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"Out of every hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are targets, nine are the real fighters, for they make the battle. But one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." -Heraclitus
5 yrs ago
Current
"Out of every hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are targets, nine are the real fighters, for they make the battle. But one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." -Heraclitus
3
likes
7 yrs ago
"I have resolved never to start an unjust war, but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies." -King Charles XII 'Carolus Rex' of Sweden, 1700
1
like
7 yrs ago
“Civilians are like beans; you buy 'em as needed for any job which merely requires skill and savvy. But you can't buy fighting spirit.” -Robert A. Heinlein
5
likes
7 yrs ago
"The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country” -General George S. Patton Jr.
3
likes
7 yrs ago
"Wine has drowned more than the sea." -Roman proverb
He had come with the Broken Hammer envoy. With the woman some Daoine called their 'slave master' with venom in their voice. He barely compared to half the height of the fair Jarl Geirlaug, for which he had traveled with over rough seas from far north. Caiside was short, that was sure, and his long dark ginger hair tied in braids and beaded about his head, keeping it tidy and neat. His beard was done primarily the same way, locks tied off in beads, with a single, flowing lock down the center of his chin. And Jarl Caiside had dressed for the occasion. He wore his golden-colored tunic and a green tartan-pattern kilt, no doubt he had come with many tens of knives and weapons hidden in the belt, as was the garment's significance. Last, a piece of leather and hide protected his torso, and tucked into its seams, a red tartan cloth cloak.
Needless to say, he stood out heavily in the hall, dressed in his rather colorful but homely attire, sat beside a woman twice his height, drinking mead which was very different compared to the Braggot brewed in the highlands. And Caiside knew well his clan's reputation. Backwards mountain people, perhaps deserving of the same respect of goblins, a clan that earned its earldom only through its sheer mediocrity. But he pushed it out of his mind, drank the mead which was more bitter than he was used to, siting perhaps where the Jarl of the Brazen Sword sat two Daoine generations ago.
Caiside looked around the hall, rather stunned at the chatter which bounced back and forth between the attendants, the outright denouncing of the regent before her very face. He simply could not believe it. He had never been to any moot, save for the one in his own hold, the moot which had elected him Jarl of the Daoine. But it had not been so upfront. The competition between he and his relatives had not stooped to denunciation of their potential merit, nor had it carried such venom. But it was surely true, if even harsh. No merit had yet been presented. What right was given to demand the title of 'peer'?
He looked to Jarl Geirlaug, seated beside him. He intently listened to her speak, and found his sentiment to be shared. He knocked back another gulp of mead before idly mumbling to Geirlaug, low so only she could hear, articulating his low, thickly-accented voice to his advantage. "Is this how these lowlanders and southerners present themselves?" He asked with a particular venomous suspicion, perhaps calling back to the tales he was told as a boy, of the uncivilized, crude lowland southern peoples which raided the seas and cowered before the pale-men.
Name: Kenneth Dylan Rader Rank: Flying Officer Serial Number: 606-45-933 Date of Birth: Nov. 16, 1918 Place of Birth: Knox County, Tennessee, USA Physical Appearance: Stands at 5’8” (172 cm), weighing 141 lbs (64 kg). Hair is colored brown. Irises are green. No tattoos or significant scars. Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Callsign: Gold Three Psychological Evaluation:
The subject in question, F/O Kenneth D. Rader, was born 16th of November, 1918. Mother is a Registered Nurse, father is employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Father served in the United States Army with the 117th Infantry Rgt, 9th Infantry Division (redesignated 30th ID) in 1918 during the Second Battle of the Somme. Stated reasoning for joining was to, quote, “serve even if my country won’t.” Graduated from No. 9 Air Crew School in Ontario, Canada in October, 1939, 4th most proficient in his class.
In No. 9 ACS, subject expressed a quality described by himself and others as ‘grit’, a perceived phenomenon manifesting by courage and diligence despite failures and setbacks. Noted as a potentially useful trait in the Turin project.
Structured evaluation results are as follows:
1.1 Subject expressed belonging to the Methodist denomination of the Protestant division of Christianity. When questioned about existence of extraterrestrials, subject answered, quote, “Would be boring if there was nothing out there.” When questioned about the vastness of space, subject shrugged and gave no verbal answer. Lastly, the question on the significance of the Human race was met with a question of whether the question could be answered without other extraterrestrials or a sense of scale to compare to.
