26 Philipp du Krahekreuze Lord of Dawnbreak, Lord Castellan of Durander and Marquis of Norflurelle By Blood and By Right
Philipp du Krahekreuze
Lord of Dawnbreak, Lord Castellan of Durander and Marquis of Norflurelle By Blood and By Right
Archetype: Sword Noble
Head Bio: A man of 24, Philipp's reign as head of House Krahekruze began in time with that House's nadir. Even as the Smiling Death took the man's father, the clouds of doom gathered over the man's House.
House Krahekruze had always been on the Empire's frontier. By the time they settled in Alsace, their holdings formed part of the Northern defenses. It was often seen, however, as the outer door of a proverbial air lock. For Imperial agents, privateers, and those smugglers wealthy enough to afford the requisite bribes, it was the last stop before Tsarate space. Fair Norfluerelle, therefore, was often seen as a way out rather than a way in. At the time of greatest instability in the Alsace sector, this would come back to haunt House Krahekreuze. With plague and perfidy occupying the attentions of even fellow Marcher-lords, Norfleurelle could expect no aid when the Tsarate came for it.
The planet was not unready. House Krahekreuze's bladework was renowned for good reason. Well-armed and well-seasoned, its people and its young Lord bled the Atmen white in defense of their homes. However, it became apparent to Philipp (or his advisors, depending on whose story one is to believe) that the situation was untenable, and that to stand and die would make a black day even blacker for the Empire. It is disputed whether the Lord and those closest to him fought their way offworld in a daring boarding action or slunk away with a kingly bribe to a blockade runner. An advocate or adversary recounting their respective rumor is likely to follow up with an "in true Krahekruze fashion".
However, he made his flight, Philipp and his retinue arrived in Imperial space to find an unrecognizable situation. In the months Norfluerelle had been under siege the Tyrolians had moved and the Duke Du Pont had been slain. The shock of the defeat at Norfluerelle was compounded by news of their liege's defeat in a battle the House had not even been able to contribute to. With nowhere else to go, the orphaned House went to its knees, and put themselves on the mercy of old friends.
The arrival of a ragtag fleet of Norfluerelle refugees over Ehiri. Fellow Marchers and fellow Du-Pontists, the remnants of House Krahekruze figured there'd be fewer better allies than House Koch-und-Kliest. The Houses had stood together for two centuries, and incurred a great deal of mutual debts. Philipp now called in every favor that relationship had produced. What resulted was a new fief for the orphan-house: the plague-ridden Holdfast of Dawnbreak. The Smiling Death had passed there and taken most, including its ruling family to a man. The arrival of the refugees gave the Grafombudsman the opportunity to replenish its devastated community and aid the Norfluerllers. Philipp's two years of rule there have seen the beginnings of a renaissance. With the Death's recession, Dawnbreak has taken on new life and recovery has progressed beyond the wildest expectations of those who observed it before his arrival. The interesting blend of Norfluer and Ehiraic culture that is developing there is also of interest.
Though his House buckled under the weight of its circumstances, Philipp is eminently a man unbeaten. A man of faith and conviction, he venerates the Cult of Saints (though his realm is generally tolerant and was even before Ehiri). In battle, he always carries the ancestral rapier of his house, its paired heirloom smallsword lost or captured somewhere upon Norfluerelle. Philipp still radiates the spirit of a young, charismatic nobleman of considerable ambition and ability.
Vast indeed his ambitions are. What is one who has lost so much to do but languish or devise its return? Only shame at his failure to assist the late Duke Gottfried prevents him from approaching his successor (as the Du-Pont claimant surely is) and seeking the reinstatement of his proper noble titles. That is a matter for when the shame is cleansed, and perhaps for when Norfluerelle is reclaimed. This is the ultimate goal of man and House. None among Philipp's top echelons think of their dispossession as a permanent state of affairs. To build a coalition strong enough to take Norfluerelle from the Atmen, and rebuild a reputation to make House Krahekreuze worthy of keeping it. This is the premier objective, and Philipp is not quiet about it.
Faction Name: House Krahekrueze
Location: Planet Norfluerelle
On the Northern fringes of the Alsace sector lies fair Norfluerelle. House Krahekrueze settled Norfluerelle as part of a later wave of colonization projects. The House had moved out with the frontier for generations and taken new feats to be ever on the edge of "civilized" space. To describe their rule, the analogy of the outer airlock has already been employed. To elaborate, it was always considered due to its forward position less valuable as a bulwark than its sisters. However, it provided a vital forward base for Imperial and illicit endeavors. A place that knew more than its fair share of mystery and adventure before the coming of the Atmen.
Norfluerelle is a generally hot planet, with a great, vast tropical zone taking up a plurality of its surface. The equatorial jungles, never fully mapped in the days of House Krahekreuze, were the site of much activity for both local and foreign frontiersmen. Rumors of treasure and lost secrets abound, and the local nobility were more than willing to send armed men in to expand their power base by clearing sections of jungle. It is said that at the apex of Krahekruze glory, there was a vast armory from which any who could prove themselves could equip for a delve into the jungles. Doubtless now that has been well-pillaged by the Tsarate. Settlement congregated generally on the fringes of this jungle, regularly overflown by high-altitude skyliners which facilitated transit. Besides services provided to frontier travelers, trade in minerals and energy resources is its primary economic activity.
