"Let the hammer fall!"
Elector Count of Khaz-Modan, Magni Bronzebeard, facing the hordes of greenskins at the gates.
***
Codex: Landsraad
The Landsraad is the body that represents all Noble Houses of the Holy Arcadia Empire and rose to prominence shortly after the establishment of the Empire and the unification of the Lordran.
The Landsraad meets regularly and provides a forum within which the Noble Houses could relate with one another, to either negotiate trade agreements, create alliances, or conduct kanly, the formalized processes of vendetta or feud.
The Landsraad was governed by the High Council, which was led by the High Chancellor of the Empire. It presided over issues such as the forms of Kanly and whether certain Houses should be banished for breach of the Great Convention or for not upholding the standards of the Holy Arcadia Empire.
Motions within the Landraad were passed by votes. The Imperial House had 150 Votes, the Greater Houses of the Empire had 400 Votes, the Lesser Houses had 400 Votes, and The Healing Church had 150 Votes.
Each Elector Count House had 20 Votes, and each Lord High Magistrate Hosue had 60 Votes. Among the Lesser Houses, they usually had a much smaller number of Votes compared to the Greater Houses, so they typically grouped together to be represented.
That was the case mainly with some of the weakest Baron Houses and many of the Grand Paladin Houses because the number of Votes one possessed in the Landsraad depended on the personal power of the said House.
***
MC POV
Faust was one of the places that I genuinely loved to be in... the City of Miracles was one of the most beautiful wonders that were ever built, and due the fact that it was scarcely populated allowed us to enjoy its wonder.
"It is almost empty... when you told me it was one of the most important places of the Empire, I thought it would be different..."
I heard Cersei tell me this, and I was forced to agree. Compared to the rest of the Cities, Faust had the smallest population, of only a few tens of thousands, not more than forty thousand if I was correct.
She looked around the city, observing the wondrous buildings and seeing Wizards, Scholars, and people walking here and there. She tried not to be surprised when she saw Gnomes and Dwarves for the first time.
Her imp of a brother was often ridiculed as a "dwarf", but the real dwarves were bulky, with broad shoulders, short build, muscular arms and long beards. They were master craftsmen, able to shape stone and metals like none other, masterful engineers and warriors.
Not to mention, they were brave, loyal and honorable folk who controlled the entire Grand Province of Khaz-Modan and one of the greatest cities ever built in the Lordran, the Ironforge.
"Yes... in Faust, most commonly, only magicians live together with their families and students at the Eight Imperial Colleges of Magic, so the population isn't very big."
I said as we strode through the streets with people occasionally bowing to us if they recognized me or they were minding their own things. Wizards and Scholars of Faust didn't really care about politics and were often minding their own business.
Some didn't even know how their Emperor looked, which was a bit ridiculous, but whatever, as long as they contributed to the Empire, protected the nation and brought the inventions, I didn't care about a bunch of eccentrics.
"Faust has altogether 14 Floating Islands that are interconnected with each other, centering around the Main island which serves as the headquarters of the Byrgenwerth."
The main Island was the biggest one and on the main Island, the headquarters of the Byrgenwerth was situated.
"Eight of the Floating Islands are occupied by the Eight Imperial Colleges of Magic and their Eight Magic Orders. One Island belongs to the Healing Church, one to the Vilebloods of Cainhurst, one to the Imperial House, one to the Workshop and the last two are constantly changing its owners."
I explained about the fourteen floating islands that were circling around the Main Island, together creating the humongous floating city known as Faust, the City of Miracles.
"Changes its owner?"
We were right now heading towards the main headquarters of the Byrgenwerth on the Main Island as Cersei caught on to my last words.
"Yes, it doesn't belong to anyone in particular... basically, it belongs to anyone who conquers it; it is a form of competition between the Elector Counts of the Empire. You need to know that owning one Floating Island brings tremendous benefits because one has a constant foothold in the Faust."
This system was implemented not only to strengthen the Empire as a whole, but it also had many other thoughts behind it. On the other hand, it would keep the most powerful noble Houses in a state of constant evolution and advancement.
"And they are constantly forced to become better to be not left behind by their competitors..."
I nodded at her words with a smile.
"To whom they currently belong?"
