Korkud enters and leaves Bilecik at the age of 26, before the War of Sarifen Aggression, and 15 years have passed since that.

There's more to Game of Thrones than character death :P

I replied to your PM, Konica

Thanks a lot, Peik! That helps me... Now Ash's background pretty clear in my mind. Should have him done tonight

Romaneck said
Come now this is not A song of Ice and Fire

Come now, why can't this be like A Song of Ice and Fire? ;)

Konica said
-_-' My knowledge of game of thrones is limited to that South Park episode. I'm just saying I don't mind killing off my character as long as its not premature.

Character deaths maybe inevitable, but not unexpected so there won't be any Russian Roulette or unreasonable George R.R. Martin mimicking despite the prevalent dangers existing throughout Carcassonne 8).

@ Skulls - Onatha is Approved!

@ Everyone else - Updates are inbound as I am working closely with Nevis and Romancek to bring their characters into the mix. Expect additional SM Character Sheets, an introduction IC post this weekend or next by the earliest. Liking what I'm seeing, collaboration wise and if I haven't responded to any additional PMs I apologize and promise to return them ASAP

Edit: Something to chew on before the First IC Post ...

"You see a leaf fall and you think you know which way the wind blows. Well ... there is a wind coming, madame, that will sweep away your pride ..."

Awesome! I'm almost done with Ash, should have him all done by tomorrow evening I think, so then all of my characters will be done... Which is awesome. No more pressure there. Certainly looking forward to starting! Truthfully hoping that it will be this weekend, cause I'm away for a week after next weekend and I will have little to no internet with no chance of an IC post. But anyway...

I'm chewing on it... Love that movie. All historical innaccuracies aside of course

Name: Ecthelion “Black Lion” Amarth
Age: lost track of it, between the scars and gray hair comes off as 50-60 ish
Nationality: Res Senatus Populusque Publicas Andardorda
Allegiance: The Coal Company- Contractors
Appearance:

Style
Gaunt and regal in appearance, if left in his choice Amarth will clothe in ways that befit his station and preparation, after all he is a commanding officer of the highest honors with numerous successes under his belt
The reality of war, however, rarely gives room for a sense of fashion and insist on a spartan practicality, mangy furs, worn out leather, rusted iron, shit stained rags this and more will do if the situation calls for it.

Amarth favors masks, not only do they hide his hideous marks of war but they also give grant a mysterious air about him, people wonder who is behind it, if it could be some decoy walking into the room rather than the real commander, what is it hiding?
Physical:
The black lion has fought throughout Altea for decades , a taxing and draining task has left him with more than his share of scars, his face is a mangled wreck that will shake the faint of heart, missing a left eye, left ear and part of the left cheek, with cut marks across the nose and patches of missing hair on his scalp due to some scar tissue that never fully healed, despite this people tend to focus on his right eye, a single blue eye that is very remarkable in its vibrant color amidst all the fleshy ruin, the weight of its single eyed gaze has proven a good tool to dig out liars .

The right hand is missing its pinkie, making even the shaking of hands an uncomfortable ordeal since one can't tell if they should act normal or make some kind of difference

Despite (or inspite) of this the Black Lion still is a commanding presence, anyone familiar with pain will be drawn to respect someone that has endured so much, also the Lion is a tall individual at a towering stature of 1.97 meters, his voice is loud and clear and his manner displays great self control, also a well mustered rage and frustration

His body looks frail and aged, yet still carries an unmistakable vigor behind it, much like the coals his company is named after, despite showing signs of having burned its best… it might be too hot to touch still

Profession: Mercenary
Biography:

Let me tell you o child
Of the stain that came into our realm
And as such left us defiled
Under the stars of our domain
A place in which everyone is respected
But for everyone to follow this
It simply could not be expected

He thought he was the very best
Clearly taller than the rest
He settled to put this to the test
So he brought fire to our nest

In the end he proved to be but a pest
His toil and ambition only a jest
In the end nobody could attest
the truth of his protest

So it came to be that he was expelled
Our firm people would not be quelled
He swore that he would return as he fled
But to this day there is no weight to what he said

Should he indeed be back
With fire and steel on his track
He shall find it in dire want
For our people will not crack

Ecthelion was once a man of importance and political promise at his homeland, a place of high culture and great tradition unrivaled by any of its contemporaries, but it is oft that great men have great flaws.

