The Imperial Succession Crisis [Open]

[Yngen]

OOC - This is for now diplomatic, and intervention can be anything from messages of support, to sending characters to Notoya City to try and manipulate events. No large military actions yet - any military developments will be posted in a new thread, if necessary!

Imperial Palace, Notoya City, Yngen

Emperor Tadamichi of the House Kuribayashi lay dying. Though only 43 years old, he was suffering from a debilitating disease, undisclosed to the general public, and so he had summoned the great and the good, along with his sole heir, Princess Takara, to his bedside.

The air was full of incense, but the faint smell of decay was still cloyingly thick. The Emperor looked surprisingly drawn for a man who had been fit and healthy his entire life.
"My child," he began, his voice thin "you are the last Kuribayashi. The mantle of rule now falls upon your shoulders."
He coughed, even that small effort exhausting him.
"The position of the Imperial House has changed, and that is due to my actions. I have chosen to afford the people of Yngen more power, more freedom, more independence. In the coming years, you will increasingly find your position to be one of leadership, not control. You must set an example, my dearest one...you must show the people how to be, you must be a light for them in the darkest times."
His coughing fit worsened, and his doctor stepped forwards. The few visitors in the room backed out, Takara last of all. Her eyes glistened with tears, but she did not weep.

Willowmere District

High Lord LeClerc rapped his fingers on the desk distractedly.
"This is a problem," he snapped, not glancing up at his companion. Lord Adjutant Rittmeister, of the leftist VSP party which which LeClerc's libertarian DUP party had formed a coalition, nodded.
"Takara is a wild card. She is martially-minded and not particularly palatable to the general populace of Yngen. At worst, she could start a war. At best, she will inflame the passions of the Anjouvins and Vayrholtians, as a haughty Notoyan princess with little regard for their culture."
Rittmeister nodded, collecting his thoughts, before speaking carefully.
"You have heard, of course, of Guilliame of Tanelorn?"
The High Lord's head snapped up, and his usually placid face wrinkled with irritation.
'Of course I have, you idiot. Guilliame of Tanelorn, son of Roland of Tanelorn and Ingulfrid Rittmeister. The last of the line of Tanelorn and the eldest heir of the line of Fulk Rittmeister, the man who can claim kingship of both Vayrholt and Anjou. Yes I have heard of him."
"Well rumour has it Guilliame is canvassing support, and is due to travel to Notoya today to pay his respects to the dying Emperor...."

Internationally

The foreign and domestic press were aware that the Emperor was ill, but had not until now received concrete informaton about the situation. Overnight, major news corporations and governments the world over found the following email in their inboxes.

Code: Select all

TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN

The Emperor of Yngen is dying. He will not last the week. This information I give to you freely.
Yours,
X

[United Totalitarian States of America]

OOC - This is for now diplomatic, and intervention can be anything from messages of support, to sending characters to Notoya City to try and manipulate events. No large military actions yet - any military developments will be posted in a new thread, if necessary!

Imperial Palace, Notoya City, Yngen

Emperor Tadamichi of the House Kuribayashi lay dying. Though only 43 years old, he was suffering from a debilitating disease, undisclosed to the general public, and so he had summoned the great and the good, along with his sole heir, Princess Takara, to his bedside.

The air was full of incense, but the faint smell of decay was still cloyingly thick. The Emperor looked surprisingly drawn for a man who had been fit and healthy his entire life.
"My child," he began, his voice thin "you are the last Kuribayashi. The mantle of rule now falls upon your shoulders."
He coughed, even that small effort exhausting him.
"The position of the Imperial House has changed, and that is due to my actions. I have chosen to afford the people of Yngen more power, more freedom, more independence. In the coming years, you will increasingly find your position to be one of leadership, not control. You must set an example, my dearest one...you must show the people how to be, you must be a light for them in the darkest times."
His coughing fit worsened, and his doctor stepped forwards. The few visitors in the room backed out, Takara last of all. Her eyes glistened with tears, but she did not weep.

Willowmere District

High Lord LeClerc rapped his fingers on the desk distractedly.
"This is a problem," he snapped, not glancing up at his companion. Lord Adjutant Rittmeister, of the leftist VSP party which which LeClerc's libertarian DUP party had formed a coalition, nodded.
"Takara is a wild card. She is martially-minded and not particularly palatable to the general populace of Yngen. At worst, she could start a war. At best, she will inflame the passions of the Anjouvins and Vayrholtians, as a haughty Notoyan princess with little regard for their culture."
Rittmeister nodded, collecting his thoughts, before speaking carefully.
"You have heard, of course, of Guilliame of Tanelorn?"
The High Lord's head snapped up, and his usually placid face wrinkled with irritation.
'Of course I have, you idiot. Guilliame of Tanelorn, son of Roland of Tanelorn and Ingulfrid Rittmeister. The last of the line of Tanelorn and the eldest heir of the line of Fulk Rittmeister, the man who can claim kingship of both Vayrholt and Anjou. Yes I have heard of him."
"Well rumour has it Guilliame is canvassing support, and is due to travel to Notoya today to pay his respects to the dying Emperor...."

Internationally

The foreign and domestic press were aware that the Emperor was ill, but had not until now received concrete informaton about the situation. Overnight, major news corporations and governments the world over found the following email in their inboxes.

Code: Select all

TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN

The Emperor of Yngen is dying. He will not last the week. This information I give to you freely.
Yours,
X

To whoever it may concern,

If it is prudent, and acceptable, I would like more information on the Emperor of Yngen. However, if this is not possible, then I give my condolences to Princess Takara, the heiress to the throne of Yngen.

Most sincerely,

Emperor Koopaman of America

[Yngen]

Factbook about Kuribayashi

[Yngen]

The Green Dragon Inn, Notoya City

The Green Dragon Inn was a popular tavern for non-Notoyans. It lay between Saltmarket and the Fristad docks. Decked out in a traditional European style, complete with rushes on the floor to soak up spills and a full hog roasting on a spit over a roaring fire, it was a crowded dinner scene that Guilliame of Tanelorn walked into.
The tall, grave-faced man with close-cut brown hair and a clean-shaven jaw was noticeable indeed. Dressed in a thick doublet, with heavy boots and a sword at his waist, he cut an impressive figure, as did his retinue of similarly tough-looking men and women who shouldered in to the bar behind him.
Moving to the counter, he ordered ale for himself and his followers. Some of the guests in the bar cheered him, raising their tankards to his health, whilst others remained sullen. The young man was exuberant, and his retinue were noisy. They occupied a whole long table to themselves, and began chatting amongst themselves, singing and generally being boisterous, until a pair of men slipped in through the front door. The two were out of place in this establishment, wearing shirt sleeves and overcoats, one Notoyan and the other most likely Anjouvin. They had the look of hired thugs, and they both stopped short as they saw the large crowd around Guilliame.
One of his companions, Lohengrin, was quick off the mark, and spotted the two men in the doorway. He called out to them;
"Can we help you, friends?"
They paused, tense, and suddenly drew pistols from beneath their jackets. Lohengrin was ready, and hurled his heavy tankard at them, rising from the table. A shot rang out and Lohengrin fell back, as Guilliame and the others scrambled to their feet. Guilliame was fastest, and instead of drawing his long sword, whipped a dagger from his belt and plunged it into one of the attackers. The other was being grappled by a bystander, but managed to get a shot off, grazing Guilliame's face and injuring a man sat at the booth behind him. Another bar patron helped to pin the attacker, pulling his gun away, but then Blanchefleur, another of his attendants, stepped forwards and slashed the man's throat.
Lohengrin groaned from the floor, his arm broken by the shot, as sirens sounded in the distance, and the stunned crowd held their breath. Fights were normal in bars like this, but gunfire was unheard of. Guilliame, his face bleeding, straightened and, to everyone's surprise, grinned.
"Barkeep! A round on me! Let it not be said Guilliame of Tanelorn bought bad fortune to any tavern!"
The crowd cheered, and the next day news of an assassination attempt against Guilliame of Tanelorn hit all the major news outlets.

[McNernia]

From the Desk of His Royal Majesty Emilion IV King of Mcnernia

From:HM Emilion IV
To:X
Cc:
Sec:MOST SECRET
Sub:Who Are You

Greetings
Who are you, know that I support you, or I would if I knew who you were. Give my condolences to the Princess.

Signed
-HM Emilion IV

[Yngen]

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TO: HIS MAJESTY, EMILION IV

If you want to find out more, come to the most westerly Starbucks on Katsumoto Avenue a day from now. If you cannot come yourself, send someone you trust.

[McNernia]

Code: Select all

To who this May concern
SEC:MOST SECRET

I will send via unmarked Airplane my private secretary for Foreign Affairs Andrew Percival.

