[Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Raliric Ered`Gard]

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Located within the Hall of the Governor and beside the grand double-doors leading to the office of the Governor was the smaller single-door that opened to the Lt. Governor's office. There wasn't that much difference between the sizes and such, but enough to allow one to realize who had the higher power in this governmental establishment. Resting upon the door a golden plaque read: Office of the Lieutenant Governor. On either side of the door two Phoenix Legion infantrymen stood at ease, though they were not at ease at all; their eyes continued to scan the hallway and the look through the glass windows opposite them into the inner courtyard, ensuring that none came and took them by surprise. These were some of the Lieutenant Governor’s personal guard.

The office was quite large compared to the previous hallway, and as like the whole of Concordia Incola (except for the roof) it was constructed of white marble. As with the whole of the Concordia Incola Complex it had a great many windows, forcing its occupants to witness the beauty that was Centripax and Primus Gaudeo; forcing them to take notice of what it was that they were all working for. The view was magnificent; most of the windows faced out over the road that lead into the main complex; giving a stunning view of the city itself and every citizenry citizen that entered the complex. To either side of each of these windows were curtains which could be pulled across on a particularly sunny day.

The room itself was not as decorated as it had been for other Lieutenant Commanders, the reason being that this one did not really know how long he would be staying in that position. Thus only a few things had been put onto the walls and brought into the room. There were weapons, shields and pieces of armour that he brought back as trophies from his many battles and hung upon the walls, not to mention the rarer books and scrolls that had been added to the already filled bookcases. Bookcases which contained any number of topics, enough that he had yet to even touch the surface when looking through them, after all they were not all written in Medonian; some he had found in Dwarven, Elven, Dorin, Katta and there had even been one (though there were probably more) written in vysstichi. The floor, in parts, was covered by the pelts of various animals, not to show that he had fought great beasts before, but rather to warm the marble floors and keep the room at least a little warm.

Upon entering from the Hall of the Governor, one would first find themselves in the secretary’s office and then this led through two double doors into the main office itself. The assistant’s desk was as busy as always, full of papers and books. Behind the desk a huge grey Dorin with glasses and a feather in his hat scribbled on pieces of paper. Looking up with a toothy grin, Regal Nebrask spoke in a soft tone "Serale, how may I help you?"

Before her desk sat two comfortable looking chairs and along the walls were others for those waiting to see the Lt. Governor. When admitted to the Lieutenant Governor’s office and he was in attendance it would also contain a large white wolf that lay to one side of the desk. If anyone entered it would look up with intelligent eyes, and then look over to the man sitting at the desk as if asking a silent question. Then, as if it was answered, the wolf would turn its head back to the guest and resume its place between its paws.

[Malkaer Andares]

TS: Brightening 32, Aperitus, Spring of Era XIII

An envelope bearing the arms of Lauryl was delivered to Raliric’s secretary, and in turn to the Lieutenant Governor himself. The letter was written in a practiced handwrite and read as follows:

Secrets : Mystique, 22 Aperitus Unto His Excellency Sir Raliric Ered’Gard, Lieutenant Governor of the Administrate of Centripax, Knight Champion of the Knights of Aslangrad Does His Excellency Lord Malkaer Andares, Lieutenant Governor of the Lylles Kingdom of Lauryl Send greetings and a proposal. Dear Sir, Since our meeting in autumn of this era your star is on the rise, leading to your current position of second in charge of Centripax. I can think of no one who is more deserving of the post. Your personal dedication to the province is unequalled, only falling short to that of the legendary Veldar -may Ioannes watch over him. It does me great joy as former inhabitant of Centripax that the province is well taken after. The reason for contacting your Excellency is twofold. First I would like to strengthen the ties between our respective provinces. Centripax and Lauryl share a long open border, so there is much exchange of ideas, people and goods between the provinces. Cooperation between the Provincial Governments is thus essential. I can foresee cooperation on several areas: commerce between the two provinces, military affairs and Imperial diplomacy. Secondly I have taken note of the creation of a village under your command through a Herald article of last month. This interests me to such extend that I am considering investing in Siona, if that is at all possible. I am mostly interested in purchasing idle (but fertile) land around the village and/or open plots inside Siona. If that is possible I would ask your steward to provide me with the appropriate numbers for prices, which I can in turn pass to my steward for review. On a personal note, I regret to inform you that Tiyribi has not yet showed any sign of recovery. Her transfer to my estate in Mystique went well enough. I recognize some improvement in her condition, but it is difficult to tell. I can merely pray that the Gods will give the doctors the insight to cure her disease. I hope your Excellency will consider my proposals and judge them favorably for the betterment of the provinces we serve. May Diana guide your path, Lord Malkaer Andares

