thesmellypocket

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iCR5G0jWrRv6_Fl3Y1Gwc5R4fAc2BKde6ROToiXjNSI/edit 51st post!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E76gzWTcPyl6PgNIhmJNJ49ilxjCzw6v-G7TnZ_YEkk/edit Braz' post

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iaG9qhDpLTXOQ0JKREgGmSkKJUlDHP8Ih6rultqVL-8/edit It's a long one. Sorry for lateness.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QktprN3YrTQxWoayMGutMtVGR47-dp2Ts2rLd97EYFc/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mPgC54NlJvQd9TNn5EX9nvl0ixOGgEbd0wHDj-MTapg/edit Forgot to put this here.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12UKNoPgTEpL6-OYJpciDxFniHyYryWN3vlZSidK9ZjM/edit Mod post, early 1940.

RP posts below. Mod-posts every Sunday. Mod-posts will mod-created have events in them. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RB2t7VA6vIE2ImnhxjZT_My9S58QlpNIbstEFKZiHMQ/edit Data on various countries can be found here, still incomplete. I would appreciate if players could help find statistics, or if not those then estimates based on other statistics, etc. on their own country, and others if they can, to put here. Anything you think could be useful on numbers and various models of equipment in 1940. Statistics may be altered to reflect the historical reality (e.g Germany doesn't have 38ts because they haven't invaded Czechia) I'm limiting the number of technologies a nation can research to 2 for the Major Powers (USA, USSR, Germany, UK, Japan, France, Italy) and 1 for everyone else. A turn is 6 months. If anyone needs help, skype me.

The Turks were called the Turkins (I wrote the culture, Semih was the original founder though) I am part of a little Puritan family which resembles 17th century English in matters of religion, language and customs. (Except we play association football) I'm not sure if that's worthy of being classes as a proper culture though, we decided to call it the Electi culture.

'AND UPON THIS CHARGE, CRY: "GOD FOR ARTHUR, SAVOIE, AND SAINT ADRIAN!"' Hobbes chants.

Dionysus of Nicea Age: 41 Gender:Male Race/Culture:Heartlander/Akritian Height: 170cm (5 foot 7’) Weight: c.65 kg. His build is rather lithe - he is skinny, and hardly muscled or fat. Faith:Canonism. Home:Nicea, Lorraine. Clothing: He wears the clothes of an acolyte. Position:Acolyte. Personality Traits Scholarly Theologian: Despite entering the clergy at an old age, Dionysus is eager to take lessons and gain knowledge, and has always been of a scholarly disposition. Quick: Dionysus is quite clever, tactful in his language, with an ability to absorb information and a natural bent toward the scholarly arts. Weak: Dionysus is not very physically strong. Celibate: As an up and coming clergyman, Dionysus is celibate. Humble: In the words of Rudyard Kipling, Dionysus fulfills the maxim: ‘If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings and lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, if all men count with you, but none too much.’ Just: Dionysus tries to be even-handed. His view is if one maintains justice even for one’s rival, you will be well-treated when the time comes when you require justice. Zealous: Dionysus has beliefs, and nothing can make him change them. Although a threat of violence may convince him to back down in other respects, his beliefs are the one thing others cannot change except through discussion and actually going about to genuinely change his mind. He is a rather pious man, also. Scholar: Dionysus has a particular interest in the history of his own people, and is writing a history of the Akritians currently. In addition, he likes translating old Akritian texts for the general public.

