Realistic or Modern Saoirse (Irish Revolutionary Period Historical Questlog) *COMPLETED*

[AlbaGuBrath]

(Thank you very much! I would rather just observe and discuss, but thank you for the offer. I'm needing to get some work done right now, but I can go through my bibliographies later and share some sources I've looked at during past research if anyone is interested. And if there are any good sources anyone else knows of, I'd love to hear about them.)

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Thank you very much! I would rather just observe and discuss, but thank you for the offer. I'm needing to get some work done right now, but I can go through my bibliographies later and share some sources I've looked at during past research if anyone is interested. And if there are any good sources anyone else knows of, I'd love to hear about them.)

(Ok I respect your decision! So I won't prod further! Just know if you ever change you're mind you are completely welcome to.)

 

[Historical Storyteller]

(Ooh, interesting! I'm geeking out a little bit now. Irish history is one of my major areas of study and I'll soon be working on research regarding 1916 and historical memory, so I definitely want to keep an eye on this! I'll probably not be participating myself, but I'm curious how it will turn out. If it's okay, I'd like to lurk and maybe discuss thoughts and sources with y'all. I can hunt down some links to political essays exchanged between Arthur Griffith and 'An Ulster Imperialist' published in 1914, I believe, (edit: 1911-12. My bad!) and can recommend a fascinating diary and political essays written by a journalist present in Dublin during the Rising. Very interesting stuff, quite eye-opening.

I do think the question asked earlier about perspective is a valid one, if people are comfortable discussing it. With a topic such as this, personal convictions are likely to be high and to affect the way that people think about and discuss people, events, and ideas. I'm a bit curious about what sorts of views may be present and/or how they may be represented here (and how they're not, since character beliefs don't equal personal beliefs). I don't mean to begin a discussion of who's right/wrong or whatever, it's just helpful to have some idea of author background, so to speak.

If an OOC discussion thread is created, can move over there, or can just discuss in a PM or Discord or something. Either way, I'll not disturb this thread any further, but I would like to say this is an interesting concept, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.)

What diary and what essays? I might take a look at 'em.

 

[AlbaGuBrath]

What diary and what essays? I might take a look at 'em.

The diary has been published as "The Insurrection in Dublin", which can be read online here. You may be able to find it in a local library as well. Basically, the author takes it day by day and describes what he sees and how the people of Dublin are reacting, plus some of his commentary. An interesting point is that his description sometimes reflects misunderstandings that people had at the time, such as when he mentions a man declaring that "The Sinn Feiners have seized the City this morning." He also includes his thoughts on some of the individual people involved and on the political questions being described.

The essays can be found on JSTOR in The Irish Review (Dublin), 1911-1914. The ones I looked at were "True and False Imperialism" and "Home Rule and the Unionists" by Arthur Griffith and "True and False Imperialism" and "Nationalism and Imperialism" by 'An Ulster Imperialist'. There are a number of other sources available there as well, including some of Pearse's poetry and I believe an essay by MacDonagh about education. There's also a book by Josef Althoz called Selected Documents in Irish History which reprints a number of significant sources, including a few from the nineteenth to twentieth centuries.

Also, if you're just curious, the Irish Independent has released some of its recolored images of the 1910s-20s, which you can look at here. They're interesting, at least.

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Due to the fact that there are two more options, we will go through them both, so Option 2 and 1 have been chosen by default!)

You look to Joseph, who stares at the stage with inspiration filling his eyes, a passionate grin on his face.

"What are you thinking, Joseph?" you ask.

"Isn't it obvious?" he asks, laughing. "We need to fight, for our nation, for our people! We need to rise up, like the man said!"

"You want to join the British?" you ask incredulously, surprised at his sudden change in mind.

"Jesus Christ, I want to fight for the Irish Volunteers! An uprising is going to come soon enough, Michael, and I want us to be part of it!"

"Maybe," you say, shaking your head. "I just don't know."

"It's not about what you know, it's what you feel! Listen to MacNeill speak, for God's sake! The man's a legend!"

At that point you two approach Eoin MacNeill, to hear him speak further.

"Fuck the British!" Eoin MacNeill screams at the top of his lungs, to a chorus of applause and clapping. "They invade us, they slaughter our people, hang our priests, spit on our flag and treat us like criminals! Do you remember the hunger of the famine!? Irish men starved on the streets when the potato crops failed! What did the British do? They loaded their ships with our grain and shipped it off for themselves!"

You recall the stories of old. Starved Irish families forced to eat nettles to survive, lying on the ground with green-stained mouths as they died. Irish men trying to steal back their own corn from Trevelyn's hungry mouth, being imprisoned and shipped off to Australia. When times were good, the British were kind. But when things got tough, Irish men, women and children starved to death in the streets while the British didn't miss a single meal.

"What did they do to Wolfe Tone? Had him killed like a common criminal! He fought for our freedom, for every man's freedom, and they wanted to hung him like a fucking dog for that! But no, he took his own life and died on his own terms! Do you wish to fight alongside the executioner? Well?! Do you?!" he screams.

Ah, Wolfe Tone, a national hero. A rich protestant who witnessed the suffering of his fellow man, and refused to bow down and live a life of luxury at the cost of men like you. He started a revolution for equality, for equal terms, for Catholics to be given the same rights as Protestants. For that cause, he died.

"And now they're telling us Home Rule's put off, so best go off to fight the Huns? They try suffocate our language, they take our lands and wealth, they try break our spirit, but we do not fucking break! We have no loyalty to Britain! We only have loyalty to Eireann! (Ireland)"

With that, you both step away, Joseph having absorbed those words like a sponge, those were the kinds of words that got to him, and there he was beckon and heed to the Irish Volunteers and Eoin MacNeill. You on the other hand, were still divided, both had valid points, but what was it that where your true loyalties lied in? Did they lie with the Irish Volunteers? The one's who were resisting the British to free Ireland, or the British, off to fight in the Great War hoping for what those benefits may provide? That was now for you to decide.

1. Join up with the British Army

2. Join up with the Irish Volunteers

 

[Historical Storyteller]

(Due to the fact that there are two more options, we will go through them both, so Option 2 and 1 have been chosen by default!)

