This medieval SL contains mature themes.
 After the great fall of the Kingdom of Doar, and the death of King Maxim Sargenis, Wexford became a free City State, run by a Jarldom. Whispered rumors claimed the lands had many secrets, tucked away by the old and new gods, awaiting to be found. . .
The summer and harvest seasons passed by quickly in Wexford. The days of being a small settlement were long gone, as it had now expanded into a large city-state, running independently. Upon his return, ruler Jarl Jacob Adair went right to work, working on expansions alongside his wife Carolina, and his cousin/right hand, Slania.Â
He asked his wife to be in charge of overseeing the expansions in Wexfordâs port. They had a lot more ships now, and due to their growing reputation, they had begun to conduct a lot more trade. She was to have workers build new docks, and choose which ships were for trade, and which would be for warfare.Â
Then, he instructed Slania to first work on creating new farmlands, as their city-state was expanding, which meant the citizens would require more food. He also had her help him create new homes for newer residents, as many from other parts of the great isle and some from the north had arrived to make Wexford their new home. More watch towers were also built, and a second set of barracks was created to train more warriors and military personnel. While he did not want to ask him directly, he did imply to Slania that perhaps Keiran Riley could be a great help for this task. She already had him in mind, and the two were seen making sure the construction of the new barracks went smoothly.
More weapons for made, under the careful work and supervision of Jacobâs friend and trusted Weaponsmaster, Leviticus Riley
Finally, Jacob began to make his longhouse, his home, into a fortified hold of sorts. He wanted his home to be a place of refuge not only for his family but for the elderly, the children, and women who needed a place to hide should Wexfordâs enemies be at their gates. He made his home bigger, fortifying it with stone walls. Housecarls were tasked with guarding the inside and outside of his home.
The season of Yuletide was quickly approaching, and by then, most of these important projects and tasks were done. That harvest season had been plentiful, and the raids that had been done came back successful. Jacob had other tasks he wished to do, but decided to start them after the festivities.
It was a time of abundance and growth for the Northern-Celtic land, which was greatly needed, as dark days were ahead of them.
Oh hey there! So I made a recap on the events on Wexford. Once again, thereâs a lot more details in the whole story, but this is just so yâall get a good idea of whatâs been going on.
More details can be found in posts on the Wexford SL page! https://cityofwexfordsl.tumblr.com/
The Celts and Northerners in Wexford celebrated Yuletide. For the first time in a very long time, the citystate was festive, with music, drink, and food the entire week. The atmosphere felt lighter than before, and it showed as the citizens celebrated the holidays lightheartedly.
In the Jarlâs longhouse on the 5th day of Yuletide, the Adairs, the Sargenis, and the Arelis had a large and festive family supper. Slania sang a beautiful song and Riley was heard telling some over-the-top stories she had heard during her years as Princess of Doar, which made even Levon Areli snort in laughter. Erik Adair was noted to be incredibly excited that his parents had so much family over.
After the feast, the united family joined the citizens outside as snow gently fell from the sky. Citizens then hauled giant logs in the center of the city and lit them up. There present were the Rileys, the Halls, Harper Maxson (accompanied by Benjamin Areli) and Hana Yasmin Udell, who seemed content to celebrate Yuletide for the first time in many years. They all drank hot, mulled drinks together, and soon, they were drinking and dancing around the large bonfire all through the night.
The Silver Hall was the biggest inn in Wexford, located in the center of the city state. It was the first inn to be constructed in Wexford, and it was eventually sold to the Hall family. It eventually was owned by Helka Hall, widow of Leif Hall, and her nephew, Finnegan Hall. Although the inn building sustained a lot of damage due to the fires and battles that occurred in Wexford, it was eventually rebuilt.
The inn had two floors. The first floor contained long and small dining tables, a large fireplace area, and a bar area. Food and drink were made available to the patrons, and music would occasionally be played if musicians or bards were available.Â
The second floor contained various rooms, all different sizes at different prices. Patrons were allowed to stay for as long as they had money to pay for it. There were two bathing rooms (one for women, and one for men), but a small wooden bathtub was available for extra coin.
