Gerrus Valakarian, Emperor of the seven and one.


At thirty one, Gerrus is a gigantic bear of a man. Six foot six and weighing at least three hundred pounds, he makes for an intimidating sight, even out of armour. His black hair is oiled and styled into a long braid that hangs halfway down his back, beard kept short and immaculately trimmed. Benefiting his position, when out of armour Gerrus wears only the finest clothes, clad almost exclusively in the latest fashions, which he himself sets.


The son of Senta Valakarian, a crown prince of Talleus, the largest of the seven warring states, Gerrus was destined for greatness from birth. His father taught him the ways of court and battle, imbuing in the young boy both the virtues of a gentleman and the courage of a warrior, and life was good. His eleventh year brought changes, internal conflict tearing the courts of Talleus apart, their enemies amongst the seven states taking advantage of the unrest to unite, breaking nineteen years of uneasy truce and marching against them. Aslin, the capital, finally falling after three bloody years of fighting, Gerrus' father already assassinated by a traitor to the throne, the rest of the nobles either dead, missing or taken captive.

Gerrus and his mother had already fled, seeking refuge with distant relatives far from the capital. For the next four years, anarchy reigned, petty squabbling amongst the countries new rulers leaving the people to suffer. With the passing of yet another law raising taxes, the beleaguered and starving people rose up. Several petty rebellions were quashed, but still the people rebelled, until the town of Stalven was razed to the ground in punishment.

Seeing his chance, Gerrus emerged from nowhere, the people uniting behind his banner. In a matter of weeks, the entire country was free from enemy soldiers. Keeping the momentum, Gerrus allied with three of the six, fortifying his borders and training soldiers as fast as possible.

Within eight years, each of the states had fallen to his might, some taken by subtlety, politic and subterfuge, some simply crushed under his boot. As each fell, the rulers found themselves treated with unexpected mercy, restored to their thrones and given back their lands, the only proviso being they reported to Gerrus if and when he called. None were stupid enough to push the issue, all knowing the only reason they still had their heads was at his mercy.

It's been five years. Five years of increasing peace and prosperity. The six have their petty squabbles, and they are tolerated, for Gerrus knows whilst they argue amongst themselves, his power is absolute.


The Crown Treasury.

The treasury of Talleus contains the expected wealth. Gold, Gems, suits of master crafted armour. It also contains those weapons that Gerrus has taken from those courageous enough to stand up to him, the four he favours taking pride of place, as well as the crown jewel of the Valakarian bloodline, the Faenir helm.

The Faenir helm

The Faenir helm is a two hundred year old Valakarian family heirloom and symbol of the emperors will. A platinum silver helm, expertly crafted and balanced, with space for a plume of crimson feathers, the very appearance alone is kingly. More impressive is the Faenir’s ability. Enchanted to protect the wearer, the Faenir neutralises any magic cast near the wearer, the ability strongest when the casting is direct, and adapting and growing in strength to balance out any charging powers.

Due to this, any equipment with new enchantments has to undergo a period of storage in contact with the Faenir, the helm acclimatising itself to the magics and preventing it from neutralising them.

As an aside, the helm also rejects anyone not of the Valakarian bloodline, acting as a true test to the throne.

Aelius, the stormbringer

Aelius is a hand and a half bastard sword, worn on Gerrus’s left hip. The scabbard is white leather, encircled with gold inscriptions of the life and deeds of its owner. The sword itself is far plainer, with little in the way of decoration, built for one thing and one thing only. Combat. Perfectly balanced, and expertly crafted, Aelius is Gerrus’ favourite weapon.

When drawn from its scabbard, Aelius surrounds Gerrus with a whirling tempest, enclosing him with a tornado spout, thirty feet wide, that holds enough strength to hurl a man in armour several feet, and effortlessly scatter projectiles fired from outside the area of effect.

Gerrus only draws Aelius when he wishes to engage in single combat with a worthy foe, and considers the act of drawing the sword in itself an honour to his opponent.

Umbra

Umbra is a main gauche, buckled to the chest of Gerrus’ armour. When drawn, it surrounds the user with a field of absolute darkness, impenetrable by any normal means. Outside of this, the darkness fades into smoky black mist.

To compensate for the daggers skills, Gerrus has trained himself extensively in blindfighting.

The fight against Umbra’s owner, a man who by all accounts appeared a simple monk, was vicious, Gerrus himself ending it severely wounded and spending several weeks under the care of his doctors. There is now a shrine to this man in the cathedral of Aslin.

Atlas’ Hammer

Atlas’ hammer is a light mace, with a two foot haft and a five pound head. The enchantment placed upon it is simple. The hammer strikes as if it weighs five times more than it actually does.

First Love

First Love was taken from a knight travelling in penance after lying with his lord’s wife. A one handed battleaxe, with a one and a half foot haft, a five inch spear point at the tip, and a duckbill hook on the reverse.

When commanded to “Rise”, First Love’s haft extends rapidly, up to a maximum of twenty feet. It will only grow when there is one hand on the haft, touching it with another instantly stops the magic. The command to reverse the effect is “Fall”.

Valakarian Plate

Gerrus wears into battle a full set of plate mail, charcoal grey, constructed by the best armourers in the seven states. Aelius hangs from his left hip, and Umbra in its sheath on his chest.