Aetosion

Alaric M. Vladov II reads the guide nervously, thinking to himself, “This world sure has a lot of killer monsters.”

 

His damned leg was hurting again, always the same dull throbbing pain. With a few choice words, Alaric cursed his fortune, and took a swig from a hip-flask reeking of Carrion Black, which ran in rivulets down his beard and stained his moth-bitten tabard.
 

Alaric had been born in Belvitz, Adria, on the continent of Atlas. In fact, Alaric was the second of his name. The first to bear it was the grandson of an imperial treasurer and great-grandson of a Count of Woldzimir. That Alaric M. Vladovic had been Commandant and Chancellor of Adria, as well as serving as Crow’s Eye. He served with distinction for many decades, until he was recruited as a Nauzican Brigadier. His service found him in the heartlands, in taverns with many a plump Curonite wench. Women, spirits, and exotic smokes were his undoing, and it is said that the body of Alaric was found stripped and buried in a refuse pile behind a tavern, the pungent stink of kha spice rising from his clothes.
 

Alaric I’s estate specified that, should he die without legitimate issue, his first-born son would be named legitimate heir. As it happens, Alaric’s first-born was Karl, a tall, fat, brutish young man who had been raised in the very tavern in which he was sired, surrounded by the vices of his father. At the time of his father’s death, he made a living acting as a tavern-guard, forcefully evicting the beer-sodden and broken-minded, throwing the wretches unceremouniously over the threshhold into the muck.
 

Karl’s legitimization as heir did little to warm his heart. His father’s once-grand estate had been spent away on hired women and second-rate Curonian whiskey. Only his father’s battered Belvitz Brigadier armor, a mold-covered block of cheese, a water-stained book of family history, and ledgers filled with debts awaited him in the dead man’s house. 
 

Karl sired a son to a minor lady not long after, and named him Alaric II, more as a joke than an honor. He married out of obligation, not out of love, and made it known. Alaric M. Vladovic, second of his name, did not have a pleasant upbringing. He was raised rough, a sallow-faced boy with a crooked nose, always sporting odd bruises and a dour glare. 
 

Age brought Alaric no comforts. He dreamt of battle and glory, but the years brought him only a lame leg and the drinking habits of his ancestors. The 1760s found Alaric M. Vladovic, second of his name, slumped against a statute in Haense, wearing his grandfather’s rusted armor and moth-bitten tabard, mumbling into a bottle of Carrion Black.

 

A Primer on the Ancient and Noble Ruskan Culture

Penned by Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic, Crow’s Eye

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Cultural Genesis

The foundations of Adria were laid in the twilight hours of the Schism War. The Karovic bloodlines and the Raevir people were being persecuted by the Waldenian Schismatics in the West. This was the environment in which the House Sarkozic disguised itself as the House de Montfort. This was also the context in which the traditional Raevir dialect was diluted by the Renatian common-tongue. Many houses hid their Ruskan identity for safety, security, and freedom from persecution.

 

Yet it was not integration with Renatian culture, but rather a return to the principles of Karovic familial loyalty, that provided for the creation of our Duchy. When the Karovic cadets of Sarkozic and Vladovic finally joined forces, the militancy of Vladovic and the diplomacy of Sarkozic paved the way for the Dukedom. The High Ruskan culture saw an almost century-long Renaissance, until its suppression after the Dukes’ War by the Savoyard ruling class upon the destruction of Adria.

 

The irony of this did not escape observation by the informed student of history. Indeed, Adria’s High Ruskan culture was itself a product of the Apostolic Kingdom of Ruska, the predecessor to the Second Imperium. The apostolic kingdom was formed by the merger of the Duchy of Raev, the Prince-Bishopric of Savoie, and later the Kingdom of Galahar. Ruska was thus a fusion of the ancient ways of Raev with the pious ones of Savoie, a feudatory defined by its administration by the High Pontiff and its ancient Sarkozic great lords, with the militancy of the warlords of House Flay.

 

The Ruskan culture which developed was deeply pious, and for the first half century it was defined by its Orthodox faith until the abolition of sects by St. Wilfriche and High Pontiff Regulus. The city of Flotsam became a well-spring of Raevir literature, Orthodox theologizing, and the surprising blossoming of the autonomy of the Ruskan peasantry. Many traditionalists within Adria and Haense are steadfast in their old Ruskan ways, but many have drifted from this identity.

 

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The Modern Rus

All the same, traces of these roots are evident in today’s Adria. Unlike the other duchies of the realm, much of Adria’s operation is left to its burgher and peasant classes, in the form of the biennial Duma council and the placement of lowborn but meritorious men in places of great significance throughout the feudatory. The list of nobility of the Ruskan Vochna states has itself historically been notable for being brief and centralized around the cadet Houses Karovic, who all descend from the original Carrion Dukes of Raev. This has brought the Ruskan states great stability, built upon the bonds of familial loyalty. Even so, the influence of Sarkozic and Tuvyic thought and manners have defined Adria as much as much as the influence of the Raev has. In recent years however, Adria’s faithfulness to its Ruskan roots has been tried by the dominance of the metropolitan capital culture. It demands a renaissance.

 

The Ruskan culture is a deeply complex one, worthy of study even for those who live outside of the modern Rus. Today, Ruska lives on in the Houses Carrion Alexovic, Barbanovic, Ruthernic, Kovachevic, Ludovaric, Sarkozic, Vladovic, and Ivanovic, and in the lands which they rule. Each region has varying levels of adherence to its cultural roots, with the best examples of Ruskan culture being preserved in the rural reaches where the urbane Renatian culture has not yet washed away regional distinctiveness. Some nobles and burghers also make a point to pay homage to their roots and educate their offspring and communities in the ancient dialect, faith, customs, and history of Ruska, an endeavor this author endorses. For that purpose, and for general academic enrichment, a brief primer on the Ruskan culture is needed.

