EltNES: Crossed Hopes

That is mighty neighborly of you, Son of Erdrick. Have some RP points!*

*Points are not public yet.

an old man just watching the proceedings ..


also,
go Liz !

You are welcome to observe, bonefang. No participation? Surprisingly we have some of the more powerful cities unclaimed.



A few additions have been made to the map - namely the Golden Castle, names of the major rivers, a few hills tribes, a small bog and a forest. Mainly geographical entries. There may be a few more tweaks as I need them before update 1. Hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers.

Family name: Aarlehn
Family crest/symbol:

Death by the Sword, Victory by the World
Starting location: Aerilon
Leader: Walter Aarlehn I (56 (December 3rd))
Spouse: Ethel Aarlehn (40 (January 26th))
Children: Walter* (24 (December 1st)), Michael (21 (November 14th)), Helen (20 (February 4th)), Gwen (16 (April 12th)), Gabriel (14 (June 24th))

Future Names: M: Hektor, Cayleb, Robert, Peter, Bane
F: Rhen, Rose, Eleanor

Family name: Beray
Family crest/symbol
Two horizontal stripes of sky blue and deep red. The emblem is a quarter moon waxing.
Family Motto: Be Zealous In Your Morality
Starting Location: Black Hollow
Patriarch: Lany, first of his name, a man of 20
Spouse: Kathon*, of the minor House Weke of Hollowbridge, a maiden of 19
Child(ren): None as yet
Future Boys: Roge, Wilhye, Narder, Alard, William, Illiaff, Ernaff, Robern, Phames
Future Girls: Wene, Belia, Jane, Mery, Elean, Merey, Kathil, Arran

Lany Beray had the misfortune to be married on the day his father, Roge I Beray, and the good king William Undsor died. He must now take charge of his father's holdings as well as concern himself with starting a family.

Haseri: Hollowbridge is actually just a bridge. There might be a few buildings or minor estates there; are the Wekes there, or in a nearby village (Roseporo, Eastwell, Corning)?

Edit: Unless you otherwise state, they are just at some minor estates there.

Just a bridge? Bridges are important trade and defensive points, especially if the rivers are 'deep and fast-flowing'. London and Bristol (the name literally meaning Bridge Town) were important places in history because they bridged the Thames and the Avon, and rivers are safer than bandit-infested roads. Or the Twins bridging the Greenfork in Westeros.

So, even if it is just a minor estate, I expect the Wekes of Hollowbridge to be in some money from tolls and such.

Update I
"Death be not proud,"​

The messenger spake. "News I bring of a death in the Kingdom, my lord. The Lady Katharina Harwood has been widowed, her children orphaned. Like as not she's seeking a strong man; are your sons strong enough? Pr'haps you could run her lands, for the better, it would seem?"

"News you want, Eh? Not the trappings of old hags? Well, I've news of Bogsmen raiding Peatwood and Brickelwhyte, I've a fine report on banditry throughout the Kingdom, your liege? With the boy King in hiding pirates an the like are out of control. I've done heard tale of Brickeltop Bridge falling into disrepair by those Lauer folk, and the Willow Bridge's and Hollowbridge holed by bandits, stopping grainloads what aren't floated down the river from reaching Aerilon."

"Oh, aye, speakin of which, a great Famine has taken Ecrin, rumor 'as it. A thousand-fold plague-rats and the what, they say. Eatin up the city's stores like no one but me gran-dad's business. A thousand people starvin in the streets each day, they say. Could be the lords there ('do I forget their name) could use some 'elp.

Not far from there they say old Einrichk the Terrible has come down off the mountains again, and 'as spottid down the Dry Gulch, not a fortnight 'go. Yeh, The Hightowers 'an Luptons 'av for their britches in a twist. A giant nearer their towns than they like? Aye, I say, better them than Us, eh?

Giants's a trouble not worth ignoring.

"Speakin ov similar woes, I was conversatin with this gentleman down the tavern, see, and he claims he 'ad rumor of the Hallow hillsmen raiding north and west t'wards the Dark Forest and Haran. My uncle Herrian sent me a lett'r not a month ago saying they was 'aving troubling signs. I shoulda warned ya then, but I hadn't been paid by the news article back then, now was I?


Oh, yeah, and there's fancy messengers waitin in line behind me, too.

