Remembering Aino Nystad, Captain of the Royal Guard
January 8th, 2009 - September 20th, 2009
By WarderDragon
Baja Stratics Reporter
"A master mage with a mind as deep as the western ocean and the beauty of a golden sunrise, Aino is a scholar and a lady without peer. Studying in Moonglow at an early age, she has a deep appreciation for all things mystical, is tenacious by nature and has an acute understanding of politics. Though her appearance and demeanor may tell otherwise, she is sometimes doubtful at heart, both of her abilities and her capacity to be there for her family."
January 8th, 2009 - September 20th, 2009
By WarderDragon
Baja Stratics Reporter
"A master mage with a mind as deep as the western ocean and the beauty of a golden sunrise, Aino is a scholar and a lady without peer. Studying in Moonglow at an early age, she has a deep appreciation for all things mystical, is tenacious by nature and has an acute understanding of politics. Though her appearance and demeanor may tell otherwise, she is sometimes doubtful at heart, both of her abilities and her capacity to be there for her family."
As most of you have already been made aware, Captain Aino Nystad of the Royal Britannian Guard was murdered this afternoon defending the newly crowned Queen Dawn from a mystical spell by a mysterious hooded figure.
The Town Guards of Britain rushed to her side, but they were too late to save the mortally injured Captain.
Although her murderer is still at large, The Town Guard and Royal Britannian Knights are hard at work searching the land for the vile fiend. They have promised that the assassin will be brought to justice, whatever the cost. The Independent Kingdoms have already begun expressing their condolences for the loss of such an honorable and respected figure, one who had earned their trust during the War of Shadows. Many have offered their aid in search of the assassin.
But let us begin by remembering the woman who came to us so many months ago. She was merely a young sorceress then, the heir to a fallen house, whose only purpose was to restore her family to its rightful place amongst the peerage of the Britannian kingdom.
[News] Strangers Come To Britannia by Lady Oriana
I doubt even she could have anticipated the series of events that would later transpire, beginning with Casca offering her a place as Captain of the Royal Guard.
[News] Lady Aino Offered Captain of the Royal Guard by Lady Oriana
Although some would say that Casca gave her the position in order to turn her against the Independent Kingdoms and their leaders, Lady Aino served with honor and distinction in her place as Captain, continuing to privately reach out to Britannias rivals even when her liege was publically calling for the downfall of her friends.
As her first act as Captain, she called for a tournement to find a Champion for the Britannian people. The Tournement, which began in Skara Brae but inevitably concluded in the Avalon Ring of Champions, helped Britannia find its most skilled Mage and Warrior.
[News] Aino Nystad Announces Champions Duel by Sara of Baja
Soon later, she held the Royal Guard Conference, inviting current and retired members of the Royal Britannian Guard and Royal Britannian Militia who served under Gabriel Kieron, Archimedes the Old, and Sameerah respectively. It was there that she announced the creation of the Britain Town Guard, a unit of professional soldiers who protected the city against Orc Invasions and Redcap Thugs.
[News] Royal Guard Conference Conclusion by Ceno
But her actions were clearly not as popular with her peers as they were with the commoners, as evidenced by Lord Emissary Saius' challenge to the Captain. She was put on trial, and nearly assassinated by a Redcap Thug, but was rescued by the Town Guard.
[News] Lord Saius Challenges Captain Nystad & Other News by WarderDragon
[News] Turmoil in Britain as Town Guards Come Under Fire! by Cymidei Fier
[News] Lord Emissary Saius Challenges The Captain by WarderDragon
Despite her loyalty to the Britannian monarchy, time and time again she proved that her first priority was to her people and not to Casca, as evidenced by her open defiance of the false king and her eventual imprisonment for her actions.
Captain Nystad Sent to Tokuno by Sara of Baja
Aino was to be executed, but the people loved their Captain, and made several attempts to free her of her imprisonment, finally resulting in the discovery of Finneus Cricks laboratory and the use of a magical dress.
[News] Vigilantes In Yew Attempt To Free Aino Nystad by Cymidei Fier and Sara of Baja
[News] The Execution of Lady Aino Nystad
Captain Aino Nystad rejoined her brother, who had united the Britannians and the Scythians under the banner of Operation Royal Flush. There she met Lady Dawn, and the two became swift allies as they fought to dethrone Lord Casca.
Although her death comes on a day that should we should be spent in celebration rather than mourning, let us not forget what Aino Nystad has done for the Britannian people. May we honor her last dying wish. May we fight as one to bring Peace and Virtue to this wartorn kingdom.
It is the suggestion of this reporter that the Britannian monarchy and its sovereign, Her Majesty Dawn the Brave, posthumously reinstate House Nystad amongst the peerage of the realm, and honor the sorceress as a Royal Knight of Virtue for deeds done throughout the past year.
The Light shine on you, Lady Aino of House Nystad, and may you shelter in the palm of the Creators hand. The last embrace of the mother welcome you home.
Starting a storm in a tea cup, with those most noble of intentions I rode out to the city of Britain. There is an old saying amongst my people, "A sheep amongst a pack of wolves would be soon killed by the wolves. Yet, a sheep amongst a pack of bored nobles would have the nobles kill each other trying to crown it the king." So, I set out to be the sheep to play my part in the political intrigue that is oft played out in this city.
I can recount about the hardships and humiliations we faced growing up in a world to which we were of no use. However, wallowing in misery has never been my forte. If anything, those years have only firmed up my resolve to reclaim our title. To those intentions, I fly like an arrow. I am well aware of the dangers I face and the sacrifices I must make. I have already sacrificed the close rapport with my brother who thinks of it as a fool's quest and wants to play no role in it. While I seek healing from the very institution that inflicted this wound upon us, he would rather have it brought down one brick at a time. So, should I fulfill my quest, I run the risk of finding myself bereft of my brother. Yet, I fly like an arrow...
- Aino Nystad
