Lord Pedur Olivarden

Lord Pedur Olivarden was the founder of the Fleurian noble House Olivarden. He lived from 148 to 86 AE and is notable for his participation in the First Lily War for which he was granted his title and the castle Oster's Keep which he later renamed Oligarden. Lord Pedur is considered one of the great war heroes of Fleur. 
== Biography ==
Pedur was born presumably in 148 AE to parents of lesser nobility. His father was a knight of low ranking and his mother from a lesser branch of House Boran. He was educated informally as a knight on an estate near Birch. Despite his lack of status, Pedur was able to prove himself young as being a capable knight, eventually swearing himself to the service of Lord Cedric Oster as a retainer and member of his personal guard. During this time he increased in rank, eventually becoming second in command to Ser Jon Dezir. When the First Lily War began in 124 AE, Oster's Keep became a strategic position, being a prime location to dock a fleet between skirmishes with the River Lands. It was in 122 AE, after suffering great losses, that the forces of Arimania captured Birch and began encroaching on Oligarden. Lord Cedric Oster, fearing his soon demise at the hands of the enemy and knowing no reinforcements would arrive from the north, fled the castle with Ser Jon and his retinue. Pedur and a small host remained to defend the castle and especially the fleet docked below. For five months the Arimanians attempted to siege the castle before the combined Fleurian and Skjolian forces arrived to flush them out. During this time, Pedur successfully led several counterattacks against the enemy, rationed supplies so that the castle could have held off for another two months, and kept the civilian population calm. When Ser Florent the Queen's Hand broke the siege and met Pedur, he was immediately struck by his courteousness, chivalry, and bravery. He promised to tell Queen Taurinja Wilem of Flowers about his deeds and that he would be duly rewarded. 
In 122 AE Pedur was knighted by Ser Florent on behalf of Queen Taurinja before his participation in the Reconciliation of Birch in 121 AE. He continued to fight alongside Ser Florent until the end of the First Lily War in early 120 AE. For his efforts he was given the title of Lord by Queen Taurinja as well as Oster's Keep to act as the seat of his new House Olivarden. For his cowardice and treachery, Lord Cedric Oster was eventually captured and executed by drawing and hanging. His sons were allowed to keep their titles, but a great hostility was developed between the two Houses and animosity still remains between the Osters and Olivardens. Lord Pedur renamed the castle to Oligarden and worked on a series of renovations and expansions with his newfound wealth. 
In 118 Pedur traveled to Palmiros on vacation in hopes of acquiring more objects for his growing collection of foreign antiquities. There he was inspired by ancient Kuddian architecture to add to Oligarden, creating its unique southern architectural style that inspired many new manors in the still being reconstructed Birch. To this day the city retains some Kuddian styled exteriors. In 111 AE he married Viviane Aster and had their only child, Lord Michael Olivarden in 110 AE. 
Lord Pedur continued to serve in the Fleurian forces until his old age. He died in 86 AE at age 62.
Category:Characters
Category:House Olivarden
Category:Fleurian Characters