REBELLION!

[roman]

I predict that in the absence of the Ubar Shadowglade, the Streets of Farnacium's towns and villages shall run red with blood quite soon. The following is a copy of a letter that I have sent to Shadowglade. It is a portent of the dark days to come if I am made into the Island's Administrator.

Consider this information as OOC. I may also erase this thread at a later date.

Tal Shadowglade,

I would request that in your absence that I could be made Adminstrator of the Island. After all, an Island can't run itself and it is difficult for to to tend to such matters when your RT pulls you from the Island. There are changes that need to be made with the pulldown menu, changes that need to be made with the message board, and so on. I am planning on building the Island up.

I would like to open up a sub-room, or perhaps all three of the sub-rooms with the Titles
'Harbourtown',
'Peasant Village' and
'A hidden camp'.

I would like to open the 'Brothers of the Wind' paga tavern, and staff it with paga slave kajira. The Brothers of the Wind Tavern would either be it's own sub-room, or it would be part of the 'Harbourtown' sub-room.

I also had the idea for a plotline/ story that I could simply 'take' the Administrator position in your absence.

After all, Shadowglade has been away from the Island for more than a year and there are rumours that he might be dead. Some of his men might prove disloyal and start a civil war between themselves, to decide which of your four former Captains will become the new Ubar. Some of your men might even choose to leave the Island. Perhaps both things might happen.

The 'Robin Hood' Story:

This is not unlike the story of Robin Hood and his merry men. Robin Hood and his outlaw gang were men that remained loyal to King Richard the Lionhearted, who was called away to fight in the crusades. In his absence, the despised King John took over the throne and raised taxes on the peasants. Outlaws such as Robin Hood were seen as heroes to the Peasants.

[i]Trouble in the Ranks[/i]: Think of what may happen amongst your men with you being absent from the Island for so long. These are human men with thoughts and feelings, needs and wants, hopes, fears and doubts. They are not like tin soldiers which remain steadfast and loyal in all circumstances. Warriors cannot be expected to remain loyal without supervision, they need a leader. With the absence of an Ubar to control them it seems likely that discipline within the ranks will become lax with orders questioned and discipline irregular.

The Muntinous Officers: Unless there is one clear successor amongst your officers, who is honourable, loyal, and effective, the highest ranking officers amongst Shadowglade's men may attempt to seize control of Shadowglade's forces. This is a taller order than you might think. After all, this successor would have to be as effective a leader as you are to maintain control of the men, yet without personal ambition to rise to your position as Ubar. Even if you placed this man in the position of 'acting Ubar', what is to say he will gladly and willingly relinquish this position back to you once you return, IF you return. After all, this man now has control over your military!

Civil War:[/i] I would suggest that with Shadowglade gone, a mutiny occurs. Your four highest ranking officers each claim the position of Ubar and try to take the Island for themselves. The men previously loyal to Shadowglade would then have to choose which of the four Captains they would swear loyalty to, as civil war breaks out across the Island.I think that four would be a good number for the 'Rebel Captains' since there would be four villages (in my vision of things), four sides of the Island, etc.

Control returns to the Merchants: In this turmoil, the Merchant's Caste would reclaim control of the Island, with Roman as the new Island Administrator. Most of the Island would be pleased about this as peace and stability return to the Island. The warriors of Shadowglade's men would still present an obstacle. Their loyalty would have to either be bought, and/or outside Mercenaries would be hired to help regain control of the Island. Or course there is always a hazard of the Mercenaries turning into raiders and attempting to seize control of the Island and it's wealth for themselves if the Merchants Caste doesn't pay them enough. An uneasy peace.

This would likely occur when Shadowglade's forces have exhausted themselves and reduced their numbers and resources with the fighting somewhat, and may also involve the assassination of some of the remaining Rebel Captains.

