Post by kaykay on Aug 24, 2009 20:35:31 GMT -5
Character
Name: Merrek
Rank: Lord Holder
Gender: Male
Age: 45 turns
Origin: Fort Hold
Appearance:
For a middle-aged man, Merrek was still very attractive. While he was not as fit as riders or even some of the drudges, he was in very good shape. He was tall, standing about six feet, and slender with nicely toned muscles.
He tanned nicely, and was not ashamed to get out and do a little bit of work in the sun. He had aged nicely, the few lines on his forehead and around his lips were clearly from smiling, and did not detract from his good looks.
He wore his brown hair with a little bit of length, just enough for fingers to run through. And his brown eyes had a quiet intensity to them that seemed to look through a person to the core of their being.
[image]
Family:
Father - Ashtin (deceased) The Former Lord Holder of Fort Hold. He was a proud man with exacting standards. He was forceful in making sure that Fort lived up to its proud heritage. As such he was very demanding on his family, especially his eldest son.
Mother - Naline (65) A still proud woman, kept content by the living arrangements her eldest son provides for her, and an advisor to him.
Wife - Sulia
Late Wife - Ralyn (deceased) Merrek had loved his first wife, but she died in child birth; unfortunately, so did the little girl she was giving birth to.
Siblings -
Sayalea (Sister; 44) Lady of another Hold (I'm going to leave this undefined so that it can be used later, where needed)
Danul (Brother; 41) minor Lord Holder of a Hold beholden to Fort
Liewryn (Sister; 40) married to another minor Lord Holder beholden to Fort
Quahin (Brother; 37) a Master Weaver.
Children -
Delek (son, 24). Delek is the Heir, currently serving as steward to his father.
Andros (son, 21). The second and last of Merrek's son. Serves in Fort's guard as Captain. He has been promised a minor hold of his own in a few years.
Alsea (daughter, 19)
Chaila (daughter, 17)
Melora (daughter, 16)
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Personality:
Merrek's first priority is his Hold. He defines himself and his family by Fort Hold. As the Lord Holder of Fort, he holds himself and his family to the highest of possible standards, afterall, they need to set an example for all the lesser... er... other Lords and their families.
Merrek is a very proud man, one rarely wrong, and even less frequently able to admit that he was ever wrong. That does not mean that he would do anything to put his hold in jeopardy, he's just not likely to admit that he was wrong.
While some people may think him haughty, his people are well cared for, after all they are his responsibility. However, he expects a lot out of him, and sees them as resources which much be kept at optimum capacity - thus content but not living so softly that they think they don't have to work.
For Merrek, failure is not acceptable. Not from himself, his wife, his children, or his people. Excuses are not acceptable. His children may think he's harsh, but that has not prevented other Holders from fostering their children with him.
While he has high standards, he does love his children. When they are doing well, he is more than willing to shower gifts upon them. He also spends time with them, not just trying to buy their affection with gifts - even if most of that time is instructional!
His biggest weakness is his wife. He is unable to deny her anything. While she is barren, he does not care, He has plenty of children, and does not wish to lose this one to childbirth.
Because of being the Lord Holder of Fort, Merrek maintains the traditions exactly. His tithes to Fort Weyr are exactly in keeping with the requirement, though despite the pressure from the Master Harper, he is not interested in adding extra. He well knows that the only other Hold who comes close to his, when it comes to the traditions, is Benden, and everyone knows that Benden Hold might as well be made of Riders themselves.
Hobbies/Skills:
Merrek enjoys any activity in which he can excel. He enjoys duelling, though he usually avoids duels to the death. Partly because he does not believe they prove anything about honor, and partly because he really does not enjoy killing people. However, he has been in a couple of duels of honor. In most, the other surrundered after first blood. However, in one, his opponent's life ended that day.
He also enjoys stones. He sees that as a kind trial of honor and intelligence which does not result in the wasting of life.
He also enjoys racing runners, though he does not breed them himself.
Pets: Pets are a waste of time
History:
Merrek was the first born son of the, then, heir of Fort Lord and his young wife. When he was born to Ashtin and Naline, a Gather was held to celebrate the continuing line of the Fort Holders.
As a young boy, he was doted upon by both his parents and his grandparents. He was the golden boy who could do no wrong. He was also watched over every moment of the day. As he had no siblings, his family was very careful to make sure that no harm came to the young boy.
Shortly after he was three turns old, a sister was born. He could not understand the excitement over the crying thing who didn't even do anything interesting. She was boring! And she made people pay attention to her instead of him!
One day, when the young boy was angry about being ignored, he slipped away from his nurse. He slipped outside and was climbing a wall, when his hand slipped. He fell. While he did break his ribs, he managed to heal from that with no lasting repurcussions.
After that, his grandfather decided it was time to start teaching the young future heir what it meant to belong to Fort. From then on, his life changed. He was constantly being taught, and nothing short of his best was ever accepted. While it might not have been the most enjoyable of childhoods, he is very grateful to his grandfather, and then his father for those early lessons.
When he was five turns old, his grandfather died, and his father became the Lord. While the young boy missed his grandfather, he cried only a little, knowing already that lords are not supposed to show weakness.
