The Sketches of a Squire

[JustAngel69 513]

- THE SKETCHES OF A SQUIRE -

 

 

To take a hobby is to learn practice, to learn steady progress and to learn of failure as well as success. In the pursuit of my duties and lessons as a Squire it is imperative for one to always attempt higher achievement than before. In the past two years I have traveled the lowlands of the realm to find sights worthy of memorization, worthy of preservation and worthy of practice, practice wrought into reality by charcoal and fine details. Upon completion of these sketches I have made in the past two years, I have selected the best of my work to publicize and show the beauty of Petra, Veletz, and Aaun. There is merit in practice with both the pen and with the sword. Any good Knight should see the value in each, and should not neglect the chance to show his fellow man what tasks he has set himself to achieving, I thus present most humbly my sketches in the hopes that they might be appreciated throughout the realm of man. 

 

The Honourable Philip Laurent Halcourt d’Artois, Squire to Sir Gaspard

 

– THE JEWEL OF PETRA–

 

The journey to Petra consists of winding roads and carefully cut paths into the mountainside, as you make your way through the cliffs and caves carefully dug by citizens of Petra you arrive at the north bridge and you can gaze across it to the FREE CITY OF VALLAGNE perched upon a plateau suspended between both sides of the canyon with bright meadows extended to the south. The skyline of Petra is a welcome sight to all who traverse both the roads above the canyon and the rivers deep below, a bustling center for trade home to many cultures who decided to strike it out on their own and build for themselves a better future.

 

– THE VISION OF VELETZ–

 

The League of Veletz and its capital city of Winburgh specifically, is home to a hardy people of great honour, martial skill and brutal pragmatism. This structurally simple yet robust city is one that many call home, formed out of the Duchies of Adria, Blackvale and Middelan the rolling hills and quiet forests surrounding it are contrasted by the sounds of military training, comradeship and Renatian-Raevir bargaining that take place within its bustling market. If few words can be gleaned from the skyline of Veletz that word would be security, honour and prowess. 

 

– TO TOUCH GOD–

 

Visible to all travelers from miles away, its beacon shining brightly in the dark for any who lay eyes upon it during the night, the Hand of Horen within Whitespire rises up from the city to pierce the heavens above. Home to the King of Aaun who has been chosen by GOD to lead his people, one can think of no better residence for such a representative to seek closeness to the issuer of his most holy and noble duty. The Hand of Horen is both a marvel of architecture as well skilled craftsmanship and labour. The people of Aaun should surely be proud of such a creation or at least take pride in that most visitors crane their necks to set eyes upon it.

 

– THE LANGKETTE MOUNTAINS–

 

Nestled within the Langkette Mountains lies the Principality of Merryweather and the County of Warsovia a cooperative of the two houses in its construction these two keeps, tower out of the mountain and into the air being the newest additions to the Aaunic countryside. The banners of Waldenia fly high here as the House of Von Alstreim call the mountains home alongside their neighbours the House of Jazloviecki. The Langkette Mountains afford a commanding view of the coast and the city of Whitespire below. 

 

– THE HOUSE OF GOD–

 

To the north of the city of Whitespire lies the CATHEDRAL OF THE FOUR EXALTED. Perhaps the largest in the known world, the cathedrals four towers flank the central dome which shelters below those who seek communion with GOD. Stepping within an overwhelming sense of wonder and awe are sure to fill any pilgrim who sets foot within this house of GOD. Quiet prayers reverberating off the walls and hymns reflecting within the dome above.

 

 

– THE RIVER COURT–

 

Through welcoming open doors you walk into a room of grandeur, sunlight pours through the large throne room windows as the sun sets over the mountain. You stand in the River Court, the royal palace within Vallagne, priceless paintings and tapestries hang upon the wall as the roof extends upwards revealing the seating galleries within, often packed to the brim during sessions of court in which Renilde of The Petra addresses her people and sets a new course for the River Kingdom.

 

 

– PETRAN SQUARE–

 

Movement of merchants, the sounds of barter, chirping birds and lively conversation fill the central square of THE FREE CITY OF VALLAGNE. Leaves drift down upon you and if you pause for a moment you can hear the distant rushing of the waters far below, a lively blending of culture occurs here and you can almost always find something of unique interest in the markets within this Petran square, as if out of a fairytale it's peaceful atmosphere is secured by that of the Riverguard and their swift apprehension of any troublemakers that rarely make themselves present. It has become a common stopping point for almost any caravan making their way further east. 

 

 

If you seek a drawing, or wish to commission such for yourself, please seek out Philip Laurent or send him a letter ((JustAngel69))

 

 

[Chorale__ 2147]

The Marquis du Clermont Sir Laurens I Halcourt d'Artois commented upon the missive whilst sipping hot tea with his cherished confidant the Queen Renilde I @tilly,

"MON DIEU at how this boy keeps making us all proud!"

 

The Scion of the Halcourts quickly sent word for a Serviteur to which he'd instruct to send word of this revelation to his wife, the Marquise-Consort Ceceliya @Emi and to the boys mother Josephine @cherrybud.

[cherrybud 423]

An overworked servant rushed through the halls of Noufeille Valenstrata before ensuring the Boy's mother had a copy of the publicised sketches. "That is mon petite Philip!" She declared as a proud mother would, her heels leading her to advance upon them as Josephine Halcourt intended on showing every person she knew of her son's achievements.

 

Meanwhile the little Adelheid Klara, known best friend to the artist, surprisingly halted in reading her favourite book just to take note of her friend's works. Yet all that followed was a pitiful sigh. "Why did he not include the sketches of me..." came the girl's response, to no one in particular, before her fingertips wriggled to recollect her prized book, continuing to peruse the contents.

[Samson Option 9652]

 

Cunimund held the latest correspondence* between himself and Philip Laurent. He bade his page, Ambactorix, to write a response to the following set of sketches. The response read, "Slanu fair Philip, know that your sketch of the Langkette Mountains has captured the earthenwall of my new Barony, Bodbwodz, and it looks a mighty fine depiction. Likewise, I am honored to find the Cathedral of the Four Exalted among your drawings - I maintain one of the largest libraries in Aevos there. My tribe, newly settled in the Barony of Bodbwodz, will begin construction on our land soon and we would be honored to host you in the coming Saint's Week or so. Write me if you need any of my own help as a transcriber, I'd like to produce your sketches in a book very soon." He instructed Ambactorix to inform Philip that the letter came from Cunimund hal'Cingedoz.

 

Letter Reference*

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