Prince Henry of Portugal's page

Prince Henry leads the Portuguese conquest of Morocco, using the port of Safi as a beachhead. During the moons of February and March, they capture the port of Anfa as well, securing two strongholds on the North African coast. Henry notices the wealth and opulence of the Turks, and the preponderance of black African slaves in their retinue, and the wheels begin to turn in his head (greased by Lucifer)...

Such cheap, easy labor... The gold... What am I thinking!? ... It is not Christian... and yet... the power and wealth this Slave Trade brings our enemies cannot be denied... What if we beat them at their own game, just so we can put an end to their deviltry?...

"You are too kind Prince Henry, Far too kind. I must admit my dear Father is quite the wily combatant. Even I have a hard time with his plans. Though I will tell you he is not the best with thrown weapons. He could not hit the broadside of a barn with a mere dagger. Still, he is my Father and I do owe him my life. What intrigues me My Lord is what brings you to Safi? Are you just stopping by on your way to purge more of Africa from the grasp of the Ottoman pigs?" She asks curiously her hand gripping the head of the dragon tightly as she stood favoring the one leg. If they only knew why her father brought her into his house all those years ago she doubted many in the group would wish to journey or cavort with one who has touched the grave not once but twice!

It has been my plan for some time now to conquer Morocco in the name of Jesus Christ, to end this deplorable slave trade which funds the Ottoman Empire... We captured Ceuta, but then we did nothing for several years... At last, I convinced my father, King John, and my brothers, that we must not lose momentum! We must keep going, for the sake of the Truth and the Light of Our Savior! So we are here, to take advantage of the destabilization you have caused in killing the Emir of Marrakech... And this vital port of Safi the Desert Jackals have captured for me!

"I do apologize for the Attire, Had I known I would be meeting you at the docks I would have worn something more sensible. I wouldn't want to threaten your stalwart reputation as a man of God." She says seeing the desire and teasing him just a bit before she looks towards the ship and breaths in deeply. It would be a while before she would breath the air of her homeland again. So she savored it, as she would make the trek back across the Mediterranean once more.

Prince Henry blushes, momentarily speechless as he gazes upon the sleek, ebony beauty of Mwikali's body...

His bodyguards chuckle at his obvious fawning, which snaps the Prince back to his senses...

You are teasing me, my beauty... Have a safe voyage, and be ever victorious in your adventures, my darling! We shall meet again!

"Very nearly, your Highness," Alexei answers, poking his head out from behind the imposing orc.

Clad in bright yellow and red robes with an ocher yarmulke, he looks no older than his early twenties. At less than six feet tall, with a slight build, he is dwarfed by his green companion. He wears a long, thick, curly auburn beard with the hair on his head cropped short, and with his tan complexion and dark eyes he could nearly pass for a native of this land.

"A great deal has happened in the days since you charged me with coming here to aid the Desert Jackals... this 'Achilles' before you is, in fact, Francis Zagathoth Liberto, the dragonhearted, Emir of Marrakech."

Fondly clapping Alexei on the shoulder with his gauntleted hand, Prince Henry smiles and nods at the kabbalist...

Please, take good care of these adventurers, Rabbi. I have seen the power of your kabbala, and I trust in your wisdom and judgement, to guide these brave heroes to victory in the name of the God of Abraham!

Ihrin had during the trek taken upon herself to enjoy the sun. Her outfit was pants with a high-collared shirt. The woman forearms bludged with her gear and draped over her horse was her signature cane. The head of her cane was a dragon while the body was a deep rich black. As the day went on her blouse top began to reveal more of her ample cleavage until you could see the deep scar from a stab wound right below her sternum.

When the reached Safi she slid off her horse and limped over to the ship. She smiled and held out her hand for the Prince."Prince Henry, ever the pleasure to meet someone of your stature. Sorry, I couldn't meet you before I departed but as you have probably heard from Vlad I have my own way of infiltrating the enemy.Though next time, I would love to see your Castles Library, I bet it is full of some gems I have yet to gaze upon whilst I do the lords work" She says ever so charming her role as Princess clearly coming to the fore.

Bowing before the Princess of Wallachia, Henry the Navigator smiles, clearly charmed by the beautiful Romani woman...

