"I am not ordinarily in the habit of giving choices, Forzini. It sets a bad precedent, you see, for royalty to allow the dregs to think that they get a say in their own fates. But, if there are thousands of skaven slumping and sneaking through these lands, I’ll need every sword I can get, dead or… otherwise. Swear fealty to me, Duke Forzini, and I shall save your lands for you. Indeed, you can be the hero who saves the entirety of the Border Princes, if that is your wish. Or die here, and ride at my side regardless as a nameless and mindless thing. Serve me in life, or in death. But you shall serve me. Name your preference."
Farnio Forzini was a Tilean Duke of Alfori, an independent demesne in the Border Princes.[1a][2a]
Forzini was one of a multitude of minor, self-proclaimed counts and dukes who rule the petty fiefdoms of the Border Princes.[2a]
History[]
During the The End Times he was riding to aid his neighbor, Count Tulvik, at Southern Reach, as his fortress had come under siege by a multitude of Skaven. But he and his knights had to come back as he was informed that also his domain was under attack by those creatures. But before he could reach his home he was engaged to the Hvargir Forest by Mannfred von Carstein forces.[1a]
The duke was a big man, with the muscle of a trained knight. He had fought hard, even after realizing what he was facing. But even if he and his men had fought bravely he was defeated and turned into a vampire with the promise of lending him support to free his people.[2a]
The duke had taken to vampirism with admirable rapidity, his mouth and beard were matted with gore as Forzini had personally inducted most of his household knights into a state of undeath, binding them to him with blood where before they had been loyal only to his gold.[2b]
Later, he returned to his family lands and wreaked havoc upon the ratmen.[1a]