Quest for the Crown (medieval, OOC, COMPLETED)

[Evraim]

Stealing the Royal Chex Mix? You'd have to be mad to attempt such foolishness.

Telvion: That bugger stole all the Chex Mix! It's treason, I tell you, of the worst sort! Off with his head!

Kaspar: Worse than Lord Thorn murdering your son?

Telvion: How could you be so foolish as to ask such a question? Yes!!!

The scandal!

But the possibilities...

*quietly fiddles with sword as the others talk of chex mix*

Artanis scandal is the best scandal. We could construct an even more elaborate love polygon.

Kaspar: Artanis, Beata, Donner
Artanis: Jestrion, Elendil, Jestrion, Drogodar, Jestrion, Jestrion, Jestrion
Beata: Bulgovad, Drogodar
Bulgovad: Beata, Ursala
Ursala: Bulgovad, Balthazar
Balthazar: Opium, Ursala
Jestrion: Philippa, Artanis, Drogodar, Diana, Charlia
Charlia: Elendil, Galvion, Karl
Galvion: Elendil, Akmal (Stockholm), Charlia

How does this look?

Voivode Drogodar Advances. Next up is Ser Kaspar the Brightlance vs. Lord Balthazar Thorn.

Anticipating round two...

Ser Artanis Helyanwe vs. Prince Galvion Wallstryn - I imagine that this one is hypothetically personal. Fear the Naked Knight.
Ser Drogodar Kazanowski vs. ??? (The Brightlance or Lord Thorn) - We all know Balthazar will dominate. I want to see him go up against Galvion again.

[Of the Quendi]

I'm not sure about the scale. We kinda just left that arbitrary and that works well enough. As for city sizes, Avantine is the largest/most populous city in Derria. I'd put it around 400k. So work around that I guess.

You wouldn't have a plethora of large cities either (2-3).

I would prefer to have some knowledge of at least the approximate size of Derria when I move my characters, troops and especially ships around. Many of my ships only have a limited reach and it will be rather crucial for all military planning done by my characters to know whether or not they can reach Chila, Visengrad, Sturmwal, Avantine etc. without the need of resupplying.

As for cities I have 11 which seems a reasonable amount for a country which supposedly is fairly urbanized. Their combined population will probably be around 500,000 ranging from 150,000 (Paris 1300) in the one currently named Venetie to 25,000 in the new inland one if that is acceptable.

[Merodin]

Stealing the Royal Chex Mix? You'd have to be mad to attempt such foolishness.

Telvion: That bugger stole all the Chex Mix! It's treason, I tell you, of the worst sort! Off with his head!

Kaspar: Worse than Lord Thorn murdering your son?

Telvion: How could you be so foolish as to ask such a question? Yes!!!

The scandal!

But the possibilities...

*quietly fiddles with sword as the others talk of chex mix*

Artanis scandal is the best scandal. We could construct an even more elaborate love polygon.

Kaspar: Artanis, Beata, Donner
Artanis: Jestrion, Elendil, Jestrion, Drogodar, Jestrion, Jestrion, Jestrion
Beata: Bulgovad, Drogodar
Bulgovad: Beata, Ursala
Ursala: Bulgovad, Balthazar
Balthazar: Opium, Ursala
Jestrion: Philippa, Artanis, Drogodar, Diana, Charlia
Charlia: Elendil, Galvion, Karl
Galvion: Elendil, Akmal (Stockholm), Charlia

How does this look?

Voivode Drogodar Advances. Next up is Ser Kaspar the Brightlance vs. Lord Balthazar Thorn.

Has it occurred to anybody that the North has claimed most of victories of this little game thus far? Of course, there were only three southerners...

