All For the Empire

[LatinKaiser]

Baldwin Montague sat silently atop his horse, surveying the land before him. The rain beat hard against the ground, turning the dirt into a thick mud. Baldwin's only thought of the weather was that it was bad -- but he hardly cared. Weather was something he couldn't control; his army was something he could control. To call the hodgepodge band of poachers and thieves that he commanded an army was generous, but it was this generosity that the King of Hendal had shown Baldwin Montague, and Baldwin Montague was not a man to look a gift horse in the mouth. He thought back to that first battle when he had made a name for himself. He could, if he concentrated, still remember what it had felt like to charge forward on that horse, not caring what happened to him. He remembered the fear -- it was only victory, he determined, that had saved him. He knew what he had done, and he knew how desperately he had wanted it. Baldwin wasn't by any means a religious man, but he did hold the belief that there was a force greater than himself that chose his destiny. The priests said that it was Namid, but Baldwin hadn't ever met Namid, and Namid sounded like a lousy bastard anyway. It wasn't through the Eternal Law that Baldwin had gotten to where he was -- destiny might have played a part, but he'd be damned if some bugger called Namid had done his work for him. No, Baldwin Montague wasn't going to let the priests tell him that he owed his success to Namid and that he should be grateful. Besides, all they were ever after was gold. Once, a priest had been lecturing Baldwin on the need for prayer and spiritual reflection -- a single ducat and the insolent man started droning on about how Baldwin was purifying his blood and how all humanity could be saved if there were more people like him.

Just as Baldwin was deep in thought, a young, fresh-faced lad rode up to him. It was Edwin, Baldwin's lieutenant. Edwin was a boy, but he was sharp as a dagger, and what he lacked in lacked in experience he more than made up for in enthusiasm. "Excuse me, sir, but I believe that our orders were to move through the valley and report any suspicious movement," he said with a slight grin.

"I know our bloody orders, Edwin," Baldwin responded, slightly indignant. "Alright men, move forward to the end of that valley!" Baldwin rode ahead, still thinking about those damned priests when a dark spot in the distance caught his eye. "Halt!" he shouted. "Raymond, you've a good eye, do you know what that might be?" Raymond, a tall lad with messy brown hair that went in several different directions, rode up beside Baldwin.

"Well, sir," he said "I'd say it's probably more o' those horsemen we been seeing the past few weeks."

"Figures. They don't seem to be moving toward us, though."

"Not right now," said Edwin.

"What do you mean 'not right now'?" Baldwin asked, somewhat annoyed at Edwin's interruption.

"Well, I mean that they seem to be keeping to themselves for the time being, but don't you think they'll come down here some day, sir?"

"Yes, I suppose so, Edwin," said Baldwin. "I suppose so..."

 

[KaiserBeer]

((So, as a baron, I'm interested to receive command of a portion of the dalmirian royal military. It isn't like we have a bunch of candidates anyway.))

 

[ThunderHawk3]

((So, as a baron, I'm interested to receive command of a portion of the dalmirian royal military. It isn't like we have a bunch of candidates anyway.))

((My current understanding is that the Dalmirans are suffering from a shortage of Dukes, but I'll leave that matter up to Canadian...))

 

[Canadian_95_RTS]

Char

Name: Magnus Landau I, King of Dalmira
Age: 34
Nationality: Dalmira
King Magnus I was born Tobias Landau, a lower lord of the Landau family. Tobias was, from the very beginning, a very administrative person, from managing money to handling succession, he would more often than not be found in a study than the training grounds, to the disappointment of his father. However, whenever his father ended up in monetary trouble (he was in monetary trouble a great deal, due to heavy drinking and gambling), Tobias was always there to get him out of it. Tobias was very fearful of the way his Uncle Conrad has acted in his later years, and as succession to Tobias became all the more likely, Tobias swore to himself that he would not rule that way. And thus, when succession was handed off to him, he set about building the land into a nation that would bring its neighbours to shame, and through this, he set out giving out titles that his uncle had taken, and rebuilding the kingdom from his rule. To this end, he renamed himself Magnus, to show that he would be different than his uncle, and rule as justly as possible.


