The War of Ideologies

[Connor]

At sundown, the populace of Nysea - whether Faithful, Knight, Citizenry or Noble - assemble at the foot of the fountain for the address of the Lightbringer and King. Stood before the assembly, they proclaims:
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You will all no doubt be wondering why this has come. You have a right to know.

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Osrona has been looking for this excuse for a long time. Where the world has sought to forgive and progress, Osrona, each step of the way, has wished nothing but blood.

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When their 'Misha' slaughtered our Prince over the false allegation that we had taken part in Yersin's murder, we did not hold them accountable for the actions of one.

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When they displayed naught but hostility toward our people, King Alexander and I extended the hand of diplomacy so neither of our respective people needed to suffer.

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When they posed obscene demands, of coin and sacrifice, of the very demands that made the last war a necessity, we agreed to each of them but the surrender of our King, a man who would lead Nysea through this age of Demons, Witches and Moonspawn."

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I invited them for face-to-face negotiation. For face-to-face diplomacy. They refused.

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I ordered our Knights to cease hostility toward the people of Osrona. To stay away from Osronan territory. Still did their 'Misha' set forth with a lust to kill 'all knights and nobles'. The same Misha that lurks within the sewers that Demons pass in and out of endlessly.

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When the final revision of reparations were sent, we received a choice;

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Pick the reparations of two out of three leaders. We obliged. We picked the reparations of Walter Docro and Romani cos Montclaire. We agreed to their demands of coin. We agreed to their demands of apologies. We agreed to participate in their farcical 'throne burning ceremony'. We agreed to end slander against Osrona. We agreed to end violence against Osrona. We agreed to issue reprimands. We agreed to assist in the fight against the Coven. Our singular stipulation was that we would not allow foreign faith to be forced upon us. But we encouraged them to send their Acolytes and educate. We encouraged them to teach their faith rather than force it. We encouraged an approach of rationale rather than zealotry.

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Romani cos Montclaire did not seek to 'unify the churches'. A unity through force will never be a unity upheld. It will garner discontent. He demanded we abide by his ideology and see him as the true Stellus. This is the very tyrannical behaviour they scream about in their streets.

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The basis of this this war is built upon lies and greed. It's built upon a need for petty vengeance. It's built upon a need to impose a way of living upon others and neglect their own people in the process. Osrona is not the thriving metropolis it once was, still suffering, still rebuilding, and yet they would march their people to war again.

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What we have created in Nysea is a haven that must be protected. A place of safety for the budding Magi of the future. We do not bow to the demands of the wicked and the warmongering. We do not bow to those who must prosper through force of threat.

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Not now. Not ever.

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I won't ask you to fight. I won't ask you to stay. If you wish to run, then run. If you must hide, then hide. But if you are to fight?...

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We have only ever hoped for one thing - to see Nysea and its people prosper. You must know, all of you, in your hearts, that we are a Kingdom united. Each and every one of you - Nysea is you. It is the space between you. When Osrona march, we will fight for that space; do not fight for yourselves, but for that space between us. Fill that space. Make it mass. Make it impenetrable. Make it yours. Make it Nysea.

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They can march, but they will not break us. We will fight for your freedom. We will fight for your prosperity. Have faith in your Knights as you have faith in the Stars. Nysea will survive. The Heavens will it so.
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Lightbringer Sethon

You wage war, and for what? We've sought to meet all of your demands, with the exception of the joining of our two religions into one. You've killed some of our most beloved when we've taken none of yours. Now you've clawed at every little reason to try and edge yourselves down the war path, failing to understand that you are the aggressors in this situation. 

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Your new demands are unreasonable and reek of the same veiled lies Asta Hargrave held. One hundred thousand coin, unrealistically affordable in a few months. The only thing you are missing is the demand for the sacrifice of two hundred innocent lives. But lives - innocent lives - will be lost through your efforts. This village is filled with no warriors, but women and children that lost their families on that horrific day during the Fall of Osrona. I know the people of Osrona are still hurting as well. 

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If that does not change your mind, then so be it. The people of Nysea will defend their home, and to those in Osrona that wish for the comfort of a village that welcomes all rather than the war-torn home of what was once something great, then we open our arms to you.

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King Alexander rei Petrakis

At the conclusion of the addresses, Nysean presence in the east dwindles, as all Knights are recalled and their patrols limited to western territory. Hostilities toward Osronan military and faithful is ordered stopped, unless it is born of self-defence. Knights are ordered to focus on the eradication of Demons and Witches still. Scouts are dispatched to maintain visual of Baleford Bridge and Osronan troop movement, but their efforts do not extend beyond mere observation, to alert the loyalist town of any effort to march. Though not willing to engage in what they deem to be the fruitless warmongering of the Triumvirate, Nysea shows no intention of bowing to the final reparations.