Abelhelm van Hal: The Hunter Count of Stirland. Died during the Battle of Drakenhof around the end of 2476 IC to skeletons. Beloved and honored by the people for reclaiming the Haunted Hills, they named it the Hunter's Hills after him. Atypical Witch Hunter from the same bloodline that spawned the great necromancer Van Hal, he was an absolute combat monster and a very book learned individual. Gave the Liber Mortis to Mathilde. Roswita succeeded him as EC.
Anton Kiesinger II: Former Diplomat to Abelhelm and the Baron of Blutdorf for all intents and purposes as his father is settling down to retire. Gregarious, honest, kind and very likable, he's so nonthreatening that he achieves diplomatic miracles on the regular. Solved the Flensburg problem, hired Asarnil, negotiated outrageous trade deals, and he's currently sitting on both a Crossbow and Gun factory in his province, dominating Stirland's ranged weapon construction. Considers Mathilde his little sister. His aunt was a Jade Wizard who died in service. Recently adopted Anton III as his heir and decided marriage was not for him, even if he enjoys Reinhild's company.
Anton Kiesinger III: Anton II's first cousin twice removed and currently his adopted son. 14 year old former ensign in the First Imperial Navy in Altdorf. Always puts his best effort at everything and a generally serious and diligent person. It was his idea to name himself Anton.
Anton Kiesinger I: Anton's father and the former Baron of Blutdorf, boisterous, jolly and energetic old man who is dedicating his twilight years to terrorizing the animals of the Nattern Forest. Currently suffering from forgetfulness and possible dementia in his older age.
Wilhelmina Hochschild: Governor of the EIC and Abelhelms former steward. Ambitious, dedicated and laser focused women who desires above all else to change the landscape and improve Stirland's lot and the Empire as a whole, and can be somewhat morally dubious as a result. Getting into her sixties and worried about inheritance as her sons are incompetent and her grandchild was just admitted to the Grey College.
Kasmir Heinz: The Piety Advisor of Elector Count Abelhelm Van Hal and later Elector Countess Roswita Van Hal, Kasmir is a Sigmarite Warrior Priest instituted as Chaplain as a bargaining chip by the Grand Theogonist, and a former zealot. He did not necessarily hate the other faiths, but he was completely ignorant about their practices and only ever focused on Sigmarites, which led to some serious backlash when that very flaw resulted in infiltrators and an Army that lacked Morrite, Shallyan and Ulrican priests because he chose not to recruit them. After receiving one hell of a wake up call, Kasmir resolved himself to do better and began paying attention to other priests, but this change of heart was only further advanced by the Grand Theogonist's failure to supply support to the Sylvanian campaign and his own failure to save Abelhelm from the clutches of death. Kasmir left his post in Wurtbad and wandered Sylvania, rebuilding the homes of those who lose their houses in the Fire District of Drakenhof, healing the wounded and fighting the undead of the land. This reinforced his battered faith when he found that his divine energies could still be harnessed, and he later found himself determined to restore the faiths of the Sylvanians who had lost all hope in the Empire's gods, so they wouldn't fall to Vampires again. He was convinced to become Roswita's Chaplain by Mathilde, and his relationship with Mathilde is somewhat complicated to say the least.
Kasmir's goal is to interface with the old faiths of Sylvania instead of enforcing his own on people who have no reason to accept it. As such, he has come across the mystery of the bogs, swamps and fens that the Fennones, the previous inhabitants of Sylvania, worshipped. Despite accuracies in regards to the names, Hel Fenn, Grim Moor and Dark Moor are named as such, and Manhavok, a god of floods, is still widely worshipped in Stirland in areas that don't need to appease him. Kasmir seems to have succeeded in reviving the old faiths, with the installation of the Council of Manhorak as heads of the Barony of Mikalsdorf. This council consists of Manhorak and his sons: Darmorak, Grimorak, Bylorak and Fennorak.
