The world is vast and filled with many a sight, wonder and horror to be found for those that look.
As for inquisition, alas there is no such thing as of yet, the Octavian monks come close, however. they wear habits of red, and are bound to preach against sin and vice wherever they be, and to argue against heresies amongst their ordained and ascetic brethren.
But a true inquisition is yet to be found, the church is still far too decentralised, with considerable differences between various bishopric conclaves. The Empire of Theodosius had the state merged with the church, and so the peacekeeping of the state also included the maintaining of Orthodoxy.
That empire is now shattered*, however, and the church outside of it is only slowly centralising.
Edit: There be hints aplenty in the those last two story posts, did anyone figure em out ?
Truly a vast world has many a traveler experience different sensations of wonder, joy, horror, sorrow, or even enlightenment in their journeys around the lands blessed by God and beyond.
Well has there been new councils and conclaves that helped strengthen the church's power over the state as the successor to the empire? Also, what is the title of His Holiness who rules from the ecclesiastical capital?
I think a letter written needs to be in order for Yenya to learn more intimately on the happenings of the people she considers family.
Truly a vast world has many a traveler experience different sensations of wonder, joy, horror, sorrow, or even enlightenment in their journeys around the lands blessed by God and beyond.
Well has there been new councils and conclaves that helped strengthen the church's power over the state as the successor to the empire? Also, what is the title of His Holiness who rules from the ecclesiastical capital?
I think a letter written needs to be in order for Yenya to learn more intimately on the happenings of the people she considers family.
There have been regional Conclaves, and one Pan Regional conclave in the Reign of King Theuderic of Lutetia, but after his death and his three sons splitting the empire (and starting a two century long fued that fragmented it) things became more difficult.
The Bishop of Aternum is titled Herede de Vicarius, or First/Principal Patriarch more commonly.
letters and any other activity a player can think of are a valid write in
[X] helping in the church
-[X]Charitable works (Infirmary and the Guesthouse)
[X] Travel the town and offer assistance to those in need.
[X] Attend the Schola
[X] Ask for tutoring
-[X] The Bishop: Learn Theology or Culture.
[X] Inform the bishop about your dream
[X] Emulate the saints
-[X] Ascetic Sustenance
Spring is a season of life renewed, of nature's glory shedding the burdens of winter and rising proudly from the well-watered earth. And the Aprillius of the seven hundred and eighteenth year of the Lord was a particularly good one, a welcome relief from the cruelty of the past winter, and a sure sign of divine favour.
The town was overflowing with arrivals courtesy of the war and the end of winter.
Be they refugees or immigrants, travelers or merchants, mercenaries or journeyman, pilgrims or visitors; a multitude of purposes but a single end: Villedue.
The skirmishes and raids of the late winter and this spring were highly successful, with the town of Paimpol being captured within the week, the booty and renown won in those days raising the esteem of the young count and the city he patrons.
And so the feast of St. Dennis was a grand affair this year, with a zealous generosity being shown by all the high and mighty of the land. For to win honour and following for the battles to come, and placate the vassals whose perseverance and arms would be called.
The procession of St. Oudecous was also a larger affair than last year, with greater multitudes of people accompanying the clergy in penance and prayer, their voices given greater fervour by the turbulence of the times.
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Unfortunately for Yenyna, the month of Aprillius was one she spent confined in her cell, for illness took hold of her body.
What caused the sickness is hard to determine; it could be her over-enthusiasm with fasting, perhaps the change of seasons is to blame, or maybe it's a result of her contact with the diseased, or is it her temperament affecting her humours?
Whatever the cause, the effect was one and the same: fever, drowsiness and weakness, rendering her incapable of attending the Schola. The reverend Deniel was not much concerned about the illness however, and assured the young novice that a season of rest, nourishment and simple herbal remedies should suffice for recovery, with bleedings to be performed if the recovery proves difficult.
And so the time passed with Yenyna bed-ridden, Priscilla and Katell alternating in caring for her as she recovered.
Neither of the two women was particularly skilled in caring for the sick, Katell being far more interested in the mundane labours of monasticism than the more esoteric and specialised ones, for simple toil is the most favoured by God.
While Priscilla... Actually, you have not the slightest idea of Priscilla's strengths and failings; she had seemed somewhat mediocre at most tasks she lent her hands too.
"The little lady was spoiled rotten as a child, you can hardly expect her to be proficient in anything other than looking pretty". said Katell with a mixture of displeasure and expectation in her tone, for this was a ritual that oft-repeated itself between the two.
"That was uncalled for, I assure you, I am an expert at looking pretty". The statement was completed with a demure smile and half-lidded russet eyes that not even the grey coif and habit could lessen the impact of.
The older nun was unimpressed by Priscilla's practiced charm, and her voice carried that sentiment "Vanity is the opposite of virtue."
