Alpheus of Sparta

Champion of Broknarra

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Highlights:

NationalitySpartan

Year of Birth     463 B.C.

Birth Month     June

Birth Day  8

Profession Athelete

Coat of Arms:    none as yet

Current affiliation Sparta

From an excerpt of the history of the battle at Thermopylae, as told by Xeones, battle squire of Sparta...

"... And then there were Alpheus and Maron. All through the agoge they impressed every drill instructor they had with their ability to fight cohesively, even by Spartan standards. They always fought side by side, keeping each other under the other's protective shield, yet still always effective. When on expedition, they could take on numbers of men by fighting next to each other, as the Spartans taught. Rarely was one injured without the other and if one was injured beyond the ability to continue or had to take a rest, the other found it hard to fight along anyone else. But even through their ability to fight shoulder to shoulder in battle, they were worlds apart in regard to their favorite pastimes. Alpheus was like many other Spartan males, in that he enjoyed all forms of athletics. Alpheus loved to wrestle, run, practice, and fight. Maron, on the other hand, was more of an intellectual. He found solace in reading, writing, listening to music, and singing. Then the Persian came to Greece and the Three Hundred were being selected and assembled to block Darius and his myriads from entering the Peloponnese through the Hot Gates, through Thermopylae. Alpheus was chosen first, along with such greats of the Three Hundred as Polynikes, Alexandros, and Dorieon, then Maron was chosen, closer to the end of the Three Hundred...

Then came the day for the departure of the Three Hundred. The Spartans who were going on this ill-fated campaign lined up in parade formation and marched through the streets of Lakedaemon, saying goodbye to those they loved and the city they loved. When they arrived at Thermopylae they constructed a wall across the pass and waited. Finally the Persian could be seen around the bend in the pass and in time, the battle was on. For six days Alpheus, Maron, and the rest of the Three Hundred and their allies battled the warriors under Darius, son of Xerxes.  On the last day, what remained of the Greeks marched back to their homes, save the Spartans.

Surrounded and nearly weaponless they fought with blunt objects and their hands and teeth. Early in the day Maron fell as an arrow struck his chest. Alpheus quickly fought off the rush of Persians ready to take advantage of this pair of men who have been slaughtering them for six days. Alpheus was soon engulfed and passed into the afterlife with the rest of the 300.

      But the tale does not end here as most would be lead to believe. The pair soon awoke in the land of Apokrypha and return to this blood splattered meadow to this very day…"

HISTORICAL NOTE:

Alpheus is generally regarded as a quiet, yet very effective, warrior.  Reports vary as to his first footsteps in Apokrypha, though the most credible reports depict him saving the lives of potential drowning victims when he first came into contact with warriors from Broknarra.  Among these reports are accounts of his vast shock of white-blonde hair as well as a remarkable aptitude with weapons crafting. He is widely praised as having been one of the most improved fighter within Broknarra, given that he has been in the Realm of Apokrypha for less than a year and has succeeded at capturing a seasonal Championship; something typically difficult even for the most seasoned of fighters.  Great things are expected of this remarkable young man.

Honors & Achievements:

* Victor of Autumnal Equinox Novice Tourney, ACI XXIII

* Placed 2nd: Winter Solstice Two-hander Tourney, ACI XXIII

* CHAMPION of WinterSolstice, ACI XXIII

* Placed 3rd: Spring Equinox Dagger Tourney, ACI XXIV