Ponderic

Ponderic was a Gemmeran coastal duke living in the second half of the 12th century. He managed to hold Nilfgaardian influences at bay but was ultimately dethroned by children of his brother Wodericwhom he had murdered years ago.

Ascension to the throne
Back when he was young, morbidly ambitious Ponderic was secretly converted by Coram Agh Tera cultists. In a special ritual they offered Ponderic's tongue to their god who in return gave him an ability of Spider's Tongue – as long as his real tongue remained in their hidden temple, the duke was able to convince everyone to his words.

The cunning cultists planned to have Ponderic under their control, blackmailing him that if he wouldn't be fulfilling their wishes, they would discard his tongue so that his abilities would vanish. Ponderic prevented it however by ordering his men to kill most of the cultists, lefting behind only one priestess who had to remain in the temple so that the dark god would not abandon it. To keep her under leash, he left a tamed beast nearby which would prevent anyone from entering or leaving the temple.

The priestess managed to send a dream to his brother Woderic wanting him to find the temple, but it was in vain – the beast wounded the ruler who escaped only with the help of a witcher from a school in Stygga. After a couple of days, when he managed to return home and tell his wife Dairida about the hidden temple, he was murdered by Ponderic. Ponderic accused Dairida of this deed and imprisoned her in the Tower of the Winds.

Reign
TBA