expansion Royal Union of Two Nations (IC expansion)

[Garindina]

(Prologue)

Parsa, 14/07/1344

Today was the most joyous occasion: the marriage of Tsarista Catherine I to King Borislav Chavdar of the Tsardom of Doria. The Archbishop of Garindina, Archbishop Sergius Tur, was at the church and gave his blessings to the newlyweds. Celebrations went on for weeks. This cemented the alliance between the Kingdom of Doria and the Garindinan Empire, even despite their religious differences.

---

(Act 1)

The Royal Palace, just outside of Parsa, 20/08/1344

King Borislav was with his new wife in their palace. This was the day that would bring the unification of two kingdoms.

There was a knock on the door.

(Borislav) ”You may enter.”

(Messenger) “Your Majesty, the Royal Council of Doria requests your presence in Byalŭk. They say it is urgent.”

(Borislav) “I was hoping to stay a little longer,” he says as he stands.

He looks at his wife, who is cradling their month-old son. He looks back at the messenger and says,

(Borislav) “Tell my men to ready the escort. We leave at midday for Byalŭk.”

(Catherine) “When will you return?”

(Borislav) “I know not, my love, but you will know when I return.”

He kissed her on her forehead as he went to ready his men for the journey home.

---

(Act 2)

As night fell upon them on the second day, the group made camp outside of Balagda.

(Soldier 1) “Your Majesty, it will be a fortnight before we reach the border at our current pace.”

(Borislav) “Yes, I know. We still have many leagues to cross before we reach Byalŭk.”

(Soldier 1) “May I ask, Your Majesty, why are we taking the long route? Would it not be quicker to follow the river road?”

(Borislav) “We are following this path so the people can see their new Tsar. I am a man of the people, as I was in my homeland. We follow this path until we reach Kogangelsk; from there, we follow the north road.”

(Soldier 1) “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The soldier left the Tsar’s tent, leaving him to himself. Borislav was a man of reason and a man of the people. He would often visit lesser cities back in Doria and share a small portion of his wealth with the poor, which has given him the reputation as a kind leader. The Fifty-year-old had two sons, one back home in Doria, and his new son, Kazimir.

[Garindina]

(Act 3)

14/09/1344

The city was celebrating, as their Tsar has returned. Borislav and his men rode through the main road of the city to his palace. There, his royal council waited. 

I wonder, what do they want? Borislav thought to himself.

When he reached the courtyard of the palace, he dismounted his steed and saw his first son, Tsarevich Grozdan.

(Grozdan)“Father, how was your journey?!”

They embraced (Borislav) “Good my son, how is Doria?”

(Grozdan) “Not well, the people are loosing faith in your rule. They believe you might convert.”

(Borislav) “Why would I convert? I set up many of our temples!”

(Grozdan) “Well, you need to do something, the council is not happy.”

(???) “Of course we are upset, you have been gone for nearly a year!”

(Borislav) “Lord Dragomir. You seem to be the same.”

(Lord Dragomir) “And you have another heir. Tell me, will you let his mother raise him to be Christian?”

(Borislav) “I have yet to decide on this. As the Garindinan are still weary of their new Tsar.”

(Lord Dragomir) “Let us go in. It is a cold day today.”

(Borislav) “Indeed.”

 

They all entered the palace and Borislav was greeted with a sense of home. He had been in Garindina for little over eleven months. As Borislav began to head to the armory to take his armor off, Lord Dragomir spoke.

(Lord Dragomir) “The council will let you have today to settle down. But tomorrow, we need to discuss the state of the Tsardom.”

[Garindina]

(Act 4)

15/09/1344

The next day, Borislav sat in the throne room surrounded by his council.

(Lord Dragomir) “Tsar Borislav, we must address the current situation of the Tsardom. The people are questioning your loyalty to our traditions, and we cannot afford to lose their faith.”

(Lord Ivanov) "But you spent nearly a year in Garindina, a Christian nation. The people are worried that you might have been influenced by their ways."

