Voivode Court of Moldavia-Wallachia

[von Streusser]

The chambermaids looked aghast at the situation, but quickly collected themselves to tend to the wounded. One clucked in a scolding fashion at Xena and tried to swat her hands away from Nicolae so she could place him on the bed and dress his wounds again. However, Xena refused this advance, and pushed the chambermaid's hands away, placing Nicolae on the bed herself. He groaned a little as he was moved, but was more or less dead weight. The second chambermaid looked down at Valeriu's prostrate body and the mess the broken chair had made with some disdain. The hair on the back of his head was slick and matted with blood.

Zaharia, for his part, rolled his eyes and looked from Valeriu, to Nicolae, to Xena. "Valeriu threatened you with his sword?" the knight asked, looking at Xena as the second chambermaid attempted to lift Valeriu from the ground and failed. The first woman was now removing Nicolae's bandages, exposing the slowly healing shrapnel wound and throwing the blood-soaked rags away. Fresh water and bandages were brought in, and she set to work cleaning him up and re-wrapping his wounds. Once he was laid still and on his back, the bleeding stopped fairly quickly.

Xena answered in the affirmative, Valeriu had threatened her with his sword, and had threatened to take her head. The second chambermaid, unable to lift Valeriu, decided instead to reach under both his arms and drag him from the room. Zaharia leaned against the wall, folding his arm and a half across his chest. "That's a very serious accusation...but one I imagine Nicolae will be able to verify once he wakes up. So Valeriu threatened you and Nicolae hit him with a chair to stop him from hurting you?" Zaha sighed...the last thing he needed was for the class to start disintegrating like this.

"If that's true, I may have to expel Valeriu. I'll miss his sword in the coming weeks, but I'd rather have three people who trust each other behind me than four that don't. The Voivode has sent me a letter asking me to give you all some more practical training...and he believes that it's time for House Litovoi to make a statement in the blood feud with the Mana Rocu. That means...once Nico here is healed, you're all going to see real combat.

In the meantime..." he sighed again "I'd appreciate it if none of you killed each other. Speaking of which, why did Valeriu threaten you, and why on earth did Nicolae hit him with a chair? I thought they were friends?"

 

[von Streusser]

Eulogy, Hymn, and Vespers​

​

"What on earth is that thing?" asked an incredulous Radu Ciobanul. All around him was heat and activity, molten metal being poured into molds and craftsmen working diligently. The foreman wiped sweat from his forehead and onto his apron, and began to grin.

"It's an organ gun, Lord Ciobanul...after the pipes on an organ." He was proud of the fruits of the foundry's labors, and rightfully so. Since the accident they had revised their schematics a great deal, adding bronze bands and heavy reinforcing materials, and testing the pieces thoroughly...with extra long fuses. "It's a remarkably simple design, for what it is...just a bunch of small cannon barrels mounted on a single carriage. The crew can light each fuse one at a time in succession, or light them all at once for a devastating volley. And the whole set-up breaks down into the individual barrels and pieces of the carriage, so it can be broken down and moved a long distance, then re-assembled on the battlefield."

Radu looked at it closely...each barrel, though small, was reinforced with bronze bands and looked fairly thick. These cannons were not decorated or stylized like the last set, but were purely utilitarian. "How many have you tested?"

"All of them!" the foreman declared "several times each. We've only had one barrel crack, and it didn't explode...though it would have had we fired it again."

"A definite improvement" Ciobanul mused.

"And here's one of the best parts...if we equip the army with a few extra barrels, they can replace the broken ones quickly and not lose any effectiveness from the piece!" He was quite proud of this little thought.

"Where did you get the idea for this piece?"

"We understand the Germans and Italians are working on something similar. And our Russian friends apparently tinkered with the idea. But considering we were looking at making smaller pieces, just combining a few seemed like a logical next step. Of course, it does have its drawbacks...this isn't a siege weapon. You're not going to be able to put anything large down the barrel or smash any walls with it. Shots are going to be about" he held up a fist "this big around at its longest range...and that's not very far. When this gun will come into it's own is on defense...fill it up with stone or lead pellets, and then when an enemy is charging your position, you fire each barrel one at a time...or all at once, if you really want to terrify them. It'll shred the front line, armor or no, and break up the offensive. We testfired it at some dummies outside...it spreads out in a huge cone and just rips anything in front of it to pieces."

"And none have blown up yet?"

"Not yet, Lord Ciobanul."

"Good...it's an excellent start..." He looked at the three pieces sitting in front of him, each carrying four cannon barrels on the wide carriage. "Have you named them yet?"

"Yessir...Eulogy, Hymn, and Vespers."

 

[Blade!]

Boyfriend was in a coma, I know, I know, it's serious...

Great Foundary of Iasi​

​

'So confusing.'

Xena pondered the strangeness of Nicolae's words... the words uttered while he beat Valeriu's skull to bloodiness. Valeriu's attack towards her person had not ben overly surprising to Xena, but its ending certainly was. Xena, honestly, had never suspected from Nicolae, or event hat he was capable of such action, especially against Valeriu. Xena wondered if Valeriu would really be expelled.... he was a strong and capable arm. She knew she would have to watch out... 'and probably Nicole will have to as well... or are boys like that... boys are always fighting.'

Xena's head was filled with questions, and armed in one of her finer full dresses from her beloved wardrobe, she left Brother and Sister wolf, who was too heavy with litter to move in any case, and went out to find someone who would know. Just for having been present when Sir Zaharia burst into the room, Xena felt like avoiding him and any further inquiries he might have. Xena knew her own position was more of an outsider, both as a woman and a Moslem from Drobudja, than any of the scions of noble families from Moldavia proper, so she had no desire to rock the boat with her primary instructor.

