The Open Grand Council 1099

My first ever OGC. It was very nearly the last. I had thought the OGC was going to be about political debate between the factions - instead it turned into a slagging match. Maybe I'd better start at the beginning ...

We were all informed to meet at a particular transport circle where we were met by representatives of House Charentain. Our host Frederick Charentain had provided for us 2 magical playing cards each, 1 red, 1 black. Upon ripping the red one in 2, we were showered in a light dust of gold and transported to what appeared to be a large well decorated bar. Iskander's Bar as the banner indicated was lit only by candles and their were no windows or doors, at least not in the physical sense.

The only way out was to rip the black card in half when we wanted to leave. As you can imagine, instantly, the most sought after items were spare cards. Negotiations were made and the Queens were provided with a couple of spare cards each.

Iskander, the 'man' the bar was named after was present, but low-key. He was a void traveller and he explained that he was the 1st Emperor of all Erdreja some 2000 years ago. He was tall with a mane of long fair hair, wore black and had a strange incandescence to his skin.

The bar was run by a creature called Svelter. Of what race he was I cannot say - he explained that we were in fact inside a bubble in the void, and the bar was in fact inside a giant void travelling creature which he controlled by means of magical silver ropes. To make matters more confusing, a figure dressed in red with golden skin, calling itself Flay was explained to be the very creature we were inside (He was walking about inside himself).

Concern arose amongst the Wolves (after I pointed it out) that there were a couple of Vampires seated at the High Table with Gunnar. It transpired that they were trapped here and were trying to get a card to leave. They were also hungy.

Suddenly that was a great upheaval and everyone was thrown to the floor. It felt like something had rammed the creature we were within. Shortly afterwards, pirates teleported into the Bar and argued with Svelter and Frederick. After being attacked, they teleported away.

It seemed that the banquet was mostly attended by Bears, Harts and Wolves, with only a minor delegation from each other faction. The meal passed by and althought the food was basic, there was plenty of it, at least on the table where I was sitting. Since most of the Bears (who accounted for a third of the guests) had re-arranged the tables, the waiting staff were thrown into confusion and the main Bears table ended up rather spartan on the food front. I did not find this out til later, but as a McSnaga I am pleased to say there was copious amounts where I was sitting.

Throughout the evening, we were visited by a delegation from the land of Egyptia - an arid land to the south of Lyonesse. These strange people wore robes of white and had cropped black hair - all except the elderly sage who accompanied them.

After the banquet, Lament discovered that he was the only ritualist with a full ritual group and also that there were 5 silver ropes altogether, that enabled control of the creature. Offerring to collect these ropes together to prevent the pirates from getting them, Lament and the Bears set about finding them. Once found, one had to be fastened around each of the 4 main supporting posts of the bar (the creatures legs). The 5th was worn around the waist of Flay himself.

No sooner had they been fastened than they were stolen again. They were soon recovered after a public announcement as to their importance. This time each post was guarded.

The Bears were visited by 3 goblin representatives of General Whiteclaw of the goblins. He has been living in exile and wished to return to the Great Forest of Caledonia. He promised to defeat any remaining disloyal goblins and form an army under his command to fight for the Queens. In return he wanted to have an area of the Great Forest to live in. This was agreed upon and a rough document was quickly signed and stamped.

THE SPEECHES…. There’s another story….

LATER

After the speeches more pirate attacks occurred during which Sir Ainsley ('He's just the cook') McYokel waded in against the foe wielding The Wrath of the Morrigan. He was struck down and teleported away togther with the artifact weapon. Other factions lost people too and the Harts also lost King Stephen's (pattern correcting) Dagger.

Seeing Ainsley teleported away I rushed to inform the Queens and summoned Lament. He was the only Ritualist present to have a full ritual group and preparations were made to try and get the sword (& Ainsley if possible) back. Before the ritual could start, Ainsley re-appeared minus the sword. He threw himself upon the mercy of the Queens and immediately offerred to do everything to recover the sword.