Ser Artanis Helyanwe vs. Ser Donner the Rolling Thunder - I imagine that this one is hypothetically personal. Fear the Naked Knight.
Ser Drogodar Kazanowski vs. ??? (The Brightlance or Lord Thorn)

Artanis: I agree, your grace. This man must be brought to justice. *wipes away crumbs from edge of his mouth*

Kaspar: Artanis, Beata, Donner
Artanis: Jestrion, Elendil, Jestrion, Drogodar, Jestrion, Jestrion, Jestrion
Beata: Bulgovad, Drogodar
Bulgovad: Beata, Ursala
Ursala: Bulgovad, Balthazar
Balthazar: Opium, Ursala
Jestrion: Philippa, Artanis, Drogodar, Diana, Charlia
Charlia: Elendil, Galvion, Karl, Sera
Galvion: Elendil, Akmal (Stockholm), Charlia
Allen: Evalin
Evalin: Elendil, Gylel
Elendil: Galvion, Artanis, Sera, Evalin, Charlia

I do look forward to Kaspar and Arty meeting, I think they'll really hit it off.

[Evraim]

I do look forward to Kaspar and Arty meeting, I think they'll really hit it off.

Kaspar: Say, would you like to assist me in polishing my lance? Perhaps we could spar afterwards?

Artanis: Not at all. Let me unsheathe my greatsword real quick. You polish mine, and I'll polish yours.

*club music starts playing*

Jestrion: Wait for me!

[Merodin]

I do look forward to Kaspar and Arty meeting, I think they'll really hit it off.

Kaspar: Say, would you like to assist me in polishing my lance? Perhaps we could spar afterwards?

Artanis: Not at all. Let me unsheathe my greatsword real quick. You polish mine, and I'll polish yours.

*club music starts playing*

Jestrion: Wait for me!

Artanis: So Kaspar, tell me. Do you prefer to be astride your horse when you duel? I myself don't mind, I can fight as well on the ground as mounted.

[United Socialist Republics of Lupina]

I've already gone over this with Damak and I'm getting myself up to speed with everything thats happened recently in the north. Just making everything nice and official.

Name of House: Lollard
Banner of House (describe or post a picture): A Grey Wolf Upon a sea of White
Brief Description of House:
The House of Lollard is a recent addition to the few houses within Kurstrum. The lord of the manor is the recently knighted Ser Draco "The Black" Lollard, he and his younger brother Ser Jeffery "The White Wolf" were both named knights after earning their spurs in the Battle of Sturmwall and Krieger's Pass respectively. They were given the lands of a couple villages in the south with a couple small castles. Draco recieved his name from the way in which he gave no mercy to any noble that crossed him over the course of the battle. His younger brother is named after the sigil of his house and the long white cap and surcoat.
Only time will tell if Thorn will provide this house with more powers in his land, providing the Royalist forces do not prevail in the war.

If not mentioned, brief description of House's relationship and feelings towards House Wallstryn: The House has cares little for the Walltryn's
Head of House (name, age, and sex): Draco, 27, male
Nobility Ranking (Lord, Earl, Count, Baron, Knight): Knight
If not a Lord who are you a vassal to (wait for a few Great House apps before you answer): House of Thorn
Brief Description of Head of House (history, personality, appearance):
Draco is the eldest son born to an old merchant family. He is tall, with dark eyes, medium length dark brown hair and has a pointed black beard, he is a very strong man and as such normally wields a large two-handed longsword but may also wield a warhammer. He and his younger brother had not the sea salt in their blood like their father and set out to become men of higher class once they reached the age of 13 and 11 respectfully. Unlike his younger brother, Draco did not become a squire to a knight and instead joined a group of mercenary's as a camp follower before earning his sword by killing a man in armed combat. Draco was made a sworn sword to the House of Thorn from as early as the age of 17 after being paid by the ruling house to deal with a roaming band of brigands in the northern mountains. He henceforth acted as enforcer of the King's justice in the name of the House of Thorn as well as bodyguard to certain family members. He recieved a reputation as a harsh punisher of thieves and brigands, as well as rumored to have sired many bastards across Kurstrum. He is the second of his family to recieve his knighthood after his younger brother Jeffery. He recieved his spurs for his part in vanquishing many royalists during the failed siege of Sturmwall, he also recieved his name from the apparent black stain upon his honor in not following the codes of chivalry and killing knights pleading for mercy. He was knighted and laid claim to his brothers newly named knightly House. His brother peacefully and happily bowed to his brother and made him knightly lord of the House.

