<Ian Cooper>

Version 1.0. Still needs agreement, comment, links etc.

From 'A personal view of Seshnegi life: What is my lot in life' in Heroquest Voices

"If you want a hard but glorious life, you could fall in with the Crusaders, who are gathering to liberate New Malkonwal from the pagans in the east. But I fear their expedition will end as badly as the last one unless the king supports it this time."

Was Rikard a holy crusader bent on the establishment of a holy kingdom of New Malkonwal in the pagan east? Or was he a mercenary who saw his opportunity when the old line of kings failed? Perhaps it no longer matters. What does matter is that when opportunity came Rikard siezed the throne, aided by every landless son who get scrabble aboard a Quinpolic trade ship bound for the Choralinthor Bay and every opportunist mercenary from Esrolia who could flock tohis banner in time. They flocked to his banner and in 1617/18 Heortland fell into his hands.

In that moment Rikard succeeded at something the Pharoah's kings never had by uniting Volsaxi and Esvulari? lords. 'The enemy of my enemy...'. Rikard rewarded his loyal knights with fiefs, fiefs he gained by siezing them from old Esvluari families who had held them for generations, or by appointing his own sherriffs to the clans. Many Esvulari fled from Rikard Some, some, like Haurlev of Beauchief (see HeroQuest Voices), did so by disavowing the new king in public, others snuck away into exile in the night with as much as their servants could carry. All dreamed of return

Broyan garrisoned the lords of those who fled to join at the north were at Whitewall. 'Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer' and there was little trust between former enemies now allies by circumstance. In the close confines of the old fortress the unwelcome bedfellows were united only in their hatred of the usurper.

But all that has changed. With Rikard's removal by the Empire, the south is free of the usurper. The Empire is offering inducements to return and serve. The alliance forged by a common enemy is under strain. How long will the Esvulari stand at Whitewall? Will those who leave betray Broyan to the Empire, or men of honor, leave quietly? Will those who stay have to fight against their own kinsmen?

The Army of Tomorrow has brought a company of its men to stand at Whitewall, fighting for right. A young lieutenant destined for the Hero Wars, Sir Narib, is among them. He is one of the few of that company who will surive their heroic defence of the fortress.

I've added a hero band write-up for the Watchful House of Saint Gaspodi. It needs work but it's a start at an explanation for the existence of the Vaulted Hall (as mentioned in the HeroQuest rules).

<Oliver>

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