The Nobles of the Kingdom of Dalmira
Ethan of Riosh ((BlackBishop)) - Duke of Igskada
Vytautas Krasnickas ((iisbroke)) - Duke of Erdheim, Duke of Rortzen
Maximillian Wiegraf ((KaiserBeer)) - Duke of Victorsburg, Duke of Foldgart
Dal'Athgar an Odal'in Uthbar ((Otto of england)) - Duke of Tydreach, Duke of Gottor
Henry Stolgen ((sneakyflaps)) - Duke of Stolgen, Duke of Arevmarch
Augustyn Langau ((Jeeshadow)) - Duke of Weldhiem

Armand Vasa ((Plutonium95)) - High Councillor

 

[jeeshadow]

Name: Prince Augustyn Landau
Birth: 474
Nationality: Dalmira
Biography: Augustyn is the younger brother of Tobias, the new King of Dalmira. He spent more time training than his brother, but still learned is fair share of administration. While Tobias was busy learning how to rule, Augustyn spent his time learning all he could about lands, although ending up to proficient at that. He spent a little too much time around his father, developing an interest in women. He also developed a certain other interest. He was never a fan of King Conrad, and was more than a little happy at his cousin's death. He is loyal to his family, and to the Crown.

 

[king cruel]

Name: Superius Xavier VII
Birth: 21st day of winter, 475 EY
Religion: Namidism
Nationality: Makrian
Biography:

 

[iisbroke]

The Highlands a geographic line that segregates those of the south from those of the north in Dalmira. Vytautas Krasnickas had spent most of his life in Arevmarch defending the frontier but is more than happy with his half-brother's gift. Now duke of two essential duchies he has to choose how best to help out his King. Rortzen is bountiful in iron a commodity that will be needed in case of war, and Erdheim houses most of the kingdom's goldmines a metal made precious just for having no other practical uses beyond currency. Looking at the map of his holdings he has decided upon his first actions.

ORDERS

Spoiler

1) Improve road infrastructure within the duchy of Erdheim, this will make trade and army movement far easier through the highland province.
2) Set up a series of outposts throughout the far eastern side of Rortzen. This duchy shares a border and pass with Ardans so a warning system should be kept in place should their forces visit without consent.

 

[Otto of england]

Tal'Athgar started walking along the battlements of his castle of Gottor. After recently being appointed duke after the last one died Tal'Athgar had much to work on. He really wasn't sure what to do first he had so much to be done and he could viablely do it all himself. The biggest problem he had was that the duchies he held had a low population and we're not particularly wealthy. This we hoped to change quickly and start to make the Highlands one of the best places in the country - better then it currently is. Tal'Athgar though was unsure of what the best method to create wealth was...

Spoiler

Order 1: start improving the farming practices in the duchies to reduce the amount of people required for agricultural work and to increase food production.
order 2: start encouraging the creation of a local armour and weapon making industry.

 

[ThunderHawk3]

((Folks, Meddeland still only has two people and it needs more. If I don't see some more signups for the faction by tomorrow I'm going to have to do something a little more drastic.))

Hint: Player-characters have the power to sign whatever treaties they like, but not control public opinion. If a treaty is signed between PCs, diplomatic traits can affect how the treaty is perceived domestically in both players' domains.

 

[Dadarian]

((Folks, Meddeland still only has two people and it needs more. If I don't see some more signups for the faction by tomorrow I'm going to have to do something a little more drastic.))

((AKA, he's going to play God and start kicking people about whether they want to or not. So go and press-gang people into joining like it is 1810*))

*Note: Do not break forum rules

 

[Marschalk]

Name: Maximillian III the Just, of the House Briarling (extended House of Briar)
Date of Birth: 463
Place of Birth: Kandon, Meddeland
Nationality: Meddish
Occupation: King of Meddleland and Ardans (titular)

Bio: A closest relative to the last of Meddish Kings, before taking his throne name, this monarch was known simply as Lord William of Rutherford. Many years he has spent in the service of the Crown, going where his august relative sent him - paticipating in several diplomatic missions, he grew especially close to the neighbours in Hendal, marrying a noblewoman related to the royal house of the land. Serving as one of the Viceroys of Ardans, he was one of the few that could (in some way, at least) communicate with the locals. Returning to the royal court in Kandon, he established himself as one of the leaders within the Great Council, getting known for his shrewd and eloquent speeches. At the end of the reign of Maximillian II, Lord William served as his top advisors and became widely known for his knowledge of the laws of the land and stewardship skills.

