Duchy of Jaffa

[The Mad Skylord]

The Duchy of Jaffa is ruled by Malcolm of Scotland, Thane of Dundee, Lord of Ramla, and Duke of Jaffa. It was awarded to him by King Julien I of Jerusalem, for his service during the First Crusade. As Duke Malcolm only lays claim to Jaffa, and does not occupy the city, his court is currently in Ramla.

Holdings

Ramla: Seven Slots +8 EP Small Bazaar - +1 Small Caravan Stops - +1 Medium Caravan Stops - +2[ Medium Bazaar - +2

Finances

Income +8 EP - Ramla Expenses Total 16 EP

Household

Family Margaret(wife) - 36 Boru(eldest son) - 19 Diarmad(youngest son) - 18 Catriona(daughter) - 16 Retainers Angus, Thane of Krief and Malcolm's trusted friend and second in command. Donal, Angus' son and Malcolm's third in command. Mandel, a Jewish doctor in Malcolm's service, he speaks many languages. Angus Og, Third born son of the Lord of the Isles, a friend of Malcolm. Angus followed Malcolm at his father's behest, hoping he would take the chance to take land of his own. A capable soldier and sailor. Padraig, An Irish clansmen in Malcom's service, he leads the light infantry and the archers. Ahearn, A Scots Horseman who captains Malcolm's light horse. Carlin, he commands the heavy infantry in Malcolm's service. Conall, commander of Malcolm's heavy cavalry. Malcolm's nephew.

Military

Army Gaelic Light Infantry: These men fight in a belted tunic that reaches down to their knees, with a leather or iron helmet. They go into battle with a small round shield known as a Targ, carrying 6 or 7 javelins. They are also equipped with a short sword, cudgel or battle axe. These men are the preliminary skirmishers of any Gaelic host, and once they run out of javelins they form ranks and fight as light infantry. Fast, they are hard to catch and they are savage in combat, although they can't hold their own for long against heavier foes, they can certainly harry the enemy. Commander: Padraig Men: 1288 (Footmen) Gaelic Skirmishers: These men dress in the same fashion as the light infantry, except they wield bows, slings, javelins and war darts and are useless in hand to hand. They are simply meant to pepper the enemy with projectiles, to soften up formations for the infantry. Commander: Padraig Men: 273 (Archers) Gaelic Pikemen: These men wear a belted tunic and a helmet, and they carry a Targ, as well as a long spear known as a pike. They are used to form a formation known as a schiltron and are usually for use against cavalry, however, they are also effective against infantry. Commander: Carlin Men: 90 (Spearmen) Gaelic Infantry: These men form the heavy infantry of a Gaelic host. Armoured with boiled leather and some metal, they are far more durable than Light Infantry. They carry no ranged weapons, only round shields and melee weapons. They are used to launch crushing attacks on enemy formations that have been weakened by the light infantry. Commander: Carlin Men: 200 (Dismounted Men at Arms) Gaelic Noble Infantry: These men are the most elite soldiers Malcolm has to offer. They are clad in bronze chestplates and boiled leather. They are recruited from the richest Gaelic households, and are armed only with the best weapons possible. They are usually held in reserve, to be used to change the tide of a failing battle. Commander: Carlin Men: (Dismounted Knights) Gaelic Cavalry: Wearing only tunics, helmets and the odd scrap of leather armour, and armed with light spears, targs, javelins and one handed weapons, these men are simply light infantry on horseback. Their job is to harrow the enemy and attack from the sides and from behind. They are unable to hold their own in prolonged combat against anything but the lightest of enemy units. Commander: Ahearn Men: 192 (Men at Arms) Gaelic Noble Cavalry: These are the most elite horsemen Malcolm has, they are armed in a similar fashion to the Gaelic Noble Infantry and they are on horseback. Like the Noble Infantry, they come from very rich and well to do backgrounds. They will shatter most enemy formations they come across. Commander: Conall Men: 106 (Knights) Total: 2249 men Navy N/A

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm, intent of knowing his ene!my begins to study Arabic and Turkish extensively, while studying the culture of the Levantine people.

[Mors Vigilia]

Reports reach the duke’s ears of a crippled man who had been asking for an audience.

[The Mad Skylord]

He is taken before the Duke promptly. The Duke did not believe in allowing the wounded to be uncomfortable while they waited for an audience. Hence, he saw the man swiftly.

