Sir Vorenus, the Iron Judge

Early Life and Ascension

Born into the noble house of Valerian in 6614AE in The Realm of Dusk, Sir Vorenus's early years were marked by privilege and rigorous training. His family, known for its long line of distinguished warriors, instilled in him a sense of duty and honor from a young age. Vorenus's father, a revered Midnight Order knight, began his son's training in swordsmanship, strategy, and horsemanship as soon as Vorenus could hold a blade. The young noble quickly demonstrated an aptitude for combat and a keen mind for tactics, earning him recognition within the noble circles.
Vorenus joined The Black Legion upon reaching adulthood and served as a grunt for all but 4 years, before being noticed by his superiors and being promoted to a Midnight Order knight, like his father. It's unclear if it was purely his skill that helped him advance the ranks so quickly or his noble family's ties and connections that helped speed the process up. Regardless, he was inducted into the order and served dutifully under Grandmaster Allistral for more than a decade.
Vorenus's rise to prominence began during the Siege of Blackgate. At the age of 36, he volunteered to join a relief force to break the siege that threatened a critical stronghold in the south of the realm, in the Masters' Estates. Slave uprisings in the Bitterweed plantations aren't terribly rare (due to the brutal living conditions of those involved) but this one posed an actual threat to the realm. A small army of slaves, led by a captured Elysian named Arthur, overthrew their slavemasters and besieged the local settlement of Blackgate where the local estate's Mistress had barricaded herself along with her other officials. The intel that had reached Grandmaster Allistral was flawed; the knightly battalion that was dispatched was not enough for what they were about to face. The initial clush went disastrously for The Midnight Order battalion, getting enveloped by the slave masses and being forced to retreat. Arthur, the Elysian slave leader, managed to climb on top of the grandmaster's horse while he was still riding it. Both of them wrestled on top of the saddle while the steed kept riding on, eventually getting lost in the dark grove next to Blackgate. They would find both of their corpses days later, half eaten, with Abyss Stalker claw marks all over their skinned bodies. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Vorenus assumed a leadership position and devised a bold plan to outflank the enemy forces using the rugged terrain to their advantage. Leading his men through treacherous paths under the cover of darkness, he launched a surprise attack that turned the tide of battle. Vorenus himself cut down a dozen slaves with his warhammer, as his battalion chased after the routed men and put them to the blade. It was Vorenus' plan that saved the local Slavemistress and her officials' lives that day. His strategic brilliance and personal valor during the engagement earned him a commendation from Mistress Katrina herself.
Recognizing his potential, and maybe taking a liking to him, Mistress Katrina assigned Vorenus as Grandmaster of the Midnight Order, to fill the late Allistral's position. Vorenus's induction was marked by a series of rigorous trials that tested his physical endurance, combat skills, and loyalty. He emerged not only unscathed but as the top candidate, solidifying his place within the Order.

Personal Life

Despite his stern demeanor and unyielding dedication to duty, Vorenus is known to possess a deep sense of honor and compassion for his men. He often takes time to mentor younger knights, imparting his wisdom and experience to the next generation. His loyalty to Mistress Katrina is unwavering, driven by a belief in her vision for the realm and a personal sense of duty to protect and serve.
There's also the rumor that he's been serving as Katrina's unofficial concubine for a while. The Mistress often calls him to her chambers after dusk, and if Katrina's handmaidens were brave enough, they would admit they've been hearing both of them moan until late at night. However his groans would be of equal pleasure and pain, because Katrina is Katrina. To further the point, at his 50 years of age, Katrina bestowed upon him the gift of immortality; a gift not normally given to any other grandmaster before him and safeguarded only for Katrina's most trusted and private of circles.

Current Location

Nightfall Keep

Year of Birth

6614 AE

Birthplace

Nightfall Keep

Aligned Organization

The Realm of Dusk