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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.
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James Kemp
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University of Dalreoch
Summary
The University of Dalreoch is the premier institution of higher learning in Dael Riata. Located on the banks of the River Reoch just outside the capital city of Dalreoch, it is renowned for its studies in the liberal arts, philosophy, and its cutting-edge (if occasionally volatile) research into alchemy and transmutation.
Description
Campus and Architecture
The university is situated on a walled bank upstream from the River Fort. The main campus is dominated by a grand, triple-towered stone building featuring extensive colonnades. Adjacent to this is a long, low stone structure which houses the university library, considered one of the most comprehensive repositories of knowledge in the north.
Because some of the academic practices involving fire and transmutation are notoriously dangerous, the university's laboratories are located on the far side of the island. These labs are constructed as small stone and earth buildings with very light roofs, designed to be easily rebuilt following the frequent accidental explosions that occur during experimentation.
Academics and Research
The university offers a traditional education in the Liberal Arts and Philosophy. It is a center for the “less dangerous arts” within the main towers, while the island labs host the foremost experts on fire and transmutation.
Recently, the King and the Estates have been negotiating a new Charter to establish a Chair of Naval Engineering. This move is intended to formalise the study of ship design, leveraging the kingdom's timber resources and seafaring heritage to improve the royal and merchant fleets.
Governance
The university was founded during the Ruary dynasty, with Ian Gilruary (the future 1st Earl of Dalmuir) serving as its first Chancellor before the wars of the 520s. Today, it remains a prestigious stop for the Daelian nobility. Many heirs and high-ranking officials, including the current King and several Earls, were wards or students here.
History
Established in the early 500s, the university has survived centuries of civil war and foreign invasion. During the minority of King Alasdair V, the Earl of Ardmor (Sean Alpin) ensured the young monarch received a thorough education from the university's faculty.
In the current political climate of 774, the university serves as a neutral ground for the kingdom's savants and philosophers. It is currently a focal point for internal reform, with petitions before the Estates regarding the recognition of new faculty positions and the pardoning of scholars who were previously caught on the wrong side of the Queen’s War.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: An alumnus who received a top-tier education at the institution.
- Sean Alpin: Earl of Ardmor and senior patron who oversaw the King's education.
- Diarmid Murchadh: The 7th Earl of Uisdean, who matriculated in 753 and holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts and Philosophy.
- Earsaid Alpin: The current Reader of Naval Engineering and leading candidate for the proposed new Chair.
- Professor Sioltach: A noted academic and expert on local history and fortifications.
- Ian Gilruary: The university's founding Chancellor.
Places
- Dalreoch: The capital city located just downstream from the university.
- King's Keep: The royal seat where many university graduates go on to serve as clerks or advisors.
- Dael Riata: The kingdom served by the university's research and educated elite.
What is known about the 19th Duke of Glasholm?
Diarmid Murchadh
| Gender | Hero | Allegiance | Role | Apparent Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Yes | Dael/Ranald | Supporting | 35 |
Stories/Function
Diarmid Murchadh serves as the 7th Earl of Uisdean, acting as a reluctant but vital bridge between the rebellious “Sea Kings” and the central authority of King Alasdair V. Having succeeded to the title following the controversial death of his cousins, his primary narrative function is navigating the blood feud between his house and the Crown while maintaining the stability of the Kingdom.
Description
Diarmid is a dark-haired man with the first signs of grey showing at his temples. Born in 739, he was the grandson of the 4th Earl and never expected to inherit the Earldom. Consequently, he received a sophisticated education, matriculating at the University of Dalreoch in 753 to study Liberal Arts and Philosophy. He is a Master of Arts and a seasoned traveller, having visited Berenicia, Zushonia, and Skyss as a courier and assistant to the Secretary of State.
Politically, he is strategic and cautious. He is a veteran of the Queen's War, where he served as Agitant of the Unicorn Troop. Though he lacked a mount, he campaigned with the troop in support of Queen Caoimhe. Following the Queen's exile, he developed a close friendship with Iain Alpin while acting as a courier to keep links with the exiled monarch open.
Marriage and Scandal
Diarmid’s personal life and succession are mired in tragedy and political tension:
- First Marriage: He married Niamh Sioltach, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Duffjord, in 756 as a reward for his service to the Unicorn Troop. Niamh died in childbirth in 763, though their son, Diarmid, survived.