You look to Joseph, who stares at the stage with inspiration filling his eyes, a passionate grin on his face.

"What are you thinking, Joseph?" you ask.

"Isn't it obvious?" he asks, laughing. "We need to fight, for our nation, for our people! We need to rise up, like the man said!"

"You want to join the British?" you ask incredulously, surprised at his sudden change in mind.

"Jesus Christ, I want to fight for the Irish Volunteers! An uprising is going to come soon enough, Michael, and I want us to be part of it!"

"Maybe," you say, shaking your head. "I just don't know."

"It's not about what you know, it's what you feel! Listen to MacNeill speak, for God's sake! The man's a legend!"

At that point you two approach Eoin MacNeill, to hear him speak further.

"Fuck the British!" Eoin MacNeill screams at the top of his lungs, to a chorus of applause and clapping. "They invade us, they slaughter our people, hang our priests, spit on our flag and treat us like criminals! Do you remember the hunger of the famine!? Irish men starved on the streets when the potato crops failed! What did the British do? They loaded their ships with our grain and shipped it off for themselves!"

You recall the stories of old. Starved Irish families forced to eat nettles to survive, lying on the ground with green-stained mouths as they died. Irish men trying to steal back their own corn from Trevelyn's hungry mouth, being imprisoned and shipped off to Australia. When times were good, the British were kind. But when things got tough, Irish men, women and children starved to death in the streets while the British didn't miss a single meal.

"What did they do to Wolfe Tone? Had him killed like a common criminal! He fought for our freedom, for every man's freedom, and they wanted to hung him like a fucking dog for that! But no, he took his own life and died on his own terms! Do you wish to fight alongside the executioner? Well?! Do you?!" he screams.

Ah, Wolfe Tone, a national hero. A rich protestant who witnessed the suffering of his fellow man, and refused to bow down and live a life of luxury at the cost of men like you. He started a revolution for equality, for equal terms, for Catholics to be given the same rights as Protestants. For that cause, he died.

"And now they're telling us Home Rule's put off, so best go off to fight the Huns? They try suffocate our language, they take our lands and wealth, they try break our spirit, but we do not fucking break! We have no loyalty to Britain! We only have loyalty to Eireann! (Ireland)"

With that, you both step away, Joseph having absorbed those words like a sponge, those were the kinds of words that got to him, and there he was beckon and heed to the Irish Volunteers and Eoin MacNeill. You on the other hand, were still divided, both had valid points, but what was it that where your true loyalties lied in? Did they lie with the Irish Volunteers? The one's who were resisting the British to free Ireland, or the British, off to fight in the Great War hoping for what those benefits may provide? That was now for you to decide.

1. Join up with the British Army

2. Join up with the Irish Volunteers

2. If we join here the British Army they'll likely just send us back here to pit us against each other. At least if we fight with the Irish Volunteers we'll be fighting with our brothers.

 

[Pryno]

2. I know it's a stupid decision, but it's the lesser evil. For Ireland!

 

[Agent]

2. Eh. I guess i'll... go for this.

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Option 2 has been chosen with 3 votes, looks like its time to fight for freedom!)

"Come on, Redmond! Who the hell are the National Volunteers you want to turn us into? What nation would we serve!? I don't see an Irish nation being built, I see a British nation being served. We remain Ireland's servants, and we will not kneel to the crown, we will not serve as peasants butchering other peasants in a war between the King and the Kaiser!"

"Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!" the men begins to chant, as you all join in.

Joseph grabs you by the shoulder, pulling you in close and joining you in the chant. You stare on at the man in center of the group, who stands proudly, tall and firm.

"We should join," Joseph says proudly.

"Are they recruiting?" you ask Joseph, as he laughs.

"If you've got Irish blood pumping through your veins that you're willing to spill, they'll take you! They'll take us both!"

The Irish Volunteers as they once were are dead. The majority are now in the National Volunteers, while the radicals, yourself included, still serve Ireland primarily as the Irish Volunteers. They're two incredibly similar groups, but right now, they seem like they're radically different. All you can do is hope that they never turn to violence against each other, as in troubled times like this, is very possible.

1915 One year later...
​

You button up your jacket, staring at yourself in the mirror, standing tall and proud. A green uniform with a peaked cap, with polished gold buttons and black boots. You look quite smart, if you say so yourself.

Joseph appears in the doorway, in similar garb. He motions for you to come along with him.

"How do I look?"

"You seem to be doing nothing but staring at your reflection," Joseph replies. "I think if anything, you're far more into yourself than anything else. Then again, I don't think you'd mind if the girls didn't look at you much, would you?"

"Shut up, Joseph. Let's go."

You follow Joseph down the stairs, where Ma sits at the table, reading. She looks up at you.

"Ah, look at my two sons, all dressed up, proudly serving Ireland," she says, smiling.

"Glad to see you proud of us," Joseph smiles. "I'll see you in a bit."

Joseph leans in and gives Ma a quick peck on the kiss, before you do the same thing. With that, you wander off down the street towards the Irish Volunteers' headquarters.

"You hear about the massacre in the Ottoman Empire?" Morgan asks. "Brits got their ass handed to them. They say the war's going to stretch on again."

"It's for the best that England's staring out at the Central Powers instead of pressing their boot down on our necks," you point out.

You stroll past Liberty Halls, where the Irish Citizen Army is based out of. A banner hangs over the door, proclaiming "We serve neither King nor Kaiser but Ireland". Although the workers there aren't members of the Irish Volunteers, they might as well be. Their views only differ economically, and you know if push comes to shove you'll stand by them and they'll stand by you.

You tip your hat as you pass one of the Irish Citizen Army soldiers, and he smiles and tips his.

"How are things? Connolly still promising to give you the Prod's money, Stevens?" you ask with a grin.

"I'm sure we'll get it once MacNeill gets the first words of Irish boys and girls to be in Gaeilge," the man replies, strolling past. "We won't have a penny in our pockets, but as long the word on our tongue is in Gaelic he'll be happy."

You both chuckle as you walk past, before you continue on your walk to the headquarters.

It's a short but brisk walk before arrive at the drilling ground. A few small buildings stand around a large field where the Volunteers mill about. Many of them are crowded around the corner of field in a field, seemingly investigating something. Your commanding officer, Francis, stands by one of the houses, leaning against it. He notices you, and walks over.

