Eltmar Tiller

  Eltmar Tiller is the ambitious Margrave of the Kláv and vassal of King Harál of Enliten. Known for his ruthlessness and sense of ambition, Eltmar played a pivotal role during the reign of Janas Herwik in the creation of the Council of Helí and undermining the monarch's authority. Following the ascension of Harál as monarch, Eltmar has often come in conflict with his new liege, as the king views the margrave in a rather unfavourable light for manipulating his feeble brother.    

Early Life

Born to Melwih Tiller and his wife Îta Ulich in the year 1525 AA, Eltmar was brought up in the court of his uncle Apelfar Tiller. During his formative years, he tried his best to learn how to fight and command forces so that he may be of better use to his liege, but despite his best efforts, he was merely mediocre at best. Eventually, however, he realised his genuine passion was instead in the art of manipulation and courtly intrigue. His father wasn’t pleased with Eltmar’s deceptive ways, but Apelfar viewed him as a valuable asset and set him to work by having the young man visit the courts of the margrave’s minor vassals.   After years of honing his skills by manipulating petty barons and even some of the great lords in King Róge Herwik's own court in Lotwerstá, it had become clear that his uncle would never get the male heir he needed. Despite having five daughters, the law of the land was clear. Male heirs would always take precedent and that meant that Eltmar’s own father was in line to inherit the Kláv.    

Ascent to Power

Margrave Apelfar passed away in 1558 and his lands went to Eltmar’s father, Melwih, but he too was old and unwell and only clung on to life for a few years until Eltmar was finally proclaimed the Margrave of the Kláv at age 35. The new margrave’s immediate concern was to expand his network of allies within the royal court. Róge Herwik was still king, but he had been recently crippled in a foolhardy attempt to murder him by a group of Rehenian insurgents known as the Saésari Oathkeepers. With the king dying and his heir Janas regarded as weak-willed, Eltmar began conspiring with other powerful vassals to ensure more privilege and a greater say in how the realm is governed.