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
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King's Life Guard
Summary
The King's Life Guard is the premier elite military unit of Dael Riata, dedicated exclusively to the protection of the Sovereign, the Queen, and the Royal Heir. The unit is composed of battle-hardened veterans and is currently commanded by Sir Iain Alpin, the Knight Commander.
Description
Recruitment and Membership
The Life Guard does not recruit from the general population; instead, members are hand-picked from the King's companies based on marked prowess in battle and skirmishes. Every member is a veteran, ensuring the unit consists of individuals who will not panic in high-pressure situations. While many members possess heroic bloodlines, such as the current Commander, not all are consciously aware of or able to use magical abilities [7, 8]. Members of the Life Guard are required to remain unmarried during their service.
Duties and Organization
The primary duty of the Guard is the physical protection of the Royal Family. They operate in shifts or “watches” to provide 24-hour security at the King's Keep and during royal travel. Interestingly, the Life Guard's oath of service is noted for its pragmatism, even including the duty of “warming up mistresses” for the Sovereign.
When not on active watch, the guardsmen engage in rigorous training and frequently participate in tournaments to maintain their combat skills. The Unicorn Troop is a specialized cavalry unit attached to the Life Guard .
Equipment and Heraldry
The Life Guard is known for its immaculate and distinctive appearance:
- Armour: Highly polished green enamelled breastplates and cuirasses featuring a gold stag in the centre.
- Weapons: Shined halberds decorated with green tassels where the wooden staff meets the blade.
- Helmet Plumes: Guardsmen wear coloured horsehair plumes on their helmets to identify their specific watch or division. These colours include green, white, yellow, blue, red, and black.
- The Knight Commander: Sir Iain Alpin wears a unique side-to-side semi-circular green horsehair brush on his helmet, matching the colour of the King’s banner. His armour features intricate gold patterns inlaid around the green enamel.
History
The Life Guard has played a central role in recent Daelian conflicts. During the Queen's War (754), many members remained loyal to Queen Caoimhe, following her into exile in Berenicia. The unit was reconstituted and significantly empowered when King Alasdair V asserted his personal rule in 769. Under Sir Iain Alpin's leadership, the Guard supported the King against the interference of the erstwhile regents [15]. Most recently, the Guard provided the formal escort for the arrival of Lady Elizabeth Wallis in Dalreoch.
Relationships
People
- King Alasdair V: The Sovereign to whom the Guard is sworn.
- Sir Iain Alpin: The current Knight Commander.
- Lady Elizabeth Wallis: The future Queen, currently under the Guard's protection.
- Sir Diarmid Murchadh: A former associate of Sir Iain Alpin during their time in exile.
Places
- King's Keep: The primary station and barracks for the Life Guard.
- Dalreoch: The capital city where the Guard performs most of its public duties.
- Gallows Market: The site of the King's proclamation of personal rule, secured by the Guard.
Unicorn Troop
Summary
The Unicorn Troop is a specialized, elite cavalry unit attached to the King's Life Guard in Dael Riata. It is composed of sentient unicorns and fairy-blooded human riders from the Sioltach clan, sharing a unique mental bond that facilitates magical and tactical coordination.
Description
Physiology and Fairy Blood
The human troopers are all volunteers from the Sioltach clan. They possess “fairy blood” from an ancient pact with the Fae, visible as distinctive gold flecks in their irises. This lineage is required to ride a unicorn, as the creatures will only accept riders they trust through a mental bond. This fairy blood also grants the riders limited magical abilities, such as a keener eye for reality and the power to influence how others perceive them.
Unicorns are sentient beings capable of reading human minds and channelling magic. They are adept at controlling their own visibility and physical tangibility at will, though they can be surprised by ambush if not focused.
Combat and Equipment
In battle, unicorns utilize granite hooves and horns capable of cutting through leather and flesh. They can project a force field to deflect arrows, though this is ineffective against iron-armored infantry. Notably, unicorns cannot wear or touch iron; consequently, the troop uses leather armour reinforced with bronze, while weapons like lances and swords utilize “fairy points” [4, 5]. To mortals, this equipment appears and functions like iron, but it does not cause the detrimental effects iron has on faerie beings.
