olpx

Name: Vangelis Mareno Affiliation: Chaptermaster of the Kingsguard Relevant titles: N/A

The Gambit of Vangelis Mareno The cold air bit at his skin as Vangelis Mareno, General of the Pontifical States and Regent of Grense, knelt in the mud, his hands bound behind his back. Vinovian soldiers jeered at him, reveling in their unexpected prize. They had captured one of the greatest military minds of the age, the very man who had orchestrated countless victories against them. They believed it to be luck. He knew better. His capture was no accident; it was his masterpiece. Weeks prior, Mareno had devised a daring plan. The Vinovians, a cunning and relentless force, had eluded the combined armies of Numendil and the Pontifical States for too long. Their hidden strongholds and supply lines kept them resurgent, despite heavy losses. No spy had returned from their territory alive, and no scout had mapped their network of fortifications. If the enemy’s secrets could not be brought to him, then he would bring himself to them. Feigning an ambush gone awry, Mareno had allowed himself to be taken prisoner during a skirmish near the border. He played the role of the broken commander flawlessly, never resisting, never revealing his intent. He endured the beatings, the interrogations, the mocking smiles of Vinovian officers who thought they had broken his will. All the while, he studied them—their ranks, their schedules, their defenses. He counted every guard rotation, memorized the layout of the prison, and noted the fortifications of the hidden fortress where they had taken him. After a fortnight, the time came for the second act of his performance. Using a sharpened bone taken from his meager rations, he picked his shackles under the cover of darkness. Silently, he slipped through the fortress, eliminating sentries with brutal efficiency. Before dawn broke, he vanished into the wilderness, carrying stolen maps and documents that detailed the Vinovian defenses. But he did not flee. Not yet. He had one final deception to play. Slipping into the enemy stables, he freed the horses, sending them galloping in all directions to create confusion. Then, using the very torch of an unsuspecting guard, he set the granary ablaze. Chaos erupted in the Vinovian stronghold. As soldiers scrambled to put out the flames, he mounted a stolen steed and rode into the night, evading pursuit through terrain he had studied in captivity. By the time he returned to his forces, he had more than just intelligence—he had a plan. With the full might of Numendil and the Pontifical States at his back, Mareno led the assault on the Vinovian fortress. His knowledge of their inner workings turned what would have been a grueling siege into a decisive victory. He struck where they were weakest, collapsed tunnels they depended on, and neutralized their leaders with surgical precision. The fortress, once thought impenetrable, fell within two days. As Mareno stood upon the ruins of the Vinovian command center, watching the banners of Numendil and the Pontifical States rise over the conquered citadel, he allowed himself a rare smile. His gambit had paid off. The Vinovians had thought they captured a prisoner. Instead, they had played host to their own demise.

A man of the Vinovian Company had been halted and detained prowling about Balian, and brought to Numendil for interrogation. Not wishing to simply execute the man he was offered a chance to denounce the wicked plots of the Vinovians and refused, though, a letter was sent out to a known leader within the company. It stated, quite simply, that one of his men was captured and being held, and if he wanted him back, he ought to and come get him. Surely, this group of rambunctious fighters would not abandon one of their own. Surely ,the moment they knew, their count of assembled fighters would grow even higher, and they would launch some daring assault, defeat those who they have aligned themself against, and save their compatriot. Surely, they would at least try. Surely, right? But still, none came. Perhaps the letter never reached the Vinovians. But even if this were true, surely they’d have noticed when he didn’t return. They knew, one way or another, that he was in captivity. Yet, none came to save him. And so, this man of theirs, following his interrogation, was hung until dead. No noble battle to win him back, no attempt in any fashion to secure his release. A man who had surely joined such a group with some vain hopes of rewards such as money, fame, glory, the like. His life snuffed out, wasted, in an inglorious end. For what? One must wonder, then, about this Vinovian Company. They have manifested themselves, and immediately gone about trying to make a name via surprise attacks on clergy, and threats of attack that prove empty when they do not think they can win. Is that all there is to them? Braggadocious nuisances? Some occasional thorn in the side of many? Rats that rear their head from time to time, akin to the Daelish, only to be stomped back down whenever people are prepared for their antics? They have declared themselves and their existence. They have signed agreements with some realms. They have stomped their feet, thrown some stones, and demanded to be taken seriously. But if they are just to only ever succeed when they catch some poor souls off guard, and go out of their way to make enemies of many, all while puffing their chest out and demanding to be taken seriously, what will they ever accomplish? They exist, but. . . For what?

When you mean by connected do you mean more like a few big communities 1-3 than the numerous mini communities?

Favorite memory in the orcs?

