1. | Eyvind Kinnrif was a pagan who was tortured and killed by Christians around 1000 years ago. In Pagan/Odinist circles he's considered a martyr as he refused to change his faith even in he face of torture and death |
Finley was excited , he was always excited when his rural country estate just outside Claith hosted guests. He considered it the most beautiful place on Mundus and the sweeping hills that began the Highlands made a perfect backdrop to a gathering of Celts. A large open clearing with a small river gently winding its way through the thick pine woods was home to the Ó Séaghdha Estate and had been for close to 400 years. The large garden areas today however were not the silent majestic view they usually were, instead eight large marquees had been erected around a large rectangle marked out on a lawn. Finley sat on the steps of the house alongside his 11 year old son Keane watching as the McFarland clan and the O'Hogan's clashed on the marked out Shinty field. "So Dad....you're meeting the Celtic leaders of the world but you organise a sports tournament....I don't get it." the young Prince mused.The king of Irishar is announced King O'Brien states in a heavy Irish accent "First I would like to thank King O'Hogan for hosting this event Secondly meet my son James he is my heir and is here to learn diplomacy" walks in and tells his son " look here son these are our brothers of old" James said "Father why do we care that was long ago" Jacob sighs " son history repeats and I would like to be prepared and our people have suffered for centuries if you are to rule the kingdom one day you must realize this too now go show them how Irishar does sports" James runs off Jacob grabs a beer and some mutton " I am glad my culture is finally joining forces and becoming allies now time to make friends" goes to talk with the diplomats of the Celtic countries
"Its simple son." Finley went silent as one of the O'Hogan's went close to scoring, the King applauded loudly before continuing. "Hundreds of years ago gatherings like this between villages were common, they'd venture down from the Highlands and the like before spending the weekend clashing with the Camen before all shaking hands and getting drunk as brothers, it formed a bond of brotherhood between the clans and..."
"and that's what you hope to do here. You think reminding them of our Celtic culture will help form a kind of new Brotherhood?" Keane was trying hard to learn the ways of Kingship, his father happy to teach knowing one day Keane would succeed him.
"And lets not forget, it's an excuse to have a game himself" Queen Cait of Cantabria, Finley's youngest sister added as she sat down beside Keane and gave him a hug. "He was always wandering around with the stick when I was growing up" Cait was 15 years younger than her brother and had remembered him being obsessed with the game.
It wouldn't be long until the first arrivals turned up, the mile long gravel path acting as a warning sign that the luxury cars provided at the airport would trigger. A group of Highland Guards, resplendent in their dark green tartan, short jackets and heckled caps waited to greet the arrivals with their band of pipes and drums. Princess Una, the King oldest sister, would formally greet them on behalf of her brother and then politely pack them off and a drive through the Claith countryside until they reached the little valley of the family estate.
Finley's ear seemed to raise as he heard the tell tale crunch of tyre of gravel, "Come on Cait" Finley got to his feet and helped his sister to raise before turning back to Keane and reaching into his sporon, "Son, go see Robert down there, give him that" he handed over a paper bank note, "Tell him I want the O'Hogan's to win by two....make sure he gives you a note." he ruffled his son's hair before heading to greet the new arrivals, the morning dew from the steps still leaving a damp patch on his backside.
OOC - It's King Finley...lol....but I'll role with it. He just bet on that clan to win, his surname is Ó Séaghdha
Finley guided King O'Brien towards the waiting food and drink stands while urging Keane to go and speak with Prince James. "I'm delighted you choose to come, its been far too long since the Celts gathered in one place, it's even sadder some have lost their roots" he mused thinking of recent events. "At least with the two of us we have a sound foundation on which to start building." Finley had found a nice comfortable chair overlooking the playing fields and had got himself a plate of food, he let his attention slip for a second or two to the action on the field, "So what's been the news from Irishar?" he asked as they waited for the next arrival.
Keane meanwhile was glad to see he wasn't the only future King here, the youngster had found a couple of old caman and a ball, he tucked one of the cracked aging clubs under his arm as he bounced the ball of the head of the other as he walked towards their guest. "Here" he handed James the spare Caman and let the ball drop to the ground. "My Dad makes me play this and Gaelic Football, says it makes you a real man" he gave a shrug unsure exactly how a sport would do that but gently tapped the ball towards his guest. "What's Irishar like?"
It is agreed today that the Celtic nations of Mundus desire to embrace their kinship and support each other in the following goals.
1) Economic Prosperity
2) Educational Excellence
3) Cultural Kinship
4) Mutual Security
In order to achieve these aims the nations agree to the following
1. Economic Prosperity
1. Nations agree to gradually reduce tariffs on all goods over the next five years.
2. By the end of the five year period no TCF nation shall ensure any tariffs existing are on par with the lowest tariffs paid by non TCF nations.
3. Nations agree to enforce intellectual property rights recognised in any other TCF nation
4. Nations agree to not charge additional taxes on transfers of funds between TCF nations.
2.Educational Excellence
1. Nations agree to open their higher education establishments to citizens of all member nations on equal terms with their own.
2. Nations agree that students will not require a visa so long as they meet the following criteria
a) They have meet the requirements of an educational institute for which they hold the offer of a place.
b) They have sufficient funds to cover their course.
c) They pose no risk to national security
d) They have no criminal record
3. Students may work up to 15 hours a week to supplement their studies.
4. Students graduating may remain visa free in their nation of study for two years after graduation.
5. A TCF University shall be established, either as a department within an existing institute or as a independent entity. It shall share best practice and students may move freely between it's campuses so long as they meet the criteria in 2.2
6. An annual Summer school for 100 students from each nation shall be held. This shall be hosted in a different nation each year with nations taking it in turns alphabetically. This shall feature competitions, adventurous activities, creative arts and socialisation opportunities.
3. Cultural Kinship
1. There shall be an annual Highland Games tournament held between member nations. This shall rotate around members.
2. A TCF register of Recognised Clans shall be made, this will be open to any clan with more than 1,000 members. Every four years a sporting tournament similar to the Mundus Games shall be held. Competitors will represent their clan rather than their nation. Any citizen not part of a Recognised Clan may compete as part of a Celtic Citizens team.
3. There shall be the establishment of a Gold Barrel Medal. This will award a series of awards to manufacturers of Whiskey every year. This shall promote excellence in distilling as well as promote a traditional art.
4.Mutual Security
1. Nations agree to share information regarding potential terrorist activity, so long as
a) It does not breech existing treaties
b) the act of sharing information does not endanger their own nations assets.
2. Nations agree to extradite suspected criminals so long as;
a) Reasonable suspicion is shown
b) A trial under the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights is guarenteed.
c) The nation to which extradition will occur will not impose a death penalty.
3. Nations agree to solve problems peacefully between themselves. They agree should no agreement be reached between themselves that a neutral nation be asked to arbitrate.
4. Nations agree to a series of bi-annual military games.
5. Nations agree to offer support during times of natural disaster if requested or if another nations government is incapable of operating.
6. Nations in the same geographical regions agree to joint naval and air patrols when practical.
5. General Provisions
1. Each nation shall maintain an active embassy in all other members.
2. New nations joining must be proposed by an existing member. Should no nation oppose that proposal within 48 hours the potential member is admitted. Should a nation oppose the admission a vote of all members is held and a majority decision taken.
3. Any member may propose an addition or amendment to this treaty at any time. A majority vote will be sufficient to carry the change.
4. The organisation will meet every six months for talks. These meetings shall rotate around each nation in turn with the host acting as Chairperson. The Chair may set the agenda for the talks.