Intrigue in Court [Fantasy Medieval/Politics/OOC/REBOOTED]

[New Aeyariss]

Name of Place: The Hordelands
Description: "Hordelands" is an euphemism coined to describe geographical areas inhabited by the Blue Horde within the Empire. It's not an area in a fixed sense, as the Blue Horde rarely acknowledges boundaries of imperial provinces or other administrative units, with their nomads freely moving across vast grasslands of the frontier; ancient treaties signed by Khan Mongke with the ancestors of the current Emperor Brandon, and the fact that historically the tribes forming the Blue Horde have been extremely loyal to the crown, often shedding their own blood for it, had cemented autonomous status of the steppe exiles to the point where, outside of paying their tax in form of military service, members of the Blue Horde rarely concern themselves with Imperial Laws, governing themselves autonomously.

The territory partially overlaps with Aresaria and some other imperial provinces. Presence of the Blue Horde at times causes disputes between agricultural native population and nomadic herders, whose flocks tend to enroach on fields of the native Vexians. Despite that discomfort, native Vexians do not always regret presence of the Blue Horde, as said steppe nation is a sworn enemy of the kuphate, and likely the first response in case of a raid or invasion.

Just outside the borders of Duchy of Aresaria lies the Kyzyl-Korum, a semi-permament settlement that forms the capital of the Blue Horde. Here, Chelubey Khan resides, presiding over 12 tribes that form the Blue Horde. Kyzyl-Korum is also the center of religious activity of the tribes, with the sacred ark being kept in a tent there. Chelubey rules from a massive yurt, which also acts as a gathering place for the two main administrative units of the Blue Horde - the Kurultai (assembly of nobility from tribes forming the Blue Horde) and diwan (Khan's advisory council). Some important members of the diwan are:

- Kalga - bey: the head of Khan's government and 2nd in command of the army. Usually commands right wing of the horde's forces during a campaign. Currently, the position is held by Jamukha a cousin and trusted friend of Chelubey.

- Tayiji: commander of the left wing of the army, and head of the Kurultai.

In reality however, power of the Khan is severely restrained by the Kurultai, where the Khan is merely "first among equals". Khan's main tasks concern leading the Blue Horde's military forces

Individual tribes are ruled by their beys, which is a title equivalent of "lord". By the ancient treaties, they are given the same rights as imperial barons. Below the beys are the tribal nobles - the ulans. Years of existence within the Empire have caused most of Blue Horde ulans to be bi-lingual, and have at least basic knowledge of Vexian culture and customs. Often, the ulans adopt elements of Vexian traditions of knighthood, albeit in their own steppe context. Even sacred texts of the Religion of Heaven are now in Vexian.

It's estimated that the total force of the Blue Horde can total 48 000 warriors organized in four toumans (each former from members of three tribes), but due to need to protect borders from the Khupate rarely that many are mobilized on campaigns that do not concern the Eastern Frontier. Aside from the regular forces, there is also a formation called keshig which serves as Chelubey's own guard - it's formations are usually filled with young nobles who see service as a stepping stones to further career within the Horde's ranks.



Part of: Empire of Vexia, partially Duchy of Aresaria

[Of the Quendi]

My second app. The husband of my first character. Krugmar and New Aeyariss I referenced your characters as their would probably be some overlap with mine, let me know if you have any problems with it.

Character Application

Full Name: Corineus Corino
House (Family) Name: Corino
Title (if any): Prince
Social Class: Royalty
Sex: Male
Age: 57
Appearance: Prince Corineus is a tall, broad-shouldered and sturdy man in his fifties. His hair, once dark brown, is greying and thinning. He has a full but well kept beard.
Role in Court: Marshall of the Imperial Army
Backstory: Corineus Corino was born to Prince Cordulian Corino of Hwenesia and his wife Tanaquil Lartha of Burloggnae in the Corino family mansion in the port city of Hwenesia. An ancient noble lineage, the House of Corino was a powerful family in the Hweneto that went on to collaborate with the rising Vixis dynasty in incorporation first Hweneto and later much of Vitulia, into the rising Vexian empire. For their services the Corino's was risen to great prominence in imperial politics, becoming one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the empire. Born to greatness the young Corineus was raised mostly in his native province of Hweneto where he was given an education fit for a prince, being tutored by some of the most renowned scholars of the known world.

After the death of his father Corineus, at a young age, became the patriarch of the Corino family and one of the foremost peers of the Empire. The young magnate proved a loyal and reliable supporter of the empire in Vitulia and upon coming of age, rather than enjoy all the pleasures life had to offer a young and powerful aristocrat he joined the imperial army. He was granted an officer's commission and was dispatched to the fronts. Due to his nobility the young prince quickly advanced through the ranks of the army. But though he proved lacking in neither personal courage and character, nor in strategic skill, Corineus found that he preferred planning and organizing to actual field command. A chance encounter with the emperor, offered Corineus an opportunity to make a change. The emperor, having taken command of all the imperial armies on the eastern frontier, needed a competent and reliable second in command to manage and organize the vast armies at his disposal. Impressed with Corineus, the emperor chose him for this position.

Corineus was now in a position in which he would excel. His extreme dedication to his work, accuracy and quick comprehension, combined with his experience and his mastery of the details involved in organizing and commanding armies, made him the ideal deputy to the emperor. The emperor was soon forced to return to the capital and deal with matters there. He ordered Corineus to accompany him and assume a leading role in the governance of the empire. Though Corineus viewed the capital and the imperial court with suspicion and distrust, regarding it as a place of vice and corruption, and would have much preferred to stay on the front he felt he had no choice but to accept the emperor’s orders.

In Windstard Corineus was appointed Marshall of the Imperial Army by the emperor, putting him in charge military policy, after Prince Sylas's departure for the south in 1025 IY Corineus furthermore became the emperor's chief lieutenant. With this powerful office, his good relationship with the emperor and his personal and family wealth and prestige Corineus became one of the most powerful men in the empire and attracted the attentions and imaginations of many courtiers eager to strike up friendship with the new rising star of the imperial bureaucracy.

A few years after his appointment to Marshall some of these "friends" were implicated in a conspiracy against the emperor's life. The conspiracy, involving senior military officers, prominent aristocrats, members of the clergy and, most damningly, relatives of the emperor was thwarted in part due to Corineus's personal efforts. Despite this he was mortified that he had had friendly contact with enemies of the empire. He profusely begged the emperor's forgiveness and asked to be relived of all his duties and be allowed to retire. The emperor thought differently. Emperor Jakar III had been stunned to find that members of his own court wanted him dead. In Corineus, a man of great personal humility who had never sought to advance in the imperial government, the emperor saw someone he believed he could trust. In Corineus Corino the emperor saw that rarest of creatures; a man with all the skills needed to run an empire but none of the ambitions to rule it. Not only did he refuse Corineus's resignation but he also appointed him to the office of chancellor (without removing him as Marshall) and entrusted him with ever greater responsibility for the governance of the empire. He furthermore offered Corineus his daughter Princess Talia's hand in marriage.

Corineus accepted his new bride and exalted appointment with little enthusiasm but much energy. He threw himself at the work of righting what he saw as the wrongs of the empire, initiating a series of domestic and military reforms in his first few years as Chancellor-Marshall. Corineus's efforts was however routinely thwarted by a court that proved as sycophantic, decadent and corrupt as Corineus had always suspected. The Chancellor-Marshall found most of the courtiers too ambitious, flippant, unserious and flamboyant and entirely unfit to rule an empire in good times, yet alone reform it in bad times. Corineus earned a reputation as a stern conservative and an opponent of "new men" and imperial favourites (despite arguably being the later himself). He railed against court excesses and the nepotism and corruption of the empire at every chance. Even the emperor himself became a bit tired of the Chancellor-Marshall. Still Corineus did manage to attract a following of like-minded, usually older, conservatives, and due to his obvious devotion to the empire and skills at governing he never truly fell out of favor with the emperor. Still he was eventually asked to resign one of his dual offices, surprising court by keeping the marshallate rather than the chancellery. Increasingly resigned about his ability to truly reform the empire in the face of opposition from a hostile court and an emperor lukewarm in his support Corineus determined that tending to the army was a better use of his time. Sometime after the birth of his sixth living child, the third by his second wife, Princess Talia Vixis, Corineus asked the emperor to be assigned a posting on the front. Jakar granted the request, naming Corineus commander of the armies on the eastern front.

Though he requested the posting himself it was something of a poisoned chalice Corineus received. At the time of his appointment numerous imperial generals had been dealt crushing defeats by Khuphate forces and a major imperial defeat was considered imminent. Undeterred Corineus assumed his post and prepared to defend the empire. At first it did not go well. His first year in the east saw Corineus and his subordinate loose ground to the enemy. Never able to score a victory against the capable Khuphate forces Corineus however always managed to withdraw his forces in reasonably good order. Disparagingly known as the "retreating general" Corineus devoted most of his attention to reorganize the demoralized imperial troops, to improve communication, strengthen supply lines and devise stratagems. Realizing the superiority of the Khuphate he came up with an extremely controversial and much maligned counter strategy. This strategy, known disparagingly as the Corinian Strategy, relied not on engaging the principal Khuphate armies in massive battles but rather on avoiding engagements in all but the most favorable of circumstances. It proved extremely unpopular with the military, court and just about everyone else and only the continued favor of the emperor prevented Corineus from being charged with cowardice and recalled from the front. He cared not. He surmised that the vast material and personnel resources available to the empire, even in its decline, and the superior imperial administration, would eventually overwhelm the martial prowess of the barbarians. And as time passed it seemed possible that he would be right. Gradually the "retreating general" won the respect of his troops for his ability to recover from every setback. His skeptical subordinates began employing the Corinian Strategy without prodding and the morale and discipline of the imperial troops began to rise. At the Battle of Yelu River Corineus won the first major victory for the empire in years. The Khuphate, who had come to loath the Corinian Strategy, was increasingly desperate to engage the enemy army in open battle. Corineus gave them the chance, on grounds that overwhelmingly favored the imperials, at a time of Corineus's choosing. So eager for battle was the Khuphate forces that they had no choice but to accept. The battle, in which Corineus concentrated a massive imperial force consisting of almost the entirety of the empire's eastern forces, was hard fought but ended in a clear, though by no means decisive, victory for the empire. While in the capital Yelu River was regarded as only a partial victory achieved by a man whose tenure in the east had seen no other victory and plenty of defeats. But on the front the reception was different. After years on the defensive the imperials finally saw the back of the retreating Khuphate forces. Veteran generals on Corineus's staff hailed the Corinian strategy where once they had disparaged it and the common soldier smelled blood. Corineus himself largely shared the sentiment. Though he was well aware that the Khuphate was nowhere near a complete defeat the prince believed that the time was finally ripe to go on the offensive. He had spent the years transforming a broken army into a disciplined devastating force. Even as the Blue Horde and their much needed cavalry was sent to the southern fronts Corineus remained confident that victory was near and that his long hard work would be finally crowned with success.

