Earl Artur Dmitri Ivanovich Svanfeld

Race: Human

Rank/Class: Decados Earl and Ex-Questing Knight

Birthplace: Murciyah, Cadiz

Birthdate: 11 July 4970

Epithet: The Knight of Shadows

Description: Far closer to seven feet than six, Artur Dmitri Ivanovich Svanfeld is a tall man, thin but with a wiry strength. He seems in his early thirties, his face sculpted by a life of war and adventure. His hair is thick and black, fashionably styled and cut just long enough to show it off, and he wears a full beard trimmed along his jawline. The man's skin, pale as befits his heritage, is flawless, and well-defined features give him a strongly handsome appearance. Grey eyes full of sharp steel peer out warily from beneath thick brows. He is prone to dark leathers or his bright silver armor, and is rarely seen without his great axe 'Tolstoy.'

Personality: Deeply torn between his loyalty to his House and his love for the Emperor, Artur Svanfeld has always walked a divided line between the Mantis and Phoenix. He is ambitious, quick to anger and holds a grudge, but also displays a willingness to risk everything in the name of justice or to protect the weak.

Entourage: Once, it was Artur's habit to go about alone - but since he was kidnapped by the Hazat, he is rarely seen without a few of his crack mercenary Black Watch commandos - stone cold killers to a man - watching his back. He is often in the company of his wife, Cassandra, or his friends in House al-Malik and House Li Halan.

Status: Last seen on Pandemonium, bound for Iver.

Active: 2002-2003

     A former lover and bodyguard to Duchess Salandra Decados, Artur was encouraged by his House to join the Questing Knights, becoming one of their founding members. He was sent to Vargo to uncover secrets in the Emperor's name, but quickly became embroiled in the swirl of politics around his cousin Angelica, the ruler of House Decados on Vargo, and his wife, the Marquessa Cassandra.

     The spread of demonic activity on Vargo saw Artur among the van of those working against the demons, but his attempts to use them against each other put his soul in perilous danger. Conflicts between his kinsmen and the Hazat drew him into a cold war with the Claw, culminating in a much-publicized struggle for power in House Decados with the Duchess of Vargo's cousin that resulted in Artur's imprisonment for several months.

     In the end, Artur eschewed the infighting of his cousins in favor of a mission from his Prince - a mission that had him leave Vargo for the opposite end of the jumpweb, in hopes he might soothe inner turmoil in the pursuit of duty.

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