Gildre Family/Gilth

Gilth
Status:	Alive
Continent:	East Continent
Realm:	Greater Xavax
Previous Realms:	Vix Tiramora,Perdan
Current Titles:	Knight
Titles Held:	N/A
Class:	Cavalier
Honor:	76
Prestige:	26
Age:	38
Eyes:	Blue
Hair:	Auburn
Sword skills:	53
Jousting skills:	29
Leadership skills:	28
Infiltration skills:	N/A
Bureaucratic skills:	N/A
Preaching skills:	N/A
Unique Items:	N/A
Unique Items Held:	N/A

Appearance

You look upon a man who is just slightly past young. His dirty blonde hair is just barely long enough to tie back, yet his bangs have a habit of slipping free from their tie to hang in front of his face. His blue eyes compliment a pleasantly angular face. He is not pretty, but most would agree he is attractive.

At full height, he stand just over six feet tall. His limbs are long and lean, with rounded shoulders and a fairly broad back. He is athletic looking, with evidence that he trains regularly, but he is no mass of muscle.

He often sports a white tunic with a red rose crest embroidered on the chest, the crest of his family. Beneath he wears dark trousers, and leather knee high boots. He wields a simple hand-and-a-half sword, made of quality and held with high sentimental value.

Gilth's Betrayal

Gilth is the younger brother of Fiona. He had grown up watching her excel in all aspects of war and battle, and had devoutly followed in her footsteps. His heart had been heavy when she came of age and decided to join the ranks of nobility in Atamara. He had continued his studies in Perdan, honing his fighting skills with the masters in Aix. Many of his younger years were spent day dreaming of his sister's conquests as a warrior, while his instructors attempted to feed his mind with politics, economics, and other subjects which held no interest for the boy.

Eventually war came to Perdan. The Northern War was a volatile time for Perdan, which almost saw to Perdan's destruction. Gilth was nearing his own coming of age, and was ready to step into adulthood and lead men into battle. He was overjoyed when the family received word that Fiona had decided to return to Perdan and fight for the family motherland. Soon after her return, Fiona was proclaimed Queen of Perdan and Gilth was commissioned to lead his very first unit of warriors.

The Northern War was brutal, fast, and bloody. Gilth served as a lesser-knight under his sisters rule. Gilth fought in countless battles, many of which out numbered and out flanked, with unparalleled ferocity. Yet every enemy who fell to his blade did nothing to bring the approval of his sister to bear on him. She rarely answered his letters, and acted with a cool sense of aloof when they had chance meetings in battle camps. In the capital she isolated herself with her Dukes and ministers within the castle, of which he held not the rank to enter.

Time took its toll on Gilths admiration of Fiona, degrading him to a sense of resentment. She had been his mentor and friend for so many years, yet now it hardly seemed like he knew her at all. Gilth began to lack support for his sisters cause, and his attitude was noticed.

As with any kingdom, Perdan had dissenters. Gilth was approached by the Duke of Ubent Duchy, Duke Albert. The Duke had grown tired of Fionas rule, and viewed Perdan as a sinking ship. Or so he told Gilth. The silver tongued Duke played on Gilths resentment to his sister to draw him into his fold. The unappreciated brother of the monarch did much to lend support to Duke Alberts cause, and after much debate, separatism was decided on.

Shortly after Perdan finally made peace with the North, Duke Albert enacted his plan and ceded the Duchy to create Vix Tiramora. The center of the continent essentially imploded as a result as the ancient kingdom of Perdan was split in half.

Gilth and Arnick

Morning came and the sun inched upward into the sky providing all the land a fresh but terrible dawn. The gates of Patora were open and Arnick and his large cadre of warriors approached it. Huge, two handed swords suspended from their backs and many a shoulder muscle strained if not their entire backs. His arrival it seemed, had not gone unnoticed.

Fierce and fluttering in the dawn winds was a single banner. House Gildre. It stood atop the gate, another 2 flanked either side of the gatehouse itself. Knight Gilth called a challenge as he stood before it. "Till death! or are you too busy?!" His words dripped with mockery, it incensed Arnick. He all but ripped the massive length of steel from the donkey cart that housed his greatsword. A black handled and wicked blade that had cleft many a man in twine before, one more! a cresendo in Arnick's head.

His body covered in partial plate that interlocked and was amply augmented with heavy ring-mail and black leather undercoats. His bald head shone in the early light and his eyes were full of malice. "You die today then little man! I'll spike your head from that banner before the false dawn is over!" He pointed with his weapon at the gate-top-banner of House Gildre. A startling display of strength considering the angle of the huge sword.

Arnicked marched forwards with very confident strides and brought his mean, big sword ready in a guard. Your mother won't even recognize your corpse after the horror's I'll visit upon it! Spittle flew as he forced the words through clenched teeth.

Gilth stood atop the gatehouse in Partora, his banner propped up beside him, gazing at the road leading to the city. The challenge had been issued, finally, and now the issue could be put to rest. He spotted a company of warriors marching down the road, huge men, and at their lead was Arnick. Gilth leaned on the fortification and watched as the group got closer.

