Varica: Children of the Sky

It was the beginning of the year when Cul came to Varica city. Unlike his fellow provincial kings he didn't enter the city to big fan fare though many came out to see what the so-called rogue king looked like. Impressive was certainly a word thrown around, as Cul towered over all his fellow Varicans. His clothing spoke of wealth and power as is to be expected of one of his stature. Philas, his wise adviser, traveled along beside him but seemed to disappear in Cul's shadow. This was not the case of Cul's escort, the infamous Death-heads. Fifty strong, armed and armoured in the very best, they were an imposing sight marching in front and behind their master. Each one wore a haecomus skull as a mask to inspire fear in their enemies. Many people whispered in slight distaste at this practice, however none could deny that it was intimidating.

King Cul Funkard's interview with the Emperor of Varica was short. Cul bowed down to Hroth V and declared his allegiance to Hroth and to Varica. A few pleasantries were traded and then Cul marched out of the palace. His stay in the capital was not short however, as he quickly purchased a villa of excellent taste and immediately set to work showing the high and mighty of Varica city what a good time was.

In the south, Cul's extravagant parties were legend, and now that legend was brought to Varica in force. Every night saw large parties full of drink, food and song. Cul spared no expense to please his guests and within the week, he was the talk of the town. Coming out to his nightly parties was considered the popular thing to do for all the nobles and high caste merchants. Indeed the nights became so wild that a merchant from a neighboring villa complained that he never got any sleep. Cul solved this by buying his villa from him for an amazing amount of wealth. With an even greater space Cul was able to bring more to his parties and the nights became even more wild.

This by no means was the only thing that Cul did during his time in Varica. During the day he invited lords and thanes from all over the empire to his villa to discuss events of the Empire. Cul didn't mess about with whispered intrigues either, instead he spoke loud and proud of his opinion. During these times Philas would hover over his shoulder and put in a quiet word of wisdom. Thus it was that Cul put his stamp on high court politics.

One afternoon, Cul was entertaining some of the Hrothnani nobility. Cul was in good form, making his points with sweeping gestures of his massive arms. "Varica is in trouble now. The court is in chaos as all the factions are pressing in for power. Our good Emperor is not yet of an age to control this maelstrom of intrigue. What is needed right now is not more factional fighting but strong leadership."

"And what would you propose King Funkard?" asked one prominent lord.

"A strong regent, one who can be trusted to teach the Emperor how to control his empire and not allow it to fall into civil war!" Cul replied without hesitation. "It must be someone who is Hrothnani to ensure that the Emperor is not influenced by those who aren't interested in the Empire as a whole but only their piece of the Empire. And certainly it must not be Vencii or Callista. The Empire has had enough of those two!" The assembled nobles glanced at each other in dismay at this statement, some of them openly in one of those camps. Cul kept rolling on without care. "Much of the problems of recent years can be laid at the doorstep of Hroth IV's wives! They intrigue and fight like a couple of fat peasants arguing over some stale piece of bread! Must Hroth IV's legacy, all that he fought for, be brought down because his wives were fighting over who got to control Hroth V? NO! They both must retire from public life and allow sanity to return to the court of Varica."

A younger man spoke up in protest from the other side of the table. "But Callista is the Imperial mother she..."

"What does it matter if she is?" Cul interrupted. "Shouldn't the Empire be lead by someone who cares for the whole of it? Someone who can teach our young Emperor how to rule with strength and steadfast courage. I tell you this... if Callista is allowed to return to Varica and worse become the regent, then we shall have a puppet on the throne and our orders will not come from Varica, they will come from Xanfa!" This last was said with great disgust.

"So who do you think should be the regent?" the same lord from before asked, doing his best to keep his opinion on Cul's rant to himself.

Cul leaned forward, cupping his chin on his hands, his face taking on a thoughtful expression. "Like I said, it would have to be someone of strength, someone who didn't get bogged down in the intrigues of court... someone..."

At this point Philas leaned forward and quietly but clearly said, "What about Lord Hroak, your highness?"

Cul thought for a moment before smiling. "Yes, General Hroak would be an excellent regent. He is a man of great character and martial prowess. Surely there can be no better?" Once again the assembled nobles muttered to each other but the tone of the meeting had changed. It was obvious that Cul's message was beginning to get through.

And thus it was that throughout most of the year Cul would spend his time partying and spreading the word on what course the Empire should take from here. Late in the harvest time, however, a message was brought to him from back home that had him rushing off from Varica city. He did not say what it was that required his attention.
 
@Fulton: Can you check my military figures again? Unless I took more casualties than are listed in the Manische War, I think you forgot to add in the 100 Raeka, 150 Archers, and 150 Spearmen I had raised last turn.


