Overview
George is the king of the Blackcrag Dominion before Garrik's rise. He rules from Omberion during the threat from Shroudvale, keeps Blackcrag cautious about direct military action against Shroudvale, and secretly secures Garrik as Blackcrag's heir through a bargain with leaders from Thiravos and Theryssa.
George publicly names Garrik as his son and future king. The original heir bargain remains secret until George's final years. His death unsettles Blackcrag's succession, and Eremion exploits the opening after Garrik flees before coronation.
Appearance and Manner
George is a tall man with teal eyes, graying golden hair, and a regal bearing when he reaches Pelagia with Blackcrag's fleet. He wears a fine red-and-gold cloak during the Theryssa negotiations. By his final years, his health has deteriorated enough that he withdraws from much of Blackcrag's public work.
George is pragmatic, perceptive, and accustomed to command. He brings a fleet to Theryssa and negotiates for an heir bargain. As a ruler, he manages the Shroudvale threat through scouting, fortification, trade, guarded contact with nearby powers, and restraints on direct military action against Shroudvale when the risk is too high.
George is distant from Garrik for much of Garrik's youth. In his final years, he becomes warmer and more candid, apologizes for his failings as a father, and entrusts Blackcrag's future to Garrik.
Abilities
George is a powerful divine mage with sharp essence senses. In Pelagia, he senses immense hidden power among the consuls and detects Lucilla's suppressed essence when she agrees to the heir bargain. Nero's delivery of Garrik to Omberion fulfills the arrangement.
George's strength is also political. He leads Blackcrag's expedition to Theryssa, draws intelligence from advisors such as Ulrich and Bastian, presides over council meetings, and gives Garrik responsibility through the diplomatic mission to Morindel.
History
George rules the Blackcrag Dominion from Omberion after outliving two heirs and a previous queen. Facing the threat of Shroudvale and the essence shapers, he sails to Theryssa with ships and skyships to seek an alliance. When Lucilla refuses to send Thiravos and Theryssa forces against Shroudvale and the essence shapers, George asks for an heir strong enough to lead Blackcrag. The agreement gives Thiravos and Theryssa improved Blackcrag essence-engine knowledge while Lucilla carries the child who will become Blackcrag's royal heir.
Months later, Nero brings the infant to Omberion. George announces that the queen has given birth, names the boy Prince Garrik, and makes him Blackcrag's future king. He keeps the child's origin secret, gives Nero a public scout cover, and assigns Astrid as one of Garrik's teachers.
During Garrik's youth, George leaves much of Garrik's education to Ulrich, Astrid, and the council. He continues to guide Blackcrag through intelligence on Shroudvale, trade, fortifications, and possible contact with Morindel. When Garrik argues for attacking Shroudvale, George refuses a direct attack on Shroudvale but later entrusts him with the Morindel diplomatic mission.
In his final years, George's health declines and Garrik becomes more active in ruling Blackcrag. George gives Garrik the truth about the heir bargain and keeps Garrik's biological father's name hidden under the original bargain.
After Astrid's crystal heart restores Eremion, George and the council grow fond of the awakened guardian. George trusts Eremion enough to name him Garrik's future second, then dies in his sleep within days. His body receives a Blackcrag funeral, wrapped in ceremonial basalt cloth and dropped into the lava pits beneath the volcanic mountains.
Relationships
- Garrik: George's adopted son, chosen heir, and publicly acknowledged prince of Blackcrag.
- Ulrich, Bastian, and Astrid: George's council allies. Ulrich tutors Garrik in governance, Astrid mentors him in divine magic and engineering, and Bastian advises George on Shroudvale.
- Lucilla and Nero: Partners in the secret bargain that produces Garrik and keeps Thiravos and Theryssa from sending forces against Shroudvale and the essence shapers.
- Eremion: The returned Malverand guardian whom George trusts near the end of his life.
- Shroudvale: The strategic threat that drives George's diplomacy, military caution, and search for an heir.
Significant Events
George dies in his sleep within days of naming Eremion Garrik's future second.