For My Liege, My King and The Lady!

Bretonnian Army Background

Mike Adams

14/4/04

The army is led by Baron Walric from the forested dukedom of Artois, the realm of Duke Chilfroy. His heraldry is “per chevron azure and or, two fleurs-de-lys argent and a boar’s head sable, two and one (all within a bordure sable).”

The Baron’s war party reflects the geography of his lands. It contains a large number of peasant bowmen, including forest scouts both mounted and on foot.

The Forest of Arden contains a number of holy shrines and chapels to our Lady, protected by Knights who have earned her blessing. In times of need, a small band of these Grail Knights will gather together to aid the Baron. Even the Baron himself holds these men in awe. Fortunately, because their dominions are deep within the forest, they are not plagued with peasant followers as some are.

Inspired by the example of the forest Grail Knights, the Baron has devoted himself to the Quest for the Grail. Several times he has left his lands in the stewardship of the Lady Ariadne or one of his most trusted Knights to follow his mission, to increasingly distant places and fighting against increasingly foul enemies. So far he has not found what he seeks, but he has sworn not to falter in his goal.

While his mission is unfulfilled, the Baron refuses to sleep in his castle or enjoy any of the luxuries normally afforded to a Bretonnian Lord. This has earned him some respect among his peasantry. However, there are others who resent the taxes he demands to pay for his quests. The Baron regularly sends out patrols of Knights Errant into the forest to hunt down the outlaws that would steal from his waggons and hunt the royal deer.

One among his Knights, of uncertain lineage, has risen quickly through the ranks by virtue of his brave deeds. Sir Percival the Brave has a particular respect for the peasantry and is frequently permitted to command them directly on the field of battle.

Many Knights take a dim view of this behaviour. They argue that Sir Percival would be better utilised among his peers, and that the martial contribution of the peasants is negligible at best. It is true that the peasants are normally prone to run off at the slightest opportunity, but the presence of the stalwart Sir Percival among their ranks seems to persuade them to stay and fight. Whether this is because they are inspired by his presence or in fear of being cut down by the Knight if they turn, it is not clear.

One group of Knights in particular are aghast at this association with commoners, moreso that Sir Percival will dismount his warhorse to fight on foot. These Knights are the noble Pegasus-mounted Knights from the Grey Mountains. Their disdain is so great that it is not unknown for them to ride down groups of peasants for sport, or if they get in their way on the battlefield. Fortunately on their Pegasi they can soar above the commoners.

The Pegasus Knights come from the mountains on the other side of the Forest of Arden, and sometimes a small group will come to Baron Walric’s aid. Likewise, on occasion the Baron rides to their aid. This relationship has been reinforced through marriage, for the champion of the Pegasus Knights is in fact the Baron’s son-in-law, Sir Beregond.

When the Knights of Artois go to war, the Sacred Standard of Artois is removed from its resting place in the Church of Our Lady and carried into battle at the head of the host. It is a great honour to carry this banner, an honour awarded to a heroic Knight of exceptional devotion.

In Baron Walric’s war-host this honour falls to one of the strangest Knights of them all. She is the young daughter of a nobleman. Her father and brothers were all cut down in the wars against the Undead Legion. She wears petite armour and is barely old enough to wield a weapon of war, but does so with exceptional skill and courage. She rose to fame as the so-called Maid of Artois when she single-handedly relieved the siege of Artois, inspired by a vision of the Lady.

The Maid is said to be gifted by the Lady. She is both fierce and noble belying her age and small stature. Both Knights and Peasants follow her devotedly.

The Baron is always accompanied into battle by the Lady Ariadne, his advisor in civil life. The Lady shows another side on the battlefield, because she is a master of Bretonnian sorcery. Her magic is mainly defensive in nature, and draws on her affinity with the spirits of forest and stream, but she can command lightning bolts and fireballs if the need arises. The Lady Ariadne is accompanied by her pupil in magic, Lady Alicia.