Knights5544

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Politics are a means of which for somebody to feel powerful in a world where they themselves are truly powerless." 

Gustaven von Halsfield, 1811

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[!] Nailed to the wall at various parts within Providence - chiefly the front of the tavern - are copies of some type of semi-brief treatise:

Throughout our beloved empire I see a false narrative. A narrative that attempts to sway the very people that we live, bleed, and die for; a narrative which tries to convince them to believe that we are the ones that they must fear. Terrorists, they call us; such a word being thrown loosely to label us as something that the empire cares not for. The complete irony of that particular label being thrust upon us is near enough to provoke one to fall face first down in laughter. Well, nonetheless, I for one certainly am not a terrorist. If anything, I am a simple man with agreeable ideals that merely are to better the Empire, to better our society; Is that unreasonable? Does that warrant me - and others whom are likeminded - to be thought of as "terrorists?"

Firstly, is it not a terrorist who conspires amongst themselves to benefit from those they deem below them, purposefully taking advantage of their misfortunes? Power is the goal of the terrorist, one will do whatever it takes to seize said power from those willing to give it up; and for those that are unwilling to give it up, terrorists will employ much more forceful methods to acquire said power.

Is it not a terrorist who creates a disorderly environment, or deceives their fellow peers to create fear subconsciously within their minds in order to compel them to mindlessly obey them for those whom are victims have no other choice; they’re coerced - by fear - to latch onto those who terrorize them, these victims are driven by this fear, mistakenly convinced that there is no alternative.

Is it not a terrorist who strikes fear in the heart of those which suffer from their actions? Whether the suffering of those victims be intentional or not, the terrorist will purposefully create an environment which promotes this sense of fear, for if the populace they’re terrorizing fears them then they shan’t rebel against them; fear is a tool used to destroy hope, without hope there will be no chance for opposition against the threat.

Lastly, is it not a terrorist who foolishly takes justice into their own hands, misconstruing it to benefit them and only them, holding those who openly oppose these terrorists accountable for crimes that of which they themselves did not commit, choosing to punish them for said crimes without even holding a trial on their behalf, much like the Empire does; A mockery of the justice system. Why insist on having such a practice established - that being the justice system - if it’s never utilized! Justice is a concept which is foreign to the Empire, evidenced by the recent transgressions taken against the Falstaff family; Daniel de Falstaff recently being executed without even the privilege of a proper trial offered to them. Regardless of which side you align yourself with you cannot deny that Falstaff deserved a proper trial. Nonetheless, I digress:

Terrorists rule through terror. A true terrorist has the minds of the people held captive, able to mold even an iron-will like butter in order to have their personal ambitions seen. They do this tactic through inspiring fear within the populace and crushing their will. The Empire are who are the true terrorists in this situation.

We are not terrorists. We are an entity, against another entity. Terrorists have but only one goal, to inflict terror and havoc; that’s not our objective .. fundamentally at my core I am a man of harmless nature, I impose no threats, I am a dreamer. I yearn for our society to advance into proper modernism where we all can live in the paradise known as prosperity and economic opportunity. For that to happen we must kill this entity, or subdue it, for the betterment of us all; to change the very grounds that Oren is built on. If that requires our blood, guts and death then so be it! Let it rain blood, let it rain guts, and let it rain death! That is for the Empire to decide whether they wish to spill the blood of innocents or not.

Tell me, fellow Orenians; do tell me what you see as you walk through those ‘illustrious’ alleys of Providence and look to the ISA: those wolves in sheep's clothing that pounce through the streets, ready to strike those who do not conform. These ‘men’ - or more-so fussing toddlers - exclaim that we are an enemy to the Empire, but yet, we are not the ones who murder our fellow companions in cold blood, or threaten innocents due to their different opinions. In fact, the true terrorists among you wear a badge and uniform. These wolves disguise themselves as good men and are the very same ones which manipulate our lives. We all walk on hot coal to appease their lustful urge for control. 

Say that the beatings that occur ever so commonly at hand of the ISA in our streets are too much for one to keep their eyes held to. Divert your attention to those beautiful walls; the ones now covered with poster after poster spreading propaganda to every passerby.

“Obey the Law. The Imperial State Army is watching”, says a poster that greets every man, woman and child entering Providence. The Empire is employing the tactic of fear mongering to control us, to keep us in line. Using a statement such as, “they are watching” creates paranoia subconsciously. We fear that if we do something “wrong” within their eyes then we will instantly be caught and punished for disobeying the sheep mindset they instill in us. Those of us within their society are designed to be a flock of sheep, and the Empire are the herders; telling us where to go, what to think, and what to fear. “They brainwash young men into becoming worker bees,” - all of those within the Empire working under the same hive-mind; that of which is a statement that was provided to us by one of those very same brainwashed men of the military himself. This usage of propaganda to manipulate us doesn't stop there .. there are dozens of posters, similar in nature to the one mentioned above, which are present up-and-down the streets of Providence. No longer, I say, no longer!

