[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/q020OKO.png[/img][hr][b][color=0054a6]Interacting:[/color][/b] King Arcel [@Force and Fury], Arnaud [@YummyYummy], Nameless NPC.
[b][color=0054a6]Opportunity:[/color][/b] Parrench-aligned Players.[hr][b][color=0054a6]Event:[/color][/b] Defense of Relouse [b]|[/b] [b][color=0054a6]Location:[/color][/b] Relouse Encampment, Parrence.[hr][hr][/center]
Parades, banners, and soldiers marching. Tents springing up everywhere outside of Relouse. The colourful display which would rival a carnival is now before him as he rides towards the meeting point. He swiftly rides upon Espirito, with Arpegiar and Peonia following close behind with his luggage in tow, galloping quickly through the field. The fields were different to the more arid steppes, with the seas of corn, wheat, and food a plenty adorning the fertile plains. It is no surprise to him that those within the heartlands can afford to live in such huge towns and cities. Tensions have always been simmering between the Tourrare and the rest of the four tribes, a reputation for being late to the party, from the initial creation of the nation,  surrendering to the Avincian Empire, and converting to the Pentad. They are seen as backwards folk, sticking mostly to their plains in a pastoral lifestyle, the arid lands home to their herds of cattle, horses, and goats, living each moment in comparative simplicity. However, these simple folk do have a strength which is their strong sense of communal justice, to attack one Tourrare is to attack all Tourrare, something that foreign oppressors fail to understand when their tyrannical actions are met with an overwhelming local response. It is this strength that keeps the Northeastern borders secure, their meat filling Parrench bellies, and their horses keeping the knights charging strong on the battlefields.

Asier passes many men and women of Parrence as he transverses along the outer tents. Whilst not many women fought in battle, they served a great use in cooking, making camp, and keeping the supplies running. It also encouraged the men, knowing they would have to stand up proud for their womenfolk behind the lines, whilst those without may find solace in those interested in providing them with their last meal. He politely declines various generous offers to become a real ‘Man of Arcel’, a term that was starting to spread on the tongues of folk. The King in his wisdom has decreed to expand the nobility by ennobling those who have proven merit and valour in their duties. This has greatly expanded the officer classes within the armies in preparation for this upcoming war with the Eskandr, one which was probably far sooner than any had foreseen. Whilst this is a great honour to any who have been chosen, it had resulted in some mockery from both the existing nobility and peasant classes as wild rumours spread that Arcel has even taken after a late Avincian Emperor and appointed his prized stallion Coursevent as head of the Grande Armée. Asier merely shakes his head as he slows down to a trod as he begins to find the directions to where he was supposed to be.

[color=ed145b]“Oi, get ya horsies out of ‘ere”[/color], a pudgy Parrench watchman seems to be making his big stand at the entrance as he makes his way to the nobles’ area. [color=ed145b]“Ya dirty horsemen should know better by now, ya stables are over there”[/color]. Whilst Asier is used to such treatment as a Tourrare, however he is surprised at how vigilant this one appears to be around his presence. [color=0054a6]“My presence is required…”[/color], as he speaks, he was cut sharp again [color=ed145b]“Your presence is in those stables over there, under orders of Ser Pair-Pee-Nyaw”[/color]. It seems that was met by a timely chortle from the encampment as a bunch of knights around a smirking blond looked on. The watchman was getting more flustered with the laughter, getting more handsy as he started to try to shove the horse to the direction of the stables. Asier sighed as he dismounted, his travelling clothes did not do much for his image of nobility, as he guided the horses to the stable.

[hr][b][color=0054a6]Collab:[/color][/b] Arnaud [@YummyYummy][hr]
Heavy footsteps reverberated throughout the small portion of the camp Asier found himself in. Familiar steps, too. None had quite a stride like this one, and nothing could ever stop it. The same man that talked down to Asier became noticeably quiet when he took notice of the hulking piece of metal, wielding a massive axe over his shoulder and a featureless helm that hid his entire head, making his way to the stables. There was no intention of sneaking up to the Lion Knight, quite the contrary, he wanted to be noticed! [color=7F4C20]”T’jours aussi mal élevé, vieux chat.”[/color] a thick accent accompanied this otherwise correct Parrench, one that none would recognize if the hadn’t ventured far north, [color=7F4C20]”J’dois t’apprendre les bonnes MANIÈRES!”[/color] raising his hand opposite of the one on his axe’s pole, he’d aim to descend it down upon Asier’s shoulder once close enough. This would break his arm if it actually hit, but both men knew how this would go down.

