King Richard III

Unlike his brother, King Alfred I, King Richard III is known as a just ruler among his people. His subjects are grateful for his rule, and consider him an honourable and worthy king - all the more shocking when his brother led an attack against him. Though many of the King's supporters gave their lives that day to allow him to escape unharmed, many more rose to defend him and the honour of their nation.

Though Richard was reluctant to abandon the old Kingdom of Hartgard, he doesn't feel that the Kingdom will be whole again until it is reunited. Though he has tried to do this peacefully through diplomacy with his brother, all attempts at negotiation have failed. He even considered surrender, to ease the suffering of his people, but his counsellors wouldn't allow it. They argued that if he conceded to his brother, the tyranny their spies and prisoners had told them of would rule over them all, and that the only way to guarantee the safety and freedom of his people was to defeat King Alfred I.

War with the Kingdom of Nerthelm
The decision to go to war with the Kingdom of Nerthelm wasn't exactly Richard's to make, as he was attacked unprovoked by his brother and his supporters. However, he was quick to react and although Milnar's Crossing was lost in the initial strike, it was retaken just weeks into the war. However, a protracted siege followed, disabling Richard from returning to his palace, and eventually resulting in the city being reduced to a ruin. Still, after 26 years, the city is the main battle ground of their war.