The Knighting of Sir Varn

   Varn Delany, son of a formerly rebellious tribal family in the Southern Wastes of The Realms and squire to Sir Dagger Arkenstone, was knighted in Bad Holzbrück at the Convent of the Elements, 1025 M.R. in the presence of his wife Medina Delany and several of his peers.

Honored guests such as Her Highness Dame Avaline Vermilion Emissary of the Roses, Duchess of Sagara Knight of the Realm, Sir Jean-Louis van Heutse Weinveld, Ser Lambert of the Gray Souls, Sir Logaan of Arven, and Ser Bodvar Tock were among the knights present not excluding Sir Dagger himself and Dame Sayeh Sappherian who led the knighting ceremony.

Varn Delany started life as a child of a nomadic family of the desolate Southern Wastes. When his tribe rebelled against the regional power White Coast, Varn was left without a family. Dagger Arkenstone brought the child back to the town of CrestGrath where he was raised by Atalkus the Librarian of CrestGrath. Varn served in the town watch alongside Dagger's ward Fennix Heighless before joining Ambassador Dagger in Mitraspera once he became of age.

 In Mitraspera, Varn distinguished himself as a soldier in the Embassy Guard of East Blackwood eventually achieving the rank of Captain. At the Summer Campaign in 1022 M.R. Sir Dagger married Varn to Medina Delany where he took his wife's last name. During the ceremony, Sir Dagger, himself a knight since 1019 M.R., asked Varn to be his squire and he accepted. In the years that passed, Varn continued to distinguish himself, enough so that the Knights of Blackwood back home in the Kingdom of Blackwood took notice.

Dame Sayeh Sappherian, herself knighted in 1023 M.R., ordered Captain Varn Delany to kneel and then called for Sir Dagger's sword. Dagger drew his sword from its scabbard before handing it to her. The oath of the knights of Blackwood were spoken and Dame Sayeh dubbed Varn Delany a Knight of Blackwood. Varn received his knightly belt and last strike from his former knight father Sir Dagger, before enjoying the company and congratulations of his guests.

We here at The Ambassador wish to also extend our congratulations to Sir Varn Delany, Knight of Blackwood and his wife, the now, Lady Medina Delany.  

Nova Bretonia, 10 Years Western Seal

 At this year's Convent of the Elements, the lands of Nova Bretonia celebrated their 10th year as a landed Realm within the Western Seal. To Celebrate with and honor Nova Bretonia, East Blackwood camped next to the Bretonians in the camp of the Western Seal as guests. Two prominent members of the Embassy Guard and East Blackwood Company are citizens of Nova Bretonia as a point of fact, Master Mako Tock and Sir Logaan of Arven. The Convent served as the backdrop of three days of casual celebration and congratulations for Nova Bretonia with their friends from East Blackwood supporting them.

We here at The Ambassador which to congratulate Rii Isenden and the Nova Bretonians on Ten Years in the Western Seal of Mitraspera.

A Gift to Validar

 Starting shortly after the events of the Oak Hill Festival last autumn, the Barony of East Blackwood began to evacuate the Duchy of Validar. The reasons why can be found in earlier volumes of The Ambassador, but more relevant to recent events is what happened after they left.

East Blackwood prepares for a separate conflict against the Syconians and their allies while taking up residence in the Realms of Roses, Western Seal, and Northern Seal respectively. This separation dictated an end to East Blackwood holdings within the Duchy, with the exception of Eagle's Rest under Lady Lowis Arkenstone, and thus an end to East Blackwood's direct and active contribution to the Crusade of the Elements in Kahl'Hatra. East Blackwood did not want to leave without at least presenting the people of Validar with a gift.  

 A delegation, led by Sir Dagger of Blackwood and Dame Sayeh Sappherian of Sapphire Ilse, visited the camp of the Duchy of Validar on the first night of the Convent of Elements with a laden wagon bearing gifts in tow.

Once given opportunity to present the gift, Sir Dagger spoke of the combined struggles, blood and life lost in their just crusade against the Forsaken occupation of Kahl'Hatra.

However, some things are not meant to remain indefinitely. East Blackwood presented Validar with a large crest of Validar, a banner and some of the original surcoats worn by Validar Wildfire when the team was first formed. Ser Balor the Red in turn presented East Blackwood with the wooden shields that once graced the camp entrance of the Duchy of Validar host. After, East Blackwood and Validar parted ways.  

Noble Engagement of Ser Markus Tulius and Lady Feuerbell Arkenstone

 One year ago, Ser Markus Tulius of the Duchy of Validar asked for Lady Feuerbell Arkenstone's hand in marriage. Feuerbell accepted the betrothal but her grandfather, then Baron Dagger Arkenstone of East Blackwood, was not consulted.

The Baron was visiting the Kingdom of Blackwood at the 30th Queen of Hearts tournament in Rhiassa and then supporting the Realms Embassy at Bicolline shortly after when Ser Markus approached Feuerbell. As a matter of respect, it can be seen in some cultures as expected that the gentleman first asked the head of the family before such as betrothal is made.

Baron Dagger learned of this engagement at the time of the Oak Hill festival. However, he was busy with the diplomatic issue caused by uninvited Syconian noble guests, and was not able to address the matter properly. The next time Baron Dagger saw Ser Markus, it was the following spring and Baron Dagger was now just Sir Dagger again.

At the end of the spring expedition to Sarkan this year, Ser Markus and Sir Dagger spoke about the betrothal. Ser Markus reportedly apologized for not having asked Dagger first before requesting Feuerbell's hand in marriage and the two amiably parted ways at the expedition's conclusion.

The return to Mitraspera from Sarkan afforded Ser Markus the time to broach the matter correctly. During the Convent of the Elements at Bad Holzbrück, Ser Markus brought a gift known as ScapeGoat to Sir Dagger at the East Blackwood camp.

He once again apologized for his error in judgment the previous year and offered Sir Dagger the drink. Dagger accepted, drank it, and promptly forgave Ser Markus of any wrong doing, officially condoning the betrothal of Ser Markus and Lady Feuerbell. The two knights have been friends for over 8 years after all.

In Bad Holzbrück during the Convent of the Elements, recruitment posters for mercenaries began appearing within the city and even made an appearance in the Fuchsbote a highly successful newspaper. 

These posters seek to recruit mercenaries to House/Qu'llar Kilsek. We at The Ambassador were approached concerning ads. Sir Dagger Arkenstone wished to clarify what he believes the meaning is behind these posters.

 According to Ambassador Sir Dagger, House Kilsek's Matron Mother, Talazana Kilsek blames the founders of a small city outside of Mythodea, CrestGrath, for some acts against her house over two and a half decades ago and has begun to seek revenge. It is important to note that House Kilsek are Ilitheri from beyond the Fog.

At present, East Blackwood are not sure exactly to what purpose House Kilsek wishes to apply these mercenaries but Ambassador Dagger offers to attempt matching whatever contracts are offered by House Kilsek. "Please contact the East Blackwood Embassy in the Western Seal or its deputations in the Northern Seal and or Realm of Roses for further comment and contract negotiations."

 Note from The Ambassador Newspaper: We at the Ambassador value our neutrality on such matters and seek only to report what our readers desire to know.