Template:Infobox Fictional CharacterGuildenstern was a general in the Detinan Army during the Detinan Civil War. He commanded the Southron forces which took possession of the city of Rising Rock, Franklin Province and compelled the locals to throw him a parade. He then led his army north into Peachtree Province to continue their campaign against the Army of Franklin. Guildenstern led his forces to the River of Death, where they were defeated and nearly routed. Count Thraxton the Braggart pursued Guildenstern south and besieged his army in Rising Rock. After the Army was relieved by other Southron forces, Guildenstern was relieved of command and sent to the eastern frontier. His role in the war was over.
Guildenstern was a popular and usually competent general, but he was vulnerable to lapses in judgment, perhaps brought on by ego and/or alcohol. At the River of Death, these lapses nearly had disastrous consequences.
Literary comment
General William Rosecrans
Guildenstern is based on US General William Rosecrans. The name comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet: Guildenstern is a minor character who is always seen with an equally minor character named Rosencrantz. The two characters are often confused both by other characters and by audience members. Note the similarity between the names Rosencrantz and Rosecrans.