Fishy

Adrian I signs the lorraine and offers a silent prayer.

DEATH IN THE FAMILY Issued and Confirmed by His Majesty, Adrian I, King of Kaedrin, 19th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1736. BELOVED KAEDRENI, AND FELLOW IMPERIALS, Hereby does the Crown of Kaedrin grieve. Our dearest Queen Annabelle Loren, struck down and murdered by the honorless spawn of Krug. Beloved, she is survived by her husband, his Majesty, and several their children left shaken by her passing. May she find peace in the Seven Skies for the life of virtue she lived, and for the violence that was her end. IN NOMINE DOMINI In Loving Memory... Her Majesty, Queen Annabelle Lorin Helvets (1698-1736) Hereby does the Crown of Kaedrin call for this blow to all humanity be avenged. As a grieving father, as a man who has lost his beloved, this blighted race must be driven to the ends of the earth and exterminated. Let the streets be slickened with their foul blood, let this attack be returned a thousand-fold, their misbegotten kind brought out wherever they might be found and butchered as the beasts they are. The crimes of Krug and his brood shall forever be repeated if they are to survive, like a twisted, demented comedy that plays out over and over again. Let the mercy of Owyn’s Flame take them and extinguish this tragedy once and for all. IN NOMINE DEI, His Majesty, Adrian I of the House of Helvets, King of Kaedrin, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Cathalon, Lord of the Rhoswenii, and Captain & Defender of Liberty 

“We shall see to it that all ceremony and provision is given in the wake of Father Lochlan’s passing to celebrate his contributions in life.” Commands King Adrian I

RECLAMATION OF GUISE Issued and Confirmed by His Majesty, Adrian I, King of Kaedrin, 15th of Horen’s Calling, 1732. BELOVED KAEDRENI, AND FELLOW IMPERIALS, Hereby does the King of Kaedrin declare a period of festivities for the summer of the Year of 1732 in honor of the restoration of Guise to our patrimony. Let thanks be given to our Right Honorable Count Richard de Reden and Prince Otto Tuvyic for dispatching the brigands from our rightful lands. Let the denizens of Ves rejoice with a period free from taxation this year. Let one and all drink and be merry for there shall be festival stalls, jousting, sword pulling, and pie eating galore to adorn our fair Golden City. In addition to these festivities, the King of Kaedrin invites the lords and ladies of the realm to join us in this time of celebration. The following are invited by name to attend; Lord-Protector Adrian Sarkozic, Duke of Adria and his consort; @Icarnus Daniel VI, High Pontiff of the Faith and the Cardinals of the Curia; @Hunwald Andrew III, King of Haense and his consort; @Emenzi Peter I, King of Curon and his consort; @Sporan Prince Edward Suffolk, Archduke of Suffonia and his consort; @Sheczar Prince Charles Alstion, Prince of Alstion and his consort; @LithiumSedai Prince Vladrick Alimar, Prince of Rubern and his consort; @MongolKhan Prince Otto Tuvyic, Prince of Haense and his consort; @Milenkhov Lord Sergius Merentel, Duke of Vintas and his consort; @sergisala IN NOMINE DEI, His Majesty, Adrian I of the House of Helvets, King of Kaedrin, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Cathalon, Lord of the Rhoswenii, and Captain & Defender of Liberty OOC: Saturday 5 PM EST

When Odrin comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah! Hurrah! The men will cheer and the boys will shout The ladies they will all turn out And we'll all feel proud when Odrin comes marching home. The old church bell will peal with joy Hurrah! Hurrah! To welcome home our darling boys, Hurrah! Hurrah! The village lads and lassies say With roses they will strew the way, And we'll all feel proud when Odrin comes marching home. Get ready for the Jubilee, Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give the heroes three times three, Hurrah! Hurrah! The pike is sharp and ready now To stick into a big Orc’s brow And we'll all feel proud when Odrin comes marching home. Let’s slaughter the Orcs and all the filth, Hurrah! Hurrah! Their green gross blood we sure will spilth, Hurrah! Hurrah! And let each man perform some part, To fill the joy in the warrior’s heart, And we'll all feel proud when Odrin comes marching home. KAEDRIN CALLS Issued and Confirmed by His Majesty, Adrian I, King of Kaedrin, 8th of Horen’s Calling, 1732. BELOVED KAEDRENI, AND FELLOW IMPERIALS, The black, bestial rage of the Krug spawn has compelled them to make war upon the realms of men. As such the duty falls to us to cull their numbers to appropriate levels once again. It must be expected, however, as the orcish horde will fail to meet us in pitched battle that they will instead take to marauding our lands, unleashing their warwolves and hellboars to poach our cattle and trample our fields. Hereby does the Kingdom of Kaedrin issue forth a call to arms to all able-bodied men for the defense of mankind’s patrimony. All men are to report to their local army officers for enlistment into militia brigades and training to protect the peace of the Golden City. Farmers are to straighten their scythes into suitable weapons of war until the next harvest season as all men must bare arms for not only their own defense, but that of their fellows in this time of war. IN NOMINE DEI, His Majesty, Adrian I of the House of Helvets, King of Kaedrin, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Cathalon, Lord of the Rhoswenii, and Captain & Defender of Liberty 

