The Duchy of Aquitaine

[Ramses II CP]

Provinces of Aquitaine:

Toulouse
Marseille (Assigned to Gontran de Linars)
Zaragosa (Assigned to Raynaud de Xaintrailles)
Bordeaux (Assigned to Christophe de Perrone)

Nobles of Aquitaine:

Prince Louis
Baron Raynaud de Xaintrailles
Gaetan de Rethel
Baron Christophe de Perronne
Baron Gontran de Linars
Yvon Lacaze (deceased)

[Ramses II CP]

The Duchy maintains an office in Paris for business outside of Aquitaine, a considerable structure at Toulouse including stables, a boarding house, and a training field, and an estate in the countryside southwest of Toulouse, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Entering any of these structures a visitor is immediately struck by the fact that well oiled, naked blades hang crossed beneath the coat of arms. A visitor willing to test their edges will find the weapons are not merely ceremonial.

There is no charter or document declaiming the aims of the Duchy, but neither is there any way of avoiding the fact that arms and matters martial dominate the decor and environs of every structure.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

I hereby swear fealty to Prince Louis, if he will have me.

[Vladimir]

I [don’t have an avatar yet], dou humbly swear upoun my hounour tou humbly serve the rightful heir tou the throune of Fraance. I declare this und-er my free will. May Goud have mercy oun our enemies four I shall nout!

[TinCow]

*A dour looking man stomps into the hall. His face is somewhat flattened, as if his nose was broken as an infant. A cold glare warns off the first servant who approaches to take his cloak. Instead, he tosses it casually on the floor and turns to eye the adorning weaponry. After a lengthy examination of one of the more impressive looking spears, he nods slightly in approval and turns to the room.*

"Tell the Duke of Aquitaine that Christophe de Perronne has come to fulfill his offer. I hereby swear fealty to Prince Louis and will further his interests with my arm and my blood."

[Vladimir]

Tell me, mon seigneur de Perronne, what dou you find moust impressive about the spear? Is it the loung, heavy shaft made tou be gripped by a pouwerful warrior like yourself? Our is it the brouad, penetrating tip poulished tou perfection and made tou penetrate man and beast alike?

[TinCow]

These are tools, nothing more. What I approve of is the blood stain on the shaft of that particular spear. Weapons are meant to be used, not set to gather dust. I am pleased to see that at least this example has had its purpose fulfilled and is not just a pretty bauble. Can the same be said of you?

[Vladimir]

Can the same be said of you?

We shall wait [like Drizzt ] and see.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis enters the chamber and gives each man present a short, brusque nod before speaking,

Gentlemen I accept each of your oaths in the spirit in which they are given. May God and King see them endure to the profit of Aquitaine, France, and our own good selves!

As to these weapons, there is no such thing as a ceremonial weapon in my mind. There are only toys and tools. If the device was not made for fighting I will not bear it's presence in my halls.

It is interesting that this particular weapon drew your attention. That is noble French blood on the haft. An Englishman, a common villain caught robbing in our countryside, tumbled one of my compatriots from his saddle with that spear. Sir de l'Yonne had his shield arm pierced and broken open, and his ankle broken in the fall. He has recovered the ability to ride, but he cannot properly grip a shield any longer.

The man who struck him down, we discovered afterward while taking sport with him, was a farrier by trade whom the English Prince had armed and sent out to harry our peasantry. Not even a soldier.

The nobility of France are the greatest fighting men in all of Christendom, of this I have no doubt, but a weapon cares not for your lineage or your skill, it cares only for the softness of your flesh. If you are careless even for an instant in battle some half trained boy will bury a spear like that one in you.

Take note of it. This I vow, the men of my House embark on hard days soon. Fighting like you've not seen. War. Profit, land, adventure, women, and treasure too, but you'll see none of it if you can't keep those hungry spears at bay.

The Prince holds his face in a grim position for a moment longer before breaking into a wide smile.

For now, though, let us have some wine and a bit of food!

Louis claps his hands and six serving girls enter the chamber in pairs. Each pair carries a wide silver tray, one with spiced wine and glasses, one with honeyed fruit, and the last with hunks of dark bread and cheese.

The Prince eyes the tallest of the girls as he takes the first glass and then gestures for her to fill it.

Now, chaps, have you an appetite?

[TinCow]

It seems I was correct to seek out your service, Prince Louis. I am pleased to find a Lord who knows the proper use of a weapon... *Christophe eyes one of the serving girls.* ...and how to maintain it.