A guard hauls the tattered drunkard away in chains.

Diplomacy

An elaborately clothed gentleman is escorted into the room. He opens the scroll sent with him by, presumably, his superior:

From His Eminence, King Gregor Aldsor XIV of Ediron, to the King willhem Undsor II of Arnoth.

I have not recent received your response, lord Willhem. Have I, in my careless foreign way, offended you? Though I am loathe to give my daughter, her hand would be an acceptable price for our kingdom's continued friendship.

Would that you could respond quickly, for my lady's heartsake, and my own as well.

From the hall of Sir Weke of Hollowbridge, to the Lords Beray and any nearby.

Long has my House sat the Hollowbridge, and never have we ered in our protection of it. Please, send what help you can, for they have my youngest daughter Cerwyn hostage somewhere nearby the bridge, and I have naught the power to reclaim her unharmed. Undsor would never have allowed this.

From the hall of Sir Villman of the Longlands, to the Lords Warlington, Beray, Goldstream and Lupton

Our house looks to you for leadership in such troubling times as these. The Hallow Hillmen have sent a dozen raiding parties this way already, what is to stop them from sending more, taking more? Please, send help. Each party has been a few dozen bullies and strongmen, no more.

From the hall of Sir Lotfield of Haywick, bannermen to the late Undsor, to the Lords Marten, Hightower, Lupton and Lenn

Einrick the Terrible and his raiders have sacked the fair village of Haywick, east of Dry Gulch in the Garath foothills; what stops him there? The King's men should marshal to me, that I may lead them against this great fool's tyranny. That is, if you are still the King's true and honorable men.

From the hall of Sir Greenbur of Enderton, to the Lords Altright, Aarlehn and Roald

Brigands and bastards have blocked the Willow's Bridge, send help! Send archers and knights at once! Someone help! Where are King Undsor's men?!

From the hall of Sir Edgemere of Spearsmark, to the Lords Marten and Lenn

Raiders carrying the dead Undsor's banners have taken our daughters and cows, what are we to do?!

From the hall of Sir Ruthven of Doonatel, to the Lords Lupton and Hightower

Savage raiders have struck into our town, and we blame you! How did the vile scum make it past your defenses! This would've never happened had Undsor lived. His men would patrol our borders and roads! Why do we pay taxes if the King's lackies won't do their job?! Sir Ruthven has not been seen in a fortnight!

From the hall of Sir Konyig of Knife, to the Lords Lupton, Hightower and any else nearby

Help! This pidgeon may be our last hope; Hallowmen have captured the town, and threaten to raze it and move farther! Please, if you receive this letter, send reinforcements! Our pallisade burned this morning, hope is lost!

From the hall of Sir Galag of the Norgulleys, to the Lords Mayierhew and Linecaster

Our miners starve, your graces. The shipments from the capital have stopped and our tin mines cannot operate without food. Will you help us? Send us food, and perhaps we could repay you with our wares.

Here is a list of major house leaders for conveinience, to kickstart any diplomacy. (Easier than looking on the map then looking for the stats on the front page for first-turn diplomacy, if there is any.)



A drunkard, eh? How the Kingdom has suffered since Willhem's demise. Most updates will be *summaries* of player actions, and consequences, as told from the perspective of travelers, circus masters, informants, messengers, etc.

From: Lord Leopold of House Mayierhew
To: Sir Galag of the Norgulleys
The mines of Norgulley are the rightful property of the Lord of Nuxvar, being myself, as acknowledged by the laws and deeds of our late sovereign. It is only just that firstly, I should provide however necessary and prudent for the safety and wellbeing of its workers. It is also only just, that as your lord and protector, the fruits of the Norgulley mines should be paid to House Mayierhew. It is through justice and law that this kingdom shall be made whole, and so I appeal to you Sir Galag, to do what is lawful and just.

You, and your workers, will doubtless be rewarded.

OOC: Look at the map, LOE. They're not at the mines of nuxvar. They're in the foothills to your east.

Edit: Derp, I didn't post the map.

There, I'm not sure how it got cut off.

Diplo responses will come this Friday, lots of school work

EDIT - This was my 500th post...

Eltain said:

OOC: Look at the map, LOE. They're not at the mines of nuxvar. They're in the foothills to your east.

