DogWithABanana

Estmund found himself frozen before a wall of KRETZENFEST posters. Panting, He falls to his knees and starts ripping off his shirt piece by piece with a white-knuckle grip. He holds the rags up towards the sky, crying out... with joy. "I LOVE KRETZEN FEEEEEESSSST!"

Alone in the gardens, Estmund sat upon a table amongst the palace roses. He nursed a glass of wine when he heard the sound of footsteps. Frederica's golden hair gleamed off the day's sun, her faint smile cresting her presence. Her grace and poise kept her an upright beacon. Her eyes made people feel worthy. Her voice was soothing and welcoming, and one of family she spoke a warm greeting. Estmund needed only to blink again, and Frederica was gone. The bells rang high in the distance over the city of Kretzen, and Estmund took a swig of his cup. Alone in the gardens.

The winter air breezed. The cold bite of night nipped at Estmund's fingertips as he held a letter that had arrived to him late into the evening. His wife and children were sleeping soundly in the rooms behind him as he stood at the precipice of the manor's balcony overlooking the entire city of Kretzen. He rubs his bruised shoulders and neck as he is briefly brought back with a flash to the battle just days before. Through the bustle, Estmund only caught a glimpse of Isolde's body being taken away. He only stood there, sword lowered, and muttered prayers non-stop. He opens the letter and finds it to be Isolde's will. Teardrops wet the parchment as his trembling hands hit the stony surface of the balcony's railing. Tears streamed between his fingers as he clutched his face twisted with grief. It had felt like all accumulated had suddenly fallen upon his shoulders, a delayed reaction. His face burned and the cold nipped at his nose and cheeks. Sobbing into the night.

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DAS AUSLIEFERUNG EDIKT | THE EXTRADITION EDICT In the year of our Lord 2006 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, IN INTEREST OF DIPLOMACY, the Landtag must enact procedures and definitions for existing extradition agreements. Definition of Fugitive An individual who commits a crime of wrongdoing against Reinmar and her people as defined by the Kanun and adjudicated by the final word of the Lawspeaker who has left the boundaries of Reinmaren territory. Definition of Jurisdiction A land where a body of law like the Kanun or other stands. This includes the land of the tribe of Reinmar or other tribes or kingdoms. Definition of Authorized Officials The Fürsten, the Lawspeaker of Reinmar, the Bailiff of Reinmar, and their delegates are granted the authority to discuss extradition transfers with foreigners if a known foreign fugitive is in custody. Sharing Information Authorized tribesmen will be sent to other realms that have extradition agreements and they are to share updated lists of fugitives in Reinmar and receive updated lists of fugitives from the realm in question. Proper delegates of the other realm must share this information and host these transfers, otherwise anyone not of the proper position shall not be recognized. Receiving Fugitives When a foreign delegation arrives with a known fugitive to hand over, an authorized official must be notified of said fugitive and of the name of the delegation leader. The fugitive will then be held in custody until the Lawspeaker makes a decision proceeding the matter. Transferring Fugitives The fugitive of another realm must be held in custody if identified and confirmed. Once held, the concerned realm’s officers will be notified to schedule a transfer or to defer further action. If there is no reply in the next two Saint’s weeks the fugitive must be released if not already a criminal of Reinmar. Dispute Resolution Fugitives wanted in two or more realms shall be held in custody until delegations from the realms arrive to concur in a meeting. If only one jurisdiction replies within the span of two Saint’s weeks, the fugitive will be transferred to the sole communicator and the issue considered settled. This meeting will include the Fürsten, and the Lawspeaker, with the delegates, to discuss the severity of the crimes. With circumstances of political and diplomatic weight factoring into the final decision of the Fürsten as a diplomatic matter. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER of REINMAR, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, GEEHRTE OF REINMAR

REINMAREN MOOT, 2004 DER WAHL DER GESETZMANN | THE ELECTION FOR LAWMEN Issued by the Lawspeaker of Reinmar In the year of our Lord 2004 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, WITH A DIFFERENT LAWSPEAKER, comes new terms for the Lawmen of the moot. Lawman Estmund von Ehrenwald having been elected to the higher office of Lawspeaker in respect to the late Princess Adalfriede’s wishes, and the other Lawman, Hauptmann Isolde von Kanunsberg reaching the natural end of their term. Thus, an election for new and fresh Lawmen is called to take their place and bring Reinmar forward. We first thank Hauptmann Isolde von Kanunsberg for their service as a Lawman and pray for them proper recompense for their efforts in duty. In the Landtag Assembly of 2004, for the first act as Lawspeaker, Estmund called for an election for the new Lawmen and two names were put forth for nomination as candidates: Unterlandser Adalwin von Kretzen, Geehrte of Reinmar Unterlandser Johann von Reinhurst, Geehrte of Reinmar Both nominees were voted in with no voiced objections or concerns and were thus ratified as Lawmen with their due authority and responsibilities. May Gott help them. After the elections, the floor of the moot was left open to those seated to put forth their proposals. Adelmar von Kanunsberg spoke up with two: First, an act to enforce by law traditional clothing to be worn in moots thereafter with omission being punished by Weregild. Within the act, the establishment of the position of Warder: To steward the moot hall and those seated with drinks and food To record attendance by maintenance and brandishing of a cedar stick To record votes on an act by usage of a carving pillar Enforce the traditions of etiquette and fashion amongst the seated with the aforementioned cedar stick Refusing entry to those without the privilege of entering the moot hall with the aforementioned cedar stick The Warder is to be unilaterally appointed by the Lawspeaker. Second, an act to enforce by law upon the families of Reinmar to uphold and enact the rites for those who have died among them. By law, it would be disrespectful to leave a body unburied and not given its proper rites. Disrespect of the body and failure to uphold the reverence of the rites of the dead are punishable with a weregild. Specific punishments are by the discretion of the Lawspeaker and so too are the duties of enforcing these punishments through or without the Bailiff of Reinmar. Both proposals were set to a vote and both edicts were passed unanimously despite rancorous debate. Both edicts have passed into law by mandate of the Landtag. Thus the Kanun be amended accordingly. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER of REINMAR, LOREMASTER of the HEATHER COURT, GEEHRTE of REINMAR

PROPOSED BY ADELMAR Issued by Estmund, Lawspeaker of Reinmar In the year of our Lord, 2004 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, Let it be known, that Adelmar the skald and farmer brings before the tribe a law to be added to the Kanun into Chapter III, Book One of the Grand Kanun: Wrongdoings. XI. ON DISHONOURING OF THE DEAD It is said among the Reinmaren: “The earth knows no peace where bones are cast without prayer, and the hills wail when the dead are forgotten.” Let this be the Kanun’s judgment: that to abandon one’s kin to an unmarked grave is to strike the very soul of the tribe and draw the ire of Gott, who holds dominion over the living and the dead alike. The dead cry out for remembrance, and it is the duty of the living to answer. Let none among the Reinmaren leave their fallen untended, lest they bring shame upon their house and sorrow upon their line. XI.II. THE FAMILY’S BURDEN Let the family of the deceased undertake the rites with diligence and reverence, as the first keepers of their memory. They shall cleanse the body, offer prayers to Gott, and recount the deeds of the departed so that their name endures among the tribe. If the family fails in this, be it through folly, strife, or willful dishonor, the Kanun declares that their negligence shall not stand. The princely household shall assume the rites, preserving the honor of the departed and the tribe alike. XI.III. ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISHONOR It is said: “The ground that holds an unhonored dead burns cold, and the tribe that buries shame shall reap ruin.” Should a family refuse their sacred duty out of spite or dishonor, they shall be named accursed by the Kanun. The head of such a family shall render a payment of silver to the princely household, and their name shall be inscribed among the annals of shame, to remain until they perform penance and seek the absolution of Gott and their kin. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER OF REINMAR, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, AND GEEHRTE OF REINMAR

