Karrse

The Quietus of a d’Azor “By our blood, we shall rise.” The words of Azor often repeated themselves in Edmund’s mind, originating from his lessons with his grandfather to the day that Edmund bent the knee to King Frederick I. As a young man, Edmund was full of spirit, his toy ships exploring and battling in the fountains and ponds of Orenia as he only imagined what his future would hold. When he would tire of his ships, a gift personally carved by his mother, he would return home to his loving family. Many fond memories were made with his parents, siblings, and his extended family. It was a time of peace. As all children do, Edmund grew up. Upon coming of age, Edmund purchased a commission in the Imperial State Army and quickly garnered combat experience in small skirmishes against bandits. It was then, however, that the period of long-lasting peace in the empire came to an end. With the outbreak of the War of the Wigs, Edmund was finally given his chance to participate in full-blown battle. And participate he did, having fought in major battles such as the Battle of Lower Petra and the Siege of Haverlock. By the end of the war, Edmund had put up his sword, moving to Azor permanently. He did nothing of note beyond spending time with his family and starting a small pocketwatch business- a business that never lasted. With the outbreak of the War of the Two Emperors, Edmund was once again ready to take up the sword and eager to leave his retirement. His sister had been crowned an Empress and while concerned, Edmund was optimistic for the future. It was shocking, then, to see the swift declaration of neutrality after his father was captured followed by the defeat of the empire’s forces and the execution of his sister and brother-in-law. Confining and isolating himself in Azor, Edmund rolled over the words of his house. “By our blood, we shall rise”. With the route of the Imperial State Army and the conflict being over before it truly began, his decision was clear. And yet, Edmund still isolated himself, wondering what truly could be done. In the end, it was his bedridden wife and young children that made his decision for him. Edmund swore fealty to King Frederick I, ensuring that the Azor lands would survive on to the generation of his children. With his loyalties now declared, Edmund turned his attention towards his family. With the establishment of Balian, the family was divided. Gone were the days before the War of the Wigs where there would be garden-parties with family and friends, the days where the family had truly prospered. Instead, Edmund and the county underneath him became reclusive. No events were hosted by him, no political sides were taken, and silence became the theme of Azor. Even in the kingdom’s societal events, Edmund was rarely seen. Edmund simply spent time in Azor, educating his daughters and spending time with his wife. It was only with his daughters becoming older that the amount of functions in Azor increased. Pondering on all of these developments from his office in Azor, Edmund let out a cough as he reached for his grandfather’s cigar box. Looking it over, he simply paused and leaned back into his chair as he drew a cigar. His gaze panned over the valleys and gardens that stretched on the outskirts of his family’s estate with his mind riddled with thoughts of what could have been. While Edmund had never been a talented statesman and military officer, he looked on in pride at his family that he created with his dearest wife and its future. It was this pride and the love for his family that he carried with himself throughout life, and it was his love of cigars that brought him to his grave. Edmund Ledicort d’Azor ANNO OBITUS 1830 -1878 A depiction of Edmund Ledicort d’Azor in the previous years. “And by our blood, we shall stand until the end.”

Edmund d'Azor lets out a cough from his bedside, reaching for another cigar as he reads the missive.

The Count of d'Azor, Edmund d'Azor, smokes his cigar on the balcony of Azor as he watches his courier leave.

Edmund d'Azor applauds the Orenian youth.

Edmund d'Azor sends his younger brother a congratulations letter.

Edmund d'Azor cheers the Imperial victory, being apart of the forces that sent the coalition army scattering.

Edmund d’Azor gets ready to rally against an army lacking a Queen

RP Name: Edmund d'Azor MC Name: Karrse Voted: Yes

Edmund d'Azor would let out a small puff of his cigar as he'd sit in the Imperial State Army's military encampment late at night, an empty bowl of stew next to him and a warm, crackling fire in front of him. As he'd lean back, all weary-like, he'd look out to the countryside. Towards Azor. Removing the cigar from his mouth, he'd let out a faint chuckle, as if he thought of something funny, before he'd return his gaze to the fire.

