Victor Noble

VicTor Noble

Victor Noble was born and raised in the small village of Cale, at the southernmost region of Meridian. Victor was part of a 3 sibling family, coming from a long line of soldiers. His two older brothers were Dane and Hugh Noble. Their father, Gerard was a low ranking member of the Axis Cruciger which were the knights of Meridian. He wanted for his sons to succeed him and vehemently pushed them to become squires for the Axis Cruciger. Despite Victor not wanting to become a knight, he followed in his family’s footsteps. Victor’s mother was a scullery maid that Gerard was infatuated with, despite being married to another. Dane and Hugh’s mother was the daughter of a high ranking official that Gerard had married in his youth. Because of this, Victor was often looked at unfavorably by his oldest brother Hugh, though not by the older brother Dane.

When Victor was a boy, he was reaching for a caged rabbit to free it and unintentionally created a white light in his hands. When he opened his eyes, the cage and the rabbit were gone. Only it’s foot remained, as a bloodied stump. He did well to hide his powers for a long time after this first incident.

Victor was a skilled fighter as he grew older but was very empathetic and did not enjoy hurting others. His brother Dane, cared deeply for Victor and taught him to always be honorable and seek justice. However, the oldest brother, Hugh would constantly seek the approval of their father and would often compete with Victor. Their father urged them to do whatever is necessary to win in a fight, being very strict with his sons and pushed them to be the best they could be. This often came across as harsh, and encouraged the competitiveness in his sons, despite Victor not caring for it. Still, their father was never cruel, only seeking to instill a strong sense of strength and will in his children.

Soon Victor, along with his two older brothers would become infantry rank Knights of the Axis Cruciger. Victor, would often worry that others would discover his latent power and was careful to remain in control of them. The southern War of Two Flames eventually spread to the Eastern Provinces as well as Meridian. Victor’s father left for the war but would never return.

Elder Crusade

The War of Two Flames was a religious war that was fought between two opposing sides in the deserts south of Meridian. After nearly half a century, the conflict spilled into the east and the west. Meridian was drawn into the war. Meridian became an ally of the Southern Nation of Vendihad. Vendihad had been at war with another nation called Masyana which sought for control over a certain section of the desert. The War became known as the War of Two Flames to the peoples of the south. For the western soldiers of Meridian, the conflict was known as the Elder Crusade.

The specifics of what Meridian gained by supporting the war were unclear though there were rumors that the Elder King of Meridian sought something in the desert that could grant immortality. Regardless, Victor and his two brothers were sent to the front lines of the religious crusade and fought alongside Vendihadi warriors that were led by the Great Shah of Vendihad. Victor’s oldest brother Hugh, however, insisted on finding their father.

After a battle that would see Vendihad overtake a strategic position in the desert, Hugh had gotten word that their father was being held prisoner in an occupied desert outpost nearby. Hugh went against orders and led a small campaign along with his two brothers to take the outpost. The plan fell through and the Axis Cruciger soldiers became cut off from reinforcements. Victor and his older brother made an attempt to rescue their brother but were captured as well.

The Masyani soldiers were going to execute the prisoners starting with the Victor. However, Dane attempts to save his brother and is killed first. Victor then flies into a rage and uses his power. He holds out his hand and emits a white light that destroys part of the outpost as well as several Masyani soldiers. The oldest brother is unsure of what Victor has become but fights alongside his brother, finally realizing that Victor is better than him. The two brothers are all that is left of the Axis Cruciger and fight their way out of the outpost. Victor, in his rage begins to use his power to destroy the soldiers. In the ensuing battle, Victor loses himself and loses control of his powers. He lays waste to enemy soldiers but also unintentionally kills his older brother as well by using his powers within close proximity of him. He is overcome with losing both of his brothers and sees the destruction that he has wrought.

Victor has killed nearly every soldier in his path and he passes out from exhaustion. When he awoke there was no one left. Victor then left and wandered the desert for as long as he could, until he came upon an encampment that gave him water, food and rest. Soon after, the encampment was raided by the Masyani soldiers and Victor was taken captive and thrown into a dungeon in Masyana.

