Royal Archives of the Kingdom of Man

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

His Excellency the Castellan of Chelms is hereby granted full royal authority to restore order within the borders of the City, and to subdue the anarchists and heretics that have grown bold in these troubled times, as I maintain my vigil within the Forest of Avalon. Until such time as the Pantokrator hears our prayers, all royal authority is conferred upon him.

Signed, Her Royal Majesty, Elizabeth of Chelms, by Grace of the Pantokrator, Queen of Man and Protector of Avalon.

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

What some upjumped peasant does in his spare time is none of my concern, sergeant, not when we have thousands of them rioting in the streets of Chelms. Everything at my disposal is already being committed to clearing the streets. So long as he isn't saying that the end has come, Cenberth can do what he likes.

Regarding your orders for the patrol, our mission is to keep the peace. Pantokrator knows someone has to. Anyone claiming that a few stars not being where they were the day before means the end of the world has come is to be taken to the Tower at once. Anyone vandalizing Church property should be taken to Avalon Abbey and given to the Archbishop. And speaking of which, I want the Archbishop's guard doubled. People are scared right now and there's no telling what they'll do.

We can attend to the situation in the provinces, and to whatever heresy you think Cenberth's spouting, after we've addressed matters in the city. Her Majesty left me in command, not you, and I intend to fulfill the orders she gave me. Or are you questioning a royal command?

Signed, His Excellency Saberht of Chelms, Lord High Castellan to Her Majesty the Queen.

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

As much as I enjoy having your men intrude upon my sermons, Lord Saberht, I believe you may consider civic order thoroughly restored within the City. If you wish to make yourself useful, I suggest attending to spiritual security instead.

I am referring, of course, to the man we discussed in my last missive, which I understand you dismissed - the heretic preacher known as "Cenberth." In the time you have taken ignoring the issue, he has gathered a rather worrying amount of followers. They were the ones who constructed that ramshackle wooden statue of the queen in King Alistair's Square, you will recall. I want that statue burned, ideally with Cenberth and as many of his followers as you can find tied to it at the time. I've heard what the man has to say and it is heresy of the most vile nature. Were I willing to disturb Her Majesty's vigil within the Forest, I'm sure she would be outraged to hear of the blasphemous things the Cenberthists say about her. The matter must be dealt with at once.

For my own part, I intend to maintain my own vigil with Avalon Abbey for the remainder of the Spring. Should the Pantokrator not hear my voice by that time, I will see to addressing the spiritual health of the nation personally.

Oh, and your men also broke open one of the tombs in their drunken idleness. Needless to say, I expect those responsible to be harshly disciplined. You may keep the ring they found inside, if you like, it's not as if people respect the dead these days anyway.

Signed,
His Holiness Oslac of Durland, Archbishop of Chelms

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

Lord Archmagister,

I've already dealt with the matter. Cenberth has been sent to the Winter Peaks, where he'll hopefully be far enough from the capital not to cause any additional trouble, and may provide me with scouting reports once I've finished restoring order in Brimstonshire. The Archbishop wanted him burned, incidentally. I could care less what the Church and the Magistracy shout at each other, but I'd much prefer it if you left my men out of it. We will address the issue of your meddling in military affairs once I return from the provinces.

Signed,
His Excellency Saberht of Chelms, Lord High Castellan to Her Majesty the Queen.

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

The pacification of the Brimston Fens hardly deserves the name, but may serve as an object example of the importance of a well-armed and equipped army in warfare. My forces, a small company of some thirty men, arrayed themselves on the field of battle against the Brimston rebels.



My men were far from the finest Chelms had to offer. Though we had a small force of yeomen archers, the bulk of the company was comprised of hastily-conscripted spearmen, poorly-armed in comparison to proper Tower Guards. Unfortunately, the logistical issues the kingdom suffered in the immediate aftermath of the collapse meant that we were unable to properly outfit a significant number of soldiers. Indeed, the entire purpose of this battle was simply to blood the men for the more important campaign to retake the mines of the Winter Peaks and World's End.



But if we were poorly armed, then the rebels were practically civilians. They bore wood shields and clubs. The only thing remotely resembling a threat was their leader, one of many apocalyptic heretics who had emerged in the aftermath of the Collapse, but his knowledge of magic was scant protection against the storm of Manx arrows.