Abbot Ionel: Abbot Ionel is the High Priest of Darmorak, and thanks to Kasmir's efforts in establishing the Council of Manhorak, the Council has developed itself in monastic lines. As such, Ionel is the Abbot of Dark Moor. He is the representative of the Manhorak Council for the Drakenhof expedition. Of all of the Swamp Gods and locations of Sylvania, Mathilde knows the least of Dark Moor, other than it being the source of the headwaters of the River Templa connecting to the River Stir and being very close to Zhufbar and Drakenhof. "Abbot Ionel himself is a beardless man in his forties with kind eyes, long brown hair and a limp, who walks with the aid of a walking stick topped with an axe head and wears a long, curved dagger on his waist, both of which are made of a dull grey metal you'd guess to be bog iron. He's here as a demonstration of both authority and responsibility, and speaks of Vampires in general and Von Carsteins in particular with a quiet and tightly-controlled loathing."
Ionel seems to be quite knowledgable on the subject of Vampire dissection, as demonstrated by his butchering of a Varghulf. He has also stated that being close to the Drak gave him some measure of power, implying that perhaps the source of his power (Darmorak in Dark Moor) is perhaps connected to the Drak, likely through the headwaters, although he didn't elaborate. Ionel has some sort of Miracle that allowed him to transform the blood stored in Druthor (Strigoi)'s stomach into swamp water, and he possessed some odd glowing mossy substance that he rubbed on his wounds that he sustained. He refused healing from Mathilde, likely under the reason that the scars would prove his legitimacy as Darmorak's High Priest and provide influence to Manhorak's least known Son.
Detlef Shultz: Burgher and member of Talabeclands Masons and Architects guild. Abelhelm and later Roswita's "Learning" Advisor, dedicated to construction and fortifications, roads and buildings. He was inserted into the Stirland Council as part of a concession by Talabecland, and as such is dedicated to improve Talabecland's lot.
Professor De Verezzo: Professor Lucrezio de Verezzo was a head scholar of military history from the University of Altdorf, until proof of embezzlement on a massive scale from the University was found. He had been failing half his students, retroactively removing them from the University's ledgers, then pocketing the money that had been paid to the University for their education. But the entire issue was hushed up, and he had been placed firmly under the thumb of the Emperor's spymaster and sent to Stirland. Became Marshal and lied about recruitment numbers to embezzle Stirland's military fund and was summarily executed by Abelhelm as a result.
Gustav von Jungfreud: Proud noble Pistolier and Champion Outrider who doesn't take people questioning his ability very well. Stirland's Marshal under Abelhelm and later Roswita after Professor De Verezzo's execution. Excellent marksman and teacher, very interested in cavalry (especially light cavalry) and firearms, but kind of sucks at most forms of military leadership not related to his specialties. Taught Mathilde how to wield pistols.
Markus von Pfaffbach: Former Champion of Stirland's Greatswords. Died at the Battle of Drakenhof on a suicide charge alongside his Greatswords after failing to save Abelhelm. Trained Mathilde in Greatswording and his sword was one of the three in the EIC logo (the other two being Abelhelm and Mathilde).
Rolf: Son of the Headsman of Mathilde's little village that she owns (Weberanwesen). Steward of her estate who went all the way to Tarshof to learn numberin', but didn't pick up lettering to go with it so he makes pictorial keys on his ledgers. Reinvests the tax money into further improvements of the village, which for now is all about that Flint mine and graze lands. He has grown older and more confident since Mathilde's last visit, and now has a flock of his own and several children, one of whom is named Mathilde. Rolf has been investing in opportunities, primarily in acquiring Estalian Mayor sheep that have been transported from Estalia to Tilea to Averland, and attempting to breed them into the local population to improve the wool quality and intelligence of the local sheep. He is also interested in acquiring East Westerlander Sheep to improve local milk quality through crossbreeding. He has become the defacto authority of the village.
