Athyn

"*Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. That's how you remain one step ahead.*"
—Atyhn.

## Athyn

### Date of Birth

1240 A.K. in Alderwood, Khanduras

Sir **Athyn** was a Knight and the Master-At-Arms of House Dunn. Ruthles and cunning, he was feared among the common folk, but was favorable among his peers for his combat skills. He served as a commander during the Skycutter Conflict and was slain by Alec Kylar after attempting to claim the artifact.

## History

Born a commoner in rural Khanduras, Athyn and several of his brothers were sold off to an orphanage at a young age. He eventually separated from his brothers, having became an obedient and frequent squire for traveling knights. In exchange for his service, Athyn was given training, protection and provisions throughout the years. By age 16, while traveling alongside a group of knights, Athyn repeatedly witnessed their acts of looting, rape and murder of innocent denizens, and would partake on several occasions.

In 1259, he was brought into the Knighthood after aiding a group of traveling merchants from Alderwood against a highwayman attack. Seeking fortune and stability, Athyn made Alderwood his home and would later become a retainer to House Dunn. By 1268, Lord Jerald of House Dunn appointed Athyn to the rank of Master-At-Arms. He gained a reputation as greedy and shifty to the town folk, and was prone to brutalizing them.

### ***The Friar's Grave***

In 1269, while serving closely under Lord Jerald, Athyn and his men fell under heavy scrutiny for the harassment of church followers within the city, specifically the beating of a local friar named Allen. When a city wide forum began to speak ill upon Athyn, branding him nothing more than a thug, Lord Damon of House Lothston anonymously spread rumors that Athyn was a heretic. While on a hunting trip outside the city, Athyn was attacked by a group of Zakarum zealots passing by. In retaliation the following day, Athyn tracked, murdered and buried the friar believing he was the source of the rumors and attack.

In the weeks following his disappearance many suspected Athyn's involvement, but with no proof of his murder or the cause of his disappearance, the mayor and townsfolk were left only with speculation. Though initially free of guilt for murdering the friar, Athyn soon came to regret his actions when he drunkenly confessed to the murder to his betrothed who was quick to break off their engagement. Athyn then lapsed into alcoholism and lost his sense of humor. Though Athyn's confession was kept private, he never saw his betrothed again, and his internal struggle to find a path of redemption remained constant in the following years.

## Character and Appearance

Athyn was often described as a cynical man, unworthy of the title of Knighthood. He was known to answer injustice with his own injustice actions, such as brutality beating - sometimes killing - lawbreakers and untrustworthy outsiders. Despised by the common folk, Athyn was unwelcome in most taverns and brothels across Alderwood. He had an addiction to gambling and was often prone to begging for money from his superiors.