Malrik Dreadmourne

Malrik Dreadmourne, known as Old Knife, was the previous Supreme Commander (Red Hand) of the Grim Shadows. A man of green eyes, quiet intensity, and terrifying power, Malrik led from the Grave — the Grim Shadows' underground headquarters in Arkest's northern quarter, built within endless rows of tombs. Malrik was a warrior-mage of extraordinary ability. He knew High Elven — a language even the gods feared — and could cast Starfire, a forbidden spell that calls down a pillar of solid white fire from the sky, vaporizing everything it touches. Using the spell cost him dearly: a third of his hair turned stark white, and years were stripped from his life. He wielded the Soul Blade — a weapon that ignited with cold silver light — and carried a black steel shield reinforced with runes. The Silver Veil orchestrated his death through an elaborate trap. They captured Conway — Malrik's blood brother and former squadmate from the Red Ditch Massacre — tortured him, stole his memories, and created a Voidborn doppelganger in his image. The creature lured Malrik to Black Hollow Villa in the western quarter. With him went Red and Rusty, two of his oldest soldiers. At the villa, the trap sprung: Void Mages, Silver Veil assassins, Void Stalkers, and the legendary twin assassins Mist and Smoke. Red died to crossbow bolts, shielding Rusty. Rusty was killed by Mist and Smoke. Malrik fought alone — destroying Void Stalkers, breaking chains, and casting Starfire twice. In his final moments, blinded and stabbed, he whispered the forbidden word one last time. Starfire struck the villa itself, turning it into a crater of white fire. Over forty Silver Veil soldiers died screaming. Old Knife never broke. He burned bright. Starfaller killed Mist and Smoke in retaliation, dropping their silver masks on the table in the Grave. The surviving commanders — Rake, Sethis Ironfist, Frostkiss, and Veyla Thornheart — vowed to make his death count.