M Helsdon

With more pondering and looking at Mycenaean, Anatolian and Mesopotamian reconstructions, I've concluded that levels of arrow slits don't feel 'right' for Babylonian-style gateways. But here's a detail of the gate...

Bronze Age vessels in the Mediterranean were larger, and probably closer to the Gloranthan norm for sea and ocean crossing. Paddling doesn't really help move a vessel over large distances - in our world long distance paddlers relied upon ocean currents. As a nearly enclosed sea, the Baltic isn't a good model for long-range vessels.

Likely to vary significantly according to location. Iron is probably relatively 'cheap' in Seshnela, but much more expensive away from any source of supply. Those prices might reflect a given time and place - central Genertela in the very early Hero Wars? Supply and demand apply.

A trained professional slave rower would be entirely different to a captive randomly sent to the galleys... And also be a relatively valuable commodity, almost on par with a slave soldier. 8-)

Regardless of Hollywood epics, rowers were rarely slaves (until the Medieval period when galleys were very different from triremes or penteconters) because rowing is a specialized profession - requiring training to keep the oars all synchronized. Just one rower out of synch can disable an entire bank of oars.

Triremes have little to no cargo capacity. In fact, they would rarely carry enough water and food for more than a day. To make them troop or horse transports, the Classical Greeks had to give up one or two levels of oarsmen, meaning that the ships had no capacity for ram-based naval warfare. It was the older ships that tended to be used in this way; as for animal transports often two levels of benches were removed. Pirate ships preferred to capture a merchant ship, and its cargo, crew and passengers; pirate ships always carry large numbers of crew to not only swarm defenders in boarding actions but to crew the captured ship. They would rarely move the cargo to their own ship, which again wouldn't have much cargo space.

Salt water is a relic of the blood of dead ocean gods. Rivers now depend upon water raining from the Sky, and Heler did not die, and so his waters are not tainted by his blood.

The design is (very) heavily influenced by Iron Age Mesopotamian architecture, though I might add a few extra arrow slits. The lack of these might indicate the century of peace in the Heartlands, and an imperial disinclination to have the two 'ordinary' cities of the Tripolis well fortified given past history (as the Tripolis has rebelled against Lunar rule before, it will, in Cyclic Time, rebel again). These gate towers are occupied by mere warriors, not sages. I have a few ideas about what a Yuthuppa star tower might look like, and it's very different to these...

The Griffin Gate of Yuthuppa.

He returns to the Red Cow and becomes one of the Housecarls in the Thunder Brothers Hall. See Volume 2 for more details.

No ships will be dedicated to providing a passenger service, as was the case in the Ancient World. So a traveler has to either take advantage of a ship which has free cargo space, or pay a trader to make room for them and their supplies amongst his cargo. So the first question to ask is what cargo a trader is likely to be transporting, and how expensive it is, or, how much cargo space is free? If the ship is 'full' then any passenger is going to pay a rate based on what they are replacing; if the ship isn't full, then the price is going to be subject to barter. Note that the passenger is going to have to provide their own food, or pay a premium to partake of the crew's rations... And there aren't going to be any free cabins, unless you pay the captain or one of the officers to make room for you, as a distinct transaction - sleeping on deck is the most likely outcome unless you have a deep purse - and they may not be a wise thing to advertise. On many ships even the captain's 'cabin' may effectively be a tent on deck. And note that in the Ancient World, passengers might carry some things like gold or silver necklaces, so that if anything bad happens, if their body is washed ashore after a storm anyone finding it would at least give it a basic funeral.

The main gate of Red Cow Fort. Whilst the walls are recent, they are built on ancient foundations.

Polyaenus claims that Claudius used a single war elephant to astonish the Britons.

All gates to the same scale.

Whitewall, before and after the siege and Lunar assault. The levels of building can be clearly seen, with the lowest dating to the Storm Age. [Cutout on left is an approaching wall.]

The South Gate of Dangerford. This is a double gate including a wooden guardhouse.

Yes. It's when a plant that normally produces zygomorphic flowers produces actinomorphic flowers instead. There was also a Thessalian religious festival resembling the Roman Saturnalia called the Peloria.

It's always struck me as interesting that Peloria in our world relates to a type of flower, and comes via Latin from Greek peloros, from pelor, meaning... monster.

