Tollania

[Gamemaster]

(See the Angenmar Paven thread that is linked to below for events that happened prior to Kortelan's journey to Tollania.)

Angenmar Paven
www.naegame.proboards83.com/index.cgi?board=northpeninsula&action=display&thread=1177333998&page=8

(The date is Oron 15, Salgan 1, Adonsik 41 Cledman VI.)

Five riders depart from Angenmar Paven heading southeast. They are Ulor Kortelan, Ersolan, Lorgan and two of Lorgan's cavalrymen.

They ride most of the day to reach their destination which is located between Angenmar Paven and the Kajak River, but closer to the river. In fact, Verronia is now closer than Angenmar Paven.

When at last they reach their destination, it is as though they have entered a small kingdom set apart from the rest of the world. It even has a name as Kortelan explains to his companions. The local people call it "Tollania," meaning the land of Tollan. (Tollan was Kortelan's great grandfather.)

The surrounding lands are all small plots worked by subsistence farmers or barely larger plots worked by bitter descendants of former noblemen. These are separated from each other by hedgerows, walls and fences. Tollania, by contrast, has vast tracts of open farm land and entire villages of peasant tenant-farmers living together.

The road leading to Tollania is small, full of pot holes and frequently damaged by washouts, but once the road reaches Tollania, it widens out and is smooth and well maintained by peasant labourers.

As soon as the first peasant catches sight of the riders, he recognizes Kortelan, shouts out a greeting and then runs off to spread the news.

After riding for a few talong, the riders come into view of a large manor house on a hill. It looks like the house of a nobleman. It was built centuries ago as the house of a nobleman, but is in other hands now.

"Is that your father's house?" Ersolan asks, pointing to the manor house on the hill.

"No," Kortelan says with a smile, "This is West Tollania. That's my Uncle Nartelan's house. My father owns the eastern part farther up."

"How much is there to this Tollania?" Lorgan asks.

Kortelan says, "I don't know exactly, but it was large in my great grandfather's time and my grandfather Tortelan bought even more during his lifetime. My father and my uncle also added to it. Nearby are some holdings of some cousins though there is some joking about whether that is really part of Tollania or not. Even if you don't count my cousins' land, it is well over a hundred square talong. Maybe two hundred. I'm not sure. (Thousands of acres. Possibly 10,000 acres.)

Kortelan continues, "Uncle Nart inherited the house, but my father got more land to make up for it. Then he built his own house."

As they approach another peasant village, Kortelan announces, "Now we're in East Tollania. Home."

Just after he says that, a small crowd of children comes running out of the village. They are careful not to get too close to the horses, but they run up to the riders shouting, "Welcome back, master Kortelan!"

Kortelan greets them and rides on. Soon, they come into sight of an even larger house. This one is more recently built. It is decades old instead of centuries old, but it is made of stone and is larger than Nartelan's manor house. It is built like a fortress. It even has an outer wall.

"That's almost as strongly fortified as the Starmet Uloresh (Ulor's Palace) at Bakoya Kajak!" Ersolan exclaims.

Lorgan says, "Were your family noblemen?"

"No," Kortelan says, "But we ended up owning a lot of their lands and even houses. There are two other noblemen's manor houses on my father's land. One you can see there," he points into the distance at a smaller, older building, "We use that for additional servants' quarters now. The other one burned down and is only a ruin now."

Ersolan asks, "Why did your father build a house like a fortress? It even has a tower and slits for archers."

Kortelan says, "We have enemies. The other manor house didn't just burn down. It was deliberately set on fire while we lived there. Two of our servants' children died in the fire. The people who did it were relatives of the nobleman who used to own it. Not that we ever did anything to them. We bought all this land. The noblemen were gone before we got here."

[Kortelan]

Kortelan rides his horse to the stable (or stable area) and slides off handing it to a servant. "Lets go meet my father shall we? I am glad to be home." He looks around and goes towards the house once he walks in he pulls a servant off to the side "Where is my father? I would like to meet with him."

[Gamemaster]

The servant says that another servant has already gone to tell your father the news that you have arrived.

