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THE RAVENS OF ULRICHSBURG — Penned by HH, Johanna II in the year of 1998 — FOREWORD & INTRODUCTION One of life’s deepest fulfilments comes from creating new life, shaping a future that will surpass us and preserve legacies beyond our own. With each new generation, we plant the seeds of progress, hope, and possibility, building a bridge from the past to a brighter future. It is my own personal hope that with this announcement, the Princely house of Alstreim may continue to play its role in contributing to a greater purpose. With such, it is with great joy that Wilhelm and I do hereby announce that within the halls of Ulrichsburg upon the early morning of the 8th of Horen’s Calling, 1889, was the Princely house blessed by the birth of not one, but two new additions to our family. Let it be known that furthermore they shall be known as: THE HONOURABLE FREIDRICH WILHELM THE COUNT OF WHISPERWOOD @Olox_ HER LADYSHIP ROSALINDE CALLIOPE THE BARONESS OF GODWINS CROSS @rinceau NUR GOTT UND ALSTREIM HER HIGHNESS, JOHANNA II ALOISA VON ALSTREIM Princess of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgravine of Alstreim, Baroness of Corwinsburg and Apfelberg, Lady of Blackwater and Ulrichsburg, Mistress of the Langkette Pass, Dame of Aaun HIS HIGHNESS, WILHELM ULRIC Prince-Consort of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave-Consort of Alstreim, Baron-Consort of Corwinsburg and Apfelberg, Lord of Blackwater and Ulrichsburg

*A missive is posted on every doorpost in Aaun, written hastily but legibly.* "To all those faithful, take warning and evacuate the Kingdom of Aaun! The Lord has sent his Aengul of Justice, St. Raguel, to warn the faithful of what is coming! His Holiness has given advice that will be listed in this missive, but the safest way to make sure you are not caught in the cleansing flame, is to leave Aaun! You only have a day's time, so hurry! Those faithful who for one reason or another are unable to leave, His Holiness warns to smear the blood of a lamb onto your doorposts, to mark it as a home containing the faithful. Those who can leave, head to either your fellow Canonist nations or the Unified Domain of Vortice! If you must, take refuge in the wilderness outside of the kingdom, none who are faithful are to die by GOD's will, but the wicked who cling to greed and vanity shall die with their dead kingdom consumed by vice and sin! I implore you, you must go! You only have a day's time! A Holy Man, Squire Estevot Heymor, Brother of the Order of St. Jude May GOD have Mercy on us all...

The Treaty of Minas Aranath Issued the 13th of Snow’s Maiden, in the Year 1990 After a great host of Princes within the royal halls of House Arthalionath, moderated by her royal majesty the Tar and the Cardinals of the True Faith. Discussing the wrongdoings both worldly and spiritual of the accused party, the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun, they reached a conclusion for the reprimands and path of penance to be set upon the Apostolic Kingdom so that there might remain a peace amongst Men. This treaty shall take effect immediately, sworn over Holy Relics. ARTICLE I: Peace by Faith There shall be peace in Canondom with the Pontifex Maximus as regent over the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun until the age of adulthood of the young Godwin in six years. In this time, the Church shall hold authority to tutor the heir and to preside over the government of Aaun to ensure the redemption and penance in the aftermath of heinous crimes and corruption. This shall be sworn over Holy Relics at the Pontifex Maximus’ direction by both the Sovereign of Ravenmire, the Count of Blackvale, and the young King of Aaun. The peace shall be mandated by the church of the True Faith and assured by their protection for 10 years. If during the duration of this enforced peace, Aaun or Ravenmire engage in hostilities or violate the terms of the treaty, the aggressor may face a just war. They may not attack one other, except when compelled to honor a defensive alliance. Outside of defending allies, they are not allowed to take any offensive action against the other. If either state aggresses upon the other, the aggressor would forfeit all claims for protection from the Church. ARTICLE II: Territories The northwest most territory across the river shall be released to the wilderness to be pastures for Midland animals. The territory under the ruins of both Lemonhill and Stassion shall be granted to the Church to administer, a charter shall be drafted between the Church and Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun, which defines the purpose of the lands. ARTICLE III: Condemnation A stern condemnation with trials pending hereafter shall fall upon the Apostolic Kingdom, focusing on their conspiracies against the Church, against their neighbors, and within their Royal Family. The admitted fratricide of James Marcel Alstion by his royal brother Charles II and the conspiracy of former-Cardinal Jean against the Holy See are specifically condemned. The Brigade of Marna’s idolatrous ambitions are condemned, and a list of its members to be supplied to the Church for immediate trial. The High Councils to the Royal House Alstion are to be likewise put to investigation and trial for their cooperation. The Town of Enswerp and its royal masters are especially put to scrutiny in their role at the center of these conspiracies. These trials are to happen within the 10 years of mandated peace, and with their conclusion Ravenmire’s outstanding justifications for war are thereafter null and considered settled. The Church is the appointed judge over all such proceedings, with all Canonist Banners agreeing to honor its authority; should anyone subvert the trials, they shall invite retaliation at the direction of the Church. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement as of the day and year first above written. Signed, HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Tar-Caraneth Aryantë of the House Arthalionath, by the Grace of GOD, Queen of the Númenedain, Princess of Númenost and Minas Amath, Protector of the Adunians, Master of the Sharadûn, Templar Justiciar of the Archangel Michael, Knight of the Realm HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Anorhil Antonius Caranethion of the House Arthalionath, Crown Prince of Númenost, Captain of the Radiant Guard, Templar of the Archangel Michael, Knight of the Realm Representing His Holiness and the Holy Church; T.M.R., His Eminence, CALLAHAN CARDINAL IDUNIA, T.M.R., His Eminence, IVAN CARDINAL LOTHARIA, T.M.R., Her Eminence, RHOSYN CARDINAL ALBAROSA, T.R.R., His Eminence, JAMES CARDINAL RHOSMARK, T.R.R., His Eminence, AILRED CARDINAL DRUZSTRA. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, Godwin II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of the Franklands, Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet, Gotfridcher and Virdain, Protector of the Realm ✠ HIS LORDSHIP, Tiberias van Aert of the Middenland, Duke of Blackvale, Baron of Pestilles, Captain of the Vrijkorps, Sworn warrior of the Archangel Michael, Patriarch-Dynast of the Pertinaxi HIS HIGHNESS, the SOVEREIGN OF RAVENMIRE, Bo I of the House of Rostova HIS GRACE, the DUKE OF BLACKWORTH, Henry Arthur Haverlock His Royal Majesty, Marius III, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia, Vanaheim, and Valwyck, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera. His Royal Majesty, Alexander II, by the Grace of GOD, King of Balian, Prince of Providence, Duke of Helena, Sunholdt and Lorraine, Count of Pompourelia and Kositz, Viscount of Eflen and Anatis, Baron of Renzfeld, Brucca, Valens, Malenos, Montcoure and Ciavola, Lord of Portoregne, Atrus and Monterosa, Warden of La Costa Rubinissima, Keeper of of St Lothars Hold, Prince of the Holy Orenian Empire, Protector of the Heartlanders and the South, etcetera The Regency Council of the Petra, His Excellency, Sir Jon Ashford de Lewes, Lord of Peremont, Seated Knight of the Petran Laurel HER EXCELLENCY, Dame Amélie Auclair, Lady-Chancellor of the Commonwealth, Knight of the Pétrine Laurel, Ordained Vicar of the Silver Crusade, Holy Knight of the Faith, Maîtresse of Maison d’Auclair, ‘The Guiding Star’ HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Dame Rowena Ivanna Temesch of the Petra, “The Valorous”, Knight Commander of the Petrine Laurel, Princess of the Petra, Countess of Clermont. HIS EXCELLENCY, Konstantin Leon von Augusten, Viscount of Azor, Lord Regent of Hohengarten, Vice-Chancellor of the Petra. HIS GRACE, Aurel von Theonus, Duke of Vohenheim, Margrave of Marignan, Count of Sigiswald, Viscount of Karlstadt, Baron of Raustyn, Lord of Vissingren Castle, Patriarch of Theonus & Elector of Vohenheim. HIS GRACE, Adrian Tobias, the Duke of Valfleur HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, LEON, Prince in Reinmar and of Minitz, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Hussen and Boriënwald, Lord of Durres, High Chieftain of the Reinmaren, Warden of the Franklands and Ferdenwald HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, FREDERICA, Princess of Sutica, Countess of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness of Madvon and Freising, Lady of Sankt Johannsburg, Wilheburg, Erwinsburg, Freiburg and Rozenfeld, Chieftess of the Reinmaren HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, ADALFRIEDE von HEXENWALD, Princess of Minitz, Lawspeaker of Reinmar, Margravine of Vanderfell, Lady Vandalore HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Xiomara I, Sovereign of Hyspia, Duchess of Pacazu, Baroness of Arenisca, Del’mar, Monterro and Campagnon, Lady of La Dorada, Lady of Niseep, Gereon’s Hold and Ciudad de Plata, Protector of the Hyspian People, Protector of the Farfolk, Matriarch of House de Pelear, etcetera. HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, Ser Sterling Blaxton-Whitewood, Grand Duke of Silasia, Marquis of Lotusgrad, Lilenburg and Swan’s Keep, Lord of the Peaks, Protector of the Weefolk. HER HIGHNESS, Arowyn Scarlet Whitewood, Princess of Silasia, Baroness of Blackwell Pîn-Calad, Mouse-Kohen of True Faith; Representing His Holiness, Deunoro I Enrique Pinieda Hon