(Lady Milena) "We need to know that you are committed to our faith and that you will continue to uphold our traditions."

(Tsar Borislav) "I understand your concerns, but I assure you that I am still committed to our faith. My time in Garindina was to strengthen our diplomatic ties and ensure the safety of our people."

(Lord Nikolay) "We also need to discuss your recent marriage to Tsariana Catherine of Garindina. There are rumors that she is trying to convert you to Christianity."

(Tsar Borislav) "That is not true. Tsariana Catherine respects our faith and has even expressed interest in learning more about it."

(Lady Radost) "We need proof of her loyalty to our faith. Perhaps she could publicly denounce her Christian beliefs."

(Tsar Borislav) "I will not force my wife to denounce her beliefs. That goes against everything I stand for. But I will ensure that she respects our faith and our traditions."

(Lord Stefan) "We understand your position, but we must also consider the safety of our people. We need to ensure that our Tsardom is not threatened by outside influences."

(Lady Tsvetanka) "We propose that we send a delegation to Garindina to assess the situation and ensure that our Tsardom is not in danger."

(Lord Petar) “But we must also address the issue of succession. Your son Grozdan is a capable heir, but we cannot ignore the existence of your other son.”

(Borislav) “I understand your concerns, but I have not made a decision on the matter yet.”

(Lord Ivaylo) “Tsar, we must act quickly. The longer we delay, the more uncertain the future of our Tsardom becomes.”

(Tsar Borislav) "I agree that we need to take action to ensure our safety, but we must do so with diplomacy and respect. We cannot risk offending our allies in Garindina."

The council continued to discuss various strategies to address the concerns of the people and ensure the safety of the Tsardom. Tsar Borislav listened carefully to their suggestions and promised to take action to address their concerns.

As the meeting drew to a close, Tsar Borislav realized the weight of his responsibilities as the ruler of the Tsardom. He knew that he had to navigate the complex web of politics and religion to ensure the safety and prosperity of his people. But he also knew that he could rely on his council and his family to support him in his endeavors. That is if they can always be trusted.

[Garindina]

(Act 5)

11/11/1344

It’s been two days since the meeting, Borislav has been thinking of ways to help his two lands. Then, it comes to him, Doria and Garindina could unite into one empire. But the answer creates another question, would Garindina absorb Doria? Borislav spent days thinking on this, he ultimately decided that Doria would join the Garindina’s Empire as an equal.

(Borislav) *sigh* “How will I propose this to both of my councils? But it must be done.“ 

Borislav knew that proposing the union of Doria and Garindina would not be an easy task. It would require careful planning and diplomacy to ensure that both councils would agree to the merger. He spent the next few days working on a proposal that would benefit both lands equally.

Borislav's proposal was to create a unified empire with two equal regions, each with its own council. This would ensure that both regions would have a say in the empire's affairs and that neither would feel dominated by the other.

After several drafts, Borislav was satisfied with his proposal and decided to call a meeting of both councils to present his plan. He knew that this would be a difficult discussion, but he was determined to see his vision realized. The meeting would take place in 

[Garindina]

Act 6

16/10/1344

Both councils agreed to meet in Gomna. Unknown to them, this small fortress would be one of Garindina’s most important cities, Borisobay. Both councils were driven towards an alliance, but they had no clue about Borislav’s true intentions.

(Lord Ivan) “So, the new Tsar wants his two realms to ally. I presume you have a good reason for this.”

(Borislav) “Well, yes. But the real reason I called this meeting between us all was to propose a union of our realms.”

The two councils exploded.

(Lady Tsvetanka) “This is a travesty! They will destroy our lands!”

(Borislav) “QUIET! NOW, ARE WE WILLING TO ACT CIVILIZED!? OR DO YOU DARE GO AGAINST YOUR TSAR!?”

The room was quiet. Nobody dared to answer.

(Borislav) “Ok, we must think of the benefits of this union. It will bring prosperity to our lands. Our two lands will be equal in this union.”

