Contained herein is the biography of Duke Gregory Dumont, albeit not written at his request. Rumors abound that Tylian Shiloh, the author, was hunted down by black riders and captured, never to be seen again. A few copies of his book survived however, and are widely believed to be the closest thing to truth about Duke Gregory Dumont and his venerated Black Hundred ever put to paper.

Chapter One- Humble Beginnings

Gregory Dumont was born in a small hamlet to Author and Jane Dumont. Jane Dumont died shortly after childbirth from bloodloss, and Author, already an alcoholic, was driven further into depression from the loss of his wife. Gregory received frequent beatings as he grew, and spent most of his time in the woods, playing soldier. Whenever Author would return from his work at the local lumber mill, he often rarely found Gregory inside, or near, the house. As he aged into his teens Gregory got a job in a local rock quarry, though without the knowledge or the approval of his father. Long arduous days of cutting and hauling granite proved invaluable to the lads future as his body was hardened both by the strenuous activity and the beating heat of the summers, and cold biting frost of the winter months. It is widely assumed that Gregory hoarded his coin, and used it to escape his tedious life of toil for a life of adventure.

Chapter Two- The Golden Company

Little is known about the years Gregory spent abroad, not until he was documented by the scribe Harlen Weston of the Golden Companions, a mercenary company led by one Commander Samuel T. Garland. Commander Garland was believed to have once been a general in the Royal Army of Terrentia, however these rumors, though possibly true, have no foundation as no documents proving such have ever surfaced. Scribe Weston described Gregory Dumont as "a stapping lad of seventeen or perhaps eighteen years, with above average intelligence, who's skill with a sword was unmatched by any of the enlisted members of the Golden Companions, and rivaled many of the officers. His kit is composed of (1) backpack with provision, (1) suit of boiled leather (1) suit of chainmail armor of good quality (1) suit of full plate armor, plain, with no markings and (1) great sword of masterwork quality, strangely with no distinguishing markings. There did appear to be a small area that had been attacked with a file of some sort, possibly obscuring the makers, or owners mark. When questioned applicant Dumont answered that he had taken the sword off a bandit, and it had been that way when he aquired it." Gregory accepted a contract to work with the Golden Companions, and quickly rose through the ranks. It is said his rapid ascent was due to not only his skills, charisma, and intelligence, but also a series of unfortunate accidents, and losses of officers during routine patrols and skirmishes. None of this was ever attributed to Dumont, however there is sufficient evidence found withing Scribe Weston, and his successor Scribe Ingles writings, to suggest that the men of the Golden Company suspected Dumont of "killing his was to the top."

Chapter Three- The Siege of Futen

It is at this point in young Gregorys life, the mayor of the city of Futen declared that they would no longer pay taxes to the Count, as he was taxing his citizens at twice the rate normally applied to citizenry. At the age of twenty one, Gregory was serving as a Lieutenant in the Golden Companions and looking to secure himself a captains position. However several of the officers of the Golden Companions had discretely voiced concerns of the young lieutenant to Commander Garland, and it is said that on the night Garland rode to the Castle Dour, to secure the contract to capture Futen for Castle Dours baron, Baron Klarance, that Garland had a long talk with Dumont about his prospects in the Golden Companions. No one knows exactly what was spoken but it is documented in several journals that after the departure of Garland, Lieutenant Dumont was infuriated, reportedly knocking out a young armsman who was merely passing by. After Commander Garland returned with the contract, and Futen was laid siege to, several weeks passed with no significant events transpiring. However on the anniversary of the siege, Castle Dours baron, Baron Klarance, was assassinated in his bed along with his young wife, and infant son. In a heartbeat the entirety of the Klarance line was extinguished. There was some debate among the men laying siege to Futen if they should continue the siege, as it was in doubt if whoever the count appointed would honor the contract. However they did not have long to debate the topic before the militia of Futen, their ranks bloated by the citizenry who were enraged after a month of siege, sallied forth to do battle with the men of the Golden Company. A viscous melee ensued that lasted throughout the night. The men of the Golden Company were at first, able to route the defenders into the city proper, and set fire to many of the buildings. However the defenders had successfully lured the Golden Company into an ambush. From nearly every rooftop archers and crossbowmen picked off the exposed officers. One by one the captains of the Golden Company fell, their men scattering in some instances, or joining those still alive. When the battle came to its precipice, and there were but two captains with less than forty men a piece left, as well as Commander Garlands personal guard of twenty seasoned veterans. It was at this point that one of the two remaining captains capitulated, and joined forces with the defenders of the siege in hopes of saving his own skin. As the Golden Company began to route, it is said that a single Company officer, Lieutenant Dumont, charged alone into the fray in a vicious onslaught that surprised the weakened defenders. So violent was his charge that in its initial seconds he completely decapitated the defecting captain, and in the same singular motion brought his sword back down diagonally, nearly cutting the mayor of Futen who had been conversing with the rogue captain, in twain. In the following minutes both defenders of Futen and men of the Golden Company sat awestruck as Dumont carved his way down the cities main street through militia, armed citizen, and innocent bystander alike. It is said Dumonts charge rallied the retreating Golden Company to charge back into the battle. As the attackers reached the heart of the cities resistance, the mayors manor, the losses on both side became so heavy that the streets themselves became impassable as they were slick with blood and gore. In the end, as the attackers breached the walls of the manor, there were only a handful of defenders and attackers remaining, both having decided to fight to the death. Commander Garland, Lieutenant Dumont, and four other men at arms of the Golden Companions entered the mayors manor even as it burned, the screams of the defenders echoing throughout the night as battle was done in the streets and alleys. After some time, a single warrior emerged from the flaming hell that was once the mayors manor. It was none other than Gregory Dumont. As the flames licked off his signature enameled black plate mail, he raised his sword into the air and shouted into the night "It is over, lay down your arms and go home." Slowly, one by one, defender and attacker alike retreated from the burning city and sought refuge in the forest. As dawn broke the following day, those who had survived the battle stumbled into the charred remains of Futen to find a lone Gregory Dumont sitting on the scorched steps of the mayors manor, running a whetstone across his sword. Looking out over the pitiful, blackened remainder of the cities citizens, militia, and men of the Golden Company, Dumont rose to his feet and spoke the words that founded his "Black Hundred."

"We have been led here by strutting fools and cowards. I like you, believed in my superiors and our cause, but we were all deceived. Every man and woman here has earned the right to never again suffer under the reins of weak and incompetent men. Those who pledge their swords to me will never have to suffer the agonies of defeat, or the scourge of hunger. I will raise you up to be the most feared fighting force throughout the whole of Elyria. I will make you my Black Hundred."