ZB1996

The Octopus: A 19th Century Political/Crime RP

Little Mickey was wiping the bar clean while inside his saloon. People called him Little Mickey. There wasn’t too much of a reason for it. Someone had call that once, and the nickname stuck. At least his family, which would be his wife, his children, and his brothers and sisters, still called him Michael. No one else did, though.

Regarding this saloon, it was his, inherited from his father, and home to his family. It wasn’t the best place to raise children, but he had never had a choice on the matter. Right now, the saloon was as busy as ever. There were men coming through the door looking for a good time, and a different time from that which they got from the “disorderly houses” with the “ladies of the evening.” Here, they came for food and drink, and Little Mickey made sure that their wishes were sated. That was, after all, how he came about his money.

There were a little less than a dozen people who were working under Little Mickey. There were three waitress, each of them being spirited young women. Cleret, a Jewish girl, had been there the longest, as she had been hired a whole seven years ago, when she was only fifteen. Little Mickey didn’t tell his patrons she was a Jew and they were none the wiser. Then there was Edith, an Irishwoman who had been there only three years. Lastly there was Eva, an Italian girl who had only showed up a year ago.

Waitresses seemed to come and go, except for Cleret, who seemed to have no qualms about staying. It wasn’t exactly the greatest life, so they often saw themselves out as soon as that was a possibility. The waitresses were popular with the patrons, as Little Mickey always made sure that they were pretty. They were always good with warming up the patrons. Right now they were hard at work, serving the patrons food and drink with pretty smiles and a friendly personality.

Then there was the band. There was about five of them, each of them playing some instrument. Little Mickey didn’t know anything about music, and certainly not American music, but he did realize that the band seemed to do their job well. If they didn’t attract patrons, they certainly help keep them there. They helped keep the saloon even livelier, and Little Mickey saw that his patrons seemed to appreciate a little music.

Little Mickey walked towards one of the new customers. He had never seen him before, and Cleret confirmed that he was indeed a new man. In turned out that he was a Swede, and he could speak English. Little Mickey took a seat beside him. He put up the appearance of the kindly owner of the saloon, wanting to help a helpless man in a strange new world. The Swede had his free meal up in front of him. It was a smoked herring, pickled oysters, pretzels, and rye bread and sausage. It came free once you bought your first drink, and it was hoped you would buy many more drinks to make up for the costs. This free meal was one of the key elements of patronage in Little Mickey’s saloon, his own greatest contribution to the Combination.

“Why, hello there, sir,” Little Mickey said. “Having a good meal?”

“Yes, actually,” the Swede said. “It’s all so very kind. I could never get something like this for free back in the Old World.”

“Why, you’ll have to thank my friend for that,” Little Mickey said. “How have you been of late, sir.”

“Well, things could’ve gone better,” the Swede said. “I came to America, for higher wages, a better life for me and my family, you understand. But we didn’t like New York, and Harrisburg wasn’t much better, you see. So I thought that I might strike my luck here, yet I really don’t know. I’ve been feeling rather foolish, and maybe I would’ve been better just staying back at Sölvesborg.”

“Nonsense, my good sir,” Little Mickey said. “Now, I understand what it is when a man’s down on his luck, let me tell you. However, there’s this friend of mine, have a mentioned him before?”

“A bit,” the Swede said.

“Well, let me tell you a bit more,” Little Mickey said. “I’ve got friends, plenty of friends. They’ll get you a job and home faster than you could ever hope. Now, that meal you’ve got in front of you, it’s all because of them that you’ve got it.”

And Little Mickey told the Swede all he would need to know. The Swede would have a stable job, a home for him and his family, and he’d be a loyal member of the Combination. He pointed him in the right direction, and soon higher people in the machine would be working to make sure this Swede was taken care of. This was Little Mickey’s real job, the job he had to do. He hoped he never would see a day when he was on the Combination’s bad side.

