Chronicles of Barowia I

The scriptorium is a flat building balancing precariously on one of the rocks between the towering spires of Karpat. Motes of dust dance in the light. The chronicler sits at his desk under a stained glass roof light. He stretches his back and sighs before dippings his quill into the ink: 

"In the year the Elf was defeated by the champion of the Realm and the Mist was banished, harvest was the most bountiful in written history and the granaries could not hold all of the crop. All was peaceful that year until ..."

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As conflict between Kranach and Barow grows ever closer, Lady Inga and Sir Perilake depart the castle for her ancestral home in Svenrik. The Gilded Knight's heart is heavy as he orders his squire to follow him, young Zoltan's loyalties divided once more. Yet his renewed oath binds him more than blood. They spend several seasons away from the realm; the news of Sir Ulrich's defeat and the shaming of Kranach brings a dark cloud over all three no matter the distance. Yet there they are married with the blessing of Lady Inga's family, and there is joy and peace even amongst the sorrow.

Away from the politics and blood debt of Barowia, Zoltan regains Perilake's trust, and his thoughts flee the troubles of Kranach. When banditry plagues the villages of Svenrik, the two seek out the Frozen Seer in their home in the glaciers. Guided to the rogue Landskenchts who are behind these raids, the two fall upon them and rout the enemy. When faced with a begging older mercenary clad in faded Kranach livery, Zoltan meets Perilakes gaze and holds his blade from the final blow.

Upon their return to the Frozen Seer, the two glimpse many possible futures in the fractal mirrors of the grotto. Amidst the shards of dark and bloody days that might yet be, and the fragile slithers of hope nestled between them, Zoltan sets aside the injured pride of Kranach. He swears his oaths, placing the realm above the home he once knew and is knighted. As he rises, he is gifted Zuraw; the blade of Kranach, now severed as he is from its home, but sworn to more than endless bloodshed.

As they return to Barowia, Lady Inga and the Gilded Knight are followed by the rider of a grey steed, clad in tattered mail. Sir Zoltan the Pigeon Knight knows no home to call his own, but finds his hearth in the horizon, and calls each hill his throne. And Sir Perilake is proud to call him his brother.

 

Sanctum of the Frozen Seer

After the events during Sceptremass Sir Ulrich resigns as the Envoy of Barow and returns to Kranach Castle. He becomes the new Sheriff after Lady Bianca's death. House Altenburg sends a warband to Barowia to support their allies. Marshall Gunter musters two warbands from the domain. Together they march towards Castle Barow.

At Szalai Keep Lady Lydia, wearing a simple grey tunic at all times now, has taken over most of the official duties from Sir Adalbert. A strange affliction has caused her teeth to fall out and she has become bitter and taciturn. When house Barow called for aid she convinced Sir Adalbert to wait before sending his troops. What if house Karpat uses the opportunity to seize the contested region? What if Barow retreats into the Castle and leaves the war over to our cavalry? They decide to wait for the outcome of the first clash between the two armies and only send aid if the war goes well for the King. And so the Barowian army rides out to meet their enemy alone ...

Horns sound and drums roll as the armies meet south of Castle Barow at an outpost surrounded by trenches. As Kranach's war machine marches towards the tower to seize the first line of defence a dark cloud rises from a nearby forest and circles over the armies. A swarm of small deformed beasts search for a target and descends on a group on the tower holding the banner of Lady Margaret. The Sheriff of Barow is fighting off clawed bees and for a moment she seems to be collapsing under the onslaught of stings and claws but emerges victorious, the last conspiracy of the Beekeepers foiled. While Kranach's warbands are slowly advancing through the trenches Margaret orders the archers to unleash a storm of arrows and those who emerge on the other side are driven back by Barowian spearmen. Many fall and the survivors are routed and flee back south. Soon news of Barow's victory reach Szalai Keep where Lady Lydia curses the gods of war. Sir Adalbert orders a warband to be dispatched.

South of Castle Barow the two armies clash

The Salt Knight and his squire are among the defenders of Castle Barow, heroically striking down the rebels of Kranach, though Anastaz no longer wields Zuraw, having entrusted it into the care of the Gilded Knight for Zoltan's knighting. When the clawed bees attack Margaret of Szalai, Gundhilde abandons her post and rushes to defend her mother. This response is viewed as a sign of cowardice and poor discipline in the aftermath of the battle, and a dejected Gundhilde accompanies Anastaz to the Cured Seer for guidance. They are told to seek the Swollen Seer in a far-off northern land. They discover a village in a windswept valley, shattered by storms. Gundhilde devises a structure to fit into the surrounding hills and change the direction of the winds to prevent future devastations. Going on, they find the cave of the Swollen Seer, a grotesque tumorous mass which has expanded nearly to the volume of the cave. In hushed babblings, the Seer declares Gundhilde fit to be Knighted. Anastaz, who had selected Gundhilde for her loyalty, recognizes her heart as her true strength. As they ride through the woods, a hare takes an interest in Lady Gundhilde. When they return to Barowia, they hear the news of Karpat's siege and Dagmar's death, breaking the Salt Knight's heart. In honor of the fallen Knight, Gundhilde names her companion Dagmar.

Sir Ulrich realizing the futility of his military campaign returns to Swanstone and soon after steps down as Sheriff of Kranach. His political career is over and he turns to the finer things in life. In the grand hall of Castle Barow Sir Adalbert and the King celebrate victory and renew their bond with an exquisite feast. It is only after the ruler of Szalai returns to his keep that he hears about an army marching from Karpat Fortress to seize control of the peat bog. During the skirmish Lady Dagmar, leading a warband without regards for her personal safety, was killed and her honour finally restored. Her body is buried in the tombs of the fortress next to the most revered Knights of Karpat. Sir Adalbert leaves the issue of the contested region with his trusted Steward - who is already plotting her next move ...

On the 1st Kinsday of Bales, as the land turns gold and the Feast of the Stars has just been consumed, kinship is called at Karpat Fortress and a strangely festive mood takes hold of the castle. Garlands of thistle and holly hangs over the walls, and the tunes of psalteries and drums echoes throughout the candlelit hallways. Many people attend the great day of the wedding of the new Marshall of Karpat. In the Great Hall, the mood is cheerful and pleasantries abound, as Heldris and Hedwig exchange vows before the altar, both dressed in fine brocade embroidered with flowery motifs that mimic the spirit of the season. A great feast follows, and a day of good spirits shuns away the brooding mood that had befallen the realm of late.

The next Spring, on Silverday a child is born, and is named Annegrit.