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unmerged(27106)

Innocent Bystander
Mar 24, 2004
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Another stab at at MP AAR. This one based on the "Sonds of Ireland" campaign.

Rame rules:

1) Modded characters, but they had to have a history that made sense.

2) Cannot interact with anything outside the Irish and Brittish Isles for any reason until after an Irish King is crowned (that includes looking for brides.)

3) You must always have some form of semi-sallic inheritance laws.

The players are as follows:

Leinster: yours truly (Patrucio)
Meath: Hyzenhok
Munster: Byakhim
Ulster: Jarkko
Connacht: Sterkarm

First update soon to follow...
 
Zeno of Cyprus said:
So your all going to try and kill each other to become king of Eire?

Pretty much
 
The Sengoku Jidai of Ireland, I had always wanted to see a CK campaign like this. :)

*Subscribe*
 
Prequel:

This is the story of the family Ui Aedhagan. It begins with Duinechaid Ui Aedhagan, born in the year of our lord 1024. Duinechaid was capable warrior, who served duke of Munster Toirrdelbach O'Brien faithfully until being slain in a ferocious battle against the O'Briens of Meath in the year 1053. Duinechaid had two sons, Ailill and Eochaid, who were eight and four years old respectively when Duinechaid died. After the death of Duinechaid duke Toirrdelbach took the brothers to raise them in his court. Ailill had already began tutelage under the watchful eyes of courtiers of Munster, while Toirrdelbach sent young Eochaid to pursue the career of a warrior, like his father did before him. Thus were the seeds of Toirrdelbach's downfall planted.

Ailill Ui Aedhegan never liked his adopted father and his dislike grew into hatred when he grew older and became more conscious of the fate of his father. Ailill learned to hide his feelings though, as he learned from the courtiers of Munster that you need to be Deceitful to prosper. When Ailill reached manhood, his tutors proclaimed him an Intricate Webweaver. Soon after Ailill's Energetic manner won him a position as Toirrdelbach's Spymaster. Meanwhile Ailill's brother Eochaid prospered under the tutelage of the best armsmen in Munster and his natural skill with weapons, good grasp of the tactics of war and Valorous nature won him the admiration of many in Munster. Although he was rather Reckless at times, his tutors acknowledged him as a Knowledged Tactician when he reached manhood. Then did Ailill set his plans of deception in motion.

While being the Spymaster of Toirrdelbach, Ailill managed to gain the duke's trust so completely that he even believed his own sons were conspiring against him, when it was suggested by Ailill. This conflict between father and sons caused many nobles in Munster to lose their respect in the family of O'Brien. With the stage thus prepared, Ailill struck. Shortly after his twentyfirst birthday Ailill arranged that his brother could strike dead duke Toirrdelbach in his sleep. As only few nobles in Munster supported the sons of Toirrdelbach, they were forced to take up arms to confirm their position. In the hot summer of 1066, the forces of the sons of O'Brien met with their enemies led by young Eochaid. The O'Brien brothers were defeated and slain and the fractious nobles of Munster were easy to convince that Ailill would lead Munster into new glory as duke.

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Ailill in december of 1066, few months after being confirmed as duke.

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Eochaid in december of 1066.
 
First chapter:

This tale covers the happenings of Munster during the years of our lord 1067-1089. The ducal fief of Munster covered the land of Desmumu and two counts served Munster as vassals. Count of Tuadmumu was a stuttering warrior with the name Seoán O'Flynn. Count of Urmumu was an indulgent dane called Rolf of Urmumu. Duke Ailill didn't trust either of them and set the Scutage they had to pay for Ailill to as high as possible. Then he Ailill set his couriers forth to seek out a beautiful maiden for him to marry. They soon found one, who was both beautiful and of fine family. Her name was Margaret Atheling, sister of Edgar Atheling, who was the heir of saxon kings of England. Ailill and Margaret were happily married in the end of february 1067. Eochaid was married to a nice irish lass with the name Bébinn from Leinster in the december of same year.

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Count of Tuadmumu, Seoán O'Flynn in december 1066.

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Count of Urmumu, Rolf of Urmumu in december 1066.