It's high-time for us to open our eyes, to look past these posters of propaganda which litter the beautiful city of Providence that we know and love. I say that we look past these posters, which pollute our minds; to think for ourselves! I encourage you, those belonging to the Empire, sit down tonight in your homes and think for yourself: Who's truly the terrorist in this situation? Who's betrayed your trust, causing you to fear them rather than to respect them? Who neglects your rights and interferes with you in your pursuit for prosperity and spiritual success?

The manipulation and fear-tactics that the Empire employs is more terroristic than merely expressing grievances of our government which is what I - and many others like me - do. Is rejection of tyranny truly an act of terrorism? Are my harmless words and grievances manipulating the hundreds of citizens of the Empire? Am I insinuating fear or terror in order to receive compliance for my cause? No, I am doing no such things, so then why would one consider me - and others like me - a threat to the Empire?

I'll leave you all with this: Does the ISA create fear? Yes. Do they force you to comply with their unjust ideals and unrighteous cause? Yes. Do they impede your right to life, liberty and prosperity? Indeed they do. Those things are truly what terrorism is, not any of my actions. Aforementioned, I am a man of harmless nature, I impose no threats, I am but a dreamer.

I'll say this once, but never again .. for those of you whom are listening, do understand: The rejection of tyranny is not an act of terrorism.

Dutifully signed, 

Ser Gustaven von Halsfield, Baron of Huvaardia - a proud Sedanite who isn't afraid of speaking truths.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

((Previous post, Cries for Revolution: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199201-cries-for-revolution))

((Previous post, O' Beautiful Providence: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199510-o-beautiful-providence-a-critical-treatise)) 

((Previous post, The Resistance Against Oren: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199659-the-resistance-against-oren))

((Previous post, The Greatest of all Evils: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199915-the-greatest-of-all-evils)) 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posters would appear throughout Providence, the subject matter of said poster depicting the phrase "The greatest of all evils is a weak government." Pictured beneath the phrase in the middle of the poster is a black and white drawing of a gallows-like structure used to hang criminals. Above the drawing of the gallows would be the drawn depiction of Emperor Joseph the second. Alongside him - on both sides - would be the drawn face of General Peter d'Arkent. Finally, beneath the drawing of the gallows would be three skulls resembling the corpses of Emperor Joseph the second and General Peter d'Arkent. It's clear that the poster is insinuating that the two pictured are at fault for this supposed "weak government" as well as implying that they should receive some bit of punishment for their implied crimes, hence the drawing of the gallows.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

((Previous post, Cries for Revolution: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199201-cries-for-revolution))

((Previous post, O' Beautiful Providence: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199510-o-beautiful-providence-a-critical-treatise))

((Previous post, The Resistance Against Oren: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199659-the-resistance-against-oren))

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“They hide their abuses under the guise of ‘constitutional monarchy’ - I ask them: what’s constitutional about oppression?” 

Gustaven von Halsfield, 1807 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Initially, Man - by nature - was created by the Creator to be alike with one another. It was the unjust exploitation and subsequent oppression by the arrogant men in Oren which led to our bondage of servitude, bogged down by the shackles of such. If the Creator would have had any bondmen from the start, He himself would have appointed who ought to be bonded, and who ought to be free - leaving no such right to the arrogance of man. Therefore, I urge for you to consider that the time has come - dictated as such by the Creator himself - in which you may, if you so desire, remove the shackles of restraint from your slaved spirit and help us recover the liberties which were once taken from us by those haughty, posh "men" of Providence. 

They oppress us out of sheer fear of us regaining the power that has been within us this entire time. For centuries, the common people have dealt with the humiliation and shame of being underneath such privileged aristocrats. How long must we suffer? How long should our children suffer, growing up so innocent and pure; not realizing that their futures have already been chosen by the very people that forced us into our current state? Why should the future incriminate these innocent children capable of so much more than we truly realize? Alas, they won’t have the opportunities to provide such potential due to restrictions brought on by their social class, arbitrarily decided by Those above him. 

I urge you, Kinfolk, brothers and sisters: We deserve change, We demand change; and We will have change. Such is true. If it isn't words that they will listen to, then let it be BLOOD. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Change is necessary, and the time for change is now.” 

