Lucifer Manderly

Lucifer is the first son of Ser Wyman Manderly and the twin brother of Damon Manderly. He is the Lord Commander of the ancient Night's Watch, the order that defends the realm from threats beyond the Wall. He is 16 years old, being born in 114 AC.

## Lucifer Manderly, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

### Titles

Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Ser, Scion of House Manderly

## Appearance and Character

Lucifer is a man by the laws of the realm, but it is clear that he is little more than a boy out of his element. He has curly jet black hair that falls just shy of his shoulders and clear blue eyes. Additionally, he is rather tall, though he has only begun to fill out his lanky frame with muscle. His skin is without blemish or wrinkle due to his young age, though his cheeks are often flushed a soft pink.

The young leader of the Night's Watch finds himself struggling to fill the shoes of his office. Optimistic and idealistic, he tries to find the best possible result for everyone involved, not yet realizing that sometimes one must cut their losses and move on. Eager to gain approval, he can rely on his advisors a little too often while trying to find his way as Lord Commander.

## History

### Another Merman in the Sea - Early Life

It is said that Lucifer's birth was a taxing one, for his mother at the least. Hours of labor conducted by the maester of White Harbor with an army of midwives at his disposal. Despite the preparation and the skill of the deliverer, Lucifer's mother had always been a frail woman, prone to illness and injury. The birthing process proved to be too much for her, and while she successfully bore her twin sons, she passed not long after.

The boys born of the tragedy grew without the love of a mother, and for the most part, the love of a father. For, following the death of his lost love, Ser Wyman took to the bottle to ease the pain. At first it was only to dull the sting, but he quickly began to rely on the alcohol for more than the loss. Once he developed a dependence Wyman never tried to stop, letting the drink pass the hours for him. Maester Bennard took up the position of father figure for Lucifer in his infancy, making sure the boy attended his lessons and training sessions. Hours were spent in the library of White Harbor poring over texts and scripts in an attempt to teach the boy. Fortunately, he took to letters and sums swiftly, taking a particular interest in the stories of his land and the laws that governed them.

Despite the Maester's best attempts, Lucifer proved to be a rowdy boy, overly energetic and quick to move from one task to another. The boy would pick fights in the training yard with other pages and older squires, seemingly vengeful at the world for taking his mother from him with no good reason. Bennard learned how to focus the boys martial attitude in a beneficial way eventually, introducing the boy to the idea of war games. Recruiting the very boys he had butted heads with prior, Lucifer built relationships with those "under his command", learning how to direct them in the most efficient way. He became undefeated in the small time games his companions played, always knowing how to maximize his troops formations to secure victory.

### Time Marches Onward

As Lucifer slowly transitioned from a boy to an adolescent he looked for opportunities that would cement his place in the world. Being born to a cousin line of House Manderly, jobs did not simply present themselves to the Merman. He had to seek them out for himself. He first tried being a scribe under Maester Bennard, getting mixed results at best. While intuitive and intelligent, the boy couldn't hold still long enough to write a substantial record or report. The Maester let him down lightly, and on Lucifer searched for a purpose. Next he tried focusing himself into his duties as a squire, seeing if a route in combat was for him. While efficient with sword and morningstar, he never proved to be more than that. With no natural aptitude for knighthood Lucifer waved the option from his mind and moved onto the next. The one he would find the most success in would be his final attempt, joining the navy of House Manderly. Being of noble birth he didn't get much experience as a lowly sailor, rather, he was pushed into command as soon as he put his name forward. The ship he controlled was the Blue Maiden, a war galley crewed by new recruits like himself. The lieutenants above him noted his quickness to pick up on their notes and critiques, thinking him a capable admiral. The Blue Maiden served admirably as a cog in the machine that was the Manderly navy. Always clean and ready for inspection, the crew was deemed ready for combat and sent out to locate pirates harassing merchant vessels in the area. Lucifer killed his first man when they found the brigands, stumbling across a scene of carnage. The pirates had waylaid a carrack loaded with silk and were butchering the sailors that manned it. The blue maiden rammed full speed into the pirate vessel, almost snapping the poor quality wood in half where they struck. The Manderly sailors swarmed over the gangplanks, Lucifer at the helm of the assault. They cut down the pirates that did not surrender, Lucifer himself slaying a deserter that feared the rope should he be captured. Upon the return of his ship Lucifer was praised for his command and promised a bright future in the navy should he continue with his service. Only, when the time for a promotion came up he was passed over for the heir to House Locke, who had joined the Manderly fleet for experience as an admiral. The man had never commanded a ship in his life. Fuming over the perceived slight, Lucifer resigned from his position as a captain, returning to his menial life at White Harbor.