The Akritian People The Akritians are a people much-reduced from their former status, yet are still famed for their shrewd politics, rowdy hooliganism and deep piety. Today, they live in the Archduchy of Lorraine. History Akritian origins are unclear, but tradition holds the mythical king Midas brought over Heartlander colonists. Arising from a harsh, mountainous island called Akritos near the Turkin Steppes, theirs’ was a realm of warring warrior-poets in small, fortified city-states. These warrior poets were and are the stuff of epic poem, almost certainly more fiction than fact and interweaved with the ancient pagan superstitions which often disgust modern eyes. However, the Plague of Eudokia wrought havoc on this early civilisation, leaving a clean slate on which to build in the so-called ‘Dark Age of Akritos.’ An ancient depiction of the legendary warrior-poet ‘Midas’ who is said to have owned a crown so heavy with jewels it had to be suspended above his neck, and is credited with both discovering and colonising Akritos. The Dark Age eventually gave way to new, more advanced polities. Governments were one of three forms: oligarchy, tyranny and democracy. Philosophy and trade flourished despite near constant warfare, and there was no sign of the cities of Akritos uniting any time soon. However, after a long war known as ‘The Unification Wars’ a man called Diogenes (Sometimes called ‘The Great’) , a strange philosopher-despot said to have once lived in a barrel and to have behaved like a dog, brought all the city-states under a centralised, despotic Akritian kingdom. It was during this time that an Orenian priest called Petrus made the desperate journey to the kingdom from Aegis. He brought the nation into the Canonist faith, entirely turning upside down her views on philosophy, governance and everyday life. Temples were quickly converted into churches. Over time, the Akritians developed a doctrine different to the Orthodoxy back in Oren in some respects. A copy of a mosaic in one of Patras’ many churches, long since abandoned. Depicted in the image is Diogenes the Great, who brought not only stability and peace, but prosperity and culture, and, above all: Canonism. He is often called the ‘Second Founder of Akritos.’ After years of stability under Diogenes and his direct descendants, known as the Diogenoi, a certain heretical priest known as Michael brought terror to the land with his fiery words: ‘Diogenoi: most cowardly and effeminate of men, most shrewish and whorish of women; most impious and disgusting of wretches. I give these words unto you so that you may learn the truth of God. For I see you now worshipping at wayshrines: praying to Saints as if Gods. God spare me from such idolatry! Be ye assured that thou is of the material of the pagans, and all material may burn within the holy fire of the Creator.’ Michael was mocking the characteristic Diongenic love for the Saints and their deeds, yet also for the ‘material of the pagans’ - their love of classical philosophy. Michael even accused Dionysus Diogenes, the current Caesar (Co-ruler) of claiming that the Epic Poet Godilas was a ‘Canonist before the Canon.’ Such talk sparked civil war. After decades of devastating warfare which ravaged the countryside, the Diogenics and their Orthodoxy reigned supreme over the heretics. In order to quell any further religious disputes, they re-copied the dogma of the Canonist Church in order to follow it to the letter. Dionysus Diogenes with his lance. Dionysus was at best a middling swordsman and a blundering tactician, but was able to defeat the heretical rebellion after an extremely costly campaign at the Battle of Lithakia, some say by a divine miracle. By the end of the war, only ⅓ of Dionysus’ troops were left alive. Near the time when Vailor was reached, the Akritians and Turkins were engaged in warfare. In the ‘Turkin War’, when Alexios Diogenes was nearing victory against the Turkins, they suffered a brutal reversal at the Battle of Nicopolis. Alexios and his bodyguard famously fought to the last, but a certain nobleman, the respected and battle-hardened Demetrios Palaiologos was able to break the Turkin encirclement and escape the field with an invaluable body of men, including cataphracts. What followed was the most shameful moment in Akritian history. The capital was sacked and churches looted. Nuns were raped, and a great slaughter took place among the people there. Demetrios thought the capital was unsaveable, even with her towering walls, and so, in a controversial move, he placed all his men at the coastal city of Patras. Destroying the Turkin fleet with a masterful use of incendiaries, he was able to hold off for years until the Turkins finally withdrew due to trouble at home. After a treaty of ‘Eternal Peace’ with the Turkins, the Turkins were officially the overlords of the Akritians, but in reality, exercised no power over them.he Akritians returned