[Vladimir]

*Gontran de Linars walks into the room with his squire in tow. He stops and surveys the gathering, thumb in belt.*

(This room could fit many more people. Why is the food over there and not over here? Why is the...never mind. A prince can throw a party however he likes)

"Ah; wonderful weapons. What is this? Some clumsy fool spilled wine on one of the spears."

*pulls out a fine linen cloth and removes the 'wine'*

"There. Much better."

*turns to his squire*

"A spearman must take good care of his shaft."

*as he turns back, the squire rolls his eyes*

"I imagine you can impale a few things with this!"

*squire...*

*Surveying the room again he catches the Prince's eye*

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Yvon Lacaze enters the Office and bows before the duke
Prince Louis, I hearby swear an oath of Loyalty to the House of Aquitaine. I shall use anything I am able to further my lords interests.

[Ramses II CP]

I accept your oath Sir Lacaze, and welcome you to the Duchy of Aquitaine!

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I thank you my lord. And I also thank Gontran de Linars for the invitation, his Missive helped me make up my mind on which of the great Duchies to join

[Vladimir]

*De Limar storms in the room, looking around.*

Sir Lacaze! Please accept this gift of wine and food I acquired while, erm, attending mass with the Lombards. *wispers* There is a reason there is a snake on their banner, you know.

My apologies that I was not here sooner to greet you in person.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I am grateful for you offer Gontran, and am Happy to see you in high spirits. My journey has left me quite hungry, but also excited to begin work for the house.


On another note I hear the The Tournament has begun, I would be in it myself but my father had barred my entry. May you all win glory on the field of honor.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

My lord, the council is to start soon, perhaps we should decide what we wish to propose.

[GeneralHankerchief]

*An Aquitaine clerk receives a piece of paper and looks up.*

My Lords, I bear a message from Raynaud de Xaintrailles.

(OOC: Social group)

[Ramses II CP]

Raynaud de Xaintrailles shall have the province of Zaragosa.

Yvon Lacaze shall have the province of Marseille.

Party's in the back chaps. Enjoy it!

Yes, even you Abbot Xaintrailles!

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I thank you my lord, this is a great honor.

Yvon lifts a glass of wine

A good time to celebrate then!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Raynaud:

I thank you for the opportunity to further the House's goals, Mon Duc.

[ULC]

Gaetan enters, and makes the sign of the cross before, and finding Raynaud, kneels before him

"Raynaud de Xaintrailles, I would swear an oath of fealty to you and serve you to my fullest capacity within the Duchy of Aquitaine, if you will have me."

[GeneralHankerchief]

Raynaud de Xantrailles:

I gladly accept your oath, Gaetan de Rethel. Rise, member of Aquitaine.

[TinCow]

Christophe glares at Gaetan and walks out of the room.

[Ramses II CP]

Bordeaux is assigned to Christophe de Perrone

Marseille is assigned to Gontran de Linars

Rank hath it's priveleges gentlemen, enjoy them. I am pleased that your long service has at last seen a suitable reward, though the loss of Yvon Lacaze is a terrible price to pay. Mourn but also make ready, the English are repaid but the Moors await.

[TinCow]

You have my eternal gratitude, my Lord. You can count on Bordeaux to aid you, no matter the risk, and no matter the foe.

[Vladimir]

And I as well. It is a most noble honour to serve you.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

A tall man with brown hair walks into the room, his cloak worn and his clothes more than a bit ragged. His sword it plain and simple.



Prince Louis, I have made my way here in the hopes of finding myself a lord. I hear very interesting things about the Duchy of Aquitaine, and I far prefer it over any other choice open to a noble of France.

and so I, Micheal D'Anjou swear an oath of Loyalty to Prince Louis, if he is willing to have me.

Micheal bows slightly then rises again, awaiting an answer.

[Ramses II CP]

Micheal D'Anjou you are welcome in House Aquitaine, but I encourage you to swear your oath to Christophe de Perrone. The territory of Pamplona is in need of a Baron and under the natural purview of Sir de Perrone from Bordeaux, thus once you've proven yourself you will be more likely to assume mastery of it under his guidance.

Louis returns the bow as befits a Prince to a vassal.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Micheal D'Anjou you are welcome in House Aquitaine, but I encourage you to swear your oath to Christophe de Perrone. The territory of Pamplona is in need of a Baron and under the natural purview of Sir de Perrone from Bordeaux, thus once you've proven yourself you will be more likely to assume mastery of it under his guidance.

Louis returns the bow as befits a Prince to a vassal.

Micheal nods his head

As you wish my Lord, I offer my oath of Fealty to Cristophe de Perrone as well