by Southern Babylonia » Sat Dec 08, 2012 2:12 pm
by Canadian Davsland » Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:34 pm
by Virenna » Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:11 pm
by Ralnis » Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:44 pm
by Southern Babylonia » Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Virenna wrote:Corcaigh, the Riocht of An Mhumhain
The port capital of the An Mhumhaini Celts was bustling as usual; the dreary rains of the past few days had subsided, and it was market day. As the bright sun spread its warming light, farmers brought their crops into the city walls as herders brought droves of cattle and sheep. Haggling could be heard throughout the populous city as merchants and commoners alike all strove to get the best bargain for their goods, surrounding the large and mostly connected wooden buildings of Corcaigh.
A great array of both practical and luxury wares were sold in the cramped stalls all along the city streets. Fish, meat, fresh bread, fine cloth, coarse wool, iron tools and weapons, beautiful crystals, golden jewelry and ornaments, slaves from the most recent raid- all could be bought and sold from the Irish-speaking Mhumhaini who owned the southlands. The two-horse marcath, could barely make its way through the crowds despite the two formidable warriors riding the chariot. The driver wore a chain mail shirt while brandishing an ornate spear, and he also was prepared for close combat- the scabbard he wore was bejeweled with deep emeralds.
His companion displayed even more wealth. His burgandy tunic held intrinsic and elaborate Celtic designs of a deeper maroon, and his heavier woolen cloak colored blue had an equal share of unending knots and swirls, kept together with a solid gold broach. He only had a sword- but its scabbard was gilded in the brightest gold, and encrusted with finer emeralds than his guard. From its ivory handle alone, one could see it was expertly made. The man, a youthful and strong figure with brown hair and eyes, was Aimhirghan Banhba himself, Ri Ruirrech ("King of Kings") of An Mhumhain.
The chariot made its way to a massive stone building in the heart of the city; the palace was a bastion of power and wealth, its architecture beautiful yet sturdy at the same time. Warriors guarded the area from riffraff, and busy looking noblemen and women alike briskly carried out their business. All bowed in respect and reverence to their passing king. The Ri had just surveyed his lands, visiting distant provinces and the heartland alike, and now wished to deal with matters at home.
Stepping off the marcath, the Chief of Clan Babhba made his way into the great hall and stood atop his luxurious throne, court already in session with the massive room filled to the brim with entertainers, slaves, lords, and ladies. "Begin," he said calmly, expecting petitions and news of foreign lands. His steward, the Duic of Loch Garman, approached the center of the room and bowed before his liege before speaking. "Great Ri," he began, "I expect your survey went well? The treasury has never been more full, and the entire riocht is experiencing a prosperity never before seen." He smiled, awaiting the ri's reply.
"It did," he returned the smile, believing a ruler should able to approach from even the lowest subject. "An Mhumhain is secure. But what of our neighbors? I believe some diplomats from across the Eastern Sea have arrived, from the Kingdom of the Lydds?"
His chancellor was quick to reply. "Yes; I have them currently in the guest quarters, given the best hospitality we have to offer. Shall I request their presence?"
"Yes," Ri Aimhirghan said cheerfully, "I believe the Lydds across the sea could become great allies. Speaking of which- I believe we need some more closer to home. Have envoys sent to all the surrounding lands . And let my homecoming feast begin, of course!"
With that, musicians began to passionately play, and slaves began serving food and drink. The Riocht of An Mhumhain was experiencing a golden age. But could it last?
by Shnercropolis » Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:27 pm
by Kazarogkai » Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:52 am
by The Knockout Gun Gals » Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:55 pm
by Ralnis » Sun Dec 09, 2012 8:07 pm
by The Knockout Gun Gals » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:58 am
by Glasgia » Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:22 am
by Shnercropolis » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:04 pm
by Ralnis » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:14 pm
by Southern Babylonia » Mon Dec 10, 2012 8:15 pm
Glasgia wrote:
Evening
"Guards halt! Present spears!" The guardsmen were all Diuberr and they braced their spears upwards to form a small path for the Lydian ambassador to pass through. As he walked, all eyes in the fort were upon him. At the end of this route, Nieln stood. He was the monarch's chancellor, a job usually given to the more experienced of those who ran the royal estates. However, Nieln was still fairly young at 34 and he showed it. A youthful face greeted the ambassador with a smile, friendly on the outside yet calculating on the inside. His tartan tunic flowed down to his knees, where leather boots covered his feet from the frost. On his belt was a short sword, evidence of his days as a warrior in the Brude Ar's household troops.
“Welcome my friend; I trust you have had a peaceful journey. What brings you here?”
by Glasgia » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:56 am
Southern Babylonia wrote:OOC: I'll be addressing KGG separately.
