Father,
As I mentioned in my last letter, much has happened here.
I fought hard for Papania, giving every ounce of energy that I had to defend her against her enemies, but ultimately we were defeated on the battlefield. In truth though, Papania was defeated before any blood was spilled. She was defeated when she lost her alliances, and when she made war upon her neighbors. From the eyes of her neighbors, Papania was a rabid dog, and they set out to put her down.
I waited as long as I could, hoping that there would be some last minute reprieve. Already we had lost two provinces to Ohnar West, but we still held Ossaet, Semon and Isular. Our new ruler, Vidad, claimed that he had contacts with some other rulers and he felt that we could yet be saved.
As the days passed, and still there was no further developments, and no news from our leaders, I knew that we were well and truly passed the tipping point. I had done everything that I could for Papania, I had struggled to keep her alive and to defend her, and I could give nothing else.
I knew that I had choices - I could flee the continent. I could flee the realm. I could even fight futilely against the forces against us. Or I could consider the people of Isular - and the hardship they would face if beset by an invading army.
Many questioned my decision, but I have never been less certain about anything. I left the ashes of Papania behind. My only difficult choice was between Ohnar West and Arcaea. During the war I had corresponded with the rulers of both realms, as well as some of the military apparatus of both.
In the end, I cast my lot with Ohnar West. I had more dealings with their nobles, and I hoped to spare Isular from warfare by joining with them. I cannot say that I am sorry to have done so. I continued to find the nobles of Ohnar West to be honorable and open. I was welcomed, though I found that there were a few former knights of Papania who had ended up in Ohnar West due to to the allegiance of their liege lord. There was some very vocal and public discourse regarding treason and bravery and honor. Ultimately, I share this with you only to say that I feel no shame for my decision, and I did and will defend it.
After some days, there was raised a question of the future of Isular. During the warfare in Papania, there had been some discussion between Ohnar West and Arcaea as to the fate of Papania's provinces, and it seems that Isular had fallen, somewhat informally, into the sphere of Arcaea. After a great deal of discussion within Ohnar West, and some correspondence with King Jenred of Arcaea, I made the decision to realign Isular with Arcaea. In addition to a hope for a better economic situation, the decision was partly political. I felt as though if I were to keep Isular within Ohnar West, that it would create a sore spot between the two realms. Father, you yourself have called me a negotiator, and I felt that this was no exception. Part of my decision was made in a hope of maintaining a balance and peace between these two realms, both of which I felt a deep respect for.
So here we are, just a few days after I have hung the banners of Arcaea over the walls of my estate in Isular. I have again found that the nobles and people of this realm are just and honorable. Call me naive if you like, but I believe that these are good and strong people, guided by honor and honesty.
Please give my love to mother, and to my siblings. I do long for our home in Linhai.
Yours,
Maurus
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Letter Home: War engulfs Papania
Father,
There is much news, events here in the Far East have been.. rapid. When I left Linhai you asked that I keep you current on events here with me, and I shall seek to do so.
I have not written in more than two months, I apologize. After landing in Papania, I made my way to the capital city of Ossaet, where I met with some of the nobles of the realm. I was able to seek vassalage with Lord Ethan Adlai Merric, Baron of Semon, and was made a knight of Semon. At this time, Papania and its neighbors in the north were locked in war with Soliferum, a land to the south. In truth, I do not know what the origins of this war were, but it seemed to consume the attention of nearly every nation on the continent.
I marched with the forces of Papania and others through an ally and neighbor, Cathay, where we did war with the forces of Soliferum. I was wounded in battle while in Pates, but the healers were skilled, and within a few days I was on my feet once again.
The war ground on, but the leadership in Papania withdrew rather suddenly, both from the war with Soliferum, but also from its alliances with its neighbors. I grew uneasy, but I did not see it as my place to question the decisions of those in positions of power. A foolish mistake, I have learned.
Things were quiet for some time. The Marshal of Papania's home army retired, and I asked Lord Remorse if I might serve as Marshal, and was rather surprised when he consented. I found myself in command of the defense of our lands!
Within another month, another dramatic turn transpired. The High Lord of Papania declared war upon two of our former allies, Arcaea and Arcachon. Shortly after, Cathay declared war upon Papania. During this time -- forgive me, for it was chaotic, and I loose track of the order of things - I was declared Judge as well as Lord Commander in Papania, and I rallied our forces to prepare to meet the armies that came to make war upon us.
Father, I must tell you that this was a harrowing and troubling time. Had this been under different circumstances, then my conscience would be clear - I would serve without question or doubt, and be proud to bear my liege lord's banner against our enemies. Instead, I came to know doubt and fear. I wrote letters to the rulers of the realms that made war upon Papania - no, that Papania had declared war upon. I asked them to consider peace, and for a way to end the conflict. I also asked the High Lord, Remorse, for an explanation of what was happening. Father, Papania is, no - was a small realm, no more than five provinces perhaps. And I found myself trying to lead its army to defend it against three or four much larger neighbors. It was not for lack of courage, I would gladly march to my death to defend honor and justice - but this was something else entirely. This was madness.
Lord Remorse responded with a variety of half hearted excuses and stories - tales of paranoia and nationalism that reeked of insanity. And thus I began to work to have him removed. I had received replies from a number of rulers of the nations with which we were at war, who indicated that they would be willing to discuss peace if we removed Lord Remorse from power. I began to correspond in earnest with the other nobles of Papania, seeking to bring about change, even asking Lord Remorse directly if he would step down and allow another to lead so that we could again have peace. I was met largely with excuses and silence. Some nobles did respond, and for them I am grateful.
