Lord-General Balthar von Drausthal

The Iron Sentinel, The Crimson Gauntlet, The Unyielding Marcher

Personality & Reputation

Balthar von Drausthal is a man of stone—grim, grounded, and unflinching in both judgment and discipline. He is not known for eloquence or diplomacy, but for decisive action and tactical brilliance. To many within Drania’s borderlands, he is a protector of tradition and law. To his enemies, he is a blunt instrument of Dranian will, feared for his strategic mind and willingness to make hard sacrifices. Though he rarely speaks at length in the Elector Chamber, his words carry weight when he does—cutting through debates like a warhammer through rotted wood.

Military Career & Rise to Power

Balthar earned his title of Lord-Commander during the Crimson Reprisals, a brutal fifteen-year campaign of retaliation against raiders and insurgents along the Westren frontier. His restructuring of the Marcher garrisons and use of drake cavalry patrols was pivotal in securing the high passes. He is also credited with personally leading the charge that broke the siege of Stonebrae Hold, earning the loyalty of several lesser marcher houses.
After the secession of The Eastern March of Lichtenwald — a political wound House Drausthal has never fully forgiven—Balthar's internal political rivals faded, and his elevation to March-Prince and Elector was secured with overwhelming support from the borderland nobility.

Political Views & Role in the Elector Chamber

Balthar is deeply skeptical of Drania’s expanding bureaucracy and the increasing influence of merchant houses and courtly politicking in Dragness. He speaks rarely in Elector sessions, but when he does, he tends to side with the conservative bloc that favors military readiness, frontier autonomy, and limiting royal overreach.
He has clashed multiple times with more trade-oriented or magically inclined Electors—especially House Velostra and House Lichtenwald—viewing their priorities as distractions from the true threats at Drania’s borders.

Current Role & Legacy

Now in his early sixties, Balthar still rides patrols once a season, a tradition he refuses to break. His personal warband, known as the Iron Talons, are fiercely loyal and seen as an unofficial elite unit within the Marches. While he has no direct heir, he has been grooming his niece, Vael Drausthal, a gifted tactician in her own right, as his potential successor.
Though Balthar rarely speaks of the throne, some within the Marches whisper that should another Wyvern Succession Crisis ever rise, their Lord-Commander would not hesitate to rally his banners for a claim.

Current Location

Fortress Drausthal

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Dranian

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Lord-General of the Dranian Marches
March-Prince of Ironhorn 
Head of House Drausthal

Year of Birth

662 PBA 63 Years old

Family

House Drausthal

Quotes & Catchphrases

“Steel holds the border. Words hold the court. I prefer steel.” – Balthar von Drausthal, to a Dragness courtier
“The only peace I trust is the kind won by a blade and kept by a wall.” – Balthar von Drausthal, addressing his officers at Karhold Drausthal

Aligned Organization

The Ironhorn Marches

Other Affiliations

• Elector Princes of Drania
• Kingdom of Drania

Ruled Locations

• Fortress Drausthal