The Missionaries in Azaq

[Varasd]

Father Adalbert & Brother ulianus
Somewhere in Azaq
1005 AD, 25th of March

The Carpathian Mountains were finally coming to an end. The two monks, Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus finally saw the first glimpse of the great Eurasian Steppes.

They have been sent to the Polish pagans, but as the central leadership of the slavic realm collapsed, their group has broken up and each went to a different polish chieftain, to convert them to the true faith. However, Adalbert and Julianus had bigger plans for themselves. They've set out to Azaq, in order to travel east, following the example of Saint Thomas the Apostle who traveled East to spread the words of Jesus Christ.

Ganbataar, Khan of the Azaqden people was strongly against Christians, especially Roman Catholics, they have heard, but their faith ensured them that they knew no impossible.

They've headed straight for the Capital of the Realm, to ask for approval from the Khan, for staying in his realm. Some unfortunate hostilities and incidents with polish chieftains made them learn lessons they did not forget.


[OOC INFORMATION:

This RP must not be just between Azaq and Varasd, any other missionaries and Characters are welcome. I'll be only RPing Adalbert and Julianus, so I'll leave it up to Azaq what kind of other characters he introduces. I will add every new character to the character list ASAP.]


CHARACTER LIST:

Father Adalbert - Varasd
Brother Julianus - Varasd

[Azaq]

*"Zogs!"

Cried the Mongol who rode up with his two companions, approaching Adalbert and Julianus. They were clearly lookouts for the border, wearing typical armor associated with steppe peoples. The first one gave a stern look to the two men, identifying them as Europeans, and spoke to them in broken Greek.

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

He said as he sheathed his sword, noticing the men carried no visible weapons on them and so presumed them to be unarmed.

*"Stop!"

[Varasd]

Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus

"Greetings to you!" said Julianus in broken mongolian. At a closer look the mongolians must have noticed that he looked like a typical steppe nomád aside his clothes. Though not as eastern as the mongolians, still, he was clearly from the steppes, or a son of an easterling át least.

"We mean no harm, brothers!" he continued. "My name is Julianus, and he is Fathef Adalbert. We seek an audience with your Great Khan. For that, we are headed towards the capital city." He stopped, and smiled at the warriors.


"Will you let us continue?"

[Azaq]

Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus

"Greetings to you!" said Julianus in broken mongolian. At a closer look the mongolians must have noticed that he looked like a typical steppe nomád aside his clothes. Though not as eastern as the mongolians, still, he was clearly from the steppes, or a son of an easterling át least.

"We mean no harm, brothers!" he continued. "My name is Julianus, and he is Fathef Adalbert. We seek an audience with your Great Khan. For that, we are headed towards the capital city." He stopped, and smiled at the warriors.


"Will you let us continue?"

The Mongols eyed the travelers, clearly men of faith, with suspicion. Upon looking closer they could tell the man that spoke in their tongue, 'Julianus', was from the steppes, though it was difficult at first to tell, as he appeared neither Turk nor Mongol. They took a chance and suspected him a Magyar, but this did not change their suspicion.

"There is only one realm where Magyars hail and the Mongol language is known to cross-bearers. So tell us, Varasdians, what business do you have with the Khan?"

They had already suspected that the men might be missionaries, but wanted to hear it from them themselves first.

[Varasd]

Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus

"We are Magyars indeed, brothers. Though for us tat matters little - we are all the same in the Eyes of God, after all.
We are here to spread the word of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - and to save people's souls from damnation. However, we have heard that your Great Khan does not like uninvited guests in his realm, so first, we would like to ask for his approval.

If he agrees, we shall stay in Azaq, but if he denies, we will leave immediately. "

[Azaq]

Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus

"We are Magyars indeed, brothers. Though for us tat matters little - we are all the same in the Eyes of God, after all.
We are here to spread the word of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - and to save people's souls from damnation. However, we have heard that your Great Khan does not like uninvited guests in his realm, so first, we would like to ask for his approval.

If he agrees, we shall stay in Azaq, but if he denies, we will leave immediately. "

The men laughed, amused by the missionaries whom they saw as naive.

"The Khan does not mind uninvited guests unless they are of the Bogomil persuasion, though as the Bogomils are no more there are none that are not welcome in Azaq."

The man grinned wickedly for a moment.

"Of course, the Khan has no love for cross-bearers. Surely this is what you heard of, and misinterpreted. He will deny your attempts to peddle your faith in Azaq."

The man chuckled, then his wicked grin faded into curiosity.

"Unless..."

He thought for a moment, his men also gaining curiosity.

"What church do you represent?"

The men patiently awaited an answer, suspicious of the pair.