Aftet the death of the last of Briars, he was, with acclaim, coronated as the new King of Meddleland - and finding empty coffers and lost territories, wishes to do everything to bring the lands of the Meddish back to greatness. He is a very pragmatic man, strict, but just, a lover of books and Meddish culture. He is also known to be quite religious.

 

[ThunderHawk3]

((Here's the detailed information on all the Duchies and the Superiacy. I'm not doing this for cities/territories/other regions so don't even ask.))

Superiacy

Spoiler

The Namidist Superiacy
Superius Xavier VII((king cruel))
Theocracy - Victorsburg (location of the high church)
Population: N/A
Size: N/A

Dashboard:
Treasury: 5000 ducats (+150)
Special Inventory: Wand with feathers hanging from the tip

Demographics:

N/A - The Superiacy does not strictly speaking have its own population.

Military:

N/A - The Superiacy does not have a military. The Duke of Victorsburg is bound by honor to defend the Superiacy from attackers and protect it from outside pressures - though of course, this does not always work out in practice.

Budget:
The Superiacy's revenue is not the same as the church's revenue, as many local parishes take in money which is used locally and not passed on to the High Church. However, the Superiacy derives large amounts of revenue from the Church's de facto monopoly on alcohol (the proceeds of which are generally split between local jurisdictions and the High Church), donations, and tithes that paid directly to the church.

(serf tithe not in season)
+500 ducats (alcohol monopoly)
+200 ducats (pass-through income from lesser churches)
+100 ducats (donations)
800 income

-200 ducats (grants and pass-through expenditures to lesser church levels and parishes)
-200 ducats (education - the church takes responsibility for most education in Makria)
-100 ducats (good works and charity)
-100 ducats (administration; the Superiacy often funds ecclesiastical courts)
-50 ducats (court expenses)
-650 expenses

Igskada

Spoiler

Duchy of Igskada
Ethan of Riosh ((BlackBishop))
Duchy - Igskada (seat of government)
Population: 620,000

Dashboard:
Treasury: 100 ducats (-15)
Special Inventory: An ancient document from the Superiacy certifying the borders of Igskada

Demographics:

Population: 620k (population excess 38,000)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
564,000 Serf Farmers
10,000 Freehold Farmers
8,000 Fishermen (virtually the entire official fishing industry is confined to the port city of Igskada)

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
1,000 Burghers (regardless of trade or function, essentially medieval bourgeoisie, includes misc)
20,000 Servants
6,000 Nobles (including minor nobles, like baronets, their families and landed knights)
5,000 Clergy (including associated monastic orders, etc.)
2,000 Soldiers (professionals, including unlanded knights and hedge knights)
4,000 Bureaucrats (includes bailiffs, tax collectors, judges, etc., not servants)

Military:

The Duchy of Igskada maintains the smallest standing army in the Kingdom, barely enough to keep the peace within the Duchy. It consequently runs a large primary surplus when a normal tithe is paid.

Budget:

(serf tithe not in season)
+10 ducats (port fees)
+2 ducats (landing fees - basically a tithe paid by fishermen)
+2 ducats (rents - literally rent paid by freehold farmers)
14 income

-20 ducats (army salaries)
-4 ducats (administration)
-5 ducats (court expenses)
-29 expenses

Erdheim and Rortzen

Spoiler

Duchies of Erdheim and Rortzen
Vytautas Krasnickas ((iisbroke))
Duchy - Erdheim and Rortzen (seat(s) of government)
Population: 762,000

Dashboard:
Treasury: 500 ducats (+54)
Special Inventory: A glowing sword dug up in the mines. Probably magical.

