BenevolentManacles

SUBPOENA - WICK V OTHAMAN

THE FAMILY WICK

Represented by Selm & Associates,

DESIRES TO SUMMON THE FOLLOWING PARTY TO COURT;

Sergei Othaman

ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLE(S), DOCTRINE(S), EDICT(S) OR ARTICLES OF LAW

That Sergei Othaman did, this Saint's Year, during Godfrey's Triumph, attend their family establishment on Helvets Ave, and incense the customers there with inflammatory behavior which directly resulted in a loss of sales to the establishment. Sergei Othaman shouted exceedingly negative things about certain citizens of the Empire which many customers took issue with and left without making their intended purchases, and the Family Wick was out nearly an entire day of sales that total nearly one-hundred minas. This is a clear violation of the Wick's liberty which should include their right to sell their goods freely and lawfully within the Empire without undue burden, a burden which Sergei Othaman laid upon them. This is can be construed as a violation of the Wick's property and ownership rights, as their prospective property was denied by the misbehavior and misconduct of another.

WITH THE PRESENCE OF THE FOLLOWING RELEVANT PARTY OR PARTIES

Sergei Othaman

Ophelia Wick & the Wick Family

PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION #0001

This application shall be considered a formal application to apply for protection under O.R.C. 303.06.

PROPRIETOR

Sir Henry Marshall

PROPERTY

A golden chain, whose links are the shape of a human's right hand clasped around the next one in an open circle formed by the fingers of the hand, should be the intellectual property of its' designer and inventor, Sir Henry Marshall.

Imitations of this intellectual property, or designs too similar to it, shall be prohibited under the Oren Revised Code, with the exception of licensing obtained via consensual contract with the designated proprietor.

Filed by Selm & Associates

MOTION TO STRIKE EVIDENCE

It has become known to the defense that the prosecution has brought an affidavit designed to implicate my client in the events detailed in this suit to my client, who agreed to sign this document.

Philippa Josephine was born in 1782, making her fifteen at the time this affidavit was signed.  It should be the opinion of this court that a girl fifteen years of age, beneath the age of majority, should have a legal guardian, or counsel appointed by a legal guardian, present in order to sign an affidavit. This basic legal precedent can be derived from the following;

 ORC 305.013 - Minors may not consent to contracts, unless ruled otherwise by a magistrate. 

Edward Selm

on behalf of

Philippa d'Arkent

PLEA AGREEMENT for THE CROWN V. SELM

This document shall serve as stipulations agreed upon by the defense and the prosecution, where a trial need not be conducted to further determine the guilt or sentencing of the defense once signed by the prosecution and approved by the presiding Justice.

• That the defendant, Minerva Selm, admits guilt to murder without premeditation.
• That the defendant, Minerva Selm, shall pay a fine of one-hundred minas to the Courts.
• That the defendant, Minerva Selm, shall not be prosecuted again for the murder without premeditation of the nun Emma.
• That the defendant, Minerva Selm, shall serve, in permanence, as a conscript in the Imperial State Army.

Signed,

Minerva Selm

snip

PLEA AGREEMENT for THE CROWN V. HARTCOLD

This document shall serve as stipulations agreed upon by the defense and the prosecution, where a trial need not be conducted to further determine the guilt or sentencing of the defense once signed by the prosecution and approved by the presiding Justice.

• The defendant, Robert James Hartcold, admits guilt to the charge of manslaughter.
• The defendant,  Robert James Hartcold, shall not be prosecuted again for the death of the foreign dwarf he admits guilt to slaughtering.
• The defendant, Robert James Hartcold, shall serve a sentence of four years in service to the Imperial State Army as an administrative assistant, and two years with the approval of the Imperial State Army’s high command.

Signed,

Robert James Hartcold

REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW

THE CIPRIAN DE LAS BALTAS CAMPAIGN
As Represented by EDWARD SELM

DESIRES TO SEE THE LEGAL CONTEXT OF THE FOLLOWING REVIEWED

The Vessian traditional coin toss and tied election procedures and precedence.

ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLE(S), DOCTRINE(S), EDICT(S) OR ARTICLES OF LAW:

It is no doubt that in many cases, the stipulations for elections to be run are ambiguous so as to allow experimentation by the executive authorities administering them regarding the security, fairness and legitimacy of those elections, to ensure the electorate is not disenfranchised by elections that would appear fraudulent, or otherwise unfair. There are two bodies whose duties are to administer free and fair elections.

