The Hammer and the Cross [Forum Game]

[m.equitum]

— Letter to the Archbishop of Jorvik —​

My dear archbishop, friend and countryman,

We have shared one another’s company for some months now, having spent the winter and spring together in Jorvik. I have come, over this period, to place great store in your wise counsel and apt advice, verging even on sentiments of fondness. Sentiments which I gather are not altogether unrequited.

Scarcely had I imagined, particularly on account of the violent circumstances by which we were first acquainted, that I would ever come to know a Christian, let alone an eminent prelate of that creed. Had I been told before journeying to Angle-land that I would not only converse, in my own Nordic tongue, with an archbishop but count such a man as a friend, I would have laughed heartily at the thought. Yet, my dear archbishop, here we are.

From what I have learnt of your Christian customs, it seems the primary duties of an archbishop are the tandem tasks of shepherding his Christian flock and praying for the success and welfare of his king. For these purposes the people and their sovereign richly endow the abbeys and cathedrals, ensuring that the monks and priests are well provisions to engage in spiritual warfare against the arcane forces that are set against their king and congregation.

While I have enjoyed immensely our conversations and catechism lessons—which I hope will continue—I also recognise that your confinement as a captive of war may prevent you from attending to the many responsibilities and obligations to which an archbishop may be called.

Although it is our custom to random prisoners of war, you well know that I have not regarded you as a common captive and am not inclined to do so now. I therefore formally release you from the bonds of captivity, restoring you to full freedom in the Kingdom of Jorvik. If you choose, from your private purse, to make some contribution in lieu of the customary ransom, I ask only that you direct the funds to the restoration of the holy vessels and ornaments of York Minster.

In addition to your restored freedom, I intend to issue this decree:

In the absence of the King, the people of Jorvik are instructed—upon their sworn oath of allegiance—to obey the directives of those appointed by the King to assume the task of governance in his royal name.

By this proclamation, the Archbishop of Jorvik is deputised to have full authority in the King’s absence with powers to administer law, dispense justice, and preserve peace. His person is to be regarded with the same inviolability as that of the king.

Those acting contrary to the directives given unto them by the said archbishop shall, if their reasons prove without merit in a royal court of law, be liable for the offence of treason with all the attendant penalties and punishment thereunto pertaining. ​

My dear archbishop, I regard myself as very lucky to have men a man such as you, and taking into account the many factors—distance, religion, strife—which could easily have kept us apart, I am inclined to regard our meeting as not simple happenstance but a result of heaven conspiring to ensure such events. What forces shape our destiny, I know not. But I have every confidence that your gods and mine, having bridged the great gulf which would have otherwise separated us, have likewise some divine purpose in our meeting and friendship.

 

[m.equitum]

— Letter to the Merchant Prince of Heiðabýr —​

My dear friend Prince Hagridssohn,

It has been too long since we last met. I trust you remain busy plying the seas in search of new fortunes and, for myself, I have been engrossed with matters in the land of the Angles, whence I write to you. As much as I desire to return to the fjords and fiefs of home—and, to be sure, I miss home greatly—I have been drawn to this island of Anglorum to avenge the brutal murder of my beloved father.

In that course of dispensing justice to the vile Ælla, the tyrant who cast brave Ragnar into a pit of vipers, I have come to possess his most precious citadel—indeed, one amongst the choicest urban settlement in the land—and have attained royal authority over this place which the local inhabitants call York, known to us Norse as Jorvik.

Our traders have long engaged in lucrative commerce with the merchants of this city, but in recent years trade has diminished due to efforts by Christian kings to unjustly restrict the presence of what they regard as “heathen vendors” within their realms. Of course, I have no such desire to restrict the profitable exchange, indeed I intend to revive the once-flourishing commerce that took place across the great North Sea.

It is with that in mind that I write to you, to ask the leading merchants of the Principality of Heiðabýr to consider sending a contingent of trading vessels to the city of Jorvik, where they may freely exchange their goods with local inhabitants, bringing to us mutual benefit. The cities central location makes it ideally suited for the flow of trade between the North and South of Angle-land, while accessibility by Viking long-ship allows for a bourgeoning commerce between east and west.