Relevant House Members (names, age and sex):
Jeffery, 25, male
Alice, 20, female (sister)
Harold, 17, male (bastard brother)

Brief Description of other most relevant House Members:
Jeffery is average in height, has shoulder length golden brown hair and has light blue eyes. He is a muscular man, average in build for a knight, and generally wields a bastard hand-an-ahalf sword but is known to be capable with a jousting lance. Jeffery dreamed of becoming a knight ever since he was a little boy. When his brother ran off when he was 11 years old, Jeffery stayed behind seeing as his older brother felt he was too young to make his way in the world. Their father gave in to the fact that neither of his sons had any inkling to become merchants and to keep at least one of his sons alive, he sent Jeffery to become a page to one lowly knight named Ser Rufus Karth. It would be from him where he learned the martial arts of being a knight and the code of chivalry, though much can be said that about how far chivalry is actually observed. He would become his squire in the years to come and would be apart of his retinue in the years to come. Jeffery would fight in the Battle of Krieger's Pass along with Ser Karth among Balthazar's personal calvary. He fought with bravery and killed many Royalists, sadly, his master and the few men in his retinue all fell and Jeffery was lucky to get out of the battle alive. He would recieve his knighthood from a drunk Balthazar and dubbed with a bloody sword. It was he who took up the sigil of his house but he honored his brothers right of birth and gave him the right to claim himself lord of the House of Lollard.

Name of the Land they rule over: N/A
Geography: The landscape of Kurstrum
RP sample (1-3): I believe you already know my credentials.
Notes (anything else you want to add): In your other Rp.

[Arbarlorn]

Before I make a post in IC I need information on Ferndale like who rules the city, population, state during war, etc.

[Damak Var]

Ferndale Castle is lorded over by Count Pelham de Bohun. It's a formidable caste but the army is camped outside of it. Around 4k live inside the castle and this includes all kinds of retainers and troops. There's a village the castle as well.

Lupina is accepted. By the way Lollard was a term given for heretics in England. Henry V had a bunch of them executed.

[Arbarlorn]

Ferndale Castle is lorded over by Count Pelham de Bohun. It's a formidable caste but the army is camped outside of it. Around 4k live inside the castle and this includes all kinds of retainers and troops. There's a village the castle as well.

Lupina is accepted. By the way Lollard was a term given for heretics in England. Henry V had a bunch of them executed.

What kind of man is Count Pelham? Knowing that will tell me what kind of relationship Earl James and Count Pelham will have, whether it be strained or amiable.

[Damak Var]

Pelham is a character I just created out of no where because you asked. Not really going to play any role unless you make it so. He's a sensible, reserved man. No warrior, or schemer. Perfectly happy with his station in life but loyal to the Wallstryns.

[United Socialist Republics of Lupina]

Ferndale Castle is lorded over by Count Pelham de Bohun. It's a formidable caste but the army is camped outside of it. Around 4k live inside the castle and this includes all kinds of retainers and troops. There's a village the castle as well.

Lupina is accepted. By the way Lollard was a term given for heretics in England. Henry V had a bunch of them executed.

I know; I'm in medieval history. The Lollards got punished in greater numbers with more harsher punishments than death, but yeah, the only name I could think of at the time.

[Arbarlorn]

Pelham is a character I just created out of no where because you asked. Not really going to play any role unless you make it so. He's a sensible, reserved man. No warrior, or schemer. Perfectly happy with his station in life but loyal to the Wallstryns.

I didn't realize that. Is he old and frail or hale and hearty or just a frumpy middle aged guy? Does he take having so many thousands of troops billeted around his castle overtax him or does he bear it well?

[Damak Var]

I use a lot of names from English commanders from the Hundred Years War.

[Evraim]

I use a lot of names from English commanders from the Hundred Years War.

I would never have suspected this of you!?

I wonder what the Lorelieres would think.

