Kerplis Elernel

Kerplis Everthorne Elernel is the Caeron of Lardburg and Gidesh of Reyllea under Theios-Essukdal. An arrival from distant lands, he has lead his people to settle in Rathnir. After recovering from his wounds during the Battle of the Ferrymen, Kerplis decided to finally step down as Caeron of Lardburg, and he is currently preparing for the election of the next Caeron.

Adventures before the foundation of Lantstein
Kerplis is known to have taken part in several grand adventures and quests before meeting Lant and founding the fortress/settlement of Lantstein. Out of these, the most well known is the so-called Order of the Watchful Eye, which was an order of knights that defended the far off lands of what would later be known as Carn.

During this time, Kerplis founded the town of Watchton, along with Fort Watch, its castle and headquarters for the knights. The order eventually split off into many warring factions when Kerplis, around 20 years old, went off to explore the Eastern lands. The most notable of these were the People of Watchtown, originally the powerful elite of the Order of the Watch, but over time turned into fearsome highwaymen and bandits. They wouldn't be eradicated until the early reign of Bivoy the Lard.

The Foundation of Lantstein
In the largely desolate Eastern provinces, Kerplis met with an aging hermit who called himself Lant. The old man showed much hospitality to Kerplis, and, together they lived a humble existence for a few weeks, constructing a small base and settling on a sheltered island a short distance off the Eastern continent.

There, Kerplis began construction on a small fortress, which was over time expanded, and grew into a mighty castle, defended from one side by a deep ravine, and from the other by the sea. Around this time, more people started settling on both the Western and Eastern continents, most notably the knight Petrolinek, thought to have come from the deep south, and Darkman, a mysterious figure who lived in the cold northern sea, unexplored by most people.

Together, Kerplis and Lant constructed a system of roads, connecting Lantstein with the rest of the world, with a series of checkpoints which would later be transformed into full scale settlement (an example being checkpoint Beta, which was later transformed into the castle of Ravensrock).

However, the two soon began to have disagreements over how their new lands should be governed. Lant, called a "fucking hippie" by some, believed in syndicalism and a peaceful coexistence, while Kerplis wished for a more rigid structure and wanted to name himself the king of Lantstein. Kerplis, who was angry with Lant, then left, travelling across the roads, back to Watchtown.

The Foundation of Carn
WIP

Settling in Rathnir
Kerplis was allowed to settle on the shores of Reyllea by Ser Centurion, who lead the county of Rhodia alongside Magnentius, in exchange for Kerplis providing support from his sizeable Lardburgian population. He soon carved out a place in the world for his people, founding the city of Lardburg. He joined Centurion in creating the Kingdom of Rhodia when it proclaimed independence from Reyllea, and was then incorporated into Theios-Essukdal.

Archduchy of Reyllea
When StoryStudio became Gidesh of the newly established Archduchy of Reyllea, he named Kerplis as the patriarch because of a need to convert the original Lardburgian population, who still believed in their pagan gods. Kerplis reluctantly accepted the position, being overwhelmed by the amount of power he gained in such a short time. He was also named as Bashar of the 5th legion, which is mostly comprised of Lardburgians.

He continued to expand Lardburg and started talks with the Ecumenical Patriarch to establish a new Lardburgian sect of Theiosism, which would incorporate some of the pagan elements alongside Theiosist doctrine. When Story was killed in an ambush by the Ferrymen, Kerplis suddenly became the new Gidesh of Reyllea.

His reign is so far marked with an increased attention to the rights and liberties of the Lardburgian people, naming persons of Lardburgian origin, such as Count Drakakus or Sahrad Beat-Come into positions of power. He created several new cities, such as Sang-Fisure or New Lantstein, the second being named after the city of Old Lantstein, home to clan Lant. His decision to move the capital of Reyllea from Icanscella to Lardburg was highly controversial, but he retroactively changed this decision and kept Icanscella as the administrative capital while making Lardburg the religious and cultural capital. He later changed this again though, and made New Lardburg the sole capital again.

When ViewedMarquis decided to start raiding Theios-Essukdal after being removed as the Grand Bashar after the defeat in the Battle of the Ferrymen, Kerplis publically denounced her. He continued building up Lardburg and eventually decided to step down as Caeron and start preparing the next elections.

