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 Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:20 pm
 ------------------------------------ RulerLord Ralph of HainautTitle(s): Duke of Lower Lotharingia, Count of Hainaut and Hesbaye Year Of Birth: Year 895 (17 years old) Gender: Male Personality: Rather introverted, he thinks a lot before making a decision. His serfs feel inclined to think he is trying to be fair, but some nobles may notice he just can't decide or is afraid of making mistakes. He may be easy to manipulate if someone gets to know him. Background:Ralph was the second child of Lord Siegbert of Hainaut. His parents were quite neglecting towards him and focused only on his older brother, preparing him to inherit the county and manage it properly. Before he was on age, his father and sibling died from an illness, leaving him as the only heir. His mother panicked and went to live with her sister, married to a knight, leaving Ralph on his own to learn how to keep his position and titles.
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:21 pm
WifeLady Elizabeth of WarehamYear Of Birth: Year 898 (14 years old) Gender: Female Personality: A shy and quiet girl who blindly accepts the place women occupy in medieval society. Background: She is the daughter of Wareham's count, who brought her to Germany to strengthen ties with the next German King, which he intends to achieve no matter what, even if it means marrying Elizabeth right there to a lesser knight, leaving her alone in a foreign kingdom. Although it may seem otherwise, he loves her and will make sure she has hest possible life. Heir
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:22 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:27 pm
CourtiersChancellorLady Sofie "the gentle"Year Of Birth: 891 (19 Years old) Fianceé of King Radulf, Lord Ralph went to war to reunite Lotharingia, and took her under his protection as a way of showing loyalty to the deceased King. Personality: Sofie is a gentle soul, and a very quiet lady, she is considered extremely sharp minded and sharp tongued at times, but she is the proper lady when necessary. StewardLady AnnaliesaDaughter of a knight from rural Hesbaye, he offered her to Lord Ralph for his court, obtaining some more lands in exchange for his loyalty. MarshalSir MeinardA single knight with a taste for good wine, but an excellent tactician despite being rather young. Spy MasterWaldemarA clever man who Ralph knows he can trust in case someone is plotting against him. Diocese BishopNo one yet
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Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:40 am
FosterlingsAgnethDaughter of a prosperous merchant in Ralph's lands. She is still a child who dreams of marrying a duke when she grows up. Ralph accepted her not only because he wanted her family to be loyal to him, but because of how lively she is, hoping she would be a good courtier later. Lady Elizabeth of WarehamRalph's wife still has to finish her education.
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:58 pm
Characters outside my court
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:15 pm
Diet of 911: Election of the King When the new king was elected and the meeting ended, Ralph walked away a bit surprised, but relieved. As a child, her aunt used to say that if he prayed a enough, things could happen. He decided to make another visit to the church to thank God for the help, and donate some money would not be a bad thing to do either.
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 1:12 pm
After meeting the king, all Ralph could think was that he had his own problems now that he had to stay there for a while. His rebellious courtiers sure would be happy about the delaying, and there was no one he could trust.
In the way to the inn, a girl stopped his horse by grabbing the reins. Ralph was surprised at first, and his sidesman rushed to defend him with his sword in his hand. It took only a second for Ralph to recognize her, and motioned to stop the attack.
"What is wrong, Elizabeth?"
She was worried, and looked around before speaking.
"I'm going to marry soon"
"well, congratulations."
He spurred his horse, but she would not let it go.
"William is famous for being a traitor, a rude man and extremely selfish"
"Then I'm sorry for you, but I can't go around rescuing everyone. I have my own problems"
"You need courtiers and a heir."
He was getting tired of discussing with her. Where was the shy girl when she should be acting like one? Why all of a sudden she turned into a determined and talkative girl?
"And I will"
"Not if the Raven gets you"
Ralph looked around with a bit of fear. Did she know something?
"My father agreed to reject William if I found a husband here"
"You are still too young. Even if the Church let us get married, there are two things you are missing. It is very likely they ask me to not touch you until you are older, and you are far from being a good choice"
She seemed a little sad, but insisted.
"We can just get engaged and you foster me in your court. If you change your mind, you can send me back to Wareham at any time. But if you are pleased with me when I'm on age, nobody would object on time to stop the wedding"
Ralph was tired when he finished the meeting with the King, and all he wanted was to get to the Inn and sleep.
