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Aphonion Tales: The Archducal Council -- Unedited notes; later posts are edited transcripts (posts MWF, update 3/1/23)
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<blockquote data-quote="CPaladin" data-source="post: 8935234" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>[Session 149, cont'd]</p><p>The First Mouth does appear with a small entourage of bishops and archbishops. He wears a black iron mask that obscures his face, clearly part of his religious regalia. He's the only person here in a mask besides the representatives from Masque, although he seems to be much less particular about it than they are. He does not hesitate to shift it aside to have drink or food.</p><p></p><p>Alistair approaches respectfully.</p><p></p><p>"Your Majesty."</p><p></p><p>"Your Most Venerable Holiness."</p><p></p><p>"I don't feel so venerable."</p><p></p><p>"That is what they tell us that we are to say to your hierarchy, and you are the highest of your hierarchy, so there you go."</p><p></p><p>"I am. This is true." The First Mouth pauses. "The loss of Sharra Rufus, and now of the Archbaroness of Mandrath has been a terrible blow to the Temple."</p><p></p><p>"And to us all. It has been a great loss to the struggle against the great enemies to have the Grand Duchess no longer leading that effort."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, yes, she had a special touch. I knew her very well when I was Second Mouth, so I was able to see her efforts first hand. She did not slaughter large numbers of the innocent along with the guilty, which is the tendency of Inquisitions, Your Majesty. She kept a close watch and a firm hand."</p><p></p><p>"I understand." Alistair makes some snide comments over the mindlink about the special touch and closeness between the late Grand Duchess and the First Mouth, before his elevation, at least if the stories are believed.</p><p></p><p>Dame Brionna blushes a hair, and Kit gives a knowing smile. <<It feels natural, now that we're an Empire, to talk about a natural closeness between great monarchs and people with the title "mouth.">></p><p></p><p>Out loud, Alistair continues the conversation. "They are not, of course, our methods under any circumstances."</p><p></p><p>"Yes."</p><p></p><p>"I did want to underscore our concern about maintaining the stability of Ergmoth."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, it must remain stable."</p><p></p><p>"I do not know if such things are discussed in your temple, but there are theologians in ours that hypothesize about the special blessings given to certain nations. It is my belief, although I know that there may be some who would find this presumptuous, that each of the Brothers maintains one of their empires as secure and stable by an act of divine will that cannot be contravened by mortal forces. I believe that Ergmoth was once that empire in your temple, as Canberry is in ours, but that Paranswarm has in his wisdom shifted his focus to a different one of your lands, and thus it falls to mere mortals to ensure the stability and well-functioning of Ergmoth."</p><p></p><p>"I understand. Unfortunately, the situation is very difficult. I cannot maintain order throughout this region, securing both Ergmoth and Mandrath. I may be able to keep Ergmoth stable, but in order to stabilize Mandrath directly, I would need to actually remain here. And Lady Deborah cannot serve as regent for Ergmoth as her mother did--she must focus all her attention on maintaining control of this land."</p><p></p><p>"You must remain there, of course. And I have already informed the representative of your faith in my lands that I intend to speak to Lady Deborah about what she must do to ensure that Mandrath remains stable. I hope that we can collectively guide her to success in that endeavor."</p><p></p><p>"I must say I find myself in an amazingly short supply of well-trained, competent nobles of the faith who can function as regents."</p><p></p><p>"That has come to my attention. With regards to Ergmoth, would Lady Micarlanna be a satisfactory regent for her nephew if she accepted endarkening?"</p><p></p><p>"Under the circumstances, certainly, though we could not accept her if she continues to follow the goddess of her people. But these problems seem present in all of our lands. We seem to have been having problems producing enough heirs in the upper houses for 100 years."</p><p></p><p>"Indeed, there has been a concerted effort by the Great Enemies to weaken the lands of both our faiths by causing their noble houses to fail. It is also a means by which they lead people into consorting with demons who offer, shall we say, an animalian fecundity."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, this cult that has shown up here and there, you mean?"</p><p></p><p>"Exactly."</p><p></p><p>"The Ram, I believe."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we have had extensive difficulties with it on Drucien. I do not know how bad it has been on Khamista."</p><p></p><p>"The Inquisition has eradicated three different pockets of it, in each case infecting some of the nobility. The nobles almost have a higher desperation to bear potential heirs in general, and sons in particular, than the common folk. They are, if anything, more vulnerable to that, while at the same time targeted by the enemy to impair their ordinary duties."</p><p></p><p>"There are some in our lands who have found that the patronage, not, of course, in any religious way, but nonetheless the patronage of an archfey, the Stag, offers a less destructive means of ensuring male fertility. Would you object if some of the Order of the Stag were to come to some of the Paranswarmian realms here?"</p><p></p><p>"If he is not seeking the status of being worshipped, I don't see any reason why we would object."</p><p></p><p>"I can't promise that none of the people who follow him get confused about whether the Stag is quasi-divine, but I can say with certainty that that is not what what their order teaches. I must admit that it has become traditional in Canberry for the archduke to be a notional member of the Order, and so I'm well familiar with their practices."</p><p></p><p>"But it could help the nobility to avoid being drawn in to demonism. It is so strange talking about such things, my lord, that the route to avoid serving this Ram would be to be in an Order of Stags. I do not think that the inquisitive general would have any difficulty with it, and I certainly don't."</p><p></p><p>"Excellent. I will make certain introductions to spread the Order, then. Also, if you have any saints or the like that you could encourage nobles who are desperate to have children to turn to, it would not be a bad thing. I know that it's not actually something that either of our faiths runs heavily towards, but nonetheless, perhaps one of the devotees of the Weeping Woman."</p><p></p><p>"Perhaps."</p><p></p><p>"You also, I assume, are familiar with what is going on with the Temple of Sytry and the followers of that great evil that portrays itself as the Blue Sun?"</p><p></p><p>"Indeed, they have been finding their way into some of the edges of some of our territories as raiders as the split began. That has been unpleasant, to say the least. I fear that while we're attempting to avoid killing more than necessary, at this point our nobles have to protect their lands and people."