Top Walter: Denizen of Mathilde's fief. Lost an eye to a hawk that he later hunted down and sold its feathers. Satisfied with the result.
Wagners: Family in Mathilde's fief. Almost lost their youngest because they kept drinking from a stream they shouldn't have drunk from. They eventually saw sense and went a little further upstream.
Senns and Ankenbauers: Two families in Mathilde's fiefs that constantly feud with each other. They don't escalate beyond shouting and insulting each other's cheeses.
Roswita van Hal: Abelhelm Van Hal's eldest daughter, only a few years younger than Mathilde. Became Elector Countess after Abelhelm, and seemed to have been raised in a very Sigmarite upbringing related to the Witch Hunters, as her reign has them heavily involved in affairs. Graduated from the University of Altdorf through correspondence and made her thesis on Economic Warfare against Vampires, and put those theories to the test against the Vampires of Sylvania, which she has been determined to defeat. Her rule has mostly consisted of ignoring Stirland unless it's related to Sylvania, and focusing her efforts on purging the land of Vampires. Despite being Magic phobic, she has shown a real knack for handling Battle Wizards, and adapted Barak Varr marine techniques to her combat style. Roswita has finally succeeded in her goal of purging Sylvania.
Lucas von Salkalten: Ostlander Sigmarite Witch Hunter from Salkalten, paranoid and tight as a coiled spring. Roswita's Intrigue advisor, he seems as single minded as her, focused on Sylvania and allowing Julia under his control to spend some of her time to bolster her own family. Lost his arm and got a few scars since becoming advisor, and holds a strong enough connection to Sigmar to indicate to Mathilde that he can channel His Divine favor.
Rodebrecht Brennen: Roswita's Steward/economic advisor. An Exciseman who farmed out Western Stirland's taxing rights to the EIC (with strict limits and limitations) for a period of time to fund Roswita's efforts, and applied her theories to initiate economic warfare against the Vampires.
'Brother Slug': Roswita's former Chaplain, planted by the Grand Theogonist. Replaced by Kasmir through Mathilde's efforts. Mathilde holds a very low opinion of him, believing him to be dim through her magesight and seeing that he lacks Divine Magic. Kasmir stated that he would be a fine advisor in a province where politics mattered more than piety, but would be bad otherwise. Could translate Khazalid. Name never found out.
Johan: Illiterate carter with his horse Delilah. Part of the Carters and Coachmen Guild and assigned to cart out the tax ledgers and records of Stirland to an Asoborn burial mound.
Mihaela and Andrei: Drakenhof peasants tasked to infiltrate Eagle Castle and send information back to Drakenhof, and their families would be spared "all taxes". Under the control of the "Von Carsteins". Caught by Mathilde. Mihaela told Mathilde all the information she had in exchange for her execution to "prove" that she wouldn't give away info, so her family could be spared.
Captain Guion 'Lefty' Ragnier: A former Brettonnian peasant with a hook in place of his left hand and an eyepatch covering whatever happened to his left eye. Very suspicious and hostile of Mathilde, resigned immediately after she restructured the Watch.
Jack Albright: Originally a Marienburger career thief who caught too much heat and had to leave for the Empire. Very good at what he does, he is charismatic, skilled and possesses strong morals. Convinced by Mathilde to act as Captain of the Stirland Watch under her command but left after command switched hands to Lucas.
Julia Antoinette Massif: Third child of the Grand Mayor of Flensburg and managed Mathilde's Spy network in Stirland under Mathilde and now under Lucas. Ambitious and desires to see Stirland as a nexus of trade in the Old World. While Lucas is busy with Sylvania, she's using her network to benefit herself and her family on the side.
Wilhelm von Tarshof: Spymaster of Stirland before Mathilde, one of the masterminds behind the Stirland League that dominated the Old Dwarf Road. Corrupt trader who would assassinate rivals if needed, he leeched off the resources of his position and left after the death of the Haupt Anderssens. Still at large, as he left his estates in Stirland before the shut down of the Stirland League and Mathilde did not pursue him.
