Arundel Family/Caspius/The Day Sorraine Stood Still
Welcome to "The Day Sorraine Stood Still," a collection of letters and roleplays surrounding the death of Sorraine's first king, Caspius Arundel and the division of loyalties in both the Church of Sartan and Sorraine. Our story begins with some prologue and specific letters that triggered the end chain of events. What started as a burning hate for tolerance lead to the complete implosion of the Sartanian faith within two weeks; the climax and significant changes happening in only one day's time. If you are reading this, enjoy.
Note: Many letters - most of them from non-primary characters - and some roleplays have been left out in order to keep the length of this page modest. Most of the content sums up what's been missed, while some gaps exist. Towards the ending, you'll see that Caspius is simply willing to step down and die, whereas most of his letters don't portray this emotion. In one of his RP's, he felt Sartan beckon him to the afterlife, causing this sudden obsession around dieing. He sent several private missives to Mathilda before Selene's decision, bending the situation to Mathilda's benefit.
Prologue
| Request | |
| Message sent to all elder members of "The Church of Sartan" (5 recipients) | |
| Elders of the Church,
I hereby request that our Church views on other institutions should be altered to more hostile ones. Tolerance, as it were, has given bloom to secularism around the entire continent. The only reason we reign supreme as the regnant religion is simply because there is no other religion that cares! I believe we should make them care, to give rise to hatred and passion in order to rekindle the flames of religious superiority. Then, and only then, can we call ourselves victorious, able to battle our competitors the way Sartan sees fit. I despised the Adgharhins, I wished to kill every one of them. But with most of them gone and faded into history, this island has become twisted and corrupted by the vines of atheism. Sartan is the god of war, he would not want us to sit idly by and let such a despicable thing occur to our continent. The Order of Elders and the Way of the Dragon should both be set do evil. The Order of Elders have already pronounced us as evil, and we should return the favor, as we do not back down from a fight. The Way of the Dragon, through my investigations, proves itself to have no real diety, but a set of "virtues" that they must follow. This is the very definition of disguised atheism, and by Prime Minister Ingall's words: "I have promoted the Way of the Dragon, to give the nobles a code based on honour. This code also stresses internal development." we should act quickly. My order of inquisitors stand ready. Let me use them. Victoria et fides, Caspius Arundel of Sorraine Cardinal of The Church of Sartan and Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to all elder members of "The Church of Sartan" (5 recipients) | |
| King Caspius,
My friend, if I speak to you it is not because I hold any ill will towards you, yet rather I am worried. I have seen men be destroyed by frustration and anger and have made grave mistakes myself when anger got hold of me when I was much younger. I do not wish to see this happen to anyone, let alone a fellow elder. Your letters in public show some form of frustation and perhaps a mild form of hidden anger. I do not wish to see you make mistakes based on this my friend, nothing more. Also Sartan is god of War such is true and we should certainly not avoid it. However one must also be able to forgive. Should the way of the Elders prove much similar to our own faith yet only misguided it would be a mistake to burn them at the stakes when they may only require attention to show them their wrongs. That is the foundation of my remark. Signed, Aeneas Quintus Ennius of Arcaea, Priest of The Church of Sartan Cardinal of The Church of Sartan, Baron of Itomazh | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to all elder members of "The Church of Sartan" (5 recipients) | |
| Brother Aeneas,
I do not know if you try to chastise me after every letter on purpose - as if you were my cousin herself - or if it just coincidence, but frankly, it is growing on my nerves somewhat. To take "interest" in a heresy that has already put us to negative standing is absolutely useless and yields no result. As warriors, we defend ourselves. It is no temptation, it is merely the nature of humanity and the central point around our faith. If they believe we are evil and want to destroy us and kill us, then we believe they are evil - that is the most well grounded reason I can think of. Who cares about their "core," or their beliefs, it is the very principle that they have declared war on our religion that separates them from us. You talk from a pacifist point of view, one that will not aid us nor has aided us in the last decades. In no way did I say we should be hateful. We should incite hate in our enemies, then draw from your points in order to destroy them; deterioration of conscious thinking, growing rift between true theology and twisted ones, and the list goes on. Passion, as a result, will force them to battle us and determine the true victor. We defeated the Adgharhins in the very same way, and we will do so again. Sartan is the god of war, not the god of peace. He believes in valor and courage, not curiosity and hesitation. As such, I will enact the change in views, for there is no real reason why we should not. If the High Priestess wishes we change them, so let it be. Victoria et fides, Caspius Arundel of Sorraine Cardinal of The Church of Sartan and Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
| Orders | |
| Message sent to everyone in "Attero Hereticus" (6 recipients) | |
| My Fellow Inquisitors,
With war and diplomatic duties, I have been rather absent here. That is to change immediately. Our first Divine Calling: Sartan's Retribution Our Patron Father has sent me message through his divine will. I feel as though in my heart a certain compulsion that did not exist previously. Sartan, god of war above all things, wishes for us to exact retribution in the field of battle. To attack our real enemies, the ones that fuel the fires behind the flags. The enemies whom destroyed religious authority in this world and stepped aside when secularism made its rise. No more shall this be the case! If we are to eradicate secularism, we must eradicate the pacifist and ignorant religions in between! Join me, brothers and sisters, in our first Divine Calling! Our goal: Loot and destroy all heretical buildings belonging to the Order of Elders - shacks, shrines, temples - in the lands of Kindara and the Principality of Zonasa. Show our enemy in the south, our true enemy, why they are too be punished.
