BenevolentManacles

Nyseia reads the letter before frowning deeply,

 

“A soldier follows orders. A soldier shouldn’t need to apologize.”

Nyseia nods, having done his duty in curtailing the Morsgradi war party.

John accidentally drops his ballot, and drops his entire glass of whiskey on it. 

“Who knew my father was so popular, so posthumously,” John laughs.

((Damn this is really nasty she’s a kid trying to have fun and none of these are serious roleplay responses

John bobs his head, grateful to see his loyal opposition embarking on their own fair and glorious mission!

↔ A Summary Response to the Everardines Methods of Campaign ↔ 

 

Sir Terrence May addresses the First Josephite Summit.

 

To those whom it may concern,

 

The Everardine faction’s many supporters are our most glorious allies in the forging of principle, procedure and precedence in the House of Commons. Together, through forging bonds between those whom we represent, we shall establish a platform upon which respectful debate can be held.

 

I have noticed, of late, that many of our constituents feel persecuted by those with Everardine sentiments. Some of your constituents have even made publications accusing Josephites of atheism, the support of heresy, and so on.

 

These are baseless accusations. I am your Emperor’s Chief Justice, and I assure you that accusing Terrence May, Konrad Stafyr, Edward Napier, myself, and many other devout Canonists of such heinous crimes is an easy case to win in court if sued for libel. This letter will be our only response to these deceitful claims. After this letter, we will ignore such accusations should they continue. We find it not worth our time to play fact-checker.

 

“His party is filled with established, corrupt bureaucrats who hardly leave their palatial estates unless it is to receive a bribe from the Carrington monopoly.”

 

I am the only member attending the Josephite Summit who has a palace. None of us are corrupt even in the most misconstrued definition of the word. You accused Sir Terrence May, Sir Konrad Stafyr, myself, Edward Napier, Joseph Adler, Godfrey Briarwood, and many other honorable and long-standing officials and denizens of the Empire of being corrupt shamelessly with no evidence. 

 

“His party supports interacial marriage, big corporations, and Anti-Canonist sentiments.”

 

This is false. We do not support interracial marriages, and we do not propagate anti-Canonist sentiment. We are secularists, which demands a level of separation from Church and state that we already have in many areas of government. I love my Church, as do my fellow Josephites.

 

“A product of incest and a promulgator of apostasy, His (Antonius) Former Imperial Majesty would’ve been an excellent candidate for the Josephite list.”

 

Of course he would not. We Josephites base our ideals on my father’s hate for tyranny. This is demagoguery without foundation. I have fought for fifty years against such tyrannies. A personal insult, unfounded.

 

“They do not live the reality of most of mankind: who seeks to protect their family, their demesne, their nation and their people.”

 

We do everything we can to protect our families, demesne, nations, and people. We have all fought, side by side, for decades against terrible enemies of us all. This is a heinous and terrible thing to say.

 

We will not pursue the path you have chosen thus far. We do not intend to make our disagreements a battle, in the courts or otherwise. We will not attack you and your ideologies except where we find them misplaced on principle of policy. We will not paint you as demons seeking to drag our progress into the depths of history. We will not be demagogues. 

 

You may win some votes by creating a divide among your constituents and ours, and by claiming that we are what a few of you have said we are. Even now, daily, I receive complaints of harassment and accusations from the street, where my friends are called heretics and evil, enemies of Orenia.

 

This is not acceptable. This is not how gentlemen conduct themselves. Not only will this not win you many seats, though, but any seats you win will be stained with this conduct.

 

I propose that, instead of publishing disingenuous articles, you meet us on the debate stage. Myself, Sir Terrence, and Edward Napier shall debate any three of your choosing. I will not accept any such debate without a sincere commitment that you will curtail any such deceitful methods of campaigning that I have described.

 

I await your letter accepting my challenge and those three you would pit against us. Let us have a debate of ideas, not deceit.

 

The Duke Sunholdt, KCHE

 

 

↔ Minutes from the First Josephite Summit ↔ 

 

 

Inkeeping with our eternal goals of legislative transparency, and to share the inner workings of our leadership’s procedures with those who would take interest, the Josephite Committee, chaired by Sir Terrence May, sees fit to publish for the public record the minutes from the First Josephite Summit at Selm in it’s entirety.

 

 

Sir John: “Let us call ourselves to session.”

Sir Terrence May: “Yes, yes.”

Sir John: “Now, we have a few things to discuss, but the agenda we published is very clear. The first step is to design our leadership. And do not huddle together like penguins, this is a library not the frozen wastes.”