Peasant's Revolt Crushed: As you pointed out, the Peasants might be happier with Shadowglade as the Ubar. After all, Shadowglade has show great respect to the Peasant Caste of the Island, referring to them as 'The Ox upon which the homestone rests'. The Administrator and/or the Merchant's caste would attempt to replace the Peasant farms with 'Great Farms', which are basically farms worked by slaves and administered by absentee Merchants. Needless to say the Administrator taxes the Peasants heavily, and seizes their property when they cannot afford to pay, enslaving them and forcing them to work on their own farms as slaves. Peasants of course would seek to rebel against this, and would have to be held in check by the Administrator's Mercenaries. The Great bow of the Peasants would be confiscated and it's use and possession forbidden. Still, the Peasants drill in secret, preparing for the day when they can rise up and take back their villages.

Outlaws are loyal, Loyals are Outlaws: Small pockets of Shadowglade's men remain loyal to him however, despite the fact that they are no longer paid and that most of the Island population beleives that Shadowglade is dead. These men are considered as 'outlaws', and live as such on the Forests of the Island. Even the outlaws that were on the Island before have joined forces with those remaining loyal to Shadowglade, who are supported by the Peasants in their Underground resistance movement. The Peasants and the outlaws aren't strong enough yet to attempt a rebellion against the Mercenary forces of the Merchant though. They lack leadership, and they are waiting for an opportune moment.

Shadowglade's secret return: Of course if and when Shadowglade returns he would know of the rebellion which has occured on the Island in his absence. Since most of his men have likely remained behind on the Island, Shadowglade would not have enough resources for an outwards, full frontal assault. Likely he would have but one Tarnship with a few hundred men, perhaps even a dozen men. Perhaps none. Shadowglade may have lost his ship and been shipwrecked, living off the land for a year until he decides to return to the Island. Knowing of the rebellion Shadowglade would return in disguise, probably a beggar as the Greek Hero Odysseus did. Few suspect a beggar. In his disguise, which none would question, he would be able to learn all about what has happened on the Island, study his assets and weaknesses, and plan his attack.

His disguise could vary from Beggar, to Peasant, to Outlaw. He would learn from the Peasants and Outlaws and could help coordinate their rebellion. Shadowglade might even help to train the Peasants, drilling them in the use of the shovel as a spear, ect. Shadowglade would be acting as a spy on his own Island, now 'enemy territory'. He would be learning the strengths and weaknesses in his own defences as they are now used against him. He would choose not to reveal his identity until the last minute when he reassumes control.

The Forty Suitors:

The Greek Hero Odysseus was able to take his home, his wife and son back from the 'forty suitors' that came to take them from him while he was away on his naval adventures. With the man of the house gone, armed men came to his house one by one and claimed the household as Odysseus as their possession.After all, it's not as though a Woman and a pre-teen boy stand much of a chance against an armed warrior. Warrior after warrior arrived, sitting in the home of Odysseus and eating his food, and using his slaves while the Free companion of Odysseus refused to marry any of them, and his son stood by with fists trembling.

Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus was able to learn who remained loyal to him and who did not. He was invited into his own home by one of his slaves, and waited until the suitors were drunk and off guard. Then, the disguised Odysseus made a bet with the suitors that he could fire and arrow through the eyelets of ten harpoons set into the ground. The suitors laughed, since the only one that could do this was Odysseus, and he was dead. Well, the 'beggar' shot the arrow through the eyelets of ten harpoons, then removed his hood to reveal himself as Odysseus. He told his son and wife to lock the doors, and proceeded to slaughter all forty of the terrified suitors armed only with his gladius. Of course, he also had the disloyal slaves strangled to death.

The Plot: Of course when Shadowglade regained control over the Island, he would likely have Roman the Merchant killed or impaled as a traitor, unless Roman manages to escape of course. It certainly would be a fun battle for Shadowglade and perhaps a dozen loyal men to retake the Island. It would be a happy day for the Island as well. Unfortunately it would also be the end of the story. The longer the 'True Ubar' Shadowglade remained in disguise as he met with the Peasants, the Outlaws, the Townsfolk, etc. the longer the story with the plotting, the scheming, and the intrigue would continue. Deaths are no fun but robberies, raids, fights, and action are.