(Lord Stephan) “Who will lead Doria?”

(Borislav) “My son will lead. Grozdan is of age to rule.”

(Lord Dragomir) “What about our religion? Will you let these barbarians destroy our religion?!”

(Borislav), with a harsh glare, “Our religion will be respected. I will even sign it into law if I have to.”

(Lord Ivaylo) “Your majesty, can you guarantee that our religion will be respected by future Tsars? Only then will I agree with this.”

(Borislav) “I cannot guarantee this, but I will do all that I can for this to happen. I will sign it into law, I will even make it mandatory to respect our religious beliefs in Doria for my sons and their sons to become Tsar.”

(Lord Dimitri) “Let us put it to a vote, then? As long as it is fine with the Tsar.”

(Borislav) “Go ahead. But I will conduct it. All who agree to the union say aye. All who disagree with the union say nay.”

Nearly all the council, eleven members of Garindina, said aye, while only three of the nine council members of Doria said aye. Twelve out of the twenty council members voted for the Union.

(Borislav) “Well, the majority of you voted for the union. It has been decided, Garindina and Doria will unite into a united and equal empire under Garindina.”

Nobody dared to speak against the ruling, despite it being heavily one-sided. But in the back of the minds of the Dorian lords who voted nay, rebellion was brewing.

Edited May 11, 2023 by Garindina
spelling (see edit history)

[Garindina]

Act 7

11/11/1344

Town of Agi, Kingdom of Mairjaland

 

It was close to midnight, Lord Dragomir was waiting for someone in the Koudish Tavern. Suddenly, somebody sat across from him. 
 

(???) “Why did we meet here? Why not somewhere secret?”

(Dragomir) “Well, I wanted a drink first. Plus-(he leans forwards and whispers)-I’m being watched.”

(???) “By whom? Are they here now?”

(Dragomir) “Yes, they're at the far booth left.”

(???) “We leave in fifteen minutes. I have my ways to dispose of people.”

 

As they left into the woods. The man followed them both. As the man rounded around the tree, he was stabbed through the throat.

(???) “Let’s see who this is.”

(Dragomir) “He’s a Garindinan spy.”

(???) “How are you sure of this?”

(Dragimir) “They follow all the lords. Looking for the ones that are disloyal to the Tsar.”

(???) “So, you want to start a rebellion?”

(Dragomir) “Yes, we will also need to help off the Koudish. You have connections, right.” 

(???) “I do, and you want me to persuade them to go to war?”

(Dragomir) “Yes, may I ask your name?”

(???) “They call me ‘Wulf’ in these parts.”

(Dragomir) “Well, ‘wulf’, will you help us.”

(Wulf) “Against the Garindinans? I will do my best.”

Edited May 15, 2023 by Garindina
spelling (see edit history)

[Garindina]

Act 8

20/11/1344

King's Hill, Southwest Doria

The meeting was called, and everyone was ready for what was to come.

(Dragomir) “The Kingdom of Mairjaland is willing to help us. We will liberate our Tsardom from the backstabbing Tsar Borislav!"

The crowd did not cheer; the enemy might be nearby.

(Dragomir) “Finish gathering more of our followers. Make sure to recruit some as well. We leave in one fortnight for Mairjaland.”

The rebellion was growing. Nearly all in the group were Doro; a few Yuzh and Garindinans were gathered as well. They all wished to depose the Tsar.

Act 9

27/11/1344

The Royal Palace, Parsa

The days were growing cold; Tsar Borislav had moved his son to the new royal palace in Parsa. But he knew something was growing in the shadows.

(Borislav) “Son, I fear that there may be a rebellion growing in our homelands. Some of the lords and ladies of Doria have been absent for over three fortnights.”

(Grozdan) “I too fear this, father. Should we warn the troops?”

(Borislav) “No, the Mairjals have placed their army near our borders.”

(Grozdan) “How do you know this, father?”