"Humph! It's not vanity to state a truth. Beauty is a blessing that God has not seen fit to deny me, and is it not pious to cherish such divine graces?"
"Not for a nun it isn't, worldliness is for the worldly, not those who forsake it."
A mischievous grin spread across Priscilla's visage at that proclamation, Katell's pockmarked face scrunching in dismay and resignation as she realized the opening she had made available to her counterpart.
But just as the dark-haired sister parted her fair lips, she was interrupted by her brunette elder
"Don't. I know what your going to say, and yes I concede the point. Just.. Don't, I have had enough of that with the Magistra."
A bought of coughing drew the attention of the two nuns back to Yenyna.
"Ahm, Pardon the interruption, but do you mind enlightening me about what it is that you are talking about?"
"It is nothing important, just an old disagreement."
"Katell, you keep her company, I'll go prepare a drink for the coughing" The Novitiate promptly leaving the room before the others could protest.
With a sigh, Katell turned to Yenyna "I must apologize for that, 'tis improper for the diseased to suffer the bickering of the healthy."
"It's alright, I am glad for the company in either case."
"It's duty to care for our sick, speaking of which, when is the last time you washed?"
"Two days ago, I think?"
So it was that Katell used the time to cleanse Yenyna's body, a towel and a bucket of cold water being in the room already. Her movements were, while not the gentlest, smooth and well practiced, and you commented as much.
"I grew up an orphan in the care of St.Oudecous, the duties and obligations of the cloth is something quite familiar to me."
You yourself had a childhood that was in no small degree devoid of parents, and you wondered what an orphan life would be.
"Was it difficult?"
The older nun Turned, and you quickly realized that you stepped out of bond, such a life must have been a painful thing to remember.
"Forgive me, I spoke out of turn."
Katell frowned in puzzlement at this.
"How so?"
"Er, it's improper to bring about such a difficult topic."
With a snort, the sister rinsed the towel and returned to her work.
"I don't remember a life other than the ascetic one, so I cannot comment on difficulties. Even so, I would say that it was a pleasant youth. Decan Iliya, God bless her soul, was an exemplary caretaker."
"What happened to her?"
Katell's voice was strangely neutral as she replied. "Plague claimed her and half the city in the turn of the century."
With the washing completed, the hour was passed with Katell by Yenyna's side, reading aloud from the scriptures. The nun was nearing her third decade of life, her hair a dark shade of brown, face scarred by the pox and bearing the prominent jaws and a somewhat flat nose indicative of orcish decent. Her eyes were honey coloured, and her voice bore a certain depth that was not unpleasant.
Priscilla arrived carrying a steaming pot, a sweet, earthy scent emanating from it.
"Welcome back o great alchemist, what mythical concoctions did your grace brew?" The sarcasm, needless to say, was rather heavy in that statement.
"Good things are always late in coming."
"The question then would be what is it that's good, the tea or your self."
"Both naturally"
The drink itself was quite sweet, the taste of honey overwhelming the other ingredients.
"What is it?" You ask, genuinely intrigued, for whatever it is, it's calming effects were rather immediate.
"Just a humble Briezhan mixture" A genuinely shy smile on her countenance.
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This period of rest did, however, prove a blessing in one regard: it allowed you to Wholly contemplate the works of St. Ignatius.
You are by now, if not an expert, at least familiar with the framework in which the blessed man argued. The idea of reality being conditional to conception, manifestation, and categorization is one that you genuinely have no real ideas about, all the chapters on it seeped in metaphor and talks of waters and celestial order. You understand the arguments for reality existing regardless of whether or not people can see it or are aware of it, but the thought of it being both that and created by thoughts and sights seem, contradictory. Perhaps there is a deeper meaning to it that you are yet to comprehend, but you cannot say.
The idea of death and suffering being the contrasting basis upon which consciousness is built and will is manifest, is certainly compelling. Still, it ascertains an inherent cruelty to being, one potentially negated by will, but dominant nevertheless.
The logic is sound, and the mortal world is indeed a penance of sorts as many a wise and holy man proclaimed, but did not the saints also speak of it as a miracle granted by the grace of God? Which aspect of it then is dominant, or are the two interwoven?
You think about such things until the currents of sleep carry you into its unknown depths.
@maximillian given our elven lifespan will our novitiate be longer than that of others and if not how come most of the high offices are not controlled by elves given that once they achieve them they'd hold them for far longer?
@maximillian given our elven lifespan will our novitiate be longer than that of others and if not how come most of the high offices are not controlled by elves given that once they achieve them they'd hold them for far longer?
You stay a novice until it's determined that your fit enough to take the vows, age is not that big a deal in such cases.
There's not that many pure blooded elves out there (elves have very low fertility, something not helped at all by the common practice of inbreeding in the elf dominated cultures), and whilst they do have a multi century long life span, disease cares little about natural longitivity, especially when most higher ups live in cities.
