Alamir Artur’s story begins in the distant past, seven generations ago, when the noble Artur family of Kalamar left in the dead of night and began upon a great journey across the world. Lore and legend say that a treacherous princeling planned the doom of the line of Artur, down to the last child and most distant cousin. Whatever cause for ire the clan spawned in this wicked noble has been lost to the ages. What is known is that the kin left nearly all they had behind them, traveling only with what could be carried on the backs of a few dozen fine horses. The servants commanded to poison them the following morning were left dumbfounded, and soon found themselves in the gladiator pits for their failure.
Three generations passed into the mists of the underworld before the Artur family reached the far Northwest, and there, settled in Cosdol. Tales of their self-imposed exile have grown mythical over the years, but it is known that they were a people of virtue and honesty. Though they risked danger from a princeling in pursuit, they never once denied their name or their heritage.
Alamir’s grandparents became involved in the Halls of the Valiant after knights of that church aided in the defense of the town in which they lived. In appreciation, they pledged themselves into the service of Brovadol and his followers. Adventures followed, as was the way with Servants of the Swift Sword, and the family fortune grew. By the time Alamir’s parents took up the white robes, all in the family were considered minor nobles, though they bore no true titles, having refused at least one squirehood out of sense of duty to their religion.
When Alamir had reached his fifth winter, his father prayed upon the notion of the course of the lives of his kin, and was rewarded with a true vision. He was instructed by the warrior angels of the valiant realm to once again walk the land in pilgrimage, taking nearly all that he and his kin owned back to Kalamar, which was as a foreign land to this generation. “The Quest,” as they all called it, was to be one of justice many centuries overdue, and the mandate was absolute. But one holy demand made Borum Artur hesitate, for he was instructed to leave behind his youngest boy.
A ward of the church, the child Alamir watched his parents leave from a tower window. The elders trained him hard to purge him of fear and grief, and his will grew in the knowledge that duty must be higher even than love. Soon, pain was replaced by the camaraderie known only to soldiers of a glorious cause.
Untested in battle, the unbearded youth squired for Sir Bayd, the Far-Rider, who was known for his wandering ways and his mighty charger, First-Striker. Under his care, the adolescent saw much of the countryside and even more of fighting. He bloodied his first sword on orcish flesh, and was taught how to close with an enemy who knew little of fear. He learned the orc speech and Sir Bayd soon entrusted him with scouting duties. This privilege found its way onto the shoulders of another squire after too many missions of stealth devolved into confrontation while Alamir Artur led. He was sent back to the temple-fortress for chastisement.
On the return journey, the knight-in-training was ambushed by orc raiders cut off from their main troop. Outnumbered and alone, he fought for every inch of ground, the beasts pressing him further and further up a precipitous slope. With a cliff at his back and many scars, the divine power of the Knight of the Gods filled him for the first time, clothing him in armor of light and granting him just the advantage he needed to slay the last of the raiders. He was a cleric, and had found his true calling.
The priests and paladins of the Valorous Faith tested his claim with hardship, terror, and ritual combat. With broken bones but a heart of steel, he passed all challenges. During his recovery, Alamir began the magical schooling that would enhance his martial skills, and found himself a capable student. He forged a sword imbued with holy power, calling it “The Civilizer” and dedicating the weapon to law and order. Before long, he was given a stipend and sent out into the world upon his four-year quest of seeking, where the god of his church would lead him upon his path. Little then did any mortal know of the plans of Brovadol, and the fate of his servant.
