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The invitation is appreciated, but High King Aed Findlaith cannot possibly leave his country at present. He sends his best wishes.
It seams i have to return to my homeland, I unfortunately cannot deal with such trivial matters at the moment. You tithe is still required to help rebuild the city of Inverness.
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Training the Household Guard
King Æthelred of Wessex of Wessex
The King of Wessex begins the season by looking at the newly acquired territory of Kent. Once a great Kingdom in its own right Kent now rightfully belongs to Wessex. To ensure the loyalty and full support of his new vassals Æthelred calls them to his capital where he welcomes them with lavish gifts and a huge feast. Although the cost of hosting the nobles is large some do pledge to send a few more men if their rightful king should call on them. Meanwhile he continues to impose a strict training schedule on the men working within his estates. The training proceeds well but some men don’t have enough time to train and work the fields hurting the local economy a bit.
(-300 Gold, +70 men from vassals, +10% to peasants)
Ælfrēd of Wessex (Sneaky)
Ælfrēd completing his armament program spends another large sum of money to ensure that the peasants on his estates are properly armed if they are called on to fight. Continuing with the program started late last year he trains the remainder of his men in the ways of the shield wall while also giving them a few pointers in single combat. Aside from the training Ælfrēd is busy with an important marriage, in order to seal the alliance between Wessex and Mercia King Burghred gives his oldest daughter up to Ælfrēd as a bride. In addition the Mercian gives up London and all the lands immediately surrounding it to Wessex.
(-540 Gold, +15% to peasants, +240 Gold Alez, -70 Income Alex, -80 men from vassals Alex, +70 Income, +80 men from vassals )
Æthelwulf, Ealdorman of Berkshire (Revan/Riccardo)
Ealdorman Æthelwulf continues training his household guard and orders the men under him to do the same. In addition he begins construction of a small burh at the town of Wallingford. The burh is soon fully built and serves to fortify the border area between Mercia and Wessex.
(+3% Guards, +1 Small Burh at Wallingford, -50 Gold, -5 Income)
Myrddin Cross Eolderman of Somerset (Tonka)
Myrddin commands the villagers living in the marshes of Somerset to begin to use the area for farming. This is nothing less than a disaster as the ground is far too wet to grow traditional farm crops. The result of this mistake is the loss of a seasons taxes from the residents of the marsh as well as the creation of a could be famine as the villagers of this area have no food to eat come winter. In addition Myrddin following the latest West Saxon styles begins training his household guard. The men become adept at speedily forming a shield wall and will be ready for the Vikings when they come.
(-100 Gold, -40 Income, +5%)
Burghred King of the Mercians (Alex)
The King of Mercia is very busy over the summer, aside from marrying off his daughter to Ælfrēd of Wessex he also begins training his men and preparing his kingdom for war. The first step in his plan is to implement a strict training regimen for his household guard as well as his peasants. He also orders his vassals to do the same. The men train all through the summer learning how to use the terrain to their advantage as well as how to form an effective shield wall. In addition Burghred orders his smiths to create 200 new swords, creating so many swords takes a long time and they are not available for use until fall by which time the training regimen had ended. Meaning that Burghred would have to wait another year until he’d be able to show his peasants how to properly use a sword.
(-300 Gold, +10% Peasants)
King Edmund of East Anglia (Pluto)
King Edmund begins the warm months by ordering the construction of three small trade ships. After several months pass and the ships are built they are laden with food hides and clothing. They then sail for the recently renamed city of Jorvik. There the ships sell their cargo at a profit and are turned over to Halfdan Ragnarsson to make up for the ships recently lost by men in his company during some daring raids by a Frank. Besides the trade expedition King Edmund also orders the construction of a small burh at Norwich. It is to be a test to see if the construction of the burh will help defend his people from future threats.
