simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
| Total Posts: 10905 |
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| 23 Dec 2015 05:16 PM |
((This was created for a Dark Ages ISRP called "954 AD". Signup thread is here- http://forum.roblox.com/Forum/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=180174175))
CS~ Name: Jarl Wolfgang Age: 27 Faith: Celtic Weapons: Swords, Spears and Javelins Do you command men? If so, how many: 350 What position or title do you hold?: Jarl of the Islington Coastal Fort Bio: Rose to prominence through his fathers' power he quickly became a military favourite for his Fort and was elected, by the three Fort Elders, as the Jarl. Other: Wolfshag
York, November 25th, AD 954.
You are Wolfang Kristjansson, Jarl of Islington. Your family has ruled the small town from the fortress keep for generations. You've always been a notable family, especially in the North, and they've always kept to the old Celtic faith even as the Christian hosts of Edward the Elder marched over the lands holding to the Old Gods. This was a point of contention between your family and the Royal one. It culminated in all-out rebellion when King Erik Bloodaxe crossed the North Sea with an army.
When the Norse arrived, Jarl Kristjansson, your father, led the nobility in revolt. King Eadred wrote numerous angry letters to him when the revolt was done and the Kingdom of Northumbria stood again, under the banner of the Bloodaxe. But there came a price with this. Your father, Jarl Kristjan, died in the fighting, and left you with all his estates for an inheritance. Because of this, it was you who brought his three hundred-fifty men to Jorvik, or York, the capital of the fledgling Kingdom.
When King Bloodaxe died, many began leaving the City. No longer was there a great Norse King to lead a raid, nor a means to. The host when it was together amounted to three and a half thousand men. Many soldiers had been left at Bamburgh, and even if the army had been consolidated, nothing would match the ten thousand of King Eadred.
The King of England was marching your way.
The host of England is expected to arrive in three days' time. Your men are camped within York's walls, forming a good portion of the active garrison. Your archers stand watch at this moment. The time had come to decide what your party would be doing. You could stay and fight for the city, but the battle will be difficult. Your keep at Isleton is a week and a half away, though it is only a few miles from the stronghold of Bamburgh.
There are rumors of a need for warriors across the North Sea, in Norway. Wars being fought by the Norse Lords there could provide opportunity, but the North is a long way off, and you are a foreign man to them. Not to mention the fact that your family and population in Isleton would need you to protect them.
You sit before your Huscarl, Thorek Silverblood. What will you do? |
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| 23 Dec 2015 09:23 PM |
| Ask him to dispatch scouts to notify me of the enemy. |
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simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
| Total Posts: 10905 |
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| 24 Dec 2015 10:14 AM |
The scouts have already been dispatched a hundred times over and have all come back with the same reports. King Eadred was marching with something over ten thousand men, no more than twelve thousand. The Mercians had an additional three thousand which they were bringing.
The Huscarl tells you, "All this information is public knowledge. He'll be here in three days."
((Longer posts pl0x?)) |
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| 24 Dec 2015 11:36 AM |
"Three days, huh?" I'd mutter to myself before marching along the ramparts. I'd specifically refused to surrender and refused to retreat. We hold or we die - the motto of the war-loving family.
"Tell me, Huscarl, do you know any local passages to allow the women and children to flee?" I'd ask. |
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simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
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| 24 Dec 2015 12:34 PM |
The Huscarl nodded. "Aye, Jarl. But all the families who intended to leave already have. We forced those incapable of fighting to leave, as well. They're all on their way to Bamburgh. Some men took their wives and families to the ships and traveled back to the North. What is here is what will stay. We have women and able-bodied boys who stayed to either fight or assist in preparing and maintaining the garrison."
He explains all of this to you as he follows you from your tent and up the steps to the top of York's high walls. The countryside of Northumbria stretches out before you. |
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| 24 Dec 2015 12:37 PM |
| I'd look out to the beautiful countryside and smile. "How many available men do we have?" I'd ask, trying to avoid looking at him. |
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simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
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| 24 Dec 2015 12:55 PM |
The Huscarl was quick to respond. "Around a thousand men stayed behind, including your three hundred-fifty. Mostly footmen, but all-in-all the city has about one hundred-fifty horses, most of which are fit for battle, and we do have a good amount of archers."
He grew more solemn, however. "It's a good garrison, by all means, but... We could be facing fifteen thousand men, at least thirteen thousand, when the Mercians arrive. It'll be a hard fight."
The Huscarl, whose name was Jorn, seemed to be reminded of something. "We don't have a single leader, anymore, either. The largest consolidated group of men is yours." |
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| 24 Dec 2015 01:58 PM |
| "Then that makes me the leader, Squire." I'd chuckle. "How many do you think we could kill before this Fort falls?" I'd ask. |
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simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
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| 24 Dec 2015 07:58 PM |
| "Squire...?" The Huscarl is unfamiliar with that term. And in any case, he isn't one. Huscarls are more like knights. "And... I would hardly call the city of York a fort, my Jarl. But I suppose, with luck, we might eliminate at least a third of his host before we are brought low." |
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| 24 Dec 2015 08:11 PM |
| "York is a Fort, my dear friend." I would say before smiling. "We shall hold them until death." I confirm. I'd proceed to turn and quickly make my way to the dining hall to eat my final dinner. |
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simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
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| 24 Dec 2015 08:58 PM |
The Huscarl gives you a strange look as you do so.
The dining hall is crowded with various captains and grizzled, established old sea raiders. You, as the commander of the largest force in the city, are given pride of place next to the perpetually empty Royal Seat, at what would be the King's right hand.
As you approach your seat, numerous sea captains and warriors look up from their places at the long tables. Many of them had expected you to leave for home, to perhaps protect your people. Some respect your choice to fight King Eadred. Others loath you for your lack of care for your family and your people.
The seat to the left of the Royal one is taken as well, by Jarl Falk Bullneck, an experienced veteran of war. He had come as a contribution from King Haakon of Norway. The aging monarch had decided only to send his vassal in his own stead, as his rule was challenged by some man named... Greycloak? Something of that ilk. A hundred or so men were under Bullneck's banner. He nodded to you. "Jarl Wolfgang. I trust your time in the city is treating you well?" |
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| 24 Dec 2015 09:16 PM |
| "Indeed Jarl Bullneck, the city is a wonderful one." He replied before continuing "Are you prepared to fight for this city?" I'd finish. I'd look across the room at the faces of the men before looking down to my meal and eating. |
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simsf1
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| Joined: 27 Dec 2009 |
| Total Posts: 10905 |
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| 24 Dec 2015 09:46 PM |
The Bullneck nodded, picking up the aurochs leg before him and taking a massive bite. The spices were amazing for a northern roast, and the food filled your body as you ate. "Aye," the other Jarl said to you between bites, "and my men just finished the construction of the last portcullis."
The men had stopped staring, but occasionally you noticed a glance. They must have been expecting something... else. |
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| 25 Dec 2015 09:30 AM |
Noticing the constant glances I would become slightly unnerved. I would immediately stand up and cough loudly, in an obvious fake manner, to catch the attention of everybody within the dining hall.
"Comrades. Think of me as your battlefield equal. I have decided that it is within our best interests that the City is defended against all enemies to enable our families - the ones we sent away - have a safe, guarded and well constructed place to live the rest of their lives. We must fight for our land. The enemy wishes to eradicate this land and replace it with their stupid ideological buildings and so forth. Defend your homeland, defend your ideals! Defend your family and defend your life for this battle... We shall not back down!" I'd yell. |
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