Swordlord Yasmin Yitis-Aldori sends invitation to a number of you, inviting you to discuss the formation of an Aldori Council in the Southern Region.  Direct recipients are Sword Lord Domitius Aldori-Solanus, Lord Mayor Cassius Mordane, Safiya Vallani, Minia Dosalic and Barbatius Scaurus – along with anyone else who she has seen, or heard of, who uses an Aldori Duelling Sword.

”It is, probably, time that we organised ourselves into a coherent  body, and set some local standards.  I am trained in Mivon, Domitius and Barbatius are trained in Restov, while I understand that Safiya and Minia have not received formal training or recognition of their skills.  All these things have caused tension in the past, particularly between the Aldori of Mivon and Restov, and I think we should try to avoid that.

I need to have a training school, probably in Tusk, to make sure that I have enough trained people to guard my boats.  I imagine that Domitius will want a school of his own, which will probably teach a different style of duelling, and I imagine that Minia will want recognition of her skills, at some point soon.  Safiya, I am unsure about your desires, although you are clearly an extremely skilled with an Aldori sword and are entitled to some sort of recognition within the Aldori community.

One of my people, is due for recognition on a pro-tem basis, and I believe that Barbatius will soon be in a similar position.  I believe that it would be beneficial, for all of us, to come to some sort of agreement – before there is any cause for tension.”

NOTE:  Any player who does not have an ‘Aldori’ character can pick up a temporary NPC, which will let you join in this thread, if you wish to participate.

Domitius had recieved the note and read it with interest, he had only met Yasmin a few times and had yet to see her fight.  Still he knew that the Mivonese cousins wee competent duellists and ones due respect.

"A point in order, Minia has indeed trained with myself and I recognise her skill, she is indeed worthy to be counted amongst our number.  As for Lady Safiya she and I have fought alongside each other many times and I can vouch for her skill.

Now I do intend to open my own school, indeed my own troops will benefit from Aldori training.  I have also been training the officers of the Tusk city guard so many of them could be included in our number.

However I do not believe that Tusk will welcome our students coming to blows in the streets so a council to settle disputes amongst us will have my support.

“A cause for tension?” Cass quipped as he slid into the meeting.“I once held a cause for tension, but Domitius soundly beat it out if me with an Aldori sword.”

Cass smiled and spread his hands in a gesture of non-resistance. “I jest. I jest. But it may now be known by some that rather than follow the path of an Aldori swordlord, that I have instead focused more on the mystical arts.”

Finding an available seat, Cass sat with the others. “There were a number of reasons for that decision. Personal preference, my position as mayor of Tusk, and my overall sense of…politics, I suppose. While I admired what the Aldori had achieved in Restov, I was not a fan of how their philosophies seemed to play out in Mivon. Now, I mean no offense to anyone, simply providing an honest opinion.”

“Is there wine? Or something stronger?” Cass whispered for the benefit of any staff member who might be nearby.

“I do, however, see the benefit of Aldori trained troops for the defense of Midmarch, and spoke to Henry about such at length sometime past. But I believe that proper regulation, namely in the form of duels within schools rather that feats in the streets would be most advantageous.”
This message was last edited by the player at 10:18, Fri 17 June 2022.

"Cass my friend anytime you wish for a rematch it would be my honour." Domitius said with a twinkle in his eye "Though I hope there isn't another wedding at one of our bouts unless there is someone you haven't told me about?" and he gave a chuckle.

"Seriously though I have also spoken to Lord Henry on the matter of training and once I have my own forces in order I will look to assist.  i have also spoken to him about the formation of a Swords guild with an appropriate guildhouse and supporting buildings.  I had planned to build it within my own desmene onch it is established but perhaps Tusk could be more appropriate.  Indeed perhaps its own quarter which is something we can discuss."

"Lord Domitius' recognition is appreciated, and I further acknowledge I am but a humble learner gifted in natural talent and given a chance to hone that."

Minia had dressed in her best, which unfortunately was her armour at rest, complete with a sash and a comb run once or twice through her hair.

"Representing as I do my sister and the family of Dosalic, I support a school but pause to ask what provisions are being made to support the commonfolk? Aldori swords are well and good, would that all could be so disciplined, fortunate and mindful to study the blade, but would measures be taken to not crowd hired guards out of work in the meantime?"

Safiya voices her opinion as well. "I can certainly see advantages of opening a sword school in Tusk, though for the moment I have no plans of opening one in my domain. In part because, like Ser Mordane, my skills are not truly focused on swordsmanship. But I must say I also share his concerns regarding regulations. The place for duels is in the school, not on the street. And, to be blunt, not in politics either."

Yasmin listens to the arguments and comments put by the others, pleased that she has their basic agreement on the formation of an Aldori Council.  However, she has more to add.

”My own status has been confirmed by the Swordlords of Mivon,  Domitious was awarded his status by the Swordlords of Restov – two groups who do not have any tradition of getting along with each other. I imagine that Barbatius will be tested and approved by Restov.  My own lad, Caractus, can get recognition through Mivon.  But I would rather they didn’t feel the need to dispute the quality of each other’s training.  And I am not sure where Minia would be able to achieve proper recognition.” she adds as she strengthens the case for a Southern Aldori council, that can award its own recognition and status.

Then she continues, ”Both Mivon and Restov are somewhat ..  errr ... traditional in their ways, and their interpretations of sword skills.  But there is no reason why we need to follow those traditions quite so strictly.  I understand  that local duelling rules include the ability to use personal magics on the duelling table?” she half asks, looking for confirmation from those with experience of local duels.  ”We could incorporate that rule into our own systems of recognition.  It would seem appropriate, as I am sure that both of you …” ”She looks at Cass and Safiya, ” ..  would be a match for many swordlord, from either city.  Not the best, of course, but I doubt any of us here, could claim that honour.”  And there is an apologetic glance towards Dom, as she says it.

”Equally, I am contemplating training some of my people, mainly house and boat guards,  to fight with the duelling sword and a buckler.  Not the most elegant or sophisticated style, nor something that will serve them well on a duelling table, but I wouldn’t want them excluded from the community.” With a glance towards Minia she adds, "they will not replace all of the marine guards that I use on our vessels, but a few guards with Duelling swords do tend to make people think twice.  And I am sure that there will be just as many opportunities for a career in the military, or as house guards, as there always has been.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:29, Sat 18 June 2022.

Minia smiled with a deferent nod to Yasmin

"That's good ta hear. Seems you've thought of it all already, and there's protections for the people my sister and me care to protect."

“As for a separate district within Tusk, I am not opposed, but you would need to take it up with the city council. I don’t lead them, they lead me.” Cass chuckled.

“Regarding both the Aldori council, and the proposal of an Aldori guild, I support both endeavors. I like to think that I am a bit progressive in my own thinking, and can see only good things from both ventures.”

"I am not sure that we will need a whole district, certainly not yet." Yasmine says with a smile at the enthusiasm, "Although that should be something for the Senior Sword Lord of Southern and Tusk Council to consider."  She says with a nod towards Cass.

"As for our Senior Swordlord, I would like to propose Swordlord Domitius Aldori-Solanus.  He has been here longer than I and, truth be told, is probably a better duellist than I." She adds, following the lead of the Mivon tradition and declaring herself as less skilled than her perceived rival.