NO MORE WORDS A MISSIVE TO THE SOVEREIGN OF RAVENMIRE @moosehunter123 15th of Sun’s Smile, 1989 I write to you once again to address the brewing war in the east. We have urged you and your followers to show restraint in this affair as we have sought to administer the Lord’s justice. That justice has now been dispensed. King Charles II of Aaun has abdicated, and the Kingdom of Aaun now falls under the regency of the Vicar of God and the Holy See. You must now cease and desist from your plans to invade the Apostolic Kingdom, for to invade Aaun would be to challenge the dominion of the Mother Church over these lands. The leader of this realm, whom we recognize to be none other than the young King Godwin, is now but a child, one without his father’s sins. What honor is there in waging such a war, when the man and his wife whom you sought to dethrone have taken up the cloth and surrendered themselves unto the mercy of God? Stand down your armies, and the investigation into the attack on Tiberias van Aert and those responsible shall continue. Our commitment to justice is ironclad and we will seek to provide redress for any wrongdoings. However, in light of these recent developments, we will no longer tolerate the threat of invasion while the Vicar of God presides over the Kingdom of Aaun in holy regency. By proclamation of Deunoro I and his Curia, any and all Canonists that invade these lands while under the protection of the Holy Mother Church WILL face the wrath of the Lord. Let also those pagans who have similar machinations also know that Canondom will not stand for the infringement upon those lands under the protection of the Throne of St. Daniel. This is your final warning. Trust in Him, or challenge the will of the Lord at your own peril. There will be no more letters filled with words from the Holy See. Signed, RHOSYN CARDINAL ALBAROSA Archbishop of Albarosa, Cardinal-Chancellor of the Church of the Canon Acting Regent of the Canonist Church

ON WAR IN THE EAST A CALL FOR TEMPERANCE AND RESTRAINT 16th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1989 The Holy See has taken note of the recent missive from Ravenmire, which compels a decisive response from the Throne of St. Daniel regarding the matter of an imminent war between Canonists in the east. As His Holiness is presently incapacitated, that responsibility falls upon me in my capacity as Cardinal-Chancellor of the Church of the Canon. Let it first be made clear that the Church does not require the services of Ravenmire to “imprison” the King of Aaun. While the anger over the attack on your subjects is understood, we denounce any use of his impending trial as a cited purpose for your invasion. Allow temporal rivalries to be sorted by the temporal leaders and crimes of sin to be sorted by the Church, for the Lord’s justice is our own to administer in His name, and is to be wielded by none save by His authority. The Throne of St. Daniel continues to issue a steadfast call for peace between the peoples of Aaun and Ravenmire, and all other Canonists, until justice has had a chance to prevail. The great Canonist peace that we have strived to preserve should not be so easily discarded. The rapids of blood that stand to be shed must not be allowed to flow if we can prevent such from transpiring. To the sovereign of Ravenmire and to his followers, I would once again urge you as His Holiness has to hold your swords and allow the Auditor of the Tribunal to see the truth of all be unearthed and the Lord’s justice be done. Much of the world would have seen your people ended, but the great Caius I chose instead to extend the Lord’s mercy unto you and welcome them back into good standing within the Canonist fold. Surely you would not throw away that hard-fought peace that your people have enjoyed? I thus beseech your armies to await our judgment, lest your people and theirs be unnecessarily plunged into war. But fear not, for the Lord’s justice is blind and shall be delivered without bias by the Tribunal. As an arbiter of the affairs of men, a full investigation shall also be launched in parallel by the Church at the Pontiff’s own instructions into the attack upon Tiberias van Aert and the circumstances surrounding it. All of these findings shall be made known by the Auditor, in full, to the Canonist flock. We only ask that your men exercise temperance, that you await the recovery of His Holiness and for the Auditor to address these matters, and that you have faith in the good Cardinal Callahan to see the truth of all these things be brought into the light. The relief and justice to be earned from trusting these processes is a far greater and more wholesome reward than bloodshed in a Heartlands that has, only recently, just barely averted war. Signed, RHOSYN CARDINAL ALBAROSA Archbishop of Albarosa, Cardinal-Chancellor of the Church of the Canon Acting Regent of the Canonist Church

T H E B E A C O N S O F W H I T E S P I R E TO OUR ALLIES ABROAD, The Legions of Darkness are marching to sprawl over the River Constance. We will meet them on the field, and we will meet them at Enswerp. As a pagan host readies itself to put a fire to Canondom, we of Godwin’s folk remain resolute, and we shall make our stand here to live or to die. For a century, and even longer against the ancestors of the grandfathers of these invaders, our people have made the same choice: resistance. They claim a mandate over the Heartlands and will ride to subjugate all in their paths. They will not stop at Aaun. They will not stop at Petra. They will not stop at Balian. They will not stop at Haense. Where their gaze is now set upon the hamlet of Enswerp which they intend to sack, and the woods and reliquaries of holy Calliopeburg which they seek to desecrate, homesteads and chantries of Mankind across Aevos shall soon meet the same fiery fate. They may call their realm a different name, they may don different uniforms, pretend to swear fealty to other monarchs. But make no mistake - they return as the League of Veletz. Their purpose is dominion. Though they are lesser sires of lesser men, and but a sliver of the tyrant’s blood now remains in their veins, their goal remains what it had always been - the final and everlasting restoration of Aurelian’s Pertinaxi empire, with House van Aert at its helm and Mankind grovelling at their feet. It would be foolhardy to claim that we have never erred, that we have never regretted, that we have never made a mistake. But Veletz lies about our brother James. We did not slay him. We have acted in grief, we have acted in revenge, we have acted as a human. But we have never acted wantonly, or with bloodlust, as the Host of Veletz does. Their concern for his fate is merely an act, a pretence for this invasion which we have already seen through. Now is the time that we must act. There is one chance to halt the advance of Veletz, and that is now, at Enswerp. At Enswerp the record of our Kingdom shall be made. The mettle of Canondom shall be known. We have raised a mighty fire on the Hand of Horen. We have ordered the beacons of the Langkette Mountains to be lit: AAUN CALLS FOR YOUR AID. TANDEM TRIUMPHANS Charles II, King of Aaun

Grant of Land for the F O R T I F I E D C H A N T R Y O F C A L L I O P E B U R G Issued and Confirmed in the name of the King in the year 1989 It has pleased Our Royal Crown to establish in trust the domain and territory of the Eastern Franklands beneath the Langkette, within the borders of the Sacred Woods of the Calliwald and the walls of Calliopeburg, as the Fortified Chantry. We hereby raise Our trusty and well-beloved Cousin Katharina von Alstreim to the title of P R O P R I E T R E S S OF C A L L I O P E B U R G. And for Us, Our heirs and successors, We do grant the said title Proprietress of Calliopeburg unto her and her appointed heirs of the House of Alstreim, should they be affirmed by Our Royal Crown, that they may exercise and enjoy together with all privileges due and of right belonging to the said degree. And further We by these Presents grant constitute and invest her and her heirs with these privileges: I. To protect, limit and restrict all access to her sacred domain in full, including the Sacred Woods of the Calliwald, and levy blockades and fines upon its roads as required for its protection, so long as the rights of Our Crown and her leal Enforcers to traverse this area remain undisturbed, and may be exercised at will; II. To enforce within her domain all precepts and obligations of the Sacred Waldenic Law as seen fit, so long as the primacy and jurisdiction of Our Royal Law is exercised; III. To manage the affairs of the Iron Mine at Calliopeburg as required for the betterment of her domain, so long as Our access to its resources remains guaranteed; IV. To retain the rights to all honours and accolades of knighthood earned within the Salvian Syndicate and outside our purview, and to maintain a knightly circle so long as its precepts and oaths of service do not constitute acts contrary to the interests of Our Crown, or any acts of treason. And further We by these Presents levy upon her and her heirs with these obligations and requirements: I. To render the Oratory and its reliquary of Saint Calliope available for access, maintenance and inspection to the Holy Mother Church and Our Royal House at all times; II. To perform all necessary acts for said maintenance at her own cost when required; III. To never repurpose, demolish, or restrict in any way the monastery at Calliopeburg, and that it should always remain available to the patronage of a monastic order; IV. To facilitate without needless intercession the diplomatic relations between the Salvian Syndicate and the Crown of Aaun, respecting the diplomatic primacy of Our Crown and Our sole right to conduct diplomatic agreements with the Legation at Calliopeburg; V. To render the payment of the annual tax to the Crown of Aaun which shall equal a sum of SEVENTY-FIVE GOLDEN MINA and SIXTY-FOUR Iron Ingots. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen the twenty-second of Tobias’ Bounty in the tenth year of Our Reign. TANDEM TRIUMPHANS ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; In the City of Whitespire, Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun On the 22nd of Tobias’ Bounty, 1989. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, 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