 

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Dialect

The following is an edited excerpt from Sinan Krawfyod’s excellent early 17th century compilation of Raevir speech, which has left an indelible mark on the linguistics of Adria and its sister state of Haense. Its study should provide a basic understanding of the dialect spoken throughout Ruska and its predecessor and successor states for the better part of a millenia. Words and grammatical devices too outdated for modern speech have been excluded from this brief excerpt:

 

“On the Raevir tongue

 

While Classical Raevir dwindles as a language spoken, it lives on through a pidgin dialect known as “botched Raevir” or “botch”. A mingling of the Renati common tongue with the complex Classical Raevir grammatical structure and lexicon, botch Raevir is mutually intelligible with Common but classified as a dialect by Oren, and by some an entirely different language.

 

Generally, the more educated someone is, the lighter the Raevir is in their speech. For example, a peasant may follow each and every rule, while a highborn born in Oren may only say his Da’s and Niet’s.”

…

”

 

“

 

 

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Saints of Ruska

Ruskan culture is historically notable for its piety and great men. An education in the Saints of Ruska should be mandatory for any young Ruskan child. The following are excerpts from the papal bull, Qui Exaltatus, Sanctifacimini, et Benedictus of 1695, highlighting the lives of the Saints of Ruska:

 

St. Tobias of Sarkoz

Patron Saint of Merchants, Comets, Wealth, and Charity

 

Born as Toveah Goldman, his name anglicized from its Sarkozic root, St. Tobias is renowned for his immense fortunes. Ledgers indicate his wealth spanned beyond mortal comprehension, dizzying sums that definitively marked him as the richest human in the realm. Yet, Toveah was not born this wealth; a humble and impoverished manservant to Hadrien de Sarkozy, later known as St. Adrian, Goldman distinguished himself in the Count of Norfolk's council through his legendary stewardship. The Goldman Company helped settle and administer the Pontifical lands held by High Pontiff St. Lucien, enabling countless institutions of the faith to prosper. It is said Goldman had the Minas Touch; every business he ran prospered and returned its investments tenfold. At first, Toveah embraced his worldly wealth, erecting statues of himself of gold and being indulgent with his newfound wealth.     

 

But after assuming a monopoly on the Abresian port of "Tov Avev", Tobias had a religious epiphany. Realizing his great bounty would never satiate him as it was a worldly desire, he quickly took upon a vow of celibacy, and tirelessly worked to satisfy his spiritual desires. Patronizing countless religious institutions, from the St. Bogdan's Cathedral in Kralta, the Kaedrini Orphanages, the Hammerspoint Observatory and the Pontifical Palace in Savoie, Saint Tobias had distinguished himself by his utter devotion to charity, foregoing family, status, and prestige for the betterment of Anthosian society.

 

Yet, the selfless Tobias later in life began to succumb to a lethal disease, ballooning his weight and forcing him to consume thrice his normal appetite at particular intervals less he pass unconscious. To eat so lavishly was to suffering for Tobias, who bemoaned this wealth could not go towards charity; one day when a Hansetian family of refugees approached the benevolent Tobias begging him for foodstuffs. Tobias, in his charity, gave his meal to the family, before realizing that he had missed his feeding interval. He passed into a coma and later perished, dying in ultimate altruism. His will dictated that his enormous fortunes did not go to his distant kindred, but rather various institutions of the Church and state, demonstrating the epitome of charity in both life and death. A common myth around St. Tobias is that he comes to give good children gifts with his "little goblins" during the month of Joma.

Miracles

• During the reign of High Pontiff Owyn I, the attempts at demolishing the ghost town of Aldersberg were met with failure due to various Adunian raiders harassing the peasantry. Praying to Tobias for intercession, High Pontiff Owyn found the next day that a silver comet had struck and demolished the city in one blow, while also providing countless minerals and precious metals for the commons and Church.

• Upon a naval excursion to Hammerspoint, a group of sailors and clergymen alike were met with a vicious storm that lasted for twenty days. Nearly out of supply and facing mutiny, a silver comet soared through the sky pointing north. The captain swung north at behest of his chaplain, and found a small island littered with fresh fruit, meats, and coins bearing the image of St. Tobias.

 

 

St. Adrian of Leuvaarden 

Patron Saint of Statesmen, Lawyers, and Politics; Namesake of Adria

 

Born as Hadrien de Sarkozy, Saint Adrian was born in the Viceroyalty of Leuvaarden in the far off continent of Gaekrin. Raised in a household of middling burghers, Hadrien’s youth was marked with a characteristic rivalry with his elder brother and passionate ambition. His renown grew when he was sent to the continent of Asulon and read about potential legal work, posted by Velwyn Ashford (Later High Pontiff St. Lucien of Ulmsbottom). Hadrien set out for Asulon with meager supply and ended up in the Duchy of the Holy Lands, where he found work under Seneschal Ashford, acting as an advisor, barrister, and political theorist. His work found himself managing the many accounts and ledgers of the Order of the White Rose, and his stellar diligence and natural talent caught the eye of Velwyn’s other companions, prominently Thomas Chivay (Later St. Thomas of Gaekrin). He was quickly promoted to the rank of Conseiller and acted as a personal advisor to both Thomas and the Senior Command of the Order. His political works condemned the unholy city of Crestfall, and he personally participated in rooting out heretics among the city’s populace.

 

When the Empire of Oren came to the continent of Anthos, Hadrien’s reputation as an able advisor had grown throughout the Empire. Countless sought his political expertise as he forged treaties, documents, and alliances throughout the realm. Hadrien also endeavored to promote a new Kaedreni culture in the kingdom, patronizing countless musicians and artists, whose works would spread throughout the newly conquered frontier. St. Adrian, above all others, that established a true Kaedreni culture among its people – a culture of nationalism, pride, and civic duty.         

