Posts from ☀️ Arselia and Akonia

Are those the famous bandits from the Skyrim memes?

What kind of

Something like that. Although, the specific inscription is more relevant in case someone tries to attack Carnelian, but that's not the main point.

If Guion encounters his old acquaintances from that Fortress again.

- Well, you're quite the asshole, - upon discovering a photo of Ayano with Gnilomud, Bazhena wasn't pleased, although she didn't show any particular angry emotions, - you can't count on me for anything anymore.
- Come on, we're just friends, no strings attached.
- Maybe, but I don't want to be a replacement for someone else. Why didn't you try your luck with her if she's more to your taste?
- She wasn't interested.
- See? I don't need to think that I'm worse than someone else, especially my own friend. Although, if I were a real jerk, I would have tried to get under her dress too, so I can partially understand you. She's become much more attractive over the summer.
- Okay, whatever. - Heinos shrugged. - What's up with her and Lord? Are they an item or something?
- I don't know. If I knew her a little better, I would think she's just using him for money and other favors, but I don't think she's like that. I can expect betrayal from anyone, but not from her. I think she's just confused about her feelings.
- Who knows, who knows... But honestly, I didn't expect that from him. He seems like such a tough guy, but in reality, he's just a pushover... A doormat, lol.
- A tough guy?
- A cool guy. Stylish, strong, and loaded.
- Well, yes, but what can you do about it.
- That's the fate of everyone who gives their heart to another mortal, - Pion interjected in the conversation between the two lovers, - if they had dedicated it to the One and Only and lived primarily for Her, they wouldn't experience such emotional suffering, because Her love would be enough for each of Her followers.
- She should expand her horizons first, - Heinos retorted, - and then we'll see if it's worth dedicating anything to her.
- You're lucky, Hein, that Kripov did his thing, otherwise you would have been struck down by lightning right here and now.
- Seriously, man, it would be better if you just drooled over, I don't know, Bitch, Risha, or whoever else is around, at least she has a better figure. Rynze is just... something to fall back on. - Having expressed his important opinion, Heinos secretly approached the vegetable Lif and Altina, and then touched them both on the chest. Fortunately for him, he had two hands at his disposal. - Nice.
Bazhena hesitated for a moment, thinking about hitting him on the head with the blunt end of her spear, but decided it wasn't her business and just rolled her eyes, remembering how often she had her heart broken in the VIP rooms of casinos.
- *Mmm*, - while no one but Bazhena (Pion had walked away) was watching, Gnilomud sucked on Lif's breast, - she has a more solid package than you.
- And aren't you afraid to do that after what that monster and Akonia, whoever he is, did to her? You might catch something, and if you turn into a lump of coal, don't complain later.
- It's all good... Ouch! ***! - The musician was forced to interrupt his solo performance due to a slap on the head from Lord's palm, - dude, what the hell?
- Nothing, in my presence, you can forget about that, if you want to get laid, find someone who will agree.
- You're a pathetic loser, that's what men are reduced to by... Well, never mind, okay.
Convinced that the guy understood, Lord left. He felt clearly uncomfortable with this scene, as he was the last person who should be lecturing others, but like Sonata in relation to her husband, the phantom of the red moon imagined how Ayano would have acted in his place and decided that her absence was not a reason to turn a blind eye to such behavior. At that moment, he anxiously remembered that his amulet was with his beloved and prayed to Anuzish and Kami that she would be alright.

***

- Are you sure this is a good idea? - Yun asked Riikumeru, who decided to go with the squad all the way to Margel.
- Yes... I can't face my parents and friends in this state, I don't want to break their hearts, and I don't think I can handle the reunion after everything that happened to me during my time here. I want to send them a letter from Margel, telling them that everything is fine, so they don't worry unnecessarily, and before meeting them, I want to take some time to reflect on what I've been through and at least partially heal. Isn't that silly?
- No... Everyone has their own life situations and ways of coping with them.
- Thank you, Yun. Besides, Iraola has no one but me, so I would like to be with him until he finds a new place in life.
- For someone who has gone through such horror, you are very kind.
- ... We're comrades in misfortune, you could say brother and sister.
- Riikumera, - Anpan addressed the girl, - on a scale of ten, how would you rate your femininity?
- One out of ten.
- Oh, that's a very unusual answer. Why is that?
- Because no one would want to marry someone who has been defiled by a legion of strangers, and no one would want to see such a mess as a mother!
- Anpan, listen... - Yun glared at his comrade with a very displeased look, and then hugged the ex-captive. - Don't talk like that, Riya, it wasn't your fault, so it doesn't count.
- It doesn't count? What do you mean - it doesn't count?! Would you marry me?!
- Yes... - At first, the guy shyly looked away, but then, with an effort of will, he returned his gaze to the eyes of his interlocutor. - If we get to know each other better and it turns out that we are compatible.
- (,,>﹏<,,)

***

- Hmm? What's this?... - Kanchan found an unfamiliar book in his bag. - A beginner's guide?... - Looking around, he wondered if someone had mistakenly put their reading material in his inventory, but no one came to mind. - Strange... Never mind, I'll figure it out later.
Putting the guide back in its place, he ran to practice with his light sword - he really liked this weapon.
- I definitely need to thank the instructor! - He said to himself before diving headfirst into training.

***

- Guys, - Kayasa Morax gathered all of Sonata Reim's students and drew their attention to herself, - I want to give you a small gift for doing a good job, how does that sound?
- It depends on what the reward is, - Tenok says to her, - if it's something decent, I don't think any of us will refuse.

Kayasa casts enchantment and creation on the students (+18/1875).

Don't say that, Riya.

If I got a Rem every time some random person stole the abbreviation of my Reimi character's name, I'd have two Rems right now. It's not much, but it's still weird that it happened twice.

Sheet 1

Ballad (duplicated in diary)

Ancient times, lands fertile and wide,
Island Granhildr begins my tale's ride.
Hungry men set sail on the sea,
That the ocean might save them from misery.

Strength fed by hardship, a bitter brew,
Gave them the right to take merchants' due.
But blood sacrifice was brought to a halt:
Torvik would plunder and leave foes at fault.

A pirate he was, yet virtuous in heart,
Thus Margel and the country did start.
Daring alone won't make history shine,
Torvik is king, for his life was divine.

The heir to the throne was not the first son,
By his learning Torvik was won.
And to build a kingdom of strongest design,
King Arual made cities align.

From capitols came wealth in great store,
Clay and stone helped the soldiers of war,
But lest the spirit should wither and fade,
Margel's ruler with the Church was wed.

Years flew fast in chronicles penned:
Now Lanigiros makes his brothers bend!
Hard it is to break a stubborn will low
Even when natural talents are slow.

Then Delsahid, a warrior of fame,
Tamed icy steel in his hand's name.
But winners of armies do not always find
Women whose hearts to their power inclined.

