Shenadun

Location: Kingdom of Chybisa
Holder: Sir Lardis Ceselryd
Liege: Baron of Caermel, Sir Jebril Rythal
Population: Village 155; Manor 24

Shenadun is a manor northeast of the town of Burzyn in the kingdom of Chybisa. The settlement lies in the fertile Ulmerien Valley. It is one of the largest manors in the kingdom, numbers thirty-three households to date and is growing steadily. Being a frontier settlement adjacent to the territory of the dangerous Pagaelin barbarians, it is heavily fortified and everyday life is largely concerned with security measures.

History

The first humans in the region were Jarin settlers who arrived around 1200 BT. They cleared large portions of the thick forests to practice agriculture on the rich fertile ground of the Ulmerien valley. These early inhabitants fought alongside the Sindarin King, Daelda, in the Atani wars against Lythian invaders. Due to its position north of the Ulmerien river, the settlement escaped the ravages of the first years of conflict.

This changed in 683 BT when the barbarians crossed the Ulmerien and occupied the area between the river and the Anadel Mountains. The savage hordes plundered and pillaged the settlements in the region, driving out or killing all Jarin who had remained, before they were defeated by the army of King Daelda in the Battle of Sorrows several leagues further north.

The scattered and disorganized barbarians moved south, burning anything in their path as they left. When the Sindarin renounced their sovereignty over Hârn after the death of king Daelda, the Ulmerien valley was lost. The resistance of the remaining Jarin proved futile and they were overrun and assimilated by the Lythians who settled in the Ulmerien valley.

Shenadun was part of several petty kingdoms which rose and fell during the next several centuries. It quickly succumbed to the Melderyni knight Shobald, who arrived in 160 TR. Shenadun was then located far away from the frontier and enjoyed a period of relative peace and stability in the early years of Shobald's reign. The manor was largely unfortified until 176 TR when a wooden tower was erected in response to growing unrest among the barbarian tribes.

After several years of good weather, an increased barbarian population went on the rampage when a return to more normal weather led to food shortages even as an expanded Gargun population pushed them from their traditional hunting areas.

Chybisa, with its rich soil and full granaries was the natural target of the hungry tribes. Only its position near the center of the kingdom allowed Shenadun to escape the worst havoc of the Pagaelin. Chybisa lost nearly two thirds of its territory. Shenadun, once close to the center of the kingdom, now became a frontier settlement. Fortunately, the next centuries were relatively peaceful. To avoid provoking the tribes, the kings of Chybisa refrained from attempting to regain the lost territory so the new frontier stayed calm.

The next crisis arose when Chybisa became involved in the Treasure War in 675 TR. The lord of Shenadun perished in the first major battle, when the Chybisan forces north of the Ulmerien were routed by the Kaldoric army. The Chybisan King Balesir withstood a siege in Burzyn for three years before surrendering and being exiled to Melderyn.

During the occupation, the manor came under the control of a Kaldoric mercenary knight, Raelf Gwantir, who began the first stone fortification in Shenadun. The stone tower was nearly completed when King Balesir returned from Melderyn with an army and defeated the Kaldorians in the Battle of Geda.

Barian Ceselryd was made the new lord of Shenadun after Balesir's victory in 687. He rebuilt the village and the manor and completed the tower in 692. When the havoc of the war was finally overcome, he tried to expand his holdings further east, founding a satellite village in 714. This proved to be a fatal decision as it provoked conflict with the local tribes. Barian was killed by the Pagaelin in 716, and succeeded by his son Lardis, who now governs the fief. Sir Lardis improved the fortification by building a wooden palisade and a moat.

Government & Law

Sir Lardis rules with a firm but reasonable hand. He holds a monthly court and hallmoot. He occasionally takes advice from his mother, and usually consults the priests on religious matters, but ultimately follows his own judgment.

