Abelar Dondarrion

Ser Abelar Dondarrion is the son of the late Ser Davos Dondarrion and Ellen Estermont. Currently the Sworn Sword of Lady Ysilla Arryn, Abelar's life has been fraught with uncertainty. At a young age his father was murdered by Yorick Yronwood, and upon his grand-father's death should've inherited the castle of Blackhaven. However, with so much precariousness surrounding the succession of his house, Lorimar Dondarrion was able to secure the position of Lord in Abelar's stead -- in effect, usurping him.

## Appearance and Character

Tall, strong, and sharp-featured, whilst Abelar might seem like the pinnacle of knightly valor and training, internally, the opposite is true. Years of harassment, bullying, and suffering, combined with traumatic experiences on the field of battle have shattered Abelar's emotional core. Resulting in a man whom might seem well intentioned at first, but given enough stress his moods become wild - lashing out in unbridled anger against all that would do him harm.

However, even with such a dark past, Abelar does not lack in happiness. During his youth he would often cope with the stresses of his existence through the singular outlet he knew: humor. A skill which he carries with himself to this day.

## Biography

Born on the seventy-third year after Aegon's Conquest, Abelar was the single child of Ser Davos Dondarrion and Ellen Estermont to survive past infancy. For those first few years he was pampered and adored by the entire castle of Blackhaven, and upon his tenth nameday his grandfather, Lord Simon Dondarrion, announced his intention to have Abelar serve as his personal squire, a first for the gallant and just lord.

However, this was not to last, as the onset of the Fourth Dornish War brought with it strife and death that the Marches had not seen for generations. It was during the Sack of Blackhaven that Abelar's father was murdered by the vile and vindictive Yorick Yronwood, and after a year of grief, Lord Simon would take his own life.

With the passing of both lord and heir within the same year, many expected Abelar to inherit Blackhaven with his uncle Lorimar to serve as his regent. Those who actually beleived this were fools, as within a fortnight Lorimar would seize the castle for himself and disinherit the adolescent rightful lord.

The next ten years would only be of suffering. Lord Lorimar was an especially cruel man during the early years of his rule, and no-one endured more hardship than Abelar. He was beaten and berated; forced to endure terrible conditions and only seldom allowed to speak with his mother. It would've been easy for Lorimar to simply lose the boy in the mountains, yet for some crooked reason he found tormenting the boy to be far more enjoyable.

Not all was bad, however. By the time he was sixteen, Abelar was nearly as tall and strong as Lorimar, and as such the endless torment became less frequent. He even found many friends within Blackhaven. Jena Dondarrion, Lord Lorimar's daughter, being the best of them. On his twentieth nameday he was assigned as Jena's sworn sword, and for the next four years he would serve this station dutifully, but nonetheless, he would never stop yearning for freedom.

That opportunity would present itself in the ninety-eighth year when the Dondarrion family went to attend the funeral of Balerion the Black Dread. Whilst wandering the gardens and halls of the Red Keep he chanced upon a striking figure: the Lady Ysilla Arryn. At first he was shy and dared not to strike up a conversation with her, but his hand was forced when she decided to approach him instead. It was an awkward chat, as Abelar had never been one to address a lady. However, by its conclusion the Lady Ysilla had decided to hire him as her personal sworn shield, a prospect that the Dondarrion knight silently thanks the Gods for.

Ever since that day he was served Ysilla faithfully, protecting her and giving her counsel whenever asked. But as his diligent service progressed through the moons, he began to be unable to hide his infatuation for the Lady Arryn, and during one fateful night after a score of emptied chalices, they shared a bed together, something that would only increase in frequency over the months to follow.

 Meta

**Attribute:** Strong.

 Skills
Siegecraft
Ambidexterity