Hateya strikes with vengeance severe,
That heads of assassins may fly and disappear.
Yet, though in war with the enemy she won,
Children and grandchildren saw their days done.

Floris remained as the heir and he led,
With worldly words, friends were spread,
Fleet and trade on the sea he restored,
Mindjin through hospitality he adored.

Lover of colors, art's devotee,
Tsar Saikam understood women's beauty.
And through nature's gradual, steady light,
In war and in peace, his mind shone bright.

Son Sillion was a wizard most grand
Under whom Robeli could not anger the land.
Magic truly is the wisest way
To swiftly change the subjects' day.

Flanaravi's grim gaze, believe me, true,
Can bind a maiden's will anew.
Though sword and word of the lord be most right,
Enemy poison escaped not his sight.

Flanaravi's grim gaze, believe me, true,
Can bind a maiden's will anew.
If sword and word of the lord be most right,
He can turn enemies into servants of light.

Guilds diverse, and courtly in grace,
Happiness is simple, Welfern saw its face.
Guards quell moods that are dangerous and wild,
Rum flows in taverns, where spirits are mild.

Raidark's gaze, distant and sovereign in might,
Looked magically into future years' light.
With him, a vain peace treaty's decree
The Dragon King dared not contest, we see.

The new monarch was an exception to rules:
Council and senate he established as tools,
Leaving Sellun's rule far behind,
As a good, happy husband he was defined.

Shinalun was free as a bird in the sky,
Persimmon festivals he let fly.
The Emperor's voice became the people's own,
Soon the throne's power was reclaimed and known.

Mistress of night was Kermaria then,
Scaring the folk with death's atmosphere again.
Her softness she hid from alien eyes,
Welcoming overseas traders' supplies.

Not all are capable of ruling with honor:
A shadow fell on Margel's grandeur.
For a nature like a hyena's greed,
Shen was granted a cruel death indeed.

Mountain hermit and mediator for elves,
Naer seemed to come from fairy tales' shelves.
To end the decay of many a year,
With the roar of dragons, he rose to steer.

Abeas plays chess with skill and art,
But life is no game, it tears apart.
The Tsar will lose many in war's red flood,
For enemy zombies won't cease shedding blood.

Abeas plays chess with skill and art,
In mind, the king holds every part.
Ancestors' victories inspire his soul,
But evil Fortune brings plague as its toll.

But the spirit lived on in Torvik's line,
Hartrain proved this truth, a sign divine.
In spring, his Welfern was torn and frayed,
At sunset, a sweet life he displayed.

Glorious knight, with a searching eye,
His hot heart aches for the people's cry.
Purian longs for justice to be won,
Senate and council shall follow till it's done.

Here is the story, though incomplete it may be,
No beginning or end for you to see.
The human race moves in waves, it is told,
In the boundless ocean, dreams they unfold.

***

Sheet 2
Explanations of the written text

King Torvik the Founder

Ancient times, lands fertile and wide,
Island Granhildr begins my tale's ride.
Hungry men set sail on the sea,
That the ocean might save them from misery.

Strength fed by hardship, a bitter brew,
Gave them the right to take merchants' due.
But blood sacrifice was brought to a halt:
Torvik would plunder and leave foes at fault.

A pirate he was, yet virtuous in heart,
Thus Margel and the country did start.
Daring alone won't make history shine,
Torvik is king, for his life was divine.

Assessment.
Of course, by modern standards, Torvik the Founder might seem a cruel man, especially at the start of his "career," but such a description makes no sense within the historical context. This ruler thought of things his contemporaries never imagined, rising above them all in spirit. Coupled with other talents, this was noted; thus, it is no surprise that he first became the leader of many tribes, then led a successful rebellion, and finally donned the crown and defined the history of these lands for centuries in a positive key.
Perhaps of all the stories in the "Chronicles of Margel," this first one is my favorite: a king who became such because he was a great warrior and because he showed people the path to new, previously unseen ideals. Of course, the support of others also counts for much; for instance, we know that His Majesty Torvik's wife, Queen Raula, matched him in charisma and kindness.

King Arual es Diesra

The heir to the throne was not the first son,
By his learning Torvik was won.
And to build a kingdom of strongest design,
King Arual made cities align.

From capitols came wealth in great store,
Clay and stone helped the soldiers of war,
But lest the spirit should wither and fade,
Margel's ruler with the Church was wed.

Assessment.
An investigative attitude toward the surrounding world coupled with a reverent approach to it—which was clearly strongly supported by the monarch's spouse, Queen Meyrin—are the guarantee of many successes in the long term. One must also once again note the wisdom of King Arual's father, Torvik the Founder, who did not follow the popular scheme of primogeniture; he chose the most worthy himself and gave him management experience during his own lifetime.

King Lanigiros es Diesra Arual

Years flew fast in chronicles penned:
Now Lanigiros makes his brothers bend!
Hard it is to break a stubborn will low
Even when natural talents are slow.

Assessment.
The annals state that King Lanigiros won the civil war thanks to resources loyal to him, but I think he would hardly have kept them if not for his diligence. Genius is not something magical that appears out of nowhere; it is largely the result of precisely that stubbornness in achieving one's goals. It is sad that his wife did not share the monarch's trait; perhaps this negative example added some difficulties to his life. Although it could have been the opposite, that His Majesty worked for two: for himself, and for Queen Patricia.

King Delsahid es Diesra Arual

Then Delsahid, a warrior of fame,
Tamed icy steel in his hand's name.
But winners of armies do not always find
Women whose hearts to their power inclined.

Assessment.
It is quite obvious: sacrificing peaceful life and peaceful skills is very dangerous if you are the ruler of a large state. Thus, too great a burden fell upon Queen Lidika, and problems arose in diplomacy; although entering the textbooks of military art is also a great achievement that cannot be belittled.

Queen Hateya es Diesra Arual

Hateya strikes with vengeance severe,
That heads of assassins may fly and disappear.
Yet, though in war with the enemy she won,
Children and grandchildren saw their days done.

Assessment.
The daughter-queen behaved very similarly to her father. Having learned some lessons, or perhaps by luck, she managed to ensure her own safety and longevity, but not for her direct heirs—it is quite possible that this was the result of too strong a predominance of military tasks over peaceful ones. Fighting is normal, but continuous, constant combat operations certainly could not fail to bleed the long-suffering country dry. Nevertheless, the very fact that the queen stood firm under the onslaught of an entire military bloc and left Margel in no worse a state than it was before her is a huge achievement.

King Floris es Diesra Arual

Floris remained as the heir and he led,
With worldly words, friends were spread,
Fleet and trade on the sea he restored,
Mindjin through hospitality he adored.

Assessment.
The long period of wars does not end, but the country takes a qualitative leap because the ruler once again becomes a versatile specialist, understanding several matters simultaneously, both military and economic. A sense of benevolence in politics also served King Floris immensely; he could not only feud to his own benefit but also conclude alliances of no less utility.
Personal affairs are a good indicator of how a monarch builds policy; his history with Queen Ixia has the same light and natural development as his successes in international negotiations.

