Ulthun II

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Ulthun II

(Person)

Titles

Watcher-Lord of Lastwall
Bearer of the Shattered Shield of Arnisant

Alignment

Lawful good

Ancestry/Species

Human (Nidalese)

Class

Champion

Gender

Male

Homeland

Absalom (formerly Vigil, Lastwall)

Deity

Iomedae

Organization

Knights of Lastwall

Born

4690 AR
(about 34 years old)

Images of Ulthun II

Source: Gardens of Gallowspire, pg(s). 60 (1E)
Absalom, City of Lost Omens, pg(s). 369–370 (2E)

Ulthun II was a paladin of Iomedae 6 in Cities of Golarion 47 and a paladin 14 in Gardens of Gallowspire and Absalom, City of Lost Omens 369.

Ulthun II is the Watcher-Lord in exile of the nation of Lastwall, which was destroyed by Tar-Baphon in 4719 AR. Now based in Absalom, he leads a broad contingent of survivors and recruits now known as the Knights of Lastwall.

Appearance

Ulthun is a handsome man, and his features have only improved with age.

Background

Youth and political rise

Ulthun was born in Vigil in 4690 AR. As a child and young adult, Ulthun was a student of literature and history who also helped other children stand up to bullies on Vigil's streets.

He later went on many tours of service in the Hold of Belkzen. The Precentors Martial appointed Watcher-Lord in 4709 AR at the age of 19, the youngest leader Lastwall has ever seen; by that time, he already established a reputation of piety and courage. His leadership has further solidified his reputation, as he improved foreign relations, vigorously defended the Belkzen frontier, and selflessly dedicated himself to the glory of his nation and goddess.

Unlike many of the hereditary monarchs that rule other lands, Ulthun was chosen for his qualities. He was considered the absolute exemplar of all the crusader virtues Lastwall values most highly. While his age might have seemed to be a disadvantage in his role as Watcher-Lord, his lack of experience was counter-balanced by advisers from groups like the Precentors Martial. Ulthun's good qualities were numerous: he was pure of heart, faithful to his goddess, and skilled at arms. He also displayed a talent for leadership with a quick mind, sound judgement, and a willingness to listen to others. All these qualities, combined with rulership of an entire country, made Ulthun one of the most eligible bachelors in all Avistan.

Destruction of Vigil

In 4719 AR, a decade into his leadership, Ulthun saw destruction on a scale he could never have imagined. Tar-Baphon, escaped from his prison of Gallowspire, destroyed the city of Vigil and killed thousands of civilians with the Radiant Fire. Discovering that Tar-Baphon, the ancient enemy of the Knights of Ozem, was responsible for the calamity, and that Arazni, his order's shame, was also somehow involved, he led the surviving Knights of Ozem on a death march upon Renchurch to deliver justice to both liches. However, he was dissuaded from wasting his men's lives in an unwinnable battle by a group of adventurers working with Arazni, and with the aid of the goblin Crookedtoes tribe of the Fangwood, he managed to cut off the undead army pursuing him and begin a months-long evacuation to Absalom.

Lastwall as diaspora

Watcher-Lord Ulthun II while in exile in Absalom.

Since arriving to Absalom, where they were initially hailed as heroes, Ulthun struggled to gain support from the city's rich and powerful for his cause in reclaiming his lost homeland. The Knights initially lived in a camp within the Quarter, and as their numbers grew from the influx of refugees they requisitioned a blacksmith's shop to serve as their first headquarters.

However, he has drawn attention for supporting the rebuilding of Absalom's long‑destroyed Precipice Quarter so that it can serve as a sanctuary for refugees. Among his first acts in the Precipice Quarter was his establishment of a shrine to Iomedae that provides healing services to those in poverty. His forces have examined, recovered, and repurposed numerous abandoned buildings in the Precipice Quarter from earthquake damage, criminal and occult activity, and monsters and the undead in order to serve as housing, slowly revitalizing parts of the quarter in the process.

Hs normalization of his goblin retainers and aide-de-camp Zusgut—initially scandalous—has since contributed to the improvement of relations between goblins and Absalom's citizens. This includes the formation of the Crooked Watch, an informal patrol consisting of dozens of goblins trained by the Shining Sentinels whose acts have earned the people's support and respect.

As of 4722 AR, he led efforts to house refugees and strengthen his forces from an embassy of Lastwall in the Precipice Quarter, where he largely acts as recruiter and fundraiser. Although he is the official leader of the Knights' Shining Sentinels, Kalabrynne and Clarethe Iomedar lead the Knights' training and counter-offensives on the frontlines of what is now known as the Gravelands. Ulthun also employs Absalom's printing presses to mass-produce recruitment materials and prefers to hire adventurers to scour the Precipice Quarter and as scounts in the counter-offensive, offering roles with the Knights to those who serve him well.

Ulthun also coordinates the reception and storage of cultural items recovered from Lastwall, and has rented several warehouses in Absalom and hired a small team to process these recovered items.

Despite having proved to be an effective, cunning, and open-minded leader, as well as gaining significant popular support in Absalom for his efforts to improve the city and becoming the Knights' public figurehead, the loss of Lastwall has tempered his goodly will with guilt and doubts about his own leadership, abilities, and faith in Iomedae. He has channeled much of his inner turmoil into projects to benefit his people, such as the reclamation of the Precipice Quarter, but his mental and physical health have suffered under his strain.

Relatives

Ulthun is the grandson of refugees who fled the shadowy Kuthite tyranny of Nidal in search of a plentiful, peaceful life. Although a romantic man, he has long politely refused all suitors seeking his attention.

Associates

In Absalom

Wynsal Starborn.

Ulthun considers many who attempt to curry his favor to be political aspirants, though Wynsal Starborn, who as of 4720 AR remained Absalom's acting primarch, has been a steadfast friend and ally to Ulthun since his arrival. Ulthun values this friendship while also hoping this alliance will extend to the city's Grand Council, and Starborn considers Ulthun to be a prime candidate for Absalom's permanent new primarch.

Indeed, Ulthun was offered a seat on the Low Council in 4720 AR, though he was unsure whether he wanted to accept the responsibilities that would distance him further from his work in the Precipice Quarter. Ulthun also unexpectedly secured the support of Minotaur Prince Nuar Spiritskin.

Ulthun's relationship with Starborn has made him some enemies, however, including Lictor Toulon Vidoc of the Hellknight Order of the Scourge. Vidoc has long investigated the disappearance of former primarch Gyr of House Gixx, and considers rumors of Ulthun being groomed to become Absalom's primarch as part of a broader conspiracy to seize power over the city. As of 4722 AR, Vidoc had ordered Hellknights to disrupt Ulthun's efforts.

In the Gravelands

The Watcher-Lord maintains a good relationship with Kalabrynne Iomedar, with whom he coordinates recruitment despite not sharing the same opinions about Ulthun's uses of politics and propaganda to advance the Knights' causes. Clarethe Iomedar, however, views Ulthun as having abandoned his people for the relative comfort of Absalom.

Elsewhere

Galtan exile Ayrault de Riouxelle became quite taken with both the Knights and Ulthun after a chance meeting and has since used their training in statecraft to serve as a diplomat for Ulthun. Self-styled Ser Zizer of the Crookedtoes goblin tribe has also served Ulthun as an emissary to goblinkind.

References

Paizo published major articles about Ulthun II in Gardens of Gallowspire, Legends, and Knights of Lastwall.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.