THE GRYPHON & THE DRAGON
Issued by Varon of the House of Kovachev, 1717.
I, Varon Kovachev, Duke of Carnatia, Lord of the Stones, issue the following missive to the Highlander peoples of Haense and Adria.
I condemn the crown of Hanseti-Ruska for their treasonous activities. The false-King Marius who broke his house’s - and his - ancient oaths to the descendants of Aurelius and His Imperial Majesty, Godfrey III by aiding with this Marnanite Rebellion. His actions have disgraced the name of our people and destroyed our reputation as loyal and honest men; his name upon the Nenzing Proclamation reminds us all of broken oaths and a disrespect of promises made in the presence of the Lord. Marius isn’t half the man his father was.
This is not the first of his sins. Not only did he abide by the murder of his own vassals but he also shamed and disrespected the House of Kovachev - ancient vassals of his forefathers who have never once broken their oaths - by stripping them of their titles. These titles, held in perpetuity and by previous generations for decades, which he granted to himself with all the avarice of a rich, grasping merchant and none of the dignity which is expected of a King.
I will stay true to the Lord and abide by my ancient oaths of fealty, serving the Imperium Renatum under Godfrey III. I pledge my blade to his service, along with that of my people, for it is he who remains true as the heir to the Empire and it is to him my forefathers owed fealty to, through the Kingdom which I love. I was born in Renatus, not Haense, and join this with my proud Highlander heritage, to celebrate the unity of Man which was once rejoiced; I cannot draw it within myself to fight men who raised me, both in Renatus and Haense, and will only do battle against traitors who commit treason of the highest order against the Imperium.
I shall support the deposition of the treasonous folk who plague the halls of Reza, lending my blade to the claim of`John Alexander and Godfrey III as ultimate sovereign of these lands as the heir to Antonius.
This war is a failed endeavour, condemned by true men. Honourable Highlanders - of which there are many - should take no place within a rebellion against the rightful Crown. I plead with my people to join my House in this fight for honour and justice. I have not come to this decision easily, aided only by calm deliberation, but will fight alongside my dear uncle, Ser Carlovac who lends his aid to this righteous cause.
IN NOMINE DEI
HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Godfrey III of the House of Horen, Emperor of the Imperium Renatum, King of Renatus, Marna, Haense, Mardon, Salvus, Seventis, Savoy, Courland, Santegia, and Kaz’Ulrah, Prince of Ves, Duke of the Crownlands, Adria, Avar, and Frederica, Count of Helena, Alamar, Frederica, Thesmer, Thelen, Lorath, and Cantal, Baron of Darkwood, Gravelhold, Fidei Defensor, Protector of the Heartlanders, Highlanders, Farfolk, etcetera
HIS GRACE, Varon I of the House of Kovachev, Duke of Carnatia, Count of Kvaz, Turov and Kovachgrad, Baron of Valwyk and Venzia, Lord of the Stones