King Saikam es Diesra Arual

Lover of colors, art's devotee,
Tsar Saikam understood women's beauty.
And through nature's gradual, steady light,
In war and in peace, his mind shone bright.

Assessment.
A monarch of romantic image, His Majesty Saikam transformed his love for the beauty surrounding him, whether botany or sculpture, into other talents needed by a king. Queen Arrosa successfully corresponded to these interests, serving as the strongest source of inspiration.

King Sillion es Diesra Arual

Son Sillion was a wizard most grand
Under whom Robeli could not anger the land.
Magic truly is the wisest way
To swiftly change the subjects' day.

Assessment.
I do not wish to analyze rumors about this monarch, except to note that our entire human race has actually been engaged in the creation of other people since ancient times and on a permanent basis (though the soul and its birth by the grace of Anuzish are incomprehensible to us). In everything else, His Majesty Sillion was surprisingly perfectionist: he was a genius who turned his craft into an incredible blessing for all, without a shred of desire for anything unworthy. He improved the existence of the people entrusted to him by fate in every aspect, and worsened it in none, obviously not thinking of any power-hungry ambitions, although he could have.

King Flanaravi es Diesra

Flanaravi's grim gaze, believe me, true,
Can bind a maiden's will anew.
Though sword and word of the lord be most right,
Enemy poison escaped not his sight.

Assessment.
Negative personal qualities, such as excessive despotism, can offset a person's genius and diligence. Still, King Flanaravi stood on the shoulders of titans, so he possessed enormous resources to ensure the country continued to hold a dominant position in the region, but someone else in his place would likely have fallen. Alas, this is evidenced by the end of this story: the ruler of the strongest country, having defeated all his neighbors at once, could not avoid the revenge of his enemies.

Emperor Welfern es Diesra Arual

Guilds diverse, and courtly in grace,
Happiness is simple, Welfern saw its face.
Guards quell moods that are dangerous and wild,
Rum flows in taverns, where spirits are mild.

Assessment.
A peculiarity of this monarch was the immense personal freedom for the people, which compensated for their political lack of freedom—a very wise move. Such a balance made the whole system unusually stable and the subjects motivated in their service. The only possible danger here lies in the citizens of the country relaxing excessively, losing their human way of thinking.

Emperor Raidark es Diesra Arual

Raidark's gaze, distant and sovereign in might,
Looked magically into future years' light.
With him, a vain peace treaty's decree
The Dragon King dared not contest, we see.

Assessment.
In many ways, Emperor Raidark can be compared to another mage-monarch, King Sillion, and then it is easy to see how differently their visions for the country's future differed. Where Sillion cared exclusively for those under his command, His Majesty Raidark engaged in collecting, whether lands, artifacts, or other long-term investments. Unlike his forebear, his military power was used to achieve goals on a regular basis... But this emperor still tried to be flexible and, all other things being equal, preferred diplomacy; such an approach was mature.

Emperor Sellun es Diesra Arual

The new monarch was an exception to rules:
Council and senate he established as tools,
Leaving Sellun's rule far behind,
As a good, happy husband he was defined.

Assessment.
It is difficult to evaluate this period except for the fact that Emperor Sellun was relatively lucky with advisor Harisen Linefront, who, while cunning at times, had his own notion of honor and ideals that forced the minister to treat his self-imposed duties responsibly rather than simply using them for selfish purposes. The same can be said about Empress Crystallia, with whom His Majesty managed to find common ground so that his soul lacked nothing.

Emperor Shinalun es Diesra Arual

Shinalun was free as a bird in the sky,
Persimmon festivals he let fly.
The Emperor's voice became the people's own,
Soon the throne's power was reclaimed and known.

Assessment.
Any ruler relies on their authority, and authority can depend on many factors. Victories in wars, economic development—that is one path, the path of bread and glory. The path of spectacles is another, and also very effective. Emperor Shinalun was one of the people in spirit, but higher by birth, which gave him power over their minds that was not fixed in the Constitution at that time. When formal power weakened, he reclaimed what was historically due to him.

Empress Kermaria es Diesra Arual

Mistress of night was Kermaria then,
Scaring the folk with death's atmosphere again.
Her softness she hid from alien eyes,
Welcoming overseas traders' supplies.

Assessment.
Both economically and in image, Empress Kermaria was and remains a good example to emulate. Perhaps thanks to luck, or perhaps because of mind magic (forgive this little joke), Kermaria's consort king, Emerardo, complemented the ruler perfectly, especially in her economic ambitions.

Empress Shen es Diesra Arual

Not all are capable of ruling with honor:
A shadow fell on Margel's grandeur.
For a nature like a hyena's greed,
Shen was granted a cruel death indeed.

Assessment.
They say the exception proves the rule? In my view, this is reasonable: Empress Shen was a dark spot of sorts, but what other lineage can boast that it had no more such unworthy people? She was that very exception. Of course, her story is no less sad for it; it is not known exactly how many lives Queen Shen destroyed, including the life of her spouse.

Emperor Naer es Diesra Arual

Mountain hermit and mediator for elves,
Naer seemed to come from fairy tales' shelves.
To end the decay of many a year,
With the roar of dragons, he rose to steer.

Assessment.
In history, Emperor Naer lacks only an artifact sword given to him by a mermaid as a symbol of power over the country... Though who knows, maybe historical books decided to omit this point for brevity? Be that as it may, it is wonderful when a heroic epic turns out to be absolute reality.

Emperor Abeas es Diesra Arual

Abeas plays chess with skill and art,
But life is no game, it tears apart.
The Tsar will lose many in war's red flood,
For enemy zombies won't cease shedding blood.

Assessment.
Criticism of this emperor is too clear for me to add anything to it. Although it can be noted that among other things, His Majesty and the government of that time fell victim to bad luck... Even if one shouldn't have counted on good luck from the start.

Emperor Hartrain es Diesra Arual

But the spirit lived on in Torvik's line,
Hartrain proved this truth, a sign divine.
In spring, his Welfern was torn and frayed,
At sunset, a sweet life he displayed.

Assessment.
It seems almost like a return to roots; a maximally dangerous situation was turned around and practically—though not entirely—exhausted thanks to the military valor, asceticism, nobility, and other personal qualities of Emperor Hartrain. Like Naer before him, Hartrain became the hero of a romantic-heroic story, only this time the heroine was his future wife, then a village girl, and subsequently the kind Queen Zamia.

Ending

Here is the story, though incomplete it may be,
No beginning or end for you to see.
The human race moves in waves, it is told,
In the boundless ocean, dreams they unfold.

