Description
Julius Hargrave is never seen outside of his protective shell of metal. As a knight he takes pride in wearing around his hulking suit of armor which was crafted for him by one of the finest blacksmiths of his homeland. The shield he holds bears the crest of the crest of the royal family that he once served. The massive blade he wields (with one hand to display his strength) is a blade that was passed down through his family and is said to have ended the lives of countless poor souls.
Personality
Julius does his best to seem confident and courageous, especially in the face of danger. He has no fear of death but does not go seeking it foolishly. He greatly fears loneliness and becomes very depressed when off by himself for long periods of time. He is a tad racist towards elves and dwarves, favoring man as the superior race.
When it comes to monsters Julius, though he does not personally despise them, will slay them with little hesitation. Monsters that can speak do make him pause but more often than not he is quicker to raise his blade than start conversation. However, his mind has become addled over the years, occasionally making him question whether he himself is slowly becoming a monster as well.
Though he was once a faithful servant of God and a practitioner of Divine Magic his faith has begun to fade and wither over the years, resulting in his inability to wield Divine Magic and a deepening of his self-loathing and depression.
Equipment
Julius commonly keeps these items on him at all times:
- Greatsword
- Armor
- Shield
- Several flasks of healing elixir
- Book of Faith (The Iluth)
History
Julius Hargrave was once a well-known knight who loyally served the mighty monarchy of man on Aurath. Since he was a young man Julius had been in the service of the noble Astor family, those who ruled. For eons his family and the royal bloodline had been close and he took pride in this fact. Julius rose to become a champion for his king and founded the Azure Knights, a special group of knights that directly fought for and protected the royal family. Many a beast and man fell before his blade over the years and he watched with pride as man's power grew over time, despite having to keep alliances with the two other dominant races of the continent, the elves and dwarves.
When the new world was discovered Julius volunteered quickly to lead his Azure Knights into the wilderness and establish a new bastion for the glory of man. The king permitted it and Julius departed swiftly with his knights, eager to aid in the colonization and domination of a wild new land.
However, shortly after passing the border into the western lands, word came of a coupe. The son of the king had, during their travels, initiated a war against his father for control of the throne, though few details reached Julius in regards to the reasons for such action until well after the war's outcome. In the final battle all those loyal to the king had been slain and the son was left as the last of the royal bloodline. To show the fate that would befall anyone still loyal to the old king, the son had Julius's family retrieved from their home, brought to the capital, and publicly executed. Julius, the man who was most loyal to his homeland, now had nothing to return to.
Everything about his homeland seemed to have changed and Julius's Azure Knights were named as traitors. One by one, the Azure Knights vanished, some returning home to pledge allegiance to the new king so they might see their families spared. Others, knowing that returning still likely meant death, wandered off into the wilderness and vanished. Julius is all that remains of the Azure Knights and of the old kingdom. Refusing to lay down and die but unable to raise his blade against the innocent colonists or their protectors Julius chose to wander Ishar in search of a new purpose.
So begins...
"Where... is my light?"
The Wilds had long been home to monsters and beasts. Man and his allies had come recently, but with the first had come a knight and his company. In the name of the human lords they staked claim to the land, only to be betrayed and named exiles. One by one, these knights vanished... except for one.
Julius Hargrave, Captain of the Azure Knights, lived on within the Wilds. This shell of a man lived on well beyond his time, almost inhumanly long, and seemed a mysterious phantom to those who now inhabited the colonies. Rumors abound of a mysterious suit of armor seen slowly moving between trees and sometimes gazing wistfully towards the men and women of Cathandria. Yet when any seemed to attempt to seek him out he was nowhere to be found.
Deep, deep within the shadow was where Julius made his home. A cave masked by bushes and spruce, illuminated deep within by a small campfire. Beside it sat Julius, his blade at his side and shield on his right arm. He was an old, lonely knight-errant in search of a purpose to serve in this new world. When not alone in his cave he aimlessly walked through the forest, blade in hand, in search of beasts to slay so that he might protect the people of Cathandria from a possible threat. That was not a reason to go on, though. It wasn't good enough.
"Is there no place here for a man such as I?" Julius muttered within his cave, casting his eyes to the mouth of the cave. He clutched his sword and used it to help himself to his feet with a huff. "Where is my reward for my dedication to the Lord and my king?" He slowly moved forward, his heavy footsteps echoing as he abandoned the fire and forced his way through the greenery hiding his dwelling from roving eyes. Julius's great armor shone in the sky's light as he emerged and he looked around, spotting little movement amongst the trees.
"Ugh... My habit of speaking to myself is a loathsome thing. They'll think me mad... though I may as well be. The life of a exile... a heretic... it is no life to lead." Afflicted with a grave melancholy mood Julius pushed onward and began his patrol through the forest. It would be his first in some time. For awhile he'd been content to rot in his cave. Recently, though, hope had found a home in his heart again, though it was a sparse amount.
"Perhaps this day shall be the one where I find a reason to go on... Where my light is revealed to me."
Each step through the forest made by Julius was somewhat noisy, creating a slight commotion as his armor clanked against itself. It wasn't absurdly loud but one could hear it if they listened close enough. The sound was deemed obnoxious even by Julius himself but there was little to be done about it except be as light of foot as possible so he didn't disturb the Wilds too much. After all no matter how long he stayed in this place he would never truly belong here.
"I wonder if it is day or night," Julius thought aloud. He paused, huffing as he lifted his sword and placed it on his shoulder, and then resumed his walk. "I wonder if it matters much anymore. Just different beasts and types of men out. I'll be fine... surely." He began to hum a light tune, one taught to him by a kind maiden long ago back home. He hummed and walked, walked and hummed, and occasionally even paused to look around whilst humming. Eventually his merry tune brought him to the outskirts of a town. He stopped, still amongst the trees a bit beyond the boundaries of the place.
"Ah, civilization," he mused, stopping his humming. That tune helped lift his spirits some, and seeing the sight of a human town aided in easing his mind as well. "I do hope they're doing quite well. I'm afraid I don't quite recall what town this is, though..." Julius paused, thinking silently. "Ah! Rivenmarch! I'm quite sure that's the name." Satisfied with himself Julius stood there like a statue, staring off at the town from amongst the tall trees and smiling beneath his helmet. It saddened him that he couldn't really head in town and greet the people but at least he could watch over them from afar.
For a good bit he stood there, taking in the grand view, before suddenly spinning about and trotting off into the Wilds again.
"No place for me here," he muttered, having a sudden change of heart. "I cannot be staring at them all day like a madman. I've things to do." Julius's heavy steps took him away quickly, and in a short time he was deep within the Wilds yet again. "The dark awaits me," he said ominously to himself. "I cannot dilly-dally. Surely I can better apply myself out here." The knight sighed, entering into a portion of the forest where a strange mist blanketed the ground and the trees began to spread apart somewhat.
"Yes... I'll find my place soon enough."
RPG
