As the ninth in line to rule, and son of the Seventh Prince, Minastir grew up knowing that he would be unlikely to be called to rule. Therefore, he has devoted himself to a military life. He rose quickly through the ranks and is very happy in his first independent command. The Argond Balost is the only real Cardolani fortress on the Arthedain border, and as his bastion he devotedly spends much time there, otherwise he spends his days with his kin in the Tharbad. Minastir has terminated his predecessors' policy of remaining on the north bank of the Baranduin and thus out of Rhudaur; he is willing to lead his cavalry down across Sarn Ford at the merest rumor of bandits menacing the North Road. This has done a great deal to improve order in central Cardolan, and several of the local Irnil have pledged thier levies to his cause should he need. Minastir is unmarried in middle age, keeps a sparse household, and prefers half-plate with ranger's garb overtop when not in battle. His height is not unusual for one of royal blood, but he also has light skin and coarse hair. His unusual appearance caused much unfortunate and false gossip when he was a baby. He is a man of manners who is respected by his soldiers and fast becoming a hero to the local peasants. He holds a singular dislike for his father Veärnil and brother Echerion, the former for his weakness and the latter for his blindness. To Minastir, they symbolize the amorality, pettiness, and fragility that plague Cardolan and Arnor as a whole.
 

1432 T.A.

Following his soft support of the rebellion by Ruling Prince Araphor, Ninth Prince Minastír has lived in exile in the Balost, making of show of his defence to ensure his loyalties are never questioned, yet all know where his pursue strings led to in the years just following the victory at Carn-Dûm.