Kether Rock Profile: Baldur

Name: Altan Gal
Title: Baldur
Nationality: Delzahn

Born: Descending Fire 28, RY 737
Exaltation Status: Exalted, Dawn Caste Solar
Exaltation Date: Ascending Fire 3, RY 763

Background

Baldur's coming was foretold by a violation of Calibration's metaphysical laws. In RY 736, a comet passed through the normally starless sky of Calibration on its first night. Exactly one day less than a full year later, Altan Gal was born in a southeastern Delzahn settlement. At the age of 12, he was extracted from the village by the Serenity's Chosen Five Thunder's Falcon in anticipation of his Exaltation. He was trained in basic combat and strategy by Five Thunder's Falcon. At age 26, he Exalted under the Dawn. After that, he was sent to Kether Rock by Five Thunder's Falcon, where he completed a rigorous training course, though with a number of disciplinary speed bumps (detailed later). After his training at Kether Rock, he returned to Five Thunder's Falcon to continue more specialized training and research in the sphere of Underworld theatre combat.

Purpose

The First and Forsaken Lion would have Creation crushed beneath his obsidian fist, ruling it as a dark tyrant before feeding it to the Oblivion his masters so desire. Available intelligence indicates that the Deathlord possesses an undead army at least a half-million strong, and it is not impossible that, were a significant shadowland to form in the region, the Deathlord may attempt to unleash these forces on the people of Creation. It also noteworthy that the Deathlord is known to be plotting a similar takeover of the Underworld. Were such a takeover successful, it is likely that the Deathlord may pose a significant threat to his Neverborn masters, and would have nearly unlimited resources to combat their enslavement or wield against Creation. Regardless of the direction in which the plans of the First and Forsaken move forward, his continued scheming is a threat to the delicate balance achieved in both the Underworld and Creation.

The Bureau of Destiny can overlook the possibility that Creation may be made to face its end unduly at the hands of this ancient warlord. In this vein, Baldur is being groomed as a champion of the South - from a young age, he has demonstrated the cunning and ferocity necessary to combat such evils, and in the future, should the need call for it, it is he who will lead the armies of the South (with appropriate guidance from the Bureau) against the First and Forsaken Lion and whatever undead threats he brings to bear.

More generally, Baldur has proven himself to be a creative tactician. Training exercises and limited field experiences have shown him to have a keen mind for efficient combat methods. He eschews strength in numbers, preferring guerilla warfare and advantages won through micromanagement. His expertise will prove useful in the Second Age, where resources, weapons, and training are as scarce as they have ever been. In time, he may serve the Gold Faction and Creation's new Solar Empire as an expert in special operations warfare, and will prove to be a great asset in developing and employing relevant techniques.

It is also worth noting that although Baldur's expertise is in combatting the Undead, his training would be easily adaptable to combat the Fair Folk of the Rain Court, should they ever become overtly hostile to Creation. In short, the Gold Faction intends that Baldur's presence in the South will fortify it against outside threats and, eventually, make it a safe place to inhabit by driving them away. Other Lawgivers will be tasked with winning the hearts and minds of the South - as it stands, Baldur is a warrior, and though he is a hero in the eyes of some, his primary purpose is as a weapon against Creation's foes.

Experience

Based on post-training reports forwarded to Kether Rock by Five Thunders' Falcon, Baldur has entered the Underworld on no less than four occasions and launched relatively successful, albeit small scale attacks on the First and Forsaken Lion's fortress, The Thousand. Though his casualties were high in the first attack, numbers seem to be falling, and Baldur has proven to be an inspiring leader, demanding obedience from his troops and earning their absolute loyalty. In Creation, he has combated and easily defeated two large nomadic hordes threatening the areas in which his men made camp.