Bluelake Family/IlyaRP/Welcoming to realm

Really cringe inducing english mistakes here. But behold the first communications related to Ilya. Well, at least the IC ones. Lots of OOC communication at the start.

Letter from Ilya

Message sent to everyone in your realm (85 recipients) Good evening, my fellow realm mates.

My name is Ilya from Bluelake family. I've just found myself in Menedor, a townsland belonging to your great realm. My family sent me to serve here, under the protection of Lord Ronan, to whom I now owe my loyalty. Being so, I would like the opportunity to put my troops under Lord Ronan's command, and to get to know the rest of the Falasan members.

As I'm young and unexperienced, my family sent me with a humble request: that one or more of you would take me as your pupil to teach me the way of war and knowledge, and make out of me a true noble.

I am eagerly waiting for your answer. Thank you for taking me into your service. Ilya Bluelake Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Willem

(Personal message to Ilya) Lady Ilya,

Welcome to Falasan. My family is from Menedor as well. Ronan is a just and gracious liege. King Gucky is a very good leader. Welcome.

Should you need assistance, just ask. There are those that are good about answering. Currently we are at war with Eston, our neighbor to the north, and their allies, Darka and Barony of Makar.

Again, welcome. Willem (Knight of Menedor)

Letter from Chi

(Personal message to Ilya) Welcome to Falasan,

My name is lady Chi,

It is a pleasure to see new faces, We are curently at war with the realms to the north and facing an invasion from monster and undead forces. If you are looking to learn the ways of war you will find yourself learning fast.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I myself will be here to help. Chi Marshal of the Nazia Mountaineer Army

Assigned to Army

Your liege Ronan, Marquis of Menedor has assigned you to the army army of Barad Gardor.

Letter from Ronan

Message sent to everyone in your realm (85 recipients) Welcome Ilya to Falasan and Menedor. I hope you find prosperity and happiness here in this great Realm.

Ronan Marquis of Menedor

Letter from Ronan

Message sent to: Ilya You are most welcome here in Menedor. Everyone will help you but there is a Mentor who has dedicated his time to helping those in need of basic training. He is Sir END and you should message him and introduce yourself. In the meantime you should move to our capitol city, Barad Gardor, which is only a few hours journey. There, if you have gold, recruit more men, read the bulletins and watch for and follow orders. I have assigned you to the Army of Barad Gardor which will help you with some expences for your troop. Good luck,

Ronan Marquis of Menedor

Letter from Ilya

Message sent to: END Good evening, Lord END

My name is Ilya Bluelake, and my family sent me to work and learn under the protection of Lord Ronan, in Menedor. As I am still young and unexperienced, Lord Ronan determined that I should ask you for mentoring me.

In the possibility that you accept this burden, I am humbly telling you already what I was told to do by my liege: to move my Eagles to Barad Gardor and recruit more men. Afterwards, I should read the bulletins and follow orders.

I can't tell how hard it'll be to follow his commands, but I'm already on the road. Lord END, this journey will take me 3 hours to complete, and I've already gone to my family house to say goodbye. Do you think I can still train my men for 4 hours today?

I wait forward to hear back from you, Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Ronan) Thank you greatfully, Lord Ronan.

I have sent a message to Sir END, and am still waiting for his reply. We are already on the road, me and my men, so you can count on us at Barad Gardor in a couple of hours.

I'll do my best while in there and hope to be of use.

Yours, Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Willem) Knight Willem,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome!

I must say I feel a bit lost at the moment, and hopefully this feeling will vanish as fast as I hit the road today. Lord Ronan sent me already to Barad Gardor to gather troops, knowledge, experience and orders.

I haven't yet managed to understand how much time each action take, as I visited my family and my clock didn't run. I though I would take at least half an hour in there, but I guess my mother doesn't miss me so much yet.

I hope we have the chance to fight side by side soon!

Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Chi) Lady Chi,

Thank you for your warm welcome.

The pleasure is mine of being among such gentle nobility. The ways of war seem to me the first important knowledge to be acquired, as we can only work peacefully where we have no enemies dwelling. I must admit to you, though, that my heart is eager for peace, and I would gladly trade the sword for a paper sheet and wander this world as an artist.

Thank you again for your disposition to help, and I shall certainly make use of it very soon. Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Willem

(Personal message to Ilya) Dame Ilya,

It does take a bit to get used to the time that various actions or orders take.

