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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Lady Elizabeth Wallis
Lady Elizabeth Wallis is the daughter and political apprentice of the Earl of Stylhet. She is currently betrothed to King Alasdair V as part of a strategic alliance intended to unite the thrones of Dael Riata and Bernicia. Although presented as a 19-year-old “late bloomer,” she is an experienced 24-year-old hero who has been trained in the darker arts of statecraft.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears: Arriving at the mouth of the River Reoch aboard a Bernician ship, preparing for her formal welcome to Dalreoch.
- Function: As the future Queen, she is a central figure in the King's plan to stabilise the realm and pursue his claim to the Bernician throne. She manages her own network of informers and serves as her father's apprentice.
Description
Elizabeth is described as a polite and charming “model of a dutiful daughter,” though this masks her true depth as a political schemer. She is a powerful hero with a strong bloodline and advanced magical talents:
- Persistent Shaping: Inherited from her mother, this rare talent allows her to create real objects from her imagination that last indefinitely, unlike the temporary conjurations of her father.
- Shapeshifting: She can manifest distinct physical identities. Her secondary personas include “Lizzie,” a manipulative and power-adept version of herself, and “Jake,” a young man learning the arts of war and romance.
- Mental Talents: Like her father, she can sense unspoken motivations and has a magical talent for remaining unnoticed by others.
Because her different identities do not share a constant stream of memory, she and her personas must leave notes for each other to bridge the gaps in their experiences.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Bernard Wallis: Her father, mentor, and the Spymaster of Bernicia.
- King Alasdair V: Her fiancé; she noted him as being better looking than she had hoped upon their first meeting.
- Jill Pennyfeather: Her attendant, companion, and unofficial bodyguard, who is also a trained spy.
- May: Her practical 17-year-old maid who has worked with her for five years.
- Sir Iain Alpin: The Knight Commander of the Life Guard who serves as her formal escort in Dalreoch [18].
Places
Earl of Stylhet
Stylhet (Bernard Wallis) is the Chancellor and Spymaster of Bernicia. A man of humble origins born in the port of Eastport, he rose to the highest echelons of power through a combination of professional deception, stolen identity, and the use of his innate heroic talents. He is the architect of the upcoming royal union between his daughter and King Alasdair V, aimed at securing both his daughter’s future and the stability of the Bernician succession.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears: Arriving at the mouth of the River Reoch aboard a Bernician ship, observing the River Fort and the University of Dalreoch while escorting his daughter to Dalreoch.
- Function: He serves as the primary diplomatic and intelligence architect for the alliance between Bernicia and Dael Riata. His role is to ensure a peaceful transition of the Bernician throne to King Alasdair V and to neutralise any internal threats that might destabilise the new united kingdom.
Description
Stylhet is a richly dressed, athletic man with dark hair. Despite his vigorous appearance, he was born around 650, making him over 120 years old—a longevity granted by his heroic bloodline. He is a master of shapeshifting, sensing unspoken motivations, and “not being noticed.” He possesses the lethal skill of “shaping” real things from imagination, though unlike his daughter, his creations dissipate once he stops concentrating. He is defined by a pragmatic idealism; while he operates brothels and gambling dens to gather information, he provides better conditions and poor relief for his staff and tenants than most nobles to ensure their absolute loyalty.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- Lady Elizabeth Wallis: His daughter and apprentice, whom he has trained in the darker arts of statecraft.
- King Alasdair V: His future son-in-law and the claimant he is backing for the Bernician throne.
- Queen Eleanor I: The childless Queen of Bernicia whom he serves as Private Secretary and Spymaster.
- Jill Pennyfeather: An agent and daughter of one of his informers, serving as a companion and bodyguard to Elizabeth.
Places
King's Keep
The King's Keep is the royal palace and primary seat of power for the Ranald Dynasty in the capital city of Dalreoch Situated on a hill and surrounded by the city proper, it serves as the residence for the Grand Duke of Reoch and King of Dael Riata.
Architecture and Exterior
The current structure is a four-turreted keep constructed from light grey stone. Its design is notable for several ornate features:
- Golden Domes: Each of the four turrets is topped with a golden dome that stands out against the sky.
- Royal Standards: Green flags, representing the Grand Duchy, fly atop the domes.
