Svarog Aesfrost

**Svarog Aesfrost** is a non-player character in Triangle Strategy and the final boss of the Utility route.

## Profile/Story

### Background

Svarog was the younger half brother of the previous Archduke, Zigmunt Aesfrost. As Svarog was born to a concubine, his standing in the Aesfrosti royal family was rather low. When Gustadolph Aesfrost became Aesfrost's archduke, Svarog was sent off to Twinsgate, a fortress on Aesfrost's border. Svarog was far away from any Aesfrosti politics or power.

Despite being forsaken by the mainline family, Svarog was able to find consolation in two of his family members. His half niece, Frederica Aesfrost, was born to a concubine much like Svarog. Frederica's timid nature and unwillingness to fight led to her being bullied by her siblings, Thalas Aesfrost and Erika Aesfrost. Svarog took pity on Frederica, asked Gustadolph to appoint Geela Breisse as Frederica's tutor and handmaiden. Dragan Aesfrost, Svarog's ambitious son, had shot up in Aesfrost's ranks by discovering explosives. Although Svarog feared Dragan's ambitions would one day lead to his downfall, Svarog always admired his son's passion to succeed despite his social status.

Due to Aesfrost's salt prices soaring from the Consortium's taxes, Svarog had to employ questionable means to receive enough salt to keep Aesfrost afloat. Svarog buys illicit salt from Sorsley Ende, in the hopes that the salt will reach Aesfrost's poorer citizens. He does so against Gustadolph Aesfrost's wishes.

### Minister of Aesfrost

When news of Dragan's death is reported to Svarog, he is left heartbroken. He vows to find Dragan's killer and avenge his son's death.

* If the War Council votes to go along with Sorsley's salt trade

House Wolffort delivers salt to Aesfrost under Sorsley's command, only to meet **Svarog Aesfrost** at Twinsgate. Although Serenoa tries to explain the circumstances of Dragan’s death to Svarog, He and the rest of House Wolffort must find a way to earn Svarog's trust.

* + If the War Council votes to reveal Roland's identity

Svarog is moved by House Wolffort's show of trust, and takes the party's explanation of Dragan's death into account.  When Sycras Diutte attempts to arrest Svarog for salt smuggling, House Wolffort has to defeat the constable before he can find any evidence. Giving House Wolffort due payment for their salt, Svarog promises to help usurp Gustadolph if the opportunity should arise.

* + If the War Council votes to hide Roland's identity

Despite Frederica's pleas, Svarog drives out House Wolffort due to his lack of trust. Although Svarog had allowed them to live, he refused to pay House Wolffort for the smuggled salt.

Svarog later discovers an unfinished design of Dragan's, known as the Deathsknell. The Deathsknell had the power to breach even Hyzante's walls with its' sheer explosive power. To honor his son's legacy, Svarog decides to complete the Deathsknell, keeping its' existence hidden from Gustadolph. Svarog is later discovered by Gustadolph, and the Archduke forces Svarog to complete the Deathsknell to support Aesfrost's military.

## Endings

### Frederica

Svarog, believing Gustadolph Aesfrost to have killed Dragan, conspires with Glenbrook nobles to plunge the duchy into civil war.

### Roland

After the Holy State of Hyzante and House Wolffort kill Gustadolph Aesfrost, Svarog refuses to let Aesfrost fall to the tyranny of Hyzante. Svarog uses the Deathsknell to destroy Aesfrost's forge, and floods Ironstone with molten iron and lava. He has takes a final stand against the invading army, but is defeated by the might of Serenoa Wolffort and Roland Glenbrook. Although Roland attempts to comfort Svarog in his final moments, Svarog dies in despair, knowing that he has failed Dragan.

### Benedict

Gustadolph seizes the Deathsknell from Svarog, and uses it the breach the Goddess' shield with House Wolffort's help.

### Golden

Serenoa considers all three strategies laid before him, and deems them all to have dreadful downsides. After careful consideration, he formulates a strategy where the salt crystals would not be relinquished to any one nation, nor abandoned altogether. Serenoa splits his allies into three regiments.

Benedict’s regiment drives Exharme Marcial away from House Wolffort, utilizing their knowledge of the terrain and tactical prowess.

Roland’s regiment makes an alliance with Svarog regarding the Deathsknell. Although Svarog is nearly imprisoned by Gustadolph Aesfrost and Sycras Diutte, Roland's regiment protects Svarog. Svarog strikes a killing blow on Gustadolph, and becomes the next Archduke of Aesfrost.

Frederica’s regiment heads for the Source and incites a Rosellan uprising, killing minister Kamsell Pharant in the process. Minister Tenebris Mistel is also implied to die in the ensuing Rosellan chaos.

The three regiments converge outside of Hyzante, and kill minister Exharme Marcial while Svarog readies the Deathsknell. After the Deathsknell breaches the goddess’ shield, House Wolffort charges into the Holy State, defeating minister Lyla Viscraft in the process. Although Minister Lyla begs for death, House Wolffort spares her, explaining she has a chance to atone for her inhumane research by releasing the truth to the world. With 5 ministers dealt with, House Wolffort marches into the Hierophant’s Palace to face off against the final two Hyzantian leaders: Idore Delmira and The Hierophant. When the party looks into the hierophant's chamber, they are shocked to discover the hierophant is naught but an automaton controlled by Idore. Absorbing the power of Aelfric, Idore and his mechanical hierophant face off against Serenoa in one last clash of convictions.

