Franz Ruffmane

“I swear that I will faithfully, loyally, and honorably serve the Grand Prior and his legitimate successors, and I will dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing, if necessary, my life to defend them. I assume this same commitment with regard to the Grand Seneschal whenever the Grand Prior's seat is vacant. Furthermore, I promise my superiors respect, fidelity, and obedience. I swear to observe all that the honor of my position demands of me.”

—Franz Ruffmane, swearing his oath of allegiance to the Prideheart Valiant As part of an ongoing alliance, the royal house of Lyveria maintains the Prideheart Valiants: a contingent of three-hundred silverback leonines who serve the Kingdom of Khymia at the discretion of its Grand Prior.

Originally acting in a purely ceremonial role as an honor guard assigned to the Peace of Light Monastery, the Pridehearts Valiants quickly earned a reputation for their discipline, prowess, and tenacity. Today, they are recognized as an elite, specialized fighting force and are often assigned to the most demanding and challenging missions—not because they are expendable, but because there is no other within the knighthood more capable. When not deployed, they function as the Grand Prior's personal guard.

Franz Ruffmane has served as the commander of the Prideheart Valiants for many years and is an intrepid and powerful leonine with a natural ability to lead others and a charismatic personality that inspires them to follow. His silver and gold armor is endowed with potent life magic that protects both him and his allies, and like all Prideheart Valiants, he carries a two-handed warhammer passed down through the ranks as warriors retire or fall in battle. As is tradition, he has memorized the names of his weapon's previous bearers and the battles in which they fought.

Never has a Grand Prior been harmed under the watch of the Prideheart Valiants, and Commander Ruffmane has sworn to maintain this legacy. He and his fellow silverback leonines are fiercely loyal and will never leave their post.

When the Grand Seneschal left Khymeria to travel to Praetoria, the Grand Prior sent Franz Ruffmane and one hundred Prideheart Valiants as an escort to protect his second in command.