IC:Glasgia wrote:
Evening
"Guards halt! Present spears!" The guardsmen were all Diuberr and they braced their spears upwards to form a small path for the Lydian ambassador to pass through. As he walked, all eyes in the fort were upon him. At the end of this route, Nieln stood. He was the monarch's chancellor, a job usually given to the more experienced of those who ran the royal estates. However, Nieln was still fairly young at 34 and he showed it. A youthful face greeted the ambassador with a smile, friendly on the outside yet calculating on the inside. His tartan tunic flowed down to his knees, where leather boots covered his feet from the frost. On his belt was a short sword, evidence of his days as a warrior in the Brude Ar's household troops.
“Welcome my friend; I trust you have had a peaceful journey. What brings you here?”
Olaf Tyskholm, standing relaxed yet courteously, couldn't help but feel slight amusement at the glare of the people around the fort. Naturally, it was to be expected; as a frequent traveller, he sometimes forgot that most people stayed and worked their turf most of their lives. A sad fate in his opinion. Whatever the virtues of a semi-nomadic life such as his, he was not here to debate philosophy. The king had sent him on a mission. Without further due, his baritone voice begun the necessary rhetoric:
"Blessings of Zeus be upon you, my friends. I thank you for your precious time. Indeed, my journey was pleasant, thank you." Olaf turned weary; the man in front of him seemed to be of some power. If he were to seriously make an assault on their personal view of each other, a potential alliance might be thrown away by mere foolishness. Without any visible haste, he moved on:
"But I am not here to exchange niceties, as much as you are deserving: I must rather convey to you a message from my king, Knud I of the Jutes and the Lydds." In defiance of official diplomatic protocol, Olaf used the shortened term "Lydds" as opposed to the formal "Lydians," mainly to prevent the common situation that a diplomat should seem too aloof. "The king has heard of your reputation as fierce warriors and would like to inform you that he would show interest in a military and commercial alliance. Combined, we could unite Scotland and rule as its true and rightful leaders." Olaf hoped that last statement wasn't a step too far. If the Picts and the Arguborr had any plans for an alliance of their own, the chances of friendly relations were a relic of the past. To soften it up, he decided to interject a question:
"But tell me, friend, what goods would your people be willing to trade with us?"
by Southern Babylonia » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:35 pm
Glasgia wrote:Southern Babylonia wrote:OOC: I'll be addressing KGG separately.
IC:
Olaf Tyskholm, standing relaxed yet courteously, couldn't help but feel slight amusement at the glare of the people around the fort. Naturally, it was to be expected; as a frequent traveller, he sometimes forgot that most people stayed and worked their turf most of their lives. A sad fate in his opinion. Whatever the virtues of a semi-nomadic life such as his, he was not here to debate philosophy. The king had sent him on a mission. Without further due, his baritone voice begun the necessary rhetoric:
"Blessings of Zeus be upon you, my friends. I thank you for your precious time. Indeed, my journey was pleasant, thank you." Olaf turned weary; the man in front of him seemed to be of some power. If he were to seriously make an assault on their personal view of each other, a potential alliance might be thrown away by mere foolishness. Without any visible haste, he moved on:
"But I am not here to exchange niceties, as much as you are deserving: I must rather convey to you a message from my king, Knud I of the Jutes and the Lydds." In defiance of official diplomatic protocol, Olaf used the shortened term "Lydds" as opposed to the formal "Lydians," mainly to prevent the common situation that a diplomat should seem too aloof. "The king has heard of your reputation as fierce warriors and would like to inform you that he would show interest in a military and commercial alliance. Combined, we could unite Scotland and rule as its true and rightful leaders." Olaf hoped that last statement wasn't a step too far. If the Picts and the Arguborr had any plans for an alliance of their own, the chances of friendly relations were a relic of the past. To soften it up, he decided to interject a question:
"But tell me, friend, what goods would your people be willing to trade with us?"
Zeus. Nieln had forgotten that their neighbours worshipped foreign gods, brought with them from the lands of Greece. Why they had left to come to cold, wet Caledonia was beyond him.
"My people are rich in many metals, as great mines frequent our land. We can also provide timber, a useful material, and various grains, including the alcohol produced from them. However, if you want to negotiate I would do so with my master." Nieln nodded at a servant who rushed off to interrupt the council.
Gartnait bowed to his superiors as he entered the hall. They all turned to see why a simple servant boy would dare burst into their meeting.
"An ambassador has arrived, my highness. He awaits you in the courtyard, having travelled from the Kingdom of the Jutes and the Lydians." Ciniod chuckled at the news. He had just been discussing the possibility of an alliance with the king of what used to be Alt Clut and Goddodin.
"Tell him to come inside, I am interested to hear what he has to say." Gartnait bowed again and walked back outside.
"Ciniod, Brude of Kay and Brude Ar of the United Picts, welcomes you to his hall. He asks for your immediate presence inside." Gartnait motioned for the diplomats to follow him and they made their way to the great hall.
by Kazarogkai » Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:27 pm
by Lymantatia » Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:19 pm
Agavana, Agavana, vacara ata ayara. Inopeta tota ciyona nosa conotara.