Justice is harsh but mostly fair and tends to favor villagers over outsiders. Laws are vigorously enforced. Punishments for residents mostly consist of fines or extra work days. Corporal punishment, carried out by Sir Lardis' man-at-arms, is relatively rare and generally reserved for outsiders. Sir Lardis is exceptionally wary of anything that threatens his villagers or questions his authority. Trespassing on the fief is unwise, especially for armed travelers. Any stranger is likely to be stopped and questioned by the frequent mounted patrols. Pagaelin raiders or brigands can expect to be hunted down and butchered mercilessly.

Since the great majority of tenants are serfs the lord is the only authority over most of the population. While the few freemen could theoretically call upon the king for justice, no one has disputed Sir Lardis' judgment so far, and no one seems to be keen to be the first one to try.

Economics

The Ulmerien valley is one of the most fertile regions on Hârn. The villagers grow wheat, barley, rye and oats in the fields and all sorts of vegetables and a number of herbs in the gardens. The large orchard yields apples and cherries. Large herds of livestock are kept, including cows, sheep and swine. Bees are kept for the honey. Wheat, oats and surplus animals are sold on the market in Burzyn and generate considerable income.

Shenadun is clearly a village on the rise. The fief is large and could easily support a village of double the current size. Sir Lardis actively and effectively supports local business, but the greatest problem to date is a general shortage of labor.

The Miners' Guild

Shenadun is an important link between the miners in the Anadel Hills and the trading center in Burzyn. The Shena Creek is usable for river barges only between Shenadun and Burzyn, so the metal is brought from the mines to Shenadun with mules and then shipped by barge or boat to Burzyn. The village inn serves as a hostel, offering special prices for guildsmen.

The Trappers' Association

The eastern wilderness offers rich possibilities for trapping and hunting but is dangerous due to the presence of the Pagaelin and the Gargun tribes of the Chindra. The local trappers have banded together for better cooperation and security. They pay an annual license, half of which goes to the king, in addition to the obligation to sell all pelts to the lord. The trappers also keep an eye on barbarian activities and serve as scouts in the militia. In return the lord provides basic security for their families and military support in times of need.

The trappers have built several fortified lodges in the Anadel Hills which they use as sleeping places and to prepare their pelts before they transport them back to Shenadun.

Several younger trappers, who don't have families, use Shenadun manly as a place to cash in their pelts and buy supplies. The innkeeper provides a reserved dormitory for them in which each trapper has his own sleeping place and trunk.

Local Events

All holy days of Peoni and Larani are properly celebrated in Shenadun. Additionally, there are three local feasts that are unique to Shenadun, though several other settlements in northern Chybisa hold their own variations of these festivities. The village festivals are among the few occasions poorer peasants get the chance to eat meat.

The Shenafest

This festival is held in the spring, usually around the 1st of Peonu, to celebrate the end of winter. It includes dancing, romancing and many well-meant attempts to create or recitepoetry and a feast.

The Roundshield Tourney

Once every year on the 1st of Larane the village militia and yeomen demonstrate their ability in local drills and competitions. This includes a general alarm rehearsal, formation training and contests with lance and spear for the horsemen and stick-fighting, wrestling, spear throwing and archery for the yeomen and members of the militia. Winners of each contest receive prizes from the lord and the day is ended with a common feast.

The Pig Chase

This festival is held in the fall, when surplus pigs and livestock are driven to the market of Burzyn to be sold. The village children are allowed to select a young pig that is greased in fat and then driven through the village, usually with much clamor, until it is caught and finally ends in the hands of the manor cook, who then slaughters it and prepares it for the evening feast.

Military

Being a frontier settlement on a potentially hostile border, Shenadun has a large garrison, formed by the members of clan Ceselryd and the yeoman clans Garwen and Ertgen. The lord himself and his cousin Sir Torald are equipped as heavy horsemen. Backed up by Sir Lardis' squire, a mounted man-at-arms and a mounted yeoman, this small cavalry force is very well suited to patrol the even fields and meadows that comprise most of the fief. Three yeomen light footmen, one medium foot and one yeoman archer make up the remainder of the professional soldiers in the settlement.

