The New Dawn of Kanorth! (Medieval realism RPG IC)

[Gerontis]

Welcome to Kanoth. It has been almost sixty years since both the kingdoms of Asper and Vinngealos made it clear that sending criminals to the Northern Wastes wouldn't worked out like they hoped. After they realised that some might survived, they founded it easier to just execute criminals who went to far.

The current situation of the world isn't all that bright either. In the north, the heir of the Old Empire, Vinngealos is in great trouble. Five years back, there was this great revolt, caused by the reason that the Council were going to much the corrupt way of ruling. The situation went even dire, because the Council gave the order to use violence to put down the peasants. Some of the noble houses rejected, but were ignored by the Council. Now there is one house who is plotting in secret against the Council. The looming threat of another revolt is hanging over Vinngealos.
And how much Cavenin would want to take a profit out of that situation, they have their own dire problems! The hordes of Saeron tries to overrun the brave troops of Cavenin at the greatest island of the It'oru region. The battles at sea as land are fighten out by both sides and both sides don't surrender any ground to each other.

Arpes and Dunkura are also in trouble, cause the hordes of Saeron are now pounding hard on the defence in the Serli Mountians. Although it may seems that Saeron is now the leading major force in the world, they also have to deal with the upcoming revolts.
The only kingdom that is safe is the Republic of Lyrin, although, it may seem safer than the other nations. Well gues what, there isn't it really safe either!
Corruption has found it's way to the Merchant Circle and they have their own problems. With all the unrest and fighting/wars of the other nations, the trade has decreased over time and now even the always neutral Republic of Lyrin fears the chaos of the wars.


What will you do? How shall you act upon the looming threats of the world? Shall you be know for you're good or evil acts? Choose now and enter the world of Kanorth!

[Gerontis]

''He isn't fit for the title of Strategos! He is just one of the rotting members of the House of..''
''Say it..Say it and I will make sure you're going to regret it, Council member Tirin...Just spit it out!'' Everybody looked suprised of the sudden outburst of Aedan.

All the time, while the council discussed who should be the new Strategos, the highest military leader of all the troops, under the command of the High King ofcourse. It lasted for more then three full hours and the most reasonable candidate would be Aedan, at least that was told by some members of the Council. Others soon objected and before everybody noticed, the whole Council was split in two : One side who supported Aedan and one side who rather slit their throats then to accept him as their Strategos. The whole time Aedan was just sitting and listened, till Tirin stood up and began about his House.
Some looked at the High King, Peandros Arpero, who also silence and listened to both sides. He looked mad at the direction of Aedan.
''Aedan of the Arianiti! Don't even think of any threats..Let alone say anymore of them!'' Aedan still looked with a murderous glance towards the Council member Tirin. He nod and sat down..

After three more tiring hours, it was done. In about two days, Vinngealos would have new Strategos. Aedan walked out of the Council Temple..With a a sleek look he went to the stables, nearby. There a group of heavily armored and equipped soldiers stood relaxed nearby. When they saw Aedan, they jumped up and one of them went towards him. It was one of Aedans younger brothers, Allistar. Altough Allistar was around the twenty two years old, he had already had some experience in his life. He also knew what the face of his big brother meant, and it wasn't good news.
''Allistar...'' Allistar nodded and turned to the elite guard. ''Soldiers, mount up!''

They all mounted up and started to ride out of Vinnegeal. Aedan rode on his horse in the front of the group. Allistar decided to ride next to him, but didn't said anything. After a while, on their way towards the Arianiti estate, Aedan told them they would have a litte break. Although the estate was a litte mile riding, Allistar knew why Aedan would wanted a break. The men said nothing, but spent the brake to pay attention to their steeds. Aedan walked a smal distance from the men and waited. Allistar stood behind him, but didn't said anything.

When Aedan looks without emotion, it's best to just stay calm and on the background. Only a few were safe for him, when he could get worked up. And altough it would take a lot to get him to that point, Allistar knew well enough that it wasn't safe to test out if he was one of those lucky persons, even not as one of his brothers.

''Allistar...I have need of a trustworthy person to run a errand..'' Allistar nodded and replied : ''Aye, where and what would you have me to do then?'' Aedan said nothing for a few moments and turned around. Allistar spreaded his eyes wide open and almost gasped for air. Aedan had his almost wolfish grin on his face.
''It's rather simple, go so fast as you can to Middas...You should go the inn, named The Red Moon...Seek out a woman with the name of : Armellia Ainsof...Give her this letter, in wich it explains that she should stalk and gather information about the governer of Middas...She knows how to contact me back..''
Aedan handed over the letter and smiled. Allistar hesitated..''May I ask a question, Aedan?'' Aedan nodded. ''May I ask you, how will she contact you?''
''That is rather simple..She will come to visit the Arianiti Estate, when she is done...Don't worry, Allistar, she worked for father, before she worked for me..She can be trusted.''
Allistar nodded and went back to his horse. The guard cast a glance towards Allistar, but didn't asked anything. Aedan went back to his horse and started to ride once more towards the Arianiti Estate, that wasn't far anymore.

