#bgpointpurchase

the  countess  of  morton,  euphemia  douglas,  has  been  in  an  increasingly  perilous  state  since  venturing  upon  the  soils  of  bellinzona  ─  with  an  elderly  husband,  expected  to  pass  into  the  lord’s  hands  in  a  few  years,  the  death  of  her  son  and  heir  to  the  county  of  morton  now  means  that  the  estate  will  pass  to  another,  leaving  the  countess  without  a  home  unless  her  lover,  prince  consort  of  england  and  heir  to  the  scottish  throne,  patrick  stuart,  becomes  king  of  scotland.  yet  misfortune  seems  to  plague  the  scottish  born  mistress,  who  still  mourns  the  death  of  her  son  amidst  the  changing  in  seasons  and  the  exchanging  of  pleasantries.

upon  the  wind,  letters  from  scotland  arrive  for  her  hands  ─  the  first  is  from  her  mother,  bringing  the  news  that  the  marquis  of  huntly,  her  own  father,  has  passed  from  old  age.  the  second  bears  the  seal  of  the  scottish  king,  broken  with  reverence  as  his  majesty’s  own  hand  seems  to  have  penned  the  letter.  seeing  as  her  father  has  died  with  no  direct  male  heirs  from  his  body,  it  has  been  decreed  that  lady  euphemia  should  inherit  his  estate  and  all  the  wealth  that  comes  with  it,  making  her  the  marchioness  of  huntly,  suo  jure.

additionally,  the  decorated  missive  reads,  the  king  of  scotland  has  bestowed  several  new  titles  and  lands  upon  her  name  as  a  gesture  of  good  faith  towards  a  loyal  subject  as  well  as  a  weighty  offering  of  his  own  condolences  for  her  losses  suffered  whilst  serving  under  the  scottish  cause  in  switzerland.  the  new  marchioness  of  huntly  is  also  styled  as  the  countess  of  sutherland,  suo  jure  and  the  viscountess  of  arbuthnott,  suo  jure  to  provide  more  security  for  the  mourning  woman  in  both  england  and  scotland  upon  the  eventual  death  of  her  husband.  the  generous  actions  of  the  king  of  scots  soon  flits  upon  the  lips  of  those  within  bellinzona,  who  spare  a  more  discerning  glance  over  the  countess  of  morton,  who  now  has  more  agency  as  a  woman  than  she  ever  did  as  a  daughter,  a  wife  or  a  mother.

NOTE

congratulations  !  a  minor  country  plot  purchase  has  been  made  by  winter  and  now  rolls  into  effect  !

Preparations  still  await  to  be  completed  as  the  morning  of  the  sixteenth  day  of  the  fourth  moon  begins  with  the  breaking  of  dawn,  coloring  the  skies  in  a  bright,  yolk - thick  vibrancy  that  rouses  occupants  of  all  three  castles  from  fleeting  slumber  as  the  highly  anticipated  day  stirs  vivacity  among  the  masses.  Horse - trodden  paths  between  the  three  residences,  once  heavily  patrolled  with  the  precautionary  measures  necessitated  to  ensure  safety  between  all  factions,  remain  clear  of  foot  soldiers  who  were  now  replaced  with  standard  bearers  carrying  the  banners  of  the  Ottoman  Empire  and  Germany,  colors  intertwined  upon  cloth.  Trumpeting,  three  heralds  call  for  attention  from  all  those  that  would  listen  to  begin  the  gathering  at  the  castle  of  Sasso  Corbaro,  ushering  in  guests  from  all  sides  of  the  faction  to  account  for  the  Duchess’s  vast  array  of  friends  and  extended  family  members.  The  wedding  procession  begins  with  the  entourages  of  both  bride  and  groom  departing  from  the  quarters  of  their  respective  countries,  through  the  halls  of  the  castle  to  eventually  gather  at  the  small  chapel  which  now  serves  as  mutual,  sacred  ground  between  the  two  faiths.