It is an honor to meet the beloved and deadly daughter of the Dragon! I pray that our Lord grants your father victory over the Turks! He is the shield that defends the eastern border of Christendom... He holds the barbarians at bay! Long live Prince Vlad Dracul!

"Pleasure to meet you again Prince. We Jackals have been busy yes and plan to do more when we return, until then the cities of Safi and Marrakesh are Free from Arab rule and Strong leaders for a free and prosperous Africa have been put in place. A new day is coming, A Slave free Africa were all religions and people can work together" She says with a smile as she donned her sheer silken lavender dress. It's material leaving nothing to the imagination beneath as she stood spear in hand and Kiku resting on her shoulder.

"Also My people should arrive soon to help bolster the ranks. I hope that Portugal would be most welcome as Ally to the burgeon free State of Africa!"She said with a smile earnestly welcoming him to her dream of a free Africa for all.

Smiling at the beautiful black witch with a hint of desire in his eyes, Prince Henry bows before Mwikali...

It is a pleasure to see you alive and well, my lovely Flower of Africa!

The orc's massive chest and shoulders make him seem shorter than his actual six and a half foot height. His arms are the size of a normal man's legs and end with hard, meaty hands. He wears a newly tailored set of lightweight, puffy purple pants with a matching tunic. A long, heavy sword hangs on his back and upon his head sits a fancy silk turban decorated with several big gems.

"You can call me Zagathoth," he offers with a big toothy grin as he offers the prince his hand.

Taking the orc's massive green hand in his gauntleted hand, Prince Henry of Portugal bows to the new Emir of Marrakech!

Splendid! Splendiferous! I couldn't have picked a more able chap to fill the Emir's throne! Emir Zagathoth, your exploits shall be the subject of bard songs for years to come!

Johann bows again, and stammers out in a unusually quiet voice. "You do me honor, your highness. I merely seek to protect my friends, including Cardinal Lucius here, have you met him? If it is the will of the Lord, we shall yet have many mighty victories and I shall again have the chance to walk about the root beer waterfalls and lollypop forests of my beloved Black Forest."

Well, I say! I should very much like to see these root beer falls and lollipop groves of the enchanting Black Forest! It sounds splendid!

Looking from the shapeshifter to the hulking orc beside him...

And if your friend be Hercules, here must be Ajax, or Achilles! declares the Prince as he oggles Zagathoth...

Johann departs the ship and strides behind his compatriots. A tall man, broad in shoulder and with legs like tree trunks, he would be an imposing figure were he not standing next to his friend Zag. He wears a less than impressive suit of hide armor, looking like the wildman that he is, but also shows off several impressive magic items, like his snake amulet around his neck, indicating that while he is a wildman... he is a very rich wildman.

Johann bows to the Prince and scans the area, making sure it is safe. "MY NAME IS JOHANN KALTEBOREN, YOUR HIGHNESS."

[dice=perception]d20+15

Johann perceives no threats on the quay of Safi...and to clarify, he's about to board the ship...

Prince Henry appraises the big coldborn man with an impressed expression...

Why, you, sir, give the impression of great strength, wild strength... You look like Hercules himself in that lion's pelt you armor yourself with, and those brawny limbs, and shaggy beard!

Turning to Lord Perpireen, Prince Henry bows and grins at the little sprite.

Thank you, Lord Perpireen McGibel of the Seelie Court, for your brave service in the field with the wily Desert Jackals! I eagerly await a full account of your adventures, once time and circumstances permit, of course... Perhaps your musical kinsman Algoral can facilitate a concise telling of the tale for my court some day?

The nearly 2' tall blue fairy flitters up to eye level for the Prince and makes an extravagant full bow.

In English: Prince Henry, thank you for the honor of your presence and gracious pronouncement.

While I undertook to aid the Desert Jackals at the request of your vassal, I don't think we ever had the chance to meet face to face. It is a pleasure to meet a personage of such prestige and whose desire to end the scourge of slavery matches my own.

I am your servant Algoral, a traveler of this World and great follower of the wonderful twists and turns of mortal history and politics. While I may come from the Seelie Court, I am afraid the only official greetings I bring are my own. I will leave it to the inestimable Lord Perpireen McGibel to convey the greetings of the court.

