EVENT: Breaking bread in Constantinople: Forum of Theodosius

[joriandrake]

Father Akos with money given by Duke Attila Arpad went to a devastated marketplace, and paid the baker and fishmonger there not just enough to repair their shops and equipment, but also to prepare enough fresh bread and roasted fish for a mass. To do this not only gained the Hungarians a bit of favor and good will from the market, but also slightly revitalized local commerce after the siege.

Akos then took quarter of the Hungarian troops with him the next day early morning to have them help out at mass being held at the almost empty and deserted Forum of Theodosius. A dead stylite was found at the pillar, and had been quickly given over to get a proper funeral without disturbing preparations as the area got cleaned.

Background Music:


Soon, Father Akos stood at the middle of the Square and began preaching, a few words in Latin, but mostly in Greek,. This brought attention to him from the nearby locals who didn't fled the city, and they began to flock together at the square slowly. Some just to see what is going on, other in surprise to see someone from among the Latins caring enough to speak Greek, and others genuinely for the mass that was beginning.

"In the Name of God, Jesus and Theotokos, let us mourn together the departed, pray for a quick and bloodless end to the war, and that God forgive all our sins. We are all Christians, and it is a sad moment in history every time when we have to fight each other for any reason, but we can't forget that the Bishop in Rome is the heir to Saint Peter and shepherd of the flock in our life, who tries to mend old wounds and unite the faithful, even if it may be painful." At the last part there was a bit of an uproar, and a few people began to leave, but Akos continued.

"Constantinopolis was a great city ever since its foundation, and it shall be once again. Let us reach towards each other in friendship and forgiveness, let us help each other to rebuild our homes and lives, and embrace the Faith with a smile among ourselves as we share a meal here as Jesus shared a meal in the "miracle of the five loaves and two fish" so that you see God has not forsaken you, and that event the Latins care about Hellenes and even the poor urchins and homeless of the city."
Father Akos smiled then and added another comment. "Of course, I am but a humble servant of God among the Greek Catholic faithful, and do not think I will be able to perform a miracle to increase the amount of fish and bread as Jesus did, but I hope we have enough to leave no mouth unfed with the help of God, Duke Attila of Savaria, and Emperor Bohemond I."

As he spoke he walked over to the meal prepared that has been brought, and took the first dish of fish and bread over to a young girl in dirty and burned clothes. At this point even those who began to leave returned if for nothing else just for the food. While some soldiers stayed back to protect the people from pickpockets, most of them began to help handing out food.

As news of the generosity and the mass held at the Forum of Theodosius people from other parts of the city also slowly showed up, either for the food, the words of the priest, or for both.


"Eat, and be filled, both in stomach and spirit, so that you may return to strength and be able together with everyone to return this beautiful city to its glory as well." Father Akos continued to say a few sentences as the food was given out as well, and ordered more as he noticed the initial amount will not be enough.

Akos also noticed more and more of the Latins shyly joining the mass and also eating together with the locals in a few places. Humans were so eager to forget bad things in most cases, and this might truly be an important step to reconcile the conquerors and those who will be paying taxes to them. If Akos wasn't wrong even a few ranked members of the Latins looked around, deciding to join or not.




((This is an open event, everyone is allowed to show up and break bread as equals with everyone.
Special event costs to prepare and pay for food: 100 + 100 ducats = 200
Goal = improve morale, reconciliation, and also somewhat as converting masses and helping local economy back on its feet
Bonus = This event is considered to be an action of conversion for Father Akos (however that is calculated) to increase percentage of converted to Greek Catholic religion))

[Hengest]

The assembly of peasants hungry and desperate, hopeless and angry at the invaders were stirring from all across the city as word spread like wildfire of the gift-giving lord. A small English patrol had stood at the edge of the forum quietly watching, sending a few men back to the barracks to alert Captain Willyame or Baron Athelstan. It was not long before Athelstan himself came sprinting at the head of a few hundred men. They quickly lined the streets leading to the forum but left the square clear. If this lordly priest wanted to risk his life before the Greeks that was his own choice, but a full scale riot.... that could never happen again, not on his watch. Athelstan marched with a dozen bowmen to the priest... and knelt as if to receive the Eucharist, but he was 'subtly' showing his presence. He glared at the priest but with clasped hands.

[Adamat]

OOC: No need to actually pay for anything here, I am allowing this kind of RP without a price tag attached to it as long as it is kept realistic.

The speech and bread seem to have quite the effect on the citizens of Constantinople. Almost everyone joins the Father, and quite a few actually seem inspired by his words.

