Ryanark

"Men to form a milestone in our history." Hannes said, smiling.

Hannes sat on his knees in front of the dungeon's fireplace, the news of Adrian's passing reaching his far ears in Acre. The aging Baron placed a fist on his heart, paying homage and rethinking all the brief moments of like-minded comradery they shared. They were the same, two old trees, that sat in the forest. And so the eldest fell in the night. "Who will continue the Old Ways now? Who but you? Rest easy now, old dog. You have done well, and you shall not truly die until the world itself ends and there is no more breaths to be spared for our children."

Hannes gave a thumbs up, sipping some Haeseni vodka.

Hannes was left alone in the feast hall after Maciej and Ottilie left, along with his bannermen to leave the Baron to gather himself. It was a tough decision. The aging Baron prayed, and muttered to himself: "Your people will find peace, old friend. May our paths cross again, so I may see you in wealth."

Hannes added yet another faithful ally to his growing list.. Frankly, he had lost count by now.

Hannes somehow got hold of this letter, caught by the winds near his keep, scratching his head at the meanings and intricacies of the rebuttal, ".. And I thought I could read." He cast it aside, but the thought of the missive lingered.

Hafþór raised a horn of mead to his shield-brothers.

THE KINGDOM OF OREN IS DESTROYED 13th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1884 This information is made known to the world. PREFACE A meeting was believed to be held in secret at the Margrave’s land in Grodno, with many enemies of Acre and the rebellion in attendance. A routine patrol turned into a hasty retreat to Acre for reinforcements, for the margrave had once again dishonored his withdrawal. This was to be met with steel. Thirty men of Acre and companions gathered outside the gates of Grodno, and to their surprise the Lord Protector Elric Castile was in attendance, and showed himself openly to the rally vying for peace with the Baron of Acre, Hannes de Vilain. Elric was taken back to Acre where the unconditional surrender was received, and its terms discussed. This ensuing text is a publication of the terms of the surrender. I - As it stands, the Crown, its government, and Kingdom is hereby dissolved. In its place, Acre shall take control of the Kingdom’s lands, treasury, demesne, and all that entails… To form the Harvest Confederacy; A loose confederacy of independent states, made up of the Harvest Lords, as explained by the Accord of the Third Harvest. II - The titles of the Kingdom and all which it inherits are hereby dissolved, and made defunct. The most important of which, “The King of Oren” is dissolved, with the power vested in us. No man may lay claim to it or may GOD strike him down if he tries. III - The men and women still loyal to the now-dissolved Oren, shall be allowed to go free, to wherever they so wish. They are the masters of their own destinies, and shall have the choice of where they reside and dwell. No grudges will be held against them. IV - The Margraviate of Grodno will be ceded from the Confederacy, for their continued betrayals, of not only their honor but their treaty of withdrawal that Acre honored so diligently, only to be broken yet again. The title of Grodno is dissolved. V - Control of the former Kingdom and its lands go to Baron Hannes de Vilain, Patriarch of House Vilain. These lands shall then be reformed into the Harvest Confederacy, as explained previously. VI - Hostilities between the loyalists and the Harvest rebels shall cease. VII - The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Oren shall be stripped of their royal and noble status, their incumbent and hereditary titles hereon dissolved. VIII - The Harvest Peace shall now be in effect. May none disturb our eternal peace, as we reap and sow the vast farmlands that encompass the sweeping landscape. GOD’s Kingdom of nature shall retake what has been so rightfully tainting his earth. IX - Remaining Orenian vassals that have yet to approach Acre of their allegiance may do so post-haste, they shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, consider those that are not owned by their respective Harvest Lords dissolved and made defunct. Inactive or otherwise slothful vassals of the previous Kingdom shall be removed. Signed, Elric Castile Lord Regent, Lord Protector of the Kingdom of Oren F.O.A. Sir Hannes de Vilain Harvest Lord, Baron of Acre, Patriarch of de Vilain, Father Of All The Bearer of the Stache, Otto Bailiff of Acre, Constable of Castle de Vilain

Very cool. Looking forward to it.

I appreciate this response, this cleared much of my concerns up.

Frankly, it has been something that has concerned me quite a bunch. Usually, I keep my concerns in-roleplay, but it is very difficult to do so when it all happens OOC. Saddens me that inconcistencies like this have occured, and moreso I am worried about future settlements who rebel, what's stopping the nation in question from just selling the tile that the rebellion started from? This would technically be possible, given the circumstances. I won't ramble on. But it is something that has caused concern in the community. Unfortunate that it has to be put on forum posts in order to have any sort of consistent response.