Nutritional imbalances, lethal medications, and a generally somewhat dangerous everyday life also plays a part in keeping multi century old folks a true rarity.
Not to mention that ascetic lifestyle tends to be harsh on the body, and the occupational risks of courtiers and those of martial inclinations are also considerable.
Lastly, different places have different norms and rules for who gets to be on top, sure longitivity is a considerable advantage anywhere, but it does not superceed skill, sociability, proficiency, luck and lineage.
A long life span can also be a detriment, since it makes a person far more complacent in taking risks, since the idea of waiting for a more opportune moment will be far more seductive. It makes grudges last a good deal longer as well.
On the upside for us it means that we potentially have much more time to acquire the skills we'd need to properly create and manage a significant holy order.
Maius saw the gentle caress of spring give way to the prideful blaze of summer. Such shifts in the moods of seasons are expected. Indeed it was seen as a good omen for the wars to come.
The assembled army of the Comte de Paluseaux marched forth on the first of the month, in good spirits and better arms, the sunlight dancing across the metal of maille, helmets and weapons.
The mighty host, nearing six thousand men, was truly a sight to behold. Gambansons in all the colours of the world, helmets and shields that tell the tale of smiths across time and space, armaments of all shapes and forms, from axes to javelins, bows, spears, swords and maces.
But it was not just equipment and attire that captured the eyes of the onlookers, for the numbers alone were staggering, this is an army that has amongst it more combatants than the population of Villedue, of horses alone it had no less than three thousand.
Yenyna in her youth had borne witness to the celebrated departure of raiding bands, affairs that number a dozen or three clansmen, with the latter being an occasion of some significance.
Battles where tens and hundreds of thousands fell upon each other with a fury, she had read and heard of. Things of myth and legends, the weaving of poets and bards and the tales of aeons long past.
Yet here in front of her lay an echo of these bygone times. Oh how vast and wondrous the world is, and how bloody the whims of war are. How many of these men would return you cannot say, but prayers of deliverance and fortitude leave your lips as the host marches, deafened by the frenzied music and the roar of cheering crowds.
Seeing as your body is weakened and still recovering from sickness, it was ill-advised for you to assist in either the infirmary or the guesthouse.
Thus you begged permission for the Bishop to provide you with tutoring and instruction. The request was highly unorthodox, for it is the Magistra and Prioress who hold prominence in the ranks of the nuns, and 'tis they whose graces one should cultivate.
Yet, his excellency was the liege Lord of the Priory, that, when combined with Yenyna's own high stature and the unique circumstances regarding her blood, alleviated the concerns enough for the Bishop to consent to the request. He did admonish Yenyna however, for tradition and propriety are virtues of considerable prominence, and rare is the time they are rightfully challenged.
Thus the days where spent under the supervision of the Bishop, with Yenyna's role being an amalgamation of servant and attendant, for one must learn to serve before he can command service, and an exercise in humility is always merited.
And so the girl filled his cup, served his food, attended to his garbs and ornaments, maintained the conditions of his quarters, read aloud some of his correspondence and memorised specific tasks and duties for his excellency to perform at later dates.
The work was simple if somewhat demanding. For a man in the Bishop's stature was always preoccupied with some consideration or other. Be it attending or commanding the services in the cathedral, meeting with the priests and deacons under his authority, participating in the rites and festivities of notable days, receiving the patricians, the heads of the fraternities or any of the varied petitioners who come to the church, be they secular or ecclesiastic.
It was an enlightening experience, to see how the high and mighty of the church functioned. She had spent years in the care of Offeriard Brann, but the good father was a priest who serviced a small village in an area most remote and humble. The ceaseless mundane and holy tasks and the endless correspondence and petitioners was a thing fascinating and humbling at once. Each was a ritual, delicate and ancient, the movements, words and gestures timeless and constant, one family was received in a particular way, a neighbouring one in another, a Baron was served different refreshments from a free tenant, the prayers at one altar were not the same as its counterpart. Every hour and day, every season and year, every object and location, every station on earth mortal and divinely ordained, held a language of its own, known only to its practitioners. It showed the exotic and marvellous wonders shaped by mortal will, simple in its action yet intricate in its meaning.
But for all that he was an ancient and busy man, his excellency always found time for private prayer and recuperation and instructed Yenyna to do so as well, for one cannot attend to his responsibilities if the body and mind fail him. That the elf's overzealous enthusiasm in emulating the saints may have led to her illness was left unsaid, but the implication was clear.
You sat across the Bishop, the table between the two of you bearing a variety of earthenware glazed a beautiful green and lined in orange. Two cups, a couple of small bowls, a pitcher of cider, a bowl of honeyed roasted nuts and a pot; emanating steam bearing the delectable aroma of lamb, celery, garlic and onions.