Alas, I cannot yet return to beloved Scandinavia until the matter of my father’s death has been put to rest. But, hopeful that issues here in Angle-land may be soon resolved, I look forward to travelling one day to the Merchant Principality of Heiðabýr to visit you.

 

[baboushreturns]

Jcucc and Aussie please send in orders so I can get a Northumbria mini up. I want to try something new for your mini. Anyone else interested in the Kingdom of Northumbria should also send orders. Thank you!

 

[Dadarian]

Hagridssohn penned a small letter to the King of Jorvik

Dear King Halfdan Ragnarsson of Jorvik,

It most certainly has, the fjords are the same as ever. However the villages are quieter than they once were, as men young and old go West to search for fame and fortune. You success has inspired the passions of everyone here. Truly, they seek to walk around the defenses of the Angles like Thor around Hárbarðr and seize the loot in which to bring home. I doubt you ever will, but if you ever return, we must walk the Schlei and contemplate all those that now reside in Valhalla.

I am happy to hear your quest for vengeance against the viper-king Ælla has nearly come to pass. The great town of Jorvik is a rich prize indeed, being there once to sell defeated thralls to Pictish merchants staying their for the market. I am nearly overawed in the wealth of your conquest. The light of Thor must be wit you, and your story must be recorded in the Poetic Edda for future generations to marvel.

I am of the same opinion of you, as the North Sea is subject to the terrors of pirates and restrictions. Truly a king as wise and powerful as you can understand the need for humble traders, even of the Prince of Heiðabýr, for fair seas and fairer markets in which to trade and set forth wealth upon those that wish to seize it through commerce and diplomacy. I trust that you, your brother, and all other adventurers can convince the wayward petty kings of Anglorum that free trade is the way of the future.

Speaking of which, how is your brother? I have heard that he has left East Anglia for Eire, but that was the last that I heard. I suspect you have more knowledge than I on the matter, and my wife knows one of the wives of his children and is unceasing in her bothersomeness. You know how it can be.

I shall send a small trading fleet as soon as matters in Heiðabýr are settled. While not Jorvik, turning Heiðabýr into a proper Merchant Principality would tire even Bragi in it's unending vellum-work. I shall personally escort it and meet you in Jorvik, it shall be a glorious time indeed.

I understand, the viper-king must be thrown into the sea as any viper should. I wish you all the luck in the Gods, and may you be blessed in your revenge.

~ Prince Tarfoll Hagridssohn of Heiðabýr

 

[m.equitum]

— Letter to Ivar Ragnarsson—​

Dearest Brother,

The Norse have come to Hibernia many a time, seizing great treasures and leaving great destruction in our wake. I have learnt most recently, dear brother, of your successful landing on that isle and the capture of Leinster , a worthy site for a permanent Norse settlement. On this I commend you, and had there not been a sea separating us, would rush to embrace you in congratulations.

I have heard, moreover, that you, in no unclear terms, have indicated to the neighbouring potentates that you will not be induced to leave the island by mere trinkets, but seek to establish an enduring Norse presence in that land. In this I wish you the very best, and look to hear from you soon.

 

[Deaghaidh]

It came to pass that amoung those virtuous, noble maidens redeemed from the Heathen by the magnanimous High King Aed Findlaith was Dierdre, daughter of Dunlaing, King of Leinster.

As her father and brothers were killed by the heathen, and her kin were under their yoke, the High King took her into his own household at the Grianan of Aileach. And though she was grateful for her safety she was filled with sorrow and wrath, for her father and brothers, and also for her nieces and nephews and cousins carried off by the heathens she knew not where.

The High King was much desirous that she should marry, and pressed the suit of his son Mael Duin. And Dierdre said to him, "Ever shall I and mine be grateful to you, my king, and eternal shall be my debt. But it would disgrace my father's memory to marry any Ulsterman, as he was ever eager for his daughters to marry his countrymen. So any husband of mine must be a Leinsterman."