It was Lord Radu Ciobanul that she sought. She knew that he had traveled with Lady Jasmine across the seas, and also knew that he was the man that brought Voivode Stephan II to the formerly hidden Friday Mosque. It was her hope, that he would not mind providing her with information and counsel. She had little other choice, she knew few others whatsoever.

She followed the words of one of his servants, and arrived to see Radu standing in front of the accursed cannon foundary. Xena did not like cannons.

"Lord Ciobanul?"

Xena made a curtsey, and a fine one; after several months of occaisonally havijng to wear formal dresses and in observation of the "ladies" of the court, hers had become true to form.

"Xena Radu of Drobudja... I do beleive I have seen you at dinner my Lord, I am in the service of the castle under Lady Maia's supervision, formerly I was tutorted by Lady Jasmine of Drobudja, who I beleive you are accquainted with... would you be so kind, as to spare a moment?

I beleive I have found myself in a position of provincial ignorance regarding some of the politics between the nobles of the land, specifically..."

Xena recounted that she had become betwixt, in passing, of an argument between scions of Valeriu's house and Nicolae's, though she did not name them by name.

"I was hoping you would have some light to shed on the subject, I would not wish to tresspass offensively on the subject should it be broached again."

 

[von Streusser]

Radu was somewhat surprised to see the girl here...in fact, offhand he didn't recall who she was. But when she introduced herself, and mentioned her connections to both Lady Maia and Lady Jasmine, recognition flooded his mind. "Ahhh, yes...a student of Lady Jasmine's, and now the Princess. Yes of course, what can I do for you?" He turned back to inspect the artillery pieces again as she described her issue, then looked up when she got to the part about two feuding houses.

"Oh dear...yes, I heard about that little incident. I'm amazed it came to violence, frankly...Nicolae has put himself and his family in quite a hard spot with that little outburst." He looked over at the foreman and the craftsmen, now deliberately and pointedly ignoring him and the girl. "Come, walk with me...lets leave this place behind, I can't even hear myself think." He led her a short way from the foundry. They were just outside of town, with a view of the castle rising up in the hills above the city nearby. Inside the foundry he had been sweltering hot, outside the spring air by contrast seemed remarkably cool, and he pulled his cloak a little tighter about himself.

"It's a messy situation...and I don't know what the Princess Maia was thinking bringing the two of them here together. Perhaps this is what she wanted...Lord help me if I ever understand her mind. But...well, what I'm about to say may seem very strange to you; the notion of nobles with no money. That's what got Nicolae and House Pitesti into trouble. It goes back a little ways...and I tell you this in confidence, M'lady. This is no doubt a source of great shame for Nicolae, which is why he reacted as he did I imagine. And why he's so quiet the rest of the time.

Nicolae's grandfather was a great warrior and knight in service to the Voivode Alexandru cel Bun. In return for his dedication and faithful service he was granted a large estate, great treasures, substantial sumbs of loot in war. He was one of Alexandru I's most prized and trusted soldiers. His son however, Nicolae's father, had no such courage, and about as much prowess on the battlefield. Much of this was before my time, keep in mind, but apparently he attempted martial endeavors only once before abandoning any thought of them and attempting to make his way as a merchant. Sadly, he lacked any ability at this either, and became a drunk...he gambled away most of the family's holdings and fortune, and now the House Pitesti is noble only in name.

Valeriu Kodara's family, on the other hand, is one of the most firmly entrenched noble houses in Moldova...in fact, besides the Voivode himself, they are perhaps the biggest landholder in the realm. Valeriu's father is currently a knight in the Voivode's service...perhaps even a member of the Order of Moldu'c. But he's as ruthless off the field of battle as on...the Pitestis were a nearby noble family, and he saw an opportunity to expand his own House's influence and holdings.

The Kodaras began issuing loans to the Pitestis, and Nicolae's father kept taking them, running up bigger and bigger debts he could never hope to pay. When the sum was big enough, Valeriu's father notified the authorities and now Domn Pitesti is rotting in debtor's prison, probably for the rest of his days. With no way to pay the loans off, Nicolae's mother pleaded with the Kodaras to forgive the loans, offering any amount of money she could raise selling the estate, their last possessions...even herself to try and get her husband free from debtor's prison. So Nicolae and his mother became little more than indentured servants for House Kodara.

Nicolae has probably been in this state of servitude personally to Valeriu for..." he thought for a long moment "half his life, by now. 8 years, 9 years..." Radu shook his head. "And until Domn Kodara agrees to forgive the debt, they could be there forever. That's why Nicolae is here, and motivated to succeed. If he doesn't become a knight like his grandfather and do what his father could not, both he and his mother will be...little more than peasants with highborn names for the rest of their lives. And his father will die in prison. And with this latest incident, he may have destroyed any of the goodwill House Kodara would show House Pitesti. It may not look like goodwill, true...but if Valeriu is expelled after Nicolae attacked him, odds are Domn Kodara will just toss his mother out onto the street to make her own way. They've already sold their estate and holdings, she'd have nothing.

Of course, that doesn't even consider the possibility of a blood feud between the houses, which isn't very likely, or a duel of honor, which is very likely. The only real question is who will issue the challenge...Valeriu in defense of his own honor, or his father on behalf of the House."

 

[Blade!]

Great Foundary of Iasi​

​

Xena listened with dismay at the fall of Nicolae's family. She had no idea Nobles could ever fall in such a way, she had just assumed they earned more than they could ever possibly use from the labor of their peasants. 'What Nicolae must have to put up with... living as a servant in Valeiu's castle?!'

"Lord Ciobanul? Surely his mother, a noblewoman is not scrubbing the steps is she?! Have they no relations?"

Xena frowned further as she thought about the man's last words, until the maning suddenly struck her.

"..The father would not come to duel a mere boy in training to be a squire, would he? Is this not usually settled between peers? If there were to be a duel, would it not be between Valeriu and Nicolae?

