King of the Two Lands

Started by Valerian, April 26, 2010, 11:47:19 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Valerian



In the time before the pyramids, Egypt (known to those who lived there as Kemet, meaning "black earth", after the rich soil that the Nile would deposit on the sands with each flood) was two kingdoms: Upper Egypt, called Ta-Sheme'aw, or sedgeland; and Lower Egypt, known as Ta-Mehew, or northland.  In about 1350 BCE, a king named Narmer, a man mighty in strength and skill, united the two kingdoms and was the first to rule them both.  He took the two symbols of the kingdoms -- a cobra and a vulture -- and set them both in gold upon his crown, a sign of this unity.  For the next thousand years, all the kings that followed would struggle -- not always successfully -- to keep that unity; but they would always keep as one of their many titles the epithet "King of the Two Lands".

In 570 BCE, the ruler of Egypt was a man called Wahibre Haaibre, known to the Greeks as Apries, son of Psamtik II and Queen Takhut.  Though he was known for his building programs and other public works, greatly encouraging the arts under his reign, he wasn't much of a strategist when it came to warfare.  An ill-advised foray into the Kingdom of Judah, followed by a dramatic loss to Dorian Greek invaders, led to a battle between native Egyptian troops and the unpopular Greek mercenaries Apries often used.

Apries sent Ahmose (also called Amasis), his most trusted general, to put down this rebellion.  Upon his arrival, the people urged him to declare himself king and free them from Apries, who could not even control his own troops.  Ahmose agreed, and true civil war began.

History shows that the general, after defeating Apries in battle, became the unchallenged ruler of Egypt as Ahmose II.  But during those days, no one could be sure what the outcome of the struggle between the two men would be.  Perhaps this time, the rebels will not take the throne so easily.
"To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his due."
~ Ulpian, c. 530 CE

Valerian

#1


Fan-Bearers (9) - To be a Fan-Bearer meant that one was a courtier, greatly favored by the king, and in return, this group is deeply loyal to Apries.  Whatever his mistakes, he is the embodiment of the gods on earth, and deserves the respect and loyalty of his people.  And the king is still young, needing only the guidance of his more experienced advisors to make Egypt strong again.
They hope to ensure that Apries remains King, using the power of their votes to remove the traitorous Soldiers of the Moon


Grand Vizier (1) - Most senior advisor, second only to the king himself, there is little this person does not know -- about tradition, the history of the Two Lands, and about the courtiers themselves.
Once each night, the Vizier may learn the role of another player.  The Vizier will also attempt to remove the traitors through the vote.


Royal Guard (1) - Though many of the soldiers favor Ahmose, who is after all a soldier like them, this person is still fiercely dedicated to the rightful king.
Once each night, this player may protect one other player from the rebels.  The Royal Guard will also attempt to remove the traitors through the vote.


Follower of Isis (1) - The goddess Isis was most commonly invoked by those who practiced the arts of magic, and her powers, as well as those of her loyal worshippers, can be formidable.
Once during the game, during a night phase, this player may choose one other player to remove through magic.  It will appear as though that person was struck down by the deities themselves...


Soldiers of the Moon (3) - Taking their name from Ahmose (whose name means "the moon is born"), these rebels believe that Ahmose is the only person who can keep the kingdom safe from the threats of the Greeks and the Persians.
Once each night, they will attempt to remove one of the loyalists.




Just as in the usual game of Mafia, any player can lie, deceive, or mislead as much as they think they can get away with, all in the name of having fun.  If you have any questions about these rules, feel free to PM me or ask them in the OOC thread.

~Please don't quote anything directly from any PMs you might send or receive regarding the game; but any information you might get that way can be repeated in your own words as much as you like.

~The traditional day/night cycle will remain.  The first night, one of the Fan-Bearers (an NPC) will die!  The next day, the players will vote on a character to be removed, and will discover if their choice was a wise one.  That night, the Soldiers of the Moon will choose another victim, unless the Royal Guard happens to intervene.

~The Royal Guard may guard the same person two nights in a row!  This is a new rule in my games, so regular players please note this change.

~Please do not vote to lynch yourself.  Votes should be in bold in your posts.  No one may abstain from voting.

~When plotting in PMs, please remember to copy me into the conversation.

~Votes can be changed until all the votes are in and tallied.

~The Soldiers of the Moon will all know each other, but no one else will be sure who to trust.  Perhaps only those who have the favor of the deities themselves will survive these dark days in the land of Egypt.




