LithiumSedai

Father Jean admired his likeness in the paper, though, truthfully, there was little to admire. As an afterthought, he murmured a hasty prayer for Their Royal Majesties.

Sir Daris Verethi and his compatriots kept the courier detained at the Salvian legation in Whitespire, suspecting a plot or conspiracy of some sort. However, when his motives and authenticity were proven, Daris penned a reply and released the courier so it might be returned to the tribesman. @Norgeth TO MUNDOBERHT OF TUHROSWEYK, MESSENGER OF THE OWYNHAR ALLIANCE, Three blessings to you and Saint Ottomar's eternal grace and protection. I am overjoyed to know that this outlander Venerable of yours has not been forgotten here, and I assure you that his remains are safeguarded by our Syndicate and treated with utmost piety and respect that a brother of the Faith deserves. However, if your wish as his next of kin is to have them returned to the Outlands, to the custody of the Mother Church, I shall respect that wish and see to it that Ven. Fr. Wert's relics are shipped back to Aevos. Long has it been since the days of a Church infested with trickery and betrayal, and His Holiness is a Waldenian ally trusted by the Syndicate and a proven enemy of the Deceiver. Within a Saint's Week, our honor guard will have the body returned. WEALTH BEYOND MEASURE,

"Let the enemies of Man once more shatter their blades upon this Covenant like teeth," prayed Jean Bishop St. Godwin, a veteran of the War in the Midlands. Imperial politics concerned him little, yet still the unity of mankind upon Aevos in contrast to the disparate realms of his homeland appealed to his faith.

I'll pay you 20

A C A L L T O T H E M I N I S T R Y O F S A I N T G O D W I N ☨ G O D ‘ S P E A C E A N D B L E S S I N G S U P O N Y O U ! All PRIESTS stationed in the Diocese of SAINT GODWIN are hereby invited to the Royal City of WHITESPIRE for a meeting hosted by the BISHOP SAINT GODWIN. For the purpose of betterment of our apostolic mission in all lands held by the AAUNIC CROWN and the easternmost, unincorporated parishes, ASSIGNMENTS and AFFIRMATIONS of parochial appointments, as well as a discussion of matters administrative and spiritual shall be arranged at this meeting. ☨ J U D I T E P R A Y E R F O R T H E P R I E S T S : Grant unto Thy servants, O LORD, forgiveness of their sins, consolation in life, and continual guidance: that serving Thee, they may always deserve to attain to Thy mercy. A M E N . ☨ Y O U R A T T E N D A N C E S H A L L B E W E L C O M E D A N D E X P E C T E D A T : The CATHEDRAL of OUR LADY of PARADISUS in WHITESPIRE, on the TENTH of GODFREY’S TRIUMPH, 1968 All attendants are hereby urged to CONFIRM their arrival by letter, denoting their NAME and CURRENT appointment, or a suggestion of their DESIRED appointment in advance. ☨ C O N C L U D E D A N D G I V E N A T W H I T E S P I R E B Y BISHOP SAINT GODWIN ON the EIGHTH of SIGISMUND’S END, 1967

"I love Aegisian bureaucracy," said Father Jean, duly scribbling in his details in the form provided. He gave thanks to the Lord that the Church seemed to be willing to take his self-reported data for granted, and that he did not have to procure identity documents and his birth certificate from across the sea - or provide his criminal history.

"Salvation is within reach - you know where to find us," Sir Daris Verethi scribbled upon one of the public missives, pinning a familiar poster beside it.

Father Jean lamented the loss of his cooking supplies until the gravity of his actions saving an innocent life dawned upon him. To his friend and benefactor, King John, he remarked: "If half my yearly allowance saved a life, I would rather be penniless and save two." @Ramon

F I N A L P R O C L A M A T I O N O F T H E G O V E R N O R - G E N E R A L ☨ LET IT BE KNOWN that the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL has hereby concluded its mission in the Marchlands Region: through the joint efforts of the Office, the Order of SAINT JOHANNES, and the clerics of LEMON HILL, the city of FREDERICKSBURG has been thoroughly demolished as per the orders of HIS MAJESTY JOHN of AAUN, LIBERATOR of the MARCHLANDS. To commemorate the martyrdom of HIS MAJESTY EDMUND II of AAUN and the efforts of the valiant forces of the COVENANT of EIGHT, the Office and its helpers have raised a M O N U M E N T T O K I N G E D M U N D A N D T H E R I G H T E O U S A V E N G E R S O F H I S M U R D E R Let their struggle never fade from memory - know that EDMUND II prevailed in the end. ☨ And lo! the command of GOD is justice, and the unjust are punished: Vargengotz and his servants are destroyed. A U S P I C E 2 : 3 7 - 3 8 ☨ I T I S T H U S D E C R E E D : That the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL is hereby DISSOLVED; That this Proclamation shall be the final Proclamation regarding the Marchlands Region issued by an Office other than the AAUNIC CROWN. ☨ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G O F A A U N B Y ON the EIGHTH of HARREN’S FOLLY, 1963

Father Jean wrote to his fellow cleric from the Diocese of Saint Godwin, pledging any support he could muster to the dealings of the Tribunal.

