SamhainIA wrote:
Eric, you have previously stated you though that Oswald and the pretender line were connected, you still hold that opinion? (and do you have anything you might want to expand on that?)
Oswald the Beggar King was a val'Inares. Though apparently impoverished there were plenty of people who treated him with respect and honor and who either let him eat in their fine establishments or who gave him material goods ... in other words he had supporters. And of course despite his "limited means" he carried himself like royalty.
It was implied in the LA Talk list that his name of Oswald was not an accident. Which creates an obvious link to the Oswald val'Inares known as the Usurper. KingvOswald's son lost the throne by alienating most of Milandir's nobles and in consequence many of Milandir's val'Inares were booted off of their lands in the Eastmarch and became exiles.
That there is/was an Oswald Val Inares who was in the Pirate Isles and who claimed title is all circumstantial...but the pieces fit. Playing at being crazy/harmless might also be a good defense against assassins from Naeranth...at least in my mind.
Regardless, it's my opinion that Freeports Oswald had more going on than just a crazy guy talking a good game. Hopefully your Pretender cert will come with info on your Mom and Dad. You get giant bonus points with me if your Pretender claims loyalty to the Mother Church and a pledge to Elandre to flip the Kingdom back if you ever get the Crown.