She asked while looking at the two remaining floating islands.
"Izalith and Ironforge... House Izalith is known for their deep research into the Lore of Fire and they also founded the Pyromancy Magic and even produced two people who would later become Supreme Patriarchs of Byrgenwerth. And Ironforge are here mainly due to their Runecrafting and Runic Magic..."
Pyromancy was found by the Witch of Izalith Quelaag several thousands of years ago during the Age of Fire, shortly after Lord Gwyn sacrificed himself to lit up the first flame and started the Age of Fire.
She was a very mighty Sorceress and created a peculiar branch of the Lore of Fire, called Pyromancy, that allowed Mage to utilize his Soul Flame as his weapon. Pyromancy was far more destructive than average Fire Attributed Spells.
During the centuries, Izalith declined and rose either way, sometimes, they were on the verge of destruction and sometimes they were thriving, but they survived the passage of time for several thousand years.
When the unification wars began, Izalith and their Pyromancer organization, Chaos Flame Covenant, joined among the first ones because they saw there hope to regain their foothold in the changing world.
***
3rd POV
The main building where the Byrgenwerth resisted was overlooking a lake and the building stood serenely as if gazing at the reflection of the moon. It was an enormous mansion that one could easily mistake for a palace, consisting of several floors and an enormous dome resting on the top of it.
It was built with a typical mixture of ancient Lordranese architecture and the gothic feel of Yharnam that was right now prevalent across the entire Holy Arcadia Empire.
"Your Majesty, greetings..."
Karl Franz and his betrothed Cersei Lannister arrived in front of the humongous manse as they were welcomed by several tens of scholars under the leadership of the current Supreme Patriarch and Headmaster of Byrgenwerth, Balthasar Gelt, who bowed at their sight.
The man in question wore the traditional clothing of the Gold Order and also the golden mask that reminded the sun.
Every hundred years, the Eight Orders of Magic of Byrgenwerth would elect one of their numbers to duel with equal counterparts. Each Order will put its own representative for the position of Supreme Patriarch and Headmaster of Byrgenwerth.
One needed to have tremendous merit in research of Magic and be a mighty Wizard to be even considered for the position. When the duel was won, the winner received the office of the Supreme Patriarch and the right to wield the ancient Staff of Volans.
Balthasar Gelt is the most recent winner of this exalted position. Such is his skill in the art of Magic that he managed to defeat the former Supreme Patriarch, Thyrus Gormann of the Bright Order, in the ritual duel at the Obsidian Hall.
Thus, he took over as Supreme Patriarch of the Colleges and replaced the long-standing prominence of Bright Order and Chaos Flame Covenant with that of Gold Order.
"Greetings to you, Headmaster."
Karl Franz nodded his head at the Supreme Patriarch and Headmaster of Byrgenwerth with his fianceé mimicking what he did. She knew that Balthasar Gelt was politically and militarily one of the strongest people of the Holy Arcadia Empire, and that was not even telling about his personal power as Wizard.
"So, what is the reason for His Imperial Majesty to visit our School?"
Balthasar Gelt asked after they had exchanged pleasantries.
"To have my fianceé tested for Magic Aptitude."
Karl-Franz said that as the Supreme Patriarch and Headmaster of Byrgenwerth stepped forward and scanned her from tips to toes before he nodded his head and motioned for them to follow.
"That will take a short time; we will see what Lore suits you, My Lady."
The interior of the Byrgenwerth was breathtaking with its beautiful smooth architecture, but yet it pertained to some of the more creepy aspects. Everywhere where the eye could see, one could observe Scholars, Wizards, Students practicing digilently Spells and dedicating themselves to the study of the Ancient Lore.
After passing several corridors filled with books, they entered a simple, empty room with only one crystal ball inside.
"Put your hands on the crystal ball and do nothing else... I can sense that you have Magic inside your body, but you cannot control it at all; this would be a bit problematic, but nothing unsolvable."
This was the so-called testing room for the Magic Aptitude and Elements, determining if someone had a high enough aptitude to study Magic and which Lore was one attributed to.
Under the watchful eyes of Karl Franz and Baltasar Gelt, Cersei nervously stepped forward and did precisely what the Supreme Patriarch said and put her right hand on the crystal ball...
