Indirik Family/Balkeese

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Balkeese
Balkeese crest.png
Personal Crest
Continent East Island
Family Indirik Family
Class Warrior / Hero
Age 62 years
Honour 242
Prestige 45
Rank Royal
Region Perdan
Duchy Perdan
Realm Perdan


The Beginning

The Lady Balkeese is a young soldier who left the family home in Montauban on February 21, 2006. Balkeese recruited a small unit of infantry and headed for Partora, the capital of Perdan, following her younger brother in search of fame and glory. Balkeese is currently serving the Army of Perdan, as a noble soldier in the Perdan Ghost Riders, leading the infantry unit known throughout the land as Scarlet Banner.

The Southern Wars

The Sacking of Ibladesh

Following her induction into the PCW, Balkeese has participated in several assaults on the city of Ibladesh, the capital of Ibladesh. The assaults met with great success, and city of Ibladesh was extensively looted. The most resounding success led to the looting of the city for a full three straight days!

The Oligarch Expedition

Returning to Partora, Balkeese refitted her unit, repairing the damage and paying her men. The next campaign led the Scarlet Banner off to Westmoor to support Oligarch in their defense against the attacking forces of Fontan and Sirion. After several moderate victories, the expedition met with extreme resistance from the Fontanese and Sirionite forces in Bruck and was forced to retreat.

The Southern Front

The gold from the sacking of Ibladesh still filling her purse, Balkeese was able to easily refit and recruit additional troops into her unit. The next campaign was an expedition into the Itorunt regions of Az Zarqua and Zawr. After several more bloody battles, both sides retreated to refit and recruit more troops. While refitting her unit, Balkeese took a couple weeks off to visit the mountains with her family for a well deserved vacation.

Back to the Southern Front

Returning from vacation, Balkeese again headed south to do battle with the forces of Itorunt and Ibladesh. She took aprt in a successful campaign to take control of Zawr and attack Al Arab. After the assault on Al Arab, Balkeese was recalled back home to face an imminent invasion on the northern borders of Perdan. At this time she was also transferred from the Perdan Crimson Wing to Perdan's Ghost Riders.

The Invasion of Perdan

The Invasion Begins

After adding a few additional recruits to her forces, Balkeese headed for Perdan city in anticipation of an invasion by the forces of Fontan and Sirion. She did not have long to wait. Soon after arriving in Perdan city she was immediately sent out to defend the walls of Bescanon from the invaders. The attackers were too numerous and the defenders were driven back. Balkeese continued to serve on the front lines, defending Perdan from the invaders. She was recently wounded in a battle to defend Mulhouse from a large group of trolls that came down from the Eldoret Range for some pillaging. During the invasion Balkeese was transferred from Perdan's Crimson Wing to Perdan's Ghost Riders.

Marshal Balkeese

During the invasion of Perdan, Balkeese long and faithful service to Perdan was recognized by none other than Lord Screndt, Duke of Aix. Since Balkeese's liege lord Lord Aram, Count of Montauban, she is a member of the Duchy of Aix, ruled by Lord Screndt, the Duke of Aix. Duke Screndt approached Lady Balkeese and asked her if she would accept an appointment as the Marshal of the Army of Aix. Lady Balkeese accepted the honor, and is now the Marshal of the Army of Aix.

The Sacking of Partora, and a Wound

While Lady Balkeese was on an extended vacation, the armies of Sirion and Fontan assembled a massive force and drove through Bescanon and Brive, and struck straight at Partora city. After being thrown back from the walls, the attackers mounted a second assault and stormed into the city. Unfortunately for the attackers, the Perdanese reinforcement showed up in Brive and cut off their retreat. When Lady Balkeese returned from her vacation, she took charge of a group of nobles in Perdan city and secured the region of Bescanon. With Bescanon and Brive secured by Perdanese forces, the army of Perdan attacked the Sirion and Fontan forces in Partora. The attack on Partora was a complete success. The invaders were slaughtered, and the survivors routed. Their only way of retreat was help by vengeful Perdanese nobles. Needless to say, the retreating forces were constantly under attack along the entire length of the trip out of Perdan. To solidify their victories, the Perdanese army launched a short counter-offensive into Troyes. Retreating into Bescanon, the Perdanese army let the enemy start gathering in Troyes again. A quick strike at the gathering foes sent them scurrying home once again.