"Fine, tell your father to come tomorrow so we can talk about taking you as a fosterling"
Ralph tried to get away from her, but the horse could not do it with a woman holding it.
"And the engagement? Promise it."
He looked to the other man. If he married Elizabeth, would she always be like that?
"Only if I get a respectful, quiet and compliant wife. Tell your father to meet me tomorrow and come with him. I will decide it then"
--------------------------
Back at the inn's room, Ralph was in the bed, thinking. The other man was enjoying some beer, looking at him.
"You know if you marry her, she will be always like that. That shy girl you met in the church is just a lie. The girl holding your horse despite being in danger of being killed is the real one"
"She agreed to keep the lie her whole life if I keep her away from her kingdom. And it is not so bad as it seems. If she has a strong personality, I can get a strong heir. I'm testing her for now. If she can stay silent tomorrow when I tell her father of her rudeness today, then I will foster her"
"You will be stuck with with the wrong wife if she can just pretend for a while"
"No one can keep lying for five whole years. If she is rebellious, then I'm sending her back to William in no time. She asked to be a fosterling, not just for a wedding. She will not be ready to marry until she finishes her education, at 18."
"You should try to get her to say what she knows about the Raven first. There is no point in doing all this if he is going to kill you soon, wich she implied"
"I would not be worried about that, his assasins will have to kill you before they reach to me. The best you can do is be watchful"
Satisfied about how things went that day, Ralph decided to sleep.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:46 pm
The day of the meeting, Elizabeth managed to go unnoticed the whole time, while her father and Ralph negotiated and talked about diplomacy.
The final agreement was exactly what Ralph had in mind. He was a good link between Elizabeth's father and the King of Germany. Ralph would take over Elizabeth's education on his own court as a fosterling, and later, marry her if he still considered her good enough to be his wife.
They had their own prtivate meeting after that.
"You did well. Keep obeying and you will be Hainaut Countess as soon as you finish your education"
She stayed in a submissive attitude, just like Ralph liked
"I would wish to marry sooner, but if that is what my lord wants, then I agree"
"I Was expecting you to show some attachment to your family. Will you just let your father go away like this?"
"The count of Hainaut is my family now. I am being loyal to my family. I will always be."
"We will see if you are still worth it when you are older. I will ask for an engagement, but the wedding has to wait. Get ready, your lecturer will send for you this week"
Ralph left with the sensation that she was just doing everything to save herself from being married to Lord William of Hamleigh. Well, who cared, anyways? She was intelligent and she had a strongtemperament when she needed to show it, being a real noble lady the rest of the time.
There was only one girl that could challenge her, but Ralph was not sure he had any chance of obtaining Ariane of House Alderkind attention and retaining his prestige at the same time.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:59 pm
Diet of 912: The death of The King Ralph was informed of the civil wat that split the duchy in two half because of the civil war following the King's death, and quickly formed an army, almost forcing every man in his land to leave their families and go to war along his soldiers. There was a lot of discontent just because of that, but Ralph was still loyal to his former lord, and did not like to see how the lands splited in half at his death. After a month, everything was ready. Most of the new men would be archers, but a few learned to be foot soldiers. Ralph would be using his guards and knights as cavalry. He took the last week to finish to settle his new cour and make sure the courtiers knew their duties, and the last trhee days to attend his horses, the most important part of his army. Not forgetting about God, he took some time to pray for Sofie. He really wished she was still alive. Elizabeth was searching for Ralph all day, as he moved around preparing for battle. Finally, she found him coming out of the small chapel near their castle. She tried to stop him to talk, but he continued until they reached the hall of their home. By then, she was almost crying. "Please, stop and listen to what I have to say!"
He turned around, already in his hauberk.
"Do it fast woman, we are departing today"
"I... I do not want you to leave"
"It is already decided, Lotharingia is going to be united again, and lady Sofie needs our help to stay safe from the civil war."