PROPOSED BY ADELMAR Issued by Estmund, Lawspeaker of Reinmar In the year of our Lord, 2004 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, Let it be known, that Adelmar the skald and farmer brings before the tribe a law to be added to the Kanun. I. ON THE WEARING OF ATTIRE “A man who forsakes the garb of his tribe is like a bird without feathers; he is neither beast nor sky-bound.” So says the Kanun: the Reinmaren must clothe themselves in the symbols of their blood and station, for attire speaks not only of the man but of the unity of the tribe. To neglect this duty is to invite disorder into the Moot and dishonor upon one’s house. Let it be known: Every tribesman must don a green cloak, signifying their bond to the Reinmaren kin. Every tribesman must wear a linen cap bearing the colors of their household, declaring the house to which they belong. Every warrior must bear a fur arming cap, marking their readiness to defend the tribe. Every geehrtes must adorn a felt-and-fur cap, honoring their station among the esteemed. Every chieftain must crown themselves with a coronet of silk, reflecting their charge over their kin. The Princess shall bear the weight of her crown, symbol of her sacred duty to the tribes. Let the Moot be a place of reverence, where all attire shines with the dignity of our forebears. II. ON THE CREATION OF THE WARDER OF THE MOOT “When the hall is without order, the hearth burns cold.” So commands the Kanun: let there be one among the tribe, entrusted with the dignity of the Moot, who shall bear the title of Warder of the Moot. His charge shall be to ensure that the customs of the tribes are upheld, and that none enter the Moot in disregard of their station. III. DUTIES OF THE WARDER The Warder of the Moot shall stand before the door of the Moot Hall, barring the way with a stick of cedar, carved with the mark order and unity. None may pass until the Warder has examined their attire and declared them in accordance with the Kanun. At the gathering of the Moot, the Warder shall ensure that all tribesmen are seated according to their rank, their garb reflecting their station. When the Lawspeaker enters, the Warder shall strike the cedar stick upon the ground and command the Moot to rise, saying: “Stand for the Kanun!” The Warder shall oversee the Moot Hall’s upkeep, ensuring its banners are clean, its hearth lit, and its sanctity preserved. The Warder shall make record of those who defy the Kanun’s attire, and they shall be brought to justice before the Lawspeaker at the next Moot. Let the Warder also be known as the host of that Moot. And as a host is bound onto his guest, let the Warder be responsible for the treatment of the tribesmen of the Moot as hallowed guests. So says the Kanun: The Warder must provide for every Moot twenty two alehorns of beer, and of meat to feast. IV. PUNISHMENT FOR DISREGARDING ATTIRE “A man who enters the Moot in defiance of his station is like a wolf in sheep’s wool, gnawing at the tribe’s harmony.” Let it be known: any who appear at the Moot without the attire prescribed by the Kanun shall be fined one ox’s worth in silver and shall be denied voice in the Moot until they comply. Should they persist, their name shall be marked in the annals of shame, and their kin shall bear the stain of their dishonor. Thus speaks the Kanun: the Warder of the Moot shall guard the dignity of the hall and the unity of the tribe, as ordained by Gott and our forebears. Let none take their station lightly, for the tribe stands strongest when its people stand in honor. V. ON MARKING “Whence a man of the tribe visits a neighbor, he lets out a call. Whence he visits the woods, he marks upon the tree where his feet had touched the soil.” So says the Kanun, when a tribesman attends the Moot, he shall stand in kindred spirit with his tribesmen, and make his presence known. Let who steps forth into the Moot make a mark upon the cedar stick of the Warder of the Moot a rune with his seax, and let all sessions of the Moot have the corresponding cedar be stored for future to tell tale of attendance. Let those runes listed be the runes to be inscribed upon the cedar of the Warder; 𐌱𐌿 - The Princes of Reinmar 𐌿𐌽 - House Kanunsberg 𐌱𐍂 - House Brandthof 𐍃𐍂 - House Stroheim 𐍃𐍅 - House Sturmweber 𐌺𐍂 - Tribesmen of Kretzen Let the tribesmen also, make a mark upon a pillar within the moothall constructed of cedar wood, corresponding to each matter voted upon, and make tally of their votes, that the pillars may be elevated in the Ferdenwald to count the votes of past matters. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, LAWSPEAKER OF REINMAR, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, AND GEEHRTE OF REINMAR

Frozen, Estmund could only slowly close the door in the face of the messenger. As he turned around with shock-open eyes. His lips were left ajar, then trembling. He clutches his mouth to muffle his sobs as he crumples against the door. He soon had to tell Rosalyn the news himself.

