Surcount Eerikki of Rydant

Eerikki Kappeli

Eerikki Kappeli is the famous Surcount of Rydant, known widely for his strong influence on upper Doria, especially in the east, as well as his great wealth and leadership of the  Kappeli Dynasty. Named Eerikki, as was traditional in the Kappeli family, he was born in the Temple of Aakomet located within Manttila to his recently bereaved mother and uncle, Tuomas Maijalan, who had been responsible for the Surcounty of Rydant after the death of Eerikki's father, Surcount Uoti, who had died in combat to the troublesome Lord Uther of Kattori at the Battle of Hannula Row. It would be twelve years before Eerikki would assume control of Rydant and the Surcounty, taking charge at such a young age primarily due to the ill health of his uncle, though quite competent even so.

Eerikki as an administrator was highly accomplished and exploited his estates and that of his vassals to the utmost degree, making him fabulously rich in the process. Eerikki would come to be known as the "Golden Bear", a play on the arms of his house and a nod to his wealth.

Eerikki was notable as one of the few Surcounts (excluding Bishops and religious holdings) who did not follow  Grand Duke Arttu I into war against the Noble Republic of Aijia. Eerikki was largely opposed to the Doric-Aijian War particularly due to the comparatively lesser economic decline in his domain compared to the rest of the Grand Duchy. As the war was largely fought due to supposed economic warfare perpetrated by Aijia, Eerikki believed that the war could only harm his income and weaken his power.

Even before the outbreak of war, Eerikki's uncle also named Eerikki, although given the moniker "Raven-Eye", was the Grand Marshall of Canyndor. Raven-Eye also disagreed with Grand Duke Arttu's fervour for war, often noting his disagreement both privately and publically. This would eventually lead to Raven-Eye's dismissal from his role, being replaced in disgrace by  Little Woljoka. This insult to Eerikki's family would be yet another reason for his snub to the Grand Duke when the call to war came.

Some amongst the higher nobility on the Grand Duchy find Eerikki's conduct during the Doric-Aijian War to have been dishonourable, many citing his response to grain requests from the Grand Duke being the deciding factor in the failure to capture  Asjaer. The war had begun favourably for the Doric side as Grand Duke Arttu and his army made their way to Asjaer encountering little worrying resistance. Having set up a siege around the city, as time passed, conditions within the siege camp began to deteriorate. As the upper eastern Yarrow valley was one of the primary producers of grain, orders for grain had been made by the Grand Duke but largely ignored by Eerikki, only a fraction of the order being shipped off down the Yarrow.

Currently Held Titles

• Surcount of Rydant

Year of Birth

7625 PA 54 Years old

Parents

Uoti Kappeli