Lord Arbam
Lord Arbam was the (disputably) notorious mastermind behind the Ancient Wars.
Biography #
Early Life #
Arbam Hammelor was a charming young tradesman who resided in the Nameless Town during the tail end of Ancient Era[^1]. He was born in 118 DHT as the son of a metalworker who serviced lancers' weapons who had come to visit the The Dancing Dragon Inn.
Arbam was content to grow up to become a smith like his father. He was well known through the Nameless Town as a handsome and courteous young man. Arbam watched the The Ancients with a mix of fear and awe as they patrolled the outskirts of the Nameless Town. He was a part of the generation of Legerians that began to forget the horrors of the Demon Wars, and never saw the Ancients fight to defend the world.
Arbam never fully trusted the Ancients, but his father always told him that the Ancients should be respected as guardians of the world.
Adulthood #
Arbam grew up to inherit his father's business, and married one of the Jonsuul's daughters, granting him not insignificant say in the Nameless Town's politics. He fathered two daughters and continued to be a pillar of the community.
Deception #
During his career, Arbam met a travelling mage name Al'Khasm, the Seer. Al'Khasm befriended Arbam after selling him an exotic metal that he claimed was from The Eastern Provinces. Al'Khasm assured Arbam that weapons forged from the metal were powerful enough to pierce even the Sintesium hides of The Ancients. They would sell incredibly well--perhaps so well that Arbam could retire.
When Arbam completed his first spear made of the metal, Al'Khasm returned to inspect the weapon. While the two were chatting in the Hammelor workshop, an Ancient barreled through the Nameless Town at a high speed, sensing the true nature of Arbam's friend and the metal provided he had brought. As the Ancient tore the roof from the forge, Arbam armed himself with the spear he had created, defending himself and Al'Khasm from the machine's wrath. He thrust the spear into the Ancient's side, piercing straight through to its hallowbrain, killing it instantly. Al'Khasm thanked Arbam for saving his life, claiming that the Ancient must have lost its mind. Arbam's wife and daughters were close enough that Arbam feared they could've been hurt by the Ancient's rampage. Al'Khasm suggested that they should investigate other Ancients across Legere to see if this sort of thing was happening in other places.
The Ancient Wars #
Arbam departed from the Nameless Town with Al'Khasm, and made their way to Phovezila. Along the way, the Ancients grew aggressive at their presence and attacked. Each time, Arbam protected himself and his friend with the spear and managed to slay the incensed Ancient. Arbam grew to believe that the Ancients were becoming corrupt, and if they weren't destroyed, they would bring destruction to Legere. With his skills at public speaking and leadership, Arbam rallied a following of lancers, soldiers, and other fighters who saw merit to the claims of the Ancients' instability. This group dubbed themselves Arbam's Army and began to hunt down Ancients throughout Legere. This marked the beginning of the Ancient Wars.
Arbam was so enraptured by this illusion spun by Al'Khasm that he failed to notice that Al'Khasm eventually removed himself from his followers, disappearing from the rest of Arbam's life. He also began to lose track of his original vision, beginning to hunt and dismantle Ancients out of cruel pleasure rather than a misguided desire to protect Legere.
During the Ancient Wars, the Phovezilan royal family granted Arbam lordship and land as a token of gratitude for his supposedly noble quest.
Death #
Arbam was slain by an Ancient in 158 DHT, 3 months before the Ancient Wars would end. After his death, Arbam's Army turned him into a martyr and continued their crusade across Legere.
[^1]: 5 DHT - 157 DHT.