hotsmoke
Level 45
Samurai Knight
Posts: 203
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Post by hotsmoke on Aug 2, 2006 5:52:27 GMT -5
Lord Xan's eyes flared at Kravis. He spoke to Mitzu : " Im sorry my friend, but this is one of our younger and newer friends, he is still young. To the point. How is this deal? You ride with us. After we form a democracy and over throw the king, we will clear you of all your crimes and charges but you will be banned from the Kingdom of Shandon. Either that, or you bring your prices down."
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Marr
Level 25
Necromancer
Posts: 84
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Post by Marr on Aug 2, 2006 6:07:18 GMT -5
Marr whispers in Kravis' ears "Stay out of this, A**hole. That beast and the man will prove worthy in war".
He then turns towards Mitzu. His stare made a shiver run down Mitzus' spine. He did not want to harm him but he still wanted to threaten him. He said " 200 gold pieces is a lot of gold. Either lower your prices or ..."
Marr pauses and summons a fireball in his right hand, to show what he is capable of.
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Post by Arvind Pillai on Aug 2, 2006 6:18:06 GMT -5
"Lower?"
Mitzu raised an eyebrow.
"Well, how about 100? I'm sure you can afford that."
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Kravis
Level 45
Portal Magician
Posts: 244
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Post by Kravis on Aug 2, 2006 7:11:38 GMT -5
((Marr, Dont abuse m8, we arent chatting, no offense))
Kravis withdraws his sword. What he intended happened. The price was lowered. Yet, these legions are not enough to break through the walls of Shandon. The King is proficient and dexterous opponent.
I dont think that Old Bag will allow some spies to figure out his secrets and powers. The men he has positioned might be correct . Yet, why do I have this presentiment that there is something else... something much more powerful he has in-store for us.
Thinking, he speaks once again.
"I apologise , Mitzu. I fear losing, I do not want to lead them to complete obliteration. Even if they perish, I don't want them to do so for nothing"
Kravis sighs and looks at Draveen, the Gyphon.
"Can you tell me of any other people or beings that can aid us?"
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inthedark
Level 50
Knight
Honor and Duty
Posts: 277
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Post by inthedark on Aug 2, 2006 11:06:06 GMT -5
Twenty Men-at-arms arrived at the White Castle, almost every man had a different colored surcoat yet all coat-of-arms presented vassals of the Count of Lithania, the closest duchy to the capital, and the closest source of reinforcements to the King. They had arrived, presented a message from the Count and departed without waiting for an answer. The chamberlain broke the seal, scanned the scroll and visibly paled. At the kings demand the man began to read aloud what was in the scroll. - ‘From Alfons, son of Ghramius of the house of Fractia, with the grace of the gods, count of Lithania etc. To Rayon, third of that name, through the grace of the gods, King of Shandon, Duke of Ratharn, Kaledonia etc. Greetings! A pause as the chamberlain cleared his throat. - ‘We agree that the current situation in which the rabble rises against their rightful masters is not to be tolerated, yet we must agree in some of those matters and henceforth declare that we will not come to your majesties aid unless you swear upon your honor, life and in names of the gods that you will cease the presecution of those of noble blood and the wealthy, confirm the rights that we have recieved from your honored ancestors and display the following rights on us; - No man of noble blood may be arrested without the agreement of a court with the required twenty one gentelmen of the jury etc.. - No noble man’s nor merchant’s property may be siezed without the permission of a court fulfilling the above requirements. - A senat is to be chosen to assist your majesty in the burden of governing our kingdom. - The senators are to come from those that fulfill the following requirments, They are of noble blood, they posses an annual income of thirty Marks (OOC: 300 gold) and are chosen from amongst the nobility, by the nobility of the designated land. - No new tax, nor warrent of arrest nor law, nor call-to-arms is to given without the allowance of two-thirds of the senat. - Noble-men called to arms and serving more than the Forty Days are to recieve a wager of a shilling (OOC:1/10 gold coin) for every day that he is kept in the camp exceeding his fuedal duty. - The merchants of the Lithania County are to abid the taxation and other financial restrictions impossed by the Count of the said County only.’ Following these were numerous other demands somehow restricting the kings rights and/or increasing the rights of the noblity, merchants and clergy of the Lithania County. It ended with the words, - ‘If the above are fulfilled we will gladly commit ourself and the persons of our vassals to your aid. Our representitives await your reply near the city of Menian, they will convey the message to our person.’ *** The counts representive, Sir Alsdair lord of Feich, stood on the walls of Menians abbey where his force waited for the return of the twenty men-at-arms that had delivered the message. He had told them to return immediatly after delivering it as he doubted the king would be in much mood to be civil towards them after the message was read, after all, it had been written in his presence and he would not want to recieve something like that. The cities residents were uncertain of what to do with the eighty armed men in their city, but the abbot had insisted that they use the abbey and its fortifications, whether it was because the abbot knew what the counts men brought, or because he thought that the total of a hundred armed men will decrease the chance of an attack on the city from maruders, bandits, cultists or goblins Alsdair did not know. He did know that this saved him the trouble of establishing a fortified camp and it delivered the abbeys supplies to his disposal as well as the abbot had agreed to be his “guest”, meaning the old man had become a hostage to ensure a lack of surprises, at least from the monks. As such there still remained the city with a population of “at-least 2000” if to believe his scouts. The meant at-the-least 200 city watch and as much as 800 men that could be hostile. Though if he guessed correctly the city had already sent a number of their forces to the capitol at the kings demand, and the abbey was a defensible place. Alsdair sighed, as for now he could only wait for the return of those twenty men, the kings message and the arrival of his lord bringing the full might of Lithania. OOC: For the interested a map of Menian... Edit: My bad, I missed the kings name so I thought something up, oh well i edited it. Now I just have to think up what comes next....
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Post by Arvind Pillai on Aug 2, 2006 11:58:59 GMT -5
((WOAH! Thats some description. Hold on, It'll take me a little while to arrange everything. Umm.. just a minor edit. According to the description of the White Castle, the king's name is Rayon.))
At the White Castle:-
King Rayon gladly agreed to the terms stated on the scroll. He was trying to muster as many men as he could to protect his city. Many of his ministers told him that he was taking this 'Liberation Army' far too seriously. The king didn't think so. Xan and Kravis had defeated armies with no more than thirty men. Perhaps it was their strategic brilliance or the mystical powers they possessed, he didn't know. He wanted them destroyed, utterly and completely. Much to the dismay of the royal advisors, he told his personal messenger to head to Menian and tell the representative that he, King Rayon the III, Supreme Commander of the Grand Army of Shandon, will comply to the terms set down by Alfons, count of Lithania.
"In return, he shall provide us with horses and men."
Of course, he wasnt planning on obeying any of the terms written on the scroll once the war was over. The Grand Army was far larger than any of the private armies that the Counts of Rythanis commanded.
The messenger set of to east on his white horse. Menia was a long way ahead.
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"Help? I'm not sure. It depends really, on what you want. I'm sure you've made some friends on your jouneys?"
Suddenly, the old man reminded himself what his objective was.
"Anyway, you'll have to pay up if you want the Oiliphaunt."
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Kravis
Level 45
Portal Magician
Posts: 244
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Post by Kravis on Aug 2, 2006 19:36:10 GMT -5
"Yes, here is mine and Atens part for the Oiliphaunt."((OOC : 50 gold)
Kravis hands him a pouch clinking with coins. Mitzu smiled when Kravis gave him the money. A smile that satifies many.Yet, Kravis was not sure if he should kill this man or trust him atop the Oiliphaunt.
Yet Kravis did not show any feelings of disontent on his face.He smiled back at Mitzu and told him.
"Mitzu,are there any sort of warriors those can assist us. Dwarves, men, elves or any other beasts?You are in a trade alliance, are you not? Then you must know alot about weapons and men that are traveling across Rythanis. Give me direction."
Kravis had a face of a desperate man. He suddenly realised. The elves! He looks at Xan and says
"The elves! Has anyone informed the elves?"
