thesmellypocket

Islam, Christianity, etc. to many is worthy of satire. Why are some memes allowed but others not? Where do you draw the line? Not allowed to meme Nazis? Communists? Conservatives? Labour? The Israeli government? Hamas? UKIP? Democrats? REpublicans? Creationists? Scientology? People who believe in a slightly different model of biological evolution? SNP? Norse Pagans? The Daily Stormer, CNN, RT, BBC News? Feminism? Equalism? MRA's? Atheists? Agnostics? Diests?

Shouting "Allahu Akbar" isn't even taking the mick out of Muslims, it's taking the mick out of extremist Muslims who bomb people. I would expect a "moderate" Muslim to join me in laughing at those sorts of Muslim, in the same way I expect Christians who are reasonable to laugh at Creationists-without fear of getting banned.

If you think about it, joking about them is more/equally offensive to westerners, who have been  ruthless Jihads called onto them for centuries, and still have terrorist attacks today.

edit: I was the friend in tanner's scenario. I think it was stupid he was banned, especially since we had some decent RP going on, and had to stop and pause it midway, probably never to re initiate it.

By using it in an IC context, or using it in an OOC context to devalue their beliefs, for your own personal joke. Both of these sets a poor example, and being a smartass about it won't get you far.

"If someone tells me they're offended I tell them "what's their point?"-Christopher Hitchens

"To many, the claims of Mohammed are ridiculous and worthy of satire."

If one meme should be allowed, all should be allowed...why is it criticizing religion is a taboo? 

A Decree from Adolf Von Manstein

I, Adolf Von Manstein, the third of his name to be patriarch of the family, Baron of the Ruhr, Lord Bailiff of Leuvaarden and all other lands within the County of Norfolk, do other this decree.

The question of inheritance is one that troubles the family greatly. For, while Frederick is the eldest of brothers, he has the claim of Harald to contend with, for he had not been disowned by Adolf II, meaning he has a claim to rightful heir of the Ruhr. 

So to solve this question, I offer this decree. That if Harald should have a child of either sex, he would be made heir to all my lands and titles, and therefore the Ruhr (previously known as Valette) until such happens, Frederick shall inherit the lands in the event of my death. 

Sincerly, Adolf Von Manstein, the third of his name to be patriarch of the family, Baron of the Ruhr, Lord Bailiff of Leuvaarden and all other lands within the County of Norfolk..

Oren is like Alexander's empire...it splits into Macedon, Seleucids, Ptolemaic, etc. after conquering everything!

Baron Adolf III Von Manstein "The Iconoclast" rips one of the pages, proclaiming angrily "The images of saints are heretical!" before reading the rest..."apart from that it seems to be well."

((I love the way there are so many depictions of Henry II of England/Anjou.))

Until there is an emperor with a Byzantine name, there will be no best emperor.

Ray Comfort was the best emperor. IF EEEVLOUTION SEYS WEE CUM FRUM MOKEIS Y OUR THEIR STILL MONEKIS!

Adolf Ruhr von Manstein "The Iconoclast" sits, contemplating "Will they have me killed for Iconoclasm?"

"Oren expects that every man do his duty."

The House of Manstein

((OOC Note:A While ago I made a thread summarizing the history and present of the house of Manstein, this is version 2. The history and current facts of the house have been expanded and updated. I posted a new thread since there were problems with editing the old one, and perhaps this is worthy of a new thread anyway since it has been made again from scratch.))

Quick Description

The house of Manstein is a noble house located in the Barony of Vallette, in the De Jure County of Pobblebonk but de facto part of the County of Norfolk. It holds numerous honours, titles, and property. The head of house is Adolf Ruhr von Manstein III “The Iconoclast” who has, in past decades, attempted to revive the fortunes of the house, which plummeted under Adolf II. They are Waldenian, but are now more integrated with the Savoyard culture.

History

The history of the house was first only traced to Adolf I, the grandfather of Adolf III, but since then research and contemplation has revealed more of the house’s history. Originally they were of a humble origin.

First Generation (Manstein)

Frederick Von Manstein (c.1360-c.1400)- A Yeoman living in the countryside of Hanseti, little is known of Frederick von Manstein besides his union with the prestigious Anna von Hohenzollern.  

