[Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

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Kaiser Dominus
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[Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Kaiser Dominus »

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After a long, some might say overly languid, eastwards voyage from the Euran port of Nivardom, back towards Benacia, crossing over the Sea of Storms and, after a while spent loitering in the Corprian Archipelago testing the IRS Medusa's newly installed Panopticon suite by conducting an unobtrusive long-range scan of some obscure place known as Riskai, the Kaiser's fleet had finally traversed the Eastern Ocean and arrived back in the, newly acquired, home-waters of Western Benacia.

Trouble had been brewing in that part of the world, a full-blown insurgency had gripped the Puritanian lands, led by heretics and the deviant followers of Sisera, who drew their succour from the ulcerating Jingdaoese enclaves that pricked the flanks of the Benacian continent. Similarly Dietsland was restive, with rumours of a dissident group slowly gathering its strength. As for Voltrue, nobody quite knew what was happening there, although Dominus had been shown a rather promising sales brochure for a luxury car manufacturer. If the opportunity arose he would ask for a tour of the factory, if he could remember the name of the company. No matter. It would come back to him

As the Kaiser finished listening to the melodic Norse warbling of Volkssender Tuulersbýur and finished adjusting his belt and buckle and fastened the zip of his trousers, before smoothing down the folds of his black "Kosovorotka"' tunic, about the waist. His jackboots were shined, beard was combed just so, hair was immaculate and his blue eyes sparkled in anticipation of a new day. Excited by the prospect of finally visiting the island of Blackstone, the hub of so much new trade and innovation in recent years, the Kaiser turned about from the mirror in front of which he had been preening himself and bent down to pick up from the rumpled silk sheets of the bed his blue felt and gold braided, fur-trimmed Pelisse which was laid down behind where he had stood. As he deftly picked the pelisse up and draped it over his shoulders he paid no heed to the pair of glazed eyes whose sightless glare followed him at each step as he moved about the room. He didn't even deign to glance once at the motionless form laid prone and sprawled in the centre of the bed, nor acknowledge its existence at all as he stepped out from the confines of the room and its opium stench and out into the stale recycled air of the Medusa's interior corridors. He firmly shut the door behind himself and tapped in the lock code turning to his right and making his way down a series of steel-grey painted hallways before he came to the vast gravrig's small observation deck. Along the way, from the moment he had left his bedroom, the Kaiser's Grand Neutered Servitor, had followed silently in his wake, never more than five footsteps behind, and never any closer. The servitor's observation of protocol was exceptional. As it was amongst all the naval personnel, whether officers or ratings, whom they had passed along the way. To a man and woman, they had all briskly snapped to attention and given the Imperial salute, the right fist clenched and pressed to the heart, and to each he had given acknowledgement in the form of a nod and a smile. Today was a good day, after all.

Now, as he was stood on the observation deck looking down at the tangle of masts and steam pipes that proliferated from the vessels clogging the docks and harbour of Port Verion, he was able to marvel at how what had once been an insignificant little island of no consequence to anyone was now suddenly such a thriving hub of industry, and an increasingly integral part of the Benacian economy. That alone would have warranted his interest, that it was the personal fiefdom of his Chief Factor, the Count of the Sacred Bounty, as well as the bolt hole of one of his errant ne'er-do-well brothers, well those were just additional piques to his interest in the place.

After a few more moments of this indulgent introspection, the Kaiser turned to his neutered servitor, who bowed deeply as custom seemingly demanded.

"A coffee. If you would be so good." The Kaiser casually requested, his tone somehow suggesting that he would almost consider the fulfilment of the command to be a most generous favour. "As black as they can make it."

"As your Magnificence commands. Will there be another service required?"

"Naturally." The Kaiser answered in an amused tone. "Have the commander send a signal down to the port. If a gravship looming over the horizon wasn't enough to wake them up, let them know that the Kaiser would like to speak to whomsover is presently in charge."

