Ingrid Rennwald

“A knight who serves any one master will have many limits... but a knight who serves the people? She determines her own strength."
—Ingrid, upon proving herself to Innes.

Ingrid Innes Tronte Ulrich Kahnwald Magnus Rennwald, or Dame Ingrid Rennwald for short, is one of the members of the Krono Krew party. She is a noble of House Rennwald.

She is the current wielder of Krajul, one of the ten legendary Stars in the Darkness. She also forged the chronostone shield Havoc Fang. Ingrid is also considered to be the de-facto champion of Tempos, though the goddess couldn't name her as such officially due to her slumber.

Biography

Early Life

In the volatile power dynamics of Terros, one thing was for certain - you had to stay on top of things. This brought immense pressure on Ingrid who was educated and trained in the art of warfare and magic from a time when she could barely read. She was diligent through and through, but she was far from the golden child.

While she was brought up in Brödorf, she shifted to Tromden when her family became the lords of the city after the incident of the dissonant dirge.

She did not slack off in regards to either skill - equally proficient in spells as much as swordplay - she learnt at the College of Zaubarovia alongside other nobles. But she was far from lawful, severely lacking the decorum of nobility. Often running away from home to go on adventures and somehow running into trouble everywhere she went.

In some strange ways, she was extremely lazy and laid back - but she also had a bleeding heart - not shying away from helping anyone - whether it be commonfolk or nobility. This meant she truly had the markings of the people's hero. However, this did not prepare her to be the Knight her mother wanted her to be - a cold distance remained between the two.

Shards of the Empire

Check the main campaign page for the detailed plot summary.

After many failed attempts, she finally managed her escape from Rennwald Estate into the open world - finally her own adventure awaited her. Promising to pay her would-be-abductor Erna better than anything her mother could give her, the two set off for Rockham after coming across a call for adventure from the Department of Dungeons. They ran into an Owlbear at a farm, eventually defeating it and realizing that it was a polymorphed farmer.

Upon reaching Rockham, they ran into the rest of the party and decide to form a team. She initially hid her noble status. She fangirled over Meras, the leader of the party known as the Ivory Suns. Her real name and status was eventually revealed when Finethir, in sheep form, ran up to her with a scroll of animal speaking. Helping him against his apprentice Noke, the party then joined the expedition to Varkaria. At Varkaria, she got separated, ending up with Werner, Kai Li, Meras, and Dagaek. She grew a camaraderie with Meras, and upon rejoining the team, they faced off against Gothwyn for the first time, and then got transported days ahead. She realized that she now had the Time Gear. They named the team the Krono Krew.

They decided to head to the College of Zaubarovia where Ingrid believed they'd find out more about the Time Gear. Dealing with many threats on the way including an Ogolavi Goliath Raid on Fort Altenhügel, the team eventually ended up in her home city of Tromden. By now, Ingrid had a frost halberd instead of a spear that she modified using the axe she got from killing the goliath raid leader, Nagal. At Tromdenburg, Erna got paid for 'delivering' Ingrid to her home, as Ingrid caught Rolf up with the truth of Gothwyn and the Time Gears. He was convinced by her to let her adventure, although he warned her not to tell any of this to their mother. She prevented any of the party from hitting on Roderick, who was still a minor then.

At the College of Zaubarovia, they met Magister Uxius who revealed to them the time gear held in the Uhrwerk Conspectus. They asked of the party to defend it from the soon-to-arrive Gothwyn. Ingrid met one of her old teachers of the Schattenjäger Conspectus, Prof. Azal Shoushan. He chastised her for her usage of a halberd instead of something that 'fits her'. She and Werner dueled him, barely winning out the non-lethal truel. She realized that she needed a more defensive weapon, and was helped by the professor and a spellsmith to forge a new thunder shield. Magister Uxius also suggested for her to write down spells, and she attended some Uhrwerk classes. They fought Gothwyn for the second time, and then decided to go to the Underdark for the next time gear.

