Subject: I wouldn't call it cheating.
Author:
Posted on: 2015-06-11 20:26:00 UTC
Seriously, be proud of your talent!
One question, if you don't mind me asking: Do you get Kaitlyn of one of your kids to help you make sure the colors are right?
Tragedy! Crisis! Other exclamations of dismay! Once again, many of the Citizens and Knights of the Union of Plort have not received their customary honours. Their names are not listed in Baron Huinesoron’s Cyclopaedia; their coats of arms go unblazoned; their histories are unknown to even those closest to them. Clearly, this cannot go on.
Or, in other words:
Welcome back to Konti-Nyuum.
The Protectorate of Plort, Konti-Nyuum, is not a PPC AU. Rather, it’s a PPC Community AU - an answer to a question that was never asked:
What if the PPC Community was a medieval nation?
So here we are. The island of Konti-Nyuum lies to the north of the great continent of Weab. On this cliff-walled rock the noble knights Jay and Acacia made their home, building the Protectorate of Plort, and those who came after them have carried the Protectorate through its trials and troubles to the current Union of Plort. The Knights of Plort sally ever forth against the hosts of the Marizu, seeking to defend the beleaguered nations of the Scholars’ Empire from their scourge.
If you've been to Plort before, there are a few changes this year - and a few new goodies. ^^
-<a href="http://plort.wikia.com/wiki/ProtectorateofPlortWikia">The Cyclopaedia has a Wiki! This exchanges the impossible-to-search Google Doc version with an impossible-to-browse Wiki; whether you think that's a good change is up to you. Almost everything from the old version is in there, and I'll be filling in the last bits (mostly departed barons) as time passes.
-The world map has been created - and tweaked. Notably, the Scholars' Empire is now on Weab, not sequestered away somewhere. The Marizu League is attacking it directly. The Scholars' Empire represents the positive side of fandom, while the Marizu are the negative side.
There is also another known nation of the Western Continent, which - like the So Shall Medea - is making incursions into Weab. This is Guggle, and it has already taken over Yu'Tub. Not that everyone thinks it's a bad thing - the folk of Godreve and the farms along the Gu-Gel river are quite enamoured with it.
-You can visit Plort! I've made versions of Konti-Nyuum in Minecraft and in Civilisation IV; go wild. (The Minecraft version should start you off in Otik; if it dumps you somewhere else, please let me know and I'll try to fix it.)
Well, now that I have your attention: how about those Habs?
No, just kidding. There really is a new story, titled "A Weary Traveler,". In it, Knight Eshakhar travels to Keep De'endee in search of hospitality from the Lady Iximaz (newly made Baron), and meets her for the first time.
(This story also serves as the introduction of Knight Eshakhar. As it's a story rather than a biography, some information is not included; this will be filled in with later stories or an additional paragraph at some point.)
We hope you enjoy reading it; we certainly had fun writing it!
~DF
The 2015 map, updated based on the thread.
-Ofum is now a ruin.
-Ba-Korp has been founded in southern Ozerbord, on the border between Huinesoron and Thanasius.
-Los Taelis has not been founded, due to lack of comment from Wechi.
-Critta-Kalthin has been upgraded to city status.
-The Riding of Sittorese has been founded. Of the barons who've offered comment on it, only one has been against the founding (Phobos); at least four have been in favour (five if the Wechian letter counts). So it's founded. It contains no cities; there's not enough people claiming to live there to constitute one!
If you want to set up shop in the Riding, choosing one of the two towns or adding your own would be lovely. ^_^
hS
Sir,
may I respectfully remind you that Dame eatpraylove fully supported your second proposal, including the part about Los Taelis? May I point out that Dame eatpraylove, whose abode is listed at "Border of Protectorate of Borrd and Commonwealth of Wechi", actually lives at the Wechi side of this border, as confirmed by her signature under a missive from Wechi?
Since Baron Neshomeh didn't speak against this plan, Wechi's common rule of non-objection may be applicable, and the Commonwealth of Wechi may actually have agreed to take its part of the burden. Honestly, I would be disappointed with may nation if we didn't.
A civilian of Wechi
((Hieronymus the hermit, of course, wouldn't say a word. He is still on the run, hiding in the wood of Kar’eer, and he doesn't want to anger another baron by looking like he intends to take over Los Taelis.
HG))
I'll pick a spot close to the Turaipods and add it in.
hS
((I think one of the inlets on the south coast of the Riding of Sittorese ought to be called the Bay of Tarr or something. Obvious pun there is obvious. =] ))
The only sea-level sections of the Sittorese coast are the straight stretch leading up to Tango Down, and the little bit around Tumblar. Either Tumblar or the mouth of the Sozeri could take the name, of course. I'd prefer the latter because there's more space to fit the label in. ^_^
hS
((You may recall there are these big white things what bluebirds fly over, at least according to songs which know the square root of precisely dick about Kentish ornithology. They're not exactly an insurmountable problem, is what I'm saying here. =] ))
---
There be villages, yes, around the Bay of Tarr. A boatbuildin' place with a small bay for where the fishermen do lie. The Wrights of Koe were famed once, before the fall o' Harpwire, an' would do well ter be remembered anew. Koewryght an' Rheewryght, fishing villages as made 'emselves into shipbuildin' ports, in the ol' days afore the fresh an' stinkin' dark of Marizu. If yer Ridin' is to look after its own, Baron Huinesoron, then there must be summat fer those folk to do. An' I has a plan, if'n yer'll be lettin' a mere commoner say it-
But soft, what be this? Why, if I be any judge, it do be fine shield o' Borrdish make, bearin' a beggar's arms. A Knight's arms. Sic Transeunt Nobiles, milord Baron. Be seated an' listen.
Yer have said, an' 'tis fair as yer words ever are, that the grain o' Sittorese must fill Plortish bellies. This has been voted into law, and the likes o' me mayst not go agin it. But there be more'n good land in this place, milord Baron. There do be more.
In days passed, the Kingdom's fine castles were built o' stone an' wood, as are they now. But that stone came from the south, near the joinin' o' the mountains. Sittorese stone was worked by masters and quarried for years, an' it were sent abroad until the Marizu sank the stone-bearing vessels.
But they need not do so any more.
We do 'ave, in form o' the airship-port at Skypcht, a means o' gettin' good coin for Plortish masonry once more - and a safe means with it. This return to old tradin' ways will bring in goodly funds for them as control the tradin an' the sky-fleets, thus allowing fer more improvements to the shipyards around Koewright an' Rheewryght, perhaps even buildin' a market town at Eksoeva fer goods an' chattels ter aid the farmers. Plortish stone may fly, milord Baron. Plortish iron and Plortish wool and Plortish gems already do. It will require investment, but what does not, milord? Speccerlate ter accoomerlate, as they do say.
Build a harbour, Eagle's Shade. Build it an' claim it an' take from it, as yer planned to do with milady's fair City. Only this time, there will not be that much in yer way... oh no, there will not. What say you?
You've named at least three towns there, I think. But... where are they? Have you got any solid geography for me?
And, um, why are you suggesting that Baron Me could cash in on something on the far side of the island?
hS
There could be a town springing up around it and slowly growing, though, if you like. Or nearby, at least. It could start off as housing the workers who build the castle--Eshakhar certainly isn't going to speak it out of the ground, that would a, be ridiculous, and b, put her in a coma. It could then remain and start growing. The castle would be called either the Castle of Dawn or the Castle of the Dawn; the town...well, if the castle's okay and you/other people want the town, I'll think up what it could be. Perhaps the town of Libraerie, or Goch't (gchat), or something.
Thoughts?
~DF
(PS: I first brought up this idea of a castle in Sittorese here, in response to HG's letter. I haven't posted the follow-up yet, but it's basically 'Lady Iximaz says it's fine, etc, etc'. I've explained pretty much all of the reasoning for building this thing to begin with there.)
I think Goch't/G'chot would be the best name for the town - we've got enough of a library theme over in Wechi, and GChat actually has real-world significance to story-writing. The castle can take whatever name you want. So... where do you want it? Pick a spot. ^_^
hS
(PS: The only city suggested to have been built entirely by magic is Manyuel - Huinesoron and Neshomeh constructed it using the arts of Eitch-Tee-Em-Ehl or whatever it's called.)
'Er ladyship the Baroness Iximaz, in 'er infinite wisdom, do wish fer me ter possess arms. An I tole 'er, I did, I tole 'er Ladyship as the ones either side o' me shoulders do still work fine, but she do mean fer me ter take a coat o' arms as befits 'er advisor's status as Knight o' Iximaz.
I doesn't 'old with fancy, so makes it quick
((Translation: I'd like a coat of arms for the commonest commoner to ever stink the place out, because she's a knight now. Ix insisted. =] ))
I have my arms here:-
And so shall it be, in the eyes o' Iximaz law an' the laws of this Protectorate, the arms of my house an' name.
But still I remain,
Thy obdt. svt.,
Ye Scape-Grace
((Ahemhemhem:-))
((A field sanguine, cheif or, with sinister scythe blade or; dexter scythe blade toward sinister or; hammer proper, armed sanguine; sinister sickle toward sinister or; dexter sickle or.))
(Because I prefer to redraw them; besides, it's fun)
Sanguine, a chief Or, between a scythe blade Or covered by a sickle Or points dexter and a scythe blade Or covered by a sickle Or points sinister, a hammer proper armed sanguine.
I'm not sure if describing a hammer as 'armed [tincture]' is technically correct, but it charms me so I'm leaving it in.
Also, HMM, HAMMERS AND SICKLES, SUBTLE. ^_~
hS
Also, the motto (Google) translates as "so pass the noblemen". Please excuse me while I return to my Ladybird Book of Socialist Symbolism. =]
Your Latin is just the tiniest bit off. The verb is singular: "so passes the nobleman". The verb needs to be plural to match its subject:
Sic transeunt nobiles
Might it look and sound better if the subject were matched to the verb: "so passes nobility"?
I don’t know Latin.
HG
If you want to make the noun singular, it would look like this: Sic transit nobilis (So passes the nobleman)
What I suggested is to make both plural: Sic transeunt nobiles (So pass the noblemen)
If you specifically want to say "So passes nobility," it would translate into "Sic transit nobilitas."
Of course, the motto's final form is up to Scapegrace, and it looks like the knight has quite a few options available.
White, a coin Or above an open palm proper.
Seems fitting for the Queen o' Beggars.
Baron Huinesoron:
Ner black, rena gold; casta nastar alta tera, white feather with red marks and gold stem; canta nastar nica, gold nib of the feather; canta miri, golden elanor flower; canta miri, mallorn leaf being drawn in silver in by the pen nib.
This has technically changed, but only in that I've outlined the quills a bit more. I'm still not terribly happy with those leaves, and if I can come up with something I'll change this someday, but it'll do.
Baron Kaitlyn:
Nis sky blue, rena white: canta nastar alta cuna, a five-line staff on white ribbon enclosing a design recalling firethorn berries; canta miri, lotus flower pointing inwards; indil in fore, the twelve-pointed sun in splendour.
I've redrawn the whole thing to make the ribbons a bit less overwhelming (and lopsided), and added the lotus flowers to commemorate her election as a baron. Eight points now!
The Impaled Arms:
Nis sky blue, rena gold: casta nastar alta tera, white feather with red marks and gold stem; canta nastar alta, a five-line staff on white ribbon enclosing a design recalling firethorn berries; canta miri, golden elanor flower; canta miri, lotus flower pointing outward; indil in fore, the twelve-pointed sun-in-splendour, with feather stems merging with the points.
I'm actually pretty happy with this one. It's rather busy, but so are Tolkien's! And I do like the way the flowers pair up.
hS
Seriously, I agree with Ix: you're very, very talented and I really like your art.
hS, you're incredibly talented. Seriously, this is amazing.
Please tell me if this bio is in line with the canon. It's still in the works.
Thunder, named so for her everlasting quick temper, was born in the Federation of Academia, where she quickly gained a passion for reading stories, writing stories, and defending the good stories. She traveled to Plort when she was old enough, landing first in the Commonwealth of Wechi before finally settling in the town of Manyuel. She became a Knight a few years later.
Her shield: Argent, between a lightning bolt Azure and a cat sejant erect Murray, an open book Tawny.
Except for that 'few years later' thing; don't you know that precise timelines are anathema to Plort? ^_~
Argent, between a lightning bolt azure and a cat sejant erect murray, an open book tenné
I'm not positive you were looking for them to be vertically-aligned, but given that it makes the cat look like it's reaching for the book, I decided to go with it. As a bonus, the lightning bolt is quite clearly an 'S' for Silenthunder.
(Though I have to ask - why do you have a mulberry-coloured cat?)
hS
...why do you not have a mulberry-colored cat?
~DF
Ahem:
"Daaaaawn, why haven't you commented on Eshakhar's heraldry yet?"
(I jest... mostly. ^_~)
hS
The answer? "I've been busyyyy."
Or rather: I saw it and got very excited, but then decided I'd wait to comment until I got home and had a full-size keyboard. What then? Well, I was pretty tired and then we started finishing Gallifrey Shrinks...and by the time that was posted, I was exhausted enough to just say 'I'm going to bed, all further comment replies will happen in the morning.' Which, so far, they are. I'll get back to you on the heraldry soon.
Thanks for the laugh, though, I needed that :) Think it's helping me wake up a bit more.
~DF
So, we have a lot of weird magic systems.
What about one based on music? See, I have in mind that Ser Read is a bard, and he uses his musical talents in combat. Sing at the Marizu, and they get hurt.
All of the names of things in Plort are rather silly, so I went with Paurok (Power of Rock).
Anybody else have thoughts on this?
I've also noted that the Marizu use the evil varient: Zongfik. ^_^
hS
(Which I still haven't used in a mission...) I'm all for it! :D Do the various Elf agents know it?
Like Huinesoron said, your Plort personal reflects the real you and your interests - Skaer'morys is a Beastmaster because of my own love of fantasy creatures, for example. (And come to think of it, I think a good name for a magic system centered around creature controlling could be simply called Mons, after the Mons Game archetype as defined by TV Tropes.)
As for the concept itself... perfect, simply perfect ^_^
And, obviously, Mons is very common in Pokhemmon.
hS
Plort is a mirror of sorts, and our personae-or-whatever are mirrors of us. People who are good at making websites know the arts of Eith-Tee-Emm-Ell; people who are good betas are adepts of Beytah. So if you're musical, then yes, having music as a magic art makes sense. If you're not, then it doesn't.
hS
Everyone who's ever heard me sing has praised my voice. I've been singing pretty much since I could speak.
It's the one thing I'm proud of, really.
((I don't see why song wouldn't work; actually, it sounds like something she would be interested in learning about, and possibly learning to do. I would say that maybe it should originate in one of the Tolkien places, though, since so far it sounds at least a bit like the Elves' use of song in the Silmarillion. ~DF))
...of Dame eatpraylove, the Errant Knight.
Eatpraylove completed her traditional pilgrimage through the Purmeshon Range and Mountains of Reverence over the summer and most of the autumn of the year she arrived in Plort. She had heard through Wechi of a barbarian in Fanvik-Neht who claimed to have become a major Pokhemman [adjective form of Pokhemmon] god. Having grown up there, first forged and fought with Chris there, and learned the basics of storytelling there, she took this somewhat personally. (This was part of her drive to become a knight in the first place.)
When she returned to Borrd and after her victory celebration, she approached the mage-knight Skaer'morys the Silver for assistance. Though he was only somewhat more experienced against the Marizu than she, she wanted to have someone to support her on her first quest.
Skaer lent her his armored bird, Falchion, and cast a Godrevan ((seems legit, right?)) spell that allowed them to communicate with each other and Falchion by thought. They worked together surprisingly well for relatively new knights, and completed the quest to slay "Tasha" by the end of November.
She has continued her travels, as always, and is currently tracking down a demon Marizu of sorts. Her thought is that if she uses her new weapon, the Blades of Violet Roses, to strike down the demon, the Blades will lose some of their own Marizu taint.
(Aside: Pokhemmon, which split off from Vidya Gaym some time ago and is currently negotiating its eastern border with the Confederation, is a small but prominent nation known primarily as a tourism hotspot. Its wild animals are mind-bogglingly diverse and powerful, yet even a child can tame them with the proper tools. Citizens of Pokhemmon worship various animal gods of the land, the sea, the sky, space, time, and life and death itself. They are a friendly, intensely loyal people, ready to defend any slight to them, their heroes, or their culture in battle.)
