Benedict Tarbeck

* 130 AC
* 99 AC

### Predecessor

Ser Jon Hogg (as a Knight of the Kingsguard)Lord Commander Corlys Celtigar (as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard)

## META

### Name on Discord

Peach

Lord Commander **Benedict Tarbeck** is the younger brother of the former Lord Andros Tarbeck, and has served as a Knight of the Kingsguard since the end of the Rosegold Rebellion in 93 AC. After the death of Corlys Celtigar in 129 AC, Benedict became Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in his 67th year.

## Appearance and Character

Ben Tarbeck has lived through much, and it shows. Where he used to smile with his eyes as much as his fearsome grin, they are now surrounded by bags and wrinkles, lines curving around his face. And yet, he acknowledges that. He is old, and denying that would be a fast path to an untimely death. And so, he trains as is appropriate, never over-working himself too much. Still standing tall and straight at his six foot and one inch, Benedict does not look *that* different to how he used to. He continues to tie his hair back into a ponytail behind his head, though said locks are now a dark gray rather than a dirty blond, and he still wears a thin beard upon his chin. And, most crucially, he still wields his halberd, and will until his demise.

## History

### Early Life

Benedict Tarbeck was born in 62 AC as the second son of Lord Flement and Lady Cerenna Tarbeck. Where his elder brother was given extensive academic education through his youth, Benedict's education was far more free-form, allowed to study and train what he wanted. For his first few years, he simply followed Andros around, taking in what he could from the far more advanced lessons that his brother was taking. Often Benedict fell asleep in his brother's lessons, but was always awake and attentive when he watched his brother train with Ser Hugh, their aging great-uncle. Watching the knights practice and his brother train, Benedict knew what he wanted to do. As soon as he could lift it, Ben found the longest stick he could, and wielded it as a spear. Along with his brother, the young boy took lessons from Ser Hugh, the castle's castellan, and his son Ser Jasper, the master-at-arms. Ben learnt quickly, able to match his brother despite the four year different between them. When Ser Hugh passed of an illness, Ben was devastated, but it only motivated him to train harder with Ser Jasper, with the intention of surpassing his brother. And, at twelve years old, in 74 AC, he managed it, bringing his wooden spear into Andros' legs, sending him to the floor. Knowing his brother to be calm and reasonable, the young Ben was shocked to learn that he was planning to enter the Tourney of Unveiling. And yet, whilst shocked, when the time came, Ben supported his brother intensely, whooping and cheering when he unhorsed Lord Farman, and offering his sympathies when Ser Renly Oakheart laid him low. When word came of Andros' betrothal, and his newly-attained knighthood, Benedict was overjoyed, and pledged that when he came of age, he would buy his brother many a round of drinks.

### Coming Into His Own

When winter fell upon the West, Benedict joined many of Ser Jasper's patrols as a squire, and often accompanied his brother. When not assisting those who were affected by the snows and sickness, Benedict trained hard, and in the last year of the winter, received a knighthood after defeating his knightly master in a duel. That same day, however, tragedy struck. Whilst Andros was inside the castle walls, caring for his newborn son, Benedict joined Ser Jasper and Lord Flement on a ride through the hills, heading north to visit the largest village under their control. On the return journey, Flement expressed that he felt lightheaded, before slumping forwards and falling from his horse. Jasper and Ben lifted him from the ground and placed him upon the back of his mount, riding at full pelt back to the castle. When Flement awoke, he bestowed regency upon his eldest son, and Perseverance too, a decision that Benedict wholeheartedly supported. For two full years, Andros took on the duties of rulership, though many of the household knights were concerned that the inexperienced young lord was not yet fit to be a regent. However, their fears were put to rest when the heir to Tarbeck Hall, accompanied by Benedict, dealt with a group of bandits without a single death, although Ben was forced to wield his halberd in defence of his brother on the ride north. Andros' skilful handling of the situation greatly impressed the knights, and confirmed that Benedict and Jasper were right to put their faith in him.

