Sander

A Party At Krugmas Castle The Commonwealth of the Petra hereby invites all of the citizens of Petra, as well as those of Balian and Haense to a party for celebrating Krugmas! These celebrations will be held three Saint's Days from now [[Friday the 23rd, 4PM est]] at the specially decorated 'Krugmas Castle', directions shown below. St. Krug himself is rumored to make an appearance... Attendees are highly encouraged to bring gifts they wish to exchange! Dinner will be provided. We bid many attend and bring good tidings, for the more the merrier!

Artiev Colborn would grin as he read the missive “Sounds fun! Now for a costume… Hmmmm…”

The Archducal Charter of Their Graces Renilde I and Constanz of the Commonwealth of the Petra for the establishment of the company of merchants trading in Petrine exports, hence to be known as THE PETRAN EXPORTS COMPANY 6th of The First Seed, St. Theodosius’ Day, Gelus, 1899 RENILDE I, By the Grace of GOD, Archduchess of the Commonwealth of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere, and CONSTANZ, By the Grace of GOD, Archduke of the Commonwealth of the Petra, Prince of Balian, by the decree of this here Charter formally declare the establishment of the Petran Exports Company. This Company, to be headed by the hereby established title of Governor, shall engage in the management and exploitation of Petran markets in foreign realms. Section I: Activities I. The Petran Exports Company shall be granted management of any and all market stalls and shops owned by the government of the Commonwealth of the Petra in foreign realms, pertaining to these establishments to which the government of the Commonwealth of the Petra has a right as a result of its signing of Free Trade Agreements with these foreign realms. II. The Petran Exports Company is, as part of the above-stated management of these markets, free to sell their wares abroad in the pursuit of wealth and the exploitation of said markets, free of the limitations of taxation by foreign entities, as agreed upon through the aforementioned Free Trade Agreements. III. The Petran Exports Company shall additionally be granted an establishment for the purpose of trade in the form of a market stall or shop within the confines of the Commonwealth of the Petra. Section II: Governorship I. The Petran Exports Company shall be led by a Governor, with this position having the sole authority to make decisions for the management of the Company, safe for the authority of the overseeing members of the Round Table of the Commonwealth of the Petra. II. The Petran Exports Company shall have its first Governor appointed by Their Graces RENILDE I and CONSTANZ in the person of Franz Arthur Sarkozic. Should he be succeeded, he - or in his absence the remaining members of the Company, are free to nominate one of their own for the position of Governor, whom shall then by appointed with the approval of Their Graces or Their Successors. Section III: Compensation I. The Petran Exports Company will be obligated to grant the government of the Commonwealth of the Petra two-hundred (200) Minas per annum as compensation for the transferral of mercantile rights abroad and the management and exploitation of the Commonwealth of the Petra’s foreign markets. This amount shall be paid directly to the Treasurer of the Petra unless agreed upon otherwise. II. The Petran Exports Company shall furthermore pay a sum of four-hundred (400) Minas upon the signing of this Charter as an initial purchasing of these rights. Section IV: Autonomy I. The Petran Exports Company is hereby granted also the right to operate with limited autonomy from the government of the Commonwealth of the Petra. This means that the Petran Exports Company is free to use what course of action is deemed necessary to protect Petran markets abroad as an extension of the Commonwealth of the Petra’s right to these markets as agreed upon in its Free Trade Agreements. This does however mean the Petran Exports Company is responsible for its actions and conduct abroad and the Commonwealth of the Petra claims no representation. II. The Petran Exports Company is additionally granted the right to sign financial and mercantile treaties and agreements with foreign powers, both those who are already in diplomatic ties with the Commonwealth of Petra and those who are not, granted they are required to seek the approval of a member of the Round Table of the Commonwealth of Petra before signing such treaties and agreements. Section V: Good Faith I. The Petran Exports Company is at any and all times expected to proceed its activities and conduct in good faith with and towards the government of the Commonwealth of the Petra. If the Petran Exports Company is found to not be operating within this expectation of Good Faith or otherwise found to be breaking the agreement of this Charter, the government of the Commonwealth of the Petra retains the right to give the Petran Exports Company a termination notice of one (1) Saint’s Week. Signed, HER GRACE, Renilde I, By the Grace of GOD, Archduchess of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere HIS GRACE, Constanz-Anton, Archduke of the Petra, Prince of Balian HIS EXCELLENCY, Artiev Edric Colborn, Treasurer of the Petra THE HONOURABLE, Franz Arthur Sarkozic, Governor of the Petran Exports Company