(Aside 2: The Grand Republic of Deeay has trade routes that lead to and from it all over Weab, reaching even to Plort in a few cases. That level of accessibility, however, means there is a strong Marizu presence/influence there, possibly stronger than the army. Rumor has it that the Marizu League seeks an alliance with Deeay, or already has one, or seeded the entire cabinet with its double-agents so as to manipulate the Republic. Eatpraylove fears for her homeland's safety, and prays every day that its citizens stand against and drive out the barbarians.)
Eatpraylove's Equipment
Dame eatpraylove is uncomfortable with longswords, and so primarily relies on her long dagger, Chris. Her green mare, Ami, shares her master's kindness and love of music, at least according to her.
Her first target, the god-impersonator "Tasha", possessed a mysterious green fairy she called "Miguel" and a fiery-tempered unicorn named Brenda. With help from Falchion and her (temporary) telepathic link with Skaer'morys, Eatpraylove convinced both that they would be better off serving her.
Miguel insisted that his mother come too, as Tasha had captured but never actually called on her, or even given her a name. His mother, now named Diane, helps keep the manor clean, while Miguel himself accompanies eatpraylove on her quests as a sort of sentient good-luck charm. (He also knows time-travel spells.)
The Blades of Violet Roses she received from Skaer'morys, who pulled them from an angel impersonator's rotting corpse, in exchange for Brenda. A pair of throwing daggers, they take their name from the odd purple sheen and engraved rose patterns on both blades.
...upon the unusual discovery that I made when retrieving the Blades of Violet Roses, among other things. For it's actually quite a fascinating tale...
On my seventh venture beyond the Protectorate of Plort (shortly following the successful domestication of Velociripper the raptor with the aid of Lady Iximaz), I received word of a crisis in the floating sky islands of Kidd Icarrius - a land which I could not believe the scourge of the Marizu was able to touch! And yet, there was one that had infiltrated this sacred realm, under the guise of the lieutenant of its greatest goddess no less! I had to investigate, and so I made my way to the sky islands to investigate
I discovered an... interesting scenario. The imposter seemed to be impersonating the lieutenant by adding supplementary material to the existing records of said commander, and the worst he was doing was being excessively angsty to make others pity him. With me at the time were Rasheeda, my white lioness, and my Black-Tailed Roc, Squall... but unfortunately, they didn't get along, and they still don't. When I tracked the Marizu to Palutena's Temple, Their noisy bickering attracted the attention of the imposter, who whipped out the Blades of Violet Roses! Instantly, I set my beast and my bird upon him. The fight was short but brutal, and I feared that my companions would actually lose... but then a flash of light seemed to come from the heavens and strike the Marizu down, vaporizing him instantly!
Was it the goddess Palutena? Perhaps. But my monsters were saved, and that was all that mattered. But when I retrieved the Blades of Violet Roses, I discovered something else...
There was no corpse of this imposter. I had expected this because the blessed beam had obviously smited the Marizu completely. But inside the otherwise empty toga was a strange, pearlescent egg. Despite Rasheeda's warning, Squall eagerly approached it and pecked at it with her sharp beak... unintentionally opening a hole in its shell, and allowing the creature inside to break free. It was a baby bird, with fluffy down feathers as white as snow and a comb on his head as red as blood. Peeping in awe and wonder, the baby Caladrius looked up at Squall's fearsome eyes and hooked bill, and instantly, he knew: This was his caretaker. And I was as well, by extension.
I named the healing bird Carmine, due to his bright red crest. Along with him, I brought back the Memory Keeper's Cloak of January, Panacea's Caduceus - and the Blades of Violet Rose. However, Carmine is the souvenir from this adventure to Kidd Icarius which I treasure most of all. I am not a believer in miracles, but I suspect that the Goddess of Light may have blessed me with one that day. I have even theorized more than once that she herself turned the Marizu into a bird. If that really is the case, then he still owes me an apology for trying to skewer me. For now, though, he and Squall have become the best of friends, and have formed a creche of youngsters together with another recent addition to my bestiary.
Wait, did I really forget to mention that said recent addition is an eight-foot-long yearling Sea Serpent named Lazuli? No? Oh, dear... So much for my "Help Wanted" advertisement for a monster babysitter...
(Aside: Kidd Icarius is currently a territory of Vidya Gaym, and its toga-clad citizens worship various gods and angels. Along with a number of other territories, Kidd Icarius is part of the Suma Boros Union, which is seeking to follow in the footsteps of Pokhemmon and branch off from Vidya Gaym as an independent nation.)
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
[Copies of this parchment are magically distributed all over Wechi.]
We, the People of Wechi,
((Who are the residents of the prospective Riding? Cassie's may or may not fall in its boundaries; I figure she'd probably want to retain some lands in Borrd. So... Sir Ekyl, the Wandering Winterwood, and very newly, Cipher the Merchant. I think that's everyone who claims residence in Godreve or Tumblar.
So if 'they get to choose' is a real-world thing, they... probably won't spend much time choosing.
The trouble is that all our current mission writers have set up shop in the west - most of them in Barony Iximaz. To fit the theme, we really ought to move Iximaz over to the Riding to be baron over much of it... but in-universe, there's no way that would happen.
hS))
((I’m not sure whether Cipher is aware that "the lovely city of Tumblar" is actually a port town in eastern Borrd (so I sneakily asked and am waiting for an answer). Anyway, he has left his place of origin and is now a wandering merchant.
HG))
((Did Skarmory and Voyd define their residence already? I was not aware of this, and just this morning I got the idea that Wechi’s delegate should write to them asking whether they will take residence in the new nation and suggesting that they should make their opinion known. I’m also hoping for other people who still have no backstory or at least no defined residence. But this will take some time.
I suggest that we establish the borders of the new nation, watch how it develops, especially who settles there, and describe the details of its internal organization and civil government next year.
In-universe, supposed no prospective Rider of Sittorese comes up with this soon, the Wechi delegate’s next move will be to suggest that the Riders should be given some time to gather at a place they deem to be suitable and discuss their affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.))
((And he uses Gurrmish methods of communication, sending off ravens instead of owls or whatever.))
((Although that would be pretty odd. It could be blamed on the Marizu, or something? A sudden new geographical aberration?
Actually, if it's reached the point where I'm suggesting such far-fetched things, it's probably a sign that it wouldn't work. This isn't the sort of far-fetched idea that works, unless I've missed something, in which case...yay?
~DF))
And full marks to my apprentice for his diligent work in the name of Wechi. If he keeps this up, he'll have to start calling himself a journeyman soon.
~Neshomeh, Baron of the Commonwealth of Wechi, Lady of Castle Arkive, victorious in battle, etc.
Everything has its price. Be it the finest sword in the land, the most exquisite cloth, or a military rank. If you want it, it's just a matter of price, and finding the right person. And trust me, all ye good lords, Cipher the Merchant King is the person you want to be friends with.
Originating from the lovely city of Tumblar, Cipher inherited the family business from his father; the old drunkard was a shallow bloke, his only interest was making more gold to spend on rye the same day. After passing away, the young heir decided to move out, close the first shop, and venture into the lands unknown to establish alliances and make some friends. He was led by a vision; a vast network of informants and suppliers, ready to provide with anything the client desires, no matter the cost, or methods. Be it the exchange of favours, investing into small shops, or simply blackmail and threats, as long as it could be used to obtain the goods - Cipher will use it.
Cipher has no side - his own well-being is the most important for him. He also doesn't identify himself with any coat of arms, nor a special mark. He is not, however, anonymous. Be it the Union, or the League, his goods (and information he possesses) always go to the highest bidder, and most people know that. There is only one question you must ask yourself, m'lord:
Are you the highest bidder?
Please scratch this line in the post below:As far as I know, you may even have gone overboard and be a mercenary for the Marizu (I hear they pay quite well),.
HG
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
As far as I know, you may even have gone overboard and be a mercenary for the Marizu (I hear they pay quite well),.
It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese, although, as far as I know, you may even have gone overboard and be a mercenary for the Marizu. I hear they pay quite well. But I am willing to take every help that I can get, and you do originate from the port town of Tumblar in Barony Cassie, right?
You should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your former home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
I bring you word, Baron! I have sighted an island off our northeast coast- the terrible isle of T'ihihihi! It is populated by the most jubilant savages- Baron, they never stop laughing! I have seen them in the full furor of their joy, and it is terrible to behold!
((In other words, Iximaz and I were talking, and she laughed by saying "T'ihihihi," and I said it should be an island off the coast of Plort, representing all of the non-fandom funnies found on the internet. What do you think?))
I mark that it is among the closest of that chain known as the Airi-junal Isles; there is much we have yet to learn of those untamed lands.
(('Internet Funnies' actually fit pretty well with the 'original fiction' theme of the A-js, so I'm merging it in. ~hS))
Terrifying, I deem. *shudders*
((Sounds good! I'm glad you like the idea!))
((The Minecraft world is awesome! I feel like I could explore for hours and not find everything!))
((Honestly, there's a lot of stuff no-one will 'find' because it's all ridiculous in-jokes with myself, or with people who're long since gone. Oh well!))
((A general to everyone who's mucked about in there: which castle did you like best? It was a lot of work getting them all different.))
((hS))
((My brother took it over and built an elaborate underground layer accessed by the library, but what are you going to do? ^^;
I actually really liked Castle Kwenaya, to be honest. That tree in the center? Lovely.))
After a good deal of revision and several attempts to understand the naming systems, here they are! If I've mixed something up with the description--ie, if it makes no sense--let me know and I'll describe it in plain English. For the Elvish arms, I actually made a sketch, which is included (in giant size, because I don't know how to shrink it. Hurrah!) It's just meant to give an idea, though, since I'm not completely sure I got the description right and had the sketch anyway. It's also a little blurry, unfortunately.
Heraldry
English: Oval, party per pall purpure, azure, vert. In center, an open book, binding Or with pages argent. An olive branch (stem brown with leaves vert) below, and nine sparks Or arrayed above.
Elvish: Ner purple, rena gold: canta nastar alta, white feather (partially consumed/covered by the fire) with gold stem and nib (nib pointing out), curving slightly to the left; canta miri, tiny blue birds; indil in fore, a ball of fire with blue center and layered/mixed red and orange flames emerging (covers or consumes the ends of the feathers).
Thank you, hS!
Oval, per pall purpure, azure, vert. An open book in centre Or with pages argent, an olive branch below proper, nine sparks above Or.
Ner purple, rena gold: canta nastar alta tera, white quill with gold stem, point outwards and curving to the left; canta miri, tiny blue bird; indil in fore, ball of fire with blue centre and red-to-orange flames, consuming the quills.
I always like drawing the elvish designs (which is probably why I invented a formal heraldic language for them!), and this one was really fun. The one thing I couldn't see on your sketch was the birds; they may be obvious if you can see the difference between blue and purple! Anyway, I went with 'flying away from the fire'.
(I've no idea what sort of birds they are; look a bit like seagulls, except... blue. The wings were aiming for swallow/swift, but missed, so I didn't do a matching tail).
hS
Thank you so much for making these. Although, I've been wondering: how exactly do you make these? Is it a website/generator? Are you using Illustrator and clipart? How does this magic work?
Secondly, thank you, and hearing that these ones were fun is pretty awesome.
Third, a couple of adjustments, if you don't mind.
The English arms are great, especially the way the edges of the book fit the boundaries of the purple. Speaking of the purple, though, is there any way to get it less red-hued? A little more like a darker version of the purple in the Elvish arms? I think that's the only thing I want changed there.
For the Elvish: also fantastic, especially the quills, and though there's no way you could have known, I like seagulls. Probably too much time around oceans as a kid :) I also like the 'flying away from the fire' touch. However, could you shrink them to about half the size? They should remain placed about where their tails currently join their bodies. And also...okay, odd request, but is it possible to change the shape of the blue flames? Or, if not, tilt it so that the wider parts line up with the birds? It, ah. I got it into my head that it looks rather a lot like a cross (one of the very fancy ones, couldn't tell you which church it belongs to or what the proper name for it is), which is exactly the imagery I don't want in my arms (no offence at all meant to anyone reading this, but...well, everything in the English arms apart from the colors can also symbolize some part of Jewish tradition, which should tell you something--or several things, really--about me. Crosses really don't figure into my personal life, and I'd rather they stayed out of my arms.) So, if it's possible to change that, I'd really appreciate it, because I can't seem to unsee the cross shape.
Apart from that...potentially darken the purple in the Elvish arms a little, to make everything else stand out a tiny bit more. I'm fairly sure that would work.
(Now you see why I didn't reply immediately--I knew I had a number of requests to make, and didn't feel like doing it on a tiny screen and with a touchscreen keyboard. But again, thank you so much for making these; they're completely worth slogging through two sets of heraldry rules in search of understanding.)
...wait, hold on. I think I must have described the English colors in the wrong order--I swear I meant for the green and the blue to be flipped. Wasn't there something about them going top, then left? No wonder I've been thinking something looked very slightly off.
Right. Remedied description:
Oval, per pall purpure, vert, azure. An open book in centre Or with pages argent, an olive branch below proper, nine sparks above Or.
And with that, I'm done. And will continue being happy about having heraldry, because it's really worth being excited about. (Case in point: saw it for the first time yesterday, and promptly walked down the hallway staring at it and smiling). Thank you again, so much.
~DF
PS: Out of curiosity, would outlining the birds in black have helped at all?
Someone did make a mistake with the English arms - but it was me, not you. I got all tangled up in the fact that the left side of the shield is the dexter side; you start from the right as seen by the holder. I think. I've changed it, anyway. And tweaked the purple (which I'd swear was identical to the Elvish purple initially - not sure what happened there!)
Cross ha' gone poof. ^_^ What it looked like was a Teutonic cross, which is actually the same kind I drew on in Alleb's arms. Birds are shrunk to... about half-size, ish. They've lost their beaks, but one pixel isn't much of a sacrifice. They also seem to have black wingtips now! And I've darkened the purple a little.
As to how I make them... MS Paint! A lot of the animals are very-shrunken images from t'Internet, but everything else is just pixel art. It helps that we've all got the same sort of hobbies - I've spent a lot of time copying feathers and books around! Your olive branch, too, is just a modified version of the kangkung stalk from Critta's arms. But the birds (both versions) were drawn from scratch. The trick is making the devices small enough that the 'details' don't need much detail...
hS
(PS: Um, maybe? I'm red-green colour-blind, so blue and purple just look the same to me. A black outline would, uh, outline some of the blue against the rest of the blue, so I guess so?)
Okay, I'm now completely satisfied with the Elvish arms. They look absolutely fantastic. Thank you!
The English is also looking closer to how I want it, I think. One thing--could the olive branch perhaps be shrunk a bit? Sort of...hm. Shrunk and centered under the book? Something about the size of it is bugging me.
...either that or move it up, unshrunk. Just...something about it bugs me, and I'm not completely sure why. Maybe balance, or something, I don't know...ach. Art, huh? :)
Teutonic cross, there we go. My guess was 'something vaguely Celtic', which...seems pretty off, actually, since I remember Teutonic having something to do with Germany. Unless that's to do with Conrad's Fate and isn't, in fact, related. Anyway, thanks verr' much for making it go 'poof' :)
MS Paint? MS Paint? Wow. Also, how. Admittedly, last I checked it'd come a long way from the version I liked to use about ten years ago, but...wow. And those are some pretty great birds to be drawn from scratch. I assume you're not using a mouse? Or, if you are...yeah, I'd be back to going 'How?'
Color me impressed either way.
Hm. Okay, then, I'll take from this that outlines are at least slightly helpful. Hm. /begins plotting flags/
And thank you again, by the way. This is just...yes. This is wonderful :D
~DF
You're right - it was way too large.
Crosses: the equal-armed cross is fairly common (sometimes as a pre-Christian symbol, even). The version with the flared ends is fairly Teutonic; Celtic crosses usually have a bounding circle. Since the blue fire was vaguely circular as it was, you could go either way.
And yes, I'm using a mouse. I'm not actually drawing them line by line - I'm doing it pixel by pixel. The mouse allows for precision in placing things exactly where I want them. ^_^
hS
I saw it together with the Elvish arms on the Plort wiki page, and it's looking pretty good.
Tiny thing, though. Could I, er, trouble you to make the olive branch a tiny bit larger? /sheepish smile/ Maybe a millimeter wider on each side, or even a little less than that. After that, I think it will be perfect, and I'll shut up :)
(I am entirely that person who spends those minutes arranging things just right by way of 'hm, one tiny bit up...no, down...hm, two to the side? No, three. No, maybe two. Which looks better? Ha, yes, it's two. Fantastic.' and so on.)
