MunaZaldrizoti

The Baroness-Regent of Owynsburg could only scowl, as news of that elopement reached her by way of a courier. A previous discussion with the ancient Earl of Constans still rung in her ear, speaking of her good-sister's lack of decorum in seeking a hasty match for herself. And yet now, it seemed, she had just as quickly settled into a new arrangement entirely. As Myre Hall seemed to grow more quiet, each Helvets either wedded off or dying, the Baroness could only feel some sense of bitterness. A woman who lacked the blood of Saint Foltest, left to tend her son and that ancient lineage's survival alone. It was a slight, in her mind - one she would not soon forget. "We shall send a bouquet of Kaedreni roses. With the Baron's love," The lady bid of her handmaid, her lips spreading with a hollow thinness.

The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg sat at the bedside of her ailing husband, more out of an itching annoyance with his caretakers than out of concern for the Baron himself. She had ordered them to fetch a freshened and wetted cloth for his forehead, but the maid instead had returned with that missive stamped in purple wax. Upon inspection of its contents, Susanna could only sigh and lean back into her chair. Again, the Princess Joan seemed intent upon the terrorizing of Albans, even after such a crushing victory laid against their foes of Urugan the saint's day previous. All for protesting the apprehending of a young maiden... From the kennels outside, a cry rang out - "Someone hath let the bitch off her leash! GOD damn it!" With a pursing of her lips and a glance paid to the weary Lord of Helvets, his diligent wife rose to continue about the duties of managing that mismanaged estate.

"There is greater glory in GOD's light than seeking the guidance of flame," The Baroness of Owynsburg murmured from the privacy of her study, as she heard word of this foolish bidding made by that so-called halfling High Priest.

THE FORMATION OF THE ALBAN ARCHIVE 15th of Harren’s Folly, 2066 HEAR YE, FOLK OF SAINT GODWINSBURG, I have long been of a scholarly inclination, prone to long evenings spent poring over tomes and scrolls written by forefathers and playwrights alike. The gift of knowledge granted unto us by GOD is one I cherish and hold most dear, but feel is not so readily available to those who call our fair city home. So herein, I announce the founding of THE ALBAN ARCHIVE, a city-owned library and citadel that shall welcome all those who wish to both learn from and be inspired by what has come before. In the coming saint’s week, a more formal establishment of this Archive shall be announced and a formal festivity shall be hosted to mark its opening. The private collections of both the House of Alstion and the Empress Elizabeth of Balamena shall comprise the greater selection of books made available to our citizenry - generously on loan to the Alban Archive. In these early stages, I encourage any interested in the donation of books and historical artifacts to send word to me within the saint’s week, so we might add them to what is intended to be a vast and varied selection.

The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg readied the council of Aldermen for the arrival of Lady Diane, ensuring every gutter was cleared and every urchin ushered out into the countryside. Banners sewn with the azure stag of Alba and the purple dragon of Alstion were hung from every eave and windowsill, whilst the local merchants were commissioned to produce worthy gifts to be bestowed unto the Duchess-to-be.

The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg took some small pride in the announcement, however much of a surprise it seemed to be that she now had a namesake for a niece. How many named Susanna would grace the generations of Alba's future? She was content with knowing that, her impact upon the peoples of the Archduchy aside, she had proven to her elder brother a worthy sister.

Let it be known unto kindred, friends, vassals, and all faithful persons of the realm, that by the grace of Almighty GOD there has been born unto the Baron and Baroness of Owynsburg; a child of lawful union and joyful promise. On a day appointed by Providence, in the Year 2064 of the Age of Mankind, within the peace and protection of their household, the Baroness was safely delivered of a child, sound in body and spirit, to the great comfort of their House and the rejoicing of all who bear them goodwill. The child has been received into the House of Helvets and given the name: @Terry to be nurtured in faith, instructed in duty, and raised in the traditions of honor, service, and stewardship which have long governed that name. Prayers of thanksgiving are offered for the health of mother and child alike, and supplication is made that the years ahead may be guided by wisdom, virtue, and the favor of Heaven. Let this birth stand as a sign of continuity and hope, and as a reminder that the labors of one generation are preserved and renewed through the next. Given under the seal of the House, and proclaimed with gratitude and joy, in the Year 2064 of the Age of Mankind. By the House of Helvets May God watch over this child, and grant long life, good judgment, and a heart inclined to justice.