In my town, a man would be laughed at for fighting a boy... he might fight the boy's father though... I suppose."

 

[unmerged(24868)]

Galati; Danube Trade Syndicate Meeting​

​

"Well" Dragos Doucestu began "it appears the majority's sentiment tends away from Domn von Cilli's first suggestion, but in favor of adding a clause to the charter to allow for the chairman's removal in cases of true need. If the Holy Roman Emperor, in his capacity as Count of Austria, has no objections this clause may be added. How does this language read?



With that matter more or less settled, shall we move on to the voting for the first Chairman? Or were there any other issues anyone cared to bring to the table? Any suggestions or revisions to the language in the clause to be added?"

The Palatinate of Hungary is convinced that any canadite nominated for the position of Chariman of the Trade Board will be a wise descion and has informed me that Hungary should vote for whoever is the best choice, i.e. whom the majority support so shall Hungary.

 

[von Streusser]

Great Foundry of Iasi​

​

Radu shook his head. "Nicolae is the ranking man within his House, and therefore its head. If a quarrel arises between two Houses, it is for the heads to settle...Domn Kodara and Nicolae would duel. Domn Kodara would challenge the House Pitesti as a whole, and Nicolae would have to fight him to maintain any shred of honor his House has left. Nicolae's father could not fight...he's imprisoned. But even if Nicolae wins, their debts will not be absolved, it would merely settle the insult suffered by Valeriu at Nicolae's hands. They would still owe a great deal of money to Domn Kodara, and merely killing him won't solve that. The debt would transfer to the next ranking member of the House...probably Valeriu.

Yes, Nicolae's mother, a noble woman, is in fact doing just what you say...scrubbing floors, or toiling in the fields. Her sacrifice is what is allowing him to come here and try to become a knight; as long as she works to pay off Domn Pitesti's debt, Domn Kodara has no further course of action within our law.

And I imagine the Pitestis do have relations further out than just each other, but keep in mind they are newly noble...Nicolae's grandfather was elevated to noble status, and there has not been nearly enough time for their relations to grow wealthy enough to pay Domn Pitesti's debts.

The plain fact is, Nicolae now must become a knight in the Voivode's service if he wants to ever see his father out of prison or his mother out of hard labor. And his attack on Valeriu, justified as it may be, could make that very hard on him, particularly if House Kodara issues challenge to uphold their honor. This is something the noble Houses of Moldavia-Wallachia take very seriously, m'lady...there will be bloodshed, I'm afraid. I just hope that Nicolae is up to the task."

 

[von Streusser]

Galati; Danube Trade Syndicate Meeting​

​

"Well then" Dragos Doucestu began "as it appears there are no other motions to be brought to the table, let us all sign the charter and finalize voting on the Chairman. Bohemia has voted in favor of myself, as has Moldavia-Wallachia. Hungary has expressed a vote for the majority candidate. Domn von Cilli, have you a vote?"

He handed across the table an amended version of the Charter for all parties to sign.

The Danube Syndicate

• ARTICLE I - MISSION:
  
  1. To protect and promote the interests of Central-European, land-based merchants, especially focusing on the Danube River trade artery.
  
  2. To improve the status and wealth of the member-states of the Syndicate.
  
  ARTICLE II - GOVERNING BODY:
  
  1. The Syndicate will be led and managed by a council of delegates from member nations, with the chairman to be decided by vote. The Chairman will lead the organization for life. The Syndicate is not a political organisation.
  
  1.A. If the Syndicate determines the current holder of the office of Chairman to be ill-suited for the task, detrimental to the interests of the organization as a whole, or for any other reason it sees fit, it may remove the Chairman of the organization from his post at any time and hold immediate elections for a replacement. In order for a motion to remove the Chairman to pass, it must receive the votes of every member of the Syndicate with the exception of the Chairman himself.
  
  2. All decisions are made by democratic process. Simple majority vote is required to pass any decision. Unanimous vote is required to pass changes to this charter.
  
  3. All member votes have equal weighting. In the case of a deadlock, proposition will not pass unless deadlock is broken.
  
  4. The technical capital of the Syndicate is Vienna.
  
  ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
  
  1. In order to be considered for membership, potential members must have either: a) access through the Danube River; or b) a trade reliance of at least 75% on river/overland routes and be geographically adjacent to an existing syndicate member through whom the Danube flows. This is to ensure all members can be focused on common issues.
  
  2. New members must invest in establishing and improving overland trade routes for Syndicate merchants in their country. New members must contribute 1 eco (all money goes to events). This is to ensure that ALL members contribute to keep the Syndicate sustainable and efficient - thereby, all members have a stake in the continual success of the Syndicate.
  
  3. In being a member of the Syndicate, all members have signed a non-aggression pact with all members. In any case where members are at war with each other, they are temporarily suspended from the voting priviledges of Syndicate Council. The remaining members of the council may take whatever means are necessary to ensure trade is not disrupted by the war.
  
  4. Members may sign trade agreements with other nations provided the Syndicate Council is given ample notification of its terms prior to its signing, so that potential problems may be identified at an early stage.
  
  5. Any member may sign military agreements with other nations provided they do not cause conflict with the Syndicate or its members. Member states must reserve the right with their allies to remain neutral should any conflict arise with the potential to draw Syndicate members into war, etc.
  
  6. Any member may make proposals to the Syndicate Council.
  
  7. No member may engage in trade embargoes, banning of merchants, imposing of extraordinary taxes or tariffs - or any other act deemed to be inappropriate - without approval of
  Syndicate Council.
  7b. States of the Holy Roman Empire, where required to enforce Imperial embargo, are excepted from this rule. Affected members must inform the Syndicate Council within 1 week of the Imperial ruling. The Syndicate itself is not required to enforce the embargo outside of the HRE.
  
