Valestan, Sword of Kalkari

(a.k.a. The Black Knight, The Eternal Warrior)

Known as the Black Knight, or the Eternal Warrior, Valestan, Sword of Kalkari is a warrior known for his strength, prowess and for the black armour and helmet that he never removes. He has patrolled the Underdark for decades, far longer than his mortal Human years would normally allow, carrying out the will of Kalkari as he interprets it.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

As few have gotten to know Valestan particularly well, not much is known about his personal history.
What is known is that in his youth he was a squire to a noble in Minid Province in the Empire of Turelion, but that after his master was killed in a foolhardy hunt to kill a Dragon that had appeared on his lands, the young Valestan went and joined the Swords of Kalkari. After completing his training with the Swords, Valestan was invested as a warrior within the order, donned the black armour that he has worn ever since and left to travel the Underdark. Anecdotally, he is thought to be one of the only members of the Swords of Kalkari to have never returned to their monastery headquarters of Lapal Gap, to the point that they often record him as being lost or deceased, until rumours of his appearance come once again to their ears.

Rumours Surrounding his True Nature

Valestan is never seen without wearing his helmet and suit of black armour, nor has he ever been observed to take it off. Those who have travelled with him, or spent a significant amount of time in his company claim that he neither eats, nor drinks, nor sleeps and that he seems tireless, capable of fighting for hours on end or keeping watch all night and able to bear injuries that would kill anyone else with barely the slightest waver in his stride.
This has led many to ponder as to what he actually is, with some suggesting that he is not a Human as he claims to be, but that he is instead some kind of abomination, construct, or even some kind of devil or demon.
These rumours follow Valestan wherever he goes, and many times he has had to leave towns or communities in haste to avoid being cornered by a concerned mob, eager to know if he is a threat or not.

Education

Whilst little is known of his formative schooling, it is known and recorded in the archives of the Swords of Kalkari that he trained with them at their headquarters of Lapal Gap when he joined the order in 434AIF.

Employment

As a warrior member of the The Swords of Kalkari, Valestan wanders the Underdark for a living, dispensing the justice of the god Kalkari  as he sees fit. Often he will arrive in communities that are having problems, or which are cursed with some form of affliction or which are being troubled by beasts and bandits, deal with the problem and then set off on his way again without a backwards glance.
As warriors of the Swords of Kalkari are able to come and go as they please, taking on whatever quests or contracts they like, so long as they can justify that through undertaking it they are serving Kalkari, it is very hard to predict when and where Valestan will appear. However, those who take an interest will quickly learn that he has an interest in taking on jobs linked to the activities of the Corpore Mortis, more specifically those jobs that involve stopping or disrupting their actions.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Whilst Valestan’s name is known to many within the Underdark, there are few, other than other members of the Swords of Kalkari that would be truly termed contacts of his. Given that he only seems to enter settlements to help deal with problems, and spends the rest of his days outside of civilisation, he does not seem overly interested in building up a base of contacts.

Family Ties

No one knows much of Valestan’s origins, but given that he is a Human who has far surpassed the average lifespan of his species, it is thought that whatever immediate family that he had are probably deceased. It has been rumoured that he might have relations back in the city of Zoockbar from which he originated, but this has never been confirmed.

Religious Views

One of the The Swords of Kalkari, Valestan holds close the teachings of the god of justice Kalkari and tries to adhere to the gods laws, namely:

• Protect the innocent;
• Punish those who take life without a just cause;
• Protect the sanctity of sacred spaces;
• Punish those who steal;
• Punish those who oppress;
• Ensuring justice is applied equally to all.

Wealth & Financial state

Like many of the Swords of Kalkari, Valestan has little in terms of personal wealth and other than his armour and weapons, which would be worth a tidy sum were they to be sold, he carries only as much coin as he needs to get by from day to day.
However, one thing that many have commented on about Valestan, is that he has never been observed to eat, drink or even buy food for sustenance. Many of those who have observed him believe that it is linked to his vow to never remove his armour, and that by extension he never removes his helmet to eat or drink when in company. However, others believe that this is instead a clue pointing to Valestan’s true, supernatural nature.

Species

Human

Age

152

Birthplace

Zoockbar in Minid Province in the Empire of Turelion

Gender

Male

Aligned Organization

The Swords of Kalkari