"It was the best times, it was the worst of the times, a time of the fire and the axe, a time of heroes and villains, a time of war and tragedy. After the Rivanians used the Black Cauldron, the nature of this particular war changed. Only rarely there has been such devices to enter the field of battle, but as always, the hotter the fire, the burn will be worse.
Nathaniel Harkmont of the Ravenholm University, 1479 AC (Author of On the Northern Front)
Midsummer, Northern Kaledan, year 1294 After the Crowning. For the past decade, the Kingdoms of Bretaine and Rivania have been locked in a bitter struggle. Both nations have fought and thousands of young men and women have died for their lords and countries. Even though there has been temporary truces, the hostilities have started again, as one side or the other has broken it. But many lord and ladies believe that this is the last year of the war.
King Arthur III of Bretaine is assembling a mighty host of soldiers, both grizzly veterans and green recruits, and King Carolus IV of Rivania has been on the defensive for the past six months, holding onto the few garrisons and captured castles in the southern province of Steyrland. The Rivanians have been fortifying their positions and preparing for King Duncan's counter-offensive. The king is certain that the offensive will drive the remaining Rivanian army back into their homeland for good. But the Rivanians still have a few tricks in their sleeve. It is rumoured that King Carolus has a wizard by his side, but there are also rumoure of a nine-tailed cat and two-headed calf having been born.
The Introduction:
This RP will be centered on the military campaign of King Duncan against the Rivanians, and you, the players will play as the lords, ladies and the regular soldiers of the army. The RP will, hopefully, culminate in an epic battle between the Bretainian and the Rivanian army. In the meantime, we will need to get there, one siege, battle and skirmish at a time. There will be need for pikemen, bowmen, knights, engineers, mercenaries, officers, commanders and other roles. Remember, not everyone was a noble in the Middle Ages. Try to make a character that interests you.
I've taken elements from my former Brythunnian RPs, but that was mostly because I am lazy to invent the wheel again. But feedback and comments are always welcome.
Shortly on the history and structure of the nations
The Kingdom of Bretaine was founded almost 1300 years ago, although not at the present form or size. It was, at first, just a tribal kingdom, surrounded by many others like it, but during the time of King Aedin Halfbear, Bretaine started to expand rapidly. Aedin Halfbear annexed neighbouring tribal lands often by force or by diplomacy. He quite often married his family members to local tribal families to ensure their loyalty and goodwill. Those who didn't bend to his will, Aedin crushed and forcibly annexed to his kingdom. The early kingdom, in practice, was just a conglomerate of different tribes and clans, but as the years passed, the people intermingled and married each other, and so slowly, the modern Bretainians were born. The kings of Bretaine often relied on ancient tribal customs and traditions, rarely issuing new laws or edicts that contradicted the old ways.
But after the time of King Rodrik Ironside, the king started to grow in power and prestige, and the monarchs after him centralized the government for themselves. This was possible thanks to the dynastic inheritance of Rodrik, as he had become the largest landowner in Bretaine. During his time, he annexed the princibality of Hartz Mountains and Highlands. The Hartz Mountains were given an autonomic status after Rodrik's death by King Edward I, while the Highlanders rebelled two times between 750s and 800s.
Bretaine is divided into provinces, that are ruled by a high lord or a high lady. They often have their own ways to rule over their provinces, but in the end, they answer to the king. Bretaine is a country, where the king is the ruler of the country, but different decrees, laws and edicts have to be ratified in the bicameral parliament. Also, the King's Council has also a say in the government, as they often prepare said laws and run the country day to day. The aristrocracy owns most of the land, but most of the people belong to the common people, such as farmers, artisans, woolers, brewers, fletchers and other professions. Beloe the King's Council are the two houses of the parliament, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Every town, region and county is represented at the parliament by a number of delegates.
The King's Council is comprised of a few individuals, such as the Marshal of the Realm, Lord Treasurer, Lord Chamberlain and Chief Justice. They run most of the daily business of the country and hold an advising role to the king, who often has the final say in the stately affairs.
Bretaine is composed of different regions, which are the Highlands, the Heartlands, the Southern Marches, the royally held Crownlands, the autonomic Princibality of Hartz Mountains.
