Hendrix Family/Valast
Valast grew up in the shadow of his older brother. Valen was always the son who would inherit the titles, and lands and wealth. It was up to Valast to make his own way in the world, and this was more then fine for him. He cared more for the common man then his elder brother, although both loved the people, Valast considered them as equals and friends.
Valast received word that a realm in the south of the East Continent was in need of leaders for the wars there. Setting out quickly, he journeyed to Fallangard where he learned much of the ways of war and leadership. However his destiny was not to remain in that realm. The ruler there was distant, and soon Valast found himself in a similar position as his brother. The infighting of the realm was too much and Valast set sail for a new world he had heard to be full of adventure and opportunity.
After arriving, he joined the ranks of the Voghor army. There was little action at first, but word spread quickly of rebellion. Valast did his best to gain the attention of both the king and the leader of the rebels, and eventually he began helping to mediate between the two. All was settled quickly, and with little blood shed, yet the king later failed to follow thru on his word… however bigger issues arose.
Rumors began to abounded, about hordes of undead and monsters which were marching thru the lands. Everyone ignored the rumors at first. The thought that the undead could organize at all was considered laughable.
Soon however, the boarders of Voghor began sending reports and details, which put fact to the rumors. Many of the nobles, fled the realm, packing the harbors and ships to the fullest. Even the rulers and councils left, thus it was up to the few who remained, to stand and fight for the people.
Having never held a position, or lead a unit, it was very surprising that Valast would even be considered for a title. Considered he was, and he was soon made the judge of the realm. Commanding the great power of his position, Valast worked his way thru the regions of the realm and helped the new ruler to devise the best possible plan to defend from the coming enemy.
The defense went well, although regions still fell to the enemy. As quickly as the undead come, they left, leaving only death and burnt out villages in their wake. It was at this time, that Valast received word from his brother in Lukon.
Valen’s letter, although seeming just a good spirited communication, alerted Valast to the dire situation in Lukon. Valen had never been one to write, and the fact that now he has, sent chills thru Valast.
Few ships had returned, since the mass exodus of the island, but Val found one, for a price, and secured passage to the Colonies. The going was slow, and seemed even slower due the important situation.
As the ship finally pulled into the harbor of Lukon, a battle raged. The walls of the city were already breached, and the defenders, at least from the distance of the sea, appeared to be massing for a final push to oust the attackers.
The ships captain refused to allow any of his crew to go ashore, so it was up to Valast himself to guide a small dingy the last half league to the docks. It only took a moment to find his land legs again, before he hurried off to do what he could in the battle.
The gates of the city were in splinters; only pieces of the huge doors remained attached to the massive hinges. Walking thru the archway, Val quickly noticed the lack of fighting. Only a few pockets of attackers remained, and the Lukon men at arms soon put those to the sword. Finding someone to escort him to the command tents was no problem, yet the tents were empty but for a single officer bearing the rank of captain.
It took well over an hour for the captain to lead Valast thru the rubble of stone and bodies; to the location which Valen had commanded the defense. Once there, it was mere moments before they located the body of the General. 12 women stood near him, wielding swords to protect the children who hid behind a nearby wall. Well over 50 enemy dead lay at the feat of the fallen Hero and his female co-defenders.
Valast quickly took control of the military, and when King Yidsril returned, Valast was announced as the new general of the Army of Lukon. The appointment would prove to be a great milestone for Lukon, and the greatest bane to King Yidsril.
King Yidsril was a mighty military man, rulers and nobles alike, feared him and his anger. It was this fear, and anger, which turned the rivers of Lukon to blood, and brought darkness to the people. Portion continued to fight Lukon, well after the army of Outer Tilog were forced into retreat. The Portion ruler used the notion of the barbaric ways of Yidsril and Lukon, to unite a military coalition against Lukon tribes. Wetham, Alebad, and Alowca joined with Portion, with the goal of total destruction.
As the armies positioned themselves on the boarder between Lukon and Portion, Valast received word of the pending attacks. Consulting with the king did little to ease Val’s mind. The king, who had long led men and wars, could offer no better words to answer Val’s questions: “sir, how shall we proceed?” king:” kill them, kill them all” “sir, with what shall we kill them?” King: “with sticks and stones…”
Feeling that the worst of the war would fall on the shoulders of the people of Lukon, Val once again followed in his brother’s footsteps. Valast had not been in Perdan to see his brother end the pending revolution, with a quick knife, nor had he been there to see his brother stand up for Yidsrils own kin. Valast had no ties to this man who stood before him. He had seen the tribes of Lukon begin to falter, and break apart, and had seen the politics of Lukon’s king bring destruction to the door.
Taking his dagger from his belt, Val moved forward to the king, and drove it to the hilt in his lord’s chest. Many nobles rejoiced at the prospect of a new king, yet others were angered by the change. Loyalty ran true in the hearts of all Lukon nobles, yet it was the focus of that loyalty which divided them.
King Yidsril survived the assault, yet when he recovered, Valast had already ascended to the throne. A ban was issued on the former king, and his uncle Gunderic, to keep them from coming forward to lead the few nobles who attempted to start a rebellion. Yet it was quickly put down both by the fast actions of the king’s guard, and by the words of the former ruler.
To there Honor, Yidsril and Gunderic chose to die, rather then serve any other realm. At sunset, both men hurled themselves from the bridge of Honor, allowing the purifying waters below, to restore Honor to them as they made their way to Valhalla.
Val tried to get peace with the other rulers, yet Portion’s price for that peace was too steep. The war raged on, and with the help of Oritolon, lukons only ally, Valast led his people to victory. (details to be found in the lukon intro)
House Hendrix
