Freier der Jäger (Fry-air Dare Yay-gurr)
Deputy Knight of the Order
Freier der Jäger (25 - 79 AU) was an Imperial war hero and Deputy Knight of the Order of the Red Maple during the First Sevnóni Rebellion. He personally led the second Imperial army into Sevnónicha to help crush the rebellion's western front and restore order to the region. Freier is also known for the founding of the Order's cavalry regiment, the Rote Kavaller, in order to capitalize on the abundance of undisciplined rebel infantry. Imperial records state that Freier was captured (and subsequently executed) by rebel forces under the command of Yarosev Zakharovich in late 79 AU. However, deep in the Order's library are the diaries of Tellot das Langlebige, the first Elven Deputy Knight and Freier's successor, which tell a different story (See below).
History
Early Life & Career
Freier der Jäger was born in Northwythian city of Berstrum in the summer of 25 AU, and was a zealous supporter of the Empire from an early age. He was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Red Maple as a squire, and by the age of 23 was granted Knighthood alongside full membership into the Order. His first post was that of a Steward under the Deputy Knight Adelbert der Hand, whom the young Freier had greatly admired since childhood. Upon the latter's death 14 years later, Freier was elected to take up his late mentor's position of leadership within the Order. Receiving orders directly from the Emperor himself, Freier proudly served as Deputy Knight for over a decade. His greatest challenge, and the events that landed his name in the annals of history, came on the coattails of the First Sevnóni Rebellion.First Sevnóni Rebellion
Freier and the Order played no part in the Rebellion until 74 AU, at which point the conflict had been raging for two years with no end in sight. Personally given command of an entire Imperial army by the Emperor and with the whole of the Order at his beck and call, Freier landed on the shores of Sevnónicha near Półnezka-na-morze and began cutting a path through the rebel's defenses. While similar tactics had been proven logistically sound against the Sinopans some years earlier, they proved ineffective against the Sevnóni. Additionally, the Deputy Knight quickly noticed the shockingly-high mortality rates amongst his own Red Maple knights, who seemed to be targeted specifically by their opponents for their reputation as fiercesome fighters. With the Emperor expressing his discontent with the lack of progress and facing the prospect of the Order's collapse via lack of able-bodied knights, Freier began to study the faith and culture of the Sevnóni for any insight into their weaknesses. Learning of Myrnovera and the vital role faith played in Sevnóni society, Freier began targeting Sevnóni religious sites, shrines devoted to Myrvûs, and high-ranking religious figures. Furthermore, he had the newly-created Rote Kavaller ride throughout the western countryside, burning and looting any temples and holy sites they could find. While some of these sacred sites were too well hidden or guarded for Freier to sack them all, many ancient temples and idols in western Sevnónicha were looted or put to the torch. Within months, Freier became an infamous figure amongst the Sevnóni and a hero within the Empire.Rebirth
After years of waging war against the Sevnóni, Freier became more and more enlightened into their culture, even bringing some prisoners on as close advisors. This put a sour taste in many members of the Order, since for the past years they had watched their friends either be hacked apart by Sevnóni warriors or blown a part by Sevnóni mages. Even Freiers personal guards which included Tellot das Langlebige began to question his decisions. Freier pressed on with his studies, but his real change began when he and the Rote Kavaller led a raid on a Sevnóni village, cutting down women and children alike. The war had surpassed pitched battles, and civilian casualties were piling up the longer the conflict continued. It was during this raid that a great storm began to rise on the horizon, almost watching Freier from the distance. When he was returning with the Rote Kavaller on the road, lightning struck down from the heavens so strongly, it knocked down the men from horses, and struck down most of the Rote Kavaller into an early grave. Freier later claimed that he saw Myrvûs himself emerge from the clouds and struck Freier not with lightning, but with words which stung his heart. What Freier actually saw is debatable, but one thing for sure is that the experience changed him.Death
Freier became disillusioned with the war, spending days in his tent muttering things to himself. Weeks passed and he ordered the freedom of all the Sevnóni prisoners they had. After months of this behavior Freier led the army to engage one of the few remaining Sevnóni forces, but scouted ahead with his personal guards of Order Knights. Upon seeing the camp of Sevnóni in the distance, Freier admitted to his companions that he had been shown the error of their ways, and he intended on surrendering the entire army, along with himself to the Sevnóni. According to Tellot, he told them because they were his friends and this was his way of giving them a choice to surrender with him or turn back. Tellot and the others instead drew their swords. Tellot does not describe the ensuing conflict in detail, but does write on how before falling, Freier slew three of his guards. His last reported words were "May Myrvûs forgive my sins". Freier's guards would lie about his death, saying he died by a Sevnóni ambush. Tellot would take control as acting Deputy Knight until the end of the war.
Species
Ethnicity
Life
25 AU
79 AU
54 years old
Children
Gender
Male
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations