Draegan Nightbane

[Silverstride 7]

 

 

What is the full name of your character? :

Draegan Nightbane

 

What is your characters age? :

45yrs

 

Which race is your character? :

Human, Undead

 

What is your character's class? :

Second Generation Death Knight

 

What is your character's affiliation? :

Independent, Renegade for Life

 

What is your character’s description? :

Draegan in life was a handsome man with a defined figure from years of physical conditioning and battle. He was an aging knight of course, yet the years treated him rather nicely, only a few streaks of grey in his black hair and short, groomed beard. In death he retains much of his old qualities, yet now the markings of the damned can be seen around his milky white eyes. An eerie green glow of unholy power exhumes from them and to a lesser extent the rest of his body. Over time his skin has become pale and leathery and his hair has completely whitened. His saronite armor vaguely resembles his original armor as a paladin of Lordaeron, however it is still innately dark and sinister. He wields a massive, ornate runeblade with a distinguishable horned skull engraved on the center of the handle, where the blade meets the guard.

 

Gender? : Male

Build? : Lean, Muscular

Skin Color? : Pale White

Eye Color? : Glowing Green

Hair Color? : White

 

What is your character’s personality? :

Once a noble paragon of honor and virtue, Draegan has become a hateful shell of his former self. His sole purpose now is redemption for his past sins in the Scourge, but even he fails to grasp the extent of his own corruption. This is reflected as he won't twice about acts others may consider monstrous and cruel, even evil. Apart from this Draegan still proves to be an individual of intellect and composure, often having the patience to mask his true feelings and emotions from others until it's time for him to make his move. He is riddled with determination and will stop at nothing and kill anyone who gets in the way of him contributing to his dark perception of the “greater good”.

 

What is your character's history? :

A Knight of the Silver Hand

 

Draegan Nightbane was originally Draegan Lightsmith, a devote and patriotic knight of Lordaeron, born and raised in the port city of Tyr. He eagerly joined the Grand Alliance during the Second War, testing his mettle against orcs, trolls and ogres alongside his younger brother, Maverick. The two fought valiantly against the forces of the Dark Horde during the Second War, however it was during one nearly fatal battle against the Horde's death knights that opened Draegon's eyes. He realized his own martial skill would not prove enough to drive the demons from his homeland and protect his people, prompting him to follow the example of the Silver Hand and join their ranks, eventually becoming a Knight-Paladin of the order. His brother soon sought to follow Draegon's footsteps, and he too joined the order, the two once again fighting side by side, each man's pride forming a friendly rivalry between the two.

 

In the time between the events of the Second and Third wars not many enemies threatened the peace of Lordaeron's lands, but there were still free orcs roaming that were never captured, dangerous and fanatic ones. He, among a few others, including his younger brother, were dispatched to intercept an orc war band that was making off with hostages from a town they had sacked, and when the noble knights confronted the orcs a savage, heated battle broke out. The Knights however were victorious, and among the hostages that they had saved Draegan would meet a beautiful woman name Rose. The two would fall in love and go on to marry and have a son together named Rodrick However unknown to Draegon, an envy began to grow in Maverick, it was as if he felt he was in the shadow of his brother's accomplishments, especially winning Rose's heart.

 

 

The Dark Descent

Soon the notorious Third War would loom it's dark shadow over Lordaeron, and the Knights of the Silver Hand would be spurred into action once again, firstly at the initial battle for Andorhal against the undead forces. Himself and Maverick took part in that battle, and both fought with a hardened resolve against the seemingly infinite undead masses to a glorious victory, or so they thought. Tainted grain shipments had already been sent out all across the land despite their timely efforts, and the Prince set his next destination; Stratholme.

 

It was at Stratholme that Arthas would make a decision that would forever change the future, to cull the entire city. Uther, the head of the Silver Hand and the Prince's mentor not only protested such an action but refused entirely, forcing Arthas to relieve him of command and strip him of his rank, much to everyone's surprise. This especially shocked the Knights of the Silver Hand that were present, Draegan included. He couldn't agree more that Arthas was making a huge mistake, and his conscious wouldn't allow him to turn on the people he swore to protect. Maverick on the other hand was much more willing to comply, for he believed while the decision Arthas was making was not an easy one, he firmly believed the Prince was making the right choice. Draegan couldn't believe Maverick was so on board with this, and pleaded for him not to take part in such nonsense. However deep down his younger brother saw a chance to finally outshine Draegan by saving the kingdom from Stratholme's contagion, and refused. With a heavy heart the knight surrendered his rank and turned his back on his Prince and younger brother, returning to his family within the quiet town of Darrowshire.

