Tolv I, Duke of Verbania

Tolv I von Retzloff of Verbania (September 16th 1890-January 13th 1965) was a Apfeldonian General, as well as the reigning Duke of Verbania. He was the Chief of Staff from 1922 - 1953, Retzloff served for most of the 20th century until his death in 1965.

Early Life
Tolv I von Retzloff was born on September 16th 1890 to his father Rutgar Retzloff who died during the great war, and mother Frieda Retzloff who died during birth. Tolv joined the Apfeldonian Army in 1907 without his father conscent. Tolv was assigned to the Verbanian 14th Infantry Brigade. Tolv was immeadiatly sent to basic training and would stand out during his training excercises. When the Great War broke out in 1913, the Verbanian 14th was immeadiatly sent to the front lines. Here Tolv was distinguished as he rescued fellow trapped men from a Zaktovian machine gun nest. He would be promoted to Sergeant in 1915 for his valor, as well as recieving the Kings Medal of valor.

Early Military Career
During the Great War Tolv lost his father in action during an Austratt trench raid. His father was reported MIA and never seen again. (In 1978 evidence finally circulated that showed his father was held and executed in a Austratt POW camp.) The King immeadiatly realizing that one of his noblemen was MIA, called upon the next heir of Vernbania to be crowned Duke of Verbania in 1916. Tolv was immeadiatly promoted to Colonel and placed in charge at his request of the 14th Verbanian Infantry Brigade. The most famous battle that Tolv is known for was the battle of Mivy, Ostcelestria. When 4 Austratt Infantry Brigades charged the small town, 2 Apefeldonian Brigades immeadiatly withdrew leaving the 14th by itself. The Colonel was said to of stood atop a church and shouted "We will defend this town until the last breath!" The Austratt Empire came away with a narrow victory after the 14th had run out of ammo and could no longer recieve supply drops. The 14th had taken 3,460 casualties while the Austratt Empires casualtie rate was never posted, it is said to have been 9,367. With this grand stand Tolv was recognized by the Chief of Staff and promoted to General and taken under Johann's wing as a mentor.

Post Great War
After the Great War Tolv became depressed at the loss of his father as well as the lack of excitement. Tolv was finally admitted into Lahn Military academy in 1920 he graduated towards the bottom of his class because he was known to have thrown quite extensive balls. He was soon given the title of Chief of Staff when Johann retired the rank. Tolv was known to have hated the red uniforms blaming them for the high casualty rate during the Great War, regardless Tolv immeadiatly set into action several military reforms that modernized the Apefeldonian military. Tolv was known to of had a good relationship with the King and Johann, almost taking Johann as his new father. Tolv married Emili Retzloff in 1925 and had two daughters Olivia, and Emili.

Death and Legacy
After retiring from Chief of Staff in 1953 Tolv began living a very vivid life in politics. However in 1962 he was stricken with an illness and only nursed back to health when he realized that his two daughters had prepared to wed the next year. In 1964 Tolv was stricken once again with an illness and had a speedy recovery, however once he had heard of the King's death he stated "I have nothing left to live for." On January 13th, 1965 Tolv I von Retzloff of Verbania died peacefully in his sleep. He left behind two daughters his wife and a great wealth of military knowledge for future generals to use. In 1968 his hated red uniforms would finally be changed.