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A PRINCE NO MORE The death of the Prince of Merryweather, Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim One cold morning in the year of our Lord 1904, there was a great commotion within the white walls of Corwinsburg Castle in the Arentanian Alps. Servants ran from chamber to chamber, carrying towels and water, doctors arrived from the capital, soldiers waited quietly for news. Many footsteps echoed through the corridors that morning, but then silence engulfed the Waldenian castle before a quiet scream echoed in one of the chambers. “It’s a boy, Your Highness. Do you have a name for him?” Inquired a maid “Heinrich Lothar…” Silence was short as a trembling voice of the mother answered the inquiry. On that day it began. It was a warm, summer day in the year of our Lord 1952 when the Prince of Merryweather and his party travelled to Whitespire in order to hold an emergency Royal Diet meeting before a planned conference regarding some pressing international matters. There was no indication of what was to come. Everything was going according to plan until a mass of soldiers clad in purple and black streamed into the castle. They all drew their blades and started killing. It then became evident, Stassion betrayed all the Kingdom stood for. AN ORDER WAS GIVEN, THE VOICE OF A TRAITOR ECHOED “Do not harm the Chancellor, Duke Janos, or Grand Prince Ferdinand! Kill the King, kill the Prince of Merryweather!” Heinrich’s eyes widened as he faced the blade of an armoured soldier of Stassion - there was no escape. The last thing he saw was Johannes running to safety, Boon jumping out of the window, Walter with raised hands and the awful sound of a body being cut open. It was a quick death. It was a painful death. One he feared for years. One of which he told his dear Aleksandra so many times. The very death she did not want to hear of was real, and it claimed her husband. The tip of the blade pierced the Princely throat. The redhead fell to his knees, bleeding out. The man who stood at the head of the state, always in shining armour, held in high esteem by his enemies, was humiliated - cut up like a piglet for a feast. The pain was immense. The last thing he managed to think of was his family. People he loved but failed their trust in the end. His pride would never allow him to admit this failure. Definitely not after he fell to his knees begging for his wife's forgiveness so many years ago. There was no turning back now. Henry managed to mutter out his last words while choking on his blood… “I FOUGHT I LOST NOW I REST” The rest was darkness. He was free of all his burdens. The Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg, Lord of Blackwater, Elected Margrave of Vanderfell, Lord Vandalore, Lord Regent of Aaun, uncle to the King and most importantly husband and a father was now lying dead on the floor of the Hand of Horen, a few meters away from his office. Now the Principality was in his son's hands, safe at last. He failed his family, especially his wife Aleksandra who he loved dearly. He failed many. Heinrich II Lothar passed on that day but he did it with dignity, defending the boy he proudly called his King... On that day it ended. HEINRICH II LOTHAR VON ALSTREIM PRINCE OF MERRYWEATHER 1904-1952

"We tried my boy, but the forces of evil vanquished us." Heinrich II Lothar said with a smile from the Seven Skies, patting Edmund II on the shoulder

Heinrich II Lothar signed the document in good faith.

[♫] Heinrich II Lothar woke up in the middle of the night, his sweat covering his body as he rubbed his eyes and sat up straight on the empty bed "Do I not suffer enough, God? You have taken everything from me, do not take away my sanity, my last stronghold. I beg of Thee." He said, struggling to breathe, then laid down again but that night he was not granted sleep again

