Thortimer

The Absent King

It's been sooo quite. I've got this post lined up and it just keeps getting revised and longer.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

Americans have politics? I thought it was just screaming contests.

@Errant Son

That, or dick measuring.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

@Brother Tumbo Pool's a long game. ;)

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

@Errant Son I'm just waiting for @Brother Tumbo since Terryn is currently engaged with Key. Once Eris gets set up at the camp, he'll be free for all sorts of hijinks.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

@Errant Son I know, right? Slow days make me antsy.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

Finally home so I could post. Traffic is insane.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

The grim news of the defeat of two entire regiments of knights at the hands of those Cherwinian traitors spread quickly. It was unheard of, such a massacre. And a call to arms for a newly formed regiment, The Black Shield. His people, and The Great Monarch, needed his service now more than ever. Besides, Elis was growing weary of sitting on his hands around the monastery anyway. It seemed that priest truly willing to take up arms to defend their Monarch from abators were a rare breed. A time when perhaps a priest was most needed, men who were often looking death in the face and rallying full speed towards it. He informed his family of his decision. Like any mother, Valetta was expectedly full of worry. His father was just as proud as when he signed up for the Servants. He knew Elis would prove valuable to the cause, just as he had been before. Elis’ departure was tearfilled and heartfelt if short. His trusty steed would carry him to Rot Donar.

His horse, Epiphany, was a solid and strong horse. She had seen him through more than one tight spot while enlisted with the Servants. She was truly a horse bred for war. Sturdy, rugged and with enough endurance for a full day’s march with a skirmish at its finish, even in war armor. She had a steel resolve, and would sooner stomp and oncoming assailant into the ground than turn and run. She had a pure black coat, with a single white diamond marking over her left eye.

He carried a small pack with him filled with only a few essential items, field rations and water along with his staff, Servant’s Bow with a quiver of 40 arrows and the supplies to keep his bow maintained. His leather and chainmail was kept inside a Epiphany’s saddle pack, should the need for it arise. The journey to Rot Donar would be a three days journey if he didn’t encounter any surprises and the terrain was amicable.

In his trip, he encountered both surprises and inclement terrain. The lands had become quite muddy for almost the entire trip. It made travelling slow going, having to even dismount at times and walk with his horse through more difficult areas to more safely navigate. Not only that, highwaymen were out in full force. It seems the news of the Knight’s defeat spurred a few of the lands inhabitants to take up the trade in their absence. Most were woefully disorganized and wanted little to do with him, either once they saw the markings on his forehead or when a few of their brothers were quickly dispatched with precise arrow fire.

The unexpected distractions meant he was behind his estimated schedule by perhaps a day or more. As he grew closer to the camp, he spotted what had once been a bandit encampment. Little of it could be called a camp any longer. Looks like the raiders had been raided. He could see the corpses of the bandits littering the area. He had a few guesses at what happened. Looks like the Black Shield was already making its presence known to the local rabble. He encouraged Epiphany to step up her pace, promising to give her rest once they reached Rot Donar. He knew he could use it as well. Sleep did not come easy to him on the march, especially when he traveled alone.

When he finally approached, he was greeted by a lone ensign guarding the edge of camp. Elis dismounted beside the younger man, pulling the cloak from his head and greeting him with a smile. “Young Ensign, I’m here to enlist and offer my service to The Black Shield.” At first, the Ensign didn’t even look at him, just thumbing through some kind of roster, “Alright, we’ll need some information…” His stopped mid-sentence as he glanced at Elis’ markings. His demeanor seemed to visibly brighten. “Oh, a veteran from the Servants. We’ve been in need of more experienced soldiers. It’s good you decided to join the cause. I believe Commander Terryn will wish to speak with you immediately. Please, if you would follow me. And may I have your name so as I may properly address you?” Elis gave a singular nod and motioned for the Ensign to lead the way, “It’s Priest Ferguson Eris Rutledge.” As he followed he thought on the commander. He knew of Terryn, a veteran of the Servants himself. From what Elis had heard from rumor, Terryn was one of the few survivors from the recent massacre. A tried and tested warrior for sure. He believed the Commander to be a fine officer from everything he had heard and would readily serve in his ranks in whatever capacity the Command saw fit.

As he followed the young man, he surveyed the camp. He confirmed that, yes, they had raided the camp he passed earlier. He could make out two prisoners in the distance he could only assume were from the other camp. And it seemed there were some around tending to injuries and fatigue from a recent skirmish. Before the two reached the Commander’s tent, they made one detour at the stables, where he left Epiphany to her well deserve rest. They were soon at the main tent and stood outside, waiting for entry. The Ensign announced himself to Commander Terryn inside the tent, “Commander Terryn, you wished to be notified if any other veteran soldiers came to enlist. I bring a veteran of the Servants, Priest Ferguson Elis Rutledge, sir.”

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

Awesome, when I get back from class in about three or so hours I get my intro post out to the world. Let me know if there's anything I need to alter about my CS if necessary.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

Ferguson Eris Rutledge

“The Monarch guides us in all things.”

Eris wears robes as is traditional for Monarch priests. His vestments aren’t ornate and, by most standards, are fairly plain. It is made from a fine linen cloth that is dyed a dark green. A thin orange fabric covers the seams and edges and gives off a satin shine. Under his robes, he wears a thin, undyed linen shirt and pants. On his feet a pair of well-worn leather boots that reach up his calf, secured by leather bindings. He wears no jewelry and carries the symbol of the Monarch atop his sturdy wooden staff.

