Narnian Centaur

This is a blog for the Character Wintermoor on NarniaMUCK. Half Aesthetic, Half Logblog.  Please note: I work very hard to make this tumblr blog family friendly, please respect that.

[narniancentaur]

“As autumn falls To winters sleep We pray that somehow in the spring The roots grow deep

So many years from now Long after we are gone This tree will spread its branches out And bless the dawn

... So sit down and write that letter Sign up and join the fight Sink in to all that matters Step out into the light

Let go of all that's passing Lift up the least of these Lean into something lasting Planting trees...” 

[silvaris]

Skogen by Ola Stelzer

[morgan-phillips]

[narniancentaur]

@narniamuck

[passeurdaurore]

“Rise up, warriors, take your stand at one another’s sides, our feet set wide and rooted like oaks in the ground”. [x]

[checoleclerc]

@pevensienet challenge 4/?: the six weeks of Christmas challenge

5/6: Recipies & Delicacies ─> Food across Narnia (Movies) 

                                    ‘ Narnia’s not going to run out of toast, Ed ’

[forest-faerie-spirit]

{Deep Silence} by {M-eralp}

[kateoplis]

Ellie Davies, In Between the Trees

[narniancentaur]

Archery Lesson by saeriellyn shared with permission.  ©  saeriellyn

A little father-son bonding. I think I must have had centaurs on the brain after seeing the new Narnia trailer. I know zilch about archery and only some about horses. So if form and anatomy are off, I take full responsibility for being lazy about references.

[satakentia]

Ancient guardian Gussago, Lombardia, Italy

by Mattia Ferraboli

[tachyonbeam]

Source

[narniancentaur]

@narniamuck Narnia or Archenland.

[cozyautumnspices]

[photosbygerardo]

Stream

[annafridacharlotte]

[narniancentaur]

@narniamuck maybe?

[narniancentaur]

Meeting of the Stewards

This roleplay takes place a day after their appointments as stewards. 

Reception Hall

,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],

You find yourself standing in a roomy, luxuriously-decorated chamber.  By far

the most dominating feature is a thick, heavy table that stretches nearly

from one side of the room to the other and is surrounded by a number of

chairs.  The chairs have ornately-carved arms and legs, and each is

beautifully upholstered in rich velvet cloth.  This assemblage sits atop a

similarly- colored, thickly-woven carpet.  The walls all around are decorated

with paintings depicting enchanting Narnian landscapes and the creatures that

inhabit them.  There is also a massive fireplace along the north wall that

supports a heavily carved mantle.  Many curious trinkets and decorative

articles sit atop it on display.  This room is obviously a place where the

Kings and Queens can gather and feast with their friends in small assemblies,

without the tremendous ceremony of the Great Hall.

 There is an open archway leading eastward into the southeast tower.  There is

also a less noticeable door in the west wall that apparently leads out onto

the south curtain wall of the Courtyard.

,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],`,[/ /],`,[\ \],

You can go: Out to the Southeast Tower <E>, Out onto the South Wall <W>

Contents: Peridan; A Castle Guard at the West Door; and Wolves and Foxes Game Set.

Peridan is seated at the table beside Lady Avery. They are speaking quietly, and Peridan is smiling at something she has said. There are tea things and other refreshments set out, but no attendants are present within the room.

Oren comes in, taking a seat opposite.

Wintermoor enters as well, his hooves clipping softly on the floor.

"Peridan rises and bows to them both. "Good day to you both. I hope you rested well after all of the feasting?" He resumes his seat once they have found their places as well.

Oren asks, "Quite well. Yourself?"

Wintermoor says, "Very well." He looks Peridan, for his response."

Peridan says, "I did indeed, thank you. It did me good to see the people celebrating again."

Wintermoor nods, "And Mine as well.

"Oren says, "Not all was celebration. Some are still concerned."

Peridan nods once. "Which is understandable and expected, certainly. There has been a great deal of uncertainty, and they cannot know yet if we will fill our new roles well for them."

Wintermoor nods seriously.

Oren says, "Then we had best set about doing so."

Peridan smiles. "Quite." He glances around the table. "Perhaps we ought to start with what sort of governing we are each expecting. Lord Wintermoor and I are, obviously, most familiar with the style of Narnian rule that Their Majesties had, though I know that Archenland and Terebintia are rather different. Have any of you any expectations of what we ought to do here, as stewards?

Oren says, "We are responsible for defense of the nation, for one."

Peridan nods. "Which I am happy to report remains in a strong position, though fortunately we have not needed it in some time. Is that an area in which you have experience and interest, Your Grace?"

"Oren says, "I do. Though some of my experience is nautical.  There are few large military actions on an island but I have experience managing soldiers and have read on the subject as well.