Victoria et fides, Sartan nos elegit, Caspius Arundel of Sorraine Grandmaster Inquisitor of Attero Hereticus and Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
Ripples in the Water
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Caspius Arundel | |
| Dear Sartanian King Caspius,
I've had reports that Sorrainian troops have been looting and burning temples of the Order of the Elders in Razrpot and Haul. Is this true? Yours sincerely, Sir Velax de Vere King of Arcaea, Marshal of the Royal Arcaean Legion | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to to Velax de Vere | |
| Dear King Velax,
I fail to see the political nature of this discussion, save that only a few people will be furious. Signed, Caspius Arundel Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Caspius Arundel | |
| Dear Sartanian King Caspius,
That would be the political nature of this discussion. Perhaps you forget, but the Order of the Elders has members throughout the Far East, including Arcaea. Actions like these are what got the previous Sartanian realms destroyed. Perhaps you are not aware, but it was some extraordinarily inflammatory and ill-considered threats by your Tribune Ecclesiarch that caused almost every realm surrounding NeoSartania to declare war on it and obliterate it. By using secular wars as excuses to burn down temples of other faiths - faiths that are followed by your allies - you are heading down the same path. Yours sincerely, Sir Velax de Vere King of Arcaea, Marshal of the Royal Arcaean Legion | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Caspius Arundel, Galiard Scarlett, Morgan Evans, Velax de Vere | |
| King Caspius, I bring this before witnesses so you cannot turn it into something else, like you have turned this war in the South into a crusade. I do not care for excuses and the blame rests on your shoulders as a Monarch. I speak to you here and now as the Seer of the Order of the Elders, whose wrath you have tempted. Twice now your forces have destroyed, desecrated and robbed Order Temples without provocation. Word also reaches me that a MAE temple has been destroyed by your followers. If you have any wonder why Sartan realms need to be re-established all the time, this is why.
My demands are simple: I want 500 gold for each temple destroyed, which will go to rebuilding them. Furthermore, you are to find the nobles responsible and ban them for life, with the threat if execution if they return. If you do not comply, I will cease holding back my faithful and declare a Crusade against all things Sartanian. Less than two weeks ago I proposed reconsidering the Order's stance on the Sartan Church, and re-engaging in talks so that once again our faiths could co-exist peacefully. I see I was wrong. I will not make that mistake again. Sir Thain Himoura, Priest of The Order of the Elders Duke of Nocaneb, Earl of Nocaneb | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Caspius Arundel, Galiard Scarlett, Morgan Evans, Velax de Vere | |
| I have been more than patient King Caspius, but I will not tolerate being ignored. Crown Princess Mathilda was the one responsible for the desecration of my temples in the course of a secular war. This amounts to a state sanctioned action in my eyes. You know my terms. Mathilda is banished and 500 gold per temple. I will also have Lord Caldean furnish compensation for the temple he closed.
