Zaerie

UPDATES FROM THE DUCHY OF REINMAR As of the 4th of Vzmey and Hyff 343 E.S. ROZENFELD’S BEGINNINGS EST. 343 ES STANDING ON THE BANKS OF LAKE VIKTORIA, under the shadow of the Barclay’s keep of Wilheburg, and on the land of the Duchy of Reinmar, now stands a village of red walls and dark shingled roofs. Surrounded by farmland, forests, and the water, the village of Rozenfeld is in close proximity to the Haeseni capital of Karosgrad, though far enough for a peaceful ambiance while still holding the charm of a town. Within the main village is held multiple shops, a jousting track, a windmill and some homes, construction continues across the bay as expansions continue. All the citizens of Hanseti-Ruska are welcome in the Waldenian village, with new homes planned to be built, any that wish to settle within the bounds of Reinmar are welcome to contact the Duchess of Reinmar, the Hirdman, or the Verwalter von Reinmar, to discuss their future within the borders of the duchy. A proper inaugatory event will be held for Rozenfeld once the newly constructed shops are up and running. FOR SAFETY, THE HOUSEGUARD STARTING OFF AS A SMALL BUNCH, the Duchy of Reinmar has begun to hire house guards to protect both the Castle of Wilheburg, and the village of Rozenfeld. The current houseguard is a small group of energetic, and passionate guards with a soft and joking side. The houseguard is a very casual group with funny hats to make residents feel more at ease around them. They chose the hats themselves. If any wish to join the merry bunch, they are asked to contact the Duchess. House guards are provided free lodgings, their equipment, and pay. The hats come in multiple variations, not just different coloured frogs but also bear hats, duck hats, and more. LOOKING TO DEFENSE WITH THE RISE OF HOSTILITY BETWEEN HAENSE AND OREN ONCE AGAIN, the Duchy of Reinmar must look to its position on the map, and the role it can play in the safety of the Kingdom. The Duchy hopes to never need such defenses, but those who rest, rust, and those who gamble on only hope often get burnt. The Duchy can be seen preparing to its Southern border, and all those that wish to donate or lend their hand to the efforts are welcomed and thanked. ‘WALDENIAN UR’ COMING TO REINMAR A SMALL BOARD GAME GREATLY ENJOYED BY THE DUCHESS AND HER FAMILY, Waldenian Ur will soon be featured in Rozenfeld on a large, built-in gameboard under a cozy, covered pavilion. Waldenian Ur is an enticing game with the strategy and chance of Haeseni Chess, but with less time needed per game. The game is played between two people, with a choice between four and seven pieces to achieve a shorter or longer and more intense game. More information will be made public on Waldenian Ur in the near future. GOTT MIT UNS, Her Princely Grace, Johanna Klaudia Barclay, Princess of Sutica, Duchess of Reinmar, Margravine of Vanderfell, Countess of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness of Madvon, and Freising, Lady of Erwinsburg, Neuberg, Wilheburg and Freisburg, Lady Vandalore, Chieftess of the Reinmaren Contact Johanna Barclay/Zaerie [Zae#3208] for any inquiries :)

THE REINMAREN REGENCY Issued by the DUCHESS OF REINMAR On this 5th day of the Sun's Smile of 82 SA AFTER THE BIRTH OF HER TRIPLETS, the Duchess of Reinmar has decided to temporarily step back from her duties to spend time with her four young children and rest. During this break, it has been decided that his Holiness, Tylos III, shall act as Lord Regent until the Duchess has recovered and rested, and is able to resume her duties to the house. His Holiness was chosen for his supreme storytelling skills, and is expected to make interesting choices that shall keep the house fresh and on its toes, and the Duchess thought it would be amusing to observe as she cares for the triplets. The sons of Reinmar trust the regent to an upstanding job as he leads the House for the time being. GOTT MIT UNS, Her Princely Grace, Johanna Klaudia Barclay, Princess of Sutica, Duchess of Reinmar, Margravine of Vanderfell, Countess of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness of Madvon, and Freising, Lady of Erwinsburg, Neuberg, Wilheburg and Freisburg, Lady Vandalore, Chieftess of the Reinmaren His Holiness Tylos III, High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon, Archbishop of Visigia, Successor of the High Priesthood of the Church, Supreme Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Keeper of the Canon, Missionary to Aeldin, High Servant to the Exalted's Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD, Lord Regent of Reinmar