Saturday the 13th of August @ 3 PM EST, 1.9 warclaim and a 1.8 warzone is what Acre proposes. From what we know the 1.8 that LOTC has is currently under testing, so we don't really want it for the actual warclaim, it's not the type of combat used on the live server. In addition an alternative date would be on the 6th of August @ 3 PM EST in order to cut down any delays. Have a blessed day.

Hannes was in charge of the dead that fateful day. Cries of agony scattered throughout the courtroom as the fight simmered down, trudging with heavy steps over those who were once brothers. He recognized many, shunning his gaze from their deathly faces in willful ignorance. The battle was won, yet there was an eerie, persistent silence amidst the groans and cries of mercy. Those who he once regarded as brothers were loaded unto carts one by one, the stench was unbearable by this point on, but Hannes spotted the green-garbed woman being hauled out, along with none but the King in his ornate armor, he lay slain within. His heart truly sank upon spotting them, Hannes could not feel but shame as he refused to look into the eyes of the fallen King and Queen. Whistling for the two to be set aside, the men did as he asked. The bodies of King and Queen were sat alongside each other for once last time, as an ample pyre was constructed within the courtyard, where the two regal bodies shall lay side-by-side in death, reunited with GOD. Their corpses, prepared with an ample covering of salt, three pints of holy water, and a splash of oil on each of the pair's bodies. Hannes did this personally, along with his son Gustaf. The personal emotions had transceded the war, a heavy shower of guilt washing over the man, no matter how victorious he was - it shall forever be a heavy burden on his aging mind. Hannes recited their last rites as they were finally resting atop the pyre, and as he finished - Amen, Hannes lit the pyre, engulfing it in flame. Frederick and Vivienne's pale faces were slowly but surely engulfed in dancing flames, the radiant heat of fire and GOD sending them rightfully to the skies, as they deserved. For once, he looked into their faces for but a moment, but quickly gazed away from the crackling fire. Hannes stood, in deep recollection of the memories he gathered with Frederick. To think the young, little ambitious boy he met in New Providence's library was to become King. He remembered that day the best, both for when he had stumbled upon the greatest love of his life at the time- Amelia. Shortly after, came the young Frederick. Young, boyish eyes staring up at him with a blazing ember behind his eyes. He was destined for greatness... He never expected for it to end like this.

Hannes, the Patriarch of Vilain, would burst into laughter upon seeing himself printed as the son of Gustaf.

If I catch anyone irl with an lotc keychain i'm straight up just murdering them

Hannes finally set down his hoe that rested on his shoulder, and finally picked up the family's sword, that which his son after him would wield once again. Alongside each man of Acre, the old farmer's boy was prepared to give his life for his family, and community's freedom. "Oren Delenda Est."

Hannes smiled, but shook his head in disdain, "A shame harm had to come to you, Maciej.. But our people will leave in peace, at last."