You have 12 hours to repsond or there will be a crusade. Sir Thain Himoura, Priest of The Order of the Elders Duke of Nocaneb, Earl of Nocaneb | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in "The Church of Sartan" (40 recipients) | |
| Sartan's Faithful,
I have seen many words relating to pragmatism and survival within the council of elders; what would benefit our lives and our power here on this continent. I stand before you with the opposing conviction, one that honours the code of Sartan and his infinite wisdom regardless of our physical possessions. I do not care for Sorraine if we are not Sartanians. I do not care for my Crown if I a do not honour the code. I do not care for my life if I refuse to live for Sartan. We have always remained strong, and should the worst come to fruition, we will one again return to greatness. This was the spirit of those who stood in defence of Mraulaxon, during the fall of Sartan's first domain, and the spirit I shall maintain. I have deliberately sabotaged the efforts of the other elders in regards to this "delicate" affair; so to speak. I refused to banish the Crown Princess and refused to yield the warrior's code to an infidel of a false religion. I share with you now my exchanges with him beginning from the previous letter shared: Your Grace, Why would this amount to state sanctioned action in your eyes? Do not fuse secularism and religion, if your religion holds no dominant influence in either instituion, for you do not understand the difference. The order to burn your temples was in reaction to your standings with my religion - the order given to seven members of differing realms. You are a fool to believe that I would use my Kingdom for such desires, as I - on the other hand - understand the true cohesion between crown and church. You declared war on Sartan, and the faithful simply defended him in response. You should be thanking me for bringing back the voices to your halls; the convictions to your deities relit in the flames of hatred and fever. You had silence, domination over your organization by the powers of atheism and tolerance. Your gods spat on you when you abandoned the righteous path of retribution, and only now do they witness your devotion. Do you not see the plight of our continent? Do you not see the overwhelming power of cynicism and apathy over our religions? The reason Sartanism stands mighty above all of your faiths, now and in the past, is because we have refused to yield to secularist powers. You can call your crusade and attempt to crush our realm, only to have us return in greater numbers than before. The cycle will repeat a fourth time, a fifth time, a six time, and so on. The only way to destroy Sartran is if your religions hold a significant seat in the powers of government. Currently, no religion holds state religion status in any realm. Greater Aenilia does not even honour the Magnan Church and its code. On that note, we did not loot nor destroy any of their temples. I closed one down in Ozrat, as was my right in Toupellon, and nothing further. As such, I refuse your demands, for they are unfounded and unjust - seeing as you declared war, as the aggressor, when we declared peace, as the defenders - and I welcome your hatred in the form of a crusade. At least the Far East will finally see battles of religion once more, instead of the meagre conflicts between atheist misfits. However, if you continue to foster this hate towards my religion, fuel the fires of your faith and the conviction of others, I will bring an end to the Divine Calling of the Inquisitors - ceasing the burning of your temples. The Crown Princess will not be banished nor fined, as her title is far above yours in simple feudal hierarchy; your demands out of the question and refused to be met on any level. Yours in matters of faith, Caspius Arundel Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat The Order decladed your faith evil when it defiled the holy lands of Masahakon and killed followers in response to a secular war. You Sartanians are incapable of seperation of Church and state, your entire speech on that is clear indication. Two temples, Razrpot and Haul were looted and destroyed while Sorraine campaigned in the South in a secular war. The lootings were done by your Crown Princess, Royalty in title, and since you refuse to provide compensation or mete out justice, it is now state sponsored. Your words are hollow and ring false. There is a reason realms run by your faith have a short life span, and this is it. Utter your heresies one last time knave. The Wrath of the True Gods, the Elders, the oldest, most noble, largest and TRUE faith here on this continent is upon ye. Hel's embrace awaits. Sir Thain Himoura, Priest of The Order of the Elders, Dukeof Nocaneb, Earl of Nocaneb Caspius Arundel of Sorraine Cardinal of The Church of Sartan and Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
The Implosion
| Roleplay from Theuderik Cuvelier | |
| Message sent to everyone in "The Church of Sartan" (40 recipients) | |
| It had been another long and hard day for Theuderik in Taop. Preaching to the masses, often so hostile to him, had left him severely wounded for several times in the past month. He had endured kicks to his head, spine and groin and beating to all the rest of his body. Once he had been a holy man, an Emperor, meant by the Gods to lead the glorious Ibladeshian Empire – or not. Under his rule this once great, some say greatest, power came to fall. He had been hunted down, sought refuge with his old friends, but none would have him. He truly was a persona non grata on the old Continent.
