Graf Klaus von Nibelheim
This page is referring to Lord Valkaenar Vaeari's Midgardian human guise in Tyrol, Austria. For his secondary ayldarzi persona, see here. For the anime character, see here.
| Alias(es): | Herr des Winters
Klaus Nibelheim Nachzehrer des Kirchdachspitze Wolfs Herr Wolf Lord of Tyrol |
| Nickname(s): | — |
| Residence(s): | — |
| Status: | Alive |
| Species: | "Human" Ayldarzi |
| Nationality: | Austrian |
| Gender: | Male |
| Orientation: | Pansexual |
| Loyalty/Loyalties: | Family, Tyrol, The Catholic Church. |
| Partner(s): | Gavin MacRaethan Maria von Nibelheim |
| Birthplace: | Unknown; Current iteration: "Starnberg, Bavaria, Germany" |
| Birthdate: | Unknown. 03/02/0751(?) Current iteration: "2/04/1989" |
| Era / Age: | — |
| Title: | Graf. |
| Role: | Immortal Wolf Lord of Tyrol Billionaire Eco-Activist |
| Combat Class: | — |
| Specialty: | — |
| Magic School: | — |
| Affinity/Affinities: | — |
| Notable Feat(s): | — |
| Education & Training | |
| Formal Prep: | — |
| Formal Scholastic: | — |
| Formal Martial: | — |
| Formal Arcane: | — |
| Formal Religious: | — |
| Informal Training: | — |
| Languages | |
| Fluent In: | — |
| Semi-Fluent In: | — |
House Rules (set by Klaus I and maintained thereafter)
Age-Thirty Law: Full powers pass to the “heir” at 30.
Seven-Year Solitude: Each new Graf rules seven years before marriage.
Children: All children receive a permanent “polymorph (not exactly that)” at birth to give them a strong family resemblance; eventually removed only for the heir. Parentage is never questioned. Boys are guaranteed to get more of Klaus’s facial structure, but in the beginning it’s just enough to be plausible. He reevaluates this glamor on children that show promise as needed, stopping when appropriate “to send them away for schooling”, leaving them to grow as they will and using a temporary glamor when it is time for his heir to play the part. This allows them to garner a sense of self.
Succession Optics: The heir is chosen from his wife’s sons for trust and temperament (not strictly primogeniture).
Sanctified Exit: Every retiring Graf “withdraws to contemplation” (hermitage or monastery under Church protection), generally the very day the heir turns 30. The Ascension is always that day barring emergency, though the “official” hermitage/pilgrimage might be delayed until spring if the Ascension date falls in winter.
Raising and Choosing the Heir
Educate at Home (Cover: “abroad”):
All children are educated starting at five years old; the girls as much as he can get away with, and the boys fully. Tutors are sworn to secrecy; no extra glamour during these years so sons develop their own minds and are comfortable with themselves. Often, the polymorph and glamor are removed entirely from the chosen heir, as it will be removed when he leaves. As needed, primary candidates receive extra glamor when visitors might arrive, but the household alone needs no glamor other than the base polymorph. Klaus chooses an heir as soon as it is clear who the best choice is, to allow the others a sense of normalcy.
Teach the Role: Voice, posture, signatures, habits, local law, vassal names, Church etiquette.
Select the Heir: Pick the son with best judgment, acting skills and discretion; swear him to the Graf compact.
Re-Fit the Glamour: Heir receives a precise glamour to match Klaus’s face at the appropriate age or older version, depending on best role performance; short rehearsals only. This only takes place as needed while the “heir steps into public view alongside his father”, perhaps here and there for a few years. It ends entirely when the elder Klaus “dies”, but mostly stops upon the elder Klaus stepping down and entering hermitage: the heir is kept within arms reach for ‘emergencies’ until death, at which point the young man is free to make his own life with his own true face.
A second son (if available) is also trained to mimic his father and brother’s required mannerisms to prepare for the possibility the chosen heir might die, at which point he would take over his brother’s role in life until the ruse is no longer needed to be kept up.
Formal Abdication Day: Court assembles. The “elder Klaus” (either Valkaenar or briefly the glamoured heir depending on what works best) hands over signet, titles, and blessings.
Procession to Seclusion: The elder departs (this time the kid, brief public sighting) to the mountain hermitage, partner monastery or final pilgrimage.