[Varasd]

Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus

"We represent the Christian Church, brothers." Julianus said, a bit confused. "The teachings of Jesus Christ. We heard about the Great Schism, yes, and we originally gained approval for our journey from the Pope.
However, we seek to establish new ways of practicing the true faith, something that the World has yet to see. "

[Azaq]

Father Adalbert and Brother Julianus

"We represent the Christian Church, brothers." Julianus said, a bit confused. "The teachings of Jesus Christ. We heard about the Great Schism, yes, and we originally gained approval for our journey from the Pope.
However, we seek to establish new ways of practicing the true faith, something that the World has yet to see. "

The Mongols were confused, unsure as what to make of their words. The leader, clearly ruffled, bucked his horse.

"So then you swear allegiance to the Latin Church then? Make sense man, there is no single 'Christian Church' anymore!"

The Mongol had had enough, and was irritated.

"No, forget it, hold your tongue - for I do not care for the answer - let the Khan debate politics and theology with you, I have more important things to do!"

The Mongols then moved aside, gesturing for the two men to go on ahead.

"Go on and speak with the Khan now, before I change my mind!"

[Varasd]

Adalbert and Julianus

"Thank you for your kindness, brothers!" Julianus replied, and spoke something to Adalbert. The Father took out some bread and wine from his leather sack, and gave it to the guards.

"In case you are hungry and thirsty. Stay safe, and God be with you, brothers!" Julianus said farewell, and so did Adalbert. After that, the two priests continued their journey to the Khan's council. Soon, they would arrive, hoping that they would be welcomed, or at least, tolerated to stay.

[Azaq]

Adalbert and Julianus

"Thank you for your kindness, brothers!" Julianus replied, and spoke something to Adalbert. The Father took out some bread and wine from his leather sack, and gave it to the guards.

"In case you are hungry and thirsty. Stay safe, and God be with you, brothers!" Julianus said farewell, and so did Adalbert. After that, the two priests continued their journey to the Khan's council. Soon, they would arrive, hoping that they would be welcomed, or at least, tolerated to stay.

The Mongols were confused by the gesture, still they accepted the bread and wine. Guarding the border was hard work, after all, and it of course worked up an appetite.

On the plains of Azaq much could be seen by the two, including farmers, Rus' tribes, Mongol patrols, hunting parties, falconers, traveling merchants, mercenaries, and the occasional bandits being viciously crushed by the Mongol patrols. The most memorable of sights, however, would probably be the charred remains of the Bogomil camp - which remained in ruins as a warning for future Bogomils - the signs of the flames and brutal bloodshed still visible. Interestingly enough, among the corpses, one could note that very few bones could be found of child size, indicating most of the dead were adults.

There were several guardsmen stationed in a large ger* near the site of the massacre, though distant enough so that the smell could not reach them. Their purpose was little more than to make sure the site remained undisturbed, to make sure that it would forever stand as a lasting monument to the Bogomils, though not one they would necessarily be happy about.

---

*Portable tent, called 'yurt' by Turks.

[Varasd]

Adalbert and Julianus

The two priests have noticed the burning camp, however, they have chosen to avoid it. From a distance, they stopped for a few minutes to pray for those who died, and for their salvation in the heavens.

Several days later, they have finally crossed the Crimean Peninsula as well, where a merchant has told them that the city of Azaq does not lie far ahead.

Upon arriving at the gates, they've presented their usual gifts to the guards, and asked them where they could request an audience with the Khan, although they were tired from travel, but eager to meet him.


((OOC: Azaq, if you want, we can continue in the Khan's Court thread))

[Azaq]

Adalbert and Julianus

The two priests have noticed the burning camp, however, they have chosen to avoid it. From a distance, they stopped for a few minutes to pray for those who died, and for their salvation in the heavens.

Several days later, they have finally crossed the Crimean Peninsula as well, where a merchant has told them that the city of Azaq does not lie far ahead.

Upon arriving at the gates, they've presented their usual gifts to the guards, and asked them where they could request an audience with the Khan, although they were tired from travel, but eager to meet him.


((OOC: Azaq, if you want, we can continue in the Khan's Court thread))

The guards suspiciously took the gifts, though these guards seemed less hostile or irritated by the presence of the two than the border guards, though they were surprised the men knew Mongolian.

"The Khan would be in his palace, to which anyone can request audience with him, though not many do, and therefor he should not be busy. The palace will not be missed, unlike the rest of the architecture in the city - which is in the Greek style - the palace is reminiscent of the Eastern style. Seek out the Persian by the name of 'Zhubin', he is steward to the Khan. The guards will take you to him, and he will arrange an audience. You will not miss him, his bald head shines for miles."

The guards laughed, and let them into the city.

OOC:

[Varasd]

This Topic will be continued in "The Khan's Court", therefore it is locked.

[Sponsored content]