I honestly don't believe the Brimston rebels ever actually expected a royal reprisal. They believed the Collapse was the end of the world, after all. So ill-prepared were they that they actually resorted to throwing rocks at us. Needless to say, the men were completely unconcerned.



When battle was finally joined, it lasted mere seconds before the rebels broke and ran. Their leader was killed in the pursuit, slain by an arrow that pierced his heart, while the men gave chase.

While obviously not a truly significant engagement of any kind, it is my belief that this skirmish will provide a helpful introduction for the student of war to the importance of military preparedness, as well as the basics of small unit tactics.

 - Excerpt from Lord Saberht's "Commentaries on the Ascension Wars"

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

For the record, Lord Saberht, I don't like relying on foreigners any more than you do, but the unfortunate reality of the situation is that we have no choice. Your failure to retake the Winter Peaks, though no fault of your own, has nevertheless left us with a shortage of equipment and a surplus of gold, and and the Ulmish mercenaries were the most effective means we had of converting said gold into competent soldiers. It is not treachery. It is arithmetic.

Similarly, as I stated in my previous letter, your return to the capital is not "punishment" for the failings of your scouts in the Winter Peaks. You are being recalled because what remains of the Manx Army is here, and it is your duty to command them. You cannot be in two places at once, and thus regrouping the army must take priority over whatever glory you might gain in World's End. I am assured that Captain Blukraft is a most competent commander, and he should be able to subdue the rebels and address our equipment situation swiftly.

 - Hengist of Chelms, Archmagister of Man

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

Let me address your concerns in order, Father Oslac.

I have spoken to the man from the Forest myself, something I think you'd be wise to do before declaring him a heretic ex absentia. I agree that it is certainly most unlikely that he is, in fact, who he claims to be, but even if he is not, he is an extremely high-quality imitation, and he nonetheless bears Her Majesty's seal. Yes, Sir Bernlad died over a hundred years ago. I suggest you try to avoid mentioning this to him, if you can manage to restrain yourself for five minutes.



As for the Ulmish "fortune teller," for once I actually find her as distasteful as you do, which is something I'd previously believed impossible. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and Man needs every arm gold can buy.

I can assure you that she will not be permitted to ply her trade within our nation's borders. I know you may find it shocking, but we do have some standards.



As for yourself, I'm sure the men will benefit from having the Archbishop himself present to grant the Pantokrator's blessing to their campaign, such as it is these days, and you did perform most wonderfully in the conquest of World's End. I hope you enjoy your holiday in the Winter Peaks, Lord Saberht tells me they are surprisingly beautiful, in a horrible, vicious sort of way.

 - Hengist of Chelms, Archmagister of Man

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

The contents of your report were most disturbing indeed, captain. Ordinarily I would have given it to the Archbishop, but in times these dark, I must admit, even I have harbored doubt within my soul.

Double the watch, and speak to no-one of this. We will address the issue upon my return to the capital in two months time.

I would ask that the Pantokrator protect you. But I suspect that is no longer an option.

May whatever gods can hear us save us all.

 - Saberht of Chelms, Lord High Castellan of Man

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

Now that the mines have been retaken, I want the Tower Guard to be armed and outfitted with utmost haste, and the remaining home counties brought back under royal jurisdiction.

The field army has now regrouped, and unified under my command. In light of the current situation, I intend to continue the campaign in the field, and will not be able to return to Chelms to assume command of the Guard as previously intended. Command is to be given to Lord [-illegible scribble-] until my return. I'm sure even he won't be able to fuck up "shoot them with your crossbow," though despair springs eternal.

As for your other question, I honestly can't tell what would possess you to ask. In case your madness has not yet ebbed: NO. Do NOT tell Father Cleges about the situation in Venshire. YOU BLOODY IDIOT.

- Saberht of Chelms, Lord High Castellan of Man

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

I write to inform my lord of a most fortuitous discovery! While digging out a new shaft, we somehow broke into an old Agarthan treasure vault! I have ordered the courier to carry with this letter the considerable sum of gold we unearthed. I can only pray that this is a sign that the Pantokrator's blessing is returning to us once more.

 - Eric of Griffon, Chief Foreman of the Muspel Mine

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

Congratulations on your new promotion, Chief Foreman Harold.

