Erik von Kalzberg-Mitthel

Erik von Kalzberg-Mitthel in 1230 AW

***“**The quality of a monarch's reign can be measured through the quality of life in his kingdom. Divine right to rule won't help when you lose the support of the people you were meant to protect.**”***
— Erik von Kalzberg

**Erik von Kalzberg-Mitthel**, born **Erik von Kalzberg**, is the disputed king of Fühlgart and the leader of the Monarchists, one of the major factions of the Great War. He is widely credited with holding the alliance together despite differing goals and motivations. He has temporarily passed leadership over the Monarchists to Cecilia von Kalzberg-Mitthel, the queen of Wyrsia, as he currently fights in the Second Fühlgartian Civil War.

## Biography

### Early Life

Erik von Kalzberg was born to the royal family of Fühlgart, House von Kalzberg, in 1186 AW. He was the third son of King Dietrich III and his wife, Adalgasia. Erik grew up amongst many noble children at court but became close friends with Elissa Luftschwert, the legitimized bastard of Ulfric Luftschwert, an influential noble from Freistadt in the west.

The two were great friends and would often get into mischief together at court, with pranks being commonplace. This inevitably got the young prince in trouble with important nobles and visitors alike, yet he would always be protected by Adalgasia and his (slightly) older brother, Reinhart.

Ultimately, Erik was to receive a military education at the wishes of his eldest brother, now crowned Albin III. Dietrich III had launched and died in the Sixth Fühlgartian-Wyrsian War. Erik became a squire under Theodor von Niederschel, a Fühlgartian duke and an accomplished knight. Erik showed the expected amount of talent when it came to his training yet often showed disinterest in the fine art of swordplay and chivalry. Instead, some at court noticed his fascination with the various merchant ships and smaller military patrol ships that sailed the River Gesch.

At the recommendation of von Niederschel, Erik stopped his training to become a knight. Instead, he moved to the court of Freistadt, where the main portion of the Fühlgartian fleet was docked. Most notably, Elissa Luftschwert travelled with him back to her hometown as it became increasingly apparent that the two had become far more than friends. Elissa's father, Ulfric, arranged for the pair to be betrothed after negotiating with Albin III.

In Freistadt, Erik trained in the art of naval warfare under Arno von Neuesfeld, another duke who also served as the admiral of the First Fleet. Erik proved to be a better fit on the sea than on land, and Arno sent plenty of letters back to the capital singing the young prince's praises. Erik became a full-fledged captain of his own ship at the age of only sixteen. However, while things were looking up for the prince, Fühlgart was about to be engulfed by chaos.

### Fühlgartian Civil War

Dietrich III had been Fühlgart's last beloved king. His successor, Albin III, was viewed as an incompetent and arrogant monarch. Disdain for commoners was commonplace at the court of Kalzberg, and Albin III frequently insulted his own vassals, not always by accident. Beneath the Kingdom's peaceful surface, whispers of rebellion spread like wildfire.

Erik would witness the downfall of the Kingdom firsthand. House Luftschwert fired the first shot of the Fühlgartian Civil War in 1202 AW, attacking the First Fleet in Freistadt and seizing as many ships as possible. To make matters worse, they had abandoned the common Dishonorable Weapons doctrine and shot at loyalist forces with rifles and pistols secretly imported from the Nytalyrian Empire.

The prince barely escaped the harbour aboard his ship, the KOF Rose. He sailed north to the minor port of Neuesfeld, where his mentor Arno von Neuesfeld had taken refuge. Word of Jan Luftschwert, the Duke of Freistadt, declaring the Republic of Fühlgart eventually reached the young prince. Unsurprisingly, the betrothal to Elissa was broken off by her father in the coming days. Across Fühlgart, mass defections took place, as the country descended into chaos, as the two factions of the conflict emerged: the Republicans and the Monarchists.

Erik received word a few months later of his promotion to a full-fledged admiral. He was granted control over the Third Fleet after the defection to the Republicans by its former admiral. Erik sailed to the Third Fleet's harbour at Kirchenstau, avoiding ships that had defected to the Republican cause. He ultimately arrived to find Kirchenstau engulfed in flames, with most of the Third Fleet having defected and sailed for Freistadt. He took control over the Monarchist remnants and sailed for the small and relatively isolated Frosthaven Island.

Frosthaven Island had been under the control of House Luftschwert since its capture in the Fourth Fühlgartian-Wyrsian War and was considered Republican territory. However, the local garrison was severely outnumbered when they saw the Third Fleet approaching the island. Furthermore, the regiment had not been supplied with firearms, unlike the troops on the Fühlgartian mainland. The island was surrounded and bombarded, with landings taking place shortly after. The small garrison, hopelessly outnumbered, surrendered.

Ultimately, Erik convinced the island's count, Dieter Luftschwert, to join the Monarchists instead. Dieter had notoriously poor relations with the rest of his house on the mainland and had been sent to rule over the island as a de-facto form of exile. Erik promised Dieter the Duchy of Freistadt if he joined the Monarchists, and Dieter ultimately agreed, not for the promise of the duchy, but simply to thwart Jan Luftschwert.

To support the population of the island and the large number of sailors, Erik was forced to turn to privateering, attacking Republican supply ships and Republican-aligned merchants and bringing the spoils back to Frosthaven. While this tactic was efficient, it drew the ire of the Republican Navy, and before long, the waters west of Freistadt became heavily patrolled. However, this also came with an opportunity.

Arno von Neuesfeld sent a carrier pigeon to Frosthaven in 1223 AW. He proposed to intensify the raids, luring out the Republican Navy and forcing them to gather in one spot, making them vulnerable to attack. Arno von Neuesfeld believed the entire Republican Navy could be defeated in one battle. Erik was uneased about the plot but ultimately agreed and sent his Third Fleet out on intensified raids.

