The Great Raven King by The Black Rook (Patreon)

Hero, celebrity, warrior, diplomat, and lover, the King, Eriol de Lioncourt, is all of this and more. As a Prince he served as the Royal Benefactor of the Sacred Order of Raven Knights, often supporting them and fighting alongside them as few of his predecessors had. His close relationship to the autonomous Order founded by his exalted ancestor, ‘The Queen of Hearts’ Alanzia de Lioncourt, has seen his title as ‘The Raven Prince’, follow him as he ascended to the throne.

Eriol’s accomplishments are legendary, and many, both allies and enemies, had little to doubt that he would grow to be a formidable King. Not only is he an intelligent ruler, able to think and fight for himself; but King Eriol has earned the respect of his advisors and vassals by being willing to listen and adhere to the advice of those more knowledgeable and experienced. Earning him legions of admirers who see the King as almost a mythic figure.

As a The Raven Prince he lead Courtian forces to aid their protectorate, Pandorica, during the ‘Valdinian’s Siege’. Not only did he fight bravely, earning many victories; but it was Eriol who negotiated the final cease fire between Valdis and Pandorica, assuring for the time being that the snow leopards would leave the Red Kingdom in peace.

On an expedition with Raven Knights he foiled a plot by Elderian cultists, freeing one of the ‘Lost Baronies’ from their clutches by defeating the Shade of Ghora, an ancient witch whose will and desire persisted in the mortal world long past her death.

Once, in his younger days, Eriol lead a Flight of Raven Knights, a contingent of Royal Knights, and two of his four of his father’s ‘Kingsguard’ to the Mist Marsh north of Evandale to help Duke Palence Valenrow and the Dalish seal a rend in the Forbidding.

The massive tear had allowed Elderian creatures to pour through the divide into the mundane lands, reeking havoc and claiming lives. Though the mighty Dalish were perfectly equipped to defend their own borders, they could not keep the mana beasts from fleeing east to Aslan or worse, north to Sauria, where their destruction could incite Lioncourt’s ancient Nemesis. With the then Prince’s aid, the warriors of the Border Legion were able to end the threat and close the fissure.

At a mere nineteen years of age, Prince Eriol de Lioncourt and his retinue travelled north of Lioncourt; past the Moorland, Through the Free Timberland and the Belkin Empire to the frozen lands of the Asenian Expanse where the Amarok Federation resided. Here the mighty shade of the ancient evil, the Illich, was reborn. The Prince fought alongside Tikaani Alpha and Kaidon of his tribe, Tarkik Akuja.

It is said he and the ‘Imakandi Hunter’ stood together against the awesome power of the warlock’s shade, felling him and those who’d bound his essence to a corrupted summoning stone, battling to victory as the village of Adlet burned around them with blackfire. This victory not only earned him the gratitude and allegiance of the Tikaani of Amarok, but also helped reclaim an ancient antediluvian relic, the ‘Scepter of

Solomon’.Though well known for his many adventures and acts of gallant heroism, King Eriol is also known for the company he keeps and the rumors of wild nights of play and passion. The Raven King is known to keep the most beautiful consort and courtesans, all devoted to their monarch. Well educated, immensely talented, and of noble birth, these members of the King’s entourage are well regarded and treated exceptionally by their King. His harem includes both men and women from all over Theria, and a place among them is seen as a high honor to many a young noble. It is said that the Raven King rules his bedchamber like he rules his kingdom; bold, majestically, with a gallant flair, incredible effort and a vigor or a true King.

The only kin unhappy about this are his two wives, who are loathed to share him.