The ritual took place and as Scafloc added his own power to that of Lament's and reached through the void to the other bubble in which was the pirate ship, there was a massive magical feedback and all in the ritual were struck down.

Plans were made to perform another ritual designed to ram our bubble into that of the pirate ship in order to board it. I made some investigations of Svelter, the Barkeep who indicated that such a move was impossible as any 2 bubbles would either bounce apart or explode. I warned others of this, but my words were ignored and sure enough as we rammed the other bubble we were all thrown to the floor as our bubble bounced off the other.

A deal had to be struck with the pirates who wanted silver (not gold) as payment for any people or items. The amount was agreed upon and everyone delved into the depths of their sporrans to find the odd silver or 2. The Bears managed to amass 50 silver as payment for the Wrath of the Morrigan, but every re-appearance of the pirates was met with force by others and no deal could be completed.

Time was running out - the void creature Flay had been released from his bonds and now the angrier female aspect of himself was storming around banishing all who crossed her. She warned that all had to be gone by midnight and that anyone left after then would be cast into the void, where they would die from lack of air well before the exposure to the cold would do them any harm.

With only a few minutes to go, help was sought from Iskander who agreed to take Denzil McYokel and Diarmid McTrew off with him into the void - he could protect only 2 people and for the fee of the silver promised to recover the Morrigans sword. With less than a minute to go all the Bears tore their black cards in two and were gone ...

Letters

Greetings to the Clan McYokel,

I don't know whether any of you saw my message to Chaos

McYokel after the Lions Winter Parliament earlier last month. At the Parliament, Master Mole announced that he was cutting down on his own responsibilities and appointed three "Acolytes" to take over some of them. His statement was:

"With effect immediate all of my personal apprentices are removed from my responsibility. If any said individual wishes to continue in my service and study they must do so through the College of Fire with the guild. Three "Acolytes" are to remain with key concerns to my interests:

1. Hellbron Marshall of the Tarantula armies, is responsible for things "Below".
2. Chaos McYokel is responsible for things "Above" and
3. Reaver (amongst an important destiny to fulfill, critical to the One and all that they have fought for) is responsible for my concerns "Beyond". "

It seems that Chaos is probably not on the Ley and, in case he isn't already aware of Master Mole's decree, could you please pass the statement onto him - I'm sure he will understand what Mole means.

Master Mole is retaining his interests in Avalon as they are quite personal to him and I act his Herald here. In his current form, he can only be seen and heard by Fey (such as myself) - I don't know whether the McYokels will be able to see and hear him - you have a special bond to him of course.

Zacariah Krell

Prince Bishop's Men

To all the people who give Mumsie O’Finnigan recipes to add to her collection PLEASE STOP!!!! She makes me eat them before she will let everybody else have some & some of these recipes are icky. If you do know of a recipe to give her try it out yourself. Or ask to her to cook it for you which she will love you for it.

Thank you for your time

Kayleigh O’Finnigan

Cerryn McNutter and all at Girvan,

Thank you for your hospitality over the last few days, I just wish I were visiting Girvan under better circumstances. After spending the last few days tending the ill here I can confirm that the outbreak is one of the weaker strains of disease usually associated with the plague demons. I cannot as yet be certain how the disease reached Girvan.

The disease has spread rapidly through the population. It is essential that we establish a quarentine area around Girvan until the outbreak is dealt with. It is important that we have volunteers visit smaller settlements in the surrounding area to check that the disease has not spread further, I dread to think what may happen if this thing were to get loose.

The disease itself is normally not fatal except in the young and old, however the cold weather will surely worsen its effects. The early symptoms appear as a winter chill so it can easily be mistaken for a common cold. Catching the disease at this early stage greatly reduces the threat of fatality.

I will keep you informed as and when I am able to determine more.

Life Master Sol Tempest

The Speaches of the OGC of 1099

Fredrick Chanteron, restored to the council afther his earlier 'dissapearance' announced that the Gathering Charter was to be presented to the reprisentitives of each faction to be signed or not after the addresses. The speaches were delivered from the top of a table, so all present could see the speaker. The following is a paraphrased, abreviated form of the speaches (and heckling and interuptions).