Several seconds later, the crystal ball started shining with bright golden light before it began to contain a bit of red light.
"Splendid, another practitioner of the Lore of Metal, though you also have a good affinity for the Lore of Fire."
Karl Franz was surprised to hear that as he chuckled to himself because the Lore of Fire certainly answered for her fiery temper. Lore of Metal was Lore of the Gold Order to which Supreme Patriarch Balthasar Gelt belonged.
They consisted mainly of Alchemists and Battle Wizards that were proficient in combat, while the Lore of Fire was of the Bright Order, which cultivated one of the strongest types of Battle Wizards.
"Then I ask the Supreme Patriarch to find an appropriate teacher for my fainceé... we would be departing the Anor Londo after a few days and afterward, she would attend Schola Progenium."
Karl Franz wanted only the best of the best for his fincaeé, so he hoped that the Supreme Patriarch of Faust would arrange some form from the Izalith to teach Cersei about the Lore of Fire and perhaps even the arts of Pyromancy of Chaos Flames of the Chaos Flame Covenant.
And when it came to the Lore of Metal, he knew that he himself as the most prominent practitioner of the Lore of Metal, would take it upon himself to teach her.
This would be an unprecedented opportunity to get closer to the future Empress of the Holy Arcadia Empire and elevate Faust and Byrgenwerth to another Level. Right now, they were a bit at a disadvantage against the Healing Church and Workshop due to Lady Maria.
She was the most dazzling student of the Gehrman the First Hunter after His Imperial Majesty Karl Franz. That put the Workshop in prominence, secondly only to the Healing Church among the factions within the Empire.
So, Faust needed to take the opportunity when it presented itself and teaching the future Empress the secrets of the Arcane and Magic would certainly help them elevate their standing by a great degree.
"It would be my utmost pleasure to teach Lady Cersei personally."
Karl Franz nodded as Cersei looked surprised that such a lofty figure would be teaching her personally and she sensed that he for sure had some ulterior motive in this.
"Then we shall excuse to our Floating Island, Supreme Patriarch Gelt."
Karl Franz stated as he, together with his fianceé, went to their Floatzing Island. They would remain for some time at the Faust, tour the city, and have some time together before they would depart for the Anor Londo.
***
"So this is your Floating Island."
The golden-haired Light of the West looked around the Floating Island that belonged to the Imperial House with a certain degree of wonder. It wasn't very big, but also it wasn't small either.
If used to a maximum, it could house at least a few thousand people with ease. The entire Floating Island was protected by high walls and guarded by Silver Knights, who were permanently stationed here, together with a few retired members of the Reiksgarde.
Guarding the Floating Island was a much more leisurely job, so many of the Knights that wished to retire were offered jobs as Guards for the Floating Island in the Faust, where they could rest and also continue working for the Empire.
"Yes, there is only the castle in the Floating Island, together with a few mansions for most loyal direct vassals of the Imperial House who are staying here all the time. Still, it is a rather big structure to the fortresses of the Westeros; it was built by one of our Chief Architects and its name is Blackrose Castle."
Karl Franz explained as they looked around the relatively humble castle that was built on the Floating Island.
Blackrose Castle was as magnificent as the first time he saw it, a majestic crown on Faust. The fortress stood tall and proud, each corner filled with trebuchet towers that had stood the test of time.
This castle was designed to act as an unreachable fortress in case Faust was attacked by hostile force and due to its enormous size, it could easily house the majority of the city. Its defenses were being constantly strengthened by the best engineers and strategists of the Empire for entire generations.
The clever design of the battlements, the deeply buried gates with five portcullises, the tunnel-like construction of the castle itself… The place had been designed to be a headache to anyone planning to invade.
"Your Majesty."
They were then welcomed by the Castellan of the Blackrose Castle, an elderly-looking man who wore the black clothes of a butler.
"The chambers for Your, Lady and Reiksgarde are already prepared. The dinner would be served at 19:00 exactly."
The old butler said as we entered the castle for a small tour. Karl Frazn dismissed the Reiksgarde Knights and ordered them to rest because they were not necessary to follow them everywhere at the Blackrose Castle.
"Why did the Supreme Patriarch want to teach me personally? What is his motive?"
