Augustus Brightblade
Augustus Brightblade is a paladin of Alarath who works as a freelance mercenary in Vansreik. Paladins of Alarath rarely leave their clergy to go adventuring, least of all those trained within it: once knighted, they usually stay in their order and go into the wild only on divine quests their clergy assigns.1
Early life
Augustus was born and raised in the Church of Vansreik. A devoted believer, well loved and virtuous among the clergy, he cast his first spell at the age of eleven, and many expected him to become a great priest.2
Leaving the order
Augustus came to see things differently. He accepted the truth of Alarath's teachings, but saw no virtue in championing them from the safety of a city; a god of war, he held, needed a champion who would shout his name as a war cry rather than only sing it in hymns. He put aside his priestly robes for the sword and, with the high priest's blessing, left the order, vowing to return one day as a true champion of Alarath.2
In the years that followed he lived in the wilderness, fighting goblins and trolls, and learned how far city life differs from the untamed lands around it.2
Donald once tried to recruit him into the Eagle Brigade. Augustus politely declined: the Eagles would usually suit someone with his skills, but he felt his journey was meant to be made alone.2
In battle
Augustus fights with unwavering zeal, determination and endurance. He handles his warhammer more like a fine sword than a blunt weapon, landing swift and powerful blows. Against monsters, the undead and other supernatural foes his ferocity grows, and he strengthens his strikes with the divine power Alarath grants him.3
Notes
Sources
This article draws on:
- MCMercenary Compendium(Bad Badger Games, 2024), pp. 12-13, 22
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DeityAlarathThe god of war and justice, patriarch of the Exiled Pantheon and protector of the Empire, who prizes courage above mercy and whose paladins are said to serve him even beyond death.
OrganisationEagle BrigadeA mercenary guild of Vansreik founded by Donald Whent, a former knight and captain of the Reik Storms. Disciplined, devout and loyal to the Empire, it is one of the most prominent guilds in the city and is caught in a bitter feud with the Warmongers.OrganisationChurch of VansreikThe church of the city of Vansreik, which blessed the mercenaries who saved the city from falling to the goblinoids and whose ties run through the Eagle Brigade and many local adventurers.
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