Dawn of Westeron - an illustrated tale

[Sir Bragallot]

Welcome to Dawn of Westeron! Inspired by The Kingdom Of Ikros, Andrastravia, Vincent Gage and many other castle websites, this is my attempt at an illustrated tale. In the spirit of the mentioned websites, the first few entries will allow you to become familiar with the realm before you continue your way... Please tell me what you think, feel free to ask questions, or take your time exploring. Ikros wasn't read in a day either

Notice: I'm currently moving everything here because it would be difficult doing this here because of the picture limit. I'll keep you updated here, however.

The World

From the mountains that shield the vast Western peninsula from the rest of the continent to the vast expansions of woods and the burning desert to the east that borders the nation of Kerrat, all through the northern forests and up to the hills that border the uncharted lands in the North, the continent of Westeron is a world filled with mystery and magic. The feudal Kingdom of Westeron in the West is beset by the fierce Bull Tribes, while the political strife between the Knightly orders and Order of Magisters in the eastern nation of Kerrat seems to be reaching its climax. Those eyes who have not strayed away from the past have seen the long forgotten, long ignored North begin to stir however, and the problems both realms are facing now will quickly melt away and seem irrelevant in the light of an ancient plot that threatens to engulf both realms, one that may bring back the grim reality of a time long forgotten...

[mencot]

I have too comment on this, because it seems pretty cool. I have followed Ikros and Andrastravia some , a little and I find those stories and worlds very cool too.
To bad I don't have the time right now to follow this more closely, when our own LCC project takes up my forum time.
But continue, you have something good and interesting going on here

[Sir Bragallot]

Thanks! There's no rush, even if you read only a little each day, you'll likely catch up to me at some point! That's how I read Ikros

Kerrat

Lord Junatan

Status: High Magister, virtual ruler of Kerrat
Background: Junatan was an extremely talented student of the Magus Guild, but was eventually denied from the school by Queen Lara, who deemed him far too dangerous to wield such power. Junatan traveled to Kerrat and was an accomplished mage by the time he got there, easily passing the Test of Truth. Junatan has been slowly working his way up the ladder and his vie for more cooperation between the powers that rule Kerrat has fallen well with the populace. Nobles have benefited from working with him as well, making him virtually the most powerful man in Kerrat.
Character: Junatan is very ambitious and has grand plans for everything. He is silver-tongued, possessing an exceptional talent for making others see it his way, and he has the power and intelligence to back it up. This comes in handy, as he prefers to let others to the dirty work for him.

High Magisters of Kerrat

Known as: Ice, Earth, Lightning
Background: The High Magisters are powerful battle mages. Each one of them has developed his magic ability in his own way and passed the Test of Truth, a requirement for joining their Order. They are the most influential people in the inner city of Kerrat and rule from Maralissa Palace. Contrary to the Magus Guild, they do not teach the art of magic, preferring to spend their time on matters of state.
Characters: Wearing the ornate white armour reserved to the High Magisters alone, every one of them carries himself with an air of pride and dignity. The High Magisters have recently worked together with the newest member of their Order, Junatan, closely, using all of their influence to help him fulfil his political dreams.

Lord Grahel Deverre

Status: Protector of House Deverre, Marshal of the Eagle Knights, Lord of Crowfort
Background: House Deverre was already the most powerful House when Lord Grahel ascended to the role of protector, and his leadership has done nothing to change this, on the contrary. Rather than sticking to knightly business alone, Grahel began to get involved with the day-to-day affairs of the nation, most importantly trade. This gave his House an edge and saw it become not only powerful, but also loved, save for some merchants who think Grahel is in over his head. With their current power, this hardly means a threat to the knightly order at all though.
Character: Lord Grahel is cunning and intelligent. He spins his plots for ages waiting for the ideal moment to strike and this has made his family the biggest and most powerful in Kerrat. If you cross him, he'll hit you in a way you'll never see coming, but if you support him he'll see to it you benefit from it as well. Grahel has a great military mind and respectable skills but has laid down the sword for some time by now, claiming there are a lot of military minds, but few economical ones, and he'd rather devote his to the right goals.

