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Welcome to James Kemp's Wiki
This is a collaborative web platform that allows people to edit1) the web pages to provide additional content for some of the stories I have written and the roleplaying games that I am involved in, whether as a player or GM.
There are several namespaces operating slightly different wiki subjects. These are, in no particular order:
- Skyss - Story Background - a fantasy novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2016.
- Perfects - background for the near future story and some police roleplaying that I ran in that universe
- Theocracy of Daprav - A D&D campaign that I ran with Glasgow University Games Society around 2002-3.
- Jim Wallman's Universe - a roleplaying by e-mail campaign that I play in, this is an unofficial wiki and none of it is canon unless Jim says it is.
- Interstellar Freelance Unlimited - subset of the Universe pages covering the activities of a mercenary company that we are currently roleplaying every Full Moon.
- Earth Imperium pages. These cover the activities of the Government of the Solar republic (aka Earth Empire) in Jim's Humanity Will Prevail campaign, including the Earth Imperium News Items.
- Free Worlds Alliance - covering the activities of another emerging polity in the Humanity Will Prevail campaign. Mostly contributed by Eric Moroney.
- Universe Background - page collecting the various bits of background info that have come up in various e-mail discussions for the campaigns set in Jim Wallman's Universe.
- Master map of the Universe (6Mb PDF, as at 3212).
- Delta Green - some roleplaying campaigns about horror and conspiracy. The main one was set in Berlin in 1953.
- Free games rules - a collection of free rules for wargames and other sorts of face to face games that I have designed or run.
- Wargames rules - I'm not just a player of games, I also do rules for them from time to time as well as one-off games. A primary outlet for this is through Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Other free rules - at the moment just those for the 1689 (Orange or Lemon? and Bonnie Dundee, respectively about the debates in the Scots Parliament and then the military campaign of Viscount Dundee during 1689) and The Other Side of the COIN (about what makes people become insurgents). All games that I have have produced for Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Background for a near future universe where I have written some fiction and also run some roleplaying games in.
Comments and complaints to me at webmaster@full-moon.info please.
James Kemp
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Bhaltair Gilranald
Bhaltair Gilranald is the Earl of Norpen, and for some time regent of Dael Riata during the minority of his cousin Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata. He is also the Marquess of Righ, and swears fealty twice to the King. Bhaltair is the second cousin of Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata, descended from the second son of King Alasdair III.
The ancestral home is Caer Righ, a castle guarding a strategic crossing of the river Righ in the Grand Duchy of Dalreoch. However the present Earl's father was translated to the Earldom of Norpen, on the northernmost of the Easter Isles. This was an overtly political move by the old Queen early in her reign as an effort to clip the wings of the The Murchadhs who had been causing trouble for generations.
The seat of the Earl is the walled city of Norpen, a very densely populated stone built haven from the Northern seas and the storms that rip across the open ocean to the North and West of the Easter Isles. There are about 10,000 people in the city, and a similar number farming across the collection of isles.
Titles
The current Earl is Bhaltair Gilranald.
They are is 36 years old, and is currently married to Eilidh Alpin. They have five surviving children
- Tormoid (16), is the eldest & heir.
- Ealasaid (14), is second and currently betrothed to the elder son of the Earl of Suddal
- Ranald (10)
- Aonghas (8)
- Oighrig (4)
Size & Wealth
Although new to the islands the Gilranalds have worked hard to establish the sea focus of the other island Earls. When the Earls of Uisdean were disestablished on Norpen many of the more skilled seafaring folk left with them, and the tradition takes time to establish. Some 25 years on there are signs of it returning, but it will continued effort to develop local shipbuilding skills and attract more veteran seafarers to pass their skills along to the new generations.
There's an active stone quarry that exports local stone for building. There are also lots of fishing vessels, seaweed collection, and some iron ore deposits. There's a lot of trading both with the Kingdom and more widely across the world.
The Earl has a letter of justice from the King enabling his ships to intercept raiders and keep the prizes. This has been a very good source of income over the last decade.
In addition to the lands in the Easter Isles the Earl of Norpen still holds lands as the Marquess of Righ within the Grand Duchy of Dalreoch. These are mostly feudal villages engaged in agriculture. These account for about a quarter of his income, and the second town (Caer Righ).
