Von Bern

Von Bern knew that retreat would provide the Templars with a path to the capital itself.  Instead, he lead the charge into the Valley of Blood, not one Cossack survived the terrible charge but each took a great number of Templars with them to the grave.  Their forces already depleted when Rasputin reinforcements arrived, the Templars withdrew.  Legend has it that Von Bern was the last of his force to fall, standing in the centre of the carnage covered in the blood of his comrades, holding the Preussian standard in one hand and his sabre in the other.  The 13th was rebuilt and renamed in his honor.  Somehow now, at a time when dire need has arisen, so has Von Bern, appearing from death back into the front lines from which he came.  No one dares ask how, after so many years, he has overcame, and no one will lest they face death themselves (Excerpt from Dark Eden).

Von Strasser

Von Strasser was one of the first Obersts appointed by the Tsar.  He helped the Tsar carve out a kingdom when the Rasputin's rose from the depths.  An educated man, Von Strasser was also aware of the threat of the Dark Soul and used his influence to stamp out the darkness whenever possible.  Once believed to have been assassinated during the reign of the Tsar, he has now revealed himself with the remergence of longtime friend, Von Bern.  He was well aware of the plot on the Tsar's life years ago but was too late to overthrow the Obersts in power.  Faking his death, Von Strasser has been in hiding, all the while leading a covert group who sought out heretics believed to be corrupting Rasputin society from within.  He now believes it is time to join with others in order to further Rasputin society and rid Dark Eden of the Dark Soul presence forever (Excerpt from Dark Eden).