He could not stand as equal to his peers, never in a hundred years. His ambition and wish to dominate and rule led him to organize a revolution that pitted neighboors against each other, the once proud and tolerant city became engulfed in a civil war that destroyed people, culture and even nature itself.

In the end pride paved the way for failure and Ecthelion`s campaign to rule supreme failed, his body scarred, his ego bruised and his cause crushed he fled the lands of Andardorda, the realm that should be his by all accounts.

Yet his will would not be denied, Ecthelion had knowledge of war aplenty, he knew that as long as men lived there would always be appreciation for creatures with his talents and thus he set out to amass a fortune to one day march upon Andardorda once again with an army twice, no, thrice as mighty as the one that he had fielded in ages past and bring down their tall towers and colossal spires crumbling down above their heads under his heels.

Yet time and time again, as he waged war across the land success eluded him at every turn, always consequence of the incompetence of those around him, lesser men with lesser means and hollow heads.

The oddest thing began to happen however, with each failure he came to witness how his battle brothers who lost it all gave it all for the greater good of the unit, he saw selfless sacrifice so that many would live while few would die and deny it as he will, Ecthelion was touched.

For the first time in his life he came to respect others for their own achievements, with no need to compare them to his own and thus he was inexorably linked to the Coal Company which he has been commanding for 3 decades to this day.

He lies to himself, the company is but the means to an end. The tool to bring fire and destruction to the blasphemous land that rejected his magnificence, yet he has become lost in the means or he finds it unfit to serve his purpose yet.

Either case the question is, does the Company serve him or does he serve the Company?


Notable skills/abilities:
Commander: Ecthelion has waged war across the known world for the majority of his life, as such he has picked up the profile to maintain and keep a well armed force properly geared and ready
Scholar: Age and time have given Ecthelion the space to pursue the finer things in life, as such he is well versed in history and languages
Other Notes:
Survivor: the survival of the Coal Company is his priority, while he would love to maintain a semblance of honor, the more you have of it the less good it does to you, the Coal Company will honor its contracts until either the objectives have been met or the contractor is dead, in the history of the Coals when things are going sour their contractors tend to fall to assassins too often

Arrogant bastard: Ecthelion makes it clear that he considers most commanders amateurs, how could they even come close? due to this many of his peers will be antagonistic towards him. While fair to those serving under him and having a high value for the soldier`s lives he will voice his discomfort towards incompetence, incompetence that he sees in almost everything

Hypocrite: A man with such an ego has to justify himself at every turn, this leads to him changing his mind on subjects to suit whatever point he wants to make, one moment he is praising the military tradition of his company the next he is accusing armies of being savage bloodthirsty degenerates that glorify violence

Just to say, GI, I'm pretty sure I've finished Dae and Ash. All my character's, especially their backgrounds, feel quite inadequate next to everyone else's amazing creations but... they'll have to do I guess. I'm just really bad at writing down backgrounds. It's frustrating and means my character sheets are so so bad

@ Romaneck - Etchelion is approved!

Etchelion will make a great addition to the cast and for however much we push Age of Revolution's story, we would all like to see him grow and develop as you, Romancek, reveal more about his character history.

Fern - Ash and Dae are Approved!

Don't be too hard on yourself and don't feel daunted about the other character sheets. Ever character's got a unique history and it takes time to really develop a decent character background! I'd say Dae and Ash's character sheets are perfectly fine and to be honest, I myself struggle with character sheets. The key here is not solely in who drafts the best character sheets, but how the writers craft the story so don't feel pressured! We're all growing writers with strengths and areas for improvement ...

Everyone else - Didn't mean to leave y'all hanging, but I've finally revised my own character sheet! Still working alongside dreamshell, Ivory, and Nevis with character sheets so don't think I've forgotten about y'all! We'll be starting this weekend or Monday at the latest so expect an IC Post 8).