The eunuch bowed so deeply that, for a moment, the Kaiser was concerned he would topple off the balcony of the viewing deck (which would have been awkward at an altitude of 900 ft), before departing back into the interior of the floating leviathan.

'Medusa', the Kaiser mused, a mythical creature whose gaze could turn any who beheld it to stone. 'How apt.'


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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Verion »

From his luxurious bedroom in Verion Hall, the Lord of Blackstone looked out to the east. The morning sun magnified the splendor of the flowers and trees in Layla's Gardens. Some songbirds sang their early songs of praise to the creator of the universe. Foolish, of course. The Lord of Blackstone knew that every single thing on the island of Blackstone was man made, by himself and by those who were here before him. But of course the birds would believe in a supernatural being, it was their fate. Just like it was the fate of the masses to believe in all kinds of crazy. From the existence of the wrathful, petty gods of Cedrism, to the fanatical lunacy of the Divine Icebear he had briefly worshipped in his youth, it was all folly. But it was usefull folly. Only those who were intelligent enough should know the real and only truth of the universe: it was a massive chaos, and those who take advantage of that chaos, they win.

Ludovic's eye moved over the Gardens towards the cranes and chimneys of Port Verion. Above this place of hard work and industrialism, a surprisingly ugly massive floating ship hang silent in the air. He had arrived. It was of course a great honour that the Kaiser of the most powerful nation of Micras had decided to visit Blackstone. It was also an opportunity. Ludovic had managed to turn his fortune around when he found himself banned from the Imperial Republic. And now, only a few years later, he was a man who matters.

He donned a golden dressing gown and ordered a glass of mint tea. Sipping from this heavenly refreshment, Ludovic began to chuckle. He was pleased with himself, he found. Strange, before this morning he had never taken the time to ponder upon his accomplishment. He had been too busy accomplishing him. But now, looking at the Imperial Airship, he couldn't help but laugh, maniacally.

Oh, how sweet life can be. Patiencia omni vincit.
1.Titus Morvayne, Prefect of Shirekeep, Count of the Skyla Islands
2.Eki Aholibamah Verion, Queen in the North
3. Ludovic Verion, Lord of Blackstone and Governor-General of the Iron Company
4. Jeremy Harwinsson Archer, super sleuth

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Kaiser Dominus
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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Kaiser Dominus »

For nine days subsequent to the arrival of the Medusa, gravships, blimps and flying boats had been arriving above and alongside the harbour of Port Verion to disgorge innumerable chests of gold, silver and diamonds. The voluntary contributions of the rulers of Azarkhak, of Raspur, of Nivardom, of the Maritime Free Republic, of the Khalypsil. They had all had been the Kaiser's willing hosts between bouts of negotiation with the Constancians in Vey, and they had all had been willing to pay most handsomely to encourage him to depart. Onwards, ever onwards, to the next wadi, the next oasis, the next town, where the polite, obsequious but insistent whispers had it, for there surely a more recent sighting of the fabled shay' khulūd sandworm had been made.

Sadly the Kaiser never did get to see a sandworm in the majesty of its natural environment. Although he did have a few paintings that suggested otherwise commissioned in anticipation of his triumphal return to Shirekeep. More happily it transpired that his household had routinely over-estimated the cost of provisioning, leaving him in the fortuitous position of arriving at the gates of the Iron Company's headquarters, escorted by a double honour guard of Imperial Sentinels and the City Guard, with a convoy of trucks carrying a treasure hoard of gold, silver and emeralds of a total value conservatively estimated at 251 million Erb.

And in the Kaiser's consideration, it was his to invest as he saw fit.

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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

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The Lord of Blackstone paced through the vestibule of the Iron Hall, headquarters of the Iron Company. From a distance, he heard cheering and the sound of trumpets. The Kaiser was arriving. He noticed, to his great annoyance, that he was a little nervous. Of course, he had been through a great deal of official ceremonies before this, and even the Kaiser himself was not a stranger to him. Still, this was his opportunity to show himself a man of importance in the world. It needed to go perfect. Of course, he secretly loved it all. Ludovic knew that he was a man prone to vanity. Honours, ceremony and official visits, it couldn't be too much for him.