In  the  spirit  of  unity,  the  ceremony  is  appropriately  themed  around  a  fusion  of  Ottoman  and  Germanic  traditions,  considering  the  cultures  of  both  bridge  and  groom,  incorporated  into  the  festivities  to  further  emphasize  the  peaceful  union.  In  line  with  the  fashions  of  Europe,  the  bride  dons  a  gown  of  blue  as  a  symbol  of  her  purity,  cementing  a  statement  for  the  rest  of  the  wedding  to  follow  suit.  Jewel - toned  blues  are  used  to  decorate  Sasso  Corbaro,  with  shades  of  gold  interlaced  in  the  detailing  to  symbolize  grandeur  and  prosperity.  The  splendor  of  the  ceremony  is  heightened  by  liberal  use  of  floral  arrangements  in  complementary  shades,  with  roses  being  the  most  prominent  through  splashes  of  seasonal  wildflowers.

Though  the  marriage  is  blessed  by  a  Lutheran  priest  in  accordance  to  the  faith  of  Germany,  the  ceremony  itself  and  the  religious  rites  entailed  are  conducted  in  the  Islamic  faith.  Both  religious  and  legal  requirements  are  carefully  observed,  with  readings  taken  from  the  Quran  before  the  groom  motions  to  kiss  the  bride  ─  three  times  on  the  cheek  and  once  on  the  forehead,  as  is  customary  to  the  faith.  After  the  ceremony  comes  to  a  completion,  Friederike  declares  her  intention  to  convert  to  the  Islamic  faith,  the  religion  of  her  new  husband  and  of  any  children  that  may  be  born  of  their  union.

Behind  closed  doors,  legal  papers  are  drawn  to  finalize  the  decision  and  a  new  name  is  chosen  by  the  bride,  though  she  will  always  be  known  as  Friederike  (  or,  more  affectionately,  Friedi  )  to  her  nearest  and  dearest.

After  the  pair  emerges  from  the  legal  proceedings,  the  true  festivities  begin.  Guests  are  offered  a  choice  between  a  European  feast  that  Westerners  may  be  more  familiar  with,  interspersed  with  German  dishes such  as  Sauerbraten,  or  a  more  flavorsome  spread  from  the  Ottoman  Empire,  featuring  smoked  meat  and  an  array  of  sweets.  The  music  that  fills  the  halls  is  distinctly,  uniquely,  Ottoman  in  nature,  played  on  the  kemence,  kanun  and  kadum  while  shadowplays  and  meddah  amuse  those  who  wish  the  newlyweds  well.  The  tales  weaved  by  these  story  tellers  are  not  familiar  to  those  who  hail  from  the  Ottoman  Empire,  however,  drawing  inspiration  from  Germanic  folklore  instead  ─  another  clear  merger  of  the  couple’s  origins.  With  the  scent  of  meats  and  sweets  in  the  air,  fluted  music  soothing  the  ear,  the  celebrations  promise  to  continue  well  into  the  night,  washing  away  all  doubts  of  the  union  and  invoking  respect  from  the  gathered  countries  as  a  new,  joined  force  arises  from  the  marriage.

CONCLUSION

Congratulation  ─  our  first  wedding  plot  has  been  purchased  by  Shay  and  Henry  and  now  fully  rolls  into  effect  !

Please  note  that  the  wedding  will  be  taking  place,  in  character,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1559.

This  plot  drop  will  last  for  an  entire  week,  out  of  character,  from  the  16th  of  April  (  12:40PM,  GMT-4  )  till  the  23rd  of  April  (  12:40PM,  GMT-4  ).

Characters  are  mandated  to  plot  and  write  threads  in  response  to  the  wedding,  either  being  in  attendance  or  purposefully  choosing  not  to  attend  due  to  personal  reasons.  Regular  threads  are  permitted  to  continue  in  this  time  but  we  ask  that  priority  be  placed  on  the  current  plot  and  references  should  be  made  on  the  union,  as  it  will  be  known  throughout  the  three  different  castles  and  the  two  different  factions.

