LithiumSedai

✶ P R O C L A M A T I O N O F T H E M A R S H A L O F M E R R Y W E A T H E R A L I V E F U G I T I V E F R O M J U S T I C E $ 3 5 0 . o o R E W A R D Wanted for numerous grave offenses against Ecclesiastical, Customary Waldenian, Royal, and Princely authority in the United Kingdom of Aaun and the Alstreim Territories, numbering among them assault of a Monastic and assault of his Waldenic kinsmen of the Princely House of Alstreim. Escaped his holding cell in Whitespire. A young, tall man roughly eighteen years of age, with distinct Waldenic facial features and complexion. Blue-hazel eyes; striking cherry-red, wavy hair common in the Augusten family. Likely to be covered, cut or dyed. Form riddled with scars; fond of expensive garb. Speaks eloquently and in an arrogant manner; take note of unusual accents. C A P T U R E A N D B R I N G U N H A R M E D T O M A R S H A L ‘ S O F F I C E ✶ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S H I G H N E S S , HEINRICH II VON ALSTREIM, PRINCE OF MERRYWEATHER AND THE RHINE, LANDGRAVE OF ALSTREIM, BARON OF CORWINSBURG, LORD OF BLACKWATER, LORD VANDALORE WALTER VANDERRECHT, MARSHAL OF MERRYWEATHER, SHERIFF OF APFELBERG

✶ E S T A B L I S H M E N T O F T H E P R I N C E L Y - A N D - L A N D G R A V I A L 1 1 T H O F S I G I S M U N D ‘ S E N D , 1 9 4 1 T O A L L C I T I Z E N S O F M E R R Y W E A T H E R : Pursuant to the Princely-and-Landgravial Edict of Appointment of 1940 and in full accordance with Aaunic and Waldenic principles of communal cooperation and justice, it is hereby announced that the MERRYWEATHER MARSHAL’S OFFICE has assumed active duty, effective immediately. Entrusted with law enforcement, keeping the peace through persistent presence and frequent patrols, and dispensing justice in the Alstreim Territories, the OFFICE is headquartered in the city of APFELBERG and headed by the M A R S H A L O F M E R R Y W E A T H E R The MARSHAL’S personal jurisdiction extends to the entirety of the Alstreim Territories up to and including the city of APFELBERG, of which he shall remain an appointed SHERIFF for the duration of his tenure, limited by retirement, death, or Princely dismissal. Duties and powers of the MARSHAL include: ✶ T H E D U T Y to observe and enforce Royal, Princely, and Sacred Waldenic Law in the Alstreim Territories ✶ ✶ T H E P O W E R to detain and arrest persons, and serve Princely warrants for arrest ✶ ✶ T H E P O W E R to dispense armed justice against active threats of banditry and assault ✶ ✶ T H E P O W E R to issue bounties validated by the Princely Seal ✶ ✶ T H E D U T Y to protect the integrity and safety of citizens’ belongings, properties and cattle ✶ ✶ T H E P O W E R to levy fines and confiscate illegal belongings and stolen cattle, and enforce evictions in conjunction with the BAILIFF OF APFELBERG ✶ ✶ T H E D U T Y to affirm elected SHERIFFS of vassal townships and subordinate domains ✶ ✶ T H E P O W E R to command SHERIFFS and appoint a MARSHAL’S DEPUTY ✶ ✶ T H E D U T Y to serve as the CORONER OF APFELBERG ✶ ✶ T H E P O W E R to wear a badge signifying his rank in the shape of a SIX-POINTED STAR ✶ The OFFICE and the MARSHAL hereby issue a C A L L T O V A S S A L T O W N S H I P S A N D S U B O R D I N A T E D O M A I N S To partake in the work of the OFFICE through nominating elected SHERIFFS for the purpose of local law enforcement and assisting the MARSHAL in his duties. All necessary equipment is accounted for other than mounts. Elects are expected to provide their own horses. ✶ I S S U E D I N T H E N A M E O F H I S H I G H N E S S , HEINRICH II VON ALSTREIM, PRINCE OF MERRYWEATHER AND THE RHINE, LANDGRAVE OF ALSTREIM, BARON OF CORWINSBURG, LORD OF BLACKWATER, LORD VANDALORE WALTER VANDERRECHT, MARSHAL OF MERRYWEATHER, SHERIFF OF APFELBERG

"Damn it, preacher, I ain't no serf!" Marshal Walter complained in a cry as he scanned through the report, having been the one whose timely reaction spared the young - and reckless - Alstreim injury or, God forbid, death. He could not deny that he felt his reflexes had been bolstered by a holy, otherwordly presence, however.