It is unknown what horrid changes Tsarate rule has brought to Norfluerelle. Perhaps it is best that way. Regardless, hopefully, the abominable anomaly that was Atman conquest can be righted, and soon.
Archetype: Sword Noble
Head Bio: A man of 24, Philipp's reign as head of House Krahekruze began in time with that House's nadir. Even as the Smiling Death took the man's father, the clouds of doom gathered over the man's House.
House Krahekruze had always been on the Empire's frontier. By the time they settled in Alsace, their holdings formed part of the Northern defenses. It was often seen, however, as the outer door of a proverbial air lock. For Imperial agents, privateers, and those smugglers wealthy enough to afford the requisite bribes, it was the last stop before Tsarate space. Fair Norfluerelle, therefore, was often seen as a way out rather than a way in. At the time of greatest instability in the Alsace sector, this would come back to haunt House Krahekreuze. With plague and perfidy occupying the attentions of even fellow Marcher-lords, Norfleurelle could expect no aid when the Tsarate came for it.
The planet was not unready. House Krahekreuze's bladework was renowned for good reason. Well-armed and well-seasoned, its people and its young Lord bled the Atmen white in defense of their homes. However, it became apparent to Philipp (or his advisors, depending on whose story one is to believe) that the situation was untenable, and that to stand and die would make a black day even blacker for the Empire. It is disputed whether the Lord and those closest to him fought their way offworld in a daring boarding action or slunk away with a kingly bribe to a blockade runner. An advocate or adversary recounting their respective rumor is likely to follow up with an "in true Krahekruze fashion".
However, he made his flight, Philipp and his retinue arrived in Imperial space to find an unrecognizable situation. In the months Norfluerelle had been under siege the Tyrolians had moved and the Duke Du Pont had been slain. The shock of the defeat at Norfluerelle was compounded by news of their liege's defeat in a battle the House had not even been able to contribute to. With nowhere else to go, the orphaned House went to its knees, and put themselves on the mercy of old friends.
The arrival of a ragtag fleet of Norfluerelle refugees over Ehiri. Fellow Marchers and fellow Du-Pontists, the remnants of House Krahekruze figured there'd be fewer better allies than House Koch-und-Kliest. The Houses had stood together for two centuries, and incurred a great deal of mutual debts. Philipp now called in every favor that relationship had produced. What resulted was a new fief for the orphan-house: the plague-ridden Holdfast of Dawnbreak. The Smiling Death had passed there and taken most, including its ruling family to a man. The arrival of the refugees gave the Grafombudsman the opportunity to replenish its devastated community and aid the Norfluerllers. Philipp's two years of rule there have seen the beginnings of a renaissance. With the Death's recession, Dawnbreak has taken on new life and recovery has progressed beyond the wildest expectations of those who observed it before his arrival. The interesting blend of Norfluer and Ehiraic culture that is developing there is also of interest.
Though his House buckled under the weight of its circumstances, Philipp is eminently a man unbeaten. A man of faith and conviction, he venerates the Cult of Saints (though his realm is generally tolerant and was even before Ehiri). In battle, he always carries the ancestral rapier of his house, its paired heirloom smallsword lost or captured somewhere upon Norfluerelle. Philipp still radiates the spirit of a young, charismatic nobleman of considerable ambition and ability.
Vast indeed his ambitions are. What is one who has lost so much to do but languish or devise its return? Only shame at his failure to assist the late Duke Gottfried prevents him from approaching his successor (as the Du-Pont claimant surely is) and seeking the reinstatement of his proper noble titles. That is a matter for when the shame is cleansed, and perhaps for when Norfluerelle is reclaimed. This is the ultimate goal of man and House. None among Philipp's top echelons think of their dispossession as a permanent state of affairs. To build a coalition strong enough to take Norfluerelle from the Atmen, and rebuild a reputation to make House Krahekreuze worthy of keeping it. This is the premier objective, and Philipp is not quiet about it.
Faction Name: House Krahekrueze
Location: Planet Norfluerelle
On the Northern fringes of the Alsace sector lies fair Norfluerelle. House Krahekrueze settled Norfluerelle as part of a later wave of colonization projects. The House had moved out with the frontier for generations and taken new feats to be ever on the edge of "civilized" space. To describe their rule, the analogy of the outer airlock has already been employed. To elaborate, it was always considered due to its forward position less valuable as a bulwark than its sisters. However, it provided a vital forward base for Imperial and illicit endeavors. A place that knew more than its fair share of mystery and adventure before the coming of the Atmen.
Norfluerelle is a generally hot planet, with a great, vast tropical zone taking up a plurality of its surface. The equatorial jungles, never fully mapped in the days of House Krahekreuze, were the site of much activity for both local and foreign frontiersmen. Rumors of treasure and lost secrets abound, and the local nobility were more than willing to send armed men in to expand their power base by clearing sections of jungle. It is said that at the apex of Krahekruze glory, there was a vast armory from which any who could prove themselves could equip for a delve into the jungles. Doubtless now that has been well-pillaged by the Tsarate. Settlement congregated generally on the fringes of this jungle, regularly overflown by high-altitude skyliners which facilitated transit. Besides services provided to frontier travelers, trade in minerals and energy resources is its primary economic activity.
It is unknown what horrid changes Tsarate rule has brought to Norfluerelle. Perhaps it is best that way. Regardless, hopefully, the abominable anomaly that was Atman conquest can be righted, and soon.