In the eightieth year after Aegon's Conquest, however, Benedict's fear returned. Lord Flement had passed away, and the manner of his death confirmed that the Dragonblight had caught him. Andros retreated to his quarters to mourn, and so it fell to Ser Jasper and Ben to plan the late lord's funeral. When the time came for the new Lord to make his speech, nothing but worry swept over the young knight, as his brother looked greatly unhealthy. His worry did not decrease when it became evident that Andros had no intention of leaving his room. And so, it fell to Benedict to be the face of House Tarbeck, even though the reclusive lord still gave commands. When necessary, Benedict would often ride out on patrol, dealing with common criminals and dangerous creatures, often requested by petitioners. Only Lady Cyrelle was permitted to enter, for a full year, and Benedict and Jasper were kept in the dark. However, in 82 AC, in the dead of night, a note was slipped beneath Benedict's door, asking him to come to the garden behind the great hall. There, a hooded figure stood, a training sword in hand. For six months, Benedict and the hooded figure sparred, his opponent keeping his anonymity even though Ben was deeply aware that it was his own brother who fought him. By the end of the year, however, it all came to light, as Andros emerged from his seclusion, as well-muscled and groomed as he was before his long mourning. Now in his twentieth year, Ben had proved himself as a valiant and righteous knight, and a skilled warrior too.

As peace returned to Tarbeck Hall, Andros assumed many of the duties that he had selfishly left to others, giving his brother far more free time. Within two years, however, that free time was taken up once more, training the heir to Silverhill, Daryn Serrett, as his squire, and taking on his nephew Preston as a page. Whilst teaching his students, Benedict was able to refine his own skills, becoming even more agile and proficient with his halberd. When his brother had his encounter with Sandor Reyne, Ben made sure that the twins were carried away safely, but did not engage. For a man as skilled as Benedict, he had not seen a proper conflict in years, and he was itching for a fight. What would come, however, would not be the fight he was looking for.

### War and a White Cloak

When conflict came, it came with force. However, it was not against the Ironborn raiders from their rocky islands, but from House Reyne, their own countrymen, who had risen up in rebellion against the crown along with the rest of the Westerlands, and the Reach. Joining his brother, Ser Jasper, and the master-at-arms' son, Ser Jaime, Ben helped to plan a retaliation. It was his duty to lead the first sally, after Sandor Reyne's first assault, and when the time came, he was ready. His halberd glinted with the light of the sun as it tore through Reyne's lines, and as the first sally came to a head, Benedict felt almost certain that victory would belong to them, and that the red lion would be forced to flee with its tail between its legs.

When the heir to Castamere failed his second assault, spirits were high across the entire castle, and Andros took it upon himself to lead the grand sally. Ben pleaded to be allowed to accompany them, but Andros refused, saying that if Reyne tried an assault from another side of the castle, they would need an experienced soldier to defend them. And so, Benedict found himself across Tarbeck Hall from his brother, watching for any signs of a sneak attack. Ser Jaime stood beside him, watching closely for every movement in the hills. Soon enough, however, Benedict heard news that Andros' sally had failed, that the Lord was gravely injured. Leaving Jaime to watch over the walls, Ben dashed to his brother's side, to see him laying on the ground, breathing raggedly, and with a great dent in his armour, but still breathing. Thankful for Andros' survival, Ben took command of the defense of the main gate, but Sandor Reyne was unable to pull off another assault with his numbers. As more time passed, a letter arrived from the capital. Lord Tytos and King Viserys had come to an agreement, and a loyal Kingsguard was required to replace one who fell in the war. Benedict Tarbeck was the perfect choice, unmarried and from a house that had stayed true to the crown, even disobeying their liege lord's command. Within the month, Benedict travelled to King's Landing, and was inducted into the Kingsguard by His Grace and Lord Commander Aethan Velaryon, along with Ser Alyn Corbray of the Vale.

### Loyalty

For the first time in years, Benedict did not serve his own family, but served just as loyally and faithfully as he always had. Whenever his King needed him, he was there, his pale white armour standing between His Grace and danger, along with his brothers. For five years of peace, Ben served as a silent guardian for the King, spending his free time training both himself and his young squire, Criston Caswell.

