Balian Rothe

Sir Balian Rothe
Age	23
Height	6'3"
Title	The Indomitable
Status	Alive

Balian Rothe is the bastard son of Prestor Falomyr, king-consort of Lordaeron and current Lord Protector of the Realm.

History

Balian's conception began with Aska Rothe. A woman both young and fair, Aska’s life of nobility began with her betrothal to Gerald Rothe, a lord of Falomyr who took up arms and alongside Tylan Bloodjoy. Known as the Bloodjoy Uprising, the rebellion was a grand success and marked a significant defeat for the House of Falomyr.

In the aftermath of the rebellion, the two took up residence at Hayton Stronghold, Gerald’s primary place of holding. Seated upon the Bloodjoy Council, he was often away on business and insisted that Aska remain behind and indulge in her noble status. Spoiled as she may have been, Aska was made to feel alone and neglected, though with the understanding that her husband was working to establish a better future.

Some years would pass before it was that Prestor Falomyr made his return with a devoted army capable of reclaiming the province.

In the bloody years that had followed, much of the Falomyr Marches had been forfeit to Prestor and his army. The Bloodjoy Council soon bickered amongst themselves and fell into ruin. Gerald was one of the first of the council to become detained and scheduled for execution. Aska, receiving the news later than she had hoped, was forced to remain locked within Hayton Stronghold until Prestor’s soldiers arrived to occupy it.

She was imprisoned for only a single night until Prestor had appointed her immediate release, the true enemy being that of her husband and the council. Despite her neglected marriage, Aska pleaded for Gerald’s health and safety and went so far as to offer her own body in exchange for his freedom. Prestor did not object, and the two quickly reached an accord. Three days later, the promise was broken. Aska was made to witness Gerald’s execution with those who served among him, as Prestor’s continued warfare had succeeded; managing to recover much of what was rightfully his.

Stripped of her nobility and reduced to nothing, Aska was forced into the harbor town of Bloodjoy; the staging point of Falomyr’s reclamation. Her worst fears were realized when she discovered to be with child - and her hatred for Prestor grew all the more worse. Twice during the months of her pregnancy did she attempt to end her life, but was quickly spoken out of the ordeal by the two loyal servants once tied to Hayton Stronghold.

Nine months later, the boy known as Balian had been born; much to Aska’s dissatisfaction. For many weeks, Aska refused to care for the child and left him to her servants until her depression had worn away, properly seeing to his well-being, if only for the shortest of times. The memory of Prestor’s betrayal and knowing well that his blood ran through the boy’s veins was enough to incite her fury and distaste for his existence.

From the very moment he was of age, Balian was set to work under the harshest circumstances. Through negotiations, he was made into a blacksmith’s apprentice and forced to delve deep within the blood iron mines, acquiring the available ore to craft what was known as bloodsteel. In his eighth season, Balian experienced a near fatal accident within the mines; much of his progress closed off by an unexpected cave in. Aska’s servants pleaded, and even demanded that she finally see reason and despite Prestor’s act in years past, see to her son as a mother should. She did not respond as well to the situation.

Soon enough, Aska appointed Balian under the tutelage of Ryan Bradmoore, a distinguished fighter that had survived Prestor Falomyr’s reclamation and ultimately swore his allegiance to the cause. Under Ryan’s training, Balian learned to defend himself with steel. Favoring both shield and sword, he was initially clumsy but surprisingly light on his feet and with a burning desire to improve. Although Ryan was well aware of Balian’s origins, it was Aska’s demand that he remained silent on the matter. Instead, he spun tales of Prestor Falomyr and his conquest, and one day ensuring that Balian would rise to fame as a soldier and fight alongside him.  

As the years passed, Balian quickly evolved into a well-known and respected young man. At age seventeen, he defended the harbor town against unsavory bandits that had snuck into the town unnoticed. The month long investigation had earned the people of Bloodjoy’s favor; and even more so when his continued work at the bloodstone mines had uncovered an monopoly of valuable ore. For his service, and with the smithy’s permission, Balian was allowed to craft his first suit of armor, forged with that of bloodsteel.

