Name: Galadred
Current Aliases: The Lion
Race: Asur
Homeland: Galadred, like many White Lions, was born, raised, and trained in Chrace, a relatively small, beautifully-wooded, yet war-torn kingdom at the northernmost point of the island of Ulthuan. However, after his training, he moved through multiple kingdoms, serving as a bodyguard for several lords, until he entered the service of his final (and most regrettable) charge. As such, he has lived in much of Ulthuan.
Faith: Like most Asur males who grew up in Chrace, Galadred is a skilled hunter. Therefore, while he reveres and respects the entire Asur pantheon, he holds a special place in his heart for Kurnous, the God of the Hunt. However, as a warrior and a studious practitioner of martial combat, Galadred also venerates Khaine, the Bloody-Handed god of war and violence. The latter of these two deities Galadred worships in private, and only on occasions before an upcoming battle.
Sex: Male
Appearance: Like any high elf, Galadred is tall and graceful in his movement, with handsome angular features to his fair-skinned face. However, the similarities end there. He is well-toned and strong in appearance, barely retaining the lithe physique of his kin for all of his muscle. The left side of his face is marred by three claw marks that run straight down from his forehead to his chin, scarring the left side of his nose and slightly clefting his lip, the result of his fight with the white lion. His ithilmar armour is a few pieces shy of the full set, giving Galadred a sort of uneven and worn, yet undeniably noble look. His beautifully blond hair is cut short and unkempt, in a permanent state of "bed-head," something rarely seen on an elf, as the length of their hair is often as important to them as the beard is to a dwarf. Even when out of his armour, Galadred is rarely seen without his white lion pelt cloak. The cloak itself is massive, thick, and heavy, with the lion's head resting on Galadred's left shoulder like a pauldron. Galadred's overall appearance evokes past glories, dimmed by shame and exile, but still bright enough to be worthy of note.
The Bait: After spending many years flitting from noble to noble and making a name for himself as one of the greatest up-and-coming bodyguards in Ulthuan, Galadred fell in love with the scion of one of the noble houses he was meant to be protecting. It was forbidden, as the noble was bound in arranged marriage to another. However, the attraction was mutual, and Galadrad and the other noble began a clandestine affair. The affair lasted for a long time, with Galadred becoming the personally appointed guard of the noble's family and head of their security detail. Despite the dishonour of keeping their relationship hidden, it worked well for nearly a century, until a Dark Elf raid on the noble family's compound forced Galadred to choose between saving his lover's life, or that of the noble's family. Resources would not allow for both. Galadred chose his lover, and after he and his contingent of White Lions had saved the young noble, they pushed the Druchii to route and secured the compound.
However, the Dark Elves had not left empty-handed. They had taken the noble's family, likely to work as slaves until death, as was the dark elf way. Galadred's noble lover was furious. Wracked with guilt, and lacking any vent, he turned on Galadred. Galadred's awful choice was revealed to the Phoenix Court, and in the fashion of high elven politics, the scandal was revealed. The Noble blamed Galadred for all of it, claiming that he had been coerced by Galadred, and that his advances were unwanted. Galadred pleaded his case as best he could, but it was his word against the scion of a noble house who had the ear of the Phoenix King. So, Galadred lost his hereditary title, his place among the White Lions, and even his place in Ulthuan. He was only allowed to keep his family's axe, as there were no other heirs to wield it, and his equipment from his time as a Lion. So, with only that in hand, he set off to the Old World, bitter and scornful, never to return to Ulthuan.
Galadred spent nearly a half-century in the Empire, moving from job to job, one week working as an armed escort to a merchant caravan, the next as a glorified bouncer at an inn. His martial prowess, intimidating visage, and experience in defensive tactics gradually increased his fame, and he began to be relatively well-known as a reliable, stalwart guardian-for-hire, becoming so famous as to be given a nickname; The Lion.
However, despite his rising fame, and the steadily-improving quality of his employment, Galadred couldn't shake the shame and depression that followed him from his exile. He viewed his time in the Old World as a punishment, and the hole that Ulthuan left in his heart could not be filled... or so he thought. When he learned of the Black Badges, and by extension, the prospect of joining something far larger than himself once-again, the fire in his heart was rekindled, and he leapt at the opportunity. The fact that he may never have to suffer through the ordeal of kicking a piss-soaked drunk out of an Altdorf tavern again may also have had something to do with his accepting of the offer.
The Catch: Not only does an elven warrior have to display considerable valour and skill in battle to even apply for the position of White Lion, but every candidate has to hunt, kill, and skin one of
these before he can join the ranks of the White Lions. The order is renowned for it's fierce protectors, and peerless warriors. Simply being what he is is enough to catch the attention of any group who knows anything at all about Ulthuan
Yet Galadred has much more to offer. He has consistently demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for command, strategic defense, and small-unit tactics, and has also been garnering a reputation in the Empire as "the best damned bodyguard gold can buy." It's only natural that such a warrior would draw the attention of an organization who needs a strong arm tempered by a sound mind, and the experience that only the lifespan of an elf could bring.
Initial Possessions: Argent Roar is Galadred's signature weapon. The ancestral battleaxe of his family, passed down through generations of White Lions, each adding their own flair and enchantments to the weapon, as is the custom. The blade is formed of Ithilmar, and the weapon is thus extremely light and wieldy. At a command from it's wielder, the axe's blade can be magically 'ignited,' causing it to glow with a brilliant radiance. When swung in this state, the axe seems to roar as it cuts the wind, this is the enchantment for which the weapon gained its name. Aside from this enchantment, the weapon has countless enchantments of sharpening and preservation, ensuring that even to this day, despite centuries of use, it is as pristine and sharp as ever.
Galadred keeps a small, ordinary steel dagger at his belt.
Galadred wears an incomplete set of
Ithilmar Armour in the style of the White Lions, though with his family's noble heraldry and any signs or marks of his merit in service to the Phoenix Court removed, and without the tall helm which is another signature of the order. Currently, his set consists of one pauldron (The side without the Lion's head,) a chest-plate, grieves, and vambraces. The rest of his gear is sturdy linen and leathers.
Lastly, Galadred's ensemble is completed by the pelt of the white lion. Despite his exile from Ulthuan, it serves as a testament to his past exploits and skill. In a more utilitarian manner, the thick pelt can be used to great effect to tangle, catch, and deflect light missiles such as arrows and small arms fire.
Current Possessions: Same as above, currently.
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