A guardsman entered the vestibule and proclaimed the arrival of the Kaiser. Ludovic walked towards the marble gates of the hall to greet the most powerful man on Micras. A number of dignitaries, among which were all members of the Council of Ten and the Governing Board of the Iron Company, followed him dilligently.

Ludovic walked out of the gates and waited there, watching the Kaiser, and his entourage, climb the steps towards the entrance. Ludovic noticed with some annoyance that the Kaiser hadn't taken the opportunity to straighten out his massive beard. It looked unkempt and slightly disgusting. Still, Ludovic greeted the Kaiser warmly, kissing him on the hairy cheek and extending his compliments.

When the formal greetings had finished, a special orchestra started to play both the Imperial Anthem and the Verion Hymn, the Anthem of Blackstone. Then, Ludovic invited the Kaiser to come in. While they were walking through the vestibule to his office, Ludovic wondered what this day would bring him.
1.Titus Morvayne, Prefect of Shirekeep, Count of the Skyla Islands
2.Eki Aholibamah Verion, Queen in the North
3. Ludovic Verion, Lord of Blackstone and Governor-General of the Iron Company
4. Jeremy Harwinsson Archer, super sleuth

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Kaiser Dominus
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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Kaiser Dominus »

(OOC: the state visit to Blackstone occurred across eleven days, Hyre 18th of Vixaslaa to Ermure 4th of Oskaltequ, 1643, nine of which were concerned with the unloading of the loot)

A shadow passed across the Kaiser's face when he saw his brother, Waldemar, trailing amongst the retinue of attendants who had followed in the wake of the preening, infuriatingly young, Lord of Blackstone. He had known for a long time that this day would come, and could not be indefinitely avoided. Yet still the pain of recognition coiled within him, as though heated copper-wire was being threaded through his guts.

Neither gave the other the satisfaction of recognition, not so much as a scowl or a frown passed between them. Decorum, decorum was strictly observed.

"You've done well for yourself" Thorgils heard himself remark to the Count of the Sacred Bounty walking alongside him. "Had your father known matters would have turned out this well, he'd have gotten himself thrown out of Elwynn years earlier." By Odin's plucked eye! What had made him say that? Was the smoke of green dragon still fogging his synapses? No, he quietly told himself, it wasn't a faux pas - it was merely an expression of admiration from one chancer who had risen to another of his ilk. They'd both known adversity and they'd both used similar methods to earn their present good fortunes. The opportunity to talk honestly was a welcome one.

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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

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The Lord of Blackstone wasn't at all troubled by the insensitive comment of the Kaiser. He didn't care about anything insensitive, to be frank. All he cared about were bare facts and honest truths, which he of course could use to his own advantage.

"Well, Your Magnificence, he said, just managing to remove all traces of sarcasm from his voice, the gods appear to work in mysterious ways. It was of course devastating for our family to be exiled from our old homelands. But fortune smiled upon our House favourably. And I of course helped her a little.

Do you happen to know what the motto of our nation is? It is sort of a personal favourite.


The Kaiser shook his head, whilst looking up at the luxurious fresco that adourned the ceiling of the Iron Hall.

"Patentia omni Vincit, Patience conquers all. Isn't it fitting? I took that phrase to heart from the very moment I stood on the stern of that ship that took me away to Blackstone. The wheel of life will turn. Sometimes, we are down, but there will come a time, that we will be on top. And when that moment happens... Ludovic looked the Kaiser in eye for two dramatic seconds and continued. ...When that happens. I will trod on the dismembered bodies of my enemies and I will laugh when the sons and daughters born out of their Daemonic seed will be taken and crushed upon the stones of the Black Keep. And then, Your Magnificence, then I shall be satisfied...