As Aska grew older, she began to realize and regret her past decisions. She had neglected Balian for too long, enough that he began to forget that she was his mother to begin with. She began to remember her sense of abandon when Gerard was away and on business, and finally did it convince her that, just once, she could mend the mistakes that had been made and provide the parental guidance. Even then, she remained adamant in keeping the truth of his existence under lock and key.

The two had reunited, much to her success, but at a cost. Balian had grown all the more curious.

Living under the false impression that his father had been killed in battle during Prestor’s reclamation, he often sought Ryan Bradmoore’s counsel on the subject. Repeatedly did the aged fighter guide him away from such concerns, stating that what he knew was only the truth. He did not wish to lead the boy into an everlasting lie, but he understood that it was only for the best. Prestor Falomyr was a man generally unconcerned of such smaller matters; his mind set to glory and the encroaching Scourge in the north.

Slowly did the days turn sour, and the harsh climate of Falomyr tolled upon Bloodjoy and its neighboring towns. At the start of Balian’s twenty-second season, Aska fell ill to old age and infirmity. While pained by her approaching death, there was also an extreme distaste for her past treatment, even if it eventually paved his role in the world. He remained with her until the very night where her last few hours had sounded. Then, and only then, did she reveal the truth and pronounce him a bastard to the established King-Consort of Lordaeron.

Shock and disbelief surged within him all at once. His mother’s death, however, was regarded as a new beginning, and a task that only he could see done. After all the tales that had been shared by Ryan Bradmoore, it was finally time to meet the man who unknowingly brought him into the world.

Four years before his preparations, Balian became acquaintances with an overly mysterious elf named Paane, who often spoke of the world beyond Falomyr and the dangers that lie within. After a time of convincing, she revealed to be part of what was known as the Menagerie: a coalition of various walks of life that had followed Prestor Falomyr and aided in his war against both men and undead.

Much to his confusion, it was only after his eventual departure from Bloodjoy that she had revealed herself to be that of a chromatic dragon, and further, his way into Dawnhaven. With a newfound ally under his belt, Balian took to the dragon’s back and said his final goodbye to the people he had once protected.

Meeting with the Lady Phoenix

While it was Balian's intention to arrive in the Dawn on schedule, it seemed his father, Prestor, had other plans in mind.

By way of a messenger, Balian and Paane were forced to halt their journey in favor of another: Quel'Athillien. Ruled by the former Queen, Rennali Sunwhisper, she was tasked with introducing Balian to the responsibility of nobility, and to observe whether or not he was truly worthy of his father's attention. The meeting lasted all but three days. Although Balian was noticeably impatient, he was willing to listen to the lessons that were offered.

The Royal Army

Balian during his service in the Royal Army, fashioned in bloodsteel armor

Finally within the service of the Royal Army, Balian stood by his ambition to become worthy of the Falomyr name, and earning his father's respect.

Balian served in the tail end of the Argent Campaign, accompanied by his chromatic companion, Paane. He was present when Queen Madelynne returned. Soon after, he aided Tamsyn LaVette with a beast of legend, and made his interest in the miasma known.

Such interest faded when his father announced the Draenor campaign. Along with a collection of the Royal Army, he entered the portal and into a strange, unknown world he had seen only in books and other tales of Azeroth's past.

Balian and the Royal Army made their presence known by cutting down a portion of the Iron Horde's forces. Upon the founding of Blackwing Fort and its inhabitants, the army was given a task to prove their worth and earn the respect of their new allies.

Their destination was a cave inhabited by one of the fabled gronn, presumably named Gorgrom. Unbeknownst to them, the creature was under control of a pale Orc, later identified as an agent of the Old Ones. Balian fought defensively while evading the Gronn's wide swings and withstanding its deafening roars. When at last it came his chance to strike, the pale orc retaliated with a powerful curse that affected the young soldier's mind, forcing him to see things beyond comprehension. Above all, Balian saw an apparition of his mother, goading him to attack his allies.