Serenoa is triumphant, much to Idore’s ire. Before he dies, Idore detonates every remaining Aelfric in the hierophant’s palace, in a last-ditch attempt to kill Serenoa. Serenoa and his comrades escape, and release Hyzante from Idore’s false teachings once and for all.

In the end, Roland Glenbrook remains king of Glenbrook, **Svarog Aesfrost** becomes archduke of Aesfrost, and Lyla Viscraft serves as the head of Hyzante. The three dignitaries all convene for the momentous wedding of Serenoa Wolffort and Frederica Aesfrost and toast to a brighter future for all of Norzelia. Svarog tears up during his niece's wedding, and is glad to have finally avenged Dragan's unjust death. He hopes that the ardent youths in House Wolffort will lead Norzelia to a brighter future.

"This is the end of the spoilers in this section."

## Max Stats

### Movement

5

Svarog wields an Iron Hammer.

### Iron Fighter (Iron Master in Final Chapter: The Bell Tolls for No One)

 Final Chapter: The Bell Tolls for No One | Resist Temptation/Instant Death
 Final Chapter: The Bell Tolls for No One | Eruption
 Chapter XVIII, Part II: Bound by Sorrow  Final Chapter: The Bell Tolls for No One | Knock Back

## Mid-Battle Conversations

### Chapter X, Part II: A Treacherous Soul

#### near Frederica

* **Svarog**: I am sorry for this, Frederica. I never suspected a spy in our midst...
* **Frederica**: If our illicit trading is brought to light, everything will have been for naught. For now, let us concentrate on the battle before us.
* **Svarog**: I never thought I would receive a scolding from you, Frederica. You have truly grown.

#### near Roland

* **Svarog**: ...If worse should come to worst, you must leave. We cannot allow things to end here.
* **Roland**: Svarog...?
* **Svarog**: Gustadolph is undoubtedly scheming something. He must not be left to his own devices.
* **Roland**: ...Understood. But first, we rout Sycras's forces.

#### near Geela

* **Geela**: Lord Svarog, allow me to repay my debt to you here and now.
* **Svarog**: I never thought I would see the day we fought side by side like this.
* **Svarog**: I eagerly anticipate seeing your prowess in battle.

### Chapter XVIII, Part II: Bound by Sorrow

#### vs. Gustadolph

* **Svarog**: Your arrogance has finally overreached, Gustadolph. Today you suffer the sum of your crimes.
* **Gustadolph**: The ramblings of a desperate old man. You will regret your impudence, but not for long. I promise.
* **Svarog**: I refuse to die until my son is avenged! Until you lie dead at my feet!

### Final Chapter: The Bell Tolls for No One

#### vs. Serenoa

* **Svarog**: I envy your father, Minister Serenoa. His son lives on to carry out his legacy...
* **Serenoa**: What would Lord Dragan think of this if he were still alive? Why would you bring ruin upon yourself like this?
* **Svarog**: The Goddess's history will dishonor Aesfrost and falsify the path we walked...
* **Svarog**: I would rather end it all here by my own hand than endure Her lies!
* **Serenoa**: Why don't you understand that this is a beginning and not an end?

#### vs. Benedict

* **Benedict**: I admired your sense of honor, but you have let it consume you...
* **Benedict**: You have my sympathies, Lord Svarog. Things did not have to end this way.
* **Svarog**: No. This is the only possible end for me and my beloved home.
* **Svarog**: As such, I must end it with honor.

#### vs. Geela

* **Geela**: Why has it come to this, Lord Svarog? You have memories with your son here...
* **Svarog**: That is precisely why I refuse to let the Goddess taint it with Her lies.
* **Geela**: If only we could have turned that resolve elsewhere...

#### vs. Erador

* **Erador**: Was this truly the only way, Svarog?
* **Svarog**: I would rather end it here than have everything taken from me.
* **Erador**: A pity, that. I had hoped our paths would cross again someday.

#### vs. Piccoletta

* **Piccoletta**: If you keep this up, you'll make everyone cry!
* **Svarog**: You will understand when you're older. Live with your head held high, little one.

#### vs. Jens

* **Jens**: As a blacksmith, I admired Aesfrost's techniques, but seeing this...
* **Svarog**: Nothing of our history will remain in the Goddess's tales... This is where our wisdom of iron ends.

#### vs. Groma

* **Groma**: Svarog, you damn fool! Just where did a great man like you lose your way?
* **Svarog**: This is the last time I will ever feel the brunt of your iron fist, Groma. Let us go down with Aesfrost, together.

#### vs. Giovanna

* **Giovanna**: All of those books are naught but heaps of ash now... This is unforgivable, Lord Svarog!
* **Svarog**: Aesfrost cannot leave anything behind...including your knowledge...

#### vs. Rudolph

* **Rudolph**: Ye've done it now, Svarog. Ye had no right burnin' down our homes like that!
* **Svarog**: Aesfrost is a nation for the strong and free. Rights are earned by iron wills and fists!