Richtoff the Bold Champion Lore
A Banner Lord’s secondary title or nickname, known as an epithet in the language of their chivalric code, is not merely a by-product of casual speech, but an important part of the chronicles and legacy of a leader. It is partly outside their control, shaped by public perception and the tongues of countless strangers. Knowing this, most lords make efforts to coin their own, steer any emerging trends, and censor unfavorable appellations. Despite their efforts, many lords have gone down in history with far more ignominious nicknames than Richtoff the Bold. But calling him such is, for many, more a euphemism. Stridently opposed by Richtoff and his ministers, but still commonly used, are many other epithets: Richtoff the Scoundrel, Richtoff of the Vial, and others of varying shades of vulgarity.
Richtoff was a fourth son of a duke, far from any meaningful inheritance. He spent his days in leisure and at hunt with his circle of friends and flatterers. Hunting is another important part of the Banner Lords’ chivalric traditions, often seen as a way for nobles to compare prowess and contest grudges without engaging in armed conflict. Facilitating this, nobles are expected to use traditional, archaic designs of bows and spears, to ensure a fair standard of armament to judge their accomplishments by. A trophy claimed by a noble under any circumstance besides a formal hunt with traditional arms is considered no more prestigious than the carcasses produced by a common trapper.
Richtoff, however, cared not one mote for this aspect of the hunt, nor in general about the glories and sacrifices of Kaerok chivalry. He used cutting-edge tools, especially the crossbow, and dipped his bolts in deadly toxins. Peasant hunters disdain poison for fear of spoiling their meat, and among lords, poisoning is generally seen as dishonorable and cowardly. Richtoff, on the other hand, only cared about dispatching his prey. He found great thrill in the chase, and showed no fear confronting deadly beasts, but he had no interest in making any battle more sporting or protracted than need be.
Scorned by many of his peers, Richtoff was joined by lower company on his ruthless hunts. But in time he grew more ambitious, and realized that if he gave lip service to the rules of the Banner Lords, perhaps he could engineer a rise to greatness for himself.
The duke’s third son, Gofric, went hunting with his youngest brother Richtoff when he visited him, and was appalled by his methods. Richtoff begged forgiveness and asked Gofric to return for another hunt, done properly, as an apology. The traditions were observed on that occasion, but it was marred by Gofric’s death in a tragic accident. After this Richtoff was censured by his two remaining elder brothers, Leon and Alfvar. Heretofore they had paid him little heed, focusing instead on their rivalry with each other for the position of favored heir. Richtoff told them that he was shaken, a changed man, and would be a proper and responsible duke’s son from then on. The second son, Alfvar, died a year later, at a banquet the three surviving brothers were attending. He perished clutching his gut not long after feasting, and poison in his wine or food was blamed. Both Richtoff and Leon – now the two most immediate heirs to the estate – fell under a cloud of suspicion. But Alfvar had other enemies who could not be ruled out, and the banquet was widely attended by many other lords and their agents. No conclusive proof against either of the brothers was found.
Months passed, with Richtoff and Leon becoming bitterly estranged. Leon then fell gravely ill and lingered at death’s door for some time. Again, poisoning was suspected, but the elder brother’s finest healers and magicians could not diagnose or cure whatever toxin or disease was crippling him. He survived, and made a slight recovery, but remained feeble and bedridden. In this state, he abdicated his claim to his father’s title and had Richtoff formally confirmed as the heir apparent. Richtoff accepted, and his traumatized and reclusive brother has since remained quiet and compliant. Richtoff has made a great show of filial piety and lavished Leon with care, while effectively keeping him in house arrest.
Richtoff’s father, the current duke, is quite aged but healthy, and Richtoff seems content remaining heir apparent and in no hurry to assume the duties of rule. He has returned to his hunts, which he now conducts according to tradition, and claimed the title of the Bold for his bravery facing dangerous wildlife. Those with suspicions, grievances, and concerns about Richtoff have their own names for him, and their own theories as to why he calls himself the Bold.
Richtoff the Bold Storyline
Few would dare argue that the Captain of King Tayba’s personal Guard, Richtoff, known as the “Bold”, earned his title. Born to the family of a stone broke minor noble, Richtoff’s prospects in life were not much better than those of a commoner. But Lumaya herself must have smiled upon him. Rather than being sent as a page to a noble of similar worth (or rather lack thereof) or to his own father, Richtoff’s fate took a different turn. The Grand Tourney in Kaerok Castle gathered nobles from all across the kingdom, no matter how inconsequential they may be. And where most young nobles were content to just watch and dream of the day they could take part themselves, Richtoff attempted to sneak past the guards onto the archery range. The King, amused by such a brazen act, stopped his men from dragging Richtoff away and allowed the boy to participate. Many laughed and openly mocked the upstart, yet as soon as Richtoff’s first arrow struck true the murmurs and jeering ceased. He could not match the true masters at that age, of course, but had shown himself to be talented enough to earn his place at Kaerok’s court. There he was given the tools and teachers to hone his skill. Upon reaching adulthood Richtoff was already known as one of the best sharpshooters the Kingdom had to offer. He is said to have slain trolls and undead with but a single shot from hundreds of paces away, and none could match the speed with which he reloaded his crossbow to batter the enemy with a hail of quarrels. Now an anointed Knight, Richtoff has recently risen through the ranks to lead the King’s own Guard. And Kaerok’s enemies can be certain, never again shall the King be threatened while his loyal servants keep vigil.