Guacamou

It was a peaceful night, the laughters of the nearby tavern echoed faintly in the street, a small robotic wolf asleep in front of a quiet door. Inside, a man wept alone. He could not help but feel like he failed Heimweh. Failed to save her, failed to free her form her curse. The sadness that was concealed for years was let out freely that night, and in the following days would come the meager relief to know that his little girl's suffering had, at last, come to an end.

It was thirty-one years ago. The Emperor of Man, Tiberias I, held his first Imperial court in Graense’s palace. Before an assembly of many subjects of His Imperial Majesty, Redgar Kildrakken had been called to kneel. For his service, for his martial prowess and for the honor he upheld, he had been intronized in the Imperial order of the Red Dragon, as Knight-aspirant. Five years later, in the council meeting room, Redgar knelt once more. The Emperor’s mace, imbued in Malchediael’s holy flames, touched both of the Aspirant’s plated shoulders. There, Sir Redgar Kildrakken arose, as one of the first Golden Dragon knights. A man that came from nothing, an orphan who had to leave his home, now being granted one of the highest honors a soldier could dream of. Pride and gratitude filled the Dragon knight’s heart, far from imagining he would end up deserting his order, twenty-five years later. “Bring me four innocent elves, and kill them.” When Hadrian spoke those words, Redgar froze. It took him a moment to come back to his senses, pushed out of the Imperial palace by his friend Sir Severin and the Grand Knight. They rode to Caurost, along with a force of guardsmen, to answer the Emperor’s bloodlust. Voices echoed in the elven city’s main square. After an argument, the order to seize four of the Caurosian elves was given. Three dwarves stood nearby and one of them spoke up, trying to de-escalate the situation, in vain. “Sir Redgar, kill the dwarf” As Sir Honeywine gave the order, Redgar remained still on his horse. Impossible for him to move nor to speak, he merely shut his eyes close as the Grand Knight decided to act, slaughtering the defenseless dwarves in front of him. On the ride back home, Redgar felt miserable. They had just murdered three innocent civilians. Without any reason. The knight had seen the despair caused by darkspawns and their attacks. The deaths, the carnages, without any purpose. Yet, on this day, what made the Dragon Knights any different than them ? “At least, darkspawns sometimes show mercy. We did naye.” He muttered, as the group of black armored figures rode closer to Rittensburg. Concerns were brought up after those events, many men in the Imperium’s military questioning the orders of their Emperor. They were met with threats, and blades under their necks. Redgar could have sold his soul. He could have kept his mouth and eyes shut to live in blissful ignorance of the Empire’s crimes, while keeping the comfort of his rank. But he refused to. And so, heart filled with regret, he abandoned the realm he had served for over thirty years, leaving behind shattered dreams and an empty house. Things quickly got complicated for the now fugitive man. The Emperor’s missive had proved effective in hindering Redgar’s plans, scaring away people who could have helped him. The man thought of acting with honor, he thought of answering Hadrian’s call. But, what purpose was there, in offering honor to people who, in his eyes, lacked any ? Few know what happened exactly. Did someone betray Redgar ? Did Imperial soldiers hunt him down successfully ? Or, was it all part of his plan ? Only one thing was certain, as his head was brought to the Imperium. Redgar Kildrakken was no more. In the basement of an old friend’s house, where Redgar hid for months, was a drawer filled with letters. He had tasked his friend to mail them, would things go poorly. And so, many birds flew around, carrying Redgar’s words to those he was closest to.

"Yet an other missive mentionin' me ? What, am A famous or somethin' now ?" Redgar chuckled. He had been hiding in the same basement for three weeks now, every paper brought to him a welcome entertainement. Yet, as he read the missive, a frown appeared on the man's face. "Do they really believe we'll join them ? A despise what the empire 'as become, but A also despise their enemies." The seasoned Templar sighed. He knew their decision to desert would cause some noise, but he didn't expect that much. "All A want is peace, now."

Redgar could not help but chuckle as the news of the Emperor's call were brought to him "Did 'Oneywine forget to tell ye, he threatened to kill me when A tried my shot at speaking, 'Adrian ?" The veteran shook his head. The preparatives for his new life, far from conflict, were moving to a satisfying pace. "A shall naye give ye the occasion of executin' me. Ye will have to earn my head, if ye are truely convinced of my wrongdoin's."

Redgar Kildrakken learned the news, a paper brought to him inside the basement where he hid. A week had passed since the former Imperial Dragon knight had sent his own resignation letter to the Grand Knight. "I'm proud of ye, Khaleed. Ye became a great man, and t'is a further proof of it." He sighed then "Good luck to us, and t'ose who'll leave in the near future. We'll need it."

Cedric would grin as he read the missive "Can't believe this fool made it" He spoke to himself. The Rhoswald was happy for his (slightly) younger brother, yet he knew his family would now feel more entitled to push him towards wedding as well.

The Holy Empire of Man is intended as a place for all honest children of God to live in peace and tranquility. And so, for us who swore to serve the Imperial Crown and its subjects, it is our duty to track and eliminate evil’s servants who seek to disturb our peace. Otto, a man who lived on our soil, has been revealed to be a vampire. If his true nature was not already enough to justify its death, this evil filth has also committed several crimes in the Empire : ✠ Corrupting of two citizens with its vampyric curse ✠ Murder of an innocent and defenseless man Therefore, the Imperial Chapter of the Gold Dragon offers 500 minas for the capture or execution of Otto. Additionally, any information offered that would help locating the vampire shall be rewarded. Send a bird to Sir Redgar Kildrakken to share any piece of information you deem useful. In his descendant form, Otto would look like a regular man, blue eyes and red-orange hair, last seen with a mustache and a goatee. Only his pale skin betrays its true nature. He has also been found wearing dark-red plate armor and wielding a broadsword. Be warned, This vampire is no ordinary one. It appears to be stronger than its kind, can transform into a beast-like creature, it bears no weakness to salt, and its body can violently explode with flame exposure. We heavily advise anyone to avoid facing this foe alone, seek reinforcements first. We know that Otto has been in contact with citizens of the Empire. To those we bid, come forward, share information on the vampire filth, and you shall be rewarded. Needless to remind, any who would be found withholding information on the matter, or worse helping the darkspawn, would have to answer Imperial justice and be judged for their crime. Finally, I shall address you, Otto. I have witnessed with my own eye the despair and the misery you have caused, the lives you have ruined. Your very existence is a bane to this world, and I will cleanse it. Would the remorse of the destruction you have spread become insufferable to you, come seek me, my blade shall free your wretched soul. Sir Redgar Kildrakken, The Flamefed Hero Knight of the Golden Dragon Kaptain of the Imperial Guard

Name: Redgar Kildrakken Affiliation: Burgundian Army Relevant Titles or Aliases: N/A