The spell was broken before more harm could be done, and Gorgrom was vanquished. Despite feeling vulnerable and defeated, Balian acquired the creature's spine before retreating back to Fort Blackwing.

"Whatever vision you saw was not your mother, sweet prince, no more than her memory is her given flesh and bone. She is gone. You remain."

To be visited by his mother in such a way left Balian distraught, assuming that she was a restless spirit left to haunt him long after death. Paane assured that this was a mere apparition spawned by the Old Ones to take advantage of their foes, yet this belief was difficult to accept. Further attempting to steel his will, Paane insisted that he follow a path that would hone his skills as a warrior.

Balian, alongside five other companions, assisted Tathikk and Ithravex within a vault below the Skyhold, where they encountered another supporter of the Old Ones. Tathikk succumbed to his injuries when the battle subsided, his last words to Balian ensuring that his father's greatness was with him. This was but a subtle mention of his origins, which have not been fully revealed to the Royal Army.

Soon enough, the army marched to encounter Ripgor the Masticator and his surviving band of orcs. Balian, alongside R'chard Mortain, prevented a significant ambush from north of the battlefield, leaving Ripgor with little assistance. Although the Orc commander fell, the Royal Army was met with Blackrock reinforcements led by Koramar and Zoggosh. Commander Heartvale was forced to call for a swift retreat.

Following the minor victory, Balian and the army moved to negotiate with the Botani and the Saberon in the attempt to gain support for the cause. Both were met with a heavy price, with the Live-Lord Stegnacius requiring their deceased enemies in the effort to raise them as his own personal army. The Saberon were less harsh (and perhaps more valuable), asking for a handful of the army to be tested in a series of trials and be deemed worthy of assistance.

It is this which sparked The Battle of Roaring Plains, as Dumela's Pride rallied to the defense of their land.

The Blackrock remnant was there to meet them, backed by Magora of Nagrand and her commanders. Zoggosh was also one to enter the fray, operating a deadly machine bent on clearing the path before it. To the south, a collection of manipulated war elekks marched to bring a swift end to the battle, but their slow movement proved to be a disadvantage. Alongside Hranu, Tormine, Henry and Paane, much of the north had been routed at the cost of their own soldiers. Despite General Heartvale's call of retreat, Balian and Paane pressed forward, soon relieved by a secondary force that had been dispatched to poison the Iron Horde's rations.

Xx'Zothrax lingers.

While considered a great victory, the Royal Army returned to their holdings in pieces, left to ponder their future decisions against an ever growing enemy.

Balian's nightmares returned in full force, leaving his own sanity to be questioned. With the army's intention to focus more on gaining allies than pursuing the pale orc, his retaliation against them was an imminent threat left ignored. One night, Balian was visited by his mother - her spirit not yet at rest following her death at Bloodjoy. Desperately, she begged for his forgiveness - his mistreatment and lack of parental guidance a choice she had made in distaste of his relation to Prestor Falomyr. Her words proved far too sweet to Balian's liking, and it was surmised that her constant presence was orchestrated by the pale orc, or another force left unseen. In order to protect the others and by extension himself, Balian gathered what resources he could and left Fort Blackwing without a trace, intent on encountering Xx'zothrax and freeing his mind of the brooding darkness.

The Outcasts

Compelled to search in places left unchecked, Balian followed the road south and into Talador, where he encountered the immense uncharted forests it possessed. Though largely uneventful, Balian was the first to see the lingering corruption made upon said forests, and considered it a sure sign that the pale orc once resided here, flora and wildlife twisted by unseen magics.

Before long, Balian was ambushed by a saberon soon to be known as Rak'kasa the Elder. After a lengthy stand-off and subsequent negotiations, he soon discovered that those of the saberon's clan - the Outcasts - were placed under the control of Xx'Zothrax to attain his own ends. Balian agreed to free them, but with the promise that Rak'kasa and his contingent aided the Royal Army in their attempt to crush the Iron Horde's opposition. Though cautious, the saberon agreed.