Assessment.
The ancestors of Torvik the Founder did not make it into the textbooks; we do not know what kind of people they were. Our contemporary, Emperor Purian, is still waiting for his final assessment to enter the annals... Although it is already quite possible to conclude that he will be called a glorious ruler who was faithful to strict principles.
And yet, at the current point, the ballad ends, and its author harbors the modest hope that it was written accordingly to the grandiose themes touched upon.

After returning from patrol, Erefir writes down all of this, signs it, and says that she is ready to submit her essays to the SRI. She speaks quietly so as not to wake Kilik, but persistently.

No, now I definitely need to proofread my work; the quality bar has been set too high. I'll try to finish it first thing tomorrow at work.

– Just a sec, boss, we're almost done, – Beata replied, rustling papers.
– Yeah, we'll polish it and submit it, – Gillon echoed, frantically crossing things out and adding more.

Cursed Erathia came out with a song on the same topic...

Beata is submitting her essay.

I - Torvik the Founder

I really liked this historical figure! Firstly, it's obvious that he was a great leader who inspired everyone by his example. Secondly, he was a very strong warrior and tore through all his enemies! Thirdly, he thought of his people when he decided to colonize warmer and more fertile lands than that piece of frozen earth that was Granhildr. And fourthly, he must have been incredibly handsome! I confess, his turbulent youth, full of danger and battles, resonates with me; sometimes I just want to do something wild! But it's heartening that he was a merciful man and did not kill without need, and also that he eventually settled down and realized there are things in the world more important than adrenaline! He worked very hard and achieved a great deal on his own, which undoubtedly deserves every respect. Also, he played it very cleverly with Sidgmort, choosing not to enter into conflict immediately, but instead sparking a civil war against the Sidgmort aristocrats! This was a very correct and far-sighted move, which undoubtedly characterizes him as an excellent strategist! The only thing I don't like is that his wife was a simple housewife, lost in his greatness; I think with a worthy partner and a comrade-in-arms, he would have achieved much more. But let's chalk that up to ancient and dark times.

10/10

II - Arual es Diesra

In every respect, a most wonderful ruler! Torvik did absolutely the right thing by giving the throne not to the eldest of his children, but to the one most involved in the life of the state! The father did all the dirty work, and the minimum task for the son was not to squander his achievements—and he didn't just avoid squandering them, he multiplied them! Thanks to Arual, Welfern became the powerful and influential state it is today. He laid all the foundations of our way of life; he paid great attention to the development of both the country as a whole and its citizens. After all, the well-being of a state is largely determined by the people who live in it, and in the not-yet-empire of those years, obviously, there lived very educated people, deeply revering the gods and endowed with all the rights and opportunities of a free person! Undoubtedly, Arual was helped by Mother Anuzish herself; it is no wonder he turned to her in his prayers. And his family life only emphasizes his respect for his people and confidence in the equality of all before the gods, for he married a simple shepherdess, who later managed to become the head of the church! A wonderful successor to Torvik's cause, who brought the empire to a qualitatively new level, and whose words were matched by his deeds.

10/10

III - Lanigiros es Diesra Arual

Not everyone is meant to be as cool as Torvik and Arual... oh, not everyone... It seems to me that Lanigiros was wrong to try and keep up with his great ancestors; he would have been better off developing his own talents. Perhaps then there wouldn't have been such a mess after Arual's death, because of course, who wanted to see a mere imitator on the throne. On one hand, he is certainly commendable for being able to use power and resources to secure his position, but on the other, he definitely was not an outstanding ruler; thanks at least that he didn't turn Welfern into total chaos and preserved the state. Obviously, he was a pretty smart guy who chose very successful role models, but that is clearly not enough to become outstanding.

4/10

IV - Delsahid es Diesra Arual

As a warrior, he had no equal! Not surprising, he dedicated all his youth to the art of war. It is a lie that he loved only himself and his daughter—he loved himself, his daughter, and a good fight! Welfern was very lucky that he specifically was leading the country when Vallen attacked us, for it is unknown how everything would have gone if someone less experienced in war had been at the helm! Separately, it's great that Delsahid had a wonderful wife who could hold the state together while the monarch himself fought on the front lines, like a true leader and commander of the army. It is very sad that Delsahid was killed during the signing of the peace treaty and could not enjoy a peaceful life, although, I think, a peaceful life would not have been to his taste. Still, it seems wrong that this valiant warrior died not in honest combat, but from the treacherous attack of an assassin.

7/10

V - Hateya es Diesra Arual

She is incredibly cool! To take up the baton from her warlike father at a fairly young age, continue the war against a very serious opponent—not just one, but a union of states—and ultimately rub their noses in it is worth a lot! I am admired by her determination, will to win, and unyielding nature; I will definitely follow her example! She is a wonderful leader, an incredibly effective commander, a very clever tactician and strategist, ruthless to her enemies and going until the end! She knew what she wanted and achieved it with all her might. I believe she avenged her father worthily; the Vallenians should have stopped messing around and signed that treaty immediately. Serves you right, eat your heart out; you thought a girl in her early twenties couldn't sort out the mess? Think again. And her peculiar collection subtly hints that Hateya was into girls, heh-heh. I don't judge at all! I just think it's a rather interesting detail. I think the churchmen would say that Hateya had too strong a masculine side, but it seems to me she was simply a daddy's girl and shared his worldview and interests. After all, it's no wonder Mother Anuzish gave people free will and reason so they could choose their own path, and if they had tried to raise a feminine side in Hateya, we might have lost one of the most talented commanders and greatest rulers in the history of Welfern.

10/10

VI - Floris es Diesra Arual

Now this is what I would call "Healthy Person Lanigiros." He was also somewhat in the shadow of his predecessors, but he didn't try to emulate or copy them; instead, he went his own way, immersed himself in his hobbies, turned them to the benefit of his country, and achieved a lot in this field! He made our empire as influential at sea as it was on land—paying a bit of respect to the memory of his ancestors, so to speak. For variety, he traded and befriended neighbors instead of only fighting, and that's correct, because Welfern needed rest and peacetime. True, Vallen still got beaten up on the sly, but Floris helped the Mindjins and gained a loyal ally in them! And he didn't offend Lauria either. I believe it was very noble of him to make efforts to help people who had lost their homes. I believe that Floris as an emperor is wonderful—a good man, a talented diplomat, not a fool in war, smart, kind, and engaged in his favorite activity while developing his country... If only everyone could be like him!

10/10

VII - Saikam es Diesra Arual

A very intelligent and educated man who devoted much time to his hobbies and creativity! One cannot underestimate the power of art, and it is pleasant to know that this ruler contributed to the cultural life of the country. It is worth noting his excellent, albeit somewhat one-sided, taste in women. Though, if he cared so much about the heir's health, he probably could have chosen a more distant relative—I've heard that close-relative marriages can lead to various diseases in children! It's good that marrying relatives didn't become a tradition among Welfern monarchs, as happens in some other countries. But his wife was a beauty, that much is true. It's also evident that he wasn't particularly interested in governing the country, although overall he didn't do so badly, and he was a good ruler, and a decent commander. Well, what can you do, not everyone has a soul for politics and public life. Of course, a king who works for the public is much better than a recluse king, but Saikam still handled his job, even if he wasn't as genius a warrior as Delsahid or Hateya.

