TribunM

After months of hearings, debate, and exile, Frère Lucien de la Tour Forbie left Arondrelle behind. The verdict was clear — exile, at least. A mercy, and perhaps a sentence of another kind: banishment to the western shore. His uncle, Dom Alaric, once Grand Archdeacon of Arondrelle and near to becoming bishop himself, accompanied him part of the way. He too had fallen from favor — not condemned, but quietly removed. On their final day together, he pressed a sealed letter into Lucien’s hand: “They may take the cathedral from us, Lucien, but not the Depth. The Depth lives wherever thought seeks honestly.” Those words stayed with him as he arrived at the farthest edge of Pontilla — a coast of wind, salt, and silence. Here stood the Maison Côtière d’Ouest, the westernmost commandery of the Knights of Poseidon. It was no grand monastery, but a fortress of stone and spray, facing the vast Phyrite Sea. The Order had agreed to receive him — cautiously, but deliberately. For in his controversial De Bellis Sacris, the brothers of Poseidon found what they had long sought but never dared to claim aloud: a theology that justified their own existence. Lucien’s doctrine of the bellum sacrum — the holy war as moral trial rather than political tool — gave their life at sea a new dignity. It made their mission not mere obedience to crown or church, but an expression of divine harmony: to fight, to build, to protect, and to think as one movement of faith. In essence: The bellum sacrum appealed to the Knights of Poseidon because it – gave theological foundation to their calling, – sanctified their struggle with intellectual grace, – and offered a measure for spiritual self-examination. They assigned Lucien a place apart from the main hall — an old storehouse near the western wall. A low building of worn brick, half forgotten, filled with barrels, ropes, and dust. A place no one wanted, and therefore a place suited for beginnings. Lucien accepted it silently. On the first day, he cleared the debris. On the second, he washed the floor with seawater. On the third, he placed a single shelf against the wall. On its lowest tier he laid a heavy blue-bound volume — the Holy Scripture. Above it, a scroll of ancient fragments, remnants of the philosophers of the Great Empire. And last, he placed his own work beside them: De Bellis Sacris. The book that had ruined him — and might yet redeem him. He looked at the three texts together and whispered: “Three mirrors of the Depth: the sea, the thought, the faith. Here, all shall begin again.” The brothers watched him from afar. Some distrusted him, others were moved. But all sensed that something significant had begun in that dusty shed — a renewal not decreed from above, but born from within. As the sun fell behind the sea, Lucien remained alone in his cleared space. Outside, the waves beat against the stone; inside, the air hung still, like a breath held. A new work was forming — not yet named, but already alive. It would be his greatest act: not a war of the sword, but of the spirit. EDIT: Title and bigger pics

Lucien de la Tour Forbie was born in 326 AE in the border province of Pontilla, the second son of the House of Forbie. His family was ancient but of modest influence, and Lucien was set early on the path of the clergy. His uncle, Dom Alaric, recognized the boy’s sharp intellect and took him to Arondrelle, where he served as professor of theology. Under Alaric’s guidance, Lucien studied theology, philosophy, and the sacred law of Oleon. Gifted in logic and languages, he soon began lecturing informally to other students, his clarity earning him quiet admiration. He sought not power, but truth — a virtue that drew both respect and suspicion. Between 348 and 350 AE, Lucien composed De Bellis Sacris et Justitia Caelesti, an inquiry into divine justice and the nature of holy war. He claimed that no war could be holy unless it served the balance of Poseidon, not the ambitions of kings or clerics. What began as a work of theology became an indictment of spiritual arrogance. Praised by scholars yet condemned by the Order of the Faith, the treatise ignited fierce debate in Arondrelle. After months of interrogation and academic isolation, Lucien was stripped of his chair. Though never excommunicated, he was branded a “theologian of dangerous sympathies.” Dom Alaric, in the course of this affair "promoted" to a Bishop seat in Valduria — a remote, windswept province far from the centers of power — used his remaining influence to secure Lucien’s safety. Through his mediation, Lucien was accepted by the Knights of Poseidon and assigned to the Maison Côtière d’Ouest on the western coast of Pontilla. There he lived as a Frère Archiviste, cataloguing manuscripts, repairing maps, and writing by candlelight. The sea became his teacher; the wind, his prayer. Amid solitude and exile, he began to compose De Profunditate — the Theology of the Depth. What exile intended as punishment, he turned into revelation. As Dom Alaric toiled under the burden of his new office in distant Valduria, Lucien descended into silence and found the wisdom of the waves. From that silence, his true voice would rise — calm, enduring, and as deep as the sea itself.