to their capital determined to come back bigger and stronger, breaking out of these humiliating, if unrestrictive, conditions. But it was not to be. The Akritians advance at Nicopolis. Plague hit both the Turkins and the Akritians. Akritos fractured into thousand petty despots as the chariot races of each city fell into wild hooliganism, until the Pagalogoi were able to unite these and ‘Make Ariktos Great Again,’ as went their slogan. Restoring order, they took the decision to sail to Vailor and join the nobles of Oren who had brought them their faith, so many decades ago. Constantine Palaiologos (pictured), current ruler of the Akritians, is a direct descendant of Demetrios. Religion, Philosophy and Politics. The Akritians are a notably religious people, yet still read the works of ancient pagan philosophers and poets. They also, despite the edicts of Dionysus reaffirming firm Canonist doctrine, “unofficially” venerate several Saints, including Saint Diogenes, Saint Dionysus Diogenes and Saint Petrus, who all, according to Akritian sources, performed miracles. Another Saint included in this category is Saint Michael of Patras, who, according to legend, was blinded by the heretics so they could not read - and whose eyes regained sight so that he might continue his workings against the heretics. There is also Saint Kassia of Volos, a female composer of hymns. Apart from this, the Akritians are relatively orthodox when it comes to religion. An icon of Saint Peter, the man who brought Canonism to Akritos. The Akritians had many philosophers, both before and after their joining to the Canonist family. These include Sophocles, who wrote in dialogue, Thales (of whom no works survive), who wrote works on the soul and the Gods, and Alexandros, a Canonist theologian and philosopher. Akritian philosophy is diverse, covering issues from how to live happily, to God, metaphysics and political philosophy. In and immediately after the so-called ‘Dark Ages’, political philosophy was diverse. However, since the reign of [Saint] Diogenes, ideas of despotism and hereditary government have dominated the field. Strangely enough, those born during the rule of a despot are considered ‘Born in the Purple’ and are favoured for succession. This tradition can be traced back to the ‘Purple Room’ of Diogenes’ palace. Cuisine The diet of an Akritian depends on his social status and wealth. The higher orders import rare spices and sweeteners and frequently eat honey-cakes, fruits and sweetmeats. Meanwhile, the lower orders tend to eat coarse bread, salted meats and sausages, salad (which is very popular) and cereals. Olives also used to be a staple, and, whilst still present in salads, are hardly as common due to the change in climate and land. Beef is rare, and lamb and mutton tend to be reserved for the upper classes. The upper classes also eat the meats they hunt, as hunting is a common hobby among them. Koptoplakous, sometimes thought to be the ancestor of baklava, is a common dessert, which in turn is derived from the Placenta cake, which was, by legend, invented by Midas himself. Placenta cake. Akritian wines are even more renowned than those of their neighbours, the Lotharingians. The wine of Commandaria is sought by Orenian nobles to drink at special occasions, but cheaper wines such as Retsina (flavoured with pine resin) are available to drink in daily life. Fighting Style Following the Heretic War, Dionysus Diogenes reformed Akritos’ administrative system. Dividing the island into ‘Themeta’ or ‘Themes’, he appointed military governors called Strategoi (generals) to watch over these small provinces. Whilst the Basileus could appoint or remove these governors at will, and the central government held a large central army, these Strategoi were allowed to give land to soldiers in return for military service to the Themeta. As a result, the autonomy of the Themeta increased, as did their military capabilities, and they held off the Turkins and other menaces for a long time. It was only at Nicopolis that the Themeta system collapsed. The Themeta system changed how the military system worked. Emphasis was removed from armoured, professional heavy infantry to provincial spearmen (which in many ways was a throwback to the ‘Hoplitai’ system dating back to around Midas’ time), and it was only the collapse of the system at Nicopolis which has reserved this. Nicopolis was the decisive moment which sparked a move back to the professional armies of old. Demetrios Palaiologos, credited as the third founder of Akritos, brought in a set of reforms to confront the military reality. Emphasis was put on a retinue of hard, professional heavy infantry and cavalry cataphracts instead of spear-armed provincials. This solid corps of veterans was bolstered by small units of Peltastai, javelin-armed light infantry raised from levies. Armour also evolved when they reached Oren, but the Akritians have always been