During the early years of Ailill's dukeship there were many things happening in Ireland. Young duke Feradach O'Brien of Meath went to war with duchy of Deheubarth in Wales and didn't realize Deheubarth was allied to the kingdoms of France and Germany. French laid waste to Dublin, but Feradach managed to seize the lands of duke of Deheubarth for himself. During this time Lochlain Ui Canannain, duke of Connacht declared war on the duchy of Western Isles. Lochlain didn't realize that both duke of Ulster and duke of Leinster had claims on his lands and soon after Lochlain had sent his troops away from Connacht, he was beset by the forces of Ulster and Leinster. Ailill was allied to duke of Leinster and true to his ally, he sent Seoán and his troops to aid Leinster. This was part of a clever plot by Ailill to the downfall of Seoán, who Ailill felt still held loyalties to the family of O'Brien. War with Connacht was uneventful and ended without much results. Soon after Ailill declared war on the treacherous Seoán and with the help of Rolf of Urmumu and the new "Battering Ram" that had been recently discovered in Desmumu, Ailill defeated Seoán and took the land of Tuadmumu as his own.

By the time of Seoán defeat the tensions had cooled in Ireland, but the traitorous Lochlain had approached king Robert I of England and sworen him fealty and as Lochlain's vassal count of Mayo revolted against that, king Robert crushed him and set his own underage daughter as a new countess of Mayo. The filthy englishmen had pushed their first tendrils into Ireland.

The following years were rather uneventful as all dukes eyed each other warily and concentrated on extinquishing their own vassals. Of the counts that ruled in 1066, only Rolf of Urmumu has still his position. Ailill's wife Margaret developed Illness which developed futher into Intesnial Worms. Ailill became known as a coward, as he didn't wish to fund criminal enterprises in other duchies. Ailill and Margaret had five children, three sons and two daughters. Their second son died of illness when he was twelve years old and he was Canonized after he died. Their firstborn son Columb lived into adulthood and was married to the sister of the Leofricson family duke of Lancaster. Their both daughters lived into adulthood and were married, the eldest to count of Glamorgan and after the youngest fell in love with Eochaid's firstborn son Tadc, Ailill and Eochaid agreed that the young lovers could be married to each other. Ailill's youngest son Dúnlang is still under the court's tutelage.

As Ailill has adopted the Inheritance Law of Semi-Salic Consanguinity, he's not yet sure should Columb or Dúnlang be named as his successor. Columb is the firstborn, but has developed an illness. Dúnlang is younger and hasn't yet finished his tutelage. Time will tell.

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Margaret Atheling in december 1089.

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Columb Ui Aedhegan in december 1089.

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Ireland in december 1089
 
The Family of O’Brien: Prologue

The O’Brien family, headed by Conchbar O’Brien, was one of the most influential families in Ireland in 1066. Conchbar was Duke of Meath, with the Bishopric of Mide his loyal vassal. It was a humble realm, but one of the wealthiest and most populous in Ireland.

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[size=-1]The Duchy of Meath, 1066[/size]

However, in 1066, Conchbar died at the age of 46, leaving his realm to his four legitimate sons. As usual, court politics and squabbling broke out in the Duchy of Meath, the sons fighting over who would become the next Duke of Meath and Count of Dublin. Murchaid, the eldest, was 23. Malachy and Aed, aged 22 and 21, were the middle children. Lorcàn, at 16, was the youngest. It should be noted that Aed was a courtier in the Duchy of Connaught, and was unable to contest for the dukedom at all. However, none of them would manage to take the title Duke of Meath. That went to Cochbar’s fifth, illegitimate, son.

Technically, Feradach was the fourth child at age 20, but his illegitimacy had forced him out of the court for his entire life. As soon as possible, Conchbar had ushered him off to the army away from the court in an attempt to hide his own sin of the flesh. Feradach spent his life training with the Dublin Regiment, the largest regiment in Ireland. In his education, he showed his mentors that he was quite adept at his appointed task. Also, he was well known for his bravery, having on one occasion rescued a woman from a burning house. Feradach grew to be well liked throughout the army, which would prove critical when his father died.

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[size=-1]Feradach the Bastard[/size]

Many expected either Murchaid, the strongest of Conchbar’s legitimate sons, to take the Duchy. Others expected the youngest, Lorcàn, with his unparalleled skills in ways of secrecy and plots, to use his abilities to take the throne. However, Feradach managed to use his popularity in the army to wrestle control of the Duchy away from his brothers. Surprisingly, Lorcàn supported Feradach, and helped his bastard brother ensure complete control over the duchy. The succession matter was settled before the end of 1066, with Feradach firmly in control as Duke of Meath, Count of Dublin.