(-150 Gold, +3-3 Trade Ships, +100 Gold, -50 Gold, -5 Income, Small Burh built at Norwich, +3 Trade Ships Magister)
King Æthelred of Wessex of Wessex
The King of Wessex begins the season by looking at the newly acquired territory of Kent. Once a great Kingdom in its own right Kent now rightfully belongs to Wessex. To ensure the loyalty and full support of his new vassals Æthelred calls them to his capital where he welcomes them with lavish gifts and a huge feast. Although the cost of hosting the nobles is large some do pledge to send a few more men if their rightful king should call on them. Meanwhile he continues to impose a strict training schedule on the men working within his estates. The training proceeds well but some men don’t have enough time to train and work the fields hurting the local economy a bit.
(-300 Gold, +70 men from vassals, +10% to peasants)
Ælfrēd of Wessex (Sneaky)
Ælfrēd completing his armament program spends another large sum of money to ensure that the peasants on his estates are properly armed if they are called on to fight. Continuing with the program started late last year he trains the remainder of his men in the ways of the shield wall while also giving them a few pointers in single combat. Aside from the training Ælfrēd is busy with an important marriage, in order to seal the alliance between Wessex and Mercia King Burghred gives his oldest daughter up to Ælfrēd as a bride. In addition the Mercian gives up London and all the lands immediately surrounding it to Wessex.
(-540 Gold, +15% to peasants, +240 Gold Alez, -70 Income Alex, -80 men from vassals Alex, +70 Income, +80 men from vassals )
Æthelwulf, Ealdorman of Berkshire (Revan/Riccardo)
Ealdorman Æthelwulf continues training his household guard and orders the men under him to do the same. In addition he begins construction of a small burh at the town of Wallingford. The burh is soon fully built and serves to fortify the border area between Mercia and Wessex.
(+3% Guards, +1 Small Burh at Wallingford, -50 Gold, -5 Income)
Myrddin Cross Eolderman of Somerset (Tonka)
Myrddin commands the villagers living in the marshes of Somerset to begin to use the area for farming. This is nothing less than a disaster as the ground is far too wet to grow traditional farm crops. The result of this mistake is the loss of a seasons taxes from the residents of the marsh as well as the creation of a could be famine as the villagers of this area have no food to eat come winter. In addition Myrddin following the latest West Saxon styles begins training his household guard. The men become adept at speedily forming a shield wall and will be ready for the Vikings when they come.
(-100 Gold, -40 Income, +5%)
Burghred King of the Mercians (Alex)
The King of Mercia is very busy over the summer, aside from marrying off his daughter to Ælfrēd of Wessex he also begins training his men and preparing his kingdom for war. The first step in his plan is to implement a strict training regimen for his household guard as well as his peasants. He also orders his vassals to do the same. The men train all through the summer learning how to use the terrain to their advantage as well as how to form an effective shield wall. In addition Burghred orders his smiths to create 200 new swords, creating so many swords takes a long time and they are not available for use until fall by which time the training regimen had ended. Meaning that Burghred would have to wait another year until he’d be able to show his peasants how to properly use a sword.
(-300 Gold, +10% Peasants)
King Edmund of East Anglia (Pluto)
King Edmund begins the warm months by ordering the construction of three small trade ships. After several months pass and the ships are built they are laden with food hides and clothing. They then sail for the recently renamed city of Jorvik. There the ships sell their cargo at a profit and are turned over to Halfdan Ragnarsson to make up for the ships recently lost by men in his company during some daring raids by a Frank. Besides the trade expedition King Edmund also orders the construction of a small burh at Norwich. It is to be a test to see if the construction of the burh will help defend his people from future threats.
(-150 Gold, +3-3 Trade Ships, +100 Gold, -50 Gold, -5 Income, Small Burh built at Norwich, +3 Trade Ships Magister)
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A message from the True King of Northumbria, AEla:
These are dark times for my kingdom. Our enemies are numerous and though all true Northumbrians have managed to put their personal enmities aside and work together against our heathen attackers we may still not have the strength. Therefore, I, the rightful king of Northumbria, hereby place upon the viking warriors of "Jorvik" a bounty to be paid out to any king, lord, knight, or even peasant who attacks them or damages their war effort in any way. Anyone who kills the usurper who dared to invade my capitol will earn himself a lordship and my undying thanks.