 

Unaware of the events that had unfolded in Northrend, the nation was shocked when Arthas murdered his father and unleashed the Scourge upon the kingdom. Draegan's was left no other choice but to take up arms once more like so many others against the undead masses. The battles he fought in grew increasingly difficult as the war became quite grim, and eventually climaxed as he was once again nearly slain when he and a few militias were faced off against a necromancer and his minions, including an abomination. He received word from others who survived the battle that a group of surviving paladins were traveling to Northrend and seeking others to join them. They sought to strike at the Scourge's source in an attempt to overcome their enemies, and even though he would have to leave his family he felt it may have been his only true chance to save them alongside so many others. Rose had nearly convinced him to stay when an expected visitor arrived, Maverick. He was a part of the group and had been sent to try to recruit his brother's services, much to his own disdain. Reluctantly Draegan left his family's safety to the stoic defenders of Darrowshire such as Sir Davil Crokford, another paladin of the Order, and Captain Joseph Redpath as he departed for the frozen north.

 

The journey took its toll on the group, and some of the more shaken paladins became more and more dark and brooding. Many felt a mixed array of emotions, some of sorrow and loss, others of anger at betrayal or at personal failures to defend, but through it all Draegan prayed to the Light when in doubt until they had finally arrived. They were confronted by Arthas and he offered them quite a few things such as power, immortality and a place within the Scourge. Draegan was sickened to find his fellow brothers and sisters of the Light began to accept the offer, and evenmore soo that Maverick did so almost eagerly. Draegan began to think very carefully as the others accepted the offer one by one, weighing his options. He could attempt to strike now, and fail, or refuse the offer, and die. His family was depending on him to put an end to this War, so he had to think of something quickly. Then the thought hit him, this was not a situation he would walk away from alive no matter what he did, so he may as well attempt one final service to the Light. He accepted the offer, planning to infiltrate the ranks of the Scourge and attack and sabotage them from the inside, yet what he wasn't aware of was that they were all to be bound to the will of the Lich King. By the time he discovered this it was too late, and the full gravity of his mistake washed over him as his final moments of free will slipped away and his former name of Lightsmith and his identity was lost to him, reborn under his new masters as Draegan Nightbane.

 

Death's Trials

 

As death knights of the Scourge the divide that had begun to form between the two brothers grew exponentially. Draegan felt disgusted with Maverick for betraying everything they stood for in life without a second thought, among other things. His younger brother took to the change much different than he did, it was as if a dormant evil in his heart had been brought out for the first time. He saw Draegan as a weak fool for not only hesitating to accept the offer of undeath but for not embracing it as the others have. This served to further infuriate him, as despite his sense of superiority he held over his older brother, Draegan, he seemed to continue to outshine him even in undeath, as he proved time and time again to their superiors his own tactical prowess and cold efficiency. However Maverick knew of one weakness Draegan still possessed, a weak spot that he could exploit to not only undermine his brother's efforts, but possibly take him out of the picture entirely.

 

One day Draegan and Maverick were leading the Scourge advance on the defenders of small town that sat on a key crossroads. The militia put up little resistance to the might of the undead, but amongst the chaos Draegan spotted a soldier exit a small farm house, ushering forth what appeared to be his own family, a woman and a small boy, one that couldn't have been more than a few years younger than his own currently was. He immediately pushed these thoughts from his mind, he could leave -no- survivors. The soldier saw the dark knight approaching and gave his wife a final kiss before sending her on her way, yet she stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed what her husband was about to face. Draegan readied his blade and brought it down in a vertical slash at the man, who in turn parried with his own great sword. It was no match for the runeblade and was shattered, Draegan's sword cleaving deep into the man's shoulder/collarbone. The soldier fell on his knees, still gripping his shattered blade as his wife and son burst into tears. He attempted to rise to his feet defiantly, swinging his broken blade at Draegan only to have it clang off his saronite, failing to even phase him as he wrapped his saronite gauntlet around his neck, ripping out the jugular as the map's body went limp. He looked up coldly to the woman, and approached her with a swift stride as he raised his blade high above his head. The sobbing woman tried to run but tripped and fell over on her side, all seemed over for her when suddenly something halted Draegan in his tracks. He looked down to see the young boy wrapped around one of his legs, crying and begging for him not to hurt his mother. He looked back to her, who was in turn begging him not to kill her son and to take her life instead. The knight paused, everything fading in and out as he strangely pictured his own son and wife in their places. He snapped back to reality, a previously unseen anger had now taken hold of him as he kicked the boy to the side and lowered his runeblade, turning his back on them only to see Maverick standing directly behind him, a dark expression on his face coupled with a sinister grin. His brother laughed as he decapitated the child in one fell swing right before Draegan, following this by crushing the head under his boot. The mother screamed and wailed in agony at the loss of her child, but he cries were silenced next with a swift, brutal knee to her face with such force it caved her head in two. The silence was broke with his sick laughter as Draegan stared him down before he took his leave.