 

What St. Adrian is most renowned for among the Canonist communion is his role in being the chief architect of Lucienism. His creation of the papist doctrine exemplified and outlined the theological goals of High Pontiff Lucien I, and its influence spread quickly throughout the Imperial west. Lucienism is regarded as a pillar of the Canonist faith due to his defiance of caesaropapism and the Horen cult. Thus among Canonist theologians, St. Adrian is praised for his philosophical and dogmatic contributions.

 

Along with his involvement in the Kingdom of Kaedrin, Hadrien was also awarded other titles in the Empire. He was granted the title of Lord Privy Seal in the Emperor’s Council; and the County of Norfolk in the Prince-Archbishopric of Savoie, where the city of Aldersberg was established. Aldersberg would become a bountiful and industrious city, its inhabitants raised under the care of Lucienist teachings and Sarkozy protection. Hadrien was also one of the few lords in Orenic history to be a direct papal vassal, and it was he who also swore his devout faith to Lucien and championed the High Pontiff’s full papal authority as a separate body from the state.

Lauded for his diplomatic ability, religious scholarship, political philosophies and diligence with the quill, St. Adrien worked tirelessly in service to the Pontificate, the Kingdom of Kaedrin, and most of all his faith. He would remain a devout follower of the church and capable statesman until his death in 1419, butchered by an unknown burglar in his own office.

Miracles

• When St. Adrian was found slain in his office in Ard Kerrack, he had with him a ceremonial golden shortsword, bloodstained after an intense struggle against his killer. When the guard went to alert their superiors, they returned to find the blade cleaned of all its stains and resting in the crease of an open book, revealing the building projects for Lucienist churches throughout the frontiers of Kaedrin.

• Upon the Exodus, clergy rushed to Aldersberg to preserve what works there before looters preyed on the chaos. When the entered St. Adrian's chambers, the various books there began to fly about in his room in a heavy gale. As they landed, only one tome was left open, a scripture detailing a pentarchy. Later, the Holy Oren Empire would split five-ways.

 

 

St. Theodosius of Istiam

Patron Saint of Messengers, Birds, Translators, and the Raevir People

 

In the times of Asulon before the Schism Wars, Theodosius rose as the religious head of the Raevir peoples for many decades, going on to create the foundations of Russian Orthodoxy and translating the Canonical works into the Raevir native tongue, spreading the word and translations by the use of messenger pigeons. In his later years, he had a chance encounter with the Prophet Exalted Siegmund, and Theodosius bore witness to Siegmund’s discovery of the Scroll of Auspice, translating and implementing it into the Scrolls of the Canon.

Miracles:

• Theodosius lived well into his old age, passing away by an abrupt heart attack in the middle of a field. When the priests and clergy rushed to him, they were halted when hundreds of pigeons suddenly gathered around Theodosius, lifting his body up and carrying it away, never to be seen again.

 

 

St. Wilfriche of Hanseti

Patron Saint of Brotherhood, Chancellors, Opposition of Setherin, and Franciscan Martyrs

 

St. Wilfriche was born to a Hanseatic yeoman and his wife under the Kingdom of Hanseti in 1426. His early life was characterized by brutal strife as both Blackmont and Sethrenic forces ravaged his homeland. It was not long before Wilfriche was orphaned and his homeland destroyed, claimed by the Black Scourge. He managed his way south to the bustling town of Kralta and sustained himself through ill-means, but eventually was caught stealing two loaves of bread from a local bakery. The boy was apprehended by the local militias and brought forth to be judged by the Marquis of Raev.             

The traditional punishment for theft was a hand, but the exalted Siegmund took pity on the Hansetian in rags and ordered him instead to serve under the Bishop Bogdan, later canonized of St. Theodosius, as an Acolyte to atone for his theft. Wilfriche thus grew up in the ornate and mystic rites of the Ruskan Orthodoxy, undergoing a clerical education and becoming an ordained clergyman. Wilfriche and his trusted companion, Blessed Vladislav, son of St. Theodosius, left Kralta to minister their faith in the newly settled Kaedrini region after the ascension of their mentor. The pair became well-loved by the Raevir colonists as beacons of faith under the reign of the apathetic High Pontiff Regulus. However, these Kaedrini backwaters were infamous for Setherinic raiders and cultists. Under St. Wilfriche's leadership, the Ruskan fellowship erected a mighty holdfast known as the Flotstad and surrounding it the village Flotsam. The Flotsamites grew to be the first bulwark against Setherinic invasion and were critical in the reclaiming of Hanseti from Setherinite clutches. Wilfriche fostered a strong brotherhood bound by creed through the Jolly Band and was characterized by his jovial and amiable spirit, making friends with countless Anthosians.     

St. Wilfriche was also characterized as an ardent theologian, publishing countless articles on the faith and spreading the missives among its communion. He stood against the sectarian communalism of Oren, recognizing the blasphemies in permitting sects to possess dogmatic differences. Approaching the High Pontiff, he managed to list a series of grievances and help unite the faith into one universal dogma, marking him a pioneer of Canonism. However, the Order of St. Lucien soon attempted to check Wilfriche's rise in influence and power by petitioning to the High Pontiff to declare war on the Flotsamites for claims of banditry. Regulus accepted the prospects of civil war, and the two parties battled it out until a white peace was declared.

        

Wilfriche later became Lord Chancellor to the King Henry and King Francis before being slain in the Franciscian Massacre. His power in the ministries were notable as he swayed the stalwart cynic Joseph Lane to erect an Abresian Church by purging the Abresian sewers of an unholy plague festered by cultists, spread the faith through mass baptisms, arranged feast days, and led battles against the Zionist menace before his death. His symbol is a black mace due to his purification of various Setherinite maces and also his Orthodox vows, which forbade clergy from bearing bladed weapons.

 

Miracles

• A man possessed by Setherin was clubbed once about the head by Wilfriche's mace. After rising from the blow, he was exorcised of his demons.

• The week following Wilfriche's death, three sets of twins in Ancien were born with black mace birthmarks.