</p><p></p><p>"Of course, and I am aware of the long history of difficulties between your temple and that of Sytry. I do not think there's much that you could do to assist in this matter, but we of course want to keep you aware. That is part of why the Church of Glordiadel may be taking a more vigorous role than we have historically done with regard to our fellow faith of the Light."</p><p></p><p>"You enjoy a much more stable relationship with them than we do."</p><p></p><p>"Exactly."</p><p></p><p>With the important points covered, they both make some small talk before the First Mouth excuses himself. He obviously needs to make the circuit of his great nobles. As he does, the Council notes that Alistair is the highest representative of the Church of Glordiadel-- neither the patriarch nor any of those in his inner circle appear.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p>Another new arrival is announced: The Lady Micarlanna Aleval, Second Daughter of the Matron of the First House of Uquavir’Zynge (the Dominating Cavern of Ruins, a major Drowan city under Khamista), Lady Baroness of the Court of Ergmoth.</p><p></p><p><<I'm sorry to ask you to do this, Kit, but would you mind approaching her and asking her to attend upon me?>></p><p></p><p><<It's alright, I am here as entourage.>></p><p></p><p><<Since she is Drowan, you can surely, of course, be clear about your status.>></p><p></p><p><<I can be mostly clear about my status.>></p><p></p><p><<Yes, right, of course.>></p><p></p><p><<But yes, I am the highest ranking woman here who can do it, because we're not going to ask Brionna to.>></p><p></p><p>Kit mingles up to her. "Lady Micarlanna."</p><p></p><p>"You have the advantage of me."</p><p></p><p>"Countess Katherine of Lyneham on Drucien."</p><p></p><p>"Ah, yes. I have heard of you. I trust your child fares better than the one that I should have been able to protect?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we thank you for your efforts at that. When you are available, my liege would very much like to pay his respects to you directly."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, if you are at liberty right now, I would be happy to."</p><p></p><p>Kit leads her over and makes introductions, saying his long string of titles first and then introducing Lady Micarlanna.</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, my darling. Lady Micarlanna, it is a pleasure to finally meet."</p><p></p><p>"The honor is mine."</p><p></p><p>"I wish to express first my deep condolences on the loss of of your sister. She was a staunch ally and a great leader, and we are all greatly lessened by her passing."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you. She did honor to her house, and to the one that she adopted."</p><p></p><p>"Indeed, and we will all pray to our various gods that her heir is soon restored to his rightful place on the throne."</p><p></p><p>Over the mind link, young Lord Brightspan sends, <<She feels great responsibility for his loss.>></p><p></p><p>Kit comments, <<Step carefully.>></p><p></p><p>"We know the route they escaped by. Some of our number wished to pursue that immediately. Most of us who followed did not. They were correct. I believe he still lives."</p><p></p><p>"I do not want to tell you anything more than I must about this, because you understand that his safety is paramount here, but I can tell you that we know that he lives, and that steps are being taken."</p><p></p><p>"I am greatly pleased to hear that."</p><p></p><p>"I cannot make promises that they will succeed, but I can promise that significant resources are being devoted to his extraction."</p><p></p><p>"You offer me great hope."</p><p></p><p>"Related to that, we want to ensure that when he returns to the Grand Duchy, he returns to a stable and prosperous realm. Now, of course, Lady Deborah is not her mother, and could not, we think, continue to serve as the regent of Ergmoth."</p><p></p><p>"There is no comparison to her mother. The question is only whether she can be what she needs to be for Mandrath."</p><p></p><p>"And we will do what we can to put steel in her spine for the good of Mandrath, but there's only so much that can be done. I have heard it said, in light of your familiar relationship and role in the court, that you might be a suitable regent if only it were not for a religious difficulty."</p><p></p><p>"I have considered as much myself."</p><p></p><p>"Not to be too blunt, but how devoted are you to the faith of your mothers? It has been said that a great kingdom is worth a mass, and if you were to, say, embrace the faith of Paranswarm..."</p><p></p><p>"What is the animal of Paranswarm?"</p><p></p><p>"The animal of Paranswarm?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, if he has one."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I see. I do not think he does in the way that you are thinking."</p><p></p><p>"I already wear black. This may be a way to do my duty to my nephew..."</p><p></p><p>"What I would suggest is that you approach the First Mouth of Paranswarm, and express that you are, in rememberance of your sister's devotion, and in the hopes of providing a positive family influence upon your nephew when he is restored, considering the faith of Paranswarm, and proceed from there."</p><p></p><p>"Very well, I will do it."</p><p></p><p>"Excellent."</p><p></p><p>She is not a person of many words. She bows to Alistair, and walks away directly towards the First Mouth. As she strides over, she drops a bejewed spider pin on the floor and crushes it under her foot as she goes.</p><p></p><p>"Makes decisions quickly, that one," observes Kit.</p><p></p><p>"Much easier to deal with than her sister was."</p><p></p><p>"And less powerful," comments Dame Brionna</p><p></p><p>After the receiving line has finished, the entire group processes into the formal service. At the formal service and procession afterwards, there is one elf present--a Noldor, of House Curinirim. He appears to be representing his House--having come alone, with no entourage. He is young for a Noldor, though not a child.</p><p></p><p>He expresses his condolences, but then largely stands alone--drinking a little but definitely not eating anything. A couple of the magi speak to him, chatting for a couple of minutes before moving on.</p><p></p><p>Alistair approaches him at a convenient time. He came alone, with no entourage at all, which either speak very highly of his self assurance or of his shelteredness.</p><p></p><p>He looks at Alistair as he approaches, and says without preamble. "There is someone here with a very, very slight amount of psionics, and they're connected to you."</p><p></p><p>"Indeed, my Lord Curinirim. It's a pleasure to see you here," replies Alistair, in Noldor.</p><p></p><p>He gives Alistair a courteous greeting swipe, not impressive, but respectful, and switches to the same language. "It is rare to hear this speech in strange places, but I'm thankful for it. Someone had to come for her funeral, especially following so quickly after the late Grand Duchess's passing. With Moriquendarim rather internally involved at the moment, I thought I should be here. The two of them were instrumental in the peace that brought me together with the Ecumenical Council. I had to come, but they are both gone in such a short period of time."</p><p></p><p>"Indeed, their passing was tragically fast, even by the standards of humans, let alone those of your people."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, and as the Drow were present--the rebels--at the Grand Duchess's funeral, we sent no one. I wish now that we had. Here both are present, but so far we're staying a careful distance from one another."