Arregal the Black

**Arregal the Black**, also known as the **Black Knight**, is a mysterious Knight of Tair-Melann whose true identity is completely unknown. Much rumour and speculation surrounds his origin, but there is no evidence to prove any of it - at least, none that is allowed to be public.

Arregal is always praised by those he fights alongside, not only for his sheer combat prowess and quick tactical thinking, but also his dedication to protecting his comrades and any innocent bystanders caught in the way. His abnormal strength and size make him an imposing force on the battlefield, but more than anything it is his finely honed skill, which speaks of a long history of brutal combat. Though well-liked by his fellow Knights, there are none who could truly call Arregal a friend. He is a man of few words, only ever speaking about important matters at hand, never revealing any information about himself. He never shows his face to anyone, only removing his helm in private solitude. There is nobody on Tair-Melann who truly knows who he is.

The only clues about Arregal's identity come from his armour and his name. In Tair-Melanni tradition, the only warriors who wear black armour are those who have been condemned as a Disgrace; traitors to Isha who recognise their guilt and desire to redeem themselves through sacrifice. Even then, Disgraces are only made to wear black helmets - rendering all of one's armour black is a clear sign of profound guilt and shame, possibly signifying that the wearer believes redemption is impossible for them in life and can only come with martyrdom.

Arregal's name is the other major clue as to his identity. It is an obvious pseudonym, taken from a children's fairytale that is widely known in Tair-Melann. In the tale, Arregal is a cruel, corrupt and tyrannical king who fills the role of the main villain against the young heroes, before redeeming himself in his final moments by sacrificing his life to save his planet.

It is clear that Arregal fights a constant campaign against the enemies of Isha out of some feeling of repentance. Both his armour and his name signify that he has a dark past, one that he no longer associates himself with and one which he is committed to spending the rest of his life - and his death - trying to repent for. Several rumours surround Arregal's past, but ultimately all of them are pure speculation, not based on any evidence.

Though many Tair-Melannis believe Arregal to simply be a disgraced Knight who wiped away his old name out of shame, the most compelling and most widespread theory amongst the Tair-Melannis - though also the one that is the most far-fetched - is that Arregal is a former Drukhari. It is not impossible for a Drukhari to turn away from the Path of Damnation and become bonded to a Spirit Stone, but it is extremely rare and extremely difficult, and the priests of Tair-Melann have never claimed to have performed the process. Nonetheless, Arregal's permanently black armour and his adoption of the name of a redeemed villain are possible behaviours of someone who desires to escape their past as one of the galaxy's cruellest and most depraved creatures.

Since the priesthood refuses to pressure Arregal to reveal his true identity, and Arregal himself clearly has no interest whatsoever in speaking of his past, such rumours shall likely go on forever without proper confirmation or rejection, and Arregal shall live surrounded by whispers for the remainder of his days.