LECHICKIE IMIENINY The Lechian Nameday ☩ Penned by the Baron of Wolavia, Aleksander Karol in the year of our Lord, 1951 Many years have passed since the abdication of the first Count of Warsovia, Jan Jazlowiecki. This happened back when our kingdom was still at war with Adria and Prince Heinrik Sarkozic. Jan was a symbol of stability and peace in Arentania, a symbol of reconstruction and hope. Now that his son and our count, Waclaw I, sits on the comital throne of Warsovia, we look with hope to the reign of his first-born son, Krzysztof Pawel, Baron of Krakovia. For many years, the young Baron has trained in swordsmanship and archery, gone on many hunts with Prince of Merryweather and spent countless hours in the library of Ulrichsburg to gather the knowledge needed for his future reign. Now he is an adult and, in accordance with old Lechian customs, we will gather to celebrate Krzysztof's coming of age. This celebration shall have three stages. I - Archery Test Those who will attend shall gather on the road leading to the office of Marshall of Merryweather to witness the first test of the next Count of Warsovia. The Baron of Krakovia will release five arrows, one at a time, to five different targets in order to prove his skill with a bow and arrows. If they hit the target, he will pass the test and the Prince of Merryweather will order a personalised bow, featuring cultural symbols of the Lechians, for the young Jazlowiecki. II - Postrzyżyny Postrzyżyny is an ancient Lechian custom. The father should order his son to lay his head on the doorstep before he himself kneels down and cuts his hair with the tool of his choice - shears, sword, knife or axe. The hair should then be burned in fire to mark the boy’s coming of age. Naturally the Baron of Krakovia is permitted to regrow his hair as those are a common sight among Lechians. III - Feast As it usually happens, children of Lechia like to celebrate with food and alcohol. This celebration should not be any different. Once the previous two steps have been fulfilled the Comital House of Jazlowiecki shall invite their guests to a feast within the castle of Nowa Warsovia, where they shall feast, dance and rejoice. [OOC: SUNDAY THE 26TH, 2PM EST] ALL PEERS OF THE REALM ARE WELCOME TO THE FESTIVITIES. SPECIAL INVITATIONS ARE EXTENDED TO: HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, Edmund II, The King of Aaun and the Royal House of Alstion HIS HIGHNESS, Heinrich II von Alstreim, The Prince of Merryweather HIS LORDSHIP, Johannes von Alstreim, The Count of Whisperwood and the Princely House von Alstreim HIS HIGHNESS, Ferdinand Barclay, The Grand Prince of Minitz HIS PRINCELY GRACE, Manfred Barclay, The Prince of Sutica and the Princely House of Barclay HIS GRACE, Jan II Ivanovich, The Duke of Styria and the Ducal House of Ivanovich HIS LORDSHIP, Emilio Sigismondo, The Count of Varoche and the Comital House of Varoche HIS LORDSHIP, Fernand de Lewes, The Baron of Virdain and the Baronial House of de Lewes MEMBERS OF THE FÜRSTENRAT, Walter Vanderrecht, The Marshall of Merryweather Boon, The Bailiff of Apfelberg Father Leofric, The Chaplain of Ulrichsburg CLERGY THAT RESIDE WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF AAUN SIGNED, HIS LORDSHIP, Aleksander Karol, The Baron of Wolavia, Komes of Warsovia

END OF THE RAVEN’S REGENCY Penned by the Lord Regent, HH Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim in the year of our Lord, 1951 TO ALL CITIZENS OF AAUN, It has been fourteen years since I first sat on the Regency Council in the year 1937 as it was requested of me in the last will of my dear uncle, and your King James I Alstion. I can certainly say, looking back over these past years, that I have made many mistakes. Minor and major ones for which I will repent severely when I get the chance. As a young person I have never had the ambition to rule. As a child I never thought that I would become the next Prince of Merryweather, Lord Vandalore of the Waldenic Diet or the Lord Regent of Aaun, back then it was all so strange and unsuitable for me. Once the power was vested in me I have always had a lot of things on my agenda - state affairs, convening the Diet, affairs of Merryweather and family matters - but I have always been there for you, ordinary citizens, nobles and visitors of this United Kingdom. Now, approaching the age of fifty, I see that everything has turned out as it was supposed to. All the triumphs, stumbles and progress that have been made, are the work not of me or the Council members on their own, but of all of us - Aaunites. Our Kingdom was forged in the fires of war and among the ruins of the Harvest Confederacy, we do not seek conflict but surprisingly enough it always finds us, such is the nature of all evil. My advice as a person representing the old generation, brought up during the reign of our beloved and pious Bonnie Prince Charlie, is that you should respect the peace you currently have. My father, grandfather and uncle spent years in armour, on horseback, fighting for a peace that we are able to enjoy now. I have not used the sword but the word and quill to maintain this fragile peace - I have done my best to uphold it for years and I will continue to do it until the strength leaves my body and mind. It is my final document issued as the Lord Regent of Aaun. Through all my years of faithful service to the Crown I have hoped that once His Majesty comes of age he will inherit a Kingdom in a good shape, a Kingdom that suffered a lot more than outsiders think, a Kingdom that he will be able to call his own. Despite the countless opportunities to shape the Kingdom to my liking I have always remained true to the Alstion ideals and how my grandfather and uncle shaped this Realm. To use the naivety of a Boy-King would be a great sin. Instead I have used my knowledge and skills to shape him, the boy, to be a good and fit monarch. I thank all those who believed in me and stood by my and His Majesty’s side through the good and bad, I shall not forget your loyalty. With that I officially step down and thus bring the regency era to an end. I leave this Kingdom to Him, my royal nephew, EDMUND II ALEXANDER ALSTION, our noble King. ~Heinrich II Lothar Signed, HIS HIGHNESS, Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim, Lord Regent of Aaun, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg, Lord of Blackwater, Elected Margrave of Vanderfell and LORD VANDALORE