</p><p></p><p>"It is wise. The Princess of your House has been a most able ally in our efforts to fight the ultimate enemies."</p><p></p><p>"She recognizes the inevitable. Firstly, that you will survive us; secondly, with our departure, the Eldritch must not come. They must end this time in desperation and hunger."</p><p></p><p>"On that we fully agree."</p><p></p><p>"We must also work together to help deal with the schism within that temple. Strange that they can both be so dedicated to fighting the Eldritch and also have members who have been corrupted into serving the Eldritch."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, it's not easy. But then, it is also a temple that that fled from a world that has been completely lost to them."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, never my favorite, I must admit. The raving on the borders grated on the nerves. For a long time now, the Glordiadelian Church has seemed to have a good relationship with the Gunnorans."</p><p></p><p>"They are a fine folk. Close allies of ours."</p><p></p><p>"Which brings me to a question other than the Ecumenical Council and my association with the Archbaroness. You had a friendship with her as well."</p><p></p><p>"I would not say friendship per se, because I only have the opportunity to meet the Archbaroness on an occasion or two. But we were allies, and I deeply respected her."</p><p></p><p>"I would say that beyond my interest in my role in the Ecumenical Council, which is substantial in these matters, I am also here because we wish to see Khamista remains stable, and we would like that Mandrath would remain stable as part of that. I cannot say that all of our Houses would like that, but mine would."</p><p></p><p>"We thank you, and I believe that I can be of service to Lady Deborah by having a word with her about some ways that she can maintain Mandrath's stability."</p><p></p><p>"Ah, that is well. I was concerned that it would require Coercion and had been considering whether to supply that."</p><p></p><p>"That is not our way."</p><p></p><p>"No, no, of course."</p><p></p><p>"And I do not think that when what she needs is to be a strong and determined leader that something that stops her own will would be useful."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, you are probably right. It was but a thought."</p><p></p><p>"The point is not for her to be an agent, but rather for her to stand in a way that she might not otherwise have done."</p><p></p><p>"It can be difficult to avoid thinking of the same approaches as we have always applied. My cousin is on Drucien now, in Zorplona-Moriquendarim."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, is your cousin the Lord Proconsul?"</p><p></p><p>"No, no, not the young lad. A few hundred years ago, the Princess called for her as a Redactor, and therefore he is presently healing some people."</p><p></p><p>"Excellent."</p><p></p><p>"Yes. Matters are very different there than in the Homelands. I assure you my my great-aunt, all of us will do what we can."</p><p></p><p>"If it is not presumptuous, I will say that House Curinirim has been my favorite of your great houses to deal with."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you. Do not deal with Goldurim."</p><p></p><p>"No, we would not. But Curinirim has been uniformly helpful in appreciating the great threats that we all must face together, without the special challenges presented by dealing with say the Moriquendarim, some of which are fine, and some of which are very much not."</p><p></p><p>"I'm pleased to say that the High Clans Lady of Aufaulgautharim reached a point of recognizing the danger."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, indeed, and struck a great blow for which we are most grateful."</p><p></p><p>"We do not have warriors on their scale. We bring other powers to the field. I believe that their effort is doomed for the other two. I know what is going on with the third; though I do not have the expertise of the clergy, I do not believe that he can now be ejected."</p><p></p><p>"It may be presumptuous, but I have sworn on behalf of my house, that we will see him destroyed in the fullness of time."</p><p></p><p>"May it be so." A wave of energy washes over and through Alistair and into his children as he says this. "Your children have received many gifts, as my great-aunt has observed. They will have capabilities beyond yours."</p><p></p><p>"We have been pleased to provide them such opportunities, and we believe that they will do great things, and not just in the way that all parents hope for their children."</p><p></p><p>The Noldor looks puzzled by this. "What is the way that all parents hope for their children?"</p><p></p><p>"Among my people, it is considered natural that parents will hope that their children will find success and accomplishment and happiness, and then that when, in the fullness of time, but not that much time, the parents pass on that their children will stand up where they were and carry on the family legacies." Alistair looks at the Noldor, who still seems confused and baffled by this. "In the way that those of your House would hope that the younger generations of your House would uphold the values and dignity of your House."</p><p></p><p>"We would not hope. It is required."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, that is something that any human parent would expect of their children as well, and hope that they would achieve worthy things as they pursue their own goals and lives as well. The expectations in these regards are perhaps the strongest for those of ours of highest birth."</p><p></p><p>"Of course, the highborn must always be held to a higher standard," replies the Noldor, almost reflexively.</p><p></p><p>"There is an expectation of what it means to be a child of House Ashberry, or a child of a cadet branch of House Ashberry, as is the case for my various children."</p><p></p><p>"You have so many. Already more than most of my race ever manage."</p><p></p><p>"We are not given the gifts of extreme life that your people are, but we are given gifts of fecundity that yours are not. The Creator intended things differently for our two peoples." Alistair suddenly realizes the faux pas he has said, and tries to cover. "And the gift of of the other Great One touches our two peoples differently."</p><p></p><p>The Noldor takes that in stride, fortunately being young enough to not respond as others might have. "Well, again, I say, may it be so for them as well, and may that gift deliver many more," and Alistair feels another wash of energy come over him.</p><p></p><p>After the public reception has essentially dispersed, the Council is brought into a private reception room with Lady Deborah and her consort.</p><p></p><p>"It's done. They have passed into the Dark."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, and I know that it has been a tremendous blow and a tremendous loss. Now that they have been properly mourned and properly buried, it is time to speak of your responsibilities to the Archbarony."</p><p></p><p>"I know."</p><p></p><p>"As I see it, you have two key responsibilities. The first is to preserve the strength of the Archbarony. Keep it stable, defend its people, keep its nobles loyal. And the second is that it is your role to ensure that there is a proper heir when you pass. Otherwise, the fate of this land is nothing but civil war."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, I know all of the nobles are all too ready to go their own way or seek to seize power. I shouldn't say all, but too many of them."