Then he was recalled from the front. The emperor's son and heir had been named new commander in the east and Corineus was called back to the capital. For the only time in his life Corineus considered seriously protesting an imperial order. To hand over the army he had personally brought back from the brink of disaster and turned into a formidable military force to an inexperienced princeling at the moment when victory was within reach did not please the prince. But, ever the faithful servant of the empire, he relented. He returned to the capital. His reception was frosty. Yelu River had salvaged some of his reputation but the general feeling at court was that Corineus had been a failure as a commander. Still enjoying the emperor's favor he was however reappointed as Marshall of the Imperial Army, but with the Crown Prince now commanding much of the armies and with Corineus's enemies ascendant his second tenure would be less effective than his first. Yet he served for the remainder of Emperor Jakar III's life advising his father-in-law on matters far beyond a strict military purview and gradually regaining his position as one of the premier leaders at the court he despised.
Additional Info (optional) :

Stewardship: 9
Intrigue: 2
Martial: 8
Diplomacy: 6
Renown: 4

[New Aeyariss]

@Quendi I want to note that I don't have any problem with your factbook. I would imagine that Chelubey would support the Cornerian strategy and simply have his nomadic people relocate further into the imperial territory (which also could have led to some problems with native Vexians, as horses, cammels and sheep of Chelubey's people would have needed pasturing lands).

Could we agree that during the battle of Yelu river, Chelubey commanded the right wing of the imperial forces?

[Of the Quendi]

@Quendi I want to note that I don't have any problem with your factbook. I would imagine that Chelubey would support the Cornerian strategy and simply have his nomadic people relocate further into the imperial territory (which also could have led to some problems with native Vexians, as horses, cammels and sheep of Chelubey's people would have needed pasturing lands).

Glad to hear it. As a commander of a a cavalry force I imagine Chelubey and his people would have probably been quite essential to Corineus's Fabian Strategy.

Could we agree that during the battle of Yelu river, Chelubey commanded the right wing of the imperial forces?

Sure. I haven't given much thought to the particulars of that battle, but Chelubey can certainly have played a key role and commanded the right wing.

[Rygondria]

Would the captain of the city guard be possible ?

[Zelphos]

In early 1400s gunpowder still had a very limited use, albeit it's time when first cannons have entered widespread service.

I know, but I was wondering if they exist or not in this RP.

IF anything, the use of it would be relatively rare.

Character Application

Full Name: Dayfith Jakar Fawr
House (Family) Name: Fawr
Title (if any): Prince of Ye-ayn
Social Class: Royalty
Sex: Male
Age: 14
Appearance: Tall, slender, well-muscled, black haired, fair skinned, pleasant of face, dark eyed.
Role in Court: Prince étranger, Royal Fosterling (Hostage), Cousin to The Emperor.
Backstory:
Prince Dayfith was seven years old when tensions between his uncle, The Emperor, and his father became such that it was ‘strongly suggested’ that Dayfith go to Windstard, to be educated at his uncle’s court. Over the years, Davith gained some insights into the governance of lands and men, as well as the divisions between them, especially his father and his uncle. He rarely saw his parents, except when they came to visit each year.
Knowing that his father would expect him to succeed to the kingship, Prince Dayfith studied hard at combat, tactics, logistics and strategy.
The Prince is a strong supporter of his cousin and Emperor, Brandon. However, The Emperor still sees Dayfith as (at best) a youth and (at worst) a potential danger that could fracture his empire. The Prince is allowed two servants, a boy and a girl a year younger than himself.
Additional Info (optional): Dayfith does not remember much of Ye-ayn, except that he loves it with a yearning. He has a younger brother there and is jealous of his being in Dayfith’s rightful home, with their mother and father.

Stewardship: 5 (2 (+3))
Intrigue: 2
Martial: 12
Diplomacy: 4 (2 (+2))
Renown: 6 (2 (+4))


Location App

Name of Place: Ye-ayn
Description: West-northwest of Windstard, the small kingdom of Ye-ayn inhabits a large plateau and access to the kingdom is controlled at a small number of defensible natural passes. The Kingdom’s capital city is Hehduke and the kingdom is divided into eight counties. Goats, sheep and poultry are the kingdom’s principal livestock. Wheat, barley, corn and flax are the principal crops. There are forests, some small mines and quarries.
In an effort to cement a lasting peace, a marriage was arranged between King Luell Fawr and Lady Joyanna, the sister of Emperor Jakar III. However, since then, politics have strained the relationship between the royal houses.
Part of: Empire.

Interesting concept. Lets see how it plays out in court. Accepted.

(Image)

Name of Place: The Hordelands
Description: "Hordelands" is an euphemism coined to describe geographical areas inhabited by the Blue Horde within the Empire. It's not an area in a fixed sense, as the Blue Horde rarely acknowledges boundaries of imperial provinces or other administrative units, with their nomads freely moving across vast grasslands of the frontier; ancient treaties signed by Khan Mongke with the ancestors of the current Emperor Brandon, and the fact that historically the tribes forming the Blue Horde have been extremely loyal to the crown, often shedding their own blood for it, had cemented autonomous status of the steppe exiles to the point where, outside of paying their tax in form of military service, members of the Blue Horde rarely concern themselves with Imperial Laws, governing themselves autonomously.

The territory partially overlaps with Aresaria and some other imperial provinces. Presence of the Blue Horde at times causes disputes between agricultural native population and nomadic herders, whose flocks tend to enroach on fields of the native Vexians. Despite that discomfort, native Vexians do not always regret presence of the Blue Horde, as said steppe nation is a sworn enemy of the kuphate, and likely the first response in case of a raid or invasion.

Just outside the borders of Duchy of Aresaria lies the Kyzyl-Korum, a semi-permament settlement that forms the capital of the Blue Horde. Here, Chelubey Khan resides, presiding over 12 tribes that form the Blue Horde. Kyzyl-Korum is also the center of religious activity of the tribes, with the sacred ark being kept in a tent there. Chelubey rules from a massive yurt, which also acts as a gathering place for the two main administrative units of the Blue Horde - the Kurultai (assembly of nobility from tribes forming the Blue Horde) and diwan (Khan's advisory council). Some important members of the diwan are:

- Kalga - bey: the head of Khan's government and 2nd in command of the army. Usually commands right wing of the horde's forces during a campaign. Currently, the position is held by Jamukha a cousin and trusted friend of Chelubey.

- Tayiji: commander of the left wing of the army, and head of the Kurultai.

In reality however, power of the Khan is severely restrained by the Kurultai, where the Khan is merely "first among equals". Khan's main tasks concern leading the Blue Horde's military forces

Individual tribes are ruled by their beys, which is a title equivalent of "lord". By the ancient treaties, they are given the same rights as imperial barons. Below the beys are the tribal nobles - the ulans. Years of existence within the Empire have caused most of Blue Horde ulans to be bi-lingual, and have at least basic knowledge of Vexian culture and customs. Often, the ulans adopt elements of Vexian traditions of knighthood, albeit in their own steppe context. Even sacred texts of the Religion of Heaven are now in Vexian.

It's estimated that the total force of the Blue Horde can total 48 000 warriors organized in four toumans (each former from members of three tribes), but due to need to protect borders from the Khupate rarely that many are mobilized on campaigns that do not concern the Eastern Frontier. Aside from the regular forces, there is also a formation called keshig which serves as Chelubey's own guard - it's formations are usually filled with young nobles who see service as a stepping stones to further career within the Horde's ranks.



Part of: Empire of Vexia, partially Duchy of Aresaria

Another well-done piece of lore. Accepted.

My second app. The husband of my first character. Krugmar and New Aeyariss I referenced your characters as their would probably be some overlap with mine, let me know if you have any problems with it.

Character Application

Full Name: Corineus Corino
House (Family) Name: Corino
Title (if any): Prince
Social Class: Royalty
Sex: Male
Age: 57
Appearance: Prince Corineus is a tall, broad-shouldered and sturdy man in his fifties. His hair, once dark brown, is greying and thinning. He has a full but well kept beard.
Role in Court: Marshall of the Imperial Army
Backstory: Corineus Corino was born to Prince Cordulian Corino of Hwenesia and his wife Tanaquil Lartha of Burloggnae in the Corino family mansion in the port city of Hwenesia. An ancient noble lineage, the House of Corino was a powerful family in the Hweneto that went on to collaborate with the rising Vixis dynasty in incorporation first Hweneto and later much of Vitulia, into the rising Vexian empire. For their services the Corino's was risen to great prominence in imperial politics, becoming one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the empire. Born to greatness the young Corineus was raised mostly in his native province of Hweneto where he was given an education fit for a prince, being tutored by some of the most renowned scholars of the known world.