A luxurious table indeed, for Amalvis de Servon is both highborn and a lord of the church. Usually, you would stand by his excellency and serve him, but today, he elected to have you share this dish with him. For it is the end of the season, and it is a shame for such a pleasant recipe to not be sampled by one who's diligence is commendable. Your time with the ancient man has made you familiar with his temperament, however, and you suspect that he merely wanted to share with you a meal that is dear to his heart.
And so you partook of his generosity and enjoyed the earthy taste of the nuts, the sharp edge of the sweet cider, and the delicious somewhat spicy flavour of the stew. It was a far cry from the bread, oil and greens that you have grown accustomed to in St. Oudecous, and you couldn't help but muse on what it would be like to have such fare regularly.
The Bishop, noting the contemplative look on your face, spoke in assurance.
"You have not taken any vows of abstinence, there is no failing in your enjoyment of this meal, for in its excellence is manifest the glory of God through nature and the hands of the cook."
He then moved the bowl of nuts closer to you. And smiled as he said: "So eat your fill, and thank God for his creations and for his servants who so utilised them, for there is much that brings us closer to Him on heaven in these small pleasures of the world."
Thus the evening passed in quiet enjoyment of the dinner, the only sounds were those of eating and the crackle of the flame in fireplace. And with your belly full and warmed by fine cider, you decided to inform the Bishop of the events that transpired in your dream after drinking the brewed flower .
His brows creased in thought, and grey eyes focused as you told him of the watery darkness, of the motes of light, of the shadows and the door, and finally of the glade of Filomena.
His Response was quick, although laced with worry and uncertainty.
"In two days I will have an escort guide you to the glade, you will present a letter from me to the Dryad and await her response."
He then took a sip from his cup and stroked his chin in contemplation for some time, until at last his eyes fell back to you.
"But perhaps it is best that you hold some information, as not to fall to future mishaps, so ask of me what you wish to know."
-----------------------
[] Who and what are the Blood Princes?
[] What were the watery depths in the dream?
[] What were the lights that you saw?
[] What was the branch covered seeping door?
[] What was the shadowy replica that you walked upon?
[] What was the scene that you witnessed in the glade?
[] Who and what are the Blood Princes?
[] What were the watery depths in the dream?
[] What were the lights that you saw?
[] What was the branch covered seeping door?
[] What was the shadowy replica that you walked upon?
[] What was the scene that you witnessed in the glade?
[] Who is the lady Filomena?
[] What is the court of Aestas?
[] What exactly is the blood you carry?
Unless there is a limit on how many questions we can ask, I'm voting for maximum knowledge.
Mare Briezhkonia, the sea of Briezh, the bay of Osismes, the realm of Callirhoe. These are but some of the names used to describe the body of water that stretches from Biscarrosse in the south to the Eleionomae marshes of the north.
Many a tale of fortune and lament were told on the endless ships that sail its breadth, great battles and fierce storms were witnessed, and whispers abound of incomprehensible wonders that lay in it depth, and of even greater horrors awaiting those who dare venture where they are not invited.
To the great families of Briezh however, it is merely Our sea. For all but the northernmost parts of the kingdom envelops this blue expanse, and upon its ebbing tides, the merchants and adventures of realm ply their trade. It is this sea that gives the clans their dominance of the western commerce, just as the mighty rivers provide them dominion over the south.
But if the waters are the veins of the kingdom, then the metropolis that rests upon the confluence of the rivers and the sea is doubtlessly the heart.
Portus Namenoi, Por'Namei in the local parlance, the city of a hundred thousand souls, the seat of the Comhairle de Caimrodi, capital of the Briezhan Rex, Queen of our sea, the Pearl of Terresoria.
An edifice to the glory of the King and the great families split into three by the great rivers Leyre and Neriac. The dense urban sprawl stretches well beyond the gigantic beige walls, a maze of multistorey houses, courtyards and side streets. From the churches and palaces a multitude of red-topped towers rise above the skyline, their white stone glimmering in the sunlight. Roads wide and lavishly decorated bisect the city, swarming with stalls and hecklers when not utilized for celebrations and ceremony. The harbour is over a mile in length, with hundreds of vessels in every size and form going hither and thither.
Yet whatever awe is engendered by these sights must compete with the gilded majesty of St.Tudual Cathedral, the largest and most impressive bastion of the faith in all of Terresoria, lacking in no ornamentation imaginable to man, and endowed with many that are beyond mortal means.
The leftmost third of the city, graced by the Royal household, is built upon much higher grounds than its fellows, and much of it is composed of well-maintained gardens lush with the bounty of nature and the caress of springs and fountains. Trees green, fruitful and flowering shade the area, their positions carefully laid to ensure that playful Zephyrus would carry the sweet and earthy scents to any who walk the premise.
