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This article uses letters sent by rulers looking back on the start of the war between the Prectorate of Magnus, Suville, Caergoth, Carelia and the Ash Sea Islands.
It began with a letter by Thariel Ulistarion (Knight of Ash'rily) sent to the Rulers of Atamara asking for peace. What follows is a very informative exchange of letters by some rulers.
Letter from Callisto Maximoff
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
Message Delivered
Letter from Callisto Maximoff
(Personal message to Thariel)
"Unprovoked and without reason" was part of your speech..
It demonstrates the truth is: "uninformed and unaware". There is reason to what you call madness. This isn't just some whim of the continent, it's the result of your kingdom's history.
Callisto Maximoff
Queen of Suville
Letter from Beircheart Aoidh
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
And what would that reason be?
Amidst the fall of Abington--similarly beset from all sides, but also fractured within--ASI moved to claim several regions from the dead husk or our once long-time enemy, with who we had made peace only just as it collapsed. There, we spun off a new realm, dedicated to the burgeoning faith of Magna Serpaenism, followed up and down the east cost of Atamarra, hoping to cleanse the blood and madness endemic to the region.
That realm failed, and its lands now belong to you and your allies.
What then is your reason for continuing this conflict?
On more than one occasion I have asked what I must do to end this war, what grievance drives you to fight, and you have never given a straight answer.
If you seek to claim the mantle of old Abington, please do so, before these other rulers of the realms; I'm sure they would love to know of it. Otherwise, you have no standing to speak of the history of ASI in the lands you curently ravage, and no claim for the continuence of your war on that reasoning.
If you seek the destruction of the Protectorate of Magnus, it has succeeded; even Talerium, who they had foolishly attacked, has agreed that ASI has paid its dues for our way-ward friends' follies, and certainly more than any of the other realms whose assistance in their attacks consisted of no more than allowing them to pass through unmolested.
Garthon and Magnus have at least had the honesty to say that they attack ASI for greed of land (which continually astounds me, as Garthon first asked ASI for help to take Caergoth's lands, and partnered with his erst-while target only after we refused; moreso, other realms' silent acceptance of their sin.)
I can only hope that some public discourse on the issue will shed the light needed for other realms to see the truth of what is happening, and perhaps apply what might they can, political or otherwise, to assist ASI in these, our trying times.
Beircheart Aoidh
King of Ash Sea Islands
Roleplay from Magnus the Mighty Crownguard
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
Beircheart, your attempt to place words in my mouth cannot go uncontested.
I guess it is time to perform the monthly recant of the reasons for the war. Honestly Beircheart, if you would simply tell your people the truth this would not be necessary. Or perhaps a selective and short term memory is a malady that effects every ruler of ASI, I do not know.
Your realm, as I have stated to you numerous times and to your people since no one else seems capable of doing so, is being reduced to one city because your past leadership simply lacked the ability to honor simple and easy to follow agreements. That is the crux of it. Sure there are numerous minor infractions that broke the proverbial camel's back, but that is the reason at the end of the day.
The Southern island is forfeit, and Caergoth is giving up lands to it's allies so that it can relocate there. Your realm will not be destroyed, simply reduced in size since it's past leadership did not comprehend the concept of honoring an agreement.
I understand you need to ask for peace for your people, and I would do the same. However, once being given the terms of the war and gaining the knowledge that my realm was being reduced to one city for past infractions I would cease crying to everyone on the continent and asking why. I fully expect you to fight every step of the way. That is war, and I would fight every step of the way as well.
Tell your people the truth, and give them the peace of mind that who they elect as their leader represents them in body, mind and spirit to the rest of the continent. Not misrepresenting them. Continue to lie to them, and they will not only never have peace of mind... but they will continue to live in delusion just as they did under Doc's rule.
Only you can make a change, and provide the legacy of leadership your realm has not seen in an age. And only you can see your people through these times to see a better day of prosperity, peace and abundance.
Magnus the Mighty Crownguard
King and Grand Master of Caergoth
Letter from Beircheart Aoidh
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
You have told me no such thing, Magnus. Although your ally in Suville had made the same claim to me, which I thouroughly and extensively rebuked. That the two halves of old Abington are so much of the same mind sends shivers up my spine, and should do the same for the rulers of any of the realms whose soldiers fought and died to destroy that realm. You and Suville were allowed reprive when Abington died; if it is alive again, Atamarra deserves to know.
Now, rather than dance about making spurious claims about treaty violations, why don't you just, finally, point out precisely what treaty ASI has broken with you, or with Suville, or with Carelia, or with Tara? I challenge you to find such a thing, and would welcome you to show it to others.
Futhermore, I don't appreciate your characterization of a King's measured diplomatic requests to his equals as "crying", and would encourage this body to censure you for such a disrespectful opinion. I will not see you turn the rest of this body to your swine-like disrespectfull attitude.