As far as my part in the recent struggles: I fear I only arrived just in time to add some musical accompaniment to the final act of the Evil Emir.

Algoral ends his speech with a complicated and spritely riff on his drum which hangs from a strap at his waist.

Prince Henry beams proudly to be addressed by an eloquent ambassador of the Seelie Court.

Prince Henry of Portugal greets the band of heroes at the quay of Safi, accompanied by his own personal bodyguard of armed and armored knights.

In English: Hail to the conquering heroes, the Champions of Christendom! Bravo, mighty Crusaders of the Catacombs! Hurray for the cunning Desert Jackals! Huzzah, Princess of Wallachia, minstrel of the Seelie Court, and mysterious azure lady of the orient! Your brave deeds have paved the way for the missionaries of Our Savior to spread the Light of Truth in these savage lands! You shall ever have my thanks, and the thanks of all who love Christ and hate slavery!

Prince Henry makes a point of embracing or clasping hands with each of the assembled adventurers.

It would do me great honor to know each of your names, and to hear an account of your latest adventure in Marrakech. It would please me better if we had the time to break bread and drink wine together as you regaled us with your adventures, but pressing matters of state prevent me from giving you the audience you so rightly deserve. Not to mention the urgency of your own quest in Rome! So, I shall be content with brief introductions from each of you before you board this fine Arab vessel and depart...

The Navigator Prince smiles under the uplifted visor of his shining mithral full plate helmet.

Saturday. 20th January, around 4:30 PM, the Atlantic Ocean within first sight of land off the coast of Morocco:

Prince Henry's fleet of Portuguese caravels sails south across the blue swells of the Atlantic...

It is the sharp-eyed Prince himself, standing vigilant at the prow of his magical folding caravel, who first catches sight of Africa...

In Portuguese: LAND HO!!

The Portuguese fleet lands at Safi to take the newly liberated port for Portugal...

Informed by spies of the Desert Jackals' capture of the valued port of Safi, and their purging the monastery of vampires, the ambitious Prince of Portugal launches part of the Portuguese fleet to secure the port for Portugal, before this dangerous talk of a free state gathers too much wind...

Prince Henry leads the expedition himself, aboard his magical folding boat, a compact and elegant caravel dubbed the Arraia (the Stingray)...

Now that you have seen the Sereia, I bid you to follow me back to São Jorge Castle, where you shall be accommodated in guest chambers for the night. Come, be my guests! Tomorrow, you shall embark on your voyage to Morocco!

The prince and his men-at-arms lead the way back through the streets of Lisbon, now lit by oil lamps against the spreading shadows of nightfall, to the great Castle of Saint George...

Gesturing to the Sereia, Prince Henry smiles at the adventurers and says, in English: Here she is, your ship, the Sereia! A finer ship cannot be found on all the Seven Seas, my friends! Are any of you sailors, perchance? If not, do not be troubled, for the Sereia already has a fine crew of seasoned sailors, and her captain is none other than Gonzalo Cabral, who discovered the Azores Islands five years ago. You will be in the very best hands aboard this ship, friends!

In Portuguese, to his men-at-arms: Take the Goblins Three to the donjon... Lock each in a separate cell!

In English, to the adventurers: Please forgive this embarrassing interruption! Return to feasting and drinking, and do not let this little spectacle spoil your appetites! My royal tasters have assured that there is no poison in any of the food or drink on my boards. We shall see your ship, Sereia, after all have had their fill!

Prince Henry strolls casually over to where Sulayman is handing the snarling and quaking goblin poisoner over to the men-at-arms.

Smiling up at the hovering Lord Perpireen overhead, he says in English: Many thanks, Little Lord! I feel the antitoxin is working... Thanks to you and this fine fellow here... The Prince smiles at Sulayman, clapping a hand warmly on the Turk's muscular shoulder... This wretched poisoner shall not escape justice!

Scowling at the goblin piper, Prince Henry says: The penalty for poisoning a member of the royalty is to be boiled alive! You shall boil for your trouble, spy of the Devil!

Initiative 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Why did my father ever accept those miserable, accursed goblins into our service!? This was bound to happen sooner or later... Of course, I am the one who gets poisoned by those little wretches!

There are no chamberpots that way! Seize him! shouts the prince, rising from his chair and drawing his longsword!