THE ROYAL COUNCIL OF AAUN Regnum et Officium Committed to Sovereignty, Justice and the People TO OUR RESTORED REALM OF AAUN, In the pursuit of our destiny, choices are everything. There was, in the end, but a singular path to achieving the continuity of the Heartlands Confederacy. But it was not one of peace. It was not one of justice. It was not one where We believed that the Rule of Law and the liberty of all our people, Petran and Aaunish alike, could be guaranteed to be in receipt of their due liberty. Indeed, our choice was simple. It was to accede to Adrian Temesch’s demand to surrender our power and additionally that of Her Majesty Queen Adalia, or it was a bitter and bloody revolution. Our father, our cousin before him, our grand-sire before him, and our great-grand-sire before him had all, by their many choices, planted the seeds of Aaun’s prosperity. All of them, in their own ways, were within touching distance of upending the status quo and challenging the international order. Our father came closest. We, too, had this opportunity. This singular path to success in that regard. But not all change is positive, not all routes to success could maintain our principles. So, instead, we have made a choice. That choice is to now reap the fruits of our predecessor’s labours. As we reach the time of Harvest, so too shall we maintain serene continuity. In doing so, I believe that we safeguard our peoples, consolidate what we have to this date achieved, and reap the rewards of the path of peace. Those braying for extremism will not find it here; those wishing for war shall not get it from us. Know ye that We of Our special Grace, Royal Right, and by mere motion, by these Presents do constitute a Privy Council to serve Us, Our Heirs and Successors, and the People of Aaun. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Wife Hedwig [@ibiou] Queen of Aaun the Office and place of the Royal Chamberlain together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority to lead Our Household and run Our Royal Paradisian Court; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Carolus of Carrenhall. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Brother John Alstion-Enswerp [@Sebbysc] Count of Enswerp the Office and place of the Royal Constable together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority over Our Royal Road and to oversee the construction of infrastructure; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Daniel of Al’Khazar. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Cousin Johannes von Alstreim [@Balthasar] Prince of Merryweather the Office and place of the High Commissioner together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority subject to Us to constitute and nominate Ambassadors and other subordinate officers in Our Office, to conduct Our diplomacy, to upkeep Our present Treaties, and safeguard Our interests abroad; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Charles of Petrus. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Louis-Caspian Dieuxmont de Rosius [@rep2k] Baron of Rosius the Office and place of the Royal Chancellor together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority subject to Us to lead Our government and to advise Us always candidly for the greatest profit of Our Realm; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Wilfriche of Hanseti. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Emilio Varoche [@Enlightenment] Count of Ves the Office and place of the Royal Vice-Chancellor together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority to deputise the Chancellor in all things; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Adrian of Leuvaarden. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved George Halcourt [@ImDrippedJr] the Office and place of the Grand Knight together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority as master of the chivalric code and registry, as well as the head of Our Household Knightly Circle; and also that for their tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Edmond of Lachsin. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Cousin Johanna von Alstreim [@cherrybud] the Office and place of the Royal Treasurer together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority to raise taxes levies and duties, to record the revenues of the Royal Accounts, and also to oversee the maintenance of housing on Our Royal Estate; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Tobas of Sarkoz. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Jean Talraen de Rennes [@LithiumSedai] Cardinal St. Godwin the Office and place of Court Chaplain together with other such duties as signified by Us to upkeep virtue and punish vice and also to tend to the health of Our soul and that of Our beloved family; and also that for the tenure of the said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Pius of Sutica. By these Presents We do appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Tiber av Marna [@seannie] Esquire the Office and place of the Royal Archmarshal together with other such duties as signified by Us with power and authority to run Our Household Guard, oversee Our Royal Armoury at the Bastion, and to make use of Crown-land for such defences as are necessary for the protection of the Realm; and also that for the tenure of their said Office they shall hold the Signet of St. Thomas of Gaekrin. By these Presents they shall have hold exercise and enjoy together with all privileges profits advantages due and of right belonging to said Offices during Our pleasure so long as they shall well behave themselves therein subject to the provisions in the said Acts to the Office belonging. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent at the Hand of Horen on the tenth of Tobias’ Bounty in the ninth year of Our Reign. VINCIT REGNAT IMPERAT ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; In the City of Whitespire, Apsotolic Kingdom of Aaun On the 10th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1988.

☩ Penned by the Margravine-consort of Grodno, Catherine of Virdain in the year of our Lord, 1988 ☩ By the Grace of God, the Honourable House of Jazlowiecki extends a most cordial invitation to friends, peers, and esteemed citizens of the realm to join in the celebration of the fifth nameday of Mikołaj Jan Jazlowiecki, and to partake in his formal introduction as the Heir of the House Jazlowiecki. Grodnoids preparing for Mikołaj’s party ☩ The great celebration will be held in the newly restored March of Grodno, now standing tall on the ruins of Castle Apracz. A sumptuous feast followed by fine entertainment shall delight you. THE CELEBRATION Guests will be served with a selection of traditional Lechian dishes. The menu presents Pierogi, expertly crafted dumplings with an assortment of savoury fillings; Gołąbki, meticulously prepared cabbage rolls filled with a harmonious blend of meat and rice; and Zurek, a sour rye soup known for its distinctive tangy flavor and hearty ingredients. Once everyone has concluded their feast, the evening will continue with a fighting competition held at the Grodno tavern. Participants will have the opportunity to brawl with an opponent, with a reward of 50 minae awaiting the victor who chooses to compete for the prize. After the festivities, there will be a double layer lemon cake that will be served to Mikołaj and all the guests followed by gift giving from the young heir himself. FORMAL INVITATIONS EXTEND TO His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, Charles II., King of Aaun And his royal pedigree. His Highness, Johannes von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather And his noble pedigree. The Most Honorable, Siegmund von Reuss, Margrave of Velen And his noble pedigree. His Royal Highness, John Valentinus Alstion-Enswerp, Count of Enswerp And his noble pedigree. The Right Honorable, Emilio Varoche, Count of Ves And his noble pedigree. His Lordship, Philip Laurent Halcourt, Baron of Artois And his noble pedigree. His Lordship, Louis-Caspian, Baron of Rosius And his noble pedigree. PERSONAL INVITES EXTEND TO Citizens of the County of Enswerp Her Royal and Apostolic Majesty, Hedwig of Warsovia Her Royal Highness, Alicia Julia, Countess-consort of Enswerp Sir Jon de Lewes His Eminence, Jean Cardinal Saint Godwin THE MOST HONOURABLE, Jan II Jazlowiecki, Margrave of Grodno, Count of Warsovia, Baron of Jazlowiec, Lord-Mayor of Whitespire. THE MOST HONOURABLE, Catherine of Virdain, Margravine-consort of Grodno, Countess-consort of Warsovia, Baroness-consort of Jazlowiec. HIS LORDSHIP, Mikołaj Jan of House Jazlowiecki, Baron of Krakovia.

Letters Patent for the M A R C H O F G R O D N O Issued and Confirmed in the name of the King in the year 1987 Know ye that We, of Our Special Grace, and Royal Right by this the great seal of the Realm given to Us by special commission of King James, and with good counsel, We have created you again Our trusty and well beloved Jan Aleksander Jazlowiecki to the title of M A R G R A V E O F G R O D N O. And for Us, Our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto him the dignity and honour of the M A R G R A V E O F G R O D N O; investing him with the said March by girding him with a Sword, having his name and certain items of heraldry etched upon its forte, and putting a Coronet on his head, and giving into his hand a Black Rod, to have and to hold the said dignity of his March unto him and his heirs. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, constitute and declare the bounds of the March aforesaid shall be the whole of the Styrian Hill, where the once magnificent Castle Apracz stood. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right from time to time and forever to collect routine taxes on Our behalf, in a manner and method of his and his successors choosing; And further We will and by these Presents constitute and direct that for Us, Our heirs and successors, We tax them at the annual value of hundred-ninety-five marks by receipt of the Receiver-General. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right to raise militia and to use them for the apprehension of divers felons, fugitives, outlaws and strays and further for protection from Our enemies present and future. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the exclusive right of the mines within the said territory. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen the first of Sigismund’s End in the eigth year of Our Reign. TANDEM TRIUMPHANS ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; In the City of Whitespire, Apsotolic Kingdom of Aaun On the 1st of Sigismund’s End, 1987. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, 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

V O I C E O F T H E P E O P L E Law is the underlying basis of society. No man or woman is above it. The fundamental rights of mankind exist on the premise of the Rule of Law, and all civilised people will have nothing to shelter them if that is surrendered to despotism and tyranny. The dream that is our Heartlands exists on the principles of liberty, freedom, and justice. These things have always been our highest concern, and it is with this in mind that We did commission an inquiry into the state of Article VII, otherwise known as the ‘Exit Clause’ under the constitution— From Olivier Dieuxmont, former High Emissary of Aaun “ 1. Should the two nations and peoples be unable to peacefully merge by the time of the grand-heir’s marriage, the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun and the Commonwealth of the Petra can split into two entities once more. ” I. Condition The condition must be either fulfilled or unmet by a specified point in time. Article VII, Clause 1, establishes the condition as a peaceful merge. II. Deadline Assessment The clause explicitly sets ‘by the time of the grand-heir’s marriage’ as the deadline for assessing whether the condition has been met. This phrase means that the assessment must occur shortly before, at, or after the specified time. III. Exit Clause The subsequent action, namely the split between Aaun and Petra, is contingent upon the condition being unmet by the specified deadline. The constitution does not permit the split to occur immediately after the promulgation of the constitution, nor at any arbitrary time before the deadline at which the condition may be assessed. IV. Timeline The thrust of the law implies that before the grand-heir’s marriage the focus of the Confederation is on attempting a peaceful merger. Consequently, the clause does not allow for a split before the deadline as the condition for the exit clause to be activated cannot be definitively assessed until that point. V. Example (a) Person A tells Person B to arrive at a certain place ‘by the time of’ a meeting. Arrival is expected at or shortly before the scheduled meeting, not days, months, or years beforehand. (b) Person A prepares food for Person B ‘by the time of’ a shared event. If Person A prepared the food a month before the shared event it would be rendered unsuitable for Person B to consume. (c) A landlord organises an inspection of a property a tenant has been living in ‘by the time of’ the tenancy’s end date. The inspection is held shortly before, at the time of, or following the tenancy end date. The inspection is not held three months before the tenancy end date. VI. The Natural Meaning It is crucial that the language used in the constitution is interpreted using its natural meaning. Clear terms, used commonly in our lives, should not be subject to unnecessary alteration. Conditions tied to a specific deadline are intended to ensure that both parties have until that deadline to fulfil their obligations. Article VII of the constitution was written and agreed on in good faith by His late Majesty King John and Her late Majesty Queen Catherine. It was then, and is now, the primary mechanism through which a harmonious split may be achieved. The wording of the constitution ensures that premature action cannot be taken and that both Provinces have a reasonable period to comply with the remainder of the constitution. I remain, Majesty, Your Humble Servant, Olivier Dieuxmont de Rosius This report having been delivered to Our desk, We instructed the Lord Chancellor to create a Bill to give the people a fair means by which they may bring about lawful constitutional change. The Garmont Assembly today failed to bring this Bill to law, divided evenly, leaving the promise of Our last missive to change the way by which the Heartlands are governed unfulfilled. We had hoped with this Bill that if the Garmont passes a Bill to alter the constitution then such a proposal shall go automatically to the people for their approval in a referendum. Similarly, if the Garmont were to have passed a Bill which Our Lord Chancellor deems to be of significant national importance, then he is authorised to call a referendum for the approval of the people. We are aware of a call, from some quarters, that our Heartlands should be abolished. Before Our order for the cessation of hostilities many were willing to resort to violence to achieve such ends. However, the Heartlands remains unbowed to threats of partisan insurrectionism. We hold it to be self-evident that government exists only upon the consent of the governed. That it can only be the Right of the People to bring into being a government or to abolish it. The people of the Heartlands have the right to disagree, but they must do so agreeably. Violence, or threats of violence, demean us. Article VII of the constitution does not allow an early split between the Provinces before the time of the grand-heir’s marriage. His Majesty’s son, the Lord of Alba, is not yet ten years old. Her Majesty is as yet unmarried. That provision having not been met, secession is not lawful. Should those minority of voices who desire the abolition of the Heartlands believe in the righteousness of their conviction and the popularity of their cause then the Lords should think again on the Lord Chancellor’s Bill and allow the people their say. The power to change must rest in the hands of the people, not in the hands of the aristocracy alone. Government must serve the people and ensure that the rule of law is respected. That is the country we can be; that is the change we choose. That is the future we will fight for. VOX POPULI VINCIT REGNAT IMPERAT TANDEM TRIUMPHANS ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; On the 11th of Sun’s Smile, 1987. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of the Franklands, Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet, Gotfridcher and Virdain, Protector of the Realm

