[OOC] Kingmakers: The Throne Alone (A Medieval Fantasy Succession Crisis)

[BCTheEntity]

While that position sounds interesting I’m kinda feeling like playing someone’s younger brother or cousin.
You know, just tagging onto another players house (can work out exact reasons later) and being less important but still of a noble family.

Anyone keen?

@Dark Light

Archduke Varangyrian has a younger brother Karl. If you're interested. I can edit them to be a younger or older brother or sister too, whatever wants changing. And for reference as to the current lineage of Great House Vyapult:

Vyapult Line (starting from Varan I's designation as High Lord of the Frostmark)
1. Varangyrian Vyapult I x Duchess Mariya of D'yavoles
2. Varangyrian Vyapult II x Duchess Eleonora | Duke Dzhek, the Treefarmer x Lady Alison of Arbormark
3. Alekzandr Vyapult I x Duchess Ruthenia | Duchess Anastasia of Azkuzia
4. Varangyrian Vyapult III, the Cruel x Duchess Miriam of Stormlands
5. Erik the Hunter (formerly the Outcast) | Alekzandr Vyapult II x Duchess Arianne of Wildwood
6. Duke Garl't x Countess Alina | Varangyrian Vyapult IV, the Suzerain x Duchess Vyatik, the Wanderer | Duchess Aleksandryr, the Lawbinder
7. Count Varangyrian of Mirkuzi x Lady Dzhezika of Severoreka | Duke Varangyrian x Duchess Lilianna of the Crownmark | Varangyrian Vyapult V x Warden Markus of Westmarch
8. Varangyrian Vyapult VI (recently the Barbarian) x Dikynima | Duchess Novgoriz x Duke Izboryk
9. Duke Dyr of Bastion | Duke Dvini x Duchess Miriyam of D'yavoles | Duke Varangyrian of Eastfrost x Duchess Ayla of D'yavoles | Theophania Vyapult I x Warden Jacques
10. Varangyrian Vyapult VII | Duke Karl, the Guildmaster x Duchess Natalie of Mistlands

[sly13]

Westmarch

"Grand city of Edoras. The seat of House Taranis and Bulwark of the west. "

---

---

Archduchy of Westmarch

^{Duty and Honor}

---

---

Description

Westmarch is the largest of the 7 regions taking the form of a vast sprawling steppe that sits on the doorstep of the western nomad lands. The cities of Westmarch are home to great stonewalls and keeps that aid in the defense of the cities scattered through the land. In addition to these massive fortresses, cities are the use of signaling towers made of cheap wood, designed to be easily ignited should a scout spot raiders entering the land.

People of Westmarch

The people of Westmarch are hardy ones who take great pride in their task as defenders and warriors. They are typically tall and lean with athletic builds allowing for strength in their strikes but mobility on horseback. This has come as the result of not only the people's mixed blood but also their constant conflict and martial training. Upon turning 14 all sons of Westmarch are required to undergo military training for 2 years to ensure the defense of the realm. After completing these training years the recruits are then given the option of remaining as part of the standing force or pursuing a trade beneficial to Westmarch. Those few that show exceptional potential are brought up to train as knights and awarded such titles upon completion of their new training. Those who do not continue in service of the military continue on with their lives as any other region's common folk. The main distinction however falls on the lack of farmland leading many to find professions as either smiths or masons.

Strength and military

Westmarch’s biggest claim to fame is the strength of its military. The core of their military revolves around the combination of both heavy cav, plated in armor, and more nimble cav arches. By mixing the two cultures and doctrines of war Westmarch is a fast and efficient fighting force able to cover large swaths of land quickly. Outside of open field battles, Westmarch relies on their heavily armed knights to act as the bulwark for the archers who no longer have the mobility of horses. Though the standard Knight is a common sight in Westmarch, those members of the royal knights stand apart from their fellow knights by occasionally sporting metal wings on the backs of their armor. these "wings" are both a symbol of their position and skill, while also serving as an added fear factor due to the noise they produce while the knights charge forward towards the enemy. (Think of the Winged Hussars from Poland)

Major Holdings

Edoras -The capital city of Westmarch. A large circular city surrounded both by a massive stone wall and endless pastures. Like many of Westmarches cities, Edoras is one large fortress. This is further exemplified by the massive structure known as castle Drachenfel that rises out of the city's center. The city also serves as the main gathering point of most smiths in the region who work constantly on repairing armor and weapons or forging new sets from scrapped old ones for new recruits.