</p><p></p><p>"I have suggestions on both counts. Which would you prefer to discuss first?"</p><p></p><p>"Personal matters."</p><p></p><p>Her consort will speak up. "I've already told her she'd have have to take a new consort and produce an heir."</p><p></p><p>"As to that, there are indeed three options, I think. The first is that there's no need for her to take a new consort at all if you can father a child with her. There are means that could make this more likely. I have the approval of the First Mouth to introduce you to the Order of Stag, an archfey who can grant gifts of virility. There may also be saints or incarnations of the Weeping Woman who could assist, or something like that. But of course you must only pursue things that would be acceptable to your temple. There may be some who would approach you, offering that a ram could help you, and that must be turned away from and destroyed at all costs."</p><p></p><p>"That has been forbidden by the Church."</p><p></p><p>"Indeed. But the order of the stag is not apostasy or demonism, as he is merely an archfey, and if you would accept his order, you may be able to sire children that you could not otherwise. I cannot promise success, but there is real hope.</p><p></p><p>"The second option, of course, is that you could, if you'll pardon my coarseness, turn a blind eye while she finds someone to provide stud services. As a matter of the law of the Archbarony, I'm sure that her children would be presumed to yours, and that would be that. It could also resolve matters.</p><p></p><p>"And then lastly, of course, as you say, Lady Deborah could take another consort. The reason why we must so bluntly talk of such things is because you simply must be with child in the next year, perhaps two, to ensure Mandrath's survival."</p><p></p><p>"This Stag... are his followers here?"</p><p></p><p>"No, but I have a quasi-official role in the Order of the Stag in Canberry because of the inherent role that the sovereign fills there. And thus, if you wish, we could send members of the Order who could teach the appropriate rituals and responsibilities to your consort, and to those who would wish to join him in this."</p><p></p><p>"Please do. That is the route that I would prefer. If they were to find out about a hidden lover, they would never stop talking about it as a reason to not respect the heir."</p><p></p><p>"I would say that that last can also be destabilizing. Were you to have a child who is, say, the child of one of your great nobles, they might start to think that if a misfortune befell you, that would position them as regent. We had some people who had plots and designs in that regard before the Empress and I married. But I think you have perhaps a year in which the efforts of your husband and the Stag, and whatever of your saints and devotions to the Weeping Woman, can come to fruition. There might be a pilgrimage site or something that you could go to. I don't know. Whatever you can do to ensure these things, somewhere around the end of the year, you'll need to move on to taking other steps."</p><p></p><p>"I understand."</p><p></p><p>"I'm glad that you both are fully cognizant of this importance. The other matter is, you must demonstrate that you are a strong ruler, and your nobles must respect and to some degree fear you."</p><p></p><p>"I have no desire to start having people beheaded in my court."</p><p></p><p>"I agree entirely. I would make two suggestions. One is: you will find that there will be cultists or traitors, or others who who take actions that require a response. Be vigorous in response to this, and make an example, not out of the innocent, but with those who have aligned with the cults that would destroy us all. The other is that I hear that you have been having some difficulties with raiders on your borders."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we've been trying to determine which of the independent cities were responsible."</p><p></p><p>"I can assist you with that. My sources tell me that they are confident that it is [Alistair names the city-state that Tarhanna indicated]."</p><p></p><p>"I should have realized you would have agents here, but I did not."</p><p></p><p>"I suggest that pretty much as soon as the mourning is over, you call your armies out, and those of your vassals, and deliver a crushing blow to them that will give everyone pause: your foreign adversaries, obviously that city-state, and your vassals who might getting ideas. If you can capture their city entirely and take it by force as part of your realm, you have a perfectly valid casus belli. There would be none who would look askance, and people would then wonder whether they would be next if they did not watch their step, and that's all you need."</p><p></p><p>"That is a better route than... Well. I love my mother. I will not speak ill of her memory."</p><p></p><p>"You love her. She did what she needed to do. Different circumstances call for different actions."</p><p></p><p>"Yes."</p><p></p><p>"And I would suggest that if that citystate offers a surrender, then you can be magnanimous and incorporate them as vassals, and that also sends a signal to your current vassals that you don't mean to seize power directly for the throne, provided that they are loyal and obedient."</p><p></p><p>"Something tells me that I must do these things. Your guidance is appreciated, Your Majesty. I will do exactly that when the final fete is finished, immediately. It is a foreign foe that can unite them."</p><p></p><p>"Precisely. It is the ideal foe, and if there are some younger children who have newly seized territory that they can rule over themselves, they will never forget who gave it to them."</p><p></p><p>"You're good at this. I had originally rather hoped to remain the captain of my son's guard and eventually the commander of his when my son took power. I would have been content."</p><p></p><p>"And when your next child reaches an age like 25 or 30, if you wish to announce that you are stepping down and passing the title onto them, none will gainsay you. Until they are ready, you have no choice. If it were my choice, the Countess of Lyneham and I would still be wandering and having great adventures rather than being here, but I had no choice, either."</p><p></p><p><<Yes, yes, we know, I ruined your life as the cost of saving millions of others.>> transmits Dame Brionna.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, it is good that you remind me of these things, and I must move beyond grief now that the official period of mourning is over."</p><p></p><p>"I will also say that I am always available to consult with you on matters of strategy or court matters, and that you should know that the Empire of Southern Drucien is far too far away, and, of course, primarily Glordiadelian, to have any designs on controlling or exerting too much power in Mandrath. But we need to have those that we can trust and discuss things with, and there are few besides our peers who can fill that role."</p><p></p><p>"My mother trusted you, the Grand Duchess trusted you, and I trust you. And frankly, I can command the military campaign myself. I'm good at that."</p><p></p><p>"Your armies will respect that, and will stay loyal because of that, and your nobles will see that and fear you for that, and that is all to the good."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you."