In observing the Charter for the City of Providence, which is inspired by Imperial authority and not by the diet,

That this city government be composed fourthly of a magistrate, who shall serve by Our Crown appointment, and who shall...

IV. Administrate free and fair city elections."

In observing the Oren Revised Code, which is confirmed by the Imperial authority and inspired by the diet,

601.09 - On the Rights and Obligations of the Minister of Civil Affairs

601.094 - The duty to administer, freely, openly and fairly, all censuses, elections and voter registration on behalf of the Crown.

These are the only mentions of how and by who local elections in the city of Providence shall be administered in all of Imperial law. 

An election determined by a coin toss is, by definition, slothful. The coin is not a citizen of Providence or the Empire, and to put our elections at the mercy of this coin, whose decision is completely random, can not be seen as the superior alternative to a second election, whereby a majority may be established. With tied elections so substantially rare, administering a second one when they occur is not an undue burden. And even though they are rare, the correct precedent must be set.

The opposition may argue that previous tied election have been decided by coin tosses, but the argument there is simple. This tradition is a Vessian one, not an Imperial one. Precedents which are wrongly set, as well as foreign precedents, should be considered subject to change. Is it more fair to have an election decided by a majority, or decided by a coin toss.

In closing, if it is within the power of the offices whose duties it is to ensure free and fair elections to resolve an electoral tie by administering another election, and it comes with no undue burden, then it must be done, and done again, until a majority is achieved. And it is, indeed, within their power, and without undue burden. No election should be subject to the random nature of a coin toss. An injunction on this election should be granted, and the election redone. 

YOURS HUMBLY,
Edward Selm
 

Selm & Associates

"Know your rights."

The Law Offices of Selm & Associates at 2 Adria Street.

Has the Crown filed a subpoena against you? Perhaps your neighbor caught you with his wife, or you slipped and a knife stuck in someone’s throat? Whatever the issue, whatever the case, Selm & Associates are experts in all forms of law. From contracts, to custody, we are the foremost law firm in the Empire, and will take any case.

Why choose Selm & Associates over our competitors? Simple. Edward Selm is the grandson of the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John d’Arkent, and from a young age Mister Selm has been a devout studier of Imperial jurisprudence. With many trials under his belt, he has at best won every case, and at worse reduced or absolved their sentences.

What about price? Well, for such expert service, we’ve decided to offer some basic legal packages with excellent prices for even the most basic layman.

Contracts - 80 Minas

Need a contract written? Not sure if the agreements you’re drafting are legally sound in a court of law? Selm & Associates will draft you a contract that is legally foolproof.

Criminal & Civil Cases - 100 - 200 Minas

For almost all criminal and civil cases, Selm & Associates will pursue the most effective legal route to success as directed by the client. For legal assistance and an affidavit, only a hundred minas. If the case goes to trial, that’ll make it an extra hundred.

Retainer - 30 Minas a week.

Want insurance against legal liability? Hire Selm & Associates as your personal solicitors, who will make sure every legal issue you come up against is handled to its absolute utmost. This includes drafting contracts, affidavits, and going to trial.

Prices are subject to change.

Don’t have the money right now? Not to worry, we’re happy to set up a payment plan to help you out of a bind. Nobody should be in prison because they didn’t have the help they needed, and we truly believe that.

Please contact us for assistance, our addresses listed below.

Owner, 

Edward Selm ((KP#3486))

Solicitors

Anthony d’Arkent ((yoppl the tarcher#5195))

Valentino Gradic ((Zed#4474))

snip

MOTION TO DISMISS

On behalf of the accused.

These charges are an insult to Imperial jurisprudence, legal precedence, and the intelligence of sane solicitors everywhere. It must be the case that the prosecution was rushed when writing this, for it is a collection of nonsense for which I can not forgive except by the prosecution's explicit apology. They explicitly state that they have no evidence of a crime in the section of this suit meant to supply evidence of a crime.

Whilst wandering the streets, Attorney-General Olivier Halcourt came across a flier that advertised applications for prospective indentured servants. This in itself is not illegal, but after examining some of the verbiage utilized on the flier, the Solicitor discussed with his team and decided upon charges to bring forth to the defendant.

For the sake of argument, I will individually dismantle these charges.

204.1132 - When an individual intentionally or negligently operates as a part of an organization that meets the definition of a private military organization and has not received proper authorization, this shall be an Unauthorized Military Organization in the first degree, a misdemeanor.