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[size=-1]The Duke’s highly useful youngest brother[/size]

The Family of O’Brien: Chapter 1, 1066-1089

Feradach had four brothers. One of them was in another court, so he was out of the duke’s control, but the other three needed wives. And so did Feradach. The first few months of Feradach’s reign were busy searching for wives for his brothers and himself. He managed to wed all of his brothers, himself marrying a woman several years older than himself who was quite intelligent. Ethelfleda, an Englishwoman, gave birth to the Duke’s first daughter Catriona in 1068.

Feradach was focused on expanding his power. His highest worry was the continuation of his dynasty. However, with himself and his brothers all married, he felt it was secure at the moment, despite no male in the second generation being present. Feradach eventually ‘discovered’ a legitimate claim on the county of Dyfed, with the help of his brother Lorcàn, Dyfed was ruled by the Duke of Deheubarth, who was allied to the Duke of Connaught and the Count of Verdun. After diplomatically convincing Lochlain, the Duke of Connaught, to not intervene, Feradach dismissed the alliance to Verdun and struck. Ignoring the alliance would be a costly mistake.

Verdun quickly called its liege, none other than the King of Germany, to help, whose ally Philippe Capet also joined against Meath. Suddenly it was looking very meek. The small comfort was that none of these great powers had a claim on Dublin. Feradach quickly seized Dyfed while negotiating a peace with the juggernauts France and Germany. After taking Dyfed, white peace was concluded with the large Kingdoms, but not before French troops looted Dublin and stole the treasury (an amazing 45d!). Luckily, the wealthiest city in Ireland would recover in less than a year.

In the same year, the county of Glamorgan agreed to swear fealty to Meath.

Eight years after the birth of his only daughter, Feradach had no more children to speak of. Ethelfleda had not been very fertile, and had recently hit menopause though she was only in her thirties. In 1076 Feradach had no choice but to ensure the end of the marriage, and quickly remarried Constance de Normandie, the second youngest daughter of William the Conqueror. Though Leinster cried out ‘traitor’ for bringing her English blood to Ireland, she was quickly pregnant, and gave birth to two daughters in three years. She was pregnant again in 1079, and Feradach knew god had finally given him a son. However, disaster struck, when Constance died giving birth to a stillborn child. To add insult to injury, the child would have been a male heir had it survived the pregnancy.

Around this time, Feradach revoked the Bishopric of Mide’s title, preferring to rule the small county directly. Thinking it a necessary evil, he swore to God he would make up for it, and began donating as much money to the church as his laws would allow. Also, his vassal, the Count of Glamorgan, seemed to have some control over the papacy, as the Duke of Gwynedd was excommunicated by the Pope for apparently no reason at all. Taking advantage of the situation, Feradach had his brother Lorcàn forge documents giving Feradach a legitimate claim on the Duchy of Gwynedd.

Feradach quickly married for the third time, choosing Agathe de Normandie, the Conqueror’s youngest daughter. He hoped she would bring him a son. However, after giving birth to two daughters over a period of seven years, in addition to a third daughter who died of poor health, she died suddenly. Despite his sadness, Feradach had no choice but to quickly remarry. Despite all of his brothers being married, not one of them had produced children except Malachy. Malachy O’Brien, the second eldest of the O’Briens, had a single, inept, son and an infant daughter. Preferring to keep his direct blood on the throne instead of allowing his nephew Donal to inherit, Feradach remarried Catriona App Mordding, the only one of his wives who was actually Irish. Alas, her family, who had arranged the marriage, had made a slight error when informing Feradach of her age. Though he had been told she was 19 years old, it appears they had accidentally misplaced a ‘4’ with a ‘1’ in the said letter. Needless to say, she died mysteriously several days after the marriage.

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[size=-1]Feradach’s last chance[/size]

Feradach was getting desperate. He was in his forties, and though he could not be called ‘chaste’ with five children, they were all daughters. Determined to not allow his inept nephew inherit the throne, in 1087 he married Nichola Leorn, a Scottish lass from an obscure duchy in the highlands. Being young, she was quickly pregnant with Feradach’s seventh child. Finally, in 1088, she gave birth to Feradach’s son and heir, Diarmait O’Brien. Feradach was overjoyed. The following year, Nichola also gave birth to another daughter, showing no sign of losing her fertility.

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[size=-1]The Heir[/size]

And thus, there is a happy end in this chapter of the O’Briens. It seemed Feradach the Bastard’s bloodline was secured, and it appeared only good things could happen in for the O’Briens of Meath.

