The First King of the Baran't

Overview

A tragic play written by Nicodiemas Elothar for performance in Stenbalan. It consists of three acts and centers around the life and reign of King Manfred I, who conquered Baran'tar in 764.  

Characters

Herald:
Emon II: King of Gantrick, father of Manfred
Manfred: Prince, Crown Prince, and King of Gantrick
Ferwyn: Prince of Gantrick Torel: Manfred's friend who helps execute their money-making schemes
Certh: Manfred's friend who thinks up money-making schemes
Meris Ullman: the reserved one of Manfred's friends
Liandrin: Voice the Ancestors of Celas'tel
Berovin: Liandrin's Husband
Pavden: Winemaker 
T'leris: High Voice of the Ancestors of Barantar
   

Plot

Act I

Scene 1 - Embarking on a Journey

[spoken by a herald, in typical style of contemporary Gantrian Theatre]

  The herald exits and a bearded man with a crown enters followed by a younger man in military finery with a crimson sash across his chest. The King addresses the latter as Manfred, and wishes him well on his pilgrimage and bids him listen to the wisdom of the Divines. Manfred holds himself high and proud, looking every bit the dashing prince with meticulously kept hair, clothing, andclose cropped beard.

The King leaves and three men of an age with Manfred enter. He greets them as Torel, Certh, and Meris. They engage in some humorous dialogue about what Manfred is worried about during his journey: goblins in the woods, hobgoblins in the mountains, highwaymen, crossing into foreign kingdoms without aid, travelling into the Valarin and Gwern and Baran'tar. When the Baran't are brought up, he laughs and says that "heathen hill savages praying at gravestones" hold no fear for him. Conversations shifts and Manfred asks Torel and Certh what their latest method of finding wealth and fame will be while he's gone. They answer that they plan to open a horseracing track, because the losing bets of foolish people with too much money to spend would be right at home in their pockets.  

Scene 2 - Encounter with the Women of the Forest

[The herald returns and begins to speak]


  Three women, hooded and cloaked enter and circle the herald. Light flashes, smoke billows, and thunder rumbles. When the area is clear, only a rat remains between the women. One of them scoops up the rat in a jar as they turn to the audience and begin to speak in turn
 
  Manfred comes tumbling onto stage with a few sticks and leaves in his hair and clothes. Clearly confused, he speaks to the women, asking what they are doing here in the middle of the forest? They reply that they were waiting for him, and that they had a gift for him. Knowledge would be his. Knowledge of what may come to pass if he works to fulfill his destiny. They tell him he will be a king of great renown, that many will cry his name for generations to come. Manfred is taken in by this, and soliloquys, fantasizing about mighty statues to commemorate his glory, and people cheering for him and his descendants. The women allow him his time to imagine. He asks what he must do to achieve this. The women say he must fulfill his destiny, and he asks what it will take for him to do so

 
Manfred looks puzzled and starts to tell them to stop speaking in riddles and answer him plainly, but before he can reach them the women disappear in another flash of smoke, and Manfred is left alone. He takes this time to engage in another soliloquy about finding his destiny just as his father intended, that he would make his father proud, and will live on in the hearts of his people, known as a mighty king, like Emon of old.    

Scene 3 - Confrontation in Baran'tar

Arriving in the town of Celas'tel in Baran'tar, Manfred finds an inn to stay in for the night. Some herdsmen enter and say things to the effect of "by the ancestors, a few weeks upcountry makes a man miss comfort." They ask Manfred what news he brings as a traveler from distant lands, based on his dress. He tells them that he has only just come from the Temple of the Everlight and Dolangren, and plans to continue to the Platinum Summit. The men look sideways at each other and mumble something about "a pilgrim then, eh? well every man has his calling" before going to strike up conversation with the Innkeeper about news. They hear about the King of Gantrick's waning health and they take the opportunity to make jokes about Gantrians being weak, must be a mighty strong sniffle to take a king's health. During this, Manfred is visibly angry, but the innkeeper sees this and puts a hand on his shoulder and eyes him. The men take some wine and head out of the tavern into the street, which is just an open space in the standing room area of the theater.

Manfred leaps up and says that such men should not speak so disrespectfully of Kings, and that Honor demands he confront the men. The Innkeeper tries to calm him down but Manfred picks up his staff and chases after the men. He proceeds to challenge them, down one of them with a swing to the side, but gets the bottle cracked over his head and the men beat him up and kick him with a few audible cracks of bone, leaving him bloodied and broken before bringing him off-stage to throw him into a pile of manure.  