DER THE LOREMASTER’S CIRCLE DER LEHRMEISTER-KREIS | THE LOREMASTER’S CIRCLE Issued by Loremaster of the Heather Court In the year of our Lord 1995 ÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR, SINCE THE HEATHER COURT’S CONCEPTION, the royal prerogative of the preservation of Reinmaren culture remains strong. The court stands as a beacon of our civilization by its austere practices of long-held tradition from the times of yore, reaching back to the times of Theodric and Gelimar. The court has upheld with persistent duty the health and prevalence of the Reinmaren way of life since its formation. These efforts are most significant for the role of the Loremaster and their circle by the direction of the Fürstin and their Seneschal. The role of Loremaster was once called the Governor/Governess. The Loremaster’s circle appreciates and records happenings of history through song and stone. The crafts of a skald and shqiptar consolidate to become an ever-evolving medium of art iconic of Reinmar. With the vision of a surviving culture and tradition beyond the years of today and beyond, the Circle carries the mission dutifully so that all people willing may hear, heed, and learn. HISTORY “For when our voices die, let the stones sing for us.” Faded Runestone, (Unknown Date; Approximately over 200 years) A skald provides wisdom through an ancient story of battle to his Chieftain Since and before the times of the tribes of Theodric and Gelimar, oral storytelling was a tool of survival and unity. Showcasing virtues that promote family and camaraderie, whilst also soothing grieving hearts after battle or winter. Stories of great achievements of warriors increased the prestige of who is titular in the song, and Chieftains promoted themselves by appointing skalds to sing their praises. Skalds were chosen among the common men in these times, as most men, as hale as they were to be expected, were also expected to be orators in the gathering halls, able to sing an encouraging ditty. Men who could do so were most often adorned with the respect of their fellow warriors. The wives and women of the tribes played an enriching and solidifying role in the tradition, singing songs of their own, playing and teaching instruments to the youngs of the tribe who would grow up in the environment. In times of war, though some women were also warriors and shieldmaidens, others would also be the last line of defense as they stayed home to care for their maternal duties, and carry on the souls and memories of their fallen through stories retold. To their own children, or to the children of their captors. Popularly believed, women may have also begun the tradition of runecarving. A man’s voice was seen to be the more powerful and austere carrier of stories. Though when away for raids or wars, there would be less or none left to speak. Together as a tribe then, as an act of unity, young and old, women would call the tribe together for a runestone to be erected and carve stories for their warriors to come back to and be welcomed by. Wars and conflicts were fought over stories, claiming the victors would have their stories be grander, or truer. Or to eradicate slander or to promote their stories and claim their tribes the greater and thus demand submission. Men would also often sing and play ballads, though it must be only before his desired woman in private, to gain their affections. Promises of glory shared to her and their future children. And a woman is expected– Nay, obligated to then return their affections or scorn them with rejection, causing this event to be a rarer occurrence. In times of peace, Skalds would compete before their Chieftains and earn the honor and privilege of carving their story immortal upon a stone’s face. When all else failed, wrestling matches would ensue. And so the tradition of storytelling carried on, as winters grew shorter and peacetimes grew longer. Skalds lay in wait with their lyre and chisel, awaiting the next great battle and song. Skalds were points and carriers of pride for themselves, their tribes, their chieftains, and their way of life. Pride was everything and it may still be for some to this day. MODERN ITERATIONS A seneschal briefs her fellow court officers at a meeting With our comparatively evolved civilization and introduction of Canonism into the way of Reinmaren life, the tradition of storytelling through song and stone has found a new incarnation and place in the Heather Court. Though the process has been refined and formalized over the generations, its soul has miraculously been preserved in the core of court proceedings. With Canonistic values and virtues outlining what’s to be more emphasized in nowadays’ stories. A skald was realized as a full position in place of a Chieftain’s household and an apprentice was needed to carry on the talents and skills. Sometimes hereditary but oftentimes not, generations would carry the ways of storytelling and rune carving worth generations already. Enhanced with the technology of parchment, techniques were better recorded and maintained for teaching. Qualities and understandings of the talent became more commonplace and thus standards were raised. Chieftains expected only the best skalds lest their stories be prone to ridicule or loss of credibility. INCUMBENCIES 1968 - 1993 Gertrude Barclay Este Lehrmeisterin | First Loremaster 1993 - Present Estmund von Ehrenwald Zweite Lehrmeister | Second Loremaster Heidehof-Offizier THE CIRCLE: IN-DEPTH To keep the Reinmaren cultural tradition of teaching alive, two apprentices of a Chieftain’s Skald would be undertaken. Both apprentices would start on separate sides of the practice. One would focus upon performances of stories, whilst the other would focus upon the writing of runic script upon stone and parchment. Over time, the roles of the apprentices evolved into their own formal positions, giving the best of both fields underneath a unitary role who would be an elder-adept in both. The Loremaster learns and heeds advice from their subordinate posts of Runesinger and Runekeeper, and in turn maintains a quality of lore for there to be written and sung about. LOREMASTER By direction of the Fürstin and Seneschal of the Heather Court, the Loremaster applies and adheres to law surrounding education within Reinmar. Their duty is to maintain a source and environment for learning that parents and elders may draw inspiration or knowledge from to disseminate to their children and wards. Various facets of Reinmaren life are touched upon and cataloged by the Loremaster including but not limited to: traditional history, etiquette, and cultural practices. Additionally, techniques of shqiptars on their crafts, and the philosophies of life, death, and struggle. In collaboration with the Court Chaplain: Reinmaren-Canonistic values are also promoted in everyday learnings. Though only members of the clergy may rightfully teach on matters of religion. According to law set by Das Bildungsedikt | The Education Edict, the tenets of learning, as in topics and their priorities are already set with History set at the very top. On that principle, it’s the Loremaster’s responsibility to see that historical accuracy must always be struck in the most truthful light and that deliberate twistings of history must be corrected valiantly. The Loremaster enforces other manners of the edict by their authority on knowledge and teaching. Seeing that wards underneath the court are taught properly by also hiring specialized tutors in their fields of expertise. Still, parents hold the foremost duty and precedence in the education of their children. Though there shall be no recognition of a curriculum as dictated by law, nor shall there be a dedicated schoolhouse, the Loremaster ensures the proper areas where education may take place. A runestone circle for learnings upon runic script, for example. RUNESINGER Historically, the original manifestation of the Loremaster. Tasked with utilizing their charisma and voice to spread knowledge through entertaining performances that hopefully stay within the viewers’ hearts with lasting morals derived from the story’s lessons. They have the prerogative to organize performances at the relevant runestone. And to keep the practice of stories alive and present with their performances. A runesinger's voice must be respected and left unobstructed as they speak of sacred history, then applauded when proper diligence is provided in the performance, moving the hearts and minds of the audience. When bodies are deemed to be moved, a runesinger dances, accompanied by supporting musicians or instruments played by the runesinger themselves including the drums for the beat and a mouth harp for its mystical sounds. Current Runesinger: 1994 - Present Adelmar von Kanunsberg RUNEKEEPER Revered with diligence and intelligence, the Runekeeper rather speaks with their chisel and quill instead of their voice. Creating inaudible music upon the face of stone with shapes and scripts achieved by an aesthetic honed by only the most refined of techniques. They learn all parts of runic script to teach to others, all whilst practically living in the runestone circle, expanding the numbers of runestones and maintaining the ancient ones with transcriptions and copies upon plaques to be stored away. The Runekeeper was the first apprentice to be undertaken, as it was believed that to perform a story so wholeheartedly, one must understand the script within and without fully. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET HIS EXCELLENCY, ESTMUND von EHRENWALD, PRINCELY HERALD, LOREMASTER OF THE HEATHER COURT, LAWMAN & GEEHRTE OF REINMAR REFERENCES The Formation of the Heather Court, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald and HRH Frederica Barclay (1968) Officers of the Heather Court, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald and HRH Frederica Barclay (1968) The Education Edict, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald and HRH Frederica Barclay (1975) The Grand Kanun of Reinmar, HE Robert Stroheim (1988) The Reinmaren Woman, HRH Adalfriede von Hexenwald (1974)

