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Welcome to James Kemp's Wiki
This is a collaborative web platform that allows people to edit1) the web pages to provide additional content for some of the stories I have written and the roleplaying games that I am involved in, whether as a player or GM.
There are several namespaces operating slightly different wiki subjects. These are, in no particular order:
- Skyss - Story Background - a fantasy novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2016.
- Perfects - background for the near future story and some police roleplaying that I ran in that universe
- Theocracy of Daprav - A D&D campaign that I ran with Glasgow University Games Society around 2002-3.
- Jim Wallman's Universe - a roleplaying by e-mail campaign that I play in, this is an unofficial wiki and none of it is canon unless Jim says it is.
- Interstellar Freelance Unlimited - subset of the Universe pages covering the activities of a mercenary company that we are currently roleplaying every Full Moon.
- Earth Imperium pages. These cover the activities of the Government of the Solar republic (aka Earth Empire) in Jim's Humanity Will Prevail campaign, including the Earth Imperium News Items.
- Free Worlds Alliance - covering the activities of another emerging polity in the Humanity Will Prevail campaign. Mostly contributed by Eric Moroney.
- Universe Background - page collecting the various bits of background info that have come up in various e-mail discussions for the campaigns set in Jim Wallman's Universe.
- Master map of the Universe (6Mb PDF, as at 3212).
- Delta Green - some roleplaying campaigns about horror and conspiracy. The main one was set in Berlin in 1953.
- Free games rules - a collection of free rules for wargames and other sorts of face to face games that I have designed or run.
- Wargames rules - I'm not just a player of games, I also do rules for them from time to time as well as one-off games. A primary outlet for this is through Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Other free rules - at the moment just those for the 1689 (Orange or Lemon? and Bonnie Dundee, respectively about the debates in the Scots Parliament and then the military campaign of Viscount Dundee during 1689) and The Other Side of the COIN (about what makes people become insurgents). All games that I have have produced for Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Background for a near future universe where I have written some fiction and also run some roleplaying games in.
Comments and complaints to me at webmaster@full-moon.info please.
James Kemp
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The Old Gods of Dael Riata
Summary
The spiritual landscape of the Grand Duchy of Dael Riata is defined by a transition from primal, animistic tribal worship to a more structured pantheon influenced by the Nine Gods of Skyss. Given that Dael Riatan culture is rooted in tribal raiding, seafaring, and bloodfeuds—reminiscent of the ancient Picts—their “Old Gods” are likely chthonic, elemental, and deeply tied to the specific geography of the Continent of Osnines. Whilst the Skyssians worship the Nine in a civilised, mercantile context, the Daels maintain a “Sept of the Spear”—seven primary deities (or perhaps a Daelian variant of the Nine) who represent the harsher realities of the North.
The Primal Nine: the old Daelian Pantheon
In accordance with Gudrid’s Prophecy, which speaks of “Sacrifice to the old gods” and “blood in rivers,” the Daelian pantheon is visceral and demands physical tokens of loyalty.
| Deity Name | Daelian Title | Domain & Attributes | Noble House Affinity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uisde-Maer | The Maiden of the Maer | Goddess of the Turbulent Strait, shipwrecks, and salvage. She is the patron of those navigating the dangerous Easter Isles. | House Murchadh |
| Sithech-Mhor | The Great Wolf | God of the Deep Woods, silence, and the “Timber Tax.” He oversees the forests of the River Aodh | House Sithech |
| Ahearn-Arigh | The Stallion of the Steppe | God of horse breeding, swift travel, and the Great West Road. | House Ahearn |
| Gil-Frijdr | The Iron Father | A harsher aspect of Frijdodr. God of the forge, smelting, and the industrialisation of Dalmuir. | House Gilruary |
| Ran-Fafn | The King of Justified Blood | An ancient version of Fafnir. God of bloodfeuds, “blood money,” and the high justice of the Crown. | House Ranald |
| Siol-Corn | The Horned Watcher | God of hidden paths, fairy-blood, and the Unicorn Troop. | House Sioltach |
| Suibh-Auna | The Hearth-Mother | Goddess of hospitality, the “door drink,” and the sacred rules of hosting. | House Suibhne |
| Malf-Inis | The Lady of the Dark Cape | A primal aspect of Malfin. Goddess of the “dark time” (winter) and the preservation of smoked fish. | General Devotion |
| Kari-Vahr | The Sea-Reaper | God of raiding, the “Flower of Skyss,” and the taking of prizes under letters of marque. | General Devotion |
Theological Characteristics and Cultural Alignment
The Daelian faith differs from the Skyssian orthodoxy in its emphasis on the “Sinews of War” and the transactional nature of divinity. Animism and Sacred Groves are ancient traditions, the Daels believe that specific spirits inhabit the mountains of the Dipthorn Range. This is why the University of Dalreoch is sited outside the city to avoid disturbing the ancient spirits of the Reoch with dangerous transmutation experiments. The old gods of raiding are being re-interpreted as gods of “market making” and commercial dominance. Blood as Currency: The Daelian gods do not merely require prayer; they require “blood in rivers”. This justifies the continuity of the bloodfeud system, which serves as a religious mechanism for settling accounts between noble houses.