Pixel by pixel, huh? Is that faster than I think it is, or does it still take a ton of patience? And, honestly, either way--your pixel placement art is fantastic. And, since I didn't say it above but have your attention here, Kaitlyn's redrawn arms? They're lovely. I really like the redesign.
(Pixel by pixel, pixel by pixel. Now I'm curious to try that...)
~DF
The version on your Cyclopaedia page is now sliiiightly enhanced. ^^
The pixel-work... takes patience and is probably faster than you think. There's a lot of mirroring going on, particularly in the elvish devices. And it's just... well, it's fun. I always wanted to be able to draw, and now I can cheat at it. ^^ (And thank you!)
hS
Seriously, be proud of your talent!
One question, if you don't mind me asking: Do you get Kaitlyn of one of your kids to help you make sure the colors are right?
It's been a long time since I've checked a Page 2 thread.
In answer: no, I cheat again. ^^ I use the 'edit colour' function to look at the RGB values. If you take a look at the blues and purples I use, you'll find that they're usually fairly perfectly balanced: blue has matched red and green figures (ie, 'pure blue plus white'), while purple has matched blue and red (ie, 'pure purple'). That way I can be sure I've got it right.
(Same with green and yellow, actually. I'll handle orange myself, though. ^~)
hS
...OR IS IT? Let's test this theory, shall we?
*brings out the Poke Huinesoron Many Times Stick*
(Does anyone else remember the Potter Puppet Pals, or is that too old an internet phenomenon?)
hS
It's a pipe bomb!
Yaaaaaay.
*BOOM*
In other words, yes. I think "Trouble at Hogwarts", "Wizard Angst", and, of course, "Mysterious Ticking Noise" are my three favorites. Then again, "Wizard Lice"...
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
Sir, your request is a noble one, and well-worded besides. I shall give you answer to the best of my abilities.
In recent times, I have sworn loyalty to the Lady Iximaz, and, indeed, it is at Keep De'endee that your letter has found me. However, I swore to her with the both of us full-knowing that I am a traveler by nature, and will not remain always by her side--a knowledge which is well-suited to milady, as she is herself often abroad. However, any decisions I make must be discussed with her.
As to the decision: it has been long since my own home was a permanent one. When I first attempted to build for myself a dwelling, it was soon attacked by the Marizu and razed to the ground. This was many years now past; and though I have long been devising plans to at last build my Castle of the Dawn, never yet have I been able to decide the time and place of its construction.
Perhaps, sir, the time is now: too long have my books and possessions languished in their storing beyond the Mistwall. Too long have I been without a true home of my own. In Keep De'endee I am welcome, and the same is true of numerous towns and cities; but there is truly no place in Plort which I have called my home for longer than a year. My heart would rejoice to have such a place, and the location of this Riding of Sittorese--encompassing the towns of Godreve and Tumblar, in which both I have sojourned and found fair welcome and great contentment--aye, the location pleases me as well.
And yet--I am sworn to the Lady Iximaz, and must speak first with her. However, I do not believe that she would deny me the construction of a permanent home--it would hardly mean that I would be never by her side, after all.
With my most sincere thanks, sir, for your letter and for your information;
I remain;
Eshakhar, Knight of Plort
--
((Aka, this is very intriguing, and it makes sense to me that Eshakhar currently has no permanent home and would like one. The destruction of her attempts to build one in years past mirrors me finding at least one Sue in my earlier stories; and I've spent a lot of time on Tumblr, and even more now on Google Drive. And, while she's sworn her loyalty to Lady Iximaz, I don't really see it being a problem--the entire idea was 'I'm swearing loyalty to you, but with the understanding that you don't mind me going wandering a lot, since you do the same anyway'. But--yes--I'll have to discuss it with Iximaz :) It does seem reasonable to me, though.
Also, hS' description? 'Writing of Stories', co-writes, betaing--especially recently, I've been doing a lot of co-writes (they'll start bearing fruit relatively soon, I think, and certainly over the next half year), and I've always done betaing when I can. Honestly, it...seems perfect. I might need a few more details about what it entails Plort-wise, and there is, of course, the understanding that Knight Esh will often be away, but making her permanent home in the new Riding? I like the idea.
And with that, I must run, I'm expected somewhere nearby in fifteen minutes. But thanks for thinking to approach people whose characters haven't declared their homes yet! Good thing I've been a little slow with the backstory, huh? :)
~DF))
But i don't have the computer version of Minecraft, nor Civilization 5. :(
But as Des says, those are sideshows: this thread is the centerpiece.
hS
The main event is the RP here, bub.
But fine then, I'll join ye good lords in a moment.
What's going on with me!? I keep replying to wrong threads... Apologies, nothing happened, carry on.
((But, knowing me, even for this I would need a Beta. Anyone willing?))
((Unfortunately, I don't know how to convey the entirety of the image in my mind into heraldic language, so I'll put the field in heraldic and the charges in plain English))
Field: Or, a bend sinister sable
Charges: A black letter "F" on the left and a black letter "C" on the right. (I originally wanted the letters to be silver, but that rule of tincture is in the way.) On the black stripe, two crossed, broken swords; the swords each have a big crack down their length.
Upon the crossed swords, an open book with a quill on it.
I might come up with an Elvish shield later.
Or, a bend sinister sable, the letter F above sable, the letter C below sable, on the bend crossed swords cracked lengthways argent, on the swords an open book proper, on the book a quill Or.
You didn't specify colours for the charges on the bend, so I used the Sword of Plort (which is argent), the book proper (red cover), and a quill Or (to match the background). The broken nature of the swords is also rather less obvious than it was before I kept stacking more objects on top of them. ^_^
Thoughts?
hS
I had imagined the bend to be at a sharper angle so that the F and C would be at the same level. Furthermore, please put the letters in Times New Roman, that was the font I had envisioned.
As for the charges, you're very close to what I had wanted. Please move the book (and quill) further down, so that it covers the intersection of the swords; I want the hilts to be visible from the bottom, and the points to be visible from the top. (Feel free to shrink those charges if necessary.)
As for the swords, they'll do if nothing else can be done, but I actually wanted the swords to be broken, not having an intact slit in the middle: I wanted it to symbolize that I am not a knight (yet); if and when I do get around to gaining Permission, I'll be asking you to change the charge to show intact swords.
Thanks in advance for putting up with all these demands.
(P.S.: A minor stylistic quibble, so feel free to ignore it, but could you please make the quill a quill proper, and also at the same angle as the bend sinister instead of horizontal like it is now? Thanks.)
I have no idea what you're talking about with the swords, then. You want them 'broken' with a lengthwise break - how is that different to what I've drawn?
And what colour is a quill proper? If you're thinking white, that will make a lot of white there in the centre.
hS
About the swords: The difference is that I had expected the edges to be jagged, as if an impact shattered the blade. As it currently is, the edges are straight, as if the sword had been designed that way.
As for the quill, I vaguely remember you having drawn a quill with different colors for another shield; I think that the feather was a brownish color? Then again, my memory could be amiss. Either way, if my memory is off, don't worry about the quill.
Gold, eagle-feather, white, white-green (and tiny), blue and black, black and blue, blue and green, blue, and stylised black. I don't think I have a brownish one other than the eagle pattern, though it's certainly possible I've missed it.
hS
Put over the swords a book with brown cover, marked by a quill Or with shaft brown.
Or, a bend sinister sable, the letter F above sable, the letter C below sable, on the bend crossed swords broken lengthways argent, on the swords an open book proper marked by a quill Or with shaft tenné.
I think that tenné is only the second time I've used one of the three stains (Sir Ekyl had sanguine as his background); you got in just ahead of Thunder up top, who's used two of them.
hS
I did not expect the letters to be in bold, but that is minor; I won't quibble about it.
Thanks loads for working on such a detailed coat of arms. I'm liking how it turned out.
I'm only seeing instructions for the English one.
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
Dear Hieronymus,
As a wanderer by nature, I do not currently have a fixed abode. Moreover, when I am in Plort, I tend to stay at an inn in Borrd, hence I currently have no stake in the government of the Riding of Sittorese.
However, as the matter of this Riding seems to be of great historical importance, it is nonetheless possible that you will find me at the Baronial Council--there is oftentimes no better lore than the machinations of the great, and who knows what insights one as well-travelled as myself may be able to impart?
May the blessings of Kanun and Spelin be upon the inhabitants of the Riding, should the nation ever arise.
--Filius Caeli, Seeker of Lore
Have you tried taking a look at this?
The title is 'Heraldry of Beleriand'.
hS
((but the turnaround times for these things are usually quick. Was my description too complicated?))
((It's the weekend. For various quirky reasons [I have many quirks], I don't usually get much done at the weekend.
In fact I know I've had this conversation before; I just can't remember who with. ^_^
hS))
((Somewhere around HG's revised arms, I think. ~DF))
((As for the arms, I'll be waiting.))
It was Anonymouse and Desdendelle last time we Plorted. It was on the same issue (coats of arms), which explains my strong feelings of deja-vu. ^_^
hS
...the tale of Darkotas the Loyal; renowned explorer, and guardian of Lady Iximaz's holdings.
Raised in the land of Tivit, Darkotas spent much of his life as an accomplished explorer, roaming Tivit to map out the various treasures and secrets it held.
He studied whatever he found, and became skilled in Tivit culture, including the art of Jhonra Sa'v strategy along with other forms of combat. Despite his travels and learning, the young man never encountered the legends of Plort until he met a passing traveler by the name of Iximaz.
He became fast friends with the young woman, and although she could not stay for long, they agreed to keep up in correspondence as she traveled to Plort in search of adventure. As she wrote of her training as a Knight and prosperity within the land, Darkotas prepared to follow on his own journey. He arrived in time to witness the appointment of his friend as a Baroness, and pledged his life and loyalty to her as a follower.
Although he does not hold Knighthood, Darkotas is more than prepared to defend his Lady and those she has sworn to protect. He knows Castle De'endee like the back of his hand, and has mapped out possible locations for defenses or traps if they are ever required. He hopes they shall never be needed, but he has sworn that no harm shall befall those he has pledged his life towards.
((Dark requests his heraldry be a dog Or with scroll Argent in its mouth, walking on a field Azure.))
Azure, a dog passant Or, in its mouth a scroll argent.
hS
"I like it. A lot."
((His exact words. He's busy squeeing over them at the moment. I think you did a good job with this one. ;) ))
((The dog would be a Golden Retriever breed.))
((I'd like to join in, but I'm having a hard time deciphering what means what, sorry.))
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
Here.
If you want some of the Konti-Nyuum stuff, the old version has a lot of it.
hS
((Part One is already on the Cyclopedia. Revised Version: To keep the spelling consistent, “rumors” should be “rumours”, unless all tales of Plort should be in American English.))
“Not much is known about Hieronymus the hermit. He travelled wide and far, looking for a place where to dwell when his livelong journey came near its end. Following rumours about a dreaded plague called the Marizu, and the brave knights who fought this evil, he came to the shores of Wechi. Unseen by anybody, he roamed this vast land for over a year, even sneaking into Arkive and the Hall of Ancient Records. Only when a stranger accused the noble knights of vile malefaction, Hieronymus stepped forward to Borrd to defend their selfless deeds.
“Since then, he has talked to some of the denizens of Plort, and he began to build his home in Wechi, and to prepare his offerings to Kanun and Spelin, for he pondered to explore the mountain range of Purmeshun, but now he seems to be lost in the wood of Kar’eer. How he got there is still a mystery, for he has never been seen in Iric.
“Some may conclude that Hieronymus is a fearsome mage who comes and goes of his own volition, and has not revealed his full power yet, while others may believe that he is a leaf in the wind, never knowing where he may be tomorrow, and both may be right, for being self-contradictory is his very nature.
((Part Two))
“Over time, rumours spread that the hermit may have left the dark woods to walk the roads and pathways of Plort again.
“Inhabitants of Ozerbord remember a grey bearded man who appeared at the Games of Batveg, clad in the habit of a harlequin, pretending to be a veritable knight, but fighting the atrocities in other knight’s tales rather than the misdeeds of the Marizu. Of course this fool was laughed out of town.
“Wordsmiths and Grammagicians at Worhkshap tell tales of a taciturn, grey bearded man wielding a staff – named Androia – in the training sessions for scribe apprentices. Civilians, knights and even barons up and down Plort claim that this very man’s feeble attempts in practising the ancient arts of Beytah may actually have improved their strength. And nobody shall ever again mention the Quiet Baker-Knight’s weird experience at the Shipfest in a nameless harbour.
“It is also said that Hieronymus, on his flight from Ozerbord to Worhkshap, passed an unexplored region at the junction of the Wattuf Mountains and the Mountains of Reverence, where he found the Snow Drops, a moste potente potion that helps curing forgetfulness. How these will be used in the future is yet to be seen.
“Recently, the peasants living in the lands between the rivers Wep and Freewep began to talk about a newcomer, fitting the hermit’s description, amongst the workers sent by Baron Neshomeh to help in repairing the damage caused by the last earthquakes.
((Thanks to PoorCynic for beta reading so far.))
“The peasants are probably not mistaken, for one day not far in the past, Hieronymus appeared in the Hall of Ancient Records – as he likes to appear out of the blue – and he bent low, and he spoke up and said, ‘Milady Neshomeh, I travelled wide and far. My eyes are old, and my posterior can not stand perpetually riding against the Marizu. But my mind is still sharp, and my hands don’t tremble. If you would assign me a corner in your castle Arkive, where I can rest and store my staff and flask, I could help you copying and restoring these documents I see are in bad shape and may soon disintegrate into dust. And in case I feel ever fit to follow you into battle, I would appreciate the licence to wear your colour on my shield.’ “
((Thanks to Neshomeh for beta reading the job application. No thanks for accepting it and sending me off to the wastelands to demonstrate me skill in the craft of Eich-Tee-Ehm-Ehl :-). BTW, Luthy and Sil’s spin-off is up.))
((Hieronymus the hermit asking for a corner to store his still uncanonical “weapons” implies that Hieronymus the boarder, if he ever asks for and gets permission, would like to have Hieronymus the archivist’s apprentice store his stories in the archive of Lost Tales, skipping the step of having them gone lost elsewhere first.))
((To Huinesoron: Since Baron Neshomeh didn’t object to the choice of colour: (Neshomeh-)Vert, spectacles Or. Please.))
((Would choosing the motto Keep it simple anywhere near Neshomeh’s coat of arms make me a horrible person? Well, the blunt worshiping may make up for it.))
HG
If that's not what you're thinking of, let me know and I'll change it (of course).
hS
I should have specified that the glass is transparent, only the frame is metal. And I imagined circular glasses (like Air'ihpotre’s); this may look too modern for the setting.
HG
(It's the weekend, so I won't be doing very much; apologies to everyone who's waiting on heraldry! I promise it'll all get done eventually.)
hS
Baroom came to Plort after long wandering through Weab. She settled in Wechi, in the woods of Umor, among the foothills of the Mountains of Reverence. Her dwelling is not called Wellinghall and she is known to travel along the rivers of Bord. She spends her time watching. She has a deep hatred for mangled language and trys to seem as a witch of Prashette.
May I direct your attention to this? I’m feeling awkward here and can use every support I can get.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
Her dwelling is not called Wellinghall [...]
Is this a pun I don’t get, or may you have meant "is now called"?
Also, I seem to understand what you try to say in the second part of your last sentence, but the grammar appears to be a bit off.
HG
Wellinghall is the dwelling of Treebeard. Because Ent-references.
Yes, I apologise for that. That said, it's possibly setting-accurate.
I should read more books in the original language, so that I get such references.
HG
((I think that's what it's called. Hopefully, I'm doing this right.
Per chevron, Azure and Or, a dragon rampant guardant Sable, armed Argent, and a controller Proper.
Oh yes, a backstory.
Johan the Orange as a child grew up in the Guggle occupied Yu'Tub. He lived a very sheltered life, and had only heard of Fanvik-Neht and the Marizu in quiet whispers. When he was old enough to live on his own, he left Yu'Tub and began to live in Pokhemmon, and witnessed atrocities committed by the Marizu, and fled to live with the Potters' Moore. He got separated from them as he passed through Tivit, and got horribly lost. He eventually heard stories of Knights that fought off the Marizu threat, and wished to help.
Hope that's good.))
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
Exactly as written, except that I can't for the life of me find a dragon guardant, and can't draw one either. Dragon faces is hard.
hS
And it’s not bad for a beginning, but to fit the theme "What if the PPC Community was a medieval nation?" you may want to make it sound a bit more old-fashioned. Yes, that’s challenging.