"McCarthy's! Grab a pair of rifles from the store room and hurry up! We've got drilling to do."

"What's going on over there?" you ask.

"Countess Markievicz is visiting to see what the boys are like," Francis replies. "Anyway get going, you know the drill."

You walk into the storage room, where Scotty, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick black mustache stands.

"Ah, lads! Got a present for you, bought from the Huns themselves! Mauser M1871 11 mm caliber single shot. Old Childers brought them straight from Germany aboard his yacht the Asgard, you know. No middle man, straight from the maker. The black powder cartridges take a bit to long to load, but the punch..."

"Scotty!" you interrupt. "I don't care! Point at the Brit, pull the trigger, aye?"

Scotty frowns, his big mustache drooping on his face, before he shoves the rifle in your hands.

"No respect for the weapon," he mutters. "No respect, no respect."

You and Joseph take your rifles, as you rest it against your shoulder and walk out of the storage room.

Over the next few hours, you do constant drilling. Marching, fighting and simply looking proud and pretty are all went through. By the end, you're tired, the rifle is heavy in your hands and the shirt is so itchy you want to tear it off and scratch your skin off. Thankfully, the officers call it to a close, and you begin dispersing.

Whilst you walk over to Joseph, someone else gets to him first. A small man with long black hair, Doug or Douglas or something, walks up to Joseph, and the two begin to quietly discuss something. You walk over, and they both stop talking, looking up at you.

"Michael, I'm going to the pub with Dougal. You go on home, yeah?"

"What's wrong with him?" Dougal asks as he looks at you, as you turn to stare at him.

"Excuse me?" you ask. "Do you've got a problem?"

Dougal steps back nervously, raising both his hands up.

"No, no! I don't mean it like that. I was just wondering... Ah, it doesn't... look, I'm sorry, ok? Didn't mean anything."

"He's got no place for it," Joseph mutters. "Look, go home, alright? I'll see you in an hour or two, ok?"

1. Go home

2. Push the issue

 

[Pryno]

That’s definitely fishy. This is what I was afraid of: Joseph is being involved more than he should be. Since going home is not going to solve anything, I choose option 2.

 

[Historical Storyteller]

(Option 2 has been chosen with 3 votes, looks like its time to fight for freedom!)

"Come on, Redmond! Who the hell are the National Volunteers you want to turn us into? What nation would we serve!? I don't see an Irish nation being built, I see a British nation being served. We remain Ireland's servants, and we will not kneel to the crown, we will not serve as peasants butchering other peasants in a war between the King and the Kaiser!"

"Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!" the men begins to chant, as you all join in.

Joseph grabs you by the shoulder, pulling you in close and joining you in the chant. You stare on at the man in center of the group, who stands proudly, tall and firm.

"We should join," Joseph says proudly.

"Are they recruiting?" you ask Joseph, as he laughs.

"If you've got Irish blood pumping through your veins that you're willing to spill, they'll take you! They'll take us both!"

The Irish Volunteers as they once were are dead. The majority are now in the National Volunteers, while the radicals, yourself included, still serve Ireland primarily as the Irish Volunteers. They're two incredibly similar groups, but right now, they seem like they're radically different. All you can do is hope that they never turn to violence against each other, as in troubled times like this, is very possible.

1915 One year later...
​

You button up your jacket, staring at yourself in the mirror, standing tall and proud. A green uniform with a peaked cap, with polished gold buttons and black boots. You look quite smart, if you say so yourself.

Joseph appears in the doorway, in similar garb. He motions for you to come along with him.

"How do I look?"

"You seem to be doing nothing but staring at your reflection," Joseph replies. "I think if anything, you're far more into yourself than anything else. Then again, I don't think you'd mind if the girls didn't look at you much, would you?"

"Shut up, Joseph. Let's go."

You follow Joseph down the stairs, where Ma sits at the table, reading. She looks up at you.

"Ah, look at my two sons, all dressed up, proudly serving Ireland," she says, smiling.

"Glad to see you proud of us," Joseph smiles. "I'll see you in a bit."

Joseph leans in and gives Ma a quick peck on the kiss, before you do the same thing. With that, you wander off down the street towards the Irish Volunteers' headquarters.

"You hear about the massacre in the Ottoman Empire?" Morgan asks. "Brits got their ass handed to them. They say the war's going to stretch on again."

"It's for the best that England's staring out at the Central Powers instead of pressing their boot down on our necks," you point out.

You stroll past Liberty Halls, where the Irish Citizen Army is based out of. A banner hangs over the door, proclaiming "We serve neither King nor Kaiser but Ireland". Although the workers there aren't members of the Irish Volunteers, they might as well be. Their views only differ economically, and you know if push comes to shove you'll stand by them and they'll stand by you.

You tip your hat as you pass one of the Irish Citizen Army soldiers, and he smiles and tips his.

"How are things? Connolly still promising to give you the Prod's money, Stevens?" you ask with a grin.

"I'm sure we'll get it once MacNeill gets the first words of Irish boys and girls to be in Gaeilge," the man replies, strolling past. "We won't have a penny in our pockets, but as long the word on our tongue is in Gaelic he'll be happy."

You both chuckle as you walk past, before you continue on your walk to the headquarters.

It's a short but brisk walk before arrive at the drilling ground. A few small buildings stand around a large field where the Volunteers mill about. Many of them are crowded around the corner of field in a field, seemingly investigating something. Your commanding officer, Francis, stands by one of the houses, leaning against it. He notices you, and walks over.

"McCarthy's! Grab a pair of rifles from the store room and hurry up! We've got drilling to do."

"What's going on over there?" you ask.

"Countess Markievicz is visiting to see what the boys are like," Francis replies. "Anyway get going, you know the drill."

You walk into the storage room, where Scotty, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick black mustache stands.

"Ah, lads! Got a present for you, bought from the Huns themselves! Mauser M1871 11 mm caliber single shot. Old Childers brought them straight from Germany aboard his yacht the Asgard, you know. No middle man, straight from the maker. The black powder cartridges take a bit to long to load, but the punch..."

