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Background
Gauvain Riley Tarris was born to the nobility, specifically as the son of the Archduke of Galenthia, Dougal Tarris. He was also born to a world at war. All Gauvain has known is war. Born in the summer of 1829 while the war that would be come to be known as the Thirty Year war was in full swing. At the age of ten he was squired to his father, and from there learned the ways of knighthood, Command and what it meant to be both a Duke and a Warrior.
Gauvain studied hard with his father. Listening to war councils, practicing with horse, lance and blade. By sixteen the young Squire had not been in battle himself, but had seen the effects of war. It was at the end of Marse of his Sixteenth year that Gauvain rode to battle beside his father. He was a part of the Cavalry, surrounded by Tarris Knights and Cavalrymen. They swooped in and dismantled an Aequor line, and then turned to engage again. He did well. Keeping both his seat and his lance, and managed to fell three men. From that on his father saw that was in every engagement he was in, and made Gauvain a speaking member of the councils. As the future Duke of Tarris, he needed to be seen by the men speaking and assisting his father so that they would come to trust him.
Quickly they did, as Gauvain's mind was sharp and attuned well to the idea of logistics and tactics. His father began more and more to rely on Gauvian at the war councils to see some flaw in either his father's plan of attack or a weakness in the enemy's defenses. He began to be invited to the drills of other household knights, and even once, at his father's request, dissected a plan the King had for a large battle, and helped strengthen in. It was this knowledge that led to Gauvain being Knighted by his father.
Archduke Dougal Tarris was killed shortly after his son was Knighted by an arrow to his throat. After he was confirmed as the new Duke of Tarris, he had to take the field. Here he destroyed the Aequor House of al'Callenta in the field of battle at the age of eighteen. While the house would recover, they were unable to recover from the dismantling that the Tarris Troops had given them in the field. It was also here that Gauvain met the love of his life, Alessa Ashedown.
Alessa was a camp worker who worked as a servant for his father. The two were of an age, and as she took over as the serving duties for Gauvain. The two began a fast friendship that eventually became a tragic tale of Love. For as they were allowed to keep each other "company" they would not be permitted to marry, as Gauvain was a Duke, and Alessa was just a commoner. Though they would not be permitted to marry, Gauvain would turn down marriage alliances and keep the two together as Lord and Consort.
Two short years after the end of the War, Gauvain once again found himself at war. This time it was a Civil War. Siding with the Thorn, Gauvain was made the commander of the Thorn's forces in the field of battle as his Chief General. Gauvian's reasons for siding with the Thorn was simple. At the time he simply felt the Thorn's claim was stronger. The war itself was brutal, but Gauvain won nearly every battle and drove the forces of the Rose to the brink of defeat.
However, something happened, Gauvain turned against the Thorn at what was to be the final battle between the two. In what has become the Battle of the Betrayer, Gauvain systematically attacked and destroyed the forces of the Thorn that where not of House Tarris. After the battle he surrendered his Sword to the soon to be Queen, the famed Sidhe Steel Blade Vendetta. She would return the blade a week later, and soon Gauvain would once again lead armies and end the war.
After the war Gauvain was introduced by the Church to Sir Jaren Cassomir who was ordered by both Church and Queen to watch him. What he first believed to be a watchdog soon became his most trusted friend. Though he has been granted pardon by the Young Queen of Galenthia, Gauvain lives with his actions during the Civil War, and does what he can to atone for his actions.
It did however have a negative side effect. Gauvain became an avid drinker and a bit of a drunk. This drinking increased when Alessa died of a sickness, leaving him with two Bastard Children. Gauvain had already recognized the children, to much eyebrow raising by the other nobles at court, and he had accepted them both as his squires. Though he and Bethany are close, his son, Corwin is a touch distant. He does however love his son. It is his goal to see both his children set with good marriages that would profit them and see them happy.
Bg secret
The reason for Betrayal
(The following is IC information that Gauvain has told exactly four people.)
Gauvain did not suddenly have a change of heart at the Battle of Betrayer, he found the reason for the Thorn's madness. After a long battle, the Duke discovered that the Thorn had been wounded but was able to shrug it off, and to continue fighting as if he was not only unharmed, but his blows were far harder, far more faster than even his own. He went to his King's tent to both congratulate his King on a battle well fought, but what he found was the Thorn, feeding on the blood of a young girl, a red jewel exposed on his chest.
Gauvain is not what one would call a man of learning, but he is a man of the One Faith. He did not believe the Thorn to be a Vampire, for the Thorn was in the light far too often, but the Jewel. After some light digging, and research he learned that the Jewel was a Chaos Gem, a remnant of the Old Things, and it had given the Thorn supernatural powers in combat, but he now knew that he and the other Lords had fallen for a kind of mind trick. Something that when he had discovered it, when he witnessed the Jewel and his Lord, his mind had snapped free of the compulsion. It was then that he knew Antone had not needed to convince his entire army, just a few powerful Lords. Such as himself. In shame he went to the Church, and soon found himself standing before a Knight he had seen on the battlefield on the service of the Rose. One Sirrah Cantire, who revealed that they were an Archbishop of the Holy Order of the Vigil.
Expecting a trap the Duke of Tarris drew Vendetta, the Sidhe Steel Bastard Sword of his family and prepared to defend himself. When the Knight lay down his sword, and several other men stepped out and laid theirs down, he was confused. Until the High Priest of Rikton himself stepped out and after Gauvain knelt and laid his sword at the High Priest's feet, found his instructions.
