Argon Retter

Argon in the square of Terroja during Montroig National Day

Second Empire of Uldarash

**Argon Retter** is currently a resident of Terroja in Montroig, and the Guardian of the Federal Republic of Montroig. He joined Montroig during the unstable month of October 2021, witnessing the trial of Miningboy and the deposition of Empress Caterina of Montroig. He rose to become part of Empress Caterina's inner circle, helping command Loyalist forces within the Uldarash Civil War as well as steering the ship of state as one of its primary leaders. After the loss of the Civil War, Argon faced challenges returning to civilian life after so many years of war. He now serves as Guardian of Montroig and a High Councilor in Uldarash.

Argon hopes to help Montroig claim its place in the sun.

## Biograph

### Early Life

Argon Retter claims to have come from the distant Empire of Telad, a great and powerful state.

According to him, his home village was known as Resnia, meaning "fire-waters" in the Teladian language. If asked, Argon will state that he was forced to flee Resnia and Telad as a refugee during a great civil war. A powerful general had risen against the weak and vacillating emperor, plunging the once great empire into years of strife. The civil war was brutal, leaving much of Telad lawless and destitute. A roving band of soldiers and marauders razed his home village of Resnia and killed his parents, whom he has never named.

The civil war and brutal attack has left Argon with a deep-seated hatred of bandits and tyrants. If asked for his plans, he will only say he desires peace and freedom for all peoples.

### Journey to Rathnir and Beginnings

Argon left Telad after the attack and wandered for a time, eventually entering the lands of Rathnir during August of 2021. He settled in the city of Fornost, in the Kingdom of Aurora, within the Empire of Uldarash. He was simply looking for a stable area to rebuild his life.

Argon did not become deeply involved in the culture or structures of Aurora, as it simply did not captivate him. He did join the Order, but after some time Argon became disillusioned with Aurora and its monarchy. In September of 2021, he left to wander once again.

### October 2021

Argon eventually resettled in the city of Terroja, within the Federal Republic of Montroig. Montroig's commitment to democracy and public participation appealed to Argon, and he immediately began working to improve the nation. He began speaking to several prominent ministers and building trust.

Argon joined Montroig at a tumultuous time. In early October, Miningboy, the Guardian of Montroig, was charged with treason by the empire of Uldarash, He was found guilty, destabilizing Montroig and inflaming the already simmering tensions within the Empire of Uldarash. Ics de became the interim Guardian of Montroig and shortly after he named Argon as his Vice Guardian.

Not long after Miningboy's conviction, Empress Caterina of Uldarash was accused of tampering votes and of treason within Montroig. This further deepened tensions. After this, on October 18th, Empress Caterina was deposed by Aurora and the Spirtkights, and this coup was supported by Empress Nikephoros. Due to Caterina's Montroigian heritage and her status as an elected monarch, this put the relationship between Montroig and the Imperial government on a knife's edge. Several nations within Uldarash expressed their outrage.

### November 2021

> *Main articles: Uldarashi Schism and Uldarash Civil War*
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After weeks of inaction by the High Court of Uldarash, and after numerous threats by Aurora, Empress Caterina declared herself the rightful Empress of Uldarash and launched a counter-coup against Empress Nikephoros. This created Loyalist Uldarash. The states of Alfheim, Montroig, Dearman, and Ethesidus followed Caterina in the counter-coup. Argon also followed Caterina. He wished to protect his new home of Montroig and also ensure that the laws were respected in Uldarash. This is something he feels rather strong about after his home village was sacked by maurading, lawless leaders.

After a short stalemate period, Empress Nikephoros declared war on Loyalist Uldarash on November 6th. Due to a lack of experienced military leaders, Argon was appointed as a general of Loyalist Forces. Being an entirely green military commander, Argon has admitted to have struggled in this capacity. He has quickly learned the ropes after several defeats and training from the Eldham Entente, however. As Argon admits, failure is the best teacher.

### December 2021

After several defeats at the hands of Imperial Uldarash, the Loyalists and Imperials signed a ceasefire treaty. This effort was largely spearheaded by Argon.

During the ceasefire period, Argon has begun advocating for a true peace between Loyalist and Imperial forces. After four years of war, Argon claimed he wished for stability and an end to the deaths of his people. As Argon had stated, their reasons for war have largely disappeared. While not altogether gone, Scotchknight has taken the throne and trustworthy leaders such as King Mimek of Boulderov, Ganeffs of Aurora, and Ted Hastings had somewhat cooled Argon's fears of the Imperial Government. He was heavily involved in the peace talks and was instrumental in bringing Alfheim and Montroig to the table to discuss peace terms.

### January 2022

In early days of January 2022, Loyalist Uldarash surrendered to the Second Empire of Uldarash in the Treaty of Terroja. While this defeat was humiliating, Argon viewed it as the only way to save Montroig and his people. The peace deal did not earn Argon a lot of friends with Montroig, but the way he negotiated peace with Imperial Uldarash did gain him respect as a sound negotiator and skillful politician.

After the peace deal, Argon facilitated the occupation and governorship forced on Montroig by the Second Empire. He viewed it as important that the occupation ran as smoothly as possible to reduce conflict and increase reintegration. With the war over, Argon shifted his focus to politics and influence - a game that he was much more comfortable in.

As Alphonsine Gooblegins Vice-Guardian, Argon worked to restore relations and respect on the Uldarash High Council. He formed relationships with King Mimek, Ted Hasting, Ganeffs, Scotchknight, and others on the High Council. This eventually grew into several friendships with his former enemies, a situation which he had not expected but one that Argon welcomed.

Towards the end of Guardian Gooblegins's second term as Guardian, she was shot by Jack F. Kennedy, a Montroigian nationalist who hated the Treaty of Terroja and hated Gooblegins for signing it. Goob survived the attack but was left near comatose, and as such Argon became acting Guardian.

After this, a mysterious plague broke out in Montroig. The Silverfish Plague, as it came to be known, spread rapidly through the recovering republic and added to the woes of Montroig after the Civil War. Argon defended the sleeping Guardian, but in the process was infected by the plague. He was luckily cured after Alphonsine came out of her recovery to defend the nation.

Shortly after the plague, Alphonsine's condition rapidly deteriorated and she passed away. With her death, Argon became Guardian of the Republic. Argon was devastated by Gooblegin's death, as he considered her a close friend and mentor. Argon inherited a drastic situation in Montroig. The people were hollow, the streets empty, the nation marred by war. Argon decided that it was not his place to make drastic changes until he was elected, and so he became a caretaker, guiding the state until the next election.

Argon won election as the Guardian of the Republic during the next election. With the people's mandate, he immediately set out with a set of sweeping reforms designed to strengthen and reinvigorate the nation. At this point, it is simply too soon to say whether Guardian Argon Retter will be known as a great leader or a mediocre politician.

The stress of war, assassination, civil life, and leadership was an incredible amount for Argon to undergo. Even with moments of respite like his marriage to Arcadian or his friendship with Ganeffs, he still struggled to sleep at night. Argon struggled with nightmares of the war and thoughts of the people he had led to their deaths.

### February 2022

Argon is still Guardian of Montroig as of February 2022.