Wilhelm von Masserschloss was the former Border Prince of the realm of Masserschloss in the Border Princes region of the Old World. He was the father of the current prince of that realm, Dieter von Masserschloss.[1a]
History[]
The Masserschloss region of the Border Princes takes its name from the largest principality in the area. Dominating an extensive area in the northeast Border Princes, Masserschloss was founded decades ago by Wilhelm von Masserschloss, who fled the Empire for some past crime. Unusually for the Border Princes, he held onto his rule for years, surviving despite major hardships, including the arrival of and damages caused by Bragthorn the Necromancer. Regardless of his vigilance in safeguarding his territory, he, like all Border Princes, would eventually be toppled.[1a]
Several years ago, Wilhelm, who was a lascivious despot, hired a band of mercenaries to snatch attractive women to add to his harem. Among these sellswords was a man named Dieter, who became a mercenary in the hopes of finding a place as a ruler in the Border Princes. Dieter had many flaws, and among them was a decadent side, exacerbated by his work kidnapping attractive, young women for the prince. For several years, Dieter watched his master and came to believe he himself was one of Wilhelm's illegitimate sons, since he vaguely resembled the older man, and they both shared the same tastes in women. Dieter hoped to reveal this "truth" to the man he believed was his father, but the opportunity never arose. To make matters worse, Wilhelm's distractions endangered the principality. While indulging his baser nature, new threats arose, including the necromancer, who had already sent his shambling hordes to destroy one of Masserschloss' villages.[1a]
Something had to be done. Dieter's successes earned him a place as the marshal of the prince's armies, and so Dieter recommended Wilhelm accompany his armies in a battle against a Greenskin force that had drifted into their territory, claiming his appearance would foster morale and restore the loyalty of the troops. Wilhelm agreed, and the prince led his armies to confront this new menace. Dieter, however, planned to kill his master and take his place.[1a]
Dieter murdered the old man and claimed that a group of Goblins had crept into the prince's tent and slew him while he slept. Though there were (and still are) suspicions, Wilhelm's lieutenants accepted Dieter's story and supported his claim as the new prince of Masserschloss. Since his ascent, Dieter has worked hard to stabilise his territory, removing what he sees as the gravest threat to his rule -- monsters. His soldiers have butchered countless Orcs and Goblins, and he even claims to have thwarted the necromancer.[1a]
All of this has been to achieve one thing; Dieter wants to pass on the principality to his sons, to create a dynasty of princes that will one day grow to dominate all the Border Princes. To this end, Dieter spends a great deal of time fathering sons on his concubines. After his chosen heir was recently killed, he's no longer certain, as yet, which son will now gain the crown. So he's watching and waiting, looking to see which of his heirs wants it the most -- and is willing to do what must be done to claim it.[1a]