With submission of his Grace, Duke Sergius Merentel to the orcish warlord, this betrothal is no longer a fit match for a Prince of Kaedrin and is therefore null and void by the will of his Majesty, King Adrian I of Kaedrin.

Colorized, Duke Merentel’s act of submission to the orcish warlord, 1731.

Adrian frowns, ashamed of the sad fate that had befallen his kith and kin.

INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF KAEDRIN Proclaimed upon 10th of Horen’s Calling, in the year of our Lord, 1730. PREAMBLE Writ by the hand of Frederick S. Armas, Esq. The modern-day Commonwealth of Kaedrin is the historical successor to a number of previous entities, the governmental systems of all having been drawn upon and refined in order to provide the content for this document. The first Kingdom of Kaedrin, proclaimed at Ard Kerrack in 1414, serves as the genesis point of centuries of Kaedreni culture. Widely understood as ‘not a state with an army, but an army with a state’, the first kingdom was inextricably linked to the Order of the White Rose, from which the sovereign and Grand Master was elected in a pseudo-democratic system among the order’s membership. The first kingdom was dissolved with the Exodus of 1420, along with the knightly chapter. The Chivays later refocused their efforts towards Imperial ambitions, with the crown of Kaedrin becoming a subsidiary title to successive Orenian monarchs. In the early 16th century under the rule of King Olivier, the Commonwealth of Kaedrin was established on the frontier of the realm. Drawing on the democratic prototype (Though with no military order to speak of), the first Commonwealth was chiefed by a vassal magnate, elected in a ‘free election’ by members of the Kaedreni gentry. This entity persisted until the death of the last magnate, Cantonus Chivay, in 1543 and the absorption of Kaedreni land into the Duchy of Lorraine with the Act of Merger issued by Emperor John I. The current Commonwealth of Kaedrin has risen from the ashes of the old Republic of Ves, promoted by the House of Helvets who emigrated to the free city, bringing Kaedreni culture and philosophy with them all the while. Technically, the realm is in a state of legal personal union between Kaedrin and Ves, and while the latter does take a secondary role to the former on paper, a great many democratic processes are drawn from both systems in order to form the government of the new Commonwealth - an elective monarchy and quasi-military state unique in its role within the Holy Orenian Empire. Accordingly, this document, known in the long form as the Instrument of Government for the Commonwealth of Kaedrin (1730), and in the short form simply as the Constitution of Kaedrin, serves as a grounding basis for the governmental structure of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin, establishing executive and legislative authority in addition to systems of succession. THEREFORE, WE DO AFFIRM, ARTICLE I. On nomenclature, I. That the formal nomenclature of this entity be, in the long form, the Crown of the Kingdom of Kaedrin and the Grand Duchy of Ves, and that the same in the short form be known as the Commonwealth of Kaedrin. ARTICLE II. On the King, I. That the head of state of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin be formally styled as King of Kaedrin and Grand Duke of Ves, in addition to the subsidiary titles of Duke of Cathalon and Lord of the Rhoswenii. II. That this role be known, in short form, as the King of Kaedrin, entitled to the address of such rank, including that of Your Majesty and sire. III. That His Majesty be sworn, in his coronation oath, as the protector and defender of the Constitution. IV. That His Majesty be selected by the House of Electors upon the death or abdication of his predecessor, through the calling to session of the Diet of Kaedrin. V. That His Majesty’s sons, daughters, and patrilineal grandsons be permitted to carry, throughout the term of his reign, the style of Prince or Princess of Kaedrin, entitled to the address of such rank, including that of Your Highness and sir. VI. That His Majesty’s royal person be immune from civil suit throughout his reign. VII. That His Majesty’s rights and privileges, and role in governance, be known as the royal prerogative, and that this royal prerogative serve as the realm’s executive. VIII. That His Majesty appoint a deputy in his governance of the realm, with such a position styled as Governor-General of Kaedrin, entitled to the address of such rank, including that of Your Excellency and sir. IX. That His Majesty’s Governor-General serve as his lieutenant and proxy in the exercise of royal prerogative. X. That His Majesty’s personal property remain separate from that public property he holds in trust to the office, the latter of which referring to property or finance gained through taxation or state enterprise. XI. That His Majesty be empowered to enact executive orders known as ‘edicts’, should they remain compatible with the text of the Constitution and concern those matters that do not require passage through the Diet. XII. That the command of the Kaedreni