When the time came to mobilise for war, Benedict served as well as he always had. At his king's side, he marched to Bitterbridge during the White Rose Rebellion and watched as his squire's castle was besieged and Lord Ormund Caswell was executed on the orders of Viserys. Whilst Benedict saw this as a necessary action he knew his brother thought differently, having seen Criston's squireship as a chance to make amends with the Reach after the Rosegold. Although he saw Andros' perspective, he stayed loyal to his king and was greatly thankful when the Lord of Tarbeck Hall did the same. And, when House Tully rose up against the crown he was glad to see his brother march forth to try and pacify the rebellion, even though he did not succeed.

As peace came once more, the aftermath took its place. Ser Garlan Roxton, his brother in white, defeated Ser Jason Lannister in a trial by combat. Benedict near-covered his eyes when the Kingsguard defeated his former liege's heir, but when he was spared a level of unprecedented relief came over him. Jason was sent to the Wall, and Lord Tytos was stripped of his title as Warden of the West. And it fell to Andros, his brother, to take up that title along with his position as Lord Justiciar of the Realm and its Peoples.

### Respite

When war rose again, Benedict was relieved to know he would not be fighting it. It seemed like the Stormlands and Dorne would batter each other down, whilst he could guard his king faithfully. Andros would not be travelling to war either, and so for two years, the brothers had a moment to sit and connect. So much had happened since they last saw each other, and Benedict told many grim stories of the Kingsguard and the men they had lost. Andros told of Sandor Reyne's death, of Riverrun and of the tourney of Storm's End. As the Red Mountains burnt, the Tarbecks gave a hearty laugh over a glass of wine. And yet, a conversation about a petty criminal who tried to steal the Lord Justiciar's own Valyrian Steel sword would be their last. Benedict had seen a runner visit the Father's Bastion late at night wearing the colours of House Caron, and had heard a slight ruckus as he passed the small keep on his way to the White Sword Tower.

Benedict had not even been able to say a proper farewell when his nephew Martyn came running to his quarters, out of breath. Andros had passed in his sleep, and he rested with the Seven. He was five-and-forty, far too young, but Ben did not spend too long mourning. If his brother had been here, he was sure that the words "get back to work," would have been uttered many a time. And so he did. Guarding the King, guarding the young Prince Baelor, guarding the Lord Hand and the rest of the family, Benedict began to remember his brother rather than mourn him, and the occasional visits from the new Lord Martyn made him sure he was not the only one who had to continue onwards.

After the rise of House Toland, the Kingsguard's job gently grew easier. Whilst it was always necessary to watch His Grace, the King had no reason to leave the capital and so wandering bandits and potential rebels were no threat.

### Bloodshed and Kinship

Upon hearing the news of the Cobblers rising up in the Riverlands and the Westerlands, Benedict was initially concerned, although he knew that his nephew and the lords of the west would be able to hold their own. Upon being summoned to the throne room to meet with the King and the Prince of Dragonstone, the Tarbeck realised what had happened. Any peasant rebellion would have broken out in King's Landing, of course, and Viserys Targaryen wished to show that he cared for the people who had not taken up pitchforks. And so, halberd in his hands, Benedict fought the angered people of King's Landing.

Viserys and Baelor were competent enough fighters, and the city watchmen who accompanied them did not break. But when they were compared to the Kingsguard, they paled in comparison. Alongside his knightly brothers, even the suspicious and less-valiant Garlan Roxton, the Westerman made sure his presence was known. His halberd pierced and cut through the Cobblers who threatened the royal position, and his long reach made him a fearsome combatant. But one man's, even seven's, valour could not stop it from being a bloodless conflict. Ser Ronnel Royce was forced to break his position to save the prince, and he would pay for it with his life. It was as grim to see a brother die as it was to see *his* brother die, and Benedict stood vigil over Ser Ronnel's body for a full night.

But the battle was a victory. His Grace and the Prince of Dragonstone survived, the Cobblers were suppressed, and soon enough news of victory from the West and the Trident came to King's Landing. Benedict was sad to hear that his nephew no longer sat as Warden of the West, but was reassured by the fact that the returning of the title to the Lord of Casterly Rock was voluntary, and that Martyn had fought well alongside House Lannister in the war. And yet, with Martyn simply returning to being Lord of Tarbeck Hall and Andros' death a decade before, it seemed like House Tarbeck had fallen from their height.

