Gottfried and the Chessboard Knight

Associated quests

 * The Beast of Toussaint, incidental

Journal entry

 * The last day of the tourney had come and it was now clear Gottfried would tilt against the mysterious Chessboard Knight in the joust. Gottfried was the ducal champion at the time, so all were counting on his victory. No one knew a thing about the Chessboard Knight except that he had come from the south in dark armor and had a shield bearing sixty-four black-and-white squares.


 * When the herald trumpeted the signal, the knights charged at each other. Gottfried’s lance shattered against the Chessboard Knight’s shield and the mysterious knight swayed in his saddle. No mere mortal could have survived such a blow, yet the Chessboard Knight did not fall from his horse, but instead struck a blow of his own on the next pass, knocking Gottfried to the ground.


 * The victor approached his defeated foe, stuck out his hand and helped him stand. Before the herald could announce his victory, he took off his helm and all beheld his eyes of coal and face of burnt cinders.


 * ”I have come from a time long passed to remind you of humility, which is a long-forgotten virtue. My name was consumed by dragon fire when I perished, victim of my own pride.”


 * After saying these words the Chessboard Knight rode off. No one stopped him, yet they repeat his warning to this day.

Gottfried und der Ritter zum Schach Gottfried et le chevalier de l'échiquier Gottfried e il Cavaliere degli Scacchi O Gotfrydzie i Rycerzu Szachownicy