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[Brf]

"Sir Brf, the scouts have returned!"

"Report."

"Your cousin, Sir Chebert, has fabricated a story of an heir to the throne, and installed General Batchman as his puppet."

"Ha. Nobody would believe such lies..... What of our Emissary?"

"He was lynched by the vile rabble following Chebert and his False Ruler."

"..."

[Batchman]

Hexitonia Castle Throne Room:

The throne room is well-decorated in royal colors, and large numbers of General Batchman's troops are present, along with representatives from the surrounding towns, Duke Chebert's armies, the religious orders, and even SStabler.

Bishop Sigsward: All the rites have been observed. All of the ceremonies have been held. The documents have been verified. We are here today to crown a new King!

The crowds erupt into cheers, and the doors to the throne room are opened. General Batchman steps into the room, dressed entirely in simple white linen garments. He approaches Bishop Sigsward and faces the throne.

Bishop Sigsward: Do you, General Batchman, pledge to strive for justice and fairness for all peoples of this land? Do you swear to uphold the laws of the land and the laws of our holy Church? To show strength and character in leadership, and to place the good of this kingdom of Hexitonia before all else?

General Batchman: I do so swear.

Bishop Sigsward: Kneel.

Batchman kneels. Bishop Sigsward produces a sword. It is a strong, well-made blade, well-balanced for fighting. The hilt is silver-plated, and lightly sprinkled with jewels.

Bishop Sigsward: Do you know this blade?

General Batchman: It is my father's sword, the blade of the Kings of Hexitonia, it is the Blade Thantis!

Bishop Sigsward: Wear this blade, and always remember your commitment to this Kingdom.

Batchman takes the blade and balances it across his knee. Bishop Sigsward produces the Crown of Hexitonia.

Bishop Sigsward: With this crown, I hereby crown thee, King Batchman the First, Sanctioned by the blood, sanctioned by the church, sanctioned by the rites, and sanctioned by God, rightful Ruler and Sovereign of Hexitonia! Long live the king!

Cheers erupt throughout the throne room, and all present bow before their newly crowned king. The cheer resounds throughout the keep. Long Live the King! Batchman the First! Long Live the King!

But suddenly the doors to the throne room open again, and one of Batchman's Captains comes bursting through.

Captain Flax: General Batch ....

He catches sight of King Batchman, now sitting on the throne, and falls to one knee.

Captain Flax: Pardon me, my liege! Long live the king!

King Batchman nods regally to Flax, who rises and continues to the throne.

Captain Flax: Sire, we have found someone sneaking about the walls of the keep. He was attempting to spy on our various fortifications, but when we took him prisoner, he claimed to be an emmissary of Duke Brf's. He has acted like no emmissary I have ever seen or heard of, but what is your will for him?

King Batchman: Skulking about like a spy? This does not bode terribly well for relations with Duke Brf, but perhaps it is simply a misunderstanding. Bring him before us.

Captain Flax gives a command, and two more troops enter the room, on either side of a fairly young man. He shows signs of a scuffle, but no serious hurts. He is brought near the throne, and made to kneel before Batchman.

King Batchman: We are told you claim to be an emmissary from Duke Brf. Why have you been sneaking about, rather than proclaiming yourself as such, and what has Brf to say to us?

The throne room falls silent, waiting to hear what this man may have to say.

[Brf]

Sir Brf's emissary stands before the False King.

"I came bearing a message of peace, but all I have seen is war, destruction, and pain. I am dragged into this court like a thief, rather than welcomed as an honored guest. Your false rule will never pillage our fair land."

* The emissary spits on General Batchman *

[Che]

SCENE: Throne-room, Castle Hexitonia... Duke Chebert had just witnessed the crowning of the new king... Batchman the First.

Being in the first rank of peers... the Duke was able to observe the actions of Duke brf's spy... up close.

DUKE CHEBERT: Mi'Lord... let me slay this craven dog. He stands before us guilty of treason and sacrilege to his lawful king. After I have gutted this fool, will burn the arch-traitor Brf's castle down... around his black soul.

[Brf]

Note from the GM:

Che wrote: lawful king.

Brf wrote: Therefore, when the King died, drowning in his bathtub, he left no heir.

The good King's cousins each vowed to take the kingdom by force.

Therefore there is no "Lawful King". As a fellow player I have to assume you are making up a story about Batchman being the King's son and trying to install a false regime.

[Batchman]

Personally, I think he was just trying to come up with a work-around to have an actual legitimate heir, without changing the fact that everybody -thought- there was no heir.