[Malkaer Andares]

TS: Brightening 35, Aperitus, Spring of Era XIII

The swiftness of the reply was indeed staggering. The Provincial Government in Lauryl did not have access to high level sorcerers to act as messengers. Malkaer was an apprentice himself and thus lacked in power to teleport to any place at will, though he was learning. When his secretary alerted him that there was a reply from the Lieutenant Governor of Centripax, the esh’lahier requested that the messenger-mage should wait so that he could make use of the man’s ability. Even though he wrote faster than usual, writing the reply still took some time, but the sorcerer would be taken after well by a staff of servants who brought food and drink.

After one candlemark Malkaer was done and blew the ink dry. His secretary enveloped the letter after which the Lieutenant Governor sealed it with his signet ring. Then the letter was given to the sorcerer whom disappeared with a blue flash to Primus Gaudeo.

Secrets : Sir Ered’Gard, I am most happy that we are of one mind in regards to the possibilities of mutual cooperation between our provinces. As I have undertaken voyage to Alleria Prime earlier this season I too will be focused on internal issues for the remainder of spring. Perhaps a meeting can be arranged for the month of Ioannes? Riparia might be a suitable location for it lies halfway between the capitals of our provinces. In the mean time I am comfortable with maintaining communication through correspondence. I have landed well here in Lauryl, though I cannot deny it was a disappointment not to have been granted service in Centripax, especially on such questionable grounds as the Consul put forward. Eventually His Imperial Excellency decided that my competitor was a better candidate for the longer term. You can imagine my surprise when the Lady Gil’dae resigned from her position two months later to become Chancellor of the realm. She must be truly talented in the ways of statesmanship to accomplish anything of significance in such a short period. But I shall focus on my current task and banish more thought on the matter from my mind. How is Her Imperial Excellency Sharinya to serve under, if I may be so free to ask? The restriction on land property is noted; indeed a monopoly in the hands of one person or one group is not favorable for the dynamism of the municipality. What is the limit of acreage one might purchase within Siona’s locality? I am most interested in farmland, but could be persuaded to participate in a joint venture of setting up a mine or quarry with other investors. Do not blame yourself for what is not your fault my friend. What we could have done will always gnaw on your conscience, but it is better not to allow it lest we become too caught up in the past that we grow blind for the present and future. It is frustrating how little I can do for my sister and that I fail in what I can do. I had taken it up to preserve the assets and wealth of Tiyribi so that she will not wake up from her slumber impoverished. To that goal I have contacted and requested the Centripaxian Justicar in autumn for the right to assume control of Tiyribi’s estate, for obvious reasons, but as of yet I have heard nothing since, while rents and taxes are gnawing on the sum. It is a banal situation I agree, but I would humbly ask your help. May Diana guide your path, Lord Malkaer Andares

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Timestamp:
Ioannolia, Brightening III of the Second Cycle of Optia
Spring of the Second Era of the Pax Imperialis,
First Era of the Celestine Mandate,
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum in the Regency of Milo L’Evienne.

Raliric, having sat down and run through the numbers and finally agreed on a plan to tax the province began to write the letters to the Thanes of each of the localities of Centripax. These letters would inform those Thanes of exactly how much each locality would need to pay as well as asking for a variety of information. It would also inform those local leaders of a meeting in the coming season. Thus with quill, ink and parchment, he began to write.