Effect of Industrialisation on Worship
The rise of the 400-tonne Daelian Caravel has elevated the status of Gil-Frijdr (The Iron Father). The scrupulous standardisation of parts at Dalmuir is seen by the Daelian Clerks as a form of ritual geometry. By sponsoring chairs at the University of Dalreoch, the Earl of Dalmuir has essentially created a “Technological Priesthood,” where naval architecture is the highest form of service to the Old Gods.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: The “Senior Arbiter” who mediates between the laws of the Nine and the old tribal ways.
- Earl of Dalmuir: The industrial pioneer transforming the worship of Frijdodr into a state engine.
- Sir Iain Alpin: Commander of the Life Guard, representing the veteran, professionalised face of Daelian devotion.
Places
- University of Dalreoch: The academic hub where old myths are scrutinised and naval engineering is perfected.
- Dalmuir: The world's most productive shipyard and the primary temple to Dael Riatan industrial might.
- Easter Isles: The ancient heart of the raider economy and the primary seat of Uisde-Maer.
Fall of the Ruary Dynasty
Summary
The Ruary dynasty, known as the “Red Kings,” was the second family to rule Dael Riata, succeeding the founding Riata line. The dynasty collapsed in 528 following the death of Ruaridh X, leading to nineteen years of civil war and the eventual rise of the Ranald dynasty.
History
The fall of the Ruary dynasty, also known as the “Red Kings,” was a transformative and violent period in Daelian history that spanned nineteen years of conflict following the death of the last male monarch in 528. While the dynasty's end is often summarised as a simple lack of an heir, the histories reveal a complex web of internal betrayal, secret plots, and foreign intervention.
The Death of Ruaridh X
The dynasty formally ended in the male line with the death of Ruaridh X in the spring of 528. While some records suggest a natural end to the line, others indicate a more sinister collapse. The Sioltach family (the Earls of Duffjord) played a significant, though largely secret, role in the dynasty's downfall. Warned by the Fae that the Ruary era was ending, the Sioltach began funding alliances and supporting pirates on the Eastern Isles to undermine royal authority. They eventually supported a group of plotters who successfully deposed the old King. To avoid an immediate civil war, the Sioltach then turned on the very plotters they had supported, ensuring they were punished for the deposition.
The Role of Iain Gilruary
A pivotal factor in the dynasty's fall was the defection of Iain Gilruary, a younger son of Ruaridh IX. Before the wars, Iain was a prominent figure in the royal household and served as the Chancellor of the University of Dalreoch. When Fearchar Ranald began building a coalition to claim the throne, he recognized that he needed Ruary legitimacy to succeed. He persuaded Iain Gilruary to join his cause. Iain’s support was particularly valuable because he was married to the third daughter of the “old King”, providing a direct link to the dying dynasty.
In exchange for his support and the legitimisation of the Ranald claim, Iain Gilruary was created the first Earl of Dalmuir and granted lands that had previously belonged to the Sithech clan, who had refused to support the Ranald claim. This created the House Gilruary, the only surviving cadet branch of the Ruary line.
