A Summary of major characters, locations, and the time period. This story is set in the early 1200's, during the time of the fifth and sixth crusades. The story itself is set in a hilly, woodland region of Europe, somewhere within the English countryside.

One distinction to make herein is the use of Ser and Sir. For distinction purposes, a Ser is one knighted under a lord’s authority, and a sworn banner of their liege lord. A Sir is one knighted by the King himself, and is sworn to the crown’s service when summoned.

Major Locations:

The Holy Lands & Jerusalem: Comprises the majority of the middle eastern region, extending north from Egypt. Jerusalem is the capitol region, and the goal of the Crusades, as a place of significant importance for both the Muslim and Christian faiths. Many factions fight for control of the region, including large crusader armies, and Jihadists fighting for their own ideology’s.

Haraldon: A middle sized village built along a riverside. The village itself has little strategic value, but its fiefdom is significant due to the large amount of farms surrounding it. Several other small un-named hamlets and villages are set along the river and in the countryside surrounding it.

The Carcer Manor: A large, fortified, three level mansions, as it were, built of solid grey stone. A large stone wall rings the grounds, which include stables, barracks, kennels, and servant quarters. Its construction somewhat resembles that of European castles, however, aside from the outer wall, the manor’s defenses are lacking, to say the least. However, to make up for this, it has a significant garrison of several hundred men at any time.

The Villa: A Roman Villa, suspected to have been owned by a general or senior officer in the countryside. Found originally by Lynal, and restored at some expense to the lord. Used as a personal retreat, it is maintained diligently by his butler, John Uxhi, and his small retinue of guards and servants who are permanently housed at the Villa.

The Roussel Manor: More villa than manor like Isiat’s, the home of the Roussel family, comprising of John and Edric, and their wives, Dalia and Bethany. It is a large, single story villa by a lake, maintained by a host of gardeners and servants, who are led by the stag, Hobbs. A small garrison of knights and men at arms keep the peace and protect the villa, but it is otherwise lacking defenses.

The Stryker Manor: Home of the Stryker family, and Lord Urial Stryker. A large mansion on the opposite side of Heraldon from the Carcer Manor. A large, two story home with a staff of servants and some household guards recruited from the local populace. Lacks anything in the way of defenses save for heavy doors and a handful of murder holes above them.

Castle Turen: A large castle several leagues from the Manor, home of the Turen family. A large, sprawling castle encompassing significant grounds atop an easily defensible hillside, with sheer cliffs to its rear.  Home of Sir Jonas Turen, and a large garrison. With high walls, and over a thousand men at arms and knights housed or within a few miles of the fortress, it boasts nigh impregnability.  

Major Characters:

The Carcer Family : Crest is a Fox's Head surrounded by a wreath of tails. Variations exist amongst his banner men. Family is mongrel Keynari in species.

Sir Isiat Squire Carcer: Lord of the Carcer Manor, and the main protagonist. Holder of significant land deeds around and including Haraldon, and knighted by the King after fighting alongside his father in the crusades. Youngest of his two siblings. Married to Lady Victoria Carcer (Turen).

Lady Emma Carcer: Daughter of Isiat and Victoria. Recently born, with features of both parents.

Master Hunter Carcer: Son of Isiat and Victoria. Five and a half years old, with his father’s brilliant mind and cunning. Disliked by his nannies for being ‘to clever for his own good’. Often found up to mischief.

Brother Knight Sergeant Owen Carcer: Eldest son of Lynal Carcer, and Lord Sir Isiat's elder brother. sworn knight sergeant of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Knights Templar) Believed captured in the crusades.

Sir Lynal Carcer: A lord in the Holy lands, father of Isiat, Owen and Yelena Carcer. Maintains a small area some short distance from Jerusalem, comprising of a castle and farmlands.

Lady Yelena Carcer: Daughter of Lynal to his mistress in the Holy Lands, and half sibling's to Isiat and Owen Carcer. Regarded as incredibly un-lady like in her manners, but revered as her father’s blade wielding prodigy.

Ser John Uxhi: The Carcer family butler, and former assassin under the employ of Sir Lynal Carcer. Dismissed, upon his master settling in the holy land, and sent back to Europe to watch over his master Lynal’s son Isiat. Long retired from his assassin days, he tends to his master’s household diligently. Husband to Johari Uxhi.

Lady Johari Uxhi: Wife of John Uxhi, and daughter of a Saracen lord. One of twenty sisters in a Harem offered to Lynal Carcer after her father surrendered. Given to John Uxhi as a gift for good service. Known to dress as her guardians do, and proficient with a pair of scimitars. Maintains a retinue of fifty of her father’s best warriors.

The Stryker Family : Crest is a roaring Amsaii Lion. Family is pure Amasii lion. 

Lady Shadi Ellahna Stryker: The youngest daughter of Sir Urial Stryker, and widow of her fiance, who died in the crusades.

Lord Urial Stryker: Father of Shadi, Dalia and Bethany, former lord of the Manor and fief holder of Haraldon.

Lady Dalia Stryker: Eldest daughter of Urial Stryker. Wife of Edric Rousell. Seen as the more playful of her two sisters.

Lady Bethany Stryker: Middle daughter of Urial Stryker. Wife of John Rousell. The more responsible of the Stryker girls, but prone to mischief. The word ‘Lady’ is used loosely when referring to her.

The Roussel Family: Crest is a Dragonfly. Sworn banner men of the Stryker Family. Family is mongrel Amasii lion’s, with other feline blood.

Edric Roussel: Twin brother of John, often seen as immature, but the technical heir to the Roussel family, after his brother Ulric’s death. Husband of Dalia Styker.

John Roussel: Youngest of the Roussel brothers, Husband of Bethany Stryker. Strong swordsman, with a bright and charming personality.

Ulric Roussel: Eldest of the three brothers and betrothed to Shadi Stryker. Killed during the crusades.

Fredrick Roussel: Father of Ulric, Edric and John. Sworn banner man to Urial Stryker. Sent to the crusades in his lord’s stead, and killed in battle.

The Turen Family: Crest is a pair of crossed pole-axes above a coin, with the kings head facing up. Family are pureblooded Keynari, and proud of their heritage.

Sir Jonas Turen: Father of Victoria and Julian, Lord of Castle Turen. Holds significant lands and strongholds, and is known for his ungentlemanly behavior in battle. Has many sworn banner men, and a significant army. Fought and returned from the crusades.

Lady Victoria Carcer (Turen): Daughter of Jonas Turen, sister of Julian, married to Sir Isiat Carcer, as an arrangement between her father and Lord Lynal Carcer to ensure strong Keynarian bloodlines, and as a means to dissuade conflict between the two lords. Reputed to be unhappy about her betrothal. Mother of Emma and Hunter.

Ser Julian Turen: Son of Jonas, brother of Victoria. Renowned for his efforts when fighting a rival lord in his father’s name, and his unbroken string of tournament victories. Squired to his father during the crusades, and claimed many victories in his sire’s name.