[Damak Var]

Yup. John Talbot, William Glasdale, William de Bohun, John Fastolf. Plantagenet was the name for the royal House of England for a long time. I shortened it to Planget for Simon Planget in this RP and William Planget in TKS. Ser Jekyll Stain is based off of Ser Gregor Clegane (ASOIAF).

Allen Scarlet is based off Nicholas Hook, from this historical fiction book I read titled "Agincourt" about the Battle of Agincourt by Bernard Cromwell.

Alot of my towns, castles and cities are named as spins offs of real locations as well.

Avantine-Aventine Hill, Rome
Hewsbury- Shrewsbury
Halstings- Hastings
Breckincourt- Agincourt
Welster- Ulster

[SaintB]

Name of House: Averril

Banner of House: House colors are navy and crimson. Banner consists of a navy field with a crimson sword crossed with a white sheaf of wheat forming an X and symbolizing how the house derives power from both strength at arms and the hard work of the common farmer.

Brief Description of House: Averril is a resurgent house which was refounded about 165 years ago after being nearly entirely destroyed by an angry prince due to some forgotten insult. The House was restored by Gilliam Averril I with help from the king as reward for his part in helping to end a bloody and destructive civil war and keeping the Wallstryn line from failing. They haven't forgotten their ties to the royal family and continue to serve faithfully when called upon.
The Averril family lands are known as Graycastle for the decent sized fortress made of gray stone that was built on and around the lands highest hill and are famous for their fruit orchards that provide grapes, raspberries, and strawberries. Most of these fruits are preserved as wines and brandies which fetch high prices across Derria for their flavor and quality and serve as the primary source of income for the house. The family itself is small but the wealth provided by their wines and spirits and from a recent strategic marriage with the Longherd merchant family allows it to maintain a sizeable garrison of retainer soldiers.

If not mentioned, brief description of House's relationship and feelings towards House Wallstryn: While dismayed by the current King's mental illness House Averril continues to remain a loyal and resolute vassal to the royal family.

Head of House: Earl Redguard Averril is a 53 year old male
Nobility Ranking: Earl
If not a Lord who are you a vassal to: Wallstryn
Brief Description of Head of House: Redguard Averril has a gentle spirit and generous demeanor that many have tried to take advantage of in the past only to learn that to cross him is tantamount to running afoul of a wolfhound. He is not a warrior but is a great administrator with a high grade of acumen; under his leadership the Averril family has seen an increase in its fortunes. He is a stocky man who once had blond hair which is now gray, his head is bald but he sports a full mustache with a beard.

Relevant House Members:
Mellissa Averril, Female 49
Gilliam Averril IV, Male 32
Willhelm Averril, Male 29
Helena Averril Longherd, Female 22
Dudly Longherd, Male 25
Leana Longherd Averril, Female 20
Donald of Graycastle, Male 66

Brief Description of other most relevant House Members:
Mellissa is the wife of Redguard and famous among those who know her for being a wonderful hostess.
Gilliam IV is the first son of Mellissa and Redguard and the heir apparent to the family but holds more interest in joining the Silver Guard.
Willhelm Averril wished to join the Church of the Paragon as a priest but his marriage to Leana Longherd has put an end to his chances. He fills the role of spiritual adviser to his other family members.
Helena Longherd is the sister of Gilliam and Willhelm, she was married in a double wedding with her older brother to solidify a union with the richest merchants in Graycastle.
Dudly Longherd is Helena's husband who wealthy but not of noble birth. He secretly assists Redguard in running the lands and will likely take over as the man in charge of the Averril's treasury.
Leana Averril is the wife of Willhelm. She and her husband have little affection for one another and she spends most of her time back at her family home while Willhelm plays preacher.
Donald of Graycastle is the Averril family steward who has served three generations of leaders. Though nearly as old as the Gray Castle itself he seems to have suffered none of the maladies that time so often ravages the elderly with. Some of the more superstitious people claim he knows magic.

Name of the Land they rule over: Graycastle
Geography: bestride the border's of House Wallstryn and Velune.