1.2 Subject, in the 45-minute time allotted, expressed a rudimentary understanding of the subject, passing the 15-question written exam with 12/15.
1.3 The subject, while disgusted, could not be described as horrified, rather intrigued at the material pertaining to the graphic stimuli. The portion pertaining to the theoretical monsters incited the subject to express questions of the authenticity of the photos, however was satisfied given the explanation of the ‘theoretical’ portion.
1.4 The subject, within the portion pertaining to discomforts, fears, and phobias, expressed a slight discomfort at the sight of blood, but other subject matters pertaining to death incited the response, quote, “Lord, let it be quick should it happen.” Phobias expressed include extreme Glossophobia, the phobia of public speaking, along with Enochlophobia, the phobia of crowds. Noted that the two phobias most likely are the result of eachother. When the subject was questioned on what experience might have caused the phobias, the subject provided no comment.
Overall, the subject expressed the inherent qualities essential for recommendation for the Turin project. The presence of ‘grit’, this inherent courage, aligns with the qualities required for the project, and demonstrates acceptable mental fortitude. The structured evaluation results showed a slightly above average academic understanding, and a healthy ability to reason and be open to the presence of things outside the sphere of comfort.
Signed, Cpt. Kimberly Hawkins, MD, RCMS
History: Subject, Kenneth D. Rader, was born 16th of November, 1918 in the municipality of Farragut, Knox County, Tennessee, United States. During subject’s birth, subject’s father was overseas in Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Force. Subject had average childhood. Attended Copper Ridge School until the age of 16. Worked with the local Works Progress Administration branch, along with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a manual laborer until the age of 20, when the subject expressed interest to the predecessor branches of the Clayton Knight Committee, and was one of the first to be accepted into the program and, with consent of both parents, was discreetly given a train ticket to Toronto, Canada in February, 1939, where he was sent to No. 9 Air Crew School as a candidate for the first ‘Eagle Squadron’, No. 71 Squadron (on official documentation, subject is still listed as F/O in No. 71 Squadron). After graduation from No. 9 ACS in October, 1939, subject was selected for screening within the Turin project in November.
Name: Kenneth Dylan Rader Rank: Flying Officer Serial Number: 606-45-933 Date of Birth: Nov. 16, 1918 Place of Birth: Knox County, Tennessee, USA Physical Appearance: Stands at 5’8” (172 cm), weighing 141 lbs (64 kg). Hair is colored brown. Irises are green. No tattoos or significant scars. Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Callsign: Gold Three Psychological Evaluation:
The subject in question, F/O Kenneth D. Rader, was born 16th of November, 1918. Mother is a Registered Nurse, father is employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Father served in the United States Army with the 117th Infantry Rgt, 9th Infantry Division (redesignated 30th ID) in 1918 during the Second Battle of the Somme. Stated reasoning for joining was to, quote, “serve even if my country won’t.” Graduated from No. 9 Air Crew School in Ontario, Canada in October, 1939, 4th most proficient in his class.
In No. 9 ACS, subject expressed a quality described by himself and others as ‘grit’, a perceived phenomenon manifesting by courage and diligence despite failures and setbacks. Noted as a potentially useful trait in the Turin project.
Structured evaluation results are as follows:
1.1 Subject expressed belonging to the Methodist denomination of the Protestant division of Christianity. When questioned about existence of extraterrestrials, subject answered, quote, “Would be boring if there was nothing out there.” When questioned about the vastness of space, subject shrugged and gave no verbal answer. Lastly, the question on the significance of the Human race was met with a question of whether the question could be answered without other extraterrestrials or a sense of scale to compare to.
1.2 Subject, in the 45-minute time allotted, expressed a rudimentary understanding of the subject, passing the 15-question written exam with 12/15.
1.3 The subject, while disgusted, could not be described as horrified, rather intrigued at the material pertaining to the graphic stimuli. The portion pertaining to the theoretical monsters incited the subject to express questions of the authenticity of the photos, however was satisfied given the explanation of the ‘theoretical’ portion.
