Heldannic Knights NPCs -- Part 2
by Bruce Heard Some of the PCs are listed in the
Almanac 1012, and I've added some additional material to connect
the PCs together. Game stats will follow later on.
The Renegades
Dalgaard Gustavsson: Once an indentured man-at-arm fighting for the
Knights, Dalgaard and a handful of fellow freeholders like him
deserted the Holy Citadel when the Simbasta assaulted it. Dalgaard,
originally, thought of pursuing a career among the knights, but
discovered the intolerance among the Hattian knights and their
unspoken policy of keeping native Heldanners out of the knighthood.
A warbird discovered Dalgaard and his companions who passed
themselves off as the remnants of a routed force. Operating with a
minimal crew in the wake of the disastrous battle against the
Simbasta, the captain of the Sturmkondor kept them aboard for the
trip back to Freiburg. Dalgaard and his companions eventually took
over the illustrious skyship and soon began a campaign of
harassment against the Order. Dalgaard and his companion formed the
Wolves of Heldann, a group whose goal is to overthrow the Heldannic
Order from the freeholds.
In his adventures against the Order, Dalgaard was once turned into
a statue of ebon. Frederick von Holmstein (qv) approached his
companions when they returned with his body for proper burial in
his native land. He arranged for Dalgaard revival. Discovering
Frederick's true identity, Dalgaard and his companions swore
loyalty to him and await his sign to move against the Order.
A determined, no-nonsense, professional warrior, he despises the
injustice of the Heldannic laws and the prejudice from its Hattian
overseers. He delights in targeting what he knows to be objects of
Heldannic pride, seeking to humiliate the knights more than causing
actual damage. Raiding the Order's richest abbeys is another habit,
stealing tax money to give it back to the poor or to fund the
return of the Haldis dynasty. Dalgaard, however, remains cautious,
as the vast majority of his compatriots would rather benefit from
the Heldannic dominance than fight its military machine. Many would
turn him in for the generous reward posted by the authorities if
they had a chance.
Famous Words: "Yes, I'm a dark-haired freeholder with an attitude,
so humour me, kid."
Born: AC 970 in Hockstein, Heldannic Territories. Hair: black.
Eyes: brown. Height: 6'1". His years of service among the soldiers
of the Order have made him tough and gruff. He speaks the gritty
language of warriors in a hard, unsophisticated voice. Unknown to
all but his closest companions, Dalgaard bears the legacy of his
time as a statue of ebon. His wounds appear as black lacerations.
They do not bleed and cannot heal with magic.
Frederick von Holmstein: Also known as Fredek Halvardson, he is the
heir in hiding to the rightful throne of Freiburg. Frederick is the
last survivor of the Haldis clan which originally ruled in Freiburg
(Freiburg was called Haldisvall before the Hattian invasion).
Frederick's grandmother fled the city when it fell to the knights
in AC 950.She bore Frederick's father, Halvard, shortly thereafter.
When Frederick was born many years later, Halvard thought it best
to put the infant in the care of a herdsman loyal to the old
regime. Halvard himself was killed in a failed attempt to reclaim
Freiburg in AC 993. Frederick, living as a peasant under his
assumed name, is dedicated to ousting the Heldannic Knights from
his land. He is a bitter, cold-blooded young man driven by his
hunger for vengeance.
Frederick has been building a small following, and with the Wolves
of Heldann, his movement has suddenly gained a greater momentum. He
remains in danger of being discovered by the priests of the Hammer
who suspect some seditious activity in the region, no doubt from
the tips of a native informer. There already have been several
close calls. Those who have sworn allegiance to Frederick live
mostly in Vestland or Wendar, mostly to avoid detection and to get
support from the local nobility. So far, they've received tacit
tolerance of their presence there, but no direct support other than
limited funds. The actions of the Wolves of Heldann have done much
lately to improve Frederick's credibility before Vestland nobles. A
few hired spies operating at the court in Norrvik have warned the
Heldannic Order of a conspiracy linked to the Wolves, without
knowing who is behind it.
Famous Words: "Damn the knights and all who followed them. They
shall all pay."
Born: AC 991 in Freiburg. Hair: blond, long. Eyes: green. Height:
6'. Frederick is a strong-looking, young man who, when acting
openly, has the proud and self-assured demeanour of young warriors
who haven't yet had a taste of blood and true warfare.