Dubhaine Family/Brigdha/Roleplays/2020/May

Dubhaine Family
Fame	40
Wealth	19485
Home Region	Ashforth
Home World	East Continent

Clan Dubhaine:

• Aednadh
• Aibhlidhn
• Aoifa
• Brigdha
• Cathal
• Ciarghuala
• Etain
• Moira
• Rhidhana
• Scein
• Threiginion

9th May

Summer Evening -- Braga

War Re-Declaration With Clear Goals

Tomorrow (Sunday, May 10), we will be sending live a package of updates that includes support for explicit reasons for declarations of war. We are requiring such declarations to follow certain rules, which can be found on the war declaration page, and the War Declarations wiki page.

We have decided that it is best not to permit any "grandfathered" cases, but to immediately mandate a valid reason for every declared war. We recognize that this is a significant change, and that what we will be doing to enforce this is unprecedented. However, we believe that it is necessary in the interests of fair play and transparency of goals and reasons for war.

On Tuesday, May 12, after the sunset turn, all War statuses in BattleMaster will be set to Neutral (Hatred, too). In addition, all nobles in enemy territory will be teleported to their own capitals (we would advise realms at war to use this time to move out of enemy territory and wait there until after the period of neutrality). This is to ensure there are no inadvertent—or exploitative—incidents during the (hopefully) brief period of readjustment. At that time, we strongly encourage everyone who was fighting a war as the aggressor to declare war once again giving both the reason for the war, and the specific goals that would lead to the war's end.

We would like to note that, while there are not yet clear guidelines written up on the precise details of this, we have come to the conclusion that we cannot continue to permit "dogpiling" where an entire continent (or nearly so) is at war with a single realm. Even if you feel you have sufficient in-character cause to go to war with a realm, we would like you to seriously consider another factor: Are there already enough realms fighting against them that their defeat is all but assured? If that is the case, then adding your realm to the pile will not change the outcome of the war, but might very well change whether the players in the realm being attacked can continue to enjoy the game. While a realm that botches its diplomacy should certainly expect to find itself on the wrong end of a beating, that beating should never be so utterly hopeless that it destroys the interest for the players in that realm of even logging into the game.

In the interests of transparency, we would also like to make it clear that as well as being sent to the entire continent along with the fact that war has been declared, every war declaration will be copied to the Titans, as name changes and rebellion reasons have been for many years now. While we expect that there will be some confusion during this transition period, and will be prioritizing education over punishment for now, it is our hope that once that has passed, Titan interventions due to an invalid war declaration will be exceedingly rare.

Additionally, we would like to remind everyone that game mechanics define reality. This is particularly important in cases where the game mechanics have been artificially limited to address abuses by players. Attempting to circumvent those game mechanics, and treat 3/4 of a continent as your allies when, according to the game, they are not, is exactly the abusive situation the mechanical change was made to prevent.

Again, we understand that this is an unprecedented step, and that it is likely to create some distress among some players, and we do apologize for this. However, we are confident that, provided the bulk of players are willing to work with us toward a game played with friends, the disruption in actual play will be brief and relatively painless.

Finally, we would like to emphasize one last point on this topic. We take no joy in introducing additional restrictions on the game. We have no interest in telling players how to play, beyond the basic broad guidelines of milieu and fair, friendly play. Our ideal is a game where the players work together as players to promote the fun of all, rather than insisting on promoting their own fun over everyone else's, or telling other players they're wrong when they come forward saying they feel like their fun is being ruined by others. The more players can do that, the fewer restrictions we will need to place and enforce on the game.

Kiera Cavendish

Kiera roles her eyes and orders the troops home.

Zenta Carson

"Lady Kiera, is there a problem?"

Kiera Cavendish

"The Gods have forced peace upon us, Sir Zenta. It is for them to understand why, as I certainly do not."

Zenta Carson

"Ah yes gods, why do they get to decide what we do?"

11th May

Summer Day - Oporto

Kiera Cavendish

"Thank you, Calvin. That will be all."

The scribe nodded and turned to leave, but hesitated at the door.

"Yes? Is there something else?"

"We-ell...I'm not sure, m'lady. Nothing really to be concerned about, I suppose, only.."

Kiera stared at the bald pate impatiently.

"This new noble - Sir Maximilian, his name is."

"Yes?"

"He seems to think he is a...pirate, m'lady."

Kiera slumped back in her chair. "Oh, The Shadows take us!" she muttered tiredly.

10th May

Summer Evening -- Karbala

Lindow Moonsun

The Grey Guard was stationed near the Akesh Temple border with Sordidus. Lindow was in his tent, reading the letters.

- Sebas, bring me ink, I have to resolve a dispute impartially -

- Yes, Your Majesty, but take ... here is a new letter -

Lindow opened the letter and began to read

I find it hilarious, the only one I insult. Instead of accepting my challenge I receive a fine.

