lucien IV – Jan van Luka · High Pontiff Everard III – Bernard Baruek van Ayr · High Pontiff Adrian I – Lothar Sarkoz van Carnatiya · High Pontiff Owyn II – Jan Othaman van Karlsborg · High Pontiff Everard IV – Josef van Alban · High Pontiff Clement III – Jan Amador van Mondstadt VI - LANGUAGE I’ll be honest I can’t be assed to finish this language so here are my notes/Floop’s notes, who helped me work on this. LINK VII - MONARCHS OF HAENSE KOENG PETYR I SIGMAR - HAES BARBOV Petyr var Sigmar | eddywilson2 R. 1578 – 1582 Peter Siguine of Barbanov Petrus Siguinus Carovus Primus Curonicus “The Butcher of Riga, the Founder, the Bold, the Strong Crow” Petrus Curonicus, the founder of the modern State of Haense and its first king, is by far one the most legendary Haeseni figures in its history. Born during the late end of the War of the Ducal Coalition, Petyr was raised in exile following he and kinsmen’s banishment after the Sacking of Brelus. He did not remain outside the Orenian and Haeseni lands for long, however, and in the deal made between Otto Sarkoz and the emperor, Petyr could return. He lived in the rump state of the Duchy of Carnatia, compromising a of a sizeable chunk of Petyr’s family former holding of the Duchy of Haense. The first mention of him in his own right come from the Eighteen Years War, where the young Petyr served as cadet under Josef Vladov and later Jan Kovachev, fighting in the famous brigade known as the Carnatian Hussars. After the Peace of Avar, Petyr returned to Carnatia, where partook in the regional politics, known at the time as the tense Northern Question. He was one of the first supporters of Britanus Vanir following his disposition by the rival heartlander Duke of Courland, where he and famous commanders Fiske Vanir, Jan Kovachev, and Rickard Barrow formed the Carnatian League, kickstarting the Riga War. Petyr successfully commanded numerous battles, including the Siege of Kraken’s Watch and the decisive Battle of Curonswald, though he is mostly remembered for his successful Sack of Riga, which formerly ended the Riga War and left him in control of most of the highlander hinterlands. Petyr furthered showed his talent in the later Krajian Rebellion, successfully subduing rebel hetmans under the pretender Sveneld Ivanov by 1576, later being named Lord High Governor of Hanseti and Ruska. In 1578, under intense pressure by himself and his supporters, Petyr was bestowed the titles of King of Hanseti and Ruska, to which he became crowned as later in the year. In reference to his family’s traditional title, the realm at first was vernacularly called ‘Haense’. Under his rule, countless cities and forts were created, and the population in Haense soared. His military continued to serve under the larger imperial army, and his forces led multiple victories during the concluding dunlander revolts. Petyr’s technical reign as king only last four years, though, and he fell to old age by 1582. By the end of his reign, his kingdom and standing army had reached quadruple the size of their formers, and the first true city- Karlsborg- had been founded. --- KOENG ANDRIK II OTTO - HAES BARBOV Andrik var Petyr | Seannie22 R. 1582 – 1586 Andrew Otto of Barbanov Andreas Otis Carovus Secundus “The Winter King, the Rash, the Black” As son and later crown prince to his father, Andrik was extremely popular by the Haeseni military and nobility alike. He was known for his charismatic nature yet was prone to rash thinking, and in the fledgling kingdom he was cherished as another titan to succeed his father. In 1582, he was crowned to much fanfare, and the groundwork laid by his father and Palatine Rickard Barrow left Andrik a bountiful realm. Andrik was originally remembered fondly for his work in settling new villages and forts throughout his kingdom, as well as first highway between hinterlands and the heartlands. He joined the imperial conquest of the ork peoples, where Andrik as monarch led the vanguard in the famous Siege of San Uruk. Andrik led multiple forced-expulsions of pagans outside his realm, even from his time as crown prince. He commanded multiple army incursions against native territories deep inland and performed numerous successful raids against them and their third-party Avarite supporters. His bold and almost arrogant nature made his movements near impossible to be predicted by his enemies, and he won many conflicts against larger numbers. However, Andrik is most infamously known for his role in the unsuccessful and chaotic Deep Cold Uprising, where he slew the emperor John IV in his court and declared open rebellion. This move was very unpopular with some of his followers, and while half of his lords swore to him (under the leadership of Branimar Vanir), the other half declare Andrik insane. The powerful noble Sergey Kovachev, a staunch imperialist, captured the royal capital of Karlsborg and forced Andrik to abdicate. --- KOENG MARUS ANDRIK - HAES BARBOV Marus var Andrik | Piov R. 1586 – 1611 Marius Andrew of Barbanov Marius Andreas Carovus Primus “The Good, the Beautiful, the Exiled, the Young, Defender of the Faith, the Loyal Dog of the Empire” Marius first succeeded to the throne as a babe, following his father’s abdication during the nation-wide scandal of the Deep Cold Uprising. His government was led by his uncle Karl Sigmar, who acted as Palatine and regent, and left the ultimate raising of the infant sovereign to his aunt Juliya. His uncle was unpopular with the restless nobility, and by Marius’ fourteenth nameday, and was quickly crowned king. As monarch, Marius suffered from a divided cabinet, split between the Sergeyists and the Andrivists, and Marius had a difficult in reach bipartisan compromise between the two. Royalist powers were undermined by both factions at the time, and his officials were most of the time picked for nepotistic and political reasons rather than true talent. During this time, Marius did find success in pacifying rebellions following his father’s mess, including the Brawm Rebellion of 1600 and nativist revolts in the extreme northern regions of the kingdom. His policies of land reform struck well with the commoners, however left his nation in economic strain and unable to fully maintain the standing army of his predecessors. Marius was also a patron of the arts and culture, and sponsored numerous artists, including the young Jakob Madonvik. He opened the first theater, the Gilded Duke, and held the first Edmond Manston play outside of the imperial capital. His patronship included many, such as the author Blakton Alvitz, poet