People of all factions and interests, I beg you, hear what I have to say. Jona and Bonesaw speak the truth! I was not around for the fall of HoC, nor the war declarations that were made, though I know them to have been public and broad. Unfortunately, Raven, long time friends and allies, received the brunt of that, though I personally do not understand why. What I can say is that I know the last days of HoC were meant as a free-for-all, a "come at us and take our land if you can!" action. With our members inactive, The Velucan Empire dispersed, and changes in our personal lives, operating a large Empire we not viable anymore.
The Hounds are on the rise again under a new order and new leadership, with a primary council and representation by myself and Jona. Harsh words have been exchanged recently and in the past. Actions have been taken by all to provoke hostilities. Let us now cool our tongues and stay our hands lest relations damage further, tensions explode, and another large war begin. Relit, your issue is with Bonesaw and HoC under his rule. While I respect Bonesaw as a leader and consider him a friend, I am not Bonesaw. Jona is not Bonesaw. I respect Raven and its members as people and mighty warriors with much honor; these things I say come from my heart. I share your respect for sacred pacts and bonds. You have a right to be upset at the past; but I have spoken with Ravens, and they do NOT wish war with HoC. I have spoken with my own clan for weeks ow about re-establishing relations with Raven, and early yesterday, BEFORE Unuzdaq fell under siege, BEFORE Amashke fell under siege, BEFORE the post made by Relit and all this hostility re-emerged, I myself attempted to contact your strat Marshall with talks of peace and apology for past wrongdoings. I urge you, Relit, and all others who might think that HoC is on tyrannical conquest, stay your hand for but a moment while we talk of peace. The diplomatic road must first be tested.
HoC does not wish war with anyone; not Raven, not Dracul, not Frisia, not even Chaos. Our actions are not a provocation nor a declaration of war against any person or faction. Our aim, and I will tell you true, is to reclaim the inactive fiefs of Unuzdaq and Amashke which happen to be controlled by members of Chaos. We do not declare war on Chaos, though it would be understood if they saw it as such and are within every right to retaliate if they so desire.
But as for the rest, I will say this, and hear me well: Our intentions are not hostile towards anyone but the direct owners of the fiefs, and only then because it is an attack; we otherwise have no ill will against them. We are not out for conquest, but rather to establish ourselves once more by taking just enough land to protect and support ourselves. Should any other attacks against an established faction occur, though we do not have any in our plans, they will be preceded by an official Declaration of War, for that is what it will be. As to the impending attack on our forces by the Raven-Dracul forces, come if you will, if you do not heed anything I have said, if you do not wish to attempt to establish relations with a new order and fix wrongdoings to come to an agreement, and will will defend ourselves; but the Hounds of Chulainn WILL NOT TAKE OFFENSIVE ACTION AGAINST RAVEN OR ITS ALLIES IN THIS CONFLICT. I say this because we are NOT hostile towards these peoples and so will not act as such. Our conflict is with the defenses of the fiefs we have laid siege to, and, if they choose to make it so, Chaos, as is within their right. Any others who wish to involve themselves do so of their own will, and the rest of the world should observe it as such. Any intervention by another faction should and will be seen as an act of war UNLESS Chaos declares open warfare, and then any who wish to come to their aid are within their rights.
I will leave you all with these things. We are all very tired of war. The Great NA War has taken its toll in many ways to be sure. I implore you, any who my be considering hostile action, think of what the consequences of a large conflict may be. Think of those who may get involved and who their allies are. Think of who their enemies are. I have done so and seen a great war looming. When we set out we did not anticipate this in the least. I have no ill will towards any of you. HoC has no ill will towards any of you. This is a new order. This is a new HoC. We are honorable men, though some of us may not be so skilled diplomatically. We desire good relations with Raven and protest war with Raven and any of its affiliates. Think on this, all of you. I await talks with Raven and any others who wish to speak of these things.
-The Last Ironside