As they were walking through the majestic empty halls of the Backrose Castle, he heard Cersei ask, as she was truly the daughter of her father. She knew that something was behind it.
"Yes, he did have a motive. Right now, among the various factions within the Holy Arcadia Empire, Workshop has the edge over the others because Maria and I are students of the Gehrman the First Hunter, so Byrgenwerth wants to equal the odds basically."
Again, politics and politics... everywhere one looked, she realized that it was no different from Westeros, just different methods, but purposes and goals remained the same.
"Still, this would be an excellent opportunity for you because Balthasar Gelt has been one of the strongest Battle Wizards in the entire Holy Arcadia Empire for the past centuries and some even say he would rival The Big Hat Logan himself, the father of Sorcery."
Karl Franz explained as he led Cersei to her chambers, which were close to his, on the same floor at the highest tower of the Backrose Castle. It had a splendid view of the entirety of the Faust.
"So, how are you feeling from being in the skies?"
When they entered the room, they went to the balcony as Karl Franz showed her the view of the city... and it was breathtaking. Right now, they were several kilometers high in the skies and standing at one of the tallest points of the Faust.
"It is beautiful... truly..."
She muttered as they sat down on the pair of chairs.
***
MC POV
I didn't find many opportunities to relax because, as I was the Emperor of the Holy Arcadia Empire, I needed to be an example for others to follow. I worked harder than any other, fought more ferociously than anyone else, and was the prime of the Empire.
Moments like these were rare; only with Maria did I have some when we were spending time together or went Hunting some Beasts, and during the Hunt, we had some more intimate moments.
"I don't have many opportunities to rest like this."
I said while looking at the periphery of the city.
"You know, the Nobles of the Empire need to be the example for others, and I, as the Emperor, need to be the example for the Nobles and Common people."
I muttered, and suddenly I felt that she came to me and sat on my lap. Cersei was growing bolder and bolder with the more time we spent together. I must admit that she knew what she wanted, and if she wanted something, she would take it.
I liked that kind of confidence and personality.
"You should rather focus more on my, Your Majesty."
She huskily whispered in my ears as I felt her soft, young body pressed against mine; even though she was fifteen years old, she was very well-developed for her age...
"I think I should... somebody has been naughty."
I then grabbed her perfectly shaped butt and kissed her passionately, as our tongues fought for dominance until I heard a soft moan escaping her mouth when we separated...
"While I would like to continue further... I believe that it would be best to stop right now..."
I said, much to her displeasure, because we were both horny... One thing that I noticed about my fianceé, she was giving me the same look as Maria when we started our relationship.
And while I was tempted to have sex with her right here and now, in the end, I decided against it because her body wouldn't be able to withstand it... I am one of the strongest people in the Empire.
The Old Blood flowed through my veins...
And she was right now still only an average mortal, and sex between someone like Maria and me was... very intense, long, passionate and even destructive. Not to mention I had tremendous stamina, allowing me to go for literal hours upon hours.
"Not that I don't desire you... but you are not of Old Blood and I don't want to hurt you as I fuck your brains out."
I whispered to her ear as she arched her back while my hand went down to her tights and started rubbing her there.
"But that doesn't mean that we can't pleasure each other in a different way..."
I nibbled on her ear as she moaned while gripping my clothes. She was really cute and beautiful at the same time, and I wanted to take her so much...
***
3rd POV
Several hours later, Faust, Blackrose Castle.
The next day, both Karl Franz and his fianceé Cersei Lannister went on the tour of Faust, the City of Miracles for the time. Aside from that, they would also visit the local Church for the conversion and Blood Ministration Ceremony.
Karl Franz, as the Chosen of the Great Ones, knew when some began to believe in the might of the Old Ones, and it seemed that she had found Faith in the Great Ones. Though after everything she had saw, it was easily accomplished.
People like Cersei Lannister were dangerous when they fell into the Faith because, for their whole life, they didn't believe in Gods, but when they fell to the Faith, they would become the most zealous fanatics that would burn the world for their Gods.
Exactly like him.
He knew that soon enough, The Healing Church would have a stable foothold in the Westerlands. With what had happened in the Lannisport, the fight against that Demon and the usage of the power of the Great Ones would convert the people from the false Faith to the true one.