 

 

St. Charles of Haense

Patron Saint of Strength, Fortitude, and Prisoners’ of War

 

Son of Emperor Alexander Carrion, Charles’ early life was turbulent and chaotic. At the beginning of the Schism Wars, he and his twin sister were abducted by his mother, only for his uncle, named Otto Heinzreich, to stop her and raise Charles as his own and groom him as his heir. Young Charles was greatly influenced by the High Pontiff Daniel I, establishing and solidifying his religious foundations.

Charles grew to become the Duke of Haense, and established the family line of House Barbanov. Later, he would befriend Saint Emma Vladov, the two playing a key role in allying the duchies of Akovia and Adria to fight against the schismatic threat. Karl was often perceived as a stern, but strong figure by his people, with an unbreakable spirit and endurance.

Miracles:

• Late one night, a Haensetic monk found himself lost in a blizzard with no torch, lantern, map or compass. As the night grew colder and colder, thinking he’d freeze, the monk prayed to St. Charles for veneration, and in the distance saw a flash of golden light. The cawing of a crow soon followed after, and the monk followed the sound to the safety of his monastery.

 

 

St. Emma of Woldzmir

Patron Saint of the Schism War, Loyalty, Valour, and Adrians

 

Born into the Vladov house, Emma often prayed for something greater than the chaotic life brought upon her and her family. One particular evening as she drifted off into sleep, it is said that she dreamt of a grand battle, shouting at the top of her lungs trying to aid the armies, but either side only continued fighting in their rage, witnessing  the death of every single soldier in the slaughter. When Emma awoke, she found that her following years were haunted by this one dream, and was motivated to learn to take up the sword and shield. The more she trained, the more her faith grew, realizing that to fight for GOD was the key to victory.

Through a series of chance encounters, Emma found herself the becoming the commander of the Canonist forces at the high tide of the Schism Wars. With nothing but her faith in GOD and her sheer willpower, the woman went on to bring victory to the Canonists.

Miracles:

• During the bloodshed of the Ducal War, an Adrian maiden with her babe was tangled up in the battle of Barrowyk. A single arrow shot out from the sky, striking the cobblestone beneath the maiden’s feet, splitting the ground in two. She fell from the battlements, only to discover a hidden escape route beneath the keep.

 

 

Saint Henry Otto of Alban

Patron Saint of Commoners, Justice, and Fatherhood

 

Henry Otto Barbanov was a headstrong, proud figure of his house. Alongside his cousin, King Stephan, the city of Alban was built- starting as nothing but a mere war camp out in the wilderness of Tahn’s snowy wastelands. Guided by only his faith and his loyalty to his people, Henry reinspired the noblemen, gained the admiration of the common men and women, and worked towards progress, laying the foundations for a promising future for the kingdom of Haense. He was often keen to stop corruption and decadence within court and amongst commonfolk, constantly finding a way to maintain the balance, and was thus often referred to as ‘Henrik the Humble’.

Miracles:

• In the midst of a particularly harsh winter in the early years of Markev, a farmer of seven years and father of seven children wept and asked for veneration from Henry to give his starving family strength to survive the winter. When he awoke the next morning, the wheatfields had suddenly become abundant with grain, with cows and sheep grazing about the fields.

 

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Moving Forward and Looking Back

 

Undoubtedly, the Saintly ancestors of the Ruskan people have left an indelible mark on the history of man and on their descendants. As the great writers of the past have guided us thus far, let us conclude with a brief piece of prose by Godferik Carrion, written in the 16th century,

“To those days, of which our people flourished,

to those people, whose acts defined a culture,

to those places, that we called home,

from the Crow's Skulling, to Kralta,

to Flotsam, to Vekaro

 

In reminiscence of RUSKA,

The days of RUSKA, and of those who followed the ideas of RUSKA were perhaps the best days of my life. From my time as an Infant the ways of our men and women have always fascinated me, it is sad that this day there are very few who have survived to attempt to carry on the legacy of our golden days..

 

I speak of the days in which Raev was known not for banditry, not for adopting the ways of the heartlanders and building a keep every road turn, but yet for their humble ways, the comradeship and compassion between the men and women, the life in the fields, the great streltsy.. It is very hard for one to describe the feelings that I hold regarding these times of happiness. To see men and women alike in the fields, harvesting crops, to see our great warriors combating for our name and our beliefs.. To pray in the grand cathedral of Kralta and it's great domes.

 

Not the that I now despise, and disassociate with my people, those of banditry, of false peasantry, of race-mixing, of terrible speech.. The name of our culture has been stained, we've been absorbed and became just another of the many. The Raevir people have suffered many blows, but the Ruskan heart that lies in each one of us will one day come back and once again we will honor the flag that is so dear to us.”

 

Comrades, let us unite in the memory of our Ruskan ancestors and in a vision of the future of our great and ancient culture. Let us write books, plays, and theological tracts which demonstrate Ruskan thought. Let us make art and music which depict Ruskan life. Let us return to the traditional life ways of our forefathers and find in them purpose and solace.

 

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Penned by Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic, Crow’s Eye

 

Results of the Duma of the First Seed, 1701

From Office of the Chancellor of Adria

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    Honored citizens of Adria, We bring tidings of life and death, destruction and growth. The Duma of the First Seed, 1701 marked the last Duma held in the reign of Duke Ratibor the Rambunctious.

 

    Per the will of the Duma, the Duke Ratibor the Rambunctious has been declared DUMA DEAD. He has not been seen in a year’s time, and the streltsy of the Belvitz Brigade was unable to locate his body after a lengthy search. A ducal election followed the Duma as outlined in the Franciscan Articles, and the Baron’s Council elected Paul Ewald Ostromir Petyr Leonid Emil Franz Carrion to be the next Duke of Adria. A coronation will follow on the first of the First Seed, 1702, alongside a grand festival. Long live His Grace Paul.