A Question Unanswered A depiction of King Charles Bridge, Whitespire, on a gloomy night, 1937 ((Southwark Bridge and St. Paul’s, John Atkinson Grimshaw)) O Lord, why did you make me king? Numbed and withering, laid petrified in his bed atop the Hand of Horen that would soon become his resting place, James had not the strength left to utter his question aloud. The stroke had seized his body in the blink of an eye; his chambers were far too elevated and distant, and he knew well no assistance, timely or not, could save him. The only mercy he hoped for was to be received from the one gift-giver every son of Horen, no matter their rank or stature in life, appealed to in their final moments - James, thus, prayed fervently to God in his thoughts, and, upon the prayer’s conclusion, desired to have his question answered. In his youth, he had never believed that his father’s ambitions, the cause of their House, would ever be realised. When the ancient crown of Aaun was, against all odds, reforged from the ashes of usurped Oren and the Confederacy, James was called to service as her successor and the inheritor of his family’s legacy, and he shouldered the burden of that responsibility with outward conviction, despite his earlier doubts. In private, he still doubted; though he laboured still to see to her survival through the many storms which befell Aaun in his father’s life, he firmly believed he would never live to bear the crown, and never shared his belief with a single living soul. Yet the Heartlands endured. Perhaps he was then bestowed the crown as proof that his disbelief was fruitless, he answered himself, that through mere action he could secure prosperity and a future for his people; that the belief of many trumped the apprehension of one. And the Heartlands did prosper: he led his people to safety after the disasters of Vienne and San Luciano, and new towns were quickly raised by the hard-working denizens of Aaun. Above all stood the Jewel of the Heartlands, Whitespire - that Paradisius made anew. He raised ministers and knights; trade flourished in the Union, soldiers flocked to his banners; the Church watched over them from the radiant Temple of the Prophets, the most grandiose hall of worship in the known world. Was such bounty not reason enough? O Lord, why did you give me a family? James persisted in his inward questioning and introspection as his vision darkened and his mind slowly faded. A rowdy, unchained youth in his exile in Atrus, ever a charmer but never desiring any lasting attachment, he had thought his prospects of an actual marriage slim and far-fetched. When the circumstances of his elevation to the heirship of Aaun, and all decorum and common sense demanded from him a royal marriage, he obliged in the search for a fitting companion, yet never truly believed that he could ever endeavour to become a good husband and a father. He rejected such a role subconsciously; in a vicious cycle, he justified his disdain through his children’s excesses. Yet he loved them deeply. It was not out of forced piety or a sense of kingly duty that he embraced and cherished Edith, and resolved never to do her harm, neglect her emotions, or seek base fulfilment in adultery. He harboured in his heart genuine love for her, and found himself longing for her company whenever he was absent, either in body or in spirit. The presence of their children always reinvigorated him, and though their missteps and antics frequently angered him through the decades, he could never hold onto such a sensation. Their journey to adulthood was not without flaws, but they stayed upon their ordained paths, maintaining in public the decor required of royal blood, and James now realised that all his misconceptions remained private; the Realm, most of all his friends among the Realm’s Estates, such as Alstreim, drew morale and strength from the image of a harmonious Royal House of Alstion, more than it ever would have from the poise of a lone monarch. Such a vision persisted and survived the scandals of his aunts and siblings. It would have remained wholly unshattered were his final query unnecessary - the thought revisited caused him pain even in his passing, pain that transcended his numbness. O Lord, why did you take Henry from me? No answer came, and silence finally settled in the royal quarters.

The aged King of Aaun offered his eldest daughter and her husband his congratulations and best wishes, bidding them farewell and good luck on their future journey through the faithful realms; for now, though, merriment would be had in the Hand of Horen.