Alberich Haupt-Anderssen: The last of the Haupt-Anderssens, the Elector Count before Abelhelm. He got so desperate that he performed some sort of ritual involving summoning daemons that did not go so well for him, but resulted in the East Wing of Eagle Castle being closed off so the energies would settle down over the years. It turns out that the ritual was not to summon Daemons, but to teleport himself into the Aethyr and dedicate himself to the Chaos Gods, and he succeeded. Thanks to the testimonial of an accomplice with Magesight who witnessed the ritual, his right arm was mutated to become oversized, one of his eyes became pure white and he developed the Slaaneshi Gift of Musk giving him an alluring scent, indicating that Alberich dedicated himself to Slaanesh.
Even back during his reign before he became a Magus he was self obsessed, proud and with a short temper and an utter hatred of being disregarded, allowing him to easily slot into the Vainglory aspect of Slaanesh's Six Deadly Seductions. He cared less for his family and more about himself, and after teleporting into the Aethyr, he returned 18 years later to take "revenge" on the Unfahigers who he might have believed were involved in his family's murders, but in actuality he was performing a twisted Ritual of Dedication to cut his ties to the mortal realm and dedicate himself to the Chaos Gods. The ritual involved performing over the top recreations of his family's deaths on eight members of the Unfahigers, now the Krieglitz, following a pattern that followed the time between each of his family members' deaths, except in months instead of years. Doing so would have empowered him greatly. Mathilde discovered his attempt, tracked him down and killed him to prevent the Empress, a supposed Haupt-Anderssen, from being brought under scrutiny and to steal credit away from Alric, who is attempting to regain his position as Supreme Patriarch of the Light Order. Meta Spoilers:
Boney heavily implied that he was one of the Everchosen candidates, and the level of support from his patron clearly indicates this
Petr von Stolpe: Former Count of Leicheberg. He was in league with the Stirland League, and believed his status as a noble from an old bloodline meant he would be immune to consequences. Executed.
Maksim von Stolpe: Petr's younger brother and the current Count of Leicheberg. Very eager to please and in fact quite grateful to gain his current position. Satisfied with Leicheberg's expansion as a result of Fort Redemption and the Leicheberg-Langwald road boosting trade.
Wolf: Seemingly younger than Heideck but still an older man, a taller and slimmer Nordlander. Irreverant and lighthearted, willing to make bawdy jokes and lighten the mood at his partner's expense. Priest of Ranald and Heideck's partner in crime, used to work with him in the Wurtbad Thieves' Guild. Seemed to be able to channel Ranald's divine energies during the purificaiton of the idol of Stormfels. Unfortunately, the upper half of his body was obliterated, resulting in his death. The bright side is that "most people end up in debt to Ranald, but few end up with Ranald in debt to them", so he's probably having a good time in Ranald Heaven. Wolf the familiar is named after him, and a Wolf shrine in honor to his deeds was built on Mathilde's Estate.
Heideck: Short and stocky Averlander, an older man who serves as a Priest of Ranald and Wolf's partner in crime. Current head of the Wurtbad Thieves' Guild, more of a social club and church group than a complex organisation. His service to Ranald is to "pay back" all the support he got in his endeavours, and both he and Wolf seemed able to channel the energies of Ranald to banish an Idol of Stormfels' influence. The more serious foil to the butt of the joke in your standard slapstick comedy duo, but lost his partner several years ago so really a coin with one side.
Innkeeper: A harried innkeeper in Wurtbad who offered Mathilde an outbuilding to use as a residence, not knowing it held the Sunken Palace, as long as the Watch would ignore the Still she kept. Mathilde befriended her and she was delighted to offer her support and information as long as Mathilde saved her from liquor excises and supported her against people wanting protection money.
