Tyranny of Steel

Within the City of Luxembourg, the young Duke of the Duchy stood at a podium in the middle of the streets. By his side was none other than his mentor and advisor Renault De la Roche, who acted as moral support to the Duke. Behind these two men were a retinue of Knights whose purpose was to protect their liege from any potential dangers.

Gathered at the sides of the street were a variety of citizens who bore witness to the young Duke ’s speech. There was a stark contrast between the Duke and his citizens, which was exemplified by the condition of their appearances. On the one hand, Hartman appeared perfectly healthy with a regal and proud appearance, finely groomed hair, and clean clothes in the renaissance fashion style that had died out in the southern German Kingdoms, yet still prospered in the north.

As for the citizens gathered in the streets, they were visibly famished while dressed in homespun clothing that was tattered and patched after years of abuse. Dirt and grime speckled their attire, as they were likely one of the few sets these peasants possessed. Despite these visual signs of destitution, the common people had no choice but to gather in the streets and listen to their sovereign ’s speech about unity and prosperity in the face of adversity.

Hartman gazed upon his people with a hint of disdain in his eyes as he boldly responded to Berengar ’s ultimatum that he had spoken a few weeks prior to his people. Since then, the speech of the Austrian King calling upon the people of the Northern German states to rise in rebellion against the Bastard of Luxembourg had caught on like wildfire.

Though Hartman and his allies were unaware, Austria had already made a play to arm and train those with rebellious thoughts, and by now, these men and women had completed their training. In fact, there were a few of them gathered in the crowd today, as they gazed upon their Sovereign with an equal sense of disdain. However, ultimately, their sights fell upon a different individual.

”I have gathered you all here today to remind you where your loyalties lie. This pretender from the South is a wicked man who has enacted all kinds of heresies in his lands that have put our entire faith in danger. However, I will not speak from a religious perspective on this matter, as I am certain that you are all wary of such propaganda.