Valtar Laude

**Valtar Laude**, Margrave Aerst, is the First Captain of the Black Stars Legion and leader of the Ochranic Cavaliers. The obsessive, never-ending quest for improvement undertaken by every Black Star upon induction in the Legion has led to the IIIrd producing a high quantity of remarkable warriors who are counted among the best of the Legiones Astartes. Absalom's honour guard, the Ochranic Cavaliers, all possess formidable skill, but only one is worthy of the title of Absalom's champion: Valtar Laude, Margrav Aerst of the Black Stars, Glory Incarnate. A legendary duellist renowned across the Imperium, Laude is hailed as one of, if not the greatest mortal warrior of Mankind.

## **History**

Born to the Skandran noble house of Laude, who had fallen out of favour and lost most of its fortune because of a scandal involving the former patriarch, Valtar was the youngest of four brothers. Valtar’s mother passed away due to complications related to his birth, and thus his father was left alone to raise his sons using what few funds the family had left in their vault. The despair and hardships took their toll on his father, making him prone to violent, abusive outbursts directed to his children, first and foremost Valtar, who he held responsible for his wife's death.

Over the years, the sons grew, and their father, observing as many other noble families prepared their sons for admission in the King's Legion, decided to follow suit, believing that, should his sons become one of Lord Vaughn's illustrious warriors, his house's reputation could be salvaged and restored to its former splendour. To this end, he hired several instructors meant to undertake the physical and mental preparation of his sons, as well as train them in fencing, sharpshooting and martial arts. The instructors, of course, required generous payments, resulting in the family's funds rapidly depleting, which in turn caused the father to push his sons even harder, punishing them harshly for even the slightest perceived failures. The sons, despite the abuse, took well to the teachings of their instructors, and grew into strong, capable adolescents ripe for selection by the Legion's officials. Only one of them, however, truly set himself apart with his skill and discipline; youngest Valtar had not only embraced the lessons he received, but improved upon them, gaining the favour of his father, who frequently compared his older brothers to him, seeding hatred and envy towards Valtar. His brothers despised and shunned him, and occasionally even abused him, verbally and physically, in place of their father.

Eventually, all their efforts bore fruit, and all four siblings were accepted into the Legion. They all passed the trials with exemplary performances, setting themselves apart from their peers, and were inducted as proper Astartes. Their performance continued to be nothing short of marvellous, drawing the attention of the Legion's high command and eventually, Absalom himself took notice of them, ascending them into the ranks of his Ochranic Cavaliers.

Following their induction, Valtar once again set himself apart from the crowd, using the freedom allowed to the Ochranic to challenge several senior warriors in single combat, defeating every single one of them, causing awe to the Legion and hateful envy to his biological brothers.

It didn't take long for Valtar to finally challenge, and eliminate, the former Legion Champion, claiming his place to the Primarch's side. It was then that his brothers, unable to tolerate what they believed to be Valtar’s scorn and superiority towards them, extended to him an invitation to an unorthodox challenge; the three of them versus Valtar, in the arena, for Absalom and the whole Legion to see and enjoy. Receiving approval from the Primarch for this unprecedented event, Valtar met his brothers in honourable combat, and slew all of them without so much a blink of his eyes.

## **Personality**

Over the decades, Valtar has met countless warriors who coveted his rank in single combat yet still stands undefeated. His skill unmatched, his name inspiring awe and wonder alike to mortal and Astartes alike. He is the Dark Sun's Chosen, his favoured son and the embodiment of the IIIrd's ideals. While he seems to accept his role with humility and stoicism uncharacteristic of a son of Vaughn, a fact which earns him a great amount of respect by his peers in other Legions, that is all a ruse, a carefully maintained façade which hides his insidious true nature; a narcissistic warrior who takes sadistic glee at defeating those deluded enough to stand in his path. Valtar lives for crushing the hopes and egos of those believing themselves his equal matches, and lives for the thrill of victory. Above all, however, like any other Star, he longs for that favour and praise of his gene-sire, who, despite Valtar’s denial, has become a dark mirror of the Margrav Aerst's mortal life and his deranged biological father.

In battle, Valtar is a dark thunder, death clad in black and gold. His strikes are swift and powerful in equal measure, while his weapon, a great lance called Gvalad, can pierce through the most finely wrought armour with minimal effort. Leading at the helm of the Ochranic Cavaliers, Valtar is truly Gloarin Ekoerp. Glory Incarnate.

## **Wargear**

* **Artificer Armour**
* **Gvalad** - Power Lance