Seal the Paper Trail: The abbot records entry; letters go out that the elder no longer receives visitors.
Managing the Elder’s Disappearance: No ongoing illusion; After departure, the elder is to never seen publicly again. Rare cameos: if a signature or rite is demanded, the heir uses a glamour again for a single, dim-room appearance as the elder; then stops again.
The “Death” and Burial: Acquire a Body (quietly): Suitable remains secured (accident, plague, unknown soldier). Illusions applied if necessary. Wrap, anoint, seal, grand funeral, interred in the Chapel of Silver Mist; ledger entries completed; masses endowed. The heir now has his own life with a large sum of money to do with as he pleases.
01. 05/16/0781 - h. 0825 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim I
03/02/0751 Klaus von Nibelheim I is 'born'.
773 - Imperial records first name Klausus de Nibelheim.
774 - Lucien takes a spear to the ribs in Pavia. Klaus 'narrowly survives a skirmish'.
776 - Klaus returns to service.
Summer 777 - Lucien hit with a mace; Klaus is 'kicked by a horse'. Out for the rest of the season.
08/15/778 - Lucien nearly killed at Roncevaux. Klaus is also 'ambushed'.
781 - Klaus returns to service again.
782–785 - Burg Kirchdach's initial construction.
05/10/787 - Granted the Grafdom of the Brenner March by Charlemagne.
06/01/787 - Burg Kirchdach’s stone expansion begins. Remains functional throughout construction.
12/07/787 - ⬦🔹⬦ The first Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
08/15/788 - Klaus marries Hildegard of Bavaria.
789 – 798 - 🔴 The Cleansings.
07/01/790 - Gertrud born – d. 09/03/0791, infant frailty.
Spring 791 - Site selected for Nibelheimhof, small timber home constructed as placeholder.
08/12/792 - Adalbert born.
11/28/794 - Mathilde born.
12/05/795 - Vin (later Karolus) born. ☆
796 - 🔴 The Night of Judgment.
Spring 797 - Lucien crushed by his horse. Klaus uses a similar story.
07/28/798 - Gräfin Hildegard von Nibelheim dies giving birth to Hedwig, stillborn. Hildegard was 29.
799 - First stone building built on Nibelheimhof: The Chapel of the Silver Mist.
806 - Nibelheimhof and grounds completed.
808 - Burg Kirchdach fully completed.
808 - 🔴 The Holy Ash Valley.
06/12/811 - Mathilde wed to Herr Dietmar von Trento.
02/16/813 - Dame Mathilde von Trento dies of summer fever while married away, aged 18.
07/09/820 - Adalbert marries and moves to start a family of his own, still within the Brenner March.
08/15/820 - Legacy: Chapel of St. Walpurga built at the foot of the Brenner Pass and consecrated by Bishop Arno of Salzburg.
02. 12/05/0825 - h. 0870 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim II
12/05/825 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim II. Hermitage of Klaus I begins.
12/07/825 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
01/10/826 - Klaus I 'dies of exposure', aged 74.
828 - 🔴 The Hanging Pines.
06/17/832 - Adalbert dies of border wounds, aged 39.
09/01/833 - Klaus II marries Adelais of Swabia.
08/03/834 - Hildegarde is born.
835 - 🔴 The Monastery’s Patron.
09/15/835 - Giselbert is born.
06/01/836 - Gräfin Adelais von Nibelheim dies of postpartum hemorrhage, aged 30. Female child is premature and stillborn.
05/23/838 - Klaus II marries Richarda of Alsace.
08/20/840 - Sigismund is born. ☆
09/29/842 - Beatrix is born.
10/12/845 - Magnus is born.
850 - 🔴 The Blooded March.
855 - 🔴 A Graf’s Penance.
855 - Legacy: Donated relic of the True Cross to Innsbruck Cathedral.
06/02/856 - Giselbert dies from a training fall from a destrier, aged 20.
07/22/860 - Beatrix marries Graf Heinrich von Landeck.
03. 08/20/0870 - d. 0899 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim III
08/20/870 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim III. Hermitage of Klaus II begins.
12/07/870 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
873 - 🔴 The Burned Village.
04/18/874 - Klaus II 'dies' of apoplexy (stroke), aged 78.
10/22/874 - Gräfin Richarda von Nibelheim dies of natural causes, aged 63.