Indeed many enjoyed the pleasures of gardens this day.
Ladies of the court, clad in gossamer robes that emphasized their nubile bodies as much as modesty could be stretched to allow. Silver, gold, and gemstones to ransom a king were shown in abundance. Colorful pearl lined shawls stitched in precious metals hung loosely on their heads, a calculated contrast to the obsidian hair of the wearers that, along with the cloth, swung gently with the wind, releasing an intoxicating mixture of perfumes and incense.
Bejeweled arms and faces bared to show the rich indigo lined bronze skin of the revellers, the patterns especially dark and intricate near the eyes and lips.
The men of the court also wandered the gardens, retinues in tow and every bit as ostentatious as the women. Their obscenely intricate belts covering the whole of the stomach, with precious metals adorning their swords.
The two played a game ancient and endless, one of hidden looks and whispers, loud proclamations and bold gestures, of great delight and horrid misery.
There a young lord is singing a poem to his beloved, who is promptly ignoring him in favour of chatting with her fellows.
By a pond a more another one is feeding the ducks, a lady in blue by his side, yet his eyes ever wandered towards her crimson-haired attendant.
Near a large rosebush, a man in greys and blacks knelt, sword drawn and pointing at his heart as he proclaimed his life the property of a rather unimpressed lady in greens and whites.
And at a statue, a girl played a haunting melody on a harp; the joyous laments of passion, that eternal contradiction, emanating from each pull of the string. Boys and girls alike enraptured soul and body by the performance.
These and many others where scenes repeated across the gardens, joined by the echoes of music, the blowing of the wind and scents of nature and aromatic concoctions.
The Comhairle de Caimrodi looked upon the plays with mixed expressions. Some of the ancient elders smiled as they recalled the vigour of youth, others were melancholy, reminiscing on their own past passions.
Many had eyes clouded and unfocused or merely looking with disinterest. A few, however, gazed with predatory eyes, calculations of lineage, alliances, liabilities, opportunities, and threats running through their heads.
The coming weeks would see desires fulfilled, hearts broken, promises rescinded, unions brokered, and a few unfortunate accidents and fatalities.
"What did the Vorgi say?" Spoke one of the wizened elders, his oversized belt heavier than his skeletal person.
"The hag will keep her dogs on a leash, but not for long" His milky-eyed counterpart spat, spite dripping with every word.
"Mine will manage her if she oversteps, its the Coriosi am worried about" spoke another as she gazed at her left.
The First Caimrodi of the Coriosi reclined lazily nearby, his eyes gazing into nothingness and drool lining his jaw with nary a concern.
"His second is reliable, he will honour our pact" another woman replied, her lustrous black hair a complete contrast to her impossibly lined and creased visage.
"A shame, he was a great man while he still had a mind" replied the first.
"Sigh, he still has his moments, 'tis ill to speak of him so" interjected another woman, the patterns on her face so dense that it seemed blue in its entirety.
One of the elders, a man whose moustache reached well past his chest, pointed at her. "And what of you Dariori ? will you stand with us ?"
She shook her head as she replied: "We stand with the Vanoni on this matter."
"Bah, the Convallans are of Aternuii stock, 'tis right to draw swords for them" The white-eyed man spoke.
A silence stretched as none of the gathered deigned reply, the only sound that of the wind carrying the music and activities of the lords and ladies in the garden.
The moustache man gestured with his hand, and an attendant quickly arrived at his side.
"Erwann, inform the Aletuii that we are hosting a dinner and that she and hers are welcome."
The attendant bowed and promptly left to perform his task.
The black haired crone spoke then: " You think the Aletuii will aid us? " her voice held genuine wonder, for the two great families could hardly be called friends.
"For the Constancia rights? She'll call me dearest husband!"
The gathered Comhairle de Caimrodi erupted into bouts of laughter and sniggers at this jape.
O how age dulls many a thing, but never the edge of enmity!
As always, ask away, no really, go at it, be it hints ye find (of which there are plenty) questions on the lore, the locations, the geography, history, culture, ...etc. Ask, guess, muse and theorize to yer heart's content!
Not to mentioned it helps liven up the thread a bit.
At any rate, don't forget that there a vote that needs to be done. I mean , two days and no votes at all, I guess it's the holidays and all, but, don't forget! a vote a day keeps the sheep at bay!
At any rate, don't forget that there a vote that needs to be done. I mean , two days and no votes at all, I guess it's the holidays and all, but, don't forget! a vote a day keeps the sheep at bay!
I'm kinda curious about the reasons for how Briezh survived so intact post the Empire's collapse. They were a vassal of it, and the Empire was absolutely and insanely massive under the aegis of the Eternal Emperor.
Mare Briezhkonia, the sea of Briezh, the bay of Osismes, the realm of Callirhoe. These are but some of the names used to describe the body of water that stretches from Biscarrosse in the south to the Eleionomae marshes of the north.