He was often sent to Harper Collegium to learn the Traditions of Fort and all of Pern. It was instilled in him that, as the future Lord Holder of Fort, that it was his responsibility to lead Pern in keeping to the traditions.
He was also taught early how to use a sword. However, his first fight had not been with swords, but with fists. A boy fostered from Crom Hold had said that Thread was not real, but just a lie that the Riders made to make people take care of them. The young Merrek had pomeled the boy mercilessly.
His father had punished him; however, in private, he had told him that he was proud of him and to always stand up for the traditions.
For two turns when he after he turned 13, he was fostered to High Reaches Hold. While he enjoyed his time there, he realized just how "soft" the other Holders were. He also met his future first wife. They became good friends, but nothing more, and then he was brought back home.
By the time he was 16 turns old, he was known for his skill with a sword. He won most of his spars and fencing matches. However, there were still a few who were able to beat him. He found this unacceptable and continued to work to perfect his skill with the sword.
At the age of 19, Merrek was betrothed. He was pleased to learn that his parents had chosen Ralyn. At least he would get to spend his life with a friend. When she was brought to a Gather, he was amazed to see how much she had blossomed.
Their marriage was happy, though he did not realize he loved her until he saw her swelling with their child. In that moment, he understood what love was.
Delek is also the reason that Merrek killed a man. One of his father's lesser Holders had claimed that the child Ralyn carried was his. While Ralyn denied the charge, and the birth of the child cleared the issue up, there was no doubt that Delek was Merrek's son, the injury to his honor had to be answered. Merrek challenged the man to a dual. The fight was short, and the man did not have a chance to surrender after first blood, because Merrek followed it quickly with the killing blow. No one blamed him, but Merrek developed a reputation as a hothead that it took him years to work off. He also felt guilty that he did not give the man quarter.
Two turns after the birt of Delek, his father died from a sudden Heart Attack. Merrek and Ralyn were installed as Lord and Lady Holder, and Merrek continued to uphold the traditions of the oldest Hold of Pern. He gave a generous gift to show his continuing support of Harper's Hall, as well as a gift to Fort Weyr to show that he would continue to tithe as his father had.
With the birth of each child, Merrek threw a Gather, celebrating that Fort would continue. However, with the last child - still born and the death of her mother, Merrek seemed to become even more focused on the life of the Hold. He grew cold towards his children. Fortunately, this lasted only half a turn when his youngest daughter, Melora, broke her arm.
Two turns ago, Merrek married Sulia. Since then, his people have noticed that he has become a happier man. He is still just as demanding of his people as he's ever been.
Name: Merrek
Rank: Lord Holder
Gender: Male
Age: 45 turns
Origin: Fort Hold
Appearance:
For a middle-aged man, Merrek was still very attractive. While he was not as fit as riders or even some of the drudges, he was in very good shape. He was tall, standing about six feet, and slender with nicely toned muscles.
He tanned nicely, and was not ashamed to get out and do a little bit of work in the sun. He had aged nicely, the few lines on his forehead and around his lips were clearly from smiling, and did not detract from his good looks.
He wore his brown hair with a little bit of length, just enough for fingers to run through. And his brown eyes had a quiet intensity to them that seemed to look through a person to the core of their being.
[image]
Family:
Father - Ashtin (deceased) The Former Lord Holder of Fort Hold. He was a proud man with exacting standards. He was forceful in making sure that Fort lived up to its proud heritage. As such he was very demanding on his family, especially his eldest son.
Mother - Naline (65) A still proud woman, kept content by the living arrangements her eldest son provides for her, and an advisor to him.
Wife - Sulia
Late Wife - Ralyn (deceased) Merrek had loved his first wife, but she died in child birth; unfortunately, so did the little girl she was giving birth to.
Siblings -
Sayalea (Sister; 44) Lady of another Hold (I'm going to leave this undefined so that it can be used later, where needed)
Danul (Brother; 41) minor Lord Holder of a Hold beholden to Fort
Liewryn (Sister; 40) married to another minor Lord Holder beholden to Fort
Quahin (Brother; 37) a Master Weaver.
Children -
Delek (son, 24). Delek is the Heir, currently serving as steward to his father.
Andros (son, 21). The second and last of Merrek's son. Serves in Fort's guard as Captain. He has been promised a minor hold of his own in a few years.
Alsea (daughter, 19)
Chaila (daughter, 17)
Melora (daughter, 16)
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Personality:
Merrek's first priority is his Hold. He defines himself and his family by Fort Hold. As the Lord Holder of Fort, he holds himself and his family to the highest of possible standards, afterall, they need to set an example for all the lesser... er... other Lords and their families.
Merrek is a very proud man, one rarely wrong, and even less frequently able to admit that he was ever wrong. That does not mean that he would do anything to put his hold in jeopardy, he's just not likely to admit that he was wrong.
While some people may think him haughty, his people are well cared for, after all they are his responsibility. However, he expects a lot out of him, and sees them as resources which much be kept at optimum capacity - thus content but not living so softly that they think they don't have to work.
