Aengoth

It feels like a halfling reskin but this is one of the few CA's I'm not inherently against because I like the balance philosophy (short lifespan and weak with potential for interesting belief structures to develop). I will admit I worry that this CA will not stand the test of time.

The loss of resources seems entirely your own fault not sure how this situation is an indictment on Vortex. Tbh I'm surprised they even offered back your items

race traitors man jokes aside have a good one man and hope to see ya around again once you're back

"More good men burned by the Metropolitan politics." -RdS

"It seems that both the Hangman and Pontiff have pockets deep with Providences gold." -RdS

The Boy in Chains 7th of The Grand Harvest, 15SA The Sun Smiles on the Brave. In a show of cowardice the ISA has captured a child of twelve years on the false charge for being part of a unauthorized militia. Perhaps in Providence they employ child soldiers but in any land that knows GODs mercy this would be a sin. Upon a march of twenty good men the ISA sought to stall out their attempt to secure the young boys safety from the grasp of browbeating bureaucrats who would threaten to hang a child not yet even old enough to be a squire. When the demands of the men rallied fell on deaf ears they prepared themselves for a grim fight against the ISA, ready to sacrifice their lives to save but one child. Rather then meet them head on the ISA decided instead to hide in their basements like the craven rats they are. How regal and resplendent Providence must be when it busies itself with the imprisoning of Cannonist Children. Never forget, the Cowardly can only hide for so long. -RdS

"I thought Goats weren't real." -RdS

Renault scowls before muttering to his Uncle "Every day we stray further from GOD."

Another rough day for a the wigs -RdS

A missive is penned in response Were I not to have witnessed your initial fit in person I would've thought this was the words of some cowardly elf profaning the words of GOD for the purposes of further degrading Man. It is indeed lamentable that You, who are but a man of little knowledge, despised rightly as a Fool and with no priestly formation, should be moved to make this point, due to pride and weakness. To further bring insult to the clergy shows the very degradation of your own position and by extension the degradation of Mans faith in GOD. This prideful degradation leads Man down the path of sin, when we choose to degrade the sole unifying institution that binds all of Mankind together it is to the effect to further weaken our own brothers. Rather, serve to bolster the foundation of Mankind, our united Church and the good Clergy who serve to bolster our faith in GOD. Continued degradation of the Church by lesser men is part of a greater sin, and this greater sin is why Man see fit to allow this new land to be baptized in the blood of Holy Men upon the holiest of grounds. I urge you to choose your words more carefully and seek confession for the foundation of your being seeks to exalt yourself above both Man and the Clergy. For surely it is the sin of pride that one would seek to move the Holy Church and her Bishops and Priest as if they were but dogs at your beck and call. Further seek confession for your very position is based entirely on deceit, deceit which is the weapon of Iblees. For the duel you witnessed was done amicably between two Men seeking to better strengthen themselves. Nor was it done with sword but fists as both Men sought not to maim one another. By your words you condemn men to not compete fairly with one another, to not seek adversity for the purposes of bettering oneself. Hate not those who would seek to better themselves through labor and competition while you prattle. Find solace that you live in a peaceful era that can create Weak Men who can benefit off the back of generations of Better Men who would seek to hone themselves against those who conspire against GOD. Never forget that the Exalted Sigismund gazed into the Face of GOD and saw the end of times. Strife will come, pray that we are not found wanting and do not give in to the decadence of the slothful few who would whisper honeyed words into your ears to pull you down with them. -RdS

"To steal a son from the Green Wizard.. what fools." -RdS

(RIP - This week has been a rough one for sons.)

A old Court Dwarf smiles the suns smile from beyond the grave upon those who revere his old friend John Renault de Savoie.