The Arianiti Estate was a grand hall with some farmland around it. Aedan smiled when arrived home. Riding in a fast galop from Vinnegeal towards the Arianiti Estate only takes two or three hours, depending on you're speed or that of you're horse.
Aedan commanded the guard to go to their post and thanked them for their accompaniment. They saluted by pounding a fist against their breast and marched towards the small baracks, to report in and recieving the commands of the captian of the Arianiti guards. Aedan went immediately towards his study room. He knew he would have to write more letters...He needed to know if his allies, were still his allies, cause maybe soon...Maybe soon, he would take another step towards his goal...

To unite against the Council and make Vinngealos once more a great nation amongst nations!

[Something5836]

The dark streets of Civan were empty at night; the faint sounds of riotous laughter from the nearby pub could be heard echoing off the stone walls of the many building in this district. Giovanni, a Lyrinese merchant, stood idle in a dark and damp alley. Giovanni was a short but round man, and under his dark cloak any passerby would notice bright red, yellow, and blue silk clothing and a large, black curled mustache.

Giovanni had been stood in the alley for almost two hours and was about to leave before a crackly, low voice broke the silence.

“Giovanni Esposito,” It was more a statement than a question.

Giovanni jumped at the sudden startle, but quickly turned to face the man who had addressed him. “Yes, yes that’s me,” He nervously stuttered. “I, uh, trust you received my contract?”

“My contact informed me you had a very special job,”

“Yes, one that could not be shared so openly with your contact,” Giovanni stared at the man in front of him. He was entirely covered by shadow, but what Giovanni could see was simple, tight black leather armor and vambraces. What skin was showing was pale as fresh snow, but rough with cuts, bruises, and scars. Over most of the man’s face was a black woolen hood with a small off shoot of cloth on the back that hung down his back the same way a scarf would. His face was completely covered by shadow and wool, but one thing that stood out to Giovanni was that his right eye was a stunning, deep green shade that seemed to glow faintly in the dark.

“So, what exactly does this ‘special’ job entail?” The man asked with a cold bite in his words.

“Well, I am a successful merchant, you see-“

“I didn’t ask for your bloody life story, Giovanni, just give me the details,” The man’s voice was harsh, with a sort of dulled, sarcastic anger to it that made the hairs on the back of Giovanni’s neck curl.

“I’m sorry,” Giovanni bowed quickly and suddenly, making the man’s left hand reach for the knife he had hidden under that fall of black cloth. Giovanni eyed the knife and made sure not to make any more sudden moves during this meeting. “There is a shopkeeper in this city who is in possession of an immensely valuable ruby shaped like a man’s heart,” Giovanni held up his clenched fist to demonstrate. “It could be worth more than this whole city, and I want it,” Giovanni’s eyes went wide, and behind them was mad, unrelenting greed.

“Then go to the shop and buy the damn thing. Stop wasting my time,” The man turned to walk away, but Giovanni grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back.

“No, sir, you do not understand. For a merchant like me, there is nothing more irritating than a shopkeeper who knows what he’s got. This ruby could make me, and you, of course, uncountable amounts of gold, but I would not be able to make more than ten thousand off it if I were to buy and re sell. I need you to, obtain it for me so that I can sell it and make an immense profit!”

“Giovanni,” the man looked right into his eyes with that bright, almost glowing green eye. “I hope you realize that I do not work for free,”

“Oh no, of course not, I knew that well before I even hired you. I will give fifty hundred thousand up front and another fifty when you retrieve the ruby,”

The man’s eye went wide, and Giovanni could almost see a hint of sheer, child like excitement at the thought of that much money. “So,” Giovanni leaned close to the man’s face. “Do we, have a deal?”

[Bevolerian]

The old wrinkly woman slowly lifted the skull as he smiled. She gently pressed her lips against her forehead as she let out a slight chuckle. She was about sixty years old. Wrinkly and very fragile looking. Crocked back and boney fingers. But she was his mother, and he loved her. She slowly wrapped his arms around his neck as he was bent down. Gently giving him a hug. You could feel her fragile body trembling slightly as she hugged him. He slowly wrapped his arms around her as he hugged her back. Being very careful about her fragile body. He then let go and took a step back.