Petrine-Celian Free Trade Agreement of 1899 Seeking to further their economic and especially mercantile ties, representatives of the nations of the Commonwealth of Petra and the Principality of Celia’nor have met in the Celian capital of Fia’andria to agree upon a Free Trade Agreement. This agreement shall be in effect for twelve years, at which time it will be up for re-evaluation and free to renew or terminate. The treaty consists of the following; Section I: Trade I. The signatories entitle each other the right to one shop or stall in each other’s capital’s market, free of tax to encourage trade, as well as ensuring the free passage of merchants and trade caravans in one another’s territory. II. Concerns regarding these market stalls such as their location, size et cetera shall be resolved cordially in good faith. III. The Principality of Celia’nor agrees to sell manufactured goods in their shop or stall on the Petran market, such as elven wines or magical products. Signed, HIS EXCELLENCY, Artiev Edric Colborn, Treasurer of the Petra AY’PUERAN; Valyris Ibarellan, Princess of Celia’nor, Queen of Gladewynn, Princess of the Alders, Princess of Alderyn, High Empyrean Princess, Sole-Proprieter of Gladewynn, Evarir of the Aurumwoods, Protector of the High Elves, High Magus of the Arcanic Court, etc. Virar Aestenia Aevaris, Laurir of Fi’andria, Virar of Starpool, Court Botanist

[[OOC: The following notice was posted about Valfleur as well as on the outskirts of Petra, written in red ink.]] THE BEAST OF PETRA A cause has been found for the many deaths and disappearings across the Commonwealth of Petra. The cause is not human, it is not a murderer. Instead we are in great danger, at the mercy one could say, of a horrid BEAST. As of yet it remains unclear what we are dealing with. Several people who were attacked over the past year survived these attacks and were able to afford us some insight as to what the Beast is. What is known to me currently is little, but it gives us a sense: the beast is large, dark or black in color, has large teeth and is extremely quick. It's speed is the primary reason we don't have more clear information; the people who were attacked didn't get a good enough look in the mere seconds their encounters lasted. The combined lack of information yet information we do have, have given rise to many theories on what the Beast is already. I've heard these talks in the tavern. Some seem to think it's just a bear, others suspect a wolfman or werewolf. I do not know what the Beast may be, truth be told. What I do know is that regardless of what it is, it needs to be killed so the killings be put to a halt. Though as this is no ordinary predator, I wish not to burden only myself with this task. Therefore I call on any hunters, soldiers and knights from Petra and beyond; hunt this Beast. Track it down. Smoke it out. See. It. Killed. Signed, Master of the Hunt, Artiev Colborn

Petrine-Haeseni Free Trade Agreement of 1898 In an effort to attain greater mutual economic possibilities, the nations of the Commonwealth of Petra and the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska have met in the Haeseni capital of Karosgrad and resolved there to sign a Free Trade Agreement. This agreement shall be in effect for twelve years, at which time it will be up for re-evaluation and free to renew or terminate. The treaty consists of the following; Section I: Trade I. The signatories entitle each other the right to one shop or stall in each other’s capital’s market, free of tax to encourage trade, as well as ensuring the free passage of merchants and trade caravans in one another’s territory. II. Concerns regarding these market stalls such as their location, size et cetera shall be resolved cordially in good faith. Signed, HIS EXCELLENCY, Ser Maric Colborn, Treasurer of Hanseti-Ruska, Knight of the Marian Retinue HIS EXCELLENCY, Artiev Edric Colborn, Treasurer of the Petra

“Huh! Would you look at that, I guess Emir is useful for something after all. He writes damn good chronicles of our little nation!” Artiev Colborn would laugh.