These are dark times for my kingdom. Our enemies are numerous and though all true Northumbrians have managed to put their personal enmities aside and work together against our heathen attackers we may still not have the strength. Therefore, I, the rightful king of Northumbria, hereby place upon the viking warriors of "Jorvik" a bounty to be paid out to any king, lord, knight, or even peasant who attacks them or damages their war effort in any way. Anyone who kills the usurper who dared to invade my capitol will earn himself a lordship and my undying thanks.
Declaration from the kingdom of Cornwall
His majesty, King Dumnarth of Cornwall, hereby swear allegiance to high king Rhodri of Wales, may he live long and reign justly.
His majesty would also like to convey his appreciation of the invitation from Strathclyde, but due to internal matters that have to be solved, he will not be able to attend the summit of leaders.
His majesty, King Dumnarth of Cornwall, hereby swear allegiance to high king Rhodri of Wales, may he live long and reign justly.
His majesty would also like to convey his appreciation of the invitation from Strathclyde, but due to internal matters that have to be solved, he will not be able to attend the summit of leaders.
OOC: Have to drop out for a bit guys. Would anyone be willing to sub? I'm going to be away from any reliable internet connection for the 6th of June to the 2nd of July.
The War for Northumbria
1. Catterick in its prime.
The Northumbrian campaign of the summer of the year 866 begins in the recently conquered city of Jorvik. There Halfdan Ragnarsson prepares for the next leg of his journey. Ordering the blacksmiths there to create many new swords for him and his men using formulas developed long ago back in his homeland he ensures that around a hundred new swords will be available for him and his retinue in around a year. After the business with the swords is completed Halfdan gathers his army once again, taking his longships he sails up the River Ouse, he uses large detachments of cavalry to prevent an ambush and to serve as a screen against Northumbrian scouts. After several weeks the destination of the army becomes clear as the hamlet of Catterick is neared. There an old Roman fort lays in ruins and it is there that the Norse army makes camp. Halfdan offers local leaders mercy but a local monk refuses to listen to the pagan and incites the populace against the Vikings. A mob attacks the heavily armed men leading to the hamlet being torched and all living inside it killed. This act becomes known as the Catterick Massacre when the mutilated bodies of many women and, children are found washed up down river by a shepherd days later. Several days after the hamlet is torched scouts report sightings of the Northumbrian army. Halfdan orders his army to camp inside the Roman fort and along the river to protect the boats from saboteurs. By August 24th the Northumbrian army is only five miles away from the Norse army.
(-300 Gold, +5% to household guard in 1 turn, Catterick taken everything south is part of Jorvik, infamy gained with local populace, send orders for the battle)
King Ælla of Northumbria (jcucc)
The two Kings of Northumbria begin planning on how to deal with this Viking threat which threatens to take everything away from them. It is decided that a garrison of one hundred men will be left in Dunholm and that the rest of the army is to head south. The garrison smartly conscripts many local fishing and trade ships and they are able to spot a midsized Viking navy sailing north towards Dunholm. Word of the navy made its way to the army and the king having planned for this ordered Osbert and his men back to reinforce the city. After Osbert and his men depart Ælla orders the remaining men to find horses get mounted. As news spread of the massacre the Northumbrians find the populace largely sympathetic and are able to procure enough horses to ensure the entire army is mounted. With news of the massacre came the news that Catterick had been taken and Osbert changes his course appropriately. By August 24th he and his army find themselves within sight of the Vikings. They can see that their enemy has taken up positions in the old Roman fort and along the river. King Ælla now must make a choice he can engage the enemy, run or resort to more desperate measures such as guerilla warfare.
