Post by Lucius on Oct 8, 2007 23:58:43 GMT -5
The rebels are strict believers of the Old Gods and the Old Blood, as they call themselves. The Old Blood started as a semi-secret society during the reign of Steward Grawluf, a group of men and women who strictly believed that the bloodline of Kings hadn't died along with the last of the kings, but rather continued to live on in one of the lesser branches of the royal bloodline.
For it was a well-guarded secret, but known to some of the descendants of those who were close to the King of that time, that there was born a bastard-son for the grandfather of the last king, a child that was hidden in the rich lands of Bretagne.
When the last of the Kings finally died without a heir, it is claimed that some of the older families familiar with the tale of the continuance of the bloodline approached the newly-positioned Steward Grawluf, claiming that they had knowledge of the lineage of the Kings. One may only speculate whether the men ever reached the Steward - for it is likely that they were turned away from his door - but some of the Old Blood families claim that Steward actually launched an search for the lineage, trying to, they say, no doubt kill the last descendants of the Kings in hopes of keeping the power in his own hands.
Others - those who oppose the Old Blood - claim that these are only twisted tales weaved by those who opposed, in the first place, Steward and would've rather seen one fo their own bloodline on the throne of Manzanare instead of him.
Structure
Those who belong to the Old Blood also belong to clans that have existed even before the Kingdom of Manzanare. These clans are small, for as the time has passed many of the youngsters of the clans have left the clans as they have moved from duchy to another or from the small villages to bigger towns, and thus their numbers in the recent day are few.
The Last - This is the way the Old Blood calls their last leader, the last descendant of the Second Bloodline. S/he holds the supreme power over all the Old Blood clans, though s/he is guided in her/his choices by the Elders.
The Elders - The Elders, as they are called, are the leaders of the clans. There are said to be ten Elders to this very day - though no-one can be sure, for the Old Blood guards their secrets well - whatever their number might be, it is the same as the number of the Old Blood clans.
The Prophet - Almost mythical figure among the Old Blood, s/he is the spiritual leader of the Old Blood and is said to travel in the "Realm of the Gods". Her/his words are regarded with respect and should one try to harm her/him, all of the Old Blood clans would immediately call a blood feud on the unfortunate person.
The Warrior Caste - These few selected men and women are what one could call the "spine" of the Old Blood clans. They have been taught to the skills of huntsman and swordsman ever since they learned how to walk. These days, one can more often spot an lone warrior of the Old Blood Warrior Caste travelling on the long plains or the vast forests - whatever the meaning of their travels might be, it is unknown to those who do not belong to the Old Blood.
Saboteurs - They are the brave men and women who do not belong to the Warrior Caste but who feel that their responsibility is to help the Last to rise on her/his throne, doing for the Old Blood clans what they can. They are often responsible for causing the collapsing of the bridges when the warbands of the Kingdom are trying to cross it, or perhaps attacking the wagons that carry the supplies, or even poisoning the wells.
Traditions
For the last generation, the Old Blood have been hated and hunted by most of those who don't belong to them - public executions aren't as rare as they used to be. For this reason many of the Old Blood have retreated to the Drakkius Forest, living in secrecy - though many remain in the larger towns, keeping an eye for the others on the movement of the forces of the Kingdom and even spying on meetings between the nobility.
Though not unheard of, it is rare that one of the Old Blood would betray their cause for those of the Kingdom - the last generation has brought suffering beyond imagination for the Old Blood, and not all of it because of the strict laws of Steward but as much for the close-minded attitude towards the Old Blood from the local nobility in the duchies.
~If you have any questions about this, take a look at the FAQ or contact me by PM or MSN~
For it was a well-guarded secret, but known to some of the descendants of those who were close to the King of that time, that there was born a bastard-son for the grandfather of the last king, a child that was hidden in the rich lands of Bretagne.
When the last of the Kings finally died without a heir, it is claimed that some of the older families familiar with the tale of the continuance of the bloodline approached the newly-positioned Steward Grawluf, claiming that they had knowledge of the lineage of the Kings. One may only speculate whether the men ever reached the Steward - for it is likely that they were turned away from his door - but some of the Old Blood families claim that Steward actually launched an search for the lineage, trying to, they say, no doubt kill the last descendants of the Kings in hopes of keeping the power in his own hands.
Others - those who oppose the Old Blood - claim that these are only twisted tales weaved by those who opposed, in the first place, Steward and would've rather seen one fo their own bloodline on the throne of Manzanare instead of him.
Structure
Those who belong to the Old Blood also belong to clans that have existed even before the Kingdom of Manzanare. These clans are small, for as the time has passed many of the youngsters of the clans have left the clans as they have moved from duchy to another or from the small villages to bigger towns, and thus their numbers in the recent day are few.
The Last - This is the way the Old Blood calls their last leader, the last descendant of the Second Bloodline. S/he holds the supreme power over all the Old Blood clans, though s/he is guided in her/his choices by the Elders.
The Elders - The Elders, as they are called, are the leaders of the clans. There are said to be ten Elders to this very day - though no-one can be sure, for the Old Blood guards their secrets well - whatever their number might be, it is the same as the number of the Old Blood clans.
The Prophet - Almost mythical figure among the Old Blood, s/he is the spiritual leader of the Old Blood and is said to travel in the "Realm of the Gods". Her/his words are regarded with respect and should one try to harm her/him, all of the Old Blood clans would immediately call a blood feud on the unfortunate person.
The Warrior Caste - These few selected men and women are what one could call the "spine" of the Old Blood clans. They have been taught to the skills of huntsman and swordsman ever since they learned how to walk. These days, one can more often spot an lone warrior of the Old Blood Warrior Caste travelling on the long plains or the vast forests - whatever the meaning of their travels might be, it is unknown to those who do not belong to the Old Blood.
Saboteurs - They are the brave men and women who do not belong to the Warrior Caste but who feel that their responsibility is to help the Last to rise on her/his throne, doing for the Old Blood clans what they can. They are often responsible for causing the collapsing of the bridges when the warbands of the Kingdom are trying to cross it, or perhaps attacking the wagons that carry the supplies, or even poisoning the wells.
Traditions
For the last generation, the Old Blood have been hated and hunted by most of those who don't belong to them - public executions aren't as rare as they used to be. For this reason many of the Old Blood have retreated to the Drakkius Forest, living in secrecy - though many remain in the larger towns, keeping an eye for the others on the movement of the forces of the Kingdom and even spying on meetings between the nobility.
Though not unheard of, it is rare that one of the Old Blood would betray their cause for those of the Kingdom - the last generation has brought suffering beyond imagination for the Old Blood, and not all of it because of the strict laws of Steward but as much for the close-minded attitude towards the Old Blood from the local nobility in the duchies.
~If you have any questions about this, take a look at the FAQ or contact me by PM or MSN~