The militia musters 36 unarmored footmen and roughly two dozen archers, several of whom are women. Training days for the militia are on the Laranian holy days, the 5th and on the 15th every month. None of the serfs is allowed to own any weapons. The arms and equipment are kept in the lord's armory and handed out only on training days or with special permission.

Sir Lardis' view on feudal law is that no privilege comes without a duty and vice versa. Consequently, he expects all freemen, who wish to retain their right to bear arms, to actively participate in the defense of the fief. Staying out of trouble is the only privilege that serfs have, so they can expect to be spared from dangerous duty unless the village itself is attacked. The freemen, on the other hand, may be called upon at need.

The Archers

Shenadun has a large force of reasonably trained archers, due to the activities of Elfred of Velarsin. In the event of an attack on the manor, these men and women will man the battlements of the tower and the gatehouse while the militia mans the palisade.

Religion

The religious climate is typical for Chybisa. The nobles and soldiers worship Larani, represented by the lord's chaplain. The lord visits the main temple in Burzyn only during the feast of Saint Ambrathas, on the 17th of Larane. Normal services are generally held at the shrine in the manor.

The village chapel is dedicated to Peoni and maintained by an Ebasethe (priest) from the Irreproachable Order. Most peasants worship the Lady of Labor and the services are generally well attended.

Several of the craftsmen worship Ilvir and meet regularly in the house of the woodcrafter. Sarajin is worshiped only by the blacksmith, who travels to Geda every year to celebrate the Ilbengaad Festival and the Bjarri's Feast there.

The worship of Agrik, Naveh or Morgath is proscribed and punishable by death. Other churches are tolerated but frowned upon.

The Pagaelin

While the current king, Verlid VII, has followed a policy of both appeasement and intimidation towards the Pagaelin tribes, the position of the Ceselryds is quite clear: if Chybisa is to survive, the Pagaelin have to go.

Individual barbarians who come to trade are allowed within the settlement, although they are never left unguarded (a reasonable precaution, given the unpredictable and treacherous nature of the tribes). Armed groups of two or more tribesmen are considered raiders and will be attacked without warning.

Given the fact that the only thing the Pagaelin recognize is display of superior strength, this treatment has not failed to achieve the desired effect. The last incursion occurred in 717, when a half a dozen drug-frenzied tribal warriors attempted to rape a young serf woman. The girl managed to get away and to raise the alarm. The barbarians were caught in the open fields and slaughtered by the lord and his men. Their bodies were hanged from the trees along the manor border to rot. The Pagaelin obviously got the message and have not attempted any further raids since then. Needless to say, the Ceselryds have made few friends among the tribes, but friendship is an alien concept to Pagaelin society anyway.

The situation is drawing towards an acute crisis in 720 again due to the fact that the Oweor Ollinn tribe has moved its camp dangerously close to Shenadun.

Clan Gwantir

The Kaldoric clan Gwantir have not forgotten their claim to Shenadun and are determined to destroy the Ceselryds. Brenoir, the current head of clan Gwantir, has sworn either to regain Shenadun or to raze it to the ground. This is not necessarily an empty threat due to the fact that several members of the Gwantirs are mercenary knights, leading an ill-famed mercenary company called The Scarlet Gauntlet. Uthred Ceselryd, the brother of Barian, was killed in a tavern brawl with Gwantir clansmen in 697 TR while he was traveling to Tashal to buy horses. The Ceselryds did not retaliate for fear of sparking another war with Kaldor and have avoided traveling to Kaldor ever since Uthred's death was a painful reminder that Kaldor and Chybisa are, technically, still at war. While bad health and a lack of interest have prevented Kaldoric monarchs from pressing their cause in Chybisa, Kaldoric courts are unlikely to give justice to any Chybisan nobleman. So the Gwantirs could raid Shenadun whenever they wished and then retreat safely to Kaldor.

The Trading Post

Adventurous traders have maintained a trading post in the eastern wilderness since before the treasure war. Since Sir Lardis regards this as a foothold of civilization in the wilderness region, he has supported the outpost and permitted trade to flow through Shenadun. He would act quite differently if he knew that in truth the outpost is run by Navehan augurs. See details in the section about the augur lodge.

