CASTLE WALDEMER

[amyselia 2962]

Penned by the Lady Rosceline

10th of Owyn’s Flame, 2029

 

The performance of a Druscan bard.

Holdfast of the Lord of Drusco and Headquarters of The Most High Order of St. Vydra, Castle Waldemer stands high on the hills of the East Midden, overlooking the decrepit ruins of Old Veletz and the lightly-kept remnants of its mottled farmsteads. Drawn by St. Waldo ‘the Wayfarer’, the Castle’s architectural blueprints date back several centuries, and were respected to the greatest ability of Rouennais stonemasons. Its walls were erected from the ashes of a past abandoned keep; the high pinnacles reach into the clouds, tipped with bronze so the light that immersed the world during sunrise would make it appear as if stars adorned the castle’s turrets. The Castle’s stucco walls give way to countless rooms, boasting a library, chapel, and personal parlour in service to the marquis’ household. The upper chamber’s walls are decorated with the wizened Black Sun Tapestries, a relic of the bloodline of Ashford that weaves stories of the ancient Eshaenveurd held deep within its linen threads. The Lord’s balcony surveys over all with its omnipresent gaze, highest upon every hill in the horizon.

The Lord of Drusco's hall is one he devotes to God; this great hall offers back the sanguinity of its protection, afforded even to offenders as they would be under the clement eye of God. Hence, criminals & hostages are brought back to the Godstead to face judgement, often afforded mercy or recruited into the ranks of the Vydric as an extension of it. The Godstead's pillars stand slated for the new era of Ashford, perpetuating the blood of Lucien, while the great sigil adorns the opposite end of the chamber.

 

 

 

Once a desolate land, Waldemer has enlivened the area of the Midden with the bustle of Vydric men and diplomatic audiences. Stone was chiseled into columns, and each tile was glazed by craftsmen spread throughout the kingdom. A small cadre of contracted workers managed the castle’s construction, including the lord and lady, wishing to expand their berth of influence. With heightened activity came the need for structure, so the lady sought to define the roles of the Castle. Each task is vital to the flow of court life, with no boulder left to traject its course elsewhere. Below are described the functions key to Waldemer, with the Steward as its master.

Lord Robert invests his son as Baron of Blackwald.

 

THE STEWARD | The Steward is the chief authority over the Castle’s management, overseeing daily operations and acting as the official representative of House de Rouen in their absence. Entrusted with maintaining order and upholding the Castle’s repute, the steward has the power to administer justice for crimes committed within castle walls, tackle sensitive political and diplomatic issues that may arise, and preserve cultural customs and tradition in the everyday. From regulating formal dress and courtly behavior to receiving or rejecting diplomats, the steward ensures that every aspect of the household reflects the dignity and prestige of its lords. As the face of the castle, the steward plays a crucial role in public image, safeguarding the honor and stability of the noble estate.

UNDERSTEWARDS | The Understewards of Waldemer answer to the Steward as their aides. They carry the missives between each recipient, like pigeons dispersing. They make up the network that is the staff of the castle, carrying and enforcing the steward’s will provided to them by their lord.  

LADIES-IN-WAIT | To keep a Lady-in-Wait is pivotal to the gentility of any consort of high ranking, dating to the time of Julia and her daughters-by-law, when the female children of the Seven Thousand would be oathed to wait on these high women in hope of fostering alliances among men by the favor of their lady-wives. Ladies-in-wait are required to be of noble birth, past ten summers, and unspoused. The Lady of Drusco traditionally keeps one to two ladies within her retinue, who assist with a bevy of tasks appropriate for gentlewomen (i.e in assisting with matters of the household, representing her interests, and above all, providing companionship and advice). While they are housed at Waldemer, the Steward provides for their welfare and remediates any complaints made unto and by them.

HANDMAIDENS | Handmaidens are the lowborn women and girls that see to the many menial tasks assigned to them by the Ladies-in-wait. They serve the lord and lady with respectability, providing care to their garments, serving food to their tables and tidying the halls of the castle whenever required. One must provide the proper respect to those of higher station, never sitting once one of the Lord’s household is standing, and bow her head gently whenever passing by. Handmaidens shall be quartered together into rooms and will be provided with proper uniforms, shining of a golden yellow to welcome radiance into the halls.

WARDS | Commonly hailing from foreign lands, wards are entrusted to the court, to contribute and learn under the guardianship of the Lord and Lady of Drusco or any other officers within the Castle’s employment. By this, they are given extensive means to master whatever craft they should choose to specialize in. Wards are typically youths between the ages of ten and eighteen, and are released from guardianship once their parents deem them sufficiently skillful.

THE MINOR OFFICIALS | In the lord's castle, minor officials play essential roles in maintaining the daily operations of the household and estate. Appointed by the Steward with assent of the Lord and Lady, these officials perform specialized tasks that ensure the smooth running of the castle.

