Eldric Egen

Adrian Egen (20)

Falyse Egen (19)

Ursula Egen (35)

Lord Eldric Egen is the firstborn son to Elbert and Maia Egen and the current Lord of Longwake. An intimidating figure known for his prowess in commanding men to victory, Lord Eldric Egen stands tall in the Vale as a staunch supporter of Gunthor Arryn, the same man that knighted him. Seeking to expand his lands and make House Egen known as more than a simple bannerman, he serves Arryn eager to expand his family's influence for his children.

## Character and Appearance

Eldric stands taller than many Valemen and glares out of the world through dark green eyes. Often found brooding about the idiocy of others, the Lord of Longwake prefers quiet afternoons alongside his family as well as traning with his family. Despite his initial thorny demeanor, Eldric does have a soft spot for his family and will do anything in his power to help them. This is mostly done in a vain attempt to feel that he is different from his father, an abusive drunk, that neglected his family in favor of various brothels amongst the Crownlands.

A knight of the Vale through and through, he often emphasizes the aspects of duty and honor to his men before battle and was renowned for inspiring usually chivalrous men to accomplish tasks that needed to be done in less honorable ways. Contempt, Vengeance, and Ferocity would all be apt descriptions of Eldric with the only exceptions being his liege of Arryn and his fellow Valeman, Lord Corbray.

## History

Even from a young age, Eldric constantly found himself in the position of leader, which naturally benefited him considering he was the eldest son and the second eldest just behind his older sister Arwen, with whom he had a great bond. She, as well as Maia, often softened the blows from his father with quiet afternoons to visit the few small towns scattered throughout the Snakewood. Being only a toddler when the War for the Mountains of the Moon began, Eldric was raised to know brutality under his father's tutelage in order to become the best future lord that he could be. Unfortunately, he was often taught on how to rule from the bottom of his father's tankard.

Growing up hating training with his father, he usually ended up relying upon the protection of his Uncle, Albar Egen, who served as the master-of-arms of Longwake. Though still arduous to train under, his Uncle Albar did at least reward him whenever he was able to win war games or master a new technique at swordplay. It was during a summer feast that his uncle truly changed his life and took him to a feast taking place at the Eyrie. It was there that he challenged an Arryn boy to a duel and won the respect of a young Gunthor Arryn. Having just become a knight himself, he inquired upon squiring Eldric with his father fervently agreeing and thanking him. It was the only time that his father had ever told him that he was proud of him.

The following years were both the best times of his life and some of the darkest as he witnessed the various tragedies that befell House Arryn with each affecting him as if he was losing brothers of his own. The Eyrie became a home to him, and he often found himself glad to be rid of Longwake, which held only a handful of warm memories and many more stemming from the various scars and bruises left from his father's violent outbursts. It was also during this time that he would end up meeting his beloved, and the cousin of his mentor, Gella Arryn. After a few years of courtship, he would ask for her hand and wed her in 69 AC.

Also during this time, Eldric experienced a grief of his own. his eldest sister Arwen had been married to Lord Roderick Redfort, known for his unpatriotic spirit, but still a major marriage opportunity for House Egen. Although he initially disapproved of the union, Arwen seemed smitten with the thought of becoming the Lady of House Redfort and was wed there with Eldric's blessing eventually being earned. He would regret this decision only a year later when handed a missive which briefly described a nightmare. His eldest sister and closest connection to a friend growing up, had passed away due to the birth of her child with Lord Redfort. To this day, House Redfort, including his own nephew, only receives sneers and contempt from the man.

Around 84 AC, Elbert Egen developed a case of gout that began to swell his body to a point in which he had to give up his military service and was relegated to his chambers in Longwake, mostly relying upon the wisdom of Albar to rule over his House. Despite his health concerns, the drunkard mostly found his comfort in more ale and often abused milk of the poppy in order to cope with the pain. In his absence, it was Albar that stepped up and began to arrange alliances for House Egen to carry on and to establish future ties that could further lead Egen to a more prominent position in the realm.

As his House went through the awkward transition of power, Eldric became a key commander in several battles that took place in the chaos of the following year. Despite the somewhat blurred lines of morality, Eldric took part in the Red Parlay, and fully justified the actions openly at court citing the vicious and merciless killings of his local smallfolk years earlier in the Snakewood. After this, he personally aided in leading the ambushes on the Redsmith warriors alongside his cousin, Petyr. Despite his best efforts, the only casualty of that particular ambush happened to be his cousin who died in his arms. He still apologizes to his Uncle Albar, who he considers to be the one that gave him so much, that he was not able to save his only son. Because of this, Albar dotes on Eldric's children as if they were his own and still serves Longwake as their master-at-arms.

After this tragic loss, the Lord of Longwake found himself simply tossed from battle to battle and found that he excelled at the art of ambushing those that would have never expected him and his men from special vantage points. The most bloody example of this tactic working effectively took place at Coldwater, in which Eldric was able to coordinate with his old friend and mentor, Gunthor to trap the men into a point of no return. It was here that Eldric earned the title he had thought himself ready to recieve for ages. Amongst the bodies of the slaughter just outside Coldwater, Eldric was knighted by Gunthor himself for his bravery and cunning against the clans.

The following year, the War for the Mountains of the Moon had been won, and the various clans utterly decimated. Since then, Eldric has attempted to become less imperious and more warm and welcoming to both his children as well as Gunthor's, but the same man that cut through the clansmen ruthlessly still lives on within Eldric. Now, in times of peace, Eldric finds himself more concerned with attempting to elevate House Egen to more than his drunkard father could have ever imagined. To become one of the most powerful Houses in the Vale by cutting down any enemy that may rise against Egen or Arryn.

## Family Tree

http://www.familyecho.com/?p=START&c=bophl944zv&f=947087855136815066

## NPCs and Household

* Roderick Stone (38)- Spymaster
* Yorwyck Waters (58)- Maester
* Ser Torgold Wydman (49)- Sworn Sword
* Ser Albar Egen (58)- Master-at-arms
* Ser Osgood Egen (38)- Steward