 

Unknown to Draegan Maverick had acquired just what he needed to strike him where it hurts, and reported that he let a woman and child survive that he himself had to then take care of. He suggested that he be given a chance to redeem himself of this by eliminating his wife and child and therefor cutting all ties he still had to his former life. Draegan was caught entirely off guard when he was tasked with this butbegrudginglyy accepted his task. Draegan made his move while Horgus the ghoul lord and Marduk the Black, another death knight, lead the charge on Darrowshire. Draegan slipped through the chaos of the battle, making straight for his own home. He could tell all the lights were out as it was night, and he soon found the door war locked. He swiftly kicked it open with excessive force, the door swinging inwards and slamming into a wall as he marched into the house, runeblade drawn.

 

The Lights were indeed out but now moonlight shone through the open doorway. Slowly he removed his helm as his dead eyes scanned the familiar surroundings. “Rose....” He softly called out, and from the shadows she stepped forth, tears streaming down her face as she realized who he was.”Where is Rodrick?” He asked quietly. “He's not here. Draegan.....what have they done to you?” Rose spoke nervously as she inched closer and closer until they were just inches apart. Visibly shaking in fright she looked deep into his cold, dead eyes, observing their unholy glow as she lightly brushed her hand against his pale, freezing cheek covered in marking of the damned. “Forgive me.” Was all he could say as he suddenly plunged his runeblade through her stomach, her eyes widening in shock as a short gasp escaped her lips. Her blood now ran across the runes engraved in the sword and dripped onto the floorboards below as she fell forwards, leaning on his shoulder. In a swift motion he yanked his blade clean, blood splattering off to the side, however a sudden yet stifled whimper could be heard in that direction. A stream of blood trickled down the corner of her mouth as she slumped over, hitting the floor with a heavy *thud* as he looked towards the sound. It had come from a wardrobe, and through it's cracked doors he could see his son hiding, trying desperately to remain silent. Draegan stared at his son for a long while before looking back down to his fallen wife. He knelt down beside her, closing her eyes respectfully and pulling free her silver necklace. It had the cross of the Silver Hand on it, something she had gotten to remind her of him while he was away on business or during wartime. He clenched the hand he held it in into a fist as he stood, turning his back on them as he headed towards the door, only for the quiet to once again be interrupted by a slow, heavy clapping sound. Maverick stepped into the doorway, but Draegan could easily recognize that same sinister laugh even before he saw his face. “Well done!” He said, stepping around him for a closer look at Rose's body. “Where's the boy?” He commanded. Draegan stared him down coldly as he responded. “Not here she said. I already looked.” The other continued to strut around triumphantly, his eyes pausing on the wardrobe for a moment before looking back to Draegan in delight. “No matter, we will find him eventually if he is not already dead.“ His face suddenly grew serious as he stared Draegan back down, the two looking as if they were about to come to blows before Maverick took his leave, Draegan offering a final glance at the wardrobe before leaving himself.

 

It was when he returned he was congratulated by his superiors, and it was revealed to him that Maverick's reports to them had shaken their faith in the knight, but Draegan had atoned for his past mercy thanks to Maverick's suggested trial. Draegan already had smelled foul play when his family was used against him like someone throwing a monkey-wrench into the wheels of a moving bike, but even then he deep down didn't think his brother would stoop -that- low. He was infuriated and his hate for Maverick had finally finisheddevelopingg, for any connection the two may have had was now most certainly long gone. Draegan would never spare another life again while under the influence of the Scourge, slaughtering all in his way during the campaign against Quel'thelas, rogue bands of Blackrock orcs and even the great mage-city ofDalarann. As Ner'zhul's grasp on the Scourge began to wane Draegan was one of the earliest to be shipped off to the Frozen Wastes to safeguardIcecrownn. This lead to his successful campaign against the invading forces of Kael'thas, Illidan and Lady Vashj, which proved to be quite a noteworthy event and a day that the Scourge would forever remember, especially the duel between Illidan and Arthas.