Little Mickey’s oldest youngest brother Otto then came in, holding a newspaper in his hand. He grabbed Little Mickey’s shoulder, indicating that he need his attention. Little Mickey got up and excused himself, telling the Swede to enjoy and finish his meal. He and his brother went in the back to the bar, where Edith was bartending.

“Michael, have you heard?” Otto said.

“Heard what?” Little Mickey said.

“About the murders,” Otto said.

“What murders?” Little Mickey said.

“There’s been a collection of murders, Michael,” Otto said. “It was…Ladies of the Evening…”

“What, whores’ have been murdering folks?” Little Mickey said.

“No, they’re the ones being murdered,” Otto said.

“What, and it isn’t even Friday yet,” Little Mickey said.

Otto sighed, “Listen, Michael. Gerold was with one of them-”

“I’ll have to give him a stern what-with then,” Little Mickey said. “It’s no good to be doing that. It’s immoral.”

“While true, that’s not what I’m talking about,” Otto said. “He was with the prostitute not long before she died, maybe just hours. Now it’s all he can talk about, saying he could’ve done something about it, that he could’ve saved her.”

“Ah hell,” Little Mickey said. “Well, that’s just youthful sentimentality talking. I’ll take care of it, and I’ll talk to Gerold.”

“Right,” Otto said. “Good. Listen, I’ve got something else to do, so I’ll see you later.

And, just as sure as he had said, Otto left then and there. Otto had never been very close to Little Mickey. He resented the fact that he was a loyal member of the Combination. Otto, on the other hand, acted like a Hecker partisan, intent on overthrowing the old order in favor of whatever it was that the socialists had wanted. He was still his brother, though, and they loved each other all the same. Best of all, he knew how to read in English.

“Cleret,” Little Mickey said.

“Yes sir?” Cleret said.

“Take care of the place,” Little Mickey said. “I’m going to step out for a moment.”

“Yessir,’ Cleret said.

States of Evolution

@neogreggory

I'd like our civilizations to become closer, as my civilization has really only been in contact with Zaqir. I didn't actually have anything particular in mind though, other than an acknowledgment of trade and active cultural exchange.

States of Evolution

Ashkar Kingdom: Century of Prosperity

385 – 484 E.C. (301 – 400 A.E.)
Ashkar Hymn to Eliyahu

Akaku is surely rolling his eyes at us. Not only has peace come, but it has in the aftermath of defeat, and we are better for it.

Sumarael IV

In 399 E.C. (315 A.E.) the Zaqiri sent a delegate who demanded that the Or’Rouzi isles be given to Zaqir or it would be taken by force. Ashkar staunchly refused. Zaqiri subsequently launched an invasion of the Or’Rouzi isles. Aware of the coming attack, Ashkar reinforced the garrison, which was simply made up of a militia, with an army of professional soldiers and sent a naval guard as well. Zaqir’s forces won a clear naval victory and then launched an assault on the isles. The Ashkarians won the initial battle, but the Zaqiri returned and won a decisive battle, winning control of the isle.

King Samu-Sumu II reacted quickly, sending a second army and navy which he led personally in 400 E.C. (316 A.E.). Under his command the Ashkarians defeated the Zaqiri navy and won the first battle in their initial counter-invasion, but a second battle saw them decisively defeated. Samu-Sumu II managed to escape.

While a second counterattack was being planned in 401 E.C. (317 A.E.), Zaqir opened up negotiations. The current Zaqiri Potentate was an Asqari, who are descendants of Ashkarians and humans, and Samu-Sumu II was generally sympathetic and responsive. Ashkar and Zaqir both agreed on how they would divide their claims and territory, as detailed below. Both sides agreed to complete cessation of raids, and Ashkar would officially hand over the Or’Rouzi Islands to Zaqir, but would keep that which was on the continent.

The half-breed says she can take yet more land, yet not a soul in Ashkar believes that is so.