Castle Drachenfel - The center of Edoras. The massive keep was designed to serve as the last and impenetrable fortress of both the city and Westmarch should the city walls be breached. Besides its defensive nature, the keep also serves as the bureaucratic center of the region housing both the Council of Westmarch and the Warden himself. Within the throne room, itself rests the massive skull of a Dragon so claimed to have been slain by the great ancestors of house Taranis.

Dragons Graveyard- Southern edge of the region. Dragons Graveyard is one of the few places almost strictly forbidden to the people of Westmarch. Though deep within the tall jagged mountains lyes vast sums of wealth and minerals, the path to such resources is perilous at best. Though there have been several attempts by past wardens to set up work in the mountains all have failed miserably and were abandoned before any progress could be made. This combined with the mythicized tales of dragons and their connection to house Taranis lore, Dragons Graveyard remains untouched by the people of Westmarch.

[POOHEAD189]

Karl approaching Torm like

[Jasno]

This seems really interesting!

[Crooked Knight]

Just letting it be known that I'm working on a CS, as well as some pretty heavy worldbuilding for the Misty Cliffs (my character would have domain over them, being a vassal to House Engelhardt).

@Clocktowerechos, would you want me to shoot the CS with all the worldbuilding stuff your way for approval/discussion before I post it here? I'm still working on it, but I want to be sure it does not collide with your vision.

@ShadowSunRisen my DMs are open if you wanna discuss our characters and whatnot, assuming I'm approved down the line. ^^

[Dark Light]

Name: Karl Vyapult
The Bear of Drevilna (within the Frostmark)
The Frostmark mountain (beyond Frostmark)
Titles: Vyapult Guildmaster
Description: At 28 years of age, Karl is the younger brother to the high lord of Kivhar, the Archduke of the Frostmark.
While they share similarities, the same brown hair, strong facial features and blue eyes, Karl is not considered as handsome as his older brother nor does he keep himself as well groomed, instead having his own rugged allure.

His dark hair is kept longer and more unruly, often braided and hanging between his shoulder blades while the sides of his heads are clean shaven as is popular amongst those of the old tribes. His beard fuller and unkempt, and his blue eyes are just a little paler. Less bright or intense than the Velikynaz. A comparison made not only of their eyes but between their personalities too.

Karl is however taller and more broad chested, as he is of most men.
Karl is large man. Tall and of wide of shoulders and strong too. He has thick powerful arms but his often indulgences prevent fine muscle definition. His hunting expeditions and time in the forest however stop him from ever being over weight.
It is due to his size and hairy form that he was given the nick name ‘the bear of Drevilna’ or ‘the Drevilna bear’. It was bestowed by the old tribes and he wears it proudly.

Claimant: Sharles, while he doesn’t really care too much on the subject his decision was made from opinions born of stories and gossip. His mind could easily sway. As it often does, landing on which ever outcome would benefit him the most at the time.

House Info:

The Great House of Vyapult

"To forest and frost!"