For example, each time you send out one scout, it takes an hour of your time. When you have arms and armor repaired, it takes some time. My brother, Freidroch, just had his men's arms and armor fixed. It was about 6% damaged. It took about 3 hours. But, he does have 30 of the finest archers that Falasan has to offer. This I know because we're both in Barad Gardor. He just came from Menedor to BG (as we sometime call it) to take care of some financial transactions and the arms repair. I was just released from the Estonite prison. I was captured in the most recent battle in Anost. At this time, it would not be appropriate for me to share with you the foulness of their dungeons.

Generally, visiting the family can take 2-3 hours.

Traveling from one region to another will depend on the number of scouts that you have, the distance to the region, what, if any equipment your troops are carrying, etc. I takes me 3 or 4 hours to go from Menedor to Barad Gardor.

OOC (out of character) - Sometimes it is too hard to explain things as a character. This is now Mark, the player, talking - Time drops in 1 hour increments, not in partials. Always try to save some time each day. You can carry over up to 4 hours each half day. Every turn in one half day and you get 8 hours. If you have 5 hours left at the end of the turn, at the beginning of the next turn, you have a total of 12 hours.

There are times that you need to use up all of your time, but it is generally better to keep some.

Do ask Ronan to assign you to an army. If memory serves, you should ask to be assigned to the Army of Barad Falas. If the sponsor of the army keeps the war chest filled, it will financially assist you.

Do read the relevant parts of the BM Wiki. You can spend hours reading about histories of realms and families, but stick to the simple stuff first.

Back to IC (in character) - I would ask you, Dame Ilya, to feel free to ask me any questions that you have. I would also guide you to seek out a Mentor. Hopefully you'll get a good one. But I am available to provide any assistance that I can.

I'll tell my brother to look for you on the road. He should be headed back to Menedor soon. He'll be the young, goofy looking lad with 30 fine archers.

Until we meet, Willem (Knight of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Willem) Sir Willem,

I am glad to know the young knight I saw on the road with superb archers was your brother. Unfortunately we barely saw each other, giving a polite compliment, as I was not aware of who he was. Your letter came to find me in BG, how you say it, with the sun rising and my men resting after the three hour journey.

I would like very much to talk to him, though, as we share a not so common preference for the sharp and quick archers. Good thing he went to Menedor, also, as mine were half the long distance forces the town had. Send him my regards for that.

Who would ever think a cheerful Sir like you had just been put out of prison? My heart is sorry to hear it, but is also glad to find you safe. May the foulness you mention make your mind stronger and vanish from your heart.

Thank you for your assistance, already, and hopefully we can meet while we are both in Barad Gardor.

Ilya

Post Scriptum: Oh, you were right to say my family would hold me for two hours: my mother had just served dinner when I thought the visit was too short. I almost left Menedor too late to get in BG by sunrise! Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Willem

(Personal message to Ilya) Ilya -

Thank you for your kind words. It is probably a good thing that you only passed my brother. He is a good man, but a bit of a scoundrel. Right now he has the safety of the Eastern Front on his mind, so he might have been curt with you. If he was, I apologize and will speak with him the next time that we meet for dinner.

I was only in prison for about 3 days, but it was sad news to find out that when I escaped, I found that all my men were hunted down by the Estonites, the dogs that they are. Hunted and killed like foxes for sport. I have vowed to exact revenge, but in due time.

I shall be in BG for a short time, possibly replacing my men, or perhaps finding a new career. I would be honored to meet with you and take you to dinner or for a drink. (OOC - in this game, there is some roleplaying, as you are doing very well, there is actually no tavern or pub, no gold gets deducted for meals or tips, except when you send your men to pub crawl or go dancing or such. That costs money, but can raise morale.)

IC -

So, please look me up. Even though it is our capital, I am a known man. People can find me. I await your presence.

If your mother is like my mum, her cooking is very good. Menedor produces some very fine vegetables and the forests have some of the tastiest game.

Willem (Knight of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Willem) Willem,

I am so sorry to have missed you around! I would never figure you'd be working all day, so I couldn't really find you before your departure, even with two messengers looking for you all over! Hopefully your army and your brother's will be safe, each protecting our realm with your lifes. Please avoid capturing this time, as you still owe me a meal, a drink, and a face to face conversation.