1.4 The subject, within the portion pertaining to discomforts, fears, and phobias, expressed a slight discomfort at the sight of blood, but other subject matters pertaining to death incited the response, quote, “Lord, let it be quick should it happen.” Phobias expressed include extreme Glossophobia, the phobia of public speaking, along with Enochlophobia, the phobia of crowds. Noted that the two phobias most likely are the result of eachother. When the subject was questioned on what experience might have caused the phobias, the subject provided no comment.
Overall, the subject expressed the inherent qualities essential for recommendation for the Turin project. The presence of ‘grit’, this inherent courage, aligns with the qualities required for the project, and demonstrates acceptable mental fortitude. The structured evaluation results showed a slightly above average academic understanding, and a healthy ability to reason and be open to the presence of things outside the sphere of comfort.
Signed, Cpt. Kimberly Hawkins, MD, RCMS
History: Subject, Kenneth D. Rader, was born 16th of November, 1918 in the municipality of Farragut, Knox County, Tennessee, United States. During subject’s birth, subject’s father was overseas in Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Force. Subject had average childhood. Attended Copper Ridge School until the age of 16. Worked with the local Works Progress Administration branch, along with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a manual laborer until the age of 20, when the subject expressed interest to the predecessor branches of the Clayton Knight Committee, and was one of the first to be accepted into the program and, with consent of both parents, was discreetly given a train ticket to Toronto, Canada in February, 1939, where he was sent to No. 9 Air Crew School as a candidate for the first ‘Eagle Squadron’, No. 71 Squadron (on official documentation, subject is still listed as F/O in No. 71 Squadron). After graduation from No. 9 ACS in October, 1939, subject was selected for screening within the Turin project in November.
The High Ones The Highland People Brazen Sword Clan
Leader
Earl (Jarl) Caiside Maedoc, Larla na Gàidhealtachd (Earl of the Highlands), patriarch of the reigning Brazen Sword Clan.
Government
The Daoine govern themselves through a strict Jarldom/Earldom granted by the High King. The reigning Earl/Jarl has near-absolute power, save for being subject to the authority of the High King. The reigning Jarl rules from the hall of the Daoine hold, Àirde. Succession is very loosely based on heredity, however, being a clan which in a way considers all native inhabitants inherently related, it is more of a meritocratic process in which the reigning Jarl determines the successor based on skill and merit of rule. In the event that a Jarl dies before making a selection, the court in the hall in Àirde makes a selection by majority vote.
Subject to the Jarl are retainers and petty governors ruling hamlets, shires, and villages spread amongst the mountains. These governors retain a sort of autonomy, authorized to raise their levies and maintain local watches for local disputes, and as well allowed to collect taxes and goods shares.
Non-Human Species Descriptions
WIP
Location
In the highlands and valleys of the Dawnstar Mountains.
Religion
The Daoine worship all of the Broken Land’s gods, with citizenry generally dedicating their patronage to whichever god pertains to their particular profession. However, the most common god given dedication is Zasha, the goddess of fertility and agriculture, patron of shepherds, farmers, and mothers. This is largely due to the reliance on subsistence farming and sheep herding to produce food and clothing, along with the reliance of extensive families to assist with these professions. A large shrine to Zasha is present in Àirde, and the hold has adopted the goddess at its patron.
Clan Description
The Daoine Àrda (literally translated as ‘High Ones’, but often interpreted as Highland People) are a people living among the highlands, valleys, and peaks of the Dawnstar Mountains. They are pale, dark-haired people who have lived within the mountains for centuries. Hardy, broad, and, on average, shorter than other Humans, they have herded sheep, cattle, donkeys, and draft horses as primary professions as long as they have settled the mountains. Subsistence farming also had become prevalent in the last few centuries, with beets, radishes, carrots, and potatoes being the most grown plants.