Lair PRO MC Name: Sir_Niccum Minor RO's: RancidHound, Aengoth Lair Name: Metina Proposed Lair Locations (Highlight 3 on the map): Tile 30 https://imgur.com/aqYyRzS Lair Lore (could link to an existing creature or other lore) (1000 words minimum): https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/198597-the-metinan-company/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/198740-the-metinan-response/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/198787-krawn-z-bernard-et-al/ [Please be discreet with this information as these incidents are still ongoing and not all of these details are publicly known by the enemies of the Companymen] These posts provide original context to this lair’s backstory and for the purposes of this writing are being assumed to be counting as part of the Lair post. Additional writing here will provide more context as to how this decision has been made to risk the wilds rather than remain amidst current established civilization. The Metinan Company came into Almaris with it’s initial founders: Bernard de Salier, his orphaned nephew Renault de Salier, and errant knight Arvedth of Ackaland. They initially succeeded in gaining a home for themselves and their ambitions in the Kingdom of Haense— a small guildspace in the capital of Karosgrad and a more discreet tower complex in the nearby March of Vasiland. With the addition of two Footmen, Caden ‘the Louser’ and Hoggart ‘the Grin’, the Company sought to find itself a sustainable source of income from typical sell-sword work: private security and military “advisory” contracts. The Company found it’s first contract in Talon’s Port under a wealthy citizen after a fight with the local militia. Seeking to remedy first impressions Bernard sought a defence consulting contract with the city government for the purposes of salvaging the woefully inadequate defences. While Bernard made minor successes on this front and is considered by his peers responsible for the current defensible exterior of Talon's Port, his Companymen grew too arrogant for the citizenry of Talon’s Port to accept. In particular Hoggart ‘the Grin’ uttered a comment to two Li-Ren citizens who were verbally harassing him that would forever turn the settlement against the Company. At roughly the same point in time Arvedth and Caden ‘the Louser’ had discovered a Drakes Lair alongside a band of Rangers from Oren. Caden would ultimately meet his end there, resulting in the first recruit of the Company to die a premature death. Following a few smaller incidents the Company found itself on the receiving end of the settlement of Talon’s Ports ire and were ill prepared for such. The settlement had sought Sutican and mercenary allies, of particular note the Icathian Company, to murder the Metinan Companymen in the streets of Tai Ping, it’s segregated Farfolk district. This battle went poorly for the Metinan Company, but did not initially sour their arrogant demeanor as they prepared to correct this insult. They were slower to react than the Council of Talon’s Port, who was swift in publishing a Banishment Notice and declared kill-on-sight orders for the company founders and Hoggart. Still the Company sought to correct this, not believing the government of Talon’s Port competent enough to maintain this stance. This was not completely unfounded as the Company had found itself forging many bonds with smaller groups and individuals of similar mindsets. They had however neglected their homefront in Haense, as unbeknownst to them they had drawn the ire of the powerful House Barclay, who happened to have connections within Talon’s Port. While the Founders were preparing their beginning of an attrition based conflict against Talon’s Port, they were surprised by the Barclays who imprisoned them initially on small, trumped up charges of vandalism during a poorly organized Caravan contract— the lone cart ending up wedged into the gate of Karosgrad. The trio were hauled off to the Aulic Court, where the Lord Marshall had managed to convince the judges that the crimes committed in Talon’s Port, under Talon’s Port law and jurisdiction, could be tried and enforced in Haense. The trio, now caught in a web cast by those they severely underestimated, were left at the mercy of the Aulic Court during a period of Haense politics dominated by House Barclay. Thankfully the Company had forged a few strong bonds with individuals willing to defend them from the onslaught of accusations. With the help of notable lawyer Aldrik Baruch and two witnesses, the Metina Company were able to prove that the witnesses perjured themselves and were not truthful in their claims of one sided aggression from the Company. While the Company was crass, they were certainly no bandits. This was not a victory without consequence for each of the Company Founders were branded with the mark of a thief for their alleged part in stealing a horse from a Kharajyr caravan. This included the young Renault de Salier, who was not even eighteen years of age or initially implicated in crimes committed. None of this would deter their enemies, who now stalked them as they walked through the streets of Karosgrad, dogging their movements and shifting the Company’s early arrogance to that of collective paranoia. Not least to mention that, during the whole of all of these events, the Company was in the midst of negotiations with the newly-crowned King of Haense to gain a royal charter to avoid persecution for forming and working as a private military organization: a high crime under Kingdom law. These negotiations had now suddenly collapsed— the King declaring that the Companymen would enlist in his army or face the noose once more— and forcing the Company to vacate its home in the Kingdom. Having escaped one noose, the Companymen ran far to the south, only to find another looming in the horizon after being refused settlement in the Holy Orenian Empire, though promised unharassed transit. The Metinan band has found itself being forced to operate in modern societies that no longer cherish the warrior societies of yore. If forced to appease the heavy, centralized State bureaucracies, losing their rough sellsword niche in the process, it would cause the group to likely fall apart and scatter into the wind. Instead, they have opted to persist without the approval of either Canonist Crowns and take their chances in the wildlands, seeking their own independent start free from those that dog their steps, eye their actions, and await opportunity to strike them down. Initially, the band considered an offer from their dwarven companions to settle within the borders of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan— their bonds growing close since their days in Talon’s Port. However, this came with a complicated political problem. By living under the Urguanite state, the Companymen would essentially become a Protectorate of a non-human and non-Canonist society. This would not be problematic if the group simply aspired to be hired blades like their Ferrymen contemporaries, but the company has instead forged strong, fundamentalist interpretation of the Human faith and aspires to emulate the lives of their Asulonian and Anthosian heroes. To them it is better to struggle alone with minor support than to abandon their values, aspirations, and pride for the sake of safety— whatever that word means. Though joining in union with the Urguanites would be the easier solution, it would have the same ultimate effect of being pressed under a centralized bureaucracy, or even worse, taking up swords with heathens against Humanity and earning a name as race-traitors. Lair Build and Infrastructure (photos required): A large, sturdy “gate” built on a winding path up into the cave complex to establish a very basic and primitive defensive standard. A winding, watery path up to the main area. The living area in a large cavern. Consists of two “officer” tents and a larger “enlisted” tent. Meant to be rather barebones, highlighting the haistiness of the Company’s retreat. Will be expanded on more in the future as time permits and based off of IC success. Why can you not accomplish the niche of this lair’s roleplay in an existing settlement or nation? (We expect a substantial answer for this, not just ‘I don’t like them’). The initial roleplay niche this lair is going to fulfill is an underground force of mercenaries isolating themselves for the purposes of safety from those who seek them harm. Expect a small-middling collection of Men between the ages of 18-40 who are honing themselves both physically and spiritually in an attempt to emulate the lost Guilds (Teuton, White Rose, Order of Saint Lucien) that were formative in the creation of the first Holy Orenian Empire. As this group will be relatively isolated for a time [as there are people seeking to have them murdered] they will have to adapt to their surroundings and seek more discreet ways of sustaining themselves such as monster hunting. Essentially it’s a human group of political regressives who have earned them the ire of many groups and are by nature very difficult for some to get along with. It’s like trying to house a Luddite with Jeff Bezos, eventually the toaster is going out the window. We do not take this decision lightly as it is a big risk for us as a group to do this. We have been attempting to succeed within the frameworks of existing nations that are compatible but for various reasons both political and spiritual we have not succeeded. The reasons we are not establishing a lair in existing nations or settlements are summarized below: The Settlement of Talon’s Port - Government and citizenry actively seeking to murder the group The Kingdom of Norland - Signed a treaty with Talon’s Port that aids in the murder of the Metinan Company. Further they’re predominantly pagans of the Red Faith and Elves. The Kingdom of Haense - Recently tried to have all the Founders hanged. Very strong faction within that is stalking and will potentially try again to have them hanged/murdered. Not to mention problems with High Elven refugees... The Holy Orenian Empire - Sought a small camp and was refused. Hostile entities within that also may seek to murder the Company. The War Nation of Krugmar - While not inherently hostile there is the problem of an incompatible culture and belief systems. Doesn’t make sense RPly for the group to live there. [We have considered this option but deemed it unfit for various reasons] The Principality of Elvenessse - The Company has managed to piss off quite a few elves and it is safe to say that the two groups are incompatible with one another. The Company literally worships the memory of the Burning of Malinor. The Free Trade City of Sutica - Signed a treaty with Talon’s Port that aids in the murder of the Metina Company. Also houses a mercenary company that aided in an attack on Companymen. The Settlement of Freeport - Signed a treaty with Talon’s Port that aids in the murder of the Metina Company. If the Company were to somehow avoid a hanging there they would have to resort to a life of piracy. Even though the group is rough they do not intend on becoming Pirates/Bandits. The Druidic Order - The Company worships the memory of the burning of Malinor. Further the Company has undergone incidents that have further polarized them against magic which they deem “Witchcraft”. Haelenor - The polarizing incidents that caused their distrust of “Witchcraft” was done by refugees from Haelenor who have settled within the Kingdom of Haense. Any attempt at settling within their borders would last an incredibly short time due to the natural friction and contempt the two groups would have towards one another. Ever heard the time a devout Cannonist Mercenary Human and a prudish Atheist Mage Elf walked into a bar, it ended with the mage casting spells and the human screaming for them to be hanged. The Grand Kingdom of Urguan - This is the third option we have considered the most as the Ireheart Clan is actually one of the few groups who actively seek to work with the Metinans. Here are the primary issues with it. Obtaining land would not be the hard part. It would be maintaining it and growing within Urguan without running into the same issues we have in Haense and Oren. As this RP group is rather abrasive and very fundamentalist in their beliefs there are certain core beliefs that will cause great stress between the two groups. Keep in mind this group is heavily inspired by figures amongst the White Rose, who were betrayed by the Dwarves at the onset of the Exodus War. This isn’t a problem unique to this sect of humans, this betrayal is a large part of why Orenian-Dwarven relations have been so consistently poor since Anthos. Further, in the longterm the group attracts more like-minded regressives who will not handle being a Protectorate of Urguan well. Three outcomes seem likely from being landed by the dwarves; degradation, abandoning, or rebellion. While we like the dwarves, it is a relationship that works best when we’re not directly in their sphere of influence, it’s better as a long distance relationship then a neighbor relationship. Further there are rumours and the possibility of Urguan signing a similar treaty with Talon’s Port as other nations have. What does this lair add to the greater world around them?: A refugee of Humans following outdated values in the current political climate that are being actively persecuted by various factions either through their own mistake or through the potential threat they may impose. This group of humans seek to grow themselves for some time discreetly for the purposes of surviving without sacrificing their group identity. That does not mean they do not aspire for more however, and some amongst them still hold the faint hope of grander goals beyond their current means. Due to the particular location we seek if the group were to grow it could potentially be a pawn in the greater global diplomacy of Almaris. With enough time the group may be able to grow into something more beyond this lair however that remains to be seen depending on if they're discovered and snuffed out.