 

    Per the will of the Duma, the office of the Bey of the Turkin people has been granted two votes in the Duma house by the voters of Duma. In the absence of a reigning Duke, he could not yet be accepted as noble vassals, and has instead been named a Warlord of the Duma. We wish prosperity to the Bey and his people.

 

    Per the will of the Duma, the Duchy of Adria is at war with the Duchy of Curon. Only the Duma of Adria can declare war, and this decision upholds the presumptive declaration of the late Duke Ratibor. Godan’s mercy on our enemies.

 

    Per the will of the Duma, Maer Arthur has been removed from his position and has been defenestrated. Artumee Ault was elected Maer in a subsequent election in the town hall, and will take charge up planning the upcoming coronation festival. 

 

    We will convene again in two years’ time. May Godan be with all of you.

 

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Issued by the Right Honorable Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic

Endorsed by His Grace Lord Paul E. O. P. L. E. F. Carrion, Rightful Heir to the Duchy of Adria

 

The Crowsmoot of 1701

Penned by Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic of Adria

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    The ancient tradition of the Crowsmoot dates back to the 14th century. Since the first cadet houses of the former Imperial House Carrion, the Crowsmoot has been a way by which the families of patrilineal descent from the Carrion line come to accord on important issues. There is no limit to what may be discussed at the Crowsmoot, but decisions that require action from the Houses may require ratification from feudal legislative bodies like the Duma.

 

    The Crowsmoot of 1701 concluded this past Saint’s Day, and brought together the Houses Barbanovic, Carrion (Tuvyic-Alexovic), Ruthernic, Kovachevic, Ludovaric, Sarkozic, Vladovic, and Ivanovic. It began with an election of the Patriarch and the Crow’s Eye of the Karovic bloodlines. The Lord Rhys var Ruthern was elected to this traditional position, and was entrusted with the family relics and supervision of marriages.  The Lord Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic was elected to the position of Crow’s Eye, and entrusted with the management and mediation of future communications and gatherings of the family.

 

    It was further decreed that Valera Carrion of Adria be given in marriage to Marius Barbanovic of Haense, as a promise of steadfast goodwill between the two ancient families and their holdings.

 

    It was further decreed that the militaries of Adria and Haense meet every two years for a joint military exercise, to solidify bonds of mutual protection and unite the officer corps on a regular basis.

 

It was further decreed that, should the hordes push the descendant races from this continent, the ancient Ruskan peoples of Adria and Haense will settle alongside one another, so as to be close in land as well as blood.

 

The attending lords further affirmed this statement of familial loyalty,

“THE HOUSES KAROVIC ARE BOUND BY BLOOD AND TRADITION TO SUPPORT OUR KIN AND TO PROTECT THEIR HONOR AND HOME, SO LONG AS THEIR CAUSE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OR THE CREATOR.”

 

    We of the crow’s blood are delighted by this renewal of traditional family ties and the institutions which uphold them. May the seed of Siegmund and the Black Barbov prosper, united in the bonds of ancestry.

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Penned by Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic of Adria, Crow’s Eye

Endorsed by the Houses Barbanovic, Carrion (Tuvyic-Alexovic), Ruthernic,

Kovachevic, Ludovaric, Sarkozic, Vladovic, and Ivanovic

Alaric M. Vladovic smiles the sun’s smile.

The Emergency Powers Act of 1700

Office of the Lord Chancellor of Adria

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These are dangerous times for our duchy, and dangerous times demand strength. Though we are delighted that our comrade, the Right Honorable Crann Saili, has relinquished the Commandantship to take up the mantle of the Magistracy so as to better dispense the Duke’s goodly justice, we worry for the safety of dear Adria and her residents now that the Belvitz Brigade is bereft of leadership.

 

After conference with His Grace, Duke Ratibor Rodrigue Carrion, it has been determined that the duties of the Commandant must be fulfilled post haste. Given that the Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic also serves as the Lieutenant Commandant of Adria, it has been decreed that the Office of the Chancellor of Adria shall be vested with emergency powers for warfare and military command for the protection of the duchy.

 

May the Office of the Chancellor bring safety and security to the realm.

 

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Issued by the Right Honorable Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic of Adria

Endorsed by His Grace the Duke Ratibor R. Carrion of Adria

 

Duma of the First Seed, 1701

From Office of the Chancellor of Adria

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    Honored citizens of Adria. It is fitting that a DUCAL DUMA be held this coming month of the First Seed, 1701 ((this Friday 1/29 5 pm EST, starting on time and lasting an hour)). The customary two years have passed since our last gathering as a duchy, and much has occurred which warrants discussion and action.

 

The DUCAL DUMA is a time-honored tradition of the Carrion lords, providing representation for the different interests within Adria. The DUCAL DUMA has few procedures, and usually ends with death or defenestration. Representatives may put forth any motion, no matter how minor or major, to be voted upon by all representatives of the Duma. A simple majority decides the acceptance or rejection of motions. 

 

The Duke of Adria holds the power to veto or table motions, but holds no votes. The Representatives of the Duma, as defined and ratified in the Franciscan Articles, shall consist of the following Estates of Adria:

 

The Nobility:

The Duchy of Adria (Represented by Chancellor): 4 votes

The Count of Auvergne: 3 votes

The Count of Susa: 3 votes

The Baron of Ault: 2 votes

The Prince-Prior of Gottfried: 2 votes

 

The Council:

The Magistrate of Adria: 1 vote

The Court Mage of Adria: 1 vote

The Commandant of Adria: 1 vote

The Primate of Adria: 2 votes

The Guildmaster of Adria: 1 vote

The Scrivener of Adria: 1 vote

The Knight Palatine of Adria: 1 vote

 

The Commons:

The Maer of Belvitz: 1 vote

The Four Aldermen of Belvitz: 1 vote each

The Parliamentary Prefect of Adria: 1 vote

 

The Cottage Lords:

The Lord Vladovic: 1 vote

The Lord Sarkozic: 1 vote

The Lord Basarab: 1 vote

The Lord Dragon: 1 vote

The Lord Locklear: 1 vote

The Lord Valic: 1 vote

The Lord of the Tavern of Belvitz: 1 vote

 

The common folk of Adria are urged to remember that aldermen are elected from the gathered audience if the aldermen elected at the previous Duma do not come forward to represent the people. The Belvitz Brigade is reminded to be on high alert during these proceedings.

