The Brotherhood of the Crowns (Monarchist Alliance, Open IC)

[Kameiras]

OOC: I do not know if this is permitted, but I suppose I'll give it a shot.

Interior Ministry of the Federation of Kameiras

Rëdréo Kraita soán Kámeir Féderatëan

Addressed To: Prince Regent, Alexandre-Napoleon de Bernadotte
From: Minister of the Interior, Hadrian Andreas von Dënesa

His Excellency, President Alsar-Alésia Baillë, has expressed his interest in attending the summit. He does have worries, however, because he is not the crowned head of state of Kameiras. He is, rather, an elected official that serves a life-long term in office; he believes, for all intents and purposes, that though he was not crowned 'President', he serves the same purpose as a monarch--that is, a symbol of the unity of the people. The sole and unchallenged leader of a nation under the restraints of the law.

He has also asked that it be included that he is the monarchic ruler of several territories of the Federation, as well as several regions within the Federation itself. He has been crowned Prince of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera; he has been crowned the Duke of Alekaly and Umes; His Excellency has also received by merit of birth order the title of Patriarch of the Baillë Princely family, as well.

His most prestigious title is still, of course, that as the elected President of the Kameiran Federation. His Excellency fully expects to serve as President for the next fifty years, barring acts of Avá (God), assassination or untimely death.

His Excellency extends gracious thanks to His Majesty, Alexandre-Napoleon de Bernadotte, and awaits a response.

Mian Avá tu kuma,

Hadrian [Andreas] von Dënesa

Minister of the Interior

Official Government Release,
1 August 2009 e.i.

ISSUED WITH THE FULL AUTHORITY OF HIS EXCELLENCY, ALSAR-ALÉSIA BAILLË;
President of the Federation of Kameiras,
Prince of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera,
Duke of Alekaly and Umes,
Patriarch of the House of Baillë

OOC Two: As you can see, the political system of the Kameiras is complex and convoluted. Alsar is both an elected official and a crowned sovereign. I don't know if that is permitted in this setting, but I suppose I shall soon see.

[Reichskamphen]

OOC: A stretch, but sounds fine. Perhaps we can convince him him to declare Monarchy!

IC:

To: LSAR-ALÉSIA BAILLË; President of the Federation of Kameiras, Prince of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera, Duke of Alekaly and Umes, Patriarch of the House of Baillë
From: His Imperial Highness, Alexandre-Napoleon de Bernadotte, Prince Regent of Greater Prussia

Your Highness,

While normally protocol would dictate that the parties of most nations in attendance be handled by the Grand Chamberlain, except of course those with which the Greater Prussian Empire has had previous dealings or which His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon has specifically named, I have nevertheless taken an interest in your nation. After a study of the political situation of Kameiras, I have opted to take care of Your Highness's arrangements myself. Your chambers shall be found on the 53rd Floor of the Hotel Metropol in New Geneva. I will also endeavour to secure for Your Highness a private audience with His Majesty, the Emperor Napoleon, should you so desire it.

In His Service,

A.N. de Bernadotte

Prince Regent of Greater Prussia

[Kameiras]

OOC: Declare a monarchy? Haha, that might not be too bad a stretch of the imagination, seeing as how the Kameiran 'President' already holds many noble and princely titles.

IC:

Interior Ministry of the Federation of Kameiras

Rëdréo Kraita soán Kámeir Féderatëan

Addressed To: His Imperial Highness, Alexandre-Napoleon de Bernadotte, Prince Regent of Greater Prussia
From: Minister of the Interior, Hadrian Andreas von Dënesa

Your Highness,

His Excellency is pleased that Your Highness has taken such a keen interest in our humble nation; Kameiras is a nation with a long history of political fracture and factionalism. The current system of governing is one of extreme and tenuous compromise between the competing interests of the lands within the Federation. Our democratic government is an institution of necessity and acts more as a barrier against full-scale warfare between states, rather than as an actual body of national governance. This goal of peace throughout Kameiran lands was once achieved solely through the might of armies commanded by Majesties past--monarchy today, however, is not a fortuitous ideal and is, in fact, a hazard to ones health and well-being. The people of Kameiras--as funny as it sounds, it is not actually humorous in the least--liken themselves to the Edärians (^{Edäria is the central region of Kameir}) in the style and ferocity with which they have opposed autocratic rule since the deposing, imprisonment, and execution of His Majesty, King Charlés van Pável IV*. In this long stream of words meant to shed a little light on the political climate of Kameiras, I do hope I have made it clear how very strained a position His Excellency is in--seeing as how Your Highness has taken a personal interest in the political matters of the Federation.

His Excellency's would also like to extend his gratitude for such personal care-taking on the part of Your Highness, and that his accommodations have been noted for future reference and with much approval.

Also, in response to the delightful developments, His Excellency has graciously accepted the proposed invitation for a private audience with His Majesty, the Emperor Napoleon.

Mian Avá tu kuma,

Hadrian [Andreas] von Dënesa

Minister of the Interior

Official Government Release,
1 August 2009 e.i.

ISSUED WITH THE FULL AUTHORITY OF HIS EXCELLENCY, ALSAR-ALÉSIA BAILLË;
President of the Federation of Kameiras,
Prince of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera,
Duke of Alekaly and Umes,
Patriarch of the House of Baillë

ATTACHED NOTE: A Brief History Lesson

* His Majesty, King Charlés van Pável IV, also know as Bloody Charlés (we apologize for the horrific cliché), was deposed for a life marked by murderous acts of tyranny against his supposed enemies within his own lands. Upon coronation he was a loved king, but, as is seen throughout history, paranoia turns even the most loved of monarchs into personifications of everything that is evil and bad in the world.

According to estimates made in the early 1950's through research and evaluation of many historical documents, the death toll of His Majesty's reign crosses the threshold of one-million innocent (or otherwise) subjects.

The reason His Majesty's name has not been erased from common knowledge is the fact that he was the last reigning King of Kameir (Kameir is the dominant region of the Federation of Kameiras) before the unification treaty that brought Kameir, Asetia, and Saras into the Federation** that currently exists headed by a President in name, but a King in fact.

** It should also be noted as a point of clarification that Kameir, Asetia and Saras were not three sovereign nations, rather the Kings of Kameir ruled as Princes of Asetia and Saras as well. The three 'nations' were lawfully bounded together so long as a King sat on the throne of Kameir; once the sovereign of Kameir was deposed and executed, the three nations were de facto and de jure independent of one another, the Acts of Union were crafted as legal documents signifying the transition of the source of unity from the heart of the Kameiran kings to that of the elected President. Also in accordance with the Acts of Union, in an attempt to create prestige for the newly created office of President of the Federation, the lands of Asetia and Saras ceded lands to later be organized as the Principalities of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera; as well as the Duchies of Alekaly and Umes.

