====== Konrad Brandt ====== **Lord of Salenhof** A man of great height and girth, he is one of the commoners knighted by Baron [[Tobias Kuhn|Tobias]] of [[atlas:Ulrichstein]]. He was granted the lands of [[atlas:Salenhof]] with which to maintain his knighthood. As the lord of Salenhof, he prefers to leave the daily needs of his manor to his wife while he visits with friends at a local tavern. He is well-liked by his tenets; although this could be due to the skills of his wife. ===== Statistics ===== * **Temporal:** [[lore:Age of Heroes]] * **Born:** Winter 398 * **Parents:** Wallen (M, 378-435) and Lillian (F, 382-435) * **Knighted:** Summer 437 * **Spouse:** * Belinda (F, 417-), Married 438 * **Issue:** * Isidora (F, 439-) * Sybil (F, 441-) * Lucius (M, 445-) * **Holdings:** ===== History ===== The second son of unguilded tanner whose family was not wealthy enough to secure him an apprenticeship. With no apprenticeship he began farming the lord's land as miner. A man of unusual height and girth, he grew strong working the mines. When [[Tobias Kuhn|Tobias]] was raising a mercenary army to fight goblins he readily joined up. Among Tobias' men Konrad gained a reputation as a terrifying drinker and warrior. It was not that he displayed no fear during a fight, but that he did what he had to do regardless of his personal safety. If Tobias told him to hold the right flank, he would not give an inch to any attacking force. More than one rumor went around about Konrad having "giantish" blood from both his temperament and ability to quickly heal deep wounds. As terrifying as he could be on the battlefield, his behavior in town was nearly worse. He drank deeply, sang loudly, and brawled frequently. The fact that he would make up for his behavior by helping the family of anyone he injured or repairing tables and chairs for the innkeepers is what kept him out of the stocks. ==== Lord of Salenhof ==== When Tobias left for [[atlas:Celinus]], Konrad went with him. He did not join Tobias at court, but instead worked at the docks. Several times Tobias would round up some men, Konrad included, and ride out to harry some bandits or guard a caravan. Tobais paid nice and always hired Konrad during these times so he stayed around. When Tobias was ready to go west again, Konrad was on the first of his "old hands" to sign on. What Konrad did not know was that Tobias was the newly named Baron of [[atlas:Ulrichstein]]. After returning north to hire their previous tracker [[Veit Kaufmann]] the group, including several wagons of craftsmen and their families, went to Ulrichstein. After Tobias announced himself to the few families in the town he proceeded to knight his old comrades and give them lands to the north. Sir Konrad was given a few hundred acres surrounding a small watermill and lumbering camp on the eastern banks of the [[atlas:Aland River]]. Once he arrived his first decree was the construction of a tavern, where he would live, and the hiring of a master brewer. This proved to be a good idea as his ales and stouts are well enough known that he ships enough kegs east to keep his coffers full. With nothing else to do he pursued and eventually wed Belinda, the miller's daughter. She has cracked the whip over his slovenly ways and has nearly turned him into a respectable knight. Tobias has remarked several times in court that he should knight Belinda so she could civilize the goblins. While Konrad may grouse and even get into public shouting matches with her over his drinking - he is fiercely protective of her and their children. ===== Family ===== Both of his parents were killed in 435 when a fire burned their house to the ground. Konrad returned home for a few weeks, but after settling the affairs with his siblings he left again for Celinus. His wife, Belinda, runs more than just their household. She is a strong-willed woman who is determined to better her house. Her father still runs the mill and when people were complaining of too much stone in the meal, she made her father replace his stone. She loves her family, but she will not abide anyone using her position to slack their obligations. His eldest daughter Isidora married Roberd, a clothier in Ulrichstein, in 456. She had a son, Heinrich, in 459. Roberd has convinced Belinda to clear some woods for a sheep pasture so that he can sheer his own wool. His second daughter Sybil is more like her mother. Belinda has arranged for her daughter's education with the household priest, Father Enrich. When not being taught she helps her mother run the household and keep the books. Although she does not have a deft touch with the household staff as her mother, she is well-liked by most. Lucius is every bit the spitting image of his father. He already stands half a head over most and while he does not have his father's girth yet - he does have his love for drinking, wenching, and brawling. Belinda hopes that [[people:Eckerd Kaufmann]] can help settle her son down. Lucius often finds himself in front of Baron Ulrichstein, but memories of his father as spared him more than a verbal lashing. {{tag>human dakarian noble}}