Ironsides Family/Armstrong/Biography
Biography of the Hero of Democracy
Fontan
Armstrong, the oldest by a few months, is set to be patriarch once Soren passes, and thereby remained on the East Continent while two of his brothers emigrated. He was ennobled at a time of terrible wars on Fontan, facing five powerful enemies bent on its destruction and embroiled in a civil war, as one of those enemies was the seditious Duke of Fontan itself! (The tyrant of the Confederacy of Fontan) He was a knight of Ashforth, under Duke Duncan, then served Duke Niles as a knight of Karbala, was the Count of An Najaf for a long time until he resigned and returned to military service. After his resignation, he became a knight of Oberndorf under Count Requiem, now under Count Aulus Severus and returned to the army. Armstrong commands the fierce and strong Roughnecks who used to march with the Fontan Rangers, Lions, and then the Fontan Strike Regiment before he left Fontan for Westmoor. Lord Armstrong was the Marshal of the FSR for some time until other duties forced him to resign.
Recognized as the Hero of the Democracy, many tales are told of Armstrong's youth and heroic deeds. He has already become a living legend for the people of his home region of Dulbin, and stories told of him are spread throughout Fontan and the East Continent.
As well as being a Hero on the battlefield, Armstrong is also a prominent, if not foundational, member of the Elementalis Academy. Along with Elder Elberan, he was instrumental with the creation of the curriculum and the structure of the Academy. He is the Guild Master of the Elementalis Academy in An Najaf, an Elder of the Academy, and a Master of the Fire Element.
In addition to being an Elder in the Elementalis Academy, the Hero of Democracy is one of the foundational members of the Invigilators of the Fourth Law guild in Fontan. The guild's purpose is to oppose the forces of witchcraft and spellcasting. Armstrong loathes and fears the mysterious power of the occult and has several times tried to defeat it (including leading the Second Accursed Committee in Oberndorf which rounded up thirteen peasant suspects). With luck and righteous judgement, as an Inquisitor, he will cleanse Fontan of evil.
After his rehabilitation plan succeeded in the region of An Najaf, the Hero of Democracy finally realized his dream to build the Congress of Democracy. A terrible day occurred in the life of the Hero of Democracy when he was betrayed by Count Jon Paul Ogren who destroyed the Congress of Democracy. The Hero of Democracy went through several erratic reactions finally to settle down and bring the issue to court. The Congress of Democracy versus Count Jon Paul Ogren begun to decide the matter, the court was presided over by Supreme Justice Moira Dubhaine. Supreme Justice Moira's verdict was much the same as Supreme Justice Duncan's.
In retaliation for an attack on An Najaf by Caligus during an unannounced cease fire, the Hero of Democracy formed his own gang called the Headbusters Gang. Their sole purpose was to cause as much damage to Caligus as possible, either by destroying the raiding units, or invading enemy territory. Unfortunately for the enraged Count, a peace treaty ceased his desires to assault Caligus. Instead, his army became a dormant force, waiting for the day to unleash vengeance.
The notorious infiltrator Guy Revan was captured by the Hero of Democracy when he attempted to assassinate him in Dale. Fontan rejoiced at this news.
After a long time in privacy, the Hero of Democracy announced to the realm his wedding to a local noble woman from An Najaf named Cerise. The two had been courting for some time and felt it was finally time to union. It was a clear cool day in An Najaf when Armstrong married Cerise. The ceremony was small and took place on the Plantation near the Hero of Democracy’s former estate. Lady Cerise’s family attended and also a few of Armstrong’s brothers and sisters from Dulbin. After they were wed, the party moved to the beach where they feasted and drank wines and spirits provided by Count Aulus until the sun set. It was a wonderful family occasion and a happy day for the couple.
Certain private moments are intentionally not made public to maintain the image of the Hero of Democracy. Moments such as his consistent defeats in attempting to become Chancellor of Fontan, and his fruitless attempt to become the General, promising he would capture Avamar in one month if elected. Also such tragedies as his friendship with Lord Jon Paul Ogren. These moments and much more are unpublished.