Alistair Wailer, and his famous painter aunts, princesses Juliya and Natalia. Karlsborg became a heaven of Dumatic and proto-Biharist thinkers, encompassing the larger Sanoist movement sweeping the heartlands at the time. In the heartlands, the Coalition Wars destroyed imperial authority, and thanks to multiple diplomatic blunders, a southern coalition of forces declared war upon the State of Haense. The army under Stefan Bihar attempted to strike first, however, yet most fell at the disastrous Battle of Elba, where in only a few years Marius soon fled to exile and left to the realm in occupation. Marius lived out the rest of his life in exile, continuing to style himself as the King of Hanseti and Ruska. --- KOENG PETYR II MARK - HAES BARBOV Petyr var Marus | Pureimp10 R. 1611 Peter Mark of Barbanov Petrus Marcus Carovus Secundus “Prince of Nothing, the Poxed” Petyr II only ever ruled in exile, succeeding his father Marius for only a short time. Before his death, however, the Greyspine Rebellion had begun, and Petyr was prepared to return and become figurehead of the revolt. He died of the pox, however, only three months after his accession, leaving the throne to his brother. --- KOENG STEFAN KARL - HAES BARBOV Stefan var Marus | yopplwasupxxx R. 1611 – 1624 Stephen Charles of Barbanov Stephanus Carolus Carovus Primus “A Foe to All Humanity, the Green, the Duelist” Unlike his elder brother Petyr, Stefan was not raised to ruled by his father nor the court, and traditionally was expected to enter the church as his counterpart took the throne in Haense. His brother’s death to the pox thrusted Stefan to kingship, to which he was elected in heated debate during the Duma of 1610. His candidacy was supported mainly by the established nobility, who wished for a weaker monarch to maintain noble autonomy. First few years of his reign was left mainly to the nobility, and Stefan remained mostly in the heartlands in the fortress of Hochspitze. Through a deal with the Prince of Pruvia, he secured the Pruvian Inheritance, which included not only a large sum but control of many of the famous ‘Pruvian Banks’. This and the shrewd work of his advisor and later Palatine Henrik Bihar, a new army was established in direct control of the crown, which made the nobility more prone to compromise. Karlsborg was destroyed in the First Northern War, and without a capital, the royalist war camp during the Greyspine Rebellion soon evolved into the royal city of Alban- the de facto Haeseni capital. Veterans flocked to the restored state, and despite imperial losses in the Santegian Rebellion of 1617, the Haeseni army gained numerous victories, including the Battle of Asaili. In the spring of 1616, his army under command of Alessa Grendock and uncle Prince Otto Henrik beat back several attempts at raids by natives and Avarite mercenaries, fully pacifying them by 1620. Stefan meddled greatly in heartlander affairs, in contrast to the isolationist views of his predecessors, and was the focal point of many conspiracies and plots. He was first revealed in the Mardon Letter of his plans for a coup d’état of the emperor John V, and later his successful uproar in removing the imperial regent Robert of Marna. There were numerous assassination attempts against his life and he fought numerous duels against political opponents, including against the former heartlander archduke Odo d’Amaury, and his most famous showdown against his rival Robert of Marna, who he fatally wounded and killed. Stefan died a young death in 1624 due to genetic Hodgkin’s disease of his mother’s side, passing the throne to his uncle as he died without trueborn heirs. His reign marked the beginning of an era of regrowth for Haense following the disastrous Coalition Wars, which continued well into the reign of Otto III. His seemingly arbitrary political moves left Stefan a vile reputation in the heartland states, to which he gained his famous moniker by Prince Philip, ‘A foe to all Humanity’. --- KOENG OTTO I HENRIK - HAES BARBOV Otto var Andrik | NJBB R. 1624 – 1627 Otto Henry of Barbanov Otis Henricus Carovus Primus “Hero of Alsaili, the Equestrian, the Elder” Most of Otto’s life was in service to the crown as prince and commandant, fighting in nearly every war since his brother Marius took the throne. The failures of the First Northern War sent Otto reeling, and through most of the period he remained as an outlaw soldier, raiding the occupier’s settlements and supply trains. During the decisive Second Battle of the Rothswald, he commanded the left flank and fought with valor on the field. He and Alessa Grendock commanded the Haeseni cavalry during the numerous imperial wars, such as the Santegian Rebellion, and retained Haeseni forces despite imperial losses. He took the throne after the death of his nephew and ruled a paltry three years. Haense continued its flourish under Stefan and Otto maintained the peace following the transition. His eldest son, also named Otto, would succeed him as monarch. --- KOENG OTTO II GEORG - HAES BARBOV Otto var Otto | Pureimp10 R. 1627 – 1644 Otto George of Barbanov Otis Georgius Carovus Secundus “The Temperate, the Prudent, the Quiet Crow, the Younger” Before his rule, Otto George served as a courtier in the restored Haeseni court and worked as a diplomat under the Palatine Henrik Bihar. He was known for his humility and strict adherence to moral doctrine, which clashed greatly with his cousin’s more extravagant court. Otto maintained a close circle of advisors and friends, mostly of ordained clergy, which included the future pontiff Everard IV. In his father’s three years, Otto served as crown prince with dour respect, creating the record-long sixteen-hour hymn for his elevation as heir. Otto ascended to the throne in 1627, and his reign saw Haense continue its economic and cultural boom. He, as a committed Canonist, created many royal hospitals and institutions of faith within Haense, as well as the first irrigation system stretching across the Rothswald and Wickswald. Lavish donations were bestowed upon canonist charities and orders within Haense, and Otto encouraged a theological revival in Haeseni sciences. To pay for much of this, Otto II cut down spending on the armed forces and military. Haense maintained relatively peaceful throughout his reign, except the brief of Vasiland by dwarven forces in 1635, where the army faced a considerable loss when allied with a coalition of fellow imperial vassals and dwed loyalists. In the beginning, Otto’s management of the army led to few blunders, such as the controversial