Oren Revised Code, CH203 ‘On Unauthorized Military Organizations’

If a few non-uniformed men with weapons are a militia, then my cousins and I are a militia. Besides all that, men should be allowed to hire non-uniformed bodyguards to protect their interests and their homes. If we set the precedence that an employer may not arm his hired help for the sake of protection, then we are truly fools. Even if you disagree with me on this, my client did not even do that, and no evidence was presented he did.

305.061 - Children below the age of ten will not be allowed to engage in any form of labour.

305.064 - Businesses that are found to be in violation of this statute (see: 305.061, 305.062, 305.063) shall be charged with Class E, or economic infringement to the first degree as mandated by the Oren Revised Code.

No evidence was presented that my client hired any children. Why would you even attempt to apply this charge without investigating it's evidentiary basis? 

305.013 - Minors may not consent to contracts, unless ruled otherwise by a magistrate.

This is not a statute you can charge someone under, it is a compellation of the law. It exists so that if a contract enters into the questions of the court, and a child signed it, it is considered null and void.

305.043 - Obscure clauses may not favour the party who created the obscurity.

It is so innately clear that whomsoever filed this suit does not understand contract law. This is not a statute you may charge someone over, it is a stipulation that invalidates contracts that meet this requirement, to be determined by a court of law. 

When next you file a law suit, call on me first. I will ensure it is sensible, for a modest fee.

Yours, and greatly disappointed,

Edward Selm

Attorney at Law

P.S. It is not the 'Year Zero.' It is the year of Our Lord, 1796.

9 minutes ago, Sham404 said:

When the admin bank runs out people will get vortex rewards.

The bank shouldnt run out for any substantial period unless people abuse the system to hoard minas somehow without being taxed. All the upkeep and taxes go back into the admin bank to be recirculated out.

 

If nations overtax players thats their fault and issue to deal with.

 

 

Sure, maybe. I'm just speculating on that subject mostly.

The idea of the admin bank which depletes is great. What happens when votes stop giving people minas? Do we have an instant recession? Do people have to stop charging taxes in their nation because people run out of money too quickly? Depending on the nation, tile upkeep is several hundred minas. Minas, for many players, is kind of difficult to accumulate without voting. Hard to say, there is a good chance the tile upkeep and negative bank interest will make sure the admin shop barely ever runs out. Or not. 

When it comes to trading goods, gating ores behind a time limited mine is a pretty slick idea, probably. Makes ore more valuable, makes manpower more valuable. Makes your individual capable of producing something that other people need, and nobody can make more of it than you faster. This is probably pretty good.

The PvP is pretty much fine. The TPS is great right now and it was made clear (if I'm not mistaken) that being on 1.9 pvp helps a lot with lag and such. It's worth it, for sure, to have to acclimate to this new way of doing things, in favor of keeping the server more stable. Remember the age of unloaded chunks? 

I don't really care about bandits. We haven't had major issues with them, they just run away when we show up, and aren't even that good at 1.9.

If the grind doesn't slow down soon, it's a serious issue. Right now, I don't see us feeling like we can stop grinding for awhile. The real issue here is that  if we want to keep up with the inevitable release of higher tier gear, we have to keep grinding and have a stockpile to support the jump to the next level. We don't want to just match everyone's pace, we want to surpass it. I have had to implement some requirements on ISA soldiers to grind that I really didn't want to do. I want to be able to roleplay with my friends in the ISA, not compel them to grind with me for a few hours to be sure we can keep our roads safe from bandits, and be sure we can match the tier of their gear when we can access it. I find myself grabbing randoms who have full energy off the street just to craft stuff, as well.

Imagine a new player joining a nation or army and being told they have to grind. That's not what I want players to experience. Lots of new players find their roleplay experiences through joining organizations or nations. Now they'll be hamstrung from that experience because of grinding, and I have less time to show them what we have to offer as a server, or an organization, because I'm grinding.

There are aspects that are great, as discussed previously. I'm just pretty ticked off we can't easily get the building materials we always used to get easily. Resource pits were not good for roleplay, but at least everyone could make the places they wanted to roleplay in with ease. Now, we don't need resource pits persay, we can harvest with Vortex still, since it helps with preventing landscarring (this is very good and maybe the best part of vortex), and resource pits are just weird ooc things. There must be options here, but I'm not a tech, so I'm clueless on what could be easy fixes.

