Pale Anders

Sir

Sir Pale Anders is the linchpin in maintaining order within Nulb, serving under Lady Lmag with a blend of strict military discipline and cautious diplomacy. His role as General not only involves leading the town's defenses but also maneuvering through the complex socio-political landscape of Nulb. His leadership is vital in balancing the public demands of safety and the secret agendas that thread through the town's governance.

Physical Description

• Majestic Presence: Sir Pale Anders is a figure that commands attention. His towering stature and broad shoulders clad in impeccably kept armor reflect his military background and the burdens of command.
• Visage of Command: His features are marked by the scars of battle and the sternness of his gaze, projecting authority and invoking respect from friends and foes alike.

Knights Background

• From Nobility to Knighthood: Raised in the principled environs of Veluna's nobility, Sir Pale's upbringing was steeped in the values of honor and fidelity. These early lessons shaped his path to knighthood and his stern approach to leadership.
• Warrior of Repute: His reputation was forged in the fires of battle, particularly noted during the notorious The Battle of Emridy Meadows, which painted him not just as a warrior but a survivor and strategist who values the lives of his men above all.

Motivation

• Protector's Ethos: Driven by a deep-seated duty to protect, Sir Pale's motivations extend beyond mere obedience to command. He views his role as a protector of Nulb’s populace, holding their safety as his paramount concern.
• Pursuit of Order: His every action and decision is aimed at fostering stability within Nulb, seeing it as the cornerstone for any prosperous society, especially one as fraught with dangers as Nulb.

Personality

• The Stoic General: Sir Pale is characterized by his stoic nature, often appearing unflappable in the face of adversity. His calm is a source of strength for his men and a veil that conceals his strategic mind.
• Resolute and Deliberate: He approaches his duties with a thoughtfulness that belies his imposing appearance, always considering the broader implications of his actions within the tangled web of Nulb's politics.
• Lawfullness: Bound by an odd sense of honor and a fascination with Lmag, Pale remains. Over the years, his alignment has shifted, but he remains lawful.

Political Relationships

• Allegiance to Lady Lmag: His relationship with Lady Lmag is complex, rooted in a mixture of respect, duty, and a shared history of survival. While publicly supportive, he maintains a private counsel filled with caution and foresight.
• Diplomat Amongst Thieves: In dealing with Nulb's notorious inhabitants, Sir Pale employs a mixture of diplomacy and firmness, often using his influence to temper potential conflicts and guide them towards outcomes favorable to Nulb's stability.

"Lady Lmag’s command might be controversial, but her vision for Nulb’s future is undeniably compelling."

Bitter Relations with Bandits and Pirates

• Reluctant Adversary: Sir Pale views the bandits and pirates not just as enemies but as part of the chaotic ecosystem of Nulb. His dealings with them, though often hostile, are marked by a grudging respect for their survival instincts.
• Enforcer and Negotiator: He balances his roles between enforcing the law and negotiating tenuous peace, understanding that outright conflict would bring more harm than good to the fragile peace of Nulb.

"We may not respect their methods, but we must understand their motivations if we are to coexist in Nulb."

Leadership and Military Strategy

• Command with Honor: Sir Pale leads by example, his strategies and commands infused with the honor of his noble upbringing, ensuring his men not only respect but emulate his principles.
• Adaptive Tactics: Aware of the fluid dynamics within Nulb, he adapts his military strategies to meet both overt threats and covert challenges, ensuring Nulb remains a step ahead of potential destabilizers.

Expanded History of Sir Pale Anders

Show spoiler

The Battle of Emridy Meadows and Beyond

The Battle of Emridy Meadows stands as a significant chapter in Sir Pale Anders' military career, marking a period of intense and brutal conflict that tested his resolve and leadership. This decisive battle was not just a military confrontation but also a turning point that defined the future trajectory of Sir Pale’s life.

• Intensity and Bloodshed: The battle was notorious for its sheer scale and the ferocity of the combat. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the strategic acumen of the forces from Veluna and Furyondy ultimately led to their victory.
• Decisive Combat: The battle, though bloody, ended in a decisive victory for the forces of good, significantly weakening the power of the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Tactical Victory: Sir Pale’s leadership during this battle was exemplary. He not only led his troops effectively but also demonstrated great personal bravery and tactical intelligence, which contributed significantly to the outcome of the battle.

Hostage Crisis and Its Aftermath

In the skirmishes that followed Emridy Meadows, a dire situation unfolded that would test Sir Pale more personally than any combat before. Several of his company, many of whom were childhood friends from Veluna, were captured by the enemy forces. This situation was not just a military setback but also a personal crisis for Sir Pale, bringing into sharp relief the responsibilities of command.

• Personal Stakes: The capture of his friends brought a stark personal dimension to the conflict for Sir Pale, transforming the war into a quest not just for victory but for rescue.
• Rescue and Sacrifice: Driven by loyalty to his friends and comrades, Sir Pale was determined to secure their safety, even at great personal and professional risk.

Parley with Lady Lmag

The situation reached a critical point when Lady Lmag, then a high-ranking officer within the Temple’s forces and facing her own strategic dilemmas, captured Pale’s friends. The eventual parley between Sir Pale and Lady Lmag would redefine the course of both their lives.

• Negotiation Under Duress: The parley was marked by tension and high stakes. Sir Pale, recognizing the potential for a peaceful resolution, negotiated the freedom of his companions in exchange for his service to Lmag—a decision that would alter his path forever.
• Bitter Choices: Agreeing to disband his company and serve Lady Lmag directly, Sir Pale secured the release of his friends, who returned to Veluna, while he remained in Verbobonc, bound by honor and a newly formed bond with Lmag.

Loyalty and Service Under Lady Lmag

The years following the parley saw Sir Pale adapting to life in Nulb under Lady Lmag's leadership. His position as general of her forces was marked by a blend of respect, strategic necessity, and an evolving sense of duty that went beyond their initial agreement.

• Shift in Alignment: Though originally driven by a rigid sense of honor and loyalty to Veluna, Sir Pale’s years of service under Lady Lmag have seen his worldview and allegiances shift. He remains lawful, but his loyalty now includes a commitment to Nulb and its enigmatic leader.
• Complex Relationship: Over time, the relationship between Sir Pale and Lady Lmag has deepened, shaped by shared challenges and mutual respect. Despite the complexities of their association, Pale has grown into his role as a protector of Nulb, viewing Lmag not only as a commander but also as a leader worthy of his loyalty.

"Once you lose your word, you’ve lost everything.”

Sir Pale Anders

Level 9 Knight

• AC -1 (Field Plate Armor, Shield)
• HP 85; #AT (+7) 3/2; D 2d4 + 8 Broadsword +2
• S 18/00 I 12 W 10 D 16 Ch 17 Com 16

Personal Items

Signet ring, Heavy War Horse, Lance, Subdued Dragon

Alignment

Lawful evil

Current Location

Nulb

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Oeridian Oerid

Other Ethnicities/Cultures

• Suloise Suel

Year of Birth

541 35 Years old

Sex

male

Height

6'2"

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Honor is not a shield against the consequences of our actions; it is the reason we choose to stand and face them."

Aligned Organization

Lady Lmag's men

Ruled Locations

• 1. Nulb Guardhouse

Lady Lmag icon by 3orcs