NationStates Jolt Archive

After reaching the 78th year of his reign now at the age 150 Emperor Harold knowing all to well that the lack of expansion his nation had under his ruler and that he had never truly proven himself a warrior worthy of Odin’s hall of Valhalla had firmly decided that the time had come for him to lead a army into the northern plains against the enemy tribes that dwelled there. Marching with an army of 120,000 Imperial Soldiers and 30,000 Imperial Knights onto the cold northern plains he began his war upon the enemy tribes. Initially he had great success against the tribes until a great collation of their forces marched against his camp.

The alarms sounded giving the Imperial army enough time to prepare for battle. By the time the army was prepared the enemy had already begun the attack. The Imperial army drew their swords and raised their shields against the oncoming tribal soldiers. The Imperial soldiers were outnumbered 5 to 1 yet they were the far more skilled and they were better armed. The soldiers not in the melee took up the M-16s and opened fire on the tribal gunmen. The tanks as soon as they could even be readied were destroyed by rock and bomb fire. Emperor Harold within his tent eve while the battle raged followed his house’s ancient military traditions of elaborate ceremonies to prepare for battle. When at last this was done eh dawned his armor and took out his sword and marched to meet his enemies head on. He marched with 120 Imperial Body Guards.

Leading his small force he engaged the tribal melee warriors. He and his bodyguard slew 10 for every one of them that fell until there were only four guards left and the emperor to fight the enemy’s warriors. Overwhelmed by a force a hundred times there size at last the emperor and his surviving guards fell not without the emperor slaying another 28 tribal warriors, including seven enemy chieftains, then at last he had died. But, as he was dying the great horns of the all the Knight Orders of the Scandinvans sounded so great was this sound that the enemy started to flee as literally hundreds of thousands of knights upon their great horses came upon their ranks and attacking them until all the tribal warriors were all killed. The knights then entered the remains of the camp where they found only 2,000 knights and 6,000 Imperial soldiers still alive. Then they came upon the dying body of their emperor has was at the age of 150 there Harold said,” Empress Skadi is now your ruler. Follow her as you did me and please tell her that I lover her and Reginald as well. Also please tell her not to weep for my time has come and I can hear the Valkyrja coming fore me.”

With those last words he died and passed unto into death. Seeing that he was dead all the knights and surviving soldiers kneeled to his memory and they all said in unison,” Hail the victorious dead.”

With this a messenger was immediately sent to Valgard to bring the ill tidings and to bring the news to the new sole ruling Empress Skadi.

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As we have always respected your nation, we respect your dead Emperor. May we send a mourner for every of our Kin and congratulate your new Empress. She has inherited our respect as well.

Skadi stands, her young son at her side, in the court yard of the Imperial Palace.
Her face pail and grim, her eyes red rimmed and hollow from crying for the loss of her beloved husband.
Yet she now stands tall and proud, dressed in the most regalest of her ceremonial robes, waiting for the Valkyrja to bring home the body of the late Emperor Harold.

A messenger arrives he hands his message to the most noble of all peoples kinsmen of her own kind.

Psyker Bearzerkers,
As the daughter of Lord Grendal of Grendel's lair and the Empress of the Scandinvans, I thank you for your commiserations and salutations.
May it be known amongst your people that Emperor Harold's soul is now in the great halls of Odin.
Following the required period of mourning, as is the custom for his people, he will be burried with full Viking honours and it is mine and Emperor on waiting, Prince Reginald's wish, that you are welcomed as honoured guests.

Empress Skadi

Statement

We send our severe condolences to your nation, but we also send our utmost admiration. What better way for an Emperor to die than with a sword in his hand and a slain enemy at his foot? There is none. His fate reminds the entire Tocrowkian nation of the death of our own very first Emperor, Assair Emmerich, whom was slain on a glorious ride to either ruin or independence. We wish to send a delegation to attend the funeral and pay our respects.

Tocrowcia,
Most honoured of the nations from my homelands.

I thank you for your words, they are indeed most comforting.
You will be notified of the arangements as soon as they have been made.

Kindest reguards
Skadi

Dar ordered his nation to mourn, even his exiled father. As long as he had been lost, stuck in the dank chambers of Black Hive, he had heard of Emperor Harold, he had been an icon; something to model himself as, the benchmark that he would always compare himself too.

Dar restrained himself as the veins protruded in his neck, but he had drunk too much blood-spirit and he crashed shoulder first into a wall. As spasms rocked his body, in the moon-grey cloak, he croaked a few words, "Remember Harold..."

And in the core of Black Hive, the largest population center of the Bearzerkers, was a massive throng of grey cloaks streaked with shiny new blood, dancing and flaying about they battered each other and themselves, as they mourned.

Broadcast of Chairman Girardi's Speech.

People of Scandinvan, listen up. Do not mourn the loss of your leader, celebrate his reign. He led with the dignity and confidence possessed by no other. He will remain alive as a legend. Never forget him, never forget what he did for you.
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Message to Empress Skadi

To: Empress Skadi
From: Chairman Gary Girardi, Head of State, Holy Empire of Saint Fedski
Re: Grand Imperial Palace Hotel

It has come to the attention of our security bureau that four senior members of the Holy Empire of Saint Fedski have ties to the terrorist nation of The Free Land of Plympton-Wyoming. They are reported to be planning to murder our Minister of Commerce, Molly Spragg and the CEO of our biggest company, Sarah Ledgerwood. They are members of our government, but are acting on behalf of another and therefore not representing the Holy Empire of Saint Fedski. I would advise you to monitor their actions and catch them in the act. These people are extremely dangerous, but predictable. They will most likely make the attempt the night they leave. This is a serious warning from a credible source. We will provide information as it comes to us. If you need anything else, we will do our best to provide it.

Your's faithfully,
Chairman Girardi

To: Chairman Gary Girardi, Head of State, Holy Empire of Saint Fedski
From: Empress Skadi

Chairman Girardi,
I thank you for the information you have provided, this has been forwarded to our Security forces and the matter will be dealt with.
Empress Skadi

Although slightly battered from the previous mourning, even a slight bit hung over from the blood-spirit, over thirty of the mourners, the actual heads of the houses, were composed. Like Dar they had admired Emporor Harold and they had come to pay their respects, though they couldn't help but smile at such a glorius death.

With new mourner's robes on they walked to a plaza, censor bearers in tow, they began to prey in Archic Trance-speech, until they were needed as decreed by the Mighty Empress and Child.

Warmaster Schmaldt heaved at his reigns. Even his horse seemed worried and uncertain, like the men in the two great ranks infront of him. Swords and spears wavered uncertainly. Even the great banners fluttered forlornly in the icy breeze. The warmaster rode between the mercenaries, militia, watch draft, landscnecht, elites, and finally the council guard, in their finest armor, hung with ancient symbols of power and duty.

He reached the speaking platform below the great thrones of the council, dismounted, and, handing the reigns to a guard, climbed the stairs. Three of them, but they seemed like a slope to the sky-lands. At last he was there, and he turned.

"Two days ago, news of a great tragedy reached us. The Emporer Harold, noblest, wisest, and boldest of all the the rulers of these lands is dead. He died in the way an honourable leader and a mighty warrior should have, in the expansion and protection of his domain from the barbarian north tribes. He slew many, and had he had but a little more time, this would be a celebration of great victories, and drink would flow and meat roast... but the fates have chosen this way, so let us mourn."

And they did. For a whole hour, the army bowed it's head and many shed a few tears.

"But now, there is still cause for celebration! For the inheritor of the great domains of Scandinvan is the Empress Skadi!"

There was a resounding chear, spears banged against the ground, and swords were thrust in the air.

At last the personal cries and meaningless whoops became a unified shout.
"Hail to the victorious dead! Hail to the great Emporer! Hail to the great Empress!"

The body of Emperor Harold was being prepared for his the afterlife by removing the ancient lofty crown of the Scandinvans' past rulers and in its stead was put a simple gold band with a signal diamond imbedded in its front. His sword was polished and his armor was repaired and then polished. Then oils were placed on his body to preserve it. At last his body was prepared and placed inside of a pure silver coffin and with gold and precious stones adorning it. On the lid of the coffin engraved in gold was a 3d replica of the Imperial crown that Harold had worn while he was still alive. At last eight leaders of the knight orders carried his coffin to a place prepared for the Valkyrja to carry his body back to Valgard and to Skadi and Reginald.

MESSAGE FROM THE WARMASTER OF BOOZIA
We, the people of Boozia send our highest condolences and apologies to the Empress and her child for the loss of such a great Husband, and to the people of Scandinvans for the loss of such a noble leader. We are interested to know if there are any funeral and/or coronation ceremonies planned, as we must send a representative, as it has always been a mark of great respect for a warlord to leave his hall and hold to address another leader.

Her wait over Skadi is informed that the Valkyrja have arrived.
She pulls her son to her and stands in the private courtyard of the Palace, now built in the place where she and Harold had first met so long ago.

Her advisors and attendants leave in descrete privateness, for although the streets of the city had been lined with guards of honour and Harold's people, here she and her son would great the Valkyrja alone.

Skadi is surpirised and honoured to see that all twelve bring her husband's body home to her. They arrive four abrest, in full ceremonial armour, baring their shields and lances. His coffin bourn between the central two.

She beckons the pall barers, knights of great honour and valour amongst their people, who gently lift the coffin and carry it upon their shoulders to the side of those assembled.
Stepping forward to the Valkyrja, Skadi speaks in a clear and steady voice.
"Valkyrja, I thank you for honouring my husband and myself in bringing him home to us and trust that you will stay fro his funeral and the celebration of his life. May Odin always show the same degree of honour to his most glorious Hand Maidens"

Bowing low, she turns and leads the knights and her husband to the private room set asside for him, tonight she and her son will sit by his body and mourn the passing of their most beloved Husband and Father.

Most Noble of Warmasters of Boozia,

I thank you most sincerely for your words.
The funeral and celebration of my husband, the late Emperor Harold, will take place withing the following seven days.
Your envoy will be most welcome to attend.

Empress Skadi
Empereor in waiting Reginald

King Fat Monkey 13 of Potty 5 wishes to say how sorry he is for the loss of the great Emperor. If his attendance is desired at the funeral he is willing to break all engagements in order to show his respect.

OoC: Emperor Fat Monkey 13 is using the title King to show his inferior position to the Emperor/Empress not to confuse you w/ his change of title.

Her wait over Skadi is informed that the Valkyrja have arrived.
She pulls her son to her and stands in the private courtyard of the Palace, now built in the place where she and Harold had first met so long ago.

Her advisors and attendants leave in descrete privateness, for although the streets of the city had been lined with guards of honour and Harold's people, here she and her son would great the Valkyrja alone.

Skadi is surpirised and honoured to see that all twelve bring her husband's body home to her. They arrive four abrest, in full ceremonial armour, baring their shields and lances. His coffin bourn between the central two.

She beckons the pall barers, knights of great honour and valour amongst their people, who gently lift the coffin and carry it upon their shoulders to the side of those assembled.
Stepping forward to the Valkyrja, Skadi speaks in a clear and steady voice.
"Valkyrja, I thank you for honouring my husband and myself in bringing him home to us and trust that you will stay fro his funeral and the celebration of his life. May Odin always show the same degree of honour to his most glorious Hand Maidens"

Bowing low, she turns and leads the knights and her husband to the private room set asside for him, tonight she and her son will sit by his body and mourn the passing of their most beloved Husband and Father.Inside the room set aside for the emperor's body entered a single man tall and grim he appeared. But, within his eyes were a powerful light full of goodness. There coming before both the crown prince and the empress he bowed and then said to them,” Emperor Harold died before his time, but he died as true warrior in battle. Yet before he died he committed me to teach his son and heir Reginald in the deeper and greater lessons on how to rule when he time had come for him to be the emperor. When you are the time of mourning has ended and his burial complete Reginald is too committed unto me for his training for his rule as the emperor.”

Skadi bowed to the man, but stood in front of her young son, shielding him from even his gaize.

"And am I to be given a name for the one who seeks to take the other man I love from my life?"

Emperor Fat Monkey 13

I am touched that you feel the need to change your title when speeking to and of us, however, there is no need.
I would be honoured for you to attend the late Emperor's funeral and will hope that you find time to stay for the most improtant celebration of his life?

Empress Skadi
Emperor in waiting Reginald

The man answered," I am Lord Harald of the noble house of the Ternia. My Empress Skadi."

She bowed her head again.

