Contéfigardo Family/Felixous Contéfigardo
Grante-Felixous Accords, Following Warfare Between Irondale and Reven Over The Region of Tor
12 November 2021
(Personal message to Felixous Contéfigardo) - 7 hours, 31 minutes ago Arch Angel Felixous,
I am reaching out as it seems the usual channels for diplomatic discussion are not yielding any results. And so I hope that you will be more receptive, especially since you have received the same news as I that Nothoi has over 100,000 CS of rogue forces scattered along their borders, and likely more beyond that.
Simply put, this war needs to end. With Tor now in our possession, Reven does not have the numbers to retake the region. You and I both know this. So while our two armies sit staring at each other, the necromancers in the south and their forces continue to push north. I would much rather be sending the Noctan Legion to assist in the south, but that is impossible until this conflict is resolved. We set out to take Tor, and have. Let us put down our blades so that we can turn back to defending humanity and ensuring we are not wiped out by rogue forces.
If Nothoi falls next, Reven is left in the direct sights of the hordes in the south. Is that something you are prepared to defend against? I know that Reven does not have many friends, so who will come to your aid? If this war continues on, I can assure you that Irondale will not. But if we stop this nonsense and assist Nothoi, then I can work within Irondale to ensure there is assistance if that need comes to pass.
I look forward to hearing back from you Arch Angel. I do not wish for our blades to cross again.
Respectfully,
Grante Le Monte Minister of Defense of Irondale Duke of Land's End Earl of Heen
And in reply, here is my response. Hopefully all of you think I acquitted myself admirably in responding to this "the carrot or the stick" type letter:
(Personal message to Grante Le Monte) - 37 minutes ago Minister of Defense Grante,
This war is one of self defense on our part. A greater and more well-equipped foe struck us. Now we sit awaiting the next blow, doing nothing to provoke, just as before the conflict began.
However, I agree that Reven is unable to dislodge the Irondale forces from Tor. In my opinion, the war should be ended. I do not get to make that decision, but I will pass along your words and sentiments to my leader, along with my agreement with said letters.
Afterwards, as for Nothoi and the rest of humanity, we will only assist because it is in our own self-interest. The world cares not for Reven, and so the Revenants have no cares to give out in return.
Perhaps if war after war was not engaged against the people here, and large realms did not prey upon the smaller, then the sentiment might be different. But unfortunately that is the way of the world oftentimes: might makes right, and the weak suffer. And while it is the truth, those that perpetuate it still lack honor in my eyes.
I will again endeavor to send as many troops as we are able to the south, and in fact I even argued this to my realm-mates during and after the last war with Shattered Vales. However, because they know the disdain and hatred that the other countries show to this land, their concerns for the safety of foreigners that hate them is low, and there was much pushback against my suggestion and calls for volunteers. I will try again to sway and motivate them to aid those who spit at them, but do not expect much.
As for your promises of assistance after we do help humanity, we shall see. I have my doubts. Perhaps you can prove me wrong.
Felixous Contéfigardo Arch Angel of Reven Earl of Junohep Marshal of the Depraved Legion
Letter from Grante Le Monte Player experience level: mentor Player play preference: rp-combat (Personal message to Felixous Contéfigardo) - 11 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes ago Arch Angel,
It is nice to see one who has sense and is willing to talk it among Reven. While I do not know your feelings on them, from what I have seen, your Light Bringer and Godsworn Jailer do Reven no favors in the diplomatic sphere. If it helps with building trust between colleagues, I did not support the Vales' war for their move north, and felt there was a better way to go about it.
As for the reasons for this war, again, from what I have seen, is that this was self-inflicted upon Reven due to your ambassador not properly communicating everything, or it being willfully ignored. Irondale had a past claim on Tor and was in the process of taking it next when Reven took it. So we naturally enforced our rightful claim on it. And that is all we intend to do. For now. Personally, I'd rather not strike again into Reven, and did not support the last strike we did after the battle in Tor. We should have stuck to that, but others preferred more action to try and force an early end. I think it backfired, and ensured a longer war.
But for this conversation, the reasons why it started mean nothing. Only that we must move past it. What I can warn you though is that the longer it takes, the more lives will be lost. Here, and in the south. I appreciate that you at least share the same sentiments. As for what relations are like post-war, I have always pushed for all realms to be united, as we cannot afford bickering among us. And Reven is a part of that coalition. Or should be. Once this war is past, I will do all I can to achieve that goal, which includes making sure our realms, as neighbors, have better relations.