GROUNDSKEEPER | The pride of our kin has always been credited to the growth and preservation of our plants and livestock. God bestowed the gift of sturdy steers unto his children, an exceptional mare of chestnut coloring said to have been presented to Silis upon the eve of her nuptials, the evening mist following in its footfalls. Many crops, first intended as a means of survival, were refitted into rolling fields of vineyards and orchards. The groundskeepers past of San Luciano improved upon the mundane seed drill, able to not only plant seeds efficiently but cultivate better crops in tandem, which then fed and made abundant the harvests of livestock. The Groundskeeper dovetails these duties in one, charged with the breadth of Druscan farms, and able to hire farm hands beneath their position.

TROUBADOUR | The Eshænveurd had been lifted spiritually by God’s blessing of the sun; and so they took to dance and sing, and produced art of laud and comedy. And their veils and headdresses were high, to invite God’s sight upon their virtuous bodies. They produced many artisans, and created a culture of loudness and great art, whenever the summer sun shone down on them greatest. Thus, the Ashfords are great patrons of music and plays, and invite Troubadours to refine the folk music of Ashford, the Lamenta.

CLERK OF THE CASTLE | Books of dust littered the tile-laden floors, echoing with their voices of tales told and words only able to be put on parchment. Extensive records were kept of landmark moments and knowledge alike. The clerks listened astutely and put thought to word, old legacies passed down orally now etched onto the plaster of the halls of time. It was clear who kept this position just by observation, their fingers mottled with ink and weary from operating the printing press. Codices even were vital to the chaplains, reciting scriptures and sermons and could only be managed properly with assistance from the castle clerk.

MASTER COOK | Ever since the first arrow was flung into the heart of game, the Eshænveurd sought to improve upon their sustenance and turn it into delicacies that piqued the mind and the palette. They used many herbs and flora local to the fjords; these recipes would be inherited by the descendants of St. Lucien, their flavorful herbs perfuming the smoke that flowed free from bronze censers, chapels brimming with this sweet scent. Grilled meats, in particular, were known to be held in high regard, the techniques and preparations to be unique in their process and certain endemic spices to be worth more than their weight in gold. Cooks will be expected to continue this long-held tradition, upheld to the highest standard, and to reinvent their craft, dazzling guests.

MASTER HUNTSMAN | The keeping of a master huntsman is pivotal to sustaining the bloodsports favored by the Savoyard. They are responsible for organizing and leading hunts, managing hunting dogs, and overseeing game preserves. In collaboration with the Groundskeeper, the Huntsman is also charged with purview of land, for they ensure that the hunting grounds bordering the Castle of Drusco are well stocked and protected and enforce laws with respect to forest charters permitting or restricting free use of forest land. They may also train staff and dogs vital to hunting activities.

PHYSICIAN | Healthy minds kept healthier bodies, as seen in the extensive records kept over the years. Hard work kept the Ashford tribes from remaining stagnant, though their failing bones were always tended to by shamans of resolute proficiency. The use of their poultices and potions would treat most ailments, preserving their blood. Twisted limbs were turned anew, healing the sick and treating the diseased with pure resolve. The dukes of old would be examined by physicians before all vital moments of their lives, and were especially important as the caretakers of the sons of Vydra. Physicians would be expected to keep all in good health, further proving the continued existence of the Druscans as one with merit and fortitude.

THE CHAPLAIN | Within the secular walls of Waldemer, the Chaplain, appointed by grace of the Lord of the Castle, often in friendship with the clerically-assigned priests of the land, is lauded by all, most especially the Vydric Brothers and the penitent pious ladies of Ashford, who hold his word in highest esteem for the making of decisions and schemes for life. As the Ashfords have a long history with canonism, including the many pontiffs and holy orders erected by the aid of the ancients and modern, the Chaplain exists as a looming reminder of their connection to the faith, and is reverenced and heeded in many places where he might otherwise not be elsewhere. By his administering of the many rites that occur within the Castle, he is also expected to form amicable relations with all persons who reside within Waldemer’s walls.

Those wishing to fill one of the described positions should send a letter promptly to Lady Rosceline de Rouen. Therein should be described which position they wish to apply for and any previous experience with the subject, if applicable. If it is decided that the Lady shall follow through with an interview, the applicant shall travel to the Castle Waldemer post haste for a personal meeting. All applicants are welcome and afforded the protection of the Godstead.

 

Spoiler

Please dm either amyselia or alexitexy on discord afterwards to make sure we're aware that a letter was sent!

[kraltan raider 71]

*attempts to enter the castle. Forcefully.

[Toffee 2843]

Spoiler

+1 for the beautiful formatting