Gibson Family/Ferdinand

Ferdinand

Ferdinand, the son of Timothy and Drieir Gibson, set out from his home in Nida soon after his 20th birthday. Unsure of what he sought, he decided to try a more exciting life than that of managing his father's estate by becoming a knight. He had heard that the city of Skalk would be an excellent place to start his search for a liege, and was not disapointed. Entering service under the Duke of Skalk, Dakkon Blackblade, Ferdinand entered his new career with ghusto. Ferdinand was assigned to The Lightning and participated in several key campaigns against Falasan. He assisted in the take overs of Nazgorn early in February (2009) and Beleriel. Ferdinand became a Knight of Barad Falas, when it was acquired by the Cagilan Empire and the Dukeship was transfered to Duchess Rennee Quaseth. He is also the proud owner of the helmet, the Daemonic Helm of the Vulcano, which is currently being repaired with the help of Freeman Connor.

Essay on the Responsibilities of Knights

The following letter is a response to Sir Bruce's opinion: "A real honourable man should pledge his loyalty first to his liege, then the kingdom or empire. It is my liege that pays me, not the King. If the liege betrays his current empire, I would follow. I see nothing wrong in that. The fault lies in the hand of the liege."

Sir Bruce,

I disagree. Our loyalty should not stem solely from the person who pays us. If a liege betrays the empire he serves, the fault doesn't lay only in the liege's hands.

When a knight follows and supports his liege in doing wrong, he is just as guilty as his liege. His liege may get most of the attention and blame, but behind the scenes it is the knight who makes it possible. An analogy that comes to mind is that of a horse and rider. The rider may command his horse to walk into quicksand, but it is the horse's decision to follow and seal both their demises.

In the case of Duke Maniac, he betrayed Falasan, purposly upsets the Cagilan Empire's plans for the region of Barad Falas, and proposes a duel which is a violation of Cagilan law.

Some of his knights have chosen to support him in what he is doing. They continue to serve him as knights and allow him the means to stay in power. How the knights of Barad Falas can justify defending and putting their trust in a disloyal and unpredictible man is, frankly, beyond me. Why entrust your career to a shaky foundation? Those knights will not have my complete trust or respect as long as they continue to support a person that is untrustworthy.

Ferdinand Gibson (Knight of Skalk)