Gildre Family/Gilth

Gilth
Status:	Dead
Continent:	East Continent
Realm:	Greater Xavax
Previous Realms:	Vix Tiramora,Perdan
Current Titles:	Knight
Titles Held:	N/A
Class:	Hero
Honor:	114
Prestige:	26
Age:	42
Eyes:	Blue
Hair:	Auburn
Sword skills:	53
Jousting skills:	29
Leadership skills:	28
Infiltration skills:	N/A
Bureaucratic skills:	N/A
Preaching skills:	N/A
Unique Items:	N/A
Unique Items Held:	N/A

"This is where I will be laid to rest...At first I fought because I didn't know how to do anything else. Then I found something to live for. Now I have something to die for. If that isn't worth the trouble, the grief, and the heartache, then I do not know what is."

– On life in Greater Xavax

Appearance

You look upon a man who is just slightly past young. His dirty blonde hair is just barely long enough to tie back, yet his bangs have a habit of slipping free from their tie to hang in front of his face. His blue eyes compliment a pleasantly angular face. He is not pretty, but most would agree he is attractive.

At full height, he stand just over six feet tall. His limbs are long and lean, with rounded shoulders and a fairly broad back. He is athletic looking, with evidence that he trains regularly, but he is no mass of muscle.

He often sports a white tunic with a red rose crest embroidered on the chest, the crest of his family. Beneath he wears dark trousers, and leather knee high boots. He wields a simple hand-and-a-half sword, made of quality and held with high sentimental value. He carries an iron strapped shield with a red rose emblazoned on it, a gift from Lady Gia Dragonfyre.

Gilth's Betrayal

Gilth is the younger brother of Fiona. He had grown up watching her excel in all aspects of war and battle, and had devoutly followed in her footsteps. His heart had been heavy when she came of age and decided to join the ranks of nobility in Atamara. He had continued his studies in Perdan, honing his fighting skills with the masters in Aix. Many of his younger years were spent day dreaming of his sister's conquests as a warrior, while his instructors attempted to feed his mind with politics, economics, and other subjects which held no interest for the boy.

Eventually war came to Perdan. The Northern War was a volatile time for Perdan, which almost saw to Perdan's destruction. Gilth was nearing his own coming of age, and was ready to step into adulthood and lead men into battle. He was overjoyed when the family received word that Fiona had decided to return to Perdan and fight for the family motherland. Soon after her return, Fiona was proclaimed Queen of Perdan and Gilth was commissioned to lead his very first unit of warriors.

The Northern War was brutal, fast, and bloody. Gilth served as a lesser-knight under his sisters rule. Gilth fought in countless battles, many of which out numbered and out flanked, with unparalleled ferocity. Yet every enemy who fell to his blade did nothing to bring the approval of his sister to bear on him. She rarely answered his letters, and acted with a cool sense of aloof when they had chance meetings in battle camps. In the capital she isolated herself with her Dukes and ministers within the castle, of which he held not the rank to enter.

Time took its toll on Gilths admiration of Fiona, degrading him to a sense of resentment. She had been his mentor and friend for so many years, yet now it hardly seemed like he knew her at all. Gilth began to lack support for his sisters cause, and his attitude was noticed.

As with any kingdom, Perdan had dissenters. Gilth was approached by the Duke of Ubent Duchy, Duke Albert. The Duke had grown tired of Fionas rule, and viewed Perdan as a sinking ship. Or so he told Gilth. The silver tongued Duke played on Gilths resentment to his sister to draw him into his fold. The unappreciated brother of the monarch did much to lend support to Duke Alberts cause, and after much debate, separatism was decided on.

Shortly after Perdan finally made peace with the North, Duke Albert enacted his plan and ceded the Duchy to create Vix Tiramora. The center of the continent essentially imploded as a result as the ancient kingdom of Perdan was split in half.

Gilth and Arnick

Morning came and the sun inched upward into the sky providing all the land a fresh but terrible dawn. The gates of Patora were open and Arnick and his large cadre of warriors approached it. Huge, two handed swords suspended from their backs and many a shoulder muscle strained if not their entire backs. His arrival it seemed, had not gone unnoticed.

