Westmoor (Realm)/The Cause of Friendship and Memories

Letter from Sir Jor Tanos

Message sent to Nobles of Westmoor

Causarum Amicitia et Memoria. These are our founding words, our royal motto as decreed by Queen Evangeline Uceek the Confessor of Perdan and Westmoor. For the cause of friendship and memories. Westmoor stands relatively alone because we forgot those words and their meaning. We turned our backs on our friends and chose to ignore our rich yet painful history. The earliest inkling of Westmoor came from King Nightmare of Perdan as a restored Republic of Oligarch, once a loyal ally of Perdan. We were carved from the very lands that were once Oligarchian, but they were occupied by the brutal forces of Fontan. Too much time had passed for us to become a restored Oligarch, those who truly remembered it few in number. We became something else, something greater. Westmoor was formed in memory of fallen allies, yes, but also in honor of living friendships. You see, the dream that became Westmoor was more than just the dream of Perdan. It became the dream of Caligus too. Together, they formed Westmoor, keeping us safe from Fontan's vengeful and jealous marauders. Oh yes, even then as Westmoor sought universal peace we were rebuffed by the Fontanese and attacked. As we warred Fontan, we continued to push for peace. However, some of our allies wished for demands on them deemed too excessive at the time. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Sirion was claimed by Fontan to be seeking a separate peace that would have had Westmoor's lands given to Fontan, a significant betrayal. As a result, a peace was made by the majority of the allied powers with Fontan to unite in a war against Sirion. It was a long, bloody war and we all saw the end results not long ago. We need only look south and see that Fontan is but a shadow of its former self. I understand the outrage at the actions of Sirion's Prime Minister. Yet we condemned the entire Republic for the decisions of a single man who was eventually replaced. On the word of Fontan at that. It is no better than those who condemn Westmoor for the deeds of Flaylen. Should Westmoor be warred by our ancestral allies, our friends and neighbors, because he so craved foolish and unwinnable wars? I say no. No realm should be condemned for the decisions of a single man, be he King or Prime Minister. During my first reign, I restored our alliances with Caligus, a parent and long time protector, and Sirion, a lost friend. In doing so, I had to end the federation with the Asenans, the Fontanese, and the Ibladeshi (pulled into the Federation by the Asenans and Fontanese without our knowledge). Ending that Federation was a necessity. Not only were they ignoring our rights, the House of Lords was given at the time a series of missives between leading members of the Sultanate of Asena and the Fontanese showing their intent to turn on us in the eventuality that Sirion was defeated. You see, even as alies, as federation partners, they planned our destruction. For those decisions I was removed from the throne. Can any say, knowing the results of those wars we would have been dragged into, that my decisions were wrong? Quite frankly, Westmoor would have long ago been destroyed by the united forces of Caligus, Perdan, and Sirion. Westmoor city would have fallen first then, as our last bastion, Oligarch would be our end. Flaylen was raised to the throne, ending not only the alliances with Caligus and Sirion but also those with Perdan and the Obsidian Islands! He made alliances again with the Asenans and Fontanese, but even in that he betrayed Fontan in his decision to keep Krimml when it revolted to our side after Sirion ravaged it. Even then he ordered raids against Caligus, a nation in a brutal war against Ibladesh. Flaylen ended peace that was secured with blood, sweat, and tears with a single stroke. Then he too was protested from the throne. Fortunately Maedros was named King, for through him, the bridges of peace were slowly rebuilt. Stresses forced him to abdicate, then I was chosen to once again lead the cause of peace from the throne. With the exception of Fontan, I believe I have been successful. I can only pray that we can prove ourselves as faithful, loyal allies and friends as we did with our northern neighbors, the Obsidian Islands. Remember our friends, remember our allies. Remember that Westmoor's path has been paved with pain, with tears, with blood. We were always meant to represent a hope. A hope that even with dark pasts, something new can be restored. Our own insignia, the rose of Westmoor and the sword of Oligarch intertwined, shows that even from war something beautiful can grow in its stead. Remember those who have fallen to keep our freedoms intact, they gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Divine bless us all. Sancte Balkeese defende nos.

Sir Jor Tanos (Priest of Church of Humanity King of Westmoor, Ambassador of Westmoor)