Bretaine is a coastal nation divided into several regions that are ruled by local aristocracy. In the eastern coast that ends to the Old Sea, is the Crownlands, a rich area that is held by the king, here is where the capital city Lundine, along with few minor town and the Kingswood where the king and his family have the sole hunting right. A lot of merchant caravans and ships travel in and out of this region. Other important towns and castles include Laketown, Stonehold and Dale.
However, the honor of being the most fertile region goes to the Heartlands, located in the south and south-west to the Crownlands. It has the most farms and rivers, and has the greatest population. The sun often shines to the Heartlanders, and they often have positive attitudes. The capital of this region is the city of Whitecreek, founded on the banks of a large river known as the Milksnake Stream. Other major towns and castles include Morton, by a lake known as the Lady's Pool, Hawkfield, near the coast and Castle Greenstone, located in the centre of Whitecreek.
To the north are the Highlands, a hilly region that has sturdy people and lots of sharp axes. The Highlands resisted the longest the attacks of King Rodrik Ironside, being the last region to fall to the hands of Rodrik. This mostly thanks to the renowned adventurer and warrior Hildebrand the Dragonslayer, who is said to have killed the last dragon in the world. Hildebrand was a clever tactician, but he was outmanned and outmaneuvered at last at the battle of Camlainn, where he met his destiny. The population centers Highlands are mostly castles built in the centuries after the conquest. The "capital" is Kaer Camlainn, a large castle named after the battle of Camlainn. Other major castles include Candlekeep, situated in the western Highlands near the Northwood, and Townsend Keep in the eastern coast.
In the far west is the autonomic Principality of the Hartz Mountains. The mountains are hardly passable, and serve as the western border for Bretaine. There are a few mining towns providing the kingdom with precious gems and metals, along with much of the metalwork, mainly armor and weapons. The capital of this region is the town of Edithburg, founded by Queen Edith during the third century of the Calendar. Though the city, the great river Dragonstail flows all the way to the Old Sea. Other major settlements are Hollow Tree and Ravenholm, both situated near the mountains. Centuries ago, Rodrik conquered the area, and as the Highlanders rebelled, the area helped King Edward I to subdue them and in gratitude, Edward granted them autonomy. A renowned university was founded to Ravenholm in 1356.
The Southern Marches has been a contested area. For centuries, conflict between Bretaine and Rivania has molded the countryside and the castles to reflect the changing tides in the kingdoms' military campaigns. The Marches have been influenced by the Rivanians and Bretainians alike. Bretaine holds the northern marches between the Heartlands and the Panther River, while the Rivanians hold the southern marches beyond the river. Major settlements include Castle Osfred near an important river crossing Oxford, Fort Aren and Greyhammer. For the past decade, Rivania has occupied most of the Southern Marches.
The Panther River is the border between Brythunnia and Rivania. It's a deep river, and crossings are far from each other.
The Kingdom of Rivania is a lot younger nation than Bretaine, but it has developed much faster as a cultural superpower. It was once a protectorate of the mighty Empire of Arn Carren, and as such isn't as centralised or well-governed as Bretaine. Rivania is mostly held together by feudal obligations, alliances and treaties, and it is mostly an agrarian economy. Its feudal lords live in luxury and hold their impressive courts in mighty castles built in the southern fashion. The castles are often quite recently built, and thus they are modern by design and practical to defend. A handful of defenders can often hold off a much larger attacking army. For the past months, the Rivanian garrisons have been trying to fortify and improve their positions by adapting new innovations and improvised defences in the Bretainian castles they occupy. Most of the Rivanian population are starting to be war weary and tired of new taxes and conscriptions. The Rivanian army often rely on knights and men-at-arms to charge and win the day. They are supported by crossbowmen and the feudal levies of the nobles.
Name: Title/profession: Age: Background: - How your character who s/he is? Personality: - How does your character react to the environment? Appearance: - I would recommend writing it down, but a picture won't hurt. Equipment/inventory:
I am indeed interested. A question, however, what is your stance on the inclusion of period-accurate handcannons or other such pre-musket gunpowder weapons?
I am indeed interested. A question, however, what is your stance on the inclusion of period-accurate handcannons or other such pre-musket gunpowder weapons?
They could be included, if used with accuracy (pun intended). So, in very limited numbers. The RP's period is roughly comparable with the High Middle Ages of Europe, so gunpowder weapons are still at their infancy. Bows are still the main projectile weapons of the day.
