UNGOR THE UNWASHED
Boyar of Jonatela
Age: thirtysomething
Disposition: Ambitious, Crude, Grasping
Characterisation: can you do a slavic accent?
Religious Affiliation: none
Political Affiliation: Jarngror the Killer, Champion of Jonatela
Council Votes: none
UNGOR'S BACKGROUND You are Ungor the Unwashed, a Boyar loyal to Jarngror the Killer, the former ruler of the Jonating Highlands and presently Royal Champion of King Congern. Like all the nobles of your homeland, you are a Jonating, related by blood to the great hero Jonat.
You do not follow any sect of Malkionism. Your ancestors were pagans, some of whom paid lip service to the doctrines of Malkion when it became expedient to do so (that is, when a strong king or powerful bishop commanded it). At home, you would offer sacrifices to Talor the Warrior, Father Bear, Grandfather Cloud, and Grandmother Earth. When you attend the royal court, you attend priestly ceremonies in Zalpthir's chapel, but do so with ill grace.
History:
You were born into the isolated realm of East Jonatela, a highland area where many of the locals still follow crude pagan ways. Over a century ago, the Wizards of Loskalm, alarmed at the rapid growth of Jonating power, cast a great Enchantment known as the Sundering over the whole of Jonatela. This created impenetrable borders separating the different parts of the Kingdom from one another. In consequence, the eastern half of the Kingdom was isolated, and you grew up in a feuding highland realm where rival Boyars constantly warred upon one another. Until a dozen years ago, your lord Jarngror was the most powerful man in the realm, its King in all but name. Then the barriers to the western half of the Kingdom fell, and the armies of Congern, King of West Jonatela, surged through.
His victory was not immediate. For over a year, Jarngror the Killer led a faction of highland nobles opposed to the King. In the end, however, he recognised that he could not hold out forever against their superior forces. Laying down his arms, he swore blood-brotherhood and joined Congern's side as his Royal Champion, handing over those of his former allies who still resisted Congern's justice. You profited by this betrayal, winning large estates from those less fortunate than yourself. Since that surrender, Congern has ruled the whole of Old Jonatela. Jarngror, meanwhile, has been given command of a fortress dominating the Oranor March, well away from his Eastern homelands - no need to ask whether Congern is keeping a careful eye on his former rival.
Recent Events:
As if to celebrate Congern's triumph, almost all that remained of the Sundering was swept aside, and the united armies of Jonatela were unleashed upon the outside world. For the past eight years, the forces of Jonatela have reduced enemy castles and invaded rebellious counties. In the summer of 1624, you were in the vanguard of the victorious advance into Karstall, and gained great booty from ransoms and plunder. Much of this, however, was lost to the King's new Taxes. Because he is strong, Congern now demands that half of all monies taken in ransom should be remitted to the Crown. But because he cannot know everything, this Tax is ignored by all the Boyars, except when they are serving in the Royal Army of Jonatela under the King's own eyes. You and Jarngror are no exceptions to this rule. Hey, the King wants to have cunning, intelligent followers, doesn't he?
The Prisoner:
Jarngror the Killer rules over the Oranor March as a robber baron, in the grand old Jonating tradition. He has recently given his "hospitality" to an eccentric elderly knight of Loskalm. The doddering old fellow came riding through the Marches of Oranor bearing the blank shield of a new-made knight, as white as his own beard, and accompanied by but a single squire. He was fool enough to accept an invitation into Jarngror's hall.
When told that he would be held as a hostage until a ransom was paid, he demanded the right to fight for his freedom - against the most feared warlord of Jonatela! Jarngror, always happy to be amused, agreed and they fought across the hall. However, the old fellow proved to be a handful for Jarngror and he was even beginning to win the fight. Therefore, you and your comrades jumped him and quickly overpowered him, clapped him in chains and confined him in the deep, dank dungeons of Jarngror's castle. When he realised his predicament, the knight said his name was Sir Kentegurn of Easval, and that his liege lord, Prince Vadalon of Tawars, would pay a ransom of a thousand gold crowns for his safe return. Jarngror agreed and sent the squire back to arrange this.