A D R E A M O F U N I T Y The people of our nation know that our Heartlands have always been more than product of two countries. It was, and has always been, the result of an ancient dream that mingles in our blood. A dream we see at night, the gentle light that wakes us in the morning, a reflection of ourselves. That dream has always guided my decisions and my resolve. That dream is the dream of all of us. It is a dream of a world united by cause and determination to succeed in the face of the most unfavourable odds. It is the dream of freedom of thought, of liberty from tyranny, of duty over chaos. It is the unashamed victory of love over hate. Tolerance over division. Self-sacrifice over self-service. It is a dream that makes us larger than the binary choice of Aaun or Petra. But dreams are by their very nature idyllic. Though we may wish it, we cannot always be the idyllic version of ourselves. The version that our Lord God sees in us. We, too, have erred at times. We have sometimes thought without waiting, acted without conviction, worried without reason. We, too, have been tempted by conflict over understanding. Had we been destined for ambition, avarice, and animosity alone then there would have been no occasion to variate us with love, understanding, and affection — we would have been far more well suited to hate had God fashioned us so. However, we are far more complex than that. The bitter truth is that we do not know the contents of another person's soul. As a consequence, we rationalise the behaviour of our peers by reducing them to their most simple determination. We are not simply of Whitespire or Vallagne, of Hohengarten or Ves, of Petra or of Aaun. Our dream is far more comprehensive. Far less reductionist. Our Heartlands will endure in whatever political scenario is to come. It will endure, quite simply, because it is the land within our hearts. The dream within our soul. We will fight for compromise over extremism, unity over division. We are compelled to by the Will of our Lord God. It is why we now issue the following proclamations: I. We call for peace and an immediate cessation of hostilities towards one another. Our abilities are endless, our potential infinite, only if we do it together. II. We summon the Garmont Assembly to convene in order to come to a resolution on the future of our nation. III. We expressly forbid verbal or physical abuse towards members of the clergy, the Order of Saint Jude, and the Order of the White Comet. Any who breach this command shall be arrested and delivered to the Holy Mother Church for judgement. IV. We order that the Knights of the White Tower, the Radiant Guard of Númenost, the Rangers of the Númenaranyë, and any other such soldier or agent under the pay, protection, service, or association of the Crown or Lords of Númendil immediately stand down from Our land and return to their homes. We thank them for their service to Canondom, and express Our appreciation for their willingness to protect innocents. We regret the absence of information which may have led to intervention and offer Our sincere apologies for any offence given to them while in the course of their presumed duties. We ask the Holy Mother Church to confirm to Us privately, in writing, the withdrawal of any and all foreign forces in what is, ultimately, a matter of internal concern alone. We thank them for their continued work in delivering essential rites to Our people and for routinely comforting them in distressing circumstances. However, We respectfully and humbly ask that their role be limited to matters of the soul rather than of secular affairs. V. We retain the right to act in a manner and at a time of Our choosing if consensus is not reached and our call for peace is not adhered to. Those that attempt to break Our peace do so as Our enemies. VI. We accept, in full, the desire of many that Our Realm be governed in a manner which promotes the most effective conduct of business and the elimination of corruption. We call for a public consultation over the best future means of governing. The Heartlands are an idea stronger than one individual, more powerful than a single family, and more important than self service. It may only be run for, and with the consent of, the People. TANDEM TRIUMPHANS ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; On the 10th of Owyn’s Flame, 1987. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of the Franklands, Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet, Gotfridcher and Virdain, Protector of the Realm

Nestled amidst the verdant hills of the Franklands stood the imposing Cliffhaven Hall. This grand estate with its ancient stone walls and towering spires was the seat of the affluent Alstion-Enswerp’s. There lived young Francis Leopold, the five-year-old son of the decorated Prince John Valentinus, Count of Enswerp and his wife, the impeccable Countess Alicia Julia. As the first light of dawn filtered through the heavy drapes of his chamber, Francis awoke. The soft, golden rays gently nudged him from his dreams and he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The room, adorned with tapestries depicting heroic deeds of his revered ancestors, felt both grand and comforting to the young boy. He clambered out of his bed and padded across the cold stone floor to the large oak door. With a little effort, he opened it and was greeted by one of the Royal Governesses, who waited patiently in the hallway. "Good morning- Lord Francis," she said with a warm smile. "Are you ready for your lessons?" Francis nodded eagerly. Though only five, he was keen to learn, a trait that delighted his parents and impressed his tutors. He followed the teacher to the small study where he practiced his writing. Today, he carefully formed letters on a parchment, his small hand guided by his Governess’ gentle touch. "Very good," she praised. "You are improving every day." After an hour of diligent work, it was time for breakfast. He and the Lady made their way to the dining hall, where a feast awaited. Fresh bread, honey, fruits, and milk were spread out before him. Francis ate heartily, the excitement of the day ahead fueling his appetite. Once breakfast was finished, it was time for his favorite part of the day: painting. Today, he decided to paint his beloved mother. With careful strokes, he brought her image to life on the canvas, capturing her kind eyes and serene smile. When the painting was finished, he proudly showed it to his companion. "It's beautiful, my Lord," she said. "Shall we hang it in your chambers?" Francis nodded, and together they carried the painting upstairs and hung it in an appropriate place. The sight of his mother's portrait filled him with a sense of pride and joy. The morning passed quickly and soon it was time to visit his aunt and uncle’s estate, the royal palace at the Hand of Horen. Dressed in his finest attire, Francis held Lady Maristela's hand as they made their way to the grand court. The palace was a marvel of architecture, with intricate carvings and towering columns. Upon arrival, he was greeted by the courtiers of the Heartlander courts. He exchanged pleasantries with them, his manners impeccable for a boy of his age. The courtiers were charmed by his polite demeanor and the stories of his morning's achievements. The day at the palace was filled with laughter and learning, as Francis observed the court's workings and listened to the discussions of the nobles. As the sun began to set, he returned to Cliffhaven Hall, his heart full of the day's adventures. Tired but happy, he climbed into his bed, the image of his mother's portrait watching over him. He closed his eyes, dreaming of the day when he too would take his place among his revered Alstion ancestors, yearning to lead with wisdom and kindness. Thus ended a day in the life of young Francis Leopold Alstion of Enswerp, a boy destined for greatness in the Heartlands.

PODWÓJNE BŁOGOSŁAWIEŃSTWO A Double Blessing ☩ Penned by the Count of Warsovia, JAN II. JAZLOWIECKI in the year of our Lord, 1984 IT IS ON THIS DAY, the 9th of Sigismund’s End, that the Count and Countess of Warsovia announce the birth of twins. The heir to the County of Warsovia, a healthy boy, has been bestowed the name Mikołaj Jan and granted the title Baron of Krakovia. Born a mere five minutes after, came a healthy girl given the name Joanna Pawłowa. The twins are scheduled to be baptized in a private ceremony in the upcoming year. His Lordship, Jan II. Jazlowiecki Count of Warsovia. Her Ladyship, Catherine Jazlowiecki Countess-consort of Warsovia.

INAUGURACJA ZAMKU PODKAMIEŃ THE INAUGURATION OF PODKAMIEŃ ☩ Penned by Count of Warsovia, Jan II. Jazlowiecki in the year of our Lord, 1984 When the House of Jazlowiecki established themselves in Aevos, they oversaw the construction of Nowa Warsovia, a County adjacent to Merryweather's Principality. This expansion took place during the reign of Count Waclaw Jazlowiecki, marking a period of new beginnings. In the year 1966, Count Waclaw abdicated in favour of his son, Krzysztof Pawel Jazlowiecki. Now, perched atop the Langkette mountains, the newly established keep of Podkamień stands strong, looking over the quiet Franklands. In 1983, a significant event took place in the life of Jan II. Jazlowiecki, the Baron of Krakovia. His father, Count Krzysztof, ultimately decided to abdicate his position, effectively passing the torch to Jan II as the relocation had begun. THE INAUGURATION All citizens and allies of the Heartlander Confederation are invited to the inauguration of the newly established Warsovian keep, Podkamień. Count Jan and his wife, the Countess-consort Catherine, open their noble estate to visitors, rightfully hosting the gathering and celebrations. The gathering will start with a speech from the Count of Warsovia, giving a brief welcome and his gratitude to the guests. Following the discussion, there will be a sumptuous feast, allowing guests to enjoy Lechian-styled dishes. FORMAL INVITATIONS EXTEND TO His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, Charles II., King of Aaun And his royal pedigree. Her Royal Majesty, Adalia I., Queen of the Petra And her royal pedigree. His Serene Highness, Johannes von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather And his noble pedigree. The Most Noble, Aurel von Theonus, Duke of Vohenheim And his noble pedigree. The Right Honorable, Siegmund von Reuss, Margrave of Velen And his noble pedigree. The Honorable, Wilford and Atticus Reinhold, Counts of Anairgrid And their noble pedigrees. The Honorable, Friedrich von Augusten, Count of Hohengarten And his noble pedigree. The Honorable, Emilio Varoche, Count of Ves And his noble pedigree. The Lord, Philip Laurent Halcourt, Baron of Artois And his noble pedigree. The Lord, Aimo Astor, Baron of Fir’steinn And his noble pedigree. The Lord, Louis-Caspian, Baron of Rosius And his noble pedigree. The Lady, Katrin Stafyr, Baroness of Feldkirch And her noble pedigree. HIS LORDSHIP, Jan of House Jazlowiecki, Count of Warsovia. HER LADYSHIP, Catherine of Virdain, Countess-consort of Warsovia.

