Highvale Family/Aric

Name	Aric Highvale
Age	20
Class	Warrior
Honour	16
Prestige	3
Realm	Nothoi
Title	Knight of Watto
Items	None

The Tale of Aric Highvale

The Birth of Aric Highvale

Aric Highvale was born into a world that seemed as if it was holding its breath before the next calamity. The land of Beluaterra, known to many as the Monster World, was a place where the natural and the supernatural collided in a ceaseless struggle for dominance. Amid this tumult, the Highvale family stood as a beacon of honor and duty, their legacy forged through the trials and tribulations of a harsh and unforgiving land.

Aric’s father, Thaddeus Highvale, was a man of vision and ambition. He had expanded the family’s holdings through shrewd alliances and strategic marriages, marrying Elara, the daughter of a powerful neighboring village leader. Together, they ruled over their large village in Western Watto with a firm but fair hand, investing in the development of infrastructure and improving the lives of their people.

Into this world of burgeoning prosperity and constant danger, Aric was born. From a young age, he was instilled with a deep sense of responsibility. Thaddeus ensured that his son was trained in the arts of combat, diplomacy, and governance, recognizing that the future of their house would depend on Aric’s ability to lead. Elara, for her part, nurtured Aric’s compassionate heart, teaching him the importance of empathy and understanding in leadership.

Aric grew up surrounded by stories of heroism and sacrifice, the legends of his ancestors who had carved out a place for themselves in a land beset by monstrous threats. These tales filled him with a burning desire to protect his people and uphold the values of his family. He trained tirelessly, honing his skills with sword and shield, and developing a keen mind for strategy and politics.

The Rise to Leadership

When Aric came of age, Beluaterra was on the brink of greater conflicts. The Free Republic of Nothoi, to which Watto belonged, was a beacon of enlightenment and justice. Yet, it was also a realm shadowed by the ever-present threat of Invasion. The seasons in Beluaterra turned from the warmth of peace to the bite of Invasion, where monsters, undead, and daimons would rise in great numbers, threatening to overwhelm the human realms.

Thaddeus Highvale, recognizing his son’s readiness, entrusted Aric with greater responsibilities, and urged his son to seek knighthood within Nothoi from the lord of Watto. Seeing promise in this young man, the title of nobility was bestowed on Aric and the estate of Western Watto was given over to him to manage. It was a time of great tension, and Aric’s leadership was put to the test. He began his tenure with a series of bold initiatives aimed at strengthening the region. Understanding the importance of a well-trained military, he availed himself of the renowned military trainers of Watto. Under his command, the Emerald Blades, a formidable force of loyal soldiers, became the backbone of Western Watto’s defense. These men were not just warriors; they were protectors of the land and its people, embodying the values of the Highvale family.

Aric also prioritized the economic development of his lands. He improved agricultural practices, established trade routes, and fostered relationships with neighboring regions. His leadership brought prosperity to Western Watto, and the tax income, though moderate, was sufficient to fund public works and maintain a high standard of living for his subjects.

The Challenges of Governance

Despite his youth, Aric proved to be a wise and just ruler. He spent time among the people, listening to their concerns and addressing their needs. His approachable demeanor and genuine care for his subjects earned him their loyalty and respect. He was not a distant lord, hidden away in a grand keep, but a leader who walked among his people, shared their burdens, and celebrated their joys.

Aric’s governance was marked by a series of reforms aimed at ensuring the well-being of his subjects. He instituted fair taxation policies, established a council of advisors drawn from the local populace, and invested in public works such as roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. His efforts transformed Western Watto into a thriving community, resilient in the face of external threats, and united in their loyalty to the Highvale family.

Yet, the specter of Invasion loomed ever-present. Beluaterra’s seasons of peace were fleeting, and the bite of Invasion always threatened to return. Aric understood that his leadership would be defined not just by his ability to govern in times of peace, but by his capacity to defend his people in times of war.