Character Sheet

Name: Lucius Vii Delacroix I

Age: 21

Race: Human

Nationality: Valanian

Allegiance: Valania and Himself

Appearance:
Lucius is a young man of twenty one years standing at a brazen six foot two inches height. His shoulder length black hair falls over his eyes in long thin fringes and is tied in a low ponytail behind his neck like the bristles of a paintbrush. His dark blue eyes are only further enhanced behind gold tanned skin of clean radiance and the lean, athletic build speaks volumes of his well defined muscles. Sharp and seductive in all respects, the Valanian heir's features strongly resemble his father and grandfather. On the move, Lucius' prefers a white, long sleeved tunic, an ordinary belt sash, and dark trousers. For public occasions and social gatherings involving higher courts, the man sports much more aristocratically luxurious clothing.

Notable Skills and Abilities:
- Able blade master and marksman, though far from a master in either.
- Accomplished tactician, strategist, and leader
- Intuitive intellect and animal cunning
- Highly developed knowledge of psychology, philosophy, oration and manipulation
- Adept at stealth and sleight of hand
- Knowledgable in the arts, sciences, history and economics

Equipment:

As a guest to the Vectisian embassy, Lucius owned little to nothing save his name, the Le Crosse heirloom pendulant, a dagger, and the clothes on his back. His Vorstan teacher Sytonia managed to both cultivate his own sleight of hand and ingenuously channel his strengths to quickly master the improvised and crudely effective arts associated towards lock pick crafting.

Other Notes:

- Despite his athleticism Lucius at times, displayed physical frailty; so much so that he sometimes became prone to physical relapses and in his own words 'cursed with the body of a noble, rather than a warrior most unsuited to war'.
- Heavily conflicted regarding his previously vengeful desire to eradicate Sarife and its peoples
- Harbors a deep found respect towards Sarife's Imperial Prince Bahramesh II and Princess Farah

Biography:

Lucius was born Lucius Vi Delacroix, to Lothair and Celestine Delacroix, the unusually pragmatic rulers to Valania. As the young prince of Valania, his birth came at a tumultuous and altogether turbulent moment in Valania's history. The Delacroix family line had expanded throughout the years, yet decades of mismanagement and incompetent corruption had allowed certain cancers to fester within the Kingdom's own institutions. All the same, the lack of a male heir earned the eyes of many a conspiring aristocrat and it was following Lucius birth that his mother Celestine convulsed in terror following the oracle Lyscia's prophecy that he would destroy the world. Shortly after delivery, word reached the rulers that fires had burnt down the Temples of Yadin-Hamon and Athirat. Rumors soon circulated throughout the Kingdom regarding Lucius' arrival and that both Yadin-Hamon and Athirat had left their sacred temple sanctuaries to accompany his birth.

His early years were considerably happy ones and time spent with the various children, most notable the eldest of the L'Fevre line, Daelynn L'Fevre. The delightful and pleasant days grew increasingly fewer as Lothair pulled Lucius away for horseback training amidst reports that border skirmishes had increased between the Kingdom's Hussars and Sarife's Sipahis. Soon afterwards, Lucius had barely turned 5 years of age when both Lothair and Celestine were brutally assassinated, thereby vacating the Valanian throne. As the Crown Prince and the royal family's direct male heir, Lucius was immediately elevated near the throne where his retainers, including his uncle, were called to manage the state's affairs until a time in which he was deemed old enough to take the crown.

Matters changed, however, when assassins arrived again to slay his younger brother, Rothion, his two younger sisters, Catherine and Ryanna, and himself. Coincidentally, the assassin architect overplayed his hand, having believed he had effectively removed the throne's primary obstacles and in a dramatic political push, offered a conditional marriage proposal towards Lucius' elder sister Marianne to seal his rise to power. Unbeknownst to him, the assassination attempts failed after Lucius struck down the assassins with his own hands.

