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Foreword: This was a technical Player Quest that came as the result of a violation of a piece of lore in a special Permission. We seized this opportunity to test something new experimental: Collaborative writing. This entire article is composed by @Shayin @SupremeCripple @Catcat1305 @iMcMuffins @Suzzie @Lithiel with myself only doing post editing and pasting all the pieces together to make the whole thing one big story line as told from various perspectives. We'd love to know what you think of this format, as it may become useful in future world progression posts.
Lithiel Losseniel cursed herself for still not being entirely enlightened on the series of codes. Was this one part of the state Law? Or was it a different set of rules altogether? This Empire was so full of laws and rules, she felt like trying to learn them all would take her a life time. One thing she did know, Thomas Kade was about to befall a cruel fate. As she neared the Viridian walls, the local heralds had already gathered by the entrance. People still continued to trickle in. Some with actual concern for the prince, others came to see their traitor punished, while others yet just came for the amusement. The grounds were open to bypassers, citizens and nobles alike gathered in front of the stage with the crowd mostly populated by Viridian Knights. Though Lithiel did not profess to be privy to Thomas' secret circle or thoughts- she felt ever since that time of peril, the elf finally had some firm ground in which to have some opinion of the Kade family. At least the ones she met. In short- they were human. Prone to error, but mortal and normal like everyone else. With their flaws and troubles, and concerns-behind the finery and posturing, they squabbled and bickered- then held each other close and comforted one another in times of trouble. There was a family bond- that much for sure that passed between certain members- and Thomas' spirit in regard to his loved ones did not go unnoticed by the healer. It took everything she had, clutching her arm till her knuckles turned white- to not throw herself at the display and demand mercy. It felt wrong.
Ulric stood amongst the sea of assembled knights and aristocracy, garbed in his typical lordly attire, war decorations adorning his chest and a stark white pelt draped loosely over his shoulders to fight the seasonal chill. Despite the small tent they had been provided with, it was still bloody cold. He panned out to the crowd. He had thought he recognized a few familiar faces in the crowd. Selwynn, Tristan, a few of the Kade Princes as well. But he was only particularly concerned with one individual at the moment. Gently, he placed a black gloved hand on his daughter's shoulder. Riane stood closely to his left, garbbed in her own Calemberger dress with a similar white pelt pulled around her neck and shoulders. Ulric drew a short breath, nodding once to Riane, before panning his gaze out to the platform once more. Ulric said to his daughter from under his breath: "They are about to begin".
Sure as Ulric said that, the Primae of the Viridian Order stepped onto the stage with a paper list in his hands. Percy Ravenstad came to a stop, planting his riding boots onto the ground firmly, arms crossed in his usual, rigid stance. A few beared grumbles escaped his pursed lips as the Primae listed off the crimes bestowed unto Thomas. "Firstly think not, as has been imprinted onto the Prince, that being of royal blood makes one above the Code of Charlemois. Our code is holy to our order, the very foundation of our existence, and the creed which binds us together as equals. While we respect the Imperial family and pay homage to it, the Prince here will stand before us as a common knight, despite his decorations and victories for the Empire". True enough, other princes were present. Cedric and Xavier Kade stood between the noble crowd in the tent, Xavier the recently elected Kade Patriarch. Only nineteen years of age, the patriarch had a calm and serene posture about him, but still cold and distant as he stood watching the stage. He could be heard vaguely mumbling Unionist prayers to himself as he fiddled with his cane, eyes trained on the stage which Thomas would soon step onto. Cedric seemed more affected by the situation, though his face did not allow anyone to tell whether it was for Thomas's sake or something else. His face looked like that of one in a fit of rage, a combination of disappointment and anger that did not let go for the rest of the public punishment.
The Primae continued with his speech: "The Prince has been found guilty of disobeying the hierarchy, direct violations of trust and obedience to the government, the collected nobility and sabotage of the good intentions of his fellow noble peers. Perhaps more criminally so, he has been found guilty of failing to protect the innocent and feeble and weak amongst us, one of the holiest laws within the Code of Charlemois. We have sentenced the Prince to a recital ritual, as well as 20 lashings on bare skin." The Primae closed his scroll as he walked off the stage, letting the stage executioner press Thomas onto the stage.