Fierce and fluttering in the dawn winds was a single banner. House Gildre. It stood atop the gate, another 2 flanked either side of the gatehouse itself. Knight Gilth called a challenge as he stood before it. "Till death! or are you too busy?!" His words dripped with mockery, it incensed Arnick. He all but ripped the massive length of steel from the donkey cart that housed his greatsword. A black handled and wicked blade that had cleft many a man in twine before, one more! a cresendo in Arnick's head.

His body covered in partial plate that interlocked and was amply augmented with heavy ring-mail and black leather undercoats. His bald head shone in the early light and his eyes were full of malice. "You die today then little man! I'll spike your head from that banner before the false dawn is over!" He pointed with his weapon at the gate-top-banner of House Gildre. A startling display of strength considering the angle of the huge sword.

Arnicked marched forwards with very confident strides and brought his mean, big sword ready in a guard. Your mother won't even recognize your corpse after the horror's I'll visit upon it! Spittle flew as he forced the words through clenched teeth.

Gilth stood atop the gatehouse in Partora, his banner propped up beside him, gazing at the road leading to the city. The challenge had been issued, finally, and now the issue could be put to rest. He spotted a company of warriors marching down the road, huge men, and at their lead was Arnick. Gilth leaned on the fortification and watched as the group got closer.

"Till death! Or are you too busy?" Gilth called down to him when he was close enough to hear.

"You die today then little man! I'll spike your head from that banner before the false dawn is over!" Arnick shouted at him, brandishing his enormous sword. This caused Gilth's eyebrows to raise. He had seen Arnick wield the devastating blade in battle before, but it never failed to shock him how easily the man hefted the huge slab of iron. Certainly Gilth himself would be unable to lift such a blade, let alone fight with it. He glanced down at his own sword, a long hand and a half. He knew beyond a doubt he was no match for Arnick in terms of strength. He hoped that he could use his agility to overcome in the duel. Suddenly, Gilth experienced a moment of doubt.

"Your mother won't even recognize your corpse after the horror's I'll visit upon it!" Arnick was still shouting at him. Gilth nodded. This was right. This man had become uncontrollable, not that he was ever very controlled to begin with. Someone had to check him. Gilth gripped his sword handle, and began to walk down the stairs of the gatehouse and made his way to the dueling grounds.

-=-=-

Duel (53 minutes ago) Arnick Renodin, Count of Woolton meets his challenger Gilth Gildre, Knight of Castle Ubent for the agreed duel till death. Gilth has decided to use the 'overrun' strategy while Arnick has chosen the 'neutral' strategy, giving Gilth the advantage. The duel goes as planned, then badly for Arnick. He suffers several slight wounds, then a final, fatal blow. The healers hurry, but they are too late.

-=-=-

Gilth wiped sweat from his brow as he stood above the motionless form of Arnick. The battle had be heated, and Gilth had had moments of doubt as to whether he would fell his opponent. It had been the most important fight of his life, and he had just barely won.

He had won.

He shook his head to clear it. Arnicks men stood nearby. Gilth held out his hand and his scribe placed a sack of gold coins into his hand. Gilth tossed the coins to Arnicks Captain.

"See that Lord Arnick gets a grand burial," Gilth said, "He was a brave man."

Gilth turned from the fighting grounds and accepted a towel offered by a servant. With one glance back, he made his way back to his camp, much to the relief of his Knights.

After the Two Years

Having lost Perdans namesake city, a third of her realm from war, and a third of her realm from betrayal, Fiona spiralled into darkness. Gilth and the other separatists began preparing their new realm for the war that Fiona would undoubtedly launch upon them. It was at Castle Ubent while preparing his men that Gilth received word of his sisters suicide. She had taken her own life on the throne.

Gilth blamed himself completely. Had he stayed true to the family, he could have supported his sister and rebuilt Perdan with her. He had let petty jealousy cloud his vision. In a state of grief, he disbanded his unit and disappeared into the mountains surrounding Castle Ubent for two years.

After two years in isolation, Gilth's stalwart companion Oldric found him in meditation at a monestary. He told Gilth of the war in the South, and how now more than ever Vix Tiramora needed warriors. Veterans of the Northern War had become few and far between. Gilth accepted, and returned to civilization.