The Last Will and Testament of J A M E S L E O P O L D A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! WE JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of Aaun, of that name the First, remembering the great gifts that Almighty God has lent to Us in this transitory life, give unto Him Our most humble thanks, acknowledging that all are small under His mountain, and recalling that We have always felt unworthy of Our earthly titles; And considering further also that We are, as all Mankind, born mortal but believing and hoping nevertheless that if We endeavour, in this transitory and sinful world, to do good deeds then it will be to the pleasure of Almighty God to grant Us eternal life in His most perfect Skies; Verily, the higher a creature of Almighty God is in dignity, estate, and authority, the more diligently he should thank God and endeavour himself to do good deeds in His name, for this is to the profit of Almighty God’s mysterious works, and also to his own soul. Neither We, nor any other mortal creature, know the time or place when it shall please Almighty God to call him from this transitory world. Calling to our remembrance the dignity, estate, and honours that Almighty God has granted Us in this world, and reflecting of perfect mind that by God’s Grace We are never to return to the same such dignity or breath from Our mortal body from the moment of our decease until the ending of time, We do commend and bequeath Our soul to Almighty God, who has always been our protector and guide; And as for Our body, which, when the soul is departed shall thence return to the lowly matter from which it is constituted, We would be content to have it buried in any place accustomed for Canonist folk if it be pleasant enough, for even a Prince of the highest dignity and estate comes from dust and to dust we so return as any other mortal body may in this transitory world. Nevertheless, since We are called upon to the traditions of Our forefathers, and since it would do injury to the dignity of Our estate, We are content to be cremated in the most appropriate place possible, but not before the necessary sacraments have been given to Our body and prayers said to Our soul. Whenever or wherever it shall please God to call Us out of this transitory world to his infinite Grace, be it beyond the seas or any other place outside of Our Kingdom of Aaun, that our Executors, as conveniently as they can, shall cause all funerary services to be celebrated for Us in the most proper place, which will be the Temple of the Exalted Prophets if We are called from this transitory world whilst inside Our Kingdom, with a sermon and mass the morning after Our body has arrived to said place, and all this to be done in the most devout way as can be, and We charge our Executors to dispense Alms to the most poor that may be found (common beggars to be avoided), a sum of two-hundred marks of money, part of which to be given to them at the conclusion of the funerary services, and the other part to be given at the ascension proclamation of Our Heir, moving those people who shall receive our Alms to pray to Almighty God for Our soul; And also to give forever yearly to seven knights which shall be called the Knights of the Cloth, and to every one of them ten marks of Our currency, to don a long gown of white cloth and a mantle of red cloth, and to one of the said seven knights shall be appointed as governor of them, and they shall cause once a year and forever a sermon to be made at the Lady Chapel in Whitespire in Our memory, requiring our grandson Prince Edmund and all our Executors and other councillors to observe the said sermon, and for every one of the said knights to assure their security. And knowing that We cannot write this Our last Will and Testament without concerning the disposition of the Royal Crown of this Our Kingdom of Aaun, which is ordained by Almighty God from whom all things flow, and from which we enjoy Our continual prosperity in this mortal and transitory life; Know ye that We of Our Special Grace, Royal Right, and mere motion do by these Presents make and declare Our last Will and Testament concerning the Royal Crown: We Will by these Presents that immediately after Our decease out of this life, Our said grandson Edmund shall have and enjoy the said Royal Crown and Kingdom of Aaun, and of Our other territories King, the Principality of Alstion, the Duchies of