### A Chance to Rise

Lucifer had almost settled into his mundane life at White Harbor when the Roamer arrived. He was a member of the Night's Watch named Gage, sent on a mission to recruit men for the organization. While his intention had been to collect Lord Manderly's prisoners, Lucifer was quick to realize the opportunity before him. His career had been halted once before by clear favoritism, but at the Wall, ones ability to rise had little and less to do with name or status, and more to do with merit. The Manderly convinced the only constant presence in his life to make the journey with him, his twin brother Damon, and the two set out for the Wall with Gage and the men he scrounged from White Harbor.

The men Gage had gathered were a paltry group to be sure, full of lowlifes and criminals, desperate to avoid losing hands or eyes. There were a few genuine volunteers however. Men with kin at the Wall, or ones seeking free food and board. Two such men were Mallador and Daryn, sailors that had served under Lucifer on the Blue Maiden. The three were of age, and with little to pass the time, Lucifer struck up a friendship with the two. Expanding upon their relationship from their time as comrades, Lucifer found the duo to be enjoyable company, with plenty of quirks he grew to appreciate. As the ragtag group made good progress towards the Wall they began to bond, the older men in the company telling stories to the youngsters, some growing protective over their new charges. Gage himself began to trust the group, finding the criminals to mostly be thieves, forced to steal food to live another day. He slowly let his vigilance lessen as they neared the Wall, relaxing a little more each day. The group paid for their nonchalance when night came. A wildling raider party fell upon them in the dark of night, the group having slipped past the Wall and preyed on settlers in the Gift. With weapons of stone and bronze the savages attacked the Northmen. Side by side the men fought back. Prisoners, nobles, Roamer of the Watch, their titles and identities mattered not in the heat of battle, only their ability to combat the enemy. By the end of the brawl the wildlings lay slain, their fur armor and primitive weapons no match for the iron weapons of the Northmen. Half of the potential recruits lost their lives as well, Gage almost among them. The man clutched his stomach after the battle, having taken a slash to his abdomen. It didn't kill him, but he was clearly weakened greatly. The group trudged on, taking turns supporting the Roamer as he limped by their side.

Their was only one more notable encounter before the crew reached the Wall, one with animals rather than men. Lucifer stumbled upon a freshly birthed pup, its mother laying still amidst the snow. It mewled weakly in the frost, its nose wet with melted snow and dew. Some men recommended he put it out of its misery, others that he leave it behind. Instead he tucked the little dog into his coat, its yellow fur clashing with the green cloak he wore.

### A Sworn Brotherhood

The band of men arrived at the gates of the Nightfort bleeding and bruised. The stewards patched up their wounded, including Gage who had survived the trek, and the crew officially became recruits of the Watch. Lord Commander Brandon looked over the new batch of recruits once they had been clothed and fed, deeming them all suitable for service. The news of wildlings south of the Wall disturbed him greatly however, and he vowed to find the clan responsible. Finally Lucifer's training began in earnest under Ser Vardis Coldwater, the master at arms of the Nightfort. Ser Vardis drilled the recruits daily in sword and shield as well as archery. Lucifer and his brother Damon had a clear edge over the rest of the prospective Watchmen, having received martial training in their youths as squires. At first the other trainees resented him for his skill at arms, envious that he had such a grasp over the tools they had only begun to learn. Even Mallador and Daryn began to distance from him, tried of receiving beatings in the yard from Lucifer's wooden sword. Advice from Gage proved to be instrumental, as he explained that the men he served with were now his brothers, not random men from across the Kingdoms. One learns to help their brothers if they expect the same later on. The young man began to help the other recruits rather than give them his all, Ser Vardis taking note of the improvement of the lot. And while their training could have taken much longer, the Lord Commander was not quick to forget the wildling threat, and how they had breached his defenses once before. The class was decided to be competent enough for service, and together they took their vows, Lucifer swearing his oath in the sept located at the Nightfort. Mallador became a ranger, being sent to Eastwatch along with Daryn for their experience as sailors. Damon became a steward at the Nightfort, serving under Lord Steward Jace. While Lucifer expected to be sent to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea with his friends he was instead chosen to remain at the Nightfort, Lord Commander Brandon keeping the boy as his personal squire. At first Lucifer took it as he had taken his lack of promotion at White Harbor, thinking that the Lord Commander saw him as an incompetent admiral. His friends convinced him otherwise though, claiming that his position as Brandon's squire meant he was grooming him for command, to succeed him once he was gone. Satisfied with that answer Lucifer dedicated himself entirely to his new position in the sworn brotherhood, doing everything asked of him without question. To keep the men sharp and well drilled, Ser Vardis assigned Lucifer to conduct war games with the troops, hearkening back to the young man's childhood. And as Lucifer grew both as a warrior and as a man his pup grew with him. He had named the golden haired animal Lucky, and while at first he had to feed it warmed milk out of a bowl it eventually took to meat. Strips and leftovers at first, then Lucifer began setting aside portions of his own rations to feed it. Lucky grew to be a fierce and long limbed animal, protective over Lucifer above all.

