Table of Contents
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
Tag Cloud
Recent Additions
Caer Suibhne
Caer Suibhne is the ancestral seat of the Suibhne family, the Earls of Douglas. Situated within the mainland of Dael Riata, it is historically regarded as neutral ground suitable for high-level noble negotiations.
Stories
Caer Suibhne is in the story “The King's Peace”
- First appears - “The King's Peace,” a standalone short story detailing Dael Riatan politics
- Function: The castle serves as the primary setting for the climax of the story, where a diplomatic dinner intended to secure the “King's Peace” turns into the infamous massacre of the Murchadh leadership.
Description
Caer Suibhne rises from a rocky island in the middle of a fast flowing section of the River Douglas. The main keep is built directly out of the rock, surrounded on all sides by fast flowing water. Over generations the rocks in the river have been artfully placed to make any attempt to cross in boats very dangerous. There’s a wider curtain wall around Caer Suibhne, enclosing a small township of those that support the keep. It sits mostly on the Northeastern bank of the river, and is joined to the keep by a wooden bridge, which raises overnight. There is no safe access to Caer Suibhne other than through the bridge. Either side of the castle the hills are steep, and the ground uneven on them. The only way to progress further up river is to pass by the castle itself, or under the fall of shot from the catapults on the battlements, or the archers stationed beside them. A small battery on the Northwestern cliff ensures that nothing could sneak by. That battery is even more impregnable than the keep of Caer Suibhne, it sits atop a 200 foot sheer rock cliff, access is via a winding path that is in full view of the defenders and the main Keep. Heavier items, including provisions, are hauled up the rock by a rope windlass operated by the catapult crew and the guards.
Caer Suibhne is a substantial stone castle featuring a Great Hall dominated by a large fireplace with wood panelling and flagstone floors. The castle is large enough to contain multiple corridors patrolled by guards and dedicated royal apartments for visiting monarchs. During the events of 774, it was the site where the rules of hospitality, traditionally sacred to the Suibhne family, were bloodily violated when Domnhall Murchadh and his brother Fearchar were killed in the Great Hall.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Alasdair Suibhne: The 7th Earl of Douglas and the host of the fatal 774 negotiation.
- Alasdair V: The King of Dael Riata, who claimed the Murchadhs attempted to assassinate him in the castle.
- Iain Alpin: The King's Steward and Commander of the Lifeguard who executed the Murchadh brothers within the hall.
- Domnhall Murchadh: The 5th Earl of Uisdean, killed here by Alpin.
- Fearchar Murchadh: Brother to Domnhall, also killed during the negotiation.
- Mister Soutar: An official or castellan for the Earl of Douglas who manages castle retainers
Places
- Douglas: The Earldom where Caer Suibhne is located.
- Dael Riata: The Grand Duchy that encompasses the Suibhne lands.
Rules of Hospitality
The rules of hospitality are a foundational pillar of civilised behaviour within the Grand Duchy of Dael Riata. These customary laws apply across all social strata, though the burden of generosity increases significantly for the nobility and those higher in the social hierarchy.
Formalities of Hosting
The offering and receiving of hospitality are governed by strict protocols to ensure the safety and dignity of both parties:
- Authority to Offer: Only a householder or their designated steward has the formal authority to offer hospitality to a guest.
- Imposed Hosting: In certain circumstances, a local landowner may require a household to host guests. In these instances, the landowner is expected to compensate the household for any food or drink consumed and cover any damages incurred as if they were the primary host.
- Transactional Exceptions: These rules do not apply to commercial establishments like inns or guesthouses (such as the Water Gate in Dalreoch), where hospitality is considered transactional rather than a civic or moral duty.
- Short Visits: A visitor may stay in a house for business without invoking these rules, provided they refuse all food and drink. Once a guest accepts even a small morsel or a drink, the full weight of the rules of hospitality is deemed to apply.
