Heldannic Knights NPCs -- Adalard & Grunturm
by Bruce HeardGeoffrey Grunturm: This priest of
Frey adventured in the vicinity of his native town of Grunturm
during much of his youth. Early on, Geoffrey acted against
Heldannic interest in the freeholds, but found most of his good
efforts being thwarted by the Heldannic Knights. Disgusted by the
native freeholder's unwillingness to rise up against the knights,
he took his good deeds to Norwold. Geoffrey is a serious, intense
man, ferocious in combat, but capable of great kindness.
Geoffrey's goal is to create a following among the more
adventurous Norwold folks. He endeavours to create and expand the
worship of Frey in the area, at the expense of Vanya. His main area
of operation is the vicinity of Oceansend. He and his closest
supporters have managed to avoid capture thanks to the arrangement
Geoffrey has with Hermann Adalard (qv). In his years of living
there, Geoffrey also discovered the existence of a nation of
dragons up in the mountains west of Oceansend. He has made some
overtures to the dragons, but so far has failed to gain their
support.
Famous Words: "Be compassionate, but be no fool. If the knight
yields, spare him. If not, strike him with all your strength to
crush his bones and cast his soul back to whence it came."
Born: AC 962 in Grunturm, Heldannic Territories. Hair: grey, long
and dishevelled; generous beard and moustache. Eyes: blue. Height:
6'1". Geoffrey is a tall, well-built, imposing man. Although he
keeps fairly fit and looks about a decade younger than he really
is, he's developed a bulging paunch.
Hermann Adalard: He was instituted Governor of Oceansend in AC 1011
in the wake of the Heldannic capture of the city, deposing its
previous ruler, Olaf Yarrvikson (qv). He has demonstrated himself
to be fair but strict. He made it clear he will tolerate no unrest
in his city, but those who obey the new laws and show respect to
the Heldannic Knights have found their lives little different from
the previous regime.
Unbeknownst to the Order, Hermann's father was a Heldannic Knight
of good standing and his mother an Antalian native of Heldann.
Hermann, like his father, has concealed this fact since the knights
are required to take an oath of celibacy and chastity. Although
discreet about his opinions, Hermann directly supports Inge
Gottfried (qv) because of her more liberal approach to
restrictions on personal freedom among knights. Unfortunately, his
parents' identity was discovered while he travelled incognito back
to Grunturm for his mother's funeral. Another native of the small
Heldannic town, Geoffrey of Grunturm (qv) made the connection and
is now blackmailing Hermann. In exchange for occasional, minor
services (usually the release of a convict or an order for his
troops to look in another direction), Grunturm keeps quiet. Else,
he promises to arrange that Sigmund Treitel (qv) discover the
truth about Hermann's family origins. Hermann refuses to tarnish
the memory of his dead father among the Order - not to mention that
some among the Hattians would frown upon his half-Antalian origins.
On the other hand, Geoffrey understands full well that there are
limits to what Hermann would consent to do to protect his secret
and further his hopes of changing the Order.
Although relatively young, Hermann has experience as an adventurer
and a diplomat, and his heritage helps him deal socially and
politically with Antalians and Hattians. Hermann has already earned
the reputation among military circles that he supports the
recruitment of knights among native Heldanners who have proven
their loyalty to the Order. Some Chaplains have complained about
being under pressure from Hermann in this respect. Impeccable
service records have prevented actions against Hermann's tenure as
Governor of Oceansend. He goes about Oceansend armed and armoured,
but does not normally surround himself with bodyguards.
Famous Words: "Judge not from appearances. Observe, listen, seek
the truth and what lies in one's heart, for without this you cannot
fairly judge."
Born: AC 988 in Grunturm, Heldannic Territories. Hair: auburn.
Eyes: deep green. Height: 5'11". Hermann's skin is light tan; his
nose is strong but not overly prominent.