(Borislav) “I was informed by my mstovari.”

(Grozdan) “We have mstovari in Mairjaland?”

(Borislav) “Yes, and they are saying they have placed their army near our border. We must prepare for war, my son. Catherine will teach you on Garindina while I am away.”

Borislav got up from his chair and began to walk towards the armory. On the way, he saw his lead general.

(Borislav) “Stanislav, ready the men. A war is coming. I want all able men, except blacksmiths and some farmers, ready for war by the next year.”

(Stanislav) “Yes, your majesty.”

He walked off to light the signal. Unbeknownst to them, rebellion was near, as well as a war. It would be called the First Koudish War by those of the future.

Edited May 15, 2023 by Garindina (see edit history)

[Garindina]

Act 10

30/11/1344

Rivne, near the Garindinan-Mairjaland border

Today was a normal Thursday. Vyolya was doing her usual chores. Her family lived on a farm, and they were serfs. Vyolya was tending to the chickens when her master came in.

(Master) "Did you not hear the bell, girl?! There are invaders coming! Run to your mother!"

Invaders! Who were invading? Vyolya did not ask these questions, as not following the master's orders would mean punishment. She ran out of the chicken coop and saw everyone packing their things. The invaders were drawing nearer. Vyolya began to look for her mother.

(Vyolya) "Mama! Mama!"

(Mama) "Vyolya! Over here!"

She ran over to her mother, nearly tripping over a small hole. Her mother put her on the horse and got on as well.

(Vyolya) "Where's Papa?"

(Mama) "Papa has already left. He'll be safe."

They rode off on the road to Batagrad. They practically escaped from their master in the confusion. But Vyolya wasn't worried about that; she was scared for her father.

Act 11

4/12/1343

Main camp, somewhere in the Yuzh Plains

Borislav was in his tent with four of his generals.

(Stanislav) "You were right, sir. Some of the Doro lords have begun a rebellion. It seems that the Mairjals are aiding them."

(Panteleimon) "What will you have us do, Your Majesty?"

(Borislav) "Hmm, Stanislav, Panteleimon, Semyon, you're with me. We will fight off the Mairjals. Vasily, I'm sending you to put down this rebellion. Are we in agreement?"

(All four generals) "Yes, sir."

(Borislav) "Good. Vasily, go start drawing up your battle plans."

(Vasily stood) "Yes, sir." Vasily leaves the tent.

(Borislav) "Now, my esteemed generals, we need a plan."

The four men began discussions about what they should do. As they talked, more and more men were drafted and turned into soldiers.

[Garindina]

Act 12

23/12/1343

Southern Garindina

The war had frozen. A great snowstorm had swept through the southern parts of Garindina. Tsar Borislav has yet to attack the enemy. He wondered on how Vasily was doing against the rebels. He sighed, why must everything be so difficult? At the moment, one of his generals entered the room.

 

(Stanislav) “The Mairjals have taken Yuzhemore.”

(Borislav) “How new is this news?”

(Stanislav) “A week old.”

(Borislav) “This weather is really not helping. When this storm is over, we ride south to Yuzhemore.”

(Stanislav) “Yes sir.”

 

 

Act 13

03/01/1335

Doria

The rebellion was smaller than expected. It seems like most of the Dorian Rebels were with the Mairjals down south. Vasily had already put down four different uprisings. Soon, he would go join up with the Czar and push the Mairjals back. Much has happened since he left to put down the uprisings. But Vasily was gearing up his soldiers and gaining more recruits before he would begin his march south. He has heat rumors that the Czar had retaken Yuzhemore. Though unlikely, Vasily wished that he could march right to Markōbourge.

 

(Solider) “Sir, we have brought a thousand more men.”

(Vasily) “Good, that leaves us at just over fifty thousand men. We leave in three days to aid the Czar against the Mairjals.”

(Solider) “Yes sir, I will inform the men.”

