Generally known as the Twister From Norisca - which says something about the Cities' grasp of international affairs, given that he hails from the city-state of Narkusk - Lars Verstanel is the Captain of the Yaleth Unit of the Eleventh Regiment. The position is effectively second only to the Commander of the Eleventh in the Cities' & environs military. Born to a prosperous mercantile family in Narkusk in 1278, Verstanel ran away from home when he was seventeen for reasons he has left obscure. He headed straight for Christoté and, by accident or design, found himself right in the middle of the Ten Years War, just at the time when the need for new recruits to fight the Labbish was becoming acute. Possessing a youthful desire for adventure and a rudimentary military schooling, Verstanel joined one of the units which were called the auxiliaries during wartime (and mercenaries the rest). He fought with distinction in the counter-thrust against the Labbish, including Briers Field and the liberation of the Dydsan Shore, but was removed from the war in 1299 by a serious arrow wound in the shoulder. Applying successfully for Christotan citizenship in 1304 - the government was eager to welcome foreigners who had fought better than their own troops - he entered the Guards regular body and began a smooth rise through the ranks. Switching between regiments and areas, though mainly remaining in the Annexed Lands and Labbish frontier, he was first moved the Eleventh in 1315 as Deputy Captain. The main reason for his arrival was that his Captain had successfully wrangled a transfer to the Forgar unit and he didn't want to leave his right-hand man behind. Four years later the aforementioned Captain died and Verstanel, finding the Cities and urban policing to be his style, managed to grab the post for himself. Six very successful years later (1325), the prized post of Captain of the Yaleth Guards fell open and Verstanel grabbed it, one of the first not of Christotan birth to do so.
Lars Verstanel has long despised by the conservative arms of the Guards and society as a careerist, an outsider and an upstart. His supporters, who include some very powerful figures (not least Holan Brightson) concede all points but also point out that he's very good at his job. Possessing a knack for skilful delegation and a good grasp of subtleties, he has always managed to inspire respect, if hardly blind loyalty, wherever he goes. Broad minded and liberal, at least for a Guards Captain, he is a strong advocate in approaching everything without prejudice and is renowned for his even-handed treatment. Nonetheless, he has a traditional respect for authority which he expects everyone to automatically share. He generally rules through reward and inspiring respect rather than harsh discipline. He prefers to try and transfer, rather than punish, errant guards, something which doesn't endear him to other Regiments. Nor does Verstanel's willingness to be led by non-Guards politicians and his favouring of 'solutions' over the letter of the law. Slow to take offence, or at least publicly show it, he exerts a practised blandness and his ability for genuine human feeling has often been wondered about. Unusually he has remained a bachelor and lives a solitary life in northern Yaleth. The only thing which seems to excite his passions are paintings; he has built an extensive gallery in his home and is a common sight at art auctions.