 

 

---

 

 

Issued by the Right Honorable Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic

Endorsed by His Grace the Duke Ratibor R. Carrion

 

An Open Letter to Weak Wilhelm and the Curonites

From the Office of the Chancellor of Adria

☨

---

 

    Brothers in mankind, we would be remiss not to respond to your Duke’s pitious plea for peace. The begging of the fear-bowed Duke Ser Wilhelm Devereux falls not on deaf ears. The years of tranquility since the reign of his Imperial Majesty Aurelius have been kind to the men of the Empire, but many have grown fat, decadent, and lazy. Fields are left untilled, masonry is left to crumble, honor is left undefended. We do not seek war to break His Majesty’s peace, but to protect it. A duchy ruled by a so-called-knight who leaves the defense of his honor to a child champion is a greater offense to the memory of His Imperial Majesty Aurelius than the fiercest swords brought to bare by brave Adria.

 

    Yet we are not vicious warmongers, but rather are faithful upholders of the standards of noble vassalhood and the demands of knightly service. We seek only justice in the holy name of our Creator. We will relent in our fury, should only the Duke Ser Devereux first relinquish his spurs to Boris Olgierd Gilbert Dario Alexandre Numirya Carrion, second betroth his daughter to Duke Ratibor Carrion’s eldest son Paul Ewald Ostromir Petyr Leonid Emil Franz Carrion, and third pay a purse of 50,000 minas to the treasury of Adria as recompense for the offense to His Grace Duke Ratibor Rodrigue Carrion’s respect for chivalry.

 

    To the people of Curon, do not lay your lives down for a man who would not even defend his own honor. Do not forsake your families to be fodder for Weak Wilhelm. Bring your blades to bear, and cast off the noble weight which threatens to drag your people beneath the waves. We do not come on the wings of destruction, but of the Creator’s balancing justice.

 

    Repent of your sins and save your honor, Duke Ser Devereux, for we come as crows.

 

 

---

 

Issued by the Right Honorable Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic of Adria

Endorsed by His Grace the Duke Ratibor Rodrigue Carrion of Adria

 

 

Large, ornate, parchment posters are found nailed to notice boards and tavern doors the Empire over, announcing the coming Centurial Festival of 1700 in Belvitz.

 

The Centurial Festival of 1700

From the Office of the Maer of Belvitz

 

---

 

 

    A hearty hail to all who see promise in the coming year! Should ye wish to pass its turn in joyous festivity, join us in the City of Belvitz just after the close of the Imperial Wargames in the neighboring Adrian countryside for a lavish feast and festival.

 

    Following a brief, but bold, oratory from His Serene Grace Duke Ratibor Carrion, there will commence in short order:

 

    -A mano-a-mano boxer’s melee, leather helms and breeches only

    -A bow-breaking archery competition along the Baltas river

    -A gourmet feast fit for royals in the square, barrels of ale to boot

    -Daring tests of strength and dexterity, like a Bruce Dunk Tank

    -Tables of dice and gluttonous gambling throughout

    -And to usher in the new century, pyrotechnics and dance!

 

 

---

 

Penned by Chancellor Alaric M. Vladovic of Adria

Issued by the Office of Maer Arthur of Belvitz

 

 

 

 

Office of the Commandant of Adria

14th of Grand Harvest, 1699

Order 99.1: Creation of the Belvitz Brigade

Penned by Chancellor & Lieutenant Commandant Alaric Vladovic

 

 

---

 

By order of the Office of the Commandant of Adria, let it be decreed that the Adrian Guard be henceforth known as the BELVITZ BRIGADE, as is the expressed will of the people gathered in Duma.

 

By order of the Office of the Commandant of Adria, let it be decreed that the Bailiffs are absorbed into the COSSACK BATTALION of the BELVITZ BRIGADE. All will be ensured mount, arms, and wages.

 

By the order of the Office of the Commandant of Adria, let it be decreed that MAER & MAGISTRATE ARTHUR BLAZE be commissioned an officer as a MAJOR of the BELVITZ BRIGADE.

 

By the order of the Office of the Commandant of Adria, let it be decreed that Marguan Goldhand be commissioned as a CAPTAIN over the COSSACK BATTALION of the BELVITZ BRIGADE. May he bring the Cossacks to the heights of victory.

 

By the order of the Office of the Commandant of Adria, let it be decreed that Karl Klargus be commissioned as a LIEUTENANT of the COSSACK BATTALION of the BELVITZ BRIGADE.

 

The Office of the Commandant bids the newly commissioned officers to grow and discipline His Grace’s BELVITZ BRIGADE in anticipation of the imperial wargames.

 

 

---

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT OF ADRIA

-Chancellor & Lieutenant Commandant Alaric Vladovic

 

 

The gallop of the Cossack Batallion can be heard from near the roadside in Adria, a fearsome ferrum-clad force.

1 hour ago, robobadger said:

Minecraft Name:

robobadger

Roleplaying Name:

vincent

Discord:

robobadger#9696

Character Age:

?

Character Race:

elf?

IRP/PVP Combat Experience:

i’ve done a bit of gooning and war claims. *and CRP

 

2 minutes ago, Gamer1578 said:

Minecraft Name: Gamer1578

Roleplaying Name: Aiwin Magynore

Discord: Gamer1578#7166

Character Age: 67

Character Race:Snow Elf

IRP/PVP Combat Experience: Done CRP and PVP

 

1 minute ago, DukeTrez said:

VeteranSpat_
Tuazar Herksa

ItsYeBoiSeeking#6765

27

Human

I’ve been in quite some battles i’ve battled legionares and some bandits. 

