Kiru
The Star Knight, Kiru Kolona
Kiru the Star Knight was the greatest champion fighter of all time- no combatant could best him in virtually any test of arms. He remains a Ghost in the Sakoja Mountains, where it is believed by nearby Desmians that he is paying penance for his sins before continuing into the afterlife gloriously on his own.
Kiru haunts the ruins of the old fortress, guarding his old equipment- he once wielded a legendary Starmetal blade and wore Adamantium-studded plate armor that he feels have done enough harm to the world as it is. Only Desmian warriors who prove the goodness of their quest will be lent the sword, but such instances are extremely rare. Kiru is acknowledged as an ancestor, but as a controversial one. His tale is a legendary tragedy in both Orthodox Desmian and Ishkibite religions, adapted to over 70 operas, plays, and novels (including one banned musical that has been officially deemed 'cursed by demons').
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Kiru was born to a poor family at the foot of the Sakoja mountains and orphaned at a young age. He was adopted at the age of 3 by the representative of the cobbler's guild in the nearby town of Suratar, who raised him as a cobbler as well. Suratar had limited space for new cobblers and Kiru was encouraged to take up a military apprenticeship as an auxiliary crusading cobbler. He excelled in military exercises and by the time he was 17 it was clear that he was an excellent fighter and hunter and only an okay cobbler.
Kiru's team ascended the ranks swiftly, jumping into the front lines directly. Kiru won honor after honor crusading in Adava and Fediken against Ishkibites, leading his squad to glory in a brutal mountain campaign. From the Ishkibite general, he took the Starmetal sword 'Slays-Evil' ("Vizura" in Desmian). After the war, the three friends agreed to never fight in Izekra again. Instead, he and his squad linked up with a group of Vesper mercenaries to dungeoneer for a bit in distant Asalay. While Kiru won great riches there, the death of a squadmate led to the end of his dungeoneering career, and he retreated back to continental Desmia. Wracked by guilt, Kiru left his group entirely to pursue championship arena fighting and jousting, where he could practice his skills without taking more life.
After years of isolation and mourning, he was finally drawn back into Crusading in 905 when he was informed of the death of his mentor to a Feywild raid near Torza. Kiru picked up his sword again and used his wealth and fame to assemble a grand expedition. First he targeted the Feywilds, defeating a Nefkan army in the field and accelerating the demise of the first Empire of Nefka; then he moved Northwest to The Golden Crusade, cutting a burning swath through Mathari lines. In 910, he was given instructions to attack the Ishkibite kingdom of Lusaya, and his army was diverted West. Kiru was distraught, but obeyed his orders. He and his champions carved a path for the Orthodox forces, and he was given the honor of managing the occupation of the Lusayan city of Pakrastal. There, he drew criticism for failing to properly purge the city of demons; he often simply allowed them to flee. He seemed to lose all motivation as the fire of his grief and rage burnt out; he seemed happiest when he was out carousing or playing mayor, ignoring the war entirely. In secret, he had spared the personal retinue of the Ishkibite mayor, both out of respect and to help run the city. One of that retinue was the mayor's bodyguard, an ex-Mathari dryad convert named Alarna. Alarna and Kiru became close friends and some say lovers. But this was a city occupation, not a personal lordship- it had to come to an end.
The coordinating priest, Mattig of Ezanay, was quick to snoop out this corruption. Mattig confronted Kiru, and Kiru essentially dismissed his concerns and doubled down with threats. Mattig tried again and again to find a way to convince Kiru, but Kiru was already furious with Mattig for pressuring him into invading Lusaya. In 911, Mattig finally was able to reveal Kiru's corruption publicly. Alarna was captured and sacrificed and Kiru was relieved of his command position. Kiru responded by murdering Mattig and trying to flee; he was caught eventually and put on trial. His spirit was broken already, though what followed was a parade of shame.
Kiru agreed to exile manning the isolated Fort Cartharim. He lived there all of 913 and contracted Gem Plague, ultimately encouraging his Vesper mercenary friend to kill him honorably. Unfortunately, this only made him a Tragic Ghost. While there was talk of Exorcising him, he ultimately was too ashamed to move on and meet his ancestors. He requested time to pay penance, during which the Fort was abandoned and a local Ishkibite tribe offered Kiru an opportunity to speak to Ishkibal. Kiru now considers Ishkibal a friend, and serves as an eternal guardian of the Vizura Sword with a small cluster of other ghosts as companions.
Alignment
Neutral Good
Current Location
Species
Life
850 ME
913 ME
63 years old
Circumstances of Death
Died of poison in shame
Birthplace
Town of Suratar, region of Hadara, Desmia
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Ruins of Fort Carthadin, Sakoja Mountains, Desmia
Eyes
Dark Brown
Hair
Black
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Light Brown
Height
5'10"
Weight
150 lbs
Aligned Organization
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Comments