High Paladin Gnaeus Sallustis is of the House of Embers, The Grand Master Paladin of the order of Basilean paladins. Riding atop a massive lion called Nakir, enemies that see him are consumed with dread, for legend has it he has never lost a battle he has led.
Biography
Early Years
At 14 he was the youngest novice to be sent on an initiation test, and when he returned he was riding a young Basilean Lion and was immediately sworn in.
Pious, Devout, terrifying warrior and cunning tactician, Gnaeus is everything a Paladin should be. High Paladin Gnaeus Sallustis and Blessed Sister Vaelleri and battled the Abyssal onslaught that seemed to appear from nowhere, hidden by unnatural shadow.
They were north of the Halpi Mountains, having set out to treat with the warring dwarfs, thereby securing passage through their lands to the lands of Abercarr, to seek out the sorcerers of far Abkhazala, now nearing the Abyss.
Their passage discovered a desecrated monastery, the brother monks eyes plucked from their heads, driven mad from what they had read in a strange book. So a new mission was announced, to seek out the hellish things that had corrupted those monks…
This was when a great roar was heard and a deep red glow appeared on the edge of his vision. Abyssals flooded in from every direction, and his force was too sorely depleted to fight so many.
Vaelleri ushered Gnatius down a trap door that was there, and the remaining troops filled down into cramped tunnels, sloping ever downwards. Men-at-arms lit the way with torches, and perhaps that explained the growing heat, which seemed unnatural in this frozen waste. Where the passages split Gnatius prayed and picked a route.
Marching for hours of days, time was lost, the ever downward slog was like an arid desert, dead ends seemed to part at their touch, tricks of daylight ahead which would be blocked walls of coal. Exhaustion was their only tell tail sign of the passage of time. Tiered, stragglers were left as the party moved on, only for them to disappear if they looked back.
They finally reached a great door bound in brass and set in carved stone, Gnatius looked back and only blessed Sister Vaelleri and himself remained. But blessed Sister Vaelleri did not know of the party they descended with, and only stated that it was their quest alone. The had reached the lair of Zhortan of Abkhazala, the demonologist. Gnatius drew his sword and the sounds of battle echoed all around, shadows dancing in the periphery of his vision.
Vallaeri was gone, Gnatius wondered if she had ever been here. Before him stood a dark figure, in robes of deepest crimson. The Abyssal sorcerer Zhortan.
As Gnatius went to stike Zhortan, his sword felt too heavy, his hands looked old and gnarled, the blade was about to stike Zhortan when there was a great burst of flame, a gibbering, maniacal laugh, and red-skinned figures danced impishly all around Gnatius, prodding him with pitchforks, goading him with blasphemous insults.
"The way to the next circle is barred to you." resounded in his mind. Gnatius fought on and on, slashing with his sword at his fiery torturers, until he was filled with blood-rage, sinking to one knee. His sword was pressing firmly into the frozen ground, giving prayer to the Shining Ones for his deliverance.
His revere broken by Vallaeri urging him not to linger here. Gnatius opened his eyes and looked about the shattered ruins, masked by the swirl of endless snow.
Kings of War Appearances
- 1st Appearance - Kings of War 1.1 - Basilean Legacy
- 2nd Edition - Kings of War - 2nd Edition Rulebook
- 3rd Edition - Kings of War - 3rd Edition Rulebook
1st Edition
Gnaeus Sallustis is the Grand Master of the order of Basilean Paladins. His appearance on the battlefield is bad omen for the enemies of Basilea, as no army he has lead has ever lost a battle. He rides into battle atop his gigantic Basilean lion, Nakir, cutting swathe through the enemy ranks to reach his ultimate objective, a final confrontation with the enemy general.
Supremely pious and devout, yet a terrifying warrior and cunning tactician, Gnaeus epitomizes every aspect of what it means to be a Paladin. It would seem his life was destined for a higher calling, because he is the offspring of the extremely rare union between man and Elohi. Gnaeus’ father, Valnar, was a paladin of great renown and was rumored to actually be a descendant of Oredorus himself.
From a young age, Gnaeus often claimed to be granted visions by the Shining Ones in his dreams. His Elohi mother encouraged him to follow his dreams, which eventually lead him to join the order of Paladins when he was only 12. As a novice, Gnaeus showed uncanny talent and piety beyond his years. He was the youngest novice ever to be sent on an initiation quest at the age of 14. He was immediately sworn as brother and became a full paladin when he returned from his initiation quest riding a young Basilean Lion.
Gnaeus is outspoken and often at odds with the Hegemon, in particular on matters related to war. Gnaeus believes it is the Basileans’ purpose to only seek out and destroy the Wicked Ones and their minions. He outright refuses to participate in aggression that is not directed against ‘Evil’ races and despises the politics of the capital. The Order of Paladins hold Gnaues in the highest regard and Gnaues has been known to use the influence of the order to sway political decisions that he felt where unrighteous or self-serving.
On occasion, Gnaeus undertakes personal and secretive quests where he disappears for months or even years. He claims these quests are granted to him directly by the Shining Ones and serve their purpose only. No one really knows where he goes and what he does on these mysterious ventures, but many Basilean priests believe the Shining Ones are using Gnaeys to pursue their agenda of becoming re-unified with the Wicked Ones. These whispers have earned Gnaues more than one enemy in the priesthood and other politically-minded individuals who do not want to see the status quo disrupted.
2nd Edition
Gnaeus Sallustis is the Grand Master of the order of Basilean Paladins. His appearance on the battlefield is bad omen for the enemies of Basilea, as no army he has lead has ever lost a battle. He rides into battle atop his gigantic Basilean lion, Nakir, cutting swathes through the enemy ranks to reach his ultimate objective, a final confrontation with the enemy general.
3rd Edition
Gallery
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Gnaeus Sallustis Model -
Gnaeus Sallustis Art -
Gnaeus Sallustis 1st Edition Rules -
Gnaeus Sallustis 2nd Edition Rules -
Gnaeus Sallustis 3rd Edition Rules
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