Local Map Notes

A. Manor House

The residence of Sir Lardis Ceselryd.

B. Lord's Barn

This large barn is used to keep the lord's personal livestock. It has an upper floor where hay and straw are stored for winter fodder. During the summer months it is also used as a sleeping place for laborers hired by Sir Lardis to work the harvest.

C. Ditch

This ditch is an ambitious defense project of Sir Lardis, who heard about the defenses of the Thardic Fort Taztos from Elfred of Velarsin. The ditch is planned to surround the whole settlement, eventually rejoining the river, allowing access to the village only through the ford or over bridges. The earth dug from the ditch is used to form a crude rampart. The progress is hampered severely by the general shortage of labor. Sir Lardis is very fond of the idea and tries to acquire the necessary workforce by any means. Wrongdoers who commit minor offenses usually find themselves digging here for many hours.

The only regular worker at the moment is Estmund of Doiber, a country rogue who got caught poaching in the lord's forest. Sir Lardis threatened to hang him, but he offered to accept work on the ditch as restitution instead. Estmund can be seen digging fervently during all working days, since the lord hinted that any sloppiness, let alone any attempt to escape, might be taken as proof that Estmund has changed his mind about the punishment.

While there is no doubt that Sir Lardis is serious about his threat, he is privately amused about the situation and will likely offer Estmund some acres of unfree land once the ditch is finished.

1. Trapper (Aethelred of Meining)

Size: 3 Acres: 4

Aethelred is the spokesman of the local trappers. He spends much of his time in the eastern wilderness, trapping and hunting animals for fur and meat. His status is that of a village craftsman. He and the other trappers are obliged to pay a license in the form of one pelt in five and have to sell all their pelts to the lord.

2. Chapel

A small chapel dedicated to the worship of Peoni. The village priest is Ebasethe (temple priest) Meqon of Oppias. He is the good soul of the village, being quite the ideal of a Peonian cleric - humble, good natured and kind. Meqon is also a skilled physician and treats anyone for free. Aside from the chapel, he cares for the Peonian cemetery that lies half a mile north of the settlement [off map]. Whenever his spiritual duties allow, he works in the fields with the rest of the villagers. He is widely liked by the villagers and their lord alike and is also on very good terms with the Laranian chaplain.

His greatest fear is a war with the Pagaelin tribes. Having heard many rumors about the Solora Crusade and knowing the nature of the Pagaelin he shudders to think how such a war is likely to be fought. Meqon's clan name is due to the fact that he was left anonymously on the doorstep of Bromeleon Abbey as a baby. He grew up in the abbey and became an acolyte, eventually being ordained a Reslava (temple priest) in 714. He took the clan name of the Pelnala (high priest) whom he regarded as his spiritual father.

Meqon has never known his real parents. Since nothing is known about them, he has considered it pointless to try to find them, since he does not know where to start. During the recent months he has begun to wonder whether he should try nevertheless.

Meqon is a down-to-earth character with little ambition for adventures. He has, however, the humble bravery typical for Peonians and will go through almost any ordeal to save the people in his parish. He likes to be called "father" by the villagers and his attitude to them is quite fatherly indeed.

Meqon quietly and patiently fights a constant battle against bad harvests, disease and the hardships of peasant life to keep his flock healthy and happy.

3. Miller (Caedmon of Helring)

Size: 2 Quality: *** Price: average

Caedmon makes and sells good quality hard baked bread, oat cakes and biscuits. Caedmon's hard bread lasts up to two months if kept dry. He sells a good deal of his products to the trappers and miners.

4. The Chestnut Stallion (Hergen of Lorn)

Size: 3 Quality: *** Price: average

Hergen opened this venture in 717. Plans and details on the inn are given here. The small building next to the inn is the brewery.