"Be careful now, you don't want to end up in the jaws of a bear. Or drained by those damn mosquitoes." She let out a slight chuckle as she finished her sentence, followed by some violent coughing. He raised her right hand as she gently stroke his cheek. He smiled back warmly. She slowly turned around, her body wasn't everything that it used to be. She slowly raised her hand and pulled the handle on the small wooden hatch on the mud hut. She slowly let the door glide open as a what almost seemed full grown dire wolf stepped outside.

The wolf rushed towards the tall male, jumping and placing its paws on the hips of the male. Looking up at him with his brown goldish eyes. He whimpered slightly as a sign that he had missed his master. He slowly pushed himself backwards. Falling down back on the ground and sat down on his behind. Looking up at the human, slowly wiggling his tail slightly as he raised his ears.

Ulv looked up at his mother as she slowly went into the hut. This was probably the last time he would ever see his mother again, he looked down at the wolf and smiles slightly. Raising his right hand as he lowered the animal skull attached to his head so it covered a big part off his face. He grasped the wooden staff in his right hand as he bent down and picked it up. He also used his left hand to swing one of the straps off his rucksack onto his left shoulder. He adjusted it so it were hanging comfortable around his shoulder.

He slowly moved his hand around the rucksack. Moving it to his stomach, still slinged around shoulder as he looked down at the wolf. He dug his hand into the rucksack as he took out a small piece of meat. The wolf eyes widened as it saw the piece of meat. Wiggling it's tail even more this time. Ulv looked down at the wolf with a big smirk. He gently moved the rucksack back behind his back as he let out a slight chuckle. He then suddenly turned around, bending forward slightly as he took a leap forward. Beginning to run, his long but slim body struggling to keep up with the sudden change. He started to run down the dirt path, dirt mixed with snow flying up behind his feet every time his foot touched the ground. The wolf taking off as well, keeping up behind him. Chasing him, but more so the piece of meat. A small stream of white air coming from his mouth as he started to breath more heavily, the air coming out on the sides of the skull. Making it look like he was more beast then man.

[Vuurvos]

White clouds, almost like snow.. mountains, covered with white. And the trees, they weren't green, they were white. What kind of a person would choose to live here, where he must hunt to survive in the three winters. And then, when the snow dissapeared, would have to run towards the hills, follow the trails of the animals, only to starve because those very same animals already died, at the hand of dangerous beasts, or other northmen? What kind of a person.. no, what kind of fool would choose to live there, lest he was forced? Those fools.. they knew no better place than this, for in the East and West they were treated with suspicion, slain, or forced back into the White Wastes. Such was life, for a fool, nay, a northman.

Quietly, the Bear pulled an arrow from his quiver, and nocked it. Tiny clouds were coming from his mouth. He aimed at the small, fuzzy bunny that was sitting there, appearing to be washing itself. It was not large enough to stop you from being hungry, but a meal was a meal, and the Bear grasped that idea. He took a deep breath and let the arrow fly. It flew, straight as an arrow, towards its goal. To take away the live of the bunny.

The bunny was hit in his right flank, and was immediatly dead. The Bear rose from his hiding place, in some bushes covered with snow, and walked towards the small animal. He picked it up by its ears and pulled out the arrow. It was reusable, and he didn't have enough free time to keep making arrows. He took a bit of string, spun it around the bunnies ears and hung it from his belt, an improvised length of rope that he had found. Along the rope were more animals, two birds and three rats. He mumbled something in his own language and threw down some meat. Seemed like a waste of good food, but he knew what he was doing.

Life in the wastes isn't easy, but it surely was something that seperated the boys from the men, and anyone that managed to survive was probably very strong, mentally and physically.

[Gerontis]

Aedan looked up. The door of his study room went open en his youngest brother came inside. It was Irtos. He closed the door and turned to Aedan. He looked with a questioning look. ''I heared you wanted to speak with me, big brother?'' Aedan pointed to the chair opposite him, behind the other side of his desk. Irtos sat down.
''Irtos...What do you know about the old history of the Arianiti House?'' Irtos frowned. ''We, of the Arianiti, are a very old family. The House dates even back to the begin of the Old Empire, but why do you ask me such a simple question? If you want to talk about our history t-then..''

He stopped talking, because Aedan shook his head and smiled sadly. ''No, it's not about some kind of history lesson by wich I summoned you..The main reason is that we of the Arianiti have a secret..A long lost secret, wich our very own father managed to discover.'' Irtos was schocked. Of all the people that knew their father, Arthoif Arianiti, Aedan was the one who never talked about him. Even when others talked about their father, Aedan was always remained silent, well at least when they didn't said bad things about him.
Irtos knew two things right because of how Aedan was acting right now. He was talking about their father, wich meant something very important was at stake. And then the way of how he told it.. Irtos braced himself mental.