Master Engineer Otto of Nuln: One of the candidates offered by the Imperial Spymaster as an apology for De Verezzo. Otto endangered his chances at tenure to volunteer to be Stirland's Marshal. Mad genius, minitarized the bird bomb, made a greatgreatcanon, and tried to replicate the Dwarf Gyrocopter and ended up with a balista that shoots giant spinning blades.
Berthold: Sir Berthold of the Order of the Hammer of Sigmar. Not much information on him specifically, but the group he's associated with forces people to recite Sigmar strictures and beats them up if they're wrong. If they worship other gods, they beat them up harder. One of the Marshal candidates that was not chosen.
Jacques Seingalt: Doctor, Duelist and leader of men. Former Guard Captain of Steinbachthal and was involved in an affair with the Count's Eldest daughter, ousted from his position thanks to gossip from Julia. Excellent horseman. The candidate for Captain of the Stirland Watch that was not chosen.
Codrin Petrescu: Name means "In the forest, Son of my privates". True name unknown, Codrin is a Sylvanian Morrite who is part of the Tilean Order known as the Fellowship of the Shroud, Morrite Templars that seek to eradicate the undead by any means necessary, using a mixture of science, alchemy and occultism to achieve their goals. Considered a radical sect, they are heavily mistrusted by other Morrites due to the Fellowship's encouragement of cremation, which is blasphemy to the Morrites who prefer Gardens in all but the most deperate of circumstances. Gained the respect of his fellow Sylvanians and Stirlanders and acted as their leader during the Karak Eight Peaks Expedition, and simply disappeared afterwards. Apparently he was working to eliminate the Vampire bloodlines of Sylvania and needed a place to lay low for a while. Codrin being a divine caster is speculation, for Mathilde only mentioned that he had "a faint hint of Morr about him", but it is likely that he has some degree of ability in that sense.
Countess Gabriella Von Nachtafen/Bundebad: Lahmian Vampire who was part of the Lahmian conspiracy that controlled much of Sylvania. She was usurped by 'Heidi' who disguised herself as a servant and stole her position, pretending to be her for 13 years. She was revived right before the Witch Hunters came knocking down her doors after being tipped off.
Dame Sofia Hoffman: Altdorf noble involved in the Lahmian conspiracy. Didn't know what she was getting into at first. Revealed all the information she knew to Mathilde before Mathilde killed her.
Countess Von Carstein: Claims that she is the inheritor of the Von Carstein legacy and ruled from Castle Drakenhof. Imposed "taxes" on the citizenry by holding their families hostage and forcing them to serve as spies with a Dhar Matrix inside them that would turn them into vicious undead in an instant if they were exposed or not checked in on for a time. Presumably killed by cannon during the Siege of Castle Drakenhof.
Singing King: Strigoi Ghoul King who inhabited a valley in the central Haunted Hills. Muscled and powerful vampire who led an army of Ghouls and rode a Fell Bat the size of a dragon. Named for his long wordless cries that would direct his troops. Defeated in the fortress of Fang Island in the Ghoul Woods by a combination of Divine Light by Kasmir and Burning Shadows by Mathilde, granting her the title of Sangerkritisch. His skull remains on Mathilde's shelf.
Alkharad: Ancient Necharch Vampire wearing the clothes and trappings of Altdorf Nobility that was fashionable during the Age of Three Emperors. Master Necromancer who had control over Teufelheim next to the Tangled Woods in Sylvania. Performed a number of experiments and research, and after Countess von Carstein's death built a "College of Necromancy" and began recruiting students to teach the art to. Attempted to assassinate Roswita ever since she began interfering with his experiments, and was killed by Mathilde in close combat. His skull lines her shelf.
Ioana: Lahmian Vampire in control over the County of Waldenhof. More powerful than Mihnea and in an off again on again relationship with him. Currently being sieged by Roswita's forces with her trade revenue cut. Stronger forces as a result of cannibalising Mihnea's forces. Never got the handle on animal summoning, so she summons them before a fight instead of during, hoping to scare people away instead of getting into confrontations. According to Gustav, either Mihnea or Ioana has fled to the swamp and is being pursued by half of Sylvania's Battle Wizards. Considering the other is decorating Roswita's mantlepiece, it's likely the more competent one is the one who's done that.