FOURTH WALDENIC DIET Vierter Waldentag Issued by the LADY VANDALORE On this 8th day of the Sun's Smile of 81 SA ELECTORS WÄHLER Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Bishop Valwyck Audrick MOTIONS ANTRÄGE ELECTION OF THE LORD VANDALORE AND MARGRAVE OF VANDERFELL Vote: Appointment of Johanna Barclay as the Lady Vandalore and Margravine of Vanderfell AFFIRMATION OF HOUSE AUDRICK AS AN ELECTORATE OF THE WALDENIC DIET Vote: Confirmation of Ludwig von Audrick as an elector of the Waldenic diet, representing the Electorate of Audrick. ELECTION OF THE LORD VANDALORE AND MARGRAVE OF VANDERFELL Within the halls of Wilheburg, the electors of the Waldenic Diet gathered to elect among themselves the next cultural head of the Waldenians, the Lord Vandalore, to assume the position and honor of presiding over the 4th Waldenic diet. The electorate of Bishop, represented by mister Ariovistan Bishop, and the electorate of Valwyck, represented by her Grace, Isabel Baruch, both brought forth the nomination of the Princess of Sutica, Johanna Barclay, as the next Lady Vandalore, which was accepted. VOTE: APPOINTMENT OF JOHANNA BARCLAY AS THE LADY VANDALORE AND MARGRAVINE OF VANDERFELL JA Bishop Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Valwyck Audrick The vote passed unanimously by the present Electors AFFIRMATION OF HOUSE AUDRICK AS AN ELECTORATE OF THE WALDENIC DIET The second motion brought before the Diet was the eligibility of House Audrick as a full electorate of the Diet. The nomination comes for their Waldenic heritage, coming originally from the line of Bishop but splitting into its own house. VOTE: CONFIRMATION OF LUDWIG VON AUDRICK AS AN ELECTOR OF THE WALDENIC DIET, REPRESENTING THE ELECTORATE OF AUDRICK JA Bishop Merryweather-Alstreim Reinmar-Sutica Valwyck The vote passed unanimously, 4-0. GOTT MIT UNS, Her Princely Grace, Johanna Klaudia Barclay, Princess of Sutica, Duchess of Reinmar, Margravine of Vanderfell, Countess of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness of Madvon, and Freising, Lady of Erwinsburg, Wilheburg and Freisburg, Lady Vandalore, Chieftess of the Reinmaren

