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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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Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata
Alasdair Ranald is the King of Dael Riata, and the fifth of that name. His mother Queen Caoimhe 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 Stylhet, 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.
- The Ahearns - The Horse Lords are the strongest supporters of the King outside of the Ranald family.
- Other reliable families that the King has a favourable view of include riata, sithech, and The Suibhnes.
- 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.
Lady Elizabeth Wallis
Lady Elizabeth Wallis is the daughter and political apprentice of the Earl of Stylhet. She is currently betrothed to King Alasdair V as part of a strategic alliance intended to unite the thrones of Dael Riata and Bernicia. Although presented as a 19-year-old “late bloomer,” she is an experienced 24-year-old hero who has been trained in the darker arts of statecraft.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears: Arriving at the mouth of the River Reoch aboard a Bernician ship, preparing for her formal welcome to Dalreoch.
- Function: As the future Queen, she is a central figure in the King's plan to stabilise the realm and pursue his claim to the Bernician throne. She manages her own network of informers and serves as her father's apprentice.
Description
Elizabeth is described as a polite and charming “model of a dutiful daughter,” though this masks her true depth as a political schemer. She is a powerful hero with a strong bloodline and advanced magical talents:
- Persistent Shaping: Inherited from her mother, this rare talent allows her to create real objects from her imagination that last indefinitely, unlike the temporary conjurations of her father.
- Shapeshifting: She can manifest distinct physical identities. Her secondary personas include “Lizzie,” a manipulative and power-adept version of herself, and “Jake,” a young man learning the arts of war and romance.
- Mental Talents: Like her father, she can sense unspoken motivations and has a magical talent for remaining unnoticed by others.
Because her different identities do not share a constant stream of memory, she and her personas must leave notes for each other to bridge the gaps in their experiences.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Bernard Wallis: Her father, mentor, and the Spymaster of Bernicia.
- King Alasdair V: Her fiancé; she noted him as being better looking than she had hoped upon their first meeting.
- Jill Pennyfeather: Her attendant, companion, and unofficial bodyguard, who is also a trained spy.
- May: Her practical 17-year-old maid who has worked with her for five years.
- Sir Iain Alpin: The Knight Commander of the Life Guard who serves as her formal escort in Dalreoch [18].
Places
Earl of Stylhet
Stylhet (Bernard Wallis) is the Chancellor and Spymaster of Bernicia. A man of humble origins born in the port of Eastport, he rose to the highest echelons of power through a combination of professional deception, stolen identity, and the use of his innate heroic talents. He is the architect of the upcoming royal union between his daughter and King Alasdair V, aimed at securing both his daughter’s future and the stability of the Bernician succession.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears: Arriving at the mouth of the River Reoch aboard a Bernician ship, observing the River Fort and the University of Dalreoch while escorting his daughter to Dalreoch.
- Function: He serves as the primary diplomatic and intelligence architect for the alliance between Bernicia and Dael Riata. His role is to ensure a peaceful transition of the Bernician throne to King Alasdair V and to neutralise any internal threats that might destabilise the new united kingdom.
Description
Stylhet is a richly dressed, athletic man with dark hair. Despite his vigorous appearance, he was born around 650, making him over 120 years old—a longevity granted by his heroic bloodline. He is a master of shapeshifting, sensing unspoken motivations, and “not being noticed.” He possesses the lethal skill of “shaping” real things from imagination, though unlike his daughter, his creations dissipate once he stops concentrating. He is defined by a pragmatic idealism; while he operates brothels and gambling dens to gather information, he provides better conditions and poor relief for his staff and tenants than most nobles to ensure their absolute loyalty.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Lady Elizabeth Wallis: His daughter and apprentice, whom he has trained in the darker arts of statecraft.
- King Alasdair V: His future son-in-law and the claimant he is backing for the Bernician throne.
- Queen Eleanor I: The childless Queen of Bernicia whom he serves as Private Secretary and Spymaster.
- Jill Pennyfeather: An agent and daughter of one of his informers, serving as a companion and bodyguard to Elizabeth.
Places
Iain Alpin
Sir Iain Alpin (born 735) is the Knight Commander of the King's Life Guard and the third son of Sean Alpin, the 7th Earl of Ardmor. A veteran of the Queen's War and a mercenary in Bernicia, he is known for his unwavering loyalty to the Crown and his formidable skills as a warrior. Although of heroic bloodline, which grants him fast healing and heightened reflexes, he has never learned the art of shapeshifting common to others of his lineage.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears: Arriving at Caer Suibhne as the King's temporary Steward during the winter solstice negotiations.
- Function: He serves as the King’s primary enforcer and protector. He notably defended King Alasdair V by killing the 5th Earl of Uisdean and his brother Fearchar after a dinner at Caer Suibhne, claiming they had attempted to assassinate the monarch. Later, he served as the formal escort for Lady Elizabeth Wallis upon her arrival in Dalreoch.
Description
Sir Iain is 39 years old and possesses an athletic, muscular build that allows him to wear heavy armour for long durations without fatigue. He stands slightly taller than average with pale skin, long black hair usually kept in braids, and blue eyes flecked with gold. Unlike many of his peers, he is clean-shaven, though he typically carries a noticeable shadow.
