Marius the Gallant

The legend of Marius the Gallant continues to inspire Skinwalkers and their allies even today, so many years after his apparent death. His story shows both the power and the potential of the Skinwalker transformation, and illustrates how, to some, it may not be a curse, but a blessing. Marius’ story begins during the Red Crusade, when Skinwalkers were hunted across Anhelt by the Sacred Order and their allies. Then a minor knight in service to a Banner Lord of Kaerok, Marius was already exceptional. Many of his fellow knights considered him the epitome of chivalry; a handsome, strong, and brave hero in the making. He had hunted bandits and dangerous beasts in the hills, and even once defeated the rotten Undead monstrosity known as Vogoth the Accursed. But it was his connection to his warhorse, Stormheart, that truly drew the attention of Marius' peers. The animal was no less exceptional than its master, being of superb stock and glossy of mane. Stormheart could gallop farther and for longer than any other steed, and was as courageous as Marius himself. Indeed, some attested that Stormheart possessed an unusual eagerness for combat. The horse seemed to relish the sound its hooves made as they crushed bone. Moreover, while every knight learns to ride, few did so with the preternatural skill displayed by Marius. A consummate cavalryman, he and Stormheart worked together so seamlessly that onlookers often wondered if there was sorcery at work. The truth was, Marius and Stormheart were simply made for one another; theirs that rare partnership of man and animal that elevates both above their respective limitations. When his lord joined the Crusade, Marius followed as was his duty, but he was not shy about sharing his reservations as to the nature of their enemy. He could not help but see the Skinwalkers as victims rather than monsters. To his mind, they were no different to sufferers of plague or leprosy. Most weren’t even dangerous, save for a brief period after their transformation. But for all his misgivings, Marius was loyal to his lord, though he tried his best to hunt only those Skinwalkers who he believed had fully given in to their bestial selves and become monstrous. It was during one such hunt that Marius and his followers were ambushed by a drove of savage, porcine-featured Skinwalkers. Though Marius killed the leader of the drove, his followers were slain to a man, and Stormheart was fatally wounded. Marius’ mighty steed lay dying. Unable to bear seeing his dear companion in such agony, Marius drew his sword and ended the courageous horse’s life. In that moment, his own life became something much different. In the instant Stormheart died, his powerful spirit thundered into Marius, and his master was transformed into a towering creature, part man, part horse. There was no battle between horse and man's soul as with almost all Skinwalkers, but a conjoining, a homecoming, a bringing together of friends into a most unbreakable bond. Marius had become one of the very creatures he was sworn to destroy. But rather than succumbing to bestial impulse like so many of his fellow Skinwalkers, Marius was saved by the strong bond between himself and his steed. Even as his body twisted into a new form, his mind remained whole and stable, if somewhat confused. In the days that followed, that confusion gave way to a new sense of purpose. Marius believed that his transformation had happened for a reason, that he had been chosen to show his fellow knights the error of their ways. Thus began the legend of Marius the Gallant. Bearing his shield and lance, and his old garb to show to his old comrades he was still, in a sense, one of them, he galloped into battle against both his old allies on behalf of those they unjustly persecuted, as well as those Skinwalkers who threatened innocent lives. He became a hero to those Skinwalkers who wished for peace, and more than once led packs and herds into battle against their oppressors. Marius’ apparent death came in the foothills of Frostheim, when a band of knights of Kaerok attacked a village of peaceful Skinwalkers. Marius led the defense of the settlement, but joined forces with the attackers when the battle awakened a lurking horde of Skellags from a nearby frozen lake. Though Marius won the day, he was badly wounded. As he lay dying, an enigmatic woman, sheathed in holy light, appeared and knelt beside him. She was seen to whisper to him as he breathed his last. And when she rose to her feet, Marius the Gallant had vanished from the world, leaving behind only the stain of his blood and the lasting legend of his heroism.