Château de Rouen, Seat of the de Clare Family

**Ace_General** · February 04, 2013, 06:52 AM

Here is the home of Richard de Clare, Baron of Rouen

**m_1512** · February 04, 2013, 10:34 AM

A man is seen on the horizon, walking in a staggering sort. He walks up to the guards, and requests entry to meet it's lord.

**Ace_General** · February 04, 2013, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by m_1512

A man is seen on the horizon, walking in a staggering sort. He walks up to the guards, and requests entry to meet it's lord.

The man is taken in and lead to a hall where the baron is looking over some reports.

The lord hears the man come in, puts down his papers and says

Good day Sir, I am Baron Richard de Clare, to what do we owe the pleasure of this meeting my good man?

**m_1512** · February 04, 2013, 11:40 AM

The man staggers, then falls to his knees panting.

Some water, please. I haven't had anything to eat or drink since long.

**Ace_General** · February 04, 2013, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by m_1512

The man staggers, then falls to his knees panting.

Some water, please. I haven't had anything to eat or drink since long.

The de Clare nods to his retainers and the man is pulled into a seat and some bread, water, and a slice of mutton are brought out.

OOC: I gotta hit up class, just RP wise your character rests up then later tonight we talk

**m_1512** · February 04, 2013, 12:06 PM

The man speaks nothing at all while he eats in earnest, gulping down water to down the bread. He sniffs the mutton and starts to tear it large chunks and starts eating. He gulps another goblet of water before getting off the table.

He then approaches the baron, and bows.

Pardon me for my lack of manners, for I was famished. All the same, I must thank you for your kindness. I haven't seen any kindness in the land of Christendom so far in my travels.

He rummages around in the insides of his robes, and pulls out a small bundle of cloth.

I am not a wealthy man, and hence cannot offer any tribute worthy of a baron. I can only offer just this.

He unfurls the cloth to present a eastern blade with a scabbard. The hilt of the blade is ornate with the shape of a hawk.

A blade belonging to a Saracen baron. He had used it to slay his kin to get the seat of the kinsman.

**Ace_General** · February 04, 2013, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by m_1512

The man speaks nothing at all while he eats in earnest, gulping down water to down the bread. He sniffs the mutton and starts to tear it large chunks and starts eating. He gulps another goblet of water before getting off the table.

He then approaches the baron, and bows.

Pardon me for my lack of manners, for I was famished. All the same, I must thank you for your kindness. I haven't seen any kindness in the land of Christendom so far in my travels.

He rummages around in the insides of his robes, and pulls out a small bundle of cloth.

I am not a wealthy man, and hence cannot offer any tribute worthy of a baron. I can only offer just this.

He unfurls the cloth to present a eastern blade with a scabbard. The hilt of the blade is ornate with the shape of a hawk.

A blade belonging to a Saracen baron. He had used it to slay his kin to get the seat of the kinsman.

OOC: fun fact, I do full contact SCA heavy armored combat in anything from deuls to battles with hundreds of people and historical German longsword stuff and have handled and trained with historically accurate forged steel replica swords, so I do actually have real life experience with mediaeval swords and the acutal fighting styles of our characters. (You want to do sword and shield, shield makes you so much more survivable and it can be a weapon in and of itself)

The baron takes the sword in his hand and closely inspects it, then gently raps it on the table to test the suppleness of the steel, then tests the balence of the sword and makes a few cuts in the air says

A most good blade, very good quality steel. Interesting construction, with the curve and weight forward, very good sword for cutting, but next to worthless for stabbing. In battle I would probably be more a danger to myself then the enemy. Though I have seen these swords deliver absolutely dreadful cuts from horseback

de Clare then hands the blade back to the man and says

Though Im sure you can cause some damage with that in your hand, would be a pity not to have you in my bodyguard. If that is what you would like, for you seem a bit old and too experienced to be taken on as a squire.

What would your name be my good man?

**m_1512** · February 05, 2013, 08:38 AM

OOC: I must've posted clearly. That's not a sword, but a Saracen dagger. Also, the guys not old, something 25'ish.

He shakes his head.

No baron, please accept the dagger as token of my gratitude.

He glances around hoping for some wine and a place to sit. He pulls off his black cloak to reveal a white crusader's tunic.

My name is Baldric. I have just returned from the Holy Land from the crusades. My tale is incredible, yet true.

**Zeus Almighty** · February 08, 2013, 02:18 PM

Gabriel Warwick arrives, a little more than a week after their meeting. He comes with a caravan of two handed maces. He had come to terms with The Earl of Leicester concerning his future. Now he had just this loose end to tie up.

**m_1512** · February 09, 2013, 09:59 AM

Baldric strides into the hall.