And he also knew that sooner or later, they would face attacks by the Faith of Seven, but that wasn't his concern. When the Westerlands were converted, it would become a bastion of the Healing Church in the Westeros, and they would crush whatever the Faith of Seven sent at them.
Karl Franz led Cersei to the local Cathedral of the Healing Church, which was located on the Floating Island; they went silently further through the long hall. Like the other Cathedrals of the Healing Church, it was divided into three parts: the nave, the transept, and the choir.
The nave is the central aisle of the Cathedral, and it runs from the main entrance to the Altar at the front of the building. The walls of the nave were lined with rows of columns that supported the towering arches and vaults overhead.
The windows along the sides of the nave were tall and narrow, allowing in a diffuse, colorful light that filled the space with a soft, ethereal glow.
The transept is the cross-shaped section of the Cathedral that intersects with the nave. This area typically houses the choir stalls and the pulpit, and it may also include a small chapel or shrine.
The transept is often one of the most ornately decorated areas of the Cathedral, with intricate carvings, statues, and stained-glass windows that depict scenes from the teaching of the Healing Church about the Great Ones.
The choir is the section of the Cathedral that surrounds the Altar, and it was reserved for use by the clergy and the choir. The choir stalls are often intricately carved and decorated with images of saints, angels, and other religious figures.
The high Altar was typically located at the center of the choir, and it may be adorned with elaborate decorations such as void crystals, statues of the Great Ones and other things deciphered in the Gospel of the Great Ones.
"Welcome to my Church, children of the Great Ones."
They were welcomed by a woman's voice, belonging to the dark-haired woman wearing pure white outside, consisting of white garb, gloves and trousers and white boots. Every Catherdral was led by a Vicar, who were a higher-up of the Healing Church.
"And welcome to my humble Church, Holy Chosen of the Great Ones."
She looked at Karl Franz and bowed deeply.
"And we humbly thank you for the welcome, Vicar Amelia."
Karl Franz gave her a small bow as Cersei gracefully bowed, wearing a crimson-red dress laminated with golden patterns.
"What can I do for the Holy Imperator today?"
Vicar Amelia asked; it was rare for such a person to come to visit her Cathedral. Karl Franz, as Chosen of the Great Ones, had unnatural prestige among the believers of the Healing Church, as they would do his every command.
In the end, he was the incarnation of the Great Ones in the mortal plane.
Their living instrument and the only person who could communicate with the Great Ones living in the Higher Dimensions.
"Blood Ministration."
Karl Franz answered as Vicar Amelia showed a gentle smile as she looked at the golden-haired woman beside the Holy Imperator. This was indeed a joyous occasion for every Priest of the Healing Church when they brought new believers to the only true Faith.
Vicar Amelia was one of the Vicars of the Healing Church, who were the highest ranking members of the Church and second only to the Grand Theogenist, who was chosen collectively by the Council of Vicars.
"It shall be done, Your Holy Majesty."
She bowed to Karl Franz before she went to prepare for the entire ceremony. Karl Franz wanted only a small procession and nothing big because of the time and truth to be told; he wanted to have this thing done as fast as possible.
"The Blood Ministration is not a painful process for those who believe... Vicar Amelia will host the ceremony and you will say exactly what we have trained and drink the Old Blood... when you wake up once again, it will be as a new person..."
Cersei nodded her head, hearing that he already prepared her for the ceremony, and even she was already impatient about that because the Old Blood would signify that she was truly a member of the Holy Arcadia Empire.
In one swoop, she would obtain power that was far above any mortal man and that was exactly what she wanted. Not to mention, she would be able to live for centuries to come, maintaining her beauty that would never fade.
She heard that those of Noble Old Blood were ageless; Gehrman the First Hunter was here since the beginning of the Age of Strife when the Old Blood was found under the Yharnam, which was already over five thousand years.
Something hardly believable, but the man was still walking among them, breathing and living.
Still, Karl Franz told her that many died before they could reach the end of their natural lifespan, though it was confirmed that those of Noble Blood didn't have one, starting from Level 5 and higher.
