Jord Blackshaw

Jord of the Blackshaw, first Baron of the Blackshaws was born into a peasant farmer family on 6 Icewind, 1842 AS, in the village of Blackshaw, Kalabashire, near the border with the Kingslands. His earliest years were, as expected, unremarkable and revolved around the general life of labour familiar to farmers everywhere. The boy was precocious, stubborn, and a bit of a loner, preferring to spend his free time (such as it was) exploring the hills and forests near his home and dreaming of something--anything--more than his apparent lot in life.
In 1860 AS, with the outbreak of violence as Balar Halad challenged his niece's claim to the throne of Keledon, Jord's fortunes were destined to change. Along with other young, common-born men, Jord made his way north with dreams of glory in his head, to join the armies of Seldhe Halad. 
In the spring of 1861 AS Jord, along with Theodric Aldwyn, Wil Haleson, and Alrik Beyran, became the unlikely but influential members behind the rise of the Lowborn Militia, a disorganized force of commoners throwing their support behind Seldhe. 
Within a year Seldhe and her allies had the upper hand in the conflict; the funneling of information from Keledoni commoners to the Lowborn Militia, and thus to the princess, was proving to be invaluable, as local knowledge of land, troop movements, benefited her far more than simple scouting reports. 
Theo and Alrik were able to infiltrate the increasingly desperate Balar Halad's forces, masquerading as Akarthan merchants quietly seeking to encourage Balar's victory. After convincing the rebel that they represented Akarthan nobility, they were lead out of Carda's Eye, supposedly on their way over Cardas Pass with a significant amount of Balar's gold, promising to return with troops to turn the tide of the war. Meeting up again with Jord and Wil, the quartet made their way over the pass and into Akaryth, where they did indeed hire mercenaries. However, to Balar's chagrin and downfall they'd used his gold to hire them on his niece's behalf. The resulting battle ended in the capture of Balar, the end of the war, and the accession of Seldhe to the throne as Queen Heulyn II.
== Since the Rebellion ==
Following the rebellion Jord and his three companions were raised to the low nobility by the new Queen, being collectively known due to their common origins as the Barons Mendicant. Jord himself was created the first Baron of the Blackshaws, his lands including now the village where he had been born. 
In the subsequent decade and a half Jord has proven to be a kind and understanding leader of those in his charge, although his interest in the administrative minutae of leadership is low. He remains unmarried, although he is under increasing pressure from his advisors to marry and father an heir.
Jord's lands are close to the border between Kalabarshire and the Kingslands, and thus not too far from Griffon Keep and its celebrated knights; rarely does he miss an opportunity to host or visit them in Knightshome.
== Character ==
Jord is a kind and compassionate man, with a stern sense of justice, but also a bit scattered and easily bored by routine and the banal. He is fond of fun and celebration, encouraging the Endless Day festivities in and around Blackshaw, but it not particularly religious either. He much prefers life on the road and off the trail in the local wilderness, and at times misses the freedom he had before his creation as a baron. He is not at all interested in the political machinations and intrigue of Court, or of the interactions between the major and greater houses of the kingdom, while grudgingly accepting that this is the way of things. He involves himself only when necessary and for the betterment of his lands and people.
His relationship with his liege lord, House Windmere, is good for the most part, although he isn't viewed as the most dependable of their bannermen.
Category:Keledoni People
Category:Dramatis Personae
Category:Barons Mendicant
Category:Kalabarshire