### **Baron Hannis Drelev** *"A man may build his castle, but without respect, it is just a prison."* --- ![[DALL·E 2025-02-23 16.55.51 - A tall, broad-shouldered man in his early 40s with graying brown hair and a well-groomed beard stands in a dimly lit noble chamber. His deep-set, tire.webp]] ### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Baron Hannis Drelev - **Race/Species:** Human - **Class/Profession:** Noble, Warrior, Warlord (Fighter/Aristocrat) - **Alignment/Morality:** Lawful Neutral (Leaning toward self-preservation and opportunism) - **Age:** Early 40s - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (he/him) - **Appearance:** A tall, broad-shouldered man with graying brown hair, a well-groomed beard, and deep-set, tired eyes. His once-proud bearing is undermined by the weight of his crumbling rule. He wears fine noble attire adorned with his house crest, though his armor—while polished—shows signs of wear. A longsword, more for status than actual combat, rests at his side. --- ### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Baron Drelev once believed himself destined for greatness, hand-picked to expand Brevoy’s influence into the untamed lands. However, his **overconfidence and political missteps** have left him trapped between competing factions, including Pitax, Brevoy, and his own discontented subjects. While he still clings to power, desperation has made him more **cautious, bitter, and increasingly ruthless** as he seeks to reassert control. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Military Training:** A competent fighter, though more comfortable leading than engaging in combat himself. - **Political Awareness:** Understands power dynamics but lacks the subtlety to navigate them effectively. - **Survival Instincts:** He knows his position is fragile and is willing to shift loyalties if it means retaining power. - **Experienced Ruler:** Has spent years running Fort Drelev and managing resources, even if poorly. - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Losing Authority:** His power is slipping, and he knows it. - **Overextended:** His forces are stretched thin, and he cannot afford open war. - **Mistrusted by His People:** Many of Fort Drelev’s citizens and soldiers see him as weak, incompetent, or corrupt. - **Fear of Pitax:** He has made deals with **King [[Castruccio Irovetti]]**, but he knows he is being used. - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - His voice carries the weight of forced authority—once commanding, now tinged with strain. - Frequently clenches his fists or grips the hilt of his sword when frustrated. - Often tries to portray himself as in control, even when the cracks in his rule are obvious. --- ### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Hannis Drelev was granted a charter by Brevoy to establish Fort Drelev as a **strategic outpost** in the Stolen Lands. At first, he ruled with confidence, securing alliances and claiming the surrounding lands. However, facing relentless **troll incursions, bandit activity, and economic hardship**, he struggled to maintain stability. **His greatest mistake was seeking aid from King [[Castruccio Irovetti]]**, accepting "protection" in exchange for heavy tributes and obedience. This soured his reputation, as many saw him as **a puppet to Pitax’s interests**. His hold on Fort Drelev **weakens daily**, with influential nobles, mercenaries, and even foreign powers watching for an opportunity to replace him. - **Current Motivations:** - **Maintain His Rule:** He is desperate to hold onto his title and authority, even if it means making dangerous deals. - **Resist Pitax (Quietly):** While still answering to Irovetti, he secretly looks for ways to **regain independence**. - **Suppress Internal Dissent:** Rebels and mercenaries within Fort Drelev have begun challenging his leadership. - **Forge New Alliances:** If another power—perhaps **[[Rivermarch]] or [[House Orlovsky]]**—offers him a better deal, he might betray Irovetti. - **Connections & Relationships:** - **Allies:** - **[[House Surtova]]** – Though their support is distant and unreliable. - **King [[Castruccio Irovetti]]** – In theory, but he resents the Pitaxian king’s control. - **Fort Drelev’s Loyalists** – Some still believe in his rule, particularly the old noble families. - **Enemies/Rivals:** - **Pitax’s Agents** – His supposed allies, but in truth, they control him more than he controls them. - **Rebels & Discontented Nobles** – Elements within Fort Drelev plot against him. - **Adventurer Kingdoms (Rivermarch, Varnhold)** – He views them as both **potential allies** and **rising threats**. - **Neutral/Uncertain:** - **Dame [[Sarrona Lebeda]]** – She may see him as a liability or an opportunity. - **[[Maegar Varn]]** – Could be a rival or a partner, depending on the circumstances. - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **Fort Drelev's Court:** His struggling noble council, split between loyalty and dissent. - **Pitaxian "Advisors":** Irovetti’s men stationed in Fort Drelev to **"assist"** in governing. - **Mercenary Companies:** Several bands of sellswords operate in Drelev’s lands, some loyal, some waiting for a better offer. - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **Drelev Signet Ring:** Worn more out of habit than pride these days. - **Steel-Trimmed Cloak:** A symbol of his status, though its weight seems heavier with each passing day. - **Personal Letters & Ledgers:** Documents detailing his debts to Pitax, troop movements, and possible escape plans. --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The **slow unraveling of power**—how a ruler fights to keep control in the face of inevitable failure. - The **cost of submission**—his decision to serve Pitax may cost him his rule and his dignity. - **A desperate man in a world of opportunists**—who will exploit him, and who will offer him a lifeline? - **Player/GM Notes:** - **Drelev can be either an enemy or a potential ally** to Rivermarch, depending on the party’s actions. - If approached carefully, he might betray Pitax in favor of a **stronger alliance**. - Alternatively, he could **turn against Rivermarch** if he sees them as a threat to his position. - A coup within Fort Drelev is highly likely—who will rise in his place? --- ### **Possible Story Hooks for Rivermarch:** 1. **A Secret Plea for Help:** Drelev secretly reaches out to Rivermarch, offering information on Pitax in exchange for protection. 2. **Assassination Attempt:** Pitaxian agents plot to **remove Drelev** and replace him with someone more loyal—can Rivermarch intervene? 3. **A False Alliance:** Drelev publicly remains loyal to Pitax, but behind closed doors, he hints at **rebellion**. 4. **A Rival Rises:** A **new faction or noble within Fort Drelev** is preparing to overthrow him—will Rivermarch aid or oppose the coup?