though  spring  pushes  forth  with  the  willfulness  of  a  stubborn  ox,  set  upon  it’s  path,  the  grounds  of  bellinzona  remain  quiet  with  cautionary  steps,  conversation  kept  to  large  gathered  meals  or  held  behind  closed  doors.  none  dared  to  set  foot  by  their  lonesome,  lest  they  be  picked  off  by  the  undiscovered  criminal  behind  the  most  recent  deaths  and  so,  a  spirited  tryst  between  two  old  flames  goes  somewhat  unnoticed  by  the  sojourned  visitors  of  switzerland  and  if  anyone  thought  to  seek  either  of  the  two  out,  no  correlation  would  be  made  between  the  vastly  differing  couple.  dissociated  in  all  things  from  lands  to  alliances,  lady  giovanna  de  medici  and  count  matthias  de  burgundy  had  reappeared  eventually,  filling  the  spaces  beside  their  countrymen  and  families  with  only  a  longing  look  shared  by  the  two  that  flies  over  the  heads  of  those  that  stand  between  them.

soon,  news  of  lady  giovanna’s  illness  flits  upon  the  lips  of  the  servants  stationed  to  serve  the  medici  family  ─  a  parasite  of  the  belly,  they  say,  that  had  rendered  the  blushing  beauty  pale  with  exhaustion  and  self - confined  to  a  private  chapel,  seen  by  no  one  other  than  the  refuted  servants,  sent  away  with  trays  of  untouched  food.  though  she  emerges  from  religious  fervor  in  due  time,  it  takes  a  weighty  coin  purse  to  squash  wagging  tongues  and  curious  glances  but  all  that  is  bad  is  soon  forgotten,  swept  under  the  rug  by  news  of  felicitations  for  the  german - ottoman  alliance.

perhaps  that  grand  union  serves  to  conceal  a  secret  far  more  damning  than  a  mere  bellyache,  for  the  maids  sent  to  accompany  the  italian  woman  remain  tight - lipped  about  their  mistress’  bidding  and  the  summoned  physician  comes  and  goes  with  the  night,  escorted  into  her  rooms  by  a  young  serving  girl  and  a  dimmed  light  ─  and  when  the  italian  lady  hastens  to  a  hunting  lodge,  accompanied  by  her  twin  brother,  none  think  to  look  for  the  eldest  bastard  of  the  german  king  and  no  conclusions  are  drawn  to  the  two  lovers  or  the  babe  that  grows  within  the  woman’s  belly.

NOTE

congratulations  !  a  pregnancy  purchase  has  been  made  by  tilda  and  siân  and  now  rolls  into  effect  !

Before death had clouded the spring brightness of Switzerland with a poisonous spread of terror, a gathering of astronomers, both native and foreign to the lands, had gathered to consult with one another regarding the changes in the skies and a promise, written in the stars. The wise men of the skies could not come to a consensus on the date of the eclipse or if there would be an eclipse at all, as the heavens had remained unchanging, free from tumultuous stirrings. Thus, such suspicions were never reported to the king nor to any of the other visiting royal houses, though a few of the Swiss staff had whispered of the gathering in the days to follow, before murder and the return of the dead lifted enchantments of the sky from mind.

Initially a clear, unclouded day, the sky begins to darken in the early afternoon of the fifth day of the fourth moon and shortly, after the hour strikes one and thirty minutes past noon, a total solar eclipse begins. The totality of darkness, when the moon covers the sun, lasts for only a handful of minutes in actuality but the shifting of the skies begins some fifteen minutes prior, after which the sky shadows with foreboding heraldry over Switzerland. With the beginning of the eclipse, several royal attendants haste to report the event to their masters, who were not already in witness of the event for themselves. Many fear that it is an ill omen, following so soon after the Neuchâtel fair attack and the recent murders that doubts of whether peace can be achieved trickles through the castles.  

A group of local Franciscan monks, dispatched to administer the Lenten services to the Catholics gathered in Switzerland return with reports of blindness among their ranks, resulted from looking at the eclipse and whispers spread that along with a lost of sight, a local Dominican abbey has flooded completely and it’s Abbess has passed away, though the connection between the flooding and the death of the reverend mother is unclear. Several monks, driven into religious stupor by the event, take to preaching against the peace talks, ignoring the orders of their Abbot to remain neutral in regards to the gathering of Catholics and infidels in one land.

