Torrhen Hornwood

Torrhen Hornwood is the current Lord of the Hornwood as one of the few surviving members of his house. A fierce man, he is known as a formidable combatant and a staunch survivor, despite the odds. He finds bloodshed comfortable and enjoys the thrill of fighting, though he has learned to temper his lust for blood.

## Appearance

Lord Torrhen Hornwood is a tall and athletic man, his body marred with various scars and defined with lean muscle, the very picture of a honed killer. His skin is slightly pale, and his long hair is black in color. His eyes are a shade of light gray and rather intense, flashing anger often. Torrhen keeps himself clean-shaven, preferring no facial hair.

Not one for finery or dressing up, Torrhen can often be found in his heavy armor, which is a dark grey in color and features large moose antlers on the helm. If the situation absolutely calls for it, he prefers to dress in clothes that are mostly black, with a little orange splashed in and a few hints of brown. He enjoys wearing fur as well, and enjoys the comfort of gloves and a cloak.

## Personality and Character

Torrhen is a man who is often angry and bitter, due to his own natural disposition and the way his life has unfolded. He is far from simple or uneducated, but prefers to use force to achieve his goals. A strong warrior and duelist, he enjoys the thrill of combat and relishes in violence when he can reasonably use it. He is also a shrewd manipulator and can easily operate in the shadows, though he mainly uses espionage as a method of intelligence gathering, using actions only when pressed.

He has his soft spots, mainly women and children or those who cannot defend themselves and only finds enjoyment killing or fighting those who present a challenge. Torrhen is highly interested in the stories of old and the mysticism surrounding the Old Gods, though he struggles with believing some of it.

## History

### Early Life

Born in 75 AC as the third son and youngest child of Lord Halys Hornwood, young Torrhen nearly was taken from the world at a young age by the bitter cold and elements but survived, fighting his hardest. Even from childhood, it was plain to see that Torrhen was more excitable and rambunctious than his siblings, and often was scolded and punished by his father. Unable to stand Torrhen and his outbursts, his siblings, save for his sister Dacey, quickly grew tired of him and often teased or ignored him.

Seeking the attention he could not get, Torrhen often acted out or made a scene to get his way. He found studying boring and could hardly sit still enough to learn. Seeking to find a healthy outlet for his boy, Lord Halys quickly introduced Torrhen to martial pursuits, something the young boy took to extremely quickly. Despite his youth, Torrhen was able to discern weak points in his partners defenses and learned to quickly exploit them. A strong lad, he continued to grow and put on muscle, enjoying the feeling of besting those his age.

Despite his best efforts, his older brothers routinely beat him in the yard, taking extra time to humiliate him as best they could. As years passed by without any incident, Torrhen resigned himself to the fact he would never inherit and that he would spend his life simply serving his brothers at the Hornwood. Growing continuously, he soon began to defeat his brothers and others even older than himself with his brutal fighting style, earning him few friends. Torrhen also began to intimidate some of the servants at the Hornwood, bullying them into watching others and eavesdropping for Torrhen.

He then would use some of that information to harass and disgrace others, and many soon began to resent the young man. Caring little, Torrhen enjoyed the feeling of power and took pride in his ability to attack others both physically and verbally. For a spell of time the youngest Hornwood considered joining the Night’s Watch, but decided against it after his sister begged him to stay.

### Fall of House Hornwood

As his father grew older, he began to become more antagonizing to all of his children and his wife, infuriating Torrhen who would often challenge him only to find he did not have as much power as he thought. Often leaving the castle and going out on trips alone into the Hornwood, Torrhen found solace in the nature surrounding him and enjoyed hunting greatly.

He also eventually took trips south to see the Neck and visit White Harbor, finding the difference between the city and the forest he called him refreshing. Torrhen’s life would drastically change in 89 AC, when nearly all of his family would perish due to the Curse of Maegor. Despite barely surviving himself, Torrhen would watch as his kin were swiftly eroded and it would kill the boy in him when he watched his sister Dacey slowly succumb and pass.