Not original, but a modification of the Orphic Hymn to the Sun: Hear Golden God, whose eternal eye with broad survey, illumines all the sky. Son of Yelm, unwearied in diffusing light, and to all eyes the mirror of delight: Lord of the seasons, with thy fiery chariot and leaping coursers, beaming light from far: With thy right hand the source of morning light, and with thy left the father of the night. Agile and vigorous, venerable Sun, fiery and bright around the heavens you run. Foe to the wicked, but the good man's guide, over all his steps propitious you preside: With various founding, golden lyre, 'tis mine to fill the world with harmony divine. Father of ages, guide of prosperous deeds, the world's commander, borne by lucid steeds, Immortal Yelm, all-searching, bearing light, source of existence, pure and fiery bright Bearer of fruit, almighty lord of years, agile and warm, whom every power reveres. Great eye of Nature and the day skies, doomed with immortal flames to set and rise Dispensing justice, lover of the stream, the world's great despot, and over all supreme. Faithful defender, and the eye of right, of steeds the ruler, and of life the light: With founding whip four fiery steeds you guide, when in the car of day you glorious ride. Propitious on these mystic labors shine, and bless thy suppliants with a life divine. And from the same source, for the stars, with modifications: With holy voice I call the stars on high, pure sacred lights and spirits of the sky. Celestial stars, progeny of Pole Star, in whirling circles beaming far your light, Refulgent rays around the heavens you throw, eternal fires, the source of all below. With flames significant of Fate ye shine, and aptly rule for men a path divine. In seven bright zones you run with wandering flames, and heaven and earth compose your lucid frames: With course unwearied, pure and fiery bright forever shining through the veil of Night. Hail twinkling, joyful, ever wakeful fires! Propitious shine on all my just desires; These sacred rites regard with conscious rays, and end our works devoted to your praise.

Improbable, as triremes could only carry a small number of personnel on deck before they became unstable/suffered a significant reduction in speed. The trireme was pretty much at the limits of what was available at the time in terms of technology and muscle-power. Even so, it remained the dominant warship in the Mediterranean for more than four centuries. Here's my assessment of a Holy Country trireme: The Islands Holy Country Warship Type Trireme Armor Timber, canvas side-screens. Weapons Bronze ram Morale Veteran 5 Patron Deity Dormal Crew 170 free rowers, 15 marines, 15 officers. Magic Factor Low 1 Missile Factor 2 Melee Factor 4 The characteristic warship of the southern Genertelan coasts is the trireme, with a carvel-built shell of planks held together with mortise-and-tenon joints forming the hull built up from the keel and stem- and stern-posts, the ribbing then fitted to this hull to reinforce it. Four to six heavy ropes are stretched from stem to stern to strengthen the hull. Pitch from the Shadow Plateau is applied to the hull to make it watertight. A trireme has three banks of oars, the lowest bank emerging from oar-ports through leather sleeves to hinder the taking on of water, the middle bank from under the outrigger, and the upper bank fixed to rowlocks through the outrigger extending beyond the side of the hull. Each oar is rowed by one oarsman, sitting on a leather cushion. There are 27 oarsmen each side at the lowest level, 27 either side at the middle level, and 31 on each side at the top level. The oarsmen are rarely armed. A light deck, port and starboard, protects the upper bank of oarsmen, and provides fighting platforms running fore and aft. Ten to twenty marines are the usual complement, with the rest of the deck crew consisting of the captain, a helmsman using two steering-oars by means of a transverse tiller, a bow officer, shipwright, and the bosun who commands the oarsmen, and a drummer or flute player. The number of marines is low because too many people moving on deck threatens the vessel’s stability on the open sea and reduces the efficiency of the rowers. Some are stationed in the stern and act as bodyguards for the captain and helmsman. Others are at the prow to act as boarders. In calmer sheltered waters, such as Choralinthor Bay, the number of marines aboard might be increased to as many as forty, though risking a reduction in speed. Normally the ship makes use of a main square sail rigged from the main yard for propulsion, and a smaller ‘boat’ sail at the prow to aid steering. Warships lower their mast and sails before going into battle. Battle tactics are typically ramming and then boarding the enemy with heavily-armed troops. Ships are protected by magical guardians worshiped by the crew.

Concur. According to the RQ Quickstart booklet, the Water Runes is associated with whips and nets. Fortunately, the description of Esrolian warships in HQ:G says the 170 rowers are not slaves... The marines listed are 15 archers. Historically, an ancient terrestrial trireme had an epibatai 'deck crew' of 10-20; Athenian triremes carried more hoplites than archers; Roman triremes had roughly the same number of marines. I suspect the Water Brother Marines regiment could supply the fighters for 50-100 triremes. As the Delainaeo Noble House is very rich this might not be an improbable number of ships (prior to Harrek's arrival...) At her peak, Athens had a fleet of 400 ships, and Athens was never as large as Nochet - all of Attica had a population of 250,000–300,000, and Nochet and its surrounding territory is likely to be far higher than that?

