Lord Benedict Ravenshade

**Benedict Ravenshade (Strictwall)**
***22.Jan.580 SC**-**10.Jun.608 SC***

**Place of birth:**Ebonvale

**Benedict Strictwall**, later known as **Benedict Ravenshade**, was a humble apothecary who rose to notoriety through his marriage to lady Seraphina Ravenshade, a noblewoman from a prestigious family. Born into modest circumstances, he achieved a degree of upward mobility rarely seen in Stormhearth society. However, his tale is equally marked by love, conflict, and tragedy. Though their love was initially clandestine, it eventually received reluctant approval from Seraphina's noble family, leading to their marriage and Benedict's assumption of the Ravenshade surname.

## Biography

### Childhood

Benedict Strictwall was born on **22th of January 580 SC** in the bustling medieval city of Ebonvale. The city, known for its commerce and diverse population, offered a vibrant but challenging backdrop for Benedict's early years. He was born into a family of modest means; his parents were both artisans who worked hard to provide for their family. The community was tight-knit, and the Strictwalls were well-regarded for their diligence and honesty.

### Youth

From a young age, Benedict exhibited a natural aptitude for learning and showed particular interest in the curative arts. His curiosity was further fueled by the regular visits of traveling merchants and scholars to Ebonvale, bringing with them exotic herbs, potions, and scrolls. During his formative years, he received basic education from a local tutor and went on to apprentice under a seasoned apothecary. This apprenticeship would pave the way for his future career, providing both technical knowledge and a moral framework that emphasized the healing mission of his chosen profession.

By the end of his adolescence, Benedict had gained enough experience and knowledge to start thinking about opening his own apothecary stall. Situated in the busy marketplace of Ebonvale, his small but well-organized stall quickly gained a reputation for its effective remedies and fair prices. His ethos of helping people through his curative arts resonated well with the local community, leading to a loyal customer base that continued to grow.

Benedict's work often required long hours of preparation and research, but the sense of fulfillment he derived from his work made it all worthwhile. He continued to refine his craft, diving into ancient tomes and experimenting with new formulations. His natural charisma and amicable demeanor also played a significant role in his professional success, as he was able to create lasting bonds with customers and suppliers alike.

### Falling in love

The most transformative event of his youth occurred when he crossed paths with lady Seraphina Ravenshade. On a serendipitous afternoon of **22th of March 601 SC**, she visited his stall out of sheer curiosity. The connection between them was instantaneous; he was captivated by her grace and intelligence, and she by his kindness and depth of knowledge. Their initial transactional interaction soon gave way to meaningful conversations and, eventually, clandestine meetings.

The love that blossomed between Benedict and Seraphina was both passionate and profound, defying the boundaries of their disparate social standings. Both knew the risks involved—Seraphina being of noble birth and Benedict a commoner—but the magnetic attraction between them was too powerful to ignore. Over several months, their love continued to deepen, nurtured through secret rendezvous, love letters, and stolen moments. For Benedict, Seraphina became not only a romantic interest but also an intellectual companion, someone who shared his enthusiasm for philosophy and a compassionate worldview.

Despite the bliss that their love brought them, it also introduced a layer of complexity and peril into their lives. Benedict was aware that their relationship would not be sanctioned easily by Seraphina's noble family, and the odds of them being together openly seemed slim. Yet, they were bound by a love so compelling that it drowned out the cautionary voices in their minds. They met in secluded gardens, in borrowed rooms, their love both an open secret and a hidden treasure.

Their courtship reached a critical juncture when Seraphina's parents discovered their relationship. Faced with threats from her family and the vandalization of his apothecary stall, Benedict felt cornered. With few options remaining, he proposed the daring plan of fleeing the city, hoping to start anew where the shadows of societal norms could not reach them. To his joy and surprise, Seraphina agreed.

However, in a twist of fate, Seraphina's parents had a change of heart at the last moment. They extended an offer for Benedict to marry Seraphina, on the condition that he would assume the surname of Ravenshade. Seeing an opportunity for a life together without the burden of societal scorn, they readily accepted the terms.

