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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jan 18, 2018 14:50:45 GMT -8
The Fortress Voruta sits atop a towering hill above the small town of Voruta, commanding a demanding view of the valley of houses and fields below. Originally nothing but a rough hewn palisade around a Manor house, the now imposing structure was built under the reign of the first Grand Duke of Voruta, as a celebration of his unification of the Duchy. The path to the fortress from the town is winding and steep, inhibiting any would be attackers who took the town below, and providing an unrivaled field of fire to defenders. It has become the political and economic heart of the Grand Duchy of Voruta, with its tan stone walls and steep red tile roofs defending the representatives of the current regime from any turmoil that may appear below.
The small town surrounds the hill on all sides, the poorer neighborhoods of wooden hovels giving way to bigger tan brick and red tiled houses, progressively growing in wealth as one approached the hill. The town is surrounded by a steep dry moat and wooden palisade wall, filled with stamped down dirt from the moat. It's streets are not uniform, twisting and turning and often disappearing into an inn or stable. The market square lays at the foot of the path to the fortress, and is full of stalls of various wares, and surrounded by other more permanent businesses like butchers, blacksmiths, and inns of various repute.
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The Pork Snatcher
New
Totally doesn't steal your pork
Roleplay posts: 9
Clothes and Equipment: Cloak, pork snatching equipment, pork-attractor-flute
Registered: Mar 27, 2018 12:59:12 GMT -8
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Post by The Pork Snatcher on Apr 8, 2018 8:18:20 GMT -8
A horse-drawn cart was being pulled toward the town which surrounded the Fortress Voruta. The lone rider who sat casually on the wooden wagon was dressed in common Vorutan attire, and it was only his accent and spotty pronunciation of some native words that spelled him as a foreigner.
With an oink oink here, and an oink oink there, it was obvious the individual was transporting pigs to the town. Perhaps he was just passing through, maybe he sought to sell them, or perhaps he had other plans.
The wagon rolled past the poorer neighborhoods; the Ham Handler would not allow the rabble anywhere near his livestock. He was seeking a blacksmith, or similar individual - someone with iron and a hot forge.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Apr 8, 2018 19:46:14 GMT -8
The approach to the Town of Voruta was bustling with other wagons and traffic, mounted and on foot. Market day was here, with peasants from the surrounding villages coming to town to pick up extra supplies not available at home, and to sell their own goods. The Pork snatcher wasn't the only one bringing animals to market, and neither the only one with pigs, though most herded their swine on the ground, with sticks and shouts.
At the gates, the Pork Snatcher was stopped by the guards, who took a quick look at the wagon. They didn't have time to do a thorough inspection, and seeing it was bearing only pigs, waved him on through. They simply didn't have time to do much investigation, as the long lines of people wanting to cross the bridge over the moat attested to.
The streets of Cheapside were similarly crowded, and hot and suffocating from the lack of wind and air circulation, with the extra pleasure of muck and mud splashing everywhere from the recent rain storm. A cry of joy came from the pigs in the back of the wagon, as they were splashed and cooled down. The cries from the people surrounding the wagon were not so joyous however, and loud protests and flowery language assaulted the Pork Snatcher as he moved into the heart of the city, where the blacksmiths were located.
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The Pork Snatcher
New
Totally doesn't steal your pork
Roleplay posts: 9
Clothes and Equipment: Cloak, pork snatching equipment, pork-attractor-flute
Registered: Mar 27, 2018 12:59:12 GMT -8
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Post by The Pork Snatcher on Apr 14, 2018 11:57:48 GMT -8
The Pork Snatcher finds one of the blacksmiths and, after parking his wagon, hobbles on over to the forge master. “Hello.” The blacksmith would hear a squeaky, pig-like voice as the man approached. He was balding, and had puffy cheeks, with inclined nostrils; to be frank, he looked like a pig!
“I’d like to brand these swine-of-mine, if you don’t mind,” he would say, expecting an answer.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Apr 16, 2018 9:42:36 GMT -8
The blacksmith the strange and boorish looking man approached was run by one of the resident dwarves of the city, and was a small scale operation compared to the greater forges. The dwarf would've had a long beard, if it hadn't been constantly singed by the forge when it got too long. He was barrel chested, and tan not from the sun, but from the heat of the forge. He was hammering on a bar of red hot steel, that would eventually become a sword, and replied to the pork faced man, "I don't have time to brand your stinking pigs. I have about twenty orders, all that need to be done yesterday! Carl! Quit dallying on that piece of iron! What are you doing, kissing it!?"
