Gilles de Crusader

I now depart to meet the lord, serve as best as I could and you will be at peace too. -last words of Gilles de Crusader

Gilles de Crusader, often hailed as the "Great Crusader," the "Adventurer," and the "Seeker of Solomon," is one of the most revered figures in the history of Outremer. Born of humble origins as a common-born squire, his rise to prominence during the final years of the Great Crusade is a tale of unmatched valor, perseverance, and divine providence.


Despite the loss of his lord in battle, Gilles distinguished himself on the blood-soaked fields, where he fought alongside noble lords and saintly knights against relentless hordes of Demons. His bravery and skill in combat were legendary, and many saw him as a hero of divine favor. However, due to his low birth, he was denied access to the Sacred Pool, this denial, despite his achievements, haunted him for years.


Undeterred by this rejection, Gilles embarked on a lifelong quest for redemption and divine recognition. As an adventurer, he traveled across distant lands, confronting evil and tyranny wherever he went. His deeds became the stuff of legend, but it was during this period of wandering that Gilles is said to have received visions from Solomon - God of Life, who guided him to a powerful and mystical artifact—the Holy Grail.


The Holy Grail, brimming with sacred water, bestowed upon Gilles the power and grace that he had long sought. Through its divine blessing, he attained sainthood, marking the fulfillment of his epic quest. This miraculous discovery, alongside his unwavering pursuit of righteousness, cemented Gilles' legacy as one of the greatest heroes of Outremer.


For the remainder of his long life, Gilles traveled the world as a champion of virtue and chivalry, fighting evil and unjust rulers wherever he went. His legendary strength and longevity enabled him to participate in not just the First Crusade, but also the Second and Third Crusades, making him the only knight of Outremer to fight in all three of these holy wars. His participation in these crusades inspired countless generations of knights and crusaders, who sought to emulate his valor and faith.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Birth of the Squire Knight(11210-11238AC)

Gilles de Crusader was born in 11210 AC, in one of the slums of Outremer. His early life remains largely a mystery, but it is believed that he was a peasant boy of humble origins, struggling to survive in the harsh conditions of the city. At the age of 16, fate smiled upon him when he was chosen by Saint Lord Rouche Beast Slayer to be his squire—an honor that was extraordinarily rare, especially for a commoner. The selection of a peasant to serve a Saint Lord, let alone one as legendary as Rouche, was an event that had not occurred for generations. Rouche, a revered knight known for his relentless hunts against the beasts and monsters that threatened Outremer, saw something unique in the young Gilles.


At the time of his selection, Rouche had been tasked with guarding Outremer during the Great Crusade, a war against demonic forces that had engulfed the Paros. Rouche's role was to remain in Outremer to safeguard the kingdom while others fought abroad, but that changed when his brother, who had joined the crusade, was killed in battle. Rouche was called to take his brother's place in the crusade, and he took young Gilles with him. Despite the rarity and oddity of such a decision, Rouche brought the boy along, setting them both on a path toward Paros to join the main crusader forces.


However, Rouche, Gilles, and their fellow crusaders were ambushed by a demonic horde upon arriving. In the ensuing battle, every crusader was slaughtered—except Gilles. Alone and grieving the loss of his mentor, Gilles wandered the desolate lands, helping small villages and settlements as he made his way to rejoin the main crusading army. After months of perilous travel, Gilles finally reached the frontlines, where he joined the ongoing battles against the Demons.


Despite his status as a mere squire, Gilles distinguished himself in battle, standing fearlessly against the demonic onslaught. His skill, faith, and courage earned him the respect of his fellow crusaders. Though he started as an inexperienced youth, Gilles quickly gained renown, and within five years of constant battle, he became known as the Squire Knight—a squire in title, but with the strength and skill that rivaled seasoned knights. His incredible progress, coupled with his humility and dedication, made him a revered figure among his peers.