My mistake. (Mis-edited Noble Brothers instead of Humakti Battalion.) Unfortunately Word color encoding doesn't always transfer correctly (in document white on black). Jeff's definitions only include Light or Heavy. Will edit post above.

Thank you for that Harald. I've taken the liberty of expanding the entries below. I wonder if the Water Brothers are Heavy or Light Infantry? Unsure as to whom their patron might be. [Re-edited version] The Holy Country Esrolia Prior to 1624 Sir Narib’s Company of mercenaries was also present in Esrolia. Green Horse Type Light Cavalry Armor Leather Weapons Spear, axe, square shield, javelin Morale Militia 2 Patron Deity Irillo, Green Horse Magic Factor Low 1 Missile Factor 1 Melee Factor 3 Green Horse is called Dearn by the ignorant and Delarn by those of the Dearno district of Nochet from which the Hundred is drawn, but its said that only the Noble Husbands and the Green Sages know his true name. Dearno is one of the rich noble districts, and one of the two oldest in the city. Golden Racers Type Light Cavalry Armor Leather Weapons Spear, round shield, javelin Morale Militia 2 Patron Deity Irillo, Nolerianmar Magic Factor Low 1 Missile Factor 1 Melee Factor 3 One of the militia Hundreds of Nochet. Noble Brothers Type Heavy Cavalry Armor Bronze Weapons Spear or lance, shield, axe, mace, flail or sword Morale Veteran 5 Patron Deity Varies Magic Factor Low 3 Missile Factor 0 Melee Factor 5 A regiment of the Kimantorings. This regiment of veteran heavy cavalry serves the war gods of the Noble Brothers Temple. They are all subservient to the Most Noble Aunt, a hereditary office held by the Delaeos clan, one of the most powerful noble clans. The weapons of individual soldiers depends upon their preferred Noble Brother, with spear or lance being the primary weapon, and then sword, axe, mace, or even flail. Axe Maidens Type Heavy Infantry Armor Leather Weapons Axe, square shield Morale Elite 6 Patron Deity Babeester Gor Notes All female Magic Factor Medium 5 Missile Factor 0 Melee Factor 5 A regiment drawn from the defenders of numerous Earth Temples. These are regiments of brutal berserkers who terrify most male-dominated units. They have significant powers against oath-breakers – and are the most feared regiments in all Esrolia. Axe Maidens Type Heavy Cavalry Armor Leather Weapons Sagaris, axe, square shield Morale Elite 6 Patron Deity Babeester Gor Notes All female Magic Factor Medium 5 Missile Factor 0 Melee Factor 5 A regiment drawn from the defenders of numerous Earth Temples. Humakti Battalion Type Heavy Infantry Armor Bronze Weapons Broadsword, shield, javelin Morale Elite 6 Patron Deity Humakt Notes Mercenaries Magic Factor Low 1 Missile Factor 1 Melee Factor 4 This elite mercenary regiment is maintained by the Humakt temple. They fight with swords and are fanatically brave. The battalion is very expensive to hire but always fulfill their contracts. Sons of Argan Argar Type Heavy Infantry Armor Bronze, Lead Weapons Spear, mace, shield Morale Elite 6 Patron Deity Argan Argar Magic Factor Low 1 Missile Factor 1 Melee Factor 5 A regiment of the Kimantorings, this veteran regiment of heavy infantry includes ranks of spearmen, backed up by two or three hundred heavily armored dark and great trolls. Their commander is typically a member of the Norinel clan and they were loyal to Queen Hendira until she was overthrown in a coup in 1622. Water Brother Marines Type Heavy Infantry Armor Bronze Weapons Broadsword, shield, javelin, bow Morale Veteran 5 Patron Deity Helamakt Notes Bow/javelin used as ships close, then sword/shield as they cross to foe's ships and attack. Magic Factor Low 1 Missile Factor 2 Melee Factor 4 This regiment specializes in fighting aboard triremes, and is maintained by the Delainaeo clan. Although heavily armored, they are superb skirmishers fighting with javelins and bows.

Most Heroes are...

