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Thread: Sign Up Thread

  1. #1
    Lucius Malfoy's Avatar Pure-Blood
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    Default Sign Up Thread

    Start Date: 1099, Siege of Jerusalem
    - Bohemond in Antioch, having left the Crusade
    - Baldwin in Edessa, keeping an eye on the Euphrates
    - Tripoli taken by Raymond (or his equivalent) prior to Jerusalem, yet he moves south to aid the siege of Jerusalem
    - The combined armies of the First Crusade lay siege to Jerusalem

    Starting Armies
    Starting Armies will expire after 7 to 14 days (1 to 2 weeks, determined by the mods) as the knights and soldiers will either settle in the newly conquered lands or return home. These armies should be utilized to the full potential of a swift early expansion for the various states. Once they are gone, players will have to rely upon levies and retinues to do the job. These starting armies will have a composition of 10% knights, 20% archers/crossbowmen, 30% heavy infantry, and 40% light infantry.
    - Antioch: 5,000 men
    - Edessa: 3,000 men
    - Tripoli: 5,000 men
    - Jerusalem: 7,500 men

    Character Claims

    Bohemond de Hauteville: Brewster
    Raymond of Toulouse: Lucius Malfoy
    Baldwin of Boulogne: Oznerol
    Godefroy of Bouillon: Bastard Feudalism
    Robert of Normandy: cfmonkey
    Tancred de Hauteville: Jokern
    Eustace of Boulogne: Gandalfus
    Richard of Salerno (Hauteville): Della
    Hugh of Vermandois: Lord William
    Stephen of Blois: Chesser
    Peter the Hermit: Chesser
    Joscelin de Courtenay: Lucius Malfoy
    Last edited by Lucius Malfoy; November 06, 2019 at 08:45 AM.
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  2. #2
    Lucius Malfoy's Avatar Pure-Blood
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    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse



    Age: 58 (b. 1041)
    Title: Count of Toulouse and Count of Tripoli
    Spouse: Elvira of Castile, bastard daughter of King Alfonso VI (b. 1082)
    Children: Bertrand (b. 1067) - married to Helie of Burgundy, daughter of Duke Eudes I (b. 1080)
    Traits (6 points): +2 Battles, +1 Personal Combat, +2 Wealth, +1 Survival

    One of the great leaders of the First Crusade, noted for his age and riches, Raymond of Toulouse is known for his great piety and religious devotion to the Church and God. So much so was he devoted that Raymond was willing to die and be laid to rest in the Holy Land if he were not to make the journey to the Levant. Despite this religious attitude, the Count of Toulouse is known to be a fierce rival with Bohemond, especially due to what happened after the Siege of Antioch, where Raymond was unwilling to let go of Antioch, until the Crusader army marched onward, leaving Bohemond in command of the city and his principality. Now, Raymond stands before the towers and walls of Jerusalem, the greatest and most holy of prizes within the Levant. In his tent, his commanders find him praying often, when not in battle, praying to the Lord Above that Jerusalem be delivered into their hands soon enough.

    Along the way, the crusading army of Raymond attacked Tripoli, a vital port between Antioch and Jerusalem. A fierce siege ensued, but by the beginning of 1099, the city had fallen into his hands. From this, he proclaimed a state of his own, known as the County of Tripoli. Leaving a detachment of troops behind, Raymond would not stay in Tripoli for long, and continued marching south to Jerusalem.


    Joscelin, Seigneur of Courtenay



    Age: 29 (b. 1070)
    Title: Seigneur of Courtenay
    Spouse: Beatrice of Armenia, daughter of Constantine I (b. 1087)
    Children: N/A
    Traits (6 points): +2 Battles, +1 Personal Combat, +1 Wealth, +2 Survival

    Joscelin (II) is second son of Joscelin (I), Seigneur of Courtenay, a minor lordship in northern France. When the crusade was called, Joscelin answered it and joined the army of his cousin, Godefroy de Boullion and Baldwin of Boulogne. Martial prowess would come to him by taking up the Cross and joining the Crusade to the Holy Lands, where he served a lot under the latter of two. He followed Baldwin, away from the army, into the Kingdom of Armenia Cilicia, where he was betrothed to the daughter of the reigning Lord of Cilicia, Constantine I. From there, Joscelin would find himself, once more, joining Baldwin on his trek further west where he established the County of Edessa.

    Given the unstable borders, and the presence of the Turkish menace nearby, he did not rejoin the Crusading army, but stayed in Edessa to defend its borders.