Foreign Affairs, 1089

It appears the Duchy of Ulster cares nothing for the Feudal ideas that have been spreading about Europe (that Feradach implemented into Meath’s laws). It was an odd show as Ulster gobbled up its vassals during the last decade. Connaught’s pledging of allegiance to England caused great uproar, though Feradach saw little that could be done against the English. Alliances in Ireland are static; the fact that it seems everyone is allied to everyone except the Duke of Connaught has created a peace in Ireland since Connaught was defeated by Leinster and Ulster…but how long will it last?
 
Conleth is the oldest and only son of the old Duke of Ulster, Énrí. Conleths mother died when he was born. Conleth was eight years when his father got severly ill. Praying for days his father wanted to see that his son recieved intensive training for the coming important duties.

Conleth understood very soon what was expected from him, and he has shown strong keennes, even though his abilities are perhaps not any extraordinary. Énrí told his son many times the most important thing in life is to get up in the morning and grasp the tasks that the day brings along.

When Conleth came to age his father finally did succumb to the long lasting illness. Conleth was not alone however, he had at the court his uncle Aed and Aed's two sons; Dunsleive and the still infant Donnchad. Aed had served as Énrís Steward and Dunsleive as his chancellor; Connleth saw no reason to change this. When Donnchad came to age, he was appointed the Marshal of Ulster.

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Conleth was in his youth a proud man, altough that changed over the years, and later in his life he was seen as an example of a modest man. Dunsleive was given the task to find a suitable wife for the Duke of Ulster. Finally Dunsleive was able to arrange a suitable marriage between Conleth and Aveline de Leyburne from the court of Duke of Atholl.

Conleth agreed on alliances with the Duke of Meath and the Duke of Leinster. Soon there after old scripts where found which proved that Conleth had a valid claim on the county of Mayo. Cuchulain of Leinster on other hand had claimed the county of Sligo.

Then the Duke of Connacht saw it fit to attack Western Isles, who was allied to Feradach of Meath. Meaths forced where heavily involved fighting in Dyfed, and was in no shape to help his ally. Both Conleth and Cuchulain saw it fit to thus help their ally's ally, and at the same time advance their own claims.

The Duke of Connacht withdrew his forces from Western Islands and attacked heavily the forces of Leinter in Sligo. Conleth had got word that the fleet carrying Connachts troops were sailing toward Sligo, and thus Conleth had lifted the siege of Mayo and rapidly marched to help his ally. In the heaviest fighting seen on Ireland so far, 600 men of Connacht attacked 300 men of Leinster, but then the 500 men from Ulster came to the scene in the nick of time. Connachs troops were anniliated, but also Ulster and especially Leinster had suffered heavy losses.

Connleth marched his remaining 300 men back to Mayo and lay siege again. Negotiations begun with Lochalin of Connacht, and after he agreed to pay a hefty sum of 117d to Ulster, Ulster and Connacht signed peace. Ulsters war against Mayo was of course not affected by this.

Soon there after Lochlain of Connacht gained the name Traitor. First he *again* declared war on Ulster, then he bowed to the King of England, Robert de Normandie. To make matters worse, Lochlain then declared war on Mayo, and Robert the King of England immediatly sent thousands of troops to claim Mayo as his own. Robert gave Mayo to her daughter Philippa as her 3-year birthday-present.

Connacht rapidly signed a white peace with Lochlain. Lochlain must have been shocked at the horrors he had unleashed on Ireland, but that did not help in anyway the loathing he recieved from the other dukes of Ireland.

The following years Conleth rebuilt his troops. Conleth also did his best to revoke the struggling economy of Ulaid. However the depression on the situation in Ulaid has not eased, and after 11 years the economy of Ulaid is still struggling. Conleths stewardship is not anymore seen to be as good as in his youth.

Conleth was presented with documents that showed he is also the rightful heir to the title of the Duke of Galloway. Conleth has also laid claim on the titles of the Count and Duke of Gwynedd, who was excommunicated by the Pope.

His two vassals Sigtrygg the Dane and Aed O'Neill caused some trouble to him. First of all Sigtryyg the Dane was seen as another foreign threat on Ireland. Conleth tried to revoke the title of Tir Connail, but the Dane refused and was seen as plotting against his liege. In 1080 Conleth called his two allies, and together these three dukes brought the matter to an end. Conleth payed his two allies in all above one third each from the treasure of Tir Connail.

