From: robertson@delphi.intel.com Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 13:43:31 -0800 To: pcorless@cisco.com "Cyning Aec of Kent" is copyright (c) Roderick Robertson 1996. Excerpted from the work in progress "The Courts of King Arthur", Peter Corless, Editor. (Written for future publication by the Chaosium) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cyning Aesc of Kent (as of 480 AD) Aesc is Hengist's third son, and was made co-king of Kent after the death of Horsa in 456. The Jutish kings have had a long tradition of dual-kingship, a custom also practiced by the Danes. Aesc learned the trade of kingship under his father's tutelage, and was ready to take over when his father died. Dual kingship also means that no problems occur in the succession In addition, Aesc stayed at home and guarded the women and children while Hengist fought battles. Aesc was a faithful son, and worked hard to earn his father's praise. The integration of the British Laets in Kent is much more a product of Aesc's rulership than Hengist's. After his father's death in 469, Aesc led the Kentish saxons back to the continent, where they stayed close to the coast. After four years, Aesc returned to Kent, and handily defeated Aurelius's dismounted knights at the Battle of Appledore. Aurelius was forced to recognized Aesc's claim on Kent. While there has been numerous border clashes since then, there has been no attempt to force Aesc and the Saxons out of Kent. Aesc shares the same family features as his elder brothers, Octa and Eosa, and the same family pride and feeling of kinship. He rides whenever he can, and normally wears hunting leathers. For battle he has a utilitarian set of armor, but his helmet is crowned with the image of a boar, with real boar bristles used as a crest. Glory 25,000 SIZ 17 Move 3 Major Wound 17 DEX 13 Damage 6d6 Unconscious 8 STR 18 Heal Rate 3 Knock Down 17 CON 17 Hit Points 34 Armor 10+shield APP 12 Age 43 Attacks: Sword 21, Spear 22, Javelin 25, Axe 19, Dagger 18 Significant Traits: Energetic 19, Generous 18, Honest 20, Cruel 15, Proud 18, Worldly 16, Indulgent 17, Valorous 19 Significant Passions: Loyalty (Vassals) 18, Love (family) 22, Hospitality 18, Honor 17 Significant Skills: Awareness 18, Battle 18, Boating 17, Horsemanship 17, Industry 14, Intrigue 16, Orate 15, Stewardship 16, Swimming 15 Horse: Rouncy Equipment: Saxon chain and splinted arm and leg defenses, Decorated helmet & weapons, Clothing worth 2L Magic: none Dates of Note 437 Born 456 Made co-king of Kent with his father, Hengist 462 Forced to flee Kent by Vortimer. Returns when Vortimer is killed by Rowena 463 Takes part in the "Long Knives" 465 Fights at Battle of Wippedesfleot 466 Stays in Kent while Hengist fights at Battle of Exeter 469 Stays in Kent while Hengist flees north. After Hengist's death, takes his people back to the continent. 473 Returns to Kent, defeating Aurelius's knights at the Battle of Appledore. Aurelius grants Kent to Aesc - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cyning Aesc of Kent (as of 518 AD) Since 480, Aesc has led his people in relative peace, though he often raided up the Thames. In 503 he led a combined army from Kent and the Est Saexe against London. Rather than suffer a siege, the citizens of London surrendered. Aesc spent a few years in London, ruling from the White Tower. With London in Saxon hands, the way up the Thames was clear for Saxon raiders who were able to land as far north as Oxford. Aesc left London in 506, leading a raid into Frankland. While he was away for two years, the Londoners rebelled, led by Duke Corneus of Lindsey. Aesc was furious with his faithless subjects who allowed the Britons to regain the city. He tried to reclaim the city in 509, but was repulsed, and saw his prize slip away from his grip when Arthur drew the sword from the Stone in 510. Aesc took the opportunity to raid northwards while Arthur was busy fighting the Rebel Kings. Like the other Saxon kings, Aesc supported Aelle's bid for the High- Kingship of Britain, but died on the fourth day of the Battle of Badon. Glory 50,000 SIZ 16 Move 3 Major Wound 15 DEX 13 Damage 5d6 Unconscious 8 STR 16 Heal Rate 3 Knock Down 16 CON 15 Hit Points 31 Armor 10+shield APP 10 Age 81 Attacks: Sword 25, Spear 24, Javelin 29, Axe 22, Dagger 19 Significant Traits: Energetic 19, Generous 19, Honest 21, Cruel 18, Proud 20, Worldly 17, Indulgent 16, Valorous 22 Significant Passions: Loyalty (Vassals) 19, Love (family) 21, Hospitality 15, Honor 16 Significant Skills: Awareness 20, Battle 23, Boating 21, Horsemanship 19, Industry 17, Intrigue 18, Orate 21, Stewardship 18, Swimming 14 Horse: Rouncy Equipment: Saxon chain and splinted arm and leg defenses, Decorated helmet & weapons, Clothing worth 4L Magic: none Dates of Note after 480 503 Allies with Aethelswith of Essex in conquering London 507 London rebels against the Saxons 518 Dies at Battle of Mt. Badon