IN CELEBRATION OF BURGUNDY Upon the promulgation of the First Golden Bull of Lemon Hill we stood witness to the creation of the Pontifical States, whose sovereignty lies in the blessed hands of the Vicar. Our prayers have been heard thus law and order is triumphant in these lands. Moreover it is our most sincere desire that the neighbouring populaces benefit from this restructuring and usher in prosperity. Furthermore the Primus Aurea Bulla Citrum Collis has seen to our elevation as the Papal Duchy of Burgundy in merit to our service in defence of the Holy Mother Church. We extend our humble gratitude and profess our undying loyalty in perpetuity. On the account of these news we fret that disregarding the longing of merriment is synonymous to sinning. Therefore we announce an approaching period of celebrations. Persistent to our traditions and militant customs the occurrences are to begin with melee; those participants are sanctioned the use of close combat weapons and nothing else. Afterwards we shall continue on with jousts; those riding are to bring in their own steads. The champions shall be endowed with five hundred minae (500) and an object as testament to their victory. Finalising our gathering we are to feast in the tavern. Concluding the aforesaid we extend personal letters of invitation. The High Pontiff Ro’eh Tzon of the Pontifical States and his populous The Queen Tar-Caraneth Aryantë of Numendil and her populous The Princes in Reinmar of Sutica and Minitz and their populous The Queen Adalia of Petra and her populous The Exilic Duke Stefan Euler of Adria and his populous The High Prince Galahad of Caurost and his populous The Rex Rhak’Dom of Lurak and his populous The Shugo Kato Oijin of Koyo-Kuni and his populous The Laird Conan-Thegn of Solgaard and his populous We expect you at the fairgrounds of Grense. SIGNED, His Lordship, Vangelis Mareno, Regent of Burgundy

[!] A flier is distributed, stuck around the streets and halls of Church-loving Canonist nations. With the victory of the righteous in the recent Robertine Crusade, a celebratory joust is to be held in Grense. The contest will take place with the Myrinian ruleset, and have a prize of 500 mina. Along with the title of Champion Of Grense. All are invited to attend, especially those who participated in the crusade. OOC: November 17th (TODAY ) at 6pm EST. Grense can be located by going directly north of the Lowlands SS pillar from CT. Approx. x:+1950, z:-180

Vangelis Mareno looked at the missive still sore from the connection ritual "I'm only T1 you bastard!"

A Captain in the lowlands would read a letter sent to him by one of of his officers slowly shaking his head as he would read the letter. @Cobbler "Tell the men to stand down for I could take Lurin with myself and three men" he would write back to his Officer Andreis The Captain would take the letter burning it at a nearby flame.

This guy is serious watch out guys

The Captain of the Grensewacht would be giving his men instruction on how to decimate the hokhmati

GRENSEWACHT "VINCERE EST VIVERE" The Grensewacht is the diligent standing armed force, tasked with protecting the people of Grense and upholding peace within the Lowlands. The Grensewacht is headed by The Protector of Grense, who has supreme authority over its soldiers, and the ability to deploy them as he sees fit. The Watch's name, Grensewacht, means The Grense Watch. Initially, it was formed by the men of Grense to keep an eye over their village after a series of attacks from darkspawn and brigands. ORGANIZATION Captain The Captain holds the position of senior command within the Grensewacht and is second only to the Protector of Grense. His responsibilities are primarily composed of organizing the soldiers, resolving disputes, and leading larger skirmishes. Officer An Officer is a senior member of the Grensewacht who has proven their competence and is well seasoned in the routines of guard work. They excel in almost every aspect of combat and field-strategy. Too are they responsible for assisting in training of new recruits and demonstrating leadership in the absence of the Captain. Footman Upon completion of basic training, a recruit becomes a footman. Footmen form the core of the Grensewacht’s soldiery and are trained to be skilled at melee, and adequate with a crossbow. Footmen are typically organized into squads and operate as the Grensewacht’s frontline soldiers. Recruit A recruit is a new member of the Grensewacht who has only recently enlisted and yet to undergo training. They are expected to train for as long as necessary to prove sufficient prowess before being promoted to Footmen. OATH TO GRENSE Recruits are required to swear an oath prior to their entering the service of the Grensewacht. When a man takes his oath, he guarantees his absolute loyalty to the Protector of Grense, and is committing to the greater purpose of upholding the values of Grense and striving for virtue. “May all things both courageous and virtuous bear witness to this here my oath. I, (Full name), swear to uphold this oath, to honorably defend Grense in her time of need. I shall follow The Protector of Grense to the best of my ability and bleed with him as I have dined with him, and harbor within me no room for doubt. I shall not forsake my brothers-in-arms, and an attack against Grense shall be as an attack against myself. … Verily I take this oath of my own accord. Thus I swear my fealty to Grense, until my breath has ceased, or fulfilled my oath is deemed.” ENLISTMENT Prior to joining the Grensewacht one is required to qualify for all prerequisites as stated. Possible exceptions to these prerequisites can be made by the determination of The Protector of Grense and The Captain of the Grensewacht. I. One must be of at least sixteen years of age II. One must be a resident of the Lowlands III. One must exhibit common sense and the capacity to be trained. IV. One must be free of oath or obligation to any other nation, power, or lord save the Church of Canon.

"Remarkable work" the captain would remark at the missive

MC NAME: olpx PERSONA NAME: Vangelis Mareno PERSONA AGE: 20 WHERE DO YOU HAIL FROM?: Grense