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The Pork Snatcher
New
Totally doesn't steal your pork
Roleplay posts: 9
Clothes and Equipment: Cloak, pork snatching equipment, pork-attractor-flute
Registered: Mar 27, 2018 12:59:12 GMT -8
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Post by The Pork Snatcher on Apr 17, 2018 12:49:46 GMT -8
The Pork Snatcher crossed his arms and huffed. "I am very annoyed, sir! Now, I command you to brand my pigs!" The Ham Handler's eyes were squinted in anger, and his puffy cheeks inflated with frustration.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Apr 17, 2018 14:11:37 GMT -8
The dwarf's face, already red from the forge, grew much redder when the boar faced man commanded him to brand his pigs. Walking away for a moment, he returned with a piece of parchment from a desk well away from the flames. Shoving the paper in the Pork Snatcher's face, he let loose, his anger very evident in the quiet tone he used, "Now listen here pork breath, you see this piece of parchment? I don't care if you can read or not, I'll tell you what it means. It means I'm a free dwarf, not beholden to anyone but the contracts I freely enter into under the law, with all proper seals and permissions already in place by the legal authorities. And you know what that means? I can't be commanded by a pig shit smelling, swine suckling, boar bastard like yourself, let alone the greatest lord in the land. And if you don't get the FUCK out of my forge, there will be an issue."
The Dwarf didn't budge from his spot, still holding out his proof of freedom.
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The Pork Snatcher
New
Totally doesn't steal your pork
Roleplay posts: 9
Clothes and Equipment: Cloak, pork snatching equipment, pork-attractor-flute
Registered: Mar 27, 2018 12:59:12 GMT -8
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Post by The Pork Snatcher on Apr 17, 2018 14:27:06 GMT -8
The Pork Snatcher began to breath harder; steam may as well have exited his pig-like nostrils and he huffed and puffed and threatened to blow the little dwarf away. He quickly turned and stormed off to his wagon. "This won't the last you see of me," he squealed, shaking his fist at the stunted man. "I'll show ya! I'll show all yas!"
The disgruntled Ham Handler would attempt to find a stable for which to store his farm animals for the night, and then seek out an inn to rest.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on May 2, 2018 11:13:59 GMT -8
The inn the Pork Snatcher waddled into was The Green Rooster, which was full of rather rowdy peasants who had fresh coins gained by selling their goods burning holes in their pockets. Ale flowed freely, and vodka freer. Everyone was too busy laughing, slapping each other hard on the back, and catching up with old friends to notice the Pork Snatcher enter. The smell of farm animals wafted in through the door to the stable, letting the Pork Snatcher know he would find both room and board for him and his pigs here.
Seeing the stranger, the inn keep waved him over, shouting over the crowd, "What can I do yah fer?"
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Queen Audrey I von Audria
Established
Supreme Sorceress
Roleplay posts: 45
Age: 30
Physical Description: A beautiful lady with sun-kissed skin, entrancing blue eyes, and a fair complexion with long, flowing crimson hair.
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Clothes and Equipment: An assortment of expensive fashion and attire suitable for a lady of her stature.
Lady Audrey also carries various gems which increase her magical talent, or perhaps help to control it.
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Registered: Sept 25, 2015 14:39:52 GMT -8
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Post by Queen Audrey I von Audria on Jun 10, 2018 7:07:09 GMT -8
Lady Audrey’s carriage was allowed to continue, seemingly unmolested, towards the Fortress Voruta. It was here that the Duchess of Audria expected to meet the royal governor of Voruta, Jakub Gediminas.
The stagecoach was parked in a suitable spot - away from the filth and lesser beings, and somewhere preferably private. Most of the Knight-Brothers in attendance would dismount and hitch their pearly white steeds nearby. One of them opened up the door to the carriage and helped Lady Audrey out.