playing catchup to the other peoples of the empire in terms of armour development. Plate armour was adopted at this point. The Akritians have also been bolstered by access to the famous Lotharingian horses, including destriers and coursers. Note the Orenian-style plate armour of the man on the left, and the gauntlets and boots of the Basileus on the right. The Akritians are famous for engineering and siege works. According to some, the Akritians invented the trebuchet, which they call the helepolis (city-taker.) The Akritians have in history built some massive siege engines. Phillipos, Archon of the democratic city-state of Volos, and a rival of Diogenes the Great, was said to own a helepolis so large it had a pulling crew of 1,200 men, firing 96 kilogram stones. Great siege towers and battering rams also became famous. The ram and siege tower christened ‘Nika’ or ‘Victory’ was stolen from Volos to bring her own city walls crashing down. Entertainments Whilst the nobles hunt with dogs and horses in the same way as the other Orenian peoples, and many nobles also participate in Orenian-style tourneys, the common people have a far different taste in entertainment. Chief among these fashions is the simple chariot-race, perhaps the most tribalistic sport known to man. There have been some devastating bouts of hooliganism during the chariot races of the Akritians, but this is partly because the teams are so intensely politicised. Often, the two major teams, the Greens (Prasinoi) and the Blues (Venetoi) often come to back one pretender or another, one side, one religious issue, or one faction within their polity. During the reign of Diogenes the Great, the Blues came to represent the landed elite ,whilst the Greens soon came to represent many unlanded peoples. In addition, the Greens tended to support a strict religious orthodoxy, whilst the Blues are more divergent from the Cannon. In the city-state of Volos, which was a democracy, the two teams became akin to political parties. In one riot most of the city’s famous siege equipment was destroyed; in the aftermath the ram and siege tower ‘Nika’ was treacherously brought into the hands of Diogenes’ forces by the Blues. Riots in Volos were brutally put down by the army. The riots there are the most infamous in all of Akritian history, and opened the door to the city’s capture by her eternal rival. Music Like most cultures, the Akritians have two kinds of music: the secular and the sacred. The Akritians are known to have a very distinct range of musical instruments and songs, many of which are derived from before the Dark Ages. Secular music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_8aSrsTlCE Akritian secular music is derived from her ancient counterparts. The Akritians use instruments including the lyra (a violin-like string instrument), the lyre, the harp, the organ (used during chariot racing), the aulos (a distinct flute), and the askaulos (bagpipes.) The Akritians record their music and composers are well-known. This can lead to a bit more orthodoxy and less change in music than in other cultures. They are slightly more prudish in their tastes, and so ballads of courtly love and such tend to be far rarer than in say, the Lotharingian culture. Sacred music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brdhbgeGW4E&t=2389s The chants of Akritian sacred music are sung in both Flexio and Akritian. They are often recitations of the stories of the saints, hymns to the Creator, or even of Canonist dogma. The Akritians are particularly proud of their choirs, which include both men and women. Kassia is one of the most famous composers of both sacred and secular music. She is one of those women venerated “unofficially” as a Saint by the Akritians. Language and Dialect In ancient times, Akritos had her own alphabet. However, during her rapid Canonisation in the time of Diogenes the Great she slowly adopted the Flexio alphabet, which is used almost universally among the peoples of the world. The old alphabet can still be seen in some isolated forms today, in official documents or in ancient texts, but for the most part the Flexio alphabet has superseded it. Here are some phrases, nouns and adjectives used by the Akritians (Thanks to glocky for these): Malista Kyrie= Yes my Lord. Opos epithimite= As you wish. Stis prostages sas= At your command. Ti kanete;= How are you? Eime (ime) kala!= I am fine/good! Oraia (orea) mera simera= What a fine day today. Basileus= Emperor Doux= Duke Count= Komes (Comes) Baron= Varonos (Baronos) Despot= Lord (The Akritians usually call every lord, Despot, including the Duke.) Kalimera= Good morning Kalispera= Good afternoon Kalinichta= Good night Nai= Yes Ochi= No Malista= Of course Flexioi=Other Orenians Chere= Hail/Ave Nika=Victory Satanikos= Someone who is evil Kakos= A bad person Kalos= A good person Oraios= A handsome man Omorfe= A beautiful woman ((Could I get a pin please?))

