Richtoff the Bold

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.