</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>There is one last public ritual, with various people standing up and declaring their memories of the Archbaroness. Even the First Mouth will stand up and declare his memories of the Archbaroness, and that seems to be limited to the faithful. None of the people from the Light kingdoms do it. But a lot of people who are Paranswarmian stand and give some memory, even if it is inconsequential.</p><p></p><p>Alistair waits until basically everyone else is finished, and then stands and offers not a memory but the Light's thanks for her service to the Darkness and the way in which that has strengthened all of the faiths in alliance through the Ecumenical Council. The First Mouth nods approvingly, as do the various other people from lands that serve other faiths in the Ecumenical Council.</p><p></p><p>After that, people pass through another receiving line, but much faster-- people just bow to her, and then they move on through the teleport chambers, not necessarily in the order they arrived.</p><p></p><p>Jazriel tips his hat to Alistair on the way out, and to Kit as well because of her assistance in Tarsh nearly a year ago.</p><p></p><p>Kit gives him a nod back and talks to him briefly.</p><p></p><p>"Your leadership was welcomed by all," he comments.</p><p></p><p>"Glad I could have been of service to you."</p><p></p><p>He bows down and kisses her hand. And then he and that body guard that is ever present within two steps, every time Kit has ever seen him, go into the teleport chambers and depart.</p><p></p><p>And with that, the Council itself departs and teleports safely back to Canberry.</p><p>[End session 149]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8935234, member: 7030144"] [Session 149, cont'd] The First Mouth does appear with a small entourage of bishops and archbishops. He wears a black iron mask that obscures his face, clearly part of his religious regalia. He's the only person here in a mask besides the representatives from Masque, although he seems to be much less particular about it than they are. He does not hesitate to shift it aside to have drink or food. Alistair approaches respectfully. "Your Majesty." "Your Most Venerable Holiness." "I don't feel so venerable." "That is what they tell us that we are to say to your hierarchy, and you are the highest of your hierarchy, so there you go." "I am. This is true." The First Mouth pauses. "The loss of Sharra Rufus, and now of the Archbaroness of Mandrath has been a terrible blow to the Temple." "And to us all. It has been a great loss to the struggle against the great enemies to have the Grand Duchess no longer leading that effort." "Yes, yes, she had a special touch. I knew her very well when I was Second Mouth, so I was able to see her efforts first hand. She did not slaughter large numbers of the innocent along with the guilty, which is the tendency of Inquisitions, Your Majesty. She kept a close watch and a firm hand." "I understand." Alistair makes some snide comments over the mindlink about the special touch and closeness between the late Grand Duchess and the First Mouth, before his elevation, at least if the stories are believed. Dame Brionna blushes a hair, and Kit gives a knowing smile. <<It feels natural, now that we're an Empire, to talk about a natural closeness between great monarchs and people with the title "mouth.">> Out loud, Alistair continues the conversation. "They are not, of course, our methods under any circumstances." "Yes." "I did want to underscore our concern about maintaining the stability of Ergmoth." "Yes, it must remain stable." "I do not know if such things are discussed in your temple, but there are theologians in ours that hypothesize about the special blessings given to certain nations. It is my belief, although I know that there may be some who would find this presumptuous, that each of the Brothers maintains one of their empires as secure and stable by an act of divine will that cannot be contravened by mortal forces. I believe that Ergmoth was once that empire in your temple, as Canberry is in ours, but that Paranswarm has in his wisdom shifted his focus to a different one of your lands, and thus it falls to mere mortals to ensure the stability and well-functioning of Ergmoth." "I understand. Unfortunately, the situation is very difficult. I cannot maintain order throughout this region, securing both Ergmoth and Mandrath. I may be able to keep Ergmoth stable, but in order to stabilize Mandrath directly, I would need to actually remain here. And Lady Deborah cannot serve as regent for Ergmoth as her mother did--she must focus all her attention on maintaining control of this land." "You must remain there, of course. And I have already informed the representative of your faith in my lands that I intend to speak to Lady Deborah about what she must do to ensure that Mandrath remains stable. I hope that we can collectively guide her to success in that endeavor." "I must say I find myself in an amazingly short supply of well-trained, competent nobles of the faith who can function as regents." "That has come to my attention. With regards to Ergmoth, would Lady Micarlanna be a satisfactory regent for her nephew if she accepted endarkening?" "Under the circumstances, certainly, though we could not accept her if she continues to follow the goddess of her people. But these problems seem present in all of our lands. We seem to have been having problems producing enough heirs in the upper houses for 100 years." "Indeed, there has been a concerted effort by the Great Enemies to weaken the lands of both our faiths by causing their noble houses to fail. It is also a means by which they lead people into consorting with demons who offer, shall we say, an animalian fecundity." "Oh, this cult that has shown up here and there, you mean?" "Exactly." "The Ram, I believe." "Yes, we have had extensive difficulties with it on Drucien. I do not know how bad it has been on Khamista." "The Inquisition has eradicated three different pockets of it, in each case infecting some of the nobility. The nobles almost have a higher desperation to bear potential heirs in general, and sons in particular, than the common folk. They are, if anything, more vulnerable to that, while at the same time targeted by the enemy to impair their ordinary duties." "There are some in our lands who have found that the patronage, not, of course, in any religious way, but nonetheless the patronage of an archfey, the Stag, offers a less destructive means of ensuring male fertility. Would you object if some of the Order of the Stag were to come to some of the Paranswarmian realms here?" "If he is not seeking the status of being worshipped, I don't see any reason why we would object." "I can't promise that none of the people who follow him get confused about whether the Stag is quasi-divine, but I can say with certainty that that is not what what their order teaches. I must admit that it has become traditional in Canberry for the archduke to be a notional member of the Order, and so I'm well familiar with their practices." "But it could help the nobility to avoid being drawn in to demonism. It is so strange talking about such things, my lord, that the route to avoid serving this Ram would be to be in an Order of Stags. I do not think that the inquisitive general would have any difficulty with it, and I certainly don't." "Excellent. I will make certain introductions to spread the Order, then. Also, if you have any saints or the like that you could encourage nobles who are desperate to have children to turn to, it would not be a bad thing. I