TO BEGIN THE FOURTH CYCLE WIR MÜSSEN GEMEINSAM WEITERGEHEN Issued by the DUCHESS OF REINMAR On this 11th day of the Deep Cold of 80 SA After years of service to the Waldenic diet, the Waldenian people, the Kingdom of Haense and the House of Barclay, the Duke of Reinmar and Lord Vandalore, Johann Erich Barclay was found dead outside of Wilheburg, leaving behind unfinished work, and the diet without its Vandalore. With no Vandalore, I fear we are separated. Those deriving from Waldenia must walk our paths hand in hand, we must join together again to continue to uphold the sacred laws of Waldenia, honor the Waldenic diet, and elect a new Vandalore to lead our walk into the future. With this does the Chieftess of the Reinmaren, summon the electors to the Duchy of Reinmar to elect a new Lord Vandalore and Margrave of Vanderfell to serve as the head of our culture. The electors, each granted two indivisible votes shall be the following, as set by the 1st session of the 2nd Waldenic diet; His Highness, Heinrich von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather, representing the Electorate of Merryweather-Alstreim Her Princely Grace, Johanna Barclay, Princess of Sutica, representing the Electorate of Reinmar-Kretzen Her Grace, Isabel Baruch, Duchess of Valwyck, representing the Electorate of Valwyck Firr, Ariovistan Bishop, representing the Electorate of House Bishop Specially invited as a possible addition to the diet, to be given a single vote until their eligibility for full electoral status can be confirmed by the diet. Firr Ludwig von Audrick As per the standards of the 2nd Waldenic diet, the following Houses are granted a single vote each, until their eligibility for full electoral status can be confirmed by the diet. The House of Rovin The House of Denhardt The House of Königsberg The House of Bran The House of Weißhardt The House of Schulze The House of Oxenstierna-Mühlen The following are invited to the event as honorary guests. They shall not be granted votes, and anybody willing may also come to spectate the election. His Royal Majesty, Karl III, King of Hanseti-Ruska and his royal pedigree His Royal Majesty, Frederick I, King of Oren and his royal pedigree GOTT MIT UNS, Her Princely Grace, Johanna Klaudia Barclay, Princess of Sutica, Duchess of Reinmar, Countess of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness of Madvon, Freising and Sigradz, Lady of Erwinsburg, Wilheburg and Freisburg, Chieftess of the Reinmaren

THE SEPARATION OF THE ERIKAN LINE The disownment agreement of Erika Barclay, and her immediate family 4th of Joma and Umund, 429ES Issued and confirmed by Her Princely Grace, Johanna Barclay After much discussion, and decisions on what shall be best for the house of Barclay and for Erika Barclays direct family, it has been agreed upon by both to split the line from the house. The line splits from Barclay and will take up the surname of Vatornik, leaving behind all claim to the name Barclay, the surname, titles, nobility and its land. They shall no longer hold nobility, and will become Miss and Mister Erika and Val Vatornik. This writ indues the following affects immediately upon signing; Erika and her descendants will be removed from all inheritance from the House of Barclay, to never be able to inherit title or land from the house. Erika and her descendants will be removed from the House of Barclay, thus prohibiting her use of the name Barclay. Henceforth they shall hold the surname of Vatornik. SIGNED, Her Princely Grace, Johanna Klaudia Barclay, Princess of Sutica, Duchess of Reinmar, Countess of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness of Madvon, Freising and Sigradz, Lady of Erwinsburg, Wilheburg and Freisburg, Chieftess of the Reinmaren Firress Erika Renate Vatornik Firr Val Vatornik

Johanna Barclay was preparing for her wedding when she received the news. She'd be confused, and scared, and oh so sad. She had never asked for any of this, and while receiving the house, all she wanted was the family that was no longer part of it.

THE TOURNAMENT OF REINMAR WITHIN THE LANDS OF REINMAR, a grand tournament shall be held by the Baroness of Sigradz within the coming months. The tournament means to cover multiple types of competition, and celebrate the Waldenian care for horses through a race. On top of this, the Baroness intends to host a largescale melee with a more unique setup that varies from the usual bracket style spars. All of Hanseti-Ruska, its allies, and neutral nations are welcome to celebrate the capability of man at the tournament of Reinmar, and join the feast celebrating the occasion. THE HORSE RACE - 500 mina prize Starting and ending at Reinmar, the horse race will be a long loop around and then through Karosgrad. Entrees are welcome and encouraged to bring their own steed, as there may not be enough available to borrow. The prize for winning the horse race is 500 mina. THE GRAND BRAWL - 500 mina prize A free-for-all, all at once battle. The one to come out on top wins. Instead of a traditional bracketed sparring melee, the Baroness has decided to choose a more chaotic way to run the warriors championship. No armor, no allies, no structure, only yourself and everyone else. May the best stand on top. Multiple rounds may be hosted, but only the first shall be for a mina prize. There may be alcohol offered as prizes for the latter rounds. ENDING FEAST Ending off the day within the halls of Reinmar, there shall be a feast celebrating the victors and participants of the day's events. Featuring Waldenian food and drink, all that attended the tournament are welcome to sit back, relax, and enjoy the evening after a difficult day of activities. WEDNESDAY, THE 25TH, 5:30PM EST Signed Her Ladyship, Johanna Klaudia Barclay, Baroness of Sigradz