(Osbert location changed to Dunholm, Army mounted, Location changed to Catterick, Send Battle Orders)
Erik Ivarsson, King of Bornholm and Fyn (Spectre) and, Baldr Vidarsson (Noco)
King Erik hearing of the exploits of the great conqueror Halfdan King of Jorvik decides to set sail in hopes of improving his own wealth and prestige. He calls on his warriors and all two hundred sword Danes and spear wives answer the call. In a final act before leaving for the season the king commissions seven new trade ships when they are completed the traders begin running routes to Rus and East Francia. These routes turn out to be very profitable and within a year King Erik will turn a profit. The Viking fleet quickly sets out heading for the coast of Jorvik. It takes several weeks but the fleet arrives near Whitby there they are met by the ship of Baldr Vidarsson and together the two leaders progress. Heading up the coast they encounter several Northumbrian trade ships which they promptly take with little struggle and within a few days they arrive off Dunholm. Expecting the city to be relatively unmanned the Vikings are surprised to see the walls and harbor of the city well manned and prepared for any assault. Deciding it’d be better to observe the situation from the ground the Vikings sail several miles north and land. After meeting with a few villagers they find out that King Osbert is within the city and that over 600 men are present there. Although the Vikings planned on taking Dunholm due to a lack of men they raid the villages around it instead with frustration. Osbert knowing he outnumbers the Vikings crafts a wise plan. He sends several scouts into the forests around their camp waiting until a day when most of the men are out raiding. He doesn’t have to wait too long for such a day. His scouts seeing the lack of men in the camp call in Osberts household guard which sweeps into the camp killing the old and lame who had been left to guard it and setting fire to the ships beached near it. The Vikings return to find their ships burned and the bodies of their friends mutilated. Now stranded the two leaders must decide on a course of action.
(-350 Gold Spectre, +7 Trade Ships Spectre, +200 Income Spectre, +70 Gold Noco, +70 Gold Spectre, -30 Income JC, -15 Vikings Spectre, Viking fleet destroyed, Noco Spectre me orders on what you plan to do)
OOC: I suggest all of you talk with me before you send your orders in and, order for a resolution mini are due tomorrow.
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The Battle of Killarney
1. The Area around Killarney
Ivar Ragnarsson (Maxwell)
Ivar emboldened by his success in taking down the weakened Kingdom of Leinster marches on Munster, there king Fáelad hua Mugthigirn reigns. A warrior he is a man who has spent his entire reign fighting his people’s enemies. Just last year he had defeated a large Viking incursion. Upon hearing of the fall of Leinster he had marshalled his forces and called on the men of Osraige to join him. Gathering his army at Killarney he prepared to fight the Vikings. And it is there that the Vikings of Ivar found him. Boldly striding on to the field Ivar offered the Irish king amnesty if he bent the knee. The proud Irishmen replied with a hail of arrows which Ivar barely managed to avoid. Acknowledging the response of the Irish he forms up his army into a massive shield wall. Seeing the shield wall and knowing that he’d be flanked if he stood and fought Fáelad hua Mugthigirn ordered his army to form up with their flanks and back to the fortress of Kilarney. Kilarney was an old and dilapidated thing the front gate was falling down and there was a breach in one wall. Ivar knew his men were eager for battle and even more eager for loot so he led them forward. They marched onward and as they neared the enemy lines a hail of arrows and javelins rained down on the Vikings. When the Norse were within fifteen meters of the enemy Ivar and his household guards formed a boar snout in the center of the line and marched forward with the shield wall protecting their flanks. Closer the lines came until finally they both charged at each other. Ivar and his men pushed forward cutting under shields and pushing back the center of the Irish line. Ivar was quick with his sword and speedily made several kills. As the Irish in the center were pushed back it seemed victory was near and so Fáelad hua Mugthigirn ordered his men to retreat back into the fortress. The retreat turned into chaos with men being cut down on all sides the Irishmen fell back into the fort. The Vikings sensing victory followed blindly charging into the gate. There Fáelad hua Mugthigirn set his trap letting over a hundred north men run through the gate he suddenly collapsed it and turned his Irishmen against the trapped and confused Vikings he slaughtered them. Ivar called the retreat deciding that no victory was better than a pyric one, he had lost many men and had fought the Irish to a stale mate. Angry he decided to set siege to the fortress. Leading small raiding parties he loots the land around Killarney poisoning many wells and setting fire to the crops leading to a famine in the nearby area. The siege continues throughout the summer but the garrison refuses to surrender. Many of the Vikings are becoming impatient and several are thinking about going home if the situation doesn’t improve soon. Ivar soon begins writing letters back home requesting more men come to his aid. A few men answer the call but many more go to his brother whose campaign seems to be more profitable and less dangerous than the one going on in Ireland.