To: Prince Hymbae
From: King Vigvitr of the Hrafn


You ask us the reason for our fight with you. We fight to avenge Adalbrandr, King over Assfell and foremost among the Mighty Men of Varica. Indeed, we are amazed that you knew this not, for the great deeds of Adalbrandr are known by all, both great and small, so that at his death even the dragons who pull Haeka’s chariot shed tears. And where those tears fell, the seas sizzled and the land was made barren. But we will instruct you as a parent instructs a child. And when you hear the things that all the world knows, no longer will you wonder why we fight you, but rather you will wonder if even the death of your Emperor will be enough to avenge Adalbrandr.

Now know this, we of the Hrafn are sprung from the ravens, which Haeka himself fashioned into men to fight on his behalf. And so the Hrafn fly to battle just as ravens. With two men armies were overthrown, even with three men kingdoms were made nothing. But among the Hrafn Adalbrandr stood as a lion among dogs bred for the hunt. For his shield was as sturdy as the mountain, though arrows come down like the spring rains, still he remained unmoved, they were like a flower’s thorns, so little did he account them. And when he lifted up his spear, it pierced the heavens. The bowels of heaven overflowed, as a river running down a man’s leg, so the heavens were. The world would end and the sun would lose its flame before we could stop speaking of his mighty deeds.

But I will speak of one tale which the bards sing, so that you might know the kind of man Adalbrandr was. Now it so happened that he had made an enemy of a powerful witch, for the Hrafn had in the past overthrown one of her wicked plans, and so she harbored hatred for all their tribe. So this witch made a magical circle using the blood of seven infants who had not yet stopped sucking on their mother’s breast. And in this circle she summoned a mighty demon.

Then the witch commanded the demon saying, “By the blood of infants which summoned you, and by all the foul gods who you worship, I adjure you to kill my enemy Adalbrandr.”

But the demon replied to her saying, “I am a mighty demon. And under me are fifty warbands of demons, each of which outnumber any army your human kings could summon. But even if I gathered together all my subjects, still I could not kill Adalbrandr. For it would be as ants, rejoicing in their numbers, sought to overthrow a man. But the man, looking down steps on them, and so makes all their strength nothing. So we are before Adalbrandr.”

How can we turn back before we avenge such a man? Or do you suppose a great man can be avenged without great deeds? Nay, I say unto you, until we accomplish a deed of which bards will say, “I wish I had lived at that time, so I might have seen those deeds with my own eyes, and immortalized them in song.”
But if you understand what kind of men we are, then make all haste and surrender yourself to us. And we will have mercy on you and spare your life, so that you may speak before all men about the greatness of the Hrafn and of her King, Adalbrandr.



To: King Goros of Romandi
From: Vigvitr, King of the Hrafn


For the sake of the dead, you fight by our side. But not just any dead, for a normal man it is sufficient to kill one warrior to avenge the death. But Rodull was chief among the Mighty Men of Varica. He made witches his footstool, the demons served him as slaves. When he marched west with the armies of Hrafn, kings and thanes followed his banner, giving him the chief place. For a man such as this to be avenged, great deeds must be done. Therefore, hear the voice of the King of Hrafn. The fall of Jozioc has fulfilled the oaths of vengeance, which you have sworn. No more shall the castle be called Jozioc, but rather it shall be called Rohefna, for Rodull is avenged. And Lochi, the commander of Rohefna, who proved his valor by his defiance against us, that man we give as a slave to your daughter, Rini, the wife of Rodull. For the wife of noble blood shall be served by noble blood, and the wife of a warrior shall lord over a warrior. Therefore let all acknowledge the oath which you swore to us has been fulfilled. But we ask that you remain by our side, no longer for the dead but for the living. For we know if you stay by our side bards will speak of you into eternity, just as they now speak of Rodull, because of the mighty deeds which you will do. Therefore if you desire any honor, if you seek any fame, seize it with your right hand.
 
From: Emperor Hroth V (assisted by Magistrate Tomakin of Varica)
To: Our Imperial Grandfather


We take strength in your faith in our beloved regent. We too, believed in Taka's innocence, but could not shield him from the whispers at court. Taka will be buried with full honours in tomb to be built next to our father's tomb, so that he may serve the Emperor in Haeka's halls as he wished.

To: King Haecadem of Werhold
From: King Naxis of Validira


The Kingdom of Validira shall shortly send a significant contingent of soldiers to reinforce our existing force under my brother Miaeus. We shall inform you of their numbers as soon as we can.

To: His Imperial Grandson, His Most Majestic Emperor Hroth V, Lord of Varica and Descent of Haeka
From: Lord Matteo of Validira, Your Grandfather and Advisor


I thank Your Majesty for his words; the late Lord Regent Taka would have experienced much happiness and joy should he have known the heart of Your Majesty. I humbly request your permission to give the eulogy for Lord Taka at his funeral. He and I have had a long history together and I believe that one old man would best understand another.
 