Johanna would receive word of her brothers passing and her hands would shake. She had always lived quietly, thinking she could just pass the time through art or reading as she thought her sickly body held her back from aspiring to anything greater. She walked down the hall towards her room, looking further down her eyes rested on her brothers old bedroom door. “You would’ve known what to do, where would you have started?” she’d turn quickly and go into her room, flopping on her bed with her arms splayed above her. “I’ll figure it out, I’ll make you proud. Don't worry, Kon, you just rest. I'll take it from here.”

THE WORLD THROUGH MY EYES Paintings of Almaris by Katla Ireheart Recently around Almaris, there has been a wandering painter. A woman that stands in strange places, holding art supplies, And looking at the world through a different lens. Painting what she sees, to show the world through her eyes. Starting in her home of Urguan, Katla painted her first version of the grand dwarvish gates. She traveled to Elvenesse, and found inspiration in a sunrise over the sea statue. Nervously, she went to the Iron’Uzg, and painted a surprisingly peaceful view of their palace. Within the Vale, she found comfort in a wooden statue of a bear by the sea. Returning from her first trip around Almaris, she repainted the gates of her home under new light, The gates welcoming her home, instead of looming overhead. Katla Ireheart OOC:

A certain Barclay teen simply wonders why Hanseti and Ruska have been put in the titles, despite no mention of Barbanovs, Hanseti, or Ruska in the rest of the missive. She questions if such a man forgot a few things key things about Haense.

Queen Viktoria of Metterden read the missive from the seven skies, smirking to herself and looking down upon all of the women. "Go forth and fight, women of Haense. Do your worst, you have it in you." she'd make a small fist. "And you always have."

Marcella Barclay smiled towards her father as she saw him in the afterlife. Her first words to her father in decades being short and simple. "Welcome to peace, Vater."

Marcella Barclay watched from her favorite armchair in the seven skies, standing up to welcome Ingrid. "Thankyou for doing what I could not manage to." She'd smile, "Thank you for standing by my brother while I could not."

Queen Viktoria of Metterden would smile at her daughter figure and friend as she entered the skies. "You went so far, Adry. I am so proud of you." She'd embrace her if allowed, and then attempt to show her all of her favorite places and views in the skies.

HER FALL [TRIGGER WARNING - SUICIDE] The last few years of Marcella’s life had been a blur of grief and hardship. Taking the position of the first Lady Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska, abruptly resigning, adventuring across the world - leaving the man she was growing to love, getting paralized on her adventures and stuck relying on others or in a room alone. Marcella slowly grew to become a husk of the driven, independent woman that she was known for. Her eyes slowly sunk in as her gaze had grown to eternally rest sadly on the floor, Her coats and boots left to grow dust as she only changed from one nightgown to another, Her strength atrophied as she became stagnant from her injuries. Her fire and determination being replaced by a silent, cool sorrow. The woman she had been proud to be had disappeared, Marcella waited for her own death in her room in Reinmar day after day, and so she decided to seek it out on her own. She had never been a patient woman. Marcella waited for years after the accident for feeling to return to her legs and to her own mind, but it was a meeting that never came. With her small amount of strength left, Marcella had had enough. She was tired, she knew her journey was over and she had reached higher than any woman in Haense had ever; and she had chosen to let it go. She picked up the dagger she kept in her night stand, And so she never awoke again. A single note would be left on the nightstand, penned carefully. To Friedrich, My goals are done and any life I had hoped for has been ripped from my grasp. I focused so long on fixing a world for other people that I forgot to build one for myself. I have nothing more to give to others or even to myself anymore, I rarely bother to brush my hair. This is not a life I was ever meant to live, Goodbye my brother, I will see you when you have finished your work too. MARCELLA KAROLINA BARCLAY 1782 - 1817 (Some additional drawings of Marcella ;)) OOC: Thank you everyone that made Marcella a fun character to play! Her story is at a point that I feel comfortable ending it and putting things behind me, though I’m sad that this is the type of end I had to give her. I now have no characters on LOTC and will not be picking up another. Have fun! I am considering opening up skin commissions for USD in a few weeks and will announce it on my PMC. The only way to get a hold of me for such will be through my PMC as my LOTC discord will now be deleted and my forum account will no longer be checked (do not contact me through PMC unless for skinning stuff). If you’re interested in a skin sub there for whenever that announcement happens ;)

