Rholan Chuade

Email: condotierre@hotmail.com
==Description==
Eye Color: Dark Blue
Hair Color: Black
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 180
Age: 27
Place of Origin: Tar Valon (born in Saldea)
==Stats==
Rank: Tower Guard
Weapon Score: 15
Philosophy: Not Chosen Yet
Primary Weapon: Long Sword
Secondary Weapon: Dual Long Swords
Tertiary Weapon: 
==History==
Rholan Chuade grew up as the fifth (and last) son of an officer in the
Saldean army. His childhood was spent in the normal manner of
childhood activities - at least normal for a young Saldean boy. He
learned to ride a horse very shortly after he learned to walk. He
spent his time playing his older brothers, often sparring and learning
the ways of soldiers. While his father was not able to spend a great
deal of time at home (his duty to defend the Blightborder being
paramount) Nazar Chuade doted on all of his children (five boys and
two girls) in the time he had to spend with them. His daughters he
taught to run his estate (as they were the oldest) and his sons he
taught war. They were schooled from an early age not only in basic
fighting techniques, but also in strategy and tactics, to prepare for
the possibility that they might someday be needed.
By the time he was 15, Rholan realized that life as the youngest child
of a Borderland army officer would not provide him with a great deal
of opportunity for advancement. So he asked for their blessing to be
off and start a new life of his own. He did not know where it would
take him, but he knew that he had to find a way to make his own mark
on life. His father wished him well, gave him a horse and two long
swords (Rholan's grandfather after whom he was named had been famous
for wielding two blades, even from horseback) and sent him on his way.
 His mother gave him a fierce hug and slipped a small purse of silver
into his pocket.
And so it was that two weeks after his 15th nameday he set off from
home into the unknown. While he had no real concrete plans as to
where he was going or what he was doing, he did know that he would
like to see some of the great cities of the world. Assuming that the
Borderlands would all be similar, he struck out south-southeast,
meaning to see Caemlyn, Cairhien, and Tar Valon at the least.
Traveling many months with little excitement, he one day found himself
at the last appointed stop at his tour: he crossed the Erinin into Tar
Valon, with the gleaming White Tower staring down upon him like a
giant from legend. As he entered an inn, he checked his purse to find
that he was nearly out of money. He had supplemented his income
during his travels through various forms of labor, both in the cities
and the country. Most nights were spent sleeping on the roadside or
in the woods, and living off what he could hunt or gather. Some days
he would stop at a farm and help for a day or longer (being in no real
hurry, only wanting to keep exploring the world) in exchange for a
meal and a bed. Knowing that a city inn would be far more expensive
than one in a country town, he took only a bit of ale to drink so he
could think.
While enjoying his mug of ale and the singing girl, he saw several
young men his age swagger in. They looked to be in excellent physical
shape, and all carried a weapon of some sort. They eyed him and the
two long swords strapped to his back wearily as they sat down and
ordered drinks of their own. He glanced at them occasionally, and saw
that at least one of them kept a close eye on him. Deciding that it
would safest and wisest if he left without causing any trouble, he
downed the last of his ale and asked the barmaid what he owed. He
gave her the coppers required, and stood to leave. Seeing this, all
of the young men rose as one and quickly moved to intercept him. In
that moment, Rholan believed he was dead, though he did not know the
reason. How very wrong he was.
"Those are nice blades you carry," one of them said in a friendlier
voice than Rholan was expecting. "I can only wonder if you actually
know how to use them."
"I know well enough," he replied, hoping against hope that he would
not have to show them what he knew, and probably die in the attempt.
"You look tired, as though you've traveled a long ways," another
commented. He was Kandori, with forked beard just starting to come
in. "I am Seth, a student of the Gaidin at the White Tower. I don't
know where you're going Saldean, but you should know that there is
always a place for young men with swords at the Tower. I myself
arrived less than a year ago, looking scarcely less ragged than you do
now, and found myself in training before I would starve. If you need
a bed for the night, or a meal, do not be shy to ask for help. Even
if only for a time, you can find a place here."
The others nodded their agreement as Seth put his hand out in a sign
of friendship towards Rholan. Looking at the others, all of whom had
grins on their faces, he slowly extended his own hand. "I'll think on
your offer. And I appreciate it."
They all nodded and walked away. 
Wandering about the city, Rholan's mind kept returning to his strange
encounter at the inn. It surprised him that total strangers would
approach him in that manner and be so forthcoming. He knew no one in
Tar Valon, and as far as he was aware, no one he did know knew where
he was at that time. The offer itself intrigued him.
When he left home, all he wanted to do was find his way. He had no
clear purpose or direction, he only knew that he must strike out on
his own and find the means to leave his mark on the world. Whether
that would be as a soldier (what he always assumed as he had never
really learned anything else in his life) or something else, he did
not know. Thinking the situation through, he realized that this might
be just the thing for him to do. It would give him a chance to try
one option in life and decide if it could be eliminated or not. It
offered him food and shelter while he made that decision. And if
nothing else, it would train him so that he could more properly use
the gifts his father had given him.
That is how, as the sun began to set on a warm summer's day, Rholan
found himself approaching a Tower Guard and explaining the encounter
he had had with Seth and the other young men. The Guard smiled, and
directed him to the training yard, giving him the name of the
Master-at-Arms and telling him what to say. As Rholan began to set
off, the Guard looked at him and said, "Welcome to the White Tower."
Category:WS 15
Category:Tower Guard
Category:Biographies
Category:Warder Bios