Artoron L. Graves

Artoron L. Graves was a member of the Hunters and a paladin of Bahamut, as well as a close companion of Amanda Skellig.

Description
Artoron L. Graves was a minotaur, standing 6'9" tall, with black fur and eyes. While around 48 years old physically, he was only mentally 26 due to not having any memories from before The Shatter. A quiet man, Artoron rarely spoke unless absolutely necessary. However, when he did speak, his booming voice commanded attention.

Possessing immense physical strength that matched his stature, Artoron was often found on the front line of any combat with greatsword in hand. When casting magic granted to him by his oath, a glimmering silver energy emanated from him and his weapon.

Personality
Artoron was a quiet man, who rarely spoke. Especially early on, Artoron rarely spoke to anyone in the party unless he absolutely had to. Even as time went on and he became more trusting of the party members, his melodic baritone was only heard raised when the team needed it to be.

Artoron was, however, a deeply selfless and devoted individual. Taking the frontline in any combat, he often received grievous wounds for his efforts, which he shouldered with quiet acceptance. He was often present to provide close counsel to anyone who needed it, or to provide a well-reasoned viewpoint during a debate.

Relationships
Of the relationships he held in life, his most important were those with his brother Teros, his sister Kiatin, and of course his relationship with Amanda Skellig.

Teros and Artoron had the most interesting relationship. Artoron always looked up to his older brother, who was much more assertive and outspoken. Of the three siblings, Teros was by far known as the "talker," while Artoron preferred quiet contemplation. Nonetheless, the two brothers shared a close and unbreakable bond. Even after Teros vanished following a failed battle with marauding devils, Artoron never gave up hope of being reunited. Once he heard rumor of his brother's potential survival, Artoron immediately made plans to seek him out.

Kiatin and Artoron shared a close sibling bond, with Artoron doting upon his sister endlessly. Her death scarred him and drove him to take a solemn oath as a paladin, along with Teros. Artoron dearly missed his sister, but notably refused an offer from The Dealer to bring her back at the cost of Amanda.

Artoron and Amanda gradually developed a close bond over the course of their adventure with the Hunters, which eventually blossomed into a (secret) relationship. Artoron was deeply protective over Amanda, and she to him. This often manifested in each taking wounds for each other in combat, or otherwise risking their lives for one another. Though their love was pure and passionate, Artoron did hold some fears about Amanda's rapidly developing powers.

Early Life
Artoron, like all other minotaurs in Lorian, suddenly appeared in the aftermath of the Shatter in 3088 AC. Though around 22 years old, Artoron had no memories of where he had been before, besides his two siblings. The three siblings, like many minotaurs, eventually settled in Semoe. The three lived amongst the Bullhorn Clan, becoming valued members of the community. Artoron grew close with some members of the Clan as well, namely Taliyah Heartroot. The family lived there for some years, until 3104 AC, when they were caught in the middle of the Semoe Conflict. During the devilish incursion, much of Semoe was burned to the ground and many people slain. Among these was Kiatin, who was killed amongst the chaos. Teros and Artoron survived, and together swore an oath to defend the Mortal Plane against such threats, to prevent others from dying the way that Kiatin had.

Over the next 5 years, Artoron and Teros roamed Lorian as a duo of Watcher Paladins. During this time they tackled local threats such as undead, solitary demons, and other such extraplanar foes. However, both knew their eventual goal was to find the devil that had led the attack on Semoe, so that they might exact their revenge. The two brothers eventually got word of a powerful devil at work near Redmont, and headed there to defeat the foe. Upon arriving, the two were attacked by an entire host of devils, far more than expected. The two fought hard and managed to destroy a great number of the force, but were eventually overwhelmed and separated. Artoron managed to escape, though grievously wounded, and eventually collapsed outside of a cottage near the outskirts of the city. An old couple inside nursed Artoron back to health, which took several days. By the time Artoron was well enough to search them out, both the Devils and Teros were gone. Unable to believe his brother was dead, Artoron devoted himself to continuing his work as a paladin, but swore he would find his missing brother someday.

Artoron eventually found himself guided to The Bastion, where he would meet the rest of the party and become a Hunter.

Meeting the Hunters
Artoron eventually came to the Bastion in 3114 AC, meeting with Payen Alorem, Shrieker, Travis Kash, and Moshi. The group became Hunters and formed a party. Artoron took on his role in the group as a frontline fighter quickly, being instrumental in the party's first contract against the Lavender grave hag. Over time, Artoron grew closer to the party and became more open with them, though he told none of them about his past at that point.

The Necromancer Arc
Artoron journeyed to the city of Tel'Gar with the party, aiding in the destruction of the undead dwelling in the city's catacombs as well as the defeat of the necromancer Lotrar Blade Breath. It was during their time in the city that Artoron met with two fellow paladins; Lady Mirabelle Letorneau and her shieldbearer Ethel Lindenburg. These paladins, part of the Order of the Dawn Star, enlisted Artoron (and the party) in helping them track down and destroy a devil lurking in the city. The party worked with the two paladins and a local knight, Sir Ledethel, to track down the devil. The devil was revealed to be an Orthon, who was meeting with a liason known as the Iron Bull. This mysterious plate-clad individual appeared to be a minotaur like Artoron...

The party then engaged the Orthon and managed to defeat it, with it destroying itself in a massive explosion. Just prior to it's death, it uttered a name that was all too familiar to Artoron..."Arthos."

The Crown of Thorns Arc (I)
Artoron journeyed with the rest of the party on a contract to deal with a group of bandits around Delmeoux in Gallacia. Artoron as a paladin was the most affected by the discovery that the bandits were a disgraced brotherhood of knights; The Order of the Thorn. Artoron was among the members of the party advocating for a peaceful solution, and helped organize a meeting with the knights as opposed to a battle. Artoron was able to prevent combat between the groups, and instead formed a tenuous alliance with them, agreeing to help muster support for the knights so that they could reclaim the lands they once defended.

The Tragedy Arc
Artoron headed south with the rest of the party in order to complete a few contracts in Lotheria, with the intent of an easy time. However, the trip would bring a great deal of tragedy to the group, with the tragedy weighing much more heavily on the shoulders of Artoron himself. While battling a cursed monster in the forests near Lady's Embrace, Moshi was slain. Artoron blamed himself for not being able to heal his teammate fast enough, whether or not that actually would have helped. After the party returned from their long quest, Payen met his demise at the hands of Aired Vertrauen, which also weighed on Artoron quite heavily.

The Praetor's Demise Arc
Artoron was among the most welcoming to Amanda following her recruitment by Travis Kash, quickly becoming protective of the party's new cleric. During their journey south to the Emerald Temple Artoron kept the team together with his stoic nature. He aided in the party's successful acquisition of the Blessed Cloth, and rapidly grew closer to Amanda during that time. When Amanda was captured following the explosion in Windhaven, Artoron was the first to push for a rescue operation.

Artoron stood toe to toe with Aired during the party's battle with him, and helped nurse Amanda back to health after she destroyed the creature at great cost to herself. It was during this time that Artoron and Amanda began to pursue a relationship. When the time came to face the monstrosity that was posing as the Praetor, Artoron faced it fearlessly and barely survived the effort to destroy the creature, much to Amanda's great fear.

Within Heartforge Arc
Following directions from an old legend, Artoron sought out the old Dwarvish capital city of Heartforge, within which the Runestone of Strength was said to be kept. Artoron endured his fair share of the city's horrors while exploring the city with the party.