"Scotty!" you interrupt. "I don't care! Point at the Brit, pull the trigger, aye?"

Scotty frowns, his big mustache drooping on his face, before he shoves the rifle in your hands.

"No respect for the weapon," he mutters. "No respect, no respect."

You and Joseph take your rifles, as you rest it against your shoulder and walk out of the storage room.

Over the next few hours, you do constant drilling. Marching, fighting and simply looking proud and pretty are all went through. By the end, you're tired, the rifle is heavy in your hands and the shirt is so itchy you want to tear it off and scratch your skin off. Thankfully, the officers call it to a close, and you begin dispersing.

Whilst you walk over to Joseph, someone else gets to him first. A small man with long black hair, Doug or Douglas or something, walks up to Joseph, and the two begin to quietly discuss something. You walk over, and they both stop talking, looking up at you.

"Michael, I'm going to the pub with Dougal. You go on home, yeah?"

"What's wrong with him?" Dougal asks as he looks at you, as you turn to stare at him.

"Excuse me?" you ask. "Do you've got a problem?"

Dougal steps back nervously, raising both his hands up.

"No, no! I don't mean it like that. I was just wondering... Ah, it doesn't... look, I'm sorry, ok? Didn't mean anything."

"He's got no place for it," Joseph mutters. "Look, go home, alright? I'll see you in an hour or two, ok?"

1. Go home

2. Push the issue

2. I have no idea what's going on, but as Joseph's older brother you gotta check if he's getting himself into trouble.

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Hey sorry for the delay! Anyway Option 2 has been chosen with 2 votes!)

"I've a fair few more hairs on my chest, and I don't know if you remember, but I'm the older brother here! I'm supposed to be keeping you out of trouble, not the other way around!"

"Alright, take it easy. Michael's more Irish than me, Dougal."

Dougal nods, staring into your eyes.

"Are you willing to die for a united Ireland? Are you willing to give your life for the cause?"

"Of course," you say.

"Terrific! Off we go, then!" Dougal says.

You follow Dougal down to the pub, the Thatch House. You walk inside, to find a small group of green-clad men in Irish Volunteer garb, sitting in a booth as a bartender puts a tray of pints down on the table. Dougal leads you to the table, sitting down.

"Erin go braugh," (Ireland forever,) Dougal says.

"Erin go braugh," (Ireland forever,) the men respond.

One of the men, a massive bearded man with bright green eyes, looks at you, before staring at Dougal.

"Which one's Joseph?" he asks in a gruff tone.

"I am," Joseph says.

"Who the fuck are you, then?" the bearded man asks you.

"An Irish lad who's going to break someone's nose, if people don't stop shitting on him," you reply, as the bearded man grins.

"Good answer. What are you drinking?" he asks.

"I'll take a pint of Guinness."

"Jerry!" the bearded man booms. "A pint of Guinness, please."

You all sit down at the table, as you exchange glances with Joseph.

"So," the bearded man says. "I thought you were only watching Joseph. Where'd the other lad come in?"

"This is Michael McCarthy, Joseph's brother. The two are joined at the hip, you can't watch one without watching the other," Dougal responds.

"Right then, lads," the bearded man nods. "The name's Seamus. I have a single question for you. Are you willing to die for a united Ireland? Are you willing to...?"

"I've asked them," Dougal says.

"What'd they say?" Seamus asks.

"They said fuck the Irish, kill the gingers, pints are shit and God save the King. What the fuck do you think they said, Seamus?"

"Fair point," Seamus nods. "Do you boys know who we are?"

"Enlighten us," you respond.

"We're the IRB. The Irish Republican Brotherhood. We stand for a full Irish republic. Not just a parliament, but complete freedom. We don't want to just be slaves with less rules. We want to be free!"

Joseph nods vigorously, as you listen.

"No kings. No kaiser. A president, voted by the Irish people. Voted by you and me. Not the rich protestants, not the fuckers in London, but the Irish people! Dougal's been watching you for the past year. We want you to join us. I need to know. Are you in, or are you out?"

1. Join the IRB

2. Refuse

 

[Historical Storyteller]

(Hey sorry for the delay! Anyway Option 2 has been chosen with 2 votes!)

"I've a fair few more hairs on my chest, and I don't know if you remember, but I'm the older brother here! I'm supposed to be keeping you out of trouble, not the other way around!"

"Alright, take it easy. Michael's more Irish than me, Dougal."

Dougal nods, staring into your eyes.

"Are you willing to die for a united Ireland? Are you willing to give your life for the cause?"

"Of course," you say.

"Terrific! Off we go, then!" Dougal says.

You follow Dougal down to the pub, the Thatch House. You walk inside, to find a small group of green-clad men in Irish Volunteer garb, sitting in a booth as a bartender puts a tray of pints down on the table. Dougal leads you to the table, sitting down.

"Erin go braugh," (Ireland forever,) Dougal says.

"Erin go braugh," (Ireland forever,) the men respond.

One of the men, a massive bearded man with bright green eyes, looks at you, before staring at Dougal.

"Which one's Joseph?" he asks in a gruff tone.

"I am," Joseph says.

"Who the fuck are you, then?" the bearded man asks you.

"An Irish lad who's going to break someone's nose, if people don't stop shitting on him," you reply, as the bearded man grins.

"Good answer. What are you drinking?" he asks.

"I'll take a pint of Guinness."

"Jerry!" the bearded man booms. "A pint of Guinness, please."

You all sit down at the table, as you exchange glances with Joseph.

"So," the bearded man says. "I thought you were only watching Joseph. Where'd the other lad come in?"

"This is Michael McCarthy, Joseph's brother. The two are joined at the hip, you can't watch one without watching the other," Dougal responds.

"Right then, lads," the bearded man nods. "The name's Seamus. I have a single question for you. Are you willing to die for a united Ireland? Are you willing to...?"

"I've asked them," Dougal says.

"What'd they say?" Seamus asks.

"They said fuck the Irish, kill the gingers, pints are shit and God save the King. What the fuck do you think they said, Seamus?"

"Fair point," Seamus nods. "Do you boys know who we are?"

"Enlighten us," you respond.