By the time he had spent a decade in the Great Crusade, Gilles had fought in some of the war's most pivotal battles, standing shoulder to shoulder with the mightiest of the crusaders. At 28 years of age, after ten years of war, Gilles had grown into a warrior whose prowess rivaled that of a Saint Lord, despite never having been granted sainthood. His achievements on the battlefield became legendary, as he led numerous victories against the demonic forces that ravaged the realm.


When the Great Crusade finally ended, after more than 80 years of bloodshed, Gilles was hailed as a hero by his comrades. His leadership, valor, and faith were seen as instrumental in helping to turn the tide of the war. With the conflict over, the crusaders rallied behind Gilles, advocating for him to be granted sainthood—a fitting reward for his extraordinary service.


However, for the second time, Gilles was denied sainthood by the clergy, who saw his common birth as an unbreakable barrier. Despite his countless contributions to the survival of Outremer and his unmatched feats of bravery, the nobility of his blood was deemed insufficient for sainthood. Heartbroken but undeterred, Gilles left Outremer. Rather than wallow in his disappointment, he chose to embark on a new journey, traveling the world as a wandering adventurer. Wherever he went, he lent his sword to those in need, continuing to fight for justice, righteousness, and the ideals of chivalry that had always guided him. His legacy, already forged in the fires of war, would grow even greater as he spread his influence and hope across distant lands.

The Seeker of the Holy Grail

Gilles ventured through distant lands for 82 years, helping those in need, spreading chivalry, and fighting evil. His legendary journey seemed like it should have ended in death long before, as no mere human—especially one without sainthood—could live so long. But when Gilles returned to Outremer after more than eight decades away, those who saw him were astounded. He looked no older than the day he had left, bearing the unmistakable proof of sainthood. The clergy, other saints, and knights marveled at this miraculous change, wondering how a common-born squire had ascended to sainthood without the intervention of the Sacred Pool.

It was then revealed that when Gilles had petitioned for sainthood a second time, it wasn't his lowly birth that had prevented him from receiving the divine blessing. Rather, the Sacred Pool, the source of sainthood in Outremer, had mysteriously dried up. No new saints had been made in the past 80 years, and the church had been powerless to grant sainthood to anyone—noble or common. The clergy had withheld this information for many years, ashamed that they could no longer sanctify their heroes.


This made Gilles’ return all the more incredible, for he had somehow become a saint despite the Sacred Pool being inactive. When asked how this could be, Gilles spoke only in vague terms, saying that during his long travels, he had been guided by the voice of Solomon - God of Life himself. Solomon had led him on a quest—one filled with trials and sacrifices—to find what he sought most: the Holy Grail, a sacred artifact said to hold divine power. After years of relentless searching, with Solomon's guidance, Gilles found the grail. Upon drinking from it, he was imbued with the power and grace of sainthood.


However, Gilles did not reveal the location of the Holy Grail or when exactly he had discovered it. He simply urged his fellow knights and lords to listen to the voice of the Lord and follow their faith, much as he had done. The mystery of his sainthood added to the already legendary aura surrounding Gilles, and his words reignited the faith of Outremer's crusaders. For decades, they had believed that sainthood was no longer possible, but now they had hope. The knights of Outremer were reinvigorated, inspired by the possibility that sainthood could still be achieved without the Sacred Pool. Gilles' miraculous return and his discovery of the Holy Grail became a rallying cry for a new era of knights and crusaders in Outremer, renewing their faith and their quest for divine grace. His legend, once limited to his heroic deeds during the Great Crusade, now extended far beyond, marking him as a living symbol of divine favor and eternal hope.

De Crusader

Only a few months after Gilles' triumphant return to Outremer, Cardinal Eugene III, emboldened by Gilles' miraculous sainthood and the renewed faith of the knights, declared a Second Crusade. This time, the crusade's aim was to save the World Tree Leviair in Aedorica, a land far to the north. According to rumors, a new Sacred Pool lay hidden there, one that could restore the ability to grant sainthood. Outremer’s holy order and its leaders saw this as an opportunity not only to protect the sacred tree but also to claim the divine blessing they had been without for decades.