Joseph Clement: “If I may.”

Sir John: “Speak, my Duke.”

Cyrus: “Get to speaking, not a lot of us have time to waste.”

Sir Jahan: “Baba, don't be rude.”

Joseph Clement: “I have given thought to this, brethren, and for the sake of justice and service I think we should give all things to seniority. Seniority of service to the State which we all adore.”

 Lauritz Christiansen: “Competent service or just service?”

Sir John: “What do you propose happens if Dane is the last man standing, eh?”

Joseph Clement: “Then I think we've failed, your Grace.”

Sir John: “Fairly pointed. Any other opinions, then?”

Joseph Clement: “It is in our interests to place our men, and receive men, from positions of service. It is the fairest thing. I imagine the Everardines plan some… agnatic succession.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “If I may?”

Sir John: “This is not a schoolhouse, we're comrades.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “So competent service or just service?”

Sir John: “Talk to you brothers. And sister,” he adds.

Sir Terrence May: “The gentleman is recognized.” He nods to Jonah.

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “The Duke Clement is right, but alongside that we must choose leadership of men who holds vision.”

Joseph Clement: “Service, Lauritz. I do not think we need some vehicle for competence.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Our respectable opposition lacks a forward vision.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “They thrive off of attacking us,” He grunts, nodding in agreement. “It's all they know how to do.”

Sir John: “We must design this leadership to have an unmistakable system of succession.”

Joseph Clement: “I certainly concur with the good Ensign.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “The opposition cannot propose a vision of their own, so they resort to demagoguery.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “We need vision. And I would hope that the veterans have one. I will support those who came before if they know what comes after. That is all.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “The opposition's vision is the reversal of what has brought us to this in the first plan. They seek not to move forward, but backward.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Hence why they endeavor to hide it so, Lauritz.”

Sir John: “I believe that, within our ideologies, we wield many different beliefs as our weapons. A singular leader, with a committee surrounding him. Does this suit those gathered?”

Joseph Clement: “Take three men, or two, or one. Seniority most in service to the State. Let he who is eldest take the helm of ship, the two others his comrades in leadership.”

Edward Williams: “The Josephite National Committee. I think that's a great idea, Your Grace.”

Angelika Eleanora: “Da, they do attack us. Just before leaving Haense, my political experience and competance were criticized for simply being a Josephite.”

Sir John: “Worry not for the Everardines. We speak of ourselves today. We shall slap them at the booth, fret not.”

Joseph Clement: “Oh, but let us not call these things committees. It ought to be as a sworn brotherhood, an organization of good comrades.”

Rha'Kir: “This one can confirm. He stood next to her when a certain lord Amador ridiculed her for her beliefs.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Indeed… So too was I criticized, Angelika.”

Sir John: “Order, order. I have no gavel, so I will bang my cane on the wooden planks.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Just shout.”

Sir John: “Terrence and I are the most senior of officers.”

Rha'Kir: “Though, must this one say, the Everardines are using a critical aspect to gain certain favor.”

Sir John: “I said order, Kha. One thing at a time.”

Cyrus: “There is only one person that is fit through their long years of service and I believe that Senator May is the one to take the head. In my time as Senator, he managed to get us through Peter de Sarkozy's insanity and ran a tight ship.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Ah, Peter de Sarkozy is a prime example of service not equalling competence!”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Aye, it should be May. He's one of the greatest politicians and legislators of our age.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Where is Ted?”

Joseph Clement: “Let us not slander the good treasurer. He was fiendishly competence. Too much so, in fact, Lauritz.”

Edward Williams: “I also support Sir Terrence May as leader of the Josephite Faction.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “If anyone can lead us to an electoral victory, it is him.”

Sir John: “Very well, then we are in agreement. Do you take the charge, Sir May?”

Lauritz Christiansen: “I think it should be Ted Napier.”

Cyrus: “Where is Ted Napier?”

Joseph Clement: “Ted Napier is young. Too far below in the seniority.”

Sir John: “Focus, or we will be here all day.”

Edward Williams: “Is he even here?” He'd blink, unable to see Ted Napier within the room.

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Someday, perhaps… But May should take charge for the time being.”

Godfrey Briarwood: “My vote is with Sir May.”

Sir Jahan: “I concur.”

Edward Williams: “My vote is also with Sir May” he'd conclude.

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Best to have a strong name and a prestigeous resume going into the general election.”