Gilth once again proved his prowess in battle, this time specializing in mounted warfare. Gilth spent months in battle, living only to fight. During a particularly large battle against Greater Xavax Gilth met Dame Cadewyn Thunderborn. A ferocious fighter in her own right, her infantry unit held firm under Gilths charge. Gilth himself was unhorsed, and engaged in combat with Cadewyn. The result of the intense battle was the wounding of each other, and Gilth was pulled back Oldric as Greater Xavax forces closed in.

After that battle, Gilth felt a sense of reenergization. He could not stop his mind from wandering to the Dame, conjuring her face in his mind. Gilth began to have a more active role in the realm, feeling more alive. More than anything, he looked forward to meetings against Greater Xavax, in the hope that he might see Cadewyn again...

Greater Xavax: The Next Chapter

Gilth's pining for the lovely Lady Cadewyn eventually garnered the attention of the ruler of Greater Xavax, Xerarch Selenia. She presented Gilth with a single option: Cease his infatuation with an enemy Dame, or she would directly punish Cadewyn in his stead. Dismayed, Gilth spent days unsure of how to proceed. His heart had swelled in size, and he knew he could not simply give up his folly.

Instead, he did what no one could have expected. He betrayed Vix Tiramora, leaving their lands and joining Greater Xavax. He put himself at the mercy of the Xerarch, attempting to join the Imperium in pursuit of his love.

Gilth was met with great hostility from many nobles of Greater Xavax, yet some gave him the benefit of his story and extended a welcoming hand to him.

To determine his fate, a trial was to convene with the Phoenix Court in Leibo, involving the nobles of Greater Xavax. However, mere hours before his trial was to begin, Gilth was captured during an attack by Vix Tiramora.

Gilth resigned himself to certain execution at the hands of his former realm. He was sure he had lost everything, including his chance at love. Unbeknownst to him at the time, several heroes of Greater Xavax had formed a small strike force, and assaulted the Vix army. The confusion was enough for Gilth to obtain his horse and escape the prison camp.

Gilth made his way back to Leibo, but was discovered by a roving Vix patrol. With no other options, Gilth was forced to kill the two soldiers, officially dirtying his hands with Vix blood.

Returning to Leibo, Gilth was awarded a short time to clean himself before standing before the Xerarch's court. The Xerarch called forth any nobles who would argue for Gilth to be granted Knighthood in Xavax. The result was shocking to Gilth, for the number in support of him was staggering. Of his supporters included his new Countess Gia Dragonfyre, the Arbiter Aramon, Duke Iuz Crowmguard, all the Heroes of Xavax, and most importantly the Lady Cadewyn herself.

After hearing the testimonials, the Xerarch ruled in favor of knighting Gilth and allowing him to serve her and Xavax. Celebrations were to commence.

Finally, Gilth was afforded the chance to talk with the woman who had been the pivotal force in all his actions. Lady Cadewyn's honesty was forthcoming, as she explained that she did not love him, but that she would not refuse him as a suitor. Considering his last few days, Gilth considered this a monumental win in his favor.

Cadewyn did grant him one token of affection: a single kiss...

Gilth on Cavalry

Cavalry... cavalry is a suicide venture, my friend. More often than not, it will kill you faster than a stray arrow. A cruel mistress. I must admit, I am clinging on to an Old Guard mentality... Cavalry is much more effective in larger numbers. When you have several units charge down the throat of the enemy, the results can be devastating. However, cavalry has become less and less popular with the aristocrats in this day of age.

It is a common school of practice to form cavalry at the rear, due to their speed. You see, you can count on them to move twice as fast as foot mobiles. Placing them at the rear of the army allows them to close with and destroy the enemy just as the two armies collide, covering them from archer fire as well as allowing them to charge, creating extra destruction. With that extra charging power, one cavalry unit will generally smash through around three dismounted units, causing considerable damage. This is largely dependent on the size and training of the unit. I have caused damage to six enemy units with one charge before, but that required a force of 60 cavalry.

Cavalry can be great for dictating the initial tempo of a battle, as well as opening a hole in the front ranks for the follow on infantry. However, this is where the suicide factor comes to play. Once their charge is depleted, cavalry fights generally in the same manner as the infantry. However, you usually end up a line ahead of the main force, thus you are committed to combat with the entire enemy army by yourself.

