BTW, if you'd like to see anything more in this vein, just ask what we've got and I'll see what I can forward.
KING CONGERN
Ruler of Jonatela
Age: 57
Disposition: Brooding, Ambitious, Calculating
Characterisation: can you manage a heavy Slavic accent for this part, with
rolling R's and unusual emphases?
Religious Affiliation: none, yet
Political Affiliation: self
Council Votes: none.
CONGERN'S BACKGROUND You are Congern, King of Jonatela. Your realm is the greatest Kingdom in the land of Fronela, stretching from the rugged Nidan Mountains in the south to the banks of the beautiful blue Janube in the North. It was founded over five centuries ago by Jonat, that mighty-thewed hero who overthrew the last Empire of Loskalm and plundered distant Seshnela before returning home to bring his people the power and the glory of dominion. You are a Jonating: the blood of Jonat flows in your veins! You have striven always to prove yourself worthy of your puissant forebears.
Some of your subjects follow the Syanoran, Hrestoli or Arrolian sects of Malkionism. Still others are Pagans. You rule all of them, as their King. Until recently, you have not greatly concerned yourself with religious affairs, even though in theory you are a member of the Syanoran Church.
The Sundering:
Over a century ago, the Wizards of Loskalm, alarmed at your grandfather's inexorable victories, cast a great Enchantment known as the Sundering over the whole of Fronela. This created impenetrable borders separating the different parts of your land from one another. In consequence, you were born into an isolated half-Kingdom, and grew up in a court where your father had constantly to struggle to hold together his rule. Until a dozen years ago, you were completing his lifetime's work, striving to bring all the Boyars of western Jonatela under your direct control. Then the magical barriers to the eastern half of the Kingdom were lifted, and your armies could surge through.
Victory was not immediate. For over a year, an eastern Boyar named Jarngror the Killer led a faction of highland nobles opposed to you. In the end, however, he recognised that he could not hold out forever against your superior forces. Laying down his arms, he swore blood-brotherhood and joined your side as your Royal Champion, handing over those of his former allies who still resisted to your justice. To this fortunate alliance you owe your supremacy over the east of Jonatela, a highland area where many of the locals still follow crude pagan ways. (Not wholly trusting Jarngror, you gave him command of an ancient stronghold in the west of the kingdom, away from his former supporters' lands).
No sooner had these gains been consolidated, but the misty walls to west and north disappeared. Northwards, the last remaining lands of your grandfather's kingdom, Karstall and Timms, lay open for the taking. So too did fresh fields for conquest in the petty western lands of Junora and Oranor, with rich, decadent Loskalm beyond them. The Game of Kings beckoned...
Recent History:
For the past eight years, you have patiently moved your Knights and Pawns, taking strategic Castles from Timms, while subtly advancing your strength against Karstall en passant. In the summer of 1624, your dispositions were at last right: your army swept down and reclaimed Karstall as part of the Jonating Kingdom. The rebel Count, Belathgert, was driven ignominiously into exile, and a sizeable garrison of Jonatelan Knights installed to maintain order and collect taxes in your new territory. Rebellions have been half-hearted, and your troops have brutally suppressed them when they have occurred. Karstall seems now to be firmly within your grasp, barring outside intervention.
Home Life:
Set against these military successes in the Great Game, you have suffered at home from an unruly Queen and Bishop. Despite all your successes on the world stage, you have been unfortunate in your family life. Your wife, Queen Undrika, is a pious shrew, devoted to the Syanoran Church and to "Holy" Zalpthir. She has borne you only two sons, both of them weaklings. The eldest, Bogdan, is a feeble-witted effeminate who takes after his mother in matters of religion: he would be a pawn of the Church if he ever came to the throne. Your younger son, Dumi, suffered for all of his brief life from a malady of the blood, which left him incapable of developing his manly prowess. Neither was worthy of the proud Jonating blood you embody: the weakness must have been in Undrika's sickly line.
Last year, a reputed Holy Man named Notslor returned to your Kingdom from his travels elsewhere in Fronela. He had a remarkable, calming effect on your son Dumi; to console you, courtiers say he must have greatly eased the boy's passing from this world. But... why couldn't he be cured!? You have a bone to pick with Notslor, if you catch him...
There is hope in sight, though. Valinessa, a pagan Princess of Oranor, is reputed to be fair and lovely. She is the daughter of the Prince of the White Mountains, one of the more powerful petty rulers of Oranor, whose lands control two strategic passes leading into Loskalm and Junora. If you were to ask for her hand in marriage, she would scarcely dare (or wish!) to refuse; your smooth-tongued negotiators are on the point of making a formal proposal on your behalf. Your own chief Bishop, Zalpthir, however, has opposed you in your Privy Council over this: with an unusual display of spine, he says that his One God insists there is only One Marriage, and that you are already married to Queen Undrika. Other religions may not take such a strong line, though... there is, after all, more than One Church and One Bishop in this world!
THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES
POLITICAL OBJECTIVES You have come to the Council ready to convert to the religion that will bring you the greatest advantage in your life-long ambition of re-establishing and extending the ancient Jonating Kingdom. This may be measured in the following terms. Note that some of the Ideal solutions listed may not be possible, or mutually exclusive, or politically suicidal: you should negotiate and plan for the best deal you can obtain.
In Jonatela:
You have at present no control over any of the Churches in your Kingdom. The
Syanoran and Arrolian Bishops are chosen by their assembled priests and
congregations, not by Royal decree. Henotheist and Pagan High Priests emerge
from the rural clan and tribal structures. And Hrestoli Wizards have to be
confirmed in office by the Ecclesiarch of Loskalm.
* Ideally, you would like to be able to appoint (or sack) a man you could
rely on as Head of the Church, and have him choose senior clergy in the
lower orders.
Your Church gives you no control over your Boyars. Those who are Syanoran
Malkioni are more loyal to their Bishop than to their King; those who are
Pagan are unruly, and could well be more loyal to their former leader
Jarngror than to yourself, if push came to shove.
* Ideally, you would like a religion that required its followers to swear
oaths of loyalty to their King, on pain of death, excommunication,
banishment from the congregation, or some such penalty. It would be
contained within Jonatela - a national Church, not a branch of some larger
organisation.
Worst of all, you have no heir to whom you can entrust the realm (your weak
son Bogdan would be wholly unacceptable as a successor). Jonatela has always
been ruled by hereditary monarchs, descended from Jonat, and it would be a
strange departure from this norm for you to appoint a successor. But none of
your relatives are suitable.
* Ideally, you would like to be able to divorce or (whisper it!) murder your
wife, and marry the Pagan Princess Valinessa, of Oranor's White Mountains.
This way you would be able to beget a strong and manly son to whom you could
bequeath your kingdom. As an alternative, you would like a Church which
allowed you to appoint your own chosen successor. (Of course, if you could
find a way to become Immortal, or able to Reincarnate, or Deified, or
Sanctified, or in some other such way to obviate the need for a successor,
that would be all to the good).
And finally, you cannot be certain of Jarngror the Killer's loyalty to
yourself. He betrayed his own comrades in joining your side: this does not
auger well for his constancy. You have heard rumours that he is conspiring
with his fellow Eastern Boyars, and withholding parts of your Royal taxes
for his own purposes.
* Ideally, you would like to learn that these allegations are false. If
true, you might need to send your own men to arrest your (former) Royal
Champion. This would require at least a hundred knights, and possibly more
(if he is on good form, or has been forewarned).
Timms is a rebellious land, which was formerly (and rightfully!) a county of
Jonatela, brought into the kingdom by your grandfather and only severed from
it by the Sundering. For the last seven years you have been campaigning
ceaselessly, reducing castles on its borders and generally paving the way
for invasion. Now, at last, you are ready to make your move... if you can
spare the troops from your other designs.
* Ideally, you would like to order an invasion of Timms; your forces are in
place, and an attack would require at least 500 knights to succeed.
Oranor is a densely-forested barbarian kingdom to the south-west of your
realm. You have been courting the eligible pagan heiress, Princess Valinessa
of Oranor, for three years: marriage to her would bring control over the
strategic passes that lead over the Mountains of Oranor to Junora and
Loskalm.
* Ideally, you would like to marry Valinessa. With control over the passes,
you could send raiding parties through either or both of them. Striking by
surprise, these could inflict considerable damage to the Kingdom of War's
possessions in Junora, or to the peaceful heartlands of the Kingdom of
Loskalm. You would have to send at least 100 troops on each such raid, and
would have to decide if they were attacking military positions or carrying
off moveable wealth.
* Failing that (if spurned, or if marriage proves impossible), you could
send a party of 100 or more knights to raid Oranor. (Without the passes,
Loskalm would be beyond your range, while Junora would have to be invaded
outright through the lowlands rather than raided by surprise).
Junora is a weak land of petty states and cities, most of whom were
originally part of Jonatela I the past. You wish to return these cities to
the Jonatelan kingdom. You can do this by direct military invasion, by
strengthening your control over the Syanoran Church (to which some of these
states belong), or indeed by allying to Junoran states in order to get your
foot in the door.
* Ideally, you would like to liberate the city states from the Kingdom of
War. To liberate one city state would require 500 knights.
Arrolia appears strong and united, but you realise that this may be
deceptive. Certainly, any realm led by women should be ripe for the taking.
You have never previously threatened them directly, and they may not suspect
that you covet the wealth of their rich trading cities and fertile
farmlands.
* Ideally, if opportunity presents, you would like to order raids or an
invasion of Arrolia. Raids would need at least 100 knights to succeed. An
invasion of Arrolia would need at least 500 knights, and possibly more -
such a force should be able to sack one of their chief cities.