After the death of his father Corineus, at a young age, became the patriarch of the Corino family and one of the foremost peers of the Empire. The young magnate proved a loyal and reliable supporter of the empire in Vitulia and upon coming of age, rather than enjoy all the pleasures life had to offer a young and powerful aristocrat he joined the imperial army. He was granted an officer's commission and was dispatched to the fronts. Due to his nobility the young prince quickly advanced through the ranks of the army. But though he proved lacking in neither personal courage and character, nor in strategic skill, Corineus found that he preferred planning and organizing to actual field command. A chance encounter with the emperor, offered Corineus an opportunity to make a change. The emperor, having taken command of all the imperial armies on the eastern frontier, needed a competent and reliable second in command to manage and organize the vast armies at his disposal. Impressed with Corineus, the emperor chose him for this position.

Corineus was now in a position in which he would excel. His extreme dedication to his work, accuracy and quick comprehension, combined with his experience and his mastery of the details involved in organizing and commanding armies, made him the ideal deputy to the emperor. The emperor was soon forced to return to the capital and deal with matters there. He ordered Corineus to accompany him and assume a leading role in the governance of the empire. Though Corineus viewed the capital and the imperial court with suspicion and distrust, regarding it as a place of vice and corruption, and would have much preferred to stay on the front he felt he had no choice but to accept the emperor’s orders.

In Windstard Corineus was appointed Marshall of the Imperial Army by the emperor, putting him in charge military policy, after Prince Sylas's departure for the south in 1025 IY Corineus furthermore became the emperor's chief lieutenant. With this powerful office, his good relationship with the emperor and his personal and family wealth and prestige Corineus became one of the most powerful men in the empire and attracted the attentions and imaginations of many courtiers eager to strike up friendship with the new rising star of the imperial bureaucracy.

A few years after his appointment to Marshall some of these "friends" were implicated in a conspiracy against the emperor's life. The conspiracy, involving senior military officers, prominent aristocrats, members of the clergy and, most damningly, relatives of the emperor was thwarted in part due to Corineus's personal efforts. Despite this he was mortified that he had had friendly contact with enemies of the empire. He profusely begged the emperor's forgiveness and asked to be relived of all his duties and be allowed to retire. The emperor thought differently. Emperor Jakar III had been stunned to find that members of his own court wanted him dead. In Corineus, a man of great personal humility who had never sought to advance in the imperial government, the emperor saw someone he believed he could trust. In Corineus Corino the emperor saw that rarest of creatures; a man with all the skills needed to run an empire but none of the ambitions to rule it. Not only did he refuse Corineus's resignation but he also appointed him to the office of chancellor (without removing him as Marshall) and entrusted him with ever greater responsibility for the governance of the empire. He furthermore offered Corineus his daughter Princess Talia's hand in marriage.

Corineus accepted his new bride and exalted appointment with little enthusiasm but much energy. He threw himself at the work of righting what he saw as the wrongs of the empire, initiating a series of domestic and military reforms in his first few years as Chancellor-Marshall. Corineus's efforts was however routinely thwarted by a court that proved as sycophantic, decadent and corrupt as Corineus had always suspected. The Chancellor-Marshall found most of the courtiers too ambitious, flippant, unserious and flamboyant and entirely unfit to rule an empire in good times, yet alone reform it in bad times. Corineus earned a reputation as a stern conservative and an opponent of "new men" and imperial favourites (despite arguably being the later himself). He railed against court excesses and the nepotism and corruption of the empire at every chance. Even the emperor himself became a bit tired of the Chancellor-Marshall. Still Corineus did manage to attract a following of like-minded, usually older, conservatives, and due to his obvious devotion to the empire and skills at governing he never truly fell out of favor with the emperor. Still he was eventually asked to resign one of his dual offices, surprising court by keeping the marshallate rather than the chancellery. Increasingly resigned about his ability to truly reform the empire in the face of opposition from a hostile court and an emperor lukewarm in his support Corineus determined that tending to the army was a better use of his time. Sometime after the birth of his sixth living child, the third by his second wife, Princess Talia Vixis, Corineus asked the emperor to be assigned a posting on the front. Jakar granted the request, naming Corineus commander of the armies on the eastern front.

Though he requested the posting himself it was something of a poisoned chalice Corineus received. At the time of his appointment numerous imperial generals had been dealt crushing defeats by Khuphate forces and a major imperial defeat was considered imminent. Undeterred Corineus assumed his post and prepared to defend the empire. At first it did not go well. His first year in the east saw Corineus and his subordinate loose ground to the enemy. Never able to score a victory against the capable Khuphate forces Corineus however always managed to withdraw his forces in reasonably good order. Disparagingly known as the "retreating general" Corineus devoted most of his attention to reorganize the demoralized imperial troops, to improve communication, strengthen supply lines and devise stratagems. Realizing the superiority of the Khuphate he came up with an extremely controversial and much maligned counter strategy. This strategy, known disparagingly as the Corinian Strategy, relied not on engaging the principal Khuphate armies in massive battles but rather on avoiding engagements in all but the most favorable of circumstances. It proved extremely unpopular with the military, court and just about everyone else and only the continued favor of the emperor prevented Corineus from being charged with cowardice and recalled from the front. He cared not. He surmised that the vast material and personnel resources available to the empire, even in its decline, and the superior imperial administration, would eventually overwhelm the martial prowess of the barbarians. And as time passed it seemed possible that he would be right. Gradually the "retreating general" won the respect of his troops for his ability to recover from every setback. His skeptical subordinates began employing the Corinian Strategy without prodding and the morale and discipline of the imperial troops began to rise. At the Battle of Yelu River Corineus won the first major victory for the empire in years. The Khuphate, who had come to loath the Corinian Strategy, was increasingly desperate to engage the enemy army in open battle. Corineus gave them the chance, on grounds that overwhelmingly favored the imperials, at a time of Corineus's choosing. So eager for battle was the Khuphate forces that they had no choice but to accept. The battle, in which Corineus concentrated a massive imperial force consisting of almost the entirety of the empire's eastern forces, was hard fought but ended in a clear, though by no means decisive, victory for the empire. While in the capital Yelu River was regarded as only a partial victory achieved by a man whose tenure in the east had seen no other victory and plenty of defeats. But on the front the reception was different. After years on the defensive the imperials finally saw the back of the retreating Khuphate forces. Veteran generals on Corineus's staff hailed the Corinian strategy where once they had disparaged it and the common soldier smelled blood. Corineus himself largely shared the sentiment. Though he was well aware that the Khuphate was nowhere near a complete defeat the prince believed that the time was finally ripe to go on the offensive. He had spent the years transforming a broken army into a disciplined devastating force. Even as the Blue Horde and their much needed cavalry was sent to the southern fronts Corineus remained confident that victory was near and that his long hard work would be finally crowned with success.

Then he was recalled from the front. The emperor's son and heir had been named new commander in the east and Corineus was called back to the capital. For the only time in his life Corineus considered seriously protesting an imperial order. To hand over the army he had personally brought back from the brink of disaster and turned into a formidable military force to an inexperienced princeling at the moment when victory was within reach did not please the prince. But, ever the faithful servant of the empire, he relented. He returned to the capital. His reception was frosty. Yelu River had salvaged some of his reputation but the general feeling at court was that Corineus had been a failure as a commander. Still enjoying the emperor's favor he was however reappointed as Marshall of the Imperial Army, but with the Crown Prince now commanding much of the armies and with Corineus's enemies ascendant his second tenure would be less effective than his first. Yet he served for the remainder of Emperor Jakar III's life advising his father-in-law on matters far beyond a strict military purview and gradually regaining his position as one of the premier leaders at the court he despised.
Additional Info (optional) :

Stewardship: 9
Intrigue: 2
Martial: 8
Diplomacy: 6
Renown: 4

Well done. Accepted.

Would the captain of the city guard be possible ?

Of course, though do keep in mind that the Golden Falcon, as mentioned in the first post, is in charge of the security of the capital city, Windstard. So to be a captain would place you under the jurisdiction of the Commander.

---

I'll look into getting the IC out sometime at the start of next week.

[Rygondria]

I know, but I was wondering if they exist or not in this RP.

IF anything, the use of it would be relatively rare.

Character Application

Full Name: Dayfith Jakar Fawr
House (Family) Name: Fawr
Title (if any): Prince of Ye-ayn
Social Class: Royalty
Sex: Male
Age: 14
Appearance: Tall, slender, well-muscled, black haired, fair skinned, pleasant of face, dark eyed.
Role in Court: Prince étranger, Royal Fosterling (Hostage), Cousin to The Emperor.
Backstory:
Prince Dayfith was seven years old when tensions between his uncle, The Emperor, and his father became such that it was ‘strongly suggested’ that Dayfith go to Windstard, to be educated at his uncle’s court. Over the years, Davith gained some insights into the governance of lands and men, as well as the divisions between them, especially his father and his uncle. He rarely saw his parents, except when they came to visit each year.
Knowing that his father would expect him to succeed to the kingship, Prince Dayfith studied hard at combat, tactics, logistics and strategy.
The Prince is a strong supporter of his cousin and Emperor, Brandon. However, The Emperor still sees Dayfith as (at best) a youth and (at worst) a potential danger that could fracture his empire. The Prince is allowed two servants, a boy and a girl a year younger than himself.
Additional Info (optional): Dayfith does not remember much of Ye-ayn, except that he loves it with a yearning. He has a younger brother there and is jealous of his being in Dayfith’s rightful home, with their mother and father.

