We understand your scepticism, but plead not guilty all the same. We accept a trial under the regent's authority.
As for Faulhamer: We are a house of merchants. Our army is only equipped and trained for maintaining order within our territories. The Braxtons however, are renowned warriors that, even without our initial supply of goods (threatened from us), would easily have bestet our forces and would've caused unending chaos on our lands. We didn't call for help because we were already at odds with trying to assert our dominance in terms of trade lanes and thought Balon would at least be partially sane and not start purging anyone not zealous enough.
The House of Koriates firmly rejects this defense. House Braxton could not have possibly levied effective threat against them considering the geographical distance between the two Houses. If House Braxton were legitimately threatening House Wychland, they could have easily sought the support of its neighboring houses against the threat--the support that was never, ever sought.
The House Koriates always felt as if Wychland-Braxton alliance was a ploy by the House of Wychlands to expand its influence in the North using Braxton military might. Their defenses so far have made little sense to the Duke of the North, and it is the Duke's sincere recommendation that the House of Wychland be found accountable for their complicity in the Braxton plot.
You did little to address the issue of distance AND not attempting to ask for assistance. Our Kingdom has been unified for centuries. Why wouldn't you ask your neighbors to assist against these threats?
We do not dispute your cowardice. This fact is well known and should be self-evident to all.
We strongly dispute that you are the victim in the arragement with Braxton. We allege that you were, and have always been, a willing supporter of House Braxton, and if so, you are a treasonous cur to abandon your former ally so easily, deflecting all blame to them.
We will expect an explanation that we can accept for your actions very soon, Wychlander.
Although Lord Alexandros was cautious about the Lord Lucien de Tolles, his handling of Wychland has shown that he is a just man and not a warmonger. If the esteemed Lord Lucien de Tolles continues to rule wisely and act as a true Sage, the House of Isaakios shall declare its loyalty to him and Lord Alexandros shall pledge his life to his cause.
I will never surrender, nor will I give away my prize; Eleanore. My sword is sharpened, and I grow restless. Have at you, mongrels. Fight me and quit yammering like the sissy girls you are. You are naught but heretical pondscum, and I swear to almighty God that if you do not face me, I will come for your heads myself.
I will never surrender, nor will I give away my prize; Eleanore. My sword is sharpened, and I grow restless. Have at you, mongrels. Fight me and quit yammering like the sissy girls you are. You are naught but heretical pondscum, and I swear to almighty God that if you do not face me, I will come for your heads myself.
To The Scum that Dishonours God and House Braxton,
So you admit to your crime of keeping poor Elanore hostage and you do not deny your other crimes. As you have proven yourself dishonourable at every turn we have no choice but to face you on the field of battle. Oh how your ancestors must be turning in their graves to see how low you have brought one of the Great Houses. Oh how God must be ashamed of your actions.
I'm so sorry for being so sudden with this, and I'm sorry for having such a lame excuse, but I'm not feeling this IOT, roleplaying for it feels more like a chore than fun, and so I am dropping it.
Link to video. Year 416 Of Our Lord, Autumn
Six months after The End
The Grand Alliance, the Regent, and the Patriarch
With the integrity of the Kingdom growing ever more fragile, Lord Lucius of House de Toullies stepped forward. He rallied Houses Taran, Koriates and Polud to his cause, declared himself Lord Protector and Regent of Heaven, and together the Houses formed the Grand Alliance. A joint Toullies - Taran delegation was sent the Holy City to push the Clergy to appoint a Patriarch or Matriarch to take official control of the Holy Church.
The Council of the Holy Church discussed, then argued and finally fought over the issue. A dedicated minority of the Council approved of idea, and despite disapproval warnings from the rest of the council, the group appointed a clergyman named Mathias to become the First Patriarch of the Holy Church and God’s Kingdom of Heaven. The rest of Council was furious, and immediately ordered Patriarch Mathias’ arrest. The sequence of the next few days events are not totally clear, but what is known is the Patriarch’s supporters in the Council, Clergy and common folk rose up to defend their new leader, then were immediately and brutally suppressed. In the chaos the Patriarch was smuggled out of the Holy City, and is now under the protection of Polud troops in Owary. The Holy Church has demanded either the Patriarch’s return to the Holy City, or his execution.
The conflict has caused the reputation of the Holy Church to fall even further, though it retains a tight hold on the territory under its direct control.
