marilka

@Marquisee2

Along a lazy river did a tiltboat bob, adorned with the colors of the house Helvets...

A woman, red of hair, sat abaft that pleasure ship, enjoying a glimpse of freedom the likes of which she had been entirely deprived from in some thirty-plus years of persisting marriage. A breath, slow and steady as the tides she rode escaped parted lips, cut short by the gentle pull of a bairn on her skirts. To Josefina, she lofted a brow, offering only a simple,

"It is by suffering that we learn, my dear."

Turning back to the interminable horizon, she removed a simple gold band from her little finger, dropping it into the depths below.

A prayer was murmured below breath, thanking Him and his voice in the Pontiff for releasing her from what would surely have been eternal damnation.

BLOSSOMING

of the 

SPRING ROSE

The Lady de Falstaff, c. 1808

A N N O   D O M I N I MDCCCVIII

Penned by the hand of Lady Cosette de Falstaff.

To the subjects of The Holy Orenian Empire, in the comital household of Falstaff the year 1808 has been one to prepare for since the young Cosette’s birth, in view of the fact that this is the year she will be of age to enter society as Lady de Falstaff. Therefore, I deem it only fit as a young lady within my household, that she be given a proper ball in order to seek suitors, and celebrate this momentous occasion. 

For honor of the girl’s heritage the theme of this joyous occasion shall be that of Kaedreni Roses. Guests at the debutante should be dressed in their finest attire accompanied with roses in any way possible.

The guests shall gather in the grand ballroom of the Augustineian Palace in anticipation of the debut of Lady Cosette Eleanor. Upon arrival she will be accompanied by her father, Count Albert de Falsatff, and her brother, Emil-Dardot de Falstaff.

It is with great excitement that we invite you to the debut of Lady Cosette Eleanor Ashford de Falstaff of Leuven on the 16th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1808.

TIMETABLE

The Address: An address to the guests will be made by the honoured maidens father, The Count Leuven, Albert de Falstaff to announce Cosette’s ascension into society. 

The Competition: The Lady Falstaff and a group of her closest friends will form a panel of judges, closely inspecting each of the participants on their outfits as it pertains to the theme of the grand event.

The Suitors: At this time suitors will have a chance to present themselves to the lady while the rest of the party mingles about.

The Dance: A group of minstrels have been tasked with playing merry tunes throughout the ball, but at this time the debutante will dance with a suitor of her choice at the center of the ballroom.

Special Invitations 

HIM Emperor Joseph II of Oren

And the extended Imperial Household of Novellen

HRM King Henrick II of Hanseti-Ruska

And the extended Royal Household of Barbonov

The Right Honorable, Albert de Falstaff of Leuven

And the Comital Household of Falstaff

Robert Foltest of Rochefort

And the Comital Household of Helvets

----

His Grace, Thomas Andrew of Cathalon

And the Ducal Household of Helvets

His Grace, Peter Baldwin of Sunholdt

And the Ducal Household of d’Arkent

----

The Right Honorable, George Ulysses of Pompuralia

And the Comital Household of Sarkozy 

The Right Honorable, Isakander Alexios of Susa 

And the Comital Household of Basrid

The Right Honorable, Anastasia Cassia of Halstaig

And the Comital Household of O’Rourke

The Right Honorable Alren of Mordskov

And the Comital Household of DeNurem

----

The Right Honorable, John Michael of Provins

And the Viscomital Household of Pruvia

The Right Honorable, Riordain Armas-MacDroch of Rillsworth

And the Viscomital Household of Armas

The Right Honorable, Erik Othaman of Valles

And the Viscomital Household of Othaman

----

The Right Honorable, Olivier Alexandre of Artios

And the Baronial Household of Halcourt

The Right Honorable, Charles Augustus of Carrington

And the Baronial Household of d’Arkent

The Right Honorable, Baroness-Consort of Woldzmir

And the Baronial Household of Carrion

Other Invitations

Fay

Jude II, High Pontiff of the Canonist Church

Alphonse Sylvester Halcourt, Mayor of Providence

Casper Hyde-Elmpool

 IN NOMINE DEI,

HIH Princess Wilhelmina Beatrix, 

Duchess of Helena

TRH, Albert Ashford de Falstaff,

Count of Leuven

OOC:

Date: Saturday, February 20th

Time: 4:00 pm EST, 1:00 pm PST

A N

I M P E R I A L

W E D D I N G

The bride and groom plighting their troth before the altar.