  • Aiden
  • Ariadne
  • Beguile's Mistress
  • Esoteric Myobi
  • Imogen
  • Kyrsa
  • LadySky
  • Mithlomwen
  • Moirae
  • Paladin
  • Remiel
  • Ryven
  • Saffron
  • sinera
  • Xandi


These images can be used as links to the game in signatures!  Just select the code and paste it in.  Change floatright to floatleft if you prefer.  :)



[float=right][url=https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=67167.0][img]https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/a/ae/A_glyph.jpg[/img][/url][/float]



[float=right][url=https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=67167.0][img]https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1f/Y_glyph.jpg[/img][/url][/float]
"To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his due."
~ Ulpian, c. 530 CE

Valerian

The sun was just rising, beginning the second day of the month of Paophi.  It was the second month of the season of Akhet, the time of the flood, and the Nile was well past its usual banks now, the silvery-grey water already several cubits high on the steps built especially to measure the depth of the innundation.  It looked to be a good flood this year, neither too high nor too low, and the farmers were pleased.  Unfortunately, none could say for certain if this was meant to be a sign that the gods were pleased with Apries' continued reign, or pleased that Ahmose now worked to seize the throne.

Neither possibility mattered to Rahotep, one of the court scribes, however; for that young man was found dead in his room as the first rays of the sun filtered in.  It was as the astrologers and other diviners had predicted -- Ahmose, impatient with trying to claim a decisive victory on the battlefields had resorted to more underhanded methods.  His assassins were in the royal palace itself, and those loyal to Apries would have to act quickly if they were to save their king.  It was time to decide on the traitors in their midst, and root them out, one by one.



The game is afoot!  Now is the time for the first lynch vote.  May the wisdom of Thoth guide your choices.
"To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his due."
~ Ulpian, c. 530 CE

Ryven

Ryven entered the chamber only to be horrified by the gruesome scene.  The diviners were right.  A plague of death was showing its first signs in their very palace.  He dashed down the hall with servants and slaves gawking at him in curiosity.  The man entered the court chamber in a panic, looking around for someone to tell.

"Rahotep is dead!"  After many a gasp from those gathered, he eyed the crowd warily.

"I don't know about you, but something must be done.  Someone must pay, and I think it should be Paladin."

Remiel

Remiel spent his morning down on the banks of the Nile, worshipping the rising sun.  "Oh, great Ra!" he cried.  "There is treachery afoot in the Kingdom.  I beseech you to show us who is guilty of this foul deed!"

Gathering together 14 turtles, he painted the name of each Fan-Bearer on the shell of each turtle in the following order:

Aiden
Ariadne
Beguile's Mistress
Esoteric Myobi
Imogen
Kyrsa
LadySky
Mithlomwen
Moirae
Paladin
Ryven
Saffron
sinera
Xandi

After watching the turtles lie there in the sun for some time, he saw turtle painted with the name "Kyrsa" crawl over to the river and slip into its murky depths.

"Clearly, the gods have spoken," said Remiel.  "Kyrsa must be sacrificed."

Beguile's Mistress

#5
The news that Ryven brought regarding Rahotep stirred those assembled as did his agitation.  Beguile clutched the talisman hanging from her neck and closing her eyes prayed to all the gods, including Apries, for guidance.  She watched the turtle with Kyrsa's glyph slide into the muddy Nile and sighed.

"I have no desire to be suspicious of any who are my friends and fellow loyalists and will gladly withdraw my sanction should further evidence demand it.  I have suspicions, though, and those lead me to believe Moirae's fine and delicate hand played a part in Rahotep's demise."

Valerian

#6
Current Voting:

Moirae(4) - Beguile's Mistress, Imogen, Mithlomwen, Aiden
Kyrsa(3) - Remiel, Xandi, sinera
Aiden(1) - Moirae
Paladin(1) - Ryven
Remiel(1) - LadySky
Ryven(1) - Paladin
Saffron(1) - Kyrsa
sinera(1) - Ariadne
Ariadne(0)
Beguile's Mistress(0)
Esoteric Myobi(0)
Imogen(0)
LadySky(0)
Mithlomwen(0)
Xandi(0)

Yet to vote: Esoteric Myobi, Saffron

There are 9 Fan-Bearers, 1 Royal Guard, 1 Grand Vizier, 1 Follower of Isis, and 3 Soldiers of the Moon.
"To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his due."
~ Ulpian, c. 530 CE

Kye

Kyrsa stood to the side of the room shocked by Ryven's words, her eyes wide as she contemplated the death seer’s had predicted correctly, as she had feared that they would.  She glanced around at the rest of of one of their own.  Denial hovered on her lips, her mind refusing for a moment to believe, but the those present, people whom she had known most of her life. 