Expectations and Obligations
While there is a general expectation that hospitality will be provided—especially since most of the country lacks formal inns—it is not an absolute requirement.
Grounds for Refusal
A host may legitimately refuse a traveller under specific conditions:
- If the host lacks sufficient food to feed the guest without skipping a meal themselves (though this rarely applies to the armed or noble classes).
- If a bloodfeud exists between the host and the prospective guest.
- If the presence of the guest creates an immediate risk of the house being raided.
- If the guest refuses to agree to abide by the formal rules.
- If there is a dedicated guesthouse for strangers nearby.
Conduct of the Guest
A guest is under a sacred obligation to “keep the peace” while under a host's roof.
- Prohibition of Violence: Guests must not bring violence to the house or engage in conflict with anyone else present, whether they were invited or not.
- Duration of Protection: The obligation to maintain the peace extends beyond the physical stay, lasting until noon on the day after the guest leaves the house.
- Etiquette: Guests must wait for the host to offer facilities, such as food or water for washing, before helping themselves. A “good host” is expected to anticipate these needs, providing sleeping quarters and a fire if the weather is cold or damp.
Fugitives and Pursuit
If a guest is a fugitive and their pursuers arrive, the host is expected to remain strictly neutral. The host should not shelter the guest from the pursuers, nor should they actively hand the guest over. The proper etiquette is for the host to insist the guest leaves immediately, though a good host will not mention the guest's presence to the pursuers. Guests should ideally leave early enough to reach another host before sunset.
Historical Breaches
The violation of these rules is considered a grave offense, often leading to deep-seated resentment and civil unrest.
- The Murchadh Precedent: The Murchadh family held these rules in such high regard that they famously hanged one of their own lieutenants for breaking hospitality.
The Water Gate Inn
The Water Gate is a bustling inn and boarding establishment located in the capital city of Dalreoch. It serves as a vital hub for visitors, traders, and noble entourages, particularly during major events like royal weddings.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears - “Arrivals,” a narrative set five days prior to the wedding of King Alasdair V.
- Function: The establishment acts as a center for intelligence gathering and a base of operations for Aodh MacAodh, who uses his staff to collect information on city happenings and noble movements for his clients. It also provides a “safe house” for holding individuals away from the City Watch.
Description
The Water Gate is situated on the banks of the River Reoch, near the North Bridge and adjacent to the Berenician Embassy. Its most notable feature is a private jetty that sees significant action, as it allows for the transport of goods and people from upstream while bypassing the formal customs checks located in the Merchant City. The establishment is large enough to feature an Earl's suite, capable of housing a noble's entire family and household staff. It includes several distinct areas:
- The Main Inn: Known for being “mobbed” during peak times, with every bed filled and extra ones frequently knocked together to meet demand.
- Side Rooms: Used for private or clandestine business, such as holding the unconscious Iain Black.
- Side Door: Provides a discreet entrance for those wishing to avoid the main thoroughfares.
The inn operates on a transactional basis, meaning the strict Daelian rules of hospitality do not apply as they would in a private home; guests pay for their stay, and the proprietor is known to charge double the usual rate during periods of high scarcity.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Aodh MacAodh: The shrewd proprietor who manages the inn and runs an extensive informer network.
- Fast Earsaid: A staff member and enforcer who assists Aodh with building maintenance and “security” tasks.
- Mairi and Helena: Workers at the inn who, during the royal wedding preparations, assist noble guests with dressmaking and tailoring.
- The Earl's Steward: An unnamed official who receives gathered intelligence from Aodh regarding who is in town and what they are up to.
- Iain Black: The bastard son of the King's Steward, who was held at the Water Gate after being drugged with “distilled dragonmouth”.
Places
Dalreoch
Dalreoch is the capital city of Dael Riata and serves as the seat of the Ranald dynasty. It is the largest city in the realm, with a population estimated at over 25,000 residents. Situated on the River Reoch, the city is a vital hub for a flourishing trade network that connects the Kingdom with Bernicia and the Skyssian Isles.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears - it is the setting for the short story called 'Wedding Party', and possibly intended to form part of the setting for a story provisionally titled 'Heirs'.