Then the High King said, "In this very house are ten lords and champions of Leinster. Any of them eager to have you as their bride. Pray choose one, and quickly. For there is naught as likely to breed discord and ill feeling among comrades as rivalry for the hand of such a maiden."

Dierdre thought briefly, and said, "Let them be brought here tonight, and also the bishop of Derry. I shall name my own bride price, and shall marry at once the first of them to deliver it." And the High King sent word that this should be done. And Dierdre washed herself and scented her hair, and she borrowed the raiment of High King Aed's mother Gormlaith of the dazzling white complexion.

Then assembled the ten exile champions of Leinster. And they were the brothers Aonghus and Aodhan, sons of Alill; Biorach Rua; Bradach Mor; Columban of the Three Fords; Conan the Fair; Domhnall Dubh; Fionnan; Odhran the Small, and Suibhne the Cattle-counter.

Dierdre stood close to each champion and looked long into their eyes. And each of the men was convinced that she desired only him. Then she stood before them and spoke.

"You are worthy men and strong. But I am all that remains of my father's house. It is not fitting that I should be married without my bride-price. Lands and flocks and gems are due to a Princess from her husband. As I have no kin I shall name my own bride-price, and if any of you here can deliver it to me I shall take you at once." And the Champions of Leinster were downcast in their hearts, as to a man they all were great and wealthy men in their own country but had naught but their arms to their names in exile.

"The lands my husband shall give to me" Dierdre began, "are my own father's. They are the entirety of Leinster, every mountain and glen and river-ford. And the flocks my husband shall give me are the people of Leinster, who are now in bondage, bought and sold like cattle. And the gems I shall have from my husband are dearly bought. They are the heads of a thousand men of Dubh Lynn and of the host of Ivar Ragnarsson. Every champion of the heathens shall count as ten heads, and any lord shall count as a hundred, and Ivar Ragnarsson himself shall count for five hundreds. Can anyone here deliver such a price?" And of course no one could. And Dierdre swore in the presence of the Bishop, that she should marry at once the first man to deliver it.

 

[Deaghaidh]

Ten healthy young bards were called before the High King, men who had completed the traditional feats of memory and learning. Each was to be sent to a lordship in Ireland with a message.

To his own Kin in Midhe, Flann Sinna of the Southern Ui Niell, High King Aed Findlaith sent these words:

"I know that many among your people did not agree with my accession, and there has been ill will at times between us. But the aggression of the Heathens has shown the need for solidarity between us. Standing alone Ulster and Midhe may follow the fate of Leinster. I beseech you to join your strength to mine own. Any and all offenses against me as High King shall be pardoned, and no tribute shall be laid upon you while the heathen army remains a threat. For the well being of your own people I beseech you to join my forces."

To the Norse city-states of Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Limerick:

"We have little enough in common. But in the past you have prospered by trade with the people of Ireland. You have ruled your own lands under your own laws. But now Ivar Ragnarsson has destroyed all peace and commerce, and he has named himself over-King of Ireland. He both robs you of wealth and names himself your superior. The time will soon come when he demands tribute and submission from you as well. It will be in your interest to prevent his hordes from growing in power.

I do not ask for your loyalty or submission. Rather I pledge to reward any act that undermines Ivar Ragnarsson and the Norse of Dubh Linn. For any ship of theirs that is destroyed I shall deliver five gold marks, in addition to whatever plunder you may take."

To the Irish lords of Munster, Connaught, Breifne, Oriel, and Ulidia

"While there have been many causes of discord and violence between us, I beseech you now to join with me against Ivar Ragnarsson. You need not accept my claim as High King to see that the prospect of such a pagan marauder as your Over-king is far worse than any calamity which may befall this isle. I make no demand of submission or tribute, but urge you to send all your strength at all your speed to join me in defending the fairest of Isles against the hounds of hell. The alternative is to be subdued one by one, until the enemy is too strong for any one king to stand against."