The squire has not returned and you have been given the job by Jarngror of contacting Vadalon and getting the ransom at the Ecclesiastical Council. Jarngror has told you that he wants the 1,000 crowns and no excuses. However, you have been given some homing pigeons to send messages in case of difficulties and to make the exchange. (Go to the Librarian referee if you need to send messages.)
The King's Representative:
You have been sent ahead of the king to be his representative at the Council. Congern is expected to arrive sometime on Clayday. In the meantime you must represent him and do his bidding.
Firstly, you must investigate all of the potential religions he could join and arrange audiences for Congern to have with their leaders (beginning at 18.30 hours). The religions chosen must allow divorce and re-marriage! You are to make lists of pros and cons about each religion and report your findings to Congern. Congern has stressed that your well-being is dependant on doing this minor task!
Secondly, you are to keep an eye on Zalpthir the Wise, the Bishop of Okarnia. He is the leader of the Syanoran Church that Congern wishes to leave. Congern suspects that Zalpthir is plotting against him with Bishop Donalari of Timms. You must observe and give a full report.
Lastly, remember that you are the king's representative and able to make decisions in his absence. You are to carry yourself with tact and decorum and not sully the good name of the King and Jonatela. Nor are you to ignore any threats to Jonatela or any potential alliances.
THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES
POLITICAL OBJECTIVES
WHO YOU KNOW King Congern: Jarngror is stronger in person than the King, but Congern has a larger army and will always win.
Donalari, Bishop of Timms: This unusual man is from one of the weak counties to the north, which were crushed many years ago by the might of Jonatela. They were freed during the Sundering and now King Congern's armies are poised for invasion and reconquest. He should be regarded as an enemy.
Jarngror the Killer [NPC]: Jarngror, your lord 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. If truth be told, you are somewhat afraid of your lord. Congern has given him an ancient stronghold towards the Oranor March, from which he exerts a reign of terror over the surrounding countryside, plundering foreign merchants and crushing local outlaws even-handedly. However, now you suspect he is weak.
Notslor, Holy Monk: A fanatical Malkioni priest who visited Okarnia some years ago and performed a strange rite for the King's sickly son, Dumi. It was unsuccessful and you know that the king is greatly angered by this - perhaps Notslor purposely killed Dumi so that the Church's pawn would succeed?
Vadalon, Prince of Tawars: Apparently this man is rich and powerful in Loskalm. Your lord Jarngror looks to you to extract the largest possible ransom from him. If you can somehow get a larger ransom and pocket the difference then the money would be very useful.
Zalpthir the Wise: A mewling milksop of a man, who oozes pious platitudes to further corrupt the thoughts of Congern's Queen. He may also be a traitor to Jonatela.
RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES You have no great respect for religions of any type. Your King has instructed you to discover what advantage, if any, would accrue to him from aligning himself with any of the various sects at the Council.
OTHER ATTITUDES Faith
You have zero faith as you are a worshipper of pagan deities. If you are challenged to a Test of Faith then ask them what they wish to argue about. If it is castes then take great joy in telling them all of the horrible tortures they use on peasants and sorcerers in your country. If it is Tapping then tell them all about blood rituals of Father Bear where a man's essence is taken from him through his cries of pain and by drinking his blood. If it is about women then laugh uproariously at them, and tell them that you never argue about women - you just take them!
This should get rid of most clerics. Otherwise, just tell them you're not interested.
Civilisation
You despise the effeminate ways of "civilised" countries. They have lost their edge and they are weak and contemptible. The Jonatings are strong because they have stayed in the mountains and remained a hardy breed of warriors who are not weakened by civilised concepts such as chivalry, honour, or taking baths.
These civilised countries are, in fact, all ripe for the plucking!
RUMOURS
Nick
:::: web: <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Nick_Brooke>
End of The Glorantha Digest V6 #90
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