Gabriel Grossheim

**Gabriel Grossheim** is the current dictator of the Free City of Rosendorf and the leader of the Grey Temple. A descendant of Sir Alfred Grossheim, one of Alwin the Holy's foremost lieutenants, Gabriel led the Grey Army against the Republic of Marenbach in 1222 AW, liberating the holy city of Rosendorf.

With a shaky ceasefire established between Rosendorf and Marenbach in 1224 AW, Grossheim has shifted his focus to cementing himself as a major international leader. He funds various rebel groups seeking to further the cause of the Grey Temple throughout Enselonde, primarily in the Second Fühlgartian Civil War.

Besides his functions as both a military commander and figurehead, Grossheim is well-versed in theological matters regarding the Worship of the One, and many look to him for religious guidance.

## Biography

Gabriel Grossheim was born in the village of Kilarhia in the Empire of Daletia. Kilarhia is a village founded by exiles who fled south after the fall of the Kingdom of the One. He is a descendant of Alfred Grossheim, a major figure in the Kingdom and one of Alwin the Holy's foremost lieutenants. Alfred went on to establish Kilarhia after he survived the disastrous 1013 AW Battle of Rosendorf, giving Gabriel quite the legacy to live up against. The young Gabriel received an education in both theological and military matters, entering his adulthood as a well-rounded and popular figurehead.

In the 1210s, Gabriel became obsessed with the idea of retaking Rosendorf from the Kingdom of Marenbach, despite many having tried and failed in the past. A window of opportunity opened up in 1219 AW during the Republican coup in the Kingdom. The coup divided the country and led to a large loss of life, weakening the newfound Republic of Marenbach heading into the 1220s.

Recognising that this was the moment Grossheim had been waiting for, he sent out a call to arms to other exile settlements in Daletia and Yratessia. Soon after, zealots began arriving and Gabriel founded the Grey Army, a rebel force numbering around 5,000 strong. In early 1222 AW, the Grey Army crossed the border into Marenbach, enjoying success by scoring victories in smaller battles, yet lacking the strength to besiege Rosendorf.

His salvation came in the form of a Monarchist army under Cecilia Mitthel, the exiled queen of Wyrsia. The pair worked together to take Rosendorf in a lightning siege of only two days, though the walls were largely turned to rubble by William Ryker. In the wake of the siege, Gabriel founded the modern Free City of Rosendorf as the spiritual successor to the Kingdom of the One. At the same time, he also founded the Grey Temple to serve as a unified alliance of all groups in Enselonde seeking to further the cause of the One.

With Mitthel heading west into Weckstein, Grossheim set out alone to conquer Marenbach in its entirety. He launched the so-called Grossheim Offensive in the summer of 1222 AW, scoring many victories and driving the demoralised Republican forces to the capital of Marenistadt. Pleased with his progress, he set up camp to wait out the winter. However, over the winter, General Frigerus Whitefeather and the Fühlgartian Thirteenth Army arrived to assist Marenbach. While the Senate had given Whitefeather orders not to launch an attack, he ignored their demands and launched the legendary Blizzard March. His reasons for doing so were that he had no desire to sit idle and watch Marenbach fall around him. Furthermore, the Thirteenth consisted of non-Humans and were eager to prove that they matched, if not surpassed, any Human army Fühlgart could muster.

The Blizzard March was a military disaster for Grossheim and his followers, as Whitefeather appeared unexpectedly behind their lines, causing havoc, raiding supplies, and encircling entire units. Some of the foremost generals died and Grossheim was driven back to the borders of Rosendorf. For disobeying their orders, Whitefeather was redeployed to Daletia by the Senate, leaving both sides relatively equal after the Blizzard March. After a year of stalemate and skirmishes, Rosendorf and Marenbach agreed on a shaky ceasefire that remains in effect to this day.

Now a peacetime leader, Grossheim has redeployed his focus to strengthening the Grey Temple as a major international power, granting support to the Grey Kingdom of Weckstein and, more notably, to various rebel groups in the ongoing Second Fühlgartian Civil War. Besides military assistance, the Grey Temple also includes many priests and civilian organisations trying to spread the word of the One. Other groups perform charitable deeds, such as serving as volunteer doctors or wandering knights.

## Military Career

* The Great War
	+ Rosendorf Offensive
		- Battle of Mount Hunos - Victory
		- Battle of the Nisk River - Victory
		- Siege of Rosendorf - Victory
	+ Grossheim Offensive
		- Battle of the Warak River - Victory
		- Battle of Alwin's Pass - Victory
		- Siege of Volmelssen - Victory
		- Battle of Illeberg - Victory
	+ Frigerus' Blizzard March
		- Battle of Wossenberg - Defeat
		- Battle of Surenwald - Defeat
		- Battle of Veimsitz - Defeat
		- First Battle of Volmelssen - Stalemate
		- Second Battle of Volmelssen - Defeat

## Personality

Gabriel Grossheim is a deeply religious person who is dedicated to the One. He is known for his strong faith and his unwavering commitment to the Grey Temple, which he founded to further the lost yet revived cause of the Grey Knights of old. Grossheim's devotion to his faith is well-known and he has served as a spiritual leader for his people.

As the founder and leader of the Free City of Rosendorf, Grossheim, despite his role as a dictator, he is widely respected by his subordinates and is seen as a benevolent leader. Grossheim is known for his kindness and compassion, and he is quick to help those in need.

## Relationships

* **Allies**
	+ Ansko Beck
	+ Cecilia I of Wyrsia
	+ Elias Pruefer
* **Enemies**
	+ Frigerus Whitefeather
	+ Gabrinar von Torstadt