Now it works either way ... whether I am the legitimate heir or not, there will probably be people who will go along to avoid trouble, and also people who will oppose me whether they think I am really the heir, or not.

I would like to state plainly that my character absolutely believes Chebert's documentation, as it explains a lot about how I was raised up and how I first got my military position, though I then earned further advancements.

I also would like to say I object strongly to being characterized as nerdly ... though in absolute honesty, I'd probably have to admit to it being a fair characterization.

[Batchman]

Batchman the First: Nay, cousin! It may be as you say ... he may be a spy ... or he may firmly believe what he says. But I do recognize him, and I know him to be used by Duke Brf on occasion. I shall return him to Brf whole and unharmed.

Batchman the First: But hear me clearly! I am King Dweebnick's son! I have been lawfully crowned King of Hexitonia! And if you are caught in this castle or its surrounding towns again, you will be executed! Carry word to your master, for I will soon meet him on the field of battle!

[Brf]

Batchman wrote: I also would like to say I object strongly to being characterized as nerdly ... though in absolute honesty, I'd probably have to admit to it being a fair characterization.

:D

That was actually playing along, since Dweebnick was a dweeb he could have a nerdy son.

The scenerio requires there be no legitimate heir, so all players are equal. If one player is labeled a legitimate heir, then he has a psychological advantage over the others.

[Che]

[OOC: IMO, the players are not intimidated by plot devices. We have a pretty savvy group of players... who know each other to well to have psychological advantages.

Interesting plot devices are the "why" that encourages players to RP. Herr Baron's excellently done "thinking machine" is a prime example.]

SCENE: Throne-room, Castle Hexitonia... Duke Chebert acknowledges his King's words with a half-bow and says...

DUKE CHEBERT: As your Majesty commands... politics and diplomacy are Royal concerns :)

This varlet will be returned to his master in one piece.

BISHOP SIGSWARD: Your Majesty, rumors are flying back-and-forth... like witches on broomsticks. Most concern whether you are the legitimate son and heir to King Dweebnick.

Personally, I view this as a small matter. Your Majesty will always have critics and enemies... this is why chaos and dis-unity are the usual form of government in our blighted land.

Hexitonians all believe one thing... power comes from the point of a sword. They are a stubborn and rebellious people by nature. Peace will only return... once the power of the nobles has been broken.

[Baron]

~Scene: A dark, cloaked figure approaches the gates of Castle Foury.~

*The cloaked man enters the gates without trouble and moves towards his target. He mutters to himself.*

Cloaked Man: "Soon, my mission will be accomplished...though I be a martyr, our cause shall be saved. And the King of Hexitonia shall be saved!"


~Meanwhile, in an elegant chamber in Castle Foury, several floors above, the Council of the Foundation is meeting.~

*Baron von Fourier sits at the end of a long table. Gathered there are all the leaders of the Foundation: the Foundation Army General, the Captain of the Fourian Guard, Sir Henry Shalldone, sevaral ministers and representatives, and one guest: Professor Kettler of Hexford University, Department of Geneology.*

Baron von Fourier: "...and this is finished. Now to our next piece of agenda: the extension of council seat rights and voting rights to all land-owning gentry. Gentleman, this is a momentous occasion in Hexitonian history. This is the greatest extent of democratic rule in Hexitonian history. Arguements for or against?"

Sir Henry Shalldone: "First Councilman, this is unacceptable. I have repeatadly proved that the science of psychohistory is the only guiding light necessary for the rule of a Kingdom. Democracy has been rendered obsolete before it has even become fashionable. The future is this...rule by a corps of engineers and aristocrats!"

Baron: "Thankyou, Councilman Shalldone. Are there any further arguements?"

Captain of the Fourian Guard: "First Councilman, I must respectfully disagree with Councilman Shalldone. In democratic innovations in the past, the people have shown themeselves quite capable of looking after there own self-interest. This freedom must be balanced by the freedom guarenteed by individual rights, and thus, the ideal system is that of constitutional democracy...a system we are slowly, carefully, instituting here in the Foundation."

*The Captain seats, and his speach is greeted by nods of approval around the table. Shalldone glares at the Captain. Shalldone speaks darkly.*

Shalldone: "I find you lack of faith disturbing, Captain."

Captain: "My lack of faith, Councilman? Or where I place my faith?"

Baron: "That is enough. We will proceed to the vote. All for? All against?"

*The votes are tallied, and of the nine councilman, there are two dissents: Councilmen Shalldone and Legium.*

Baron: "Next order of business, and the last, thankfully. You may have noticed our honored guest, Professor Kettler."