5. Blacksmith (Tjorge of Waarkens)

Size: 3 Quality: *** Price: average

Tjorge is a tall blond man of 36 years who hails from Orbaal. He came to Chybisa as a companion of Kjal Forsetha in 708. After Kjal became the baron of Geda in 713, Tjorge worked as his bonded metalsmith. He arrived in Shenadun in 715, after he had to leave Geda due to a quarrel about a woman with Kjal's bodyguard, Gaal Raldsyn. Tjorge lost the brawl but won the woman in question, Elene of Losk, who married him in 716. The couple still visit Geda on Sarajinian holy days, but try to avoid any confrontation with Gaal.

In addition to his abilities as a blacksmith, Tjorge has some skill in making and repairing weapons. He occasionally repairs weapons for the garrison and the militia and makes arrowheads for the archers. He pays an annual fee to the weaponcrafter's guild for compensation.

Tjorge owns several weapons himself from his viking days. Since he is a freeman and an active member of the militia, the lord tolerates this.

6. Woodcrafter (Werning of Gremlen)

Size: 4 Quality: *** Price: average

Werning is a pious worshipper of Ilvir, believing the craven lord to be the protector of craftsmen. He considers himself to be a lay priest and conducts religious meetings on holy days for the few villagers who are willing to attend. Travelers who express any affection for Ilvir may get discounts in Werning's shop and are invited to attend his religious services.

He plans to undertake a pilgrimage to Araka-Kalai and is looking for companions. He hopes to find enough to form a group large enough to brave the perils of the trail.

7. Cottar (Henni of Doerges)

Acres: 4 Size: 4

Henni is a simple man of 35. He is not too bright and tends to keep to himself and his family. He and his wife have four children. His land does not provide enough to support the family, but the constant demand for workers allows him to make a living by working other peoples' land. Henni's wife used to be the village alewife before the establishment of the inn. The enforcement of the inn's monopoly on brewing has been quite a blow to the couple, but since the law is on the side of the innkeeper, there is nothing they can do about it.

8. Villein/Reeve (Gernet of Doerges)

Acres: 35 Size: 4

Gernet is the village Reeve. He is a responsible tenant officer, but sometimes has the feeling that the villagers don't support him properly. This is mainly due to the great popularity and skill of Fnorrek of Ganze. While tradition is on Gernet's side (he holds more unfree land than Fnorrek) he privately assumes that many villagers would think Fnorrek to be the better man for the job. Although Fnorrek has never shown any inclination to become the reeve, Gernet feels constantly under pressure to justify his position. He tends to be nervous and irritable in Fnorrek's presence and quickly becomes defensive. His relations with the woodward are also strained, due to the fact that clan Ertgen has collectively voted against Gernet at his election. Only the determination of the other clans to keep the influence of the Ertgens in check allowed Gernet to be elected in favor of Putur of Ertgen; Putur became the woodward instead. Since their offices demand cooperation from time to time, this has led to irritations on both sides.

9. Half-Villein (Birwen of Fertels)

Acres: 7 Size: 5

Birwen is a widower of 52. He caught a fever last fall and has been in bad health ever since. His two eldest sons do most of the work and care for their father and the younger children. The eldest daughter, Lisea, is 15 years old and both naive and curious. She pays too much attention to older men, preferably those married to other woman, and will likely get herself into trouble before long.

10. Villein/Beadle (Kalan of Meng)

Acres: 32 Size: 5

Kalan, the village beadle, is a loudmouth who brags and boasts all the time. He seems to be completely unaware of his unpopularity that his arrogance and his job bring him. His wife, Willa, is pregnant with her first child. This is currently Kalan's favorite topic to boast about. Other family members living in his household are his mother, sister and a halfwit brother named Dim.

11. Cottar (Lewin of Doerges)

Acres: 4 Size 3

Lewin is a young man of 22 who is very unhappy with his social standing. Born into serfdom, he resents all nobles. He is quite careless and tends to speak his mind freely when drunk. This might earn him a flogging if the lord should hear about it. Lewin makes his living as a farmhand and by fishing in the Shena Creek. He has petitioned Sir Lardis more than once for some additional acres but has been turned down due to his attitude.

