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[Ghazkull]

Imperial Splendour - a Rising Suns Game

OOC-Thread


Halo. Formerly the "temporary" seat of the Patriarch of the Orthodoxy. Now "temporary" seat of the Imperial Palace. Not that the Orthodoxy had much choice in the matter when a good dozen Jomsviking-Class Battleships hovered in Orbit. Ships not seen since the Downfall. The former Patriarchal Palace (now outsourced into another building) had been refurbished. Despite loud protests of the Church all religious symbols had been removed by the Grey Guard.

In the former Synod-Chamber now the Raven banner of the Grey Guard covered frescos and mosaics. The massive emblazoned golden sun of the Orthodoxy had been removed and in it's stead the Grey Guards sign, the Imperial Raven had been raised. The original sign of the emperor, the eagle was nowhere to be seen, a sign of who made this new empire possible.

Helmeted and gasmasked Grey Guardsmen were posted at the entrances and most Nobles of the Major houses were seated in a vast semi-circle around the lectern on which Lord Commander Tychus Malcador stood. Despite being now well over two hundred years old, he appeared as if in his early sixties, the secret (and propably proscribed and heretic) technology of the Guard doing its wonders. No longer having to hide his physical features behind the disguise of an old frail man, he stood at two meters, built like a tank he certainly didn't look his age. His brown cloak he had long since abandoned, now wearing the stylized armor of the Lord Commander. A stylized ribcage made from a whitish alloy adorned the armour and matched the stylized skull adorning his gas-masked helmet. However out of courtesy towards the nobles he had removed that one putting it next to him on the lectern showing his white-haired well trimmed beard and hairs. Green eyes stared sternly into the seated Crowd.

Finally he raised his voice, augmented by the vox-caster in front of him, it still carried a voice used to giving orders, a rough voice without any love or appreciation of those in front of him in it.

Houses of the Empire. Lords and Ladies. At long last we once more assemble to vote on an Emperor who shall lead us.

He makes a long pause glaring at the crowd, with little hidden contempt. Right now everyone here knows, that it is only through the grace of him and his Order that this event even came to pass, that they no longer sat on their half-primitive homeworlds fighting over scraps, but sat here united in one purpose: to restore the Empire.
He had already picked out all the current Major Houses, if one of these houses would vote most of the others, the minors, would just nod and agree.
On the Far Right and Left respectively, sat the two branches of House Azores, a family feuding amonst itself for so long now that it forgot why. Fighting among brothers...inconcievable. He could not believe how someone could betray his own flesh and blood...but then again they were not like his brethren. Seated in the middle, as if owning the seat by birthright (which was technically the case) wear the Hartwings, the get of Luthias Hartwing. Traitors in his opinion. pathetic to betray ones fellow men to petty power struggles.
and finally Al-Hazar. Mercenaries. He had to stop himself from spitting out. Traitors, Kinslayers and Mercenaries...that is what the nobility of the once Mighty Imperium had come to. That the Pancreator didn't remove this gathering of malcontents from the face of the universe was not understandable. Then again he didn't believe in such a being.
However as it was, this was what he had to work with...and he would make it work. It was his job, his calling, his birthright...his duty.

One of you that is. Nobles of the galaxy, today it falls upon you to elect one of your midst to lead us in these trying times and restore the Empire to its old glory, to recover Urth, Sabbat, Stigmata and so many other worlds and systems we have lost to the Downfall, we will serve the empire dutifully until we are no more, but it is not upon us to lead it. I hereby leave to you the lectern.
and more silent after he was standing back with his honor guard:
May the Gods have mercy upon us all...

[Ghazkull]

Other Info on the Galactic Nobility
Despite the downfall many technological artifacts are still around, most important of which are the Rejuvination Treatments. Extremely Expensive, they are only employed by the most major Houses...you. These treatments allow one to live far beyond his natural lifespan. where you once were old with 60 you are now old with 120. Thus the common Age at which one no longer can concieve children is around 100. Men of course are in this regard a bit less restricted to women.

