Esplange Andalin

**Esplange Andalin** was a Ahremian knight and member of House Andalin who lived during the 12th century SY. He was the son of Terrico Andalin, a decorated military general and the brother of King Gavineus Andalin and uncle of King Ansafrid Andalin.

## Family

Esplange Andalin was an early member of House Andalin. He was the son of Terrico Andalin and grandson of Plavion Andalin. He was also the son of Arriya Lestermint and grandson of Wilaum Lestermint. He was also the nephew of both Gavineus Andalin and Farknald Lestermint as well as the cousin of Ansafrid Andalin.

He married his first cousin and the sister of the later king Ansafrid, Raithwyn Andalin, in 1137 SY. Their early attempts of having children failed, until a single healthy daughter was born in 1150 SY. She was named Ramona Andalin (1150-1228 SY). In 1152 SY, the couple would successfully birth another child, this time a son named Byrtham Andalin (1152-1200 SY). Both would live past their early lives and would raise their own families. A notable living descendant of Esplange is Hoffe Andalin (1466 SY-) a Ahremian senator.

## Biography

Esplange Andalin was born on the 11th of Lihonis, 1113 SY at his father's residence in Nazka. His father Terrico was a famous general in the Ahremian army and had served in multiple successful campaigns by the time of Esplange's birth. Terrico Andalin was also the son of the first king of Ahremia and the founder of House Andalin, Plavion Andalin as well as the brother and only sibling of Gavineus Andalin, the ruling king of Ahremia at the time of Esplange's birth.

Esplange's mother was Arriya Andalin, born Arriya Lestermint, who was a noblewoman and wealthy socialite from the northern city of Eisenhall. At the time of Esplange's birth, he had a living older sister and a young brother who was born about a year after his own birth. Neither of his siblings would live past childhood and by age 10, Esplange was given the responsibility of being the only living child from a very important and highly political marriage. His maternal grandfather, the Count of Eisenhall, wanted him to become a politician and succeed the ailing count. Terrico, wanting his son to follow in his footsteps, wished for him to become a knight of House Andalin.

An agreement was reached and Esplange was sent to his mother's home city of Eisenhall where he was looked after by his grandparents while being trained to be a soldier. At the age of 11, he was ceremonially granted the rank of *Custodian of House Lestermint*. Although this title meant really nothing, it motivated the young and promising Esplange to excel in his physical accomplishments.

At age 16 he finished his schooling and became the first member of House Andalin to serve in as a footsoldier in the Ahremian military. He is considered the first modern member of a ruling Ahremian house to serve in the military. His first experiences in battle were in southwest Birgolon where he assisted in the capture of the independent city of Ballene. Although young, he showed much promise and his prowess was noted by his father and uncle. Although the main force would leave southern Birgolon after 1130 SY, Esplange would stay near Ballene and fight off hostile tribes on the kingdom's hinterland for a couple of years.

When he returned home to Nazka in 1135 SY he was considered by his peers to be one of the most well performing soldiers in the company left at Ballene. These accomplishments along with his royal affiliations led to his formal knighting by King Gavineus Andalin at the Glass Palace in Euritas in the winter of 1135 SY. He was given the title *Holy Servant of the Pretor, Knight of Pretor's Chosen* (the latter title referring to the king of Ahremia). He would keep this title for the rest of his life.

He would be mainly on standby until the first campaigns launched by his cousin and King of Ahremia, Ansafrid Andalin in 1152 SY. He would show his skill as a swordsman in Birgolon once again, this time against the forces of the Kingdom of Hotsnieu led by Lylmag. At the battle of Dil-Dunfrie, he would assist in capturing Lylmag's fortress and interrogating him. After his service in Birgolon, he returned back to Ahremia to spend time with his mother and her family in Eisenhall while his father and cousin began their second campaign in Birgolon.

His time spent with his mother would be cut short however, as a freak hunting accident in Levvia of 1153 SY would result in both his and his mother's death. His death prompted his father Terrico to leave Birgolon to attend his son's funeral. The death of his entire immediate family left Terrico a broken man, and his later service in his nephew's campaigns would be minimal.

A Pretorian funeral for Esplange was held in Nazka before his remains were buried in the cemetery of the small Chapel of St. Darius in Nazka, the closest chapel to his birthplace. Although he died young, his wife Raithwyn and his two children would live into old age. His father Terrico would assist in raising Byrtham up until his own death years later. Soon after Esplange's death a statue was unveiled in Eisenhall that honored him. Today, his grave is a destination for many veterans and knights who lay meadow rose, his favorite flower, at his grave.