Olox_

Depiction of Conkerhove c.1957 “Do not falter, son, God will guide your hand.” Words attributed to John of Aaun These words repeated by John Alstion to his son, Charles, have forever been etched in his memory. The old and ailing man, bearing no resemblance to his former self - the young and adventurous Prince of Alstion and later King of Aaun - was bedridden in his chamber, given to him by one of the few Houses still loyal to him. Each time he woke up from his sleep his breath was heavier; he had undergone a stroke that permanently paralysed his left arm and hand and left him with an additional impediment to his speech, which did not ease his elderly years. Charles has experienced a lot in his life - definitely more than he ever wanted to. From a very young age, Charles displayed a high level of intelligence, observing and learning from his father, John, who became King by the will of God, or as some believe, by sheer chance. It was hard to deny the boy's zeal and dedication to the position he was one day to take over from his widely respected father, a position which fate would eventually take away from him just ten years after his coronation. To rule the Kingdom like his father John and grandfather James, was his dream. King John of Aaun passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack in the year of our Lord 1979, leaving the vast Confederation in the hands of Charles and the young Queen of Petra. It was a responsibility for which, although the young prince had been prepared all his life, he was not ready for. His father was his rock, his best friend and his role model, even if they had not spent as much time together as Charlie would have liked. Now given his years of education and the events of his teenage years, including the terrible Coalition War, he ascended the throne as King Charles II, together with his beloved wife Hedwig of Warsovia. Were their deaths necessary? Was it really James who murdered Alexander? Did Tiberias really persuade James to commit these foul deeds? Despite the joy of becoming a monarch, the King's head was occupied by thoughts of his lost brothers Alexander and James. For many years Charles tried to keep the peace in his homeland, now linked by the ties of confederation with its neighbours to the west. However, as it later turned out, this task had outgrown the young King and his government. Corruption, conspiracies and schemes were something Charles was unable to control. These plots culminated in Marna's march on Courteis Hale and the chain of events that followed this perilous endeavour. The destruction of the Confederacy was now inevitable. Charles prayed to God for guidance and each year lit candles for his lost brothers, in the Temple of the Exalted Prophets, but to no avail. He had been taught from a young age that all sins would face punishment - even if these sins did not tip the scale of good deeds. After the loss of his two brothers and the fall of the Confederacy, the greatest and final test in history came for the Godwinite Realm - the Ravenmire invasion, in truth perpetrated by the exiles of Veletz and their soldiers eager for revenge. After enemies of the Alstion dynasty orchestrated a raid on the Hand of Horen, and within it found the corpse of the disinherited James Whitespire, within the grounds of the palace chapel, Charles was branded a “kinslayer”. The march of the armies of both countries followed shortly afterwards. The Ravenmire hosts, led by Tiberias van Aert and supported by Norland, the Dwarves of Urguan, as well as other minor factions proved overbearing - the Crown’s allies, some old enemies, found personal gain in letting the war play out without honouring their treaties of alliance. Aaun, disgraced and left without her allies, turned to the Church for help. “You have no say in the matter anymore.” Words attributed to Marius III of Haense The royal children could not have known how much their lives were to change in the coming months, forthwith after the King signed the Lesanov Protocol, abdicating in favour of his son, Godwin. High Pontiff Deunoro became his son’s regent for a short time. He has formerly been a teacher and role model for Charles, but at the time of signing the act of abdication a person Charles was unable to recognise, as if he was someone else. Without the crown, Charles was a nobody. Deposed and hated by many he went into exile with his wife. It later became evident that Godwin was too weak to carry the burden left on his shoulders - it was another factor which haunted Charles until his death. A different memory was that of Cardinal Jean. He was one of the few who stood by the young King all the way - from the beginning to the bitter end. Jean was the one who stood up for him and took on himself practically all the responsibility for everything that transpired after the launch of the armed conflict. The teacher and friend of Charles faced excommunication and soon afterwards a shameful death - something he did not deserve, at least in the Alstion’s opinion. Having spent years blaming himself for everything, Charles eventually came to the conclusion that nothing could change what had happened. His complaints and frowns cannot correct his mistakes or return the crown to him. The old Alstion resolved to spend his last years with those who remained faithful to him, despite his abdication and the public shame he had to face. The solace he found among Alstreims and Ivanoviches, especially the presence of his sister Josephine, was something he cherished until the very end. In his final days after suffering from a stroke, news of his daughter’s death reached him. In the following few days, he refused to eat or speak to anyone, even though he did not talk much before Cecily’s death. Then on the 3rd of Owyn’s Flame, Charles Reman closed his eyes for the last time. Charles II died at the age of 93, in the year of our Lord 2047 following a second myocardial infarction. 1954-2047 His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II ALSTION, by the Grace of God of the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun and of other Alstion territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, the Franklands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet, Gotfridcher and Virdain, Protector of the Realm. TANDEM TRIUMPHANS.

