Veterans of the Merov War

It looks like the coming games are going to feature conflict between the handful of warriors in Lloegyr who have actual wartime experience.  As this is a game of tragedy and interpersonal drama, it's necessary to offer context for relationships, and as such, it's time for your intrepid storyteller to define who went to the Merov War.

The "Merov War" is a name only used in Lloegyr... it would more accurately be called the "Campaign of the Peren Hills" for the woodlands on which it was fought.  The wars between the various Dukes of Merovia lasted nearly a decade, and the forces of King Castus fought only in one summer before the Duke of Vincia, dismayed with the performance of Heorot and Aelic warriors in massed battle, turned back to the use of southern mercenaries.  His dissatisfaction was largely due to the refusal of the Heorots to either integrate with foreign mercenaries, or support themselves in combine arms tactics: they simply lacked the number to fight independently but could not be combined with any foreigners without incident.  Therefore, to a denizen of Lloegyr, the war lasted one bloody, brutal summer, and was fought without glory or victory, or even purpose.

Castus did not send a full compliment of warriors to the South, with the total contingent numbering only about five hundred men.  They were mostly men of Timber and Trademeet, as it seemed to be an opportunity for the "Little Earldoms" to distinguish themselves, although Castus also sent Oswulf, Earl of Kenton, an experienced commander, overseas at the Earl's request.  Oswulf had fought in every major engagement at his king's side, and did not believe it proper for a vassal to shy away from his king's wars.

All in all, the nobles who journeyed South were:

• Oswulf, Earl of Kenton - This man served as the commander for all Heorot and Aelic forces in the South.  His primary activity was to liaison with the Duke of Vincia's war captain, Osric, Count of Marckelle, and see to the employment of his troops.
• His Vassal, Kendell - Just as Oswulf had fought for his king in every conflict, so to did Kendell, Thane of Thanet, fight with Oswulf.  His gift for logistics and administration made him a valuable aide-de-camp.  He and Oswulf were the only individuals with any significant battle experience, apart from the handful of young warriors who had fought in the War of the Three Kings.
• Nulte, Heir of Lothan - A young charismatic noble, Nulte led the cataphracts of House Two Tower into battle.  House Two Tower sent about a hundred horsemen, but saw less fighting than then men of Timber or Trademeet.
• Draught, Illegitimate Son of the King - Draught spent most of the war with the House Two Tower Cataphracts, but was transferred by his own request to Aldred's, later in the campaign.
• Lud, Heir of Kenton - Lud, a close friend of Nulte (and known by most to be his lover), fought the entire war at Nulte's side.  He was known for his loyalty and bravery in battle, but was possessed of a more quiet demeanor than his friend.
• Lander of Thanet - Kendell's son, and another noble in House Two Tower's cataphracts.
• Merrick of House Brendane - A minor noble and nephew of Kendell, who rapidly earned a reputation for both his prowess in battle and his grasp of strategy and tactics.
• Gilder of House Drannen - Another minor noble who would later become Champion of Senton.
• Hector, Bastard of Andel - Who fought in the war despite lacking any noble backing.
• Caillech of House Drannen - A little known noblewoman who masqueraded as a man.  She was discharged from the House Two Tower cataphracts after her sex was discovered, and fought most of the war with the men of Timber.
• Pendric of House Earthspur - The Champion of Kenton, an aging warrior who traveled with his lord.
• Hadric of House Earthspur  - Pendric's son, who would distinguish himself in the limited engagements in which House Two Tower fought.
• Glenn, Heir of Trademeet - A very young man who quickly earned a reputation as a fierce warrior, Glenn led the Aelic men of Trademeet in the South.  These men numbered only a hundred, and fought on foot, and quickly earned a reputation as skirmishers.  They engaged in a good deal of fighting, but did better than most, largely due to Glenn's extensive training in infantry tactics by his kinsman, Angus, Lion of the Aels.
• Aldred, Heir of Timber - The bulk of the Heorot forces actually came from Timber, which mustered troops and sent over three hundred riders.  A large number of them were Aelic, and not adept horsemen, however, they still fought fiercely and valiantly.  Often in the vanguard, these troops suffered the most significant casualties.  Aldred was one of the only nobles of his generation to fight in the War of the Three Kings.
• Drust of the Muress Woods  - A close friend and cousin of Aldred's, Drust did not actually fight in the Merov War, but was pulled from combat at the last minute by his influential foster father, Mark of the Muress Woods.
• Faljur of the Muress Woods - Aldred's brother, a fierce warrior but inept horseman, Faljur was captured in the ultimate battle of the war, a source of contention that lasted for years.
• Conder of Merleton  - A cousin of Aldred, who was not a particularly dutiful soldier, but known to be loyal and brave.
• Erin of the Muress Woods - A woman touched by Aelic gods, Erin travelled with her cousin, Aldred, to war, to serve as a healer.  After earning a bit of a reputation for her abilities, she stayed in the South after the war.