  8. Members agree to abide by this charter and any resolutions of the Syndicate Council regardless of their date of signing.
  
  9. Members must accept all rulings of the Syndicate Council.
  
  10. Any member state has the right to ask for a loan from the Syndicate. All members of the Syndicate are obliged to contribute to providing the funds for any loan where appropriate (as determined by vote of the Syndicate Council).
  
  ARTICLE IV - TRADE GUIDELINES:
  
  1. Members of the Syndicate trade with each other under certain general priviledges and conditions. Members of the Syndicate trade with foreign nations under certain general priviledges and conditions. The Syndicate will increase trade between member nations, increase trade with external nations, provide incentives for private merchant groups, reduce costs involved with trade and therefore prices, and provide fair and equitable trade opportunities.
  
  2. All merchants from member-nations of the Syndicate are to be considered as native freemen of the country they are operating in. This means no additional taxes, duties or tariffs that would normally be applied to foreign merchants.
  
  3. Merchants who are members of this syndicate are to be given priority over foreign traders where necessary.
  
  4. Base prices for goods traded between members, within all territories belonging to members, will be negotiated yearly and fixed for that year.
  
  5. Trade between member nations will be regulated for maximum efficiency. It is an aim of the Syndicate to reduce haphazard merchant trade and introduce an organised and well managed import/export system.
  
  6. Member nations may not compete unethically or predatorily in foreign nations against merchants of members.
  
  7. Sales to and purchases from non-Syndicate nations will be carefully controlled to ensure all members recieve maximum benefit from syndicated buying power.
  
  ARTICLE V - INFRASTRUCTURE:
  
  Members must invest in improving the infrastructure and security of trade routes.
  
  1. Every member must provide free docking facilities for merchants of the Syndicate along the Danube and other major river trade routes. It is the responsibility of the Syndicate member to ensure the safety and security of river trade routes in his own realm.
  
  2. Every member must build in his own nation a quality road highway which will connect the capitals of each member. It is the responsibility of the Syndicate member to ensure these trade routes in his own realm are patrolled regularly by security forces for the protection of merchants and other travellers from bandits, and danger.

 

[Blade!]

Great Foundary of Iasi​

​

Xena's face took on a serious look and she straightened herself as she adressed Radu Ciobanul.

"Lord Ciobanul... pray, what hope is there for Nicolae to survive such a duel against an older experienced warrior? His only hope would to be to duel Valeriu, yes?"

Xena subconsciouslly slipped her sword hand down to where her pommel would be, but realized it was in her room with her 'real' clothes.

She looked towards the castle and then to Radu again.

"Mi'lord... may I ask your advice? How would a much weaker, unexperienced person overcome such a powerful warrior? Is there some protocol to invoke, perhaps during war that would stave off sucha duel?"

 

[von Streusser]

"You've seen the boy fight, I haven't...you tell me what chance Nicolae has against a battle-hardened knight" Radu said with a shrug. "And if Domn Kodara challenges Nicolae, then the two must fight...if Nicolae refuses, he will lose all his honor and be named a coward. He cannot substitute in Valeriu simply because of the difference in skill.

There are a few things that could be done...if he could convince Domn Kodara to hold the duel to the yield, then at least no one would die. Alternatively, I suppose he could issue some sort of pre-emptive challenge to Valeriu on behalf of the House, including the issue which gave rise to the insult in question. And, lastly...well, I guess he could always declare House War. If he did so, he'd be able to bring in as many knights, retainers, and soldiers as he could raise and convince to fight by him. But the Kodaras would be able to as well, and they have the advantages in land, vassals, and coin.

Protocol, Lady Xena? No, I'm afraid not. In war or peace, one must still uphold his honor. Think of how seriously your family or your town take their honor and good name...now multiply that several-fold to understand the stake our nobility puts in it. An honorless noble risks his vassals and soldiers deserting him, his laborers leaving, and worst of all his fellow nobles not only looking down on him but also maneuvering to take over his lands and influence. Part of me wants to say that Nicolae has nothing to lose by turning it down...but another part of me says that Nicolae has nothing left but his honor to go on anyway, and to lose that...

Well, come now, there must be some way he can prevail...Domn Kodara hasn't even issued the challenge. Yet. But...well...how did David beat Goliath? It must be possible." Radu folded his arms and thought for a long moment.

"Wait...as I recall, the Voivode wanted to step up efforts in the blood feud with the Mana Rocu soon, and send you and your fellows into combat against them. In order for Domn Kodara to properly issue a challenge, he must do so in person. If Nicolae is on campaign, and therefore cannot properly be found..." he smirked.

 

[von Streusser]

The Blood Feud: Chapter 1​

​

Dracul Litovoi's horse shifted underneath him as he surveyed the nearby terrain. The rain was coming down in heavy drops now, and the beast snorted its displeasure. Dracul paid it no mind.

The plan had been simple enough, and beautiful in that regard. A Dragon on each throne. Dracul Litovoi would help Vlad Dracul defeat the usurpers that held Wallachia, and in turn Vlad Dracul would help Dracul Litovoi take over the Moldavian throne from his thieving cousins. But Vlad had been slain, and now instead of two thrones, there was only one. But still the false Litovois sat upon them, and this Dracul could not tolerate.

"Today" he rumbled, his voice deep within his chest "we begin to take back that which is rightfully mine." Dracul's lieutenant, Alin, said nothing, merely nodding and looking towards the distant village of Targu Jiu. The horses and men behind them clanked and snorted as they checked weapons and tightened armor.

Dracul's father, Ciodaru, had been Alexandru cel Bun's older brother. But when Alexandru took the throne, Ciodaru had mysteriously vanished. Dracul and his young brother Mihai had been spirited away to Kiev with their mother, where they were hidden...until both had chosen to return, each in his own way. Now Dracul was head of the Red Hand Tribe, or the Mana Rocu. And the blood feud between the Mana Rocu and House Litovoi was just beginning.

