Mammon

Forged in Gold

Brogan held her gaze, listening to her voice over the rumble of the celebration. For a time, he let her words hang in the noisy atmosphere, chewing them over in the same way he chewed his food. The Arten prince was blunt. "You don't speak of the Sand Eaters. This is about our marriage." He swallowed. "But you brought the pipe to this conversation, so I will smoke it with you..." He took a drink from his horn and then sighed. "You said the Sand Eaters shared stories. I know you must have heard of my father, too much of my father for your taste. Instead, I will tell you a story about my mother."

The prince of the Hinterlands turned to face his betrothed completely, swinging his leg over the seat of the chair and sitting spread-eagle. "The Kingbreaker had four wives, the first was my mother, Lilah, a shieldmaiden and jewel of the Hinterlands. In the North, our women are as fierce as she-wolves. When the South came for the North at the Siege of Freyport, she and my father's men held off an army ten times their size, and stopped King Piervue's troops from crossing the river. It was the turning point of the war." He paused to take another large bite of meat--the only thing on his plate. "My mother is a powerful healer, and she saved my father's life. They wed after the battle, before the blood had even dried. I was conceived that night."

He took a drink from his horn, a long one, before pouring more for Seralle and himself. "It's your turn."

Forged in Gold

Brom gazed out the window, watching the sunset over the walls of the castle; he wished vainly that he had been born first. "If the old laws were used in the South, I would fight both of you for her." He looked at his older brother. Brogan's discomfort from the throne room had finally faded with Lorgan's jest, Grey watched his brothers with a thin-lipped stare and then left, muttering something about debauched swine.

"I prefer the sword." Prince Brogan took the weapon from its sheath, and held it out for his drunken adviser. "Do you want to hold her? Nightsbane. I've never seen tinted steel before." It was obvious the novelty of his sword had not yet worn off. If there was one thing his brother loved, it was fighting. He seemed rather pleased with his gift. Brom sighed, and straightened himself from the sill, and stepped over an empty wine vessel to his chest of clothing.

"Aren't you going to change clothes for the feast?" The younger prince disrobed of his furs and laid them out on the bed before dressing himself in a fresh shirt and leather vest. "You have to look your best. This isn't the North, we have an image to maintain. You aren't going to be liked if everyone thinks of you as a bloodthirsty Northern animal, Brogan." Brom turned his attention back to the drunken family friend. "Lorgan..." The boy folded his arms across his chest. "Everyone already knows you as a bloodthirsty Northern animal. Just... Try not to kill anyone while you're in the castle this time."

Brogan rose from the table and shook his head. "Only ladies change their clothes that much, Brom. I'm the son of Little Bear the Kingbreaker; I'll wear what I please and scare whom I want."

Forged in Gold

The prince studied the person before him. He knew not his name, but guessed from the sigil of silver coins on a midnight backdrop that it was someone from House Quinn. Brogan watched the spectacle with expression of annoyed disinterest. Their language was flowery and strange--every gesture a pretense, every word a formality. He had not been in Warrhon for over an hour, and already he found the people here to be pompous and manipulative. He knew what was in the box before they opened it--maybe not in form but in function. It was meant to sway him into liking them more, and he steeled himself toward it. Whatever trinket they had brought him would do nothing for them.

The box opened to reveal a massive black sword. The prince's eyes widened. Without speaking, he lifted the sword from its lavish chest and gingerly held it. The prince admired its craftsmanship, tilting it to glisten in the windowed atrium. Black steel shone in the filtered afternoon sunlight. Part of him had expected the blade to be purely ornamental--and it was ornamental: the hilt was engraved with his emblem, inlaid with colored glass, opal and gold. Yet the sword was balanced, sharp. He then gripped it in one hand, getting a feel of the weight and percussion of the weapon. "This is a good sword," he finally said, his previous distrust all but forgotten.

Brom nudged him with one elbow. His little brother was right, Brom could not always speak in his place; but the young Arten was a man of action and not words. Instead of voicing his gratitude, Brogan removed his old weapon from its sheath and placed it into the chest. In its place, he put the gifted black sword. "And every good sword must have a name. I will call it Nightsbane, and it will crush my enemies... Our enemies." Brogan dipped his head in respect to the Broken King.