Queen Morrigan - Bears

We trounced the Dragons on the battlefield this Gathering. (Huge cheers - half those present seemed to be Bears).

The Bears nation is being attacked by Formor, and can all the other factions lend a hand to defeat them.

The magical cords that hold the inn together have been sotlen. Return them of this place will come down around our ears and we'll all be in the void. (they were returned prety quickly)

We will examine the Gathering charter, and if we like it we shall sign it.

Lord Lemming - Lions

It is an unexpected honour to reprisent the Lions faction here.

There is no insult meant by the small size of the Avalonian delegation, but the Lions command team have better things to do. No, no, Other things to do.

The Nosta Ka are still giving the Lions great problems, and I would like to thank the Gryphon legion that gave their lives on Avalonian soil to defeat 3 Nosta Ka legions. There is currently an army about 2000 strong approaching. Avalon through the Vale of Mists. They tunneled their way up from under the ground, and reached the Vale before Harts forces could reach them. There is some evidence to support the Taranulas aiding the Nosta Ka by their burrowing up from the underdark. There is also evidence to suport that the Tarantulas were set uo by the Nosta Ka. I am happy to extend the hand of friendship to the Harts for their aid on this matter, and the loan of excaliber and beeing so understanding when we lost it.It is good to see the Lions and Harts putting behind them the baggage of a stupid civil war which was before my time anyway.

(By my power I stike you mute! - followed by Lemmming looking hurt on not speaking for a little...)

It was an honour to fight alongside the Dragons in the Honour Battle at the Gathering.

The Loins were not pleased about Lady Josephene, then 2nd in command of the Lions, being taken prisnor on the battlefield and held afterwards. It was an HONOUR Battle, and the Lions are currently engaged in a war, and to deprive us of such a senior officer at such a time was not apreciated.

Finaly I would like to appologise about what I called the Vipers at the Gathering. they are not all backstabbing....[hence followed about 20 uncomplementary adjectives]. Sorry.

Matron Mother Talos - Tarantulas

The Tarantulas are of Eridreja, as are all our peoples. We shall sign the Gathering Charter.

We did not aid the Nosta Ka to attack Avalon.We would not break our word to the Lions under the Gathering treaty, and we would not damage the Underdark which is what the Nosta Ka have done.

Fredrick Chanteron announced that Queen Elspeth was to have a child.

Queen Elspeth - Harts

We have all worked hard to draw up this Gathering Treaty. I will sign this treaty. We can discuss ant problem with it and solve disputes without recurse to wars, for if we do not, we will kill the heartlands. Disputes can be sorted out under the ritual of Peace on the Field of Honour at the Gathering of 1100 at Eton Field in Albion.

[.....never on the playing fields of Eton.... just a thought]

Lord Timothy - Gryphons

The Gathering was a triumph, not only for the gryphons, (yea, right) but for all the Nations. we have formed a new Gathering Teaty without having to resort to violence. This is proof we can live in peace. the Gryphons will sign this Treaty.

At the Gathering, King Ash gathered his men together and declared war on us as he didn't like Red Branch. [At this point all the leaders, and much of the croud start shouting at each other, arguing, alegations of backstabbing, etc.]

Lady Adelana - Unicorns

The gathering Battle proved one thing. (BEARS KICK ASS!) OK, two things, that and that the insults and alegations aimed at the Unicorns were false.

However, we are not ones ot spurn a good idea nomatter what it's source, so the Unicorns will be sponsering a Merchants Guild

Manthar - Unicors

I was proud to lead the Unicor forces on the battlefield this year, and lead from the front, unlike some. As Mayor of the Unicor administered principality of Rockholme, I would like to meet reprisentitives of the Hearts, Bears, and Dragons to discuss exactly where the boarders lie.