Arno's plan worked, and the Third Fleet pulled back, with the Republican Navy under defected Admiral Johann Friedrich von Kitzbirge giving chase. Ultimately, the Third Fleet linked up with von Neuesfeld's First and turned around, charging straight at von Kitzbirge's forces. What ensued was the Clash of Titans, the decisive naval battle of the Civil War. However, there was one flaw in Arno's plan. He believed the Republican Navy consisted of ships whose captains or crews had defected. He did not account for the Republicans building entirely new ships. In truth, the Republican Navy had been bolstered by around a dozen modern and well-equipped ships. The Clash of Titans would be a disaster for the Monarchists, with the combined fleets being torn to shreds. Arno von Neuesfeld pulled back, fleeing north. Meanwhile, von Kalzberg was intercepted, and his flagship, the KOF Rose, was damaged beyond repair. The order to abandon ship was given. The young admiral would have drowned there had he not been found and brought aboard the KOF Wintersong, which fled back to Frosthaven Island. Only three ships of the Third Fleet remained: the Wintersong, the Luftstadt, and the Dragon. Humiliatingly, the KOF Rose was refloated by Republican Hydromancers and towed back to Freistadt, where it was repaired and became a ship in the Republican Navy: the ROF Rose.

The disaster of the Clash of Titans had essentially stranded Prince Erik on the island. Returning to the mainland was a death sentence, as he would undoubtedly be intercepted and sunk along the way. To support the war effort, the Luftstadt and Dragon were sent out as raiding ships, yet both vessels would be hunted down and sunk, leaving the admiral with only the KOF Wintersong, a small, outdated mercantile vessel. The civil war was over for Erik, and all he could do was wait.

### Interwar Years

Erik received news of the happenings on the mainland via pigeons sent from Kalzberg. They detailed how the Monarchist situation grew increasingly desperate and how the frontlines drew closer to the capital with each passing day. Then, the birds stopped coming, and all was silent. Kalzberg had fallen. Erik assumed the worst. Albin III would be hung, with his body displayed, and his brother Karl had fought to the bitter end, dying alongside his men. However, his brother Reinhart and his sister Kathrin would be spared.

Jan Luftschwert was well aware of Erik von Kalzberg and his conquest of Frosthaven Island. However, Frosthaven was small, isolated, and insignificant. The prince could hold on to his little fiefdom. In fact, his family could join him! The main line of the von Kalzberg family was banished from the Republic of Fühlgart to Frosthaven Island. To mock the von Kalzbergs and punish Dieter Luftschwert, the eldest prince, Reinhart was even made the Count of Frosthaven Island, yet lost all his other titles. Kalzberg itself came under military administration.

Now trapped on the island, the von Kalzbergs had to find something to spend their time on. Prince Reinhart spent his time lording over the island, though there was rarely anything to do. The young Kathrin studied how to fight, so she could one day retake her hometown. Erik chose to build up his own network of former Monarchists in case he ever needed them. However, most Monarchist officers, lords, and administrators had been imprisoned, executed, or stripped of their titles and wealth. The Republicans had been thoroughly searching for Monarchist leaders and eliminating them one way or another. There was, however, one notable exception. Erik's old mentor, Arno von Neuesfeld, was in a similar situation as the prince. He had never set foot in Neuesfeld after the defeat at the Clash of Titans. Instead, he sailed north with the remnants of his fleet, capturing the Sylvir Cluster of islands, isolated and insignificant as they were. Von Neuesfeld had refused to surrender, even as the civil war had ended. On the Sylvir Cluster, he founded the Free Fühlgartian Navy, a group of buccaneers with the goal of one day liberating Fühlgart. However, the Free Fühlgartian Navy allowed the recruitment of non-Fühlgartians into its ranks. Before long, all manner of sailors, outlaws, fortune seekers, and pirates flocked to the Sylvir Cluster from Whitecrest and Wyrsia. The Free Fühlgartian Navy became a pirate gang in all but name, and ships of every flag became fair game.

Erik re-established ties with Arno von Neuesfeld; though their combined forces stood no match against the full might of the Republican Navy, it was nice for both men to have a reliable ally. With his relations with the FFN established, Erik settled in on the island, as he bonded with the crew of the Wintersong, whose ship had gotten its name from the Usurper Goddess Withdrawn on the very same island, Cynda Witnersong. The Wintersong never became a part of any Republican fleets, and neither Erik nor his crew were called to fight in the Gemstone Wars.

In early 1211 AW, the Republic invaded the Kingdom of Wyrsia. However, despite their superior technology, fighting against Wyrsian bows with muskets and pistols, the armies could not break through the infamous Highlands of Deaths, the hilly fortifications south of Stavia. Once again, nobody on Frosthaven was called to arms. However, shortly after the outbreak of the war, Frosthaven became plagued with storms that raged for days at a time. During a big storm, a group of misfits blew into the harbour. This was an Avateauxan Frigate, the ARN Dame Bleue, captained by Martin Dubos. On board was a diplomatic mission, headed from Avateaux to Sallant, then to Whitecrest, and back to Avateaux. They were stranded on the island for weeks, as the storm never subsided, and many grew suspicious about whether or not the storm was a natural occurrence. The doubters would be proven right.

### Fall of Frosthaven

From the east blew in a small fleet carrying a couple thousand mercenaries. These mercenaries were directly hired by House Luftschwert to take over the island. Suspiciously, the storm seemed to part away in front of their fleet as they surrounded the island. Many believed it was manmade with Electromancy, yet none on the island knew the true force behind the storm yet. However, Reinhart von Kalzberg would not go down with a fight, no matter how hopeless the situation was. If Jan Luftschwert wanted to eradicate the von Kalzbergs for good, they'd take as many of his mercenaries with them.