*** It might also be of noted interest that the House of Baillë has ruled the lands of Asetia and Saras for centuries and upon the unification of Kameir, Asetia and Saras into a single nation, the House of Baillë were granted the noble titles tied to the newly formed Principalities and Duchies. The House of Baillë has also seen six of its sons be elected President of the Federation; them being:

Erik Ismaë Baillë, President of the Federation, Prince of Sorvaja and Népera
David Avrämey Baillë, President of the Federation, Prince of Zaën and Népera; Duke of Umes, and Patriarch of the House of Baillë
Azrael Abolineron Baillë, President of the Federation
Petra Terásia Baillë, President of the Federation; Prince of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera; Duke of Alekaly and Umes, and Patriarch of the House of Baillë
Emia Dámari Ismaë Baillë, President of the Federation and Prince of Sorvaja
[CURRENT] Alsar-Alésia Baillë, President of the Federation; Prince of Sorvaja, Zaën and Népera; Duke of Alekaly and Umes, and Patriarch of the House of Baillë

OOC Two: Let me know if all this political history and such gets confusing. Basically, the House of Baillë is a royal family in disguise. Of the nine Kameiran Presidents, six have been Baillë's... the other three had little effect and are mere footnotes in history. Also, as I clearly demonstrated, they have dominated all or most of the lands outside of the Federation (the Principalities and Duchies) for generations.

[Vinyaangmar]

The Regent’s airliner was one of the largest type used in the country. Because of the massive urban sprawl that dominated Vinyaangmar, a number of civilian airliners were designed to land at sea, that could then be put into harbours, rather than sparing space for runways. The Regent’s personal craft was a A-493, a tri-hulled craft, capable of carrying, in its standard commercial role, over one and half thousand people. The Regent’s personal craft, however, was partly reserved for his own quarters offshore and carried merely just over five hundred people, most of those part of his security contingent.

Boarding from the port side of the airliner, one would come through a partial dual deck fuselage, or the main, three deck fuselage. The port fuselage was almost entirely devoted to holding an entire company of the Regent’s Personal Protectors regiment, the only soldiers whose cap-badges starkly echoed the national flag, with golden wolves rampant on crimson berets.

Passing through the aircraft, the Regent stopped at an overlooking control and observation room looking down on the central area, a three-floor hangar area, for four sleek black helicopters, blades folded up, supervised by soldiers of the same unit, who saluted as he passed through into the starboard area.

“All access ports secured, casting off,” the aircraft’s pilot said over the address system, and the deck moved slightly underneath the Regent’s feet as a heavy hatch was opened into the wing transfer corridor. The starboard side was all but reserved for the Regent, and his dogs and advisors trotted after him into it, some of the latter disappearing into rooms further back. As he walked up the central aisle of sitting areas and holds, guards snapping to attention, some twitched slightly as the trio of Castellans with him swept by. These Castellans were greatly feared, and in close quarters, felt deeply wrong. No one outside the inner circle knew quite what they were, and wise people did not inquire.

The Regent climbed a short flight of steps, to where, if the fuselage had been an independent aircraft, its control deck would have been. Instead, an elaborate throne, sleek in polished steel with crimson velvet lining. He turned, white robes of state twirling, pulling his ferraiuolo from his arms a little, laying them on the sleek, cool arms of the throne, resting his feet on a footrest, pressing a button set into it, rotating it around to view from the observation windows before him. A sleek row of seats set into the sides of the smallish room, carved from wood – a relative luxury in a land as bare of trees as his – accommodated those of his staff who would be providing vital communications with home for the duration, and interpret his orders into useful format, as well as, more importantly, provide information on the people he would be dealing with.

Outside, the clear sky showed starkly blue against the harbors of the island state, sliding off to the left as the plane turned. Shortly after, its engines started up, a powerful noise, even shielded. A trio of dogs – actually wolves, of a disturbing size and intelligence, lounged at the Regent’s feet as the plane began to take off, scrabbling for purchase on the thick carpet as the whole room inclined, and managing quite well.

OOC: I shan’t be able to post for quite some time next week, so this flight will take time. But I thought someone ought to post actually going to this conference, not just sending letters.

[Reichskamphen]

OOC: Time to get started. You can choose to RP you arrivals if you'd like, or simply RP having been there.

IC: Imperial Palace: New Geneva, Reichskamphen

"This is simply unacceptable." The Prince Regent sighed to himself, placing the paper upon the bureau before him.

"What is?" a surprisingly deep voice came from behind him.

Alxandre-Napoleon turned about to see a familiar face, though somehow changed. The boy, only thirteen years old by any normal measure of time, stood before him with the appearance of an adolescent nearly 18 years of age. "Majesty," he replied to the Emperor, "only a handful of Sovereigns will be personally in attendance, mostly regents and ministers attending in their place."

"You demean your own position?"

"No, Majesty. It would just be a much more productive affair if more actual Monarchs were in attendance."

"Indeed." The boy Emperor rose from his seat by the grand marble fireplace. "Do you think more may attend?"

"Possibly."

Napoleon V had only been reigning for the better part of three months. After the foreign Emperor, Andreus of Pantocratoria, was deposed, he had been installed in the Imperial Palace and acclaimed as Sovereign by all governing bodies. This man, though, was no ordinary human. He was created in the high tech medical facilities of Derscon from the DNA of Napoleon the First of France, Napoleon IV of Greater Prussia, and Viktor I of Greater Prussia. While some conservative critics decried his person as an abomination before God, he saw his creation as being the will of God. His motto, accordingly, was: "Greatness Finds its own way into the World". Additionally, he was endowed with the Dersconi predisposition to psionic powers, though he did not tend to use them. From the day he learned to speak until the day he was installed in New Geneva he was trained by the Tsar of Derscon, a more than mortal Monarch, to be the perfect Emperor and ruler. His intelligence, aptitude, and training were such that while he legally required a Regent, the Emperor was the true force behind the policy of the state while the Regent acted as his mentor.

"Shall we prepare for the reception?" Napoleon placed the book he held in the chair and made his way towards his chambers where his Equerries took to dressing him for the ceremony.

