The Riven Lands

A tall, broad-shouldered man with deep weathered bronze skin marked by scars, cold grey eyes, and salt-streaked black hair. He wears rusted iron armor stained with salt and dried blood, and a heavy, unadorned iron crown with dulled points.

King Valerius Ironhand is grim, pragmatic, and ruthless, valuing loyalty and discipline above all else. He is utterly devoid of sentimentality and compassion, viewing such emotions as weaknesses. His humor is a cruel, dry wit, often reflecting on the futility of hope and the fleeting nature of life.

Valerius Ironhand was born into the royal lineage of Aethelgard, a harsh coastal kingdom battered by relentless storms and ceaseless conflict. From childhood, he was forged by brutal training and political machinations, learning early that mercy was a fatal flaw. Rising through military ranks by ruthless efficiency, he crushed mutinies and rivals alike, ultimately seizing the throne through violent force. His reign is marked by grim pragmatism and iron discipline, ruling a kingdom on the brink of collapse. Haunted by the death of his wife in childbirth and the frailty of his heir, he harbors a deep hatred for the sea and a cold resolve to sacrifice all for survival.