know that it's not actually something that either of our faiths runs heavily towards, but nonetheless, perhaps one of the devotees of the Weeping Woman." "Perhaps." "You also, I assume, are familiar with what is going on with the Temple of Sytry and the followers of that great evil that portrays itself as the Blue Sun?" "Indeed, they have been finding their way into some of the edges of some of our territories as raiders as the split began. That has been unpleasant, to say the least. I fear that while we're attempting to avoid killing more than necessary, at this point our nobles have to protect their lands and people." "Of course, and I am aware of the long history of difficulties between your temple and that of Sytry. I do not think there's much that you could do to assist in this matter, but we of course want to keep you aware. That is part of why the Church of Glordiadel may be taking a more vigorous role than we have historically done with regard to our fellow faith of the Light." "You enjoy a much more stable relationship with them than we do." "Exactly." With the important points covered, they both make some small talk before the First Mouth excuses himself. He obviously needs to make the circuit of his great nobles. As he does, the Council notes that Alistair is the highest representative of the Church of Glordiadel-- neither the patriarch nor any of those in his inner circle appear. * * * Another new arrival is announced: The Lady Micarlanna Aleval, Second Daughter of the Matron of the First House of Uquavir’Zynge (the Dominating Cavern of Ruins, a major Drowan city under Khamista), Lady Baroness of the Court of Ergmoth. <<I'm sorry to ask you to do this, Kit, but would you mind approaching her and asking her to attend upon me?>> <<It's alright, I am here as entourage.>> <<Since she is Drowan, you can surely, of course, be clear about your status.>> <<I can be mostly clear about my status.>> <<Yes, right, of course.>> <<But yes, I am the highest ranking woman here who can do it, because we're not going to ask Brionna to.>> Kit mingles up to her. "Lady Micarlanna." "You have the advantage of me." "Countess Katherine of Lyneham on Drucien." "Ah, yes. I have heard of you. I trust your child fares better than the one that I should have been able to protect?" "Yes, we thank you for your efforts at that. When you are available, my liege would very much like to pay his respects to you directly." "Yes, if you are at liberty right now, I would be happy to." Kit leads her over and makes introductions, saying his long string of titles first and then introducing Lady Micarlanna. "Thank you, my darling. Lady Micarlanna, it is a pleasure to finally meet." "The honor is mine." "I wish to express first my deep condolences on the loss of of your sister. She was a staunch ally and a great leader, and we are all greatly lessened by her passing." "Thank you. She did honor to her house, and to the one that she adopted." "Indeed, and we will all pray to our various gods that her heir is soon restored to his rightful place on the throne." Over the mind link, young Lord Brightspan sends, <<She feels great responsibility for his loss.>> Kit comments, <<Step carefully.>> "We know the route they escaped by. Some of our number wished to pursue that immediately. Most of us who followed did not. They were correct. I believe he still lives." "I do not want to tell you anything more than I must about this, because you understand that his safety is paramount here, but I can tell you that we know that he lives, and that steps are being taken." "I am greatly pleased to hear that." "I cannot make promises that they will succeed, but I can promise that significant resources are being devoted to his extraction." "You offer me great hope." "Related to that, we want to ensure that when he returns to the Grand Duchy, he returns to a stable and prosperous realm. Now, of course, Lady Deborah is not her mother, and could not, we think, continue to serve as the regent of Ergmoth." "There is no comparison to her mother. The question is only whether she can be what she needs to be for Mandrath." "And we will do what we can to put steel in her spine for the good of Mandrath, but there's only so much that can be done. I have heard it said, in light of your familiar relationship and role in the court, that you might be a suitable regent if only it were not for a religious difficulty." "I have considered as much myself." "Not to be too blunt, but how devoted are you to the faith of your mothers? It has been said that a great kingdom is worth a mass, and if you were to, say, embrace the faith of Paranswarm..." "What is the animal of Paranswarm?" "The animal of Paranswarm?" "Yes, if he has one." "Oh, I see. I do not think he does in the way that you are thinking." "I already wear black. This may be a way to do my duty to my nephew..." "What I would suggest is that you approach the First Mouth of Paranswarm, and express that you are, in rememberance of your sister's devotion, and in the hopes of providing a positive family influence upon your nephew when he is restored, considering the faith of Paranswarm, and proceed from there." "Very well, I will do it." "Excellent." She is not a person of many words. She bows to Alistair, and walks away directly towards the First Mouth. As she strides over, she drops a bejewed spider pin on the floor and crushes it under her foot as she goes. "Makes decisions quickly, that one," observes Kit. "Much easier to deal with than her sister was." "And less powerful," comments Dame Brionna After the receiving line has finished, the entire group processes into the formal service. At the formal service and procession afterwards, there is one elf present--a Noldor, of House Curinirim. He appears to be representing his House--having come alone, with no entourage. He is young for a Noldor, though not a child. He expresses his condolences, but then largely stands alone--drinking a little but definitely not eating anything. A couple of the magi speak to him, chatting for a couple of minutes before moving on. Alistair approaches him at a convenient time. He came alone, with no entourage at all, which either speak very highly of his self assurance or of his shelteredness. He looks at Alistair as he approaches, and says without preamble. "There is someone here with a very, very slight amount of psionics, and they're connected to you." "Indeed, my Lord Curinirim. It's a pleasure to see you here," replies Alistair, in Noldor. He gives Alistair a courteous greeting swipe, not impressive, but respectful, and switches to the same language. "It is rare to hear this speech in strange places, but I'm thankful for it. Someone had to come for her funeral, especially following so quickly after the late Grand Duchess's passing. With Moriquendarim rather internally involved at the moment, I thought I should be here. The two of them were instrumental in the peace that brought me together with the Ecumenical Council. I had to come, but they are both gone in such a short period of time." "Indeed, their passing was tragically fast, even by the standards of humans, let alone those of your people." "Yes, and as the Drow were present--the rebels--at the Grand Duchess's funeral, we sent no one. I wish now that we had. Here both are present, but so far we're staying a careful distance from one another." "It is wise. The Princess of your House has been a most able ally in our efforts to fight the ultimate enemies." "She recognizes the inevitable. Firstly, that you will survive us; secondly, with