Vaur Komitriez II Trouble on the Petra Trouble brews in the North of Almaris. The Holy Orenian Empire, once a mighty hegemon, is no more. From the ruins and dust, new states have arisen, seeking to carve out a legacy and the Kingdom of Haense moved its border south into former Imperial lands. In the air hangs the scent of uncertainty as the leaders of Aaun, Haense, Petra and Sedan vie for control. War is coming. In VAUR KOMITRIEZ II, you become the ruler of one of the four human nations in northern Almaris. You command troops from the mountains of the Attenlund to the plains of Arentania. Can you defend your territory from your neighbours, and will you be able to conquer the North under your rightful rule? Or will you falter, and shall your state perish and crumble like the Empire of old? How to play: Equipment: To play VAUR KOMITRIEZ II, the following equipment is involved: Unit pieces: These pieces represent the army and navy units used in the game. The top row are the Army pieces and the bottom row are the Navy pieces. Yellow is for Hanseti-Ruska, purple is for Aaun, red is for Petra and blue is for Sedan. Dice To play the game, players will require a simple 1-6 dice. (/roll 6) Board Most important to playing VAUR KOMITRIEZ II however, and differing from VKI, is the playing board with all its details. What everything seen on the board means will be explained below under Landscape. The starting setup of the board is shown above. Landscape: The board consists of various types of terrain and has a plethora of markers scattered across it that depict actual places in the north of Almaris. Here is what everything on the board means: Terrain Light green terracotta: plains Dark green terracotta: forest Green concrete powder: hills Blue concrete powder: water Light grey concrete powder: traversable mountains Dark grey concrete powder: impassable mountains Markers 4 walls with banner: nation capital Flower pots: smaller settlements Trapdoors: bridges Occupation: To show who occupies and controls what markers on the map, banners will be used for capitals as shown above. If a capital originally belonged to nation A, but has since been sieged and occupied by nation B, its banner will be changed to that of nation B to show it's occupation. The conquest and occupation of smaller settlements is shown through the use of little flags ((flowers)), the colors of which correspond to the colors of each of the four countries. Yellow for Hanseti-Ruska, purple for Oren, red for Petra and blue for Sedan. Units & Combat: Each turn, a player has to make a choice pertaining to units and combat. They can either deploy units, or move units and optionally fight or siege with them. Deploying units If a player chooses to deploy units during his turn, they essentially skip the turn. The player can then deploy a minimum of 1 unit for his capital, with an extra +1 units per 4 smaller settlements he has under his control. Players have a base unit capacity of 5, +3 for each capital they possess. This means that the unit capacity of each player at the start of the game is 8 for example, but if they'd conquer another player's capital, their capacity would be 11. When deploying units, players are free to choose between army and navy units. These units can be deployed on a free tile next to any smaller settlement they control. This means, however, that if a player does not control a smaller settlement next to a water tile, they cannot deploy navy units. Units can also be deployed directly inside their capital to serve as a garrison. Moving units & garrisons Instead of deploying, a player can also choose to move his units during a turn. Doing this allows the player to move each of his units once if he so desires. Navy units can obviously only move through water tiles and bridges. Army units can only move across land tiles (excluding impassable mountains) and bridges. There can be 1 unit per tile. Units can be in the same tile as smaller settlements or bridges. Moving diagonally is not an option. The distance units can move depends on the terrain they are moving through: Plains or Water (Navy units): 3 tiles per turn Forest or Hills: 2 tiles per turn Traversable mountains: 1 tile per turn If a unit moves through multiple kinds of terrain in one turn, the amount of tiles they can move is determined by the amount of tiles they could move considering the tile they are in, minus the amount of tiles they have already moved. If a unit starts in plains, it can move 3 tiles. If it uses its first move to move into traversable mountains, it can no longer move. If instead it moved into forest or hills, it could move one more tile. Optionally a player can also move army units into his capital to serve as a garrison to defend against sieges. A capital can hold a garrison of 3 units, played on the walls that don't hold the banner. If a capital is next to a water tile, navy units can also be used for garrisons, moving them directly from the water to the capital and vice versa. Fighting Combat in VAUR KOMITRIEZ is done by rolling the dice. In a fight, units fight 1v1 at a time, with the player with the highest dice roll winning. The player that rolls lower loses 1 unit. A battle goes on until either side has no units left, or the attacker retreats. A battle is instigated by player A trying to move into a tile that already has a unit owned by player B. Player A would be the Attacker in this case, with player B being the defender. Terrain also has an effect upon a battle. This is always the terrain the defending unit is in. If a defending unit is in a forest or in hills, they get +1 to their dice roll. If the defending unit is in traversable mountains, they get +2 to their dice roll. Sieging To siege a smaller settlement, a player needs to have one of his units on the tile next to the settlement and roll either 4, 5 or 6 on the dice. If this fails, the siege may continue next turn or with a different unit next to the settlement. Sieging a capital without a garrison is done in the same way. Sieging a capital with a garrison is done similarly to a normal battle, with the siege ending once either all the garrison units have been killed, all the sieging units have died or the attacking player ends his turn. A garrison can also attack units outside its walls, representing a sortie. Sorties are done by the defending player once it is his turn to take actions. National Ideas, Asymmetrical Gameplay & the Goal of the Game: There is no set goal to VKII, no preset achievement that will end the game. Instead, the players pick what the goal of the game is before they start playing. This could, for example, be that the game ends as soon as someone loses their capital, with the conquering player winning the game. Alternatively they could keep the game going until all of the smaller settlements have been conquered by a single player, or any other goal they can come up with. The starting setup of the game is asymmetrical, which means that not all nations are equal. Sedan for example has a defensible position being shielded for the most part by mountains, but only two smaller settlements, whereas Haense is spread out wide and thin, with eleven settlements spread across half the map. This makes for different playstyles to try to achieve the goal of the game, with Sedan for example benefitting from a defensive playstyle, while Haense has to pay attention to a careful maneuvering of units in order not to get their territory conquered. In order to strengthen these different playstyles, VKII adds National Ideas. Each country has a National Idea, serving as a modifier only they have to strengthen the style of gameplay that benefits their nation. They are as follows; Haense: Mother Ruska - Get an additional unit every three turns without having to skip a turn for deployment. Stops once unit capacity is reached. Petra: Knightly Republic - +1 roll to offensive battles. Aaun: Orenian Marching - All units get to move 1 tile extra per turn. Sedan: Defending Arentania - +1 roll to defensive battles.