    Jean, Chevalier of Clermont



    Age: 31 (b. 1068)
    Title: Chevalier of Clermont
    Spouse: N/A
    Children: N/A
    Traits (6 points): +2 Personal Combat, +2 Scout, +2 Survival

    Jean of Clermont was one of the many knights who flocked to the banner of the Cross and heeded the call of the Pope for a Crusader to the Holy Lands. His sword was offer, in service, to Count Hugh of Vermandois, son of King Henri and brother of King Philippe. However, Christ did call him to heaven when the Count's fleet was destroyed in a terrible storm, for Jean traveled with the main army over land, through Hungary and the Balkans. From Constantinople to the walls of Jerusalem, his sword was painted red with the blood of the Turkish menace that harassed them much of the way. Now, before the walls of Jerusalem, Jean can feel the call of God more than ever. Yet, he believes there is a greater purpose, a further role, that he will play in the name of the Almighty.
    Last edited by Lucius Malfoy; November 06, 2019 at 09:52 AM.
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  3. #3

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Eustace, Count of Boulogne
    EUSTACE, COMTE DE BOULOGNE



    Born 1060
    Marital Status:
    Married to Mary of Scotland (Born 1082), daughter of Malcolm of Scotland and Margaret of Wessex
    Titles: Count of Boulogne
    Children: Hugh (Born 1081), his natural son.

    Traits:
    +2 Battles
    +2 Personal Combat
    +2 Survival

    Eldest son of his father and more famous namesake, the companion of the Conqueror, this Eustace inherited his father's extensive properties in England and France upon his death in 1087, including the County of Boulogne. Before the call to the Holy Land, Eustace spent much of his adult life at war, either on behalf of his own interests in the Norman realms or his brother's dominions on the Rhine. But a life of bloodshed is full of sin, and Eustace's desire to secure remission for his sins was answered by the Pope's call to secure the Holy Land from the infidel. The Count gathered his not inconsiderable resources and began building an army to accompany his kinsmen on their righteous pilgrimage; both his brothers and his kinsmen of Flanders and Normandy also began mustering their own soldiers for the journey. The Count departed from Bolougne in 1096, just after securing a betrothal to Mary of Scotland - a marriage that will likely be finalised upon the Crusade's conclusion. With him travelled his entire household, and his lands placed in the trust of the Church for his presumed eventual return. Alongside Flanders and Curthose he fought the Seljuq Turks of Anatolia, before joining with his brotherÂ’s contingent shortly before the desperate siege of Antioch. From almost certain demise came great victory, and Eustace now believes that nothing may stop them from taking Jerusalem itself. In the political jostling that followed their taking of Antioch, Eustace ardently supported his younger brother, who has already began tussling with men such as Raymond of Toulouse for primacy over what will become the Latin States of the Levant.



    Gaston, Viscount of Bearn

    GASTON, VICOMTE DE BEARN



    Born 1075
    Marital Status: Married to Talesa of Aragon (Born 1078) Niece of the King of Aragon
    Titles: Viscount of Bearn
    Children/Relations: Guiscarda (Born 1095) Centule (Born 1096)
    Guillaume (Brother- Born 1077)


    Traits:
    +3 Battles
    +2 Personal Combat
    +1 Survival

    Gaston IV of Bearn comes from a long line of great patrons of the Christian faith, but has taken the conventional responsibilities of church building and charity to a new level. Even before la Croisade, Gaston had shed blood for Christ, fighting against the Muslims of Iberia under the King of Aragon, his kinsman by marriage. Already a fervent warrior of God, Gaston was among the first to join the armed pilgrimage to Jerusalem, leaving Bearn in the hands of his capable wife as he mustered as many soldiers as he could feed and joined Raymond of Toulouse in the long march east. Though he has been an enemy of the Muslims before, his dealings with them in Spain has predisposed him against the senseless wanton violence undertaken against them at Antioch and other captured cities; the long years of violent campaigning had left Gaston quite jaded by the time they finally broke free from Antioch and marched to Jerusalem in earnest. Motivated by faith rather than political gain, the Viscount of Bearn has become disillusioned with the bickerings of the senior Crusading nobles, and was the most vocal of those that spoke of the necessity of capturing the Holy City rather than wasting time on distractions such as Antioch and Tripoli. Nonetheless, he has now arrived before Jerusalem itself among the armies of God that prepare themselves for siege.


    Drogo, Seigneur de Payens



    Born 1074
    +3 Battles
    +3 Personal Combat

    Hailing from Perche, Drogo sold off almost all his possessions and departed on Crusade under the banner of Robert Curthose.



    Father Stephen of Arras





    Born 1070
    +2 Survival
    +2 Wealth
    +1 Personal Combat

    Born into a minor noble family, Stephen was sent off by his father to the Church to settle his debts to the Bishop. Showing some promise, Stephen was recently named a deacon before, motivated by piety, answering the call to the Holy City. Accompanying Adhemar le Puy himself, Stephen was well known amongst the crusading clergy by the time they reached the walls of Jerusalem - after the years of hardship, he openly wept at the sight of the City of Christ, and now fervently believes that the armies of Christendom were destined and blessed by God to overcome all odds and take the Holy City itself.