A N N O   D O M I N I MDCCCVII

Penned by the Imperial Household scribes.

To the subjects of The Holy Orenian Empire,
 

It is with great honor and pleasure for the  Imperial Household and the House of Pruvia-Provins to announce this marital union of 1807. Within two months, the Princess Anne of Crestfall, daughter of HIH The Duke of Crestfall, is to be wed to the eldest son of the Viscount Pruvia-Provins, Simon Casimir Pruvia-Provins after some years of their betrothal.

TIMETABLE

I. Ceremony

At first, there shall be the imperial wedding formalities at the palatial cathedral of the capital of Providence. The wedding shall be officiated by His Holiness, the High Pontiff Jude II, and attended by the Novellen and Pruvian parties respectively.

II. The Joust and Reception

After the wedding Ceremony, the wedding procession shall be headed towards the Imperial Gardens, where a tournament shall be held in honor of the bride and groom. Guests who deem themselves adequate may try their efforts for this joust, the winner bearing their own statue in Provins.

All citizens and allies of the Holy Orenian Empire are invited, special invitations extended to:

HIM Emperor Joseph II

HIH The Duke of Helena and his esteemed pedigree,

HIH The Duke of Crestfall and his esteemed pedigree,

HG The Duke of Sunholdt and his esteemed pedigree,

HG The Duke of Cathalon and his esteemed pedigree.

HIH The Count of Kaphro and his esteemed pedigree,

HIH The Count of Aldersberg and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Count of Pompourelia and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Count of Rochefort and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Countess of Halstaig and her esteemed pedigree,

TRH Countess of Rosemoor and her esteemed pedigree,

TRH Count of Mordskov and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Count of Leuven and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Count of Susa and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Viscount of Rillsworth and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Viscount of Valles and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Baron of Woldzmir and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Baron of Artois and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Baron of Stahl-Elendil and his esteemed pedigree,

TRH Baron of Carrington and his esteemed pedigree.

Additionally, invitations are sent to...

Archchancellor Franz Nikolai de Sarkozy and the Imperial Council of State
His Majesty’s Imperial State Army

The Bard of Helena, Frederick Teufel

The Master Bullfog Phrogerous

The Honorable Louis de Joannes and his esteemed household

Mister Edmund Myre

SIGNED,

HIH Princess Anne of Crestfall

Simon Casimir Pruvia-Provins

OOC:

Date: Friday, February 12th

Time: 4:30 pm EST

T H E

L O V E R S

M A S Q U E R A D E

A Lesson in Love, c. 1788

A N N O   D O M I N I MDCCCVII

Penned by the hand of Her Grace Wilhelmina Novellen, Duchess of Helena.

To the subjects of the Holy Orenian Empire, with substantial exhilaration does the retinue of the Household of the Duke and Duchess deem it befitting to host a masquerade ball to commemorate a virtue representing human benevolence, compassion, and endearment- alternatively declared as "the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another,” that which we know as love. All are welcome, and as such none should be afeared of making their presence known.

As expected for an event such as this, guests are encouraged at the Duchess’ behest to dress in shades of scarlet, crimson, and ruby, likening themselves to a sea of nectareous blushing roses. Masks are equally as advocated, and may even provide an advantage in entertainment to come.

TIMETABLE

     I. The Grand Regale 

To inaugurate the Lover’s Masquerade, the Augustine commissariat will dole out an array of food and drink as guests are permitted to mingle freely. In this time, the Duke and Duchess may take to privately assigning unescorted guests to a companion, based on their compatible personalities.