Charles Alstion was lying in his chamber, bedridden, in one of the fortresses located on the Kalldur Islands when he was informed of the death of his daughter. The Johannian's face showed sincere sadness, even though he had not been very chatty in recent months, as the old monarch was growing weaker by the day "A good child she was, even if sometimes difficult to raise. I am glad that I was able to speak with her one last time before she passed away-" At that the deposed King paused "Before I myself have passed." Old Alstion's eyes filled with tears and his head filled with thoughts of his wasted life "Have I not been punished enough? Why take my child when you could take me? Oh Lord, why did you make me a father..." He whinged to himself before lying down once more to rest - he knew very well it would not be long now.

[♪] "The Kaiserreich has offered us, simple men, a new type of warfare. May the Kaiser be blessed for his wisdom and not blocking this conflict. Saint Calliope and Ottomar, be with us once the battle begins." Friedrich of Merryweather prayed in a nearby chapel with his comrades from the Black Band of Alstreim

One very old Alstion snorted as he read the missive "I see what you did there, Callahan." He said with a smirk, to himself, before going back to obscurity

Friedrich of Merryweather covered his visage with his palm at the news of George's passing "You have always understood my internal struggles and never turned your back on me, may merciful God grant you eternal rest. Ruhe in Frieden, Kanzler." The Alstreim said before heading to the nearby Reinmaren chaple in order to light a candle for the late Aldersberg

Friedrich of Merryweather rubbed his temple as the news of Vincenzo's death reached him "You are with Gott now. I will remain forever grateful for your help when my beloved Mutter passed away. Ruhe w Frieden." The Prince-Elector said as sorrow swept over him

Charles II perks a brow in his exile, utterly confused.

Interesting results and a very cool initiative. No pardon for those from Antarctica though.

Friedrich of Corwinsburg smiled as he finished reading the document "An excellent piece of Österlandic work. Hopefully not the last we will have a chance to read." The Alstreim said with a nod before putting the paper on the desk

THE WEDDING OF THE BARON OF CORWINSBURG & LADY LIBRARIAN OF ELIZABETH ♰⊱ ─────────────── ✶ ─────────────── ⊰♰ ONE FATEFUL NIGHT ATOP OF MONT SAINT GODWIN, a promise was made. Under the quiet glow of the stars, between the valley and moorlands, Prince Friedrich von Alstreim and Lady Octavia Galbraith sealed their fates with a solemn vow. The Houses of Alstreim and Galbraith hereby announce that they are to be joined in holy matrimony under the watchful eye of GOD as early as next spring. The ceremony shall take place within the hallowed halls of the Abbey of Saint Catherine in the city of Elizabeth, where family, friends, and honoured guests shall gather to witness the union. Festivities will continue after mass has concluded at the Jolly Heart Tavern. Though not the most lavish of affairs, it is the wish of the couple to celebrate their joyous day in the company of those close to their hearts. ♰⊱ ─────────────── ✶ ─────────────── ⊰♰ Invitations are listed for the following: THE ESTEEMED ELECTORS OF THE WALDENIC DIET The Lord Vandalore, FRIEDRICH VON AUGUSTEN, Margrave of Schwyz, and his noble pedigree His Royal Highness, ERWIN I BARCLAY, Prince of Reinmar and Minitz, and his royal pedigree His Grace, THOMAS VON THEONUS, Duke of Vohenheim, and his noble pedigree THE PEERAGE OF ALBA Their Royal Highnesses, CECILY AND EDWARD ALSTION, Princes of Alstion and Dukes of Alba, and their royal pedigree His Excellency, GEORGE ALDERSBERG, Lord Chancellor and Earl of Dover, and his noble pedigree The Right Honourable, JOSEPH PREUSSENS, Count of Osterland, and his noble pedigree The Right Honourable, LORELEI ALSTION-ENSWERP, Countess of Enswerp, and her noble pedigree The Honourable, VINCENZO VAROCHE, Baron of Placentia, and his noble pedigree MEMBERS OF THE PONTIFICAL STATES His Holiness, RO’EH TZON, High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon, and his Holy Flock His Highness, EAROSLAV ROSTOVA, Grand Prince of Ravenmire, and his Princely Pedigree His Grace, ATTICUS KEEN, Princeps of Ivoria, and the people of Ivoria His Grace, TIBERIAS VAN AERT, Duke of Burgundy, and the citizens of Grense PERSONAL INVITATIONS Lord MIKOŁAJ JAZŁOWIECKI and the House of Jazłowiecki Lord CHARLES HALCOURT and the House of Halcourt Lord THEODORE DE SAVOIE and the House of Ashford de Savoie Lady VITTORIA VAROCHE Mister RAYNARD Mister CONRAD VANDERRECHT Miss MIYAKO IEKAMI Mister KONSTANTIN SCHREIBER ♰⊱ ─────────────── ✶ ─────────────── ⊰♰ His Highness, FRIEDRICH WILHELM of the House of Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg, Lord of Blackwater, Apfelberg and Ulrichsburg Her Ladyship, OCTAVIA ELISABETH of the House of Galbraith, President of the Alban Wordsmiths Society & Lady Librarian of the Public Library of Saint Daniel