Petrine-Dwarven Free Trade Agreement of 1898 In an effort to attain greater mutual economic possibilities, the nations of the Commonwealth of Petra and the Grand Kingdom of Urguan have met in the Petran capital of Valfleur and resolved there to sign a Free Trade Agreement. This agreement shall be in effect for twelve years, at which time it will be up for re-evaluation and free to renew or terminate. The treaty consists of the following; Section I: Trade I. The signatories entitle each other the right to one shop or stall in each other’s capital’s market, free of tax to encourage trade, as well as ensuring the free passage of merchants and trade caravans in one another’s territory. II. The Grand Kingdom of Urguan, through the guild of Armakak’s Merchants, pledges to provide in its Petran market the finest of dwarven goods in the fields of smithing, crafting and jewels. III. The Commonwealth of Petra seeks to purchase a suit of armor fit for the Archduke made by the finest of dwarven craftsmanship. The Grand Kingdom of Urguan shall provide such under a fair price befitting the suit’s materials as a gesture of good faith. Signed, HER MAJESTY, Ealisaid Mossborn, Grand Queen-Consort of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan HER GRACE, Renilde I, By the Grace of GOD, Archduchess of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere HIS GRACE, Constanz-Anton, Archduke of the Petra, Prince of Balian HIS EXCELLENCY, Artiev Edric Colborn, Treasurer of the Petra

Artiev Colborn scouted the land with Lambert, frowning "Whole place smells funny... Wonder what Charlie does with his land."