The letter for Primus Gaudeo:

Secrets : Ioannolia, Second Cycle of Optia. Era XIII of the Age of the Darkening. To the City Government of the Locality of Primus Gaudeo, Administrate of Centripax. Most Honored Officials - Serale and may Aslan bless your households. I pray that this letter finds all of you and your families in good health and fine spirits. Before continuing I ask that you first allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raliric Ered`Gard, and I was recently appointed to the office of Lieutenant Governor in the service of Lady Governor Sharinya S’Alvia. The purpose of this letter is to inform you, as the administrative center of your locality, that after careful analysis of the needs, demands, and the size of the province of centripax a tax bill of fifty-seven million, one hundred and forty-eight thousand, four hundred and thirty seven gold crowns and five silver crowns for this era. The method of collection for this tax is in the hands of your local government to achieve. Ideally the provincial government would like to collect the levied tax on Solaria, the first brightening of Imperos of Summer, this era. A contingent of provincial troops will arrive on Solaria of the fifth cycle of Ioannes to secure the treasury and then escort the funds to the provincial capital. Arriving with these troops will also be a contingent of clerks to ensure the exact amount has been supplied and to gather the relevant documentation. The magnitude of these levies are base upon numerous different factors including but not limited to population, industry, the military situation, trade, and recent history of the province. The provincial government is dedicated to serving the province and its citizens; your staff can assist us in this regard by supplying us with accurate and detailed information regarding your locality. Such information as: how many citizens your locality has jurisdiction over. How large your locality’s military and civil protection force is. What academies and religious institutions you have. And lastly what major businesses and industries are located in your locality. This information will allow our officials in the Provincial Exchequer’s office formulate a tax plan more suited to your needs and the provinces. It would be of most benefit to the provincial government if this information could be supplied by the end of this current season. The Governor Lady Sharinya S’Alvia has requested a meeting of the thanes to occur in the coming season to discuss the future of the province and what we all hope for the coming season. You will be advised of the date of this meeting toward the end of this season or at the beginning of the next. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly. I will endeavor to address your concerns with all possible haste. May the Sacred Three be your rearguard and guide us all to prosperity. His Excellency, the Lord Raliric Ered`Gard Lieutenant Governor of the Administrate of Centripax

The letter for Natura:

Secrets : Ioannolia, Second Cycle of Optia. Era XIII of the Age of the Darkening. To the City Government of the Locality of Natura, Administrate of Centripax. Most Honored Officials - Serale and may Aslan bless your households. I pray that this letter finds all of you and your families in good health and fine spirits. Before continuing I ask that you first allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raliric Ered`Gard, and I was recently appointed to the office of Lieutenant Governor in the service of Lady Governor Sharinya S’Alvia. The purpose of this letter is to inform you, as the administrative center of your locality, that after careful analysis of the needs, demands, and the size of the province of centripax a tax bill of three hundred and twenty-six thousand, five hundred and sixty-two gold crowns and five silver crowns for this era. The method of collection for this tax is in the hands of your local government to achieve. Ideally the provincial government would like to collect the levied tax on Solaria, the first brightening of Imperos of Summer, this era. A contingent of provincial troops will arrive on Solaria of the fifth cycle of Ioannes to secure the treasury and then escort the funds to the provincial capital. Arriving with these troops will also be a contingent of clerks to ensure the exact amount has been supplied and to gather the relevant documentation. The magnitude of these levies are base upon numerous different factors including but not limited to population, industry, the military situation, trade, and recent history of the province. The provincial government is dedicated to serving the province and its citizens; your staff can assist us in this regard by supplying us with accurate and detailed information regarding your locality. Such information as: how many citizens your locality has jurisdiction over. How large your locality’s military and civil protection force is. What academies and religious institutions you have. And lastly what major businesses and industries are located in your locality. This information will allow our officials in the Provincial Exchequer’s office formulate a tax plan more suited to your needs and the provinces. It would be of most benefit to the provincial government if this information could be supplied by the end of this current season. The Governor Lady Sharinya S’Alvia has requested a meeting of the thanes to occur in the coming season to discuss the future of the province and what we all hope for the coming season. You will be advised of the date of this meeting toward the end of this season or at the beginning of the next. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly. I will endeavor to address your concerns with all possible haste. May the Sacred Three be your rearguard and guide us all to prosperity. His Excellency, the Lord Raliric Ered`Gard Lieutenant Governor of the Administrate of Centripax