Stewardship: 5 (2 (+3))
Intrigue: 2
Martial: 12
Diplomacy: 4 (2 (+2))
Renown: 6 (2 (+4))


Location App

Name of Place: Ye-ayn
Description: West-northwest of Windstard, the small kingdom of Ye-ayn inhabits a large plateau and access to the kingdom is controlled at a small number of defensible natural passes. The Kingdom’s capital city is Hehduke and the kingdom is divided into eight counties. Goats, sheep and poultry are the kingdom’s principal livestock. Wheat, barley, corn and flax are the principal crops. There are forests, some small mines and quarries.
In an effort to cement a lasting peace, a marriage was arranged between King Luell Fawr and Lady Joyanna, the sister of Emperor Jakar III. However, since then, politics have strained the relationship between the royal houses.
Part of: Empire.

Interesting concept. Lets see how it plays out in court. Accepted.

(Image)

Name of Place: The Hordelands
Description: "Hordelands" is an euphemism coined to describe geographical areas inhabited by the Blue Horde within the Empire. It's not an area in a fixed sense, as the Blue Horde rarely acknowledges boundaries of imperial provinces or other administrative units, with their nomads freely moving across vast grasslands of the frontier; ancient treaties signed by Khan Mongke with the ancestors of the current Emperor Brandon, and the fact that historically the tribes forming the Blue Horde have been extremely loyal to the crown, often shedding their own blood for it, had cemented autonomous status of the steppe exiles to the point where, outside of paying their tax in form of military service, members of the Blue Horde rarely concern themselves with Imperial Laws, governing themselves autonomously.

The territory partially overlaps with Aresaria and some other imperial provinces. Presence of the Blue Horde at times causes disputes between agricultural native population and nomadic herders, whose flocks tend to enroach on fields of the native Vexians. Despite that discomfort, native Vexians do not always regret presence of the Blue Horde, as said steppe nation is a sworn enemy of the kuphate, and likely the first response in case of a raid or invasion.

Just outside the borders of Duchy of Aresaria lies the Kyzyl-Korum, a semi-permament settlement that forms the capital of the Blue Horde. Here, Chelubey Khan resides, presiding over 12 tribes that form the Blue Horde. Kyzyl-Korum is also the center of religious activity of the tribes, with the sacred ark being kept in a tent there. Chelubey rules from a massive yurt, which also acts as a gathering place for the two main administrative units of the Blue Horde - the Kurultai (assembly of nobility from tribes forming the Blue Horde) and diwan (Khan's advisory council). Some important members of the diwan are:

- Kalga - bey: the head of Khan's government and 2nd in command of the army. Usually commands right wing of the horde's forces during a campaign. Currently, the position is held by Jamukha a cousin and trusted friend of Chelubey.

- Tayiji: commander of the left wing of the army, and head of the Kurultai.

In reality however, power of the Khan is severely restrained by the Kurultai, where the Khan is merely "first among equals". Khan's main tasks concern leading the Blue Horde's military forces

Individual tribes are ruled by their beys, which is a title equivalent of "lord". By the ancient treaties, they are given the same rights as imperial barons. Below the beys are the tribal nobles - the ulans. Years of existence within the Empire have caused most of Blue Horde ulans to be bi-lingual, and have at least basic knowledge of Vexian culture and customs. Often, the ulans adopt elements of Vexian traditions of knighthood, albeit in their own steppe context. Even sacred texts of the Religion of Heaven are now in Vexian.

It's estimated that the total force of the Blue Horde can total 48 000 warriors organized in four toumans (each former from members of three tribes), but due to need to protect borders from the Khupate rarely that many are mobilized on campaigns that do not concern the Eastern Frontier. Aside from the regular forces, there is also a formation called keshig which serves as Chelubey's own guard - it's formations are usually filled with young nobles who see service as a stepping stones to further career within the Horde's ranks.



Part of: Empire of Vexia, partially Duchy of Aresaria

Another well-done piece of lore. Accepted.

My second app. The husband of my first character. Krugmar and New Aeyariss I referenced your characters as their would probably be some overlap with mine, let me know if you have any problems with it.

Character Application

Full Name: Corineus Corino
House (Family) Name: Corino
Title (if any): Prince
Social Class: Royalty
Sex: Male
Age: 57
Appearance: Prince Corineus is a tall, broad-shouldered and sturdy man in his fifties. His hair, once dark brown, is greying and thinning. He has a full but well kept beard.
Role in Court: Marshall of the Imperial Army
Backstory: Corineus Corino was born to Prince Cordulian Corino of Hwenesia and his wife Tanaquil Lartha of Burloggnae in the Corino family mansion in the port city of Hwenesia. An ancient noble lineage, the House of Corino was a powerful family in the Hweneto that went on to collaborate with the rising Vixis dynasty in incorporation first Hweneto and later much of Vitulia, into the rising Vexian empire. For their services the Corino's was risen to great prominence in imperial politics, becoming one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the empire. Born to greatness the young Corineus was raised mostly in his native province of Hweneto where he was given an education fit for a prince, being tutored by some of the most renowned scholars of the known world.

After the death of his father Corineus, at a young age, became the patriarch of the Corino family and one of the foremost peers of the Empire. The young magnate proved a loyal and reliable supporter of the empire in Vitulia and upon coming of age, rather than enjoy all the pleasures life had to offer a young and powerful aristocrat he joined the imperial army. He was granted an officer's commission and was dispatched to the fronts. Due to his nobility the young prince quickly advanced through the ranks of the army. But though he proved lacking in neither personal courage and character, nor in strategic skill, Corineus found that he preferred planning and organizing to actual field command. A chance encounter with the emperor, offered Corineus an opportunity to make a change. The emperor, having taken command of all the imperial armies on the eastern frontier, needed a competent and reliable second in command to manage and organize the vast armies at his disposal. Impressed with Corineus, the emperor chose him for this position.

Corineus was now in a position in which he would excel. His extreme dedication to his work, accuracy and quick comprehension, combined with his experience and his mastery of the details involved in organizing and commanding armies, made him the ideal deputy to the emperor. The emperor was soon forced to return to the capital and deal with matters there. He ordered Corineus to accompany him and assume a leading role in the governance of the empire. Though Corineus viewed the capital and the imperial court with suspicion and distrust, regarding it as a place of vice and corruption, and would have much preferred to stay on the front he felt he had no choice but to accept the emperor’s orders.

In Windstard Corineus was appointed Marshall of the Imperial Army by the emperor, putting him in charge military policy, after Prince Sylas's departure for the south in 1025 IY Corineus furthermore became the emperor's chief lieutenant. With this powerful office, his good relationship with the emperor and his personal and family wealth and prestige Corineus became one of the most powerful men in the empire and attracted the attentions and imaginations of many courtiers eager to strike up friendship with the new rising star of the imperial bureaucracy.

A few years after his appointment to Marshall some of these "friends" were implicated in a conspiracy against the emperor's life. The conspiracy, involving senior military officers, prominent aristocrats, members of the clergy and, most damningly, relatives of the emperor was thwarted in part due to Corineus's personal efforts. Despite this he was mortified that he had had friendly contact with enemies of the empire. He profusely begged the emperor's forgiveness and asked to be relived of all his duties and be allowed to retire. The emperor thought differently. Emperor Jakar III had been stunned to find that members of his own court wanted him dead. In Corineus, a man of great personal humility who had never sought to advance in the imperial government, the emperor saw someone he believed he could trust. In Corineus Corino the emperor saw that rarest of creatures; a man with all the skills needed to run an empire but none of the ambitions to rule it. Not only did he refuse Corineus's resignation but he also appointed him to the office of chancellor (without removing him as Marshall) and entrusted him with ever greater responsibility for the governance of the empire. He furthermore offered Corineus his daughter Princess Talia's hand in marriage.

Corineus accepted his new bride and exalted appointment with little enthusiasm but much energy. He threw himself at the work of righting what he saw as the wrongs of the empire, initiating a series of domestic and military reforms in his first few years as Chancellor-Marshall. Corineus's efforts was however routinely thwarted by a court that proved as sycophantic, decadent and corrupt as Corineus had always suspected. The Chancellor-Marshall found most of the courtiers too ambitious, flippant, unserious and flamboyant and entirely unfit to rule an empire in good times, yet alone reform it in bad times. Corineus earned a reputation as a stern conservative and an opponent of "new men" and imperial favourites (despite arguably being the later himself). He railed against court excesses and the nepotism and corruption of the empire at every chance. Even the emperor himself became a bit tired of the Chancellor-Marshall. Still Corineus did manage to attract a following of like-minded, usually older, conservatives, and due to his obvious devotion to the empire and skills at governing he never truly fell out of favor with the emperor. Still he was eventually asked to resign one of his dual offices, surprising court by keeping the marshallate rather than the chancellery. Increasingly resigned about his ability to truly reform the empire in the face of opposition from a hostile court and an emperor lukewarm in his support Corineus determined that tending to the army was a better use of his time. Sometime after the birth of his sixth living child, the third by his second wife, Princess Talia Vixis, Corineus asked the emperor to be assigned a posting on the front. Jakar granted the request, naming Corineus commander of the armies on the eastern front.

