Jealousy. Pride.
Ambition. These three words framed much of Albrecht d'Famon's life. Born into a prominent family, he should not have wanted for anything. However, his family's fame and fortune could only take him so far, and he lusted after power like most men lusted after a beautiful woman.
This seed of darkness was sown early in the young noble's life; when he witnessed his father receive a dressing down from someone higher up in the social hierarchy. Determined that no-one would ever address him in such a manner, Albrecht excelled at the military school to which he was sent. He bent the knee to Iomedae, but was never a true supplicant, believing that power belonged in the hand of those who could wield it best.
Determined to take what power and influence he could, Albrecht manoeuvred himself so that he was assigned to one of the lance companies, normally the preserve of the upper echelons of nobility. At first, he was treated with suspicion but it soon became obvious that Albrecht was one of them and he integrated himself easily into his new home.
However, this new found power and influence was not enough. Albrecht had been given a taste and now he hungered for it. This spark of ambition drove him to greater and greater extremes of bravado, but also destined him to be on a collision course with the Lord of Ambition himself.
After a couple of years in the lance company, Albrecht was approached by a small figure which revealed it to be an imp. It spoke to him of volumes of power if only he align himself with the Lord of Ambition. Salivating at the prospect of garnering even more fame and influence, Albrecht leapt at the opportunity. One of Asmodeus’ own now sat in the centre of Iomedan power. It was the imp that set Albrecht on the path of the arcane arts, whispering that this would give him access to untold power with which he could manoeuvre himself through the nobility of Talingarde to even greater effect.
For three years, Albrecht carefully managed to carve himself a niche rising through the ranks of the lancers. However, with success came arrogance and Albrecht’s carefully maintained facade slowly began to crack. When those under him cost him, he would grow angry at them. This continued for several months until eventually, while pursuing another follower of Asmodeus, one of his underlings lost their charge. Albrecht was so furious that he drew his sword and slew the young noble. He tried to cover up what had happened but as always, the truth will out.
Albrecht was summarily stripped of his lands, his titles, his wealth and his power. He was broken in an attempt to see whether he had acted with accomplices. Finally, once the inquisitors were done with him, he was unceremoniously dumped into a armoured coach which dragged him halfway across the nation. After almost a week of travelling, he caught sight of a fortress he knew only too well.
Branderscar.