"Hand me that flag" he grumbled, and Alin did as he was told, unfurling a yellow eagle on a blue background...the flag of Wallachia. "We will get the Voivode's attention...with blood." He looked to the sky again, which was by now raining rather hard. It made a perfect mood, he had to admit. He reached for his bow and checked the string, then shouldered it again. "Onward." Alin gave a shout, and the horsemen began to ride hard towards the tiny village.

"RAIDERS!!! RAIDERS!!!" came the shouts. Several bells began to ring, and suddenly the village buzzed with activity. Men grabbed axes and farm tools, whatever they had at hand, and ran out into the streets. There the town hetman marshalled as many as he could quickly and led them up into the hills near the town. The women and children simply scattered, heading for the safety of the forests on top of the Carpathian foothills overlooking the town.

Huffing and puffing, the men ran as fast as their legs would carry them up onto the higher ground. "I...*wheeze*...I don't want...to *cough* die out here!" cried one of the men.

"Quiet!" barked another. "The only ones gonna be dying are the bastards come to our town!"

Dracul yanked on the reigns hard, and his horse turned 90 degrees to the right. The horsemen were in the city and through in a heartbeat, turning and following the men up the hill. A few children and old women who had not vacated the village quickly enough had been trampled down in the streets by the horses, never to rise again. The tribal warriors tore out of the now-empty hamlet and past the old church, stampeding through a dilapidated graveyard on their way.

The rain began to fall harder as they rode uphill towards the villagers, who were still scrambling to try and get into some sort of formation or cohesive blob. As Dracul's band rode closer to the makeshift soldiers, they drew bows, nocked arrows, and fired.

Screams fell down upon their ears as the first volley of shots hit home. Several of the villagers fell dead, arrows penetrating their rags and working clothes with ease. Those who were not killed in the first volley began to panic and pray, gripping their weapons tightly. The hetman could not wait and let all his men get shot down, he no longer had a choice or time.

"CHAAAAARGE!" he shouted, waving his weapon over his head and running down the hill towards the fast advancing cavalry. A second volley of arrows pierced the rain-driven sky, one striking the hetman in the throat, bringing him to the cold earth with nothing more than a pitiful blood-soaked gurgle. The villagers ran forward, with nothing more than thoughts of their loved ones hiding in the trees to motivate them to fight, to try in vain to defend their homes and families.

A full third of the men never reached the enemy, where they were met with ferocious resistance. Though the villagers feared for their lives and those of their families, and fought for sheer survival, Dracul's band of Mana Rocu were well armed, armored, and experienced combatants. The scuffle was brief, and decidedly one-sided. Not a single villager escaped. One of the Mana Rocu suffered a deep gash on his leg, and two of their horses were killed.

The earth and Dracul Litovoi claimed their bitter harvest. Women and children watching from the forests above the town looked on in horror as their husbands and fathers were dragged back to the village and cut apart. Upon every single structure of the town, several bloody handprints were placed, as a gruesome calling card of the Devil himself. Dracul wanted to burn the town, but the rain had only gotten worse, and no fire could possibly sustained. With a roar, he signaled his men back onto their horses and away from the orgy of violence and carnage. Some wanted to search the hills for the widows, but they were placated by promises that the next village would be much bigger.

And so, as quickly as they had come, the Mana Rocu vanished, riding into the forests from which they had so suddenly appeared, leaving death, misery, and a brutal message to the Voivode in their wake.

 

[cccino]

Galati; Danube Trade Syndicate Meeting​

​

"Well then" Dragos Doucestu began "as it appears there are no other motions to be brought to the table, let us all sign the charter and finalize voting on the Chairman. Bohemia has voted in favor of myself, as has Moldavia-Wallachia. Hungary has expressed a vote for the majority candidate. Domn von Cilli, have you a vote?"

He handed across the table an amended version of the Charter for all parties to sign.

Friedrich signed the charter. "In the absence of any other nominee..." He left the sentence unfinished, his vote irrelevant, abstainment implicit.

"Well then," he said more happily, "shall we part now to remeet in Vienna? Or loiter in this place to discuss the investments referred to in... ah, III.2 ? I believe the Syndicate warehouses in Vienna are now technically our property, and to refit them to our purposes would be no long endeavour." Cilli was making his preference clear. Loiter wasn't exactly the word he meant, but that was the German translator's problem. "At any rate, the hour is late and dinner is nigh." He looked pointedly at the door.

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

The Regalia of Byzantium

​

Recovery and Passage of the Regalia of
Byzantium to the Moldavian Crown:
The First Triumph of Stefan Litovoi the Third

Deck of the Iron Maiden, off the coast of
Al-Djazir

Yemra Haifa wrapped himself in a light robe, and
left his cabin. Coming up into the salty air, he felt the warm
Levanter flow over the deck; the very same wind hat filled the sails
and carried them south. The Venetian ship was well stocked and it
housed many of the Prince’s personal guard, and other retainers that
had accompanied the Moldavian Lord from Lithuania.

They had spent two weeks in Venice negotiating and organizing the
careful transfer of wealth into a secure and trusted banking house
known to both parties. Now, they neared their destination. Yemra went
and joined the Moldavian Prince in the prow of the ship as they sailed
into the busy port.

“How do you feel your Highness? Do I understand
correctly, that you have had some schooling in recognizing the Arabic
tongue? In any case… look there is our berth, and pray look there is
some sedan chair and a figure clad in blue that awaits us, of some
import it looks. Perhaps a representative of the
government.”