They had arrived at the Governor-General's offices, a servant opened the door and the two men went in. With a casual gesture, he invited the Kaiser to sit. Take a seat, Your Magnificence. There is a fresh carafe of red wine on that table next to you, feel free to take it. Now... Let's discuss business.
1.Titus Morvayne, Prefect of Shirekeep, Count of the Skyla Islands
2.Eki Aholibamah Verion, Queen in the North
3. Ludovic Verion, Lord of Blackstone and Governor-General of the Iron Company
4. Jeremy Harwinsson Archer, super sleuth

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Kaiser Dominus
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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Kaiser Dominus »

As he eased himself down into the chair, the Kaiser took a moment to process the Lord of Blackstone's colourful remarks about the fate he had in mind for his foes before turning his head towards the Chief Neutered Servitor, who had followed them into the room, and clicking his fingers towards the carafe of red wine. The Servitor bowed deeply to the Kaiser and then turned and bowed once more to the Governor-General.

Ludovic, who somehow managed to stifle his surprise at how stealthily the eunuch had snuck into the office with them, gestured open-handedly towards the carafe. The bald-headed servitor stepped delicately with measured steps towards the desk beside the Kaiser and, placing his right hand inside the folds of his jade green robes, produced a small battered tin cup, into which he proceeded to pour a short measure of wine. From that small cup the servitor then took one swift draught which he gargled in his mouth before swallowing without hesitation. For a moment he paused. The features of his face became fixed in a frown of concentration, which then relaxed into a gentle smile.

"Dominus. A delicate and mature, possibly Zinjibari red, of excellent vintage. Quite agreeable for the palette, and no trace of poison or toxins. Or at least none that are fast acting." He added, unnecessarily, with a hint of mischief in his voice. "I would declare this wine most suitable for your Magnificence." The bald-headed eunuch concluded, entirely without irony, as he placed the empty tin cup back delicately within the folds of his robe and bowed to the Kaiser before turning and bowing once more to the Lord of Blackstone.

"Thank you. Now, please leave us." The Kaiser addressed the servitor with the instruction and a nod towards the door.

"Dominus. It is an honour to serve." The eunuch bowed deeply to both gentlemen once more before deftly retracing his steps backwards towards the door without even so much as a glance over his shoulder. Once the door was gently but firmly closed, the Kaiser turned his attention back towards Ludovic and cast an appraising glance over the face and posture of his host and chief financier. As he did so he stroked his bushy unkempt beard, which seemed to provoke a momentary tremor of unease - was it disgust perhaps - in the Lord of Blackstone, which vanished almost as soon as it appeared.

"I hope you don't mind that little show. Force of habit. You know there were at least four attempts on my life in Nivardom alone. And the less said about Raspur the better. That fellow, he's the most loyal of the lot. The only member of the old household, the Court Historian notwithstanding, who I kept on from the last administration. The rest, well, they could recite the entirety of Lady Anne-Marie's Treatise on the Sovereign Household from memory yet not one of them was willing to drink poison for their lord. I ask you - what use are such people?" The Kaiser paused to pour himself a glass of the red. It was indeed sublime, but probably not Zinjibari. More likely a related grape from Goldshire vineyard.

"So I sent them packing. Trust. Trust, trust and loyalty is the issue. Loyalty to me and more importantly to the Imperial Republic. I have been too lax, I thought that holding Tokaray's daughter as a hostage would keep the Osmanid bastard and the Simrani sisters loyal. Instead the buggers have been breeding like rabbits in my absence and he has sons. You will know that a Babkhi who has sons will hardly care if he still has a daughter. Worse, the end of the civil war has emboldened him and he has aligned with the pro-war faction within the IAC. You know, the trouble that the Siserans and the Batavians are causing in Puritania? Of course you do. You have tax-collectors out in the dominions after all. If I send in the Imperial Forces to put an end to that mess, they will take it as an opportunity to attack the Jingdaoese enclaves. We have gamed the outcomes of such a conflict - the consequences would be unthinkable... hence the name, Operation Unthinkable... imaginative huh." The glass was empty already? It really did drink itself. A good sign. The Kaiser offered to pour his host a glass, who demurred. A note of scepticism and caution entered the Kaiser's thought processes. He despised teetotallers. Nonetheless it was necessary to press on. And pour another glass.