"We're the IRB. The Irish Republican Brotherhood. We stand for a full Irish republic. Not just a parliament, but complete freedom. We don't want to just be slaves with less rules. We want to be free!"

Joseph nods vigorously, as you listen.

"No kings. No kaiser. A president, voted by the Irish people. Voted by you and me. Not the rich protestants, not the fuckers in London, but the Irish people! Dougal's been watching you for the past year. We want you to join us. I need to know. Are you in, or are you out?"

1. Join the IRB

2. Refuse

1. Go all-in. Nobody's going to give you your freedom, you're going to have to take it with your own hands.

 

[Pryno]

Well, looks like I found what I asked for. Option 1, for the brotherhood!

 

[The Omen of Death]

"I'm in," you and Joseph say in unison.

"Alright. The rules are simple. You need to remain loyal and remain quiet about this. That's it."

"How many are in the brotherhood?"

"Mum's the word on that one. Understand, we're not telling you much here. You're new blood. This is only to test the waters. Soon, you'll learn more," Seamus says.

"You need to swear them in," Dougal says.

"Alright. You need to make the oath. Understood?" Seamus says, as you and Joseph nod.

"Repeat after me. In the presence of God, I, so and so McCarthy, do solemnly swear that I will do my utmost to establish the independence of Ireland, and that I will bear true allegiance to the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Government of the Irish Republic and implicitly obey the constitution of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and all my superior officers and that I will preserve inviolable the secrets of the organization."

"Alright," you say, nodding.

"In the presence of God, I, Michael McCarthy, do solemnly swear that I will do my utmost to establish the independence of Ireland, and that I will bear true allegiance to the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Government of the Irish Republic and implicitly obey the constitution of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and all my superior officers and that I will preserve inviolable the secrets of the organization."

Joseph says the oath for himself and by the end Seamus' grin has widened.

"Terrific boys. Erin go bragh!" (Ireland Forever!)

"Erin go bragh," you all answer. (Ireland Forever)

You share a glance with Joseph, and for a moment you feel like little kids playing dress up, in over their heads. Then, there's a cheer from the table, and you're there smiling again. Now, you're in the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

1916 One Year Later...
​

Over the next year, a lot changes. The Great War escalates as the Turkey Campaign goes badly, and war seems to have changed. With the use of planes, tanks, poison gas and the machine gun, reports convey a hell unlike anything known to man before. The warfare has turned to slow, brutal trench warfare where every foot of land is bought with the lives of men. You don't envy those men, forced to slog through such a miserable experience fighting for the king and queen that have labeled them as disposable pawns to be tossed away in a horrifying war.

Meanwhile in Ireland, rebellion is becoming increasingly likely. With the fear of conscription looming on you all, there's a strong demand for the Irish Volunteers to stand up against this. Still, the failure of the Irish Parliamentary Party to secure home rule despite the now several year old Home Rule Act has meant that there's been increasing support for nationalism amongst the younger generations who see that their culture, their language, their people are being systematically wiped out by the work of the British Empire. Through the rumors coming along the line from the IRB members, it seems the military council that commands the IRB is pushing for an armed rebellion. Both you and Joseph are ready and willing to rise up when the time comes.

In other news for the IRB, the military council had a recent member joining: Darragh Connolly, the famous Socialist who lead the Irish Citizen Army in pushing for the rights of the worker in breaking free from the brutal exploitation of the lower and middle class by the rich and powerful. In inviting him to join, the IRB have secured that the Irish Citizen Army will stand alongside them when the time for violence comes.

You stroll along the street, the sun setting on the horizon as you lower the brim of your hat. You soon find yourself at the house where the meeting's taking place between the local IRB members to brief them on the current situation.

You walk inside, where the others await. They stare up at you, motioning for you to take a seat. You nod in response, pulling out your seat and sitting down.

"What needs to be discussed?" you ask. "What's new?"

"What's new, he asks," one of the men, Sean, responds. "Other than the fact the Crown's got their foot on our throat and the British are ready to send us out to be carved up to keep their empire intact."

"He asked what was new, not what's been happening for centuries," Joseph says, as the group chuckles.

Admittedly, as much as you sympathize with the group's cause, they do constantly complain. Nevertheless, you get through it.

"Where's Finchy?" you ask, referring to your almost always late IRB Comrade.

"He's not here yet. It doesn't matter, we can start without him," Seamus says. "The plan's continued. We need to strike quick and hard, while Britain's weak in the war. The Rising's been moved to Easter, this year of 1916."

"Do we have the arms and men for it?" you ask. "Do we even have the support of the Irish Volunteers? I thought Eoin MacNeill wanted to avoid conflict."

"He does, unless necessary. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to buy that it's necessary. We've had our top forger make up a document, however. It's called the Castle Document. It calls for the imprisonment of all leaders of the Irish Volunteers and the dissolving of the Volunteers as a whole. We've already faked a raid on Dublin Castle to obtain it. With it, we're going to convince Eoin that we need to fight, as he'll think the British have planned to arrest him and destroy everything he's built."

"So... we have a document we made to look like it's from the British? Are we sure it'll work?"

"Relatively," Seamus nods. "It's a good forgery. That'll give us the volunteers."

"Even then, is it enough?" another volunteer, Rory O'Connor, asks.

"We also have an ally. Sir Roger Casement," Seamus says.

You pause, as there's a hush of whispers. You know that name. Roger Casement was a humanitarian. He worked in far off, distant countries like the Congo and Peru, helping the poor people who were being abused by the British in power there, just like you Irish were. However, he was knighted by the King for doing so. The British King, King George V.

"He's recognized the plight of the downtrodden here, just as he saw it in Peru, and the Congo. He's been to Germany. They're desperate to end the war, and they think we'll help draw British attention away. They're releasing all Irish POWs willing to fight, as well as gifting us with rifles, 20,000 of them, and ten machine guns. This force is going to sneak here via submarine, and join us. Then, with their help, we take Dublin."

"It's brave," an IRB comrade remarks. "We might well do it."

"We will do it, and we'll succeed," Seamus says. "Now, you'll be organizing the distribution of the rifles among our forces."

"Aye," the comrade nods.

"Rory, you're to escort the Castle Document, meet with Roger Casement. You know him, you'll be able to convince him."

"Got it," Rory O'Connor nods.