Many a tale of fortune and lament were told on the endless ships that sail its breadth, great battles and fierce storms were witnessed, and whispers abound of incomprehensible wonders that lay in it depth, and of even greater horrors awaiting those who dare venture where they are not invited.
To the great families of Briezh however, it is merely Our sea. For all but the northernmost parts of the kingdom envelops this blue expanse, and upon its ebbing tides, the merchants and adventures of realm ply their trade. It is this sea that gives the clans their dominance of the western commerce, just as the mighty rivers provide them dominion over the south.
If this is not just a story, this is probably one reason. It definitely doesn't sound normal. The Sea of Song is also likely related. Magic is not exactly a common thing, given the baroque and other similar elements of this story, but it is a thing. (Which reminds me of that sword which mysteriously disappeared in the villa Yenyna found.
Yet whatever awe is engendered by these sights must compete with the gilded majesty of St.Tudual Cathedral, the largest and most impressive bastion of the faith in all of Terresoria, lacking in no ornamentation imaginable to man, and endowed with many that are beyond mortal means.
This is another odd thing. Endowed with many beyond mortal means. It could be remnants from the time of the Empire, but it could also be from non-mortal allies of the Briezhen.
The leftmost third of the city, graced by the Royal household, is built upon much higher grounds than its fellows, and much of it is composed of well-maintained gardens lush with the bounty of nature and the caress of springs and fountains. Trees green, fruitful and flowering shade the area, their positions carefully laid to ensure that playful Zephyrus would carry the sweet and earthy scents to any who walk the premise.
Indeed many enjoyed the pleasures of gardens this day.
Ladies of the court, clad in gossamer robes that emphasized their nubile bodies as much as modesty could be stretched to allow. Silver, gold, and gemstones to ransom a king were shown in abundance. Colorful pearl lined shawls stitched in precious metals hung loosely on their heads, a calculated contrast to the obsidian hair of the wearers that, along with the cloth, swung gently with the wind, releasing an intoxicating mixture of perfumes and incense.
Bejeweled arms and faces bared to show the rich indigo lined bronze skin of the revellers, the patterns especially dark and intricate near the eyes and lips.
The men of the court also wandered the gardens, retinues in tow and every bit as ostentatious as the women. Their obscenely intricate belts covering the whole of the stomach, with precious metals adorning their swords.
The two played a game ancient and endless, one of hidden looks and whispers, loud proclamations and bold gestures, of great delight and horrid misery.
There a young lord is singing a poem to his beloved, who is promptly ignoring him in favour of chatting with her fellows.
By a pond a more another one is feeding the ducks, a lady in blue by his side, yet his eyes ever wandered towards her crimson-haired attendant.
Near a large rosebush, a man in greys and blacks knelt, sword drawn and pointing at his heart as he proclaimed his life the property of a rather unimpressed lady in greens and whites.
And at a statue, a girl played a haunting melody on a harp; the joyous laments of passion, that eternal contradiction, emanating from each pull of the string. Boys and girls alike enraptured soul and body by the performance.
These and many others where scenes repeated across the gardens, joined by the echoes of music, the blowing of the wind and scents of nature and aromatic concoctions.
Odd, isn't it that they can outfit an entire court in gossamer, spider silk? In this age that is absurdly difficult to procure in the amounts required to outfit all in a court. Hey @maximillian do they produce it themselves or receive it from somewhere else? Also just to be more clear, the Briezh are located to the west right?
Indeed many enjoyed the pleasures of gardens this day.
Ladies of the court, clad in gossamer robes that emphasized their nubile bodies as much as modesty could be stretched to allow. Silver, gold, and gemstones to ransom a king were shown in abundance. Colorful pearl lined shawls stitched in precious metals hung loosely on their heads, a calculated contrast to the obsidian hair of the wearers that, along with the cloth, swung gently with the wind, releasing an intoxicating mixture of perfumes and incense.
Bejeweled arms and faces bared to show the rich indigo lined bronze skin of the revellers, the patterns especially dark and intricate near the eyes and lips.
The men of the court also wandered the gardens, retinues in tow and every bit as ostentatious as the women. Their obscenely intricate belts covering the whole of the stomach, with precious metals adorning their swords.
The stuff here is obviously status markers. Priscilla is likely to low status and far from home to receive any, or maybe only small and easily concealed marks.
Ah! Some stuff about the wider world from Briezhen perspective! If I remember correctly the Ceredigion(Yenyna's origin country) and Convalla are on the same land mass and near each other. Perhaps the Brizeh are concerned about a Unified Ceredigion? Maximillian what do the Corvus and thus Ceredigion trade in?
I'm kinda curious about the reasons for how Briezh survived so intact post the Empire's collapse. They were a vassal of it, and the Empire was absolutely and insanely massive under the aegis of the Eternal Emperor.
