| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 
TRAGEDY. 
Today, we have lost more than just soldiers. On the Thirteenth of August, 778, several children were taken from a local orphanage by the villainous Von Zarovich, and in the chaos, one was executed. A gruesome display made to invoke fear, despair, desperation. A crime stooped so low that even in my incomprehensible work in attaining some sort of foothold in the country that was once ours by right of blood, in facing monsters, beasts, betrayers and worse- It was inevitable that the villains of the Count's reign would target the innocent again. Most did not believe the stories of the First War of Liberation, dismissing them as propaganda.
Unfortunately, this is not propaganda, nor is this hardly a formal reactionary word from our fair country. Propaganda would assume we have something to gain from manipulating the deaths of the young, and even I, in my jaded state, cannot do this. I have done things for my country I could never put to paper. That is not one of them.
Is this the wake-up call you require, men and women of the Outskirts? The reminder, the violent display of what happens to our people when we step out of line? To forever be bent knee, else risk the worst crimes known to any soul? Opposed by a country controlled by monsters, breeds monsters, and only survives by the weight and threat of such monsters. Monsters who would sooner kill children than give simple rights to the common man, who is not much unalike the Barovian next to him, beyond the circumstance of his birth.
Those of you who stood up, who tried to do anything for those children- We thank you. I thank you. I know who you are. Of all those eyes who witnessed, only few were able to muster the desire to speak out against what is possibly the worst crime of war to take place since the Massacre of Krezk. The Barovians personal squadron of assigned killers burnt a building alight with unarmed Gundarakites inside, letting the smoke and fire take them. The Ezrites watched.
Nothing has ever been fair for us, we have lived and realized this. It will always be a struggle for everyone in this land, and we are no exception. Those who feared to stand up against their oppressors, do not. If we are all trapped together and must coexist, then one must not take part in the structure. Running is no option. Diplomacy is no longer an option. Lance Corporal Mitica and Private Ulrika were returned, believing that the cost of one Gundarakite life was more valuable than two slayings of men in service ever would be.
One must wonder what the justification amongst the bystander could be, watching such a horrid thing take place. Would they simply think it out of their control? That banding together is impossible to see this threat away, and that we should simply let the powers that-be continue to take innocent lives? Is that markings of a Paladin, Maren Jars? Speaking up information constructed upon falsehoods and half-truths made to spread misinformation on purpose, to 'save' children? If you are a holy warrior, why do you not draw your blade in the name of the defenseless? Why do you watch the Count's heel stomp on what you vow to protect? He has doomed these children to a fate worse than death. By submitting to the Count's demands, Maren Jars has damned what remains of the children stolen by the Von Zarovich family. Misled heroism is not itself, a crime, but it is a choice that I hope weighs heavy on his shoulders for the rest of his days. I hope the white of the children's eyes stays with you when they looked at you, knowing you could have possibly done something. You will walk forever with the mark of shame from our people. Equally, I speak with pleading hands for Outlanders to recognize the absurdity of a man of the cloth bowing knee to an evil as great as the Von Zarovich. His holy warrior nature is a falsehood, or perhaps simply a veiled excuse for strength, we will never know. If you see this 'paladin', you need not kill him- No. Living with the shame is a far, far greater punishment. Let him carry that burden forever. It will dig a hole into his heart.
A fight awaits us all. Those of us truly willing to stand up to an injustice, despite our own failings, despite what sacrifices had been made before in the name of freedom- Despite what dark paths this torment of an era has brought us to. Outlander, Gundarakite, Barovian, Dementlieuse- It makes no difference in the eyes of evil. In that, we shall always be equal. Pawns upon the board. In this, I call for arms. I call for the blades of supposed heroism to be drawn, and I ask you fight for something worth fighting for. No returning mindless undead, not for the circumstance of their birth, no- Every Garda who currently remains after such proceedings clearly must sleep well at night, knowing they have killed children.
It is an uncertain battle. I cannot lie to this page, not after what I have had to sit amongst brothers and sisters to find out. The Von Zarovich brings forth dark magic, tainted knights, the best the Count has to offer in military might-- To strongarm us all into compliance. Let this be known. I do not intend to stand down, and neither should you. Where the mythic feats of an army long past failed, I believe in the persistence of heroes, better than me, able to put rest of the pieces together to end this. Almost every man in my squadron in the days of history has been killed in action. Perhaps, even someday, I will be next.
I will hope to die fighting alongside those who believe in freedom, rather than those who would preach succor and give none of it when the innocent are threatened. Outlander partizáns will be treated with the same dignity as any other. Fight together. Live together. Give a future to the defenseless.
AUGUST 13TH SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE DAY OF TAKEN INNOCENCE, IN REMEMBERANCE, AND REMINDER OF THE CRIMES OF BAROVIA'S FALSE STATEHOOD.
THE VOICE OF GUNDARAK I WILL LIVE AND DIE AS A PARTIZÁN
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