And speaking of suicide tactics, the majority of armies will deploy in the Archer Opening formation. A very sound and good formation. However, I have seen a tactic many years in the past of positioning cavalry to the front of your army. On the call, the riders charge with reckless abandon, using their speed to reach the archers before they move behind the infantry wall. If the cavalry can reach those archers, you can create devastating losses on their side. I have never personally engaged in this tactic, but you can see how it may be effective but you will undoubtedly be wiped out to a man and probably increase your risk of capture or wounding.

Fortifications,are the bane of any cavalry commanders existence. Attacking urban centers and fortified positions requires changes to the commanders tactics. ALWAYS deploy to the rear in such situations, and have your men adopt a defensive posture. If not, you will simply lead your men to the walls, where they will be forced to trot back and forth while being cut down from arrow fire. Do not worry, the infantry will give you the signal once the fortifications have been breached, and then a charge can be made.

All in all, speed is the greatest strength of cavalry. If you can put a small band of several units together, set to vanguard, they can be quite the hit and run force. And do not forget the 2:1 speed ratio on the battle field. Always expect casualties.

– Gilth Gildre

Gilth's Knighthood in Xavax

Obviously when Gilth first arrived he was treated with suspicion and often downright hostility. However, through hard work and the support of several prominent nobles of Xavax, he was able to prove his new loyalties and gather acceptance among the nobles.

However, it seemed that every step Gilth took forward resulted in a step back in his love story.

While things seemed to be going well in his courtship of the Lady Cadewyn, fate took an unfavorable turn for Gilth. Cadewyn's fiance returned from his disappearance, and more, he had not abandoned her but rather had been taken prisoner by family rivals. With this news, Cadewyn was caught in a difficult position, between two men who cared deeply for her.

Her decision resulted in an eloquent poem:

Upon a high hill, in a tower of bone

Lived a maid watching the world alone
The seas were in her eyes and song
And her hair was ever dark and long

She spoke to birds and beasts
Who lived in the trees
And sought no other friend
Only to live quietly until the end

But a small bush, that had never bloomed
Grew up and up to reach her room
To better hear the maid each night
And from her words came a new sight

A single bud had grown before her eyes
Perfect in shape color and size
Petals eased open, silky smooth
With it's beauty the maids heart did move

She whispered and admired it much
Though only once did a petal she touch
It gave her great joy for many a day
Until, alas it faded away

For the love of the Rose was pure
But in a harsh world it will not endure
She was blessed by the joy the Rose gave
And would cherish it's memory all of her days

I had the love of a rose, she would say
And so might you one perfect day
Seek your beauty, find your bliss
Be as cherished as me is my wish

The Rose's maid in her tower on high
Will never regret or ever cry
In her heart the Rose continue to live
And from her heart, it's gift to give.

– Cadewyn Thunderborn

The poem had cut the last thread of hope Gilth had been clinging to, shattering his heart. Shortly after, Gilth received word that Daxion and Cadewyn were to be married within the year.

Gilth's Comparison of Greater Xavax and Vix Tiramora

I would start with when we created Vix Tiramora. Following the Northern War, Perdan was more or less decimated. The crown was bordering on tyranny and war mongering. At one time, Perdan had been a golden epitome of chivalry and nobility. That is what we set out to recreate when we ceded Ubent Duchy from Perdan.

Duke, and Lord Vixir, Meivmayr D. was at the helm back in those days. We joined Caligus for a short period, for protection, while we cultivated our lands, and then we created Vir Tiramora actual.

You ask about differences... the boldest difference I believe are the nobles. The nobles of Vix largely are from Perdan roots, and Perdan is an ancient kingdom. The noble bloodlines of Vix run very deep. There are proper procedures, and things are done in a courtly manner. For instance, when receiving dignitaries or royalty from another realm, the venue in Vix Tiramora would always be the great hall or ballroom of either Castle Ubent or the palace at Partora.

Here in the Imperium, there is a great population of common born nobles who the Xerarch raised up to nobility, as well as a great array of immigrants from other continents. Many are a little rough around the edges, and do not have that honed sense of nobility. We also host our guests at venues outside the castles and palaces, such as the Black Swan Inn.

I am not saying that one is better than the other; they are just different.

I will say, however, that while we set out to form Vix Tiramora into a bastion of chivalry and righteousness, it has failed in that goal as of late. Fighting on both sides of this war, I have seen the foulness and dishonor of the Vix allies. Yet they continue to march with them, when they should be assisting us in removing the scourge from the world.