Sir John: “Sir May, we ask you to wear the mantle of liberty and hold it in our name. What say you?”

Joseph Clement: “Let Sir Terrence serve as our helmsman, with Sir John and next in seniority for his comrades.”

Angelika Eleanora: “Da, I agree. Senator May is an experienced, loyal, intelligent, and competent man. I can't think of a better man to serve as our helmsman.”

Sir Terrence May: “Oh, goodness brothers I.. I merely agreed to come here to preside over what will be a map of the future. However, if this august group sees me worthy to lead our cause, I will do so with my entire being.”

Cyrus: “Just say yes, you old fool.”

Sir Jahan: “Oh just accept the position before we change our minds.”

Cyrus: “No need to draw it out with pointless speech.”

Sir John: “He has said yes. Now, Chairman Terrence.”

Sir Terrence May: “Sir John, firstly… Before we proceed that is. This group represents the vision that your kin rallied us all half a century ago. It is here in your residence that we have decided to choose liberty and justice for our people. I take this office reluctantly, but with remembrance to you as well. Now simply that you have hosted us, but because of what your name represents to us all. And in service and with dedication, I pledge that we will preserve the integrity of Emperor Joseph Marna with our voice and our actions on behalf of a generation of Orenians that will follow us.”

Joseph Clement: “Harken ye sons of liberty!”

Sir John: “Hear hear.”

Sir Terrence May: “Hear, hear!”

Cyrus: “Hear hear!”

Angelika Eleanora: “Hear, hear!” 

Sir John: “But, Sir Terrence, we must not tarry.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Hear hear.”

Sir Jahan: “Hear hear!”

Lauritz Christiansen: “It's harken all ye sons of liberty.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Hear hear!”

Sir John: “We must select your committee, before these men get too drunk to think. And I would nominate Ted Napier, in absentia.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Ah, yes, Ted Napier, excellent choice.”

Angelika Eleanora: “I second.”

Sir Terrence May: “The Napiers have been a strong advocate and ally in my career in Helena.”

Véres Draskovits: “Secretary Napier, yes.”

Sir John: “Without objection then, eh? Do we have other nominees?”

Joseph Clement: “Sir John himself!”

Véres Draskovits: “Sir John, aye!”

Cyrus: “I agree with Sir John's nomination.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Clement. Nominate Clement.”

Joseph Clement: “Let you three form a cabal of our leadership.”

Sir Jahan: “I support this nomination.”

Joseph Clement: “Oh, I am much too young. I refuse.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Aye, Napier would be good.” He nods in agreement.

Lauritz Christiansen: “You've served the state longer than Napier, did you not want seniority of service?”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “He seems like a promising lad.”

Sir John: “We are too far from an office capable of organizing the massive endeavor we partake upon.”

Joseph Clement: “I am inclined to think it vulgar for myself to join in any capacity, Lauritz.”

Sir John: “Let us have five members of the committee, no?”

Joseph Clement: “Three! Five is burdensome.”

Edward Williams: “I also support Secretary Napier as a member of the committee” he'd say.

Lauritz Christiansen: “Three.”

Cyrus: “We need one more then!”

Sir Terrence May: “I support Secretary Napier and the Baron of Selm.”

Joseph Clement: “We've three already! Let us put it to rest.”

 Lauritz Christiansen: “May, Napier and d'Arkent, what a beautiful triumvirate of Josephite ideology.”

Joseph Clement: “May, Napier, Selm. Hip hip for that!”

Sir John: “Three, then, very well.”

Urrigon Drumm: “Oi always fought Nappy 'ad a gifted mind.”

Sir John: “Now, the next item on the agenda. How is the next Party Leader chosen? Terrence will, of course, live immortally, so this is only in case he resigns.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Just let the man pick himself.”

Joseph Clement: “Out of you three in order of seniority.”

Cyrus: “Should we not elect our next party leader? Follow the path that we have set the empire on?”

Joseph Clement: “Pah! You'd do away with all experience, Cyrus.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “I reckon a two-thirds vote of Josephite delegates, in order to maintain unity.”

Sir John: “We all value democracy, but it can be the undoing of stability with something as fragile as we have.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “If we saw May fit to lead the party, then we ought to be able to find him capable of choosing his own successor.”

Sir John: “I agree. Let the Chair select his successor.”

Cyrus: “I don't want this to become an old man's club, we need those capable to be elected as May's successor if the unthinkable happens.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Agreed, May should nominate his successor.”

Sir John: “With the agreement of at least one committee member, let us say that, then, aye?”