armed forces be confined to the royal prerogative. XIII. That the summons or proroguing of the Diet of Kaedrin be confined to the royal prerogative. XIV. That the granting of peerages within the Commonwealth of Kaedrin be confined to the royal prerogative, and that this process be known as the issue of royal letters. XV. That the granting of royal assent be confined to the royal prerogative. ARTICLE III. On the Diet, I. That the legislature of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin be known as the Diet of Kaedrin, comprised of two chambers, the upper House of Electors and the lower House of Commons. II. That the character of the Diet of Kaedrin be that of the representatives of various interests to the King, when called to session. III. That the House of Electors be comprised of those holders of peerages within the Commonwealth of Kaedrin, a seat for which they shall hold until their death or abdication, in which case such seats are inherited by their legitimate heir, or attainder, in which case such seats are revoked. IV. That the House of Commons be comprised of those elected as members by the citizenry, a seat for which they shall hold until the next election. V. That no person shall hold a seat in both houses simultaneously, and that these houses must sit in two separate chambers. VI. That the Diet of Kaedrin be empowered to enact laws known as ‘acts’, should they pass through both chambers, remain compatible with the text of Constitution and attain royal assent. VII. That all laws concerning matters of taxation, spending or public land be required to pass through both chambers of the Diet of Kaedrin. ARTICLE IV. On status, I. That the Commonwealth does recognise the important roles of the nobility, clergy, gentry and commons in the composition of the state. II. That the term ‘Rhoswenii’ refer to those of any class patrilineally descended from an oathed member of the historical Order of the White Rose. III. That the term ‘ancient nobility’ refers to those belonging to a noble family ennobled, or in the case of a cadet branch with its patrilineal, legitimate parent family ennobled, at a time prior to the fall of the Third Empire in 1467, with therefore the highest pedigree. IV. That the term ‘lettered nobility’ refers to those belonging to a noble family ennobled at a time subsequent to 1467 through letters patent, with therefore lesser pedigree. V. That only nobility, either ancient or lettered, may bear arms and heraldry within the Commonwealth of Kaedrin. ARTICLE V. On royal elections, I. That upon the death or abdication of His Majesty the King, his successor to the throne be selected through majority vote by the House of Electors, through the calling to session of the Diet of Kaedrin, and that this event be known as a royal election. II. That none shall hold blood claim to the throne of Kaedrin, it being an elective rather than hereditary station. III. That any candidate for the throne, to be chosen by the House of Electors be confined purely to those of the status of ancient nobility, the criteria therein enumerated in Article IV of this document. IV. That the chosen candidate of the House of Electors be a pure-blooded male human. V. That the chosen candidate, upon his accession to the throne, must be coronated post-haste with an oath to defend the Constitution. VI. That the chosen candidate must select a regnal name consistent with the Low Imperial language. ARTICLE VI. On the Cabinet, I. That the executive council of the Commonwealth be known as the Council of State, referred to in shorthand as the Cabinet. II. That the Cabinet be appointed by His Majesty or the Governor-General in the exercise of the royal prerogative, with the advice and consent of the House of Electors. III. That the Cabinet be entitled to the style of Secretary of State, entitled to the address of such rank, including that of Your Excellency and sir. IV. That the senior Secretaries of State be designated in perpetual roles as: A.The Secretary of State for Internal Affairs. B.The Secretary of State for External Affairs. C. The Solicitor-General. V. That the junior Secretaries of State, in nomenclature, be designated further by their respective and specific jurisdictions. VI. That the number of junior Secretaries of State and their associated jurisdictions remain fluid based on need and demand, also known as on an ad hoc basis. VII. That the Secretaries of State retain wide-reaching executive powers compatible with the Constitution in their respective jurisdictions. ARTICLE VII. On the judiciary, I. That the judiciary be embodied by the office of Magistrate of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin, entitled to the style of Your Honour and sir. II. That this office be independently nominated and elected by the House of Electors. III. That the judiciary’s jurisdiction include the entirety of the Commonwealth, and that this entity be empowered to interpret and apply law both royal and imperial within this jurisdiction. IV. That the judiciary, in matters of ambiguity, be empowered to interpret the Constitution in the course of hearing a case of dispute.