    Last edited by Gandalfus; November 06, 2019 at 06:14 PM.

  4. #4
    General Brewster's Avatar The Flying Dutchman
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    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Bohemond de Hauteville

    WIP or see Wiki lol

    Traits:
    2 Wealth
    2 Battles
    1 Personal combat
    1 Survival


    John Talbot


    Age: 32

    Family: Unnamed dead wife, Twin sons both 14 at game start.

    Traits:
    2 Wealth
    2 Battles
    1 Personal combat
    1 Survival


    Henry Talbot


    Twin brother to John, the baby to come out last.

    Age: 32

    Family: John Talbot - Twin Brother
    Traits:
    1 Battles
    3 Personal combat
    2 Survival
    Last edited by General Brewster; November 16, 2019 at 01:09 PM.

  5. #5
    chesser2538's Avatar Senator
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    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Peter the Hermit

    Peter the Hermit


    Age: 49 (b. 1050)
    Title: Priest of Amiens
    Spouse: N/A
    Children: N/A


    Skills:
    +2 Survival
    +2 Wealth
    +1 Personal Combat
    +2 Repudiation




    Stephen of Blois

    Stephen de Blois


    Age: 54 (b. 1045)
    Title: Count of de Blois,
    de Champagne, and de Meaux
    Spouse: Adela of Normandy
    Children:
    1.William, (b.1085),
    2.Theobald II, (b.1090)
    3.Odo, (b.1091 - d.1093)
    4.Stephen, King of England (b.1092)
    5.Lucia-Mahaut, (b.1097)

    Skill:
    +2 Battle
    +1 Personal Combat
    +2 Survival
    +1 Repudiation
    Last edited by chesser2538; November 08, 2019 at 09:02 AM.

    Under the Patronage of the venerable General Brewster

  6. #6

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Edessa
    BALDWIN OF BOULOGNE
    -Count of Edessa-



    Doux Baldwin, count of Edessa, enthroned, with his faithful men and retainers.

    Born 1065.
    Status: Married, to Ada (born 1084), daughter of Thathoul of Marash, lord of Armenia.
    Titles: Count of Edessa, count of Verdun.
    Children: None.

    Traits:
    +2 to Battles.
    +1 to Survival.
    +2 to Personal Combat.
    +1 to Wealth.

    Biography:

    The youngest among the children of late Eustachius of fame, count of Boulogne and companion to the Conqueror, William, king of England, and his wife, Ida, a God-fearing woman of spotless soul. The son of Eustachius was blonde, of hair and beard, fair of face, taller than most men, but not that much, long of limbs, strong of arm. He, Baldwin, was intended to serve the Allmighty and the Church, but that was not going to be his way and the nobleman, abandoning his priestly robes and prayers, married a noblewoman of good lineage, Godehilde, of the liking of his blessed mother. He did receive the teachings of the Church and was most learned, being able to read and write by his own hand and do calculations and talk in Latin and thus knew the Word of God. Christ himself ruled that no offspring was to be born from their union, for none was conceived in years of marriage, Godehilde remained barren. Godofredus, his brother, he be praised, had he, Baldwin, be named his heir, for he neither had sons, nor wife. When God, He be praised, inspired His earthly servants to reclaim His Patrimony, Patrimonium Christi, the Holy Land, center of the World, among those who took the blessed symbol of the cross was Baldwin, brother to Godfrey of Lotharingia, brother to Eustace of Boulogne, son to Eustace and Ida, comes of the place called Verdun, in Frankia. They, brothers of fame, forsaken their lands and earthly attachments, with a myriad men under their banners and flags, departed for the Levant, in hands of pagans, to liberate the Sancti Sepulchri and the Templum Salomonis. They were welcomed in Constantinopolis by the Caesar of the Romans and the Greeks, basileus Alexios, who they befriended and were oath bound and were his most loyal vassals and men and kissed him in the mouth. Baldwin, of the strong arm, sought to liberate the Cilicians, God-fearing people, and arrived at Tarsus, cradle of the Holy Paulus, He be Praised, and crossed and liberated his lands from the yoke of the infidels and then he was called to Edessa, in the lands of Babylon, in the Euphrates, one of the rivers of Paradise. And there he married Ada, fair maiden, daughter of Thathoul, and was aclaimed their doux, comes Edessatum, and there he made his abode and there he ruled, hammer of Pagans, servant of Christ. He conquered castles, brought peace to the land, extended the Faith of Christ and restored his Patrimony, he is his subjects' shield, strenght and support; their right arm; the terror of their enemies, the pagans. God stand as witness of his piety, God be praised. He, doux Baldwin, named me, poor servant of the Almighty, his chaplain, to take care of his inmortal soul. Written by mine own hand in the kalendas of March, Edessa, domus Balduini, Anno domini MLXXXXVIIII.