No longer will those who consider themselves to be oppressed at the hand of the Empire allow such travesties to continue unchecked, for the time of righting such wrongs is rapidly approaching; that of which is something that nobody can deny. Previously, critical sentiments harbored towards the Empire were rarely ever discussed openly in fear of persecution. Now, however, it’s all too common to walk through Providence and hear some type of discussion involving one another condemning the Empire for their trespasses and abuse. Seemingly, the everyday citizen has finally opened their eyes and acknowledged the horrors around them. It’s now time for them to decide whether they’ll simply accept the abuse and inherently enable the continuation of it, or if they’ll actually put their foot down and make a difference.

Some of those who consider themselves as the ‘enlightened’ type are doing exactly that: putting their foot down, hoping to make a difference; no longer will they willingly allow the abuses of the Empire to continue unchecked. These people travel up and down the roads, voicing word of their cause, hoping to appeal to each passerby they encounter in an attempt to recruit more willing to support their mission: 

“Is it not time for us to consider that we should finally do what’s necessary to make a difference in our own lives? The system of the Empire thrives on the ignorance of those under its reign: what the people don’t know they can’t reject! Well, I say we let them know then! Open their minds! Once we have let ALL know of our struggle, our message, and our passion then we shall truly know the difference between the common man made from blood and bone and those who are simply hollow puppets of the Empire, that of which must be purged. Those puppets of the Empire are the same ones who wish to put down others for their own benefit. Tell me this: If a man beats you down, kills your family and steals your money, would you be willing to join them? No, you would devote yourself to growing stronger than them in the hopes that one day you may return to put them in their place. That is exactly what we’re doing, and we urge you to do the same, brother and sister!”

“No longer will those who consider themselves to be above us be able to repress and silence our opinions and disagreements. We shall rise above them and make sure they know who we are, for our power far outweighs that of their own. Soon, those who reject our message will be beneath us; not spiritually, or politically, but rather literally: they shall be beneath us, six feet underneath our two feet as they lie in their graves. No longer shall there be murders in the streets - orchestrated by none other than the Empire’s own military! No longer will soldiers and nobility torture our women and starve our children! No longer will they beat and stomp on those who simply look differently from them! NOT FOR A MOMENT LONGER will those like you, who toil and struggle in hopes of one day achieving their dreams, be hindered from such!”

“For hundreds of years we’ve accepted the abuses of the Empire that they’ve subjected us to, our spirits kept in handcuffs - the key to said handcuffs they’ve tossed away. For too long we’ve stopped looking for that key. Blind eyes and cuffed hands have come to be all our once proud people know. No longer! No longer will we remain as the slaves that gather their resources and fill their fat unworthy bellies. I encourage you to consider our message, that the time to do what’s right and fight against an injustice is either now or never. Let it be now rather than never.”

The voices of these revolutionaries are filled with pride as they speak of their ideals and dreams of a far better society that only a revolt against the current status quo could likely achieve. Along their travels, they parted minas and bread to the commoners who struggled in the economy of each nation, it was quite clear these men were the voices of the poverty stricken and lower class that ultimately had no voice within society. 

These men were not bandits; not thieves; not at fault for any wrongdoings. These men were simple commoners who yearned for a change, who yearned for a better future; one that didn’t have haughty nobility upheld upon a throne supported by corrupt bureaucrats. They offered smiles and waves to their fellow man, elf, and every dwarf that they came upon in their travels. They saw each and every creature equal to them. No one was judged or criminalized by these men. These men simply wanted to help those in need lead the fight against tyranny. 

 

Application (interpreted IRP):

A group of four horsemen approach you while traveling alongside one of the various backroads of Almaris; stopping you, they begin to openly speak of their cause and ideology, hoping to appeal to you. After a certain amount of time passes they invite you to take up arms and travel with them to the next destination they have in mind, hoping to find even more people supportive of their cause, promptly welcoming you with open arms:

Minecraft Username:

In-game name:

Reason for joining the Resistance against the Oren:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

{{OOC}}

We’ll now be allowing those interested in joining the Resistance against the Holy Orenian Empire do so. If you’re interested in joining the Resistance then I encourage you to fill out the short application above. You can either send it as response to the forum post (which I imagine few will do), through a DM, or via Discord:
 

Pharmaceutical Grade Chlymydia#1514

We have many events planned which we would absolutely adore you to become involved with! Obviously as you can imagine our efforts won’t be successful unless we have a decently sized group of people to support such ideals. The more we have on board, the merrier. If you personally have an interest in going against the Empire then we’ll welcome you, regardless of what race you are! Orenian, Norlander, Kha - you’re welcome to join. Thanks for reading!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Previous Forum Post, O' Beautiful Providence - A Critical Treatise: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199510-o-beautiful-providence-a-critical-treatise)

(Previous Forum Post, Cries for Revolution: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/199201-cries-for-revolution)