Susanna took great pleasure in the announcement of her elder brother's firstborn - a girl. Much as her frustrations with her father had softened since her election's success, she could only imagine the fretting this might already cause him. An amused smirk broke upon the Lady Mayor's visage, and persisted for the rest of the saint's day.

APPOINTMENT OF ALDERMEN 6th of Harren’s Folly, 2064 HEAR YE, FOLK OF SAINT GODWINSBURG, As my new term begins in earnest, my attention must first turn to the inner workings of our city council. With the incorporation of both Janisport and Little Furnestock as municipal boroughs, it is only fitting they received equal representation on par with those who reside within our city’s high walls. Likewise, in lieu of a clerical appointment, the borough of Claige has long been desirous for proper stewardry and patronage. Therefore, as Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg, I do hereby name the following citizens as Aldermen: ⚜ To the borough of CLAIGE, we appoint Lady ANNE ALSTION@Alexi_ ⚜ To the borough of JANISPORT, we appoint Master KRISTOFF AMADOR@Sladetricity ⚜ To the borough of LITTLE FURNESTOCK, we appoint Master DANIEL VON RHOSWALD@Jayphynph We pray for their good health, success, and diligent administration. They shall bring to these previously underserved districts of both Saint Godwinsburg and the Alban Crownlands much needed representation and incorporation into the greater workings of our most beloved Archduchy of Alba.

The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg awaited news from the Archduke's delegation amidst all of her duties, a momentary word upon if they had discovered a young lady worthy of her cousin William's hand. He was still young, but kind - albeit greatly in need of friendship and others his age to confide in. She herself was no outwardly warm lady, so often inclined to be away with her books and ledgers in seclusion from the world. But if she had learned anything thus far in her life, it was that even the loneliest of souls desire for the comforts of a caring word. As a gentle hand fell upon the evident swell of her abdomen, the Baroness of Owynsburg uttered a quiet prayer. "Just as I pray for the Duke of Furnestock...I pray for thee too, my child," She concluded that blessing upon her future heir, before seeing herself off to sleep.

In the midst of her campaign, the incumbent Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg could only smirk with a smug pride. It seemed they had GOD's favor, to bring them such prolific fishermen at a time when she proposed that their dockyard be maintained by worthy Aldermen. Another wayward house of elder origins, to seek haven and restoration in the Alban Crownlands. Susanna could not ask for a clearer sign of continued success.

The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg only released a breath, as news of the ambitious Count's nuptials reached her busied desk. Now the privacy of that meeting between he and the Archduke made much more sense, with how hurriedly she had been bid to depart. Her pale brows furrowed, as she recalled the unity shown upon the event of her wedding tourney - how quickly things had changed, it seemed. "The peoples of Alba shall be grateful to keep their Lady Anne," The Baroness murmured to herself, and so too would speak such to that Alstion herself upon their next meeting.

