Jaric

Jaric is a Paladin of the Fire's Light in the Kingdom of the Savior's Pyre. He is the senior member of the group, having taken the role following the death of Paladin Ryte. His real name and familial information is kept secret by the Vicarius de Revete and the Archbishops of the Church. He is named after the ancient Elijite City of Jaric, which was razed by the Tiverian Empire early in the Second Era.
== Biography ==
=== Early Life ===
Jaric was born somewhere in the realm of the Kingdom of the Savior's Pyre in 188 3E, with most estimations in the impoverished outer works of major city, most likely Virtus. Foreign scholars and generals speculate his family may have been involved in the clergy, and so his birth was forcibly kept a secret. This theory is further reinforced by his known religious fervor. It's known that he enlisted in the army at a young age, lying to enter service earlier.
=== Military Service ===
Most of his record has been hidden from the military itself, but it's known he fought at the battle of Mount Taigon under the command of Paladin Gildant at no older than sixteen, where he led a counter charge against the Sabbatian Tsardom's infantry. He grabbed a shield and sword from a fallen chevalier, and killed over a dozen enemies. Gildant brought him to Vicarius Vincenzo, who he impressed with a level of zeal for the church that had not been recognized by the Church in over a century.
=== Paladin ===
==== Joining the Paladins ====
Jaric was given preferential treatment by the Church, who used their sway to put him in positions where he could shine, and began using him as one of their many propaganda pieces to strengthen the resolve of the people's faith. When Paladin Therazan was killed by the Sabbatians in 211 3E during the Battle of Needle's Pass, Jaric was given his seat at the Table. His first assignment was a punitive campaign against the Sabbatians, striking at civilian centers and destroying farms and crops. Over five hundred civilians were slain in the first week of his assaults, and thousands starved from the damage done to their grain stores.
==== General Duties ====
Jaric obtained a reputation achieving his goals at any cost, with one of the highest casualty rates among any commander in the Kingdom. The Church was able to spin the fact, portraying those who joined him as martyrs who were guaranteed to enter heaven. As his renown grew, so did his ambition, taking on increasingly difficult tasks. His name became feared among the realm, and the Paladins selected him as the primary strategist of the team. Even the Nobility of the Kingdom were quietly grateful that he couldn't use his sway against them as a Paladin.
=== Third Siege of Turos ===
Jaric would join his fellow Paladins for the Third Siege of Turos against the Imperium Taygis in 228 3E. Paladin Warden Ribas assigned him to oversee the construction of the siege towers and the battering ram. It was here that he met his current retinue, Captain Jana Sartoris, Sergeant Mortas Eridani, and Physician Kiare Emberi. Though he looked down on them at first, they earned his respect by demonstrating the flaws in his assumptions that had led to his historically high casualty rates. They explained to him that the mountainous terrain posed serious challenges for their assigned task, as a ram's protective cover would be meaningless once they hit that steep of an incline, and that even a handful of injured troops moving the towers would result in them being lost. Jaric brought this to Ribas's attention, who acknowledged that he assigned the task to teach Jaric about common battlefield practice.
Eventually, a force of Imperium Equites sallied out and struck at the siege camp. In the chaos, thousands of the Kingdom's troops were slain, including three Paladins - Ribas, Jazer, and Hazek. Under the command of Sartoris and Eridani, Jaric's forces suffered the least casualties in the army, but were still weakened enough to warrant a retreat three months after the siege had began. Gildant recommended Jaric for the role of Paladin Warden.
== Personality and Traits ==
Jaric is ethnically Rijnser with their common long golden hair and blue eyes, and his face partially covered by a short and well kept beard. He is exceptionally tall at 1.98 meters, with a solid muscular build from constant training and healthy eating per Paladin requirements. He is known to be overconfident in the abilities of his soldiers, and seems aloof to their concerns and needs. Despite this, he carries a natural charisma that has won over the majority of his troops.
== Equipment ==
=== Weapons ===
As a Chevalier, Jaric carries a lance and heater shield for cavalry charges. The shield is painted white on the exterior with a brass-plated iron embossing of Revete's Flame. He also carries a bastard sword decorated with Revetist symbols on the crossguard and pommel.
=== Armor ===
Like all Paladins, Jaric wears Rijnser steel plate armor decorated with brass trim along the contours and rivets. Under the plate, he is protected by chainmail at the joints and padded trousers. Over the armor, he wears a white surcoat displaying Revete's flame in red dye. He also wears a wolf pelt around his neck, a trophy from a Sabbatian Noble slain during his early campaigns. His helmet is an armet, with cross-shaped ventilation slits on the right side of the face. The helmet is decorated with a sable and argent torse and mantle.
== Details ==
=== Retinue ===
Jana Sartoris - Jaric's Captain and second-in-command. She oversees the needs of the upper classes in his army, distributing pay, and taking note of contributions of the junior nobility in the ranks. The nobility views her as the guiding hand directing Jaric to success, as well as the buffer to keep them from suffering his anger.
Mortas Eridani - Jaric's Sergeant and commander of the peasantry. He oversees the training and armament of both volunteers and conscripts, and serves as the frontline officer and rallying force keeping the infantry lines intact. His other duties include issuing punishments including execution, overseeing the buildup of camps, and construction of siege equipment.
Kiare Emberi - A healer who cares for the wounded and offers last rites for the fallen. She is trained in combat and serves as the bodyguard for clergy that wish to witness combat. On the side, she offers spiritual and religious guidance to Jaric when his beliefs slightly falter.
Saorise - A Vidden refugee turned convict turned conscript, she was recently elevated to higher duties by Jaric as Mortas relied heavily on her assistance to keep conscripted prisoners in line. She now protects the baggage train from bandits and looters - many of which she recruits to the army as a rowdy but effective auxiliary.