Wintermoor quietly listens, pondering Peridan's question.

Peridan says, "It would certainly be well for all of you who are willing to be familiarized with the ways of our army, navy, and the Northern Guard as quickly as you can be." He clears his throat. "At the moment, I am of course very closely involved with the day-to-day command of our forces. Before Their Majesties disappeared, I reported directly to King Peter, and have by default taken up even more leadership under the Council since then, so as to avoid confusion and disorder. Is that a state of affairs with which you are all comfortable?":quietly listens, pondering Peridan's question.

Oren asks, "I am not certain. It may be better to vest the power of the military in more than one person. But what other duties to we anticipate having, before a division is decided upon?"

Wintermoor turns to Peridan awaiting his answer.

Peridan says, "Well, ensuring that our own people have all that they need to live well and freely here at home, of course. Their Majesties did so primarily by working in council with their appointed curiates throughout Narnia, as you may know. I think many of them have felt the strain of trying to do well in those duties while also being here in council so often this past year and a half. It was a hope of the council that our appointments would relieve much of that."

Wintermoor nods.

Oren asks, "So the idea would be to send them home and either allow them to report back on their needs, or for us to visit them periodically?"

Peridan nods slowly. "Not to quite to send them home, perhaps, but to ensure that they will not be as needed here as they are at home, now. I expect it will be a little like it was soon after Their Majesties took the throne--more back and forth than things were later in their reigns when everyone had learned their roles so well. Much can be said by messenger, but until they know us all well, they may wish to see us more directly, I think. But they will not need to be in council every week, at least

Oren says, "It might behoove one or more of us to tour the country in any case, and soon. If there were questions after the announcement, we may expect even more abroad.

"Peridan says, "I agree." He turns to Wintermoor.

"Lord Wintermoor, you have spent more time throughout the rest of Narnia than any of the rest of us have of late. What say you?"

Wintermoor says "There is wisdom in His Grace's suggestion, I believe. There maybe others yet who may benefit from having their questions heard and listened too."

Peridan says, ""Do you think that end would be best served if we (all the stewards) were all to go together, or would it be just as well for us to go a few at a time, while the rest remain to govern from here?”

"Oren says, "I want to go. Perhaps only a brief excursion to a more difficult location. After that I will need to return to greet my daughter."

Wintermoor considers Peridan's question, "While some maybe cheered by seeing their new stewards, I believe we maybe better served to send but a few at a time. In such a manner those nearby with concerns may yet bring them and have them heard.

Peridan nods to Wintermoor, then pauses a moment. "I think that we must consider the needs and wishes of the people more than our own in choosing where and when to go. However, I agree that it is important for the people to meet you, Your Grace, and you, Lady Avery, soon, as fewer outside of Cair Paravel know you."

Oren nods. "I should like to visit the Northern March. From the behavior we have observed so far, it would seem there is great concern among the Wolves."

Peridan nods slowly. "There is. But there is always concern among the Wolves and, while they bear a great deal of responsibility, they also have greater resources to address their concerns, as well as more regular lines of communication with us than do other regions of Narnia."

Oren asks, "What kind of resources?"

Peridan says, "Well, the Northern Guard also keep watch in Lantern Waste, obviously, and they coordinate with Ulfden. They also have a great wealth of experience among their numbers, and a longstanding relationship with Curiate Tumnus, who is, as you have seen, a strong advocate here at Cair Paravel."

Oren says, "That doesn't seem to have stopped one of their member from demonstrating his displeasure in the Great Hall."

Peridan raises his eyebrows. "If you mean the Wolf Dreygan, he is of Winterden. They are the pack from the Great Woods, to the south of here."

Oren leans back. "I see. Then perhaps a visit there would be more appropriate?"

Peridan glances at Wintermoor and Avery. "It might well be, and it would not be difficult to manage. There, though, we must consider that the residents of the Great Woods are among our nearest neighbors, and Dreygan's intervention may also be taken as evidence of their ability to voice their concerns. There are others among our people--those farther away and less accustomed to travel, for instance--who may really be more in need of reassurance from us."

Wintermoor says, "It seems then that our first duty then, is to journey forth and offer what we can in means of reassurance.""

Oren asks, "One of the first, but we were discussing our various duties. We can't offer reassurance without a cohesive plan. The military seems to be in hand for the moment. Have the people enough to eat? How is justice to be administered?"

Peridan clears his throat. "Yes, I think we are agreed that we must make sure things are well in hand here, and then a few of us may venture forth to the places where we may do the most good. As I have said, many concerns--whether related to justice or otherwise--are addressed by our curiates. If they are unable to right an injustice on their own, or if they think they ought not to proceed without our input, they will bring the problem before us. Before Their Majesties departed, they often trusted King Edmund with such responsibilities, though he sought council not infrequently, I believe. Since they left us, the council have taken up any injustices together when there has been need." He pauses. "Hunger is not something I have heard reason to be concerned about."