Though he requested the posting himself it was something of a poisoned chalice Corineus received. At the time of his appointment numerous imperial generals had been dealt crushing defeats by Khuphate forces and a major imperial defeat was considered imminent. Undeterred Corineus assumed his post and prepared to defend the empire. At first it did not go well. His first year in the east saw Corineus and his subordinate loose ground to the enemy. Never able to score a victory against the capable Khuphate forces Corineus however always managed to withdraw his forces in reasonably good order. Disparagingly known as the "retreating general" Corineus devoted most of his attention to reorganize the demoralized imperial troops, to improve communication, strengthen supply lines and devise stratagems. Realizing the superiority of the Khuphate he came up with an extremely controversial and much maligned counter strategy. This strategy, known disparagingly as the Corinian Strategy, relied not on engaging the principal Khuphate armies in massive battles but rather on avoiding engagements in all but the most favorable of circumstances. It proved extremely unpopular with the military, court and just about everyone else and only the continued favor of the emperor prevented Corineus from being charged with cowardice and recalled from the front. He cared not. He surmised that the vast material and personnel resources available to the empire, even in its decline, and the superior imperial administration, would eventually overwhelm the martial prowess of the barbarians. And as time passed it seemed possible that he would be right. Gradually the "retreating general" won the respect of his troops for his ability to recover from every setback. His skeptical subordinates began employing the Corinian Strategy without prodding and the morale and discipline of the imperial troops began to rise. At the Battle of Yelu River Corineus won the first major victory for the empire in years. The Khuphate, who had come to loath the Corinian Strategy, was increasingly desperate to engage the enemy army in open battle. Corineus gave them the chance, on grounds that overwhelmingly favored the imperials, at a time of Corineus's choosing. So eager for battle was the Khuphate forces that they had no choice but to accept. The battle, in which Corineus concentrated a massive imperial force consisting of almost the entirety of the empire's eastern forces, was hard fought but ended in a clear, though by no means decisive, victory for the empire. While in the capital Yelu River was regarded as only a partial victory achieved by a man whose tenure in the east had seen no other victory and plenty of defeats. But on the front the reception was different. After years on the defensive the imperials finally saw the back of the retreating Khuphate forces. Veteran generals on Corineus's staff hailed the Corinian strategy where once they had disparaged it and the common soldier smelled blood. Corineus himself largely shared the sentiment. Though he was well aware that the Khuphate was nowhere near a complete defeat the prince believed that the time was finally ripe to go on the offensive. He had spent the years transforming a broken army into a disciplined devastating force. Even as the Blue Horde and their much needed cavalry was sent to the southern fronts Corineus remained confident that victory was near and that his long hard work would be finally crowned with success.

Then he was recalled from the front. The emperor's son and heir had been named new commander in the east and Corineus was called back to the capital. For the only time in his life Corineus considered seriously protesting an imperial order. To hand over the army he had personally brought back from the brink of disaster and turned into a formidable military force to an inexperienced princeling at the moment when victory was within reach did not please the prince. But, ever the faithful servant of the empire, he relented. He returned to the capital. His reception was frosty. Yelu River had salvaged some of his reputation but the general feeling at court was that Corineus had been a failure as a commander. Still enjoying the emperor's favor he was however reappointed as Marshall of the Imperial Army, but with the Crown Prince now commanding much of the armies and with Corineus's enemies ascendant his second tenure would be less effective than his first. Yet he served for the remainder of Emperor Jakar III's life advising his father-in-law on matters far beyond a strict military purview and gradually regaining his position as one of the premier leaders at the court he despised.
Additional Info (optional) :

Stewardship: 9
Intrigue: 2
Martial: 8
Diplomacy: 6
Renown: 4

Well done. Accepted.

Would the captain of the city guard be possible ?

Of course, though do keep in mind that the Golden Falcon, as mentioned in the first post, is in charge of the security of the capital city, Windstard. So to be a captain would place you under the jurisdiction of the Commander.

---

I'll look into getting the IC out sometime at the start of next week.

That would be fine with me

[Of the Quendi]

My second app. The husband of my first character. Krugmar and New Aeyariss I referenced your characters as their would probably be some overlap with mine, let me know if you have any problems with it.

Character Application

Full Name: Corineus Corino
House (Family) Name: Corino
Title (if any): Prince
Social Class: Royalty
Sex: Male
Age: 57
Appearance: Prince Corineus is a tall, broad-shouldered and sturdy man in his fifties. His hair, once dark brown, is greying and thinning. He has a full but well kept beard.
Role in Court: Marshall of the Imperial Army
Backstory: Corineus Corino was born to Prince Cordulian Corino of Hwenesia and his wife Tanaquil Lartha of Burloggnae in the Corino family mansion in the port city of Hwenesia. An ancient noble lineage, the House of Corino was a powerful family in the Hweneto that went on to collaborate with the rising Vixis dynasty in incorporation first Hweneto and later much of Vitulia, into the rising Vexian empire. For their services the Corino's was risen to great prominence in imperial politics, becoming one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the empire. Born to greatness the young Corineus was raised mostly in his native province of Hweneto where he was given an education fit for a prince, being tutored by some of the most renowned scholars of the known world.

After the death of his father Corineus, at a young age, became the patriarch of the Corino family and one of the foremost peers of the Empire. The young magnate proved a loyal and reliable supporter of the empire in Vitulia and upon coming of age, rather than enjoy all the pleasures life had to offer a young and powerful aristocrat he joined the imperial army. He was granted an officer's commission and was dispatched to the fronts. Due to his nobility the young prince quickly advanced through the ranks of the army. But though he proved lacking in neither personal courage and character, nor in strategic skill, Corineus found that he preferred planning and organizing to actual field command. A chance encounter with the emperor, offered Corineus an opportunity to make a change. The emperor, having taken command of all the imperial armies on the eastern frontier, needed a competent and reliable second in command to manage and organize the vast armies at his disposal. Impressed with Corineus, the emperor chose him for this position.

Corineus was now in a position in which he would excel. His extreme dedication to his work, accuracy and quick comprehension, combined with his experience and his mastery of the details involved in organizing and commanding armies, made him the ideal deputy to the emperor. The emperor was soon forced to return to the capital and deal with matters there. He ordered Corineus to accompany him and assume a leading role in the governance of the empire. Though Corineus viewed the capital and the imperial court with suspicion and distrust, regarding it as a place of vice and corruption, and would have much preferred to stay on the front he felt he had no choice but to accept the emperor’s orders.

In Windstard Corineus was appointed Marshall of the Imperial Army by the emperor, putting him in charge military policy, after Prince Sylas's departure for the south in 1025 IY Corineus furthermore became the emperor's chief lieutenant. With this powerful office, his good relationship with the emperor and his personal and family wealth and prestige Corineus became one of the most powerful men in the empire and attracted the attentions and imaginations of many courtiers eager to strike up friendship with the new rising star of the imperial bureaucracy.

A few years after his appointment to Marshall some of these "friends" were implicated in a conspiracy against the emperor's life. The conspiracy, involving senior military officers, prominent aristocrats, members of the clergy and, most damningly, relatives of the emperor was thwarted in part due to Corineus's personal efforts. Despite this he was mortified that he had had friendly contact with enemies of the empire. He profusely begged the emperor's forgiveness and asked to be relived of all his duties and be allowed to retire. The emperor thought differently. Emperor Jakar III had been stunned to find that members of his own court wanted him dead. In Corineus, a man of great personal humility who had never sought to advance in the imperial government, the emperor saw someone he believed he could trust. In Corineus Corino the emperor saw that rarest of creatures; a man with all the skills needed to run an empire but none of the ambitions to rule it. Not only did he refuse Corineus's resignation but he also appointed him to the office of chancellor (without removing him as Marshall) and entrusted him with ever greater responsibility for the governance of the empire. He furthermore offered Corineus his daughter Princess Talia's hand in marriage.

Corineus accepted his new bride and exalted appointment with little enthusiasm but much energy. He threw himself at the work of righting what he saw as the wrongs of the empire, initiating a series of domestic and military reforms in his first few years as Chancellor-Marshall. Corineus's efforts was however routinely thwarted by a court that proved as sycophantic, decadent and corrupt as Corineus had always suspected. The Chancellor-Marshall found most of the courtiers too ambitious, flippant, unserious and flamboyant and entirely unfit to rule an empire in good times, yet alone reform it in bad times. Corineus earned a reputation as a stern conservative and an opponent of "new men" and imperial favourites (despite arguably being the later himself). He railed against court excesses and the nepotism and corruption of the empire at every chance. Even the emperor himself became a bit tired of the Chancellor-Marshall. Still Corineus did manage to attract a following of like-minded, usually older, conservatives, and due to his obvious devotion to the empire and skills at governing he never truly fell out of favor with the emperor. Still he was eventually asked to resign one of his dual offices, surprising court by keeping the marshallate rather than the chancellery. Increasingly resigned about his ability to truly reform the empire in the face of opposition from a hostile court and an emperor lukewarm in his support Corineus determined that tending to the army was a better use of his time. Sometime after the birth of his sixth living child, the third by his second wife, Princess Talia Vixis, Corineus asked the emperor to be assigned a posting on the front. Jakar granted the request, naming Corineus commander of the armies on the eastern front.

Though he requested the posting himself it was something of a poisoned chalice Corineus received. At the time of his appointment numerous imperial generals had been dealt crushing defeats by Khuphate forces and a major imperial defeat was considered imminent. Undeterred Corineus assumed his post and prepared to defend the empire. At first it did not go well. His first year in the east saw Corineus and his subordinate loose ground to the enemy. Never able to score a victory against the capable Khuphate forces Corineus however always managed to withdraw his forces in reasonably good order. Disparagingly known as the "retreating general" Corineus devoted most of his attention to reorganize the demoralized imperial troops, to improve communication, strengthen supply lines and devise stratagems. Realizing the superiority of the Khuphate he came up with an extremely controversial and much maligned counter strategy. This strategy, known disparagingly as the Corinian Strategy, relied not on engaging the principal Khuphate armies in massive battles but rather on avoiding engagements in all but the most favorable of circumstances. It proved extremely unpopular with the military, court and just about everyone else and only the continued favor of the emperor prevented Corineus from being charged with cowardice and recalled from the front. He cared not. He surmised that the vast material and personnel resources available to the empire, even in its decline, and the superior imperial administration, would eventually overwhelm the martial prowess of the barbarians. And as time passed it seemed possible that he would be right. Gradually the "retreating general" won the respect of his troops for his ability to recover from every setback. His skeptical subordinates began employing the Corinian Strategy without prodding and the morale and discipline of the imperial troops began to rise. At the Battle of Yelu River Corineus won the first major victory for the empire in years. The Khuphate, who had come to loath the Corinian Strategy, was increasingly desperate to engage the enemy army in open battle. Corineus gave them the chance, on grounds that overwhelmingly favored the imperials, at a time of Corineus's choosing. So eager for battle was the Khuphate forces that they had no choice but to accept. The battle, in which Corineus concentrated a massive imperial force consisting of almost the entirety of the empire's eastern forces, was hard fought but ended in a clear, though by no means decisive, victory for the empire. While in the capital Yelu River was regarded as only a partial victory achieved by a man whose tenure in the east had seen no other victory and plenty of defeats. But on the front the reception was different. After years on the defensive the imperials finally saw the back of the retreating Khuphate forces. Veteran generals on Corineus's staff hailed the Corinian strategy where once they had disparaged it and the common soldier smelled blood. Corineus himself largely shared the sentiment. Though he was well aware that the Khuphate was nowhere near a complete defeat the prince believed that the time was finally ripe to go on the offensive. He had spent the years transforming a broken army into a disciplined devastating force. Even as the Blue Horde and their much needed cavalry was sent to the southern fronts Corineus remained confident that victory was near and that his long hard work would be finally crowned with success.