 

[Maelvona]

Name: King Artgal mac Dumnagual, King of the Bretons of Strathclyde, The One True King of the Britons
Ethnicity: Breton
Religion: Christian
Bio: After the defeat of Dumnagual III of Alt Clut against the hands of The Picts and Northumbrians when they laid siege to Dumbarton Rock in 760, the lands of Strathclyde was kept out of the public eye, this era is known as "the burning" but just now, Artal Mac Dumnagual as emerged from his keep, to defend his people from the Picts and Anglos, from the Irish and the Nordics, he believes that the Breton people are the ones who endure, and that they will last until the end of time. He will never surrender and will rather die then let Strathclyde fall to foreign hands.
Starting Place: Strathclyde

 

[baboushreturns]

A Daring Raid

1. The Vikings assembled in Aberdeen

Bægsecg, Bjorg "Small Snake", Haskell, Előd the Stranger (XVG) (Shynka) (RNN) (Mathrim)

Bægsecg assembles his men and his fleet and sets sail heading to the Isle of Man. There he resupplies and gives up three of his ships to Bjorg. Then setting off again the noble lands and pillages all up and down the unprotected coast of Alt Clut. Pillaging and looting he leaves much of the coast burning and depopulated with their populations slaughtered or taken as thralls. He then sails back to Viborg there he buys three trade ships which are to sail from Rus to Heidaby to Jorvik trading along the way. The trip is profitable and the traders will continue on their route until ordered to stop. Meanwhile Bjorg gathers a fleet with two other Viking leaders. The men take with them many boxes and sail for the capital of the Picts at Aberdeen. They sail for a few weeks but pause outside the city, there Bjorg orders the men to get inside the boxes. Many of them think him made but he is backed up by the terrifying Haskell a seven foot savage with a fearsome reputation, so after a few grumbles the men get in. Then sailing into the port Bjorg unloads the boxes telling the Pict harbormaster that he is just a simple slaver from the north and that the boxes are full of human cargo. The harbormaster suspecting something is off when he sees no female slaves and when he realizes the slaves only speak Danish raises the alarm. The Vikings jump off their boats and form a shield wall along the dock protecting their boats. Meanwhile the small Pict garrison left behind to guard the capital forms up. Knowing they are outnumbered the guards retreat to the walls of the palace as they don’t have enough men to defend the outer rings of defenses. Bjorg Haskell and, Előd all driven by hunger for gold pursue them. Upon the steps to the hall of King Causantín a desperate fight ensues. Fighting uphill the Vikings take many casualties although they fight like madmen. Haskell with his giant war axe cuts down three Picts in a single stroke before he is wounded by and axe blow to the back. After fifteen minutes of fighting Előd and Bjorg are able to finish the garrison. The orders are given to kill every last man woman and child in the city and for four days and four nights the Vikings run wild. Killing raping and pillaging. When they leave the city is torched and not a soul is left alive. The treasury of the King of the Picts is found and taken leaving the man penniless left only with the money from his raids. The fleet then splits apart each ship going its own way. Haskell badly wounded is taken by his men to Buren a sand bar off the coast of Frisia. There his men watch anxiously as their captain clings on to life. His fate will be decided in the coming weeks. Meanwhile Előd sets sail for Wales. There he raids a few fishing villages in the possession of the mighty King Rhodri. And Bjorg sails home to sell his loot.

(+200 Gold XVG, -200 Gold Jako, -50 Income Jako, +3 Trade Ships XVG, -150 Gold XVG, +100 Income per turn, + 300 Gold to each Viking in the Raid on Aberdeen, -Treasury Sealy, -50 Income Sealy, -50 Men Sealy, -10 Vikings from Viking in the raid (I will adjust your income etc appropriately), Aberdeen Torched, Shynka location changed to Isle of Man, Mathrim Location Changed to Isle of Man, +50 Gold Mathrim, -50 Gold Aedan, RNN is wounded will roll on if he dies or not, RNN location changed to Buren)

