Alex Guilder

by Lichbrush

> I'll never stop.
>
> Devotion Episode 40

## Backstory

### Count of Bridgelight

Alex Guilder was born into the Guilder family, that ruled the County of Bridgelight. At an unknown age Alex took power as head of the family and became the Count of Bridgelight.

In the mid 1490s Alex Guilder fathered a bastard son named Wiley. Wiley grew up to become a wizard. It is unknown how many bastard children Alex Guilder has.

In 1510 he became infatuated by an Eridonian Cleric of Reluna named Olivia who was adventuring near and around Bridgelight. His attempts at courting Olivia ended up tragically with her instead marrying an elven bard named Kellen. Alex's attempt of interupting the wedding failed, and Olivia took the opportunity to brainwash Alex with her clerical magic (). The memory was of Alex having the perfect life then having it all taken away from him. After the brainwashing Alex Guilder resolved to "Never Stop".

### Ambition

Immediately after this, Alex sets his sights on the highest power in the land, and reshaped his life to let him get there. Child and wife are key visuals for success, so he gets those taken care of right away. It's not beyond him at this point to use shady means to achieve this look duplicity, with the understanding that he'd have to clean it up before things got too far. Or he could have gotten lucky, so to speak, and things fell into place for him quickly.

Once he is married to Crown Princess Natasha in June, Alex Guilder doubles down on his court presence, and is the driving force behind Mistrya's raiding of Eridon. He takes are hard-line stance and manages to rally the hope and pride of an otherwise crestfallen people that this is their opportunity to get on top.

However on 28 July 1510, Mistrya is invaded by Drekis.

> As King of Mistrya, I sentence you to death!
>
> Tombs of Scoria: Episode 84

### King of Mistrya

12 November 1510. When Alex Guilder had gained everyone's attention and adoration, he personally killed the king in front of key leadership and takes over. With what few armed forces Mistrya can muster abroad, and as primary consort on the operation, it was easy for him to find/make an opportunity that suited his needs (enough allies in the room to back him up if things go south, distance from loyal defenders / guards, enough key loyalists in the room whose failure to act helped sell the legitimacy or at least permanency of his actions).

Then there were purges. During this bloody affair, Guilder's first legitimate son, Crown Prince Louie, was born (January 1511).

Guilder, once in charge, went for his final goal: He sought Scoria.

Guilder had no material wealth that Scoria couldn't just take, but what he offered her something that no previous king of Mistrya had offered before; fidelity. He would have Scoria recognised as the true ruler, and not just some problem. He also offered Scoria sacrifices to show his sincerity. Sacrifices that included his wife and child.

### Alliances

With Scoria now on the side of Mistrya in this war, King Guilder realised the coming threat of starvation due to the Drekissin destruction of the southern farmlands. He became making diplomatic moves to Akuba, Mahtava and Gadia, while continuing his raids of fallen Eridon. Mahtava and Gadia agree to ship food to Mistrya. Mahtava supplies a fleet of ships. Akuba agrees to supply weapons.

In March 1511 Crown Prince Louie engaged to a princess of the Akuban Royal Family, Maya Haraziem. This engagement was cancelled due to the start of the Akuban Civil War.

### Death

On 18 February 1515, King Guilder detected an invasion of Crownhold Keep by the McGary Dragonslayer Brothers. King Guilder took his Kingsguard and Scoria's agents to a chamber hidden far behind his throne room, where he awaited the arrival of the McGary Brothers. King Guilder himself wore gleaming Mithril Plate Mail, and possessed a number of powerful magical items: a Sword of Sharpness +1; Ring of Protection +5; Gloves of War; Amulet of Proof Against Detection; Cloak of Displacement +2; and Dust of Appearance.

King Guilder personally led his Kingsguard in battle against the McGarys, going so far as standing toe to toe with Anton McGary in moments throughout the fight, preventing a gravely wounded Tyrael McGary from turning Invisible, and surviving a direct hit from Imrik McGary's Staff of Thunder and Lightning. The McGarys ultimately prevailed in the battle, assassinating King Guilder, with Anton McGary carrying off his head.

## References

1. ↑ Of Dice and Men: Episode 26
2. ↑ Misscliks Devotion: Episode 19
3. ↑ Misscliks Devotion: Episode 40
4. ↑ Akuban Knights: Episode 01
5. ↑ Tombs of Scoria: Episode 84
6. ↑ Tombs of Scoria: Episode 85