Baron H.K.F. von Hünchmausen
Baron Hieronymus Karl Friedrich von Hünchmausen was the self-proclaimed nobility of the settlement of Hünchmausen, which was founded in 52 AFF. He was an eccentric but influential individual, who had made long journeys and accumulated rare resources during his expeditions. He was deeply respected by his community. Historic sources are uncertain on whether he had any magical abilities, but agree that there were most definitely mysterious aspects to his life. The baron has been involved in many strange events during the Age of Expansion, and is said to have had an exuberant amount of luck.
An example of this was the expedition into the caverns underneath Westernell. Between 62 and 66 AFF, expansion along the Nell river demanded that the caverns beneath the area be fully mapped as well. Since the Founding Year, scouts reported unpredictable tremors in this area that still required further investigation. Baron Von Hünchmausen joined this expedition, together with adventurers from the Everlight guild and several rangers from the Eragina clan of the Yu Me. It was the baron that 'stumbled upon' the lair of the crazed gem dragon that was threatening the integral structure of the entire cavern system. Without his findings, the Everlight guild would not have been able to slay it.
He has been a part of many expeditions in a similar manner. An interesting part of his history was the expedition he disapproved of. An elf man from St. Aubrey's Orphanage, called 'Crazy' Dio, called for aid in an effort to retrieve something important of his from the Maashen swamp, which seemed familiar to him from before the Fey Fall. The baron Von Hünchmausen voiced his opposition to this plan, stating the many dangers the swamp posed, and that the request the elf made was too vague to be worth the risk. Nevertheless, a few Everlight mercenaries and a Yu Me navigator offered to help the orphaned elf. When in the end they discovered Dio's posession, a fine old elvish porcelain tea set, the baron was deemed to be in the right. Many did wonder if he knew more about it than just following a hunch that Dio Aubrey might not have been after something more important.
The Baron lived a long and prosperous life. Even in his old age, he funded and supported many campaigns. His death is perhaps the greatest mystery he left behind. His estate was found open but abandoned, his servants all dismissed a few weeks before. In his study, there was a stack of maps, all drawn and signed by his hand. The Hünchmausen Maps, as they now have come to be known as, all marked locations of mysterious ruins and ancient treasures. Many have since then been scavenged by those lucky to get their hands on his maps. It is assumed that baron Von Hünchmausen drew hundreds of these throughout his exceptionally long lifetime, and new ones are being discovered every so often by a lucky finder. In a sense it can be said that, even after his death, the baron remains a patron of adventure and discovery.
An example of this was the expedition into the caverns underneath Westernell. Between 62 and 66 AFF, expansion along the Nell river demanded that the caverns beneath the area be fully mapped as well. Since the Founding Year, scouts reported unpredictable tremors in this area that still required further investigation. Baron Von Hünchmausen joined this expedition, together with adventurers from the Everlight guild and several rangers from the Eragina clan of the Yu Me. It was the baron that 'stumbled upon' the lair of the crazed gem dragon that was threatening the integral structure of the entire cavern system. Without his findings, the Everlight guild would not have been able to slay it.
He has been a part of many expeditions in a similar manner. An interesting part of his history was the expedition he disapproved of. An elf man from St. Aubrey's Orphanage, called 'Crazy' Dio, called for aid in an effort to retrieve something important of his from the Maashen swamp, which seemed familiar to him from before the Fey Fall. The baron Von Hünchmausen voiced his opposition to this plan, stating the many dangers the swamp posed, and that the request the elf made was too vague to be worth the risk. Nevertheless, a few Everlight mercenaries and a Yu Me navigator offered to help the orphaned elf. When in the end they discovered Dio's posession, a fine old elvish porcelain tea set, the baron was deemed to be in the right. Many did wonder if he knew more about it than just following a hunch that Dio Aubrey might not have been after something more important.
The Baron lived a long and prosperous life. Even in his old age, he funded and supported many campaigns. His death is perhaps the greatest mystery he left behind. His estate was found open but abandoned, his servants all dismissed a few weeks before. In his study, there was a stack of maps, all drawn and signed by his hand. The Hünchmausen Maps, as they now have come to be known as, all marked locations of mysterious ruins and ancient treasures. Many have since then been scavenged by those lucky to get their hands on his maps. It is assumed that baron Von Hünchmausen drew hundreds of these throughout his exceptionally long lifetime, and new ones are being discovered every so often by a lucky finder. In a sense it can be said that, even after his death, the baron remains a patron of adventure and discovery.
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