He then addressed the princess. "Yes, make yourself comfortable. The trek here was long. I will rest in my quarters before the feast as well." He turned to look at his half-brother, Grey. "I expect you have been here long enough to know the castle, brother. Show me the way." The Stolen cast a weary glance to his cousin, Ruarc, having no desire to bear his half-brothers' presence any longer than absolutely necessary.

"I will show you to your rooms, my princes. Please follow me."

Forged in Gold

Brom obeyed the King, returning to an upright position. As he did, his eyes met with the vibrant blue of Seralle's; the young prince could feel his face growing flushed. She was far more lovely than any of the Northern women he'd seen; unlike women of the Hinterlands, who were strong and handsome with rosy cheeks and wild, dark braids, the Southern princess was slender and fair, with hands that looked as soft and delicate as the silk dress she wore. Instantly, he was infatuated.

The moment passed, and he realized that Brogan was woefully lost in matters of diplomacy. He could feel the tension in the air like a tangible fog that clung to everyone in the throne room. Perhaps the animosity and mistrust between the North and the South was too much to dispel, but the young prince would try nonetheless. "Thank you for your hospitality," the younger Arten spoke in the stead of his older brother. "We accept and return this new-found friendship with House Loroughe and the Southern territories." He adjusted his furs and cloak, searching briefly.

The prince handed a wrapped item to Brogan, a gift which he was to present to his future bride as a symbol of good will. Brogan Arten carefully unveiled the gift: an arctic blossom--the Hinterblossom--preserved in glass. Brogan stepped forward and unceremoniously thrust the gift toward his future bride with all the grace of a barbarian warrior. Brom tried to smooth things over with his words. "This is a token of good will and romance for the Princess Seralle and her family. It is the Hinterblossom, a wild mountain flower which grows only on the peaks of northern mountains. It is the flower of the North, and a symbol of strength, beauty and eternity. It is our hope that it will bring your engagement to House Arten these qualities."

Brom watched as the first-born of Little Bear stared into eyes of his betrothed, likely gauging her reaction to him. Despite the best wishes he had for Brogan, he could not help but to feel jealousy growing in his chest and burning his ears red.

Forged in Gold

Grey closed the window to his mother's bedroom as the sound of northern wardrums echoed through the city streets. 'Fuck the North and damn the Artens,' the Stolen thought dryly. He didn't want his fragile mother to be disturbed by memories of the Hinterlands or of the Kingbreaker, and he drew the thick drapes shut before sitting down on his mother's bed. Taking her hand in his, he began to talk. "Brogan and his stinking Northern horde have arrived to the city, mother. Part of me is surprised the Artens kept their word. Then again, those filthy barbarians would do anything to bed a Southern girl, and a princess especially." Grey furrowed his eyebrows and looked down to see if he had offended Boralle, but her languid eyes and gaunt visage remained unchanged. He squeezed her fingers.

Grey the Stolen and his mother, Boralle the Deadwife had arrived from the North just over three moons ago. Despite the fact that Grey was born and raised in the snowy castle of the Hinterlands, he hated the North and their warlike ways. He had always felt more kinship with his mother's family, the royal House Loroughe, but King Arten had stripped her of status and of sound mind. In an effort to make peace, Lilah had given the South back Boralle and Grey, and the South had agreed to wed Seralle to Brogan.

With a heavy sigh, Grey pulled on best clothes to greet the royal families and his half-brothers. Nimble hands flew over bone and gold buttons. The Stolen ran a few fingers through his hair and brushed a piece of lint from his shoulders. "How do I look, mother?" Boralle made no movements, and offered only a slow and seemingly thoughtless blink in response. "Yes, well... All mothers think their sons handsome. Thank you nonetheless." Before leaving, the Stolen poured his mother a cup of wine and sat it on the bedside stand. "Don't worry. I won't give anything away."