Lord Morgan - Dragons

Firstly may I propose a tost to our gracious host. [Bad guitar playing and worse singing]. Do you think I need to pay them more to sing something nice?

[laughter]

At the Gathering we came, (LAST!) 2nd. I would like to thank the victors of the battle for providing a good fight. I hope we can be gracious in defeat.

This new Charter has been turned upon us by Liers, backstabbers, [etc.] Eridreja will never be at peace under this treaty, it will breed mistrust and tension on all sides.

The Unicorn invasion of Cymria will not go unavenged (thats not an invasion, it's our supply colomn). No Unicor traider will be tollerated on Dragon Lands [much arguements with the Unicorn Command] The ancestors shall guide us. the new gathering treaty is a joke, we will nor sign. [more arguments] I'd like to see you stop us. (Gunnar - we already did on the battlefield.)

We won't turn our backs of eridreja. (Gunnar - you already have by rejecting the charter.)

Caine of Tutonia - Vipers

I will not start my sreach until I have a cigar and a drink. [these are found for him](golin on the table next to him - I'ts a lovely veiw from up here) This yer has been a year of victories for the Vipers. (what victories?)

In May we forced the Hive back into the forests of Eastern Tutonia.

In June we halted the Gasherim at Monte Casino with the aid of all the nations. (except the unicorns!) This is an example of diplomacy and friendship between soverign states. There is no need for this Treaty, all that is needed is diplomacy and friendship, not the baggage this treaty brings with it. The Vipers will not sign.

King Gunnar - Wolves

This year has been on of resurgance for the Wolves. We have thrown back the forces of the White Hand. (And captured their cauldron so they cannot recruit any more) We have them on the rereat with the aid of the other nations.

On a personal note, this year I got married, and my daughter married Enoch.

I have been told that I shall soon be a grandfather.

The treaty should stand, and we shall sign it.

Caine - The Vipers will not attend this years Gathering.

Gunnar - Let us talk of this at the moots.

Caine - The Gathering should be held in a neutral location, (Bears - Caledonia!) such as Caledonia?

[The Dragon and Unicorn delegations start hurling abuse at each other again]

Caine - Who would deny the need for a neutral location? [no vocal dissenters]

Morgan - We spit on this treaty! You're all oathbreakers, all of you!

Fredrick Chanteron then finaly managed to call the speaches to an end.

Kyorl Al'Siah

Caledonian Weather Report.

The weather across most of Caledonia is steadily worsening as winter sets in with a vengeance and can be expected to worsen considerably over the next few weeks as snow and frosts increase in both frequency and severity although winds across all of Caledonia remain light.

Weather conditions in the Central Northern and North Eastern regions continues to deteriorate. The thunderstorms there ease but are replaced with squally showers from the north which often turn to sleet and snow. Regions further south experience similar conditions but the frequency and severity of the squalls is lower in the southern regions.

The Western coast and North West continue to be fog bound with light winds and cool starts to the day. There is some sign that the fogs are thinning as autumnal showers clear the air. Shipping off the north and west coasts report that the fog out to sea is clearing rapidly. The South West remains cold and damp.

The fog and mists around Orkneyjar have now cleared. The showers in the region have now been replaced by colder air with a light breeze blowing from the north. Light flurries of snow are common.

The sea off most coasts remains relatively calm for the time of year with a light to moderate swell. Gentle winds mean coastal shipping, usually confined to port by this time of year is still able to go about its normal business with relatively little difficulty. The main hazard to shipping of all types continues to be the fog. Care is still needed around the north and western coasts but to fog and the snow around Orkneyjar also cases problems with poor visibility.

Shipping off the South East coast has also been hit badly by fog. A heavy fog bank is sitting off the South East coast causing problems for shipping in and out of the port of Wemyess in Caledonia and the ports in northern Albion including Newcastle.

Howls rage around a fog bound circle of stones. Creatures cry and rage in the gloom.Two figures lie within the circle, one in filthy robes, the other in a stained tabard, the insignia indestinct.The robed figure raises himself from the floor and pulls the other to his feet.