   II. Merriments Abounding

In her grand return, Francesca the Fortune Teller will be offering free readings pertaining to a guest’s future in matters of the heart. Furthermore, there will be other such entertainments such as portrait painting, a coupling service, and chiefly, there will be freshwater pearls from the estate of Whitcombe hidden around the ballroom and adjoining chambers in the palace. Whoever finds the most pearls are entitled to compensation of their choosing come the conclusion of the masque.

 III. A Test of Luck

Couples will participate in a Test of Luck. They will be betting a price of their choosing on something of value, with full knowledge of risk and hope of gain on the outcome of the game; a contest, or an uncertain event whose result may be determined by chance or accident or have an unexpected result by reason of the bettor's miscalculation. Prizes include mina, jewels, gowns, and vouchers.

 IV. Dance of the Pens and Cobs

The Duchess finds it apt to liken our dashing ladies and gentlemen and their love to that of pens and cobs, the pen being the female swan and the cob being the male variant. Thus, it is a perfect poetic example of courtly romance, as when a pen and cob find tenderness in their hearts, it is to last for a lifetime. With this ideal in mind, couples are encouraged to engage in this waltz of adoration, with the pairing who best emulates the graceful pens and cobs drifting across the water’s surface as though they were the clouds of heaven themselves.

 V. Competition of the Best Dressed Lady and Lord.

Nearing the end of this occasion, couples will present themselves to the judges in the center of the ballroom for the Competition of the Best Dressed Lord and Lady. The couple will describe how their outfits compliment each other, and how it symbolizes their love for each other; equally as important as their attire will be their masks, which should play off each other in tender harmony. The Best Dressed couple will win a mina prize and two golden Lover’s Eye lockets that will represent their affection for each other forever.

If one seeks to take up arms against the guests

Of the Imperial affair, they will be swiftly dealt with.

All citizens and peoples are invited, save

For those of the enemy states of

The Holy Orenian Empire.

Weapons and foul play will not be tolerated.

IN NOMINE DEI,

HIH Princess Wilhelmina Beatrix, Duchess of Helena

OOC:

Date: Sunday, February 14th

Time: 6:30 pm EST, 11:30 pm GMT, 3:30 pm PST

The Duchess of Helena called out to her sweet sister-in-law, informing her of her upcoming trip to Rubern. Upon

spying the name of the Duke of Schattenburg, she lofted a brow,

eager to reconnect with an old acquaintance. 

Stability ******* sucks.

So many players who are involved in high leadership positions, not just in the rp sense but even administration as a whole, seem so obsessed with this desire to provide stability, that they have traded out something that would be far more line with their larger goals which is, in truth, a little bit of chaos, at least in the sense of RP. In my first year as a new player, I entertained myself by first exploring the various different fantasy elements on the server, which has little to do with my main point, but I'm getting there. I eventually moved on to a different sect of RP, and was immediately embroiled in political chaos, conspiracy, investigation, high stakes RP. That is what has kept me on the server. That obviously won't apply to every new player out there, but the fact that I could pick and choose what felt right to me and actually had engaging, active content to immerse myself in is the main takeaway here. If I was that new player who joined purely to explore fantasy magic roleplay, and I joined today, I'd find a hell of a lot of difficulty getting behind a lot of the walls that have been put up around certain elements that are available to players by the people who believe themselves solely entitled to them. And you'd best believe I'd have a nigh-impossible task finding any of that lovely sedition roleplay. 