Overall, not good. I don't like having to compel people to grind. I don't like grinding. I want to roleplay. This was promised to not be grindy. It is. Needs a fix.

IGN: TangoIsPointless

Name: Philip Augustus

Rank: Lieutenant

Events: All [Except Costume contest]

I wish that the admin team would respond to me 🙂

If you’re not interested in ethnic conflict roleplay, you must not have enjoyed the past 8 years of the server very much.

Boniface,

I write with a heart so heavy with sadness that one who would feign such closeness to the Lord would insult or degrade he who sits on the Immaculate Throne and does the good work of God through His ministry. 
 

You ask for the opinions of the people, but we are not sheep who flock to circumstance of conflict. Our individual relationships with God are not beholden to our rage, our politics or our pride. 
 

James II is like a father to me. He taught me the core of my being should be to know that I am not the adjudicator of the guilty. That it is not for me to say what anyone deserves. That when I see the iniquitous become their inevitable fate, it is but for the grace of God that it is not myself who falls.

I love my Church, my God, and my Holy Father, James II. He is a sinner, and his imperfections are innumerable, but to claim otherwise is nothing short of ignorance. But he is true to the Lord and His will, and knows not to give in to his own hubris when others would have him do their bidding. There is no man who owns my respect more greatly than him, and so it shall be till the day I die.

Philip of Crestfall

8 hours ago, anarchophiliac said:

“You’re not a John Turnbull stop trying to be one.” mentioned Richard Helvets as he read through each treatise, rather unimpressed.

“John Turnbull didn’t even write a thesis,” says John Turnbull.

<--------><--------><-------->

The Centralist

<--------><--------><-------->

For centuries the Empire’s stability would depend on their individual relationship with their vassals, who so often are fickle and self interested. War after war, generation after generation, humanity has anguished. These wars were far too often not over the vision of the Empire, but instead over the interests of ethnic groups, cultural entities and cults of personality whose qualms with the Crown were based on personal insult, opinion, or ideology.

The demolition of subnational government is not a pipe dream, it is a bare and present reality. The representation of the people by their own chosen members of their communities, this is a bare and present reality. Our Government should not share it’s nationhood with any single one of its constituents, nor share with the Imperial Crown a sovereign rule. Our Government should not search for the easiest path to achieve its goals, no matter how altruistic they may be. Tyranny is easy. Good government cannot be easy, and so it cannot have a single head, exempting our sovereign. Our government should be good, and it should have many branches.

The Diet legislates.

Through the power of law, which in Empires past was solely in the hands of the Sovereign and his selected friends, the House of Commons makes the lives of the Cabinet Ministers difficult. They examine them, scrutinize them, regulate them. This is a shield against tyranny, but it is also a symbolic prerequisite for those Minister’s loyalty to the Empire, and the Imperial Crown.

The Court judges.

Never before in the history of mankind have the subjects of an Imperial sovereign had the ability to pursue legal ramifications not only on each other, but even their own government. This is a power, invested by our law and constitution, greater than common folk have ever had before. The Courts scrutinize the law of the Diet, and the acts of the Cabinet, and restrain them from their inevitable overreach.

The Cabinet executes.

Privy Councils were executives, where a Lord Justice both made law and ruled on it, an Archchancellor acted as a sub-Emperor, who operated with all the authority of the Imperial Crown. The Privy Council is done away with. Now the executives are subject to review and scrutiny both through election, the courts, and the Diet. The idea of an authoritarian council of Dukes and vassal Kings is eradicated wholesale.

Yet, this evolution in government is incomplete, and there are those who stand in the way.

The Josephite clings to the Imperial Crown, the establishment, and pretends to absorb themself into it. They are not a branch of government, but rather he seats himself on the shoulder of the sovereign. Their Imperial Majesties are full of grace and love for their people, and the Josephite would pretend this grace and love is their own. His platform is not one of evolution, but of stagnation. He panders to you. He does nothing but warn you, ‘The Everardines will pass ethnic legislation, so you must vote for us.’ He tells you, ’The people are safe, so why do any more?’

The Everardine builds a platform founded on the root of Imperial devolution. He, like the Josephite, is guilty of pandering, relying on voters by promising them subnational government, and the autonomy to form their own nation within a nation, which has since the dawn of the Empire been the core of disaster. He would see elves and others put under human boots, where our elven subjects have become a pillar of the Imperial identity. 

The Josephite is too close to the Crown, and the Everardine is too far.

