Grand Duke Franz I

## Early Life

Franz I von Franzburg (Born Franz Wilhelm) is rumored to have been born somewhere in the land north of the Achoran mainland, east of present day Nizograd. He has some relation to the King of that area, likely first cousins once removed. When he was around 14 or 15, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a marine. After some years, he became Captain of a ship.

## Arrival to Achora

On one of his voyages, he and his crew were hit by a storm, causing them to hit a shoal in the water. Only a few of his crew survived. They soon met up with others who had similarly just arrived in Achora.

## Appointment to Aristocracy

After the first government was established, Grand Duke Shadow was needed to appoint aristocrats. One of these aristocrats was Franz Wilhelm, who subsequently took the title of Baron.

## Mob/AFF War

Prior to the war, Franz and Swede had several skirmishes in the capital. Franz was ordered to kill Swede by Field Marshall Content. He took with him Somerandomguy and Tim.

### Early Hours

Franz and his men planned the operation in a small military base east of the capital. They made their journey west, making sure to stay far enough from the capital to not be detected. They scaled the mountain from the western face, and as the sun set, they stormed the mob house, killing Swede and Hydramanium (but not really). They rendezvoused in a cave system west of the mountain and awaited extraction.

### Awaiting Extraction in the Cave & Franz’s Sacrifice

The Baron and his men waited in the cave for hours as they awaited extraction. However, they realized it would not come, and they were on their own. They ran from the cave, but were seen by Hydramanium. Tim, who has taken a horse, was able to escape. I Franz drew Hydramanium into the bitter cold waters, leading him away from Somerandomguy, where he was killed (but not really).

### Later War

Franz had less of an impact during the later parts of the war, though he did participate in several skirmishes and scouted Swede quite a bit. The most notable event in this time period is him moving to the military base in the west, present day Volksgrad. He met a woman here, who he would one day marry and have three children.

## Franz’s Voyages

Though he was always busy as an aristocrat, Franz somehow always found time to explore Achora.

### First Voyage

Franz’s first voyage was an attempt to circumnavigate Achora from the military base (Volksgrad) via the south. This was unsuccessful due to the discovery of a thick swamp in the southwest, though the discovery of this swamp could be considered a positive outcome.

### Second Voyage

The second voyage was an attempt to map the river that feeds the eastern/plains part of Achora.

### Third Voyage

The third voyage is by far the most significant, due to the discovery of a new continent in the northwest.

### Fourth Voyage

The fourth voyage is less of a voyage and is sometimes considered part of the third, because it was Franz’s expedition with Lonely Crusader to found a colony in the newly discovered continent, which would come to be known as Franzburg. This coincided with the beginning of colonization.

### Fifth Voyage

The fifth voyage was an exploration of the northern part of the map, included visiting the newly discovered isle of Meliora and the exploration of a new northeastern continent. While he was exploring this continent, however, Franz saw a flash of orange light. The source of this light is unknown. After this eerie experience, Franz ended the voyage prematurely. This would be his last major journey.

## Becoming Grand Duke/Achsoc Period

Grand Duke Shadow abdicated with no heir, so the aristocrats voted on making Boris the new Grand Duke. However, he could not handle the responsibility and abdicated to Grand Duke Ukrop. Ukrop also soon abdicated, without an heir, and the aristocrat voted unanimously to make Franz the next Grand Duke. However, this was overshadowed by the fact that Shadow had come back to forcibly establish a totalitarian state amid the chaos.

## Second Government and Rise of Communism

The second elections marked the end of the Achsoc period and Grand Duke Franz I becoming the leader of Achora, nearly three weeks after he was made Grand Duke. His Ducal reign was eventful, to say the least. It saw numerous more wars with Swede, but more importantly, the SEP revolt and Allistair's rise to power.

### SEP Revolt

The SEP Revolt was a major conflict between pro-Achoran forces, led by Grand Duke Franz I, and the communists, led by Allistair. The war was heavily in favor of the communists, who wanted to end the monarchy and establish a communist state. However, the Grand Duke was able to negotiate with Allistair and save Achora from communism. This resulted in the crown being split in half, with the new Grand Duke being his more leftist son, Franz II.

### Removal from Office

After the revolt, Franz was tried on the charges of treason for negotiating with Allistair. Despite there being no evidence in favor of the prosecution's claim of treason, Judge Bricksandblocks declared him guilty anyway. Fordfan, one of those who called for the trial, said afterwards, "I do not think the trial was proper." There have also been rumors that the group who called for the trial, including Fordfan, were manipulated by Franz II.

## Personal Life

### Marriage

Grand Duke Franz I married his wife in Franzburg. He had three children with her, Franz II von Franzburg, Tom von Franzburg, and Friedrich von Franzburg. Franz II would eventually inherit the crown, and Tom would inherit Franzburg.

## Death and Legacy

The circumstances of Franz's death were very suspicious. The official cause in tuberculosis, however there have been rumors that it was suicide or poisoning by Bricksandblocks. One of the main believers in the poisoning theory is his other son, Tom von Franzburg. There is also thought that Franz II might have been behind his killing, due to the fact that he was the one who found Franz dead, and that he would have the most to gain from his death.

Franz I was a very controversial figure, with many deeming him to be racist and homophobic, however he was undeniably a very positive influence on Achora's history, and his legacy will continue to affect Achora forever.

Grand Duke Franz I was posthumously pardoned and knighted on the 27th of October, 2021.