"McCarthy brothers, we have two possible roles for you. The first is to escort the Castle Document and our IRB comrade to Eoin MacNeill. If you must, you are to give your lives to ensure it gets where it's going. The second is to rendezvous with another car to meet with Roger Casement and our German allies. Then, you lead them to the safe-house we've set up for it. As Finchy didn't show up yet, the choice is yours."

1. Escort the Castle Document to Eoin MacNeill

2. Rendezvous with Roger Casement and the Germans

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Btw I decided to briefly edit the description of the title from the 1914 Independence Movement to Irish Revolutionary Period, to better fit the time-frame I intend to reach, which will include the Irish War of Independence, of 1919 also just because I am kinda jumping around the WWI time-frame since it is in the grand-scheme of things relatively less important and I don't wanna give the impression this is going to end soon because it's not.)

 

[AlbaGuBrath]

(Ahh, good choice! Very interesting period of time, and it raises some important questions. Do you plan on continuing on through the Civil War as well? I haven't done as much research in that area as earlier Irish nationalism (this is actually falling on the tail end of my research, though I'm currently researching more modern expressions), but if I come across any good sources, I'll send them your way. As far as secondary sources, I believe Robert Kee's The Green Flag covers these time periods and Tim Pat Coogan does a bit on the Civil War, though both lean towards the republican side and I've not read very much of them for this period. (Kee discusses the 1798 in some detail, though.) I've also read Thomas Hennessey and I think his is a somewhat less-obviously-leaning account (though leaning slightly in the other direction, I suspect) on partition and Northern Ireland. I'll keep an eye out for any others.)

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Ahh, good choice! Very interesting period of time, and it raises some important questions. Do you plan on continuing on through the Civil War as well? I haven't done as much research in that area as earlier Irish nationalism (this is actually falling on the tail end of my research, though I'm currently researching more modern expressions), but if I come across any good sources, I'll send them your way. As far as secondary sources, I believe Robert Kee's The Green Flag covers these time periods and Tim Pat Coogan does a bit on the Civil War, though both lean towards the republican side and I've not read very much of them for this period. (Kee discusses the 1798 in some detail, though.) I've also read Thomas Hennessey and I think his is a somewhat less-obviously-leaning account (though leaning slightly in the other direction, I suspect) on partition and Northern Ireland. I'll keep an eye out for any others.)

(Yes, I have had a lot of fun researching this and building something out of this, I am a very historical oriented person, (Although my major for college is Political Science which I love just as much) and when I devised the idea for this, I knew that this would make for a compelling story, I didn't want to just educate (obviously that's a bonus, and as you may have noticed I am setting up events for the Easter Rising, which is big and Roger Casement, who was a big figure of that Uprising.) I wanted to tell a personal story with a sense of community, family, and fervent patriotism (for those inclined for that which seems to be happening lol) while not romanticizing it, and just immersing yourself in it and just trying to simply doing what you think is right, I have a couple other points I wish to get across, but hopefully the experience gives you that feeling, or what I have currently expressed I am trying to help get across. Since they might not have been truly expressed as of yet. But writing this has been a charm and I hope I can keep this going, since there's a lot I wish to express through this questlog.)

 

[AlbaGuBrath]

(Yes, I have had a lot of fun researching this and building something out of this, I am a very historical oriented person, (Although my major for college is Political Science which I love just as much) and when I devised the idea for this, I knew that this would make for a compelling story, I didn't want to just educate (obviously that's a bonus, and as you may have noticed I am setting up events for the Easter Rising, which is big and Roger Casement, who was a big figure of that Uprising.) I wanted to tell a personal story with a sense of community, family, and fervent patriotism (for those inclined for that which seems to be happening lol) while not romanticizing it, and just immersing yourself in it and just trying to simply doing what you think is right, I have a couple other points I wish to get across, but hopefully the experience gives you that feeling, or what I have currently expressed I am trying to help get across. Since they might not have been truly expressed as of yet. But writing this has been a charm and I hope I can keep this going, since there's a lot I wish to express through this questlog.)

(Oh yeah, Poli Sci and History go great together! I'm a History and Literature person myself, but a friend of mine was originally doing Political Science and History.

Yeah, I think that's a very good approach to take. There is a lot of romanticisation around this time, which I think is sometimes potientially dangerous because war, and perhaps especially a guerilla war, is horrific. It also has some problematic implications for modern history, but being able to look at both the good and bad parts may be helpful for combatting that. I really like the personal approach because, for me at least, that's why I study history. I mean, the rise and fall of governments, changing ideals, and new technology is cool and all, but ultimately I'm more concerned with how they affected the people living through them and how they affect people today. I'm much more interested in the life of somebody whose name we don't even know than kings and generals. And I guess that's kinda part of my interest in the Rising, because it wasn't all military generals and well-known politicians. The most well-known of them now were schoolteachers and poets, for goodness sakes. So I think it's pretty interesting to learn about a different type of person, I suppose.

Just out of curiosity, what do you think about the question of the suspension of Home Rule? Do you think that it was really just put on hold temporarily with the intention to pick it up again after the war, or do you think that was just a convenient way of "forgetting" about it? If the Rising hadn't happened, do you think it would have been successfully enacted in 1918? I've heard different arguments, and I just wondered what you thought.
(By the way, this isn't just directed at Omen. Anybody who's interested can jump in!))

 

[Historical Storyteller]

"I'm in," you and Joseph say in unison.

"Alright. The rules are simple. You need to remain loyal and remain quiet about this. That's it."

"How many are in the brotherhood?"

"Mum's the word on that one. Understand, we're not telling you much here. You're new blood. This is only to test the waters. Soon, you'll learn more," Seamus says.

"You need to swear them in," Dougal says.

"Alright. You need to make the oath. Understood?" Seamus says, as you and Joseph nod.

"Repeat after me. In the presence of God, I, so and so McCarthy, do solemnly swear that I will do my utmost to establish the independence of Ireland, and that I will bear true allegiance to the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Government of the Irish Republic and implicitly obey the constitution of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and all my superior officers and that I will preserve inviolable the secrets of the organization."

"Alright," you say, nodding.