Causantín mac Cináeda (Sealy)

After several months of raiding across the border by the Britons Causantín finally calls his banners. Gathering his host along the border the King rides south into Alt Clut. As soon as the host is over the border dozens of raiding parties are sent out ravaging the land and stealing anything which is not nailed down. Must of the profits of these raids are given albeit grudgingly to the king. The army marches slowly south towards the capital of Dumbarton. This takes them much longer than expected as the more they raid the more the army is weighed down and the slower they move. Though the army does eventually make it to just outside the great castle of Dumbarton by late in the season. Meanwhile the king sends a trade expedition to the great north. In light of the events which are soon to happen the men sent on the expedition are cut down and the ships are seized.

(+300 Gold, -300 Gold Jako, -50 Income Jako, Location Changed to Dumbarton, -2 Trade Ships, -100 Gold)

King Artgal mac Dumnagual, King of the Bretons of Strathclyde, The One True King of the Britons (Jako)

After small scale success with the raids conducted last year King Artgal calls back his raiding parties and prepares for the defense of Dumbarton. The fortress and the people living around the fortress are prepared for a long siege and a fight which will likely be to the death for most of them. Besides sending fortifying the fortress the king also sends out scouts which watch the progress of the invading army. The scouts seeing many vulnerable raiding parties isolated from the main army set up several ambushes and kill many Picts. By late in the season the army of the Picts has converged outside of Dombarton. There the army of Alt Clut sits in wait they must choose to either fight the invaders in the field or wait them out in a siege. Aside from fighting the king also builds during the summer constructing a small fort along the border with Northumbria called Tall Dumnagual.
(Dombarton is prepared for a siege, -25 men from vassals, Sealy -75 men from vassals, -50 Gold, -5 Income)



(Jako and Sealy need to send war orders, They must decide if they want to fight eachother and if so with what tactics in what ways etc, Sealy may choose to siege the castle if Jako allows him, these are only some examples of things you two could do)

​

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[Deaghaidh]

((Great, just great. More heathen barbarians in my neighborhood. I'll need to be going on my master plan to sink the Isle of Mann into the sea atlantis style.))

 

[sealy300]

A Herald from His Majesty Causantín mac Cináeda "The Wolf", High King of Alba, Mighty Chieftain of the Picts and commander of the Highlanders​

Let it be known that I, Causantín mac Cináeda, challenge Bjorg "Small Snake", so called because he lacks a manhood, to a duel to the death, the winner, will either ring honour to his people, or restore honour to his people.

Your with regards, Causantín mac Cináeda "The Wolf", High King of Alba, Mighty Chieftain of the Picts and commander of the Highlanders.
Tha Alba Múr, Alba Gu Brath!

 

[Shynka]

A Herald from Small Snake, The Killer of Dogs, High King of Pillage, Mighty Conqueror of the Picts and commander of many Fearless Men​

Let it be known that I, Small Snake, challenge the Dog of Pictland, so called because upon meeting me the best he could hope is to sniff my arse, to shove his shiny unused sword up himself, in order to restore honour to those of his people who I have not yet slain.

I left you twelve hanging slaves in your burned keep, facing the sea so that they may always look for my coming, and dance merrily in the wind as me and my brothers fill your land with blood.

May your dead God fall of his cross, Causantín mac Cináeda, may your halls and houses collapse into rubble, may your wife die birthing the devil and may all your children and people fall below my axe, Cowardly Dog of the Picts and Highlands.

I spit upon you and your challenge.

Till Valhall!

 

[sealy300]

Causantín mac Cináeda stands outside Dumbarton castle

"Lord "king" of the castle, I propose an offer, fight me in single combat, And if I fall, the kingdom of the Picts belongs to you, If you fall, the kingdom of Strathclyde belongs to me. You may also surrender and swear fealty to me, your land will be respected and all lords will retain their property. What say you?"