Heinrich II Lothar simply scratched his cheek as he read the missive "Someone has not done his homework properly. Shame. I pray that once and if you ascend to the Seven Skies, you will have the courage to say this to His Majesty, Charles I, who defended the Church so valiantly." The Lord Regent commented as Aaun was far from being unholy

NOTICE OF PASSING Issued on the 9th of Sun’s Smile, 1948, at Ulrichsburg IT IS WITH great sadness that the House of Alstreim hereby announces the death of His Highness Ottomar II von Alstreim, the Prince Emeritus of Merryweather, a Knight-Immortal, Lord Vandalore, Pontifical Secretary and Monsignor to the Church of the Canon, who has succumbed to his illness on his way back to Merryweather from Numendil on the 8th of Sun’s Smile, 1948, at the age of seventy-eight. Merryweather and the Alstreim territories mourn his passing greatly, and pray for the intercession of Exalted Owyn and Saint Ottomar to ensure him safe passage into the Seven Skies. The responsibility of ensuring his funeral arrangements in the proper Alstreim custom in full rests with the Prince of Merryweather, who shall in person oversee everything is finalized as the executor of his last will and testament. GOTT MIT UNS, HIS HIGHNESS, Heinrich II von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg, Lord of Blackwater, Lord Vandalore

✠ SEVENTH WALDENIC DIET Third Session, 12 of Tobias’ Bounty, 1948 SIEBTE WALDENTAG Dritte Sitzung, der 12. Tobias Freigebigkeit 1948 MERRYWEATHER-ALSTREIM REINMAR-SUTICA MINITZ EINMONT HOHENGARTEN VELEN MOTIONS ANTRÄGE REVOCATION OF THE ELECTORATE OF HOHENGARTEN Vote: To revoke the Electorate of Hohengarten IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WALTER AMENDMENT Vote: To implement Walter's amendment REVOCATION OF THE ELECTORATE OF HOHENGARTEN In recent years the House of Augusten has defected from the Kingdom of Aaun while breaking their oath of loyalty to the King of Aaun, Edmund II. Such a deed broke the Vander Code for which the Electors have called for a vote to punish the House of Augusten. VOTE: TO REVOKE THE ELECTORATE OF HOHENGARTEN JA Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Minitz Velen ABSTAINED: Hohengarten Einmont The vote passed 4-2 as the Elector from Hohengarten and Einmont decided to abstain. As the vote concluded, the Electorate of Hohengarten lost its vote in the Waldenic Diet. House von Augusten can regain the Electorate if its members uphold Waldenian values and become more honourable in the eyes of the Diet. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WALTER AMENDMENT During the Third Session of the Seventh Waldenic Diet the matter of the so-called Walter Amendment was brought up. As the contents of the suggested Amendment were shown to the electors in advance none of them had any objections and decided to proceed with the voting. VOTE: TO IMPLEMENT THE WALTER AMENDMENT JA Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Minitz Einmont Velen The vote passed unanimously. As the vote concluded, the Walter Amendment was implemented into the Sacred Law of Waldenia. VOTE: MOTION TO ADJOURN THE SECOND SESSION OF THE SEVENTH WALDENIC DIET JA Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Minitz Einmont Velen The vote passed unanimously and the second session of the Seventh Waldenic Diet was adjourned. Issued and proclaimed in the name of the Waldenian People, Ausgestellt und verkündet im Namen des Waldenischen Volkes, LORD VANDALORE

Heinrich II Lothar, the Prince of Merryweather, slammed his desk with his fist "There is no justice in this world." He commented in disbelief