HG
Perhaps now is as good a time as any to announce the courtship of the baron Thanasius Ampelius and myself?
Very well, then: from the armorial college at Maklaur, I present you with your impaled arms.
Doubtless we will be seeing them frequently in Otik.
((Impaled arms are 'unofficial', in that there are no formal rules for how they can be used; ie, they're not just for married couples. I like to imagine Jay and Acacia used impaled arms purely out of friendship, never realising how everyone would inevitably take it...))
((hS))
Something to the effect of 'appetite comes with eating', I think. Certainly the case - this looks awesome and it made me want to see whether our other set of arms - the Elven ones - can also be impaled. That's what I came up with, though I'm not sure whether it's kosher under the system's rules:
Nis green, rena silver: canta nastar alta cuna, rose leaves; canta nastar alta tera, raven feather with blue highlights; indil in fore, a yellow rose; indil in fore, woven with stems of feathers, circular green braid.
What do you say, hS? Is this OK?
You know how much I enjoy making Elvish arms.
Blazon is... basically what you said, except that you don't need to state 'tera' for the feathers (they have to be that way), and I've put the braid under the rose; it seemed more natural that way.
I've also left the braid red; if I change it, there's a lot of green all on top of itself. If you still want it in green, I'll probably use the dark green of Iximaz's thorns. Up to you, ultimately.
Also, now you've given me ideas, there will probably be a Huinesoron/Kaitlyn 'impaled' device along tomorrow. Villain. ^_^
hS
*rubs his stubble*
You seem to be enjoying yourself.
*shrugs*
Can you please colour the braid blue, though? Red doesn't fit in with the rest of the colours of the device.
Also, looking forward to seeing more impaled arms like that!
And I can't do many more impaled Elvish devices: there's only a couple more on the books, total! I could invent one for Phobos and cross it with Nesh's, but after that I'm down to shipping... well... ships! Aberration/Ysæs, anyone? ^_^
hS
Those two coats of arms look really nice, hS!
This is blinking awesome. Seriously, props - it's amazing.
And doubtless, your hunch will soon be proven correct.
((*runs around in circles squeeing* EEE I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT! Thank you!))
So that's why you've been around Castle Spectacle so much lately. My best wishes to you two lovebirds, then. With your combined talonts, I am sure the land will prosper.
[[And no, talonts is not a mispelling.]]
[[Input the plural, and Google asks me if I mean "talents". Input the singular, and I get League of Legends references.]]
[[KtB is making puns on Thanasius' corvid nature. Lovebirds, talon, see?]]
because I am not aware of your current residence ((and I don’t actually know whether you even intend to participate in this)), but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
To the so-called “Archivist's Apprentice”:
You have made an enemy today, Hermit. I do not like being accused of despotism for no good reason, and without proof. Nor do I like this laissez faire form of government you are promoting; if anything, the fit should rule. Of course, this criterion excludes myself – after all, I have my own Barony to consider; which, of course, makes your accusation not only baseless, but negligent and treasonous as well.
Cease making baseless accusations, lest you will find the Riding's form of government the least of your concerns.
-Baron Thanasius Ampelius of the Monastery of Spectacle
But since I don’t strive for a fight, I will admit that I have no hard evidence for your personal involvement in this conspiracy. On the other hand, I have not seen you objecting to other baron’s attempts to force all sorts of weird ideas on a nation that has not even formed yet, never considering to ask the people who probably know best what will be best for them.
The fit should rule, you say? Who has been chosen to decide who is the fittest? I have to ask.
Hieronymus the hermit.
((I’m afraid this quarrel cannot go on for long. By sheer luck, I had lots of spare time over the last four days, but these holidays are coming to an end now.
And apparently, my internet connection is just breaking down. Got three attempts to post this.
HG))
Not everybody sticks their nose into every single thing in existence, Hermit. As a rule I prefer not to meddle in others' affairs – unlike you, it would seem. Not to mention that there have been no “weird ideas” concerning the Riding's governance – just Baron Phobos' usual, transparent attempts at a power grab, the Poor Cynick's suggestion of appointing an assembly of legislators, and Baron Eagleshadow's original proposal. The only “weird idea” is yours, that this frankly absurd Wechian way of governance should be further propagated.
Furthermore, your perceived grievances against the Baronial Council aside, I am a Baron of this Union and you will treat me with the proper respect.
Nonetheless, I shall answer your question: the general populace do not have the merit to rule themselves. Let it be that a series of tests shall be devised according to the qualities desired of the Riding's rulers, and whosoever passes them with flying colours shall rule the new country. That way, the rulers can be as many or as few as needed, for there is no doubt that this new country requires competent rulers.
-Baron Thanasius Ampelius
So you admit that you skirt your duty? No, scratch this. Insults will take us nowhere.
You have some right to accuse me of sticking my nose out too far, since the Riding's form of government really should be none of my concerns. The letters that upset you so much were an attempt to rectify this failure by finding some prospective Riders and make them speak for themselves.
But you, Sir, should stick your nose into the Council’s affairs, because it is your duty as a Baron.
Your idea of a series of tests actually makes sense, although you neglected to say who will devise these tests. If leadership seems necessary, the leaders should be found by reasonable means. Why don’t you take this to the Council, to discuss it with your fellow Barons, rather than writing letters to me, whose business this should not be?
Sir, I apologize for being a hermit who is not used to deal with authority.
HG, with all the respect he can muster
You will not tell me what my duty as a Baron is. It is solely toward the campaign I lead against the Marizu and the residents of my Barony, and it is not your place to decree that I should emulate your baseborn ways and interfere in matters in which I have no stake; first you insisted that the Barons were solely war-leaders, yet now you demand – demand! – that I will make what is an essentially civilian decision. Your inconsistent gall is appalling.
Furthermore, it is not for the Ridders, whosoever they may be, to decide the form of the Riding's government – this is simply your accursed Wechian democracy again, but wrapped in another's skin and smuggled in in the dark of the night.
Moreover, I demand a formal apology, for not only have you been incredibly condescending, you have also libellously accused me of despotism.
-Baron Thanasius Ampelius
((A couple of OOC notes: first, while Thanasius Ampelius is pissed, I am not. No hard feelings, aright?
Second, he's beginning to sound like an old reactionary...
Third: Darkenbeast, for reference.))
Apparently I am too stupid to follow your arguments. May I, and you, like it or not, everything that is discussed at the Baronial Council is a matter in which every baron has a stake, just because every baron is a member of the Baronial Council; unless, of course, you convince your fellow barons that this is a matter that should not be decided by the Baronial Council.
But I am only a civilian, and a hermit to boot, who is not skilled in the finesses of diplomacy and politicks, and will leave this now to people who are better suited. I hereby declare that I fully trust into the Baronial Council’s ability to eventually come to a decision that is best for the people of Plort and for the campaign against the Marizu, and I formally apologize for implying that any of the barons may have bad intentions.
Hieronymus the hermit
((No hard feelings. It is sad that Hieronymus has to retreat so abruptly, but the work on my desktop glares at me more threateningly than your Darkenbeast. I’m still going to post another speech that was already mostly prewritten, but then I have to leave.
HG))
Thanasius Ampelius slapped the scroll with an open hand. “I simply do not believe it. First he accuses me of despotism, then he demands that I fix this yet-to-be-born nation’s problems, and now he simply turns tail? Pterry’s Nice Hat, what’s next? He’ll decide to overthrow the Barons and install himself as the sole ruler of this island?”
“I highly doubt that, Than,” Lady Iximaz sighed, using her belt knife to break open the seal on another scroll. “Hieronymus has never struck me as that type of man; it seems to me as though he simply wants what is best. He just… has an unfortunate way of going about it.”
“I swear I was this close” — the monk indicated a distance no longer than an inch with his thumb and forefinger — “to going after him and dragging him by the scruff of his neck to Skypcht, to be tried for treason and libel.” He sighed. “He apologised, though.”
“And yet, for some reason you are not pleased by this,” Iximaz said, showing her knack for stating the obvious.
“It feels insincere. ‘Apparently I am too stupid to follow your arguments’ — that reeks of passive aggressiveness to me.” Thanasius leaned back in his chair, crossing his hands behind his head and letting his voluminous sleeves fall down.
Iximaz shrugged. “Perhaps that is the case, but I would appreciate you not having the old hermit thrown in prison. His services as a Beytah are invaluable when I am able to contact him, and I would hate having to find another.”
“As things are, I think leaving him to rot in Skypcht’s prison would cause a diplomatic incident.” He leaned forward again and dragged his hands down his face in frustration.
Iximaz set her scroll aside and got up, coming around the table to wrap an arm around Thanasius’ shoulders. “Perhaps that would not be such a good idea, no,” she said dryly.
“But it is sorely tempting.” He leaned back to touch a finger to Iximaz’s cheek. “Gods give me strength.”
Iximaz pulled him into a hug. “I trust you will find the strength on your own.”
Thanasius let her hug him, and she could feel him untense. “May I present a dissenting viewpoint, my lady?” he asked.
“Of course, Than.”
“It is not my own strength I rely on.” He looked out of the window and on to the sky. “I think I have learned well enough that with a friend I can be so much more.”
“Careful, there,” Iximaz said, laughing. “Any more clichéd a sentence and you will be sent to live with the Marizu. I hear they are fond of such things.”
“Oh, hush, Ixie dearest.” His eyes glinted mischievously. “I hear tell that those damned creatures are not the owners of what lies beneath those clichés.”
“You’re doing it again,” she deadpanned.
“I didn’t notice,” he said dryly. “I thought I was saying something extremely witty and original. Was I not, Ixie milady?”
“Not particularly, Than,” she said, pulling away and moving to pick up Hieronymus’ letter. “So, what do you plan on doing about this?” she asked, waving it slightly.
“On one hand, he apologised. On the other… I do not forget such slights, milady. I am not one to keep grudges, usually, but when I do, I do not forget.” He sighed again and started looking for a quill. “I think I will terminate this sorry affair. But I’ll be watching him like a hawk from here on.”
“Not a crow?” Iximaz muttered to herself, going to sit back down.
“How droll.” Thanasius dried the ink, rolled the parchment and stretched. “Administration and letters are simply my favourite pastime.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.” Iximaz sighed and propped her chin up on her hand. “How I look forward to the council ending so I might leave for another raid!”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” The monk got up. “Come on, let us go. This room is stuffy and the weather outside looks rather inviting. Would you kindly accompany me on a walk, milady?”
“Gladly.”
((Must keep this in mind for the next biographical update.))
"While Hieronymus was supposed to travel between Arkive and the Freewep river, he somehow arrived at the annually Baronial Council, where he barely escaped imprisonment and prosecution for treason and libel by Baron Thanasius Ampelius. Had he not conveniently gone lost in the wood of Kar’eer again, Hieronymus would certainly have talked his head off."
((No, the chronist will not take position. The horrible details of the offenses are left to the reader's imagination.))
HG
To Hieronymus,
I have dwelt in the monastery of Spectacle in Skypcht for a number of years and have no intention of leaving. I should like to know why you thought I'd be interested in picking up all of my research and work, leaving my friends, and moving to an entirely new part of Plort.
Also, you are aware that I have lived, fought, and worked with Thanasius Ampelius for many years, correct? It would be in your best interest if you didn't accuse my friend of such things without hard proof.
[[Pretend that post's author was 'Karrin the Blue' and ended with this:]]
Karrin the Blue, Knight of Plort
To Karrin the Blue, Knight of Plort,
greatings and sincere apologies. Apparently I forgot – or may never have been aware – that you are known as "firemagic" beyond the mistwall. In no way did I intend to make you leave your home. My letters should only have been delivered to civilians and knights who did not yet reveal their abode.
HG
To Apprentice Hieronymus,
I have little care for your addressing system's faults. Shall I take your apology in this letter as an apology for the libel you have written about Baron Ampelius, as you have yet to provide any proof to your claims of his wrongdoings?
Karrin the Blue, Knight of Plort
I adore your determination to defend your friend. But I prefer discussing my issues with the Baron himself. I am sure he does not need your protection.
Good night, Milady. I hope we will converse again under better circumstances.
Hieronymus the hermit
Hermit,
While altering the purpose of a conversation in order to end it can be an effective tactic when one is losing, it rather relies on the other person not knowing what you are doing. I might have been satisfied if you had in fact apologized for libeling the Baron as you implied you did here, but unfortunately for everyone you have yet to do so.
Additionally, it would be wise if you avoided condescending to a knight of the realm, lest you further damage your reputation.
Karrin the Blue, Knight of Plort
To our deepest regret we must inform you that Hieronymus the hermit has left his last known location, but did not yet arrive at his intended destination. He may be lost in the wood of Kar’eer again, although we cannot find him anywhere in Iric.
Automagically generated message, unsigned
((Sorry, it feels wrong to let this loose end hang around, but after stressful workdays I cannot think of a graceful way to loose this fight, and I should certainly not try to win.
Before we fall into a plothole caused by mismatched timelines, please let us pretend that Karrin the Blue's message was delayed by the hermit's newly set up anti fireburst shield. (He doesn't like to have his manuscripts burnt, not to speak of his robes or nose.) I'm not saying that he could compete with her, but the delay may have given him enough time to leave the Council and be lost.
HG))
[[KtB has never been called firemagic in Plort. That was me messing up the author thing, which is why I made a post saying to pretend that I had not messed up the author thing.]]
((Real-Life Hieronymus, living beyond the mistwall and writing this, was not aware that you are KtB. I tried to imply this without going OOC))
((It is past mid-night here. I’m shutting down.))
HG
((That the stuff past the Mistwall - Arell, Ydyff, etc - is still very much in the world of Plort, in the same way Valinor still exists in Arda in a way. RL-RL doesn't exist in Plort.))
I feel certain you and Baron Ampelius will be good for each other. :)
((OOC: I read somewhere that women knighted by the Crown are addressed as "Dame Jane Doe", so I'll be using that tile for all the Plort threads, if you guys are OK with that.)
In the event of a union ceremony, I eagerly await your invitation. In the meantime, best of fortune to both of you!
Such is the Malay proverb. I expect My Lady's jubilant marriage any day soon, and should you need funds to pay for the expenses, Critta'-Kalthin's coffers will flow freely for your needs. However, I am ignorant of the marriage rituals in Plort, thus I will prepare based upon Malay wedding requirements, except when commanded otherwise.
♪Renjis-renjis Dipilis!♪
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB-AwBQno8E
[Critta'-Kalthin is worried when you are single or have not yet decided on someone to carry your legacy, or at least act as actual leader when you're lost to the world someday. I'll explain to them the misunderstading.]
Three people have find it uncomfortable regarding what I wrote there. I didn't know about this matter, and I must profusely apologise for making fellow Boarders uncomfortable.
What I did was I am pressuring a character to marry. No matter what the reason, forced marriages are wrong. I understand that PPC Board intends to remain a safe place for everyone, and any attempts to coerce people against their will, or making people uncomfortable in any way, are not acceptable here.
I am sorry for this, and I will do my best to prevent this from happening again. Feel free to complain if I am making any of you uncomfortable.
((...Plort reflects RL--hence the grand total of two married couples in it--and so what you wrote came off as saying that Desdendelle and Iximaz--the real ones, not the Plort versions--should be getting married. Within the context of a medieval society, what you wrote makes sense (to me, at least), but when you add in the RL element--as in, the setting is the only thing that changes for Plort, not the relationships--it sounds creepier. That's mainly where the upset and objections come in, as far as I'm aware.
I'll also apologize preemptively if I've worded anything here in a way that doesn't reflect what people are actually thinking or causes offense as well. I know I'm not exactly as close to this as some of you, and might be viewing it a little differently. Please feel free to correct what I've said. ~DF))
((Honestly, you're being extremely creepy here. Please stop.))
[I didn't know that this matter is sensitive or taboo to all of you. I apologise again for causing trouble.]
I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
((Just so everyone knows, I have NO idea what I'm doing!))
((My character is newly arrived from the Empire (Fancicton.net), so she's still learning; thus my blunders are explained in-universe. Anyway, everyone here is fine if you're not perfect. I've already made a mini and misspelled something, so I think I'm off to a good start! XD))
Milady Iximaz hast chosen a suitor! Glory day, glory day! Let celebrations be had through all of Plort!
To the noble Baron Ampelius *curtsies*, I extend my utmost, sincerest support and service; though I am but a lowly civilian, yet will the safety of Milady Iximaz and youself be of the utmost importance to me! I swear unto you, good Baron, that from this day forward, not a-
*gasps again* Oh, Milady, I lapsed into urple again, did I not! Forsooth, I apologize! Alack! I have done thee wrongly! Apologies, Milady- deepest apologies! It shall not happen again! I swear it!
