--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Logged and edited on 9-May-2001 by Taisch Participants: Aziz, Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk (the king, played by Taisch), Yakub (the king's son and a Falcon, also Taisch) and Ragnar Orcbane Summary: Ragnar proposes a new elite unit to the king, and gets tossed into the dungeon for it. Background: Ragnar Orcbane, a dwarven paladin devoted to Solomon, has been on Krosa for awhile. He saw the king once already, warning of the undead threat and asking to join the Falcons, the king's elite warband. Now he finds that life under Aziz (his commanding officer) is not to his taste. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- <<<>>> It seems M'lord that even your Warband does not answer to you. This disgusts me, coming from the Empire of Stone and Sky, that you have no royal soldiers of your own. I have actually just resigned from the falcons, finding they are too strict, even for me. My fierce independence, that of my friend, and my disgust of their attitude toward the common man and demiman. They order around anyone they see fit, and while most people do not care about this, I can tell you, I do. What I offer is to form the Royal Dragoons, a elite unit of people whose sole purpose is to carry out regal duties and protect Krosa itself, in the king's name, and not of that of the priesthood. I know of a few, who I can already trust, and It would prove to be very helpful to have something to turn to other than the Falcons. They only make you seem to be more of a figurehead of the Temple, a way to power for them if you will. M'lord, all you have to do is ask my presence and it will be done. Thank you. -Ragnar Orcbane, of no family, of no clan. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- King's Hall - Krosa Castle A palatial room, under a high vaulted ceiling. The main part of the room is about 35 x 35 feet, but pillars and arches create vaulted extensions north and south, about 10 feet deep. The plastered walls are painted colorfully, with a star-and-flower motif in red and blue. A raised wooden dais, covered with red and blue carpet that matches the walls, holds the king's throne, a hexagonal wooden chair with a little rail and a tall painted and carved back. Most days, the king is sitting cross-legged on the throne, on a velvet-covered cushion. The room is furnished with small rugs that are warmer to sit on than the smooth marble floor. Low hexagonal tables hold food and drink. Light comes in from the narrow vertical windows under the domed roof, and from the glowing pearls set on the pillars. On Tuesdays, the king hears major criminal cases, his vizier at his side. On Wednesdays, he hears petitions. On other days, the court is less formal. Troubadours sing and play the lute, drums, and flute. Dancers, jugglers, and tumblers perform in the open space before the throne. Servants constantly bring drinks and food. Nobles and merchants mingle with scholars, clerics, officers of the Falcons, and the occasional foreign diplomat. Even when the king is absent, the hall is a lively arena. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk A mild looking man, of middling height and weight, with a short mustache and beard, clad in rich robes of red silk. He wears a white and gold turban on his head, set with a large ruby on top. This is the sultan (king) of Krosa. He looks to be about 40, good-natured, and well-fed, though he is still in fairly good shape. He is a light sandy color, with the look of someone who spends most of his time indoors or under shade. A white silk belt with thin decorative gold disks is tied around his waist, and soft cloth court slippers are on his feet. Under the robes, he wears a blue silk shirt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aziz The man towering before you is truely a great warrior. You know this just by looking at him. When Aziz enters the area, many people regard him with a sense of awe. His half-plate armor looks to be crafted by only the best armor crafters in the city, and possibly the entire island. This is no normal armor, this is spiked. Large metal spikes protrude from many areas, offering even more protection. A small chain hangs from each of his gauntlets, clanking as he moves. The insignia of the Kings Falcons is worn on the upper-left corner of his chest, the rank insignia of a lieutenant just below it. Aziz looks big, and that he is. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches, he towers over most of the population. Hanging from his right side is a long sword, from his left, a battle axe. A large shield, made of steel, hangs from his back. Over his head is his helm, the forehead of it has the crest of the King's Falcons. This same crest is on the front of his shield, and the hilt of his sword. Aziz's face is rather typical of the parts. Golden tan skin, clean shaven, square jaw, big dude. His muscles are almost visible beneath his armor, and the way he wears it and walks, shows just how strong he probably is. Resting on the upper-right corner of his plate is the holy symbol of Ela. This Falcon is a ghazi, obviousely. Everything about him is ornate. His armor is decorative, as well as purposefull, as are his weapons. The axe and sword both having intricately carved patterns and designs on their handles. Aziz's brown eyes peer out at you in return of your gaze. Is he cold hearted and jaded from his service, or is he the kind natured man you expect from the typical ghazi? With any luck, it will be the latter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ragnar Orcbane If such a thing as a Charismatic Dwarf exists, its standing before you. Smiling with a bright smile, and looking with a purpose, this dwarf seems almost righteouss in his stance. Standing at a whoping 4 feet 2 inches, and weighing almost 200 lbs, this Dwarf seems to be more well built then most. His red hair grows down to about his torso, and his big red beard is made into 4 braids. His green eyes peer out around his soroundings, always alert. A dwarven sized suit of scalemail is fitted to his body, the chest bearing a large Seal of Solomon. A large Great Axe is strapped to his back, diagonally across the hilt of a Warhammer. In his hands, he tightly clutches the pole of a fairly large standard(for a dwarf), on the banner of which has a golden Seal of Solomon over a blue back. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk is pacing back and forth, clutching a piece of paper, looking irritated. A young ghazi, one of the Falcons, in fact --- his son --- is trailing along behind him, looking worried. The kid says, "I'm sure he didn't mean it that way..." The king snorts angrily. Turning, he sees Aziz. "Ah, come in, Aziz..." Aziz steps in slowly and bows at the hip. "Good day your highness." he says respectfully before beginning the walk over to the man. Aziz shudders....KING..not man. Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk stops pacing and thrusts the paper in Aziz's face. His son hovers anxiously behind him. "Look at this! This insolent dwarf insults me, he insults my son! You've met the creature...is he as idiotic as he seems, or is this some strategem to divide the kingdom?" Aziz crushes the paper in his hand after he reads it. "Your Highness, this dwarf is an idiot. He charges off into the jungles unknowing what is out there, and alone, then he comes running saying no one would help. I will have to.... talk, to him about this. Is there anything in particular you wish done?" Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk growls. "He has no understanding of true service to Ela. He is a barbarian, used to tyrants. I suppose it was too much to expect him to appreciate a free kingdom." Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk looks at Aziz. "He has done us some service, cleansing the island of ghouls. But. He must learn. I will not have him spreading lies. We shall meet him together, to disabuse him of any notion of royal sponsorship." Aziz nods. "Should I send one of the Falcons out to get him?" He asks quietly. Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk shakes his head. "He is already here, having requested an audience." He seems calmer now than when you first walked in. He nods to one of the servants lurking discreetly by a pillar. The servant bows and backs out... Aziz nods once "Very well your Highness. On another note, I will take a group of men out, and see if we cannot end this undead....problem, once and for all." Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk frowns. "Yes. May Ela, the Compassionate, the Just, smile upon you...the curse still lingers on this land." Aziz smiles a little "Perhaps we will be more fortunate than were last time we went." The castle guards escort Ragnar in. They announce, "Ragnar Orcbane, of no family, of no clan, to see his highness, the Protector of the Faithful, Sultan Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk." The king stands in front of his throne, Aziz next to him, and a young worried-looking Falcon behind him. Ragnar Orcbane marches in with the guards escorting him, his banner waving proudly and his beards look washed for once. Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk regards Ragnar with a frown. Long seconds tick by. Almost a minute. Then he speaks. "Because I am a merciful man, as Ela, the Wise, the All-seeing, teaches us, I will not have you banished for your slander." Ragnar Orcbane frowns. "What. What slander. I hath only made a suggestion to you m'lord." Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk laughs shortly, not an amused laugh. "Perhaps Aziz can educate you in the teachings of the Prophet. I will trust that your intent was good, for thus the Prophet advises us, but Solomon values wisdom in his service, and that you have shown too little of." Aziz pretty much just stands there, letting the king speak his piece. Ragnar Orcbane frowns. "Wisdom, of what? What did I say to offend the king." Aziz glances to the king. "Your Highness, he proves my point for me." he half mutters. Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk grinds his teeth. He is starting to look angry again. He beckons the young Falcon standing behind him to step forward. "This is my son Yakub. Now what did you have to say about the Falcons, you insolent dwarf?" Yakub looks embarassed at all this fuss, and just stands there not looking anyone in the eye. Ragnar Orcbane frowns. "Ah, so you question /my/ wisdom, yet you allow the Falcons, which you so faithfully call your warband when they are run by the church, do have your son as well. In the Empire, our sons would never have become pawns of others!" Aziz growls deeply, but says absolutely nothing. It is not his place to, not just yet. Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk is starting to turn odd colors now. "Pawns! Is that what you think? No wonder your kingdoms never amounted to more than a squabbling morass of blood feuds! Do not think that we of Krosa are such selfish, power-mongering, braggarts as what you are accustomed to!" Ragnar Orcbane frowns. "This is not what I think, it is what I know. Inside your city, people do not worship /you/, they worship /Ela/. Outside, I have the trust of the people, but again, they still do not worship you directly there. It is the Temple of Ela which controls this Island, much to what you think. And unfortunately. If you did not allow your own ignorance to get to you, you would see this! If you must, execute me, for I will go to the grave knowing that you were nothing more than a figurehead. And then, Solomon will send another." Abdul Karim Ibn Fahruk roars, "Infidel! You are an agent of Iblis! Tempt me to seek worship that belongs to no man? You dare! Aziz, take him away! Thank Ela, the Compassionate, the Merciful, I am a man of faith. You would bring back the days of Zohak!" Aziz obeys without a second thought. He grabs the dwarf by the scruff of the neck and drags him away rather forcefully. Taking him outside castle and tossing him down to the dungeons to be locked up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------