#somairle

[glaciescustodia]

Sentence Starters. // Accepting.

@somairle - ''we’re getting good at this!'' {aether to kinich}

Maybe its a bit of an odd request, a strange way to fish but it was something Kinich felt like he needed to practice. To have dragon wings now, was one thing but he had to make full use of those, this well included fishing as though a predatory bird swooping in for the thrown catches.

And that was pretty much why he made the request. Sure, Kinich could have asked the others, anyone of trusted to not make a fuss or awe too much at what they see but they were all busy as of late.

''Hmm..'', after what felt like enough catch & release attempts, thanks to Aether's help, the Saurian Hunter eventually landed, dragonic wings soon fading from view rather than simply tucked away.

''The timing still feels off but its gotten better than trying out by myself'', it was all for improving reflexes when airborne.

[naitfall]

Hope and despair. Hope and despair battled for Eren’s heart, battled for control, such as all the intense and overwhelming emotions resting within him, overwhelming to those around him but most importantly, himself. Opposites they were—one felt too strongly, the other any longer couldn’t ( or at least that was the comfortable truth he had chosen to believe in ).

A witness Levi was, to his agony, a victim at the mercy of his own unbowed nature, redefining himself every time another tragedy came to change his course of life. A trainee. A monster. A survey corps soldier. Humanity’s hope. Humanity’s greatest enemy. Every time another truth was uncovered, a different role he was forced to embody, but the truth they had reached at Shiganshina, the truth they had sacrificed everything for, was the most destructive of all. Once again, he’d have to deny himself, start over, and rebuild in the ruins of his previous self. For once, the captain and soldier were the same, for Levi was familiar with his anguish. For he also had to deny everything he had once been, to survive.

In despair, Eren would suffocate ever since that day. Never had his heart remained unchanged for this long, despair’s hold on him too tight for him to escape on his own. Levi was there to kick some sense into him, if he had to. Maybe, he shouldn’t intervene — he was known to respect one’s headspace, after all, despite his nasty behavior. Maybe, the boy had simply grown out of the teenager with the burning desire, with the willpower, to change everything in his path. Maybe, he had only matured, grown into the man he was supposed to become. But since when, would he surrender to any force, submit to what life commanded him to become?

A beast that could not be tamed. That pure heart of his, Levi was meant to protect. The task he had decided to take. To watch him, watch over him, until the very end. Levi never had taken his eyes off him. Not since that battle in Shinganshina— long before that, since their eyes first met behind the bars of that cell. Closely watching him, watching him with the same eagerness the younger one watched him. Observant in nature they both were, transparent to one another. Exposed.

What a twisted thing to say. He wouldn’t blame him, though. Their world had suddenly turned to some unknown place none could fully stomach. ❝ Armin’s right. ❞ How odd, to be reading a child’s story. Was there any comfort he sought, in these ridiculously plain stories? ❝ Isn't there a normal book for you to read? Erwin had a bunch of them in his library. You should take one of them. ❞ Books were expensive, after all. A luxury not everyone could afford. Yet another luxury Levi hadn’t, was time. He couldn’t recall the last time he could read a book.

[   STORY   ]     ,     receiver  reads  to  sender. || (Levi at your Eren! sending you all my love, missed ya 💕)

𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝  ,  𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡  𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞  .

𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝  ,  𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡  𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞  .     ݁˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

teal eyes flicker up to catch sight of his captain. if eren weren't always so hyperfocused with everything levi did, he could have missed the whisper soft footsteps of him approaching. but he has been studying levi his entire scout career and noticing the familiar gait is nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge eren has stored when it comes to those he considers more important than even himself.

he allows his book to fall open on his thighs, pulling his attention from the story to the man standing next to him. "captain," he greets, his lips pulling into a smile as he studies levi's features, "i was just reading some childhood fairy tales..." his voice trails off as he glances back down, teal eyes catching the first letter of the paragraph he'd left off on, "'...and so, they set off in their boat down river, heading towards a new far off land, where surely new friends would greet them and feed them...'" eren hums quietly, his eyes going unfocused as present day concerns easily worm their way into the forefront of his mind.