Erik von Kalzberg soon became a commander of ground troops, as the KOF Wintersong was blown to splinters while still docked, though none of the crew died in battle. He sent multiple messages to the Sylvir Cluster, yet the mercenaries shot any messenger birds out of the sky. It appeared that the von Kalzbergs were doomed. However, the stranded Avateauxan diplomats proved to be a stroke of good luck. The mercenaries demanded they leave, promising they would not be attacked, as the mission had diplomatic immunity. However, Erik von Kalzberg had befriended one of the diplomats, Eveline Lecuyer. Unbeknownst to Erik, she was no diplomat at all but a high-ranking Avateauxan spy. Nonetheless, he gave her a written request for aid and one of the last birds on the island. Shortly after, the Dame Bleue left port and, after being briefly searched for stowaways, sailed through the Republican fleet unharmed. Once out of reach, Lecuyer released the bird, though she had sent a letter alongside Erik's to the Free Fühlgartian Navy. Reinforcements would come, but the von Kalzbergs simply had to hold out.

Frosthaven Island was thoroughly blockaded, and the Sylvir Cluster was two weeks away. However, the town of Frosthaven and Frosthaven Keep were built on an easily defendable position, up high on the cliffs. This made the area immune to offshore bombardments, as the cannons lacked range. However, the mercenaries soon landed and began to capture most of the island, laying siege to Frosthaven. The town's thin wooden palisade couldn't hold out, and in only a few hours, the settlement was abandoned, with its citizens fleeing to the keep. Sporadic fighting continued in the town, yet resistance died down after the first day. Frosthaven Keepwas under siege, yet the mercenaries couldn't break it. After numerous failed attempts to breach the walls or the gates, they tried bombarding the cliff the castle sat upon. Yet, the formidable stone barely crumbled, and the mercenaries would sooner run out of cannonballs than cause the foundations to crumble. Instead, they settled down for a slow siege. They would starve Frosthaven out.

Two weeks passed, and starvation became a looming problem. While rationing would keep the keep going for perhaps another week, the situation was dire. Many lost hope and wanted to surrender, yet Erik knew help was coming. Ultimately, ships appeared on the horizon. The Free Fühlgartian Navy had answered the call to arms. Arno von Neuesfeld was not present himself, as he was entertaining Avateauxan guests after receiving a second letter informing of their detour to the islands. His second in command led the attack, the infamous Wyrsian pirate, Black Frederick. Frederick was either very brave or very stupid, as he always charged into any battle, no matter the odds. Yet, the man was undefeated in combat so far, and Frosthaven Island would not be his first defeat.

The Free Fühlgartian Navy tore into the Republican fleet, sending many ships to the bottom of the ocean. The mercenaries had not expected the attack, and many sailors had landed on the island, leaving most ships with skeleton crews. Black Frederick stormed the harbour, briefly liberating the town of Frosthaven and allowing evacuations to take place. Frosthaven and its keep would be abandoned as refugees rushed aboard the pirate ships. The whole time, mercenaries skirmished with and harassed the fleeing troops. Most notably, Reinhart von Kalzberg would be hit by a stray bullet in the head, killing him instantly. His body was taken aboard one of the ships, but there was no time to grieve. Not yet.

Republican reinforcements arrived shortly after, though it hadn't been in response to the attack. The fleet carried the God of Storms, Syarus, and a significant honour guard. They arrived just in time to watch the FFN escape and the mercenary fleet burn. However, they did not give chase. While the escape was a mild annoyance, ousting the von Kalzbergs wasn't the goal. Syarus landed on the island and travelled to Mount Wintersong. The local priesthood, those who had refused to flee out of devotion to Cynda Wintersong, were slaughtered by the Divine. Wielding the Godslayer's Blade, captured and reforged during the Gemstone Wars, he killed the Usurper Goddess of Frost while she was Withdrawn. The attack had been more of an experiment for Syarus than anything else. After killing the Goddess, Syarus simply left the island. He had bigger fish to fry in the Green Grove. The island was granted to the mercenaries to fight over by the Fühlgartian Senate. None of the mercenaries were locals, and for the citizens of Frosthaven Island who had been captured before they could escape, a fate worse than death awaited them. The men were put to work as slaves, and the women became little more than tools for the mercenaries, often being raped. Any children were deemed useless and subsequently killed. Frosthaven Island entered a dark age.

### Working with Wyrsians

Travelling alongside the small pirate fleet, Prince Erik reached the Sylvir Cluster, reuniting with his old mentor and the Avateauxans who had saved him. The pirates of the FFN were keen to see the admiral in action with a ship of his own after the sinking of the Wintersong. With the approval of von Neuesfeld, Erik set out alongside Frederick, and the pair raided the Fühlgartian town of Eybenbach, north of Freistadt. In the dead of night, the former crew of the Wintersong, alongside some other Monarchist troops, captured the ROF Piqumi, a sizeable and modern frigate. They cast off, and the Republicans sounded the alarm, yet the crew managed to escape unharmed with the stolen ship.

A captain once more, Erik briefly stayed on the Sylvir Cluster, helping the FFN with their attacks. However, not keen to settle for a life of piracy, he bid his farewell to Arno von Neuesfeld and set sail to the north. It would be the last time he would see his master. Erik briefly stopped at the neutral port of Whitecrest, where he was hosted as an esteemed guest by Fabian Gill. However, before long, he received word that Gill had been in contact with Jan Luftschwert and was planning to sell the prince out. The messenger was a member of the Crestian Syndicate, the main enemy of the League of Whitecrest. While some amongst his crew doubted the validity of the information, Erik left Whitecrest anyway, sailing further north into Wyrsian territory.

