Pontefract Castle, Seat of the Earl of Kendall.

[Gandalfus]

Thomas Beaufort, 1st Earl of Kendall, Baron Furnival and brother of King Henry resides here, having been granted the constabulary of Pontefract Castle, in Yorkshire. From this grand fortress he oversees his relatively modest estates, most of which descended upon him from his wife, the baroness Furnival.

Since 1399, Richard II of England has been kept here as a prisoner under house arrest, though this has been largely kept as a secret from the rest of the realm.

Character Information

Sir Thomas Beaufort, Earl of Kendall Age: 21 (Born 1377) Titles: 1st Earl of Kendall, Baron Furnival jure uxoris. Status: Married, to Margaret Neville, Baroness Furnival. Traits: +2 charisma +2 survival +2 battles Temperaments: - Empathic: This character is strongly attuned to the emotions of others and cares for them, making them great friends or kinsmen to have - but poor warriors and generals. +2 to AI reaction rolls, -1 to battle/joust/duel rolls. - Idealistic: This person is a strong believer in higher ideals and the innate goodness of man. On the one hand they tend to be inspiring and uplifting figures, on the other they can be taken advantage of by those who live well beneath their expectations. +1 to AI reaction rolls, -1 to rout/assassination/escape rolls. - Amiable: This character is a pleasant person who tries very hard to get along with everyone s/he meets. Indeed, perhaps too hard, at that...they also tend to excessively seek validation from others, and at worst can be described as clingy ticks. +1 to AI reaction rolls, -1 to duel rolls.

Demesne and Income:

Demesne: Kendall, Westmorland: Sparse Income (£250) Alton, Staffordshire: Average Income (£300) Worksop, Nottinghamshire: Average Income (£300)

Regional Bonuses:

Pontefract Castle: Originally built in 1070 by the Norman De Lacy family, this castle - also known as Pomfret Castle at this time - passed into the hands of the House of Lancaster in 1311 (its first Lancastrian holder, 2nd Earl Thomas, was executed and buried there after a failed rebellion against Edward II) and became one of their favored residences afterwards. John of Gaunt, who received it after the death of Henry of Grosmont, spent large sums renovating it. +4 siege rolls, -4 raid rolls. Border Lords: Those whose estates are close to the Scottish border are used to dealing with raiders and invading armies. -2 raid rolls, -5% soldier cost and upkeep, +1 free knight commander.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A letter arrives from the Earl of Bedford, requesting his brother's presence in London, at the Tower. He states it involves private matters from the King himself.

[Gandalfus]

The order came, with news of rebellion in Wales prompting an extreme response, apparently. Kendal had a lump in his throat when the missive was passed to him, the royal seal a stamp of approval. It was opened, and duly read, Kendal's eyes following the scrawled handwriting.

For the safety of my line. It reads, as justification. The line of Edward's firstborn would be snuffed out, though.
To prevent the tyrant's return. It reasoned, though this King also faced rebellion. And yet this King was his brother.

So, Kendal gave the order, deciding to let another stain his hands with the vile deed. It would be sudden, and swift, a smothering in the night, the perpetrators strong and silent in deed. It was a brutal necessity, but it had to be done. Or at least, that was what the letter had said. It was better to keep such things out of mind.

The servants discovered the corpse the next morning, as if by accident. He'd passed from a sudden illness, they said, perhaps the sweats. A missive was written, borne to London, to bear the bad news. Richard's body, serene and in blissful peace, was quietly interred not far from the castle itself, near a small chapel.

The King was dead. Long live the King.