Sir Fabian Deverre

Status: Heir to House Deverre
Background: Lord Grahel has many sons, of which Fabian is the eldest and thus his heir. This has Lord Grahel worried, for Fabian never really excelled as a knight or as a leader, and sees belonging to royalty more as a gift than as a duty. Fabian often brags about how everything will be better under his rule when drunk and openly mocks the other knightly orders, which has gotten him in more trouble than he himself seems to realize.
Character: Whereas Grahel is a patient, cunning man, Fabian is brash and arrogant, spoiled by the riches his heritage has brought him. Despite his failures, his self-confidence remains huge as ever, but no one really takes him seriously. He fails to see this, however.

Sir Jason

Status: Eagle Knight
Background: Born from minor nobility, Sir Jason saw tough times as a page, always mocked for being 'closer to a swineherd than a knight'. He always ignored the mockery however, and worked hard to become one of the best knights among the Eagle Knights. Lord Grahel sometimes leaves Jason in command on smaller missions, and the knight rarely disappoints.
Character: Sir Jason is a typically chivalrous knight who believes in ideals and does not always want to see reality. Though he is not bitter towards those who mocked him, he subtly reminds them of their mistakes when they praise him now. The knight is quite flamboyant, as can be seen from his strangely dyed and styled hairdo. He enjoys sparring fights and typically gets along well with even those men belonging to other orders, though he thinks the Crimson knights are sometimes a bit humourless.

Duchess Angelica

Status: Protector of House Crimson, Lady of Grimkeep.
Background: Angelica was promised to the Lord of Grimkeep before she was even born. She spent an isolated youth in the Grimkeep, rarely being allowed to see the sun. When her husband died, Angelica refused to step down despite her lack of an heir and took over his role as Protector. She has since carried on the traditional ways of her House, isolating her knightly order from most of the surrounding lands and rarely getting publicly involved with the others.
Character: Angelica is headstrong and stubborn, but not unintelligent. So far she has managed to retain a high level of authority even among the notorious Crimson knights and shown to be a capable, if not very innovative, leader. As the first female Crimson Protector in history, she requires it to be perfectly clear people have to take her seriously although she's a woman. To underline this statement, Angelica always wears knight's armour.

Lord Goeting

Status: Commander of the Crimson knights, Lord of Syl
Background: Lord Goeting was originally a commoner mercenary who fought shortly in the campaigns of Lord James the Black. When the war died down, he traveled to Kerrat, where he became a reputed arena fighter who has remained undefeated until this day. He was soon noticed and received offers from all knightly orders, but eventually joined the Crimson knights, likely because their Commander at the time was very old and he had a bigger chance at leadership there. By the time the Commander finally died, Lord Goeting had proven to everyone he was the most capable for the task.
Character: Dark, cunning and charismatic, Lord Goeting is everything a knightly commander has to be. He is probably the only Crimson knight who's popular with the populace, largely because of his great jousting abilities. He is also a common adviser to Duchess Angelica in matters of state. It is believed he wishes to marry her to become the Protector of House Crimson after Angelica's death, and though he has never openly proclaimed this wish, this has brought him at odds with Count Adam.

Count Adam

Status: Noble, Lord of Frostfall
Background: Count Adam used to be an influential Crimson knight until Angelica became Protector and sent him away, for she had never liked the man, and for good reason. Finding it scandalous that a woman could become Protector, Count Adam has done everything in his power to undermine her leadership and prove that he would be the better man for the job. He has some support among the nobles, since he always seems to know what's going on at the Grimkeep. Lord Goeting has proven to be a worthy adversary in this game, often thwarting the Count's twisted trickery.
Character: He is a cold, harsh, and prejudiced man, disliked by the peasants, who all live in fear of him. Though he is almost too old to stand up to the challenge, he tries to cross and outmatch Lord Goeting at every turn, making them rivals. Despite his obvious hatred for her, the Count has offered to marry Angelica on many occasions to inherit her title, and each time she has profoundly refused.

Dame Cassandra

Status: Second-in-command of the Crimson Knights
Background: No one truly knows where she originated from. All that is known is that Cassandra was once a powerful mage who traveled the countryside until she offered her loyalty to the Crimson knights in exchange for knighthood. Seeing the benefits of having a female sorceress on her side who would prove women are able too, Angelica granted her her wish, further enraging Lord Adam. Since she joined the Crimson Knights Cassandra has taught the beginnings of magic to several apprentices, including the dark knight Xalen, but she refuses to teach them anything past the basics.
Character: Though reportedly once a stunning woman, it is claimed Cassandra's usage of the Black Arts has scarred her visage, so she always hides her face in public. She prefers to work alone and rarely makes public appearances. She is smart, but quickly riled.

