MunaZaldrizoti

The Lady Chancellor of Alba did allow herself a great sigh in relief, not just for the Duchess Diane but for the Archduchy's future as well. For now that lady of Tiber had done that duty which had so won her naught but scorn and sneers from those unknowing of a woman's plight in the birthing bed. Susanna prayed this would be a new chapter, as the menace of that silver wyvern did circle overhead.

ON THE DEMISE OF BARON ADRIAN ALEXANDER HELVETS Issued by THE HOUSE OF HELVETS On this 11th of Horen’s Calling, 2082 TO THE ARCHDUCHY OF ALBA AND THE HOLY IMPERIUM, It is with heavy heart that the House of Helvets does announce the tragic passing of ADRIAN ALEXANDER HELVETS, Baron of Owynsburg and Master of Myre Hall, after nearly a decade of fevered illness. A capable statesman and former Speaker of the House of Lords, the Baron of Owynsburg was tragically struck down in his prime by an illness believed to have been acquired abroad during one of his many business ventures in the trade of livestock. He has long suffered from this affliction, so we can only pray that GOD has finally allowed him the hard-earned peace that has evaded him for many years. He has been laid to rest privately by his lady wife and his leal household and beside his late son Lord Foltest outside the walls of Owynsburg. Herein is the succession to the Barony of Owynsburg likewise affirmed to pass into the hands of LADY DOROTHEA MAGDALENA HELVETS, who has reached her age of majority. She shall now take up all titles and properties held by her father, as is her birthright. The Baroness-Dowager shall maintain her title by virtue of her widowhood, and maintain a chamber within Myre Hall to be used at her leisure. The House of Helvets asks for the offering of prayers on behalf of the late lord’s soul, during this period of mourning, and asks for condolences to be given to the Baroness of Owynsburg as she undertakes this newfound burden of peerage. Signed, HER EXCELLENCY, Susanna Helvets, Lady Chancellor of Alba, Baroness-Dowager of Owynsburg

Susanna, always ensnared by business behind her Chancellor's desk, did receive news of her niece's demise with a quiet sigh. She had never met the girl, not even as a babe, and could not admit to feeling any grief aside from that sympathy she had for her elder sister Clementine. Girlhood had been their brief moment of bliss, yet it seemed this Johanna had not even been allowed that before her short life met its end. If the weight of a crown weighed upon even the youngest of humanity, she continued to be grateful that God had determined for her a burden more gentle. Gossip was rampant in Alba, and she had heard here and there of how those ladies of the Celosian Court did flock about the imperial halls. With her niece's death came the cynical curiosity of how one ambitious young woman or two might step forth, to claim what now seemed the greatest prize in all the Imperium - the hand of the future Imperator.

From a salt-sprayed galley, a lone Crow held in her hand word from her second son, with news of this assembly of Raevir whom had gathered in the southern reaches of Aevos. Her lips pulled into a solemn smile, as feelings of pride and grief washed over her in a wave. Her father had left their people to die, whilst her cousins of Ghaestenwald had endured by a strength of will the refugees of Karoslund had never wished to even entertain. It was a worthy thing, even something that perhaps she felt a pull to lend her aid to. But that wayward Bihar knew her presence, as always, only complicated matters further. Her stormy gaze, instead, forth and toward the horizon. Her heart held within it an anticipation, for a reunion with that sister who had long awaited her return.

The office of His Serene Highness’ Chancellery doth announce the commencement of a period of mayoral elections. This Year of Our Lord, two-thousand and seventy-nine, elections are hence called into effect. Prospective candidates shall have until next Horen’s Calling to deliver a letter to the Lady Chancellor expressing their intention of candidacy. Once nominations are complete, candidates shall be given a period of time to campaign and will be invited to attend a debate to be questioned by the citizens of Saint Godwinsburg. Thereafter, a ballot box, for voting, shall be constructed in Prince’s Square, at the heart of the city, and residents may begin casting their ballots. The requirements for candidacy are listed hence The Candidate must be of at least ten and eight years of age. The Candidate must be a permanent resident of the City of Saint Godwinsburg. The Candidate must not be a title-bearer or noble peer of the realm. The Candidate must profess and adhere to the Faith of the Canon. The requirements to vote in the mayoral election are listed hence All voters must be of at least ten and eight years of age. All voters must be a permanent resident of the City of Saint Godwinsburg. All voters must not have any outstanding unpaid tax-obligations or criminal charges within the Empire of Man or the Archduchy of Alba. The election period shall extend till next year, two-thousand and eighty, and upon the last day of Sun’s Smile the ballots received shall be collected, counted and confirmed, wherein a public declaration shall be made announcing the victor and new Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg. Well wishes unto thee, each and all hopeful candidates.