Description
Dalreoch is a not quite coastal city, on the river estuary of the River Reoch it was built on a rocky outcrop in the delta. Given the violent nature of Daelian history Dalreoch has multiple curtain walls around the King's Keep, the old town, the merchant city, and an outer bailey. Over the main channel from the dock is a forest actively managed for building ships. Several shipyards line one of the channels, known as 'the yards'.
There is a well established university on an island between the 'College Stream' and the Main Channel. Many of the nobles of Dael Riata have been educated there, and the 'Library Annex' is one of Dalreoch's notable taverns, famed for the quality of its wines - most of which are imported from southern cottalem through the university's ancient links with the University of Dacidade.
The city is divided into several distinct districts, each serving a specific economic or social function:
- The Merchant City: This bustling commercial sector is separated from the main city walls by fields used for livestock and is the first area encountered when traveling from the main docks.
- Old Dalreoch: Accessed through the Old West Gate, this historic district features three-story houses with ground-floor shops and narrow, winding streets.
- The Inner Bailey: The administrative heart of the city, containing an impressive stone square with pillars, statues, and the King's Keep.
- The Waterfront: A “forest of masts” characterizes the riverfront, where ships dock four deep at various jetties to unload goods and passengers.
Landmarks and Institutions
Dalreoch is home to several of the most significant structures in Dael Riata:
- The King's Keep: Originally a defensive fortification, it was rebuilt by Alasdair II as a grand palace featuring four turrets topped with golden domes and green royal flags.
- University of Dalreoch: Located on an island downstream from the city center, this institution is renowned for its library and its expertise in the “dangerous arts,” such as fire and transmutation.
- The River Fort: A massive defensive battery guarding the entrance to the River Reoch, equipped with catapults capable of launching heated iron shot at hostile vessels.
- Skyssian Board of Trade: A prominent, bright blue building with a matching flag, marking the center of foreign commercial interests in the capital.
Security and Governance
The city is governed directly by the Grand Duke of Reoch, a title currently held by King Alasdair V. Order is maintained by several military and civil bodies:
- The City Watch: Constables who patrol major thoroughfares like Gallows Street to test shutters and maintain the curfew.
- The City Guard: A formal military unit recognized by their green shields with a red diagonal stripe.
- The King's Lifeguard: An elite veteran force commanded by Sir Iain Alpin, distinguished by green enamelled breastplates featuring a gold stag.
Social and Economic Life
Dalreoch is the primary engine of the Dael Riatan economy, fueled by royal duties on maritime trade. Trade: The city exports timber, stone, and skilled sailors while importing luxury goods such as silk, pearls, and emeralds.
Local Establishments: Popular gathering spots include The Drum, an inn known for raucous carousing, and the Water Gate, which provides lodging for traders and visitors. Public Spaces: The Gallows Market serves as a site for both commerce and the enforcement of the King's justice, including public executions and royal proclamations.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata lives here
Places
There are several notable taverns in Dalreoch, the most famous of which are:
- The King's Head - the oldest site of a tavern, but was used as a courthouse and prison during the time of Alasdair I.
- The Library Annex - out near the university, and a popular haunt of academics
- The Troll's Head - featuring an actual Troll Head on a pike above the main door
- The Drum - notable for the frequent brawls
- The Sore Heid - frequented by the Guild of Physicians
- New Bridge Inn - one of the older continuously open taverns in Dalreoch, although not the oldest location of a tavern.
- The Outside Inn - the second oldest tavern, just outside the Old West Gate.
- The Wonky Wheel - just inside the Merchant's Gate.
- The Bag O' Nails - on the Merchant's Road between the walls of the Merchant City and the Outer Bailey of Dalreoch.