The letter for Zerdargia:

Secrets : Ioannolia, Second Cycle of Optia. Era XIII of the Age of the Darkening. To the City Government of the Locality of Zerdargia, Administrate of Centripax. Most Honored Officials - Serale and may Aslan bless your households. I pray that this letter finds all of you and your families in good health and fine spirits. Before continuing I ask that you first allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raliric Ered`Gard, and I was recently appointed to the office of Lieutenant Governor in the service of Lady Governor Sharinya S’Alvia. The purpose of this letter is to inform you, as the administrative center of your locality, that after careful analysis of the needs, demands, and the size of the province of centripax a tax bill of thirteen million, sixty-two thousand, five hundred gold crowns for this era. The method of collection for this tax is in the hands of your local government to find a means to achieve. Ideally the provincial government would like to collect the levied tax on Solaria, the first brightening of Imperos of Summer, this era. A contingent of provincial troops will arrive on Solaria of the fifth cycle of Ioannes to secure the treasury and then escort the funds to the provincial capital. Arriving with these troops will also be a contingent of clerks to ensure the exact amount has been supplied and to gather the relevant documentation. The magnitude of these levies are base upon numerous different factors including but not limited to population, industry, the military situation, trade, and recent history of the province. The provincial government is dedicated to serving the province and its citizens; your staff can assist us in this regard by supplying us with accurate and detailed information regarding your locality. Such information as: how many citizens your locality has jurisdiction over. How large your locality’s military and civil protection force is. What academies and religious institutions you have. And lastly what major businesses and industries are located in your locality. This information will allow our officials in the Provincial Exchequer’s office formulate a tax plan more suited to your needs and the provinces. It would be of most benefit to the provincial government if this information could be supplied by the end of this current season. The Governor Lady Sharinya S’Alvia has requested a meeting of the thanes to occur in the coming season to discuss the future of the province and what we all hope for the coming season. You will be advised of the date of this meeting toward the end of this season or at the beginning of the next. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly. I will endeavor to address your concerns with all possible haste. May the Sacred Three be your rearguard and guide us all to prosperity. His Excellency, the Lord Raliric Ered`Gard Lieutenant Governor of the Administrate of Centripax

The letter for Riparia:

Secrets : Ioannolia, Second Cycle of Optia. Era XIII of the Age of the Darkening. To the City Government of the Locality of Riparia, Administrate of Centripax. Most Honored Officials - Serale and may Aslan bless your households. I pray that this letter finds all of you and your families in good health and fine spirits. Before continuing I ask that you first allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raliric Ered`Gard, and I was recently appointed to the office of Lieutenant Governor in the service of Lady Governor Sharinya S’Alvia. The purpose of this letter is to inform you, as the administrative center of your locality, that after careful analysis of the needs, demands, and the size of the province of centripax a tax bill of four million, eight hundred and ninty-eight thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven gold crowns and five silver crowns for this era. The method of collection for this tax is in the hands of your local government to find a means to achieve. Ideally the provincial government would like to collect the levied tax on Solaria, the first brightening of Imperos of Summer, this era. A contingent of provincial troops will arrive on Solaria of the fifth cycle of Ioannes to secure the treasury and then escort the funds to the provincial capital. Arriving with these troops will also be a contingent of clerks to ensure the exact amount has been supplied and to gather the relevant documentation. The magnitude of these levies are base upon numerous different factors including but not limited to population, industry, the military situation, trade, and recent history of the province. The provincial government is dedicated to serving the province and its citizens; your staff can assist us in this regard by supplying us with accurate and detailed information regarding your locality. Such information as: how many citizens your locality has jurisdiction over. How large your locality’s military and civil protection force is. What academies and religious institutions you have. And lastly what major businesses and industries are located in your locality. This information will allow our officials in the Provincial Exchequer’s office formulate a tax plan more suited to your needs and the provinces. It would be of most benefit to the provincial government if this information could be supplied by the end of this current season. The Governor Lady Sharinya S’Alvia has requested a meeting of the thanes to occur in the coming season to discuss the future of the province and what we all hope for the coming season. You will be advised of the date of this meeting toward the end of this season or at the beginning of the next. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly. I will endeavor to address your concerns with all possible haste. May the Sacred Three be your rearguard and guide us all to prosperity. His Excellency, the Lord Raliric Ered`Gard Lieutenant Governor of the Administrate of Centripax

