Abaddon
Deity
Update 1
Winter 499- Winter 501
Winter 499- Winter 501
In Ireland, Mumha begins a set of improvements to its capital, Corcaigh. It will take several years to complete but Dauí Iarlaithe mac Maithni is confident it will be a valuable development for his nation. They also begin researching Battle Weapons. Laighn also starts research on Battle Weapons, other than that it is much more quiet, building a few scyps and storing the rest.
Over to Scotland, King Loth sent representatives to meet with the kings of Strathclyde and Bryneich. They planned to preach words of the similarities between their peoples, and of the need for unity and non-aggression. The aim was to forge alliances. When Strathclyde’s messengers returned, the news was good; They had agreed to the idea, they would react if any were to attack Lothian. The same cannot be said for the Byrneich messenger, for he was not heard of again, an when news finally did arrive, it was not good news. The joint forces of Bernicia and Bryneich had invaded! A royal marriage, as well as the gift of land to Bernicia had brought the seemly rival nations together. It was already summer of 501 when King Loth heard of this news, an even if he got his troops marching within a week, there were few decent roads south, the battle would have to wait. The enemy had dug in, as did his troops, the battle lines were drawn, come spring the battle would rage.
Upon hearing the news, Strathclyde stuck to its pledge and declared war on both nations. Quite what its response would be however remains to be seen. Strathclyde was quite busy enough in this time. The leader of Fortriu had insulted the king and they were preparing for blood. Blood was already flowing in Scotland, it seems there were small invasions going on along most borders. Both Folta and Fib had invaded Fortriu, and Ce invaded Circind. None of the invasions were very large, but could this be a sign of things to come?
In Bryneich a great project was commenced, one which would have the road infrastructure across the nation of the highest standard. At the same time, there was and exchange of land between them and Ebrauc. Quite why they accepted this for a measly 15GTD had some of Morcant Bulc’s generals scratching their heads. They had swapped some prize farmland for some useless hills!
Dumnonia expanded aggressively and gained a considerable amount of land as well as completing the design of stone roads. The town of Poole is putting up considerable resistance. In Orcades, they begin the lengthy research hoping to produce greater ships, they also begin a carving great images of the gods in the cliff walls. Such a piece of work increases the loyalty of Thane Thomas the Bearded’s people. This also impresses some of the other local cultures
Wessex expands over a very small area considering the size of there forces, it does however ensure there are no complications in capturing Southampton who surrender upon seeing the massive force marching towards them. They also construct a small temple to Odin. The fearful locals make every effort to be shown worshipping in its hall.
King Aldfrith of Lindsey had plans, big plans. It is a shame he didn’t consider anyone else having plans. Looking back, it had only been with luck more than anything that the nations of Lindsey and Deira hadn’t ended up being at war, and he wasn’t even sure what the situation was with Anglia! First he had sailed south to settle a small colony, instead he was “greeted” with Anglican Beorn and Franciscamen. This was Aldfrith’s first experience with Franciscamen.. and not something he would be forgetting for a while. They were the kind of guys to call you “friend” but mean far from it. This because clear when one had split a poor milita’s skull clean in two with his axe. The resulting panic amongst Aldriths men had almost threatened to tip the scyp they were in as they hastily retreated.
When Aldfrith returned his lands the news just got worse. His expected expansion to the west had mirrored Deira’s plans. Both had expanded into the same area, obviously both now not quite getting everything they wanted. There had been some scuffles between rival milita, and the border was very uncertain.
A final plan of his had also gone a little wonky. He had told his men to spend huge amounts building slave markets throughout the lands, the problem was, apart from the few other nobles and rich merchants, no one could afford to purchase a slaves, thankfully the man detailed with this plan had a few brain cells to rub together and instead built a few “normal” markets as well. Either way, the capitals slave market is the grandest of all the lands.
In continued tales of a bizarre twin thinking, Deira also developed its slave trade. The first few were loaded up and with 4 Scyps commanded by Prince Aethelwood II, they set off for Tyr Connail. The journey was not without surprises. For as they sailed round the top coast, near the Outer Hebrides they spotted a smoke seemingly coming from the middle of an upturned boat! Now they knew there were the odd human settlements on these outer islands, but usually nothing more than farming families, this was something they were going to have to research more!
