#but not noted here is Mhoirbheinn gets a bit jealous

[thewolfisawake]

So this ended a rough timeline of meeting generals and major plays to take the throne by Balmoral:

Childhood: Balmoral, then called Snowdrop, had been brought to the brothel that Solanine, then called Belladonna, had been for a while. Because of nature of the brothel, older courtesans are like 'big sisters' to the younger. She and Balmoral were not close but they were on friendly terms.

Childhood: After escape and semi-established in the Citadel, Balmoral had traveled via caravans to explore the Unseelie and would've come across Norval in his service to his merchant master. This would be passing meetings considering the transience of caravans

Early Adolescence: Balmoral had managed to pester to some witches to take him on for learning magic. It was during this stint that he first encountered Somairle. Balmoral is a bit older than Somairle, who was brought to get his powers under control.

Early Militia / Early Adolescence: Balmoral joins the militia--formally addressing himself as Balmoral--and begins currying favor to get unusual or higher assignments, no matter how mundane or terrible. He is put on duty to investigate the wake of a massacre. There he encounters the perpetrator and only survivor: Mhoirbheinn.

Early Militia / Mid Adolescence: Balmoral serves as a guard to watch Mhoirbheinn until his execution date. They build a rapport but part when it is expected Mhoirbheinn to be executed soon. Due to a change in regime, Mhoirbheinn is quietly released. He seeks out Balmoral and they begin their friendship. Later becoming lovers. This marks Mhoirbheinn as the first formally recruited of who would be Balmoral's generals.

Early / Mid Militia (Mid Adolescence): Balmoral and Mhoirbheinn infiltrate a trafficking ring that had been stealing fae from their ranks. This was their first major encounter with anyone from Balmoral's list of those was to execute. This is also where they came into possession into a lot of capital that they stole from auctioneer and buyers that they killed in the process.

Early / Mid Militia (Mid/Late Adolescence): Balmoral first ingratiates himself to the gentry of the Unseelie. Furthering Somairle's interest and first gaining Risteard's attention.

Early / Mid Militia (Late Adolescence): Solanine had heard about rising prominence and by chance got to physically see Balmoral to recognize him. In exchange for her silence of his history and a 'favor' from her, Balmoral aids Solanine in her quest to regain her family's debt collections business. This culminates in her murder of her sister to gain control, which she had Balmoral sworn to secrecy. His aid and trading in his favor brings Solanine into his fold.

Early / Mid Militia (Late Adolescence / Young Adult): Balmoral ends his charade with his commander. He challenges him to a duel with the commander's rank on the line. Expecting Balmoral to only be capable of bedding for power, this commander agrees. Balmoral gains ranks since his commander is honor bound.

Mid Militia (Late Adolescence / Young Adult): Balmoral takes a decent amount of the capital that he and Mhoirbheinn hid to invest in what would eventually be Corpsevain Run. This led to an encounter with Norval, who was surprised by Bal's heavy upfront investment. He senses Balmoral knows something he is not seeing and thus invests as well.

Mid Militia (Young Adult): Balmoral searches for a lost soldier in his unit. He discovers them dead and meets their killer, Siubhan. Caring more of his number than whom fills it, wagers with her to take the place of the soldier she killed if he wins a duel against her. Siubhan initially seems to renege on the deal, cursing Bal's hand in the process. Bound to her word, she returns to serve and undoes the curse.

Mid Militia (Young Adult): Balmoral engages the nobility as he needs to get their and the king's rapport if he hopes to further himself. This leads to his initial clashes with Risteard. He also uses his connection with Somairle to get an understanding of the gentry, including and unbeknownst to Risteard.

Mid Militia (Young Adult): Balmoral orchestrates the downfall of a another of those on his list by stoking their idea to have their settlement to secede. This sparks the Unification campaign.

Mid Militia (Young Adult): The Battle at Demilune Spring occurs, breaking Siubhan's trust in Balmoral. By his persuasion and promise of his possible death if he failed, Siubhan goes on to lead a successful counterattack.

Mid Militia (Young Adult): The execution of another perpetrator of Faolan's demise and major traitor to the crown completes the Unification Campaign. This feat gains Balmoral status as general.

Mid Militia / Early Rebellion (Adult): Balmoral uses the Unification Campaign and the shift of rule to start his plans for actual gain of the crown. The gentry, shifting the idle Unseelie, and the strain of supporting his supporters are all factors he considers now.

Mid Militia / Early Rebellion: Balmoral runs into a block with Siubhan on the militia front and Risteard on the gentry front and realizes he has to figure out how to either gain their trust or eliminate them altogether. Siubhan doesn't care about Balmoral's overall goals but would not support him if he cannot support the weight of their forces without the crown's aid.

Early Rebellion: Balmoral seeks out either Dagda's Cauldron or the Hamper of Gwyddno Garanhir. This leads to the encounter with Merlin and Morgan le Fay. He agrees to take on their daughter, Morgan, in exchange for the hamper. As fellow clairvoyants, they were aware Balmoral had potential for something great which is why they sent Morgan with him. Morgan comes to his fold rather easily from this.

Late Militia / Early-Mid Rebellion: Balmoral finds out from Somairle of a betrayal that is going to befall Risteard. He warns Ristead of this with proof. Risteard cedes defeat, bringing him to become a general. Risteard covers the gentry to keep their focus away from the militia and help certain rulings go by.

Late Militia / Mid Rebellion: Balmoral secured land for a base because of 'rezoning' Risteard did that had land technically owned but not cared for nor desirable was taken off mapping. The hamper was used to create food and an accompanying horn dealt with drink. Capital from the expanding and lucrative Corpsevain provides funding for about anything else. After a fight and a very long talk, Siubhan is on board with his plan bringing her in.

Late Militia / Mid Rebellion: Balmoral severs a good portion of the militia from the Unseelie. He makes the declaration that he will either take the crown or they will have his head. This begins the Rising Dusk Campaign.

Mid Rebellion: Balmoral needs to stir the general Unseelie populace from being bystanders in the conflict. For this he looks towards the 'Echo of the Unsung,' a writer whose topics and way with words resonates with them. Investigation carried out by Mhoirbheinn and Solanine brings the conclusion of Norval being this writer. Under threat and able to tell a juicy story when he sees one, Norval agrees to help Balmoral's campaign gain traction.

Late Rebellion: Settlements splinter into whom they are in favor of. Balmoral opts to support any settlements that are in his favor as well as help settlements in conflict over which. Only when he has, essentially, unified the settlements again does he decide to deal with the Citadel, the last stronghold of the ruler.

Late Rebellion: Most if not all gentry threw their hand with the ruler. Both Somairle and Risteard cut their ties with their family to evacuate the castle before the conclusion of the the Rising Dusk Campaign.

Late Rebellion: The Invasion of Dun Foghar occurs, where the royal palace is infiltrated through the bottom that is only guarded by the Abyss. All against the usurpation was eliminated in this battle. Balmoral went and killed the ruler, the final person on his hit list. However he may have let others escape in pursuit of this target. With the death of the previous ruler and all opposition dealt with, the Rising Dusk Campaign concludes.