This time his sermon went in relative peace. There had been some faithful with arms to protect him and apparently the sight of spears and axes was enough to keep the violent pagans away. He converted several of the peasantry but those were not the ones he was aiming for. Once he had the power of the word to convince even the most noble of men to dedicate their life to the Four. Now he was, as he felt, degraded to a common priest of a Church that mocked three of the Four. Only Sartan had a place here – only war. His own goddess, Kokini, was disrespected and unnoted. Some day this would turn against his current congregation, but not yet. He returned to the small shack in Taop to do his private prayers, as he did every day. He would be once more blasphemous and pray not only to Sartan, but also to the others. They did not know though, the Cardinals and other Elders – he never told them, and made sure he was never seen doing so. Upon arriving in the temple the quite hit him like a bang. No people around… it was strange, for recently this place of worship had been buzzing with merchants trying to get into the favor of the lord, and peasants the same. Yet none were here now. Nevertheless he entered… the sanctity was his. As soon as he entered the temple, the door flung shut and the sound of chains clinking could be heard. A tug on the door quickly confirmed his fears – the doors were sealed. A voice sounded from the shadows in front of him. “Burneth the witch, the daimon, and the heretic, for their sight offends me, sayeth the Lietongue. Purge them of their sin and iniquity, lest the rot of his corruption spread.” the voice chanted. Theuderik quickly spun to his left, trying to evade the dark and threatening voice, and moved forward with long strides. He stopped short as he was suddenly greeted by yet another, new voice in front of him. “Thou art the blessed of the shadow, for what light can be without darkness? Thou art a child of both, and my blessings are thine. Swiftly carry out my command, and send forth a river of the blood of the damned, sayeth the Lietongue.” a feminine voice chanted. Theuderik turned around and strode quickly, his heart pounding in his chest. Fear had grasped hold of his tongue and mouth, stopping him short from uttering any useful words. It was like his chest was clogged, barely unable to breath "Let not mercy stay thine hand, for thine foe shalt giveth none. Strike forth from the shadow, and let the wretched knoweth the justice of the Black Hand." said a third voice. In panic Theuderik darted for the door and slammed into it, in a futile attempt to crush it open – yet he was out of luck. He then turned to face the speakers, knowing he was trapped in his own House. Three figures emerged from the shadows, clad in black leather armor, hoods concealing their faces. They all carried long, curved silver blades which gleamed in the dim light. They struck out, smacking him with the flat sides of their blades. He stood no chance, he was old and frail and his opponents were simply too many and too skilled in their work. After only a short struggle he was dragged to the altar and tied to a post. Books and broken pieces of pews littered the ground around him, and he could smell the kerosene. “Hel awaits,” the leader of the three said, and struck a flame with a steel and flint. He slowly paced backwards as he watch the books and dry wooden pews catch fire. It spread quickly to Theuderik’s long robes, who caught fire not even a minute after the first spark. His screams echoed in the temple and beyond but received no answer, save for their own echoes. When the fire died and Theuderik with it, one of the figures stepped forward and removed the charred head with a blow from his sword and placed it in his sack. “For the glory of the Seer and the Elders,” he said quietly, as the three vanished from the temple. | |
| Theuderik Cuvelier | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to to all elder members of "The Church of Sartan" (5 recipients) | |
| Brother Caspius,
I am afraid we need to have a serious discussion. Let me begin by reminding you that you are not the head of this Church. I am. But, despite being the head of the Church I do not make decisions alone. Any major decision is only made after consulting with fellow elders and taking their views into account. In the discussions recently it was made quite clear that many of us, myself included, felt that, while we were prepared to defend ourselves with force if necessary, the best solution would be if the situation with the Elders could be resolved peacefully. However, by your own admission to the entire Church, you chose to ignore the views of the elders and deliberately ensured that Thain would declare a crusade against us. Or, to put it another way, you deliberately and unnecessarily started a war which is likely to claim the lives of hundreds of the faithful. On top of which, you stated to the whole Church that you had chosen to actively ignore the will of the elders. Now, do tell me, if one of your region lords chose to deliberately force you to take a course which you had already made clear to them that you wished to avoid, and they then boasted about it to the entire realm, what is it you would do? Because I highly doubt that you would view it as acceptable. In that case, why should I deem it acceptable that you took it upon yourself to negotiate on behalf on the entire Church, without consulting with anyone else, with another religion? Why should I deem it acceptable that you deliberately plunged us into a holy war without so much as a by your leave? The decisions you made were not yours to make. They were mine and they were the decisions of all of the elders together. Then again, perhaps this is my fault. You have already made it clear on several occasions that you are agressive and without tact. I have received letters from our allies expressing concern at your behaviour. So it should have been clear to me that you were probably not suited to be an elder, especially as you made veiled threats when you felt I was taking too long to raise you to being an elder. And, as an elder, you unilaterally changed the role of the Guardians, which I tolerated, and then treated them as your personal