The declaration of this crusade rallied the entirety of Outremer, with every noble knight and lord eager to claim this new source of power for themselves and to secure Leviair, which was seen as a symbol of life and renewal. Gilles, with his newfound sainthood and legendary status, would naturally join the expedition. He had already played a crucial role in the First Crusade, fighting valiantly against Demons and earning the admiration of all who fought beside him. Now, as one of the oldest and most revered heroes of the realm, Gilles led the charge into the lands of Aedorica.


He marched alongside the knights, once again taking up arms in a holy war. The quest to save the World Tree and secure the new Sacred Pool would be as perilous as it was crucial. The lands of Aedorica, home to ancient powers and otherworldly forces, presented new challenges and unknown enemies. But with Gilles at their forefront, the crusaders of Outremer were confident that they were destined for victory.

No longer referred to simply as "the Seeker of Solomon" or "the Squire Knight," Gilles was given a true and noble title by Cardinal Eugene III after the Second Crusade. In recognition of his unparalleled service to Outremer, his devotion to the faith, and his role as a guiding light to the crusaders, he was bestowed the name Gilles de Crusader, a title that would cement his legacy in the annals of history. This name would not only reflect his lifelong pursuit of righteousness and divine favor but also signify his place as a leader among the crusading knights of Outremer. The Second Crusade would be the next great chapter in Gilles' already legendary life, as he sought to protect the realms of life and carry the divine flame of sainthood into battle once more.

Legacy of a True Saint

In the twilight of his legendary life, Gilles de Crusader entered a final phase of reflection and service. After the Second Crusade, he divided his time between fulfilling his saintly duties in Outremer and occasional forays into adventuring. However, as the years wore on, his once tireless spirit began to yield to the passage of time. By the age of 150, Gilles, one of the oldest saints in recorded history, gradually ceased his adventuring and settled into a quieter life of devotion within Outremer.

It was not until 11383AC that Gilles was once again called to battle, this time for the Third Crusade. A powerful Orc warhost had captured the World Tree Taia in Ur, and Cardinal Urbanos III declared a holy war to reclaim it. Though Gilles, for the first time, showed signs of aging, signaling the nearing end of his extraordinary life, his indomitable spirit remained unwavering. He could not resist the call of the crusade and joined once again, donning his armor and taking up his sword.


For seven long years, the Third Crusade raged across the lands of Ur. Gilles de Crusader fought with the same fierce resolve that had defined his earlier campaigns. His courage never faltered, and he stood as a beacon of hope for his fellow crusaders. Thousands of orcs fell by his hand as he led charge after charge, determined to see the World Tree Taia returned to its save hold. By 11390AC, the war ended in victory for the crusaders, thanks in no small part to the valor and leadership of Gilles. He remained in Ur for three more years, helping to establish the newly formed crusader states before returning to Outremer, his final journey now clear.


In 11400AC, at the age of 190, Gilles de Crusader passed away. His extraordinary lifespan, a testament to his sainthood, finally came to an end. As he sensed his death approaching, Gilles quietly left his belongings and ventured alone into a forest, nude and vulnerable, to meet his end in peaceful solitude. He sought to become one with the earth, fulfilling the desires of Solomon - God of Life, and embracing the cycle of life and death.


Having led a life of unblemished virtue, free from sin, childlessness, and worldly power, Gilles de Crusader was hailed as the ideal knight. His unwavering faith, courage, and devotion to the holy cause earned him true sainthood, and he was canonized as Saint Gilles shortly after his passing. The knights and lords of Outremer venerated him as one of their greatest heroes, an unparalleled figure of honor, chivalry, faith, and duty. His legacy lived on as the shining example of what every knight aspired to be, a symbol of true virtue and righteousness for all ages to come.

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Outremer Culture

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The Great Crusader
The Adventurer
The Wandering Saint
The First Wielder of the Holy Grail
The Knight Errant
The Questing Knight
The Hero of the Common Peoples
Seeker of Solomon
Radiant Sword of God
Slayer of Demons
The Just Knight
Squire Knight
True Saint

Life

11210 AC 11400 AC 190 years old

Aligned Organization

Outremer