Olanthius

General of the Zarielite Crusade

High Rider Olanthius

Olanthius was the legendary High Rider of Elturel that led is remembered today for leading the fabled charge of the Hellriders in Avernus.

History

Olanthius was born at sometime in the late 9th century to a family long associated with the Riders of Elturel, and he inhereited the title of High Rider as a young man in the early 10th century. His martial prowess was well known as was his commitment to using the strength of Elturel, then just a small fiefdom, to keep order and peace along the River Chionthar.
In 919, Olanthius was approached by the angels Zariel and Lulu to join their crusade against the Abyss and turn the tide of the Blood War. Olanthius was intrigued by their offer and soon convinced, pledging the Riders of Elturel to their cause. Because of their superior weapons, arms, and battlefield experience, the Riders of Elturel soon became the defacto leaders of the Zarielite Crusade, and Elturel became its new headquarters, replacing Yael's home, the village of Idyllglen. The crusade was soon bolstered again when the forces of Lord Knight Haruman pledged their aid, and Haruman, Olanthius, and Yael became the crusade's three mortal generals. The three generals, Zariel, and Lulu also began to share a close bond, and Olanthius and Yael became smitten with one another, falling in love, though the demands of preparing the crusaders prevented them from binding their relationship through marriage.
In 920, the demon lord Yeenoghu, hearing about the crusade's plans, began attacking settlements along the Winding Water hoping to bait the crusaders into a trap. His ploy succeeded, and the Zarielites attacked Yeenoghu's forces outside of Idyllglen. In the resulting battle, the crusaders appeared ready to entirely rout the demonic force before Yeenoghu broke through the mortal lines, captured Yael, and ripped open a portal to Avernus in the Nine Hells. Olanthius and the other crusaders charged after their captured comrade and fell into Yeenoghu's trap, as infernal legions of Hell arrived to stop what they saw as an invasion. Many of the crusaders, led by Jander Sunstar, retreated back to the Material Plane before the portal closed, but Olanthius, Haruman, Zariel, Lulu, and Yael, who fought and freed herself from Yeenoghu, remained defiant to the end and managed to destroy an infernal legion before a second one arrived, killing nearly all of the crusaders.
Zariel, broken by the fight, sent Lulu and Yael away with her sword, in which she placed a piece of her divine essence, out of fear that she would be corrupted by this loss. Her fear was justified, as Asmodeus himself arrived in the battle's aftermath and convinced Zariel to be reborn as an archdevil to continue her war against the Abyss. Haruman, seething with anger at Yeenoghu's deception, remained loyal to Zariel and became a justicar in her infernal service. Olanthius was horrifed at Zariel's choice and killed himself rather than join her. However, the oaths Olanthius swore in life to Zariel bound him in death, and he rose again as a death knight in Zariel's service.
For the next several centuries, Olanthius remained in service to Zariel, hating himself and his actions all the while. When he was not called to lead her armies, he personally guarded the Crypt of the Hellriders, where the bodies of his fallen companions were kept.
In 1497, the Damnation of Elturel saw Olanthius' beloved city teleported to Avernus as part of a scheme by Zariel to field more infernal soldiers in her armies. During this time, the Lost Star Detectives, a group of adventurers trying to save Elturel, investigated the Crypt of the Hellriders, causing an angered Olanthius to try and kill them until he was talked down by the heroes, who had discovered his journals. His old companion Lulu, who was experiencing stygian-induced amnesia, was among the Lost Star Detectives as well, and Olanthius pledged that he would aid them however he could, though most of his actions were bound by his oath to Zariel.
Early in 1498, Olanthius was summoned by Lulu after the rest of the Lost Star Detectives had been unintentionally teleported to the Material Plane. Olanthius was able to create a portal for the group to return to Hell, but at the cost of his own life force. He then covertly brought the Heroes to Zariel's Flying Fortress to give them the opportunity to release the chains binding Elturel.
Olanthius was also ordered, alongside Haruman, to attack the Lost Star Detectives during the Battle of Elturel to prevent them from using the Companion to teleport Elturel back home. Unable to resist his command, Olanthius fought the adventurers, but after Haruman's final death, Zariel arrived herself to stop them. However, the group had retrieved the once-angel's sword, and with the spark of her own good soul inside of it, managed to convince Zariel to revoke her infernal nature and help them save Elturel. Zariel asked Olanthius to help her, but he responded that he was tired and wished to be allowed to pass on to the afterlife. Zariel granted his request, and Olanthius's last words were of Yael.