[Holy Church: -10LG, -20MP]
Braxton - Faulhamer Feud Results in the (Supposed) Grand Alliance - Braxton War Castle Braxton, House Braxton
The tumultuous events leading up to the declartion war by the Grand Alliance are commented on, joked about, and argued over in taverns across South and Midlands. The previous season’s aggressive movements by Braxton sparked a personel feud between the Great Houses’ Lords, resulting in them declaring a duel to the death that would settle the matter. House Lamere eagerly took up the duty of hosting a grand tourney for the duel, and both Great Houses and commoners across the Kingdom prepared for the spectacle.
Before plans could be set in stone though, the self-styled Lord Protector and Regent of Heaven, Lord Lucius of House de Toullies, declared that he had evidence House Braxton was planning to betray House Faulhamer and invade during the duel. Lord Regent Lucius, backed by the Houses of the Grand Alliance, declared war on House Braxton and its backer, House Wychland. Before troops could begin marching, House Wychland declared its innocence, and that it was being extorted by House Braxton who held the heir to Wychland, Elanore Wychen, against her will in House Braxton. The Houses of the Grand Alliance called off plans to invade Wychland territories, while Lord Regent Lucius has called for Lady Jacqueline D'upont Wychen to present herself to the Toullies court for judgement, the Grand Alliance has yet to move on Braxton lands, and Braxton troops are hold up in Castle Braxton. The war has been declared, but has yet to start.
The Festival of Weddings Gealot, House Mephs
An extravagant week-long festival was held in Gealot by House Mephs, with a different wedding marking each day. With the planned tourney hosted by House Lamere cancelled due to the Braxton War, commoners and minor nobles, with the means to travel, flocked to the festival to entertain themselves in these ever darkening times. Houses in involved in weddings were Mephs, Natt och Dag, Atkyn, Dandale, Wychland, and Isthon (three weddings). The ceremonies were lavish, and House Mephs lost no opportunities to show off their wealth and pride. While the festival was a welcome break from the confusion, scheming and violence spreading across Heaven, there was still tension in the halls as the implications of wedding with Houses that were at war, or could very well be at war, settled in.
[+1LG to House Mephs]
The North
Isaakios Invades Veniera over Evidence of Dandale Supporting Rebels Veniera, House Dandale
Interrogators gained confessions from villagers suspected of aiding the small scale ‘rebellion’ last season. The suspects confessed to being funded by House Dandale, acting against House Isaakios out of religious fervour stoked by Dandale agents. Lord Alexandros was quick to declare war, and within the day the Heavenly Legion was marching into Veniera. The Army of Veniera put up a stiff defense, with Lord Armando lending his skill with a sword and on the battlements to the troops, and for a time the Isaakios troops took heavy losses pushing into the province. Lord Alexandros was no stranger to sieging though, and he was able to break through the Dandale defenses, overrunning, killing and routing the Army of Dandale. By season’s end the province had been sacked by the Army of Heaven and taken into Isaakios control while the remnants of House Dandale’s nobility and administrators fled to Sanah and Aonia. While Dandale has some ability to rally new troops, it's only true hope remains with its Merchant League allies and marriage partners.
[Army of Dandale: Destroyed]
[Heavenly Legion: -1 Skirmisher, -2 Light Infantry, 1 HI gains Veterancy]
[Dandale: -Veniera, -10LG]
[Isaakios: +Veniera, +4EP, +5LG]
Dandale Traders Angered by House’s Nonintervention. Veniera. House Dandale
Taders in Veniera have expressed their displeasure to Dandale Court for ignoring their demands last season. They claim that Wychland traders have ignored contracts, and have been bullying Dandale merchants in the Bay. The lack of response from House Dandale has let other merchants know that making demands will fall on deaf ears, for better or worse.
[-1LG for House Dandale]
Poachers Continue Unmolested Wychwood, House Wychland
As poachers continued unabated in Wychwood, the local lord’s respect for the House has visibly fallen, and he has had to take matters into his own hands, catching and executing several poachers from Owary. During the troubled times for House Wychland, the loss of respect from even one minor lord could be a sign of worse to come.
[-1LG for House Wychland]
False Rumours Scuff Lady Jacqueline's Image Myriam Peak, House Wychland
Amid all the chaos surrounding House Wychland, some dissenters have spread rumours that the fogs smothering Wychland provinces are due to Lady Jacqueline being a witch. Despite the rumour being ridiculous, it has spread enough to put doubt in the minds of some impressionable peasants.
[-1LG for House Wychwood]
Armando Dandale Spends Less Time in Saddle, More on Battlements Veniera, House Dandale
In these certain times, Armando Dandale has spent less time riding, and more time manning the battlements and organising defensive fortifications in Veniera. While his fellow cavalry officers have criticised how rusty Armando’s riding has become, but garrison commanders and the common soldiers on the walls have graciously welcomed his presence and expertise.