Recent History
Bhaltair spent four years as the regent, from 765-9. Initially he was chosen for his close relation to the King and that the Earls of Duffjord and Suddal both thought that they'd be able to steer him effectively. It turned out that Bhaltair was more adept than they'd expected, and while both Suddal and Gilranald came out of the arrangement ahead, Duffjord took offence when neither of them supported his attempt to move his northern border from the river Muir so that he could work both sides of the forest for ship-building timber.
In his time as regent Bhaltair engaged the King in decisions, and made sure he was well lead. This early introduction to the murky world of politics allowed the King to assert his right to rule in his mid-teens. It's also shown up in how the King has ruled, and the methods that he's used to enforce strong central control on Dael Riata. The country has not been this unified in living memory. Bhaltair Gilranald remains unswervingly loyal to his cousin, the King.
Allies, Friends & Lords
Enemies & Feuds
Grand Duchy of Dael Riata
Dael Riata is a poor land sandwiched between mountains to its North and East, and the Sea on the West. To the south sits the related but way more prosperous Kingdom of Bernicia. Riven by centuries of internecine warfare between tribes with a culture of raiding and blood feuds the Daels are impoverished. Many of their towns (all of the successful ones) are fortified, and fortlets and castles abound between the hills and lakes. The capital is Dalreoch.
A seafaring people loosely linked to the Skyssians based on a collection of Islands and the nearby coastal lands to the East of Skyss. Unlike Skyss they're riven by factions and internecine warfare, which is why they haven't banded together to be a greater power in the world. Many Daels leave the area and seek their fortune elsewhere, and it is common to find little groups of Daels onboard a Skyssian ship, or in an enclave somewhere in a civilised town in another country.
Geography
The primary industries of Dael Riata are inshore fisheries, there are substantial islands off the west coast, paradoxically called the Easter Isles. This name harks back to the days when there was no difference between the Daels and the Skyss, and both nations sailed where they pleased. Skyss and it's isles are the Western Isles. As well as fisheries lots of oats and barley are grown, along with sheep and shaggy brown cattle with wide horns.
As well as exporting people as skilled sailors and mercenaries there is a small shipbuilding industry from the two major ports Dalreoch and dalmuir on the west coast. Large forests dominate the hills and mountains, and they provide good quality timber for ship-building. The Daels are reknowned ship-builders, possibly more accomplished than the Skyssians. Dael ships are fast, sleek, and have strong hulls able to withstand the ice often found in the waters off their Northern Cape.
People
Dael Riata is ruled by a hereditary monarch, which has been in the hands of the Ranald family for almost three hundred years, before that there was a two decade inter-regnum filled by a very bloody civil war and an intervention by the King of Bernicia which united the Dael Riatan's against the Bernicians. Originally the Riata dynasty founded the Kingdom, but the crown passed out of their hands to the Ruary dynasty, which died out (although one of their cadet branches, the Gilruary, still exist).
The current monarch is Alasdair V, Grand Duke of Reoch. He succeeded to the throne as a baby when his mother, Queen Caoimhe, was forced to abdicate by a coalition of nobles. The main nobles of Dael Riata are:
- The Ranald, Grand Dukes of Reoch & Kings of Dael Riata
- The Ahearn, Earls of Suddal, known colloquially as the Horse Lords.
- The Giluilleam, Earls of Dalry, and relative newcomers to Dal Riata.
- The Gilcinead, Earls of Craigmuir
- The Aonghus, Earls of Beatham.
- The Riata, Dukes of Glasholm, the founders of the Kingdom of Dael Riata.
- The Gilriata, Earls of Dalcot, a cadet branch of Riata that now surpasses them.
- The Sithech, Earls of Aifric, the Old Wolves.
- The Suibhne, Earls of Douglas, famed for their hospitality and generosity.
- The Sioltach, Earls of Duff, host to the Unicorn Troop.
- The Gilruary, Earls of Dalmuir, the second port of Dael Riata.
- The Murchadh, Earls of Uisdean, notorious raiders and self-proclaimed Sea Kings.
- The Gilranald, Earls of Norpen. A cadet branch of Ranald installed on the Northern most islands as a foil to the Muchardhs.
- The Alpins, Earls of Ardmor. Guardians of the great forest in the North.
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Iain Alpin
Iain Alpin (born 735) is the commander of the King's Life Guard.