The Legend of Olanthius

Olanthius lived at some point between the 9th and the 10th century. During his time as Elturel's High Rider, Olanthius was often away from his duties in the High Hall, as the land in those days was wilder than the present, and the Riders were often saving towns and hunting raiding bandits.
While he was away, a disguised devil lord, Nothius, arrived in Elturel and enslaved the soul of Olanthius's love, the Lady Yael. Olanthius returned home only to discover that his love had been stolen away from the city only hours prior. With a host of Riders, Olanthius pursued Nothius for some time in a frenzied chase. When the Riders caught up with Lord Nothius, the devil revealed his true form. A great battle then commenced, which ended when Nothius opened a gateway to Hell itself and carried Lady Yael through it. Without hesitation, the Riders of Elturel pursued the devil. The pursuit of Nothius now continued across the blasted plains of Avernus itself. At last, the Riders of Elturel met the armies of Hell. The Riders defeated one of the fabled blood legions and Yael was reunited with Olanthius, but as they rode back towards the portal home a second and even larger legion threatened to cut them off.
Olanthius knew the only hope of escape was if this legion was delayed. He asked for volunteers to accompany him, and all the Riders did so. Therefore lots were drawn to determine the lucky few who would ride one last time at the side of their lord. Olanthius begged Lady Yael to fly to safety, but she, too, chose to ride into battle at his side. In the face of the Riders’ charge, the legion of Avernus trembled and buckled… but did not break. Olanthius and Yael perished on the Avernian plains. It is said that where they fell in a final, martial embrace, a spring of holy water sprung up that was poison to the devils of that land.
Their sacrifice, however, bought the time the other Riders needed to escape from Hell. Overcome with grief at the loss of their glorious leader and his love, they returned to the city. Their valor was never forgotten, and from that day forward the Riders of Elturel were known as the Hellriders.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Though a kind yet physically imposing man in life, as a death knight, Olanthius was unable to speak much beyond a whisper. His eyes were constantly aflame as well and reacted to his mood, flaring when angry and dimming to a soft blue when melancholic.

Social

Contacts & Relations

"Yael...? You're still so beautiful."

-Olanthius' last words

Olanthius greatly enjoyed the company of Zariel, Lulu, Haruman, and Yael during the planning of the Zarielite crusade, which was perhaps the happiest time of his life. Though all came from very different backgrounds, their common purpose united them tighter than family.
Olanthius held a special place in his heart for his true love, Yael, which was obvious to all who met the two and inspired the legends that the Charge of the Hellriders was done entirely for Olanthius to save his love. Even when the two were separated for centuries, both unable to pass on to the afterlife for differing reasons, the love they felt for each other never faded.
During his time as a servant to the archdevil Zariel, Olanthius resented her greatly for betraying her goal of protecting mortals to advance her desire to destroy the Abyss. Unlike Lulu, Olanthius was unable to see his former friend in this version of Zariel.
More than Zariel, however, Olanthius especially grew to hate Haruman, who took to his new role as an infernal general and justicar with frightening and maddening zeal. Though Olanthius knew the scars of Haruman's childhood in slavery ran deep, he found no common ground with the infernal Haruman, though when he died Olanthius still mourned for the friend he lost.

Species

Human

Previously Held Ranks & Titles

• High Rider

Circumstances of Death

Died during the famed charge of the Hellriders

Gender

Male

Aligned Organization

Hellriders

Ruled Locations

• Crypt of the Hellriders

by Wizards of the Coast

Olanthius as he appeared in Zariel's service in Avernus