After falling back and consolidating their forces in Bescanon, the Perdanese armies launched another preemptive strike at the gathering Sirion and Fontan troops in Troyes. While the attack was a strategic victory, it was very costly. Lady Balkeese took charge of the outnumbered Perdanese forces and led them into battle. Halfway through the battle she was wounded, and her troop of men, the Scarlett Banner, was wiped out to the last man. Upon recovering, she was surrounded by enemy troops in Troyes. She returned home to Partora to find some new troops willing to fight to defend Perdan from her enemies.

A New Title

Due to some unavoidable circumstances, the Count of Montauban was forced to relinquish his title. Facing the need to appoint a new lord to this rural region, Duke Screndt of Aix asked Lady Balkeese if she would be willing to assume the lordship of Montauban. She gladly accepted the offer, and was soon appointed the new Countess of Montauban, her family homeland, by Queen Clarissa.

Arch Priestess of Perdan

With the signing of a nearly continent-wide peace treaty, the invasion of Perdan was brought to a close. A few weeks later Naira, the Arch Priestess of Perdan stepped down, Balkeese petitioned the nobles of Perdan for their votes in her cause. The nobles of Perdan selected Balkeese to be their new Arch Priestess. As is traditional for Perdan, Arch Priestess Balkeese stepped down from the Lordship of Montauban and the Marshalship of Aix.

The Voice of the Church of Humanity

For the span of a few months, Balkeese served as the Voice of the Church of Humanity. During this time, Balkeese successfully negotiated with Itorunt for permission for the priests of the Church of Humanity to preach in the lands of Itorunt. Following a schism in the Church Balkeese was removed from the Church Elders and demoted from the rank of Voice of the Church to the rank of Member. Shortly after this event, Balkeese left the Church of Humanity altogether.

Joining Sanctus Acies

After several months of searching, Balkeese found a religion in whose precepts she could believe. During a trip to the Caligan region of Meuse she visited a temple of Sanctus Acies. She found in Sanctus Acies an outlook similar to her own. She joined Sanctus Acies in a small ceremony and soon became a full member.

No Longer the Arch Priestess

After holding the position of Arch Priestess for nearly 18 months, Balkeese decided it was time to step down from the office to allow someone new to step in. Less than 12 hours later she was captured during the siege of Castle Ubent, and was automatically removed from office.

Duchess Balkeese

After being released from prison, Balkeese returned to Castle Ubent to rally her men. During her absence the takeover of the Castle had progressed quickly, and the region almost immediately fell to the armies of Perdan. King Nightmare Aroo appointed Balkeese as the new Duchess of Castle Ubent. The stronghold had been captured mostly intact, albeit with significant damage to the fortifications. Repairs to the region infrastructure were quickly completed with the liberal application of family gold. The region is quickly being integrated into the regular workings of Perdan.

As Duchess of Castle Ubent, Balkeese, with the aide of a large financial contribution from Duke Maelg Vallejo, completed the construction of a Citadel in the Castle.

Queen Balkeese

The First Caligan War

The Second Caligan War

The Ibladeshian War

The Reclaiming of Aix, and the Destruction of the Diocese

Taking the War to Ibladesh

....

During a battle in the region of Woolton, on May 23rd, 2011, Balkeese fell in battle.

Nearly a year later, after Perdan had won the war against Ibladesh, torn down the walls of the city of Ibladesh, and driven the city rogue.

Roleplay from Hostamir of Umbar
Message sent to everyone in Perdan
The final block is set and the fortifications of your stronghold are now Keep (3). Congratulations.

A mounted courier rode from the south northwwards. His way led him directly into the mountains. His cargo, a stone. Not really precious, but it was of symbolic value. At the end of the valley he arrived at his destination. A great castle showed up in front of him, but its walls were not really functional yet. It was Castle Ubent. he rode on and after passing the gate he found the recipient of his cargo, already waiting for him.

"My Duke, here is a message from your Cousin, the General. He sends you this stone, which once was part of the great white wall of Ibladesh, to use it to carve your name into it when you finish tonight the first ring of stonewalls in your castle." the messager reported and gave Duke Hostamir the stone.

"Tell my cousin my thanks. While he has the honour to lead our army to glory in Ibladesh, I will overview here the works and make sure that our realm will always a powerful refugee in the mountains that no enemy can take." Hostamir answered.