''Our father founded it out where our old bloodline began..It began with the first Emperor.'' Irtos was schocked, but Aedan continued. ''Hehe, I see you realis what that can mean..Yes, this document, Aedan picked up a few documents and held them up, ''show that we are the real heirs of the Vinngealian throne..And I think you can gues why our father was murderd then.'''

Irtos was schocked till his very soul. All this time, his own father was murderd by the Council..''Wait, does that also mean that his father was responsible for the revolts, that happend a while ago?'' Irtos was for a moment scared when that thought came up. Aedan sighed. [B]''I think I know what you're thinking, but no. Our father wasn't responsible for the revolts that happend before..Although he had gatherd in secret allies and people who could and wanted to help his cause. ''/B]
Irtos stood up and looked angry. ''Why are you telling me all this Aedan? Just get to the bloody point with it!'' Aedan frowned. ''If you wish so, alright then. I want you to know, because the preparations are almost done...I expect that the Council will know it soon enough, but then it will be too late for them..Too late for them to gather their forces and allies. Aye, litte brother..I will aim to bring not only the Council to it knees, but to make them acknowledge me, the leader of the Arianiti, as their overlord! I will unite Vinngealos under our might and will make it great once more. That, is the bloody point you wanted to hear, don't you?''

Irtos was speechless. Aedan was just made Strategos, the highest commander of all the troops and only the High King could punish him.. Irtos saw what Aedan was now aiming to. First he would get the loyalty of most troops and then he would use the bonds between the Arianiti and the commoners, wich has always been good, because of the festivals etc. that the Arianiti family sponserd. Irtos only could of one question at the moment.
''What would have you want me to do then?'' Aedan showed his almost wolfish grin.

''I want you to ride towards Cearon. Visit the few Houses there. They vowed their allegiance to us and I want to know if everything there is going as planned. It's may look like a simple errand, but I want you to do it, cause I want this to be done by somebody I can trust...Would do that for me litte brother?'' Irtos smiled.
''Yes, I will, big brother.''

[rogue1971]

Clarissa was awoken by a cold drop of dew making its way down her neck and spine. She opened her eyes and blinked in the morning sunlight.

The night before she had found a tall oak tree along the trail and discovered that after climbing about 15 feet up and 5 feet down through the center, the branches formed a sort of basket in which she could camp out safely for the night: the road she was traveling looked like it might be crawling with thieves and slaves traders.

She climbed out of her “nest” and jumped down the last six feet, landing gracefully on the soft dewy grass. She reached into her pack and pulled out a piece of dried meat. Biting off a small chunk she made a face and spit it out, discarding the remaining piece as well. She shook her head and sighed, supplies where getting low, she thought, wiping her hand on her trousers, she needed to find a town quickly, her sword skills did not serve her well for hunting and she was useless with a bow.

“Well!” she told herself out loud “Lack of breakfast is no reason to hold back on training”. She found a narrow fallen tree broken off the trunk about four feet up and hanging down from there at an angle, she walked up and down the branch a few times to get a feel for its sturdiness and pulled out her sword, moving it around her in slow steady circles, first holding it with both hands, walking up and down the branch lunging and retreating in slow controlled movements, then each hand alone in turn. The right hand exercises were perfection as always but as soon as she extended the sword straight ahead of her in her left hand, she could see the blade quiver, she struggled to steady it as she performed the basic sweeps but her arm dropped and the blade hit a rock with a loud clang. She rubbed her shoulder with a grimace and pulled her shirt down to look at the thick red scar.

A few months back a slave merchant had seen her, knowing she had escaped from one of his “colleagues” he tried to capture her, hoping for a big reward, she had escaped but received an arrow to the shoulder for her trouble. The wound had not healed well and her sword wielding had suffered. She picked up her sword and tried the routine again several times until she managed to get through all the moves, even if they looked shaky and clumsy.

Her training completed she shrugged on her cloak, picked up her pack and continued her journey West. She didn't know where she was or were she was going, she only knew she had to keep going, ahead of the slave merchants, away from her old life. She had sneaked past a border patrol three days before, she was in a new land, perhaps she would be safe here but probably not.

[Bevolerian]

Ulv leaps left deep but light foot steps in the snow. His weight finally paying off as he let continued to run over the medium thick layer off snow. Snow spraying behind him and at the dire wolf chasing him. It was all a game, one he had played with his wolf since he was little. They used to chase each other through the woods playing and wrestling. He quickly ducked as a branch graced the top of the animal skull. The wolf was catching up to him, which wasn't such a surprise. He took up pace a bit, his leaps becoming bigger, thereby sacrificing more energy in taking them. The white air was streaming at a steady pace from the small holes in the animal skull as his breathing had become quite heavy.

