Crew of the Bleek Paard
The Crew of the Bleek Paard is the group created around Rytsar Varakii Varenko Idanovich and his wife Baroness Pesha of Little Egypt. Although the oathbound affiliations are fighting related (between Rytsar Varenko and his squires), the crew contains many talented artists and engages in service as well.
That the Crew of the Bleek Paard is a crew not a household is an important distinction for its members. The use of the term crew speaks to the group labour involved in sailing a ship. Everyone works together, and everyone is needed. Varenko has always made it clear that he doesn't want to be an authoritative figure for the group.
The squires of the Bleek Paard are not given spurs, as spurs would damage the deck of a boat. Instead, they are given 11.5' oars as part of their squire's regalia. They mostly carry the oars at camping events, though they are also brought out at important occasions for the crew. Personalization of the oars is encouraged.
History
The Crew of the Bleek Paard does not have an official creation date. When Varenko was knighted in AS 49, Gwendolyn was already his student, and the Crew was formed as Varenko contemplated what he wanted his affiliation with his dependents to look like. The fact that Varenko is a sailor was a component of this choice.
The Bleek Paard is a Dutch Hoy ship. She is the persona of the modern sloop owned by Varenko and Pesha; the historical Hoy has similar rigging to the sloop. The name Bleek Paard means “Pale Horse” in Dutch, and is a reference to Binky, the name of the sloop.
Most members of the Crew live in Skraeling Althing, but a couple much-loved members live in Ramshaven.
The Crew of the Bleek Paard has family ties to House Maclachlan, the household headed by Varenko's former knight Count Evander.
Lineage Trees
The knights and squires of Rytsar Varenko's lineage are listed in the Line of Evander.
Members
Adults
- Mistress Ana Yanka
- The Honourable Lady Gwendolyn of Aldburg, squired to Rystar Varenko
- Lady Ilsebet Jeghersche
- Ritter Laurenz Tonnemacher, KSCA, previously squired to Rystar Varenko
- Lord Martin Brua
- Kennari Mjǫll Kenimaðr, squired to Rystar Varenko
- The Honourable Lady Morag Taylor, squired to Rystar Varenko
- Lord Pádraig Ó Conchobhair, student to Rystar Varenko (inactive)
- Baroness Pesha of Little Egypt
- Lady Rúna Blesadóttír
- Rytsar Varakii Varenko Idanovich
The Next Generation
- Mara of Skraeling Althing
- David the Younger
- Margaret Taylor
- Barbara Taylor