Alas, I lament old allies and friends. That divide, I have no doubt, will never close again. Thankfully, there are more than enough people in the Imperium to talk to.

I digress. As for the people, they are a hearty mountain people. More humorless than the commonfolk of the South. I wouldn't say they are a harder working people, but their lives are a bit tougher than those here.

The cities... well, I must say, Greater Xavax has Vix Tiramora beat hands down. Xavax City is quite comparable to Partora, although I found Partora to be just a little more tidy and organized. It is an old Perdan city, and has been cultivated and handled with care. Castle Ubent is a dreary place, nestled in the mountains. Practical, there is no doubt, but it leaves much to be desired asthetically. Nothing in Vix Tiramora, however, compares to the spires of Isadril along the coast line. The only city I have found comparable to Isadril in majestic beauty is Perdan City.

– Gilth Gildre

The Fall of Gilth

During a battle in the region of Igno, Gilth was wounded twice before being fatally wounded by enemy arrows. So ended the epic tragedy which was the life of Sir Gilth Gildre of Aix, Founding member of Vix Tiramora, and loyal servant to the Imperium of Greater Xavax.

The Battle of Igno broke just as the red sun crested the tree tops. The ground was muddied and torn by the invaders as they had ravaged the region in the days prior and the stink of death hung heavy before a single man died that day. Old arrow shafts and the bones of the forgotten littered the field. As the charge was called the Xavax cavalry charged under two clouds of arrows that rushed past one another hungry for the flesh of men. The enemy was a small part of the larger army that had been left behind by the retreating host and become moored in the torn earth. The battle would be quick, it was unlikely and infantry would cross swords and the day would be one with horse and arrow even with the high winds.

The Xavax cavalry careened across the battle field dodging rotting corpses and flying over half filled trenches as arrows sunk into the ground around them. Few were struck thankfully, though that same luck was with the Kuda Hitam as the wind blew the arrows off course from both armies. John Walsh fell in brilliant crash, the mud soiling his splendid garments and the blood of his slain horse sprayed across his armor. Somehow he slinked off with the rest of his wounded and dying men, shielded by their bodies as more arrows found purchase.

The Xavax cavalry colided with the small infantry contingent of the enemy and was slowed. The horses began to slip in the mud and the infantry hacked at their legs as they were forced to a trot. This gave the enemy archers an easier shot however. As the Xavax arny looked on the Minas Novan archers and crossbowman let loose volley after volley of black arrows upon the charging cavalry. At that range even a poachers longbow could punch through a knight's plate. The entire Xavax host looked on ad the Knights of the Rose tumbled one after another from their saddles and fell beneath a steady rise and fall of swords. Sir Gilth Gildre was among them. First one shaft buried itself into his horses neck causing it to stumble and slow further and then as the next volley flew down toward him it became obvious that even his thick iron banded shield could not save him. Nonetheless as he raised his shield it filled with arrows until it cracked and broke with more cruel shafts following behind the others, but still he rode on. After he had fallen Dame Elessa drove her men into a full gallop smashed their way through what few defenders remained. Their hooves trampled over the living and dead alike as they rode headless into the sights of the Black City Bowd, the same men who had shot down Sir Gilth. Dame Elessa had just reached the front line of the Bowd when a finally volley launched forth, killing her horse out from under her. She tumbled and landed beneath it, pinned. Before any other sons or daughters of Xavax could reach her she was bound and the enemy began to flee in a desperate attempt to evade their righteous fury.

At that moment it seemed as though the Paragons took note of the battle, and seeing the soul of the Knight of Roses depart they calmed the winds. The volley of arrows that followed roared more loudly than a gale as they sailed toward the barbarous Minas Novans as they fled. The field was littered with more bodies and more arrows at the end than it had been at the start with most being the dead of the enemy. But even so the death of Sir Gilth, and the capture of Dame Elessa hushed any cheer of victory that may have been raised.

