Vaeldrin's Mark Lore - Emperor Andreas Spellblade

                    Born in the year 2331 of the Age of Enlightenment, Andreas Spellblade was to be the 82nd Emperor of Rom and ruler of the Summerland. As he grew up, his teachers and instructors would comment on his arrogance and lack of compassion. Despite this, Andreas was very bright and had an affinity for magic. Anyone could use magic with the proper training but the nature of their power would depend on their general intelligence. Andreas was very intelligent and so was trained in all aspects of magic. His father Marcus worried that his son would grow to become a tyrant. he did not want his legacy to throw Rom into darkness so he decided to take time away from ruling his empire to personally oversee his sons studies and progress into becoming a young man. With the emperor absent, the leadership structure of Rom grew to become very unstable. A convocation of various lords and archmages convened to discuss what they would do to save their glorious empire. Lord Bannon, ruler of the city of Melienne and a respected military leader, proposed an assassination of their emperor. The convocation was appalled at the idea and scolded Bannon for his extremities. They were voting in favour of a coup to take hold of their crumbling empire and install Andreas, now a young man and accomplished mage and warrior, as a puppet emperor. Bannon spoke again stating that a coup would only serve to cause civil unrest for Marcus was beloved by his people. The convocation saw this and agreed. Alivash, commander of Rom's Ranger Corp was approached to do the job, having performed many assassination missions all over the world. He refused to do it and so mercenaries from across the sea in the merchant city of Harkon were hired instead. Under the cover of night, Bannon led the convocation and their hired swords into the palace and entered the throne room where Marcus was thought to be. When they entered the grand room, Marcus Spellblade, 81st Emperor of Rom lay dead on the floor, his body charred and smoldering in flames. They desperately wondered who could have done this if they had not. Then Bannon saw him. Andreas sat on the Throne of Kings across the room. He bore a smug grin on his face that looked utterly guilty and proud at the same time. Andreas stood up and, dragging his scarlet robes across the floor, strode towards Bannon and his lackeys. 

                    "It would seem I have beat you to it, my lords," Andreas said with a humorous tone in his voice. "I knew all about your little game and it would seem I have played my hand first."

                    "Andreas, what have you done?" Bannon asked.

                    "It was no secret my father was weak and paranoid and so I - succeeded him." He then laughed with sinister purpose.

                    "All hail Emperor Andreas," Bannon shouted and the group fell to their knees bowing in front of the new emperor. "The empire will be great once again under your rule Andreas, we will make sure of it."

                    "Oh I know it will be," The young man said slyly almost in a whisper. "But too bad you won't be around to see it.

                    "My liege, what do you mean? asked Bannon

                    "I know you pathetic worms plotted to use me as a puppet, but I just cannot let that happen," said Andreas prosaically.

                    Andreas cast a spell with the aid of his greatsword Firereaver. An explosion erupted utterly decimating the group of lords and sellswords. This was the day Andreas solidified his dictatorial rule with the death of his father and the government of the Romulan Empire. He now rules the empire with an iron fist and none dare stand in his way for fear of their lives. 

Vaeldrin's Mark: The War in the North - Andreas - Prologue

“I grow impatient with these continued failures, Archmage!” The snivelling old wizard cowered in fear at my outburst. This… Rodent was who my father appointed Royal Court Wizard?

“Have you made any progress into figuring out what these relics are, Lennus?” Archmage Lennus shook his head and looked at me as if I were about to strike him.

“Lennus, is there any good news you bring me today?”

“Well, your highness, we have come to the conclusion that the tablets were indeed crafted by the ancient korrivar but for what purpose, we cannot know for certain. However, we have come close to deciphering the runic texts carved into them, but it could be weeks before we come to any decisive conclusions as to what they mean.”

The wizard puffed out his chest and took on a look of pride at this news. This weasel was just as foolish as I thought.

“Humph, interesting news, Archmage, but still not good enough. Orcs have been spotted on our eastern borders pillaging fishing villages and small towns. The giants plot to destroy our wards and walls on the Bridge from their cities in the north, and the korrivar continue to be a threat further north still. We require a better defence if we are to hold back our enemies, you know this.”

“Yes, sire but-”

“I will hear no more, Lennus. Use the information you do have and invoke the power in the tablets. The magic the dark elves of old wielded was quite formidable during the days of the first Korrivaran Ascendency and that magic will now be utilized by the Romulan Empire.

“My Emperor, for all we know these tablets could destroy Rom killing thousands. I cannot do this with good conscience. I will not,” The Archmage stated with force.

“Do you dare defy me, Lennus? Very well then, if you insist on disobeying me.”

With one swift wave of my hand a ball of fire flew at lennus and struck him on the temple, scarring his head and knocking him to the floor. I arose from my throne and strode across the marble floor of the great hall towards the maimed wizard.

“I have allowed your failures and little fits of rebellion to sneak past my wrath for far too long. No longer! For I am Andreas, 82nd Emperor of Rom, and I do not tolerate failure!”

My magic was far superior to this so called Archmage. He would receive no mercy now. The winds were called to my aid and with them at my side, I lifted the old man into the air and with a clenched fist, crushed his spine. His crumpled corpse fell to the ground where my guards moved to drag his lifeless body out of my throne room. I now moved to speak to my court.

“Let this be a warning to all those who would think to defy me. I hope I have made myself clear today, no dissidents will be tolerated in my empire.” I affirmed.

The court was in utter fear of me and I relished in it.

“Now, bring me the Mages Guild along with the Korrivaran tablets. Let us see what the powers of the ancient dark elves can do for us.”