Shortly afterwards, the Crown Prince uncovered his own uncle as the sole mastermind behind the treasonous dethroning operation and ordered his arrest, trial, and execution by firing squad. His ruthless and calculating nature revealed that Lucius' early age talents showed promise and that given time, would become a capable and competent Valanian ruler. It was not long, however, before Valania's Sarifen neighbors invaded his land and crushed the Kingdom's vast armies before annexing all of Southwest Carcassonne in one fell swoop. With Valania's fall, came the dismantling of Carcassonne's only line of defense separating the titanic Sarifen Empire from overpowering the other remaining, Carcassonnian Kingdom.

Lucius, his childhood friend Daelynn of the ancient L'Fevres, and his younger sister, Ryanna, escaped the ensuing political purges that followed the Sarifen annexation, having managed to acquire asylum within the former capital's Vectisian embassy. His brother Rothion and older sister Marianne could not properly elude the Sarifens and disappeared shortly after their capture where rumors of the execution soon surfaced. It was not long before news soon spread regarding the Sarifens and their decision to elevate a new ruler to Valania; a vassal of Sarife's emperor by the name of Richter von Conqvist. Upon learning the news, Lucius’ vengeance set aflame and following the Conqvist's unchallenged rise to power, vowed to do anything to uphold and resume his duty as their one true ruler.

Aspiring to regain his kingdom and free its people from their oppression at the hands of the Sarifen Empire, Lucius vowed from the moment Emperor Aryanpur I seized Voltas that he would suffer through unspeakable lengths to achieve this; no matter if cost Sarife their armies and sovereignty. Patience and proper execution became the better part of valor and it was these principles that he found Valania's liberation not a right, but a duty. Sometime before he departed the Vectisian Embassy in Voltas, Lucius promised Ryanna he would return for he held her dear to none in Carcassonne and the world.

To preserve the vow to reclaim Valania, Lucius and Daelynn escaped Voltas and parted ways. His journey across Valania proved anything, but pleasant and he witnessed cruelty and barbarism beyond reckoning at the hands of marauding Sarifen conscripted soldiers. He managed to learn much of their ways and survived several close calls against various patrols before collaborations alongside Vectisian smugglers managed his timed escape into the mountains leading into Vorstian governed territories. Eventually he found his way to the great, marble-lined Vorstian capital, Averna, where he became an honored guest in King Drago VI's magnificent palaces. In his heart, though, he knew that his prolonged residence would solidify his peoples' suffering and before long he fell into a shameful despair.

A short time later, Lucius' pursuits stole King Drago's attention and earned the Prince's access towards several Vorstian schools of thought, where he became close friends with the Vorstian philosopher, academician, and scientist, Sytonia. The elder man tutored Lucius, in culture and philosophy, strategy and tactics, politics and manipulation as well as in the arts of psychology and leadership. He also proved instrumental in securing the boy's entry into the Agoge Ludus, the brutal Vectisian Military Academy in Altair, where only handpicked fighters learned to properly exploit the famed Vectisian arts of close quarters combat. Sytonia continued to spill his wisdom acquired during his travels to distant lands and over the years Lucius developed a profound animal cunning and deadly skill in fighting whilst also mastering the classics in an almost terrifying voracity.

As Lucius entered adolescence, he began to enjoy various intellectual pursuits before first and foremost becoming exceptionally learned in the classics, arts, and histories. In his studies he developed a great interest in the sciences, though he kept alchemical and mystical sciences at a distance due to his distaste for their methods and the belief that they ‘corrupted the soul’, a remnant of his Puritanis Augurian upbringing. The great intellectual disciplines consumed much of his late childhood, however, memories of the War still burned fiercely and for a time, the entire Sarifen Empire as a whole became the subject for Lucius’ scorn and branded hatred as it had during his early upbringing as Valania's Crown Prince. He considered the nation his sworn enemy as his Lothair continually affirmed and sought to do everything in his power to ensure its destruction.

As a academician, Sytonia continued to deliver his intellectual instructions and theories, but soon came to understand the boy’s intentions well enough to know that his Valanian pupil sought revenge on those who had damned him to exile. Dismayed, he discouraged the eye for an eye aphorism and had a profound influence on tempering Lucius' rage as he grew into young man of irrefutable talents.

