Will of the Thengoz - An interactive Swêbóz AAR

**Tyrfingr** · 02-10-2009, 00:57

~ Opening of the Thengoz ~

The blast of the brass horn still echoed in the distant as Hêruwulfáz stepped forward from the crowd. The althengoz was organized so that the members stood or sat on the grass in a semi-circle around a large stone on which Hêruwulfáz now stood. He took a deep breath and started to speak:

- I am Hêruwulfáz, Druhtênoz Theudónóm Aláizôm by the will of Tiwáz and Wótan, and I have summoned you here to attend this very first althengoz. Ours is a mighty confederation of many proud tribes. We are in many ways different, sometimes with old rivalries, yet we speak with the same tongue and worship the same Gods. Long have we been divided by our differences, squabbling over small crumbs of lands while our children dies and our common enemies, celtae and other tribes, grows stronger.

I say NO MORE! I have a vision for a greater future, a future where our tribes prosper and our enemies tremble before our armies! I ask all of you to join me, your king, in this quest...

- Who dare claim himself King of all germans when not all of our brothers are accounted for? It was Ulric, an elder of the Kimbriôz who interrupted Hêruwulfáz in his speech. Ulric stepped in front of the crowd:

- I'm Ulric, of the Kimbriôz. I must protest in earnest to Hêruwulfáz and his claiming of the title "King of all germans". There are still germanic tribes unrepresented at this great thengoz. North of Kimbriôz lands lives the Sueni, distant kin but still kin to my tribe. They speak our words, they worship our gods, how come they are not here?

- What about the silengôz? a man from the Rugôz tribe filled in. We the Rugôz travels often down the great rivers with amber to southern lands, making camp near the capital of the Silengôz and last time I heard, they did not recognize Swêbóz rule.

- It seems, continued Ulric, that great Hêruwulfáz has claimed his precious title before he really was king of all germans. How embarrassing for a king, to not rule those he claim lordship over.

- Enough of this, said Hêruwulfáz. The sueni of Skandzá is a isolated people, who Swêbóz rarely have contact with. Though, its my wish that they too can join our common cause. As for the Silengôz, it is true that they don't recognize my rule and our last offers of alliance was turned down and the messenger hung as sacrifice to Tiwáz. It seems that the silengôz cannot be persuaded by diplomacy and must be conquered by force.

*Hêruwulfáz noticed the excitement rise among the markománnoz*

- However, resources are few and we can only afford to muster one army. However, the conquest of either the Silengôz or Sueni will provide enough gold and men to conquer the next. Hêruwulfáz turned to the thengoz and spoke out:

- What is the will of the thengoz? Where will our armies go first, north towards the Sueni, or southeast towards the Silengôz?

**Olaf Blackeyes** · 02-10-2009, 02:32

(Richemer steps forward to speak)

My High King the fact that ANYONE would dare to question your undeniable leadership of the German people is a traitor and should be killed. (He looks menacingly at the two fools that spoke up earlier) But that is beside the point. We must bring all of our brother into the fold, to prevent these types of traitorous behavior from occurring.
But where do we go first with our armies? Now this is a good question. I have listened to the members of my tribe. Many are in favor of bringing the Silengozez into the fold, for they are far stronger than the Gautzez and Sueni will ever be. After all, even though the Sueni and Gautzez control the great quarries of amber that bring the eastern tribes so much weath, the Silengozez remain a threat to those routes. If we allow them to stay outside of our glorious ((Confederation or Nation?)) they will continue to raid our lands and block our trade of this vital resource.
But honestly, i personally think we should attack BOTH!
(At this many of the Makromannoz assembly members begin to cheer wildly. Richemer allows this to go on for a few moments before silencing them again.)
This is partly due to the fact that many of my men want a good fight, and the Sueni have been ripped off for years by the traders of the Rugozez tribe. This makes them far weaker as compared to our brave and powerful warriors. They still fight with sharpened sticks and stones, while the Silengozez have heavy iron spears and swords, supplied by the dammed Boii smithies of Ebornum. They also block our amber trade rather than aid it. The Sueni can wait until later.
I have also seen the Boii swords in action during raids from before our mighty High King lead us to glory, and personally i want one of those damned swords, as do many of my men, (The Makromannoz begin to cheer again, but Richemer silences them immediatley.)
Also the territories of the Silengozez contain the largest amount of iron that can be mined within the territories of our brethren.
So i, and i believe most of my tribesmen wish to attack he Silengozez.

(Richemer steps back into the crowd)

EDIT:Can we get a map/financial situation/army size plz?