04/28/878 - Vin (Karolus von Trento) dies of natural causes, aged 82. ☆|[ 1 ]|☆
878 - 🔴 The Silver Crucifix.
09/10/879 - Klaus III marries Dame Isentrude von Andechs.
07/15/880 - Roland is born.
10/02/881 - Gerold is born. ☆
01/09/886 - Adelina is born.
03/13/887 - Magnus dies of chest illness while traveling, aged 41.
11/18/883 - Alaric is born.
890 - Legacy: Gift of St. Hubert’s Tooth to Abbey of Wilten.
892 - 🔴 The Pass of Bones.
03/14/898 - Hildegarde dies of apoplexy (stroke) while living in Ulm, aged 63.
07/08/899 - Klaus III is 'killed in combat', aged 59.
899 - 🔴 The False Funeral.
04. 07/08/0899 - h. 0952 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim IV
07/11/899 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim IV.
12/07/899 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
09/20/903 - Roland dies of dysentery while on campaign, aged 23.
07/02/906 - Adelina marries Herr Brennen von Brixen.
05/07/908 - Gräfin Beatrix von Landeck dies after long illness, aged 65.
910 - 🔴 The Black Benediction.
918–920 - When Lucien is not busy in Laon, Klaus skirmishes with small Hungarian splinters in the alpine valleys. Careful strikes, more intimidation than pitched battles.
09/03/919 - Klaus IV marries Mechthild of Carinthia.
07/12/921 - Dominik born.
09/22/922 - Warin Born. ☆
11/05/924 - Adela born.
925 - 🔴 The Broken Host.
926 - Legacy: Built pilgrim’s hospice on the high pass.
01/20/927 - Sebastian born.
02/24/929 - Sigismund (Christoph von Alsace) dies of natural causes, aged 88. ☆|[ 2 ]|☆
09/27/931 - Gräfinwitwe Isentrude von Nibelheim dies of natural causes, aged 73.
09/19/939 - Gerold (Pierre von Valkenheim) dies of natural causes, aged 57. ☆|[ 3 ]|☆
940 - 🔴 Wolf Valleys
05/21/946 - Adela wed
04/27/949 - Dame Adelina von Brixen dies of pneumonia, aged 63.
12/19/950 - Dominik dies of winter lung sickness while traveling, aged 29.
951 - 🟣 Bohemia.
05. 09/22/0952 - h. 0992 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim V
09/22/952 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim V. Hermitage of Klaus IV begins.
12/07/952 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
953 - 🔴 The Wolf Feast
03/29/955 - Sebastian falls from horse on icy road, dies aged 28.
09/08/955 - Klaus IV 'dies' of apoplexy (stroke), aged 73.
10/12/958 - Alaric dies Abbot of Wilten, of autumn fever, aged 74.
09/01/960 - Klaus V marries Liutgard of Bolzano.
07/12/961 - Ida is born.
10/04/962 - “Koni” (Konrad) is born. ☆
11/29/964 - Thekla is born.
01/20/967 - Gilles is born.
11/30/969 - Gräfinwitwe Mechthild von Nibelheim dies of natural causes, aged 74.
970 - 🔴 The Blood at Brenner.
975–980s: Periodic punitive raids against frontier villages.
988 - Legacy: Donated painted icon Madonna of the Wolves to convent of Wilten.
09/01/990 - Adela dies after long illness at her husband’s estate, aged 65.
12/21/991 - Warin (Odo von Bolzan) dies of winter lung, steward of mines, aged 69. ☆|[ 4 ]|☆
06. 10/04/0992 - h. 1033 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim VI
10/04/992 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim VI. Hermitage of Klaus V begins.
12/07/992 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
995 - 🔴 The Feast of Ashes
07/30/995 - Klaus V 'dies' of “wasting sickness,” aged 72.
1000 - Consolidates local authority
09/02/1000 - Klaus VI marries Adelheid of Meran.
1001 - 🔴 The Ashen Hunt
07/21/1001 - Gisela born.
10/14/1003 - Matthäus born. ☆ (Fulk)
1003–1005 - 🔴 Frontier Raids
09/15/1005 - Meinrad born.
08/30/1006 - Gräfinwitwe Liutgard von Nibelheim dies of natural causes, aged 68.
11/20/1008 - Catarina born.
