Andustar

". . ." Albéric stirred as word of her passing reached his ears. "Elena. Cousin." They had been closer in their youth, in spite of the occasional verbal spat. But regardless of what differences manifested in later years, his admiration for her mind remained. Besides that, she was family - someone the wandering knight cared for, albeit in a reserved manner. He felt greater pain still for the Princess' family. For Robyn, Tristan, Caelia and Percival. "Let us pay our respects. We travel to Balian," he stated to his household. @EmiliainWonderland@Tea_Guzzler

"Finally, it is over..." Prince Marcus stated in relief, for now able to put his arms to rest.

"Let's get to it then," Marcus stated firmly, weapons ready. The last days of the war were upon them.

"Whilst I wish for an end to this war, Markus' so-called 'reforms' change nothing. We shall see our campaign through to the end," The other Marcus stated, equipment once again prepared for the upcoming battle.

"Right back to it then," Marcus remarked, preparing himself for the march ahead.

It had been an arduous fight up the cliff-face, but swiftly the Coalition clamped upon Drusco like an iron vice. Prince Marcus of the Petra recalled charging through the breach, and the subsequent collapse of the League's forces. "Gaspard's folly has spelled the death of many. He thought he could strong-arm the kingdoms of men to satiate his ambitions for power. Now he reaps what he has sown..." The young man strode over the field of corpses. Sickened by the overwhelming presence of death, yet his resolve withstood. "Onwards now, for Veletz will fall."

A little sad to see that mutations have been reserved specifically for hommunculi and klones now, though I can understand why that decision was made. Still, perhaps a feat system as @Lapidary suggested could work as an ideal compromise? Also, considering healing has always been a quinessential aspect of Paladins in the fantasy genre, I think contemplating the removal of Mist Healing, which in itself is a relatively underwhelming spell, is a mistake. It doesn't make sense to gut Paladinism of said spell when Templarism has seen such a massive expansion recently.

"To think that the Stassions stole this many titles. They must've been compensating for something," Marcus Antonius remarked with a chuckle.

"What makes you hold life in such low regard?" Albéric posed the question, not merely to gauge whether Ethan valued his own life. It was clear he sought death's cold embrace. "Cruelty begets cruelty. To claim an 'eye for an eye' would, in time, render the whole world blind." The ivy-clad knight wondered who Ethan might have been in a different life, without senseless conflict. Would a lust for vengeance have consumed him then as well? "I do not regret standing against you, Sir. To preserve lives you sought to snuff out. But I do regret that your life was cut short, in the end." His lament was brief, for there would be more fights to come, against monsters and men both. Sometimes the difference was indistinguishable.

"At last, the opportunists and their house of cards have come tumbling down," Prince Marcus stated, returning home to recover from his wounds.

The wounded Prince Marcus read the missive from his chambers, producing a low sigh. "Congratulations, sister," he remarked, mustering a pained smile.

"I suppose they forgot to dig a latrine." Marcus commented as he witnessed the piles of dirt mounted against the walls.

Albéric du Lac, who witnessed the Grand King's heroic last stand, would mourn the loss of not only a courageous warrior but a close friend. "May your soul find peace, wherever it drifts, Garedyn."

"Richard of Stassion. Yours and your family's debts will be paid in full. You shall receive what is rightfully yours." Prince Marcus' hands fastened upon his copy of the poem, the parchment crumpling. "Destined death."

This'll be the average interaction surrounding SS pillars from now on.

Prince Marcus of the Petra ran a whetstone along his newly acquired high quality blade, his horse saddled for the upcoming march. He then turned to address a waiting courier. "Tell Prince Richard, justice is coming for him. Fifteen-thousand Canonists marching north to find out if he really does shit titles."

Had Fyodor perhaps examined the familial history just a little bit closer, he would realise said legitimised bastard, Viktor, had no such relations. Rather, it was one by the name of Rickard, true-born son of Sergei III. It would appear literacy skills and an untainted memory were also lacking in the present day generation of Kovachevs.

"A dead family, long fallen from grace, grasping at straws of relevancy. Stupidity truly is chronic in those who claim descent from Varon 'the Mad'," Marcus commented as news of the kidnapping reached his ears.

Prince Marcus of the Petra read the missive with a bright grin, excited to witness the upcoming ceremony. "Your big day has come at last, dear sister. I'll proudly stand by you and the Crown."

Prince Marcus strode through the fields of fresh carrion, the Anathema's army to serve as easy pickings for the region's exotic fauna. "Still... it's better to be cut down on the field than the alternative," the Prince concluded, catching sight of a marauding hippo exacting retribution on those who had disturbed its territory.

A knight clad in ivy-coloured armour ran his sword along a whetstone, intent on aiding the men of the Commonwealth. "Keep's haunted."

For as long as I have been on the server, it was acknowledged that pillar camping was not allowed. So I find it strange moderation would reverse their stance, despite the years worth of precedence to look back upon.

Albéric du Lac reminisces on times long past. A smile took shape upon his visage, the knight acknowledging that the fate of his homeland was in worthy hands. --- Meanwhile, Prince Marcus Antonious remained ever watchful over the Commonwealth. Proud to stand by his sister, the Queen, in the days to come.