"I've never felt better" Stefan said,
scanning the harbor before him. This was a whole new world, an alien
landscape populated by alien people. But somewhere within this desert
lay some very important status symbols...some keys to power. Were they
the tools of the Great Constantine? No, of course not...if those had
survived the Mongol invasion of Byzantium, they were almost certainly
being bandied about somewhere as fine trophies. But these pieces
had been used by a Roman Emperor, if they were truly authentic,
and that was all he needed. Besides, who among his people would know
any better?

The Imperial Docks of Al-Djazir

Azim Hasan stood on the docks expectantly, his arms
crossed. The letter from Petru had arrived after he had embarked on
his long voyage to England and onward to the Rus. Fortunately, his
ship had barely passed the harbor’s edge when a cutter ordered them
back. Azim was not pleased his long awaited journey into
semi-retirement and requited love was delayed, but he owed both Akbe
and Petru to see to the good care and safety of his friend’s nephew.
He expected the boy would not know Arabic or Russian, much less Berber,
and he was at loss to find a single soul that had any grasp of the
Vlach tongue, but he had acquired a trustworthy Jew who spoke both
Latin and Greek, and who he hoped would suffice. Certainly, at least
Lady Livia would know some tongue in common, he hoped. He stepped
forward, as the boat docked.

”Stephan, nephew of Voivode Petru… I welcome you to
my homeland. I am Azim Hasan, and thus your Uncle, as your uncle is my
brother in blood. The ride today will be long and hot… through sand
and rock, we shall ride with whatever interpreter you wish in this
chariot and you will tell me of your Uncle if you are not too fatigued.
We shall travel to the south to the province of Aures, where lies the
great Citadel Tlemscen, and your host, Lady Livia
resides.”

The Moldavian Prince bowed to Azim, a gesture he
had not granted anyone else he had met on this journey, and greeted him
in flawless Latin. "My uncle indeed...Petru speaks often of
marvelous adventures the two of you shared, and how you saved his life
on many an occasion. I am honored and humbled to meet such a man, and
call him of my blood." The General was
well-dressed, and dark of complexion. While the Vlach were dusky by
Russian or Western European standards, these Afrikans were quite dark
indeed.

The journey was fascinating for Stefan, it was as if they were moving
over the surface of an entirely different world. He chatted idly with
Azim for a while, mostly of Petru. He told Azim of Petru's new wife,
the formation of Moldavia-Wallachia, the Battle of Bucuresti, and
various other exploits of the Voivode.

The Lady Livia’s Receiving Room

Livia Palaeologus, Third Companion of the Sultan,
lay reclining on a divan. Her twenty seventh year of life, found her
also in her eleventh year of residence in Algiers, as not a wife, but
yet not quite the chattel of the Algerian Sultan, though when she first
had arrived he was but Sharif of Oran. In her own way she was devoted
to the object of her heart, even if the years had cooled her heart, and
the comforts of an alien land were slow to grow on her. She found
comfort in the small facts of life, such as the fact that the impending
marriage of Akbe to Nuriya Amber of Tunis had been delayed
indefinitely; a comfort she shared with Lady Rebekka though to a lesser
degree.

Upon her eunuchs’ announcement, she collected herself and stood. She
glanced once longingly at the wall, where her last connection to her
home was displayed on the wall. The Regalia of Byzantium, something
that had to be sacrificed for her love.

“At least… it is going to a proper Orthodox
House…”

She turned to the door as Azim and Stefan entered
the chambers, and Azim introduced the young man in Arabic, who was
followed by Yemra Haifa.

“My Lady, allow me to introduce Prince Stefan, Scion
of the House Litovoi, Heir to Moldavia”

“Greetings your Highness.”

Stefan bowed before the Lady Livia in the classical
Byzantine style; he clasped his hands before him and touched them to
his chest, then knelt down on one knee and touched his forehead to the
ground, prostrating himself as countless envoys had done for countless
Byzantine Emperors for centuries. It was a gesture she would know
well, but had doubtlessly not seen in a very long time. When he rose
again, he now smiled and kissed her offered hand.
"Greetings to you, Lady Livia. It is a pleasure to meet you. I
greatly regret that the time of the Byzantine Empire had passed before
I had a chance to see the legendary court
therein." At this moment, Stefan's eyes
danced sideways a moment and he saw it...the Regalia of the Byzantine
Empire, displayed on the wall in magnificent fashion. It took his
breath away. "May I?"

“Please, young Prince.”

Livia looked at the charming young man, her mind
soothed and pleased by his courtly behavior, being the sort that welled
up memories for her.

Stefan approached the items and drew a deep breath, silently reaching
out to touch the scepter that had been an instrument of power and the
mark of office of the Eastern Roman Emperor. The orb was there as
well...and the crown. The crown took his attention immediately. It
was beautiful, a magnificent hymn in gold and jewel to the power of the
monarch. He would need a new title to justify this, to justify all of
this. Voivode of Moldavia-Wallachia would no longer be enough.
Perhaps...perhaps he should become a King. King of the Dacians,
perhaps?

"This...this is amazing." he said,
turning back to Lady Livia with an astonished expression.
"You are...you are of the line of the Byzantine Emperors? What
is your tie? And are these pieces...are they the genuine
articles?" It seemed much too good to be
true...

Livia glided up behind him and to his side, where her own hand extended
outwards and traced the edge of the crown with much affection in her
eyes.

“I am but a daughter of the last Emperor’s cousin,
but I grew up with these in my own sight wielded in Constantinople from
the throne… the last vestiges of the Romans, the throne of the Orthodox
world… now gone…”

Together the two of them stood for some time,
basking in the enormity of history.

RESULT:
-2 current econ to Moldovia
+2 current econ to Algiers

Algeria loses Byzantine Regalia for all in-game purposes.
Moldavia gains them.

 

[Blade!]

