Ironsides Family/Bowie/Drinking With Deorwulf
A Drink With Lord Deorwulf
Letter from Deorwulf Barras
You are most welcome. I shall be along for dinner as soon as I have knocked down the rather poor stables I just built
Deorwulf Barras
Count of Nidhogg's Mark
Letter from Deorwulf Barras
I come to visit your lands for a nice spot of supper and drinks. I hope to find you home in the coming days.
Deorwulf Barras
Count of Nidhogg's Mark
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
"Count Deorwulf! I am pleased to see you have come to visit. Come in and have a look around."
Lord Bowie courteously ushered the Count into his estate. It was a grand estate, not as big as the Northnastrond Palace up the street - the site of the former capital Court of Summerdale - but decent enough for a reigning Margrave.
"I named this place Castle Ironsides. It has a bit of a haunted feeling, does it not?" Bowie said with a hint of sarcasm, "Some of the locals tried to tell me it was haunted. They wanted to get rid of me and told me such fabrications, but the Demon of Dwilight is no old fool. They thought I would be frightened of their ghost stories and would stay away from their city. What they didn't realize was that I was the one coming to haunt them! They have since warmed up to me though. Everyone always does."
He continued with the Count toward the great chamber, where Lord Bowie had his servants prepare a table of fine spirits and liquers, one in particular was Ashrathe.
"Care for a drink, my friend?" the Margrave invited.
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
Deorwulf followed Bowie into his estate. The old keep had a peculiar air to it that could not be placed. Perhaps it was haunted, if one believed in such notions.
"You are most gracious. A drink would indeed be welcome. Ashrathe is not to be spurned when one is offered such"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
Lord Bowie ordered a servant to pour each of them a glass of Ashrathe. It was a clear liquid with a potent aroma, and the flavour sort of resembled black licorice.
"So my friend, we have much to share with each other being amongst the oldest rank of nobility in the Empire. I have many a story that I often regal to friends and tavern folk, but I am more interested in learning about your life. What sorts of things have you seen and done, and whom have you made acquaintance with over the years? From one old man to another, share a tale or two?"
The Demon took a sip of his drink. He tended not to drink Ashrathe too heavily as the rumours were that it made you blind.
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
Deorwulf laughed and downed the liquid in his glass.
"I have seen many sights it my years here and in the years before that in other lands beyond the seas. And here I sit drinking now with a living Demon. Life can be so amusing sometimes"
chuckle
"Kabrinksi is a was an interesting woman to meet. Though obviously quite mad. I think she believes herself to be a god"
"I like the new lands here, though now most are tamed maybe things wont be quite so exciting as when we landed in this new world"
sigh
"Maybe I am just getting too old and reminisce too much"
"So Demon., tell us a tale of the underworld"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
Lord Deorwulf's request gave Bowie a dreadful smile.
"I can tell you many a tale of the paths of villainy and the paths of outcast that have resulted from such ways - but I can only offer you one tale of the underworld. By that I mean to share with you an impression of my life, for they say that each man fashions his own heaven and his own hell. I am a man gripped by the whims of a demon. Imagine that for a moment, truly imagine! What you would do in my shoes? Let me illustrate it a bit more to assist your minds construction. Imagine that you are a man, as am I, and that you want to have the same things as every man. You want status, titles, gold, a comfortable home, a group of friends and a soft course of life from the moment you enter the world until the moment you exit. You want to hear the love of your woman and you want to see your image shared in the faces of your offspring. You want to receive the blessings of your god and the respect and acknowledgement of your rulers and peers. These are the things that a man wants, that I want. Now image a second self, one that is erratic, that is impulsive, that dwells within and springs forth when it sees an opportunity to destroy or to corrupt. Imagine you are that simple man, flesh, blood, Soul, struggling to contain the second self. The second self utters whispers. It tempts. It mocks. And it urges, always urging. What do you say to it? Do you give in? Do you let it have its day? Or do you fight it and try with all your might to push it deeper and deeper? All the while you know that regardless of your attempts it shall always, forever and ever, be with you. Fortunately, my old age has granted me experience with this inner demon enough to make it manageable. I have not had an episode in quite some time. Yet the fear of such an outburst is never too far from my daily concerns. Add that to your fantasy. That not only are you a man, one with a second will wrestling with the first, but evermore the first will must constantly remain in vigil over the second's dormant sleep. That is a waking hell. A living nightmare."
Bowie sipped some from his cup.
"How is that for a frightening story? Though my Castle is in fact not haunted at all, you may find yourself a bit on edge the more you walk my halls and chambers. The evil does not dwell within the architecture. No, it dwells within each of us! We who inhabit the Castle!"
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
"That was a fine speech friend. Listening to you reminds me of some of my thoughts. I too have struggled with inner demons and have fought them. It is chilling to hear the thoughts expressed so well. I think there is something inside all of us that seeks to out and rule with the baser things of our nature. Some feel it keener. Perhaps you and I are more alike than I have ever cared to think. I have sought to be an example to others and to inspire the mere mortals with my acts of heroism. Who knows what I have achieved, for the reality of how people think of me will only truly be seen after my death. If I had given into the inner demon would my life have been that much different? All I can say is that I have enjoyed my life and the people in it. "
Deorwulf raised his glass
"To the wonders and mysteries of life"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
"To the wonders and mysteries of life!" Bowie toasted.
"Let us change the subject from the depths of our Soul to the thoughts of our mind. You may or may not know that I am a political noble, and have been, since landing in the Empire, attempting to fashion it away from its stale theocratism into something new - Imperialism. Being a noble who has lived here, and with this state of affairs for quite some time, what are your thoughts on the future of the Morek Empire. I am leaving and taking my politics with me, but that will leave a vacuum here. I was the only opposition to the increasingly ailing theme of the realm."