Wintermoor nods.

Oren asks, "That is good anyway. What of foreign relations? Calormen?"

Wintermoor looks to Peridan

Peridan says, "The council have been loath to make any great changes in the absence of a ruler, but we have done our best to learn what there was to know of Their Majesties' policies and progress. This is, as I think you have all been told, an area in which the council believe Lady Avery will be of particular help to us. Our relations with Calormen have never been strong, but are no worse than they have been since Prince Rabadash marched into Archenland. An uneasy peace, I would call it. Archenland remains a strong and supportive ally, and our relationship with Terebinthia you know."

Oren nods. "That's well enough then."

Peridan walks through the west door.

Wintermoor says, "What are are thoughts on the matter, Lord Peridan? "

Peridan looks around the table at each of the group. "It was my thought that we might wish to find a distribution of our tasks that suits the individual abilities of each of us, so that we are not all trying to do the same work where not all are needed, and where we may not all be equally useful. If we take council together often, I think that we could distribute our work in this way while making sure that we all have the help that we need and are able to govern as one even while we are still learning how to work together best."

Wintermoor nods, "There is wisdom in this."

Oren says, "I agree. My own gifts include trade and nautical endeavors as well as martial. I have experience as well that would lend itself to public speaking and diplomacy."

Peridan nods once without comment and turns to Wintermoor. "And is there a portion of our work that you would prefer to do, Lord Wintermoor?"

Wintermoor is thoughtful as he considers the matter and Peridan's question, "I would endeavor to keep the old things alive, that they may not be lost as they once were. To keep Narnians faith in the Lion strong and his decrees, though I do not know what form it may take. I do not wish to speak for matters where other may be more qualified or have preference, and if there is need for it I will offer what wisdom the Lion gives me where it may be most needed and useful.

Oren asks, "And you, Lord Peridan?"

Peridan says, "I am, of course, happy to continue to provide insight as to how we may best govern Narnia in light of how it has been governed these last seventeen years, but as I have said, I think I can do the most for our people by continuing to oversee our army and other defenses here at home." He pauses, thinking, and then looks around the group once more. "A suggestion, if I may?"

Oren says, "Proceed."

"Wintermoor nods, "Please do, Lord Peridan."

Peridan turns to each as he addresses them. "Lord Wintermoor, I think you are the most trusted of us to guide our curiates in judging fairly and wisely and with full knowledge of our people when the need arises. We will also depend on you to guide us here when what we have learned in our short lives fails us. Lady Avery, I think our people are already learning that you will be a good and attentive advocate for their interests, and will make it known to us if you hear of a need of theirs that we are not meeting. Similarly, I think you are the best suited among us to improve the strength of our relationships with the other countries around us. Duke Oren, your experience in trade negotiations will be of great use to us--I do not think the rest of us possess the necessary knowledge, yet. You are also, perhaps, the best suited to oversee our naval commanders and to go with them into battle should the need arise, whereas I will do the same on land and will work with our people to ensure that they have what they need to emain safe closer to their homes. What say you all to this?"

Oren considers. "That seems a good place to start."

Wintermoor says, "An excellent suggestion, Lord Peridan."

Peridan nods. "That is not to say that we cannot help each other outside of those areas, of course, and we will continue to have the aid of the council." He sits back. "And how would it be if, for the present, those of us who are here at Cair Paravel meet every morning like this to discuss how we get on and seek input from each other on any important matters at hand?"

Oren asks, "Rise before noon? Art daft, man?"

Peridan blinks at him and hesitates before responding.

Wintermoor waits for Oren to explain further.

Oren says, "That was a joke. I run a massive shipping company. I rarely rise after seven. My point is that while we have been given a serious charge, we should remember not to walk around as though we've just attended a funeral. that will not comfort the people. Their Departed Majesties were a merry bunch."

Peridan smiles with a look of relief. "That is so. And when we know each other better, it will be easier to know when we are each meaning to laugh."

Wintermoor's face crinkles amicably. A short deep rumbling sound like laughter echoing from him.

Oren asks, "No doubt. Breakfast tomorrow, then?"

Peridan says, "I look forward to it." He rises to bow. "Your Grace. My Lord."

Oren rises and returns the bow before leaving the room.

Wintermoor offers Oren a bow as well as He rises.

Oren walks out to the tower.

Peridan offers Lady Avery his arm and walks her out.

[usvakorpi]

©Usvakorpi

[timberphoto]

A summer sunset in Montana.

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[livingstills]

[narniancentaur]

@narniamuck