Emperor Cardalos Lothar Graelingard II
Emperor of Holmgard, Overlord of the Elves, Protector of Frostfang pass Cardalos Lothar Graelingard (a.k.a. "the Stern")
"Aye, our Emperor's a tough old goat. There's a reason they call 'im the Stern, after all. Still, without 'im rulin' us, we'd have all manner of elffolk and brigands, runnin' about, stirring up a ruckus. -Deubert of Karthberg, conversation
"For the crime of fornicating with elves and consorting with ruffians, you are to be exiled to the Graahtwood for a period of five years. Good riddance."
-Emperor Cardalos II, to his son, Karl
Cardalos II was a long-reigning Emperor of the Holmgardian Empire, the second ruler since the cataclysmic War of the Three Emperors, during which the realm was dismembered into three parts. Cardalos II grew up on the campaign trail. Born in the very first year of the war, his childhood home was the command tent of his father, Cardalos I. He quickly became a sort of mascot for the army, being paraded around to the soldiers and dressed up in military gear. Since his mother died in childbirth, he had few female figures in his life, so it is rumored that the Valmer chancellor Delreyn filled this role.
When Cardalos' father was assassinated by Valmer insurgents on the order of his uncle, it fell to the 10 year old boy to rule the remains of the Holmgardian Empire. But rather than collapsing, the Empire actually became stronger. This is widely thought to be from the prudent regency of Delreyn.
Cardalos II was a controversial Emperor, credited for stabilizing the realm yet criticized for being a xenophobic tyrant. The Emperor's military upbringing and the loss of his father at a young age left him paranoid and harsh: traits useful in maintaining rule over a fractious nation. His relationship with Chancellor Delreyn - one that fluctuated between child-like awe and utter dislike - did done much to stabilize the realm. Cardalos II favoured a fundamentalist interpretation of Ecclesiarchal Tyrian, giving much power to religious orders and was an advocate for human supremacy. Not an especially cultured man, he cultivated strong relationships with the soldiery and priesthood. He was known for his bravery in battle, having personally led several successful battles against Rhudaria.
The Emperor had four children from an unhappy marriage with Ursula von Thyssen, three of whom survived to adulthood. These were Adelia, Thoric, Karl, and Elfwyn. When Empress Ursula died at the age of 48, he controversially remarried a beautiful red-haired young noblewoman, Ermengarde, whom he had one child, Ragnar. Cardalos was unsentimental and had little interest in parenting. He greatly favoured his eldest son, Thoric, a warrior-prince, and his death in battle against rebels was a grievous blow late in life from which he never recovered. Death
Late in his reign, Cardalos II became increasingly paranoid, and so during the War of the Broken Crypt, the Emperor directed his forces from Holmgard, leaving the conduct of the war up to his son's advisors. As the war drew to a close, he arrived at the Barrowmark with a large army to reestablish order.
Moments after meeting his son's War Council near Carsgarde
, a fell minion of the lich Dagobert assassinated him, thus bringing to an end the 42 year reign of Emperor Cardalos Lothar Graelingard II, and realizing his worst fears.
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