"Go, tell the guild what we did here, if you go you have a chance. Staying just gives them two deaths. I will open the gate but you must go now"

The other figure nods and takes a sword from the ground. A shimmer in the air, as magic forms and then the man steps through a gateway. It closes and the other man smiles."come then creatures sing me to my death. You hold no fear for me. I am safe in my magic. Even now the void comes to claim me. I have not failed in my duty, though I have not been strong enough. You will lose, as my sacrfice will show you."

A huge Fomor steps to the circle its talons stroke an invisible wall, scars adorn its arms and chest like badges of honour. In one hand a spear the height of a man, around his waist grinnig skulls hang off of a belt.

The man in the circle falls and the Fomors hand passes through the air. The creature strides in and takes the mans head from his body. Shrieks rise and creatures poor in and rip the body apart

PROCLAMATION!

As of Midnight tonight the city of Pitlochry will be placed under Martial Law. No citizen will be allowed on the streets after dark and no one will be permitted to leave or to enter the city without strict permission from the Knights of Caledonia.

This declaration will stand until it is deemed no longer required.

MacBain, acting commander of the Pitlochry defenses.

Feargus MacBain

AN INSULT TO CALEDONIA

How should I start this tale of intrigue, scandal, insults and threats? At the beginning…

Shanon O’Cleary and myself had a minor disagreement over the way she perceived I was helping her contact the scouts guild. Well one thing led to another and the debate got a little heated, and poor Shanon got a little worried. Instead of letting this internal problem be dealt with by the Queens, Laird Mephisto and the Knights of the Queens Fianna, she squealed to a group known as the Grey Knights.

I will digress a little at this point to explain who they are. They are a group of likeminded individuals who have a "secret" (Not in my opinion) organisation that spreads through many factions. They believe that there will come a one true King to rule all of Erdreja and they will find him and protect him (which sounds like heresy to me, as we have High King already).

Anyway, young foolish Shanon went to these Knights as she was worried about me, nice friendly, kindly Talek…So these Grey Knights sent a missive threatening me. Unknown to them at this time myself and Shanon had sorted out our differences, so I sent a message back to these Grey Knights saying

"Hmm...let me consider a reply to such an eloquent individual as yourself.......

My final comment is "come on then if you think you’re hard enough".

Various missives flew back and forth between myself and the Grey Knights, I kept not only the Queens informed of these activities but also the Knights of the Queens Fianna. Then the Grey Knights started to get scared, they had realised exactly what they had got themselves into, a fight with the Exiles! They also realised I had access to their internal memo’s they passed between themselves, so they came up with a final option, to persuade the Queen Blodwyn that I was some sort of demonically tainted, nasty evil individual and try to force her to call me to heal..

The Blodwyn was not impressed, they had insulted her and the Nears by calling us "A bunch of drunken Celts" and demanded things of her, a Queen.

At that point I was livid, I sent a missive to them saying the Exiles would bathe in their blood, maybe a bit hasty at the time, but non the less accurate. Finally to add insult to injury, young Shanon then goes back to these Grey Knights, who have threatened her life for trying to leave their order, and warns them that the Exiles, and probably the Bears are gonna "send them home in a tartan body bag"..

Oh deary me.

In summary.

Young Shanon is now is on charges with the Knights of the Queens Fianna for treachery.

I’m trying hard to kill each and every Grey Knight. Join in the fun while you can.

If you are a member and in the Bears, leave the Grey Knights now whilst you still can.

Contact me if you want a list of the Grey Knights.

Talek (a caring, sharing guy)

History of The Clan

The elders of Clan McSidhe did despair. For many years they had lived in the great forest of Strath Clota, but now the blood of the elves which flowed in their veins was becoming diluted by the coming of humans.