MC Name:_JosipBrozTito_ Character Name:Christopher d'Ibelin. Race:Heartlander. (Auverginian-Lorranian) Age:16. Profession (if applicable):Promising Blacksmith. Timezone:GMT 0. (London, Belfast, Dublin) Skype (PM if you’d like):You've got it. Do you have Teamspeak?:Yes.

"Elsass-Lothringen ist Deutschland." Francois d'Ibelin states plainly, as he rides to return to Lorraine.

"Victorian Knights didn't help at Nicopolis!" Suleyman, son of Suleyman, remarks, chuckling to himself.

"Imperial purple is the noblest shroud."

OOC: Skype name:Mohammed Ibn Jubayr Username:Thesmellypocket IC: Name:Ser Francois "Longshanks" d'Ibelin Reasons for applying: By the axe of Saint Godwin, I am determined to be among my long-time comrades in Peremont, whom I have to thank for much of what I have become and what I have. They, next to the help of God, are what guided me to where I am. It is they I wish to serve under, in a most holy and pious Brotherhood! Do you agree to PK if RP is done appropriately and well?:Yes.

"STRONG." A Godly serf of the countryside would rebuke.

Ser François d’Ibelin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5sVElgdtAg Nicknames:Due to his love of religious images, he is known as “L’Iconodule.” Most people address him as “Ser François” or simply “Sir.” Originally from house de Argon, he took up the new name “d’Ibelin”, after his maternal grandfather. Age:23 Gender:Male Race:Heartlander (Auverginian) Appearance Height:A man noted for his highly impressive height (especially for his lowborn background), he stands at 6 foot 4 inches. Weight: 161 pounds. Body Type: Once scrawny and weak, over years of training he has bulked up a lot. He is the epitome of an Auverginian knight:-Large, tall, eloquent. Clothing: Being recently knighted, he has a plain blue surcoat over heavy mail. Under this he has an old and trusty gambeson, which has saved his life many times. He wears an old kettle helm, seemingly inappropriate for a knight and more of a commoner’s helmet. Scars: Francois has considerable scarring on his right arm from his leprosy, which he suffered from around the age of 12. However, the disease has long since passed. Usually, the scarring is concealed. Further, he has a large scar from where a gash was on his right arm. It was gained in a battle against the necrolytes. Finally, he was a scar on his left leg, which was clearly caused by some sort of polearm during the Adrian War. Personality, Morality and Traits Religion: The Church of the Canon Religious Head: The High Pontiff of the Canon Alignment: Lawful good Personality: A pious young knight, fiercely loyal to the Savoyards and trying with every fibre in him to adhere to the code of chivalry and the virtues of the church. He almost always blames himself for a failure, even if it is not his fault. The condition of leprosy humbled him, to some degree. Once haughty and proud, he always has to bite himself back and practically kick himself for acting in such a way. He respects his fellow fighting man; if they fight honourably, he is a rather chivalrous opponent. However, should the enemy disengage from such strict principles, he is the definition of wroth; he shall show no mercy towards them. He is also a very trusting person. Easily manipulated and falling for tricks, he always assumes people’s good intentions which can make him sociable and gregarious, but at the same time can cause serious problems. He used to be brave to a fault, but now he has become more and more cautious. He has lost his ability to charge headlong into almost certain death, preferring, as the code dictates, to use his weapons as the last resort. Areas of Interest Military Strategy-Francois, as a squire to a Lord Marshall, absorbed many lessons of war. He studied many notable works of strategy, including “The Art of Strategy” and “The Art of Siege Warfare.” Nobility and Virtue- François has been educated in the Code of Chivalry, and traditional Godly values. He is terrified of the idea of “absolutism”, since he sees it as a usurpation of the rights of the nobles. François has had the idea of Feudal Monarchy drilled into him, and naturally opposes anything that gets in the way of the ideal he would like to see for Oren. Law- François believes in good justice for all in the realm, and opposes any arbitrary authority which can override laws easily. He has studied several works of law, and has an ingrained knowledge of the Liber ex Justitia, therefore meaning he is a supporter of Savoyard legal principles, such as innocent until proven guilty. Chronicles- François records his story in The Annuls, an ongoing, partially published work and already his most noteworthy. https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/136963-the-annuls-by-francois-dibelin/ Inventory and Fighting Style Possessions- Francois has a heater shield, with the Golden Cross of Ibelin painted onto it. Further, he was an arming sword in an elaborate scabbard, and also has many items of the arts of peace-a lute and lyra. He usually carries some basic food and a canteen for water. Fighting Style- Savoyard foot knight. Trained Weapons- Ibelin is trained in the typical knightly weapons. He is, for the most part, a foot knight, trained with the poleaxe and similar weapons, as well as arming sword and shield. He does, however, have basic skills with a lance or spear. Favoured Weapons- Arming sword and poleaxe or heater shield. Missile Weapons- Ibelin is completely inefficient with bows, though he can use crossbows to a basic degree. He is also skilled with throwing weapons.