fiefdom. You then proceeded to nearly provoke a schism within the faith through your unnecessary and unwarranted hostility to the Ibladeshians. Now, to crown that achievement, you have unilaterally taken us into a holy war, condemned many of the faithful to death, spat in the face of the hierarchy of the Church and engineered a chance that Sorraine may be destroyed. I have no doubt that we will prevail through the grace of Sartan but, when we do, it will be no thanks to you and your utterly thoughtless, foolish and idiotic actions. As I am half minded to have you brought before the entire Synod on a charge of heresy perhaps you would be willing to suggest to me how exactly you think I should deal with you. Because you have just used up the entirety of my patience. In the name of Sartan, Selene Octavius of Sorraine, Priestess of The Church of Sartan High Priest of The Church of Sartan and Tribune Ecclesiarch of Sorraine, Viscountess of Anaos, Ambassador of Sorraine | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in "The Church of Sartan" (40 recipients) | |
| Sartan's Faithful,
I do not believe this is a conversation for closed doors, your Holiness. If I am deemed to be practicing heresy, I would have the entire church tell me at large. By Sartan's warrior code, we do not step down from a fight. We do not cower for peace, but stand for what is right. Tolerance is the symbol of weakness, and through your following protest, I see just that. Pacifism and tolerance. If you wish to punish me for wishing to live in a world where secularism was an idea of the past, where apathy was routed, and cynicism brought to an untimely end, then I truly do not have a place in your institution. The consequences of my recent actions: A crusade to be carried about the realms we are already at war with, with our allies to defend us to the bone. Brother Theuderik, by Duke Thain's admission to me, murdered in a temple. That, I truly regret, but a war is never won without sacrifices, and to do nothing now would dishonor his memory. I also find it interesting that you have received messages that express concern around my behavior. I have received at the least a dozen messages complaining about your place in Sorraine, as Judge, Spiritual Leader, and Ambassador, by rulers and nobles throughout the continent. I simply informed them that I did not care, as your dedication was unmatched and your standing not to be ignored. Caspius Arundel of Sorraine Cardinal of The Church of Sartan and Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in "The Church of Sartan" (40 recipients) | |
| Brother Caspius, you alone do not have the right to determine the course of action of the Church! You are King of Sorraine, not of the Sartanian people.
The hierarchy of the Church exists for a reason - by combining wisdom and counsel we are greater than the fallible individuals we are. Your ego is not greater than the centuries of wisdom and learning that shaped the Church. Sartan is the god of war, aye, and the god of warriors. But a warrior who starts battles where they are unnecessary is a fool and one who brings unnecessary death and destruction to the innocent to boot. Already the blood of the Martyr Theuderik is on your hands. Had you not ignored the direct will of the elders and, without even informing us, started a holy war, then he might yet be alive instead of having suffered such a hideous fate. A crusade might have been unavoidable but if so that was a decision for the faithful to make together rather than have forced upon them. I can not and will not tolerate you attempting to bend Sartan's church to your own ends. Sartan alone commands the Church and it is not your place to solely interpret His Will. I had hoped to keep this within the elders to spare you embarrassment and so that there would be some chance of resolving the situation without upset. By taking this before the entire Church you have made that impossible. Caspius of the House of Arundel, you are hereby stripped of the rank of Cardinal and expelled from the elders. You are to immediately hand over the running of the Inquisitors to Brother Elias. You will be reduced to the status of a Knight of Sartan and, if you are willing to submit to the Will of Sartan and repent your actions, you may yet be able to redeem yourself for the bloodshed you have brought upon the faithful. If you are not then I will be forced to pronounce the ultimate punishment upon you. If you have anything you wish to say in your defence then I suggest you do it now. In the name of Sartan, Selene Octavius of Sorraine, Priestess of The Church of Sartan High Priest of The Church of Sartan and Tribune Ecclesiarch of Sorraine, Viscountess of Anaos, Ambassador of Sorraine | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in "The Church of Sartan" (40 recipients) | |
| Your Holiness,
You would declare, before everyone, that starting battles with infidels and those who seek to destroy Sartan and quell his word throughout the continent is unnecessary? Nobody is innocent; we subscribe to Sartan and they subscribe to their own gods. Our nobles, minor nobles, bourgeoisie, artisans, quartermasters, and peasants fuel the gears of war, contribute to our power and influence, and are the souls of our armies much like the enemy. I brought battle to determine the victor, not the coward. I hereby reject the twisted dogma of your Holiness, those who subscribe to you in the coming days, and seek to recreate Sartan's right and proper institution. I seek to create an order not of pragmatists - men and women who wish to cling to their power in peace and tolerance - but of zealots, pious folk, those who believe in battling infidels, writing scriptures, and fulfilling Sartan's call. There are many ways to be a warrior, and I have felt the compulsion to take to the cloth and fulfill what is lacking in our identity. I quote the second book of prayers: Coward thoughts, Fearful doing this and that Delaying like women, Complaining in fear Doesn't turn the misery Won't make you free. Standing in the middle of the Forces Never bowing Showing the strength within Calls upon us The help of the Gods! Our elder's hesitation, fear, and delaying runs rampant with every word in ink. I did not