**Tolg** · 02-10-2009, 06:57

(Segmer raises, indicates his ever present bodyguards to remain sitting and speaks while fixing his gaze on the king neglecting the presence of the other members of the Thengoz)

My King, you should now ask yourself what kind of land you which to rule over, over some snow-clad rocks in the northern sea or over the fertile fields and the fat cattle of the rich south?
Do you wish to become a mighty king feared even in the furthest corners of the world or a you content with being a local lord only slightly more powerful then his ancestors worthy hardly more then a passing mention in the songs of the bards?

(Segmer stops for a moment still looking only at the king.)

Mighty King, those seals in the north have nowhere to run away to, we can spear them and take their hide and their fat any time we want.
The Silengôz are an entirely different matter. I've been in their lands often enough to tell you: They can be nothing but a bother to you. They are a continuous danger on your eastern border and if we don't hurry they might even loose their independence to the Boii or one of the other tribes surrounding them, making them as much of a thread to your alliance as the the powerful tribes of Gaul to the west. Moreover they block they block the flow of your amber to the south and hence also the flow of weapons and livestock back north to your armies.

Never forget, you, my king, may choose between slavery or power for you and your people.

(Segmer steps back ans sits down.)

**SwissBarbar** · 02-10-2009, 08:47

Arnulf rises slowly and demands silence

"My king", "My high king". Who are we, Romans? Greeks? Etruscans? Why don't you bootlick him right away? Show respect and call him by his name! Many men are kings. But his name is his own, it's a gift of the gods and his ancestors. Hêruwulfáz. Hêruwulfáz! Honour that!

Right. Who to attack? Well, unfortunately I cannot propose the Hábuskôz. He smiles. As you all know, the filthy Belgae defeated our tribes several times in the past. We could never invade their lands and get near harbors to the rich Island of Britain. He looks to Segmer, knowing that he has always an open mind for new sources of wealth. Now we are strong. Strong enough do crush them, strong enough to challange the whole lot of those pathetic Celtic tribes in the south. Lets take their land. Lets slaughter their people. Lets force the will of the thengoz upon them!!

**HunGeneral** · 02-10-2009, 10:54

Hadubrand steps forward completely silent then begins to speak.

(Takes a sharp look on the two who interrupted the High king earlier the turns to Hêruwulfáz) "High King. Will you simply allow such fools to question your position because the Sueni and Silengoz are too stupid and foolish to be willing to join our confederation peacefully?"

(waits a few seconds for silence and continues) "Of these two tribes the later are more in need of “convincing” if you ask me. They openly defy you and sacrifice your messengers who would bring them an offer of peaceful union. The have rejected this offer. So let us show them what happens to those who defy the High king….

(turns to the Richemer and the other Markomannoz) .. Markomannoz!! Are you ready to show the Silengoz what fate awaits those who refuse our will?!?! Are you ready to strike down upon them with all the might of the Germanic peoples?! Then let us do so!! let us teach them the horros of war so they learn the value of peace! If they refuse to be our allies then they will become our slaves!!"

**SwissBarbar** · 02-10-2009, 11:02

Ah, the Markomannoz. True warriors who have my full respect. But why attack the weak Silengoz, stupid cowards they are. There will be time enough. I say enough Germanic blood has been shed for now, let the Celtic tribe pay! Especially the Belgae! When we take their lands, the Silengoz will join us automatically

**everyone** · 02-10-2009, 11:19

"Yes, why attack the Silengoz? the lands to the west are where more riches are! we'll have lands to feed our people, the tribes, our armies who would soon be the dread of all tribes, German or Gallic!
The land of the Silengoz may have some riches, but if not to Gaul, why not the east? at least there is amber there to trade, and I'm sure that all who are here at this Althengoz would gladly support expansion, as long as it leads to riches."

**Tyrfingr** · 02-10-2009, 16:41

*Hêruwulfáz wait for the last discussions to lower, before he once more takes to the stand*

- I have remained seated and listened to your arguments, and I have come to the conclusion that the will of the thengoz is to march south, to force the Silengôz into our fold.

*cheers rises from the crowd. Hêruwulfáz raises both his hands to silence the men*

- However, he continues, I reckon the ambitions of march into the lands of the Belgae. Their lands are rich, prosperous and with many soldiers that could possibly join our ranks. But, they are too strong for us as this moment. I urge young Arnulf to be patient, our armies will march for belgae lands when we are strong enough.