Gained: Favour of the smallfolk of Constantinople, a few converts

[joriandrake]

((Thanks Adamat, but I kinda wanted to use the money anyway, for somekind of additional boost/bonus to the results that wouldn't happen if it was only RP without some stat or cost attached to it ))

Father Akos continued the mass and the charity meal, even as he noticed the Constable whom he met not long ago already. He just gently smiled at him and ordered the helpers among the Hungarian solders to also hand a dish of fish and bread to the Athelstan's City Guard.

He was not a foolish idealist, but was in his own way a brave man, and an empathic enough person to know that this isn't risky at all, he would do much more dangerous things in the future. He tried to calm the guards that came to join them as well, rather than endangering the situation.

"Constable Aethelstan, please join us." Akos went over to the man to hand him a dish himself. The roasted fish smelled nice, the cooks seem to even have used some basic seasoning despite it being free food.

[Rainmaker]

Lady Sibylla Eriksdotter has recently arrived in Constantinople, but, even tho she didn't meet her brother yet, she was gone for the event she was told about, by Father Akos. It would be her opportunity to meet those who are important to meet, if given the chance. She wouldn't allow herself to be a completely ignorant.
She slowly walked with her handmaiden and one knight following her. She would greet those at the Square, heading to Father Akos and the one knight.

— I, Sibylla Eriksdotter, of house Tre Rosor, come here to greet and more, Father. My Lord.

[joriandrake]

Surprised by the girl while offering the dish to the Constable Akos almost let the food slip off the dish onto Athelstan when bowing a bit for the Lady as well.

"Oh hello my Lady. I am Father Akos from Hungary, we were just in middle of a mass and charity meal under the sky here. Care to join us too? We have still plenty of fish, and the fresher roasted fish should also soon arrive." With a quick look at the Constable he added also a remark. "Although the ones handed out now are still fresh and warm too of course."

Noticing the somewhat puzzled look on the girl Akos smiled. "We are all equals here today, Equals before God as fellow Christians, as his children. Be they Orthodox or Catholic. This is a day of reconciliation while we also reenact the "miracle of the five loaves and two fish" ...well, except that part with the miracle I think. I don't dare to believe myself that important to think God would bless me with attention like that." Father Akos couldn't help but think the Lady may have mistaken him for someone important, like the Latin Archbishop. Then again, for today only atleast to these locals in Constantinople he may be the most important man in the city. With the ever-increasing number of people it is not too strange to think the one figure at the center may be important.

"We began the mass today in the morning, and despite that the sun slowly starts to set, there are still plenty of people arriving hungry for a meal for the soul or belly, or both."

[Rainmaker]

— I will gladly join, Father. — Her smile was a sweet, tiny one.

She understood his point, but she wouldn't dare to be careless anywhere. Anyway, she had to act the perfect God-fearing Lady, to please all. Not that she was one of disbelief, she preferred only to maintain her amount of doubts until she feels satisfied with the answers.

— Good thing you do, Father. It is a must to acknowledge how little we are towards The Lord.

She, then, waited for the Father to serve her, asking the knight what he thought of the event and the food.

— What do you think, my Lord? Does it satisfies you?

[joriandrake]

As the Lady began to chat with others and he server her a dish of food Father Akos looked around with a satisfied smile. No disaster happened, actually the event could be described as a major success. Of course it was still not over, but the people of both Hellenic and Latin origin warmed up a bit to each other, and with the help of a few translators in the group they talked properly, even if careful to avoid the topics of conquest and war. There were even a few lost souls who already asked about a possibility to convert, and thus the few ducats were spent well in more than just one way.

Akos then looked back at the woman who recently arrived, and thought to himself that she looked kinda cute. If not for being a Templar, he could perhaps even marry her, as Greek Catholic clergy is allowed to marry and have children.

[Hengest]

Receiving the blessed food Athelstan and his men rose, having had food spilt on him before the Swedish beauty he blushed half in anger. He nonetheless bowed to the noblewoman but did not address her due to his state. He did 'thank' the priest however, and asked in a low voice. "As a priest and a Greek speaker you are one of the few I can trust to enquire a word I have need to know. What does 'charizomoi' mean?"

[Rainmaker]

A silent one, that man. She smiled, nonetheless, and then continued to stand there, observing the peasants in joy. The low voice reached her ears, and she payed it attention. She felt a little bored, sighting once and deeply. Then, she started her little fresh meal, her upper eyelid low.

[Hengest]

Willyame, Thegn of Eskedale and Captain of the Guard had, like Athelstan and all the Englishmen and so many others seen the sylphlike Sibylla from afar but were too afraid to address her. Not so Willyame, it had been too long since he had seen a woman of such grace and she reminded him of the women of home. English and Dansk Tunga being mutually understandable, he addressed her in the blend of words and pronunciation he used in his Scots heim. He smiled, daring to look her in the eyes. "War haelsad, mine dryhtning."