(-325 Vikings, +70 Gold, Killarney Besieged, Captains will begin to leave if things don’t get more profitable)
Sigurd "Sea-Snake" (Viola)
Sigurd recognizing Ivar as the dominant force in the region signs a pact and agrees to become a vassal of the famous warrior. Sending his men off to join Ivar’s army they arrive soon after the battle at Kilarney and take part in the raids seizing a reasonable amount of plunder for themselves. While the campaign continues in Ireland Sigurd decides to improve the defenses of his fort as well as buying several Saxon slaves trained as blacksmiths. The new slaves will allow him to make more weapons if he needs them.
(200 vikings join Ivar, -200 Gold, +fort improved to medium, blacksmiths hired)
Áed Findliath King of the Northern Ui Neil (Dea)
Áed Findliath desperate for more men to fight the invasion he sends emissaries far and wide to all corners of Ireland to meet with local lords and garner support. He even reaches out to the Norse city states in the south asking for men. Results are varied with some emissaries being killed while others return home with a band of fighters. But when news of the Battle of Killarney spreads more men do seem willing to follow him. And by the end of summer almost three hundred more men have rallied to the Irish King’s cause. With the emissaries also came the warriors recently arrived from Leinster. They return to their former homeland and begin raiding and pillaging killing anyone who helps the Vikings. They prove to be a general annoyance kidnaping the families of several prominent men in Ivar’s army and, freeing any Irish slaves they come across. The rebels make their bases up in the mountains or down in the bogs making it extremely hard to root them out. At home the king musters all of his forces and, takes everything worth raiding along with the people attached to those things north and away from the border. He then breaks up his army into small raiding bands and begins terrorizing the Viking army picking off patrols killing raiding parties attacking baggage trains. If Ivar is unable to adapt his tactics his army could melt away.
(+270 men who can be raised from vassals, -15 men, -50 Vikings Ivar, +80 Gold, -80 Gold Ivar)
1. The Area around Killarney
Ivar Ragnarsson (Maxwell)
Ivar emboldened by his success in taking down the weakened Kingdom of Leinster marches on Munster, there king Fáelad hua Mugthigirn reigns. A warrior he is a man who has spent his entire reign fighting his people’s enemies. Just last year he had defeated a large Viking incursion. Upon hearing of the fall of Leinster he had marshalled his forces and called on the men of Osraige to join him. Gathering his army at Killarney he prepared to fight the Vikings. And it is there that the Vikings of Ivar found him. Boldly striding on to the field Ivar offered the Irish king amnesty if he bent the knee. The proud Irishmen replied with a hail of arrows which Ivar barely managed to avoid. Acknowledging the response of the Irish he forms up his army into a massive shield wall. Seeing the shield wall and knowing that he’d be flanked if he stood and fought Fáelad hua Mugthigirn ordered his army to form up with their flanks and back to the fortress of Kilarney. Kilarney was an old and dilapidated thing the front gate was falling down and there was a breach in one wall. Ivar knew his men were eager for battle and even more eager for loot so he led them forward. They marched onward and as they neared the enemy lines a hail of arrows and javelins rained down on the Vikings. When the Norse were within fifteen meters of the enemy Ivar and his household guards formed a boar snout in the center of the line and marched forward with the shield wall protecting their flanks. Closer the lines came until finally they both charged at each other. Ivar and his men pushed forward cutting under shields and pushing back the center of the Irish line. Ivar was quick with his sword and speedily made several kills. As the Irish in the center were pushed back it seemed victory was near and so Fáelad hua Mugthigirn ordered his men to retreat back into the fortress. The retreat turned into chaos with