I spent the day looking up longbowmen to increase my guard, and am pretty satisfied with the 10 men I gathered. Should have been 12, but the other two I was about to pick turned too nervous and scared to be of use. (OOC: read - ops, I forgot 2 lol - IC)

Hopefully I'll depart to battlefield before the situation shows even more complicated than it is now. Let us meet there, or back home, safe and sound. Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Gregor) Good evening, Marshall Gregor

As a new knight under your command, I would like very much to know how should I prepare my Archers to make myself of use to Barad Gardor's army.

Also, I assumed I shouldn't follow Marshall Yavuz's orders, as he commands Barad Falas army, but I am getting concerned on all the war messaged we are getting.

My army is currently consisted of 28 archers, 2 healers and one banner, as I found I should have by reading the bulletins. Couldn't afford more men right now, and there wasn't any cart available at the market. I wasn't able to recruit scouts as well, as they aren't to be found in Barad Gardor.

I'll train my troops for a few hours today, and wait for your orders.

Thank you for your time, Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Willem

Message sent to everyone in your realm (85 recipients) In order to stave off a number of queries, this is what Yavuz is talking about regarding work. I sent this to a few realm mates last turn...

I tried the work. I'm not above it, as I worked for many years at my father's place. I didn't get paid like I did in BG, though. I worked for 9 hours. Mostly it was in the produce area of the open market. Much unloading of carts and hauling baskets of turnips. When the proprietor of the market saw the BA insignia, he had me move from tossing legumes to standing watch over the money changers. I thought that it was honorable work.

You find yourself a job and earn 18 gold. You lose a point of honour for falling well below your status. You lose one prestige, since someone of your rank should not work like a peasant.

---

Side note to Ilya - I'm sorry that we weren't able to meet in Barad Gardor. As soon as I started unloading the nineteenth cart of the day, I remembered that I had asked you to look me up. If you had, I'm sorry for the run-around. I'll probably be be working again today. We shall meet up somewhere. Of that I'm sure. Willem (Knight of Menedor)

Letter from Willem

Message sent to: Ilya Ilya -

Again, I apologize for not being able to meet you in Barad Gardor. I was able to recruit some 20 men and now Marshal Reilwin has called my army to travel. I need to gather my men and check them over.

I'm headed out now and don't know when I shall return. Hopefully I will encounter some of our enemy and show them some Falasan steel.

We shall meet, be it in a tavern or alongside on the battlefield. Willem (Knight of Menedor)

Letter from Gregor

(Personal message to Ilya) Welcome Iiya,

Military command works first and foremost from the orders you will receive from the High Marshal. Then any orders I my give. Generally you will receive your orders from him, but there may be times I give them myself. In that case, my orders override his as they are more specific.

Archers do not require banners, only infantry.

The Marshal will give you orders and your settings. With archers generally I would stand in the 2nd line on normal. Sometimes we will do an infantry rush then you need to be in the front on defensive. The most important thing to do is make sure you use the proper settings as given by the marshal to make sure the army is fighting a coordinated battle.

Glory to you in war. I apologize for the length of time it took to greet you, by I just got out of the enemy's dungeons myself. Gregor Marshal of the army of Barad Gardor

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Gregor) Thank you Gregor,

I'm sorry to hear of your recent emprisionment. Gladly you are not there anymore, so you could answer me. I realise our realm is on the middle of a war, and that is why my family sent me to serve, so I just want to help. I am not in a rush, so you can take your time, but I feel we have no time to lose.

My troops aren't that strong, I believe, and I don't quite know how make them a real army. As for their tatical formation, I followed instructions given by the High Marshall - putting them in front and defensive.

What should I do about the banner? Just drop it anywhere? Does anyone take it and put it back on the market, once I leave it behind?

The only orders I read about did not refer to Barad Gardor troops. Should I move myself to meet the army on the south? What should I do to consider my army ready to put up a fight?

If you can only help on this matter, we'll be marching before another sunset.

Thank you Sir Gregor, Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Letter from Gregor

(Personal message to Ilya) I wouldn't train them. If the enemy infantry gets into your archers they won't last anyway. It takes a lot of gold to make a difference in training because you have to pay for damaged equipment all the time. And in these big battles you'll loose the majority of them anyway. Gregor Marshal of the army of Barad Gardor

