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Coming from an audience with the Archduke, the lady Susanna returned to Montfort Manor in some mild frustration as her handmaid brought that publication from House Augusten to her attention. Of all that was written, it was the signature that she seemed to fixate upon - the notion of a young girl standing as 'grand heir'. A lady half her age held more respect among the men of her family than the Lady Mayor did with her own blood and kin. Such a notion frustrated her, angered her. But also made her sad. She could only pray that the young Aralinde, so bold in her inheritance, would not suffer the same as that weary Baroness of Owynsburg.

It was as much to the Lady Mayor's surprise as it was to her friend Anne, peering over that invitation as she took her morning tea and pored over a recent ledger of Alban harvest. Quietly she bid unto her maid to seek out the artisans of The Crown and Sceptre, to make haste with a very special commission...

Within Alba, so dominated by patriarchal lords and politicians, the lone Lady Mayor read over this publication hungrily upon one evening when her municipal duties had allowed her a moment of reprieve. A pang of sadness sprung to life in her chest, to feel almost as if she had been born too late to reside in an age where her own talents and achievements might hold more weight than that of simply being stepping stones to a fine marriage. The Baroness of Owynsburg, now bound as she was in unwanted union, wondered how life could be if the Empire of present even somewhat adopted the ideas of the past. It was a dream that was like to never see reality, not within her lifetime atleast. But as she prayed for any future daughters she might bring forth, she tucked that publication into a catalogue within her desk - to be reread again and again when time allowed.

By the Grace of Almighty God, and with the blessing of the Archducal Court of Alba, the House of Helvets and the House of Aldersberg, each venerable in lineage and steadfast in honour, joyfully proclaim and make known unto all kindred, friends, and esteem persons of the realm, the forthcoming marriage and solemn joining in holy matrimony of This blessed union shall be celebrated on the appointed day within the Cathedral of the Fifty Skulls where vows shall be exchanged before God, before gathered witnesses, and before the peace of the Crown. All those who have shared in the friendship, loyalty, or confidence of either House, and all who wish the couple well, are warmly invited to witness the ceremony and to join thereafter in feast and festivity held in their honour. A grand tourney consisting of three tests of skill and brawn will herein follow suitly after, a joust upon horseback, a melee of fisticuffs, and a mock battle. May this marriage stand as a covenant of peace, a bond of noble affection, and a testament to the good ordering of Providence. Given under the seals of both Houses, in the year appointed by divine favor. Lord George Arthur Aldersberg Earl of Dover by Letters Patent Lord Adrian Alexander Helvets Baron of Owynsburg by Letters Patent

@Mattiii

Susanna Aldersberg thought it wise to pen a letter to the Empress, as this news of courtly appointments crossed her desk. A mention of a role within her inner circle had been touched upon the eve of that imperial coronation, but much still had been left to be discussed. Her attention averted thereafter as Anne Margery waltzed in unannounced, speaking of further plans for her wedding tourney.

🦃 🦃 🦃

Susanna Augusta sat within her private study, nestled within the upper hall of Montfort Manor, and bid her gaze look out over the borough of Welles as her hand fell upon that inked agreement. The stained glass cast a reddened hue upon the parchment, which spoke of an arranged marriage to a Baron she had only spoken a few sentences to. It had been the day of that mayoral debate, when she had come upon the Helvets heir and her father amid their conspiracy so soon after that previous embarrassment with the Baron of Artois. For all of her acumen and the clear reliance upon her that her father held to, it seemed that was not enough to save her from the fate of all ladies in Alba during this new age of Man. "You shall remain in Alba," The Earl of Dover had said - making evident that even her marriage would not end whatever ambitions he had for her future. So, silently, she submitted to her fate. She could only pray this Baron of Owynsburg was kind - or atleast paid her little attention. The Maid of Dover would be content with that.