Tir Eoghains legal system had collapsed. Thiefs were organised, smugglers had their organization, and the roads were not safe to travel. Connleth recieved several disteress calls from the population of Tir Eoghain, because their Count seemed to be unable to do anything about the matter. Connleth decided to take matters to his own hands, and once again called his allies to help. The short war against thr count of Tir Eoghain was costly, as Conleth had to sell the fishery in Ulaid to balance his budget. Never-the-less, Tir Eoghain was brought to the direct rulership of Conleth in 1084. His rulership there was very efficient though, as in 1088 the final traces of organized crime disappeared from Tir Eoghain.

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Conleth and Aveline had only three children, and Ronan was the only boy. Ronan is a honest lad, an excellent swordman whose path should not be crossed. He grabs to tasks at hand with energy, but the truth is he does not show the qualities of an excellent ruler. Time will tell how he will be able to rule the Duchy. Ronan is married to the daughter of Dunsleive, and they already have a daughter. Ronan is serving his father as the Marshall of Ulster.

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Aveline got ill in her thirties. Her illness got worse over the years, until she finally died in the year of 1088, and was canonized. Conleth had at no point tought of any harm to his wife (contrary to the habit that is rumoured to be in effect in Meath, there is a saying now "Send your daughter to Dublin if you want to see a dagger in her back").

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After a mourning period Conleth married the Slaine the grand-daughter of Aed (who had died already in 1069). Slaine had earlier been married with Lugaid Macbridenagh, who had served as the Steward after Aed had passed away. Lugaid on the other hand was followed by the ever able Dunsleive as the Steward of Ulster, even though his ability at Stewardship is not as good as that of his Diplomatic skills.

The toughest problem of the dukes of Ireland is, how the Englishmen and the remaining Danes can be thrown out. If the Irish dukes can not unite against these two external threats, then the future looks grim.
 
Reading with avid interest.

* Wonders when the assassinations will begin in earnest*
 
Woah! Great stuff, come on, give us more, more, more! This MP stuff is completely adictive. ;)
 
Garuda said:
Reading with avid interest.

* Wonders when the assassinations will begin in earnest*

When we have successfully married our kids to each other. And when intrigue ratings come a bit down... Munster and Meath both have Ruler + Spymaster intrigue 25, Ulster has 24 and Leinster has also about as high. At current none of our rulers has the family members of other player in the line of succession, but I hope that will soon change... ;)
 
For your modded charecters what were the limitations etc. that you placed on the players to stop them from making a 99 matial ratting or something like that?
 
Zeno of Cyprus said:
For your modded charecters what were the limitations etc. that you placed on the players to stop them from making a 99 matial ratting or something like that?

Look here for the rules on character creation. We each created a duke with the standard rules, and each of us got a secondary courtier (usually a brother or wife) with the skill points total limit at 30 instead of 40.
 
Leinster Prologue

Leinster's Prologue

There were great expectations for Cuchulain, nephew of the Duke of Leinster, when he was born. Court astrologers spoke of a tremendous future portended by the stars. Wise women foresaw greatness in the boy's future. His father named him after the great hero of the Irish people in deference to these glorious promises.


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Cuchulain in 1089

Cuchulain never felt comfortable with the expectations placed upon him, but he learned to use them well. He learned to tell people what they wanted to hear, and he also learned how to make people think his ideas were their own. Expectations gradually turned into disappointment as the boy grew into a deformed and ugly man. People turned away from the lad, and forgot about the greatness promised to him by the fates. Cuchulain did not, however. As his form grew uglier, his words became all the sweeter. He became a respected poet and player of the harp and lyre, and managed to find a place in his uncle's court as a musician. Cuchulain accepted this, but did not settle for it. he merely bided his time, and began to win over the courtiers of Leinster with insightful comments and flattery.

Cuchulain was wed to a beautiful Welsh noble by the name of Bronwyn on his 21st year. Bronwyn was hailed as much for her talents with coin as she was admired (and desired) for her lustful and earthy ways. Many thought that Bronwyn would soon tire of her deformed husband, but she never did. Bronwyn recognized the greatness beating in Cuchulain's chest, greatness that had been forgotten by those familiar with him, and knew that her own selfish desires would be best served by tying herself to him.