7/10

VIII - Sillion es Diesra Arual

The most legendary sorcerer-king! One of the most powerful mages in the history of Welfern and, probably, the entire world! I don't even have words for how stunning he is! He didn't just become a powerful mage, but generously shared his knowledge, invested in the development of magic in the world, and also cared that his subjects lived better, using magic to simplify their lives! It's also great that he was close to the people, communicating with ordinary folk. No wonder he was so loved and revered. The story with his wife is very murky, though, but who can figure out these mages? Maybe he just enlarged her breasts with magic, and then people just made things up about homunculi and such. Sillion surely had envious people too, they just couldn't do anything to him except spread vile rumors.

10/10

IX - Flanaravi es Diesra Arual

Living proof that even great people like Sillion are prone to making mistakes. Flanaravi inherited a prosperous, peaceful kingdom, but apparently, he found it boring and decided to go to war. He even turned the Mindjins against him, whom his ancestor had actually helped settle here! He stirred up all the neighbors. Apparently, the glory of Delsahid and Hateya haunted him, but they, unlike him, did not act as aggressors and conquerors. And no, the fact that he emerged victorious does not excuse him; on the contrary, it only makes it worse. Some place like Mindjin or Villia could have joined our empire peacefully, amicably, but someone decided it would be great to shed more blood. Yeah, perhaps it's for the best that Flanaravi decided to start a little war; if he had focused on internal policy, there would have been mass repressions and executions for crossing the street in the wrong place... And the story with his wife is just the icing on the cake—an offer that cannot be refused, uh-huh, since she was his subject, he just had to use his power and leave the poor girl no choice... At least he had enough conscience to provide a decent life, so thanks for that.

2/10

X - Welfern es Diesra Arual

On one hand, he had a simply excellent start to his reign—a bunch of repressions, mass executions, so to speak, finishing what his father started. On the other—he made an invaluable contribution to the cultural life of the country, developed various guilds, theaters, casinos, and even managed to legalize prostitution. A man of many talents, quite versatile! I cannot help but appreciate the freedom he gave the citizens of the empire, and notably, without compromising security. In those years, anyone could find themselves in almost any pursuit; much was accessible, and many had a wonderful choice of professions and leisure for every taste. Heck, Welfern himself was quite the prankster, judging by the book "69", heh-heh. I think he, more than anyone, valued and loved all kinds of interesting leisure, both vertical and horizontal, and made sure his subjects could also appreciate all his favorite things. The beginning of his reign was quite something, but otherwise—our empire rightfully bears his name.

7/10

XI - Raidark es Diesra Arual

Another sorcerer-king in the noble family of Welfern monarchs! I wonder, was he a Lunarian half-blood or did Sillion really conjure up something interesting back in the day? We'll likely never know for sure, but it's quite curious to think about. Either way, Raidark also dreamed of expanding the empire and conquests, but I get the impression that he acted less destructively than Flanaravi—perhaps because he knew not only how to fight, but also how to negotiate! Or maybe because he was as powerful a mage as Sillion, and nobody wanted to anger him unnecessarily. My favorite story is how he conquered Elysia and convinced the dragons to join our empire! I'm sure a silver tongue worked here, although it was probably backed up by a couple of killer arguments in the form of fireballs or ice bolts. It's a pity there's so little information; I'm sure it was something breathtaking. Regardless, despite the fact that Raidark acted as another conqueror and aggressor, he had the wit, style, diplomacy, and resources to make the annexation of new territories a valuable acquisition rather than a catastrophe with a heap of problems!

6/10

XII - Sellun es Diesra Arual

Probably the happiest emperor in the history of Welfern, because not for a single day did he have a headache over how to better arrange the state. Instead, he completely surrendered to his hobbies, forgetting everything else in the world. I think it was on the basis of creativity that he and his wife got along so well, and possibly on the basis that they were married to each other in a voluntary-compulsory manner and became comrades in misfortune. As a ruler, Sellun was purely for show, but on the other hand, he harmed no one, was a creative person, and lived a peaceful life, and his "reign" fell upon a very calm period, so I have no particular complaints about him either.

4/10

XIII - Shinalun es Diesra Arual

One of my favorite emperors! First, he won the love of the common people, and then, on the sly, snatched power back for himself when the council and senate got embroiled in a stupid war with Zimivia—did everything right! And he partied to the fullest, it's a joy to read about; strange that he didn't publish his own version of the legendary "69". Pity that after him they stopped holding the "Golden Persimmon," I would have loved to participate in such a festival! I would have looked at others and shown myself. Our emperor was a cheerful man and quite the prankster, but he didn't forget about pressing matters either! He returned power to his family, finally dealt with the Skrymes, and took the cultural life of the country to a new level.

10/10

XIV - Kermaria es Diesra Arual

Probably one of the most striking female rulers! We already had sorcerer-kings, and now a sorceress-queen appeared! And what's most interesting is that she differed significantly from previous mages on the throne! If Sillion fussed over the well-being of the citizens, and Raidark expanded our borders, then Kermaria improved trade and shipping! I consider this a very correct and useful endeavor; trade and economy are very important for the prosperity of a state. It seems to me she tried to make Welfern richer, not only through trade, but also because she decided to annex the dwarves, and, like Raidark, acted very competently with them and made sure to turn them into allies! And she chose a husband to match; I think he helped her greatly! I was very touched by her love for soft toys; it's funny to think that a powerful dark sorceress slept with a pink plush bear. Once again proving that nothing human is alien to anyone!

10/10

XV - Shen es Diesra Arual

Despite her bad reputation, I mostly feel pity for her. The whole country hated her, she was used, manipulated, had sticks put in her spokes; she had a bunch of lovers, but no one who truly loved her. I cannot help but see myself in her, for I also have a terrible temper, and not from an easy life. And if I was able to change for the better thanks to love and support, maybe for Shen everything wasn't so hopeless either? Could it be that in all of Welfern there wasn't a single person who could see behind the flighty, capricious, and dissolute empress a miserable fourteen-year-old girl, hated and despised by everyone around her? Judging from the perspective of history, she is a real disgrace to the dynasty, but I see here only the tragedy of a broken person. Even two broken people, if we count her husband, who became a victim of circumstances. Who knows? Perhaps, with proper support, she could have been one of the best rulers of Welfern. Or perhaps, a Flanaravi 2.0 would have emerged, but that is a very sad thought. Perhaps I believe in people too much, but I want to think that Shen's story could have ended differently.