-----

The Grand hall of the Imperial Palace stood nearly twenty stories high. Its great vaulted ceiling was supported by immense Corinthian columns and decorated with intricate frescos depecting the history of Greater Prussia from the days of the Roman Empire until Napoleon IV. The walls were made of large slabs of red porphery (a stone somewhat like marble) and dark green marble. Upon these walls hung hundreds of battle standards, some pierced and shredded with bullet holes. Mostly these were flags captured from enemy armies throughout the centuries by the various ruling houses of Reichskamphen and Greater Prussia. Below the standards hung large portraits of every Monarch to have ruled Reichskamphen or the Empire. Hundreds of soldiers of His Majesty's Imperial Guard stood in broad columns to either side of a long carpet, purple with the Merovingian bees, which stretched the vast length of the hallway from the entrance to the throne, nearly three football fields in length. The soldiers wore the 1808 regulation uniforms of Napoleon I's Imperial Guard and bore highly polished Charleville muskets, bayonets attached.

Behind the wall of soldiers stood throngs of thousands of notable personages from the Empire, who while quite wealthy and prestigious in their own right, were not well placed enough to receive seats. Suddenly, a chorus of trumpets sounded a rousing fanfare from a loft high up in the ceiling. All eyes were directed to the entrance, where the 100 foot tall brass doors swung open in a slow and stately manner. A single man stepped forward from the other side of the door, dressed in formal court dress and sporting a powdered wig. He banged his golden staff on the stone floor thrice and shouted, "Your Highnesses and Your Majesties, Ladies and Gentleman...His Imperial Highness, Napoleon the Fifth Emperor of Greater Prussia and King of Reichskamphen!"

In a much larger and more visible loft high on the left hand side of the room, the New Geneva Imperial Symphony played the processional, George Friederich Handel's "Zadock the Priest" from his coronation suite. Napoleon had intentionally avoided the playing of the national anthem of the Empire so as not to bring a nationalist or partisan tinge to this reception which was intended to surpass national loyalties. The boy processed down the aisle on the purple carpet, wearing on his head the golden crown of laurels, and a scarlet cloak with ermine. Behind him processed the Prince Regent, The Arch Chancellor of the Empire, and the Grand Elector of the Empire. He ascended a towering staircase to a platform where sat the very throne of Charlemagne himself, which had been taken from its normal resting place nearly a century earlier. Behind this marble platform stood a nearly 100 foot high statue of Venus Genatrix who held in her hands a golden crown of laurels which was suspended high above the throne. With great cermony, the boy sat upon the throne. He reflected absolute Imperial serenity as he stared like a statue out over the crowds assembled. His piercing eyes then looked down his aquiline nose as the Prince Regent and the other Grand Dignitaries took their places beside the throne.

Afterwards, the other nobles of the Empire, a deputation of the Imperial Senate, and the Council of state followed down the aisle and took their seats on the chairs which were placed on the floor before the throne. Afterwards, the Senate began to play the Hymn "God of Our Fathers" while the foreign dignitaries processed in and took their seats. When all had processed in, the Emperor dispassionately raised his left palm and the Symphony concluded.

OOC: More later.

[Derscon]

Chancellor's Apartment, Imperial Palace

The young chamberlain watched as a blur shot by him, destroying one of the floating targets. Laser bolts and bullets liberally assaulted the blur, but it moved quite fast enough to not even be distinguishable by human vision, and destroyed both other targets in quick succession. The chamberlain quietly approached as the sweating Tarakh looked up, leaning on his Kavashar sword. "Yeah?" Used to it by now, the young Reichskamphen aide addressed the Arch Chancellor normally.

"Your Majesty, it is almost time for the ceremony. You asked me to info-"

"Oh, right, right. Thank you. Come get me when it's ready to go."

"Of course, Your Majesty." The Chamberlain left as Tarakh wiped the sweat from his forehead. I need a shower.

*********

Tarakh dressed for the occasion. The Reichskampheneren were always stuck in the past with their court dress, while the Dersconi court style had been deemed "Practically Grandiose." His base attire was more of a military-esque uniform resembling something akin to the Nazis turning into a crowned empire, as opposed to a fascist dictatorship. It looked something akin to a mix of a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and a general in the Einsatzgruppen. He adjusted the waist cape appropriately, and his aides attached the full cape to his epaulets so the red, black, and gold outfit reflected the power and strength of the Amaranthine Imperium appropriately. He pulled his jet black hair back into a ponytail and slipped on his boots and gloves as the chamberlain led him to the assembly for the processional.


*********

The Crown Prince of Derscon and the Arch Chancellor of the Prussian Empire tuned out the background noise, letting everything fly by him as he focused on nothing in particular. Well, the boy. Napoleon V was basically a brother to Tarakh. The two shared (albeit not very much) some DNA, but more importantly, they were raised by the same man, and mostly in the same manner. He could see it in the way the young Napoleon carried himself. IT didn't matter how young he really was; he was as intelligent and capable as anyone else in the room, if not moreso. And he knew it. He's not too bad with a sword, either, Tarakh mused.

The Prince didn't pay attention to the architecture. It was the same old stuff he's always seen. RKers are too past-oriented for my tastes, he thought. Not that the Dersconi didn't take from the past, of course, but it was for augmentation, not core construction. Oh well. Still looks nice.

He sat in his appropriate seat, looking over the delegation for the first time. Granted, he read the dossiers, but that never really substituted for a face-to-face meeting. He looked forward to a hopefully interesting meeting, although he was under orders not to sign anything unless officially approved by the Chancellery. Derscon had gotten itself into too many entangling and conflicting alliances. IT was time to pull back.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

To: The Office of Napoleon V, Emperor of Greater Prussia, King of Reichskamphen
From: The Office of the Foreign Secretary of the Illustrious Empire of Itinerate Tree Dweller and the Commonwealth Territories.

His Imperial Highness Imperator Regulus Serius Sirius Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribuniciae Potestatis XLIV, Consul XLIV, Imperator XLIV, Pater Patriae, Proconsul, Imperator of the Commonwealth Territories and King of Jerusalem, welcomes your invitation to join in this Brotherhood of Crowns. Unfortunately, matters of state require the attention of my sovereign, so he cannot attend this meeting in person. However, he is able to send his most trusted advisor Sir Nathan William Irons. Sir Irons is trusted with authority to negotiate on behalf of the throne.

Thank you,

Foreign Secretary Jeffery Kandel,
Empire of Itinerate Tree Dweller

[Reichskamphen]

When the music had ceased, the Emperor lowered his outstretched palm, and turned his head towards the Prince Regent who stood at his right hand side. After a stately nod from Napoleon, the Prince Regent arose from his seat next to the throne of Charlemagne. He was an older man, nearly seventy odd years of age. Slightly stooped, he wore a powdered wig, and a white embroidered great coat. The signs of a long and stressful life were displayed clearly in the caverns and marks on his aged face.