Joseph Clement: “Surely. I can agree to this.”

Edward Williams: “Perhaps the best would be just to hold a new Convention and decide the new leader there.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Very good.”

Sir Terrence May: “Oh goodness me..” He begins to blush..

Edward Williams: “But as you all prefer, of course.”

Sir John: “Then we are decided there, as well. Now, onto the next item on the agenda. I wish to walk away today with three key points of our platform. Ones with strong arguments, that will win votes.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Is it wedding time yet, Drumm?”

Sir John: “I open the floor to you all, of course.”

Joseph Clement: “Liberty, life, and trial. Simple.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “If I may, Duke Clement.”

Urrigon Drumm: “A bit longa.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Our creed is not an argument.”

Joseph Clement: “No, very fair, Ensign.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Very good, very good.” He nods to Urrigon.

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Jonah, please. I'm set to resign anyways.”

Sir John: “So then let us examine our creed.”

Aren Ault: “That is Liberty, is it not good Kha?”

 Sir John: “Here is a fair argument I have thought on for some time, help me with this. The Courts, the Diet, the Cabinet. Instruments all born of the Emperor's will, but by the Emperor's grace, he subjugates these bodies to the people's electorate. They are, without argument, instrumental to our economic blossom, our progress, and our worth.”

Rha'Kir: “This one is certainly for liberty. It is not as if I'd still have my fur if this one stood in an Everardine party. I endorse those who are open for others.”

Sir John: “It is easy to say, then, that here, the Josephites have already given you these three. Why would you not elect that which offers us such an emerald place in the world?”

Joseph Clement: “But we need something more particular, is that not right? Positive results.”

Angelika Eleanora: “I think we must address the subject of the Church. The Evardines have been accusing us of heresy and using our supposed 'hatred' for the Church against us.”

Sir John: “Agreed, with the lady in the back.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “We should not respond to attacks like that, though. Lest it seems like we are defensive.”

Rha'Kir: “One of the Everardines we encountered addressed that as their main argument.”

Sir John: “Here is my thought on that.”

Edward Williams: “I agree with her. The Everardines are constantly accusing us of being atheists and heretics.”

Sir Terrence May: “I should like to give a speech to this group that I have so prepared so as to outline our past and what we could offer for the future.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Ah, Terrence, can we speak in private after this, by the way?”

Sir John: “Give it, Chairman.”

Joseph Clement: “Let us hear the helmsman!”

Sir John: “Step up the stairs, Sir Terrence. Lauritz, give him the steps.”

Sir Terrence May: “Stairs..” 

Sir John: “You can do it.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Terrence struggles with stairs.”

Joseph Clement: “The first step! Be careful now.”

Sir Jahan: “The first step is always the hardest.”

Sir Terrence May: “This election represents the best of our great nation. Gathered in the Heartland of the Empire, we are reminded of what we have fought so valiantly to obtain- the Rights of LIFE, LIBERTY, and TRIAL and the courage to govern with these principles. Sir Terrence May: “Nearly fifty years ago, I remembered the movement against tyranny as we coalesced behind the words at Nenzing to oppose a regime that had wronged so many of our fathers and their fathers. We must strive, therefore, to prevent the shackles of tyranny to bind us up and silence our voices with misinformation. We must be witnesses of social harmony and progress, devoting ourselves to build an Oren that incorporates the many people that lift up our lives! When I came to the Senate nearly thirty years ago, I spoke on the Senate as a ‘Conscience of the State’, the idea that we as elected people who represent all aspects of the Empire. We, the citizens, have a responsibility to uphold the moral character of our government in honoring the social obligation of governing and governed. The people need to continue to be determinants of their path. Guided by their god-given rights, , it is our responsibility today to ensure that no citizen is subject to the vices of malicious powers. My friends, it is in fact the most profound duty we have as citizens in this age. Not only are we here because we agree on a certain principle. We are here out of love and compassion to the welfare of every individual that calls this Empire their home! That is why we passed laws to ensure juries provide judgment of an accused by their peers! That is why we passed laws to promote the advertisement of small businesses and tax breaks to new entrepreneurs to place in our economic success! That is why we passed laws to promote transparency in government, ensuring that every voter knows what their lawmakers are doing! That is why we passed education grants to further research and uplift an educated and informed youth! That is why we passed funding reserves for clinics, promoting the innovation and compassion of medicine to treat our citizens who have a RIGHT TO LIFE! That is why we passed Civil Unions, allowing those non-humans who have come to make Oren their home to receive the benefits of recognizing their union! And so my friends!” He pauses to catch his breath. Together, the Josephite vision can achieve what centuries of history have sought before us: That of a country where prosperity maintains its longevity, enshrined by the perfect contract of what it means to be a citizen.”

