Lord Joshua L'Bowen
Lord Joshua L'Bowen
Joshua L'Bowen was a powerful Ranger Lord, a one-time devoted follower of The Phoenix and the former Sovereign of the Krylan Coalition.
Throughout his career he was at various times an adventurer, a husband, a father, a politician, a statesman, and some say ultimately a traitor to his people and the nation he had sworn to lead.
During the events of The Elemental Sundering he abdicated his throne and his responsibilities, allowing the mages of The Wondrous Order to lead a coup that turned over leadership over the Coalition to them. Numerous stories exist of his final demise, including that he was killed by one or more of the mages, that he was removed by an angry mob or that he fled across the Kale Mountains to join the ranks of the Laynan Empire. Some even think he still lives in disguise within the former borders of his broken Coalition, biding his time, plotting and scheming to overthrown the mages and retake his rightful seat on the throne.
Lord Joshua has not been seen or heard from officially for over 120 years, and he is assumed long dead. His true fate is ultimately unknown.
Throughout his career he was at various times an adventurer, a husband, a father, a politician, a statesman, and some say ultimately a traitor to his people and the nation he had sworn to lead.
During the events of The Elemental Sundering he abdicated his throne and his responsibilities, allowing the mages of The Wondrous Order to lead a coup that turned over leadership over the Coalition to them. Numerous stories exist of his final demise, including that he was killed by one or more of the mages, that he was removed by an angry mob or that he fled across the Kale Mountains to join the ranks of the Laynan Empire. Some even think he still lives in disguise within the former borders of his broken Coalition, biding his time, plotting and scheming to overthrown the mages and retake his rightful seat on the throne.
Lord Joshua has not been seen or heard from officially for over 120 years, and he is assumed long dead. His true fate is ultimately unknown.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
At one time he was fit and a sklled fighter. Now he is overweight and out of shape from too much alcohol and inactivity.
Specialized Equipment
At one time Joshua's signature weapon was his Sword of the Phoenix, nicknamed "Flametongue." After fleeing the capital with the Heart of the Flames, Joshua had the gem embedded into the hilt of the weapon to keep it always close to him. While trying to remain incognito he realized the sword was too recognizable for him to keep, so he hid it in the trunk of an ancient live oak tree in the Sylpluvan Rain Forest.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Joshua L'Bowen was born in the year 197, in the small village of Bestine, in the foothills of the Kale Mountains. He learned to hunt and respect nature with his father, while his mother taught him to harness nature and respect The Phoenix.
Periodic raids by stone giants from the nearby mountains kept the townspeople on constant alert, but after a devastating attack left his parents dead and his house in ruins, Josh left to seek out his own fortune.
As a young lad of 17, he met up with a group of adventurers in a tavern and was fascinate by their stories of fighting monsters, solving riddles and finding treasure. He honed his skills as a member of their team and grew in skill and status. His devotion to his parents and the Way of the Phoenix sustained him and nurtured him.
His team invited a young paladin named Genniver to join, with whom Joshua was quickly smitten. They traveled together and were inseparable, falling deeply in love. Throughout their travels and adventures across the Krylan Coalition and the Wildlands, all the adventurers grew to care for and respect each other very deeply. The day finally came when Joshua and Genniver were married.
It wasn't long after that Genniver became pregnant. The couple endured great stress as Genniver's ill-treatment by the members of her Holy Order became to bear. Forced to leave the knighthood in disgrace and torn between devotion to her god and to her family, she lost her life giving birth to their first son, Frederik. Secretly, on the child's first night as Joshua grieved, the knights came and took the baby and Genniver away. Joshua never saw her body or his son again.
His pain led him back to his adventurer team for support. Several of them had settled in the Coalition capital of Kryla and had joined the security forces of the city. Joshua joined as well, hoping to forget the pain of his recent days. Over time, his organizational and leadership skills earned him higher ranks in the guard, eventually seeing him become a full Commander at only the age of 23.
He forged a close relationship with the current Sovereign, Lord Riddick, and began to be included in strategy and planning sessions affecting the entire Coalition. When Lord Riddick became ill and died suddenly, many governmental officials vied for control but it was the newly christened Lord Joshua that assumed the title as Sovereign.
Joshua ruled well and the Coalition prospered under his watch. When the mages of The Wondrous Order plotted to bring down the Coalition, Joshua was not prepared for the turmoil to come. On the eve of The Elemental Sundering, one of his closest allies and confidantes, The High Cleric of Phoenism requested he be The Phoenix's champion. Joshua took possession of the Heart of the Flames and traveled home to Kryla, intending to hide it deep within his castle. When he returned, the Sundering had already plunged the capitol into chaos. Clerics and other officials of the government were being attacked and driven from the city. Joshua was blindsided and made into a scapegoat for the collapse of the alliance. The mages' plan was so well-executed he barely escaped with his life, believing some of his closest allies had betrayed him.