The Mcnernian Royal Air Force transport was a small A319 marked like a average business plane. On board was the Private Secretary who was made reference to in a previous message touched down on the tarmac. A man on a business trip. The Consulate-Generals office in the capitols MD-6 officers through a shell firm had arranged a fine hotel for him to stay at and hired a car. MD-6 assets would already be present, the agents would be watching the relevant cafe.

The Foreign Secretary traveled alone. Meeting the hired driver and telling no one of the real business. To anyone watching the man he was an executive. The man was here to do a deal. He got out of a taxi at the hotel. He was not as well known. MD-6 was tailing him to this meeting place with armed agents present.

He sat down at the table not looking at the man across from him. "I here His Imperial Majesty is ill."

[Yngen]

Jarl Cenwulf Rittmeister of Vayrholt, uncle of Guilliame de Tanelorn by way of his elder sister, smiled, his yellow spade-shaped beard brushing the top of his shirt.
"You understand right. Unfortunately, the Emperor is dying, and soon his young daughter Takara will ascend to the throne. His young, naive, warlike daughter, who will seek advice and guidance from people like High Lord LeClerc, and who will not treat the people of Anjou and Vayrholt with the same respect that her father did."

[New Chilokver]

Code: Select all

TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN

The Emperor of Yngen is dying. He will not last the week. This information I give to you freely.
Yours,
X

Code: Select all

TO: X

And how do we know this information is reliable? Highly suspect messages from an anonymous sender are not going to be believed by any but a fool, and that we are not. Show us proof of this, or we shall view it with all the contempt it deserves and advise others to do the same.

The Council of Three

[McNernia]

The Private Secretary nodded considering the situation. Various persons would be swirling around a young Sovereign. They could influence the Sovereign. The Secretary looked at the man. His dark eyes and whiskery face in contrast with the beard of the other man. "Well I suppose I need a history Lesson. His Majesty supports the Princess...what is the schism exactly and what are your interests in this whole matter exactly?"

[Yngen]

A microexpression of irritation passed across Rittmeister's face, but it was so controlled that only an expert could have noticed.
"Well, the issue is that the Empire is actually composed of three kingdoms; Notoya, Vayrholt, and Anjou. The Imperial family of Kuribayashi is the ruling house of Notoya, which in centuries past accepted Anjou and Vayrholt as vassal states. Now, with the strong Emperor Tadimichi dying and the democratic Senate rising to power, the Anjouvin and Vayrholtian population are starting to ask why they should accept another Notoyan. Tradition and martial prowess are no longer the most important traits we look for in a leader, and so if the head of state is to be ceremonial, why should one segment of the population be represented more so than the other two?"
He handed over a photo of a young man.
"This is Guilliame of Tanelorn. He is the eldest son of Sir Roland of Tanelorn, and thus the heir to the ancient royal House of Anjou. Now here's the kicker. Roland's wife is Ingulfrid of Alvsbörg, the last living heir of Jarl Geirmund of Alvsbörg, and thus she is the heir to the Stone Throne of Vayrholt. Do you understand what this means?"

[McNernia]

The Secretary nodded a bit looking at the sitiuation. The whole business was something that was familar to him. "There is an unspoken sort of thing that is plauging my own country. Her Majesty Alexandra I abdicated handing the throne to her brother who became Emilion IV the current King. But she did not renounce the claim for her son George Christian. The family of Her Majesties late consort is pressing for the acesension of the boy, but back to this." He considered carefully before he spoke. "Rebellion seems to be on the horizon and in the cards no?"

[Yngen]

Rittmeister let out an expansive sigh, as though reluctant to admit the situation.
"Unfortunately, yes. The young princess is militarily experienced, intelligent, and brave, but she is also a true-blooded member of the House of Kuribayashi and is haughty and imperious. She might well be heavy-handed in her response to this threat, and players of all factions could use the tensions that would create to further their own ends. Communists who want to demolish the current system, radicalists who want to increase their personal power and win favour with the royal houses of either side, nationalists who want to cleanse their homelands....the list goes on, and we are lucky that so far no foreign power has overtly intervened."
He glanced around, though he knew they were secure.
"There are rumours, though, that sinister influences have already pervaded our country....Soviet agents, dissident activists, you name it."