The Duchess of Audria was beautiful, with bright blue eyes set upon a clear, sun-kissed face. Her crimson hair rolled across her shoulders like the finest silk. A fine, white noble’s dress covered her slim physique, and golden pieces of jewelry adorned her wrists. If one was not drawn to her unique beauty, then they would be drawn to the large ruby-like gemstone which hand around her neck.
The Duchess took a look at the brick structures and tiled roofs. “Not so primitive,” she commented, casting a smirk at the lead knight, referring to the Brotherhood’s prior description of the place.
“It seems,” the knight responded, “our information was wrong.” This particular Knight-Brother was aware that, at one point, the Order had placed its eyes on these lands, and sought to ‘civilize’ its people.
“It is of no concern,” the Lady would remark, dropping the subject. “Escort me to the fortress. Leave some of your men here to guard the coach.” The Duchess could be direct and hot-tempered at times, but she was a busy woman on an important visit.
Lady Audrey would be taken under guard through the winding streets of the city, towards the marketplace and ultimately to the Fortress Voruta itself.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jun 10, 2018 19:37:26 GMT -8
The rain was still falling hard on the capital city, making the unpaved roads quagmires, forcing the party to keep to the main Royal Road, the only real paved avenue in the entire town. The Royal Road led straight to the heart of the Citadel, though the path became crooked and twisted as they ascended up the hill. Even though it was a stormy day, the city was bustling, though not with the usual signs of a market day. The sounds of clanging hammers on metal, the smell of blacksmith's furnaces, and the cursing of masters to their apprentices filled the working quarters of the city. War horses were being moved into stables, or walked in circles by their riders to loosen up there muscles, to keep them from growing soft. Heavily muscled and scarred men lounged around in the taverns, playing card and dice games out of boredom, getting in arguments over supposedly loaded dice and dealing from the bottom of the deck. But, beyond their boredom, their anxiousness was palpable, their restlessness filling the city with the same energy. A few less than polite comments came from those men lounging in door ways or on covered steps, saying how the mares would make great breeders for their horses, and that extended to Lady Hepburn as well, followed by rowdy jeers and clanking of mugs of ale. Their arrival was made known to the castle as they approached, causing the staff to scurry to prepare for the unexpected guests. Retainer infantry, wearing the green of the Gediminas house, watched the approaching knight brothers with apprehension, resting their hands on their weapons. The gates were already opened for the day, to allow the movement of supplies from the town below to the citadel. Two heavily armored men resting their weight on their spears, wearing green capes over their hunched shoulders, asked the arrivals first in their harsh native tongue, then in heavily accented Isran, "Koks yra jūsų verslas čia? What is your business here?" With the scrying done, Lord Jakub Gediminas jumped to work. Turning to Bloise, he ordered, "Send word to Vyatautas, even if his leg is still broken, we need his men," then briskly exited the room, leaving the wizard to his own devices. Walking down the stairs to get to the main hall, he yelled to a page, "Send word to the city, tell them to be prepared to move when we are joined by Vyatautas' men! And make sure notices are placed in all the taverns for any and all adventurers!" "My lord, there are strangers at the gate. They aren't Israns," said another page, appearing from a side corridor. "Well, whoever they are, tell them they need to make it quick, we have a war to fight!" Yelled back Gediminas, as he finally found his way to the hall. It was a great stone room with tall vaunted ceilings held up by pillars. It was sparsely decorated, though that could be fixed easily by the hauling in of large tables for feasts. A dais sat opposite the main door with three thrones of varying height. The tallest was filled with a portrait of the Empress Naoki, and the second tallest was Gediminas' seat, with the third being Vyatautas. Sitting in his throne, Gediminas prepared to receive the Knight-Brothers, whoever the hell they were.
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Queen Audrey I von Audria
Established
Supreme Sorceress
Roleplay posts: 45
Age: 30
Physical Description: A beautiful lady with sun-kissed skin, entrancing blue eyes, and a fair complexion with long, flowing crimson hair.
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Clothes and Equipment: An assortment of expensive fashion and attire suitable for a lady of her stature.
Lady Audrey also carries various gems which increase her magical talent, or perhaps help to control it.
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Registered: Sept 25, 2015 14:39:52 GMT -8
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Post by Queen Audrey I von Audria on Jun 11, 2018 13:24:02 GMT -8
Lady Hepburn took notice of the busy populace. The to-and-fro of warhorses, clamor of forges, and general atmosphere of the city was something she knew all too well; war had come to the Vorutans.