### Night Gathers

Lord Commander Brandon's speculation as to what was going on Beyond the Wall was largely unfounded besides the raiders south of the Wall. That was, before the heads arrived. A number of ranging parties had been unheard from for over a moon, the men of the Watch began to think they were trapped in a snowstorm. The fate that befell them turned out to be worse than snow and hail however. Only heads ever returned, being placed on wooden pikes in the night by wildling scouts along with a single message. A stone inscribed with the First Men rune for King. Furious, Brandon massed forces at the Nightfort, 500 men from each of the manned castles preparing to range north. Only the Shadow Tower failed to meet its requirement, sending a measly 100 men to bolster the Lord Commander, comprised almost entirely of greybeards and green boys. The Black Brothers marched in force, 2,100 men in total, the Watch's most senior officers among their ranks. Brandon stood at the helm, First Ranger Robin Longstride by his side along with Lord Steward Jace, and First Builder Jorah Poole. There were also dozens of officers, captains lower down the rung of command that had been with the order for years. They moved from village to village, searching for evidence of a King beyond the Wall, yet, all they could find where empty homesteads and whispers of the Valley of Thenn. Arriving at the Valley illuminated things, the army of Watchmen stumbling upon an armed and armored group of warriors that attacked the moment the two groups met. The Black Brothers put the wildlings to the sword, cutting down the small group with ease. Interrogation of the survivors finally gleaned a name for the Watch to work with. Toregg Thenn.

Engagements became more common following the encounter in the Valley. Ambushes and skirmishes instigated by bands of wildlings, many of the bronze weapons of the Thenns among them. Lucifer began to gain real command experience, leading his own group of rangers among the outriders, reporting under First Ranger Robin. Mallador and Daryn were under his command, the squire having requested the two men personally. The more battles the watchmen won the more they learned of Toregg's plans. The king was marching for the Fist of the First Men, a rally point where the rest of the wildling clans could assemble under his banner. From then it was a race to the Fist, Lord Commander Brandon marching his men day and night to reach the site before the King Beyond the Wall could. When they arrived the area was still abandoned, and the men set out to fortify the position while there was still time. The ringwall was reinforced with timber supplied by the builders, caltrops were spread upon the slopes below the hill. Fire sharpened stakes lined the perimeter and archers sat for hours in the treetops, ready to open fire at a moments notice.

### And for a Moment, the Fate of the Realm Hung in the Balance

The Night's Watch didn't need scouts or outriders to know when the wildling host arrived. Thousands upon thousands of men marched without caution nor vigilance, none the wiser to the Brothers presence at the Fist. The watchmen were spread out, some lay in wait in the snow, the bulk of the force remained within the ancient ringfort atop the hill. The two blasts finally came, Lucifer having been tasked with the job by Lord Commander Brandon himself. The archers volleyed barrage after barrage into the wildling force, bodies dropping as quickly as they appeared. Rangers sprung from their foxholes, cutting down the unsuspecting savages before they even realized they were under attack. The first wave of wildlings was crushed under the duress of steel and arrows, but the second wave would be prepared. Brandon withdrew the archers from the forest, and Lucifer's outriders were pulled back from their frontal position in the snow.

The next wildlings to appear from the treeline knew what to expect, and they charged forward with rabid abandon. The archers loosed volleys of arrows into the raiders, but for each one that fell another two took their place. It wasn't long before the ringfort itself was being hacked away at, rudimentary ladders and hempen ropes being prepared to siege the fortification. Rangers were quickly pressed into close quarters combat, the men of the Watch fighting tooth and nail to keep the invaders from the walls. Lucifer passed the command of his group to Mallador, fighting through the wildlings until he reached Lord Commander Brandon's side. From beside the leader of the Night's Watch Lucifer fought the battle, never too far from his master as to lose sight of him. The Free Folk chipped away at the strength of the watchmen though, every kill from their side being a much more substantial loss to the Black Brothers. Brandon gave the command to push the wildlings from the Wall and put an end to the conflict once and for all. The rangers bled and died for ever inch of ground they regained, but finally the savages retreated to prepare for their final attack.

