Year 5, MayAt the start of the month, Oswald is sent to search out for the bear cubs, but he has little luck in tracking them down. He followed their tracks for several days, but lost them in a stream near the Duke's woods. This disappoints you
With word of your heroic slaying of the bear the talk of the locals, you decide that it would be appropriate to revisit your heraldry, and you decide on a new design, which you describe as your gold and silver sun, plus a bear, on the same colors. Marna tells you that this is "Party per bend azure and vert, dexter, a sun in splendor or and argent, sinister, a bear rampant or, armed and langued gules."
You stare blankly at your wife, before nodding your head in agreement. That all sounds good, and very noble to boot. You also add a motto that the scribe suggests from some foreign language. You aren't familiar with it, but when he translates it for you as "Strength from the earth," you smile heartily and agree.
The bear carcass is a subject of quite some interest. You wish to have it stuffed, but the Oswald explains that the corpse will shortly begin to shrivel and dry, and it will not look natural at all given its size. He suggest that perhaps you keep the skull for your hearth, and the claws for trinkets, while keeping the pelt for a lavish rug for your hearth. Although you deeply desired to have the beast preserved as it stood before you, you decide that this will have to do.
As you take care of these tasks, you spend time with your wife and young Isaac, who is starting to spend some small portion of the day not sleeping, eating, or crying. During these small windows of time, you enjoy sitting with the lad and making faces at him. You smile when he imitates your face as best he can. He has your eyes.
The fair arrives, and work slows. With it comes a grand procession of traders, nobles, knights, performers, and artists. You greet the Duke and introduce your son. He is heartened to see the boy, but is more interested in your current condition. You explain that you are fine, just some broken ribs and deep cuts. He shakes his head as you tell him the tale, and marvels at the size of the bear skull.
He tells you about his still reeling capital. Construction is going slowly, but surely. The trade ships your shipyard is producing has helped stabilize the food supply, ranging far and wide to keep the land from falling into famine. The Duke mentions that he has a grand surprise in store for you at the conclusion of the fair, which piques your interest greatly.
Spring is in full swing. The shouts of the market ring through the town. Ships line your docks, choking the river with trade. Fat monks roll kegs of beer into the square, tapping them to the delight of the onlookers. Songs from troubadours mingle with mighty orations.
The fair proceeds wonderfully, and before you know it, the third and final day arrives. The morning dew sparkles on the flowers. You have completed your duties as a judge, and have the day to yourself. How will you spend it? The Count has been present, and drinking heavily, but you have yet to greet him. You also have heard tell of a great philosopher who has been impressing the crowds. You also hear that there is a young man that has traveled from far away to meet with you. There is also a small dramatization of your battle with the bear which has been delighting the crowds...
What ever shall you do?
Big, fun post. Roleplaying, go!Age: 24 - February birthday
Spouse: Lady Marna Stone - Age 21 - April Birthday
Children: Sir Isaac Stone - Three Months Old - March Birthday
Poor Health
Elite Fitness
Literate
Natural Archer
Fine Man of the People
Fine Swordswman
Above Average Rider
Above Average Woodsman
Above Average Heroic Combatant (fighting against the odds)
Average Etiquette
Average Lancer
Average Shield User
Average Armor User
Average History
Poor Legal Mind
Poor Rhetoric
Weapons
Militia-grade Short Sword
Fine Longsword
Iron-tipped Lances
Armor
Steel Plate Armor
Mail Shirt
Brigandine Armor
Fur cloak and leggings
Iron Shield
Steel Barding for Destrier
Transport
Felucca
Mottled Grey Hunter
White Destrier
Housing
Brick and Lumber Manor
Fine Furniture
Stag Skull
Bear Skull
Bear Pelt Rug
Falconry Mews
Misc.