The Baroness-Regent looked upon her daughter's inaugural fete with exuding pride. For finally Owynsburg would know some merriment and respite after what seemed an endless series of woes and mournful circumstances. That evening, she lit a candle for her late son, a prayer spoken in the hope he might watch over Dorothea's efforts from the Skies above.

The Lady Chancellor returned to her desk with a satisfied smirk, following those trials by combat. Swiftly though did her hubris fall away into something more thoughtful. Her gaze had found that looming portrait of her late father upon the wall, proud and lean in his embroidered doublet of pale azure-blue. Her eyes began to glistened, a breath catching in her throat. A peasant brigand had slain him, they had said. Those very same who had sought to do the Archduke harm, and wreak havoc upon their realm. "We hath shielded thy realm, father," She spoke in a whisper, her voice wavering. "Just as I promised."

The gentle condition of the Duchess Furnestock did warrant a rare showing of sympathy from the Lady Chancellor, who deigned to attend that festival despite her duties. For naught else, she sought to support a young lady whom now faced childbirth yet again, a trial she herself had faced in utter terror. Alas, the succession of Alba would not allow the maiden of Beaufort such freedom.

FULL NAME: Julia de Rafal AGE: 14 PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Squire to the Order of the White Hart (Alba) SIGNED NAME: Julia de Rafal METHOD OF CONTACT: munazaldrizotii / MunaZaldrizoti

Username: MunaZaldrizoti Character Name: Julia de Rafal Affiliation: Archduchy of Alba, Empire of Man Desired Rank: Vanguard, Reserves Which games will you be attending?: The Battle of Eldmyr, The Siege of Totenpflaz

The Lady Chancellor, adorning her gilded chain of office, did welcome the news of such a decisive Alban victory with great enthusiasm. Whatever mild celebration she felt, however, was dimmed at the rumors of castle-forged steel used against their own soldiers of the Black Banner and White Hart. For this eluded to a greater threat, of enemies who worked in shadow and raised these common men as pawns. It was a mercy, perhaps, that her father would not have to live to oversee such strife within that land he had loved. She would carry the burden now, and see Alba to its next generation.

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Susanna Augusta shrouded herself once more in mournful black, now plunged again into grief as a result of her father's murder. From the earliest days of childhood within the stony walls of Newcastle, she had peered over the brim of his desk as he took upon his able shoulders the business of their Alban state. As time had rolled on, she had been assured that she was his true successor, in mind and ability. It had been his nurturing of her gifts that had formed the foundations for her shrewish pride, an armor as much as an outward manifestation of all George had instilled within his youngest daughter. In the days that followed, Susanna threw herself into her letters and meetings both. As she had done such with her son, so too was her grief reshaped into tireless work as a worthy distraction. Lady Chancellor, she was called now, by the Archduke's own word. But it had been his wish too - her father's last wish for her. For all the frustrations passed between them, he had kept her close and tended to her future. In that knowing, she realized, he yet still lived on...within her.

The tartish Baroness of Owynsburg would find herself in great distress... If only she partook in such lowly and conniving gossip. Alas for that author, the Lady Helvets oft kept to her ledgers and letters and the business now pressed upon her by the illness of her father. In her mourning, none would dare to even speak of such a publication in her presence. That evening, in the privacy of Montfort Manor, she read to her only daughter the tale of Lureline. With hope, the darkness of Foltest's death would pass with time...or distraction.

Susanna settled into her study, the delivered word of the Emperor's demise clutched within her pale hand. It was almost perplexing, to imagine their world without that tyrannical conqueror at the helm of Humanity. His presence had loomed large, a great shadow that inspired both great devotion and great fear. Now, the shadow was diminished. The Baroness only wondered if his son might take on that mantle for himself, of absolute monarch and cruel master. She prayed to GOD he would not.

The Baroness of Owynsburg, garbed in the blackened silks of mourning, pulled her daughter Dorothea close. A peck was pressed to the child's brow. The war begun in her youth had at last been brought to its end, and so Humanity did reign across the entire continent.

ON THE DEMISE OF LORD FOLTEST RUDOLPH HELVETS Issued by THE HOUSE OF HELVETS On this 18th of Harren’s Folly, 2073 TO THE ARCHDUCHY OF ALBA AND THE HOLY IMPERIUM, It is with heavy heart that the House of Helvets does announce the tragic passing of LORD FOLTEST RUDOLPH HELVETS, firstborn son and heir of Baron Adrian Helvets of Owynsburg after a period of prolonged illness. It is believed by familial physicians that Lord Foltest had been taken by the very same sickness that plagues the Baron Owynsburg, likely passed from father to son during a visit to Myre Hall in recent months. Despite beliefs that this sickness may have originated from foreign livestock brought home from the Baron’s travels abroad, there remains still no name or confirmed origin for this plague. It is advised that travel to Myre Hall remains limited until the Baron’s recovery, in an effort to prevent any further loss or spread of disease. As succession dictates, the heir to the Barony of Owynsburg now stands as LADY DOROTHEA MAGDALENA HELVETS, who shall be in the care of the Baroness-Regent until her father’s return to health. For their safety, both mother and child shall make their residence in the city of Saint Godwinsburg until further notice. The House of Helvets asks for the offering of prayers on behalf of the young lord’s soul, during this period of mourning. Signed, HER LADYSHIP, the Baroness-Regent of Owynsburg, Susanna Helvets

