Mythodea / East Blackwood Court and Nova Bretonia
Nova Bretonia Bars Entry
Master William Klatch of the East Blackwood Company played host to East Blackwood Court this year in the newly acquired Knight's Errant in Nova Bretonia, Western Seal. For security reasons of one of the inn's guests, namely Makø Tock, no armed entry was permitted. Sir Alsrik of Nova Bretonia went so far as to deny Baron Dagger of East Blackwood, a Knight of Blackwood, his sword should he choose to enter. As a compromise after some debate Baron Dagger agreed to hand his sword to a fellow knight only. Sir Alsrik took Lord Dagger's sword while another soldier of Nova Bretonia collected the other weapons of the East Blackwood host. After, East Blackwood was permitted to enter.
Tapping the First Ale, Knight's Errant
Sir Bødwar Tock was reportedly given a large building East of Triskel in Nova Bretonia, Western Seal, after Nova Bretonia learned of his wife, Makø Tock, being with child. Since arriving at building, William set about restoring it and slowly transforming it into an inn and ale house called the Knight's Errant. When the guests from Nova Bretonia, Vaettir
and East Blackwood were gathered in the main hall, William welcomed them all and concluded his speech with the tapping of the first barrel of ale.
Trouble in Nova Bretonia
In Memorium
Sir Alsrik of Nova Bretonia reported several issues within the lands of Nova Bretonia but declined to comment on the details. During the gathering at the Knight's Errant, tensions were high within the Nova Bretonian ranks. Sir Alsrik requested that East Blackwood leave Nova Bretonia the following morning so the issues within the Western Seal fiefdom could be contained. The following day as the East Blackwood delegation made their way to the border they passed by ravaged and ruined farms that only a day earlier had been whole. Near these farmsteads were mass graves filled with fresh corpse. Some of the peasantry claimed the gods had returned. The claim was accented by the strange storm that tore at the sky overhead.
As is the East Blackwood custom, a ceremony for In Memorium was held including the Five Candles Ceremony from Zweiwasser and parts of the Realm of Roses. As the ceremony came to a close, Baron Dagger invited any who wished to to have the name of a love one, friend or ally who had passed be written In Mermorium. Master Gideon Klaud had the name Alphonse who be added to the shrine. Alphonse, Al for short, died in battle and passed onto the Circle of Terra at the Hill of Firs the previous year. His name has now been recorded In Memorium.
East Blackwood Court
Several times a year the Kingdom of Blackwood holds court within The Realms. In Mythodea, East Blackwood has held Blackwood Court once a year. Now, as East Blackwood has become a barony within the Duchy of Validar, Baron Dagger hosted the first East Blackwood Court at the Knight's Errant in Nova Bretonia, Western Seal.
Opening Speech and First Sword of East Blackwood
East Blackwood Court consisted of an opening speech highlighting the Crusade of the Elements, East Blackwood's loses and gains and the new barony itself. The speech transitioned to the announcement of the founding of the First Sword of East Blackwood. The First Sword will serve as a baronial champion representing the Barony of East Blackwood in matters of honor, battle, war and diplomacy. The First Sword will be chosen at this year's Convent of the Elements in Bad Holzbrück.
Town of Oak Hill
Over the past year of the Crusade of the Elements, East Blackwood with support from Thoringaard and Eisenwulf freed the North East region of Kahl'Hatra from the Black Dynasty. The heaviest fighting was centered around a ruined Razash'Dai village. The small town was liberated in the spring and restoration began almost immediately. The first building completed within the village was the new home of The Salty Stick Tavern followed by the barracks buildings and then other homes. Last year East Blackwood celebrated the Festival of Life in the yet unnamed village. During East Blackwood Court it was announced that the village was to be named. Later that night the East Blackwood delegation chose Oak Hill as the new name.
Bicolline
Last year, after the first major push of the Crusade of the Elements, Baron Dagger Arkenstone of East Blackwood and a small contingent of East Blackwood traveled west through the Fog and out of Mythodea. East Blackwood first stopped in The Realms to treat with the Crown Prince of Blackwood and other nobility of Blackwood. After the short visit home, the East Blackwood delegation traveled North to Mondus to Bicolline. With the aid of the East Blackwood contingent, especially Master Gideon, SLIM, Fennix and Kenji De'vigil, Baron Dagger supported Sir Sean, the Guild Master of the Realms Embassy and their allies, The Empire. The Empire was embroiled in a peasant revolt of which East Blackwood assisted in containing. The efforts of East Blackwood were in part to repay Sir Sean's investments in the East Blackwood and Realms Embassy within Mythodea.
Count Gavriil Vorontova of Syconia's Letter
The Count left a gift in a small-red box for Lady Anna and, as the letter came to a close, wrote that Baron Dagger could open it for his guests. Inside the box were a set of severed fingers bathed in blood. The blood appeared fresh. The finger's owner or owners is not yet known at this time.