[Rainmaker]

Out of the sudden, his stare caught her attention, she being unable to comprehend what he has just said. She looks at him with confident expression, delivering him counted words with precision.

— I beg you pardon, My Lord?

[Hengest]

Out of the sudden, his stare caught her attention, she being unable to comprehend what he has just said. She looks at him with confident expression, delivering him counted words with precision.

— I beg you pardon, My Lord?

Willyame chuckled, she was clearly not as well travelled he was...he repeated in Danska Tunga, "Var hälsad, fröken."

[Rainmaker]

Willyame chuckled, she was clearly not as well travelled he was...he repeated in Danska Tunga, "Var hälsad, fröken."

As she paid it more attention this time, it got more clear what he said to her. May he be Danish, Swedish or Norwegian, she could, at least, say something he might be able to understand, she believed, even with a touch of Scottish.

— Var hälsningar, Mah Laird. — She bowed as she said that. — Sybilla Eriksdotter. Hvar hedder du?

[Hengest]

"Willyame, Thegn of Eskedale and captain of the guard. At your service." He replied continuing their bastard hotpotch of northern dialects and tongues, such as had served the Varangians in the city for many a century. "And you are the lady of Swearike that rumour has declared."

[Jokern]

Father Johannes had been cleaning his church when one of his Greek aquintances had come in and told him about the commotion at the forum. Intrigued by the news, he made his way to the mass with a couple of his followers. When Johannes arrived, he stopped and gazed at the large crowd. Amazed by all the people sharing food, he walked among them and asked them about what had occured. One Greek pointed at a priest and said he had started the mass and had ordered the soldiers to give out food. Johannes sroted over to him.

"Good day, they tell me you have assembled this marvelous mass. I must say that this is quite a scene. Greeks and Latins sharing fish andd bread, just like the lord Christ did when he fed the multitude. Would this be an homage to the miracle. Quite genious I would say."

[Rainmaker]

— Indeed, rumours are true. — She just smiled, but she found it quite funny how he would mixture languages. — May I ask why would such a travelled man choose Constantinople? Eager for more experiences, or may it be faith itself?

[Hengest]

"Nothing so noble I'm afraid milady." Willyame sighed. "Fifteen years ago when the last crusade was called, perhaps it was faith or glory or riches that summoned me east. But back then we were 10,000 men and all the world before us. We sacked Sicily, Cyprus and the Levant under the Lionheart. When the French and Germans turned back we fought on. In time even the Lionheart gave up and yet we remained. Englishmen, Scotsmen and Welshmen- our numbers whittled away by war we were abandoned by our lords." Willyame shook his head in sorrow. "We began the long march home then but our enemies picked us off one by one. Death stalked us for our many sins; starvation and sickness, and as we fled through Armenia and Anatolia the Turks sought to enslave the last of us." He was close to tears now thinking of all his battle brothers lost. "So many a torment and hardship, men that were once nobles like myself were reduced to poverty and despair- yet finally we reached Christendom. We hoped to join our countrymen in the Varangian Guard, earn some respite from horror and in time earn a passage home to Albion. But at the walls of Constantinople we were met by our mirror selves: crusaders of a new war; a new "pilgrimage" yet again reckless and woebegotten to ravage even Christian lands. When we saw what these Franks and Latins were about to do what we in our past evils had done so much: kill and pillage children of God we realised that we few hundreds that had survived thus far would be forced to attack the city to earn a daily bread. Naively we hoped we could stop some of the bloodshed and crime that was about to be committed, such evils as we had done so many times before in the Third Crusade. Even more naively we hoped some of the others from the Lionheart's army had also made it to this city and perhaps joined the Varangians before we had arrived. Our only remaining commander: Athelstan took us into the city during the assault, one of the first troops to breach the walls. We raced to meet our countrymen and cousin Danes in order to plead them to lay down their arms as our fellows and comrades. But it was not to be, perhaps there were Lionheart men here we will never know. All Varangians were slain or simply vanished after the sack of the city. Such horror, and we a mere 333 men are all that remains now of 10,000. Why we stay? A poor hope that some day soon other survivors will come through Anatolia and need us then, and all together we might return home as heroes and not the sinners we have become. That is our story, milady,"

[Rainmaker]

