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Post by Admin on Jul 6, 2016 16:37:31 GMT
A small band of evidently wealthy men arrives at Caer Guricon, seeking a meeting with Gwrtheyrn. They carry a silver diadem.
They claim to be the first men of Venta, and judging by their finely embroidered red shirts, they are speaking the truth. They come to offer Gwrtheyrn the crown of Venta, and the lordship of Caerleon. They are so desperate for protection, that they have agreed to grant their kingship to an outsider, rather than one of their own.
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Post by brotigern on Jul 13, 2016 20:00:09 GMT
"What? WHAT? SPEAK LOUDER, I'M WEARING A TOGA."
Eventually, Gwrtheyrn's equerry imparts the news to Gwrtheyrn, half-shouting, half-stood halfway up the stairs. Gwrtheyrn digs out his cloak, a rich purple, which he wears over his armour. Soon, he is sat in state, ready to receive these men from Venta.
"Tell me about Venta. Tell me why you have come here, why you have come to seek the aid of an outsider. Tell me what I may do for you."
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Post by Admin on Jul 17, 2016 12:34:58 GMT
"Venta, or Guenta, as the peasantry butcher it, is the ancient market town of the Silures, populated by the hardy stock of that tribe, dark haired, strong-backed, and ferocious. Our king also holds lordship over Caerleon, the fort of the legions of Rome. In the town of Caerleon many wonders still stand, including a mighty tower, an amphitheatre, and a bath... which we now use to store cattle, though some very fine artworks may still be seen. As you know, the Saints Julius and Aaron are some of the first among the British saints, having been the earliest martyrs on our island, together with St Alban at Verulamium. This spiritual significance, coupled with the imperial significance, makes the Lordship of Caerleon a title worthy of Caesars. It has been the seat of great kings, and of the Archbishops of Britannia Prima.
In recent months, however, this glory has found itself abased by heathen hordes. The Gwyddels, the Scots, those barbaric butchers of Hibernia... They came by sea, as they have come for Dumnonia and Allt Clut too, and they laid waste to the holy places of our kingdom. Entire monastic communities have come to a premature end, and the ancient wisdom they held turned to ashes. Even our own king did not escape the suffering. Though he fought bravely, and died a hero's death, he left the kingdom with no clear heir, as he died with his sons. Owain, our king, left only weak women and sons too young to fight, let alone rule. We therefore must look to a worthy candidate, and would normally choose from amongst ourselves,"
The messenger turned to his finely-dressed colleagues, and waved an arm at the assembled nobility.
"But we know the Gwyddels will be back, and though we respect Owain's honourable death, we would prefer victory over poetry when it comes to our own legacy. We therefore choose you, mighty Gwrtheyrn, you have proved your worth by defeating the Gwyddels even in their own lands. We submit to your rule, to your wisdom, to your strength, and we humbly beg that you allow us to fight with you, and that you will fight with us should the Gwyddels return for more plunder. You may be crowned king of Venta, and Lord of Caerleon, as well as High King of all the Britons, an honour which you already hold."
OoC: Unless you object, Gwent becomes yours, together with the surviving Teulu of the late king. Venta also comes with Caerleon as a package deal, which offers prestige to both the king that controls it, or a Bishop that has his seat there. It is a possible candidate for the metropolitan see of Britannia.
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Post by brotigern on Jul 17, 2016 20:10:28 GMT
Gwrtheyrn gave some pause, trying to figure out if there was some form of trap here. Eventually, though, he came to the conclusion that there was none. These men were offering him a crown, a decent one too. It must have something to do with his embracing Pelagianism. That, or the lifting of the low doorframe had actually pleased God. Though, that left the ecumenical conundrum of the drooping north section...
"I will accept your offer. I will call together the Teulu immediately and march to Venta, to see it for myself. Then we shall see what may be done about these, so called, Gwyddels."
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