THE DRAGON AND THE LEAGUE Penned by the Lord Regent, Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim In the year of our Lord, 1948 BY THE ORDER OF THE REGENT AND IN THE NAME OF HIS MAJESTY, EDMUND II, The United Kingdom of Aaun hereby announces its leave from the Canonist League. While both His Majesty and his faithful Peers are certain that there is a need for long-lasting peace among the Canonist flock and upholding those values for which they have fought through the ages, the United Kingdom of Aaun also recognises the realities of the League’s broken systems, which we have, until now, wrongly trusted. It is now evident to us that the Canonist League is nothing more than a political vessel of certain factions, shown through reluctance to welcome the fellow Canonists of the League of Veletz within its ranks. Even when our Union, which had suffered the most by their hand in the previous war, obeyed the Scrolls’ command and signed a peace treaty and a pact of friendship, forgiving the past quarrels between the Canonist brothers so that we might face the future ahead of us as one, certain other members of the League still rejected their membership. Furthermore, the clerical stance towards Aaun has changed: recently, worrying news has reached us that officials of the Church have committed acts of aggression towards our councillors, and towards ordinary men and women of the Union. Is this the model Canonist behaviour taught in the Scrolls? This United Kingdom of ours has long been ignored in its concerns and treated like a puppet that the Church can control, but they often forget the kindness my uncle, the late King James, showed to them once Heinrik’s Rebellion concluded; the patronage of holy orders and cathedrals, and the protection of Lemon Hill’s autonomy were ignored to cast insult towards the pious founders of Aaun and its holy figures. All citizens of Aaun hope that there will come a day when the Church will be free of political burdens and truly work to secure the peace rather than heighten tensions among the allied Canonist realms, favouring one state while neglecting the other. Such behaviour will, sooner or later, have its consequences. With this statement we, the United Kingdom of Aaun, declare the CANONIST LEAGUE null and void. Signed in the name of his Majesty Edmund II, HIS HIGHNESS, Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim, Lord Regent of Aaun, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg, Lord of Blackwater, LORD VANDALORE HIS EXCELLENCY, Fernand de Lewes, Lord Chancellor, Baron of Virdain HIS EXCELLENCY, Emilio Varoche, Vice-Chancellor, Baron of Napoliza

Heinrich II Lothar, the Prince of Merryweather, offered the Petrans a firm nod of support - ready to pen his part

[♫] "Vampires or not, they are all traitors. One of the Founding Houses of Aaun running away because someone accused some of them of being a darkspawn. Didn't the Heinrik Rebellion teach them anything? Why didn't they flee when our kingdom was falling apart? When we fought so valiantly against the Adrians and their mercenaries, with potential loss in mind? Why now, when everything was going well? This is truly disgraceful behaviour. God will be the judge when the time comes, I will leave this matter to Him." Heinrich II Lothar, the Prince of Merryweather, commented as was speaking about the test results with his son, Johannes @Balthasar

Heinrich II Lothar smiled at the document, ready to serve the state for the years to come

Heinrich II Lothar scratched his head as he read the document "The Haverlocks and Emilio are vampires? Something is off." The Prince of Merryweather squinted as he read the missive once more "I will pray all of the tests will prove them innocent and good Canonists. Kind-hearted people are hard to find nowadays, and those three are definitely among them." The Alstreim concluded!

Heinrich II Lothar, the Lord Regent of Aaun, nodded in approval of the document

NACHFOLGE DES HAUSES DES BLUTIGEN RABEN Succession of the House of the Blood Raven Penned by the Prince of Merryweather, Heinrich II Lothar in the year of our Lord, 1947 [ ♪ ] TO ALL THOSE WHO MAY BE CONCERNED, Times are challenging. Poverty, hunger, the risk of war - each of us fears what the next day, week or month may bring. Fear must not paralyse every day of our precious life, it is too short to be afraid. The last few years of peace and relative seclusion have allowed me to spend more time with members of my family, at least those who stay by my side at all times. It is only now that I have realised that I am getting older and my children are growing up really fast, faster than I have anticipated, soon to be adults and will start families of their own. Faced with the inexorable passing of time, it is time to think about the future, about what awaits this House after I am gone. Therefore, today, on the 5th of Tobias’ Bounty in the year of our Lord 1947 in accordance with the resolution of the Fürstenrat, I declare my son Johannes Lothar von Alstreim the Count of Whisperwood and heir to the Principality of Merryweather. If my son is unable to succeed to the throne after my passing or abdication, his brother Corwin Ulrich is next in the line of succession. If neither of the brothers is able to lead the Principality, my youngest son, Karl Franz, is to sit on the Blood Raven Throne. May merciful God watch over Merryweather and the Princely House von Alstreim. GOTT MIT UNS, HIS HIGHNESS, Heinrich II von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg, Lord of Blackwater, Lord Vandalore

