[CANCELLATION] The Winds of Winter

[Darth Ataxia]

Two columns of soldiers marched steadily through the North. At the head of each column rode a man on a horse, swords at their sides and behind them fluttered their banners. One banner was the banner of House Stark with its direwolf on full display. and with it the other principal houses of the North. The other was the $yndicate standard, white with the seal of the $yndicate and almighty snek placed in the center.

 

The army was tired and bruised, their armor well worn and their swords well used. Their demeanor, however, was neither tired nor bruised. The columns spoke freely with one another, singing songs of ice and fire, passing stories, or joking back and forth as they marched along and whenever they stopped to make camp each night it was hard to tell where $yndicate’s camp ended and House Stark’s began. It was clear that the two groups, different as they were, shared a bond that was only formed through years of war and working together. 

 

This morning, only a few hours after they had broken camp from the previous evening, the army came to a crossroads. The two men on horses reigned in and the army came to a stop. One road led to White Harbor, and the other to Winterfell. King Ataxia dismounted his horse as WANA dismounted his. Together they walked a little closer to the crossroad. No matter which road they looked down nothing could be seen for more than a half a league before the road disappeared into heavy fog. 

 

“Well, normally, we’d head to Winterfell together and have a feast for a battle well fought.” Ataxia said

‘Normally, yes.” WANA nodded, “But today is the day we take a separate path.”

“We could stand here for hours, reminiscing about the years we’ve spent in the field together. There are enough stories to last longer than that too.” Ataxia said resting his hand on his sword

“Aye. We’ve certainly come a long way together, and killed many foes. There are none I would rather have by my side than a Northman on the left and an Associate on the right.” WANA said with a smile. 

 

“You know it is the same for us, my friend. House Stark is forever indebted to you and we hold you highest among our friends.” Ataxia said. The two embraced and began walking back to their horses. Ataxia handed WANA a letter in an envelope. “Please read this to your men tonight. It’s from all of us.”

WANA nodded as he took the letter and put it into the folds of his cloak. He mounted his horse. 

“Are you sure there will be enough ships for us at White Harbor?” he asked. Ataxia nodded with a wry smile.

“There will be enough, though the Juniors may need to share a bunk or two.” 

 

WANA chuckled. 

“Good-bye my friend. Good luck in the wars to come” He said

“To you also, friend. Give my regards to the Snek and remember —” Ataxia began to reply

“Winter is Coming” WANA interrupted. Ataxia nodded. “Praise ROI.” They had learned each other well over the years.

 

WANA nudged his horse into motion and slowly the $yndicate army began to move, taking the west road towards White Harbor, where a fleet waited to take them back to $yndi HQ in Nassau. The Stark army remained in place, some Northerners shaking hands with passing Associates who they remembered from various battles and wars over the years. The Stark direwolves began to howl as the final $yndicate troops disappeared into the fog and out of sight. 

 

“Well, that’s that.” Ataxia said to himself before mounting his horse again. ”Let’s get on to Winterfell!” he said, this time for those around him to hear. “We have a feast to get to!” He snapped the reins and began moving his army north to Winterfell. Soon, they too disappeared into the fog and the crossroad was left quiet and empty once more.

 

TLDR: HS and $yndicate part ways after nearly five years

 

/s/ Darth Ataxia, The King in the North

Samani, Hand of the King

Hobbs, Archmaester

Darth Revan, Master of Coin

Michael G Scott, Three-Eyed Raven

Achilleus, Lord Commander

Nero, Master of Tech

[Chad]

Good luck y'all.

[Britannia]

I'm pretty sure this was the longest lasting treaty in the games history. And if it wasnt? That's Rose's fault. 

[hidude45454]

Incredibly excited to see HS chart its own path. I've heard nothing but positive things from your former allies and look forward to seeing what the future holds!

[Atlan]

Cheers 🍻 

[Velyni Vas]

Good luck to your future paths. Excited to see what House Stark has in store for their future and what moves they decide to make.

It’s impressive to see a treaty of that length and that should speak volumes to the mutual respect you have to one another.

[Michael Gary Scott]

It’s been an honor

[Hobbs]

Having started my journey as a plebeian junior associate and making my way to the North, it's a bittersweet moment seeing one of the longest standing treaties end and having us part ways, but I'm excited to see where each of our paths lead us.  Best of luck to T$, and Long Live the King in the North ❤️

[Agent W]

Friends, it has been an absolute pleasure. House Stark were the best allies anyone could have asked for. You were first our charge, then our friend, and became our brother.

Winter is coming, let us pray to the old gods and the new that we survive it.

[Worcestershire]

It’s been a true pleasure to have fought alongside you all. I wish you all nothing but the best as you go on to forge your own destiny, and I hope our interests align again some day.

[Denison]

Had to wait for Hand of Farm to do this.

[President Tom]

It’s been nothing but a pleasure. 

Edited October 14, 2022 by President Tom

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Over my two years in T$, I was fortunate enough to have more interactions with the various members of House Stark than I can recall. I can say without a shadow of a doubt, the bond House Stark and The Syndicate shared was one of a kind, and the love and brotherhood we shared shall hold a special place in my heart for as long as I played this game. It was truly an honour, and a privilege to call House Stark an ally, and I wish nothing but the best for you all.

Greatness lays on the horizon, Ataxia of House Stark. May you and yours reach out and seize it. May all of Orbis know the glory and strength of House Stark as myself, and other members of The Syndicate learned over the years, and may we one day again share a hearth and ale.

Vale, amice vetus. Benedictus sis a Marte.

[The Nomad]

The absolute irony of me having looked at the treaty web earlier today and thought, "Well, that HS-T$ treaty is probably gonna be around as the only AAs that are never separated." And well, now here we are.

 

Good luck to Both T$ and HS in all their future endeavors! 💜

 

 

[Dryad]

Damn, now Vein won't have daily meltdowns over HS not being counted towards wayward in hidudes tiering charts anymore.

[BigMorf]

The North remembers. 

Good luck to both of you on your new journeys. 

[Sphinx]

Not everyday you see a treaty last longer than the majority of the playerbase. 

Best of luck to t$ and HS for the future. And hope TFP give House Stark a warm welcome.. Maybe not too warm though.. they do like it cold up in da Norf. 

[Kalachthefirst]

Good luck on your future ventures guys

[James XVI]

And I thought this treaty was one of the constants of Orbis. That's quite a change...

[Zed]

I remember writing the HS original protectorate treaty with t$, many years ago. Many things have changed since.

It is my hope that you will forge the trail to your own success with all due speed and grace.

[Nathan Mayer Rothschild]

Lol now TKR and NW next

[Zygon]

As I've stated in private, House Stark would not and could not be where we are today without our friends in The Syndicate. When I was King all that time ago they took us in with open arms and never hesitated to help us, train us, and guide us to the path we are on today. It truly is a sad day in Orbis, but looking forward to seeing you again one day friends.

Never retiring again, I leave for 10 months and they've cancelled the closest ally we've ever had. I guess it's time to come back...

[Raphael]

We must all eventually grow beyond our mentors to achieve the greatest version of ourselves.

 

Congrats on growth, even though I know splitting is probably an emotional choice. Good luck to both parties moving forward.

[Buorhann]

This doesn't make sense, but well, every alliance treaty has to be broken eventually.