Past:

Balarus was born and raised in Carn Dum of pure Black Numenorian descent, taught he was better than all and had to fight for most of his extended life to constantly affirm that. His father, a warlord of Angmar was killed when he was still in the womb, leaving his mother to see to his upbringing, a fell Priestess who had access to a frightening array of power, enough to even threaten Steward Mordirith. Not the least of which was her physical strength which stemmed from the silver ring Aica Melehte, one of the lesser essays in the craft of ringmaking forged during the second age and taken by Sauron himself, and given to worthier hands than that of the elves.

So it was that she sought a child to supplant the seneschal of the Iron Throne and rule as he does. Secretly her aspirations went higher still that even that. However, Balarus, her first born, was not his mother's son so much as his father's: a strong and martial lad with little interest in sorcery and politics and much in the glories of war and in the vicissitudes of combat. So much did his willingness to openly engage with the enemy and his stern commanding demeanor suit ill with her plans that after several children later, she decided to make use of him in sacrifice to further empower her second born. A sacrifice that was still born when Balarus managed to cut hand and ring both from her, followed immediately by her vocal chords. The last few hours of her life were spent being delivered the heads of her children by Balarus, his own brothers and sisters, to show her the price of her casual folly. Once all were dead but him, Balarus claimed the ring, his birthright as sole living heir, and cast her into flames to scream and burn to ash.

After that decisive and storied moment, his rise was meteoric, due in no small part to the shade and Lord of the Cargûl, Mordirith, taking a person hand in his ascension. Of little surprise to most, considering that his greatest rival was destroyed by her own son. Through the steward, most political pitfalls in the dark lands of Angmar were bypassed completely and those that were not were broken by Balarus's might. In a short time he was named Maugoth and given command of a legion of Angmar's forces.

He and his served as the vanguard for the assault upon Annunimas by the legions Iron, Azure and Crimson. He himself met in battle with a Ranger Lord overseeing the defense and claiming his head, his blade and his bride as trophies of victory.

After that battle, Balarus was eager for more, and knowing full well what was coming in gathering nights, longed to enable the forces of Angmar to link up with his lord, the Witchking, in the south where he tarried. However, the Maugoth's of the Iron and Azure legions wanted nothing of it, nothing more than holding onto their prize. Balarus had other plans in mind.

Sacrificing half of his legion in a diversionary push to the east, he and a mere fraction of his officers and common force broke south, into the shire, and then east into Bree under the guise of anything but warriors of Angmar. His aspiration is for Bree, a no-account bare-city with dysfunctional politics and presumptuous, often self-styled "Lords". This would nominally render it simply not worth his time, except for the strategic placement as a crossroads. East to west, north to south, Bree serves as a tactical gateway and offers a massive supply line advantage to whomever can take it. He intends to take it.

Trophies:

Aica Melehte: Passed down from first born to first born since time immemorial. One of the lesser essays in the craft, a magic ring whose common function serves to give the bearer the strength of many men. It, like all the lesser rings claimed by Sauron, serve as a conduit to his ever-watchful gaze. It also radiates dark intent therefore, as is detectable by those sensate enough to it. Bearing this, Balarus has shattered bone with his bare hands, and has shouldered horse and rider both to the ground with the force of his blow. He never removes it for more than the time it takes him to switch which finger wears it, if at all.

Angolcrist:​ The blade of a prominent commander of Rangers, one claimed by him during the taking of Annunimas after the death of said Ranger. By and far his favorate weapon, due primarily to the fact that he seems to enjoy the dark symmetry of slaying enemies of the Iron Crown with a weapon of an enemy of the Iron Crown. It is a frightfully sharp blade with a gilded hilt and pommel. The blade is well cared for by Balarus refuses to clean the blood of slain foes entirely off the rest, leaving dark stains and splotches on the hilt as if a cruel mockery of his foes.