With the traps, caltrops, stakes, and every other trick the Watch possessed used up, the men decided to meet the King in a field battle, their best chance to cut down the king and route the enemy. The time it took for the two forces to clash was not very substantial, but to Lucifer it felt like forever. The song of steel broke out eventually though, and the battle once more resumed, now for the final time. Lord Commander Brandon fought like a man in the prime of his life, his castle forged steel cutting down swathes of wildlings in their fur and bronze armor. Wherever he came up short Lucifer was there to cover him, slashing enemies before they could wound the Lord Commander. Toregg Thenn was not one to command from the back of the field either it seemed. The man cleaved a bloody path through the battlefield, the two finally coming across each other amidst the carnage. Lucifer gripped his blade in preparation but Brandon held him back. It would be single combat that decided who lived and died. A loose circle formed around the two leaders as their men killed each other around them. When the dance began it was a battle of strength against skill, years of training pitted against brute power. Brandon was placed on the defensive early on, never quite able to parry Toregg quick enough to get off an attack of his own. The wildling brutally beat down on the Commander's shield until it was little more than splinters and a grip. Brandon shook the excess free and focused entirely on his swordplay. The went blow for blow, sneaking a slash or cut whenever their opponents guard went down. A well placed strike disarmed the Thenn and Brandon kicked the man to the floor. Raising his blade to the king's throat, he plead that the man yield and call off the clans beyond the Wall. The moment of mercy cost him his life. Toregg snatched up his weapon, plunging it into the Lord Commander's stomach, leaving him gasping in pain. Lucifer broke away from the main conflict, running to the wildling with his sword drawn. While the man boasted his victory the young squire gave the man the same treatment, stabbing him through the back, killing him instantly. He rushed to Brandon's side, comforting the man as he lay dying. The Lord Commander whispered his last words to the young man, lifting his sword with the last of his strength. With his last breath he knighted Lucifer on the battlefield, passing on from the mortal plane.

With both sides leaderless, the already chaotic brawl broke into absolute pandemonium, some fleeing and some going berserk. Lucifer took command of the Black Brothers, putting all of his skill as a field commander to the test. His newly formed up ranks broke the unorganized wildlings, quicker to retreat after the death of their king. Neither side won the battle, but the men of the Watch had not disgraced themselves as they returned to the Wall.

### An Unwelcome Homecoming

The group that had departed the Wall moons before was far different compared to the one that returned. Over three quarters of their number had been slain in the line of duty, among them almost all of the senior officers of the Night's Watch. With Lord Commander Brandon dead a new man would have to be elected to lead the Watch. The usual options were as good as non existent. The First Builder had died at the Fist of the First Men, along with the Lord Steward and the Commanders of Eastwatch and the Rimegate. A trusted man of the Watch remained however, a veteran of three decades that had trained hundreds of men in his time. Ser Vardis Coldwater. He was elected almost instantly over the Commanders of Castle Black and the Shadow Tower, the latter taking the result very poorly. Ser Vardis followed in Brandon's footsteps and chose Lucifer for his second, keeping the promising ranger close.

The Commander of the Shadow Tower was not so quick to accept Ser Vardis as his new leader, not after all he had done to earn the role for himself. For, Myles Marbrand had served the Watch for five and ten years. When the Great Ranging had been announced he had thought it folly, sending 100 men of questionable quality for Brandon to command, the man excusing himself from the venture. Well, the men were not quick to forget his absence at the Fist of the First Men, nor his failure to send 500 troops. When the man found out Vardis Coldwater had been chosen, he flew into a rage, returning swiftly to the Shadow Tower with his small escort. Upon his return he raised a new banner over the battlements of the Shadow Tower, no longer the black field of the Night's Watch, but the burning tree of Marbrand.