"i doubt marley would greet us or feed us," he lets out a humorless laugh, "unless it was actually feeding us to our eldian brothers..." the silence that lingers easily snaps him out of his wandering thoughts and he blinks a couple of times to expel them. eren inwardly cringes and he slowly turns his attention back to the captain, "sorry," he says with an apologetic smile, "armin says i've become way too serious these days... i'm trying to be better about it."

@naitfall

[thewolfisawake]

Don't feel like making individual posts so a smattering of Unseelie, generals and their king headcanons let go--

One of the few places that the Unseelie and Seelie are alike are their views on nudity, sex and love. Unseelie maybe being a little riskier than Seelie.

The Unseelie did have noble houses and the like but when Bal overthrew the king, he also disposed of the nobility. Any remnants abandoned ship and/or have found someone in their family to make the king's good graces.

The generals are either Balmoral's strongest warriors or his most clever advisors. All have to have some competency to protect themselves.

Balmoral has gotten the nickname of the King of Twilight, as starry skies and the nightscapes are apart of his motifs and it isn't a secret he favors them.

The Unseelie actually have a lot of participation/observation in the Corpsevain Run as it's more amusing way of dealing with criminals and because the Unseelie just enjoy that sort of thing.

Siubhan does have deer hooved legs, similar to to a faun but does glamor herself sometimes.

At the time of writing, Somairle is the youngest of Balmoral's close contacts and is treated as such.

The main city of the Unseelie is a citadel that is 'underground.' There is the Winter Palace, which is only really used during the colder months and is on the surface in the mortal plane. It is disguised through magic but humans can still stumble in.

Balmoral does not like being touched by his hair to the point even servants are not really allowed to style it. Mhoirbheinn is a notable exception to this.

Stability has been Balmoral's focus and why he has been absent from much of the debacles going on with other realms and rulers. He has recently considered it stable enough to be able to work on expanding from the connections already forged.

Mhoirbheinn has been the one to remind Balmoral of looking further ahead and establish his succession. Balmoral personally doesn't like the idea of a bloodline succession as that means he'd have to have children and they'd have to be of excellent standard. He has put forward meritocracy for if there is a reestablishment of nobility and for his own position.

Fae purity was more of a commodity to nobility than it was for the common folk. But there is a certain amount of pride that Unseelie have in whatever heritages they have and there are some 'rivalries' that do get looked down upon. Mortals being basically the universally reviled.

Children are considered gifts in the Unseelie. Even if the child is nor particularly 'cared for,' no one is ever gonna like throw away a child. For fae, it is difficult to conceive as is and it considered a waste.

All Unseelie do have compulsory service to the military. How long is dependent on what you are since it is unfair for say a human to serve as long as a fae.

The Unseelie is quite a bit more in tune with the world due to them not being sealed off and their generally more 'cobbled together' community. They aren't running electricity through their homes but it isn't uncommon for an Unseelie to know modern colloquialisms, technology or even have companions from outside.

Siubhan can undo any curses she has inflicted unless her target has died.

Balmoral's heartbeat is strange even by a fae's standard. It is so immensely slow, it almost seems unbeating. Combine with the rarity of seeing his chest rise and fall, it's hard to get a read on his physical state.

Strength talks in the Unseelie. And this is not just physical strength. Cunning is prized by the Unseelie too. A combination of both makes a being to be feared and respected.

Bal does have a disney princess sort of thing...with insects and other small creatures. He can communicate with them pretty well and he does have them as a way to check on things.

The main citadel is separated into sections based off what it is used for. Such as having an artisan's district and a schooling district.

There are also sections where some races tends to congregate together since...well, you have commonalities. These are like the Little Italy and Chinatown out in our world.

[scotianostra]

On January 6th 1156 Somerled met the Norse at the Battle of Epiphany.

This little known battle is all the more extraordinary as it was a naval affair, thought to have been fought off the coast of Islay.

The western Isles and Isle of Man were part of the Kingdom of Norway, but with the King being so far away and often seen as weak the region was an area where the warlords reigned and often battled for supremacy.

