King Louen Leoncoeur

Louen Leoncoeur is the greatest leader of the Bretonnians since Gilles the Uniter. A mighty warrior king, his subjects know well that he is the pinnacle of knightly perfection and honour. Highly skilled on the field of battle and a master of tactics and strategy, he has never known defeat. Commoners and nobles alike speak of Leoncoeur with the same reverence, likening him to the mighty Companions of Gilles from ages past. Some say that the blood of Gilles runs in his veins. As ferocious yet honourable in diplomacy as he is in war, King Louen the 'Lionhearted' is renowned far beyond the borders of Bretonnia itself, and respected by all.

Since his coronation in 2500, Louen has proved himself time and time again. He utterly crushed the massive Ore invasion of 2508 at the Battle of Swamphold, and has ridden battlefields clear of the undead on the outskirts of Mousillon on more than one occasion. He has fought victoriously against invaders of the north, driving them back into the sea, and scoured the taint of insidious covens from within his cities. Leoncoeur has always attacked the enemies of Bretonnia with fiery wrath and determination, yet never have his actions been anything other than chivalrous and honourable. Although such rigid adherence to the codes of martial honour could be seen to hinder a more unscrupulous general, it is a great source of strength for King Louen. He is blessed above all other mortals by the Lady of the Lake, and some whisper he has even been granted a kiss by his goddess. It is certain that the magical power of the Grail flows in his veins; legend has it that where Leoncoeur is cut, light streams out from the wound until it is healed over once more.

After more than twenty glorious years on the throne, Louen still appears to be in the prime of his life, though scholars whisper that he is close to his ninetieth year. It is said that he intends to turn his attentions to cursed Mousillon, cleansing it of taint and restoring it to its former glory. If he does this, the lands of Bretonnia will be united under his banner once and for all.

Repanse de Lyonesse

A Repanse de Lyonesse won fame as the most dreaded Damoiselle de Guerre who rallied the battered armies of Bretonnia during the kingdom’s darkest hour. This was when King Louis the Brave was slain in battle before Couronne when fighting a vast Chaos horde invading Bretonnia from beyond the Sea of Claws. Louis' army was all but destroyed. Couronne was besieged and to make matters worse the king's heir was still a child unable to lead the nation.

Chaos raiders spread out across the land burning and destroying. Everywhere Knights were hacked down as they bravely defied impossible odds. At this dark moment, amid the smoking ruins of a small village in remote Lyonesse, Repanse saw the Lady of the Lake. The Lady appeared to speak saying "Repanse, Repanse, rid my land of these foul foes, for they do offend me with their presence!"

Repanse was no more than seventeen years of age, a humble shepherdess who was devoutly religious. Inspired by her vision she donned armour that she found on a slain Knight and grabbed the reins of a terrified warhorse which was running loose. She broke open the reliquary of the village grail chapel and took up the sword she found within it. Snatching a tapestry hung on the wall she fastened it to a lance and rode forth to rally the scattered and disheartened Knights of Lyonesse.

When the retreating Knights saw a mere damsel bravely setting off to do battle with the mighty warriors of Chaos, and one who was undoubtedly favoured by the Lady of the Lake, they were shamed and felt honour bound to follow her to death or glory! While the ramparts of Couronne were cracking under the impact of the battering rams of the Chaos Lord, word was brought of a new Bretonnian army approaching fast and trampling beneath their hooves any foe in their path.

As the great doors were about to give way, the banner of the dreaded Damoiselle appeared leading a great host of Knights arrayed in a single lancehead formation. They cleft their way through the Chaos ranks shattering the Chaos army until Repanse was face to face with the Chaos Lord himself. When he raised his great sword above his grimacing visage he was momentarily dazzled by Repanse's radiant aura, and she beheaded him with a single sword stroke!

Couronne was saved and the remnants of the enemy were pursued to the sea and justly put to death. In gratitude, Louis the Young bestowed upon Repanse not only all the honours of knighthood but also the Dukedom of Lyonesse.