"Finally some good news. God protect you Markgraf, times are dire." Heinrich II Lothar, the Prince of Merryweather, said with a faint smile still very upset by everything that had happened in the last few years

"Endlich. May all of them live freely from now on." Commented the Prince of Merryweather feeling only resentment towards the late Countess

[♫] "Verräter, all of them. I pray for the day that the Vander Code will no longer protect you." Heinrich II Lothar, the Prince of Merryweather, growled wrathfully after reading the letter and slammed his fist on the desk

"Ottomar, you should have stayed dead." Heinrich II Lothar, the Prince of Merryweather commented as he signed the document

[♫] The Prince of Merryweather visited the grave of his old friend "At least now you live up there at peace. Just you and your books..." Heinrich smiled weakly, clearly saddened by the loss of his friend

✠ SEVENTH WALDENIC DIET Second Session, 11 of Tobias’ Bounty, 1946 SIEBTE WALDENTAG Zweite Sitzung, der 11. Tobias Freigebigkeit 1946 MERRYWEATHER-ALSTREIM REINMAR-SUTICA MINITZ EINMONT HOHENGARTEN VELEN ARENTANIA MOTIONS ANTRÄGE REMOVAL OF THE ELECTORATE OF ARENTANIA Vote: To remove the Electorate of Arentania RECOGNITION OF HOUSE VON LEOPOLD Vote: To recognise House von Leopold as a legitimate Waldenian House ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ELECTORATE OF EDENDORF Vote: To establish the Electorate of Edendorf REMOVAL OF THE ELECTORATE OF ARENTANIA Many years have passed without the Electors of Arentania being present during the Diet. As diligence and dedication to upholding our culture are virtues of the Waldenian people, the present Electors decided to vote to strip the electorate of those who did not wish to attend the Diet. VOTE: TO REMOVE THE ELECTORATE OF ARENTANIA JA Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Minitz Einmont Velen ABSTAINED: Hohengarten Arentania The vote passed, 5-2 as Arentania did not attend the session and the Elector from Hohengarten chose to abstain. As the vote concluded, the Electorate of Arentania lost its vote in the Waldenic Diet. House Bardenwig can regain the Electorate if its members uphold Waldenian values and show an interest in participating in the Diet again. RECOGNITION OF HOUSE VON LEOPOLD During the Second Session of the Seventh Waldenic Diet the matter of recognising House von Leopold as a legitimate Waldenian House was brought up by Lord Peter von Leopold. After explaining his reasoning behind such a suggestion the gathered Electors have decided to put this matter to vote. VOTE: TO RECOGNISE HOUSE VON LEOPOLD AS A LEGITIMATE WALDENIAN HOUSE JA Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Minitz Einmont Hohengarten Velen The vote passed unanimously. As the vote concluded, House von Leopold was recognised as a legitimate Waldenian House and a member of the Waldenian society. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ELECTORATE OF EDENDORF As the House von Leopold has officially been recognised as a part of the Waldenian culture and heritage, the present Lord Peter von Leopold asked the gathered Electors to grant his House an Electoral seat in the Diet. Without any discussion the present Electors have put this request to vote. VOTE: TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTORATE OF EDENDORF JA Merryweather-Alstreim Hohengarten Einmont NEIN: Reinmar-Sutica Velen Minitz The vote did not pass due to the tie 3-3. The matter of Edendorf was promised to be brought up in the future, once the von Leopolds prove their worth to unconvinced Electors. VOTE: MOTION TO ADJOURN THE SECOND SESSION OF THE SEVENTH WALDENIC DIET JA Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Minitz Einmont Hohengarten Velen The vote passed unanimously and the second session of the Seventh Waldenic Diet was adjourned. Issued and proclaimed in the name of the Waldenian People, Ausgestellt und verkündet im Namen des Waldenischen Volkes, LORD VANDALORE