Hernando el Cortés
By the Grace of the King, Archduke of the Army, Protector of the Realm, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Margrave-Archduke, Hernando el Cortés was born into the noble House of el Cortés, hereditary rulers of the Northern March from their ancestral domain of Norfolk.
From childhood, he was raised for a life of military service. Following the rise of Benitto el Franco, who seized power in Tarbiquista and reformed it into a kingdom, Hernando was granted authority over the Eastern and Western Marches, elevating him to the rank of Margrave-Archduke. To strengthen the bond between crown and nobility, he betrothed his daughter, Ornella, to the King.
At present, he represents the greatest challenge to the King's authority. As the leader of the noble faction, he commands immense influence among both the aristocracy and the military, making him a figure whose support—or opposition—can shape the fate of the realm.
A beastman of the lion morph, Hernando possesses a physique of extraordinary strength, remarkable even among his own kind. His immense physical power allows him to wield a halberd and a greatsword simultaneously in battle. Despite his formidable appearance, he is known as a good-natured, courageous, and exceptionally boisterous individual.
Though nearly eighty years old, the King's magic has preserved his youth, and he appears to be no older than forty.