Astrologers and astronomers alike are quick to join in with the rogue monks, riding their suspicions hard. Word of mouth spreads like wildfire among the castle, misinformation sparking through all ranks of peoples. Tales of witches rising, forests spontaneously bursting into flames, demons heckling the common folk and crucifixes falling off walls run rampant ─ a sign of divine anger towards the peaceful sojourn. All in all, one theme remains the same.

The eclipse is an ill omen, inciting punishment either from god or the devil.

There remains one, however, who keeps her head during the momentary chaos. Imperial  Concubine Jing was not a suspicious woman, quick with her  instructions to keep her household within the walls with the curtains drawn and telling those around her to keep from looking at the eclipse. Never one to believe in the bureaucratic nonsense spewed by imperial astrologers, she relies on the faint recollections of her mothers’ advise, telling her of a similar event that had happened long before her birth. In the aftermath, as the moon moves from the sun and light is restored to Switzerland, she wonders if she, too, can use this event to sway powers to her side, as the monks and astronomers have done.

CONCLUSION

Congratulations ─ our first natural phenomenon plot has been purchased by Jane and now rolls into effect !

Please note that a total solar eclipse took place on the 5th of april, 1559. It begun at 1:30pm though the moon took a few minutes to cover the sun completely. Whilst covered, the eclipse lasted for a handful of minutes before the moon cleared from the sun.

In general, eclipses were seen as signs of ill-fortune and a total solar eclipse would be taken as a very bad omen among the gathered royalty and nobility. There have also been reports from the local monks that several of their brotherhood have gone blind from looking at the eclipse, and that a local abbey has suffered a great flood and the death of it’s abbess in that one afternoon. Many Christians now see this as a sign of God’s disfavor.

Members are encouraged to write short threads detailing the character reactions to the eclipse either during or after the event, which lasts, in-character, for roughly fifteen to twenty minutes in total. Characters are required to react to the natural phenomenon, either positively or negatively, depending on their alliances and faiths.

Word  of  a  matrimonial  ceremony  trickles  through  the  halls  of  each  Swiss  castle,  stemming  from  the  servant  quarters  of  Montebello  to  rest  in  the  drooping  lobes  of  gossiping  matrons  and  scheming  courtiers,  tongues  set  to  a  constant  wag  as  speculations  are  thrown  about  over  afternoon  tea.  Many  of  the  affianced  couples  are  scrutinized  with  a  discerning  eye,  unfounded  rumors  of  their  virtue  and  intention  tossed  about  with  such  little  care  to  the  reputation  or  sensitivities  of  those  beneath  such  judgment  that  it  remains  a  wonder  these  nattering  nags  were  left  unchecked  for  their  foul  gossip  mongering.  Yet  for  all  their  prodding,  prying  and  bribing,  the  rumor  mills  of  Switzerland  remain  unaware  of  the  truth  behind  such  stirrings,  pruned  lips  sipping  at  teacups  in  concealed  disgruntlement  as  days  come  and  go  without  confirmation  or  denial  from  each  prospective  couple.

Much  like  the  announcement  of  their  betrothal,  riding  upon  the  heels  of  an  unscrupulous  attack  to  cast  some  light  on  such  a  darkened  time,  confirmation  of  wedding  celebration  arrives  one  morning,  clutched  in  the  hands  of  several  young  pageboys,  working  by  the  order  of  King  Maximillian  of  Germany  and  Sultan  Selim  of  the  Ottoman  Empire.  They  knock  at  the  doors  of  the  leaders  of  each  visiting  country,  offering  a  practiced  bow  before  pressing  the  ivory,  cream  and  blue  invitation  into  awaiting  hands  before  returning  to  their  tasks.  Upon  breaking  the  golden  seal,  an  array  of  flowery  words  is  summarized  by  one  small  truth  ─  once  again,  the  Germans  have  managed  to  confound  the  general  public  by  choosing  to  cement  the  union  with  the  Ottoman  Empire  through  vows  and  exchanged  rings.