 

Vasily was hoping to gain glory out of this war. His plans for the invasion of Mairjaland were foolproof. So he told himself, in fact, unbeknownst to him, he was about to make the worst blunder of the war.

 

Act 14

03/09/1335

Bergfrīstadiz

Vasily had mad it to the fortress city of Bergfrīstadiz. He had begun to besiege the city only a week earlier. The Ram had just arrived. They were ready to breach the gates. The fall of Bergfrīstadiz would be a devastating blow to the Mairjals. But as the ram reached the door and began to break it down, enemy reinforcements arrived. The sky became a wave of arrows. 

 

(Vasily) “Retreat! Retreat! Fall back to the hill!” 

 

Those were the last words he would ever say, as a moment later, an arrow was stuck through his gullet. What was left of his army retreated back to camp. A week later they would ride south to Yuzhemore. Where the Czar was waiting for them.

Act 15

04/02/1335

Yuzhemore

(Borislav) “I see.”

Borislav had just been informed about the fall of Vasily and the loss of twenty thousand men.

 

(Borislav) “We will reorganize and attack along the coast. Our first target is Swartwatōrhabnō. We’ll then capture more of their major cities along the coast and then head inland towards Markōbourge.”

(Panteleimon) “Sir, may I ask, but do we have enough men for this?”

(Borislav) “As of now, no. But that is why I’m asking you to rally some men.” 

(Panteleimon) “Sir, how many do we need?”

(Borislav) “A many thousand.”

[Garindina]

Act 16

05/27/1335

Swartwatōrhabnō

The army of Garindina was descending onto the port city. Borislav was leading a hundred thousand men into battle, many of whom would not return home. The siege had been going on for four days so far. The trebuchets were lobbing giant heaps of rock at the city's defenses. When the ram was close to the gate, it began to break it down. Men gathered around the gate, ready for battle. When the gate was breached, hundreds of men began to scale the walls with ladders. The city would fall within three hours. The tide of the war was now in Borislav's favor.

 

Act 17

04/29/1336

Somewhere in Mairjaland

The past year has seen many victories for Borislav. His army was on their way to the Mairjal capital, Markōbourge. But tomorrow, they would battle the Mairjal king and his army on his land. They were around five leagues from the Mairjal capital. This war was nearing its end.

Edited June 6, 2023 by Garindina (see edit history)

[Garindina]

Act 18

04/30/1336

Five kilometers outside Markōbourge, Mairjaland

 

The sun rose over the horizon, casting a warm golden glow on the vast battlefield that lay before Borislav and his army. They had arrived at the outskirts of Markōbourge, the capital of Mairjaland, after a long and arduous march. The time had come for the final confrontation, the decisive battle that would determine the fate of the war.

Borislav stood at the frontlines, clad in his armor, with his trusted generals by his side. The Mairjal king and his army awaited them, ready to defend their homeland with unwavering loyalty. The air was charged with anticipation and tension as both sides prepared for the clash.

(Borislav) "Today is the day when we avenge our fallen brethren. We have lost countless men in this war. Fathers, brothers, and friends have fallen. Today, we will breach the gates of Markōbourge. I cannot promise you shall return home, but your sacrifice will not be in vain. For today, we will have victory!" (He raised his sword) "CHARGE!"

With a resounding battle cry, his army surged forward, their war cries echoing through the air.

The clash of steel reverberated across the battlefield as the two armies collided in a fierce struggle. Men fought valiantly, putting their skills and training to the ultimate test. The ground shook beneath the thunderous roar of horses' hooves, and the sky filled with arrows and the cries of the wounded.

Borislav led his soldiers from the front, his presence instilling courage and determination in their hearts. He fought with unmatched ferocity, striking down enemy soldiers with every swing of his sword. His generals and warriors fought alongside him, their unity and cohesion a testament to their unwavering loyalty.