– Ali'a Bedegar

Gia dared the now empty field. The wolves trotted with her. Lupa seemed to understand as always what she was searching for. Gia was leading a remaining horse of the Knights of the Rose. She had no idea who the animals former rider had been. But the horse at least was not a new recruit. It trotted comfortably along with the wolf pack. Only concerned with keeping the smaller animals out from under foot. Although it's canter was was off. Gia had removed an arrow from its flank. But the horse likewise seemed to understand its help was needed. Luna uttered a whine then a sad sounding bark. She had found Gilth. Even among the muck of the trampled field Gilth was still resplendent. His shield lay a pace away where he had dropped it. He's hand still gripped his sword. Lupa layed down next to him and nosed his body tenderly, guarding him. Gia grimly turned him on his back uncurled his hand from his sword and sheathed it for him. She sat him up and in a rare show of Strength lifted him up in a firemans carry. She was dwarfed under his larger body. She clicked to the horse who came nearer and sniffed her. The animal understood. The mare bent her knee and lowered her much larger shoulder. Together they shifted Gilth onto the horse. Gia retrieved his shield, or what was left of it. She gazed at the gift she had given him. She had spared no expense, the shield had simply been overwhelmed by the shower of arrows. Silent tears streamed down her face as she attached the shield to the saddle. A glint of light caught her eye. The compass Gia had gifted to Gilth still hung from a cord on his gear. She tugged it free. 'I shall see this is placed in the temple of the paragons friend. That way it will guide you in the next life'. She whispered to his form. Lupa let out a small howl. The pups joined in and then so did Gia. A howl of lament for a fallen friend. They made their way from the field. Gia intent on making sure Gilth was given a send off to be remembered. A pyre that even the gods would see in their distant dwellings.

– Gia Dragonfyre

~~Battle of Igno: As Told by Brother Vex. Location: Myrmidons Column, on March to Enubec~~

He was more beast than man that day. Bad enough the Bandits had been marauding in the heartland of Xavax. Bad enough they'd once again occupied his lands in Aeng while the Vix pissed away his family's old estate in Oc Lu Pesh. Worse than both, he'd not found a woman who didn't run screaming at the sight of a man in armor in days. He was a flurry that morning, outpacing the lot of us with his bow by at least two to one. When the cavalry broke through our line, charging on, Brother Raurin followed, all black rage and screams. In the dirt they left behind you could barely make him out but for the calls and curses and the clang of rocks hitting his half-plate. I followed of course, can't leave a man like that alone with his thoughts. Too long with nothing but the sound of your own blood in your ears and you're likely to lose yourself to it. So I ran. It's the devil trying to pace a man that large but I had the luxury of a clear path. One our dear Brother Raurin cut himself. Captain Dietmund covered our advance, the black and slate fletchings of the Myrmidons arrows marking our path. Who'd have thought you louts could pick a man and hit him? All at once none of it mattered. The two of us were cock deep in the Bandit flank, pushing on toward the banner of the Knights of the Rose when the first howl rang out. I turned probably too quickly to see Brother Raurin lose himself in the bodies of the men around him. Never again do I want to see that kind of darkness in a man, and I tell you brothers he was pitch black. Left right and center, with only me at his back, bodies slumped. An axe in each hand and foam on his lips our commander bellowed for blood. I watched him catch a sword on his breastplate and thought the two of us were done. There was no way I'd have made it back without him. Nothing I could've done. But he turned it, and knocked his forehead into the helm of the sorry boy in front of him. Tore his throat out as he staggered did young Brother Raurin, red and gleeful as his teeth came free of the mans neck. The man to his left turned in terror, sense rewarded with the gift of not having to live with that memory any more as my blade found his back. So we pushed, pockets of Xavax men making just enough time for me to catch my breath as we stampeded after the Cavalry. As we hit the Knights of the Rose, too many horses fallen to call them cohesive, for the first time Brother Raurin fell silent. I could make out what I knew to be Sir Gilth's gauntlet, his charger obscuring most of him. Pause was given. The world slowed. The sight of Bloody Brother Raurin must've said something to the outlying Bandits because they let him have his moment. He knelt, drawing his dagger, and cut free a line of blood on his own face. With this he drew a spiral onto the breastplate of Good Sir Gilth, muttering of the Maelstrom giving him strength and safe passage. Again in his own blood he crested the opposite end of his plate with two hatchets crossed, blood red on dirtied silver. His darkness had left him, and with black and bleary eyes he looked to me. "Vengeance, Brother Vex. A man can get a foothold in this world with love and Virtue. He can make a life with hope and faith. But when all of those leave you, where love fails, anger will carry you through. Sir Gilth didn't have the mind for hate. Now I'll have to hate for him. Vengeance." No longer was Earl Raurin a beast. The Lord of Aeng was a construct, built of blood and hate. And I'll tell you this brothers. He'll have his vengeance yet.