[!] This pamphlet would be posted about Providence [!] Culinary Hints for the Hungry Soldier Foreword No army in Almaris is quite so well provided for as the Imperial State Army and yet, with war once again breaking out, soldiers are once again reduced to cooking catastrophes and cold, dreary, meals due to knowledge that some soldiers, even the most skilled and dedicated, lack. In writing these six recipes, the author hopes to aid his countrymen that are not as culinarily inclined with the limited variety of rations that are available on a campaign. Any soldier can turn his simple rations into a savory and delightful meal with these simple instructions. The Chef’s Doctrine Cleanliness and patience are key to a proper and efficient meal, both being key to a soldier’s success. In military life, punctuality is not only a duty, but a necessity and every cook should strive to be exact in time and preparation. One illness can turn an easy day’s march into an unbelievable hardship so it is of extreme importance to cook with diligence and care. At the end of a day’s work, a soldier has nothing better to do than to enjoy a meal around the fire so make it an enjoyable meal. Tea Ensure that the kettles and the water are as clean and as clear as can be, free of all contamination, before boiling it over a bright, ravenous fire. When the water is boiling, add the tea, which should be slightly in the boiling water in a perfectly covered container. Cover the kettle with a clean pan, bottom upwards, for one minute before standing it near the fire for five minutes before serving. Beef Stew Take your rationed servings of beef and cut them into pieces about two thumbs wide and one thumb long. With a little bit of fat, place them into frying pans and sprinkle salt and pepper onto them. Place them over the fire until they’re half-cooked and then drop them into your kettle. Add a handful of flour, six onions, and twenty-four potatoes, with just enough cold water to cover the meat. Ensure that the onions and potatoes are cut into quarters. Additional vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and more can be added upon availability. Place it over a moderate fire for three and a half hours before adding two tablespoons of vinegar. For best effect, it should be served when hot. Bubble-And-Squeak An advantageous recipe for a soldier with spare scraps of food, it is easy and quick to prepare. Any pieces of salted beef should be cut into slices and seasoned with pepper, salt, and vinegar. Once seasoned, place into a pan with a bit of grease or fat and fry slightly. Once this takes place, proceed to boil bits of cabbage before chopping it into fine pieces once dry. Upon finishing, serve the beef with the cabbage. Bacon Soak the bacon before cutting it into thin slices. Cover it with bread crumbs if cold and cook for five minutes on both sides. The bacon should see even browning on both sides and lose some of the red rawness of the meat. Drain the bacon on a spare rag upon completion and enjoy. Boiling Potatoes Every cook thinks that he cook a potato but the typical cook is usually wrong. Firstly, wash the potatoes, which should be all of a roughly equal size, and place them in the kettle. Then fill the kettle with cold water with a handful of salt and put it over the fire. When the water starts to boil, throw in a bit of cold water. Repeat this two or three times. When the potatoes are nearly done, pour out all of the water and put the kettle over the fire until the steam evaporates. If an ideal potato is not created after following these steps then it is the fault of the potato, not the chef. Fried Potatoes Some people prefer to cut them into quarters but it causes them to be not quite as crisp and pleasant. Cut the potatoes into thin slices and then throw them into cold water for half an hour. Then put them into fat, which should be scorching hot, and fry them in your pan until they acquire a golden hue. Signed, Lord Edmund d'Azor Heir to the County of Azor Ensign of the Imperial State Army

Edmund d’Azor, at the end of the skirmish, would give a faint yet I weary smile as he’d go to rest his head after a long day of infantry work.

Edmund d'Azor gets ready to rally against the dwarven forces.

Ensign Edmund d'Azor would look over the post as he'd read it on the noticeboard, giving a small nod after he'd read it. He'd then remark something quietly to himself before he'd move on.

RP Name: Joseph d'ArkentMC Name: KarrseVoted: Yes

Awaking the following morning from the sounds of servants moving throughout his room, Edmund d'Azor would let out a gentle yawn. He'd look upwards at the ceiling as the curtains would move aside, the sunlight of the morning pouring into the room. Sinking back into his soft-down feather pillows for a moment more, he'd let out a small sigh as he'd go to prop himself up. He'd look to the side, towards his bedside counter, as he'd notice a tray complete with tea, bread, butter, and a pile of the various tabloids common throughout the Empire. Reaching over, he'd seem to think for a moment before he'd grab the tabloids first. Flipping through them, he'd pause once he'd reach the PETITE POPPINS tabloid. Reading it, he'd seem to flick through the tabloid with a faintly amused smile. After flicking through it once more, he'd set it aside and go about eating his morning breakfast as he normally does.