Aldric Roele is the last acknowledged descendant of Michael Roele, the final emperor of Anuire who fell at the Battle of Mount Deismaar centuries ago. Where the god Anduiras perished slaying the dark god Azrai, his divine essence scattered among the mortal warriors present — and the Roele bloodline received the strongest portion. Aldric grew up in the diminished court of a minor province, raised on tales of his family's former glory and the duty that came with blooded heritage. His blood abilities manifested early: an aura of command that made soldiers instinctively defer to him, and a divine sense for the presence of the awnsheghlien — the twisted, shadow-touched abominations that plague Cerilia. When the Gorgon's armies began massing on the northern border, Aldric took up his great-grandfather's consecrated blade and swore the Oath of Devotion, vowing to reunite the twelve domains of Anuire under just rule. He knows the other regents will not yield their power willingly, but he believes that bloodright and righteousness must prevail if Cerilia is to survive the coming darkness.