While artificial womb fertilization was practiced in the early imperium it became declared heretic by the church. The only ones in teh Galaxy still known to possess this technology are House Cr'tok and the Grey Guard. House Cr'tok however is very conservative with this technology since it is closely supervised by the Grey Guard...that in turn is of course not known to the Nobles...

Commonly a Noble is seen as an adult when reaching the age of 15. Why that is, nobody knows...its just tradition.

Age Descriptions:
Child(5), Teenager(10), Young Adult(15), Early Twenties (20), Mid-Twenties(25), Adult(30), Mid-Thirties(35),Middle-Aged(40), Mid-Fourties(45), Aged (50), Mid-Fifties (55), Growing Old (60), Mid-Sixties (65), Old (70), Mid-Seventies (75), Elderly (80), Mid-Eighties (85), senior(90), Mid-Ninties(95), gray (100), white (105), elder (110), antique (115), ancient (120)....

House Azores de Treming
Total Fiefs: 4
Total available Wealth: 23 (25 -2 from nobles)

Patriarch Adrian de Treming
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: Genius, Brave, Natural Administrator (+3)
Fiefs:
Agri-Prime Azores de Treming Megafarms (Size 2) - produces 15 Wealth (Bonuses: direct +3, indirect x2)

Jerald de Treming, adopted son of the Patriarch
Age: Young Adult
Traits:Bright, loyal, Natural Administrator (+3), Natural Fighter (+1)
Fiefs:
Agri-Prime de Treming Kolchosis (Size 2) - produces 10 Wealth (Bonuses: direct +3, indirect x2)

House Hartwing
Total Fiefs: 6
Total Available Wealth: 2 (8 -6 from nobles)

Luthias Hartwing, Archon ret. NPC
Age: about 140

Patriarch Valerian Hartwing
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: very meticulous, genius, Natural Tactician (+4)
Fiefs:
Vengeance Northern Scavenger Operations(Size 1) - produces 3 wealth (Bonuses: indirect x3)

Matriarch Jekaterina Rastyqua, Wife of the Patriarch
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: loyal, attractive, Skilled Fighter (+4)
Fiefs:
Vengeance Miracle Fleetworks (Size 1) - produces 1 wealth

Luthias II. Hartwing, Brother of the Patriarch
Age: Mid-Thirties
Traits: loyal, tightmouthed, attractive
Fiefs:
Vengeance Northern Warlords (Size 1) - produces 1 wealth

Cynric Hartwing, Brother of the Patriarch
Age: Adult
Traits: brave, very lucky
Fiefs:
Vengeance Fleshworks (Size 1) - produces 1 Wealth

Ida Hartwing, Daughter of the Patriarch
Age: Young Adult
Traits: loyal, Natural Diplomat (+4), gregarious
Fiefs:
Vengeance Subterranean Farms (Size 1) - produces 1 Wealth

Frederic Hartwing, Son of the Patriarch
Age: Young Adult
Traits: loyal, Natural Diplomat (+4), Good Drinker
Fiefs:
Vengeance Hartwing Estate (Size 1) -produces 1 Wealth

House Al-Hazar
Total Fiefs: 6
Total available Wealth: 6 (8 -2 from nobles)

Patriarch, Sigmund Al-Hazar
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: heavily scarred, good gambler
Fiefs:
Mirrodan Mercenary Trade (Size 3) - produces 3 wealth

Wilhelm Al-Hazar, Brother of the Patriarch
Age: Mid-Thirties
Traits: Skilled Administrator (+2)
Fiefs:
Mirrodan Fleetworks (Size 3) -produces 5 Wealth

Azores
Total Fief: 16
Total Available Wealth: 5 (18 -9 from Nobles, -4 from traits)

Patriarch Seralt Azores[/b] - AT COURT
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: attractive
Fiefs:


