Valator IV

Edmund Favianson Valator the fourth was a human who lived from autumn 1449 to spring 1492 DR. He was often known simply as Valator IV or Valator the Great. He received this fame for his strong and prosperous reign over the city-state of Baldur's Gate from 1455 untill his death, and his conquest of west and northwest Faerun in the later years of his life. He is also famed for his introduction of the Common Law of Northwest Faerun and the establishment of the Lord's Alliance, Northwest Faerun's de facto government to this day.

Conquests of Northwest Faerun
After decades of decay of the Netherin Elven Empire in the north due to the losses endured during the first orc invasion of Northwest Faerun, Valator IV decided to expand the influence of Baldur's Gate. With the collapse of the Bardulur Dwarven State and the weakened position of the Netherin, the rich North was left relatively undefended.

Plans for the invasion and subsequent colonization were circulating as early as 1469 DR, a time when Baldur's Gate was in economic recession due to plague and attacks of monsters and beasts. A decade later, in 1479 DR, Valator had mustered a vast army and eager frontier settlers for what was to become his life work. The company set out over land north and started to systematically conquer and settle new lands towards the north.

In 1480 DR, the army had reached the old borders of the Netherin of the North. Encountering relatively little resistance, many cities and villages of the Netherin were besieged, conquered, plundered, and sacked. Over the ruins of the conquered lands quickly rose new human outposts.

This effort took many years. The Netherin were caught by surprise at first, but quickly started to defend themselves and retalliate. A guerrilla war toiled Valators army and resolve, as years after years were spent trying to advance to the Elven capital: Silvermoon.

This great Elven city proved too much for Valator. After besieging the city for 2 full years, the morale of Valators armies were at an all time low. Silvermoon had stacked up on resources, and had many ways to generate new foodstuffs.

In the spring of 1492, Valator eventually died in this siege after partaking in a battle near the Menzis river.

During his conquests, he laid out an elaborate will to secure his conquered lands in the name of the newly emergent Lord's Alliance.

Legend
His many great deeds made Valator IV a legendary hero for humanity, and a scourge for other races. Despite this, the Elven that suffered so much due to him recognised his great tactical insight and military prowess, remarking that such skill was rare to see in a human.