"Honor and Deception" Character Log, Plots, etc., ~ w/Spark

[Traveler]

A place for Spark and Traveler to share character info for their 1x1.
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Castle Cliff Map

The Falls Keep Academy

Academy structure: Every few years a few recruits are ‘invited’ (commanded) at the Summer Solstice to come to the academy with a small cadre of instructors who will follow them through their year of training until they can 'graduate' from trainees to squires, in which time they are assigned to a knight as an apprentice knight, until they can prove themselves worthy enough to be knighted by the king.

Usually it's through bravery, a courageous act above and beyond the normal, etc. Each year is assigned to a new group of cadre who follow them through their training, with a few cadre who stay in place every year (like the archery instructors, riding instructors, etc.) The knight cadre walk with their prospects through each year and see the achievement of their students as reflecting personally on themselves.

So for the first year she'll be in a dorm situation and living closely with her classmates. We can make it a small group of 4-6 people. That will allow us to develop them more. On the flip side, there will be older squires about who come around to see what the fresh meat are up to and to give them a hard time. Because hey, nothing says chivalry more than making it difficult for those who try to come up behind you.

 

[Traveler]

The Royal Family​

King Frederick Olmstein of Aarenthol

King Frederick Olmstein
Age: 52
H/W: 6'2"/200#

Can be cold and demanding. Slightly paranoid.

secret fear

Someone will learn that he was responsible for his older brother's death. His father, King Edward, has been dead for the last 10 years.

Princess Catherine Olmstein

Age: 21
H/W: 5'6"/145#

She wants to be adored. She knows that she will one day have to marry for station, and that her little brother will grow up to be king.

secret fear

That her father will discover that she hasn't been exactly chaste, and she will live the rest of her life as the lowly wife of a low level nobleman.

Prince William Olmstein (first year recruit)

Age: 18
H/W: 5'11"/165#

He is arrogant, yet pensive, and has a lot to prove. He has been trained by the best, and it is expected that he will do well.

secret fear

Despite his royal upbringing, he has never felt like he deserves the crown, or that his father approves of him. He fears his father's disappointment.

 

[Traveler]

Castle Knights Cadre - Permanent Assignment
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Knight Commander

Sir Edward Brairvale - Joust

Age: 46
H/W: 6'-0"/198#

Straight forward and blunt, he understands that those who pass into the realm of knighthood have many reasons for being here. They may be seeking fame, fortune, or good standing for their families. Whatever their reason for attending, if they are not properly prepared for the world they will face as Knights of Aarenthol it will mean death and dishonor for the men.

his secret fear

That he will let a recruit slip through who will not be adequate for the task.

Knights of the Castle

Sir Hubert Lawrence - Hand to Hand

Age: 30
H/W: 5'-11"/210#

Sir Hubert is cold and haughty. He rose up from the ranks and earned every 'privilege' that he has, and the recruits will have to do the same. No one gets a free pass. Either fight well, or die.

his secret fear

That he will wind up a washed-up drunkard like his abusive father.

Sir Jonathan Monroe - Swordsmanship

Age: 28
H/W: 5'-10"/160#

Sir Jonathan is witty, quick, and sarcastic. He also takes the weight of what they are called to do seriously, warning the recruits that it may seem heroic and romantic to be a mighty warrior, but that they will carry the memory of any lives they take with them forever.

his secret fear

That he will train someone to be a skilled fighter and they will use that skill to do evil in the name of the king.

Sir Robert Chase - Longbow/Crossbow

Age: 32
H/W: 6'-1"/180#

He has no time for humor, or tolerance for any as well. Archery is a skilled craft that takes concentration and strength of will. It's a union between man, bow, arrow and wind.

his secret fear

Sir Robert owes a huge debt to someone in town, and they have been pressing him to pay. Who he owes, why he owes it, how much he owes, and what they ask for in exchange for payment, are all secrets he guards with his life.

Non-Knight Cadre

Duncan - Horseman and Master of the Stables

Age: 52
H/W: 5'-8"/140#

He is down to earth and kindly firm with the horses. His stable is run like a ship. He believes that strength is not shown in how much damage you can do, but how you restrain yourself to do only what is needed.

his secret fear

That when he retires the horses will be cared for by someone who sees them merely as tools and not partners.

 

[Traveler]

Knights and their Second Year Squires​

Sir Leon Martin - Champion of the King

Age: 46
H/W: 6'-0"/2103

Seems quiet and observant. Thinks he can tame his squire. There was a lot of pressure to select young Andrew.

his secret fear

He will lose his position as Champion of the King if he does not bow to what the king desires.

Squire Andrew Silverman of Asterhelm

Age: 20
H/W: 6'-2"/180#

Arrogant, cruel, talented on the field, and has the king's eye (as well as his daughter's)

his secret fear

He fears nothing but irrelevance.