"Till death! Or are you too busy?" Gilth called down to him when he was close enough to hear.

"You die today then little man! I'll spike your head from that banner before the false dawn is over!" Arnick shouted at him, brandishing his enormous sword. This caused Gilth's eyebrows to raise. He had seen Arnick wield the devastating blade in battle before, but it never failed to shock him how easily the man hefted the huge slab of iron. Certainly Gilth himself would be unable to lift such a blade, let alone fight with it. He glanced down at his own sword, a long hand and a half. He knew beyond a doubt he was no match for Arnick in terms of strength. He hoped that he could use his agility to overcome in the duel. Suddenly, Gilth experienced a moment of doubt.

"Your mother won't even recognize your corpse after the horror's I'll visit upon it!" Arnick was still shouting at him. Gilth nodded. This was right. This man had become uncontrollable, not that he was ever very controlled to begin with. Someone had to check him. Gilth gripped his sword handle, and began to walk down the stairs of the gatehouse and made his way to the dueling grounds.

-=-=-

Duel (53 minutes ago) Arnick Renodin, Count of Woolton meets his challenger Gilth Gildre, Knight of Castle Ubent for the agreed duel till death. Gilth has decided to use the 'overrun' strategy while Arnick has chosen the 'neutral' strategy, giving Gilth the advantage. The duel goes as planned, then badly for Arnick. He suffers several slight wounds, then a final, fatal blow. The healers hurry, but they are too late.

-=-=-

Gilth wiped sweat from his brow as he stood above the motionless form of Arnick. The battle had be heated, and Gilth had had moments of doubt as to whether he would fell his opponent. It had been the most important fight of his life, and he had just barely won.

He had won.

He shook his head to clear it. Arnicks men stood nearby. Gilth held out his hand and his scribe placed a sack of gold coins into his hand. Gilth tossed the coins to Arnicks Captain.

"See that Lord Arnick gets a grand burial," Gilth said, "He was a brave man."

Gilth turned from the fighting grounds and accepted a towel offered by a servant. With one glance back, he made his way back to his camp, much to the relief of his Knights.

After the Two Years

Having lost Perdans namesake city, a third of her realm from war, and a third of her realm from betrayal, Fiona spiralled into darkness. Gilth and the other separatists began preparing their new realm for the war that Fiona would undoubtedly launch upon them. It was at Castle Ubent while preparing his men that Gilth received word of his sisters suicide. She had taken her own life on the throne.

Gilth blamed himself completely. Had he stayed true to the family, he could have supported his sister and rebuilt Perdan with her. He had let petty jealousy cloud his vision. In a state of grief, he disbanded his unit and disappeared into the mountains surrounding Castle Ubent for two years.

After two years in isolation, Gilth's stalwart companion Oldric found him in meditation at a monestary. He told Gilth of the war in the South, and how now more than ever Vix Tiramora needed warriors. Veterans of the Northern War had become few and far between. Gilth accepted, and returned to civilization.

Gilth once again proved his prowess in battle, this time specializing in mounted warfare. Gilth spent months in battle, living only to fight. During a particularly large battle against Greater Xavax Gilth met Dame Cadewyn Thunderborn. A ferocious fighter in her own right, her infantry unit held firm under Gilths charge. Gilth himself was unhorsed, and engaged in combat with Cadewyn. The result of the intense battle was the wounding of each other, and Gilth was pulled back Oldric as Greater Xavax forces closed in.

After that battle, Gilth felt a sense of reenergization. He could not stop his mind from wandering to the Dame, conjuring her face in his mind. Gilth began to have a more active role in the realm, feeling more alive. More than anything, he looked forward to meetings against Greater Xavax, in the hope that he might see Cadewyn again...

Greater Xavax: The Next Chapter

Gilth's pining for the lovely Lady Cadewyn eventually garnered the attention of the ruler of Greater Xavax, Xerarch Selenia. She presented Gilth with a single option: Cease his infatuation with an enemy Dame, or she would directly punish Cadewyn in his stead. Dismayed, Gilth spent days unsure of how to proceed. His heart had swelled in size, and he knew he could not simply give up his folly.

Instead, he did what no one could have expected. He betrayed Vix Tiramora, leaving their lands and joining Greater Xavax. He put himself at the mercy of the Xerarch, attempting to join the Imperium in pursuit of his love.

Gilth was met with great hostility from many nobles of Greater Xavax, yet some gave him the benefit of his story and extended a welcoming hand to him.

To determine his fate, a trial was to convene with the Phoenix Court in Leibo, involving the nobles of Greater Xavax. However, mere hours before his trial was to begin, Gilth was captured during an attack by Vix Tiramora.

Gilth resigned himself to certain execution at the hands of his former realm. He was sure he had lost everything, including his chance at love. Unbeknownst to him at the time, several heroes of Greater Xavax had formed a small strike force, and assaulted the Vix army. The confusion was enough for Gilth to obtain his horse and escape the prison camp.

Gilth made his way back to Leibo, but was discovered by a roving Vix patrol. With no other options, Gilth was forced to kill the two soldiers, officially dirtying his hands with Vix blood.

