Friedrich Stauffenberg (U-15)

Friedrich Stauffenberg holds the rank of captain in the Stellungian Navy and has served as the esteemed leader of Walstung in Ghaba.

Friedrich is a member of the esteemed House Stauffenberg, known for their noble lineage. He is the second son of Lord Wilhelm Stauffenberg and is the younger brother of Sir Vilhelm Stauffenberg. Among his siblings, he has a sister named Anne, as well as two younger brothers, Leonhardt and Dietrich. As of now, Friedrich remains unmarried and has not yet started a family of his own.

Friedrich assumed the role of leader within the ranks of Walstung, dutifully carrying out the orders issued by General Lotharwulf Greenblood. However, his unwavering trust in the general led to tension among his men, especially when provisions became scarce. Eventually, Friedrich's leadership was challenged and he was deposed by the combined forces of Smallish Threat and John Arthur Evans. The shift in power marked a turning point for the colonial forces and its future direction.

## Character

Friedrich Stauffenberg, a man of impeccable posture, stands tall and exudes an air of elegance. His slender frame complements his upright stance, giving him a commanding presence. His hair, once a vibrant hue, is now adorned with strands of gray that he keeps meticulously trimmed to a short length. The ends of his mustache are carefully twisted, adding a touch of sophistication to his appearance. As for his beard, it grows with remarkable uniformity, framing his face with a distinguished allure. However, it is this very beard that sets him apart from his fellow officers, giving him a slightly less formal demeanor that hints at a rebellious spirit beneath his disciplined facade.

While Friedrich's physical appearance may suggest a sense of authority, his leadership skills fall short of expectations. When faced with the dire situation of his men suffering from starvation, Friedrich displayed a disconcerting passivity. Instead of actively seeking solutions to alleviate their plight, he opted to wait for circumstances to change, a decision that left his subordinates disillusioned and desperate for guidance. Throughout his tenure, Friedrich maintained a distant and aloof approach to leadership, rarely taking the time to connect with his men on a personal level. In stark contrast, Sir John Arthur Evans, a fellow officer, embodied a different leadership style—one characterized by direct involvement, genuine care, and an unwavering dedication to the well-being of his troops.

Deep down, Friedrich perceives himself as superior to his soldiers and sailors, carrying himself with an air of entitlement and an inflated sense of dignity. This self-perception further widens the gap between him and his subordinates, inhibiting any potential camaraderie or mutual respect that could have flourished within their ranks. While Friedrich's appearance may command attention, it is his shortcomings as a leader that ultimately define his reputation among those who serve under him.

## Historia

Friedrich's destiny was intricately intertwined with his family's rich military heritage, a legacy that determined his life path even before he took his first breath. Despite his lackluster academic performance, his prestigious surname opened doors for him, securing his admission to the esteemed military academy. While Friedrich's existence lacked a clear sense of purpose, he basked in the opulence afforded by his family's wealth and connections. It was during this time that Sir Roderick, a loyal knight, pledged his unwavering allegiance to Friedrich, vowing to serve as his protector and sword.

When the War of the Lions erupted in the year 329 of the 4th Era, Friedrich, a mere seventeen-year-old, found himself thrust into the role of a ship captain in the renowned Stellungian Navy. However, his inexperience and misjudgments on the battlefield, particularly during the disastrous Battle of Magar, resulted in the loss of eight ships under his command. The gravity of his failures dimmed the aura surrounding Friedrich's prestigious family name, and his superiors no longer held him in high regard.

As a consequence of his costly blunders, Friedrich was exiled to a remote outpost nestled in the farthest reaches of the kingdom—an isolated colony known as Ghaba. Tasked with overseeing the construction of a formidable fortress named Walstung, Friedrich ascended to the position of fort captain, entrusted with the leadership of a modest contingent comprising thirty men. It was during this chapter of his life that John Arthur Evans, a cunning individual, manipulated Friedrich by assuming a false identity as a lieutenant and a knight. Deceived by John Arthur's ruse, Friedrich bestowed upon him the role of his trusted right-hand, relinquishing the day-to-day governance of the fort into his hands.

Determined to rebuild his shattered life within the confines of Walstung, Friedrich sought to instill discipline among his soldiers, employing the imposing presence of Sir Roderick as a means of enforcing order. However, this approach bred resentment among his men, who found themselves holding a greater reverence for Sir John Arthur, who stood as their de facto leader.

In the year 363 of the 4th Era, news reached the fort of Gustav's arrival, prompted by reports of settlers pillaging nearby villages. Unaware of the situation at hand, Friedrich, nursing wounded pride and stung by perceived disrespect, made the fateful decision to imprison Gustav.

