LordZell

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Snake Sheds its skin

Duke James Conrad

As James and his guard traveled back to the fortress city of the Summit James Sulked and swore revenge against King Alaric for the dishonor and mistreatment of his house. However without the support of the Wasps James would require a military something which wouldn’t be hard with the amount of gold and iron available but still far more difficult than simply having an assassin. Not only had he lost his position but his wild dog Baron Sforza as well something that James would truly want revenge for.

After several weeks James and his group finally made it to the City where the people were hard at work even if they weren’t in the best of spirits. James had to even stop to confront the crowd which had gathered for his arrival “MIGHTY PEOPLE OF THE SUMMIT, I have returned.” The crowd cheered “However, our new king is a liar. He had promised me food for you and the title of spymaster as recognition for my services to the previous crown, yet here I am forced to come back empty handed as King Alaric passed over his promises for the love and beauty of a half-elven whore.” The crowd booed at the mention of an elf whom they’ve hated ever since getting to know the Dwarves and relying on their support within the mines.

“ However, I make this promise to you we will get our food and I shall not take another dishonorable act from the King again, We shall build a force which will rival that of the Southern reaches and will become noticed again in the Kingdom’s politics this I swear, Furthermore, the recognizable Order of Wasps stand whole in this city however I had allowed that under the previous king for I had served as Spymaster and thought it best be put in the lands where I ruled, but if it is going to that elven whore it should be up to them to make a new building, I say we demand the king recall the order to the capital and that the grand building be turned into a huge market for the people for when we feast.” The crowd once again roared to life for the saturation of food which they so desperately needed and James knew how he could get them it. “Now I must return to my Keep and prepare but carry on brothers and sisters for a new dawn is rising.” The crowd cheered before James excited for the new dawn which he had promised and James smiled having come back from the hostile capital it was nice to be loved once more.

Upon reaching the Keep, James thought it best to send a message to the King demanding him to recall the order of wasps and that he wouldn’t be able to protect them should his people do something fierce.

For King Alaric the Wise

Dear King Alaric

I have recently returned to the Summit to continue my mining operations here, however when I returned I was greeted by a crowd of citizens who were starving and in dire need of food they also were demanding the removal of the Order of Wasps they stated they disliked having an order of assassins so close to them for fear of their own lives. As such I’d like to request that you recall the order and place them in a more appropriate location as well as send food as quickly as possible. I will of course try to calm my citizens and keep the Order here if you so wish I’m merely passing on the words of my people.

Sincerely Duke James

James then sealed it with his family seal and sent it. James then called in his old friend and captain of the Guard Joseph Lansky.

“You called sir?”Lansky said dressed in full plated armor and in the best material of summit designs. James who was now dressed in more military defined clothes. “I want you to begin training new men-at-arms and to prepare for anything. Also we will want guards posted around the city more specifically the gate, the order of wasps building and my own palace as well just in case.” Lansky nodded thought was still curious “Is everything alright my lord, didn’t the council go well?” James turned to Lansky and shook his head no “Does it look like it? If it had I’d be the spymaster, have food for my people and not be under threat instead I’m here biding my time and preparing for the worst….just do as I say.” Lansky nodded and began to inform the men of their orders, while James looked out his window over the vast mountains dreading the future and what it holds.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Snake Sheds its skin

Duke James Conrad

As soon as the king called out duchess Anfel for the new spymaster James eyes narrowed much like that of a snake. After not only being promised spymaster and voting for the new king but also acquiring Lord Stolts vote as well Alaric had the nerve to give it to the halfling he will see the fatal mistake in that soon. James immediately stood up and bowed “What an interesting choice your majesty but do note I hold no ill will against you or the lady, though if our council picks are over I do believe we are through here and should return to our own fiefs and prepared for the winter.” With that James gave a slyish smile and turned his eyes toward the lady giving a nod of approval for besting him before beginning to exit the throne room.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Snake Submits

With a King Gyre chosen, James was excited. He had already been promised Spymaster and the council would be convened soon. When Lord Marek gave word James was rather shocked having to give up your fief however James felt he could persuade the King. As soon as he could James stood up and bowed before the King “King Gyre, I would like to offer myself for Spymaster I will of course grant the kingdom 50% of my Iron and Gold. However, being the Duke of the Summit the sacred city of the Order of Wasps I would like to retain my lands and give orders from there when I am not needed at court.” James bowed before returning to his seat.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

