Stories thread

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Thread for IC stories for Vandal Invasion game(including battle reports).

No OOC posts please, and if your story involves other player's characters doing or saying things they have not in-game or in an IC post, please ask their permission.

[TheFlax]

Coop with Braden and Ibn-Khaldun

363 AD, Summer
Somewhere in Germania

The cool morning breeze of Northeastern Europe washed over Visimar's leathery skin as he watch his people ready themselves for the long journey West. Women and children were assembling around large wagons drafted by oxen, while the men, all of them armed, assembled into large fighting companies. They were leaving these lands for the Huns were coming at their back and he knew his people would be swept away like the others before them. So they ran... No, it was not running he reminded himself, it was seeking new opportunities. Some of his people had accused him of running, of being a coward. Then now rested in a shallow grave and he was still standing, he was right.

If anyone could defeat the Huns, it would be the Roman Empire and he would lead his people to them, to seek shelter and opportunity in their lands. Yet, to reach Roman territory, they would have to cross the lands of several people, none of whom would look kindly to his intrusion. At his core, Visimar was not a man of words, but he did recognize their worth. The Vandals didn't have the luxury of squabbles with nearby tribes, not now at least.

Oza had been called to the Chieftains longhouse urgently, preparations for the exodus had already started. Younglings yelped and scrapped as only children did when confused with the changes around them. Womenfolk gathered bedding and meagre possessions...to travel light is to leave much of what you call "home" behind, but this did not phase Oza. Long since had he left all trappings of "home" behind, no warm and comely maiden busied herself gathering his bedding and possessions, he was a warrior of no home and no love, loyal to tribe and Chieftain...a scout, a spy.

He waited now at the back of Visimar's longhouse, concealed by gloom and squatting down amongst furs and cushions. He was to observe, listen and understand what Visimar was to say to Duva. It was of great import Oza knew but of what exactly he knew nought, very one knew they were to travel soon...some said West away from the aggressive Hunic tribes whilst others believed either South or North.

Speculation. Foolish at that, this eve though Oza would find out and know his tasks ahead. Oza and Visimar were of the Silingi, this spoke volumes of the pledge Oza had took.

Now he waited...all would be revealed soon enough.

"My king," Duva said and bowed before Visimar. "People who are coming from east are telling that the Huns are getting closer every day. If we want to avoid being crushed by them just like hundreds of other tribes we must move soon."

Duva sighed. He knew that Visimar was probably better informed than him. Duva sighed again and then continued.

"Most of the chieftains and other important people are waiting in the Council tent," he said while pointing towards a large decorated tent in the middle of the camp. "They want to know what are your plans for the future. We can leave from these lands but exactly where? How far and how long to we have to run from the Huns?"

"As far as it takes." Visimar groaned at his own words. "I'll find a new home for my people, I promised as much, haven't I?"

The powerful man immediately shook his head, indicating to his envoy that the question didn't merit an answer. He sighed, before resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. Many would take this as a threat, but for Visimar it was simply an old habit.

"Duva, the situation is grimmer that most of you know. We don't have time to negotiate lengthily with the tribes between us and the Roman Empire. You will go ahead, tell them we wish to pass and gather information. If by the time my people reach them, they are not ready to let us pass, then I will destroy. Make sure they understand."

Easier said than done, thought Duva.

"I will do my best, my King!" he said to Visimar. "But if I may, then I'll go now and make some last preparations before the journey."

Duva bowed and turned to leave.

Oza waited until Duva had left…Visimar called him without turning “You heard then Oza?”

Oza emerged from the darkness behind Visimar, coalescing from darkness to light.

“I did my King, So, what would you have me do Lord? My task ahead would be difficult I feel.”

"Duva might fail, if so we must be ready. Go with him to the Sarmatians, take note of their numbers, their positions. If we must strike, it will have to decisive, we cannot afford to linger."

Oza understood and nodded thoughtfully.

"I will make it so my King. Fearsome creatures these Sarmatians but I will gather all I can and do all I can to ease our peoples trials."

Oza bowed again before moving off once more into the back of the Longhouse...he left though the darkness and out of a rearward entrance to avoid detection.

He gathered his horse and pack, gave the busying camp one last look of longing before raising himself into his saddle. He set of West, better to keep a wide berth between him and Duva lest Duva become aware of his shadow.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Summer, 363 AD, somewhere in the steppe..

Duva continued his ride to west. He was determined to get to the Western Roman lands before the rest of the tribe gets there. Perhaps it's possible for him to arrange some kind of deal with them then. If not then he knew very well what might happen. Death and destruction...