Returning to Leibo, Gilth was awarded a short time to clean himself before standing before the Xerarch's court. The Xerarch called forth any nobles who would argue for Gilth to be granted Knighthood in Xavax. The result was shocking to Gilth, for the number in support of him was staggering. Of his supporters included his new Countess Gia Dragonfyre, the Arbiter Aramon, Duke Iuz Crowmguard, all the Heroes of Xavax, and most importantly the Lady Cadewyn herself.

After hearing the testimonials, the Xerarch ruled in favor of knighting Gilth and allowing him to serve her and Xavax. Celebrations were to commence.

Finally, Gilth was afforded the chance to talk with the woman who had been the pivotal force in all his actions. Lady Cadewyn's honesty was forthcoming, as she explained that she did not love him, but that she would not refuse him as a suitor. Considering his last few days, Gilth considered this a monumental win in his favor.

Cadewyn did grant him one token of affection: a single kiss...

Gilth on Cavalry

"Cavalry... cavalry is a suicide venture, my friend. More often than not, it will kill you faster than a stray arrow. A cruel mistress. I must admit, I am clinging on to an Old Guard mentality... Cavalry is much more effective in larger numbers. When you have several units charge down the throat of the enemy, the results can be devastating. However, cavalry has become less and less popular with the aristocrats in this day of age."

Gilth continued, "It is a common school of practice to form cavalry at the rear, due to their speed. You see, you can count on them to move twice as fast as foot mobiles. Placing them at the rear of the army allows them to close with and destroy the enemy just as the two armies collide, covering them from archer fire as well as allowing them to charge, creating extra destruction. With that extra charging power, one cavalry unit will generally smash through around three dismounted units, causing considerable damage. This is largely dependent on the size and training of the unit. I have caused damage to six enemy units with one charge before, but that required a force of 60 cavalry."

He brushed some loose hair away from his face and adjusted his seat in his saddle, "Cavalry can be great for dictating the initial tempo of a battle, as well as opening a hole in the front ranks for the follow on infantry. However, this is where the suicide factor comes to play. Once their charge is depleted, cavalry fights generally in the same manner as the infantry. However, you usually end up a line ahead of the main force, thus you are committed to combat with the entire enemy army by yourself."

Gilth flourished his hand, "And speaking of suicide tactics, the majority of armies will deploy in the Archer Opening formation. A very sound and good formation. However, I have seen a tactic many years in the past of positioning cavalry to the front of your army. On the call, the riders charge with reckless abandon, using their speed to reach the archers before they move behind the infantry wall. If the cavalry can reach those archers, you can create devastating losses on their side. I have never personally engaged in this tactic, but you can see how it may be effective but you will undoubtedly be wiped out to a man and probably increase your risk of capture or wounding."

"Fortifications," Gilth sighed, "Are the bane of any cavalry commanders existence. Attacking urban centers and fortified positions requires changes to the commanders tactics. ALWAYS deploy to the rear in such situations, and have your men adopt a defensive posture. If not, you will simply lead your men to the walls, where they will be forced to trot back and forth while being cut down from arrow fire. Do not worry, the infantry will give you the signal once the fortifications have been breached, and then a charge can be made."

Gilth concluded, "All in all, speed is the greatest strength of cavalry. If you can put a small band of several units together, set to vanguard, they can be quite the hit and run force. And do not forget the 2:1 speed ratio on the battle field. Always expect casualties."

"I apologize, friend. I truly could talk cavalry for hours. Was this helpful in your search for knowledge?"

Gilth's Knighthood in Xavax

Obviously when Gilth first arrived he was treated with suspicion and often downright hostility. However, through hard work and the support of several prominent nobles of Xavax, he was able to prove his new loyalties and gather acceptance among the nobles.

However, it seemed that every step Gilth took forward resulted in a step back in his love story.

While things seemed to be going well in his courtship of the Lady Cadewyn, fate took an unfavorable turn for Gilth. Cadewyn's fiance returned from his disappearance, and more, he had not abandoned her but rather had been taken prisoner by family rivals. With this news, Cadewyn was caught in a difficult position, between two men who cared deeply for her.

Her decision resulted in an eloquent poem:

Upon a high hill, in a tower of bone

Lived a maid watching the world alone
The seas were in her eyes and song
And her hair was ever dark and long

She spoke to birds and beasts
Who lived in the trees
And sought no other friend
Only to live quietly until the end

But a small bush, that had never bloomed
Grew up and up to reach her room
To better hear the maid each night
And from her words came a new sight

A single bud had grown before her eyes
Perfect in shape color and size
Petals eased open, silky smooth
With it's beauty the maids heart did move

She whispered and admired it much
Though only once did a petal she touch
It gave her great joy for many a day
Until, alas it faded away

For the love of the Rose was pure
But in a harsh world it will not endure
She was blessed by the joy the Rose gave
And would cherish it's memory all of her days

I had the love of a rose, she would say
And so might you one perfect day
Seek your beauty, find your bliss
Be as cherished as me is my wish

The Rose's maid in her tower on high
Will never regret or ever cry
In her heart the Rose continue to live
And from her heart, it's gift to give.

– Cadewyn Thunderborn