Earl Nicholas I

Earl Nicholas I (Earl Nicholas Karle Vindwich Montefronte II; 25 April 1754 – 30 June 1780) was the king of Aldurbain. Nicholas' life and reign was marked by a multitude of military and political conflicts, much like the other young rulers who rose upon the throne in his time.

In his reign, he defeated several enemies inside and outside his kingdom, especially the House of von Gazett, who were staunch supporters of the previous king, Charles II. He also defeated Elssterschau in the Aldurbain-Elssterschene War. He was widely known to be an expert engineer and has constructed many fortification in wars he personally participated in.

Nicholas also participated in the First Continental War, where he personally led his troops to battle in the Magna Terran continent. He led the victories in Pryke's Hill, Pressinewry, Alton-Batten, Veerswich and New Huntingdon.

Early Life
Nicholas was born in Bertenia at the Montefronte Family House on 25 April 1754. He was the third son of Winston Montefronte, a Aldurbainian High Noble and a member of the Montefronte House, a prominent family who also reigned Aldurbain during the second age.

The Montefronte family, despite losing the dynastic rule on the throne, still reigned supreme and powerful politically among the other noble houses. This worried the current monarch, Charles II, about their increasing power which would rival eventually topple his current reign.

Nicholas was also a member of the Vindwick branch family, thus gaining ties with the Holy Betelgux Empire and also capable of succeeding his uncle, Albert Walter Vindwick of Vindwick-Olssbrugen.

Aldurbain-Elssterschene War
Growing kingdoms of Aldurbain and Elssterschau were close rivals due to being neighboring countries. War was unavoidable. On 1769, the war broke out due to Elssterschene desire for conquest. Aldurbain responded with fierce and quick action. However, due to the death of the previous king, Charles II in the First Great Iron War and its costly victory, the military force of the latter was weakened. This gave a large advantage to Elssterschau, who wanted to quickly defeat Aldurbain in a few strikes.

Nicholas' armies fought competently, despite having a numerically inferior army. Inside the kingdom, the nobles, primarily led by the House of von Gazett, staunch supporters of the previous monarchy, became Nicholas' critics. The nobles began raising armies to lead an uprising.