Farkas de Brasov
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| Farkas de Brasov | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | The Reckoner |
| Titles | Count of Avardon |
| Position | Darklord |
| Location | Castle Valemoor |
| Birth | 1365 Livarun |
| Rule | 1395 - Present day |
| Family | |
| House | de Brasov |
| Parentage | Gabor de Brasov |
| Siblings | Istvan de Brasov |
| Spouse | Valeria de Brasov |
| Children | Ilona, Katalin, Reka |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
Farkas de Brasov is the current Count of Avardon, and the Darklord of our setting.
He is the first son and only surviving child of Gabor de Brasov.
The Count rules over the entirety of Avardon from his castle mostly through the Comital Court that puts his will into motion.
Early life
Farkas was born in Livarun, the capital city of Avardon. His father was distant, raising him with high expectations to prepare the oldest son to eventually take the reins of the county.
Early career
As was a tradition with young future rulers of the family, Farkas was trained in combat and in the strategy of war. Often sent out with a small regiment to settle quarrels between Viscounts and Barons, but even to deal with bandits and raiders.
Once he was approaching adult age, Farkas even led a small army in defense of no longer existing town of Coalfort, and also led diplomatic delegations to the east to strengthen alliances including one with Zhentil Keep where he first met his future wife Valeria.
Anauroch Campaign
Together with his father and brother, Farkas was part of the Anauroch Campaign, an effort to push back against Bedine tribes that repeatedly attempted to besiege and claim Durana Gate and the nearby salt mines.
The campaign was a great success at first, clearing camps and fortifications at the border of Anauroch, even pushing far into the desert.
In the year 1388 DR, Count Gabor fell in battle, deep in the Anauroch desert. Farkas and Istvan decided not to send a message home and finish the campaign first.
While Farkas' brother gets injured in the subsequent battle and travels back home, rival House Steinberg has already put a plan in motion, announcing death of the Count to the people of Avardon along with a false report of both sons falling too. Based on records of old claims, Malzahin Steinberg becomes the new ruler of Avardon, ending the long rule of de Brasov family.
Farkas learned of this treachery from a runner sent by Istvan, making him end the campaign and lead the remnants of the army back home only to find out his brother was slain and his own life is in danger as well.
Hero of the People
Rule of Malzahin wasn't popular among the commonfolk, but Steinbergs managed to secure firm control over the army with help of many minor noble houses that were happy to buy more land or positions they were unable to get during Gabor's rule. Support of the new ruler was rising among the rich who saw opportunities in this change.
Farkas knew he had to play it safe, hiding among the people, proving to them that he was not only the rightful heir but also a ruler that would truly care. At first, most didn't care to risk their lives in support of Farkas. After all, they had no idea whether he would be at least half as great of a ruler that his father was.
And so began Farkas' mission of proving himself to the people. He traveled across the land, helping regular people and spreading the word of his mission. Sometimes even risking his own life in heroic deeds for the poor. These acts wouldn't go unnoticed. Nobles and soldiers that served his father joined in support, giving faith to many that joined their rebellion.
In summer of 1395 DR, rabble of unbelievable amount of commoners followed Farkas marching with his soldiers towards Castle Valemoor. The war that ensued was swift and brutal, but Farkas finally claimed a throne that was rightfully his, and Malzahin was imprisoned.
Ruler of Avardon
People celebrated the victory of Farkas and the beginning of his rule, naming him Count Farkas de Brasov the Reckoner. During months that followed, the new Count didn't act too hastily, he slowly undermined power of Steinbergs while showing benevolence, ruling to true satisfaction of the commonfolk.
Two years of the golden era of Farkas' rule passed, putting minds at ease as the beloved Count was exactly what everyone wished for. Perhaps he was even too good and a little shortsighted, spending so much on present well-being of his subjects with little regard for the future debts. It would be a forgivable mistake if it wasn't for his later acts.
After his second daughter was born in 1397 DR, Farkas was known among the noble circles for his frustration about this 'misfortune' and his desire and obsession with having a son. Avardon historically followed tradition of agnatic primogeniture (male only succession with the oldest son inheriting all titles) and while Farkas could've changed this rule and even did so later in life, at this point in time he was obsessed with keeping the tradition and considering it a great failure and shame if he would fail to do so. Despite being so beloved, this obsession was the hottest rumor among the nobles, and Farkas was commonly mocked for it, especially by Steinbergs who were also strict traditionalists.
In response to this mockery, Farkas went for an unusual punishment, ordering his court wizard to create a disease that would render victims infertile. Secretly spreading this disease among Steinbergs and other prominent houses that could put his rule at risk in the future. This would've not been known until much later, when Monvarin who created this disease had regrets and revealed the truth. Giving us glimpse into the past, as Farkas' growing paranoia and obsession of securing his rule and legacy led to gruesome acts even before the more widely known terrible deeds.
Farkas could never forgive the treachery of Steinbergs and he was growing paranoid of the possibility of their future attempts at stealing the holdings from his family, he was also impatient to see results of his earlier idea with the disease. A decree was issued, ordering the killing of Steinbergs including their young, an utter destruction of the house and confiscation of their properties. His own court and generals were shocked by the inclusion of children in the decree and some even refused to follow the order to the letter, letting most children escape.
During the following years, Farkas' madness didn't stop and only strengthened just as his rule. Finding out that some Steinbergs survived, he lost trust in the loyalty of his own men and leaned even more into the use of diseases and magic to control his population. Many times was his rule challenged, making him only stricter and more paranoid. From beloved leader became a feared and cruel lord, yet still respected by many just as he is to this day.
Darklord
The terror that the Count caused sometimes backfired, such as when he caught the earliest disease himself, making him infertile and having his pregnant wife be his last chance at having a son.
Once his third daughter, Reka de Brasov is born, Farkas goes in frenzy and murders his own wife in fit of rage. An act witnessed by his oldest daughter but also by the Dark Powers.
It was at this point that Avardon became a domain of dread, an eternal purgatory for Farkas to mockingly reflect his evil acts and keep him imprisoned in what he still believes to be his almost ideal land.
With mists on the borders and without trade, the region falls into poverty and famine, and civil wars ensue. But the Count's power is unprecedented and with his rule of iron fist, he easily puts everyone in line. Monsters are created to follow Farkas' orders, one of which is simply to keep people on their toes. Busy fighting the monsters, most don't gather enough power to ever challenge the Count.
Only the daughters are given free reign in regards of gathering power, which they mostly use to fight one another over influence and succession as Farkas seems calm and victorious. Divide and conquer is the chosen tactic now, as it ensures no one can threaten the Count.