Chaos, in the pure form of the word, is a pain in the ass. It's stressful, causes problems, but problems are fun to solve for ****'s sake. Get comfortable with losing. You can still have fun on the losing side of a war. Stop getting your panties in a twist over it all. We should be letting stories happen, letting things change, letting things grow, letting people roleplay without feeling the need to police every little thing people do in order to maintain stability. Chaos can be fun. I remember the Jackals, I remember the divorce of Adelheid of Istria and John I, I remember the Year of Four Emperors, and so much more. I could rattle on for hours, but that's obviously not the point- and, is certainly a tunnel vision point of view, but I can only speak to what I experienced personally. And I miss it. A lot. None of that would slide anymore, you'd immediately be shot down in the name of maintaining propriety. If I joined today, all of that would be lost upon me, and I would have nothing of substance to entertain myself with except for going down an LoTC wiki deep-dive. War rules and raid rules are unconducive to real roleplay grievances and issues, and need to be genuinely reworked into a more fitting system that will honor roleplay instead of hinder it. Of course, all of this is only indicative of my experience and that of several of my close friends who joined around 2014 when I did, but I do believe that there is some truth in saying that this is all indicative of a larger issue; that of stagnation. Everywhere is stagnant. Nothing is the same, and nothing ever will be, but it's time to pull ourselves out of this rut and apply what we can from the past to the present and so forth. 

Another issue is this incessant grinding nonsense. Do you truly believe that having to sit around for hours mining blocks, waiting hours for them to regenerate and then doing it all again, then pasting each block in by hand is contributory in any way to an RP server? You'd have more luck trying to draw blood from stone. Bring back LC. Have players monitored. Create a team of people who are trustworthy and willing to sit there and schematica in a build quickly with LC so settlement players don't have to go through all of the mind-numbing motions of mine, wait, build, repeat. I don't care how you implement it, just make it happen.

You're concerned about player retention rates? Start listening to the people who are actually here.

Wilhelmina Beatrix arched a brow at the petition, slid into the letters littering her desk by one Henrietta Maria. With a hum, she dipped the nib of her quill in ink, signing her signature 'pon the dotted line. There was much she could forgive- the Duchess had a lenient nature, after all, but tampering with the reputation of her dear sister and closest friend simply would not do.

"Her Imperial Highness Wilhelmina Beatrix, Duchess of Helena."

The Duchess Helena turned up her nose in revolt, her stomach turning at the pamphlet's fetid exposé. Laying a palm to the young Governess-Secretary's shoulder, she simply shook her head, deigning not to inform the girl of the author's true implications. After all, there were other rumors to attend to.

Wilhelmina Beatrix leafed through her daily dossier of newsletters and personal writings, the Helvets-borne lady's eyes flaring wide. The redhead set the stackings aside, contemplating a particular blessed social call..

Wilhelmina Beatrix received word of the Duke's passing at dawn's break, dropped inconspicuously amid other, now meaningless, information. With a moment's notice, all were dismissed.

The ribbon 'round her throat grew much too tight, and her feet grew

wary as she sought out the katabatic. 

Today, it was decided, she would spend among the roses,

to bewail the uncle that seemed more like a father.

whats my sign

Whilst aiding the women and children of Helena into their temporary holdings- a dank, rimy, unyielding fortress, Wilhelmina Beatrix found a moment for pause, murmuring gently to herself and her companion, Safiye Basrid, a quiet prayer.

"The Lord ruleth me, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie, in pastures green: He leadeth me, the quiet waters by. For though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and Thy staff, they hath been a comfort to me."

Wilhelmina Beatrix looked over missive with a keen eye and brilliant grin. Waving a palm, she called for a circle to be drawn.

"May the gambling begin."

T H E

M A S Q U E

of

A L L  S A I N T S

E V E

The Lady Typhlotic, c. 1788

Penned by the hand of HIH The Duchess of Helena.

To the subjects of the Holy Orenian Empire,

with substantial exhilaration does the entourage of the Rose Courts deem it befitting to invite all; no matter birth, breeding, or affluence, to a grand Masqued Costume Ball, held at the Palace of Novellen on the auspicious night of All Saints Eve. A celebration of the extraordinary, guests will mingle in anonymity- cleverly disguised by their extravagant ensembles, to enjoy the eve as one of the Night.