Corpses in the Commonwealth -=- A MISSIVE FROM THE MASTER OF THE HUNT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PETRA My fellow citizens; commoners, knights and those of the Old Regime. As I am sure many of you have noticed, over the course of the past year there has been an excess of mysterious deaths in the countryside of our little nation. So far there have been documented 23 cases of dead bodies being found along the country lanes, forest paths and fields of grain. Many of these deceased were commoners from the outskirts of Valfleur and Petra's hamlets, among the dead being several shephers, farmhands, maids who tended lifestock and even children like the seven year old boy found dead up by the ruins of the old military fort. On top of this, a further five individuals have been reported missing from across the Commonwealth with no bodies thusfar having been found. I reach out to you, fellow citizens, for information. As of yet, we do not have any knowledge regarding who or what is the culprit of these poor souls' demises. If anyone has any knowledge regarding the cause of these deaths, even the slightest lead or suspicion, I ask it be reported to me, Commander Lambert or Ser Brandt. The same goes for knowledge of any new deaths or missing persons. As for what we currently know, who- or whatever is the killer, seems to tear up the victim's bodies to a point where their skin is shredded or mangled. In many instances, the corpses are partly eaten, though we do not know if this was done by the killer or some animal that stumbled upon the corpse. Lastly and most notably, the victims either carry serious wounds to the neck or are completely beheaded, suggesting a vicious attack to the throat to be the main pattern. Lastly I wish to issue a warning. While the recent summer months have seen a lull in the number of attacks, there was an exceptional frequency the past winter. Now we are once again heading into wintertime, with the night - the apparent time at which attacks take place - getting longer and darker. I seriously advice against leaving the confines of the estate or place of residence at nighttime, and if one does, they are to do so in the company of others. Never alone. Additionally, during the daytime, do not venture out far into nature where assistance is out of reach. In the name of the Lord, let us pray we overcome the horror that plagues our land. Signed, Master of the Hunt Artiev Colborn [[OOC: This post is part of an eventline I am hosting, signifying the next stage of said eventline. Interacting with the story will have results and keep an eye out for further progress.]]

Good read! Didn't understand half of it, but you had me captivated! +1

Artiev Colborn's Mayoral Campaign - A New Paradisus I came to Petra as an immigrant not too long ago, to find a job and opportunity. I could've looked for a job in my native country - Haense - but I didn't. I was drawn to our Commonwealth's promise; the opportunity for new men to arise and make a name for themselves. In this election we do not just vote as citizens of a small town, but as the founding generation of a new nation, a republic where common men and the nobles of the old regime can agree to share power. A nation of promise, that is what drew me to this fair land where I now serve as Master of the Hunt. Now I run for Mayor of Petra's capital, to rise to the occasion and do my part in contributing to this young nation's success. For I believe we have the ability to shape here something truly extraordinary. We did not see the times of Horen and Julia, we did not witness Paradisus, but what if we could shape a Paradisus of our own? I believe Petra can be perfected for all members of our society, starting in Valfleur. That is what I wish to pursue in my mayorship, aiming for the following goals to make this dream come true: -I wish to establish a public library in Valfleur, so that Petra can become a centre of learning and educate those who seek to make their fortune here. I will personally see to it a large donation of books to this cause is secured. -I wish to establish the position of Aedile, of which there will be two. These shall be elected by public election in the town square two years after a mayoral election, giving them a term of four years. The Aediles shall serve to hold the Mayor accountable, ensure the Mayoral budget is spent appropriately and represent the interests of the townsfolk on a day to day basis. This position shall help to keep our town's governing accountable and fair, and with the right to bring day-to-day concerns of the citizens to the Mayor's desk, they keep his rule representative. -I wish to hold a festival to attract visitor with a market to make some extra income for our merchants as well as holding several smaller activities, tying into my position as Master of the Hunt. I shall ensure there be plenty of possibility not just for our citizens to enjoy themselves, but also for our knights and soldiers to prove their prowess and valour. -Lastly, I wish to expand our town's facilities so that Valfleur may provide for everyone's needs and thus in time grow into a true Paradisus. This would include the likes of a herbal garden for the Clinic, a proper training site for the Sons as well as smaller concerns like the improvement of infrastructure. I Shall Not Rest, 'til We Have Built Paradisus in Petra's Green and Pleasant Land! Vote Artiev Colborn!