3/10

XVI - Naer es Diesra Arual

Good lad and a handsome one; first he befriended the Lunarians and dragons, and then he showed up in the empire, probably on a white horse, and beautifully put an end to the internal strife, and for good measure cemented friendship with the long-ears (I wonder, does that definition sound too racist? I meant nothing bad!). And then he followed the established path of engaging in conquests and foreign policy; apparently, he didn't particularly like it inside his home country, ha-ha. However, I cannot judge, for he built diplomatic bridges by sticking up for Calcite, worried about trade by founding Marcell, and generally came to success. Apparently, sitting in the mountains throughout his youth and gaining wisdom was not in vain. I wonder what Helm did to displease him? Or conversely, pleased him? But Lunaria certainly pleased him, especially the Lunarian women, apparently. I don't judge, though. I don't know, after the catastrophe that was Shen's reign, one could have ruled more calmly; on the other hand, he reached an amicable agreement with the pointy-ears, and overall everything went relatively smoothly for him, and the man's life was fun, saturated, rich in adventures and travels—one can only be happy for him.

8/10

XVII - Abeas es Diesra Arual

Super-intelligence, just super-intelligence! He could have taken Welfern, Shinalun, Floris, or even Saikam as a role model, for goodness sake! We would have had guilds of chess players, checkers players, mahjong players, and many other scary words. That would have been great! But no, he decided he was the new Raidark or Naer. He wanted glory, achievements, to enter history! Well, he got glory and achievements—"The Biggest Blunder Emperor in the World" is also an achievement. And he didn't so much enter history as stumble into it. A small victorious war, what could go wrong? Put two countries under attack, left Welfern with a powder keg on its border and nearly collapsed, and Nephyria ended up being wiped out root and branch by a local half-baked sorcerer-king. I cannot imagine how angelic the patience of his spouse was, who didn't turn away from him even after such a catastrophe; now that is a truly holy woman.

1/10

XVIII - Hartrain es Diesra Arual

I believe he is a hero, and if a monument hasn't been erected to him yet, it needs to be fixed urgently! The man didn't inherit a country, but a complete mess, which was created with such diligence first by his father, and then by the senate and council. I don't want to imagine what it cost Hartrain to restore order, how many hundreds of sleepless nights and kilometers of frayed nerves are on his account; he literally laid down his life to restore Welfern, and most importantly—not in vain! Thanks to him, our country did not vanish from the face of Anuzish, but rose from the ruins! Eh, and if he could achieve such results in a devastated state, it's scary to think where we would be now if he had had a healthy Welfern at his disposal from the start. Hartrain performed a true feat. And the sweet and romantic story of meeting his spouse only adorns the biography of an already most worthy ruler.

10/10

Guiyon submits an essay.

I - Torvik the Founder

Torvik made a very positive impression on me. The harsh climate of his homeland and the equally harsh profession of a sea raider did not harden him; on the contrary, they gave him the opportunity to show his best side, revealing himself as a fair and merciful leader who cares for his subordinates and values the lives even of his opponents. It is no wonder that he was loved and respected, and that he gathered many followers. He possessed not only a far-sighted mind but also extraordinary determination, for it is not so simple to force one's people to fundamentally change their lives, transforming from seafarers and raiders into peaceful farmers. And despite the difficulties through which he and his young state had to pass, despite the pressure from Sidgmort, Torvik was able to stand firm and emerge victorious thanks to excellent strategic thinking, as well as cunning and an excellent command of information. Undoubtedly, a worthy leader, a worthy founder of a state.

10/10

II - Arual es Diesra

The first ruler of Velfern, then still Margela, born in the new state. The main crises were already behind them thanks to his father, and Arual became a worthy heir and successor to Torvik's work. It is very valuable that he focused on the internal development of the new state, emphasizing economy, education, and lawmaking. With this, he consolidated and increased his father's achievements; it was precisely because of this step that Torvik's legacy grew in subsequent years. Torvik dug the pit for the new state, but it was Arual who laid a strong and reliable foundation. The contribution to education cannot be underestimated; the population of the country became more literate, smarter, with broader horizons and advanced views, and an entire generation of scientists and inventors grew up, capable of providing the state with enormous progress. No less important was the development of logistics, which could not fail to affect all aspects of life in the best possible way. One must also note his progressive views, namely that he established human rights and freedoms as inherent and inviolable, granted by the Mother Goddess herself; also interesting is his worldview, according to which the royal dynasty was conceived as servants and protectors of the people—this selfless position certainly inspires respect. In those years, the church was closely intertwined with the state, not least because Arual's wife was the abbess of the church. Another seemingly small but very important detail is the new calendar, thanks to which all of Anuzish count years from the founding of Margela, which only emphasizes Velfern's status as a world power. It is hard to imagine a more worthy heir and ruler for that era.

10/10

III - Lanigiros es Diesra Arual

From childhood, Lanigiros was under enormous pressure due to the status and greatest achievements of his father and grandfather; it is no wonder that he tried to achieve their greatness by attempting to copy them. But it is obvious that copying and imitating someone else's life is a dead end; you will continue to be perceived as a cheap fake of a great man rather than as a separate personality. Naturally, Lanigiros did not command the respect of his competitors, who considered him unworthy of the throne and attempted to depose him. He did well not to let this happen, and I see a sign that he could have achieved much if he hadn't blindly tried to imitate his ancestors but had sought his own path. Unfortunately, due to the civil war, he never had the chance to find his own style and make a tangible contribution to the prosperity of the empire. On the other hand, he preserved statehood, preserved and strengthened the dynasty, and restored order in the country after the internal strife—cleaned up after himself, so to speak. That too is worth a lot. As a result, Lanigiros cannot be called an excellent ruler, but he is not that bad.

6/10

IV - Delsahid es Diesra Arual

A warrior-king who lived by the laws and orders of wartime, a man for whom the art of war was above all else. His entire life passed to the clang of weapons; he knew nothing else, could not—and most likely did not want to—live otherwise. At the same time, he was a superb tactician and strategist, an outstanding and fair leader, although too cruel by peacetime standards. I think the gods favored Velfern during this period. Firstly, they sent Delsahid a wonderful wife who was able to partially take upon herself the burden of ruling the country. Secondly, this monarch was at the helm when Vallen attacked us, and Delsahid was able to fully prove himself as a fighter and surrender to his passion, winning one brilliant victory after another. It would be frightening to think what would have happened to Velfern had the Vallenians attacked us slightly earlier, during the internal strife or a period of peaceful development. On the other hand, I cannot help but think about what the battle-hardened Delsahid would have done had another power not attacked us. Would he have become a tyrant? An aggressor? I find it especially symbolic that he was killed while signing a peace treaty. There are people whose entire lives are dedicated to battles and who have no place in peaceful life, and Delsahid was certainly one of them.