men being cut down on all sides the Irishmen fell back into the fort. The Vikings sensing victory followed blindly charging into the gate. There Fáelad hua Mugthigirn set his trap letting over a hundred north men run through the gate he suddenly collapsed it and turned his Irishmen against the trapped and confused Vikings he slaughtered them. Ivar called the retreat deciding that no victory was better than a pyric one, he had lost many men and had fought the Irish to a stale mate. Angry he decided to set siege to the fortress. Leading small raiding parties he loots the land around Killarney poisoning many wells and setting fire to the crops leading to a famine in the nearby area. The siege continues throughout the summer but the garrison refuses to surrender. Many of the Vikings are becoming impatient and several are thinking about going home if the situation doesn’t improve soon. Ivar soon begins writing letters back home requesting more men come to his aid. A few men answer the call but many more go to his brother whose campaign seems to be more profitable and less dangerous than the one going on in Ireland.
(-325 Vikings, +70 Gold, Killarney Besieged, Captains will begin to leave if things don’t get more profitable)
Sigurd "Sea-Snake" (Viola)
Sigurd recognizing Ivar as the dominant force in the region signs a pact and agrees to become a vassal of the famous warrior. Sending his men off to join Ivar’s army they arrive soon after the battle at Kilarney and take part in the raids seizing a reasonable amount of plunder for themselves. While the campaign continues in Ireland Sigurd decides to improve the defenses of his fort as well as buying several Saxon slaves trained as blacksmiths. The new slaves will allow him to make more weapons if he needs them.
(200 vikings join Ivar, -200 Gold, +fort improved to medium, blacksmiths hired)
Áed Findliath King of the Northern Ui Neil (Dea)
Áed Findliath desperate for more men to fight the invasion he sends emissaries far and wide to all corners of Ireland to meet with local lords and garner support. He even reaches out to the Norse city states in the south asking for men. Results are varied with some emissaries being killed while others return home with a band of fighters. But when news of the Battle of Killarney spreads more men do seem willing to follow him. And by the end of summer almost three hundred more men have rallied to the Irish King’s cause. With the emissaries also came the warriors recently arrived from Leinster. They return to their former homeland and begin raiding and pillaging killing anyone who helps the Vikings. They prove to be a general annoyance kidnaping the families of several prominent men in Ivar’s army and, freeing any Irish slaves they come across. The rebels make their bases up in the mountains or down in the bogs making it extremely hard to root them out. At home the king musters all of his forces and, takes everything worth raiding along with the people attached to those things north and away from the border. He then breaks up his army into small raiding bands and begins terrorizing the Viking army picking off patrols killing raiding parties attacking baggage trains. If Ivar is unable to adapt his tactics his army could melt away.
(+270 men who can be raised from vassals, -15 men, -50 Vikings Ivar, +80 Gold, -80 Gold Ivar)
Name: Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
Ethnicity:Irish
Religion: Celtic Christian
Biography: King of Munster of the Eoganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster and abbot of Emly. He defeated numerous Viking raids in his land and seek to keep Munster safe of Viking onslaught.
Ethnicity:Irish
Religion: Celtic Christian
Biography: King of Munster of the Eoganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster and abbot of Emly. He defeated numerous Viking raids in his land and seek to keep Munster safe of Viking onslaught.
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OOC: Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I have very little time for forum games at the moment, and will have to put my character on hold. Hopefully later on I can pick him up.