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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2023 5:41:11 GMT
Motius says that he is the eldest son of House Motius, one of the oldest noble houses in Amber. Members of his family have lead and fought in all the wars Amber has been in and their business interests are a large portion of the city economy. But, as usual in these kind of situations, there is conflict within the family and among the other noble houses. His twin younger sisters want him dead so they will inherit the family. Other cousins will probably attempt to oppose them. He suspects the only reason Kat and Eivor hired him for the expedition was from the twins exaggerating his military skill. They wanted him dead in Eshanta. The Houses are always in conflict and competition with each other lately intensified due to different allegiances and factions during the reign of Eric and the Black Road war.
The cards are magical devices only possessed by the royal family and only the mad sorcerer Dworkin ever had the skill to create them. These days it seems as almost everyone has managed to pick up the skill. Useful devices for espionage and assassination, Harold says.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2023 5:41:51 GMT
Harold asks Edward about his past and how he came to be a part of the royal family.
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Post by Edward on Apr 18, 2023 4:48:32 GMT
Edward goes into some small details about his "home" comes from a Victorian style or themed shadow. They have just discovered something called "powered Light". The greatest scientists of the era has created a way of making an artificial sun, but on a small scale. They use it to illuminate the streets, much like setting torches on fire at intervals for safer travel at night. Not to mention easier to negotiate than the dark. They are even attempting to place these in homes to extend the day, and save candle power.
"I am not sure about these advances in mechanizations. They could only lead into failures and the Nobles of the area will do what they can to prove that they are on the cutting edge of technology. To prove to the others they are superior."
He then goes into details about the Lords and Ladies of the land. How it is a constant power struggle and negotiations on a political level. Must like shadow earths earliest moments in history and the Power of the Czars's, Presidents and Emporers. Lots of money being exploited, borrowed and negotiated until someone goes under from the pressure. They are then slaughtered figuratively and perhaps literally, of land and title and absorbed by the victors.
"My father came to visit many times, I am told. He enjoyed the land and the people. Needless to say, he met his love, and here I am." "I was adopted by my pseudo father, a fellow Lord and was raised as his own. I never was entitled to his lands or possessions, but I was still treated as his own. I was required to play along."
he further decants, over the last several years, he received letters of someone who knew his father. Since he never really knew him, but the mystique of him may have helped him in the now, so he played along. He received tutelage in the ways of mysticism and Sorcery. He never knew that this type of knowledge was even possible in his own..."home place". He used this knowledge and power to exert a better position within his own family standings as well as placing his family few steps better than where he was. He didn't owe his adopted father anything more than the respect he deserved.
"So Tell me Lord Motius, where did you learn of your battlefield prowess and where can I learn of such things. We don't have open battles other than psychological ones and the constant movement to bring another family down from within."
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Post by Admin on Apr 19, 2023 5:03:35 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/SR48HcC/harold-motius~png Motius listens carefully to Edward's words. "I can't say I have been to a place with an artificial sun, but politicing and backstabbing I know all too well. When it comes to fighting, I spent my youth in Benedict's army and rose to a position of command through hard won knowledge and luck. Now the only forces in this place are at sea or Arden, neither of which appeal to me so I formed my own force and sell our swords to the highest bidder. You might be surprised at how many of the noble families have assets that need enforcing in the Golden Circle. The rains have put a stop to all of that which is why I took this job for Kat. The promised money and for Eivor, of course. "If you wish to learn then find Benedict! To serve under me would be unseeming in an adult of the royal family. Rinaldo and Calvera are not to be trusted. Bleys is a scoundrel. Ryland and Brian would be fine mentors but to submit to a cousin would also be inappropriate. Other than that there would be the armies of the Courts of Chaos, but then you would be distrusted here in Amber. I can only see Benedict being the wise choice. Or you could follow Benedict's example and travel from place to place starting all he wars you'd like and learn in the field." He watches the trees for a moment. "If you have plans to return to your world and want an army to deal with irritating nobles and such, I know of a mercenary squad already formed up and anxious to make up for lost pay."