Garnis Nyrilnith, a member of the Salvian Syndicate and an envoy to the outlander realms, packed his belongings once Sir Daris announced the verdict from their homeland - the adventure in Aevos was over and the journey home would soon begin, but who knows what awaited the brave Salvians in the future...

Friedrich von Alstreim, the Baron of Corwinsburg, made haste to reach his house in Elizabeth where he and his Waldenian household would meet to discuss their near future - one that for the first time in many years looked bright.

Friedrich Wilhelm, the juvenile Prince of Merryweather, was glad to receive an invitation from the Crown of Alstion "Yippee, finally I will not be the youngest at the Court!" The boy exclaimed out of pure joy, before going to wonder what to bring as a gift for the infant Alstion heir

The so-called 'CITIZEN Charles' who in fact was just Charles, as no weird title was needed, sat in his chair after reading the whole document. A smile curled up at the Alstion's face as he was now able to enjoy the God-sent, normal life. The already greying man then shut his eyes as a familiar tune of old reached his ears, playing from his wife's old music box. His mind was far away from lies and slander that surrounded the ten years of his reign...

[♪] The deposed King of Aaun, Charles, sat in his chair while smoking a cigarette. After inspecting the parchment the Alstion leaned forward and placed the copy of the document he was handed on the desk in front of him. The man did not utter a word but rubbed his temples before taking a piece of paper from a drawer in order to write a letter to someone.

[♪] The five-year-old Count of Whisperwood, Friedrich Wilhelm von Alstreim, sat at the back of the Venic Town Hall, hiding from the Republican attackers. As he listened to the battle in pure shock, the boy wondered whether or not he was lucky to survive this attack. He was now thrown in the middle of a difficult political situation that his mother has been dealing with for years, a situation that may require him to make a radical change in course when the time comes.

Friedrich Wilhelm, the young Count of Whisperwood, did not yet fully understand the concept of marriage, but was more than curious to attend the ceremony alongside his mother, the Princess-Elector.

Despite the limited amount of time Charles spent with his sister throughout his childhood and reign, the man lit a candle in a remote chapel "The purest of souls have already departed from this world. Now only we are all that remain. Forgive me, O sister, for if I have ever wronged you in this mortal life, it was not my intention, and I pray that you will find peace and solace in the afterlife, in the eternal garden of the Lord." The deposed monarch said with a heavy sigh before kneeling to pray for his deceased sibling.

Thank you for being a good friend and someone I could always consult about anything in time of need. Good luck out there brother.

One autumn evening, as the sun set behind the mountains, Ludwig of Merryweather stood on the steep hill of the Langkette. The loyal Alstreim bannerman sighed as the young Prince Mark became the sixth Alstion monarch he had been in service to. The grey-haired old ranger looked at the burnt-out, once Royal, City of Whitespire and whistled quietly, preparing himself for what fate might bring to him, his Princess and the shattered Kingdom...

Friedrich Wilhelm, the newborn Count of Whisperwood, slept peacefully in his cradle while listening to old Waldenian tunes playing from his mother's musicbox...

Ludwig of Merryweather sat in his tower at the Principality of Merryweather while whistling a Waldenian folk song of old...

Exiled Charles II sat in his chair as the news reached him "Maybe it's not that bad here..." The once-King commented from the Island he now called home