"Why is some idiot suing a hospital in the middle of a war?" Marcella would question with narrowed brows from the bedroom she had locked herself in for some time now.

Marcella Karolina Barclay scoffed from her wheelchair at the missive. "Anyone with any sense can see that this is shallow redemption based on getting caught, nicht actual remorse. I'll be surprised if he's not back to threatening and strangling people he holds power over by the end of a year. What a joke." she'd set down the paper on the desk again as she wheeled herself off, mumbling under her breath. "Show some actual change instead of writing a fancy missive. Ich thought Haeseni were people of action, nicht this recent foolery of writing notes and expecting a change of wardrobe to be enough to repay your sins to the people."

Bidding has now closed, if you were one of the winning bids, please dm me on discord at Zaerie#8574 ! (The unbid on skins will be put up free to use on my pmc, https://www.planetminecraft.com/collection/97273/zaerie-s-free-to-use-skins/!)

it's (just about) 7pm EST! So (just about) 1 hour left!

ZAERIE DOES ANOTHER AUCTION WOWIE Hello! I’ve been collecting some skins to put up, I like doing batches of at least 10, so I reached that number today! This will be going for 24 hours, and since I don’t really use mina, this will be in USD, but the start price and minimum increase will be relatively low. I am sorry about this, and if you like my skins but cannot afford USD, I do have a free to use folder on my PMC of 40+ (and counting) skins you can use! I AM SORRY THERE IS ONLY ONE MALE SKIN IN THIS, I AM TRYING TO GET BETTER AT THEM OK The rules: ALL bids start at 1 USD Bids will increase by a minimum of 10c each time Please ensure you can pay the full amount as soon as the auction finishes! Auction will finish at 8PM EST Thursday 1st April Form Skin: Bid: Username: Discord: SKINS 1, Pauper’s Princess gown (based off of a dress from Barbie Princess and the Pauper) 2, Dancing Princess (Based off of a dress from Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses) 3, Womans Training Outfit 4, White Gown 5, Sky Blue Imperial 6, Navy and Lace 7, Female Ranger 8, Evergreen Shawl 9, Icy embroidered 10, Coat (MALE)

Viktoria the Warrior stood looking down, her face adorning a deep, painful frown. Her eyes lit like fire and a snarl on her lips, watching as her eldest daughter's blood drips. “This future I fought for, their peace brought by me, Is not one I ever wished to see. May your moniker reflect you, grandson of mine, Your actions forever immortalized in time. King of downfall, King of death, King of Crows betraying my final breath. I was not great, graceful or grand, But my Haense was one that could withstand. This cannot be withdrawn, taken back, or undone, You’ve sealed your fate, it cannot be outrun.” The poem written by the dead Queen would never reach an ear of the living, it would remain in the Seven Skies with the Warrior that had always held a soft spot for poetry. She paced from above as there was nothing she could do to help erase the blight on her lineage, and there was now only one thing Viktoria loathed more than being useless. And that was her own grandson.