At the head of this battle was a man we know mostly by the name of Somerled who was no ordinary warlord. He may have been a gall-gàidheil, or Norse-Gael, but his loyalty was biased to his Scottish ancestry, although he had his own agenda of conquest and political authority.

Against him was the Norse Godred Olafsson (Godred the Black), King of the Isles, Godred, sometimes called Godfrey by the English was Somerleds brother in law, his sister was Raghnailt, their father, Olaf, the previous King of the Isles, had been murdered by their cousins three years previously, no loyalty with these families! Godreds seat of power was Isle of Man

Godred was a harsh leader and made many enemies, some of whom approached Somerled who agreed to their plan to overthrow Godred and replace him with Somerled's son Dubgall mac Somairle.

He began preparations and began construction of 80 ships modelled on the Norse longship. Word got back to Godfred that Somerled was drumming up support and set sail to sort things out.

The fleets of Godred and Somerled met off Islay, to the north at Rubh' a' Mhaoil, on the night of the Epiphany on 5–6th January. Can you imagine the sight of two "viking" fleets lit by torch light going up against each other in the dead of the night!!!

The Battle itself was inconclusive; so the two leaders sat down and reached a compromise agreement. Somerled would have the islands of Argyll including Mull and Islay, while Godred would keep the rest including the Western Isles and the Isle of Skye. But it was an uneasy peace, and two years later they were back at it again with a second sea battle. This time the result was in no doubt: Somerled had smashed the Manx fleet, and Godred fled the scene.

Somerled’s empire now stretched from Lewis to Man, and he styled himself as the ‘King of the Isles’. Nominally he held the islands from the Norwegian Crown, but in reality he ruled as a free prince, and gave his loyalty to the Scottish king.

Somerled was later deposed and possibly assassinated by a Scottish Clan who were flexing their muscles and gaining powerful friends in the Royal court, they were The Stewarts, but that's another long story.......

[attroxx]

#𝘼𝙏𝙏𝙍𝙊𝙓𝙓 : some people survive chaos && that is how they grow. and some people thrive in chaos because that is all they know.

welcome to attroxx, run by salem [ 29, they/them ]. this is an independent, private and selective multi-muse roleplay blog ft. canons from naruto, bsd + ocs. this blog is 21+ && features n/s/f/w elements like gore, blood, smut and violence. all will be tagged. please go through my carrd and read my guidelines before following. heavily queue based blog. medium to low activity. [ currently on semi - hiatus ] 𝐞𝐬𝐭. 𝟖/𝟐𝟑.

#𝙉𝘼𝙑𝙄𝙂𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 : CARRD. MEMES. HEADCANONS. INBOX. PINTEREST. OPENS. #𝙈𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙎 : somairle, daelete, dayscorch, fangier, cursedblessed, goldcnpeaks, quietlyblooms, cosmicallybound, puckish-rogue, vixthem, malafxde

[acephalousantics]

Somhairle: Who ate all the cookies? Aine: Ninjas Somairle: Really? I didn’t see any. Aine: No one ever does....

[goddessgangg]

Saddell Abbey was a Cistercian monastery in Argyll, Scotland, founded in 1207 by Ragnall, son of Somairle mac Gille Brigte and peopled by monks from Mellifont Abbey in Ireland.

Somerled's descendants, the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles, continued to be patrons of Saddell abbey. Monastic life seems to have come to an end when James IV of Scotland forfeited the Lordship of the Isles. It was proposed to the Pope that the bishopric of Argyll should be moved from Lismore to Saddell as the former was in ruins. Nothing ever came of the idea, but the Bishops of Argyll did sometimes take the title "Commendator of Saddell".

The remains of the abbey complex is now a scheduled ancient monument.

[mezzoahoi]

White, Grey

White – 3 facts about my personality:

1. I’m an introvert who can still be quite confident in social situations, I don’t dread meeting new people and I tend to be one of the loudest people in the room, but I desperately need my alone time and can be without others for days.

2. I’m not an open person at all, I don’t like talking about feelings and emotions, not even with my family or close friends and I avoid crying in front of others.

3. I love laughing and making other people laugh.

Grey – 2 facts about my favourite things:

1. Music! It’s my one true love, especially Early Music, I love singing it, playing it, listening to it, talking about it. I don’t mind ‘popular’ music but it can’t make me feel the things ‘classical’ music can.