Roleplay from Ilya

Message sent to everyone in your realm (84 recipients) Ilya burned the last letter she received that morning, and turned to the girl that served her on her stay at Barad Gardor: - Can you call mister Robert here, Amina? - Right away, madam! - the young girl bowed and left. In a minute she was back with the chief archer from Ilya's unit, a man on his 30's, that had loyally served her family since a young boy, and which was as close to the dame as an uncle could be. Robert bowed as he entered the room. - Good morning, Robert. I just received a letter telling us to move to Barad Falas. It'll be a two day journey, travelling day and night. Do you think your men are ready? - Yes, madam Ilya. - The man smiled - They spent yesterday resting, getting to know each other, and are now eager to use their longbows. - My only fear is their unexperience, Robert. - she sighed - The realm needs them, though. - Battle will make them stronger, my dear. - he stopped - Sorry for that, madam, I forget we are not in Menedor any more. - Do not worry for we are alone, but watch it in the presence of my lords. - Ilya smiled - Got warn the men of our departure, and I'll be with you soon. - Madam.

After the man left, Ilya finished arranging her belongings and left to check her unit. As they moved out into the road, she thought to herself: "I haven't yet met any other nobles on this realm, except for the letters we exchanged. Maybe I'll catch up with Sir Willem at some point, or even find another noble to travel with me from Elroth." Ilya (Dame of Menedor)

Arrival

You have arrived in Elroth, a Townsland region (friendly territory).

Letter from Willem

Message sent to: Ilya Ilya -

I, too, would like to meet up with you. It appears that you are headed to the west of Falasan. I'm headed there as well, but a region in front of you. It would appear that you are chasing me. :)

I have been asked to take care of some issues for the Black Army, so I don't know if time will allow us to meet for a meal and talk soon.

I'm glad to see that you're preparing you troops to fight. With so many, I'd be interested in seeing all the bare birds that gave their plumage to the fletcher.

Be careful to lead your men and not get too attached to them. Some of them will be wounded or die in battle. As a leader you can not spend your time grieving over them. Understand that you pay them to fight and that in this war with our enemies, some will die. It is not easy, but it is the way of battle. I lost a fine Captain and friend, along with all my other men, just last week. He was well versed in the art of war. It pains me to have lost him to the enemy's blade, but I will remember the good times that we had. In one battle, and I couldn't tell you which one for they run together like some of the streams in Menedor, he would collect the buttons from those that he had slain and then use them to play checkers. He had enough for a two and a half sets. That might sound gruesome, and I mean no offense my lady, but on the field of battle, when the man to your right takes an arrow in his thigh and holds on through the night, only to die the next morning, you try and find civil ways of keeping sane.

Take care as you travel, for I would like to meet you in Barad Falas. I've rambled on way to much and have probably bored you. Do you like ale or wine? After I arrive in Barad Falas, I will have one of my men try and find the best in that city. His uncle's neighbor's son works in one of the taverns, so he might be able to come up with something. Now, to remember which man that was, and then hopefully he can remember which uncle...

Willem (Knight of Menedor)

Letter from Ilya

(Personal message to Willem) Willem, Sir

After day and night travelling, I arrived to Barad Falas seeing the tail of your unit. Couldn't catch up with you though, as I had to make my men comfortable and make sure they would be ready to battle if there was one to come. During the next night, I had their equipment repaired and made them a speech to arouse their spirit. They were tired from the extensive journey, and I feared for them, if they had to leave their beds to fight. Good thing the attack didn't come, and we woke up for a good 11h maneuvering excercise today, which we are doing just I write to you.

Sir, you advised me to keep my heart away from my men, and I hear you. It was into my education to get to know our men, for us to take of them their best, by acknowleging their weakness and strenghts. I shall probably feel their losses, and they would have earned it, but I promise you: I'll do my best to understand it as part of the war and keep going. They are ready to die, I am ready to see them die for a good cause. I cannot fall when they fall, because then they would have died for nothing. I hope this thought is enough to keep me standing in the battlefield.

I am sorry for your Capitain too, and all of your men that died at some point. My own Capitain already said he wouldn't mind to die for me, and I hope this day doesn't come too soon. I was trained in archery by him - since I was only 10. Not too useful for a noble, but I enjoyed being able to bring my dad his lunch. Because of this Capitain's loyalty my father sent him with me: to make me survive my first battles. Does he believe in me or not? ;)

I would like your issues and mine could combine for us to meet tomorrow, but I do not hold my expectations too high, seeing the war we have ahead of us. I can only hope that you don't get yourself too badly wounded or captured, if your duty leads you to the heart of the battle.

If you still feel like looking for that man with the uncle of the neighbor... Or something... I prefer wine. I would also prefer to drink it with you, so don't worry sending it over right now.

Ilya (Dame of Menedor)