For Merrek, failure is not acceptable. Not from himself, his wife, his children, or his people. Excuses are not acceptable. His children may think he's harsh, but that has not prevented other Holders from fostering their children with him.
While he has high standards, he does love his children. When they are doing well, he is more than willing to shower gifts upon them. He also spends time with them, not just trying to buy their affection with gifts - even if most of that time is instructional!
His biggest weakness is his wife. He is unable to deny her anything. While she is barren, he does not care, He has plenty of children, and does not wish to lose this one to childbirth.
Because of being the Lord Holder of Fort, Merrek maintains the traditions exactly. His tithes to Fort Weyr are exactly in keeping with the requirement, though despite the pressure from the Master Harper, he is not interested in adding extra. He well knows that the only other Hold who comes close to his, when it comes to the traditions, is Benden, and everyone knows that Benden Hold might as well be made of Riders themselves.
Hobbies/Skills:
Merrek enjoys any activity in which he can excel. He enjoys duelling, though he usually avoids duels to the death. Partly because he does not believe they prove anything about honor, and partly because he really does not enjoy killing people. However, he has been in a couple of duels of honor. In most, the other surrundered after first blood. However, in one, his opponent's life ended that day.
He also enjoys stones. He sees that as a kind trial of honor and intelligence which does not result in the wasting of life.
He also enjoys racing runners, though he does not breed them himself.
Pets: Pets are a waste of time
History:
Merrek was the first born son of the, then, heir of Fort Lord and his young wife. When he was born to Ashtin and Naline, a Gather was held to celebrate the continuing line of the Fort Holders.
As a young boy, he was doted upon by both his parents and his grandparents. He was the golden boy who could do no wrong. He was also watched over every moment of the day. As he had no siblings, his family was very careful to make sure that no harm came to the young boy.
Shortly after he was three turns old, a sister was born. He could not understand the excitement over the crying thing who didn't even do anything interesting. She was boring! And she made people pay attention to her instead of him!
One day, when the young boy was angry about being ignored, he slipped away from his nurse. He slipped outside and was climbing a wall, when his hand slipped. He fell. While he did break his ribs, he managed to heal from that with no lasting repurcussions.
After that, his grandfather decided it was time to start teaching the young future heir what it meant to belong to Fort. From then on, his life changed. He was constantly being taught, and nothing short of his best was ever accepted. While it might not have been the most enjoyable of childhoods, he is very grateful to his grandfather, and then his father for those early lessons.
When he was five turns old, his grandfather died, and his father became the Lord. While the young boy missed his grandfather, he cried only a little, knowing already that lords are not supposed to show weakness.
He was often sent to Harper Collegium to learn the Traditions of Fort and all of Pern. It was instilled in him that, as the future Lord Holder of Fort, that it was his responsibility to lead Pern in keeping to the traditions.
He was also taught early how to use a sword. However, his first fight had not been with swords, but with fists. A boy fostered from Crom Hold had said that Thread was not real, but just a lie that the Riders made to make people take care of them. The young Merrek had pomeled the boy mercilessly.
His father had punished him; however, in private, he had told him that he was proud of him and to always stand up for the traditions.
For two turns when he after he turned 13, he was fostered to High Reaches Hold. While he enjoyed his time there, he realized just how "soft" the other Holders were. He also met his future first wife. They became good friends, but nothing more, and then he was brought back home.
By the time he was 16 turns old, he was known for his skill with a sword. He won most of his spars and fencing matches. However, there were still a few who were able to beat him. He found this unacceptable and continued to work to perfect his skill with the sword.
At the age of 19, Merrek was betrothed. He was pleased to learn that his parents had chosen Ralyn. At least he would get to spend his life with a friend. When she was brought to a Gather, he was amazed to see how much she had blossomed.
Their marriage was happy, though he did not realize he loved her until he saw her swelling with their child. In that moment, he understood what love was.
Delek is also the reason that Merrek killed a man. One of his father's lesser Holders had claimed that the child Ralyn carried was his. While Ralyn denied the charge, and the birth of the child cleared the issue up, there was no doubt that Delek was Merrek's son, the injury to his honor had to be answered. Merrek challenged the man to a dual. The fight was short, and the man did not have a chance to surrender after first blood, because Merrek followed it quickly with the killing blow. No one blamed him, but Merrek developed a reputation as a hothead that it took him years to work off. He also felt guilty that he did not give the man quarter.
Two turns after the birt of Delek, his father died from a sudden Heart Attack. Merrek and Ralyn were installed as Lord and Lady Holder, and Merrek continued to uphold the traditions of the oldest Hold of Pern. He gave a generous gift to show his continuing support of Harper's Hall, as well as a gift to Fort Weyr to show that he would continue to tithe as his father had.
With the birth of each child, Merrek threw a Gather, celebrating that Fort would continue. However, with the last child - still born and the death of her mother, Merrek seemed to become even more focused on the life of the Hold. He grew cold towards his children. Fortunately, this lasted only half a turn when his youngest daughter, Melora, broke her arm.
Two turns ago, Merrek married Sulia. Since then, his people have noticed that he has become a happier man. He is still just as demanding of his people as he's ever been.