Rodrik Dustin

Rodrik Dustin is the heir of Barrowton and his father, Warren Dustin's, first legitimate son. He has an older brother, Donnel, who was born a bastard to a commoner as well as two siblings, Cregan and Jonelle.

Eager to prove himself to his father and all others around him who shared stories of his father's skills with an axe, Rodrik practically lived in the courtyard of Barrow Hall. From a young age to the present day, he is quick to fight anyone who is willing. Unfortunately, this brashness and aggression has made many fear the passing of Warren since his son seems more the warrior than a ruler.

## Appearance

Rodrik has blonde hair, tied to the back of his head. He has a short beard and brown eyes. Due to the long period of peace Barrowton has experienced, Rodrik is comfortable in leathers and furs instead of armor.

## Background

### Childhood

Born in the 100th year after Aegon's Conquest, Rodrik entered into a new era for the North as a babe. While he wasn't his father's firstborn child, he was his father's trueborn heir. This fact was not a constant reminder as his bastard brother was raised in Old Wyk but it was still a shadow that seemed to hang over him even from birth.

In the years to come after he was born, Rodrik would have two more siblings, a brother, Cregan, and a sister, Jonelle. Rodrik got along well with both of his trueborn siblings, however, he had a natural hatred for his bastard brother. Rodrik visited his mother's family once a year and with Donnel's occasional visit to Barrowton, this meant Rodrik was forced to interact with him more times than he'd like.

### Growing Pains

As he grew up, Rodrik had a natural talent for fighting. While he was bound to be trained in how to use all manners of weaponry including those from horseback, he was especially skilled with an axe. Many said it was his father's spirit coming out of him and that made Rodrik even prouder when he set to spar in the courtyard. However, Warren was not as proud to see his son spend day after day in sparring sessions.

Despite as much protesting as Warren would allow, Rodrik was forced to spend as much time with Barrowton's maester as he was with its Master-of-Arms. This didn't prove effective, however, as Rodrik was only interested in getting through whatever task the maester set out for him so he could get back outdoors to the next sparring.

This dynamic continued to be a problem, especially when Warren was called away to help Lord Theodan during the Great Drought. Although no one expected the young heir to handle matters of ruling, they did expect him to participate at court. Instead, the young warrior was never seen in Barrow Hall when petitioners came. This created a rift between father and son that lasted for the rest of Rodrik's childhood and, in part, the rest of his life.

### Responsibilities

It wasn't until 119 AC when Rodrik married Raya Stark that he began to show some ability to handle responsibility. The pair first met some years prior and with both children's fathers having mutual respect for the other, the two made a natural match. Rodrik began to accompany his father to Winterfell on occasion and it was on one of these that a betrothal was announced. The wedding that followed was intimate given the hard times the North was suffering, through, however, Warren was pleased to see his heir married and especially to his liege's daughter.

Warren was also pleased to see a change in Rodrik's personality after first meeting Raya. While Rodrik reverted to childish, immature behavior when he was in Barrowton, the young Stark girl seemed to have an aging effect on Rodrik. He would dress more neatly, speak with manners, and even commented wisely on matters of diplomacy or culture. This continued through their marriage as well. Warren began to ensure Raya was with Rodrik whenever he made his son hold court in his absence. While it wasn't a permanent solution, Warren hoped that the effect Raya had on Rodrik would eventually become permanent.

Five years and two children later, though, those hopes never came to fruition. Rodrik was a good father, husband, and friend. However, he showed enough times for it to become clear to all in Barrowton that he was no ruler like his father. Rodrik would often ride off into the countryside with a band of friends and followers including the likes of Bowen Stark, [name here], and [name here] where they'd hunt, drink, and fight for a few days before returning. When House Glover rebelled in 125 AC, Warren publicly had mixed feelings of seeing Rodrik lead the men of Barrowton north. Yet, march he did. Rodrik was by no means a commander but he fought as well as any in the Northern army and was relied upon especially to keep the vanguard in order. He returned a veteran of war and emboldened to prove his father wrong about him.

### Time to Rise

Days after Rodrik returned from war, however, another figure came to Barrowton as well: Warren's bastard son, Donnel. While Donnel was an occasional visitor at Barrowton, Rodrik was irate to hear that Donnel was making Barrowton his permanent home on Warren's invitation. During those visits, Rodrik refused to recognize Donnel as his brother. There are rumors that Rodrik is known to say after having too many drinks that, "If only my father had had me a year earlier, Donnel would be no one." Even worse, Donnel was given responsibilities for certain aspects of Warren's ruling that used to be handled by the lord's cousin, Alys, who had passed away during the Great Drought. Under Gysella Goodbrother's tutelage, Donnel learned all about the running of a household and he received much praise from those in Barrowton for his efforts.

Rodrik, however, had little patience for his brother's success and took to traveling more with his family. They visited Old Wyk, Oldtown, and even King's Landing before the birth of his first son forced Rodrik to return to Barrowton. As the 130th year arrived, Rodrik was focused on establishing himself before his father's inevitable death and getting rid of his bastard brother for good. At the same time, his time traveling showed him that the other people of the Seven Kingdoms were so unlike his people in the North and the growing number of those against Theodan's kneeling to the dragon seemed to be right.

## Quotes by Rodrik

"*If only my father had had me a year earlier, Donnel would be no one.*" - Rodrik with regards to his bastard brother's place in the Dustin household

"*A lion of Lannister, the Baratheon stags...they are all more alike than a Northman to any below the Neck.*" - Rodrik about his travels through the Seven Kingdoms

## Quotes about Rodrik

"*He's a warrior like I was, it's true, but I didn't think it'd take the Burning to teach me how to rule.*" - Warren about Rodrik's reluctance to take his duties seriously

"*He's wild but not untamed. My mate knows exactly where he's meant to rest his head.*" - Raya about Rodrik's frequent disappearances from Barrowton

## Household

**Main Line**

* Rodrik Dustin
* m. Lysara Dustin nee Whitehill
	+ Myriame Stark nee Dustin
		- m. Alaric Stark
	+ Artos Dustin
	+ m. Celia Reed
		- Artos Dustin
			* m. Jeyne Dustin nee Karstark
			* Domeric Dustin
		- Warren Dustin
			* Yulla
				+ Donnel Snow
		- m. Gwin Goodbrother
			* Rodrik Dustin
			* m. Raya Stark
				+ Serena Dustin
				+ Celia Dustin
				+ Artos Dustin
			* Cregan Dustin
			* m. Allara Forrestor
				+ Torrhen Dustin
				+ Allara Dustin
			* Jonelle Dustin
		- Eyron Dustin
		- Dacey Dustin

Family Tree

## Meta

Attribue: Strong

Skills: Leadership (CHA), Weapon Mastery (COM) [Axes & Blunts and Off-Hand Weapons], Footwork (COM)