![[VarethJusticarPathfinder-v2.webp]] # Vareth Justicar _Human Paladin Commander | [[Order of the Gauntlet]] | [[Fort Ten-Torch]]_ ## Summary Stern, uncompromising commander of [[Fort Ten-Torch]] after decades of northern service — tactical brilliance and unwavering devotion to [[Tyr]]'s justice. He is the man who executed [[Aribeth de Tylmarande]] when she returned as a [[Soulmonger]], despite their decade-long friendship. %% ## Now Ranking [[Order of the Gauntlet]] authority at [[Bryn Shander]] with [[Aldous Redmaine]] dead, and no longer the man he was a week ago. [[Lynne]] came to him before the [[Crimson Terror]] left and told him she wanted to hate him and could not. He broke — admitted he should have tried to save [[Aribeth de Tylmarande|Aribeth]] instead of executing her, wept, and begged forgiveness. She gave it, and asked the [[Order of the Gauntlet]] to help her against the [[Soulmonger]] conspiracy. He pledged it (S91). Nobody has called on that pledge. He has confessed to [[Lynne]] alone and has not touched the Order's public story about how the Silverhand died. ## Appearance Graying hair, hard eyes, a weathered face, always in polished armor bearing [[Tyr]]'s symbol. He speaks in clipped tones and rarely shows emotion, though doubt occasionally flickers through. ## Personality Rigid, dutiful, and able to cite [[Order of the Gauntlet]] precedent for almost anything he has done. He valued law over sentiment for forty years and it cost him a friend. [[Lynne]] took that apart in one conversation, and what is left is a man who has admitted he was wrong and has not worked out what to do about it. Play him steady in public and uncertain the moment the subject is [[Aribeth de Tylmarande|Aribeth]]. ## Quote _"The law exists to protect us from our own weakness. Sentiment is a luxury we cannot afford on the frontier."_ ## Connections **[[Aribeth de Tylmarande]]** — friend of a decade whom he executed as a [[Soulmonger]]. **[[Cassandra Thann]]** — witnessed the execution and helped build the official lie. **[[Lynne]]** — Aribeth's daughter; she confronted him over the execution and forgave him, and he owes her the Order. ## Background **The Execution:** [[Aribeth de Tylmarande]] returned as a [[Soulmonger]], and he executed her. [[Cassandra Thann]] — Aribeth's closest friend — witnessed it and helped construct the official story that Aribeth died heroically on a mission. **The Confession:** Forty years of doctrine held until [[Lynne]] told him she wanted to hate him and could not. He admitted the killing was wrong, begged her forgiveness, and got it (S91). ## Key Info - He owes [[Lynne]] the [[Order of the Gauntlet]] against the [[Soulmonger]] conspiracy. Nobody has asked him for anything yet. ## Stats [[Paladin]] - Commander's Presence: allies within 30 ft. have advantage on saves vs. fear. - Tactical Genius: bonus action to grant an ally advantage. - +1 longsword (extra damage vs. undead). - Command and zone of truth, 1/day each. ![[Paladin]] %%