He was born during the reign of the first modern Greater Prussian Emperor, Viktor Leipzig I. He saw the reign of several more Emperors until the Empire reached its zenith under Napoleon IV and declined into total anarchy after his death. He saw the rise of the quasi-Stalinist republic that murdered in cold blood nearly every family member he’d ever had and plunged the country into three decades of ruin. He had only survived by keeping his head low, and keeping to his houses in the countryside. Since the whole of the nobility had been nearly wiped out, when the Monarchy was to be restored, he was the only one of sufficient pedigree to stand for the throne.

But, political forces beyond his control forced him to abdicate in favor of a Foreign pretender before he had reigned even for a week as Emperor Alexandre-Napoleon. He served as First Minister under the Pantocratorian Emperor Andreus, and now finally as Prince Regent for the Emperor Napoleon whose genetic credentials were far superior to his own. Yet, this man, mastered and beaten in all things, forever the subject never the master, bore his burden with quiet dignity. When he signed letters as Regent “In His Service…”, me meant it. This boy, he knew, was the most important thing he would ever come in contact with in this world, and his sacred charge was certainly the highest calling to which he could attain.

He stood at the front of the large platform and looked up as a monolithic marble podium, more of a pulpit really, descended from the ceiling seemingly held up by nothing at all. He had no idea the Dersconis did these things, but as the boy was practically half Dersconi spectacles like this were to be expected.
When it had finally settled into place, the Prince Regent approached it and began to speak. “Your Majesties, Your Hignesses, Ladies and Gentelemn, the Greater Prussian Empire is honored by your presence.” He cleared his throat a bit and took a drink of water from a glass which he found already in the podium. “The topic which we must address over this short weekend is one of dire importance to us all: The future of the Monarchy. Amid attacks and desecrations from within and without, how can this house yet stand? Moreover, how can we build for it firmer foundations for the next generation to take up? What is the proper role of a Monarch in modern society? Is there still a place for dynastic legitimism?

Once we have found concensus on these questions and others, we must come to the even more important agreement of what to do about it. We require a positive and productive means to our end, and this without partisan bickering and resorting to old formulas of international diplomacy and conflict.
Think of this as a summit between nations than as a family meeting. The agreements we make are the agreements of a family, and just as families sometimes quarrel, there may be those here who have previously taken umbrage with the actions of the Greater Prussian Empire or another of the attending nations. This is not the time to harp on ancient disputes, but to bury the hatchet and create something constructive. We brother monarchs are family by our like obligations and responsibilities. Should we not have a responsibility to one another to protect and safeguard the institutions we hold dear, to help a brother when usurpers and brigands threaten his throne? Further, is it not in the best interests of all concerned to see an educated political class rule again, a people trained since birth to occupy their roles rather than amateurs who hold the spotlight for a day and vanish when their terms end?

While not every form of government is ideal for all people, places, and times, I posit, and this is open for discussion, that it would be an act of great good to assist in the establishment of properly constituted and freedom respecting Monarchies in those nations which currently do not possess them but would be well suited to them.

I look forward to a lively discussion on all of these topics in the sessions to follow. After this reception has ended, foreign dignitaries and Prussian Princes will adjourn to the dining hall for a light lunch and refreshments with the first session immediately following that in the Orangerie.
And now, I present, to close the ceremony with a few words and his benediction, His Imperial Highness, Emperor Napoleon V.”

He turned and clapped as the Emperor, appearing as nothing more than an 18 year old boy even though his actual age was much less, stood and approached the podium. His eagle eyes scanned over the throngs of people before him, the standards waving in the breeze. He looked at the statue of Venus Genatrix behind him and thought suddenly how ridiculously old fashioned all of this was.

“Grace and Peace to you all.” He finally began in a round and resonant voice. “I am greatly pleased by your presence, and I thought it fit that I only say a few words in favour of a modern Monarchy over Republics as such. While I would like to think that my aptitude for composition is above average, I cannot claim to have composed what I am about to say. These words are so so succinct and complete in their expression, that I would have no reason to try to attempt a better version that this, written by Prince Otto von Habsburg. The Prince, as is commonly known, was deprived of his inheritance by the tragedies of 1918 but has nevertheless asserted himself as a moderate and influential statesman. Also a friend of the economist von Mises, he certainly had a firm grounding in sciences other than the political as well.

Now, In favour of monarchism, the following arguments are put forward: Experience shows that kings mostly rule better, not worse, than presidents. There is a practical reason for this. A king is born to his office. He grows up in it. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a ‘professional’, an expert in the field of statecraft. In all walks of life, the fully qualified expert is rated higher than the amateur, however brilliant. For particularly in a difficult, highly technical subject -- and what is more difficult than the modern State? -- knowledge and experience outweigh sheer brilliance.
The danger certainly exists that an incompetent may succeed to the throne. But was not a Hitler chosen as leader? In the classical monarchies of the Middle Ages, it was almost always possible to replace an obviously incapable successor to the throne by a more suitable one. It was only with the decadence of monarchism, in the age of the courtly despotism of Versailles, that this corrective was discarded. Nothing would be more appropriate in a modern monarchy than the institution of a judicial tribunal, which could, if necessary, intervene to change the order of succession to the throne.

Even more important than the king's ‘professional’ qualifications is the fact that he is not tied to any party. He does not owe his position to a body of voters or the support of powerful interests. A president, on the other hand, is always indebted to someone. Elections are expensive and difficult to fight. The power of money and the great mass organizations always makes itself felt. Without their help, it is almost impossible to become the head of State of a republic. Such support is not, however, given for nothing. The head of State remains dependent on those who helped him into the saddle. It follows that the president is mostly not the president of the whole people, but only of those groups that helped him to attain office. In this way, political parties or groups of economic interests can take over the highest command positions of the State, which then no longer belongs to the whole people, but, temporarily or permanently, becomes the privileged domain of one or another group of citizens. The danger exists therefore that a republic will cease to be the guardian of the rights of all its citizens. If even the topmost pinnacle of the State is handed over to political parties, there will be no one to whom the weak can turn for help. A monarchical ruler, on the other hand -- so it is claimed -- is independent, and is there for all citizens equally. His hands are not tied in the face of the powerful, and he can protect the rights of the weak. Particularly in an age of profound economic and social transformations, it is of the highest importance that the head of State should stand above the parties...