Mihnea: Lahmian Vampire in control over the Barony of Mikalsdorf. Lacks magical ability and tried to supplement it with shoddy magical artifacts that Mathilde destroyed. In a more precarious position than Ioana, but his stronghold is protected by defensible wetlands so Roswita resorted to performing a siege. Trade revenue cut by Roswita. According to Gustav Jungfreud, one of either Ioana or Mihnea is decorating Roswita's mantlepiece, and Mihnea is the more likely individual.
Druthor: A Strigoi Ghoul King who took up the ruins of Castle Drakenhof as his lair alongside his not-fully-grown Terrorgheist who he likely fed some blood to in order to create a pact. He possessed a nest that contained a bunch of Ghouls and seemed to share it with an unnamed Varghulf. Druthor's lair was infiltrated while he was out on a hunt and his Ghouls were scattered, his Varghulf companion slain and butchered, and then ambushed as he was coming back by Mathilde's mining expedition. His Terrorgheist died and his skull was claimed. He possessed a weakness to Ithilmar, relatively rare.
Reinhild Gerber: Imperial Gunnery School of Nuln graduate. Redhead with cropped hair, a missing ear and a patent on a repeating rifle possibly inspired by Dwarven revolvers. One of Anton's possible suitors, she was perfectly fine being his friend and engineering partner, providing the basis for the Gerber-Kiesinger Rifle that was later modified by Anton's knowledge from Gotri and advice from a Zhufbar Grandmaster Engineer. Close friends with Anton, to a physical degree, although neither desire to marry. Whether their relationship is romantic or platonic with benefits is unknown.
Stefanie Krebs: Baron of Marburg's Niece. One of Anton's possible suitors that he rejected.
Cordula von Halstedt: Count of Halstedt's daughter. One of Anton's prospective suitors that he rejected. Was maneuvered by Anton into signing an incredibly favorable trade contract that allowed free passage for EIC wagons through the Moot road that led to her being recalled to her father's side.
Countess Petra Harden of Wolfsbach: Former "Countess of Flensburg" who had frequent disagreements with the Mayor of Flensburg due to her desire to have the city as her County's capital. Mollified when she was offered Wolfsbach by Anton, she formed the Western Stirland Riverine Company with Artur von Treitschke by marrying her daughter to Artur's third son. This company was joined with the EIC after Roswita sold her share of the company to Franzen and Wolfsbach, giving the EIC total dominance over South-North trade in Western Stirland.
Lord Mayor Emil von Flensburg: Julia's father. Had disagreements with Countess Harden over Flensburg.
Count Artur von Treitschke of Franzen: Count of Franze, had plans of competing with the Stirland League that were interrupted with a knife in the back of his trade partner the Baron of Purgg, and only after the Stirland League was taken down did he rethink his operations. Formed the Western Stirland Riverine Company with Countess Harden and later joined with the EIC.
Count Erich von Halstedt: Count of the Central Stirland region controlling the Moot Road.
Count Tristan Haupt of Steinbachthal
Baron Immanuel Krebs of Marburg
Count Robert Toppenheimer of Hornau
Countess Alexandra von Munsterburg of Sigmaringen
Grand Mayor Victor van Grissenwald of Schramleben
Nyklaus: A minor noble rumored to hold interest in taking up Roswita's offer to serve as Markgraf of Sylvania. Name holds some resemblance to
Count Noctilus' old name, but that could be a coincidence. Canonical timeline note: Nyklaus becomes Noctilus after Karl Franz becomes Emperor. DL Note: Horstmann is evil in canon, so don't take it for granted that Nyklaus is the same man.
Ermanrich:One of Anton's guards.
Wilbert: One of Anton's servants.
