Voice of the Twin Roses
Overview
The construction of the Arbor of the Twin Roses was commissioned by the Senate during the Winter Solstice 383YE and completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 384YE.
Responsibilities
The Voice of the Twin Roses is responsible for gathering and immortalising tales of true Love and true Glory not only across Dawn but in the wider Empire. They are also responsible for investigating stories of the spiritual powers of Love and Glory and demonstrating how these two ideals inspire, and in turn arise from, Virtue.
Powers
A Portion of Liao
The sinecure provides 9 measures of liao to the Voice each season, to be used as they see fit.
Voice in the Synod
The Voice may sit in the Imperial Synod, and possesses 18 votes in Synod affairs (or an additional 18 votes if they already have a congregation). They may use these votes in any assembly for which they are eligible.
Appointment
The Voice of the Twin Roses is a national position appointed by the Synod. It is elected by judgement of the National Assembly of Dawn each year during the Spring Equinox.
The title can be held by any citizen of Dawn. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Dawn National Assembly, and by the Assembly of the Nine.
Arbor of the Twin Roses
The Arbor of the Twin Roses is located in Auvanne within sight of Endric's Hill to honour of the troubadour and exemplar Elayne Silverlark. Elayne is famous throughout the Empire for spreading tales of romance and adventure as well as stories of glory and heroism. Her stories were not solely those of the knights and witches of Dawn, however - according to legend she both took tales of her homeland to other nations and brought new stories of the glorious deeds of people in other nations to her countryfolk.
The structure consists of an extensive and beautiful garden surrounding two towers - one for Glory and one for Love - of fine white granite. These towers serve as repositories for tales, stories, and songs celebrating glory and love, and provide quarters for any troubadour who wish to visit.
Following the Spring Equinox, the architects installed a beautiful white marble plaque naming the citizens who helped pay for the construction of the Arbor. Each name is etched into the stone and then the writing illuminated with inlaid orichalcum. The whole thing is embellished with beautiful roses carved into the marble, all around the edges of the tablet.
Tales of the Twin Roses
The Voice of the Twin Roses is able to submit a single tale depicting true Love or true Glory to the towers each season.
The Tale of Yulia and the Heart of Ser Claudia Lovelorn
Once upon a time, upon the misty moors of Weirwater, there lived a young draughir enchantress of much Ambition. She loved her Nation. She loved Winter. And she loved her pack.
In Anvil town, she met Yulia Kasimiova Voronov, Senator for Miekarova and a fiery Varushkan Throne candidate, who was also lit with the fire of Ambition. They began a dance of courtship that would continue for the next few years.
Then, she was Enchantress Claudia and she was heir apparent of House Remys. She was dedicated deeply to the learning and application of Winter magic. She even rose up to create the position of Imperial Necromancer – someone who could advise on matters beyond the Labyrinth, guide Imperial citizens in matters regarding Whispers Through the Black Gate.
But there in lay dangers of the soul. The Eater of Love, a heinous construct that roamed from within the Labyrinth reached into the Anvil regio during the Autumn of 384 and struck at the Lady Claudia and her family. In its wanton greed, it clawed at their souls, and stole the Love from their hearts. They could no longer feel Love, and were told that they would have to learn how to construct and nourish it again.
Sadly during the same summit, the Heart knew no rest. There was a great conjunction, that led the armed assembled of Anvil through the Sentinel Gate. Yulia, Courageous as she was, joined her nation upon the field – marching to Zenith, to stop the hateful Druj from enacting shroud magic upon the Empire.
Yulia returned back through the Sentinel Gate, but mortally wounded. She came to the Glory Square to wish her darling farewell. There would be no grand Test for them to prove their love to House Remys. But their Love would be remembered. So in that moment, clasping hands in the Glory Square, Claudia went from Lady to Ser – she sundered her Nobility in order to marry Yulia and be bound together in troth and soul. They were married by the Earl of Fools, under the witness of all of Dawn. And in the moment of vows, now Ser Claudia felt that Love return to her heart as her darling Yulia slipped into the Labyrinth. The Love in her heart that all believed lost to the Eater of Love. To regain that which was lost, Claudia made a sacrifice, for the most Wintry of Loves.
She loves her Nation. She knew the Cost. She loves her pack. Know that great deeds are eternal.| Summit | Elected | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Equinox 386YE | Noble Seri of The Twisted Rose | 60 Votes |
| Spring Equinox 385YE | Lady Ailsa Tamerlaine | 29 Votes |
| Spring Equinox 384YE | Estienne de Gauvain | 58 Votes |
Recent Elections
This title is currently held by Noble Seri of The Twisted Rose; it will be reelected at Spring Equinox 387YE. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.