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Post by Arvind Pillai on Aug 3, 2006 1:19:04 GMT -5
Mitzu:-
"Well, the Elves have never been involved in a war since they first arrived. Their camp is not far from here but their numbers are small. Most of them have left and mingled with the local population. I am sure that several of your men are elves-in-hiding or half-elves at the least."
"Also, the Count of Lithania is making a deal with the king. That means more troops to defend Shandon. Maybye you could try and convince them to help you? They'll help anybody who gives them a good offer."
"I'll be needing the other 50 gold, please."
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inthedark
Level 50
Knight
Honor and Duty
Posts: 277
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Post by inthedark on Aug 3, 2006 2:43:24 GMT -5
Menian: Though it was night the horizon was lit by a dozen fires, some little more than specks some close enough to make out the black shapes of the burning biuldings, the villages around Menian were dying. Alsdair stood on the ramparts with some of the men-at-arms that had been sent with him observing the scene. The city walls were covered with it's residents as they looked at the scene with eyes open in shock and fear, only the children pranced around, happy that something was happening. - 'Not a pleasent sight is it.' The knight turned to see the abbot approach him, the face a strange display of shadows from the distant flames. - 'But one to be expected during such a time of strife, abbot. The king draws his armies to the capitol and war happens. Neighbors attack nieghbors, non-human filth and brigands pour from the dark places of this earth and lay waste to all that is built...' The knights voice trailed off as he remembered things, things that he had done that suited this situation. The abbot looked at him, looked at the burning villages and spoke, - 'Those villages. The cities merchants grow rich on the grain they grow, they would like to stop this.' - a pause as the abbot turned his gaze to the knight, - 'They hope you will ride there.' Alsdair smirked, - 'First I need to know which side Menian is on.' 'And which side I am on.' he added in his thoughts as he turned to look towards Shandon, trying to work out how long it would take a rider to reach Menian from there.
*** The Rebels Camp Villages burned, places the locals would give names to dissapeared as brignads used the sudden lack of soldiers to grow rich on the work of others. From the camp the sentries saw groups of civilians, skirt on the borders of their vision, the also saw armed groups appear only to dissapear. Loyalists? Brigands? Bandits? Nobody could say but every sighting was reported. After a few hours a rider rode up, both man and mount were exhausted and showed signs of a struggle. The only thing the sentries could get out of him was "Shrivia is under attack." before the man fainted. The news was brought to the sentaors, who informed the adventurers amongst them.
OOC: Something that the characters would know, though you guys might not. Shrivia is a medium sized city (about 5 000 residents), quite wealthy due to the fabrics they produce from the local wool.
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Post by Arvind Pillai on Aug 3, 2006 8:48:41 GMT -5
((I have deleted the next two posts. If your post was deleted, you will find it in your PMs. Please do not be mad with me. I am just trying to ensure continuity. Also, riding out for help will take a long time. The city will be burned down by then. )) At the Rebel CampMitzu grabbed the pouch from Xan's hand. It had 50 gold coins in it. "Well, I'll be back within an hour with the Oiliphaunt. Or rather, ON the Oiliphaunt." He snickered in his characteristic rat-like manner and left with his silk pack and two pouches filled with gold. It was half of what he initially wanted, but he was content. Generals and kings rarely paid more than one-fourth of the full price of his goods. Only moments later, a senator walks towards the gathering of heroes and informs them of the situation at Shrivia. "We arent sure WHO exactly is attacking. Probably bandits or orcs. Perhaps the nobility would help us if we saved the city? The city is south of here. It isn't far."