They teleportd back to Tromdenburg, where she met Rolf again. They saved Kystby from another Ogolavi raid. At Vogh Vulfrhûn, she was received by King Baergrumm as a guest, and helped the police in investigating the 'Verdant Fog'. In the Underdark, they even fiound a dying moon elf dressed up like Ingrid left there to intimidate them. After finding Gokir and Grenthrum, they headed into the Hourglass Caverns. Ingrid got eaten by the purple worm, but damaged it from the inside just enough to escape before they killed it. After Werner got the second time gear, they were attacked by Qesrea, one of her 'superior' peers from the Schattenjäger Conspectus. She offered a 2 versus 1 duel with Erna and Ingrid, but as they began to win, she altered the deal and just tried to run away with Ingrid's time gear. Werner and Kai Li prevented her from escaping with the time gear (although she herself did escape), and Ingrid promised Kai Li a shop worth of alcohol.

Ingrid and Werner used their privilege in getting the Vogh Vulfrhûn police on their side. The party then headed over to arrest Baron Emeraldeye, who then revealed himself to be the dragon Tulunvithar. After defeating him, they were rewarded as saviors of the city. For this, Ingrid was knighted by King Baergrumm himself. General Hanmeath then asked her help in taking down the remnants of the Ogolavi Clan.

"Kneel before me, moon elf. Do you acknowledge me as one of your five true and rightful lieges?"
"Do you pledge fealty to your liege lord Zaekras, to our true liege the Kaiser, and swear your sword and life to Terros, to be forever at the Fatherland's service?"
"By the right of the five, by the undying will of Rhos, I, Baergrumm of House Everhammer, King of Nûzabad, Archduke of Vogh Vulfrhûn, dub thee a knight of the Great Kingdom of Terros. Rise, Dame Ingrid of House Rennwald, Knight of the Roaring Storm."
-Ingrid's Knighting Ceremony.

Ingrid spent most of the next months working with the Zietarian and Nûzabadi armies in attacking the outposts of the Ogolavi Clan. She often had Meras and the Ivory Suns with her, and when not them, she'd have Erna. Often enough, she'd be alone. Over time, she slowly got more and more popular amidst the Terrosi army and village populace, tales of the Knight of the Roaring Storm getting recognition in the cities of Vogh Vulfrhûn, Tromden, Rockham, and Uppborg. Many in the capital had also heard tales of her, but they were unaffected by the Ogolavi threat to begin with. She grew closer with Meras. Their roles slowly reversed, as she became the more popular of the two. The Ivory Suns got much glory through the campaign against the Ogolavi Clan, helping the Krono Krew and the armies chase in the tribe. Her brother Rolf supported 'Dame Ingrid' to the best of his ability, but all she heard from her mother through the entire year was a single letter congratulating her on her knighthood and wishing her good luck for the fights to come.

After tons of grueling battles over months, they planned a final attack on the stronghold of the Ogolavi Clan in the foothills of the Kosmosi Mountains. The fight was led by General Hanmaeth Graysteel, alongside Ingrid, Erna, The Ivory Suns, and Paladin Sascha Köler. The fight was difficult, as it was nearly impossible for their platoon to get to the mountain tribal fort without attrition. The fight was almost a loss, but Ingrid, Erna, and Meras managed to take down the new leader of the Ogolavi Clan. He surrendered after a lost fight, giving his token of leadership- A Belt of Fire Giant Strength- to Ingrid. He called off the Ogolavi raids, and signed a peace treaty with the General. They were celebrated as war heroes, as their small army had managed to defeat this threat to the land even as the political tensions on the northern border worsened.

Ingrid enjoyed a couple months of rest and recovery afterward, as she had also sustained heavy wounds despite the victory. Eventually, she received a letter from Werner, which explained that Gothwyn is once again advancing his plans, and that his mother, Duchess Gaten, might be trying to get rid of Ingrid's mother for her support of Gothwyn. He was also basically trapped in Etabrück, and they would need to come rescue him.

On the day of the Riversong Resonance festival in the city of Etabrück, the Krono Krew came back together to rescue Werner from Arxbrück Castle. They discussed politics and the current state of things with his mother, Duchess Iôlwen von Gaten. They asked for her to not try to kill Innes, and she asked them to go talk to King Renaer Aldriglød and convinced him to attend the Grand Wedding held at the capital in a month’s time. Having his enemy there would prompt Gothwyn to get reckless and reveal their true self. During the festival, Ingrid barely won a drinking contest. At Fort Huxley, Ingrid and Kai Li seemed to have a shared dream of the plane of Tindalos. They saw corpses of goliaths and monks alike, and sensed a time gear under Timeron. They then saw a flash of Orr’eeyar. In the early morning, Ingrid woke up to Kai Li taking out the time gear from her bag, who apparently sleepwalked into the state. After some misunderstandings with the others when they saw the two in Ingrid’s room, they all had a serious discussion about the time gears and the monoliths.