*Greeting are exchanged around the table. Eventually, Kettler addresses the Baron.*

Kettler: "Thank you, thank you. However, I wish to know why I have been brought here. I truly wish to return to my studies."

Baron: "You will not be returning to your studies for some time, Professor, I am afraid. You have failed this council. Some time ago, you told me you were close to finding the King's true heir. However, this Batchman has declared himself the person in question."

*The Professor grows pale and stammers.*

Kettler: "I...I am c-close, sire. However, the records at the Hexford University Library are incomplete. I find it necessary to proceed to the Royal Library of Hexitonia, but have not been allowed to do so due to wartime restrictions."

*The Baron is about to speak, when Shalldone interrupts.*

Shalldone: "This is a perversion! Another splot on our councils minutes. Have I not told all assembled here that I have been working for days and nights, preparing a new program upon the Super-Abacus? Soon, data being processed at this very moment will reveal who the King's heir is!"

*Whispered words break out around the table. The Baron calls the council to order.*

Baron: "Yes, but we will proceed to confirm this. Councilman Shalldone, please conserve yourself until we have finished with the matter at hand."

*Shalldone and his associate, Councilman Legius, rise.*

Shalldone: "Well then, my presence here will not be necessary. I beg your leave."

*The two men leave.*

Baron: "Moving on...Professor Kettler, we have made arrangements for you to continue your research. An hour ago, this council voted to make you the emissary to 'King' Batchman. With Sir Emply of the Diplomatic Corps, you will pack your things and proceed immediately to Castle Hexitonia. Remember, you will tell no-one of your investigation. You are merely a diplomat with interests in geneology. Is this all to your liking, Emissary Kettler?"

*Kettler can only sit, frozen.*

Baron: "Very well. This council meeting is adjourned."


~Meanwhile, in Sub-Dungeon Two...~

*Sir Shalldone and Councilman Legius walk rapidly towards the data board.*

Shalldone: "The results will be ready in a few minutes..."

*The two men do not notice a cloaked figure, following them at a distance. They approach the data board, and meet the Head Translator.*

Translator: "We have a slight hold up. There's a kink in the line is Sector G-3...data beads are building up back there..."

Shalldone: "Isn't that the main approach to the data board?"

Translator: "Yes, it is."

Shalldone: "So could one not go to the kink and read the results."

Translator: "W-well, yes, I, I suppose so, my liege."

Shalldone: "Very well! You stay here and watch the data board, and I will go read the results!"

*Shalldone and Legius race for Sector 3-G. The cloaked man produces an ancient tool and carefully follows them. Shalldone reaches the point...along the wire, there are a long build-up of beads. Pages bring in more, slowly. The area wil surround be copper wires so thick, one has difficulty seeing a few meters. Shalldone tilts his head and hurriedly begins translating. As he does this, the cloaked figure finds an appropriate conduit-bundle of copper wires and brings down his tool: a wire-cutter. A few meters away, knowledge appears to dawn on Shalldone. The cloaked man cuts at the high-tension copper wires.*

Shalldone: "Legius, me dear fellow! I almost have it! The King is...
the King is..."

*Shalldone looks shocked as the results become clear. At the same moment, the cloaked man finishes his work. A chain reaction begins. High-tension copper wires begin swinging about the Super-Abacus structure. The thinking machine begins to collapse. Beads are scattered everywhere. Shalldone turns to see what is going on, just before a great copper cable zooms at his chest, piercing his body.*

Shalldone: "NOOOO!"

*The cloaked figure escapes the collapsing structure. Legius and a nearby assistant run to Shalldone, who lies bleeding on the ground.*

Shalldone: "The Foundation...the Foundation..."

Legius: "Yes, my lord?"

Shalldone: "Shall...survive...the Second Foundation...carries..."

Legius: "What of it, my Lord?"

Shalldone: "The Second Foundation...will finish it...at the other end of land..."

*Shalldone loses consciousness.*

[Che]

SCENE: Outside a small gate of Castle Foury. A darkly dressed figure stands in the shadows... watching.

The gate suddenly opens and three individuals are observed exiting. One carries a torch and two of the ruffians carry what looks like a body... wrapped in a cloak.
The Watcher nods and thinks to himself...

THE WATCHER: My master, the SPY, was correct... there are indeed strange events occurring at Castle Foury.

For now, I will follow this trio of churls (medieval peasants) and see what happens.

[Che]

SCENE: Palace, Cheville - Duke Chebert is receiving messengers from his armies...

DUKE CHEBERT: Tell me, Sir Arlen, has Army I followed my
commands?

SIR ARLEN: Yes, Your Grace, the army is encamped... north of Brfitonia .

