Bangs on Front Gate

[Jacobus Loki]

I present myself as Loki IV, Kaiser of Shireroth, kinsman to Mors VI.

I claim the Throne by right of ability, experience, and ability to annoy beyond measure.

[Aurangzeb Khan]

And I claim the right to vigorously prod you with a bayonet.

[Jacobus Loki]

Ah, good times!

(Lights small fire.)

Here then, prod instead these cubes of lamb that we may roast them and feast upon them.

I'll send for hummus.

[Aurangzeb Khan]

I shall certainly do that, as soon as you surrender to the authority of the Steward and the Landsraad old chum.

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

You shall cease and desist this, or face the consequences.

[Falkner van der Sluijs]

I think our fair Steward should take the throne.

[Andreas the Wise]

I echo the sentiments of the Praetor.

[Jacobus Loki]

Then let him tell us of what his plans may be? Let all claimants set forth their agendas, as have I.

(Corey, try the hummus, it's excellent!)

[Jacobus Loki]

Andreas, good fellow! There is enough (food, that is) for all!

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

This is not an election, this is not a democracy. Stop acting like it is one. I am of the House with the largest population. I am recognised as heir by the head of my House. Hence, I claim the throne.

[Falkner van der Sluijs]

You are also a loudmouth that no one seems to approve of besides your predecessor.

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

Ah, so that is the problem here. It's a personal issue. Well, I can't help you there.

Mors VI left no heir, so the choice of the next heir goes to the largest House. That is Mortis. I am of the House of Mortis. My claim is confirmed by the Arbiter, as prescribed by law.

[Falkner van der Sluijs]

Succession will not always be as law, as your ancestor would know.

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

Yes, he should know that. This was probably what he wanted.

[Falkner van der Sluijs]

I speak of Anandja I, not Mors VI

[Andreas the Wise]

By count of allocated counties, Mortis has five citizens (Erik, Mike, Icebreaker, Jadie, Harvey) and Kalir has six citizens (Ric, Ardy, Scott, Iskander, Harold, Eoin). Even granting that Eoin is probably dead for all practical purposes and that it was in err that he was allocated a county in Elwynn; isn't five and five a tie?

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

Ah, well, Anandja I came to power with what I would call was complete fucking luck, but hey, it worked.

Andreas, the largest active population. Mortis has me, Erik, Jadie and Harvey on the active side, with Icebreaker somewhere on the side. Kalir has Ric, Ardy and Scott in the active column.

[Jacobus Loki]

If Mors VI had intended my little sister to be Kaiseress, he would have named her as heir. Instead, he died as he lived, no fault to him for that, but the Sword and the nation are often the voice of the gods.

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

If you payed some attention, you would know why he didn't name an heir.

[Jacobus Loki]

Pay attention? Me?

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

What? Did someone say something about attention?

[Jacobus Loki]

(A dragoon rides up to edge of the circle)

"Errand rider to Lord Jacobus!"

"You mean Kaiser Loki, don't you?"

(Whispers)

"You may pass!"

(Rides up to Jake, salutes, hands him an envelope. Jake rips open. Face turns ashen.)

I have just received a letter. In the spirit of openness to the people of Shireroth I will read it. It comes with a token that causes me to have no doubt of its authenticity. It is from our old family nurse, a woman of good character.

"My Lord,

My heart sang when I saw that you claimed the throne, and spoke for those of us that had no voice.

But Milord, you should know that as your mother and Anandja's mother lay in labor, the rulings as to who was the legal wife were, well, muddled, and anyway, she was born 24 minutes before you.

So, be nice to your sister."

Who would have thought when this began that the better man would be a woman?

(Takes a knee.)

I pledge fealty and loyalty to Anandja II, Kaiseress of Shireroth.

Now, where did that pita bread go?

[Jonas]

I echo the sentiments of the Praetor.

I echo the echo!

Ah, well, Anandja I came to power with what I would call was complete fucking luck, but hey, it worked.

Andreas, the largest active population. Mortis has me, Erik, Jadie and Harvey on the active side, with Icebreaker somewhere on the side. Kalir has Ric, Ardy and Scott in the active column.

We all know that Mors stepped down to avoid that Kildare and Kalir would merge and take the Throne.

This just proves once more that this system doesn't work: it's even more ineffective then in the time of the Duchies. To get the Throne, you just have to move from House.

[Kaiseress Anandja II]

Which was basically what Erik wanted. He wanted us to change houses, create them, destroy them, etc. to generate controverse and activity.

[Jonas]

Which was basically what Erik wanted. He wanted us to change houses, create them, destroy them, etc. to generate controverse and activity.

No, those that deserved it should get more power. It's totally the opposite right now.

[Jacobus Loki]

Shireroth sumus. Tempus in parte nostrum est

This too shall pass.

Patience, patience.

[Erik Mortis]

Actually.. I wanted both! I wanted power grabs. I want people to be able to gain. I wanted plots. I wanted hard work. I wanted both merit and controversy.

[Falkner van der Sluijs]

I want to have a county on my own because these politics are crazier than I am.

[Scott of Hyperborea]

Help clarify something for me. In the Kalir-Kildare alliance thread, there was something about how two houses couldn't ally without joining - ie Kildare would have to merge into Kalir and it couldn't just say "Kalir has our support" or it wouldn't count for Kaiser-numbers. Am I understanding that right?

[Erik Mortis]

Yes. At the very least do what we did with Yardis.. even though that didn't last for long.