Ulric watched as the scantily clad figure of Thomas Kade was pulled out to the center and forced to his knees. The currently disputed Archduke furrowed his eyebrows. Bound arms, ragged pants. Things you wouldn't typically suspect a Prince to be subject to. But, Ulric had spent his time behind the castle's walls. He knew the price of breaking the code. Thomas was clothed in only a prisoner's sack pants, his usual gold and clothing stripped from him and his pure self laid bare to the world. Despite his humongous size for a Human, Thomas suddenly looked small in the sea of people watching him, and the executioner behind him cracking the whip. Thomas looked stoic as he kneeled down, though those in the crowd that knew him would know he had fear for this. Though as the lashes began, Ulric couldn't help but show a smidgen of discontent. Perhaps it wasn't the graphic nature of the ordeal, as Ulric had severed countless heads during his time with the Violet Order, and that wasn't even to mention all of the wars. Ulric and Thomas weren't particularly.. "Close", as far as friendships went, but something about the scene gave the aging Knight a feeling which he could not properly place.
Lithiel couldn't sense malice in Thomas- so why did he have to go through this? As each lash came down upon Thomas's mortal coil she visibly flinched. Again and again- as if the whip crack was in her inner ear. 'Stop it...Stop that!' She looked, when she dared, between the faces of those watching. Craning her neck to the tent elevated from the crowd. She could see his family there. Near them, Selwyn's typical controlled face was expected, Tristan looked livid as she ever seen him- saying something to those beside him. "Why am I even here?" Tristan thought to himself. He stood silently, his fists clenched as he looked over the Prince and his state of being. Tristan winced the first few lashings but steadied his concentration and loosened his hands before glancing to Cedric, Selwynn and Xavier. "I can tell you one thing," He began to mutter. "Glad I'm not part of that bloody order anymore." With that, he went back to silently watching. He would have felt guiltier about this whole thing, but he wasn't responsible for the Kades that died, just the Kade loyalists in the Cathedral and Healing House. Still, nevertheless, he did feel horrible for Thomas. That looked like it hurt. Selwynn stood strong. The second, third, fourth and fifth came by the same. The sixth came, and then the seventh, where a single tear rose to Selwynn's eye. He quickly looked down to Cedric, then up to Tristan, then back to resume his stare at Thomas. Feeling the need to justify himself, the Elf said, "It isn't seeing him in pain. It's seeing him violate what he once stood for. Who he once was." Cedric quickly added: "They say time heals all wounds, but it's worth saying that time also changes even the most immovable rocks". Selwyn looked at Cedric at that, and then back to Thomas who was still enduring the lashings.
The harshness caught Percy Ravenstad off guard. The lashings were harsh, blood splattered onto the stage and Thomas collapsed several times after a strike, only to be pulled up again by aides. Part of him, sympathetic for his trusted and dear friend; he had to look on as he was beaten, the pain in Thomas' eyes explaining the brutal lashings without words. The gasps, winces, and fleeting eyes of the men and women gathered were enough to make any man feel bad for the Prince. Though, the other half of him was harboring some disappointment in Thomas. The sacred code they followed like law was broken, and this was the payment for that price. Still, he couldn't help but clench his jaw at each lashing, feeling heavy sadness for his friend. Back in the noble tent, seeing the Prince in such a state stirred conflict in Riane Typhonus's mind. Was this what happens to men who stray from the path of righteous ..? Her thoughts raced, and it wasn't long before her head was in her hands, pressing herself closer into Ulric. Hit after hit, it seemed as if the beating went on forever. Peeping through her fingers, Riane looked back only to see the Kade collapse, with the whipping only growing more intense. Stifling back a gasp, she squeezed her eyes shut, taking in a deep breath. Biting down on her lip, Riane forced herself to face front, back out at the whipping.
Poor Riane, Lithiel thought to herself. Despite her ability to bloody a nose, she did not strike Lithiel as someone accustomed to brutality. This was not the best place, but she was happy to confirm Ulric's life- she felt relief none the less seeing him, and was short lived however. Every lash made the healer more worried; people could die from such things for a multitude of reasons. Exposure, infections; the list could be massive, anything could go wrong! They were not sparing the Prince any due. Which was why when it was over she came forward on instinct... pushing her way through people only to be stopped by someone. "-but Chris?" the familiar face told her not to bother- " sorry 'bout this lil one. You're a mage, and a woman, you can't do anything. Just go home." A nod at her and a solemn grimace… they understood her well enough to almost know she'd try. When the healer turned she could see Cedric march off, and- having not been able to confirm his own state since, well ever, she hurried off after him as well. "..Sid." She chanced a final look towards the castle, something sick settling into the pit of her stomach.