Shortly before Sytonia's death, his influential teachings unknowingly cultivated Lucius' firm belief in the philosophy that ‘the ends justified the means.' To this end, the use of whatever methods he deemed necessary to achieve his purpose became a mainstay in a long list of underhanded counter-measures. This included but by no means stood limited to theft, bribery, blackmail, and murder. Nevertheless, time secretly spent with Sytonia and other philosophers groomed his strict sense of justice and personal creed, to which he swore an abiding oath.

Having mostly lost all he held dear Lucius believed he had little to fear and following his graduation from the Adoge Ludus news reached Vectis that Ryanna had been exposed, manipulatively wedded to the powerful Lord Eyrial Elireth, and bore child. Additional reports soon arrived regarding the fact that slave ships carrying Valanian captives had been seized within Vectisian and Ivalian ports while enroute to other nations throughout the globe.

Compounding these revelations, word reached Altair regarding Rothion and Marianne's declarations of dead along with Conqvist's growing hold over Voltas along with reports that Sarifen commanded, Valanian auxiliaries were challenging a guerilla resistance operating throughout Valania's countryside. These developments surfaced a restlessness not unmatched since the day Lucius watched the Sarifens overrun Voltas and though embarrassed, admitted to a new found thrill towards fighting, killing, and exacting revenge. The news of his younger brother Rothion's death proved especially disturbing and shook him so dearly that he vowed to hunt Emperor Aryanpur and his family to a man, even if his reputation suffered. His pursuits brought him back through Carcassonne's Northern territories and into Sarife's heartlands, where upon his visits to Orad and other Sarifen cities became too great to count. Many incidents involved masking the crown Prince and Princess of the Sarifen Empire and through almost animal-like stalking, found their traits to be both likable and genuine.

The realization that they shared more in common than he would have liked caused him much distress and conflict, given that his burning desire to murder Emperor Aryanpur's entire family and slowly begun fade. One day, in the burning autumn sun, an enormous earthquake engulfed Orad and the unthinkable happened as Lucius risked his life to rescue the Sarifen heir and his sister. The altercation unknowingly brought Valania and Sarife's Crown Princes in company and not long afterwards, the three soon shared a close bond. Lucius found almost inseparable and for a time, learned much regarding Sarife's more favorable qualities as well as its ancient traditions. He quickly came to consider both Bahramesh and Farah close to his heart, whilst visiting Orad though he could never forgive their father and the Empire's power mongering aristocrats for the suffering that it caused both him and commoners alike.

Sometime later, Lucius was mistaken for one of the Emperor's escaped Valanian slaves and arrested following a city-wide manhunt. The altercation temporarily landed Lucius within Orad's most repulsive dungeons; however, through Prince Bahramesh's rhetoric and display of remarkable fighting skills, Emperor Aryanpur became so impressed that he issued a decree that decidedly spared Lucius life while elevating his status to that of a closely guarded court entertainer. This unusual circumstance also granted the Valanian Prince freedom to roam the royal grand palaces and hanging gardens, something he enjoyed thoroughly as continually plotted to assassinate the Emperor of Sarife with a complete and burning hatred. Lucius' fortunes were short lived, however, and before he could formulate a viable assassination attempt could be before various intelligence agents operating within Orad's palaces recognized Lucius' true identity, whereupon they immediately alerted the Emperor and his most trusted Zhayedans. Exposed and facing enemies on all fronts, Lucius launched an audacious escape and managed to steal the Emperor's finest steeds before outrunning pursuing Zhayedan teams. His ordeals while on the run only hardened his resolve and he soon found himself working along the coastlines, where he quietly rejoined various Valanian resistance circles.