Sir John: “To be Orenian.”

Sir Terrence May: “Thank you!” 

Joseph Clement: “Well put, Sir Terrence, but what new!?” 

Edward Williams: “Hurrah!” He'd exclam as he continues clapping for Sir May.

Joseph Clement: “I should think there's a reason this coalition has arisen against us. What new? We cannot run only on our accomplishments. We require a forward vision.”

Sir John: “The coalition that stands before us,” he remarks as he climbs with his own cane.

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Might I say something?”

Sir John: “Speak, Jonah.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “About our vision.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “It's a shoddy one, granted. The coalition that is.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “I am a Harrenite. Two hundred years ago, I would be an outlaw on the basis of my birth. Two hundred years ago, that Kha would be a rug. And Urrigon would likely be in a cave somwhere, grumbling about the Empire of the Heartlands.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “That Kha would have been a rug fifty years ago, too.”

Sir John: “Ten, maybe.”

Rha'Kir: “Not even that.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Look where we are now. We own businesses, we have served and know those who do serve in the army, the constables, and so on.”

Rha'Kir: “But right now, this one is a citizen of the Empire as well as a succesful business owner.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “I have the opportunity, to be a Man, once again.”

Sir John: “Let us take also, the example of Sir Terrence. Is he noble? No.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “I have taken this opportunity, which was ensured by the Josephites.”

Sir John: “Well, he is noble. But he is not of noble blood.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Our vision is this: Opportunity.”

Sir John: “Well said, Jonah.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “You see a man on the street and he asks you 'why am I a Josephite? You see a man on the street and he asks you 'why am I a Josephite? Why must I vote for you? You tell him that you fought for him to have the opportunity in the first place. Opportunity is the word we must all know if we are to win. I reckon I'll shut up now.”

Sir John: “Opportunity! Yes. And proof of our previous success, yes.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Thank you, gentlemen.”

Angelika Eleanora: “Well said.”

Sir John: “Sir Konrad, you have remained silent. What say you, esteemed Sir?”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Ah yes…” 

Sir John: “Take the steps.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Friends… Nearly fifty years ago to this day, I had the honor of riding with Joseph Marna himself, along with my colleague Sir John of Sunholdt. Things were very different then.”

Sir John: “Of Nowhere, back then.”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “The roads were unsafe, and the the government of the Empire tyranical,” He continues, letting out a deep sigh. “After the young child emperor, Alexander, came to the throne… We began to travel down a long road. A road toward achieving peace and prosperity, strength and stability- A world in which generations to come can live without the fear of tyranny and bloodshed. Joseph Marna might have lost the physical war, but his ideologies have won the war of ideas. Let us now allow this work that we have done, that we have all striven toward, to have been in vain. The Everdinians seek to reverse our progress and plunge us back into an era of darkness. Should they have their way, our progress toward achieving good government and a future for our children will have been in vain. They seek to antagonize us. They do not rely on facts, only fiction and the power of emotions. We must be better than them. Marna would have wanted it no other way.”

Sir John: “So do we address them, Sir Konrad! Do we address their slander?”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Aye, we do, but we do not focus on the slander being hurled at us. We must win based on the power of our ideas, and never, /ever/ sink to their level.”

Sir John: “Agreed, hear hear!”

Edward Williams: “Hear, hear!”

Sir Konrad Stafyr: “Only through proving to the people of the Empire that we are IN THE RIGHT may we ride to victory over the forces of regression and evil. And that is all I have to say on the matter. I shan't bore you any longer with an old man's ramblings,” He says as he steps down from the stairs.

Joseph Clement: “Well put, Konrad. Well put.”

Sir Terrence May: “Thank you everybody. What is our platform now? Let's think about the future, you all have children, don't you?”

Sir John: “Perhaps Jonah can summarize for us.”

Sir Terrence May: “Why ask me when you can think of them? Ah? Jonah, please.” 

Sir John: “Let us keep the theatrics to a minimum here, we have business here. Summarize our platform, dear Jonah. Take the steps, boy.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Our platform should be this. The expansion of opportunity, and the preservation of liberty. We, the Josephites. Shall protect an individuals rights to life, liberty, and trial. From the Everardines. Yet we must be careful not to call them unpatriotic.”