    Fulcher of Chartres.

    Last edited by Oznerol; November 06, 2019 at 10:12 AM.

    Left: artwork by the great Duncan Fegredo.

    A link to my Deviantart's account.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Guy de Hauteville



    Age : 35 (b.1064)
    Title(s) :
    Marital Status : Married (to Euphemia Batatzes (b. 1068)
    Children : Robert (10), Roscelin (6), Felicia (6)
    Traits : +2 Survival, +2 Battles, +1 Personal Combat, +1 Wealth

    A younger son of Robert Guiscard and his second wife, Sikelgaita, Guy would take part in his father's expedition against the Byzantine Empire, capturing the city of Vlorë in 1081, and would be present at his father's death in 1085. Following the death of his father, Guy would enter the service of Emperor Alexios I after receiving certain promises from the Emperor, according to Anna Komnene. Guy would attain the rank of Sebastos, along with becoming a councilor of the Emperor. When the Crusaders arrived outside of Constantinople, Guy would take part in the negotiations and serve as a hostage to ensure the Emperor's good faith during the negotiations. Taking part in the empire's campaigns in Asia Minor until the summer of 1097, where word from the Crusaders reached him at Philomelium(modern day Akşehir). Guy would lead a small detachment of horsemen to join the imperial army under Tatikios in Antioch. After Tatikios' departure from the siege in 1098, Guy would leave imperial service and join the Crusader host under his half brother, Bohemond.
    Last edited by Xion; November 08, 2019 at 10:42 PM.

  8. #8
    Jokern's Avatar Mowbray of Nottingham
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    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Tancred, Chevalier de Hauteville



    Age: 24 (born 1075)
    Title: Chevalier de Hauteville
    Spouse: Unmarried
    Children: None
    Traits (6 points):
    Battles +2
    Logistician +2,
    Personal Combat +1
    Reputation +1

    Son of Odo the Good Marquis and Emma de Hauteville, daughter of Robert Guiscard, Tancred comes from a line of Italo-Norman adventurers. In 1096, he and his brother Guillaume joined their maternal uncle Bohemond on the Crusade to the Holy Land. Fearful of the sinful nature of knightly warfare, Tancred felt excitement to partake in holy sanctified violence. Tancred participated in the Siege of Nicaea in 1097, but when the city was taken by the Byzantine army after secret negotiations with the defenders, he grew distrustful of his nominal allies.

    After the Crusaders divided their forces in Anatolia, Tancred led his troops into the Levant through the Cilician Gates. He would go on to conquer five of the most important sites in Cilicia Pedias, including the ancient cities of Tarsus and Adana. He assisted in the siege of Antioch in 1098, and a year later joined the assault on Jerusalem.


    Vittorio Spinola



    Age: 43 (born 1056)
    Title: Captain of the Free Company of St George
    Spouse: Alessandra Spinola (37)
    Children: Giuseppe (17)
    Traits (6 points):
    Battles +1
    Pillager +1
    Survival +2
    Personal Combat +1
    Assassin +1

    A young member of the new but rising Genoese Spinola family, Vittorio set out at an early age to make his own way in life. Serving as a mercenary in local conflicts in Northern Italy, he made a name for himself during the brief conflict when Emperor Henry IV besieged Rome to get rid of Pope Gregory VII, using his company of crossbowmen to great effect.

    With the beginning of the Crusade, Spinola saw new opportunities to expand the influence of his city in the Holy Land. He invested heavily in new equipment for his men and galleys to carry them to Jerusalem.
    Last edited by Jokern; November 06, 2019 at 03:36 PM.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread



    Omes dès Frès


    Age: Was born around the time that Philip of France came into his ascendancy, in summer maybe?

    Just a bloke what followed the Hermit from Picardy. Quite proud of how efficiently he was able to stick some farming tools onto staves.

    Survival: +3 to surviving death rolls and in duel defensive rolls.
    Pillager: +3. Improves loot gained from raids.