"For Reinmar! For the Canondom!" Estmund stomps with the other members of the moot in their loud support. Later, town criers hired by Estmund would roam the streets spreading the news and copies of the missive.

After first seeing this at the moot, much later Estmund finds a copy to scrawl over in the City of Kretzen's Library, hunched over a desk by the lights of multiple candles. He prepares a notebook on the side, outlining and scrawling notes of pertinent details as he studied.

Estmund clapped for the performance, of which he thought was quite lovely.

"By God, he was that old?" Estmund read the missive before sighing and signing the Lorraine cross. "Rest in peace." He sets the missive aside and sips wine from his chalice.

Estmund received a letter post-haste. One side decorated with the large letterings of WHERE. He raises it in a better light to read its contents then finally smile at the stamped symbol. He appreciates it by eye before putting the letter down. "Cingedoz..." He says aloud then muses. "I should host an expedition." He grabs his coat and leaves for a cartography shoppe.

On Reinmaren Runekeeping by Estmund von Ehrenwald To Rosalyn, My Rose. “I make this Schwur. That I plan to have not only my creations last longer than us, but our lessons and traditions of the trade persist as well. Including the art of runecarving.” ~ Tribesman Estmund von Ehrenwald at the Reinmaren Moot of Saint's Week 1988 Recollection A diegesis of a memory, separate from the book. A depiction of an earlier erected runestone, inspiration for Estmund's start in Runekeeping. It was light after dawn, the sky a dull blue as cold air hovered high with the pines and scented low with the dewy grass, wooden wheels ground against dirt and stone as it creaked its way through the trees. There was a storm in the distance, serene rumblings of thunder rolled over. Estmund preferred to walk in the mornings, flanking a cart carrying a heavy load of stones. "Here," He calls to the driver and points, "Have the cart by the stone." They had just arrived to one of the many runestones Estmund had traced along in a route. A planned pilgrimage of sorts of structures venerating tales of yore. The structure stood before them tall and vigil, testament to ancient story tellers' works. For when our voices fail, let the earth speak for us. Estmund thought to himself, resting a hand upon its cool, mossy surface. His thumbs brush gently against its carved writings to clear its font for legibility. This stone spoke of an ancient marriage between a warrior, Wulfnoð, and his wife, Bealdhild, for whom he battled seven men who had wronged her honour. Estmund produces a small book and quill, transcribing the stone by eye. Its runes running along its shape and size. A depiction of Wulfnoð fearlessly confronting an adversary in front of his entourage. "ᛞᚨᚢᚷᚺᛏᛖᚱ ᛏᛟ ᚨ ᚹᚨᚱᚱᛟᚱ-ᚲᚺᛁᛖᚠᛏᚨᛁᚾ, ᛊᚺᛖ ᚹᚨᛊ ᛞᛖᛊᛁᚱᛖᛞ ᛒᛁ ᛖᛁᚷᚺᛏ ᛗᛖᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛞᛁᚠᚠᛖᚱᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᚱᛁᛒᛖᛊ. ᚨᛚᛚ ᚹᛖᚱᛖ ᚺᚨᛚᛖ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛟᚠ ᛊᛏᚱᛖᛜᚦ, ᚲᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᚠᚨᛊᛏ-ᚱᛁᛞᛖ ᚺᛟᚱᛊᛖᛊ, ᚨᚾᛞ ᚱᚨᛁᛊᛖ ᛊᚺᛁᛖᛚᛞ ᚹᚨᛚᛚᛊ. ᛒᛖᛚᛞᚺᛁᛚᛞ ᚹᚨᛊ ᛒᛖᚢᛏᛁᚠᚢᛚ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚹᛁᛊᛖ ᛒᛖᛁᛟᚾᛞ ᚺᛖᚱ ᛁᛖᚱᛊ, ᚨᛒᛟᚢᚾᛞ ᚹᛁᚦ ᚲᚺᛟᛁᚲᛖ, ᛊᚺᛖ ᛊᛟᚢᚷᚺᛏ ᚦᛖ ᛒᛖᛊᛏ ᚷᚱᛟᛟᛗ ᚨᛗᛟᛜᛊᛏ ᚦᛖᛗ. ᛊᚺᛖ ᚠᛟᚢᚾᛞ ᚹᚢᛚᚠᚾᛟᚦ ᛊᛏᚱᛟᛜ ᛁᚾ ᛒᛟᛞᛁ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚺᛖᚱᛏ, ᚺᛁᛊ ᚹᚨᚱᛗᚦ ᛏᛟᚹᚨᚱᛞᛊ ᚺᛖᚱ ᚨᚲᛁᚾ ᛏᛟ ᚨ ᚺᛖᚱᚦ ᚨᛏ ᚹᛁᚾᛏᛖᚱ. ᛊᚲᛟᚱᚾᛖᛞ ᛒᛁ ᚺᛖᚱ ᚲᚺᛟᛁᚲᛖ, ᚦᛖ ᛟᚦᛖᚱ ᛊᛖᚢᛖᚾ ᛗᛖᚾ ᛏᚢᚱᚾᛖᛞ ᚦᛖᛁᚱ ᛒᚨᚲᚲᛊ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚲᚱᛖᛖᛞᛖᛞ ᛏᛟᚷᛖᚦᛖᚱ, ᛊᛈᛁᛏᛁᛜ ᛒᛖᛚᛞᚺᛁᛚᛞ ᚹᛁᚦ ᚱᚢᛗᛟᚱᛊ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛚᛁᛖᛊ. ᛖᚾᚱᚨᚷᛖᛞ ᛚᛁᚲᛖ ᚨ ᚱᛟᚨᚱᛁᛜ ᚠᛁᚱᛖ, ᚹᚢᛚᚠᚾᛟᚦ ᛊᛟᚢᚷᚺᛏ ᛖᚲᚺ ᛗᚨᚾ ᛟᚾᛖ ᛒᛁ ᛟᚾᛖ, ᛒᛖᛊᛏᛁᛜ ᚦᛖᛗ ᛖᚲᚺ ᛁᚾ ᚨᚾ ᚺᛟᚾᛟᚱ-ᛞᚢᛖᛚ, ᛖᚲᛊᛏᚱᚨᚲᛏᛁᛜ ᛈᚱᛁᚲᛖᛊ ᚠᚱᛟᛗ ᛖᚲᚺ ᛟᚾᛖ. ᚢᚾᛏᛁᛚ ᚦᛖ ᛊᛖᚢᛖᚾᚦ ᛗᚨᚾ, ᚹᚺᛟᛗ ᚺᚨᛞ ᚠᚨᛏᚨᛚᛚᛁ ᚹᛟᚢᚾᛞᛖᛞ ᚹᚢᛚᚠᚾᛟᚦ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚹᚨᛊ ᚲᛁᛚᛚᛖᛞ ᛁᚾ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ. ᚹᚢᛚᚠᚾᛟᚦ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾᛖᛞ ᚺᛟᛗᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛒᛖᛚᛞᚺᛁᛚᛞ, ᚺᛖᚱ ᛞᛁᚷᚾᛁᛏᛁ ᚱᛖᛊᛏᛟᚱᛖᛞ. ᚺᛖ ᛈᚨᛊᛊᛖᛞ ᛟᚾ ᚺᛁᛊ ᛊᛈᛖᚱ ᛏᛟ ᚺᛖᚱ, ᛒᛖᚠᛟᚱᛖ ᚺᛁᛊ ᛊᛈᛁᚱᛁᛏ ᛈᚨᛊᛊᛖᛞ ᛟᚾ ᚨᛊ ᚹᛖᛚᛚ. ᛒᛖᛚᛞᚺᛁᛚᛞ ᚺᚨᛞ ᚱᚨᛁᛊᛖᛞ ᚦᛁᛊ ᚱᚢᚾᛖᛊᛏᛟᚾᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛈᚱᚨᛁᛊᛖ ᚺᛖᚱ ᛚᚨᛏᛖ ᚺᚢᛊᛒᚨᚾᛞ×ᛊ ᚨᛈᛈᛖᛊᛖᛗᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛞᚢᛏᛁ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚺᛟᚾᛟᚱ. ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚺᛖ ᛒᛖ ᚱᛖᛗᛖᛗᛒᛖᚱᛖᛞ, ᚨᚾᛞ ᚦᛟᛊᛖ ᛞᛁᛊᚺᛟᚾᛟᚱᚨᛒᛚᛖ ᛗᚨᛁ ᚾᛟᛏ." To which he then translates: "Daughter to a Warrior-Chieftain, she was desired by eight men of different tribes. All were hale and of strength, could fast-ride horses, and raise shield walls. Bealdhild was beautiful and wise beyond her years, abound with choice, she sought the best groom amongst them. She found Wulfnoð strong in body and heart, his warmth towards her akin to a hearth at winter. Scorned by her choice, the other seven men turned their backs and creeded together, spiting Bealdhild with rumors and lies. Enraged like a roaring fire, Wulfnoð sought each man one by one, besting them each in an honor-duel, extracting prices from each one. Until the seventh man, whom had fatally wounded Wulfnoð and was killed in return. Wulfnoð returned home to Bealdhild, her dignity restored. He passed on his spear to her, before his spirit passed on as well. Bealdhild had raised this runestone to praise her late husband's appeasement to duty and honor. That he be remembered, and those dishonorable may not." "Is it a good one this time, Meister?" The young son of the driver approaches. Estmund turns his head from his book and smiles, "Yes, we'll be staying the night for this one. Let's set up." In the ambience of history, Estmund laid camp through the day into the dark night, writing throughout the night by lantern and campfire light, in both common and modern Reinmaren runes. He breathed it all in, he could feel and imagine the spirits of those who had walked the path he sat upon before. As if he could only raise his head to see the men who raised this stone by rope and muscle, and that he could even see Bealdhild standing spectacle to this. All of this in the dark, before his imagination fades and he returns to writing. "Will you be able to read it to us tonight, Meister?" The young boy sat by the fire next to Estmund, hugging his knees to himself with dirtied hands. He had assisted them throughout the day in loading practice stones for Estmund to recreate the carving techniques he observes and theorizes. Estmund didn't spare to lift his tired eyes from his pages. He sips from a wineskin and shakes his head, "I'm sorry, child. It's a large one this time. Perhaps in the morning." "Isn't this our last one?" The boy asked, Estmund nodded in reply and silence between them returned alongside the quiet crackle of fire. "Why?" Estmund would break the silence, "Prefer there to be more?" He asked. The boy replied, "It's hard work, sir. But I always look forward to your stories." Estmund shook his head again, "These aren't my stories, remember that young one." – "They're stories I have the honor of keeping remembered by the world. These stones last generations and may outlast you. It's their stories." "But why upon stone? Why not paper?" The boy asked. Estmund replied, "Because it's tradition, we Reinmaren must uphold tradition, it is our culture. It is who we are. What was wanted of us by our ancestors, whom we must venerate at any opportunity." The boy enraptured, gave a wide gawp of a smile before uttering, "What?" Estmund realized he was in a moment of passion, his hands found raised during his speech. He lowers them before clearing his throat, "Can you read, boy?" Estmund asked. The boy shook his head. "Would you like to be taught how to read?" Estmund asked. The boy nodded. Estmund leaned forth, "Well, I can teach you then." He said, then raising a finger. "But only on one condition. Perhaps you try your hand in what I'm doing too. And perhaps you can retell stories on your own, and then someday make your own." He then smiled, "Doesn't that sound like a plan?" Learnings An excerpt from "On Reinmaren Runekeeping", by Estmund von Ehrenwald. INTRODUCTION On this day of Sigismund's End of the Year of our Lord 1990, I've returned to home, warmth, and family from a long journey of a series of journeys. Pilgrimages of the land to learn about the tradition of Reinmaren and Waldenian methods of teaching and storytelling. Most held sacred was the art of Runekeeping. Raising large structures of stone in varying shapes and sizes, all meant as an expression from the earth and cemented by effort of mortals to tell a time everlasting story. Each runestone I had visited and found in my travels were carved by heart and soul, each ridge and cut, designs and art preserved upon the faces of the stone, embedded with spiritual fervor that you could imbibe out of the air. These studies have taken years of my life, and I sometimes feel I haven't even scratched the surface of anything in this field of knowledge. I fear that it either may be lost to time, or there are limits to pages and knowledge that cannot be put to words. But we can simply say this: There need be nothing more for the raising of runestones besides heart, strength, and stone. The writing of runes is just another voice