Reputation: While not popular, important or pretty enough to be the conversation of much gossip and idle chit chat, his name is often mentioned in brief when there is a conversation about his brother. Mostly it is his stature they whisper of or his heretical dealings with those who worship the old gods. It is known he visits and supports the old tribes and for that he is looked upon as part savage or unruly. Even more than most already think of those from the cold lands.
In large he is considered a simpleton, an unmannerly uneducated dullard of indulgences. All muscle and no brain.
Pity falls to his betrothed. Rumours of infidelity and long absences.
Ambitions: Karl is not an overly ambitious man, having taken the back seat to his brother his whole life. He is however tired of being in his shadow and wants to carve his own name into history, in one way or another.
Aptitudes: He is a skilled huntsman, learning the tricks of the old tribes. He knows much of their ways and of their gods. As a mountain of a man he is strong and resilient. He has a hidden cunning and awareness that is overlooked and goes unseen.
Vulnerabilities: Having not spent much time in the courts he knows not of the double crossing games of nobles.
He is impulsive and doesn’t take well to insult. He is quick to anger when the right buttons are pushed and can be stubborn.
He likes to indulge, food, wine, women.
He is of Mixed Blood.

Additional Info: Betrothed to Duchess Natalie of Mistlands.
Has one or two bastard children somewhere.
Does very little of the guild master role himself except when it comes to the tribes which he has a high standing amongst.

[DELETED32084]

@Dark Light two Karls is not sustainable! There can be only one!

[BCTheEntity]

@Dark Light I should make a firm point, first off, that the family surname is not Varangyrian. That would be Varangyrian VII's given name. If anything, he'd be Karl Vyapult, or Karl of House Vyapult if the general setup for noble houses is that you get the house as a family name when you inherit the house in full. Secondly, it should probably be made a point of that he'd share the vulnerability Varan has of being of mixed blood, namely from their grandfather Varangyrian VI's partner. That might be important to delve into somewhat.

To wit, if you want to discuss this further, it may be a good call to head into the Discord for this RP, so that we can communicate more swiftly on the pertinent matters in future.

[BCTheEntity]

@Dark Light@Jasno If you both wouldn't mind joining the Discord server, @TheRedWatcher and I will want to chat with you about your characters later on.

[Dark Light]

@Dark Light two Karls is not sustainable! There can be only one!

@Pagemaster

Well then, may the old gods be with you.

[Dark Cloud]

Ah I was interested but boo to discord, have yourselves a Merry Christmas!

[Jasno]

@Dark Light@Jasno If you both wouldn't mind joining the Discord server, @TheRedWatcher and I will want to chat with you about your characters later on.

@BCTheEntity

Of course!

[ClocktowerEchos]

@Crooked Knight Yes, please send me the worldbuilding stuff over PM or on Discord so I can look at it.

@Dark Cloud Discord is just to make rapid fire planning quicker, its not a requirement and a few players aren't even on it or all that active so don't let that stop you!

[Dark Cloud]

@ClocktowerEchos Okeydoke, I'll just hang back and read for now though. Will see about putting an idea in writing when I have time.

[Dark Light]

@ClocktowerEchos

So, am I approved?

[ClocktowerEchos]

@Dark Light Looks good! Although just to check, you sure you don't want any lands or noble titles?

[Zoldyck]

Greetings and salutations!

This looks like a really cool RP and I'd love to be a part of it, if you're still accepting of course.

[ClocktowerEchos]

@Zoldyck Welcome aboard, you got any character ideas?

[Zoldyck]

@Zoldyck Welcome aboard, you got any character ideas?

@ClocktowerEchos

I was thinking about making a character who runs a mercenary company, something along the lines of Georg von Frundsberg's Landsknecht or, given the GoT inspiration, the Golden Company. And being a merc, this character would side with whomever could afford their loyalty.

However, I am not 100% certain if this would be acceptable or if you'd rather have me play as a landed lord, so... Would this be allowed? If not than I am down to play as a vassal of someone, though the merc idea is given preference.

[ClocktowerEchos]

@Zoldyck You can't do a 1 to 1 translation of the Golden Company with them actually supporting another third option pretender to the throne. What can be done however if you really want to is that you play as the family of another PC who went out and made their own mercenaries. You could even be one of the Mad King's bastards (but unlike Anyamara you wouldn't get your own claim).

If you really want to just go for something more martial, being a vassal of the Western Marches is an option as they're the ones who see the most actual combat in the kingdom, fighting off nomads and such.