The efforts of man and beast prevailed that day. Discovering the source of corruption in the form of strategically placed void totems, each of them were promptly snuffed out between the two and before long, Talador's forests shined bright once more. With the Outcasts now free, Rak'kasa displayed his true purpose and resumed leadership of the clan, swearing to uphold the promise of aiding the warrior and his supposed army.

Battle of the Lost Forest

When Balian and the Outcasts learned of the location of the Royal Army, they were quick to unite with them and face the pale orc's opposition. Though vengeance stirred within Balian, they were hopelessly outnumbered and especially so, as one of their own fell under Zothrax's mind control. The Outcasts were slaughtered upon the arrival of Spiretacus the Ogron, with Balian along with them. Barely alive but unable to be saved, he was promptly captured by the pale orc and taken beyond that of the Royal Army's knowledge.

A Year in Confinement

Over the course of a single year, Balian was kept in a sturdy cell under the supervision of Xx'zothrax while the pale army went on to resume their corruption of the world. He was repeatedly visited by Aska Rothe, who served to provide a constant reminder of his failures and misgivings. Tortured both physically and of the mind, it drove him into a crazed state which blurred the line between what was real, and what was not.

Even so, he held onto the knowledge that Paane would return and see him brought to safety - whatever the cost.

Rescue

Balian, following his return.

Though it took more than a year in preparation, Paane and the Royal Army uncovered Balian's whereabouts and proceeded to the task. Although quick to discover him, he was not without certain company. An entity known as the All-Seer appeared before the champions and set forth a deal: that they are given Balian in exchange for the defeat of Xx'zothrax, but also to be free of Draenor and their mission permanently. Paane was quick to be in accordance of this, yet those of the party disagreed as it harmed their newfound Draenic allies. Tormine Powers opted to attack the entity instead, causing Balian to be dragged back into the darkness and Paane resorting to follow after him following a lengthy battle with Malthea Emberdawn, still under the pale one's influence.

Paane eventually came into contact with Balian, and miraculously returned in one piece. Both were rendered unconscious, until it was that Balian awakened with the desire to see things brought to a swift conclusion.

A Fight Against Darkness

Balian and the Royal Army closed in on Xx'zothrax's location, intent on ending his time on Draenor for good. Instead, they were greeted by the All-Seer as his forces were locked in battle with those under the Pale Prophet's command. Caught in the middle of a skirmish, the Royal Army pushed on without hesitation and began cutting down what lay in their path. The Prophet, undoubtedly taking advantage of the moment, seized Balian's mind for the duration of the fight and rendered him immobile.

Though the army was successful in felling the All-Seer's forces (through a deal struck with the Pale Prophet at the most opportune time) they were quick to turn on the gross creature and threaten to slay him for his misdeeds. Balian was the first to step forward, though an attempt to raise his blade proved impossible. Xx'zothrax prevailed, and escaped with his life.

When Balian returned to camp, it was Paane that greeted him to hear only of good news, but heard only the worst. Infuriated, she prepared to search once more for the Pale Prophet's whereabouts, with Balian in tow.

One of a Kind

Balian, Paane, and several of the Royal Army managed to track Xx'zothrax within one of Draenor's swamps. Venturing beneath the surface into an abandoned vault, the team discovered that Balian had a doppelganger – and it claimed to be the real Balian.  Paane was to determine which was real and by happenstance, killed the correct one. Regrettably (and perhaps foolishly), this altercation had forced Balian to announce himself as the son of Prestor Falomyr to the select few who accompanied him. Though taken with surprise, it was left unspoken of for the duration of the campaign. The doppelganger's illusion faded to be that of Xx'zothrax, his life presumably at an end.

After this the team split up and discovered the Fist of V’eru, who were convinced to evacuate and then a portal guarded by Arnagan as he attempted to summon Zy’lashj into the realm.  Paane and the damaged construct, Tathravex, remained behind until finally Paane was nearly killed.  The construct activated, revealing Tathikk’s spirit was partially trapped within the memory core, and sacrificed itself to allow her to escape.

