by Iunnrais » 20 Mar 2012, 20:36
Epic Paragons of Valacia
These men are not merely favored of the gods, they have Pierced the Veil, and even Vesk will find it hard to hold them. They can walk the planes, they can tap into the power of the gods in a way that priests would only dream of, they can shape the world...
Devin Myers, Favored of Custos
Mighty Paladin, currently in the service of King Baltes VIII and the Captain of his guard. Considered to be the mightiest warrior in the land, if not the world, and the champion of the nation. Almost single-handedly repulsed the Incursion of the 7 Lich Kings twenty years ago, such that many believe that the draft from that time was not only unnecessary, but a deliberate political deception for other purposes. This is an unfair belief, given that 70 legions marched on Valacia from the Sinster Range, but Devin sought out the Liches themselves to duel them one-on-one. Not that the Liches agreed to such honorable combat, but he fought his way to them-- it is said that he fought his way to them by the power of his conviction alone. Highly idealistic, romantic, and moral... he has little to no favor with the Court Nobles, but quite a bit of favor with the peasantry.
Lady Angelique Miranda
Reclusive Druidess, found maintaining the magical gardens of Thorncrest. A high ranking member of the Mage's Guild of the same island, but tends to avoid the actual college in favor of personal meditation amongst her enchanted trees and crystalline flowers. She is the reason Valacia still has the ability to any conduct business by sea at all. Although insufficient against the combined might of the Seafarers' Navies and their weather mages, the fact that Lady Angelique was able to fight off dozens of weather mages at once, all by herself, should say a lot. But one can only be in so many places at the same time, causing the state of affairs as they exist today.
General Hayes Velamir
Renowned Warlord, commander of the Armies of Valacia. Led the forces of Valacia against the Esterwall in two different wars against that nation, victorious both times. Considered to be a military genius. Has a known dislike for Devin Myers, whom he considers to be a jumped up farmer and uncultured bore.
Archmage Alejandro Nieves
Archchancellor of the Thorncrest Mage's Guild. Author of nineteen original spells, owner of the Mystic Eye. Supposedly the reason Dragons do not travel south of the Joyhar Woods. Defeated the Demon Lord Karblixeth 40 years ago.
His Holiness Monte Luther
Monk, mystic, spiritualist. Possesses a Mountain Monestary in the Esterwall. Considers himself outside of all mortal politics and is not beholden to the King of Valacia, but likewise is not beholden to the Dwarves. Many seek his wisdom, and more have sought to train under him after he talked an Ancient Dragon out of destroying Valacia... and then married her. The tale of their courtship is legendary, and often involves rooftop escapades and wire-fu martial arts battles.
What the world never knew...
His Holiness Monte Luther sits alone in his chambers, deep in meditation, in the center of his school on top of a mountain. Despite being above the snowline, it is eternally spring there, and it seems that the cherry blossoms are always in bloom. Outside his chambers, dedicated students study martial arts, or floral arrangements, or calligraphy, or any number of other high precision arts with infinite possibility for perfection. Beyond the gates, snows blow and rage on the steep mountain slopes, and occasionally, a dedicated individual will attempt to climb it.
This seems to be all. But a deeper look will reveal that while Luther seems to be sitting alone, he is guarding the Astral plane, mostly from pseudonaturals. The monastery is a haven, a place that they cannot go, and when his mind is damaged from the fight, he returns to the peace of the place, and teaches. But when he has rested, he returns to the fray.
When the Well of Storms opened, it was not just the Shadow Flame that came out. It was not merely the tentacled horror that was first fought by Forseth (and defeated within a week or so). The well seemed endless, and Forseth was not able to catch them all. And the fae began to corral them, leash them.
It was subtle at first. The horrors headed west, towards Aiden and Asean, but Luther was there within the Astral, knowing the place, culture, and people well. They kept going, into the Yellow Desert, where they began infecting dragons. Into the Demon's Hook, where they actually began leaving the Astral and entering the Prime. And into Daemenul Alu, where the Eladrin / Human kingdom began-- becoming strange.
People began going mad, little by little. Wizards began conducting dangerous experiments, which for a little while, provided great benefits to the people there. Healings, resurrections, resource generation, even food production. But then people eating the food went a little... off. And those resurrected started seeming not themselves. And tools made of the new metals would twist in your hands, or worse.
Luther and Ancor worked together then to untangle the problem. Luther fought in the Astral, while Ancor fought in the Prime, and then together, once the horrors were beaten back, slowly healed the wounds of madness, pulling the kingdom back into the realm of sanity.
But the horrors simply moved on, heading south... and across the ocean...
Faerlib
Ancient Gold dragon, mostly found in human form. Wife of Monte Luther. Nearly destroyed Valacia once, before falling in love. It is rumoured she uses her shapeshifting abilities to influence Valacian politics against her husband's wishes.
Greymist
Renowned assassin. Real name unknown. Face unknown. Species unknown. Every unsolved murder in the kingdom is attributed to Greymist. Assassinated King Dalton III, five of his heirs, and twelve other relatives, in the end re-establishing the Baltes Dynasty in Valacia.
Last edited by
Iunnrais on 07 Nov 2012, 18:53, edited 8 times in total.