While is is a well-worn fact that, so long as they are loyal to the Emperor, his feudal subjects may do as they wish, both the Imperial Chancery and the Church acknowledge that it is important to treat serfs and smallholders well. Sadly, not all learn this lesson or take it to heart, and the Landgrave of Stonn is an unfortunate example. He levied ruinous taxes, conscripted men for mercenary service, and was unmoved by the suffering of his people during the Long Famine or the Red Death.

Eventually, this led to a peasant uprising, led by a former farmer that went by the nom-de-guerre of Harvester. He had reportedly taken up his pitchfork after the death of his family and slain one of the Landgrave’s tax collectors in cold blood, an act which galvanized his fellow serfs to do the same. After leading them to victory at the Battle of Duerstadt’s Mill, the revolt in the Landgravate became serious enough to attract the attention of the Imperial Chancery.

Around this time, his fellow rebels began to notice strange things about the man they called Harvester. His horse never seemed to tire, and indeed had begun to radiate a strange stench. Despite capturing a quantity of high-quality arms and armor at Duerstadt’s Mill, Harvester refused to stop carrying his pitchfork in battle, and refused to don armor. They also noticed that, despite his insistence that no harm come to the civilians and soldiers captured by his troops, the nobility that fell into the rebels’ hands tended to disappear rather than being held hostage or ransomed.

Eventually, the Imperial Chancery intervened and forced the Landgrave of Stonn from power, passing his lands to the Graf von Tuninfor, who promised general amnesty in return for improved conditions and lower taxes. Most of the rebels took this agreement, but not Harvester, who continued to attack and slay nobles with an ever-diminishing band of followers. The former Landgrave of Stonn was eventually slain at the country home to which he had retired in luxury, and many other minor nobles throughout the area, including the Graf von Tuninfor’s nephew and heir, fell to his pitchfork as well.

It was around this time that observers noted the unhealthy cast of Harvester’s skin, and the sloughed and mummified appearance presented by his horse. The only thing to show no signs of decay were Harvester’s clothes, and his pitchfork.

High Inquisitor’s Note:
It seems clear to me that a dark bargain was made here in haste, and although the lot of the people of Stonn was made less burdensome thereby, Harvester remains a dangerous outlaw with a record of assaulting and murdering nobles. It is not entirely clear what animates him or if he can be harmed or killed; this is a matter of ongoing investigation my the Inquisitorium.

  • Like what you see? Purchase a print or ebook version!