Again, if your allies, or you, wish to claim Abington's mantle, please; do so now.
Beircheart Aoidh
King of Ash Sea Islands
Letter from Garthon Dumeric
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
Garthon first asked ASI for help to take Caergoth's lands, and partnered with his erst-while target only after we refused; moreso, other realms' silent acceptance of their sin.
I have listened to this claim many times and let it go unchecked, as I know it is simply a tactic to turn favor against us, but I cannot let it go uncorrected anymore.
In the months before the war, as we were taking the last of RedSpan's land, I was elected as King. Both DRP and Magnus approached with words of friendship, curious as to Carelia's plans. I told them both very bluntly that Carelia wanted Wayburg. Not because we did not like our new neighbors, but because that was our goal prior to Caergoth's existence. Wayburg was to be our replacement for Nida, which we gave to the Cagilan Empire for aiding us against RedSpan and Abington.
Doc was dead set against it, I could tell, and he chose to make attempts to sway me from the idea. Magnus, on the other hand, while not overjoyed we wanted his capital, at least listened to my proposals and generated a few ideas of his own.
Carelia did not rush into the decision to war ASI, but I did my research. I challenged my own beliefs of what Kronos had told us about the greatness of ASI, and came to the conclusion that our "alliance" with ASI was only a paper trophy to hang on his mantle piece, thus not a tie worthy of keeping. I will not talk ill of the departed, but my eyes were opened dramatically in my research.
So yes, I have told you and anyone that reads the Carelian Times several reasons for our involvement in this war. But it boils down to Wayburg and DRP's decision to straddle the fence and attempt to manipulate both sides.
What I think is most telling is that of the four realms you wage war against, each has their own reason for doing so. So you tell me, is it us? Or is it perhaps your past leadership that has placed you in this mess.
Garthon Dumeric
King of Carelia
Letter from Beircheart Aoidh
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
That you put the word alliance in quotes speaks volumes of you, Garthon.
That you make sweet platitudes toward your dead kings, when they died opposing you in this very war, is volumes more.
So then; your stated argument for this war is that a former king of ASI suggested maybe you should reconsider taking Wayburg? After four months, that's the best you can come up with? You attack a realm, and rally others about your cause, over a piece of land it has never held and never taken any claim to, that currently belongs to your ally? I think you were better of to let it stand that you were greedy.
I've heard enough, and I'm sure our peers have as well. I will see you--or at least the Caergothan armies that you back--on the battlefield.
Beircheart Aoidh
King of Ash Sea Islands
Roleplay from Magnus the Mighty Crownguard
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
Now, rather than dance about making spurious claims about treaty violations, why don't you just, finally, point out precisely what treaty ASI has broken with you, or with Suville, or with Carelia, or with Tara? I challenge you to find such a thing, and would welcome you to show it to others.
Ahh, Beircheart... but I have informed you of such things in private. Further testament to the selective and short term memory of ASI leadership.
The agreement for handing Riverholm over to ASI in exchange for Doc's theocracy to be founded there was a peace treaty between ASI, the Protectorate, Caergoth and Suville. With no intentions for the Protectorate to ever expand beyond it's regions into Caergoth or Suville. Ever. And that ASI would leand military support to Caergoth should it ever come under attack by Carelia or anyone in the West.
I welcomed this endeavor. Long had I wanted to see peace with ASI and the Southeast. For I viewed them as honorable individuals, and valiant warriors. Sadly, I was swindled and duped by Doc so that he could have his puppet theocracy state.
Two weeks after the establishment of the Protectorate, it's ruler approached me to go to to war against Suville so that we both might expand into it.
At the same time, the Protectorate's leadership and ASI's taunted Talerium and Eston to make war. The Protectorate later sent a force to Talerium to raid it. While at the same time the priests of the Protectorate and ASI ended the honorable war between Norland and Minas Ithil by preaching in Barad Riel. Claiming that they had the right to the city.
Carelia approached me and wanted Wayburg to replace Nidia. ASI (Doc) stated he would not defend us since his forces were busy waiting on his Northside in case there was retaliation for his taunting. Leaving Caergoth out to dry. Counter to the agreement he'd made to defend us.
I met with those who had actually helped Caergoth during it's initial struggles with food and encouragement, which oddly enough was every realm surrounding us except ASI. I do understand that ASI now views their aid and support to us was not destroying us, but swindling us instead. But from my point of view that doesn't actually count. So, we'll just say that ASI did not help at all.
I will say this... the forked tongue of ASI leadership seems to be passed on from one ruler to another. I had thought, even hoped you would be different Beircheart. I know there is good in your realm. Perhaps one day someone else will step up to lead your good people with integrity and goodness. But that day is not today it would seem.