LAND GRANT OF: GNOMEREGAN It has pleased Our Royal and Apostolic Crown to offer Our loyal subject, LEMBIC URBRAN, the right to own land and property under lease, located in NORTHERN FRANKLANDS, under these terms and conditions We have set: I. The agreement shall subsist from Horen’s Calling 1984 until Horen’s Calling 1994, and pay tax to the Crown in the form of SEVENTY AND FIVE MINAE. II. In case the esteemed Lembic Urbran wishes to remain in service to the Apostolic Crown, and the Confederacy it shall be extended after Horen’s Calling 1994. III. The occupier shall use the said ground solely for the purposes of cultural, environmental, and moral education and/or other purposes for the benefit of the Aevosian Gnomish Society. IV. The occupier shall only employ those appropriate for the supervision of the gnomish cultural heritage. V. The occupier has the right to erect the HALL OF GNOMES, headquarters of the AGS. VI. The occupier has no right to expand the Hall of Gnomes without prior consultation with the leaseholder and is forbidden from expanding beneath the land granted by this document. VII. The occupier shall free and relieve the Crown Estate of all liabilities for any accidents or damage caused through or by, the occupier’s use and occupation of the ground. Supervision and safety for the above area will be the occupier’s responsibility in all matters relating to the application and use. VIII. The occupier will ensure that any and all rubble and/or ruin is left unaltered throughout the period of the agreement. IX. His Majesty the King wishes that the occupier ensures all trees are fully protected. This condition applies at all times. No existing plants, shrubbery or trees will be removed without prior approvals from the leaseholder. X. All maintenance liabilities within and on the boundaries of the lease will be the responsibility of the occupier and must be of a high standard complying with the surroundings. XI. The occupier may use the land and its surroundings in such a way to supplement their income and ensure the proper maintenance of the site, but may not exploit the land in an unreasonable way for profit. XII. The occupier may use the site to sell trinkets or other small objects, foods and/or drinks but the number of stalls/shops shall not exceed three. XIII. The leaseholder shall reserve the right to terminate this agreement in the event of recurring hooliganism on the site, tax evading or other nuisances during the period of the agreement. The leaseholder must give 1 year’s notice for the termination of the agreement through this clause. ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; In the Hand of Horen, Province of Aaun On the 2nd of Horen’s Calling, 1984. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Enswerp, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet, Gotfridcher and Virdain, Protector of the Realm Her Excellency, ADELHEID OF MERRYWEATHER, Baroness-Consort of Artois, Lady of Montresor, Grand Treasurer of the Heartlander Confederation His Smallness, LEMBIC URBRAN, Founder of the Aevosian Gnome Society, Adherent of Fargrum the Wanderer, Proud Oblazeki Gnome, and Student of Elder Wisecap, 1st Hypernaut Captain Doctor-Professor and Patriarch of the House of Aob; Xob Wobson

REVOCATION OF NOBILITY OF HOUSE DE ARDENNES Penned and issued by: TO OUR ESTEEMED REALM, It has been almost a decade since the creation of our perfected Union, which fills Our heart with pride every God-given day. The men and women of the Heartlands, common and noble, work by the sweat of their brow to maintain peace and stability in our region. They hold government positions, assist institutions and indulge in the pleasures of social life. In the midst of all this prosperity, it is hard not to notice the absence of one of the Houses, once an important presence in the society of Aaun, but now almost entirely forgotten, relegated to the depths of history of a violent Heartlander past. The House de Ardennes was created to separate its new, young members by a thick line from the past tied to the House of Haverlock, a House of heroes. Aaun remembers the heroic deeds of Louis Haverlock, who faithfully served King Edmund II as a member of his Regency Council, and with great reverence commemorates the martyrdom of Ser Leopold, Knight-Immortal, who fell courageously in 1952 in defence of Our Royal Cousin. With a rich and accomplished past, being the descendants of people considered important, the current generation of House de Ardennes has seemingly opted to consider their bonds to the Apostolic Crown worthless, neglecting their duties as Peers of the Realm believing that there would be no consequences. Not once did We personally meet any member of House de Ardennes; they never requested an audition or attended Our Court to swear loyalty to Us or the Royal House of Alstion. Not a single coin has flowed into the treasury to pay the taxes imposed on them, and the walls of their keep are crumbling and become overgrown with moss. Our Royal Father, being a good man at heart, had given them a second chance - instead of forcing them from the Floodplains, he relegated their titles to the rank of a barony. Even this display of good will did not elicit any reaction. Thus, with all the aforementioned factors in mind, with great regret that it has come to this, We revoke the status of nobility from House de Ardennes within Our Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun and the Confederation as a whole. Their title shall be returned to the Crown, and members of House de Ardennes shall have the right to earn back their status of nobility in the Heartlands through renewed hard work and by rebuilding their public image and the trust of Our Realm. ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; In the Hand of Horen, Province of Aaun On the 24th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1981. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Enswerp, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet and Virdain, Protector of the Realm

THE ROYAL COURT OF 1981 TO OUR ESTEEMED REALM, It has not been long since the last Royal Court was hosted within the HAND OF HOREN, overseen by King John of Aaun and the young Queen-regnant, Adalia of the Petra. The last year has allowed the united crowns to settle many state and diplomatic matters. As We are keen on continuing and reinforcing the Heartlander Confederation, the dream of Our late Royal Parents, King John of Aaun and Queen Catherine of the Petra. It is a duty of the new Monarchs to summon the Royal Court in order to receive pledges of fealty from the vassals who hold their titles within Our Provinces of Aaun and the Petra, hear those who might bring forth petitions and announce the way forward for the years to come. Thus do We hereby proclaim that in the year of our Lord 1981, all subjects of the Confederation, Aaunite and Petran alike, are summoned to come forth and attend the session of the ROYAL COURT OF THE HEARTLANDS, within the Royal Palace of Vallagne. ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED; In the Heartlander Confederation, On the 23rd of Sun’s Smile, 1980. His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Enswerp, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet and Virdain, Protector of the Realm Her Royal Majesty, ADALIA OF THE PETRA, Queen of the Petra, Princess of Abrana, Marquise de Val d’Estenou, Duchess of Valfleur, Countess of Temesch, Torm Marian, and Moere, Viscountess of Mies, Baroness of Garmont, Vallagne-en-Petra, Eagles Peak, Brasca, Hrenthorne, Resmore, and of the Phoenixspire

TO OUR RESTORED REALM, It has been for some time my earnest and heartfelt desire to share my considerations with you, in the same manner my Royal Grandfather had addressed the Realm nearly sixty years ago. Amidst a glum and sorrowful period of mourning, this change of generations that all inheritors of Horen must endure, I am unafraid to anchor my strength in the unbreakable bulwarks of our Commonwealth: our shared and storied history, our brotherhood of peoples, and the family by my side; to all our good and faithful subjects wherever they may be, and be they men or women, scions of the noblest bloodlines or hardy, common folk of the land, I pledge my commitment that we shall weather this storm together, and impart my sincere belief that the light of greatness shall soon dispel its clouds. In his historic address at Florentine, my Royal Grandfather had displayed his unwavering belief in the resilience of our Realm; resolutely, he declared that our Heartlands shall endure forevermore. It was a creed that his heirs had taken to heart, and one that my late Father, King John, had pursued to the best of his ability, guiding the ship of our state through the many tribulations that had beset him. I know now that I am greatly humbled to stand in the footsteps of great and valiant men such as himself and his closest confidantes, and I pray to the Lord that He, too, shall be my guide and lighthouse in the dark. I was born in a time of great strife and upheaval, which had threatened to unravel the very seams which held the tapestry of our Realm together. The bravery and sacrifice of my cousin, the late King Edmund the Second, which he had hoped would usher in perpetual peace was not enough. The vision of an enduring Heartland was threatened again by that perfidious hand of evil which had sought to debase it in the reign of King James. It was my Royal Father who then stepped to the threshold, knowing that this sacred pursuit required a sacred war. He cried out for justice, and the virtuous host of Aaun joined their brothers in arms of the Covenant of Man to answer his call. To these stalwart allies of ours near and far, compatriots in our struggles across Aevos, I deliver greetings as well. Although my childhood was spent in worry, the banners of the Covenant were raised victoriously over Breakwater, Brasca, Anthill, Drusco, and, at last, Winburgh - and the words of my Grandfather were proven prophetic in the momentous fall of an entity feeding itself upon oppression, lies and fear. My Royal Father was a champion of war, crowned in necessity and spurred to act out of love for his kindred Man, but the peace he bought mandated a heavy price; and though in the days following his victory he ruled with wisdom and compassion, this cost could never be forgotten. I have resolved to be a champion of peace, in full recognition that a day might once more arise in which it should be maintained in blood, not the least in holy martyrdom alike that of King Edmund; but my prayers are directed towards a future which shall never usher in that grim day. The Petran people, our brothers of the Heartlands, have resolved to build this future by our side. I say that there is no greater love, aside from the adoration of our Lord, than brotherly love, and convey my earnest admiration to that storied folk which has chosen to once again write the pages of history alongside the denizens of Aaun. This Confederation of the Heartlands is a testament to the strength of united Mankind, and to the vision of King John shared with the late Queen of the Petrans, Catherine. I solemnly pledge to uphold our shared institutions and the bonds we had forged, until the very moment our Union is solidified in permanence. An equal commitment to our Union of Realms, one truly thorough and much greater than that Union of Lords once envisioned by my Royal Grandfather, is shared by my closest family. My numerous siblings remain with me, and united in mourning, we shall remain united in our desire to uphold the sacred duty of House Alstion towards our Heartlands. My spouse, Hedwig, who now becomes Queen, has already displayed her unyielding devotion to our cause and the virtues expected of a trueborn Queen of Aaun. This is my promise to the Heartland Realm: we endure, and shall endure thereafter, under God, as one: Given at Whitespire, on the 10th of Harren’s Folly, 1979 His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II, King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Enswerp, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet and Virdain, Protector of the Realm