Ah... you brought the goods? Wait, where are the rest of the weapons and the tunics?

**Ace_General** · February 09, 2013, 06:59 PM

de Clare rides out and says to Warwick

You did good my good man

The Baron then looks expectantly at the maces and says with a bit of a gleam in his eye

May I have a look at the stock, I want to do a bit of testing........

**m_1512** · February 09, 2013, 08:00 PM

Baldric standing nearby examining a parchment walks up to de Clare.

The goods are not complete. No armor, no tunics, no rest of the weapons.

**Zeus Almighty** · February 11, 2013, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by Ace_General

de Clare rides out and says to Warwick

You did good my good man

The Baron then looks expectantly at the maces and says with a bit of a gleam in his eye

May I have a look at the stock, I want to do a bit of testing........

[COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"]But of course mi lord, I would never sell somethen to someone that didn't like my end product. [/COLOR. Gabriel said smiling.
He drew one of the maces from the caravan, the one he made just for the Lord, it was quite and ornate an intricate design really, engraving a small prayer for the house in the handle. Ironic actually, a weapon I death with a prayer on it. But the prayer was something of a token of Warwicks, all his best work had it. Quite simply, it was a forgiveness prayer, for the lives it took.
As The Baron was inspectin it, Gabriel began,

I was only able to make 50 in the time alotted. 12 by my own hand, inclusion that one. The others by those that apprentice under me. Fine men fine work and all overseen by me. What do you think of the weight? weight was something taken very seriously by Gabriel. He believed it to be integral in it's effectiveness.

**Ace_General** · February 12, 2013, 11:30 AM

de Clare fowns at how ornate the weapon is

What am I a frenchmen. Go sell this to some fat noble from the midland who has never seen battle. I would like you to sell this one and give me credit for future purcases

The baron walks over and picks up one of the normal maces and tests it out and says

Most good

**Zeus Almighty** · February 12, 2013, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Ace_General

de Clare fowns at how ornate the weapon is

What am I a frenchmen. Go sell this to some fat noble from the midland who has never seen battle. I would like you to sell this one and give me credit for future purcases

The baron walks over and picks up one of the normal maces and tests it out and says

Most good

Gabriel was surprised at the outburst. Regardless of the coloration and engraving on them they were still balanced well and just as effective as blander weapons
No credit can be given, but you can however have your money back. I am stepping away from my business, in a way, as of two weeks ago. I am sorry the complexity of their design displeases you.

**Ace_General** · February 12, 2013, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Zeus Almighty

Gabriel was surprised at the outburst. Regardless of the coloration and engraving on them they were still balanced well and just as effective as blander weapons
No credit can be given, but you can however have your money back. I am stepping away from my business, in a way, as of two weeks ago. I am sorry the complexity of their design displeases you.

de Clare shrugs

Its not a bad weapon, just not my manner, I just prefer to have my weapons along with all things in life to be simple as possible and function. Its not your fault. You are a fine smith. I would like you to come and visit my castle for awhile and try to figure out how to make as much high quality steel as quickly and cheaply as possible. I remember hearing some Saracen down in Sicily talk about how the Romans using water or windmills to work bellows. I am not sure how it works, but I know it has been done in the past and if you can make it happen, I will make sure you are a wealthy man.

the baron turns and says to Baldaric

Now, what is this whole business of you chasing after this noble women promised to some other baron. Why didnt you tell me about this, I can help you. After all, am I not your lord.

**Adamat** · February 12, 2013, 12:39 PM

OOC: You are a Frenchman actually

**Ace_General** · February 12, 2013, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Adamat

OOC: You are a Frenchman actually

OOC: Well not a Frank

**Zeus Almighty** · February 12, 2013, 09:33 PM

Wealth, oh wealth, it seemed like quite the fine idea. Had Gabriel been a different smith, he would have taken him up on the deal. However he was not, and for as long as he could remember, weilding a sword was always his hearts desire. Coupling that with the Earls offer, all he could do was decline.
I would if I could Baron, I've pledged me services elsewhere however I'm afraid. You are actually my last job. Pardon me, but seeing how late in the day it is I best be going. Allow the Baron to take what he will pay for, we shall bring the rest with us. Gabriel said to the men that accompanied him.

Thank you for you patronage Sire. And thank you for the chance to showcase my skills. Gabriel said bowing, preparing to depart.

**Gandalfus** · April 12, 2013, 04:34 PM

A letter is addressed to Richard de Clare, wherever he may be.

Richard,

We should cease this tomfoolery at once. This civil war is decimating England and it needs to stop. If you surrender I will give you a pardon and extensive lands in the marches; hell, I'll even make you my heir. All you need to do is consent. Please do this, for the good of the realm.

William de Vassy.