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Hello, I’m Branwyn Two-Moon of Clan Lightridge, and these are the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Wisp Dancing, 2019.

The closing ceremonies for the gather are not even an hour gone, but it’s safe to say the whole experience was cathartic.  There were numerous somber and hallowed moments, but far more common were the sounds of joy and laughter as people shared the stories of their departed loved ones – the times they made them laugh or cry happy tears. Our rememberance of their deaths became a celebration of their lives.

The opening ceremonies of the gather set a tone of pride, courage, and loyalty that persisted throughout the event.  After her introduction, herpesti herald India Surestep delivered a royal proclamation very few were expecting, and I think they only expected it because they had to have the knowledge it was coming.

What I read to you now is the text of the proclamation in full:

It is with great sorrow and a grim sense of responsibility that we, King Andarin Whitethorne and Queen Mekanni Bright Wall, leaders of the kingdom of Gemrest, call on all our peoples to remember the event known as the Fortnight War that ended one month ago today.

We will not let our mistakes allow such a travesty to happen again.  For it was our mistakes that allowed Duke and Duchess Ionwa to think their actions would benefit them.  While me made several, it was our failure to clearly where the Pinecrest Valley Region, its people, and its leadership stood within the hierarchies our people are used to that was the greatest contributor.

This is a mistake we address now, for our heralds are not delivering this message solely to the gather in Eastfjord Harbor, but to the seat of every duchy and protectorate of Gemrest, for immediate distribution to all our people, bear they noble titles or not.

Effectively immediately, the Pinecrest Valley region, as defined on the maps carried by our heralds, is recognized as a province of the kingdom Gemrest. This province, known henceforth as Pinecrest, is subject to all the protections and benefits of any duchy within our kingdom. Furthermore, the ruling body of Pinecrest is hereby granted, as a collective, the rights and responsibilities of a duke or duchess of this kingdom. Finally, we name Eastfjord Harbor as the capital of this province.

This format of a province and its leadership shall be documented within our laws should a situation arise where a new province should be established.

In accordance with this decree, we now mete out justice.

Effective immediately, House Ionwa is no more. Its treasury shall be used to pay reparations to all those impacted by the aggressive greed of its former duke and duchess and the costs needed to establish an elected leadership of the territory. In the meantime, a temporary council has been selected to lead Ionwa at the expense of the Crowns, and under our watchful eyes.

We were once two separate people, proud and arrogant. Humbled, we are one. Proud, we will remain one.  

The Pinecrest Grand Council followed this announcement by formally announcing its updated name and revealing a new crest and flags for the kingdom, which had been prepared for some time.  The more recent project for our weavers was revealed to have been uniforms and badges of office for those acting on behalf of the province, rather than on behalf of a given city or town.

Here’s to Pinecrest, here’s to Gemrest, and here’s to the future.

The Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor are brought to you by Red Wombat Tea Company, purveyors of fine and otherworldly tea. Red Wombat: We Dig Tea.

Also brought to you by the Shrinewatchers’ League – the first step into the future is coming, we’re ready for it.

These have been the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Wisp Dancing, 2019. Take care, and stay cool.