Morthen Londbert

Morthen Londbert or Morthen of Myrrbaria was the Count of Myrrbaria and Head of House Londbert from 721 (the abdication of his father) to 761 (his own death) and the younger brother of King Bryant I of Etrand. He was also the Marshal of Etrand from 722 until 752.

Birth, education and guardianship
Morthen was born on 711.72800493321, as the second son of Kymbern Londbert and Rióna Osrikiana. Early in his childhood, it was noticed that he was much more content that his ambitious older brother Ladislaus, and that the brothers had a bond with each other, loving to play together. Their father Kymbern has made it clear from the start that he intended Ladislaus to inherit and Morthen to become his bodyguard. As such, while Ladislaus was sent to Grandfolk to learn economics, administration and law, Morthen was sent to Steelhelm to be educated by the Osrikings in the art of war, "letting the North make a real man out of him".

Young Morthen was brought to the north in 698, when he was 7 years old. Five years later, in 703, Morthen and Ladislaus were recalled to their father's estate with three objects: to make the brothers exchange knowledge between each other and rekindle their brotherly bond, and to give their father Kymbern some time to pass down some of his knowledge to his children as well. Two years later, Ladislaus returned to Grandfolk and Morthen returned to Steelhelm, starting a long exchange of letters between the brothers. In 708, while the 21-year old Ladislaus was graduating from the royal academy, the 17-year old Morthen became one of Margrave Offa's bodyguards, personally accompanying him to almost everywhere. Just like his father before him, Morthen's mannerisms, style and tastes were altered beyond recognition by the north's influence - he was so assimilated by the North, that he spoke the Northern Etrandish dialect and used the Guttural R.

When Ladislaus was appointed to the governorship of the Dwarven lands, he stayed in Steelhelm for a day to rest, dining with his brother Morthen. Morthen was offered by Offa a chance to be relieved of his duties as his personal bodyguard so that he could join his older brother, but Morthen rejected the offer, reasoning that until his father commanded otherwise, Steelhelm would be his home and the Osrikings would be his people. Once again separated from his brother, the two began communicating with letters once again. Morthen also grew very close to Offa, who almost treated him like his own son.

In 717, when Ladislaus was placed under house arrest, Morthen was highly tempted to protest and demand for his brother to be pardoned, but he remained silent out of loyalty to Margrave Offa, who was loyal to the king.

Succession War
Not too long before the succession war broke out, Morthen was redelegated from being one of Offa's bodyguards to being one of the designated commanders of his army. This decision most likely ended up saving Morthen's life, as Offa and his bodyguards were slain in the Battle of the Twin Hills - during the battle, Morthen was given command of light cavalry. Initially, he wanted to ride to Offa's aid when he saw him and his men being butchered by hired mercenaries, but when he saw from afar that it was too late and the battle was clearly lost, Morthen retreated with his own men, rallying the remaining intact Osriking forces and making an organized retreat towards the far north.

Successfully having retreated to the far north, Morthen and his Osriking friends were greeted by confused Dwarves who initially wanted to remain neutral during the civil war, but once hearing that Morthen was Ladislaus's younger brother, immediately decided to throw in their bets to the loyalists. Ladislaus was freed from his house arrest, and the two brothers were reunited once again, uniting their forces for the greater good. While Ladislaus rallied support from the Dwarves, Morthen became his second in command and the one who secured his alliance with the Osrikings.

Armed with dwarven steel, gnomish flamethrowers and dragon golems, a mixed army of Dwarven Militias, Osriking bannermen and a growing number of northern nobles with loyalist sentiments began marching south towards to take Steelhelm. It is said that their army even included one or two dragons as well, paid with gemstones and gold, scaring away the small garrison the foolish rebels had left in Steelhelm. Steelhelm was taken with a minimal amount of bloodshed.

The retaking of Steelhelm had the effect of swaying the everyone associated with the Osrikings to join Ladislaus's cause, who was at time known as Bryant. The brothers would win the Battle of Morshu's Mill together and would campaign together until the retaking of Grandfolk. Afterwards, Ladislaus marched east to beat the ones who were besieging Yrvhaven, Morthen was asked with the task of cleaning up the south, which is the time he got reunited with his father Kymbern, bringing him with himself to Grandfolk to celebrate the victory once Ladislaus returned.

Count of Myrrbaria and Marshal of Etrand
After his older brother Ladislaus - now known as King Bryant - won the civil war for Queen Mythela, who became his wife, Morthen had to face crossroads. Bryant renounced his status as Kymbern's heir to the County of Myrrbaria, which made Morthen the new heir. Morthen was at crossroads, knowing that it's physically impossible to be at three places at one time: he couldn't return to the North which he called home while being at his brother's side in his court in Grandfolk while also returning to his father's estate.

Bryant wanted to name his brother his marshal, but Morthen politely refused the offer, choosing to return to his ageing father's estate, occasionally travelling to Grandfolk and Steelhelm to visit his brother and his Osriking friends. In 721, Morthen got married, taking the hand of a commoner girl named Lína Arrahert, who would bear three children for him. In the same year, his father Kymbern abdicated the county to Morthen, and travelled to Grandfolk, where he would spend his last five years receiving royal healthcare.

During those five years, Morthen would often spend even weeks or months in the royal court in Grandfolk with his brother and father, leaving control of the estate to his steward. In 722, he finally accepted Ladislaus's offer of marshallship, becoming the Marshal of Etrand until 752, "ruling his estate from a distance". All of his children would be born in Grandfolk as well, although they would spend a lot of time in the family estate.

In 733, it was Morthen who led the royal army against the rebels during Aederik's Revoultion (also known as False King's War). During the Battle of Mitrid Plains, Morthen was wounded, and afterwards fell victim to hypothermia - in his effort to wipe out what remained of the rebels, he and his soldiers relentlessly pursued them despite the harsh conditions. Citing health reasons, Morthen was given a one-year leave - which he spent in his estate, the County of Myrrbaria, with his family - and during that time, a deputy marshal was appointed.

One year later, he returned to the royal court - together with his family - and resumed his service as marshal.

In 744, King Bryant died, and there was scheming regarding the succession: Bryant's widow Queen Mythela briefly and temporarily took power, but only to ensure that Cairbré takes the crown instead of Eurenic. Morthen remained neutral during these small conflicts revolving around the crown. Despite his neutrality and refusal to commit to any sides, King Cairbré treated him kindly, rewarding Morthen for his services to Bryant and the country with the highest of honours - including but not limited to the honorary title of Sword of North and South (which all of his direct line of successors would be permitted to bear) - and plenty of gifts for both him and his children.

Morthen would remain the Marshal of Etrand until 752, when he finally retired, citing his advanced age as the reason. Nevertheless, even having returned to his estate, he never became its de facto controller again: his oldest son Alberic became the de facto count, while Morthen remained the de jure count until his death on 784.29580855942. It is said that he died of natural causes.