AoP Dec 1015
Posted by Apostate on 08/10/21
The first formal Assembly of Peers in a great long time was well attended, coming together in a celebratory mood following the Compact's successes in defeating the Eurusi invasion. All the great houses were represented, with highlords Jaenelle, Liara, Alis and Victus for Velenosa, Grayson, Valardin and Thrax respectively, and voices Deva and Tyche for Redrain and Pravus. The Assembly's starting emphasis on the Compact's victory made the peerage look favorably on the highlords, particularly Princess Liara Grayson who won acclaim for her own actions during the battle and is still riding a high of fame. Prince Victus Thrax won some grudging support from traditionalists by (in their eyes) appropriately condemning new ennoblements. Archduchess Jaenelle Velenosa has committed the Lyceum to rebuilding efforts and strengthening the defenses of the southern city-states against any possible future invasions.
Princess Deva Redrain praised the fallen Marquis Cirroch Sanna, who recently fell defending the Whisper House from shavs, which neatly coincided with Princess Alis Valardin praising the elevation of Natalia Whisper, former Princess Natalia Grayson, reclaiming a noble title by being granted a peerage by House Keaton, becoming the first Baroness Elwood. Natalia, already a popular figure among the peerage and commons alike who enjoy a good redemption story, spoke eloquently in praise of the much beloved Whisper House, and the lack of opposition from House Grayson at her new title is taken as a signal that she is welcome among the highest echelons of polite society again.
'Polite' society became somewhat frayed at the announcement of two long expected elevations, with the Barony of Redreef being recognized as a county, and the city-state of Nilanza as a new ducal holding. In both cases, the two holdings had clearly grown and gained the power that is necessary for recognition, but that didn't mean the peerage had to like it. The now Countess Ember Redreef held up well under challenge by rude members of the peerage, with House Dredcall calling upon House Redreef to make military commitments against shav raiders in recognition of its new status. The countess claimed 'she will see those conflicts ended', which impressed many of the Islander peers enough to withhold further judgment on the new county until they see if the countess can live up to the claim.
A loud and particularly rude Lord Nunzio Amatocitto was unable to be stopped by his family from questioning the now Duchess Lianne Malespero, on whether the new duchess and other peers would make a commitment against no new ennoblements, seeing as how she has now a neo-noble ducal spouse. Most peers were horrified at the man breaching protocol by saying outloud what most of them were thinking, particularly among the Lyceum, and doubly so when the man unnecessarily reminded the contingent that Jaenelle Velenosa, the Grand Duchess of the Lyceum, was not actually of Lycene blood. While privately most peers are creating dead pools and placing debts on when (not if) Nunzio is assassinated, particularly after Duchess Cambria Mazetti artfully baits him into insulting House Velenosa, some of the peers are grateful the idiot actually asked the question. The peerage -does- want commitments from elevated peers, and was deeply concerned that Duchess Lianne and Duke Apollo did not specifically do so. Archduchess Jaenelle's pointed slap down to the man, as well a reminder she's had enemies tortured and killed, was expected and very pointedly and enthusiastically applauded by the Lycene delegation, who all seemed to very carefully avoid being seen as the first one to stop clapping. Some of the Oathlands delegation huffed and found the threat crass, of course.
Also of note was Marquessa Tyche Inverno's celebration of the victory at Pieros (warmly celebrated) and her commitment to further expansion in the Saffron (which was not). Some of the peers are acutely aware of the origins of the war with Skal'daja, and while they are glad in principle of an expansionist Compact that exerts control over the Saffron and beyond, the costs are just a little bit recent until they see more personal gain for their own houses. The peerage is still ecstatic that the Compact triumphed over an existential threat, but as that fades, their attention turns towards more personal gain for their houses- and guarding their own status, against elevation of neo-nobles and the addition of prodigals. The latter will be a point that is emphasized in future Assemblies, to be sure.
Princess Deva Redrain praised the fallen Marquis Cirroch Sanna, who recently fell defending the Whisper House from shavs, which neatly coincided with Princess Alis Valardin praising the elevation of Natalia Whisper, former Princess Natalia Grayson, reclaiming a noble title by being granted a peerage by House Keaton, becoming the first Baroness Elwood. Natalia, already a popular figure among the peerage and commons alike who enjoy a good redemption story, spoke eloquently in praise of the much beloved Whisper House, and the lack of opposition from House Grayson at her new title is taken as a signal that she is welcome among the highest echelons of polite society again.
'Polite' society became somewhat frayed at the announcement of two long expected elevations, with the Barony of Redreef being recognized as a county, and the city-state of Nilanza as a new ducal holding. In both cases, the two holdings had clearly grown and gained the power that is necessary for recognition, but that didn't mean the peerage had to like it. The now Countess Ember Redreef held up well under challenge by rude members of the peerage, with House Dredcall calling upon House Redreef to make military commitments against shav raiders in recognition of its new status. The countess claimed 'she will see those conflicts ended', which impressed many of the Islander peers enough to withhold further judgment on the new county until they see if the countess can live up to the claim.
A loud and particularly rude Lord Nunzio Amatocitto was unable to be stopped by his family from questioning the now Duchess Lianne Malespero, on whether the new duchess and other peers would make a commitment against no new ennoblements, seeing as how she has now a neo-noble ducal spouse. Most peers were horrified at the man breaching protocol by saying outloud what most of them were thinking, particularly among the Lyceum, and doubly so when the man unnecessarily reminded the contingent that Jaenelle Velenosa, the Grand Duchess of the Lyceum, was not actually of Lycene blood. While privately most peers are creating dead pools and placing debts on when (not if) Nunzio is assassinated, particularly after Duchess Cambria Mazetti artfully baits him into insulting House Velenosa, some of the peers are grateful the idiot actually asked the question. The peerage -does- want commitments from elevated peers, and was deeply concerned that Duchess Lianne and Duke Apollo did not specifically do so. Archduchess Jaenelle's pointed slap down to the man, as well a reminder she's had enemies tortured and killed, was expected and very pointedly and enthusiastically applauded by the Lycene delegation, who all seemed to very carefully avoid being seen as the first one to stop clapping. Some of the Oathlands delegation huffed and found the threat crass, of course.
Also of note was Marquessa Tyche Inverno's celebration of the victory at Pieros (warmly celebrated) and her commitment to further expansion in the Saffron (which was not). Some of the peers are acutely aware of the origins of the war with Skal'daja, and while they are glad in principle of an expansionist Compact that exerts control over the Saffron and beyond, the costs are just a little bit recent until they see more personal gain for their own houses. The peerage is still ecstatic that the Compact triumphed over an existential threat, but as that fades, their attention turns towards more personal gain for their houses- and guarding their own status, against elevation of neo-nobles and the addition of prodigals. The latter will be a point that is emphasized in future Assemblies, to be sure.