[Armando Dandale loses trait Horse Lord, gains Defensive]
Foreign Veterans Travel to Join the Heavenly Legion Isaakiopolis, House Isaakios
Retired soldiers from neighbouring lands dissatisfied with the direction other Houses have taken regarding the Faith, have travelled to Isaakiopolis to join the Heavenly Legion. The veterans formed have formed themselves into a light infantry regiment, and are ready to serve the Legion.
[+1 Vet Light Linf. for House Isaakios]
Lady Laminas' Dreams Continue Kumar, House Koriates
The Heir to House Koriates' paintings have attracted a growing collection of fans and critics, as well as fellow artists imitating her style. Amid this growing art movement, Lady Laminas had begone painting new scenes. The most common is in the familiar location of the frigid northern shore of Lake Kumar. The massive tree hangs over the lake in the background, while in the foreground are thick, crimson blades blades of grass, growing from soil thawed by boiling blood raining from the tree. Some members of court have expressed worry that the art movement is encouraging and making worse Laminas' condition.
Newly Bread Potatoes Grow Strong Davensport, House Lamere
Some creative farmers have managed to breed a new variety of potato that is better equipped to deal with the harsh northern weather. The local lord has already spread the new breed through out his lands, and other lords are eager to buy their own new crops.
[+1AGR, +1TV in Davensport]
Lord Muncel Spends Less Time on the Field, More in Court Owary, House Polud
Lord Muncel was once an imposing sight on the battlefield to his enemies, and an inspiration all friendly footmen that could set eyes on him. He was keen commander, and a brutal swordsmen. It has been months since the Lord has even drawn his sword on the field, and much longer since he struck someone with it. While some may see that as a sign of weakness, others have come to believe that Lord Muncel is simply showing that he is not an infantry officers, but a ruler of a Great House, and a fine ruler of a fine House at that.
[Muncel Polud loses Infantry Hero trait, gains Regal trait]
House Polud Funds the Local Clergy Owary, House Polud
Lord Muncel gave into clergy demands, providing them with funding to expand and maintain their activities, facilities, and ranks. With the Holy Church no longer providing funding to local clergies, the Faith in House Polud territory will now be tied more directly to the Great House. Other local branches of the clergy in other territories have taken notice, and will no doubt be making similar requests of the other Houses.
The Midlands
Exceptional Harvest Frees up Manpower Sthulhein, House Isthon
A fantastic harvest this season has allowed extra manpower to be freed up for future use. The men are happy to be free of their fields, and no doubt eager to be set to work in the mines and smelts, or in the ranks of the army.
[+5MP for House Isthon]
Mines Run Dry Barellia, House de Toullies
A minor noble has nervously reported to Lord Lucius that his mine in Barellia has gone dry, with no extracted ores for the last few months. While the loss of production is felt in House’s bottom line, the rest of the island’s industry has been substantially developed, and so most predict the ambitious House will not be held back.
[-1IND in Barellia]
Rivaling Nobles Skirmish Across Border Amid House Tensions Mid-Thuria, House Taran
With the spat between the Taran and Thustran local lords going largely unresolved, and the growing tension over the declaration of the House Taran’s support of the Grand Alliance and Regent, the minor nobles have taken matters into their own hands. Details are uncertain, but it appears the Taran noble struck across into Hitherstone with a small band of raiders and razed a farm stead. The Thustran noble repaid in kind, burning a mill close to the border. Peasants along the border are fleeing, fearing that the raids will escalate. Other minor nobles in both Houses are watching their Lieges’ responses, curious to see how far the local lords can push against Great House authority.
[-1LG for House Taran]
[-1LG for House Thustra]
Duchess Ysbal Seeks Holy Aid, Approached by ‘Doctor’ Ellen Yee, House Atkyn
Searching for a means to banish her visions, Duchess Ysbal travelled to the holy sight on Ellen Yee. During her prayers at the holy temple, she was approached by an old man, claiming to be a ‘doctor,’ He wishes to be accepted into Ysbal’s court, promising he can contribute greatly to the House, and help her deal with her visions. Others in court are wary at best of the odd man, and at worst have claimed he’s a heretic sent to lead the Duchess astray. The Duchess is now weighing the benefits of accepting an unknown ‘doctor,’ over the disapproval of her court.
Builders Misplace or Mismanage Tools Uplland, House Arimathea
With little to no construction being undertaken in the past two seasons, builders in Uplland have become lazy, misplacing or failing to maintain their tools and supplies. If construction is undertaken in Uplland, builders will need extra funds to reorganize.