"In the presence of God, I, Michael McCarthy, do solemnly swear that I will do my utmost to establish the independence of Ireland, and that I will bear true allegiance to the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Government of the Irish Republic and implicitly obey the constitution of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and all my superior officers and that I will preserve inviolable the secrets of the organization."

Joseph says the oath for himself and by the end Seamus' grin has widened.

"Terrific boys. Erin go bragh!" (Ireland Forever!)

"Erin go bragh," you all answer. (Ireland Forever)

You share a glance with Joseph, and for a moment you feel like little kids playing dress up, in over their heads. Then, there's a cheer from the table, and you're there smiling again. Now, you're in the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

1916 One Year Later...
​

Over the next year, a lot changes. The Great War escalates as the Turkey Campaign goes badly, and war seems to have changed. With the use of planes, tanks, poison gas and the machine gun, reports convey a hell unlike anything known to man before. The warfare has turned to slow, brutal trench warfare where every foot of land is bought with the lives of men. You don't envy those men, forced to slog through such a miserable experience fighting for the king and queen that have labeled them as disposable pawns to be tossed away in a horrifying war.

Meanwhile in Ireland, rebellion is becoming increasingly likely. With the fear of conscription looming on you all, there's a strong demand for the Irish Volunteers to stand up against this. Still, the failure of the Irish Parliamentary Party to secure home rule despite the now several year old Home Rule Act has meant that there's been increasing support for nationalism amongst the younger generations who see that their culture, their language, their people are being systematically wiped out by the work of the British Empire. Through the rumors coming along the line from the IRB members, it seems the military council that commands the IRB is pushing for an armed rebellion. Both you and Joseph are ready and willing to rise up when the time comes.

In other news for the IRB, the military council had a recent member joining: Darragh Connolly, the famous Socialist who lead the Irish Citizen Army in pushing for the rights of the worker in breaking free from the brutal exploitation of the lower and middle class by the rich and powerful. In inviting him to join, the IRB have secured that the Irish Citizen Army will stand alongside them when the time for violence comes.

You stroll along the street, the sun setting on the horizon as you lower the brim of your hat. You soon find yourself at the house where the meeting's taking place between the local IRB members to brief them on the current situation.

You walk inside, where the others await. They stare up at you, motioning for you to take a seat. You nod in response, pulling out your seat and sitting down.

"What needs to be discussed?" you ask. "What's new?"

"What's new, he asks," one of the men, Sean, responds. "Other than the fact the Crown's got their foot on our throat and the British are ready to send us out to be carved up to keep their empire intact."

"He asked what was new, not what's been happening for centuries," Joseph says, as the group chuckles.

Admittedly, as much as you sympathize with the group's cause, they do constantly complain. Nevertheless, you get through it.

"Where's Finchy?" you ask, referring to your almost always late IRB Comrade.

"He's not here yet. It doesn't matter, we can start without him," Seamus says. "The plan's continued. We need to strike quick and hard, while Britain's weak in the war. The Rising's been moved to Easter, this year of 1916."

"Do we have the arms and men for it?" you ask. "Do we even have the support of the Irish Volunteers? I thought Eoin MacNeill wanted to avoid conflict."

"He does, unless necessary. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to buy that it's necessary. We've had our top forger make up a document, however. It's called the Castle Document. It calls for the imprisonment of all leaders of the Irish Volunteers and the dissolving of the Volunteers as a whole. We've already faked a raid on Dublin Castle to obtain it. With it, we're going to convince Eoin that we need to fight, as he'll think the British have planned to arrest him and destroy everything he's built."

"So... we have a document we made to look like it's from the British? Are we sure it'll work?"

"Relatively," Seamus nods. "It's a good forgery. That'll give us the volunteers."

"Even then, is it enough?" another volunteer, Rory O'Connor, asks.

"We also have an ally. Sir Roger Casement," Seamus says.

You pause, as there's a hush of whispers. You know that name. Roger Casement was a humanitarian. He worked in far off, distant countries like the Congo and Peru, helping the poor people who were being abused by the British in power there, just like you Irish were. However, he was knighted by the King for doing so. The British King, King George V.

"He's recognized the plight of the downtrodden here, just as he saw it in Peru, and the Congo. He's been to Germany. They're desperate to end the war, and they think we'll help draw British attention away. They're releasing all Irish POWs willing to fight, as well as gifting us with rifles, 20,000 of them, and ten machine guns. This force is going to sneak here via submarine, and join us. Then, with their help, we take Dublin."

"It's brave," an IRB comrade remarks. "We might well do it."

"We will do it, and we'll succeed," Seamus says. "Now, you'll be organizing the distribution of the rifles among our forces."

"Aye," the comrade nods.

"Rory, you're to escort the Castle Document, meet with Roger Casement. You know him, you'll be able to convince him."

"Got it," Rory O'Connor nods.

"McCarthy brothers, we have two possible roles for you. The first is to escort the Castle Document and our IRB comrade to Eoin MacNeill. If you must, you are to give your lives to ensure it gets where it's going. The second is to rendezvous with another car to meet with Roger Casement and our German allies. Then, you lead them to the safe-house we've set up for it. As Finchy didn't show up yet, the choice is yours."

1. Escort the Castle Document to Eoin MacNeill

2. Rendezvous with Roger Casement and the Germans

1. I'm going with the Castle Document.

(Oh yeah, Poli Sci and History go great together! I'm a History and Literature person myself, but a friend of mine was originally doing Political Science and History.

Yeah, I think that's a very good approach to take. There is a lot of romanticisation around this time, which I think is sometimes potientially dangerous because war, and perhaps especially a guerilla war, is horrific. It also has some problematic implications for modern history, but being able to look at both the good and bad parts may be helpful for combatting that. I really like the personal approach because, for me at least, that's why I study history. I mean, the rise and fall of governments, changing ideals, and new technology is cool and all, but ultimately I'm more concerned with how they affected the people living through them and how they affect people today. I'm much more interested in the life of somebody whose name we don't even know than kings and generals. And I guess that's kinda part of my interest in the Rising, because it wasn't all military generals and well-known politicians. The most well-known of them now were schoolteachers and poets, for goodness sakes. So I think it's pretty interesting to learn about a different type of person, I suppose.