@Strategos Oops! You’re right Strat, I forgot. I’ll fix that now.


To: Vigvitr, King of the north, lord of the Hrafn and the Hyren
From: Your eternal brother, Goros of the Romadi


I pull the black ribbons of mourning from my hair. I cast them aside. In their place, I weave cloth stained with the blood of the Manische. From them dangle Yomba feathered of a dozen colours. Our Rodull may be avenged, but it would dishonour his memory to leave his kinsmen, our kinsmen, in the field. I stand side by side with you, as I do with all the allied kings of Varica. Two kings of the south march north to join you. The greatest warriors in history stand in your shieldwall. You command alongside the most cunning generals and hear the counsel of the wisest statesmen.

It will not be said that I, Goros, am not among their number. Let it be known that when Jyanna called for vengeance and Haecadem called for loyal men of the Empire, the Romadi were the first to answer the call. We will not falter. So long as one loyal king campaigns in the north, so will the Romadi march by their side.


To: King Vigvitr of the Hrafn
From: Prince Hymbae


You speak of this man, Adalbrandr, as if he burns so brightly he eclipses all the stars in the sky. Yet if he were so great man that even armies of demons feared him, then he is it he fell to us?

We know of your Adalbrandr, we know of how his army fell upon the army of Duke Zio, loyalty was beyond question and whose just, steady hand brought an age of plenty to his people. Zio lies dead on the same field as your god-man, yet do we seek to slay every man of note you Varessans hold dear?

Adalbrandr is the victim of his own hubris. That one man could halt the will of the God-Emperor is a folly none of us can understand. You call us children. If our fault is to not understand the will of a madman, then children we must be. Your foolish Adalbrandr slew one of our greatest men as he imposed order on the violent, chaotic reaches of the Hyren, enforcing the will of the stars themselves to see the world united in peace. Only a madman would challenge the will of the stars themselves or so great and noble a purpose as theirs!

But the Emperor is merciful. He sees that you are wayward children, as we once were, alone in the cold night, unguided by the wisdom of the stars and their mouthpiece the Emperor. We don’t wish for war with your people, we only wish understanding. Surely, if you are the instruments of justice you claim to be, then you must see that this violence is pointless.

You have tasted a tenth of the strength of Mannioc. I am but one of many princes, and all of our powers are dwarfed by that wielded by the God-Emperor himself. Our triumph is inevitable. But it need not happen now or happen by force. Varessa will burn, or it can stand beside Mannioc as a beacon of hope and stability against the forces of chaos beyond our borders. Choose wisely, Varessan.


To: Our Imperial Grandfather, Matteo
From: Hroth V, the once and future Emperor, may he live a thousand years


I can think of no other who could give our blessed Regent the farewell that he deserves. I grant your request.


OOC: So…. Any nominations for regent? Should I take Cul’s endorsement as a formal nomination for Hroak?
 
OOC: Yes, that's basically what he's telling everyone in a round about way for most of the year
 
To: Council of Varica; General Hroak
From: Villieldr, High Priest of Assfell


I present to you the seal of Vigvitr, King of Assfell, showing that I speak in his name. The King has entrusted to me the task of voting for him in the election of a regent, seeing how he is occupied in defending the Empire against its enemies. Considering above all else the health of the Empire, for which even now he sheds his blood, King Vigvitr considers Vallari, High Priest of Haeka and spiritual advisor to the Emperors, to be the one most suited to occupy the position of regent and formally nominates him. Doing so should not be considered disapproval of General Hroak for that position. Indeed, I am confident that if General Hroak is chosen he would fulfill his duties most admirably. However, the King confesses he cannot support General Hroak. For if General Hroak is named regent, the Emperor’s army fighting against the Manische would be deprived of its greatest general as he would be forced to return to the capital in order to fulfill his duties. It is for the greater good of the Empire that King Vigvitr believes it is best to keep General Hroak on the field of battle, so that the Manische might be more quickly defeated and the Empire’s enemies put to flight.


To: King Haecadem and King Cul
From: Jyanna, Warrior-Maiden of the Hrafn


I am glad that the mighty men of Huroto are to honor my husband Adalbrandr in battle as they did at his funeral. Now I formally petition that the warriors of Huroto be placed under the Black Army when they arrive in the north. As the Validirans are already under King Haecadem, I think it best to attach the Huroto to the Black Army and so keep separate those who until recently had been fighting. We suggest the Hrafn army move on Zioc, which will tie down the Duke’s forces and allow the rest of the Varicans to move on Eicain.
 