- Historical Reconstruction: While it contains much of the original ancient keep, it was significantly rebuilt and converted into a palace by King Alasdair II following his “grand tour,” during which he adopted several foreign architectural ideas.
- Inner Bailey: The road to the keep opens into a stone-flagged square dominated by a building featuring many pillars and statues, topped with a green verdigris dome. For formal arrivals, an open-sided pavilion with a cloth-of-gold roof is often erected, housing gilded chairs on a carpeted dais.
Internal Layout
The Keep is divided into several functional levels and specific chambers used by the royal household:
Living Quarters
The royal apartments are located in the upper sections of the tower and are designed around a central light well. These include:
- The King's Chambers: Includes a bedchamber, a dressing room, and an ante-chamber where visitors wait for an audience.
- The Queen's Chambers: Mirroring the King's layout, these include dedicated galleries and a specific Queen's Garden area.
- Galleries: Internal walkways and galleries overlook the central light well and provide access to the various rooms.
Public and Functional Spaces
- The Grand Hall: Located on the lower floors for formal events, meetings of the nobility, and state dinners.
- The Roof: The top of the keep features lanterns and allows for observation over the city and the River Reoch.
- Cellars and Services: The base of the tower and adjacent wings house the necessary support services for the palace.
Security and Garrison
The Keep is the headquarters of the King's Life Guard, led by their Knight Commander.
- The Life Guard: These veterans wear polished green-and-gold enamelled armour with matching helmets featuring horsehair plumes.
- Sentries: Green-armoured guards in full plate provide 24-hour security, challenging all who approach the private royal areas.
- Access: The inner bailey is protected by a gatehouse where twelve trumpeters traditionally signal the arrival of high-ranking dignitaries.
Recent History
In 769, the King's Keep was the site where King Alasdair V asserted his adulthood and personal rule, supported by the Life Guard who prevented the regents from interfering in his proclamation. In 774, it was prepared for the royal wedding to Lady Elizabeth Wallis, a festive occasion that saw the city and the bailey extensively cleaned and decorated with the banners of the great houses.
Iain Alpin
Sir Iain Alpin (born 735) is the Knight Commander of the King's Life Guard and the third son of Sean Alpin, the 7th Earl of Ardmor. A veteran of the Queen's War and a mercenary in Bernicia, he is known for his unwavering loyalty to the Crown and his formidable skills as a warrior. Although of heroic bloodline, which grants him fast healing and heightened reflexes, he has never learned the art of shapeshifting common to others of his lineage.
Stories
They are in the story
- First appears: Arriving at Caer Suibhne as the King's temporary Steward during the winter solstice negotiations.
- Function: He serves as the King’s primary enforcer and protector. He notably defended King Alasdair V by killing the 5th Earl of Uisdean and his brother Fearchar after a dinner at Caer Suibhne, claiming they had attempted to assassinate the monarch. Later, he served as the formal escort for Lady Elizabeth Wallis upon her arrival in Dalreoch.
Description
Sir Iain is 39 years old and possesses an athletic, muscular build that allows him to wear heavy armour for long durations without fatigue. He stands slightly taller than average with pale skin, long black hair usually kept in braids, and blue eyes flecked with gold. Unlike many of his peers, he is clean-shaven, though he typically carries a noticeable shadow.
His military gear is distinctively ornate:
- Armour: Highly polished, green-and-gold enamelled breastplate featuring the gold stag badge of the Life Guard.
- Helmet: Featuring a side-to-side green horsehair brush, marking his rank as Commander.
Divided Loyalty: He is currently estranged from his father, Sean Alpin, having taken up arms against him to support Queen Caoimhe during the civil war. When not in armour, he is a proficient dancer and plays the pipes, a skill he learned while in captivity with the late Queen. He often wears court fashions of green silk edged with gold lace.
Background and Family
Born in 735, Iain is the third son of Sean Alpin, the 7th Earl of Ardmor. Despite his noble lineage, he has a fractured relationship with his family; he is currently disowned by his father for “having changed sides,” presumably referring to his unswerving loyalty to the King over his father's more traditional noble interests. He is a veteran who distinguished himself in battle before taking his current post.