[Mors Vigilia]

The man before the duke stood supported on crutches, with one leg ending in a stump above the knee. His face was heavily bearded and lightly tanned, despite the heavy dark brown hooded cloak that shrouded him. His eyes were sunken but lit up at the sight of the duke.

"Hello, my Lord." Said Thomas. "I'm afraid that I must apologise for my absence..."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm's mouth dropped open in a comical "O". After he had gone missing, Malcolm believed he was dead, and had been upset to have lost a man he had counted a friend. He leapt to his feet and yelled.

"Jesus Christ! We thought you were dead! What happened?"

[Mors Vigilia]

“I am not entirely sure myself, my lord. But I think I got lost amongst the camps and ended up following a foraging party, thinking it for one of yours. We were set upon by skirmishers and I feel that they left me for dead after I took an arrow in the…”

The German looked somewhat guiltily at his stump.

“I was found by a Castilian priest. I could not understand him and he could not understand me, but it seemed that he understood that I no longer wanted the luxury of two legs… When I came to my senses the armies had moved on and my movement was limited. Nevertheless I sought to forge on to Jerusalem but upon passing through here I heard your name on the lips of the people. And so here I am.”

Thomas’ voice had begun to crack and croak as he continued, and he now smacked his rather parched lips together, trying to coax moisture into them.

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm had been so surprised with the arrival of Thomas and the knowledge that he was alive that he had forgotten his manners. He grabbed a large pitcher of cool water and poured two goblets, before gesturing for Thomas to sit.

"An incredible tale. Hard to believe you managed to survive amputation. I have seen some of the greatest warriors I had ever met die by horrible purification and fever."

Malcolm glances at the stump thoughtfully.

"Now you are here, I shall have a master carpenter craft you a wooden leg, and I shall have Mandel, my doctor, look at your wound."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas spluttered to life with a rasping laugh.

"A wooden leg! Now there's a thing... no doubt made from a piece of the true cross too, judging by how prevalent these pieces seem to be these days. But there you have it - I am no great warrior."

He gratefully lowered himself onto the offered chair, setting his crutches down beside it and pushing back his hood.

"I thank you - of course - but if He has seen fit to make me this way, then the least I can do is hop to Jerusalem... Maybe after."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm smiled, he had always liked Thomas.

"Once you have reached Jerusalem, know that you will always have a place in my service. I'm sure I could find you a job."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas' eyes lowered. He had always been a hard worker, finding all sorts of things to keep him going. And now in his current predicament work had to be found for him...

"I have to thank you again, my lord. You are most kind."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm realized that he had been tactless.

"I will soon be marching on Jaffa with the king. I would be honored if you would accompany me."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas gave a small smile.

"The honour would be mine - of course."

It would mean waiting a little longer to see Jerusalem, but Thoms didn't mind that so much.

[Mors Vigilia]

"What is the purpose of this march, my lord?"

This question was followed by a question that was perhaps a lot more pertinent for the crippled German.

"And what would my purpose be within it?"

[The Mad Skylord]

"The purpose of this march is to seize the city and expel the heathens from the region."

Malcolm shrugged at this point. What was he supposed to say?

"An adviser - you saw enough combat with us to be able to supply a reasonably accurate opinion - as well as a soldier. We can strap you into the saddle and you'll be able to fight well enough."

Malcolm had meant the last comment as a joke, but the look in his eye said he was almost serious as he said it.

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas pondered that.

"I think that could work."

He had been walking...hopping...for a long time now. Though far from comfortable in a saddle, he would welcome the change.

"Yes, I'd like to ride alongside you as an adviser."

They would have to work out some contraption to ensure that he remained in the saddle, and thinking of this caused a small smile to creep across Thomas' lined face.

"It's good to be back with you, my lord."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm smiled. He had missed Thomas.

"It's good to have you again, Thomas. Life had gotten so boring without Angus attempting to teach you Gaelic."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas chuckled, that was something that he had certainly not missed.

"I stick by what I say, he's making it up as he goes along!"

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm grinned wickedly.

"I would agree with you, except I speak it too!"

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas shrugged.

"I'll keep trying. It'll be good to at least share a drink with him again."

He bent to pick up his crutches and place them on his lap. He didn't like to feel that he was taking up the time of his betters.