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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 20:25:56 GMT -8
Ruled by @nikandros and the House of Aquila for many years, Glaucia is nestled against the small chain of the Dasweir Mountains, while before it lay plains sewn with crops, with a large field occupied for military training. Mines were drilled deep into the earth, so that the forests that blanket the mountains can remain rich and teeming with hunting life. A slow moving but very wide river is within sight distance of the city gates where docks and shanties have been set up for arriving ships. Glaucia is not known to be rich in art or luxury or any of the so-called 'finer' points, but Glaucia has always been a steadfast and strong hold, with stores of ore and grain that would make a siege upon its walls bothersome to those who try. Glaucia's strength is the entire reason why the Principality of Rauczech was able to extend so far from its capital, and its the conservatism of House Aquila alone that has never pushed for more. Rauczech is often considered the "sleeping giant." It has not been stirred into action in some time, and many would prefer it that way. Although not a city known to be a safe haven from criminals, fewer questions are asked if a person can contribute consistently to the community around it. This is also applied to gender roles, although even then there is a heavy distaste for women who go into business, or merchants and peasants who grasp for more than their station would allow.
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Aurelias Accipitris
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Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 27, 2016 11:59:42 GMT -8
Aurelias lounged at the side of the training field watching the men do drills. He was absently popping fruit into his mouth as they worked up a sweat. Many took issue with his seeming shirking of basic training, but there wasn't much they could do he was the captain of the guard. The men had a great deal of resentment for him, especially since he yelled out reprimands and gave out punishments from where he lounged, many under his command held a seething desire to see him pay.
He had a standing offer that if someone could beat him in a duel he'd do double the amount of basic training in front of them, that had yet to happen. It motivated many to train diligently to one day see him knocked down a peg. "Vesco you stumbled, that's a lap." He yells with a lazy yawn as the man in question shoots him a death glare.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 12:52:13 GMT -8
The men, however, did not continue their training. They stopped all at once and bowed to someone that was approaching from behind Aurelias. It did not take many guesses to see who it must be.
Nikandros stepped shoulder-to-shoulder with his half-brother, and raised his hand in recognition of their acknowledgment of his presence. They went back to what they were doing, and Nikandros leaned forward, bracing his forearms against the fence as he watched what was going on.
He came with his own retinue, of course, but the guards that traveled with him to any and all places stayed a measure behind. Nikandros' sharp hazel eyes watched what was happening, but he spoke to his brother beside him.
"You didn't come with me to meet the Emperor of Vessia," Prince Nikandros spoke.
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 27, 2016 13:38:35 GMT -8
When his half-brother shows up Aurelius groans and sighs, getting to his feet and bowing at a far slower pace than he should. He straightens up and stands at a lazy attention, somehow conveying a slouch without actually slouching. Then his brother gave permission to get back to work and he settled back down.
"Nope." Aurelius agreed with his brothers recounting of past events. "Isn't the captain of the guard supposed to stay behind and laze about the fort?" He says this flippantly and with a cheeky grin. Aurelias never seemed to take anything seriously, indeed he seemed to consider the whole world something of a joke. Perhaps the man's only saving grace was that he was a peerless swordsman, indeed he seemed to be a natural talent. Of course, only his brother knew that after sundown Aurelias worked very hard for that standing doing three times the amount of training as any other member of the guard.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 14:39:28 GMT -8
"Perhaps, but that's not all you are, Aurelius," Nikandros said, and finally turned his head to look at this brother. He didn't understand why he wanted to give people this impression that he was a careless, lazy, selfish man-child. It was only because Nikandros knew he wasn't that he even allowed it, and why intelligent people who saw the entire picture seemed to find Aurelius fit for the job.
Although many seemed to slight Nikandros for pulling favoritism for his half-brother.
"And that is not the only reason I went to Augustgrad. Come with me." He pushed away from the fence and gestured for Aurelius to follow after him as he made way for the barracks and the barns near the training field.
