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DUCHY OF GALLIAN

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Camebry Castle was a squat, ugly fortification perched atop the crest of a steep hill, bare and featureless save for the winding road leading up to the gates. Camebry had long been the ancestral home of the House of Antegenet, and even in the days of that House ruling the entire duchy, the old border castle often found itself home to the Duke of Gallian for, despite its appearance, the castle was actually a rather comfortable home, especially in winter when it was heated from below by a sizable hot spring.

 

For days, riders and companies had been arriving in ever greater numbers to the castle – musicians sang and played the instruments in the courtyard and the hallways, while entertainers danced and frolicked to please fickle lordlings who were bored with the constant dallying of their Lord Camebry in setting off for Klagenfurt. Tailors hurriedly measured their masters and swiftly set to making outfits that were both warm and to the styles of the latest fashions in court. All this great activity, however, was counterbalanced by the overwhelming sedentary state of the Lord Gallian and what should be his retinue. For weeks now the Duke of Gallian had procrastinated in his duties – the King summoned his vassals to court to swear fealty, and Roger of Camebry delayed – making a statement one might say. It was well known among the peerage that Sir Roger was ill-disposed towards the idea of a female regent, and clearly he was going to make such an opinion known by arriving late to the proceedings, despite being the closest of the Duchies.

 

Still, finally the Duke of Gallian did depart from his comfortable seat of Camebry, and made for Klagenfurt.

 


 

-Duke Roger was not idle during his delay – the Duke of Gallian begins to expand his retinue. He offers a place in his household to any second or third born son from across the Kingdom who finds themselves with their knightly spurs but no land to call their own. To these landless knights he offers them the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of being granted estates in his own lands. (Mod for recruiting a professional force of knights)

 

-In addition, the Duke gives minor land grants to several knights and courtiers already in his service, seeking to increase the number of lances he can summon to arms. (Mod for expanding the size of the Knight section of the levy)

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The Duchy of Arintar

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Winter of 1381

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFkYD9WAuOI)

 

THE NEW KING

Peering out from the parapet on a cold windy morning, a lone watchman catches a glimpse of upheaval past the gates of the city. There, a boisterous young knight with flowing golden hair and a white stallion charges down a hill. Behind him, several dozen other young knights, and a few old, eagerly chase him down. As the horses catch their breath, a pair of exhausted standard bearers appear at the hilltop. They bear the banner of the Duke of Arintar.

 

Soon, the knights and their courtiers enter the city, waving excitedly to the commoners. But they are just the head of a much larger procession. Trailing behind are three thousand men and women who emerge from the hill and make their way into the city. The first amongst them are the Duchess and her father Count Havron. But each section of the mighty caravan contains several carriages, wagons, and banners in themselves. The nobility of Arintar arrive into the city of Klagenfurt to pay their respects to the old and welcome the new.

 

Jean departs from most of his escort, who themselves proceed to the Duke’s large capital residence or their own accommodations. Jean instead gallops directly to the Keep, whereby he hands off his sword and horse, and makes his way to the throne room early. Entering into a largely empty room Jean approaches the throne. Stopping twelve paces before the dais, Jean bows. Stepping three paces, he bows again. Stepping another three paces, the Duke kneels before Thomas II Di Scema. The five year old Boy-King sits complacently on his throne, looking down at the Duke with a smile.

 

The Queen Regent, standing at the base of the throne, moves forward and takes out a scroll in a choreographed fashion. She reads the text.

 

“I, Thomas II, of the house of Di Scema, Duke of the Duchy of Kathelia and King of Klagenfurt, do confirm before those assembled here, the rights of Lord Jean III of the house of Tyzenhaus, to the Duchy of Arintar. I hereby pledge all my power to the preservation of his freedoms, his properties, and his titles. I swear to accept his counsel in the governance of the realm. I swear to be his champion in peace, and his brother in war. This I swear on behalf of myself, and the rightful heirs of my bloodline. This I swear by God, and my Sacred Honour."

 

“Upon this oath, swear your loyalty to me.”

 

The Duke responds with all courtly etiquette. “I, Lord Jean III of House Tyzenhaus, do hereby swear fealty to Thomas II, of the house of Di Scema. I acknowledge him as my liege and rightful King of Klagenfurt. I hereby pledge all my power to the defence of his realm, to the enforcement of his laws, and the protection of his honour. I swear to offer him wise counsel in the governance of the realm. I swear to be his brother in peace, and his champion in war. This I swear to him, and to all the rightful heirs of his bloodline. This I swear, before all assembled here, by God, and by my sacred Honour.

 

The Queen responds, “Then by my right as sovereign and the authority vested in me by God, I welcome you as Duke of Tyzenhaus, as your father was before you. Rise, Lord Tyzenhaus and take your rightful place in this court.”

 

The Duke of Arintar rises, looking towards the boy sitting on the throne.

 

“My liege, I am here to kill your enemies and secure your rule! Let no one question the rule of Thomas II or dare rebel against this new and strong King! I hope that you will grant and maintain the power of the Duchy of Arintar to accomplish my goals.”