Fia Al-Alard, Wife of the Patriarch
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: attractive
Fiefs:
Al-Alard Family Holdings (size 2) - produces 2 Wealth
Azores Megafarms (size 1) - produces 1 Wealth

Rynal Azores, Brother of the Patriarch
Age: Mid-thirties
Traits: tightmouthed
Fiefs:
Agri-Prime Xeno Education Centers (size 3) - produces 3 Wealth

Rembertha Knytwall, Sister-in-law of the Patriarch -AT COURT
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: glutton
Fiefs:

 Sorak Azores, Son of the Patriarch
Age: Early Twenties
Traits: attractive, Natural Administrator (+1)
Fiefs:
Azores Family Holdings (size 2) - produces 3 wealth (Bonuses: direct +1)
Knytwall Family Holdings (size 1) - produces 1 wealth 

Issradi Azores, Son of the Patriarch - AT COURT
Age: Young Adult
Traits: attractive, Wastrel
Fiefs:

Aerys Azores, Daughter of the Patriarch
Age: Young Adult
Traits: bright, duelist
Fiefs:
Knytwall Dueling School (size 3) - produces 6 wealth (Bonuses: indirect x2)

Tansera Azores, Sister of the Patriarch - ON MISSION
Age: Mid-Thirties
Traits: Natural Spymaster (+1)
Fiefs:
Ultrecht Jungle Logging Camps (size 1) - produces 1 wealth
Agri-Prime News Network (size 2) - produces 2 wealth

Ranult Azores, Uncle of the Patriarch - AT COURT
Age: Growing Old
Traits: Natural Fighter (+1)
Fiefs:


Azores General Staff
Lightbringer Military Academy (size 3) - produces 3 wealth




House Morgarten
Total Fiefs: 3
Total available wealth: 10 (13 -3 from nobles)

Matriarch Alruna Morgarten
Age: Early Twenties
Traits: attractive, brave, genius, cold pragmatic
Fiefs:
Morgarten Family Holdings (size 1) - produces 3 wealth (Bonuses: indirect x3)

Alaine Morgarten, Sister of the Matriarch
Age: Young Adult
Traits: Natural Administrator (+4), attractive, frevent faith
Fiefs:
Bastion Upper Markets (size 1) - produces 5 wealth (Bonuses: direct +4)

Maria Fornost, Cousin Thrice removed of the Matriarch
Age: Middle-Aged
Traits: Good Gambler, loyal, Skilled Administrator (+4)
Fiefs:
Bastion Noble Quarters (size 1) - produces 5 wealth (Bonuses: direct +4)

[Ardas]

Although wizened, but not ancient, Luthias looked over the house. He was not as ancient as Malcador, who turned out to be a Grey guard agent cum Commander, yet one could say that Luthias would be older, looking at his white hair and the quasi-Archon robes that he still wore. The man survived 100 years of escaping church and building a thing that he always wanted - a secular power. Now, it was time to take charge and rebuild the Imperium.

To his content, but at the same time a mild disappointment, the noble Nova weren't here. He suspected that they would be his greatest rivals, but at the same time he wondered what became of the young child Grey Guard spirited away with her mother, while the cousins and uncles grabbed the power and struggled with him. She would be a child no more, but probably an old woman now, 4 ordinary generations would have already passed. The ones that surrounded him were all familiar names and sometimes faces, but none of them shared the old history.

It was interesting to be in the seat of the Church, now turned imperial capital. How gleeful it was to see the clerics and priests humbled, even though Luthias dreamed of sitting in this chamber as their leader. An ironic twist, to be a secular ruler, instead of a Church one. But it was Halo all the same.

He rose from among the throng of his own, retainers and family he created, albeit with little love, and rose to the lectern.