If the time comes Reven is beset by rogues and needs aid, I give my word Irondale will be there. And if I cannot, I will ride alone, and any willing to come will be welcome. I do not think those playing politics in the north see the dark tide sweeping up from the south. But having come from Nova, I know full well the horrors approaching.
Respectfully,
Grante Le Monte Minister of Defense of Irondale Duke of Land's End Earl of Heen
Letter from Felixous Contéfigardo Player experience level: experienced Player play preference: rp-combat (Personal message to Grante Le Monte) - 10 days, 22 hours, 47 minutes ago Minister Grante,
I thank you for your cordial tone, and apologize for the slight rudeness I perhaps displayed in my last letter. The constant warfare has been draining, I admit, and no doubt the tiredness and combat fatigue shows through in letters, not just from I, but also my compatriots which you mentioned. As for the previous war that Shattered Vales attempted, I am glad to hear that you opposed it, however, they sent barely over half their forces, and even then most of them were young and inexperienced. If they had bothered to send their entire might, then we likely would have fallen.
On the matter of Tor, I was unaware of such claims by Irondale, although I still wonder if the appropriate response was war. Many people try to point fingers at Reven for actions that delay the culmination of humanity's response to the undead tide; and yet, Reven started neither of it's past two wars now. In this matter, the respect I have for you does not extend to your leader, Hierophant Ryosuke, as he has attempted to level the same accusations while also being the one to set this conflict alight. Also, thank you for your consideration that further marches into Reven were not needed, as your assessment of prolonging the war is accurate. My prediction is that it would turn downright ugly; but what a glorious blaze Reven would have gone down in! Perhaps it is needed anyway. None throughout the continent trust the words of members of the former lands of Vordul Sanguinis, despite the fact that the banner and the name are gone, and only a couple of the nobles remain as well. Maybe a death that make it into the history books would be better than one that makes our name forgotten.
With regards to the war and "moving past it": again I do not have that power, although my opinion and sentiments have been passed to Light Bringer Impi. He has said that he sent a letter to your Hierophant, and is awaiting a response from him. So hopefully this whole situation can be resolved soon. I do not wish for our men to be spilling each other's blood again. And finally, thank you for the promise of normal and healthy relations, backed by an offer of assistance if we are beset by foes. Yours is the first such declaration I have received from any foreigner since I arrived to the wretched shores a year ago. In return I gladly promise the same to you and your kin and kind: normal relations, respectful behavior, and an offer of aid if Irondale comes calling. Perhaps it seems...lesser... for the leader of the smaller realm to make the self-same promise, and yet, I gladly still put it forth.
Your friend in arms,
Felixous Contéfigardo Arch Angel of Reven Earl of Junohep Marshal of the Depraved Legion
Felixous Ruminates on His Future in Reven
Roleplay from Felixous Contéfigardo Player experience level: experienced Player play preference: rp-combat Message sent to all nobles of Reven (13 recipients) - 6 hours, 15 minutes ago
Felixous read the reports coming to him from the rogues to the east. The noble Revenants there had done a good job of setting up an advanced camp in Vale and clearing out the beasties in the region. Not only would this gain them good experience fighting and gaining honor, but the would secure and protect the valuable city of Wudenkin from the evils that prowl in the night.
Somewhat troubling was the raid conducted by that madman from Thalmarkin, Vidkunn Thrane. Looting and murdering the middle of their territory, just to run off and try to escape. Even though it was a heinous series of acts, some of the more tenured nobles of the realm were not blaming Thalmarkin, as one might expect, but instead were incensed and angered specifically towards Vidkunn, as if they had personal bad blood between them. Particularly chief among them were Light Bringer Impi, Demeter Virgil, and Knight Ichabod. In fact Ichabod had both challenged Vidkunn to a duel, and then attempted to assassinate him, being captured in the process.
Clearly, Felixous was unaware of all of the facts and information needed to understand what was going on. There was certainly more to the story. He held out hope that someone would approach him, either to explain it all away, or draw him deeper into the web and weave of the mystery.
Not for the first time, he wondered to himself what he had gotten himself into here in Reven, both emigrating here and rising to marshal, then lord, and finally general. Each time proud that he could report back to his family of his promotions, but also feeling he was sinking deeper into the proverbial muck of this place. The people here are strong and proud, but also cruel and uncaring. Felixous pondered about if he was in the right place, and how it might change him the longer he stayed. How much will he be changed by the culture and the people here? More importantly though, what kind of person might he become?
