[OOC] In the Court of the High Queen

[rush99999]

@Major Sharpe

Imma have to drop out of this 1. Good luck with your RP.

[Major Sharpe]

Coming in with a Pridanian "Warden." Since Pridania is the place the High Queen was sent off to do study things, I figured Pridania would be, therefore, a beacon of academic and scholarly pursuits. And, thus, a likely place for magical innovation, discovery, study, and archives.

@OfWindAndRain

I'm looking forward to it.

Imma have to drop out of this 1. Good luck with your RP.

@rush99999

Thanks. No hard feelings.

[RoccanIronclad]

Yeha I can see that as an issue, the only thing is that what kingdom sends anyone but a merchant, warrior, or mage. Those are the things that a Queen will need.

[Grammatic]

Yeha I can see that as an issue, the only thing is that what kingdom sends anyone but a merchant, warrior, or mage. Those are the things that a Queen will need.

@RoccanIronclad

A Queen also needs political advisors, economic advisors, people who have actually lived with the common folk of her realm, and not just stole every single gold coin they make.

[ReusableSword]

@Major Sharpe
So with magic you said normaly they do hand movments and mutter unknown words. Would you be okay with the tribals useing like songs or poems with dance to cast spells. Maybe even have it so multiple priests can aid another priest in casting a spell, can see a big fire with many of his people danceing around and singing while one casts a spell.

Also was woundering if you would be okay with kamahl bringing about 25 of his people with him, about 10 priest and 15 Hunters so they can better learn the culture and expand the horizons of the Clan within the kingdom. Could also have it be that the hunters are also there to learn farming and to teach the Crown Land farmers how to grow the rare plants vegetables and fruits that come from their land. The priests are there to learn about the people and the different mechanics that comes with their economy they are not there to convert others. Maybe have the crown lands prepared for this and for the duration created a semi-permanent living area just outside the outer walls of the city, set up kind of like wooden walls and a few wooden buildings but mostly room for their tents they can have their own guards so no one stole their stuff. I'm sure the last thing the kingdom would want is a bunch of pissed-off Barbarians breaking down doors searching for their stuff LOL.

[Grammatic]

@Major Sharpe
So with magic you said normaly they do hand movments and mutter unknown words. Would you be okay with the tribals useing like songs or poems with dance to cast spells. Maybe even have it so multiple priests can aid another priest in casting a spell, can see a big fire with many of his people danceing around and singing while one casts a spell.

Also was woundering if you would be okay with kamahl bringing about 25 of his people with him, about 10 priest and 15 Hunters so they can better learn the culture and expand the horizons of the Clan within the kingdom. Could also have it be that the hunters are also there to learn farming and to teach the Crown Land farmers how to grow the rare plants vegetables and fruits that come from their land. The priests are there to learn about the people and the different mechanics that comes with their economy they are not there to convert others. Maybe have the crown lands prepared for this and for the duration created a semi-permanent living area just outside the outer walls of the city, set up kind of like wooden walls and a few wooden buildings but mostly room for their tents they can have their own guards so no one stole their stuff. I'm sure the last thing the kingdom would want is a bunch of pissed-off Barbarians breaking down doors searching for their stuff LOL.

@ReusableSword

The only real barbarians are kept well in check by Vrenal. And if it becomes an issue, we know what to do.

Also, he brings up a good point, how large can our characters retinue be?

[RoccanIronclad]

@ArisenMoon

Yeah the merchants are the economic advisors, and most of the characters have some sort of political background, merchant, warrior and mages can all be politicians as well. A Queen wouldn't want to just have random commoners in her court they know next to nothing about the larger world around them, often times the merchants and craftsmen were chosen in their position because they were the closest.

Also, ouch, Milo stole exactly 0 coins to this day, very honest craftsman he is. lol

[Grammatic]

@ArisenMoon

Yeah the merchants are the economic advisors, and most of the characters have some sort of political background, merchant, warrior and mages can all be politicians as well. A Queen wouldn't want to just have random commoners in her court they know next to nothing about the larger world around them, often times the merchants and craftsmen were chosen in their position because they were the closest.

Also, ouch, Milo stole exactly 0 coins to this day, very honest craftsman he is. lol

@RoccanIronclad

I don't think you got what I was trying to say, but it is close enough. Just trying to give you a bit of help mate.