A folded letter is delivered by a young Conscript of the Belvitz Brigade to Vincent, Aiwin, and Tuazar.

 

Soldier,

 

Welcome to the Belvitz Brigade. Adria is indebted to you for your commitment to serve the duchy. Please report to the barracks at 3 Beesbury Byway for orders. 

 

-Chancellor & Lt. Commandant Alaric Vladovic

 

[[I’ll be in touch on discord.]]

@rukio – I’m not sure if Rosenyr or Haense is any more populous or autonomous than one of the imperial duchies like Curon or Adria, not quite sure they need their own subforum either. I think a more substantial reduction of the subforums would be beneficial, but 12 subforums is certainly better than 25.

24 minutes ago, Sky said:

We are just going to have to agree to disagree then, I simply refuse to have any of my nation’s threads in a subforum that someone else has control over and can dictate whether or not it gets archived. I also prefer being able to be organized and let the people of a singular nation click on their nation’s sub-forum and only get given things relevant to them, instead of being overwhelmed by stuff that doesn’t concern them. It’s nice to see you back Aetosian, but mate you are so out of the loop, sorry man.

 

We seem to disagree principally on the number of pinned threads a duchy needs, and whether or not 25 subforums are needed to organize the human forums. This is an opinion even a wandering soul could easily develop from trying to navigate the forums. It is not something I could possibly be “out of the loop" on, that's just a veiled ad hominem attack. Since I have been back, I’ve been active in my duchy’s administration and in imperial parliament. Nothing has indicated to me that there is a need to subdivide the human subforums into 25 small fractions. Rather, I have simply been amazed by how long it takes my shitty computer to get all the way from the Adrian subforum, to a Church Dogma post, or a wedding announcement in Haense. The forum layout is artificially isolating human playerbases. If indeed you feel as if I’ve returned to the server too recently to have an ‘educated opinion’, then take my testimony to be that of a new player completely confused by a mess of 25 subforums within a subforum.
 
The only two concerns you’ve raised are that you don't want another nation leader dictating when your threads are archived, and that you don't want to see other players’ rp posts. To the first point, human subnation leaders should have control over their pinned threads in the same way they presently have control over subforums. This would be no more difficult to enforce from a Moderation perspective. A nation should become nonexistent before another nation leader could recommend the removal of a pinned post, just like the removal of a subforum. Otherwise, the forums should be moderated by the FM team not a national administration anyways, just like the general Human subforum is. To your second point, in which you suggest you wouldn't want to see other players’ rp if it's not immediately relevant to your character, I suppose we do have to agree to disagree. 

 

16 minutes ago, Sky said:

 

But they aren’t “subnations”, each nation is run independently with zero oversight, so I don’t see why they should be forced to only have two threads each? It’s fine the way it is and doesn’t take more than another click to look in the other sub-forums.

Anyone can feasibly navigate the 25 human subforums, it’s just a pain in the arse that discourages anyone actually attempting to do so. It isolates playerbases and makes the forum less usable. Splitting the subforums into General human, Church, Law, and Culture and alotting pinned posts (which is similar to how the forums used to be organized until greedy nation leaders like me 5 years ago started complaining that they needed their own subforums) would provide a similar level of organization, actually encourage dynamic and cross cultural rp, and make the human subforum far more navigable and usable for new players.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Sky said:

Every established nation should be allowed to have a sub-forum to keep everything organized. You should know that established nations have several threads dictating government, military, laws, etc.

This is precisely why I’ve recommended at the end of the topic post that each established human nation get up to 2 pins per subforum. In this case, per subforum refers to the recommended subforums at the end of my post with the exception of the Church. Every single human “subnation”, as they’re all politically unified, could easily make do with 2 legal pinned posts, 2 cultural pinned posts, and 2 pinned posts in the general human subforum. To assume that every human duchy needs its own forum is exactly the issue. Because of the same experience you reference, I'm confident that any subnation unable to make do with up to 6 pinned posts distributed across general Human, Law and Legislation, and Culture and History subforums just has a terribly disorganized Scribe or Chancellor. If particularly pressed for space, a pinned post could be made into an index of key posts by a subnation’s leadership. 

 

The human subforum used to be set up more like I was recommending, but now if I’m an RPer in Adria I don't see the day to day activity in Haense or Curon and have to tunnel deep into Church or Imperial subforums to see recent theological or legislative activity. The forums have been Balkanized and this has made them less navigable and dynamic. It’s like massive-map syndrome but for the forums. Spreading everyone out gives each nation more land and autonomy from other nations, but it kills dynamic cross cultural rp,  road rp, and lets far off playerbases rot in their isolation. In the same manner, having 25 subforums instead of 3 has fractured the human playerbase into little tiny slivers of activity instead of meaningful and interacting parts of a whole.

I’m going to be honest: the human subforms are real rough rn. There is a ridiculous number of subforms, because every minor player base feels entitled to one. As a result, it’s incredibly difficult to pay attention to new threads. There are about as many subforms within the human forums as there are in the entire rest of this website. That’s not even taking into account that the vast majority of the subforms are for defunct player bases that have gone extinct. The current navigation map within the human subforms is:

 

Roleplay:

-Human:

--Church of the Canon

---Scripture & Dogma

--Empire of Man

---Kingdom of Haense

----Duchy of Kvazs

----Royal Administration

----Culture and History

---Kingdom of Santegia

----Royal Decrees

----Laws and Legislation

----Old

---Crown of Renatus-Marna

----Crownlands

----Law and Legislation

----Duchy of Adria

----Duchy of Arbor

----March of Ardennes

----March of Styria

----Duchy of Curon

----County of Pembrokeshire

--Principality of Rosenyr

---Royal Decree and Legislation

---Culture

---Religion

---Families

 

 

This has gotten INCREDIBLY out of hand. I am a veteran forum warrior, and I have trouble navigating the maze that is the human subforms. I can hardly imagine what a new player goes through. The human subforms would be far better constructed and much more conducive to solid forum role-play if they were navigable. I’d suggest the following be the fullest extent of the human subforums:

 

Roleplay:

-Human

--Church of the Canon

--Imperial Laws & Legislation

--Culture & History OR Literature

 

 

Each nation tile should then be afforded up to maybe 2 pinned threads within each subforum. An active duchy does not need its own subforum, a nonexistent County certainly does not. The forums used to be much simpler, and were at that time a far easier medium by which one could enrich their role-play experience. This should be the case again.

