Ser Aldric Thane was once the shining light of the Radiant Order, a knight celebrated across the Kingdom of Aurene. Wearing the white mantle of the Dawn Guard and wielding a blade forged from star-iron, Aldric became a symbol of hope for all. His victories against monstrous forces, such as the Pale Host and the abominations from the Rift of Tor Valis, cemented his place in history as a hero without equal.
His reputation grew with each battle. Songs were sung of his bravery, and the weak and oppressed looked to him as their protector. Wherever Aldric rode, the darkness seemed to recede. Yet, with every victory, cracks began to form in the foundation of his soul.
The Seeds of CorruptionDuring a fateful battle at the Rift, Aldric encountered an ancient, sorrowful presence. It did not attack him but whispered to his soul, offering understanding and freedom from endless wars and bloodshed. Exhausted and burdened by the immense expectations placed upon him, Aldric slowly succumbed to the entity's quiet promises.
His fall was not immediate. It began with small lapses: moments of cruelty in battle, a growing coldness toward those he once swore to protect. Over time, these compromises accumulated, and the man once known as the Brightblade found himself alienated from his comrades and questioning the very ideals he had once fought to uphold.
The Plan to Reforge the WorldDisillusioned, Aldric concluded that the world was broken beyond repair. He decided it must be destroyed and rebuilt anew. He abandoned the Radiant Order and ventured into forbidden lands, forging pacts with ancient powers. His once-holy blade was reforged with blood magic, and his armor blackened with the taint of corruption.
Gathering a following of outcasts and broken souls, Aldric formed the Ashen Host. Together, they launched a crusade to tear down the kingdoms, destroy the temples, and end the era of lies and weakness. His vision was clear: a world of brutal honesty and harsh survival, free from the deceptions of hope.
The Final Battle and the Shattering of DreamsThe Ashen Host clashed with the Radiant Order at the ruins of Saintfall Abbey. Under a sky choked with ash, Aldric led his forces in a brutal assault. Though initially victorious, the tide turned against him. Former comrades, led by Ser Caela — once his closest ally — stood against him with unwavering resolve.
In the climax of the battle, Caela faced Aldric not with hatred, but with sorrow. Her blade, imbued with true Light, pierced the illusion that had clouded Aldric's soul. Forgiveness, not condemnation, shattered him. In a moment of devastating clarity, Aldric saw the horror of what he had become.
The Isolation and Eternal ShameDefeated and broken, Aldric fled the battlefield. He wandered through ruined lands, haunted by memories of his former self. Ultimately, he found a desolate cave where he cast aside his cursed sword and isolated himself from the world.
Now, Ser Aldric Thane sits in darkness, surrounded by the bones of those who sought him out. He no longer fights. He no longer hopes. He only endures, a living testament to the price of hubris and the inescapable weight of guilt.