Buhur the Philosopher

Although Samu-Sumu II saw the negotiations as a success, they were extremely unpopular. Through Buhur the Philosopher, head of the Academy, who served as a diplomatic delegate to the negotiations, the proceedings became public knowledge. Whether they be nobility, teachers, or commoners, many people saw Samu-Sumu II as giving into defeatism, as Ashkar had never been conclusively bested before. The Ashkarians believed that through more fighting they could reverse their losses. Although no one dared to openly defy the King, it served to undermine the authority of the institution, its position as divine monarch already in question due to its inability to ever quell Zaqir.

However, prosperity soon came to Ashkar. It was not solely due to end of the raids, although it did help. The widespread use of improvements in animal husbandry, unregulated population growth, and the application of mathematics to practical things were more important. Whatever the case, it led to the beginning of great prosperity within the Kingdom. Great Ziggurats were built, including the Great Ziggurat of Ashkar, made entirely of bronze and gold.

In 407 E.C. (325 A.E.) Samu-Sumu II died. He was replaced by his son Sumarael IV. Sumarael IV himself was mostly unremarkable. The most important event was the strengthen of ties between the monarchy and religion, as he had himself made High Priest of Eliyahu and High Priest of Iyanna, effectively making him the head of the Ashkarian religion.

Sumarael IV died in 420 E.C. (336 A.E.), and he was succeeded by his son Yamu, whose reign saw continued prosperity. In 445 E.C. (361 A.E.), Yamu died, and his son Anvor II ascended as King. However, his reign was extraordinary brief. He was suffering from a serious disease upon entering Kingship and died a mere two months into his reign. He was succeed by his son Itu. Although he was personally frail, he had a strong mind and was hence a strong ruler.

Itu dealt with a great controversy near the end of the century. From 465 to 475 E.C. a great plague ravaged across Ashkar. Even many among the royal family there were heavy casualties. Itu lost his Queen Consort and his four eldest sons, making his heir apparent Abatu, the son of Itu’s favorite concubine and true love, Iamblichia, a Reguli. This lead to a large rebellion, known as the First Abatu Uprising, to remove the place of the “foreigner.” It began in 481 E.C (397 A.E.) and lasted until 485 E.C (400 A.E.) when it was decisively crushed. It was important because it was the first uprising against the King since the time of Gabala-du, and it brought destruction to many of the places in Ashkar, most of all the capital.

List of Kings during this Century

Samu-Sumu II 311 – 407 E.C. (227 – 325 A.E.) 334 – 407 E.C. (250 – 325 A.E.)
Sumarael IV 332 – 420 E.C. (248 – 336 A.E.) 407 – 420 E.C. (325 – 336 A.E.)
Yamu 350 – 445 E.C. (266 – 361 A.E.) 420 – 445 E.C. (336 – 361 A.E.)
Anvor II 374 – 445 E.C. (290 - 361 A.E.) 445 E.C. (361 A.E.)
Itu 401 – 489 E.C. (361 – 405 A.E.) 445 – 489 E.C. (361 – 405 A.E.)

---

Culture

Popular Society

The Academy begins to make a dent on the influence of the teachers. Although not yet definitive, the Academy’s position begins the decline of the teachers. Unlike the teacher, the academicians have no love or need for public education.

The end of the Zaqiri raids was contemporary and aided a burst in prosperity and expansion in Ashkarian society. Both villages and cities increased in size, with the splendor of the cities increasing significantly. The greatest of ziggurats were built during this era. The Great Ziggurat of Ashkar, made entirely of gold and bronze, was built during this century. Although the end of the raids did play a part in this, the results of long-term agricultural reforms and technological and intellectual progress played an even larger role.

The other great cultural achievement was the Ring of Valor of Ashkar. Built from 409 to 426 E.C. (325 to 342 A.E.). Men, called gladiators, consisting of slaves, desperate veterans, and chosen men from the warrior class fought in the arena. The warriors made up a class of elite gladiators, who were more skilled and better treated than others. Men would fight each other, following the Zaqiri model, although fair fights were less frequent, with well-trained warriors sometimes fighting hapless slaves. That is not to say, however, that fair fights did not occur. Also of note is the fact that not only were people slain, but animals as well.

Argilo, the second largest city, became the central hub of trading and mercantile.

Religion

Iyanna’s position among the pantheon increased even further, so that she was the most worshipped goddess by the people, although Eliyahu remained head of the pantheon.

The Great Ziggurat of Ashkar, finished 462 E.C. (378 A.E.), was a great monument to Ashkar’s traditional religion and gods. Its building was made in commemoration of the King being given the positions of High Priest of Eliyahu and Iyanna. It was commemorated to the whole pantheon and was forged entirely of gold and bronze.

Poetry

Ekur (354 – 431 E.C., 270 – 347 A.E.) wrote the Epic of Urshum. Unlike the older Epic, this one deals with the legendary War of the Crowns, when the three sons of the first King of Ashkar fought for control of the crown. Under the influence of Ashkarian philosophy, all three sides are humanized, human emotion is explored, and the damage of war is shown.

Perhaps the greatest poet of this century was Annaya (357 – 398 E.C, 273 – 314 A.E.). Originally a student of Ibrimmu, she soon struck out on her own. One striking theme is her focus on homosexual love, specifically in the lesbian love she commonly and seemingly exclusively engaged in. She wrote prominently but not only on that, and what gave her skill was above all her skill with poems made her equal or even surpass Zabaia. Her poetry is known for its sharp imagery and above all its lyricism.

Parody was brought into poetry by Vanarshabilit (378 – 434 E.C.. 294 – 350 A.E.). Although still a lyric poet who indulged in elegant rhymes, his poems didn’t possess the serious tone of many of his predecessors. He parodied the style of Zabaia and Annaya, wrote humorous poems, satirized society, especially the bellicose attitude of the time, and also wrote drinking songs.

Agrabu the Poet (422 – 513 E.C., 338 – 429 A.E.) was influenced by Vanarshabilit, although did not take up parody and satire. Instead, he merely had a humorous bent, writing drinking song and love songs, both bawdy and emotional ones.

Gabala (369 – 474 E.C., 285 – 390 A.E.) was an exemplar of eastern tradition, but nonetheless became popular in Ashkar, where lyric poetry was dominant, and is considered one of the eastern tradition’s finest. Following eastern tradition, his poetry is recited, not sung.

Philosophy

Apiashalism

The Academy flourished under the Academy, and their undercutting of popular education and the interests of the masses in favor of the powerful elite made them allies with the priesthood and nobility. Many nobles began to favor Apiashal in many ways, but the priesthood would never accept them, even if they allied with them. After Apiashal’s exile and desertion, Buhur the Philosopher (331 – 420 E.C., 247 – 336 A.E.) became head of the Academy and led it to prosperity, his main philosophical work being [i]Apology (403 E.C.), where he defends Apiashal’s views.

Tudiyanism
Tudiyanism failed to maintain the dominance that they had achieved in the last two centuries, both failing to make itself properly distinct and as appealing from the new Apiashalist philosophy, and with the creation of the Academy they were less organized.. However, the Sophists continued to thrive as teachers. Bararu the Rhetorician (352 – 485 E.C, 268 – 348 A.E.) made sophism’s focus not on philosophical claims but on rhetoric and oration and its skills of eloquence and persuasion, and taught history as moral lessons, sometimes sanitizing it and doing away with accuracy. He was followed by Taru the Sophist (419 – 523 A.E., 335 – 439 A.E.), who wrote the first scrolls on law and jurisprudence.

Logic
This was the most important century for Ashkarian logic for a very long time, the two most important ancient Ashkarian logicians emerging. Idu the Logician (350 – 436 E.C., 266 – 352 A.E.) created Term Logic and rejected dialectial reasoning, the prevailing logical thought. There are three basic parts of a statement in it, the term, the proposition, and the syllogism. The syllogism is used to create logical conclusion, the core example being A equals B, B equals C, therefore A equals C.

