| Raniero of Grelz | |
| Fictional Character | |
| Darkness Fantasy< | |
| Appearance(s): | Into the Darkness through Rulers of the Darkness† |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | Algarve, briefly Grelz |
| Cause of Death: | Placed in boiling water |
| Occupation: | Soldier |
| Relatives: | Dudone (uncle), Mezentio, Mainardo (cousins) |
| Political Office(s): | King of Grelz |
Raniero was a member of the royal family of Algarve, and a cousin of King Mezentio and Prince Mainardo. He commanded a Forthwegian regiment in the Algarvian army during the Six Years' War. Mezentio installed Raniero as the puppet King of Grelz when his forces occupied the duchy. Raniero's kingship was opposed by a Grelzer resistance movement but was also supported by an anti-Swemmel Grelzer army.
When Unkerlanter forces retook Grelz, Raniero tried to escape in disguise but was recognized and captured by Leudast. Swemmmel personally oversaw Raniero's execution in a vat of boiling water. Raniero faced his impending horrible death with great courage, defying his captors to the last and in an act of bravado jumping himself into the boiling water rather than waiting to be pushed.
News of Raniero's horrific execution increased his cousin Mezentio's determination not to let himself fall alive into Unkerlanter hands. It was this event that prompted Mezentio two years later to chose a clean death at one of his soldiers' hands rather than face the same fate.
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