THE SHIMMERING KNIGHT

Victor resigned himself to his cell fearing what he had become. After an unknown amount of time, he is approached by two women that have come to free him. The Red haired woman, who seems to be a Masyani, claims to be the Mourning Queen and leads Vendihad. Victor is skeptical at first but does see that she is leading a group of Black Scepter Knights, soldiers of Vendihad. The second woman, brown haired claims to be a Soothsayer. They have come to free Victor from captivity.

Victor at first wishes to remain in his cell. He believes that his power is a force of destructive evil and does not wish it on anyone. Anahita tells Victor that he is not evil, he has just lost his way. He needs guidance for himself and for the power within him. He must put his power to use for good. Anahita and the Soothsayer are able to convince Victor that he will not be evil if he himself fights evil. The Soothsayer mentions his lost brothers and that their deaths are not his fault. He can avenge them if he fights for good. If he fights for the Mourning Queen. Victor reluctantly agrees although states that his power severely weakens him, and he cannot use it consecutively. Anahita states that he will only need to use it once.

 Anahita returns to Vendihad with her two companions and claims the throne of Vendihad. She is christened the Mourning Queen. A small portion of the Black Scepter army are still loyal to her. The nobles have organized a coup between them to overthrow the Mourning Queen. The remaining Black Scepter army moves against the Queen. However, Victor Noble uses his power to create a burst of white light that destroys everything in a small area. He uses this on the nobles and the Black Scepter army that have moved to attack him. They are completely obliterated by the blast of light.

 Anahita does not wish to see her army destroyed and offers the remaining Black Scepter the opportunity to pledge their loyalty to her. After what they had just witnessed, the remaining Black Scepter lay down their arms and pledged their loyalty to Anahita. The Black Scepter is now christened the Phoenix Scepter.

FIST OF THE EMPRESS

Soon after, the Phoenix Scepter attack the cities of Masyana led by Victor Noble. Victor has been clad in all white armor and is now known as the Shimmering Knight. The Soothsayer gives Victor Noble the last Haoma fruit before he leaves. The cities are destroyed thanks to the assistance of the Shimmering Knight, who turns the tide with his power. In a final battle with the Sultan of Light, Victor ingests the entire Haoma fruit and can then use his power consecutively without consequence. He lays waste to the city of Masya and The Sultan of Light is destroyed.

 After the war is won Anahita finally gives birth to her son with the help of the Soothsayer. She names him Sigh, the prince or Shahzadeh of the newly christened Sanguine Empire.

 After this, most Masyani people flee the region and become refugees. The holy city of Estahker, which sat for many years in disrepair has been almost completely lost. The Masyani are unwilling to settle in a Holy place. The Farsee become less of a religion and more of a fringe order outside of Masyana. Their key, the Star of Tanu is taken by the Farsee priests but there are few that know where it was taken. Masyana now becomes the nearly deserted Valley of Masya and sits in ruin.

 Soon after, the Mourning Queen will regroup and grow her forces and quickly begin her conquest as an Empress. She sets her sights to the north in what is considered the Eastern Provinces. Vendihad becomes the Sanguine Empire and the Mourning Queen becomes the Empress of Gules. The Soothsayer becomes the first Eye of the Empress. Victor, as the Shimmering Knight becomes the Fist of the Empress.

VICTOR AND RENE

Rene Bennington lived in the small town of Gainesborough at the border of Veiland and Meridian. When she was a young woman, she was friends with a young man named Haylen Wright who also lived in the village. They were very dear friends but both of them knew that there was something more. The young man was an artist and decides to make her a gift. He then asks Rene to meet him on their favorite hilltop at midday. Haylen, finishes his gift and puts it in an envelope along with a poem. He then heads toward the hilltop outside of town. On his way, his foot falls into a hole in the road and just as he attempts to remove it, a runaway horse cart is tearing down the road. Haylen is killed. 

Rene eventually realizes something is wrong when Haylen doesn't show up and goes looking for him. Back in town she sees commotion on the roadside and finds that her friend was killed in an accident. Her father gives her the envelope and Rene finds out that Haylen loved her and intended to ask for her hand. Within the envelope was a beautiful gold medallion and a poem written to her asking her to marry him.  

Years later, Rene works in the small bakery owned by her family. She meets and befriends a new priest that has come to the church in Gainesborough. His name is Basildes and Rene would often visit him to seek guidance in her life. She and Basildes become fast friends as Rene would often bake things to give to Basildes, despite his protests. 

Several more years pass. Victor Noble is sent to the city of Selene in Veiland as an escort for envoys of the Empire. The Empress had taken over the nation of Meridian in the West and has now set her sights on Veiland. He passes through Gainesborough and meets with the priest named Father Basildes. Victor at first only wants to sit in the church in silence but soon wishes to listen to the Father speak to him of prayer. One day, a young woman visits the church to give muffins to the priest. Victor notices that the priest does not seem to preach to her and in fact their relationship seems much less formal. It seems that there is more of a familial relationship between them than the priest and Victor. The young woman notices Victor but does not speak to him, only saying hello. After this, Victor begins to open up to the Basildes more.

The priest learns that Victor seems to be a soldier that carries a heavy burden with him and strong feelings of guilt. Basildes helps Victor in any way that he can. On another visit, the young girl stays and speaks with Victor after meeting with Basildes. She admits to him that she has been thinking of him since they first met, stating that she was afraid that she had been rude to him . They introduce themselves and Victor learns that her name is Rene. At the end of their first conversation, Rene admits that the reason that she had been thinking of him was that she found him very handsome. Victor is flattered and not sure how to handle that. No one has ever spoken to him and looked at him as Rene does.

Victor and Rene become closer over the span of several months. It takes him some time to open up to her but he also admits that when he first saw her, it made him feel as if he was home, something he had never felt even when he had one. Eventually, Victor would visit more often to the point where it was clear he was visiting just for her. Rene was very optimistic and bright which enraptured Victor. While Victor was a very serious and intense man, Rene was able to break down his walls and she found a compassionate man that held onto severe heartache and pain. 

At this point, the Shimmering Knight was a near mythical presence that was often heard in rumor. No one but Anahita's closest knew of Victor's identity as the Shimmering Knight, not even Rene. However, Basildes deduced his identity but vowed to keep his secret. The priest was protective of Rene but saw Victor as a kind, albeit broken man. Still, he saw that Victor loved her and he urged him to tell Rene about his past. Victor never could, but despite him hiding this from Rene, Victor truly loved her and she him. After nearly a year, they were married by Basildes in a secret ceremony in the forest surrounding Gainsborough. Victor gave Rene a silver ring he made from a chip in his armor, while Rene gave Victor her Medallion. 

Victor and Rene agreed to leave the West and travel North to explore the Wilderlands and live a quiet life. Before they could leave, however, Victor was sent to accompany the Empress of Gules in her final meeting with King Marcus. It was to discuss the assimilation of Veiland into the Empire. Rene had become pregnant by Victor before leaving which she told Basildes. Basildes was one of the only people that knew that Victor was the Shimmering Knight and intended to tell Rene. However, the young woman suddenly developed a strange illness where she displayed white freckles under her eyes. After this, Basildes could not bring himself to tell her. 

After the Empress’s apparent assassination, the Empire was in disarray and those in her regime were in real danger of being killed. Victor knew what he had to do to survive and asked Simon Perish to create a Resonating Artifact out of the Medallion that Rene had given him. Simon relinquished despite the dangers, feeling that there was nothing left to lose. After this, Simon Perish was captured and the Soothsayer disappeared. With no alternative, Victor led what remained of the Phoenix Scepter army in an effort to take Veiland by force. They were met by the Crescent Shield army in the Bastion Forest near Veiland and a battle ensued. Victor, used the Resonating Artifact to great effect. It mirrored the effect of the Haoma fruit that the Soothsayer had once given him. However, the unstable nature of the artifact enhanced his powers but made them erratic and put a great strain on Victor. The resonating artifact caused Victors power to pour out of him, which in turn caused a devastating explosion. The explosion of white light obliterated everything in the forest and left a crater where the battle took place. It became known as the Grey Plains and the Shimmering Knight became a condemned figure in Veiland for his role in killing so many. The only thing that was left of the battle was the Medalliion which now seemed to softly vibrate with a quiet ringing.

JOHN NOBLE | ALETHEIA | MICHAEL MITHOSE | SAMUEL WARD | MITHOSE SISTERS
ANAHITA | SIMON PERISH | KING MARCUS | SOOTHSAYER | SHIMMERING KNIGHT
DONOFREY | GILCOLM GREVE | BASILDES | HERON DAIMA