Sir Xalen

Status: Third-in-command of the Crimson Knights
Background: Xalen was saved by an Eagle Knight at a young age when rampaging mages attacked his village, but his parents did not survive, thus the Eagle Knight took their place. He trained to become a Knight to gain his vengeance even though he knew he was not like the others. Once the Eagle Knight's sons saw him training and beat him up for it, but seeing how bravely he had defended himself, his stepfather finally decided Xalen could become a knight. Tired of hearing how a quest for vengeance was unsuited for a knight, he left the Eagle Knights and joined the Crimson knights instead, where he was knighted, which caused a lot of friction between the two orders. Cunning, powerful and resilient, he easily became an officer.
Character: Xalen is silent, always hiding his face and emotions, but his sarcastic remarks are never far off. He refuses to fight in jousts or mock fights. He is often shunned by the Eagle Knights for turning down their order, but barely seems to take note of their existence. The only person Xalen seems to open up to on any level is Sir Garth. Xalen is extremely unforgiving and driven by a lust for vengeance. Often when he's not at Garth's side, people don't know where he is at all, though some claim he is always searching to further his power and hone his skills.

Sir Garth

Status: Protector and Commander of the Dragon Knights
Background: The Dragon Knights are the only Kerratian order where titles are earned through vote instead of blood. Son of one of the greatest Dragon Knights in recent history, Sir Garth was almost destined to become the next Protector. He took this attention very lightly and just did his thing, but ended up being the best choice nevertheless. Sir Garth is one of the few knights who can stand up to Lord Goeting and apart from Sir Jaiko the only one who has ever managed to unseat him in a joust.
Character: Garth has a very open personality. He is a very popular, young knight, always smiling and quipping. This might give him a false air of nonchalance, because actually Garth has an excellent eye for detail in everything that he does, as some of his more skilled peers have noticed. His best friend is the dark knight Xalen, despite the obvious differences between their personalities.

Lord Wrynn

Status: Second-in-command of the Dragon Knights
Background: Wrynn was expected to take the place of the last Commander before Garth emerged. Despite this, he carries no grudge towards his Commander whatsoever. He has carried on his task as second-in-command, and become a trusted adviser to the young knight, often helping him in situations where a little experience is required and reminding him of what his father would have done during the seldom occasions where Sir Garth is at a loss.
Character: Wrynn is greatly respected, and he treats others with the same amount of respect. He often voices how he feels concerned younger knights are living their lives too fast, and often storming forward too blindly. Younger knights find this endlessly amusing, and though he tries to hide it, Lord Wrynn sometimes does too. Apart from being a worthy second-in-command, Wrynn is also adept at overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the Dragon Knight's surrounding lands and can be considered as something of a governor at times.

Sir Brockram

Status: Dragon Knight
Background: Born from a rich merchant family, Brockram was raised to realize he was always above the others. Feeling the life of a merchant wasn't challenging enough for him to deploy his enormous potential, he used his family's money to buy himself into the Dragon Knights. Though he struggled in his first years, Brockram continued to believe in himself and became a capable Dragon Knight.
Character: Sir Brockram is an ambitious braggart and sometimes seems rather simplistic because of it, but many believe his overbearing behaviour has a satirical edge to it and accept him for what he is, because he certainly doesn't lack for courage. His advice is usually taken very lightly however, for it commonly involves allowing him to charge off and deal with the entire opposition all by himself.

Sir Talaris

Status: Dragon Knight
Background: Sir Talaris was born from high nobility, and he expected to become Commander of the Dragon Knights because of it. Life has often reminded him that he chose the worst order to rely on his heritage for recognition, and, while an adequately skilled knight, he has failed to tread in his father's - who had been Commander for a short time until he'd gotten killed - footsteps.
Character: Sir Talaris is angry and frustrated, and takes pleasure in humiliating others. He is easily offended and quick to draw his blade, seeing everything as a personal insult. Sir Talaris is known for openly confronting his Commander. Garth usually shrugs his criticism off and has shown extreme patience with Sir Talaris, yet the young knight continues to feel extreme contempt towards him.