So, a while back there was a poll about the removal of NPC’s due to lag; it was stated that if they were removed it’d be for at least 2-3 weeks while they were fixed, but we’ve heard nothing since the poll was closed. They were disabled on the 2nd of February, so it has now been over 6 weeks. I was hoping we could possibly get an update on this situation and an estimated timeframe? NPC’s are an amazing thing to have, and I’m sad to see that they’ve been gone for so long without any word on the end of it. We’ve lost irp/in game tailors and more immersive statues, I miss them. If there is any update to this, please let us know! I know a few people that’ve had stand-by tailors in game that have now been sitting somewhat idle for over a month and a half. I totally understand them being removed for what they were causing and voted in favor of the removal, but I’m sad to have not heard anything on this for so long. Thank you! (Original poll and thread here for those that don't know context) (Edit add: I'd also just like to add onto this that I'm not expecting this to make the NPC reintroduction a higher priority, or for this to push the NPC's to happen quicker, I'd just really like an update on if this is on hold, if it's being worked on, etc.)

Marcella had only been out of Karosgrad for about a week, she had wandered down the side of Lake Viktoria from Reinmar, and followed along the banks of the Augusta River. The camp she set up there on the edge of the forest and river bank was small. It contained a small fire, a hammock, a cooking pot, and a little log she sat on. She had avoided the roads to this point, she had a goal for the first part of her adventure. To be alone. Why did she want to be alone on an adventure? Well, Marcella had something she wanted to experience that wasn’t quite for herself yet. She wanted to see what appealed to Aleksandr, about being alone and quiet. She wished to see the world a little more from his perspective and maybe see where the silence came from. The life of silence wasn’t for Marcella, however. Not to say that his silence wasn’t for her, but her own silence wasn’t fitting. She had only agreed to her brother talking to Aleksandr about marriage because her last experience she had remembered with him, she had hated him. She had thought that it'd go terribly, and she could tell Friedrich to drop the subject forever so that she could go back to her work. What Marcella wasn't prepared to be faced with though, was a silent, respectable, and soft man. He wasn't like her, he wasn't bubbly, he didn't grin easily, and he didn't have certain strange manic habits like her actions may be classified as. Him not being like her though, wasn't a problem. If anything, it became something that she might be able to share with him. They were differences that perhaps they could come to respect and enjoy about one another, unlike how she had first thought of him, unbearable. He wasn't unbearable, and that scared her more than she had ever expected. Marcella had met a person that made her think. Standing up in the forest a bit further from the river, she found herself looking around. There was no sound, no talking, no music, no bustling. The absence of talking and noise wasn’t what was missing though. What was missing from this specific silence was his silence. How do you miss silence when there is no noise? she wondered. The silence was too loud, too empty of a silence she might be looking for. Marcella went back down to the bank, where she felt relieved at the sound of the Augusta River flowing peacefully. She looked up stream, where it wasn’t really that far of a walk back yet, but instead of walking up the river, she pulled off her boots and stood in the shallows. Marcella would make the walk back to Karosgrad one day, but today was not the day. She listened to the silence she had thought was the right type, but grew frustrated when she realized that not all silence is the same. Perhaps what she had wanted to seek wasn’t the absence of sound, but the presence of someone specifically. She would continue on, thinking, but not yet returning.

