View from Benacia/Issue 46: Change A-Coming in Brookshire

This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2004/12/issue-46-change-coming-in-brookshire.html at 01/01/05.

Duke Shyriath of Brookshire made a strange and unexpected move tonight with a sudden change in the order of succession.

At the very beginning of his reign in the oldest Duchy, the Duke had issued Duchal Decree 15, which (among other things) had laid down an order of succession. Naming Rakesh (now Baron of Amarr) as first choice for successor to the ducal throne and Alexandra (now Baroness of Alexandretta) as second, the settlement had been a result of the brief rebellion that resulted in the Duke's rise to power.

Rakesh, who had been the previous Duke of Brookshire, was the target of a rebellion by the Baroness of Alexandretta, with the intent of replacing him as ruler of the Duchy. When it was discovered that the Kaiser had supported the plan, the eventual result was an Imperial Decree fixing the (relatively) neutral party Shyriath Bukolos as Duke. (Rakesh had been removed as Duke, but was given a Barony in compensation.) In order to tread a middle line between the two sides of the conflict, he named Rakesh as his preferred successor, but left it so that the ducal throne would default to Alexandra if the Kaiser proved against Rakesh's return to power.

But tonight, in Duchal Decree 20, Duke Shyriath removed both parties from the line of succession in a move that was not only given without warning, but was his first major activity in Brookshire in some days (having been away in Arizona for a week, and then distracted by the holidays). Instead, he set his successor as Erik Mortis Brookshire, who is currently Kaiser Raynor X.

The reasons cited for the change were both candidates' current status as Baron(ess), whose elevation to Duke could disrupt Baronial affairs, and Rakesh's relative inactivity and important activities in Babkha. The Duke was careful to stress that Baron Rakesh should not be considered punished in any way by this action.

The reasons for Duke Shyriath's choice of Erik as successor were not explained, although being founder of the Duchy and the nation itself, and having been Duke of Brookshire numerous times before, reasons are not hard to speculate upon. What is less clear is why the Duke had felt it necessary to make this announcement now and with little fanfare, and whether or not he plans on abdicating as Duke. It is also not clear what will happen if the Kaiser is still on the Golden Mango Throne when the Duchy passes to him, although it wouldnot be the first time in Shirerithian history that the Kaiser was also a Duke.

We See You, Stone.

Former Shirerithian Stone Jackabar, a notorious figure from out of the past, made an appearance in locations all over Shireroth tonight, apparently visiting us for New Year's Eve. Hi there! Join us once more! Let your impact... or at least your sword... be felt!