Heldannic Knights NPCs -- Part 1
by Bruce HeardPersonalities of the Order by AC 1013
Here are several key figures, past and present, among the Heldannic
Order
Wulf von Klagendorf: He has been the Grand Master of the Order for
several years already. His greatest achievement was to survive the
Order's schism and wrestle it away from total annihilation. His
goal is to change the Order so it may be better able to influence
the other nations of the Known World.
In his youth, Wolf adventured extensively under the name of Rolf
Schwartzen. He was 19 when he and other clerics of Vanya invaded
the Heldann Freeholds. By his mid-30's he was an itinerant
problem-solver for the Territories, travelling the world and
promoting the Heldannic Knights' ideals. He once was abducted to
another plane by an evil dragon, where he learned a great deal
about death, pain, and desperation. His faith in Vanya prevailed
and he managed to escape. He returned to Mystara a changed man, ten
years later. In AC 980 the first Grand Master of the Order died
nine years later, and Wulf took his place.
He is an energetic, astute, and methodical over-achiever with a
can-do attitude. Although a faithful and powerful cleric, he acts
more like a military knight, showing more interested in efficiency,
good order, and boldness of the field than matters of pure wisdom.
He dreams of uniting the Known World under Heldannic hegemony,
sincerely believing the knights' law and order would benefit
everyone. He hates Alphatia, but otherwise has learned to better
appreciate other cultures, if only to defeat them more thoroughly
and assimilate them to the Heldannic Territories.
Famous Words: "If your sword is as true as your faith, your will
as strong as your heart, and your mind as clear as your words,
then, and only then will you be worthy of Vanya, my son."
Born: AC 931 in Hattias; apparent age 60; it is believed his faith
has kept him young. Hair: grey, short, often wears a thick
moustache. Eyes: blue. Height: 6', upright and severe. Wulf rarely
smiles; his gaze and words often betray unusual intensity and sheer
strength of character.
Inge Gottfried
She recently landed the title of Primate of the Heart after her
predecessor died protecting Vanya's artifact from Simbasta. Older
candidates were expected for the position. Instead, Ingeborg, a
more junior Abbess, got the job. She had unwittingly benefited from
several Grand Knights' votes and one from the Oberherr himself. The
Grand Master had intrigued to put her in her present position
because she was more liberal than her elder counterparts and a
brilliant priestess. In truth, Wulf also developed personal
feelings for her which she hasn't acknowledged so far. Inge is
thought of being an orphan who joined the Order a decade ago. She
proved extremely talented at all Heldannic philosophies and
priestly spell- casting.
What Wulf does not know is that Inge is an avatar, a mortal form
of Vanya herself. Vanya created this form years earlier to monitor
her knights more directly, and partake in their tribulations in a
more human form. Later on, she became even more interested in being
present among the Order because of her suspicion that the knights'
artifact (qv The Star of Vanya) was manipulating and influencing
the Order. She now closely watches events suggesting changes and
new ideas among the Order.
As her chief worshipper and most ardent follower, Wulf's accidental
infatuation with her mortal form amused her. In her eyes, it was
Wulf's heart that had recognised her, but not his mind. He was
willing to risk it all to listen to his heart, which she found
charming and more touching than she ever expected. Landing the job
of a Primate in the Order is sort of an embarrassment at the
moment, considering her worries about the artifact. She may allow a
relationship to develop for some time to see how far it could go
and what might result from it. Since Heldannic Law warns against
the temptation of mortal flesh specifically, she dismisses Wulf's
guilt in the matter as far as she's concerned (a message she would
send to other priests meditating on the matter, should it ever come
up). She actually finds this law annoying if anything. She would
not go as far as revealing Inge's true nature and identity
however.
Inge appears as devout, hard-working priestess of Vanya, more
concerned with the health and success of the Order as a whole than
personal glory.
Famous Words: "True glory first comes from within for without a
soul or merit, conquest remains but a hollow deed."
Born: AC 972 in Freiburg, officially. Hair: red, short. Eyes:
green. Height: 5'9". Pale complexion, lean and attractive; her
demeanour betrays greater agility than strength, low but pleasant
voice. She occasionally reveals a surprising sense of humour and
boldness.
Sect: None. Citations: The Garter.
Sigmund Stahlfaust: As Primate of the Hammer this priest
personifies the diehard, intolerant, Hattian old guard. He is
convinced of being the chosen one who will one day lead the Order
to an even greater glory. Sigmund covets the title of Grand Master
for himself. He suspects something is going on between Wulf and
Inge, and is just waiting to use this against Wulf. Sigmund is one
of the leading supporters of Inquisition-style operations to
protect Heldannic orthodoxy among the Order. He is a driven,
ruthless man who does not tolerate weakness or hesitancy. He feels
the present Grand Master has become too soft in his old age.
Famous Words: "A nail that sticks out deserves to be pounded back
in."
Born: AC 962 in Hattias. Hair: bald. Eyes: blue. Height: 6'3".
White skin but sun-tanned and dried from long years of service on
the field and in Davania; muscular and heavy set; charismatic
facial feature and a powerful voice.