[RoccanIronclad]

I don't think you got what I was trying to say, but alright.

@ArisenMoon

I don't mean to misunderstand, it seemed you were saying that there were more positions needed than specifically merchant, warrior, and mage, I replied with those are background archetypes that would fill the queens advisory positions properly and that a true commoner in court has been a historic no-no, also that Milo's background is a craftsman and merchant, not thief.

[Grammatic]

<Snipped quote by ArisenMoon>

I don't mean to misunderstand, it seemed you were saying that there were more positions needed than specifically merchant, warrior, and mage, I replied with those are background archetypes that would fill the queens advisory positions properly and that a true commoner in court has been a historic no-no, also that Milo's background is a craftsman and merchant, not thief.

@RoccanIronclad

I never said your character was a thief. And I am not saying they just choose some random kid off the street and decide "Hey want to advise the Queen?".

[OfWindAndRain]

@ArisenMoon
To be fair, your post confused me. Still not sure what you meant.

[Grammatic]

@ArisenMoon
To be fair, your post confused me. Still not sure what you meant.

@OfWindAndRain

I will just shut up then. My apologies to all.

[RoccanIronclad]

I will just shut up then. My apologies to all.

@ArisenMoon

I'm not trying to make you feel bad, just thought we were having a discussion on the advisory roles needed by medieval regents, as is the topic of the game, just making conversation.

[OfWindAndRain]

Lady Valericka Daisy "Spellmaiden" Luxta of Pridania

---

---

---

Name:
Valericka Daisy Luxta [Middle name is kept a secret, as the woman hates its existence]
"Aliases", Titles:
"Lady Valor," "The Spellmaiden," "Warden," Lady of Luxta, Archmage, Grand Scholar
Origin:
The Lands of Pridania
Age:
36
Gender:
Female
Sexuality:
Bisexual [Does not reveal]
Occupation:
Tutor/Guard of High Queen Gisela, as a scholar/soldier from the service of the Pridanian Royalty.
Ranking:
Former Pridanian Royal Mage-Lieutenant,
Goal:
To remain close with High Queen Gisela and help influence positive relations between the young queen and Pridania, as well as to keep her alive, while furthering her own understanding of magic.

---

Skills, Abilities, and Weaknesses:
Magic- Runic Inscriptions and Projections: Pridanian Runic Projection is a powerful, dangerous form of magic that draws upon an ancient script known simply as "Runes." By either drawing, crafting, or 'projecting' runes, one can call upon what they represent to their aid, given form by both supplementing runes, and one's mind and will. This skill/ability requires both natural talent, and extensive practice and study. By 'drawing' runes in the air- "Projecting"- a Runic Mage can create shields, elemental effects, weapons, and other passive or active effects.
Combat- Redirection, Defensive: While Luxta is average at being aggressive, her primary fighting style is a far more defensive form. By utilizing two-handed combinations- dual shortswords, quarterstaffs or spears, or dual shields, or being completely unarmed- the woman is readily able to redirect incoming attacks to lash out, disarm, or stun opponents. She is trained to be perceptive and quick, above all else.
Scholar- Combat, Magic, Histories of: Perhaps what is prized most about this woman is her extensive knowledge of combat, war, magic, and the histories thereof. Having studied such things from a young age- from about as young as Gisela, when she first started- this woman had spent the next two decades in extensive study of war and magic. She learned of many schools, but only ever focused on Runic magic- something her people have an affinity for, herself especially. Following the emergence of her Runic strength, she was trained and honed into a hybrid between a warrior and a magician.
She can easily serve as a magical tutor for anyone.

Superiority Complex: A firm believer of Pridania's academic and magical supremacy of other nations, and having fought many more barbaric enemies in the few wars she's been part of, Luxta harbors a deep-seated pride and belief of superiority. While she is very well aware that those 'lesser' than herself or other powerful, enlightened individuals or families like herself or her own can be dangerous, she doesn't truly believe the to be a threat, nor worth true consideration or time.
Hand-weaver Mage: While her magic is a powerful tool, it has led her to rely on it more than any sword or shield. Despite being trained with such physical weapons, she's a firm believer in her own magical abilities, and thus carries little more than a dagger or shortsword, at best. Instead, she relies entirely on her hands and fingers for the casting of Runic magic. Should she be disabled in either hand for whatever reason, in a way that affects the accuracy of her hand movements, she would be functionally useless as a mage, outside of a few lower-level magical spells casted through willpower or chanting.
Stubborn Mage: As a Warden, a mage-warrior, Luxta uses a combination of magically-summoned tools and physical combat techniques to become a fierce fighting force. If her magic is counteracted, blocked, or she is stunned or distracted, her magical abilities diminish greatly or completely, leaving her with the only arsenal of her fists or maybe a knife. Luxta is extremely proficient at using weightless magical weapons, and is rusty with physical weaponry at best. Her combat strength derives entirely from her magic, and without it, she is nearly defenseless (she does know unarmed techniques, but more for defensive purposes).