Finding himself in a position he never could have imagined, he inherited the Lordship of Hornwood, spending the first few moons simply grieving. When he emerged to rule his lands, Torrhen was a much harder man, focused and bitter. He soon found that he had a natural ability to manage his house’s income and instead of intimidating people to spy for him, he began to pay them, a switch that worked out much better for him.

### Marriage and A Battle

Known as a excellent fighter, Torrhen did his best to build up his house and continue his families lineage, still taking time to go for his hunting trips and retreats. A number of years went by while Torrhen toiled and fought to rebuild his house. In 95 AC, he married a bastard girl from the North named Jeyne Snow and quickly attempted to have a child. While he enjoyed her company, initially he did not love her but when she died in childbirth with a daughter who lived for only a few short moons, Torrhen felt broken.

Steeling himself yet again, he continued to try and find ways to avoid dealing with any of the pain he felt inside. In 97 AC he rode north with Theodan Stark and was heavily involved in the fighting north of the wall, slaying numerous wildlings to the point that his grey armor was mostly covered in shades of crimson. He also took numerous severe wounds, his face being slashed into. During the fighting, he was a blur of steel and each wound he took seemed only to fuel his bloodlust, a pile of bodies left in his wake.

Returning to the Wall, he was taken care of and his wounds were slightly mended, but he was restored fully when resting at Winterfell after the battle. Soon after, he returned home and rumors say he broods in the Hornwood most night or locks himself in his tower for days on end. While he looks for any opportunity to advance himself and his house, he has so far been loyal to House Stark, seeing no reason to gripe with them.

### Sickness and Recovery

After performing admirably well at the tournament at White Harbor, including winning the Melee, Wrestling Competition and coming in second during the Drinking Contest. He engaged with numerous lords and ladies, though some were turned off by his bluntness and disposition, while others sought to make friends with the Moose Lord. Torrhen sought to aid his Kingdom against the pirate threat, but fell severely ill and was unable to lend his considerable battle prowess to the endeavor. He clung to health and has recently made the trip to Oldcastle for the festivities there, feeling renewed and healthy for the first time in moons.

## **Timeline**

**75 AC** - Torrhen is born as a third son.

**89 AC** - Many members of House Hornwood pass due to the Curse of Maegor, leaving Torrhen as Lord.

**95 AC -** Torrhen marries Jeyne Snow, who dies in childbirth after her pregnancy.

**97 AC -** Joining the trip north of the wall, Torrhen is brutally wounded but survives despite his scarring.

**98 AC -** Torrhen participates in the Tourney at White Harbor but falls ill shortly after.

**99 AC -** Torrhen recovers and makes the journey to Oldcastle.

## **Family Tree**

* ***Halys Hornwood, the late Lord of the Hornwood, b. 54 AC - d. 89 AC***

* *(m.)* *Meera Flint the late Lady of the Hornwood, b. 53 AC - d. 89 AC*
	+ *Harrion Hornwood, Son of Halys, b. 72 AC - d. 89 AC*
	+ *Robin Hornwood, son of Halys, b. 73 AC - d. 89 AC*
	+ *Dacey Hornwood, daughter of Halys b. 74 AC - d. 89 AC*
	+ **Torrhen Hornwood, Lord of the Hornwood, b. 75 AC**
* *Arthor Hornwood , Brother of Halys, b. 55 AC - d. 89 AC*

* *(m.) Lysa Poole, b. 55 AC - d. 89 AC*
	+ Alyn Hornwood, Son of Arthor, Heir to Hornwood b. 73 AC
	+ (m.) Jyana Cassel b. 73 AC
* Eddard Hornwood, Brother of Halys b. 56 AC
* (m.) *Maege Mollen, b.56 AC - d. 89 AC*
	+ Edwyn Hornwood Son of Eddard, b. 74
	+ Alys Hornwood, Daughter of Eddard, b. 75 AC
	+ *Cayn Hornwood, Son of Eddard, b. 76 AC - d. 89 AC*

## **Meta**

Skills: Two-Handed Weapons, Precision, Espionage, Subversion, Stewardship.

Aptitude: Berserker