In the beginning of this essay, and of humanity, wars were fought not over a vision of a better Empire, but instead in the interests of warlords and self-serving politicians. 

The Centralist is not a panderer. The Centralist is a visionary.

He sees the work is never done. He plans for systems to replace the subnational governments, and make every territory and people in the Empire a piece of it, and not something else. 

He sees that talent is rare, and that he should promote equal opportunities for all subjects; not because it will win them votes, but because talent must be put to use. 

He sees that the government and the Crown are not one in the same, that clinging to the status quo and the current peace is easy, and good government should not be easy. Tyranny is easy.

Edward Selm

12th of Harren’s Folly

1788

ADVICE FROM THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Concluded on 10^th of Sigismund’s End, 1788

1. THE COUNTY OF LEUVEN AND BARONY OF GUISE
   1. It is the opinion of the 20^th House of Lords that Count Armande de Falstaff’s disappearance for over 10 years should be considered by the Imperial Courts for a Notice of Legal Death, rendering Albert de Falstaff, as Conrad’s rightful heir, the holder of the allegedly deceased’s titles.
   2. The House of Lords calls Albert de Falstaff to testify to his own legacy and right to hold such venerable titles despite the absence of his family and himself from Imperial service in any substantial tenure.
2. THE NOMINATION OF ARNAUD DE RUYTER FOR PEERAGE
   1. It is the opinion of the 20^th House of Lords that His Excellency, Arnaud de Ruyter, should not be considered for peerage until such a time that his family have served tenures in length and in a generational capacity.
3. THE NOMINATION OF FAROOQ GRAY FOR PEERAGE
   1. It is the opinion of the 20^th House of Lords that His Honor, Farooq Gray, should not be considered for peerage until such a time that his family have served tenures in length and in a generational capacity.
4. THE BARONY OF ARTOIS
   1. It is the opinion of the 20^th House of Lords that an Imperial Peerage may not under any reasonable circumstances be inherited by foreign nationals, which the Lady Artois’ children appear to be as reflected in all records, and due to her marriage to a Haeseni national. Therefore, the 20^th House of Lords recommends that His Excellency, Victor C. Halcourt be named Heir Designate of the Barony of Artois, to be inherited by him upon her death.
5. THE NOMINATION OF ARCEUS REINE FOR PEERAGE
   1. It is the opinion of the 20^th House of Lords that Arceus Reine and his brother Cassius Reine, as well the rest of their family in a smaller capacity, have served loyally, diligently, and with intention and ability to do so in a generational capacity. The 20th House of Lords recommends that Arceus Reine should be given a Baronial peerage by the name of Somerset, a name of their choosing, to ensure they may, with this new name, build a lasting legacy and individual identity.

A sign of the unity and right judgement of Their Imperial Majesty’s most loyal Imperial Grandees, all advice aforementioned was consented to unanimously within this August Body.

Signed,

HIH The Duke of Crestfall 

His Grace The Duke of Sunholdt 

His Grace The Duke of Cathalon 

The Rt. Hon. The Count of Halstaig

The Rt Hon. The Count of Mordskov 

The Rt Hon. The Viscount Pruvia-Provins 

The Rt Hon. The Viscount of Valles

REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW

18th of Sigismund’s End, 1788

THE 20th HOUSE OF LORDS

DESIRES TO SEE THE LEGAL CONTEXT OF THE FOLLOWING REVIEWED

The definition of ‘man’ in the ORC as pertains to section 206.9.

The House of Lords wishes for clarification on whether Adunians shall be considered ‘man’ in this context, as opposed to other ethnic minorities, to ensure the legality of potential marriages and courtships pending certain nobility.

ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLE(S), DOCTRINE(S), EDICT(S) OR ARTICLES OF LAW:

ORC 206.09 - On Miscegenation

206.091 - Where an individual intentionally fornicates with one not of his race, such as man and elf or man and dwarf, this shall be the crime of miscegenation, a misdemeanor.

YOURS HUMBLY,

HIH The Duke of Crestfall

On behalf of the 20th House of Lords, by unanimous consent.

ADVICE FROM THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Concluded on 10^th of Sigismund’s End, 1787

On the nomination of Tuvyic-Carrion obtaining Imperial peerage.