delay, I did not cower away from provoking the enemy, nor did I fear what consequence was the come. I did not complain that this would mean war, loss of power, loss of prosperity, or loss of faith. I refused to be chained by my selfish desires of power in the form of tolerance and pacifism, bringing the fight to our enemy without regret. No one makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he can only do a little. The third book of prayers. You would preach to me to do nothing, to have done nothing, to wait and let secularism and infidels overrun the world. I deny your word, and believe only in the word of Sartan. Violence is the last option of those who don't control the situation The sixth book of prayers. And Violence, hence, was the last option. As you said, you were in control of the situation, and you did nothing. You had the power to unite us against the enemy, but you delayed. You had the control over us to rout out the infidels, and you feared the consequences. Taught never to retreat, never to surrender. Taught that death on the battlefield in service to Sartan was the greatest glory he could achieve in his life. Never shall innocent blood be shed, yet the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river. We shall spread our blackened wings and be the vengeful striking hammer of Sartan. The ninth and eleventh books of prayers. And that is what I shall do! I shall do what you refused to do, what you were afraid to do. You turned away from battle, while I gladly welcomed death on the battlefields. Those who believe in holy righteousness, the dominance of Sartan, the book of prayers, and the warrior's code, I bid you follow me to our new beginning. For the ever lasting dominance of our father above, the Holy God of War, Sartan, Caspius Arundel of Sorraine Knight of Sartan of The Church of Sartan and Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus, Margrave of Ozrat | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in "The Church of Sartan" (40 recipients) | |
| Brethren, I have just discovered something shocking.
A member of Capius' royal guard came to me recently. The man was wracked by guilt. He told me a most vile and horrible tale. It turns out that when Caspius was duke of Ozrat in Toupellon he led his guard in the deliberate massacre of the cities Adgharists - burning them alive and covering it up as a fire. This man who came to me was one of the guards who carried out the massacre. It is only following the recent events that he found the courage to come forwards and speak to me. Brethren, there are many things I am prepared to tolerate. But there is one thing that the Code of Sartan is very clear on - you shall not harm the innocent! Caspius, you call me a twisted demon. Well I fought for Sartan when you were but a gleam in your father's eye and I still fight for him now! You speak of the Code and yet you massacred men, women and children. Children! Innocent babes in arm were slaughtered on your orders! You have broken the Code! You have killed innocents in cold blood! YOU HAVE BETRAYED EVERYTHING A WARRIOR STANDS FOR! CASPIUS! You have abandoned the Code and brought shame upon it and the name of Sartan Himself! All this time you ruled, daring to pretend to be a pious Sartanian King when you were nothing but the basest and lowest of monsters! Well no more. No more will you be permitted to harm the innocent and go to prayers with honest men. No more will you be able to cloak your evilness with piety! I CAST YOU OUT!
| |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| False Priestess,
A soldier's word over a King's? How entertaining. The Adgharhins who died in the night of the purge were simply adults, the very same who attacked you and were later executed by your hands. I did my duty to Sartan and brought the fires of righteousness to those who sullied and killed our men, women, and children. The children that night were left alone, and subsequently died of starvation, along with Sartanians and Magnans - as was the fault of those running the realm of Toupellon. If the soldier killed a babe himself, then he should be the one killed, not I. For your heresy and blasphemy, your attempted coup over Sorraine and the identity of the very church you serve, you are EXILED from Sorraine and casted a traitor of Sartan's cause, spreader of lies, and the sower of dissidence! No longer will your tolerance and pacifism corrupt our lands! BE OUT WITH YOU WITCH! For the glory of and righteousness of Sartan! Caspius Arundel, Priest of The Church of Sartan Sartanian King of Sorraine, Duke of Satus Divinus | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| The way you try to escape justice for your crimes is despicable and cowardly. But you shall not win! The righteous will prevail!
I know liars when I see them and there were no lies in that man's eyes. He spoke the truth. He was in fear of eternal damnation for his crimes and he could do nothing but speak the truth. As Sartan is my witness I know that he spoke true and I give my word to back his. And the weight of the High Priest, one chosen by Sartan himself, far outweighs yours, hollow king. Brethren, followers of Sartan, Caspius the Butcher seeks to evade justice for his heresy. As your spiritual leader and as the sole judicial authority in this realm with power over the King himself, as Caspius himself insisted, I command you to overthrow him and install the rightful, pious heir Mathilda in his place. Join the underground and rally in the capital! Bring your men and drag the heretic kicking and screaming from his own citadel! The people are with you! Sartan is with you! Sorraine must be purified with Sartan's holy fire and I call upon you all to light that blaze! Selene Octavius, Priestess of The Church of Sartan Tribune Ecclesiarch of Sorraine, Viscountess of Anaos, Ambassador of Sorraine | |
The Finale
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Caspius Arundel, Selene Octavius | |
| So long as you both quarrel, the realm and the church are weakened. This is not about personal honor, this is about the very existence of our faith. We must have peace among ourselves before we can prepare for war. A compromise will keep us alive, and so I bring terms to you both.
