From: Chris Jennings [cjennings@ntpmeridian.co.uk] Sent: 10 August 2004 12:48 To: Boughtflower, Stewart Mr (DSDC) Subject: RE: Aerdy - The fall of the Great Kingdom and rise and fall of the successor states. Very good. I have felt this was a bit of a 'hole' up to now. But this all fits in very well (including the strategic significance of Tenh, Nyrond, the Frunze, the SE islands, etc.) Chris Jennings NTP Meridian Management Consultants -----Original Message----- From: Boughtflower, Stewart Mr (DSDC) [mailto:dsdcbhqbs@dlo.gsi.gov.uk] Sent: 10 August 2004 10:43 To: Chris Jennings Subject: Aerdy - The fall of the Great Kingdom and rise and fall of the successor states. OK, What about the PE's biggest neighbour ? At the height of the PWOC Nyrondal campaigns the Great Kingdom was at war with the Iron League, a confederation of 'good aligned' states to the south. However they were being financially backed by the Scarlet Brotherhood. So when the Malachite Throne fell to Iron League, the period of peace was fairly short lived. Aerdy Society at this point can be parelled with 11th cent fuedal europe, with the 'Great King' occupying a Charlemagne like position. Working from within, the Scarlet Brotherhood soon reintroduce slavery to common practice. Gradually the 'Iron League' turns from a committee to an oligarchy and the treatment of the common people slides back to tyranny. This takes several hundred years. By the time the Assembly helps Edhrim rebuild the fortress of Cabut, the Iron league has broken up into 38 successor states. These successor states recognise no central or higher authority, a warlord's writ extends only as far as his sword arm. Short term allainces are constantly made and broken as marriage and war redraw boundaries and tanistry (re-surfacing old Suel practice) makes 'empire building' nigh on impossible. The latter hundred years see those coastal states engaged in a three way war with the PE of the impassode and damifission Isles and the Sahaguin. In the west, occasional attacks are made against the PE (Nyrond or Tenh). These are almost always replused. 'Black Guy' enjoys 30 years as Nyrond's Authir. Instead of replusing attacks he swallows and grinds them up. The attacks cease. No longer able to flood into the PE through Tenh on an annual basis, the Frunze tribes begin to raid into the League. Rather than as vikings attacking Anglo-saxon states, this resembles non-littoral vikings marching invading 13th cent Europe. Given surprise, aggression and their 'warped warriors' they do enjoy some successes. As in Ireland and York, this quickly translates into naturalisation. Those near the coast learn sea-craft and within 50 years are sailing north inthe spring to raid their kin. At this time Angborn is emperor. No Aerdy state dares attack the PE. These 'sea barons' caputure slaves from the Frunze and Mura. They trade slaves with the Hurgilin, Weapons with the orcs and food and luxuries with Imperial Teddin. They become extremely wealthy and manage to 'buy' a lot of the NE league states. The SW League states, heavily influenced by Nyrond (PE) reform the Iron League with the idea of confederating for the common good. Being Aerdy they are quite willing to acknowldege that there are some states that will only confederate at sword point. The Aerdy see Thrandor and then Mornion at the head of the empire. The Scarlet Brotherhood insinuate Suel national fervour and Ceringorn is killed by Suel-descended, Suel god worshipping ilin. The PE cracks down on the Suel religeon within it's bounds. Eventually the two power blocks clash and the sub continent is wracked with war (wars of the roses/100 years war). After 20 years the Sea Barons have all but conquorerd the entire area. Once again the Scarlet Brotherhood gain influence from within. In 3100 they are looking for weakness in the PE. The Lord of Nyrond is Old (clearly at the end of his lifespan) and they watch everything Beren II does with great interest, all the while pretending that they arn't interested at all... DISCLAIMER: This email message was sent from an address under the control of the MOD. Privileged in confidence information maybe contained within this message, if you have received this information in error please destroy all copies in your possession or control and kindly notify the sender by reply email . The addressee or individual responsible for delivery of the message to such person may not forward, disclose or copy this e-mail to any third party without prior consent of the MOD. Furthermore, the MOD does not accept liability for any changes made to this email after it was sent. 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