[The Derpy Dominion]

The Dominion Capital of Everstorm, Castle Draemare, Within Madame Fuhrer Derpy Hooves' Chambers:
*Tis nightfall over the Dominion, and Madame Fuhrer, Derpy Hooves stands at her rooms balcony, overlooking her great capital city, Everstorm. She takes frequent looks at her holo-wrist computer to check for any national or international happenings when suddenly a message from the Dominion ministry of foreign affairs contacts the Madame Fuhrer with a message from a previously unknown nation. Madame Derpy, authenticates for the letter from the nation to be sent and in a small fraction of time the telegram appears on her holo-wrist computer, it appears to be a telegram from the nation Yngen. Within the telegram is the following message.*

TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN

The Emperor of Yngen is dying. He will not last the week. This information I give to you freely.
Yours,
X

*She stands there, looking over the message a couple of times, running a quick diagnostic scan to see if there are any viruses within it, none can be found. Now the Madame Fuhrer is left puzzled, thinking to herself 'Why is this information relevant to the Dominion?'. She stands near her balcony, contemplating what is going on within Yngen. She then makes a call for her Foreign intrigue agency to give her the information necessary to make a good judgement call. Soon after she makes the call, an agent sends a virtual information packet about Yngen to her. She skims over it for a while and realized that a civil crises is currently looming over the nation. She then thinks to herself 'This could be a good opportunity to spread my influence to a totally different universe. To spread Dominion Fascism to a nation in dire need of it.' A large smile reaches across her face as she laughs slightly. She then contacts her foreign intrigue agency and orders for a new foreign dignitary to travel to Yngen to establish international relations in the hopes of spreading Dominion fascism and influence. Soon after she sends a message to the government of Yngen with the following.*


To: The Government of Yngen and whoever else it may concern.
From: The Derpy Dominion
Encryption: Moderate, as to prevent terrorists from intercepting.

Greetings, I am Madame Fuhrer and Queen, Derpy Hooves of the Derpy Dominion and I have taken a vast interest as to what is happening to your nation as well as your emperor. While I do feel quite bad about your emperor dieing. I do, however, feel quite optimistic about this civil crisis that your nation is in. The Dominion wishes to extend a warm and helping hand to your nation, so that we may see you out of this issue with a permanent and helpful solution to your nation, once and for all. On behalf of the Dominion, I am willing to send a dignitary to your nation to further help relations between our two nations as well as to help guide your nation on a path of prosperity. If you accept this invitation, I shall dispatch the dignitary to your nation immediately. I am eager to hear your response on the matter, and good health to you, your emperor and your nation. May you make the right choice.

Sincerely,
Madame Fuhrer, Derpy Hooves of The Derpy Dominion

[Yngen]

To: Madame Fuhrer of the Derpy Dominion

---

Dear Madame Fuhrer,

We appreciate your offer of help and message of condolence, but the Imperial Senate considers the matter to be under control and requires no outside assistance.
In addition, we must inform you that the Imperial Senate is a democratic body representing the will of the people of Yngen, and so we cannot in good conscience co-operate with a fascist state such as the Derpy Dominion.

Regards,

High Lord LeClerc
signed on behalf of the Imperial Senate of Yngen

[New Chilokver]

Code: Select all

TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN

The Emperor of Yngen is dying. He will not last the week. This information I give to you freely.
Yours,
X

Code: Select all

TO: X

And how do we know this information is reliable? Highly suspect messages from an anonymous sender are not going to be believed by any but a fool, and that we are not. Show us proof of this, or we shall view it with all the contempt it deserves and advise others to do the same.

The Council of Three

[Yngen]

Code: Select all

TO: X

And how do we know this information is reliable? Highly suspect messages from an anonymous sender are not going to be believed by any but a fool, and that we are not. Show us proof of this, or we shall view it with all the contempt it deserves and advise others to do the same.

The Council of Three

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TO: The Council of Three

Do what you will, you crusty old farts

[New Roman Empire]

Ruling House of Yngen,

We are sympathetic about your situation. The New Roman Empire will stand by your side if any rebellions or revolts appear. Imperialism is a dying breed and we look to provide assistance in any way we can to help you if you so call for it. But I warn you to watch your back, people might try to take advantage of you. With your permission I would like to meet with you to discuss this more in depth.

Sincerely,
Emperor Tiberius

[McNernia]

The Secretary looked at the man. "So well His Majesty made it plain during a privy council meeting and a Statement to the Cabinet and Foreign Affairs comitee of the House of Commons that he supports the Princess in her claim as empress." He paused to fish in his briefcase for the relevant document that was read by the Speaker to the House of Commons.

[align=]Official Statement of the Crown for the House of Commons[/align]

Recognizing that the Empire of Yngen may soon lose its Emperor with the termination of his natural Life on the Temporal World. I His Royal Majesty Emilion the Fourth by the Grace of God and the Will of the People and the Blood in my flesh King of Mcnernia, King of Polaria, King of Arsial, King of New Ildris and Emperor of Idria do hereby.