  10. #10
    cfmonkey45's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: Sign Up Thread




    Robert II Curthose, Duke of Normandy




    Spouse: None
    Titles: Duke of Normandy
    Issue: None

    Traits:
    • Battle (+2)
    • Personal Combat (+1)
    • Survival (+2)
    • Repudiation (+1)




    Robert II, also referred to as Robert Curthose, succeeded his father William the Conqueror as Duke of Normandy in 1087. Robert was the eldest son of William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England, and Matilda of Flanders. Following the death of King William the Conqueror, his realm was divided among his heirs, with Robert receiving the Duchy of Normandy while Henry received the Kingdom of England. Following this division, the two brothers mutually agreed to appoint one another as heirs. Robert remains heir to the throne of the Kingdom of England, while Henry remains heir to the Duchy of Normandy. The epithet "Curthose" had its origins in the Norman French word courtheuse "short stockings" and was apparently derived from a nickname given to Robert by his father; the chroniclers William of Malmesbury and Orderic Vitalis reported that William the Conqueror had derisively called Robert brevis-ocrea ("short boot"). The eldest son of William the Conqueror, Robert's reign as duke is noted for the discord with his brothers William II and Henry I in England. Robert mortgaged his duchy to finance his participation in the First Crusade, where he was an important crusader commander.

    As a child he was betrothed to Margaret, the heiress of Maine, but she died before they could be wed. Robert remains unwed, although he has expressed interest in marrying Sibyilla of Conversano de Hauteville. He was, however, also prone to laziness and weakness of character that discontented nobles and the King of France exploited to stir discord with his father William. He was unsatisfied with the share of power allotted to him and quarrelled with his father and brothers fiercely. In 1063, his father made him the Count of Maine in view of his engagement to Margaret, and Robert may have had independent rule in Maine. The county remained under Norman control until 1069 when the county revolted and reverted to Hugh V of Maine.

    In 1077, Robert instigated his first insurrection against his father as the result of a prank played by his younger brothers William Rufus and Henry, who had dumped a full chamber-pot over his head. Robert was enraged and, urged on by his companions, started a brawl with his brothers that was only interrupted by the intercession of their father. Feeling that his dignity was wounded, Robert was further angered when King William failed to punish his brothers. The next day Robert and his followers attempted to seize the castle of Rouen. The siege failed, but, when King William ordered their arrest, Robert and his companions took refuge with Hugh of Chateauneuf-en-Thymerais. They were forced to flee again when King William attacked their base at Rémalard.

    Robert fled to Flanders to the court of his uncle Robert I, Count of Flanders, before plundering the county of the Vexin and causing such mayhem that his father King William allied himself with King Philip I of France to stop his rebellious son. Relations were not helped when King William discovered that his wife, Robert's mother Queen Matilda, was secretly sending her son Robert money. At a battle in January 1079, Robert unhorsed King William in combat and succeeded in wounding him, stopping his attack only when he recognised his father's voice. Humiliated, King William cursed his son. King William then raised the siege and returned to Rouen.

    At Easter 1080, father and son were reunited by the efforts of Queen Matilda, and a truce lasted until she died in 1083. Robert seems to have left court soon after the death of his mother and spent several years travelling throughout France, Germany and Flanders. He visited Italy seeking the hand of the great heiress Matilda of Tuscany (b. 1046) but was unsuccessful. During this period as a wandering knight Robert sired several illegitimate children. His bastard son Richard seems to have spent much of his life at the royal court of his uncle William Rufus. This Richard was killed in a hunting accident in the New Forest in 1099 as was his uncle, King William Rufus, the next year. An illegitimate daughter was later married to Helias of Saint-Saens.

    In 1087, the elder William died of wounds suffered from a riding accident during a siege of Mantes. At his death he reportedly wanted to disinherit his eldest son but was persuaded to divide the Norman dominions between his two eldest sons. To Robert he granted the Duchy of Normandy and to William Rufus he granted the Kingdom of England. The youngest son Henry was given money to buy land. Of the two elder sons Robert was considered to be much the weaker and was generally preferred by the nobles who held lands on both sides of the English Channel since they could more easily circumvent his authority.

    At the time of their father's death the two brothers made an agreement to be each other's heir. However this peace lasted less than a year when barons joined with Robert to displace Rufus in the Rebellion of 1088. It was not a success, in part because Robert never showed up to support the English rebels.

    Robert took as his close adviser Ranulf Flambard, who had been previously a close adviser to his father. Flambard later became an astute but much-disliked financial adviser to William Rufus until the latter's death in 1100.

    In 1096, Robert formed an army and left for the Holy Land on the First Crusade. At the time of his departure he was reportedly so poor that he often had to stay in bed for lack of clothes. To raise money for the crusade he mortgaged his duchy to his brother William for the sum of 10,000 marks.


    Alan IV, Duke of Brittany


    Spouse: Constance of Normandy, Ermengarde of Anjou
    Titles: Duke of Brittany
    Issue: Conan the Fat

    Traits:
    • Battle (+2)
    • Personal Combat (+1)
    • Scout (+1)
    • Survival (+1)
    • Repudiation (+1)



    A traditional rivalry between Brittany and Normandy continued at the close of the 11th century. The Breton-Norman war of 1064–1065 was the result of William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy (later to become known as William the Conqueror) support of rebels in Brittany against Alan's maternal uncle, Conan II.