The prince produces a small glass vial of clear liquid from a pouch at his side, unstoppers it, and quickly quaffs the liquid.

Is it only me, or does the wine taste more bitter of a sudden!? The prince grins a humorless grin...

Prince Henry calls over one of several liveried guardsmen at the feast, and says something to the guardsman in a low voice...

Perception DC 15 to overhear...

The sword is named Dracomortem, and the spear, Dracoinfigens... "Dragon Slayer" and "Dragon Impaler"...

The prince frowns at the wine in his goblet, distracted...

Fortitude save 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 succeeds, resisting the goblin poison...

The prince grows quiet, and he looks around the feast hall at each adventurer for a moment, then at the Goblins Three, and then down at his wine goblet again, frowning...

Prince Henry answers Wulfgar's inquiry regarding the crossed weapons over the fireplace:

Those are none other than the sword and spear of Saint George himself! My father the king swears it to be true, at least. My brothers and I were raised on the tales of Saint George's valor against evil dragons throughout the lands of Europe and the Orient... The prince pauses to take a gulp of wine...

After a sip of red wine, Prince Henry adds: Ah! To see you vent that warrior's bloodlust against the heathen Arabs and their monstrous minions would be a glorious thing! I look forward eagerly to hearing your account of victory upon your return, of course.

The way this last sentence is phrased, combined with the prince's expression, seems to suggest that the unspoken meaning is essentially "come back victorious, or not at all"...

Chuckling at Wulfgar's initial swift and menacing approach toward the Turkish newcomer, Prince Henry quickly makes it known that the Turk is a guest, not a foe...

Hahaha! It is alright, Wulfgar! This Turk is our ally, not a foeman... Hehehe! Please do not kill each other before your quest begins, gentlemen...

When you have all eaten and drank to your content, I shall take you to the harbor to see your caravela, the most newsworthy kind of ship on the Seven Seas! Her name is Sereia--Mermaid.

Prince Henry appraises the Turk thoughtfully...

Welcome to my hall, and eat your fill, traveler! Your formidable prowess and knowledge of our foe will be of good service to our cause.

Gesturing to the three goblin musicians, Prince Henry explains, in Portuguese, then English: These are my cursed goblin minstrels... Once, they were rapacious beasts who raided and murdered in the night, as their ilk are wont to do, but after they tried to cheat the Devil himself in a bargain to gain fame and fortune, the Prince of Darkness cursed them, giving them the musical talent of the finest virtuosity, but also an irresistible compulsion to play in service to a Christian monarch. Thus, they came willingly to serve my father, King John. Of course, the Devil must hope to use them as spies thereby, so speak freely, and yet, with reasonable discretion in my hall. That is to say, speak no evil, for the Devil might be listening! Prince Henry grins and winks, then gestures to the food on the boards, adding: Feast, noble adventurers! The hospitality of Prince Henry is yours to enjoy!

Fear not, friends! Every prince worth his crown knows that armies march on their bellies. And here in our Kingdom of Portugal, even the poorest host feeds his guests with the best he has to offer. Even now, you may notice the aroma of the feast the servants are setting upon my boards in the feast hall...

Almost as if on cue, the bewitchingly delicious aromas of roasted meat, herbs and spices waft through an archway to the north, and the clatter of platter and clink of silverware can be heard faintly there from...

Come! Feast, drink, and make merry, for the quest before you might prove perilous.

Prince Henry leads the adventurers through the north archway into a spacious festhall...

In reply to Mwikali, Prince Henry nods thoughtfully.

I wanted my squadron of liberators to have a native African among them... Someone who knows the land well, and has love for the African people suffering under the yoke of Arab slavery... All the better if she is also a clever witch, with a wise talking bird to aid her!

Prince Henry takes the letter written by Sir Anton Flavian de Ripa of the Knights of Rhodes from Wulfgar and reads it before nodding with a pleased smile at the muscular aasimar.

Most excellent, Sir Wulfgar! Welcome to Portugal, and thank you for your faithful service to Christ in fighting the evil pirates and slavers. You are surely storing up treasures in Heaven!

Prince Henry smiles and nods at Volreg, pleased at the Spaniard's endearing balance of modest humility and enthusiastic confidence.

