Kalien

Kalien is the founder and director of the Heartlands Outfitters and, as the acknowledged ruler of the Free City of Endier, the de facto Count of Endier. The infamous half-elf Brecht-born guilder was a former adviser to the Counts of Endier, who took power to stabilize the realm after a catastrophic series of accidents removed all the heirs to the throne.

He was born somewhere in Brechtür - he never says exactly where. He tends to discourage anyone from prying into his past too closely - forcefully and permanently. Most folks know he'd tired of life in the Brecht lands, but they aren't certain if he left of his own volition or someone else's.

Kalien came to Endier over 30 years ago with a small force of mercenaries and several ships loaded with trade goods. Immediately popular for bringing needed trade to the economically depressed region and for defying the mobsters who ran the countryside, Count Jorain Endier adopted Kalien as his prime lieutenant.

As Kalien (who had by now adopted the title 'Guilder') fought the bandits and curbed the corruption of the City of Endier's seedy underworld, the Endier family began to die off in an appalling series of coincidences, despite Kalien's best efforts to protect them. Finally, rule of the county could fall to no one but Guilder Kalien. The old count Jorain died soon after, and Kalien began rebuilding Endier according to his plans.

In the space of 20 years, the domain has become a traders' haven. As a mercantile city, it soon will rival Ilien or the City of Anuire itself. Most of the profit flows to Kalien's pockets, and he uses it to ensure his people's loyalty - and to take good care of himself, too (as evidenced by the precise coif of his dark hair and his selection of expensive hats). As cunning as a serpent, the half-elf has a snake-like face to match. One can't trust this blue-eyed merchant, and he can tell an enemy when he sees one.

Though evil, Kalien hides his taint under a mask of civility and diplomacy. His court is renowned for its splendid celebrations, its glittering balls, and its fabulous feasts. Kalien always has time at these affairs for diplomacy, as that's what pulls in the money - what's a small investment for so huge a return?

The guilder works hard to put others in his debt and constantly hatches new schemes to wring the most benefits from any situation. He likes playing two sides against each other, preferably in such a way that neither can spot his influence. He's always in the market for information and his spies cover the land to bring him the most up-to-date details they can find.