dismissal of commandant Cullen Valrein, though by the end of his promotion of talented military minds such as Berengar Helvetz and Geralt Rauen led to sizeable martial influence. Otto also joined the Third Crusade in coalition with the heartlander states, successfully sieging and capturing the pagan capital in the process. Towards his final years, he finally unveiled and started construction upon the planned city of Markev- a new royal capital to replace the cramped and poor-looking Alban. This took considerable fortune, though his strategic placement upon the River Czena allowed for better trade through river travel. He died in nthe city he created and was succeeded by his son Otto Stefan. --- KOENG OTTO III STEFAN - HAES BARBOV Otto var Otto | NJBB R. 1644 – 1655 Otto Stephen of Barbanov Otis Stephanus Carovus Tertius “The Haughty, the Defender, the Builder, of the Czena” With a newly-constructed capital from the previous rule of his father, Otto Stefan’s blooming years as monarch were fruitful. Markev prospered under the diligent administration of the newly-appointed Lord Ruslan Amador, with trade along the River Baltas-Czena, especially with the river-port of Belvtiz, making the city one of the wealthiest in humanity. His newly-wed wife Ingrid Sarkoz was popular with the commoners, and since the turmolous beginnings of the Ale Riots in the 1600s, the realm was finally in a state of peace. He reversed funding cuts to royal forces done by his father in a military build-up between themselves and Renatus, putting strain upon the royal treasury. Otto favored the arts and commissioned many public works. He and his Palatine Robert Bihar attempted to modernize the Haeseni nation and reconstruct many of the haphazard sites made following the Greyspine Rebellion. He created the first royal parks and named the black-coat crow the national animal. Universities also continue to flourish, and under Otto especially who gave massive sums to benefit their studies. Arcane arts especially became popular, and under him the first schools of magi were formed. Diplomacy soured between Otto’s government and the heartlander states, such as Renatus and Marna, and in response Haense attempted to form its own coalition under the Czena Confederation. Conflict first broke out in 1653, and in the beginning Haense experienced some success. Under the leadership of commandants Geralt Rauen and Jan Wick, they won strategic victories at both the First and Second Battles of Stallion’s Hill and the Battle of the Dam. Lack of a central leadership within the coalition, however, stopped any progression. Assaults upon Curon, one of the member states, became more frequent, and the ineffective allied troops did little to stop enemy successes. Belvitz, one of Haense’s main export locations and its main importer of grain, was under enemy influence, and soon all trade from the city stopped. The large population of Haense and its lack of consistent farming effort did nothing to help, and by 1654 the city and country were in a national-wide famine. In 1655, the Great Plague broke out, devasting the nation. Otto caught this sickness and died in 1655, along with his heir Otto Josef, leaving the throne to his second son Karl Marus. The final years of Otto’s reign marked the beginning of a string of military defeats by Haense, and its diminished influence in the next few decades. --- KOENG KARL II MARUS - HAES BARBOV Karl var Otto | cruzazul8 R. 1655 – 1666 Charles Marius of Barbanov Carolus Marius Carovus Secundus “The Stubborn, the Unyielding, the Excommunicated” Karl, unlike his father before him, was handed a nation dying of famine and exhausted from war, with a restless nobility. By 1656, the Czena Confederation officially became defunct, as numerous states either left or were conquered, as in the case of the Principality of Curon in late 1655. Haense and the remaining states reformed into an alliance, which began to include non-human and pagan states, much to the ire of Karl’s nobility. He was unable to reverse the military losses from before, and the allied coalition suffered numerous defeats, most importantly the Storming of Cyrilsborg and Siege of Ruriksgrad in 1662. Karl was able to keep the enemies from fully crossing the Czena River and entering Haense proper, creating many dug-out forts along the river in defense. He commanded much of the military works personally and left control of the city in hands of his Palatine Franz Bihar. By 1665 the war had reached a stalemate, and the Karl remained on the defense. The city did little recovery, and Franz Bihar maintained his work in suppressing liberal radicals popping throughout the city. Briefly in early 1666, the palace was stormed by peasantry, though beaten off by soldiers under command of Franz. Karl in 1666 died childless, as he never took a wife, and the state entered a succession crisis. --- KOENG FRANZ II JAKOB - HAES BIHAR Franz var Henrik | Birdnerdy R. 1666 Francis James of Bihar Franciscus Iacobus Carovus Secundus “The Unfortunate, the Unready” Franz seized control of the government shortly following the death of his cousin, and shortly proclaimed him regent. Only after one month, he fully couped the state and proclaimed himself king before the duma could be called. Franz’s history in the capital and the loyalty of the military stationed there allowed him intense sway over the lords, who begrudgingly agreed to his accession. During his coronation, however, the city was surprise-attacked by a sizeable blitzing force, and Franz was captured in the defense. Stating his refusal to bend the knee, he was executed by his captors, and the throne passed to his nephew. --- KOENG SIGMAR LOTHAR - HAES BIHAR Sigmar var Robert | Arkydog R. 1666 – 1681 Siguine Lothar of Bihar Siguinus Lotharus Carovus Primus “The Short, the Shrewd” Sigmar took the throne following the death of his uncle, to which the duma did not contest. He attempted a policy of appeasement with the heartlanders, and through diplomatic work, lifted the embargo on Haense and allowed grain shipment back into Markev. The city recovered from its recession and the economy went positive once again. With the famine relieved, the population slowly began to recover within the urban cities. His attempts at military conquest, despite his success in diplomacy, was not as graceful. Sigmar received a damaging blow at the Battle of Karl’s Hill, and put ravaging repercussions upon the country. He swore under the Renatus state in 1678 and reformed an imperial state, formally ending all hostiles between the two countries. He