Cheers! Thanks for the effort whic looks pretty thorough! Might be my fault, but I was of the impression that I filled a form for a small artisan in Lavalette which is not listed under my account: I tried to register it for my free MOC.

May I present to you the Aide-de-Camp to Genera Hercule Francois, Capitane Louis de la Tour Forbie:

Absoulutely stunning! Great job, wow!

Nice scence, awesome interiour and great punching line!

Must have loosened it when pushing the leafs back into position. Mea culpa. But has some charme too^^

Thanks for nice your words and input, guys!

"Be my guest, dear Willem" "Monsieur, we need a bottle of your best wine!" "Santé! To Arnauld de la Tour Forbie, a man whom we both didn't know" "So let me guess: my new brother is an Eslandolian?" "Hmmmm" "So how comes you are not a succesful trader?" "A man whom we both didn't know!" "So your... family structure limited your progress?" "So to say." Let's enjoy the nice ocean view!" "Santé!" "Santé!" "So what have you been doing... for living?" "Travelling, trading. A lot abroad." "But not in..." Louis emphasized his next words with an deep breath, looking at the ocean: "an elevated position?" "A man..." "I always imagined Eslanola was the way you wanted it with faith?" "Well, my family wanted it this way. Not lucky with my mom's adventure." Louis squinted his eyes and looked at Willem: "maybe we can help each other." "How so?" Louis turned to his left where a green apple laid on the table. "What is that on the table?" "An apple most obviously" "A green apple!", Louis replied. "And...?" "It's quite easy: the apple develops like nations: - at the beginning, it is sour and few like it in this state; - then it matures and gets red, a typical apple everybody likes; - some of them fall to the ground where rats guzzle them; - and some of them will be really graded up and find their destiny as a elegant spirit, so to say blue" "There is a lot potential in Oleon and it's colonies, and i want to throw open a lot of doors. Having that kind of brother might benefit you as well..." "An apple may stay green!" "Few people like those!" "Come with me, we may profit from one another. I am heading to a position that might be the first door. Maybe it's first door for you too?"

I just passed by, but the I can only emphasize how great that build is! The landscape, the orc mob and esp. the fire... well done!

Awesome pointe!

Originally, Louis de la Tour Forbie had intended to take a ship straight to Fort Altress to report for his new post , but the things with plans... He had received a letter and to come to Lavalette on Stéphanique to come and to contact the Order of Hades. When he arrived, he once more was sent to a new address, and when he arrived, somethin dawned on him. He entered the cemetery and approached a brother of the Order of Hades: "Bonjour, Monsieur! I have received a letter concerning my father. He is supposed to be gravely ill." "Please follow me", answered the pries without greeting and further ado. It didn't take to long and they stopped infront of a simple grave. "Your father has crossed the Styx two weeks ago." Mer..., Luis thought. On his old days, his father had developped a new inclination for faith, especially Hades. Maybe some thought of his nearing end? Panic? Who knows. Anyways, he had left his premises and went to Lavalette, to spend his time with... religious stuff? Praying, hope for absolution? Who knows again? While they were talking, a third person arrived on the scence. "Hello... Brother... Monk... Mister?" he greeted, inconclusive of how to address this brother of Hades. "I have received a letter from you tom come to this island. At the order's housing I was sent here..." "Your father has crossed the Styx two weeks ago", the priest once again said in his dry manner. Well, this was news to Louis and him. While they were looking at the grave, undecieded what to do or think in this strange situation, for the first time, the priest took the initiative. "You will be luckly to hear that your father turned into was really eager and honest in his wishes to find absolution for his sins", turning his head to the third man giving him a soft smile". "And you will be even more lucky to hear that most probable this absolution will be granted", the priest said and turned to Louis with his soft smile before starting again. "He offered all his land to the order. That is generous, but also adequate", once again looking at the third man. This FOOL!, Louis thought. Thoughtful to free US from the resources for sinning! "I will leave you for a silent prayer", and the priest left. THe two man stood there for a moment in a real strange situation, perplexely staring at the grave of the man who seemed to be their father. And for giving them everything, they placed him at the site for ppor people. Nice. After all he got a candle! he thought. Louis took the initiative: "Bonjour, Louis de la Tour Forbie!" "Willem Molenberg", he answered. Looking at the grave, he added: "Obviously Willem Arnoldszoon Molenberg". "Care to join me for a whine? We have a lot to talk!" "Yes, with pleasure!" And so they left the scene. Edit: corrected order of pictures.

