Rowan Hammon (U-50)

Sir Rowan Hammon hails from the city of Rainmore, Geldland, where he holds the titles of a noble and a knight. He is a valued member of the Four Swords Guard in service to Duke Lawrence Silversea, carrying the distinguished title of the Sword of the South.

House Hammon claims Sir Rowan as one of their own, the second son of Lord Erron Hammon and Kirsa Jaybert. He has an elder sibling by the name of Aldo Hammon. Although unmarried, Sir Rowan is engaged to Wilda Lamb, who happens to be Lord Jeremy Lamb's granddaughter.

Sir Rowan's exceptional qualities caught the eye of Lord William Rumford, who hand-selected him to serve as an escort for Alphonse Lionheart and Oliver Rumford during their diplomatic mission to Oderhaven. Tragically, on their journey back to Rainmore, the envoy fell prey to a vicious bandit attack, with Sir Rowan among the casualties. He was laid to rest near the very place where this unfortunate incident occurred. In honor of his memory and service, Sir Oliver Rumford stepped into the role Sir Rowan had held within the Guard.

## Character

Rowan possesses an average height and a robust build, characterized by a well-defined chin, thick eyebrows, and the signature unruly reddish hair of the Hammon lineage.

His attire typically consists of the Guard's distinctive armor, featuring light green plate armor complemented by a long, dark green cape cascading from his shoulders. Rowan's weapon of choice is the one-and-a-half-handed sword, also known as a bastard sword.

In terms of personality, Rowan is approachable but tinged with a touch of arrogance stemming from his position in the Guard. While he demonstrates reasonable combat skills, earning his place in the Guard, he doesn't possess any exceptional abilities that would set him apart. Sadly, his sole encounter was in the Battle of the Green Way, where he met a tragic end before the actual combat commenced, struck down by a crossbow bolt.

## History

Rowan, born in the year 342 of the Fourth Era into House Hammon, was the second son of Lord Erron Hammon and Kirsa Jaybert.

His early martial education was entrusted to Sir Aaron Sardar, whom his parents had hired to instruct the young boy in swordplay and horsemanship. Unfortunately, Sir Aaron was later called to serve as the master-at-arms at the court of Devon Embers, compelling Rowan to shift to a more rudimentary training regimen.

Rowan's training proved sufficient when the new duke, Lawrence Silversea, undertook the reformation of the Four Swords Guard. Given that all the members of Lord Devon's guard had either perished or gone into exile, all positions were vacant, and Rowan's selection required no extraordinary distinction. He was chosen alongside Sir Elmord Walden, Sir Blake Argent, and Randall Glassoway. Given that Rowan and Randall had not yet been knighted, a modest ceremony was held in which Sir Elmord and Sir Blake presided over their vows. Shortly after the ceremony, Sir Rowan took on the young Lance Whell as his squire.

Following his appointment, Sir Rowan took on a variety of roles within Rainmore Castle. He was often stationed near the fortress's entrance, ensuring the safe passage of guests, a role he notably fulfilled during the initial meeting between William Rumford and Lawrence. He also frequently attended cabinet meetings, offering his services as a guard positioned behind the duke.

When William Rumford sought to dispatch an envoy to Oderhaven in the pursuit of securing the support of Lord Ferdinand Goudenport, it was Sir Rowan who was designated as the Four Swords' representative and tasked with escorting the group. Over the course of the journey, his rapport with Alphonse Lionheart and Oliver Rumford blossomed into a cordial relationship. However, his association with Sir Howell Parwyn, the captain of the Rumford House guard, never progressed beyond a perfunctory camaraderie. During the voyage, Rowan's reluctance to remove his armor, choosing instead to mask it, aroused the suspicion of Caius Brutus regarding the envoy's origins, though fortunately, no complications arose.

Upon their arrival in Oderhaven, Sir Rowan attended the initial meeting between Alphonse and Oliver with Lord Ferdinand. In the aftermath, he spent considerable time with Sir Klaus Kotton and other courtly knights and continued to serve as an escort for Oliver and Alphonse.

The return journey to Rainmore saw the group compelled to traverse the Green Way once more. As they advanced along the road, Sir Rowan ordered the carriage to halt and arrested the group's progress. In the ensuing silence, Rowan strove to listen, drawing his sword, but was struck by a crossbow bolt that managed to penetrate his chestplate. While his comrades grappled with a bandit group, Sir Rowan lay grievously wounded on the ground. His life was tragically extinguished when one of the frightened horses trampled over him, crushing his head.

### Legacy

Sir Rowan's body found its final resting place in a clearing on the Green Way, beside Sir Howell Parwyn and the coachman Osgar. Upon their return to Rainmore, a modest ceremony was conducted to pay respects to the departed, with a particular focus on honoring Sir Rowan. After the funeral, Oliver was promoted to join the Four Swords Guard, stepping into the role left vacant by Rowan.

The passing of Sir Rowan, along with Sir Howell's demise, profoundly affects Oliver. These two deaths serve as a turning point in Oliver's life, nurturing within him a newfound reverence for chivalry and compelling him to cast aside the transgressions of his past.