BETROTHAL OF HELVETS AND MERENTEL Issued and Confirmed by his Majesty, Adrian I, King of Kaedrin, 7th of Sun’s Smile, 1729. Issued and Confirmed by his Grace, Sergius, Duke of Vintas, 7th of Sun’s Smile, 1729. BELOVED KAEDRENI, VINTASIANS, AND FELLOW IMPERIALS, Hereby does the Kingdom of Kaedrin and the Duchy of Vintas pledge that our support of one another in fealty to our mutual liege, His Imperial Majesty, shall be affirmed through holy matrimony. A son of House Helvets shall come to wed a daughter of House Merentel, where upon both reach the age of majority. IN NOMINE DEI, His Majesty, Adrian I of the House of Helvets, King of Kaedrin, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Cathalon, Lord of the Rhoswenii, and Captain & Defender of Liberty His Grace, Sergius of the House of Merentel, Duke of Vintas and Baron of Hallowfell 

THE BIRTH OF TWIN PRINCES Issued and Confirmed by his Majesty, Adrian I, King of Kaedrin, 18th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1728. BELOVED KAEDRENI AND FELLOW IMPERIALS, This morn the prayers of our country have been answered! Two healthy sons have been born to his Majesty, King Adrian I of House Helvets, King of Kaedrin and the Rhoswenii, and her Majesty, Queen-Consort Annabelle Lorin. The auspicious nature of their birth brings together the Houses of Helvets and Chivay, the bat and sparrow, into a singular bloodline. Hereby the Crown of Kaedrin shall bestow upon our princes the names of the Saintly Brothers, whose blood runs in their veins, so that they might be worthy of their blessing; The elder shall be his Highness, Prince Thomas Tancred of House Helvets, Prince of Kaedrin and the Rhoswenii, The younger shall be his Highness, Prince Peter Owyn of House Helvets, Prince of Kaedrin and the Rhoswenii. Hereby does the Crown of Kaedrin declare a holiday to celebrate the coming of our Princes Thomas Tancred and Peter Owyn. With this holiday it is hereby decreed that taxes for the year of 1728 shall be waived. In the coming month let all rejoice with a feast in the Golden City of Ves to honor our Princes and the forthcoming Imperial Procession. The following are hereby expressly invited to attend; His Imperial Majesty Alexander II and the House of Johannes, and the Nobility of the Empire; His Holiness, High Pontiff Daniel VI and his Cardinals; The Rhoswenii Houses of Kaedrin and the Citizens of Ves; The House of Devereux, and the Nobility of Curonia; The House of Barbanov, and the Nobility of Haense; The House of Merentel, and the Nobility of Vintas; The House of d’Amaury, and the Nobility of Lorraine; The House of Staunton, and the Nobility of Westmarch; The House of Suffolk, and the Nobility of Suffonia; The House of Nasrid, and the Nobility of Cresonia; The House of Kharadeen, and the Nobility of the Caliphate. IN NOMINE DEI, His Majesty, Adrian I of House Helvets, King of Kaedrin, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Cathalon, Lord of the Rhoswenii, and Captain & Defender of Liberty  OOC: Saturday, 7 PM EST