Edit: Derp, I didn't post the map.

There, I'm not sure how it got cut off.

Click to expand...

Diplo edited accordingly.

From the hall of Sir Galag of the Norgulleys to the Lord Leopold Mayierhew

Sir, the House Galag has been held banner to the Undsor family for a century, and the Norgulley Mine a decade and a half. Perhaps you are mistaken?

From the Lord Linecaster of Boatwright to Sir Galag

A gift of grain and fruit has been dispatched. (1g) Any amount of tin you feel is an appropriate gift will be graciously accepted by my Castellan when he returns from the errand.

Eltain said:

From the hall of Sir Galag of the Norgulleys to the Lord Leopold Mayierhew

Sir, the House Galag has been held banner to the Undsor family for a century, and the Norgulley Mine a decade and a half. Perhaps you are mistaken?

Click to expand...

Clearly this land was the property of House Mayierhew, according to our records. Our deepest and most sincere apologies, the archivist will be severely beaten for his clear plot to embarass our noble house. We will dispatch food and water, as well as a force of several men to carry it, as soon as is humanly possible.

Rest assured that heads will roll for this misinformation towards my house's landrights. No stain upon your honorable name was meant, I can guarantee.

From the hall of Sir Galag of the Norgulleys, to the Lords Linecaster and Mayierhew

Our thanks to you. My charged townsfolk will rejoice at the arrival of such a bounty, although we will ration it properly.

Walter Aarlehn I gives his word that the bridge will be back in reliable hands this turn, and the flow of grain shall resume protected by our armies. If any others wish to commit troops to this venture, we will ask you to coordinate with our armies that will be marching upon being levied.

@Eltain - The list that you put up earlier (post 29), is it in any particular order?

From: Lord Leopold of House Mayierhew, Protector of Nuxvar
To: Town Councils, Jurymen and Freemen of Peatwood, Marshedge and Brokenshield
Many of you have, during the reign of King Undsor, found yourselves left to your own devices in governance. The townships of Peatwood, Marshedge and Brokenshield have been permitted (among many of the cities of our realm) to govern themselves and their outlying regions as they see fit, without the interference of the noble families of the realm. This was an enlightened measure in the golden and careless times of our late sovereign's reign, but now it is a dangerous one. I do not claim to see into the future, but I can make a safe and reasoned prediction that without protection by any of this realm's lords, your cities and the bountiful fields that surround them will soon be prey to bandits, vagabonds, and worse yet, pretenders to the throne. As a loyal servant to the crown, I offer my own services in aiding you. To that end, I would invite all your honored persons to Nuxvar to form a council of governance, whereby my realm and yours could better be organized. Through your loyalty, the safety and prosperity of your homes shall be ensured, and you will be duly rewarded. I, Patriarch of Mayierhew and Protector of Nuxvar, have only the best interests of the realm at heart.

From: Lord Leopold of House Mayierhew, Protector of Nuxvar
To: Foremen of the Nuxvar Mines
It has come to my attention, chiefly due to the incompetence of our late house archivist, that Norgulley is not in fact Nuxvar. Therefore, I am left to wonder why the Nuxvar mines are not paying their proper tribute to the Protector and Lord of Nuxvar. Please elucidate me as to why you are currently in illegal spite of the laws of our realm, and my lordship.

@Mickzter: For PCs I believe it is the order in which they posted their templates, merely out of conveinience that it was ordered such. For NPCs, the orders in which I created them.

From the Foreman of the Nuxvar Mines, to the Lord Mayierhew of Nuxvar

W'I don'tno what elucidate means, but we 'av direct orders from the late King to halt shipments of weapons and ores to any Lords lesser than a Duke. Of course, with the King dead and his craven son in hiding, we could partly reverse those orders... for a price.

From the town of Peatwood to the Lord Mayierhew of Nuxvar

We have already experienced what you speak of. Several families have been found dead in their homes, all of their valuables and armaments taken or shattered to bits. Damnable brigands, probably from the Brickelbottom Bog, are to blame. We will send the Town Crier to represent our meager settlement.

From the hall of Sir Axright of Marshedge, to the Mayor Hugh

We don't want your council-in. Greatbeard Undsor gave me my rights four decades ago, I don't bow to no man out here in d'Bog.