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Post by Ælfric on Mar 25, 2016 12:34:14 GMT
Ælfric and his less than impressive band of men arrive in Weinberg and head directly for the Earls mustering ground, hoping to either find the Earls expedition force, or some officials who can point them towards the Earls direction. Ælfric was not feeling at all happy about the way things had been going over the past few weeks, despite his best attempts he had only managed to bring together a pathetic band of meat shields and he had a niggling feeling that the expedition may have already left, making his job that much more difficult.
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Post by Ælfric on Mar 25, 2016 18:34:41 GMT
Upon realising that the night is setting in and he will likely not be admitted until morning, Ælfred and his brave meatshields take lodgins in a nearby in and satiate themselves with the local brews 'Saxeish Pride' and 'Double Dragon'.
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Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2016 15:40:42 GMT
OoC: Just to track time and distance: 7 days in Harborough (2 crowns), 4 days to Offenburg (c. 150 miles on horseback w/ time spent training en route) + 3 days in Offenbug recruiting and prepping his men (3 crowns), Offenburg to Wainbridge (c. 100 miles w/ men and training time) 9 days (3 crowns)... as you are travelling through moderately developed lands you are able to get food from the locals.
IC: As dawn breaks over Wainbridge, you have the chance to see the city for the first time. Nestled on the east bank of the Thames around an old stone bridge over the river, a remnant of superior Reman engineering. The land around the town is dotted with steadings, villages, and small woods, but you are reliably informed that the cultivated lands end abruptly a few miles east of the crossing.
There is no sign of the Jarl, and the villagers inform you that he marched out with a thousand warriors some four weeks past. "Not meaning no disrespect, but he's mad, marching off into the mountains. Everyone knows no good comes from there. Damn Bretain raiders, reavers, all sorts of horrid folk", grumbles one of the townsman.
"Aye, and any road, Offa's been spoiling to take the Earl's lands for years now... he'll be on the march any day now, mark my words", calls another to the crowd at large, nodding at his own sagacity...
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Post by Ælfric on Mar 26, 2016 19:15:46 GMT
Ælfric decides that it would be best to remain in Wainbridge for the time being. He examines the fortifications and enquires about the number of men remaining in the garrison and their quality. He also tracks down the heckler and plies him for information, after a few pints he asks who Offa is and what sort of forces he might bring to take Wainbridge from the Jarl.
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Weinberg
Mar 27, 2016 10:55:04 GMT
via mobile
Post by Ælfric on Mar 27, 2016 10:55:04 GMT
One morning after a particularly raucous night Aelfric is discovered dead, surrounded by empty bottles of wine and exhausted prostitutes.
Apparently he had been suffering from a feeling that life was going no where. He will be remembered by none.
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Weinberg
Mar 27, 2016 22:06:05 GMT
via mobile
Post by Ælfric on Mar 27, 2016 22:06:05 GMT
Aelfric woke with a start. The whores were there, but thankfully he was alive. But his hangover made him wish he wasn't. He slid out of the tangle of bodies and grabbed his clothes. Once out of the room he straightened himself up, washing with a basin and putting on his hauberk and the dark green cloak, trimmed with a gold pattern. He decided to leave his helmet, it hadn't been much good so far. He thought that letting his long blond hair flow over his shoulder would emphasise his saxeish stock.
The inn downstairs was quiet, Aelfric took a stool by the bar and spoke when the landlord approached "Good morning my friend. Could you fix me a decent breakfast? But before you do that, who should I talk to about work, and the current situation in Weinbridge. I'm foreign to these parts and need filling inn."
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Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2016 19:50:37 GMT
The innkeep, a nosy fellow with small dark eyes and a general rat-like quality put together a board of bread, cheese, and dried mutton, together with a healthy mug of small beer. He is glad at the opportunity to gossip and, in particular, complain about Wainbridge and it's Earl.
He explains that for as long as he has lived in Wainbridge, the Bretain have harried the hinterlands West of the river. The land is rich and fertile, but any attempts to settle there have been met with raids and murder. Whenever the Earl would decide that enough is enough and send an expedition, they would melt away into the forests and mountains to return later.
"Eadan has a Bretain slave who says that the mountain folk have a great fort, deep deep away over yonder", he says, gesticulating in the general direction of the mountains, "and that they have held it for thousands of years. Codswallop, I say. Ain't no one heard of a burg like that, not even the Remans would a done it, and they were right prodigious fuckers. Look at the bridge here, no way the Bretains could've done that on their own! Hah, they can barely keep themselves clean."
So he explains that Earl Wulfhere took a thousand men and marched off in search of their burgh, to destroy them at the source. "The folk are right riled about it though. Nothing good has ever come of tangling with those mountain fellows. Gods know if he'll ever even make it back. Meanwhile Offa must be laughing his damn head off. Town's got a garrison, but not enough to protect the villages. The clans'll go back to their old ways, and we'll have war and feuding like in the old county..."
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Post by Ælfric on Apr 1, 2016 17:57:48 GMT
Ælfric listens in silence as the innkeep talks, he polishes off his breakfast with some speed and orders another pint of beer to help wash everything down. Once the inkeep seems to have reached the end of his ramblings Ælfric speaks "Aye, it stands to reason that a people as savage and primitive as the Bretain could not build such a thing. Do you know the man left in charge of the Earls affairs? A steward or a commander maybe? Also, if it isn't too much, where might I find some young men keen on dirty work, but too intelligent to take the earls coin? And what do you know of Offa?"
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Post by Admin on Apr 1, 2016 21:16:21 GMT
"Oh aye, there's Thormund. He's been left behind to take care o' the town, if he ain't hunting he'll be up in the longhouse. As to men, what need have ye?" he suddenly looked stern, and possibly afraid, "fancy a bit o' raiding in the lord's absence I don't doubt. Bah!" and with that, he left... seems there probably will be men about...