Just out of curiosity, what do you think about the question of the suspension of Home Rule? Do you think that it was really just put on hold temporarily with the intention to pick it up again after the war, or do you think that was just a convenient way of "forgetting" about it? If the Rising hadn't happened, do you think it would have been successfully enacted in 1918? I've heard different arguments, and I just wondered what you thought.
(By the way, this isn't just directed at Omen. Anybody who's interested can jump in!))

Some other time, maybe later today I'll reply. Currently have to take care of myself.

 

[ViciousVip3R]

(Sorry for my extended absence, I'm still busy so I will just be popping on to register my vote. The discussion will have to wait for another time.)

I'm interested in meeting the Germans, 2.

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Sorry for my extended absence, I'm still busy so I will just be popping on to register my vote. The discussion will have to wait for another time.)

I'm interested in meeting the Germans, 2.

(Great to see you again! I hope you have looked at everything that has transpired so that you aren't completely out of the loop as to what is going on!)

 

[ViciousVip3R]

(Great to see you again! I hope you have looked at everything that has transpired so that you aren't completely out of the loop as to what is going on!)

Yeah, I went through all the story posts yesterday, I'll go through all the posts comprehensively when I have time.

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Oh yeah, Poli Sci and History go great together! I'm a History and Literature person myself, but a friend of mine was originally doing Political Science and History.

Yeah, I think that's a very good approach to take. There is a lot of romanticisation around this time, which I think is sometimes potientially dangerous because war, and perhaps especially a guerilla war, is horrific. It also has some problematic implications for modern history, but being able to look at both the good and bad parts may be helpful for combatting that. I really like the personal approach because, for me at least, that's why I study history. I mean, the rise and fall of governments, changing ideals, and new technology is cool and all, but ultimately I'm more concerned with how they affected the people living through them and how they affect people today. I'm much more interested in the life of somebody whose name we don't even know than kings and generals. And I guess that's kinda part of my interest in the Rising, because it wasn't all military generals and well-known politicians. The most well-known of them now were schoolteachers and poets, for goodness sakes. So I think it's pretty interesting to learn about a different type of person, I suppose.

Just out of curiosity, what do you think about the question of the suspension of Home Rule? Do you think that it was really just put on hold temporarily with the intention to pick it up again after the war, or do you think that was just a convenient way of "forgetting" about it? If the Rising hadn't happened, do you think it would have been successfully enacted in 1918? I've heard different arguments, and I just wondered what you thought.
(By the way, this isn't just directed at Omen. Anybody who's interested can jump in!))

(In my experience analyzing political science and regimes, WWI would've been the perfect excuse for the British state to conveniently "forget" about Home Rule and prevent its enactment, to keep the Irish people subjugated. One of the keys to a predatory state is creating or using massive events as excuses to divert attention away from things like that to make people forget about it or vent their frustration elsewhere. The Easter Rising definitely reminded the British that they needed to go through with Home Rule or they'd deal with a VERY ANGRY Irish populace, if the uprising didn't happen I bet they wouldn't go through with Home Rule.)

 

[The Omen of Death]

(Well I tried waiting a couple of days to see if anyone else wanted to say anything, but it appears no one else has anything, this is definitely a predicament that AlbaGuBrath should know of, where something big is going to happen which will be revealed, and it'd lead to dire consequences, most likely, so after considering the two options I for this tie breaker I choose Option 1, so Option 1 has been chosen through tie-breaker!)

Days pass, and eventually on the 19th of April, you escort Rory O'Connor with the letter. Rory is a tall, dark-haired man, who seems quite cheerful. When you first show up, you quickly learn that as he wraps his arms around you in a bear hug, before stepping back to shake your hand, and then doing the same with Joseph.

"Evening," he says, grinning. "Joseph and Michael, I presume?"

"We are indeed," you say. "This one's Joseph, and I'm Michael. How are you doing?"

"I'm terrific. Ready to serve my country. We're to head to Dr Seamus O'Reilly's house. We're holding the meeting there, alright?"

"Not a bother. Are you ready to go?"

Rory pats the satchel that hangs from his side.

"Got the letter. Let's head out."

You quickly begin walking down the road towards Dr Seamus O'Reilly's house. It's a long walk, but Rory keeps it alive with friendly chatter and jokes the entire way.

However, as you walk through the streets, you quickly become nervous. The weight of doing such an important task quickly gives way to a bit of nervousness, as you stare constantly around, watching for RIC Police or informants. You know fellow Irishmen have began betraying the cause, informing the English about suspicious activity as fear of an Irish uprising. Although their fear is well placed, it's going to make your job a lot harder.

"We're being watched," you say.

"You're paranoid," Rory O'Connor says, grinning. "No one suspects us, do they?"

"They might. Did you tell anyone about this mission, Rory?" you ask.

"Sure," Rory O'Connor nods.

"Who?!" you say, worry flashing across your face.

"I told my mother I've got an important mission today. I told God our father above, but he knew about it already. Oh, and I told Jacob, my local Royal Constable."

"You told the Constabulary?!" you almost yell, as a few faces turn

"You know what? I think you might be right. We are being watched," Rory smirks. "Calm down and stop drawing attention to us."

"But...!" you begin to say, before taking a deep breath to calm yourself down. "Why...?"

"I didn't. It's this old Irish thing from way back before even the Celts. It's called a joke."

"Ha-ha, very fucking funny," you say, your face darkening as you feel embarrassed at your outburst.

"Yeah, I though so," Rory smiles smugly.

You continue walking along the streets, but it's not long before you notice a shawled figure, leaning behind an old bar. The figure's head immediately bounces up as you walk by, and it watches you with interest. The figure slowly creeps out towards the street, remaining in the shadows as it clearly focuses on you alone.

"We're being tailed," you say.

"Take it easy, Michael. Are you sure you're ok?" Joseph asks.

Whilst you might be the boy who cried wolf on this one, you have a duty to protect this letter. If that figure is an informant, it'll take them but a moment to get some constables to search you, and there's a nearby police station nearby, so it wouldn't be long before you were swarmed. It's best you act as soon as possible.

1. Open fire on what might be an informant

2. Investigate the individual who may be an informant

3. Move quickly through the area to your destination