Aigral Eastonton
Sir Aigral Eastonton is the third son of Baron Garward Eastonton and a Paladin of the Orthodox Church of Divine Masochism. He has distinguished himself during his training within the Order of the Angel of Justice, and had taken his oath in 1264 at age 14, making him one of the youngest Paladins in recent memory.
Early Life 🔗
Aigral's early childhood was spent under the tutelage of his mother, who was a very devout follower of the Church of Divine Masochism. He was taught the importance of duty and service to the Church and the importance of the family from a very young age. His father, due to the increasing tensions between key Seneran ally Poasah and the Apgarian Confederacy, was often called upon by the Marquess of Surrey to provide logistical support in the event of a prolonged conflict, so he was rarely home.
When he was 4, he began exhibiting signs of latent magical ability, practice of which was considered taboo in the Church of Divine Masochism, unless tempered by the direct guidance of the Church itself. So his mother immediately enrolled him as a page to the Holy Knighthood of the Angel of Justice.
Training 🔗
Due to the impending war, the nature of his training needed to be accelerated. Sir Gareth Eastonton, Aigral's uncle and Knight Commander of the Holy Knighthood, took on the role of his mentor. He was given special dispensation to receive training in the use of "holy magic", which would provide a foundation to his eventual training as a Paladin.
As magic was considered an evil in the eyes of the Church Orthodoxy, those who perform these acts, even those within the Church itself, were required to undergo a special penance and purification ritual. Aigral was no exception. Along with his training, he learned this ritual of self-flagellation which he would be required to perform in front of his uncle.
Poasan-Apgarian Conflict 🔗
At age 7, the Poasan-Apgarian Conflict broke out. His father and uncle were called to arms, and Aigral acted as their page even as they were deployed overseas in the Invasion of Sanery. Even at that desperate time, not many children his age was sent to such a dangerous task, but it seemed that Aigral was quite capable of handling the intense pressure and responsibilities of working near the front lines.
While he was not a combatant at first, his healing abilities were put to good use in the Navy men's camps. By the time he was 10, he had gained some combat experience as they retreated from Sanerian Anasai, back to their main base in the main Sanerian port. Their forces were routed by Apgarian reinforcements from Estrega and Mayonne, decimating the Seneran advance force. While he and his uncle survived due to Aigral's quick thinking and extensive use of his magic, his father was not so lucky. Lord Garward was magically wounded with a curse that prevented him from receiving any healing magic. Aigral's father would die as soon as the retreat was complete.
Aigral was nearly 12 when the war ended, but he had already experienced what most Paladins would only learn in their later years, if at all. Upon his return, his uncle would officially name him his squire, but also recommended that the Holy Knighthood to fast-track his training and induction into their order.
Oath 🔗
Aigral was formally inducted into the Holy Knighthood of the Angel of Justice on his 14th birthday, one of the youngest to ever do so. As is tradition in the Paladinate, he was to take a personal oath to the Church and the Divine Masochist. This Oath is to be a Paladin's guiding principle. Aigral chose the Oath of Glory, promising to serve the Church by proudly affirming the virtues of Divine Masochism, and spreading its ideals.
Career 🔗
His exceptional performance was noticed by Thralmater Surrata, then the episcopal seneschal of the Diocese of Surrey.
| Families | |
| Eastonton | |
| Ethnicities | |
| Seneran | |
| Organizations | |
| House Eastonton | |
| Church of Divine Masochism | |