4/10

V - Hateya es Diesra Arual

I think that Vallen made a mistake by underestimating Delsahid's heiress and paid dearly for it, facing a very angry and vengeful "Delsahid Junior." On one hand, Hateya can be understood, since Vallen showed quite clearly that peace negotiations with them were not an option. On the other hand, her determination and ruthlessness frighten me a little, and again I am glad that this ruler was sent to Velfern in difficult times. Like her father, Hateya was born for war, not for peace. She proved herself to be a magnificent commander, undoubtedly, but would she have been a good queen in peacetime? Moreover, she didn't have a supportive spouse like Delsahid did; her husband was as much a warrior as she was. And if the empire managed not to collapse, I think Hateya had everything under control, for which she can only be praised, but this does not negate everything said above. Her hobby also raises questions—did she send even one of the girls into her collection of their own free will and consent, given her fierce temperament?

5/10

VI - Floris es Diesra Arual

Once again we see a ruler who prioritized the development and strengthening of the state over conquests, although they were not entirely avoided. Nevertheless, Floris tried to solve many issues peacefully, established Velfern's dominance at sea, and set up trade and diplomacy with other powers, which is pleasing, as mutually beneficial cooperation is far more productive than wars and discord. His desire to help the Mindjins was undoubtedly driven by noble intentions, but I cannot appreciate that for this purpose he encroached on foreign territories, even those of a hostile power. Velfern had already suffered enough during the reigns of Delsahid and Hateya; Floris could have thought of something else instead of trying to look good at someone else's expense. On the other hand, he once again demonstrated the strength of the Velfern army and reined in a geopolitical competitor and unpleasant opponent, while simultaneously testing and strengthening the alliance with Lauria—in this regard, his small victorious war turned out to be quite valuable. Still, this episode slightly spoiled my impression of this overall positive historical figure.

8/10

VII - Saikam es Diesra Arual

The case of Saikam makes one doubt the effectiveness of monarchy a bit. This man was obviously not particularly interested in governing the state, although he still managed not to plunge the country into crisis and proved himself to be a benevolent and fair king. Nevertheless, in his lifetime, Velfern found itself dragged into another military conflict, and on two fronts at once... Credit must be given to Saikam; he performed honorably, showing the results of good training. In both war and peaceful life, he was generally okay and, as they say, maintained the quality standard. But it is still obvious that he devoted himself with the greatest enthusiasm to his hobbies: botany, painting, and praising a certain type of woman. This is not bad, even good; we are all human. However, from a ruler of a state, one expects a somewhat different set of priorities. Also, I do not see marrying a second cousin as a good idea; incest rarely leads to anything good, especially when power is passed by inheritance—the physical and mental health of children is particularly important in this case, and the risks of abnormalities in close-relative marriages are quite high.

3/10

VIII - Sillion es Diesra Arual

One of the greatest rulers in the history of Velfern, who ensured a century and a half of wealth, abundance, prosperity, tranquility, and security for our country. It is incredibly difficult to overestimate the merits of this monarch; despite being a powerful Wizard, he did not become arrogant or lose himself in high matters, but used his talents to maintain peace and well-being in his realm, was a public person and actively interacted with his people, taking an interest in the needs of his subjects. He did not forget about the development and popularization of magic, which can also be counted as a plus. Doubtful rumors about his wife can be viewed differently, as there is very little accurate information about this. For my part, it would be foolish to take these rumors on faith and judge this great figure by them, who almost single-handedly led Velfern into a golden age.

10/10

IX - Flanaravi es Diesra Arual

There are no people completely without flaws. Obviously, in Sillion's case, the main flaw was his successor. Perhaps the reins of power should not have been given to someone so young, and here teenage maximalism played a cruel joke, or perhaps Sillion simply missed something in his son's upbringing, and it would have flared up anyway. Not for nothing was Flanaravi "famous" for his fierce temper and unpleasant character. Because of his desire to wage war, the neighborly relations and reputation of Velfern were hopelessly destroyed, and although we acquired new lands, we lost much more. Nobody likes invaders, conquerors, and occupiers, which is what we became for Villia, Mindjin, Vallen, and Renn. And while things are more or less clear with the latter two, Villia and Mindjin, who previously acted as our friends and allies, are within their rights to view such a state of affairs as a personal insult. The way he chose his wife simply wonderfully complements the already unsightly portrait of a monarch who became one of the dark spots of our history. To me, his end was quite logical.

1/10

X - Velfern es Diesra Arual

Thanks to his "wonderful" decisions, Flanaravi left his son a "marvelous" inheritance in the form of four lit gunpowder barrels ready to blow any minute. Despite the cruelty perpetrated by Velfern, I cannot blame him too strongly—he was simply trying to fix as quickly as possible what his father had wrought. Now it is easy for us to judge and discuss how it would have been better to act in that situation, but at that moment he had four huge problems that needed to be solved right now, and he had no time left for a perfect plan. This does not cancel out the colossal casualties and the scale of the tragedy, but I believe that these were mainly the consequences of Flanaravi's "splendid" foreign policy. Moreover, Velfern's subsequent reign shows him as a peaceful, loyal, and benevolent person, generously granting citizens rights and freedoms and popularizing many types of leisure. He devoted himself to his hobbies with great passion, but unlike Saikam, he did not forget his subjects and brought into their lives what he liked himself. Some might call this imposing one's interests on a national scale; I call it the development of science, culture, and art, albeit in a rather, hm, peculiar form in some places.

8/10

XI - Raidark es Diesra Arual

Another conqueror, but unlike Flanaravi, one who acted more effectively and calculatingly, and I got the impression that usually things were handled with relatively little bloodshed. During Raidark's reign, diplomacy played no smaller a role in the expansion of Velfern than military power, which I undoubtedly value, as the ability to speak and negotiate at a state level is far more important than at a personal level—it helps avoid large-scale tragedies. Most likely, Raidark drew conclusions from the bloody repressions of his predecessor and put a lot of effort into winning the loyalty of new vassals—for example, allowing Luencia to retain partial autonomy and even its own royal dynasty, unlike countries annexed earlier. The way he conquered the dragons and came to an agreement with their king also cannot fail to inspire respect, as winning the respect of this ancient powerful people was surely not easy. Despite Raidark's penchant for conquest, he handled it much better than his wretched predecessor.

8/10

XII - Sellun es Diesra Arual

The most useless monarch in the history of Velfern, or what happens when you cannot ensure yourself a worthy successor. Sellun simply drifted with the current, giving all power to the senate and council; he did not try to do anything productive for his subjects, nor did he try to improve the lives of the citizens. His position is not one where one can sit idly; being a monarch means huge demand and huge responsibility, which he successfully avoided. Does this make him a bad person? No. On the contrary, I got the impression that he was a rather pleasant, albeit withdrawn personality, who lived in harmony with his spouse despite the marriage being forced for both. But is a good person automatically a good emperor? Oh no.