Sir Barney Feldhelm

Age: 40
H/W: 5'-11"/150#

Nice enough, but distrusts the elven knight.

his secret fear

That peace will end and they will see war in his lifetime.

Squire Blaine Kenningston

Age: 21
H/W: 5'-10"/165#

Stoic, quiet, knows a secret about Andrew.

his secret fear

If he does not achieve knighthood, his family will loose their holdings.

Knight and his Third Year Squires

Sir Robert Henry

Age: 44
H/W: 5'-11"/210#
Easy-going, stalwart and quiet

Squire Reginald Martin of Green Isles

Age:22
H/W: 5'-9"/165#
Squire to Sir Robert Henry
Studious, vicious on the tourney field

 

[Traveler]

Knights of Choosing
They are screening the first year candidates for squires.
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Sir Haldavar Neumentati - elf

Age: 160
H/W: 5'-6"/123#

Calculating, quiet, critical. Forty years ago, the human King Edward saved Haldavar's older brother, the heir to the elven throne. But the cost came a loss; his own son had died as a result. A son for a son - Haldavar was dedicated to serving the Kingdom of Aaernthol in exchange. The current king, King Frederick, is the younger brother of the son who was lost.

his secret fear

He will remain in this kingdom for generations and never see his homeland again.

Sir Charles Brighton, a son of the North

Age: 38
H/W: 6'-0"/180#

Demands perfection, but diplomatic.

his secret fear

That he will die without an heir, or be forced to divorce his barren wife to produce one, and maintain their family holdings.

Sir Thomas Garret, bastard son of a lesser nobleman

Age: 46
H/W: 6'-2"/195#

Very famous for bravery in battle, though some called it foolishness. He scorns all non-humans but Haldavar, who had selected him as a squire years ago.

his secret fear

That one day he will do something to bring dishonor to the kingdom, and all the naysayers will say that they knew the bastard wasn't worthy of being a knight.

Sir Tristan Beodin, the Black Knight

Age: 34
H/W: 5'-11"/158#

Comes from a wealthy family. Arrogant, abusive, and has been known to lash out when irritated.

his secret fear

He is loosing his sight and seeking a cure. He will do anything to keep his vision.

 

[Traveler]

The First-Year Recruits​

Prince William Olmstein

See the Royal family above.

Matthew Hallenfort

Age: 19
H/W: 6’0”/160#
Oddly smart about certain things, and ignorant of others, arrogant, will undercut others to succeed.

his secret fear

That his awkwardness around others will be interpreted as stupidity.

Richard Bock

Age: 18
H/W: 5’10”/150#
Jovial, skilled, quick of body and mind.

his secret fear

Others will call him weak and feminine because of his stature, and his battle-hardened father will be ashamed of his son.

Karl Penerbrook

Age: 20
H/W: 5’11”/170#
He wanted to be a bard, but his father had been training him since the age of three for this role. The only reason he had skipped coming sooner was because of the time it needed to heal and learn to walk again from a broken femur, that almost killed him.

his secret fear

That he will fail, and his father will think that he did it on purpose.

Victor Ravenholt

See Spark's post below.

 

[Spark]

The First-Year Recruits
(Continued)
​

Victor Ravenholt

Age: 21
H/W: 5'-5"/115#

Currently known to the world as Victor Ravenholt, the first-year recruit is none other than the twin sister of the named. Verona has long dreamed of becoming a knight, and has successfully disguised and presented herself as her brother to Falls Keep Academy. Despite having successfully masqueraded as Victor over the last three years - in order to formally train and compete in tournaments - taking on such an ambitious act, full time, in a barrack setting was... going to be difficult, to say the least.

Verona is straight-to-the-point. She communicates pointedly and purposefully, very rarely offering unnecessary words. In regards to the knights, this is a sign of respect: she understands all too well that she is nothing to them until she proves herself. Among peers the half-elf remains direct but she is willing to allow liberties in her speech; shows a strong preference for sharing unnecessary words with honorable and thoughtful types of people.

• Daughter of Edgar Ravenholt and Shalendra Staciadon
• Twin of Victor and younger sister of Randall Ravenholt.

her secret fear

Verona's most secret fear is painfully known by the reader throughout the story: that she will be found out to be a woman and disqualified before attaining knighthood.

A lesser known terror involves wanderlust: most specifically that she will succumb to this evil elven impulse, that one day she will abandon her obligations on a sudden whim.

Raab Jherric

Age: 23
H/W: 6'-2"/190#

As the eldest of the first-year recruits, Raab is a self professed late bloomer. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course, but the man has little interest in revealing his personal history or motivations to his peers or superiors. Raab is the eldest son of Kavren Jherric, a wealthy merchant who quite literally bought his noble lands and title. Their bloodline is revered in their country of origin, and they are respected in Aarenthol, though in the latter kingdom they remain regarded as foreigners. Attempts to marry Raab to a lady of a house of some renown - any house worthy of advancing their influence and social standing - fell apart at the mere mention of such arrangements. His quest for knighthood has been undertaken at the insistence of his father, who believes such a display of loyalty to the crown will greatly benefit the reputation and acceptance of their house.