The Kingdom of War is a land which came into being during the Sundering,
which is wholly devoted to the pursuit of war, rape, pillage, and
destruction. Their army is led by a madman, and officered by psychopaths; it
claims to worship a hundred different Gods of War. As they have never
opposed or confronted your designs, it seems easiest to leave them well
alone. The tendency of their expansion has ever been through Junora towards
Loskalm: Perfe fell five years ago, followed by Molene, and last year
Salisor (the armies of Loskalm proved themselves ineffectual in this fight,
a heartening sign for your future plans). Now Einpor is under siege, and the
best knights of Loskalm will stand or fall with that city. If it should
fall, all Junora would be within the domain of War, with Loskalm just
beyond. Why provoke them at this crucial juncture? Secretly, you fear the
Kingdom of War. It would be an act of supreme bravery for you to commit
yourself to the battle against their own forces.
* Ideally, you would like to become a liberating Hero loved by all the
people of Fronela, by committing all the forces of Jonatela to a high
crusade against their evil army. Realistically, though, you would need a
massive amount of persuasion, both political and spiritual, to overcome your
wholly justified fears of the Kingdom of War.
Loskalm. This kingdom is your traditional mortal enemy. When the Kingdom of
War is no more then Loskalm is sure to still be there and opposed to
Jonatela. Both you and Loskalm claim the lands of Junora. Conflict is
inevitable sooner or later.
* Ideally, you would like Loskalm and the Kingdom of War to fight each other
to a standstill. Then the fresh armies of Jonatela could drive their way
through both all the way to the Neleomi Sea. However, first of all Loskalm
and the Kingdom of War must come to blows. Up to now they have only been
skirmishing.
You have sent your Boyar, Ungor the Unwashed, ahead of you to pave the way. He will set up audiences with the various churches and report on their pro's and con's. He is also empowered to represent you in any political negotiations - you are eager to see how he copes.
WHO YOU KNOW Donalari, Bishop of Timms: A woman bishop, who you hear has denounced you from the pulpit. A bishop of the rebellious County of Timms she can be regarded as an enemy of the kingdom.
Jarngror the Killer [NPC]: Jarngror, your blood-brother and Royal Champion, is a veritable giant of a man. His normal speaking voice is a low growl, terrifying enough to make your enemies weak at the knees. Fortunately, you are usually seated when he has cause to speak in court... If truth be told, you are somewhat afraid of this man. He now dwells in an ancient stronghold towards the Oranor March, and exerts a reign of terror over the surrounding countryside, plundering foreign merchants and crushing local outlaws even-handedly.
Notslor, Holy Monk: A native of Jonatela, this man is felt by many to be a true Holy Saint. A dangerous fanatic, of course, who enthralled Queen Undrika with his burning eyes and hypnotic presence. The fate of your poor son Dumi demonstrates that he is not to be trusted. Was he in league with the Syanoran Church? Only their pawn Bogdan now lives...
Ungor the Unwashed: A loyal Eastern Boyar detached from Jarngror's service to pave the way for you at the Council. Ungor is ambitious and you are sure that you can trust him for as long as he feels there is gain in following your cause. However, you must be wary of him as he may secretly be serving, and plotting with, Jarngror to usurp your throne.
Zalpthir the Wise: A mewling milksop of a man, who oozes pious platitudes to further corrupt the thoughts of your Queen. You wonder if he is her lover. You have ordered Ungor to watch him for treachery.
RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES You have an essentially secular attitude towards religion of any type. You look primarily to the advantage that will accrue to yourself, as King, from whichever form of religion you eventually align yourself with.
RUMOURS
CRISIS OF FAITH [SEALED] What means all this fiddle-faddle, this tittle-tattle, these empty words you say? Jonat, my ancestor, had no time for foolish talk like this! Jonat, my ancestor, was a strong man, a brave man: he worshipped the true Gods, not this weak-willed milksop Malkion, whose sorcerers speak all words and no sense. He knew true priests: strong men, brave men, not these cowards in womens' robes who mutter in corners and plot against their King. I spit on your Malkionism! I call to the Old Gods, the Strong Gods: Grandfather Aulo; Grandmother Frona; my mighty Father, Rathor the Bear-God: these will make my Kingdom great! These will give me victory over Loskalm!
(Renounce Malkionism. You will not join any Malkioni Church, and can freely disregard your own Bishop's opinions)
AUTHORS' NOTES ON JONATELA The Kingdom of Jonatela contains 1,800,000 human souls. At present, these divide as follows:
Western Eastern Karstall TOTAL
Syanoran Church 500,000 100,000 100,000 700,000 Henotheist Church - 150,000 - 150,000 Notionally Malkioni 200,000 50,000 - 250,000 Uncommitted, semi-Pagan 300,000 100,000 - 400,000 Hard-core Pagans 100,000 200,000 - 300,000 TOTAL 1,100,000 600,000 100,000 1,800,000
Archbishop Zalpthir the Wise has a flock of 300,000 Syanoran believers in
Western Jonatela.
The population of Karstall forms one Syanoran Bishopric. There are three
other Syanoran Bishoprics in Jonatela, two in the West and one in the East.
Nick
:::: web: <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Nick_Brooke>
End of The Glorantha Digest V6 #91
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