They altered their course and pulled the scyps along land. There they met King Sigurd. A slightly odd character, but not that he could be blamed. It turned out he and his men had been blown considerably off course some time in the past and ended up on this island by accident. After pacifying the few local people, he was setting out starting his nation from the ground up, and the way was with sheep. Prince Aethelwood II felt sorry for this man, and on the return journey gifted them one of the Scyps so that they would not be completely stranded.
On further news, back home the king of Deira gave is Atheling a interesting challenge; of
Rheged swells its navy considerably, essentially gaining control of the Irish Sea in the process, raiding Meadh on the waves, and Elmet on land sees the stores grow. They also negotiated with Luitcoyt and sold a small area of land so that they may gain access to the sea. Luitcoyt was grateful and poured money into building a coastal town and also researching sailing.
Powys expands eastward, rewarding Atheling and also the King himself with gold and an impressive throne. Nearby [FONT="]Buellt[/FONT] is constructing many roads and a grand market place in attempt to attract all of Wales trade. Dal Riada begins construction of Royal Dunadd. The idea of this project is a fort/centre of prestige, to establish themselves as a separate entity from Ireland and the Pictish peoples, and provide a save-haven in times of peril. It will also be a place for coronation rites and all kinds of other rituals. Sending out their large fleet of scyps on fishing trips also helps increase the nations production.
Dyfed and Ceredigion join together is constructing better sea and land routes between their nations. It is hampered somewhat with the inability to construct stone roads. They have both suffered from an attack by King Brychan in his attempts to gain access to the sea
King Cadwallon of Gewissae has many ideas, so many ideas in fact he will struggle to complete any of them. He funds settlers, road construction, irrigation, granaries, water mills and more. Perhaps he is so engrossed in this he forgets to give his army any kind of orders. This combined with his promotion of 5 princes creates problems. There are simply too many cooks. It would be perhaps wise to send some of them off wherever to get them out from underfoot.
You may think the story for King Aldfrith was complete for this era, you are wrong. Things definitely come in threes and the third and final piece of bad luck for Aldrith came on Saxilby plains. In spring 500AD, Mercia invaded. With the King away, and his main force already in battle things were chaotic. He landed and quickly moved to have his army double back, a change of plan to meet the approaching enemy.
The forces met in the height of summer, the battle was going to a bloody affair, both sides reasonably matched in size with the exception of Mercia’s Franciscamen. King Offa had planned to bribe Aldrith’s men.. Quite how you get such a message to a rival army, which has already marched off to another battle, was sadly missing in Offa’s notes so it didn’t happen.
An so the battle commenced, Offa hoped his Franciscamen would be able to drive through all 1000 or so of Lindsey's men and kill their king. As trained the Franciscamen threw their axes, and then waded into hand-to-hand combat, all but few were slain, they simply were not enough of them to make a dent on the real numbers. Offa also hoped to kill the King and claim the throne of Lindsey. As yet another king who seemed to be unprepared for any change, for Lindsey now had several Athelings anyway. The result was chaos, as any battle lacking even the most basic tactics might. Simply two masses of men, armed with whatever they had brought to the fight massed and brawled, the losses were great.
Of great battles there was a second one of note. The Battle of Slinford. This battle was between Regia and the South Saxons. First the Saxons lured Regia into thinking they were seeking to bow to the demands placed upon them, but this was merely a distraction for the battle ahead. The axe fell when one of South Saxons spies slit the throat of Regia’s King, causing a fight for the throne. The Regian Princes fell upon each other as the Saxon wolves began to circle. One army flanked through the countryside, offering spoils to all who would join, and soon a significant milita was raised, another drove from the sea. The battle was over quickly, and the result, and absolute win for Saxon. Regia has shrunk back from the attack, lead by the last surviving Prince.
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Diplo
From Regia
To South Saxon
Please, we want peace
From Tyr Connail
To Deira
We thank you for your gift of slaves. If you wish to build a trading settlement, we will sell you the required land for 50GTD, what say you?