Population: 762k (population excess 169k)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
593,000 Serf Farmers (365,000 Erdheim+238,000 Rortzen)

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
88,000 Burghers (46,000 Erdheim and 42,000 Rortzen)
30,000 Laborers (20,000 Erdheim and 10,000 Rortzen)
20,000 Servants (13,000 Erdheim and 7,000 Rortzen)
6,000 Nobles (4,000 Erdheim and 2,000 Rortzen)
5,000 Clergy (3,500 Erdheim and 1,500 Rortzen)
4,000 Soldiers (2,000 each)
4,000 Bureaucrats (2,500 Erdheim, 1,500 Rortzen)

Military: Erdheim and Rortzen have small militaries, mainly used for peacekeeping and policing within their own realms. The Erdheim guard is somewhat better equipped and paid than other militaries, comparable in both areas to the Hendal army.

Budget:

(serf tithe not in season)
+88 ducats (city tax)
+40 ducats (gold monopoly)
+10 ducats (iron monopoly)
138 income

-60 ducats (army salaries)
-4 ducats (administration; hint: this cost will fall when you appoint new nobles)
-20 ducats (court expenses)
-84 expenses

Victorsburg and Foldgart

Spoiler

Duchies of Victorsburg and Foldgart
Maximillian Wiegraf ((KaiserBeer))
Duchy - Victorsburg and Foldgart (seat(s) of government)
Population: 1.07M

Dashboard:
Treasury: 300 ducats (-64)
Special Inventory: A self-proclaimed wizard is being held in your dungeons.

Population: 1.07M (population excess 135k)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
913,000 Serf Farmers (535,000 Victorsburg and 378,000 Foldgart)
20,0000 Freehold Farmers (10,000 each)

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
54,000 Burghers (28,000 Victorsburg+26,000 Foldgart)
35,000 Servants (25,000 Victorsburg+10,000 Foldgart)
11,000 Nobles (7,000 Victorsburg and 4,000 Foldgart)
17,000 Clergy (14,000 Victorsburg and 3,000 Foldgart)
10,000 Soldiers (4,000 Victorsburg and 6,000 Foldgart)
8,000 Bureaucrats (5,000 Victorsburg and 3,000 Foldgart)

Military: Victorsburg and Foldgart together form one of the largest population blocks in the Empire and field a formidable standing army, about 10,000 strong. The Foldgart army garrisons the Rutherine Wall and the city. Serfs are often required to give service to the Duke of Foldgart by repairing the Rutherine Wall when necessary (under the supervision of the military), which conveniently means that the Duke does not have to pay laborers to do the work.

Budget:

(serf tithe not in season)
+54 ducats (city tax)
54 income

-100 ducats (army salaries)
-8 ducats (administration; hint: this cost will fall when you appoint new nobles)
-10 ducats (court expenses)
118 expenses

Tydreach and Gottor

Spoiler

Duchies of Tydreach and Gottor
Dal'Athgar an Odal'in Uthbar ((Otto of England))
Duchy - Tydreach and Gottor (seat(s) of government)
Population: 514k

Dashboard:
Treasury: 200 ducats (-19)
Special Inventory: A Void Demon, a dangerous incorporeal being that appears as purple smoke, with the power to phase through solid objects at will, is being confined by magical wards in your bestiary. It looks vaguely humanoid but has no discernable face and has made no effort to communicate with you.

Population: 514k (population excess 63k)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
451,000 Serf Farmers (282,000 Tydreach and 169,000 Gottor)

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
29,000 Burghers (10,000 Tydreach and 19,000 Gottor)
15,000 Servants (8,000 Tydreach and 7,000 Gottor)
6,000 Nobles (4,000 Tydreach and 2,000 Gottor)
5,000 Clergy (3,500 Tydreach and 1,500 Gottor)
4,000 Soldiers (2,000 each)
4,000 Bureaucrats (2,500 Tydreach and 1,500 Gottor)

Military: Tydreach and Gottor have long been vulnerable duchies, but the recent Ardans independence has thrust them into a state of near crisis, as neither fields a particularly large or powerful military.