Edward Williams: “I agree with Jonah. The Everardines are also orenians like us after all.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “And we must emphasize this! Our brothers across the aisle are lost. Lost in old thinking.”

Edward Williams: “But If I may. Another word that I would include in the definition you've just made of our platform is: Progress.”

Angelika Eleanora: “Da. And perhaps if we treat them with respect, they will deliver the same respect to us.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Progress! Progress, Master Williams.You found the golden word. Master Williams has found the golden word, my friends. We run on Progress, Opportuntiy, and the Protection of the two.”

Edward Williams: “Progress” he'd repeat to himself “Is the golden word of our movement.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “If you are to run for the House, use these words.”

Sir John: “Good, I think we have developed a clear platform with which to mount our legislation upon. Now, let us speak on what we must campaign on the back of. Legislation. What will we legislate!?”

Joseph Clement: “Shall we not at the very least establish who shall be doing the legislation? The list needs finalization, I say.”

Sir John: “Oh, yes, of course!”

 Joseph Clement: “The Ministry's calling for lists. We must have ours in as soon as is possible. I have a draft, if curious.”

Sir John: “Show us the draft, then.”

Joseph Clement: “Or at least- provisionally so. I did not know so many would come… The single factor, for equity and experience sake, was seniority in service. Now being fair I do not know some of these men, nor where they have served. Things may be altered accordingly to good scrutiny.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Read it aloud, John!”

Sir John: “Number One, Sir Terrence May. Number Two, Joseph Adler. Then, Cyrus Basrid. Then Siegmund Corbish. Then Sir Konrad Stafyr. Sixth, Edward Napier. Seventh, Godfrey Briarwood. Eight, Jonah Elendil. Ninth, Mary Philippa. Tenth, Angelika Vanir. Eleventh, Edward Williams. Twelfth, Edward Selm. Then Rennard Amador. Then Cecil Halcourt. Then Aren Ault. That is fifteen.”

Sir Jahan: “Am I not included?”

Sir John: “You are the Count Susa.”

Joseph Clement: “No, sir, you are Count of Susa.”

Sir John: “You cannot run.”

Sir Jahan: “Oh you're talking about the House of Commons.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Can I run?”

Joseph Clement: “Why wouldn't you?”

Sir John: “He wed a Baroness.”

Joseph Clement: “Ah….”

Sir John: “I don't think you can, no.”

 Lauritz Christiansen: “Does my wife's peerage disallow me?”

 Joseph Clement: “A curious conundrum.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “I'm not eligible for the House of Lords, surely.”

Rha'Kir: “Hmm. You are a grey zone.”

Sir John: “Put the question to the Supreme Court if it bothers you much.”

Jonah Stahl Elendil: “Play it safe and say you aren't, for now?”

Joseph Clement: “I would think yes - you are not a lettered peer, but you are wed one.”

Edward Williams: “Your Grace. Wouldn't it be wiser to elevate Edward Napier from number 6 to number 2 in the list? He's part of the national committee underneath it all.”

Sir John: “I agree, Williams. Without objection?”

Joseph Clement: “I think Mister Williams makes a valid point. Committee members being given precedence, I suppose. But you yourself disbarred.”

Sir Terrence May: “Very well, without objection.”

Sir John: “Sir Terrence, is Corbish going to be actively participating?”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Move Mary Philippa up the list as well. I wanted her to succeed me as Senator of Helena.”

Sir Terrence May: “I shall speak to the people on this list and make any final revisions with the committee.”

Joseph Clement: “Mary served long as undersecretary of the Treasury, but I know not how long. She has been ever present. I think you might be right, Lauritz.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “However, Mary is in the same grey zone as myself, no?”

Sir John: “Aye, Sir Terrence, Napier and I will look closer upon the list and decide from there.”

Joseph Clement: “However!”

Sir Terrence May: “Yes?”

Sir John: “This is a good place to start, Duke Helena.”

Joseph Clement: “Our fair lady Mary- she is wed to a baron. The Baron Carrington.”

Lauritz Christiansen: “Just as I was about to say.”

Joseph Clement: “As such, it seems she is in the same grey area.”

Sir John: “Hm. We should put the question to the Courts, frankly. Which of you will file a request for judicial review?”

Joseph Clement: “I will do so myself.”

Rha'Kir: “This one has a question?”

Sir John: “Very well. Speak, rug- er, Kha. Forgive me, I am old.”