Then he was recalled from the front. The emperor's son and heir had been named new commander in the east and Corineus was called back to the capital. For the only time in his life Corineus considered seriously protesting an imperial order. To hand over the army he had personally brought back from the brink of disaster and turned into a formidable military force to an inexperienced princeling at the moment when victory was within reach did not please the prince. But, ever the faithful servant of the empire, he relented. He returned to the capital. His reception was frosty. Yelu River had salvaged some of his reputation but the general feeling at court was that Corineus had been a failure as a commander. Still enjoying the emperor's favor he was however reappointed as Marshall of the Imperial Army, but with the Crown Prince now commanding much of the armies and with Corineus's enemies ascendant his second tenure would be less effective than his first. Yet he served for the remainder of Emperor Jakar III's life advising his father-in-law on matters far beyond a strict military purview and gradually regaining his position as one of the premier leaders at the court he despised.
Additional Info (optional) :

Stewardship: 9
Intrigue: 2
Martial: 8
Diplomacy: 6
Renown: 4

Well done. Accepted.

Thanks.

I'll look into getting the IC out sometime at the start of next week.

Sounds good. May I suggest that we maybe advertise this reboot back in those two old ones so that those who partook in them will know this exists and might join if they feel like it?

[The Verdantderm Lands]

Zelphos, the topic title includes the word, "fantasy". Does this mean that there will things like non-humans and magic?

Would witchcraft (real or imagined) be part of the story?

[Of the Quendi]

Oh, I have created a (noncannon obviously) timeline of key events (births, deaths, marriages, a battle and accessions) of the RP's backstory to help me keep track of what who did and when. Its here if people are interested. Also a family tree for the Vixis dynasty, including their relationship with the Corino and Fawr families.

[New Aeyariss]

Zelphos, the topic title includes the word, "fantasy". Does this mean that there will things like non-humans and magic?

Would witchcraft (real or imagined) be part of the story?

If I am to put my take at it, I would rather avoid to many fantastic elements. In my opinion, it should not go beyond non-sentient fictional species and magic being considered ambiguous as part of religion.

We could leave it vague what exactly is happening when it comes to the supernatural elements; because if we consider history of the medium ages, everyone back then took existence of the dark powers - and protection against them - very seriously, despite weather we today believe them to be real or not. I think that this vagueness is what should characterize this RP. After all, this is an RP about humans fighting for power, not dark lords casting spells.

[Lastfell]

Hey folks! Seems like a cool setting, let me know if any of the below should be tweaked.

Full Name: Arn Hallstrom
House (Family) Name: Hallstrom
Title (if any): Emperor’s Fist, Count of Whitehold
Social Class: Child of War
Sex: M
Age:35
Appearance: Befitting the northerners, Arn is tall and solidly built, with fair hair. His face and body bear the scares of a life lived on the frontier, then on the battlefields of the Empire. Traditionally he wears his hair closely cropped to his head, and does not wear a helmet unless in actual battle. His nose has a crooked shape that suggests its been broken a few times, and he has a prominent scar that vertically cuts his left eyebrow. He has dark grey eyes that are warmer compared to the rest of his appearance. Unlike the people of his homeland, he keeps himself clean shaven whenever possible. When going about his duties, he wears a trim, militaristic uniform that echoes the Golden Falcons in some ways. On his dark uniform, he wears the badge of the Emperor's Fist, which is a small, steel fist with the Emperor's crest in the center. He always carries a sword, even at court, sheathed to his side.
Role in Court: Emperor’s Fist
Backstory:
The Northern Territories of the Empire are harsh, unforgiving. It stands to reason that those born there would grow to mimic these traits. So that it is with Arn Hallstrom, the Emperor’s First. Arn was born as the first son in a small village that grew up around one of the military outposts in the north. His father, a soldier stationed at the outpost, married Arn’s local mother. An uncommon start for many of the young children who grew up in the shadow of the military outposts. Arn learned the local traditions of his northern people, but also the military and martial matters of his father. The northlands are unsafe at the best of times, and so Arn learned quickly to always be on his guard. His days were spent hunting, fishing, and other chores as directed by his mother. In addition, his father schooled him on proper fighting technique, knowing life in the Northern Territories always extended beyond the outpost.

Around the time when he was 16, raiders from a separatist village attempted to assault the outpost. Driven out of desperation, the raiders first ransacked the village that grew around the small, wooden fort. Though Arn fought hard, his mother was an unfortunate victim, and passed before the barbarians could be put down. Afterwards, Arn’s father was transferred back to the interior of the Empire, bringing his son with him. In a new land with new customs, Arn learned quickly that, while they were no longer in the frozen forests of the north, the interior was no-less dangerous from other threats. Instead of harsh words in the open, these people traded barbs and used subtlety to get their way. Arn studied their ways just as he had the treacherous rivers and ravines near his home, looking for the path through.

In an effort to ease the burden on his father, Arn joined the Royal Army, and won distinction on the eastern front against the forces of the Khuphate at the Battle of the Yelu River. As a reward, he was given the opportunity to join the prestigious Golden Falcons, one of the few from the Northern Territories to do so. In service to the previous Emperor Jakar, Arn was taught the delicate arts of court intrigue to better protect his Emperor, and was known as a trustworthy member of the palace’s bodyguards. Arn had seen what chaos and the wilds bring, and believed in the wisdom of order.

His current position and title were gained in a foiled assassination attempt on the Emperor. Agents, assumed to be from the Southern Kingdoms, attempted to first poison the Emperor, then assault him directly while Arn was on duty. The poison was discovered when an unknown steward attempted to deliver a bowl of hastily cut melon to the Emperor. Arn stopped the man to inspect the bowl, knowing the delicate care the stewards typically gave to the Emperor’s food. Seeing that his plan was in danger, the assassin quickly produced a knife and stabbed Arn in one of the gaps in his armor. The assassin burst into the Emperor’s bedchamber, knife at the ready, when Arn grabbed the man from behind, throwing him down. There they wrestled over the knife, much to the shock of Jakar, while other Golden Falcons rushed to assist. Seeing that his scheme was foiled, the assassin suddenly stopped fighting, and his own knife plunged into the assassin’s chest at Arn’s hand.

Following the foiled assassination, Emperor Jakar dismissed the previous Emperor’s Fist, and named Arn in his place. The move was surprising for a number of reasons. First, traditionally, the Emperor’s Fist was a title given to one of the high-ranking Dukes in the realm, with soldiers and coin to support the Emperor. Second, Arn was a young man, only 33 at the time of his naming. Lastly, that a solider from the Northern Territories would ascend to such a high position was a rare occurrence.
As the Emperor’s Fist, Arn took up the position as Jakar’s red right hand, ferreting out dissent and seeing Jakar’s will done in the darker corners of the Empire. In order to help assuage the hurt feelings of the nobles that the Fist would have to go through, the Emperor named Arn as the Count of Whitehold, one of the few true keeps in the Northern Territory. Many assumed that the Emperor trusted Arn’s ability and loyalty after the failed assassination, while others were suspicious as to the circumstances surrounding the night itself. These suspicions only magnified when Jakar was found dead, and his son ascended to the throne. Arn remains the Emperor’s Fist, for the moment, but he does not know Brandon Vixis, and does not know what the young Emperor intends for Vexia. Even still, he can see the vultures circling and the chaos at the door for Vexia. In the face of this crisis, the Emperor’s Fist will do what he knows: protect the throne and remove those who get in the way.

Stewardship: 1
Intrigue: 8
Martial: 12 (7+5)
Diplomacy: 2
Renown: 2

Additional Info (optional) :

Name of Place: Whitehold
Description: One of the ancient keeps in the Northern Territories, ordered by Emperor Aeors himself. The keep sits in a valley, alongside the Aureate River. Constructed almost a thousand years ago, Whitehold has remained the gateway to what is seen as the interior of the Empire. North of the keep is a smattering of villages, some military outposts, and those who would live beyond the Emperor’s grasp. South of Whitehold is the Emperor’s Highway, which leads further south and eventually to Windstard. The keep, while important culturally to the loyalists in the Northern Territories, is not economically important or a place of trade. The keep and the village that surround it are home to only a few thousand, with the more-southern cities acting as trade hubs. The keep itself has one tall tower made of white granite, while two others of smaller size that have been built over the years. There are two walls. The first and oldest is the original wall ordered by Emperor Aeors himself, but has mostly fallen into disuse over time. Beyond that is a newer, more modern wall that surrounds both the keep and the village that has grown around it.
Part of: The Empire

TRACKING PURPOSES: Indiana

[Zelphos]

Zelphos, the topic title includes the word, "fantasy". Does this mean that there will things like non-humans and magic?