In  light  of  the  recent  losses  suffered  by  the  Empire  through  both  attacks  and  Germany’s  own  revelations,  it  is  agreed  by  both  countries  that  the  wedding  of  Duchess  Friederike  Von  Schleswig - Holstein  and  Sehzade  Bayezide  Bin  Osman  should  be  brought  forward  to  solidify  the  union  as  soon  as  possible.  Arrangements  had  already  begun  in  the  foreground  of  each  court,  following  the  announcement  of  their  betrothal  but  now,  with  a  date  set  for  the  ceremony,  planning  begins  in  true  fervor  to  ensure  all  is  prepared  on  time  to  accommodate  the  differences  in  culture  and  religion.  With  but  a  week  left  to  the  celebrations,  the  courts  of  the  Ottoman  Empire  and  Germany  seem  determined  to  drown  out  the  doubts  of  witchcraft  and  the  stench  of  death  with  joy,  much  to  the  disapproval  of  some  of  the  more  superstitious  ilk.

CONCLUSION

Congratulations  ─  our  first  wedding  plot  has  been  purchased  by  Shay  and  Henry,  and  now  rolls  into  effect  !

Please  note  that  the  wedding  itself  will  be  taking  place  on  the  16th  of  April,  1559.

This  post  is  to  confirm  the  purchase  of  the  plot  and  to  set  the  wedding  preparations  in  motion  on  the  dash  itself.  The  invitations  to  the  ceremony  and  celebration  have  begun  to  circulate  throughout  the  courts,  penned  by  the  hand  of  Duchess  Friederike  and  Sehzade  Bayezide,  on  the  9th  of  April,  1559.

Members  are  encouraged  to  write  responses  to  the  invitation  as  well  as  plan  their  characters’  response  to  the  news  ─  are  they  pleased  with  the  news  of  a  wedding  ?  Or  are  they  superstitious  or  doubtful  towards  the  union  ?  Have  they  thought  of  what  gifts  they  wish  to  give  the  newlyweds  or  what  they  will  be  wearing  to  the  ceremony  ?  Do  they  have  any  opinions  on  the  union  and  the  conflict  between  the  two  religious  ?  Do  they  believe  peace  is  achievable  between  religions  through  marriage  ?

arrangements have been written and drawn up between two pledged alliances. it is under king maximillian’s golden seal that he signs off on the agreement, words scrawled with elaborate penmanship. sultan selim II does the same, confidently acknowledging it with his own name. unbeknownst to maximillian’s daughter, grand duchess friederike - an official marriage engagement has been determined. the german woman’s hand has been promised to the ottoman empire. by vowed agreement, her betrothed is none other than the famed sehzade bayezide - conqueror and decorated military man. 

it isn’t until today that the news has become publicly announced and officially shared throughout the swiss terrain. there is much merriment on german-ottoman allegiance regardless of the couple’s personal’s feelings. swiss locals offer their congratulations. 

In light of the recent tribulations that have plagued the royal houses within Bellinzona, the news of death grows stale in comparison to the rumors of a strain in the betrothal between Poland and Spain as discussions are had to strengthen the tentative alliance, all whilst the two individuals involved in the union remain vehemently against the joining of their two houses. Though Princess Adelaide of Masovia seems to have grown complacent with her future as Duchess of Barcelona, her sudden bouts of illness have led to suspicions over the frailty of her nerves regarding the entire marriage yet unbeknownst to those who speculate, with wagging tongues, over the deplorable state between the two nations, the Princess is visited by a physician, who confirms the worst fear of any royal, unmarried woman.

That she was with child, out of wedlock.

Present at the time of this revelation is the Polish King, Sigismund, who remains at a lost for words, albeit growing amused with her predicament once the paternity of the child is unveiled to be Tomás of Barcelona ─ it is hardly uncommon for couples, pending marriage, to experiment with their future spouse and this, in Poland’s eyes, only binds Spain to the agreement with no way out. The news is passed from the Polish King to the ears of his Queen and his family, as well as his lover and his lover’s family, though Princess Adelaide begs to tell the news to her betrothed by her own mouth.

Yet before that conversation could be had, Sigismund of Poland pens a letter to the King of Spain, detailing the sordid details of their errant siblings and demanding that responsibility be taken, before the babe swells beyond concealment.

NOTE

Congratulations ! Our first joint pregnancy purchase has been made by Eva and Ori and now rolls into effect !