Budget:

(serf tithe not in season)
+30 ducats (city tax)
30 income

-40 ducats (army salaries)
-4 ducats (administration; hint: this cost will fall when you appoint new nobles)
-5 ducats (court expenses)
49 expenses

Stolgen and Arevmarch

Spoiler

Duchies of Stolgen and Arevmarch
Henry Stolgen ((sneakyflaps))
Duchy - Stolgen and Arevmarch (seat(s) of government)
Population: 545k

Dashboard:
Treasury: 300 ducats (-54)
Special Inventory: You have an an antique set of platemail armor, detailed with silver. It's a relic of the House of the Stolgen, worn by your forefathers.

Population: 545k (population excess 95k)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
450,000 Serf Farmers (285,000 Stolgen and 165,000 Arevmarch)

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
45,000 Burghers (22,000 Stolgen and 23,000 Arevmarch)
10,000 Laborers (Stolgen only)
15,000 Servants (10,000 Stolgen, 5,000 Arevmarch)
6,000 Nobles (4,000 Stolgen and 2,000 Arevmarch)
5,000 Clergy (3,500 Stolgen and 1,500 Arevmarch)
10,000 Soldiers (5,000 each)
4,000 Bureaucrats (2,500 Stolgen and 1,500 Arevmarch)

Military: Stolgen and Arevmarch, now united, have formed a powerful block in the West Marches, jointly fielding a professional army of roughly 10,000 soldiers. Castle Haster is technically under the jurisdiction of Weldheim, not Stolgen.

Budget: Ducal revenue is generated primarily from serf tithe and city tax. The serf tithe is by far the larger but is only paid once a year, and heavily dependent on the harvest.

(serf tithe not in season)
+45 ducats (city tax)
+10 ducats (iron monopoly)
55 income

-100 ducats (army salaries)
-4 ducats (administration; hint: this cost will fall when you appoint new nobles)
-5 ducats (court expenses)
109 expenses

Weldheim

Spoiler

Duchy of Weldheim
Augustyn Landau ((Jeeshadow))
Duchy - Weldheim (seat(s) of government)
Population: 449k

Dashboard:
Treasury: 200 ducats (-58)
Special Inventory: You have a statuette of a dragon with ruby eyes. It looks strangely alive... and you think you've seen one like it somewhere before.

Population: 449k (population excess 82k)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
367,000 Serf Farmers

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
50,000 Burghers (regardless of trade or function, essentially medieval bourgeoisie, includes misc)
10,000 Servants
5,000 Nobles (including minor nobles, like baronets, their families and landed knights)
4,000 Clergy (including associated monastic orders, etc.)
10,000 Soldiers (professionals, including unlanded knights and hedge knights)
3,000 Bureaucrats (includes bailiffs, tax collectors, judges, etc., not servants)

Military: Weldheim arguably has the most powerful army of any of the Dalmiran duchies - ten thousand strong, still augmented with surviving veterans of the West Marches war as sergeants and low-ranking officers. It is responsible for guarding the huge Treaty Line - the southern border with Hendal - and garrisoning Castle Haster and Castle Wreath, critical hardpoints. The army is a taxing drag on the economy of Weldheim, but it is necessary for the defense of the Duchy - Hendal generally parks an army just as large as Weldheim's or larger right over the border.

Budget: Ducal revenue is generated primarily from serf tithe and city tax. The serf tithe is by far the larger but is only paid once a year, and heavily dependent on the harvest.

(serf tithe not in season)
+50 ducats (city/castle tax)
50 income

-100 ducats (army salaries)
-3 ducats (administration; hint: this cost will fall when you appoint new nobles)
-5 ducats (court expenses)
108 expenses

Halbstadht

Spoiler

Territory of Halbstadht
Magnus Landau I ((Canadian_95_RTS))
King's Demesne - Halbstadht (seat(s) of government)
Population: 862k

Population: 862k (population excess 102k)

Non-excess: ((the non-excess is primarily engaged in subsistence activities, generally food production))
740,000 Serf Farmers
20,000 Freehold Farmers

Excess: ((the population excess is portion of the population not engaged in food production))
30,000 Burghers (regardless of trade or function, essentially medieval bourgeoisie, includes misc)
10,000 Laborers (typically miners or builders, not serfs)
35,000 Servants
10,000 Nobles (including minor nobles, like baronets, their families and landed knights)
9,000 Clergy (including associated monastic orders, etc.)
4,000 Soldiers (professionals, including unlanded knights and hedge knights)
4,000 Bureaucrats (includes bailiffs, tax collectors, judges, etc., not servants)

Military: This realm does not have an independent military. See Dalmira.

