Elijah Crowley and the Crown

Everyone understands the personal nature to your backing. Hence there is question and remark to the decision. We simply include our stature to this matter, with our own reasons to the matter, and pair it with yours. Zealots don't encourage their goals questioned.

Lord Aleister, while I know next to nothing about this man, or about how the politics of royal succession work, I trust your words more than most. So if you believe this Elijah Crowley to be the best claim for the throne for all, then I will stand by your decision and place what little backing I have to this man. I do this of my own volition, I trust you Aleister.

While I find it strange for myself to be speaking on such matters, I speak for the character of Elijah Crowley.

I have known Elijah Crowley for a majority of my life and while he is a young man, who he is at the core of his character is a good man. If it is his choice to claim the crown, then I will support him with my life. I died for him, and I will do it again.

He is one of the best men I have ever known. During the Demonic Incursion, he saved my cousin's life, he was 15 at the time, he pulled her out of a burning building, pulled a beam off of her and dragged her out. I have known him for so long from horseback riding to dance lessons, I can tell you he is more than a good man, he is a genuine and kind person.

After we rescued him this past gathering, he went and he thanked as many of you as he could, he spoke to you. He truly listens to everyone he speaks to and is so naturally caring. But do not let his naivety and inexperience, dissuade you from giving him your support. He holds a Northern Londwyn education, and was raised by two very successful people, may their souls rest in peace. They raised him to be a smart, kind and just man. They raised him to be the man that Travance needs.

I wonder if they knew that the boy they adopted was of royal blood, for they raised him to be a gentleman.

I will stand by his side in support of him, I will stand by his side as his friend, and I will give my life for this man because I believe in him, and if you could speak with him, as I have, I know you would support him as well.

If you have any respect for me, I ask that you consider my words; for I speak the truth as I know it to be.

Elijah Crowley is a good man.

Sincerely,
Dr. Victor Fredrick Wainwright

Anecdotal claims and foregone conclusions do not a good government make. No, this isn't about his supposed northern sensibilities--though I certainly have my hard-formed opinions on them--but the tendency in this place toward apathy or urgency with no middle ground. Two people of far higher respect and renown than me have already suggested rolling up our sleeves and digging into the options.

We might want to listen.

--Chet

(OOG Note: While the penmanship is definitely and choice of words is definitely Donald's, the spelling and grammar is not. Its as if someone was standing next to him- likely his wife for those that know her- and giving him spellings. Another possibility is that extreme inebriation makes him more easily understood-the parchment reeks of single malt Highland Whisky, aged approximately 12 years.)

Lord Aleister, Lois, Ebony,

I wish to respectfully ask some questions about how Kormyre handles some of these sorts of things, as I am only familiar with The Highland Way of handling such matters.

1. If he were proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to be the best claimant, why would the Royal Court need any more convincing?
2. What is the Royal Court?
3. What is the plan should the Royal Court reject this lad unjustly?
4. Why don't we just put all the challengers in an arena and handle this by tourney?

Father Donald MacFhionnlaigh
Sept MacFhionnlaigh, Clan Farquharson
Blood Spirit
Amethyst Dragoon

Donald MacFhionnlaigh (raidr0933) wrote: 1. If he were proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to be the best claimant, why would the Royal Court need any more convincing?
2. What is the Royal Court?
3. What is the plan should the Royal Court reject this lad unjustly?
4. Why don't we just put all the challengers in an arena and handle this by tourney?

Excellent questions. I will do my best to answer. I'm sure Lord Tartaros will step in if I have incorrect information.

1. They wouldn't need any more convincing. The trouble is with the word "best". There are no direct descendants of the late king, nor are there any members of his immediate family around. When it comes to extended bloodlines, it is not so clear who is closest in line. You're looking at the difference between relations like a thrice-removed nephew and the daughter of a great-grandfather's brother. At levels of removal like that, other noble houses or even someone like the King Regent may have a stronger claim.

Remember also that it is not only blood, but alliances, treaties, and other things of that nature that can determine someone's position in the line. If someone is determined to be the closest blood relative, but an old treaty between their house and another house states that they are to serve this second house, then their position is actually lower in the line that it would initially appear.

I have done portal arithmancy that is less complicated than tracing peerage lines & claims.

2. It is somewhat akin to our Baronial Council, except at a much more powerful level. They are empowered by ancient law to decide if a candidate for sovereign is an appropriate choice, though I do believe it's been a very long time since they've had to do anything except state for the record that the new king is of the former king's direct issue.

3. They are empowered justly, so their decision is just.

4. Because we are not a nation of war-tribes, and acknowledge that the best leaders are not always going to be the ones who are strongest in hand-to-hand combat.

In Service to Travance,
Seneschal Lois Blair-Heimdell