These were a few of many letters written to be distributed throughout the province to all of the localities, settlements, villages and such which detailed the amount of crowns in total the province would pay.

Once the letters had been completed an army of messengers descended upon the Lieutenant Governor’s office to collect the letters and travel to the destinations entailed.

[Milo L'Evienne]

Twenty-first Brightening of Optia, Spring of Era XIII, p.f.

Secrets : To the attention of: His Excellency Sir Raliric Ered’Gard Lieutenant Governor of the Administrate of Centripax Knight Champion of the Knights of the Argent Sword From the desk of: His Most Imperial Excellency, Milo L’Evienne Imperial Regent to the Allerian Empire Imperial Palace, Alleria Prime, Principality of Prime Good brightening Excellency, In hopes this letter finds you in good health and high spirits, may I say what a pleasure it is to hear from the Administrate of Centripax, and of course yourself personally. While we have only met a few times previously and in brief, I was most impressed and moreover his Excellency lord Jones speaks very highly of you as well along with the good work you have done on behalf of Centripax and in aid of her Governor. It is indeed true that past and direct communications between the Provinces and the Imperial Palace have not been as numerous or detailed as one might prefer in some cases, though it is my intention that hereafter those communications not only should be made easier, but in fact encouraged by way of direct communication between myself and the Empire’s Governors, and so by extension as well those Lieutenants who aid them. I thank you for your kind words of praise and congratulations, they are most appreciated both by myself and on behalf of those Ministers, Consuls and Advisors who make up the Imperial Government. We can only strive to show ourselves worthy of such praise by aspiring to rise to the challenges and mandates entrusted to us from on high, as well as devoting ourselves to the welfare of the Empire’s citizenry. Those who call the Centripax home are without question a particularly resilient breed of citizen worthy of high praise. I should in fact mention that the lady Vicegerent and I will be attending the upcoming festival in Zerdargia so that we might personally pay our respects to those who will be honored there. It does sound, and encouragingly so, that much good work is afoot in the province. I have always believed and still do that a Province, indeed an Empire’s strength and stability lay not only in security and military strength which is of course paramount, but also in healthy economy; as well as social and public works. I will of course be more than happy to meet with your new Senator and aid him in whatever way that I can. The lady Vicegerent and I are both eagerly looking forward to having the Senate filled to capacity and functioning the way that it was intended. Should he wish to resign after such a discussion, perhaps finding the role to be one not easily managed with his time and energies devoted elsewhere, I will certainly understand and grant such a wish. Should he travel to the capitol city, Master Beldwhig need only approach my personal clerk in the Imperial Palace and she will gladly arrange him an appointment. Though I am not intimately familiar with the particular details of the Concordia Incola, I have heard good things in this regard. Much like city councils in various cities throughout the Empire, both the lady Vicegerent and myself find such things to be an invaluable resource by which citizens may actively participate in their local and provincial governments, thereby making their concerns heard. All said, it appears as if many good things are in the works for the province and I am glad to hear it. While I myself have little experience in the field of commerce, no doubt the Imperial government has many such knowledgeable individuals at its disposal. In light of this, I will gladly contact the Imperial Chronicler on your behalf in hopes he might recommend a name or two for consideration, as well as our Imperial Chancellor as well in regards to both commerce and the subject of colonization. Please do not feel the need for apologies regarding length, detail or straightforwardness. I have come, these past months, to value the art of communication more than ever before. And as noted earlier, it is intended that communication between the Imperial Palace and the Provinces should be made easier and in fact encouraged while continuing to keep assigned consuls fully appraised within their particular mandates and areas of concern. In closing, please extend my fond greetings to the lady Governor. As well as a valued official, both my wife and I are fortunate enough to consider her Excellency a fondly regarded friend. In addition sir, I look forward to personally meeting with yourself again soon so that we might renew and better familiarize our acquaintance. Regards, Milo L’Evienne Imperial Regent

