Olik Family/Gauihu

Gauihu

Overview

The second oldest son of the Oliks, Gauihu (pronounced Gah-oo-EEH-hoo) was often underestimated by his unfavourable appearance. He has changed careers several times between soldier and trader, and seems to have too little patience for the latter. Although some have considered him cowardly, he has fought in several battles in service of Abington, and it is rumored he has a penchant for depraved killings and other crimes involving enemy prisoners or peasants. Of course, these are only rumors, and likely to prove as false as those about his cowardice.

Unlike many nobles he disdains the use of a horse, and doesn't strain his troops to fly the family crest. Some see this as a sign of shame or disrespect for his family, but in fact Gauihu is a fairly practical fellow and prefers to have every man capable of fighting doing so. Although he has never waded into the midst of melee combat, on occasion he's been seen drawing a bow and firing, in the command of an archer unit. Like many nobles he has excellent skill with the bow, but it is not his strong suit. When it comes to riding upon a horse, Gauihu is clearly uncomfortable. This, along with an impressive sword skill, was confirmed at the enormous tournament held in the Cagilan Empire during his 34th year. He lasted into the 6th swordfighting round, competing against six nobles and losing to Zadar Nargath.

A quiet man by nature, he was once egregarious when it comes to drinking and engaged in festivities alongside his fellow nobles, especially after a victorious battle. He became embittered during a battle of Chasnoff, when he thought he was wrongly abandoned by the army and wounded by the Northern Alliance Army that was currently invading at the time. Nowadays, when he speaks out, it is usually with caustic criticism or abrupt cynicism.

Career

Gauihu is by far the most politically successful of the family, being an outspoken supporter of "Abington's survival, success, and supremacy" and ascending the feudal hiearchy to become what Lady Doc's Biatch once referred to as the most powerful of positions, that of Judge.

In August he was appointed one of the three Ministers of the People of Abington, swearing to help guide the youthful nobility and realm's newcomers, and to report on the needs and wants of the people to the Royal Court and Council of the People. He was also appointed as Count of Wynford in September, but lost the title - temporarily, he is quick to assure those near to him - after being imprisoned by the Ash Sea Islands after a battle. He is also the founder of a Fencing Guild dedicated to developing and tutoring in an Abington National Style of swordfighting, a personal skill he has developed reasonably (though he is not a Master).

He first became the judge of Abington by a close election with many viable candidates. He stepped down as Minister of the People on that day as well, citing the reason that he would have more than his share of votes on the Court and Council of the People if he didn't.

Since the death of his friend, the hero Feldric, Gauihu has been noticeably cold-hearted - and that's saying a lot. Later, the death of his friend Deschain only further compounded this. During his tenure as Arch-Priest he is known to have spent a lot of time in "discussions" with the prisoners; his Abington_Common_Code is harsh-minded with regards to penalties (though not unusually so for the time); and he executed at least five nobles (the traitors Vigilantius, Doad, El Cidd and I Will Survive and the outlaw Darmargo) and sentenced to death two more (though both, Fangdor and Doc's Biatch, managed to escape the punishment).

His legacy has since been variously referred to as "cruel" or "merciless," yet it should be noted that these terms largely originate from convicts (and their sympathizers). Politically, his is a loud voice, quick to speak out against the first sign of suspected treachery or criminality, and active among the councils of Abington. He has made many enemies, as many judges tend to do, being wounded two or three times by an infiltrator and opposing the well-known Black Mambas. His reputation is generally poor; many agree that he is generally without mercy, and his innovation of Fitting as a means of execution horrified those who witnessed its only known use.

During his stay in office he has signed Prisoner Agreements with the Judges of other realms.

During the short stay of two members of the Vashmere Family, he was accused by the madman Vatticus of being Savish, one of the Gods of Sother. This accusation, like most of what the Vashmeres of Abington claimed, was quickly dismissed and forgotten. He later imprisoned a third member of that family, Dafayo, who was an outlaw currently participating in the war against Abington. The two families have now a strong history of antagonism.

In his 35th year, he founded the Army of Anchorinn. This Army was later abandoned in favor of both the Army of Suville, and the Queens Blackguard which he personally lead.

When Armitage III stepped down, he ran for the office against Magnus the Mighty, and his own liege Lady Callisto. The latter then decided not to run for reasons of scarce time and openly supported Gauihu, and Magnus offered support to Gauihu if Gauihu would support him for the soon-to-be-opened position of Arch Priest. He won with 48% of the vote and was crowned King of Abington, causing no small amount of consternation amongst nobles of other realms.

Marriage

In (Oct-Nov 06) autumn of his 34th year, he began courting the current Queen of Abington, Armitage III of the House D'Anglos. He proposed and they were married just before winter in Anchorinn, at a modest ceremony attended by roughly two dozen Abington nobles. Whether this marriage was done out of a true sense of love or a political maneuver is not entirely clear.

Fatherhood

On (Apr 30 07)of his 38th year, Queen Armitage gave birth to twins. A son, named Altham II (after his great great grandfather), and a daughter named Inanna (after a goddess of war).

Timeline

• Began his career in Abington 2004-10-04
• Appointed as Minister of the People (late August/early September 05)
• Nominated as Lord of Wynford (week of September 10)
• Appointed as Count of Wynford 2005-09-19
• Founded the Abington School of Swordfighting 2005-10-16
• Elected as Arch-Priest of Abington 2005-12-08
• "Appointed" as Count of Anchorinn 2006-02-02
• Founded the Abington First guild 2006-04-17
• Stepped down as Judge 2006-04-17
• Re-elected as Arch-Priest 2006-04-18
• Married Queen Armitage III 2006-11-17
• Founded the Army of Anchorinn 2006-11-28
• Child Conceived 2007-1
• Became Father of Twins 2007-4-30