Raab is very business minded, ever weighing the potential gain and risks of each action or word. He is naturally charming and is well versed in the art of the self-sale. His personality can shift dramatically from one social circle to another, his presentation tailoring to his current audience in order to gain their favor. Such chameleon-like charades are not so necessary in the venue of the academy, and perhaps his true traits will become evident throughout his training.

• First born son of Kavren and Marysia Jherric
• Eldest brother to five siblings

his secret fear

Raab fears that everyone is like him: that they are equally capable of being ingenuine, and that he might mistakenly buy their lies as sincerity.

Alexander Sorenson

Age: 18
H/W: 5'10"/160#

TBA

Ren Rowen

Age: 19
H/W: 6'-0"/170#

TBA

 

[Spark]

Noble Houses
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House Ravenholt

Verona Ravenholt

Age: 21
H/W: 5'-5"/115#

Currently known to the world as Victor Ravenholt, the first-year recruit is none other than the twin sister of the named. Verona has long dreamed of becoming a knight, and has successfully disguised and presented herself as her brother to Falls Keep Academy. Despite having successfully masqueraded as Victor over the last three years - in order to formally train and compete in tournaments - taking on such an ambitious act, full time, in a barrack setting was... going to be difficult, to say the least.

Verona is straight-to-the-point. She communicates pointedly and purposefully, very rarely offering unnecessary words. In regards to the knights, this is a sign of respect: she understands all too well that she is nothing to them until she proves herself. Among peers the half-elf remains direct but she is willing to allow liberties in her speech; shows a strong preference for sharing unnecessary words with honorable and thoughtful types of people.

• Daughter of Edgar Ravenholt and Shalendra Staciadon
• Twin of Victor and younger sister of Randall Ravenholt.

her secret fear

Verona's most secret fear is painfully known by the reader throughout the story: that she will be found out to be a woman and disqualified before attaining knighthood.

A lesser known terror involves wanderlust: most specifically that she will succumb to this evil elven impulse, that one day she will abandon her obligations on a sudden whim.

Victor Ravenholt

Age: 21
H/W: 5'-5"/115#

Coming soon!

Randall Ravenholt

Age: 23
H/W: 5'-8"/140#

Coming soon!

Edgar Ravenholt

Age: 51
H/W: 5'-11"/180#

Edgar Ravenholt receives more affection from crowds in a tavern than from his own house. Upon reaching adulthood the man abandoned his duties to his noble family, sneaking off in the dead of night to run away and live life as an adventurer. He was and remains a renowned bard, a man born with a natural talent in poetry and music and presence. Edgar is a hard man to miss: he's always been a bit of a charismatic peacock, and while he has toned down his costume over the decades, the man just can't get away from those shiny gold lined cloaks. It is rumored within Sunvale that his marriage to an elf granted him unnatural youth: though the bard would tell you that he only appeared younger than he was because he refused to grow up.

• Former Husband to Shalendra Staciadon
• Father to Verona, Victor, and Randall Ravenholt

his secret fear

Edgar fears that he has already failed his children.

Shalendra Staciadon Ravenholt

Age: 158
H/W: 5'-2"/100#

Shalendra Straciadon is an elven woman of charm, intelligence, and grace. During her life in Sunvale, she was known as a loving and devoted mother and wife. She disappeared eight years ago with no warning or note. Edgar explains the incident as the wanderlust of elves, though he hasn't the faintest as to the truth of it. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

Additional History

Shalendra was gifted with a silver-tongue, her natural eloquence earning her a place as a trusted diplomat during the War of Gregorstadt. The healer apprentice suggested and secured a temporary truce between the human Kingdom of Aarenthol and the elven Kingdom of Eladria, offering to cross enemy lines – at great risk to herself – in order to barter an agreement that could finally put an end to the brutal assaults of the orc. Once an agreement was made, the woman remained in Castle Cliff throughout the war as the elven liaison to King Edward Olmstein. After the unfortunate events that led to the death of the human Prince Roderick, it was Shalendra whose duty it was to ensure that the relations between the tentative allies wouldn't tear at the seams. She returned to Eladria with terms that would allow for their kingdoms to continue their peace, remorsefully asking that King Dylvalian Neumenstrati send a son to serve Aarenthol.

She resigned after the promise had been fulfilled, leaving her homelands in favor for the human ones.

• Former Wife to Edgar Ravenholt
• Mother to Verona, Victor, and Randall Ravenholt

her secret fear

Sir Haldavar Neumenstrati.