In darkness, hope.
Name: Eclipse Kornova, Sir Kornova, Eclipse, Justicar, The Merciful, The Brave, Oathbreaker, Rider of Unicorns, Lightmaker, Favored of Leplo, Tideturner, Defender of Legon Pass, The Patient, Battlefield Redeemer.
Age: 32
Gender: Male.
Sexual Orientation: Straight.
Position: An ordained knight of the church supposedly operates under the sole jurisdiction of the holy order, which is theoretically independent of local lordship or even the will of the Crown. In practicality, this has not always been the case, as there has been much discrepancy over whether or not a King is a divinely chosen individual. Regardless, in many realms, the church maintains a small militant force for several reasons. Holy knights are often called upon for the defense of the commonfolk from invaders or even from local bandits, for general humanitarian missions within the realm, and occasionally for crusade into heathen lands where the devout are most vulnerable and the spread of the holy word is needed. They carry out church business and are revered icons to the masses. Often, a knight may have other specific employment within the church, such as administration, education, or ethics. For many years, Eclipse served as a Justicar, a lawyer and legal advisor, and also a Judge for resolving complaints or disputes involving members of the chivalric aspect of the Order. Currently, Eclipse is a Knight Errant of the Church of Klebrithy, as he travels to Nyhem with a unique assignment. He would be perceived as having a status comparable to the nobility he had renounced so long ago.
Personality: Eclipse's company is a comfort to the blameless and an aching reminder to the shameful. First impressions are often mixed as he bears the appearance of a disciplined and unwavering soldier, polished, meticulous, and presumably judgemental. Yet, his countenance almost always bears a warm smile. Quickly he is revealed to be jovial and trusting, attributes that calm and reassure. He is generally peaceful, quiet, and attentive as he listens before answering. Careful deliberation delays his actions, and it becomes clear that he does not hold others to the same standards to which he holds himself. The guilty inwardly fear his vigilant presence, as if time itself is on his side, ticking closer and closer to an eventual slip of the tongue in admission of their crimes. What would they have to say for themselves before such a paragon of virtue? Perhaps a proper confession is in order.
Underneath the hype lies a human heart, however, and Eclipse has seen his share of conflict. He is no stranger to deception and temptation. He has broken oaths and taken lives. Forgiveness is how he deals with his own flaws and those of others, seeing the turmoil of human life as necessary in the forging of the soul, but penitence must be sincere. Thus, he is slow to anger and quick to forgive, but beware his level of commitment when his righteous ire is finally stirred. Normally, he would turn down a personal challenge, for he considers pride without purpose a sin, and he would probably tell you so. When afraid, he would pray for the god's favor to muster his courage.
Weaknesses: Eclipse is above all overly trusting. Although old enough to have seen the worst of human behavior, and judged it, his professional and religious training demand that he check what might be a healthy paranoia up front. He tends to believe someone who "swears" to him, leaving himself open to deception, at least the first time.
Having renounced his house and taken a vow of poverty, Eclipse is technically poor. He owns nothing of his own, yet is supplied and supported by the church wherever he travels. There are also many who are willing to spare him room and board as a form of donation or offering to the gods he quasi-represents.
Eclipse is weak to strong drink.
Appearance:
Sir Kornova of the Holy Order is hard to miss, standing tall, with his fairly lengthy pale blonde locks, oft clad in meticulously cleaned, steel-colored armor and a symbolic, nearly-white cloak. He bears no excessive adornments except identification of his rank and ordination on his pauldrons and coak, and a personal mark on born his breastplate and shield. Faintly etched into the metal, is the image of an eclipsed sun, a ring, dark in the inside, with 8 rays of light extending from its edge. The image is repeated on the face of his shield, with holy mantras and symbols denoting each deity etched along the sides in caligraphic script. The length of his sword also bears his personal motto in ancient Formarothian tongue. His skin is fair, yet not easily flushed. His expression, lightly pleasant. He keeps clean shaven, but any blonde stubble would be easily missed for several days at least. His shoulders are broad, but his frame lean, forming a body that is built for endurance more than sudden power. Having only minimal recession to his hairline, one might mistake his age initially, but faint wrinkles at the corners of his blue eyes offer a good explanation for his mature conduct. There are no prominent scars, no tattoos, and no piercings. He keeps a leatherbound, latched prayerbook tethered about his waist. He might be seen wearing plainclothes or simple robes similar to a priest when armor is not required.