For the next few years he moved from town to town, one step ahead of the angry mobs that had so recently sung his praises as their Sovereign. He hid the Heart of the Flames in the Sylpluvan Rain Forest intending to retrieve it at a later date. That date never came.
As a result of his pact with Vera and the other High Clerics, Joshua had consumed a Potion of Longevity which dramatically increased his lifespan. Many years later, he currently lives as a broken man, mourning his deceased wife, his lost son and the destruction of all he held dear. Possibly worst of all, the Phoenix disappeared and seemingly deserted him when his influence waned, which left Joshua bitter and wanting nothing more than to find another drink in the tavern.
Periodic raids by stone giants from the nearby mountains kept the townspeople on constant alert, but after a devastating attack left his parents dead and his house in ruins, Josh left to seek out his own fortune.
As a young lad of 17, he met up with a group of adventurers in a tavern and was fascinate by their stories of fighting monsters, solving riddles and finding treasure. He honed his skills as a member of their team and grew in skill and status. His devotion to his parents and the Way of the Phoenix sustained him and nurtured him.
His team invited a young paladin named Genniver to join, with whom Joshua was quickly smitten. They traveled together and were inseparable, falling deeply in love. Throughout their travels and adventures across the Krylan Coalition and the Wildlands, all the adventurers grew to care for and respect each other very deeply. The day finally came when Joshua and Genniver were married.
It wasn't long after that Genniver became pregnant. The couple endured great stress as Genniver's ill-treatment by the members of her Holy Order became to bear. Forced to leave the knighthood in disgrace and torn between devotion to her god and to her family, she lost her life giving birth to their first son, Frederik. Secretly, on the child's first night as Joshua grieved, the knights came and took the baby and Genniver away. Joshua never saw her body or his son again.
His pain led him back to his adventurer team for support. Several of them had settled in the Coalition capital of Kryla and had joined the security forces of the city. Joshua joined as well, hoping to forget the pain of his recent days. Over time, his organizational and leadership skills earned him higher ranks in the guard, eventually seeing him become a full Commander at only the age of 23.
He forged a close relationship with the current Sovereign, Lord Riddick, and began to be included in strategy and planning sessions affecting the entire Coalition. When Lord Riddick became ill and died suddenly, many governmental officials vied for control but it was the newly christened Lord Joshua that assumed the title as Sovereign.
Joshua ruled well and the Coalition prospered under his watch. When the mages of The Wondrous Order plotted to bring down the Coalition, Joshua was not prepared for the turmoil to come. On the eve of The Elemental Sundering, one of his closest allies and confidantes, The High Cleric of Phoenism requested he be The Phoenix's champion. Joshua took possession of the Heart of the Flames and traveled home to Kryla, intending to hide it deep within his castle. When he returned, the Sundering had already plunged the capitol into chaos. Clerics and other officials of the government were being attacked and driven from the city. Joshua was blindsided and made into a scapegoat for the collapse of the alliance. The mages' plan was so well-executed he barely escaped with his life, believing some of his closest allies had betrayed him.
For the next few years he moved from town to town, one step ahead of the angry mobs that had so recently sung his praises as their Sovereign. He hid the Heart of the Flames in the Sylpluvan Rain Forest intending to retrieve it at a later date. That date never came.
As a result of his pact with Vera and the other High Clerics, Joshua had consumed a Potion of Longevity which dramatically increased his lifespan. Many years later, he currently lives as a broken man, mourning his deceased wife, his lost son and the destruction of all he held dear. Possibly worst of all, the Phoenix disappeared and seemingly deserted him when his influence waned, which left Joshua bitter and wanting nothing more than to find another drink in the tavern.
Sexuality
Josh never took another wife after Genniver died, preferring to mourn her perpetually.
Mental Trauma
Joshua often dreams of the night his wife died, and his nightmares sometimes include parts of the betrayal of his friends as well. He is unable to remember parts of both ordeals, having successfully blocked it from his memory.
The early trauma of losing his parents to stone giants also continues to weigh heavily on his psyche.
The early trauma of losing his parents to stone giants also continues to weigh heavily on his psyche.
Intellectual Characteristics
He loves the outdoors and is at home living in nature. His many years learning the vagaries of the forest helped him become a better leader.
Taboos
He has great difficulty dealing with any kind of giant, and will avoid encounters whenever possible. When a confrontation is inevitable, he will not shirk from combat and considers all giants to be better off dead.
Social
Religious Views
For most of his life, Joshua was a devoted follower of The Phoenix. When he was deposed, The Phoenix left his influence and he has ceased to worship the god of fire and rebirth.
Hobbies & Pets
He owns an elderly horse named Fiero.
Alignment
Neutral Good
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Lord
Age
59 (apparent), 176 (actual)
Date of Birth
30th of Twelfthmonth
Birthplace
Bestine
Children
Pronouns
He/Him/His
Gender
Male
Eyes
Grey and haunted
Hair
Brown and greying
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Weathered and tan
Height
6'2"
Weight
250lbs
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Ruled Locations
Comments