allowed a freer reign for the nobility, and much of the land was granted or fell under control of powerful barons. Royal power suffered, and the nobility gained massive influence over the affairs on the government. Sigmar would die in 1681 of a disease for the throne to pass to his son, Robert. VIII - NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS OTTO VAR DIEDRIK HEINZREIK Otto Arius Heinzreich | yopplwasupxxx Otto Arius, of the Rovin-Heinzreich clan, was a minor cousin in the Aesterwald royal family, until his defection from his home nation during the Schism Wars of the late fifteenth century. He became an important courtier in the papal court, and with backing from the High Pontiff and Count of Drusco, claimed a majority portion of former Vanderfell following the conclusion of the conflict. He founded numerous towns amidst the ruins, and though not as successfully as his successor, began a policy of unification from the balkanized Hansetian states. During the 1490s, he abducted the twins of his sister, children of the late Emperor Alexander, and kept them in his custody to raise him. When Otto ascended to the seat as Grand Duke of Vanderfell, he groomed Karl for heir, picking him over his own children with Lady Frederique of Savoy. With loss of support by the Count of Drusco, he was forced to abdication following pressure by his liege King Andrik and the blunder of the Petrus Scandal. Following his death in the late 1510s, he was canonized in the Church of the Canon as Saint Otis of Vanderfell. --- KARL VAR ALEKSANDER BARBOV Karl Barbanov | Arkydog Born to the Rovin-scion Princess Annabelle and the Carrion Emperor Alexander, his early life moved him across Oren during the infamous Schism Wars. His mother abducted Karl and his sister when the war began, and during transit was stopped by Otto Heinzreich, who took the children for himself. He raised and named Karl, choosing him to succeed as the Grand Duke of Vanderfell- and later, the Duke of Haense. He also spent much of his childhood with the High Pontiff Daniel I and Emma Vladov, the warrior-female, and garnered huge support from Duchies of Adria and Akovia, both led by former loyalists to his father. Karl led multiple raids against dwed fortifications during the Third Human-Dwarf War, capturing fortifications such as Polaris and Hiebenhall, the latter of which he made his capital and renamed as Siegrad. His accession to the ducal coronet came with much fanfare, and he tightened his grip upon the Hansetian hinterlands, as well as forcing mass conversion upon the native tribes. When he died following the Great Worm Assault upon Siegrad, Haense has become one of the leading powers in Oren at the time. Following his death, he was canonized in the Church of the Canon as Saint Carolus of Haense. --- CARR VAR JULIYUS COLBORN Carr Colborn | Julius55 Carr entered the service of Karl early in his career and became one of Karl’s most loyal lieutenants. His claim to fame comes from his extensive work upon fledging Haense’ infrastructure and economy. He created numerous highways to cut through the hinterlands and expanded the weak mining industry to produce on par with their southern neighbors. The fortune he amassed became notorious throughout the realm, and he was one of the richest, and for a time the richest, peers of Oren, owning a fat monopoly upon Haeseni trade and goods. He was also a known amateur historian, and chronicled numerous novels covering his family’s history and the history of the highlander peoples. Following his death, he left much of his wealth to the state, and his funds later maintained Haense from total financial disaster during the end of the War of the Ducal Coalition. When a sum of his vault came missing, it created a craze throughout the hinterlands, with numerous treasure-seekers, or Geltisaar, settling throughout Carr’s former trading posts, hoping to find the hidden gold upon his former estates. --- TARCEL VAR JAN OTHAMAN Tarcell Othaman | Eddywilson2 Though Tarcell was of Hansetian-blood, he was one of the first to bend to Karl following his accession as Duke of Haense and became commandant of his forces. He spearheaded assaults on numerous dwarven fortifications in the hinterlands during the Third Human-Dwarf War and was a general during the War of the Ducal Coalition. He expanded the military of the duchy greatly, issuing levies upon newly-conquered land on the hinterlands to bolster their numbers. Following Karl’s death, it was Tarcell who became regent, and it was he who commanded the war effort against the Savoyard-led Oren. He won skirmishes on the northern border during a short attempt at invasion in the north, though when Brelus fell at the end of the war he was forced to a defensive position at the Haeseni fortress of Norvik. Throughout the war he raised and helped the young Siguine, who after Hugo’s assassination was elected Duke of Adria alongside being Duke of Haense. Siguine’s disappearance, or to him, his death, left Tarcell distraught and bitter, and remained defiant against crown. His untimely death in 1525 though left his remaining troops in chaos and Norvik eventually fell to a contingent led by Jan Kovachev in the late summer. Tarcell’s military organization would become the basis of the Haeseni royal military. --- SIGMAR VAR KARL BARBOV Siguine Barbanov | Arkydog At the age of fourteen, Siguine was elected as Duke of Adria amid the War of the Ducal Coalition, succeeding Hugo the Headless following his assassination. Though chosen by the lords, he held little authority, and when he left to fight the Savoyards at the Blackwald his army was disorganized and unruly. He was defeated badly in the marshes and retreated to the fortress of Woldzimir where he attempted to push back Oren by a siege defense. He failed, however, and he fled following Woldzimir’s fall. --- JAN VAR VARON KOVACHEV Jan Kovachev | 6xdestroyer Jan rose through the ranks of the Orenian army during the War of the Ducal Coalition, and when he was able to be captured Norvik in 1525, he was granted the castles and the estates he conquered. He supported John Horen during the Horen Restoration, and later became one of his most trusted commanders during the Eighteen Years’ War. Jan commanded the Carnatian Hussars, and with his fellow peer Josef, was the leader of the Haeseni contingent during the war. He served alongside Petyr Barbanov during the Riga War and the Krajian Rebellion, subduing fully the Hansetian hinterlands and helping unify what later became the Kingdom of Haense. His death left him as the Duke of