Ironsides Family/Armstrong/Biography

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Biography of the Hero of Democracy

Fontan

Armstrong in his youth, near the shores of An Najaf

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

Depiction of Armstrong as General

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 oversaw the Scorpions in the field. Eventually peace was made with Caligus but war began against Fontan over an incident with their capital city Krimml, and consequently Sirion joined the war. The Knights of the Scorpion were dissolved when the Second in Command Maliki Nautilus became the Lord Treasurer of the Realm. Count Armstrong then rejoined the Westmoorian Column to participate in the wars. As the war against Fontan neared a peace agreement, Armstrong and a small group of dissatisfied Lords discussed the issues of the Realm, particularly the performance of King Maedros Iltaran, and drafted a constitution. The idea was to create a system of standards and measures to judge the King by and to organize the Monarchy more efficiently. When Count Armstrong and the reformers introduced the Realm to the constitution it was met with quick tempered criticism. A long and large argument broke out which led one of the more radical members of the reform group, Lady Arica Maldives, to launch an ill-fated rebellion against King Maedros. While Count Armstrong understood her position and had sympathies for it, he remained neutral during the rebellion. After the rebellion further dissatisfaction arose against the King leading to another round of debate and argument. This time, Armstrong initiated a referendum to find the consensus of the Realm. The referendum can be found in the newspaper, New Westmoor, under their letters section.

The hero was engaged in petty political disagreements with his Westmoorian peers around the time he turned fifty. In his aging heroism, he finds himself with less patience to deal with what he considers "nonsense". So, to mend his rising temper and to have a place to rest, he built the Garden of Solitude near his Sanctus Acies temple in Morshes. The ceasefire between Fontan and Westmoor finally expired pushing the two realms back to war. During the second battle of Greatbridge Armstrong lost another finger and was lightly wounded because of it. He expressed as much to all of the armies in Greatbridge, on both sides, only to be taunted by young upstarts from Fontan. In reply, he challenged them to kill him on the battlefield. Should they succeed, they would earn the title "Slayer of Armstrong," and the Ironsides Family would pay them fifty gold. Only a hero of glory and candour could encourage his enemies to fight him. This is Armstrong.

As the war against Fontan raged on, and the entrance of Sirion into the battle (Perdan and Caligus already joining Westmoor against Fontan), Morshes fell to roguery. On account of the busy marching orders of the army, Morshes remained rogue for quite some time. In the meantime, Armstrong was appointed the temporary Lord of Braga, a territory central to the process of peace and war with Westmoor's enemies. Eventually, Braga was takenover by Fontan and lost to Armstrong.

During this time, Sanctus Acies fell to ruin leaving Armstrong without a religion. Overtime, and after in depth discussions with King Jor Tanos, Armstrong was converted to the Church of Humanity where he will serve as a knight of the Church. He took his Oath at the temple of Westmoor, the largest of the faith, a few days after joining and already planned to build a temple in Morshes once it is recovered from roguery. Not too long after his conversion, and after the fall of Krimml (ending Fontan), Armstrong founded the Order of Sacred Battle to serve the Church of Humanity with the best of his abilities and the fullest of his devotion. The Order is a militant contingent of heroes serving the Church as instruments of combat. As a measure of glory, Armstrong devised the Code of Battlefield Honours for the Paladins.

Defender of the Crown

In early 1013, Armstrong was appointed Marshal of the Royal Guard by King Jor. He replaced the master swordsman Lord Edward Anthony Mercer. A moment of pride and prestige for the Paladin, Armstrong is primed to lead the elite army of the Kingdom. He was dubbed "Defender of the Crown" by the King. The promotion was reported in New Westmoor. It wasn't long before war erupted in the North once again, this time in a conflict originating around Nivemus. By April of 1013, Westmoor, Perdan, Obsidian Isles were warring against Nivemus and Sirion - the war had escalated. On the 7th day of April, a battle occurred between a small force of Westmoorian knights against a larger contingent of Sirion and Nivemus in the region of Commonyr. Overwhelmed, the Westmoorians were defeated. Worse, Lord Keltin Fuor, Baron of Evora and brother Paladin to Armstrong was killed in the battle by Marshal Verdun Alumaani, Count of Glinmar. Swiftly, Armstrong challenged Lord Verdun to a duel to the death to avenge his fallen brother. On the 8th day of April, as Lord Keltin was being buried, Armstrong and Verdun clashed until Verdun fell to a fatal blow. Armstrong, Defender of the Crown, Grandmaster of the Paladins, slew Verdun Alumaani in the name of Lord Keltin Fuor. He dedicated the reaping of Lord Verdun to the glory of the Order of Sacred Battle. Armstrong was captured in Commonyr after the duel and spent four days in a Sirion prison until escaping to freedom.

It came to pass that Duke Corwin became ill and retired from public life. Due to the length of his service and his exemplary duty, piety and valour, Armstrong was chosen by King Jor to be the next Duke of Oligarch. He was appointed the position on the 21st of April, 1013.

Fane

Nearing the end of the war against Sirion and Nivemus, Westmoor was cornered into conceding Oligarch for peace. Instead, on June 3rd 1013, Armstrong seceded the city to form the first city-state Monarchy, Fane. Nivemus declared war on the 20th, followed by Sirion on the 21st. By the late evening of the 21st the Great Battle of Oligarch began! The initial onslaughts were spectacular slaughters for all armies involved but gradually the overwhelming forces of Fane's enemies broke the garrison and began a takeover. Armstrong was wounded in every single battle and by the third day he was finally captured by Sirion. The Siege of Oligarch continued for many more weeks until Sirion finally completed its conquest on the 13th of July, 2013. Armstrong's pride and joy were crushed and his Crown destroyed. He spent weeks as a disgraced King, in and out of Sirion's prison until ultimately meeting his fate.

Death of the Fallen King

On the 1st of August, 1013, King Armstrong Ironsides faced the honourable Lord Malakai Wolf, Legodos of Nivemus, Baron of Caqueta, Marshal of High Guard in single combat. They planned to have this duel since the Siege of Oligarch but were routinely obstructed by woundings, captures, and distance. Finally, they met in the region of Salta to stake their glory and life!

Armstrong Ironsides, King of Fane, Royal of Fane, Duke of Oligarch meets his challenger Sir Malakai Wolf, Legodos of Nivemus, Baron of Caqueta, Marshal of High Guard for the agreed duel till death.
Malakai has decided to use the 'trick moves' strategy while Armstrong has chosen the 'overrun' strategy, giving Malakai the advantage.
The duel goes as planned, then badly for Armstrong. He suffers several slight wounds, then a final, fatal blow. The healers hurry, but they are too late.
Malakai, although the winner, has also suffered a light wound.

At the end of every tale spoken about King Armstrong forevermore, the bards always end with the legendary (that is, added later) last words of Armstrong. They would say, "And if the Fallen King could say but a few words more in the glorious life he lived, we know that he would say, By the ashes of my fathers, and the temple of my God, I say, Glory Be..."

His death was reported on by Lord Mathros Hagakure in the newspaper New Westmoor.

Funeral

Armstrong was given a royal burial by King Thomas Foxglove of Westmoor. He was interred in the holy graveyard of the Paladins in Morshes. In a large ceremony, his family commemorated the dead Armstrong, a legend known all over the world. For days, the family graveyard swarmed with his friends and admirers. Artists composed songs and poems about him, and young maidens cried in their chambers.

Final Stats

Armstrong Ironsides
Physical Age: 63 years
Main Class: Warrior
Sub Class: Hero
Honour: 188
Prestige: 30
Gold: 24
Bonds: 0
Status: dead