Eventually she and her knights were escorted into the citadel and before Jakub Gediminas himself. “My apologies,” she would say, “I wish my timing was better. I am Lady Audrey von Hepburn, Duchess of Audria, and I have come here as an emissary.” She motioned at the heavily-armed knights who stood alongside her, “these are Knights of the Brotherhood, here for my protection.
“The Duchy of Audria will be hosting a feast and the royal families have been formally invited. The Order encourages the founding of new friendships, trade partners, and allies.”
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jun 12, 2018 16:49:40 GMT -8
Resting back in his throne, Lord Gediminas watched with great interest as the party entered into the throne room. A less experienced man might've simply rested his eyes on the striking beauty of the Duchess, with her sparkling sapphire eyes and flowing crimson hair. But, he wasn't a young man anymore, and his main focus was on her more heavily armed companions. He could practically hear the humming of magic emanate from their armor, and he wasn't the only one.
Resting in an alcove in the main hall, shadows hiding him, Lord Gediminas' personal Witch Hunter was quickly scrawling notes on all he was seeing. He would need to do research on these white and black knights.
Bowing forward in his chair when Lady Audrey introduced herself, "There is no reason to be sorry, Lady Audrey, for you did not know of the hour of your arrival. And the representative of the Duchy of Voruta would be more than happy be guests at your feet. But, unfortunately, that won't be me. I'm needed elsewhere, and I'm passing the reins of control to Lord Erik Vyatautas. I'll pass along your invitation to him on the quickest steed. Is there anything else I can help you with? A place to rest, refreshments, supplies for your journey home?"
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Queen Audrey I von Audria
Established
Supreme Sorceress
Roleplay posts: 45
Age: 30
Physical Description: A beautiful lady with sun-kissed skin, entrancing blue eyes, and a fair complexion with long, flowing crimson hair.
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Clothes and Equipment: An assortment of expensive fashion and attire suitable for a lady of her stature.
Lady Audrey also carries various gems which increase her magical talent, or perhaps help to control it.
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Registered: Sept 25, 2015 14:39:52 GMT -8
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Post by Queen Audrey I von Audria on Jun 13, 2018 14:06:13 GMT -8
The Duchess was initially tense about the encounter with Jakub. It seemed as if her visit might be an inconvenience to the lords of Voruta; they were busy preparing for an armed conflict, and could not be bothered about feasting in the halls of a foreign nation. But to her relief, Lord Gediminas was cooperative and offered a kind reply.
“I would ask,” she continued, her voice more relaxed, “that you send word to all the lords of Voruta. The Duchy of Audria would see them treated as friends- allies even, and it would be our honor to host a great feast for them.”
Sibrand, Lady Audrey’s lead knight, glanced occasionally to the other occupants within the fortress. One man in particular, the Witch Hunter, caught his interest the most. It was not his place to pry, however. Once the Duchess was finished with her request, Sibrand stepped forth and spoke up.
“The Varan have a saying,” Sibrand began, “the strongest bonds are forged in the heat of battle. Voruta prepares for war, but they do not have to go it alone. As a token of our goodwill, the Brotherhood shall stand by you.” The knight looked over at Audrey, “with the Lady’s permission, I can assemble a host of allies to assist you in your endeavor.”
Lady Audrey smiled, “that sounds perfect.” Certainly a cooperation of arms would strengthen the relations between Voruta and Audria.
Sibrand turned his attention back to Jakub. “Accept my offer, Lord Gediminas, and let our forces march as one.”
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jun 13, 2018 21:19:37 GMT -8
A loud snap echoed from the alcove when the knight offered to fight alongside them, as the Witch Hunter's quill snapped on the page, followed by a quiet, "Please excuse me," as he bent over to pick up the broken tip. He expected many things, but that wasn't one of them. Quietly excusing himself, the Witch Hunter exited out a side door of the hall, heading for the library. Turns out he was going to have even less time to do research than he expected.
Giving a harsh glance at the Witch Hunter at the snapping of the quill, he turned back to Duchess Hepburn, and said, "I would be more than happy to extend that offer to all of the lords, but most will be riding with me. It's been too long since our last great ride," turning to the Sibrand, he bowed to him as well, "and we would be happy to have our guests with us on this beast hunt. The supplies of the city are yours as well."