08/17/1011 - Gilles dies of “camp fever” on Danube muster, aged 44.
05/01/1013 - Liutgard born.
1016 - Lucien breaks his hand, Klaus blames it on 3-year-old Liutgard.
1017 - 🔴 Feud Raids.
11/02/1017 - Thekla dies of winter fever while travelling, aged 52.
1018 - Legacy: Granted terraced orchards to Benedictines of Fulpmes.
08/03/1019 - Gisela marries.
1020 - Legacy: Funded bell tower in Steinach
1023 - 🔴 Raid on a Heretic Nest.
07/19/1026 - Catarina marries.
11/17/1028 - “Koni” (Konrad) (William von Augsburg) dies of apoplexy (stroke) as a judge of the lower valley, aged 66. ☆|[ 5 ]|☆
07. 10/14/1033 - h. 1075 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim VII
10/14/1033 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim VII. Hermitage of Klaus VI begins.
12/07/1033 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
08/29/1034 - Liutgard marries.
01/07/1035 - Ida dies of natural causes, Canoness of Sonnenburg, aged 73.
06/21/1036 - Klaus VI dies of apoplexy (stroke).
10/27/1042 - Gräfinwitwe Adelheid von Nibelheim dies of natural causes, aged 61.
Meinrad (b. 09/15/1005 – d. 08/17/1048, hunting fall while away, aged 42.
Gisela (b. 07/21/1001 – d. 02/10/1069, stroke at husband’s estate, aged 67.
08. 11/02/1075 - h. 1115 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim VIII
11/02/1075 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim VIII. Hermitage of Klaus VII begins.
12/07/1075 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
03/29/1078 - Matthäus (Fulk von Meran) dies of natural causes, aged 74. ☆|[ 6 ]|☆
01/13/1079 - Caterina dies of long illness, aged 70.
09/19/1080 - Liutgard dies of pneumonia, aged 67.
09. 09/14/1123 - h. 1156 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim IX
09/14/1123 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim IX. Hermitage of Klaus VIII begins.
12/07/1123 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
10. 11/22/1156 - h. 1199 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim X
11/22/1156 - Ascension Ceremony of Graf Klaus von Nibelheim X. Hermitage of Klaus IX begins.
12/07/1156 - ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
11. 09/21/1199 - h. 1241 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XI
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
12. 10/14/1241 - h. 1284 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XII
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
13. 09/26/1284 - h. 1325 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XIII
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
14. 06/30/1325 - h. 1369 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XIV
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
15. 08/20/1369 - h. 1410 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XV
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
16. 11/12/1410 - h. 1452 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XVI
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
17. 09/30/1452 - h. 1493 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XVII
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
18. 09/08/1493 - h. 1536 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XVIII
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
1495 – Imperial Reform (Reichsreform) under Emperor Maximilian I: Creates the Reichskammergericht (Imperial Chamber Court).
Losses:
- High justice (execution, feudal courts). Now subject to appeal in imperial courts.
1526 – Habsburg inheritance of Tyrol and Bohemia: Brings Tyrol fully into the Habsburg administrative net.
Losses:
- Imperial reporting lines.
19. 09/22/1536 - h. 1578 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XIX
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
1550s - Hapsburg creation of Landesgerichte (provincial courts) that absorb the old Graf courts. Klaus becomes “Protector of Church Property” rather than “Lord of the Valley.” He’s now a noble landlord rather than a feudal ruler. On paper.
Losses:
- Independent judicial power.
- Right to levy troops without imperial consent.
- Autonomy in taxation.
20. 09/18/1578 - h. 1619 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XX
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
21. 09/28/1619 - h. 1661 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XXI
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
22. 06/14/1661 - h. 1702 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XXII
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
23. 09/01/1710 - h. 1742 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XXIII
⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
25. 08/20/1794 - h. 1849 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XXV
1822 ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
26. 08/29/1849 - h. 1901 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XXVI
1899 ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
27. 03/20/1901 - h. 1940 Graf Klaus von Nibelheim XXVII
04/03/1919 - Enactment of the Adelsaufhebungsgesetz (Law on the Abolition of Nobility)
28. 06/12/1940 - d. 06/14/1944 Klaus Nibelheim XXVIII
1943 ⬦🔹⬦ Winterbinding. ⬦🔹⬦