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Post by XuLiang on Apr 20, 2023 2:38:46 GMT
(OOC - We did pay them using Shadow. But it would be fair to say '... make up for lost plunder.' if they thought they would get to do a bit of plundering on the campaign.)
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Post by Edward on Apr 20, 2023 3:26:28 GMT
"That seems reasonable enough, but where does one find Prince Benedict? It isn't like he publicly announces his where-about."
Edward leaves that statement sit for just a moment before adding..."I don't suppose there is an Academic Institution that would give a person a good start before jumping right up to the Professor?"
"I mean, I would feel it extremely egotistical to think that a stranger would walk up to mean, and insist that they teach me the ways of warfare."
"Lord Motius, I understand that you would not take a cousin or relations as your second. Or third....but there must be stepping stones before someone goes straight into strategy and insist that they are good at it."
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Post by Admin on Apr 21, 2023 3:35:13 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/SR48HcC/harold-motius~png "I suppose you must learn by doing. If you ask her nicely enough, the Regent may have a martial task for you. With King Brian dead, someone will have to claim Ayalos. In his name, of course. "Prince Benedict rode off shortly after the killing of the King. That's the last I have heard of him."
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Post by Edward on Apr 21, 2023 6:05:38 GMT
With opportunity shown, he can't really deny it. Although the thought of King Brian, (Was it the same as he previously met?) was gone made him sad, he didn't dwell on it for too long.
"I would love the opportunity to do my best for the Regent, and I am sure there is intelligence on Ayalos and its current leadership. Are we to re-enforce the current regime, or depose and install our own?"
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Post by Admin on Apr 23, 2023 6:42:31 GMT
OOC: That was the same Brian.
"I can't say what the Regent's plans for Ayalos are. Few people have ever been to the place, as I understand it. Who knows what's going on there."
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Post by Edward on Apr 25, 2023 4:46:06 GMT
I think it is about time someone did a visit. I presume it isn't too far? Else someone can just scry upon the town and the influential people and see how they feel about Amber.
Either way, I am very happy to move forward in finding and meeting Prince Benedict, or meeting with the Regent to see how I can be of service."
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Post by Admin on Apr 25, 2023 5:09:32 GMT
"The Regent may be looking for spies to go into Ayalos. She doesn't talk to me nor I to her, so I learn little of the court gossip."
They come close to Amber. The Rangers free Harold to go his own way.
"My base is a few miles beyond Kolvir. Stop by if you ever get the chance or need that army I was talking of."
Edward is back in Amber.
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Post by Edward on May 1, 2023 3:32:22 GMT
As he moves about in Amber, he, again takes in the sights of the city and its people. Not entirely different of his own town. He finds a place to have an ale, then decides to see if he can start to make his way up the road to the Castle.
He knows he will meet resistance, if not a direct defense. As it should.
He decided to look up his friend. (Amber Ally), "I am going to have to treat him to dinner if he will allow me." and he moves through the streets to find his friend.
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Post by Admin on May 4, 2023 5:45:51 GMT
OOC: did you name them or had an occupation or position in mind?
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Post by Edward on May 5, 2023 5:17:04 GMT
OOC: I did name them in character creation, but did not actually name them in game. I didn't wish to upset the GM. I can create them if you would like. An Ally in Amber. Perhaps a friend of Dad? (Gerard). This is how he became known as a Blood of Amber. Gerard's Contact in Amber who was traveling with him through shadow where Gerard met Edward's mother. (Gerard's second man, personal retainer, Ship Captain, Fleet officer?)
I shall name him Jerome Coquin. Ship's Captain of "Unicorn's Mane" What do you think?
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Post by Admin on May 6, 2023 4:54:48 GMT
OOC: Sounds good to me!
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