BOUND BY VOWS It is with immense joy that we share the news of the upcoming union between Jan Aleksander, the esteemed heir to the County of Warsovia, and Catherine de Lewes. Their deeply profound courtship, which has gracefully unfolded over nearly three years, has culminated in the decision to intertwine their lives in the sacred bonds of matrimony. The County of Warsovia is honoured to stand witness to this holy matrimony and hopes that Canonists and allies will join in celebrating the couple’s commitment. THE NUPTIALS The happy couple will exchange vows in the Chapel of Our Lady of Paradisius, with the esteemed Bishop St. Godwin presiding over the ceremony. THE CELEBRATIONS Following the nuptials, attendees of the wedding are all invited to the Seat of House Jazlowiecki, Nowa Warsovia, where they can enjoy each other's company, feast, and celebrate the joyous occasion. FORMAL INVITATIONS EXTEND TO: The Royal House of Alstion The Royal House of Temesch of the Petra The Comital House of Jazlowiecki The House of Ashford de Lewes NOBILITY OF THE PROVINCE OF AAUN Johannes von Alstreim, Prince of Merryweather, and his noble pedigree Siegmund von Reuss, Margrave of Velen, and his noble pedigree Emilio Varoche, Count of Ves, and his noble pedigree Olympe-Regina, Baroness of Rosius, and her noble pedigree Citizens of Whitespire NOBILITY OF THE PROVINCE OF PETRA Aurel von Theonus, Duke of Vohenhiem, and his noble pedigree Wilford and Atticus Reinhold, Counts of Anairgrid, and their noble pedigree Friedrich von Augusten, Count of Hohengarten, and his noble pedigree Aimo Astor, Baron of Fir’steinn, and his noble pedigree Katrin Stafyr, Baroness of Feldkirch, and her noble pedigree Citizens of Vallagne PERSONAL INVITATIONS The Legion of Saint Godwin BOON AND BANE. Jean Renault de Lewes Isabeau-Karine de Rosius George Halcourt Jean Bishop St. Godwin Frantzisko Cardinal Albarosa Boleslaw Jaramy SIGNED, His Lordship, Jan Aleksander Jazlowiecki, Baron of Krakovia Miss Catherine de Lewes

It is with the greatest pleasure that the Lord of Alba announces his impending marriage to Her Excellency, the Lady Chamberlain Hedwig of Warsovia. After companionship in their childhood and a blossoming courtship after, their betrothal was announced at the inauguration of Prince Charles Reman in the year 1973. Upon this momentous occasion for those in the Heartlander Confederation do they, the future King and Queen-consort of Aaun, wish to proclaim their marriage in front of family, friends and allies under the watchful eye of God. ITINERARY THE GREAT STAG-DO [3PM EST, May 3rd 2024] To mark the momentous occasion, Prince Charles Reman invites the lords and ladies of the realm to join him on a hunt a month prior to the ceremony. In an attempt to garner good luck, the cohort must find and kill a stag successfully. The spoils shall be split amongst attendees. THE ROYAL WEDDING [4PM EST, May 4th 2024] In holy matrimony shall the couple be wed in the Chapel of Our Lady of Paradisius. Opting for a more intimate setting, the pews shall be removed for standing space. FEAST OF MATRIMONY [5PM EST, May 4th 2024] Following the wedding ceremony, guests will find themselves directed to the Hand of Horen for a banquet. Here, local delicacies and beverages will be provided as conversation will. Across the Silver Sea there will be a display of lanterns set off upon the horizon. If one wishes to petition the Lord and Lady of Alba, the feast is a great opportunity to do so. Formal invitations are offered to the following: The Royal House of Alstion The Royal House of Temesch of the Petra The Comital House of Jazlowiecki NOBILITY OF THE PROVINCE OF AAUN Prince Johannes von Alstreim and the Principality of Merryweather Margrave Siegmund von Reuss and Margraviate of Velen Margravine Olympe-Regine and the Margraviate of Haute-Epine Count Leon de Ardennes and the County of Talentine Baron Henri de Lewes and the Barony of Virdain Baron Emilio Varoche and the Barony of Napoliza The Royal City of Whitespire The Hamlet of Enswerp NOBILITY OF THE PROVINCE OF PETRA Margrave Aurel von Theonus and the Margraviate of Marignan Viscounts Wilford and Atticus Reinhold and the Viscounty of Stormont Viscount Freidrich von Augusten and the Viscounty of Azor Baron Aimo Astor and the Barony of Fir’steinn Baroness Katrin Stafyr and the Barony of Feldkirch The Free City of Chambery The Royal City of Vallagne ALLIES OF THE HEARTLANDS The Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska The Kingdom of Balian The Principality of Reinmar PERSONAL INVITATIONS HSH, Marius Nikolas Barbanov-Bihar, Grand Prince of Kusoraev HRH, Alexandros Casimir Novellen, Prince of Monterosa HRH, Rowena Ivanna Temesch of the Petra, Countess of Clermont His Grace, Jean Bishop St. Godwin His Lordship, Olivier Ashford de Savoie His Lordship, George Halcourt Her Ladyship, Catherine de Lewes Master Traders, Boon and Bane Lord Vincente von Distrugere, Iron Baron of Distrugestadt and Lady Maristela von Distrugere Captain Tiber of the Legion of Saint Godwin Mister Heinrich von Kretzen TANDEM TRIUMPHANS, His Royal Highness, CHARLES REMAN, Crown Prince of Aaun & the Lord of Alba Her Excellency, HEDWIG OF WARSOVIA, Lady Chamberlain of the Paradisian Court

THE EMERALD ACCORD As agreed upon on the 12th of The Amber Cold, Year 170 of the Second Age Between the Unified Domain of Vortice and the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun With the signing and promulgation of this document, the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun and the Unified Domain of Vortice, henceforth referred to as ‘the signatories‘, do agree on their honour to the terms laid forth hereafter. Article I: Sovereignty I. The signatories hereby concur to acknowledge the autonomy and sovereign status of each of their respective realms. Article II: Non-Aggression I. The signatories hereby pledge to refrain from engaging in any acts of aggression or military hostilities against one another in any manner. II. The signatories pledge that citizens of either party shall refrain from accepting military commissions or engaging in mercenary employment from any state with which the other party is involved within a state of war. III. In addition, this commitment encompasses the preservation of the right to unrestricted movement of their respective citizens between the signatory nations. IV. The signatories pledge that citizens from either realm are protected while in their respective territories so long as they act within the laws of the respective realms. Article III: Extradition I. The signatories hereby consent to a reciprocal extradition provision, whereby a citizen of either nation, provided there is justifiable cause for their arrest, may be apprehended and subsequently transferred to the jurisdiction of the courts in the territory where their alleged crime transpired. II. In such instances, an Extradition Request must be formally submitted by the judicial authorities of the first party's state to the Monarch or Sovereign of the second party for approval. III. Legal representation for the defendant may be provided by the judicial representatives of the nation from which the citizen or subject originates. Article IV: Diplomatic Exchange I. The signatories collectively affirm the principle of diplomatic exchange between their respective governments, aimed at fostering dialogue and mutual understanding. In accordance with this, the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun shall dispatch a temporary envoy to the Unified Domain of Vortice, and reciprocally, the other party stands ready to attend diplomatic meetings at the behest of His Royal Majesty's Government. II. The signatories jointly endorse the principle of diplomatic freedom, emphasizing the inviolability and immutability thereof. This entails that envoys and government messengers shall enjoy unrestricted movement within the territory of each party. Furthermore, they shall not be subject to prosecution by local or national authorities for any civil or criminal proceedings unless their home country explicitly waives their entitlement to such immunity. III. The signatories retain the prerogative to formally expel a diplomat whose actions are deemed to have substantially undermined the national integrity and order of either party's realm. Article V: Trade I. The signatories, wishing to promote free trade amongst one another and their people, shall allow the respective national Trading Companies of either signatory to own a tax-free stall within each other's Capitals, provided they commit to the maintenance thereof by ensuring it is always properly stocked. II. The signatories further agree that when a Vortician mining network has been established along the eastern coast of the Langkette Range north of the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun, where evidence of veins of valuable emeralds has been found, the Royal Aaunic Government be allowed unlimited access thereto. Article VI: Duration I. The duration of this pact shall be held for fifteen years. During the tail end of the duration, a meeting shall be scheduled to determine whether both parties wish to renew or extend the existing treaty. Signed, His Apostolic Majesty, JOHN ALEXANDER, by the Grace of GOD, Apostolic King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Count of Whitespire, Enswerp and Florentine, Baron of Blanchet, Protector of the Realm The 10th Sovereign of the Depths, Monarch of the Unified Domain of Vortice, Lady Lenora Jusmia Lady Aerith Maelstorm, Minister of Internal Affairs, Acting as Minister of Foreign affairs of the Unified Domain of Vortice Legate John O’Riley, Minister of Defense of The Unified Domain of Vortice