The Battle over Fort Blackwing and Imperator's Fall

With the completion of his God Reactor, Warlord Gra’ba and the Iron Remnant launched their final offensive against the Royal Army’s forces. The flying warship, Imperator, brought with it the remainder of the Iron Remnant’s rylaks and their riders. As the ogre lord, Cho’gron, led a ground assault against the fortress, the champions endeavored to obtain entrance into the Imperator in order to bring it down from within.

Fighting through Gra’ba’s forces, they felled notable foes including Kil’grok, Chimaerus, Korasami, Cho’Wart, and eventually Gra’ba himself. Because they refused to abandon any soldiers, they were also capable of rescuing Hamilton Briggs, Ka’gyra, and Exarch Gaeus.

The Blackwing Brigade survived the aerial dogfight, albeit barely, and Sergeant Hamilton Briggs was allowed to become the sworn sword of Balian.

At last, the campaign upon Draenor had reached its conclusion. Prestor's forces returned home, victorious, however by no means fulfilled as Blackmarsh, and the whole of Lordaeron, was yet at peace.

In recognition of his valor, Balian was bestowed knighthood and deemed "The Indomitable" by Prestor himself. He was now one step closer to honoring the Falomyr name.

My son,

The day that I heard your name, it held no particular meaning to me.  Your mother, I am certain, was a woman fond of disparaging mine own name and for that I can fault her not.  In many ways, the man that saw you into this world is not the same as the one that writes this letter, though certainly he carries the sins and crimes of his every former incarnation.

Your capture at the hands of the Pale Prophet was what made me realize that there was more to  you than a name and what blood shared between us: it made me certain that even though you are a Rothe, you shall forever be a Falomyr.  I knew you would survive – far more than Paane, who despaired every day in your absence.  This is not a matter or pride or flattery but rather a statement of fact: I knew what to expect of you, for you are me in many ways.

The people speak of your greatness already.  Not only in the felling of the Pale Prophet, but in rescuing Hamilton Briggs from the Warlord’s accursed reactor.   No longer will  you be able to hide within the shadows, for one day an account for your strength must be made. 

Ours is blood that was blessed by the union of houses never again spoken of, and within that blood is there a power that even the heavens themselves have been given cause to fear.  You have two siblings now – a girl, Morgana and a boy, Vance.  When the time should come, remember that no Falomyr has ever raised his hand against another and not known scorn for that deed.

There will come a day in the future when your bloodline is made clear and Her Majesty, my wife, will certainly see to visit her wrath upon you.  Endure this.  So long as the blood of Falomyr flows within your veins you shall never know the sting of defeat eternal.  Your grandfather was a wicked man as your great-grandsire was a cruel one.  I am a man of no good moral character, but within you there is a kindness that I did not expect to see in a man of Falomyr’s blood.  You are your own man, Balian, and shall have to decide for yourself the path that you walk.

Gerald Rothe was a weak man whose lands were taken because he was never one to truly appreciate the labor that went into victory.  One day, I would see you sit numbered among Falomyr’s nobility in his place, but you must first earn that position.  Henceforth, you shall be known as Sir Balian the Indomitable and if you wish it, may serve at the behest of Lady Evette Willow in coming days.  Before long, I do not doubt, you will be a lord in your own right, but just as I did, my son…

You must bleed for it, first.

'In the Light’s Name,
King Prestor,
Lord Marshal of the Royal Army
Margrave of Falomyr'

Paane

Paane is Balian’s most trusted friend and of the Chromatic Flight. Her initial purpose was providing Lady Edevyn Bayne passage into Tulloch Hold during the events of Myrwood. Her humanoid form takes on that of an elvish appearance, with stark white hair and with eyes a deep shade of violet and blue. She has a tendency of being a schemer at times, though much of her business is kept clear of Balian’s way during his quest to see himself as a proper Falomyr.

She takes on the form of an chromatic dragon during combat and means of transportation, and is considered a deadly force whilst in the air. Her loyalty is ultimately to the Falomyr line, which explains her desire to see Balian amongst his father, a bastard as he may be.