No sooner does he say this, than Vortelan himself throws open the front door and calls out to you.

(For those who don't know, Vortelan is Kortelan's father.)

Vortelan says, "Welcome home! My boy, my son, my Ulor!" He laughs at the last part proudly.

[Kortelan]

Kortelan smiles. "I don't know if you have heard but since the Ulor of our very own Kajakan Folon betrayed Rubanya I have been named Ulor of both Kajakan Tros and Kajakan Folon. I was in Angenmar Paven and decided to go see you while I was in the area. We have a lot to talk about but first let me introduce you to the people I brought with me." He gestures to Ersolan, "This is Ersolan, the commander of my guards and one of the leaders of the new Verronese military." Then he gestures to Lorgan "This is Lorgan, one of the leaders of the Kajakan Tros branch of the Verron Rond."

[Gamemaster]

Vortelan says to Ersolan and Lorgan, "It is good to meet you," then to Kortelan, "Yes, I had heard the news of your appointment as Ulor of this province. I think that makes you the only man to hold the office of Ulor in two provinces simultaneously. Congratulations. As you say, we have much to talk about. I assume you will stay for dinner. I shall have the servants prepare a feast and guest rooms. Come in, come in, let's talk."

Vortelan shows his guests into the huge house and they are soon seated in a small room with comfortable chairs and a warm fire going in the fireplace. It was cold on the journey.

[Kortelan]

Kortelan sits down relaxing in the chair. "We were planning on staying until at least tomorrow. And on the matter of me being Ulor of two provinces at once I think I am the only person to ever hold that. As soon as An Op has decided to give up his trying to hold on to his fort Rubanya expects me to march to Verronia and take the last of our homelands. That would make me Ulor of three provinces and I would probably hold sway in a Rubanya controlled empire. Father, if Krumluk beats Rubanya's army I am dead. Why don't you tell me what you know of the situation."

[Gamemaster]

Vortelan said, "I have followed the situation with keen interest, of course. But there is probably little I know that you have not heard already. I have heard that even though Krulmuk is respected by the commanders of the Army, that many of them are unwilling to commit one way or the other for fear of being on the losing side. The only fighting I have heard about is here in the North Peninsula. Soldiers are coming here from other parts of the Empire, but everyone expects the decisive battle or battles to be fought here. Here in the North Peninsula, Rubanya seems to have more troops on his side than Krulmuk. Also, Rubanya has the navy on his side so Krulmuk is probably unable to bring in more troops from elsewhere. That is important because on the South Peninsula, Krulmuk has a lot more troops. Recently I have heard reports that Army officers and Ulors in the South Peninsula are starting to take sides. Ravelonia is with Rubanya now and Varilan, Warnan and others. The tide may be turning, but support for Krulmuk is growing there as well. It may not matter. Krulmuk might do better if he went to South Peninsula, but instead, he seems intent on attacking Rubanya at Yishil.

Though Rubanya has more troops, Krulmuk is known to be a fearsome warrior and a brilliant commander. It is anyone's guess who will win. I do think it is likely now that the decisive battle will take place at Yishil in the next few days. Of course, Rubanya is in no real personal danger unless he rides out to meet Krulmuk's army. He can withdraw behind the city walls and Krulmuk will have to resort to a siege. If he does this, he has little hope of taking Yishil by seige while the navy can resupply Yishil by sea. Also, Rubanya can withdraw by sea at any time.

If there is a seige at Yishil, I doubt that Yishil will fall to Krulmuk. The danger is political. Half the Empire is afraid to commit. Any sign that one side or the other is stronger could bring a dozen provinces into the fray on the side that appears stronger. If that happens, the rest will go the same way and no matter how the war is going, the stronger side will be the government and the weaker side will be called rebels.

Krulmuk may or may not understand this, but he is moving towards Yishil with a strong force. He may just be taking the initiative as any good army officer would. Or he may be trying to force Rubanya to withdraw from Yishil which would be politically disastrous for Rubanya. Even if Rubanya is under seige and successfully withstanding it, it will appear that Rubanya is weaker than Krulmuk and Levorek. After all, people will ask, why is not Rubanya in Zekran and Krulmuk under seige somewhere out in the provinces."

