Dieter von Nachttorin, the Baron Holmruk, is the reigning Grand Master of the Order of the Black Lynx.
History[]
Born with his mother’s blazing red hair and his father’s piercing grey eyes, Dieter has always been a striking sight. The sole heir of the Holmruk barony (between the Upper Reik and Grenzstadt), Dieter’s fate has always been near the Worlds Edge Mountains. While more of Averland’s wealth comes from horses and crops, Holmruk lands provide iron mines and weapon smithies.[1a]
Dieter squired for his uncle, Earl Felix von Nachttorin, whose demesne included two other baronies beyond Holmruk. The squire quickly became a proud knight and a master of the lance and sword. The earl assigned Dieter to the Black Lynx Knights sixteen years ago. Since then, Dieter has spent only thirty days outside of the mountains or Black Fire Pass. While Dieter is technically the rightful Baron Holmruk since his father’s death in 2515, his cousin Karl serves as Holmruk’s regent at Earl Felix’s insistence.[1a]
Sir Dieter became a stalwart Black Lynx. He gained a ruthless reputation for his prowess in battle against Orc and Goblin war parties. Sir Dieter ascended to the Grandmaster’s position during the Averland Orc invasions of Imperial Year 2520. Sir Dieter succeeded Sir Gustav Kelnheil, who died when Orcs twelve times their number overwhelmed his patrol at the Battle of the Parlak Gorge. Sir Dieter organised a retreat and slowed the Orcs until other Mountain Guard troops came to the survivors’ aid. His stand on Tharln’s Gap – holding the bridge alone with only a lance and sword against two score Orcs until bowmen allowed his own retreat – became legendary.[1a]
While hardly a young man, Sir Dieter remains militarily fit and leads a patrol at least twice a month. Otherwise, he works tirelessly to rebuild the order and seeks capable and honourable nobles for his troops.[1a]