Prince Dainric Aurex
(a.k.a. The Soldier Prince)
Firstborn son and presumptive heir, Prince Dainric Aurex embodies the military might of Valtareth with every fiber of his being. Unlike many royal heirs who merely play at soldiering, Dainric has personally led campaigns against the empire's enemies, returning with both victories and the scars to prove his direct involvement in combat. His tall, powerfully built frame bears numerous battle marks that he displays proudly, refusing magical healing that would erase these tokens of his warrior prowess.
Dainric commands the fanatical loyalty of the Imperial First Legion, an elite military force composed of soldiers who have distinguished themselves in battle. Under his leadership, the First Legion has developed a fearsome reputation for both combat effectiveness and absolute ruthlessness. Villages that resist imperial rule are not merely conquered but often completely eradicated under his command, their populations either converted or eliminated, their lands salted and their buildings razed to serve as object lessons to others who might consider resistance.
The Prince maintains a spartan lifestyle despite his royal status, eschewing the luxuries his siblings enjoy in favor of training alongside his soldiers and living in conditions barely more comfortable than those of his officers. This performative austerity has earned him the nickname "The Soldier Prince" among common citizens, many of whom admire his apparent dedication and discipline. What few realize is that this carefully cultivated image masks a man of towering ambition and cold brutality.
In private war councils, Dainric advocates for more aggressive expansion policies than even his father sometimes supports, arguing that neighboring kingdoms should be conquered outright rather than weakened through subterfuge and diplomacy first. His martial focus has made him somewhat blind to the value of his sister Selvara's diplomatic machinations, creating a rivalry that court observers watch with great interest. Should Dainric ascend to the throne, military officers would gain tremendous influence, likely launching the empire into an era of unprecedented warfare.
Diplomacy is merely war by other means, and often far too slow at that. The sword speaks a language all men understand, regardless of tongue or culture. Fear is universal and through it, we bring the light of Vaelthar to darkened lands.
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