### The King on the Wall

Myles Marbrand named himself King, claiming the Wall would be his seat. He used fear to domineer his men into supporting him, along with promises of power once the Watch belonged to him. His rangers marched along the Wall, reaching the Nightfort in no time. Ser Vardis prepared the men for a siege, setting archers atop the walls and leading sorties at random intervals to keep the Shadow Tower men on edge. Letters flew to the Rimegate, Castle Black, and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and with the Castle Black commander being the last of the old order he took charge of the relief force. They marched along the Wall until they reached Westwatch-by-the-Bridge, where they began their march to the Nightfort. When they arrived, largely to the surprise of the Shadow Tower men, they began to close in on the rebel watchmen, the men of the Nightfort exiting the castle to join the battle. The casualties were great on both sides, the watchmen knowing each others tactics, weapons, and personalities. Lucifer saw his old friend Daryn perish in the battle, the young man taking an arrow in the neck from arrow fire. Ser Vardis' older age made him slower in combat, leaving him vulnerable to attack. The man was slain by Myles' own blade, once again leaving the Watch leaderless. The men of the Shadow Tower were outnumbered however, and slowly the tide of the battle shifted in the loyalists side. A rout began and dozens of Shadow Tower men deserted, running North of the Wall, at their head was Myles Marbrand who had survived the engagement. The rest of the men surrendered or were killed, and once again peace was returned to the Night's Watch.

### The Light That Brings the Dawn

With another election on the horizon and almost no clear candidates to speak of the Night's Watch worried for its future. First Ranger Robin Longstride took the task up personally however, nominating Ser Lucifer Manderly as a choice for the position. The men of the Watch rallied behind the growing story that he had slain the King beyond the Wall in single combat, despite the falseness of the tale. Having been chosen to squire under Brandon and being Ser Vardis' second put him over the edge, and the young man was elected as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch at the age six and ten.

## Recent Events

The new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch has since struggled to fill the shoes of one of the most ancient positions in the Seven Kingdoms. He kept Robin as his First Ranger, the man being the only reason Lucifer was elected in the first place. Along with that he named his brother, Damon Manderly as Lord Steward, and an older man of the Watch, Erik Stonehouse as First Builder. The honor of commander of Eastwatch was given to Mallador, who had become a respected sailor and warrior during his time there. The Rimegate was given to Ser Benfrey Mallister, a senior member of the Watch that was too much of a sheep to make his own push for the Nightfort. Lastly, the Shadow Tower was given to Phillip Marbrand, the son of Myles. The man had held the Shadow Tower as its garrison commander when Myles made his stint as king, freeing himself from charges of treason against the Realm. In a bid to lessen tension Lucifer granted the man his fathers command, to little avail.

## Timeline

114 AC - Lucifer Manderly and his twin brother Damon Manderly are born, their mother dies in childbirth and their father takes to drinking.

121 AC - Takes up lessons with maester Bennard, he is taught sums, how to read and write, and takes an interest in the history and law of his land.

122 AC - Lucifer becomes a page at White Harbour. Maester Bennard directs his energies from fighting other pages and squires to war games.

126 AC - Lucifer becomes a squire, learning the martial skills instilled in noble warriors.

127 AC - Lucifer begins his search for an occupation in White Harbour. His stint as a scribe is a bust along with his attempts to focus on knighthood. Lucifer is deemed a competent warrior with two weapons, otherwise being generally ungifted.

128 AC - Lucifer joins the Manderly navy at 14, being given the command of a single ship. His crew drills and presents itself properly for six moons until it is selected for active duty. Following the capture of a pirate ship Lucifer is passed over for promotion, he throws a tantrum and resigns.

128 AC (Second half) - Lucifer joins the roamer Gage as he heads to the Wall, bringing his brother Damon. The group is ambushed by wildlings but survive to arrive at the Wall. The group join the Watch as recruits.

129 AC - Lucifer's class graduate to fully fledged members of the Watch. Lord Commander Brandon selects Lucifer for his personal squire. When evidence of a King beyond the Wall arrives a great ranging is organized and sets out for the wilderness. Rangers encounter hostile wildlings at the Valley of Thenn and learn the name and plans of Toregg Thenn.

130 AC - Lord Commander Brandon is slain at the battle for the Fist of the First Men, Lucifer stabs Toregg Thenn in the back, taking command of the Brothers after their leaders death. Upon the ranging's return to the Wall Ser Vardis Coldwater is elected Lord Commander. Myles Marbrand names himself King on the Wall and a civil war ensues, Ser Vardis is killed and Myles escapes beyond the Wall. Lucifer is elected Lord Commander at age 16.

## Family

Ser Wyman Manderly - Father

Damon Manderly - Brother

## Household Members/NPCS

Erik Stonehouse - First Builder of the Night's Watch

Mallador - Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea

Ser Benfrey Mallister - Commander of the Rimegate

Phillip Marbrand - Commander of the Shadow Tower

Warrick Snow - Commander of Castle Black

Cameron - Lucifer's personal steward

Aurion Longwaters - Lucifer's squire

## Meta

Skills: Formation (MAR), Naval Warfare (MAR), History and Law (STA), Animal Taming (CHA)

Mastery: Field Commander (MAR)