Following his arrival, the beleaguered insurgents found a steadfast aura of nobility surrounding his every visit whilst his clear, soft voice, impressive intellect, and natural oratory skills acquired whilst residing within Vectis commanded both attention and extraordinary respect. Not one to idle, Lucius soon proved his abilities as both a master strategist and tactician in addition to his remarkable fighter prowess as Valanian resistance efforts under his command yielded spectacular advancements in the drive to cripple Sarifen occupational strength. Throughout his efforts and bids to convince his oppressed countrymen, Lucius found himself at odds with various Valanian resistance leaders whom accused him of treason for acting against various Valanian auxiliaries. Lucius' famed answer involved the reality that Valania could not afford to allow traitors of any kind to exist and that without unwavering dedication towards its peoples, Valania and her resistance resembled nothing of reputable value. His words managed to earn greater support in his bid to punish Emperor Aryanpur and his aristocratic retinue ...

---

Another Note:

Just thought I might also throw another soundtrack your way to chew on during the intermission before the IC. Enjoy ...

Hello, folks! The roleplay's interest check caught my eye, so I decided to take a look around and see what it was all about. I'm pretty humbled by the wealth of information that's been written into the background, and the setting is really gripping. The 14th-15th century is among my favorite historical periods in Europe to study, so I'm naturally drawn to its hand in the roleplay's inspiration. I'd like to jump in and write up a character; maybe helping a bit where needed with the setting.
Although the story is centered on Valania's struggle, the kingdoms of Vectis and Vorst are really interesting to me, and I was hoping I could base my character's origin in either of them. The hint of their military activity in the south and the connotations it has for Valania catch my interest!

Welcome Aristo, welcome! As SM, I'd like be the first to say that your entry into our growing circle would honor us 8). As for the story, it isn't simply Valania's struggle; it's Sarife's struggle too! That being said, it's certainly plausible your character could have retained Vectis, Ivalian, or Vorstian lineage or trained and lived in any nation, however a primarily Vectisian, Vorstan, or Ivalian character would seem out of place. I'd like to make a request that you keep heavy Valanian and/or Sarifen lineage and backhistory set in Valania or Sarife. If you have any questions regarding character drafts, PM something my way and we'll work something out!

Some issues with Ecthelion... mainly the scraggly equipment. He's a general in a period paralleling the late Medieval Ages and Renaissance and a general-there's no way his armor will be rusted, wearing piles of crude fur or rags. Armor at this point was usually as well-maintained as possible (which was fairly well) and often as fashionable as the person could afford. For someone of his stature, the finest arms and armor would be available to him and it would actually be a social nightmare for him to be using such subpar (and, honestly, unpretty in the eyes of the nobility) equipment-plate armor was usually designed with as much of a refined aesthetic as possible, as were the arms of the wealthy. And he's a famous general. While underdogs and the whole gritty and gruff thing did exist (far LESS at this technological level), it makes no logical sense for your character to be considering his status. You can't be both the elite AND the gritty underdog type.

Also, is Ecthelion from ANYWHERE other than the LoTR (he was Denethor's, the Steward of Gondor's, father)?

Nevis said
Some issues with Ecthelion... mainly the scraggly equipment. He's a general in a period paralleling the late Medieval Ages and Renaissance and a -there's no way his armor will be rusted, wearing piles of crude fur or rags. Armor at this point was usually as well-maintained as possible (which was fairly well) and often as fashionable as the person could afford. For someone of his stature, the finest arms and armor would be available to him and it would actually be a social for him to be using such subpar (and, honestly, unpretty in the eyes of the nobility) equipment-plate armor was usually designed with as much of a refined aesthetic as possible, as were the arms of the wealthy. And he's a famous general. While underdogs and the whole gritty and gruff thing did exist (far LESS at this technological level), it makes no logical sense for your character to be considering his status. You can't be both the elite AND the gritty underdog type

On this case do consider that I went on that issue on style, if given the chance Ecthelion will chose gear and outfits that makes princes look like peasants, he is a full fledged commander, of course he wants to look good, he wants others to look bad around him even.
Yet if the time comes where he must escape a siege, where he must pass unnoticed, where he must lick his wounds after a devastating defeat then he is perfectly willing to stash away all that pride and convince himself that he will be back and make good upon it.
This is to show that the mercenary life is far from glamorous, he would like to have brand new equipment, fat horses with barding, an alchemist to handle all the gunpowder, a siege specialist, a navy officer, an honest quartermaster, a fair but tough drill sergeant, a sneaky scout squad.

