Duke Godric Valcoran

Appearance

Godric Valcoran is a towering figure, standing at 6’4” with a broad, muscular build that speaks of his years spent on the battlefield. His once raven-black hair has turned to a silvery gray, kept trimmed close, and his beard is thick but well-groomed. Deep lines crease his face, especially around his brow and eyes, giving him a perpetual look of stern determination. His eyes are a piercing steel-blue, sharp and calculating, often intimidating those who meet his gaze. He bears numerous scars from his years in combat, the most prominent being a jagged scar running down his left leg, causing a slight limp. Despite his age, he still wears his armor on ceremonial occasions, a relic of his days as a knight, emblazoned with the Valcoran crest: a crimson griffon clutching a silver sword.

Personality

Duke Godric Valcoran is a man of principle and ironclad resolve. He believes in upholding the law at all costs, often to the point of severity. He is pragmatic, preferring hard truths to comforting lies, and has little patience for sycophants and flatterers. Godric’s leadership style is direct and uncompromising, which has earned him both deep respect and quiet resentment among the nobility. Despite his stern exterior, those who know him well see glimpses of a man haunted by regrets and loss. He is fiercely loyal to his allies, especially the dwarves of Thaig Darom, and has a deep-seated belief in the importance of unity for the survival of Valendross.

Backstory

Born into the Valcoran family, one of the oldest noble lineages of Valendross, Godric was groomed for leadership from an early age. He distinguished himself as a knight-commander during the Blackwater Rebellion, where he led a daring raid that turned the tide of the conflict. His strategic mind and martial prowess earned him the title of Duke in his early thirties after his father’s passing.   During his reign, Godric faced numerous challenges, from internal power struggles to threats from bandits and raiders. His defining achievement was the Iron Pact with the dwarves of Thaig Darom, a treaty that brought unprecedented wealth and stability to Valendross. The alliance was born from mutual respect, forged in blood when Godric fought alongside the dwarven leader, Thrain Stonearm, to fend off marauders threatening the trade routes.   In his personal life, Godric faced tragedy when his wife, Duchess Lyla Valcoran, and their only son, Alistair, were killed during the Conflagration of the Gilded Quarter. The loss hardened him, pushing him deeper into his role as a protector of the realm. He poured himself into his duties, determined to leave behind a legacy that would honor their memory.   Now, as he nears the end of his life, Godric’s plans for a smooth succession have been upended by the sudden illness of his chosen heir, Count Alaric Veremont. Left with few options, he is contemplating the controversial choice of naming Lady Isolde Treyvayne as his successor, a move that could secure the furure of Valendross, or throw it into turmoil.

Quirks

• Godric still wakes before dawn every day, taking time for a solitary walk along the battlements of Castle Valcor. It’s a holdover from his days as a knight and gives him time to reflect.
• Despite his pragmatic nature, Godric always carries a small, iron pendant shaped like a griffon’s claw—a charm gifted by his late wife, which he believes wards off misfortune.
• Godric despises courtly games and prefers blunt honesty, even when it causes discomfort. He’s been known to interrupt long-winded nobles with a curt, “Get to the point.”