Father Jean raised his censer over the Merryweather basilisk, Corwin's Hammer, and with an echoing chant blessed both the Black Band of Alstreim and the Aaunic Knights of Godwin, assembled as a mixed mass of artillerymen, cavalrymen, and infantrymen - all set upon a single knee before him. "O Lord, King of Kings, grant your faithful host victory."

"The good Duke of Adria snapped his fingers, and every child murderer in the Midlands turned into a poor, innocent Adrian - and everyone lived happily ever after," Father Jean narrated to his ward, Prince Charles of Aaun, the evening before the forces of the righteous were to depart for the front. "...But even you are too old for these fairytales." @Olox_

F O U R T H P R O C L A M A T I O N O F T H E G O V E R N O R - G E N E R A L ☨ LET IT BE KNOWN that the efforts of the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL to restore unimpeded traffic between the lands of the AAUNIC CROWN and her faithful allies have borne fruit. The regional road linking the Marchlands Region with the cities of PORTOREGNE and VALLAGNE, dug up by the terrorist STASSIE STATE and turned into a vast ditch in a meaningless attempt to stall the forces of the COVENANT of EIGHT has duly been repaired. The Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL hereby conveys its heartfelt thanks to our brothers in faith of the monastic Order of SAINT JOHANNES from FAUSTEN and their humanitarian mission in Aevos, and for the patronage of HIS HIGHNESS THE LORD of ALBA. Due to the Order’s expertise in engineering and public works, and a generous donation of MARCHLANDS RATION STAMPS by HIS HIGHNESS THE LORD of ALBA for the purpose of enlisting a number of local laborers, this undertaking was swiftly completed in a single SAINT’S DAY. However, let it also be known that the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL has been informed of an unnerving revelation. Sworn brothers of the Order have reported to us the recovery of nearly TWO HUNDRED BODIES from upon the stakes which lined the STASSIE ditch, unaccounted for by the military rolls of the COVENANT of EIGHT and those seized from the illegitimate STASSIE STATE. Although they remain unidentified, no evidence suggests that these poor souls had belonged to any military formation, or had been anything other than unarmed and innocent civilians. Let this grim revelation serve as a reminder of the inherent barbarism of our enemies. We shall pray for the souls of these victims and their eternal rest. Issued immediately, a decree instating a P E R I O D O F M O U R N I N G Shall be in effect in the Marchlands Region. All remaining citizens of the Marchlands Region are urged to spend their day in prayer and reflection. ☨ J U D I T E P R A Y E R F O R R E P O S E O F T H E D E A D : Do Thou, O LORD, have mercy on our dearly departed, for the sake of us sinners all who greatly hope and trust in Thee. For Thy mercy can turn bittering weeping to joyous fanfare, for Thou alone judgeth the living and the dead. A M E N . ☨ I T I S T H U S D E C R E E D : That the remains of the innocent VICTIMS of VELETZER and STASSIE terrorists discovered in the Marchlands Region shall be interred in the Marchlands, within an OSSUARY constructed by our brothers in faith from FAUSTEN; That the day of the publication of this Proclamation, the EIGHTH of HOREN’S CALLING, shall be a DAY of MOURNING in the Marchlands Region, and that all flags of the AAUNIC CROWN shall be flown at half-mast; That all remaining citizens of the Marchlands Region previously sworn in fealty to the illegitimate STASSIE STATE are OBLIGATED to pay their respects to the victims of that regime at the OSSUARY within the next SAINT’S DAY; That these citizens are then OBLIGATED to report to the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL for questioning; That any who are deemed in violation of this Proclamation shall be judged as traitors and H A N G E D B Y T H E N E C K U N T I L D E A D . ☨ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G O F A A U N B Y HIS EXCELLENCY, FATHER JEAN de RENNES, GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the MARCHLANDS ON the EIGHTH of HOREN’S CALLING, 1961

"Boon and Bane are so real for this," said Fr. Jean, their greatest fan. He hoped he could attend their next performance in Whitespire.

"Yet religious balance and the secular peace in this case hinge upon the same condition," said Father Jean in response to the papal missive. He had been preparing a response to the Adrian declaration, which was an effort now largely unnecessary. To his brother Tristan @Caranthir_, he clarified: "Justice."

Saint Calliope smiles upon the Reinmaren.