((This is Alleb the Odd, she's...odd. She's newly arrived from the Empire, and still mostly fangirl, which is why she talks so urpley. Will anyone care if she randomly pokes her head in strange places? It would be quite in-character for her.))
That is, I believe it to be so. Though I do not know milord Baron as well as some, he seems--if I may say so--a nicely mannered fellow, and a native of Ydyff besides. I wish you much joy in your union.
[The monk stared at the gathered people.]
You do not expect me to suddenly become a lovestruck fool, do you? Gods, you do, right?
[Despite the ticcing eyebrow, the monk visibly preened and moved just that little bit toward the Lady Iximaz.]
Is that thou comportst thyself in a manner befittin' the nobility of milady's court. Milady is a gentle woman, to whom violence may only come easy when 'tis directed at the Marizu.
'Tis not so for all who love her.
I assure you that, unlike you, I am capable of polite conversation and subtlety.
((BTA is channelling the Librarian, eheh.))
For sure, you have the knowing of the likes o' me, sir Baron. I be unsubtle when it comes to lettin' gentlefolk know of my displeasures an' grievances. But mark you this, good sir Baron, and mark it well, for it applies to me;
In the book o' tales called by folks hereabout Of The Banks Of The Emm, that most cultured of prophets E'Yan speaks of his beautiful singing ships. There be one, sir Baron, whose name I shall give'ee to recall an' apply to whomsoever you sees fit.
Mistake Not...
Well, a man o' the cloth such as 'ee is bound ter know the rest.
You might discover that, like the Aiderann of his tales, you have bitten more than you can chew.
But, enough of that: rest assured that I will give you no cause to show your... oceans.
Milord Baron, we have perhaps not spoken as much as we should have upon your previous visits to De'endee. If you are to court the Lady Iximaz, I respectfully suggest that this should change. We do not, after all, lack common ground of which to speak; and further, as I have sworn my loyalty to milady Iximaz, any suitor of hers is my concern as well.
As your original home is in Ydyff, a land which I do hold most dear, I am predisposed towards approval; however, milord Baron, should you toy with the affections of my liege lady, I shall not hesitate to turn against you. I am a Knight of Plort, as you know most excellently well, and I have aided numerous battles against the Marizu. Long have I studied the knightly arts and those of magecraft, and in many lands, besides.
Should you prove false to the Lady Iximaz in any direction, I shall not hesitate to give you cause for regret.
With the utmost sincerity, I remain
Knight Eshakhar of Plort, Konti-Nyuum
Milady, do I look like the sort of person to play with anybody's feelings, not to mention the person I have just declared my love of (in an admittedly sardonic way)?
Nevertheless: your loyalty to your liege is heartwarming. I would gladly converse with you more often, as things were; it would gladden my heart to hear the tongue of my ancestors spoken again.
-B. T. Ampelius
Milord Baron, I would not presume to know your habits. Indeed, I cannot know them; we are not well enough acquainted. However, as you agree that our conversations should increase in frequency, I can only hope that this will soon change.
The tongue of our ancestors is, unfortunately, spoken by very few of the good people of Plort. I, too, will be glad to hear and speak it with greater frequency.
Knight Eshakhar
--
((Does this mean we're going to start writing in Hebrew here? Or in transliterated Hebrew? Or provide translations, or something...? Hmmm. ~DF))
((Admittedly, the quality isn't very high, but yes, there's paper.))
As would I, though great care must be taken not to adversely affect the environment.
-B. T. Ampelius
----
((Single words, translations otherwise. The Board doesn't like Hebrew script and transliterating whole sentences is a pain.))
I should hope, milord, that we both have learned enough to be able to avoid such accidents. However, it is true that even the most controlled individuals do occasionally make mistakes; as such, we should indeed take care.
I look forward to speaking further with you, milord Baron.
-Knight Eshakhar of Plort
“Fey Alleb was born many a year ago in the Kingdom of Medellurth. Not a day went by that she did not hear the stories of her native land, and long to explore the vast reaches of the world. But Alleb was small and weak, and knew not what a truly terrible place the world can be. When Alleb came of age, she took up her trusty (and rusty) sword, packed a meager lunch, and set off to explore Weab.
“Dark days followed, for Alleb was yet young and inexperienced, and knew not the terrors of Weab. She wandered far and abroad from Medellurth, venturing into lands both fair and foul. First she came upon Doktaru, and found it good. She settled there for long months, learning better the ways of a knight. But she felt the call of wanderlust, and departed. None bid her farewell.
“Alleb came next to Air’ihpotre, and though she found the lands sweet and sad, she remained only briefly. For Air’ihpotre reminded her too keenly of her home, and she could not bear it long.
“Alleb wandered farther away from her beloved Medellurth, till only the memory of it remained. She visisted the lands of Fantropa, Surelock, and Lozz. Finally, when she was weary from her travels, she stumbled into the great and terrible Empire of Fanvik-Neht. Yet she knew not the depths of its evil, or of its foul alliance with the Marizu League. And so Alleb remained there for many years, learning better the ways of her sword, and (thousand curses!) took it up in defense of that dark land! She grew in in the eyes of the Empire, which named her a captain, and she knew not how foul her own deeds were.
“So it was that Alleb was sent on a secret mission to Plort. She was ordered, by that ever-cursed Marizu League, to scale the cliffs of Konti-Nyuum, and learn all she could of Plort’s defenses. And so, in a small craft, Alleb sailed to Plort and climbed the cliffs of Wechi, marvelling at their breadth and height. After recovering from her climb, she hooded and cloaked herself that she might not be known, and deepened her voice so that she might not be perceived for who she was.
“And so she went out through Wechi, and into Borrd, bracing herself for the foul-ness of Plort of which she had been warned. But it never came. Where she had expected a dark land, full of terrible deeds and uncouth peoples, she found a happy, thriving country, into which she was welcomed, as it were, with open arms. Alleb then perceived what a fool she had been, and that it was the Empire, not Plort, that was truly dark. She resolved to go to the nearest Baron and seek forgiveness for her wrongdoings, and so came to the Keep De’endee, of fair Lady Iximaz. Lady Iximaz, in her wisdom and mercy, offered Alleb a second chance, which she greedily took. The other peoples of the Borrd, however, are not so sure that Alleb is reformed. They whisper that she is still carrying out her foul errand, and that she plans to assassinate the courageous Lady Iximaz.
“Some even go so far as to claim that she serves neither Plort nor the Empire, but a third Kingdom, great and terrible in its power, yet unseen. They say that the symbol Alleb wears upon her neck, and the device on her heraldry, that of a golden cross, bodes of.. something. But of what, they cannot say. All that is truly known is the wanderings of Alleb from Borrd to Wechi, sometimes even to Iric. There are some reports of Alleb fashioning weapons for herself- of what kind and how doughty, none know. But Alleb is here, and her purposes unknown.”
Heraldry: If I may, I would like a golden cross, encircled by white flowers, on a field of blue. Thank you, great Baron! *bows*
I've gone for Elvish arms for you, what with the Medellurth connection, and the fact that your description was basically a circle already. That means you've got an equal-armed cross, though hopefully it's nice enough to offset that.
Nis blue: canta nastar alta tera, arm of a golden cross; yunquë miri, white flower.
Yes, you get twelve flowers, because symbolism is fun.
hS
((I love it! :D Symbolism IS fun. Ehehe, thank you!))
... but it is a tiny bit too long; exactly one word:
She grew in in the eyes of the Empire, which named her a captain, and she knew not how foul her own deeds were.
What a weird coincidence.
HG
great Hiernoymous, grey of beard and sharp of eye! Praise be unto you, praise!
(Ahem. I'm trying to nail down my character- she's recently arrived from the Empire, and still lapses into urple prose frequently. Anyway, thank you! It is fixed now!)
Now Hieronymous and Hiernoymous can play together.
HG
((Really though, I'm very sorry. That's the third mini I've made since I arrived.))
((I was both pleased and surprised to see that AI!PC made it all the way to the end without getting swallowed up by the other baronies. Even participated in a few successful wars! Too bad it never really got beyond a mid-tier power.))
((It's been a long while since I've played that particular version. Maybe I'll have to give it a shot.))
He was the only person with iron. ^_^
I think you had three or four sources of it, all right around your capital. Which is a huge bonus. You also had a starting city right in the middle of a forest, which lets you clear-cut the whole thing and get masses of bonus production.
The reason you didn't expand very much is that you were pretty much hemmed in from the start. You could and did expand eastwards, but Neshomeh and Phobos were pretty close by.
Compare that with Iximaz, where I had to resurrect Makari to have even a hope of containing her... yeah, the map of Plort is a wee bit imbalanced.
(Am currently playing through that map as Huinesoron. I've taken out Thanasius and stolen your capital, so I'm doing better than AI!Me, at least!)
hS
And as for the document... "July, that's both the other major world religions you're feuding with now." Truly, fully in character.
And Cassie declaring war on me! Goodness.
Though, given what I can tell of the setup you did as far as resources go, I'm surprised my poor in-game civ did as well as it did.
Though, I wonder, who in the world did you choose the bases for everyone?
Yeah, Barony July was pretty small. Along with Makari and Thanasius, you started with just one city; everyone else had two or more. I think I was particularly mean to you - you were Rome, but without access to iron. Oops. ^^' (Cities, obviously, were partitioned based on what castles lie within the barony's borders; since yours doesn't actually exist, your only city was your old ruins.)
As for who everyone was, I have a list of... most of that. I selected a couple for general feel (notably, Kaitlyn as Hatty), and then selected a primary trait for each baron. Since there are eleven traits, and I started with eleven barons, I went for one each. Then I chose from the available options.
Civs were assigned based either on their unique unit (for warlike leaders) or unique buildings (for peaceful); in Civ 4, you can disconnect leader from civilisation. So my original 11 were:
Thanasius - Genghis Khan - Spain
VixenMage - Pericles - Native America
Phobos - Mehmed II - China
Araeph - Huayna - Ottoman
Cassie - Louis XIV - Carthage
PC - Darius I - Mali
Neshomeh - Lincoln - Korea
Kaitlyn - Hatty - Persia
Iximaz - Cathy - HRE
Huinesoron - Sitting Bull - Celts
Dann - Churchill - Sumeria
The funniest moments while playing were watching Neshomeh Lincoln grimace and facepalm every time someone did something ridiculous. ^^
But that setup had a big problem: VixenMage and Dann were taking over the map. So I added you and Makari in to balance out the east. You were Rome and Makari was China. Makari was roleplaying as Suleiman, and you were... um...
Oh, that's right. You were Izzy. ^_^ Which explains the 'mad religious feuds' aspect of things. Isabella is a liiiittle bit crazy about that. If I'd given you iron, you might well have dominated the eastern landscape.
hS
And that rather makes sense, having combined Rome and Isabella for me in game.
And most of those combinations seem rather on point, I think, for those you made as Civilizations.
because I am not aware of your current residence ((and I don’t actually know whether you even intend to participate in this)), but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
[[Dude, that post of July's was OOC. Plus Plort!July is a baron anyways. It seems like Plort!HG is basically spam-emailing people.]]
No spamming of people who only posted OOC. (That would then also have applied to you.)
I know that July is a baron. But she holds no barony, and has no known abode today. Thus, she went onto the list of people who might be interested in what is going on in the region where they actually may be living.
HG
((Civ 5, at a mechanics and clarity level, is a hell of a lot more user-friendly than Civ 4. I'll grant you that the 'pedias are less in-depth than they were and the new graphics style for the leader screens aren't to everyone's taste, but I vastly prefer it to Civ 4 simply on the basis that Deity feels difficult again. I like it, and I like the Civs included, and it feels a lot nicer to work with than Civ 4 did. This is purely my opinion.
((Also Civ 4 blobbed together Native Americans. I am most decidedly Not A Fan of that little design choice.))
foofooman3 and I are having a load of fun exploring!
((I think at least one of them is just sort of... sitting on the ground away from the main path.))
((hS))
ERMIGERSH YOU INCLUDED THE LIBRARY AND IT'S ADORABUBBLE!
One of these days I'll have to post screenshots of the full-sized Keep De'endee I made. The library is still my favorite part. ^w^also I'm totally not creeping around Castle Kwenya very nice tree you got there
So, as I've mentioned, my planned avatar within Plort is Ser Dylan Read of the Void. Is it alright if I post his bio here?
Each and every member of the PPC Community is also a resident of Plort. [...] If you haven't already written your history, why not join in and give one? There's a guide on doing so on the CycloWiki, and a glossary outlining most of the websites and fandoms in the setting.
For entertainment value, please post your bios here on the Board
hS
Heraldry
Ser Read follows the traditions of the land of Gurrm in terms of his knighthood. His shield depicts a braced silver scorpion, quartered by music notes, on a green field. His words are "Remember My Name."
History
Ser Read is a new-made knight, once a citizen-in-hiding for a year. While he arrived from Tivit, that is not his homeland. He is one of the most widely-traveled knights of Konti-Nyuum, and he has a history in such lands as the beastwoman-populated Monsume, the bleak and politically-oriented Gurrm, the treasure-filled Land of the Shuvell Nights, the Independent State of Pai-Zoh, The Empire of Blanc-Lupus, and stranger places still.
After finally achieving knighthood, Ser Read brought swift justice to a Marizu invasion of the land of Monsume, and drowned the leader of said incursion. He escaped before any of Monsume's denizens could "thank" him.
He returned to Monsume after learning that the land's king had been impersonated by one of the Marizu. He hunted the imposter into a secret Marizu outpost in Monsume, and burned it to the ground. Once more, Ser Read hastily fled Monsume. Exactly why he would leave a land filled with beautiful women that wished to bed him, none but the knight know.
After his second journey to Monsume, Ser Read realized that he had a gift for hunting imposters. Many Marizu that impersonated nobles of distant lands met swift justice at the knight's hand.
Despite his success, Ser Read rarely receives recognition for his accomplishments. Many times, he returns triumphant to Borrd and finds that few care. While he doesn't mind the lack of praise, he worries that he is destined to be forgotten, always eclipsed by the works of greater knights.
Personality
Ser Dylan Read is moody, eccentric, difficult to understand, and lonely. His odd ideas and strange behaviors make him unsettling to others at the best of times, and do nothing to improve his relationships with others. He desires companionship, but has yet to find anyone in Plort willing to befriend him. He has made several desperate attempts to forget his loneliness; forgetting the rest of Plort and focusing on hunting Marizu on one occasion, considering leaving the Union altogether on another. Nevertheless, he is loyal to the cause of Plort, and is willing to serve any baron who will have him.
As mentioned, Ser Read is deathly afraid of being forgotten. Many of his mad antics are done out of a desperate desire to be remembered, for good or ill. He has even considered melting down and reforging his weapons, although barons and other knights always convince him not to.
He is also known to prefer the company of animals; perhaps his fondness of the land of Monsume is related to this, despite his efforts to avoid the populace's affections. He can often be found conversing with dogs, rats, cats and other animals. It has been proven that the best way to improve his mood is to present him with kittens, puppies or similarly small and endearing animals.
Weapons
Oddly, Ser Read's weapon of choice is a shovel, which he calls Valor. It is definitely made of some exotic material, as it is lighter than any shovel has a right to be. He also carries a hand crossbow named Kalablilu. He recently acquired two other weapons: a gem-encrusted, serrated saber named Mantis and a warhammer he calls Hobb.
OOC notes
Yes, I borrowed his title and the idea of words from A Song of Ice and Fire. I'll change the title if need be.
Also, Plort!me's name is actually based on my real name. "Dylan" sounds similar to my first name (and people do accidentally call me Dylan a lot), and my last name does contain something you read.
Ser Read's attitudes are largely based on my own. A lot of times, I post a story, only to be very quickly buried by one written by Iximaz or SkarmorySilver or what have you. I feel like the things I write are sometimes ignored in favor of the existing PPC behemoths, and honestly, being ignored and forgotten is worse than any criticism.
As for the loneliness bit, well, that's my real-life personality bleeding through. It also isn't something that I plan on resolving, because a) I don't believe wish-fulfillment is ever a good thing, and b) I'm a complete sadist to the characters I create.
Other things
Gurrm: George R. R. Martin
Monsume: Monster Musume
Pai-Zoh: Paizo Games
Blanc-Lupus: White Wolf Games
Shuvell Nights: Shovel Knight
I like where you're going with this! But honestly, I share the same concerns that you do, though of course I'm not such an ass about them the way I used to be. So that means Skaer'morys The Silver would find Ser Read... relatable, I should say. Though of course, his interests are different.
