I think the main issue is that the GM is asking for some tact in regards to "smack-talk" rather than being standoffish. Not gonna lie, the post in question did seem a bit too hostile/aggressive imo.
Name: Regent Lothar of House Wolff Nicknames/Aliases: The Wolf of the Vale Appearance: Lothar has a commanding presence that just draws attention from everyone. Not particularly due to this looks. Rather he has relatively normal features such as short black hair, dark brown eyes and stands are a somewhat tall 5'9". What does set him apart is his radiating confidence and determination. In fact, many people seem to have trouble at maintaining eye contact with him due to his sharp, focused gaze and the burning ambition that lies in his eyes. Age: 29 Sex: Male
Goals: House Wolff is a cadet branch of the former royal family. It is the family started by the only child of Cobb, the Princess Alesia, who's dynasty went on to be eventually granted the county of Rouen in the Duchy of Tra, a recently acquired region of the Kingdom. The reason was clear, placing a cadet branch of the royal family would help keep the duke under close watch and discourage any rebellious ideas. However, with the usurpers on the throne who were clearly more powerful and a strong claim... there was little that House Wolff could do.
Thus, House Wolff, and Lothar in particular, have been working on consolidating their power and allies so that one day House Wolff may potentially sit on the throne as true descendants of House Tremmley... or at the very least bring the false pretender, House Pennikis, down. After all, they are at least related by blood to Prince Cobb and House Tremmley. But even worse, Lothar and his ancestors have been subject to unfair treatment by the Royal Family, often giving missions that would draw a lot of hatred to them such as forcefully collecting taxes early in a year from a random village on the orders of the Royal Family.
Belief/Motto: From God the King, From King the Law Drive: Birthright
Power info
Allegiance Owed:
Count Norman Wolff, Lothar's elderly/sickly father.
Duchess Hamy, de-jure liege. Although historically, House Wolff only answered to House Tremmley. Recent events and the rise of House Pennikis has brought House Wolff closer to the Duchy rather than the new Royal Family.
Allegiance Received: Mayor Abrams - Elected Burgher of the City of Calae. The city of Calais sits near the northern border of the Kingdom, the Duchy of Tra. and the Duchy of Cses. Thus, it serves as a significant trading city where many merchants find themselves visiting since it sits near the border of three major realms.
Mayor Flemming - Elected Burgher of the city of Bergen. Bergen is one of the closest cities to Bind's Edge and is the center of most of the County's production and industry.
Baron du Valois - Baron of Fort Valor, the County of Rouen's attempt at settling the forest and keeping peace in the rural regions of the County
Head Scholar Rune - President of the Vale Society, a scholarly/monastic order dedicated to studying the mystery of the forest and the region's history. The Society is based near Fort Valor as the Baron and the Head Scholar often collaborate in their expeditions to Bind's Edge. In fact, many Knights who are interested in the region do join the Society and receive formal education. These Knights are referred to as Vale Knights.
Debts Owed:
Head Scholar Rune - Rune had personally educated and tutored Lothar when he was a young lad, which led to Lothar learning a bit of the magic that the Society had learned from studying the forests.
Debts Received: - Lothar and House Wolff has saved countless rural settlements from harm as they made occasional visits to the frontier. And in the event that Lothar was not nearby during a tragedy, he often personally financed the reconstruction of the settlement along with protective palisades.
Past Commendable Deeds: Lothar and House Wolff are ardent supporters of settling and learning more of Bind's Edge. Each successive Count has had times where he sallied out to the woods with his Knights and Men at Arms to help rural settlements defend themselves from bandits, monsters, and beasts. In addition, Lothar and his father began to make the position of Burgher a democratically elected position to better reflect and serve the needs of the locals. Needless to say, House Wolff as a whole has undertaken many reforms focused on making the lives of people, especially those who live in more dangerous/rural areas, safer and better.
Past Condemnable Deeds: Rather than bowing the knee to the new Royal Family, House Wolff has maintained its distance and has yet to attend any feasts or festivals of the Royal Family. A clear sign of unruliness and opposition to the Royal Family. In response, the Royal Family often seeks to "punish" House Wolff by demanding greater levies in the event of conflicts. In fact, House Wolff is often told to raise a small elite force of Knights and horsemen to put down various "revolts" around the Kingdom. Lothar himself had to lead 50 Knights into a village that was "rebelling" when in actuality they were complaining about the sudden raise in taxes and were pleading for more time and leniency. Their orders were clear, to capture and bring back the "ringleaders" of the "revolt" to be hanged. Thus, House Wolff is often doing the dirty work of the Royal Family, which Lothar has no power to resist or deny.