Seems like some nice QoL changes.

"Doesn't seem very pure." -Pangloss

Where is the tinfoil recipe to protect us from these globalist monks!

Renault's along with Hoggart find the missive and read over it while playing Kilikan Dice. Renault ribs grow sore as he and Hoggart break down into laughter before handing off the paper to Arvedth and Bernard. "Shame they only paid us a meager sum to kill the Goblin and not deliver it on their behalf to the Rex who rightly agreed it was ours to gift or not. Lucky for them we helped show the better half of all the defensive faults of their settlement out of the goodness of our own hearts." Taking a moment to wipe a tear from his eye after the bout of laughter he went back to resume the game of dice, begrudgingly giving another 10 minas to his already sizable winnings. "Surprised they actually bothered to write a response, figured they would just seethe over our rightful rebuttal to their 'Militia'" he remarks as he rolls yet another another foul hand to Hoggart's joy

If a dirty peasant could read this man's mind he would know that he has ascended and mantled the position of the Creator, for he knows everything about the creation of a roleplay server and his great brain transcends time and space knowing that this is but a game of a bunch of nerds looking for a good time. The peasant would then fear.. what could one person do with this godly power.

THE METINAN RESPONSE 18th of The First Seed, 10SA The Metinan Company has chosen to show leniency with the Council and Militia of Talon’s Port. The wanton aggression of the recently reformed Militia and the Council of Talon’s Port has shown the true face of the Militia that seeks to hide their own incompetence. Not long ago we came upon a town that was murdering its own citizenry and we have endeavored to prevent further needless violence even if it requires our own troops to save your citizenry from mauling one another. This has been followed by two attacks on our troops when doing business in Talon’s Port. The Militia has opted to use it’s own aggression as a means of justifying our banishment and we refute any and all claims of wrongdoing. The Metinan Company has only ever acted in the defence of both itself and it’s clients who are lawful citizens of Talon’s Port. Due to the lawless acts of the Militia we can no longer protect the citizenry from itself or those outside. In reference to the Talon’s Port Lawbook [TPL] we have opted refute these accusations, although we do protest that the Lawbook is both unfinished and the charges laid against the Company are baseless: Attempt to harm a Council Member [TPL 5.7.5] Any Council Members that may or may not have been harmed has resulted from the aggression of the Talon’s Port Militia. The Metinan Company has not endeavored to harm a Council Member. To cause distress upon the citizens of the city [TPL 2.2.1] The Metinan Company and it’s troops have never intentionally gone out of it’s way to insult the citizens without a citizen first intending to cause distress upon one of our own. All provoked responses have resulted due to the persistent and unwarranted harassment of the Metinan Company. Willingness to break the law for their own clients [TPL 6.1] No formal complaint has been made to the Metinan Company nor proof of a law being broken submitted. The Metinan Company and it’s troops who are legal citizens maintain the right to present it’s cause before the Council. In an act of undeserved good faith we will permit the Council and Militia of Talon’s Port a Saint’s Day to rectify this situation before we respond in kind. Here lies our demands: 500 Minas in reparation for lost business and property in addition to the threat upon our troops. The Dissolution of the Banishment Act. The Reviewal of the Conduct and Practices of the Militia. A response is expected by the last day of The Grand Harvest, 10SA ((2/6/2021 11:59PM EST)). No response by then will be assumed as an affirmation of Talon’s Port intent to persist in hostile activities against the Metinan Company.