"Nothing so noble I'm afraid milady." Willyame sighed. "Fifteen years ago when the last crusade was called, perhaps it was faith or glory or riches that summoned me east. But back then we were 10,000 men and all the world before us. We sacked Sicily, Cyprus and the Levant under the Lionheart. When the French and Germans turned back we fought on. In time even the Lionheart gave up and yet we remained. Englishmen, Scotsmen and Welshmen- our numbers whittled away by war we were abandoned by our lords." Willyame shook his head in sorrow. "We began the long march home then but our enemies picked us off one by one. Death stalked us for our many sins; starvation and sickness, and as we fled through Armenia and Anatolia the Turks sought to enslave the last of us." He was close to tears now thinking of all his battle brothers lost. "So many a torment and hardship, men that were once nobles like myself were reduced to poverty and despair- yet finally we reached Christendom. We hoped to join our countrymen in the Varangian Guard, earn some respite from horror and in time earn a passage home to Albion. But at the walls of Constantinople we were met by our mirror selves: crusaders of a new war; a new "pilgrimage" yet again reckless and woebegotten to ravage even Christian lands. When we saw what these Franks and Latins were about to do what we in our past evils had done so much: kill and pillage children of God we realised that we few hundreds that had survived thus far would be forced to attack the city to earn a daily bread. Naively we hoped we could stop some of the bloodshed and crime that was about to be committed, such evils as we had done so many times before in the Third Crusade. Even more naively we hoped some of the others from the Lionheart's army had also made it to this city and perhaps joined the Varangians before we had arrived. Our only remaining commander: Athelstan took us into the city during the assault, one of the first troops to breach the walls. We raced to meet our countrymen and cousin Danes in order to plead them to lay down their arms as our fellows and comrades. But it was not to be, perhaps there were Lionheart men here we will never know. All Varangians were slain or simply vanished after the sack of the city. Such horror, and we a mere 333 men are all that remains now of 10,000. Why we stay? A poor hope that some day soon other survivors will come through Anatolia and need us then, and all together we might return home as heroes and not the sinners we have become. That is our story, milady,"

She listened to him, quietly, drawn by his story. It touched her like a beautiful and sad ballad. For an instance, she closed her eyes, only to open them to watch the eyes of the knight, her own eyes lightly wet, so that then tears tried to escape her, pouring down her face. One tear, two tears. She turned her head aside so she could grab a tissue from her maid, and dry them before anyone could notice. Probably it didn't scape the knight's eyes, as she, too, knew he, at a moment, felt like pouring his own tears. Perhaps he was holding them, as many fools believe it to be a sign of weakness. Was he one of those fools, or just preferred not to be judged by them? She would wonder to herself.

— Forgive my tears, my Lord. It seems your story has touched me, a lady who barely knows of such pain. — She made a brief pause, just so she could turn her face to him again. — I wish you may be able to cry your pain out sometime, as it does much good to our foul souls.

Her smile was a faint one, as she wondered if he would take her for a foul, weighting her own words.

[Hengest]

She listened to him, quietly, drawn by his story. It touched her like a beautiful and sad ballad. For an instance, she closed her eyes, only to open them to watch the eyes of the knight, her own eyes lightly wet, so that then tears tried to escape her, pouring down her face. One tear, two tears. She turned her head aside so she could grab a tissue from her maid, and dry them before anyone could notice. Probably it didn't scape the knight's eyes, as she, too, knew he, at a moment, felt like pouring his own tears. Perhaps he was holding them, as many fools believe it to be a sign of weakness. Was he one of those fools, or just preferred not to be judged by them? She would wonder to herself.

— Forgive my tears, my Lord. It seems your story has touched me, a lady who barely knows of such pain. — She made a brief pause, just so she could turn her face to him again. — I wish you may be able to cry your pain out sometime, as it does much good to our foul souls.

Her smile was a faint one, as she wondered if he would take her for a foul, weighting her own words.

Willyame cleared his throat, her tears were surely genuine, and he wanted to believe that. He regarded her with yearning, such angelic empathy- he tightened his knuckles around the hilt of his sword and clenched his teeth fighting back the emotion. He knelt before her with bowed head and said simply but with a heavy and pounding heart- "God bless you my lady."
Giving himself a moment to gather his breath so that he could speak without sobbing, he raised his face and asked "Would you grace me with the cloth that has touched your tears? I would wear it as an inspiration, and remember your words." As a knight he felt honoured to have met such a seraphim, a life of bloodshed and iniquity and horror felt finally cleansed in the presence of such purity. Perhaps her tears came from that she herself had known pain and loss? He looked into her eyes and wondered.

"Charizomoi, charizomai, xarizomai. Depending on the sentence it is used in it can mean "to do a favor", "to grant forgiveness", "to graciously bestow", or "to forgive" even." Akos whispered as he continued the mass and giving out fish and bread.

Athelstan was stunned, the blood drained from his face and his eyes opened like a frightened deer. Some of the English bowmen around him stepped forth to his side with bowed heads and laid their hands on his back and shoulders as comrades.