TIMETABLE

     I. Arrival of the Mingling Spirits

As we embark on our journey into the Hallowed Eve, guests will be plied with refreshments as procured by the epicures of the Palace of Novellen. Once partygoers have had their fill of wine, cuisine, and conversation, they may progress to other provided entertainments of the eve.

   II. Gaiety of the Dark

In the character of the eve’s festivities, guests will be treated to a variety of entertainments to indulge in as they mingle al fresco in the gardens of the Novellen, accompanied by jesters and minstrels alike.

i. Soothsayer’s Meet: Available to all, the soothsayer Mashka the Meditative will deliver unto attendees a personalized fortune, depicting either their future in ordinary, or an answer from beyond to a long-withheld question.

ii. A Trip Beyond the Veil: Next in order, Agrid the Accursed, a well-seasoned medium and spiritualist- will lead attendees in a procession beyond the veil to converse with the recently deceased. Around the ballroom all may gather, and travel with Madame Agrid through the Night’s Veil.

 III. The Phantom’s Waltz

Preceding the competition of attire, attendees are invited to sigh and sashay beneath the starlit garden terrace. The couple whose waltz is most enchanting to the eye will be allotted the honorary titles of Mister and Mistress of Poise, and will be allotted a monetary sum for their grace and decorum.

IV. Costume Concours of the Incorporeal

To conclude the ball, attendees will have the preference of participating in the Costume Concours of the Incorporeal- a costume competition. Partakers will present themselves before costume adjudicators, and elaborate on their ensemble and garments. The vanquisher will win a selection of cosmetics as crafted by Mister Lorenzo d’Amato, the Duchess’ Cosmetician in Ordinary, as well as a monetary award and gown, hand crafted by Madame Heloise Olympe FitzPeter. 

Notes on attire;

Attendees are both expected and encouraged to dress lavishly in the theme of esotericism, as per the motif of the Masquerade. 

If one seeks to take up arms against the guests

Of the Imperial party, they will be swiftly dealt with.

All citizens and peoples are invited, save

For those of the enemy states of

The Holy Orenian Empire.

Weapons and foul play will not be tolerated.

IN NOMINE DEI,

HIH The Duchess of Helena, Wilhelmina Beatrix Novellen

Madame Héloïse Olympe FitzPeter

Superintendent of the Duchess’ Household

Madame Veronica Eve Elmpool

Lady of Honour of the Duchess’ Household

OOC:

Date: Sunday, October 25th

Time: 5:30 pm EST, 9:30 pm GMT, 2:30 pm PST

HYPE

Wilhelmina Beatrix released a long-held breath, the newly minted Imperial ordering the beeswax candles lit in her apartments, casting glowing reflections in the redhead’s eyes. 

No more would she mutter amaranthine prayer over His Imperial Majesty’s ailing form, nor make merry in the gardens of Novellen with her companions. A collection of serving women, bare-faced and hair unpowdered, adorned her in black bombazeen and glazed gloves in preparation for the approaching mourning.

”Long live the Empress.”

Wilhelmina Helvets felt the crescendo of this momentous honour deep within her humors,

electing immediately to draft a letter to her prized scribe, detailing her immense gratitude.

THE IMPERIAL WEDDING OF 1780

The Prince and his Kaedreni Flower, c. 1780

Suddenly, a flurry of servantry was dispatched from the Novellen Palace, all of them having an abundance of eagerness in their strides. For, today was the day they were each individually tasked with assuming the role of a glorious messenger for the wedding of the decade.

Within the confines of every aforementioned retainer’s inventory laid an ambrosial parchment bedecked with intertwined wax seals of the Houses of Novellen and Helvets. Ostensibly, this piece of embellished vellum was a formal invitation of sorts:

To the stalwart Orenian populace,

There is to be an illustrious happening in the city of Helena, and it is my highest honor to inform you, and yours of it. Our revered HIH Prince John of Helena shall be bound in matrimony to the Lady Wilhelmina Beatrix Helvets in the year of our Lord 1780.

