You receive a message from the duke, saying that Morsvold (to the north of Catheran) are arming and calling up units. There has been a touchy peace for some twenty-one years now and the Duke is not aware of what may have upset that peace. Baron Worley lived up on the Northwern Border and had a rough working agreememnt with the Deacons and Bishops of the area opposite him, so the Duke wants to see if he can find out what has them up in arms. They have made no movement against any part of Catheran, so peace still reigns, he'd like you to try and keep it that way.

Now Morsvold is a Theocracy and if you are not in good standing with the church, you are in mortal peril. They send Bishops into families to solve problems, ensure that you have calculated your tithe correctly and to make sure you have every wife you can afford. The Church likes children which they bring up as good believers, although there are accidents among the children, especially where someone has asked too many questions or attempted to resist the church's role in your life. The church can get involved with making sure you sleep with at least one wife each night. They can get deep into your personal life if your wives are not getting pregnant routinely.  You are a building block of the church, and weakness is not acceptable to such a block in the church. Men run everything, women are to cook, do chores and have children that they raise as good church followers. There are nurses and other skills women provide, but they are always subservient to the men over them. They have retraining convents for those who go astray.

Since Catheran does not accept Gods chosen way as the path, relations are difficult. Morsvoldian's expect all embassies to do everything, their way, so all the embassises are not actually in Morsvold, which prevents unacceptable ideas from getting in the peoples heads.

Unsurprisingly, their military is rather formidable in Morsvold, but seems to weaken as it moves away from Morsvold into other lands. Morsvold is early to Mid TL 3.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 1):

Is Mustafa aware of this?

You have the letter from the Duke. You obviously have heard some of this but not all of it yet. You know some of what you have been told is fanciful,but also knew that they were not friendly to anyone. If you boat sank by their shore, you couldn't come ashore on their side without first agreeing to convert and become one of them.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 3):

So what are we meant to do? Enter but remain unseen, killing any who see us, since we will not know who to trust?

I think meet with the Duke might be first.
Killing people seems less desirable, since you are trying to keep the peace.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 5):

My thoughts exactly, but the options from what we know of them are few. Mustafa will not be converting to serve a god who can't fight his own battles...

So off to the Duke...

Does Kenyan also have a summoning letter from the Duke?

In reply to Baron Kenyan Worley (msg # 7):

Most definitely...

Aftr giving Amelia a thorough goodbye and a prolonged hug for the youngling Kenyan sets off to see the Duke.

You both arrive some days apart, but then the Duke calls you both in, tells you all I have so far and asks you to hold on briefly (in days) as he has some more information coming, which he expects soon.

You may take advanatage of the city for any learning or skills over the next few days.


OOC - things should clear up here around Thursday. Then I can apply myself more effectively.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 10):

Mustafa might find himself a Balanced Crossbow with sights for sniping,, and practice with it some...

You get a tip or two and finslly find a little shop with several crossbows for sale. He also has a small range out the back door, althought it is only a bit over 50 feet long.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 12):

He has a balanced crossbow with sights, ST 14 or 15?

He has a well made and balanced crossbow with adjustable sights at ST 13 ... previously owned and miss used. So it's for sale again.
$170 get's it and five quarrels. You can try it out, out back.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 14):

Most definitely will. How does it go? Does it need some repairs?

No, if it did he has already fixed whatever it was. It shoot well, with a light trigger and to the point of aim. He has you raise the sights for distance and it shoots appreciably higher, which he says is appropriate for about 150 yards.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 16):

Mustafa will definitely purchase it, and a few extra bolts as well.

Extra bolts are $2 each, as he has balanced them and sharpened the tips, as well as making sure the bolts were straight.
The couple that came ith it do seem to be well above the average stuff you are offered.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 18):

So fine quality, any bodkin?

No, the Guard frowns on those and makes it hard on anyone selling them. But they could be made special order if you pick them up quietly and don't show them around. How many are we talking?

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 20):

20 would do. How much if fine quality?

The same $2 each, but I think I only have 17 bodkin points.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 22):

"That will work. in a Quivers, they all look the same as they are point down..."