Ultimately, he docked in Woodhall, the capital of Wyrsia, where he offered his services to the Wyrsian crown in the ongoing Republican-Wyrsian War. However, he was met with distrust and scorn by the local Wyrsians. The Fühlgartians and the Wyrsians had been enemies for centuries, and now a prince of Fühlgart was docked in their port. Many believed he was a spy for the Republicans, and the threat of his ship being stormed by an angry mob became more likely with the day. Fortunately for Erik, news of the attack of Frosthaven had reached the Wyrsian capital, and Stephen II took the stranded prince in. While he still faced distrust, at least this prevented him and his crew from being killed by an angry mob.

Erik remained in Woodhall for months as the war with the Republic increasingly worsened for the Wyrsians. In his time in the capital, he recruited a small group of ships, as some Fühlgartian ships left the Free Fühlgartian Navy to join up with the prince. From here, Erik revived the Monarchist alliance and was soon crowned King Erik of Fühlgart. Lacking Fühlgart, Kalzberg, and even the crown itself, many saw his reign as monarch illegitimate. However, Stephen II did not. After various negotiations between Erik and the Wyrsian monarch, the Kingdom of Wyrsia and its colonies and allies joined the Monarchist alliance. For many, this was more an alliance of convenience than one born out of comradery, but it helped to solidify the Monarchists' position as a legitimate cause.

There was one Wyrsian that trusted Erik with all their heart, however. The young Princess Cecilia had taken a liking and perhaps even a fascination with the exiled monarch. She had never met a Fühlgartian before, but she had heard tales of them before, how they were monsters and the agents of Onir who walked the world. And, yet, the princess didn't consider him a monster. She considered him a friend. Some at the Wyrsian court were concerned by this blossoming friendship of misfits, yet they would soon have far more important things to worry about.

The Republican-Wyrsian war had stagnated at the Highlands of Death, as many previous conflicts between the two countries had done in the past. Whitecrest was historically neutral, and the Green Grove was off-limits for Human armies, as the Goddess of Life, Nyara, had made abundantly clear during the Darkest Decade. Yet, before long, Wyrsia was flooded with all kinds of refugees from the Grove, as reports from Wyrgate came of massive forest fires and enough smoke to blot out the sun. The Republic had attacked the Green Grove, and they had won. Syarus had accompanied the forces in the Grove, and he had personally seen to taking care of Nyara, killing her in her namesake city of Nyara's Heart. The Green Grove had been decimated. Before long, the Republican troops came marching out of it, effortlessly capturing the largely undefended Wyrgate and flooding into the Wyrsian countryside behind the Stavian lines.

What followed was the complete collapse of organized Wyrsian resistance. The armies at Stavia had been utterly trapped, and many abandoned the Highlands of Death, desperately trying to escape. However, as the forces of the Second Army closed in from the north, it became clear that retreating wasn't an option. Stavia had already fallen. What remained of the Wyrsian army under Generals Richard Trappike and Cyrus Grey dug in at Matthysia, which was levelled to the ground in the ensuing siege. In the end, the Wyrsian army was destroyed. The Republicans began marching north, opposed only by skirmishers and militias and the occasional company or so of men lucky enough to make it out alive. Yet, it was clear for all to see: Wyrsia would fall.

Stephen II knew of this too, and he ordered his family to flee to Serpent Island. Accompanying them was King Erik. Stephen II opted to stay behind, choosing to fall alongside his capital. Wyrsia would stand conquered in mid-1212 AW. Stephen II was dragged through the streets and given a slow and torturous death. His young son, Frederick, was crowned Frederick of Wyrsia on Serpent Island and chose to move north to the Wyrsian Wintersong Colony. He took control of the colony from the local Governor-General, Liam Ashfrey. Yet, Frederick had made a grave error choosing the colony as his base of operations.

The Wyrsian Wintersong Colony consisted of the outcast and the downtrodden, those who had been spat upon back on the Wyrsian mainland. Love for the crown was practically non-existent, and Ashfrey had made sure not to send over a single soldier to defend the Wyrsian mainland during the war thus far. Yet, Frederick was either unaware or uncaring as he began ordering around the disgruntled locals. Most flat-out refused the orders given to them by Frederick or the officers he had taken with him. When they started killing locals for insubordination, any hope of peace between the two sides died with them. Liam Ashfrey would make the first move.

Before the year was over, most of the Republican Navy appeared off the colony's coast, sinking many Wyrsian ships yet noticeably leaving Starport itself unharmed. Erik ordered his ships to sail south and find the fleet commanded by Frank Whitman tasked with defending Serpent Island. The King of Fühlgart stayed behind personally alongside a small unit of soldiers. King Frederick tried to organize a defense, yet the local garrisons ignored him. When he summoned Ashfrey and demanded an explanation, Ashfrey pulled out a pistol, shooting the king through the head at point-blank range. The local troops immediately opened fire. It was a massacre.

Erik and his troops weren't in the centre of Starport when the fighting broke out but came under attack by a handful of local guards nonetheless. Instead of fleeing, he rushed back into the city, fighting his way through a handful of small units to reach the lodgings of Princess Cecilia and the remnants of her guards. He and his Fühlgartian troops briefly lifted the siege of the building, allowing the princess and her guard to escape. Together, they hastily abandoned Starport as the last Wyrsian troops were killed. The two learned of Frederick's death from stragglers who had barely fled the city. Cecilia was now the last living child of Stephen II and, therefore, the rightful Queen of Wyrsia. Getting her off the frozen continent was the first priority. During their escape, Erik ran into a small expedition returning to the city. These troops were Wyrsian loyalists led by William Ryker and the Faerian Nivhael. They would accompany the king in his escape.