- Saberht of Chelms, Lord High Castellan of the Kingdom of Man

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

Father Oslac,

While I understand that your ministry in Brimston is of the utmost importance, I must inform you that your absence has been keenly felt here in the capital, and I fear that if you do not return soon, all of Chelm may soon fall into a gaping pit of spiritual anarchy. Just this morning, we awoke to find the grand statue of the Pantokrator knocked from its place of honor in the nave, and blasphemies too heinous to repeat scrawled across the altar.



The issue is not helped at all by the so-called "refugees" from the border. I would never fault your vigiliance nor Father Cleges's, but it seems that day by day heretical rumors spread amongst the people. Just this morning a man accosted me claiming that the Pantokrator was dead and a traitor besides. He was immediately imprisoned on my orders, but this alone proves that these heretics grow bolder with each passing day. I shudder to think what might occur in the future. Please, Father, I beg of you, return to Chelms and return the light of truth to our blighted city.

 - Hugh of Chelms, Deacon of Avalon Abbey

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

Towen had always been a loyal county in the past - commendable in its loyalty to the queen, and fierce guardians against Midgard raiders. I suppose this is why they mounted what was in theory a mere token resistance. Unfortunately, Towen was also a relatively rich county, on the trade route to the Free City of Villia, and so these defenders were extremely well-armed.



For the last time, my men formed the order of battle we had employed in these early operations. A square of longbowmen to deliver the hammer to the enemy, and a line of spearmen to shield them.



Against this, our enemy mounted a force of inept and cowardly crossbowmen - and a lance of treacherous knights who had thought to make themselves Towen's new lords. The crossbows were of no concern, of course, but the knights were a far more serious danger - they weathered the storm of arrows and crashed into the infantry line almost immediately. As they did, one of the infantry captains had the bright idea to break away from the main combat, and charge the now exposed crossbowmen.



I would have had him promoted, had he and his men not turned tail at the last possible second.



Foolishly, I attempted to rally my fleeing men. This, of course, was what exposed me long enough for the enemy crossbows to score a lucky hit, piercing my mail and delivering the chest wound I would carry for the remainder of my career. I tore out the shaft and rallied the archers, launching a volley that managed to turn even the traitor knights back. The battle became one between Manx archer and Towen crossbowman.



I leave the ultimate outcome as an exercise for the reader.

- Excerpt from Lord Saberht's "Commentaries on the Ascension Wars"

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

With all due respect, Archmagister, what the hell were you thinking?

No sooner did I arrive at World's End - an all too fitting name these days - then I encountered a half-company of Tower Guard, apparently reporting to me following some colossal military disaster. Inquiring further revealed the truth - you put Lord Ceolwulf in charge of reclaiming Durland. Did you temporarily take leave of your senses?

Ceolwulf, whatever gods have not forsaken us rest his soul, decided to lead the men from the front. In an astonishing turn of events that only the Pantokrator himself could have foreseen, he was shot within five minutes and the army was left leaderless.



Fortunately, enough men have reached World's End that I believe that, in conjunction with my company of yeoman, I can finish the job Ceolwulf started, chest wound or no. If you want something done right...
 - Lord Saberht, Lord High Castellan of Man

P.S. Your man Beowulf has found a thing, apparently. I have no idea what import this has but he wanted to make sure you knew.

[Elizabeth of Chelms]

"...but I say unto to you, do not lose hope! For though our god may have forsaken us, we still yet may find salvation, not from the perfidious legacy of Eldregate, but from each other!

"It is when the night is at its darkest that the sun begins to rise. You have carried on courageously in the face of inevitable destruction. You have survived beneath the withering reign of the Traitor God. You have seen He in whom you trusted abandon you, murder your soldiers, and scourge your souls, and you have persevered. The spirit of the noble six thousand has endured even the wrath of the Pantokrator Himself.

"The Pantokrator would have us die with him. He would have the world he ruled over crumble into dust as his empire has. There is nothing he will offer to those who persist in their prayers but death. But that you are still alive is proof that there is yet hope. The Pantokrator's apocalypse can still be averted. So long as we do not meekly submit before his treachery, he shall hold no power over us.

"The Wheel has turned once more, and Caesar's time as Pantokrator has ended! The time has come to wipe away the legacy of Ermor and ensure the ascendancy of men and Man. Lay aside death, and embrace life! Lay aside the old, and embrace the new! Let not one more soul be claimed. Queen and Pantokrateira!"

 - Excerpt from Cenberth's Sermon to the Vennans