“That one among us could be a traitor, could betray us this deeply goes against all we have been taught.  The breaking of our trust is as serious as the murder of our companion.  Saffron can you tell me where you were this night past?”

Autumn52

In all the commotion Xandi listens to all the accusations and just a Remiel had said the gods demand a sacrifice. He had chosen to pray to RA and enlist his help. Xandi chose to follow his lead.

Watching the turtles she votes for Kyrsa to try and please the gods.

May light guide you through your turmoil and may darkness never cross your path.

White Light be upon you if that is your wish

desert ashes

"Delicate and fine?"  Lightly Moirae blushed and shook her head at Beguile's.  "Oh, dear, thank you so much, but I rather think Aiden is the more suspicious sort."
make me forget
how to breathe

leave me with the
taste of your sin
they will lie about you, insult you, hurt you,
betray you, injure  you, set you aflame and
watch you burn. but they will not, shall not,
c a n n o t, destroy  you. because  you, like
R o m e, were built  on ashes, and you, like
a phoenix, know how to rise and resurrect.
· accepting new stories ·
 ·· · ideas & cravings ·· ons & offs ·· poetry ·· a/a ·· stories · ··

let there be beauty born from ashes

Paladin


LadySky

Alone in the corner LadySky watched and listened, taking in everyones choices. Finally with a soft sigh of resignation she made her vote. "I believe Remiel must be hiding something..."
I dreamed a dreamed, life has killed the dream I dreamed. So....I dream a NEW DREAM!!! never let them see you cry.

Ariadne

Ariadne felt sick as she listened to the people she had come to know as friends. Taking a breath she speaks, "I agree with Kyrsa in her sentiments regarding our murdered companion. It makes me ill to think that anyone of us had a hand in this." She sighed,  "I say Sinera is hiding something...."
I was lost for some time.
Ari's Absences and Social Thread    ||    Ari's Notes for Writing

sinera

sinera sat quietly, watching and listening. Finally she spoke, her dulcet voice carrying over the throng, "Foul deeds indeed. Remiel seems wise in asking Ra for his guidance. I concur that Kyrsa may have something to do with this..."
O/O | A/A | My Intro | Fairytale Requests
Apparently some people don't read my O/O before adding me on MSN/Y! - so I'll say it here: IF YOU DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE FROM E, I WILL NOT ACCEPT BUDDY REQUESTS. Please read my O/O before PMing me with ideas, thanks.
Best IRC cybersex come-on line EVER: "I see you're an erotica writer...So, do you ever do any realtime collaborations?"

Imogen

Imogen had watched the ceremony of the turtles and turned her almond shaped, kohl lined eyes to the skies. She agreed that the message must have meant -something-, but what exactly...  that required further thought. Slowly she ascended the steps to the palace. Would Kyrsa bring their doom or salvation? She was reluctant to answer that question now and debated on her choices when she heard Beguile's Mistress speak. A fine and delicate hand did match the treacherous act... and she raised her gentle voice to join the others. "I too believe that Moirae possesses the skills and wit to pull off this vile and secret deed without having been caught."
[tr][td]
[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]Woo's and Won'ts / Absences
Stor-E Writers Registry[/td]
[td][/td]
[td][/td]
[/tr][/table]

Mithlomwen

Mith sat quietly for a time, listening to and observing everyone, and at least cast her vote.  "The gods are telling me that Moiare is guilty.  I pray that they are right."
Baby, it's all I know,
that your half of the flesh and blood that makes me whole...