While Erik had rushed back into the city, his sister Kathrin had taken a small force and seized the coastal village of Klipton. From here, she managed to contact the fleet of Frank Whitman and Oliver Oakfield. As her brother and the princess arrived with the local troops on their heels, they managed to board Whitman's fleet and escape Wintersong's Wasteland, sailing east. Both the North and Wintersong's Wasteland had fallen.

### In the Eastland

What remained of Wyrsia's forces fled east to a former Wyrsian colony and devoted ally: the Duchy of Redwall. Redwall had joined the war earlier on Wyrsia's side but hadn't been able to participate before the fall of the kingdom. With Ashfrey's betrayal, they were also the last Monarchist nation standing. Redwall became the seat of the exiled Wyrsian government, yet Erik had already set his sights on bigger targets. He had received a formal invitation to the Kingdom of Avateaux from King Victor III.

Avateaux had been dragged into a war with Fühlgart when reports reached Freistadt about an Avateauxan frigate assisting in the escape from Frosthaven Island. Subsequently, the Dame Bleue became a military target. While sailing back home in the Frozen Ocean, it came under attack. In the ensuing struggle, the Dame Bleue sank the ROF Pfeilmacher. In response, Fühlgart declared war on Avateaux. Back home, Lecuyer arranged the invitation to be sent to Erik and his confidants. Saying goodbye to the Wyrsians for now, Erik and his retinue set out for the cold kingdom to the northeast.

Arriving in Lamondes, after a short meeting, Avateaux joined the Monarchists. However, it was clear to many that Victor III wasn't much of a supporter of the alliance itself and was mainly pressured by his court. Nonetheless, Erik had been reinforced by some Avateauxan soldiers as he began to campaign around the Eastland, recruiting allies where he could. He travelled west into Kinzova, where the reception was icy at best. Kinzova, while an independent nation, was totally loyal to the Kingdom of Toscov further to the west. Toscov and Avateaux were historical enemies, and getting both on the same side would be impossible. Ultimately, the delegation travelled into Toscov but chose to cross south, heading for the Kymelian Kingdom. This was a long shot, as the Kymelian Kingdom had always avoided conflicts. The delegation could only get a few doctors to travel to Redwall and tend to any wounded there.

Erik followed the doctors a few days later. Many in Redwall had hoped that he would return with good news, yet the king returned largely empty-handed. To make matters worse, Avateauxan spies had sent back reports of the Fühlgartian Navy gathering in the Protectorate of Ostland. All signs pointed to an invasion of the Eastland, and before long, the Republican fleets appeared on the horizon, carrying countless soldiers. However, to the surprise of many, the fleet didn't attack Redwall or the more isolated Avateaux. Instead, the full might of the Republican military came crashing down on Toscov, which had remained neutral. The Kingdom of Toscov rapidly lost its capital and namesake city of Toscov and was driven east. Utterly outmatched by the Republican invasion force, they reluctantly turned to the Monarchists for help. For the first time in centuries, Avateauxan troops crossed into Toscov not to invade but to help.

Yet, the combined might of the Monarchists was not enough, and more ground was lost every day. Erik led a desperate retreat back towards Redwall as the Kingdom of Toscov fell. Defectors and traitors soon after established the Republic of Toscov, a profoundly unpopular state with the natives. Instead of targeting Redwall, the Republican invasion under Ulfric Luftschwert pushed east, conquering Kinzova, which had joined alongside Toscov, and flooding into Avateaux. Already opposed to joining the Monarchists, Victor III fled the country in the dead of night, abandoning his subjects who were still fighting for him. Upon hearing of their king's cowardice, many Avateauxans switched sides or simply deserted. Before long, Avateaux had fallen just as fast as Toscov had. What remained of the Republican opposition became the Blue Rose under Lecuyer, though they swore loyalty to the Monarchist cause, not to Victor III.

After the fall of Avateaux, things began to quiet down in the Eastland as the Republican forces regrouped for the final invasion of Redwall. Erik oversaw many preparations for the duchy's defence, digging ditches and constructing crude fortifications. However, these efforts would prove for nought. While the Republic of Avateaux was a relatively stable force, the Republic of Toscov had the people against them. Two charismatic royals, Prince Kazimir and his sister-wife, Princess Diana, had fled into the Kinzovan Mountains before they could be captured. Now, they had returned, and they unleashed hell upon their homeland. Mass defections to the two royals followed as the Republic of Toscov began to unravel. Before long, the Republican invasion force had to turn back and deal with the total collapse of the Toscovish republic. Luftschwert managed to salvage some land out west, including the capital city, but a firm resistance had lodged itself in the east of Toscov, restoring the Kingdom. They would liberate Kinzova soon after. Lacking the foundations for an invasion of Redwall, Luftschwert recalled most of his forces back to the North to fight on different fronts. The Monarchists finally had some breathing room.

While the defence of the Eastland had been a relative success, Erik von Kalzberg still needed more allies to stand a chance against the Republican onslaught. With the neighbouring Kingdom of Lesterwood flat-out refusing an offer to join the Monarchists, all options on the Eastland had been utilised. With his closest advisors, Erik prepared to move the Monarchists to the South, where Republican influence was relatively small. After some discussion, Sallant was chosen as the best candidate for joining the Monarchists. As the fleet set sail, leaving Redwall, a smaller envoy led by William Ryker travelled to Bleakbanner Island. It was a long shot, but many of the natives joined Ryker's group. These elite mercenaries would serve as a guard to many Monarchist leaders, including Erik von Kalzberg, though many were more loyal to Ryker than the people they were protecting.