The most effective counter to the Unicorn Troop is a dense unit of iron-armoured infantry equipped with pole-arms.
Organization and Leadership
The troop's hierarchy is unique:
- Captain: The Captain of the troop is always a unicorn, who holds the final authority on whether the unit fights.
- Lieutenant: The senior human rider is the Lieutenant, a role often filled by the heir to the Earldom of Duffjord.
- Cornet: This junior officer position is typically held by a nephew of the Earl or a younger son of a noble family.
History
The troop was established following a pact between the Sioltach family and the Fae of the deep woods. Under the terms of the deal, the Sioltach protect the forest buffer for the faeries in exchange for the ability to ride unicorns.
The unit has historical limitations: it does not leave the boundaries of Dael Riata, nor does it travel to the islands, as unicorns dislike sea travel [8]. A sacred grove was planted near Caer Riata specifically for their use.
During the civil war of 754-5, the troop supported the late Queen Caoimhe, exploiting a rout of Murchadh infantry at the Battle of Drumfada Ridge. After the Queen's defeat, the troop dispersed to Sioltach lands until 759, when they pledged allegiance to King Alasdair V [11, 12]. Most recently, the troop served as the royal escort for the arrival of Lady Elizabeth Wallis in Dalreoch.
Relationships
People
- Alasdair V: The current Sovereign to whom the troop is pledged.
- Murdo Sioltach: Earl of Duffjord and primary patron of the troop's human members.
- Diarmid Murchadh: Succeeded to the Earldom of Uisdean; formerly served as the troop's Agitant.
- Iain Alpin: Knight Commander of the Life Guard, to which the troop is attached.
Places
- Dalreoch: Location of the troop's primary quarters and the King's Keep.
- Duffjordhead: Seat of House Sioltach and ancestral home of the riders.
- Caer Riata: Site of the troop's sacred grove.
The Ahearns
The Ahearns are Earls of Suddal, colloquially known throughout the realm as the Horse Lords. They are the strongest and most steadfast supporters of House Ranald outside of the King's immediate family. Unlike the sea-focused island Earls, the Ahearns derive their power from the land, boasting the most formidable cavalry force in Dael Riata.
The ancestral home is Castle Ahearn, which is situated on the fertile plains of Suddal, near the town of Eskdale.
Titles
The current Earl is Archibald Ahearn.
He is 36 years old, and is currently married to Eorwen Giluilleam, sister to the Earl of Dalry. They have eight children:
- Iain Ahearn, the heir (11).
- .
Size & Wealth
The Ahearns' power is rooted in the “Fertile Lowlands” of Suddal, which provide a significant economic bonus through agricultural output. They are one of the few houses to eschew naval power entirely, focusing their resources on the maintenance and breeding of warhorses.
Recent History
During the troubled minority of King Alasdair V, the Ahearns remained unswervingly loyal to the Crown. While other houses wavered or supported the regency for personal gain, the Horse Lords provided the heavy cavalry that policed the southern borders and ensured the “King's Peace” was maintained in the heartlands. They were instrumental in the pacification of the realm following the King's assertion of his personal rule, and they continue to provide a vital counter-balance to the influence of the “Sea Kings” of the west.
Allies, Friends & Lords
- House Ranald (The King's strongest supporters)
- House Gilranald (Close ties during the regency)
- House Riata (Bound by marriage and history)
Enemies & Feuds
- House Murchadh (A long-standing rivalry between the Sea Kings and the Horse Lords)
- House Alpin (Outstanding grievance regarding a regency decision made by the Earl of Ardmor)
- House Aonghus (General distrust following the civil wars)
Archibald Ahearn
Archibald Ahearn is the 8th Earl of Suddal and the current head of the Horse Lords. Born in 738, he is recognised as the strongest supporter of King Alasdair V outside of the royal family. He is a seasoned political actor who served as a senior member of the nobility during the King's minority and played a role in the selection of the final regent.
Stories
They are in the story
- Function: He provides the Crown with a reliable power base in the south and serves as a vital counterweight to the more independent “Sea Kings” of the islands.
