The town of Bruck-an-der-Mür lies at the confluence of the Mür and Mürz rivers, in a valley of the Styrian Alps about 34 miles north of Graz, and 43 miles southwest from Wien. Iron mines litter the surrounding hills which overlook the settlement, and the stone fortress of Landskron (Sir Gozwin protects the town and resides here) stands just north of town protecting the important stop along the route from Graz to Salzburg.
Farmers herd sheep, goats, and cattle, and though unwalled, an impressive stone church, the Weisskirch, with a finely wrought iron door is the town's pride.
Auras
Daytime - Divine 3
The Weisskirch - Divine 5 (3 at night)
Nighttime -
The only hostel in town, including a humble tavern, run by the hostler Karl and his nagging wife Katherina. They do not take well to strangers unless by regular visits they come to know them, and even then over a period of several years and many visits (they even regard Sir Wolfram as an outsider since his family only came here in 1160). Karl loves a regimented schedule and any deviations may cause him to grow annoyed and grow lax in his duties. Their daughter, age 17, is the cook.
The black sheep which is given free range to roam around the town. It is considered bad luck to kill the beast, and if it crosses a villager's path it is customary to pay it some sort of tribute. Having grown plump over the years, some shepards even herd it amidst their flock to keep it from straying too far and getting into trouble. Its death would be a bad omen for the town.
The 'white church', a Romanesque structure which was finished in 1189. Sir Ottinger, Wolfram's uncle, is interned here beneath a great iron mold. A large iron bell hangs in the belfry. The interior is marked with arched wooden beamed ceiling, and the acolyte Hans lives here with an old monk, Jurgis, who tends to the boys needs. Father Burchard resides in castle Landskron, being far too old and sickly to stand the cold night drafts.
Kept all year long, with the last egg of the season in its removed shell tied to a sack at its top to prevent lightning strikes.
Since this town is unwalled, its burgeoning population of miners has led to a rather muddy, grassy knoll where each Saturday they congregate. Games are played here in warmer weather and carts set up to peddle wares during weekends.
This popular tavern caters primarily to the miners who spend their long hours in the hillsides surrounding Bruck during the week. Ernst fashioned a great frog in a drunken fit several Midsummer's ago, and it sits on the mantle of this shack as a proud fixture. Miners rub it for good luck when they arrive and before they depart, consequently its nose is a rather dull shiny spot that glistens in the warm crackle of the hearth. Regularly open until an hour or so past dark, this staple of the town lights up each weekend with activity, and might attract a Minnesinger once in a while. It is run by Hermann Kernn, an old miner who was forced to abandon his profession when his left arm was crushed in an accident in the mine. The food is lousy, but the company grand and the ale cold.
The Chamberlain of Bruck, appointed by Gozwin to assume noble duties. He is educated, having learned to scribe Latin at the Abbey of Krems before angering the Abbot with his impetuous nature. He is quite proud of his intelligence and learning, so much so that the other townfolk consider him a snob. He is the miller as well, which accounts for his wealth, as he convinced Gozwin to outlaw hand-querns to increase revenue (another point of consternation between he and the town). A thin, piercing man who hires young lads to work the mill, really never having endured manual labor his whole life.
A powerfully built man given power by Sir Wolfram (the previous Lord of Landskron, who never returned from the Crusade) to hunt deer and other game. He is the warden, serving to halt poachers, and in his old age takes his duties seriously (though he isn't heartless if good cause is given, and may let perpetrators away with one warning). He is wary of the woods at night and knows the valley quite well.
Boisterous miner who owns the warrior cock Godl. This bird has only one eye with bald spots, and half a wing. It was a great champion in retirement now. Edwin leads the monthly cock-fighting matches, the last Sunday of each month. Very picky about what new faces he allows to join.
The Blacksmith, a 40 year old man with great endurance. He generally avoids making weapons, as too many good weaponsmiths forge their works in nearby Graz. Anxious about competition as he is quite mediocre.
A young shepard who was beat by his mother because he got her caught using a hand-quern. He is called the village fool, and can be found watching any interesting people or events quietly nearby. He has quite large ears, and will recoil or run if threatened or spoken to (hard to win over as a friend). He works in pig slop, shoveling manure to the fields.
The midwife, who is wrinkled and withered despite being only 31 (her mother died recently, leaving her to inherit the task). Townfolk know to consult her in times of need, for she has magic powers and can conjure her mother's ghost from a cauldron. Even the church is aware of her, and though her herbal remedies are discouraged, father Burchard is too kind-hearted to outright forbid her counsel. She is the survivor of twins, with spindly arms, and knows a great deal about herbal magics and cures (for warts, hexes, etc). Her mother Ursula was once known in the valley as a bewitching, evil girl.
Sir John's wife, a humble plain woman in her 30's who is devoted to her husband. Quiet as a mouse,. She came to Rabenstein to gather their help in John's time of need against the conspiring Sir Henry in the summer of 1204. She is convinced their magic helped her husband.
A mercenary from England who was knighted on the 3rd crusade. He married a lass from Bruck that he met en-route (Sophia) and is retired here, kindly serving the townfolk and father Burchard as best he can. He lost a hand in punishment at the hands of Saladin. John is a freeman, fairly wealthy because of his riches from the Crusades, but he lives humbly and donates generously, often giving to the sick, or pilgrims passing through (though careful not to let the townfolk see him doing this let they become envious or feel put to shame). He is the Marshal of Bruck, a title granted by Sir Wolfram. Each day he makes rounds about the town, always unarmed, to see that all work is being done. He is wary of Magyars, whom he fought once, and will likely challenge any that he meets to swear their devotion to God Almighty.
John is a famous story-teller, relaying fabulous tales of his adventures in the East, certainly exagerations. Among his stories, that his hand was cut by Saladin himself when John refused to marry his daughter who fell in love with him. He raised King Richard up and over the walls at Acre.
The assistant to father Burchard. When he administers the Mass in the Father's absence (he is often sickly), he is cold, and condescending. His curiosity has led him to develop a relationship with the wizards of Rabenstein, with whom he has held philosophical debate and discussion regarding the nature of sin, the human soul, magic, and the Order of Hermes. His great secret is that he aided the magi in their spell to inspire lust in Chancellor Henry, which led to the knight's death, by stealing the hairbrush of the noble.
The tax collector of Landskron (fealty to Duke Leopold of Austria). He is dead, killed in a duel with Sir John, which the Magi of Rabenstein had a hand in forcing.
This page last modified 8/16/97.
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