Thomas was drug away, into the confines of the castle. Percy Ravenstad somewhat wanted to speak to someone, try to get the bloodied Thomas from his mind. The small gathering of Kades, the Typhonus, more faceless people and nobles…. he began to think to himself, "No...No reason to even try. Why should I?". Being the person to isolate himself in terms of feelings, the tall knight strode off after it was done. With her jaw tensed, Riane Typhonus simply stared out blankly at this point as Thomas had been dragged back into the castle, having been beaten to a bloody ragdoll. Giving her head a light shake, she glanced over to her father, wearing but an expression of stone. Ulric released an idle sigh. "A shame, perhaps", he thought to himself. But stood a price for most actions, he assumed, before he finally gestured for Riane to follow him away from that castle and what had just occurred. Selwynn wiped at his eyes as he watched the stage with the various blood splatters on it. Selwynn stayed behind despite Cedric having left. 'Is this Justice...?' he thought to himself. The Elf turned to follow after Cedric, leaving Tristan and Xavier alone in the noble stand, just as Tristan finally noticed Cedric was gone. "Sid must have taken off…" he thought to himself. To follow or not to follow? Best leave him alone for now. With that, he stayed with Xavier. He was the Patriarch of the family now, after all. Strangely enough though, Tristan could not tell even in the slightest how Xavier felt, or what this display had done to him. He was young, still a teenager almost, but his expression was so empty of anything. It made Tristan vaguely think of the inquisitors who tortured and conditioned him for Imperial service when he was younger. He both appreciated Xavier's religious zeal, but something about him gave him a chill.
Thomas was meanwhile being patched up in the castle. His back was badly bleeding, and it would take some days for him to be able to wear proper clothing again or walk around in public. Even still, would he walk around in public? He knew this was going to happen, he knew he had to submit himself to it, but this was humiliating, especially after what Moselberg had put him through at the Kade conference. He vaguely knew Cedric, Xavier and Tristan were there. How did they feel about all of this? Would Cedric still be angry? Thoughts kept darting through his mind as doctors looked over the wounds and started going to work. Eventually he passed out of consciousness, a mixture of shock from the pain, sedatives and simple exhaustion. To all actions there was a price. And to all actions, there is a response. Many people learned that lesson that day, some more painfully so than others.
Lithiel Losseniel cursed herself for still not being entirely enlightened on the series of codes. Was this one part of the state Law? Or was it a different set of rules altogether? This Empire was so full of laws and rules, she felt like trying to learn them all would take her a life time. One thing she did know, Thomas Kade was about to befall a cruel fate. As she neared the Viridian walls, the local heralds had already gathered by the entrance. People still continued to trickle in. Some with actual concern for the prince, others came to see their traitor punished, while others yet just came for the amusement. The grounds were open to bypassers, citizens and nobles alike gathered in front of the stage with the crowd mostly populated by Viridian Knights. Though Lithiel did not profess to be privy to Thomas' secret circle or thoughts- she felt ever since that time of peril, the elf finally had some firm ground in which to have some opinion of the Kade family. At least the ones she met. In short- they were human. Prone to error, but mortal and normal like everyone else. With their flaws and troubles, and concerns-behind the finery and posturing, they squabbled and bickered- then held each other close and comforted one another in times of trouble. There was a family bond- that much for sure that passed between certain members- and Thomas' spirit in regard to his loved ones did not go unnoticed by the healer. It took everything she had, clutching her arm till her knuckles turned white- to not throw herself at the display and demand mercy. It felt wrong.
Ulric stood amongst the sea of assembled knights and aristocracy, garbed in his typical lordly attire, war decorations adorning his chest and a stark white pelt draped loosely over his shoulders to fight the seasonal chill. Despite the small tent they had been provided with, it was still bloody cold. He panned out to the crowd. He had thought he recognized a few familiar faces in the crowd. Selwynn, Tristan, a few of the Kade Princes as well. But he was only particularly concerned with one individual at the moment. Gently, he placed a black gloved hand on his daughter's shoulder. Riane stood closely to his left, garbbed in her own Calemberger dress with a similar white pelt pulled around her neck and shoulders. Ulric drew a short breath, nodding once to Riane, before panning his gaze out to the platform once more. Ulric said to his daughter from under his breath: "They are about to begin".