Asier grinned widely at the sound of the voice, as he seemed to duck his shoulder at the last moment, the use of the thunder gift making it look more effortless than it should have been as he slips out of the way seemingly for the display, [color=0054a6]“Merci, great one… but this camp cannot suffer too much after it has just been built. The foundations have shook, the womenfolk frightened, and the chickens have escaped the coop”[/color]. He takes an opportunity to circle around to gaze up into the featureless helmet of the goliath, showing that massive grin, [color=0054a6]“Manners maketh man… are we going to stand around all day, or are we going to fight?”[/color] The lion bares his claws as he tugs three throwing knives between his fingers.

The missed smack left quite the blast of air pressure in its wake. A light show of the Force magic Aheri could use with little to no effort. The wooden planks below were bent and dust accumulated in the air around them, [color=7F4C20]”HAH!”[/color] Arnaud was amused, [color=7F4C20]”I would say none is more mindful of manners than Ser Arnaud Maobe.”[/color] a few more titters came from his helmet that he’d then remove with both his hands, [color=7F4C20]”Although since you’re offering,”[/color] a bearded, long haired man with old, pale tattoos on his face emerged from this unveiling, although he lacked the piercings he once kept proudly on his features, [color=7F4C20]”I’d love nothing more than to clash again with the Southern Lion.”[/color] he smiled a toothy grin, although he didn’t have many teeth to begin with, [color=7F4C20]”It has been too long, Asier- No, Ser Arsling.”[/color] and with titles respected, he’d hold his axe once more and bang the pommel to the ground, causing some light and harmless seismic activity, [color=7F4C20]”His Majesty the King awaits you, Lion of Tourrare.”[/color]

Asier grabs hold of Aheri’s hand and pulls in him, as much as anyone could,[color=0054a6]“Vieux taureau hargneux”[/color], gripping tight as he embraces him, the other hand smacking upon his back. [color=0054a6]“Too long, my brother. For now our fight must be put to rest till we have taken care of these Eskandr folk. Hope you won’t be dying on me, or will have to come and drag you out of the afterlife.”[/color], he returns the five finger salute to signify receipt of the king’s commands. [color=0054a6]“Pardon, now must dress pretty for the King”[/color].

For such a burly man to be taken into a brotherly embrace, one had to have courage. To have it reciprocated with a tap of his own on Asier’s back was tempting fate. The now jovial Arnaud returned the feelings abundantly, [color=7F4C20]”I am unkillable.”[/color] he boldly claims, [color=7F4C20]”Not even you could kill me.”[/color] he then takes a step back and sets the helmet back on, [color=7F4C20]”Let us meet the King with haste. The more dangerous-looking men around, the safer the boys in the brass feel.”[/color]

[hr]
Now dressed in his blues, Asier made his way in time for the speech, nodding towards his fellow knights as he passed them. Some of these warriors have fierce reputations which rival or exceed his own, not backing out of using the opportunity to look out for these individuals for greetings on the way to their seat.  He had a big interest in meeting Ser De Solenne, another ‘Man of Arcel’, not wanting to waste an opportunity to encounter him, though the reputation of the Paladin of Oraphe proceeds him too. He would go amiss with his daughter who insisted on him meeting Dame De la Saumure and take an opportunity to greet her, Maëlle latched onto those tales with fervour and passion, whilst he would prefer her to take after Lady Chalamet. He eventually settled into his seat for the prayers.
[hider=Others]Though he is not aware of Gerard, Osanna, Edmund, or the Drudgunzean, he would not reject their advances for greetings if they wished for an approach.
[/hider]

After a dutiful sign of the pentad after the prayers, he followed the others summoned to meet King Arcel at the gathered war council as he listened to the plans to battle the Eskandr at the beaches. It was a solid plan where lessons were learnt at Sarnia, a distastor, where the Parrench held themselves in the garrison as the Zuyr raiders were allowed to secure themselves a camp on the beach. As he examined the map, there was an opportunity which seemed not to have been exploited. [color=0072bc]“Lord King, if we quickly lead a small expeditionary force to the Cape here”[/color], finger indicating Cape Redame, “We have a good opportunity to provide them a warm Parrench welcome before they reach our shores”. Asier stands up, indicating with his hands some urgency, [color=0072bc]“Pardon, now must prepare. Those willing, join on your horses shortly as we make great haste.”[/color] The Lion gives the five finger salute towards the King before parting, changing into his battlegear then riding out with two of his horses.


[hider=TL;DR Summary]
Comparing and Constrasting Mainland Parrence with the Tourrare steppes. The land and culture.
Army life. Reputation of the 'Man of Arcel'.
Ser Percy Perpignan makes an unnamed appearence to cause grief.
Former Enemy and now brother in arms Arnaud makes his appearance. Banter.
Opportunity for interacting with fellow players if they wish.
Asier proposes on sending an expeditionary force to Cape Redame. Requests those who want to join to prepare for departure shortly. Offense is the best Defense.
[/hider]

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