 

[Maelvona]

Causantín mac Cináeda stands outside Dumbarton castle

"Lord "king" of the castle, I propose an offer, fight me in single combat, And if I fall, the kingdom of the Picts belongs to you, If you fall, the kingdom of Strathclyde belongs to me. You may also surrender and swear fealty to me, your land will be respected and all lords will retain their property. What say you?"

Dear King of the Picts, and Only the Picts, Causantín mac Cináeda,

Your lineage has often laid siege to Art Cult. However, in the past, the age of the vikings had not befallen us. I purpose to you now, retreat from my lands, for you shall find no quarter here, true, not every one of my people is a soldier. However, we are no push-overs either, we will not back down, we did not a hundred years ago, and we shall not for another hundred years. Instead, I purpose to you what our fore-fathers agreed upon, in that time he had the forces of Northumberland with his to siege Dumbarton, thus, I will tell you now that I shall not pay a high tithe. If you agree, you shall recieve what little profit I can bestow, and you shall leave my land and forget any claim you may of had to my Kingdom. I wish you well, for you have felt a great mis-justice.

King Artgal of Alt Clut

((King Artgul shall pay a tithe of 20 gold, for five turns, to King Causantín ))

 

[sealy300]

Dear King of the Picts, and Only the Picts, Causantín mac Cináeda,

Your lineage has often laid siege to Art Cult. However, in the past, the age of the vikings had not befallen us. I purpose to you now, retreat from my lands, for you shall find no quarter here, true, not every one of my people is a soldier. However, we are no push-overs either, we will not back down, we did not a hundred years ago, and we shall not for another hundred years. Instead, I purpose to you what our fore-fathers agreed upon, in that time he had the forces of Northumberland with his to siege Dumbarton, thus, I will tell you now that I shall not pay a high tithe. If you agree, you shall recieve what little profit I can bestow, and you shall leave my land and forget any claim you may of had to my Kingdom. I wish you well, for you have felt a great mis-justice.

King Artgal of Alt Clut

((King Artgul shall pay a tithe of 20 gold, for five turns, to King Causantín ))

While not ideal, I agree to these terms. I hope to now rebuild a city taken from us, and to hunt down every son-of-a-dog that perpetrated such a horrific act!

Causantín mac Cináeda,

 

[A_Dane]

Name: Dumnarth, King of Cornwall (West Wales)
Ethnicity:Welsh/Briton
Religion: Roman Catholic
Bio: With the death of his father the previous year (and after a few centuries of misfortune for the britons in the southern most part of the island), the new king of Cornwall, Dumnarth has taken it upon himself to help the rightful king of the Britons, Rhodri, drive back the saxon & norse hordes. The ambitions of the young king is undisputable, but the prospect to actually realise these ambitions, seems somewhat slim, and for the same reason evil tongues whisper about the possible "madness" of the king.
Starting Place: Cornwall/West Wales

 

[Deaghaidh]

((Hooray for more Celts! Sadly on the wrong island to be able to help me, but still))

 

[Maelvona]

To all true Britons,

This is a dark age men, the celts of the age are being besieged everywhere. Wether you be Cornish or Irish, Welsh or Bretonnic, you are a celt to me. It is why this day that I ask a meeting, a commune, whatever you wish to call it, be held for all the celtic kings. We must band together, or at least recognize each other. For we all have a common foe, one who I had forgotten for some time... The vikings. What say you? Will you get up, and fight for your people? Or will you let the unrelenting hordes overwhelm the christian isles?! I invite all true celts to meet me in Dumbarton, my capital, it is well fortified and a strong castle. I promise you no harm shall come to you, should you wish to make the journey.

-King Artgul of Alt Clut

 

[Mathrim]

((We just saved your dirty Briton ass from the Picts, be thankful :/))

 

[Maelvona]

((We just saved your dirty Briton ass from the Picts, be thankful :/))

((And raided my lands while at it? I could have beaten Sealy with one hand tied behind my back, while yes, the pict invasion was annoying, he was far from winning even without your intervention. I asked for no quarter, so I shall not be thankful for a deed that is as vile as the darkness of the void! BEGONE DEMON!))