 

A Duel of Fates

 

This was Draegan's final major battle of the Third War, for years and years on he would remain in the rigid, frozen lands of Northrend primarily handling logistics, often being shipped from many different locations, from caves in the Fleshwerks to massive necropolises such as Naxxramas. It wasn't until the reawakening of the Lich King that he was truly spurred into action, as much of the Scourge was. It was around the time of the troubling defection of the death knights of Acherus that Draegan was dispatched to the siege on Zul'Drak where he took part in the initial assault. After Scourge forces became more established he retired to Zeramas where he assisted in tactics against the Drakkari as well as logistics and planning of their assaults. Unfortunately Maverick too had been sent to help invade Zul'Drak, but was instead aboard the necropolis of Kolramas. Draegan was soon re-deployed to join the assault against the stalwart Argent Stand, but after the sudden crash of Kolramas he was reluctantly pulled from the battlefield and given new orders to travel to Kolramas and protect the saronite shipments that were aboard. Upon arrival he saw no sign of his rival much to his relief, allowing him to focus on the task at hand as the Hath'ar forces were soon under attack. The invading forces sent by the Argents however proved too powerful, at it was after Malas the Corruptor was slain that Draegan himself began to fall back to Grizzly Hills, being unable to regroup with Scourge forces in Zeramas. Little did he know he was being followed.

 

In the thick overgrowth of the forests on the border of Zul'Drak and Grizzly hills he soon discovered he wasn't alone and confronted the individual that had followed him. It was an Argent Crusader, a young paladin who much to Draegan's curiosity looked shockingly familiar. It was when the young crusader called him by his full, true name, the one he had in life, that he recognized the eyes of his son, Rodrick. When he last saw Rodrick he was just a boy, his eyes filled with sadness and fear. Now he had grown, bearing much resemblance to his father, and the only thing in his eyes in the presence of his father was anger. They soon began to skirmish, and much as he suspected Draegan was easily outclassing Rodrick, for not only was he once a well-versed paladin himself but his son was inexperienced and above all reckless in his rage. If it were any other crusader Draegan would have cut them down without a second thought, but even after all the years of monstrous bloodshed something deep down stayed his blade. He understood if he kept this up his hand would be forced and he would have to strike down his son, so instead he broke free of their duel long enough to urge Rodrick to turn back, revealing Rose's silver cross he had hidden for years and offering it to him. His son hesitated, almost begrudgingly taking up the offer when suddenly he was violently struck down from behind by none other than Maverick. Believing his son to be dead Draegan snapped, that being the final straw. Everything that Maverick had done to him came rushing back, and it a fit of blind rage Draegan charged his rival. Maverick was far to busy gloating over the moment and hardly expected his former brother to do anything about it, thus he was caught off guard and received a heavy blow. This was much to Maverick's delight, as two finally had a chance to settle the score once and for all. 

 

The two knights matched each other hit for hit, blow for blow. The sound of their runeblades clashing filled the forest as the very land beneath their feat rotted and died, but one key factor gave Draegan the edge. Even as they fought Maverick had such a low opinion of his opponent he continued to underestimate him time and time again throughout the fight, and despite all of his anger Draegan caught onto this and used it to his advantage. Naturally he exploited this, earning him a decisive blow that put an and to Maverick once and for all. The danger hadn't passed yet however, as he turned to find Rodrick back on his feet and very much alive, thought not for long. The young paladin had received a mortal wound from Maverick's cheap shot, but the dying crusader was now dead-set on finishing his father. Draegan could tell there would be no stopping his son now, and all he could do was finish what was started. He no longer held the cards as they clashed again, as the desperate paladin was determined on slaying Draegan now without the fear of death, and the battle against Maverick had left him battered and weakened enough for his son to stand a chance. Ultimately Rodrick prevailed over his father after a final swing of his hammer cracked against his head with such force that his already damaged saronite helm cracked, his skull -nearly- caving in completely. Assuming he had finished the disabled death knight he himself collapsed from his wounds and blood loss, accepting his end now that he thought he avenged his mother and all the horrors Draegan had committed.

 

He remained there, undisturbed for three years as the battlefield and their bodies became slowly reclaimed by fresh overgrowth. This at least was the case, until an unsuspecting traveler stumbled across their remains and began looting what he could from Rodrick's corpse before moving on to the remains of Maverick. He ran his hands across the fallen knight's armor, though he quickly backed away, being naturally being appalled by its darkness. He was about to reach for his blade, which by now appeared as a normal, nondescript sword before noticing the glint of another weapon, one that appeared far fiercer than either the paladin's hammer or the sword by the death knight, and this sinister runeblade he spied was still clutched tightly by the knight it belonged to, Draegan. Not knowing much better the Traveler attempted to pry the runeblade from his grip, a fatal mistake that would incur the wrath of a long-dormant death knight.

Edited August 7, 2017 by Silverstride

[StrikingSpear 53]

Very impressive! I love it! <3