Secrets: At a recent/past tournament, Lothar privately received the blessings of the Duchess Hamy herself in the form of one of her personal scarves, which Lothar casually tied to his lance during the joust. The event caused quite a bit of rumor as no one knew who owned that scarf. How scandalous! But most attendees now know that Lothar, while currently unmarried, is certainly out on the market, searching for suitors and someone appears to have a clear lead.
Titles: Regent and Heir of the County of Rouen
Marriage Ties: House Tremmly
Summary of House Wolff's Holdings:
County of Rouen - Sitting on the north eastern part of the Duchy of Tres next to the holdings of the Royal Family and the Duchy of Cses. House Wolff's family manor/palace sits in the middle of the eastern and western edges of the County.
Mayor Abrams - Elected Burgher of the City of Calae. The city of Calais sits near the northern border of the Kingdom, the Duchy of Tra. and the Duchy of Cses. Thus, it serves as a significant trading city where many merchants find themselves visiting since it sits near the border of three major realms.
Mayor Flemming - Elected Burgher of the city of Bergen. Bergen is one of the closest cities to Bind's Edge and is the center of most of the County's production and industry.
Baron du Valois - Baron of Fort Valor, the County of Rouen's attempt at settling the forest and keeping peace in the rural regions of the County
Head Scholar Rune - President of the Vale Society, a scholarly/monastic order dedicated to studying the mystery of the forest and the region's history. The Society is based near Fort Valor as the Baron and the Head Scholar often collaborate in their expeditions to Bind's Edge. In fact, many Knights who are interested in the region do join the Society and receive formal education. These Knights are referred to as Vale Knights.
Name: Jean-François du Calae "Jean" Alias/Nickname: The Blue Baron Group Name: N/A Culture: France Flag/Symbol: N/A Personal Ship: The Sea Lily Reputation: Jean is a respected former Captain of the French Navy, turned Privateer who is known to offer mercy to those who do not cause trouble, but is swift and decisive against those who he considers his enemies. He had retired from service after a successful campaign and a desire to make his own mark in the New World for himself. Wealth: Moderate Background Type: Ex-Privateer Background: Jean was a former Captain of the French Navy and of minor nobility in the Kingdom of France. While he originally joined the French Navy to bolster the prestige of his family name, he took up privateering and received a letter of marque from the King of France to wage economic war against the enemies of the French Crown and people. It proved to be a very profitable and beneficial venture as Jean hired professional sailors and marines to capture numerous merchant and treasure ships in the name of the King of France. With this success and a name established for himself, Jean left the service of the French Navy to work for himself in the New World.
Organization Name: The Golden Hind Reputation: The Golden Hind is the name of the private military contracting company that Jean established before he left France. Thus far, they have been known to be respectful, committed, and professional to their employers, friends, and allies Initial Contact Behavior: Cautious Typical Alignment: Lawful Neutral Backstory: The Golden Hind was established as a legal way for Jean to continue using his skills as a naval officer. Using his personal wealth, Jean purchased the Sea Lily, and hired a crew of former sailors and marines of the French Navy and allies of France. Their first few jobs were simple escort missions near the Barbary Coasts where they fended off pirates attacking the merchant ship convoys that crew was escorting. This is where the crew gained much needed experience and reputation. Fleet: The Sea Lily - Frigate
Lothar turned to look at the stranger who interrupted him. "To a stranger, this looks awfully looks a lot like a commoner speaking without manners and intruding in a matter that is not related to him nor has any knowledge of. I highly suggest that you watch your tongue for there are many out there who would have you hanging from the pillory or even whipped for your careless tongue."
With a slight pause, Lothar then continued to speak. "Regardless, if I truly wanted to punish the barkeep, then I would have no reason to resort to cowardly attack him while he sleeps. Nay, I have no need to hide nor sneak around like a footpad or bandit. But other than having a bit of disrespect, he has done nothing to deserve punishment and has been rather helpful in my investigation. So, unless you have additional knowledge as to who maimed one of my Knights, then it would be best to return to tending to your drink."
With that, Lothar planned to meet the Grand Marshall and see what he had to say on the matter or if he had anything for Lothar to do in the meantime before the campaign began. That is, if the stranger had nothing substantial to say or tell Lothar.
It did start in the 1500s... but most "pirates" at the time were technically privateers like Sir Francis Drake, "working" for a government. There weren't that many independent pirates at the time.... that said. Yea, I can do a bit of research on the time period and what the buccaneers/privateers used. But the Caribbean at the time was largely controlled by the Spanish and the other European powers used privateers to harass Spanish merchants and ports, which allowed room for the other powers to move in and establish their own ports and settlements. But I guess that might be irrelevant if we're doing a fictional world.