Wednesday 4 June 2008

A letter from Duke Otto to Duke Karl Frederick


My Brother

I greet you in the name of the

Duchy of Skogsmork and as a member of those chosen by God to rule under Heaven.

It is too long since we met - many years since we met in my dear father's time. Our paths have gone in ways diverse- we both have ruled our Duchies- you for years me for so little time.

We share a passion for the Great and High art of the rapier and the dagger. And so I propose that you come to visit me here in the Duchy that we might take a measure at sword length. In doing so may we converse also upon the events closest to the hearts of our Duchies. I expect you upon the next Sunday - a welcome like no other awaits .

your servant and friend

Otto Duke of Skogsmork

6 comments:

  1. I hope Karl Frederick's expertise in the Talhofer School is much, much better than whatever school Otto practices.

    Good luck!

    Jim

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  2. A couple of concealed small pistols and a large, heavily armed escort might be in order, if the Duke decides to accept the offer!

    Yours,

    Martin

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  3. Methinks that something is rotten in Skogsmork. The audacity of Duke Otto to suggest "recreational fencing" during a state visit. No doubt his blade would somehow pierce Duke Karl's hide.

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  4. Oh my, this has the smell of trouble about it.

    I wonder if Otto is related to Koenig Maurice the Vile?


    -- Jeff of Saxe-Bearstein

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  5. A Duel of Champions has some heroic / knightly flavour. But such a proposal, even disguised, is *so* archaic it raises suspicions. A blade may be poisoned...
    Hoping to learn more about the armed forces of Skogsmork - oddly me know better the army of an antipodial country than that of an European state.

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  6. Frankszonia, of course, views this aroma of deceit and conspiracy with disdain. Perhaps, prior to a formal response, the Duke of Tragardland would like to borrow the services of some of our Frankszonian inspectors?

    ** Frankszonian agents:.
    *Johannes Baddmann: either a remittance man or architect, whichever suits his current situation.
    *Wilhelm v. Weiserwurst: supposedly an historian, traveling to research various lineages, etc.
    * Frau Hilda Wasserschloss: an artiste, known for her quick sketches, watercolors, and snow jobs.
    * Herr Eberhard Kunegunde: Master of the Secret Police.
    * Herr Schwartzmann (the Dark Man): is this a person or a special job rank? Has been reported as a waiter at a Beer garden, a minor nobleman at a ball, a Croatian cavalryman, and a fuller.
    * Lord Moose Hunter (an American Indian, the name is short for Chief Big Antlered Moose Caught in Ice): a superb scout, fluent in English, Spanish, and French ... and enough German to get by. Is used either to guide other agents on infiltration missions or to search a sector for
    infiltrators ... is carried on list as a Master Huntsman

    L'Comte de Beauphaup.

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