Susanna Augusta had been intent to allow her father his peace, whilst he oversaw his extensive revisions and alterations to the much-outdated Alban Code. It had been some weeks since last they had even spoken, the Earl professing to her that he might retire to Highbury to see his work to its fruition. Now, she wished she had been more prying when she had noticed the weariness of his steps and the dappled sweat upon his aging brow. He had been a stubborn lord, ever prideful, and it had always proved more beneficial to simply allow him his way. But she was the only one of his children who truly remained in Alba, who had been at his side since she was old enough to understand the weight he bore upon such richly-shrouded shoulder. For the first time, she felt worry at the idea of his weakened presence. Thus, she made herself and her children ready to venture first to Highbury and ensure her father's good care. Afterward, another trial: an audience with the Archduke, to finally see if her efforts had softened his heart to the idea of a woman overseeing the administration of his realm.

Despite the persisting ailments of her husband, the Baroness-Regent of Owynsburg sought a moment of levity in festivity, peculiar even for her. But in truth, part of her did miss the importance her title as Mayor had granted her. If overseeing a festival for the springtide brought her name once more to prominence, she would deign to plan dozens more. For now, she readied her children for the reception of guests at Owynsburg.

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The notorious handmaid Rosamund did make an attempt to impart that slip of parchment upon the Baroness of Owynsburg as she entered within the stoney walls of Castle Glasgon, intent upon paying her father and princely uncle a usual visit. As soon as her stern gaze beheld the words transcribed upon the very top, she let free a quiet scoff and wafted a palm in fervent dismissal. A scholar of history, it so resembled documents kept and archived from the age of Providence - the city which had spelled the ultimate rise and fall of House Novellen. It was a sour reminder of frivolity, needless mischief, and wanton hubris. "This is not Petrine Oren, madam," The lady bid firmly, as she swept past in search of the Lord Chancellor, "Let it gather among the cinders, lest we all suddenly feel the urge to don wigs."

FAREWELL TO THEE, SAINT GODWINSBURG 22nd of Sigismund’s End, 2069 TO THE GOOD CITIZENRY OF ALBA, After twelve years of tireless service to our fair city of Saint Godwinsburg, my tenure as Lady Mayor has reached its end. For a position I did not initially desire to make a bid for, the stewardship of our Archduchy’s capital has taught me a great deal and expanded my knowledge in a variety of areas that might elsewise never have had been explored. From the intricacies of architecture and carpentry to the complex nature of our taxation, it has all given me the experience of leadership that the life of a mere consort might not have afforded me otherwise. My tenure has seen a great many achievements and accomplishments, built upon the foundations of stability afforded to me by the founding of Saint Godwinsburg and the efforts of the late Mayor-Emeritus Daniel von Rhoswald. From the first day I took my oath, I have endeavored to work tirelessly and pursue excellence in all things related to our city’s governance. From public works to the construction of Fairmarket and Little Furnestock, to the foundation of the Alban Archive, to even the smallest efforts of fashioning keys for citizens to pass through our gatehouse unimpeded. By GOD’s own goodwill have I been rewarded for my diligence, our city and people having grown greatly since I took up this mantle. I offer my gratitude firstly to the Archduke Edward II and Archduchess Jane, who imparted unto me their utmost trust and wisdom when it came to the upkeep of our city’s administration. And secondly to Baron Henri Halcourt, for his assistance in the many architectural projects undertaken in both terms of my Mayoralty, I offer my indebted thanks. I likewise give thanks to all Aldermen, past and present, who have leant their aid as both council and stewards - to act as representatives for their respective boroughs. Finally, I offer my thanks and prayers for the future to the citizens of Saint Godwinsburg. It is both with your coin and your dedication to Alba that our city has seen such exponential growth, and shall continue to do so for many years yet to come. With this missive, I do likewise announce that I shall not be offering myself up for a third term as Lady Mayor. I encourage any and all who might desire to take up my former mantle to consider making a prospective bid. For our city to continue to thrive, it deserves and demands a firm and guiding hand. GOD BLESS THEE ALL. TANDEM TRIUMPHANS.