Bear Claws
Average Clothing
Silver Sun Necklace with Gold Pendant
Bound New Testament
Book of Laws
Cask of Beer
Stone Weights
Draft of "The Incursion of the Sea Raiders and the Battle of Torchester"
Treasury - Fat
251 Citizens
Services and Housing
Nice Communal Housing
Mix of Wood and Brick Housing
Nice Inn
Rowdy Inn
Small Courthouse
Small School and Scribe
Small Theatre
Defense
Wooden Palisade with watchtowers
Stone Tower (20% complete)
Stone Walls (16% complete)
Three longboats
Fake Town for river defense
Trade and Travel
Brick Roads
Medium Brick Paved Market
Medium Dockyard
Two-way Ferry
River Parlon (56% dredged)
Industry
Large Clayworks
Smokehouse
Watermill (Lumber Mill and Grindstone)
Growing Medium Shipyard
Brewery
Stables - Large herd of horses
Growing Small Furniture Workshop
Medium (5x city size) population (Loyal)
River Parlon (fertile banks on both sides, light forest to the north)
Farming
Nice parcel farms south of the river (four field crop rotation)
Crude parcel farms north of the river (four field crop rotation)
Fine Communal Farm (four field crop rotation)
Medium Vineyard
Grand Flock of Sheep
Communal Grazing Land
Defense
Fortified Average Barracks, Armory, and Obstacle Course with Furnaces and Forges
Jousting practice field
Trade and Travel
Gravel Roads
Medium Warehouse
Industry
Medium Fishing Fleet
Fortified Mines north of river (silver, copper, gold, iron, gems)
* Small community of miners in communal houses
Misc.
Trash Pit
Graveyard
Ranged - Longbows, iron short swords, fur armor, mounts
Two elite Archers
Six veteran Rangers
Eight veteran Archers
Melee - Iron halberds, iron brigandine armor, iron short swords, mounts
Twelve veteran Halberdiers
Eight green Halberdiers
Reserve - Iron short swords, fur armor, wooden shields
Ten regular Watchmen
Mandatory Bow or Halberd Training for Able-bodied Men
Skilled Potters
Above Average Jewelers
Above Average Trappers
Above Average Miners
Average Metalworkers
Average Wine Makers
Journeymen Masons
Journeymen Furniture Builders
Journeymen Horse Breeders
Journeymen Weaponsmiths
Journeymen Armorers
Market Town of Carshire - Gravel Road
Folesden - Land of Count Foles - Downstream
* Curbiston - County Seat of Folesden
Land of Sir Denton - Upstream
Land of Sir Percival - Adjacent to Sir Denton's land, across the river
Hemswood Abbey - Far Upstream - Known for dark beer
Lands of Duke Erran - Across the river to the north - Used for hunting
* Torchester - Duke Erran's Capital - Damaged metropolis with a bustling port located on a wide estuary
King Edward Geronos IV, Lord of the Falls, Keeper of the Flame, Seer of the Dawn - Known
Duke Erran - Fond
Count Aaron Foles - Your Liege Lord - An angry drunkard - Antagonistic
Count Gorgan - A fine fighter - Introduced
Count Zanders - Introduced
Sir Derrick Denton - Introduced
Sir Alan Percival - Friendly
Sir Uriel Lope - Count's Marshall - Unsure
Sir Melvin - Lady Marna's brother, Duke Erran's nephew - Friendly
Sir Ivanson - A renowned jouster - Introduced
Sir Owen - A household Knight of Count Zanders - Rival
Lady Marna - Wife - Loving
Lady Iris - Lady Marna's mother, Duke Erran's younger sister - Cordial
Isaac Stone - Your First Son - Newborn
Fin - Captain of the Militia
Oswald - Ranger Captain
William Dent - Steward, Mayor
Victor Irlof - Master of the Market, Treasurer
Curtis Stumpf - Miner, Councilman
Ian Wood - Carpenter, Councilman
Marge Kannity - Brewer
Shipwright
Architect
Armorer
Weaponsmith
Horse Breeder
Scribe
Healer
Wool Merchant
Sir Alan - Your first squire - Killed in the Battle of Torchester
Sir Blake Denton - Your good friend and confidant - Killed in the Battle of Torchester
Tor - Your first Captain - Killed by the brigand "Ox" in a forest skirmish