Medieval WIP | Prep NaNo

Main Character

Crown Prince James Reinhardt of Laeindel, Order of the Sphinx
James Reinhardt has unruly brown hair and serious brown eyes. He stands at six foot three inches tall. Due to the amount of training he does every morning with his Swordmaster, he has developed a strong muscle definition. He is incredibly handsome. He is intelligent. Learning from his tutor Master Hugo. They study after his training and that takes up most of his day. He enjoys discussing interesting wars with the old man but is incredibly lackadaisical when it comes to talking about the boring and important bits of his lesson. When being tutored by Lord Hugo the Master of Truth, his mind is sometimes elsewhere, often on riding his horse through the lands of Laeindel. James is also a very lazy prince. When he isn't off somewhere being adventurous, he can be found in his bed-chamber sleeping and eating. He can sleep just about anywhere creating a nearly impossible job of waking him. His bed-chamber is full of books and maps. He can stay in his room all day if anyone would let him. James wants to live a carefree life but is often crushed with the surmounting pressure of his father, the King. He spends his free time escaping the walls of the castle for the more exciting landscapes near home. James has two younger twin sisters and an older half brother. James is the crown prince, and with that comes a load of responsibilities. He is reluctant to rule and is a little too rash in dealing with judgment. Throughout the story, he displays impulsive action without thinking first of the consequences. He slowly learns to exercise restraint over giving in to his emotions. The truth he has to learn is that the good and bad isn't black and white and that even the 'best' of people have their flaws.

History

James Reinhardt was born the eldest legitimate child of King August. He grew up looking up to his half brother Roderick, who while sired, was still cast to the side and took up a sword to become a knight. As a child, James was trained on horseback not long after he could walk. He loved the horses and bred his very own white stallion, he is very attached to his steed. As soon as James turned 10 King August made sure he trained with a sword-master. Every morning since then he has been trained by the noble night, Sir Christopher. James grew up with his little twin sisters wreaking havoc around the castle. The two are almost inseparable despite how they are the complete opposite. When aging a few years beyond ten, King August started teaching James to rule. He often invites him to rule over the petitioners and solve some problems. James does well with these disputes, but he'd much rather be doing something else like exploring. He has trouble keeping unbiased and just when seeing the petitioners. King August tries to enlighten James but finds it difficult to keep his attention. James feels like he doesn't have to worry about the throne because his father is a good king and he's in perfect health. James thinks that it'll be a long time before he ever sits on the throne, so why not do anything else? Unfortunately, James will learn the hard way that life will change at a moment's notice. He will not be prepared for when the time comes for him to step up and rule as King.

Relationships

At age fifteen when Sir Robert joined the royal guard, James' reins were loosened now that he had a personal guard with him at all times. He was finally allowed to have adventures outside the castle walls, away from politics and pleasantries. Here he could be any other man. James loved being free and unassuming. And having a personal guard wasn't the worst like he thought it would be. James didn't expect to like Sir Robert, but before long they bonded like brothers. Their relationship would prove to become vital to James' wellbeing. For he never had anyone else to connect with in that way. It was frowned upon whenever he talked to Roderick and he could never go to his sisters to relieve stress. James looked up to Sir Robert. He was glad to have someone to vent to. Over four years they became inseparable. It was rare to see one without the other. Joined at the hip they attended events together, trained together, and rode horses together. James didn't see Sir Robert as a guard for very long. They were more like friends. Robert listened. He was kind and he didn't treat James like a prince. Not like the others did. All the other servants always bowed and ended sentences with "Sir" or "Your Highness". James wanted to feel someway unpampered. He didn't want to be normal, just equal... at least for a while. When James and Robert set out in search of the Derediem, he realized there was so much he didn't know how to do. And so much he didn't know about the world and its people. He suddenly became aware of how people were living in his country. And that made him feel more entitled to learn how to rule. And take up his father's crown one day.

Before long he met Ella his soon-to-be bride. Before he wasn't interested in marrying, especially an arranged marriage. He first met Ella in her disguise as Wyatt. James was impressed with the boy. Adventuring on his own and surviving was a skill James never had the luxury of practicing. James was always chaperoned at all times. So to see someone his age doing everything he does a little better was fascinating to him. But when he discovered Wyatt to be Ella he wasn't sure whether to be even more impressed or downcast that a woman was so much more skilled than he. He soon overcomes his surprise and slowly starts to fall for her.

WC: 1010/1000

Plot
*Sub and Main Combined*

Plot: Three heroes set out on a quest to find the long lost Derediem, an artifact of great power that will prophecize the next generation of kings and protect the kingdom from the last dragon.
Subplots:

• Robert finds out he is the long lost heir to the Braewood throne, he entitles himself king of sond and attacks his former prince, James.