2. My family! We’re not exactly conventional but everyone gets along and we see each other and love each other and quickly accept new members.

[thewolfisawake]

Name: Risteard Gallochbar

Personality:

Risteard can come off as a typical noble from first appearances. However he has an unmatched diligence and tends to put the consideration for the overall good rather than personal gain. Not to say he completely selfless, he doubts any fae is, but he at least can see it's better to share a burden than to shoulder it alone. He tends to be one that likes to tease but knows that because of his position and demeanor...normal folks do not know what to do with him. The generals on the other hand tend to know he is either joking or provoking.

Background:

One of Balmoral's generals and the Vizier to the Crown. He is the voice that speaks to the king's ear...though he feels many times it goes unheard. He keeps an eye on trends of the people and a hand on the pulse of the citadel. But it is said that if Mhoirbheinn is the one that disposes of any physical threats, Risteard is the one that will rid of any other threats.

Risteard feels he had a chip on his shoulder for a very long time. This is because of his inherent risk as an existence. He was the child to a noble house in both the Unseelie and Seelie. It should have been near impossible to happen but this occurred during a stint of 'peace' between the two. And it led to a horribly bloody custody battle that he has never quite made peace with.

He was initially raised in the Seelie as his mother was a Seelie gentry. However in his childhood started a back and forth of stealing away. While this should have been a matter kept between the parents, it eventually escalated to assassinations and forced outside deliberation. It became a risk with the courts due to one side literally breaking into the other court to either attempt to murder the other parent or steal the child. A child, which is a commodity to fae to begin with and even more so to a noble.

And for Risteard...he wanted this end. For him, it was witnessing senseless violence time and time again. He had lost caregivers and friends that had been unlucky to be with him whenever his parents thought it time to 'bring him home.' He had grown discontent and sought a way. This led him to getting his parents to come to a middle ground--the mortal plane--to settle the matter. He would choose the house he would represent. But before he did asked for their promise to accept the outcome. Both parents were confident on him choosing them and thus agreed over a toast.

...only for the parents to have fallen dead within each other's embrace. Yes, Risteard orchestrated their deaths in order to end further bloodshed. He had also painted it as guilt on both of the parents. As for where he ended up, his Seelie parentage did not believe that it was lover's suicide and would not take him. His Unseelie parentage didn't truly believe it either but would not be deprived of an heir regardless. So with that, the ceaseless murder did stop.

But then came the other issue of being a child of two court: the question of his loyalty. There was always the thought of 'what if he's a spy' and Risteard sought to change their perception of him. And thought he could do so by proving himself. But he had done so over and over and over only for that question to plague him still. It made him resentful and hopeless in his situation. The former leading him to his rivalry with Balmoral.

He had been serving in the court when Balmoral had started ingratiating himself to the nobility. He knew that any non-noble would only be looking for boost somewhere. And expected the novelty to wear off but it never did. And then Risteard was worried that upstart like Balmoral was going to cause trouble. So he sought to take him down a peg where he could. So he would bring up something and sometimes it would throw the fae for a loop. However Balmoral would always return better than their last encounter and usually to force Risteard to cede.

How Balmoral convinced Risteard is considered another mystery amongst his generals. Especially since Risteard appears to be contrary to the king in most respects and vice versa. However neither ever considered it much of anything. Risteard was someone that challenged Balmoral constantly and held an understanding of the land and the people that he needed. And Risteard, if allowed to explain it his way, simply didn't want to be on the business end of Balmoral's sword. But if known truly, it was because Risteard had discovered how the kingdom was already in that fae's grasp and Risteard was willing to take the chance on a place where he could be free shackles that came with his name and have earned his place, his loyalty.

Miscellaneous:

Risteard is a master poisoner. He can understand most poisons presented to him. He also provides Solanine with the poisons she uses.

Yes, he and Bal are actually friends despite how it seems. They just act more like vitriolic best buds.

He and Bal actually have tea together where they...mutually have poison within it. It's to help give resistance and it's kinda a morbid joke between them.