A small river crossed his path and he stopped. Once he got off from his horse he checked the horizon. From the day he left from the camp he had a feeling that someone was following him. Simple things gave it away. Things that others would've probably never noticed. However, Duva was not your normal diplomat with a scroll of parchment in his hand. He grew up in a hostile world where you had to fight if you wanted to survive. Because of this he was able to notice things that others couldn't. However, he was not concerned or scared. He knew that if someone would've wanted to attack him they would've already done it. There were plenty of opportunities for that during his journey.

Looking back towards the river he saw couple of small trees and he decided to rest a little. Even he needs to sleep and eat sometimes..

[Braden]

Oza knelt down and studied the tracks before him…”where was Duva going?”…clearly the tracks headed due West, wasn’t the main body of the Sarmatians South of here?

It was a pity, Oza could not track further. Already he was behind his internal schedule, a tight one at that. He needed to head East before tracking back and gaining on Duva again but now with Duva taking an unexpected course his trail would be difficult indeed to catch when he next came this way…

Several day’s passed. He was being followed, shadowed, to his left and right by groups of riders. He smiled to himself briefly before spurring his horse forward into a gallop. Likewise, he felt rather than saw, the following riders do the same. He twisted through a low valley and through coppice trees before halting and diving from his horse into cover.

He waited partly buried in Autumnal leaves. He heard the muffled hooves of the chasing horses, imagined how they’d ride past…spot his riderless horse and return…a movement very close to him…he sprung out grabbing an ankle and pulling violently as he stood up. The owner of the ankle sprawled in a cartwheel over the floor as several pairs of eyes darted to look at Oza.

Oza laughed “Ha! Karz you old ox, you still have to watch where you step…imagine if I’ve been a pile of dung!?!”

Karz sprawled on the floor and looked up from his back at Oza with a gap-toothed smile “Aye, but ya know I already smell worse than any dung…and you smell fouler than that!”

Oza reached out an arm to aid Karz to rise as the others gathered round “So, Nesta…what news for me?”

A small man, strongly built with olive complexion moved forward “We’ve met a negotiator from the Huns East of here, sly fox I say but he knew not who we were. An talk of one of the Sarmatian Princelings rutting his way through the villages t’the South.”

Oza was pleased “Good…Good! Send one of your men to my King and tell him thus but don’t take long, we have much to do and that self-important negotiator Duva has gone and lost himself in the West”

Another man spoke up, short and stocky again but with fair skin and blue eyes “Do we give chase my Lord?”

“Nay Otec, not yet anyway. We must head South and see what we can find out about the warriors there, from there we swing West then Northwards to see if we can catch up with Duva before he blunders into an Assassins blade. Still, before that…where be the nearest Villages…has been many days on the road and no mead to speak of!”

With that the party laughed before gathering their horses riding on

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Winter, 364 AD
somewhere in the lands of Marcomanni


Duva saw couple of buildings near the road. An old man was outside fixing the roof of one of the buildings. Seeing Duva the man stopped for a moment but realizing that he wasn't a threat the man continued his work.
"Good man, can I stay here and rest a little bit?" asked Duva.
"Sure, traveler." said the man.
Duva got down from his horse and sat under the roof. The man continued his work while Duva took out his food. He offered it do the old man who nod and sat near Duva.
"So, traveler. From where are You coming?"
"From the lands in east. I belong to the tribe called Vandals."
"I've heard of you. Is it true that a strange people from the east are coming. People who can not be stopped?"
"Yes. That's why we are moving. The Huns are dangerous people. They probably would kill us all."
Both men fell into their own worlds and did not say anything in the next half hour.
"Good man," said Duva and thus breaking the silence,"how far is the Vicus Marcomanni? I want to gather some information about the Romans and I understand your Chief have fought them many times."
"If you follow this road then you'll be there before the next full moon."
Duva got up and bowed to the man.
"Thank you for allowing me to rest. Hospitality and kindness is rare in this world."
The man nodded and watched how Duva rode away.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Event 2
Summer, 365 AD

Results

Riding - Winner: Maroboduus(Lord of Lent), reward: Trusty Steed ancillary
Archery - Winner: Gildo(Madoushi), reward: Master of Archers ancillary
Sword fight - Winner: Maroboduus(Lord of Lent), reward: Swordbearer ancillary
Wrestling - Winner: Maroboduus(Lord of Lent), reward: Hale and Hearty trait

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These rewards will be added to the avatars as soon as possible.
I had a story written as well but for some reason I thought Lord of Lent is Gildo and thus this story doesn't make much sense anymore. Will write a new one if I have the time.