"Noble lords great and small, it is a joyous occasion that gathered us here. We are to elect our Emperor and with it, set to rebuild Mankind as it was the vision of the past century and more, to bring humanity back from its dark age. Yet, the silence of this house is astonishing. Will no one rise? No one will claim the throne and bring the stability that the united humanity needs?" If it needs be, there are many among mine family that would bear that honor gladly, foremost of them being my heir. I'm a man of the old epoch, yet I welcome the chance to see the birth of a new one. Let this moment not be forgotten but celebrated as a new start for humanity. Rise to your position and choose!

The speech took most energy out of the old man and he sat down back in his place, with help from servants,

[3man75]

Adrian stands next with efficiency.

"Luthias, I grant my vote to your heir IF you promise here that when you die your heir must step down as Emperor and take over your house. Once, that happens we shall vote again.

The Emperor should be someone with wisdom and experience but i'm sure the heir to a Warlord like yourself can do a fine job as our Emperor. One more thing,..."

Adrian points across the room.

"Why have the grey guard let in these man filth's in? I was designated as the head of household and fought off assassins from these lot. I banished them because of their illnesses in the head and rebellious attitude. Why do they have a say in such a critical matter?"

[Taricus]

"To accuse us of being the instigators of this would be a grave mistake, and betelling of how arrogant you are. You claimed yourself to be the head of the household, and when you were refused, you had split the house in two for your own lust for power. It is you who is the rebel, who is marked with mental deficiencies. Furthermore, it is us, and us alone that hold the sole name of Azores, pretender.

[Ardas]

Luthias chuckled until it turned into a fit of coughing.

"A fine jest, Adrian, seeing how I do not have long left. Your offer is empty and would leave us with the same problem again. Either propose something serious or step forward yourself. Furthermore, do not bring in your personal vendettas into this chamber, thy are not important now."

[Culise]

Shifting slightly nervously, Alruna's discomfort at their surroundings was plain, but it had little to do with her age compared to the elder, more knowledgeable nobles who surrounded her, nor did it have to do with her poor and almost frontier state of her dress, the product of a simple barony compared to these great counts and dukes.  Having been told stories of the old Imperial Palace and the seat of the Orthodoxy, not to mention the temporal power of the Church, the presence of soldiers and secular lords, herself included, in this seat of the Patriarchy seemed perilously close to blasphemy.  Every sign of faith had been carefully covered or expunged, and a quiet voice in her head whispered dark implications about the goals of the Lord Commander that stood now before them.  Still, the invitation to her grandfather had to be obeyed, delivered though it had been a man whose death had not reached the ears of the courier's commander, and now she sat in a seat she had never wished, following a dead man's steps on a far greater scale.  A man, one man, whose desire to bring stability to a single star system now led her on a path to bring stability to a civilization.  This was supposed to be his place, not hers, but she had not been raised to shirk from duty, neither to her family nor her people.

She rose quietly, almost shadow-like.  "I do not disagree with the esteemed Lord Luthias.  I believe we must unite here, today, and bring one rule, one voice to the scattered lights of humanity.  I myself am obviously no option, for my age alone is sufficient to raise questions in a position that cannot bear any reproach," she said with a self-deprecatory tone, albeit one with a hint of tension.  "Lord Adrian has stated those questions already, for he, not inaccurately, has called for candidates with both wisdom and experience," she said, stressing the second condition.  "I have no objections to the proposal of Lord Luthias, especially as your family is not one with pronounced...ah, dynastic conflicts, but I too must express some concern that the same individual would be heir to both your House's possessions as well as those lands and powers held in trust for the Emperor.  It is my belief that should you put forward your present heir as candidate, he should be forbidden to hold both positions simultaneously, either as per Lord Adrian's suggestion, or by declaring another child the one who shall inherit your holdings as head of your estate."

[3man75]

Luthias chuckled until it turned into a fit of coughing.

"A fine jest, Adrian, seeing how I do not have long left. Your offer is empty and would leave us with the same problem again. Either propose something serious or step forward yourself. Furthermore, do not bring in your personal vendettas into this chamber, thy are not important now."

A chuckle from Adrain followed by a small grin.