The stolen son of Loroughe sprinted down the tower stairs and toward the throne room where Brogan would be greeted. From the banquet hall, he could smell the scents of a dozen different dishes. There had been no feasts for his arrival. Grey sneered and waited with the others in the ambulatory surrounding the central atrium and throne, picking a spot beside his newfound friend and the King's bastard. "Aren't you just thrilled to see the Artens here in the South?" He whispered to Ruarc, giving a malignant chuckle. "I missed my brothers dearly. Dearly." King Piervue took his central chair, and his daughter stood on his right.

It was then that the massive doors to the throne room opened, and Pyrra Salt entered. Behind her followed three northern barbarians--Brogan, Brom and Lorgan. Only Brom had the decency to bow before the king, and Grey subtly shook his head.

Forged in Gold

First post is up. Let me know what you think.

Forged in Gold

The distant and steady beat of wardrums announced the arrival of the northmen long before they could be seen. The heavy marching stomp of five thousand men, united from over thirty barbarian tribes--only a twentieth of the army of the North--and the clomping of horses' hooves on the Southern stone road was heard for the first time since the Kingbreaker himself swept down from the mountains and laid siege to Warrhon, City of the King. In front of the army rode the barbarian prince of the North, Brogan. Flanking him was his younger brother, Brom, and his most trusted adviser and war hero, Lorgan. They stopped in front of the city gate. Atop the wall were three lines of archers as far as he could see--at least five hundred, if not more.

Unlike his father before him, Brogan was not here to crush the Southern King and free the North. The civil war of between the North and South had erupted into three-sided rebellion against the crown, against the South. As the twenty-year war progressed, the North and the West united under common interests, forming the Hinterlands. Brogan Arten had come to draw an end to this civil war; not through blood and sweat like Little Bear, but instead an alliance forged in gold. He was betrothed to Seralle Loroughe, princess of the South. This marriage would unite the House of Arten and House of Loroughe, unite the Hinterlands and the South.

Brogan's horse snorted as he stood before the gate, sweaty and covered in the thick furs the Kingbreaker had worn. With a nod to his brother, Brom stepped forward to formally announce their arrival. Unlike Brogan, who was tall and strong with the dark hair of the northern barbarian tribes, Brom was slim and short, with light brown hair and green eyes--less warlike and more regal than his firstborn brother. The younger prince began to read from a slip of parchment. "This is Brogan Arten, prince of the Hinterlands and first son of Little Bear the Kingbreaker. Accompanying the prince is warhero Lorgan Orgeson, and Brom Arten, prince of the Hinterlands and second son of Little Bear the Kingbreaker..." Brom paused. "That's me," Brogan rolled his eyes and snatched the message from his brother's hands.

"Enough!" Brogan threw the parchment to the ground and muttered between clenched teeth. "The South greets us with arrow drawn, hiding behind their pretty little walls. Remind me why we agreed to treat with such foppish cowards." Brom was opening his mouth to reply, to remind his brother about the rising religious tides in the East and their army of flesh-eating sandworms, but a door beside the gate opened and a young woman stepped out.

Forged in Gold

Yes, we did make a lot of characters. I'll start on the first post.

Forged in Gold

Setting:

Two kingdoms are forced to reunite after a bloody civil war between the North and South to defend against the onslaught from the Sand Eaters. Instead of uniting under another war, they decided to bring both houses together through marriage. Brogan Arten and Seralle Loroughe are betrothed for the good of the realm, despite ongoing animosity between them and their families.

Characters:

House Arten

Name: Brogan Arten
Age: 17
House: Arten, prince
Sigil: A black bear on a white background, on a field of golden stars. In one paw, the bear holds four arrows (one for each kingdom) and in the other, he holds a shield. He stands upon a broken crown.
Details: Strong, skilled in melee combat and military strategy. He wields a pike and shield. Brogan is headstrong and loud, known for rallying his troops into battle against any invading tribes. Though barbaric, he is brave and usually merciful. He is the son of Arten Kingbreaker and his first wife, Lilah Snowshield.

Name: Arten Kingbreaker
Age: Deceased
House: Arten, king
Sigil: A black bear on a white background, on a field of golden stars. In one paw, the bear holds four arrows (one for each kingdom) and in the other, he holds a shield. He stands upon a broken crown.
Details: Undefeated in combat, he was unsurpassed in ferocity and malice. Known as Little Bear the Kingbreaker, he crippled King Loroughe and successfully ceded the North from the South. He had 4 wives, trophies from each of the kingdoms, though his first wife of the North was his favorite. He died suddenly of a mysterious ailment.

Name: Lilah Snowshield of House Arten
Age: 34
House: Arten, queen
Sigil: A black bear on a white background, on a field of golden stars. In one paw, the bear holds four arrows (one for each kingdom) and in the other, he holds a shield. He stands upon a broken crown.
Details: Formerly a shieldmaiden and powerful cleric, Lilah now lives a life of relative ease in her castle in the North. She bore Arten Kingbreaker 3 children, two sons and one daughter. She is personally responsible for the education her children received and is highly protective of each of them.

Name: Brom Arten
Age: 16
House: Arten, prince
Sigil: A black bear on a white background, on a field of golden stars. In one paw, the bear holds four arrows (one for each kingdom) and in the other, he holds a shield. He stands upon a broken crown.
Details: He is a terrible fighter but a brilliant person. Intrinsically nonviolent and just, he struggles very much to fit in with his Northern kin. He is extremely jealous of his older brother, Brogan, and wishes to marry Seralle.

Name: Kyla Arten
Age: 14
House: Arten, princess
Sigil: A black bear on a white background, on a field of golden stars. In one paw, the bear holds four arrows (one for each kingdom) and in the other, he holds a shield. He stands upon a broken crown.
Details: She is very much in love with the idea of being a princess of the North and South.

Bannermen of the Hinterlands

Name: Lorgan Ogreson
Age: Forty
House: None
Sigil: None. Though he chooses to fly house Arten's sigil.
Details: A battle-brother of Arten Kingbreaker, Lorgun is a warrior who has survived many campaigns against the Southern Realm. He is a massive, brutally ugly man that wields a heavy axe in battle. His size is surpassed only by his loyalty to his people and his hatred of southerners. Fond of poetry and songs as well as melee combat.

The Stolen Loroughes

Name: Boralle the Deadwife
Age: 30
House: None, formerly Loroughe
Sigil: None
Details: Kidnapped during the final battle of the Civil War and taken forcefully as one of Arten's wives, she lived in the North for decade. As part of reparations between both kingdoms, Boralle and her child were returned to the Southern castle following the announcement of Brogan's and Seralle's betrothal. She is considered to be of broken mind, and speaks only to her son.

Name: Grey the Stolen
Age: 15
House: None
Sigil: None
Details: Grey was born in the North by the name Grey Southernbear, but was returned to the South when formal hostilities ended. He hates Arten and his family for what was done to his mother, and sides completely with the South. Like many Southerners, he has learned how to manipulate and lie to get his way. However, he is trained (like all his brothers) in melee combat. A few think of him strictly as his mother's hand.

The Sand Eaters

Name: Kirs Bloodstone the Sand Eater
Age: Deceased
Tribe: Bloodstone
Sigil: None
Details: She died giving birth to her one daughter to Arten, after being abducted from the East. She was rumored to be of noble birth.

Name: Miahh Bloodstone
Age: 12
Tribe: Bloodstone
Sigil: None
Details: Miahh ran away from the North after she learned the war was over. She fled across the wall to the East, and has joined a group of nomadic Sand Eaters. It is rumored that she was abducted by the South in penance for Boralle and Grey, though this is untrue. She has all the ferocity of her father and all the wildness of her mother. Though unlearned, she has the potential to be very skilled in magic.

Name: Griah Sandwysper the Stormcaller
Age: 36
Tribe: Sandwysper
Sigil: None
Details: Griah is a powerful priestess and devout of the Great Worm. She is known as a stormcaller, and can summon sandstorms. It is said that she can speak directly to the Great Worm, and as such is regarded as the religious leader of the Sand Eaters. She rides a worm queen whom she calls Gnaw.

Name: Jehyr Ashtongue
Age: Twenty six
Tribe: Ashtongue
Sigil: None
Details: A master of Sand Eater mysticism and martial combat, Jehyr has risen quickly in status since being accepted into the Ashtongue clan. He is a solemn and quiet man, often seen riding at the vanguard of his tribe's warparty; a cruel sword clutched in one hand, the reins of his Armored Sand Worm in the other. While he obediently participates in the Sand Eater jihads, at the behest of the stronger tribes, he is more interested in the accumulation of power than the glorification of his religion.

House Tallree

Name: Hystra Talltree
Age: 40
House: Talltree
Sigil: A tree on a black background with a golden sun.
Details: The last of Arten's four wives, Hystra is the oldest. She comes from the forests to the West. She is extremely maternal and gentle, often caring for the other children when Lilah was on raids with Arten and hand feeding Boralle. She birthed many children, but only one lived.

Name: Orenn Talltree
Age: 9
House: Talltree
Sigil: A tree on a black background with a golden sun.
Details: Young and naive, Orenn is still very much a child. He still clings to his mother, but looks up to his brothers Arten.

House Loroughe

Name: Seralle Loroughe
Age: Sixteen
House: Loroughe, princess
Sigil: A golden circle containing a golden eagle, set against a backdrop of deep blue. Outside and above the circle sits a crown. To the left a sword. The right a shield. Beneath is a set of scales.
Details: Intelligent. Skilled in the use of magic. She particularly favors lightning when casting. She is rather adept at picking locks and slipping away undetected. Sera does know a bit about potion/poison brewing. Spends much of her free time acquiring new, practical hobbies.

Name: Piervue Loroughe
Age: Forty three
House: Loroughe
Sigil: A golden circle containing a golden eagle, set against a backdrop of deep blue. Outside and above the circle sits a crown. To the left a sword. The right a shield. Beneath is a set of scales.
Details: A capable domestic leader and just king, though unskilled, himself, in the ways of war. He is a skilled diplomat and negotiator. Runs the Southern Realm. Crippled by Arten Kingbreaker.

Name: Annarisse Loroughe
Age: Thirty seven
House: Loroughe
Sigil: A golden circle containing a golden eagle, set against a backdrop of deep blue. Outside and above the circle sits a crown. To the left a sword. The right a shield. Beneath is a set of scales.
Details: Deceased.

Name: Ruarc Hinn (the King's bastard)
Age: Fifteen
House: Hinn
Sigil: None
Details: King Piervue's bastard son, though it is not a thing that is commonly known. Most are amazed at his continuing presence in court. He is employed, unofficially, as Seralle's bodyguard. He is a large lad; strong of arm, but gentle of heart. He rarely goes anywhere without his armor (chainmail), even if it is beneath his clothes, or the hand and a half sword he was gifted (in secret) by his father. Ruarc is a capable combatant, but prefers to use his size and skill in defense of others; rather than in the pursuit of violence. His name is adopted from the farming family that agreed (in secret) to take him in at the King's request.

House Salt

Name: Delris Salt
Age: Fifty three
House: Salt
Sigil: A black mountain on a red banner.
Abilities: Head of House Salt. Delris is a skilled poisoner and a former agent of the crown. It was he that tended to the tutelage of his firstborn children to ensure that the service of their family continued into the new generation. He is currently wracked with illness and is bedridden. His wits remain, but most believe his time is short.

Name: Freir "Friar" Cayn
Age: Twenty nine
House: None.
Sigil: None.
Abilities: A cutthroat and ne'er-do-well, "Friar" Cayn is well respected in Warrhon's underworld. Possesses many connections in the Thieves' Guild and works closely with House Quinn. Freir is talented in illusory magics, which he uses to confuse or lure his target before striking. He is an ambitious man and values gold over everything. It is rumored that he has fathered countless bastards, that he uses as spies throughout the city.

