Noble Progression Story Trials, Tribulations And Troubles In The Aristocratic Realms

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It was a new year for the nobility of the Regalian Empire, and with a new year came new controversy. While the previous month had been relatively peaceful, the last couple of weeks within the Holy City witnessed rising tension between various Noble Houses and from that, a feeling of unease. For one, the ongoing rivalry between House Rote and House de Letoirneau had reached a climax with the approaching trial against Cyprien de Letoirneau for various charges related to corruption and assault, which had been scheduled for Saturday the second of February by the Regalian Judiciary. However, the morning of the trial was met with whispers and rumor-mongering; notices were erected on notice boards that hung just outside of the Regalian Courthouse announcing the cancellation of the de Letoirneau trial on grounds that evidence had not been submitted in time to comply with the Regalian Law discovery obligations. Many found the news rather confusing and somewhat suspicious given that the trial seemed set in stone, but intrigue ran higher later that afternoon when whispers from the usual scandalmongers reached Regalia that Countess Ana de Letoirneau, Ser Cyprien de Letoirneau, Count Abelhard Rote and the Imperial Steward Rodderick Howlester were spotted approaching one of the many elegant drawing rooms of the Imperial Palace that Emperor Alexander is said to favor. The four remained in the palace for two hours with Ana de Letoirneau being the first to depart with Cyprien at her side, holding her head high though notably positioning her Ithanian-styled fan in a manner that blocked Cyprien from her sight. The Howlester and Rote tottered on back to the City shortly after. It seemed that whatever issues were raised for the trial had been dealt with by the Emperor internally, after which the Imperial Court erupted in praise and compliment of House Rote for the Count’s handling of the situation despite no legal repercussions dealt to House de Letoirneau .


While one issue was resolved in the Capital, another was brewing further North. The establishment of the Northern Defensive Pact, which appeared to the Imperial Court to be spearheaded by Kaya Sorenvik, seemed to have provoked the Archduke Ulric Typhonus of Calemberg who only months before had declared his intention to form a defensive line across the Drixagh border to prevent an attack from the seceding region. Despite the treaty’s declaration that its creation was a purely defensive measure, Houses Typhonus, von Treppewitz and their allies, who had rallied their troops in preparation for an attack from the North, saw the treaty as direct opposition to what they themselves saw as their patriotic duty to defend the Realm from Non-Unionist attackers. In response, the Calemberg coalition forces which were comprised of levies from Houses Typhonus, von Castor-Beilewitz and Grazerwald marched their men further into the North, occupying parts of Hadrian’s Wall that had been controversially built upon the baronial lands of some of the Holtzskagger aristocracy. Both sides of the border began to speculate that a second burning of the North was imminent and suspense began to rise as either side waited for an act of war from the other. All eyes were seemingly on the signatories of the Northern Defensive Pact to see how they would react and the consequences that would come forthwith.


It seemed that a Cold War was brewing at home despite the recent tranquility Regalia had been experiencing. However, with tranquility came stagnation and with stagnation, a stalemate on warfront against the Dread Empire. While the unification of the Regalian and Altalar forces remained steadfast against the Kathar, cracks began to appear in the defensive line the Regalian Generals and Altalar armies had created the months before. The Regalian Generals who were stationed at the frontline of the conflict began to believe that they had been forgotten about, despite the fact that the Noble Assembly had ratified their alliance treaty with the Elven Princes that saw the Dread Empire as a more serious threat to their existence. In response to the dwindling number of soldiers being sent in support, Field General Edgar Altenburg sent a pleading to the Imperial Court for reinforcements. His appeals were met with positivity and sympathy from Emperor Alexander whom immediately ordered the creation of a Military Cabinet, tasking the aging General William Howlester with its establishment and management. Word began to spread that the war with the Dread Empire was reigniting and many began to wonder: Who else would stack this newly created Cabinet and when exactly to expect recruitment for the next conflict? When posed with both questions, the Howlester replied with one word. “Soon”.


However, it seemed this was not the only thing that the Lord Commander had to state. After an attempted assassination on Katriane Howlester, a thorough investigation pursued; and it seemed to point directly towards a single threat, that being Silven involvement, specifically that of two outlaws, Mae Draylas and Wesley Crawford, whom the Violet Order had since named public enemies. The Howlester approached the Emperor Alexander Kade on the dire matter at hand, stating his personal disliking for the brazen attack on the Howlester family and the many criminal incidents in the last year in which Silven had a hand in, and he subsequently petitioned the Emperor for more drastic action. With his firm stance against the odd-eyed Aberrants, the Emperor gave his approval to suspend the rights of the Silven in the city, and the Lord Commander immediately declared them as Persona Non Grata. This resulted in all Silven being stripped of their citizenship rights entirely and was put into effect immediately. Within hours, the Violet Order began to round up as many Silven as they could find. Some were withheld in Greygate while others seemed to be disciplined on the streets and banished to the sewers. One thing was certain from the ordeal: Silven were no longer wanted on the surface and their involvement in the day to day goings on in the city was about to come to a grinding halt.

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