[THIS IS NOT A PK POST] HE WHO RESTS, RUSTS. BUT HE WHO NEVER RESTS, BREAKS Marcella walked through the halls of the Nikirala Prikaz, in Karosgrad. She sighed as she carried her bag towards her office, fumbling with her keys in a shaking hand and opening the door to her office. Setting down the bag, she fumbled through her papers and spread them across her desk. She realized then, that these papers meant nothing. So what if she could map the Kingdom? So what if she could convince the King of one out of five things she had wanted to do today? She had accepted that her work was going to be difficult, that it may not be what she had foreseen, she had prepared herself for that possibility. What she had not prepared herself for was the dread and loneliness. She had always thought so much of the future, but so little of herself. Why had she not thought of her actual self in the future, her happiness? She didn’t have the answers as she began to sort out the papers. She sat down then, procured more papers, and some ink. She wrote letters for a while, to people she knew and would miss, but eventually folded them all up and to set in her room for Friedrich to deal with. The door to her office was left unlocked as she left, deciding it’d be more of a pain and she wouldn’t be returning there anyways. She left papers in the Kings office, her to-do list, and what had been completed before she left. Her suggestions and her well wishes. She walked out of the palace and towards Reinmar. Within Reinmar she packed a new bag, and changed her clothes to something more suitable. She slung the strap over her shoulder and walked back through Karosgrad, out its main gates, and down the road until she left the territory of Haense, that she had even mapped herself. She didn’t know when she would return or where her goal was. Marcella knew one thing though, both her and Haense would meet again, but neither would be the same as when they had diverged from each other. I’m going to go on an adventure. [OOC] I didn't intended to leave this position, or this character for months. Unfortunately, situations change. This isn’t a quitting LOTC post, I’m not that naive, but I will be gone for a while. Because of the abruptness and the RP spot I’m leaving, I think I owe some explanation to what’s going on; I don’t want any sympathy, some of this I got myself into, other stuff I’ve already accepted, it’s just developments in preexisting problems. I have something called hEDS, or Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Long story short for those that don’t know what that is, it’s a connective tissue genetic disorder that can affect basically anything in your body (but not everything in every case) because a lot of you has connective tissue in it. Recently, I’ve been having more symptoms of it that affect how well I can do online work, such as my hand going numb. HEDS isn’t my only current reason for this long-term break though, as I’m decently behind in my uni work, which is entirely my own fault. Generally, I’d also like to get in better shape as it’d help to prevent my eds from progressing as much. Thank you to everyone that makes me enjoy this server and makes me want to return when I can, I appreciate all of you. Keep doing your thing, look out for your health, drink water, read a book, do your school work, pet your animals and go touch grass instead of only looking at pixelated grass. Never stop fighting for answers if something doesn’t feel right with your body, you deserve answers to what’s going wrong, I know they’ve helped me. Take care of yourself. You only get one you and you’re worth it.

A painting of a younger Marcella in Reinmar THE PROMISE OF A PALATINE 361 ES ON THIS DAY, I begin my tenure in the position of Palatine from a long dynasty of the great leadership of Konstantin Wick, the longest palatine in the kingdom’s history. Since the passing of Koeng Sigismund II, Konstantin has been at the head of our government; beginning as Lord Regent for Koeng Josef, where he dealt skillfully with the great divide that was struck through the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. He has had a great hand in education within the Kingdom, and recognizing great deeds done by the Haeseni. On top of all, Konstantin has been a stable and enduring palatine for 32 years. He will be remembered for his work for decades to come. When I first began work under Konstantin, he asked me what I wanted to do; why did I want to work under him, in the office of the palatine? I gave an unreasonably vague answer, but it was a truthful one even to this day. That answer was never changed, I want to make a positive difference in the lives of as many Haeseni as I can, and I think that this is the best place for me to do just that. I can only hope that I will do half as well as my predecessor, so today I make a promise to you, the Haeseni. I will do my best to fulfill what I told Konstantin over the years, I will try to do my absolute best to bring positive change to the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, to all of you. I would like to share a few of the first things I wish to get done as Lady Palatine, and I am open to hearing any other ideas and suggestions; this is not a complete list, nor is it the limit of my ambition. I aim to expand the documented culture of Hanseti-Ruska, including the subcultures such as those of Valwyck and Reinmar; to document the new Eastern land of Hanseti-Ruska, and make the knowledge readily available of the terrain and regions of Haense, and to expand communication and access between the people of Haense, and its government. It is with great hope for the future that I take up the position of Lady Palatine. SIGNED, Her Excellency, Marcella Karolina Barclay, Lady Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska