Mail
For those loyal to Astorea I ask that you read this before coming to the wrong conclusion. As you know, our former king, Astor, in an effort to bring democracy to Astorea, has decided to change a great deal with how this country operates. He states that this is best for the country, and will be miraculously funded by foreign enemies who refused to show support during our time of need.
I am here to tell you that he is lying to you.
I am here to tell you, that this change will leave foreign powers in charge in place of the players of this realm.
I am here to tell you, that I will not be a part of it.
This is not by choice, Astor has forced my hand. Though he was too coward to say it to my face he has decided to remove my title and right to the lands I have sacrificed so much for. The very lands I defended not even a week ago from the villainous Titanias. A monster which, I risking being trapped within the game, jumped into the very soul of to slay.
But I digress.
As I said, I want you to know that he is lying to you. The notion of Astorea becoming a republic democracy for the players is a noble one, that I would normally support. However, Astor interests lie elsewhere, specifically, in a different country. Specifically Falderen.
Libel, you claim I'm sure, but my argument follows three main points.
1. Astor has never shown interest in a 'democracy', or 'republic' prior.
2. Astor is known to collaborate with foreign nations behind closed doors.
3. Astor has no intention of giving up the throne.
For my first point, the only proof you need is to think back to every major event that has happened. Once the three guilds decided to make a new kingdom he took sole leadership. In preparation for the fight with Azog he sent everyone in practically blind. We had no idea what the situation was, nor who this man teleporting us was. To pick officials, he chose those who gave them the most money and disregarded them after. When the nobles from Teritoria first arrived, he walked in, agreed to a monumentally large deal (which required a lot of follow through by players), at a moments notice without consulting a single person. Finally, when Titania was at our borders, he didn't he show for the tactical meeting, instead deciding to keep his distance and forming his own plans in secret. None of these times did Astor ask the player base what they wanted to do. It was a purely one-sided affair, of Astor deciding the fate of the player kingdom on his own.
For my second, it's very common knowledge that Astor and D'va have some sort of relationship outside of neighboring dignitaries. She often shows up during most major events after what happened with her father. What's even more damning, however, is his personal secretary, and leader of his secret police force 'Cecia'. I have very excellent information suggesting that Cecia is actually yet another daughter of King Theo himself, cast out of the family at an early age. These two women are our enemy! They are the daughters of the man who attacked our nation and imprisoned half our population. If you need more proof look at the man's words themselves, he claims to have control over them, forcing them to pay the bills of our reconstruction. Considering they did not show for the fight, how could he have any leverage over them to pay for such things, if not for some backroom dealing?
The third is the most obvious. He himself said he is not giving up the throne till the 'end of his term'. This term is vaguely described for a reason, as it will likely last just long enough for him to seize absolute control before the second phase of his plan begins. That second phase I'll get into later, but if his true plan was to abdicate the throne, he could have done so when he removed the nobles, as he is himself a noble after all.
With all that said I think Astor has a plan. He's not a stupid man, nor is he necessarily evil, but it's clear he intended to manipulate events in a Makavelian nature to see through to his preferred ending.
As far as I can tell what he is planning is something along these lines:
Astor's Plan
1. Wait for a moment of great weakness in the country (high death count, weakened armies)
2. Declare that he will make a democracy.
3. Use said declaration to remove all other nobles from power giving him power absolute. (The nobles cannot fight this due to being weakened from battle)
4. Use power to create a new party system, the parties, however, will consist of pre-selected candidates, all of which are completely loyal to him, or his foreign contacts.
5. Rig an election, so that it seems a popular vote is used.
6. Allow foreign contacts to rule Asotra from the shadows in a shame republic.
7. Retire and live off of kickbacks from foreign contacts, free from any kind of duty.
If I had the strength to stop this I would, but in the state following the battle within my duchy, I couldn't even hope to put up a fight against a large and likely foreign army. This really leaves me with two options. One, to run. Or two, to secede from Astorea. After careful deliberation, and knowing the fate of those that live in my boundaries I have decided the later.
From this point forward the Duchy of Rutledge is no more. Where it once stood is now a nation unaffiliated with Astorea known simply as, "Oasis". Here I plan to form a true democracy, where all player's voices matter, and I urge any and all to come and join me as soon as possible. I will make no aggressive actions to Astorea, save to protect my borders from the likely inevitable invasion.
For this reason, I will make one last plea to Astor.
Astor,
I know you are reading this, whether transcribed to you or otherwise it doesn't matter. If you have any goodwill for the man who saved your life in that dungeon, or fought with you side by side, time and time again. Please use it to decide not to invade.
-Roland