### Blood and Sand

Once arrived in Sallant, Erik met with Muzai II for the first time. The Sallanthian Emperor was intrigued by the strangers that had come to New Sallant, yet he also saw an opportunity in their arrival. Many in the Sallanthian Empire were alarmed by Muzai's intention to work with the Monarchists. Their ranks were bolstered with Faerians, Naerisi, Dryads, Vulpesians, Xyphians and more. While the Darkest Decade had long ended, its roots ran deep in Sallant, and many were outraged by the prospect of fighting alongside "subhumans".

Muzai would have none of it. He would ally himself with Erik von Kalzberg and the Monarchists, acting somewhat as a mentor to the exiled monarch. In exchange for access to Sallant's immense wealth and military power, the Monarchist exiles would have to assist Muzai in his own battles. Namely, his planned invasion of the Empire of Da'al Mon to the west. Eager to make new allies, Erik agreed. Sallant would march to war before long, and the Monarchists would fight alongside them. Yet, Muzai's intentions weren't honourable. The hardest and deadliest battles saw Monarchists deployed to the front and used as meat shields while the Sallanthian armies marched behind. Easy and bloodless battles were granted to the Sallanthians. As a result, the Monarchists took heavy losses, while the Sallanthian losses were relatively light. Ultimately, the war bogged down into a stalemate, and Da'al Mon collapsed. Even the Republicans got involved, bizarrely sponsoring the Empire of Da'al Mon despite being ideological enemies. Muzai II ultimately ended the war, annexing all conquered territories. He urged the Monarchist forces to return to New Sallant to receive reinforcements and his blessing.

While on their way back to New Sallant, the Monarchist forces entered the Great Sand Sea. Here, stranded in the desert, the Sallanthian forces accompanying them under Alos Amukkia turned on the Monarchists and began slaughtering them. Muzai II had gotten all use out of the Monarchists and would now dispose of them. However, the battle was not the complete destruction Muzai had hoped for. Amukkia had failed to encircle his enemies, allowing them to escape north. The Monarchists split into two groups. Fleeing northwest was Erik von Kalzberg, accompanied by most of the Monarchist force. Critically, however, another smaller group escaping northeast included Cecilia Mitthel. This was primarily the non-Human unit led by Nivhael. Amukkia and most of his forces wouldn't survive the battle either. William Ryker challenged Amukkia to a duel to buy time for Nivhael to escape. After unceremoniously killing Ryker, the Wyrsian was suddenly revived as the heavens opened up above him. As fire rained down and burnt through the Sallanthian traitors, Ryker slaughtered Amukkia while wielding the Clian Sword. Cossyxia had revived the man and made him her Champion. He, too, joined Nivhael and Queen Cecilia's group.

Neither group managed to contact or find the other one. Without Cecilia, the ALW and Oakfield lacked legitimacy and were ultimately forced to answer to von Kalzberg instead of Mitthel. Erik von Kalzberg's group only had one possible direction: the Kingdom of Amagoi. Amagoi had no ties to Fühlgart nor Wyrsia and would probably not join the Monarchists. Yet, it was the only safe destination they had.

### The Gemstone Islands

Once arrived in Amagoi, the group travelled to Higayoshi, the capital city. They were received by Crown Prince Masahura. Masahura was intrigued at the arrival of the Monarchists, yet he had a close confidant who was firmly opposed to working with or sheltering these Monarchist arrivals: Liang Nadai. Liang had been a Zengyuan princess, barely a teenager at the outbreak of the Gemstone Wars. A Hexad Lotus master, she grabbed her little sister, Cui, and fled Zengyu as it was razed behind her. Under disguise, she took a fishing boat to Amagoi, where she met up with Masahura, the prince to whom she was betrothed. It soon became apparent that Liang and Cui were the last living members of House Nadai and subsequently held considerable political power as a claimant to the Gemstone Islands.

And, yet, while the Monarchists presented an opportunity, she didn't want them there. The Fühlgartians had burned her homeland until there was nothing left but ash and bodies. Their political allegiance didn't matter much to the princess; Fühlgartians were all the same. Masahura loved his wife and didn't want to upset her. He sent the Monarchists to Itowa in the east of the Kingdom. Here, they briefly fought against the Bloodbeak Harpies as proof of loyalty.

In private, Masahura negotiated and reasoned with Liang. While still distrustful of the Monarchists, she agreed to at least hear them out. Erik returned to Higayoshi, where Masahura laid out a plan that benefited both parties. The Protectorate of Lao Muji dominated the Gemstone Islands in the wake of the Gemstone Wars as a reward for Bai Zehling's defection. However, Zehling didn't have the troops to garrison all the islands, and before long, states broke away. Now, the Gemstone Islands were dominated by four states: Lao Muji, the bandit kingdom of Yingzheng, and the warlord kingdoms of Yuitan and Qianzi. Lao Muji and Yingzheng weren't options for negotiating, yet Yutan and Qianzi could perhaps have a shred of loyalty left to the Zengyuan Empire.

Together with the Amagoians and the Monarchists, Liang Nadai invaded the Gemstone Islands, targeting the large and central Qiu Island. Upon liberating the ruins of Zengyu, she sent envoys to Yutan and Qianzi. The two former generals, Huang Huiya and Han Dehui, ultimately joined forces with Liang, as they were ultimately still loyal to the Empire despite hating each other. Some of their associates, however, disagreed with the submission and turned to banditry and rebellion. Erik von Kalzberg and the ALW were sent to Duan Island, defeating the troublesome general Kong Jiazhi after months of guerilla warfare. For his aid, Liang Nadai finally began to trust von Kalzberg. After some negotiations, Amagoi and Nadai's newfound Hexad Empire joined the Monarchists, providing much-needed manpower and political might.