Budget: This realm does not have an independent budget. See Dalmira.

Hint: An army's marching speed depends on many factors, including season, weather, terrain, morale, and whether or not they're on a road. Armies can march faster through friendly territory than enemy territory.

 

[Gen. Marshall]

What are you doing, Sir?

One of Reynald (formerly Haakon) his soldiers entered the room; the door had been open, a sign to all that they could enter without risking their lives in the process. The soldier in question, a Sergeant in the National Army, looked at Reynald whose heavy weight leaned on the large wooden dining table.

The Oligarch still hadn't answered yet. The Sergeant licked his lips eagerly in expectation.

Sir?
What?
I was just wondering what you were doing. The door was open, and...
It's fine, Sergeant Meleard. I was just examining our information on the Foe's light cavalry.
What about it? Their light cavalry, I mean.
Aahh, nothing. They can hunt down archers but what good is that against our army? One charge into our line of battle and our spears and pikes will decimate them!
I'm sure they will.

That's not why I'm here, though.
Then why are you here? Say what you want Meleard, stop spinning in damn circles!
Circles?
...
Ah well. I wanted to talk to you about... about that Jester.
What about him?

Reynald dan Haaken let go of the table to start pacing around his room. He knew very well his soldiers' opinion on Argent Grancour, but he tried to keep a straight face. There was no need to question Ardans' leadership in front of the soldiers.

Well... It's just that my men saw him yesterday with blood all over his face. I think he's going insane. He might even turn on us!
That is no problem to us, Sergeant. The Marcher knows what he is doing.
We can't just let him roam around here!
We can do whatever we want, Sergeant!
...look. I know you're concerned. But he won't be here for much longer.
Will you send him away?
Go join your men, Meleard. And close the door.

 

[ThunderHawk3]

The Reorganization of Dalmira​

​

​

​

It wasn't until the Spring of 500, after Conrad had been in his grave for several months, that the damage the Black King had dealt to Dalmira's numerous royal dynasties became fully known. King Conrad had undertaken not just to murder the dukes, but also to assassinate as much of their families as possible, to minimize subsequent resistance. This plan obviously did not work, as Conrad was himself assassinated shortly thereafter. The public was told that a Skyseeker was responsible for the regicide, but everyone with more wits than a concussed serf understood that this was merely an excuse - the wrath of the remaining noble families had been vengeful and terrible.

Nevertheless, the extinction of so many high noble families gave the new King Magnus an opportunity to significantly reorganize the Kingdom. He knew he could not hold all the duchies that Conrad had perfidiously seized for himself - that was likely to spark an instantaneous civil war - but he could assign the vacant posts in a way that was to his liking. The King's subsequent doling out of the territories came to be known as the Reorganization of Dalmira. Though no borders were changed, it was nevertheless a significant shift of power within the Kingdom.

Of Dalmira's ten duchies, nine were vacant when Magnus came to power (the sole exception being the Henry Stolgen, who already ascended to his ducal seat). Magnus was mindful of both diplomacy and his own interests as he apportioned the remaining territories. To placate the Duke of Stolgen - who was understandably not happy with the crown after the murder of his father - Magnus both affirmed Henry's claim on Stolgen and offered him Arevmarch to boot, giving the Stolgens vast control over the northwest "marches." Meanwhile, Magnus' immediate family was assigned three duchies - the powerful highland duchies of Erdheim and Rortzen went to his bastard half-brother while the former March of Weldheim was awarded to his full brother, Augustyn. There was some grumbling from the local nobility in Erdheim and Rortzen about this, as many saw it as a possible money grab, with the King likely to want to turn the wealth of both duchies towards his own purposes.

