From the depths of oblivion
came a warrior the likes of which had never been known before. Spawned
from Chaos he led the minions of Darkness in their unholy crusade to conquer
Britannia. At the pinnacle of his power moments before Orders' ultimate
defeat, Valen engaged in battle with a young warrior. The youth fought
Valen in battles' dance of death. Although the warrior was
youthful he fought with skill that surpassed his years. Valen's sword
flashed blood red while his opponents mace streaked with its own inner
light. During the struggle the youths helm knocked loose and toppled
to the ground and for the first time the warriors true identity became
known. For none other than a feminine face appeared behind the matted
locks that crossed her features. For an instant her gaze held his
eyes then she fell into unconsciousness. Valen gazed down upon the
woman's face preparing for the final stroke, but stayed his mighty hand
that held his blade. For the first time in his life the dark paladin
found compassion and mercy. He reached down and picked up his one
time opponent and carried her away from the music of war and guarded her
unconscious form.
With their general no
where to be found the tide of battle began to shift. Most of the
Dark Legion lost heart and fled the field of battle. While those
that held there ground fell where they stood. In the end it was a
surprising Order victory.
The woman
warrior gained consciousness a day later. She awoke to find her wounds
cleaned and bound. She peered up into a sky that she believed she
would never behold again in this waking world. As she began to stir
Valen appeared at the edge of the clearing where he had found refuge for
them. Although at first wary of the former paladin of darkness, Luminafate
eventually befriended Valen and taught him many lessons about true honor
and loyalty.
As their
days together melded into years they began to forget about the war and
all its horrors, until one day. A small force of Chaos warriors poured
from the foliage from beyond the edges of the trail that they tread upon.
In the moments that insued Valen with Luminafate by his side vanquished
several of the dark knights. Then out of the corner of his eye, Valen
spotted another foe coming from behind. He rushed forward with a
fury he had never known as he saw who the mans target was to be, and slew
the wretch but alas, not before the man gave a mortal blow to his companion.
Valen felt no compassion nor mercy as he decimated the remainder of the
Chaos warriors. After the battle was over he returned to his companion's
still form. He bowed his head in silence and then began to bury her
body. As he knelt beside her final resting place offering a prayer to speed
her soul on her journey to the NetherWold, a flash of pure white light
emanated from her grave and a single Black Rose sprang forth. A voice
called to the somber warrior as he stared in disbelief at what had just
transpired. The Voice commanded him to vanquish those that had caused
Luminafate's death. For only then could her soul truly rest in peace.
Standing
over her grave Valen vowed to himself, his lost love, and the rest of the
world that he would live his life with but one mission, to bring vengeance
down upon those that were responsible for her death.
He, who
became known as the Lord of Oblivion by his dark foes, traveled the expanse
of Britannia seeking out those who were worthy to fight at his side against
the forces of Chaos in his grand quest of Vengeance. So began the
knighthood known as the Knights of the Black Rose, in memory of his lost
love and the events that had surrounded her burial.
After
the knighthood's first, of what would become many battles, Valen called
out to his paladins: We are the coming dawn. We shall sweep the darkness
from the land or give our lives in its defense. If these are our
final days then so be it.
And
so began the first chapter of his quest for glory, honor, and above all
his blood oath that the darkness that threatened the land would either
Submit
or Perish!
Chronicles
written by Quivalen Soth.
The Chronicles