These sorts of conversations could go two ways, Bowie thought, either Lord Deorwulf would express his views, for or against, or become offended by the question and shut it down. The third option was to brush the question aside, but a few drinks always made Bowie ask it and hopefully make Lord Deorwulf answer.
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
"An interesting question you ask, Demon"
"And in some company, some would say down right dangerous"
"Just for, shall we say my own private amusement, which way do you think I believe?"
Deorwulf smirked and drunk some more.
He thought to himself "Just when I thought the evening couldn't get any more interesting"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
"I have never shirked from dangerous conversations. To that end that probably explains why I almost had my head chopped off by Zuma daimons of the Netherworld."
After snickering for a moment, Lord Bowie stood at pause for a moment.
"Hm, my first response to anyone I meet in this region, I suppose, is that they are Astromancers and thereby Theocrats. That is my first assumption. Over time I have learned that this generalization is not always the case. I have spoken with many Astromancers who disagree with theoratism, and are embarrassed by their more zealot counterparts. As for you, considering your long standing career in this region, I am going to assume that you may have been around when Astromancy was founded and so you are more than likely among the ranks of zealot theocrats. Forgive me if I misjudge you. Also forgive me if I offend you by being your political opponent (if you so happen to be a zealot theocrat). But that's the joy and essence of debating! Duke Pierre is one of my most outspoken political opponents, but I consider him a very good friend."
Bowie leaned closer with a raised eyebrow.
"So, is my guess wrong?"
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
"An interesting way to come to a conclusion, but not without its merits" "I have indeed been in these lands a long time. Longer indeed than Astroism" "I was around for its founding, but my life did not begin with it." "The religion has its place and indeed many would say it was almost necessary to bind the realms as we fought against the wildlands in the beginning." "Now there are few wildlands and most realms worship the stars." "Do I believe in the stars? Of course I do. Is it good that so many believe in the stars? How can it not be? Where does that leave the Empire? That is is the question"
"So friend, what do you say now?"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
Stroking his chin, Lord Bowie reassessed his guess for a moment and then made his reply.
"I still state my assumption that you are a theocrat. Otherwise, you would be joining the colony with us. Or you would have left the Morek Empire a long time ago. The Empire has become the sick man of High Toprak. Its continuation is hinging merely on nostalgia. There is nothing for you here except for the fact that it is the founding homeland of your faith. Therefore, you must be wholly devote. Either that or you are somehow indebted to this territory and will never leave its domains regardless of the stink of the waters around you. That is a sort of dedication, obsession, that I may have overlooked in my guess."
Pausing, Lord Bowie made a further remark.
"It is interesting that you mention you predate Astromancy. So do I, in fact, and that has shaped my entire outlook on the faith. I was a young noble at the time, but I heard reports about your faith conquering its western neighbours and forcing them to convert or else. Many accuse me of having a heinous past, speak for yourselves, Sir!"
Bowie sensed he may have insulted his guest but he was as interested in seeing the reply.
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
Deorwulf sighed heavily and a strange look passed across his face and he took on a maudlin air
"I can't say I blame you for your conclusion"
"Maybe I have been too stuck in my ways. Too attached to these lands. Maybe it is time for me to break free and reforge my existence."
Another look passed across Deowulf's face and his mood brightened visibly.
"Could the colony do with my services?"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
Lord Bowie nodded gleefully at the Count's suggestion.
"Yes! You are more than welcome to join the colony. I, and every member of the new realm, would be proud to serve beside such an upstanding noble. By joining a bit late you missed the opportunity to receive a piece of land, but there is no reason why you can't campaign for a position in the government. With momentous news, I have just been elected as the first ruler of the colony. If you had the interest, I would be honoured if you considering campaigning for judge, or general or banker. Founding a colony allows for brand new opportunities and experiences. That is why I made the difficult decision to leave behind the Morek Empire, a thought you no doubt feel the pangs of internally. I spent a great deal of my time and blood building my status here in the Empire as the "good heathen." I proved that faith doesn't make one noble, but gritty determination does. And now I walk away from all of those accomplishments to achieve even greater heights, ones I would never have the chance to earn - ever - here in the Empire. Maybe that feeling applies to you too? You could do so much for Morek, but you haven't because maybe you never felt the need to because this is your home and you are comfortable here. But come to the new realm, to Swordfell, and you will feel membership on an epic new voyage."
Bowie raised his glass to salute the conversation.
Roleplay from Deorwulf Barras
"The lure of land and power is, I'm sure you are aware, strong. But I have no doubt that there will be many opportunities in the colony, for those that want them."
"Yes, a fresh start. Hard though it might be at my stage in life. I think this is what I need."
"Do I simply show up in the colony and sign up there and then? Or is there some formal process I need to carry out?"
"I will leave for my castle court to pack up my belongings and prepare for the journey"
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
(Personal message to Deorwulf Barras)
"My friend, I am joyed to hear your contribution. All you have to do is notify the Grandmaster that you would like to be entered into the 'Flowrestown Dominion' forum and then join the conversation. When the time comes for our realm to secede, which is a date we are still deliberating on - there are things to decide first - then you must step down from your position as Lord and find an estate in the duchy of Flowrestown. When it comes time to secede, I too will resign from Nifelheim and join Flowrestown. Then, when the duchy secedes, all of us will become knights of the new realm. You can campaign for one of the government positions, but it's too late for you to become a landlord."
It was a great thing to learn that Lord Deorwulf has made a new path for himself. Like he, Lord Bowie saw this as an opportunity to start something new, something epic, and now the colony will be made all the greater by Lord Deorwulf's participation.