Sure as Ulric said that, the Primae of the Viridian Order stepped onto the stage with a paper list in his hands. Percy Ravenstad came to a stop, planting his riding boots onto the ground firmly, arms crossed in his usual, rigid stance. A few beared grumbles escaped his pursed lips as the Primae listed off the crimes bestowed unto Thomas. "Firstly think not, as has been imprinted onto the Prince, that being of royal blood makes one above the Code of Charlemois. Our code is holy to our order, the very foundation of our existence, and the creed which binds us together as equals. While we respect the Imperial family and pay homage to it, the Prince here will stand before us as a common knight, despite his decorations and victories for the Empire". True enough, other princes were present. Cedric and Xavier Kade stood between the noble crowd in the tent, Xavier the recently elected Kade Patriarch. Only nineteen years of age, the patriarch had a calm and serene posture about him, but still cold and distant as he stood watching the stage. He could be heard vaguely mumbling Unionist prayers to himself as he fiddled with his cane, eyes trained on the stage which Thomas would soon step onto. Cedric seemed more affected by the situation, though his face did not allow anyone to tell whether it was for Thomas's sake or something else. His face looked like that of one in a fit of rage, a combination of disappointment and anger that did not let go for the rest of the public punishment.
The Primae continued with his speech: "The Prince has been found guilty of disobeying the hierarchy, direct violations of trust and obedience to the government, the collected nobility and sabotage of the good intentions of his fellow noble peers. Perhaps more criminally so, he has been found guilty of failing to protect the innocent and feeble and weak amongst us, one of the holiest laws within the Code of Charlemois. We have sentenced the Prince to a recital ritual, as well as 20 lashings on bare skin." The Primae closed his scroll as he walked off the stage, letting the stage executioner press Thomas onto the stage.
Ulric watched as the scantily clad figure of Thomas Kade was pulled out to the center and forced to his knees. The currently disputed Archduke furrowed his eyebrows. Bound arms, ragged pants. Things you wouldn't typically suspect a Prince to be subject to. But, Ulric had spent his time behind the castle's walls. He knew the price of breaking the code. Thomas was clothed in only a prisoner's sack pants, his usual gold and clothing stripped from him and his pure self laid bare to the world. Despite his humongous size for a Human, Thomas suddenly looked small in the sea of people watching him, and the executioner behind him cracking the whip. Thomas looked stoic as he kneeled down, though those in the crowd that knew him would know he had fear for this. Though as the lashes began, Ulric couldn't help but show a smidgen of discontent. Perhaps it wasn't the graphic nature of the ordeal, as Ulric had severed countless heads during his time with the Violet Order, and that wasn't even to mention all of the wars. Ulric and Thomas weren't particularly.. "Close", as far as friendships went, but something about the scene gave the aging Knight a feeling which he could not properly place.
Lithiel couldn't sense malice in Thomas- so why did he have to go through this? As each lash came down upon Thomas's mortal coil she visibly flinched. Again and again- as if the whip crack was in her inner ear. 'Stop it...Stop that!' She looked, when she dared, between the faces of those watching. Craning her neck to the tent elevated from the crowd. She could see his family there. Near them, Selwyn's typical controlled face was expected, Tristan looked livid as she ever seen him- saying something to those beside him. "Why am I even here?" Tristan thought to himself. He stood silently, his fists clenched as he looked over the Prince and his state of being. Tristan winced the first few lashings but steadied his concentration and loosened his hands before glancing to Cedric, Selwynn and Xavier. "I can tell you one thing," He began to mutter. "Glad I'm not part of that bloody order anymore." With that, he went back to silently watching. He would have felt guiltier about this whole thing, but he wasn't responsible for the Kades that died, just the Kade loyalists in the Cathedral and Healing House. Still, nevertheless, he did feel horrible for Thomas. That looked like it hurt. Selwynn stood strong. The second, third, fourth and fifth came by the same. The sixth came, and then the seventh, where a single tear rose to Selwynn's eye. He quickly looked down to Cedric, then up to Tristan, then back to resume his stare at Thomas. Feeling the need to justify himself, the Elf said, "It isn't seeing him in pain. It's seeing him violate what he once stood for. Who he once was." Cedric quickly added: "They say time heals all wounds, but it's worth saying that time also changes even the most immovable rocks". Selwyn looked at Cedric at that, and then back to Thomas who was still enduring the lashings.