With cavalry charges from both sides inflicting many casualties in their rear, the catapults lobed boulders at the Mairjals. The battle went on for hours, with no real traction from either side. But amidst the chaos and bloodshed, a glimmer of hope appeared. Borislav's forces managed to break through the enemy lines, creating a breach that threatened to unravel the Mairjal defense. With renewed determination, they pressed forward, their eyes fixed on the prize that lay within their grasp.

The enemy retreated back to the city and barricaded the gates. The battle was now a siege. Many in Borislav's forces rejoiced.

(Panteleimon) "The battle has yet to be won! Save the celebrations until after the war is won!"

Borislav walked up to Panteleimon. "Let them enjoy this moment. We have already won. Tomorrow we will negotiate their surrender. Tell the men to set up camp out of their arrow's reach."

 

Act 19

04/30/1356

The outskirts of Markōbourge, Mairjaland

 

Piotr was exhausted. It was nearly sundown, and many of the others were celebrating the victory. They had the city surrounded, and the Mairjals were all inside the city. Then why did he feel like something was off? Apparently, General Panteleimon felt it too.

(Panteleimon) "You feel it too?"

(Piotr) "Yeah, something is not right."

(Panteleimon) "Stay on guard. They can send out a force and kill us all in the dead of night."

Piotr was part of the third watch group. It was late into the night, and he could hear the sounds of the city. They acted as if they weren't under siege. He wondered when they would surrender. The Mairjals had to know they would lose, right? At that moment, an arrow whizzed past him, missing him by only centimeters.

"NIGHT RAID!"

He looked toward where the arrow came from. There were around twenty or so horses riding in their direction. Piotr fired an arrow from his crossbow and hit the foremost rider off his horse. He ran for cover as everybody scrambled.

The night was suddenly filled with chaos as the Mairjals launched a surprise attack on the camp. Piotr's heart raced as he sought cover, his mind focused on survival. The clash of steel, the thundering of hooves, and the cries of combatants echoed through the darkened outskirts of Markōbourge.

Piotr could see his comrades fighting back, desperately trying to repel the onslaught. He unsheathed his sword and joined the fray, parrying and thrusting with all his might. The battle was fierce, and the odds seemed stacked against them. The Mairjals fought with a ferocity that belied their besieged status, their determination evident in their every strike.

As Piotr swung his sword, he caught a glimpse of General Panteleimon rallying the troops, bellowing orders amidst the chaos. The general's voice resonated with authority and determination, urging them to hold the line and push back the enemy.

(Panteleimon) "RALLY ON ME, MEN!"

Tsar Borislav emerged from his tent, partly clad in his armor.

(Borislav) "Hold the line, my warriors! Do not falter in the face of this fierce onslaught! We stand united against our enemies, and together we shall prevail!"

His voice, deep and commanding, carried across the battlefield, instilling a renewed sense of courage and determination in the hearts of his soldiers. With every word he spoke, Tsar Borislav exuded the strength and resilience of a true leader.

The Mairjal cavalrymen began to run as one by one they fell. Piotr ran for his crossbow and loaded an arrow. With this, the other crossbowmen fired at the retreating Mairjal cavalry. With that, the raid was over. Men lay dead on the ground, around two dozen. Piotr walked up to Panteleimon, who was with the Tsar.

(Piotr) "They must've attacked the other camps as well."

(Borislav) "Yes, that is what I believe as well."

(Panteleimon) "This truly has become a siege."

[Garindina]

Act 20

07/15/1336

2:15 pm

 

The siege had dragged on for months, the relentless stand-off between Borislav's forces and the defiant defenders of Markōbourge. The once-thriving capital now lay in ruins, its walls battered and scarred from countless assaults. The Mairjal king and his people refused to surrender, clinging to their city with unwavering resolve.

Borislav stood on a hill overlooking the city, his gaze fixed upon the crumbling walls. He had lost many men in the prolonged siege, and the toll of the war weighed heavily on his shoulders. But he remained determined to see it through to the end, for the honor and glory of his kingdom.

The sun beat down mercilessly, casting a harsh glare on the battlefield. Borislav's generals gathered around him, their faces etched with fatigue and determination.