Gamru the Logician (384 – 520 E.C., 300 – 391 A.E.) rebuked Term Logic in favor of prepositional Logic. Unlike Term Logic, prepositional logic dealt with seeing if prepositions were true, something which Term Logic was lacking in. A equals B, Idu said. However, there must be a way to prove this. If all gold mountains are mountains, all mountains are real, so all gold mountains must be real, but this is false. Once accurate claims have been made, then assertions can begin.

Scientific Crossover

Adauya, perhaps more famous for his scientific works, gave a full view of time, requiring him to engage in philosophy. Times that have already happened are gone, and times that are in the future do not exist. Additionally, time is dependent on human perception and is eternal.

Technology

Practical Technology

Ironworking, although basic knowledge of it had already been known for centuries, became dominant. This was discovered when smiths discovered a way to improve iron by combing it into carbon. It was no longer brittle, and was in fact even stronger than bronze. As a result, bronze was no longer forged for military uses, and was mostly used ceremoniously and in architecture. Even then, gold was preferred over bronze.

Mathematics
Agrabu of Gabala-du (379 – 457 E.C., 295 – 373 A.E.), an arithmetic teacher, invented algebra as it is defined, and used it to solve equations and gained knowledge on quadratic and cubic equations and square roots. Dimtu the Jolly (398 – 494 E.C., 314 – 410 A.E.), an Apiashalist arithmetic teacher, expanded on Agrabu’s knowledge by creating a model for exponential growth.

Lamtaku of Argilu (420 – 516 E.C.) continued the work in geometry, leading to the increasing sophistication of that branch of mathematics. He for, instance, worked in equations and developed the Pythagorean theorem and a proof for it.

Adauya (400 – 500 E.C., 316 – 416 E.C.), as mentioned above, created a comprehensive view on time. Aside from making an accurate calendar, which replaced Apil-Seun’s older and less accurate model, he also characterized the lengths of years, months, weeks, days, minutes, and seconds.

Military

Iron replaces bronze, and from now on Ashkar’s military will use weapons and armor of iron rather than bronze.

Territorial Expansion

The Absent King

Juna had been riding alongside Lothren, riding upon her steed named Kevala. Upon Kevala, Juna rode up on her steed, and felt the wind comb through her, her hair flying gently through the wind. She had done so an innumerable number of times. As usual, she tended to focus more on riding than what Lothren had been saying, yet she could tell that there was something serious in his voice. She could tell in it’s tone.

“It sounds quite like thunder,” Juna said. “Yet it’s sound is far too low, isn’t it?”

Lothren pulled the reins of his suddenly, his horse crying out and stopping in its track. He put up its hand as a signal to the rest of the Ytharien. Juna pulled on Kevala’s reins, and he cried out before his hooves smashed against the ground and stopped further movement. She could definitely her the murmuring “thunder” uttered from beneath the ground. It sounded no different thunder, and most would not have given it any special thought if they did not realize that the sound surely came from below.

Lothren was startled. He seemed to be worried about something for sure, although Juna had no way of knowing of what. She knew better than to doubt him. He told her to ride, so she did. Kevala rode alongside Lothren’s steed, both of them riding as fast and as hard as their horses could take them. Juna could still here the sound of thunder, but nothing spectacularly noteworthy happened to them on their trek back. All that was there was the anticipation.

They eventually returned to their caravan, and it was clear to Juna that nothing had happened. At least, nothing had happened yet. Bolgar, the dwarven poet, was there along with the others, and nothing had happened to them. Juna uttered a small sigh of relief just a moment before she felt a sudden quake from the ground that nearly threw her out of her saddle.

“One of you can track, right?” Annara said, turning to her and Aust.

Juna turned her head towards Aust.

States of Evolution

@neogreggory

Amazing post. Lith was like a royal Marco Polo, but better.

States of Evolution

Nice posts everyone.

The Absent King

Juna followed the Knight along with Annara, and together the pair of them kept a close eye on him as they led him to Lothren. Juna kept up her perpetual smile, which seemed to always to be apparent on her face. The Knight said that if mages were to attack them, he would jump off the horse rather than serve as a meat-shield.

“I’m sure, even if such an event were to happen, that you’d be doing no such thing,” Juna said.

Then Juna walked away from him. Juna felt that all his words were but hot air, which the Knight couldn’t help but utter. He surely missed the feeling of having a blade in his hand, and being allowed to slay heathens and miscreants without hesitation. Currently he was but a smug and arrogant coward, who did not frighten any of them at all.

Juna leaped back on her own horse. It had been announced that Nalendiel had been killed. It was always a shame when one of their own was killed, and Juna, in her own way, gave him a moment of silence. It may have been true that he had been overzealous, actually really only greedy, but that was not enough reason for Juna to simply dismiss him. However, any mourning would likely wait for now. Now she would wait for any orders Lothren had, and follow them through. She rather hated raiding, and considered it merely a task that she was bound to, and she was eager to get out of her.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

Genseric sat at the campfire, his sword, which was held inside its sheath, held against his chest. He would occasionally hold his hand towards the fire, warming himself, and look up towards his other companions who surrounded the campfire. It was quiet and somber.

Haesteinn came out from his tent, seemingly having finally stiched that wounds of his.

“Brothers, I have news. Scouts report that they've found the Cherwinian army. Approximately 150 soldiers in camp. Not more than two hours from here, much closer to the Cherwinian border than expected,” Haesteinn began. “Besides that.. I've been selected as one of the sergeants to lead the vanguard. That means you've been selected for the vanguard. We'll be the first one into the fray. Congratulations.”

Genseric had looked up at him, and he listened. Haesteinn soon returned back to his tent, and Genseric was absorbed in his thoughts. So they would be the first to engage in combat, and against a force so much larger than themselves. Genseric hoped dearly they would be victorious, and he briefly eyed around his companions. He wondered which one of those around him would no longer be with them tomorrow.

He looked at his companions, who did not break the silence. All Genseric could hear was the cackling of fire. For some reason it brought Genseric comfort, although it could not ease his mind. Eventually, Genseric went to his tent. Even if his mind could not rest, he needed to get some rest.

---

Genseric awoke in his tent, not being able to recall any dreams. It seemed to him that he had none. He was not exactly well-rested, but now it was time to get up. He could hear Haesteinn’s voicing rousing up others, and Genseric saw that as the queue to get up. He rubbed his eyes as he got up, as if to toss the morning out of his eyes. Piece by piece, he assembled his armor together, until he had a full set of armor. He had never done it without an aide before, although it helped Genseric feel lower than he was, as if he truly was but only a knight.

Genseric thanked Ellinor for the meal. She would be left behind in the coming battle for her own safety. Now Genseric was marching alongside Haesteinn, both of them mounted among their respective steeds. The less fortunate did not ride along a horse, and that consisted of most of the other fighters. Haesteinn asked both he and Jahan why he joined the Black Shields.

“I’ve come to prove myself, to myself distinguished,” Genseric said. “It may seem odd, yet among my family that is how it goes, and how it always has been among the nobles.”

Yet even Genseric felt unconvinced by this answer. Could it perhaps be that he did not truly know why he had joined the Black Shields. Certainly he had intended to prove himself in battle in the manner of his fathers, testing him in ways in which he would later be tested in his service to the King when he was Count of Rossex. Still, Genseric could not organize his thoughts.

---

Soon, there was no room for frivolous thoughts of why he was here in Genseric’s mind. He was here, and he would remain here. That would have to be enough, and for Genseric it was enough. Genseric stood mostly among militiamen, most of whom seemed like they had never once served in battle. Genseric had served in combat, however. They reminded Genseric of men who he had once seen. The smell of smoldering ruins and burning corpses once again came back to Genseric. He suspected that many of these men here had seen their last sunrise, and families had lost their sons and daughters.

Haesteinn’s shout came, signaling the time for attack. Genseric would not have given the enemy such a signal, but it mattered not now, as it had already been done.

Stone-faced as always he told the men around him quietly, “Don’t think of those piercing, negative thoughts that run through your mind. You shall be victorious here, and victory is already in your grasp.”

Then Genseric ran forward, his steed taking him forward, and the militiamen following close behind him. He took a path separate from the one Jahan took, his steed rushing towards them. His steed trampled over one Cherwinian soldier, and Genseric rose his sword and then brought it down upon another one, cutting through his neck in a blow that would prove fatal in but a few moments. Yet as all seemed to be going well, an arrow struck Genseric’s steed. His horse fell to the ground, and flung Genseric off.

Genseric was disoriented, yet he knew he had to recover quickly. He shook his head, recovering some of his focus, and equipped the iron shield he had held on his back. He saw a blow come from his right from a Cherwinian soldier, and block it with his shield. He parried with his own strike, stabbing him through the chest. Then Genseric dislodged his sword from his opponent chest, and then turned to face his next opponent to his left. Although it was far from the first that Genseric had killed, this was the first time Genseric had fought in this manner. Fighting as the vanguard was truly a new experience.

Genseric turned his next opponent. He stabbed her in the neck before she had a true chance to react. Genseric briefly wondered what her father, her mother, her possible lover could possibly think of him, but he had not long to ponder on it. A man with a halberd came up to Genseric, smashing his heavy weapon down upon him. Genseric was able to block with his iron shield, yet the power of the attack was quite cumbersome and taxing on his left arm. Genseric’s shield took several more hits as the Cherwinian hammered away at Genseric. Then Genseric ran forward, blocking the halberd before it had a chance to gain proper momentum, and his enemy was taken off their balance. Then Genseric’s sword went through his neck and up through his head.

Genseric withdrew his sword from his enemy’s head, and the Cherwinian fell to the ground, his body now but a corpse. Genseric glanced upwards quick enough to see the next enemy coming towards him, a member of the cavalry armed with a lance. Genseric felt intense pain, the feeling of what it felt like to have a lance pierce his plate armor. He fell to the ground, and he felt his consciousness fading.

Yet he was alive.

The Octopus: A 19th Century Political/Crime RP

Character Sheet

Name: Michael “Little Mickey” Bauer

Age: 38

Ethnicity: German

Occupation/Place in the Combination: Saloon Owner

Personal History

Michael Bauer is the son of Otto and Felicie Bauer, the owner of a saloon he inherited his from his father, and the oldest of seven siblings. He was born in Germany, in the Grand Duchy of Baden. His family participated in the Baden Revolution, one of the uprising that was part of the greater Revolutions of 1848, and Michael was ten years old at the time. After the uprising was crushed, his family, like many other German revolutionaries, immigrated to the United States, making him one of the Forty-Eighters.

After living a while in New York, his family moved westward to lands they deemed more attractive. They ended up in Central City. Michael’s father Otto ended up opening a saloon with the aid of the Combination. Michael fought in the American Civil War, first under Fremont then under Grant, returning with the rank of master sergeant. His father died in 1866, and Michael, as the eldest son, took over his father’s position as owner of the saloon.

In 1859, he married Carolin Hirsch, a fellow German Catholic Forty-Eighter. With her, he’s begun to raise a family. She gave birth to a son, Gerold, in 1860, a daughter, Adelheid, in 1867, a son, Fritz, in 1869, another daughter, Georgina, in 1872, and is currently pregnant with their fifth child. He has been a loyal low-ranking member of the Combination, using his position as Saloon Owner to induce people, especially poor immigrants, to vote in line with the political machine.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

Sorry for not posting. My character's pretty quiet, and I'm not sure what to do with him at the moment.