Carnatia and his family to continue as one of the principle Karovic houses within humanity for centuries. His veteran cavalry became a staple of the Haeseni army, and his descendants would continue to dominate the Haeseni army for some decades. He lived well into his nineties, and for it he was called ‘Jan the Old’. --- JOSEF VAR FRANZ VLADOV Josef Vladov | Burkester Along with Jan Kovachev, Josef Vladov was one of the two leaders of the Haeseni contingent during the Eighteen Years’ War, commanding multiple battles as imperial generals. Josef’s crowning achievement is the Battle of Cape Bronson and later the Capture of Avar. His family diminished in influence within Haense following death, though he remains as one of Haense’s and Oren’s more proficient commanders. --- GREGOR VAR NIKOLAS NIKOVIC Georgiy Nikovic - H.P. Theodosius I | Dakota Georgiy was one of the first in a string in Haeseni pontiffs, first serving as the Bishop of Carnatia then being appointed High Pontiff in 1562. His greatest deed was the removal of the Revelation Doctrine which was created by his predecessor Daniel III, and attempted a fail revival of reforemd Raevir Iliryic as the Haeseni holy tongue. He would appoint his successor Berengar Gotthold to his previous position of bishop, and maintained close relations with the hinterland lords. --- EMMA VAS BRITANUS VANIR Emma Vanir | Julischlong Emma was married to an imperial cousin following the attempted peace of the Second Diet of Saltstone, and while at first it kept the peace, it soon fell through. She carried an extramarital affair with one of the rebel hetmans of the Krajian Rebellion and a Savoyard princeling, called the Ancelcourt Scandal, which continued the Anarchy for another decade. --- BRITANUS VAR BIGORN VANIR Britannus Vanir | Pureimp10 The War of the Ducal Coalition left the Vanir family in shambles, and reduced to their fortress of Kraken’s Watch, though Britanus dreamed of one day returning his family’s fortune. He acted as one of the crucibles for the Riga War, which although at first left his homeless, later regained him a large portion of his family’s former estates. In his spare time, Britannus worked as a mathematician, and together with Edmond Manston, discovered the ‘Manston-Vanir Constant’, which is used by modern day architects in constructing arches and domes. --- FISKE VAR BRITANUS VANIR Fiske Vanir | InfamousGerman Fiske the Bloody, a title earned as one of the survivors of the Siege of Seahelm, is one of Haense’s most effective company leaders, having been known for his brutality. He led the vanguard during the Riga War and Krajian Rebellion, as well as throughout the Anarchy of Oren, where he gained a reputation of combat prowess. Following his death, he left his family at its peak as Margraves of Vasiland, as well as one of the only non-Karovic families to be invited to duma. As mentioned, he was called ‘Fiske the Bloody’ for his valor at the Seahelm in the Avarite theater. --- LERALD VAR TEODOR VYRONOV Lerald Vyronov | Flapman Commander of the Carnatian Hussars under Jan Kovachev, Lerald worked his way from his position as serf to a peer of the realm, serving loyally to his realm and gaining the fief of Rytsborg. He fought throughout the Eighteen Years’ War and the Anarchy, later retiring following the coronation of Petyr Barbanov. --- ULRIK VAR ULRIK TIBERAN Ulric Tiberan | Giambro No child in Haense has not heard at least one of the tales of Ulric Tiberan, one of Haense’s most famous knights. Known for his acts of bravery and his slaying of the Dragon Toruug, he has become a local legend to the poorer classes. In his life, he served under the Carnatian Hussars, seeing battle from White Mountain to the Siege of Dunland. His stories are collected in the novels known as the ‘Trials of Ulric’, though there is some variation. He is commonly pictured with two talking crows, named ‘Alvin’ and ‘Darren’, who guide him (and sometimes hinder him) to his next goal. --- ARIK VAR CARR COLBORN Eirik Colborn | Julius55 One of the successors to Carr’s fortune, Eirik Colborn continued his father’s legacy within the mercantile businesses. He founded the colony of Metterden in Erochland following the Peace of Avar and organized a rapid colonization of the Eroch River Valley. Eirik later served under Petyr Barbanov during the Riga War, helping rebuild much of the lost infrastructure after the Anarchy. For his wealth, he was known as ‘Eirik the Rich’. --- RICKARD VAN WOLDIZMIR Rickard Barrow | Arkydog A bastard of lowly origin, though it did not stop him in becoming of the most influential Haeseni politicians. He served as first Palatine to King Petyr, and he laid the foundations of Haeseni administration which continue to present day. He followed a strict policy of land colonization, coining the term ‘Haseni Destiny’, standing for the ideology of full highlander colonization of the hinterlands in its entirety. He oversaw the first royal capital of Karlsborg and the palace of Ottostadt, which became the seat of the royal family. Rickard was also well known in his martial talent, and saw intensive action during the Riga War, and become one of the fiercest proponents for total annexation of the former Duchy of Courland. --- KARL VAR PETYR BARBOV Karl Sigmar Barbanov | Birdnerdy Karl Sigmar became his eldest brother’s Palatine following the latter’s coronation, and he continued his predecessor Rickard’s policies of colonial expansion and centralization. However, when King Andrik II rebelled shortly from Oren and later was forcefully abdicated, Karl was placed as regent for the babe King Marius. In the shambles Karl attempted to rebuild, though the now restless nobility splintered, and Karl became vilified. The nobility pushed hard against his attempts at a centralized army, and when Marius finally came of age, Karl Sigmar left his office in shame. Despite the unpopularity of his attempted policies, they would be continued by his successors in the string of Bihar Palatines, and his ideological thought became the basis for his son’s Biharism during the reign of King Stefan and the Ottovars. --- JULIYA VAS PETYR BARBOV Julia Barbanov | DreamInSpace If there was one-person King Marius always listened to, it was his aunt Julia, who maintained a strong influence over his life. She, along with her good sister Reza, maintained the royal court during the regency and continued to do so well into the reign of her nephew. Julia also painted numerous canvas and scenes, which are displayed in the Royal Haeseni Guild of Art. --- BRANIMAR VAR FISKE VANIR Brynden Vanir | assassinofawsome The good-brother then good-uncle to the King of Haense, the Margrave of Vasiland rose rapidly through the court. He eventually reached the rank of Grand Commandant of the armed force, though because he was picked more from nepotism than true skill, his inefficient leadership weakened the army. By the time of the First Northern War, the Haeseni military was ill-prepared to face the coming battles. After the war, he was captured, where he died in captivity in the court of Aleksandria. --- TATIANA VAS PETYR BARBOV Tatiana Barbanov | Starry Tatiana had married Branimar, one of her brother’s chiefest supporter, and it was to her which kept the remnants of the Andrivist party in line with the crown. Later in life, she remarried to the elder Lord Viktor, sparking short controversy. She was known for her stitching and drawings, with many of her works displayed in the Royal Haeseni Guild of Art. --- SERGEY VAR JAN KOVACHEV Sergei Kovachev | NJBB During King Andrik II’s short rebellion of the Deep Cold Uprising, Sergey stood as the uncontested leader of the Imperial faction within Haense, and rallied loyalists to his cause. He single-handedly marched into Karlsborg during the chaos, forcing Andrik’s abdication and flight, before having his captured by the remnants of his father’s Carnatian Hussars. Even through this strong show of power, he resumed an alliance with the royalists under Palatine Lukas, forming coalition against the squabbling Andrivists under Branimar Vanir. Sergey’s death upset the balance of the Haeseni court, and many attributes his early demise to one of the factors in Haeseni military defeats during the Coalition Wars. For his use of stealth and hit-and-run tactics in the Anarchy, he was referred to by the soldiery as the ‘Ghost of Turov’. --- REZA VAS SERGEY KOVACHEV Reza Elizaveta Kovachev | marques Daughter of the powerful lord Sergey and shortly queen to Andrik II, Reza spent most of her life as Queen-Mother to Marius. However, she set the role as consort and matriarch within the royal family, establishing numerous courtly customs which are followed to this today. To the female body, she became a role-model for the epitome Haeseni lady. --- MARKUS VAR HEKTOR LOTHSTON Markus Lothston | Legoman Markus Lothston, though kinsman to the Brawms, fought for the Kingdom of Haense during the Hounden’s Rebellion, acting as one of King Marius’ commanders on the field. After the short and bloody conflict, Markus served as King Marius’ personal champion. He followed his king into exile and continued to serve the court-in-exile faithfully. He was known far and wide for his skill at the sword, and he was known in life as ‘Markus the Mutt’. --- LUKAS VAR BRITANUS VANIR Lukas Vanir | Pureimp10 Serving as Palatine during the later years of King Marius, he performed numerous capital and law reforms, though was cut short following the Coalition Wars. Forced into exile along with the rest of the royal court, Lukas worked as an author in philosophy, specifically the school of Political Lukasism, and the concept of the ‘Greater Man’. His status left him as a cultural symbol for the occupied nation, and many of his works were smuggled in secret to the native Haeseni population. For his erudite nature, he is commonly referred to as ‘Lukas the Learned’. --- STEFAN VAR KARL BIHAR Stefan Aleksandr Bihar | cruzazul8 Stefan came ahead as the leader of the Royalists following the pseudo-exile of his father, effectively leading a coalition with the Sergeyists. He was the greatest advocate for first action against Courland, and maintained a heated rivalry with Lord Branimar, serving Grand Commandant at the time. Stefan was killed at the Battle of Elba, creating an unavoidable power vacuum in the royal court. --- OSGOD VAR JESPER COLBORN Osgod Colborn | Birdnerdy Osgod Colborn served Haense since the beginnings of the Riga War, and continued to serve well into the years of King Marius. He held commands during the Krajian Rebellion and was one of the Royalist most veteran soldiers at the time. --- DIEDRIK VAN FLOTZAM Diedrik Barrow | Knox A former burgher, he rose through the bureaucratic ranks of the royal state by sheer cunning, becoming one of the leading officials in Marius’ court. Diedrik maintained an underground smuggling syndicate during his tenure as Auditor, using his position to repossess noble land to return to crown control or his personal management. When his assassination of a heartlander prince came to light however, Diedrik was forced to resign and later executed. --- BLAKTON VAR GREGOR ALVITZ Blaxton Alwyn | Marquisalex Blaxton emerged as a knight under the Amador family, operating as a successful bureaucrat and diplomat in their court. He owned multiple companies in the lands of Haense, Mardon, and Pruvia, and began a tradition of warm relations between Pruvia and his home. His works of Memoirs of Alwyn Blaxton has made him of critical historical importance, chronicling a period of lessened literary creation. --- ALISTAR VAR HEKTOR WAILER Alistair Wailer | Flooptroop Alistair led the contingent garrisoning Ottostadt for a short duration, before and after serving as knight in the royal court and proficient swordsman. He also created poetry, publishing numerous works under the alias ‘Chad the Mad’. His greatest work, Ehr Nau, became adapted to the Haeseni royal anthem in the early 1600’s. Alistair’s skill in verse earned him the moniker ‘Alistair the Poet’. --- OTTO VAR ARIK BARUEK Otto Marius Baruch | Kiwikilla Baruch in the Kingdom of Haense up to the Coalition Wars was of middling influence, owning poor estates scattered upon the Shattered Coast. Following Haense’s defeat, Baruch remained from the exodus of higher nobility, and retained their fortresses following occupation. It was thanks to Otto Marius, the Count of Ayr, who first brought together many of the minor Haeseni lordlings into rebellion, leading by example during the Standoff at Ayr. --- HARREN VAN METTERDEN Harren of Metterden | Seannie22 A veteran soldier under the Metterden garrison, the regency of the Count of Metterden left him de facto in control of the affairs of the estate. Along with the Count of Ayr and numerous families, he led the successful Greyspine Uprising, returning the King of Haense to the throne and the land returned to royal control. Harren, however, favored the Count of Metterden as the potential sovereign, and the election of Stefan made him leave the realm. He served in the Imperial Court later in his life and eventually rose to the prestigious position of Archchancellor, where