[+1ep per development level in Uplland (ex, developing 1->3=(3+4)]
The South
Local Lords Expand Mines Citing 'Civic Duty' Lyis, House Faulhamer
After the Ironhold cave-in last season, local lords Lyis have rapidly and aggressively expanded their mining operations using funds from their own private coffers. When questioned, the lords said they had felt a civic duty to boost the House's industrial power after the summer's tragedy. Some do wonder if the lord in charge of the crumbled Ironhold mine appreciates the market being flooded by his southern competitors, but in any event the Great House has seen its capabilities substantially expanded.
[+2IND in Lyis]
Fanatical Drilling Hardens Troops Castle Braxton, House Braxton
As tensions between House Braxton and its Southern neighbour grew worse, troops in Sword Company drilled ruthlessly. Full scale combat hadn't graced the Kingdom for decades, but the physical torment the Braxton fanatics put themselves through was close enough. One regiment of heavy infantry in particular has a reported casualty list equal to that of the most battle hardened units in the Kingdom, and its survivors look it.
[1 HI becomes Vet HI in Braxton's Sword Company]
Minor Nobles’ Children Elope Nalo, House Iskariota
The son of a minor noble in Nalo has eloped with his lover, the daughter of a local lord in Vastra harad. The noble had requested permission to go ahead with a formal wedding, but when House Iskariota issued no reply, the lovers ran off, leaving behind a very upset father.
[-1LG for House Iskariota]
Farmers Plough Stronger, Faster, Better, Harder Nalo, House Iskariota
Lords in Nalo report that their agricultural production has risen significantly, and are not entirely sure why. Some believe that their serfs are simply putting their backs into it and finally being worth the soil they till.
[+1AGR in Nalo]
The Kingdom's Breadbasket Overflows Toolei, House Mephs
Before the death of God, House Mephs provided a lion's share of Heaven's food stocks. While it no longer exports foodstuffs in the same volume as before, production has not slowed in the least. With so much stored food, thousands are finding that they can leave the fields for other work without impacting food production.
[+10MP for House Mephs]
Lady Birgitta Watches the Seas, Both Awake and In Dreams Ostra Harad, House Natt och Dag
Lady Birgitta has been spending almost all of her time in open view of Summer Bay. Her court was relocated to a balcony facing the sea, she spends her free time walking the beaches, and sleeps with her bed alongside a window where she can see the dark surf. She says she even watches in her dreams, where she sees a great serpentine shadow beneath the waves, its eyes burning yellow orbs in the black depths. It inches towards her shores, and the bay begins to boil.
Notes
@everyone - Houses Lamere, Dandale and Arimathea have become NPCs due to tolni and jackelgul dropping, and Robert Can’t being inactive. If Johanna and Sonereal do not get orders in next turn, Houses Thustra and Iskariota will become NPCs.
@Ailedhoo - Military units must be inside of army groups or fleet groups. As you didn’t specify creating new army groups for each military unit, all of your purchased units were put into your starting group (Ducal Guard). You may want to check the military section of the rules, as new army groups will cost much more maintenance.
- There we go, sorry for the wait. Once again, check for errors. I’m sure there will be, I tend to update late at night when I’m not exactly in top shape. Orders for Update 3 are due on Saturday, July 2nd. Let's try to keep this pace up.
From House Dandale
To Houses Koriates, The Grand Alliance
CC: The Kingdom of Heaven
I, Lord Enrique Dandale, request the assistance of Duke Ludenard of House Koriates, and Lord Regent Lucuis of House de Toullies, to come to the aid of House Dandale in the face of the illegal, barbaric and heretical aggression of House Isaakios.
I plead to all of the Great Houses to listen and see what is happening as God's authority is breached and his will spit upon. Lend us your strength, or Heaven this will truly be the beginning of the fall of Heaven.
House Iskariota has proven slothful and ineffective in securing peace in the Southlands. House de Toullies has proven benevolent towards House Faulhamer, despite distance and providing no direct benefit to themselves. After much contemplation, House Faulhamer shifts their support to House de Toullies. May Lord Lucien guard the peace of Heaven with the sound judgement he has demonstrated over these past several months. We make this announcement with hopes that House Iskariota is roused from their drowsy stupor and join us in securing peace for the realm at large.
We thank Lord Faulhamer for his support in these troubling times. There is but one mistake in Lord Faulhamer's otherwise excellently worded declaration. I, and the entire realm, would have wept if Lord Leodric had fallen to deceit and treachery.
With Lady Whychen failing to appear before the court, it is clear that even though she is guilty, she has decided she is unwilling to face justice. No matter then. Our state of war will resume. It is a shame that you have decided to bring your House to such lows by obeying a cur such as Lord Braxton.
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