– Raurin Cortosisskin

As Gia and Raurin leave the house of the funeral pire. Grepthar stands in the shadows many paces off, in full armor that has been burnished. The banner of the gilded stags cleaned and planted behind him and robed in a freshly brushed cloak of fur. Alone he stares into the growing fire reminiscing over his time with his fellow knight and good friend. The lessons he's learned and the laughter and battles shared.

Jost had been dismissed earlier with coin to pay the men and orders to lead them to xavax to repair and refit. Images of his friend leading his last charge in front of the infantry line smashing through units to quickly and brutally for his gilded stags to catch them and assist like so many battles before. Grepthar weeps at his impotence to keep his friend from being shot dead as he drew near in the swirling combat. "I'm sorry I won't be able to take you sailing as promised old friend. May Uthred meet you for the journey you now face and may you meet it with the steadfastness and ferocity you showed in friendship and battle. Tonight I stand over you as you've stood between us and danger so many times."

Grepthar stands his vigil unmoving, honoring his friend well past the pire has sunken to smouldering ash. At dawn I pick up the large clay urn that has been resting next to his feet throughput the night and fills it from ash from the pire. "Untill I can raise a proper monument I will lay you to rest over the cliffs of enubec, in the best of the land, where I promised you an estate when this bloody war was finished. Good bye my friend." I turn and travel to xavax to rejoin my men.

– Grepthar

To my Brothers and Sisters of the Phoenix,

The death of Sir Gilth hangs like a shroud over us. Our lives have been filled with death for years in this cruel conflict. One noble after another falls to the Bandits and their allies and our only path forward is lined with the graves of yet more of our friends. This is the reality we have been thrust into as we continue to defy the genocide perpetrated against us and our people.

I'm sure very few of you know of the religious practices of the Abasnian Isles in the South Sea. There we do not face our death at the hands of covetous beastmen, but the cold of winter and starvation. The Isles are poor in gold and in arable land almost all of our winter sustenance comes from the larder stored over summer or from the meat of seals and fish when the sea ice clears enough for a boat to venture forth. In such a land the presence of gods is not acknowledged, at least in the sense that gods are often thought of here. The land and the sea is god there. The men and women who die are but a part of that same spirit and so the people worship ancestors and land as one.

This I know sounds like a degenerate superstition formed as a way to protect the fragile mind from the harshness of life in Abasnia, and perhaps it is. However that does not mean that what the clerics of Abasnia preach isn't useful in our own spirituality. The Path holds some of these ideas as well. The worthy, those with a strong enech, may avoid obliteration in the maelstrom and this gives us hope, but in Abasnia they believe that maelstrom is the ancestors and no one is obliterated when they return. They believe their dead to simply be absorbed back into the collective spirit.

I share this not to convert, but to inform. I adhere to the Path, but I take solace in these old superstitions and animistic beliefs. I know that when Jarvin died he likely did not survive the maelstrom and what he was is likely lost, but what he was still ended up in the collective spirit of this world. And from that spirit the new shall be created as it is for all things that must pass from this world. Whether one is established as a Paragon in the annals of history or dissolved it does not matter for their legacy is preserved in either case.

Sir Gilth will be remembered both by us and by the world. From his flesh the trees will take sustenance and from his memory we will take heart. His fight is over, but ours is not.

– Ali'a Bedegar

The air hung heavy around him as the young warrior stared at the all encompassing flames meant to carry Sir Gilth to the Maelstrom. Hed set him down in that house, all done up as Gia had left him, and despite the blaze stood cold as the flames licked steel red hot and charred bone and flesh to cinder. There was no warmth in the fire tonight.

Raurin had never fancied himself a soldier of standards. The more advantage he could take the better, and that was half what made him effective. It was by this same standard that he had looked at Sir Gilth and seen a man to respect. A man to learn from, and a man to fear. Because Gods save you from a righteous man who needed no tricks to best you. The musings in the back of his mind said that might've been what had gotten him killed. The musings were probably not far off. But the idea that Sir Gilth could be so clean, so calm to all of Raurin fury and filth had made the man something of an idol. It was this that had his eyes wet, though hed say it was just the smoke. And it was the thought that now without his guiding hand Raurin might be lost in his own putrid mind for good that set his hands to shaking. The fury was one thing hed not hide. Not only angry that his friend had been taken too soon, Raurin was angry hed been too far to stop it. And Raurin hated getting angry. It made him... Angry.