Personality Traits:
Confident And Patriotic: Luxta believes deeply in her people, and their affinity and enlightenment of magic. Armed with such magic, she is extremely self-assured and carries the belief that her confidence and patriotism is both righteous and that it will see her through any situation.
Vengefully loyal: Once someone has earned this woman's trust and loyalty, she can become quite vindictive. Going to some lengths to right whatever wrong has been done to those she serves, she can and will find a way to take some amount of revenge on those she deems worthy of her anger.
Offensively Defensive: "The Best Offense is a Strong Defense..." The phrase that Pridanian Wardens, and thus Luxta, has taken to heart. She's best at digging her feet in- even if she just jumped forward inside your guard. She defends her position stubbornly and passionately, even if she intentionally is supporting something meant to get under another's skin.

Physical Traits:
Offensively Defensive: "The Best Offense is a Strong Defense..." Luxta is a great follower of this phrase, and this translates to her physical bearing. She will hold her ground, no matter what must be done. Luxta stands sure-footed, shoulders squared, as if she bears a heavy weight and is too prideful to let its weight effect her pose.
Moderate Build: Luxta isn't heavyset, nor is she lightweight. She's between, having packed on a fair bit of muscle, and even a bit of fat, maintaining a strong, efficient build and look.

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 155lbs/70kg
Hair: Spiky, variable length, lightish brown
Eyes: Grey
Complexion: Pale, with a hint of warmth.

Biography:
Lady Valericka Daisy "Spellmaiden" Luxta of Pridania.... A Warden of the Realm, and named Lady Valor by her peers.
Third child, first daughter, of the prestigious magical household of Sir Kael "Wright" Luxta and Lady Maelyssa Luxta, both of which are renowned for their advancement of the magical school known as 'Runic.'
At the age of five, she was tested for magical affinity. Showing an above-average reading, Valericka was offered a place to grow up and study in the Royal Academy, to learn magic, and become a great scholar.
Twenty years later, she graduated from the Academy as a master of Runic, and as a Grand Scholar- the equivalent of a modern masters' degree graduate. Serving post-Academy in the Royal Guard, Valericka refined her Runic skills into a combat-mage form, becoming a formidable magical-based soldier who trades swords and crossbows for magical weapons.
Eleven years later, and Valericka was a veteran of three wars against major raiding factions, a single real war against an invading country of barbarians, intent on pillage and rape, the retrieval of prisoners after a major break of security in the royal dungeon, a short period as the bodyguard of the Princess during a pilgrimage to a distant magical site, and the awarding by the Royal Pridanian Academy of Magicks the title of "Archmage-" a magician of talent, skill, and experience.

During the period of time that Valericka Luxta was stationed inside the Academy of Pridania, she was often assigned as tutor, teacher, and 'Warden'- a title given to magically-inclined warriors- to both keep the young lady safe, and teach her the basics of Pridanian Runic. Even if not to use it, to understand it.

When word came that the young princess was to return home and take up the mantle, Lady Valericka Luxta was given a choice by the Pridanian Crown: assist and continue teaching her, if she accepts the offer, or be reassigned elsewhere to protect the Crown's interests. Luxta requested to stay with the young lady, whom she had grown fond of, to continue teaching and protecting her.

Sovereign of Pridania

Sovereign City, the Capital of Pridania

---

---

---

Name: Pridania
Prefix: Sovereign
Colors: Yellow, Black
Insignia: A black flag, with the runic symbol for the 'third eye,' in yellow on top of it.
Type: Advanced City-state
Description: Powerful nation that evolved from a single large city, a city-state, that began expanding outwards some centuries ago after discovering Runic. This boost in power and the prosperity it was found in allowed the peaceful city-state to expand and control the lands immediately surrounding it, and hold them- to west, the coastline and the sea. To the West was the mountains, to the north, their borders are shared with a similarly peaceful and prosperous city-state, and to the south, a great river.
Bordered to the North by a prosperous trade state, to the East by a mountain range separating them from a desert land of nomads and barbarians, and to the South, a growing, fledgling empire in the making with its goals set further South.