The Golden Gryphon Lowers its Blade Artistic Depiction of Yvian Ritter Galken, Dated; 1910 I.T. (114 S.A.) “Live by the words; 'Wer Rastet, Der Rostet', Be forever in humility by the words; 'Gott Mit Uns'” The elder looked upon the great keep as he sat down in the countryside, it's great spires pierced the heavens, its mighty walls and battlements surmounted by the banners of green and blue, the bulwark that shielded it. The man simply smiled and nodded; “I love Minitz” Thereafter seemingly collapsing unto the ground as he sprawled, his eyes affixed to the eagle that loomed overhead. It was black as ink, should it have been night it probably would be masked in the starry sky in near perfect stealth, Yvian mused. Its feathers, large and tattered, extended to a mighty span nearly that of a small messer knife, or perhaps more, as the old fool lacked the heavenly gift of flight, a simple squint of the eye and a guess was the best he could muster. The bird flew in a rather interesting pattern, as it soared in the blue, cloud barren heavens, its eye seemed to affix, something for the hunt? A predator honing in on its prey, the eagle began to spiral ever so slightly. Sitting up from his lounging, Yvian attempted to predict the where’s, who’s and what’s of the bird of prey’s hunt, using simple guesswork and though as futile or mis-used, the knowledge of what ballistics-work he knew from his times sundering Bold Blue with his comrades all those years ago. “Aha!” the gryphon-sigil-bearing man exclaimed, his eyes and rather exaggerated point, directed at the windmill. The question of what the bird was hunting for was quickly answered, a small squirrel had made a hidey-hole in one of the rather decently sized gaps in between the roof and the walls. Completely unaware as it was being silently observed by the various parties. Walls of White, Rooves of Orange, Banners of Green and Blue... Swoosh! The wind blew as the large bird snatched its prey and made its landing unto the clearing nearby, in a singular, swift motion. The poor critter stood no chance as the eagle made quick work of it, a great success for itself and its hatchlings, the bird made an abrupt motion and the critter was put out of its misery. Yvian pondered, though a completely detached event, the show of violence brought back memories of Atrus, the horrid times when the undead hounded the fair people of Balian for many a day. The speed of the hunt, the lighting reflexes of the bird and its prowl akin to unwaveringly brisk motion of a ballistae bolt. As the bird made its way to pick at the fresh carcase, his mind's thoughts raced from one moment to the next. The visceral killings done by the haunting Mori, to the brutality and cunning brought on by the Adrian, the Petran, his thoughts seemed to grow awash with the memories of blood, backstabbing and betrayal, the Roa’s, the Theonii, Heretics, Heathens and the enemies of the Inquisition, the- “Yvian! How are you? Admiring the countryside?” Yvian snapped out of whatever drivel his mind brought upon him, turning to the familiar face as they spoke. “Don’t suppose you’ve come here just to sulk, have you?” The veteran Reinmaren mused with some laughter, concluding with a small sigh, “It is a beautiful country. Let’s just hope that the Franks don’t capture it all back!” The Herrenmeister after Yvian jested, moving to his side. “I’ll start with good news. The Order of Saint Tylos is doing well, the order is once more revived!” The man rejoiced, a happy smile on his features, yet, it turned somber quite soon. “Things have changed. Ludwig, Eloisee, Saxton.. Abrielle. Their times have come and gone. Yet, there is always some light in life. Rakshasa, Roland, Barlord, they all returned! Rakshasa became blooded, his new name; Rafael. Roland formed himself a tribe and became the Warchief! And Barlord? Er, well.. He’s doing his own thing.” He’d break the somberness with a lighthearted chuckle. “Enjoying retirement, though?” The aging man offered a neutral gaze upwards at Peter, the bombardment of the various updates causing some mild confusion as he processed it. “Ja, I am, and it is good to hear that Minitz is prospering well.” Rising from the ground Yvian turned to the road, a cart in the distance making its way towards him as a smile grew on his face. As the creaking wood work grew more into view, Yvian offered a wave, then turning to his comrade. “It appears my ride has come, the final chapter in my journey…” his smile was melancholic, a sense of nostalgia about it. Opening his arms wide the man gave a brotherly embrace to his fellow man. “You have come far, I am proud of you, odd to think you used to be but one of my humble squires.” A grin flashed as he patted Peter on his shoulders and back. “You still haven’t lost your edge, Yvian.” Peter jested, “It’s been an honour serving the order under you. Your wisdom and guidance has made the man I am today, along with Robert, of course. Can’t discredit him.” He let out a brief, solemn laughter. Yvian simply nodded in response before stiffening his posture for a brief moment and offering a salute, thereafter pivoting on his heels and making his way to Lucia who was smiling gently, a soft yet firm grip upon the reins of the steeds that ferried the wagon. Peter stifled some tears as he thudded his chest to Yvian one final time; “Wer Rastet, Der Rostet. GOD be with you, Yvian.” “Wer Rastet, Der Rostet und GOTT Mit Uns, Peter” The pair waved a final goodbye as the cart suddenly jerked into motion, the wagon making its way down the road and across the bridge, more and more did the spires of Kanunsberg grow out of view, the mighty walls, the towers, eventually even the great banner of gold and scarlet victory of the Frankish wars, became but a blurry image on the horizon, Minitz, a cherished memory… Banners of Victory 'pon the setting Sun, Surmounting Mountains fading into Mist... And here ends the tale of Sir Yvian “The Gryphon” Galken Skilled Artilleryman, aiding in the ending of Bold Blue, the slayer of Undead, the Adrian, the Daft, et cetera Third Herrenmeister, Second Kastellan and of the numerous Ritter of the Order of Saint Tylos Hauptmann of the Warband of Theoderic Petty Officer of the Aaunic Royal Navy ~ Former Armourer and Weapon Smith of Minitz Most studious and ernest of Merchants Founder of the Industries of Saint Nicholas the Martyr Teacher Father Husband The Last Will and Testament of Sir Yvian “The Gryphon” Galken My family, couriers and earnest friends shall be the ones to execute my will; Those who read this, may GOTT bless you, may you never stray from his most holy light; To my comrades, friends and compatriots, Lord Robert Stroheim, Sir Peter Stroheim, Sir Brandt Barclay, Sir Leon Barclay, Siegfried Barclay, Sir Ludolf Barclay, Saxton Stroheim, Kato Oijin, Wilheim Barclay, Holly, Rohir, Gregarious Roa, Myrios, Raksasha, Safi, Barlord Bronzerock, Kristof Katzak as well as whatever other Barclays, Stroheims and other such most honoured friends I may or may not have forgotten. May GOTT bless you, may you never stray from his most holy light, may my departure hinder not your resolve. To my Apprentice and Son, Marcel Galken, I apologize for not being there much throughout your life, I fear I have failed you. You turned to those who besmirch Minitz and to that I simply pray for you not to fall to sin. Always seek great knowledge and experience and do not be hasty to meet me. To Oijin Kato and Siegfried Barclay, finish building those damn machines will you? My workshop is all yours, comrades. To Brandt Barclay, thank you, for letting me continue and end my service after the passing of your father, it was an honour. To my fellow Knights who have served me and to those who are left. I leave my utmost respect and gratitude, may your lances be forever sturdy, your crosses forever honed. Ser Adrielle, Sir Philip, Ser Garen, Sir Enrique, uphold the values of valour and chivalry in my stead and my blessings upon thee. To those who speak my name in shallow breaths with damnations and curses, may you all lick my arse, back stabbing and dishonourable Petrans, the deranged heretics of Adria and Veletzia, the rabid attention seeking Ferrymen and the cowardly snake-tongued Theonii, who cannot speak one on one, oh and lastly the weird stuck ups of Ceila’nor, licking Petran boots and kissing Adrian arses, also bowing to Darkstalkers and Spooks is weird. You may write your pissy responses, to my grave stone. To the people of Minitz, I leave my utmost respect and gratitude to all of you who are fine men and women and it is thanks to you, that I was able to find my place in this world. A few names that come to my mind… Saxton, Ludwig, Cisyn, Eloisee and many others. My possessions are hence forth given to the Barclay's of Minitz. Sir Yvian ‘The Gryphon” Galken, Hauptmann and Third Herrenmeister of Minitz 1875 I.T. - 1952 I.T. OOC

Campaign Report Action Report -The Spire Still Stands- Issued by the HAUPTMANN OF REINMAR On this 12th day of Sun’s Smile of 156 E.S. To the Reinmaren People On this day the Forces of Reinmar and Minitz aided the combined forces, if Haense, Aaun, and Bailan to capture the murders of the Aaun crown, before coming to the defense of Whitespire. Where the combined force obliterated a force from Veletz returned an uneasy peace to the lands. This was started by a rouge noble house stassion, murdered the king of Aaun in cold blood, then attempted to flee when a the coalition forces arrived and chanced them across the waters around Whitespire. Before getting word of a Veletz rally heading for Aaun, as such we took up positions inside the city, after a few moments of back and forth the coalition drove deep into the enemies line and crushed them between the gate and their steel! May the Reinmaren win many more victories. Wer Rastet, Der Rostet Saint Edmond, as my brothers go to battle over the coming days, grant them fortitude and protect them. Pray for God to show mercy to the dead, and that in hoping for victory today, we may win the peace tomorrow. GOTT MIT UNS, Hauptmann of Reinmar