During the ship travel to Aldrigvinter on Captain Jahaesko's ship, Ingrid met his first mate Ingfrid, who she found very useless. The day before they reached Uppborg, the crew overheard Jahaesko and Ingfrid argue. Busting into his office, they made them reveal their smuggling operation and deal with the Lunars in Uppborg. They decided to help out and interfere if the need be. That night, the party snuck into the cargo hold and unlocked the magically locked crate without triggering the trap. They saw the Abysscube, which nearly charmed Ingrid. In the ensuing chaos of the Lunar Deal, Ingrid accidentally blew up the entire warehouse full of gunpowder using a fireball, nearly killing Ingfrid. At Aldrigvinter, they met Ser Gerion Ulfheart, one of the most important generals in the Førish military and one of Ingrid’s mother’s main rivals. He greeted them and talked about Ingrid and Erna’s takedown of the Ogolavi Clan. When King Renaer entered, he had a civil conversation about his reasons for wanting independence. They eventually ended up telling the full truth about Gothwyn and the time gears to him and Ser Gerion, which made them reconsider and try to call off the war. However, he’d already made alliances and set things in motion that he couldn’t easily undo, such as an alliance with JIIK HAN, the ruler of Shatterrealm. Alfarihm helped him make this contract.

They headed into Shatterrealm, and took on Jiik Han's offer of calling off the deal by winning the Shatterworld Tournament on Varkosi Arcanos. After talking to Zuq'zeen, Ingrid got a revealing Shatterrealm costume from the locals. On the day of Varkosi Arcanos, in the first round, Ingrid and Renaer faced off against Meurig and Kuu. Kuu killed Renaer who was later revived, but eventually Ingrid defeated him, sparing both of them. In Round 2, Erna, Ingrid, and Werner faced off against Alfarihm, Qesrea, and Ceolmaer. Ingrid ended up killing Qesrea, and Erna convinced Ceolmaer to forfeit and escape Alfarihm. Eventually, Ingrid casted earthbind on him, setting up Erna to finally kill him. They took his magical items, and end up having a conversation with Ceolmaer where he revealed that Alfarihm gave the time gear to Gothwyn. Khaz Jiik Han jumped into the ring, and challenged the remaining primerealm fighters directly in a final Round 3. The fight was difficult, with most of the fighters not managing to beat out their fear of him for a while, until Ser Gerion’s aura helped them. Jiik Han used a lot of ki attacks alongside his legendary spear, Krajul. At one point, he punched up Ingrid into the air and slammed her back down into a crater. Ingrid blocked most of Jiik Han’s attacks, and eventually managed to get the kill on him, slamming him down into the same crater as before. She claimed his spear as a trophy before Zuq’zeen teleported them back to Abmarah.

Back in Fort Huxley, they received an invitation to dinner with Gothwyn in her Timeron mansion. Ingrid and Kai Li had another shared dream of Tindalos. This time, it felt like it was triggered by Tempos. In Timeron, they finally reunited with Team Ivory Suns. Guildmaster Holroth introduced them to the DoD Grandmaster, Aam-Fen-Ross. They decided to reveal everything about the time gears and Gothwyn to Holroth and Fen, who agreed to help out the party if push came to shove. Fen revealed that the Ivory Suns had been working for Gothwyn for the past year. After a brief moment of doubt, Meras said that they have been working for Gothwyn to be closer to the enemy, and had a map to the time gear under Timeron. As everyone headed back to Villa Gaten, they ran into Ingrid’s mother Innes and aunt-in-law Melisandey. They exchanged some words, and her mother gave her the cold shoulder once she learned that Ingrid was staying with the Gatens.