RP sample: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=234202

[Evraim]

Yup. John Talbot, William Glasdale, William de Bohun, John Fastolf. Plantagenet was the name for the royal House of England for a long time. I shortened it to Planget for Simon Planget in this RP and William Planget in TKS. Ser Jekyll Stain is based off of Ser Gregor Clegane (ASOIAF).

Allen Scarlet is based off Nicholas Hook, from this historical fiction book I read titled "Agincourt" about the Battle of Agincourt by Bernard Cromwell.

Alot of my towns, castles and cities are named as spins offs of real locations as well.

Avantine-Aventine Hill, Rome
Hewsbury- Shrewsbury
Halstings- Hastings
Breckincourt- Agincourt
Welster- Ulster

I remember Talbot, Fastolf, and Plantagenet from my studies of history. And I'm an American.

[Damak Var]

So am I! SaintB is accepted.

[Evraim]

No votes for Balthazar yet? I am disappointed NS.

[SaintB]

Military App (figured I would get it out of the way)

House Averril
Exports: Wines and Brandies from Grapes, Raspberries, and Strawberries, Potatoes, Carrots, Yams, Goat Cheese and Meat, Pottery, Stone
Imports: Glass, Wood, Beef, Luxuries, Iron, Flour
Terrain: Warmer, moderately cold winters, warm to hot summers. The land is hilly with large patches of rocky soil and clay. House Averril takes great care of the King's highway and has several roads that are 'paved' with gravel and shale stone which allows rain water to drain off them quickly and expedites both trade and the speed which armies can move in war time.
Size of Forces: 5,100
Navy: None
Army: House Averril makes great use of foot troops armed with halberds and pikes and has taken the Wallstryn approach of using longbow armed soldiers to the next step, maintaining a force of professional Yoemen who are lightly armored and armed with longbows, long daggers, and a buckler. House Averril's knights prefer to fight dismounted because of the hilly uneven terrain and are fond of weapons like the bec de corbin and ransuer, long (Bastard) swords are also very popular and the estoc is rising in popularity; when fighting from horseback Averril's knights prefer maces, flails, and axes to sword type weapons in support of their lances. In addition to themselves each knight is required to provide at least 15 men at arms but their equipment is up to the knight himself. The bulk of the House's military during war time comes from the peasantry - once a weak all freemen and serfs are required to train in the use of pikes and crossbows from dawn to dusk in case they must be called to fight, there is a special tax that some families can pay that excludes them from the mandatory drills and the money is used toward funding the edict.
Professional soldiers - Yoemen 1,250, Knights 350, Halbediers 1,500, Men at Arms 2,000. Militia - 1,000 levied.

Strengths: House Averril maintains a standing professional force which regularly trains for battle and patrols the main roads hunting down brigands and highwaymen making them skilled combatants.

Mandatory military drills for the peasantry provides superior militiamen and levies.

Graycastle is a fortress surrounded by a large town (pop. ~5,000) of the same name. It is a concentric castle built into the side of a steep hill with two outer curtains surrounding the keep and is well protected by traps and siege engines. It is the home of the Averril family as well as the main garrison for the soldiers and can hold up to 4,000 combatants for a few months if necessary as it contains three sources of fresh water and lots of food and weapon stocks. A partial wall of earth and wood is being built around the city itself but is being funded mainly by the wealthier members of the town's population.

Weakness: House Averril's soldiers rarely fight on open terrain and are not used to situations where the enemy can maneuver easily.

Lack of quality steel means that most of the house's soldiers wear more leather than metal armor which leaves them poorly defended compared to some houses.

Lack of standards for Men at Arms in equipment and training makes those soldiers a wildcard in battle.

[Damak Var]

For all newcomers.

Lets see, I forgot to restate this but the maximums are what you can raise total including levies and after a full scale mobilization. A good portion of your forces should consist of levies also, say 15-25%. Since the Wallstryns field the largest army mine is around 30% (10500/36000). If you did not state it in your app, it will be implied.