Corazon and Balemena, Our Counties of Enswerp and Whitespire, Our Title as Protector of the Realm, with all dignities, honours, prerogatives, authorities, jurisdictions, lands, possessions belonging to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, and all of this is done according to the Laws of Almighty God. Also We give Our said grandson all the belongings of Our household and all Our money and jewels also, saving that which is left aside for this Our last Will and Testament, and also all Our munitions, ordinances, artillery, ships, and beasts. We also by these Presents do constitute that the following persons shall be the Executors of this Our last Will and Testament, and that immediately after Our decease should Our forsaid heir be in their minority, then these persons will take on the occupation of enacting this Our last Will and Testament: The Archbishop of Albarosa, The Prince Merryweather Lord Commander, The Viscountess Valence Governor of the King’s Person, Sir Gawyn Tiber Knight Grandmaster of the Order of Paradisus, Ms. Melina Dieuxmont, And Sjt. Louis Haverlock. We Will these to be Our Executors of our Will and Testament and Counsellors to Our grandson Prince Edmund in all matters concerning his public affairs of state and his private affairs, charging every one of them truly and fully to see Our last Will and Testament executed in all things with diligence; We Will and constitute them as the Regency Council of Our grandson the Prince Edmund, and We give them the private and public government of Our said grandson and of all Our Kingdom, territories, and subjects until Our said grandson shall fully complete his eighteenth year; And considering also that We cannot know in which way Providence shall guide the affairs of state after Our soul has departed this world, We cannot prescribe any certain rules upon Our Executors during their charge but to order that first and above all things they answer before God, and must follow the forsaid and following commandments of Us, Almighty God’s ordained King in this Realm; We put Our singular trust in them to do what is right for Our Kingdom of Aaun, and to swear true allegiance to Our grandson Prince Edmund as Our Heir to this Our Royal Crown; Therefore, We will and by these Presents grant them full authority should the most part of them being assembled together in Council, and the most part of them agreeing, that they should order all things they believe necessary for the benefit of Our kingdom of Aaun, and the subjects of Our said grandson; And We also order by these Presents that none of these said Executors shall do anything alone without the consent of the most part of their co-executors who by writing agree to the same; And that they shall do these things under the great seal of Aaun and the special powers We charge them during the time of Our said grandson's minority, these powers being as ample as if we had done them ourselves should the most part of the said Executors agree, but that they shall never change the commands forsaid in this Our last Will and Testament; And We also charge Our said grandson, as he shall grow, that he never charge trouble or disquiet the forsaid Executors, and to this end We expressly charge that Our Executors and Counsellors shall take upon them the Government of Our said grandson, nevertheless all these things shall be done in his name until Our said grandson until he shall fully complete his eighteenth year; Further We do by these Presents order declare and constitute that Our trusty and beloved daughter Adela Alstion shall have and hold the Governorship of Our said grandson's person and the management of his upbringing until he shall fully complete his eighteenth year. In the name of God we exhort and strictly charge Our said Executors and Counsellors to have diligence zeal love and loyalty to the dignity and estate of Our said grandson, the proper affairs of this Our Kingdom of Aaun, charging them to follow every part of this Our last Will and Testament, reminding them that they will answer before God when they too depart this transitory world. We commit Our soul into the hands of Almighty God and trust that He will judge the good deeds of Our transitory and undeserving life to be worthy of His heavenly Skies. In witness whereof we have signed this Will and Testament at the Hand of Horen on the 10th of Horen’s Calling in the fourteenth year of Our Reign. ✿