"Ah, yes you are right Luthias. Stability must be had first otherwise pretenders and flithy animals run rampant. In that case, Luthias tell us of your chosen heir who you feel is most up to the task of being our Emperor or Empress. Make a good case and you have my vote, support and blessings for the future."

"Although i must say whoever is Emperor cannot also be head of the household. It could problematic if our image looks like that of one family and not all families."

"To accuse us of being the instigators of this would be a grave mistake, and betelling of how arrogant you are. You claimed yourself to be the head of the household, and when you were refused, you had split the house in two for your own lust for power. It is you who is the rebel, who is marked with mental deficiencies. Furthermore, it is us, and us alone that hold the sole name of Azores, pretender.

Still grinning Adrian looks at his "other" family.

"Seralt, maybe we should talk outside about these matters. Who knows maybe you'll understand just how wrong you are..an then life will be better for us."

He sits down finally not even waiting for a reply.

Shifting slightly nervously, Alruna's discomfort at their surroundings was plain, but it had little to do with her age compared to the elder, more knowledgeable nobles who surrounded her, nor did it have to do with her poor and almost frontier state of her dress, the product of a simple barony compared to these great counts and dukes.  Having been told stories of the old Imperial Palace and the seat of the Orthodoxy, not to mention the temporal power of the Church, the presence of soldiers and secular lords, herself included, in this seat of the Patriarchy seemed perilously close to blasphemy.  Every sign of faith had been carefully covered or expunged, and a quiet voice in her head whispered dark implications about the goals of the Lord Commander that stood now before them.  Still, the invitation to her grandfather had to be obeyed, delivered though it had been a man whose death had not reached the ears of the courier's commander, and now she sat in a seat she had never wished, following a dead man's steps on a far greater scale.  A man, one man, whose desire to bring stability to a single star system now led her on a path to bring stability to a civilization.  This was supposed to be his place, not hers, but she had not been raised to shirk from duty, neither to her family nor her people.

She rose quietly, almost shadow-like.  "I do not disagree with the esteemed Lord Luthias.  I believe we must unite here, today, and bring one rule, one voice to the scattered lights of humanity.  I myself am obviously no option, for my age alone is sufficient to raise questions in a position that cannot bear any reproach," she said with a self-deprecatory tone, albeit one with a hint of tension.  "Lord Adrian has stated those questions already, for he, not inaccurately, has called for candidates with both wisdom and experience," she said, stressing the second condition.  "I have no objections to the proposal of Lord Luthias, especially as your family is not one with pronounced...ah, dynastic conflicts, but I too must express some concern that the same individual would be heir to both your House's possessions as well as those lands and powers held in trust for the Emperor.  It is my belief that should you put forward your present heir as candidate, he should be forbidden to hold both positions simultaneously, either as per Lord Adrian's suggestion, or by declaring another child the one who shall inherit your holdings as head of your estate."

Adrian simply nods and looks to Luthias for an answer.

[Shootandrun]

Sigmund Al-Hazar was said to be a man more at home on the battlefield than in a council room. Here, the saying seemed to be truer than ever - while the other nobles spoke, he stirred and frowned, looking everywhere and nowhere, seemingly begging for something to distract him. He had eyed the Grey Guards closely when he had first entered the room, and determined that they were a force to be reckoned with, but after that examination he soon no longer knew what to do. Thusly compelled, he sat through the various speeches of his peers with apparent boredom, listening to each but never passing a comment.

When Adrian spoke a second time, however, he cleared his throat and rose from his seat, and spoke with a clear, loud voice to the others. His tone was neutral, but his eyes betrayed a hint of annoyance.

"My lords, what you ask for is impossible. The Patriarch of a Ruling House must sit the Imperial throne; such are our laws. Of course, you fear that a man ruling over both House and Empire would gain too much power, but you need not. By Imperial Laws, the domain coming with the throne belongs to the throne, not to the man. Should a Hartwing sit the throne, he will rule over the lands that are his by birthright, and only administer those of the Empire... And should the throne go to another dynasty, House Hartwing will not keep that domain.