Scene 4 - Kindness in a foreign land

An older women is giving a pregnant woman a satchel of herbs. The woman thanks her, addressing her as Mother Liandrin and leaves. Manfred enters, removing an arm from a sling and slowly stretching it. The woman says he should be fit enough to return to his pilgrimage within a few days and comments that his devotion to his gods does him credit. Manfred questions why she, the Voice of the Ancestors for this village would care about his devotion to gods she doesn't worship. She explains that just as a mortal body could be well tended to by a number of different practitioners of medicine and herbs, the soul can be just as well tended by his gods as by their ancestors. Manfred thinks on this and thanks her for her aid and care these last months, but says he wants to get going to the Summit. She balks a bit that he shouldn't over do it, but goes to fetch him some supplies and herbs to tend to himself. While she is gone, Manfred stews on his treatment by the herdsmen, He comments to himself that Liandrin and her husband Berovin have shown him great kindness, but questions if it makes up for the harm that was done to him. Though a broken bone may knit to be stronger, those that broke it still bear responsibility for the violence done.

Liandrin returns with supplies and food, and Manfred leaves for the Summit
 

Scene 5 - The Journey's end

Manfred enters, speaking with a man in blue and silvery robes, and thanks the priest for performing the ceremony. The priest accepts his thanks, blesses him in the name of Bahamut and asks Manfred what he will do once he returns home. Manfred says he'll rest and recuperate, but thinks he will do what he can to take some load off of his father in his later years. The priest asks what route Manfred will take home, and he replies that he will likely find a ship, but he will not step foot again in Baran't lands. The priest follows this line of discussion and asks what he will do about the Baran't. After considering, Manfred says he will do nothing for now, to focus on learning to rule and aiding his father. The priest is pleased, but Manfred continues and says he swears to keep the peace, so long as the Baran't keep it, but if they break it he will respond with fury and war. The priest is troubled by this and suggests he speak with those who call the Summit their home, men and women who have fought for their kings or lords or clans or homes and been broken by it in body, mind, and spirit. He asks Manfred to consider the effect his vengeance would have on not only the innocent among his enemy, like those who cared for him and nursed him back to health, but also his own soldiers who will have to fight and die for his goal. Manfred considers this, noting his father always told him that the lives of the commanded are the responsibility of the commander, and thanks the priest for his wisdom before leaving to make plans for his return journey.  

Scene 6 - Troubles at home

Manfred enters in a similar military garb as in the beginning, but with a circlet on his head and a golden stripe down the center of his crimson sash. He speaks with another man in similar dress and a plain crimson sash, addressing him as brother. They discuss their father's failing health and their hopes that he will make it to The New Dawn. Manfred's three friends enter hurriedly and ask Manfred and Prince Ferwyn if they'd heard the news. They explain that there have been more reports of attacks in the Talenelat. Manfred becomes angry, saying that the Baran't push and push but one day they will push too far and his friends agree. Ferwyn bids they stay their anger, for no one knows for sure if it actually is the Baran't who are attacking along the borders, there are reports of disturbances on the other side of the river as well, so it could be some other force. Manfred chides back, saying that he knows the Baran't because he's been among them. The Baran't see their father as a weak old man they can push around, and that they test them to see what he'll do. Ferwyn gives way to his brother's point and Manfred leaves to check on his father. Meanwhile, Ferwyn asks Torel and Certh how their schemes and proposals are going . They recount him with several of their failed attempts, and Meris chides that they only hope for war because going on campaign would bring them out of the reach of their creditors. The two laugh that the only fools with too much money they'd found was their creditors, and that the kingdom would be better off without such men, perhaps they should fight on the front lines.

Manfred rushes on stage in a state of panic, and cries for Ferwyn to come quick, for their father is on his deathbed.

Scene 6 - King Emon's Funeral

Manfred and Ferwyn enter looking solemn. Manfred wears a crown now rather than a circlet, and despite his forlorn expression he is still in immaculate condition. They embrace and Manfred puts his hands on his brother's shoulders, stating that he will need his brother's strength in the coming days, that this will be a difficult time for their family and that the kingdom will need their guidance, for burying a king can have far reaching effects. Ferwyn swears to always follow and support his brother. Manfred's friends enter and bow, addressing Manfred as "My King" he waves them off and they embrace him. Meris embraces but says that he bears ill news and he says that the Abbey of St. Hefeydd in the Talenelat Forest was attacked and burned a few days previously, and that they had just received word. Manfred flies into a rage, yelling that the Baran't had grown comfortable profiting off the kingdom of a great man in his final years, but they would find a sturdier foe in him. He commands Certh to summon his steward, he must gather the lords and their troops to the capital, for from this night onwards, Gantrick is at war. The friends withdraw and Ferwyn begins to ask Manfred if this is the best course forward, but Manfred cuts him off, shouting over him, asking if he is so eager to break his oaths that he would do so before an hour has passed. Ferwyn begins to answer and placate his brother, but is cut off again. Manfred tells Ferwyn to make haste in preparing for this war, and tells him that he will be leading a large part of the army to the east and reveals that he has been preparing and planning with their high marshal for some time now. Manfred leaves and Ferwyn gets a soliloquy about a brother lost to ambition who doesn't take time to let grief burn out as grief, but uses it for tinder to set a kingdom ablaze in ill-fated revenge.