In 1091, Angus and Megan of the Clan McSidhe joined the army of the Celtic Queen, Embodiment of the goddess. At that time, Thorfinn of Orkneyjar was seeking advancement and the favour of the Queens, and he therefore recruited as many as he was able to fight under his banner; The Raven Standard. Angus and Megan were among these new recruits. Thorfinn's quest for rank yielded him the command of half of the army, and he expanded this by placing his men in positions of rank where he was able. In this way, Angus was given command of a group of clansmen, including many of the Clan McFinn and some of Clan McBoar. The McFinns were displeased at having another as their captain, but they took Angus and showed him the ways of war. Rory McFinn, son of Laird McFinn, did say "The man who leads the charge shall always be cut down, but if his men are following him, they will run over and past him and he might be healed to lead another charge." This can be seen, for after that, whenever Angus was given the command of en, they always did charge and always with him at their head.

That year the battle was easily won and Lord Corvos and his evil hoard were driven south from the lands of Caledonia into Albion.

Angus and Megan did return home, but only long enough to join the exodus of their clan. They gathered their many sons and daughters about them and left the great forest for the highlands. There, in the shadow of Ben Twatem, they did find Glen Twatem, a wild and desolate place, not claimed by any man to be his own. They stayed therin and built for themselves a croft and raised sheep, and hunted deer and haggis.

Great things were afoot in the world that year. The treaty of the Gathering was drawn up and signed, so that men could gather together to trade and settle their disputes without battle. We now know what folly this is, for at every Gathering since, there has been a great battle, each bigger than any before.

The signing of this treaty was done by Thorfinn, for although he was previously allied to the Wolf Lord of Norsca, he was loyal to the Queens of Caledonia, who had given him rank and position, and he came when they had need of him to lead their armies. And Thorfinn was a great man who had the loyalty of the people under his care, and all the folk of Orkneyjar followed Thorfinn to the battlestandard of Caledonia and turned their backs on Norsca, that had never supported them.

Angus and Megan, now of Clan McTwatem, did attend the Gathering in 1092, bringing with them their sons, Dougal, Connor, Oor Willie, Cameron and Donald, their daughters Heather, Morag, Flora and TBD, and with them came Angus' brother Callum. And the newly formed clan did well in that year, for they signed a treaty with Thorfinn, that they would answer his call and fight at his command, and in return would be given stewardship of the lands of the old Clan McTay, though one of the McTay still lived, and he a man of some rank, being Joshua McTay, the Violet mage.

At this event, Angus was further honoured, and by right of combat became the Champion of the Queen of all Caledonia.

Although all the clansmen fought with the fury of the bear that year, treachery lost them the battle and the Queen and many men were slain.

Of Clan McTwatem, though, none were slain, though they were in the thick of the battle, since the daughters of the clan were well versed in the healing arts and did minister to the clansmen, their brothers. The clan did return home that year, and did rebuild and fortify the mannor house on the shores of Loch Tay.

In the following year, 1093, Thorfinn did reinstate the old ways and did call for the Queen to be elected by the people, not in one body, but as three parts, each showing a face of the goddess. The Blodwyn, goddess of healing and fertility, the Morrigan, goddess of war and fighting, the Cerridwen, goddess of the realms of death and dreams. Such was the esteem of Clan McTwatem that Helham, virgin daughter of Angus and Megan was elected to be the Boldwyn and Megan herself was elected as the Cerridwen. Further, at this gathering of the clans, Angus was elected as Tanist or second in command to Lord Thorfinn.

At the battle of 1093, the clansmen of the Bears did lay about them mightily and did defeat their foe. The head of Lord Foetan, leader of the Griffin faction was taken and held as a trophy in the old way.

In 1094, as Lord Thorfinn was away doing battle with the world serpent, Angus acted in his stead and led the armies of the Bears into battle. And the prophesy of Rory McFinn was shown to be true, for in this battle did Angus meet his end.

And the people of Caledonia did look among them for a sucessor to Angus, to rule them until the return of Thorfinn, and they found no one more suited to the task than those which the goddess had selected. And from that day forth, the faction of the bears was ruled over by the embodiment of the Blodwyn, the Morrigan and the Cerridwen.

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