[Alexis Sapientia]

Timestamp: First Brightening of Ioannes, Summer in the First Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne

Fabian Hagen, clad as he was in the full dress uniform of a Cencoris in the Imperial Marines, entered the halls of government of the capital of the Administrate of Centripax, searching for, as they called it, 'someone of substance'.

He'd been resident in Primus Gaudeo for some months now, admittedly living here and there, mainly at inns which his poor salary could not keep. A good thing that he was spending Classis money, though of course, there was good reason to. Noticing the two Phoenix Legion infantrymen at post, he rendered the usual military courtesies, handing over a parchment sealed with blue wax, bearing the insignia of the Imperial Navy, and wrapped in blue ribbon.

His Imperial Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of Centripax
Concordia Incola, Primus Gaudeo
Administrate of Centripax

Secrets : Imperial Admiralty Ministry of Defense Alleria Prime, Principality of Prime 1st Ioannes, in the First Era of the Reign of the Regent, His Imperial Excellency the Lord L'Evienne. Your Imperial Excellency, Greetings from Alleria Prime! Permit me to introduce myself. I am Alexis Sapientia, recently appointed Imperial Admiral, and thus commander of all naval and marine forces of the Empire. It is in this regard, with my official functions, that I write to you. I have here a copy of The Herald for sometime in Kalendryas, detailing the events in Paxia. I have here, likewise, a report from a certain Imperatis Vincent Terrenil of the III Legion who claims that, and I quote, 'Many civilian lives were saved, however, as many escaped via the sea. This is due mainly because of the actions of Assistant Thane, Keldon Elsdragon'. Much has been told with regard to Master Elsdragon's exploits in Paxia, though not much with regard to the details. I have many questions at hand, one of which is with regard to the Thane of Paxia. What has become of her? Has she been captured, or pray Ioannes, murdered by these detestable orcs? As one of the swords of the Empire, it is my duty to know. In this regard, we shall be able to mount such offensive operations necessary to liberate the city from its orcish invaders. I therefore humbly seek a short recollection, in your words, of what you know of this man and what had happened, and I herewith give introduction to the officer who bears this letter. His name is Fabian Hagen, and is a Cencoris of the Imperial Marines, and I have directed that he remain in Primus Gaudeo with his staff to maintain a liaison office for any future communications between Your Imperial Excellency, and the governments of the city of Primus Gaudeo, or the Administrate of Centripax. I likewise seek your kind consideration for an audience for Cencoris Hagen, that he may further enlighten you on his mission. Fair winds always, Alexis Sapientia Imperial Admiral.

Clicking his heels, so did the Cencoris stand at attention until such time that a reply was forthcoming.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

OOC: Alexis - Noted and will reply to your Admiralty in the coming days. Apologies for the delay already.

[Venn Drega]

[OOC: Just cleaning up my FT with this Letter and clearing the way for Norin's appointment. Let me know if it requires editing in regard to timestamping.]

A letter arrived at Ralric's office dated the First Brightening of Apertis, XII PF. It read:

To the Lt. Governor of Centripax:

Your Excellency,

I regret to inform you that I am resigning my position as Senator of Centripax effective the First Brightening of Optia, XIII PF. I am unable to continue my commitment due to personal reasons. I will also not be continuing my role as a Concordian for Natura. A similar letter has been forwarded to the Governor's office as well. It has been an honour to serve.

In service to the Crown,

Venn Drega O.S.S.