The Knight and the Black Rose
The Knight and the Black Rose is tragic tale of love between an evil necromancer and a Paladin and how misplaced affections can turn deadly.
The way the tale goes, is that there once lived a young paladin named Michael Griffon. He came from a long line of pious knights, but was the first of his family to ever enter paladin-hood. He was a devoted servant of Sul and strong in his faith and belief in the goddess's principles. He joined the sect of The Radiant Hearts, a group of paladins and clerics of Sul that were dedicated to protecting people from the threat of the undead.
The story also involves a young mage, named Selene Whitebear. Selene was the daughter of a barbarian chief of the White Bear Clan. The chief had a hard life and eventually ended up in the company of a small group of adventurers. They made a name for themselves and amassed quite a fortune and the Chief eventually left his clan for life in Eroth. When his daughter was born, he vowed that she would never have to grow up as he did, hunting for his food and enduring the elements not knowing if he would survive the next storm. He gave her a life of luxury. She wanted for nothing and when she discovered she had a magical talent, from her mother's side, she was sent to apprentice with a mage whom her father had known from his adventuring days. Unfortunately that mage was not who he used to be and got Selene tied up into the world of Necromancy.
One day, Michael was investigating an infestation of undead near a small village, and it turned our that Selene was behind the attacks. They had fought in the ruins of an old tower, and during the battle Selene had slipped on a rock and had almost fallen to what would have been her death, but instead was saved by Micheal. This confused the young Necromancer and she fled while Michael was dealing with the rest of the zombies she had raised.
Over the next few months she kept thinking about this knight and how he could battle her one moment then save her life the next. She arranged for a few more encounters, drawing him out, but not revealing herself. As she learned more about his nature she began to become infatuated with him. It did not hurt that Michael was a very handsome man with the physique of a warrior. She kept creating situations where he was called for help, so she could see him in action against her creations. Eventually she believed she came to love him.
She set up a trap for him, in which she was able to capture him. While she held him captive she revealed her feelings for him and explained that she had made plans for them to run off and live together. The result was as expected. Not only did Micheal take a vow of chastity and celibacy when he entered the order of the Radiant Heart, Selene was a representation of everything he abhors. To her surprise he rejected her.
The Necromancer was shocked. She had always gotten everything she wanted in life and could barely fathom that someone would say no to her. She thought he just needed some time. She decided she would keep him until he changed his mind. Unfortunately he escaped with the help of friends he had made and adventured with.
While Selene was at first enraged, she knew that she could eventually convince him and gain his love back. After all, she was a powerful wizardess and beautiful. Over the next few years he devoted herself to two things. Becoming even more powerful and winning the love of Michael Griffon. They met often, as she tried many times to show him what he could have in her, but the result was always the same. Her plans were always ruined by him. These interactions did take their toll though.
She ended up killing many of the paladin's companions, as she hated them for rescuing him, and one time she had captured him a second time and forced herself upon him, causing him to break his vows. He managed to once again escape and almost killed her that time, but his devotion to Sul's teachings of mercy stayed his hand. He also felt he has some blame for her actions, as it was her misguided love that forced her to do many of the evil acts she committed.
Some bards say that Selene conceived a child that night or even twins, though the story changes from telling to telling.
What is consistent which each story though, is that as Selene grew older she was worried that her beauty would no longer be able to one day convince Michael to be her lover, so she started looking into way to prolong her looks.
She eventually found a way, the Dark Kiss as it is known. The embracement of Vapirism. She sought out a powerful vampire and convinced him to give her the gift. Blessed with eternal life and eternal beauty she never even considered the impact this would have on Michael.
When next they confronted each other he was repulsed by what she had done, and guilty, for he knew in some strange way she had done it for him. Selene was again shocked that he did not see her sacrifice (As she thought of it, losing access to the sunlight) and instantly fall in love with her for her devotion to him. For the first time since their first meeting she tried to kill him. She was a powerful Necromancer now, and if she could not have him in life, she would have him in death.
