This page aims to list interesting characters in the game be it because of the unique challenge they offer, their particular situation or their role in history.
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Vikings
- Jarl Dyre the Stranger, Jarldom of Konungardr: The first Norse ruler of Kiev remains a mystery to historians. The Norse comming from Holmgard settled Kiev to have better access to the Black Sea and the riches of Miklegardr (Constantinople). Historically Askold and/Dyre were slain by Helgi the Seer (son of Rurik of Holmgardr) and Konungardr would become the center of the Rus territory whose rulers would go on to raid Constantinople before converting to Orthodoxy.
- Chieftain Harald 'Fairhair', Chiefdom of Vestfold: Harald Fairhair was the first king of Norway which he united to marry the woman he loved (the daughter or chieftain Eirikr of Hordafylki, not in game), at least that is what the sagas tell.
- Chieftain Grjotgard of Lade, Chiefdom of Namdafylki: The Jarls of Lade ruled over all of Trondelag. They allied Harald Fairhair and remained the true power in Northern Norway. During the later conflicts with Denmark over the Norwegian Crown the Jarls of Lade would play kingmakers.
Byzantine Empire
- Count Leon Phokas, County of Seleukia: Your are the father to Nikephoros Phokas the Elder and great grandfather to Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. The perfect start for the ultimate martial dynasty to lead the Empire back to glory.
East Francia
- Count Werner Salian, County of Klingenburg: Your are the ancestor of the Salian Dynasty which would later produce four Emperors.
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Holy Roman Empire
- Count Friedrich von Hohenstaufen, County of Ravensburg: The Hohenstaufen dynasty would bring the Holy Roman Empire its greatest Emperors: Frederick I Barabarossa, Henry VI and Frederick II. For the moment you are only a county though. Historically Frederic was close to the emperor and when his liege Rudolf von Rheinfelden revolted he was made Duke of Swabia.
- Count Werner von Habsburg, County of Aargau: The Habsburg dynasty played a major role in European history: they would rise to be Archdrukes of Austria and Holy Roman Emeprors and wear a good number of crows across Europe. For now you are just a small count though so remember the motto: 'Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria, nube, Nam quae Mars aliis, dat tibi regna Venus' (Leave wars to other, you happy Austria shall marry, for the realms Mars gives to others, Venus grants to you).
- Duke Conrad von Luxemburg, Duchy of Luxemburg: Another great imperial house the Luxemburgs would struggle with the Habsburgs and Wittelsbach for the Imperial Crown after the fall of the Hohenstaufen. Only a small Duke in 1066, the Luxemburgs would become Margraves of Brandenburg and Kings of Bohemia and even Hungary. Their most famous member is emperor Sigismund.
Byzantine Empire
- Doux Alexios Komemnos, Duchy of Boukellarion: Arguably the last great Emperor in the East, he took power and saved the empire more than once. He is also directly responsible for the Crusades.
Sicily
- Count Roger de Hauteville, County of Messina: Although Robert was the 'Terror of the World' it was Roger's line who founded the Kingdom of Sicily. A bold warrior and great statesman he is remembered as 'The Great Count'. His son would be the first true 'Sicilian' and King of Sicily.
France
- Count Raimond de Toulouse, County of Rouerge: Raymond de St Gille (or Raymond of Toulouse) was one of the leaders of the the first crusade. He would be the only Crusader to refuse to take an oath of loyalty to the Byzantine Emperor and would form a rivalry with Bohemund of Antioch. At the end of the Crusade he became the count Tripoli.
- Count Geoffroy of Anjou, County of Anjou: The ancestor of the Angevin kings of England and the Plantagenet dynasty.