Aiden

"You would make a fine consort for Anubis, Moirae"
The tanned man smirked at his accuser, returning her the favor she had given him.

desert ashes

Wide eyed she stared at the others who'd called her name, the corners of her mouth starting to turn down into a pout. "Oh, well... in that case, I vote for Kyrsa instead.  I shall go with the Gods instead of fanciful notions."
make me forget
how to breathe

leave me with the
taste of your sin
they will lie about you, insult you, hurt you,
betray you, injure  you, set you aflame and
watch you burn. but they will not, shall not,
c a n n o t, destroy  you. because  you, like
R o m e, were built  on ashes, and you, like
a phoenix, know how to rise and resurrect.
· accepting new stories ·
 ·· · ideas & cravings ·· ons & offs ·· poetry ·· a/a ·· stories · ··

let there be beauty born from ashes

Kye

"I'm left with no choice but to change my vote to Moirae in self defense.  Please forgive me if you are innocent, but I know that I am innocent and do not deserve the suspicions that have been heaped upon me."

desert ashes

"That makes two of us, my dear," she murmured with a small frown and an ever increasing worry.  Her?  Guilty?  Oiy. 
make me forget
how to breathe

leave me with the
taste of your sin
they will lie about you, insult you, hurt you,
betray you, injure  you, set you aflame and
watch you burn. but they will not, shall not,
c a n n o t, destroy  you. because  you, like
R o m e, were built  on ashes, and you, like
a phoenix, know how to rise and resurrect.
· accepting new stories ·
 ·· · ideas & cravings ·· ons & offs ·· poetry ·· a/a ·· stories · ··

let there be beauty born from ashes

Esoteric Myobi

Observing from the back, sitting at the fringe of the center of commotion, Myobi had watched and listened carefully. While the death may have been foretold, it was a shock nevertheless, and one that brought a wave of uneasiness with it.

As accusations flew, she gazed thoughtfully at Kyrsa.

...I want to be your wet dream, your daydream, your only distraction...
~O/O~A/A~Ideas~Cafe~
Status: Currently have my hands full running Bump in the Night. Always recruiting~!

Valerian

#21
Current Voting:

Kyrsa(6) - Remiel, Xandi, sinera, Moirae, Esoteric Myobi, Paladin
Moirae(5) - Beguile's Mistress, Imogen, Mithlomwen, Aiden, Kyrsa
Paladin(1) - Ryven
Remiel(1) - LadySky
sinera(1) - Ariadne
Aiden(0)
Ariadne(0)
Beguile's Mistress(0)
Esoteric Myobi(0)
Imogen(0)
LadySky(0)
Mithlomwen(0)
Ryven(0)
Saffron(0)
Xandi(0)

Yet to vote: Saffron

There are 9 Fan-Bearers, 1 Royal Guard, 1 Grand Vizier, 1 Follower of Isis, and 3 Soldiers of the Moon.
"To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his due."
~ Ulpian, c. 530 CE

Paladin

After much thinkin I have decided that my vote against Ryven may be in error. And so I think I will change my vote to Kyrsa.

Autumn Sativus

After careful contemplation of the options, Saffron felt that with Kyrsa's earlier suspicion of the only person she knew was innocent, her very self, perhaps she had something to hide, and was looking for a way to conceal herself? "Though I truly haven't the slightest clue yet, Kyrsa I'm sorry if you are innocent, but my vote must go to you."

((Sorry about the wait... I didn't even see the game had got all going and stuff. >.>; ))
Us against the world
Just a couple sinners making fun of hell


~~A&A(updated March 2021)~~Tales~~Wants~~O&O~~Wiki~~

Valerian

Final Voting:

Kyrsa(7) - Remiel, Xandi, sinera, Moirae, Esoteric Myobi, Paladin, Saffron
Moirae(5) - Beguile's Mistress, Imogen, Mithlomwen, Aiden, Kyrsa
Paladin(1) - Ryven
Remiel(1) - LadySky
sinera(1) - Ariadne
Aiden(0)
Ariadne(0)
Beguile's Mistress(0)
Esoteric Myobi(0)
Imogen(0)
LadySky(0)
Mithlomwen(0)
Ryven(0)
Saffron(0)
Xandi(0)


By order of the King, Kyrsa's execution was to be swift and as painless as possible.  Some called this a sign of his enlightenment; the Soldiers of the Moon doubtless felt it was another sign of his weakness.  Regardless, the chosen victim was offered a syrup of herbs and honey to dull the senses, before being led to the courtyard.  With one swift blow of the headsman's sword, an innocent Fan-Bearer was no more.  The court would have to look elsewhere for those guilty of treason.

There are 8 Fan-Bearers, 1 Royal Guard, 1 Grand Vizier, 1 Follower of Isis, and 3 Soldiers of the Moon.
"To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his due."
~ Ulpian, c. 530 CE