Basic Information. Titles, Name Variations, Nicknames: Frequently known as “Le Lépreux” (The Leper) or “The Iconodule.” Being squire of Denis de Bar, he is frequently addressed as “squire” or “sir.” He was originally from house De Argon, but shortly after the bettering of his condition he changed his house to D’Ibelin, the house name of his mother which died out. Age: He is 20. Gender: Male. Race: Human (Heartlander) Appearance Height: An usually tall boy. (6 foot 4 inches) Weight: 161 pounds Body Type: Over his years as a squire, he has bulked up a fair bit. He seems like your average Amaurian knight, tall, large and eloquent in speech. Clothing: Unlike the rest of his liege’s retinue, he is usually seen wearing a plain red surcoat or gambeson. Sometimes, when battle is near, we wears plate armour, which he is still getting used to. Eager and diligent, over his years as a squire he has mastered how to maintain and use plate armour, as well as being fit enough to keep fighting in it effectively for a long time. Scars: Francois has considerable scarring on his right arm from his leprosy, but fortunately, in what is perceived as a miracle, the disease was halted and scarred in the early stages with his close friend-and in many ways mentor- Jurgen von Herrick. The scars are almost always concealed, and few people ever see them. Personality Traits and Morality Religion: The Church of the Cannon Religious Head: The High Pontiff. Alignment: Lawful good. (or at least he tries to act in a good and lawful way.) Personality: The Leper Squire is a diligent, eager and excitable boy, interested deeply in theology and therefore both pious and zealous. He adheres to the code of chivalry and the seven virtues in almost every way he can, and when he fails in his duty he always blames it on himself, leaving him easily depressed and stressed by his own failures. His condition, which he had between the ages of 12-13, humbled him. He now speaks to strangers with a degree of respect, whether they be serfs or nobles. This is not only due to his former condition, but because of his experiences in battle. In his own words, he says “He that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, be he ne’er so vile this day shall gentle his condition.” Another important note is how he can be easily manipulated due to assuming the best of others, and often the worst of himself. Those who claim to be working in the interests of virtue and valour can turn him from what is just and right. When he believes he is acting in a good way he can take that to the extreme, sometimes. Skills and Lifestyle Interests: Military Strategy:-Since childhood, he has been filled with tales of tactics and skill, and their appliance in war. He reads many books of strategy, though seems to care much more of contemporary strategy than that used in history. Chivalry and Nobility:-Certainly not destined for status of any kind, being from a poor family of burghers, he was at first destined for the church, meaning he speaks with the eloquence and has an education similar to that of a noble. He wishes to emulate his noble liege, his noble peers. He wishes to adhere to the chivalry, study it, and apply it. Theology:-Being originally destined for the church in his very early years, he gained a particular interest in religious images, from where he gained the title “The Iconodule.” He finds the tales of the Saints most inspiring, and wishes to learn more of them. He has a long way to go, however. He is no master of theology. Horses and Riding:-Starting at 13 as an infantryman at heart, he has become a true cavalryman. Though he owns no rouncies or palfreys, let alone destriers, of his own, he has tried the practice horses and seems quite skilled. He has a particular love, appreciation and understanding of horses. Law:-Having read the works of Jan de Savoie and Adolf von Manstein, he wishes to further his understanding of laws, and even be able to recite them. Music-Beginning at the age of 15, it was suggested by Augustus that he learn the lyre, lute or pan flute. He has been unable to procure an instrument, but he has at least read books on music.He is getting one made for him, a lute of good craftsmanship, he hopes. He also enjoys religious music, knowing several hymns. Fighting Style Trained Weapons: He is currently training with the “knightly weapons.” These are: Lance, arming sword, heater shield, halberd, poleaxe and mace. Favoured Weapon: On horseback a great heraldic lance, with a thundering destrier riding into the enemy. On foot, a poleaxe, due to it’s versatility. Fighting Style: Francois has been training and fighting in war for the past 7 years, and has become a formidable fighter in his own right. Though rather inexperienced and somewhat foolhardy, he is deadly on foot with polearms such as the poleaxe, as well as arming sword and heater shield, as well as with bastard swords when in plate armour. Additionally, his skill on horseback makes him a proud and good lancer. Missile Weapons: Francois is not trained in archery. He can loose and draw bows of a medium poundage, but not with any sort of speed or skill. At throwing he is decent, and can lob javelins, rocks and other projectiles effectively. With crossbows he is also unaccustomed, but he has seen them in use and has a basic idea of how to shoot and reload crossbows.

