[en] The Tavern at the Inn

[Angryminer]

I posted the finished idea here because I came up with the idea here. The game should surely get it's very own topic, if we are to start it.
So, is there interest? Or is something unclear?

Angryminer

[NaVatar]

It's too complicated for a nOOb like me. But might be fun to see how the game progress so maybe you shall put it in Colliseum in a own thread for those who like the idea.

[FrankishHero]

It's a good idea, imo. Maybe an inspiration for BSS aswell? ;)

[hawk_knight]

30th of june hawk_knights log

we saw a small party of horsemen coming towards us.I thought it couldnt be traveller he still was to far away but when they came closer i saw that they where a arabic men.
When they got in to our camp they wanted to speak with sir dobber.
they went in to his camp and after some time they came out and ride away from our camp. I talked with sir Richard what maybe had happend in dobbers tent.
Sir Richard told me that when dobber came out of his tent that he looked worried he said to me that he would talk to dobber about the arabic men.
I said that i will send some dragon scouts after the arabic horsemen to find out where there are heading for.


Bartender a round of XXL BEER FOR EVERYONE

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

Bartender a round of XXL BEER FOR EVERYONE

The beer is served! Enjoy!:cheers:

[FrankishHero]

Frankish's Return

I am the son of King Frankish, his spitting image. Would they believe their eyes, when I arrived? My mother had told me what had happened to my father in my absence. I had been living in Denmark at my fathers request, he didn't want me around the war before I was 18. I was very surprised when I returned to find the war resolved...in our advantage!

Mother told me my father had died and he had passed on the crown to NaVatar. I knew NaVatar as a kind soul, although a bit shaky under pressure, and although I silently questioned whether my father had made the right choice. Then she told me about the war against the Byzantines. It was my task, I felt, to ensure everything was alright there. I had been taught how to ride and fight in Denmark, so this was my chance to prove myself.

I can see the camp in the distance, I expect to be arriving there in about an hour.

[Dobber]

June 30 - Dobber's Log

30 minutes after Sakim left the camp


I asked for 20 of the best men in my forces to prepare to ride out and to be ready in 30 minutes.
The other commanders ask what I was preparing to do, but I told them that I was not at liberty to say at this time. I told them that if I was unable to return that a messenger would return with a message that I had fallen upon misfortune and they could at that time appoint a new commander for the forces under my command.

I had given Sakim my word that I would not break confidence for 24 hours, but I did not give him my word that I myself would not come after him.

We rode out of camp and struck out on the trail of Sakim and his men, it was not a difficult trail to follow. With a little luck we would catch up to them by nightfall or at least be close enough to smell the smoke from their campfire. No later than tomorrow we shall meet and settle the matter, I cannot take the chance someone will deprive me the pleasure. One and only one of us will walk away from the meeting.


*BTW some are questioning the lacking of storytelling, well all the allied forces that are in transit, are at a standstill waiting on Traveller to arrive to acknowledge to his King that we are in fact friendly forces and gain our release to pass through the Bulgarian lands. In essence the storytelling hinges on Traveller*

[Xuca]

CL could write something, there is not much for me to write, if he doesn't complete his quest...

[Traveller]

Me? You're waiting for me? Oh, sorry, I wasn't in the mood for bard-singing and I completely forgot... I'll write something later today.

[Traveller]