Lyonne

Status: Mage-in-service, Dragon Knight's Warrant Officer
Background: Lyonne claims to have been a wanderer for all his life until he, claiming he was sick of the solitude, journeyed to Kerrat to offer his services. Though he is clearly one of the mysterious Saah'di Mages (commonly known as 'Purple Mages'), he has refused to reveal any of their secrets or teach anyone. This has not stopped him from becoming a valuable asset to the Dragon Knights.
Character: Lyonne is quiet and reserved, preferring to observe rather than speak. Once he starts talking, however, the words flow out like a waterfall and it's easy to lose track of him. He is not ill-natured, but the signs of social isolation still show, as he is often the subject of jabs without seeming to realize it.

[Sir Bragallot]

Excuse me for double posting but I'm trying to make this so I can link to the posts.

The Dwellers

The Dwellers are descendants of the Wolfpack Guardians, once feudal protectors of the border at the time the Kingdom was first divided. Refusing to believe the undead threat had been contained, the Wolfpack ventured North to seek out remnants of their enemies, and were branded deserters for disobeying their King at a time he needed them most. They were believed to have long died, but signs and occasional glimpses of them are sometimes still discovered. Though not many are often seen together, it is estimated there may be a whole army of them spread out across the woods. The Empire generally distrusts Dwellers, believing them to have become as savage as the Barbarians they fight during the many years their society has dwelled the northern reaches.

Miranda Oneshot

Status: Ranger Marshal
Background: The Dwellers are believed to be lead by a young beautiful woman who is sometimes seen appearing before Imperial forces when they pass the border, but quickly disappears when approached. Some claim she is a spy for the Bulls, others believe her to be watching over them. A cause for less strife is that she is likely a descendent of the nobles who accompanied the Wolfpack North.
Character: Miranda is calm and contained, always alert of her surroundings. Though still very young, she has a feeling of agelessness about her. She prefers dealing with problems as quickly as possible.

Alare Bearclaw

Status: Ranger General
Background: Bearclaw is the best ranger in the Dweller army. Well-experienced and talented, he has been a great teacher to Miranda since she took up the heavy burden of leadership.
Character: Alare likes to quip at other's misfortunes, but his intentions are never evil. His presence is almost certain to keep up the spirits of the other Dwellers.

Konrad

Status: Wolfpack General
Background: Konrad traces his lineage back to the Wolfpack lords who first chose to abandon the Kingdom to continue their quest against evil. He has lived up to their reputation, often becoming a spearhead for any Dweller endeavor and making up for the lack of true raw fighters within the ranks.
Character: A stout, proud man, Konrad likes to refer to himself as a knight or a lord, which is an endless well of amusement for the Dwellers around him. Though he will not show it, he sees the humour in this as well. Regardless, he often expresses his dream of returning to the Kingdom and reclaiming his birthright.

Tangach

Status: Werebear Chieftain
Background: Tangach was rescued from a trap by Alar. Never having seen a human up so close, Tangach ran home to tell the tale, only to be banished by his Werebear brethren, who saw the Dwellers as nothing but invaders. Tangach studied the Dwellers long and hard and finally challenged his Chieftain for leadership, claiming the Dwellers meant no harm. He won the fight and his clan stopped fighting the Dwellers, but were chased away by the other Werebear clans because of it and forced to join the Dwellers.
Character: Tangach isn't as aggressive as most werebears, but very protective of his friends. Though he's not able to speak the human language, he seems to understand it and can express himself through gestures and growls well enough. He is much more energetic than his allies, often willing to push on while others choose to rest.

Tufalk

Status: Werebear Lieutenant
Background: Tufalk was one of the few Werebears to share Tangach's views on humans when he first tried to convince them, but he lacked the confidence to speak up for him. He has since apologized to Tangach for not supporting him from the start and shows extreme loyalty towards him for this reason.
Character: Tufalk is the only Werebear among the Dwellers who can speak the human tongue. He has a great interest in humans and often tries to imitate them, which is an endless form of amusement for many of the Dwellers. Contrary to other Werebears he wears some chainmail around his arms and is easily recognizeable because of it, though it's likely only there because he likes it. Tufalk's curiosity sometimes gets him in trouble.

Mudi

Status: Dweller, Self-declared General of the Dwarves
Background: Mudi claims to have come from very far up North. When he encountered the Dwellers, he immediately asked if he could join them. Able to tell tales no Dweller had ever heard and brew ale better than anyone else, he quickly became a popular member of their band.
Character: Mudi is a loudmouthed, beer-swelling dwarf as typical as they come, but he also has a great mind for technology and design, which has been a great asset to the Dwellers. Mudi always gets in trouble, but it is accepted as a fact that he simply has terrible luck. Although he is the only dwarf in the Dwellers' company he insists this only means he deserves the title 'general' by default.