 

thanks friends,

-aetosion

Minecraft Name: Tzaddok

Roleplaying Name: Alaric Vladovic

Discord: Aetosion#3770

Character Age: 21

Character Race: Human

IRP/PVP Combat Experience: Vladovic levy captain

Full Name: Commander Alaric Maximovitch Vladovic 

Prefecture: Belvitz

Political Party: Aurelian Party

An honest man +1

Redacted.

The stormy seas did little to dampen the man’s spirits. His flinty eyes reflected the grey of the menacing skies, but his mind was elsewhere. Within a few nights all his family would be gathered in the torch-lit halls of his childhood home, and he would be there to see them. The haunting melodies of Adria, its Raev-tongued men and women, its bellowing yaks, the clacking of the cobblestones underfoot of mailed boots- this was home to the man who stood at the prow of the old oak-paneled cargo ship, the Driftwood. This vessel was not the one he had departed in those years before- a light caravel, double oared and twice masted, its cedar planks stained black, and its golden sails ornamented with black bears rampant. He had meant to try and circumnavigate the whole continent, but struck ice in the frozen southern wastes. Shipwrecked in sight of land, the young captain had led his fellows in an icy swim to safety. The majority of his crew drowned. Most did not know how to swim, others panicked as the icy waters pressed in on their lungs. They floundered and grabbed at their compatriots, pulling good swimmers to their deaths. Only six reached the shore, seven counting their captain, Alaric Vladovic.

 

 

 

Of the men who made it safely to shore, another three died of hypothermia as the rest shivered and collected sea-sodden wreckage from the coast to try to start a fire. As small flames began to lick at a few pieces of dry wood, and the frostbitten survivors huddled close around the fire, Alaric walked out to the shoreline, water lapping at his yak-hide boots. He stared out into the wreckage of his boat and his youthful dream, and the bobbing, drowned heads of many of his old friends. Alaric arranged three planks of wreckage in the shape of the True Cross on the coastline, and knelt on the cold sands to pray. Rising to his feet, he returned to the makeshift camp and slept fitfully that night. Dreams of bobbing heads and the booming crack of wood haunted him. Just before dawn, he awoke, shivering. A distant, unearthly glow crept across the quiet waves and through the mists toward him. In the light he saw hosts of ghastly sailors manning great pale warships across the depths. It was as if the entirety of the human race had taken to the sea for a new land. He rose, and walked towards the sounds of gruff shouts and a thousand oars slipping into the waves. Soon Alaric was slipping into the same, he was knee deep in icy water, his hand reached out- and found only air. He did not return to his camp that night. As dawn licked at the glaciers that towered over the crew huddled around dying coals and bundled in furs, the first rising sailor found Alaric standing in the waves, hypothermic and barely able to form words.

 

Vladimir, Godanik, and Petrovic tended to their captain, wrapped him in furs and coaxed the fire to life. Seals were speared for meat, and the smoke bubbling off of their melting fat was used to try and tan their hides. When Alaric awoke near dusk, he found hot food and a modicum of dry ground around the firebed. The men had salvaged a crate of water-logged cactus green, and whisps of pungent smoke curled past Alaric’s nose from a makeshift pipe. The next day, they began northward across the wastes, staying near enough to the coast to ensure a regular supply of seal meat. By the time they encountered a small holdfast, their number was three. Petrovic, the gnarled strelt of middling age, has succumbed to a worsening cough and died the prior night. They crept up to the grey stones, alert and aware of whoever may lay in wait inside. Finding the fort to be manned by a small garrison of rogue dwarves, Alaric, Vladimir, and Godanik lay in wait until it was night. Then they scaled the walls and descended on the defending force. Only one man was awake on guard in a small tower, and Vladimir muffled his shouts before they could issue from his mouth with a smelly, seal-fat stained glove, and Godanik and Alaric stabbed him repeatedly until the writhing midget went limp. They took the fort in this manner, killing the remaining defenders in their sleep with well placed dirks.

 

They set out within a fortnight after some rest, well provisioned with supplies and gold and astride the dwarves’ stocky quarter horses. It was many months’ ride westward to the coast, through mountain and taiga- for Alaric sought to avoid patrolled roads. Coming upon a small freeport, he hired The Driftwood and a full crew and a small compliment of pleasure girls, a cook, and crossbowmen. He would not return to Adria a failure. He fully intended to complete his odyssey. 

 

And so he returned to the coasts off the crown lands a year later, his ship laden with spices, dwarves-forged iron, and barrels of the rarest commodities- barrels of dried elves ears’ (a potent aphrodisiac, but one frowned on by the law), of kharajyrite incense, and of glittering gemstones from the dwarves markets. Of the crew’s original number, only one remained- Godanik, loyal Adrian sailor and sworn man to his father. Vladimir had been lost to a tavern with many beautiful women. Godanik, now first-mate, approached the captain standing at the prow, only a year older at 21 but much wiser now than the young man who had shipwrecked in the southern wastes. His black eyes flitted to the right, then he turned. “What news?”

 

“We dock within th’ hour.”

 

“Excellent. Praise him.”

 

Alaric did not leave his perch at the prow of the ship until his craft ground against the docks. He was the first to step foot on land, and as he reached the end of the dock he fell down upon his knees, kissing the soil and muttering traditional Ruskan prayers. He was home.

Brother Alaric ponders empty chairs.