KING ADRIAN’S ARTICLES c. 9th of Horen’s Calling in the Year of Our Lord 1726 Lo and behold for the Crown of Kaedrin is splendorous, and Ves is her jewel! The City of Ves was settled in the year of our Lord 1705 predominantly by former inhabitants of the City of Belvitz. The Duke of Adria, Paul II marched a host of his own people to the so called Mont Saint Catherine and announced “This is where our people shall live a thousand lives.” Embraced in the loving grip of the mountain which graced the city with its protection and riches, Ves grew prosperous. What started off as a chaotic mess of huts and hovels was quickly put to order by Count Rupert of Susa who gave order and structure to the city. He had a singular demand which was to anoint his mother, the Countess Vesna as the namesake of the city. With ore from its mines and its central location within the Empire, it quickly became a major trading hub of not only the Empire but the world. Peace was good, the city grew rich and fat though this was not to last. A faction of the city, mainly composed of former officials from the City of Belvitz grew malcontent that the Duke Paul favored new blood instead of the old. These officials, including Darius Ault, Artumee Ault, and Bruce Roger acted against the Duke though their plot failed and those who supported them either perished or fled. “Out with the old, in with the new! Innovation is key.” was what the Duke announced to his people after the coup. No truer words have embodied the beating heart of Ves, for the city rewards those who work and punishes those who lounge. The city’s bureaucracy grew, filled with fresh faces and keen minds, the city was granted it’s autonomy and it was given its own charter. When Emperor Anthony took the throne, Darius Ault was pardoned and appointed as the Grand Knight of the Empire and commander of his Dragon Knights. The Emperor and the Duke did not get along, rumors have it that the Emperor threw the Duke into a well when they were children, other rumors have it that the Duke was planning to claim the throne as he was revealed to be the Emperor’s half brother. The truth is that misery befell onto the City of Ves. The Dragon Knights came in force, enacting the Emperor’s will and terrorizing the people. Martial law was enacted in the City of Ves. Duke Paul, fearing for his life and the life of his Duchy abdicated his titles. The Duma of Adria elected the King of Hanseti and Ruska, Marius II as their Duke. Hoping for protection it was the Duchy’s undoing. The King Marius asked for justice for an Imperial Prince shedding the blood and leading a raid against the city. The Haenseni and Adrian populace that attended the trial were executed in a brutal spectacle of imperial justice. In a bid to save his own Kingdom, Marius allowed the Empire to set the City of Ves alight and plunder it. Ves smoldered and its inhabitants were scattered to the wind as ash. Though this was not to last. For the late Seneschal, Alfred Myre came to an agreement with Emperor Anthony and was named Prince of Vilachia with the City of Ves and the former lands of Adria as his domain. Under his watch the City stopped smouldering and was rebuilt. Sadly, serenity was not to last. Chaos tore the Empire apart as the Emperor Anthony went mad, forcing an infant heir onto the throne and a pretender to contest it. The vassals of the Empire rose up in revolt against the Pertinaxi cabal through a vast coalition headed by scheming nobles of old, now impoverished and seeking a return to glory. Propping up some form of Horen, they staged an assault on the island fortress of Hel, but were broken apart inside the palace, which is said to be the belly of some great and terrible beast. The war raged furiously, but quickly - but not quick enough to spare the good Prince Alfred, who was assassinated by a begrudging cretin from the Pertinaxi side. Oh, how the city mourned! Such a young republic was cast in to deep sorrow, golden tears staining the ground over which we dwell for ever to come. But all things must grow up and move on. The Prince Alfred Myre had saved the people of Ves from death and destruction, so in his memory the Republic he championed would continue to protect them. Woe to these poor folk of Ves! While the Golden City’s institutions matured, its leaders did not. Good Alfred was succeeded by two princes bumbling and swarthy in equal measure, the first of which being one Matthias Rutledge. This Prince of Ves presided inactively for hardly two years, the extent of his accomplishments being letting the City and princely palace fall in to disrepair. Following mounting pressure from the Assembly and influential figures within the government, Rutledge resigned his post as prince in favor of the people’s new favorite: one Ide Haraccus. This Haraccus hailed from a distant land filled with strangely colored folk with strange customs, from which he brought a great many people and followers. He led many new enriching endeavors within the City as a Freeman, as well as possessing of a sharp legal mind, causing him to be held in high regard by almost all throughout Ves. Upon his ascension to the office of prince, he is said to have uttered an inspirational quote, but it was spoken in a tongue unfamiliar to most at the assembly. Most likely, he said “Thank you for choosing me!” Nevertheless, a brief revolt by the now beheaded Captain Drumm and his red-stained soldiers caused this Prince of Ves to flee the city and abdicate his office to Helton Hadrian. Helton Hadrian, now head of state of the ailing Republic, understood that if he would return a shine to the Golden City, he must not continue down the muddy path his two predecessors trod. With a stalwart and loyal force of men to defend the people of Ves, Helton Hadrian, sometimes known as “Triple H”, founded the Kingdom of Kaedrin about the lands watched by Mont Saint Catherine. With a Royal government now able to defend and compliment the Municipal, the City of Ves surely returns to its former glory! Hooray for the King of Kaedrin! Long live the Kingdom! KING OF KAEDRIN His Majesty, the King of Kaedrin serves as the head of the state and the Captain and Defender of Liberty. He is afforded undefined power all throughout his realm, limited only by the specific rights and protections given to his vassals and Imperial noble, common, and natural law. COUNCIL OF SEVEN Their Excellencies, the Council of Seven serve as trusted counselors to the King of Kaedrin. Enumerated as such to bestow the royal government with the wisdom of the Seven Skies, they are named to their office by the King of Kaedrin and serve until their dismissal. His Majesty the King delegates to the Council of Seven the following competencies of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Kaedrin; I. The Council has been bestowed the responsibility of managing affairs on behalf of the Royal government and the King. II. The Council has been granted authority