Cormac was the eldest child of a family of Anuirean nobles. He grew up
learning many of the arts of statecraft from very knowledgable tutors.
He was always busy in matters of the state, helping his family to rule
the lands with firm authority.
After his father passed away, he assumed control of the region of
Warmplains, becoming Lord of White Castle. He was a great military
ruler, helping King Manchester keep order in the central lands of
Ideallian. Of primary concern to Cormac were the restless Elves living
in Elvenwood, the province to the west of Warmplains.
During one campaign in defense of his lands, he began to see strange
visions and portents. He saw a force moving in the field, collecting
what appeared to be a form of "steam" from the men that fell in the
field of battle. These visions bothered him, so he talked to his good
friend Sif, the High Priestess of War.
She did not know what to tell him. She told him the story of her own
conversion to the Clergy of War and told him that sometimes strange
things to happen to people at the whim of the Fates. He did not know
what to do, so he chose to ignore the visions until the future and his
role in it became clearer.
He was then visited by a mysterious knight named Michael who was clad
in green platemail and wielding a great golden sword. Michael was the
leader of a troop of knights and pledged his sword and the swords of
his knights to the service of Cormac to fight the Elves. Cormac
graciously accepted any help he could get.
Cormac then had many successes at battle, leading his troops into one
victory after another. Michael and his Knights were a strong addition
to Cormacs fighting force, and it showed in his military campaigns.
However, the visions never ceased. During each battle, Cormac would
always see the mysterious force seem to collect whatever was left from
the men who had falled in his service. It still disturbed him, but he
knew he had more important things to worry about than some kind of ghost
that was taking over the field.
One day, his world changed. Michael challenged Cormac to a battle. As
the two contestants took the field, Cormac could not help but wonder why
Michael was challenging him. Michael then demanded that the victor of
the challenge should then become leader of all of Warmplains.
Cormac was shocked. He was at a loss of words. Here was a trust
lieutenant that he had relied on challenging him for leadership.
But, Cormac had his honor to defend; he took the field and fought
valiantly. Unfortunately, Michael was a much better at swordplay.
Cormac was finally defeated as his grave wounds threatened his life.
His life slipping away, Cormac still could not fathom why his lieutenant
had challenged and defeated him. He knew that he was not long for the
world and let the darkness fall around him.
Then, he had a visions of a grand hall. A great figure in green
platemail stood before him; it introduced itself as an Avatar of Death.
It explained its purpose for choosing Cormac: to be Death's Champion in
the lands of Idellian. Cormac swore allegiance to the Philosophy of
Death and received the symbols of the Order: Green Platemail and a
Golden Sword.
Cormac then returned to the Mortal Plane. Healed of the wounds he
received that day, he became the Champion of Death in the Lands of
Idellian.
Cormac advises the king on matters involving strategy and battle,
especially when dealing with the Elves of Elvenwood.