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Bronwyn in 1089

With Bronwyn at his side, Cuchulain's stock in the court rose. As his stock rose, Cuchulain's cousins began to have tragic accidents. One after another fell to some tragic mishap or freakish incidence, and while some suspected foul play most simply saw bad luck. In a matter of two years, Cuchulain found himself as the heir to Leinster. Cuchulain's uncle, weary from the death that plagued his family and fearful of a his nephew he suspected was the shadowed hand that brought said death, abdicated his throne and retired to a monistary to live out the rest of his days in peace. This abdication placed Cuchulain upon the Ducal Throne of Leinster, and placed in his hands the fate of his people. Once seated, Leinster's treacherous eyes turned towards her neighbors.
 
It was once told to me that William the Norman, when asked what he thought of Ireland after his ascention in London-Towne, said, "'Ne'er have I seen a greater hive of scum and villiany than that wreched island called Eire." I cannot say if he truly said that or not, but if he did it's the only thing ever said by an English monarch that I would agree with.

Ireland is a vile place, where the noblest of us are usurpers, murderers, or worse. Every noble that rules on this island has a list of sins to their name so black as to stain you forever if you were to see them written down. They say that the devil himself once took the form of an Irish Duke, but left in shame when he realized that he could not match the wickedness of the other Irish Dukes. Aye, Ireland's the worst mankind has to offer, and I'm the vilest that this isle has spawned in a good many years. I'm a hunchback, a liar, and I'm rumored to be a kinslayer- though that last one has never been proven. They say I steal from any I meet, and that the only people I view as equals are criminals, thugs, rapists, and bandits- in other words, the other nobles of Ireland. They also say I deserve more than any other to be king and master of this God-forsaken land, 'cause I'm at least honest about what I am. I don't put much stock in what others say about me, but I do agree that this land would be best off ere I were to become it's King. My name is Cuchulain mac Diarmiat, and this is my story.

1067-1071: An Auspicious Beginning

Cuchulain was quickly able to establish alliances with Munster and Ulster after his ascention, sealing deals with both of them before January closed. Cuchulain began sending out feelers to the rest of the island, directed by a man named Imchad who served the Duke of Leinster as his spymaster. Imchad was an older fellow, though, and found the strain placed upon him by his new liege too much. Old age claimed Imchad in April of 1067. Following the death of old Imchad, the spymaster duties went through a quick succession of people.

A promising young lass by the name of Catriona was quickly promoted to replace the old spymaster days after his death. She served only a few months, though, before Duke mac Diarmiat allowed the girl to accept a promising marriage to Count Waltheof of Northhampton. Her successor was the extremely talented Bebinn, but she lasted only a month before she was wed to the brother of Duke Ailill of Munster as a sign of good will. While Cuchulain hated to see a girl as talented as Bebinn go, he considered it worth it to cement his ties to Munster.


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Growing tired of constantly replacing his spymasters, Cuchulain promoted a less talented (but male) courtier by the name of Cormac to the position of spymaster. Cuchulain had little confidence in the man's skill as a spy, but he also had little fear that the man would be able to organize a coup under his nose. He gave strong consideration to a few more promising female candidates for the position, but ultimately decided that discretion was the better part of wisdom. Cuchulain traded talent for reliability and controllability, and made due with the lot God had given him.

1068 began promisingly enough with the birth of his first child. Cuchulain, always eager to exploit any situation for political purpose, further honored his neighbor to the west by naming his first-born Ailill. However, in June of that year, people reported a rash of evil omens across Leinster. Cuchulain was not a particularly pious person himself, but he did believe in the Church. Religious authorities were turned to to explain the meaning of these ill auguries, and they in turn proclaimed that they foretold doom for the House of mac Diarmait unless they granted God's instrument on Earth greater power in Laigin. Cuchulain cursed himself for having let himself fall into the churchmen's trap, though he did admire their cunning as he came to realize that it was Church officials that had organized the bad omens in the first place. Cuchulain reluctantly allowed the Church to expand it's authority over the other stands of society, realizing that he was no longer in a position to prevent them from doing so.

Cuchulain retreated to lick his wounds, and contemplate the murder of his cousin, the Duke of the Western Isles. Cuchulain stood fourth in the line of succession for that throne, and was eager to see his holdings expand. The sad fact was, however, that Cuchulain simply lacked the money needed to properly murder someone. Cuchulain was forced to bide his time, and hope that things improved.

Cuchulain kept to himself for the rest of the year, and became active again in Island politics only after the snows in Leinster began to melt in the waning days of winter in 1069. Cuchulain reciecved word from his neighbor to the north, the Duke of Meath, that he had completed a wonderous marvel. Cuchulain was intrigued by the notion of a hall of learning modeled after the idea (if not the form) of the Great Library of Alexandria. Cuchulain was eager to see this wonder, but could not leave owing to the advanced state of pregnancy his wife was in.


