Knight of Wessex (A Written World Quest)

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Many of the Cultivators of the Isles bear legacies dating back to before the Word of Christ had been spoken. This is not a matter of shame, but of pride in your ancestors who had the wisdom and foresight to take up the Cross and fight in the name of God and King. It is a rare Knight of the Isles to rise from purely ordinary stock, and a prospect of your talents carries a noble heritage indeed.

But, which in particular do you hail from?

Select your Lineage

[ ] Tolstan: You are Audrey Tolstan, of the lineage of a hero who challenged a faerie prince to a contest and won from them the secrets of Flintknapping—the magic of building constructs of arcane stone from will and power. With a simple gesture, arrowheads of flinty Elf-Shot can strike down your foes. With greater focus still, you can even create weapons to wield or obstacles to hamper your foes.

[ ] Eotenslaga: You are Audrey Eotenslaga, of a long line of Giant-Slayers who challenged the primordial foes and laid them low through cunning tactics and sharp blades, rendering the Isles safe for Man. You have inherited those life-saving instincts, allowing you to better find the paths to survival in even the most deadly assaults. When turned to battle, you have an innate grasp of how to expose and exploit even the most subtle vulnerabilities—an effect that grows ever more acute the greater the difference in size between you and your foe.

[ ] Frostfyr You are Audrey Frostfyr, inheritor of the Cold Flame that devours heat and spreads the killing cold. Forged by an ancient sage who had a revelation on the nature of Flame when he was burned and felt nothing but cold, who proceeded to make it his life's work to perfect the art, passing it down in the generations until it reached you. The Cold Flame sparks to life at your command, sapping movement and bringing the Heart of Winter to even the brightest midsummer day.

[ ] Eadigflaesc You are Audrey Eadigflaesc, the Unbroken Ones, Thanes of great renown who were renowned for their doughty defences. Where many found their lives threatened with wounds suffered in the protection of their lands, the Eadigflaesc found their forms unmarred, no wound beyond their ability to endure and recover from eventually. Those who had particular talent could go beyond mere advanced recovery to being able to outright shrug off harm, and hold even against the most devastating of blows.

[ ] Write in Though your family is not one of prominence, you still possess a bloodline of some renown. Detail it alongside your surname, using the previous examples as an example of your lineage's potential might.

(Note: We reserve the right to veto bloodlines that do not fit the setting)
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You are nearing the completion of your basic education as a Page, and have completed the necessary tests to be raised up as a Squire—an apprentice Knight who is expected to fight and learn at the foot of a senior Knight. As such, you have attained a basic mastery of theology, literacy, and the martial arts, as well as having progressed your cultivation to the Second Decade—strength of spirit sufficient to take up the holy armaments that represent the flower of Chivalry.

However, while these are the fundamental traits that are tested for; some have a tendency to excel in one field or another, and you are no exception.

Audrey is trained in all these fields and has the baseline competence expected within them, but you may select three areas in which she has excelled:

[ ] Administration
Audrey excelled in administrative tasks, including running a fief, economic matters, and the logistical side of managing an army.

[ ] Athleticism
Audrey excelled at physical activity in general. Running, jumping, swimming, acrobatics, all were something she was exceptional with even beyond her mighty Soma's implications.

[ ] Combat
Audrey excelled in direct physical combat, the clash of blades, wrestling, and even archery—all beyond even her prodigious Soma.

[ ] Diplomacy
Audrey excelled at the social arts and the courtly graces, her manners were charming and she was well liked by peers and superiors both even beyond the effects of her Charismata.

[ ] Horsemanship
While mounted combat is not as obligatory for a Knight in Wessex as it is on the continent, Audrey excelled at riding, synchronising near-perfectly with her mount and showing a pronounced talent for remaining seated during mounted combat, all beyond even what exceptional Soma would normally grant.

[ ] Insight
Audrey excelled at recognizing and understanding more esoteric items, materials, and situations, having greater insights into magical matters than might be expected.

[ ] Precision
Audrey excelled at manipulating her Hama in a subtler manner allowing her to perform a variety of unexpected feats with it outside of combat, such as gently carrying tea or manipulating complex mechanisms.

[ ] Scholarship
Audrey excelled in scholastic matters, reading voraciously a variety of texts, even those that had little to do with her duties, and is more knowledgeable about a wide variety of more obscure topics.

[ ] Scouting
Audrey excelled at noticing things in a physical sense, at understanding how to survive in the wilderness on campaign, and even at moving carefully and quietly when necessary.

[ ] Tactics
Audrey excelled at tactical exercises and games such as Tafl and Chess. While all Pages are taught something about this, she is more skilled and experienced in strategy and tactics than her peers.

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However, the main point of distinction between a Page and a Squire–a threshold you are about to cross–is that one is expected to serve at the side of a fully fledged Knight, learning the trade of war at the side of one who has immersed themselves in it for decades–if not centuries. The identity of a Squire's Master is one of the single, greatest influences on their development of all, as even the most selfless champions cannot help but mould their disciples into their image. You are fortunate in that a true Worthy has set their gaze upon you…

But who are they?

[ ] Reinald Vieux
As one of the first Knights to heed the call of Alfred, Reinald has served in all manner of campaigns great and small and so knows something of everything. Only living legends like Gabriel Blackstone outclass his general knowledge and all-around skill. However, as a Frenchman in Anglo-Saxon lands, he knows little of the intricacies of Hama-usage and can often be considered something of a knight in sour armour.

[ ] Wesley Waltone
A tricksy member of the second generation of Anglo-Saxon Knights, Wesley has carved himself something of a niche with his talented Hama usage. Few men alive have as many tricks up their sleeve as Wesley; though, in a stand-up, drag-out brawl where his Hama usage cannot surprise his opponent, or those surprises fail, his skills are somewhat lacking.

[ ] Brock Howlande
Built like a brick wall's older brother, this broad-chested, ever-grinning second-genner far outclasses most of his so-called peers in terms of physical ability. Though he lacks Psyche talent beyond the norm and holds no Revelations under his belt, there are very few in all the land who can challenge his encyclopaedic knowledge of martial combat.

[ ] Leofric Birde
A bushy-browed, glass-clad former Priest who found a hidden talent during a Viking raid. Taking up a discarded sword, he soon heard the call to violence which he followed with religious fervour and spirited glee. Though largely a socially awkward man, Leofric is a genius with Psyche and makes use of this to wield prayer and sword with equal efficacy.

[ ] Slade Eldred
A capable but largely unexciting Knight with the abilities expected of his station. However, despite his otherwise uninspiring career, few can find fault in his ability to turn phrases and work words. Wherever he goes, smiles and friendship are sure to follow—though often of a transactionary sort.

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AN: As this vote is somewhat crunchy, you will be given two days to plan and discuss with the vote ending on Monday. Following the completion of the character creation period, updates can usually be expected on Mondays and Fridays.

The character sheet will soon be updated to reflect your chosen character.