At the urging of his newfound friends, Artiev Colborn decides to throw his hat in the ring for the election!

The Clock Stopped. The old grandfather clock in the diningroom ticket irregularly. Tock tick tock tock tick. Feodor had gotten used to it however. The clockmaker had neglected coming over to the old man's house for so long now, he didn't notice the flaw in the clock's mechanism anymore. It wasn't just the clockmaker though, nobody came to visit anymore. He understood, sure. People had their own matters to attend to, their own lives, their own business. Jobs to do, events to attend. Feodor understood that few if any would spare the time to come by the home of a relic of a previous generation, someone out of touch with the current times. He understood, but that didn't make him less saddened by the lack of visitors. Back when he was mobile enough of body, and bright enough of spirit, he'd still spend much of his days in the library, the place where he'd worked for most of his life, where he'd built a vast collection of books and artworks he held incredibly dear. In recent years he didn't come there to do work much anymore, but it gave him a place to interact with people, the ones that visited his library, the ones who liked talking with him about literature, or who would come to him to ask questions. He couldn't do that anymore now, the short walk tired him too much and put too much strain on his joints. Not to mention the chest-pains that had become more and more prevalent in recent years took his breath away whenever Feodor exhausted himself too much. It was cruel luck, one could suppose, that he managed to purchase a home shortly before his retirement as Aulic Envoy, where he could waste away in his elderly years. Initially he'd joyfully worked in the little garden outside the house, and hosted dinner parties in the dining room. He... didn't do that anymore either. Sometimes Feodor wondered how the days went by so fast these days, whole weeks would pass in which he felt like he didn't accomplish anythingat all. Not that he had people to host dinner parties for anymore anyways. In his old age Feodor came to regret that he never had children, never married. He had never acted on his attraction for men, but to his regret he'd never forced attraction for women either. Perhaps if he'd done so, he'd have had grandchildren who would visit. There was at least still one person who regularly came by and would talk to him. The lady who had been Sir Feodor's housekeeper for some years now wasn't very talkative to his regret, but she allowed him to continue living in his abode even though he was no longer able to do the cleaning and washing. Yes he was quite content with her, minus the fact that she kept misplacing his things. As Feodor shakily shuffled into his bedroom to put a record into his music box, he found it wasn't on the table where he left it. He knew very well where it was though: the housekeeper had put his records upstairs on his desk as always. Normally he didn't push himself to climb the stairs of his home anymore these days, it exhausted him too much. Normally he'd just wait for the housekeeper to come by again in two days so she could grab it for him. It was a cold morning though, and Feodor wished to hear some music to warm his old heart, so up the stairs he went. Tock tick tock tock .... Halfway up the stairs Feodor stopped. Something had changed. He stood there for a moment, shakily holding onto the railing of the stairway as he listened. The old man could barely breathe under the physical stress of having to climb the stairs, his heart skipping beats as he felt his chest pounding due to heart palpitations for what seemed like the fifth time this week. The clock had stopped, that's it! The clock... Behind him, down the stairs, in the dining room, yes... As Feodor turned about to go back down the stairs and have a look at the clock, his shaky grip on the railing slipped. For a split second Feodor felt dizzy, as if he was floating and was young again and didn't feel the strain of his joints. It was a split second before he realized he was in a free fall down the stairs. As his body hit the hardwood floor, it made only a soft thud, muffled by his thick woolen robe. Feodor didn't really know what he was feeling. Somehow, somewhere as if it was far away, he could sense a dull hurting, a numbing sense in his lower body perhaps? He opened his eyes as he let out a final, raspy breath, looking down the hallway along the floor, the grandfather clock in the distance. There were... black spots in his vision, but nevertheless he could see it for sure now: the clock stopped. Sir Feodor Andrik May *1803/356 E.S. +1883/436 E.S.

MC Name: Sanders_Name Discord: Sander#0004 Image: Description of Image: tapestry/painting to be hung in noble/royal courts Dimensions: 3 wide, 2 high

MC Name: Sanders_Name Discord: Sander#0004 Image: Description of Image: tapestry/painting to be hung in noble/royal courts Dimensions: 3 wide, 2 high

Artiev Colborn wonders since when the crown, not the church, dictates through what rituals people should remember the dead.

He'd beat him to it. As the funeral procession carried the body of Sigismund to the palace, the late King's old mentor looked on from the sidelines, clenching his cane for support. The old May stared forward solemnly, with baggy eyes and quivering hands. There was the body of the boy who'd once been his student, the body of a man who had once been a teen eager to discuss history, politics and art, there was the body of a child he'd seen grow into a man worth looking up to, a father who fostered a family, the body of a ruler, the body of a King, the body of a man he'd followed into battle and whom he'd soon follow again. Feodor had never married, never had kids, but there was the body of his son.

So this is an interesting question I've thought about now and then, and I believe there's multiple reasons for it. For one, it is useful to realize that the internet is very much divided between languages and the experience you may have on the Anglophone internet may be very different from your experience if you spoke, say, French. (https://labs.theguardian.com/digital-language-divide/) This extends to minecraft servers. As a native Dutch speaker I can confirm there's plenty of Dutch-speaking servers out there that cater to the minecraft players who are less proficient in English or prefer to speak Dutch. Now the Netherlands is a country with 17 million people, and even if you include Flanders in your metric, the number of Dutch-speaking minecraft players obviously pales in comparison to the French number. This means that there's plenty of Francophone minecraft servers out there that cater specifically to the people from France, Switzerland, Wallonia, Quebec etc. etc. I don't want to advertise any other servers on Lotc's forums, but do a quick search on "serveur de jeu de rôle minecraft française" (French minecraft roleplay server) and you'll get plenty of hits. Another important factor to combine with the availability of Francophone servers is the percentage of people that speak English (not even considering the fact that many French people who do speak English, simply refuse to.) Here's a map illustrating this factor: As you can see, it is not only a matter of there being plenty of French minecraft servers and the French internet being quite sizeable and developed (ranking in the top 10 of languages in use on the internet by millions of users) compared to, say, Balkan languages, as you said there were a lot of Balkan people. It's also important to consider that many French people simply don't speak English that well, as for many of them there's no need to. English might be the common language or lingua franca (meaning literally french language) for much of northern Europe, explaining the high number of Dutch, Scandinavian and German LOTC'ers, but for the French... French is the common language. Same goes for Spanish people for whom Spanish is the common language and thus don't learn English. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_franca Includes maps of Hispanosphere, Francosphere etc, where these languages are the common language) So, to get back to the question "Where's the French players on my Anglophone server?", you could really also turn it around and ask "Where's all the English players on my Francophone server?"

Character: Feodor May Works:

CONTENT -Child of Haense -Untitled -The Halfling -Ballad of Khorvad -Oren Knight's Wife Resumed -Lament of Phaedrus -Memory of Haense -Flames of Reza -The Refugee CHILD OF HAENSE I was born in Haense I have her sons as brethren I have her ruler as my father I have her pride as comfort I have drunk the waters of her culture I have made her past my own I keep her boldness as my companion I lost in her defeat and live in her victory I breathe freely only in her climate I know her treasures and her tribulations I see her errors in all their beauty And I have done my best, with others To defend her interests UNTITLED With the strength of a thousand daemons The marble crest was clenched Its razor-sharp tip soaked With a wet darker than the void And from that void sprung creation Anything with meaning and without it He who wields it unlimited in ability Except by his twisted, vile and impure Or noble, glorious and honest Creativity, their will to create and To put themselves through an effort Sometimes small yet often great And put a word on that paper THE HALFLING He lives his life To the fullest without regret He finds great comfort In the simple pleasures of it He seeks no great gains For twisted benefit He greets and salutes Every friend and stranger He cherishes dearly That which is worth loving He chooses silence Where silence suffices plainly He celebrates loudly In the tiniest of triumphs He chooses not for venture For he finds value in content And though his vessel may be small His soul is mightier and greater The Halfling. BALLAD OF KHORVAD In Aegis days of old Khorvad There was no justice to be had In Ironborn grip the land was held And ancient tradition there was quelled The tyrant Thorgarn there was lord Who put the scholars to the sword But not all would bow before his throne Brave heroes would fight him to the bone They gathered north at Mount Arvas Where the Remnant of Urguan was Formed by elder dwarven clans of old Who'd fight for freedom rather than gold Then lead by Simppa the exile Forth went they to end Thorgarn's guile Thus thirty years of war, death and strive Were waged and marked ev'ry dwarf alive For kinslaying Thorgarn no rest There was during Simppa's great quest He who put Kal'Urguan under siege And in duel slew his horrid liege OREN KNIGHT'S WIFE RESUMED Down in Oren there lives a knight Known on the field for his might But his wife’s a treasure And so with pleasure She lets in others during the night LAMENT OF PHAEDRUS In forests, oh so dark and damp, where the old trees stand Malin’s wind comes blowing and gives a voice unto the land ’Come hither to me oh withering wind and tell me a story please’ ‘Tell me of Phaedrus Lhe’hileia, oh ancient and soft breeze.’ He was a strong and noble elf in Haelun’or of old He saved the lives of two Sohaers, so valiant and bold Yet the elves of Haelun’or were proud, and not of equal kind Thus Phaedrus and his people left, for a new home they would find ‘Do now not stop oh perishing wind, draw yet another breath’ ‘Please do tell more of Phaedrus before you find your death.’ He founded them a home anew with his elves of woodland kin He built for them a fairer land, with the name of Laureh’lin From there he fought the dark undead, with allies near and far Yet banishment would befall to him, so away then went his star ‘Go on once more oh mouldering wind, for you have not finished yet’ ‘Declare the end of Phaedrus’ tale, before to rest you’re let.’ He moved on to the sons of Krug who invited him as one He learned their ways and magic there, but Phaedrus was not done For a leader he was and a leader he’d be, an Elven Rex so vain But Orcs are of the fighting kind, and so he’d end up slain. ‘Oh Phaedrus! An elf of tales, truly one of legend.’ ‘But to tales you are now reduced, you found your end.’ MEMORY OF HAENSE Looking back on Haense I see her quiet valleys Eating away at Snowy peaks A town and village With quiet alleys That meander like Her clear creeks And in this sublime, Rugged frontier The keeps and castles Stand proud, free and strong The forests and homes These people hold dear Joined by the wildlife In a Northern song The wind blows strong there With her cold clouds of snow storms As it cloaks and smothers the Rays of the sun But in all of her counties Her people always found forms To fight the fight and endure With a new dawn won FLAMES OF REZA In the land of Arcas The Emperor reigned proud From his hold Helena The trumpets echoed loud He had been contested He’d fought his pretender He slew all the rebels And burnt Ves’ splendor Yet there was another Fire that was engorged In the flames of Reza Freedoms desire was forged Reza was a grand burg Ruled by Hanseti’s King Yet the pearl of the north Slipped from its silver string The war had begun there And after it was done The land was exhausted And Reza had not won We known’t how it started The source that gave the spark A candle, torch or oven But the fire left a mark For soon before they knew The blazing heat it spread In the flames of Reza The old Haense it laid dead Now the flames of Reza Houses no longer burn But in the northmen’s hearts The flames they do still yearn. THE REFUGEE Where do the crows fly? Where does the rider roam? Where stand the churches and taverns? And where will the sun rise? Where is the Waldenian’s wisdom? And the Savoyard’s smile? Where is the Ruskan’s sacrifice? And the Hanseti’s honour? Where have the fair brides gone? And the feathers on the wind? Where are the chalices? Where is the light? When the Boar made landfall, When the King marched north, When the Prince passed, When the Auspice comes? Where now the towering walls? Where now shields and swords? And the men in mail who charge? Where are the dreams? When the ages come crashing down, When brothers falter, When man wakes up and finds, That it was all borrowed? Where then?