Archibald Ironfist

King of Deyja

Archibald is one of the two sons of King Morglin Ironfist.

Ascending the throne

After Morglin's passing, Archibald was quick to seize the throne, Archibald killed the Royal Seer by causing him to suffer "a tragic boating accident" with the aid of a Lightning Bolt spell. He had all three of the Seer's successors murdered -Frederick was thrown out of a tower window, Robert was slain by a dragon, and Johann died of food poisoning, accusing Roland of murdering the royal seers and issued a proclamation against him. Roland, pursued, fled Castle Ironfist for his palace in western Enroth. Archibald had himself proclaimed king the next day, and has ruled ever since... with an iron fist, naturally
He bribed the necromancers of Enroth into joining his cause, and gained the support of the warlocks. The Regnan Pirates also aided him by providing his armies with high-quality weaponry, and commanders including General Corlagon and Brother Brax rallied to his side. At some point, Archibald attempted to glean information from Melian, Guardian of Enroth, in Free Haven, but the Guardian refused to entertain him. He stole its memory crystals out of spite.
Meanwhile, Roland gained the support of the Dwarves, the Sorceresses and the Wizards throughout the continent, challenging Archibald's allies - the Warlocks and Necromancers. Aided by his father's loyal Knights, Roland began to push on towards Archibald's lands. Ultimately, he had General Corlagon captured with Lord Haart's strategic ability, and managed to defeat and capture Archibald soon after.

Defeat and Return

Archibald's punishment for usurping the throne was simple. Roland had the Court Wizard, Tanir, turn Archibald into an insensate stone statue, to remain in the western tower of Castle Ironfist until some future generations take pity on him and restore him to life. The process went ahead, reversible only by a bell held in a sealed vault by the Ironfists. Just before being turned to stone, Archibald was about to say "Now wait just a minute Tanir, and I'll make it worth your while to let me…" obviously attempting to bribe the Wizard.
Some time during the ten years that followed, Archibald was moved into the Library. Roland departed the kingdom with an army and some adventurers to battle the devils invaders in the sentinels. His army was decimated and he was captured. A couple of years later, Roland's wife, Queen Catherine, returned to Antagarich to attend the funeral of her father. This left Prince Nicolai Ironfist - a ten year old - in charge, alongside Regent Wilbur Humphrey.
During the course of their adventure, the Heroes of Enroth visited Melian in Free haven, restoring her modules which had been taken by Archibald. Melian ordered them to free Archibald so that they might use one of his self-made spells. They convinced Nicolai Ironfist to free the usurper. Archibald, clearly surprised and pleased at his "release", thanked the adventurers, giving them the Ritual of the Void spell. He then teleported out of Ironfist.
Some months later, Archibald decided to depart Enroth for Antagarich, disgusted at the decline of Enroth's Necromancers. Learning of Finneas Vilmar's plot to reanimate Erathian King Nicolas Gryphonheart, the father of Queen Catherine - Archibald's despised sister-in-law - he sailed for Antagarich to aid the Deyjans in their effort. However, King Vilmar was killed by Nicolas after the reanimation, and Nicolas succeeded the throne.

New Kingdom

Though the new Lich King was an excellent tactician, he was far too powerful for his own good. Most of Deyja's Necromancers, not including Archibald, sided with Queen Catherine and some adventurers in bringing about Nicolas' second death. Nimbus volunteered information to the Erathians about Nicolas' murderer and the details of the Deyjan plot. In a matter of months, Catherine infiltrated Gryphonheart's citadel and killed him, along with the traitor.
Defeating Nimbus in the guild Challenge of Dominance, Archibald assumed control over the now-vacant throne of Deyja.

Birthplace

Castle Ironfist

Current Residence

Castle Gloaming

Gender

Male

Eyes

Dark brown

Hair

Short black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Caucasian

Height

1.73M

Weight

77kg

Aligned Organization

Deyja

Ruled Locations

• Deyja Moors
• The Pit