Duke Odinel Poldern - the king in waiting

The duke owns a magical steel shield that has been an artifact of his House for generations.

Duke Odinel Poldern is the oldest son of the late Duke Poldern and his second wife, Lady Anissa. He has one other brother and three sisters, all of whom lived to adulthood. He grew up surrounded by family in Villa Poldern and on the bustling streets of Lys.   At 12, he was made a page to King Brenwell, and two years later, he was named as a squire to Duke Tepest. From the duke, he learned the martial arts. There is a rumor that Odinel, at 17, secretly joined a mercenary troop and campaigned for a summer, fighting against other such bands of sellswords. While no one has offered any proof of this, the rumor has persisted. When asked about it, Duke Odinel just smiles and shrugs.   At 18, he was knighted in a grand summer ceremony by King Brenwell and made a Knight of the Rose, which he remained until the death of his father many years later. From 18 until his late twenties, Odinel participated in competitive jousting tournaments, making a name for himself and winning many of them.   At 27, he married Lady Imalla of Caer Dimlas from Carador. They have three children together. At 33, upon the death of his father, Odinel became the Duke of Canfidelia. As duke, he has regularly fueded with House Essenkoff, trading both verbal barbs in the halls of power and arrows on the battlefield with mercenary companies.   As King Brenwell grew more frail, Duke Poldern began been staying close to Lys and the palace, strengthening relationships with the power brokers in the capital. He also reached out to members of the so-called Gold faction, to discuss the future of the kingdom.   After the king's death on 23rd Windenrane, Duke Poldern joined all other dukes and duchesses in the first ever Conclave of Rosalind to select a new monarch.  Duke Poldern announced himself a candidate, surprizing no one.  After much politicking in the Great Hall of the palace, Duke Poldern won a majority of support in the first vote; however, before his win could be ratified, emissaries from Osseus, claiming to represent the Wraith King and declared him a candidate as the last existing member of the Pollux Royal Family, another ound of politicking and votes were taken.  Duke Poldern again received enough support to be elected king on this new ballot.  His coronation has not yet been scheduled.

meum est onus defendere - "mine is the burden to defend"  Motto of House Poldern

House Poldern was one of the founding great families of Rosalind, and Duke Odinel does not take that lightly.  The Poldern family has served as trusted counselors to kings, generals, even brides.  Given how close his House has been to the Rose Throne, Duke Odinel believes that he would be best to don the crown.  He is aware that Duchess Ingran is also seeking the throne, but as she is a childless widow, he does not view her as a serious threat.

Duke Poldern was part of the so-called "Green Faction", a political alliance of duchies that includes the Houses of Tepest, Lucherto, and Warrender. At court, the Green Faction tends to advocate for the more sedate (some say conservative) path in political affairs. Presently, Duke Poldern is encouraging his allies to support him for eventual king upon the death of King Brenwell. Tepest and Warrender have given him tepid support, but Lucherto has remained silent "out of respect for the king."

Duke Ordinel faithfully attends the Church of Raya Invicta, but both he and his family fund a chapel to St. Soteria, the godling of protection and defense.  He also celebrates the feast days of Astoria, known as St. Astor.