Hahaha, well written and very entertaining!

Excusez moi! Right now I am lacking horse as well as Lotis ;)

Thank you lads for the nice welcome! Well, I intend to use this figure only sporadically for military. Actually I don't know yet, it will develop. He's got a brother for military purposes.^^ It is my understanding for the encyclopedia that there are no cuirassiers as of now. Question 1: there is no need to apply in any way? Question 2: is there some kind of fraction communication channel?

The familiy "de la Tour Forbie" from Oleon’s north-western province of Pontia is a typical example Oleon’s lower nobility: for generations they provided knights and officers to the ranks of the military in an unspectacular way, with a battalion or regimental commander here and there. While the name sounds fancy, it actually means that they controlled a small castle (or tower^^) located at a busy river crossing of river Chanon en route to Allondrelle. It goes without saying that that over the centuries - like other nobels - they grew fond of the idea of chivalry and live it today in various cavalry units. Louis de la Tour Forbie is the second son to Arnauld, Chevalier du Royaume, and therefore has little more to inherit than a name. His elder brother Henri will one day get that title, except for the case that his duty at the cuirassiers gets him killed. Well,who knows? Like many members of this functional military class, Louis had been a cadet to Orleons royal army. Like many other second sons, he joined the ranks of the dragoons. While many in the society of Oleon consider this as some kind of setback, that constellation comes very close to the personal preferences of Louis: being a cuirassiers can bring you a looooot glory and fame, but that glory and fame quite often is only carved in stone... While the navy might have been another option, he hated the idea of two ships pounding each other until one sinks all hands aboard. The order might have been a choice… for people who don’t value the savoir vivre of Oleon: good food, wine, nice clothings. No, the dragoners were the perfect fit for his character: they are flexible like he is morally and socially , and they independently exploit opportunities, where they arise. Recon, attack and retreat are common and cleverness is your trump card. As a cadet, he gained valuable insight on how to the rules of the Oleon game: how higher nobility behaves, how faith is signalled, the etiquette how to behave and who might be important for your personal advantage. He learned a lot and is a social chameleon: a trader from Eslandoa might hear joke about his family name where a tower stands somewhere in nowhere, while a lady from Oleon will hear a story about chivalry and great military tradition. Now the army time of Louis is leaning towards an end and he is contemplating what to do next. The best place for this decision is home, where he is occupied with administrating the family’s domain while his father is abroad. And then a letter arrives...

Thanks for advice. I am thinking of a story line that opens up for some MOCs. A ship is yet to be imagined^^ Question: While there is a Seawatch coordination threat, I find it hard to piece together the elements of where, when and who (sure, alle three state fractions involved), I am lacking context. Is there somewhere consolidated information about it? Aaaand: great thanks to CapOnBOBS for a loooot of consultancy!

There is no easy way into this, is it

First of all: thanks for the replies! There are some ideas in my head for both parties, so I will stay a bit and lurke and see how that comes out.

I am really intrigued to participate, but besides my still finite collection of Lego parts and little time I am interested in totally opposite fractions: I really like the approach of Eslandola (did my MA thesis on VOC and EIC) and all concerning trade. From my understanding, that fraction is on the weaker side in terms of players and might need some help, albeit small in my case. I really like the flair of Oleon with it's binding to the state/ king and its emodiement, e.g. in the rank system. They seem to have an abundance of players. Am I missing something essential for Eslandola?`

A break is okayish. Since I am new to this stuff and still picking up stuff, I hope to be better prepared for the re-start. Plus: time is consumed by the new inhabitant of our flat^^

Feeling guilty of lurking around every now and then^^ I really like the setting with a combination of early-modern period and trade, especially the tMRCA (?). I cannot oversee all the complexity, but it dawns me that it might be quite difficult to balance established players with a lot of wealth against new(er) players, especially when it comes to the shipping-schedule and piracy.

Now is the idea to have wreck elements in each build?

Bellmuttet is filling its vacant seat and declares her royal highness, Princess Charlotte of the House of Battenbricks, its new ambassador to the Bricks of Nations. May she fill her role with foresightedness, wisdom and endurance in order to bring the nation of Bellmuttet security and prosperity and peace to the world.