The Ferrymen War
Kerplis participated in the battle of Ferrymen alongside his fellow lardburgian Beat-Come, on the side of the Anti-Bandit league. Donning his old armour from the days of the War of Lardburgian Succession, he charged into the bandits under the command of ViewedMarquis. When two members of a different unit were cornered, Kerplis disobeyed orders and went to attack the bandit attacking them. Already old and weakened, Kerplis could do naught but delay the bandit, giving time for his fellow soldiers to run away. He was severely wounded, almost dying on the battlefield, and lost his netherite armour plating to the Ferrymen bandit, who, upon defeating him, looted him of all his valuables. He was able to escape the battlefield in an almost trance-like state, bleeding profusely from his torn abdomen when he arrived back in the keep of the Anti-Bandit league. There, he went into a panicked state, tearing at his wounds and proclaiming that the battle was lost, and that all is over. When he calmed down, he was escorted back to Lardburg by his compatriot Beat-Come, who also suffered injuries, albeit not as severe. This defeat was one of the only two times when Kerplis lost on the battlefield. He is currently recovering from his wounds in Lardburg, trying to rally a new force of soldiers for Theios-Essukdal and continuing the construction of the city.

Beliefs, Convictions, and personality
Kerplis tries to at all times abide by the seven knightly virtues, being honourable, just and loyal to both his lieges and subjects, trying to do the best for them under all circumstances, almost to a fault. He is extremely loyal to his predecessor, Bivoy the Lard, and he will do anything to better the situation of the Lardburgian people, even if it may mean death to him. His virtuous character is however also his biggest downfall, as he can often get outsmarted and tricked by those who don't share his values, and he refuses to do much in the field of intrigue, and he may often disregard people just based on first assumptions about the morality of their actions and the righteousness of their character.

He is a hardened soldier, leading armies to great victories all throughout his career, winning 4 battles out of the 5 he commanded, and losing 1 out of 3 in which he participated as a member of the army rather than as a general. He was wounded many times on the battlefield, and saw a lot of his closest friends and allies die in front of him, leaving him with major trauma and depression. He has however tried to not show this to the outside world, maintaining a stoic character and refusing to accept defeat under any circumstances. Blessed by the gods with an abnormally long life, he has however recently begun feeling the first signs of aging, losing some of his strength and prowess in battle, though he is still more than capable of fighting, even with all his injuries. He tries to distract himself from his age by not aknowledging it, going on drunken escapades and trying to make himself feel young again by constantly engaging in rigorous physical activity.

Overall, Kerplis tries to be an honourable knight at all times, appearing stoic and strong to the outside world, hiding his injuries, trauma, and aging health by not acknowledging them. He gives to the others as much as he can, and tries to help everyone who is loyal to him, especially the people of Lardburg. As he slowly ages and loses more and more of what he originally had, death is finally starting to catch up to him, though he yet feels like he has a long time left in this world.

His marriage, though arranged, adoption of Petrolinek and Pontéos, and stepping down from power have reinvigorated Kerplis and gave him a new perspective on life, making him again excited for the future and what is to come.

Relationships
Kerplis married Nickiia Greenstir on the 19th of April, 2021, making her a part of the Elernel Dynasty. Originally just an arranged marriage, the pair soon began having feelings for one another. While Nickiia hasn't moved to Lardburg yet, there are plans for her to do so soon.

Apart from his marriage, Kerplis also has a very close friendship with several of the original nobles of Old Lardburg, notably Drakakus, Beat-Come, Falquarion, and especially his best friend in life, the young, ambitious knight Petrolinek, alongside whom he fought in the War of Lardburgian succession, and whom he adopted as his son. He also had deep respect for the late gidesh and emperor StoryStudio, in honour of whom he built a Cairn after his passing, raising him to the position of Steward to the Eternal Caeron, the highest honour to the Lardburgian people. He also has a good relationship with Pontéos, who he adopted as his son and primary heir.

Past

 * Lord-Mayor of Old Lardburg
 * Lord of Old Carn
 * Lord of the duchy of Lardburg
 * Bashar of the 5th Legion
 * Caeron of the Lardburgian people
 * Head of house Elernel
 * Sahrad of Lardburg
 * Gidesh of Reyllea
 * Patriarch of Reyllea

Present

 * Nadu of Urnu-Arrak
 * Grand Bashar of Theios-Essukdal
 * Royal advisor to the Coenian court