Brathar Fortenne

King Brathar Fortenne is the King of the nation of Gavlane, in the Altess Isles. In his earlier years, he was cursed to walk as a Bear instead of a man, denying him his kingship for almost 10 years. A Champion of Gavlane, Sir Cromlec Roan, saved his rightful king. Now, Brathar staunchly leads his nation, a strict military commander and wise diplomat.

## Biography

Brathar was born in the year 511 KR, to Queen Aetha Fortenne and Sir Bor of the Blackwall. His mother was the Queen of Gavlane, a powerful and cold woman, while his father was a Knight of the House of Blackwall. Neither parent cared overmuch for their son, both more concerned with the happenings of state. Aetha was a politician through and through, shrewd and ambitious. His father was concerned with gaining glory, fighting for Queen and Country as well as fame and fortune. His earliest memories were of Castle Blackwall, until at the Age of 12, he was moved to the capital of Stormshield.

Brathar's greatest friend was the esteemed knight Sir Cromlec Roan, whom he grew up with, and who still serves him to this day.

#### **The Druid's Curse**

When Brathar was a young man, he was taken as a squire to the famous knight Morgan Thule, with whom he adventured around the Isles, winning much renown for his deeds. At the age of 19, he was sent on his own, to complete his Errantry, and become a Knight of his own right. Upon arriving at the village of Halshire, he discovered that a young lad had been stolen by a witch from the Gloomwood.

Brathar tracked the Witch deep into her lair, fighting risen Spriggans the whole way. At the End of a deep cave, he found the Witch attempting to transform the boy, using a Bear's corpse, into a monstrous creature. Quickly, he attempted to cut off the hand casting the spell, but he found the Witch ready to aim anew, this time, at him.

Brathar was struck by her foul energy, his armor split and his bones cracked. All went dark, and the witch escaped. Days later, Villagers found the corpse of the boy, mangled and broken, but no Prince.

Over the next 10 years, legends grew about a wild and scarred bear who hunted no beasts, only evil.

#### **Seeking the Cure**

Cromlec Roan, upon hearing about his friend's disappearance, immediately set to finding his Prince. He found Halshire, and followed the mixed tales and wild speculation, eventually piecing together that a witch was at fault somehow. He and his Knights tracked the witch to the Gloomhold, an ancient ruined castle deep in those dark woods.

The Battle of the Gloomhold commenced under a full moon, upon the witch's return. Her spriggans were no match for the Armoured footmen of the House of Fortenne. Sir Roan personally duelled the witch, only narrowly avoiding her spells of thorn and shadow. In the End, Roan held his blade at her throat, and she only laughed, telling the knight that the Prince was gone, nothing of him remained.

The Witch, her name revealed to be Simhyra, was imprisoned in Tideclasp, to be executed once the Prince was found.

#### **Breaking the Curse**

There was no progress on finding the lost prince for many years, and it seemed that the Queen gave little thought to it, besides divorcing her husband, on account of his "warrior" foolishness. Cromlec and Morgan never stopped looking for thier lost friend however, although hope seemed dim.

After almost 9 years of searching, a young elven magician, seeking secrets of the Old Civilizations, who went by the name of Nathira found an ancient cave, guarded by ancient traps. In this cave, she found only fear, and pain, for deep within, the Grey Bear made his home, and he did not appreciate the young mage's interference. She attempted to fight off the bear, becoming greatly wounded in the process, before she was able to use an invisibility spell to escape.

Having heard the legends of the great Grey bear, she quickly fled to Stormshield, finding now Captain of the Guard Cromlec. She informed him of the beasts lair, and the Knight assembled his forces. The Footmen invaded the lair, and, after a long battle, took the bear down, knocking it out.

Cromlec called on the Priests of the Light to come to Stormshield, and cure his friend.

The Priests were wary of such Dark Magic, but attempted to dispel it nonetheless. In doing so, a dark bear spirit was released and attacked the Priests and Cromlec. The young magician Nathira used her arcane magic to harm the creature when Physical attacks failed.

In the wake of the battle with the Spirit, they were left with an emaciated and feral-looking Prince Brathar.

#### **Once and Future King**

Now returned, Brathar reunited with his mother and father, as well as his true family: Cromlec and Morgan. His process of recovery was long, but sure, and upon his mother's death in 530 KR, he became the King of the Isles.