Letters Patent for the V I S C O U N T Y O F V A L E N C E Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 7th of Harren’s Folly, 1936 A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We, of our Special Grace, Royal Right, and mere motion do by these Presents advance and create Our dearly beloved daughter, Adela Alstion, to the title of V I S C O U N T E S S O F V A L E N C E. And for Us, Our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto her the degree and dignity of the V I S C O U N T E S S O F V A L E N C E; investing her with the said Viscounty by girding her with a Sword, having her name and certain items of her heritage etched upon its forte, and putting a Cap, it having a pointed crown that curls forward of kermes velvet lined with gold lace, and a Coronet on her head, and giving into her hand a Gold Rod, to have and to hold the said dignity and honour of V I S C O U N T E S S O F V A L E N C E for the whole duration of her life. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that she shall hold this for the length of her life, however long or short it may be, and that it shall revert to Our Royal Crown immediately after the decease of her body. ✿ Given under Our Royal Hand and Seal, this 7th of Harren’s Folly, 1936

A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We have received with great displeasure the knowledge of the unjust transgressions against Our most loyal and faithful subjects, wherefore untold grievance and harm hath been caused to the property and wellbeing of Dencynn denizens of Our Union, and indeed the burghers and merchants of Our Royal City of Whitespire, of Waldenian and other heritages; And further being informed that Our command to the offenders that they render their persons available to Royal Justice civilly hath fallen on deaf ears, where the dispute was carried on through the force of arms with Our most loyal and faithful Armsmen of the Principality of Merryweather, in defiance of Our August Law and the Principles of Our Great Charter; Considering that such heinous acts of violence against Our most loyal and faithful subjects, and indeed such acts of brazen defiance to Our August Authority and Law can seldom be classed as anything but treason, and with full and certain confidence in the commitment of Our Estates and Our Armed Forces to the Principles of Our Great Charter, We do by these Presents declare that A R O Y A L B A N shall exist upon MARCUS SCIPIO and GOFDAZZ THE ORK and any and all bandits and miscreants of Caelian and Orkish heritage who have aided and abetted their acts of treason. We charge Our Legion and Our Royal Order of the Knightly Circle of Saint Godwin, and all Our Estates and Our most loyal and faithful subjects with bringing them to Royal Justice; And furthermore by Our Royal Right do We grant to Our Forces disposition to dispatch these miscreants through the force of arms should resistance be given, and that they and any who are found assisting, supporting, or harbouring them are to be hanged by the neck until dead. In witness whereof We have signed this Our Commandment at the Hand of Horen on the 4th of Tobias’s Bounty in the thirteenth year of Our Reign. ✿

The Succession of the R O Y A L H O U S E O F A L S T I O N Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 8th of Owyn’s Flame, 1936 A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We of Our Special Grace, Royal Right, and mere motion do by these Presents declare and enact the disposition and succession of the Royal Crown of the Kingdom of Aaun, and of all Our other Territories King, the Principality of Alstion, the Duchies of Corazon and Balemena, Our Counties of Enswerp and Whitespire, and Our Title as Protector of the Realm; Considering that Our Royal Father, Charles, had decreed that the sex of a person does not give that person, or that person’s descendants, precedence over any other person in determining the succession of the Crown; And further reflecting that there is no greater pain than being cast from one's family, the order of which is ordained by Almighty God, We declare and constitute that those persons who are at most sixth in line of succession to Our Royal Crown must not wed without Our consent before the said marriage; Where We have granted said consent, it must be signified under the Great Seal of Our Kingdom of Aaun and declared to Our Councillors, and We declare that if it is not, or the forsaid person, being sixth in line to Our Royal Crown at most, fails to comply with and obtain consent from Us, then that said person and their descendants from that marriage are disqualified from succeeding to Our Royal Crown. And We declare and enact that all and every person who may inherit the said Crown within the forsaid limitations must and can only hold Communion with the Church in this Our Kingdom of Aaun, and shall profess the most Canonist religion of the Holy Mother Church, and that they shall only marry a Canonist, and that with the fulfilment of the said requirements on their coronation they shall have the coronation oath administered to them where they will swear true allegiance to this Our Kingdom of Aaun, and Our other Territories King, and the Charter thereunto belonging, and to the Holy Mother Church; And further We declare that in any such case or cases where the People of this Our Kingdom of Aaun, and in any of Our other Territories King, be subjected to a person or persons that do not follow these Our orders and enactments, then the said People of these Realms shall be and are thereby absolved of their Allegiance. Therefore, by these Presents We constitute that should all be well and met in the order of things forsaid, that the first lawfully begotten child of Our body shall, immediately after the decease of our body, have and enjoy the said Royal Crown and Kingdom of Aaun, and all Our other dignities, honours, and titles; And should Our said child die with issue before Our decease, then We declare that Our said child’s first issue shall take this Our Royal Crown, and so on to their siblings and, should there be no more, this Our Royal Crown will move through the eldest of Our other children, and then so on and so forth and forever. Also We being of sound mind and giving thanks to Almighty God for the many children of Our body, do declare constitute and ordain these persons to be the order of Our succession, willing and praying for their good fortune and the gifts of Almighty God immediately upon Our decease: The Heir Apparent is declared to be His Royal Highness, E D M U N D A L E X A N D E R, Lord of Alba, and he is to be succeeded by these persons in due order: Her Royal Highness, Mary Cecilia; Her Royal Highness, Adeline Johanna; His Royal Highness, John Alexander; Her Royal Highness, Augusta Charlotte; Her Royal Highness, Charlotte Henrietta; His Highness, Heinrich Lothar, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine; Wherefore His Highness, Heinrich Lothar, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, is entitled to such honours by the provisions of the Corwinsburg Grant; and where the late Prince, His Highness, Emil Caius, had by his own hand and desire been duly removed from Our succession, and from which he had excluded his children; and where the Princess, Her Highness, Anna Lucilla, has removed herself from this Our succession by her accession to the cloth. In witness whereof we have signed this Edict at the Hand of Horen on the 8th of Owyn’s Flame in the thirteenth year of Our Reign. ✿

"God has punished me severely." The King of Aaun mouthed, shattered by the sight of his dead firstborn, but no sound escaped him. Tears streamed down the old man's wrinkled visage as he stood, motionless, by the palace window, pondering the cruelty of a father outliving his son - in silence.

Daris Verethi unveiled the posters alongside his kinsman and his Royal Salvian compatriots, hoping they would aid in bringing the misguided flock to salvation before GOD.

Letters Patent for the Appointment of the T R E A S U R E R Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 8th of Tobias’s Bounty, 1934 A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We, of our Special Grace, Royal Right, and mere motion, do by these Presents constitute and appoint unto Our trusty and well beloved István Mátyás Ivanovich Duke of Stran the Office and place of Treasurer and Counsellor of State for Financial Affairs together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority subject to Us to constitute and nominate Assessors and other subordinate officers in Our Office, to conduct Our taxation, to upkeep Our present Treasury, and increase Our revenue. By these Presents he shall have hold exercise and enjoy together with all privileges profits advantages due and of right belonging to said Office during Our pleasure so long as he shall well behave himself therein subject to the provisions in the said Acts to the Office belonging. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen on the eighth day of Tobias’s Bounty in the eleventh year of Our Reign. ✿

"Chivalry has returned to the Heartlands," commented the King of Aaun, voicing his approval of the Crownlands' very own order of knighthood. He signed the edict with a flourish.

Letters Patent for the Appointment of the H I G H E M I S S A R Y Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 9th of Harren’s Folly, 1933 A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We, of our Special Grace, Royal Right, and mere motion, do by these Presents constitute and appoint unto Our trusty and well beloved Louis-Etienne Olivier Dieuxmont de Rosius Baron of Rosius the Office and place of High Emissary and Counsellor of State for Foreign Affairs together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority subject to Us to constitute and nominate Ambassadors and other subordinate officers in Our Office, to conduct Our diplomacy, to upkeep Our present Treaties, and safeguard Our interests abroad. By these Presents he shall have hold exercise and enjoy together with all privileges profits advantages due and of right belonging to said Office during Our pleasure so long as he shall well behave himself therein subject to the provisions in the said Acts to the Office belonging. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen on the ninth day of Harren’s Folly in the tenth year of Our Reign. ✿

"We've finally done," exhaled the King of Aaun, aging another decade in the time it took for everyone to sign. He penned his own signature on the document, hoping this moment would, at least, be fondly remembered in history.

The King of Aaun signed the Charter, commending Lemon Hill to God and uttering a prayer for their prosperity and wellbeing on the behalf of Aaun.

Letters Patent for the D U C H Y O F S T R A N Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 9th of Harren’s Folly, 1928 A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We, of Our Special Grace, and Royal Right do by these Presents advance and create Our trusty kinsman, Jan Ivanovich, to the title of D U K E O F S T R A N. And for Us, Our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto him the dignity and honour of the D U K E O F S T R A N; ennobling and investing him with the said Duchy by him by girding him with a Sword, having his name and certain items of his heritage etched upon its forte, and putting a Cap, it having a pointed crown that curls forward of kermes velvet lined with gold lace, and a Coronet on his head, and giving into his hand a Gold Rod, to have and to hold the said dignity and honour of D U K E O F S T R A N unto him and his heirs. By these Presents granting for Us, Our heirs and successors, that he and his heirs may possess a seat in the Royal Diet, transferring all rights and privileges there given of the Count of Vaska and granting, elevating, and establishing it to the D U K E O F S T R A N. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, constitute and declare the bounds of the Principality aforesaid shall extend through the whole County of Vaska, that being northward to the King’s Road, eastward and southward to the Alpes des Sainte, and westward to the River Constance. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right from time to time and forever to collect routine taxes on Our behalf, in a manner and method of his and his successors’ choosing. And further We will and by these Presents constitute and direct that for Us, Our heirs and successors, We tax them at the annual value of two-hundred marks, and that a variable remainder may and shall be paid a year in marks or kind as directed. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right to raise militia and to use them for the apprehension of divers felons, fugitives, outlaws and strays and further for protection from Our enemies present and future. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right to access royal commonages and to minerals coming from the Crownlands. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen. ✿ Given under Our Royal Hand and Seal, this 22nd of Tobias’ Bounty, 1932