To: Prince Acacio
From: Prince Rulf

Yes the mead was of excellent quality, thank you for leaving it. Perhaps we might cross swords again some day, who knows? If you should ever travel into the south, your welcome to feast here with me and then you can sample some of our mead and see if that meets your standard. Next time, keep your shield up.


To: Jyanna, Warrior-Maiden of the Hrafn
From: King Cul Funkard

All that we can do to honor the great Adalbrandr shall be done, the blood of these Northland invaders shall run in rivers. Concerning the disposition of the Huroto contingent; Under the terms of the peace agreement General Hroak is taking personal command of the Huroto and the Teraldur contingents. Where he wills that they be placed is for his wisdom to decide. I personally will not be coming north this year as I must attend to matters in the south. I have yet to decide whom shall command the Huroto warriors in my stead. Haeka will guide my hand as always.
 
Currently the Gibraly and Romadi support Vallari. The Teral support Hroak. The minor tribes are split between the two. Jyanna's word holds much more power than Cul's among the minor tribes, but Hroak is the man of the hour. Feel free to campaign among the minor tribes and other kingdoms.

To: Villieldr, High Priest of Assfell
From: General Hroak


I understand your reasoning, but I wish to fill a gap in your knowledge. I am not a feeble old man like Taka, or a coward like Vallari, content to sit behind my walls while others die. Were I to be chosen as regent, I would not come to Varica. I would bring the Emperor to me. Surely you can understand the need for the young Emperor to gain experience in the ways of war. He is nearly three times the age of your king, yet Vigvitr commands his own army. Only when the Manische are vanquished will be both withdraw to Varica.

Nevertheless, it is your right to choose and I will respect your choice.


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OOC section

@Tree151, this would be a great time to post something publicly.You need to establish trade routes, make yourself known, and please make your stories public. Weigh in on the courtly debates, make your voice heard!

@Sheep, dude, I need actual orders or something posted publicly from you this turn or you're out man.

There are only seven players left right now, three of which don't post anything publicly. This has become a game of four dedicated players. We need new recruits.
 
OOC: I still need to figure out a few things before writing up the diplomacy, but for future reference:

IC:

Haecadem supports the candidature of High Priest Vallari.
 
Orders are due in 48 hours.

An update on the election...

Vallari currently leads in declared support with Gibraly, Hrafn, Werar, Romadi and about a third of the minor tribes.

Hroak has the support of Huroto, Teraldur, and about a third of the minor tribes.

The Darian March leans towards Hroak, as does the Oerdan, but are easily swayed.

The Bexian (Tree? You there?) support Vallari, but very weakly. The Rheni remain aloof and undecided (Sheep? You there?). The Dolu are also undecided.

Who Validira supports has the potential to greatly affect the outcome.

If anyone else has a candidate to declare, do it now, before orders are due. Still plenty of time to sway people with bribes, promises, marriages, pretty words, threats, booze, and whores.

EDIT: The Champion Vorchk and the Magistrate of Varica Tomakin support Vallari. Venci tried to run herself, but couldn't find support. She now supports Hroak.
Cul's massive parties are earning the support of thanes travelling through Varica.
 
Okay, I know that I pretty much always ask for an extension, but I'd like another one - to Saturday or at least to Friday. This should hopefully be the last one in a while.
 
OOC: I'm going to have to ask the same as das. my apologies :(
 
No worries man, granted.

Since two of our four active players require deadlines, I'm granting everyone until Saturday to do their orders.

Iggy has resigned from the game but may return later. Sheep is missing and presumed lost. Tree is missing and presumed to have taken root while on his field trip.
 
Yeah, sorry. Doesn't look like I'll be able to send much of anything until Tuesday. On the bright side, after that is done with I shouldn't have any other serious problems re: commitment to this NES at least.
 
Thanks for letting me know. The update will wait for you.

This will be the only update between now and my three week end of contract trip, btw. I will gone from June 15th to July 9th traveling around Asia and possibly western Canada.
 
Okay, finally sent orders. Terribly sorry about the delays. I'm actually kind of glad that you are going to be leaving, as that should give me the time I need to catch up with the updates story-writing-wise. There is a lot of ideas that need implementing, some of which you already know.
 
Thanks das. No worries man.

This update might take a while. I have to plan out my trip and book everything, finish packing, and yesterday my school dumped an extra 5 hours of teaching a week + at least 5 hours of prep to prepare. This is going to be a very busy time for Fulton.
 
Fulton, I am really sorry, but I am quitting the game. I just became less focused on this forum lately and I lost track. This NES is really awesome and I hope it continues for a long time. Sorry again, I hope you understand.
 
Huzzah! I am back and prepared to play. I'm willing to pick up where Tree left off and I could play Bexian if you want me to (or any other playable nation- I'm rather flexible!)
 
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