Agavana, Agavana, summon to the air. Attack all who we oppose.
by Ralnis » Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:52 am
by Virenna » Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:06 pm
by Shnercropolis » Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:39 pm
by Lymantatia » Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:44 pm
by Glasgia » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:15 am
Southern Babylonia wrote:Brude? Olaf had heard the word before. It was still used by some of the regional chiefs who fancied themselves powerful in ways rivalling the king. This time, however, the native Dane sensed that this man Ciniod truly did.
Eager to meet with the leader of the greatest force on the Caledonian mainland north of the United Kingdom, he was quick to make the requested entrance. While attempting not to seem rushed, he was truly exited. Remembering to bow before the lord of the Picts, he allowed his discourse to slip out fairly uncontrolled.
"Greetings, your highness," he began. After noting the surprise of the chancellor at hearing the name of Zeus, he decided that before the Brude, he would save any theological rhetoric for a later point in their meeting. "I apologize for interrupting you, but I am on a mission for Knud I, king of the Jutes and the Lydians. He wishes to inform you that he is interesting an allying with the High Kingdom of Kay, and believes that if we are truly to be rulers of the Scotians we must increase trade, not only of goods but of ideals. We have much to share in both fields. But first, I understand our history and our coming here less than thirty years ago remains shady. As a historian, would you wish for me to... fill in the blanks?"
by Southern Babylonia » Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:14 pm
Glasgia wrote:Southern Babylonia wrote:Brude? Olaf had heard the word before. It was still used by some of the regional chiefs who fancied themselves powerful in ways rivalling the king. This time, however, the native Dane sensed that this man Ciniod truly did.
Eager to meet with the leader of the greatest force on the Caledonian mainland north of the United Kingdom, he was quick to make the requested entrance. While attempting not to seem rushed, he was truly exited. Remembering to bow before the lord of the Picts, he allowed his discourse to slip out fairly uncontrolled.
"Greetings, your highness," he began. After noting the surprise of the chancellor at hearing the name of Zeus, he decided that before the Brude, he would save any theological rhetoric for a later point in their meeting. "I apologize for interrupting you, but I am on a mission for Knud I, king of the Jutes and the Lydians. He wishes to inform you that he is interesting an allying with the High Kingdom of Kay, and believes that if we are truly to be rulers of the Scotians we must increase trade, not only of goods but of ideals. We have much to share in both fields. But first, I understand our history and our coming here less than thirty years ago remains shady. As a historian, would you wish for me to... fill in the blanks?"
Ciniod examined the Lydian. He seemed excited, though his deep voice did a good job of hiding it. He didn't give too much away at all, though his accent was not Greek or Brythonnic. Likely a Dane then. In his choice of words, he was likely awed by the presence of so many powerful men, and woman for the Prythen had no discrimination, in a single hall. Your highness.
"Indeed friend, I know little of your arrival upon this cursed isle. I would be most intrigued by your tale, as I have not met many of your people, especially not the legendary King Knud." Ciniod spoke in Danish, a language easy enough to learn after negotiating with the other Germanic tribes. It always interested him to speak with merchants as they sold their wares and it had come in use multiple times. As for the legends of King Knud, they did not exist but a foreigner would not know that and it was a compliment not an insult.
by Glasgia » Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:10 pm
Southern Babylonia wrote:Olaf was visibly impressed. The ruler of the Picts seemed to be a well-versed man in matters of linguistics, which he did not expect from a prince known to have been warlike in his past. He had to admit to himself, he had somewhat faked awe at the dignitaries before him; they were almost if not all shorter than him, who at 6'5'' stood tall even among Danes. He had called Ciniod Your highness in simple imitation of the servant he had met outside, whom he had overheard announce him to the Brude. Perhaps the rules for a dignified foreign diplomat and historian were different. Of course, he did everything to cover up the slight diplomatic sarcasm. In his mind, the Brude had at this point cast him as a reverent man, and there was no reason to confuse him. As for the legends on King Knud, he was sure it was merely a compliment, but he was more than able to appreciate the gesture. With a smile of friendliness, he began, now in Danish.
"Very well then. As you may or may not know, we were originally formed from the Lydian Republic, on the faraway Aegean Shore of Anatolia. From there we prospered through trade, and forged an empire reaching across Greece and Turkey. Always seeking trade, we established colonies as far from our home as Jutland in search of furs and pelts. When we were invaded by the Paphahassinians of Persia some eight hundred years ago, our ruler, Cleon VI, led those whom he trusted to the Danish shores, where he was crowned king of Carrolydia. The Lydians adopted the ways of the Jutes, though one more recent way was not as highly valued by people such as my king: the Danish religion. Though we accepted it, in the days of Cleon XI, the last king, it became enforced by the state, and those who would rather worship Zeus than Odin were ridiculed and oppressed. Formerly a general of King Cleon, my king was sent to conquer Caledonia and join it to his realm. The man who was then Knud Holmsen, however, saw this as an opportunity to take with him the worshippers of Hermes and found a new realm, where they would no longer be forced down for their beliefs. My parents were among those who joined him."
Advertisement
Return to Portal to the Multiverse
Users browsing this forum: Arvenia
Advertisement