We are in contact with Lord Brf's screening forces.

DUKE CHEBERT: Very good, I will write orders for you to take back to Army I.

Make sure that it is understood... I do not want any hostile actions.

Keep the troops in camp... except for light scouting forces.

Sir Konrad, I believe you have just arrive from Army II?

Is the movement of the army completed?

SIR KONRAD: No mi'Lord, the march has been slow... delayed by bad roads and mud.

DUKE CHEBERT: It was God's will... I blame no one.

New orders will soon be ready... get some food and wine.

Scribe, make sure you have plenty of quills and parchment... we will be busy for a few hours.

[Brf]

Sir Brf paces the floor. He has had no news of his campaign to unite Hexitonia for weeks. An advisor bursts into his chamber:

"Sir Brf. A messenger has arrived!"

The scout is carried into the room -- half-dead.

"Report."

"Sire, General Snake-eye has fallen.... Castle Coojoe has been taken... The North-east villages has been overrun!!!!"

"What?"

"It was your vile cousin, Sir Che. His hordes have been pillaging and burning everything!"

"Sh*t"

"His armies have surrounded Upper Brfitonia and are massing just North of the Bloody Fields!"

"Sh*t-Sh*t-Sh*t..... What of our allies? The foundation?"

"The Foundation has fallen. They took Von Lubstein's castle as planned, but have lost their own. The Evil Batchman took it...."

"Hmmmm....."

[Baron]

~Scene: Three men ride on horseback from a burning castle, through a village. Villagers and soldiers run about chaotically.~

*The horses stop in a calm spot near the barracks. Baron von Fourier, on a brown stallion, in the middle, turns to the man on his left and speaks.*

Baron von Fourier: "Oh, Professor Kettler. What went wrong?"

*All three men turn their horses for a view of the burning castle.*

Professor Kettler: "I think, sir, we lost the initiative. We lost our will to prove Lord Batchman wrong...and things deteriorated from their. Sir Shalldone was mortally injured...and then we could not save him when Castle Foury fell. Along with him, the good Captain of the Fourian Guard fell defending the castle. Bless his soul...he followed the Fourian Guard's purpose the grisly end."

Baron: "It is time to end this. Look around you! My people were slaughtered at Foury, and soon they will again be decimated here. It is time to end this."

*Baron turns to the third man, the Foundation Army General.*

Baron: "Tell your troops they may go home. The Foundation...and our hopes for freedom...will die here. We shall immediately abandon the villages."

General: "Yes, my lord. And you?"

Baron: "After you give the order, have your best troops evacuate my family and the villagers. My family will live in hiding, but in peace again, in the Hexitonian Rivierra. You may send a message to Lord Batchman that, although we shall still refuse to recognize him as king, these lands our his. The Fouries shall fight him no more."

[Batchman]

Batchman the 1st steps out of the castle privie. He is tottering and stumbling, unshaven and pasty-faced.

Batchman: My God, how long have I been in there?

Servant: My lord? You have been in the privie for about a month and a half. Is anything amiss?

Batchman, rolling eyes: Were you dumped on your head repeatedly as a child, or are you one of the good Doctor's zombies in disguise?

Servant: My lord?

Batchman: Never mind. Send to the kitchen for non-spicy food, and notify the head cook that if Junta Joe is ever allowed to select the sauces on Mexican night again, I'll have his head! Where are my advisors?

Just then, the doors burst open and Captain Flax strolls in the room.

Flax: My lord?

Batchman: Yes, Captain?

Flax: Strange doings from the cities surrounding Ravenswood Keep. Baron Fourier's troops have all abondoned the towns and run off into the woods. Messages have reached us that the Baron refuses to acknowledge your rule, yet has chosen to exile himself, rather than fight on.

Batchman: And we have access to the towns?

Flax: Yes, Sire.

Batchman: Then allow any of Baron Fourier's troops whom you come across to escape freely, as long as they are not actively resisting you. I wish he would have come around, but I have no desire for any more bloodshed than necessary. Perhaps one day he will acknowledge my rule, and resume an honored place in the running of our kingdom.

Flax: Yes, sire. I will begin issuing the orders immediately.

Batchman: Also prepare a message for Brf. Notify him that his are the only forces still resisting in our kingdom. He cannot long stand against the forces which our good Duke Chebert and myself are now free to bring against him. All this bloodshed is wasteful. If he will simply acknowledge our rule and place himself under us, we shall be more than happy to consider this matter ended.

Brf may continue to reign in those lands which have always been his, subject to the laws of the entire land.

If he is not too bloodthirsty, perhaps we may know peace once again in Hexitonia!