@Polybius Don't wanna hassle you but you're the deciding vote basically.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Snake Submits

As the votes were being called out James knew he wouldn’t win this game. The votes were already being cast between Lord Aldwyn and Lord Alaric. James knew he had lost the moment his Baron voted for Lord Alaric, however this was part of the plan. While the lords voted James and Conrad spoke briefly for their plans and a decision was reached. James decided to hold his vote to push it in favor of one of the others if possible. However after having seen the support for Aldwyn growing he knew he’d have to do something. He made a swift stand before the crowd looking specifically at Lord Stolt “It seems my support has been lost, as I am no sore loser I will withdraw my name for kingship. I will instead give my vote to Lord Alaric. Lord Stolt, Though I’m pleased I had your trust it seems to me they are the more well liked candidates and I’d suggest you vote the same.” He gave a small smile and sat down.

[James, backs out on his nomination and votes for Lord Alaric Gyre]

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Snake

James took a moment to process it all before standing before the men with a smile. "Lord Stolt, I thank you for asking my own opinion on the matter. It is as I have stated previously, while I'd like to route the orcs as much as any of you. I know our soil needs tending and wounds need healing. No matter how vast and great this orc army could become, they don't know the southern reaches like our great Lord Stolt does. Should he truly require the help of our forces, we'd gladly sally forth and help defend the realm. But we can't push forward, hold the ground we have and prepare, raise our forces, train them and allow us to heal. That has and will be my proposal." James took a moment to look around the room before turning his attention to Lord Demorotius

" My lord, I am sorry if I offended you, that was not my intention. I simply know how we all fear the danger the orcs could be should they reach our lands." James gave a noble bow to the lord before turning to Aldwyn. "You speak of protecting our people. Yet you'd sooner charged into the lands of the orcs as blindly as King Timault, I will not offer the lives of my men for this crusade which cost more than half the black army's forces." He turned before the crowd and continued "[i] I offer vengeance just one that requires patience. Let them think they've won the day and march into the southern reaches, there my men and those of Lord Stolt would gladly stand to push them back. Now, my lords and lady, I believe the time for debate and discussion is over. Each second we waste on a swift or steady war the orcs have more time to prepare and our kingdom becomes more vulnerable. So please state who you wish to lead and let them decided over us bickering like when we were young lordlings." James gave no grandiose bow or smile, he returned to his seat and took a steady sip of wine.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Snake

James nodded to Lord Marek's words before answering Lord Demotoriaus's question "Though it woes me that you recall your vote so hastily, I can see the fear in your eyes when you speak of the orcs, However as Lord Marek points out our grand army is not what it once was having lost more than half its force. Even further the original crusade was ambushed by the orcs, proving that they are not only as tactical as us but know the landscapes far more than us. As for our internal strife we must not forget about the wicked monsters in the floodplains that Baron Sforza and his men fight continuously. As for the plotting within the kingdom while in all my time and this kingdom’s time people have plotted for far greater things, the timing could be no better either. A new King in the realm would be at his weakest point without a unanimous vote for them, and a rebellion could begin as quickly as well. I merely ask for patience should I become King and time to evaluate the situation of the landscape we can’t merely rush out for war without thinking of supply lines as well as feed the lowly farmer in each of our lands.” He then sat down as quickly as he had rose.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Snake

As James sat hearing the pledges of lord around the room meanwhile refusing to eat the food of Lord Aldywn for fear of tampering and the distrust of open pride that came from the Lord. As the Lords and Lady gave their differing support and ideals James listened intently specifically to that Lord Jerran who had seen the war first hand and they had worked together on the King’s council previously. Eventually Lord Marek and the others decided to question the legitimacy of the himself and Lord Aldywn and why they were most deserving of the Kingship.