- The Full Purse - next to the Exchange in the centre of the Merchant City, famed for some of the excessive drinking when successful deals have been done.
- The Bunch O' Grapes - just inside the Old North Gate, and a popular spot with the Barber Surgeons Guild.
- The Water Gate - the only tavern in Dalreoch to have its own gate and jetty, rumoured to have been involved in smuggling into and out of the city at times. It is run by Aodh MacAodh an infamous character. A favoured haunt of the gilruary clan when they're in the city. Often one of their ships can be seen moored against the wall.
- The Drovers' Rest - technically neither a tavern nor in the city, it lies over the river to the East on the road to the cattle market. However it hosts a lot of visiting drovers, and makes a convenient spot for those looking for cheaper accommodation.
Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata
Alasdair Ranald is the King of Dael Riata, and the fifth of that name. His mother Queen Caoimhe was the only child of Alasdair IV (reigned 700-739), and his father was a Skyssian merchant who spent some time in Dael Riata before escaping.
Titles
Alasdair Ranald holds several titles, including Grand Duke of Reoch, King of Dael Riata, and as such all the Earls of the Kingdom are expected to swear loyalty to him. He is a great grandson of King Harold VII of Bernicia (reigned 687-711, his grandmother was the second child. Alasdair V has a strong claim to the throne of Bernicia should the current Queen (Eleanor I - born 706, reigning since 756) die.
He is 20 years old (born 754), and is currently engaged to be married to Lady Elizabeth Wallis. She is the heir to the Earl of Stylet, the current secretary to the aging, and childless, Queen of Bernicia.
Size & Wealth
The Grand Duchy of Reoch is the largest realm within Dael Riata and it has some of the most fertile farmland. On top of that there are royal duties paid on trade that passes through the main ports. The capital is Dalreoch, the biggest city in the realm, with a population of around 25,000 and a flourishing trade network. It even has its own university.
Recent History
He has been King since he was three months old, and asserted his adulthood at the age of 15, having been through four regents in the time since his mother was forced to abdicate.
Since breaking free from the last of the regents (his second cousin Bhaltair Gilranald, Earl of Norpen, with whom he has a strong bond) Alasdair V has pacified the country and resolved the failure of fifth Earl of Uisdean to swear allegiance. The current, seventh, Earl of Uisdean has sworn an oath of allegiance, under duress as he claimed, after the threat of losing the family lands and extirpation being made.
Domnhall Murchadh and his brother Fearchar met the King and his Steward for a negotiation over dinner at Caer Suibhne, a neutral ground. The rules of hospitality were in force, and the Earl of Douglas was their host. After dinner the Suibhne family left the two parties to negotiate. Raised voices were heard, and the clash of steel. When the Earl of Douglas entered the great hall he found the King's Steward cleaning his sword, the King staunching blood from a wound to his face, and both of the Murchadh brothers dead on the floor, their drawn swords next to them. Alasdair V asserted that they'd tried to kill him, and only his Steward's swift defence had saved his life.
Allies, Friends & Lords
- Bhaltair Gilranald - A cadet branch and very loyal, although some have questions around how the previous Earl, Bhaltair, conducted himself as Regent. Alasdair himself is fiercely protective of his elder cousin, and claims that were it not for his regency then the kingdom wouldn't be in such a healthy state.
- ahearn - The Horse Lords are the strongest supporters of the King outside of the Ranald family.
- All the Earls have formally sworn allegiance to the King, and none are currently under arms within Dael Riata.
Enemies & Feuds
- The Murchadhs - the Earls of Uisdean raised rebellion against his rule, and allegedly made a direct attempt on his life. Alasdair V threatened the current Earl of Uisdean, Diarmad Murchadh, with extirpation and loss of the ancestral lands if he didn't swear allegiance.
- The King doesn't trust aonghus or The Alpins because both were allied with Murchadh during the civil wars that followed his mother being deposed.