The celebration surrounding this momentous occasion will, of course, be the epitome of magnificence, in due accordance with the bridegroom’s august rank. We bid the entirety of Oren to find themselves in the capital for this particular occurrence, in order for them to pay witness to the future of our venerable Imperium personally.

As an aside, the given hues of this are crimson, gold, and white, therefore guests are encouraged to garb themselves in similarly-colored attire.

Thank you for allotting me your distinguished attention,

The City of Helena

As per Imperial tradition, an affair of this magnitude will be evenly divided up into a series of events. It is our most fulfilling pleasure to provide merriment for our countrymen, and we can only hope our efforts are to your prized satisfaction. 

TIMETABLE

     I.  Matrimony’s Cavalcade

To raise the curtain on the illustrious proceedings, a military parade will be staged to escort the bride and groom to the Basilica of the Final Revelation, accompanied by their respective espousal parties, in which guests of the marital pairing and other onlookers may then be seated. The parties of the bride and groom shall be comprised of immediate family, as well as bridesmaids and groomsmen. As cited in many ancient Kaedreni wives’ tales, it is believed that, to ward off malevolent spirits, the bride must proceed with a group of similarly-clad women, thus confounding the umbra above. 

   II. The Nuptial Rite

In prodigious fashion, HIH Prince John of Helena and Lady Wilhelmina Helvets are to be wed in a Judite Rite, accompanied by several members of the Holy Church of Canon, led by His Holiness James II, wherein the bride and groom proceed down the aisle accompanied by flora, and incense while exonerating the Saints. 

 III. The Tender Soiree

Succeeding the nuptial rites, the congregation will once more proceed through the bejeweled city of Helena to their final destination, the Palace of Novellen. At that point, all are welcome to join in the celebration of the newlywed couple. Amusements include convivial dancing, fortune-tellers, commemorative items, epithalamiums performed in honor of the bride and groom, bards, minstrels, food, and drink originating from the bride’s homelands, as well as speeches by family, friends, and other little amusements to be revealed on the day.

Furthermore, in the months following the wedding of His Imperial Highness and Her Ladyship, the Imperial coupling will spend some additional time in the Kingdom of Haenseti-Ruska and Commonwealth of Kaedrin, respectively, sharing food and drink and making merry by the hearth. 

If one seeks to take up arms against the guests

Of the Imperial party, they will be swiftly dealt with.

All citizens and peoples are invited, save

For those of the enemy states of

The Holy Orenian Empire.

Weapons and foul play will not be tolerated.

IN NOMINE DEI,

Lady Wilhelmina Beatrix Helvets

Mlle Renée Antoinette Rothesay

Maîtresse-en-Titre

OOC:

Date: Friday, August 7th

Time: 6:30 pm EST, 10:30 pm GMT, 3:30 pm PST

Wilhelmina Beatrix passed ardent eyes over her cousins missive, concurring with a deep bow of her head.

”True evil is upon us now, cousin. What was once silent in the father speaks

now in the daughter, and your resilient faith and determination in crown and

country will serve as inspiration for generations to come.”

Wilhelmina Helvets tussled with her ego for a time, contemplating trying a role on for size.

A tad crooked, she thought, auditioning for a woman I hired myself. 

Nonetheless, upon urgings from her cousins and ladies, she drafted a letter to Madame La Fleur herself.

Wilhelmina Helvets passed an approving gaze over the missive, brandishing a grin of quiet dignity at the Lord Lieutenant’s declaration. 

”Saint Edmond,” She began, discarding the parchment, “As our soldiers go into battle today, grant them fortitude and protect them. Pray for God to show mercy to the dead, and that in hoping for victory today,

we may win the peace tomorrow.”

Having been notified of such missives, Wilhelmina Helvets has a summons drafted for the gentleman.

Wilhelmina Helvets, having conferred with the Superintendent of the Arts, drafts a missive to be delivered at once to Madame La Fleur.