Of course, some amongst you may fear that future Emperors could abuse this power. Well, the Great Houses will stand against him. Even if an Emperor could convince all imperial troops to fight for him - which he, in all likelihood, would not - and suffered no resistance from within his own house, four Houses would stand against one. Such a tyrant would fall in under a month. All we must do is ensure the Emperor's domain never grows so large that it might overpower us all, and be ready to stand in defence of our rights if we must. As such, the duty of keeping the Emperor's strength in check will be ours, not his - there is no need to divide the administration of House and Throne... And besides, either the one ruling the House would make a pawn of the Emperor, or the reverse would happen. Families naturally tend towards central leadership."

Afterwards, some nobles would swear he glanced at the two sides of the Azores before continuing, but those rumors were never confirmed as anything more than a figment of imagination.

"For these reasons, Hartwing has the support of Al-Hazar."

[3man75]

Still sitting down Adrian responds to Sigmund.

"All true statements by Sigmund.

Yet, i must know exactly who sits in the throne and why would they be up to the task of administering the lands well. Otherwise, i feel another must be found.

So, Luthian who is it that you have in mind. With this much support your practically the power broker. HA!"

He continues his laughs to himself clearly enjoying the court more than he had thought initially.

[Ardas]

Luthias' grin was faint but the glint in his eyes was noticeable. Al-Hazar were with him, and the laws of the empire were laid out plainly before everyone. His firstborn was now an unsaid but apparent candidate.

"My heir, Valerian. He is not the youngest, but he is still strong and has many years ahead of him. He led most of my recent conquests and it is he that built most of my family, as much as I did. It is he who shall be your emperor, shall you say so."

[3man75]

Taken back by such a good candidate Adrian responds coolly.

"With a young experienced General taking back important territory lost during the collapse will be a much easier mountain to climb. Luthias your family is known to not fail even under the worst circumstances. As such, I grant you my vote as i promised if Valerian is up for it."

Still sitting down Adrian looks over to Seralt with what some would dispute provokingly.

[Taricus]

To his credit, Seralt mostly ignored Adrian, instead focussing"And we'll let the blood of a traitor sit upon the imperial throne? As much as the other two houses may consider, one is a house of traitors and kinslayers, the other is completely mercenary. The opinion's of both I do not especially hold in high esteem.

Thus, as a counterproposal, I suggest Lady Mortargen as the candidate to take the imperial throne. Anyone concerned about a powerful emperor or empress woudl have their fears allayed by the fact her house has minor holdings, and with her age anyone concered about stability should not be so given that she should have several more years over the majority of us."

[3man75]

To his credit, Seralt mostly ignored Adrian, instead focussing"And we'll let the blood of a traitor sit upon the imperial throne? As much as the other two houses may consider, one is a house of traitors and kinslayers, the other is completely mercenary. The opinion's of both I do not especially hold in high esteem.

Thus, as a counterproposal, I suggest Lady Mortargen as the candidate to take the imperial throne. Anyone concerned about a powerful emperor or empress woudl have their fears allayed by the fact her house has minor holdings, and with her age anyone concered about stability should not be so given that she should have several more years over the majority of us."

Adrian sighs as he gets up and locks eyes with Seralt.

He opens and speaks in a matter clearly demeaning.

"Why cry tell were you not listening? We need experience and although i'm sure Lady Mortargen is of good moral character and will one day be a fine leader like her grandfather i must ask the 'why' of your choice."

He stops momentarily and speaks more seriously.

"Why do you think she would be a good leader? Why do you think that at such a young age she can re-unite an entire solar empire. Answer, ye who knows not of what he speaks."

[Taricus]

"I have already said them, you dullard. If you are utterly incapable of listening. Furthermore, while a general may make for a good leader of an army, an empire is far more than just plain conquest. We would need the oversee the reconstruction and administration of any areas regained lest we have the same fate of the previous imperium befall us."