Robert Darklyn

Serenei Darklyn

Johanna Darklyn

**Robert Darklyn** is the Lord of Duskendale and head of House Darklyn. Having only ruled for a scant few months following the unfortunate - albeit strange - passing of his father, many look to Robert for answers, asking if he is truly ready for his seat, and whether he will break to so-called curse which has befallen Duskendale as of the last few decades.

Carrying his own questions about worthiness and the circumstances of his father's death, Robert must carry the Darklyn name proudly as he guides his family into a new era marked by blood and gold.

## Appearance and Character

The Lord of Duskendale can - perhaps ironically - be described as a man of dark complexion. Dusky brown hair cling to Robert's neck in thick, wavy tresses that receive almost as much attention as Robert's beard, trimmed short and oiled on an almost daily basis. Though not especially tall, Robert might be mistaken for being shorter than he is thanks to a stocky build inherited from his father.

Having looked forward to living his life for at least another few decades, Jon's death weighs heavily on Robert. A calm and collected man with a sometimes blunt sense of humor, the stoney eyes hides a temper that is best kept under check for everyone's sake. Even so, Robert possesses a keen eye for details, and has a vested interest in business and ensuring that Duskendale does not slip behind King's Landing fast-growing population and increased trade.

## History

### Birth and Childhood

Born almost a year after young Lord Jon wed Reina Grafton in the Dusky Sept, the earliest accounts of Robert tell of a cheerful young boy often taking the lead in games and exploring the great halls of the Dun Fort, often to the annoyance of his father, whom would always remain a distant figure content with delegating the raising of his children to his wife and servants.

As he grew older, so too did Jon's absence begin to have an impact on young Robert. Growing more introverted, Robert - or Robin, as he was referred to frequently - began to distance himself from most of the children, often taking to private games that only included his closest friends and siblings.

One notable incident transpired in 110 AC when two boys of House Dargood reportedly tried to insert themselves into Robert's circle of friends while they were playing a game of Hold the Fort. After a bit of bickering, Robert lost his temper and threw a tantrum, yelling at them to leave him alone before storming off into his room. Refusing to leave for five days before his father forced him out, Robert was made to apologize in front of his parents, after which he withdrew from all friends for two moons before he reintegrated himself without comment.

There would be more tantrums over the years, but ultimately grew more infrequent as Robert entered the service of Ser Richard Darkwood as his page and eventual squire. The two spent most of their time in Duskendale under Ser Jon's watch, but would make occasional trips to King's Landing and other towns during errands, where Robert was taught how to lay traps, skin and cooking various animals.

It was during these trips that he began developing a habit of exploring the streets unattended, making deliveries as a courier or simply out of a wanderlust. He interacted with the local townsmen, blacksmiths, captains, and innkeepers, but it was in a King's Landing brothel that Darklyn men-at-arms found Robert in bed with a whore.

Furious, Lord Jon brought his son and heir back to Duskendale, where he would be confined for another six moons until his knighting in 123 AC, at the age of eighteen.

### A Knight of Duskendale

Finally released from his service to Ser Richard, and a man grown, Robert finally felt free to live his life, but that bliss would only last a few years. Departing on a galley to tour the Free Cities of Essos, Robert found himself enamoured with the foreign cultures, reminded of his own ancestry through Celtigar and - more distantly - the Andals. Visiting each of the Nine cities over a period of three years, Robert would finally return to his home of Westeros in 127 AC.

Rather than being greeted with open arms, Robert was chided in front of the whole court for his irresponsibility, and for neglecting his noble duties as an heir. Rather than argue back as many expected him to, however, Robert begged his father's forgiveness in a rare moment of submission. However, rather than forgve his son, Jon dismissed him curtly, and called an end to court

The two would remain on poor terms throughout the next year, barely talking except on rare occasions. Even Lady Reina's death in 128 AC was not enough to reconcile father and son, though Robert reportedly did seek him out in the weeks after her funeral, only to be rebuffed.

Spending his time with friends and family, people discovered Robert a changed man. More like what he'd been before his tantrums, he was described as pleasant, if reserved, often making japes and regaling people with his experiences in Essos. Often talking about returning to Essos, his dreams never came to be as Lord Jon had asserted strict order to bar his son's departure.

Focusing his efforts elsewhere, the heir to Duskendale returned to the taverns and streets, wandering for the sake of wandering. A frequent stop was the rebuilt Dusky Sept, which had burned down on the 10th anniversary of his great grandmother's death. There, he would spend the afternoons chatting with the septon, or in silent prayer, though often he was alone.

### Lord Darklyn

The bells tolled in the early hours of the 27th day of the ninth moon of 129 AC. Lord Jon was dead, having been found unconscious in his bed the previous afternoon and unresponsive to any and all attempts at waking him. His cause of death indeterminable, according to his own maester, but two things were for certain; The Stranger had come for Lord Darklyn, and now Robert was the new Lord of Duskendale.

A blessing and a curse, Robert felt free to finally do what he could not in his father's lifetime, but as a lord in his own right, he was bound to Duskendale forever, no matter how much he wished things were different. With rumours going around regarding the circumstances of his father's death, Lord Robert has stepped up to take an active role in managing his seat's affairs.

## Family Tree

Credit goes to the previous Darklyn player, with additions by me and Lira:

House Darklyn Family Tree, 130 AC

 Skills, Mastery & Attributes

**Attribute**: Gregarious

**Mastery**: Architect (Statecraft)

**Skills**: Networking (STA), Commerce (STA) | Finances (EDU), Naval Engineering (EDU)