And, finally, the Crown contributes to political life that stability without which no great problems can be solved. In a republic, the firm foundation is lacking. Whoever is in power must achieve a positive success in the shortest possible time, otherwise he will not be re-elected. This leads to short-term policies, which will not be able to cope successfully with problems of world-historical scope.

There is one more point we must consider before we can answer the question of which form of government will best serve the community in the future. Generally speaking, democratic republics represent a regime dominated by the legislature, while authoritarian regimes are dominated by the executive. The judicial power has not had the primacy for a long time, as we have shown above. It found its earlier expression in the Christian monarchies. It is frequently forgotten that the true ruler has always been the guardian of law and justice. The most ancient monarchs -- the kings of the Bible -- came from the ranks of the judges. St. Louis of France regarded the administration of justice as his noblest task. The history of the great medieval monarchies shows that the legislative power of the king -- even of a king as powerful as Charles V -- was severely limited by local autonomies. The same is true of the ruler's executive function. He was not, in the first place, a law-giver or head of the executive; he was a judge. All other functions were subordinate, and were only exercised to the extent necessary to make his judicial function effective.

The reason for this institutional arrangement is clear. The judge must interpret the meaning of law and justice, and to do this he must be independent. It is essential that he should not owe his position, his function, to any man. The highest judge, at least, must be in this position. This is only possible under a monarchy. For in a republic, even the highest guardian of the law derives his position from some other source, to which he is responsible and on which he remains dependent to some extent.

This is not a satisfactory state of affairs. His most important task is not to pass judgment in actual legal disputes, but to stand guard over the purpose of the State and natural law. Above all, it is the task of the supreme judge to see that all legislation is in accordance with the State's fundamental principles, that is, with natural law. The monarch's right to veto legislation passed by parliament is a remnant of this ancient function...
The future form of the Monarchy, a form which it is our responsibility to hand down to the next generation, will be something entirely new, something which will represent principles of eternal validity in a form appropriate to the future, without the errors of the past...

The hereditary character of the monarchial function finds its justification not merely in the ‘professional’ upbringing of the heir to the throne. Nor is it merely a question of continuity at the summit of the political hierarchy, though such continuity is highly desirable when it is a question of planning for generations to come. Its deepest justification lies in the fact that the hereditary ruler owes his position not to one or another social group, but to the will of God alone. That is the true meaning of the frequently misunderstood words, ‘by the grace of God’, which always signify a duty and a task. It would be wrong for the ruler by the grace of God to regard himself as an exceptional being. On the contrary, the words, "by the grace of God," should remind him that he does not owe his position to his own merits, but must prove his fitness by ceaseless efforts in the cause of justice.
While there is thus much to be said for a hereditary transmission of the supreme position of the State, there is also one serious drawback, which has already been mentioned. If the succession occurs automatically, there is the possibility that the throne will be occupied by an incompetent. This is the greatest danger of the monarchial system. On the other hand, this danger only dates from the period when the inflexible legitimism of Versailles came into being, and the safeguards present in one form or another in most classical monarchies disappeared. Such safeguards would therefore have to be built into any future monarchical constitution.

The activity of the head of State will undoubtedly go beyond the purely judicial field. He will have to control the executive, since it is his duty to see that the decisions of the judicial power are carried out in practice. Nevertheless, all these tasks will remain of secondary importance. It is in his judicial function that a modern monarch will find his primary justification.”

The Emperor shuffled his papers aside and stood back as the podium ascended skyward again. He then made the sign of the cross in the air, saying “May this convocation of Brother monarchs be greatly blessed and favored by you, O Lord, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”

[Reichskamphen]

To: His Emminence, Foreign Secretary Jeffery Kandel
From: Sir Adrian Koulis, Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace

Dear Sir,

The Emperor Napoleon sends his warmest fraternal greetings to His Majesty, the Emperor Regulus Serius Sirius. I have been commanded to prepare your chambers on the penthouse floor of the Hotel Vendome in New Geneva. Please advise my office whether or not this shall meet your requirements.

We look forward to your attendance.

Grace and Peace,

Sir Adrian Koulis

Grand Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace, Commandeur de la Legion de Valeur

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

The flight had been shorter than he expected, though he had spent much of his time reading over the instructions provided to him.

“I might be the only person without a throne to be attending this conference.” Nathan said out loud. When in private he tended to vocalize his thoughts, thinking maybe the sound of his own voice could help him think clearer. “Though… most of these people were born into their status. I attained my position through merit, which says a lot.”

The automated navigation computer broke the one man conversation with a sudden, yet pleasant voice. “We will be arriving at our final destination in ten minutes. Have a wonderful evening.”

In the cockpit the pilot prepared his landing procedure and spoke into his radio headset. “This is ITD Diplomatic Flight 5134, requesting permission to land.”

Nathan, meanwhile, was gathering his things, his travel laptop, cell phone, briefcase and ceremonial gifts of fifty-gram gold ingots, stamped with the imperial seal.

[Reichskamphen]

OOC: For everyone's purpose, you can just assume that after your arrival, you managed to get to the ceremony in time to observe the above RPed events.

IC:

"Permission Granted, ITD Diplomatic Flight 5134. Please use runway 24."

When the flight landed and the stairs for the plane had been rolled to the door, the Foreign Minister was met with white, 1943 Rolls Royce limousine with Greater Prussian pennants in the front. A man in a black, pinstripe suit stepped out of the car and saluted the Foreign Dignitary. "Greetings, in the name of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon." He extended his hand "I am Richard DuChamp, His Majesty's secretary of state. We must hurry to the Imperial Palace before the events of the day begin."

Once the limousine had passed through the decidedly modern business quarter of New Geneva where could be found the airport, the two men soon found themselves facing the colossus of the Government district. The enormity of nearly every building there from the Palais de Justice, to the Senatorial Palace, to the Headquarters of the Imperial Guard were vast enough to make a Roman Emperor cry with envy. Ironically enough, the architectural style of these buildings was that fusion of ornate baroque and neoclassical which was popular at the turn of the 19th century, called Empire. Far from being an ancient city, though, New Geneva was, until only 50 years ago a small rural hamlet in an insignificant province. Emperor Napoleon IV had a vision for a new capital, hewn from the earth and rock by the sheer will of the Crown and the people, erected as a temple to the national might, piety, and dedication to tradition. Over a period of five years, this colossus that now bestrode the government of the Empire was built up from nothing but dust. Within a few moments, they reached the gates of the Imperial Palace which were quite heavily guarded this day by detachments from the Sola Scriptura division of the Imperial Guard. After they had gained entrance, they drove, for what seemed like a quarter hour through the forested road that ran to the Palace passing here organized French gardens, and now meandering English style ones all hemmed in by huge stands of hardwood trees.

