Knight of the Greenwood
Overview
The Knight of the Greenwood is an Imperial title awarded to a citizen of Dawn. The Greenwood Manor was commissioned by Bertrand of Dawn as Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave during the Summer Solstice 384YE, with work being completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 384YE.
Responsibilities
The Knight of the Greenwood is responsible for organising Dawnish knights to quest against the vallorn and support actions to cleanse its taint from the Empire; they are expected to support the creation of knightly orders dedicated to this task.
Powers
Treasures from the Quest
The sinecure provides six measures of natural materials, and nine drams of herbs each season claimed from questing against the vallorn or given as gifts by those resting at Greenwood Manor.
The Knight of the Greenwood is intended to be held by a noble: the task of organising knights against the vallorn is unsuitable for a yeofolk. If the title is held by a character who is a yeofolk, or they somehow become one during their tenure, then the player must email admin@profounddecisions.co.uk to let us know.
Appointment
This title is appointed during the Autumn Equinox. The Knight of the Greenwood is a national position appointed by the Synod. It is elected by judgement of the Dawnish Assembly.
The title can be held by any Dawnish citizen. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Dawn National Assembly, and by the Assembly of the Nine.
Greenwood Manor
While there are several vallorn that threaten the Empire, the one the Dawnish know best is the terrible canker that twists at the heart of Brocéliande. House deGramont has long had an estate in Elvette near the border of lush Brocéliande. During the recent struggle against the Heirs of Terunael the deGramonts threw their estate open to knights-errant and questing knights, as well as to the occasional bands of Navarr thorns seeking a few days of succour away from the hungry forests. Their home served as a last friendly house before they faced the horrors of the vallorn. In addition to their noble holdings, the deGramont lands are the site of the town of Racqueen near Rucastle. It is well known for the bands of knights who stop there before venturing into the lush and deadly forest, eager to try their might against the vallornspawn that inhabit the lost ruins. These expeditions of questing knights and knights-errant are accompanied by yeofolk who, while the nobles are feted as guests of the deGramonts, spend their time selling the treasures recovered from lost steadings and ancient ruins. This has led to a number of yeofolk setting up small stalls around the town to trade and barter with the sudden influx in resources, and a monthly Greenforest Fair that has been growing slowly in importance in southern Semmerholm over the last few seasons.
In Winter 383YE, the Earl deGramont - advised by her trusted seneschal - proposed that a lodge specifically for use by questing knights and knights-errant fighting against the vallorn be established in her lands. At the same time, the Greenforest Fair would be endorsed, and resources committed to expanding the marketplace and fairgrounds, with an eye towards allowing anyone interested in treasures seized from the vallorn - from any vallorn - to barter with Dawnish yeofolk.
Construction on Greenwood Manor began in Summer 384YE, and was completed a season later. The manor itself is a fine example of Dawnish architecture, with broad halls, and extensive gardens. What sets it apart a little from similar estates is an area of wild forest, entirely overgrown and given over to honing survival and exploration skills. There is also a small library of tomes and scrolls written by Dawnish survivors of expeditions into Brocéliande, and a fine wine cellar.
The Title in Play
The role does not provide additional information about events in the Empire, nor allow the player holding it to request special reports or downtime actions. These details are assumed to be below the abstraction layer. The title holder is encouraged to create their own stories about their activities within reasonable limits and to get involved in events appropriate to their title during the game, but they do not have any powers beyond those explicitly listed in the section on powers.
These details exist partly to provide context and character to the role - and partly to allow our writers to use the title as a plot hook. Plot that involves the position will be rare - but all the campaign positions in Empire have these details to create the potential for it to happen.
| Summit | Elected | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Equinox 386YE | Percival Summerstrong | 116 Votes |
| Autumn Equinox 385YE | Percival Summerstrong | 108 Votes |
| Autumn Equinox 384YE | Yvaine Vexille | 154 Votes |
Recent Elections
This title is currently held by Percival Summerstrong; it will be reelected at Autumn Equinox 387YE. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.
Further Reading
- Between wind and water - Winter 383YE Wind of Fortune detailing the opportunity to build Greenwood Manor