PEACE AND BLESSINGS VICESIMUS TERTIUS AUREA BULLA JORENUS Twenty-Third Golden Bull of Jorenus 3rd of Horen’s Calling, 1952 F.A | 3rd of Snow’s Maiden, 156 S.A.| 3rd of Wzuvar and Byvca, 505 E.S. HIS HOLINESS SIXTUS VI, 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 does decree… TABLE OF CONTENTS ┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓ SECTION I - Opening Prayer SECTION II - College Appointments SECTION III - Curia Appointments SECTION IV - Diocesan Appointments SECTION V - Marriage Dissolution SECTION VI - On the Ferrymen SECTION VII - Venerations SECTION VIII - Beatification ┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┛ SECTION I - OPENING PRAYER Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, whose word lasts into the eve of the world, we ask that You illume us, forgive the trespasses of those who have sinned against Your Virtue, and bless those who have been true and devoted to Your mission. The Canonist flock are assailed by trials and tribulations on many sides, Heavenly Father. We pray for the flock of Haense, whose warmth of spirit is being frozen by a never-ending winter and ask that You bless them with the thaw of spring. We pray for the flock of the midlands, of Numendil, Petra and Veletz, for they are troubled by the likes of Vampires, Azdrazi and wicked Magi, and ask that You cast down these threats to the faithful. We pray for the flock of Aaun, whose King lies hurt and bedridden after an evil man tried to bereave him of life, and ask that you bless their ruler with good health. And we pray for the flock of Balian, whose royal family was broken after the sacrament of marriage was severed, and ask that you console them. Above all however, Heavenly Father, we pray that these hardships bring us together as family, and that Your faithful are strengthened by enduring them. Amen. SECTION II - COLLEGE APPOINTMENTS It is through our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that we make these affirmations, alterations, and additions to the College of Cardinals. We decree the College to be thus: TMR, His Eminence, Fr. Antonius Cardinal Artorus TMR, His Eminence, Fr. Josef Cardinal Jorenus TMR, His Eminence, Fr. Matthias Cardinal Lotharia TMR, His Eminence, Fr. Brandt Cardinal Albarosa TRR, His Eminence, Fr. Stanislaw Cardinal Westerwald TRR, His Eminence, Fr. Odo Cardinal Gelimar SECTION III - CURIA APPOINTMENTS It is through our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that we make these affirmations, alterations, and additions to the Curia. We decree the Curia to be thus: Vice Chancellor, His Eminence, Matthias Cardinal Lotharia Auditor of the Tribunal, His Eminence, Stanislaw Cardinal Westerwald Secretariat to His Holiness, His Eminence, Josef Cardinal Jorenus Prelate of the Priesthood, His Eminence, Antonius Cardinal Artorus Pontifical Chamberlain, His Eminence, Brandt Cardinal Albarosa Commandant of the Pontifical Guard, His Eminence, Odo Cardinal Gelimar SECTION IV - DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS It is through our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that we appoint the following members of the priesthood to shepherd and be pastor of the Church’s Archdioceses and Dioceses: ARCHDIOCESE OF ALBAROSA To be shepherded by Archbishop Brandt Cardinal Albarosa DIOCESE OF BURON To be shepherded by Bishop Frantzisko DIOCESE OF GELIMAR To be shepherded by Bishop Odo Cardinal Gelimar DIOCESE OF ST. EMMA To be shepherded by Bishop Alexios DIOCESE OF ANDRIKEV To be shepherded by Bishop Amleth DIOCESE OF TYRIA To be shepherded by Bishop Mattia SECTION V - MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION Matrimony is a most Holy sacrament, granted by GOD through his clergymen that serve the flock. However while the union created between a man and a woman through the sacrament of Matrimony is meant to be an eternal one, sometimes the situation causes the Church to have to intervene, for one reason or another, through an official dissolution of the pair’s union. Today, We perform such once more, as It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We officially dissolve the union of Adrian of Balian and Andromeda Ester, on the grounds of abandonment and denouncement through Andromeda’s departure from Balian and her disloyalty to and forsaking of Adrian after many years of an unhappy marriage, and the struggle of the latter to make said marriage work. We wish that GOD grant mercy to this separated couple in the next chapters, and We request that they seek Our approval before once again receiving the sacrament of matrimony. SECTION VI - ON THE FERRYMEN Recently we called for the warriors and knights of Canondom to assemble and ride with us to Veletz and Haense. The reason was that the Ferrymen had sought to make their return by kidnapping a pregnant woman, the Princess Sibyl, heir to the Kingdom of Balian. We hereby condemn the actions of the Ferrymen and declare them EXCOMMUNICATED and ANATHEMA. No service or sacrament is to be given to any of their members by any member of the clergy. They reside outside the law of both the Church and secular realms, with their rights forfeited. If any of their members consider themselves Canonists, they may individually seek me out for their penance. We wish to make something very clear; that actions like these are a slight against the Canonist family and they cannot stand. One cannot be a Ferryman or aid a Ferryman and consider themselves a Canonist. Ferrymen cannot live a Canonist life because their lifestyle blasphemes GOD. The age of terrorist behavior like what was displayed by these bandits is done. The Ferrymen as a group laid dead in the dust for a while now and we prefer they remain dead. Their actions have proven that the Canonist League was right in claiming that the Ferrymen reside in Veletz, for they have shown themselves to use the Mareno keep as a base of operations. We say thus to Captain-General Gaspard of the League of Veletz; evict these men and declare them banished, else you aid these terrorists and shall be considered one of them rather than a good Canonist and be likewise declared excommunicated and anathema. We have also seen that a band of Orcs came to the aid of the Ferrymen - for which we admonish the Rex. Let there be no confusion; the Ferrymen are not some sort of lovable rogues who fight a just cause against the remnants of an oppressive Orenian Empire. They are bandits, criminals, killers: terrorists, who make up excuses for supposed heroism while taking a pregnant and innocent woman from her home and threatening to kill her. Let there be no confusion also of the nature of the intervention that happened to try to negotiate the princess’ release; it was not an invasion of Veletz or Ferrymen territory by Haense. The King of Haense, the Admiral of Balian and the Grandmaster of the Order of Saint Jude were there under our banner. We take full responsibility. This was a Canonist mission of liberation inside of Canonist lands. So we say to the Ferrymen; do not try to spin this as some sort of unjust act of war where you are the victims. We thank our good and devout Canonist faithful for heeding the call and coming together as one big family in an attempt to free our sister in GOD from these wicked men. As of right now it is unclear what has happened to her, some say she lives and some say she was killed. Regardless, we shall pray for her soul and her wellbeing and that of her unborn child. Blessed are those who are persecuted for their righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. SECTION VII - VENERATIONS It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We affirm the following venerations: VENERABLE HENRY ALSTION Prince Henry Alstion was deemed Venerable as per decision of a Curia meeting held under our predecessor Sixtus V for his lifelong commitment to the Church - first as a layman, later as a deacon - and the role he played in ensuring peace among Canondom by ending the long-term war between the Duchy of Adria and the Canonist League. VENERABLE FATHER ARMAND Cardinal-Archbishop Armand of Lotharia is made venerable for his efforts in spearheading the crusade on the Azdrazi heralds of Azdromoth, the role he has played in combating the forces of evil in general, serving the Church faithfully as Auditor for decades and his invaluable contributions to the Magic Commission. VENERABLE KING CHARLES I OF AAUN King Charles of Aaun is made venerable in recognition for his unwavering loyalty to the Church and defense of our most holy institution throughout his lengthy life and reign. His legacy of devotion to the Church among the population of Aaun can be felt to this day and the importance of him standing up for the Canonist Church when an alliance led by Sedan threatened to schism over the issue of investiture cannot be denied. SECTION VIII - BEATIFICATION It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We affirm the following beatification: BLESSED SISTER CALLIOPE Sister Calliope Renata of Merryweather was a nun hailing from the House of Alstreim who joined the Church’s sisterhood in the Principality of Savoy. Aside from her service to the Church and her Faithful, she is beatified for the miracle she is believed to have performed at the Duchy of Reinmar in Haense in 1943. The Duchy was attacked by a band of undead led by a necromancer, who set the lands of the Duke ablaze and slaughtered his animals. After the attack, the Duke went to a chapel and prayed to Sister Calliope for intercession, upon which he saw a vision of the nun. After leaving the chapel, it was apparent that - miraculously - the damage the undead’s fire and blades had done to the Duchy had been reversed as if nothing had happened. THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH OF THE CANON Under GOD maintained by His Holiness Sixtus VI THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS ANTONIUS CARDINAL ARTORUS Archdiocese of Artorus JOSEF CARDINAL JORENUS Patriarchate of Jorenus MATTHIAS CARDINAL LOTHARIA Archdiocese of Lotharia BRANDT CARDINAL ALBAROSA Archdiocese of Albarosa STANISLAW CARDINAL WESTERWALD Diocese of Westerwald ODO CARDINAL GELIMAR Diocese of Gelimar THE CURIA MATTHIAS CARDINAL LOTHARIA Vice-Chancellor of the Church of the Canon STANISLAW CARDINAL WESTERWALD Auditor of the Tribunal of the Church of the Canon JOSEF CARDINAL JORENUS Pontifical Secretary of the Church of the Canon ANTONIUS CARDINAL ARTORUS Prelate of the Priesthood of the Church of the Canon BRANDT CARDINAL ALBAROSA Pontifical Chamberlain of the Church of the Canon ODO CARDINAL GELIMAR Commandant of the Pontifical Guard CANONIST DIOCESES PATRIARCHATE OF JORENUS, THE HOLY SEE Encompassing the entirety of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Patriarch Josef Cardinal Jorenus DIOCESE OF ANDRIKEV, encompassing all the lands east of the river Lahy, to be shepherded by Amleth Bishop Andrikev. DIOCESE OF WESTERWALD, encompassing all the lands west of the river Lahy, to be shepherded by Stanislaw Bishop Westerwald ARCHDIOCESE OF ALBAROSA Encompassing the eastern region of Aevos, including the lands of the United Kingdom of Aaun, the Commonwealth of Petra, and the surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Archbishop Brandt Cardinal Albarosa DIOCESE OF BURON, encompassing all the lands east of the mountains, to be shepherded by Francis Bishop Buron DIOCESE OF CITREA, encompassing all the lands west of Saint Daniel’s Crossing, to be shepherded by Callahan Bishop Citrea DIOCESE OF GELIMAR, encompassing all the lands west of the mountains, to be shepherded by Odo Bishop Gelimar ARCHDIOCESE OF ARTORUS Encompassing the central region of Aevos, including the lands of the Kingdom of Númendil, the Veletz League, and surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Archbishop Antonius Cardinal Artorus DIOCESE OF AQUILA, encompassing the entirety of the Kingdom of Númendil, to be shepherded by Pious Bishop Aquila DIOCESE OF ST. EMMA, encompassing the entirety of the League of Veletz, to be shepherded by Alexios Bishop St. Emma ARCHDIOCESE OF LOTHARIA Encompassing the south-western region of Aevos, including the lands of the Kingdom of Balian and surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Archbishop Matthias Cardinal Lotharia DIOCESE OF TYRIA, encompassing the entirety of the Kingdom of Balian, to be shepherded by Mattia Bishop Tyria. ☩ EST CYCLUS, NON MUTATIO ☩ IT IS A CYCLE, NOT CHANGE