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 27, 2016 16:56:04 GMT -8
The command gets a groan from Aurelias as he yawns and grumbles as he gets to his feet. Still, he follows his brother dutifully and those who knew to look would see that those half-lidded eyes are constantly looking for danger. He may not seem like it to most, but he was incredibly diligent in his duties. Part of the reason he acted as he did was to make potential assassins careless, after all, they didn't need to be careful when the captain of the guard was a fool only in his position due to nepotism.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 19:53:10 GMT -8
Nikandros led him into the barracks, and further, up steps to the second floor. He opened the door and gestured to a chest.
"Look inside."
There were scrolls inside, and once unfolded, the scrolls were obviously plans for siege and war weapons, of a new, more modern technology. As Captain of the Guard, these were important for him to look over, and if he had been in Augustgrad with Nikandros, Nikandros wouldn't have felt the need to buy every single scroll.
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 28, 2016 16:37:40 GMT -8
Rolling his eyes at the small dramatics of his brother Aurelias looks into the box. His eyes widen as he realizes what he is looking at and he turns to face his brother. All traces of the indolent man are gone, his eyes now sharp and alert. "This is dangerous stuff brother. New weapons means there will be people looking to use them." He gets to his feet and closes the box. "I'll start thinking of countermeasures at once. We won't be caught unprepared."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 9:16:27 GMT -8
Nikandros moved further into the room and around the table so he could lean forward and settle his palms on it. "Not just counter measures, Aurelias," he said, looking directly into his half-brother's face. "We need to begin training our men on how to use them."
He continued on, sharing private information with Aurelias that he himself had only just received. Aurelias was not an acting general for Rauczech, as Nikandros was fairly sure that the nobility would have a fit if Nikandros had allowed Aurelias that position, but he kept his half-brother close and still in a position of power and main defense for the capital city of Glaucia, its palace, and its ruler. Nikandros kept him close, for it was well known that Nikandros listened to Aurelias' opinions.
"The Barbarian Hordes have pushed on the Northern border of Swavia. It is said they pillaged, raped, and burned down an outpost and a village and plan on moving again. Rauczech is at the Swavian Northern Border, and I imagine the Emperor will want us to start pushing soon, given his zeal for the annihilation of the Barbarian Hordes and its Banshee Queen."
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 29, 2016 14:54:16 GMT -8
Aurelias nods in agreement. "Of course." In all honesty, he was more concerned with a countermeasure, since most of the siege gear wouldn't be useful against barbarians. Siege gear requires fortifications to a siege, which the hordes didn't have. Still, if his brother wished it so who was he to argue? He just hoped his brother wasn't planning a war against a neighbor, Aurelias despised the politics and machinations involved in such moves. The new about the queen doesn't really get a reaction beyond a shrug. "The emperor is always going on about something. I think dealing with some wretched barbarians is probably the best thing we can hope for right now."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 21:32:13 GMT -8
"The best thing," Nikandros repeated and gave a short and unamused laugh. He shook his head and then stood and turned to lean back against the table, crossing his arms over his chest. His sleeves went taught around his biceps as he did so, and he turned his head to regard Aurelias.
"Have you any worthy contacts in naval strategy and training?" he asked his brother.
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 30, 2016 16:27:33 GMT -8
"Sometimes the best thing is still a bad thing." Aurelias says with the shrug, he didn't know the emperor well but the man seemed to have a penchant for being zealous in whatever he pursued. He straightens and leans against mirroring his brother's posture. The question gets a raised eyebrow. "Maybe, why do you ask?" He knew a few, but Vessia was rather self-contained so they didn't have much of a navy last time he checked.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 18:55:48 GMT -8
"We should start fortifying our rivers. The merchant and passenger vessels won't be able to do what we need them to do, and I don't want to rely on merchants for our defenses. If the Barbarians sweeping into Swavia are anything like their past ancestors, we'll need to be ready," Nikandros said, rubbing his jaw as he spoke.