Description
Archibald is a strategic leader whose house derives its power from the fertile farmlands of Suddal. His name translates in Daelian tradition to “Master of Boldness”. He is a veteran of the Queen's War (754), where he remained loyal to Queen Caoimhe even in adversity [1, 6]. While he initially believed he could manipulate the regent Bhaltair Gilranald, he successfully navigated the regency period to ensure House Ahearn “came out of the arrangement ahead”.
Marriage and Scandal
Archibald's marriage to Lady Eorwen Giluilleam—the sister of the current Earl of Dalry—is a point of significant court gossip and political tension due to its origins:
- The Affair: The marriage began as an illicit affair while Archibald was at court in Dalreoch as a member of the Regency Council.
- Discovery: The secret was only revealed to the previous Earl of Dalry when Eorwen fell pregnant.
- Spite and Feuds: Despite the long-standing Giluilleam-Ahearn feud, Archibald chose to formalise the union in 760. It is widely reputed that he saw the marriage not just as a romantic pursuit, but as a way of “getting one over” on his political rivals.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- King Alasdair V: His sovereign and close ally.
- Lady Eorwen Giluilleam: His wife.
- Bhaltair Gilranald: His son's future father-in-law and the former regent.
- Iain Fergus Ahearn: His eldest son and heir (born 763), currently betrothed to Ealasaid Gilranald.
- Sean Alpin: The Earl of Ardmor, against whom Archibald holds a one-way grievance following an unpopular regency decision.
Places
- castle_ahearn: His birthplace and ancestral seat in Suddal.
- Dalreoch: Where he served on the Regency Council and met his future wife.
- suddal: The fertile heartland of the “Horse Lords”.
The Gilruarys
The Gilruarys are the Earls of Dalmuir and the premier shipbuilders of Dael Riata. As a cadet branch of the ancient Ruary dynasty, they provided vital legitimacy to House Ranald during the wars of independence. They are renowned for their technical expertise, applying academic principles from the University of Dalreoch to create vessels that are widely considered the finest and fastest in the known world.
The ancestral home is the city of Dalmuir, the second largest port in the kingdom, situated at the mouth of the Duffjord.
Titles
The current Earl is Iain Gilruary.
He is 71 years old (born 703), and is currently married to Mairead Ruary (born 703). They have several children:
- Alasdair Fearchar (born 739), the eldest and heir.
- Fearchar Tormoid (born 736).
- Mairead Laura (born 742).
- Floraidh Mairead (born 748).
- Ruaridh Diarmid (born 749).
- Alasdair Ruaridh (born 752).
Size & Wealth
The Gilruarys derive their significant influence from their monopoly on high-end shipbuilding and their control of the timber trade from the upper River Aodh. Their yards in Dalmuir feature eight massive slipways for 400-ton vessels and operate with unprecedented efficiency.
Note: The house currently pays a debt of 5 units per year for a loan used to develop the Dalmuir port facilities.
Recent History
House Gilruary rose to prominence when Iain Gilruary, then Chancellor of the University of Dalreoch, threw his support behind Fearchar Ranald's claim to the throne. His marriage to the third daughter of the last Ruary King helped bridge the gap between the old and new dynasties. For centuries, the house has maintained a focus on “how the world works,” leading to innovations in naval architecture that have made Daelian ships “fast, sleek, and strong.” Recently, the house has been central to the Estates' petition to establish a full Chair for Naval Engineering at the university to further formalise their trade.
Allies, Friends & Lords
- House Sioltach (Strong bond via the marriage of Murdo Sioltach to Raonid Gilruary)
- House Suibhne (Friendly neighbours and fellow supporters of the northern interest)
- House Murchadh (Long-standing commercial allies; the “Sea Kings” rely exclusively on Gilruary-built raiders)
Enemies & Feuds
- House Alpin (A bitter, one-way grievance; the Alpins blame a Gilruary squadron for the mysterious sinking of their flagship and the loss of the previous Earl and his four brothers)
- House Ranald (A current state of political tension and minor distrust)