(Panteleimon) "We have exhausted all conventional means of breaching their defenses, my lord. The walls are heavily fortified, and the enemy shows no signs of weakening."

(Stanislav) "Perhaps it is time to consider alternative strategies, my lord. We cannot afford to continue this stalemate indefinitely."

Borislav pondered their words, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew that a direct assault on the walls would be costly and uncertain. The Mairjals had proven to be resilient and resourceful, and their determination to defend their homeland was unmatched.

(Borislav) "We must think outside the confines of tradition. The walls may be impenetrable, but every fortress has its vulnerabilities. We need a plan that will catch them off guard."

The generals exchanged glances, their minds already churning with ideas. Borislav's strategic prowess was renowned, and they trusted in his vision.

(Panteleimon) "What if we undermine their defenses from within, my lord? A covert operation to infiltrate their ranks and disrupt their command structure."

(Stanislav) "Or perhaps a diversionary tactic to draw their attention away from the walls, giving us an opportunity to strike where they least expect it."

Borislav nodded, impressed by their suggestions. He saw the merit in their words, realizing that a combination of stealth and misdirection could tip the scales in their favor.

(Borislav) "Gather our best spies and infiltrators. We will send them into the heart of Markōbourge under the cover of darkness. Meanwhile, we will stage a series of feigned attacks on different parts of the city, diverting their forces and stretching their defenses thin."

(Semyon) “Why not attack them though the sewers?”

Borislav's eyes brightened as Semyon presented his idea. The notion of utilizing the city's own sewers as a means of infiltration appealed to him greatly.

(Borislav) "Semyon, your suggestion holds promise. The sewers could provide us with a hidden passage, allowing our infiltrators to navigate the city undetected. It would be a significant advantage."

The generals nodded in agreement, recognizing the potential of such a plan. Borislav continued to outline the details of their strategy, his voice filled with determination. Borislav was hopeful that this would end the siege, and in turn, end the war. 

Hours later, a messenger came from the inside of the city. King Arfram was willing to hold another round of negotiations. Borislav's eyes narrowed as he received news of King Arfram's willingness to engage in another round of negotiations. While his initial instinct was to reject any offers for talks, he understood that prolonging the siege would only result in further bloodshed and destruction.

(Borislav) "Prepare a delegation. We shall accept King Arfram's invitation for negotiations. However, let it be known that our terms are non-negotiable. We seek an unconditional surrender of the city and its defenders. Anything less will not be acceptable."

The generals swiftly set the arrangements in motion, selecting trusted diplomats and advisors to accompany Borislav to the meeting. Despite the weariness in their bones, they shared a renewed sense of optimism that a peaceful resolution could be achieved.

The meeting was held just outside the city, amidst the ruins of a once-prosperous village. The air was heavy with the scent of burnt wood and echoes of battles past. Borislav's delegation stood tall, their armor gleaming in the fading light, as they awaited King Arfram's arrival.

A few moments later, King Arfram, accompanied by his own advisors, approached the meeting point. The weariness etched on his face mirrored that of Borislav's, evidence of the toll the prolonged siege had taken on both leaders. The atmosphere was charged as the two leaders locked eyes, each recognizing the weight of their respective positions.

(Borislav) “King Arfram, I appreciate your willingness to engage in these negotiations.”

(Arfram) “Tsar Borislav, the scars of this prolonged siege run deep, and the suffering endured by our people is immeasurable. While I cannot surrender my city without guarantees for the well-being of my people, I understand the futility of continuing this conflict.”

(Borislav) “You are in no condition to make demands, and you know this.”

Arfram's expression hardened at Borislav's assertive response, his eyes narrowing in response to the challenge.

(Arfram) "Tsar Borislav, the pride and resilience of my people should not be underestimated. We have withstood your relentless assaults and will continue to defend our homeland. We may be battered, but we are far from defeated."

Borislav maintained his composure, his voice measured yet firm.