His robes do well at hiding how fit he is. His body is lean and toned from years of training. Purpose built for quickness and the right amount of strength to compliment it. In all his service in war, he’s managed to stay away from any serious disfigurement. The only spot of not would be a scar running from his right clavicle to just past his sternum at its middle. While he’s a fairly tall man at 6’’, he’s not broad in any sense. His shoulders aren’t wide. He has a slightly longer reach than others of his size, giving his slightly spindly looking arm, even with their visible muscle. His legs are similarly long and look like a runners.

If not for the short beard he was currently sporting, his face would belie his age and he might appear a much younger man. His deep brown hair is cut short and is generally left to do as it pleases, which is usually being a mess in one way or another. Beneath that mess of hair are three dots, proudly worn. A symbol to his service with the Servants. His eyes are just a shade darker than emerald and full of enthusiasm. His jawline, though currently obscured by his beard, is more rounded than angular.

【Full Name】

Ferguson Eris Rutledge

【Aliases】

Monk, Eris

【Age】

26

【Sex】

Male

【Sexuality】

Straight

【Religion】

Devout Monarchist

【Family】

Elis is the eldest of three sons of his father, also Fergusson, and his mother, Valetta.

【Birthplace】

The monastery overlooking the quiet village of Derrish, in the west of Grosswick

【Societal standing】

Highborn from his family’s standing within the Monachist priesthood.

【Former employment】

He’s served his whole like a monk-priest of the Monarchists as well as 7 years a Servant for The Monarch.

【Rank and role】

He serves as the official priest of the Black Shield, though his history with the Servants means his is not only willing, but able to receive any soldering job given to him.

【Personality】

Elis carries himself with the confidence due his position. He always maintains a calm and friendly demeanor with those he serves amongst. He is a fiercely loyal ally, especially to those he knows he can trust. When faced with problems, he’s often over analytical and usually the one in the group to suggest that a plan should be thought through more before acting hasty. He often invokes the words of The Monarch to rally those around him when the situation appears grim. Though he radiates a carefree nature that can, at times, seem indifferent. But make no mistake, his temper has limits. As he has no fear jibing with allies, he equally has no fear brandishing insults at his enemies. He can be as quick with words as he is with his staff.

【History】

Born into a priestly family, Elis was predestined to serve The Monarch in every capacity he could. His father had made a name for himself as a Servant in great wars past, and he dreamed to follow in his footsteps. For the most part, his youth was uneventful, peaceful and, at time, boring. He spent his childhood learning the prayers and sacred rites of the church. When not in prayer or meditation, he pushed his body through martial training to become strong in the eyes of the Monarch. As he grew older, he took on more tasks of the priests. Things like delivering lasts rites and other holy ceremonies. But also things like finding and punishing the pagans who refused to accept the one true Monarch. He took to it eagerly, and always knew The Monarch would guide him in the right directions. And guide him the Monarch did. Having honed both his mind and body from his time at the monastery, when the call came for able bodied and devout Monarchists to join the ranks of the Servants, he knew it was a sign.

At the tender age of 18, knowing it was the Monarchs will he was fulfilling, his parents gave their blessing and sent Elis of to join the Servants. It was his pilgrimage for the Monarch, to be his tool for handing out judgement to believers in false gods. He quickly found his place within their ranks as a priest-warrior on the front lines in their battle against the Sultanate. He spent as much time in the thick of combat as he did reading men their last rites, often at the same time. It was here he learned his capacity for war and overcoming great loss. He picked up the reigns of a group of soldiers when the commanding officer had been felled by a volley of arrows. He rallied the morale broken soldiers with the inspiring words of the Monarch and spurred a massive counterattack that routed the overwhelming enemy numbers long enough for the relief reinforcements to close the flank. After his tours, which saw him serving the Monarch dutifully for seven years, he was honored with the three dots of the Servants, a permanent badge of his service.

After his campaigning with the Servants, he returned for a brief time to his home and resumed his priestly duties back at his home. He enjoyed the time spent with his family again, but the peace left him stir crazy. There was still so much for the Monarch that needed to be done that only the brave and young were capable of. Soon enough, he was beckoned away again by the call of duty for the Monarch on Earth to serve in the Black Shield. They needed able bodies to join their ranks, and so he came ready to fill the role, both soldier and servant of the Monarch.

【Dreams, short term goals, and fears.】

He hopes to keep the Black Shields in the Monarchs favor, so that they may properly serve the Monarch on Earth. He hopes that along the way, he might convert those around him who may be heathens to the true path that is the Monarch. He fears seeing comrades falling in battle again, though this he knows will be inevitable. Once this warring is over, he’d like to settle down like his father and leave the warring to some sons or daughters.

【Skills】

Having had to hunt men before, his tracking skills are adept. He knows how to find and follow even the faintest of tracks left by a creature. He also knows his way around a lute.

【Martial prowess】

Elis is proficient with most military arms, being a veteran of the Servants. He can handle swords and spears with well enough ability. But he excels with staves and bows. He is also a competent and dangerous opponent unarmed, having learned a variety of grappling techniques.

【Combat style】

Unless Elis is behind a bow and firing missiles at targets from afar, he is a defensive fighter, choosing to let his opponent strike first and attempt to disarm and finish them, or eating away their stamina by striking them points they leave unguarded. He has great patience and is willing to drag a fight out as long as is necessary to find the right time to strike.

【Weaponry】

A quarter staff topped with a heavy iron Monarchist Cross along with a heavy longbow bearing the Servant’s sigil and quiver of arrows.

【Armor】

He generally wears the robes of a priest, unless he is called to the front lines. In those cases, he has a chainmail shirt-skirt he wears over a light fitted leather armor.

[MEDIEVAL, REALISM] Marches of Man: The Black Shields!

@Errant SonSo you want I should just post the CS to the character ssection then? Then, when I get back from class, I can work on a post.