His Eminence and Grace, Hermann van Fraley, Duke and Master Architect of Zwartedoorn
His Eminence and Grace, Herman Alfred van Fraley (a.k.a. The Hammer)
Hermann van Fraley was, by all accounts deemed unlikely to inherit the family's seat, as the youngest of his three siblings. When first his eldest brother Charles van Fraley died in a Judicial duel to the Right Honorable Erik van Langewinter, Burgraf of Berenbos, due to accusations of bigamy, after remarrying shortly after a divorce which was not recognized by the church. Succession went to Hermann's elder sister next, Sophia van Fraley, already married into the kingdom of Menke, attempted to rule the Duchy remotely, till five years into her reign, she died in childbirth with her second child. Sophia's first child, being the rightful heir of the Kingdom of Menke, was unable to also inherit the electorship and dutchy of Zwartedoorn, as the laws of inheritance stated in The Große Kongression. While Menke protested, the majority of Kongression held to the rule, and named Hermann van Fraley next in line for succession. He was expected to, in turn, refuse to accept the seat, given his position in the church, but breaking with custom, took the seat, refusing to relinquish it to a distant Cousin.
Hermann grew up as something of a slight young man, noted for his acuity, intellect, and fondness for scholarly pursuits. His bookishness outweighed his martial prowess, for which, while capable, he did not excel, leading his father to enroll him in the University in Vyenn, where he studied history, oratory, arcane and material sciences, and theology. After graduation, he was ordained and became a rising start in the secular clergy, in part due to joining the Order of the Hammerites early, and applying his academic and analytical skills to aid in the martial pursuits of the regular clergy. Making inroads against such supernatural threats, such as publishing a book on methods of hunting the Strigoi, led to rapid advancement. Showing himself to be an eloquently spoken force of will, that inspired fervent loyalty, did not hurt his rise either, and the 13 years before taking the seat of Zwartedoorn he rose to the rank of Master Architect, focusing on woodworking and architecture as his temporal crafts, as part of the clergy.
After his ascension as Duke of Zwartedoorn, his lands left in general disarray from poor administration and neglect, he sought to actively regain and consolidate his power and authority, levying armies and campaigning against revolting vassals, collecting back taxes, and driving out incursions of Choas on the eastern border. With the death of Greyland II and Kongression's inability to come to a consensus on succession, has become a staunch supporter of the centralization camp, calling for someone to claim the Imperial seat, and impose executive actions to unify and centralize the Engarlands as a state, and potentially due away with the corrupt and ineffective body of Kongression
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Current Location
Honorary & Occupational Titles
His Eminence and Grace the Duke and Master Architect of Zwartedoorn, Elector, Warden of the Eastern peaks, Chaplain of the Most Holy order of Hammer, and Mashal of the East.
Year of Birth
225 ACW
52 Years old
Children
Eyes
Brownn
Hair
Long, salt and pepper black, combed back.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Caucasian, with a pinkish tan.
Height
5'9"
Weight
170 lbs
Aligned Organization
Ruled Locations
Comments