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR A recollection in three chapters of the events on the 13th of Harren’s Folly, 1882. CHAPTER ONE, CAT AND MOUSE Chilling air shrouds Acre on the frigid morning of the 13th. Men of trade and craft just begin a laborious day in the slow, creeping morning sun. Out of the mist from the edge of Acre comes a behemoth of an Iron Man, slowly but surely with no rush entering the ivory walls of Castle Vilain, met by Sir Hannes on the battlements… "Greetings, ACRE resident. Caution. Vienne, Military Presence, exceeds previously observed parameters.” The Iron Man blared out to the freezing Hannes, simply replying; "Thank you, Iron Man.” Thus with no time to waste, the Patriarch sauntered off to muster the men once again.. Worry grew, as he anticipated a potential incursion into the Holy lands of Acre, yet a few moments later a fearful scout also appeared on horseback, further endorsing the Iron Man’s word. Around twenty-nine men gathered within the castle’s courtyard with full arms, well-kept chain and mail alike. The rally consisted of mainly faithful levymen, who stood grand in stature and teeming with need of liberty. Joining them were volunteers from the village, mainly diligent serfs and farmers with no fear but to GOD within them. The men of Acre rode out from the Castle, making haste to the tall gates of Vienne to meet this military presence head-on. So they were met as the levy trotted up the long stairs, worried eyes dashing to meet them all from beyond the shut gates of Vienne. Inside, a few men mustered, counted to eleven men, when distinguished from the commoners who also flocked to the gates. Harsh, foreboding words were exchanged from both sides, hostile in nature. The men in charge, those recounted to be Sir Hannes de Vilain, Bailiff Otto, and Sergeant Robynn of the levy, attempted to parlay for a skirmish outside the city’s confines, if they are so inclined to muster men within their city to repel innocent riders of Acre. To which, was met with no reply. The men horsed around for a little longer, before the men of Acre finally turned, setting off to find a way into the shut-off city of Vienne, to which they so did. Twenty-nine men rushed into the city, already from the square they could spot the surprised levy of Oren, retreating inside of the handy bastion in utter panic. They were closely followed, yet they were too swift, as they retreated deeper inside the Bastion into the Legion’s Armory to which no man could enter, despite attempts. Deep down, as the boys of Oren cowered in the Armory, they knew it was a tight corner, whence no one could escape. Caught like a thieving mouse, trapped by the big cat of Acre. CHAPTER TWO, PITY The men of Acre offered parlay, attempting to offer terms of surrender to the cowards. To this, there was no response, and so the rally walked freely through the city’s corners, abandoned as it always was, helping themselves to any goods and vegetables they found along the way. Unbothered, wholly unhindered by the levy of Vienne. Men laughed and felt almost a pity for the cowards, as they made their way throughout the city with no one to stop them, Sir Hannes himself, the Baron turned Fugitive of Oren, wanted by the Crown for a meager three-thousand, now walked a free man through the very city he was wanted in. Words of slander were thrown from the cornered cowards, accusations, insults, and whatnot. Perhaps intimidated by the men of Acre’s strong statues, chiseled by hard labor. In an attempt for a final battle, Sir Hannes shouted out: "Faithful men of Oren, agree to come and face us, and we shall exit your city in peace. No bloodshed will come to the citizens of Vienne, whom we have no qualms with!” To which, an Orenian boy sheepishly replied: "GET YOUR REAL RALLY THEN, NOT THE FERRYMEN, SHUT YOUR GOOFY ASS UP!” The boy’s words were strange, and incoherent. Sir Hannes, albeit in certain confusion, replied harshly: "Come and show me these Ferrymen, I am only surrounded by GOD-fearing men who wish only for freedom.” He replied, looking around to the eager men of Acre who stood around him, cornering the cowards. The men were clearly growing quite restless, wandering about and waiting on the Orenians to make any attempt at parlay or any such honorable final stand. But they waited and waited. At one point, men grumbled and considered maybe letting the poor bastards go. One could almost hear them shiver. It went on, one night passed as the men of Acre sat patiently and eagerly awaiting the Orenian’s word or blade, but none came. Amidst the waiting, a young girl walked into the Bastion, a certain Mathilde, recognized by many ex-Orenians within the levy. Looks were thrown, unsure if their eyes had fooled them. A little girl of Guise, daughter of Conrad. She was swiftly taken prisoner and rushed to Acre with an escort. There, she was provided accommodation within the castle, treated fairly, unchained, and ensured comfort for the young girl. CHAPTER THREE, COURAGE The men were just packing up, breaking their makeshift camp, and leaving the Bastion as they spotted a lone Adunian, clad in the Legion’s armor, no higher rank than a Footman caught outside the Bastion’s gatehouse. He seemed lost and confused as the men quickly dropped all they carried, swiftly hurrying over to draw their swords on the man. The confused young soldier was overwhelmed, yet he stood his ground as he too drew his sword, albeit in a certain panic, as he looked around to face the men of Acre who had come to claim his life. All of whom were taken by certain surprise as the young legionnaire refused to surrender, opting to fight an uphill battle. There was not a fight to be had, as the legionnaire was overwhelmed by at least six men of Acre, and perished honorably, fighting for not only what he believed in, but for his life. He was struck, and so fell. The Adunian’s armor was not stripped. He fought honorably, and yet was the only life which was taken that evening. Later in the day, the fallen Orenian was read his last rites, in fond admiration of his courage. The Legionnaire’s death only inflated the pity and pure cowardice displayed by the men of Oren. A man of low rank and esteem fought harder than the high-ranking lackbeards that cowered within the armory. Acre’s levy sang insulting songs, only deserved by cowards, loud enough for the boys of Oren to hear as they marched out of the city in glee… No Soldiers But Us. Signed, Sir Hannes de Vilain Patriarch of de Vilain, Father Of All, Esteemed Knight of the Aurelian Brotherhood The Bearer of the Stache, Otto Bailiff of Acre, Constable of Castle de Vilain

"Beautiful." A hand rubbed over the map's page.

“Heavy is the crown, sometimes it sinks deeply into the heads of kings. In this such case, delusional men become hysterical men.” Hannes the Fugitive sat haphazardly explaining to his foster child Elia in Karosgrad, sharing a box of cookies between each other. @DahStalker

Hannes overstayed his welcome, even after being officially released, he decided to stay for a while. ”Borders and strife may divide us, but humanity’s soul is indivisible. Karosgrad is my second home, though I have long shunned the shut-in cities, this one is worthy of praise.”

Hannes smiled, sipping a Piña Colada. “How could my son do this..” He lauded in boredom.

we do a little gatekeeping

"The Pontiff is wise to recognize the short-comings of not only one side, but all sides. May this god-forsaken war end swiftly." the Captive Lord Commander Hannes mused, as he sat within the House Colborn's lodgings in peace.