Wilddar Braitbirn

== Overview ==
King Wilddar Braitbirn was the King of Llanoreid from 202 AG to 225 AG, previously ascending as Duke in 195 AG. He was married to Queen Avelyn Braitbirn and had seven children with her, most notably Bravaro, Ashlin, Covey and Morna . During the Uprootings, Wilddar, then Duke of Llanoreid, was advised to join the Fellowship that opposed House Grenthyx's rule over the Continent. After the war, collaborating with his close friend, Lendyn Kelbur and advisor, Conley Arddan, Wilddar worked to prove Llanoreid's worth as an independent kingdom expanding on its exports and trade with the wider Continent.
Wilddar was known to be straightforward and blunt, though was equally quiet and non confrontational. He was also not privy to expressing his emotions nor political opinions. This was in stark contrast to the other Fellowship rulers, those of whom he made no effort to connect with during the war. He had a passion for fishing and was most engaged in conversations pertaining to ships. Wilddar passed away in 225 AG and was succeeded by his eldest son, Bravaro. 
==Biography==
===Early life===
In 160 AG, with the sudden death of Cyril Braitbirn's older brother, Duke Carbry, the single 34 year old was thrust into the position of Duke and with that was also expected to start a family. After several less than successful pairings made by his mother, Evlyn, Cyril met Cardyn, a Mhordynian noble. The two quickly fell in love and the following year Cardyn was pregnant. 
Their son, Wilddar, was born in November of 162 AG. Roughly a year later, Wilddar's sister, Orla, was born. By this point, where most babies would have begun forming words, Wilddar remained silent and only began to speak some months later. As a toddler, Wilddar did not engage with his younger sister or many other children his age. 
As a young boy, Wilddar continued to avoid social situations but had managed to befriend Anlon Pyper, a boy of a similar age, whose family was in service to House Braitbirn. The pair did not talk much but shared an interest in ships with dreams of sailing the seas of The Continent together. In particular, Wilddar's fondest memories were aboard the many ships in House Braitbirn's possession. By age ten, Wilddar compelled his father to construct a more luxurious vessel for the family, to which he agreed. That same year, the Absolutist was completed and went on to become a powerful flagship for the Llanoreidic fleets. 
===Teenage years===
The creation of the Absolutist also helped Cyril to connect with his socially distant son. Wilddar was taught to fish, a hobby he grew to love and would partake in with his father for years to come. However, as his eldest son and heir, it was also important to Cyril that Wilddar was prepared to rule and found himself forced to place his son into social situations the young boy often found uncomfortable. By age 15, the Duke gave up on trying to make his son something he wasn't. He instead made efforts to find a place for his son that would allow him to connect with people on his own and build his confidence more naturally. 
He soon realised that Wilddar's interest in ships would be of use at the shipyards of Brondentol. Here, Wilddar spent time living as a ward to House Kelbur whilst working as an apprentice to Lord Kelbur, overseeing the construction and upkeep of Llanoreid's ships. During his time at Brondentol Wilddar befriended Lendyn Kelbur, heir to the Kelbur Estate. Their friendship would go on to become a lifelong one. Despite their differing personalities, the two friends had a close understanding of one another and complimented each others flaws. Wilddar would forever be a quiet and reserved man but his friendship with Lendyn helped him to move out of his comfort zone when needed. 
At age seventeen, over two years into his work with House Kelbur, Wilddar was introduced to Avelyn Cork, a friend of Lendyn's sister studying at the University of Dronphelle visiting Brondentol. Wilddar was immediately smitten with the young woman but found himself unable to speak with her outside of friendly greetings and brief passings. Soonafter her departure from Brondentol and return to Dronphelle, Wilddar confided in Lendyn about his feelings for Avelyn. Calling his friend a fool, Lendyn tried to convince Wilddar not to give up on her and travel to Dronphelle. Taking much persuasion, he eventually agreed. 
===Relationship with Avelyn===
In the spring of 180 AG, two months after meeting Avelyn, Wilddar and Lendyn travelled to Dronphelle. Coinciding with their trip, Wilddar's old friend, Anlon, was at Dronphelle preparing to sail down the Oppidan River, hoping to reach the Oppidan Delta by himself. The trio met in a tavern and Lendyn told Anlon of Wilddar's predicament. Anlon was unable to understand how the son of a Duke could find courting a woman so difficult but agreed to help his old friend all the same. As the more impulsive of the three, Anlon excused himself and left to search for Avelyn himself, unbeknownst to Wilddar. The following day, as Wilddar awaited his friends in the same tavern, he was instead met by Avelyn.
Though he would struggle to remember how, Wilddar's unanticipated meeting with Avelyn went better than he could have ever hoped for. They talked and drank for hours about anything and everything. Wilddar was enthralled as she spoke of her studies in medicine and her passion for art just as she would delight in his boundless enthusiasm for ships. He had never found himself so captivated by topics he knew so little about but was ready to listen to Avelyn for as long as he could.
Avelyn would continue with her studies at Dronphelle and Wilddar would return to his work at Brondentol but every few weeks the pair would come together and grow closer with each meeting. A year on from their first exchange, Wilddar asked Avelyn to marry him. Accepting his offer, the couple married in the winter of 181 AG at House Braitbirn's private residence at Tarrenval.
Category:Characters
Category:Llanoreid character
Category:Rulers