"It is vital that I find allies in the government while I still can. The Minister of the Exterior is pro-war, the boy is a homicidal maniac, a creature of his aunts. The states may stand with me. Yet that may not be enough. You must realise that in the event of a war between Jingdao and Shireroth the interests of the Iron Company and the ESB Group will be the first to suffer. The Steward, obviously, will countenance no act that threatens the safety of Elwynn. The MinInt is a sensible little madam, Kezan is in the firing line after all. If you are with me. The others, I am not sure of. If you will stand with me to save the Imperial Republic and the trade and commerce upon which our prosperity is founded. I will need your help as Lord of Blackstone and as Count of the Sacred Bounty. This is where the gold comes in. I want the Iron Company to invest it, to create a fund to raise an army outside of the Imperial command structure to put an end to the Siseran threat in Puritania but which will lack the strength and means to attack the Batavian islands. If we are successful we can make this work for our interests as well. Offer loans to the factions of the CPS and to Cedrists who would take up arms in the defence of the faith. The holy war could be kept within manageable bound and made to pay for itself. And in so doing we prevent Tokaray from gaining more power.

What do you say? I would, of course, like to set aside a modest amount for my own personal expenditure, and you - naturally would need to set an appropriate administrative fee - shall we say 2%?"
The Kaiser glanced across at the two-thirds empty carafe, astonished at how quickly it had diminished.
Last edited by Kaiser Dominus on Fri Jan 06, 2017 1:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Verion »

The Lord of Blackstone only barely managed to hide his contempt. The sight of this man, with his shaggy beard, his muffled cheeks, turned red by the wine, made him contemplate the state of the world. This was the most powerful man on Micras, the leader of Shireroth, His Magnificence. Now, there was nothing magnificent about him. He was just a gross drunkard, babbling away.

The Lord of Blackstone hated alcohol. He never drank for pleasure. He had seen the result of too much wine from close by. HIs own father was keen on Cimmerian Brandywine. It got the better of him. In the end, the Temporal Haemorrhaging that killed him could be directly traced back to the alcohol. Now, a similar story was unraveling before his eyes. He had admired Thorgils Tarjeisson. A smart businessman. He had even stolen some of his better methods and tricks. But now... the Kaiser looked like he was losing grip on reality. Within a year, he would be done.

"Well, Your Magnificence" Ludovic continued "That is a lot to take in. And of course I will need some serious deliberation with my fellow governors. Here at the Iron Company, we work as a unit. Surely you understand that I cannot give any rock solid guarantees. Of course I do share your sentiment. These are troubling times, and Your Magnificence is smart not to trust anyone on your Court. It is a snakepit, truly. But please know, Your Magnificence, that you will always have a loyal and true friend in me. Blackstone is your ally and I will help you combat your challenges."

"And of course, you must be assured that I absolutely abhor the intrigues and schemes of my Uncle."


Ludovic had to hide a grin behind his hand, when he saw the Kaiser's red cheeks turn pale. He had forgotten about that. Of course he had.

"But you should also know, Your Magnificence, that I can give you guarantees. Firstly, it is not in our interest to start a war with Jingdao at all. You might know that the Iron Company has a franchise in Tie Gang, which is quite profitable. We won't jeopardise the safety of our employees abroad. But therefore it is important that we do not escalate things too much. A war in Western Benacia would very much endanger our trading routes. We cannot have that.

As for the Siseranist factions. We will gladly take the gold, and invest it in such a way that we can surely defeat the rebels. I leave the political side to yourself, you are after all more aware of the interests of the Cedrists and other religious nutters...
He quickly followed up, after glimpsing at the Kaiser's face "As, you must know, the simple folk call them."