[Gamemaster]

A servant comes in bringing a large scroll.

"Thank you Talan," Vortelan says, "spread it out on the table there."

As the servant does what he is told, Kortelan sees that the scroll is a map.

Vortelan explains, "I have had many guests who are close to Rubanya here and they have kept me informed of events related to the current struggle. I've had Talan prepare a map that indicates who is in control of various provinces."

Here is the map:



Vortelan explains, "Provinces shown in purple are believed to be under Krulmuk's control. Provinces in Orange are under the control of Rubanya's men. In provinces where the Ulor and the military are not on the same side, I have ignored the Ulor and marked the map according to the loyalty of the military. The provinces in red are in revolt of course. The provinces in blue are part of that new regionalist faction."

He looks at them and sighs, "It is hard to tell where they will go in all this. The ones in the Southwest are especially difficult to find out about, but they are so far away that it probably won't matter. In the North, Ulor Tervin of Trayavix is well known as a Reformist and he sent troops to support Rubanya, so his loyalty is clear. Foerfen follows his lead so they are probably also with Rubanya. Silway Siliken too, most likely, but who knows."

[Kortelan]

Kortelan looks over at the map. "Well I did not know loyalties as well as this." Then he taps Kajakan Yost with a finger. "As far as we can tell Kajakan Yost here has sided with Krumluk. If I had the man power I would go to Verronia and knock on Ulor Ziyan's door to see who's side he is on. If I had An Op's garrison and the garrison in Kajakan Yost and marched to Yishil that would be 7 regiments 3 of which have seen battle. That does not include the horsemen and civilian volenteers I have, which number about half a regiment. With an army of that size marching to Yishil to aid in the city's defense politically we should have no problem. If however I don't get those forces or if Ulor Ziyan decides he wants to be on Krumluk's side we are not well off. Father, I have a question for you. What do you think of a free Verronese homeland?"

[Gamemaster]

Vortelan says, "Free from what?"

[Kortelan]

"From the empire. Ruled by our own people. Following our own laws, our own ways. No more Zekran telling us what to do."

[Gamemaster]

"Oh that," Vortelan says. "I think we're not far from that now, even in the Empire. We've mostly had Verronese Uloro for a very long time. With Rubanya's moves to give more power to the Uloro and you in the Starmet Uloresh, I think we've got the ability to live under our own laws now. I know that there are always rumors of rebellion, but would we be where we are today if there were no Empire? I think I'd rather see another Bear Emperor than a rebellion. Though a rebellion would be more easily arranged. Not a successful rebellion, mind you. That would be most difficult. I know the Empire seems weak right now, but they aren't that weak. Tell me what you are thinking of, my son."

[Kortelan]

Kortelan nods. "Yes I understand your points. Right now I am making a fleet near my palace in Kajakan Tros that when finished will be faster and more in number then the Imperial Navy. And once the battle at Yishil is over the Imperial Army will be shattered, at least here in the Northern Peninsula. So any ships will be taken care of and the Imperial Army will be weak. If I can field a large enough force I will declare independence and challenge Zekran. If Krumluk wins he will march the second he hears the news without a second thought and no rest for his men. If Rubanya wins however he will try to muster more forces and force me to fight an offensive battle. So if Rubanya wins and I feel like it, and march right away, we could have another Zekran-Bear war but this time our navy will be more then a match for their navy." He turns to Lorgan "Can I count on the Verron Rond's help if I do such a move?"

[Gamemaster]

Lorgan looks afraid, "I can't say. That would be a decision for the Grand Lodge in Verronia. Even Rondalan couldn't... even the Grand Lodge couldn't do that unless the members agreed. I know some would. Not all, though."

Ersolan says nothing.

Vortelan says, "You trust these two a lot, I presume," gesturing to Lorgan and Ersolan.

[Kortelan]

"Ersolan has not let me down in any military action I have had to take, and Lorgan has been at my side since my first meeting with the Verron Rond. They have both carried out every duty quickly and to the best of their ability so yes I guess I do trust them. They know more about fighting then I do."