"Why? What makes you think she is even still there! She should have fled weeks ago"
"I'm going. You will continue your studies as any other fosterling. Waldemar is taking care of mantaining the order while I'm out"
"You are no better than that tyrant of William"Ralph headed towards his favorite horse, leaving her alone "One more word and I'm breaking the engagement"She could not help it, Elizabeth raised her head and put a hand over her cheek, leaving her face full of dirt while watching her fianceé go to war. "You pig!"She stood and walked back in when the smack stopped hurting so much. Would Ralph really send her back to her father? She cried herself to sleep, knowing that she would either spend her life with Ralph if he forgot about the scene by the time he came back, or with William. Both ideas seeming horrible for her at the time.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:46 pm
After quickly taking back the rest of the duchy, Ralph sent a letter to the dukes informing them that he would not be there, and headed back home taking Sofie with him, hoping Elizabeth had time to think about her attitude.
She showed him a big change from the clingy and demanding girl she had been before he left, taking the duties of a wife along with the burden of her education, and Ralph decided he had enough proof of her desire to marry. She was behaving like all the duke would want in a woman, so he went ahead and sent a letter to to a nearby priory asking for preparations for the wedding. As he expected, he was asked to not touch her until she was older and able to have healty children.
It was the happiest day of Elizabeth's life, but not for Ralph. He still remembered the day they met and what she said about The Raven, so when the celebrations ended, he cornered her in a corridor.
"Now that you are my wife, you owe me complete loyalty. You must tell me everything you know about The Raven"
"I do not know anything! Do not hit me again, please"
----------------------------------------------------
Sofie heard the fight from behind a corner. Elizabeth obviously just used the nickname of the Duke of Saxony to gain advantage over Ralph, and now she was paying for it. Later, when she heard Ralph leave, she ran to Elizabeth to confort her and clean the bruising in her face.
"I know some tricks to hide these. No one will notice"
"Do... do you think he will be always like this?"
"Not if you stop defying him. What he said is what you got. You owe him blind loyalty. For you, he is always right. I'm the one you go to tell about his mistakes. No more intriguing him, you are his wife. Your duty is to give him an heir, and if you manage to win his trust back, to assert your rights as the Duchess of Lotharingia when he is away."
Before tucking her in bed like she was her own child, Sofie said a last thing, but it was the most important thing Elizabeth had to learn about her new life as a Duchess.
"The praises, to him. The complaints, to me."
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:40 am
Once tucking in Elizabeth Sofie retired to her chamberss to think and regroup her thoughts. Sofie sometimes found her position hard as she was somewhat of Elizabeth's baby sitter and shoulder to cry on as we'll. She was also in control of any foriegn affairs that included her lords court. With the death of the late king surely things were soon to change for them all... Sofie reclined in her chair by the fire enjoying the soft gentle warmth it gave her. She never expected herself to enjoy this warmth from a man or bear children so the fire for now would do. Her thoughts drifted off to her late fiancee and the day she was taken in by Lord Ralph. She made sure to show him the utmost respect when it was due though at times Sofie had been known to let her tongue slip when she felt her Lord was making the wrong or poorly judged move.
At one point in time Sofie thought of leaving ralph's court for another ecspecially after the marriage of Elizabeth. She found him foolish to take the bait of the young girl but never the less it was his decission and she would see it out. For now staying in his court though she was cautious and kept her eyes and ears open for those choosing to oppose her lord.
ooc: Still trying to get a feel for her and the story line soo forgive me.
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:54 am
The next day, Ralph sent for Sofie. He had something for her to do.
"I'm sure you already know that we can't stay without a king for long. I have my reasons to avoid this new Diet, but I want to know how things are going there. Ask Lady Annaliesa for the money you feel you need for the trip, and Sir Meinard has already prepared your scort. Try to make sure The Raven does not get elected, but do not put yourself in risk of being seen as an enemy"
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 6:13 pm
Sofie had been sent for by Lord Ralph and was sure it would have something to do with the new king. Maybe she wanted her to help him secure the crown. Though her brows rose when he said just the opposite. "But sir if I may ask, why aren't you seeking the crown?" she asked simple looking towards him for an answer. Her hands were folded infront of her as her head tilted curiously awaiting his reply.
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 6:47 pm
"While I think being crowned again would be good, The Raven is making alliances. He is getting stronger, and I do not wanto directly challenge hiim. For the same reason, it would be a bad thing if he makes it to king. Just go there and support any other candidate you feel is the best"
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