Cmdr Bernt Neyhart

### Parents

Lord Ronnard Neyhart (deceased 1108), Matilda Neyhart (née Mason, deceased 1113)

### Other Family

Cpt Henrietta Markum (first cousin), Cpt Arnold Neyhart Markum (uncle, deceased 1085)

## Allegiance

### Title

Cmdr Bernt Neyhart, Commander of the T&K Co Company Fleet and Army

### Occupation

Captain of the "Black Vengeance" (1087-1116, 29 years) Lord of House Neyhart (1108-1116, 8 years), Commander of the T&K Co Company Fleet and Army (1116-present, 11 years), Captain of the "Industria" (1116-present, 11 years)

### Class

Fighter

**Cmdr Bernt Neyhart** is the current commander of the Tramontano&Kotts Company's (T&K Co) Company Fleet and Army. A man of considerable maritime and military expertise, Neyhart formerly served as a Fleet Commander in the Althean Royal Navy until his defection in 1116 AV. His decision to join T&K Co has not only shaped the maritime power dynamics of Venthalia but also led to a diplomatic rift between the Kingdom of Althea and T&K Co. Born into House Neyhart, a family with a strong military legacy, Neyhart's life has been a series of calculated risks and strategic maneuvers that have left an indelible mark on Venthalian history.

## Early Life and Family

Bernt Neyhart was born in the city of Axton in 1064 AV, during the reign of Georgos II. He was born to Lord Ronnard and Matilda (née Mason) of House Neyhart. His early years were marked by a disciplined upbringing, heavily influenced by his father, Lord Ronnard, a high-ranking general in the Althean Royal Army. The Neyhart estate was often filled with the tales of military exploits and the clinking of armor, as Ronnard frequently hosted fellow officers and dignitaries. However, it was Bernt's uncle, Cpt Arnold Neyhart Markum, who ignited his passion for the sea. The brother of Lord Ronnard, Cpt Arnold was a seasoned naval officer whose tales of maritime adventure captivated the young Bernt. The captain's influence was so profound that it steered Bernt away from a potential career in the army, much like his father and younger brother Reginald, and towards the allure of the ocean. Bernt's mother, Matilda, was a woman of refined tastes and education, ensuring that her sons were well-versed not only in the art of war but also in literature and diplomacy. Bernt grew up alongside his younger brother, Reginald, born in 1068 AV. The two were inseparable in their youth, often engaging in mock battles and strategic games that mimicked the military campaigns their father would discuss. While Reginald was drawn to the chivalric ideals and would later move to Althea Prone to serve as Kingsguard, Bernt found his calling in the vastness of the sea. At the age of 16, upon his uncle and father's recommendation, he enrolled in the Axton Naval Academy. It was here that he began to hone the skills that would later make him a formidable naval commander.

## Naval Career in the Althean Royal Navy

Bernt's early years at the Axton Naval Academy were marked by an unquenchable thirst for maritime knowledge and an innate ability to lead. His instructors quickly took note of his tactical acumen and his skill in naval warfare excersises. By the age of 23, his exceptional talents were rewarded with the captaincy of the galleon "The Black Vengeance." His first mission was a high-stakes campaign against the Great Fleet of Klans, who had been terrorizing the trade routes near the Aurem Coast. Under Neyhart's leadership, "The Black Vengeance" successfully ambushed and defeated a Klans flotilla, capturing valuable cargo and prisoners. This victory not only secured the trade routes but also established Neyhart as a rising star within the Royal Navy. His subsequent years were filled with numerous campaigns against both the Klans and the Confederation of Free Sailors (CFS). Neyhart's strategies often involved unconventional tactics, such as using fog and nightfall to his advantage, earning him a reputation for cunning and ruthlessness. However, despite his numerous victories and the accolades that came with them, Neyhart felt a growing sense of disillusionment. He believed that the Royal Navy was not fully utilizing his skills and that his contributions were being overshadowed by bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of vision from the higher-ups. This sense of underappreciation festered over time, leading him to consider other avenues where his expertise could be more adequately rewarded.

## Defection and Role in T&K Co

In the year 1116 AV, Bernt Neyhart found himself at a crossroads. Despite his illustrious career in the Althean Royal Navy, he felt increasingly marginalized and undervalued. It was at this juncture that Lord Josor Esbrandt, the owner and operator of T&K Co, extended an offer that Neyhart could not refuse. The offer included not only an immense salary but also the command of the Company Fleet and Army. After much contemplation, Neyhart made the fateful decision to defect. He returned The Black Vengeance to Althea Prone and formally submitted his resignation, an act that would have far-reaching implications. His defection was met with a mixture of shock and indignation within the Royal Navy, leading to the stripping of his noble titles and causing a diplomatic rift between the Kingdom of Althea and T&K Co.

Upon joining T&K Co, Neyhart quickly set about restructuring the Company Fleet and Army, implementing rigorous training programs and introducing new tactical doctrines. His first major operation was a counter-piracy campaign against the CFS. The operation was a resounding success, significantly reducing pirate attacks on T&K Co's trade routes and solidifying the company's maritime dominance. Neyhart's leadership skills and tactical brilliance were immediately recognized, earning him the respect and loyalty of his new subordinates. In addition to his overarching command responsibilities, Neyhart also took on the role of acting captain of the Industria, T&K Co's most powerful warship and flagship. Under his command, the Industria has become a symbol of T&K Co's maritime prowess, equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and navigational technology. His dual role as both the commander of the Company Fleet and Army and the acting captain of the Industria has made Neyhart an indispensable asset to T&K Co, further solidifying the company's formidable presence in Venthalia and beyond.

## Personal Life, Legacy, and Controversies

Cmdr Neyhart's personal life took a significant turn in 1108 AV when his father, Lord Ronnard, passed away. The Lordship of House Neyhart was passed on to Bernt, a responsibility he took seriously. However, his defection in 1116 AV led to the stripping of his noble titles, rendering House Neyhart functionally extinct. His younger brother, Reginald, had by then been knighted as Sir Reginald of the Kingsguard and thus could not hold noble titles either. Despite these setbacks, Neyhart's influence in the maritime and political landscape of Venthalia remains significant. His decision to join T&K Co has not only affected the balance of power in Venthalia but also left an indelible mark on the history of the continent. His legacy is one of tactical brilliance, but also of a man willing to defy convention to seek what he believes is his due.

Neyhart's defection remains a point of contention and has led to diplomatic tensions between T&K Co and the Kingdom of Althea. His decision has been both criticized and lauded, depending on one's perspective. Critics argue that his defection has given T&K Co an undue advantage, further tipping the balance of power in Venthalia. Others, however, see Neyhart as a pragmatist who took an opportunity to better utilize his skills and expertise. The controversy surrounding his defection has made him a polarizing figure, but what remains undeniable is the impact he has had on the maritime and political landscape of Venthalia.