 

With that simple comment the Duke turns to the stands where he will move to meet the incoming Dukes, Counts, Barons, and dignitaries of the land over the coming days and weeks.

 

THE DUCHY

As all the great nobles of the land depart, they leave behind a wintery Duchy of Arintar. It has only been one year since the last of the Great Plague are said to have left the Duchy. The harvest this year has been much lower than in previous, the Duchy is thought to have lost over two hundred thousand in the Great Plague. But the weather has been fine and the population resilient, winter celebrations are able to occur uninterrupted.

 

However, a great hole has been left in the society of the Duchy. Many estates now lie empty, and certain villages lie desolate. The great walled towers that separate barons in some places serve as a mere facade for grassy fields littered with small shrubbery.

 

The towns of Arintar have been hit perhaps most of all, with craftsmen and nobility dying in droves. The city of Colonia strong as ever, is thought to have lost over twenty thousand itself, with peasants fleeing the countryside and spreading their ills onto the grand city. Sections of the city, especially in the poor south now lie empty and littered with squatters.

 

But, craftsmen still hammer away, the centre of Cologne is still is refuge to many a guild and trader. Some areas have even managed to prosper. Notably the iron mines in the North which have taken to selling their goods further afield in Styria.

 

Overall, the Duchy is recovering and will be for many a decade.

 

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New graveyards within the city of Colonia.

 

THE INSTITUTIONS

Amongst the large stone walled Council building, behind the rows of gold rimmed chairs and hard oak sits Eugen Sendler, in the Chamberlain’s office. While the Duke has gone off to Klagenfurt and expects to stay for some time he has been left to administator the Duchy. With the overwhelming task falling solely on himself he takes it upon himself to fully acquaint himself with every institution of the Duchy.

 

First he pours over the Order of the Golden Star. The Knightly Order onto which every Knight in Arintar is a part. They are highly prestigious and influential, own a large members hall in Colonia, and can be regularly seen leading the Duchies military. Once a Knight has been knighted, five blades are melted down to form large and sharp stars on the back of the Knight. The stars represent God watching over the Order of the Golden Star. They are heavily affiliated with the Church.

 

He pours over their ranks.

 

GRANDMASTER - The undisputed leader of the Knights, the Duchies very own Duke of Arintar. The legitimate successor to the House of Tyzenhaus exclusively holds this office.

 

LORD MASTER - The second in command of the order, this title is given to an important noble in the Duchy of Arintar. He leads the order when the Grandmaster is otherwise indisposed. An extremely heavy commission

 

GRANDMASTER ERRANT - At no cost, this title is often given to a professional Knight in the retinue of the Duke of Arintar. He is expected to take on the administrative command and lead the Knights when both the Grandmaster and Lord Master are indisposed.

 

MASTER - At a hefty commission, one leads a column of Knights when on campaign.

 

MASTER ERRANT - Only a handful of these positions exist, they lead Knight Errants and occasionally Knights. They are expected to serve off campaign.

 

KNIGHT - At a regular commission, contains the vast majority of Arintari Knights.

 

KNIGHT ERRANT - At a cheap price. Mostly nobility with a few rich merchant sons. Around three hundred such titles exist. They are expected to be in the Duke’s service on campaign and off campaign.

 

LAYBROTHER - Various administrators, stewards, and squires. The rank carries some small level of prestige but costs no commission.

 

Secondly he sifts through the records on the University of Colonia. Founded a hundred years after the founding of Colonia, it sits in the more affluent section of Colonia on a slight hill. Near the city’s large Cathedral, the University is home to over a thousand students. Professors there teach such classes as Styrian, Philosophy, Etiquette, Rhetoric, and Cursive amongst others. Most professors in the University serve at the behest of the Privy Council or are in the Privy Council themselves.

Much of the Duchy is administered through this institution.

 

Lastly he looks over the Privy Council. Containing all commoners, it has a Chamberlain, Chancellor, Marshall, Steward, Justiciar, Constable, and Spymaster. The privy council, seated where the Dukes of Arintar once sat several hundred years ago sit daily to discuss affairs in the Kingdom, now administers the day to day affairs of the Duchy. While the Duke lives in Klagenfurt with his Chamberlain, the Steward is put in charge of the Privy Council. 

 

He sifts through the current office holders.

 

CHAMBERLAIN - Thijman Volkherd is an old professor for the University of Colonia. He was appointed by Alaric Tyzenhaus, Jean III’s father. He is considered by many to be a bitter and greedy man, but nonetheless he is trusted to assist the Duke in his duties.

 

STEWARD - Eugen Sendlar, a graduate from the University of Colonia. He was put up for the job by his predecessor who passed away in the recent surge of plague. He is still youthful and hopeful, a good friend of the trade guilds.

 

MARSHAL (Different from the current Marshall of the Duchy Jean III) - Manfeld Johanson, current Errant Grandmaster of the Order of the Golden Star. He is large, muscular, and wroth. 

 

CHANCELLOR-JUSTICIAR - Bishop Nicolo, a rather decadent man, he is a fervent supporter of the expansion of the Church justice within Arintar. He is a popular figure, giving weekly sermons that he claims ward the plague off from returning to Colonia.