Sir Terrence May: “Very good. Forgive me friends, I must depart from our wonderful convocation. You all know where my office is!” He smiles.

Sir John: “G'day, Sir Terrence.”

Joseph Clement: “Aye sir, God bless you Sir Terrence. And most, God save the Emperor.”

Edward Williams: “God save the Emperor” he'd repeat.

Signed,

Sir Terrence May, Chairman of the Josephite Committee

Sir John d’Arkent, Committee Member

Edward Napier, Committee Member
 

If you don’t want firearms, you don’t have to use them.

 

We can easily make sure any combat is nerfed in the same way we nerf magic usage through specific emotes and power levels.

 

It’s fun RP for the groups that want to use them. It’s flavor RP, exciting and new. 

 

a morsgradi spymaster is caught and executed for studying tech in helena

(credit to @Ark)

10 minutes ago, cruzazul said:

Armande de Falstaff is curious as to why he is not worthy of such an invite considering his family’s sacrifice to the cause, and their obvious prevalence and importance that was at the heart of this and subsequently could be seen as a foundational piece of this entire ideal. Too busy dealing with creatures amuck to the East though it wouldn’t weigh on his mind for long...

(one day I’ll be cool enough to play with the big boys ? ) @Piov @BenevolentManacles

Sir John decides to sponsor his very distant cousin so he can come play if he wants. @cruzazul

 

 

Dear John E. Pruvia,

 

Jep, I hope I find you well. I write to you from my study in Selm, which you have so deftly dodged visiting for far too long. 

 

Let me tell you, if you will, of Callahan. He has made a goal of asserting himself the designer of our Josephite platform. I assure you, good Jep, and I hope you share this with your conservative brothers; Callahan speaks only for himself. He has seen fit to sew dissent and portray our Josephite movement as whatever he sees fit, when it is still an infant being swaddled. Does he intend to drive a wedge between us, create a battleground where we should have a hall of voices? Perhaps not, perhaps he is a well-read narcissist, who would seek to make an argument out of self-righteousness. Perhaps he is misled, thinking he is doing right, thinking he is presenting one of the most important questions of our time that must be answered now, and not before we are prepared to speak on it.

 

Yet, our system is so terribly young, and we must wait to consider such important questions until we have been dressed out of our swaddling clothes. As we oppose each other, I am your opposition in the most loyal sense of the word. You and I, comrades in the theater of the Orenian ideal, within which we differ and so we debate, but not battle.

 

If there is a man alive who can detail the intentions of Joseph, it is I, his son. My father failed in many things, but I assure you that his ideals were not meant to be twisted to some inflammatory platform for some democratic legislature to be formed decades after his death.

 

As the Josephite platform and agenda develops, I will never consider the sponsorship of legalizing heresy. God gives us our Emperor, but does he then not also give us our Diet and our Courts?

 

With warm regards,

 

His Grace, Sir John d’Arkent, KCHE

Duke of Sunholdt, Baron of Selm

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

 

P.S. You are not a mess. But you might sweat on the debate floor!

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

The Imperial Josephite Convention at Selm

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

 

The elected bodies of legislation into factional entities representing the ideals of Imperial Subjects across their broad spectrums of  core ideals have been reformed. We call those invited to the Barony Selm to discuss the list itself, as well as our legislative agenda going forward. If you wish to attend but are not included in this invitation, you need only be sponsored by any of the individuals on the invitee list. Here, we declare the first Josephite Convention at Selm. For the purposes of organization, Sir Terrence May and  Sir John d’Arkent shall sit as presiding officers over the convention itself, as the most senior of Imperial officers.

 

THE AGENDA

• Faction leadership and structure.
• The Josephite List.
• Policy and agenda.
• Campaign planning.

 

THE INVITEES

• Duke Joseph Clement
• Sir Terrence May, GCM
• Sir Konrad Stafyr, KM
• Sir Jahan Basrid, KM
• Godfrey Briarwood
• Joseph Adler
• Vivica Rutledge
• Edward Napier
• Cyrus Basrid
• Charles Henry d’Arkent
• Siegmund Corbish
• Mary Philippa d’Arkent
• Edward Selm
• Cecil Halcourt
• Rennard Amador

 

((Saturday 04/18 at 6PM EST))

 

 

John applauds the level of legal aptitude it took to find this conspicuous loophole.

John applauds this man reasoned criticism from his study in Selm’s library. He turns to his grandson Edward, “Why do you not write like this man!”

John scratches his head,

 

“If this is true, it is sad. The courts shall see to it.”

