King Uldred, Shield of Argos, the Southern Doom, Last of His Line, was one of the great generals of his generation. Now in his 70s, Uldred’s fighting days are long past, but the people recall his victories fondly. Most famously, he was the general responsible for the sacking of Kadimos thirty years earlier, curbing Nydissia's northern expansion at the time.

Uldred’s wife and children died in a horrific fire five years ago, leaving the throne vacant when he passes. The winter warrior now spends most of his time at Castle Greyloft, treating with highborn, fending off rivals and ferreting out usurpers who refuse to wait until his natural death. Uldred’s primary concern is Melek , with whom border skirmishes and trade sanctions are escalating. The king wants peace with Melek to be his legacy; but he can’t find a way to achieve it.