12. Hideworker (Urle of Irvenis)

Size: 4 Quality: *** Price: average

Urle was hired by Sir Barian as bonded hideworker in 712. Urle used to be pretty frustrated with his situation, since he had much more work than he had expected. Sir Lardis altered their contract in 718, giving him a franchise under the obligation to buy all pelts from him. This has been a benefit to both due to the fact that Urle's enthusiasm has increased greatly since he gets a share of the profits.

13. Yeoman (Sheas of Garwen)

Acres: 15 Size: 3

Sheas, 38, is the head of the yeomen clan Garwen. His father and uncle were companions of Barian Ceselryd and were rewarded with their holdings for their service during the war with Kaldor. Sheas is a cautious man and tries to calm his cousin Meltin's desire for a war with the Pagaelin, assuming that his family has more to lose than to win in such a conflict. Nevertheless, he is a spearman and will do his duty if his lord calls upon him.

14. Half-Villein (Hedir of Fertede)

Acres: 15 Size: 2

Hedir is an escaped slave from Tharda. He is a friend of Elfred of Velarsin, whom he came to know on a joint caravan venture. The two arrived in Shenadun together. Hedir is not a very good farmer and is constantly having trouble meeting his feudal obligations. Being a former domestic slave, he has experience in managing a household and has petitioned the lord to give him more organizational tasks.

15. Villein/Herder (Fnorrek of Ganze)

Acres: 34 Size: 5

Fnorrek is a wealthy peasant due to his great skill both as a farmer and with animals. His wife, Fella, is pregnant with her fourth child. Fnorrek has an outgoing personality and is widely liked. Many would like him to take the office of the reeve, but Fnorrek is very happy with his work as a herder.

He tries to get along well with the other tenant officers, but his relationship with the boisterous Kalan of Meng and the quarrelsome Gernet of Doerges tends to be cool nevertheless. He is on good terms with the Ertgen clan and a close friend of the .

16. Half-Villein (Piter of Ertgen)

Acres: 17 Size: 4

Piter has an enormous fear of weapons and combat noises due to a disturbing experience. As a child, Piter and his family were attacked by a gang of Pagaelin while working in the village's fields. Piter's father lost an arm to a tribal axe while defending his children. Even having to touch a weapon makes him sweat and shudder. Piter has begged to be excused from militia training on frequent occasions, sometimes sending his sixteen year old son to replace him. Sir Lardis has tolerated this on condition that Piter spends the practice time digging at the ditch on training days.

17. Villein (Joshua of Kandelg)

Acres: 28 Size: 8

Being a successful farmer, Joshua has no problem feeding his large family. His wife is pregnant with her seventh child.

18. Yeoman (Elfred of Velarsin)

Acres: 27 Size: 3

Elfred hails from Moleryn in the Thardic Republic. Being a former legionnaire, Elfred mustered out after eight years of service as an archer in the Ramala legion. He spent several years as a mercenary, hiring as caravan guard on the salt route and other expeditions. Being tired of the life on the road, he convinced Sir Lardis to take him into his service when the two met in Burzyn in 718 TR. While Sir Lardis would have preferred a longbowman for the job, Elfred's experience in fighting barbarians just as in drilling inexperienced recruits gave him an advantage. He has a dozen men of the militia under his command, whom he has trained to become archers. With the lord's permission, he has allowed several of the women to participate in the training, with the result that the village could muster about two dozen reasonably skilled archers.

Elfred, in the self-sufficient tradition of the legion, also has skills as a fletcher and bowyer. The adjacent building next to his house is a workshop where he makes bows and arrows.

19. Half-Villein (Niak of Ertgen)

Acres: 12 Size: 4

Niak is the brother of the woodward and the cousin of Haran and Nuro. He is thoroughly impressed by Nuro's change into a freeman and has started to dream of freedom himself. He has greatly increased his participation in the militia training, hoping to be offered a position among the yeomen if any "vacancies" occur. His wife is currently working on a quilt gambeson for him made from homespun cloth and straw.