    Conan II died in late 1066 during a campaign in Anjou, and was succeeded by Alan's parents, Conan's sister Hawise and her husband Hoel II. Hoel ruled as regent from Hawise's death in 1072 until Alan reached his majority in 1084.

    To prevent further hostilities during his invasion of England, William I married his daughter Constance to the new duke Alan in 1087. The marriage ceremonies may have taken place in Bayeux in Normandy. William of Malmesbury wrote that Constance was unpopular at the Breton court because of her "severe and conservative" manner. However, Orderic Vitalis wrote that as duchess Constance did all she could to further the welfare of the Bretons, who grieved deeply at her death in 1090.

    In 1092 Alan IV donated property to the abbey of Redon by charter, and by 1093 married Ermengarde of Anjou, as a political alliance with Fulk IV of Anjou to counter Anglo-Norman influence. Alan IV joined his brother-in-law, Robert Curthose, in the First Crusade.



    Stephen of Aumale, Count of Aumale


    Spouse: Hawise de Mortemer
    Titles: Count of Aumale, Lord of Holderness (Revoked)
    Issue: None

    Traits:
    • Battle (+1)
    • Personal Combat (+1)
    • Survival (+2)
    • Assassin (+2)



    He was son of Odo, Count of Champagne, and Adelaide of Normandy, countess of Aumale, sister of William the Conqueror. Stephen succeeded his mother as Count before 1089.

    In the conspiracy of 1095 against William Rufus, the object of the rebels was to place Stephen on the English throne. Stephen was the first cousin of brothers William Rufus, King of England and Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. The leaders were Robert de Mowbray and Guillaume III of Eu, Count of Eu. Stephen was apparently not put on trial himself as he may have been out of the king's reach in Normandy. Stephen's father Odo of Champagne lost his English lands for his complicity.

    In 1096 Stephen joined the First Crusade as part of the army of Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy.

    Last edited by cfmonkey45; November 07, 2019 at 06:24 PM.

  11. #11
    Dirty Chai's Avatar Dux Limitis
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    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    GODEFRIDVS BVLIONENSIS
    DVX LOTHARINGIAE

    Godfrey of Bouillon Born in Boulogne by the sea, in September of 1061, as a second son to the union of Eustace, count of Boulogne, and Ida, daughter of the duke of Lower Lotharingia. Godfrey was named for his mother's father and brother, Godfrey the Bearded and Godfrey the Hunchback, respectively. Like his elder brother Eustace and younger brother Baldwin, Godfrey was raised by their mother Ida directly, rather than by wet-nurse - even breast-fed by the countess, so that they would not be contaminated by another mother's morals. His grandfather died when he was but 8, and his uncle, though he had married Matilda of Tuscany, had failed to sire an heir, and so named his his nephew Godfrey as his heir.

    But God had other plans for the sixteen-year-old, designed to test him. Henry, King of the Romans, forbade Godfrey from inheriting his uncle's dukedom, and allowed him only the lands of the Arduenna Silva and march of Antverpia. Godfrey obeyed, took up home in the castle of Bouillon, newly rebuilt by his grandfather, and answered Henry's call against the Saxon nobility and Rudolf, the pretender. For the next eleven years, Godfrey ventured across Charlemagne's empire, from the Elbe river to the Holy See of St Peter in Rome itself, fighting all who made themselves foe of the lord of all kings and men - Henry, Emperor of the Romans. And every campaign was followed with a shadow, for Godfrey would race home to his lands to face assaults from every single one of his neighbors in Lotharingia: counts of Chiny, Arlon, Limburg, Namur, Veluwe, and the bishops of Liege and Verdun - often all at once.

    Time and time again, Bouillon resisted its enemies against all odds. This came, by the mercy of the mother of God, with the help of Godfrey's brothers, Eustace and Baldwin, who rode by his side when he was present and watched his rights when he was absent. Finally, when the count of Namur murdered the Count Palatine in 1085, the Emperor grew weary of these disloyal and feuding nobles, whilst Godfrey had earned his respect and favor. The bishop of Liege proclaimed a Truce of God in favor of Godfrey, and in 1067, the emperor bestowed Godfrey with his dukedom over Lower Lotharingia, at long last.

    In 1095, Ida's second son, faithful and steadfast Godfrey, received God's call. He was well-known across Christendom, and sold his estates and lordships to the bishops of Liege and Verdun for several marks of gold. He gathered around him perhaps nearly forty-thousand men, and they set forth across Charlemagne's road, and reached Constantinople first among all those who took up the path of the cross.


    As with his brothers Eustace and Baldwin, Godfrey is tall of statue, face fair in shape, and hair gilded blonde. Godfrey in particular is known for his intensity and devotion.



