Sir Denrick

Sir Vodert Denrick is a legendary folk hero of northern United Davedom, associated primarily with the village of Clethymore and the surrounding moorlands. He is a central figure in Clethymore folklore, where he is remembered as a warrior of vengeance and mercy whose story is commonly recounted in oral tradition, ballads, and local histories.

Denrick’s legend is typically dated to the early post-Great Davoupean War period, during a time of political instability and southern influence in the northern UD.

Origins

According to folklore, Vodert Denrick was born in or near the village of Clethymore during a period of unrest between the northern UD and southern forces. When Denrick was still a child, his family was killed during a violent raid attributed in legend to southern UD invaders. Denrick survived by hiding in the moorland, an event often described as the moment he was “claimed by the hills”.

Following the attack, Denrick was taken in by his uncle, a reclusive hunter who lived on the edge of the moors. Folk tradition holds that Denrick was raised with little contact with towns or organised religion, learning survival, tracking, and combat in the wild. Many versions emphasise that he was trained not as a soldier, but as a watcher — someone who observes before acting.

The Journey South

In adulthood, Denrick is said to have sworn an oath to confront the King in Davdon, not to conquer him, but to demand justice for the north. Armed with a single sword and little else, he began travelling south on foot.

Approximately a quarter of the way into his journey, Denrick encountered a wild horse on the open hills. In folklore, the horse is described as pale, silent, and unafraid. Denrick is said to have tamed the horse without force, and the two travelled together for the remainder of the journey. The horse is rarely named in surviving accounts and is sometimes treated as a supernatural presence rather than a normal animal.

The Duel at Davdon

Upon reaching Davdon, Denrick is said to have openly challenged the King to a duel, invoking an older northern right no longer recognised in law. Accounts vary as to why the King accepted; some claim curiosity, others shame, others arrogance.

During the duel, the King is described as initially overpowering Denrick. At the moment when defeat seemed certain, Denrick’s horse broke free and disrupted the fight, allowing Denrick to regain his footing. With his sword raised and the King at his mercy, Denrick is said to have paused.

Rather than delivering the final blow, Denrick lowered his weapon, declaring that the King should “live knowing the north remembers”. He then mounted his horse and rode out of the city without taking reward, title, or recognition.

Return and Disappearance

Folklore holds that Denrick returned briefly to the north, where he bade farewell to his uncle. He and his horse were then seen riding into the high hills beyond Clethymore. No confirmed sightings are recorded thereafter.

Some traditions claim Denrick lived out his days in isolation; others suggest he still wanders the moors, appearing in times of injustice. Several standing stones and ridgelines near Clethymore are locally associated with his passing.

Artefacts and Historical Claims

Several artefacts have been associated with Denrick over the centuries. Most notable is Denrick’s Sword, a longsword reportedly discovered in the moorlands near Clethymore during the late medieval period. The sword is currently held in private collections, and its authenticity is disputed by historians.

Fragments of old ballads referencing a “Vodert” or “Denrik” have also been recorded in regional archives, though no contemporary written sources conclusively confirm his existence.

Cultural Legacy

The legend of Sir Vodert Denrick remains influential in northern UD culture:

Naming traditions: The names Vodert and Denrick became increasingly common in villages near Clethymore following the popularisation of the legend.
Folklore and festivals: His story is frequently retold during winter gatherings and local festivals.
Symbolism: Denrick is often cited as a symbol of northern resilience, moral restraint, and resistance without cruelty.