he held a staunch rivalry with King Stefan. For his reputed strength, he is commonly referred to as ‘Harren the Hardy’. --- ARIK VAR HOGMUND RUTHERN Arik Ruthern | Birdnerdy The Greyspine Uprising attracted many mercenaries to each side, and the Ruthern clansman dared not pass up a moment such as it. Arik led the band known as the Black Company, which operated in great success in the Rothsvald against the occupiers. In its aftermath, he struck a deal with the royal-candidate Stefan Barbanov for support in exchange for the County of Metterden, to which he upset the Ruthern political clique by his vocal support during the duma. --- NIKOLAS VAR PETYR RYKOV Nikolai Rykov | maxgemini Nikolai Rykov was Arik’s right-hand man and helped pacify both Metterden and dissenters during Arik’s accession. Following the settlement of Alban, Nikolas took the cloth and was quickly raised to the position of Archbishop of Jorenus. --- JAKOB VAR JAN MADONVIK Jakob Macdonough | Doggedwasupxxx Many have seen the works of Jakob Macdonough, and for his time he was one of the most prolific painters in both Haense and Oren. He has created numerous works, such as ‘The Spanking of Staunton’ and ‘Joys to the Boys of the Rothswald’. Jakob later served politically following his uncle’s selection as Palatine of the Duma, where he succeeded him for three weeks. --- JAN VAR THORMUND OTHAMAN Jan Othaman – H.P. Owyn II | eddywilson2 Othaman, a clergyman, rose to the position of Archbishop of Jorenus then to the throne of the Vicar of God, where he attempted to mend the schism plaguing the church. On a diplomatic mission, however, he was killed by fanatical schismists, becoming a martyr of the faith. --- ANDREY VAR SERGEY KOVACHEV Andrey Kovachev | Soulstrung Following the disastrous Battle of Elba, Andrey was appointed command over the Haeseni military, and took position at Vasiland. He failed, however, in stopping the enemy advance, and the Siege of Vasiland was yet another defeat. He re-emerged a decade after and launched the unsuccessful Horseman's Revolt, which attempted to make Carnatia an independent estate. Andrey, along with his rebel kinsmen, were later killed by Qali mercenaries in the Battle of Carsaca. For his hot temperament, he was called ‘Andrey the Wroth’. --- FREDRIK VAR ODRIN PRUSEN Frederick Augustus Preussen | Dabliusmaximus During both the short reign of Petyr II and the accession of King Stefan, the Prince of Pruvia held vast influence over the king, as well as naming him heir to the large sum known as the Pruvian Inheritance. This, and his willingness to grant trading privileges to the Haeseni trading clans of Amador and Alwyn, Haense experienced an economic boom following its restoration. --- HENRIK VAR KARL BIHAR Heinrik Otto Bihar | Flooptroop Following Haense’s restoration, Heinrik became the new leader of the Royalist faction and took up the mantle as Palatine like his kin before him. Through clever tactics and pacification of a now weakened nobility, Henrik accomplished what his father failed. Henrik’s policies and ideology became known as the chief thought of Biharism- doctrine agrarianism with strong crown authority. He worked efficiently as both a diplomat and a steward and reinvigorated a stagnating Haeseni bureaucracy. Through his tireless work, Alban rebuilt itself from a war camp to a capital, and his plans and designs for Alban were later carried on by the later authorities constructing the later capital of Markev. In his career he stopped many decadent procedures in the Haeseni court, and so he commonly referred to as ‘Henrik the Humble’. Following his death, he was canonized by the Church of the Canon as Saint Henricus of Haense. --- ALESSA VAS ELIZAVETA GRENDOK Alessa Grendock | Eagles Though history is not alien to warrior-women, Alessa emerged not only as a successful fight but also commander, leading successfully time and time again in the heat of battle. For her service, she was raised as a Baroness and Lady Peer, though continued her command of the Haeseni cavalry contingent for decades. The tallest mountain in the Yahtl Wastes, Mount Grendock, is named in her honor. --- FORDSEN VAR EKKARD KYNGSTON Fordson Kyngston | Devland Fordsen joined the court with his brother, being appointed numerous governorships throughout the kingdom and eventually receiving the position of Palatine for a brief few years. He was the main architect for palace of Esenstadt, as well as numerous manors and estates for the nobility, and his style, known as Kyngstonian Architecture, has become a point of study for aspiring royal engineers, and much of his work can be seen today. --- ANTON VAR EKKARD KYNGSTON Anton Kyngston | QuackerCracker Along with his brother, Anton joined the royal court in Alban and served first as a courtier, then later enlisting the armed forces, where he reached position of commandant later in his life. He also served as maer for the capital numerous times, helping violently suppress the turmoil of the Ale Riots of the 1620s. --- JOSEF VAN ALBAN Josef Baldemar - H.P. Everard IV | Piov Josef began his career as a peasant parishioner in the poor Alban diocese, and eventually rose to the seat as Vicar of God. Though his extensive charity work and preaching in the wooden capital of Alban, Josef created a powerful network of allies and contacts within the secular world and the papal court. When he eventually rose the seat of the pontificate, he brought peace following the Adelburg Coup, and re-established a position of clerical authority throughout the land. Following his death, he was canonized in the Church of the Canon as High Pontiff Saint Everardus Quartus. --- KOLTAIN VAR PIPI WICK Coltaine Wick | Hurferdurfer Coltaine belonged to the mysterious Wick clan, which rose sharply to prominence following the accession of King Stefan. He established to the first Magi Circle within Haense, constructing universities to teach theology and the arcane arts. However, in the peak of his power, he was assassinated and replaced by a supernatural entity, which was quickly destroyed by the very magi he created. During his life, he published numerous journals over his extensive studies on the arcane, including the famous Dialectics, which has become an important collection in arcane education. For his mastery of the arcane arts, he was known in life as ‘Coltaine the Elder’. --- JAN VAR KOLTAIN WICK John Wick | Kav Though the son of the famed Magi Coltaine, John pursued a career in the army. He is most famous for his brutal suppression of the numerous Ale Riots of the 1620s and became infamous