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inthedark
Level 50
Knight
Honor and Duty
Posts: 277
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Post by inthedark on Aug 3, 2006 10:41:00 GMT -5
Menian Alsdair shut the door to hischamber softly. The twenty men had returned along with a messenger from the king, much sooner than he had expected and with the answer he did not expect. Still, it had to be reported. The knight pulled off his gauntlets and, from behind his chest plate, pulled out a small bag from which he produced a small blue crystal. Placing it on the rooms only stool he cut his own thumb apressed it to the stone, it began to glow fiently and the blood dissapeared, the wound healed. What was left to do was to utter one word, - 'Victory.' The light vanished and slowly a voice filled the room. - 'What is it, Alsdair? - 'My lord Count, the king has agreed to your conditions, without any complaints.' - 'Did he now?' Silence as both men thought about what htis might mean, the silence was broken by laughter, the Count of Lithania was laughing. - 'Excellent! I shall spread word of his majesties graciousness to the other great lords, I'm sure they will want some things as well. If everything goes well I shall be their in a matter of days with the rest of my forces. untill than you have to do with what you have, move to Shandon and present yourself to the king...' The voice fadded untill it vanished. Alsdair picked up the blood stone and hide it back to where it was, he hated the thought of carrying it, yet he had his orders, orders that were soon barked out in the abbeys main hall. - 'Faust! Inform that messenger that we march to Shandon to the Kings aid! The infantry leaves first before dawn. The cavalry afterwards.' The officers bowed and made to follow their orders. Soon the long line of infantry and war wagons began snaking their way through the city gates, Alsdair overlooking it all in full armor with the helmet on, the peacock feathers in his plume made him easily recognizable to the men. The sun slowly rose and in the morning glow the mens weapons and armor gleemed red, blood red.
***
Shandon Lord Marshal Helbrecht moved towards the throne room. He had no doubt where to place his loyalty in this strife yet his patience has worn thin. Pushing aside the gaurds he stormed into the throne room, before the king. - 'Your Majesty! Why do we still linger!? We have nearly a thousand men in the city! We know where the traitors are! We kow they do not even have a hundred men and yet we sit! What are we waiting for!?' The man clamed down slightly and finished in a normal tone. - 'If we give them time people will think that we are afraid! We must crush them before others rebel.'
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Post by Arvind Pillai on Aug 3, 2006 11:03:27 GMT -5
At Shandon
"You know, Helbrecht, that the rebels you speak of are led by generals with god-like abilities."
The king paused as he lifted a glass of wine to his lips.
"But you are right.. this wait tires me. The Rebel Army gets stronger by the day. We must move while we are at the peak of our strength."
Suddenly, a fierce determination grew in the King's eyes.
"Lord Marshall, ready our forces once the Count's men arrive. Be warned. The terrain is such that it can be easily exploited by the geurilla fighters we face. You may think me a fool for agreeing to the terms set down by the Count, but dont worry, I will do everything in my power to ensure that they do not come into force. Once you move into battle, despite our numbers, you will be faced by terrible things. Fireballs, eagles and even Gryphons will come streaming down from the sky to obliterate our soldiers."
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inthedark
Level 50
Knight
Honor and Duty
Posts: 277
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Post by inthedark on Aug 3, 2006 11:14:41 GMT -5
Shandon Helbrecht could barely contain the wolf-like grin that spread across his face. - 'I will give orders immediatly your Majesty. But as for the individuals amongst our foes, surely we may demand of the University of Shandon to present some of their members to our disposal in this time in which loyalties are tested.'
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Post by Arvind Pillai on Aug 3, 2006 11:20:31 GMT -5
(("College of Mages" = University of Shandon. Just edit that.))
Shandon
"They'd probably try to kill us while we're on the battlefield. They respect Kravis. He's mastered the most difficult type of magic and he's not more than twenty five years. But, then again, I'm not going to pretend to know what they think."
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hotsmoke
Level 45
Samurai Knight
Posts: 203
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Post by hotsmoke on Aug 4, 2006 3:44:13 GMT -5
Lord Xan is lost in thought. He had got news that the kings army was going to advance as soon as the counts men reached Shandon. They had to be stopped or the war was lost forever.
He spoke : " Men, i think its time we took action. We cannot sit here idly and await our death. What we must do is at first get word across to Aten using his eagles and ask Aten to meet the Lord Count and Alsdair our old friend and try to change their views about the king. I will see to that. Secondly, we must march out to the town of Shrivia and eradicate the enemy presence and save the people. Why would we do this? Because if the town is under the counts control then he will most likely aid us since we saved the town. If it is not part of the counts territory then the people of the town will be grateful to us and will aid us in the battle, which will mean hopefully 200-300 more soldiers. Let us leave men. TO SHRIVIA!!!" He finished. They started gathering the men while he tied a note to one of Atens eagles leg.
They set out.
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