our departure, the Eldritch must not come. They must end this time in desperation and hunger." "On that we fully agree." "We must also work together to help deal with the schism within that temple. Strange that they can both be so dedicated to fighting the Eldritch and also have members who have been corrupted into serving the Eldritch." "Yes, it's not easy. But then, it is also a temple that that fled from a world that has been completely lost to them." "Yes, never my favorite, I must admit. The raving on the borders grated on the nerves. For a long time now, the Glordiadelian Church has seemed to have a good relationship with the Gunnorans." "They are a fine folk. Close allies of ours." "Which brings me to a question other than the Ecumenical Council and my association with the Archbaroness. You had a friendship with her as well." "I would not say friendship per se, because I only have the opportunity to meet the Archbaroness on an occasion or two. But we were allies, and I deeply respected her." "I would say that beyond my interest in my role in the Ecumenical Council, which is substantial in these matters, I am also here because we wish to see Khamista remains stable, and we would like that Mandrath would remain stable as part of that. I cannot say that all of our Houses would like that, but mine would." "We thank you, and I believe that I can be of service to Lady Deborah by having a word with her about some ways that she can maintain Mandrath's stability." "Ah, that is well. I was concerned that it would require Coercion and had been considering whether to supply that." "That is not our way." "No, no, of course." "And I do not think that when what she needs is to be a strong and determined leader that something that stops her own will would be useful." "Oh, you are probably right. It was but a thought." "The point is not for her to be an agent, but rather for her to stand in a way that she might not otherwise have done." "It can be difficult to avoid thinking of the same approaches as we have always applied. My cousin is on Drucien now, in Zorplona-Moriquendarim." "Oh, is your cousin the Lord Proconsul?" "No, no, not the young lad. A few hundred years ago, the Princess called for her as a Redactor, and therefore he is presently healing some people." "Excellent." "Yes. Matters are very different there than in the Homelands. I assure you my my great-aunt, all of us will do what we can." "If it is not presumptuous, I will say that House Curinirim has been my favorite of your great houses to deal with." "Thank you. Do not deal with Goldurim." "No, we would not. But Curinirim has been uniformly helpful in appreciating the great threats that we all must face together, without the special challenges presented by dealing with say the Moriquendarim, some of which are fine, and some of which are very much not." "I'm pleased to say that the High Clans Lady of Aufaulgautharim reached a point of recognizing the danger." "Oh, indeed, and struck a great blow for which we are most grateful." "We do not have warriors on their scale. We bring other powers to the field. I believe that their effort is doomed for the other two. I know what is going on with the third; though I do not have the expertise of the clergy, I do not believe that he can now be ejected." "It may be presumptuous, but I have sworn on behalf of my house, that we will see him destroyed in the fullness of time." "May it be so." A wave of energy washes over and through Alistair and into his children as he says this. "Your children have received many gifts, as my great-aunt has observed. They will have capabilities beyond yours." "We have been pleased to provide them such opportunities, and we believe that they will do great things, and not just in the way that all parents hope for their children." The Noldor looks puzzled by this. "What is the way that all parents hope for their children?" "Among my people, it is considered natural that parents will hope that their children will find success and accomplishment and happiness, and then that when, in the fullness of time, but not that much time, the parents pass on that their children will stand up where they were and carry on the family legacies." Alistair looks at the Noldor, who still seems confused and baffled by this. "In the way that those of your House would hope that the younger generations of your House would uphold the values and dignity of your House." "We would not hope. It is required." "Yes, that is something that any human parent would expect of their children as well, and hope that they would achieve worthy things as they pursue their own goals and lives as well. The expectations in these regards are perhaps the strongest for those of ours of highest birth." "Of course, the highborn must always be held to a higher standard," replies the Noldor, almost reflexively. "There is an expectation of what it means to be a child of House Ashberry, or a child of a cadet branch of House Ashberry, as is the case for my various children." "You have so many. Already more than most of my race ever manage." "We are not given the gifts of extreme life that your people are, but we are given gifts of fecundity that yours are not. The Creator intended things differently for our two peoples." Alistair suddenly realizes the faux pas he has said, and tries to cover. "And the gift of of the other Great One touches our two peoples differently." The Noldor takes that in stride, fortunately being young enough to not respond as others might have. "Well, again, I say, may it be so for them as well, and may that gift deliver many more," and Alistair feels another wash of energy come over him. After the public reception has essentially dispersed, the Council is brought into a private reception room with Lady Deborah and her consort. "It's done. They have passed into the Dark." "Yes, and I know that it has been a tremendous blow and a tremendous loss. Now that they have been properly mourned and properly buried, it is time to speak of your responsibilities to the Archbarony." "I know." "As I see it, you have two key responsibilities. The first is to preserve the strength of the Archbarony. Keep it stable, defend its people, keep its nobles loyal. And the second is that it is your role to ensure that there is a proper heir when you pass. Otherwise, the fate of this land is nothing but civil war." "Yes, I know all of the nobles are all too ready to go their own way or seek to seize power. I shouldn't say all, but too many of them." "I have suggestions on both counts. Which would you prefer to discuss first?" "Personal matters." Her consort will speak up. "I've already told her she'd have have to take a new consort and produce an heir." "As to that, there are indeed three options, I think. The first is that there's no need for her to take a new consort at all if you can father a child with her. There are means that could make this more likely. I have the approval of the First Mouth to introduce you to the Order of Stag, an archfey who can grant gifts of virility. There may also be saints or incarnations of the Weeping Woman who could assist, or something like that. But of course you must only pursue things that would be acceptable to your temple. There may be some who would approach you, offering that a ram could help you, and that must be turned away from and destroyed at all costs." "That has been forbidden by the Church." "Indeed. But the order of the stag is not apostasy or demonism, as he is merely an archfey, and if you would accept his order, you may be able