- Now, the task at hand is the subjugation of the Silengôz. They have defiantly denied our generous offers of alliance, they have insulted me and thus they have all of us! I will send out orders to muster an army, capable of handling whatever host of men the Silengôz might throw at us. I will personally lead this army myself and the next time I call to gathering of the thengoz, we shall meet in Silengi land with blood on our hands and their women at our feet!

The first thengoz has been closed

Out of character: To ease the reading of this AAR and keep track of what's said at the thengoz, both for my own sake and others, I ask that all post written "in character" is written either with a different font than Arial (personally, I use the Palatina Linotyipe font) or with Italics.

**Tolg** · 02-10-2009, 17:32

Originally Posted by Olaf Blackeyes

EDIT:Can we get a map/financial situation/army size plz?

I wanted to bring this to everyone's attention, without them we might one day tell you to start a war with the grey death when it's the heitgh of its power, our treasury is empty, our armies are being wiped out by invading Casse, Lusotanna and Sauromatae/Saka/Hai and half of our (future) empire is trying to revolt back to the Arverni (who survived in Galatia). lol

**SwissBarbar** · 02-10-2009, 17:50

Before leaving the thengoz Arnulf says.

Richmer, you didn't get that to me calling him by his names means honouring him more, than just call him king - a title every foreign dog gives himself. Names are holy. Names are worth more than every title on the world. For its his name that shall be remembered for all times, not his title!!

Turning to the Hêruwulfáz

As you wish, Hêruwulfáz. You know I respect you. I'll be patient.

You know, I am young, I will live long enough to see the Belgae drown in their own blood. I just thought the old daemon Richmer could die of age soon, espeacially when he's trying to skin me alive. I would not be pleased if be broke himself all his old frail bones before he has the pleasure of seeing the Belgae fall, and his daughters getting married....to me! He bursts out laughing.

With that the Heruskôz' leave the thengoz.

**Olaf Blackeyes** · 02-10-2009, 19:08

((OOC: Swiss my characters age is only 25 so he's not that much older than yours. If hat was an insult attempt i give it

))

(Richemer turns to hear what Arnulf has to say and then says to him as he leaves)

It is not only a symbol of honor little bastard, but a sign of respect, something that you have NONE of. Of course i wouldn't expect someone who's just out from under his mother's skirts to understand what respect is or how the real world works.
This is what prevents me from skinning you, little bastard. You say that you respect the High King but show NONE of it.
And if you EVER come near my daughters i will make sure to not ONLY skin you alive but also cut your **** off and FEED it to you as you die.

(With that the Makromannoz delegates leave the assembly area)

**HunGeneral** · 02-10-2009, 20:29

Hadubrand watches as the Heruskoz and Markomannoz delegates leave. After a few second he speaks to the other members of the Samânónz as they start to head for their quarters:

"Strange. Both speak of the dangers of disunity bettwen the tribes and yet they start to argue over the title Hêruwulfáz should wear and how he needs to be adressed. Hopefully this will remain a minor matter of debate. Hopefully hey will celebrate together after the battle should we win over the Silengoz"

Another member of the Samânónz suddenly truns to Hadubrand:
"What do you think Hadubrand, which is the right title?"

Hadubrands looks suprised and gives a harsh reply: "Does it really matter? Point is that Hêruwulfáz is the lord of all German tribes with all tribes supporting him. He could be called King of all Germans, High King, or simply King. I would prefer High King which I think more suits the true Leader of all Germanic tribes but I won't complain as long as Hêruwulfáz doesn't find the way he is adressed insulting or beneath his honor.
Even those Foolish peoples to the south who call themselfs by different names but belong to the same peoples have several Kings and all of them fight against eachother and none can count on the support of there own allies or subordinates. I remember back as a mercenary I fougth for one of those so called "Aliances" when several of there "cities" come together to defend there interrests - but they can't make any real decisions, all they can is argue... no wonder no one has been able to unite them.
But enough of these foreign matters. The High King and the Thengoz has decided what must be done. Prepare the men, gater your forces. We march to war under the banner of the Sweboz and the leadership of Hêruwulfáz."

The Samânónz head on and start making plans for the preparations to war.

**SwissBarbar** · 02-10-2009, 21:00

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Tolg** · 02-10-2009, 21:28

(Segmer had been listening to the argument silently. As he rose to return to his home he thought for a moment how nice it would be if one day he could call his king 'basileus'. - Of course this will never happen, he scolded himself. - And as long as one day he could sit in one of those luxurious, warm Greek houses surrounded by his slaves and taking a warm bath 3 times a day, he couldn't care less.)