-Pledge the Support of the influence of the Crown of Mcnernia to the Actions of Her Imperial Highness the Princess Takara

-Offer to a Smooth and Peaceful transition between the Emperor and his daughter all that the Crown may provide.

-Call upon the Government of Mcnernia to authorize such things as Government Authorization may provide such troops and increase credit.

"As you can see His Majesty wants things to be peaceful, the rise of Communism here would bring Mcnernian soldiers."

[Yngen]

Rittmeister read the document over very carefully. His phone began to ring, and he silenced it, then spoke.
"So, in effect...King Emilion and Mcnernia are concerned mainly that the Empire does not fall into communist hands?"

In the background, one of his men answered a call, before tapping him on the shoulder.
"Excuse me sir, but...it's happened."
"What- oh, by old One-Eye...."
Rittmeister gulped.

[Dai-Ruuchuu Shoukuku]

In part for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for the Ministry of Safety, a lawyer sat down at his government desk and logged in. He didn't expect to find much on the Yngen family trees, considering they had only recently modernized, but it was worth a shot, since otherwise he'd have to fly and burn government money on the endeavor. To find the information, he looked up various Yngen news sites to find out the surviving relatives of the current, though ailing, Emperor. Easily enough, the daughter consistently shows up. Though, it appears as though the mother is unknown; this could be a problem for succession. Who is the mother? Why is there no information on her?

Then, there's the matter of the assassination. Why bother attempting to kill the man? The lawyer looked up the target's family history, as well. He discovers that the target, a certain Guilliame. His father has the ability to apparently lay claim to a portion of Yngen, while his mother can lay claim to another, allowing Guilliame to lay claim to both. Someone saw this Guilliame as a threat, given the assassination attempt, despite his utter irrelevance to the ruling family line; he's merely a powerful anji. Perhaps he plans on using his influence to overthrow the ruling family? If the Kuribayashis were smart, they would look up the other family members of Guilliame and play them off of each other, instead of committing to something as crass as an assassination. The lawyer began looking into Guilliame's family to see what's happening there.

[Dai-Ruuchuu Shoukuku]

OOC: For Yngen's benefit: a guy is using his computer to look up Kuribayashi and Guilliame family information.

[Yngen]

OOC: For Yngen's benefit: a guy is using his computer to look up Kuribayashi and Guilliame family information.

OOC - That was entirely unnecessary, and childish, and also grammatically and factually incorrect. Get out of my RP and never come back. I have no wish to roleplay with you. Ever.

[Yngen]

Imperial Palace, Notoya

The crowd outside the chamber were hushed and nervous. Incense filled the evening air, and monks could be heard chanting away in the distance, a low, meditative noise that sounded a little like a dirge.

Inside, the Emperor lay on a bier, dead. Attendants and monks were caring for him even now, as grim-faced Tiger samurai stood guard outside his door as they had always done. Takara, now technically Empress, was holding back her tears in front of a crowd of politicians, aristocrats, and local worthies, who had come to pay their respects. Distant relatives of the Imperial House were present, as was General Avery Johnson, head of the shadowy Imperial intelligence agencies.

Pushing his way to the front of the crowd, Guilliame de Tanelorn looked subdued and respectful in a quartered jupon that showed both the golden lion of Anjou and the white stag of Vayrholt, on scarlet red and navy blue respectively. A scar underneath his left eye showed where he had survived the attempt on his life.
"Your Highness, I am sorry to hear of your loss. Emperor Tadimichi was a great man, and the whole Empire has benefited from his wise and progressive leadership-"
Takara turned a cold glare upon him, and a samurai stepped forwards, a silent reminder that officially, no-one should address a member of the House without express permission.
Guilliame gave a shallow bow and backed away, almost walking into another figure. Turning to apologise, he saw a smiling face very similar to Takara's, with dyed white hair. She was smiling, and he bowed his head to her.
"My name is Atsuko," she said by way of response. He straightened and smiled.
"A pleasure, madame. I am Guilliame of Tanelorn."
"I know," she replied, "and I have watched your activities with great interest."
He paused for a moment, then smiled again, his expression a little warier than before.
"Oh? I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Atsuko..?"
She nodded.
"I do indeed. I am Atsuko Hanso, and my mother is Yumi Kuribayashi, older sister of the late Emperor Tadimichi."
She let that sink in, and then smiled as the young man drew her aside for a deeper conversation....

[Bohemia Minor]

The Premier has sent a packet of popcorn.