Francis von Bernhardi

Francis is a tall and fit man with brown short hair and a long beard. He is commonly seen wearing the regimental uniform of the Landsknecht that he was a mercenary for; this uniform is adorned with medals that he had earned over his time as the King's Marshal.

Bernhardi was born into a noble family that was considerably well off and of a more illustrious bloodline than most others. He was taught the basic tenants of nobility, including: reading, writing, swordfighting and bits of philosophy. Bernhardi, however, was not content to live as a noble when he came of age; he struck out in a mercenary regiment of landsknecht and was determined to make his life an adventure. He served for many different masters and campaigns, his regiment often fighting for both sides of different wars at once. This hardened Bernhardi and taught him many things about war; eventually his fellow mercenaries decided he was the one that should lead the regiment after their captain had died in a battle. Bernhardi accepted without pause, he thought no one other than himself was up to the task.

Bernhardi lead this landsknecht regiment with distinction and became a highly valuable commodity; various kings and emperors sought his service in order to help their chances of winning wars. Bernhardi, though proud of his success, was starting to grow a tad weary as he aged. He started to think about the long term, and whether or not his regiment could continue with its success as time went on. Bernhardi decided it was then that he should find a more long term position. It was then that he found the King Hamilton who hired him as a mercenary. Hamilton and Bernhardi quickly hit off on a good note; the war that Bernhardi had been contracted for was fought and won quickly, with Bernhardi leading the way for the King's forces. It was this show of feat that Hamilton offered Bernhardi vassalage, Bernhardi elatedly accepted the offer.

The King awarded Bernhardi land, and gave him military forces in addition to Bernhardi's landsknecht. Bernhardi thus made it his mission to serve Hamilton. It was at this time that Bernhadi started his writing career in military theory and doctrine; he started to gain a reputation as a military reformer that was renowned for the development of new tactics and strategy. Bernhardi then gained distinction in further wars that helped to build his reputation as a military genius. This reputation, while not unfounded, was greatly increased by the King's friendship and interest in Bernhardi's tactical manuals. Eventually the king made Bernhardi the Marshal of his forces.

Becoming Marshal was a moment of great pride for Bernhardi and one of his greatest achievements, but this would mark the high point in his career. The King adopted a militaristic stance upon other nations due to the "invincible" presence of Bernhardi; this led to many victories at first, but after a while earned the scorn of the people. Hamilton, under pressure from Bernhardi, started to raise the taxes and levies placed upon the common folk. The country earned a reputation of military dominance, but the people were not satisfied with the same glory that Bernhardi reveled in. This showed itself in a revolution led by the people. Bernhardi reacted to the revolt with his usual energy and vigor, but in a gamble to end the revolution early, Bernhardi left the capital undefended and it was seized by revolutionary forces. The King and his family were killed and the country placed under a new government's rule. Bernhardi surrendered his forces and was allowed to live out the rest of his life as a general in the new country; though his role was a ceremonial one, he held no actual command.

Bernhardi's guilt never left him from this episode in his life; he had, in his mind, destroyed the King's trust and let him die. Bernhardi now lives in a mansion out in the countryside; he makes it a point to stay active by publishing military journals and papers on theory, but these receive little but scorn and ridicule - the damage to his reputation had already been done.