He has served in the Life Guard since he was 17, having first served Queen Caoimhe. Originally appointed because of his father’s connections he took the oath of service seriously and has refused to be swayed by political considerations. When his father deposed the Queen he took up arms against him. There were several battles in the civil war, and Iain Alpin was in all of them. He fought valiantly, and dsitinguished himself both as a brave and fearless fighter, but also as highly skilled and disciplined. More than one heir of the great nobles met their end at his hands. Eventually Iain followed when the Queen went out of Dael Riata to Berenicia, and helped her find what she had hoped would be safety and solidarity from her cousin.
He continued to serve her until the Berenician Queen had her and her attendants arrested. Iain spent almost ten years in Berenicia before returning to Dalreoch. Out of favour with his father he didn’t hold much hope for being restored to his position, but the young King personally intervened and said he needed loyal servants that could be relied on. Rumours suggested that his father’s enemies manoeuvred events so that the King would look favourably on him. Either way he re-entered the Life Guard in 766, and became its commander in 569 when the King asserted his adulthood and right to rule without a regent. Iain rallied several other members of the Life Guard to support the King against the nobles, and refused to let the erstwhile regents interfere in the King’s in person proclamation of his personal rule in the Gallows Market in Dalreoch.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears - in Heirs when Lady Elizabeth Wallis arrives in Dalreoch.
- Function: commander of the King's Life Guard, part of the reception party.
Description
Iain Alpin is slightly taller than average, but not excessively so. His skin is pale, to the point of looking anaemic, and he has black hair with blue eyes flecked with gold. He is usually clean shaven, albeit with a notable shadow for most of the day. He wears his hair long, usually braided and tucked into his helmet. His profession means he is muscular, and broad. Most of the time he is in armour, and carrying sword and shield. The Life Guard work in shifts, and train hard and take part in tournaments between duties protecting the King. Like all of the members of the Life Guard his armour is highly polished, and they have coloured horsehair plumes on top of their helmets according to their division. As the commander he has a side to side semi-circular brush of green hairs to match the colour of the King’s banner. His helmet and cuirasse is enamelled in the same green with gold patterns inlaid around it. Iain is agile, his muscle isn’t bulky, it’s enough to enable him to wear armour all day and fight for as long as needed. When not in armour he is a proficient dancer, skilled in even the most difficult dances of the day. He can also play the pipes, having learned in captivity with Queen Caoimhe. She enjoyed dancing, and her attendants used to take turns entertaining her with the dances that were popular at court, and playing instruments to ensure there was music to accompany the dancers. Out of armour he tends to wear the current court fashion cut in green silk and edged with gold lace. Like all of the other members of the Life Guard he is unmarried. Now, at the age of 39 he is one of the longest serving members of the Life Guard.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- recent_history - Iain was the one that killed Domnhall and Fearchar Murchadh at Caer Suibhne
Places
Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata
Alasdair Ranald is the King of Dael Riata, and the fifth of that name. His mother was the only child of Alasdair IV (reigned 700-739), and his father was a Skyssian merchant who spent some time in Dael Riata before escaping.
Titles
Alasdair Ranald holds several titles, including Grand Duke of Reoch, King of Dael Riata, and as such all the Earls of the Kingdom are expected to swear loyalty to him. He is a great grandson of King Harold VII of Bernicia (reigned 687-711, his grandmother was the second child. Alasdair V has a strong claim to the throne of Bernicia should the current Queen (Eleanor I - born 706, reigning since 756) die.
He is 20 years old (born 754), and is currently engaged to be married to Lady Elizabeth Wallis. She is the heir to the Earl of Stylet, the current secretary to the aging, and childless, Queen of Bernicia.
Size & Wealth
The Grand Duchy of Reoch is the largest realm within Dael Riata and it has some of the most fertile farmland. On top of that there are royal duties paid on trade that passes through the main ports. The capital is Dalreoch, the biggest city in the realm, with a population of around 25,000 and a flourishing trade network. It even has its own university.
Recent History
He has been King since he was three months old, and asserted his adulthood at the age of 15, having been through four regents in the time since his mother was forced to abdicate.
Since breaking free from the last of the regents (his second cousin Bhaltair Gilranald, Earl of Norpen, with whom he has a strong bond) Alasdair V has pacified the country and resolved the failure of fifth Earl of Uisdean to swear allegiance. The current, seventh, Earl of Uisdean has sworn an oath of allegiance, under duress as he claimed, after the threat of losing the family lands and extirpation being made.