Finally, the reached the monolithic Imperial Palace, whose sprawling grounds covered nearly five times those which Versailles covered at its height and whose buildings were also nearly three times as large as that fabled palace. Of all the constructions in New Geneva, this had been the one most frowned upon by the media and elites, but it has nevertheless survived until now. Although it did bear the signs of two invasions (some bullet marks and broken statuary), these damages had been left as they were to remind all future inhabitants how tenuous was the dreamworld which could sometimes take hold in these Ivory towers...

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Nathan Irons observed the local architecture with interest, he was always interested with intricate stone work; his father was a professional stone mason. The observable signs of conflict interested him. As he was from Rome, he was familiar with the signs of war; Rome had suffered countless invasions and civil wars during its time, though not recently. Nathan appreciated that the bullet holes, breaks and cracks were left intact, there was real history here, and nothing was white washed.

Upon reaching the palace, he exited the car and was escorted to his room, which he found superior to some of the amenities he had experienced at other foreign conferences. He had been escorted to his room by his small security detail and a local luggage porter. He had left the Foreign Secretary at the entrance so that he may greet other guests.

"This will do nicely. Yes, nicely." Nathan said as he pulled out a fifty credit bill and offered it to the porter. "For your services. Please inform your employers that as soon as I have things settled here, I will find my way back to the lobby and continue to the conference from there."

The porter politely nodded, smiled and left the entrance of the door and disappeared down the hallway.

Roughly ten minutes later, after preparing himself, Nathan ventured back to the palace lobby, found the Foreign Secretary busily greeting other guests. Nathan approached him.

"Your sovereign's palace is impressive. I do hope that I am not too late for the beginning of the conference."

[Edvardus]

Prince Joseph takes his seat as the summit is about to begin. Premier Romero and Speaker Vargas each sit on either side of His Imperial Highness. Prince Joseph had slept through most of the 12-hour flight and glances at the Premier and Speaker, whom his father sent to accompany him. Both had looked over the documents during the flight and did not appear to have slept as much while Prince Joseph glanced at the documents during the car ride from the airport. In retrospect, the Prince wishes he had spent more time during the car ride looking at the scenery of Greater Prussia.

As the Prince Regent recalls the history that Emperor Napoleon had lived through, Prince Joseph could not help but think of his own life in Edvardus. He was born after the civil war and has seen his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and another party member on the throne. During that time, the Prince has witnessed the Empire democratise and the appearance of an opposition party. The question the Prince Regent poses are very timely to Edvardus especially in light of the reign of the late Emperor James. The Edwardian monarchy is indeed facing a crisis, but the people seem to have begun to reinstate their confidence in the monarchy since his father, Emperor Damian, acceded the throne last year.

At the mention of assisting other nations in establishing monarchies, Premier Romero glances away from the speaking Prince Regent to look around the crowd. Having sat through many debates in the National Assembly with the Premier, Prince Joseph knows that, as neutral as the Premier must be, he disagrees with the Prince Regent's comment.

At the conclusion of the Prince Regent's comments, the audience applauds as Emperor Napoleon stands to address them. Prince Joseph sees that the Emperor is quite young, at least 10 years younger than his own son.

"...political parties or groups of economic interests can take over the highest command positions of the State, which then no longer belongs to the whole people, but, temporarily or permanently, becomes the privileged domain of one or another group of citizens." Speaker Vargas and Premier Romero glance at each other when the Emperor says this, appearing to be visibly disturbed at this comment as a snub at the system in place in Edvardus. Premier Romero thinks that the Emperor clearly has no exposure to the fact that the party system in Edvardus still allows the Emperor of Edvardus to be an advocate for all Edwardians.

"Whoever is in power must achieve a positive success in the shortest possible time, otherwise he will not be re-elected." Speaker Vargas nods approvingly at this statement, because he knows first hand what it feels like to be pressured into achieving short-term victories for his constituents every three years as he runs for re-election. This election cycle, Napoleon's words ring even truer now that his colleagues have elected him as the Speaker of the Legislature.

Moments later, when Napoleon says, "...while authoritarian regimes are dominated by the executive", Premier Romero takes offence as the appointed representative of both the executive and legislative branches of Edvardus. Furthermore, this comment sounded much like the criticism of the Liberal Party members in the National Assembly, who have called for the election of the Premier instead of being appointed by the Emperor. Edvardus has come a long way since the authoritarian days of Emperor Jonathan, so any accusation that Edvardus is still authoritarian always irks the Premier.

Prince Joseph had listened intently up to this point and is even more interested when Napoleon brings up the idea of a hereditary monarchy. His Imperial Highness knows that his title is merely out of courtesy and that he is not automatically Emperor should his father pass away, because of the elective nature of the Edwardian monarchy. He was not officially groomed to be Emperor since childhood, but knows at a deeper level that he will be Emperor someday. Throughout the nearly hundred years of Edwardian history, only one Emperor has not been in the Marino family and electing a non-Marino as Emperor does not seem likely due to the reign of the late Emperor James.

The address takes an interesting turn as Napoleon mentions the notion of incompetent monarchs, which is the drawback of a hereditary monarchy. Premier Romero smiles when Napoleon mentions this, because the elective monarchy of Edvardus has managed to avoid this pitfall.

Prince Joseph, Premier Romero, and Speaker Vargas made the Sign of the Cross as the benediction ended.

[Hobit]

Dear Sir,

His Majesty, Emperor Peter I, is deeply sorry for submitting his application so late but he wishes that he may send his son to attend the summit as he has another summit he must organize. HRH Peter I wishes that by attending this summit he may improve relations with fellow monarchs. Please allow a quick reply.

Sincerely,

Kigil Nathensen, Foreign Relations Minister

On behalf of Emperor Peter I

[Derscon]

Dear Sir,

His Majesty, Emperor Peter I, is deeply sorry for submitting his application so late but he wishes that he may send his son to attend the summit as he has another summit he must organize. HRH Peter I wishes that by attending this summit he may improve relations with fellow monarchs. Please allow a quick reply.

Sincerely,

Kigil Nathensen, Foreign Relations Minister

On behalf of Emperor Peter I

OOC: Just to circumvent waiting time, RK already mentioned that you can just assume you are already at the summit at the time of the first real RP post.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Nathan waited patiently for the other guests to settle in at the conference. He mingled with the other delegates a bit, picking up bits of conversation, none of which seemed terribly important. Every half hour he would glance at his cellphone and read the various email subject lines and senders, paying attention for any communique from his sovereign.