Lorric

Status: Dweller, Giant
Background: The only thing Lorric remembers from his childhood is that he grew up in the Northern mountains, where he was likely abandoned somehow. Being a giant, he survived, also by magically getting in touch with nature. Choosing to venture south, he found people with a lot of respect for nature in the Dwellers, and chose to join them.
Character: Lorric is a great protector of nature, and his ability to literally communicate with the land has been a great asset to the Dwellers. He dislikes 'the iron men in their cities of stone' and is sad because there are so few giants nowadays, but the company the Dwellers give him makes up for a lot. Lorric can go into a berserk rage when something (usually the destruction of nature) puts him off, and one had better not stand before him and his earth mace when he is.

[Sir Bragallot]

Adventurers

The known mercenaries, rogues and freelancers of Westeron.

Boss Laris

Known as: The Purse King
Status: Virtual ruler of Syvall, crook
Background: Laris started out his career as a simple thief, but through a great amount of trickery and wit, he managed to gain a lot of influence in the rogue city of Syvall and over time could call himself ruler. Despite his obvious crime record, the King has tolerated him because, as Laris proudly states: 'I am the only man who can keep Syvall under a degree of control'. Everyone who's spent enough time in the city seems to owe him certain debts, and Laris swears he could raise an army of mercenaries from the city in a day without spending a penny if he had to. He's also a very useful informant: whenever the Kingdom is in need of information, Laris would get that information. For a price, of course.
Character: He's a quick-witted crook, never to miss up on an opportunity to earn some quick cash. No methods are below him to get what he wants, but he's smart enough never to seem too guilty. He says 'Syvall is a world on its own' and claims he wants nothing to do with what's outside of it, but you can bet your head on it he's aware of any lucrative opportunities outside of Syvall as well.

Drakensy (credited to NapalmKing)

Known as: Lord of Night
Status: Mercenary, Night Ranger
Background: Drakensy leads a mysterious band of mercenaries known as the Night Rangers. For years, Drakensy and his retainers have been fighting threats local authorities found no answer to, working for noble and commoner alike. Though no one ever sees him pass the mountains, he is often seen in both Kerrat as the Kingdom.
Character: Drakensy is a quiet and observant man. Though the Lord of Night may come off as scary to many, people who have worked with him are always positive, mentioning his trustworthiness and sense of duty. He rarely has a large group of men with him, but it is apparent that he and his retainers are extremely well-organized despite being so spread out over the land. Drakensy keeps to himself, rarely ever explaining his methods or any details about jobs he's done to anyone.

Punik

Status: Mercenary
Background: Punik only arrived in the Kingdom a few years back, and for many people he was the first Dwarf they ever laid eyes on. Punik began to work as a mercenary, and when he's not drinking, he's commonly fighting. Despite his short size and apparently simple equipment, he gained a reputation as a fierce adversary, often jumping around like a rabid furball and hitting his opponents on the shins until they go down.
Character: Punik claims to be 'searching for something', but gives no more reason for his appearance in the Kingdom and any inquiry about where he comes from is usually met with a threat or a bop on the head. He's a greedy and aggressive individual, and anyone choosing to mock him over his size will likely end up with painful shins.

Droe de Alar (credited to Killer_Karetsu)

Status: Hitokiri outcast, mercenary
Background: Droe was a Hitokiri warrior who was unhappy with the isolated way of life his people live, and left the South to become a mercenary. This shamed his family, and over time he came to understand he was no longer welcome in Hitokiri society, but with nowhere else to go, carried on his life as a mercenary.
Character: Droe hides his emotions in silence, but carries a lot of regret. The thrill of battle is the only thing that can keep his shame off his mind. He dreams to regain his honour in some way, but every time he fights as a mercenary he seems to move further away from this goal.