    Born 1061 (38 years old in 1099)
    Unmarried; No children
    Titles in the West: Duke of Lower Lotharingia

    Battles +3
    Personal Combat +2
    Survival +1
    Last edited by Dirty Chai; November 08, 2019 at 04:14 AM.

  12. #12
    Mary The Quene's Avatar Praeses
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    Richard of Salerno


    Born: 1065 Anno Domini
    Status: married, to Altrude, daughter of Emma of Hauteville and Odo the Good.
    Titles: /
    Children: Roger (10), Marià (5)

    Traits:
    +2 battles
    +2 survival
    +2 personal combat

    Biography: Link to wikipedia
    Veritas Temporis Filia

  13. #13

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    Guglielmo Embriaco.

    Born 1045.
    Status: Married.
    Children: Quite a few. I'm not totally sure of how many.

    Traits:

    +1 Battles.
    +1 Logistician.
    +1 Survival.
    +2 Wealth.
    +1 Personal Combat.

    Biography:
    There is little as adventurous than a Genoese. We're specialists in naval warfare, natural born sailors and traders, way better than those pesky Venetians, who everyone knows are a thrice-cursed people and good-for-nothing, at all. Who did ever thought living in a lagoon was a good idea, anyway? Whatever, this wine isn't too good. You need someone to fight those Saracens? Well, we can come in handy. My brother, that sop, Primo, thought it was a good idea and now our poor ships were turned into siege towers. Ahhh... they will never feel the waves again. They rocked me like a good lover. Aye, good ships. Makes me sad. Bring me another! Well, make it two. So, the matter here is that we're stuck before Jerusalem and these entitled Franks owe us our ships and a good deal of money. Well, at least I'm getting my sins absolved. I think. I hope. What's funny is seeing these Northernes sweat like damn swine, they can't stay under this sun much longer. Did I end that cup too? Jesus Christ, they make them so small these days...

    *Hiccups*

    Left: artwork by the great Duncan Fegredo.

    A link to my Deviantart's account.

  14. #14
    Barry Goldwater's Avatar Mr. Conservative
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    Etienne son of Nicholas, of Cloyes


    Age: 12 (b. February 27, 1087)
    Title: N/A
    Spouse: N/A
    Children: N/A, he's a kid himself!
    Traits (4 points): +1 Personal Combat, +1 Scout, +2 Survival

    Etienne is the son of humble farmers from the village of Cloyes-sur-le-Loir in the Orleanais, and thus, a figure of no note in the ongoing crusade. A zealous churchgoer who fantasized about becoming a knight with his friends, he was swept up in the excitement of the People's Crusade back in 1096 and snuck away from his home to fall in line behind Peter the Hermit with some of the other boys from Cloyes, personally armed only with a butcher's knife and whatever stones he could find from the riverbank.

    Then-eight-year-old Etienne did not kill anyone as the People's Crusade made its way through Europe, devastating Jewish communities as they went, but he did indirectly participate in the killings of Rhineland Jews by pointing out those Jews who tried to escape the wrath of the older crusaders. Nor did he kill anyone in the Balkans, where he served as a camp lookout while the army repeatedly blundered into hostilities with the Magyars and Byzantines. No, unlike many of the adults of the People's Crusade, Etienne can rightly say he saved his blade for the infidels, having first fatally struck a Turk on the head with a rock at the desperate 'Battle' of Civetot (where all of his remaining friends from Cloyes died or were taken by the Turks) before fleeing to an abandoned Byzantine fortification with Geoffrey Burel's contingent.

    While the Byzantine navy ferried them back to the European side of the Bosphorus, Etienne entertained thoughts of going home, though it was obvious to all that they had definitely not reached Jerusalem. At least they had come (kind of) close, right? But the real crusaders showed up soon afterward, thousands of knights atop mighty steeds and professional sergeants in ringmail, and there the boy decided that if he were to stick with them, he might actually make it to Jerusalem after all. And that's what he's been doing for the past three years. As the older crusaders have perpetually kept him as a camp sentry, stuck with the rest of the non-combatant camp followers, the only action he has ever gotten to see was whenever the Saracens raided the crusader encampment. His kills were few - actually, exactly one, it was a Saracen raider who was already half-dead from a wound inflicted by his previous opponent - and humiliating defeats where he had to be bailed out by the older knights and soldiers, many, though at least he got to loot a dagger he keeps thinking is a sword out of it.

    Etienne hopes Jerusalem will be different. He wept upon finally laying eyes on the holy city, as did many of the adults. And the situation for the crusaders has gotten desperate enough over the summer, while he has grown tall enough, that he's been reassigned to help with what everyone hopes is the final assault on the city - finally, he would be fighting for real. Etienne now consigns his soul to God in nightly prayers, simply waiting for the time where he would be falling in line behind a siege tower with the rest of the poor infantry to do or die.