Would witchcraft (real or imagined) be part of the story?

If I am to put my take at it, I would rather avoid to many fantastic elements. In my opinion, it should not go beyond non-sentient fictional species and magic being considered ambiguous as part of religion.

We could leave it vague what exactly is happening when it comes to the supernatural elements; because if we consider history of the medium ages, everyone back then took existence of the dark powers - and protection against them - very seriously, despite weather we today believe them to be real or not. I think that this vagueness is what should characterize this RP. After all, this is an RP about humans fighting for power, not dark lords casting spells.

Well put. While I originally intended the Intrigue in Court roleplays to be low fantasy, as was evident in the previous one, I believe it best to leave it as it is.

Hey folks! Seems like a cool setting, let me know if any of the below should be tweaked.

Full Name: Arn Hallstrom
House (Family) Name: Hallstrom
Title (if any): Emperor’s Fist, Count of Whitehold
Social Class: Child of War
Sex: M
Age:35
Appearance: Befitting the northerners, Arn is tall and solidly built, with fair hair. His face and body bear the scares of a life lived on the frontier, then on the battlefields of the Empire. Traditionally he wears his hair closely cropped to his head, and does not wear a helmet unless in actual battle. His nose has a crooked shape that suggests its been broken a few times, and he has a prominent scar that vertically cuts his left eyebrow. He has dark grey eyes that are warmer compared to the rest of his appearance. Unlike the people of his homeland, he keeps himself clean shaven whenever possible. When going about his duties, he wears a trim, militaristic uniform that echoes the Golden Falcons in some ways. On his dark uniform, he wears the badge of the Emperor's Fist, which is a small, steel fist with the Emperor's crest in the center. He always carries a sword, even at court, sheathed to his side.
Role in Court: Emperor’s Fist
Backstory:
The Northern Territories of the Empire are harsh, unforgiving. It stands to reason that those born there would grow to mimic these traits. So that it is with Arn Stone, the Emperor’s First. Arn was born as the first son in a small village that grew up around one of the military outposts in the north. His father, a soldier stationed at the outpost, married Arn’s local mother. An uncommon start for many of the young children who grew up in the shadow of the military outposts. Arn learned the local traditions of his northern people, but also the military and martial matters of his father. The northlands are unsafe at the best of times, and so Arn learned quickly to always be on his guard. His days were spent hunting, fishing, and other chores as directed by his mother. In addition, his father schooled him on proper fighting technique, knowing life in the Northern Territories always extended beyond the outpost.

Around the time when he was 16, raiders from a separatist village attempted to assault the outpost. Driven out of desperation, the raiders first ransacked the village that grew around the small, wooden fort. Though Arn fought hard, his mother was an unfortunate victim, and passed before the barbarians could be put down. Afterwards, Arn’s father was transferred back to the interior of the Empire, bringing his son with him. In a new land with new customs, Arn learned quickly that, while they were no longer in the frozen forests of the north, the interior was no-less dangerous from other threats. Instead of harsh words in the open, these people traded barbs and used subtlety to get their way. Arn studied their ways just as he had the treacherous rivers and ravines near his home, looking for the path through.

In an effort to ease the burden on his father, Arn joined the Royal Army, and won distinction on the eastern front against the forces of the Khuphate at the Battle of the Yelu River. As a reward, he was given the opportunity to join the prestigious Golden Falcons, one of the few from the Northern Territories to do so. In service to the previous Emperor Jakar, Arn was taught the delicate arts of court intrigue to better protect his Emperor, and was known as a trustworthy member of the palace’s bodyguards. Arn had seen what chaos and the wilds bring, and believed in the wisdom of order.

His current position and title were gained in a foiled assassination attempt on the Emperor. Agents, assumed to be from the Southern Kingdoms, attempted to first poison the Emperor, then assault him directly while Arn was on duty. The poison was discovered when an unknown steward attempted to deliver a bowl of hastily cut melon to the Emperor. Arn stopped the man to inspect the bowl, knowing the delicate care the stewards typically gave to the Emperor’s food. Seeing that his plan was in danger, the assassin quickly produced a knife and stabbed Arn in one of the gaps in his armor. The assassin burst into the Emperor’s bedchamber, knife at the ready, when Arn grabbed the man from behind, throwing him down. There they wrestled over the knife, much to the shock of Jakar, while other Golden Falcons rushed to assist. Seeing that his scheme was foiled, the assassin suddenly stopped fighting, and his own knife plunged into the assassin’s chest at Arn’s hand.

Following the foiled assassination, Emperor Jakar dismissed the previous Emperor’s Fist, and named Arn in his place. The move was surprising for a number of reasons. First, traditionally, the Emperor’s Fist was a title given to one of the high-ranking Dukes in the realm, with soldiers and coin to support the Emperor. Second, Arn was a young man, only 33 at the time of his naming. Lastly, that a solider from the Northern Territories would ascend to such a high position was a rare occurrence.
As the Emperor’s Fist, Arn took up the position as Jakar’s red right hand, ferreting out dissent and seeing Jakar’s will done in the darker corners of the Empire. In order to help assuage the hurt feelings of the nobles that the Fist would have to go through, the Emperor named Arn as the Count of Whitehold, one of the few true keeps in the Northern Territory. Many assumed that the Emperor trusted Arn’s ability and loyalty after the failed assassination, while others were suspicious as to the circumstances surrounding the night itself. These suspicions only magnified when Jakar was found dead, and his son ascended to the throne. Arn remains the Emperor’s Fist, for the moment, but he does not know Brandon Vixis, and does not know what the young Emperor intends for Vexia. Even still, he can see the vultures circling and the chaos at the door for Vexia. In the face of this crisis, the Emperor’s Fist will do what he knows: protect the throne and remove those who get in the way.

Stewardship: 1
Intrigue: 8
Martial: 12 (7+5)
Diplomacy: 2
Renown: 2

Additional Info (optional) :

Name of Place: Whitehold
Description: One of the ancient keeps in the Northern Territories, ordered by Emperor Aeors himself. The keep sits in a valley, alongside the Aureate River. Constructed almost a thousand years ago, Whitehold has remained the gateway to what is seen as the interior of the Empire. North of the keep is a smattering of villages, some military outposts, and those who would live beyond the Emperor’s grasp. South of Whitehold is the Emperor’s Highway, which leads further south and eventually to Windstard. The keep, while important culturally to the loyalists in the Northern Territories, is not economically important or a place of trade. The keep and the village that surround it are home to only a few thousand, with the more-southern cities acting as trade hubs. The keep itself has one tall tower made of white granite, while two others of smaller size that have been built over the years. There are two walls. The first and oldest is the original wall ordered by Emperor Aeors himself, but has mostly fallen into disuse over time. Beyond that is a newer, more modern wall that surrounds both the keep and the village that has grown around it.
Part of: The Empire

TRACKING PURPOSES: Indiana

Consider me impressed. Very well written in my opinion. Accepted.

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One more thing. I intended the BRIEF HISTORY tab to be a cooperative effort by other writers, but I hadn't gotten around to addressing it. If you wish to add to the BRIEF HISTORY, please fill out this simple application, and I'll look over it and most likely implement it.

Year of Occurrence:
Description:

[Danceria]

intriguing tag.

[Ameriganastan]

Full Name: Gareth Vauquelin
House (Family) Name: Vauquelin
Title (if any): Steward
Social Class: Nobility
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Appearance: Very tall (In present time he would be measured at 6'4), lanky and skinny. Brown eyes, black hair which has begun receding slightly. Hawk-faced, with a trimmed Van-Dyke style beard.
Role in Court: Royal Steward
Backstory: Being the Royal Steward was once a highly sought after position. The man behind the scenes keeping the finances of the realm in check and maybe skimming a little off the top when no one was looking. Well that was then, and the man previously in the position was recently dragged from his home and dismembered in the town square by angry peasants. Which means the position now falls to his second, one Gareth Vauquelin. Eldest son of the minor noble clan of House Vauquelin, Gareth had a knack for such work. Working his way up from humble note-keeper during financial meetings, to the 2nd steward over his 22 years in the court. He was perfectly happy in said position, but fate has forced him into the head of the realms fortunes. A task he hopes doesn't end with him stabbed or worse.

Stewardship: 6(+3)
Intrigue: 4
Martial: 2
Diplomacy: 5
Renown: 3

TRACKING PURPOSES: Indiana

[Of the Quendi]

Name of Place: The Hippodrome of Windstard (Corino Circus)
Description: The Hippodrome of Windstard is a large circus and sporting arena designed for chariot racing in the imperial capital of Windstard. The Hippodrome is a gift from Prince Corineus Corino to the citizens of Windstard on the occasion of his betrothal to Princess Talia Vixis in 1029, and its official name is Corino Circus. Construction of the massive building began the year thereafter and has yet to be fully completed though the hippodrome began hosting occasional races in 1046. The Hippodrome is four hundred and fifty meters long and one hundred and thirty meters wide and when the structure is fully completed it will be able to seat a hundred thousand spectators.

The race-track is U-shaped and the Imperial Lodge is located at the eastern end of the track where races finish. The Imperial Lodge can be accessed directly from the Corino family palace known as the Golden House through a passage which only the Corino family and their guests can use. The Hippodrome Boxes, which has four statues of horses in gilded copper, donated by Prince Corineus on the occasion of the birth of Prince Corineus the Younger, on top, stand at the northern end; and the covered part of the tribune for the more well of citizens stand at the southern end. Atop the Imperial Lodge stands a grand gilded copper statue of a charioteer racing a chariot pulled by four horses. The tracks of the hippodrome is lined with statues of horses and famous charioteers, and a great variety of other statues and art works donated by Prince Corineus on various occasions of his career.