[!] A curt reply was returned to the sender along with his pigeon. Sir Bor of Hazûm, GOD's blessings upon you and your kin. Your terms are generally agreeable. Once the requisition deadline has passed, you may visit my office and assess, then acquire the surrendered Stassiemarks for the price of twenty mina, and claim every subsequently confiscated Stassiemark for free, provided that your Band arranges for the logistics of such an endeavor.

T H I R D P R O C L A M A T I O N O F T H E G O V E R N O R - G E N E R A L ☨ LET IT BE KNOWN that the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL has come into possession of various ledgers and assorted documents issued by the financial authorities of the illegitimate STASSIE STATE. Following the STASSIE STATE’S treacherous entry into the war in violation of the SACRED VOW given to HIS MAJESTY JOHN of AAUN, an attempt was made by these miscreants to fund their acts of banditry and terrorism by minting unsustainable amounts of local currency, known as the STASSIEMARK, in vain hope that it could be exchanged for the AEVOSIAN MINA or the AAUNIC CROWN. Though matching the AAUNIC CROWN in composition and design at first, the STASSIE STATE soon committed to a policy of unrestrained debasement, removing the coins’ milled rim to facilitate shaving and devaluation, and steadily reducing their content of silver until the STASSIEMARK was reduced to a worthless token made of base tin. This policy resulted in the complete collapse of the STASSIE economy even prior to the Marchlands’ liberation by the COVENANT of EIGHT, causing mass famine and starvation. The Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL remains committed to the wellbeing of the Marchlands Region, and has vowed to eliminate any and all caches of such worthless currency still circulating. Issued immediately, a decree of A B O L I T I O N O F T H E S T A S S I E M A R K Shall be in effect in the Marchlands Region. For their own safety and prosperity, all remaining residents of the Marchlands Region are urged to comply. ☨ J U D I T E P R A Y E R O F C H A R I T Y : O Mighty GOD, my salvation, grant that I might imitate SAINT TOBIAS, who, by Thy infinite mercy, was able to see what truly mattered: the Good, and that, in imitating his liberality, that I might not be consumed by greed. A M E N . ☨ I T I S T H U S D E C R E E D : That the STASSIEMARK has hereby CEASED to be legal tender in the Marchlands Region; That the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL, assisted by the greatest SALVIAN economical experts, and with the express purpose of ending the financial crisis in the Marchlands Region, has hereby opted to issue the MARCHLANDS RATION STAMP as the sole legal replacement for the STASSIEMARK; That the MARCHLANDS RATION STAMP shall be legally exchangeable for goods and services between the citizens of the Marchlands Region, and that 1 (ONE) MARCHLANDS RATION STAMP shall be redeemable at the Office for a SAINT’S DAY ration of flour, upon every first day of the month; That the Office of the GOVERNOR-GENERAL shall hereby accept the EXCHANGE of all STASSIEMARKS for MARCHLANDS RATION STAMPS at the determined rate of 7 682 341 872 (SEVEN BILLION SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY-TWO) STASSIEMARKS for 1 (ONE) MARCHLANDS RATION STAMP; That all caches and vaults of STASSIEMARKS present in the Marchlands Region MUST be EXCHANGED for the MARCHLANDS RATION STAMP or FORFEITED to the Office should their combined value as per the determined exchange rate be insufficient, within the next THREE SAINT’S DAYS; That upon the expiry of this deadline, possession of the STASSIEMARK shall be deemed CONTRABAND as per the SECOND PROCLAMATION; That any who are deemed in violation of this Proclamation shall be H A N G E D B Y T H E N E C K U N T I L D E A D . ☨ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G O F A A U N B Y HIS EXCELLENCY, FATHER JEAN de RENNES, GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the MARCHLANDS ON the FIFTH of OWYN’S FLAME, 1960

Fr. Jean traveled back to the Marchlands to pin the edict on the noticeboard by his Governorate's office, amidst the ruins of Freddieburg. He hadn't seen the decorations placed by his underlings, and thus couldn't have known that suspicious street urchins wandering about were defacing them. He still smacked one atop the head with his cane for good measure, and ordered ten Stassie civilians hanged for some perceived offense, presumably loitering or existing.