  15. #15

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Hugh of Ravendel



    Born 1081

    Marital Status: Unwed

    Titles: Lord of Ravendel

    Traits:
    +2 Battles
    +2 Personal Combat
    +2 Survival

    The natural son of Eustace, now serving his uncle Baldwin, Count of Edessa.


  16. #16

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Raymond Pilet d'Alès

    Age : 24 (b. 1075)
    Titles : Siegneur of d'Alès
    Marital Status : Married (to Agnes .)
    Children : Raymond (b. 1090), Beatrice (b.1093), Bernard (b. 1095)
    Traits : +2 Battles, +2 Personal Combat +2 Survival

    Bio wip

  17. #17
    Lucius Malfoy's Avatar Pure-Blood
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    Bertrand of Toulouse

    Name: Bertrand of Toulouse
    Age: 32 (b. 1067)
    Title: Lord of Gibelacar and Regent of Tripoli
    Spouse: Helie of Burgundy, daughter of Duke Eudes I (b. 1080)
    Children: Pons of Tripoli (b. 1098)
    Traits (6 points): +2 Battles, +1 Personal Combat, +1 Wealth, +2 Survival

    The eldest son of Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, Bertrand came on the Crusade, with his wife and family, to seek fortune in the Levant. His father, who proclaimed himself Count of Tripoli, upon the city's capture, ensured that Bertrand was named his heir and proceeded to make him regent of the county while Raymond went south to Jerusalem. Utilizing this time wisely, Bertrand seeks to ensure his reputation and plans to expand the County in his father's absence, securing his future inheritance.
    Last edited by Lucius Malfoy; November 13, 2019 at 09:40 AM.
    Gaming Director for the Gaming Staff
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  18. #18

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Dropping Gaston in agreement with Brewster.

    ---


    Bohemond of Taranto

    BOHEMOND
    PRINCEPS TARENTINUS et PRINCEPS ANTIOCHENUS





    "He was a marvel to behold, and his reputation was terrifying ... A certain charm hung about this man but that was partly marred by a general air of the horrible. He was so made in mind and body that both courage and passion reared their crests within him and both inclined to war. His wit was manifold and crafty and able to find a way of escape in every emergency ... The man who was such a size and such a character was inferior to the Emperor alone in fortune and eloquence in other gifts of nature."

    Anna Komnene, the Alexiad

    Bohemond of Taranto
    Arriving at Constantinople in April of 1097, Bohemond of Taranto had already established his reputation as one of the finest warriors in the Mediterranean, as an enemy of the Greeks that he now courted favour with. Norman ambition led Bohemond's father Robert of Apulia to make war on the Caesar of the Romans, laying siege to Dyracchium and winning a great victory there against their foe. For three years, Bohemond rampaged through Greece and the Balkans, until the death of his father forced the errant princeling to return home. There, he made war upon his brother Roger Borsa for the rule of southern Italy, only being reconciled when they met at their father's tomb and divided the hard won domains of Robert Guiscard between them. The small lordship of Taranto was Bohemond's compensation for his lost inheritance, but peace did not last long. Once again, there was war between the brothers, for the ever discontented Prince of Taranto felt frustrated at the collapse of his ambitions.

    Then came the call to Jerusalem. Bands of Crusaders travelling through Italy inspired Bohemond to venture east, and so he gathered men and ships and set out to meet the rest of the Princes at Constantinople. At the Queen of Cities he met with his old foe Alexius and did him homage, and joined the other Crusaders in crossing the Bosporus into Anatolia. In prowess of war, none equalled the Normans or their lord, and the knights of southern Italy cut a bloody swathe through the Turks and Saracens up to the walls of Antioch. In that desperate hour Bohemond then seized the city through cunning, saving the crusade from certain failure once again in leading them out of Antioch's gates and routing Kerbogha.

    The city was Bohemond's prize, and he would let none take it from him. Now Prince of Antioch, the rest of the Crusaders continued on to Jerusalem whilst he established for himself a principality on the Orontes river.


    Born 1054 AD

    Traits:
    +3 Battle
    +2 Personal Combat
    +1 Survival




  19. #19
    Lord William's Avatar Duke of Nottingham
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    10,742

    Default Re: Sign Up Thread

    Name: Hugh Capet
    Rank: Count of Vermandois
    Age: Born 1053 (37)
    Traits:
    +2 battles
    +2 logician
    +1 personal combat
    +1 survival

    Name: Gilbert de Clare
    Rank: Baron/Earl of Clare
    Age: Born 1065 (25)
    Traits:
    +3 battles
    +2 personal combat
    +1 survival

    Name: Levon of Vaspurakan
    Rank: Unlanded Baron
    Age: Born 1067 (23)
    Traits:
    +2 battles
    +3 personal combat
    +1 survival

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