Episode: Stormwinds
Posted by Story on 04/14/21
Denunciations from dozens of prominent Mourning Islander peers follow, but it becomes clear the Thraxians aren't really sure who they should be denouncing as responsible for Ivan's death. A fair number are blaming Prince Victus Thrax, highlord of the Mourning Isles, who most feel had something to gain from Ivan's death. Others are blaming Alarissa, his wife, thinking it was a meddling outsider that married into the Isles. Some are blaming Aureth, thinking the 'false dominus' had a rival leader killed. A few believe King Alaric IV is responsible, since Ivan backed his father. Some think it was clearly progressive peers in the Mourning Isles that are breaking from tradition, like House Kennex or Redreef. At least some publicly suspect House Velenosa, as their current highlord was born in House Thrax, and Grand Duchess Jaenelle probably has scores to settle. Some think it was the Eurusi, with some conflict happening behind the scenes as Ivan was pressing them for more help and quarreled with them over their decision to invade the Saffron first. Dominus Waldo is already preaching grand conspiracy theories about assassins drawn from every house in the Compact and likely 'demons from the Abyss itself, acting at the behest of an unholy alliance of the False Faith and False King'. And finally, as one commoner from Sungreet wrote in a white journal, 'you can add to the list of suspects anyone that ever spent five minutes talking to that arrogant, pompous and brutal moron.'
Regardless, it seems that the death of Ivan has led to a hardening of traditionalist positions, and the dim likelihood of a peaceful resolution is probably now long gone. While most of the traditionalists have little desire to pick a fight while the war with the Eurusi is going on, and be associated with enemies of the Compact, one is certainly coming- just under new leadership.
Regardless, it seems that the death of Ivan has led to a hardening of traditionalist positions, and the dim likelihood of a peaceful resolution is probably now long gone. While most of the traditionalists have little desire to pick a fight while the war with the Eurusi is going on, and be associated with enemies of the Compact, one is certainly coming- just under new leadership.