Foreign Intervention and Civil War (529-547)
Following the dynastic collapse the vacuum left by the Ruarys triggered a foreign crisis. In the autumn of 529, King Edmund I of Berenicia, a cousin of the Ruary kings, invaded Dael Riata to press his own claim to the throne. This intervention sparked the nineteen year long Wars of Independence. The threat from Berenicia served as the catalyst that eventually united the Dael Riatans. Fearchar and Alasdair Ranald successfully unified the warring tribes and noble houses against the southern invaders. During this time, other powerful families joined the Ranald coalition; notably, Malcolm Murchadh (the 1st Earl of Uisdean) allied with the Ranalds in 530 in exchange for the legitimisation of his status.
The Rise of the Ranalds
Fearchar Ranald and his brother Alasdair successfully consolidated power by 547, ending the wars of independence. Most of the ancestral Ruary lands went directly to the Ranalds as the new Sovereign line. Other families who supported the coalition, such as the Sioltach and Murchadh, were rewarded with earldoms and lands previously held by Ruary loyalists. While the male line was gone, Ruary blood continued through the female line. The daughters and granddaughters of the Ruary kings were married into the noble families of the Ranald coalition to further legitimise the new order.
Relationships
People
- Ruaridh X: The final King of the Ruary dynasty who died without a male heir.
- Iain Gilruary: The Ruary bastard whose support secured the Ranald succession.
- Fearchar Ranald: The first King of the Ranald dynasty.
- Alasdair Ranald: The current Sovereign and descendant of the coalition leaders.
- Murdo Sioltach: A descendant of the clan that secretly plotted for the Ruary downfall.
Places
- University of Dalreoch: The institution once led by the Ruary bastard Iain Gilruary.
- Dalmuir: The seat granted to the Ruary cadet branch following the civil war.
- Caer Riata: The ancient capital and former seat of the Ruary kings.
- Dael Riata: The kingdom reshaped by the dynastic transition.
Shipbuilding in Dael Riata
Summary
Shipbuilding is the technological and economic engine of Dael Riata. Through the pioneering work of the Earls of Dalmuir, the kingdom has moved from artisanal construction to an industrialised “pattern” system, producing the fastest and largest merchant and war vessels in the known world.
Description
Industrial Innovation
Daelian shipyards, particularly those in Dalmuir, have achieved global dominance by standardising components and construction designs. This system allows for parallel processing: while one team lays a keel, others pre-cut ribs and planking to established templates. This has reduced the build time for elite vessels, such as the Daelian Raider, to as little as three months.
The 400-ton Merchant Class
The 400-ton merchant ship represents the forefront of naval engineering. These massive caravels are too large for oars and rely on complex three-mast rigging.
Launch Timeline (Dalmuir Prototypes):
- Prototype 1: Keel laid Spring 766; launched Spring 769.
- Prototypes 2 & 3: Keels laid Summer/Autumn 766; launched 769.
- Prototype 4: Started Summer 768; completed Winter 769 (17-month build time).
By 774, Dalmuir alone had produced 30 of these hulls. The only other shipyards capable of matching this scale are located in Dalreoch, Duffjordhead, and Kronstadt in Skyss.
Primary Shipyards
- Dalmuir: The foremost shipyard in the world, featuring 8 elite 400-ton slipways. It is fed by high-quality timber from the forests of the River Aodh.
- Duffjordhead: A dedicated centre for shipbuilding owned by House Sioltach, featuring 2 elite 400-ton slipways.
- Dalreoch: The capital's yards focus on both new construction and servicing foreign vessels, operating 1 elite 400-ton slipway and several 300-ton and 200-ton bays.
Relationships
People
- Ian Gilruary: The 1st Earl of Dalmuir, whose interest in practical knowledge established the foundation for Daelian naval dominance.
- Earsaid Alpin: The Reader of Naval Engineering at the University of Dalreoch, currently researching improved hull designs.
- King Alasdair V: Patron of the shipyards whose personal rule has focused on expanding the royal merchant fleet.
Places
- Dalmuir: The industrial heart of Daelian shipbuilding.
- University of Dalreoch: Proposed site for the new Chair of Naval Engineering.
- Kronstadt: The Skyssian capital and primary competitor to Daelian shipyards.