He is actually quite disdainful of Mhoirbheinn because he's too unpredictable of a character for Balmoral's reign.

Ironically, they are considered other side of the coin for the other in some respects

Risteard does handle interrogations

He is something of a tutor to some of the generals as he is the technical most learned.

[thewolfisawake]

A Test of Courage and Diligence || @soulsxng

"Norval, I'm not sure if I should be going. You are supposed to be going to keep watch for the Luminary and his protege. While it'd be nice to meet with the emissaries from Vasyri...not in a crowded room, Bal will-"

"If I say it's for you, Bal is definitely gonna be okay with it," Norval tried to reason. After all, he had a soft spot for the young fae and if Somairle was supposed to be learning, what an opportunity, "and besides, anyone's allowed to join. Just think of it as...having someone nudge your way to the front."

Somairle didn't appear convinced, "I'm going to get the phantasmals. Just...don't do anything unnecessary..."

It was shortly after he departed that Norval noticed, "Ah, our guests of the hour have arrived. Welcome, welcome. Luminary and young lord, we're excited to see your interest in our Hunt. I know we've met briefly but I do not believe I've had the honor of meeting young lord Elidei. I'm Norval, Herald of the Unseelie and Voice for King Balmoral. But for tonight, I'm just your company. And here to present your lantern."

The lantern was a taller sort. Its paneling like stained glass with a dim ember within its body. The patterning of the glass seemed to shift ever so slightly each time, like a slowly ticking kaleidoscope. A ring that appeared like it was woven was where the crook was placed as Norval held it.

"Any questions, comments, concerns before I show you where to go?"

[thewolfisawake]

Somairle is not considered a general although he is often at their matters. It is generally agreed amongst the generals that he is simply too young. While this does annoy him occasionally, Somairle does get it. He isn't one with much combative experience like Siubhan and isn't as experience with political games like Risteard nor even in subterfuge like Solanine. Sometimes he has wondered why Balmoral has allowed him to stay despite his relative little use. Sometimes he thinks of what Mhoirbheinn calls him 'little toy' and if that is what he deems him or if that's what Balmoral really thinks.

The answer is relatively simple and although likely still seems 'odd.' Balmoral just found Somairle endearing and had no desire to see him go down with his family. He found it similar but different to the care of his juniors under his command but much more personable than people only there because of the hierarchy between them.And furthermore Somairle, while he doesn’t think much of it, was an integral part of the invasion of the castle. He’s done Balmoral really solid and Balmoral has no reason to not hold onto someone that good. 

But there is a fondness that Balmoral has for Somairle and while it is kind of a joke amongst the generals, it is true that he thinks of the youth as a sibling. Balmoral has never really grown up with a family. The dynamics he knows of are from observation and anecdotes. So this is different grounds for him but honestly, he loves what is his a lot so it seems very natural to him in his affection for Somairle. Yes, he is young but that means he has time to learn. Which is why he is often at general meetings and attending the forums. He also is assisting the generals here and there. And that is purposeful as well. 

Risteard has picked up first that Somairle is likely whom Balmoral has chosen to try to be his inheritor. Someone that has lived alongside enough of the king’s antics and rule to understand his vision. And someone that Balmoral could feel would be responsible with the kingdom. He’s just..inexperienced but since everyone projects that Bal is gonna rule for quite a while, it is time for Somairle to learn and grow. And that is what they expect to do. 

However the time to establish what has never been done before and planning the safeguards takes time. A lot more time than Balmoral was expecting. There were other hurdles considering who Somairle is and the other questions surrounding a crown and those that surround it. Because the people mainly considered Balmoral’s rule as an exception, not the norm. So this was where establishing a line was brought up and decided on even if Bal would eventually enact his original intention with meritocracy. 

This is where the twins come in. They had grown up around the affairs of the crown and were taught by the generals since they could talk. So they have been steeped in it further and Somairle had suggested he just step aside as the twins have more talent than he did. However, Balmoral hasn’t completely given in to the idea. Mainly because of how Somairle operates (him more of ‘stealthy’ type to Bal’s more straightforward approaches), he downplays his own capability. And insists that when they figure out the testing for who can take the throne, that he still participate. If one of the twins wins, then it’s meant to be. But basically it’s better to try and fail than to never try at all. 