It was a completely shock to Gunne that he was still alive. Slania Sargenis, in a primal and almost supernatural fury, had managed to overpower him. Yet, she did not kill him, but rather took him in as her prisoner. He was put in chains and was put in the center of their camp at first. Â Then, they put him in a semi-burned building which they deemed a suitable âprisonâ for him. No one spoke to him at first, and he was left alone with his thoughts. He felt humiliated. Not only had Jacob Adair outwitted him, and won against him despite having a smaller army, but he, along with Slania, had bested him. Just as Geir tried to bait Jacob, Jacob and his allies baited him, and unlike Jacob, he fell for it. He spent a long time in that prison of his, wondering if either Geir Lundsson would arrive, or his son Ottir back home in Waterford would go and save him, perhaps at least arrange something with the Adairs and Sargenis.
One night, Gunne had fallen into a slumber and was stirred awake by the sounds of the door opening. Instead of the usual soldier who silently gave him scrap sof food and water every few days, it was Jacob Adair. The door was closed behind him, and he approached, eventually setting down a plate with scraps of meat, and a cup half full of water. Gunne eyed it suspiciously, only to earn a smirk from Jacob.
âIf you do not eat or drink on your own, we will have to force feed you. Youâve been told this before, so do not make this harder on us both.â Jacob said as he backed up a few steps, and sat down, his back against the wall by the door.
Gunne silently nodded, and slowly began to eat. The meat was dry, but secretly, he was thankful to eat for the day.
â...Arenât you planning to kill me? Why have you kept me alive this long?â Gunne asked wearily, looking up at the new Jarl of Wexford.
âI wanted to, but my dearest cousin Slania wanted to prevent another war, so she actually got in contact with your son Ottir and I believe sheâs retrieving his response,â Jacob said as he watched Gunne eat, â...Why did you do it?â
Gunne paused and smiled to himself. He finished his meal, and set the plate aside. âThe Sargenis are Saxons, people who abhor my people. They did harm to the northerners who were here first, and Iâve seen first hand how they work. Geir wanted your kin out, and I was more than happy to help with that. It was for our survival.â
Jacob crossed his arms and raised a brow, âI was raised with Northerners. Why the fuck would I side with Saxons?â
âYou are an ambitious man. I could always see that in you. Ambition makes men dangerous,â Gunne replied, âYour cousin who claimed earldom was dangerous. He called upon Saxons, did he not?â
âThat cousin is long gone. You should have not mistaken me for him. He made your plight possible. Those of us who remain are not as blinded as he was.â Jacob grumbled, looking more irritable.
Gunne smiled bitterly, âYou can say that now. But, it happened to even my friend Geir. Itâs why he lost this settlement. It will happen to you.â
This prompted a confident grin from Jacob. âI have my wife and my cousin to keep me in check. Iâm not worried.â
As if on cue, the door behind Jacob opened and Gunne stared as Slania Sargenis stepped into the room with them. The tall, redheaded woman was just as stunning in plain clothing as she was in armor, but while she looked terrifying on the battlefield, there was a grace to her movements then as she stepped forward and gave Jacob a hug in greeting before handing him a piece of folded parchment. When she turned to him, she nodded.
âJarl Sitricsson,â Slania greeted him, her calm voice almost soothing to him.
âUh... hello,â He replied, feeling uncertain, âDid you see my son?â
Slania frowned and Jacob made a face upon reading the paper; a surprised one.Â
âYou may want to read this yourself,â Jacob told him, handing him the paper, sounding surprised, and also somewhat amused.
Gunne took the letter, to his horror, read Ottirâs response:
Your tactful suggestion surprises me. I appreciate this, but I write to tell you that such negotiation is not possible.
Gunne Sitricsson, the man who calls himself my father, made a decision that has cost Waterford greatly. My warnings and pleas went on deaf ears, and he must pay for the damage he has cost us as well.Â
I give you my word not to retaliate upon whatever you decide to do with him. In fact, after you do what you need to do, let us meet formally. I heard you are the right hand of new Jarl of Wexford. Perhaps this is a gift from the gods to allow us to start our relations anew.
Gunne felt a great rage as Jacob reached down and took the paper from him, and Gunne felt his hands go limp as he did, feeling defeated. He looked down, realizing that Ottir truly intended to take the Jarldom from him, and would not go to save him, as a good son should have. There was no sign from Geir or his son. He was there, alone, and at the mercy of his captors.