to call to order the Diet, with a vote of two-thirds majority from the Council. III. The Council has been granted authority to dismiss the Diet, with a vote of two-thirds majority from the Council. THE DIET OF KAEDRIN The Diet of Kaedrin is an advisory body to the Kingdom, called to order to resolve disputes between subjects and operate on behalf of the King. A Diet may be called or dismissed at the leisure of the King and the Council of Seven. Seats on the Diet include the King, each member of the Council of Seven, three representatives from the City of Ves, the Papal Legate, and the peerage of the Kingdom. THE ESTATES AND PEERAGE OF THE KINGDOM OF KAEDRIN The Provisional Charter for the Kingdom of Kaedrin and the Golden City of Ves hereby defines the legal standings pertaining to the wide variety of social strata within royal law. Those not explicitly mentioned retain fundamental rights as dictated by common law though are not afforded the various privileges outlined below. NOBILITY The Nobles of the Kingdom are the heads of influential families or influential individuals which are given certain privileges befitting of their station. These privileges also extend to the Noble’s immediate family. The King has the right to elevate a personage to the peerage. Any man of noble stock has the right to don a Coat of Arms. Any man of noble stock has the right to hold land in his name in which it will stay for the coming generations. Any man of noble stock has the right to be tried by his peers. May no one lay judgement onto a noble unless of the same rank and privilege. May no one claim the life of a noble unless of the same rank and privilege. Any man of noble stock has the right to duel. May no man of lower rank may challenge another of noble stock. Any man of noble stock has the right to settle his trial by combat. May the opponent of the trial be of the same rank and privilege as the accused, lest the accused waive his right. Any man of noble stock has the right to hunt within the city’s forests and properties. May no one hunt the King’s game unlawfully, lest they be denoted a poacher. May these hunts occur not too frequently and with moderation, to allow the forest to thrive. Any man of noble stock has the right to carry out Private Law against another man. May neither the state nor the church intervene in a matter of Private Law. May the matter of Private Law stay between two individuals, and not their families lest it become public Any man of noble stock is afforded The Gradic Rights. CLERGY The Clergy of the Kingdom are defined as those individuals who have devoted themselves to the vows of the Canonist Church.. The Clergy are granted the following privileges. Any man of clerical stock has the right to be trialed. May no one lay judgement onto a cleric unless of the same or higher rank and privilege. May no one trial a cleric on the precepts of faith other than within an ecclesiastical court. Any man of clerical stock is granted permission to express the Canonist faith and minister freely. Any man of clerical stock is allowed to take donations without the stigma of being a beggar. Any man of clerical stock has the freedom to travel without harm throughout the lands in which this charter is enforced. Any man of clerical stock is afforded the Gradic rights. FREEMEN Those of common blood owning property within Kaedrin that are not bound to any feudal or private contract are hereby defined as Freemen and are granted the following privileges. Any man of common stock is exempt from serfdom. Any man of common stock has the right to own property in their own name. Any man of common stock has the right to work for coin. Any man of common stock has the right to trade his wares with foreign merchants. Any man of common stock has the right to travel freely throughout the lands in which this charter is enforced. Any man of common stock has the right to a trial for any crimes levied against his person. Any man of common stock has the right to carry out Private Law against another man. May neither the state nor the church intervene in a matter of Private Law. May the matter of Private Law stay between two individuals, and not their families lest it become public Any man of common stock has the right to petition his lord. Any man of common stock is afforded the Gradic Rights. THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES The City of Ves is granted privileges under the Gradic Rights which outline its autonomy and freedom from serfdom. The Gradic Rights were given to the Imperial City of Felsen during the reign of John II, Holy Orenian Emperor which allowed for greater autonomy to the city through a series of municipal rights. These rights came from a series of laws which gave privileges to the burghers, exemption from serfdom, and the ability for self-governance and self-defense. The Gradic Rights, c.1557 Hitherto the populace of this town shall be referred to as any legal landholder within municipal authority. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to waive feudal privilege and govern itself. Hence the town has the right to choose a leader from amongst its own. Hence the town has the right to produce and publish laws and rights regarding itself. Hitherto does the populace of this town have an exemption from serfdom. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to freedom of travel. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to collect tax, tolls, and impose fees. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to freedom of trade. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to a trial by judge. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to petition its lord. CITIZENSHIP WITHIN VES As per The Gradic Rights and the Provisional Charter of this City, special privileges are afforded to the populace of the City of Ves, defined as legal landholders within municipal authority and the members of Families of said landholders. These landholders and Families are hereby defined as Citizens of the Golden City of Ves. FAMILIES OF VES A Citizen of Ves may register themselves with the office of the Administrator General in order to legally establish a Family of Ves. A Family of Ves is defined by three or more Citizens related by blood or legal adoption. When approved and registered by the City government, a Family’s members are afforded the rights of Citizens of Ves and Freemen in Kaedrin. Approval predicates on owning property within the City in good standing. A Family of Ves must represent itself in official matters to the City and Kingdom by a singular head. All properties owned by members of a family are managed by and represented to the City and Kingdom by the family’s head. A Family of Ves must represent itself through a shared family name and Charge. THE CITY ASSEMBLY OF VES The City Assembly of Ves acts as the collective representation for the citizenry of Ves. There are seven seats within the assembly filled