Anna Von Manstein(1364-c.1400)- A  lower gentlewoman of some status, she is recorded to have been highly intelligent, and highly responsible for the future sucess of the house in her tutorage of Wilhelm. She married with the approval of her father for love, rather than for wealth or status.

The Siblings of Frederick are unknown…..

First Generation (Hohenzollerns, Siblings of Anna)

Erwin von Hohenzollern(1367-1406)-Head of Hohenzollern, Erwin was a gentleman of benevolence and generosity. Since Erwin, the houses of Hohenzollern and Manstein have lost touch with each other.

Catherine von Hohenzollern (c.1367-c.1400)-Married to Erwin, she is known to have bore a single child, Erwin.

Anna von Hohenzollern (c.1370-c.1370)-Dying in infancy, the loss of Anna was of great tragecy.

Leo III Von Hohenzollern (1371-c.1470)-A highly religious man, Leo III is said to have took opposition to the images, to which Adolf III has also. He is sometimes known as “the old” due to his long life span of 69 years. (Long for a Manstein, most of whom have not reached close to such an age)

Second Generation (Manstein)

Wilhelm “The Landowner” Von Manstein (1381-c.1420)- Known as the “landowner” due to his ability to be the first Manstein to own land, he saw the family rise to the middle class. He was born merely a illiterate serf, but saw that change.

Eva Von Manstein (c.1374-c.1420)-Known to have bore 3 children. (Adolf, Justinian, Augustus)

Second Generation (Hohenzollern)

Erwin Von Hohenzollern (c.1385-1469)-A man who is known to have spent most of his life in a monastery, he died chaste and childless. It is unknown whether the Hohenzollern dynasty still lives, since Erwin’s mother is only known to have bore one child. It is unknown whether he was an only child.

Third Generation (Manstein)

Adolf I “The Great” Von Manstein (1400-1469)-A man of immense military, administrative, and diplomatic competence, he raised the family even higher than Wilhelm could have dreamed of-into the ranks of the gentry. He is frequently called “The Great” or “the Old” by family members living in the present day.

Caroline Von Manstein (1396-1429)-Dying rather early in Adolf I’s life, she bore only one child, Adolf. She is known to have been a disciplinarian and very wrothful, frequently beating the children when the much more benevolent Adolf was not around.

Justinian Von Manstein (1402-1421)-Dying rather young, the only things known of Justinian is his workaholic nature; and that he married a woman called Erika and had a single child, Eva.

Augustus Von Manstein (1409-1415)-Also died young.

Hildegard Von Manstein-​(1410-1489)A legendary musician of extraordinary skill, she was renowned for he piety, virtue and ability. Never marrying and remaining celibate her entire life, few of her musical compositions survive today. 

Fourth Generation (Manstein)

Adolf II “The Foolhardy” von Manstein (1420-1475)-A foolish idiot, he took largely after his mother. He was an extremely martial character. He spent all the money made by Adolf I in trying to leave a martial legacy, which, despite his competence, ended in failure. When he died, the family’s fortunes dissolved. He expected extremely martial sons, and therefore, when his high bar was not met, most of his sons were disowned. He married a woman called Erika, of the noble house Von Hindenburg. He saw the house migrate from Wanderfell to Hanseti.

Erika Von Manstein (1439-1476)-A woman marrying at 14 and bearing 7 children, she was of the noble house Hindenburg, of which most records have been lost. It is said to have been a Waldenian household living in Petrus, which is why here original name was “Eulalie." She was given a more Waldenian name upon marriage.

Fifth Generation

Adolf III “The Scholar” Von Manstein (1457-Living) ((Played by Thesmellypocket)) -Disowned by his father at a young age, he lived largely in the tutorship of a man called Wilhelm, a scholar from Hanseti. He became a notable scholar and was taken on by the noble house Fournier, who are a notable noble house in Savoy. He tutored many of their noble sons and daughters, later to become a landowner, and, after gaining prominence and favour in the court of Guy de Bar, a Baron. He has revived the fortunes of the household, making it a noble house. He was previously known as "The Iconoclast" for his religious views and images, but he has since revoked these views, taking a pro-image stance. Since then, he is known as "the scholar." He is currently unmarried, and lacks an heir. ((totally not Leo III the Syrian))

Frederick Von Manstein "The Traitor" (1459-1498) ((Played By TheCelticOutlaw/NOW DEAD))-A man who is a shrewd at business and an advisor to Adolf, he is frequently known as the “idle” for his lack of appearance. He has recently returned from many years of travel, and has gained some martial merit. He is being put forward as a leader of the Manstein's retinue, but his career remains uncertain. He was killed on 5th sun's smile, 1498.