Westmoor
After a decade of service, Armstrong decided to return to his home region of Dulbin. He moved his wife and their home to Oligarch until he integrated himself into his new realm. The Roughnecks serve in the Westmoor Tactical Force under the Marshaling of Duke Cyprian. The mantle he invented and proudly carried has been put on hiatus until further notice. Armstrong, once Hero of the Democracy, is now a knight of Westmoor.
Reasons for this sudden departure are unknown. Some say because he succumbed to tyranny, others say that he got burned out, while another set believe that he lost faith in the Democracy of Fontan. His future is also unknown since he no longer has the purpose of glorifying and devoting himself to Democracy.
After the long engagement, the small wedding, and then relocation, the first generation Ironsides grew by one more member on the East Continent. On the 7th of December 1009, in Oligarch, Lady Cerise gave birth to Lord Armstrong’s first son. The boy was named after Armstrong’s famous grandfather, Ford. In the family, the grandfather reserves the name Ford, while the newborn must be recognized as Ford the Younger (or Ford Young for short). An omen occurred during the baby's birth which signaled his greatness in some way.
When the position for Vice Marshal of the Westmoorian Column opened up, Armstrong put in his application and was accepted by Marshal Stella Anima. He hopes to find something worthy to devote his heroism to, and is slowly believing that he can find such a cause in Westmoor. After some time in the service of Westmoor, when the announcement was made to the realm on who would become the new Banker Armstrong answered. Proudly, he now serves the realm in that capacity. Shortly after his appointment as Banker, Armstrong was selected by Duke Gregor Relak to become the Count of Morshes, in which he hopes to improve and affect positively.
During a coordinated ally attack on the city of Avamar, Armstrong was captured and imprisoned. He escaped a few days later only to be recaptured and imprisoned for the full term. He lost his position as Banker. When he returned to the realm he learned of the new war with Caligus and decided not to resume his work as Banker and instead devote himself entirely to fighting his most hated opponents. Caligus, after all, brought him untold misery and suffering when they invaded An Najaf in their war against Fontan so long ago. To commit himself fully to this war, he accepted the responsibility of Marshaling the Westmoorian Column, replacing Marshal Stella. With this army, he sought to devastate Caligus and the rest of Westmoor's enemies.
Returning home from an attack on Viseu Armstrong entered and joined the Sanctus Acies faith. He felt that when he died, since he was a hero, he deserved to be enshrined with the other fallen. Being a religion that applied to him, he then built a temple for it in Morshes.
After a failed coup d'etat by his Vice-Marshal Scheckyos Achillen and a successful counter-rebellion, Armstrong was appointed the Field Marshal during the realm's restoration. He is determined to command the realm with wit, excellent strategy, and using Westmoor's full capability. He has been a hero for quite some time and has learned a trick or two over the years. It is his desire to test his theories against all of Westmoor's enemies. Not too long after his appointment, the Ironsides Manor was devastated by a terrible disease which killed many family members including Armstrong's wife and son. After a period of mourning, he returned to his public position a reduced man.
When Armstrong was captured during a small skirmish in Morshes, he lost his position as General. At the same time, Caligus invaded Troyes and wreaked undeterred havoc on the region. When Armstrong returned from prison and faced the Military Council his reappointment as General was insecure. In his place, Count Maedros Iltaran became the General to fight off Caligus. Armstrong then decided not to contend for the position, opting to found and Marshal a new special forces army instead. This army is known as the Knights of the Scorpion, where the name reflects the mission these nobles conduct.
After the end of the war against Caligus and Sirion, Armstrong's notorious brother Bowie landed in Westmoor city. To stop him from causing trouble in the realm and damaging the family estate, Armstrong confronted him in a spectacular death duel. Armstrong defeated his brother but ultimately let him live. Bowie was seriously wounded and sent to the infirmary, and forbidden to return to Dulbin again.
Soon enough Westmoor returned to war against Caligus and Marshal Armstrong continued to oversee the Scorpions in the field.