"And a most Noble House that is. Is it your intentions to train my son within your lands?"

Then Lord Ternia responded," He shall be trained in my own land."

Skadi sighed, she knew that this day would come and that her son would leave her, but she had not expected to loose him and his father almost at the same time.
She looked at her son and smiled at him, he looked so much like his father that she almost cried.

"Reginald, this is Lord Harald, he will be your new Master and will train you in the ways of your father's people."

She ruffles her son's hair.

"I know this will be hard for you, but I will always be here and you will always be allowed to contact me and I will always love you."

She hugs him close and turns to the Lord Harald.

"You will stay for the late Emperor's funeral and take my son with you yourself?"

Lard Harald answered," Yes, I shall stay here due to being honour bound and out of respect for the departed Emperor Harold. Also I have a present for the young Reginald."

He took out a blade that was decorated with an untold wealth of gems and gold. Harld continued," This sword belongs to the houses of the emperors' and kings' so thus in now passes into your ownership. This blade contains thousands of years of your house's history."

The young boy looks at him and the sword, then at his mother wh nods her aproval.
He takes it and smiles at the strange man.
"Than.....Thank you Master"

With a small bow he retreats and looks at his mother.
"May I place it on fathers coffin until it is time for his funeral?"

Glowing with pride she nods and watches as he does so then returns to her side.

Lord Harald then bowed and said," Farwell my lords."

Then he left them to mourn the loss of such a great person. After he left another person entered. The person was short man with glasses and came before the empress and said," Your husband has left you with the wealth of the Imperial family. Come with me, both of you, I have something he instructed for to show to his successor upon his death. Also bring Crown Prince Reginald with you please."

Skadi snaps at the intrusion.
"Can this not wait?"

The little responded," Yeah, it may, but felt like telling you before I was overwhelmed by my work and forgot it about it."

"Very well, but this must be the last intrusion unless it is a matter of great urgency."

She beckons her son and follows the man.

The man walked back towards toward to the wall off a hallway and then pulled a secret switch that then opened to a stairway that spiraled downwards. The man continued down the stairs then at last entered a vast chambers that was many hundreds of meters wide and hundreds of meters back. The rooms was filled of untold tons of gold, silver, and precious stones to the brim of the room's walls.

Skadi shakes her head.
"So this is where he has kept it all this time?"

The man answered," Yes, this is one of the stores houses of his wealth that is now yours."

She turns to him.

"No, this is not my wealth it is the peoples. I have all that I need, well I did have until my most valuable possession my husband left us"

The man answered," This wealth is properly that of your son's due to his direct descent from Harold, but as empress this is you's also. Yet if you do not wish for it then it will remain under lock and key until the ascent of Reginald to the throne."

She laughs.
"And who are you to tell the Empress what to do with her wealth?
However, it was my intentions to do just that, I trust him to see that his people are well cared for and that none will go without during his reign."

The man asnwered," I will fund the programs that need to be funded for the good of our people. My empress."

Skadi smiles.
"Thank you, I will expect a full report on my desk on a monthly basis."

She nods to him and call Reginald to her.
"Now if you will excuse me, I wish to mourn my husband. I expect no further interuptions unless they are of great import."

Message from Emperor Fat Monkey 13 of Potty 5:
"I shall come to the funeral and stay for all the events. I feel that it is part of my duty as a ruler of [three imperial] fiefs under the late Emperor."

Emperor Fat Monkey 13

You will be made most welcome.
I would also like to assure you that all agreements made between yourself and the late Emperor will be honoured.

Empress Skadi
Emperor in waiting Reginald

Skadi smiles.
"Thank you, I will expect a full report on my desk on a monthly basis."

She nods to him and call Reginald to her.
"Now if you will excuse me, I wish to mourn my husband. I expect no further interuptions unless they are of great import."The man bowed," I shall order a guard to be placed on the entrance that shall only allow people bearing the Imperial seal to enter."

"Thank you"
She nods and leaves, then turns and smiles.

"Oh and I would like to speak to all of the aids that my husband appointed for me please. I need to get to know their faces and what they do. I would also like to choose a persoanl aid from amongst them. A meeting for tomorow afternoon will be fine."

The man bowed and said," Yes, my empress I shall send them to you tommorrow as soon as you command me to. My Empress."

