THE LAND OF THE TOWER

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“You keep your eye on the queen, and the knights, and the bishop, because they are the sneaky ones. But it’s the rook that often gets you. The straightforward is never quite what it seems.”

 

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Chapter I: 

Die Geschichten | The Histories

 

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The story of Wesenburg cannot be told without first telling the story of the first patriarch of House Sturmweber. Roland von Sturmweber was born on the 7th of Sigismund's End, 1888 as Robyrt Taranis on the island of Galta; a trade post and mining town in the far off Eastern seas of Almaris. His mother and father, Donal and Meave Taranis, were of mixed Waldenic descent, their ancestors having fled the mainland decades prior, to establish a company on the island. This company, the Taranis Mining Guild, provided a steady income for local workers and tradesmen.

 

At the age of 8, Roland began working in the charter office, helping his father with mundane tasks like custodial work. At age 12, he learned about all kinds of ores, their properties, and what alloys could be made. While not explicitly learning about blacksmithing, Roland did have a natural affinity around the forge. He didn't see the task as overwhelming, and aspired to become a smith one day. However, apprenticeship would have to wait, as the threat of privateers grew ever more significant. By age 16, Roland and his family actively supplied the defense of Galta, and even served in the militia, repelling attacks by pirates, mercenaries, and opportunists. Roland decided, upon reaching the age of 26, to leave Galta for Almaris, to make a new and better life for himself. After a brief stay in Adria, Roland departed for Minitz as Heinrik’s Rebellion was on the rise. Upon his arrival, Roland’s good friend Peter attested that he would be a prime addition to Theoderic’s Warband, a favor which paid off.

 

In times when the Reinmaren remained fractured under the crowns of Aaun and Haense, in the Principality of Minitz, Roland, the future Baron, came together with three of his Reinmaren brothers and sisters to form his tribe. Before Prince Ferdinand I and all in attendance, within Kanunsberg’s moot hall, the four spilled their blood in Schwur, binding themselves together eternally.

 

As one, the tribe served Minitz in war and peace. Roland served as Warchief, leading the Warband of Minitz, and later as Erstkanzler, head of the Herrenhaus, after Brandt I. Meanwhile, Sir Varik served by the sword, as a Ritter of the Order of Saint Tylos, and Hirdman to Leon II. Their sister, Mariola, served in the Warband, quickly achieving the rank of Soldat thanks to her prowess.

 

When the time for Reinmaren Unification came, Tribe Sturmweber was one of the first to cross the Ailmere, making camp on the land where Reinmar’s great capital, Kretzen, would soon stand. When Kretzen’s walls were raised, the Sturmwebers continued to serve, Roland as Erstkanzler, Varik as Herrenmeister, and Mariola as Unterlandser and Hirdwoman to Princess Adalfriede von Hexenwald.

 

It was not long following the completion of Kretzen that the members of House Sturmweber, Roland and his wife, Violet, and their children, Bernhardt and Lieselotte, Sir Varik, and Mariola, were brought before the Heather Court by Prince Leon II, and issued the letters for Wesenburg, a Baronial title. The Prince named Roland a Baron, and his family took the Wesenburg surname in kind. In bestowing the title, the Prince rewarded Roland and House Sturmweber for decades of dutiful service to Minitz, Reinmar, and House Barclay, the Prince’s own family.

 

Construction of Wesenburg Manor, upon the family’s Baronial land, was finished after Roland’s death, in 1993. Due to the death of Roland’s son and heir, Eduard, the title was passed to Roland’s grandson, Oswald, with Sir Varik serving as Lord-Regent until the boy came of age. The manor’s construction, and the construction of the village of Reinhurst in the surrounding area, were overseen by Varik, and a fountain statue was made at Varik’s express request, in Roland’s memory. The statue depicts a man with a staff adorned with a lantern, which leads the way, forging on into the future; thus, it is named Der Anführer.

 

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Chapter II: 

Unser Schwur | Our Oath

 

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The oath taken by Roland, the first Baron von Wesenburg, and his kin, was to serve Reinmar and the Barclay crown. For such, Roland and his family were rewarded with the Barony, and given land on the Northern frontier, nestled between Kretzen and the great river to the north. That river, and the Barony itself, now on its southern bank, is what separates Reinmar from the hostile, frigid North.

 

The Barony, situated to the North of Reinmar’s capital, Kretzen, is rich, both in fertile soil by the river, and in emeralds, mined from the cliffs. Additionally, the Baronial territory guards a key land bridge, which crosses the river separating the North from the South. The strategic value of this crossing means the Barony of Wesenburg stands as Reinmar’s Northern shield, the first line of defense against any Northern threat. Thus, with such resources to defend, and that defense being so critical, the Barony hosts siegeworks and smithing, as well, keeping such crucial industries close at hand.