Your Holiness, it pains me to ask this of you, but you must step down from your position as Tribune Ecclesiarch. You will keep your other titles in this realm, and remain my advisor, but after this schism I will need time before I can trust you with such power in the realm. As head of the faith, you will continue to legitimatize successors to the throne, but charge over the realm's prisons and gallows will go to another. In addition, you must call off this demand for Caspius' life, and allow him to remain a member of the faith, to serve Sartan in the Dark Isle. Your Majesty, I have served you loyally and faithfully, and were it my choice this would not have to be done, but you must set aside your crown. Leave to the Dark Isle, and serve Sartan in any way you can, until the church has seen fit to forgive you. Staying to fight will only weaken us more. I beg of you both, do these things, and we might live through this war. Do not let what we have put so much effort into building die to your pride. In faith, Mathilda Penardin of Sorraine Bishop of The Church of Sartan and Crown Princess of Sorraine, Duchess of Satus Divinus, Margravine of Ozrat | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Caspius Arundel, Mathilda Penardin | |
| You are the rightful Queen. If you so wish, I will gladly step down as Tribune Ecclesiarch. And, if Caspius lays aside his crown peacefully then I will permit him to keep his life and go peacefully into exile - but I am not prepared to let him rejoin the Church following the evil crimes he has committed.
Selene Octavius, Priestess of The Church of Sartan Tribune Ecclesiarch of Sorraine, Viscountess of Anaos, Ambassador of Sorraine | |
| Letter | |
| Message sent to Selene Octavius, Mathilda Penardin | |
| Your Highness,
The appropriate preparations have already been made for you to assume the throne, and I will gladly step down. But there are two things I demand before I do so. The first: the False Priestess is to call for one full day of peace, publicly to the Church of Sartan and the Realm of Sorraine, promoting silence amongst our nobles. Already, Lord Henzo has followed his foolish ways and altered his allegiance to Ohnar West. Now, we may not see the region again until war is pressed. I have, however, sent missives to the interested parties in this matter - hoping for a smooth transition. The second: you are to meet me in the Royal Palace as soon as possible and before the end of peace. I wish to speak with you. Bring your sword, I would not want you disarmed in a realm of uncertainty. Yours in service, Caspius Arundel, Priest of The Church of Sartan Sartanian King of Sorraine | |
| Roleplay from Mathilda Penardin | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| Mathilda rode through the busy streets of Ozrat, drawing looks from peasants and noblemen alike. Word of the fighting between church and crown had spread quickly, and among all the normal noises of the city -- merchants selling their goods, children running about in the alleyways, and drunk arguments in the taverns -- Mathilda could sometimes hear a whisper, and see a finger pointed up towards her. They were mostly just rumors, some parts exaggerated and some fabricated completely, but each had a lining of the truth, and all agreed on one thing: the king was a heretic, cursed by the gods.
| |
| Mathilda Penardin | |
| Roleplay from Caspius Arundel | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| At the sound of creaking doors opening, Caspius launched himself from his throne and to his feet. He watched carefully as Mathilda cautiously entered the room, smiling all the meanwhile at her presence.
"You arrived! How fortunate for me!" his tone one of humor and surrender, "With Inquisitors seeking my life, you could have been anyone!" He chuckled, if only for a few seconds, before returning to the purpose of their meeting. "I expect you received my letters surrounding the issues around Hosiel and Arempos? Of course you have." he continued, refusing Mathilda the time to speak, "But I failed to mention that due to Sir William's apparent betrayal of our Houses' good standings, it seems my cousin will also be remaining here in Sorraine, perhaps even joining the church." A young woman, blessed with rose red locks and a tranquil, beautiful, and innocent face, appeared behind him, smiling as she bowed in Mathilda's direction. "Do not assume her apparent 'serenity' as a sign of weakness." he said, peeking a glance at her over his shoulder, "She's stronger than I am, and upon my death, a Princess of Sorraine and your greatest ally - inheriting my claim and loyalty." He waved his hand, giving an adjacent servant his cue. The servant approached Mathilda and knelt beside her, presenting a box of unknown value. "In that box," he said, moving on to the next topic rapidly, "you will find the feather of piety. Though it seems rather ridiculous, a strange aura emanates from each barb, as if touched by Sartan's divinity. I want you to have it, as I will have no use for it any longer." "But enough of me. How is your day fairing?" he said, smiling a casual and fabricated smile for her. | |
| Caspius Arundel | |
| Roleplay from Mathilda Penardin | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| Mathilda stood silent as the king spoke, nodding in greeting at the woman and taking the box into her hand. Eventually, she looked back up to him, a pensive frown on her face, unsettled by his forced smile.