• James and Ella fall in love not knowing that they are betrothed to the other.

Act 1
Introduce James, Robert, Sir Christopher, Master Hugo, and Nicole

• Scene between James and Robert to open, possibly early dawn before moring practice to illustrate their characters

• They return to the castle late for their sparring session with Sir Christopher. This shows the friendly dynamic between the three.

• Jame's day includes lessons with Master Hugo, too. Probably discuss current politics - some worldbuilding. Economics with other races too

• Introduction of Queen Lyra, King August, the princesses, Roderick

• Nicole

Katalya has a vision and produces a prophecy regarding an ancient artifact (the Derediem - Helm of Day) that must be restored in order for the royal successor to be determined. "The next generation of kings"

• Petitioner 1: a farmer who needs more hands as his children left the farm. Petitioner 2: a lord whose honor was slighted by a gang of ruffians (sellswords). INclude the part about not liking being after peasants when he approaches the dais. James' solution is to offer this lord nothing, for it was only a matter of pride. This lord tries to goad James and his father, firstly by scorning the peasant-equity, then by calling them frauds and cowards (subtly). A strong example of difficult ruling choices. August allows James' ruling, though advises his son not to deal in extremes. Petitioner 3 is interrupted by Katalya.

• Katalya arrives before the court to give the news.

• King August holds an emergency council meeting. Robert POV. The leaders of Sond and Nordos have both heard of this prophecy from their own sorcerers and have given their responses to the crown, Nordos supports and offers their daughter to join their houses. Sond says that they will vie for the throne.
  • Master of Arms, Master of Letters, Master of Trade, Master of Craft, Master of Law
  • Sond's decision
  • Reinhardt and Ravenwood betrothal
  • Sond means to take the helm. Then Laeindel must be protected. Peace must be protected as long as possible. We shall be reinforced by the alliance with Nordos. Lord Ravenwood interjects with what he'll be getting in return. Then someone must look for the crown.
  • James volunteers

Ella Ravenwood

• Starts with Ella already attempting to recover the Derediem on her own, but she is quickly caught. On a mountain somewhere, scaling, reaches top and...
  • The surge unsettles the land, like a disturbed anthill. Many animals scurry about, but even worse, it shakes loose some angry mountain trolls.
  • Ella is super sore and stiff from her climb, so struggles to move as they are under attack from both land and trolls.
  • Ella and Cayn get separated from the rest during the fight because of the surge. Cayn's hand gets eaten by a troll, but Ella saves him. They rejoin the rest of the group after a day.
  • Ella considers abandoning Cayn to his death so that she can escape (he won't be able to track her) But she decides against it.
  • This is a good premise for her character arc, because she's high-minded (logic before emotion) and she needs to put her trust in others.
  • Later when she tries to escape again, Cayn catches her but lets her go because he owes her. Plus he KNOWS what she'd almost done.

• She's brought before her mother for scolding, illustrating her main character traits. Her mom reinforces "the plan" to her. Ella hates it.
  • She suffers a panic attack, which is officially diagnosed as her "demon". She gets a potion for it, and becomes dependant on it, being terrified of suffering another one. But clearly it's something she needs to get over to be free of it. It's something that must be kept quiet, because people are wary of "crazy" people in power.
  • marriage to the Reinhardt boy
  • are you going to pretend that I didn't run away? She talks about how she should be out there with her father fighting for her country, explaining why she went out in the first place basically. Her mom explains the demon to her, and how it has to stay secret. Ends with her mother hurt, and stubbornly lashing out banishing her to her room.

• She leaves again disguised as Wyatt. This time she succeeds.

King August gives James the order to bring the Derediem to him. They must recover it quickly, because the Praedeens of Sond would definitely be after it.

• James does some research about the Derediem to try to find out more. He comes upon a riddle with Master Hugo's help.

• his vision, council with Master Hugo, Derediem riddle: hints at location, His mother; they talk and he realizes that his wants perhaps lie outside the crown

• locate this in a place that can further establish the world and James' connection to it

Act 2
Setting Out

• Insert some conversation between James and Robert about love

• confirm their disquise, sparring, James marvelling at the fact that he's out on his own

• Insert a bit where they stumble upon some other travelers and so undergo their first test of secrecy. Also, use it to demonstrate the economic disparity that we haven't seen much of. Also, show the divide that politics are causing strife. In the end, echo Kingdoms of Old Grandeur

• Ride in the forest. Get robbed by bandits because James skips out on his watch. They track the bandits to their camp, where they stumble upon Wyatt, who had also been robbed. Bandit camp gets attacked by wargs, of which some chase the trio into the mountains. They have to camp together, despite not trusting each other.
  • Wyatt gives James a pointer during the sparring session, and so begins James' improvement. Wyatt saves Robert's life.