Boras Brewstone

Status: Brewer, Mercenary
Background: Boras gained a fierce reputation as a mercenary when he was still young, nowadays he spends more of his time brewing beer and potions, though he occasionally still takes on jobs.
Character: Boras is an exceptional mercenary in that he charges his customers depending on how much he enjoyed the fight. If he enjoyed the fight enough he sometimes charges nothing at all, but if it was too easy, chances are he will take out his unspent anger on his employer. His brews are appreciated by many, and is some of the strongest stuff to be found in Westeron, Boras himself claiming 'one barrel of ma ale could lay waste to 'ntire battalion!'.

The Possessed Brethren (background credited to benkim)

Known as: Tachi and Nodachi
Status: Wanderers, Outcasts
Background: They were once Hitokiri, and that's about everything anyone knows of them apart from the fact both are really old. As the story goes, at some point in their lives they were tricked by a dark deity, which caused them to become as they are, no longer accepted in society. The possessed brethren have been traveling the world, sometimes seen investigating old ruins. It is believed they are looking for a way to avenge themselves.
Character: They are unwelcome almost anywhere, and they know it, often shunning civilization. Both are almost entirely silent. They distrust other people for obvious reasons - they are people's favourite scapegoats - and seem to be under constant restraint. Their skills are superb, and any bad words about them are usually only spoken when they are far away.

Haldon

Status: Master Smith
Background: Haldon the master-smith is a living legend amongst the populace of Westeron and Haldon had been crafting magical items long before King Bastard's reign even began and hasn't aged a day since then, causing many to believe he isn't actually human. Many of the magical weapons used around the continent were made by his hand.
Character: Haldon has a love for gold, and charges a lot for his services. Though he often seeks the isolated corners of the Kingdom to practice his craft, he is not unsociable. Conversations with him tend to be rather one-sided though, as he tends to talk of nothing else but his craft. He's not quick to anger, but anyone who has tried to steal from him over the years has commonly received a hammer to the face. Haldon remembers every weapon he's ever forged and when finding them back even speaks to them as if they're alive.

Rolys the Daring (background credited to Ross_Varn)

Status: Scientist, hunter
Background: He made his name as a 'mad scientist' in his hometown after having rid the village of an invading rogue warlord by a clever combination of exploding chickens, firemoats, and a very purple meat-dragon dummy. He was consequently run out of town, and became a wandering hunter.
Character: He's a crafty and clever, but somewhat insane individual. When not hunting, Rolys tends to attempt to gain an audience with lords and knights alike, attempting to sell off his creations. So far he hasn't been very successful. He has a wide array of potions and arrows to use on his enemies, but only a dagger to defend himself with.

Aloysius Black (credited to Elmagnifico of the Brikwars forum)

Status: Wandering inventor, self-declared Royal Engineer
Background: Westeron has always favored magic over science, with gunpowder and clockwork being looked down upon as "dirty" and "uncouth", unworthy of serious pursuit. Gunpowder weapons were instead adopted by Starcapes, Hitokiri and Scallywags, further tarnishing science's reputation with the Powers that Be. Hence, mage-blind Aloysius, his mad inventions, and delusions of officialdom went unheeded by all, despite his development of a multi-round, semi-automatic arquebus.
Character: Aloysius has delusions of grandeur, as shown by his tendency to introduce himself as 'Royal Engineer.' He is an endless optimist however, always carrying on despite his lack of recognition. When he isn't working on any inventions, Black is constantly on the lookout for a chance to deploy them.

Squire Joul (credited to RunsWithLegos of the Brikwars forum)

Status: Scavenger
Background: Too restless to live a simple way of life, Joul quickly left his farming homestead, donning some broken equipment he found at the site of a skirmish. He began to travel the world, looking for places where there was something to be had. Because of this he is sometimes jokingly referred to as 'Scavenger Joul'.
Character: Joul calls himself a squire, but he has no master to serve. Oblivious and seemingly uncaring about anything but loot, it is a surprise to many he has survived his travels. Joul has an exceptional talent for digging up things, however, and sometimes discovers the most fantastic items where no one would have expected them.

[Sir Bragallot]

Villains

Though undead sometimes still appear in Westeron naturally in the form of the restless dead or skeletons awoken by loose magic, they rarely do so in large enough numbers to pose a serious threat. The reign of the King who defeated the undead army has long since passed, and it is accepted the undead as the grand force of destruction they once were are all buried and gone. What little is still known of them are little more than old wives' tales told to frighten children. Though the thought of a serious undead threat is not even considered, these names, at least, still live on through the stories.