How indeed, The successor lords where surprisingly tame in thier attitudes towards briezh following the fall of the Empire, and the few wars that did involve briezh where short affairs that never penetrated too far past the border. The Briezhan insular attitudes, trade prowess, and abundance of mercenaries willing to fight for the pretenders also helped, as most of the successor lords were happy to relegate them to the bottom of the threat list.
As for the Princes themselves, in the immediate aftermath of the death of the emperor, they were too busy murdering each other and preventing other forces from killing them to focus on a second rate province with rather unusual protections.
If this is not just a story, this is probably one reason. It definitely doesn't sound normal. The Sea of Song is also likely related. Magic is not exactly a common thing, given the baroque and other similar elements of this story, but it is a thing. (Which reminds me of that sword which mysteriously disappeared in the villa Yenyna found.
Magic is uncommon yes, but the degree of uncommonality varies wildly between regions. The sea of Briezh is positively rainbows and sunshine and sugar candy compared to the sea of song. One is certain horrible death, the other is conditionaly deadly, and likely pleasant.
This is another odd thing. Endowed with many beyond mortal means. It could be remnants from the time of the Empire, but it could also be from non-mortal allies of the Briezhen.
Both are good gueses, but keep in mind alliances are not required for the acquisition of stuff. I will say however, that there's nothing pagan about that cathedral.
Priscilla spoke of nymphs of freshwater and trees back in her home. Perhaps there are some here.
Briezh was a willing vassal, it sided with prince's in thier war against Ndar, it did not suffer the fate of the areas forcefully conquered and directly ruled by the empire.
And minstrels give the impression that nymphs are not as rare a sight in briezh as in the rest of Terresoria or Yns Mon.
Odd, isn't it that they can outfit an entire court in gossamer, spider silk? In this age that is absurdly difficult to procure in the amounts required to outfit all in a court. Hey @maximillian do they produce it themselves or receive it from somewhere else? Also just to be more clear, the Briezh are located to the west right?
Yes briezh is west of Paluseaux and south of Yns Mon.
As for spider silk, they don't produce it themselves, they trade for it, and have a highly lucrative monopoly on selling it to other people, as the only other providers of Gossamer are far away in the south east.
The spiders it comes from are anything but normal, and are rather dangerous to say the least, or so it's told.
The stuff here is obviously status markers. Priscilla is likely to low status and far from home to receive any, or maybe only small and easily concealed marks.
She was rather young when she joined the clergy, and from the lesser northern nobility. Her markings where fresh enough to be removable without leaving too much of a noticeable mark, and her status was not high enough for more than simple lines on the forearms, which are covered by her monastic habit.
Ah! Some stuff about the wider world from Briezhen perspective! If I remember correctly the Ceredigion(Yenyna's origin country) and Convalla are on the same land mass and near each other. Perhaps the Brizeh are concerned about a Unified Ceredigion? Maximillian what do the Corvus and thus Ceredigion trade in?
Ceredigion is the description of the lands in Yns Mon that were not imperial subjects. They are divided in two groupings, Eire and Ceredigion beyond Eire, the reason being that Eire is significantly more populous than its counterpart, as well as being an island.
Coirneal, Cymr and Greali all border Convalla (and are separated by water from Eire, although the distance is minimal).
A United Ceredigion (sans Eire) means that Convalla is at risk of invasion.
The situation is thus tricky for briezh, the principle export of Yns Mon is slaves, thanks to all that Raiding, and the primary slave trader of the region is Briezh.
Gold work, timber, woodwork, gemstones, tin, wool, salt, lead and copper are some of the other exports of the region.
As for Briezhans, thier primary market is Convalla, as it being a proper civilised land ment it had enormous demand for such luxeries as wines, scents, olive oil, spices and herbs, marble, fine metalware, fine pottery, fine fabrics... Etc
Point is, both are good for business, and a Convalla pillaged to the ground by the new king of Ceredigion beyond Eire would mean a great deal of that loot would flow to Briezh, but it would also mean loosing the only civilised polity in Yns Mon, and the death of one of the last remnants of the old order of Aternum.
well, folks , I am in the business of simplifying the arcane stat system over here, so I would like the input and thoughts and suggestions of everyone here.
I am going to turn stats into simple 9 Categories , with an A to F progression system, whereby you gain skill points up to a hundred at which you Gain a + to the skill, after 5 pluses you move to the next rank. dice rolls will be a 1d10 for every +.
so, for example, Yenya's new stat screen will be :
Language F+++
Stewardship F++
Culture F+++
Natural Philosophy F++
Theology E++
History F++
Geography F+
Military Prowess F
Personal Combat F
traits and other ancillary stuff provide a 1d10 or -1d10 to applicable rolls.
for example, the quick of mind trait provides an extra 1d10 on any learning roll.
thoughts?