for his vicious treatment of dissenters against the crown. He, along with his father, was assassinated and replaced by a supernatural entity, where he was swiftly destroyed by Haeseni magi. John was also remembered for his work in exploring the deepest part of the hinterlands called the Yahtl Wastes. For his womanizing ways and his charming looks, the court referred to him as ‘John the Handsome’ or ‘John the Pretty’. --- CULLEN VAR CULLEN VALREIN Cullen Valerin | Blago During the strike of the Metterden veterans, many lowborns rose quickly in the lack of a true officer core, including Cullen. He came quickly into the light of the royal court following his successful command against pagan raiders to the east, and he eventually rose the primacy rose as Commandant. During Otto II’s military reforms, however, Cullen was dismissed, and he retired to the countryside. For his stoic ways, he was known as ‘Cullen the Stern’. --- PETYR VAN ALRICZAN Petyr Barrow | _Gridlock Another veteran of the Black Company, Petyr served under the Palatine Henrik as a personal guard, where he performed numerous acts in service of the crown. He is most famous for being the suspected assassin of the unpopular consort Elizabeth of Courland, as well as being participant and leader of the Three Hand Plot, a conspiracy to assassinate King Stefan. --- SIGMAR VAR OTTO BARBOV Siegmar Otto Barbanov | Blauschlong The second son of Otto II, Siegmar studied in the burgeoning arcane arts, under the tutelage of the master magi Coltaine the Elder. He wrote numerous papers on his studies, mostly over the art of golemancy, and perfected the method of creation known as ‘Sigmarization’. Siegmar also hand a penchant for painting, and created numerous portraits of the royal family and the Karovic household, now maintained by the Royal Haeseni Guild of Art. --- KRISTOFF VAR SALDEMAR STAFYR I GRAUSPIN Kristoff Stafyr | Edel Kristoff was a minor lordling of middling estates of the ancient lineage of Stafyr, and served under the governments of Palatines Henrik Bihar and Josef van Alban in the position of ambassador and later emissary. He wrote numerous political treatises on diplomacy and state affairs, his most famous being Vayrkilar, detailing philosophically the concept of 'fair exchange' or 'geltostrin' and his controversial criticism of the imperial economy of the time. --- RUSLAN VAR ODRIN AMADOR Ruslan Amador | Xarkly Descended from the Amador banking clan, Ruslan continued the family tradition and maintained once again the Royal Amador Bank- the chief banking authority within the Kingdom of Haense. Ruslan was elevated to Steward and Auditor during the reign of Otto III, where he oversaw the construction of the planned capital of Markev. He maintained his grip upon the national reserves for all his life, serving till the death of Karl II. For his risky yet successful business choices, his peers called him ‘Ruslan the Ready’. --- BERENGAR VAR REINHOLT HELVETZ Berengar Helvets | Abeam1 Berengar ascended rapidly through the Haeseni military under Otto II and Otto III, achieving the prestigious rank of Grand Commandant by the end of his tenure. He was known for his quick wit and successes in the open field. After his service in the military, he retired to the colony of Otistadt, where he served as elder and maer till his death. --- INGRID VAS ADRIAN SARKOZ I ULGAARD Ingrid Sarkozic-Ulgaard | Tarrebear Perhaps the most beloved queen of the commoners, Queen Ingrid did her duties diligently as consort to Otto III. Following the example of her former peer Reza, she reinstated many traditional Haeseni customs back into court life, in addition to proficient diplomatic work with neighboring powers. The commoners referred to her as ‘Ingrid the Good’. --- JAN VAR ODRIN AMADOR Jack Amador - H.P. Clement III | bromodan Successor to Everard IV and of Haeseni stock, Jack was known for his humility and piety, yet clear bias towards the Kingdom of Haense. He wrote numerous papers upon different Haeseni saints, collected in the book ‘Yekilonsant’. --- GERALD VAR LERALD RAUEN Geralt Rauen | Pureimp10 A career soldier of Haeseni military, Geralt is well-known for several numerous victories on the field during the later reign Otto III, successfully commanding both the Second Battle of Stallion’s Hill and the Battle of the Dam. However, following setbacks as the conflict progressed and his main patron and liege Otto III dead, Geralt resigned. After the army, he settled deep into the hinterlands and Yahl, where he founded numerous trading posts and villages, including Geraltikev, Maristadt, and Tovikev. --- WULFREY VAR WULFREY SKARPEFANGER Wulffrey Skarpefanger | Wulfrey A settler of Gorundyr descent, Wulffrey Skarpefanger was an officer-favorite during his service in the Haeseni military during Otto III and recruited heavily to maintain manpower during conflicts on the River Czena. Later in his life, he led a colonization effort deeper into the River Czena valley, forming the trading post of Aberrang. Wulffrey was the most adamant in the conflicts in the inner hinterlands, most importantly against a body known as the Vaeyl- a group of supernatural entities, which squabble upon rightful Haeseni clay. The Personification of Haense = | = What truly is Sacrifice? Is it a personal burden each man must carry? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? A punishment for our greed, and avarice? Is it with the grain or contrary? What truly is Sacrifice? A response to every human vice? Is there only one thing to give or does it vary? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? Is it esoteric or precise? The focus of life or ancillary? What truly is Sacrifice? Oh creator what is the price? Simply a way to keep us warry? Perhaps tis’ permanent or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? How does one open the doors to paradise? On this I shall wonder till my body they bury. What truly is Sacrifice? Perhaps tis’ permenant or a moment in life that must be given once, or twice, or thrice? -Alistar Wailer, 1580

Name: Edmund Harwyn Age: 17 Race: Human Allegiance (Current nation of residence): None Past Military Experience: None None-Military Experience/Skills: None OOC Information: MC Name: yopplwasupxxx Skype Name (Used for updates, news and information): yopplwasupxxx Teamspeak is a required tool for battles and major events, it is recommended that you at least download it upon joining the Order. Have you been in the Order before?: Yea like for a week back in Anthos Do you plan to make this character one of your primary?: Yea