I was optimistic early in the conflict. I hoped that we would be able to remove Lord Remorse, or convince him to step down, and then we could end this awful war against people with whom we had fought beside only weeks before. But as it progressed, the situation grew more grim. I believe that by the time Lord Remorse did step aside, it was simply too late. His actions had sewn so much discord and anger that a simple peace was no longer possible. It soon became apparent that Papania was under an assault which it might not survive.
I acted as Lord Commander during this time, and I rallied the forces of Papania as best I could. I received messages from some of the commanders of the enemy forces, and I found these men to be honorable and noble. We faced each other in battle, yet there was a great deal of respect. It was an honor to do battle against these men. We bloodied them in Anaos, but when Ohnar West declared war, having already landed soldiers in Albiotel, I knew in my heart that we were lost.
Over the next days, we fought small holding actions against our enemies. There were at least two invading armies within Papania, each of which was larger than all of the military might of our realm. Still, I sought council from my peers and our leaders. Again, some answered, and some did not. Finally, having rallied our forces in Ossaet and preparing a last ditch defense, we were assailed by Ohnar West, and our forces were defeated.
In the preceeding days, I had been made lord in Isular, and so I retreated to the estates there, as I knew then that Papania was lost. We were at the mercy of our enemies, and yet the few messages that I heard from our leadership indicated only optimism and hope. Optimism and hope is wonderful when the game is not yet decided, but this game was already finished.
I have much more to tell you, and I would very much like to hear how mother and my younger siblings are. I will write again very soon.
Your son,
Maurus
There is much news, events here in the Far East have been.. rapid. When I left Linhai you asked that I keep you current on events here with me, and I shall seek to do so.
I have not written in more than two months, I apologize. After landing in Papania, I made my way to the capital city of Ossaet, where I met with some of the nobles of the realm. I was able to seek vassalage with Lord Ethan Adlai Merric, Baron of Semon, and was made a knight of Semon. At this time, Papania and its neighbors in the north were locked in war with Soliferum, a land to the south. In truth, I do not know what the origins of this war were, but it seemed to consume the attention of nearly every nation on the continent.
I marched with the forces of Papania and others through an ally and neighbor, Cathay, where we did war with the forces of Soliferum. I was wounded in battle while in Pates, but the healers were skilled, and within a few days I was on my feet once again.
The war ground on, but the leadership in Papania withdrew rather suddenly, both from the war with Soliferum, but also from its alliances with its neighbors. I grew uneasy, but I did not see it as my place to question the decisions of those in positions of power. A foolish mistake, I have learned.
Things were quiet for some time. The Marshal of Papania's home army retired, and I asked Lord Remorse if I might serve as Marshal, and was rather surprised when he consented. I found myself in command of the defense of our lands!
Within another month, another dramatic turn transpired. The High Lord of Papania declared war upon two of our former allies, Arcaea and Arcachon. Shortly after, Cathay declared war upon Papania. During this time -- forgive me, for it was chaotic, and I loose track of the order of things - I was declared Judge as well as Lord Commander in Papania, and I rallied our forces to prepare to meet the armies that came to make war upon us.
Father, I must tell you that this was a harrowing and troubling time. Had this been under different circumstances, then my conscience would be clear - I would serve without question or doubt, and be proud to bear my liege lord's banner against our enemies. Instead, I came to know doubt and fear. I wrote letters to the rulers of the realms that made war upon Papania - no, that Papania had declared war upon. I asked them to consider peace, and for a way to end the conflict. I also asked the High Lord, Remorse, for an explanation of what was happening. Father, Papania is, no - was a small realm, no more than five provinces perhaps. And I found myself trying to lead its army to defend it against three or four much larger neighbors. It was not for lack of courage, I would gladly march to my death to defend honor and justice - but this was something else entirely. This was madness.
Lord Remorse responded with a variety of half hearted excuses and stories - tales of paranoia and nationalism that reeked of insanity. And thus I began to work to have him removed. I had received replies from a number of rulers of the nations with which we were at war, who indicated that they would be willing to discuss peace if we removed Lord Remorse from power. I began to correspond in earnest with the other nobles of Papania, seeking to bring about change, even asking Lord Remorse directly if he would step down and allow another to lead so that we could again have peace. I was met largely with excuses and silence. Some nobles did respond, and for them I am grateful.
I was optimistic early in the conflict. I hoped that we would be able to remove Lord Remorse, or convince him to step down, and then we could end this awful war against people with whom we had fought beside only weeks before. But as it progressed, the situation grew more grim. I believe that by the time Lord Remorse did step aside, it was simply too late. His actions had sewn so much discord and anger that a simple peace was no longer possible. It soon became apparent that Papania was under an assault which it might not survive.
I acted as Lord Commander during this time, and I rallied the forces of Papania as best I could. I received messages from some of the commanders of the enemy forces, and I found these men to be honorable and noble. We faced each other in battle, yet there was a great deal of respect. It was an honor to do battle against these men. We bloodied them in Anaos, but when Ohnar West declared war, having already landed soldiers in Albiotel, I knew in my heart that we were lost.
Over the next days, we fought small holding actions against our enemies. There were at least two invading armies within Papania, each of which was larger than all of the military might of our realm. Still, I sought council from my peers and our leaders. Again, some answered, and some did not. Finally, having rallied our forces in Ossaet and preparing a last ditch defense, we were assailed by Ohnar West, and our forces were defeated.
In the preceeding days, I had been made lord in Isular, and so I retreated to the estates there, as I knew then that Papania was lost. We were at the mercy of our enemies, and yet the few messages that I heard from our leadership indicated only optimism and hope. Optimism and hope is wonderful when the game is not yet decided, but this game was already finished.
I have much more to tell you, and I would very much like to hear how mother and my younger siblings are. I will write again very soon.
Your son,
Maurus
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