1/10

XIII - Shinalun es Diesra Arual

The legendary Persimmon King, in my opinion, chose the right tactic to return influence to the imperial house—while his power was limited, he worked with public opinion, and then, due to a series of wrong decisions by the council and senate, he intervened in politics fully. Shinalun was a very eccentric man with very specific tastes, but he was certainly no fool indifferent to the fate of the country. Just look at the resolution of the issue with the Scryme tribes, who had previously been a constant thorn in the empire's side. His festivals were a wonderful idea for raising popularity among the people and for diversifying culture and leisure, but still, some of his hobbies and inventions were, in my opinion, far too eccentric—one must know the limit.

9/10

XIV - Kermaria es Diesra Arual

A very successful, smart, and calculating empress who made a clever bet on economy and logistics. Thanks to the annexation of Noir and skillfully conducted work with the dwarves, the era of Kermaria's reign saw a rise not only in trade but also in industry. It is interesting and even commendable that during her years of rule, she relied not so much on outstanding magical abilities as on her deep knowledge and skills in strategic planning, as well as diplomatic talent. Although who knows what the souls of deceased ancestors might have advised her or how skillfully she inclined people toward the desired opinion in negotiations with her charms... Nevertheless, I believe that even without a magical gift, Kermaria would have achieved no less success as a ruler, especially with her successful choice of life partner. A very worthy empress deserving of respect. I find her love for cute things symbolic, for despite the image of a mysterious and cold dark sorceress, she proved herself to be one of the most peaceful and open to cooperation monarchs in our history.

10/10

XV - Shen es Diesra Arual

People immediately disliked this empress and were very surprised when she returned the sentiment. To me, Shen's whole story seems quite logical. As a ruler, she is a complete void; as a person, she is also no gift, but in her position, it was hard to expect benevolent behavior or strong positive influence from her. And initially, she was hated not even for her character, which largely depends on the person themselves, but simply for her appearance, over which she had no influence. Why then were there far fewer complaints about Raidark's pointed ears? Because he was a powerful sorcerer, not a teenage girl who was pushed onto the throne in a voluntary-compulsory manner? Shen could have become a symbol of recognizing Mindjin as part of Velfern, an example of openness and closeness of the ruling dynasty to the people. I wonder how well she was prepared for governing the state and what initiatives were rejected by advisors. Perhaps by the time her ideas reached "I want fluffy bipedal kittens at home," she had long realized that more constructive proposals would be rejected anyway and it made no difference what she came up with. I suspect that at the beginning of her reign, she was far from the same person she was at the end, though surely no one can say for sure. Was Shen a worthy ruler or just a good person? Categorically no. Could she have become one with proper support? I dare say yes. Alas, history does not tolerate subjunctive moods.

1/10

XVI - Naer es Diesra Arual

A rather doubtful character, under whom Velfern knew no peace. In a difficult time for the country, he studied and traveled, engaging in foreign policy and helping the Lunarians, while his homeland was torn apart by the struggle for the throne. Undoubtedly, acquiring new knowledge and building relationships with powerful allies like the dragons and the long-eared ones is a very valuable pursuit, but again, a monarch's priorities should be slightly different. It seems to me that upon completing his studies, he should have taken the throne as soon as possible and put an end to the turmoil, and only then paid attention to the Sylvan Kingdom and Lunaria. Furthermore, while the annexation of Upper Lunaria is quite justified, Lower Lunaria seems to me a very doubtful acquisition, as the customs there directly contradict the laws and ideals of the empire; basic human rights granted by Anuzish herself are grossly violated there. Of course, cultural characteristics and national identity are very important, but some "wonderful" traditions like slavery, racism, and sexism have long since outlived their time and their place is in the deep pre-imperial past. Naer's idea of conquering Helm and Minua seems just as doubtful to me, as does the adventure of helping Calcite. Certainly, in all these cases, Velfern came out ahead, and the geopolitical, geo-economic, and strategic importance of Marcella is hard to overestimate, but in the place of the empire's residents after the reign of Shen and thirty years of turmoil, I would have wanted a bit of peace and stability, not new grandiose conquests. Living in an era of change is not the most pleasant activity.

4/10

XVII - Abeas es Diesra Arual

High intelligence is wonderful. Intellectual pursuits, like chess or mahjong, are simply marvelous. A sharp mind is undoubtedly one of the best virtues a person can possess. Alas, you cannot get far on intelligence alone, and mastery of board games does not make you an expert in geopolitical games. From the example of Lanigiros, we remember that the strive to catch up with and surpass ancestors doesn't end well, but if Lanigiros turned out to be just a mediocre monarch, then Abeas's thirst for glory led to a real catastrophe not only for Velfern but also for Nephiria. Of course, he could not have foreseen that the opponent, in an attempt to win the conflict at any cost, would destroy their own population, but reconnaissance should have been conducted better. And yet, if Abeas had applied his genius worthily, he could have annexed Nephiria diplomatically, and who knows, the Many-Faced Monogat could have been our ally... I hope he wouldn't have turned the population of Velfern into undead in some complex situation, hm. Nevertheless, diplomacy seemed to me a much more promising idea than attack. Perhaps the only bright spot in this story is Abeas's wife, who stayed by his side regardless of everything, remained with him even after all the mistakes he made, and tried somehow to compensate for the harm caused by her husband by dedicating herself to charity. In this story, she is the one to follow, and this wretched monarch is better forgotten like a nightmare.

1/10

XVIII - Hartrain es Diesra Arual

With his small victorious war, Abeas brought Velfern to the brink of destruction; the empire faced horrific consequences and nearly ceased to exist. While the heir was too young to rule the country, the council and senate obviously did not help the situation much; perhaps they even exacerbated it, considering that these were most likely the same people who approved the invasion of Nephiria. As soon as Hartrain reached adulthood, an unbearable burden fell upon his shoulders. Instead of developing the economy, science, and culture, strengthening borders, and establishing cooperation with neighbors, Hartrain dedicated his entire life to eliminating the consequences of his father's insane ambitions. He placed the interests of the empire above his own, personally intervened in solving an endless multitude of problems across the country, and did everything in his power to bring back the former greatness to Velfern. He was a protector-ruler, working for the benefit of his subjects, the ideal embodiment of Arual's original vision. It is a bit sad that almost all of Hartrain's reign was spent correcting the mistakes of Abeas and his government; one can only dream of how much Velfern would have achieved under him had he come to power in calmer times.

10/10

You guys are so quick. And I'm still stuck in the middle, constantly rewriting this or that part.

We're not rushing things; Alaria is just getting distracted by other projects...

I actually had a plan to write two full-fledged school essays about each ruler (one for Bibu, another for Bobu), but I couldn't bring myself to start, and eventually, I only began writing something after I started working, when I was cut off from my home life and Clip Studio. I'm not very happy with the resulting volume, and I didn't go into all the details, and I even forgot/ignored some things, but I've never been good at rambling, and considering each monarch from two perspectives was quite a challenge. In the end, I decided that it's better to do it as best as I can, even if it's not perfect, than to never do it at all.

And yes, I'm amused by how annoyed Gion got about annexing Lower Lunaria.