In petition, the Viscount of Valles presents Ostromir Tuvyic-Carrion’s case for Imperial Peerage. After brief discussion on the proof of Tuvyic-Carrion’s lineage brought on by questions from the Duke of Cathalon, the vote proceeded.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS FINDS;

In favor-

Duke Crestfall:  In favor

Duke Sunholdt: In favor

Viscount Pruvia-Provins: In favor

Duke Cathalon:  In favor

Viscount Valles:  In favor

In abstention-

Count Mordskov

Archbishop Albarosa

In opposition-

UNDECIDED-

The members of the House of Lords, vote 7-0-0 in favor of this nomination being given Imperial assent.

Signed,

HIH The Duke of Crestfall 

His Grace The Duke of Sunholdt 

His Grace The Duke of Cathalon 

His Grace The Archbishop of Albarosa 

The Rt Hon. The Count of Mordskov 

The Rt Hon. The Viscount Pruvia-Provins 

The Rt Hon. The Viscount of Valles

____

The first House of Lords session has adjourned and the incumbent Lord Speaker, HIH The Duke of Crestfall, sends a missive to the Novellen Palace in deliverance to His Imperial Majesty. 

“Your Imperial Majesty,

The convened host of grandees at the second meeting of the House of Lords continued discussion regarding Ostromir Tuvyic-Carrion nomination of impeerage peerage and have casted our votes in favor of his nomination being given Imperial assent. For as it stands the House votes in favor of the nomination of the Barony of Woldzmir with a vote of 5-0-2. The House of Lords will convene at a later date to continue our function as the upper house of the Imperial Diet.”

Twentieth Imperial Diet, House of Lords, 1787

Having been elected as speaker from among those lords Their Imperial Majesties summoned to sit in the upper chamber of the eighteenth Imperial Diet, HIH The Duke of Crestfall takes the stand. As the other grandees find their seats in the marble tower of Novellen, he begins at once.

“Most esteemed lords,

Today we shall call to order the first sitting of the House of Lords in the nineteenth Imperial Diet. I shall now commence with the roll.”

A legislative clerk walks with his head lowered towards the Duke of Crestfall, providing him a scroll with the names of the attendees. He begins to recite them in order of the Emperor’s summons:

HIH The Duke of Crestfall @BenevolentManacles

His Grace The Duke of Sunholdt @erik0821

His Grace The Duke of Cathalon @Fishy

His Grace The Archbishop of Albarosa @Caranthir_

The Rt Hon. The Count of Mordskov @Mirtok

The Rt Hon. The Viscount Pruvia-Provins @Bawg

The Rt Hon. The Viscount of Valles @grnappa

As our duty to be stewards of the order and law of the realm is a charge given by the Imperial Crown, but also beholden to God Almighty, let us begin with a prayer.

The Duke of Crestfall invites the present clergyman, The Archbishop of Albarosa, to lead the prayer scripted by His Holiness, James II.

“O God, we thank You for giving us another day.

We beseech You, bless the members of this House gathered here with the gifts of the Exalted: Horen’s mercy, Owyn’s purity, Godfrey’s justice, and Sigismund’s wisdom. Let that the Virtue should shine through them in the coming deliberations. You are the Most Merciful and the Most Wise: we pray that You keep our nation safe always.

May all that is done today be done for Your glory. Amen.”

With the conclusion of the prayer, the Duke of Crestfall proceeds.

“As is our obligation at the promulgation of every diet, each lord must recite the ancient Nauzican Oath of fealty to the Crown in order to sit.”

The Duke of Crestfall responds with an ‘Amen’ before he raises his hand as he stands before a lectern, imploring all of his colleagues to follow suit: at once the peers rise, as individual assistants scramble to provide their superiors with the proper paperwork. Once all were ready, they collectively spoke:

”I swear to be true to the Emperor and the realm and not to maintain silence about any evil that I may know which is being contemplated against them. I swear to work tirelessly to the betterment of the Empire and the Orenian people that comprise it. I swear also not to eat or drink with traitors and not to have anything in common with them, and always to defend the honor of the gentlemen I serve. This I swear by the Holy Scrolls.”

At the conclusion of the oath, the Duke of Crestfall laid forth the proceeding business of the House.

((This is a forum roleplay post, predominantly for absentee voting and session records. Only players with characters in the House of Lords are present in the room and able to reply.))

Philip prepares to do great battle against these rats, who would threaten his family.

Edward Selm points a frail finger at Skingaard, his friend and colleague, “This’s the sort of **** that makes money, hit ‘em hard.”

The sickly lawyer launches into a coughing fit before taking a sip of his whiskey.