20. Cottar (Beorn of Fertels)

Acres: 4 Size: 1

Beorn is a recent arrival in the village. He worked as a free farmhand for a season before being offered some tenant acres by the lord. Sir Lardis has promised to increase his status to half-villein if he wants to marry. Beorn is currently looking for a suitable match.

21. Villein (Haran of Ertgen)

Acres: 31 Size: 4

Haran is the younger brother of Nuro and has inherited their father's land in his stead when Nuro became a yeoman. Haran is an active member of the militia, but otherwise prefers to live a quiet life.

22. Half-Villein (Klort of Kandelg)

Acres: 13 Size: 5

Klort is a notorious gossiper. He and his wife seem to spend most of their spare time spreading or picking up rumors. A saying goes that nothing can happen between Meldun and Burzyn that the Kandelgs don't know. Klort is a regular visitor of the inn, especially if visitors from outside the village are present. He can be a useful source of information if one has the patience to listen to him.

23. Yeoman (Meltin of Garwen)

Acres: 13 Size: 2

Meltin, 23, is the younger cousin of Sheas. A restless and aggressive man, he has a profound hatred for the Pagaelin and hopes that open war is waged against them soon.

24. Trapper (Nial of Bankeld)

Acres: 7 Size: 5

Nial is an aging woodsman of 53. He is beginning to become less willing to risk his neck in the wilderness and has petitioned Sir Lardis to give him some more freehold acres. The lord has offered him 10 serf acres, but Nial does not wish to give up his freedom so lightly. He hopes to convince Sir Lardis to give him enough freehold acres to retain his status.

25. Trapper (Bardek of Thelgan)

Acres: 4 Size: 6

Bardek, 23, has taken over the household from his father, who did not return from a hunting trip to the northern Anadels in 718. After a year his father was declared dead and Bardek became clanhead. Bardek believes that his father was killed by Pagaelin and has developed a burning desire for revenge. It is rumored that he has killed several tribesmen in the wilderness.

26. Trapper (Jenas of Hansen)

Acres: 4 Size: 5

Jenas, 26, arrived in Shenadun in 716 as a free trapper. He took this residence when he fell in love with a village girl. The two married in 717 and have three children. In truth, Jenas is an agent from the Navehan temple in Bejist, who was sent to Shenadun when the expansionist tendencies of the Ceselryds became apparent. For details on Navehan's activities see the section on the Augur Lodge.

27. Cottar/Herbalist (Lise of Garwen)

Acres: 3 Size: 4

Lise is a widow of 37, who lost her husband to a fever in the winter of 717 and now lives here alone with her three daughters. She is the sister of Sheas. A skilled midwife and herbalist, she got her training from her grandmother. Most women come to her when they need treatment for ailments which they don't wish to reveal to the village priest. Lise also knows about several illegal recipes, among them sleeping droughts, poisons and potions to achieve an abortion. She is very reluctant to reveal, let alone use, any such knowledge, as she is well aware of how quickly this might earn her an accusation of witchcraft.

28. Yeoman (Nuro of Ertgen)

Acres: 22 Size: 5

Nuro, often called "Nu-hru" by his friends, is a huge bear of a man of 7'2'' with heavy frame and enormous strength. Being the son of a villein, Nuro was promoted to freemen status by Sir Lardis in 719 after he defeated all of the lord's yeomen in a mock battle during the Roundshield Tourney. Nuro is a natural in staff and spear fighting, mostly wielding a heavy glaive in combat. He is fanatically loyal to Sir Lardis.

29. Half-Villein (Mechel of Jonel)

Acres: 20 Size: 5

Mechel traveled the lands as a bard for many years, before a wasting disease robbed him of his once beautiful voice. All it is now is an unpleasant croaking, barely audible enough for normal conversation. He still owns and plays several musical instruments. His wife, Selina, has learned to sing quite well over the years and together the two give occasional performances at the inn or at village festivals.

