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"THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!- a phrase often heard in these times.
Oh, those times? What times you ask? The times after the coronation of Empress Samyrrah Almandine as the first Empress, the first elf, and 2nd elected Emperor of the Mercurian Empire.
Who, just who said this? Well, a large amount of the Thanes during the Thanesmoot of 534 in the Östron realm of Östlaed, that is. You see, Östrons on the whole are quite distrusting of Elves, an interesting knick knack they picked up from the dwarves when the Östron people lived in the Dwarven realm of Duroth and the surrounding wastes. Unlike some groups of humans, however, they aren't fearful of Elves - after all, some of the greatest stories in Östron lore involved great victories of their distant ancestors who rose up against them during the time of the Ibarhians. No, no, they simply just, don't, like them.
There is a difference, however, between disliking elves, and how many of these Thanes (and even the masters of the Order of Sanct Creopbaina) acted over the news that Queen Almandine had won the vote of nobles around the Empire. Here are just a few "snippets" of what was said that day:
"FILTHY, DIRTY ELVES! CAN'T BE TRUSTED!"
"How can we possibly let a female elf from such a relatively isolated realm be plastered on the walls of our buildings?!?! LONG LIVE EMPEROR MYRON!!!! HE WILL ALWAYS LIVE!!!"
"We admonish those nobles who didn't vote for a human, King Elenvar. He is one of us."
These weren't the worst things said that day, not even the most lewd phrases either!
Most worrying was a contingent of Thanes from Westmæd, Friþengest, Beorcfeld, Tunindæl, and Merscafen. Along with the Masters of the Order of Sanct Creopbaina, they successfully passed a statement from the Thanesmoot saying the following:
"We, the Thanes and Masters of Östlaed, admonish the nobles of the realm for electing a traitorous Elf to the Human, Mercurian Empire."
Of course, the empire would have never known about this had it not been for a Wysterian spy who bribed one of the thanes to report on Thanesmoots! What an embarassment! Well, certainly on the part of Ealdorman Accynnafon. You must understand, the Ealdorman valued the wealth brought from trading, as well as the vast array of luxury goods brought into Acholm as of late. Ever since the safe travel routes were established, huge population booms in Port K'Valsaer and Acholm in particular lead to a great trade route of luxury goods being passed from town to town on that route. Pyrencian food goods, including spices from the Duchy of Cerebal were all the rage. I'm rambling a bit, however, the point is - well, the old Ealdorman (70 at this point!) wasn't going to let the distrust of elves within the realm harm their relations and growing trade stops. The Mercurian Empire needs Östlaed and Östlaed needs the Empire.
After this successful vote, the Ealdorman quickly stamped out this diatribe towards the Empress and the Empire, "This will not stand. In no way will I send this racist, divisive, isolationist rhetoric on to the Imperial Court. This damages our reputation, our trade negotiations, and our relationships with our allies. Don't act like I'm not aware of your Fundamentalist beliefs!
Incredible. For the first time, the Ealdorman called out the conspiracy of the fundamentalist Thanes and the Order. It wouldn't take a Wysterian spy for the entire Empire to hear about this.
He continued, "As of this point, I am decreeing that Östlaed will not disrespect the Empress; Östlaed will not leave the Mercurian Empire; Östlaed will not be subject to Fundamentalist fear-mongering; Östlaed will be an integral part of the Mercurian Empire and will be its foremost defender. To question this is to spit on the very realms and nobles that assisted us and ensured our safety in coming to this land!"
In stark contrast to the Thanesmoot of 527, no brawl occurred. Instead, about half the Thanes and the entire Order of Sanct Creopbaina walked out of the Thanesmoot, without saying a word. Despite this, the Thanesmoot continued, with a few topics mentioned:
* Reports from the east indicated attempts at trading with and/or establishing relations with the Forest Elves had progressed. So far, only small works of art, clothing, and luxury food items had been traded. The Forest Elves seemed quite fond of things made with honey, and as such, had great honey cakes and mead for trade.
* Diplomats from Dawnstar and DorEryn have been contacted to request their assistance with acquiring translators that could possibly help establish relations with the Forest Elves on a more formal basis.
* Rumors of a group of Dwarves headed south to found a new realm have proven to be true. We have sent diplomats, traders, and Knights to assist them in their journey. They may be settling in an area that would secure a southern route to Pyrencia, greatly shortening our trade routes and increasing profits.
* Additional forces have been sent to Pyrencia to assist Erastil in the Pyrencian Civil War. Forces include more archers from Wiccaweald, catapults from Acholm, pikemen from Frithengest, and swordsmen frrom Gourdham.
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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice
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