"We'll need to prepare ships as well. Mm. It's going to cost." He took a breath and shook his head, then ran a palm over his head. "There's also another matter I wanted to bring up with you." Nikandros let his eyes meet Aurelias, direct and intense as ever.
"Marriage. For you."
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Nov 30, 2016 19:07:02 GMT -8
Aurelias nods and thinks on the matter, he knew a few people he could approach for advice on the matter. Naval warfare wasn't his thing, but he had to guess it got more complicated when it was on rivers rather than less. After all, you could get bombarded from the banks by barbarian archers, accosted by ships, or both. These thoughts are derailed when his brother brings up another matter. "Mmm?" Aurelias makes a questioning noise with his throat, which turns into a faint choking one as his eyes widen. He recovers after a moment and then he laughs. "Shade and stone Nik, you had me going for a second." Shaking his head he grins at his brother, using his childhood nickname since no one else was around. "Me getting married? Can you imagine."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 20:57:20 GMT -8
Aurelias was laughing -- but Nikandros wasn't. He was looking levelly at his younger half-brother, waiting for him to gather himself. He seemed to think the Prince of Rauczech was joking, but he wasn't.
"Yes, I can," Nikandros said. "You're a Lord of Rauczech, and we need stronger allies -- outside of Rauczech. I've had my steward come up with a list of potential wives. I would like you married within the year, sooner if it can be arranged." The Prince shrugged a shoulder and then pushed away from the table, reaching out to clap his brother on the shoulder.
"If one of us has to take the fall first, it should be you, Captain," Nikandros said and turned to walk out of the room.
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Dec 1, 2016 15:17:39 GMT -8
Aurelias stops laughing sputters swears and then throws his hands in the air. "I am not the one that needs to produce an heir!" He protested he didn't want to get married. He'd probably get stuck with some insufferable noble twit with a face like a horse. He groans and wondered what he did to deserve such a punishment.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 18:23:31 GMT -8
"My time will come," Nikandros said over his shoulder. "But not before yours, brother. Get back to training my troops. They begin to think something is wrong if you aren't idling by the sidelines, appearing lazy and inept."
A liveried servant came running up to Nikandros and delivered a swift message about a visitor at the palace. Nikandros nodded. It wasn't anything too important, but as business was concluded with his brother, he had the time to spare. His gaze swept back to Aurelias.
"I would like a list of names of naval candidates," Nikandros said, pointing to him. "And I'll trade you a list of wives."
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Dec 2, 2016 19:45:13 GMT -8
"That is not an incentive to do my job." Aurelias complains and rubs at his face before he leaves the room. He was in a foul mood and was particularly hard on the guards, so hard he got a few challenges. Five men were beaten soundly and the captain felt marginally better about his position. Not great, but better in that he realized he could probably sabotage this marriage thing fairly easily.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2016 19:11:00 GMT -8
From the castle barracks, a commotion in the city could be heard. It started out gently, but then began to rise until it was louder and louder. There was a mob going through the streets, and they were shouting obscenities, spitting, throwing food. Someone was leading three girls through the streets, and when they came upon the palace gates -- closed, as usual -- they threw the young woman down onto their knees.
"We demand to see the Prince!" yelled the crowd over the sobs of the young women, who looked as if they'd already been beaten good. A soldier was sent, but not to get the Prince -- they searched for Captain Aurelias first to tell him of the commotion.
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Aurelias Accipitris
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 115
Age: 26
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -8
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Post by Aurelias Accipitris on Dec 3, 2016 19:23:54 GMT -8
Aurelias was napping on a section of wall in the sun. When the guard approaches he completes the illusion of being a lazy cat by getting up and stretching with feline grace. "What is so important you had to wake me up?" He grumbles and looks at the guard annoyed as the situation at the gate is explained. He sighs and makes his way there looking at the spectacle. He raises his voice to a sharp roar that cuts through the commotion like the executioner's ax through the accused neck. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" He demands of the gathered crowd.
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