30. Villein (Tarston of Meller)

Acres: 27 Size: 5

For three generations the Meller's were yeoman farmers of Shenadun. In 676 TR, the Treasure War and annexation by Kaldor left them bereft of their status. After they had lost several clan members in the fighting and Shenadun was taken by Kaldor, the Mellers accepted serfdom to be allowed to retain their lands.

While some of his kinsmen are determined to win back their freedom, Tarston is not unhappy with his fate. He has witnessed the example of Nuro of Ertgen with interest, but is not too keen on fighting himself. He is perfectly happy to live a quiet farmer's life.

His wife, Lwilleth, is one of the female archers. Tarston is not too happy about her engagement in the militia, fearing that they both might be drawn into a possible conflict between the manorlord and the Pagaelin. Lwilleth has not heeded his advice, arguing that she would rather be prepared if such a conflict should arise.

31. Villein/Woodward (Putur of Ertgen)

Acres: 33 Size: 4

Putur is the head of clan Ertgen and the village Woodward. While his duties would theoretically include guarding the woods against poachers, this duty is placed upon Shenadun's yeomen due to the dangerous proximity of the Pagaelin tribes.

He works closely with the woodcrafter to provide timber for maintenance of the palisade and to supply building wood. He also controls the collecting of firewood by villagers, making sure that only dead wood is taken.

Shenadun has a relatively few timber resources, as most of the fief is pasture. Consequently, some of the lumber for building and firewood has to be taken from the eastern wilderness to avoid exhausting the fief's forests.

Putur organizes the felling of trees and their transport. Fortunately, the Shena Creek is deep enough to allow tree trunks to be rafted to the village. Otherwise the transport through the wilderness would be hazardous if not impossible.

32. Yeoman (Freng of Ceselryd)

Acres: 65 Size: 4

Freng, 24, is one of the lord's horsemen and is distantly related to Sir Lardis. Freng's father was lord Barian's cousin, and his family got their holdings as a reward for helping to take Shenadun during the Treasure War. Freng owns a warhorse that he supports from his large acreage. He is very proud of his position and considers himself to be something like a petty knight.

His wife, Leandre, fears for his safety while he is on patrol and has begun to work on a ringmail shirt for him, sewing small iron bezants on a leather shirt in the evenings. Sir Lardis has supported this initiative generously by paying for the metal, which is supplied and worked by the blacksmith.

33. Villein (Peul of Meller)

Acres: 23 Size: 4

Peul, 45, is the cousin of Tarston. Unlike his cousin, Peul resents the decline of his clan. He is very jealous of the Ceselryds, particularly due to the fact that the war brought a great rise in status and power to the Ceselryds, while it was the downfall of the Mellers.

34. Half-Villein (Cleon of Meller)

Acres: 15 Size: 5

Cleon, 37, is a widower and the brother of Peul. His wife died in childbirth in 717 TR. His father died in the Treasure War and Cleon saw enough of the fighting not to regret his serf status. Much to his dismay, his oldest son Jarald, 13, is determined to win back freeman status. Jarald frequently trains with his uncle.

35. Half-Villein (Jodin of Melbes)

Acres: 13 Size: 4

Jodin is 35 and a recent arrival in Shenadun. Being a former Villein from Torret Manor in Kaldor, Jodin fled with his family to Shenadun in 719 after killing one of the bailiff's men-at-arms, who attempted to rape his eldest daughter. Jodin found refuge in Shenadun due to the feud between the Ceselryds and the bailiff of Torret, Brenoir of Gwantir. He still fears the Gwantir's revenge and has accepted serfdom right away to make sure that his family is under Sir Lardis' protection.

36. The Old Hillgrave

This ancient hill grave is a legacy from the Jarin settlers who lived in the area prior to the Atani wars. The nearby stream changed its path over the centuries and started to undermine the structure. A recent heavy rainfall has caused a partial collapse of its chambers. A search by the villagers, supervised by Sir Lardis and the yeomen, has revealed several interesting findings. The mortal remains have been reburied on the village cemetery (off map in the northern woods).