These men were Knights of the Order of the Vigil, an order sent to protect Galenthia from the Darkness of the Shadows and the things of legend that occasionally go bump in the night. They quickly found that the other Lords and Ladies where enthralled to the Thorn, and there was only one way to stop him. They had to burn his jewel, and defeat his armies. Gauvain drew up the plan, knowing that his men would be in position along with the other houses to do battle against the last of the Rose's forces. He would strike then. Then, with these knights, in the confusion of the battle, he would strike the jewel from Antone Romante, and the Knight Captain Cantire would Burn it in a ritual, and hopefully end his former King.
The battle was long, brutal and terrible. But when it was over, The Thorn had been terribly wounded, as Gauvain along with the Knights had managed to shatter the jewel after a long melee in the midst of the battle. The Thorn left, wounded and fading, and would eventually be found, defeated and executed, but Gauvain kept the secret, because it is the one task that has been asked of him.
The High Priest allowed him to tell only his Queen, which he did, in private with a wounded Sir Jaren Cassomir as witness. He presented the seal that explained it, and validated his claims by the Church. Then Gauvain knelt, held out his sword to the Queen and Cassomir, swore allegiance to the Rose, and offered his life if the Queen would only spare his children. He too had been enthralled, and though he corrected it, he had been the one to make the plans that so nearly destroyed his beloved kingdom.
The Queen let Gauvain live. She needed him. The Kingdom needed him. He continued the war, rooting out teh last of the Thorn's hold outs, and then captured the Thorn at the final battle. Delivered him for Execution and then went home. The Church had a Cardinal waiting for him, a member of the Inquisition. The man informed Gauvain that he wouldn't ask the Duke of Tarris to be a member of the Order of the Vigil, he clearly had far too many duties here in Tarris, but he could serve the Church when needed as a Brother to the Vigil.
Gauvain nodded. Accepted. And Griffon Pointe is now a safe house for the Order, as well as a home to some of the weary knights. He sees they are taken care of, and if needed helps them. He is after all a Knight, and a Knight's duty is to his Queen, even if the rest of the world need not know of his service, or what he had done.
On the Grid
Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zBzxd6z7MA&index=35&list=PLE3D07CF18375CFC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9KcMPGlZ_s&list=PLE3D07CF18375CFC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScNNfyq3d_w&index=84&list=PLE3D07CF18375CFC0
Standing just over six feet, the man before you is well build and has a hard look about him. Vibrant green eyes look out upon the world in a way that says this is a man that is not used to smiling, and lines near the eyes show that many hours and days have been spent beneath a visored helm. His long Auburn hair falls to just past his shoulders and is tied into a neat and orderly tail by a black leather braided cord. Just beneath the eyes a thin black line with barbs have been tattooed, making the rare occasion when he smiles make him appear to be scowling.
Personality: Large knight who rides a large Black Warhorse named Strider that is incredibly bad-tempered, but also incredibly intelligent. Gauvian is also known for his less than sociable personality, and as a man who rather enjoys his Ale and Wine. He had his Face Tattoo'd in the fashion of the Tribes that used to roam the lands of Griffon Point.
Assumed House Quirks
Aggressive: Members of House Tarris all-too-often tend to think that there are very few solutions that can't be solved with violence. They sometimes have to be reined in a bit.
Down-to-Earth: Folk of the Tarris line tend to be fairly pragmatic and earthy folk. Sometimes-coarse humor and comparatively close ties with their smallfolk (particularly their soldiers) are commonplace. They often make a point to share the same discomforts and trials as those serving under them, even when they need not do so.
Hot-Tempered: Many of House Tarris are quick to anger. Coupled with their aggressive tendencies, it is no wonder they have such a potent warlike reputation. Even their most calm members have a breaking point, and while it may run hot or it may run cold, their anger is usually frightening for most to behold.
Quirks
Alcoholic: The Recent losses of his Consort, combined with what he had done in the Civil War has driven Gauvain to seek drink on an average night. His favorite is Whiskey and he almost always has a flask on his person of the stuff. Though he is also a lover of Red Wines.
Rough Around the Edges: Gauvain is not known as a nice person. Though he means well, his demeanor is often gruff, and he speaks harshly in a gravelly voice. The Tattoos around his face, a mark of an accomplished Tarris Cavalryman, only makes his countenance all the more fearsome. Many of the time he has smiled to a child and the child runs for the hills.
The Betrayer: The Byname of the Betrayer is more than just a name, it is who he has become. To much of the Kingdom of Galenthia and the West, who know nothing of the reasons, he is simply a man who betrayed his King, and eventually brought him to execution. As such many Lords are fearful of the man, and mistrustful of his intentions.
Legendary Commander: Gauvain has become known for his skill at tactics, logistics, and has been known to win mass combat battles that he had no right winning. The closest to defeat he has ever come was the Battle against Ceasere a;'Callenta As such, many seek to study his maneuvers in past battles both to further their skills and to hopefully be able to defeat The Betrayer should their paths cross in combat.
(alia darius dcs event firestorm gauvain log ludovic powerfulman ramius tavat teleko)
(brennart dcs elian endings event gauvain lillian log powerfulman)
(bethany brennart chessa dertan evae event gauvain jarret log lysette rowena sonya thomas)
Relationships
- Romante
- Cassomir
- Tarris
- Chandus
- Solizar
- Sokar
- Arkanin
- Kaedon
- Reine
- al'Ramar
- al'Morena
- D'Armaz
- al'Mordran
- al'Callenta
- al'Arran
- The One Faith
- Commoners
Humphrey Solizar : Another Vassal. Though I have not personally met the man, his forces were present at several battles and I can say they performed well. Perhaps I will meet with him. |
Isabel Sokar : She's a bloody flame'n cunt waffle who needs to fall off one of her rowboats and fuck'n drown. |
Alejander III : I don't think this man likes me very much. Not that I will see his Eminence ever again, I think, but I really get the feeling he thinkks the Queen was a fool for giving me a pardon. |