But the reality of the situation is not so good on the Coal Company, in one campaing they are charging alongside kings, on the next they are scattered and hidding like rats amongst the common people

.

Also, is Ecthelion from ANYWHERE other than the LoTR (he was Denethor's, the Steward of Gondor's, father)?

That was Ecthelion II I believe named after someone from the first age, indeed Ecthelion was THE fountain guard who fought and slew Morgoth who in turn was THE balrog ( this one would have made the Durin`s bane look like a pack of welcoming puppies by comparison) which in no way, mean or shape is foreshadowing ANYTHING

I just wanted a fairly obscure name that rhymed with Lion and came from one of my favorite fantasy universes, so Ecthelion does not feature on the movies and it belongs to a pretty badass one that is pretty much the opposite to my own character, the fountain guard was noble, beatiful and died with honor the captain in sharp contrast is treacherous, deeply scarred and lives plotting a revenge that might never be met

In my opening post (with the blessings of gourmet) I plan to give a quick and down to earth look at just how unbalanced and fickle the course of the Coal Company is and can be

Nevis said
Some issues with Ecthelion... mainly the scraggly equipment. He's a general in a period paralleling the late Medieval Ages and Renaissance and a -there's no way his armor will be rusted, wearing piles of crude fur or rags. Armor at this point was usually as well-maintained as possible (which was fairly well) and often as fashionable as the person could afford. For someone of his stature, the finest arms and armor would be available to him and it would actually be a social for him to be using such subpar (and, honestly, unpretty in the eyes of the nobility) equipment-plate armor was usually designed with as much of a refined aesthetic as possible, as were the arms of the wealthy. And he's a famous general. While underdogs and the whole gritty and gruff thing did exist (far LESS at this technological level), it makes no logical sense for your character to be considering his status. You can't be both the elite AND the gritty underdog type.Also, is Ecthelion from ANYWHERE other than the LoTR (he was Denethor's, the Steward of Gondor's, father)?

While this doesn't apply to all of history, the first Great Mughal Emperor Babur spent quite a bit of his life in squalor to an extent that, at one point in his life, a bunch of his men had to get a rawhide coat from a village to keep him from freezing.

Being particularly well-versed in mercenaries (it's been a focus in my historical studies), the idea that mercenaries-especially bands and guilds-were ragtag, unskilled or poorly payed is ludicrous. Mercenaries, by the late Medieval Period, were actually rather elite. Mayhaps not a fully-mounted knight... they were still an extremely strong force, both on the battlefield and politically. Mercenary work was actually very lucrative by the standards of the time, provided you survived.

Also, Ecthelion is 'eh-k-th-el-EE-on', not 'eh-k-th-el-AYE-on'. That doesn't actually rhyme with 'ion'.

And, yes, a pragmatic warrior will wear rags and ragtag equipment when called for-however, the way your cs is written implies it's a regular thing which contradicts his elite stature. Men-at-arms did not change their arms and armor so often; a good piece that he acquired from funds from a single good contract or campaign could easily last him his entire life, especially regarding armor (switched around less often than weapons).

Fancypants landsknechts!

Ah, Angus McBride. He died too early.

Some NotSarifens:

This information is very informative, Nevis, and we appreciate your input given that it provides historical accuracy to what might otherwise seem counterfactual. Being a history buff certainly does have its perks and will help in hammering out realistic mannerisms. As such, links to sources providing historical insight would be a huge help to all of us in helping to refine Altaea.

That being said, I'd ask if you'd reserve from what I'm seeing as tactlessness for the antagonists or we're going to have more than just words. I've been a bit more lenient on the discussions until now and I'd appreciate it if we worked on the plot, historical inconsistencies, and realistic mannerism with a grain of salt and finely drafted beer mug. What I'm saying isn't a personal affront so don't take anything personally, but I'd like to point out that we're not all here for an information pissing match per say, but to write a good story 8).

