Name: Jarl Halvor Jaern
Race: Human
Location: Arborea, Halgestia, Thanelands
The second-most important person in the petty kingdom of Halgestia, Halvor only kneels to Halgestia's present king Thorsten Jaern - Halvor's cousin. The family of Jaern wields the most might in the small kingdom, but the kingdom's relative geographical isolation has made it's impact on the whole loose alliance of the Skolvendun kingdoms unimportant. On the other hand the area slumbers in relative safety - a proof of how hard it is to conquer is that the Jaern family has been keeping the power in their hands for 250 years and counting. The only important trade routes are through waterways although some rare merchants dare their lives using narrow mountain passes. Mostly these are merchants whose houses have little or no influence in the cities of Kelrani and Halgest and are thus forced to run their operation land-bound.
Jarl Jaern is the fifth ruler of the city of Arborea since it's erection about 150 years ago. Life is harsh in the area and the huge Halgestian forest holds many unspeakably dark secrets within it, but nevertheless Arborea itself has not been succumbed to the ravages of actual war. Sure there have been skirmishes between humans and some lesser orc tribes who penetrate the area regularly from the mountains when the winters make the mountainous regions uninhabitable even to them. The famine-stricken orc attacks, however, are no match to the city's defenses and it's location on top of a hill make it easy to defend from brute force attacks.
Jarl Jaern and his family is well respected among the peasants in small forest villages and among the population of the city itself. Much of this respect comes through Halvor's just heart and kindness as well as his adamantine will power. His stance (him being a formidable 6'6" in height and packing some serious muscles underneath his no-nonsense garments), demeanor and intense stare is enough to end many a disagreement. In general the people in the Skolvendunian kingdoms don't give a rat's ass to lines of heritage but instead eagerly accept even the lowliest peasant's daughter to lead should she prove herself worthy. Halvor has seen his fair share of violence and bloodshed and has lead many small campaigns against the innate threats of Halgestia and the dangerous mountains to the south and east. Many of these have been pre-emptive measures that would destroy potential threats before they become actual threats against Halgestia or Arborea.
Generally regarded as just and reasonable, Jarl Halvor Jaern enjoys the trust of his people. His control of land masses cover almost half of what Halgestia is comprised of - although again half of this is very dangerous and almost impenetrable ancient forests and equally harsh mountainous areas. The population of Arborea is not numerous and Halvor is not eager to increase the population either. In fact to live in the city for over a season, a person needs to prove himself/herself worthy by excelling in some talent or profession or by doing something that benefits the city. The duty of selecting inhabitants is a responsible one and falls under a jury of three Arboreans - positions that are volatile at best and appointed by Halvor to accomplished persons who ask for it. No one is expected to stay in this jury for long. But the existence of this jury and Halvor's strong support to keep "unworthy" people out of the city is met with some anger and resentment since this tradition has a tendency to deny citizenship from elderly people and small children alike.
Jarl Jaern is not involved in the politics of Halgestia and has shown no interest in what happens in the cities Kelrani and Halgest. This is not being taken kindly by the more powerful lords in those cities who are thinking that Jarl Jaern is trying to cut Halgestia into half by establishing his own kingdom. To lessen the worries of those lords, Halvor has appointed his eldest son as liaison to the king - his cousin - and for now it has been enough to cast away suspicions.
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