The lowland territories were split up among lesser noble families. Ethan of Riosh - the grandson of a minor, struggling baron who had served the old Duke as a begrudging vassal - was named Duke of Igskada. The promotion was generally accepted by the rest of Igskada's nobility, but not without whisperings. Riosh's father had once attacked the old Duke's men, and some local nobles wondered if the House of Riosh might not have been co-conspirators of Conrad the Black. Still, as Igskada - a duchy known mainly for its grain production and small port - had generally fallen on hard times, there were not many other choices. Baron Maximillian Wiegraf, on the other hand, was imported from Rortzen to rule over the powerful duchies of Victorsburg and Foldgart. Many marveled that the King had granted both of these duchies to one man, as Victorsburg was the largest in the Kingdom and Foldgart not much smaller; together they formed a block larger and more populous than the King's own holdings. This was generally regarded as a military-minded decision, however, as Wiegraf had achieved some success as a soldier, and Foldgart bordered both Ardans and Meddeland - both possible enemies.

The last and most shocking decision, however, was the King's decision to pass over the local nobility entirely and hand the Duchies of Tydreach and Gottor over to a soldier, Dal'Athgar an Odal'in Uthbar, a Dalmiran army man of no noble blood. This too was thought to be a military decision, as both duchies were now threatened by the newly independent Ardans. The local nobility did not dare to defy the King or revolt, as their infighting might easily compromise their already tenuous position on the Ardans border, but there was much unhappy talk about the King's decision to make a commoner a duke twice over.

Hint: Conspiracies with more than one person are much more likely to succeed than one man-plots. Suitably intrigue-related traits are also a great advantage.

 

[Fingon888]

War is Just Dueling... Right?​

Leopold struck the target with his sword. Anger coursed through him. The heathen, traitorous, filth of the Ardans had defeated the mighty Meddish army. If there was one thing Leopold loved more than dueling it was Meddeland and the defeat shamed him to the very bones. The King had been killed and it looked like the war would be certainly lost. This was shameful, this was a tragedy. This was... unacceptable.

Leopold walked away from the fighting dummy. He saw the demoralized mess of an army about him. They were good soldiers one and all but they felt the deep sting of defeat as deeply as he himself had. He grabbed some of the men around him and marched together to the general's tent. The soldiers spread the word and by the time Leopold had arrived at the residence of the commanding officer, over eighty men followed him, fully armed with their weapons in hand. Leopold barged in, hand on the pommel of his sword.

The General Staff stared in shock, the Commanding Officer demanded an explanation. Leopold smiled. "My good friends of the General Staff. It has come to my attention that the Ardans are kicking us out of their territory. This must be rectified." Leopold paces, "You are all a disgrace to this Kingdom. You lack the confidence, skill, and flair to win a war let alone a duel. Scribe, send a letter to the King in Kandon that his army is now under the command of Leopold Zweigler, Commander of the King's Army."

The General's face turned into the most awful and angry look. "Punish this man! Kill him!"

The soldiers do not move. Leopold laughs and commands the soldiers to take them out which they do. He follows out and exiled the commanding officers back to Kandon. "Men of Meddeland, the forces of the Ardans heretics have pushed us back, but no more! We will defeat them. I will assign men to go out and gather new soldiers from the countryside and we will begin training our forces and prepare to cross the Bar River to bring the taste of defeat to the Ardans scum!"

Orders:

Spoiler

Recruit new conscripts from around the countryside.

Train the members of the Meddish army camped at the Bar River.

 

[Boulangerie]

((Folks, Meddeland still only has two people and it needs more. If I don't see some more signups for the faction by tomorrow I'm going to have to do something a little more drastic.))

(( I'm playing Meddeland. Just waiting on traits. ))

 

[Sneakyflaps]

The Duchy of Arevmarch, it was something at least. The reorganization had been lackluster to say the very least, a minor noble given such lands as Victorsburg and Foldgart, it was outright disgusting to behold. Not to even mention Tydreach and Gottor going to a man of no proper blood. The power grabs by the royal family was no laughing matter either, but at least they went to a bastard which was little consultation. None of this would have happened during the reign of the proper Victors´, this new King has a lot to prove and little time to do it, but perhaps it is not all bad as there might still lay hidden treasures in the north.

Orders:

Spoiler

Henry Stolgen will travel to Arevmarch with several advisers, there he will travel to the northern ranges and the Destus Gorges. While it might be unforgiving then it also gives hopes that there might be several untapped resources within it, or nearby mountains. Hopefully finding gold, silver or iron.