Hannah Von Habsburg (1460-1481)-A woman marrying into the gentry house Habsburg, she died at the age of 21, bearing a single child, Franz.

Erika “The Serf” Von Manstein (1460-Living) ((Unoccupied))-After the house fellow into disintegration, she went to Polaris, where she is known to have been a serf. This is a stain on the character and on the household.

Caroline Von Manstein (1463-1463)-Died at childbirth.

Harald von Manstein (1467-Living) ((Played by thesmellypocket))-The only male not to have been disowned by his father, Harald is a martial character much like his father. He has a very strong sense of duty and honour, and many see him as stubborn. He is quite brave and sometimes rash, but has a martial instinct. He has a religious fervour, like most of his fellow Mansteins. Harald has a strong claim to succession and even as current head of house since he was never disowned.

Cathrin Von Manstein (1465-Living) ((Unoccupied))-The widow of a notable gentleman, Cathrin is a sweet-tempered and fair gentlewoman.

Property and Retinue

The house has a small infantry retinue, called the retinue of Vallette. These are a small group of professional troops including billmen and heavy infantry (formerly cavalry ((Don't be surprised if you find any cavalry references lel :p)) ).

*A Document with information on this retinue is referenced*

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L1a8a7YcHFkpHD8plt6f-LajvPV6amJjyFzvM0h2PM8/edit

The household owns the Barony of Vallette, a small barony in Savoy. Because of this, they are allegiant to Guy de Bar. Adolf is also Lord Bailiff of Norfolk, meaning he has considerable sway over the duchy.

Coats Of Arms

((To be added))

House Character

The qualities admired by a house member are largely a mixture of those of Adolf I, Adolf II, and Adolf III. These are the qualities most wished for in a house member. It is seen that religious fervour, scholarly fame, martial competence and traditionalist ideals are most valued in the house.

The house has two known mottos:

“Lieb Vaterland magst ruhig sein!” (Dear Fatherland, you can be assured!)

and “Wehe euch, ihr Heiden, das ist dir ein Ärgernis!” (Woe to you, pagans, which is a nuisance to you!)

Employment

One may find employment among the retinue, or at the barony. We employ men of virtually all skills. If you wish to join, send a message to Adolf Ruhr Von Manstein at the Barony of Vallette with the following details:

Application

((OOC:

IGN:

Skype:

Do you have teamspeak?:))

IC:

What is your name:

What is your skill or profession?:

What is your previous employment?:

Why do you wish to join?:
Do you wish to join the retinue, or otherwise?:

((OOC:Application to play a family member

IGN:

Skype:

Which Family Member?:

Why do you wish to play that family member?:))

"wooot a shithole." Louis Fournier d'Avenese, the Wealdstone Raider, chants at the wheat.

Baron Adolf Ruhr von Manstein "The Iconoclast" is glad that the king joined him in his condemnation of icons.

Adolf Ruhr von Manstein speaks angrily "I do wish my newly returned brother would be Lord Steward. Now there is no place for him in the council, and he is hardly a warrior." He smirks Savoyardily, losing the honest trait. "We shall see that a position is given to him....one way or another."

Adolf von Manstein says "I must inform the people of the plot by Adolf von Manstein to kill Adolf von Manstein to make sure Adolf von Manstein does not discover his plot to kill Adolf von Manstein! The festival shall be of import for this!"

Adolf Ruhr Von Manstein gains the ambitious trait as he considers switching positions from Lord Bailiff to Lord Steward.

Fortune builder....

+1

((never forget 1683! RIP in peace Holy Roman Empire))

[size="5"]Character Name[/size]
Nicknames: Adolf has been called "Man of the fields" and "The Chaste" he is now commonly known as "the Iconoclast" for his views against the images.
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Race: Human (Heartlander)
Status: Currently healthy and well.