The First Test of Leadership

It was not long before Aric’s resolve was tested. Rumors began to spread of undead hordes massing in the southern regions, a grim reminder of the Dread Necromancer's dark influence. Aric, ever vigilant, sent scouts to gather intelligence and prepare for the worst. The reports that returned were troubling; the undead were not yet besieging the lands of Nothoi, but their numbers were growing, and their presence was a foreboding omen.

Aric called a council of his advisors, seeking their counsel on the best course of action. "The undead are a blight upon this land," he declared, his voice resolute. "We cannot afford to wait for them to bring the fight to us. We must be proactive in defending our people and our lands."

Osric, his trusted captain of the Emerald Blades, nodded in agreement. "The men are ready, my lord. We have trained for this. The Emerald Blades will stand by your side and face whatever comes."

Aric's advisors, though wary of the impending threat, knew that their lord's determination was their greatest strength. They devised a plan to fortify the borders and conduct regular patrols, ensuring that any incursions by the undead would be swiftly met with force.

A Leader Among His People

In the days that followed, Aric made it a point to be visible among his people. He walked the fields with the farmers, inspected the fortifications with his soldiers, and spoke with the merchants about their concerns. His presence was a source of comfort and reassurance, a tangible reminder that they were not alone in their struggles.

One evening, as he sat by the fire in the village square, an elderly woman approached him. "My lord," she said, her voice trembling with age, "you remind me of your grandfather. He was a man of great honor, and you carry that same spirit within you. We are grateful for your leadership."

Aric smiled warmly, taking her hand in his. "Thank you, good lady. It is the strength and resilience of people like you that give me the courage to lead. Together, we will face whatever challenges come our way."

The Shadow of the Past

As Aric continued to govern, he could not shake the feeling that the undead presence was more than a mere threat. He recalled the stories of the 7th Invasion, the horrors that had plagued Beluaterra when he was but a child. The Dread Necromancer's dark legacy loomed large in his mind, a specter that refused to be banished.

In the quiet moments, when the village was still and the night was at its darkest, Aric would return to the history book he had taken from the capital. "The Chronicles of the Seventh Invasion" was a grim reminder of the past, but it also served as a source of knowledge and insight. Aric read with a fervent intensity, seeking to understand the patterns of the past in the hope of preventing a similar catastrophe.

"The dead of Beluaterra rarely enjoy a rest," he read aloud one night, his voice barely above a whisper. "But occasionally, a Dread Necromancer will arise intent on beginning the next invasion on their own terms. In the early days of the Age of Shadows, the pilgrimage of Obia'Syela left a power vacuum in the deep south, which was soon filled by the Dread Necromancer of Sunken Alluran in service to the Crystal Maiden."

The words sent a chill down his spine, but they also steeled his resolve. Aric knew that vigilance and preparedness were their best defenses. He continued to study the book, drawing lessons from the past and applying them to the present.

The Unseen Future

In the few days since taking up the mantle of leadership, Aric's efforts began to transform Western Watto into a bastion of strength and resilience. The people responded quickly to his guidance, showing signs of prosperity and unity under his watchful eye. The Emerald Blades stood ready, their loyalty unwavering as they prepared to defend their home.

Yet, the future remained uncertain, and the shadow of the undead threat loomed large.

Aric Highvale, with his sharp mind, compassionate heart, and unwavering determination, faced the immediate challenges with a resolve that would make his ancestors proud. His story, still unfolding, was one of courage and honor, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Highvale family. As he looked to the horizon, he knew that the path ahead was fraught with danger, but he also knew that he would not walk it alone.

With the support of his family, the loyalty of his people, and the strength of the Emerald Blades, Aric stood ready to face whatever the future held. In the heart of Beluaterra, where peace and invasion danced their eternal waltz, the legacy of the Highvale family would continue to shine as a beacon of hope and strength.

Battles Fought

These battles are presented in chronological order:

Fought as a Knight of Watto:

Battle in Midbote (June 12, 2024)

Battle of Zdenka (June 13, 2024)