to sire children that you could not otherwise. I cannot promise success, but there is real hope. "The second option, of course, is that you could, if you'll pardon my coarseness, turn a blind eye while she finds someone to provide stud services. As a matter of the law of the Archbarony, I'm sure that her children would be presumed to yours, and that would be that. It could also resolve matters. "And then lastly, of course, as you say, Lady Deborah could take another consort. The reason why we must so bluntly talk of such things is because you simply must be with child in the next year, perhaps two, to ensure Mandrath's survival." "This Stag... are his followers here?" "No, but I have a quasi-official role in the Order of the Stag in Canberry because of the inherent role that the sovereign fills there. And thus, if you wish, we could send members of the Order who could teach the appropriate rituals and responsibilities to your consort, and to those who would wish to join him in this." "Please do. That is the route that I would prefer. If they were to find out about a hidden lover, they would never stop talking about it as a reason to not respect the heir." "I would say that that last can also be destabilizing. Were you to have a child who is, say, the child of one of your great nobles, they might start to think that if a misfortune befell you, that would position them as regent. We had some people who had plots and designs in that regard before the Empress and I married. But I think you have perhaps a year in which the efforts of your husband and the Stag, and whatever of your saints and devotions to the Weeping Woman, can come to fruition. There might be a pilgrimage site or something that you could go to. I don't know. Whatever you can do to ensure these things, somewhere around the end of the year, you'll need to move on to taking other steps." "I understand." "I'm glad that you both are fully cognizant of this importance. The other matter is, you must demonstrate that you are a strong ruler, and your nobles must respect and to some degree fear you." "I have no desire to start having people beheaded in my court." "I agree entirely. I would make two suggestions. One is: you will find that there will be cultists or traitors, or others who who take actions that require a response. Be vigorous in response to this, and make an example, not out of the innocent, but with those who have aligned with the cults that would destroy us all. The other is that I hear that you have been having some difficulties with raiders on your borders." "Yes, we've been trying to determine which of the independent cities were responsible." "I can assist you with that. My sources tell me that they are confident that it is [Alistair names the city-state that Tarhanna indicated]." "I should have realized you would have agents here, but I did not." "I suggest that pretty much as soon as the mourning is over, you call your armies out, and those of your vassals, and deliver a crushing blow to them that will give everyone pause: your foreign adversaries, obviously that city-state, and your vassals who might getting ideas. If you can capture their city entirely and take it by force as part of your realm, you have a perfectly valid casus belli. There would be none who would look askance, and people would then wonder whether they would be next if they did not watch their step, and that's all you need." "That is a better route than... Well. I love my mother. I will not speak ill of her memory." "You love her. She did what she needed to do. Different circumstances call for different actions." "Yes." "And I would suggest that if that citystate offers a surrender, then you can be magnanimous and incorporate them as vassals, and that also sends a signal to your current vassals that you don't mean to seize power directly for the throne, provided that they are loyal and obedient." "Something tells me that I must do these things. Your guidance is appreciated, Your Majesty. I will do exactly that when the final fete is finished, immediately. It is a foreign foe that can unite them." "Precisely. It is the ideal foe, and if there are some younger children who have newly seized territory that they can rule over themselves, they will never forget who gave it to them." "You're good at this. I had originally rather hoped to remain the captain of my son's guard and eventually the commander of his when my son took power. I would have been content." "And when your next child reaches an age like 25 or 30, if you wish to announce that you are stepping down and passing the title onto them, none will gainsay you. Until they are ready, you have no choice. If it were my choice, the Countess of Lyneham and I would still be wandering and having great adventures rather than being here, but I had no choice, either." <<Yes, yes, we know, I ruined your life as the cost of saving millions of others.>> transmits Dame Brionna. "Yes, it is good that you remind me of these things, and I must move beyond grief now that the official period of mourning is over." "I will also say that I am always available to consult with you on matters of strategy or court matters, and that you should know that the Empire of Southern Drucien is far too far away, and, of course, primarily Glordiadelian, to have any designs on controlling or exerting too much power in Mandrath. But we need to have those that we can trust and discuss things with, and there are few besides our peers who can fill that role." "My mother trusted you, the Grand Duchess trusted you, and I trust you. And frankly, I can command the military campaign myself. I'm good at that." "Your armies will respect that, and will stay loyal because of that, and your nobles will see that and fear you for that, and that is all to the good." "Thank you." * * * There is one last public ritual, with various people standing up and declaring their memories of the Archbaroness. Even the First Mouth will stand up and declare his memories of the Archbaroness, and that seems to be limited to the faithful. None of the people from the Light kingdoms do it. But a lot of people who are Paranswarmian stand and give some memory, even if it is inconsequential. Alistair waits until basically everyone else is finished, and then stands and offers not a memory but the Light's thanks for her service to the Darkness and the way in which that has strengthened all of the faiths in alliance through the Ecumenical Council. The First Mouth nods approvingly, as do the various other people from lands that serve other faiths in the Ecumenical Council. After that, people pass through another receiving line, but much faster-- people just bow to her, and then they move on through the teleport chambers, not necessarily in the order they arrived. Jazriel tips his hat to Alistair on the way out, and to Kit as well because of her assistance in Tarsh nearly a year ago. Kit gives him a nod back and talks to him briefly. "Your leadership was welcomed by all," he comments. "Glad I could have been of service to you." He bows down and kisses her hand. And then he and that body guard that is ever present within two steps, every time Kit has ever seen him, go into the teleport chambers and depart. And with that, the Council itself departs and teleports safely back to Canberry. [End session 149] [/QUOTE]
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Aphonion Tales: The Archducal Council -- Unedited notes; later posts are edited transcripts (posts MWF, update 3/1/23)
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