Aerthos Brightblade

An earnest and principled paladin with a connection to the divine, now king of the Kingdom of Lundene.

Aerthos was the son of Aelfred, the aethling (eldest son and presumed heir) of the King of Lundene, an accomplished warrior and a well-loved and respected ealdorman. In the days leading up to the death of Aelfred's father, Aelfred and his wife were murdered by Aelfred's younger half-brother, Athelred, who desired the throne to the Kingdom of Lundene. Aerthos, who was only a young child, was saved by his nurse, who brought him to Mordgard to the care of his maternal uncle, the ealdorman Aelfric the Godly.

Aelfric secretly sheltered Aerthos for some few years, but even as the infant grew into a young child, he was the spitting image of his father. When word begin to spread of Aelfred's potential heir and word reached Aelfric that Athelred might send minions, Aelfric arranged for traveling merchants to take the boy to a monastery in Franca, one of the Franian kingdoms, beyond Athelred's sight or reach, safe from the predations of his murderous uncle who might see the boy as a threat.

The monastery was a temple-fortress of the Order of the Light Triumphant, a renowned order of paladins. As a Franian kingdom, the patron deity of this particular monastery was Paladine, the chief god of the Franian pantheon.

Aerthos was a poor acolyte, but earnest, zealous and physically gifted. What he lacked in academic excellence, he made up for in religious zeal and dogged adherence to the tenets of the the Order and the Church of Paladine, earning the approval of a number of the higher-ups.

When he reached his twelve-year, he was chosen as a squire by Ser Adelard Stareyes, also known as Adelard Greybeard, a near legendary older paladin and member of the Order, who spent little time at the monastery.

Aerthos was a faithful squire, and earned his master's approval, and beaten only when he deserved it.

Ser Adelard taught Aerthos not only how to use a sword and shield, but also the values of the Order, and the duty to spread the word of the Bright God and to protect the innocent of all faiths, bringing them light and revelation. Aerthos faithfully accompanied his master in his travels, and into battle, learning the ways of the Paladins, the Knight-Champions of Paladine. He brought the word of the Bright God to all peoples needing his aid.

When he reached his nineteenth year, Aerthos was knighted by Ser Adelard, and took the Oath of Devotion.

He then set out as a knight errant. Mounted upon his celestial warhorse, "Justice", and dressed all in white, Aerthos became a folk-hero to common people throughout the northern Franian kingdoms and the southern lands of Pettylin through his deeds of valour - he rescued damsels, killed monsters, drove off bandits and sellswords (or else convinced them to renounce their evil ways), healed the sick, and gave alms to the poor.

In reference to his sword, which would blaze with holy and radiant light at his command, he earned the moniker "Brightblade".

**Coat of Arms**

Sable,

The coat of arms born upon his shield and tabard is a stylized golden eagle ascendant, upon a field of silver.

**Appearance**

Aerthos is very handsome, but not inhumanly so.

He is 6'2" in height, well-built, with lightly tanned skin, deep chestnut hair and clear blue eyes.

He is fastidious about cleanliness, and frequently wears immaculate white clothing or red.

**Personality**

He is far from stupid, but can be a slow thinker in anything but battle. He is deeply idealistic, zealous in his beliefs, and at times naive. However, he is deeply good-hearted and genuinely wants to help people, and to build a better world.

On occasion, a female angel by the name of Tadriel speaks to him in his dreams.

**Relationships**

Aerthos is married to Leoffaed.

King Uhtred of Bebbanburgh is his first cousin.

Lord Aelfric the Godly is his maternal uncle.

Lord Beornraed the Rude is his brother-in-law.