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Post by Ælfric on Apr 2, 2016 17:29:42 GMT
Ælfric finishes his pint and slaps his coin on the table "The conversation was sparkling my good man, keep me a room for the next few nights and I shall make sure my company dines here aplenty." With a smile he straightens himself up and walks out into the morning sun.
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Ælfric begins the morning by strolling around the towns walls, he is followed by his small band and engages the guards in friendly conversation. He is liberal with his cheese and wine and listens to the gripes of the everyday soldiers. After going round the walls once Ælfric makes his way through the markets and trade districts as well as the eerily quiet marshalling grounds. He keeps an eye out for any men who seem to be lazing around or generally lacking in occupation.
By mid afternoon Ælfric has seen enough and heads directly to the longhouse. The front door is slightly ajar and the guard at is leant up and snoring quietly. Ælfric laughs and walks in, pushing the door open and strolling in to the large interior, the fire crackling at one end provides a sticky warmth and the dark recesses of the hall bulge and shrink with the flickering candles. Ælfric looks for the man who seems to be in charge, from the descriptions given, and the quality of his reinment Ælfric spots Thormund. He is sat in a lordly chair and one end of the hall and looks as if he is preparing to leave on a hunt.
"My Lord Thormund! I present myself to you as Ælfric Ælfricson, Saxeish Noble! I beg an audience to speak with you about Offa's looming invasion! I have witnessed many things upon my travels, things which you must know."
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Post by Admin on Apr 8, 2016 19:56:42 GMT
The gripes vary from soldier to soldier, most seem bored defending a fort from nothing. Some comment that they haven't the strength to effectively patrol the lands claimed by the Earl, a number express their thankfulness that they were left behind, not being forced out into the mountains with the Earl. The general consensus is that the Earl was foolhardy in the extreme marching off chasing "legends and fairy-tales". One particularly idiotic guard was complaining about his ill-fitting helmet, until Aelfric points out that the nasal is supposed to go in front of the head, not behind...
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Thormund's brow furrows at Aelfric's remark of Offa's invasion. He seems unsure as to whether the bull in front of him is making light of his situation, but retains his composure, and welcomes the newcomer
"Greetings, and well met Aelfric Aelfricsson", he calls through the relative gloom, "I am Thormund Edwinsson, Thegn of Wainbridge, and Steward of the Earl. If you have come to tell me that Offa will make a move against our holdings, this I know. You will find our position is common knowledge around here", he pauses for a moment, still frowning, to take a drink from a horn held by young lad standing behind the chair. "What news is it that you bring? Or have you come sweeping down like carrion fowl"... the second part was muttered in undertone, but not so quietly that Aelfric couldn't hear.
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Post by Ælfric on Apr 8, 2016 20:14:17 GMT
Ælfric takes on a less foolhardy demeanour "On my travels through your land I have seen many roaming bands of armed men, talking about Offa and his plans to attack your lands. I come to offer my services as a leader of men. I have seen my fair share of battle and posses good knowledge of fighting, from the saddle and by foot. If you will support me, I shall assemble a raiding party from your more idle townsfolk and guards. With this party I will lead spoiling raids against your enemies, preventing them from massing enough men to attack Weinberg. I will need a couple of week to prepare and train them, but once armed and saddled we will be able to effectively protect your lands in a way not currently being done."
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Post by Admin on Apr 8, 2016 20:30:09 GMT
The Steward frowns, if possible, even more. Aelfric cannot tell whether this is distrust, confusion, perhaps both. "Brave words indeed, and we could use some more patrols, but our estimates put Aelfric's numbers anywhere between one thousand and five thousand. If he comes in force, only our walls will help us. I cannot give you any of the guard, with the Earl taking his household with him they are the only seasoned fighters we have. However, if you will me men from around the country, I will do what I can to see them equipped... perhaps we should talk through here", he says, standing, and leading Aelfric into a small room at the back of the house. He points to a crude map of the area around the town, "I wouldn't bother looking beyond the river, the folk there are tough, but loth to abandon their homes and families lest the Bretains come raiding. To the East you will a number of steadings and villages, which we haven't levied from for some time. In exchange for this, I require that you muster as many of the Freelords, Thegns, and other lesser nobles sworn to the Earl. I will send one of my men with you, one of the Earl's housecarls, they will know you are with the Earl if he is with you", he looks up from the map. Still frowning... "I've already sent riders south to raise the alarm there, but they haven't returned yet. Gods only know why I'm trusting you with this, but fuck it, we've got to do something"
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Post by Ælfric on Apr 9, 2016 16:14:29 GMT
Ælfric studies the map intensley before talking "I think we ought to start in the eastern villages. If we can levy a strong body of men from there then we can use them as leverage to raise men from the hardier villages. When we are strong we can venture South with some confidence, there we will discover the fate of your messengers and potentially raise more troops. Which Thegns do you suggest I seek out first, who will accompany me and what part of men shall be seconded to aid in this endeavour?"
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Post by Admin on Apr 9, 2016 18:50:02 GMT
"They won't follow you, tell them that the Earl's Steward summons them to muster at Wainbrige. If you are accompanied by a housecarl, they should recognise that you are under my orders",
He outlines eight Thegns he believes are likely to come without much problem, a further five who may need persuading, as well as sundry lesser lords sworn to the Earl, "If you gather yourself some men before heading to see the more prickly Thegns, that will likely be best."
He then highlights the villages and lands owned by the Earl directly, and by unimportant folk. "I will give you a stipend to raise a hundred men from those parts. 120 crowns, ought to cover it. Any more folk you can gather yourself are your own business. Are we agreed?"
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