He took the stone and put it into the walls. Then a mason was ordered to carve following into the stone:

"THIS IS THE LAST STONE THAT FELL OFF THE WALL OF IBLADESH. IT WAS BROUGHT HERE TO BECOME THE FOUNDATION OF THE GREATEST WALL OF PERDAN. DEDICATED TO PERDAN'S FALLEN NOBLES AND FORMER DUCHESS OF CASTLE UBENT AND QUEEN OF PERDAN, BALKEESE INDIRIK, WHICH DIED ON THE BATTLEFIELD IN THE GREAT WARS AGAINST IBLADESH. BY THE GRACE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, DUKE HOSTAMIR OF UMBAR."

Then the stone was placed into the wall. It should be the foundation indeed of something great.*
Hostamir of Umbar (Duke of Castle Ubent)


Saint Balkeese

It appears that after her death, Balkeese was sanctified by the Church of Humanity.

Roleplay from Benedictus Tanos
Message sent to everyone in the region Castle Ubent
Benedictus Tanos, Grand Cleric Vicarius of the Church of Humanity, approached the dedication stone slowly, a golden staff in one hand and a basin in the other. His cloth-of-silver robes barely swayed as he walked, though they reflected the sun's light beautifully.

The middle-aged Cleric nodded respectfully to the Duke of Castle Ubent and turned to address the assembled crowd, the vast majority of whom were followers of Holy Church. Handing the basin to a nearby monk clad in soft brown robes, he raised his hands and spoke aloud. "Praise to the Divine, who has graced us with another day. In the name of His Holiness, Arch Cleric Jor, I greet you all and have the honor of blessing this wall and all of Castle Ubent."

He turned to the monk and nodded, dipping a finger from his free hand into the sacramental oils contained therein. The Cleric faced the wall and made the sign of the Light against the carved dedication plaque.

"Venerable Balkeese, guide our shields."

"Sancte Balkeese defende nos." The crowd replied.

"Venerable Balkeese, protect our homes."

"Sancte Balkeese defende nos."

"Venerable Balkeese, beseech the Divine to grant our prayers."

"Sancte Balkeese defende nos."

"Venerable Balkeese, give the Divine our praise and defend us against the Darkness."

"Sancte Balkeese defende nos."

He made the mark of the Light on himself. "Sancte Balkeese defende nos. Amen."

Benedictus turned once more to face the crowd. "In the name of the Divine, I dedicate this wall, this bastion of humanity, in the honor of Saint Balkeese. I will approach His Holiness and recommend that she be named the Patron Saint of the Kingdom of Perdan."

His once more he made the mark of the Light, this time over the crowd. "In the Divine's name, I bless you. In the Divine's name, I offer the love of Holy Church. Go now, spread the word of the Divine and offer praise unto Her." He smiled. "May the Divine's Holy Light guide your path.
Benedictus Tanos


Report from Jor Tanos
Message sent to everyone in "Church of Humanity"
Faithful of the Divine,

I, Arch Cleric Jor Tanos, Supreme Pontiff of the most holy Church of Humanity, proclaim the Ecclisarchy's acknowledgement of Balkeese of Montauban the Martyr of Woolton as an agent of the Divine in both life and death.

Though once a recognized apostate, she reportedly repented as she perished at the hands of the Ibladeshi heathens, recanting her faith in the doctrines of Sanctus Acies and repenting, embracing the Divine once more. It was under her reign as Queen of Perdan that Holy Church was again granted the religious freedom to preach across all reaches of that Kingdom. Across all of our home.

Faithful in the armies of Perdan claim they felt her presence as they marched on the Black City of Ibladesh, protecting and guiding them.

Recognizing this and her status as a martyr fighting in a declared holy war against Ibladesh, Balkeese of Montauban is hereby recognized as raised by the Divine as Saint Balkeese. She is proclaimed by the Ecclisarchy as the Patron of Defending Armies, Masons, Militia, and Templar Sergeants. She is viewed as a defender, a protector.

Her benediction will be announced soon.

Blessed be the Divine and Her children.
Jor Tanos


OOC: Just to keep the record straight in an OOC sense, Balkeese never repented or recanted. Following her falling out with the Church of Humanity, of which she was once an elder, she despised the Church of Humanity. She viewed it as nothing more than a political tool, and a means by which the nobility controlled the peasantry.

Roleplays

  • Meeting Aram
  • Second Meeting with Aram
  • The Circus
  • The Wedding