Lord Alaric Pembroke-Valen hails from one of the oldest noble houses on Valoris
Prime, a lineage steeped in military tradition. His family traces its honor
directly to Sir Hadrian Pembroke-Valen, a junior officer who served with
distinction in the Macharian Crusade and is listed by name in the marginalia of
the Lord Solar’s own muster rolls.
Where many noble families merely claim connection to the Crusade,
the Pembroke-Valens can produce authenticated relics—oath-scrolls, duelist’s
commendations, and even a battered fragment of the original regimental
standard. Such provenance carries immense weight among the aristocracy of Valoris
Prime and sets expectations for every child born into the line.
Alaric was no exception.
He is the seventh Pembroke-Valen to command the 88th.
Early Career
Alaric’s path to the colonelcy was traditional:
- Educated at the Valoris Prime
Officer Academy, where he excelled in history, swordsmanship, and
battlefield theory.
- Served as a platoon commander
in the 88th’s 5th Company, earning a reputation for icy calm under fire.
- Rose to company captain,
commanding with impeccable discipline and a gift for maintaining formation
integrity even under grueling fire.
- Chosen as heir to the
commandant’s mantle after the death of Colonel (Lord) Severin
Pembroke-Valen, his uncle, during the Gethos Reclamation.
His ascent was not the result of dramatic heroics but of competence,
steadiness, and an unbroken record of achieving objectives with minimal
disruption to doctrine—qualities the 88th values above all.
Personality and Command Style
Lord Alaric is, first and foremost, a professional soldier.
Not flamboyant, not ostentatiously charismatic—simply authoritative,
disciplined, and deeply, almost spiritually committed to the traditions of the
regiment.
He is often described as:
- Measured in speech
- Unshakeably calm
- Exacting but fair
- Impeccably mannered
- Quietly proud
- Politely intolerant of disorder
He avoids theatrics, preferring a sharp word, a colder stare, or a
pointedly raised eyebrow to correct subordinates. His disapproval is legendary,
not for volume but for precision.
In battle, he is deliberate and methodical—never rash, never flamboyant,
always positioning his lines with clinical care. When forced into close combat,
he shows flashes of the Pembroke-Valen duelist tradition, wielding his power
sword with controlled, economical efficiency.
Relationship to Regimental Tradition
Alaric is the living embodiment of the Vermilion ideal.
He is not a fanatic, but he is a believer—deeply so—in:
- Lineage
- Uniform discipline
- Formation warfare
- The dignity of the regiment
- The unbroken chain to the
Macharian Crusade
He conducts the annual Macharian Day remembrance personally,
wearing the crimson dress coat of the founding era. He inspects the regiment’s
relics weekly. He knows, verbatim, long passages from the regimental chronicle.
Yet he is not blind to the demands of the current age. He permits
innovation—but only if it is orderly, tested, and does not threaten the
regiment’s identity.
He is the reason the 88th’s traditions continue not as empty ceremony,
but as living doctrine.
Opinions of Other Regiments
Lord Alaric is never openly insulting—but his opinions are unmistakable.
On the 13th Necromunda (“The Rat
Catchers”)
He would never criticize them directly, but he tends to phrase
observations like:
“Ah. Yes. Their… enthusiasm is commendable.”
And:
“The 13th exhibit an unusual aptitude for… adaptive logistics.”
He respects their courage, but their disorderliness puts him in physical
discomfort.
On the Azure Auxilia
“Reliable fellows. Rough edges, but earnest.”
On the Green Company
“If only they would remain still for inspection.”
On the Onyx Guard
“Somber, but dependable. One always knows where they stand—usually in a
straight line.”
Field Reputation
Among the 88th, he is seen as:
- A master of defensive and
attrition warfare
- The ideal Vermilion officer
- A direct continuation of the
Macharian-era ethos
- Someone who would rather die than
break formation
Across wider Imperial forces:
- He is respected but considered
very “old school”
- His regiment is known for
unwavering discipline
- His lines are famously difficult
to dislodge
- He is often requested for holding
actions, siege lines, and parades
No one questions his competence.
Some quietly question his flexibility.
But his results speak for themselves.
Equipment
- Power Sword: An heirloom dueling blade,
converted into a masterwork power weapon. Its hilt includes a
micro-engraved family lineage going back over a millennium.
- Plasma Pistol: A rare, impeccably maintained
weapon gifted by the Governor Militant of Valoris Prime as a symbol of
office.
- Dress Coat: Vermilion of the deepest dye,
said to follow the exact pattern used during the Macharian Crusade.
- Signet Gorget: Bearing the motto “Iure
Stirpis, Facto Igne.”
Closing Summary
Lord Alaric Pembroke-Valen represents everything the 88th prides itself
on:
- Discipline
- Lineage
- Precision
- Restraint
- Tradition
- Unshakeable bearing
He is not a caricature or a tyrant—just a man who embodies a regimental
culture centuries in the making.
A commander who believes deeply in the values that made the 88th great and
intends to pass them, unsullied, to the next generation.
A Wellington of the 41st Millennium.
With a plasma pistol.