His military gear is distinctively ornate:
- Armour: Highly polished, green-and-gold enamelled breastplate featuring the gold stag badge of the Life Guard.
- Helmet: Featuring a side-to-side green horsehair brush, marking his rank as Commander.
Divided Loyalty: He is currently estranged from his father, Sean Alpin, having taken up arms against him to support Queen Caoimhe during the civil war. When not in armour, he is a proficient dancer and plays the pipes, a skill he learned while in captivity with the late Queen. He often wears court fashions of green silk edged with gold lace.
Background and Family
Born in 735, Iain is the third son of Sean Alpin, the 7th Earl of Ardmor. Despite his noble lineage, he has a fractured relationship with his family; he is currently disowned by his father for “having changed sides,” presumably referring to his unswerving loyalty to the King over his father's more traditional noble interests. He is a veteran who distinguished himself in battle before taking his current post.
Appearance and Role
He is described as a tall, muscular man who typically wears a green suit decorated with gold braid and the badge of the King's Guard. In his capacity as Commander, he is rarely far from the King, often standing just paces behind him to provide immediate protection. Currently, he also controls the King's cavalry force based in the capital, Dalreoch.
The Massacre at Caer Suibhne
Iain Alpin's most significant and notorious action occurred in 774 at Caer Suibhne. During a private negotiation between the King and the Murchadh brothers - Domnhall and Fearchar - Alpin was the only other witness.
- The Official Version: The King asserted that the brothers attempted to assassinate him and that Iain Alpin’s “swift defence” saved his life, resulting in the deaths of both Murchadhs.
- The Murchadh version: According to a short account of the event, the “defence” was actually a premeditated execution. In this version, Alpin used a single swift motion to decapitate Earl Domnhall and then pivoted to drive his sword into Fearchar’s chest. To support the King's claim of treason, Alpin allegedly threw the brothers' swords onto the floor near their bodies to make it appear as though they had been drawn first. He then raised the alarm and escorted the wounded King to safety.
Whatever the truth, this event earned him the eternal enmity of Diarmid Murchadh, the current Earl of Uisdean, who views Alpin and the King as murderers who broke the sacred laws of hospitality.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- King Alasdair V: His sovereign, who personally restored Iain to his position in the Life Guard.
- Sean Alpin: His father; their relationship is one of bitter estrangement due to their opposing sides in the Queen's War.
- Diarmid Murchadh: The 7th Earl of Uisdean; the two formed a close friendship during their mutual exile at Southope in Bernicia.
- Iain Black: His bastard son, fathered during his ten years as a mercenary in Bernicia.
- Queen Caoimhe: His former mistress, whom he served faithfully from age 17 until her death.
Places
- Dalreoch: The capital where he commands the garrison and guards the King's Keep.
- Caer Suibhne: The site of his lethal confrontation with the Murchadh brothers.
- Eastport: Where he spent several years working as a mercenary after the fall of Queen Caoimhe.
- Southope: Where Queen Caoimhe's court in exile was until she was executed by Queen Eleanor I of Berenicia.
Domnhall Murchadh
Domnhall Murchadh was the 5th Earl of Uisdean, a leader of a seafaring folk notorious as “Sea Kings” and raiders. He was a pivotal figure in Dael Riatan politics, serving as a member of the Council of Regents after playing a primary role in the deposition of Queen Caoimhe in 754. He was known for his independent spirit and a long-standing struggle to maintain the power of the Murchadh clan against the central authority of the crown.
The ancestral home is Caer Murchadh, situated on the island of Uisdean Mor in the Easter Isles
Family
The Earl was born in 705 to Iain Murchadh (the 4th Earl) and Senga Aonghus. He held a significant claim to the throne of Dael Riata through his mother, who was the younger sister of King Alasdair IV.
He was 69 years old at the time of his death in 774. While the sources do not name a current wife, they confirm he fathered no children, leaving his younger brother, Fearchar (born 732), as his heir until both were killed in the same incident. Following their deaths, the Earldom passed to their cousin, Diarmid Murchadh.
Domnhall was described as an imposing figure with strawberry blonde hair and a beard chased with white. He bore a distinctive star-shaped scar on his cheek and, at his final dinner, was lavishly dressed in a sea-green silk doublet embroidered with pearls and a gold chain set with emeralds.
Recent History
Early in the reign of Queen Caoimhe, Domnhall’s family was targeted by the crown to “clip their wings,” resulting in the Murchadhs being disestablished from Norpen in 749. This dispossession, and fears that the Queen intended to name a Skyssian merchant as Prince Consort, led Domnhall to lead the coalition that overthrew her in 754.
In 774, Domnhall and his brother Fearchar met King Alasdair V at Caer Suibhne to negotiate a reconciliation. During a private session, the King demanded amends for the deposition of his mother. The meeting ended in violence; Domnhall was beheaded by the King's Steward, Iain Alpin, who claimed the Earl had attempted to assassinate the monarch. While the King labelled the act a response to treason, Murchadh bannermen maintain it was a premeditated murder and a grave breach of the rules of hospitality.