I am also unsure of the roll system.
should all actions roll for 1d10 and then roll more for modifiers, with gains being added to the skill progression?
or should I roll 1d100 for actions, with the result determining how many 1d10 to throw? so if schola roll is 67, you roll 6d10.
well, folks , I am in the business of simplifying the arcane stat system over here, so I would like the input and thoughts and suggestions of everyone here.
I am going to turn stats into simple 9 Categories , with an A to F progression system, whereby you gain skill points up to a hundred at which you Gain a + to the skill, after 5 pluses you move to the next rank. dice rolls will be a 1d10 for every +.
so, for example, Yenya's new stat screen will be :
Language F+++
Stewardship F++
Culture F+++
Natural Philosophy F++
Theology E++
History F++
Geography F+
Military Prowess F
Personal Combat F
traits and other ancillary stuff provide a 1d10 or -1d10 to applicable rolls.
for example, the quick of mind trait provides an extra 1d10 on any learning roll.
thoughts?
I am also unsure of the roll system.
should all actions roll for 1d10 and then roll more for modifiers, with gains being added to the skill progression?
or should I roll 1d100 for actions, with the result determining how many 1d10 to throw? so if schola roll is 67, you roll 6d10.
I like the ranking system, its very intuitive. I'm not exactly sure for the roll progression. I'll think about it and probably edit my thoughts in to this post(unless someone else also posts).
I am also unsure of the roll system.
should all actions roll for 1d10 and then roll more for modifiers, with gains being added to the skill progression?
or should I roll 1d100 for actions, with the result determining how many 1d10 to throw? so if schola roll is 67, you roll 6d10.
I think the former works better, but I need some examples to confirm that I'm understanding each version of the system properly.
Maybe have it so the rank equals dice and the + equal a modifier. So if using D10s, E++ would be 2d10s with +2 to each dice roll while B+ would be 5d10 WITH +1 to each dice roll.
So assuming that F is the lowest rank and d10s are being used, I think it works like this.
F = 1d10 (1 to 10)
F+ = 1d10 with +1 to each dice roll (2 to 11)
F++ = 1d10 with +2 to each dice roll (3 to 12)
F+++ = 1d10 with +3 to each dice roll (4 to 13)
F++++ = 1d10 with +4 to each dice roll (5 to 14)
F+++++ = 1d10 with +5 to each dice roll (6 to 15)
E = 2d10s (2 to 20)
E+ = 2d10s with +1 to each dice roll (4 to 22)
E++ = 2d10s with +2 to each dice roll (6 to 24)
E+++ = 2d10s with +3 to each dice roll (8 to 26)
E++++ = 2d10s with +4 to each dice roll (10 to 28)
E+++++ = 2d10s with +5 to each dice roll (12 to 30)
D = 3d10s (3 to 30)
D+ = 3d10s with +1 to each dice roll (6 to 33)
D++ = 3d10s with +2 to each dice roll (9 to 36)
D+++ = 3d10s with +3 to each dice roll (12 to 39)
D++++ = 3d10s with +4 to each dice roll (15 to 42)
D+++++ = 3d10s with +5 to each dice roll (18 to 45)
C = 4d10s (4 to 40)
C+ = 4d10s with +1 to each dice roll (8 to 44)
C++ = 4d10s with +2 to each dice roll (12 to 48)
C+++ = 4d10s with +3 to each dice roll (16 to 52)
C++++ = 4d10s with +4 to each dice roll (20 to 56)
C+++++ = 4d10s with +5 to each dice roll (24 to 60)
B = 5d10s (5 to 50)
B+ = 5d10s with +1 to each dice roll (10 to 55)
B++ = 5d10s with +2 to each dice roll (15 to 60)
B+++ = 5d10s with +3 to each dice roll (20 to 65)
B++++ = 5d10s with +4 to each dice roll (25 to 70)
B+++++ = 5d10s with +5 to each dice roll (30 to 75)
A = 6d10s (6 to 60))
A+ = 6d10s with +1 to each dice roll (12 to 66)
A++ = 6d10s with +2 to each dice roll (18 to 72)
A+++ = 6d10s with +3 to each dice roll (24 to 78)
A++++ = 6d10s with +4 to each dice roll (30 to 84)
A+++++ = 6d10s with +5 to each dice roll (36 to 90)
I will be off the grid for the rest of the month, and will only have access to the Internet on weekly basis for the remainder of the year.
I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The stat, skills and modifier system is basically done, only event and disease charts need to be finished. Hopefully, it'll be released along with an update next month.
I hope that this quest has proven to be an enjoyable read despite its glaring flaws as a quest, and see you all next month!
It's your quest. Flaws are to be expected. What counts is whether or not you make the effort to improve on things. Because you are, I am enjoying this quest.