Next evening, they headed to Villa Gothwyn. The dinner got heated, and they managed to reach no real compromise. Gothwyn still wanted the wedding to proceed without any issue, and for them to not fight during the ceremonies. They agreed for now, and she vowed that even in her perfect world, neither she nor any future Gabryel would erase them from the timeline- promising the party their perfect ending in her world. The party didn’t realize it, but she used time stop to steal the time gears as they left. Back at Villa Gaten, they found alternate universe versions of people they knew, such as an alternate evil Meras. In the Green Wedding, they interacted with a lot of nobles and important people from all over the world, most importantly Emperor Sombra of the Crimson Empire. He instantly sensed their powers, items, and abilities, and asked them how important their goals are, eventually trusting them. They then saw King Renaer enter last, much to everyone’s stress. He knelt before the Kaiser, preventing war. He then baited Gothwyn out into the gardens, where she tried to kill him. The party intervened, and managed to kill Gabryelle, and this time they ended up taking Time Gear Alpha before the new Gothwyn arrived, who felt much stronger than any before.

The party eventually heads into the depths under Olzarburg. Immediately, they were ambushed by Innes Rennwald and some Temporal Knights. Refusing to budge, she fought Ingrid one versus one, and almost did take her down. Ingrid managed to defeat her mother, and convinced her to stand down. The party got lost in the labyrinth a fair bit despite the map, and after many trials they ended up in the deepest chamber where they saw the goddess Tempos in her slumber alongside the final time gear. As Ingrid finally realized that her prayers truly would never be answered by the slumbering goddess, Kai Li suddenly tried to kill her. “Prime Kai-Li” revealed herself to both the party and to Kai-Li. She revealed that our Kai-Li was from a different timeline all along, and she was the one who had the pact with Orr’eeyar. Ingrid ended up defeating her, and as that happened, Gothwyn showed up with Stella di Silvestri. During the final fight, they ended up traveling back through time all the way back to the Rockham Depths, where they finally killed Gothwyn.

The Temporal Spire was restored, and the timeline ironed itself out and fixed everything, including closing all these gateways to other timelines. Uxius decides to scatter the five time gears again, and raise new temples and guardians to protect the time gears again. Orr’eeyar, through Kai Li, offered to protect Tempos. Ingrid agreed, as Time Gear Alpha alongside Tempos herself were transported to Tindalos for good. Ingrid then kissed Meras during the celebration, and the party was honored by the Kaiser and some important people as saviors of the world. Later, they all shared farewells with each other and discussed their future plans, as the wedding continued without a hitch. With time finally restored, their work came to an end.

After the Campaign

Ingrid continued to serve as a knight and DoD hero in the years to come. In 3E498 during the The Light of Lunaria, the Darklight Crusaders discovered a dossier of important individuals that Skion Labs was keeping a track of. This included Gideon and Ingrid, who they had marked as the holder of Krajul. She was contacted by her cousin Favian Giranenko. Favian wanted an audience with Gideon Huxley, and Ingrid told them to meet them at Yawrôn as he was conducting a dig at some ruins there. At Yawrôn, she met the Darklight Crusaders and caught up with Favian. The next morning, Ingrid led them towards the Mountainfey Ruins, where they finally met Baron Gideon Huxley. After he was briefed on the entire situation, he realized that Anya and Dmitri are linked to the fey in some way. He tried to unlock their memories, returning to them snippets of memories. Dmitri had an angry reaction and was calmed down by his friends. Anya however transformed into her Nightmare Spirit, lashing out at everyone and reflecting magic as she did so. As they finally calmed her down, she vowed to kill Babaoga and anyone else who has wronged her. Bakos was also there at the dig as they camp, where Ingrid revealed some DoD news of Viera and Zahn disappearing in Goldheim. Gideon and Ingrid decided to go look into that, while Mash realized that with Viera gone Viktor will likely be up to some bad things at Night's End.

Timeline

3E408 - Ingrid is born in Brödorf.
3E472 - At age 64, Ingrid attends the College of Zaubarovia.
3E482 - Ingrid escapes Tromden, starting off the events of Shards of the Empire. After saving Vogh Vulfrhûn, she is knighted by King Baergrumm and spends most of the next year fighting the remnants of the Ogolavi Clan.
3E483 - Chapters 4 and 5 of Shards of the Empire take place, including the Shatterworld Tournament and the Green Wedding.
3E498 - During The Light of Lunaria, him and Ingrid met the Darklight Crusaders and helped them during their fight against the light and the dark.