Their battle was one for the stories, but in the end Michael persevered but could not bring himself to destroy her, even after she had become the thing he hated most. He left, to her cries of vengeance and undying love.
Over the next few year, Selene's power still grew and she gathered followers. They starting calling her the "Black Rose" due to the elaborate black dresses she wore. Selene for her part turned her attention to destroying the things that Michael loved and protected in an effort to punish him for his rejection. Deep down though she still had strong feelings for him. Eventually Michael knew that he had to put an end to her and the misery she was causing, but he still could not bring himself to destroy her. He instead had a magical stake enchanted and he sought her out. He was able to get close to her by telling her he forgave her for everything she had done, and that there may be chance for them to be close to each other. He then stabbed the stake through her heart.
She entered into a deep torpor and remains there until today. The stake that had been enchanted could only be removed by one who truly loves her, not for her power but for the person she is or was. Unfortunately that was not the end of the tale.
The Children of the Black Rose as her followers became known tried to find the knight over and over and force him to free her, believing that deep down he must have some love for her, in order to spare her life so many times. Perhaps that was true, but in the end it is believed he was eventually killed by the followers, after they realized he would never set her free. Where he dies and where his remains lie is a mystery. Eventually without any hope of reviving their mistress, the Children of the Black Rose all but disappeared.
The legend is often told in taverns an feast halls when the crowd needs a sobering tale. It has also been turned into a book by an unknown bard called "The Lives of the Black Rose and the Radiant Knight"
The story is based on real individuals, and some say, unlike most, this one stays close to the truth, even though the minor parts have always had some bardic embellishments.
The way the tale goes, is that there once lived a young paladin named Michael Griffon. He came from a long line of pious knights, but was the first of his family to ever enter paladin-hood. He was a devoted servant of Sul and strong in his faith and belief in the goddess's principles. He joined the sect of The Radiant Hearts, a group of paladins and clerics of Sul that were dedicated to protecting people from the threat of the undead.
The story also involves a young mage, named Selene Whitebear. Selene was the daughter of a barbarian chief of the White Bear Clan. The chief had a hard life and eventually ended up in the company of a small group of adventurers. They made a name for themselves and amassed quite a fortune and the Chief eventually left his clan for life in Eroth. When his daughter was born, he vowed that she would never have to grow up as he did, hunting for his food and enduring the elements not knowing if he would survive the next storm. He gave her a life of luxury. She wanted for nothing and when she discovered she had a magical talent, from her mother's side, she was sent to apprentice with a mage whom her father had known from his adventuring days. Unfortunately that mage was not who he used to be and got Selene tied up into the world of Necromancy.
One day, Michael was investigating an infestation of undead near a small village, and it turned our that Selene was behind the attacks. They had fought in the ruins of an old tower, and during the battle Selene had slipped on a rock and had almost fallen to what would have been her death, but instead was saved by Micheal. This confused the young Necromancer and she fled while Michael was dealing with the rest of the zombies she had raised.
Over the next few months she kept thinking about this knight and how he could battle her one moment then save her life the next. She arranged for a few more encounters, drawing him out, but not revealing herself. As she learned more about his nature she began to become infatuated with him. It did not hurt that Michael was a very handsome man with the physique of a warrior. She kept creating situations where he was called for help, so she could see him in action against her creations. Eventually she believed she came to love him.
She set up a trap for him, in which she was able to capture him. While she held him captive she revealed her feelings for him and explained that she had made plans for them to run off and live together. The result was as expected. Not only did Micheal take a vow of chastity and celibacy when he entered the order of the Radiant Heart, Selene was a representation of everything he abhors. To her surprise he rejected her.
The Necromancer was shocked. She had always gotten everything she wanted in life and could barely fathom that someone would say no to her. She thought he just needed some time. She decided she would keep him until he changed his mind. Unfortunately he escaped with the help of friends he had made and adventured with.
While Selene was at first enraged, she knew that she could eventually convince him and gain his love back. After all, she was a powerful wizardess and beautiful. Over the next few years he devoted herself to two things. Becoming even more powerful and winning the love of Michael Griffon. They met often, as she tried many times to show him what he could have in her, but the result was always the same. Her plans were always ruined by him. These interactions did take their toll though.
She ended up killing many of the paladin's companions, as she hated them for rescuing him, and one time she had captured him a second time and forced herself upon him, causing him to break his vows. He managed to once again escape and almost killed her that time, but his devotion to Sul's teachings of mercy stayed his hand. He also felt he has some blame for her actions, as it was her misguided love that forced her to do many of the evil acts she committed.
Some bards say that Selene conceived a child that night or even twins, though the story changes from telling to telling.
What is consistent which each story though, is that as Selene grew older she was worried that her beauty would no longer be able to one day convince Michael to be her lover, so she started looking into way to prolong her looks.
She eventually found a way, the Dark Kiss as it is known. The embracement of Vapirism. She sought out a powerful vampire and convinced him to give her the gift. Blessed with eternal life and eternal beauty she never even considered the impact this would have on Michael.
When next they confronted each other he was repulsed by what she had done, and guilty, for he knew in some strange way she had done it for him. Selene was again shocked that he did not see her sacrifice (As she thought of it, losing access to the sunlight) and instantly fall in love with her for her devotion to him. For the first time since their first meeting she tried to kill him. She was a powerful Necromancer now, and if she could not have him in life, she would have him in death.
Their battle was one for the stories, but in the end Michael persevered but could not bring himself to destroy her, even after she had become the thing he hated most. He left, to her cries of vengeance and undying love.
Over the next few year, Selene's power still grew and she gathered followers. They starting calling her the "Black Rose" due to the elaborate black dresses she wore. Selene for her part turned her attention to destroying the things that Michael loved and protected in an effort to punish him for his rejection. Deep down though she still had strong feelings for him. Eventually Michael knew that he had to put an end to her and the misery she was causing, but he still could not bring himself to destroy her. He instead had a magical stake enchanted and he sought her out. He was able to get close to her by telling her he forgave her for everything she had done, and that there may be chance for them to be close to each other. He then stabbed the stake through her heart.
She entered into a deep torpor and remains there until today. The stake that had been enchanted could only be removed by one who truly loves her, not for her power but for the person she is or was. Unfortunately that was not the end of the tale.
The Children of the Black Rose as her followers became known tried to find the knight over and over and force him to free her, believing that deep down he must have some love for her, in order to spare her life so many times. Perhaps that was true, but in the end it is believed he was eventually killed by the followers, after they realized he would never set her free. Where he dies and where his remains lie is a mystery. Eventually without any hope of reviving their mistress, the Children of the Black Rose all but disappeared.
The legend is often told in taverns an feast halls when the crowd needs a sobering tale. It has also been turned into a book by an unknown bard called "The Lives of the Black Rose and the Radiant Knight"
The story is based on real individuals, and some say, unlike most, this one stays close to the truth, even though the minor parts have always had some bardic embellishments.
Historical Basis
Micheal Griffon and Selene White Bear are both Real figures. Michael was a member of the Radiant Hearts, and Selene was the daughter or Lobar Whitebear. There are historical accounts of warrants being issues for the life of Selene Whitebear for acts of Necromancy and mass murder.
In Literature
The story has been published a few times. Sometimes it is true to the main legend, and other times it deviates greatly. The main theme of love between a necromancer and paladin are a common theme.
The most famous retelling is the books The Lives of the Black Rose and the Radiant Knight. It was written in early 500 but the author is unknown. Copies of it are found in most large libraries.
The most famous retelling is the books The Lives of the Black Rose and the Radiant Knight. It was written in early 500 but the author is unknown. Copies of it are found in most large libraries.
In Art
A Famous Painting by the artist known only as Ross, supposedly show an image of Michael Griffon walking way away from a coffin in which Selene in thought to lie in. He is in the middle of dropping a Black Rose from his hand to the ground, while his head is lowered. He is surround by happy trees and the sky above is filled with fluffy clouds in twilight.
Date of Setting
The tale takes place around 475 BS
Related People
Related Organizations
The World of Nor
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