As for the central rule among these people, almost all of the Daoine submit to the rule of the Brazen Sword Clan, reigning out of the hold of Àirde nestled in a valley among the Dawnstar Mountains. The clan was supposedly founded generations ago, through a story passed down orally detailing the exploits of the clan’s founder, Oengus Elisedd (sometimes changed to Oengus Maedoc to match the reigning Maedoc family). A simplified version of the tale is that Oengus founded the hold of Àirde by killing a giant who had subjugated the Daoine with a claymore, named Àirde, which was blessed by Yorvengaand. This claymore, often nicknamed the Brazen Sword, is the namesake of the clan. It is generally accepted this tale is some allusion to the raiding of Daoine lands by the Bloodaxe Clan of Giants centuries ago before they were pacified.
The lifestyle of the Daoine is heavily based around profession. Within the hold of Àirde, the only true ‘city’ of the Daoine, most residents are artisans and sorts of civil servants who often stay within the hold, living out their entire lives in permanent wood and stone houses. In contrast, the various hamlets nestled in the valleys based around farming consist of just that, farmers, loggers, and hunters which live in houses built by their own hand. Lastly are the people often viewed as ‘true’ Daoine, the nomadic animal herders and hunters which roam the mountains and valleys as to give their herds or prey ample grazing areas. They live in non-permanent homes made of animal skin, and generally swear little allegiance to any central authority. However, these nomads are becoming more rare, as subsistence farming and pasture rotations allowing for permanent animal pens become more prevalent.
On the military side of things, a system reminiscent of shire levies is in place, allowing for mobilisation of all able-bodied men in specific hamlets and areas based on need and the will of the Jarl/Earl. And by this system, no true standing force exists in the Daoine holds, save for the Jarl’s retainers and the local watches of petty hamlet and shire governors.
Clan History
WIP
Regional Geography/Resources/Economy Details
The geographic place defining the location of the Daoine is the southern portion of the Dawnstar range of mountains. The rolling hills, valleys, and jagged peaks house perhaps tens of thousands, with most concentrations of populations in permanent hamlets and holds nestled in valleys where they can be easily defended through chokepoints at both mouths to the valley. However, the ancient Daoine had not always done this, and before the rule of the Brazen Sword Clan, the subjugation of the Blood Axe Clan by the Broken Hammer Clan, and a reliable ability to subsistence farm, animal herders and hunters were all that existed, nomadic people traveling the highlands to allow their herds to graze and to find populations of animals. While subsistence farming, logging, and mining have partially replaced this lifestyle, many still honor it, traveling far and wide with expansive herds of sheep, cattle, and horses.
As for resources, the Daoine lands hold many. The staple of products from the highlands are fine wool, linens, and highland linden wood. However, in the last few centuries, as the Daoine people began to settle more readily. Raw iron, copper, and outcrop coal are being mined from the peaks of mountains, and though subsistence farming is now a reality due to use of exclusively high altitude crops, though exports of this food are rare due to them being just that, subsistence crops.
The economy of the Daoine is primarily based on barter, as it has been for centuries, however a system of bullion and currency by weight of silver, gold, and other precious metals is being gradually introduced and implemented by trade with the Broken Hammer Clan.
Important Characters
Earl (Jarl) Caiside Maedoc, the reigning Earl/Jarl of the Brazen Sword Clan. He earned the position through merit, and being the nephew of the previous Earl/Jarl, also of the Maedoc House. He secured good relations and trade with the neighboring Broken Hammer Clan in the early years of his rule, and is currently praised as an effective Earl/Jarl, however critics do claim that he sold sovereignty of the Daoine people to the Broken Hammer Clan.
WIP
Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions
Àirde is the only true ‘hold’ in the Daoine lands, and is the seat of power for the Brazen Sword Clan, consisting of a sizeable city of a few hundred residents perched on a large hill, walled in by wooden palisades reinforced by cobblestone crossmembers. In the center of the city, a second row of palisades protects the Jarl’s hall, which sits on the highest point of the hill, overlooking all surroundings.
Aside from Àirde, no true ‘cities’ exist, and not much comes even close, save for some sizeable hamlets and villages. These hamlets and villages generally are central to a valley, often named a shire and placed under the rule of local governors and retainers. These settlements range often from a few homes and fields in a mere divet, to expansive villages made of rows of huts, houses, and workplaces.
Relation to Other Factions
Broken Hammer Clan - Trade partners, in good relations. De facto a subject to the Broken Hammer Clan due to sea route access and otherwise the larger presence of the Broken Hammer Clan in the region.