Lothair Laufey

Lothair of the House Laufey, Third in line to the Duchy of Highwater and Rightful Lord of Barcester. A young nobleman who holds disputed rights to Barcester. He is the only living member of House Vidame.

Personality
Lothair is generally known as a quick witted and charming young man with a tendency towards scholarly pursuits.

History
Lothair childhood was wealth if inauspicious, with attentions primarily focusing on the heir Conradin and his fathers favourite Bylster. In his youth he befriended Crown Prince Geoffrey Morne a friendship which has endured to today, Lothair being a member of his exclusive hunting band.

During the run up to the Khalsaren civil war a scholar of lineages discovered that according to ancient documents initially unearthed by King Nathaniel Morne regarding the nobility of Lothairs grandfather Sir Varangin Vidame, House Vidame are the rightful Lords of the lands now known as Barcester and all houses that have held them since the Vidames are by law considered usurpers. This discovery was confirmed by many temple masters of The Church of Seraphina Altor. This revelation caused great consternation amongst the nobility of Khalsaren. Some lords, especially those in the rebellious north claimed that the documents were forgeries and all awaited the crowns decision on whom is to hold Barcester. Lothair was summoned to Hestrian by King Carrick Morne. On the second day of his time in the capital Lothair was called before King Carricks court where the King requested he travel out to The Tempered Wastes to retrieve the Shards of Yuthura from the three Tombs of Yuthura that the King may use to fight the rebellious northern lords. Lothair accepted and left on the next boat to Wasteward.

During the four month journey to Wasteward Lothairs mother Richenza Vidame was assassinated, her husband Duke Conrad Laufey placed the city of Highwater under martial law and refused to allow anyone in or out until the killer was found. King Carrick was also assassinated during this time. Despite both of these events Lothair has not turned back from his mission.

A group of elderly lords and some lesser nobility who had fought alongside Varangin Vidame claimed to have received a letter from Lothair asking them to avenge his mothers death in his absence. Calling themselves the Band of the Black Scale they split some of their forces into a small army searching for Richenzas killer.

Family
Lothair is the third son of Duke Conrad Laufey, the first with his second wife Richenza Vidame He has two older brothers Conradin Laufey and Bylster Laufey. His descent from Duke Conrad puts him third in line for inheriting the Duchy of Highwater and his descent from his maternal grandfather Varangin Vidame makes him the rightful Lord of Barcester.