Eleonore Drechsler is a bladfrau from Demmen, Demmenkreisen, the Kreisens. She leads an einheit.
While soldaten of Demmenkreisen have more training than most kriegers, Eleonore is exceptional even for these warriors. Her uncle, Rolf Drechsler, had been one of Demmenkreisen's best, and he trained her. He also passed on his theories, which were built off his research into an Old Imperial military manual.
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Eleonore and her einheit try to stem the tide of Dietrich Berger's campaign down the Raxa River toward Demmen. However, they are unsuccessful and virtually all of her einheit is slain. She sets forth to kill Dietrich, and avenge her troops.
Before she can, however, she finds herself pulled to the mountain retreat in the Rueckenberge of an enchanter named Cloud Sower. Since their goals appear to be the same, she permits him to assist her in her quest.
She then trails Dietrich, catching him as he is besieging the city of Demmen. Here, she gathers a drucht to serve her, ironically becoming one of Dietrich's edlers. Following the successful assault on Demmen and the death of Demmenkreisen's kreisarch, Matthias Burgmeister, she kills Dietrich and claims the title of kreisarch for herself.
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Eleonore attempts to consolidate her control of Demmenkreisen, Bergkreisen, and also Weinkreisen by either gaining the allegiance or eliminating her two primary threats. The first is Chlothar von Marekshof, kreisarch of Marekshof and the presumptive heir to Bergkreisen. The second is Emmerich Adler, kreisarch of Weinkreisen. She also attempts to ensure peace to the east with Ivan Yevgenich, kniaz of Zapad Oblast, Matriarchate of Periaslavl.
Both of the kreisarchs refuse to give her their allegiance, and Eleonore is forced to campaign against both of them. However, Emmerich is also aiming to destroy any chance of peace with Ivan.
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Following Eleonore's defeat of both Chlothar and Emmerich, she treats with Ivan and gains an uneasy truce. However, she is faced with more trouble consolidating her rule, Walentyna Zavis, sister of Matthias, schemes to replace Eleonore with her daughter Lucyna Zavis.
During the scheming, Eleonore discovers a deeper plot against her and must travel to the Rueckenberge once more.