- Second Marriage: In 773, he married Senga Riata, a woman highly educated in statecraft and household management. They recently welcomed a daughter, Caoimhe.
- The Succession Scandal: Diarmid became Earl in 773 only after his cousins, the 5th and 6th Earls, were killed by the King at Caer Suibhne. While the King claims they attempted treason, Diarmid is privately convinced of their murder and the breach of hospitality, though he has been forced to swear an oath of allegiance under threat of extirpation.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: His sovereign, whom he distrusts but serves to preserve his family lands.
- Senga Riata: His second wife and close confidante.
- Sir Iain Alpin: A long-time friend from their years in exile and service to the former Queen.
- Diarmid Murchadh: His eldest son and heir (born 763).
- Murdo Sioltach: His former father-in-law and a key naval ally.
Places
- Uisdean Mor: His ancestral seat and the heart of the Murchadh raiding power.
- Dalreoch: Where he spent his youth as a student and courtier.
- Caer Suibhne: The site of his cousins' deaths and his own forced oath of allegiance.
Gallows Market
Summary
The Gallows Market is a large public square located at the eastern end of Gallows Street, just outside the inner bailey of Dalreoch. It serves as a dual-purpose space for both the city's commercial trade and the administration of royal justice through public executions and proclamations.
Description
Marketplace and Infrastructure
The market is one of the wider thoroughfares in the capital. The square is surfaced with flagstones featuring permanent brass inlays that mark the specific pitches for market stalls. On special occasions, such as the arrival of Lady Elizabeth Wallis, the market is meticulously cleared of detritus by city labourers to ensure the flagstones are visible.
The Gallows
A permanent gibbet stands within the square, serving as the focal point for the city’s high justice. Condemned criminals are traditionally marched the “long way round” from the King's Keep down Gallows Street so the crowds may witness justice being done before they reach the market square. While the gallows are often cleared of remains during festivals or royal weddings, they remain a potent symbol of the King's authority.
Royal Proclamations
Beyond trade and execution, the market is the primary site for royal announcements to the people of Dalreoch. It is here that King Alasdair V made his most significant political move in 769, proclaiming his personal rule and the end of the regency. The event was secured by Sir Iain Alpin and the Life Guard, who prevented the erstwhile regents from interfering with the King's address to the gathered citizens.
History
In the run-up to the royal wedding of 774, the Gallows Market became a site of covert violence despite the official “Rules of Hospitality” governing the city. A local figure named Aodh MacAodh utilized the empty gallows to execute an accused rapist named Iain Stone, pinning a sign to the body to justify the act. This incident occurred under the cover of night while the city was mobbed with newcomers and tourists.
Historically, the square has been the anchor of the city’s “New Market” district, which sits between the Old West Gate and the outer walls, separating the affluent inner city from the bustling merchant and dock districts.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: Sovereign who asserted his right to rule in this square.
- Sir Iain Alpin: Commander of the Life Guard who secured the market during the King's proclamation.
- Aodh MacAodh: A local operative known to frequent the market and its surrounding closes.
- Bhaltair Gilranald: The former regent whose influence was curtailed by the King's proclamation here.
Places
- Dalreoch: The capital city containing the market.
- King's Keep: The starting point for the procession of the condemned to the gallows.
- Water Gate: A nearby district and gatehouse often used by those visiting the market.
- The Drum: A raucous tavern located on Gallows Street leading into the market.
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.
Aodh MacAodh
Aodh is the proprietor of the The Water Gate Inn in Dalreoch. As well as purveying fine wines, ales of the best, and delicacies from across the known world, he is also reputed to be a spy, assassin and smuggler. Born in 739 in Dalreoch, the son of Earsaid MacAodh.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears - in Arrivals, a short story in the 'Heirs' outline.
- Function: a point of view character to show some of the background of what is going on in the city around the events involving the nobility.
Description
Aodh is a flame haired man with a pale complexion, he's solid but not fat and a little taller than average. In the right clothes he can pass as a noble. Equally he blends in well in a range of circumstances, and is able to speak several languages and pitch both low-born and noble and everywhere in between.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- The Gilruarys - The Gilruary clan often use The Water Gate when they stay in Dalreoch, and the MacAodh are a client sept of the Gilruary.