Traveller's Log - The month of Chrven (July), day 1st


Yesterday, immediately after I received the message from my tsar, I spoke with Angryminer about it and left right away, together with 5 of my bodyguards and the bagain. We rode as fast as we could, slept on the ground and in early morning we continued our gallop. We had no time to lose, as the joined Arab-Roman forces could attack our garrison in Adrianople. And although the tsar sent his trusted khavkhan to lead the armies, I doubt he would be able to work with the foreigners very well. And what about the new army, which is camped, waiting for my acknowledgement and the tsar's orders? How will we work? Such a large army is incredibly hard to command even if it is your own, what's left if it doesn't understand your language?! And this particular army is as colourful as a Persian carpet. It's like the Tower of Babel - people, speaking on Bulgarian, Englese, Latenian, Nordish and God knows what else! I just hope the army's generals know what to do... Anyway, the Romeans would have the same worries and even bigger - how will the Arabs forget their different faith, their past and their dead relatives, killed by Roman sword. And vice versa, of course... It's like if we are to allign with them. Yes, this was done before during the pagan times of Khan Tervel, in the face of the common enemy, which was again the Arabs. What an irony! Before we joined against them, now they join against us! But we're not alone, too. We have friends, which have travelled through whole of Europe only to help us (and maybe to pillage Constantinople, too) and we should hurry to let them continue their way. And I can't wait to meet my old friends there! Hah, Xuca's alive and the new King of Serbia... Oh, what a world!
With such thoughts in my mind, we reached the gates of Ohrid (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a71/Nike_Raido/ThefortressofOhrid.jpg) just a few hours after noon. I send the guards to announce the tsar of my arrival and in the meantime I washed and prepared myself for the meeting. After that I went to the palace to speak with Tsar Samuil. In the beginning we talked about common things, as if I had come only for a friendly visit. But I couldn't just talk like that for long, I was quite impatient, and I went directly to the point. I shared with him my worries about the command of such an army, especially since he told me that Bulgarian forces will join them as well.
"Did you really think I didn't knew whether they are reinforcements or not?", the tsar asked me. "Well, maybe... In all the cases, such a large foreign army on Bulgarian soil would inspire doscontent among the nobles, even if it is friendly and especially if we're not sure would they follow our command. That's why I needed to slow them down a little, until we gather some more men and provisions and mostly, until we discuss and settle the command part. That's why I asked you to come. You should speak with them and make sure they agree with us. Of course, we won't take direct command over their armies - they're our friends and we also can't speak their language. But we need to have some, let's say "co-ordinators", to direct their commanders, so that they don't do something foolish we don't want."
"Yes, I understand.", or did I? "We can't just gather against the enemy and charge without any plan. From the little time as a commander of my own unit, I came to the same conclusion - you can't just let everyone do what he thinks. There must be some order and co-ordination, yes. But wouldn't they think that we're trying to get command over them and feel it as a threat?"
"That's your job. You already know some of them and you're the best to do it. Besides, I believe they're smart people and they've probably came to the same question themselves. We just need to co-ordinate it..."
"Allright, I'll speak with them. But when could we leave? I'm worried of leaving Adrianople alone against the outnumbering it enemy. It's true that I left the whole garrison to Your trusted khavkhan, but it's only just a little over 40 000 strong (Trav. note: Right? 35 000 Bulgarians under mine and Angryminer's command and let's say 7500 Mercians and Bulgarians (from the siege before)."
"Don't worry! You could leave as early as the sun rises tomorrow morning. And I'm sending additional 50 000 men, together with supplies and siege machines. I'm placing them under your command (of course, you can have deputies), as I also give you the title of Great Voevod. We have no time to oficially announce this in front of the councel, but I've already made sure everyone knows it."
"Oh... well... Uhm... Thank You, my Lord! It is a great joy for me to be entrusted such a serious task and position! Thank You again! But I have some more questions: I'm worried also for the food supplies. You mentioned that together with the troops there will be additional food transports, but will it be enough for the armies, if I could ask?"
"Don't worry about that, as well. I may be old, but I'm not stupid. Enough food has been prepared and, besides, the peasants carry food for themselves. The last year was bountiful and we need not to worry about the food. Now, let's go and meet your distant friends before it gets dark!"
I'm not quite sure, but I had the strange feeling he's speaking to me not as an inferior, as a servant, but as an equal. Or even as with a son... Much has happened for the last few months and he probably hasn't forgotten the death of his only son. Or maybe he really is just getting old...
Then we rode together with the Royal retinue to the "commander's camp", to the south of Skopie, to meet my old friends and discuss all our problems (and to "recognize" them, just for the formality). The sun was setting down behind the mountains when we arrived. I was so glad to see them! But I hadn't much time for that. At evening we would gather in the commander's tent for "recognition and debates", all of the high commanders together with the tsar and his closer suite. But one thing worried me: I was told that Sire Dobber is gone. He rode the previous day after a company of Arabs (so Sakim after all did came here; I should search for the "followers" I sent before), whose leadre had a meeting with him before that. Normally, I would think that Dobber's just went out with his friend, hunting maybe. But I was also told that he seemed very angry when he left his tent. What is going on? He hasn't said anything, but I'm worried. And he hasn't came back since then. I hope he will! And soon, preferably before the meeting... Oh, things are happening so fast and I begin to lose the trail of everything! Only this disturbing feeling...
Ahh, a squire just came in, calling me for the meeting. I shall go and I hope we'll settle all the eventual problems. But Sire Dobber isn't here yet...