When Benedict heard of the king's plan for his son's marriage, the Kingsguard nearly fell from his seat. He had been given guard duty for the future queen's arrival at court, and when she arrived she was greeted like family. For she was family, the knight's great-niece, daughter of Martyn. And the Lord of Tarbeck Hall himself was there too, having brought his daughter along to meet her betrothed. Catching up with the younger man reminded Benedict of his conversations with his brother during the War of the Setting Sun, and made him realise quite distinctly that he was growing old. Martyn was simply passing through, on his way south to take the position of High Justiciar of Dorne since Princess Ashlynn could not be trusted. His son Walderan would be accompanying him as his squire, although upon being knighted the young man would return to Tarbeck Hall to assume lordly duties. Benedict gave a fond farewell to the members of his family who did not remain in the capital, and returned to his duties.

### Nothing Stays The Same

Peace returned as it tended to, and left with similar speed. Only four years after Ellyn had arrived in the capital, and three years after the birth of the Princess Saerra, Benedict's great-niece was gone. Baelor had fled to Dragonstone to cover his grief, and the King's daughter Rhaenys had been sent to ensure he was safe. Ellyn's death shook the ageing Kingsguard deeper than he had imagined. She was family, and he had expected to mourn for a long while, but in her time as the Prince of Dragonstone's wife she had become a friend of Benedict's during particularly grim duties. He no longer had that, and it pained him. When Walderan had passed through the capital on his way back to Tarbeck Hall, he had spent time with his great-uncle, but it was not the same, and he knew it had an end.

But he still had his brothers beside him. Lord Commander Aethan had passed two years before, and Corlys Celtigar now held the position that the King's uncle had occupied for what seemed like an age. Ben had always been fond of the only man left in the order who was more senior than him, and he was glad to serve him as both a knight and as an equal.

Benedict was in his quarters in the White Sword Tower when news of Prince Baelor's most recent exploits reached King's Landing. He had gone to Gulltown to speak with a religious zealot leader and Ser Jasper Arryn, and he had watched as the knight killed the faithful man. He had also returned to the city after Ser Jasper's murder, and Ser Luthor Oakheart's life had been lost. Another of his sworn brothers, dead. And yet this did not cut as deeply as the first. It was their job, their duty. Ser Luthor had known what he was to do, and he did not weep as hard as he would have before. When Ser Edderion Manderly arrived from the north, Benedict was courteous, not resentful as he had been towards Ronnel Royce's replacement although that feeling had faded since.

And when Baelor Targaryen remarried, to his sister, Benedict was happy. He had not yet found solace after his great-niece's death, but he was glad the future king had.

### Two Commanders

And yet solace, in the form of another familiar confidant, did come. In 127 AC, Walderan Tarbeck arrived at the head of a small party, come to the city to meet with the King. Benedict escorted him to the throne room, and the two (despite their large age difference) shared stories of their experiences. It was the same as that day nearly thirty years ago, and the same as that day nine years ago. But Walderan was not to leave him so soon. He had been appointed Commander of the City Watch, both as another reward for House Tarbeck's service, and because he was at least capable at the job. Once more the knight had a friend to talk to in the city, although their busy schedules did not often allow for it.

And Benedict's schedule only grew busier. In 129 AC, Lord Commander Corlys Celtigar passed onto the Seven Heavens, and it fell to his second-in-command and the second most senior knight of the Kingsguard to take his position. And so, at the age of seven-and-sixty, Benedict Tarbeck became King Viserys Targaryen's third Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. And when His Grace died from a long illness in the final moons of the year, he became his last.

## Recent Events

Now serving as the first Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to the newly ascended Baelor Targaryen, First of His Name, Benedict intends on serving as well as he has for the last thirty-seven years. And yet, he knows as his bones creak every time he thrusts his halberd at the wrong angle, he cannot. So he will do what he is sure he can do. Serve to the best of his ability, and be aware of his weaknesses.

## Family Tree

http://www.familyecho.com/?p=START&c=le009hxz6l&f=294377768708139096

## Meta

**Skills:**

* Leadership (CHA)
* Skirmishing (MAR)
* Reconnaissance (MAR)
* Weapon Proficiency (Polearms and Ranged Weapons) (COM)
* Endurance (COM)

**Mastery:**

* Field Commander (MAR)