Venatus "The Maniticore"
Backstory
Venatus “the Manticore” was born in the shadow, beneath the great spires of Sultanspire itself. His father was a mason, his mother a washerwoman, and though they dreamed of a quiet life for their son, Venatus had other ambitions. As a youth, he watched the Pheonix Bows drill along the city’s ramparts and longed for their purple and gold livery. At sixteen, he joined their ranks—an archer with a steady hand and unshakable nerve.
Venatus earned his nickname after a skirmish along the Lion Coast, where he singlehandedly held a cliffside pass against raiders, felling twenty men with calm precision. Those who saw it claimed he fought like the mythical beast—patient, deadly, and impossible to escape.
He is known for his discipline and calm under pressure, never wavering when others lose their nerve. His men trust him completely; he speaks little, but his actions inspire confidence. Yet Venatus carries a deep distrust of authority, shaped by years of seeing noble officers waste good lives for glory. He obeys orders, but with a cold detachment that borders on defiance.
Despite this flaw, his skill and reliability could not be ignored. When Ambassador Justinian Aquilar requested an archer of exceptional ability to join his retinue, the Phoenix Bows sent Venatus. Now, “the Manticore” stands as the Ambassador’s eye from afar—measured, relentless, and loyal to the nobles that forged him from the city’s dust.
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