by members of the Families of Ves. The seats are chosen by lottery headed by the Administrator General’s office once every four years. The assembly functions as the legislative body of the city and is charged with the creation and amendment of law and judicial statutes. This edict delegates to the City Assembly the following competencies of the Municipal Government of the City of Ves; I. The City Assembly of Ves has been tasked with the creation of new Municipal laws, city ordinances, and statutes which must be passed with a vote of majority. II. The City Assembly of Ves has been tasked with the amendment of existing Municipal laws, city ordinances, and statutes which must be passed with a vote of majority. III. The City Assembly of Ves is hereby ordered to meet once every two years in a meeting in which the Administrator General shall act as the head. IV. The City Assembly of Ves is hereby ordered to elect a Citizen of Ves in to office upon the vacancy of such an office. V. The City Assembly of Ves is granted the authority to sack any elected member of the Municipal Government of Ves. THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF VES The Mayor of the City of Ves acts as the chief representative of the citizenry and City of Ves. The Mayor is a member of a Family of Ves who is elected by the City Assembly to serve a term of four years. This edict delegates to the Mayor of the City of Ves the following competencies of the Municipal Government of the City of Ves; I. The Mayor of the City of Ves has been tasked with the oversight and advising of the Governors General of Ves. II. The Mayor of the City of Ves has been tasked with representing the City of Ves in legal and official matters both internally and externally. III. The Mayor of the City of Ves has been tasked with funding each office of the Governors General with adequate allowance to operate effectively. IV. The Mayor of the City of Ves has been tasked with providing funds to the Kingdom of Kaedrin through a scheme of taxation or tribute as determined by the Diet of Kaedrin. V. The Mayor of the City of Ves is hereby charged with fostering beneficial growth of the City of Ves and ensuring a healthy social and economic environment. THE GOVERNORS GENERAL OF VES The Governors General of Ves act as overall authorities for the mechanisms of governance within the Golden City. A number of three Governors General exist, each afforded a different office by the Kingdom of Kaedrin and City Assembly of Ves. The specific role and responsibilities of each are defined below. PROTECTOR GENERAL OF VES Due to the pertinence of defending the City and realm, the Protector General is appointed by the Kingdom of Kaedrin and serves indefinitely until sacked by the same power. This edict delegates to the Protector General of Ves the following competencies of the Municipal Government of the City of Ves; I. The Protector General has been tasked with the maintenance and operation of a competent military organization able to defend the City of Ves and serve the Kingdom of Kaedrin. II. The Protector General has been tasked with the mustering of munitions, engines, armaments, and armor for the capacity of the military. III. The Protector General has been tasked with garrisoning fortifications, patrolling roadways, and defending the people of the realm from extralegal harm. IV. The Protector General is given authority over all military organization within the City of Ves. V. The Protector General is given the authority to levy able-bodied men of Ves and command them when the need arises. VI. The Protector General is given the authority to enforce and execute all Municipal laws within the City, as well as the Royal and Imperial noble, common, and natural laws which apply to the people of Ves. VII. The Protector General is given the authority to detain subjects pending trial or administration of justice. VIII. The Protector General is hereby charged with ensuring all Freemen, Clergy, and Nobility are given fair trial by the Magistrate General in the case of violations of the aforementioned laws. ADMINISTRATOR GENERAL OF VES Due to the importance of building and maintaining a source of income for the City and realm, the Administrator General is appointed by the King of Kaedrin and serves indefinitely until sacked by the same power. This edict delegates to the Administrator General of Ves the following competencies of the Municipal Government of the City of Ves; I. The Administrator General has been tasked with the maintenance and operation of a competent bureaucracy able to manage the City of Ves and serve the Kingdom of Kaedrin. II. The Administrator General has been tasked with careful and accurate recording of taxation, expenditures, and construction. III. The Administrator General has been tasked with keeping inventory of the City’s storehouses. IV. The Administrator General has been tasked with the sale of property unowned and unused by the City. V. The Administrator General has been tasked with the preservation of urban order and beauty within the City. VI. The Administrator General has been tasked with approving and overseeing all construction and demolition within the City of Ves. VII. The Administrator General is given the authority to order construction and demolition within the City. VIII. The Administrator General is given the authority to levy taxes on properties and businesses within the City. MAGISTRATE GENERAL OF VES Due to the self-governing nature of the City of Ves, the Magistrate General is elected by the City Assembly for which he serves a term of six years or until sacked by the same power. This edict delegates to the Magistrate General of Ves the following competencies of the Municipal Government of the City of Ves; I. The Magistrate General has been tasked with the maintenance and operation of a competent cabinet able to serve the City of Ves. II. The Magistrate General has been tasked with aiding the Mayor of Ves in representing the City of Ves in legal and official matters both internally and externally. III. The Magistrate General has been tasked with ensuring and giving fair trial to all Freemen, Clergy, and Nobility within Ves before sentencing. IV. The Magistrate General has been tasked with review of Municipal laws, ordinances, and statutes passed by the City Assembly of Ves. V. The Magistrate General has been tasked with overseeing and moderating all matters of Public and Private law. VI. The Magistrate General is given the authority to mete out sentences following trial or the contempt of such according to Municipal law, as well as Royal and Imperial noble, common, and natural law. VII. The Magistrate General is required to be a certified lawyer from any of the great Imperial Institutes of Law. IN NOMINE DEI, His Majesty, Adrian I of House Helvets, King of Kaedrin, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Cathalon, Lord of the Rhoswenii, and Captain & Defender of Liberty