 

The philosophy of House Sturmweber has always been that of the Rook. A tower, stalwart, unflinching, and dutiful. As the stewards of the Barony, this ideology manifests in all their works, across Wesenburg land. As entrepreneurs, with Sturmweber Company LTD., the House thrived in Minitz; as such, the Barony of Wesenburg has commerce central to its identity, always pushed to thrive. Tobacco and grain grow aplenty in the Barony, as do the roots of House Sturmweber’s ambition, long since cultivated in Minitz. 

 

In their early days as a Tribe, the Sturmwebers tested those tribesmen who wished to join them, by having them climb a tower, getting to the top by any means. Using one’s wits and cunning was the only true path to success, of course, as this was the merit Roland most valued.

 

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Chapter III: 

Unsere Lebensart | Our Way of Life

 

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The tower is the primary element of the family’s heraldry, as well as to their way of thinking, symbolizing fortitude and vigilance. The other central heraldic element is a pair of keys, which represent access to knowledge and power. All of these themes were central to the founder, Roland’s, ideals and as such, they are what the family was built on. Thus, the culture of the barony closely mirrors such.

 

Like all other Reinmaren, the subjects of the Barony of Wesenburg value loyalty, competence, and piety above all else. While somewhat more welcoming toward outlanders, as a vassal situated on Reinmar’s rural frontier, the Reinmaren of Wesenburg are much less trusting of them. Roland, the first Baron von Wesenburg, was a pragmatic man, eager to allow strangers to prove themselves, but still he was shrewd and cunning, wary of the tricks and schemes others play at.

 

Being such a rural settlement, tucked away in the Reinmaren countryside, the Barony’s primary settlement, Reinhurst, consists mostly of cottages, which reflect the attitude and lifestyle of its population. The village is ideal for those Reinmaren who live there, enjoying a simple life in the spacious frontier, with fresh air and cold river water aplenty.

 

A prominent fixture of the Barony’s local tradition is the cultivation and use of tobacco. A significant portion of the farmland in Reinhurst, for example, is dedicated to tobacco plants. When the time comes to harvest, every Reinmaren living on the land participates in some way, from directly harvesting the crop to bundling the leaves, transporting bundles, processing the tobacco, and even rolling cigars and cigarettes. As such, every resident is entitled to a portion of the harvest and the rest is stored for later sale by Sturmweber Company LTD. In the rare case that an individual prefers not to receive the product of their labor as compensation, a payment of gold may often be arranged instead.

 

Another tradition borrowed from the capital is Reinhurstfest. Though, naturally, being that the Barony often tends to distinguish itself in some ways, unlike Kretzenfest, Reinhurstfest is longer and focuses more on the mercantile aspects of the festival, serving as a year-long merchant faire. Traditionally, halfway through the year, the Baron hosts a feast for all of Reinmar in Reinhurst. In addition, for the duration of the year, no taxes or fees are collected by the Treasury, as a show of the Baron’s great wealth and generosity.

 

As indicated by the traditions of Reinhurstfest, the Barony of Wesenburg has a strong mercantile culture. As such, and including the Barony’s role as a vassal, there are several industries which thrive there. Foremost, of course, is Die Kriegsfabrik, the Wesenburg siege factory. Specializing in the manufacture of artillery for the Host of Saint Johann to deploy in times of war, there stands a foundry, assembly yard, and a large crane, nestled along the riverbank in Reinhurst.

 

 Nearby, against the cliff of the landbridge, is a forge and smithy, called The Anvil’s Bane. Operated by longtime friend of Roland, the first Baron von Wesenburg, Barlord Bronzerock, The Anvil’s Bane is the first, and greatest, smithy in the Barony. In Reinhurst’s market square, Sturmweber Company LTD., the company owned by House Sturmweber, also has a stall, which is where much of the Barony’s tobacco can be purchased.

 

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[Toffee 2843]

Adalfriede read about the Barony of Wesenburg while puffing on a pipe packed with Sturmweber tobacco. Her youngest daughter Josefina had married into that House, strengthening the bond between Barclay and Wesenburg, and both of her hirdwomen hailed from that loyal family. 
 

Once, there was a time when her ambition consumed her, and she constantly hungered for more. Now she was beginning to be content with knowing that her blood would flow in Oswald’s veins, and in his children’s, and his children’s children’s. A legacy. A line of descendants to remember her and tell her tale on a runestone. She blew out a stream of smoke and closed the book.