Background:
Eclipse was fortunate to be born into a noble house in Thralreth. House Kornova was small, but with much for wealth and status. Lord Reginald Kornova was held in high esteem by both House Staghein and House Sutherlan. Most of Reginald's efforts went into caring for his own aging parents and in raising his then only son, born on an auspicious day to bear the name, Eclipse. Reginald had a younger brother and sister who each had their own families and children, but no boys. The brother, Eclipse' uncle "Walter," which was not his given name, was killed in 489 in the battle to take Cawanor when Eclipse was only 19. Eclipse' mother, Lady Iomedae Kornova, was found to be barren after her first child, yet Reginald was satisfied and would not remarry. She died of disease in 490, and only later did Lord Kornova take a new wife. She bore him two new sons, two years apart.
Throughout all his life until adulthood, Eclipse led a fairly ideal life. He was an only son in a noble house with both parents alive. He was educated at Faemley Castle, and trained in the arts of combat by Mylla Staghain and other masters. He became great friends with Iain Sutherlan, whom he was close to in age, and the two often practiced swordsmanship together under the watchful eye of Iain's father, Lord Bearnard Sutherlan. In the summers, the two young noblemen would go on "camping trips" together with friends for days to weeks at a time learning hunting and survival skills. The boys claim to have been able to tame and ride a wild unicorn.
It was with the outbreak of the Remonnet-Manshrew civil war that the weight of adulthood was finally enforced upon the young, idealistic knight. For the mostpart, Thralreth had enjoyed the peace of an ideal location far from the capitol at Nyhem. Politics seemed to fade in importance the further south one lived until one simply forgot that anything could change, that their lives could be threatened by invading armies, or that an oppressive king could reach them. House Kornova had sworn the same oath as House Sutherlan and House Staghein, to devote themselves to the Remonnet royal line, and thus, their side was pre-chosen during the war. Much to the dissappointment of his father, Eclipse personally sided with Manshrew, going so far as to renounce his inheritance and family name to join the rebellion. It was a sad day that he departed, yet, with two infant half-brothers, Eclipse knew he was not the last of his line. He regretted he did not get the chance to say goodbye to his loyal friend Iain. Still, he had to cut his ties on the offchance that Andrew Manshrew failed, for he did not want his own house to be branded traitors over his individual actions. It was the only way to fight for the true cause of good against a mad and wicked king and not endanger those he loved.
Fortunately, the war was won and a new Remonnet was crowned as king. Perhaps, in a way, even Eclipse had kept his family's oath. This result pleased all sides, and peace was reestablished. Eclipse did return to his homeland and made peace with his father, yet he declined to return to his former status as the next Lord Kornova. Instead, he swore his loyalty to the gods, becoming a paladin of the Church of Klebirthy, to end his days in service to the divine. The became highly respected, often personally sought to resolve disputes across Thralreth or other matters. He was considered a local war hero, an evangelical, a swordmaster trainer, and recently rumors circulate that he is a divine healer and uniquely blessed. Once a year, on the celebratory day, he would participate in the spectacle of joust, as knights were expected to do, for the practice himself and for the pleasure of the people.
The years passed, and finally, tragedy struck again. The beloved King John and his Queen were both dispatched under highly suspicious circumstances. The DeRemiers and Manshrews, and other lesser houses, vyed for the throne, and now rumors of a highly influential heretic come from Nyhem. Eclipse has felt a calling, and has departed his homeland as he once did before on a personal crusade, for answers, and for justice.
Skills:
Literacy
Interpretation of Law, professional arbiter, contract negotiator, legal notary, and lawyer.
Noble Decorum
Ethics Council
Mounted Combat - Tier 5
Dueling/Fencing - Tier 3
Proficiency with:
Poleaxe/halberd - Tier 4
Longsword - Tier 2
Shortsword and Shield - Tier 3
Unarmed Combat - Tier 7
Archery - Tier 8
Armory, upkeep of own equipment.
Innate Magic, untrained spells -
- Healing: can stem bleeding, close wounds, knit bone, dull pain.
- Generate Light: from his hand or as an aura of light around his body.
- Soothe Animals: calm a frightened horse, turn away a vicious dog, etc.
- Undiscovered Potential...