My attempt to define Harrek's itinerary: Harrek was a Rathori Hsunchen, born in 1484. By the age of seven he committed his first murder. Harrek was initiated early, aged twelve. Like all the Bear-People, Harrek went to sleep in 1499. He was among the First Wakeup in 1594 as the Syndic’s Ban gradually evaporated. When he saw that the planets were wrong he began wandering. For a time, he was a mercenary in Timms, the first portion of Old Jonatela to be released from the Ban in 1597. Noted for his potential, he was taken to the Lunar Empire to participate in the Dart Competitions. In 1607 he was unleashed by the Wylua-oor clan, the rulers of the satrapy of Darjiin, upon their rivals in the Yanoriao-ilart clan, which unintentionally resulted in the death of a Mask of the Red Emperor at the city of Mephos. Leaving the empire, filled with revulsion for its decadence, Harrek returned to Rathorela. He interfered with the annual sacrifice to Rathor in 1609, slaying the White Bear god and binding him within his skin, killing the outraged tribesmen who protested. Alone, he left Rathorela. By accident, he opposed some of the first raiding parties coming out of the Kingdom of War in 1612. Harrek became the general of an army of barbarians and mercenaries and led it to plunder Sog City in 1615. Sailing from Loskalm with his loot, the ship he was abroad was intercepted by Wolf Pirates. Harrek killed enough of them to be offered terms, whereupon he took over the captaincy of their vessel. He led them in raids of the coasts of Kethaela in 1616, contributing to the trials suffered by the Holy Country that year. By 1617, Harrek was in Ygg’s Islands. Despite all the odds, the piratical god Ygg chose him as champion and awarded him gifts. Harrek, in his great ship the Ice Serpent, led half the population from the barren islands. They called themselves Ygg's People of the War Bear. Harrek and his pirates plundered the coasts of Arolanit, Seshnela and Kethaela. They then set off southwards, led by Vadeli guides, to find and pillage Jrustela. Instead of the rich cities they expected, they found a wild archipelago. Harrek threw the Vadeli to the merman who demanded human sacrifice to let the fleet go, and then he sailed back to raid Nolos and Pasos. Many other pirate ships joined them, and Harrek accepted them if they obeyed the rules of his fleet. After several years, the pirates settled on the Three Step Islands, raiding and terrorizing the coasts of the Solkathi and Rozgali Seas. In 1621, Harrek met Argrath of Sartar at sea, sailing upon a giant wooden cradle. Together they circumnavigated the Inner Seas. Sailing eastwards, they plundered Teshnos, launching an assault on Dombain and installing a young queen there. Next, they arrived in Teleos and quickly plunged that land into confusion and war. Harrek captured and enslaved the powerful Emerald Frog, the Eater of Souls. The next year, Harrek the Berserk and his Wolf Pirates reached Pamaltela, and descended in force upon Laskal, defeating the Bat People, ridding the Forest of Disease of its malevolent goddess, and gaining the submission of the local Sea Gods. Harrek established his claim to the throne of Laskal. In 1623, Harrek and his Wolf Pirates sailed again to Jrustela, raising part of the isle and uncovering ancient God Learner temples preserved by powerful sorcery. Sailing north, late in the same year, they raided the coasts of Seshnela. Early in 1624, the Wolf Pirate fleet appeared in the Choralinthor Bay. Harrek’s second-in-command, Argrath, agreed to aid High King Broyan against the Lunar Empire. An army led by King Broyan, including the Warm Earth Alliance, and the Wolf Pirates, defeated the Lunars at the Battle of Pennel. Harrek’s price for his aid was to plunder the City of Wonder. For the next few years, with civil war in Tarsh and nomad invasions in the north, the Lunar Empire was expelled from Dragon Pass. Harrek returned to the seas, raiding and pillaging, returning to aid Argrath in 1628, when the empire finally counterattacked. Outside the city of Bagnot, Harrek and Jar-eel confronted each other for the first time, and Argrath defeated the Lunars in the Battle of Heroes. Harrek then marched against Black Horse County, whose lord had fought against Argrath years earlier. Harrek and his men devastated it, and plundered great treasures from its bottomless basement. Harrek’s best friend Gunda was killed, throwing him into a black mood. When Harrek stopped at Boldhome to show off his plunder, he got into an argument with Argrath, and when Harrek was insulted his men sacked Boldhome. The Wolf Pirates sacked Wilmskirk in 1630 before heading south to re-join their fleet. In 1631, Harrek led his Wolf Pirates fleet back to Laskal. He would return under the banner of the Flame Dragon…