Here it is! I told you I'm not in a mood for singing, but since you're waiting for me, at least it is something...
Btw maybe we should make something like a list with all the available currently-standing forces. F.e. how many Mercians are there in Adrianople, how many Bulgarians are there too, how big is the reinforcements army, how big is the garrison of Constantinople (approximately, by rumours; note that Constantinople has three-wall-system and the walls are really impresive), the same with the Arabs etc.

[Dobber]

I forget how it breaks down, but the reinforcement army is 160,000. 35,000 under my command(10,000 cavalry from Hawk_Knight and 25,000 infantry that was The Knightly Sword's army). And for the group that arrived earlier with me, Angryminer and Kuno, I never knew how many were in that force, maybe Angryminer does. he was my recruiter.

[Xuca]

Adventures of Xuca

30th june

That weir legionare isn't showing up. Byzantins think I'm stupid, sending spies, thinking that I'll hire them just like that. I should have sent a spy after him, and now he can perform something that looks like he's loyal to me. Probably he planned everything...

A messagner has arrived, with a peace proposal from the Hungarians. They must have been intimidated with the huge army that passed through their lands. This will free up enother 10000 soldiers, who will hurry to join us. Mostly infrantry, I already took all the cavalry with me. You can't find enough good horse riders in Serbia, we just aren't born for that...

Sir Dobber is talking to some Arabian guy right now, I was told that his name is Sakim and that he's our ally. I never liked the infidels, and I really doubt that they like us...

After the meeting

Sir Dobber seemed very angry, and has left the camp to follow Sakim with 20 men. I have a bad feeling about this...

1st july

Tsar Samuil and Traveller came to the camp this night to recognize us. It's not nice from Traveller, he didn't even say hallo to me, like that he isn't glad to see me. He thought I'm dead for a long time, and he finally has the chance to see me, and nothing! Not even a "hallo"! But maybe he was just too ocupied, we'll see...

[Dobber]

July 1 - Dobber's Log

Last night we camped not far from the camp of Sakim, when setting the watch, I appointed that there be someone watching Sakim's camp all through the night and that I be informed if there is any move to break camp. I wanted the face-off to be as early as possible, I did not want them slipping from our grasp.

As we were breaking camp this morning the watchman came to bring news of the Arabs breaking their camp. Our horses were ready, so we set out to overtake the traitor. After an hour of riding, we were able to get around them. I had the men hide themselves in the landscape to cober me as I waited upon the trail for Sakim. I figured appearing alone upon the trail, that Sakim might think I had a change of heart and had ridden to join him.

And that is where Sakim found me waiting, there was no expression on his face, nothing that showed any surprise or any emotion whatsoever.
"Sakim, I promised you 24 hours not to tell of your traitorous ways, but I did not promise I would not come for you myself."
"Why am I not surprised Comrade!"
"I am no longer your Comrade, Sakim! Let us dismount and settle this here in this trail! And tell your men to stay out of our fight, I have men watching and any move by your men to help you will be met with an arrow or javelin through the heart or throat."

We dismounted and met there in the middle of the trail. During our time together I had sparred with Sakim on many occasions and knew many of his moves as he did mine. I knew that to defeat him I was going to have to change my attack and to respond differently to his attacks to keep him off guard and unsure of my approach. Plus I had an edge, I did not fear death, I had nothing to prove to anyone, I had not one person who would cry after me. I parried every blow and thrust from his sword, waiting my time, letting him tire. I had plenty of time, I wanted him to sweat and worry. He was in a hurry, he knew the longer he was there the more chance of being caught. He started getting careless with his movements, taking chances. I was taking my share of beating also, he had nicked me on several occasions as the blade got a little close for comfort. He seemed so tireless, I may have underestimated his strength. After some 30 minutes of fighting my opening came, he was just a bit off balance and I thrust for his heart, my blade went true, but in that moment I was open and with his enormous strength he brought his blade to bear and made one final thrust that went deep in my side. He fell to his back and I to my knees beside him. Sakim looked into my eyes with disbelief and took his dieing breath, as my sword came down upon his throat severing his head from his body.

My men came to surround me and protect me from Sakim's men. They asked what to do with the Arabs, I told the men to allow them to leave with Sakim's headless body. It would serve as a message to the defenders of Constantinople , what awaits them when we take the city from them.
I am losing blood and getting weaker, I have the men plug the gash as best they can and fix a travois to place me on, for I am to weak to ride. I send 5 of the men back to our camp with a message for a cart to be sent back to meet us. I have them place the head of Sakim on the end of a pike and send it with them to be presented to the commanders. I bid them make haste, I need medical attention as soon as possible, I may not make it as is, I have lost much blood. I have the remaining 15 keep close watch as we slowly make our way back to our allies. If the cart arrives, we should be able to reach the camp by nightfall. I just hope I am still alive when we get there.