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Cuchulain was rewarded for his fidelity in staying with his wife with another son on March 23rd. Cuchulain named this second child Onegus, after his own father. Only a short time passed after the birth of Onegus before Bronwyn was pregnant again. On March the 9th in the year of our Lord 1070, Cuchulain's third son was born. Cuchulain named this young man Lochlainn.

About the time of Lochlainn's birth, Cuchulain was contacted by his ally in Ulster. It seems that the old Duke had unearthed some claims his family had in days gone by to the County of Mayo. He asked if the mac Diarmiat clan had any similar claim. Cuchulain said that they did, and quickly forged documents that showed a legitimate claim upon the county of Sligo. Many thought that these claims were dubious at best, but the forgeries were so skillful that none could truly disprove them. Leinster and Ulster bid their time, waiting for a moment to strike.

August of 1070 saw ar break out between Meath to the north and Deheubarth to the east in Wales. One of Cuchulain's cousins was a courtier in Wales, and Cuchulain prayed that his cousin would die, thus moving a potential obstacle to Leinster's inheritance of the Western Isles. Though Meath was successful, Cuchulain's cousin (a man named Enna mac Diarmiat) survived. Surprisingly, though, Enna sought safety in Cuchulain's court. The Duke of Leinster gave some thought to killing the man outright, but decided that a bird in hand was a much better thing to have. Cuchulain arranged for Enna to marry a lovely but barren woman, and kept him in Leinster in order to keep an eye on him.

1070 ended well in Leinster, with new farming techniques being developed by a particularly intelligent group of pesants and the general prosperity of Laigin growing due to the expansion of the towns and hamlets of the county. This good fortune spilt over into 1071, when Connacht went to war against Cuchulain's cousins in the Western Isles. Cuchulain and Ulster both sensed opportunity. Claiming that they were coming to the defense of the mac Diarmiat clan, Ulster and Leinster launched into a war against Connacht.

1071-1075: The Northern War

The drums and pipes of war were sounded in Ulster and Leinster as soon as the echoes of those same calls faded away from the hills of Connacht. Armies were quickly raised, and both Leinster and Ulster raced forward to sieze land from the vassals of the Duke of Connacht. Naturally, Connacht was less than amused.


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Connacht's only ally was Meath, but they were locked in a war against the Welsh Duke whose land they sought to steal, as well as the Welshman's allies from the distant continent. Meath was in no position to help Connacht, and so decided not to aid his ally. meath decried the partitioning of Connacht, but beyond words offered no support. Connacht was all alone.

Cuchulain, while marching north, realized how much easier going to war would be were their flat and even surfaces to march on. Scholars would later agree that this was the moment the ideas of roads reached Ireland. Cuchulain was in no position to act upon his insight, however, as he had a war to fight. Ulster's sizable force fell on Mayo like locust, while Leinster's much smaller army marched on Sligo. Connacht quickly broke off his attacks on the Western Isles, and returned to Eire to face his enemies at home. Munster siezed the chance to profit from the war by laying siege to Connacht's capital. Meath was quickly joined by the Western Isles. Realizing the Leinster's army in Sligo was the smallest of his three enemies, Connacht decided to focus there. Battle began on the 1st of August, 1071.

Leinster was heavily outnumbered, but her troops were of a much higher quality than were found in Connacht. Cuchulain was able to hold his own until Ulster was able to reinforce and drive off the Connacht counter-attack. The assistance did force Ulster to end her siege of Mayo, however. Victory was claimed by the allied forces of Ulster and Leinster on the 23rd of August. The joy of victory was quickly dampened, however, by news from Laigin. A tear-stained letter from Bronwyn informed Cuchulain that their son Lochlainn had died the crib death. Further news came from the east the next day, when Cuchulain learned that Meath had successfully concluded it's war and was possibly in a position to intervene now. Disturbed by both pieces of information, Cuchulain decided that his only option was still to press on with the siege.

Ulster returned to Mayo to press her claim again. Leinster, battered and bruised, was left to press the siege of Sligo alone. Connacht took advantage of the situation to attack a second time. While Cuchulain was able to drive off this second attack, his army was too devistated to continue the siege. Stubbornly (and foolishly), though, Cuchulainn decided to press on futilly with the siege, hoping that Ulster would be able to take Mayo quickly enough to allow Leinster to takie hold of her prize.