The white clouds in the sky loomed over him, the mountains around him totally white of snow. This was paradise, both for him and his pet. He dodged another branch, this time taking a bigger leap. Hopping over it as was below his feet. The wolf just forced it's way under the branch. Slowing itself down a bit. But not much, it was a beast. More then he ever could be. The trees got weaker as he reached higher grounds. And the snow got thicker, the terrain getting more and more rough. He looked at the trees passing through them in a fast pace.

Ulv took a leap up on a rock, then forced himself up into the air over a small opening in the forest. His body being pushed to it's limits as he propelled himself into the air. Soaring over the small opening. He looked down, a large man was attaching a bunny to his belt and he was soaring above him. He had made no noise as he had taken the leap from the rock. So he wasn't discovered yet, hopefully. The wolf followed, it also jumping over the large man. However it not noticing the danger. Ulv tumbled onto the ground as he grabbed onto his staff, landing about three meters from the man in the snow and doing a somersault to soften his impact. The snow dampening this. He pulled up the staff in a swift movement and aimed it at the man. The wolf landing next to him with ease, noticing the presence of the other man. The big dire wolf spun around and revealed his teeth to him.

[Vuurvos]

''Taarok.. zhe nundre.''

As if. As if a man like the Bear, who had lived in the wilds for his entire life would be fooled like this. No, not with his expertise. The snow falling in front of him, onto him and ofcourse the shadow passing over him were clues to the presence of someone else. Living here makes your senses much sharper, thus it was easy to notice things like these, and also a requirement to survive. Ofcourse, having a big, strong wolf with you negates that, and you can be as loud as you want. But this man wasn't loud.. he must have been agile.

'' You think snow falling from your boots in front and onto me is not enough to alert me to your presence? Maybe if I was an eastern or western man. Yes, they should not notice. Try your luck on them, skinny, boney shaman. I care little for trickery like yours.''

Bear stood up and turned around. The man didn't look all that dangerous, but the wolf did, so he put his hand on his flail just in case. He has noticed him, the first step. The second step is to find out his intentions.. soon enough.

''Remove the wolf, or I will remove it. From this world. I am the Bear, slayer of the Great Bear Thunak, may he rest in peace.''

The other man glanced at him for a second before patting on his own knee. Bear wasn't sure the man knew his language, but atleast he understood what he was saying. Not that the man looked like a foreigner, so he probably did understand him. Besides, wolves didn't really like foreigners. They smelled of civilisation, where as people born here smell of the wilds, the wastes. The snow, the trees, nature. Just what the wolves like.

''A smart man would have ran away, while he could. Strangers don't take kindly to others around these parts, you should know that. I've seen you, running around with that wolf. I just didn't bother showing myself.. now you found me. An impressive feat. Grena shul, honor to you. You speak my language, no?''

Bear didn't wait for an answer, and trodded on, putting his bow over his shouder so it would go across his body diagonally. He didn't need it for now, if that man would try anything he would just smack the flail over his head and kill the wolf. Cruel, but Bear had already made the mistake of not doing it in the first place, and he didn't intend on making that mistake a second time.

[Bevolerian]

Ulv raised his hand towards the wolf as a sign to stop it grinning, his palm faced towards the wolf. Slightly in front of it's face. He set down his staff into the snow as he released it. The hard packed snow keeping it straight. The wolf gradually stopped grinning it's teeth as it took a more natural stance. Still weary of the big man however, it was only defending it's master. He slowly raised his hand to his chest as he nodded towards the man when he asked the man about him knowing his language.

He banged his chest twice as to signal that he was talking about his name. "Ulv!" his deep voice rumbled from his chest. He was trying to convince the man that he had no bad intentions at all. Just happened to stumble upon this man while playing games. He slowly let go off the piece of meat that he was holding in his left hand and let the dog grip it and begin chewing on it. He looked back up on the man. He looked at him through the narrow passage in the teeth barely hanging onto the upper jaw of the skull. Letting out small clouds of air as he was still breathing quite heavily.

"A smart man would run, a brave man would stand firm." He grunted out towards the man. He seemed of gigantic statue. That was why he was not showing any hostility, he would most probably win. He wasn't a fool. But he still had pride. The Wolf continued to chew on the piece of meat as he eyed the man once again. Looking at his actions. "Please take your hand off that." He motioned towards flail. His voice was still dark and grim. But it was human.