Arengal Soga Tanderis

King of Athalar Soga, Tanderis

Arengal Soga Tanderis is the current king of Kingdom of Athalar. For fifty years Athalar has been in a conflict with no forseeable end, as petty lords all vie for the throne. Arengal would otherwise seem like the least likely man to bring peace and unity accept that he has made a good work of doing so so far. He comes from a minor, bankrupt house and was born to a father noble in name only. Arengal has a few things going for him, though. For one, though he was born into House Soga, his mother was (purportedly) of the last line of Tanderis, the family of Omrin, the first king of Athalar. Furthermore, he has the dark skin associated with Omrin and other old Charistine nobility. Portents flew at his birth with prophecies stating he would be king of all Athalar. Finally, Arengal is a doggedly determined and highly charismatic man. Arengal won his first battle at the age of fifteen when he rallied his father's beaten and demoralized forces in a last stand that turned out not to be a last stand against an overwhelming opponent. A year later he built and trained up his forces and conquered the castle of the foe who had nearly finished him the year before. As his domain grew, his name became a byword to the people. Arengal remembered what it was to be the son of a penniless nobleman, separated from serfs only by owning a pittance of land and a crumbling tower. So he was very kind to the commoners he ruled. He was also honorable in battle, giving quarter to the soldiers of his enemies and often unintentionally wooing them over to him, increasing his numbers and his reputation. But Arengal was ruthless towards those who wasted innocent lives fighting him, putting many of his enemies to the death with his own sword. So far, Arengal has control over much of Athalar Major including the kingdom's long-time capital. The Bardasine Order controlling the Warder Keys have also sworn fealty to him and Arengal often sends men to the keys to keep the watch. Arengal's greatest enemies are the wealthy Dutchy of Girinak and the Volgan Haidranii. These seem able only to slow him down, though, as more and more towns and castles bow the knee to Arengal Soga Tanderis.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Arengal is tall, strong and hearty.He is also very energetic, often waking hours before dawn to walk the battlefield he is about to shed blood on or look over a settlement or castle he is running at the time.

Body Features

Arengal has dark skin and black hair.

Facial Features

Arengal has a sharp, square jaw and strong nose. He has dark brown eyes.

Identifying Characteristics

Arengal is dark-skinned which is a rare trait in Athalar but one that bolsters his supposed connection to OmrinTanderis.

Physical quirks

Arengal is right handed.

Apparel & Accessories

Arengal dresses for war constantly. If he's not in his regular battle dress he's wearing a chain shirt, a brigandine or at least an aketon. But he's always proudly wearing the gold and crimson of Athalar. He's also never far from his sword, Unifier.

Specialized Equipment

Arengal isn't just a general. He's a capable warrior with horse and lance or sword and shield.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Arengal was born to a penniless nobleman only differentiated from commoners by ownership of a pathetic strip of land and a crumbling castle. But prophecies flew over his birth and he grew into a strong, charismatic and intelligent leader. At the age of fifteen bravely defended his father's last scrap of land in a battle that should have ended the names of Soga and Tanderis. Instead Arengal pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. From there he built both his reputation and his power, conquering the lands of lords who had been biting at his father's territory. After securing himself a sizable domain he sent out proclamations to all the major powers of the Isles offering them the opportunity to bow the knee to his rightful kingship of Athalar. None were interested in doing so. At the age of twenty six he managed to conquer Athandar, the de facto capital of the Kingdom of Athalar. He sent out another bevy of letters. This time he received several responses offering vows of fealty. While he hasn't yet unified all of Athalar, his adversaries grow fewer in number with every passing year and many state that the war is all but finished.

Education

Arengal has often striven to be well-educated. As his influence grew his circle of unique and well-known tutors in various fields to educate both him and his children. He received his religious education through the Daughters of White. One of his main war counselors is an ousted Volga Haidranii warmaster.

Employment

King Arengal seeks dominion and unity of the Kingdom of Athalar. He has no employer.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Conquered Athandar. Received vows of fealty from the Bardasine Order.

Failures & Embarrassments

Arengal's only failure was to attempt to attack the Duchy of Girinak before his influence was strong enough. He was young still (only seventeen) and rather overconfident. He besieged the city of Mysrondel and came to match his strategic wit and leadership skills against Duke Haladryn Girinak who himself, is a notoriously cunning strategist. Arengal lost spectacularly. This has affected his confidence in some ways and he henceforth is terrified of going up against Haladryn again.

Mental Trauma

In being so badly beaten by Haladryn Girinak, Arengal is scared to seek a rematch with him even though he probably has the strength and skill to win.

Intellectual Characteristics

Arengal is a surprisingly intelligent man though doesn't see himself as such. Though he has written fine poetry and can discuss matters of philosophy and theology with intelligence, he sees himself as a blunt instrument with a single purpose and that is to conquer the rest of Athalar so it may then be unified and prosperous again. His sons, then, will afford to be poets and philosophers, he feels.

Morality & Philosophy

Arengal is a good man and especially so since he is a king with significant power and influence. He is careful and cautious to treat his men well and treat commoners with dignity and respect.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Wishes to unify Athalar and have sons and daughters who can enjoy the prosperity of a unified nation.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

He has an excellent voice but can't sing a note without causing cringes.

Current Location

Athalar, Isles of

Ethnicity

Charistine Royalty

Year of Birth

1644 28 Years old

Circumstances of Birth

On the day Arengal was born, a member of the Daughters of White prophesied that the star of Athalar shone over his head and to its right and left a fire and a white dove. Many took this to mean that he would become the king of Athalar (which he has done,

Gender

Male

Eyes

Dark Brown

Hair

Short, black

Height

6'4"

Weight

200lbs

Known Languages

Koile is his native language and he also reads and writes fluently in it. He speaks Volgan with a slight accent. He speaks Corsair tongue with trouble.

Ruled Locations

• Athalar, Isles of
• Athandar