 

CONSTABLE - Erikk Haggard. An old veteran of the city watch and the Duke’s pike retinue. He nominally falls under the command of the Grandmaster Errant of the Order of the Golden Star He maintains a calm demeanour and a sense of serenity.

 

SPYMASTER - Landolf Castilli, a friendly professor from the University of Colonia. He teaches Philosophy and Rhetoric.

 

Finally, Eugen finishes his reading in time for his first session of Privy Council. First on the agenda, counting the dead.

Edited by SuperKeziak
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THE DUCHY OF VALDEK

Spring, 1381
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From the main gate of the castle Alkmaar, a long column departed. At its head a vast contingent of knights and retainers, gleaming in the midmorning sun as banners from all across the Duchy flew overhead. Among them, contingents’ of Charles’ own army, wagons filled with provisions, wives, cooks, and civilians. The column passed out across the bridge which provided access over the vast mottes encircling the castle. To the columns’ rear, the garrison overlooked the whole ordeal. Men gathering in a camp outside the castle itself to join the main column, more parties arriving from the south, all with the backdrop of the beautiful Valdenian countryside. 

The Queen-Regent’s summon had arrived weeks ago, and the young Duke Charles had finally deemed it fit to depart for the capital. The last 4 years, the Duchy had been inward focused, untroubled with the happenings of the outside world, and unbothered by the presence of other nobles. It was finally time for the Duke to introduce meet his peers, establish relations, and more importantly establish that the Duchy of Valdek would once more take a forward role in the workings of the Kingdom.

At the head of the column the Duke himself rode. Behind him, a retainer bearing his flag. To his right, the short though stout Count William Van Albret. His face looked older than Charles remembered. More weathered, his wrinkles were more defined, despite the man hardly being considered old. For the last four years he had been charged with raising and mentoring the young Duke. He knew the weathered and veteran Count did not approve of his personal retinue consisting of 200 knights, nor his initial disregarding of the Queen-regents summons, but for once he disagreed with his most trusted advisor. Only once would he get the opportunity to make an impression on the whole Realm, he would do it how he saw fit. Besides, it’s not as if they would start without him....

 

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Despite the commotion revolving around the springs’ events and festivities, the whole Duchy was not consumed with the matter. The young Duke Charles X had spent considerable time focused on the internal workings of his holdings, and the Duchy as a whole. With his growing age, this energy turned towards matters of military, and the defense of his realm. Curiously, it had become apparent that no quick route to the southern portion of his holdings existed. Both merchants and militaries would be forced to travel long roads through his neighbors, smaller and less guarded roads, or by water. The last of which which could be unreliable or treacherous at times. Additionally, the improved route would no doubt allow commerce to flow more quickly and be of great benefit to the Duchy. 

 

To remedy this blaring issue, the Duke orders a one-off tax be raised across the whole duchy in order to help pay for the construction of the road and the accompanying bridge. Additionally, the Duke’s vassals are all asked to contribute a small sum as the project would benefit the whole realm. Furthermore, the vassal where the road runs through is granted a slight increase to the size of his estate in order to compensate him for allowing the Duke to build through his lands. The Mercantilist Confederation is invited to contribute to the project.

 

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(The planned road + the increase of said vassal’s holdings)


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Actions

 

-The Duke begins work on a road which would allow for the movement of troops and goods from both the northern and southern portions of the realm far more easily. Details above.

 

-The Duke Charles X van Alkmaar departs for the capital of Klagenfurt with his personal retinue of 200 knights, a contingent of the Royal Valdenian Army, and a vast majority of his vassals. His departure is rather late.

-Messengers ride

Edited by Krefarus
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The Duchy of

Morass

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The King is dead! Long live the King!

Silence befell the jolly Great hall when Lord Harcourt opened the letter from the Capitol discovering the death of the King, an old friend died in the prime of life. A coldness filled the air as the joy vanquished the room, Lord Harcourt turned to his Marshal to ready his retinue for a journey to Klagenfurt at the express invitation of his majesty the King.

After many days of travel older Duke finally makes his way to the city, flying the banners of his house, the Golden lion on a field of white above him, Long had he kept away from the Capitol concerned with the affairs of his own state, and the production of iron mining to supply the realm.
Lord Carlisle would swiftly make his way to the throne room of the King to pay homage, and express his deepest condolences to the death of his father, and to the Queen regent, for the passing of her beloved husband.

Oath of Fealty

“I, Carisle of the House Harcourt, Duke of Morass and Count of Corwen do swear by God to remain faithful to his Highness King Thomas II, King of all Klagenfurt, To guide and advise him for as long as my heart beats. My sword is yours as well as my honour from this day until my last.”

The Duke would rise thereafter to mingle with the other Lords of the realm who have come to pay Homage to the new King.

 

In other Affairs

 

  • The Duke would write to his council to open further mines and expeditions to improve the wealth generation in the region, as well as getting more peasants working

 

  • Drills are to begin for the Morass retinue left in Corwen to begin improving and honing their skill to rival the best in the land

 

  • A new statue is asked to be commissioned in Corwen Town Square as a memorial to the late King. 

 

Edited by mcginty85
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