Regarding the mercenary skill, status, and pay; you make a fine point in that mercenaries were indeed very well paid, dangerous, and all the same, prestigious, both in arms and fashion. On the other hand, the conditions affecting Etchelion could have easily involved several ridiculous incidents where nefarious factions invited the Coal Company to a banquet, poisoned or drugged the drinks, before seizing their baggage train/treasure chest/arms wagons.

Historically, some mercenaries' contracts were subject for betrayal and while this was not common, we could certainly have seen this having happened during the Spanish Empire's history. Indeed, there were moments when soldiers as well as disenfranchised veterans-turned-mercenarii were not being paid or compensated during certain grueling campaigns. Examples could certainly point towards the Thirty Years War or during the Spanish Incursion into Mesoamerica.

In the case of the Spanish lead, Mesoamerican Conquests, Hernan Cortez rallied a somewhat sizeable Spanish strike force when he set sail from Cuba and managed to conquer the Aztecs. The dirty works were of course done by his men and though promised with riches, Cortez ultimately claimed the riches and the prestige for himself, while neither creditting nor imbursing his men for their sacrifices or work.

We can also point towards the Knights Templar, whose humble beginnings as a monastic militaristic order involved abject lack of funds, equipment, or organization. Provided, this did not last long, but can provide a framework for Romaneck. The Knights Templar were also punished and arrested during King Phillip IV's reign due to the fact that he had other plans for France and owed the Order large financial sums. Naturally, he decided on an excuse to dissolve and relinquish the debt through false heresy charges rather than to pay in full.

Edit:

I'd also like to point that even though naming nomenclature is important, I'd say that there's no problem with the name Etchelion, but in regards to names with a 'lion' sounding convention, this link is a fine reference for suitable lion sounding names.

Now … I'd like to say that we're overdue for an IC post, which I'm working on as we speak so keep your sword arm ready 8)

By the way, nice pictures, Peik, aristo. I'd like to display my own timeline image regarding armor styles (courtesy from Romaneck)

Nice to know I'm not the only one who uses 20000 name xD

I have absolutely nothing to add to the prior conversation (apart from that I love lotr, but I'm not going to start rambling about that). Very much looking forward to the IC, though!

@GI - Thanks, I'll try not to be too hard on myself. Can be hard. I'm glad that both their sheets are fine. Yeah, I've come a long way with characters I'm just better at getting things across through writing really. Character development and voice is something that almost comes naturally to me... describing the character out with a writing situation not so much. I'll also try not to feel pressured! Which is a bit difficult in this level of roleplay xD And Lucius looks awesome

I will always stand corrected when in error, its the path to improvement after all.

As for the conditions regarding the mercenary force I may come out and admit my ignorance on certain factors regarding the current world status, cuirasses, sables, rapiers and blunderbusses/matchlocks was what I had in mind for things, mayhap due to my own shortcomings I have failed to establish the Coal Company appart from Ecthelion`s own vision and character direction, which is how low pride has sunk a man.

Then for the status of the company and their wealth or lack of it, I may not have dug the point that theyre all about practicality maybe if they had a less bittered man for a commander they could indulge in savory pursuits, perhaps if they were rich they could afford some opulence. Also please correct me if I am wrong but in no moment did I think that I made the observation that the Coals were unskilled, poorly trained and much less poorly paid. If my character sheet made it come across as that way I can only hope that my IC posts give more light to the truth of the situation

Regading the name, I will admit my fault that I did not bother to make sure if it rhymed, I saw lion in the name and it had me immediately, Id like to think myself a clever man when it comes to the naming of my characters but it seems that you have an eye to spot these things.

If you continue to provide your input I will make sure to correct what might be percieved as mistakes, that said this is most certainly not a historical roleplay due to my own ignorance on those I prefer to look the fool rather than writte and condem myself by my anacronisms and other disregards to the sanctity of the events past, as such this provides me with more room for forgiveness on those short comings.

In any case im still waiting to see how this whole thing plays out, im rather anxious really

O damn double posting, can anyone point me to the delete post funtion if there is one?

There's unfortunately no delete function - which is slightly annoying, as double posts seem to be a problem