Following the brutal attack at Küstehauf, the vital supply lines from Vergeltung abruptly ceased, leaving the fort in a precarious state. Despite Sir John Arthur's counsel to scavenge provisions from neighboring villages, Friedrich stubbornly clung to his faith in Vergeltung, refusing to consider alternative options. As the weeks turned into a month, with supplies dwindling and desperation gnawing at the soldiers' morale, the presence of Sir Roderick alone prevented an outright mutiny.

### Arcarea: The Legend of The Stormreavers

#### First Arc: The Tolling of the Bells

##### The Iron Captain (1x03) & The Warden at Mectitan (1x04)

The arrival of the heroes at the desolate fort marked a significant turning point in Friedrich's tragic tale. Urged on by Sir John Arthur and Wilhelm Hauff, Smallish Threat was implored to seize control of the fort and overthrow Friedrich's faltering leadership. Employing a clever stratagem, Ivar took Friedrich hostage, effectively coercing Sir Roderick into submission. With Friedrich's authority stripped away, Sir John Arthur assumed the mantle of captain, swiftly convening a trial that condemned Friedrich to be left behind in the forsaken fort as the others departed. As a gesture of gratitude for the heroes' instrumental aid, Sir John Arthur honored Ivar's plea by liberating Gustav from his captivity.

Forced to leave Walstung, Friedrich, accompanied by the ever-faithful Sir Roderick, embarked on a treacherous journey toward Leichafen, their sights set on securing passage back to familiar shores aboard a ship. Sir Roderick would tragically perish during this journey, but Friedrich would reach the safety of the city.

##### Story of Three Ports (1x11)

Arriving in the bustling port of Leichafen, Friedrich resorted to assuming the guise of John Arthur, skillfully deceiving the esteemed Sir Athair Mullins in order to orchestrate another clandestine encounter with the heroes. Desperate to clear his name, Friedrich vehemently denied issuing any orders for Harry and Jochen to perpetrate the vicious attack on the drallin village of Kross. Pleading for the heroes' financial support to fund his journey to Vergeltung, Friedrich promised that their involvement would remain shrouded in secrecy when he inevitably faced the scrutiny of Lotharwulf Greenblood.

##### The Drowned Man (1x13)

Upon reaching Vergeltung, Friedrich mustered the courage to divulge the truth about the harrowing events that transpired at Walstung to Dietrich Ahler, the esteemed priest of the castle. Interested by Friedrich's account, Dietrich resolved to take action and seek justice for the atrocities committed by Smallish Threat. In a bid to rally support, Dietrich composed a letter addressed to Wakil Ashraf, a renowned ally of the Stellungians, pleading for assistance in rectifying the situation. Little did Friedrich know that his plea would be intercepted by Tura and Smallish Threat themselves, who cunningly substituted it with a forged letter, manipulating the unfolding narrative to their advantage.

The coming of the forged letter left Dietrich and Lotharwulf with scant regard for Friedrich's plight. Although Friedrich's fate hung precariously in the balance, they contemplated consigning him to the arduous task of rebuilding Küstehauf, which was in dire need of restoration. However, Dietrich interceded on Friedrich's behalf, requesting that he be placed under his personal service instead.

Subsequently, Friedrich was dispatched to Köfang, a newly erected city primarily inhabited by prisoners from the distant island. Tasked with shouldering the responsibilities of his new position, Friedrich found himself operating under the command of Sir Heinrich Essenich.

Assuming the role of captain in Köfang, Friedrich adopted a newfound sense of prudence and compassion toward the prisoners. Recognizing the potential for redemption and loyalty within their ranks, he endeavored to become a benevolent warden, fostering an environment of trust and understanding. Through the implementation of more lenient work schedules and increased freedoms, Friedrich managed to garner partial allegiance from the captives, instilling within them a sense of duty to protect their newfound haven in exchange for the Stellungian protection that Friedrich offered.

## Relationships

* Kingdom of Stellung
	+ Lotharwulf Greenblood (Supposedly)
	+ Dietrich Ahler (Supposedly)
	+ Sir Heinrich Essenich
	+ Wilhelm Hauff
* Smallish Threat
	+ Ivar
	+ Kross
	+ Kayl Esholl
	+ Musca
* Jonathan Hogan
* Gustav

## Appearances

### Arcarea: The Legend of the Stormreavers

* The Iron Captain (1x03)
* The Warden at Mectitan (1x04)
* Story of Three Ports (1x11)
* The Drowned Man (1x13) (Mentioned)

## Alternate Versions

* Friedrich von Stauffenberg (U-2020)
* Friedrich von Stauffenberg (U-2021)