Y'know what, here, have an addendum to Ser Read's history...
Not long after joining the Kingdom of Plort, the wandering shovel-wielding knight happened upon a strange and amazing spectacle. A Marizu warrior from the land of Emelpy Fim had been spotted just outside the kingdom. Ser Read, then a curious young citizen, snuck over to the battlefield to watch the fight. What he expected was for the warrior's head to be sliced off by a sword... what he got was the surprising spectacle of a warhorse with a coat and mane as colorful as the sky running down the invader, tearing her to pieces with its pounding hooves and dagger-like teeth.
Mounted upon the wild steed was a young man clad in silver scale mail and adorned with crimson feathers. Ser Read, impressed by this man's taming of a flesh-eating horse, came up to greet him (at the risk of losing one of his limbs) and ask him to share his secrets. The rider simply chuckled, and told him that once he achieved Knighthood, he would be there to lend a helping hand. With that, he spurred his steed and rode away - but not before giving him his name: Skaer'morys the Silver.
When Ser Read went on his first mission after gaining Knighthood, Skaer'morys was one of the first to hear of his quest to the land of Monsume. Later on, Skaer'morys attracted Read's attention once again after using Falchion, Rasheeda, and his corpse-tearing raptor, Velociripper, to infiltrate the state of Desu Noto and destroy a high-ranking Marizu general by the name of Darq Y'gami. Upon returning, Skaer'morys would find Ser Read with a surprising request: to journey with him to F'Naf and get rid of another one of the Marizu.
And that's how a friendship was born...
(Hope I got everything right! I referenced three of my missions here, including my collab with Voyd. I'll update the list of Skaer'morys' creatures later!)
I haven’t seen any king around here.
Other than that, I really like this.
HG
Plort was first a Protectorate. Today it is a Union - that is, a federation not dissimilar to the United States - of four different nations: The Protectorate of Borrd (an oligarchy ruled by a baronial council); the Republic of Iric (a democracy); the Commonwealth of Wechi (a direct democracy in theory; in practice, the baron does stuff until someone disagrees); and the Refuge of Ozerbord (an autocracy).
A Marizu warrior from the land of Emelpy Fim had been spotted just outside the kingdom.
I believe that should be "Fimvik-Neht," not "Emelpy Fim."
BTW, to whom were you referring there?
And that would be Tara Swift, from my first DMS mission.
I'm not really clear on what you're going for, so I figure the best option is to take a stab at it and let you correct me. ^_^
Per saltire, all vert, central a scorpion argent, in each quarter a musical note argent.
Go wild on the corrections, I'm not confident in this interpretation at all.
Also, I assume all the lands mentioned are Scholars' Empire territories? Actually, are most of them computer games? They can be sub-nations of Vidya Gaym; it's easily big enough for that.
hS
Also, not all of them are video games. Monster Musume is a manga, ASoIaF is literature, Pathfinder and Exalted are tabletop games. I think Shovel Knight might be the only video game I mentioned.
The Land of the Shuvell Nights is a region of Vidya Gaym. Monsume probably borders the Confederation of An-Emay, and may be part of a second Confederation: Mah-Ngah? I dunno, come up with a name. Gurrm is simply a land in the SE/ML. Pai-Zoh and Blanc-Lupus... somewhere out west, as part of the Are-Pea Alliance?
And does the coat of arms suit, then? I kind of like the impression of a singing scorpion, it makes my heart smile. ^_^
hS
To reflect the fact that fanfiction for Ice and Fire is technically banned, it has the best damn security in the big ol' web world. Thick walls (like Storm's End), endless guards (the gold cloaks), probably dragons (the Targaryens), and it's always bloody cold there (the Others).
So yeah, the Marizu can't get in and out and expect to keep existing.
because I am not aware of your current residence, but the owl will find you anyway.
This, actually, is the reason why I am writing to you. It seems possible that you live or intend to settle in the realm of the prospective nation of The Riding of Sittorese.
If this is truly the case, you should be aware that the barons of Plort, transgressing their duties as our military leaders, attempt to define the internal organization and civil government of your future home, and you should come or write to the Baronial Council to make your opinion known.
Being a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, but I firmly believe that you should not allow the barons meddling with your internal affairs.
HG, by common non-objection Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
I have few thoughts one way or the other about who rules the realm. So long as it is not ground into the earth, I care little for the high lords and their game of thrones squabbling over territory.
I only object if my own rights are taken from me.
~Ser Dylan Read, anointed knight of the Riding of Sittorese
Remember My Name
Post-script: The raven likes to ask for corn a lot. Ignore the beggar.
Anyway, I'm not sure when I can jump into this RP. Ser Read serves no particular barony; he'll work for anyone who'll have him.
Although Iximaz told me he's welcome in her land.
(Yeah, I missed a bit.)
For those who are interested in the early history of Plort, a tale has been told, and now spreads widely:
The Rise and Fall of El-Jheycom tells of the history of that fair realm, from its origins in the lands of Triumvir Thalia, through its glorious rise to independence, down to its ignominious fall.
~Baron Huinesoron the Historian
... but it is a tiny bit too long; exactly one word:
Some few of Thalia's people returned thence with him, but the memories of their departed Triumvir - and the the constant presence of armed soldiers bearing the arms of Cam the Ruthless - soon drove them once more into more peaceful lands.
HG
See now, Konti-Nyuum,
What wonders the dawn brings,
All the light touches
Is yours now to own,
For our fallen heroes,
Whom our hearts avenge still,
Took this sacred country
And made it their own
Rise, commoners and nobles!
Rise up against the speshul!
For only through union
Shall our hearts fly free!
Welcome, one and all, to the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort! Here the Barons of Borrd, Iric, Wechi, and Ozerbord will meet to discuss and (theoretically) decide on matters of concern to the Union. All Civilians and Knights of the Union are also invited to visit the Council and contribute their questions and thoughts, though the ultimate decisions lie with the Barons.
The Barons and citizens of Plort are hereby invited to present their proposals for debate.
May the blessings of Kanun and Spelin be with the Council, and the blessings of all the deities of Weab which remain free of the Marizu scourge.
((I'm going to present my two proposals as separate sub-threads to this sub-thread; that way everything stays nice and tidy. Ha ha. ^_~ hS))
Greetings and salutations to all and sundry.
The Baron Neshomeh sends her regrets and sincere apologies that she will not be able to arrive for the council in a timely manner. She has just returned from a campaign in the land of Fantopra and is weary. Also, she has received a valuable new shipment for her personal library, and seeing that it is properly housed and that all records are in order is keeping her up and about when she should be in bed. She hopes her absence will be forgiven and trusts that her fellow barons will rule wisely in all things. If her input is required, this messenger stands ready to carry the word of the council to her in Castle Arkive.
Yours,
~Neshomeh, Baron, etc. etc.
(( In other words, I've got a bunch of coding to do, not to mention laundry and hopefully working on my co-write with Iximaz, too. I'll join in later if I have time, but there are just not enough hours in the day!
Fortunately, this is totally in keeping with Baron Neshomeh's character as a somewhat absent-minded person who is more interested in anything that smells of dust than she is in ruling. ^_^ It's a good thing the Wechians are an independent lot. ))
A proposal by Baron Huinesoron, Protector of Ozerbord.
It has come to my attention that we have a serious population imbalance in the Union of Plort.
The lands west of the Larninkurvs are developing well; Wechi is a flourishing nation, Ozerbord and western Borrd have received a recent influx, and the settlements along the Hyparlink Route are growing slowly.
The situation east of the mountains, though, is worrying. Baron Cassie is often absent, and her deputy, Sir Ekyl, is rarely seen. Though Godreve and Tumblar are doing well, they stand alone in their barony, surrounded by little more than cattle ranches.
In western Iric, matters are even more grim: the most recent survey suggested that no more than a few hundred people live anywhere in Iric west of the river Sozeri. While I am sure La Wunj is as thronged as ever, and its trade with Autor and Somath-Aful is no doubt fruitful for the Republic, the fact remains that vast swathes of prime land are left fallow.
At the same time, the lands west of the Larninkurvs are unable to feed our knights. Much of the food produced in the fertile Gu-Gel basin is being shipped north, and while the profit is certainly desirable, it is having a negative impact on our military operations. Some of our knights have been forced to found petty kingdoms in Weab's northern wastes, simply to feed their soldiers on campaign.
There is a solution to this dilemma. It is somewhat drastic - nay, say rather 'dramatic' - but I feel it is the best option available to us:
I propose the creation of a fifth nation of the Union of Plort, to be ruled directly by this Baronial Council. It would encompass all of Borrd east of the mountains, and Iric west of the Kar'eer forest and the Sozeri (with precise borders to be determined). It would be a nation for our soldiers: a breadbasket for the Union of Plort, shipping food by way of Wechi to the battlegrounds of the Marizu League. The current baronial borders, needless to say, will not be altered at this time.
This new realm will be a return to the first days of Konti-Nyuum, when the Protectorate of Plort devoted all its energies to the war against the Marizu, and it should bear a name to match. The legendary Sittori people were the first to colonise northern Weab, long before the foundation of Fanvik-Neht, and our new nation should bear their name: the Riding of Sittorese.
Huinesoron, by the grace of Kanun Baron and Knight of Plort, Protector of Ozerbord, Custodian of Fanvik-Whirl, Marshal of the Order of Udisc, Scourge of the Marizu, Friend of Medellurth, &c &c &c
[Or 'writing of stories', if you prefer. I don't know whether to class this as correcting an omission, or recognising a new trend, but it's definitely true that a lot of people have recently been interacting with each other by cowriting missions, and by betaing each other's work. I think it's a big enough phenomenon to count alongside the Board, Wiki, Chat, and Other Board/RPs as a nation of Plort.
As to why I chose this location: well, partly for the in-universe reasons I listed. But mostly because the two towns in the area - Godreve [Google Drive] and Tumblar - are both named for places where people host missions. It is, I think, an appropriate setting for a military nation.]
I can understand that the founding of a nation is more interesting than constructing barracks, armories and roads. But I am of the opinion that this should be brought to an end now, so that the Council can turn its attention to the urgent problem of burnt-down OFUM (and the upcoming celebration of the victory over the ypurs, and Critta-Kalthin’s promotion to City status).
So, firstly I present to the council this missive, signed by every and all known residents of the Commonwealth of Wechi (who bothered to respond to my request), for the barons consideration.
Secondly, I suggest that the prospective Riders of Sittorese be given time to assemble at a place they deem suitable, to discuss their internal affairs, and that they shall in due time report their decisions concerning the government of the Riding of Sittorese to the next Baronial Council, or to the councils interim keeper of the minutes of important events.
Thirdly, my personal opinion is that the ancient tradition of "Listen to your Beytahs, but don’t do everything they say without thinking it through yourself" should be the only law applicable in The Riding of Sittorees, but since I am a resident of Wechi, I can not speak for the Riders, and thus I will say no more. (I certainly don’t intend to start a bloody civil war over The Riding of Sittorees.)
HG, by common non-objection the Commonwealth of Wechi’s delegate at the Baronial Council of the Union of Plort.
((My short holidays are over, thus I may not longer be able to represent the Commonwealth of Wechi here.
In case prospective Riders of Sittorese actually want to vote about their government, these were the suggestions so far:
Direct rule by the Baronial Council (original proposal).
Let Phobos take over (proposed by Phobos).
A Conclave of Beytah (copyright by hS; since hS cannot suggest it in-character, HG half-heartedly adopted it).
A small legislative assembly whose members are appointed by the barons (suggested by PC).
Abovementioned assembly being chosen from valiant knights, knights famous for their co-operative riding, and practitioners of Beytah (hS’s response to Sir Ekyl).
A three-chamber-assembly (HG’s attempt to make this too complicated to work).
A Knights' Congress, a Cooperative Communion, and a Conclave of Beytah, mimicking the executive, legislative and judicative powers of a balanced democracy (hS’s attempt to make it work anyway).
An anarchy, where "Listen to your Beytahs, or don’t" is the only law (HG’s preference).
Let it be that a series of tests shall be devised according to the qualities desired of the Riding's rulers, and whosoever passes them with flying colours shall rule the new country. law (Thanasius private(?) correspondence).
Since nobody (except hS in his response to HG) mentioned elections to let the Riders at least choose their leaders, if they are not allowed to choose their form of government, Wechi’s opposition appears to be justified, and I wonder why no word was heard from Iric.
I assume that not wanting to vote demonstrates a preference for anarchy. It certainly doesn’t mean that, by common non-objection, the barons are allowed to do whatever they want to do.
HG))
((AKA 'what I will put in the Cyclopaedia unless someone has an objection))
-That the Riding of Sittorese be created. ((This seems pretty uncontroversial at this point.))
-That the borders of the Riding be appointed as such:
((That leaves all three western baronial seats still in their current nations. It also means the Riding doesn't extend into Barony VixenMage. This is a new map, but I don't think there's any other viable geographic border.))
-That military affairs in the Riding be managed by Barons Cassie and Dann. ((That doesn't even need saying; it's the purpose of the baronial system.))
-That the production and distribution of sufficient grain for the knights of Plort be considered a military matter, without the same applying to other grain grown. ((New concept, but should be uncontroversial? Basically the Riding isn't allowed to self-govern itself out of achieving its designated task.))
-That in the absence of Baron Cassie, Sir Ekyl of Godreve be empowered to act in her stead. ((As he already does.))
-That in the event of the barons failing to fulfil their duties, the Baronial Council may step in at need. ((Again, part of the job description.))
-That the Riders of Sittorese be permitted to select their own form of governance; and that if they do not form a working system by the time the Baronial Council next convenes, the Council may at its discretion intervene. ((Ie, in real terms, 'let's just not say for now and anyone saying they live there next time can choose'. Given that we're not gonna get a consensus out of this thread, this seems pretty logical. Also basically in agreement with Hieronymus here.))
-That all flags, anthems, and unassigned place-names be designated by the Riders, at the next Baronial Council. ((Again, just bookkeeping.)
~Baron Huinesoron
[the Lady raises her hand]
((No, she's totally not trying to get on Eagleshadow's good side to get another ally in her pocket, what on earth are you talking about.))
((But then, you all knew that was coming. -Phobos))
...is it really any wonder I was able to hear you? Honestly, it is a wonder that Neshomeh is able to hear herself think.
((No hard feelings, of course?))
I abstain.
((Otherwise he'd consider himself a hypocrite.))
...have one again delayed my arrival to council. ((That and being on a journey deep in the wilds of California - I mean Kar'eer- with naught but my phone for internet access.))
The proposal for the creation of the Riding is a well-reasoned one, but there are some things that must be taken into consideration regarding the highlands of southwestern Iric. While the highlands are fertile, they are also dry, requiring care and skill to produce a stable crop. They do have space for more holdings, this is true - but not as many as might be assumed from a map.
I also wish to bring a proposal before the council - the drought of trade between Iric and Borrd has gone on for too long. As we are once again nearing the time of the festival celebrating victory over the ypurs, I propose that we hold the feast and formal ceremonies in the fair city of La Wunj. We have been too separate for too long, a greater exchange of goods, ideas, and people would only serve to strengthen our Union, and perhaps dispel certain misunderstandings.
The Baron Dann, by the grace of Kanon Baron of Iric, etc.
((I'm assuming that southwest Iric is both high and in the rain shadow of the mountains of Wechi - as such, it's probably a steppe, and good country for grain... if you can keep the soil from blowing away in the wind.))
Needless to say, I will not be attending.
((What, you expected anything else? ^^ Baron hS is still angry about that whole 'kicked out by Baron Dann's rebellion' thing, he was never going to go for this. As for the real world version: I don't really have time to spend in the IRC, and have lost the knack of real-time conversations over the last few years, so you won't be seeing me in there. I'd like to stress that this is not because Techno-Dann drove me out of any websites with flame and sword; as far as I know, he's never started any bloodthirsty revolutions. ^^))
((Also will be adding the steppe info to the Cyclopaedia. Geography is fun!))
((hS))
You mean I should leave my cozy corner at Arkive and travel to La Wunj? I’m a hermit for reasons, and don’t like the crowded places. But I may be able to do this, once. If I don’t get lost in the dreaded woods of Kar'eer again.
((Translation: In the time I need to understand what has been said, and to formulate a coherent answer in this foreign language, real time chats usually advance to something totally different. I promise to lurk at the festival, if I find the time, and I may even try to make my presence known, but don’t expect any meaningful conversation with me. It’s definitely the wrong medium.))