“Two centuries of familial splendor. One legacy of perfection.” Crown Jewelers of Alba Oak Street 2, Saint Godwinsburg, Archduchy of Alba Est. 2055 | 628 AA OUR HISTORY From the heart of the Archduchy of Alba rises THE CROWN AND SCEPTRE, the most esteemed atelier of jewels and regal finery within the Empire of Man. Our masterful artisans, employed and nurtured by the House of Aldersberg, have shaped beauty itself into physical form. Every piece tells a story, every precious gem a testament to the devotion of our jewelers and their most noble craft. Named as Crown Jewelers to the Archdukes of Alba, our company takes great pride in the illustrious wares we have to offer. Through war and peace, coronation and celebration, our creations are made to grace the personages of kings, queens, and the highest of peers as symbols not only of wealth, but of enduring grace. OUR CRAFT Each precious jewel used within our collections is mined locally and by Alban hand, refined and polished by our master jewelers to ensure the finest quality for our patrons. We offer a diverse catalogue of ornately-crafted items that can be both purchased within our atelier or commissioned by our craftsmen. Below, you will find a list of what The Crown and Sceptre has on offer: ⚜ Rings and Bands ⚜ Necklaces and Chains ⚜ Brooches and Pins ⚜ Crowns, Circlets, and Hair Ornaments ⚜ Bracelets and Armlets ⚜ Religious and Ceremonial Items OUR COMMISSIONS Commissions are a cherished collaboration between artisan and patron, where the idea of a piece is then forged into everlasting beauty. Noblemen and merchants alike bring their dreams to the Crown and Sceptre, to be shaped by our master jewelers into reality. For this reason, we offer commissions for those who seek a more particular prize - made for a loved one or given as a gift to a friend or liege lord. Pricing of commissions will vary based upon the difficulty of their creation. Inquiries may be left in-person or sent via letter to arrange a formal meeting with the atelier’s proprietors.

“DILIGENCE IN SERVICE, PROSPERITY FOR ALL” A SERVANT FOR ALBA, OF ALBA From the time I was old enough to comprehend, I have known that my duty was to Alba above all else. To witness my lord father’s diligent service as Lord Chancellor, sitting beside him on particularly arduous days of administration, instilled within me a strong sense of duty to one’s people and the amount of effort it takes to keep a realm at peace and a populace content. From counting stags and farthings in order to fill the city’s coffers, to ensuring the safety of each Alban citizen, to maintaining that idea of a higher standard to which all of Alba are beholden. It is a GOD given mission, a blessing of one’s noble birth to be placed in a position by which you might better the prospects of one’s people. My education and firsthand experience aside, I have also proven to be one of our most diligent Alderman, overseeing our city’s most profitable borough of Welles. This is by no means an easy feat, requiring a constant upkeep of buildings and appealing to prospective tenants whilst also ensuring those who presently take up residence are satisfied. All of these facts have, after much deliberation, bid me to submit myself as a worthy candidate to serve as the next Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg. From my work within Welles, I have already come to hold a very strong passion for this city which has been our haven after the great exodus from Aevos. In the years since our arrival, that determination to see it succeed has only grown stronger still. It is with such passionate and determined leadership that our fair capital shall reach greater heights, with the aid of our Archduke and almighty GOD. AN AGENDA TO BE FULFILLED It is not out of ambition that I seek to fill this vacancy, but a desire to not see our city’s governance slip into the hands of one who might otherwise simply keep lax in their duties. Whilst Saint Godwinsburg is no doubt a gleaming hub within our Holy Imperium of Man, it could still be improved upon and strengthened. I believe that, by my own hand, this can be achieved ten fold - if the citizens of our city will it to be so. Listed below you shall find only some of my proposed projects and propositions to be undertaken during my prospective tenure: ⚜ Upon the first day of my tenure, I shall begin the process of ordering the creation of a city gardens within Saint Godwinsburg for both recreational use and to play host to various festivities. It is my hope it shall bring a much-needed place of solitude within our bustling capital whilst also allowing for a more even distribution of public spaces between the four boroughs. ⚜ I shall make regular rounds of the city, to inspect the integrity of our buildings and ensure any alterations to existing structures are passed before the eyes of the city council. The damaging of our city’s properties shall be met with scrutiny and appropriate fines, whilst emptied structures and abandoned cellars shall be repurposed to provide further housing and businesses to both meet demands and swell the coffers of our Aldermen. It is the hope that these things combined shall allow for our city’s government to be afforded a larger budget for future projects and potential expansions. ⚜ A position shall be created to serve as the planner and administrator of frivolities,called the Master of Revels, to aid in the hosting of festivals and holidays. In collaboration with this individual, it is my hope to further cement Alba as a unique presence upon the imperial stage by authoring cultural studies pertaining to customs and social rituals that may find purchase among our populace. ⚜ A bi-yearly newsletter, published by the Office of the Lord Mayor, dictating the recent work of both the mayoral seat and the city council. This shall serve as a way to hold our city’s leadership accountable and ensure they’re putting in the effort our citizens deserve. This, and more, is what I envision for my first term as Mayor of Saint Godwinsburg. I pray you shall place your faith within me to ensure that vision comes to fruition. VOTE SUSANNA ALDERSBERG!