• The wargs chase them and then they corner Robert and Wyatt. They get overwhelmed, James saves the day and kills the remaining 3 wargs. They are chased to the other side of the mountains but left all their supplies behind. The horses scatter but are found in the next village.

• Goblin pirates raid nearby village by the lake. Driven by the rising dragon.

• “the dragon’s children. perfect.”

• They have to make the choice of whether they’re going to help or not. A test for their morality. Wyatt insists, surprising everyone. James and Robert, we’ll see….

• Robert is separated from the others during the ensuing events.

• Fighting together builds trust between the three. Only at this point do they become true friends.

• Orc merchants help aid against the goblins. From now on, most intelligent life they come across are mostly orcs.

• When they get to the lake, Wyatt almost drowns, and James saves him. Wyatt is revealed as a girl when the water makes her clothes cling to her body.

Camp out with the orcs, Orcs are children of the Cyclopes

• Ella, realizing her cover is compromised, confesses her identity as the princess-to-be and why she wants to get the Derediem (to save herself from being molested by James and Robert, whom she still thinks are sellswords). James, keeping up the sellsword pretense, then swears himself into her service (after quite a bit of deliberating). Also at the same time provide falshbacks to Robert swearing himself to Hames. James doesn’t reveal that he’s the prince (partly because it’s part of the original plan, but also because he likes Ella and thinks she would abandon them if she found out he was her fiance).

• Some un-trusting time camping together, leaving the reader wanting harmony between the two. Provides space for growth.

• A storm prevents James from looking for Robert again.

• They can talk about where they’ve been, and where they’re going. But each hides important secrets.

• Figure out the riddle of where the Derediem lies.

• Practice swordplay. Stay in an orc village to recuperate/heal from goblin raid. James trains and gets stronger.

• The orcs help Ella with her demon. They give her guidance, which she will need in the struggle for the Derediem in the cave.

The cooldown time for a budding romance between James and Ella

• They decide to continue on, hoping that Robert will meet them in Whils.

• While separated from Robert, James tells Ella how Robert came into his life, a nice little bit of backstory. But once again, he skitters around the truth. He’s tempted to tell her who he really is, but holds back.

• Ella can’t help but think that there is more to this attractive and well-spoken sellsword.

• Probably an almost-kiss

Giant in the swamps? Compounded with meeting Sond’s search party?

• They end up befriending the giant, which seems unlikely initially. They hide as the Sondians pass, and witness their cruel treatment of the giant. They both know inherently that this is wrong, and seek to help it. Perhaps the giant grants them a “wish” (like in Master Hugo’s story) to each of them in return? Maybe Ella gets a new (magic) spear? And James the ability to find Robert (which will come in really handy later)?

• They reunite with Robert right after this encounter.

The Derediem

• Underground haunted water caven protects the “Derediem”

• Near-death situation, of course. A battle of will. Ella battles her demon, James has to make an ethical choice - neither side being the best, Robert "touches" the Derediem and is left confunded

• We get a “we almost died” kiss between James and Ella

• The three recover the Derediem and quickly return it to Laeindel.

The Return Journey

• On the way back, in the desert, a sand dragon follows them under the sand.
  • it’s drawn to the gold/aura of the Derediem, the journey is even more dangerous once they’re in possession, they narrowly escape
  • They hire an old Orc captain to take them back across the lake.
  • James’ identity is compromised when on the way back they encounter Lord Vern Dareg, the Lord from court. He recognizes James immediately. They’re in a situation in which James’ identity being hidden is of utmost importance (Say they’re captured by pirates or something. Maybe Lord Dareg had ordered all sellswords to be slain in his country. But these pirates are like, oho! We could ransom the prince for a decent price! Ella keeps her disguise as Wyatt when they’re among other people, so they don’t recognize her.) Vern hates them in the first place because James had embarrassed him in court. But he hates them doubly so when he realizes that Robert had served in The Red Brothers’ company. So Vern ousts James in front of Ella, which makes for an awkward conversation once they escape.
  Act 3
  They return to find the kingdom in shambles. Think Scourging of the Shire. August has gone mad. Lyra is beside herself trying to run the kingdom but misogyny. So James has to STEP UP!
  
