The fortress of Sir Wolfram which was completed in 1185 and protects the town of Bruck. It is situated on a sloping hillside only 2 miles northwest of the settlement. Ministeriales loyal to the Duke Leopold, including Gozwin and Henry, resist attempts by the Archbishop of Salzburg to gain their servitude, but who knows for how long. Soldiers are retained to defend the pass. Their master Wolfram was loyal to Duke Ottokar of Styria before his death in 1192 without an heir, and though the Emperor transferred the duchy to the Babenberg family (Duke Leopold of Austria), these ministeriales are reasonably independent and deferent in bestowing allegiances. True loyalty lies to the Empire, supporting Philip and the Staufens in their civil conflict with Otto for the Imperial Crown.
Leige of Duke Leopold VII and proprietor of both Bruck and his fortress of Landskron. He departed on a Crusade to the Holy Land at the behest of Duke Ottokar in 1191 and is feared dead. His wife Imagina remains behind at Landskron, a demanding, lazy, spoiled woman. He was declared dead by the Archbishop of Salzburg in 1204 AD.
The butler of Wolfram, de facto ruler of the fortress and town. He married Jacqueline, Wolfram's daughter, and inherited this post. He is now Lord in Wolfram's stead since the Archbishop's decision in 1204.
The widow of Sir Wolfram, a wide-eyed innocent lady who knows only the pampering of her noble conditioning. She rarely ventures forth outside and grows larger each winter.
Genuinely kind priest of Weisskirche. He is so pale and sickly that he lives in Landskron for his own health. Discourages villagers from consulting Inge, and is kept in the dark by peasants who know he wouldn't like their traditions.
The Chancellor, an aging cousin of Imagina whose poor manners and unlucky past led him to defer authority here to upstart Gozwin. He administers to the town, collecting foodstuffs and taxes as agreed. Perhaps the most unpopular man in Bruck next to the miller Albert.
This page last modified 8/16/97.
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