Niklas III Karjalainen

Niklas III Karjalainen, also known as Nicholas III of Karelia and Niklas Aukusti Suuri (born 728), is the twelfth Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Karelia, beginning his service in 747 at age 19 after the death of his uncle, Niklas II Saarelainen. He quickly became renowned as a military commander after his astonishing victory at the Battle of Mildenitz in 745 and his later triumph over the self-proclaimed Serkish Shah at the Battle of Satala in 748, and would ultimately accomplish his uncle's goal of incorporating much of Serkland into the Grand Duchy. Military reforms implemented during his reign have also organised the armies of the Grand Duchy into a more professional force. He is, however, not incredibly popular among the Karelian nobility, with many who view him as too controlling, and others who believe him to be unstable after the sickness and death of his wife in 746. Karjalainen is also the twenty-third Duke of Viipuri, and a member of the Dravenid dyansty.