Azim Hasan, Sharif of Atlas, formerly Sultan's Talwar: Supreme Commander of the Military, and currently serving a the Zayyanid Taifa of Northern Trade rode up the mountain pases from Drobudhja to Moldavia's capitol with some anticipation and wonder. In his 45th year of life he had never before been in such a craggy land. While more hospitable that the cold Rus, and more diverse that Angleland, the heights of Moldavia's mountains, and their frequency of rising and falling suprised him. The Atlas mountains might be larger, but not so cracked and worn, as if this land were ancient and primeval... forests covering the slopes providing many places for ambushes.

Entering the capitol, he was surprised at its relative quaintness, and he smiled. 'Effiecent, appropriate for my friend Petru.'

Accompanying him were several merchants coming up from Drobudja, a distant cousin by marriage the Lady Jasmine-i-Tlemscen who now lived among the Vlach, and some Moldavian guards who were sent to escort the party to the capitol after Azim presented his credentials as an ambasador. A messenger had been sent ahead.

For the first time, in some time, he was coming close to bearing a grin. Seeing Stefan in his homeland, had fed a desire within him to see Pteru, and soon he would. Then on to Pskov and delight.

 

[von Streusser]

Stefan had taken great pride in showing his homelands to his Uncle's Comrade at Arms, Azim Hasan. He took every opportunity to speak of his homeland, his people, his family, and the great battles that had taken place here not long ago. He spoke with unhidden pride, and positively beamed as he related the adventures of the Litovoi clan, the wars against Venice and Wallachia, and the triumphs of his ancestors.

While in Algiers, he had seen many wonderful things, and was now bringing some of them back. Of course the Byzantine finery, but also plans for an Algerian water-garden he had seen inside the Citadel Tlemscen. He planned to build a large palace upon his ascension, and had so enjoyed the interior gardens of the citadel that he intended to put some of them in. Colorful tiles, exotic plants, streams and waterfalls, all over heated floors...it had been amazing, and relaxing.

When they arrived in Iasi, it was a sight for the city-dwellers. The coming of the Prince, a foreign dignitary, and several Honor Guards provoked people to turn out and look upon the young man and his accompaniment. When they finally arrived at the Castle, they were greeted by several men. Stefan was not even off his horse before one of them addressed him.

"My Lord Prince, we have been gravely insulted!" the man said, an angry look in his eye.

"Lord Razavan, whatever do you mean?" Stefan asked, dismounting.

"The Duke of Macedonia...I presented a draft of a trade agreement to him, as instructed, and suddenly right in the middle of the presentation, he threw me out of his court! He called me *insane*! This is an insult of the highest order! Perhaps he has forgotten the last time Venice insulted us and we seized Dob-"

"Chancellor..." Stefan said, waving another man over. "Would you deal with this for me please?"

"Of course my Prince" Lord Chancellor Radu Ciobanul said with a bow. Since the death of Iestu, Ciobanul had been promoted to take over his office. He was efficient and had his finger on the realm's pulse. "Come with me Lord Razavan, we will send a communique to the Macedonians and try to find the root of this insult..." The Lord Chancellor led Eraclid Razavan away from the Prince and Azim. As they were crossing the courtyard, Azim and Stefan suddenly heard Lord Razavan shout:

"I...AM...ERACLID!!!"

with his arms thrown wide. He then fell back into normal step as if nothing had happened, leaving Chancellor Ciobanul staring slack-jawed at the man. Stefan stifled a laugh at the sight. "That will be interesting to work out..." he said with a smile.

* * * * *​

Petru was bored. Holding Court was so desperately dull. It was quite possibly his least favorite part of being Voivode. He couldn't wait to hand things over to his nephew. Let him deal with the crimes of the peasantry.

"This man stole my sheep, m'lord Voivode. I have brought three witnesses who saw him do so."

"And I have brought seven witnesses to vouch for my character and say that I would never do such a thing!"

Petru slouched in the throne as the men relayed their stories, his head held up in his hands. He interrupted them suddenly. "Silence!" Both men obeyed, as did their Counsellors, all parties rather shocked.

"Bring the witnesses forward, one at a time, please. Both parties are to leave the chamber." The Voivode said. One of the Counsellors stepped forward.

"May Counsel remain, my Lord?"

Petru looked at the lawyer a minute and shuddered. "Why should Counsel remain? This is my Court, and I do you all the favor of settling your grievance. Do you fear I will do something untoward? Bah, I care not. Counsel may remain, but shall be silent."

"My thanks, my Lord."

Each witness for the victim was brought forward one at a time and asked to describe the events in question. All presented identical testimony. The first witness was brought forward for the accused and started to vouch for his character before Petru cut him off.

"Describe the accused, if you would."

"What, my Lord?" asked the startled witness.

"The accused. What does he look like? Does he have a family? How many children? A wife, a mistress? Are his parents still alive? What crops does he raise?"

The witness stood, slack-jawed before the Voivode for a long moment.

"Well?" Petru continued. "If you know the man well enough to vouch for his character, surely you know the simplest descriptions a neighbor could provide."

The witness again was stymied.

"You do understand, good sir, that if you perjure yourself before my throne, I will be very upset. If, on the other hand, the accused put you to this..."

"He paid me a florin, my liege! He gave me a florin to come in here and say he had good character. I've...I've never met him before in my life, my Lord. I was on my way to the fields when he passed by towards your Court, and offered me a florin for a day's work. I said yes, I hardly see that much money in a month. I beg your mercy, my Lord Voivode."

"You will surrender the florin to our coffers. It is a mild punishment considering your offense. You are dismissed." The man surrendered the florin with a long sigh, and hurried out of the court. The interrogations of the other character witnesses went along very similar lines, and Petru found the accused guilty of not only stealing sheep, but also perjury before the throne. He was sentenced to pay the cost of the stolen sheep to his victim for theft. Petru was in the middle of delivering the sentence for perjury when Stefan and Azim entered the court.

The Voivode's face lit up instantly upon seeing his old friend. "Azim! How good to...oh, one moment...