Letters Patent for the G R A N D P R I N C I P A L I T Y O F M I N I T Z Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 9th of Harren’s Folly, 1928 A M E S by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of Our other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm: T O A L L W H O M T H E S E P R E S E N T S S H A L L C O M E G R E E T I N G! Know ye that We, of Our Special Grace, and Royal Right do by these Presents advance and create Our trusty Cousin, Brandt Barclay, to the title of G R A N D P R I N C E O F M I N I T Z. And for Us, Our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto him the dignity and honour of the G R A N D P R I N C E O F M I N I T Z; ennobling and investing him with the said Principality by him by girding him with a Sword, having his name and certain items of his heritage etched upon its forte, and putting a Cap, it having a pointed crown that curls forward of kermes velvet lined with gold lace, and a Coronet on his head, and giving into his hand a Gold Rod, to have and to hold the said dignity and honour of G R A N D P R I N C E O F M I N I T Z unto him and his heirs. By these Presents granting for Us, Our heirs and successors, that he and his heirs may possess a seat in the Royal Diet, transferring all rights and privileges there given of the Duke of Minitz and granting, elevating, and establishing it to the G R A N D P R I N C E O F M I N I T Z. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, constitute and declare the bounds of the Principality aforesaid shall extend through the whole Duchy of Minitz, that being northward and westward stretching to the River Constance, eastward to the Langkette Mountains, and southward to the King’s Road. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right from time to time and forever to collect routine taxes on Our behalf, in a manner and method of his and his successors’ choosing. And further We will and by these Presents constitute and direct that for Us, Our heirs and successors, We tax them at the annual value of two-hundred marks, and that a variable remainder may and shall be paid a year in marks or kind as directed. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right to raise militia and to use them for the apprehension of divers felons, fugitives, outlaws and strays and further for protection from Our enemies present and future. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right to access royal commonages and to minerals coming from the Crownlands. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right of P F A L Z G R A F and may approach Us, Our heirs and successors, and may receive Our response with their heads covered, and that further We Ourself shall call him and his successors ‘my cousin’. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen. ✿ Given under Our Royal Hand and Seal, this 22nd of Tobias’ Bounty, 1932

Fav char and why? Most memorable RP moments? Fav LotC military uniform? Your ideal LotC alt-history scenario? What nation would you want to be an NL of and why? Rank your three fav Alstreims

The King of Aaun placed his signature on the proposal, hoping that a sensible peace will prevail.

The King of Aaun ordered the Bull delivered to the top floor of his palace - a remarkable physical feat for any man, let alone a poorly-compensated courier. Sending off the poor, wheezing fellow, he unveiled the copy and immediately noted only the partial success of the Savoyard lawyer's petition, his father's name missing from the list of venerations. He squinted with all his royal might.

Decree of Induction into the Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 7th of Sigismund’s End, 1927 JAMES By the Grace of God King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, and Protector of the Realm, know all men by these presents we send greetings. WHEREAS it has come to Our Royal knowledge, by the steadfast reports of Our leal subjects and wise counsellors that the Most Noble Brandt Barclay hath demonstrated unswerving devotion, unwavering courage, and liberality of service to Our Crown and the Realm; WHEREAS It is our Sovereign Will and Royal Pleasure to bestow Our favour and recognition upon the Most Noble Brandt Barclay, and for therewith We extend to him the highest of honours, and We elevate him to the ranks of the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion; BE IT KNOWN to all Our subjects, far and near, that We, James, by the Grace of God King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Protector of the Realm, do hereby proclaim the induction of the Most Noble Brandt Barclay into the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion. Let this stand as a testament to his virtues, that as Brandt Barclay takes his place amongst the Knights-Immortal, he is entrusted with the defence of the Realm and Our noble ideals. His voice shall be heard in all parts and his counsel sought. We summon him to Us that he may join his fellow Knights-Immortal whereat such a time he shall be brought into the circle by means of a dressing and a grant of arms; a bust made of his likeness to be displayed at Our seat. Let the heralds proclaim it through Our shires, that all may bear witness to the decree of his knighthood. ✿ Given under Our Royal Hand and Seal, this 7th of Sigismund’s End, 1927

