For a long time, Cele thought it to be an archaic and almost barbaric practice, especially when trying to imagine the northmen dressed in court-clothes, but during the 91st - when he first laid eyes on the indisputably regal King Gotthard, painted just like his men - the general had an arguably cathartic change of heart. He was certainly a sight to behold - distinguished, poised, overawing. When he pulled the wolf-faced helmet from his head, the dark blue triskelle, centered on his forehead, could be seen even from across the field. If Cele had seen a painted rendition of the man, perhaps he would’ve thought him to be a barbarian like the rest but witnessing with his own eyes the resplendence and resolve that King Gotthard exuded, he couldn’t dare come to such a conclusion. There was a certain amount of power in those blotches of ink, in the abstract designs, in their ancient origins.