âWhat shall we do with our poor prisoner?â Jacob asked Slania, putting an arm around her as she continued to look at Gunne. âHe is, after all, your prisoner.â
There was silence in that small room for a while, and finally, Slania declared in placid tone:Â âHe is to pay for his crimes and bloodshed here in Wexford. I call to sentance him to death.â
Gunneâs eyes widened and as Slania turned to leave, he took a hold of the hems of her tunic, causing her to turn around in startlement.Â
âNo, please,â Gunne weakly begged, the fear of mortality and death suddenly seizing him, âLady Slania, please --â
Jacob knelt down and took his hands, forcefully taking them off his cousinâs clothing. âYou have no right to fucking touch her, you pathetic piece of shit,â Jacob snarled angrily, âYou are to die, Gunne Sitricsson, because this is the fate the gods have written for you. This is your destiny.â
---
Days later, in the middle night, the doors of his prison opened. A large, tattooed man entered with Finnegan Hall, the inn keeper, coming in right behind him. Finnegan unlocked the chains binding his feet to a wall in his prison.
âItâs time, Gunne,â Finnegan told him as the taller man took a hold of his arms roughly, forcing him to stand up.Â
â...I can walk.â Gunne mumbled, and he saw Finn nod to his counterpart, causing the man to release him with a shove. Gunne looked over his shoulder to look at the man. He remember seeing the larger man on the battlefield briefly, and there was an odd glint in his eye that made him afraid enough to turn back around. He was led out by Finnegan, followed by the intimidating man.
A crowd of people were outside, waiting for him. Torches were lit, making a path to what seemed to be the middle of the city. Gunne was led down his lit path, with the people of Wexford eying him with disgust, hatred, and fear. The moon was full in the dark sky, and there was a cool breeze that sent a chill down his spine.
As Gunne walked, he could feel his heart beat painfully hard in his chest, and a few times, he felt like fainting, but he was determined to take his sentance like a man worthy of the gods. Eventually they made it to the center of the city, and the torches then formed a circle. At the center was Jacob, with a beautiful dark haired woman holding a baby in one arm, and a young blond boyâs hand with the other. His family, thought Gunne, who to his surprise, had survived Geirâs direct attack.
Standing by the Adairs was Slania Sargenis, and a man who as tall as the giant of a man following him. He had seen him on the battlefield too. Beside the tall man was a very petite woman, who coldly glared at him. He next saw Katy Areli, a woman he once knew when they were much younger, and behind were her parents, and a younger blond man he assumed was her brother.Â
They had all come to see him die.
Finnegan led him to a block in the center of the circlr. He and his tattooed companion stepped aside as Jacob walked forward, holding a large sword. He gestured for him to step towards the block, and he did, fighting the urge to vomit as he did. Jacob then motioned for Gunne to kneel by the block, and he did, looking around at the people one last time. He then put his side of his head upon the block. He watched as Jacobâs wife leaned down towards their son, speaking to the boy in his ear. Then, he observed Jacob circle around him, and soon, he heard his footsteps approach him from behind. He looked towards Slania, who watched intently as she stood directly in front of him alongside Jacobâs family. He then looked towards the roofs of the buildings there, and thatâs when he saw it again.
A crow, but it wasnât the black crow he saw with Jacob a few times before. It was the hooded crow, with grey on its back, and as it perched on a roof directly behind Slania, it stared directly at him. Gunne stared back, and there was a thought that emerged in his head: Our gods are not the only ones here.
Jacob began to speak in a loud, thunderous voice:
âWe offer to the gods Jarl Gunne Sitricsson of Waterford. May they find pleasure in our sacrifice.â
Gunne felt the cool sharpness of the edge of the sword Jacob held on his neck. Gunne kept his eyes open, as he felt the swordâs edge leave his neck. And then there was a swoosh and then ...
He suddenly fell to the ground and felt strange. The world became distant. He heard echoes of cheering as he felt himself be lifted, but he felt so light. He looked to the side slightly and briefly saw the shoulder of the tattooed man who had escorted him before he was raised higher, and higher. He could see Jacob, splattered with blood, smiling up at him.
As echoes became more distant, the world around him became darker. He felt cold, but oddly, the cold didnât hurt him. It comforted him.
The darkness consumed him, and everything went still.
âItâs my fault,â He said. "I tried to help, but⊠she was so sure of herself and of himâŠ
It wasnât until Aachen that I heard they came back⊠and they razed the city to the ground. Men, women and children, all of those that couldnât run away or fight for themselves were killed. Cut down in their homes or the streets or burned alive.â
           - Eamonn finally explaining to Riley what he had done in Wexford
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