 

[Emilersej]

Name: Margrave Sane III Thunderfalcon of Henry's Gate, Lord Justiciar of the Kingdom of Meddeland
Born: 458 (42)
Nationality: Meddish
Traits: TBD
Background: A noble from the noble dynasty traditionally ruling the Margraviate of Henry's Gate, Sane has never lacked anything in his life. Despite this, he aims to keep his blood clean, for instance by only ever drinking Superiacy-sanctioned red wine, as it is a commonly known fact that it takes away the corrupted, red color of one's blood and gives it a blueish hue. Due to his position, he also sees it as his duty to make others, especially his subjects, see the light of the Eternal Law, for their own and all of humankind's sake. He spends most of his spare time caring for his always very fashionable mustache and reading dictionaries in order to better master the Meddish tongue.

 

[aedan777]

Michel Szabolcsi walked through the spacious capital building, watching as subordinates scurried around to do the work needed to form a functioning government out of a popular resistance group. While Michel was sure the Marcher was a capable warrior, he wasn't sure if the man was up to the task of running a nation, considering his hot-headedness and simplicity. His choice of Inquisitor was also troubling. Certainly having a man who inspires fear in enemies was useful, but when the man caused equal fear among one's compatriots, the usefulness of such fear because highly questionable. The Marcher had chosen well for the Oligarchs though, with the other men chosen being decent enough generals, who seemed to have the best interests of Ardans flowing through their hearts, and of course the Marcher had picked Michel, not just as Oligarch of Sevala, but also made him Steward, effectively making Michel the second most powerful man in Ardans. Though such a task would have weighed heavily on ordinary men, Michel was no ordinary man. His immense genius had been obvious for years, and a vital part in his rise through the southern resistance groups, and suitably impressed any who spoke with Michel for any length of time. Combined with his experience outweighing that of any other man of importance in Ardans, there was truly no man better suited for the job than Michel Szabolcsi.

To that end the first order of business for his new position was to create a functioning economy for the nation to supply its army and other functions of government. The establishment of a national tax would be the first order of business, bringing in revenue, with the census that was to be conducted assisting matter greatly. The mining sector in particular was lively and would have extra taxes placed upon it to fund the army and exploit the vast iron industry the nation enjoyed. Finally a nation-wide trade system would be established to integrate the economies of the cities together and support specialization in the cities, increasing the overall wealth and efficiency of the nation, with plans to expand the trade system to neighboring duchies in Dalmira being considered for the future. Michel began issuing commands to the subordinates around him and dictated letters to go to the others cities, hoping to get as much of this economic plan set up in the months to come, while the realm had an uneasy calm with Meddeland.

Spoiler

Set a tax on mining produce at 10% of profits from mining companies, guilds, and stone quarries.
Set an income tax at 20% of each citizen's income.
Establish trading houses in all five major cities of Ardans, to overseer commerce and support merchants.

As his work began in earnest his thoughts returned to the family he had left behind in Sevala to take his post in the Capital. He had scarcely seen his wife and children since the resistance had rose in strength half a dozen years ago. Henri was almost a man now, 14 years old, and his sisters a mere three years behind him. The need to serve Ardans in its hour of need was great, but to take him from his family for so long took its toll. Perhaps once the economy was created and the war with Meddeland was settled he could return home, or bring them to the capital if need be. The letters from his family only spoke words of happiness and affection, but he could not help but feel that he was not doing justice to them, leaving them on their own in these trying times. He feared most for his son, what kind of man would he become without a proper role-model to raise him?

Michel sighed deeply and dispelled such thoughts from his head. The current state of affairs was for the best, and he could not return to his family while the realm needed him. Before family came country, for without country, where could a family live? The best thing he could do for his family was to complete his job quickly and efficiently to create a stable and prosperous realm.

Glory to Ardans. Death to Kings.

 

[Boulangerie]

Name: Alfons Windfell
Born: 465 in Port Reale (35 years old)
Nationality: Meddish
Occupation: Merchant
Background: TBD

((I imagine Great Councilor is a trait, like being in the army, so I'm not one of those wealthy merchants in the council, I'm just an ambitious guy available for office from the King?))