Appearance and Role
He is described as a tall, muscular man who typically wears a green suit decorated with gold braid and the badge of the King's Guard. In his capacity as Commander, he is rarely far from the King, often standing just paces behind him to provide immediate protection. Currently, he also controls the King's cavalry force based in the capital, Dalreoch.
The Massacre at Caer Suibhne
Iain Alpin's most significant and notorious action occurred in 774 at Caer Suibhne. During a private negotiation between the King and the Murchadh brothers - Domnhall and Fearchar - Alpin was the only other witness.
- The Official Version: The King asserted that the brothers attempted to assassinate him and that Iain Alpin’s “swift defence” saved his life, resulting in the deaths of both Murchadhs.
- The Murchadh version: According to a short account of the event, the “defence” was actually a premeditated execution. In this version, Alpin used a single swift motion to decapitate Earl Domnhall and then pivoted to drive his sword into Fearchar’s chest. To support the King's claim of treason, Alpin allegedly threw the brothers' swords onto the floor near their bodies to make it appear as though they had been drawn first. He then raised the alarm and escorted the wounded King to safety.
Whatever the truth, this event earned him the eternal enmity of Diarmid Murchadh, the current Earl of Uisdean, who views Alpin and the King as murderers who broke the sacred laws of hospitality.
Relationships
People
Notable people
- King Alasdair V: His sovereign, who personally restored Iain to his position in the Life Guard.
- Sean Alpin: His father; their relationship is one of bitter estrangement due to their opposing sides in the Queen's War.
- Diarmid Murchadh: The 7th Earl of Uisdean; the two formed a close friendship during their mutual exile at Southope in Bernicia.
- Iain Black: His bastard son, fathered during his ten years as a mercenary in Bernicia.
- Queen Caoimhe: His former mistress, whom he served faithfully from age 17 until her death.
Places
- Dalreoch: The capital where he commands the garrison and guards the King's Keep.
- Caer Suibhne: The site of his lethal confrontation with the Murchadh brothers.
- Eastport: Where he spent several years working as a mercenary after the fall of Queen Caoimhe.
- Southope: Where Queen Caoimhe's court in exile was until she was executed by Queen Eleanor I of Berenicia.
Domnhall Murchadh
Domnhall Murchadh was the 5th Earl of Uisdean, a leader of a seafaring folk notorious as “Sea Kings” and raiders. He was a pivotal figure in Dael Riatan politics, serving as a member of the Council of Regents after playing a primary role in the deposition of Queen Caoimhe in 754. He was known for his independent spirit and a long-standing struggle to maintain the power of the Murchadh clan against the central authority of the crown.
The ancestral home is Caer Murchadh, situated on the island of Uisdean Mor in the Easter Isles
Family
The Earl was born in 705 to Iain Murchadh (the 4th Earl) and Senga Aonghus. He held a significant claim to the throne of Dael Riata through his mother, who was the younger sister of King Alasdair IV.
He was 69 years old at the time of his death in 774. While the sources do not name a current wife, they confirm he fathered no children, leaving his younger brother, Fearchar (born 732), as his heir until both were killed in the same incident. Following their deaths, the Earldom passed to their cousin, Diarmid Murchadh.
Domnhall was described as an imposing figure with strawberry blonde hair and a beard chased with white. He bore a distinctive star-shaped scar on his cheek and, at his final dinner, was lavishly dressed in a sea-green silk doublet embroidered with pearls and a gold chain set with emeralds.
Recent History
Early in the reign of Queen Caoimhe, Domnhall’s family was targeted by the crown to “clip their wings,” resulting in the Murchadhs being disestablished from Norpen in 749. This dispossession, and fears that the Queen intended to name a Skyssian merchant as Prince Consort, led Domnhall to lead the coalition that overthrew her in 754.
In 774, Domnhall and his brother Fearchar met King Alasdair V at Caer Suibhne to negotiate a reconciliation. During a private session, the King demanded amends for the deposition of his mother. The meeting ended in violence; Domnhall was beheaded by the King's Steward, Iain Alpin, who claimed the Earl had attempted to assassinate the monarch. While the King labelled the act a response to treason, Murchadh bannermen maintain it was a premeditated murder and a grave breach of the rules of hospitality.