The women of the forest return as Ferwyn leaves, and speak to each other in turn


 

Act 2

Scene 1

  Manfred is receiving reports from his generals as they are deep in Baran't lands. Manfred inquires about news of Prince Ferwyn's force, but they have none to report. A messenger arrives with news that the Baran't are retreating from the town they're attacking. The generals ask about their losses, and the messenger reports that there is heavy resistance in nearly every house from the civilians, same as in the other towns they've captured. Manfred complains that they just don't know when they're beaten and stabs a dagger into the table through a map. A Baran't prisoner is brought in, and Manfred asks who he is. The man gives his name as Pavden, and states that he is a winemaker. Manfred asks why his people still fight after they've been beaten, and he says 'for nearly three years you have been in our lands, burned our homes and livelihoods, and stolen our relics. I wouldn't expect an ancestor-less warlord like yourself to' but he is cut off as Torel punches him out and shouts 'how dare you address your king in that manner!' Manfred waves for guards to take the man away, and Torel shares a look with Certh before both look in the direction the man was taken. Certh crosses to Manfred and says the King should take some time to eat before they march. Manfred thanks him for being a good friend before exiting. Certh and Torel share another look, then both head in the direction the prisoner was taken. As Torel passes by the table, he grabs the dagger out from it and flips it in his hand as they exit  

Scene 2

Soldiers rush on stage, and sounds of battle come in from off stage, awoman in fine Baran't robes sits quietly on the ground in front of a shrine. The soldiers seize her and force her to her feet, before Manfred enters and gloats over his victory. He addresses the woman as the High Voice of the Ancestors and informs her that at long last, she has lost and he has brought justice to Baran'tar. He receives some reports on which areas of the city have fallen and which are holding out. Then, Manfred turns back to the High Voice and asks why so many of her people continue to resist even after they've lost. She says that her people defend their homes and the ancestors who remain behind, perhaps his soldiers would face less resistance if they weren't so intent on stealing their sacred relics, the ancestors would not demand such resistance. Certh and Torel look nervously at each other. Manfred is confused by this and asks her to elaborate, but the High Voice only bids him take responsibility for the crimes of those he commands. Manfred indignantly states that his army is honorable, and that he would take responsibility for any man or woman in his army, He then storms out, leaving the High Voice to be arrested.  

Scene 3

Two men in dark robes and cowls slink onstage, one guardsman appears from the other side. The two thieves stage whisper to each other, saying that once the boss creates a distraction, they can be in and out without a sound, just like they'd done every night for the week since they'd captured the city. They then fantasize over the hoarded wealth of the Baran't and talk about how richly they'll be rewarded. Torel comes on stage near the guardsman, and exclaims that he heard a commotion around the back side of the compound, and that he thought he heard a woman cry out. The guardsman runs off with Torel and the thieves sneak in.

Shortly after, the guardsman comes back with a frantic Torel, saying he should raise an alarm to organize a search, since there was no one there. At the same time, the two thieves exit with sacks full of loot. Torel gets the guard turned toward him before he spots them, but he blows his whistle to summon help to deal with the distraction. The thieves panic and one runs up and stabs the guard in the back. Torel shouts in surprise and frustration and begins frantically sputtering trying to formulate a plan, saying Certh was the planner, not him. Certh appears on stage furious that the operation was bungled. He takes out Manfred's dagger from before and stabs the thief who killed the guard, right as a troop of guardsman appear and put all of them under arrest.  