While many people have mentioned their ability to hire mercenaries, I wish that you avoid it IC. If you really wish to, you must discuss it with me first. Most like I will deny you.

[SaintB]

For all newcomers.

Lets see, I forgot to restate this but the maximums are what you can raise total including levies and after a full scale mobilization. A good portion of your forces should consist of levies also, say 15-25%. Since the Wallstryns field the largest army mine is around 30% (10500/36000). If you did not state it in your app, it will be implied.

While many people have mentioned their ability to hire mercenaries, I wish that you avoid it IC. If you really wish to, you must discuss it with me first. Most like I will deny you.

Almost 50% of what my maximum can be would consist of levies. Is there anything in my military listing I did wrong?

[Damak Var]

Also, there is not a House here that can keep their full potential mobilized throughout war and peace. You don't have the money or the resources. As soon as you do mobilize your House is now bleeding cash. So everybody that does claim mercenary power, you can either hire your mercenaries (ask me first) or use your own more loyal troops (I suggest this), but not both. To put it simply, for every mercenary you hire you lose the ability to field one of your own soldiers. You don't have the resources.

House Averril would be fully mobilized as they are Wallstryn bannermen and King Telvion called his banners.

We'll also make it so at least 1-2k Averril troops are with Jestrion in the north. That would be likely. Or getting ready to board ship at Folkport to attack Visegrad where there's going to be heavy casualties.

Professional soldiers - Yoemen 1,250, Knights 350, Halbediers 1,500, Men at Arms 2,000. Militia- It is estimated that House Averril could afford to call up to 5 - 6 thousand conscripts for an extended time from the levy if needed.

1250+350+1500+2000+5000 > 10000 (see the rules). Lose the conscripts. 5-7k troops is good.

[SaintB]

Also, there is not a House here that can keep their full potential mobilized throughout war and peace. You don't have the money or the resources. As soon as you do mobilize your House is now bleeding cash. So everybody that does claim mercenary power, you can either hire your mercenaries (ask me first) or use your own more loyal troops (I suggest this), but not both. To put it simply, for every mercenary you hire you lose the ability to field one of your own soldiers. You don't have the resources.

House Averril would be fully mobilized as they are Wallstryn bannermen and King Telvion called his banners.

We'll also make it so at least 1-2k Averril troops are with Jestrion in the north. That would be likely. Or getting ready to board ship at Folkport to attack Visegrad where there's going to be heavy casualties.

Professional soldiers - Yoemen 1,250, Knights 350, Halbediers 1,500, Men at Arms 2,000. Militia- It is estimated that House Averril could afford to call up to 5 - 6 thousand conscripts for an extended time from the levy if needed.

1250+350+1500+2000+5000 > 10000 (see the rules). Lose the conscripts. 5-7k troops is good.

The estimate of 5 to 6 thousand militia is mostly just flavor text but I'll edit it I was never going to surpass the limit of 10,000 soldiers, and even calling up 5k militiamen would have me at 10,100.

As for Averill troops with Jestrion Gilliam IV is there with 250 yoeman, 30 nights, 300 men at arms, 400 halbediers, and 500 pike and crossbow militia with more supposed to come.

*The pike and crossbow militia carry both pikes and crossbows, a line of pikemen stand in front of crossbow archers in a 4:1 ratio and fight sort of like the pike and shot formations in the 15th century.

[Damak Var]

Sounds good. You'd two thousand camped at Ferndale as well. That's where all the reinforcements are hold up just waiting. There's 14k Wallstryn, 12k Velun, and some 3k Aurenstein troops there. Another 8k Wallstryn and 2k Aurenstein are boarding ship at Folkport to attack Visegrad.

House Aurenstein can field 8k troops, and I've ordered for 7k to represent themselves for the war (2 with Jestrion, 2 at Folkport to attack Visegrad, 3 at Ferndale). So the Wallstryns would require another 2k Averril to be at Ferndale. This is full scale mobilization and the Crown is ordering the bannermen to bring out their might. We aren't fucking around. I might have Charlia order another 1k of yours to board ship at Folkport as well.