Arrian ap Athgar

Knight

Played by: Vanessa Arrian ap Athgar

Name:Arrian ap Athgar
Age: 24
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 159

Background:
Born in the Saxon populated northern region of Dinas Dwr. Arrian was the second child to Elene and Athgar, Cheiftain of a Saxon village. His childhood was one of relative isolation from his father who was busy preparing his son for eventual chieftainship of the village. Arrian spent his childhood amongst the warriors of the village hoping one day he could be one of them and go on to an honorable and glorious life. Spending what time he had playing with wooden swords, many saw his spirit and sheer determination as being his focal point in a life that would lead him to be a great warrior. Arrian had never dreamed nor hoped that he would become chieftain instead of his brother, all he wanted to do in life was be a great warrior like his father had been before ascending the role of chieftain.

Not long after undergoing the right of passage to adulthood, Arrian was humiliated by his brother who now was taking on a more leadership role, his duty was to look after and safeguard his three nieces Amelia, Gyda and Kendra. Laughed upon by the other warriors for becoming a mother figure to three young girls, Arrian had said a silent prayer to the gods to deliver vengeance upon his brother for giving him such a shameful task for such a determined warrior.

It was not Arrian's intention for this to come true. But five days later a large force of Picts swept into the village taking everyone by surprise. Arrian taking up his sword wanted to go and fight and like his warrior brethren die with glory but that would doom his three nieces and so he remained in their home to protect them, a task he succeeded at by defeating several warriors determined to pillage and burn. While holding off the attacks he couldn't prevent the house from being torched and hid with the three on the outskirts of the village. The next morning he returned seeing the whole village had been burned, his father executed, his mother no where to be found, his sister in law taken away as a slave and his brother had died while cowering in the chieftains hut.

Not prepared to take up the mantle of chieftain, Arrian was going to leave his people to their own fate but couldn't bear to turn his back on them. And so he took up his father's chieftain horn and sounded it letting the people know he would not abandon them. Leading the survivors on a mass exodus from Dinas Dwr and traveling south, Arrian wanted to get as far away as possible from the Picts who could at any time return to finish his people off.

The journey was long and took its toll upon the survivors. Those that couldn't continue remained behind in the nearest village and those strong enough to follow their leader south to the border, of Abertawe. Riding on to the capital of Alban, Arrian hoped that the king would welcome his people into his kingdom and permit them to rebuild their shattered lives in the fair land. Sympathetic to all they had suffered, the king agreed and Arrian returned to his people instructing for a new village to be built. Granyth, as the new village was called was built by the survivors only three months later. Arrian not only took up the mantle of chieftain of his tribe but also as a loyal subject to the king should he ever need fifty more warriors.

Arrian ap Athgar

Personality Profile:
While appearing to at first be a withdrawn and silent individual, Arrian will always speak his mind and encourage others to do the same. Unlike his brother he will not rule with an iron fist. An honorable man, Arrian cares more about his people than anything else and will fight to his last breath to defend them. A warrior in his heart he still has difficulty adjusting to leadership as he wants to always fight battles instead of sending others to fight, but as the only male member of his family he must remain alive until he has an heir old enough to be chieftain.

Physical Profile: A strong and tall man, Arrian has the physic of a true Saxon warrior as well as the general appearance. Unlike his brother however Arrian looks much more noble than any Saxon chieftain before him but cannot compare to the barons, earls and dukes of the court. A traditionalist Arrian will favor Saxon style clothes over anything else and will only wear traditional Saxon armor including his studded tunic, wrist guards and shin guards. When people look at him they see a man with confidence.

Skills and Abilities:
A swordsman first and foremost, Arrian is also skilled with other Saxon weaponry like the axe or the spear. Relying on his strength and stamina to stand his ground in battle Arrian is a very capable warrior by any standard. While his leadership is still in the works, Arrian can use his authority where and when it is needed and has gained a father like skill by raising his three nieces.

Special Notes:
Once referred to as Arrian the tall. His mantle of leadership has given him enough of a title without anyone making one for him. The care of his nieces is equal to that of his care of the tribe. Amelia is 14, Gyda is 12 and Kendra is 10.