Sanford Akerse

Sir Sanford Akerse was an Aedwinian noble and courtier who briefly served as King of Aedwin in 54 CE. Originating from House Akerse, Sanford first served as Treasurer, then Magistrate of the Aedwinian capital, New Steinberg, where he was an important member of its Council. Sanford was the final King of Aedwin before the formation of the Hallengardian Order and New Council.
Sanford was unexpectedly thrust into the crown following the assassination of his predecessor, Ardvor Lafontaine. Sanford served as king for only two weeks amid an unwinnable war with the Kingdom of Hallengard, and gave his life to guarantee the sparing of Aedwin's soldiers during the occupation of New Steinberg. Sanford was posthumously canonized as a Saint by the Church of Andophy for his martyrdom.
==Early life==
Sanford was born as the second of seven sons in House Akerse, whose patriarch, Phillip Akerse, was a regional administrator keeping the peace in the island port town of Easterbury to the south. Being of noble birth, Sanford was raised with a strong sense of dedication to the kingdom, as his father was a steadfast supporter of the monarchy. Sanford was also taught the importance of family and blood ties, something he held fast to years later, as his primary motivation in almost all of his acts was to bring honor to the Akerse name.
However, being the second son of the family, Sanford would not inherit his father's position as the count of Glanrich Isle, with that responsibility instead falling to his older brother Martyn. As such, when Sanford came of age, he struck out on his own in the Aedwinian capital to the north of Easterbury, leaving home to find success in the kingdom's capital and represent his house's interests there in Martyn and Phillip's absence.
==In New Steinberg==
After his arrival in New Steinberg, Sanford first made a name for himself in defense of the city against attacks by the insane Lauchette Duchess Amalia de Memdoza, as well as a member of the search party for the lost Holy Grail, and as a participant in the excavation of the Aedwin castle tunnels. However, his most notable service was during the crisis of the Hallengardian pretenders who had taken the throne to the north. Sanford fought in many of the battles attempting to dethrone the pretenders, which was followed by the reinstatement of the Sutherlands upon the conclusion of the conflict. Sanford was present when Aedwinian forces breached the Mulleburgh gates and assisted with Aedwin's search for the survivors of the illegitimate monarchy.
Over time, Sanford's responsibilities to serve House Akerse's interests grew into a seat on the Council of Aedwin. On the court, he often sided with the nobles' interests and typically sought a diplomatic route before circumstances boiled over. However, when things reached a point of no return, he would advocate for any resolution to an issue, even that of violence. He was also not afraid to side against the ruler, and had a vested interest in the preservation of the monarchy regardless of persons involved, having at one point challenged Geoffery de Castellane's fitness to serve. Sanford was a close friend of Sir Emrik of Aedwin and supported Emrik's transfer of titles to Commander.
Later appointed to the title of treasurer, Sanford nevertheless acted more as a trade representative than any other role, having negotiated business deals on behalf of the Kingdom and its capital with clients such as the Veneziano Estate, though he did handle payments and bookkeeping of the treasury. He was also involved with the organization of the farmland tournament attended by Aedwin and Hallengard.
Following the ascension of Ardvor Lafontaine to the Aedwinian throne, replacing Geoffery de Castellane, Sanford requested a transfer of responsibilities. A firm believer in the rule of law, something he inherited from his father's work as a magistrate in Easterbury, Sanford had at times overseen the prosecution of lawbreakers in the city, including even accused criminals who were in the kingdom's employ, such as Knight Osbert. Having rekindled his interest in the type of work his father did, Sanford was appointed to Magistrate of New Steinberg.
==As King==
Sanford's tenure as Magistrate was interrupted by the unexpected assassination of King Ardvor, ostensibly by the war criminal Torrhen Belmont. Following the resignation of Roland Sperhon months prior, Sanford was the foremost representative of the nobles on the Aedwinian Court and thus ascended to the throne with the support of the military.
However, the reluctant King Sanford inherited a veritable hellfire for any new ruler: relations had broken down with Hallengard and the ruling Sutherlands during King Ardvor's reign, and war was underway, although the greatest amount of blood was yet to be spilled. The violent end of King Ardvor did not help matters, nor did Fort Merit's sudden declaration of neutrality in spite of being involved with the start of the conflict between Aedwin and Hallengard. The biggest omen for King Sanford's ultimately brief reign came when, during his own coronation, he was stabbed multiple times by a would-be assassin declaring that this "vanquishing" was in Queen Vasilica Sutherland's name.
King Sanford was gravely wounded, though he ultimately survived with treatment by the Aedwinian apothecary. In his weakened state, Sanford gave the okay for Aedwinian soldiers to launch a skirmish against Hallengard, with hopes to weaken their defenses outside of the gates. However, when Hallengard's forces (much stronger than military intelligence had suggested) advanced on the soldiers, the Aedwinians brazenly stood their ground and were largely captured or killed, rather than retreating as ordered.
This decimated the available Aedwinian army, and by the time King Sanford awoke from his injured state, Hallengard's massive forces were already at the entrance to New Steinberg, demanding concessions. Summoning what strength he had in spite of his poor health, King Sanford met with Declan Rossthorne for negotiations. Hallengard demanded an occupation of all of Aedwin's northern border territories, including the capital of New Steinberg.
Sanford's final act as king was to successfully arrange amnesty for the surviving men under his command, as well as the common citizenry of New Steinberg, in exchange for his life. Hallengard accepted these conditions, and an acquiescent King Sanford was taken to the castle, where he was executed at 26 years of age, having served as king for only two weeks, among the shortest reigns in Hallenic history.
==Legacy==
Upon receiving news of what had transpired in New Steinberg, the ill Phillip Akerse near-immediately passed away. Although during his reign, New Steinberg fell under occupation during a hopeless war, the doomed King Sanford was memorialized by the Church of Andophy for his great sacrifice to guarantee the safety of the surviving Aedwin soldiers and his other subjects. Having worked through his insurmountable circumstances to save his men, the ill-fated king was canonized as Saint Sanford by the Church.
==Trivia==
* Sanford's stark white hair, despite being young, was the result of a gene in the Akerse family.
* Sanford started the roleplay at 23 years of age.
==Gallery==
===Screenshots===
Sanford Akerse landscape.png|Sitting on the steps of the Aedwin Inn
Church confrontation.jpeg|Sanford (11:00) challenging Geoffery de Castellane in the church
Sanford and Roland court.jpeg|Sanford and Roland Sperhon in the court
Sanford Akerse and Emrik.png|Sanford standing with Emrik
Sanford Akerse at Hallengard.png|At the gates of Hallengard
Akerse appointment.png|Sanford receiving the news of Ardvor Lafontaine's death
Blockland 00142 (1).png|Sanford addressing Aedwin after Ardvor's burial
Akerse execution.png|Execution of King Sanford
===Art===
Sanford art by Cassiopeia.jpg|Art by Cassiopeia
Howard Akerse.png|True canonical appearance of Sanford
Category:Aedwinians
Category:Characters
Category:Chapter 2