Name: Pyrra Salt
Age: Twenty two
House: Salt
Sigil: A black mountain on a red banner.
Details: Pyrra Salt is something of an oddity. While it is commonly known in the Southern Realm that she serves as the King's personal minstrel. She is a skilled singer, to be sure, but her true potency lies in her knack for subtlety. Part assassin and part adviser, she is never far from the King's beck and call.

Name: Judam Salt
Age: 22
House: Salt
Sigil: A black mountain on a red banner.
Details: Judam serves the kingdom and his family as a falconer, spy, and keeper of ravens. He prefers to stay with the birds over the company of humans, and tends to associate with those outside his inner circle very rarely. He is Pyrra's twin.

House Quinn

Name: Forthel Quinn
Age: Nineteen
House: Quinn
Sigil: Three silver coins on a backdrop of black.
Details: A schemer and dreamer, Forthel Quinn is an initiated member of the Scribe's Guild and the King's personal scribe. He often sells the information he gathers through his father's network of spies and cut-throats. Forthel wishes to see a new family sit upon the throne and often conspires with his father.

Name: Terrin Quinn
Age: Thirty seven
House: Quinn
Sigil: Three silver coins on a backdrop of black.
Details: Head of the Scribe's Guild and a former thief, Quinn earned himself a lordship and lands by serving the King's interests during the first Northern Incursions. Since taking his seat, he has done little but work against he crown; using his underworld connections and influence to sell royal information, gather allies and prepare constantly to overthrow King Piervue and secure his own seat of power. He is devious, intelligent and cautious. He holds a certain amount of prestige for being the Speaker of the Scribing Guild of the Southern Realms and uses this power to further his own goals.

House Kayd

Name: Elmun Kayd
Age: Fifty three
House: Kayd (Patron)
Sigil: A snake coiled around the hilt of a golden sword. White background.
Abilities: Elmun is a wisened and battle-hardened veteran. He is distrustful of those of the Hinterlands and is rather against the joining of the kingdoms. As a council member of the Kaydguard Elders, Elmun has a considerable say in what happens to his family. He is an able tactician and diplomat.

Name: Serraphi Kayd
Age: Forty six
House: Kayd (Matron)
Sigil: A snake coiled around the hilt of a golden sword. White background.
Abilities: Shrewd and cunning, Serraphi has enjoyed a seat amongst the Kaydguard Elders since she married into the family. She is a masterful strategist and known supporter of the royal family's decision to rejoin the kingdoms.

Name: Lyen Kayd
Age: Twenty five
House: Kayd
Sigil: A snake coiled around the hilt of a golden sword. White background.
Abilities: Eldest son of Elmun. A holy man, following in the traditions of the old Kaydguard. He is a Paladin of the Eternal Sun and, as such, often utilizes fire in his offensive magics. Lyen is a capablewarrior and leader of men. Often, he is seen using a warhammer in battle. He is a branch leader for one of the Kaydguard's infantry divisions. He is currently deployed to fight against the Sand Eaters.

Name: Stone Kayd
Age: Twenty one
House: Kayd
Sigil: A snake coiled around the hilt of a golden sword. White background.
Abilities: An accomplished hunter and tracker, Stone leads a branch of the Kaydguard's scouting parties. He is an expert archer and adequate swordsman, whether it be from horseback or on foot. Currently, he is fighting against the incursion of Sand Eaters on the eastern border of Warrhon.

Name: Redrea Kayd
Age: Seventeen
House: Kayd
Sigil: A snake coiled around the hilt of a golden sword. White background.
Abilities: Youngest child of Elmun and Serraphi Kayd and the most recent addition to the Kaydguard. Curretly deployed to fight against the Sand Eaters. Wields a spear in battle and prefers to fight from horseback, though she is considerably fearsome on foot. She is a member of Stone's scouting party.

My Terrible Rival Saga

Oh, that's true... Yeah, but it's 3. A 3. I rolled triple 1s, and I have awful luck with dice anyway. It's impressive how mentally defunct she would have otherwise been.

Anyway, I updated her profile. Thanks for letting me reroll on that.