Tatù
| Gender | Hero | Allegiance | Role | Apparent Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | No | Linden/Spuetan | Political Theorist | 200 years deceased |
Stories/Function
Tatù is a political theorist whose works focus on the practical maintenance of power. His writings are essential study for administrators and the Royal Household, providing a pragmatic counterpoint to the more abstract philosophies of Elenchus.
Description
In contrast to the ancient philosophers, Tatù is a relatively recent figure. He originated from the city of Linden but died approximately 200 years ago in exile in Chep_Prium (located in modern Spuetan).
Tatù's rise to power in Linden was achieved through the use of mercenary companies. However, he was eventually deposed by those same mercenaries and forced into exile. It was during his time in Chep Prium that he wrote his most famous works, intended as advice for future sovereigns to help them avoid the downfall and betrayal he had experienced. His philosophy is defined by “armed diplomacy” and ruthless efficiency. He taught that warfare should only be conducted for specific political advantages and that negotiation is only effective when backed by military strength.
Core Positions:
- Ruthless Efficiency: “Never leave a live enemy behind you.”
- Political War: The sole purpose of war is to achieve a specific political advantage.
- Armed Diplomacy: Diplomacy must be backed by a strong arm to be effective.
Personal Life
Tatù was notoriously scandalous during his lifetime. He was known for having a vast number of lovers, both male and female, and his career was punctuated by numerous sexual scandals. He reportedly fathered an innumerable number of children, many of whom were unacknowledged or scattered across the city-states of the central sea. His personal life is often used as a cautionary tale by traditionalists, even as his political theories are embraced by the state.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: His pragmatic theories on power influence the King’s strong central control.
- Elenchus: The ancient philosopher whose focus on ignorance stands in opposition to Tatù's focus on power.
- The Mercenaries of Linden: The forces that both placed him in power and eventually deposed him.
Places
- Linden: His home city where he rose to power.
- Chep_Prium: The site of his exile and death.
- Spuetan: The modern nation containing Chep Prium.
- University of Dalreoch: Where his political and alchemical theories are studied.
Elenchus
| Gender | Hero | Allegiance | Role | Apparent Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | No | Ancient Ashium | Philosopher | Ancient |
Stories/Function
Elenchus serves as the foundational intellectual pillar for higher education in Dael Riata. His teachings form the basis of the “less dangerous arts” curriculum at the University of Dalreoch and the University of Caer Riata. As an “Ancient Socratic Figure,” his primary narrative function is to represent the classical academic tradition that shapes the minds of the Daelian nobility, including King Alasdair V and Diarmid Murchadh.
Description
Elenchus was an ancient philosopher hailing from the early civilisations of the warmer regions surrounding the central sea. His era predates the established histories of the northern kingdoms, placing him in a semi-legendary past.
The fundamental basis of Elenchist thought is the assertion that absolute knowledge is impossible. He taught that human perception is inherently limited and that true wisdom does not come from the accumulation of facts, but from the recognition of one's own limitations. According to Elenchus, acknowledging one's own ignorance is the only valid path toward truth.
His teachings are characterised by a rigorous method of questioning, intended to strip away false certainties and reveal the underlying ignorance of the student. This pursuit of “self-knowledge” is a requirement for any student seeking a Master of Arts degree in the Daelian universities.
Core Aphorisms:
- “The only thing I can be certain of is that I do not know anything.”
- “The path to truth begins with the acknowledgement of ignorance.”
Personal Life
As an ancient figure, details involving Elenchus personal life are scant, little is known other than he was a prominent citizen in ancient Ashium. His legacy is entirely academic and spiritual. However, in modern politics, his philosophy is sometimes used as a shield by advisors and scholars who wish to avoid giving direct answers to the Sovereign, leading to the occasional dismissal of “Elenchist dodgery” by more pragmatic lords.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: A royal student of Elenchist philosophy during his university years.
- Diarmid Murchadh: A Master of Arts who studied Elenchus extensively at Dalreoch.
- Tatù: A modern political theorist whose pragmatic “armed diplomacy” often stands in stark contrast to Elenchist introspection.
Places
- University of Dalreoch: The primary centre for the study of the Elenchist tradition in the north.
- University of Caer Riata: An institution with a heavy focus on the divinity and philosophies inspired by Elenchus.
- Dael Riata: The kingdom where his cultural value on literacy and education remains a core tenet of society.