(Borislav) “King Arfram, it is true that your people have shown remarkable resilience. However, the toll of this prolonged conflict is not one that can be borne indefinitely. The destruction and loss of life are mounting, and it is within our power to bring an end to this suffering.”

The tension in the air was palpable as the leaders engaged in a battle of wills, each determined to secure the best outcome for their respective realms.

(Arfram) "Very well, Tsar Borislav. If it is peace that you seek, then let us discuss the terms upon which it can be achieved. But know this, I will not surrender my people to the mercy of your whims."

(Borislav) “I seek an unconditional surrender of the city and its defenders. Your people will be granted amnesty and their well-being will be ensured under our rule. We will spare the city from further destruction. Let this be known, that If you do not accept, you will only bring more bloodshed.”

Arfram's gaze hardened, his resolve unyielding.

(Arfram) “Unconditional surrender is a heavy price to pay, Tsar Borislav. My people have fought bravely, and I will not let their sacrifices be in vain. We will discuss terms that protect their rights and honor.”

Borislav’s expression softened slightly, recognizing the depth of Arfram's commitment to his people.

(Borislav) "King Arfram, I understand your devotion to your people. I shall assure you that they will not be harmed. If you agree to these demands.

Hours turned into days as they debated terms, seeking common ground amidst the scars of war. Finally, an agreement was reached. Markōbourge would surrender, but with conditions in place to protect the welfare of its inhabitants. The war was over. 

(Borislav) “We shall talk about the peace agreement in the coming days. But first, we must honor the fallen. Let us gather the dead and give them the proper burials they deserve.”

[Garindina]

Act 21

10/15/1336

Peace had been achieved, more land has been claimed, and the Dorian Rebellion is over. Doria is now Garindinan, Borislav had united his two countries. Borislav was now in a meeting with his council, the topic, keeping his fellow Dorians from rebelling again.

(Borislav) "My esteemed council members, it is clear that our fellow Dorians feel marginalized and betrayed by the unification process. We must take steps to reconcile our differences, ensure their representation, and create an inclusive environment that respects their identity and beliefs."

The council members nodded in agreement, acknowledging the significance of Borislav's decision to address the issue directly.

(Borislav) “To address their concerns, I have made the decision to appoint my son as the ruler of Doria. This will allow the Dorian people to have a leader who understands their unique needs and aspirations. Doria will remain an integral part of the Garindinan empire.”

He waited a little bit to let it sink in.

(Borislav) "My esteemed council members, I am aware of the concerns and grievances of my fellow Dorians. We must take bold steps to address these issues, lest we risk a resurgence of rebellion and unrest. It is my firm belief that granting them the ability to rule themselves and practice Vjoldinism is essential for their sense of autonomy and cultural preservation."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances, aware of the potential challenges and implications of such decisions. They recognized the significance of Borislav's connection to the Dorian people and the importance of his understanding of their aspirations.

(Adviser 1) “Your Majesty, while we acknowledge the concerns you raise, granting Doria self-rule and religious autonomy may create divisions within the empire.”

(Borislav) “How do you know this? The Yuzhstovans are orthodox and are practically Garindinian.”

(Adviser 1) “Yes but-”

Borislav cut him off

(Borislav) "We cannot ignore the grievances of our fellow Dorians. Granting them self-rule and religious autonomy is a necessary step towards reconciliation. We must find a balance that fosters unity while respecting their unique identity."

The council members hesitated, realizing the potential challenges and implications of such decisions.

(Borislav) "Trust in my judgment. I have witnessed the consequences of marginalization and rebellion. It is our duty to address these concerns and ensure a future for all within the empire."

The council members nodded, their reservations tempered by Borislav's conviction and understanding of the situation. They would need to navigate the complexities of implementing self-rule and religious autonomy while maintaining unity and stability in the empire.

 

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(OOC) overall, this is pretty much finished now.

Edited July 14, 2023 by Garindina (see edit history)