Phineus

Status: Deceased, Necromancer
Background: 'Phineus came from the North, where he had bred his army of monsters with the local populace as his fuel. We were never sure whether he was a living man or a raised body himself. When he converged upon us, Westeron's very foundations shook under his attack. Yet still he was eventually defeated, and disappeared never to be seen again.'
Character: 'He went about what he did almost pleasantly, no matter how horrible it was. It takes a certain kind of man to lead an army of darkness into human lands, and Phineus was just that.'

Aelcar The Shadow Wizard

Status: Deceased, Undead Wizard
Background: 'At Phineus' side, or leading his hordes from the back, was often a mage of terrible power. Contrary to the necromancer, he never seemed to take pleasure in his work of destruction, but he was no less vicious for it.'
Character: 'He gave the impression to be working for Phineus against his will, although he was clearly evil. It is possible the Shadow Wizard had challenged Phineus' leadership of the undead army, and lost, becoming his slave as a result.'

Inferno

Status: Deceased, fire demon
Background: 'Amongst them was a blazing demon, tall as the tallest men, burning with the very fires of Hel. The extreme heat radiating from him made approaching him alone nearly impossible, while any common weapon stuck into his body would simply melt down."
Character: 'He often stood behind the lines, burning countless men alive without ever dropping his bestial grin.'

The Bone King

Status: Deceased, undead warrior king
Background: 'The lands Phineus first conquered must have been controlled by another. One huge undead warrior represented the image of a King, who had likely been one of Phineus' first victims.'
Character: 'The Bone King always charged the frontlines, fighting against impossible odds and seeking the strongest opponents, as if he vied for his second death. No matter how many times he was destroyed, however, the Necromancer would willingly sacrifice many of his lesser servants to resurrect him.'

Maloch of Blacklance

Status: Deceased, demon warlord
Background: 'A demonic black knight leading from the frontlines, who tore apart defenders at will and bested the finest of our knights. His mere presence seemed to give the undead warriors around him more power.'
Character: 'A great devotee of evil, the demon known as Maloch of Blacklance went through great lengths to purge us humans, sometimes riding his cavalry around for weeks on end and leaving only rubble and corpses in his wake.'

Lorn Lightstalker

Status: Deceased, vampire warlord
Background: 'A truly wicked soul, the vampire lord was believed to be a barbarian who had willingly accepted the unlife. A true terror to the populace of Westeron, he haunted them day and night, striking at homesteads and killing people in their sleep.'
Character: 'The vampire lord stalked at night and no wall could stop him, for he crept and leapt like a shadow across ravines and battlements alike. The Lightstalker enjoyed destroying weaker foes and would often leap over our defenses to cut at our archers. Whenever he was wounded, the fiend would sap the life from enemy and ally alike to replenish his strength.'

Shadows

Status: Elite Assasins, Bodyguards
Background: 'Shadows are the reason the phrase 'May the Shadows get you!' is still used in Westeron today. No leader who took up the sword against the undead was safe from them. They were the Elite, always guarding the Necromancer when he was in peril. Possessing unnatural agility and sleek physiques, we did not believe them to have once been human.'
Character: 'They would avoid any open combat when they could, but appear from the shadows and defend fiercely whenever the Necromancer was in danger.'

Undead Desert Kings

Status: Deceased, undead elite mage-warriors
Background: 'The Desert Kings of the ancient kingdom of Avernion were buried deep in their temples upon their death. When Phineus descended on the deserts and unleashed his hellish magics upon them, they discovered they had not buried them deep enough...'
Character: 'They were as fierce in death as they had been in life, only with the added unholy strength and spells the unlife had bestowed upon them.'

Undead High Templar

Status: Deceased, undead elite infantry
Background: 'The High Templar as Avernion stood as one against the undead army, and so did they die and rise again as one too after their defeat...'
Character: 'Much like their Kings, the High Templar were equally fearsome in death, except they no longer showed any restraint or mercy.'

[Sir Bragallot]

The Bull Tribes

The Bull Tribes are previously unknown fierce barbarians from the Northern Hills who have been at war with the Kingdom, most notably the Empire, for decades. It is suspected the Bull population one day became too great for the Hill-lands and they weren't suited to living in forests, and that's how they ended up attempting to conquer the Kingdom. So far the tribes are stuck safely behind the border mountains and the fortresses of Starkeep and Lionmaw however: they generally succumb to infighting too often to overcome these formidable defences.

???

