Change is a good thing, such as the saying goes. Change brings growth, it brings new life, it brings opportunity. But for many in the Weald, things growing, new life emerging, opportunity, these are all dangers. These are all chances for the maliciously fickle nature of the Weald to sweep the soil from beneath your feet and tumble you into darkness.
But these changes can also be boons. As new dangers emerge in the Hunters Gap, so too does the Eisen College of War from slumber. As the Gravetree draws strange fortunes, so too does the hopes of the people of Resinderholz. It is in their hands that these changes will become boons or curses.
Empathy and Expertise Command Respect
Three years ago the Eisen College of War was rebuilt by Baroness Saskia. More than a symbolic action, the reconstruction made use of an opportunity to bring more military might into the ranks of the Greenweald. In the face of a Concordian dawn, the final Barony of the Weald had obligations to defend its new companions and The Bloody Baroness knew this better than most.
In the following years the College did its best to support the Ritters among the Heroic contingent and across Resinderholz. While resources were prevalent, manpower was often wanting. There were rarely enough competent Ritters to take up posts within the College of War, in Havens across the Weald, and in the new Legion of the Blackheart Bear. Regardless of where they marched, Ritters were finding themselves a step late or a step short.
But grit and determination slowly turned the tide. As new Ritters entered into the College for its gruelling two and four year apprenticeships, veteran Ritters returned to the fold. Their numbers grew until, at the turn of 225, they returned to full strength for the first time in more than twenty years. The grounds of The College in Eisen bustle with new apprentices, teachers, and returning Ritters bringing reports from afar. Elsewhere, Ritters take up essential positions in the fighting lines of The Legion of the Blackheart Bear, in mercenary companies ranging far and wide, or advising the Baronial household in matters of war and state.
In the offices of the College discussion is rife, not only with the possibilities available to the Ritters, but also as to leadership. A new Ritter Kaptain must be elected to lead the cohort of sword-sages into the future. It will be their duty to use the combined might of the College to advance Greenwealder skill at arms, to forge a new generation of Ritters into warriors worthy of the title, and defeat the enemies of the Weald at home and abroad.
Game Information
After years in the works, the Eisen College of War has enough Ritters in the Heroic contingent to bring the Guild back into function. Doing so has created the title Ritter Kaptain of the Eisen College of War. This title is open to any fully fledged Ritter from Resinderholz and will be elected on the first night of the Summit.
There will be numerous decisions for the Ritter Kaptain to make regarding the deployment of their powers, the direction of the College, and the role of Ritters in Greenwealder society.
Ritters and their apprentices are expected to report to a Civil Service liaison at the Greenweald Camp at 5pm on Day 1 of the Summit to receive stipends. New information regarding Ritter projects will be provided to the Ritter Kaptain to disperse.
When the Wind Is in the Trees
It’s always so dark in the forest - the sunlight could barely pierce its way through the dense canopy above, and even when it did, it held none of the warmth that it used to. So dark and cold.
Surely, this was the end, after so long? Surely, rest could be reached, after countless days of staring at the same wooded sky, desperate for slumber? Surely, it wouldn’t call for him again?
A heart that used to blaze like the fires in a blacksmith’s forge - strong and stalwart - sat instead like a lump of coal, burnt out, unable to match the sound of marching footsteps as it once had.
But it yearned, even in its sorry state, for what it once was. It called for him to face it, day and night, the embers unending. But he couldn’t - wouldn’t. Why did he have to? Why couldn’t he rest?
No matter how long he closed his eyes, time would not pass any faster for him - there would be no sleep, eternal or otherwise. Every waking second was a lifetime, and each lifetime was an eternity.
So he walked the forest, day and night, desperate for peace. Desperate to shed his armour, never to wear it again. Desperate to sheath his sword, never to cut another down.
He felt the pull.
At first he thought it was Lumos, and it was like seeing the sun after so long in pitch black. So he tried. He tried. From the treeline he beseeched The Setting Sun and The Twilight each evening as the sky over the belltower bloomed in pink and orange. Supplicant, hands clasped, he sobbed, unheard.
And each evening, as the moon rose, ashen in the sky above the tree, he knew it was not Lumos. There was no light there; no hope to be found. Nothing but moonlight glinting off swords new and old, reflecting back what he already knew.
He waited until all was quiet, then knelt before the tree. Gauntleted hand pressed against its trunk, there was no comfort to be offered - no brilliance of mind, nor courage of heart. Just the memory of rolling thunder, and an emptiness in his chest that would not go away, no matter how many times he tried.
Game Information
An unknown figure, clad in armour, has been visiting The Grave Tree in Wolstad almost every night over the past season. Seen by few, the stranger was thought at first to be a mercenary, paying their respects on their way through the city, however their repeated visits have called this into question. When approached, the figure has retreated back into the treeline, refusing to answer questions.
Those with Divine Lore Arcadian whose investments are based in Resinderholz will receive additional information in their character packs.
Split the Flesh, Break the Bone, Chew the Soul
Are you sure? It is a fair way to travel, and you have not yet said goodbye to the others.
The worried voice carried with it a silent yet knowable pain.
I have to go. Time will not be on my side, and it is already darker than I would like.
A common statement, one said all too often with all too little reason.
Fine, but write to me when you arrive. Be safe. Please.
A curse, or a promise. Perhaps kind or cruel.
I will. I love you. I do.
A final statement, one way or another.
-=-=-=-
*CRACK*
A shrill and desperate scream rises to the darkened canopy.
*CRUNCH*
Help- Please- Anybody-
*SNAP*
A final piercing screech suddenly and shortly cut off.
*SLURP*
An intent made clear. A vicious consumption.
-=-=-=-
The dangers of The Hunters Wood have always plagued those who wish to travel The Gap - this is no secret and nothing to be simply ignored. The threat of foes both internal and external have always given cause for concern, and travellers and locals alike have been improving methods to match changing circumstances. To predict the unpredictable is to best survive the dangers of such a place.
The appearance of a voracious form, a new presence to throw the balance of knowledge into disarray, would be a new danger that none could foresee. A sudden and fully grown threat, a monster known but not seen. Not some invisible force to instill faux terror, but a very real and very dangerous monster that none have lived to yet explain.
There is an unknown and unnamed monster in the far south of The Hunters Wood. Slowly, but ever so surely, its presence is becoming more known as lives are lost.
Game Information
There will be information, as limited as it may be, presented to The Chapter Kaptain, The Sage Superior and The Champion of The Baronies in regards to the appearance of a deadly monster south of The Gap.
Further reading at Winds of the World - Autumn 225