“FOR FAIR SUSANNA IS A PEOPLE’S LEADER, AND HER COMMITMENT TO THE ALBAN PEOPLE IS INEFFABLE!” - Lady Sibylla de Anjou, Secretary to the Imperial Chamberlain ONCE MORE, I SEEK THY BLESSING. As my first term as Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg reaches its conclusion, I am able to stand from afar and look upon all that has been achieved since I took up this elected mantle. We have seen a consistent influx of both residents and merchants pass through our gates, which has left our coffers overflowing with ample coin. Under my direction, we have also seen renovations made within our city walls and expansions to the Alban crownlands to accommodate all those who seek out Alba and desire to call it home. I finally take great pride in my continued presence within Saint Godwinsburg, becoming a common face that any can rely upon for hasty results. However, I was not able to achieve all that I had wished for. The sheer magnitude of this position’s undertaking left me with very little time to attend to matters that required greater use of quill and ink. In future, and if duly elected once more, I shall endeavor to uphold promises made to ensure that the faith of our citizenry is not ill-placed. A SECOND TERM’S AGENDA As with my first electoral campaign, I seek to make clear what I shall pursue if allowed a second term as Lady Mayor. This particular list is far more ambitious than the first, by all accounts. But given my previous efforts, I think none shall doubt the persistence by which I shall seek to see each point fulfilled and the care taken to ensure that it lives up to Alba’s great expectations. Listed below you shall find my proposed projects and endeavors for my second term as Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg: ⚜ The completed implementation of Janisport and Little Furnestock as boroughs of Saint Godwinsburg, with each being granted an Alderman seat upon the City Council. ⚜ In tandem with the Lords Chancellor and Exchequer, I desire to reform the duties of our Aldermen to better define their active duties and promote better diligence through more specific work on behalf of the City Council. ⚜ A renovation of our city’s tavern, The Drunken Squire, to better accommodate patrons and allow them more exterior comfort by which they can enjoy our city’s sights. Likewise, in discussions with the tavern’s management, discussing ways by which it can be better utilized and promoted to ensure a steadier flow of wine and spirits. ⚜ A renovation to the city’s central square, to better serve as a gathering place for our citizenry and be capable of playing host to various festivities as necessity requires. ⚜ A promise of continued development in regards to the immediate Alban Crownlands, which would rightly include further expansions to both Janisport and Little Furnestock as outlying boroughs. ⚜ A stronger encouragement of festivals and gatherings, particularly those that pertain or put on display our Alban culture. ⚜ A mayoral endorsement of a local Alban business or company, to be granted every two saint’s weeks. This shall include both a written publication and a grant of coin to aid the awarded merchant in their endeavors. ⚜ The construction and founding of a city library, which shall serve as both a house of knowledge and a cultural archive. In tandem with the Prince’s Institution, it is my desire to cultivate a collection that does encompass a great many topics and subjects, whilst allowing them the freedom to claim any such books that pertain more specifically to subjects taught in their own curriculum. The future of our fair city is within the hands of its leal citizens. I pray and beseech you all to place your faith in me once more, to remind yourselves of all that I have done in service to you and what I deign to continue to do as your Lady Mayor. VOTE SUSANNA OF DOVER!

The Lady Mayor, intent upon a second term as that city's administrator, placed the finishing touched upon her proclamation...

The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg returned home from the nuptial celebrations held within that present Imperium's capital, to find a gifted manuscript of those recovered diary entries sat upon her desk. An Aldersberg by birth, the history of what they dubbed 'Petrine Oren' and the life of her distant ancestors drew her appeal like no other subject could. But especially Empress Anne, whom had led and built one of the strongest empires to exist in Humanity's long history. A woman, at the helm of a united human realm. It made her recent debates with the Archduke of Alba all the more poignant - that leadership and competence flowed within her very veins, regardless of the gender GOD had bestowed upon her. But at that archive's conclusion, the lady did ponder: When again might a woman stand at the prow of humanity's great ship, to steer her people into another gilded age?

HARK, GOOD ALBANS! By order of the Lady Mayor, the carpenters and stonemasons of our fair Archduchy of Alba were set to the task of addressing our recent lack of housing and merchant stalls that has plagued us for some years since our arrival upon Azuras. With the aid of the Baron of Artois and under the direction of Lady Susanna, our great solutions come in the form of two additions to our idyllic crownlands. First, FAIRMARKET, a plaza strewn with an array of painted tents and stalls for the selling of wares. And LITTLE FURNESTOCK, named in honor of our young Alban heir and intended to serve as a countryside escape away from the constant bustle of Saint Godwinsburg. Thus, in our pride, we announce a formal opening of both marketplace and hamlet, to bask in the accomplishment of all who have made these necessary expansions possible. Hosted by the Lady Mayor alongside the Princely House of Alstion, we shall provide a tour of both locations and conclude with a formal consecration of our humble CHAPEL OF BLESSED JOHN SIGISMUND - a place of holy reverence and salvation for those who seek to settle our newest provincial commune.

Amidst her own concerns about her future within her uncle's archduchy, she made note of this imperial gathering. The Lady Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg deigned to attend out of spite, if naught to seek some hopeful advocation. "It is not a lady's place to occupy such an important seat..." She'd utter to herself, quoting something spoken unto her by one she had once held to the highest of standards. "We shall see how true that is."