IS THIS WHAT WE DO NOW KING LINDOW!!!!!! YOUR JUDGE SO THREATEN SHE HAS TO FINE ME INSTEAD OF ACCEPTING MY CHALLENGE!!!!! SHE IS A COWARD KING LINDOW I AM SURE YOU CAN DO BETTER!!!!!!

Zenta Carson Knight of Negev

Then, Lindow left the letter on the table, sighed and looked to his butler

- Sebas, forget what I have told you, I can write with what little ink I have -

Zenta Carson

Zenta looking seriously conflicted on whether what he is doing is right or just a grab for power.

He still battles Daimons within him when suddenly he hears the black speech again.

Black speech: "tee ka bo da ne chu, me nee chee nu com teet."

Translation: "Bring me the head of Lindow, then the Daimons may be free."

Zenta scared to almost say anything says almost out loud.

Zenta: "No, I refuse, I can never harm my friend! He is my King!"

The black suddenly gets louder to where someone near by suddenly hears it.

Black Speech: "TEE NEE KAPO SHEE NAH WEEN NAH SHO QUEN KECH, POER KAV?!"

Translation: "BRING HIS HEAD OR YOU SHALL BE HAUNTED FOREVER, UNDERSTAND?!"

Zenta: "I would rather be haunted!!!"

Zenta kicks dirt over the camp fire and tells his men to get some sleep. Zenta hopes no one heard what was said.

11th May

Summer Evening - Braga

Luna Tempest

The Moon and her Destiny:

Luna Tempest, the Grey Exarch of Shadowdale, found herself wallowing in disappointment while travelling the long road from Nasot to Karbala. Heading home after her campaign to conquer the region ended with failure. However Luna’s failing had nothing to do with her ability to command nor had the loss been caused by the armies of Perdan. The Grey Exarch would have preferred a glorious battle with Perdan to the current predicament. Alas, it seemed fate itself determined the outcome as divine intervention proclaimed the campaign folly.

Luna atop her steed pondered the results of the campaign. The Grey Exarch had gained all the political consequences of her actions but none of the benefits. No negotiations would be taking place, no treaties signed, not even a single talk held. This on top of the fact that the true reward, a new region for Shadowdale was stolen away did not leave Lady Tempest in a favorable mood.

Hoping to raise her spirits the Grey Exarch would opt to take the road less traveled through the townlands of Viseu. Luna dismissed all her Tempest Rangers to arrive at the capital by the main road leaving Captain Theomona in charge with a sole exception. The Grey Exarch’s favorite lieutenant, Lissa was to join the Lady on the meandering road that bordered both the great forest of Braga and Oporto.

The duo rode atop their steeds following the shabby path before them. The road was very grown over making it difficult to follow however the scenery was breathtaking. What should have been a near pitch black forest with only torches to guide the way was a canvas of all that mother nature had to offer. The brilliant full moon illuminated the great green pine tree’s, brook crossing glistened as if diamonds lay within their beds and the ever present peaks of Evora looking majestic off in the distance.

Luna reached her hand skyward as if to grasp the very moon itself, “Someday” she whispered to herself while staring at the brilliant white celestial body when a lone eagle flew across the pure moon casting a shadow over Lady Tempest.

This feels like an omen, the Grey Exarch thought to herself as Luna brought her pinched fingers to her lips and let out a shrill whistle. Even as an experienced falconer such a gambit would unlikely pay off however something felt different to Lady Tempest as she stared skyward as the great bird turned sharply into a dive with the moon at its tail. As the eagle rose from its dive with wings flapping as if they were destiny itself to land in a nearby tree. The massive king of the sky stared straight down at Luna, it's radiant golden eye staring into her very soul.

Lissa could only watch behind in silent amazement as her general Lady Tempest outstretched her arm fortunately still protected by leather armour. As if on cue the eagle swooped down landing beautifully on Luna’s outstretched with talons clasping leather. The eagle had made a near perfect landing but it took all of Luna’s strength to support the massive bird. Now staring directly at each other, Luna’s blues eyes enamored in the eagles ravishing yellow eyes the moment felt frozen in time.

The two would be bonded, fate willed it so; however the eagle would never truly be tamed. A master, nay a king of the sky would never be contained as he represented the very essence of freedom. “Apollo,” Luna broke the silence speaking to the eagle. The two looked skyward back towards the full moon as Luna launched Apollo back into the sky. With Apollo’s magnificent brown plumage fluttering in the breeze as he flew above the eagle would circle Lady Tempest once and let out a lone powerful screech before disappearing into the darkness.

“Lissa,” Luna called up her lieutenant.

“My lady that was amazing” Lissa would blurt out before apologizing “Sorry what do you need my general.”

“I need you to ride ahead with all haste. Go to the Grey University of Karbala and have them prepare the largest tower’s solar. Go to the library and gather up every map you can find and any books on great historical battles. I have a date with destiny.” The Grey Exarch commanded Lissa.

Without any hesitation Lissa exclaimed “Yes my lady,” and rode off as fast as the steed could take her.

Luna took one last look at the moon whispering “You and I Apollo, let’s show East Continent Shadowdale’s destiny” before she again set off down that worn forest path.