Well said, sir! I have heard the tales told by your fellow farmers of your ability to bend the wind to your will... I believe that this power you possess was given to you by God for more than just growing healthy crops, Mister Sundek!

I should have said, you SEVEN seem to possess special qualities that will allow YOU to succeed where common mortals would surely fail!

Prince Henry grins and shrugs, gesturing at the little sprite hovering with near-invisibly-fast-beating wings...

Do not underestimate the big power that comes in the little package, my friends!

Clearly impressed by the eloquent words and noble bearing of this tiny lord of the fey, Prince Henry nods, smiling broadly in approval.

Your Portuguese is without fault, and you speak with the golden tongue of a poet, Lord Perpireen of the Tuatha De Danan! I am well pleased to have you in my service!

The Prince turns now to regard the others...

Ceol na ndaoine

Prince Henry looks down in amazement at the tiny winged fey creature standing among the other six adventurers in his court, and grins wryly.

Mother of God! I did not notice you down there at first! You must be one of the Wee Folk, from one of the green forests of the North! I bid thee welcome, Little Adventurer! Have you come to offer your unique talents to the service of Portugal and Christendom? Do you know fairy magic?

Prince Henry continues:

Our brave spies report that a hub of the Arab Slave Trade is in the Kasbah of Marrakech. It is here that you should begin to strike at the Arab Slavelords! It is said that their leader is one of the Sultan's emirs, and that the slavers occupy the old Royal Palace of Marrakech. Beware the emir's private zoo of exotic monsters from all over the Known World! It is said that some of them are more than simple-minded brutes, and can be commanded by the wicked emir!

After a brief pause to sip more wine and gauge the adventurers' reactions to his speech thus far, Prince Henry continues:

Our military forces will handle the direct fighting against the heathens, but small bands of commandos such as yourselves can do much to soften our enemy prior to the main assault, would you not agree?

The prince does not wait for reply...

The Arab Slave Trade enriches our foes... They grow rich and fat on the broken backs of the Africans and desert nomads they enslave! Cripple the Slave Trade, and the enemy is crippled, for they are one in the same! Who do you suppose buys the greatest numbers of these slaves, and who do you suppose also treats them worse than they treat dogs!? Yes--the sultan and his emirs and sheikhs!

In the Portuguese capital and naval port of Lisbon, in the Royal Palace, 43-year-old Prince Henry sits upon a throne of ornately carved Lebanese cedar, covered with the fells of lions and feathered hide of an owlbear of Africa.

The prince is clad in fine clothing of the latest courtly fashion, and a rapier with bejeweled hilt hangs at his side in a scabbed of young black dragon hide. In one hand, he holds a bejeweled golden goblet of red wine, while the other holds a scroll of vellum sealed with red wax stamped with his own signet ring.

Prince Henry addresses a rather motley band of adventurers from various lands, summoned to the palace by the prince himself to receive a special quest...

First in Portuguese, then impeccable English:
Salutations, and welcome to the Royal Palace! As my herald announced when you came in, I am Prince Henry, Duke of Viseu, and Grand Master of the Military Order of Christ. Each of you have been summoned to this court because of your individual capabilities and growing reputations... Brave adventurers such as yourselves are required to undertake any of a number of special quests on behalf of Portugal, and indeed, all of Christendom!

The prince pauses to sip some wine before continuing:

Our chief enemy at the nonce is the Maranid sultan of Morocco and his emirs. These heathens enslave the black Africans and even their own people, and they torture and murder Christians who fall into their wicked clutches, and yet they call US the barbarians and infidels!

Prince Henry rises from the throne, steps down from the tiered dais of rose quartz and marble on which the throne is raised, and paces the floor of the court among the six adventurers, seeming to scrutinize and appraise each one for a moment...

Ah, yes! You six seem to possess special qualities that will allow YOU to succeed where common mortals would surely fail... Many years it has been now since my father, King John, and my brothers and I captured the Moroccan city of Ceuta... It is little more than a ghost town, now, inhabited only by an increasingly restless garrison of our soldiers, and ghosts of the dead...We have made no more progress in conquering this heathen land... It is time we sailed once more to Morocco, and finished what we have begun! It will bring glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and to Portugal!