The Mouners Prair For Emperor Harold
As told by Marik Severcide Rune Priest and Grand Seer

The Emperors' Prair:
Emperor Harold on Earth as he is in Valhalla.
Warrior so great he will lead the attacks in Ragnerok.
Son of the Norse, and Father of The Empire.
By His holy sword and ax does he fell the enamy.
Cunning given by Loki, Might by Thor.
A King of the Vikings, he will be missed.
And the Living would seek death, to follow his BattleCry once more.
Emperor Harold, of The Scandinvans.

The Mouners Prair For Emperor Harold
As told by Marik Severcide Rune Priest and Grand Seer

The Emperors' Prair:
Emperor Harold on Earth as he is in Valhalla.
Warrior so great he will lead the attacks in Ragnerok.
Son of the Norse, and Father of The Empire.
By His holy sword and ax does he fell the enamy.
Cunning given by Loki, Might by Thor.
A King of the Vikings, he will be missed.
And the Living would seek death, to follow his BattleCry once more.
Emperor Harold, of The Scandinvans.The Imperial High Seer of the Order of Odin replie:
The Imperial High Seer of the Order of Odin replied:
Great as he was during he shall be even greater in death.
Though he now has passed his body will remain in all its glory until Ragnarok comes.
His body shall rest undisturbed till that day lying within finely hewn halls and upon a bed of gold.
Wearing his death crown and holding his great sword till Ragnarok where he shall rise.
When the armies of the giants and those of Loki arrive to Asgard he shall march forth beside Odin against them.
There he shall face the foes of Odin and fight valiantly, until the nine worlds end.
Of which he shall survive and awaken in the new world.

OOC: Thats a hard act to follow Scand, really nice writing!.. and that wasn't sarcasm.

OOC: Sorry about though thank you.

IC: A bell rang from the highest tower of the Valgard signaling the end of the time of mourning. The people began to leave their homes and temples of the city and prepared for the funeral and funerary procession of the deceased Emperor Harold. Already the guard of the valley that held the bodies of the past rulers of the Scandinvans opened Harold’s tomb and began finishing the final prepartions.

ooc: Is there a place were the mourners from diffrent nations are going to put gifts/tokens of respect, like an alter?

OOC: Yeah, if you wish you can either have it buried with the emperor as the tombs of the emperors are like Egyptian tombs save that my nation doesn't believe that they will use them in the afterlif it is an act of respect and/or love. Or you can give it to the family that has been affected from the loss.

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Emperor Fat Monkey 13 arrived to show his respects. He wanted to arrive earlier but had encountered some difficulties…

He brought with him three small balls made of platinum that. One had etched on it in writing too small for an unaided eye to see then entirety of Journy to the West. The second ball had The Investiture of the Gods. The third ball had Heimskringla. He hoped that these items would be good enough to join the (The Scandinvans) Emperor in the tomb. He was concerned that he would commit a cultural faux pa and wondered if it would be better to give the stories to the (The Scandinvans) Emperor’s family instead. He picked one of the small metallic orbs out of his sleeve pocket and looked at it as he wondered what he would do when he finally met a member of the Scandinvans royalty in person.

The Warmaster wishes to present the high councillers shield (to lay down your defense is a boozian symbol of trust), sword (a symbol of friendship) and helmet (a symbol of reverance). These are replaced of course, but rarely so we hope it will be a sufficient token.

The 18 mourners have each given the Emperor's son, traditional Bearserker Axes and Hammers as well as bear skin coats. They are in a rough form, made from PsyOre, if he chooses he may shape them as he wishes. The Bearskins were stitched with a saga of that Bearzerkin came to be. Together they weave how we became The Lost Tribes, separated or exiled from other Norsemen and became what we are. The 18 other gave identical tokens to the Emperor Harold, with total reverence.

OOC: Responses will come later today.

And with their gesture compleate, they took their leave as they wished the New Empress a everlasting reign.

The Warmaster wishes to present the high councillers shield (to lay down your defense is a boozian symbol of trust), sword (a symbol of friendship) and helmet (a symbol of reverance). These are replaced of course, but rarely so we hope it will be a sufficient token.
We wish to thank you for the great gitfts and may the gods protect you and your nations for all eternity and may you meet Harold in Odin's hall one day.

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