of an array our great Lord has given us as choices. We must preserve these choices for long our generations to come, as these are roots to what and whom we truly are. Living continuations of our ancestors and tribes that live on through all of us. Long as we keep this in mind and sacred. HOW IT IS DONE Part of who we are is our designs, aesthetics, cultures, and traditions. Language, especially, and though not all of us may be as attuned to ancient lexicons as others may be, I encourage its learning as my appreciation of it has raised to astronomical heights. To think our modern language has come from this, "ᚱᛖᛁᚾᛘᚪᚱᛖᚾ ᚪᚾᛞ ᚹᚪᛚᛞᛖᚾᛡᚾ ᛚᚪᛝᚢᚪᚷᛖ". One can see the resemblance with enough comparison by eye. Runestones may be raised and piled by hand, whilst others may work in groups and raise tall spires by rope and pulley of branches. Either are fully acceptable by the earth and spirits. Efforts and heart behind the contents of what is carved into the stone is what truly matters, in my humble opinion. What good is a story if it is half-told? What good is knowledge if it is half-thought? One must also not think too hard on the matter and merely tell a story in the end, the method to this is honesty overall. A lie carved on stone remains a lie and must be treated like poison. For poison can very much poison minds and hearts as it does bodies. Next, the carvings' writings must be written in the third person. The stones reflect our words and retell it for the ages, we must never use or write runestones to elevate our own stories and selves for selfish gain. Accomplishments that uphold values in groups or individuals as epitomes of ideals may be venerated, and that is of different thought than selfishness. Glory of the one is not glory for the whole. But glory for the whole can be glory for one. These carvings may be anywhere upon the stone but depending on shape and size of the structure it is mostly upon wider faces of the rock and stone; some stories extend to or down the sides. Others wrap all the way around. Some structures have words that are tiny enough to cover the structure from its very top to its bottom, that no inch be left empty and uncarved. Several runestones may be placed in close proximity to each other in a designated area. Or they may be isolated in a patch of forest rarely visited. What's important is the meaning of such area to be placed in. Practicality may also have a factor in its chosen area of raising. Be it in a village for all to see, or a site near and dear to those who know its story. Any and all may raise their runestones and must be encouraged as long as it is in good spirit. Lastly, designs of runestones are more vital parts of the runestones that others think not much of. These designs are remnants of who we are not just as warriors but as artisans, shqiptar, and storytellers. There may be geometrical designs, like squares and zags, or rounds like spirals and circles. There could be depictions of flowers, or trees, even animals or people, weapons, and ships. These images may even accompany the written story as a whole in a complementary sense. A heart desiring to express a story may have no problem with intuiting these designs to add to the runestone. A depiction of a site with many runestones, a runekeeper retelling a story of a Chieftain's ancestor. CONCLUSION Runestones are venerations of those past and present yet never the future. Stones that retell stories of us even past when we are all long gone. A method of immortality that our God has blessed us with. So that those that remain will remember us so, remember what truly matters. The lessons and values that we as Reinmaren must uphold to remain who we are as a proud people. This sense of pride and identity is what binds our society together, through strife and tribulations no man lives without his tribe. It has been that tribes after battles and victories would record the history by raising these runestones together in a communal fashion, breeding the sense of tribesmanship we carry today. Its importance will never change, even despite its lessening of practice over the generations. The ideal and practice of Runekeeping remains strong in Reinmar, and that is a testament to who we are in our reverence of tradition and diligence in its preservation. That those who learn of our stories and respect it may come to befriend our tribes, perhaps even join it. And those who do not, oust themselves as incapable of compatibility. Runekeeping is part of the Reinmaren way of life. No person may subvert it, even with the highest effort. WER RASTET, DER ROSTET Authored and Published by Estmund von Ehrenwald, Geehrte of Reinmar Ehrenwald Sigil, "Bewachen Unser Ehre"