 

John puts 10213216t4512312312 minas on KBR.

John throws his closet open. His favorite black robes are missing.

 

“Basrid!” He curses.

John contemplates the missive with a furrowed brow,

 

“What strange times, these,” he remarks to his grandson Edward as he takes a long drink from his whiskey. “I suppose it is the nature of the defamed dragons of yesteryear to seek solace amongst elves, who know so little of governance, they misunderstand even that he is their King.”

 

He crumples it up and tosses it across the room leisurely with a sigh.

 

“You see, Edward. Stupid men from bygone time have been purged from the cradle of our Empire for decades now. They were taught to manipulate, and abuse, and terrorize in order to reign. To instill fear of death and install legions of village rapists masquerading as knights to do their heresies. When they find themselves in a world they do not understand, that does not kiss their boots for killing their fathers, they are bewildered, and sink into whatever pretty elven shithole they can find. This is one such example. A Baron Sutica, who dismantles their non-government for his own non-Kingship. Long may he reign, Corwein von Gargalax.”

 

He closes his remarks to the confused Edward, who had hardly listened or understood. The boy simply nodded.

 

“Yes, grandfather.”

John drinks, even more.

6 hours ago, frill said:

“John of nowhere makes a legal judgement on matters that have no basis in law and further tries to legislate provision to force his screed to function as a law, disregarding both the senate and sense itself. Any of those mentioned would be a fool to take this seriously, and twice so if they ever pay such a ludicrous fine. Why have senators voting on laws if all you need is one adulterer with a duchy and a gavel?” A Harrenite whig snorts, fingers curling from the paper in disgust as he feels some apprehension at even holding a document so fundamentally offensive to his sensibilities.

 

3 hours ago, Enlightenment said:

John the Roach Varoche chuckled as he read the judgement, talking to himself as he often did these days, “First the Lorrainians and now me John? I’m sure you’ll pay for your sins someday... but alas, it’s a good thing I left Helena years ago. But do watch yourself, dear cousin, I will remember this gross abuse of power.. as will my family...”

John scratches his chin, 

 

“Not only did I not make this ruling, for it was the Emperor’s ruling that I simply make public on his behalf, but the perpetrators did pay the fine. The Emperor’s word is, of course, law.”

Imperial Judgement on Pretender Nobility

 

Issued on the 14th of the Sun’s Harvest, 1761

 

By order of His Imperial Majesty, Peter III, those who declare themselves of the House Vilacz or Varoche are henceforth to be baseborn pretenders.

 

For failure to supply their legend in proper and claiming title and blood greater than their personage, these pretenders are charged fifty-thousand minas, ten thousand for each pretender’s head. The alternative to paying this fine is their execution.

 

Through this unilateral ruling of the Emperor, we observe judgement of those who would dare wear crowns when unearned or not inherited, or claim lineages they are vaguely in relation to. Nobility is a status given only by His Imperial Majesty, and through the bodies which he permits to grant it. 

 

Those who would claim some level of blood, crown, name or title or name not befit their de facto status should expect the same judgement, from His Imperial Majesty, and through his precedence, the Imperial Courts as well.

 

Onwards, to Providence!

 

His Grace, Sir John d’Arkent

Duke of Sunholdt, Baron of Selm,

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

John can know nothing but rage. Those who tell him his daughter is dead, he rebuffs with cascades of insults.

 

“Liars, you all. Brutal creatures of darkness come to swallow me with your deceptions. My daughter will not die before me.”

 

They shrink away from him, the pair of women that admitted his daughter’s death to him. Their eyes water as his rage builds, and they continue down the street, or wherever is away from the violent, cruel man he embodied.

 

John lets a grin spread across his face, his teeth gritted tightly behind it. His dead daughter had hated him, and made it more than clear. He had resolved to spend the last days of his life teaching her of his undying affection before he himself would fall into the river to heaven. He believed that he could, if he threw everything he was to it, prove to her that he did not deserve to be hated. Then, he could die happy, his wars fought and children left in the hands of a world he built for them.

 

His delirium continued. He would never teach Charlotte of his sacrifice. She would never cry in his arms for forgiveness, or love him. This man, this old Knight, broken so many times, was more at home in these agonies than he was elsewhere.

 

And so, the whiskey. Again.

 

 

John sighs, shaking his head, hoping this malcontent learns to have fun. “Will this little boy ever learn, my sons, that it is not so hard to have fun when you are not complaining and pitying yourself?”