As for the crime of perjury before the throne, normally I would have you hung. But fate has just smiled upon you. An old and dear friend has arrived at my house, and it would be poor manners for me to execute someone as a welcome. So instead, you shall provide our entertainment. I hope you can juggle...or tell jokes. Whether or not you entertain my friend well will determine your future fate! Guards! This man shall be our jester at dinner, take him to make ready!"

As the guards dragged the protesting criminal away, Petru rose from his throne and embraced Azim. "My dear friend, it is good to see you again! Come, you must be tired after your journey! The finest rooms in Castle Iasi shall be prepared for you, and we will hold a great feast in your honor! Welcome to my home!"

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

A letter arrives by a barge from Salzburg...

Unto the Chairman of the Danube Syndicate

How is it that we have heard nothing from you considering the state of our league? The Burghers are very concerned over this lack of communication since the headquaters moved from Hungary to your lands. This is not to say you do wrong by stealing money or some such thing, but that lack of communications makes things confused. How can we fix this?

Sincerly,
Duke Martin von Wittelsbach, Herzog von Bayern-Salzburg

 

[cccino]

Cilli was furious. The chairman had gone behind all of their backs, and almost immediately the charter had been signed and his position confirmed. Not even the decency to pretend he hadn't set out to manipulate the Council. Friedrich was right not to trust any man but himself for the job.

 

[von Streusser]

"You did WHAT?!?" bellowed Doucestu. The red faced man, recently returned from Bulgaria, tried to explain but was hastily cut off. "I will not have your incompetence ruin me!" he said, gesturing to several of his retainers who dragged the man outside. Several muffled screams could be heard moments later as he was stuffed into a bag and beaten with sticks.

Letters were sent out, asking all members of the Danube Trade Syndicate to convene in Vienna. [Use Moldavia Court]

Members of the Danube Trade Syndicate,

As some of you may have heard, a most incompetent former underling of mine recenly committed a gross violation of Syndicate protocol in attempting to admit a new member to the Syndicate without bringing it to the attention of the Syndicate Council as a whole. I apologize for his incompetence, and have rectified the problem by sacking him. I assure all members of the Council such a gross violation shall not occur again.

Now, in accordance with proper protocol, I hereby request the presence of all Syndicate representatives in our new Council houses in Vienna where we may discuss the following agenda.

1. Admission of Bulgaria to the Danube Trade Syndicate
2. Re-Affirmation of Bavaria's status in the Syndicate
3. Discussion of allocation of funds to maintaining and rebuilding depleted infrastructure from the Syndicate's lapse into inactivity.

And anything else the Syndics may bring to the table.

Bavaria and Bulgaria may also send representatives to oversee the proceedings.

Dragos Doucestu, Chairman Danube Trade Syndicate
Vienna

 

[cccino]

"Quite indelicate," he murmured to the chairman, "to not even wait for us to leave the country."

Cilli had spoken to the members individually, in private, as soon as he had heard the news. Addressing now the Council, he spoke loudly and precisely, informing them as a group what he had already spoken to each.

"Gentlemen, it is the chairman's duty to convene meetings, to open and close meetings, to keep us civil in discussion. Any one of us may put forward proposals, but none may take action independantly and privately what affects us all.

"When this council was formed, and the chairman elected, I was concerned about the person most likely to gain the position. However, the most important thing this syndicate needed, and needs, is solidarity. It would not have been right for me to express a lack of trust in the man who in the event was elected by us all to organise this council. Instead I chose to give him the benefit of the doubt and pray he would prove me wrong.

"Instead, I find after barely any time has passed, he has already failed in his duties. Or rather, he has surpassed his position. Each of you know, by now, that Bulgaria was invited to join the Syndicate. Invited solely and independantly by Herr Dragos without consultation or deliberation. Furthermore, he guaranteed Bulgaria membership. Again, without consulting us. And!" Exclaimed the Styrian, a born civil servant, "and he accepted and confirmed Bulgarian membership - all without a single word to any of us!

"May I remind you - to invite new members, the proposal must be made to this council, in a sitting specifically called to discuss the matter. Secondly, a majority vote must be called and passed in order to invite the prospective member to meet with this council. Then, after adjudging the case, a vote must again be passed in order to confirm the new member.

"Our elected chairman seems to have forgotten that this is a council, and that he, as confirmed by us in charter and in discussion when we were reformed, has no power to act except as a member of the syndicate council as any other one of us!

"Now I ask all of you - what shall we do now? The issue is not of Bulgaria, or any other but that the chairman deliberately and covertly sought to undermine the Danube Syndicate Council by acting outside the guidelines established to prevent the control of this syndicate by one single man!"

He took a deep breath, a few more, and sat down.

 

[von Streusser]

Doucestu sighed. The man was clearly power-hungry. "I, personally, did not tell him to admit them to the Syndicate. That was the mistake of my hireling, as I've said in the letters you all received. Yes, I did inform them of the potential to join, and perhaps I overstepped my bounds there. If you would remove me for that, go ahead and hold the vote. But admission, that was the act of an incompetent servant who has been removed.

Think what you will, accuse me of whatever you like. We can vote on the new members now and solve the problem, or you can vote to remove me and then do it yourself. Do as you please. But ask yourself before you do, if you would be a better chairman than I. Ask yourself if you are willing to devote the time and effort that I have already put forth to even re-organize this affair, to expand our trading influence, to prod less than talkative members into voicing their opinions.

From now on I will exercise a much tighter grip on my envoys, if you will allow me to retain this position. I have proposals to bring forth before the Council that will earn us all a great deal of money and improve our infrastructure, all saved for our convening. If you feel I have so abused the office AGAINST THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SYNDICATE that you would remove me, then hold your vote now and be done with it. But do not bluster and fill the air with meaningless words. Act and move on."