HG
I'm sorry, I'd never thought about how chats would be harder on people who need to translate their thoughts. Thank you for your willingness to try!
And at least lately, the chat hasn't been moving at all, at least when I've been around.It's not the place it used to be.
It's always dead silent without fail.
If I'm in the chat and not responding, please poke me- I'm probably just watching another tab, and a poke will get my attention.
On both counts - I've poked my head into the IRC a couple times in the last week and it was deader than disco, and I do remember having translation problems when chatting in the IRC a few years ago.
Seeing that Milady Neshomeh is still absent, and no knight of Wechi spoke up yet, allow me to address the Baronial Council and the knights and commoners of Plort, hoping that what I say is in the best interest of all people of Wechi.
The people of Wechi believe that Critta-Kalthin is important, and support the suggestion to promote this town to the status of a city.
If our armies are no longer starving, and we increase the efforts in fighting the dreaded Marizu, this will draw attention, and certainly cause an influx of immigrants, which means more soldiers for our armies and need for more supplies. Thus, I can not see how growing more grain in the Riding of Sittorese would affect the economy of Critta-Kalthin and cause the down-cycle Lady Iximaz and her entourage apparently fear.
Concerning the proposed government of our new nation, I have to object to Baron Huinesoron as well as to Baron PC. Both confuse the concepts of civil and military reign. I agree with the Poor-Cynick that the Baronial Council should not even try to delve into the tidbits of governing a nation far away from their residences. But the barons also have no business in appointing the legislative assembly of a nation. And why would the return of barons whose absence inspired the founding of this new nation lead to dissolving the assembly, unless you intend to dissolve the nation itself, and make it a part of Borrd again?
The people of Wechi are used to rule themselves, although I have to admit that following the suggestions of our elders demonstrably helps keeping things neatly in order. If it is even true that eastern Borrd and western Iric fell to waste because the people there are unable to rule themselves, and any sort of government has to be established, we should remember the Sittori people’s tradition of listening to the practitioners of Beytah. In my opinion, the Conclave of Beytah to govern the Riding of Sittorese could be fairly self-organizing, because the people know best who helped them most, and unskilled apprentices would not even think of ruling this nation; they know quite well that they would just be laughed out of Plort.
What? What are you mumbling there, in your private conversation with Sir Ekyl, while I am holding this carefully prepared speech? A three-chamber-assembly? Valiant knights, co-operators and practitioners of Beytah? I have to think about that.
((Can we come up with names for the other two chambers? Hieronymus is intrigued by the prospect of beytahing commoners getting some power.))
HG
It appears that you propose a direct election, along the lines of the election of our own barons [[and the Ops and Dars of Iric, but Baron Me makes a point of never mentioning that country unless he can't avoid it]]. This would be... acceptable, provided the Assembly remained committed to the cause against the Marizu.
In times past we have heard of nations with a threefold division in their governance: between executive, judicial, and legislative. Do you propose that this model be followed by the Assembly of the Riding? [[I think that would be fascinating, but I've no idea whether it would work.]] If it were so, the Conclave of Beytah must hold the judicial power, for their arts of healing make them the clear best choice. The... Knights' Congress should bear the executive right, for our knights are decisive in their battles. Then would the... Cooperative Communion [[oh stars this is hard]] be the legislators, working together as they ever do to formulate the laws of the land.
~Huinesoron, Baron of Plort
I didn’t say anything about elections. But I would like to hear the Riders’ opinions on electing a Knight’s Congress, a Cooperative Communion and a Conclave of Beytah. After all, I don’t have to live with this government, but they do. Or may be we can all agree that "Listen to your Beytahs, unless you believe that they are stupid" is the only law that should apply in the Riding of Sittorese, and Sir Ekyl can just pretend that everybody who demands something he does not like is stupid anyway?
((This is fascinating. But Hieronymus is an anarchist who lives in Wechi because in theory nobody rules there, and the prospect of beytahing commoners getting power is probably not so intriguing that he personally wood settle in Riding of Sittorese and claim a seat in this conclave.
His conviction that mature people can sort out anything that needs to be sorted out without any kind of government is of course naive. Hermits just don’t usually deal with hordes of people who cannot even agree to disagree. But being who he is, if Hieronymus has too much say in the creation of this government, he will try to make it so complex that in practice nobody bothers to do anything about it and the Riders just listen to their Beytahs without many formalities anyway.
So speak up, Riders. What do you want?))
HG
Since having been granted custody of her lands, she has had many cares, and has not been able to focus on their upkeep. She does not see this changing any time soon, but she will do her utmost to at least direct her people in what must be done.
[aka I have no idea what I'm doing. XD ]
((Making the PGs important figures was an inevitable result of the design choices I made when designing Plort, but it does mean people with no particular interest in the setting are suddenly big names. Don't worry too much about joining in; Baron You will keep sending knights out, I'm sure.))
((hS))
The general concept behind Baron Huinesoron's is both sound and vital. That being said, both the Lady Iximaz and Baron Phobos are correct in arguing that this council cannot run this nation by itself. I believe it would not be inaccurate to say that we are all focused on the demands of our own lands. Adding a distant territory to govern would likely result only in disorganization and strife in both regions.
Therefore, I propose that this Riding of Sittorese be governed by a small legislative assembly whose members are appointed by the barons. These individuals would be able to act as our representatives while at the same time maintaining the modicum of independence necessary to react to any new developments within the region. The Baronial Council would, of course, retain control over large-scale military and diplomatic matters for the region. Should the barons of these territories eventually return, then the assembly could be dissolved.
The Honorable Baron PC, the Poor Cynick, etc.
I believe that much of this Council is too far from the affected areas to take stewardship of them. Those whose lands are closer are either absent or engrossed in their work, as my Lady Wife can attest. Therefore, the only Baron who might take stewardship is my self, and I move that this council cede all the lands currently under Baron Araeph's control, and those held by Baron Cassie, into my care. The "Baron" Kaitlyn may keep possession of her fantasy nation, for the time being.
I think you will find that this is the most logical course of action. Upon your, undoubtedly unanimous, consent, I will immediately send trusted Knights and willing citizens to begin farming the land. You will have the grain your armies need.
-Baron Phobos, Protector of Borrd
((Just a friendly reminder that Baron Phobos is a bit of a power-hungry dick. -Phobos))
[she sighs and rubs her forehead]
Baron Phobos, your attempt to seize power for yourself is both clumsy and, pardon me for saying so, absurd. Barons Araeph and Cassie might not be in Plort often, but their lands still remain their own. To think that they would be transferred to your rule is quite frankly laughable. I trust the other barons are in agreement on this matter?
To allow Baron Phobos to seize the lands of Araeph and Cassie would be a gross violation of the Edict of Bast, and against the very heart of our fair Constitution ((which 'states' that unless someone has been absent from the Board for at least a year, more likely two, I won't be unilaterally shutting their barony down - though politics like Baron Phobos is trying could still leave them without any land, I'm not saying it couldn't happen)). Nor do I deem that he could truly achieve the things he claims - can the master of Cokirt really propose to reinvigorate lands on the far side of the Larninkurvs, countless miles from his present holdings?
On this matter, Barony Huinesoron must stand in firm opposition.
~
And yet, Baron Phobos does make one excellent point. It is a great pity that the newly-appointed barons all took their domains in the western lands; there remain still no active barons east of the Larninkurvs. The wisdom of allowing the Baronial Council to rule directly over the Riding, I therefore come to doubt.
Yet to who else might it be given? What say the knights of Plort - to whom will you entrust the staff of life, and the bread of your campaigns?
((Or, as Ixigrace have already asked: who else could rule it? From an OoU perspective, what's the most appropriate government for 'people writing missions'? I was going with 'Permission Givers', but it doesn't quite work...))
((How about something involving the arts of Beytah (healing magic)? A Conclave of Beytah might work...))
((hS))
It is not my fault that you cannot see it. I requested these lands at the last Council, if you will recall. We would not need to worry about this grain shortage if I had been granted what I asked for. Your pig-headed opposition has caused this problem and you will not listen to reason when it presents itself.
However, I am willing to wait and see what the Knights have to say on the matter. Perhaps they possess the wisdom this Council seems to lack.
-Baron Phobos
((Politics is what I do. >:) I have no idea what kind of government would work, honestly. -Phobos))
Indeed, I have seen thee fight when I have envied thy behaviour. However, let it be known such, and I apologise to disrupt this council with my bluntness: I will not stand for any attempt to arbitrarily strip Baron Cassie and myself of our lands, especially not for the sake of enriching another who resides so distantly he has scarcely ever seen Ngort and Godreve himself, nor the ranches and farming villages that dot the countryside. I stand with Baron Huinesoron against your proposal and anything of the like, but also against both of you in splitting us away from Borrd and putting us under the governance of another. Surely we would be happy to use our crops to feed the Union, and to allow our lands be used as a staging area for armies riding against the Marizu, but the land east of the Larninkurvs was hard earned, and I would sooner marry a Marizu chieftess than stand for such mockery.
((Sir Ekyl is, of course, aware he is speaking somewhat out of turn, and belatedly, but as someone who has title in these lands and was referred to as the baron's deputy, he's not going to stand for not having a voice in the discussion. :P))
The Council of Borrd holds little sway east of the Larninkurvs; you yourself have oft complained of bandits in the hinterlands of Godreve, and the barons of Borrd have done nothing, for we are locked behind nigh-impassable mountains. But were the Riding of Sittorese to be established according to the Poor Cynick's plan, rule would be in the hands of those local inhabitants who have shown themselves willing to step forward and take up the burden.
Your holdings at Godreve are known as a place where knights from far and wide may gather and tell their tales; in the Riding, might it not become an even greater settlement, even a city in its own right - perhaps even, if we may dare to breathe of it, a capital city?
Huinesoron, Baron of Plort
((Who is not above what approached outright bribery. But Google Drive makes sense as the capital of mission-writing, these days... ~hS))
My soldiers have delighted in the practise, hunting such mongrels down. It keeps them fresh and ready for campaign, during the down times.
Now, as for your proposal, I would be fool to suggest you speak no sense. The people here would be better off, in likelihood. However, were Godreve capital as you say, I would not be made to bow before some assembly whose members I had no right to choose, in my own seat. The Union has always repudiated the idea of kingship, and I make no attempt to change that course, but I see no reason not to condition my assent on the promise - and delivery - of rulership, wholly or as partner. As a part of the Union, I would wish to be held in equal standing with the rulers of Iric, or Wechi, or Ozerborrd, for if I am a mere subject in my own capital, then this is little more than a swindle.
((No real effect out of universe, but he's an ambitious fellow, and why shouldn't he ensure he isn't being scammed? :P I agree Google Drive would make most sense as capital, though he also wouldn't agree to give up power in his own land, so wanting a guarantee of being in charge - either as sovereign, co-ruler with somebody, or head of any assembly formed - seemed reasonable! And, of course, why be given a nation if you will still be treated as lower than the others? ;) ))
Surely, they would be chosen from among the most prominent citizens of the new realm. Three traits, methinks, should stand preeminent among them. First, those knights who serve most valiantly in the wars against the Marizu, demonstrating their strength of arms and spirit. Secondly, those who go oft to war in company with other brave knights, showing their wisdom in working united. Thirdly but equally, the noble practicioners of the arts of Beytah, that they may heal the wounded and bring life to the grain of the Riding.
I am sure that, among these equals, a notable such as yourself could be found a place.
And it goes without saying that the Riding will stand as equal to the other nations of the Union; and indeed that the Assembly would be held in equal honour with the Ops of Iric, the Council of Borrd, the Protector of Ozerbord, and the folk of the Commonwealth of Wechi.
-Huinesoron, by the grace of Kanun Protector of Ozerbord
((In other words: prolific writers, prolific co-writers, and betas. They seem like the logical makeup for a mission-writing nation.))
((hS))
Six, give me strength...
To be quite frank, the idea of land being purely owned by anyone is absurd to me, but we shall deal with my lack of understanding of your form of government another day. However, if I cannot understand how a man can call himself baron and claim what he wishes, I certainly do not see how one can claim what was settled by others, and force them out. You use honeyed words and appeals to politics, when all I see is dirty tactics not unlike the Marizu! Squatting in others land, hoisting your flag and claiming it your own.
Now, as for the matter of the baronial council claiming the land... It is no secret, I have criticized many of you, some publicly, some in private correspondence. I see how many measure their worth in census numbers and acreage in their hold, and I call it to their attention. However, in this instance, I am in full support of a Baron-led military state. Much as I may not understand how it all works, I can see that it does (somewhat). It would help to answer the problem we face with the loss of Ofum, by providing additional barracks and training grounds for knights and civilians. True, it would not be on Weab, and a suitable replacement will need to be found, but it is a step in the right direction. And, while many barons are greedy power hungry-*ooft!* Erm, as a gathered council, you seem to work in the (general direction of) common good. As long as we knights have a say in how things are run in this new nation, such as we do now, I see no harm, and indeed potential benefit from this new state.
((What he is actually expecting is that the barons, faced with having to actually work together over the pettier details of running a nation rather then the grand aspects, will tear each other apart. Most likely literally. This will force them to either work together (Friendship is Magic, after all!) or crumble into war, which would allow for a less corrupt system to take its place. A long-term win-win for Jumper.))
You view power as an end, Baron Phobos, and not the means it is. Your scurrilous attempts at gerrymandering and politicking bring your fiefdom into disrepute, and that you are incapable of learning from your past transgressions sinks your petty nation further into iniquity. Smellfeast I name you, Baron of this place, for you seek to gorge yourself on that which is another's by right and by law, and pay no recompense to them. Slake your thirst for power with that which you already possess, and do not let your slithering ambition blind you more than it already has.
---
Smellfeast is a real term, by the by; 17th century, admittedly, so it's a little late, but I can't pass up an opportunity like that. =]
I will not be spoken to in such a manner. Especially not by your... *makes a dismissive hand gesture indicating Scape-Grace* ...jester, or what ever it is.
((He's a people person. Really.))
((I had never heard that particular term. Very interesting.))
It is thee, foul Phobos, who ought to be muzzled! Ye impune the honor of mine Lady Iximaz with your ill talk- cease it this instant!
((but if it was meant to be funny, the joke sailed right over my head.
BTW, that's the wrong homophone. "Impune", adjective, means unpunished. "Impugn," verb, means "call into question."))
((And there's also no need to get condescending.))
((I wasn't trying to be condescending, it just went over my head. (i.e., I had no idea whether you were joking or were honestly somehow offended.) Hence my response.))
((I knew there was something wrong when the spellcheck activated. It didn't give the proper spelling, though, just some other words, so I thought it just didn't recognize it. Thanks.))
But I fear the Scape-Grace has a mind of her own, and while I can chastise her, it would be a futile gesture-
[And then the Scape-Grace begins her rant. Lady Iximaz bangs her head against the table in a very undignified manner.]
[...and, approaching Lady Iximaz, lays a hand upon her shoulder.]
Be of good heart, and do not injure yourself, Lady Iximaz. The Scape-Grace is a woman of great wit, as I have now been privileged to see, and possesses great strength of will besides. I propose that attempting to halt her tongue would be no more than a waste of breath and vigor.
--
((Knight Eshakhar, who can also be titled 'Lady' if you so please, is a traveler born beyond the Mistwall who has recently sworn her loyalty to Lady Iximaz. I'm still putting together her story and heraldry and so on, but Ix has informed me that I can join the RP without having posted those yet, so here I am.
Of note: she carries twin swords, among other things, and has long studied words and at least one form of magecraft. She has no plans to stop traveling. And, if such things can be declared without first checking that putting in the equivalent is fine with people in question, she was knighted by Araeph (who gave me Permission). Anything else--and possibly even some of that--is almost definitely irrelevant to the Council meeting. ~DF))
Because you will not be told when you overstep your bounds. You believe, with evident sincerity, that a Baron cannot be wrong. I say thee nay, Smellfeast. For you are as porcine a man as I have seen in all my born days, and for the good of my lady's barony, you must be told when your ambition does your betters ill.
So keep your forked tongue held at bay, and be. Told.
---
Funnily enough, I only heard it this afternoon. I love words like that, they're so wonderfully cutting. Also, muzzle is spelled thusly. =]
Now, now, Scape-Grace. A ruffian you might be, but this is a Barons' council, and you will behave as is befitting of the occasion.
As to you, Baron Phobos... I am sorely disappoint. I would have expected you to at least try to deceive us into supporting your unimpressive attempt at grabbing more power.
I must say that the Poor Cynick's proposal is the soundest, and I voice my support of it.