To Sceolan and Nathair, it’s a semi-serious joke that he is their rival. They both respect him immensely and both can cede he would be a good choice. Nathair actually has little interest in ruling at all. He rather be an adviser than have to do all the appearances and the like the actual king would have to do. And he would want nothing more than to serve either his sister or Somairle. Sceolan can commiserate with Somairle on not feeling worthy but they also are a bit of each other’s cheerleader in their capability to improve. If she lost to Somairle, it is the only case she would not begrudge. So there isn’t bad blood amongst them. 

But what is agreed amongst them is that none of them expect nor want to take over any time soon. They want Balmoral to rule for a good and long time. The lower end is the longest in the Unseelie history (which isn’t impossible by any means) but the highest is to ‘longer than the Seelie ruler, even by one year.’

[somairle]

url change!

aeviare --> somairle

[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.

[thewolfisawake]

While the Seelie's main fixture is its king, this does not run true for the Unseelie. Yes, they have a ruler and they are the final say in any decision but historically they do have three structures under them. They run 'day to days' and to some extent act independently...dependent on the loyalties and whims of the ruler. These three are the gentry, the militia and the consortium.

The gentry are pretty self-explanatory. These are the aristocrats that are placed higher than the usual of the Unseelie. Most of these houses are fae due to a historical bias. Some houses have remained due to their long standing history with the Unseelie. Some have risen from political, martial or intellectual pursuits that have granted them the status by the king. It is arguable that they have held power and influence over the Unseelie for the longest. At current though, there are no gentry houses as they have all been eliminated and it has yet to be determined qualifications for what would replace them.

The militia also pretty self-explanatory. They are the muscle and bodies to do on behalf of the Unseelie. Because of compulsory service, there are all walks of life and types of Unseelie in this area. Both the gentry and consortium use the militia for their own needs and compensate accordingly. For a long time the militia has been underestimated despite their presence in every settlement because they are, essentially, seen as work horses to the Unseelie. They explore the Unseelie to ensure the paths are navigable, are the guards posted at any settlement, and of course, fight for whomever they are aimed at. Many did not think much of them because...basically, they were 'meatheads.' But it has actually been found that many militia are very cunning and have chosen to placate so that both gentry and consortium stay out of their business. At current, Siubhan is the overseer of the militia and is working/training up replacements for those that shifted from the militia to the royal faction.

Lastly is the Consortium. This is the scientists, mages and scholars of the Unseelie. There is also a great mix of the Unseelie in this area although they are more reclusive than the other two. The Consortium is more of a shadow hand that offers their inventions, their magic and their cunning to others for basically personal gain. Those at the top of their field of study and those that are very in-tune with their magic are considered the greatest respect within the Consortium. And arguably they keep themselves in check because there is more backstabbing and ambition grabbing between themselves than with gentry or militia. They historically had the greatest amount of freedom due to not truly being understood and have a lot of shady things going on for the sake of their personal pursuits. At current, Morgan stands as their Transcendant, the head of the Consortium. Their talents have been more requested in elevating the conditions for the Unseelie as a whole while Morgan and Somairle do investigations to the underbelly of the Consortium.

[thewolfisawake]

It was ever so faint but there it lingered like that of mildew. The king could not place it nor could he quite ask about it. Passing commentary about a strange 'scent' were met with a confusion. He thought maybe it was merely something foreign to a fae...seeing as most he had to deal with were that. But asking those of differing origin such as Solanine garnered a similar reaction.

Perhaps he was imagining things or caught onto something he didn't particularly like. But fixing his gaze to see......it was blocked. Not like how it was with any of his generals. No, it seemed like it pushed back and invasive like knotweed. It threatened to overwhelm him. It was something strange yet innate. And maybe it was that other aspect that was picking up on it.

Of course this had to catch his attention now, after getting a response from the Seelie. He couldn't start a search on something he had no idea about. However, he may need Somairle to remain behind to keep an eye out for...the unusual. Vague as it was...the boy probably could get a sense.

While the hope was for him being overcautious, he prepared as if there could be something foul within his kingdom.