Frederick Tempest

Grand Duke of Silverymoon. He is 60 years old. He is currently training his eldest son to be the next Grand Duke. His eldest son is named Artin Tempest.

Frederick has ruled the Grand Duchy of Silverymoon for nearly 30 years now. He came to the throne succeeding his father, Leonard Tempest, the Iron Duke. Under Frederick's care, the duchy has prospered and flourished, and his reign hasn't seen any serious setbacks since the troubled times of ten years ago, which fortunately didn't touch the duchy too closely. Now, as Frederick approaches an even more advanced age, the greatest challenge of his reign still lies ahead: the orcs of the north, once again raising their heads after decades of quiet.
So far, Frederick has successfully sealed off all routes into the duchy and the heartlands of the Silver Marches, and Silverymoon's knights have valiantly defended the borders. The growing threat, however, has given new life to Frederick's lifelong wish.

Frederick's lifelong wish is to become King of the Silver Marches, and to leave a thriving kingdom for his son to inherit. Toward this goal, he has liberally spent Silverymoon's funds to advance the agenda. Now the goal is closer than ever.

The other realms of the north have sworn an oath of loyalty to Frederick, and Frederick will be crowned king in the spring of 1367. In exchange, the realms have agreed to mutual defense and the protection of trade routes. Silverymoon takes primary responsibility for defending the whole north and funds it, and the other cities provide their soldiers for its use.

Everlund's Kayl Moorwalker admires Frederick's long noble lineage, and dreams of comfortable retirement years in his own barony, away from the great city's backstabbers. Kayl is a supporter of the new kingdom through and through.

Sundabar's ruler and Grand Master of the Ikuisen Tulen ritarikunta, Sibrand, will also swear an oath of loyalty to Frederick. In exchange, he wants the new kingdom's support to destroy the fortress of Many-Arrows. Sibrand sees the Kingdom of the Silver Marches as the only way to survive the danger posed by Obould, since Sundabar alone can only hold back Obould's orcs.

Adbar's ruler, Harbromm, very reluctantly supports the new kingdom. He faces harsh internal pressure to support Frederick. Personally, Harbromm could hardly care less what happens to humans, and with age he has grown ever more stubborn. But the new rising generation, Emerus Warcrown foremost among them, and his supporters have managed to pressure Harbromm, since he needs their support on many other matters. Without their support, Harbromm's own power would shake at its foundations, since his own sons have not shown themselves fit to lead Adbar in the future.

Frederick is gentle, good-natured, and noble. So far he has succeeded in ruling and getting along with almost everyone. Where others would have had to pick a side to gain allies, Frederick has managed to earn respect from all, and has never had to ally against any of his friends to rule his duchy. Frederick leads his family the same way.

Frederick wants his duchy to grow and strengthen. He wants nothing so much as building and developing the Duchy of Silverymoon toward the future. Gaining the kingdom is one goal that enables this, and the cherry on top.

Frederick's strategy: Build, don't conquer. Frederick learned this important skill from his father, and he in turn tries to teach his son the same ways. The most important thing to him is to be fair. When needed, he can also be hard.

Save, don't waste. Frederick tries to preserve his advantage by saving his duchy's strength for a rainy day. It may be needed soon.

Encourage loyalty, even when they don't do as you wish.

Don't crush heroes: make heroes. Many would be envious if their subjects shone in the spotlight. Frederick, however, also publicly elevates the right heroes onto a pedestal, and his subjects in turn want to serve Frederick with ever greater passion, because they feel they have an excellent ruler.

Friends can be more useful than allies.

Frederick has by no means done everything flawlessly. He could develop his duchy somewhat faster if he used funds more actively or asked other duchies for more help. Without allies, Silverymoon also cannot defeat the northern orcs alone.

At the coronation ceremony in spring 1367, the rulers of all the cities will swear a public oath of loyalty to Frederick, and Frederick in turn will confirm each of their positions.

The greatest concern at the moment is the orcs of the north, of whom, according to accumulated reports, there are truly enormous numbers, and they will before long come pouring down from the mountains to the south.

Council:
Frederick Tempest, Grand Duke
Artin Tempest, Baron of High Hold, Prince
Wulfrun Drumhurst, Baron of Rivermoot
Aedan Talbot, Baron of Khelb
Rolar Copeland, Baron of Rimehill
Henry Harper, Baron of Saltrun
Camryn Hebert, Baron of Deerwater

Cristofur, Master of the Watchful Order
Anselet, the Grand Duke's Chancellor
Oddo Stouthair, Commander-in-Chief of the army

The council's task is to ratify or reject the political decisions made by the Grand Duke

Baron / Duke / Liege-Lord

• The ruler exercising supreme authority over a fief
• Often hereditary

Chamberlain

• In practice, responsible for the fief's expenses

Chancellor

• Head of the fief's archives. All official decrees and other legal documents published in the fief are drawn up in his office. Documents are authenticated with the fief's official seal.

Treasurer

• Responsible for collecting the fief's funds. Local liege-lords deliver to him the taxes collected in the villages. All legal matters related to taxation also fall under him.

Seal-Keeper

• Simply responsible for the fief's official seal alone, and carries it with him at all times.

Wardrobe-Keeper

• Travels with the liege-lord and is responsible for the liege-lord's personal expenses.