[size="3"]Description[/size]
Height: 5 feet 10 inches.
Weight: 10 stone.
Body Type: sinewy and short.
Eyes: Blue.
Hair: Brown.
Skin: A very pale white.
Markings/Tattoos: None.
Health: Adolf has been around many sick and dying people, and has been sick many times. However, he remains very prone to terrible fevers.
Personality: Adolf is a fervent and easily angered man. His belief in the creator is absolute, as well as the old traditions of not just Hanseti, but the Heartlanders in their entirety. He is vehemently opposed to corruption, dishonesty and other such things, and is himself a extremely honest man. Every action he does has some kind of moral justification, but he is prone to taking this justification to its extreme and doing great harm. His religious nature means he is entirely brave, to a fault, when fighting heathens and daemons and other such things, so much so he will throw himself at them with little weaponry without remorse, the same for those who disrespect the feudal system and the nobility. Adolf is becoming increasingly less craven, more arrogant, and more confident and authoritarian. Many view his opinions on religion and race as bigoted, however most respect his piety and confidence in the superiority of the humans. He used to be a tolerant, calm, rational, craven and respectful of even the lowest peasant. This has changed. He has recently became the first "Iconoclast" who believe that images of Saints are heretical. He speaks of "image-worshipers" with bigotry and hate.

In person, he tends to see his authority as automatic when speaking to those lower than him. He will do much to provide good welfare and protect those who do respect his authority and the human establishment, but shall neglect those who do not. He holds enormous respect for those set over him, his liege, his liege's liege, etc, so long as they protect the autonomy of the barons and minor nobles, of which he is a part. 

Inventory: Adolf used to carry many, many, many books, some of which his own works, most of which he lost. He carries a copy of the liber ex iustitia, his brainchild and the new lawbook of the county of Norfolk, as well as many writing instruments and musical instruments. He carries with him some medical equipment too; he has only had basic training from when he was a mere free subject in Oren, but this has been refined with a few tests of experience, both in military and civil areas, after duels, etc.
Further Details: Adolf is a man who wears still the clothes of an upper merchant, despite being extremely proud of his nobility. This is because he has been trying to pay back a loan and get his barony built upon. 

[size="3"]Life Style[/size]
Alignment*: Lawful Neutral.
Deity*: The Creator.
Religion: The Faith.
Alliance/Nation/Home The Duchy of Savoie/The Reformed Kingdom of Oren/The Barony of Vallette.
Job/Class: A former scholar, servant and musician, now he has little time to practice these things. Now he is a noble, and lawmaker, and a baron.
Title(s): Lord Bailiff, Baron of Vallette.
Profession(s): Scholarly works, surgery, administrative roles, law making.
Special Skill(s): Manstein has a administrative flair that is matched by few. Added to this, his musical and scholarly abilities are good. He knows literally dozens of instruments. He can speak many dialects. His very formal nature and fervent nature is persuasive to some.
Flaw(s): Manstein is a poor fighter, and foolhardy when fighting for the Faith, which he often does, despite a surgeon's knife being his only weapon. In addition, his fervent nature can make him a poor diplomat to many. 

((in EU IV terms, he has 2 MIL, 3 DIP, and 6 ADM.))

[size="3"]Weaponry[/size]
Fighting Style: Stab at the heathen frantically!
Trained Weapon[s]: Nothing! He has stabbed a few (yes, but a few) people with his knife, on the plus side. 
Favored Weapon: His tiny surgeon's knife!
Archery: Shoot the heathens from afar!? No sirrah, we charge! Deus vult! 

[size="3"]Biography[/size]
Parents: Adolf II Von Manstein, Erika Ruhr Von Manstein,
Siblings: Frederick Von Manstein, Harald Ruhr Von Manstein, Erika von Manstein "The serf", Hannah von Manstein, Catherin von Manstein.
Children: N/A.
Extended Family: N/A.
Pet(s): N/A.

[size="3"]History[/size]
Adolf Ruhr Von Manstein was born in 1457 in Wanderfell. He was born into a minor gentry family, and his first few years were...comfortable. However, his foolhardy and disciplinarian father was not so keen on him, nor his mother. They had been a martial family ever since their grandfather, the brilliant Adolf "The old" of whom Adolf remembers not very vividly. When his grandfather died, his father, Adolf II took control, and the family plummeted instantly. A terrible administrator and an even poorer diplomat, he excelled only at martial ability. This caused the family to fall down from the gentry, and Adolf grew up as part of the small landowners who kept an independent tiny piece of land for agriculture. His father wanted the house's martial glory to be great,but he was not a martial character, the same with the most of his brothers. Even those that were, with the exception of Harald, failed to reach his father's very high bar. 

This was when Adolf was merely 16 refused to do any martial work, and so received constant abuse from his father. When he died, they only rejoiced, but quickly scattered. His siblings found their own way, and he stayed with a scholar called Wilhelm. He saw Adolf's skills. Adolf had had a scholarly education only when his father's gaze was diverted, but even so, he quickly caught up. He proved to be a good musician, and was very good at statecraft too. Wilhelm died when he was 18. Now he was on his own....

Adolf headed south. He traveled to Aldersburg, where his worked received some attention. It was enough to keep him alive. But as the eldest, he felt a duty to revive the household. 7 years later, he tried to do this. He tried to find old family members and many members re-gathered. He worked for the house of Fournier. He was a scholar and tutor, and educated many of the children of the house. He wrote many books,and arose to become somewhat affluent and well known among the nobility, due to his relations with the house of Fournier. 

He and his siblings gained enough prominence to buy land. Quickly they arose as gentry, and then as nobles, of the realm, and Adolf is now a part of the noble council of Leuvaarden, and no longer in the service of Fournier, but loyal do De Bar. He owns a Barony near Leuvaarden, in the de jure territory of the County of Pobblebonk. 

Edgar reads over this notice, and hopes that Adolf is not consolidating his power for a future attempt to take over Leuvaarden and turn it into a dictatorship when Guy de Bar dies of old age by making the Amyas Order swear him an oath of loyalty.

Hopes that he can do this and combine the offices of Count and Lord Bailiff in order to become Fuehrer, rearm, and invade the rest of Neville Chamberlain de Savoie's vassals while he tries to appease him. He wishes to promote the superiority of the Heartlander race and put Dark Elves in concentration camps.

Adolf Ruhr Von Manstein is glad there is more Lebensraum, and that his laws are soon to be implemented. He gives a long nod of satisfaction, before turning back to his book.

Kingdom of Greece

Greece is a new (barely 30 years old) nation run by Otto I of Bavaria. Her lands run from the tip Peloponnese, to the islands of the Southern Aegean and east-central Greece. She is a small nation, with a small army and navy, with many of her peoples under the reign of the Ottoman Turks. Most of her land's valuable metals and other resources have been exhausted, once teeming with wealth in the times of the ancients. But now, her only incomes are from agriculture and Aegean trade, and she is poor and one of the most impoverished countries of the Mediterranean.

Otto I of Bavaria is constantly getting involved in civil affairs. Despite the intended constitutional nature of the monarchy, Otto I regularly gets involved in matters of state, and this has made his reign so far very, very unpopular. He is a German, hailing from Bavaria in what used to be the Holy Roman Empire. Though a decent administrator and military mind bringing positiveness to Greece most of the time, he is reckoned by the people to be incapable of ruling the nation.

Army And Navy

Infantry:80,923

Cavalry:9,001

Cannon:124

The army is armed with rifled muskets that one would have seen in Crimea. These would be no match for breech-loading muskets like the needle rifle, but are reliable and adequate against most European forces. The infantry is generally drilled to an average standard.

The cavalry of the Greek army is of your average sort, mostly lancers and dragoons.

The cannon of the army is very outdated and under-trained. 

Navy:

2 ships of the line

3 modern frigates

2 older frigates

5 old Ottoman galleys from the Napoleonic era

34 gunboats.

Actions

-Greece sends a message for a military alliance with Russia, along with a trade agreement and a request for Russian military advisers to help the Royal Greek army.

-Greece requests trade agreements with the Italian states such as Sardinia.

-Greece concentrates the 7/8 of her military forces on the border with the Ottomans.

-There is a request for British Royal Naval officers to aid in the command of the Royal Greek Navy.

-Prussia, Britain and France are requested that they sell or give modern arms to the Royal Greek Army.

Sorry I didn't realize there was an app. 

I would point out before 1867 Austria was not a dual monarchy with Hungary, it was still a purely Austrian-ruled Empire.

Anyways, my real app:

((Please delete this post, I did not realize there was an application required)

Try "chivalry" that is a good medieval texture pack. 

Lord Bailiff Adolf Ruhr Von Manstein also receives the news,  nodding with satisfaction. "I shall be there!" He exclaims.

((thanks to whoever cleared up those posts btw lol))

Adolf Ruhr Von Manstein laughs, exclaiming "Foolish republics....a state needs a monarch!"