At dusk, Estmund swayed uneasily from shock of the news. Missive in hand dropping as he falls against a chair, sinking into its seat. His face now in his hands, quietly weeping. "My Chieftain," He sobs. "My first Chieftain." Reminiscing, raised memories akin to rising into a past brighter sky, brings back a younger, wandering Estmund before Alfred at the gates of Kretzen. Alfred reached out in the vision. "Be welcome," He said, "And prove yourself." And thus. Estmund felt naught but gratitude to the late Alfred. Estmund remained in his chair until the sun had set orange through a windowsill, warming his eyelids. Slowly gazing to it with a reminder. Time passes by with death in its wake, taking a life and gifting a memory.

In the city of Kretzen, Reinmar was a store. It sold original makes of cultural Reinmaren and Waldenian design, attached to two working forges to keep up with local and export demand. Named 'Die Ehren Schmiede' it was owned and managed by its smith, Estmund von Kretzen. Estmund leaves his storefront to deposit a recently made transaction and crosses a busy road to a bank just ahead. He glances at a small cart nearby, being run by one of his apprentices. That cart was where he first began the business. He waves to the apprentice then makes his way into the bank. As he awaited bureaucracy his eye was caught by a poster advertising the Oldfire Forge and apprenticing of such. He turned his head fully and read it to pass the time before his attention was enraptured. 'I've never had a Dwarven master,' he thinks to himself. Although an adept in his own right who had already undergone an apprenticeship. He reminisces on the dwarven accomplishments within the world of smithing. He hurries back and writes a letter.