[Hobit]

As the summit was about to begin Ammbassador Lian James settled in for the meeting. He was awaiting for the agenda of the confrence.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Nathan sloshed his drink around in the glass, he wasn't planning on drinking alcohol this early, so he had ordered a simple sierra mist with ice. He sighed and observed the other delegates murmuring in conversation. He was wondering when the conference would begin, if it would begin or whether he should go back to his room for some rest. No, he wouldn't go back to his room, he didn't want to miss anything.

"God, I hope this starts soon," he said under his breath.

He took a sip, looked around the room and then took another. He then went back to his chair and sat down.

"If I am going to wait this long, I might as well be comfortable," he sighed.

Several other delegates were smoking, he didn't mind, though he didn't smoke himself. He put his glass down on a coaster, took his cellphone out of his pocket. The screen told him that there were no new messages. He contemplated playing a game of solitaire on his phone, but decided that would be rude. He then looked around for a newspaper but didn't observe any. Disappointed, he sat back and sighed again. Reaching forward, he picked up his glass again, put the glass to his lips and took another sip.

[Reichskamphen]

OOC: Tree dweller, please read my long post above, the event has already begun. In fact, everyone read the post above. The opening speeches have been given and we are now adjourning for lunch. I am not going to be able to post until tomorrow, but I will set up the scene incase someone cares to take the initiative to strike up conversations in the meantime.

IC: After the grand ceremony, the dignitaries were conducted through several hallways until the reached the Blue Dining Room, so named for its Prussian blue wall panels inlaid with bone white plaster sculptures. This was one of the semi-formal dining rooms. The long table was set with fine china and adorned with a golden silk table cloth. A soldierly line of butlers, all in bright red court dress and powdered wigs, processed out from doors on either side of the room and, one to a chair, pulled out the seats for the dignitaries and replaced them when they sat. They then removed the napkins from the table and placed them on each lap. When this line of butlers had departed, yet another entered, each with a wine ice bucket stand, napkin, and bottle. They sat the stands behind each of the chairs, ceremoniously uncorked each bottle and poured a taste of the Chateau-Koenigsberg Graacher Himmelreich Reisling. After due approval of all guests, full glasses were poured, the wine left in the stands, and the butlers stepped back towards the wall where they waited until next signaled by their dignitary to pour a further glass of wine. Further servants then processed in, carrying covered silver dishes. Each dish was placed before the dignitary, and with a flourish, the cover was lifted. A beautiful sole meuniere, made with Dover sole flown in fresh that same morning, stared back at them.

Napoleon walked in, flanked by two Imperial Guardsmen who bowed reverently and exited after he waved to dismiss them. The Emperor took his place at the end of the table which stood before a towering stone fireplace. "So my brothers," he began, clearly tired from the days exhaustions "how then have you found the Empire? I hope you have all been made comfortable."

The Prince Regent, sitting at the opposite end then spoke up, "The opinions you may have heard in these opening speeches are merely meant to start discussion. We would not presume to dictate the course which this body would take. We are one vote among many."

"Indeed." Napoleon nodded. "After this lunch, we shall enter the first plenary session of this summit. We will first be addressed by His Majesty, the King of Nova Prussia, my Arch Chancellor" he gestured towards Tarakh "but before we all go in and put our voices on the record, I anticipate there may be many things we would all wish to say in the confines of this room. Also, if you enjoy the wine, I will arrange to have a couple of cases sent to your chambers." Napoleon smiled widely.

[Vinyaangmar]

“Display daily updates,” Herumor said, swirling the rich coffee-derived drink in the cup he held. He was back on the observation deck, almost alone, now. The windows’ inner layers were heated by fine conductive film, fading swiftly to blank white surfaces, as flaps in the richly carpeted floor were folded down, revealing projector lenses within.

The screens projected onto it were mixtures of commercial domestic weather and news feeds – one serious, the others, almost subversive publications. He found it best to know what his rivals were thinking. His own unexplained absence top of the agenda on all the news sheets.

Microscopic subcutaneous RFID chips powered by the bio-electric energy of his body were on the back of each finger, and he casually waved at the screen, in this room, as in its duplicate at home, these were picked up by the sensors in the room that interpreted his movements. The images dissolved, bringing up the next parts of his morning briefing, economic, security and defence general progress reports. The weather macro-forecast was important. The Regency suffered a variety of tropical storms.

The characters on the screen were sleek, angular. Scholars of languages would recognise it as drawing something from the suites of characters used in Menelmacar, and other countries, but of a different design, sharp and vertical, though with serifs The Regent encouraged the use of this language in his nation, and had devised it at first as something of a passing fancy, and then later as a hobby.

He pointed at one, “Read,” he said, closing his eyes and listening, repeating this task, occasionally reading, occasionally having the silky tones of the computer’s voice handle the task for him, for the best part of an hour until, between reports, news, weather ‘‘blogs’ and rants, he felt somewhat up to date.

A chime sounded, and he acknowledged it with a come-hither gesture. One of the windows swam with a new image, that of the aircraft’s cockpit and its team of pilot and trio of copilots. “We are approaching the limit of ‘Greater Prussian’ waters, sire,” one of the latter group said.

“Our escort?” he asked.

“Fifty miles away,” the pilot said.

“Understood,” the Regent said, “put down near to it.”

“Yes, Sire,” the pilot said, reaching up above him, to where a more basic cathode ray tube doubtless held the Regent’s own visage, and turned it off. The screen reappeared, and Herumor said “Quit” dismissing it all, securing himself in the seat, and watching as the unwieldy plane began to sweep down through the clouds in open ocean, loosing speed and lift bit by bit, until it touched, rearward, the surface of the choppy ocean, bleeding off its momentum in a rough landing.

__ __ __

“Your Highness,” Joseph Nyguen said, holding out the last of the clothes the regent would be wearing. He had opted for something more modern than his customary and traditional white robes, this time, so far this consisted of a cream shirt not dissimilar to a collar-less oriental garment called a barong tagalong.

“Thank you,” he said, slipping his arms into the black jacket this lightweight garment sharp in its cut and very shape, without tails, or collar. On the breast of this jacket was the elaborate seventeen pointed star of the Revered and Regnant Regal Order of Castellans and Châtelaines, whose smaller equidistant cruciform ceremonial badge he also wore from his belt. His trousers and jacket alike were lined with a dark burgundy fabric. The vertical collar of his jacket had this silken burgundy fabric on both sides, starched within and trimmed in gold, with cast golden wolves, facing one another, almost touching as he did up the buttons, and his valet fastened a golden thread behind his neck, upon which hung a crimson cat’s eye, wrapped in ‘flames’ of pure gold.