"You've got until sunrise to take the tears Sir Gilth. " It wasn't meant for anyone but the breeze to hear, though perhaps the wind would whisper it on. "After that, the best you'll get from me is blood."

– Raurin Cortosisskin

Gia had traveled to Betholm just in time to join battle. if one could call it that. Shortly after the fighting was over Gia began her search for the proper place to , give Gilth his send off. She had made up her mind a small pyre was unworthy. Sad as it was she certainly had her choice of abandoned homesteads. She found what used to be a fine old homestead. It appeared to have been abandoned for sometime now. After checking around she learned the family had left.... .sought refuge in Xavax. It was a comfortable place, Gilth would have liked it she thought to herself. She took the remaining furniture an erected a formidable pyre inside. Raurin helped her lay Gilth atop it. Gia was unaware of what Raurin did afterward. She arranged Gilth with his hands folded over his chest. Sword wrapped in his grasp. Over the top on his chest she laid his shield. The crest shined up as well she could. She gazed sadly at his form. Lupa whined softly beside her. Gia stirred stroked Lupa's head. The pups had stayed outside. For once their jovial air was absent.

"Uthred...." Gia said softly "You helped me in this world when I was in dire need ..... Assist Gilth in the Maelstrom.... for he is certainly one of us" She sighed heavily and stood up.

"Raurin......? when your ready I'll be outside. I plan to light the whole house on fire so don't dally"

Gia could hear the edge in her voice, but she knew Raurin understood. Every time a comrade is lost the remaining warriors grew a little harder, a little colder. "I'll be outside" She said a little softer.

– Gia Dragonfyre

Letter from Hector Serpentis Tandaros

Your Majesty Xerarch Selenia, Master Eoghan, nobles of Imperial Xavax,

At the Battle of Igno, we paid a dear price to defend the core of our empire from bandits. Lady Elessa was taken into their custody, and in the final moments of his brilliant charge, Lord Gilth Gidre was shot down by a crossbow bolt. I witnessed this with my own eyes, as I have with Her Majesty's resurrection, and the sacrifice of Lord Uthred.

Through Lord Gilth's death, we must meditate on his life - he came from across enemy lines upon being repulsed by their dishonorable ways. He came to us, somewhat suspect at first, but proved himself through his defense of his principles and service to Xavax and Xerarch. His personal code of honor is a shining example to all of us.

Consider his words:

"This is where I will be laid to rest...At first I fought because I didn't know how to do anything else. Then I found something to live for. Now I have something to die for. If that isn't worth the trouble, the grief, and the heartache, then I do not know what is. I can tell you for certain, if I was still a Knight of Partora, living comfortably and rich in gold, I would not know any of the peace I know here and now."

For his sacrifice in the Igno hills, his example to all of us, young and old, and pure example of ethics; I submit Lord Gilth the Chivalrous as a worthy ascendant to the Path of Paragons, and proclaim him the patron icon of the Igno townsland.

Let us continue this fight against our foes, knowing the war for Xavax, Xerarch, and Imperium is no less than a war of good versus evil. Let us meditate and pray on Gilth the Chivalrous before battle. This I submit to you.

In Blood & Glory,

Hector Serpentis Tandaros Earl of Igno

– Hector Serpentis Tandaros

Letter from Daedalus Dogsbody

Xerarch Selenia,

Please pass on my condolences to the family of Sir Gilth. He was the epitome of chivalry and his mounted Knights of the Rose were glorious to behold and scary to face in battle.

Daedalus Dogsbody Lord Vixir of Vix Tiramora Royal of Vix Tiramora Duke of House Ghrest Representative of Ar Mosul

– Daedalus Dogsbody

Letter from Jeames Dacara

My condolonces for the loss of Sir Gilth Gildre. He was an inspiring Knight in Vix and from what I heard was a very correct and good man in GX.

He will be missed, by all of us.

Jeames Dacara Royal of Vix Tiramora Duke of House Timerat Governor of Castle Ubent

– Jeames Dacara