-Baron Thanasius Ampelius of the Monastery of Spectacle, Lord of Skypcht, etc
Does my forthright manner not speak to my sincere belief that this situation would quickly be resolved under my stewardship? Were I the villain you all seem to believe I am, I would simply move in and claim those lands. And who could say otherwise, if I did? That I make my requests in the light of day, at an open forum, and subject myself to the consensus of my fellow Barons, and the noble Knights of Plort, should be ample evidence that I am not the scoundrel you think me to be.
Your 'forthright manner' does you credit; but I have learned in my studies and in my travels that scoundrels are cannot always be identified by military actions. Indeed, some of the most foul of scoundrels are those who speak boldly while planning to achieve their dastardly goals by any means, should talk fail.
I say this, of course, not to imply that you are such a scoundrel as this; however, Baron Phobos, I say that a close eye must be kept on your actions following the close of this meeting of the Council. If your actions are pure, and do not contradict the consensus of this Council, whatever it may be, then, milord, will we have our true evidence. And should they be impure--should you attempt to claim these lands even if the Council does not rule in your favor--then there will be those who are well-placed to prevent the injustice.
--
((I'd been wondering if it would turn out that Esh has a mind for politics but often little interest. The first could go either way, I suppose; however, what is certain is that she rather lacks tact. She may have spent too long with her books :D ~DF))
That you're exactly the scoundrel the other Barons think you are, Baron Phobos; merely weaker than your bluster intimates. You haven't the strength to face the rest of the Protectorate in open war - for that is what it would be, my Lord, open warfare upon both the Barons and the legacy of those who ruled from Harpwire. You lack the men, you lack the machines, you lack the capital, and you lack the spine to engage your Barons upon the field.
I am a lord of those who the laws of these lands keep outside, looking in with hungry bellies as the wolf-nights beckon, and yet we still abide by the laws you set. But you, you choose to believe that such naked theft does not apply.
Who would say otherwise? I say. The people say. Plort says. Listen to the voices raised against you, heed them, and content yourself with skulking about your castle. We have a war with the Marizu to prosecute. We have no need of petty distractions raised by a pettier little Smellfeast.
My dear Baron, your callous disregard of the Edict of Bast and the Constitution does not make me think you have the best interests of the Union in mind.
Why we would be... let's say more than a little put-our should you decide to claim those lands regardless?
((Scape, I had to tell you: this is absolutely hilarious. Ye Scape-Grace has a most wondrous and fantastically witty way with words. Please, please keep going. ~DF))
((Is the Scape-Grace the same person as Signora Wobbellini? If so, do you want to update her profile? If not, do you want to write a new one, and does Wobbellini still exist in Plort?))
((hS))
Fair words as suit thy needs above all else. For the grain trade goes not through thy ports, milord Baron, but along the river-windings north through to the ships at Critta-Kalthin, the seat as was built for my Most Serene Lady, heroine of war that she do be. That seat, that shining city, star o' the cresting waves... it were built for thee, milord Baron, and by thee, and at thy own expense, and yet thou profit from the sea trade it brings not one bit, be it in the coin of her Ladyship's realm or yer own silver tharnis. An' it do rankle, milords, it do rankle when thy work rewards another an' not thyself.
Milord Baron Huinesoron, thy fortunes wane. Thy warrin' days are done, thy people scratch a livin' from bare rock like the Dunlendings of the Medellurth faith thou dost so espouse, and thou seekst solely to consolidate what power remains'ee at th'expense of my Lady. Spin it 'owsoever thou do wish, Eagle's Shadow; this course do take from one an' give to another, with no recompense for them unfortunates as are robbed by thy hand an' feather pen.
---
"Yes, it seems the two of you are inseparable, even when [s]he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not."
-- Elrond Half-Elven, The Fellowship Of The Ring.
But yeah, my avatar is very much the Prince John to Baroness Iximaz's Richard I; while she's off kicking lumps out of various Marizu armies, someone's got to keep the barony ticking over and do the administrative drudgery. Might as well be the weird-looking, weirder-talking beggar woman who hangs around Castle Redwall like, in a fit of serendipity, a bad smell. =]
She seems to have interpreted 'Critta-Kalthin ships much of its grain north, so a new realm should be established in eastern Konti-Nyuum to feed our own knights' as 'we should take the grain trade away from Critta-Kalthin and place it in my hands'. I am at a loss to see how either of these would be the result of my proposal: the Riding of Sittorese would not sell its produce to foreign powers, and so would not compete with Critta-Kalthin at all; nor would the Riding be in any way associated with myself or my domains.
Frankly, while I am in full support of the principle of openness at the Baronial Council, I sometimes wish we might make exceptions.
~Baron Huinesoron, not of eastern Konti-Nyuum
((Because he's obnoxious when riled up, stars yes. As an unrelated aside, while Baron Me can't suggest it, Barony Iximaz might want to put forward the idea that C-K be promoted to city status.))
In the name of Kanun, the Guider, and Spelin, the One who Dictate.
I had remembered when the first time I formed my ten fingers in humbleness before Baron Huinesoron, and are accorded lands for my people, both Orcs and Men. But my memory is a bit rusty, and may people correct me should I recounted wrong.
Critta' was built close to a delta, of which its soil was mostly black clay, which were suitable for rice-growing. We were ignorant of the matters of wheat-growing, and the people I sent to study the technique suggested to me that the soil may not be very suitable for wheat, and forays into the business may not have generated enough food to sustain our growing numbers.
After the people of Kalthin accepted me as their officer and representative, and united the two towns to form Critta'-Kalthin, we could not find anyone who were willing to oversee wheat production. We decided it was a small matter, and everyone in the town seemed happy to eat rice daily.
We also could not find any towns in Konti-Nyuum that ate enough rice to justify trade with them, so we decided to sell our rice to Are-Pea Alliance and sometimes Guggle.
Such was our situation.
As of now, we may need to spend a bit more money and labour before we could plant wheat, should the profit opportunity arise. But we are ready to fulfill market demands, and we do consider past kindness and local requirements in setting our prices.
Despite having winters, our summers and and autumns happen long enough to allow planting of short-season rice variaties. But we can't plant rice for half of the year, and we are on a tight schedule. I would propose that other Baronies, should they find it prudent, to allow anyone wishing for better wages to work at Critta'-Kalthin in order to plant wheat to fulfill the demands of Konti-Nyuum. We will pay the workers well, and they will not pay any goods taxes to Critta'-Kalthin, of course only if Lady Iximaz allows such exemption.
I, who is sincere,
Dark Civilian Aakmal.
[I am basing rice-planting on Japan, as they are the northenmost that I know that plants rice. Hope everyone goes along with it.]
For I sees through thy pretty words. Milady Iximaz's wars upon the hated scourge o' the sea that is the Marizu, it do depend upon the sea an' her tradin' ships. I knows this, milord, for I do have to read the Barony's books when I do balance 'em. The grain traders of Critta-Kalthin buy up their wares from all across our noble nation, milord Baron - an' if this Ridin' will not sell to traders who wish to send our grain abroad, then that's less duties for milady's war chest. Instead, thy old army gets fed, for 'tis thee as has most to gain from the arrangement. Thyself, with thy raggedy armies, trapped as th'art beneath the grindstone o' poverty, aye, thou wouldst be in a fine position to go a-raidin' once more. My mistress? Her star wanes with that, for she can gain less from her privateerin' with no spare coin for ship repairs an' such. Milady wanes as milord waxes, an' the old order o' things do endure like maggots in a midden. You hurt her, my Lord, you do her most grievous hurt if you do this - and since she's ten times the raider you ever was, old gamekeeper, you hurt your war. Our war.
Though that be just my own readin' o' your letters' shape, milord. I be but simple country folk, an' not well-versed in thy most courtly turns of phrase.
---
Yeah, that's not a bad idea. City rights are extremely important, and port town sounds a lot more... well, parochial's the best word I can come up with... than port city.
Also, I'm trying not to have my charrie argue too vociferously against this course of action, because it's obvious Baron You wants to push it through and there is such a thing as needless expense of political capital, but such actions really would hurt Barony Iximaz a hell of a lot more than I think Baron You realises. Wars are expensive, after all, and you can't eat glorious victory. =]
You appear to have Baron Huinesoron's proposal confused for something of a more... sinister nature. He proposed that the new nation would be a "breadbasket", which sounds to me as though he intends for this to be a new place of production.
To this, I say, I wholeheartedly agree. Increasing the grain production of Plort would highly benefit our soldiers, and I am in full support of anything to increase our efficiency in the war against the Marizu.
There is one thing that concerns me, however. Huinesoron, you say that the new nation, were it to be founded, would be ruled by the Baronial Council, but someone would need to be put in charge of this nation, lest we want it to collapse as quickly as it is founded. I doubt any of us have the time or energies to devote to watching over the land, especially since we all have our own baronies to run. Who, then, would have the task of overseeing the day-to-day necessities of ruling a nation?
But I digress. There is one thing I would like to bring up, and that would be to give Critta-Kalthin status as a city. It has grown rapidly over the past year, and it now a city in all but name. It is only proper that it be given the same rights as such.
((No, she totally didn't show up dressed in her raiding gear, why on earth would she do that that would be silly
Am I taking advantage of hS' explanation to make myself look better? Apparently so. Lookit me, being all politician-like! *is shot by an angry Scape*
And ooh, I like the idea of C-K being made a city. It's apparently grown quite a bit lately, so it's "a city in all but name" at the moment, it would seem.))
There are but few cities in Plort, and they are of ancient lineage: Vaekew the fair, Manyuel with its libraries, Ozerbord of the festivals, sea-walled Borrd itself. Should we then extend such courtesy to a new-sprung town in the muddy plains of the west?
And yet... the barbarians of Chaett founded their port in but a few days, and we declare it still a city. Odolotos lies half-ruined or more, but it retains its title. Perhaps...
No, I must refrain from comment. As the Scape-Grace is so fond of reminding me, Critta-Kalthin was taken from me, and I retain no objectivity in its regard. I will let the Council decide as they will.
-Baron Huinesoron
((... is a terrible sulk. Honestly. ^_~))
((I'm really not sure how to take that...! ~hS))
((So access is not limited to the US.))
HG
((Is your reading of the situation that Iximaz is shipping grain from unpopulated western Iric - by either the narrow passes of the Larninkurvs or by ship from Tumblar to Borrd, and then presumably on by land by way of the Coast Road? I did highlight that this is land that's currently uncultivated, so I'm... having trouble understanding why you think it would hurt Barony Iximaz. Care to point me in the right direction?))
((Also, I have to say: I have missions dating to this year. Where does the Scape-Grace get the notion that I don't go raiding any more? [Is baffled]))
((hS OOC))
((Basically, the present plan consists of earmarking a vast amount of grain - that would otherwise be traded through Critta-Kalthin and bring in some much-needed funds - solely for domestic use, rather than splitting it in any way. This glut of grain drives prices down, even if it is just for use in Plort itself, and that means less trade overall for Critta-Kalthin. This in turn means less excise duties for Barony Iximaz to spend on its many, many, many raids, because that stuff costs money. Ship repairs. Equipment. Logistical support. Paying her troops. The list goes on. She'd have to inflict artificial price controls upon the grain trade to even have a hope of breaking even afterwards, and that means less raiding because she can't afford it, which means her income dwindles further. It's a vicious circle.))
((As for why the Scape-Grace is suggesting you don't go raiding any more, well, that's a lack of clarity on my part. You simply don't go raiding anywhere near as much as she does - plus, she doesn't like being called stupid. In fact, I'd go so far as to say she really damned despises it. So she's insulting him, to his face, and yeah that may actually have been a really dumb idea. =] ))
[We bought them somewhere, then sell them somewhere else at higher price. In Malay, we say it as choking the blood. But it does bring in a lot of money. We also sell spices in the same way. We may still be working on improving our profit margin, but for a town, we are rather rich.]
[But to settle the problem of grain price falling, why not pay tax in form of grain instead? As in, Critta'-Kalthin sells to outside, but pays 50% of the tax they owe in form of grain at market price. Lady Iximaz must them only use the grain as campaign or maintenance supply for her troops or workers. She is not allowed to sell back the grain, but may barter it or give it as a bargaining chip.]
((... the grain in question isn't currently being grown. He's proposing a resettlement plan to create grain production, not a repurposing of extant growth. That's why I'm baffled. The trade out of C-K shouldn't be reduced in any way, because what's being grown already is... still being grown. So I am a confuse. 'elp?))
((Also: she kinda started with the insults in the first post; I don't think he'd called her stupid recently at that point. ^_~))
((hS))
((This course of action will cause a glut of grain - because you're massively increasing the supply without a comparable increase in demand. The price a trader can get for the grain they sell will be lowered and continue to drop; this hurts the Critta-Kalthin state because of its reliance on trade duties. Ees keppitelism, comrade. =] ))
((Though the 'petty kingdoms in Weab's northern wastes' would presumably be shut down with the rise of the Riding, compensating for at least a while. And by 'presumably' I mean 'by order of the Baronial Council', because power corrupts etc. But yes, in the long run, there will be more grain running around in Plort.))
((Assuming that people keep writing missions at a rate of knots and talking to each other in cowrites and betaing, of course. If that dies down, the Riding will become - or remain - an empty wasteland, and quite possibly be reabsorbed. Real life trumps fictional, after all. ^_^))
((hS))
((Sorry, brain's a bit scrambled; stayed up all night in a fit of excitement waiting for you to post only for you to do so the moment I fell asleep. well, more like an hour after but shh))
((Anywho, I'm tired and confuzzled or something, but thanks for clearing that up. I thought the same thing.))
((... that occasionally while talking to one of Lady Iximaz or the Scape-Grace, there's a puff of smoke and then the other one is standing there, carrying on the conversation as if nothing happened.))
((Actually that's probably a viable form of magic in Plort.))
((hS))
((She mostly just follows Lady Iximaz around quite a bit, it would seem. Basically, she's my second shadow.))
A proposal by Baron Huinesoron, Protector of Ozerbord.
The fires which ravaged Ofum, the main military camp on Konti-Nyuum, came as a shock to us all. Without Ofum, we have no training facility for our knights; no barracks for our soldiers; no armoury for our weapons.
But while some of the armies have undertaken to rebuild portions of Ofum, the damage is simply too great - and besides, having all our military in one place is a recipe for disaster. New developments on the southern coast have also reduced the importance of the Borrd Gap in the war on the Marizu. I therefore propose the following:
A military centre to be established in southern Wechi, in the curve of the Turaipod Heights, and named Los Taelis. Roads to be constructed linking Los Taelis to Mei'n Payj and to the castle Arkive. The harbour at Mei'n Payj to be expanded, and to assume part of the duties of sending forth our brave knights.
A second military centre to be established in southern Ozerbord, and named Ba-Korp. A road constructed if necessary to tie Ba-Korp into the road network. The skyship port of Skypcht to be expanded and its production increased, to allow knights to fly to Weab to take up arms against the Marizu. The precise location of Ba-Korp will need to be determined; whether it should lie within Barony Huinesoron or Barony Thanasius Ampelius.
With these two new camps, the knowledge and skills we have learned at Ofum can be preserved, and the war against the Marizu continued.
Huinesoron, by the grace of Kanun Baron and Knight of Plort, Protector of Ozerbord, Custodian of Fanvik-Whirl, Marshal of the Order of Udisc, Scourge of the Marizu, Friend of Medellurth, &c &c &c
[This is because of the unexpected deletion of Miss Cam's website. The PPC backups are mostly in two locations: Neshomeh's Tripod 'Lost Tales', and my Webs/Google backups. The former is sited in a fairly self-explanatory location; the latter could very well be moved to the Borrd portions of Barony hS (ie, around the Wep and Gu-Gel rivers), but it seemed better thematically to put it close to the skyship port; the whole of Ozerbord vaguely represents my stuff anyway. ^_^
To clarify: the fort of Ofum has burned. You can't debate that; and unless Miss Cam restores her website, it's not being rebuilt, either. The debate is over what we do about it.]
Further, I would like to alert the Council that Fanvik-Neht holds a copy of Ofum's records. Will this copy be part of Los Taelis?
Considering that this would resemble rebuilding OFUM at the southern coast of Plort,
and that OFUM’s stronghold in Fanvik-Neht has been held for many years and is in no apparent danger,
and that copying the hundredsomething chapters of OFUM’s records is the most tedious work I can imagine, and I know quite well who would have to do it,
I vote for just leaving them there.
HG, the archivist’s apprentice
I rode against them many a time, many a time. Ever did their arrows fly, and ever did my sword ring in answer. *bows head* I have done much wrong. I am sorry.
