![[Vareth.png]] # Vareth Justicar _Human Paladin Commander | [[Order of the Gauntlet]] | [[Fort Ten-Torch]]_ ## Summary Stern, uncompromising commander of [[Fort Ten-Torch]]. Decades of northern service. Tactical brilliance, unwavering devotion to [[Tyr]]'s justice—and the man who executed [[Aribeth de Tylmarande]] when she returned as a [[Soulmonger]], despite their decade-long friendship. %% ## At a Glance Graying hair, hard eyes. Weathered face marked by years of northern service. Always in polished armor bearing [[Tyr]]'s symbol. Military bearing. Speaks in clipped tones—never wastes words. Values efficiency and doctrine above sentiment. Rarely shows emotion, but occasionally betrays brief flickers of doubt. Transformed [[Fort Ten-Torch]] from a barely functional outpost into a crucial bulwark against northern threats. His methods sometimes conflict with more compassionate Order members, but his results speak for themselves. ## Personality Rigid, dutiful, uncompromising. Believes doctrine exists for good reasons. Can cite [[Order of the Gauntlet]] precedent and law to justify almost any action. Haunted by difficult decisions—though he'd never admit it. ## Quote _"The law exists to protect us from our own weakness. Sentiment is a luxury we cannot afford on the frontier."_ ## Background **The Execution:** [[Aribeth de Tylmarande]] returned as a [[Soulmonger]]. He executed her. [[Cassandra Thann]]—Aribeth's closest friend—witnessed everything and helped construct the official lie that Aribeth died heroically "on a mission." Vareth preserved her final testament but keeps it locked in the fortress archives." **[[Lynne]]'s Mother:** If [[Lynne]] ever comes looking for answers about her mother, Vareth holds them—and the weight of what he did. ## Stats **Paladin** (various) - Commander's Presence: allies within 30 ft. advantage vs. fear - Tactical Genius: bonus action to grant ally advantage - +1 longsword (extra damage vs. undead) - *Command*, *zone of truth* 1/day each %%