The harshness caught Percy Ravenstad off guard. The lashings were harsh, blood splattered onto the stage and Thomas collapsed several times after a strike, only to be pulled up again by aides. Part of him, sympathetic for his trusted and dear friend; he had to look on as he was beaten, the pain in Thomas' eyes explaining the brutal lashings without words. The gasps, winces, and fleeting eyes of the men and women gathered were enough to make any man feel bad for the Prince. Though, the other half of him was harboring some disappointment in Thomas. The sacred code they followed like law was broken, and this was the payment for that price. Still, he couldn't help but clench his jaw at each lashing, feeling heavy sadness for his friend. Back in the noble tent, seeing the Prince in such a state stirred conflict in Riane Typhonus's mind. Was this what happens to men who stray from the path of righteous ..? Her thoughts raced, and it wasn't long before her head was in her hands, pressing herself closer into Ulric. Hit after hit, it seemed as if the beating went on forever. Peeping through her fingers, Riane looked back only to see the Kade collapse, with the whipping only growing more intense. Stifling back a gasp, she squeezed her eyes shut, taking in a deep breath. Biting down on her lip, Riane forced herself to face front, back out at the whipping.
Poor Riane, Lithiel thought to herself. Despite her ability to bloody a nose, she did not strike Lithiel as someone accustomed to brutality. This was not the best place, but she was happy to confirm Ulric's life- she felt relief none the less seeing him, and was short lived however. Every lash made the healer more worried; people could die from such things for a multitude of reasons. Exposure, infections; the list could be massive, anything could go wrong! They were not sparing the Prince any due. Which was why when it was over she came forward on instinct... pushing her way through people only to be stopped by someone. "-but Chris?" the familiar face told her not to bother- " sorry 'bout this lil one. You're a mage, and a woman, you can't do anything. Just go home." A nod at her and a solemn grimace… they understood her well enough to almost know she'd try. When the healer turned she could see Cedric march off, and- having not been able to confirm his own state since, well ever, she hurried off after him as well. "..Sid." She chanced a final look towards the castle, something sick settling into the pit of her stomach.
Thomas was drug away, into the confines of the castle. Percy Ravenstad somewhat wanted to speak to someone, try to get the bloodied Thomas from his mind. The small gathering of Kades, the Typhonus, more faceless people and nobles…. he began to think to himself, "No...No reason to even try. Why should I?". Being the person to isolate himself in terms of feelings, the tall knight strode off after it was done. With her jaw tensed, Riane Typhonus simply stared out blankly at this point as Thomas had been dragged back into the castle, having been beaten to a bloody ragdoll. Giving her head a light shake, she glanced over to her father, wearing but an expression of stone. Ulric released an idle sigh. "A shame, perhaps", he thought to himself. But stood a price for most actions, he assumed, before he finally gestured for Riane to follow him away from that castle and what had just occurred. Selwynn wiped at his eyes as he watched the stage with the various blood splatters on it. Selwynn stayed behind despite Cedric having left. 'Is this Justice...?' he thought to himself. The Elf turned to follow after Cedric, leaving Tristan and Xavier alone in the noble stand, just as Tristan finally noticed Cedric was gone. "Sid must have taken off…" he thought to himself. To follow or not to follow? Best leave him alone for now. With that, he stayed with Xavier. He was the Patriarch of the family now, after all. Strangely enough though, Tristan could not tell even in the slightest how Xavier felt, or what this display had done to him. He was young, still a teenager almost, but his expression was so empty of anything. It made Tristan vaguely think of the inquisitors who tortured and conditioned him for Imperial service when he was younger. He both appreciated Xavier's religious zeal, but something about him gave him a chill.
Thomas was meanwhile being patched up in the castle. His back was badly bleeding, and it would take some days for him to be able to wear proper clothing again or walk around in public. Even still, would he walk around in public? He knew this was going to happen, he knew he had to submit himself to it, but this was humiliating, especially after what Moselberg had put him through at the Kade conference. He vaguely knew Cedric, Xavier and Tristan were there. How did they feel about all of this? Would Cedric still be angry? Thoughts kept darting through his mind as doctors looked over the wounds and started going to work. Eventually he passed out of consciousness, a mixture of shock from the pain, sedatives and simple exhaustion. To all actions there was a price. And to all actions, there is a response. Many people learned that lesson that day, some more painfully so than others.