Oy vey!

Ioustinianos (Justinian) Komnenos Basic Information Alternate Names: Nicknames:Justinian, "The Bastard" Age:19 Gender:Male Race:Human Status:Alive, well and still future Basileus. Description Height: A very tall man at 6 foot 5 inches. Weight: A large man, he weighs nearly 100 kilos. Body Type: Bulky and tall.Ey Hair: His hair is rarely seen beyond his armour, but when it is seen it is slightly unkempt and dark. Skin: White (Mediterranean) Markings/Tattoos:N/A. Personality: A daring and ambitious man, he hates inactivity, despises slothfulness and admires diligence. A nonjudgmental person to fellow humans, he takes them at face value regardless of social class. However, he does not treat other races in the same way, frequently expecting only bad of them. He is rather optimistic, and is a generally jolly sort, provided he is kept busy. When not kept busy he falls into wroth, frustration and stress and not the other way around like most people, who are stressed by too much work. In terms of honour, he can compromise his honour for his own personal gain but the gain must be very large in order to do so. He cares about his reputation and would not lose his honour over trivial things. He is rather rational and in control of himself, not guided by emotion, unless on drink. Life Style Alignment: Neutral. Deity: The Creator. Religion: The Church of the Cannon. (Patron Saint: Saint Theodosius the Raevir) Alliance/Nation/Home: House Fournier, the Kingdom of Oren Job/Class: Varangian Guardsman. Title(s): Skoutatos-Guardsman. Profession(s): He is a purely martial man. Special Skill(s): -Education: Being educated by his uncle, Basil Komnenos, he is skilled with many weapons including swords, polearms, axes and on horse. He also speaks eloquently, due to the education he received. Flaw(s): -Komnenos: A man who was not only the bastard of a serf (Alexios Doukas), but also the adopted son of Basil Komnenos. Whenever a noble speaks with less eloquence/education then him he is angry since they had more opportunities yet wasted them away. This makes him come into conflict with powerful men... -Intolerance of Different Races/Religions: This man respects the Church and the Church only, humanity and humanity only. Other races who brag of their superiority cannot match our greatness! Weaponry Fighting Style: Justinian can fight with a variety of styles, given his wide martial education. With spear/arming sword and shield he is rather defensive, but very offensive with two-handed weapons such as the greataxe, hacking away at the enemy. He will always style himself a lancer, whatever weapon he carries. Trained Weapon: Arming sword, various shields, great axe, spear, bills, halberds etc., heavy lance. Favoured Weapon: Spear and shield on foot, lance and shield on horse. Archery: Given his strength, he is able to draw bows of high poundage. This enables him to use high poundage warbows. The power of the bows available to him makes up for his lack of practice in archery.