When in 1046 the emperor opened the very first chariot race (and supposedly lost a small fortune to his minister Prince Corineus) attendance was free and to this day only those seated under the covered tribune has to pay more than a token fee, the cost of the maintenance of the hippodrome being largely borne by the Corino family, who however take a small bet fare on all bets not privately made.

Four teams compete in the hippodrome according to the rules of the Hwenesian charioteering of Prince Corineus's homeland. The teams are the Greens, Blues, Reds and Whites. At the birth of their second child Prince Corineus gave his wife Princess Talia ownership of the Greens as a gift. After the grand opening of 1046 (when emperor Jakar lost a fortune betting on the Blues), Prince Corineus gave the emperor that team. Since the Corino family has cheered for the Greens while the emperor has cheered for the Blues and both has been known to spend vast sums providing their respective teams with the finest horses and best charioteers the empire can muster.

While there are a number of different types of races the most popular consists of an eight chariot race, in which each team fields two chariots pulled by four horses. These races can be rather crowded and has high rates of injury and death for both charioteers and horses which makes them extremely popular with the common folk. Among some members of the upper classes competitions of two teams of one chariot at a time (sometimes pulled only by two horses) are however considered more enjoyable.

Both Emperor Jakar and Princess Talia are excited fans of the races and has engaged in a not so friendly rivalry with one another with both eager to see their own teams triumph. This goes far beyond simply spending exorbitant amounts of money to provide their respective teams with the best horses, charioteers and trainers. Charioteers from either the Green or Blues are regularly found drugged in shady inns and taverns the day before an important race, stallions mysteriously find their way into stalls containing mares in heat right ahead of races, chariots turn out to be lacking equipment, a trainer ends up being held hostage by a band of thugs only to be unceremoniously released after a race. In these shady games, always a crowd favorite, emperor Jakar III is no match for his daughter's wiles. With sixty three victories to the Greens and fifty one for the Blues the Greens is the dominant team and on the great race days when Princess Talia takes to the Imperial Lodge she is greeted by fifty thousand voices in unison shouting for her team, and sometimes for her personally. Annoyed at his inability to match his daughter's talent for subterfuge emperor Jakar in the last year of his life began to take more drastic and violent actions against the Greens resulting in a few untimely deaths of horses and even men. This however did not manage to unseat the Greens as the crowd favorite and most winning team. The Reds and Whites, lacking such lofty patrons, have notched far fewer wins, and often wins only when the Princess and the Emperor has both managed to sabotage the other's teams. The Reds have twenty one wins and the Whites eighteen.
Part of: Windstard

Name of Place: The Golden House
Description: The Corino family has long maintained a grand residence in the city of Windstard where the Corino princes can reside and entertain guests when they are in the capital. When Prince Corineus Corino married Princess Talia Vixis however he felt that his old family residence might strike his bride as a tad modest and so he began construction of a vast palatial residence to serve as the primary home of him and his wife. Buying up properties adjacent to his residence and either tearing them down or adding them to his mansion. The palace complex design is modeled on that of a military fort being having a square shape. In addition to vast and luxurious living quarters for the Corino family, and accommodations for a small army of slaves, servants and guards, it also houses a temple and a mausoleum for the family. From the palace there is a direct access to the adjacent hippodrome, and in fact from two residential towers in the palace it is possible to observe races without ever stepping foot onto the hippodrome benches. Enclosed within the palace is a large leisure garden. Despite being perhaps the grandest private home in the palace Princess Talia has spent little time in the palace her husband built for her, preferring her apartments in the Blue Palace.
Part of: Windstard

Name of Place: Circus Boucecorin (Corino Bullring)
Description: Circus Boucecorin is the largest and most luxurious bull ring in Windstard. It was built by Prince Corineus Corino, an enthusiastic bullfighting aficionado on the occasion of the birth of his third child by his wife Princess Talia Vixis, as a gift to the city of Windstard. Construction began in 1035 and was completed in 1046 in record time. The building is made of a combination of stone (and concrete) and timber and can hold 12,000 spectators.

Bullfighting takes place in the Rás style of Tauromachy. While this may mean little to the people of Windstard who had little experience with bullfighting before Prince Corineus bequeathed them a circus it is considered an important religious rite among the Rasenna. A number of different bullfights are held but the most important is one in which a mounted lancer fights the bull. As bullfighting, unlike chariot racing, is not (yet) considered a very prestigious sport the Circus Boucecorin is not located in the centre of the imperial capital but in the slums, where it is by far the most grand building. This has had the added advantage of allowing Prince Corineus to arrange bull runs through the back alleys of the city during the opening of the bullfighting season. Attendance at the bullring is free for all citizens and the Corino family charge a small bet fare for the privilege. Though the Circus Boucecorin is much less famous than the Hippodrome of Windstard Prince Corineus is known to attend the bullring at least three times for everyone he attends the Hippodrome even though he lives just next door from the hippodrome and has a private entrance. Princess Talia has never attended a bullfight.
Part of: Windstard

Let me know what you guys think? And btw how do people feel about gladiators?

[New Aeyariss]

I would replace gladiators with knightly jousting torunaments.

[Lastfell]

You could do gladiators if they are limited to the lower-class. The jousts could be reserved for the nobility/knighted class. Might be a way for a few of the "peasant" class characters to rise up the ranks and gain renown.

[Of the Quendi]

I would replace gladiators with knightly jousting torunaments.

I suppose the Hippodrome could host jousts as well as chariot races, its certainly big enough.

You could do gladiators if they are limited to the lower-class. The jousts could be reserved for the nobility/knighted class. Might be a way for a few of the "peasant" class characters to rise up the ranks and gain renown.

Thats possible I suppose.

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Btw if anyone wants to sponsor one of the two minor teams at the hippodrome let me know.

[New Aeyariss]

Perhaps from time to time, there would be riots between supporters of each team?

[Lastfell]

Perhaps from time to time, there would be riots between supporters of each team?

Since the teams are so closely aligned to certain families, it would make sense. The riots may come from displeasure with the Emperor/Nobles more than just the race itself.

[The Verdantderm Lands]

Character Application

Full Name: Siwan Elspeth Lehr
House (Family) Name: Lehr
Title (if any): Lady, Heir Apparent to the County of Mêl, in the Kingdom of Ye-ayn.
Social Class: Nobility
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Appearance: Achingly beautiful, of medium height, slender, graceful, auburn haired, fair skinned, lovely of face, hazel eyed.
Role in Court: Lady in Waiting to Imperial Princess Talia Vixis.
Backstory:
Siwan Lehr, the only child of the Count of Mêl and his wife, was born shortly after the birth of Prince Dayfith. Her father, Ruddoch, and the King were good friends. None of the other nobles doubted his love of their country and he often played the diplomat in their dealings with the Crown, as well as the King's diplomat in his dealings with the Empire.

Siwan accompanied her father to the King's court for the quarter-yearly council and those celebrations in which the family was invited to share with the King's family. The two fathers, with ever an eye to the future, saw that their children seemed compatible and there seemed to be no physical or mental shortcomings in them. When the time came and they were ready for it, their match would be announced. Those plans had to, at least temporarily, be set aside when Dayvith was sent to the Emperor's Court.

As the years passed, the young girl blossomed into an incredible beauty. At the age of thirteen, traveling minstrels were inspired to write of her loveliness. Other nobles in the kingdom traveled to Mêl, to verify the stories that had begun to be told about her and to seek marriage matches for their sons. Her father, for her own safety, convinced her to wear a veil when they had to go out in public.

These events did not go unnoticed by King Leull, who believed that the match between Dayfith and Siwan might be necessary to convince the kingdom that when Dayfith became King he would not abandon the traditions of the kingdom and it's people. Expressing his concerns to his friend, The King and the Count came up with a plan that would hopefully reunite Dayvith with Siwan and that somehow nature might take it's course along their designs. Without mentioning their plan, the King wrote a letter to his niece, Imperial Princess Talia, explaining how the girl's incredible beauty was making life difficult for her father and inquired if she might take on the Count's daughter as a lady in waiting. It would allow the girl to continue to grow up without the constant commotion of suitors and their parents clamoring about the castle. It would also be an opportunity to expand the girl's understanding of the world and to learn how best handle the duties of a noble wife.

Siwan learned of the plan, through her father, who made her swear not to divulge it to anyone, telling her that it might endanger both hers and Dayvith's lives. In the meantime, she should feel free to reintroduce herself to Dayvith and see if he had grown into the kind of man that she felt would make a good husband for her.

A reply came from the Imperial Princess, saying that she would welcome Siwan into her home.

Additional Info (optional): Siwan is a sensible girl and has not let her beauty or the flattery of others 'go to her head'. She does not use her beauty to compel favors, other than to take the opportunity to suggest that others find more diplomatic and peaceful means of resolving their differences. (in small part, Siwan's great beauty is based on the tales told about Isabella of Angoulême, who was at an early age already "renowned for her beauty and has sometimes been called the Helen of the Middle Ages by historians."-wikipedia.)

Stewardship: 4 ( 1 (+3))
Intrigue: 2 ( 0 (+2))
Martial: 1
Diplomacy: 6
Renown: 15 (12 (+3))

[Rygondria]

Would a captain in the city guard have to be a noble or would one that rose from the peasantry be acceptable

[The Verdantderm Lands]

Would a captain in the city guard have to be a noble or would one that rose from the peasantry be acceptable

My two cents:
In our world, time in service and achievements are certainly ways that lead to professional advancement. Therefore, if your guard captain is younger then he probably had some political pull of his own and is a noble, but if he largely achieved a plum position on his own then he could be a self-made man of middle age.

[Lastfell]

Would a captain in the city guard have to be a noble or would one that rose from the peasantry be acceptable

Since we established that the city guard report up to the Golden Falcons, its possible that there's a peasant captain that's ascended the ranks, but perhaps hasn't been made a member of the Golden Falcons yet, if they are young.