[Traveller]

Traveller's Log - The month of Chrven (July), day 1st, at night
Death or Life?

Just when I went out of my tent, I heard some shouts and disturbance in the camp. Five horsemen rushed towards the commanders tents, bringing something, which looked like a head, sticked on a pike. When they came closer I recognized Sakim's face. What the...?! The men were exhausted and in the same time extremely tense. I don't know because of what (the exhaustion or the tension), but they needed some time until they relax and explain why are they bringing Sakim's head on a stick. Till then they only waved hands back from where they came, but nothing senseful came out of their mouths. Finally, they did relax and managed to speak: It seems that they were from the men Sire Dobber took with him when riding after Sakim. Today they have captured the Arabian (he was probably an enemy spy) and the two leaders dueled to death. Sakim was beheaded (as we saw for ourselves), but Sire Dobber was also seriously wounded. That's why he sent them to get a cart for him. Many people had gathered around the five men and when they stopped talking I could see all the human emotions on their faces: anger, sadness, grief and even pride (from Dobber's victory). But one thing was sure - all were stunned. And suddenly everybody started searching for something: one for a cart, another for a doctor, third for horses and so on. But the people were so dense that this created even a bigger chaos. It took us some more time until order was established, cart and horses were prepared, doctors and officers (including all the generals, high-commanders, kings and the tsar) gathered and rode off, led by the five messengers. But messengers of what? Death or Life? Are we too late? Will we lose another friend? No, we must hurry, we must ride as the wind. We can't be late, we can't! We met Dobber's "convoy" sooner than we thought - his men were bringing him on an imrpovised travois, but then we found that we, with our horses, had out-galloped the cart, which wasn't here yet. Fortunately some of the medicine men were with us and they did all they could to save Dobber's life. Finally the cart arrived, we loaded Dobber's body and I, together with two doctors went up with him. On the way they continued examining him, but his life was hanging by a thread. He wasn't bleeding anymore, but he wasn't in consciousness either; just talking incoherently, pretty much like Kuno back in Adrianople. Curse you, Sakim! It was you, who has probably poisoned Kuno and now you did also this! Curse you! May your Allah show no mercy to such a traiterous dog like you! But curses didn't help Dobber. We returned to the camp, but his condition is still critical. No one dares to predict for certain would he get better or worse... Not even me...

[Xuca]

Adventures of Xuca

1st july

I wish there's more I could do for Sir Dobber. He treated my wounds once, and it's very hard for me, knowing that I can't do anything. And I'm young, but Dobber is an old man (for medieval standards, no offence, Dobber), only thing I can do is prey...

[FrankishHero]

*Frankish's Log. 1st of July*

I arrived in the camp. I'm surprised at how many men are gathered here, I haven't seen a familiar face yet. Some men ponder when they see my face, but they know my father is dead, and turn away their heads. I must make my way to Dobber or NaVatar, they should remember me...

[Kuno of Gersenau]

Hey people what's going on with you? Suddenly you write tons of stroies... :oogle:

Seems that tomorrow I have to do something too, but meanwhle have a beer on my costs! :cheers:

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

...have a beer on my costs! :cheers:

Beer for all on Kuno!:cheers:

[conquestare legionare]

1st july , captain`s conquerers logg

How in the mighty swords name`s did these band of thieves and bandits breach our camp while we were traning in near forests ?. When we returned to our tents . the tents and supplies had been sacked. Some of the local hunters i hired , tracked there soft trails leading into a half hidden old fort ruin just 3000foot from our camp. I prepared my veterans and equiped them of what was remaining for a nightassault . We had done this alot of times under our time in the emporer`s service , we even got so famous that our company got the name nightstalkers.

Later that night....

After a short battle we won. Those stupid unorganized thiefs were overrunned fast. This band of thieves were so bad on there proffesion they couldint even attack simple villages and farmers , instead they made big raids while nobody saw them. One of my lietaunts brought me the head of there leader. We found our supplies and our armors. They had planned to sell our possesions and equipment of war to some local smugglers and tradesmen. I sended a messenger to king xuca with our apolgizes and explained what had happend while we were traning, i hope we do not lose his trust.
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Sorry its already to late ive drunken all the year supplies i got from richard . Gimmie more !! now

[Richard]

Hi guys, I will write soemthing tomorrow, kind of busy today but I like the turn of events that this story is begining to take.