Yet, the Monarchists needed to lick their wounds. After constant fighting and betrayal, many men were exhausted, injured, and demoralized. Zengyu became the hub of the Monarchists as they settled down to rest and recruited new members. Many on the Gemstone Islands, still bitter over the Gemstone Wars, signed up. Liang Nadai rebuilt the Hexad Lotus, becoming Grandmaster and the Champion of the Goddess of the Sky, Adyana.

The Monarchists would remain in Zengyu for five years, all the way until 1223 AW. In the meantime, they would focus on improving their position. For Erik, this was a time of building and maintaining alliances. To further unify the Monarchists, he created the Monarchist High Council to act as a ruling body for the entire alliance.

However, Erik's luck would take a turn for the better. In 1219 AW, when two Republican ships arrived on the horizon. Besides their flags, they also flew white flags of surrender. They docked at Zengyu, and the crews were imprisoned. However, there was one person amongst the crew that Erik could hardly believe to be among them. At the head of the defectors was Elissa Luftschwert. Erik could scarcely believe his eyes when she stood before him, and he immediately ordered the defectors released. He was reunited with his former betrothed for the first time in 17 years. It didn't take long for the two to get married. In 1222 AW, they would have their first child, Lyone, with their son and heir, Robin, born in 1224 AW.

### Liberation

In Zengyu, the Monarchists, now strengthened, looked for opportunities to undermine Republican authority throughout Enselonde. The first opportunity came in one of the Republican protectorates: Weckstein. Followers of the Grey Temple had always been present in Weckstein, and tensions existed between them and the Fühlgartian rulers. Emboldened by the recent liberation of Rosendorf, the local Grey Temple forces began their attack on the Protectorate of Weckstein. The Grey Temple, while ideologically different, was soon reinforced by Monarchist troops from the Gemstone Islands. Together, Weckstein was rapidly overrun. Albert Schmied and his Second Army were deployed to reconquer Weckstein but failed to defeat the overwhelming numbers of the two alliances.

In Weckstein, Erik reuinted with Cecilia Mitthel. Her own path had taken her through Llendus into the war-torn Daletia, finally heading into the Marenbach Mountains and joining forces with the Grey Temple there. The two groups, separated in Sallant, linked back up through sheer coincidence. The two monarchs shared their experiences and socialized for weeks. Here, Erik came up with a radical proposal: to merge the Houses von Kalzberg and Mitthel into a single noble dynasty. There was outrage on both the Fühlgartian and Wyrsian sides, but Cecilia ultimately went through with it. Together, they laid the foundation of House von Kalzberg-Mitthel.

With Weckstein mostly conquered, other targets became viable for the Monarchists. What was needed was some sort of disturbance, however, something to distract the Fühlgartian military. The Vachstadt Rebellion in Ostland was beneficial, yet it wasn't the decisive blow Erik was hoping for. However, in 1227 AW, word would reach Weckstein of the death of Jan Luftschwert, the father of the Republic. In the wake of his death, the Fühlgartian Senate turned on each other as fighting erupted in the streets of Freistadt. Ulfric Luftschwert took control shortly after, but the damage had already been done. The belief in the Republican system collapsed, and Fühlgart descended into civil war once more. Subsequently, the overwhelming majority of troops stationed in the Republic's allies and protectorates were recalled, leaving those states vulnerable. The Monarchists had a chance to attack.

Together with the Wyrsians and the Qiuans, Erik captured Woodhall Island. After capturing the larger Woodhall Island, further attacks followed against Serpent Island and Speartip Island as the Wyrsians prepared to attack the Protectorate of Woodhall. Meanwhile, Erik liberated Frosthaven Island from the mercenaries that had held it for nearly two decades, though the island had been devastated since then. From Frosthaven Keep, where it all began, an invasion of the Fühlgartian mainland was planned. However, Erik could no longer count on the support of Arno von Neuesfeld and the FFN. Arno von Neuesfeld had died in his sleep years ago. Black Frederick had taken over and abandoned all notions of being a force dedicated to liberating Fühlgart. Instead, he had founded the Free Republic of the Sylvir Cluster: a pirate republic that didn't favour any sides. Still, out of respect for his former master, Black Frederick chose not to attack Monarchist ships to uphold a small part of von Neuesfeld's legacy.

Ultimately, Erik chose three points of invasion: Neuesfeld, Kirchenstau, and, boldly, Freistadt itself. However, the attack on Kirchenstau was cancelled due to the outbreak of the Second Kirchenstauer Civil War. In late 1228 AW, after assisting during the Woodhall Campaign in Wyrsia, Erik launched his assault on the two cities. The invasion of Freistadt would fail, however, as the expert First Army drove the Monarchists back into the sea. The garrisons of Neuesfeld would fail at replicating that feat, as they abandoned the city almost immediately. Neuesfeld fell with barely any damage, becoming the temporary capital of the restored Kingdom of Fühlgart. From Neuesfeld, the Fühlgartians launched forth, conquering territory further inland. However, progress has been slow, with Fühlgart consumed by dozens of rival governments and rebel groups.

In present times, a few others have claimed the crown of Fühlgart, though Erik von Kalzberg-Mitthel is by far the most legitimate of these claimants. Though he doesn't control Kalzberg or the Fühlgartian crown, his vast alliance of allies has granted him a position in which he can, given enough effort, reconquer all of Fühlgart. That said, Republican resistance is still fierce, and it will be an uphill battle to liberate his homeland. Yet, if he were to succeed, Erik von Kalzberg-Mitthel would undoubtedly become known as one of Fühlgart's greatest monarchs.