Status: High Chieftain (?)
Background: Some Imperial commanders claim the Bulls are showing up in greater numbers and have become more organized. They also believe a man must be uniting them all, for warriors of different clans have begun to show up together in battle groups more often, and their insignias are becoming less divers.
Character: If a man were to be able to unite the Bull tribes, he'd doubtlessly have to be not only strong, but also cunning and charismatic.

Voytek (name credited to Zupponn)

Status: Bull Ranger
Background: Voytek has always been a scout for his people, giving information to all different chieftains and doing whatever he felt was the best for his people. He often worked alone, never once joining a conflict between his own people, although many chieftains would like the skilled ranger to work for them.
Character: Voytek is sarcastic and witty and has no need for formalities, which often upsets his betters, but he is way too respected and valuable to his people for them to take action against him. He is willing to forego traditionalist ways if this is the best choice for the Bull nation. Though a patriot, he also often criticizes his people for being 'bigoted and stuck in useless traditions.'

Sir James

Status: Outcast, turncoat, general
Background: Sir James was an Imperial captain who suggested the Kingdom should negotiate with the Bulls and perhaps grant them land, since he believed there was enough space left in the Kingdom for their people and it was the easy way to end the war. Emperor Nathaniel had him stripped of his rank for this outrageous idea. Sir James, frustrated, crossed the border and joined the Bulls. Although originally distrusted, his skill as a warrior and commander and knowledge of Imperial cities and tactics gained him a place among the Bulls' most respected warriors.
Character: Sir James has become as savage as the Bulls, and is obsessed with getting vengeance on Emperor Nathaniel. He now slays his former kinsmen without remorse. He is a master at teaching men discipline, and it is accepted the Bulls became a far stronger and more disciplined force since he's been training their forces and teaching them tactics.

Valarius

Status: Bull ranger
Background: Valarius is a feared Bull ranger who hunts Imperial scouts for sport. He can run an ambush single-handedly and his knowledge of the land is second to none. Apart from Voytek he is likely the most proficient ranger, and it is believed he will become the best once Voytek's age catches up to him and he gains more experience.
Character: Valarius is good, and he knows it. He is young and brash, and very devoted to the Bull God. Valarius often seeks out the icons or spies on the Bull God's creatures, and has tried approaching them on many occasions. He likes to refer to his enemies as 'sacrifices', and any of them who get caught by him will end up as a sacrifice to the Bull God or his creatures.

Rax

Status: Bull berserker
Background: Rax stabbed one of his own eyes out as a part of a wager to see who loved the Bull God the most. All his life he has been training to become a warrior, and since he was able to swing an axe he's been sighted in almost every battle the Imperials have waged against the Bull nation. He has fought for many chieftains, but always refused to go up against his own people, much like Voytek.
Character: Rax isn't too bright, and he's the only one who doesn't seem to realize it. Though a respected warrior, his opinion isn't sought after on complicated matters, though he will always give it when he's in earshot. Rax is also a huge devotee of the Bull God, preferring to wear Bull skins rather than armour. Though a berserker, he knows when the time has come to retreat, believing 'it is better to fight another day.'

Three shields

Names: Carius, Weasle, Angrix
Status: Chieftains
Background: Traditionally, the Three Shields are the three most powerful chieftains in the Bull Nation. Even if they're at odds, they form a council that meets regularly to discuss the Bull tribes' best plan of action against the Empire. In the past, these meetings have often lead to violence.
Character: Each chieftain represents one of the Bull's prime qualities. Carius represents courage, Weasle stands for cunning and Angrix is a symbol of pure strength.

[mencot]

You have made some very cool figs for your story, I especially like the bull tribes figs and there the three shields . Amazing and funny background stories for theme all .
Waiting in eager to read the first chapter

[Medieval Guy]

Cool! I look forward to the story progressing.

[Sir Bragallot]

Thanks guys! I'll soon have to continue this in another forum that can support my awesome pictures and move this section, but despair not: I'll keep you updated here and also post the links every time something new is finished and you'll still be able to just reply here. I'm excited about getting the first chapter up as well - more stuff keeps coming up to delay me but it'll get done eventually!

[Sir Bragallot]

I'm able to repost everything here and am currently in the process of doing so. You'll be able to get there easily through my sig or this thread, and I'll keep you updated here whenever I post something new. The cast will be improved on the new page, so stay tuned