NikkelSten Estate info

Major Estate; NikkelSten (Rich Hill of Nickel)

Geography

The estate is about 5x5 km in area, with the Murad River running through its center from east to west. The farmland of the estate is the valley area, about 2km wide by 4km long. The mines are located in the hills north of the village, an old mine about half a mile away and a new mine about a mile and a half distant.

The village sits between two streams, each running down to the Murad from near the mine sites. It is more like a small town than a typical estate village, with its population of minors and craftsmen. The farmers are mostly scattered, west of the village along the main road and south of the Murat River.

Population

In many ways the estate has two population groups of nearly the same size and importance, each with their own prime interests. This makes for a troublesome population. Perhaps it is one of the reasons Lord Herewald feels he is running a kingdom rather than a simple estate.

Unlike most estates who are food exporters, NikkelSten just barely produces enough for its own needs. In some years it must import crops. Fortunately it can supply itself with the timber and live stock required to run the mine. Some lumber is cut from the northern hills but most comes from the southern forested hills. For reasons of rugged terrain, the shortest distance is not the most practical one.

Economy

The main export of the estate is nickel ore, with iron ore being a sizable second. Naturally the Baron of Winterstone takes his tribute first. Then shipments are sent down the Murad river to the Slan Nyttig river and eventually sold in the port town of Seewick. Of course some is taken in taxation by the Baron of VeturNos, who controls a long section of the river. At Seewick, Lady Gisa’s family house MyrskyRiff has the right to buy half of each shipment, before it is sold to any others. The Earl of Seewick of course has a similar right to buy, in addition to his taxation right. Unless there is a special order, three large shipments are made each year, each sent under armed guard.

 

The village area in detail. There are about 40 families living with in the walls. 

Who is Who

 

Lord : Herewald son of Ethelbert House NikkelSten

He is a rather cold and stern man, honorable but very rarely generous. He runs his estate as if it was a miniature kingdom. He is proud of his land and actively works to improve them. He hopes one day to attract a Dwarven minor to work for him. He seems to be cursed with an inability to produce sons. Even his attempts to father a bastard have all resulted in girls. He has a strong dislike for the Baron of VeturNos, who charges outrageous tolls for the use of the river. 

( He is the father of Leola, one of the PCs )

  

His wife : Gisa daughter of Wyrtgeorn

Her birth house is MyrskyRiff (Storm Reef) – an estate near the town of Seewick. Her marriage to Herewald was an economic arrangement advantageous to both families. Although he treats her well, she has never known real love and so she developed a hobby of reading romantic stories. She is well known for rewarding singers who perform epic love ballads. She is often away from the estate visiting other Ladies.  

His daughters (oldest to youngest):

Aelfgiva (age 22)

She is a perfect young lady; attractive, smart and modest. She learned very early that it was best to please her parents. Although she grew up hearing the romance stories he mother loved, she also gained a practical wisdom from watching her father.

Perhaps her only flaw, in her father’s eyes, is that she enjoys the company of Triston, the son of Baron VeturNos, who frequently around at festival time. They had met while she was at university.

Now at long last she is engaged to the perfect match – Sir Lukion of the royal guards.

  

Annabell “Ellsbeth” (age 19)

Player Character – She has always been wild and willful, working hard to get her own way.

Ymma (age 16)

She is a great admirer of her eldest sister and wants to be the perfect noble lady. She does not see the usefulness of a university education, but would prefer to find a good man sooner than later. She attends all social events on the hunt for a husband.

Fraya (age 13)

She is scornful of all lady-like delicate things. She admires Annabell and her wild ways. She recently started taking the goat trail up to Oswin’s estate to see Lady Mulbara and have some fun. (Thus she is somewhat known to Lor's family of forest dwelling fetchers.)  

People of note in the village:

Balif : Larsvag son of Ingrog

A small man, nearly a dwarf – it runs in the family, he is dedicated and tireless in his work. Although not brilliant, he has a good memory and a practical wisdom for getting things done. He is always quiet, never having to yell because Wolfbert is often hovering around to make sure any order Larswag gives is followed.

Chief man at arm : Squire Wolfbert son of Wigstan

A gruff old warrior, he was handsome in his youth. When on duty he growls at people and looks very intimidating. When off duty he tells endless stories of his own past heroics. Everyone on the estate knows the “saga of Wolfbert” most of it is exaggerated.

Village Elder : Aylmer son of Almaric

An average man in appearance he has a core of iron determination, when he sets his mind to a task. In many ways his post is more like a town mayor than a village reev, because the NikkelSten village is sizable and packed with non-farmers, it is home to most of the minors. The farmers live scattered around the estae, mostly on the other side of the river.   

His father was an obsessive record keeper, collecting endless trivia not only from the estate itself but from all over the Barony. Aylmer took up the hobby because everyone expected him to.

Village priest : Thurwade son of Sigward

The second son of the old master smith, he dedicated his life to the God of Smiths from an early age. After traveling for several years he returned and became assistant to the village cleric, then recently took on the post of chief priest. He is quite proud of his accomplishments.

Blacksmith : Thunor son of Sigward

The first son of the old master smith, he used to make fun of his younger brother for being bookish and weak. Now he is somewhat annoyed that his brother holds a higher social post than he does. Of course his own role in the community is sizable, more important than most village smiths, he controls the refining of the nickel ore which is the estate’s main commodity. 

Miller : Elfwald son of Acca

He proudly owns two mills, the village’s grain mill and the mine’s rock mill. He is a fat man with an overly familiar and friendly manner. Most would call him pompous. Although he is very smart when it comes to machines, he does very little of the actual work on them. His apprentice, a boy from Nath / now a young man, actually does most of the real work.

Tavernkeeper : Dunstan son of Eadwulf

A good friend of Wolfbert, he was a warrior until he lost his leg in battle. Fortunately his wife was heir to the Inn and so he took up working there until it passed into his hands. He still keeps his axe handy, as the minors who drink at his place often get rowdy.

Midwife : Lioba daughter of Almarica

She took over her post when her mother was banished. Lord Herwald blamed her for his failure to produce a son. Lioba feels that her job, if not her life, is in constant danger, so she is very carful. 

Master Minor : Leofric son of Oscetyl    

He was only recently promoted to his post, after the old master’s death in a cart crash. He is a polite man towards his betters and a harsh man towards his underlings. He knows all about his craft and a good deal about the politics that surround it. The minors respect him, although not many like him. 

Wedding Plans 

The union of Lady Aelfgiva, heir to the house of NikkelSten and Sir Lukion, knight of the royal guard, former squire to the king, third son of house Demsee.

The Lord's Commons will be used for notable guests to set up tents. The village commons will be used as the festivities area. Regular guests may camp along the river by the village docks. The wedding ceremony will take place in the open triangle before the Lord's keep, unless it is raining in which case it will be held in the church. Father Thurwade, the local priest will preside. 

Lords from all over the Barony are expected, also there will be some of Sir Lukion's family and his noble friends. About 200 people, including servants, must be accommodated. This does not include any commoners from near by estates who come to the party. 

The ceremony itself will be held on the 16 of Marssin (second month of spring) with festive events on the preceding and following days. A small gift is expected.

After the wedding the couple will tour the kingdom during the summer, then spend winter at house Demsee.