The Regent held it in his hand, for an instant, smiling wistfully, and dropped it to his chest.

“Time to be going,” Herumor said, taking a broad belt from the nearest table, on which hung an elaborate sword, seemingly forged for someone of exceptional height, almost at the point of being unwieldy for him. This was no rapier or ceremonial weapon, but an ancient, practical looking thing, the patina of age crusting over its iron and silver guard.

__ __ __

The Regent’s landed aircraft disgorged a long range helicopter, black but for white tail markings, and a national flag, onto its back, with the rather small entourage he thought would suffice. Disembarking at the airport, he had been accompanied by twelve guards, whose appearance seemed entirely ceremonial – like crusading knights, they wore armour and elaborate white tabards over it, carrying enormous, sheathed great-swords and maces of blackest iron before them, they seemed entirely for the purposes of show. Their armour was all slightly different, hand-crafted for physiques underneath, and polished so that every part that caught the light positively shone.

Similarly, the Regent was accompanied by three enormous wolves, easily the size of Siberian tigers, they trotted in line with him, tails wagging, occasionally growling at members of the audience they spotted gathered around, playfully bounding here and there at children, only to be recalled with a gesture from their master.

The knights – known officially as Castellans, technically part of the same order as the Regent wore, though its ordinary members were mere ordinary men and women – became, up to a point, more interesting the closer one came to them. Their shining linen robes – without ornament, decoration or visible heraldry, were intricately brocaded, evidently made with great love, and curious engravings covered their weapons and armour plates. But when one came closer still, they seemed remote, terrible and daunting, and one could no longer believe the illusion that they were the chocolate soldiers they seemed to be, instead, they seemed to embody something darker and older than the age of knightly virtues, their pinched, close helms leaving, even close, no sign of visible life within.

__ __ __

His entourage suitably ensconced in the hotel, Herumor watched the opening proceedings with interest, neglecting to pray or bow his head during the prayers, but closing his eyes, seeming deep in religious thoughts, more akin to the practices of Quakers than traditional Protestants.

He winced a little at the phase ‘the most ancient monarchs.’

In the following luncheon, he was quite certain to select a seat near the head of the table, nodding or thanking the butler assigned to him courteously after each brief attendance for one matter or another, drinking deeply.

At the seeming reluctance of anyone else to answer, he looked at Napoleon and smiled. “I do not think I have ever seen such exquisitely extravagant gardens, coming from a city that is almost entirely urbanised, it is a stark and beautiful contrast. Sea views are fine enough, but unless one likes watching ships, they have few distinct points of interest.

“So far, I found your discussion of the role of a primary duty of monarchs being in a judicial capacity somewhat enlightening and well reasoned, though I do think there is something of a contradiction. While a monarch is as you say, not directly indebted to any sponsors or electorate, you also provide for a council of sorts to oversee transitions. Does that not create a debt to a select number of electors?” he asked.

---

OOC: I’ve just realised that I’ve managed to create two characters called Mary and Joseph in this thread. This was not intentional, but possibly subconscious. It amuses me, so I shan’t change it…

[Reichskamphen]

"Many thanks." Napoleon replied. "I am quite pleased that you enjoy it. I must say, though, that I would rather fancy a sea view. Perhaps we can work out a time share arrangement on our respective residences!" He laughed heartily and slapped his leg. "However, I do recognize what you are saying as a valid point." He then seemed a bit distracted by the sheer splendidness of Herumor's attire. "May I also complement you on your superb dress." He added.

"The best time to stop an incompetant from succeeding to the throne is before he has had a chance to do it" the Prince Regent spoke up. "In Greater Prussia, we have a body called the Regency Council which is handpicked by the Emperor. When the reigning Emperor dies, his heir must be subjected to the constitutional qualifications to hold the Crown, which were also set down by previous Emperors. He must also not have been removed from succession by either the previous Emperor or by any special session of the Regency Council. Barring any of this, as soon as the Emperor dies, he immediately inherits the throne and the only way to remove him would be by force."

"Force can create its own legitimacy you know." Napoleon smirked a bit. "William and Mary drove the legitimate tenant of the throne and his son from their inheritance. Were they illegitimate? I think not. They were an example of a corrective element moving against an abusive monarch which does not delegitimize the institution as a whole. Our regency council goes a long way in preventing incompetency from creeping into the crown without exposing the monarchy to undue outside influence and power."

Prince Regent Bernadotte smiled a bit as he watched his young charge dispensing wit and dealing with crowned sovereigns many times his age as if this were a weekly occurence. This was, in fact, his first interaction with leaders outside of the Greater Prussian Empire. "Your Highness," de Bernadotte durned again to Herumor "our system does not deal with the problem of the proper way to dispose of an incompetant after he has already gained the throne. It is a problem, but the only other option would be to allow an elected parliament a hand in something which is none of their business and which would accord them too much influence over the highest position on the land."

"Perhaps someone else, may have input into how this issue may be corrected. This is certainly the right forum." Napoleon smiled, almost entirely annoyed with the utter silence at the table. There certainly were not manners befitting any Royal Court he had ever seen. He sent his thoughts to Arch Chancellor Tarakh, as the Tarakh, also King of Nova Prussia, shared his psionic abilities. "Perhaps, Brother, we should skip the next two courses, and just lead them into the Orangerie?"

[Derscon]

OOC: Sorry about taking so long. Busy with work. I don't know if I'll be able to post over the weekend, either, since I'll be working at the Ren Faire.

Tarakh smirked. "Our system most certainly does deal with the incompetents and illegitimates on the throne. We kill them, as is the fate of all tyrants." Undoubtedly, the comment would have made a few present stop, as sic semper tyrannis was a quote mostly used against all monarchs in the past. Of course, that was his goal. "A true monarch is the guide and father of a country, and his decisions are those of life and death for his subjects. When he commits acts of atrocity and tyranny, death is the only just solution. My grandfather, for the good of all Prussia, killed the false emperor Allistaire von Katrenburg, and I, along with Marechal Brune, led the resistance against my tyrant brother Tsar Xavier II, whom we exiled to deep space. Obviously, no single system can eliminate every problem, so, as Aquinas so carefully illustrated, we must tolerate a small evil if attempting to stamp out said evil would only bring about more evil. But I'll talk more of that in my address after the meal." He turned back to his drink and food, and answered his brother monarch telepathically. Rather disappointing, but yes, skip to the Orangerie. Conversation seems to be a bit lax these days.