### Marriage and struggles

As Benedict assumed the name Ravenshade and officially wed Seraphina on **28th of January 603 SC**, it appeared that the couple had overcome the most significant obstacle in their path. They looked forward to building a life together, grounded in their deep love and shared interests. But marriage brought with it a fresh set of challenges, particularly the societal expectations surrounding noble families. The couple faced enormous pressure to produce an heir, an expectation that became a significant emotional and psychological burden as months turned into years without conception.

Being integrated into the Ravenshade family also meant adapting to a lifestyle very different from the one Benedict had known as a humble apothecary. He now found himself navigating the complex waters of court life, filled with its own set of rituals, expectations, and politics. The ever-watchful eyes of society weighed heavily on the couple, scrutinizing their every move and eagerly gossiping about their inability to conceive.

Financial strains also began to surface. Benedict had to close down his apothecary stall upon marriage, as per the agreement with the Ravenshade family. He soon realized that living under the banner of a noble name didn't provide the same satisfaction and independence that his profession had once given him. Despite the sumptuous lifestyle that the Ravenshade estate could afford, a sense of incompleteness plagued him.

Moreover, the intimacy between Benedict and Seraphina began to suffer under the weight of their social responsibilities and the stress surrounding their fertility struggles. The spontaneity and joy that had once marked their courtship were replaced by a sense of duty and a schedule filled with medical consultations, familial obligations, and court appearances.

Despite the growing tension and life's mounting difficulties, the love between Benedict and Seraphina never wavered. They continued to find solace in each other, their love being the one constant amidst a sea of changes.

### Demise

On a seemingly ordinary day of **10th of June 608 SC**, the sky over the Ebonvale darkened ominously, signaling the onset of a voltquake. At that moment Benedict and Seraphina found themselves outside in the garden, a place that had often been a sanctuary for them in happier times.

As they hurried toward safety, disaster struck. Seraphina's foot became entangled in a wooden plank just meters away from the shelter. Panic set in as the lightning began its erratic dance across the sky, coming ever closer. Acting quickly, Benedict managed to free his wife's foot and, in a feat of adrenaline-fueled strength, threw her into the shelter.

However, the time it took to save Seraphina cost him the precious seconds he needed to find safety for himself. As he turned to follow her into the shelter, a bolt of vibrant lightning struck him, killing him instantly. Unbeknownst to both Benedict and Seraphina, she was already pregnant at the time, carrying the long-awaited heir whose absence had been the source of so much strain in their lives. Benedict's final act was a poignant symbol of his enduring love for Seraphina, a love that had guided him through the vicissitudes of life but, ultimately, could not save him from the unforgiving wrath of the voltquake.

## Appearance

Benedict Ravenshade was a man of distinct features that made him easily recognizable in a crowd. He had a long face that was often adorned with a thoughtful expression, mirroring his contemplative nature. His hair was ginger in color and kept short, in a practical style that required little maintenance, aligning with his humble background and busy life as an apothecary. Complementing his hair was a very short ginger beard, which framed his face and added to his overall mature and serious demeanor. These physical traits came together to create an image of a man who, despite the hardships he faced, maintained a kind of dignified presence, offering a glimpse into his inner resilience and steadfast character.

## Personality

Benedict Ravenshade was a man characterized by his humility and quiet resilience. His disposition was primarily introverted, focused more on his work and inner life than on social engagements. Highly committed to his role as an apothecary, he demonstrated great dedication and attentiveness to his craft, often going above and beyond to help his customers find the remedies they sought.

His modest upbringing imbued him with a strong sense of responsibility and a work ethic that was apparent to anyone who knew him. Though not particularly outgoing, he was compassionate and empathetic, qualities that endeared him to his customers and, of course, to Seraphina. He had a calm and soothing presence, providing a kind of quiet strength that served as the cornerstone of his relationships.

Despite facing a slew of obstacles, particularly after his marriage into the Ravenshade family, Benedict's core character remained unchanged. He remained loyal, loving, and level-headed, even in the face of immense societal and familial pressures.