Domnhall Murchadh and his brother Fearchar met the King and his Steward for a negotiation over dinner at Caer Suibhne, a neutral ground. The rules of hospitality were in force, and the Earl of Douglas was their host. After dinner the Suibhne family left the two parties to negotiate. Raised voices were heard, and the clash of steel. When the Earl of Douglas entered the great hall he found the King's Steward cleaning his sword, the King staunching blood from a wound to his face, and both of the Murchadh brothers dead on the floor, their drawn swords next to them. Alasdair V asserted that they'd tried to kill him, and only his Steward's swift defence had saved his life.
Allies, Friends & Lords
- Bhaltair Gilranald - A cadet branch and very loyal, although some have questions around how the previous Earl, Bhaltair, conducted himself as Regent. Alasdair himself is fiercely protective of his elder cousin, and claims that were it not for his regency then the kingdom wouldn't be in such a healthy state.
- ahearn - The Horse Lords are the strongest supporters of the King outside of the Ranald family.
- All the Earls have formally sworn allegiance to the King, and none are currently under arms within Dael Riata.
Enemies & Feuds
- The Murchadhs - the Earls of Uisdean raised rebellion against his rule, and allegedly made a direct attempt on his life. Alasdair V threatened the current Earl of Uisdean, Diarmad Murchadh, with extirpation and loss of the ancestral lands if he didn't swear allegiance.
- The King doesn't trust aonghus or The Alpins because both were allied with Murchadh during the civil wars that followed his mother being deposed.
The Murchadhs
The Murchadhs are Earls of Uisdean
The ancestral home is Caer Murchadh which is on the island of Uisdean Mor. They're a sea-faring folk and when they're not raiding abroad they are usually fishing in the inshore waters between the Easter Isles and the mainland of Dael Riata.
Titles
The current (7th) Earl is Diarmid Murchadh. He's a cousin of the 5th & 6th Earls, both murdered by the King because they refused to bend the knee.
Diarmid is 35 years old, and is currently married to Senga Riata (18). She is his second wife, and has recently given birth to a daughter. His previous wife (Niamh Sioltach) died in childbirth, his son survived.
- Diarmid (11)
- Caoimhe (6 months)
Size & Wealth
The Murchadhs are notable raiders, and much of their wealth comes from raiding. Apart from dried fish the only other notable export from their islands is the stone.
Recent History
Earl Domnhall was one of the leaders of the coalition that overthrew Queen Caoimhe because she was consorting with a Skyssian merchant and likely to bring Dael Riata under the control of one of the Skyssian factions. She was also trying to re-introduce the Skyssian gods to Dael Riata in place of the traditional Daelian gods that the small folk worshipped and the nobles had learnt to pray to. Domnhall had a claim to the throne through his mother, the younger sister of Alasdair IV.
Domnhall Murchadh and his brother Fearchar met the King and his Steward for a negotiation over dinner at Caer Suibhne, a neutral ground. The rules of hospitality were in force, and the Earl of Douglas was their host. After dinner the Suibhne family left the two parties to negotiate. Raised voices were heard, and the clash of steel. When the Earl of Douglas entered the great hall he found the King's Steward cleaning his sword, the King staunching blood from a wound to his face, and both of the Murchadh brothers dead on the floor, their drawn swords next to them. Alasdair V asserted that they'd tried to kill him, and only his Steward's swift defence had saved his life. You don't believe this story for a moment, your cousins had quarrelled with the King, but they wouldn't break hospitality. They hung one of their main lieutenants for that only a year ago.
Allies, Friends & Lords
- sioltach - you have a good relationship, they supply the timber you use to build and maintain your ships.
- gilruary - the Earl of Dalmuir has the biggest shipyards in the Kingdom, and some of the best shipwrights in the world. They build very fast ships, you have several of these.
- aonghus - your southern neighbour, you sometimes raid together away from Dael Riata.
Enemies & Feuds
- Bhaltair Gilranald - an usurper planted on your rightful lands by the notoriously fickle Queen Caoimhe. He was the one that set up the meeting between your cousin, the fifth Earl, and the King.
- ranald - he killed your cousins, and threatened you with extirpation. Blood shed needs to be paid for, either with more blood, or a suitable fee.
- ahearn - The horse lords in the south spurn the sea, and yet roll in the riches from fertile farmland, and bribes from the southern kingdom of Bernicia. They've kept Alasdair Ranald in power, and need to be discredited before he becomes King of Bernicia and forgets the smaller and poorer Dael Riata.