## Career

* Kingdom of Fühlgart
	+ Prince (1186-1211 AW)
	+ Squire (1194-1197 AW)
	+ Sailor (1197-1200 AW)
	+ Second Mate (1200-1201 AW)
	+ First Mate (1201-1202 AW)
	+ Captain (1202 AW)
	+ Admiral (1202 AW-)
	+ Crown Prince (1211 AW)
	+ King (1211 AW-)
	+ Leader of the Monarchists (1211-)
	+ Head of the Monarchist High Council (1217 AW-)

## Military Career

* Fühlgartian Civil War
	+ Battle of Frosthaven Island (Victory)
	+ Clash of Titans (Defeat)
* The Great War
	+ Battle of Frosthaven Island (Defeat)
	+ Republican-Wyrsian War
		- Battle of Starport (Defeat)
		- Evacuation of Klipton (Victory)
	+ Republican Invasion of Toscov
		- Battle of Machayya (Defeat)
		- Battle of Makhava (Defeat)
	+ Sallanthian-Da'al Moni War
		- Battle of Kemak (Victory)
		- Battle of Ta'inkit (Victory)
		- Battle of Uqa (Stalemate)
		- Battle of Cstesk (Victory)
		- First Battle of Ghadah (Stalemate)
		- Second Battle of Ghadah (Stalemate)
		- Battle of the Great Sand Sea (Defeat)
	+ Liberation of the Gemstone Islands
		- Battle of Zengyu (Victory)
		- Battle of Amoua (Victory)
		- Battle of Danyang (Victory)
	+ War for Weckstein
		- First Battle of Appesberg (Stalemate)
		- Battle of Appesfeld (Victory)
		- Second Battle of Appesberg (Stalemate)
	+ Insular Campaign
		- Battle of Woodhall Island (Victory)
		- Battle of Frosthaven Island (Victory)
		- Battle of Serpent Island (Victory)

* The Epilogue Wars
	+ Second Fühlgartian Civil War
		- Battle of Freistadt (Defeat)
		- Battle of Neuesfeld (Victory)
		- Battle of Eiserstadt (Victory)
		- Battle of Norrberg (Victory)
		- Battle of Garresfeld (Victory)
		- Battle of Garreswald (Ongoing)

## Awards

*Main Article: List of Awards*

* Service Medal - Kingdom of Fühlgart
* Hero of Fühlgart Medal - Kingdom of Fühlgart
* Civil War Service Medal - Kingdom of Fühlgart
* Hero of Wyrsia Medal - Kingdom of Wyrsia
* Avateauxan Favour Medal - Kingdom of Avateaux
* Toscovish Honour Medal - Kingdom of Toscov
* Champion of the People Medal - True Republic of Redwall
* Medal of the Merciful - The Kymelian Kingdom
* Honour Medal - Kingdom of Avateaux
* Service Medal - The Hexad Empire
* Liberator of the Gemstone Islands Medal - The Hexad Empire
* Hero of Adyana Medal - The Hexad Empire
* Exemplary Medal - Grey Kingdom of Weckstein

## Personality

Many words have been thrown around to describe Erik von Kalzberg, but kingly is one not often used. Some argue that Erik has more Republican values than Monarchist ones. He doesn't shy away from meritocratic recruitment, spitting in the face of centuries of complex traditions established by the Fühlgartian nobility. Kind to the downtrodden and merciful to his enemies, some go as far as to revere Erik as a saint. While his saintly status is disputable, none can deny that Erik has bridged gaps and tensions previously thought unbridgeable, and he can build alliances that stand the test of time through any odds.

## Relationships

* Elissa Luftschwert - Not everyone was keen on my marriage to a Luftschwert, but Elissa has been at my side before I could read. We've had difficulties because of our families, but we were made for each other. There's nobody I love or trust more.
* Cecilia von Kalzberg-Mitthel - When I met Cecilia, she was a shy princess and a misfit. To see her grow into a competent and respected queen was a wonderful experience. We're vast friends and unbreakable allies, and I'd trust her to do anything.
* Kathrin von Kalzberg-Mitthel - Family is everything. The less family you have, the more you'll appreciate the ones left. Kathrin went from novice warrior to accomplished general, and I'm proud to call myself her older brother.
* Eveline Lecuyer - Eveline is controversial, that I can admit, though I think her fearsome reputation is somewhat misattributed. Beneath her tough exterior and questionable methods is a woman who saved my life and a great friend.
* Masaharu Ushido - Masaharu is an ideal monarch and an example for any would-be ruler. He is a man who unapologetically stands by his ideals yet doesn't stoop to dishonourable tricks. He is a stalwart ally through thick and thin.
* Liang Nadai - Liang's contribution to the Monarchist cause cannot be expressed through words alone. While we were initially sceptical of each other, she has proven her loyalty to her people and her willingness to aid time and time again.

* Ulfric Luftschwert - Jan Luftschwert died a few years ago, and while he took any notion of Republican unity with him to the grave, his brother Ulfric took control over the dying remnants. Even Syarus has abandoned him, yet Ulfric still clings onto the husk that was once the Republic of Fühlgart. As the leader of the Republicans, he is the greatest enemy.
* Falk Krech - Falk Krech is not an ideological believer of the Republican cause, but he is Ulfric Luftschwert's number one lapdog. A criminal to the core, he has not shied away from turning his troops against civilians in the name of his skewed vision of 'justice'. Fühlgart will never be at peace as long as Krech still breathes.
* Black Frederick - I'm truly grateful for what Frederick has done for the people of Frosthaven Island and myself. That said, this 'free republic' of his is a slap in the face to the Monarchists, the Republicans, and the late Arno von Neuesfeld. He transformed the Free Fühlgartian Navy into a rogue group of pirates, and I can't pretend to approve.