Axel Von Wendel History

Axel's Family

Axel was quite happy to be the second son in the Von Wendel family. He cared very little about statecraft and the family name. If fact he didn't really like being a noble at all. Being noble meant attending formal affairs in uncomfortable clothes, and lying to people over trivial matters of politics and statecraft. He wanted nothing of that life, so he got out as fast as he could.

It is easy to get lost in Freiburg, and even easier to get involved in a war in Eisen. Axel wanted a life among the people of Eisen, honest folk that really needed him. So he got himself involved in the next battalion to leave for the fighting in the War of the Cross. His father fumed for a while when he discovered Axel had gone, but he wasn't that concerned. Maximillian, his eldest, was going to make a fine heir, and was already a distinguished officer in the Eisen forces. If Axel wanted to play teenage rebellion, that was fine, and good riddance.

However, as is usual in wartime, it was the wrong people who died. Towards the end of the fighting Maximillian was killed by Montaigne sniper fire. It was no great battle, he simply wasn't careful enough and paid for his mistake with his life. Axel was now the eldest brother, and he was recalled to Freiburg. His father pulled every string to get him home, and Axel could do little about it.

Unfortunately the elevation to heir did not suit either Axel or his father. Axel had no intention of playing the good son now his father needed him. His father was just as stubborn, seeing no reason for Axel not to do as he was told. Their relationship went from bad to worse, as Axel deliberately failed his father at every opportunity. He hoped that his father would give up, but sadly Bernhard had never given up on anything, and his son would not be the first.

During this time Axel did do well at one thing, fighting. He became involved with the mercenaries in Freiburg and often worked with them in his army duties. He proved himself a good leader and a skilled warrior to both the men who served him, and the mercenaries who served alongside him. So much so in fact, that his efforts earnt him a commendation in the Eisen army.

The award ceremony could have been the moment Axel's father finally became proud of his son. However, Axel cared little about the award and went drinking with his mercenary friends. By the time officials wondered where the guest of honour was, Axel was had drunk himself unconscious with his arms around a local Jenny. That was the last straw.

Axel didn't pause to see how his father felt about his actions. He decided to leave town, and quickly too. However, he did stop home before he left to steal the families Dracheneisen Panzerhand. It was due to be given to the eldest son anyway, so Axel figured why not claim his inheritance early? Better to use it in battle than have in hung on the wall anyway. He left that night, and dreamt that he could hear his father's rage, even with Freiburg being many miles away.

Upon reaching Castille, Axel joined up with a new mercenary company. That company was wiped out by a strange force (see 'A Dark Night for Axel') and he formed his own group. This new company contained a young boy called Roberto who Axel took under his wing. The two friends fought their way across Théah, all the way to the Montaigne/Castille war. During the war, Axel and Roberto both became tired of the endless fight, and decided to leave. The company disbanded and Axel and Roberto went to Altamira to see what they could find.