Nobody has yet died on the bed, and all of them died on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Karl Franz and Cersei were talking about some minor things; the Priests in the Cathedral were preparing everything for the Blood Ministration, as this was a rare occasion.
In the Lordran, everyone was a believer in the Healing Church. Aside from the hostile species like Orks or the Barbarians in the west, those who would sooner or later be exterminated by a Crusade.
And this occasion was only more important by the sole fact that the person undergoing the Blood Ministration was the finaceé of the Holy Imperator.
This would certainly elevate Vicar Amelia among the other Vicars because it was a matter of prestige. Not long after that, everything was prepared for the ceremony of the Blood Ministration and Vicar Amelia stood in front of the golden Altar of the Great Ones.
"Come my child, lost in the past, certain of the future. The Holy Medium is waiting."
Vicar Amelia started the ceremony of the Blood Ministration as several people gathered around the Altar, kneeling and chanting the prayers, while Cersei walked confidently to the Altar with Karl Franz behind her.
"For we are born of blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood."
Golden lioness knelt before the Vicar Amelia, who grabbed a silver chalice as she continued chanting the prayer.
"And through blood we are reborn, through blood we are forges and through blood we live."
Her powerful voice echoed through the Cathedral as everyone prayed.
"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
Cersei Lannister took the silver chalice from Vicar's hands, who passed it to her as she finished the chant and drank the Old Blood.
"The Old Blood guides us; the Old Blood protects us; the Old Blood lives through us, for we are of the children of Great Ones."
"For we are of the children of Great Ones."
Everyone prayed together as they watched the golden-haired woman drinking down the silver chalice full of Old Blood in reverence and anticipation.
"Let us be reborn by the Old Blood and wake up in the Waking World as the true children of the Great Ones. Aware to the truths of the Cosmos, of the Insight to the depths of Arcane and truth of all existence."
Vicar Amelia finished the prayer as Cersei drank all of the Old Blood and Karl Franz caught her before she could fall on the ground unconscious.
"We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. Fear the Old Blood".
"We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. Fear the Old Blood".
"We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. Fear the Old Blood".
With that being sounded through the Cathedral, the process of the Blood Ministration was successfully finished.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty... the leap of Faith was successful; it seems that Your Lady was lucky to jump so much... her Bloodline must be very, very old..."
Vicar Amelia stated with a smile as Karl Franz took Cersei, who was unconscious in a princess carry and departed from the Cathedral of the Healing Church. Surprisingly to everyone present, her Old Blood Level was of Level 3 strength from the start...
But it wasn't that shocking because he knew that the Noble Bloodlines of Westerosi were old, very old and contained dormant powerful Magic. That has been proved with the House Stark an Russ, who, after drinking the Old Blood, become instantly Level 4 in one go.
***
"Great Resurgence was an event that began in Year 10,280 of the Imperial Callendar, Year 280 of the Westerosi Calendar and was the start of what is known as the Return of Magic.
Nobody truly knows how it exactly started; some attributed it to visitors from beyond the Sunset Seas, some attributed it to the Red Comet descending from the skies and some said it was a gift from the Great Ones to humanity to fight the horrors and nightmares of Old Night.
But one thing was certain, the Magic has, from there, started slowly returning back to Westeros and Essos.
As a young Maester, I have spent a long time, like many others before me, searching for the mystic arts and devoted all my time to its study. To the point where my fellow Maesters called me 'Marwyn the Mage', but despite the name, I couldn't cast a single spell.
And suddenly, one day, Magic returned. Without any foretelling, all across Westeros and Essos, Magic had at once been restored. Even the Priests of the Faith of Seven could cast spells like those of the Healing Church, albeit not that powerful. Red Priests of R'hollor the Red God felt their power being strengthened by several times and the most powerful of them could turn to ash entire villages.
In Westeros, everyone began to scheme against each other to access the secrets of the Magic and how to obtain even greater power. In this, the oldest bloodlines that could trace their roots to Magical origin had a significant advantage over the others.
Starks, Lannisters, Nymeros Martell, Baratheon and Targaryen...
And yet not even dragons saved Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen from Robert Baratheon, who personally slayed his wyvern Balerion together with him at the Battle of Trident."
From the book series Great Resurgence written by Archmaester Marwyn of Citadel, Year unknown