Issued and Confirmed 9th of Snow’s Maiden, 1725 “Onward, Canonist Soldiers!” Unknown Soldier of the Eighteen Years’ War, 1536 With the march of dwarfkind upon the Realms of Man, honor demands that all of mankind uphold our moral and legal obligation in opposing these invaders. Thus the Serene Duchy of Cathalon and the Golden City of Ves issue forth a call to arms to all able-bodied men and subjects of the realm to defend the patrimony of mankind. Let none claim ignorance and let no grudge prevent sons of Horen from honoring the sacred duty of our ancestors. Hereby does his Serene Grace, Helton Hadrian Helvets, Duke of Cathalon and Captain & Defender of Liberty call upon the service of his vassals; The Right Honorable, Count Richard de Reden His Lordship, Baron Simon of Ba’as Hereby does his Serene Grace, Helton Hadrian Helvets, Duke of Cathalon and Captain & Defender of Liberty plead for the blessings of the following Saints; High Pontiff, St. Daniel I of Abresi, Patron Saint of Scholarship, Canonist Coalitions, Fidei Defensors, and Literature, St. Thomas of Gaekrin, Patron Saint of Virtuous Leadership, Discipline, Frontiersmen, and Kaedreni Peoples, St. Peter of Gaekrin, Patron Saint of Military Orders, Victory in Battle, and Plight against Heathens, St. Emma of Woldzmir, Patron Saint of the Schism War, Soldiers, Loyalty, Valour against Odds, and Adrians, St. Catherine of Felsen, Patron Saint of Integrity, Innocence, Refugees, and the Vessian People. Hereby does his Serene Grace, Helton Hadrian Helvets, Duke of Cathalon and Captain & Defender of Liberty issue that those who serve beneath the banner of Cathalon and receive baptism shall be awarded a home and the status of Freemen within the Golden City of Ves. In addition, properties owned by soldiers of Cathalon shall not be taxed for the years that they campaign. Let all who would declare for the Pax Orenia rejoice in the solidarity of mankind! Signed, His Serene Grace, Helton Hadrian Helvets, Duke of Cathalon and Captain & Defender of Liberty

Signed His Serene Grace, Helton Hadrian Helvets, Duke of Cathalon, Captain & Defender of Liberty.

“The two of us abstain, and leave as vassals of the Emperor of Man. Allow us to go freely, we plead.” Helton reads aloud from a transcript of Joseph’s words at the Seventeenth Session. “How embarrassing.”