Scene 4

Torel and Certh are in a cell bickering about who's fault it is. Torel says that Manfred will be able to get them out, he's gotten them out of sticky situations in the past. Certh is skeptical, as he's become more serious over the last three years on campaign. Manfred enters with attendants and the two greet him with excitement, but quickly stop talking when they see the rage on his face. Manfred growls something under his breath and his attendants scurry out. He paces for a bit before exploding at his two friends. He yells that when they pillage and rob, it is he that has to bear the responsibility. Torel begins to speak, Certh tries to stop him, but Torel continues, saying it was only a lowly guardsman and a wretched thief they did away with, and plus, Baran't wealth was the property of the Crown of Gantrick now, and Manfred had never said no to them in the past, and it isn't like Manfred has done anything over what they'd been taking all the way to the city. Manfred seethes with cold rage and speaks in a deadly quiet tone, asking if they thought they could deal so laxly with men's lives and if they dared be so familiar with their King and assume he would be merciful? A messenger runs in, Manfred demands to know why he was disturbed, and the messenger reports Prince Ferwyn has arrived and that the High Voice has escaped. Manfred curses and kicks his chair across the stage. The two are left sputtering before Certh breaks down and asks what will become of them? Manfred replies "Of two common thieving murderers? I have more pressing concerns"    

Act 3

Scene 1

  Manfred, visibly tired, receives reports of the efforts to crush the remaining resistance. Prince Ferwyn has ridden out with a sizeable force to quell insurrections in the west. Amongst other news comes a report that after the siege of the village of Celas'tel, the village leaders were executed for organizing the defense against their rightful rulers. This jolts Manfred back to, and he asks about Liandrin and Berovin, the Voice and her husband. The commander responsible looks confused, but says he thinks they were the village leaders, but he wasn't sure. He speaks with an aide and confirms to the king that Liandrin and Berovin were the ones executed. Manfred sinks back in his chair, groans softly, and puts his head in his hands. The light changes and all others in the room freeze. Manfred rises and begins to pace about and gives a soliloquy. He asks himself why he has to bear this responsibility too? He owed Liandrin his life for their kindness, but instead he got them killed. How many innocents have been killed? How many died because of Torel and Certh's theivery? What of retribution for Baran't attacks in the Talenelat? Do those deaths justify these? Was Ferwyn right? Should they ever have gone to war? He knows he must bear responsibility for his actions and those he leads, but how can he do so when those around him have no honor? How can he carry on with this? How could he abandon his duty to his people? What of this new brutalized people he is responsible for now?

As he goes through these questions for himself he gets increasingly distressed until he ends up collapsing back into his chair with his head back in his hands. The light changes back to normal and everyone carries on. They notice the king's distress and Meris snaps at everyone to leave the king in peace, these troubles can be dealt with another time. They all file out awkwardly. Meris turns and lays a hand on Manfred's shoulder, and tells him that he can always count on him to do what is necessary to keep the kingdom together, then he leaves too.  

Scene 2

Meris visits Certh and Torel to bring them food, they are surprised to see him, and ask if the king's heart has softened at all in the three months that they've been locked up. Meris sets the food down and says he doubts the king will give them a light sentence, then pauses before adding that he would counsel the king to have them made an example of to legitimize Gantrian rule in the area. The two are appalled, and ask how Meris could be so heartless. Meris snaps at them and calls them worthless hangers-on who have never done anything of use. If their lives would set this tinderbox of a kingdom to rest he would counsel the king strung them up this very day.

A troop of guards enter, and lock the High Voice in a cell next to Certh and Torel. Manfred then enters, and paces outside her cell. Meris joins him and nods to him in support, before the King addresses the High Voice. He points to Certh and Torel and says that he has dealt with the issue within his control and brought them to justice, but the Baran't still resist. The High Voice looks at the two and tells Manfred that she has no faith in his so-called justice, what's stopping him from setting them free once they return to Sutol? She has heard of what he has done for his friends in the past. Manfred snaps back that he isn't keen to get more blood on his hands. The High Voice laughs remarks that the ocean isn't much changed by throwing in a few buckets. She continues and taunts him, asking what will become of her? She would never disgrace the ancestors by submitting to him, he should get it over with and lop of her head just like the other Voice he had killed. Manfred stops short, visibly shaken, and Meris steps in, telling the Voice to hold her tongue, that the King's justice is not for her to judge. He then says a few quiet words to Manfred telling him that the day has been overtaxing and that he would be willing to keep the king's appointments for the rest of the day. Manfred nods grimly and walks off. Meris straightens, and eyes the three in cells, then says that the three of them have caused the King considerable trouble. His job as a true friend of the King, eyeing Torel and Certh, is to support him in whatever way he can, and to help remove obstacles to his rule and the betterment of the kingdom.  

Scene 3

Meris stands before a crowd with a scroll. Manfred sits on a raised dais behind him. Even though the king wears fine clothes, he isn't nearly as resplendent as before. He is visibly haggard and his clothes are slightly rumpled . Meris unrolls the scroll, and the High Voice is led on stage along with a headsman. He reads the decree: