Esterad Thyssen

Esterad Thyssen (born 1211) was the king of Kovir, Poviss, Narok, Velhad and Talgar during the second war with Nilfgaard. He was the son of Baldwin and Blanka of Malleore. He was tall, strong and good-looking. Later in life, he was said to look a mere 45 when he was in fact 56 years old.

Esterad (and his father, Baldwin, before him), lived through a very difficult period for Kovir and the House of Thyssen in particular. The first of several bloody power struggles occurred with the Secession of Poviss, when Rhyd declared himself King of Poviss and thus autonomous. He gained independence as did the East March (which later split into several duchies and kingdoms, only to finally unite as the "Hengfors League"). But the worst was yet to come - there was a revolt and Baldwin lost control of his crown to Idi, and for the first time in the history of the house, the Thyssens were forced to flee. During his escape, King Baldwin died suddenly, probably due to a brain aneurysm.

Because of this, Esterad spent most of his youth in exile in Talgar.

But he did not bide his time unproductively. Esterad considered various plans, gathered his strength, and gained adherents, forging secret pacts and alliances. Finally, he struck back, and decisively. One night, known ever since as the "Night of Knives and Torches", Idi, Rhyd and their entire families were killed. The Thyssen dynasty was restored.

Although Kovir was officially neutral, Esterad helped the Northern forces by granting royal pardon to the prisoners in his kingdom, many of which later formed the Free Company led by "Adieu" Pangratt.

He met his future wife and queen, Zuleyka, while in exile. Their children (in birth order) are: Gaudemunda, Heloiza and Tankred.

He was killed on the stairs of his own palace by assassins, choosing to stay and protect Zuleyka instead of fleeing.

Letho of Gulet revealed that Esterad was supposed to be the first target of the Kingslayers, but thanks to the unintentional intervention of Sheala de Tancarville this never happened and their first target ended up to be King Demavend III, the ruler of Aedirn. This means that the Nilfgaardian Empire had their eyes, claws, and fangs settled on the Kingdom of Kovir and Poviss from the start. However his name is mistakenly mentioned as Esmerad Tyssen on the second game.