Magnus the Mighty Crownguard
King and Grand Master of Caergoth
Letter from Beircheart Aoidh
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
ASI never participated in any planning to support PoM's expansion; had PoM attempted such foolishness, ASI would have, as per its treaties, opposed such action.
Now, while it is true Doc made a few harsh words at Captain's expense, even he was against Sarrath's decision to attack Talerium; but of course, Captain's taunts were that PoM was puppet to ASI; had Sarrath listened to Doc, you would use that fact to "confirm" your arguments that ASI supported PoM's actions because it had controll over the realm. But since he didn't, you use that fact to "confirm" that ASI supported PoM's actions because we could not force them to stop? Quite a cunning trap of words you have built.
The truth is, ASI gave birth to PoM, and they were federated allies; but they were different realms. You have destroyed PoM already, and to try to re-pin its crimes on ASI to extract further revenge is disingenuous.
Futhermore, the "ASI" priests in Barad Riel were no such thing. Magna Serpaenism has followers well beyond the border of ASI. You cannot assume that a priest of MS is also a noble of ASI, no matter how convenient of a scapegoat it is for you.
And to refute your final point: no one ever took Wayburg from you. You accuse ASI of dishonor for not assisting you in a conflict that never occured? I was Judge of ASI at the time, so not privvy to all our diplomatic involvements, but I vaguely remember sitting on the north border worrying about an attack, and Doc mentioning that Caergoth had concerns about an attack on their own soil. When he said he couldn't help you, he meant "at that moment", you dullard. A week later I was massed with the rest of ASI's army in Worav, waiting for the order to march out and meet any western army that was returning to the southeast. We were unable to assist on short notice--and if I recall, a fair bit of damage was done--but rest assured, we were ready to help once we had the time to organize, and the western forces didn't return.
Praise the Serpaent, don't tell me this whole nonsense is based on a false assumption, a mistaken identity, and a misunderstanding?
(By the way; under Magna Serpaenism, having a "forked tounge" means you can explain both sides of a contentious issue without showing bias or disrespect to either one. So I would hope the forked tounge of ASI's former kings has passed to me!)
Beircheart Aoidh
King of Ash Sea Islands
Roleplay from Magnus the Mighty Crownguard
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
Beircheart, since I have explained all of this before... on numerous occasions to you and your people, I am more inclined the give the high level overview. I made no reference to losing Wayburg, and I have spoken plainly and bluntly here as I have and will continue to do so. Attempting to twist my words around and make me out to look like I am a "dullard" as you put it... will not avail you.
Whatever Doc did or did not tell you and the rest of your realm is not of my concern. I can only go by what he stated to me personally, and the treaties / pacts he made with myself and Callisto.
Furthermore to your previous statement that Caergoth or Suville is simply Abington reincarnated... I cannot speak for Callisto, but for Caergoth... Abington in name, spirit and philosophy is not only dead, but its memory only exists in history books. And it is not remembered fondly for what it became in it's final years. Continuously bringing it up will not bring it back, nor will it's memory be a rekindled part of Caergoth... ever.
(By the way; under anyone else I know not of Magna Serpaenism, having a "forked tongue" is the expression "to speak with a forked tongue," meaning to say one thing and mean another or, in more general terms, to act in a duplicitous manner. So congratulations... the forked tongue of ASI's former kings has passed to you!)
As far as I am concerned the tit-for-tat has gone on long enough now, and I will entertain it no further. You have your answers and reasons... again.
The Southern island of ASI will be taken by Caergoth. With Caergoth regions given away to Carelia and Suville as we are not on an expansion conquest. ASI will be left with the city of Ser'quea, the Northern island and whatever regions surrounding it's capital remain intact by the end of the war on it's Northern front. Ideally the regions immediately around the capital so you will have food and estates to support your nobles.
Good day to you Sir.
Magnus the Mighty Crownguard
King and Grand Master of Caergoth
Letter from Garthon Dumeric
Message sent to the Rulers of this world (12 recipients)
The fact that I put alliance in quotations speaks volumes about the value of said alliance. There was no value. ASI's great claim to assisting Carelia was supposedly the treaty negotiations between CE and Carelia at the end of the war. I have it from several credible sources that the only thing ASI added to that treaty was saving Kronos's throne. We won't talk of how ASI has never lent Carelia military support in any war in my history, nor of the fact that is was ASI's backhanded ways that contributed to us being defeated by the Cagilan Empire.
Now I shall add that we had no business being involved in any war against Tara or the Cagilan Empire in the first place, but like you, that is a cross I have the bear nailed on by the ghosts of dead Kings. There is something to be said for learning from your predecessor's mistakes.
Now shall we sit here all day and nit-pick each others words?
Garthon Dumeric
King of Carelia
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