Long ago, before men moved into the lands we know now as the Barony of Red Spears, this area was home to the little people. The Legend of the Hasta Animi
The first men to live in these lands settled in the black swampy land of the Marche of the Marshes. Life in the Marshes was rough. Many times the settlement there sank into the swamp only to be rebuilt...but that is a story for another time.
Later, men settled around Hróðgeirsfjörðr north of the swamps. As these settlers worked to build their new homes they made a discovery. Several artifacts left behind by the former inhabitants, the little people. Among the elf bolts and bits of pottery, three small spears were found. Each was just over a cubit long. The head and over half the length of each spear were made of polished copper, untouched by time, with the rest of the shaft carved of wood and bound together by red stained leather. They resembled the spears or hasta used by ancient Rome.
The settlers took the find as a good omen. They changed the name of the settlement to the March of the Crossing of the Red Spears for the three spears of red metal they had found. These spears became the symbol of the spirit of the people. Proudly displayed in times of peace and carried forth in times of war.
Some years later the wolves of Northwoods invaded these lands to their south. At the Battle of the Lost Peninsula the three ancient spears were lost to the people of Red Spears. One was lost during the battle and has never been found. The other two were captured by the wolves from the north. They have rested these many years in the treasury of the Barony of the Northwoods.
At the investiture of William Taylor the Pure as Baron of Red Spears, Count Sir Rolac the Wise gave his squire a gift. He returned one of the two remaining spears, that he had managed to stea...reaquire from the Northwoods treasury, to the new Baron of Red Spears. Later that same night he shared with us the story of the spears that I have just related to you.
This Spear is the Hasta Animi, the symbol of the Barony of Red Spears made manifest. His Excellency Baron Taylor the Pure has chosen to reward those that set examples of courtesy, honor, and the spirit of the Barony, with the honor of carrying the Hasta Animi for an year and making them a Companion of the Order of the Hastati. Each bearer of the Hasta Animi is charged with the responsibility of nominating their successor to the Baron. The first to receive this honor from the Baron was Herrin Anna Mailander and myself.
In Service to Red Spears,
Herr Konrad Mailander, OHa