S E C O N D P R O C L A M A T I O N O F T H E G O V E R N O R - G E N E R A L ☨ LET IT BE KNOWN that the governance of HIS MAJESTY JOHN of AAUN, LIBERATOR of the MARCHLANDS is committed fully to ensuring the protection of the Marchlands Region from the malign influence of its former STASSIE occupiers and tormentors. The suffering brought upon the citizens of the Marchlands by this band of GODLESS BANDITS and murderers, and upon many innocent denizens of the Realm, shall be invoked no longer. Issued immediately, a B A N O N S T A S S I E S Y M B O L I S M Shall exist in the Marchlands Region. For their own safety, all remaining residents of the Marchlands Region are urged to comply. ☨ J U D I T E P R A Y E R F O R T H E K I N G ‘ S P E A C E : O LORD, May our King, by Thy will, rule great and glorious, long to reign over us, as a servant of Thee. Bid that, in his realm, strife and hatred cease. Spread universal peace, the wide world over. A M E N . ☨ I T I S T H U S D E C R E E D : That any institutions formerly established in the Marchlands Region by the illegitimate STASSIE STATE are hereby ABOLISHED and declared ILLEGAL; That any laws, edicts, declarations and letters patent, including grants of STASSIE NOBILITY and GENTRY are hereby REPEALED and rendered NULL and VOID, and that all revocations of ranks, titles, lands and privileges enumerated within the FIRST PROCLAMATION are hereby deemed PERMANENT; That any public display of symbols of the STASSIE STATE, including but not limited to: flags, banners, coats of arms, tabards and uniforms, badges and decorations, is hereby OUTLAWED, and that all citizens of the Marchlands Region are hereby obliged to assist in their removal from the public premises; That any possessions that include such symbols are hereby declared CONTRABAND, and that they must be SURRENDERED within the following THREE SAINT’S DAYS; That any who are deemed in violation of this Proclamation shall be H A N G E D B Y T H E N E C K U N T I L D E A D . ☨ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G O F A A U N B Y HIS EXCELLENCY, FATHER JEAN de RENNES, GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the MARCHLANDS ON the SIXTH of HARREN’S FOLLY, 1959

F I R S T P R O C L A M A T I O N O F T H E G O V E R N O R - G E N E R A L ☨ LET IT BE KNOWN that the will of HIS MAJESTY JOHN of AAUN, LIBERATOR of the MARCHLANDS is hereby made manifest: effective immediately, the Marchlands Region, recovered from the illegitimate STASSIE STATE is placed under D I R E C T C R O W N R U L E HIS MAJESTY JOHN of AAUN hereby declares the ascendancy of HIS EXCELLENCY, FATHER JEAN de RENNES to the post of GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the MARCHLANDS. For their own safety, all remaining residents of the Marchlands Region are urged to comply. ☨ P R A Y E R F O R T H E C R O W N O F A A U N : O SAINT GODWIN, virtuous and mighty, pray for the success of your Crown upon Terra. Grant your Heartlander heirs of the Kingdom of Aaun victory over their foes in war, and ample bounty in times of peace. A M E N . ☨ I T I S T H U S D E C R E E D : That the Marchlands Region is hereby placed under MARTIAL LAW and CURFEW, enforced by the soldiers of HIS MAJESTY, and that none may traverse the region from SUNDOWN to SUNRISE, and that CAPTAIN TIBER of WHITESPIRE shall be responsible for overseeing this restriction; That immediate RELEASE from prison shall be granted to all subjects of the CROWN who were imprisoned by the STASSIE STATE for their loyalties to GOD and CROWN; That all LOWBORN civilian survivors of the Siege of the Anthill, should they be unarmed, and be they women, children, or men, may LEAVE their hiding places and the sanctuary of their Church, without fear of being accosted; That all LOWBORN survivors of the Siege under arms, should they be deemed innocent of crimes against the CROWN and her loyal subjects, shall be granted AMNESTY should they surrender their arms and their own persons to the custody of CAPTAIN TIBER immediately upon the publication of this Proclamation; That any such civilians or soldiers are to swear an OATH of FEALTY to the CROWN, and immediately seek a PRIEST for the purpose of CONFESSION; That all so-called NOBILITY and GENTRY sworn in fealty or raised under the STASSIE STATE are hereby stripped of their ranks, titles, and privileges, and are summoned to stand TRIAL at once; That any who are deemed in violation of this Proclamation shall be H A N G E D B Y T H E N E C K U N T I L D E A D . ☨ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G O F A A U N B Y HIS EXCELLENCY, FATHER JEAN de RENNES, GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the MARCHLANDS ON the FIFTH of SUN’S SMILE, 1959

"What a time it was," said Fr. Jean, the newly-appointed Governor-General of Stassieland. He prayed to the protector of Aaun, Saint Godwin, for strength in the coming days to do the right thing.

"If you hang, no tears we'll shed Run to save your Stassie head..." Thus hummed Father Jean as he watched the Stassies do just that - they shambled aimlessly among the burning ruins and found themselves trampled under Yachtmen's horses, dying frequently and most brutally in defiance of their own supposed creed. There would be a time for God's mercy and humility. But not now - this red day was a day of righteous retribution.

Father Jean whistled Stassie, Go Home! while he prepared for his posting as a parish priest, knowing that his lyrics will be proven prophetic - and hoping that this lifeboat, too, will sink rather than sully the shores of Aeldin with Stassies.