Telvar Allikas

Telvar Allikas, High Duke of Hrethmar

Age: 29

Appearance: Telvar is of medium height, and slender build, with a stern, almost statuesque face, with a distinctive scar on his cheek and lips, given to him by a wild rukh. He dresses in finely made but drably-dyed clothes common to his homeland, and also wears a distinctive half-cloak made of blueish bear furs. The only symbol of his station is the beautiful, silver armlet upon his left arm. His hair is dyed a dark blonde, in the popular fashion of Hrethmari noblemen, and his eyes are a light brown.

History: Telvar was born to the younger brother of the prior Grand Duke of Hrethmar. He was raised into a life of privilege, but decided at a young age to enter the priesthood, due to his fascination with fairy tales and folklore. From the age of eight until he was sixteen, he trained in an isolated monastery within the Hrethmari Craglands: a savage, rough and unforgiving region. At the age of sixteen, he was ordained, and assigned as a lowly minister to a rural congregation near the border with another protectorate of the Triarchy. While out on a hunt with a few members of his congregation, he was attacked and nearly killed by a wild rukh. Despite the attack, he managed to calm the beast, and even began to tame it, with the help of a retired rukh-riding knight from his congregation.

His life took an abrupt turn at the outbreak of the Triarchy's most recent attempts at conquest. Hrethmar was reluctant to aid their masters, so only sent a token force to assist the conquering armies. As a result, the angered Triarchy gave leave to its other protectorates to raid and harass Hrethmar. A band of mercenaries crossed into Hrethmar and attacked a town close to Telvar's church, killing many. Riding on his newly-tamed rukh, Telvar was able to warn a nearby garrison, and assisted them in repelling the bandits.

Telvar then abandoned his religious duties, and obtained a commission as an officer once Hrethmar formally declared its independence. He joined a squadron of flying knights, and assisted with the war effort, winning several victories.

During the final battle of the war, his uncle the Grand Duke was killed, but Telvar won great renown for himself by leading a daring aerial attack on the Triarchy's artillery batteries. In the bloody aftermath of the battle, he was elected by the Hrethmari nobility as the next Grand Duke.

Since then, he has focused on rebuilding his country's weakened armies, and fortifying the border with the Triarchy. He has also sought to strengthen ties with the other free kingdoms, so his country can remain independent.