  Robert receives news that he is actually the long lost heir to the Praedeen house. He quickly turns, and steals the Derediem as he “goes on a diplomatic mission to demand allegiance from the Sond families.” This is especially a zinger for James after he’d just defended Robert’s honor against Lord Vern and those pirates.
  • Nicole and Ella meet and instantly become friends, though at first Nicole underestimates Ella. Ella gains her respect in a quick and decisive battle between the two
  • FEAST (acts as a huge setup for Robert’s betrayal)
  • a secret messenger meets with Robert
  • Robert steals the Derediem, fighting Sir Christopher (who had been guarding it) and finally killing him. He runs off to Braewood castle, the ruling seat of Sond.
  • The others think that Sond must have sent a thief/assassin/kidnapper
  This is a devastating blow to James Ella and Nicole. They only find out about the betrayal when they receive a note demanding that they swear allegiance to their new king, Robert of Braewood. Nicole vows revenge and forges a sword just for Robert’s neck.
  • Nicole makes custom battle gear for Ella. It’s what that “special project” she’d been working on ended up becoming.
  Ella goes to get more people to fight in the battle against Braelen. (WITH NICOLE BECAUSE THEY’RE BEST FRIENDS)
  • Asunte Warriors
  The friends march off to war against Robert.
  • (“I’ll march with my father,” Ella said. James watched her go.) This will also tie in the part of James’ vision of seeing his father’s blood on his hands.
  • For Sir Christopher!
  • There’s a giant on their side and it’s dope! (helps breach the castle walls?)
  • After many casualties, James and Robert go head-to-head. James is at a disadvantage in close combat, but he overpowers Robert through the sheer force of will.
  • James and friends take Robert, prisoner… His final fate is decided with the help of Ella, who pulls James and Nicole from their blind rage and convinces them to see mercy.
  The Derediem is restored to Laeindel, Ella and James announce their betrothal. THE END

WC: 2237/1000

Secondary Characters

Lady Ella Ravenwood of Newen
Ella Ravenwood is the daughter of the Steward of Nordos. She is beautiful, with long blond hair and steely blue eyes. She stands at five feet nine inches tall. She is kind and confident. She lives with her family in the castle Newen in the mountains of Nordos. Her father, Lord Elt Ravenwood of Newen, Order of the Giants, and mother Lady Chelle Ravenwood rule over Nordos as Stewards under the High King in Estin. Ella is adventurous and resourceful. She learned how to fight with a spear at an early age under the guidance of an Asunte warrior. The Asunte tribe is a band of dark elves, they live outside the monarchy on a small island off the coast of Estin. Under their brutal training, she becomes masterful in the ways of combat. Despite her comfortable life in Castle Newen, she yearns to set her own path and her own destiny.

She begins the story with a clear future of marrying a lord and being his faithful and dutiful wife. She rejects this outright, knowing that she is capable of accomplishing so much more in her life. She yearns for adventure and validation and self-discovery. By running away to search for the Derediem, she reveals her true nature to the world and is able to find true love because of it. She takes up the disguise of Wyatt and joins a band of sellswords (James and Robert) to only find that they have the same quest. She becomes attached to her peers and eventually, her disguise is compromised. Upon their return she accepts her betrothal to James and immediately sets out to find more men to fight for them when hearing about Robert and his eye for the throne. Her character flaw is self-sufficiency or the seeming lack of desire for help. The truth she learns is that she can have a healthy support system and that being alone isn't ideal.

Sir Robert
Robert has dark curls and dark skin. His hazel brown eyes are the only part of him that displays warmth. Sir Robert is very tall and intimidating. Before becoming part of the Royal Guard, he was apart of the Red Brothers a vicious mercenary group that was known to do anything for coin. That life was all he ever knew before taking up the white cloak and climbing up the ranks of the Laeindel guard. Soon he was knighted and trusted among the royal family. When assigned to look after the crown prince he knew he couldn't let this fall apart. He didn't expect to grow fond of the young man, they almost became like brothers. Almost...

Robert has become a trusted confidant for James in his career as a knight, but he resents the young prince's sense of entitlement (always getting them into trouble and not having to suffer any consequences for it). Robert joins James on his quest to recover the long lost Derediem. But just as they find it, Robert has a vision of his true ancestry. He is the long lost prince of Braewood the seat of Sond. His true name is revealed to him. King Robert Praedeen of Braewood, Order of the Cyclopes, First of His Name, Lord, and Protector of Avolire. When presented with an opportunity to rise in his station and become James' rival, he takes it with little hesitation. It is not clear but it should be noted that he was in fact the chosen one, not Prince James. He becomes the ultimate villain due to his envy.

WC: 602/600