Maric Stokeworth

Ser Maric Stokeworth is a current member of the Kingsguard under King Viserys I, being the newest member of the order. Granted a White Cloak rather recently, Maric strives to live up to the vows he swore both as a knight and as a protector of the Royal Family. He is a chivalrous individual, but has a rather black and white way of thinking and is firmly content with his place in life.

## Appearance

A good word to describe Maric Stokeworth would be “sturdy”. He’s a large man, both tall and very broad, with monolithic shoulders and thick limbs honed from years of practice and physical training. Maric has blonde hair, kept fairly short and often swept back with a light beard that can grow out during travel or war. He has a large nose, light blue eyes and thick eyebrows and while he can look intimidating, he wears a broad smile most often.

## Personality and Character

Maric is a skilled knight, having proven his worth on the field of battle and in various tournaments, though he is not fond of killing or violence. When it comes to the Royal Family however, he is willing to use any means to see them safe. A unambitious man, Maric was shocked upon his appointment to the Kingsguard and strives only to see his charges succeed. A jovial man who enjoys the company of others, Maric is fond of feasts and tournaments, and works hard to improve himself daily.

Despite his many good traits, he is a narrow thinker and holds himself and everyone else to a rigid sense of duty and honor. Despite efforts to change, he is also quite stubborn and believes he knows how to do things best most of the time.

## History

### Childhood

In the year 76 AC, Maric Stokeworth was born into House Stokeworth and two proud parents, feeling that their son was destined for greatness. Maric took to his studies as a child extremely quickly and was a well behaved child, always trying his best and working very hard. Always wanting to please his family and live up to the high expectations set forth for him, Maric would often get worried about doing well enough but would never have any real complaints about his behavior.

He would often find himself in trouble with his peers for foiling their mischievous plots, though he was taught from a young age that someone’s secrets are sacred and should not be shared. Finding a few other children his age that he could relate enough to, Maric would often pretend to be a famous knight, always saving the day and coming through the victor no matter how tough the imaginary situation.

As his training with weapons began, Maric took quickly to larger, heavier ones, utilizing his impressive and budding strength to overpower those his own age. Always displaying a code of honor and doing his best to help those around him improve, Maric soon won over those who disliked him for his sense of fair play and growing honor, though a few still disliked the youth.

The young Stokeworth also took excellently to riding and did well in practice jousts. Despite possessing a positive attitude and always being willing to rise when he fell, Maric was often scolded for his lack of ambition or creativity. In his mind, the world was simple. There were heroes and there were villains and Maric was firmly entrenched on the good side. Good men had no need for power or titles, making grasping plays to try and win more prestige.

Maric always felt content just working hard and being around his family. While he grew up, he enjoyed the taste of wine and a nice meal in his belly and was absolutely complacent with his life just continuing on its course. In the year 87 AC he was sent to Rosby to squire, where his attitude and skill at arms made him a popular figure.

### Squiring and Rebellion

Growing larger and much stronger, Maric was easily on a fast track to becoming a valued knight, and he set his eyes on the role of Master at Arms of Stokeworth, but felt no particular need to pursue it passionately. With his mentor teaching Maric all he could, the youth became a much more responsible young man and came to believe he firmly understood what duty and sacrifice meant.

Maric would receive a shocking lesson when the Reach and the West rebelled in 93 AC, starting the Rosegold Rebellion. Maric was held behind in King’s Landing with his mentor, but soon enough he would see battle as the Western host would eventually descend upon King’s Landing and engage the Royal forces within.

It was on those streets that he would kill his first man, the sight of the blood causing him to expel the food in his stomach, but he would fight on. He would not fight on for honor or the sake of valor, not because it was duty or he felt hatred towards his enemies. No, Maric would fight on for fear of losing his life.

Something that he had never truly considered was death and the thought that he could die in the streets of King’s Landing shook him to his core. Despite his youth and inexperience in actual combat, Maric was able to defeat numerous foes, slaying many and even capturing a knight. He took numerous cuts and wounds but managed to continue to fight, the pain only making him more desperate and stronger.

When the Western host broke, Maric was relieved and was quickly treated for his wounds, but found himself quite enraged when he heard of the Golden Truce. He also had his beliefs tested, as he did not truly feel those he killed were evil or bad. At the age of Seven and Ten, he was knighted after the Battle of King’s Landing, and despite having worked for it his entire life, he found himself surprised and enthralled by the title of “Ser”.

### Joining the Kingsguard

Frustrated still, he left King’s Landing when fully healed and proceeded to ride in numerous tournaments across the realm, earning the affection of the smallfolk, who had heard of his bravery and humble demeanour and tried to find himself after the war. Managing to win a few melee’s and even a joust or two, Maric began a slow trip back to the Crownlands.

When he arrived in Stokeworth, he spent a few years serving as a trusted adviser and valiant knight aiding those in power in rooting out enemy spies and eavesdroppers, often taking trips to King’s Landing. Maric soon found he had a talent for investigation and added it to his skill set. To his eternal shock and amazement, he was offered a White Cloak for his dedication and skill.

Maric quickly accepted, and nearly cried tears of joy, finally feeling he had come to realize his true role. For a few short years he has served House Targaryen, so far showing himself an exemplary knight and protector.

Despite his great promise, Ser Maric died in 99 AC, at only twenty-three years of age, during a drunken brawl in a bar in King's Landing.

## **Family**

* Symon Stokeworth, Ser, Scion of House Stokeworth b. 58 AC
* (m.) Falyse Thorne, b. 58 AC
	+ Maric Stokeworth, Knight of the Kingsguard, b. 76 AC
* Various other members of House Stokeworth

## **Meta**

Skills: Champion, Warcraft, Two-Handed Weapons, Mounted Combat, Counter-Intelligence.

Aptitude: Berserker