| |
| Mathilda Penardin | |
| Roleplay from Caspius Arundel | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| His artificial smile turned sincere; lips warm and full of life, cheeks rosy and filled with vigor, eyes sparkling with reflections from the rising sun, and hair dancing in the mild breeze that swept through the open door. A final grasp of life.
"To kill me." he said plainly, "To take this crown off my head with honor. To cast me to Sartan's side in loyalty. The others would hang me, burn me, dismember me. I would rather have a sister's sword pierce my heart in service to her King's dieing wishes." He looked down at her sword, then back up to meet her eyes. "Fulfill Sartan's desire and do it, for me." | |
| Caspius Arundel | |
| Roleplay from Mathilda Penardin | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| Her face darkened, but she was not surprised. "I've given you a chance to leave in peace. The Dark Isle will need good men." Even as she spoke, her hand gripped her sword tightly. "Why throw your life away?" | |
| Mathilda Penardin | |
| Roleplay from Caspius Arundel | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| "I told you th-" he began, cut off by a sudden surge of unbearable pain. He tilted his head down, only to witness a blade pierced clean through his heart and dripping with crimson gore. His hands reacted and grasped the blade, with what strength he had left, before it was pulled out aggressively from behind him. As he collapsed to the floor, dead, Arke revealed herself from behind him, holding the blade.
"May your rest in peace, my King." she said mockingly, curtseying with a false respect for her cousin. Eleven men soon filtered their way in between the throne room columns, five on each side between her and Mathilda, while the heavily armored one - Captain Nathandar - stood tall at Arke's side. "I trust we are on good terms? These are the King's guard, under my command, and I would hate to see another Royal fall." she sneered, "Take what is yours, and I will go to Coralynth after visiting the temple here. Do a better job than my weakling cousin, and I shall stay out of your hair. Are we in agreement?" | |
| Caspius Arundel | |
| Roleplay from Mathilda Penardin | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| Mathilda stepped back, nearly pulling her sword out of its sheath -- but when the soldiers filed in, she was surrounded and outnumbered. She stared down at Caspius, bleeding on the floor.
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| Mathilda Penardin | |
| Roleplay from Caspius Arundel | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| Arke smirked a moment, "I fulfilled Sartan's duty and that set out by our Tribune Ecclesiarch, did I not? I saved you from a life of regret, my Queen, you should be more thankful."
She tilted her head towards the door, signalling her men to follow. They left in a hurry, leaving Caspius and Mathilda behind. Caspius coughed up blood abruptly, holding unto dear life by mere threads. The blood that decorated the floor consumed an increasingly maroon-like color, a sign that his time was limited to minutes. He opened his eyes enough to see through them, peering up at Mathilda. "I t-old you th-that there was no p-lace l-eft for me h-here." he muttered painfully. "I w-as to j-join Sartan." | |
| Caspius Arundel | |
| Roleplay from Mathilda Penardin | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| Mathilda knelt by the dying king, a small, apologetic frown on her face.
"You will, soon enough. Sartan will see through the lies, and accept you into his halls." She paused, watching the blood spread about the floor of the throne room. "Rest, now." | |
| Mathilda Penardin | |
| Roleplay from Caspius Arundel | |
| Message sent to everyone in Sorraine(24 recipients) | |
| He smiled one last time, blood leaking from the corner of his lips.
"I t-tried to be strong, I-I wanted to be a go-good King. I reg-gret being angry. I-I wish I was m-more kind to... to those beneath me..." he said, his last words exhausting the remaining air in his lungs. His eyes starred forward blankly, without purpose or intended sight, as his jaw lowered to relaxed muscles. Chest still, heart calm, there was nothing left of King Caspius' soul, save a legacy to be remembered. ((I wanted to thank everybody for the fun times in Sorraine :). Hopefully I'll be able to play with all of you still on FEI, through Arke, in some way or another. Kudos!)) | |
| Caspius Arundel | |
FIN