Though James prefered to listen and see the responses as well as hear his opponent's own thought Lord Aldywn was more than willing to give out his plan wholeheartedly. First declaring that he’d of course avenge our late lord and defeat the orcs of the Blackmouth, and while James did believe the orcs needed to pay he knew the realm wasn’t ready for war and that winter and food shortages would soon be upon them. Those reasons were of course James’ own thoughts when the King demanded a crusade. Furthermore the Duchess Anfel the half-elf brought up the issue of our relations with dwarves and elves. Though she was the most beautiful of anyone he had ever seen, James simply say the elves as a useless species who prefers to remain in the past rather than industrialize of course the dwarves have their faults, without them James would be a poor soul forced to steal, kill or other in order to survive. Lord Aldywn’s response on the matter of course agreed that we’d need the be more open to our neighbors even though James thought he was simply giving hold for support something in the Lord’s eye made it seem honest.

After a few short moments of silence James stood up dressed in his fine clothes of rich material. “While our king did indeed die at the hand of the damned orcs and our own beliefs should of course tell us revenge is the only answer. However, as councilor I was against the action of invasion we were too ill-equipped our own Lord Jerran can testify to that I’m sure. Furthermore, winter is to be upon us soon and I’m sure many lands including my own of the summit will be in dire need of food that there will be barely enough to send supplies to our soldier. As such I’d recommend a time of defense and waiting preparing ourselves rather than outright suicide.”

James gave a slyish smile to Lord Aldwyn before turning to Duchess Anfel. “Duchess, much like your own relation with that of the elfs, I too hold a close relation to that of the dwarves within the mountain peaks of the summit. That isn’t to say we hold some uneasy hostilities with them, but for now it’s a prosperous peace and I see no reason in changing that, thus why I’d be tentatively open to increasing our relations but I of course would see no reason to become hostile against either.” James raised his glass of near empty wine to her giving her a nod before confronting the crowd as a whole.

“ My fellow, lords while I acknowledge my background to be somewhat shady, I can assure you all. I only have interest in this kingdom as a whole. My family has been the oldest to serve Osteria, I myself served on the King’s council often stating the truth even if it was against the king’s own words. While I Aldwyn offers revenge I offer strategy, Lord Aldwyn offers diplomacy, I proclaim patience. For too long we have focused on the external threats and duties of the empire. It is time to focus on our internal strifes and uniting the kingdom behind one ideal and one force. Should I of course be passed over, I will be the first to bend my knee to whomever the new King maybe for I am at your mercy.” James gave a sincere smile to all of them raising his drink before swallowing a gulp and sitting back down ever so humbly.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

The Rise of the Snake

As Duke Conrad sat in the grand hall with the other nobles of the land he couldn’t help but reminisce of when he was here mere months earlier. Serving the King as one of his advisors, though he had no ill will against Lord Marek, the old man never changed with the times. He and Marek often argued about the course of action the king should take, James often trying to do what was best for the realm and prosperity whereas Merek attempted to remain conservative to the old ways. In the end James lost too many times and was forced to leave, now there are rumors about what James truly did to be removed but James preferred it that way when no one knew the whole truth but himself.

Eventually James came to the present as Lord Merek gave his announcement
"It is a great calling that now rests on your shoulders, Lords--and Lady," he said, looking to Duchess Anfel Allard, the renowned half-elf who had long kept relations with the stoic princes of Celihodon at a high. "King Timault has fallen to Ash, but Osteria will rise anew. And it's new monarch sits in this very room. Who among you are qualified? Who among you would stand and give counsel as to why you wish yourself--or another--upon the throne?"

He stood for a long moment. "Speak now. Speak.. freely. For every moment Osteria goes without a ruler, it's people will suffer.

James waited but a mere moment glancing over the crowd before standing up. Though not the tallest of those in attendance he stood up as if had this divine right over him. “Lord Merek, Baron Sforza and other lords and ladies of the realm. I Duke James Conrad, would like to nominate myself for ruler of this great land of Osteria. I served on King Timault on his council shortly before his death. My family as well were the first Dukes of the kingdom and are now the oldest lords of the land. To the people, I promise a swift vengeance against the orcs before a long reign of stability and prosperity while our old King was loved. I can attest to the fact he cared more on external affairs rather than the well being of our internal strife” James gave a humble bow before the crowd before sitting himself down.

The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria

That's my bad...