He signaled a servant in the back of the room. Only seconds later, she returned with a fresh carafe of Suthergoldian Red, which she put on the table next to the Kaiser, who glanced at her with a thankful look in his eyes. Ludovic sighed inaudibly. He would need to endure this charade only a bit longer.
1.Titus Morvayne, Prefect of Shirekeep, Count of the Skyla Islands
2.Eki Aholibamah Verion, Queen in the North
3. Ludovic Verion, Lord of Blackstone and Governor-General of the Iron Company
4. Jeremy Harwinsson Archer, super sleuth

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Kaiser Dominus
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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Kaiser Dominus »

It was going as the Kaiser had hoped. The boy Ludovic knew where his interests laid in this matter. With the support of the financiers the infrastructure for holy war in Dietsland could be created and sustained. There then only remained the matter of bringing the states and the Imperial Constabulary on-board - then the Kaiser could return to Shirekeep in triumph and with sufficient clout to face down the hardliners in the Imperial Forces. Then he could deal with Tokaray. A subterranean chamber had recently been discovered in the grounds of Raynor's Keep, several artefacts relating to the chthonic goddess Mur had been discovered there. Beneath the chamber the archaeologists had subsequently uncovered a brick-lined pit, the bottom layer of which had been strewn with bones. Human bones. A grisly discovery that seemingly dated back to 2nd Era. The Sacred College of the Cedrist Church had been adamant about filling this Chamber of Mur back in and sealing it closed, to remain undisturbed for the rest of eternity. The Kaiser would of course accede to their request, but with one addition to those immured within who would be rather fresher than the rest.

He realised with a start that he'd been silent for too long. He quickly came to the realisation that he had to say something. "Of course, my boy. You'll do what you have to do. And have no fear, it is only Tokaray's ambition we need to curb. No-one else needs to pay the price for his folly, certainly not your mother, of whom I have many fond memories. There is one thing though. When I return to the mainland, I will need you to come with me. While I go and chew on the pomp and pageantry of Elwynn I'll need someone trustworthy in Shirekeep to help start setting things to right. Take as long as you need to straighten things out with your council here. I am sure that I can find adequate means of diversion with which to amuse myself here whilst I await you convenience - pleasures of the mind, pleasures of the body." He said with a somewhat disquieting leer. "But on one thing I must insist. We do need to be underway this week if I am to be back in Shirekeep for Oustfest. A more auspicious and appropriate day I cannot think of. Do you not agree?"

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Re: [Port Verion] The Kaiser Comes-a-calling

Post by Verion »

Ludovic felt it was time to end this thing. It was quite clear to him what he had to do, what the most beneficial path was for himself, for Blackstone and for the Company. He turned to Kaiser Dominus, who was just emptying his last cup.

If Your Magnificence feels that I should be present in the capital, I shall of course go immediately. I think that the Oustfest is a great opportunity for the nation to come together, turn over a page and start a fresh new era in our history. The annoying disturbances in the West will soon be history, and your visit to Elwynn might ensure that the troubled relationship with those barbarians is restored to normalcy. Then, you will find that your reign has just started. And with me by your side, you will do many more great things.

I shall make sure that the Governing Council takes the appropriate meassures to fund the Dietsland campaign, and I will be heading to Shirekeep as soon as possible.


Ludovic rose from his chair, and gently guided the Kaiser towards the door. Whilst they walked together through the Hall, Ludovic thanked the Kaiser extensively for his visit, stating what a great honour it had been. The Kaiser seemed more concerned with walking, carefully placing a foot in front of the other in an annoyingly slow pace.

As soon as Ludovic had escorted the Kaiser to his carriage and had said the obligatory goodbyes, he turned to his private quarters, sat down on the bed and bursted out in uncontrollable laughter.
1.Titus Morvayne, Prefect of Shirekeep, Count of the Skyla Islands
2.Eki Aholibamah Verion, Queen in the North
3. Ludovic Verion, Lord of Blackstone and Governor-General of the Iron Company
4. Jeremy Harwinsson Archer, super sleuth

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