1072 was a foul year for all involved in the war. Connacht was weakened greatly, but still struggled to throw off her attackers. Leinster and Ulster's sieges bogged down due to repeted guerilla attacks from Connacht as well as through attrition and desertion. Cuchulain's son Onegus fell ill in February, and his gerenal malaise worstened into pneumonia in April. Cuchulain feared he was being ounished by a cruel and hateful God for some unknown wrong.

January of 1073 saw a young noble by the name of Poul join Cuchulain's court. Poul was the scion of an old noble line that had long held claims on the county of Mayo. Cuchulain welcomed the lad, thinking that he would be able to hold the boy in reserve should he be forced to give up his current gambit for failure.

That failure came sooner that Cuchulain expected. Connacht launched another raid against Leinster in March. Cuchulain acquitted himself very well, but his army was just too atrophied and finally broke.


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Cuchulain consoled himself by hosting a tournament that June. The event was won by a bright young Irish lad from Meath, which further disheartened the Duke of Leinster. One bright piece of news did lighen the Duke's mood, though- his cousin Enna had been badly hurt in the joust and probably would never make a full recovery. that piece of news made Cuchulain laugh, though he was sure to keep his mirth about that to himself.


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Cuchulain decided to fight dirty, and funded a revolt in Connacht. His treachery was repaid when Laigin went into rebellion as well, the people there tired of the long, costly, and unproductive war. Cuchulain realized that he had to end the feud, so he made peace with Mayo and arranged for a white peace with Connacht. The white peace let Cuchulain keep his claims on Sligo.
 
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Cuchulain, while marching north, realized how much easier going to war would be were their flat and even surfaces to march on. Scholars would later agree that this was the moment the ideas of roads reached Ireland.

:rofl:

Yes, very good update. :)
 
The years between 1089 and 1100 saw the duchy of Uslter struggling out of backwardness. During these years many of the concepts found out in southern Ireland spread to Ulster, and a few new ideas were picked from across the sea from Carrick and Isle of Man.

The road-system of Ulaid was begun in 1091 (Ulaid was the second province in Ireland to build this advance). The church of Ulaid was built in 1094 (the second church on Ireland). The Library of Ulaid was built in 1096, and the fishery was rebuilt in 1098.

The political map of Ireland saw major changes. Duke of Meath had laid claim on Gwynedd, and the greedy duke declared war against it. This did draw the attention of many outside powers once again to Ireland. Duke of Leinster did attempt to take advantage of the situation by besieging Isle of Man, but Castille overrun and annexed Laigin.

Meanwhile Munster and Ulster allied and tried to stop the power-hungry Duke of Meath. Conleth led an army to help the hard pressed Munster troops in the battle of Mide, but despite numerical superiority the numerous knights of Meath saw the victory go to Meath. After long and hardpressed negotiatiotions peace was signed, Munster gained the bishopry of Mide, Ulster gained 50d but also laid down all claims on Gwynedd. Meaths power grew however immensly, and they now draw even more income and manpower from Wales than from the filthy rich province of Dublin.

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Conleth has with the prestige of the peace laid claim to much of Ireland. Conleth has laid claim on Desmumu, Dublin, Mide and Tuadmumu in addition to the old claim on Mayo. Conleth also has a valid claim on the duchy of Galloway.

Ronan being the energetic man as he is, took part in a jousting contest. Ronan was severly mauled, and his health has not been what it was. What is more important, Ronan has not been able to produce any children after the incident.

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Conleth fell ill in 1097. Ronan is the heir to the title, altough the lack of a male heir does not speak for him. Conleth has thus elevated Feradach (the son of his cousin Dunsleive) to be a potential heir of the Duchy. Ronan has still time to produce a male heir, but Feradach is recieving experience in both court and military matters.

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Just like Conleth and Dunsleive have been like brothers, Ronan and Feradach have been like brothers until very recently, when it became apparent they both are potential heirs of the Duchy. After reviwing the situation he gave Ronan the county of Tir Connail, and made Feradach the marshal of Ulster.

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The times for Ireland look grim. The danes have been kicked out, but the Iberians are now in their place, and the duke of Meath is Irish only nominally anymore. How will Ireland throw out the evil Englishmen from Connacht, the evil Iberians from Laiglin, and the powerhungry Welshmen from Dublin? Only time will tell.