Focus: Academic and Magical pursuits
Description: The Origin of Runic, home to the Great Magical Archive, the Pridanian Royal Academy of Science and Magic, and home to the largest population of advanced mages, the large city-state, fledgling nation of Pridania is home to a relatively small, but powerful force of patriotic souls and prosperous peoples. Much like the rest of the world, and the great, sprawling empire across the sea to its east, its been in prosperity for some years, leading to its walls being strong, its people proud and happy, and its progress in its chosen fields to be great.

Primary trades: Knowledge. Many countries send their young to study at the Royal Academy, to make connections and learn from the greatest scholars and magicians from a relatively neutral city-state. Mage-warriors known as "Wardens" can be hired as elite soldiers and bodyguards, and many magicians from other city-states or countries have been known to purchase tuition to be taught magic.

[OfWindAndRain]

@ArisenMoon
Aye, no offense was meant, I'm just plainly stating that it confused me, whatever point you were trying to make. Try working on your paragraph structure and the like. The first sentence in a paragraph is your topic sentence- use it to essentially give a summary of the rest of the paragraph, for any time you're trying to make any sort of point.

For example, this is a topic sentence, the single point I want to make with this paragraph. The rest of the paragraph, including this sentence, is all supposed to be in support of the topic sentence. Making sure you have a clear topic sentence is key.

I didn't really identify a topic sentence that was clear and concise anywhere, nor did the general context of the post really support one way or the other- I felt like it was a little muddled, because there was no beginning that led the rest of the reasoning you were writing.

[Grammatic]

And now after that English lesson...I feel humbled and stupid. My apologies again for my ineptitude in the English language. Will strive for a much clearer voicing of my thoughts.

[Major Sharpe]

@Major Sharpe
So with magic you said normaly they do hand movments and mutter unknown words. Would you be okay with the tribals useing like songs or poems with dance to cast spells. Maybe even have it so multiple priests can aid another priest in casting a spell, can see a big fire with many of his people danceing around and singing while one casts a spell.

Also was woundering if you would be okay with kamahl bringing about 25 of his people with him, about 10 priest and 15 Hunters so they can better learn the culture and expand the horizons of the Clan within the kingdom... [-Snip-] Maybe have the crown lands prepared for this and for the duration created a semi-permanent living area just outside the outer walls of the city, set up kind of like wooden walls and a few wooden buildings but mostly room for their tents they can have their own guards so no one stole their stuff. I'm sure the last thing the kingdom would want is a bunch of pissed-off Barbarians breaking down doors searching for their stuff LOL.

@ReusableSword

Yeah, I think song and dance could very well be a method for spell-weaving. Kind of like DnD bards.

As to retinue sizes generally, I'm not going to lay down any specific cut-off but try to keep it reasonable. To your 25 specifically, I think that's perfectly acceptable. And quartering them outside the city walls in their own little hamlet is an excellent idea, since that's exactly where the civil government would want to keep them. I'm sure they'll find 'Kam Town' perfectly to their liking. Some of the bolder townsmen might even visit to trade.

-snip-

@OfWindAndRain

I like it, but there is a small issue. The CS should have as many weaknesses as strengths listed. I counted three advantages under your 'skills and abilities' column, but no corresponding shortcomings. If you throw some weaknesses in there, you're in.

@OfWindAndRain

Good weaknesses. Accepted!

[OfWindAndRain]

@Major Sharpe
o rite, sorribru

[northern lights]

Hi guys! Sorry, some personal stuff came up and I haven't had time to finish my character yet. I promise sometime by tomorrow I should be able to get this cranked out!

[Saltwater Thief]

I'll be working on a Character Sheet over the next day or so, provided my work schedule gets less hectic (which it should). I'm still working with a general idea, but if you'll still allow it Major I think I rather like the idea of my character slipping into Sir Martin's shoes (and if not, no worries, I've got some other thoughts I'm happy to run with). I hope you'll look forward to it.