Decree of Induction into the Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 7th of Sigismund’s End, 1927 JAMES By the Grace of God King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, and Protector of the Realm, know all men by these presents we send greetings. BE IT KNOWN that the privileges of Sovereignty that We enjoy the fruits of today were laboured by martyrs who suffered for Us; and many suffered cruelty and persecution in their lives; and many would suffer death. Let this be known, that martyrdom is not the fight of any cause: when blood is spilt it does not run the colour of flags. It is the struggle for human dignity and human worth; of human suffering against tyranny; of the humble against the arrogant; of the pious against those who would subvert Our faith. For this reason We have known and recognised the leaders of the Alstion Revolt - William of Alba, Ulrich of Alstreim, Maxim of the Attenlund - as martyrs since the time of King Charles. But in the struggle for freedom and faith, martyrdom surpasses the spheres of time. The Hero-City of Haverlock is gone and its Heroes are scattered, but their struggle remains. Our enemies have changed, but Our Royal Struggle is fixed. Our Modern Martyrs fight different wars, but their struggle remains the same. WHEREAS It is our Sovereign Duty and Royal Will to bestow Membership of the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion; BE IT KNOWN to all Our subjects, far and near, that We, James, by the Grace of God King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Protector of the Realm, do hereby proclaim the induction post-mortem of the Most Noble Bult Wick into the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion as Martyr. A true exemplar of loyalty, Bult Wick took up arms as the Governor of Aaun at the onset of the Adrian rebellion and remained a stalwart defender of Our Royal Father. Surrounded by Adrian brigands and lowlife cutthroats on neutral ground, he bravely faced them in battle and fell honourably, championing the Alstion cause to the very end. We summon all Knights-Immortal to Our Royal Hand so that we may hold in procession his funerary hatchment and set it upon altar; cantiles will be sung in his honour; prayers will be said for him; a bust made in his likeness to be displayed at Our seat; and an eternal candle lit in his memory. Let the heralds proclaim it through Our shires, that all may bear witness to the decree of his knighthood as martyr to Our Struggle. ✿ Given under Our Royal Hand and Seal, this 7th of Sigismund’s End, 1927

Decree of Induction into the Issued and Confirmed by His Royal Majesty, the King of Aaun on the 7th of Sigismund’s End, 1927 JAMES By the Grace of God King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, and Protector of the Realm, know all men by these presents we send greetings. BE IT KNOWN that the privileges of Sovereignty that We enjoy the fruits of today were laboured by martyrs who suffered for Us; and many suffered cruelty and persecution in their lives; and many would suffer death. Let this be known, that martyrdom is not the fight of any cause: when blood is spilt it does not run the colour of flags. It is the struggle for human dignity and human worth; of human suffering against tyranny; of the humble against the arrogant; of the pious against those who would subvert Our faith. For this reason We have known and recognised the leaders of the Alstion Revolt - William of Alba, Ulrich of Alstreim, Maxim of the Attenlund - as martyrs since the time of King Charles. But in the struggle for freedom and faith, martyrdom surpasses the spheres of time. The Hero-City of Haverlock is gone and its Heroes are scattered, but their struggle remains. Our enemies have changed, but Our Royal Struggle is fixed. Our Modern Martyrs fight different wars, but their struggle remains the same. WHEREAS It is our Sovereign Duty and Royal Will to bestow Membership of the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion; BE IT KNOWN to all Our subjects, far and near, that We, James, by the Grace of God King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Protector of the Realm, do hereby proclaim the induction post-mortem of the Most Noble Sigismond Varoche and Charles Varoche into the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion as Martyrs. In the face of the Adrian rebellion, these brave men maintained their loyalties to the Union and refused to debase themselves before the Duke-Anathema; seized by his bandits from neutral, diplomatic ground and brought to their den to face execution, both father and son declared their undying devotion to the Crown before their beheading. We summon all Knights-Immortal to Our Royal Hand so that we may hold in procession their funerary hatchments and set it upon altar; cantiles will be sung in their honour; prayers will be said for them; busts made in their likeness to be displayed at Our seat; and two eternal candles lit in their memory. Let the heralds proclaim it through Our shires, that all may bear witness to the decree of their knighthood as martyrs to Our Struggle. ✿ Given under Our Royal Hand and Seal, this 7th of Sigismund’s End, 1927