\ Lureline is an elusive nymph and fae who has made herself known to the denizens of Alba since their arrival upon the shores of Azuras. Initially only rumored and whispered of by the local peasantry and denizens of St. Godwinsburg, the Lady Lureline has captured enough of the land’s curiosity to entrench herself in a growing folklore surrounding these new lands settled by the Archduchy. A series of recorded testimonies, collected within the last year, have alluded to what is by all accounts an ethereal and benevolent lady. Of a stature no larger than the size of a pear, Lureline is said to possess the shape of a humanoid woman with shimmering silver wings. From afar, she appears as an aura of azure light, gleaming as it flits across the top of the pond’s surface. Though timid and often adverse to contact, passing merchants and local farmhands all claim that, on rare occasions, the Lady Lureline will allow those of kind-hearted nature to share in a proximity to her. The name ‘Lureline’ has many alleged sources, though two remain the most prevailing in regards to belief in their origins. The first, more plainly, is that the blueish hue that emits from the nymph’s form is like a ‘lure’, that draws those prone to whimsy towards the shores of her watery home. The other, preferred by the nobility of Alba, is that her color is akin to the silken gowns once favored by the late-Archduchess of Drusco, named Rosceline, who had spent much of her girlhood within the city of Elizabeth before her marriage and subsequent inheritance of duties. Through this namesake, it has become a way to keep her memory alive and maintain a sense of otherworldly survival - beyond the great tragedy of her grisly fate. The fantastical tale of Lureline’s origins is likewise just as speculated, though many in Alba prefer the more mythical story of a faerie queen caring for the final remnant of a once-great realm, formerly encompassing the entirety of the Archduchy’s valley and the vast woodlands that span southward of the capital city. Others, more quietly, speculate that Lureline is merely a lingering custodian - that there yet lies greater creatures and mysteries which await a human’s curiosity to truly be uncovered. Cecily’s Mirror is a pond that lies due west of St. Godwinsburg, in the shadow of the city’s looming walls and surrounded by the vast farmlands of rural Alba. Nestled between the noble borders of the houses Halcourt and Helvets, the pristine waters of Cecily’s Mirror gleam with an unnatural purity that many say can only be the blessing of the great Fae-Lady Lureline. During the day, many of the Archduchy’s aristocracy take to the shoreline in pursuit of solitude and idle leisure. Many fishermen are known to frequent the humble dockside, whilst fair maidens take to small rowboats in groups - sharing in gossip that only the trout and dragonflies can hear. In the evening, a symphony of toads and crickets accompany Lureline as she maintains her vigil over the pond’s waters. The water taken or consumed from Cecily’s Mirror is said to be the purest in all of Alba, with a fresh coolness that seems to persist even despite the heat of the summer sun. It is likewise put about that a drink from Lureline’s great pool provides a sharpness of the mind, albeit brief, that allows reprieve from muddied thoughts and worries. A vial of the pond’s essence has become a noted gift, particularly among the commonfolk of Alba, during times of hardship or those undergoing great stresses. Since the legend of Lady Lureline has grown, many have come to leave small tokens and gifts upon the shores of Cecily’s Mirror, as offerings of goodwill to ensure the nymph’s continued presence. These include coins, glass beads, and freshly-picked wildflowers.

Candidate Application ✠ Full Legal Name: Susanna Augusta Charlotte Edwina Aldersberg ✠ Age (Must be over 18): 18 ✠ Running for Which Seat (Bergman/Folkman of X): Folkman of Welles ✠ Residence (Must be within constituency): Montfort Hall, Borough of Welles, City of Saint Godwinsburg, Archduchy of Alba ✠ Are you in good standing with the Empire and Church? (Yes/No): Yes. ✠ Provide a brief account (100-200 words) of your standing, trade, or service to your community, by which you claim fitness to represent them in the Witenmot: I presently serve the Borough of Welles as Alderman on behalf of my lord father, Earl George V of Dover. My vested daily interest is in the well-being of its denizens and the upkeep of its interior to better serve both the city of Saint Godwinsburg and the Archduchy of Alba. Thus far, I have made several necessary renovations to various thoroughfares to better improve the functions of Welles in relation to serving its residents, and have also assisted the Treasury of Alba in minting the coins used to collect the archducal tax. With my election as Folkman of Welles, I would pray I am afforded the opportunity to further represent the interests of my borough as a seated member of the Imperial Assembly.

Promptly, the studious Susanna Aldersberg claimed a copy of this reissued patent, quickly storing it away for proper record-keeping within the bowels of Montfort Hall. Thus far, Welles had been guided by her steady hand and with little incident since their arrival upon Azuras. Even if she did not stand as the Earl's own heir, she felt she more than fulfilled the duties any daughter ought afford unto her lord father. But even privately, she prayed she might one day enjoy the fruits of such dedication.

KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM HEH

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