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Queen Audrey I von Audria
Established
Supreme Sorceress
Roleplay posts: 45
Age: 30
Physical Description: A beautiful lady with sun-kissed skin, entrancing blue eyes, and a fair complexion with long, flowing crimson hair.
----------
Clothes and Equipment: An assortment of expensive fashion and attire suitable for a lady of her stature.
Lady Audrey also carries various gems which increase her magical talent, or perhaps help to control it.
----------
Registered: Sept 25, 2015 14:39:52 GMT -8
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Post by Queen Audrey I von Audria on Jun 14, 2018 12:19:38 GMT -8
Lady Audrey smiled, her beauty radiating in the fortress. "Thank, Lord Gediminas. I hope to see you again in the future." The Duchess turned to Sibrand. "You do the Brotherhood a great service, Sibrand. I look forward to reading your reports." To Sibrand's surprise, the Lady approached him and hugged him, and so he embraced her too. "Thank you for all you've done..." she would say, finally turning to exit the chamber with the other knights.
Her task in Voruta was now complete and she could continue to Isra.
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Sibrand
New
Roleplay posts: 3
Registered: Jun 13, 2018 14:10:41 GMT -8
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Post by Sibrand on Jun 14, 2018 12:46:42 GMT -8
Sibrand did not expect to separate from the Duchess, and so watched her leave with a heavy heart. He bid his farewells to his fellow Brothers and returned his attention to Lord Jakub. The armored knight, assuming the lord was not otherwise occupied, approached Gediminas and would ask “what is the situation? I will request what reinforcements I can and have them rendezvous with us.”
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jun 19, 2018 12:29:05 GMT -8
Jakub bowed forward again in his throne as Lady Hepburn left, before turning to Sibrand. Feeling a little unsure of the situation himself, he gave a brief summary of what he knew, "Aridia is being attacked in a war of aggression by a vicious Kingdom far to the North. Why the North would desire a land so far to the south, unsuited to them in temperature and climate, who can say. Perhaps they don't even know themselves. Either way, Voruta is stepping forth to raise its shield, to let the world know such aggression will not be tolerated."
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Sibrand
New
Roleplay posts: 3
Registered: Jun 13, 2018 14:10:41 GMT -8
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Post by Sibrand on Jun 19, 2018 14:38:53 GMT -8
Sibrand nodded, "if Voruta raises the shield, the Brothers shall raise the sword. I will write to my superiors and request reinforcements at once. They will meet us on the road. For now, if you don't mind, I can accompany you during the war preparations."
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Grey
Established
Warrior
Roleplay posts: 32
Age: Unknown
Physical Description: A man of average height and size, essentially insignificant compared to those around him. He has grey hair, a trait which has lent him his nickname, and dark brown eyes.
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Clothes and Equipment: Grey travels light. He typically wears fur garments, trousers, boots, and a cloak. He primarily wields a hunting bow, and as such carries a quiver of arrows. In melee he resorts to using a hatchet and dagger. Finally, he carries a precious red gemstone.
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Registered: Jul 8, 2018 5:28:59 GMT -8
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Post by Grey on Sept 30, 2018 5:10:51 GMT -8
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.
The quote echoed in his mind once more. An old sailor had once told told him that as he bid farewell. And for years it had haunted him. That damn sea bastard, Grey cursed him. But that explained the aging warrior quite well: he wandered aimlessly, with no real purpose; like a sailor on the high seas without a destination.
Now he had come upon a bustling town surrounding a high castle. He paused for a moment on the outskirts to get a good view of the settlement. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a red gemstone and looked it over. What little sun was able to shine through the grey skies reflected off of its flawless surface. It may have been red, but it was certainly no ruby, nor any common gem for that matter.
Grey tucked the precious item back into his pocket and continued towards the town. He didn’t have a lot of coin on him, but perhaps he had just enough for a warm meal, a drink, and bed. Otherwise he’d be eating scraps and sleeping with the pigs.
There was nothing special about the traveler, save for the gemstone which was concealed, and so he did not expect any trouble as he sought the local tavern.
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